Wish You Were Here

Why Scarlett Johansson is the Best Super-Heroine of Them All!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:40:00 +0000

My newest post for HELLOGIGGLES

Why Scarlett Johansson is the Best Super-Heroine of Them All!

Three Cool Things

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Sun, 20 May 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Mr. Dyson, I hope you're ready for your kiss... I finally found a cordless vacuum cleaner! It's compact, easy to use, has a swivelly bottom and multiple nozzles, it charges on the wall and reaches up to high places. The only thing I hope they redesign on the next model is that, currently, you have to hold down the power button while you vacuum. It's not THAT big a deal, since the button is in the handle, and I think they're trying to save the battery. While it won't deep clean like a big Dyson, it will definitely get a basic job done. Ideal for cars, hardwood floors, window shades and drapes, upholstery and easy cleanup in the kid's playroom. I love this little guy!!!

My mom randomly grabbed these at the grocery store while visiting me recently. She never buys potato chips, so I was shocked, but since they were SWEET potato chips, I gave her a pass. Yeah-- the bag was gone in 2 days. These little guys taste like salted, toasted marshmallows. Sounds bizarre, but it's SO FRIGGIN GOOD.

On a recent jaunt through Anthropologie I was enchanted by this simple rose perfume in a stunning amulet with a gem cap. The floral fabric inlay in it's adorable case demands use, and this is now my travel perfume. When I'm not traveling it sits on display in my bathroom. I LOVE this!

Wardrobe Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:32:00 +0000

My favorite DENIM SHIRT... two ways!

London!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:29:00 +0000

LONDON!
What a great city you are. The whole world is in London. It's beautiful, clean and full of generally amiable (and terribly civilized) people. Plus, it has my favorite city skyline! I had a great 10 day stay and met some really lovely people. Here' s a little run-down on my trip and some favorite spots…

Stayed for 5 days in Kensington W14 which was on the far end where Hammersmith meets Kensington High St. While our flat was cozy, the location proved a bit inconvenient in the rain. I have to admit, I was hoping for something a bit more central. This spot would be good in the summer when the sun is out more, or for someone renting a car.

Next I moved for the weekend into Hampstead, which is a perfectly charming little town on the outskirts of London. Busy enough to keep you occupied, quiet enough to give you peace. If I ever live in London, this is the spot I would most likely settle into. Very family friendly, great shopping, GREAT food, beautiful architecture… for first time London visitors, visit Hampstead.

At last, I spent two nights at the Kensington London Hotel off off Queen's Gate Rd. This was exactly the central type of location I had been hoping for all along. We were just round the corner from lots of food, taxis were right outside on the main st., we were one block from the buses and the tube (both of which were shockingly clean and very easy to navigate), and about a half mile walk from the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Much to my great chagrin, the costume exhibit I was frothing at the bit to see at the V&A was closed and would not re open until May 19. Then I made a great trek with the baby across town via two buses to see Shakespeare's The Globe theatre, only to have missed the last tour. :( Aside from these two minor setbacks, I did get to see a few other things that were very cool. Of course, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey were on the list. I walked across what the locals call "The Wobbley Bridge" which is actually the Millennium Bridge, walked around St. Paul's Cathedral (which has to be the largest church in London), meandered through SoHo and buried my wallet deep in my purse to keep me from impulse buying, had a visit to local church "Reality London" which meets in a very cool space near Islington.

To cap off the trip, I took in a performance of the new musical Singin In the Rain-- which was SENSATIONAL! It actually rains onstage. It was very, very cool and thrilling at every turn. Bright colors, gorgeous choreography, I thought this was far better than the film. If you live in London or are visiting GO SEE THIS!!!

I'm looking forward to returning to England and branching outside of London next time to see the famed rolling hills and castles!

Look for more about my trip in an upcoming issue of ZOOEY MAGAZINE, where I took Zooey to two fabulous shopping areas… one for vintage, and one for modern, and both are usually off visitors' radar! More details on that coming soon!

See a VIDEO from my trip on WHOSAY

Happy Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Happy Mum's Day! Here's a message that brought me to tears, sent by a friend. And click on the picture above if you'd like to buy this print from Etsy...

Enjoy!

Parisian Perfume

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:24:00 +0000

While in Paris recently, I stopped into a little shop on Rue de Bellechasse called ANNICK GOUTAL. The shopkeeper was elegant and friendly and very helpful in selecting just the right scent. My two personal favorites were Grand Amour (vanilla, rose, myrrh, jasmine, and honeysuckle notes) and Songes (notes of frangipani, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood and gardenia)!

