Hey Sista, Soul Sista ….

As part of my journey in LA i have done a TON of soul searching. Why is it that i am here? why are we all here? why do stars (energies) align in the way they do?

And through my readings, and lessons i have learned in large part that we are "Souls having a human experience" this is why it's essential to learn to be comfortable in your skin, while accepting and acknowledging the feelings we have inside.

I have also learned a lot more about "soul mates". In my eyes we don't just have one ultimate soul mate. But instead we have many soul mates on this planet, for many reasons. A soul mate is anyone who strikes your soul so deeply. It is a feeling and connection to a person that can't be explained, it must be felt. They may come in your life for a "reason, season, or lifetime". But whatever the timeline is, a soul mate comes into your life to make you FEEL and make you learn more about your own soul. And of course you are placed in their realm to teach their soul something it hasn't experienced yet.

Growing up in a small town you tend to find your soul mates & stick with them, I have soul mates in The Bay i've know for 33, 20, and15 years. And now in LA i have encountered many souls i have only known briefly. But I now experience the INCREDIBLE reality of being in the presence of a souls who have long touched me from far away and I have always felt a DEEP connection with.

For example Katy Perry. Katy Perry is an artist that i (like many others) was immediately DRAWN to when she first hit the scene. I loved her for having fun, being cheeky and funny. And was I inspired by her boldness, courage and braveness. Plus the girl has a voice i dream of!

Back on February 13 2012 (the day before my divorce became finalized) Katy Perry released "Part of Me" with lyrics like "you can take the diamond ring, it don't mean nothing anyway. In fact you can keep everything. yeah. Except for me." … it's safe to say that song became an anthem to me during a real rough patch. Katy Perry became sister in strength for me as she endured her own divorce and began a new chapter in 2012. I FELT her.

With her follow up songs like Roar and Dark Horse, i was able to turn to Katy when i needed strength. She was there for me. She helped HEAL my soul. And  for that, i am forever grateful.

And being GRATEFUL is a magical thing. In fact just last month i had the incredible HONOR to attend The Jeremy Scott People's Designer Movie Premier. It was my first time attending a red carpet movie premier at the Chinese Theater and I was in a dreamland!!

Katy is a close friend of Jeremy Scott , and she was also subject of his documentary. Before the movie began Katy and Jeremy participated in the Graumen's tradition of putting handprints in cement. I felt as if i had been transported back to Old Hollywood.

Katy has always had an Old Hollywood style to her and that night she really BROUGHT it. Seeing her participate in such an amazing Hollywood tradition and ritual made me feel proud. What an incredible journey she has been on. And to see her follow in the footsteps (hand prints??) of Marilyn Monroe kinda blew my mind. Let's just say Soul Mates for LIFE!! And I am HONORED to feel such strong vibes of connection to such an amazing inspiring artist.

Make sure to watch the Jeremy Scott People's Designer movie available now on vimeo: http://jeremyscottmovie.com
I loved the part when Jeremy And Katy are backstage at the Superbowl before her halftime performance -- UNREAL!!

and happy birthday to my GURL!! my inspiration & my SOUL SiSTA …. the one and only KATY PERRY!!! I can't thank you enough Katy!!! LOVE YOU!! & THANK YOU for everything!! Enjoy your day Birthday girl!!!

#soulmates #cemented

Give Your Heart (and Skin) a Break

motivating people are my favorite. always have been. the people who go out there and show the world they have something to offer and lay it out there for us all to see are captivating and inspiring. They aren't ashamed to talk about "issues' they've overcome or things out of our control that we can beat ourselves up over (WE HAVE TO STOP DOING THAT!!)  While we can't pick our bodies and skin we can learn to take care of what we are given, but it's not always natural for some of us. Some of us have to LEARN to care of ourselves emotionally & physically. 

Recently I had the amazing opportunity to not only preview Demi Lovato's skin care line Devonne by Demi, I also got to speak with Demi herself. And wow Demi is one brave soul. She's bared her soul to us, on stage and off the stage. She's shared her hurdles she's overcome and in doing so she's helped SO many others (myself included).

In another effort to give back to those still learning to over hurdles demi developed a skincare line called Devonne By Demi. Specially for those in-between years and all around "take of your skin" because it's yours and it's going to be yours for the rest of your time.

Demi's efforts of helping those with finicky skin (again, myself included lol) go beyond just an amazing botanical skincare routine. Demi's skincare line also GIVES BACK to those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction (something I openly struggle with myself).

And to further Demi's efforts of helping others face fears she has piloted a No Makeup Monday campaign in which demi herself bares her face au natural and stays true to her no hold barred, let's all get to our TRUE SELVES attitude. 

THANK YOU demi for all that you do for those following in your footsteps. You are years wiser then your age and you inspire SO many older and younger then you!! Thank you!!

& here is my #NMM (NO MAKEUP MONDAY) … feeling pretty brave after using Devonne by Demi's botanical ski care routine. That spray tho …. LOVE it all!! & THANK YOU DEMI!!

#NMM

 Devonne By Demi Products 

see what i mean about GIVING BACK … 

demi & i … LOVE this girl and what she does

Thanks again Demi and make sure to check out Devonne By demi!

