How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

I just finished a highly inspiring book. It is called 'How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World.' by Jordan Christy. I totally recommend this book for: The girls that are tired of watching girls like Lindsay Lohan and Hedi Montag cover the pages of magazines just for being hot messes. This book is for the girls who understand they are different and want to let their inner Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly out. Realizing that the classy girl does actually do it better. Here are my own personal lessons from the book. If you read it I hope you learn your own lessons as well.

Lesson 1: Keep Your Chin Up and Skirt Down

I've always been a different breed of girl. Even back in high school I was never the party girl that was out every Friday and Saturday night. In fact I wasn't ever invited and back then I always pouted about this, but I'm learning quickly throughout my twenties that those things were not necessary to my survival as a woman. Not going to those parties and not hanging with those types of people allowed me to become a more classier breed of girl. I'm the one that is modest both body and soul.I'm the one that is going to go farther than my trashier peers.

Lesson 2: Words Words Words

I've always been a girl of many words. However I like those words to mean something that is why I enjoy reading and being informed. Here is a small list of my favorite books that have shaped both my vocabulary and my thoughts on life, love, and happiness.

1. Catcher in the Rye – By J.D. Salinger
2. 13 Little Blue Envelopes – Maureen Johnson
3. 13 Reasons Why – Jay Asher
4. Hunger Games Trilogy – Suzanne Collins
5. Just Listen – Sarah Dessen

I know I've mentioned most of these books before, but I also want to repeat that these are the books that have changed my life. They allow me to think differently, hope for the hopeless situations and look at the world through new eyes. They have turned me into the classy girl I am.

Lesson 3: Elbow Grease

Have goals and dreams are important to a classy girl's life. The trouble comes when trying to execute those things. Nothing is handed to you and even the girls born with the silver spoon need to be hardworking and loyal in order to have some sort of grace. It doesn't matter what kind of family you were born into or what you do for a living it is important to have things and destinations you want out of life. It is important to know that you must work to get these things accomplished. Nobody can do the work for you. Here are some of my goals for my classy, stylish, and graceful life.

1. Live in a crappy old apartment and fix it up.
2. Go to Ireland.
3. Get married, stay married and have a successful marriage.
4. Have children and teach those children the wellness of life by being around.
5. Have wonderful dinners whenever I can so I can keep in touch with friendships.

These goals and dreams don't just come, they are a reward for the hard work and dedication you do to get them. I want to gain integrity and happiness by making the world a little brighter for our future. I want to earn what I get and even though it isn't the most fun at times it is something I will look back on with fond pride.

Lesson 4: Choose Your Friends Wisely

For every classy girl there is another classy one by her side. Our friendships are the thing that can make or break us in how the world sees us. If a classy girl has bad influences they lose their luster. You notice how the trashy girls tend to have a swarm of enablers around them. They are never able to make healthy decisions because they are surrounded by unhealthy people. However if you have true pearls for friends; well you can really conquer the world. I have been blessed with some great friends. We have been through everything and anything together.

1. Amanda: For twelve years we have look after one another. We have suffered through breakups, encouraged each ones achievements and learned to exist in a way that only two best friends can understand. She is my sister and my great relationship. She is the one I love more than my own life.
2. Lauren: Lauren and I have been friends for quite awhile. She is my slice of youth and my fix for anything fun or flirty. She is the girl I sit and laugh about Daria with, the one I sneak into my house to raid the fridge, and the girl I get to share spontaneous moments with.
3. Sara: Sara and I have known each other since middle school. However we didn't really hang out with the same group of friends until Amanda moved to Blaine. After high school she has become an awesome companion. She is the girl I have long and late night conversations with, the girl I can play the awkward wedding picture game, and gossip about the weekly pregnant panther updates.

Lesson 5: Let Him Come to You

Part of being a classy young lady involves those old fashioned ideas about romance. I know it is difficult and that I haven't always followed these rules when it comes to men, but I learned a lot from this lesson. I think it states that sometimes girls tend to take the mystery and challenge out of dating. We become Facebook stalkers and obsessive texters. What incentive is there for a guy to work for your heart if you just hand it over to him? Here are five things I'm looking forward in a future man of mine.

1. Honesty
2. Faithfulness
3. Music lover
4. Coffee lover
5. God follower

I want a man with these types of characteristics. This kind of man should find me and talk to me. Gone are the days when I go searching for a man or waiting for him to call. When something is suppose to happen it will. I'm going to take a lesson in old fashioned romance and realize that if a man is interested he will pursue me. I shouldn't have to put in the groundwork. It doesn't matter how much you try; you can't force someone to fall in love with you. They can't fall in love with you if you bombard them and creep them out.