Airport Chic (with a toddler)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:55:00 +0000

I just went from New York to London with my one year (plus some) old. She is a seasoned flyer, so I already had that working for me. However, packing for a long airplane trip is a different story. When we first started flying I packed a GIANT carryon that nearly broke whichever shoulder I wore it on, and, if I had a separate ticket for her, I always had her carseat in the other arm. It was exhausting. Not to mention the fact that it's very hard not to look frumpy when so much energy is going to baby.

I'm happy to say that thought trial and error I have learned some efficient ways to fly with a baby/young toddler while still managing to look & feel young and hot! I hope you'll be able to put some of these into use!

GET IN GEAR

If baby has his/her own seat on the plane, bringing along the car seat (which you will undoubtedly need at your destination) can be helpful when the kiddo falls asleep. They're already used to sleeping in it in the car-- why not the plane? The problem is lugging it around the airport. Voila! An umbrella stroller will be your best friend at the airport. Clock the handle on the car seat all the way back as far as it goes, then pull the stroller handles through the car seat handle and shimmy the car seat down onto the stroller seat. Car seat is now secure and easily pushed around. Plus you have a space-saving stroller for your destination.

PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT

First things first-- the bag. Save yourself the trouble of bringing the perfect cute diaper bag. One shoulder bags are completely impractical while traveling with kids. Get a cute backpack. Nowadays, chic backpacks are called "satchels" :) and there are tons of fabulous ones out there in leather, canvas, vinyl, etc... Backpacks are not just for school anymore!

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

It's not that hard to pull off chic-comfortable. Chances are, on a long flight, you won't want to be in jeans. My personal airport favorite is black leggings, a soft animal print tee, a cozy sweater wrap and some comfy-but-eye-catching flats. I also stuff some ankle socks in my bag for going through security and for warmth on the plane.

THE BARE NECESSITIES

Pick out what you absolutely need for you, on the wonderful chance baby might sleep most of the flight. I like to have my iPad, earbuds, eye mask, macbook air, and a small journal. I also have a small toiletry bag with gum, facial moisturizer, an eyelash curler, lip balm and a snack bar.

For my daughter I try to pack enough to keep her occupied when she's awake, but not so much that my bag isn't close-able. I never travel with less than 6 diapers and a package of wipes. Also great to have on hand are those squeeze packets of baby food. Maria is particularly fond of Ella's Kitchen brand. In lieu of a lot of books (though i usually bring one) are learning flashcards! A stack of flashcards can kill lots of time with a toddler. I also bring ziplock bags, a sippy cup, a small stuffed animal and a baby blanket. One last toy that has proven extremely useful is LeapFrog's "chat & count cell phone". I was dubious at first, not wanting to give my daughter a video game. But this is very simple, there are no colors and the screen does not light up. It's like a Kindle with basic animation. A little dog sings and dances and tells her the numbers she's pressing, etc... It's a great little learning game, and is extremely effective at calming an agitated toddler.

So, those are my recommendations for compact traveling with young ones. Hope it helps! xo

PS I'm obsessed with...

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:12:00 +0000

I'm kind of obsessed right now with PS I MADE THIS... where people post their DIY projects online, like this...

The Girl in the Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:31:00 +0000

Feeling blue? Or little bit like the Girl in the Moon? Soak here...

Ello!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:45:00 +0000

I'm in London, kids! Loving this city! Been to Big Ben and the Queen's house! What else is a must-do while here?? xo

This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:59:00 +0000

I'll be making an appearance with Everly at Nicholas Sparks' Celebrity Family Weekend & Golf Tournament in his hometown of New Bern, North Carolina. If you get the chance to come into town for the event, it's a guaranteed good time, and all proceeds are going to benefit Hope for Warriors & Paws with a Cause! Appearances will be made by Kelli Pickler, Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Robert Buckley, Stephen Coletti, James Lafferty, Drew Brees, Jake T. Austin, TJ Yates, Jay Harris and more!

If you can't attend, please give if you're able on the foundation's CROWDRISE page.

See you this weekend! xo Joy

RWANDA #5

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:27:00 +0000

For any of you who haven't been following along with my friend Beth's journals of her recent trip to Rwanda, you can read the previous blog entries here:

Rwanda #1
Rwanda #2
Rwanda #3
Rwanda #4

This entry (#5) is about Beth's journey into the mist-- gorillas in the mist, to be exact :) Oh, who am I kidding. Most of you are probably too young to have any idea what that is...

