Sweet Home Alabama

I just got home from a great week in northern Alabama. First, I had a great time with the girls at Austin High School - holla! You are some of the most vivacious and adorable girls I've ever talked with!

Next, I was whisked away by horse and carriage to a magical, enchanted, fairyland of oompa loompas. Actually, I was chauffered in a Chevy Tahoe to the 3M Film & Manufacturing plant, but who's counting? I got a close-up tour complete with safety goggles, clogs, and a smock (to which my husband tactfully replied, "Did you feel like an idiot?"). Then, that night, I had a great Q&A session with some 3M-ers and their daughters. One of the perks of speaking at 3M? Free band-aids and duct tape!!!

The next day, I not only had a great time meeting the lovely ladies of East Lawrence High School, but got an amazing brunch and beautiful bouquet of flowers out of the deal! Dear East Lawrence, you are the sweetest bunch of people I've ever met. And they even made a "How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World" bulletin board! That should win some type of award.

So to sum up, I heart Alabama. Can't wait to see y'all again real soon!

Recycled Love

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World is featured on Fashionable Earth's super-fun blog that hands out great advice under the mantra Reduce, Reuse, Restyle. Brilliant! Check it out...

Exciting Stuff That YOU Should Know About

Just wanted to let you (the best fans in the world!) know the super-secretive-insider-low-down on what's to come in the How to Be a Hepburn world in 2010.

First of all, some big changes are coming to www.jordanchristy.com, thanks to the most amazing web guru ever , including a weekly video blog, exclusive HTBAH fan (that's you!) discounts, an awesome layout, and brand new pics from the amazing Sarah Barlow . Here's a sneak peek from the shoot (which I'll blog about in detail later).



Second, we have a really great contest going on right now: the True Hepburn contest. Are you or someone you know making a positive difference in the world around you? We want to hear about it! Check out more details here. You could win a personal appearance from moi at your book club! Or sorority. Or youth group. Or even your kitchen if you want. Which brings me to my last point...meeting you.

I'm gearing up for a HUGE spring/summer and will be out speaking at events all across the country - everywhere from Chicago to Little Rock and NYC to Las Vegas. Come on out if I'm in your area, I would love to meet you! Also, there's still some weekends open, so don't be shy now about asking me to speak at your shindig. That's what I love to do.

If you can believe it, there's actually even MORE exciting things in the works, but I can't tell you right now - hehehe. Ooooo the suspense is killing me! Talk soon...

Blog Review

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World received a great review on a new blog, check it out here!

Some Major Aussie Love

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World is featured alongside Julie & Julia in Australia Women's Weekly - Australia's largest women's mag! Check out the awesome review...

Countdown to...

VALENTINES DAY! Oh Good Lord, how I love this holiday. It's just so happy! Besides the fact that it's a day completely devoted to chocolate, flowers, cards, and love, I have to assert that out of all the holiday color combos, Valentines is one of the best (Halloween, black and orange, are you kidding me?).

My husband can tell you that I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to the big V-Day. I bake elaborate desserts in the shape of hearts, buy kiddie valentines, and use excessive amounts of red and pink sprinkles. I can't help myself.

So, with only 32 days to go, here is a fun do-it-yourself gift idea from our friend Martha Stewart to give to a special someone.



Simply buy some seeds and seperate them into cute packets. Stamp their name on the front, and maybe a cute I-Love-You message on the back (or if you want to get truly corny, add a line like "We're two peas in a pod" or "Orange you going to be mine?"). Stuff one or several into mini plant pots and voila!

Stay tuned for more ridiculous Valentines-themed posts.

The People's Choice is...

Shall we discuss the various People's Choice Awards red carpet looks? Yes? Alright, let's. It's going to be a very short blog.

Was it just me or was the couture world a little bleak for the Choice awards this year? Megan Park looked cute, as did Ginnifer Goodwin. But, in my opinion, Best Dressed Award goes to Ms. Taraji P. Henson. Classic, sleek, beautiful. TP, that dress gets the Hepburn seal of approval. Bravo, foxy lady!



The other look worth mentioning is Carrie Underwood, who put a daring and fun fashion foot forward with this little number. Is it...black netting? Cheesecloth? Chicken wire? Who knows and who cares! She looks amazing, as always. As my mother would say, she could wear a gunney sack and still look like a knockout. I say: Carrie, Play On!



Bring on the awards season!

Bringin'...Periwinkle Back?

What happened to this color? It seemed to be absent for many moons, but is suddenly making a comeback. Could this be THE color for 2010? I don't know, but I like it. And I like Selena.

