To Be Young, Gifted and Tender Headed

Amongst all the old pictures, books and dance recital costumes that my mother has saved over the years, I found a single yellow 3 hole-punched sheet of paper. On it I had typed this (type case and misspellings included):

NIA RENEE HILL:

BACKGROUND: HAS LIVED IN THE CITY, AND THE SUBURBS
HAS LIVED IN BOSTON AND NEW YORK
NOW LIVES IN GEORGIA
LIVES IN A LARGE, PINK HOUSE
HAS A BROTHER AND A SISTER
HAS A STEP-FATHER

HOBBIES: READING, SWIMMING, HORSE-BACK RIDING, TENNIS
RAQUETBALL, WRITTING, AND ACTING


IDEAL GUY: WARM, CARING, RESPECTS ME AND MY IDEAS, LIKES ME FOR ME ISN'T AFRAID TO TALK TO ME AROUND OTHER PEOPLE AND FRIENDS AS WELL AS ME, RESPECTS MY CHOICE OF FRIENDS, MUST BE CUTE, AND CANNOT BE MEAN.

TURN-ONS: RELAXATION, SOFT MUSIC, ROCK MUSIC, GUYS WHO CARE

TURN OFFS: BIGOTS, SPITTING, NASTY JOKES, RUDE COMMENTS, BURPING

FAVORITE LINE: "I BET THERE'S MORE TO YOU THAN BEAUTY"

LEAST FAVORITE LINE: "YOU REMIND ME OF A GIRL I ONCE KNEW"

AMBITION IN LIFE: I WANT TO HAVE A STEADY AND ONGOING JOB IN ACTING, HAVE A HUSBAND, MAYBE HAVE A CHILD AND A NICE PENTHOUSE OVER CALIFORNIA."

I had forgotten all about this. I used to write these kinds of things all the time as a kid. I pretended that I was being interviewed because I was going to be a big movie star one day and naturally, all the magazines would want to know everything about me. I think I got this format from old issues of Playboy Magazine. I remember seeing the centerfolds and while I was definitely fascinated by the girls themselves (I didn't know anyone who looked like that), I was more interested in what they filled out on the other side of the page.

I still conduct these interviews in my head only now it starts off with how I walked briskly into the Beverly Hills Hotel wearing giant wrap around sunglasses and carrying an enormous bag. I order a salad but only eat half of it and drink glass after glass of unsweetened iced tea. I don't have a trace of make-up on but my skin is flawless (thanks to my vegan diet and plenty of water, natch). I'm exhausted because I just wrapped the new Woody Allen in Paris but I am thrilled to be promoting it. It goes on from there...

Finding this piece of paper is like finding a glimpse of my childhood. An innocent piece of me that I had misplaced. I must have been about 12 or so when I wrote this and it's amazing to me what's changed, what has stayed the same and how tender headed I was...even back then.

Going Home

I recently went to Richmond, VA and got to spend some quality time with my mom. Bill was performing there so I tagged along and had a great time. The three of us went to lunch in Cary Town where my mom had one glass of white wine and proceeded to embarrass me by telling Bill about my conception. It was hilarious, though. My mom is a fantastic drunk. We went shopping for a bit afterwards, dragging poor Bill around for about an hour while we gasped and talked about how cute everything was. I ended up doing pretty well, clothes-wise. A cropped black fall coat with an amazing collar, a dress and a shirt from a store that reminded me of Urban Outfitters but better. Mom also gave me her short black leather jacket that she couldn't fit anymore. I also got a belt, underwear and the perfect vintage Joan-from-"Mad Men" dress that cost $9. I love shopping in Virginia- bargains abound!

Mom and I also took some time to chat about going into business together. It's still in the conception phase but I am very excited about it. If we go full force and it works out the way I'm envisioning it, I could be doing all the things I am passionate about. Very exciting! Trey drove down from North Carolina and we went to see Bill at the Funny Bone. He was hilarious and had Mom and Trey doubled over the whole time. Watching them laugh and have a good time made me feel so good. Anyone who can make my family laugh that hard is definitely a keeper.

Mom and I went through old pictures and reminisced about old times. She kept a lot of my old toys and letters too. It was such a joy to learn that my old Fisher Price record player still worked. Mom said she kept all those things because she wanted to see my reaction to them. She's awesome. I also got to take a great picture of my dear step-father, Mr. G. It's a still from the production of "The Odd Couple" that he did in Alabama. I love the picture. It's classic Mr. G. He's just being, not acting, not forcing anything. Just a bright shining star for the world to see. I also took a picture of him and Gregory Hines. I imagine them having drinks in heaven and it makes me smile. I wanted a picture of my mother during her modeling days. She wasn't exactly a working model but she was interested and had some test shots taken. The one I have is so beautiful. It looks like an album cover. I have to have it framed as soon as possible.

Going home was wonderful and heart breaking all at the same time. It makes me realize how much I miss my family and how much I miss Mr. G. I can't wait for Trey to graduate and Mom to move out here. It will be a new chapter in all of our lives. I can't wait.

7th Grade

I'm not a big fan of overly reminiscing about the past. I have a couple of friends (well...one now) who loves to talk about our younger years as if they are the pinnacle of our success and happiness. I'd like to think that I haven't reached my zenith yet- that I didn't peak at 13 years old. Simone says that when I was younger, everything I wanted to be, I am now while everything she wanted to be happened when we were in high school. That made me sad. I feel like there is so much to look forward to, so many places to go, people to meet, restaurants to try and cocktails to drink. I feel like I am just getting started. I have to admit though, 7th grade was pretty dope. I was class president ( I swept the vote by promising no homework on Fridays and a "Mr. and Miss 7th and 8th Grade" pageant), a member of a pretty tame cheerleading team (we wore sweatpants!!!!) and auditioned for both the Mickey Mouse Club and Nickelodeon.