Rwanda is famous for the mountain gorillas that live in the Virunga volcano forests of the northwest. There are six volcanoes in this range and gorilla families groups are scattered from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Rwanda and all the way to Uganda. Most people in the western world know of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas through Dian Fossey’s work and the movie about her efforts, Gorilla’s in the Mist. As of a 2010 census there were believed to be 480 mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Virunga, which is a 26.3% increase from the census seven years prior. They do not survive in captivity so to see them you must come to their home.

School Children Along the Way

The mountain gorillas live in family groups with a dominant male who is the leader of the family. Males over the age of 12 begin to get a saddle of silver hair on their backs, which is where the term silverback gorilla comes from. The younger adult males are called blackbacks. The females are usually about half the size of an adult male and their heads are a bit less conical in shape but each gorilla has a completely unique nose print. On average a full grown male is 6’3” (1.9m) tall with an arm span of 7’7” (2.3m) and weighs 490 lbs. (266kg). Amazingly these enormous animals are quite peaceful and gentle. If two families meet they will fight for superiority but they have no natural predator other than humans through the diseases we carry and poachers. The susceptibility to human disease comes from the fact that their DNA is 97% like ours and therefore they can catch viruses and infections just like us.

My trek to spend an hour with the mountain gorillas was an adventure I will never forget. There were a series of obstacles the first being the price for foreigners to get a gorilla trekking permit. It is not cheap and it’s going up again in September. I chose to work with a tour company, Songa Africa, who coordinated a driver/guide and my hotel accommodations for me. While this also adds to the price, for me it was great to have experts making sure my experience was well coordinated.

View from my cabin at the lodge

My driver/guide, Isaac, arrived at my hotel in the morning with a heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicle. This type of vehicle proves important later on the “roads” to get to the base of the climb and to the lodge. Isaac calls the experience on these roads “an African massage.” Yes, Isaac has a great sense of humor. Through the countryside he would gladly stop so I could take photos and his ability to translate was nice for being able to talk with local kids that always show up when a stranger is around. It is important that foreigners not encourage the begging that children have learned to do. The Rwandan government really is developing tourism and doesn’t want the culture of begging to become something the country is known for. It was fun to watch Isaac speak with the children and correct their behavior. In Rwanda it is still common for “the village” to raise the children so correcting someone else’s child is normal.

Volcano they call "Grandpa's Teeth"

The lodge they booked me in was lovely. Each guest has their own private cottage and the view of the volcanoes is stunning! The facility is eco-friendly so they only have power certain times of day and in the evening a young man comes and builds a fire in the cottage fireplace for warmth as it gets quite cold at night. At dinner that evening I met the most wonderful couple from South Africa who were also going on the trek the next day. This is one of the things I truly love about traveling alone. It always seems some nice person sees you by yourself and says hello and the next thing you know you’ve found a new friend. Staying open to possibilities can lead in such fun directions.

Early the next morning we were all up and going. The first stop is the national park offices where the trekking groups are formed and you find out which family group you are going to see. They only allow eight guests per group and each family group can only have contact with guests for one hour in a day and not every single day. There are eight family groups in this part of the Virungas that tourists are allowed to trek to. I had asked for a short to mid-length trek and didn’t care which family I saw because I didn’t know anything about them. My group was made up of a young couple from Australia, two ladies from Germany, a couple my age from the US and their friend who is Ugandan/Rwandese. Our guide was Placid and he would prove to be my hero along with the porter I hired to carry my pack named Joseph. It is interesting to note that the porters are mostly ex-poachers who now make their living in the tourism that surrounds the gorillas.

Before we left, Placid told us about the family we would be tracking. Susa Family is the largest of the family groups with 33 members and the head silverback, Kurira (koo-ree’-rah), is 36 years old. There are two other silverbacks in the family, Kurira’s brother, Igisha (Ee-gee’-sha), and his son, Kiki (kee’-kee). Also in this family are two sets of twins. One set is 5 years old and the other is 6 months old. This should be fun!! We all got into our vehicles and were off for the one-hour drive to get to the starting point. While we are driving the trackers who work with Susa Family have already headed into the forest to find them. They will be in radio communication with Placid as we climb to tell him which direction to lead us. It is now about 8:30AM and we’re ready to start climbing. Isaac has told me that based on where the family group was yesterday I would most likely be back by lunchtime. Lesson number one don’t believe anything Isaac says!  As we begin to walk away I notice that the porters all have machetes in their hands, which they will use quite skillfully to cut through the dense vegetation of the forest. For a brief moment I thought of these men as possible killers during the genocide wielding these weapons…such an eerie thought.

