Movie Review

Soooo I might have went to see 17 Again. Synopsis: Zac Efron is unbelievably adorable. Leslie Mann is beautiful. And Matthew Perry is still Chandler Bing. If you need an excuse to eat some trashy concession food, and want to see a cute movie, check it out.

A Few Good Men

Wasn't it Shania Twain that once said, "Any man of mine better walk the line" ? I always liked her. Well, ladies, I have proof that good guys do still exist. Allow me to expound...

I've had a few really difficult days at work this week and have been secretly hoping for a little me-time. Then, my sweet husband told me that he had a surprise waiting for me at home. I was moderately excited and figured that he maybe took out the trash, or better yet, changed the dreaded diaper genie (for those of you without bambinos, it's essentially a giant sock stuffed with fermented sewage). But to my surprise, I came home to a spotless bathroom filled with candles, a bubble bath, sparkling grape juice, and homemade chocolate-covered strawberries. That's right, you heard me, he made the chocolate sauce for the berries and hand-dipped them. He then proceeded to feed, change, and put our baby to bed while I bubbled my troubles away.

So, you may ask, just where do you find a guy like this? Well, I found mine in the college cafeteria, but I'm pretty sure they also exist in places outside of the Gabhart Student Center. The key is to look for a nice guy. Period. Most jerks don't end up being nice guys, they stay jerks. But great guys usually start out nice and end up being nice. I got lucky enough to find one of those. So, if you're holding out for that idiot that blew you off once already, or failed to call when he said he would, ditch him. Your chocolate-making, baby-changing guy could be just around the corner!

Hot Hepburn Hint #5

We've all been cooped up for months in our dimly-lit offices and dank cubicles, breathing that musty recycled air while hunched over our keyboard in our wooly sweaters and cardigans - well, not anymore. It's almost May, and that means it's time to get break out the home pedicure kit. Ramp up the ol' workout routine. Exfoliate those legs. But most importantly, it's time to...

GET OUTSIDE!!!

So, this week's Hot Hepburn Hint is pretty simple: just leave the house. Nothing gives you the natural (not to mention free) high that the great outdoors does when everything is in bloom. So dust off your bike, dig your picnic basket out of the shed, or simply go for a stroll around your neighborhood. Happy spring!

I Wantcha Back Here Baay-behh

Windows rolled down + BBMak circa 1999 + fruit tea from Bread & Co. = Happiness. Period. .

M-squared

You gotta give the girl credit - our favorite Bubblicious-teen-bombshell-turned-folksie-arty-songwriter Mandy Moore has reinvented herself quite successfully. Her last album, Wild Hope, wasn't too shabby (best track is "Most of Me - download it, if you haven't already) and she has another anti-pop record coming out next month.

The first single "I Can Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week" showcases, among other things, Ms. Moore's ability to list all the days of the week in chronological order. The video is, how shall I put this...odd?? But the song is quirky and catchy. Excited to hear the rest of the album.

Can we also take a minute to discuss her recent nuptials to Mr. Heartbreaker himself, Ryan Adams? First of all, I was a little shocked that I didn't get an invite. Secondly, it is my "only hope" that her good hygiene habits wear off on him. I'm around male musicians a lot, and I'll be honest, they're not the most cleanly group. But nevertheless, whether MM is wearing a Walk-to-Remember-schoolmarm-frock or her hubby's skinny jeans, it's safe to say that she gets the Hepburn stamp of approval.

Top 5's

Top 5 Celebrity Crushes
1. John Mayer
2. Kevin James
3. Gwyneth Paltrow
4. Zac Efron
5. John Mayer

Top 5 Favorite Places to Eat
1. SATCO
2. Carrabba's
3. Fleming's
4. Casa Bonita
5. Dairy Queen

Top 5 TV Shows I Miss:
1. Seinfeld
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Boy Meets World
4. The O.C.
5. Alf

Hot Hepburn Hint #4

How many times a day do you find yourself waiting for something? Waiting for your computer to load? Waiting in the dentist office? Waiting for your delayed flight? Rather than simply thumbing through sticky copies of Highlights and twiddling your thumbs, try out this week's Hot Hepburn Hint:

BRING A BOOK!