Resolution: Feet

I hope I haven't missed the resolution window, because I just came up with a new one today. After a particularly ugly workout, I took off my tennis shoes, only to reveal some of the most neglected toes in all history. My feet officially need help. Therefore, I am resolving to get myself to the spa and squeeze in a pedicure once a month. I don't care how busy I am, no foot should have to look like this!

News Times Feature

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World is currently featured in the News Times! Be sure to check out the great article here.

Resolution: Healthy

I don't know about you, but I packed on the poundage over the holidays and am excited to get back to my usual food regimen (which is no-white-flour, no-white-sugar, if you're wondering). If you're not quite up for that, or simply want to kick-start your own diet plan, here are a couple great new books to inspire you in the New Year!

1) Clean Food



This informative and resourceful guide is great for any healty-eating beginner. It has lots of tasty recipes and is even broken down by seasonal eating. Mario Batali thinks it's great, so it MUST be good :)


2) The Kind Diet



Our favorite Clueless girl has her own diet book. Whatever! I'll be honest, I love Alicia, an even though I'm not into the whole vegan-thing, I can appreciate when someone else has the discipline to do it. Plus she's just pretty.


3) The Maker's Diet



This New-York-Times-bestselling diet was invented by a guy that was chronically sick his entire life. Now he's not! It very closely resembles how I eat on a daily basis, and I feel pretty great most of the time, so if you can handle no pork, no shellfish, and no processed foods, I recommend giving it a try.


4) Living Raw Food



You can chalk this one up under the "intense" category (eating completely raw is no easy task folks!), but Sarma's just so cute and her blog is downright funny.


5) Babycakes NYC



Mmm mmm mmm I love me some Babycakes. Ok I know this is technically just a dessert cookbook, but I could personally make a daily diet out of desserts, so for those of you that love your sweets, but not the acky things in them, this is a must read.

Here's to a healthy, happy 2010!

Resolution: Workout

Alright, this one's for all of you New Year's Exercise Resolution peeps (which includes myself, I should add). After four weeks of eating cake balls and garlic bread I personally feel as though my body is composed of 20% water and 80% dough, so whether you've got 70 lbs. of Christmas turkey to shed, or simply want to tone some muscles, I've got some great fitness options right here.

1) Dance with Julianne



I LOVE dance cardio, so was thrilled to hear that sweet Julianne was putting out a DVD. If you want a butt-kicking workout, or just want to watch Jules jump around in a cute little outfit, this one's a must-have. It's available at just about any retail store, plus on Amazon.

2) Tracy Anderson Treadmill Workout



Everyone knows I'm a loyal Tracy Anderson devotee, so I'm happy to recommend her treadmill workout for those of you who may have received a large metal running apparatus for Christmas. It's a killer workout, but it's only available for download on your iPod. Get it here online at her site.

3) Hot Yoga



I was actually inspired by one of my adorable and fit readers, Aimee, to try Hot Yoga. I've always done Pilates, but had heard that Hot Yoga really takes things to the next level. Well, that was an understatement my friends! But I'm happy to report that I'm hooked and would highly recommend giving it a try yourself. Simply do a Google search in your area to find classes and get ready to sweat!

Best of the Decade

at least in my opinion...here are my Top Ten Albums from 2000-2009.

10. Sigur Ros - (). Yes, they're super weird and the album's in a completely made-up language, but I swear it's the best CD to take a nap to.

9. Frou Frou - Details. Love that Imogen.

8. Needtobreathe - The Heat. Not many people know about this band, but they have my utmost stamp of approval. Hands down one of the best albums of the decade.

7. Rooney - Rooney. I know, I know, every true music critic is laughing their head off right now, but it's just so fun, I can't help myself. How very O.C. of me.

6. Norah Jones - Come Away With Me. I taught myself every song on this record on the piano. It's just perfect.

5. Patty Griffin - 1000 Kisses. If you're not bawling by the end of this album, check your pulse.

4. Keith Urban - Golden Road. Enough said.

3. Taylor Swift - Fearless. No, I'm not just adding this because she's had a humongo year, I'm adding it because it's constantly playing in my car, and she's a great songwriter.

2. John Mayer - Room For Squares. I struggled to not put this one in the No. 1 slot, but I'll try to keep my personal feelings in check this time. Folks, this record single-handedly got me through the 11th grade. And my music crush on Mr. Mayer has not waned in the slightest since then.

1. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head. If you don't own this album, you should.

Happy New Year!

I will now commence to post a slew of New Year's-related blogs on topics including, but not limited to, resolutions, diets, workouts, and exciting news.