My walking stick gorilla and the dense vegetation

Now comes obstacles number two thru four. #2-I normally live at sea level and our climb begins around 8,530’ (2600m) and will take us to about 11,811’(3600m) so the air is getting thinner all the time. #3 – The German ladies are really good climbers and set the pace for the first hour which is way more than I can handle, I am officially in over my head and they move me to the front of the line with Placid so I now set the pace. #4 – This climbing is far harder than I expected (as a note here I learned afterwards that Susa Family is the hardest family to trek) and I now know I need to do more aerobic exercise.

At this point we are a couple hours into the climb. We have left the dusty, lava rock area of the potato fields and we are now in the dense vegetation of the forest. At times we stop so I can catch my breath and get my heart back to a point where is doesn’t feel like it’s going to explode out of my chest. At the starting point we were all offered walking sticks and I’m so glad I took one. That stick with a gorilla carved on top, Placid holding my hand to pull me up at times, the encouragement of the couple from the US and their friend and numerous conversations with God were what got me through. Finally, around 1pm Placid got word from the trackers that they had made contact with the family group. So, for 5 hours we have been tracking the trackers who were tracking the family and climbing, I mean REALLY climbing, and now we officially know what our destination is.

The teenager and Kiki, relaxing

Around 2pm we stop to rest and leave our belongings, everything except cameras, with the porters who do not go in to see the family with us and then after almost six long hours…. GORILLAS!!!!!! Suddenly all the agony seems worth it. These animals are incredible and they are right there! The first thing I see is the mama gorilla with the baby twins. I didn’t get a photo because she scooted them away too quickly. It is not uncommon for the babies to try to come right up to humans out of curiosity but the grown ups usually make a grunt that tells them to get back or they push them out of sight. Next was the big man himself, Kurira, beautiful and strong. The trackers and guides kept making this low throat growl kind of noise, which we were told is how they say hello and indicate respect to the family. Kurira let out a loud noise that startled the eight of us and then moved quickly away. It seemed his way of saying, all right, have your fun but I’m outta here. The gorillas are quite smart and seem to know the routine when tourists show up. Placid told me they actually know the difference between the uniforms that the guides wear and the clothes the tourists have on so if they are irritated they are more likely to take it out on a guide than a tourist.

The one that fell out of the tree

When we first arrived they were still in feeding mode so they were moving quite a bit and we moved with them. They are mostly looking for bamboo and apparently if they eat too much of it they can become intoxicated. Then for the last 30 minutes or so they were just relaxing and we stood in an area with 8 or so gorillas all just hanging out including Kiki, the youngest of the silverbacks. We are so close to some of the gorillas that I swear I could have reached out and touched them. I could have stayed with these guys all day. There were two young gorillas down to my left that kept fighting like siblings in the back seat of the car on a long road trip. Then there was a teenager laying out above them who would egg them on every so often. One young gorilla had climbed a tree to get to some fruit and then was just relaxing there and at some point got too relaxed and actually fell out of the tree. When our time was up none of us wanted to go. How amazing to be the trackers who always work with the same family and really know them. I will never forget this hour of my life. But the adventure isn’t over.

Me & my heroes, Placid on my right, Joseph on my left

Obstacle number five, the hike down the mountain, this actually went pretty well right up until the very end. The potato field part of the hike is a bit dangerous because you are on old lava fields and there’s lots of loose rock and slippery dust. You really have to watch where you’re stepping and keeping a solid footing proves challenging. So much so that just a few minutes from the car I took a pretty bad fall. Nothing was broken, nothing bleeding but definitely shaken and several big bruises. Back at the car we all said our good-byes. So strange to share such an incredible moment with people you’ll most likely never see again. Safely back in the car almost nine hours after the climb began I talked a mile a minute about the day. Isaac has trekked to all the family groups and was great about listening to my stories of the day and my harassing him about sending me on such a hard climb but as he reminded me, I made it and I will always carry this experience with me.

The beautiful reward at the end of the day

Diamond Gothic

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:53:00 +0000

I remember the endless hours I spent watching and re-watching Anne of Green Gables as a kid and teen. It's been a while now, but every time I catch it running on some obscure channel I stick around and watch for a while. It conjures up memories and emotions one can only feel at the tender and tempestuous age of 16.

