Holiday Do's and Don'ts

The stockings were hung by the fire with care...in hopes that some etiquette soon would be there! Here are a few simple do's and don'ts to keep your holidays classy and carefree.



DO: Keep extra gift wrap on hand. Whether it's a last minute sweater for your cousin's new girlfriend or a pretty poinsettia for a Christmas party host, it's always a good idea to stash away some extra wrapping paper, tissue paper, gifts bags, ribbon, and scotch tape this time of year. It's not necessary, but if you don't, I guarantee somebody's gonna end up having to run to Wal-greens at 11pm!

DON'T: Go overboard. Rather than buying excessive amounts of presents this year, choose a few truly meaningful items for your friends and family. Focus on quality, not quantity.

DO: Bring a goodie. Whether you've been invited to a friend's Christmas party or a New Year's Eve bash, bring something thoughtful for the host. Bake a batch of cookies, wrap up a bottle of sparkling juice, or give a blooming plant to brighten up the soiree.

DON'T: Wear it "just because it's Christmas." If you have a certain sweater, skirt or (dare I say it?) headband that you tend to wear on "special occasions," stop. Don't break out ugly items just because it's Christmas! The holidays are not a license to sport every sequined, tacky, and short ensemble in your closet...and don't even get me started on Santa costumes. You don't have to do red-and-green to be merry; keep it classy and festive with colors like silver, gold, black, and purple.

DO: Be nice. This is a difficult time of year for waiters, retail employees, valets, etc. Folks are out and about in droves, and many times, without any patience. Mentally prepare yourself ahead of time for long lines and wait times, and try to enjoy yourself. Tip your waiter extra and be considerate to fellow shoppers - they will appreciate the genuine holiday cheer!

London Times

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World was recently featured in the London Times! Be sure to check out the great article here.

It's Here!!!

I'm so excited to announce the...

TRUE HEPBURN CONTEST!

Are you or someone you know making a positive impact on the world around you (all with some style, class, and grace)? Have you started a non-profit to help those less fortunate than yourself? Do you devote your time to serving your community? Are you involved in a mentor program? etc. We want to hear about it!

Tell us (in 500 words or less) how/why you are a True Hepburn and you could win a FREE personal visit from yours truly to your book club! Or sorority. Or youth group. Or high school. Or whatever you pick.

Simply submit your essay to contest@jordanchristy.com by March 15, 2010. Once all the entries are received, we'll narrow it down to 5 finalists, then the rest is up to YOU! Get your friends and family ready to vote, because the ultimate winner will be decided by public vote.

I can't wait to hear your stories and am even more excited to visit your city. Now go get started on that essay!

Hot Hepburn Hint #15

Yes it's the gimme-gimme time of year (and I even found myself asking my husband if I should "make you a list of everything I want so you don't forget!?") but it's also the best time of year to give to others. And I'm not just talking about your friends and neighbors that already have stuff.
This week, Taylor Swift gave $250,000 to schools around the country that she's either attended or worked with, saying, "Something I wanted to do at the end of this amazing year and especially on my birthday was give back to something I really believe in, which is education."
We may not have 250k to throw at the education system, but all of us have a cause or group of people in need that is close to our heart. So this week's Hot Hepburn Hint is...

DONATE!

You can donate your time, your energy, or your resources to people in need this holiday season. There are tons of great organizations to partner with around the holidays to make sure that someone else has a merry Christmas. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

World Vision World Vision is a wonderful organization that allows you to provide many different levels of help - anything from offering emergency aid to giving an African boy the gift of clean water for Christmas to adopting an Indonesian girl and providing for her well-being.

Angel Tree Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with gifts, supplies, and the true message of Christmas.

The Salvation Army The Salvation Army offers several different ways to give - you can volunteer your time, drop off household goods, give monetary donations, etc. to help others in need.

Ready, set, donate! It's a very Hepburn thing to do.

Mandy Moore Blog

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World is currently featured on MandyMooreBlog.com. Be sure to check it out!

I Want...

a Moon Manicure.



If your nails are anything like mine, they start looking a little sad and neglected this time of year. They need a moon manicure! This retro trend is making a comeback, and the nice thing is you can do it right at home. If you don't want to go quite this dark, do a deep mauve or cerulean shade for an equally nice contrast. Here's how:

1) Lacquer nails with two coats of gunmetal (example: CND Enamel in Hyde in the Dark). Allow at least five minutes for the polish to dry.

2) Sweep nail adhesive (example: Kami Nail Foil adhesive) over the polish. It will change from white to clear matte when dry.

3) Place a strip of gold foil—shiny side facing down (example: Kami Metallic gold and silver foil) over your nail, tap three to four times with your fingertip to deposit the pigment, then peel off. Repeat with the silver foil.

Australian Women Online

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World received a great review from Australian Women Online - read it here. Hello Australia! I love you!

Bring On The Glitz

Let's be honest, when else can you wear sequins, bows, and glitter and not look like a street walker? Never. That means it must be Christmas! And personally, I'm thrilled (although my mother has often accused me of wanting to wear a feather boa to school when I was younger, so I might lean towards the loud side of fashion anyway). Here are some of the best ways to do glitz for that upcoming office Christmas party without looking like something an elf threw up.

Do: keep it modest. If you're going for a big statement on your dress (which will undoubtedly garner big comments), you don't want "hoochie" to be one of the thoughts that springs to mind as well, so keep things knee-length and cleavage-free, like Kate here.



Do: switch up your hair. Now is the time to be a little more festive with your lovely locks, so try a braid, a small sparkly headband, or retro curls for a change of pace. Blake, nicely done.



Do: add some shine. Feel free to jazz up your makeup routine - a little shimmer and sparkle are nice facial surprises around the holidays. My sister and I really love Whitney Port, and I think this is the perfect example of some holiday shine.

whitney-port.com

Remember, the important thing is how you conduct yourself at said holiday party. So bring on the glitz!