Henry David Thoreau once said, “Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.” Unfortunately the fashions for teens, and young women, of today’s generation have been heavily influenced by a lack of clothing, self-respect and accountability.
Jordan Christy wrote a book addressing the downfall of grace in favor of spoiled with her debut How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World. Christy doesn’t pass judgment on the “Hilton types” that are illustrated throughout her book; so much as offer insight into how any girl can become a “Hepburn” at any moment, and embrace the beauty in her uniqueness.
Christy didn’t set out to tackle societal norms; she initially had dreams of becoming a songstress. “[Growing up] I thought I was going to be a songwriter. I played piano for around six hours a day. I dreamt I was going to be Carol King. But, looking back I recognize that I was always writing. I remember my freshman year, sitting on the steps when an idea came to me for writing a book about why girls don’t need to go out partying. I never believed it would turn into this.”
Christy’s book begins by addressing the “stupid girls.” Those girls who spend copious amounts of time partying, giving the milk, cow and udder away for free and failing to recognize the example they provide. She was philosophizing about the “stupid girls” and wishing she could get the message out, when her husband prompted Christy to commit to the idea and put pen to paper.
“We are all in this together,” Christy says. “It can be tempting to be the girl who goes out and has a wild weekend and then posts all the pictures on her Facebook for the world to see. But that takes the mystery out.
“At the heart of it the messages [in the book] are a modern take on old fashioned advice. The good advice that your mother or grandmother would tell you.” Christy offers timeless advice on how to build true friendships (good-bye Mean Girls), find Mr. Right and believe in yourself.
“We may not be able to be Audrey Hepburn, but we can be a classier version of ourselves.” Instead of aspiring to be the next great reality vixen, we can follow our dreams and reach for the universe…not the falling stars.
At the beginning of this transformation is getting over the “spoiled princess syndrome” and giving in to working toward success. “Work ethic is so important. You have to work hard and hone your craft. If you want to be successful you need give your best,” not expect that the best will be given to you.
The same is implied with relationships, starting with surrounding oneself with accountable friends. “It starts with being secure in who you are. If you recognize your own self worth and are true to who you are, it’s more difficult for someone else to influence you.
“Really, a lot of [where the advice stems from] comes back to being happy with yourself.” Christy’s direct advice for how to find that joy? “Spend time with yourself. By being alone with yourself you can find who you are and what really makes you happy.
“When it comes to guys, if he likes you he will call you. He will find a way to get in touch with you and spend time with you. Half the battle is knowing that if a guy doesn’t like you, to let him go. He wasn’t worth the wasted time anyhow.”
Fashion pulses through many girls veins, but they don’t have to break the bank to make a statement. “I have one word for you: Target. They have great clothes and they are affordable.” Besides, it’s not the label that makes the girl; it’s how she wears it.
Role Models are vital to any young girl and are a center of Christy’s book. “I wanted to use people that girls can look up to and go on to research these women and see that they are good, solid role models.”
Christy uses stars like Reece Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Mandy Moore to set the standard in her book. Christy’s own personal role model? “I adore Gwyneth Paltrow. She is incredibly well spoken, extremely intelligent and a Mom on top of it all! I admire her work ethic and her ability to juggle everything in her life.”
Christy, a mother herself, doesn’t have a particular paradigm in mind for her daughter. Instead she believes, “First and foremost, I want her to be secure in herself. Before everything else, you have to find security and happiness in who you are.”
The underlying message that Christy weaves throughout her book is, “At the heart of everything, when you are true to who you are and the things that you love, the rest will come together naturally.”
Christy has stayed true to who she is. Using her own voice, self-created techniques and tests, as well as sage advice, she attempts to navigate the murky waters of celebutante influenced life styling and bring to today’s generation the art of living with style, class and grace.
For more on Jordan Christy and her debut How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World, visit her website at: http://www.jordanchristy.com/
Don’t miss Jordan Christy tomorrow, August 27th at Davis-Kidd, in Green Hills, where she will be signing her book beginning at .
Images courtesy of Jordan Christy website and blog
Comments
Thanks for the article. Sounds like a great book. Hey, are you going to make the signing?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!