Another story I became quite fond of during required reading my junior year of high school, was The Great Gatsby. The glamour! The romance! The passion! The tragedy! Oh, Mr. Fitzgerald, what you did to my heart! (Or maybe it was Robert Redford who did it... I'm not entirely sure)

image credit

In any case, I've started writing a rotating novel with a couple talented lady-friends and as the story has developed it seems to have become a strange amalgam of Anne & Gatsby. Our story, Diamond Gothic, is also set in the 1920s. and centers around the heroine (or is she?), Annabell Hayworth. Each chapter is no longer than 3 pages and all the writing/story progression is improvisational. No one of us authoresses knows what will happen until the authoress before her turns in their chapter...

In Chapter One, written by me, we meet 19 year old Annabell hours before she will be shot in the stomach at a lavish garden party in Wilmington, North Carolina. Chapter Two, written by JC Coccoli, flashes back to the beginning of the summer and is set at Annabell's family's summer home in Savannah, GA. We meet Annie's parents, Walter & Dorothy, her younger brother, Junior, and a mysterious presence is introduced that will begin to haunt the family as the story moves on. In Chapter Three, written by Abigail Spencer, we begin to understand the inner workings of Annabell's family & household and Chapter Four, written by me as at the rotation begins again, introduces us to a handsome young man, Theodore Wentworth, who will send our Annie into quite a spin. Meanwhile, Dorothy and Walter have woven a tangled web for themselves in their marriage.

As Diamond Gothic continues, we learn about Walter & Dorothy, a few family secrets, we meet a dazzling redhead with secrets of her own, hear rumors about a heart-stopping troublemaker (is there any other kind?) Jason Wenworth, we venture into the servants quarters and find out what Nessie, the chief of staff has to hide, and while young love peppers our novel, the element of suspense keeps you coming back for more.

Jason Wentworth?

I hope you'll all take a few minutes to get caught up on Diamond Gothic this week. We are slowly starting to build a steady fan-base, and we'd love your support! Soon we'll have audio versions of our chapters for sale on iTunes (read by each corresponding authoress).

Visit us on TUMBLR
Read all the chapters on HELLO GIGGLES

Random Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:31:00 +0000

A few quotes, if you'll indulge my randomness, from someone a girlfriend introduced me to...

G.K. Chesterton.

(excuse me... "from someone to whom a girlfriend introduced me." Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put - Winston Churchill)

- Don't ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up.

- I say that a man must be certain of his morality for the simple reason that he has to suffer for it.

- Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.

- The people who are the most bigoted are the people who have no convictions at all.

- I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.

- A stiff apology is a second insult... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt.

- "An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered."

- "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die."

- "I regard golf as an expensive way of playing marbles."

- "Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all."

- “Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”

- “There is the great lesson of 'Beauty and the Beast,' that a thing must be loved before it is lovable.”

- “One sees great things from the valley, only small things from the peak.”

- “Shall I tell you the secret of the whole world? It is that we have only known the back of the world. We see everything from behind, and it looks brutal. That is not a tree, but the back of a tree. That is not a cloud, but the back of a cloud. Cannot you see that everything is stooping and hiding a face? If we could only get round in front--”

- “Jesus promised his disciples three things—that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.”

- “I wish we could sometimes love the characters in real life as we love the characters in romances. There are a great many human souls whom we should accept more kindly, and even appreciate more clearly, if we simply thought of them as people in a story.”

Music

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

While ordering my triple short, dry cappuccino at Starbucks yesterday I picked up a limited edition CD they're carrying. Nothing sends me quite like Billy Joel.

Making my current cd rotation: Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball, Billy Joel: Opus Collection, and a good mix cd including selections from Slumdog Millionaire sndtrk, Dave Matthews, Robyn, Crazy Heart sndtrk, Stealing Beauty sndtrk and Billie Holiday. It's a good month for music in my car.

Easter Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:04:00 +0000

Happy Easter! Here's a little treat... if pastels had a sound, i think this would be it...

Auction!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Take home a little piece of One Tree Hill...

My season 9, autographed chair back is up for auction with all proceeds going to LOVE146. This item is just the start, people. We're gonna raise some serious charity $$$... lets do this!

Music

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:24:00 +0000

This song popped up on my iPod shuffle and I remembered how much I love it. So sad. So sexy. So... oooh, it just warms my stomach and pours back out my heart. I love it.

Watch Out

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:06:00 +0000

I've been noticing a lack of new blood in the "young hollywood" crowd and would like to bring attention to a few young actors who I think you all should keep an eye out for...