Lesson 6: Dress to Impress

The way we look on the outside makes us the way we want people to see us. I'm not saying you have to be vain and unforgiving with your fashion choices. You don't need to look like you are coming off the runway at all times. However I have learned that appearance could mean the difference between getting things and not. Things like jobs, dates, and to be taken seriously. As hard as it is to get out of those sweats just to go to the grocery store, try and do it because it might just be your date with destiny. Let us just say destiny might not recognize you if you are grubby. If you look trashy people are going to assume you are. If you wear that shirt that shows about 80% of your boobs or a skirt that makes you look like a hooker. Well then people are going to look at you with the wrong ideas. They will begin to only see those parts of you and not the truth underneath. That you are capable of being serious and getting what you need done. You don't need to spend hundred of dollar, but every once in awhile it is OK to get nice things and splurge. Try to mix in those things with inexpensive staples from places like Target and Old Navy. Just make sure to be modest and wear clothes that make you look sexy without a lot of skin. Believe me ladies, it is possible. Here are three of my splurge goals I'm saving for.

1. Vintage Dress
   
   
   
   
   
2. Rain Boots 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Sweater tights 
   
   
   
   
   

These little things are what I would splurge on and I can't wait to be able to wear them one day.

Lesson 7: Less Is More

I think women have always had the pressure to look great all the time. So the idea is given that we need to slather on layers upon layers of makeup. This is in no way true and a classy lady can let her true beauty shine through. If you wear makeup that looks like you walked out of Circe-sol-lei then people often get the impression you are a street walker. Yet with subtle touches you can look as classy as Princess Grace. I have a few makeup stables that I love for Day and Night looks. Most of these things are fairly inexpensive, you can buy at any drugstore and I adore it!

Day

1. Cover girl Natureluxe Foundation In whatever shade you need
   *The thing I love about this is that it is so light that I barely feel like I'm wearing foundation and it covers up the little imperfection without making me look like I painted my face on.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Cover girl Natureluxe Gloss Balm Sandstone or Marble
   * I love that it comes in many colors and feels great on my lips. It has sunscreen to protect my lips from damaging effects. It is like wearing a lipstick that feels like a gloss.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Avon Waterproof Mascara Black or Brown
   * What is great about this is that it is light and I can keep it in my purse for touch ups. I love Avon for their hypoallergenic products.
   
   
   
   
   

For a day out that is all I really need to make my natural beauty shine. It is about the minimal touches. However if I'm going out for the night these are the products I love.

Night

1. Cover girl concealer stick In whatever shade you need
   * OH NO! Under eye circles or an awful blemish? This is my favorite tool to cover up those things without making me look like a zombie.
   
   
   
    

2. Avon Eyeliner Charcoal or Navy 
   *I love Avon's eyeliners because they are smooth and don't irritate my eyes. I love the subtle of the gray and navy because it isn't quite as harsh as black. I do like black for formal events, however I'm really liking the night out colors being a bit more understating. 
   
   
   

3. Cover girl Natureluxe Gloss Balm Anemone
   * For a night out if I'm not doing smokey or darker eyes this is my favorite shade of red to compliment lips. Once again it feel great on my lips and is easy to touch up.
   
   
   
   
   

4. Avon Super Shock Mascara Black
   * When I go out at night I want my lashes to explode and this is the perfect mascara to make my lashes look great. For a night out nothing says sexy more than nice full black lashes.
   
   
   

Anytime

This is my favorite nail polish. It is only a buck or two at most drug stores or Target and it comes in almost a billion fun colors (ok maybe I'm exaggerating, but a lot)

Sinful Expressions Nailpolish

I love natural and neutral colors for shadows and dark earth tones or cool colors for night. The trick is to make it look like you just enhanced your beauty not like you went to Glamor Shots.

The Last Lesson 8: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!

As 'The Girl With The Chocolate Dreams' I have always had a deep appreciation for dessert and anything involving gooey creamy delicious Chocolate. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. I've learned in this book that it is ok to eat and that starving yourself to be thinner is never fun. Unless you have major health concerns love yourself for the size you are. Eat well. That means order dessert and reward yourself for the conscious health choices you make. It is OK to eat healthy, but don't deny yourself of those sweet things. It literally will just make you miserable. Learn to love what there is on the outside and don't obsess over food. Make good meals and drink good beverages. Eat what makes you happy. Here are five of my favorite things to devour when I can.

1. Chocolate Cake 
   
   
   
2. Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks 
   
   
   
3. Candy Corn 
   
   
   
4. Grilled cheese sandwich 
   
   
   
5. Burger King Onion rings 
   
   
   

Those are the lessons I've learned and I would like to thank Jordan Christy for helping me discover my classy girl inside. Letting this classy old fashion girl know it is safe for her to come out. That it isn't lame to be modest, but that it is also graceful and stylish. I suggest all you readers pick it up sometime and find the classy Audrey Hepburn type girl inside of you. Hopefully it will help you rid yourself of any potential Lindsay Lohan like consequences.

Good Night to All My Classy Ladies. <3