Whether it's the newest novel, a sudoku book, or even just a crossword puzzle, keep something on hand that will stimulate your noggin when you find yourself with a little down time. Happy reading!

Guilty Pleasure

Today is a Las Paletas-kind of day. But Jordan, you may ask, what is Las Paletas? Well friends, gather around, for I am about to tell you. Las Paletas is this adorable gourmet popsicle shop here in Nashville that serves these Mexican-style fresh fruit popsicles that will change your life. The whole place kinda smells like bleach, but it's totally worth it for flavors like hibiscus, chai tea, tamarind, and spicy chocolate. If you live in Nashville (or even if you don't - book a flight and come hang out with me and the popsicles!), check it out.

Exercise: It's Not Pretty

Here's something special: I just left a huge sweat ring on our leather couch.

You know how some people just look great while they're working out? Their sweat-free hair is pulled effortlessly back into a bouncy high ponytail, their eye liner is perfectly intact, and their cute little Nike outfit has yet to see a drop of perspiration - not me. My face turns beet red, my skin gets blotchy and I always look like I'm about to keel over. Well, sometimes I think I actually might keel over. I swear, Tracy Anderson is going to be the death of me! But, alas, I am in love with her. Aaaaand she's slowly helping my baby bat wings go away. So if you're feeling up to feeling the burn, get yo self a copy.



And in case you were wondering, I am happy to report that she does not work out in the same getup that she's wearing on the cover. Happy sweating!

Music-y Book News

Ok, ok, I know you've been on pins and needles waiting for this Hepburn-related music announcement. So, without further ado, I'm excited to announce the...dundundundundundun (that's me furnishing my own drum roll) dundundundundundun...

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World iTunes iMix!

I'll be honest, it's gonna be amazing. I'll be sure and post a link when it's finished. Awwww yeeeeaaaaah.

Hot Hepburn Hint #3

I was forced to take some of my own advice this week. Work has been insanely difficult and hectic lately, book promo efforts are kicking into high-gear, a bunch of freelance writing assignments are due, college graduation preparations are getting underway, and my baby is getting teeth! This all added up to me needing a small escape. And where else can you find a healing oasis in the midst of the daily grind? Drumroll please. It's a little place I like to call...the day spa. So if you're feeling slightly overwhelmed as well, take this Hot Hepburn Hint literally:

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF!

Get a massage. Get a pedicure. Get a mud/Swedish/salt/oil/sugar/rock/seaweed scrub. If you're not into the whole pampering-schmampering scene, try going for a walk. Take a hike. Swim some laps. Or, if you're like me and think that "relaxing" exercise is an oxy moron, try baking some cookies. Order take-out. Try a new recipe. Whatever form of me-time activity you decide to indulge in, make it count!

Can't Type. Must Solve Puzzle.

My mother-in-law introduced me to Sudoku. I'm afraid I won't be blogging again until after I've figured out why there are two 4's in this row.

Just Blurb It

It seems that I always have something in the queue, and that thing is currently a new Blurb book. I'm in love with Blurb.com (check it out, you won't be dissapointed) and am really excited to start making a photo book of my baby girl. These personal, affordable, bookstore-quality gems are genius - you can make wedding books, vacation books, recipe books, fiction books - it's like crack cocaine for readers. Overall, they're really quite simple to assemble, although, it helps if you're Annie Leibovitz and have some quality content to work with in the first place. However, even if you're lacking in the creativity department, you can still craft a special, unique, coffee-table-conversation-piece (or shoved-under-the-couch-piece, depending on how bad it looks) that you and others will enjoy for years to come. That's the beauty of a Blurb book - if it turns out looking rotten, you have no one to blame but yourself! They really are so much fun - fun to make and fun to share. Just blurb it.

Spring Has Sprung...At The Mall.