RYAN KWANTEN

Speaking of blood... Kwanten is most well known as "Jason Stackhouse" on True Blood At first glance, his character is so wide-eyed and naive it's easy to overlook the incredible skill it takes to bring a character like this to life. To make a "dumb guy" character sympathetic and interesting is very, very difficult and is the mark of an intelligent actor. (I remember thinking this about Rachel McAdams' "Mean Girls" Regina. Most actresses would have played that part with zero depth-- just bitchy. She added layer up on layer to Regina that made you unable to take your eyes off her. Now THAT's an actress.) I am constantly amazed when I watch the choices Ryan makes in his scenes and I'm impressed by his ability to mask his own personality and allow Jason to come through, week after week, a near impossible feat for a tv series actor. I haven't seen Ryan in anything else, but I know if he chooses the right projects he's bound for great things.

ROBBIE JONES

I had the privilege of working with Robbie on his first project and he was a natural. His current resume is short (One Tree Hill, Hellcats & some network guest spots), but I know it's only going to take that one right project to launch his career. He's oozing charm and charisma, he's terribly handsome, but not uninterestingly so, and is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Robbie is currently filming Tyler Perry's latest flick. Oh, and he's the lead... I'm telling you guys, you're looking at the next Denzel.

DEBORAH ANN WOLL

"Jessica" on TrueBlood and currently starring alongside Robert DuVall in Seven Days In Utopia, now playing in selected theatres around the country. Take a look at her IMDB page and you'll see she's got movies coming up starring with Bruce Willis, Parker Posey, Antonia Banderas, Paul Dano & Annette Bening.

I love watching Deborah. She's got an etherial strength I haven't seen since Cate Blanchett and, like Cate, is an absolute physical chameleon. She is Plain Jane to Girl Next Door to Classic Film Star to Vixen. I expect to see an amazing career from this talented gal.

ARTHUR KULKOV

I never notice male models. Honestly, they all kind of look the same to me... like guys who lean on stuff. Well, i got this Park & Bond catalogue in the mail and as i was flipping through i realized that every picture was the same guy, just acting completely different. I thought this guy's not a model, he's an ACTOR! Now, I'm taking a small leap of faith adding him to this list since, as far as i know, he's never done any professional acting. But I just was so impressed with his Park & Bond layout and all the different "characters" he embodied in it. Arthur Kulkov has a sort of Matt Dillon/JaredLeto/BillyCrudup/MichaelFassbender thing going on and, if some producer thought of it to give him a shot, I'll bet he'd come through...

That's all I can think of for now... I need more girls on this list! Ideas please!!

Goodnight, Tree Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:26:00 +0000

GIVEAWAY IS OVER. WINNER ANNOUNCED BELOW.

Well, tonight at 8pm One Tree Hill will air it's final episode ever, after 9 seasons. I couldn't let today go by without paying homage to the show where I grew up, where I learned some of my most important life lessons, where I learned about being part of a team and being a professional, and where I fell in love with a little town and its beautiful people.

I remember my screen test for the character of "Reagan" (later to be changed to "Haley"). During my test I was in a room full of executives while reading the scene with Chad Michael Murray and there were about 4 other girls going for the part, waiting in the hallway. There was a moment about halfway through the reading when I was sitting next to Chad and I playfully knocked the side of his leg with mine. I felt the energy of the whole room shift and I knew at that moment I had gotten the part. As I walked out to my car, Chad chased me down on the WB parking lot and said "Bethany!" I turned and he gave me a big hug, saying, "Congratulations." I smiled thinking that was very sweet of him but I'd been in this business long enough to know that nothing's for sure until you see it on screen. Sure enough, a few hours later I got a phone call that I had 7 days to pack up my life and move to Wilmington, North Carolina.

The first 2 months in Wilmington I lived in a hotel because we were told every day "It's only a matter of time before this show gets cancelled… don't' get too comfortable." Eventually I moved into a short term rental at Wrightsville beach when it seemed like things weren't quite as "on the bubble" as everyone said and I started to really find my niche in this little beach town. I'd grown up to 12 in Texas so I've always had an affinity for the South, and this place was so cozy and the people were so sweet. Mr. Daughtry's book store on Front St., Port City Java, Island Passage, Oliver, Brasserie du Soliel, Roy's Riverboat Landing, Tower 7, Hallelu, Beanie & Cecil, Kilwins, Firebelly, City Stage, Deluxe and so many more places became our staple local haunts. The spanish moss everywhere, the smell of the sea, the gorgeous sunsets invigorated me. I would walk on the beach in the moonlight with a cup of coffee before the sunrise. I would run out in the hot southern rain wearing a sundress and walk all over the neighborhood, just BEING in the elements. I wrote a millions songs and poems. And that was my off-time.

