In my junior year of high school, I sat behind a girl. She and I were good friends, we got along well enough, though nothing ever too deep. Such a shame, really. I don’t think it was something either of us really intended. Some friendships are meant to pass, to not go further than what is originally meant to be.

She was a talented artist. One of the portraits she painted was of Audrey Hepburn.

I’d always heard the name tossed around, seen images of the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s movie with her in a tiara holding a cigarette. But I never really wandered further.

And so, there I went, down a rabbit-hole that would be Old Hollywood and the works of Audrey Hepburn. Actually, the first real black and white movie I’d watched out of my own free will was Roman Holiday, which I’d also written about here.

While Audrey is often known best for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I much prefer her wide-eyed, curious, youthful character alongside Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. But in addition to that, here are two other of the motel’s favorites from the elegant, timeless Audrey Hepburn.

Sabrina (1954)

A modern fairytale. I feel like this movie could get remade a gazillion times and people will never get tired of it because the premise itself is so enticing. But of course, Audrey’s version will remain the best!

It’s a dream come true. A chauffer’s daughter pines over the playboy son of her father’s rich employer. After coming back from Paris as a new, refined woman, she finally gets him to give her the time of day. But all of a sudden, she begins to notice the other brother, the more mature one, the one she’s never considered until then. Who ever will she choose?

On a real note though, why did I sort of want her to end up with David? I’m sure I’m the only one who feels that way.

Charade (1963)

Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant? Those studios back in the day really knew what they were doing. Honestly, when I first watched this, I almost mistook it for a Hitchcock film, and apparently I wasn’t the only one. According to IMDb, “Due to the suspense, the presence of Cary Grant, the structure of the screenplay, and the frequent plot twists, many people believe this was a Sir Alfred Hitchcock film. Hitchcock was not involved in the making of the film at all.”

BONUS: Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen by Luca Dotti

A cookbook personally written by Luca Dotti, Audrey’s youngest son. The book shares recipes, memories, and recollections from Luca’s childhood, growing up with who the world knew as the Audrey Hepburn, but who he knew as simply his mother.

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Truth be told, Audrey Hepburn was one of my original style icons. I suppose there’s a reason why I have her photo on my about me page! She was truly the first one that got me into everything I now know and love. In high school, I grew obsessed with wearing cigarette pants and ballet flats, thinking I looked as good in a ballerina bun as her (spoiler alert: I absolutely do not come close, obviously). She had such a way about her. When people think of the words elegant and timeless, Audrey’s name is first on that list.

More importantly, she was not only stylish, but also had the purest, kindest heart. I’d once read that she actually attributed her thin figure to hunger during the war. I’m sure she’d be astounded by the crazy diets of today, young girls trying so hard to emulate her figure, when she would actually yearn for us to eat because she couldn’t herself!