End Review: How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

I went into this book hoping Christy would write about Katharine Hepburn, but she focused more one Audrey.  Not that this is a bad thing, I actually love Miss Audrey, I was just miffed for about the first 20 pages until I just got over it.  Overall, this is a delightful book that more or less tells the reader how to be a smart, together woman.

Christy’s voice is charming and friendly and intelligent and she uses a series of quizzes to help the reader determine her personal style and see where she is on the “Hilton-Hepburn” scale.  I was delighted to know I’m much more of a Hepburn – I’m curious, educated, fun, modest in dress (not that I’m not colorful, but I keep myself covered), and a hard worker.  My one big fault is that I swear too often, and I’m aware of this and working on trying to find better words for my thoughts.

As far as clothing – well, she lost me a bit there.  I ended up being in a 5-way tie for clothing styles so I just determined I must be an eccentric and as long as I’m covered and appropriate while being myself I should be fine.  I think Christy (and Audrey) would approve of this decision.

Christy also gives some dating advise (let him chase you, but not in a game-playing way, just don’t throw yourself at him) as well as some advise about social media (you don’t need to post every thought you have on Facebook/Twitter/MySpace).  She also attends to the issues of friendships, body-image and self-care, all things that women struggle with but are actually a bit simpler than we realize (and I finally know that I’m a Cool).

I wish I had read this book about 7 years ago – it would have saved me from a few shameful events in my early 20s, but those events have slowly but surely taught me to be what Christy calls a “Smart Girl”.  Most of her sage advice are things I already do and know.  I’d recommend this book for girls in the 12 to 20-year-old set (although, I do know a few older women who could use its advice) and plan on getting a copy for my 13-year-old niece.  She’s already starting off strong in the Hepburn department, but I’d like to keep her there.

Jordan Christy also blogs about her Hepburn-esque life at http://www.jordanchristy.com/blog/.

A personal style book: How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

Title:  How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World: The Art of Living with Style, Class, and Grace

By:  Jordan Christy

Pages: 196

Borrowed from: Milford Memorial Library

Money saved:  $16.99

Why I chose this book:

Women talk all day about fashion – I don’t care about fashion. I care about personal style – figuring out who you are and letting it show in your clothing, hair, manners, etc.  I like to think of myself as a more colorful, modern Katharine Hepburn – so I chose this book mostly because it said Hepburn in the title.

Hopes for the book:

I hope that I really am a Hepburn!  G-d knows that I could not, would not, ever want to be a Hilton.  Also, I hope that there is actual style advice and not a list of crap I should buy for my wardrobe, like Nina Garcia’s books (not hating on her, but don’t give me a list, let me think for myself!).

What’s making me eager to open the book:

Not necessarily eager, but I thought it was nifty that the author’s daughter (per the author’s bio) is named Paisley.  My cat is named Paisley.  This makes me smile.

Gratuitous Kitty Photo: My Paisley