I loved going to work every day. I loved the people I was working with. I developed a heart-stopping crush on Craig Sheffer (Uncle Keith) for about 3 years, who was thankfully too much of a gentlemen to ever do anything about it, but it was a running joke for years how infatuated with him I was. I was equally as enamored of the mind-bogglingly elegant-and-tough-at-the-same-time Moira Kelly. It took everything in me not to say ""Toe-pick!" to her just once. Barry Corbin was terribly intimidating, though he is certainly the sweetest man alive! As for the rest of us, we were kids from 5 drastically different backgrounds, thrust into what seemed at times to be a survival of the fittest experiment, and finding our way together.

As the years went on we fought and made up, we learned from each other, we got in trouble, we grew as actors, we grew as people, and we were given a ridiculous amount of grace by our crew & producers. When I think of some of the things we put them through, I'm so grateful for the classy way they handled guiding us through. The crew on a set can really make or break you as an actor. Our crew was respectful of our work space, graceful enough to create an environment where you feel free to be vulnerable without judgement, fun enough to laugh and play with us and real enough to make it clear when someone was being an ass.

I learned more on 9 years of One Tree Hill than I did in 12 years of schooling (My apologies to the great teachers I had throughout school, but it's true). It's funny looking back… youth really is wasted on the young, ha!

So, I just want to say thank you to everyone who invested in our show. You didn't just provide me with a lifestyle or job. You were part of giving me experiences that have molded who I am and that have prepared me for the next leg of my journey in life, which is going to be a drastic change in many ways. In a strange way, an indirect way… I supposed we raised each other.

As you sit down with your friends to watch tonight's series finale, remember my gratitude to you and my sincere hope that we will continue to encounter journeys together, even if we never meet. My heart is full and warm and so very very grateful. YOU are the only reason tonight is possible. May God bless you in strange, great, unimaginable ways. All my love!

Joy

Below is an email my assistant, Courtney, sent last night. I think it's fitting for today...

It’s been nine eventful years in a small town that most of the world doesn’t know exists. It’s been 187 episodes of the little show that’s full of heart and friendship. No one could have told me that over the last nine years my life would be so drastically different. Sure that is nearly a decade and of course people grow and change in that amount of time. But to think that I started out as a reluctant fan living in a small town in Ontario watching Tree Hill folks on t.v. is absurd considering where I am now. In honour of a show that has seen me through good times and bad I had to do a little reflecting on those tender moments that will forever be apart of me. (In no particular order)

#1 – Haley first sings at Karen’s Café for Nathan’s ears only.
So vulnerable. Important to me because I still remember that until Bethany Joy started singing I had no clue who she was. I was doing dishes and not paying attention when my heart was suddenly captured. It was the beginning of a long time admiration of the vocal styling of Bethany Joy that led me straight into the arms of God.

#2 – The delivery of Baby Jamie.
Best opening scene in the history of OTH. Perfect music and flow. Makes my heart speed up.

#3 – Haley and Nathan’s first kiss
I still can’t listen to Dare You To Move by Switchfoot without hearing, “You shouldn’t have done that Nathan … I wanted to … Yeah!”

#4 – Brooke yelling at Lucas at Haley and Nathan’s second wedding
Miss Sophia you break my heart every time. “I’m not pushing you away Lucas. I’m holding on for dear life but I need you to need me back … why won’t you ever just let me all the way in.”

#5 – Peyton’s Peyn-angel
Awesome way to show the struggle of teen girls with there identity and logic behind not so awesome decisions. Her pain and guilt clearly show as she tries to fix a lost situation. “Closet full of anxiety.”

#6 – The many Haley punches thrown over the years.
Don’t mess with HJS she will take you down. “Honey, YOU’RE lucky I’m pregnant.” Girls can kick butt too!!

#7 – Nathan and Haley fights
For the only couple in Tree Hill that stayed together for the run of the show (minus a little pause) they weren’t always peachy keen.Whether it was Haley yelling at Nathan “well you should have told me that having sex would turn you into an ass” or Nathan yelling at Haley “Haley what if something would have happened?”

#8 – Nathan and Haley make-ups
Well just cause … who doesn’t like the fluffy stuff. “I was hurt Haley, but I was still proud of you, everyday.”

#9 – Brooke writing on the mirror and overhead projector
Once again, it’s all about identity. She has gone through the highs and lows. Visually it was an amazing way to show the issue and emotionally make me want to hug Brooke and tell her that she is worth so much more.

