Emma aime ... Audrey Hepburn

I was at a loss of things to do today. The hubby had worked one job straight after the other last night and subsequently spent the day in the land of nod and today's temp was soring around 41 degrees so I decided not to go out and risk being burnt to a crisp (cursed 'English rose' complexion!)

Having nothing to do I flicked on the TV to find a wonderful documentary on the divine Audrey Hepburn whom I simply adore. The documentary was entitled "The Magic of Audrey" and chronicled her life from her hard childhood in WWII through her dazzling acting career, her work as a UNICEF ambassador, right up to her death of cancer at her home in Switzerland in 1993.

Audrey is a real inspiration to me. In the time of he blond bombshell she was a breathe of fresh air in Hollywood with her elfin figure. She never acted like a diva like other Hollywood lading ladies and always conducted herself with grace and humility.

Audrey was a great style icon. She was aware of her body shape and knew exactly how to dress to flat her figure. She never tried to change to fit the Hollywood blond bombshell image and instead paved the way with her individual look. Whilst filming Sabrina she was sent to the young, up and coming designer Givenchy. Audrey picked out the clothes from the film and become a lifelong friend and muse for Givenchy. The outfits Audrey picked are iconic today. We only have to look at shows like Gossip Girl to see that Audrey's influence is still prevalent today.

Audrey was a fantastic actor. Not only did she play the fun, kooky characters like Holly Golightly but she showed people she was a diverse actress with serious role in films like War and Peace and The Nun's Story. She subsequently received many awards and honors for her roles.

Audrey lived through many hardships in her childhood but never complained although her first dreams of becoming a dancing were dashed due to her height and the affects of malnourishment during the war years. Audrey was always thankful to those who showed her charity in those hard war years and took time to give back to those who helped her by becoming a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Children's Fund. After her death, Audrey's sons Sean and Luca set up the Audrey Hepburn's Children Fund to continue her work.
Audrey saw a good few personal tragedies in her adult life as well. She suffered two miscarriages, the first in 1955 and the second in 1959 whilst filming The Unforgiven, when she fell and broke four vertebrae which subsequently led to the miscarriage. Despite this Audrey kept a cheerful outlook and when she had her two children Sean and Luca she took many years out from acting and devoted herself fully to being a mother.
Audrey was truly a remarkable lady. I would love to have had the opportunity to meet her but alas like most of my idol this will never be. Instead I draw inspiration from her on how to conduct myself and live my life. Audrey is associated with the poem "Time Tested Beauty Tips" by Sam Levenson so I will leave you with that today:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!