I am convinced that a little retail therapy can cure just about anything, and I've been in desperate need of a material fix lately - my J.Crew catalog is covered in drool, my homepage is set to Bluefly.com and I've been manically driving by the Anthropologie store-front window like some crazed ex-girlfriend. Spring has officially sprung here in Nashville and my poor, neglected closet has been begging me to bring in some new recruits. So just as soon as that book check clears, you will see me wearing the following items:

Gah! So cute. And only a mere $178. Anthropologie, you're killing me.



Lovely, lovely, lovely. Thank you, Jenna Lyons. Next task at hand: find an event that warrants a floral necklace and/or silky orange top.

Go Country Music!

I am happy to report that the ACM's brought out some first-class acts this year. For those of you that didn't catch the award show, go YouTube it, if for no other reason than to see Carrie Underwood's Big Red Dress. Yowza! That was a DRESS. Kudos to Carrie's stylist, she should take a day off after that.

Overall, Mama was very proud and pleased with the classy-girl turnout. The following ladies get the official How to Be a Hepburn stamp of approval...

Lady in Red, Taylor Swift.

Dancing With The Stars cutie Julianne Hough, pre-wardrobe malfunction.

Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood (note to self: spend more time on the eliptical)

Stay tuned for some exciting How to Be a Hepburn music news!

Hot Hepburn Hint #2

Today's Hot Hepburn Hint was inspired by some new friends that were kind enough to invite us over to their home this week - they are pretty much the most amazing family ever - they have 8 kids (that's right, no typo, EIGHT KIDS), their Dad is a rockstar, their Mom is like the funniest lady alive, and they are, somehow, completely sane. After 8 kids, it appears as though they've mastered the art of parenting (while we, with only 1 child and a stack of dishes scraping the ceiling, have clearly not). They were so kind and had great words of wisdom for us two youngins just dipping our toes into the waters of parenthood. Their stories, advice and kind words were just incredibly encouraging. So, without further ado, this week's Hepburn Hint is to...

HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE THAT KNOW MORE THAN YOU!

Many times we get caught up in our own little circle of friends that, let's be honest, don't know much more about life than we do. As for me, I'm only 24, and that officially qualifies me to be an expert on nothing. I'm serious, I've lived long enough to know that I haven't lived long enough to know much. Consequently, one of my favorite things to do is hang around people that know more than I do. People with more life experience. People with wisdom. People with insight. People that can hand out encouragement and advice because they've been there. And just where can you find these people? Be on the lookout for some of the following...

1) An older colleague at work - go tenure!
2) A guidance counselor or mentor
3) A spiritual advisor - pastor, rabbi, etc.

I'm convinced that our generation is lacking in teachable-ness. We think we know it all, and that's where we get into trouble. So be on the lookout for someone with smarts.

I'm handing out pure gold here people!

My Girl Crush

I'll admit it, I have a huge girl crush on Gwyneth Paltrow. It's probably a good thing that I've never met her, because I would probably try to kiss her. I'm currently in love with her website Goop, and its corresponding newsletter. Feel free to check it out at your leisure, www.goop.com. It's tastefully filled with everything from healthy recipes to movie picks. It's informative, entertaining, and pretty darn cute.

And Gwyn, if you're interested, I'm making meatloaf for dinner tonight. You, Chris, Apple and Moses are all more than welcome to stop by.

Recommendations...

So, given the day job, I just have to blog about some great new music today. Here are, in no particular order, my recommendations for the week...

Keith Urban - new record out today (I don't care if you're not a country music fan, if he's good enough for Nicole, then dangit, he's good enough for you). Download "Sweet Thing" - this is me and my baby girl's official theme song. We rock out to it in the car.

Gavin DeGraw - new record out today, as well. Download "Dancing Shoes" - this is one of my favorite Gavin songs and I was so excited that he finally put it on an album.

Tyler Hilton - he's this cute little WB artist (I say "little"...pretty sure he and I are the same age, I just have this weird motherly thing goin on right now) that I've recently fallen in love with. Download "How Love Should Be" - it's an older song, but soooo good.

Happy listening!