10# - So Far the Season Four final scene on the Rivercourt is tops.
The peace and joy and love in those final moments made every Tree Hill fan sigh. We will see what tonight holds.

There are so many more. Cracker Jacks, Scrunchies, tattoos, Boy Toy, Weddings, Births, Keith’s death, Jimmy’s funeral, Keith’s funeral, First dates, foods without consonants, basketball, hot tubs, scavenger hunt, balloon fights, pillow fights, girl fights, rain storms, car accidents, Tric, roadtrips, Karen’s, Coach Durham … etc.

It was about standing up for who you are, not being afraid to change that person, loving without conditions, forgiveness, trust and friendship. Tree Hill you taught me well and you will hold a dear place in my heart forever.
“There is only One Tree Hill”

GIVEAWAY WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS Meredith Sledge! You won an autographed 2011 call sheet from episode #911 "Danny Boy".

Your call sheet will arrive in the original production envelope in which it was delivered to me!

I Can't Stop Listening To...

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:50:00 +0000

I can't stop listening to BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S new record, WRECKING BALL. Now, I may have started in Texas, but from 12-20 I was a Jersey girl, so guys like The Boss and Bon Jovi are staples in my music collection. This time, he's really outdone himself.

In case you have the album and looked at the back cover seeing Produced by Ron Aniello and thought to yourself... "that sounds familiar", Ron is one of my best friends and my partner on The Notebook Musical! This is Bruce's first record with Ron and, I'm not surprised to say, it has gone #1 around the world (beating out Adele) and gaining an unprecedented FIVE STAR review in Rolling Stone.

In particular, "Jack of All Trades", "Death to My Hometown" and "Land of Hopes and Dreams" have been moving me. "You've Got It" has brought tears to my eyes, as has "Rocky Ground". And the title song "Wrecking Ball" is super inspiring.

This is the soundtrack to my life right now. Get it, guys. It's so good.

Diamond Gothic Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:05:00 +0000

What’s that from which I’m drinking my homemade cappuccino? Why, it’s our latest giveaway item… A DIAMOND GOTHIC coffee mug!

Recruit friends to comment on DIAMOND GOTHIC chapters on HelloGiggles! The more of your friends who leave a comment, citing YOUR name as their “recruiter,” the better chance you have of winning!

Only one comment per person, per chapter, please. Multiple entries in the same chapter will not be counted. Additionally, your friends can follow us on twitter and cite your name (and @handle) for better chances of your win! We’ll pick the name we see the most!!!

You have one week. GO!

Mary Tyler Moore kickoff on HALLMARK

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:01:00 +0000

Hey! Check out an old TV movie of mine on the HALLMARK CHANNEL tonight! It's called MARY & RHODA and I play Mary Tyler Moore's daughter. Xoxo!

Three Cool Things

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Ok, Lets ignore the elephant in the room for a minute and enjoy a fun blog post. It's been a while since I've done a THREE COOL THINGS feature, so here goes :)

I'm madly in love with my friend, Lisa's Nespresso Citiz machine. It's seriously the easiest cappuccino I've ever made. Pop in the capsule, pour milk in the canister, hit a button and within one minute you have GORGEOUS foam and smooth espresso with a thick crema. And the second best part is how friggin' easy it is to clean. Guys, if you love espresso, this machine is totally worth the $300. Save up!

Dear Moms, this will save your sanity in the car. Hand your kid one of these Mum-mums when they're fussing in the car seat.

It's just the right size to keep them chewing for a good long while, but it easily dissolves in their mouths and is actually pretty tasty. I keep a few boxes of them between the seats in the car and when I'm in need of a snack, I dip into the stash! They're easy to find at almost every grocery store, plus Target. Mum-mums people. Do it.

Ok, last up are my new COY sandals from Seychelles! The shoe is offered in a variety of color combos, but mine is turquoise, purple and gold. It's gladiator- nature and vibrant color reminds me of all the houses in Santorini, Greece when I visited a long time ago. They're super comfortable and very chic! I highly recommend picking up a pair for your go-to summer shoe!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Joy Lenz) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:38:00 +0000

As most of you know, as much as I love to share with you the magic of ordinary days, I am also very private about my personal life. In fact, the only reason I'm saying anything about this at all is because you'll all be wondering soon why everyone is calling me "Bethany Joy Lenz" again. I'm sorry to say that Michael and I have decided to divorce. We remain friendly and dedicated to raising our beautiful girl in love and we appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time. I feel immensely humbled and grateful that God works all things for the good of those who love Him.

Love,

BJL

COMMENTS DISABLED, thank you for understanding