The MMC doesn't know what it lost but Nick liked my style. They came to a mall in Atlanta and after 4 hours of screen tests, physical challenges and NKOTB trivia, I was christened the winner by having gallons of slime dumped on my head in font of hundreds of onlookers. It was the best day of my life. As a result, my family and I were flown to Universal Studios is Orlando where I appeared on "Get The Picture". Mike O'Malley from "Yes Dear" was the host and I found him dreamy and hilarious. He in turn seemed to enjoy my Arsenio Hall impression. See below:



Thanks to Christine for posting this on YouTube. I was mortified at first but now I can watch it and laugh. I had so much fun that day. I was so eager, excited and animated. And nerdy...let's not forget nerdy. It's one of my best memories but I have a whole lifetime ahead of me and hopefully it will be filled with more moments like this.

I can't decide which way I prefer my hair...



This is how I have it now. It's can be both sexy and sophisticated. It's also more a "hair style"- it has a look that can't be varied too much. Which isn't a bad thing. I've been wanting to cultivate a "look" for some time.

OR



This is the look I had right before the current style. It's a bit more casual and fun but can be sleek and conservative if need be.*

Thoughts???

*see profile pic

Murals In My Hood

These are my favourite murals in Los Feliz. LA is full of amazing murals. Love letters to the street. I can't draw a stick figure so it always amazes me when I see a breathtaking piece of art. On a subway car, on a wall...you can make a canvas out of anything.

The "Tender Headed" Philosophy

Be creative.
Be seen.
Be heard.
Be strong.
Be forward thinking.
Work hard.
Never back down.
Take risks.
Dream big.
Live a passionate life.
Only buy it if you love it.
Read everything.
Question everything.
Accept everyone.
Love yourself.
Have compassion.
Listen to music.
Dance.
Make love.
Laugh.
Cry.
Never stop having fun.

PRODUCT!!!

For the past 20 years or so I have been searching for the best products for my face. I have to say that I've been pretty lucky with my skin and I'm more than obsessed with keeping it as nice and smooth and clean as possible. The problem for me though, was for a while I just bought whatever magazines and commercials told me I should buy. Granted, fashion and beauty mags can offer a lot of good advice but when I think of all the dough I spent on beauty products that didn't work for me, I cringe. But I cringe no more (mostly because I don't want to encourage wrinkles)! I have found the perfect combo of products to keep me looking good. And so, because I am a narcissist- I will share them with you. Enjoy!


Purity Made Simple by Philosophy is my absolute favorite tried and true face cleanser. It's very gentle, not heavy on perfume and cleanses beautifully. There's no crazy foaming going on and honestly you don't need it. When rinsed off, it's also great at leaving your skin with just the right of moisture. Love, love!


For a deeper clean (isn't that what they say on the commercial? oh jeez...) I use Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of Neutrogena because I find their products to be too harsh and drying. The Deep Clean Cream Cleanser works for me though. It's great at taking off makeup and there's a nice tingling sensation going on. Kind of reminds me of old school Noxema without all that eye burning business.


Kiehl's Rosewater Toner. For real, I CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT THIS. I am so serious. Whatever is in this bottle (roses? ground unicorn horns?) it's working for me. Very refreshing and smells yummy too. It's good to spritz all over your body as well as your face if your feeling extra fancy. Which I do.


Again, with the Kiehl's. I really love their products. Very well made, simple and efficient. I actually use the moisturizer with SPF 15, which is lighter and better for day wear. It is perfection.


I try to do a mask once a week to keep everything tight. I can't afford to get facials so I reasoned that if I invested in a good mask, I'd be doing right by my face and my wallet. I believe I am right.


I used to laugh at my Dad because he always used the OG pink Oil of Olay face lotion (I guess they took the "Oil of" out of it and streamlined it to just be "Olay"- classy!) but his skin has always looked great. He and my Mom have a lot to do with what I ended up with, obviously. Thanks Mom and Dad! Anyway, I use the Olay Regenerist Night Cream because it really hydrates my skin overnight. My apartment can be a little dry so it definitely helps. The box says that you will wake up to a mini face lift every morning. Whateves. It smells good AND is in a purple jar. Can't beat that!

So...

The party was a lot of fun. Cool, interesting people and conversations about everything from Facebook to Obama. In terms of wardrobe, I decided to go with a long, black, cotton dress with a halter top that I got at Marshalls that originated at the Gap. I piled on my hippie jewelry and my new gladiators from Steve Madden. I felt relaxed an comfortable which was really what I was going for in the first place. Once I got to the party the first thing I noticed was another girl who was rocking a similar look, only her dress was purple (my favorite color, btw). She had tons of hippie jewelry on too and she even had ORANGE NAIL POLISH! Quel horror! Whatever...I'm still feeling my hippie/ rock n roll thing. I think I wear it well.

In other news, my body is sorer (not a word) than a mutha*****. I've been working out like crazy at the gym, trying to take advantage of the sick group classes. I did 5 days a week last week for an hour and a half or more each time. I was doing fine until this past weekend. I did a class called Cardio Quikie that kicked my ass followed by a grueling Sculpt class. The day before I had done a boxing class and then ran for half and hour. I felt like a champ them but now my wrists, arms and back are killing me and I feel all tight. I've been stretching but what i need is a nice massage- maybe a Thai massage from the place on Hillhurst.

I'm trying to lose weight/ tone up for like the 20th time in my life. It's incredibly frustrating to have to think about everything you put in your mouth and when you can squeeze a workout in all while still meeting friends for drinks and having romantic dinners with your boyfriend. I'm trying to stay the course though and stay off the scale so I don't get all freaked out. Still...I can't help but imagining a life where none of this matters.