REFLECTIONS: the 33rd Degree Initiation

yesterday i celebrated my 33rd birthday.  not gonna lie it's kinda crazy to me. i mean i feel just as young as i ever have, i don't know what "old" feels like. & as wild as it is for me to imagine that i am older then both my parents when i arrived on this planet, i am very much at peace at where i am with my life. 

The past 5 birthdays have been rough. My 28th birthday i spent sick, my 29 i spent crying & miserable that i was stuck in a life i wasn't meant for. Year 30 i had culture shock being single in LA.

31, well, we can just forget that one, & 32 was sweet but it was spent at a friends wedding.

but yesterday my 33rd was THE BEST birthday i've had in SO long. I mean on some levels it's weird to celebrate such an "adult" age in the midst of a life overhaul but the amount of love i was showered with yesterday let's me know this is THE PATH i am supposed to be on.

When you are surrounded by love you're always in the right spot. THANK YOU to all who sent me wishes and LOVE on my birthday!!! Y'all made this Gemini REAL happy!! 

My day as "birthday girl" started with some quality time at my favorite place on earth the beach. Malibu always makes me feel SO loved!! 

After my beach meditation and mind clearing session, Cassandra and i headed to the PRIDE parade in weho … I rocked American Flag regalia in honor of #flagday … the parade was wild !! 

i owe SO much to my LA transition to this one!! LOVE YOU Cassandra!! 

after the parade we headed to the Sunset Marquis. "the Marquis" is one of my very favorite spots in LA and i love the ambiance and the staff there SO much!! it was lovely to ring in my new year with LOVE!

We bounced around the sunset strip from there … I mean I'm kinda obsessed with the strip and always have been. pretty Mollie came to meet us for snacks and laughs.

and seeing this one's LIFE journey aka Fairytale unfold before my eyes as I've lived down in LA has been one of my FAVORITE things ever

LOVE YOU LAUREN!!!!

I was pretty happy to say the least! we stropped at several places to blow out candles & make birthday wishes! 

 and then i watched the warriors game … watching basketball on my birthday?? um this like never happens!!! gotta LOVE Steph Curry!!!  SO blessed to see my team playin in the finals!!! #MVP

my roll girl came by to celebrate from there and we got drama nerdy and we reconnected like old times. LOVE YA MAGALI!! 

the sparks were flying for me & my night was pretty magical !! this much love in my life is my light guide … 

always make sure to follow your light and listen to your heart. it'll talk to ya and guide you where to go … 

About Town : TANYA HEATH PARIS

I am forever grateful to live in LA. It is the land of opportunities for myself and so many others. It is a hub of fashion, music, entertainment and art. And I am SO grateful for all the opportunities i am given to experience the wonders of this world; and so thankful to meet so many amazing people who put their heart and soul in to their lives and share their art & dreams with us all.

I recently was invited by Pivotal Pr to attend the Grand Opening part of Tanya Heath Paris' first American Boutique, and i had a BLAST checking out the new space on Robertson Blvd ( a favorite street of mine here in LA) and trying on the new interchange high heels.

I mean how rad is that? You can make a show go from classy to funky in a switch of a heel and for a gemini like me with a fickle mind it's the ultimate shoe. And how can one not feel like Cinderella when trying on magical heels? Thank you again to Pivotal PR And Tanya Heath for having me!

The space is just lovely.

and how rad are these interchangeable heels?? 

The Heel bar Baby!!

& me in awe of the magical heels … 

Thanks again to Tanya Heath, Jen Betts at Pivotal Pr and to Vivien Killiea of Getty Images for the pictures! Y'all made me feel so special and so much love to you all!

DiY: MAKiNG A STATEMENT {about SOBRIETY and a} NECKLACE

I like making statements. It's like my thang. I can't help it. I enjoy speaking my mind. And let's NEVER forget we have the RIGHT to speak our minds.  #JeSuisCharlie … and i don't plan on NOT speaking my mind anytime soon. But sometimes I like to make silent statements. Those often can speak the loudest. Plus, it always fun to use my art & style to express myself.  

And what better way to express yourself then in a Statement Necklace? HASHTAG DUH. I was recently inspired to get back on my craft DiY game and make a statement about Sobriety. And i am PRETTY proud of this piece. Like PROUD on SO many levels. #GetOnMyLevel

                   

This EXACTLY the kind of statement i like to make when i walk in the room. 

"Who is #THATGiRL?" … haven't we been over this before? 

It's Amber … MFing LANE …

                

"First Year Sobriety: All that Changes is EVERYTHiNG" by: Guy Kettlehack

"The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure: The Holistic Approach To Total Recovery"

I'm SO OBSESSED  with my new Julia 'Lady J' Gerard Tee shirt paired perfectly with new DiY necklace.

Tee shirts are like my second favorite way to make statements, or whatever. 

And I very much encourage anyone who has ever had a problem with drinking, thinks they may have a problem or are just looking for a WAY BETTER way of life I encourage you to look into a new form of HAPPiNESS called SOBRiETY!!!

And BiG THANK YOU to ALL my sober mentors out there like Russell Brand & Bradley Cooper!! 

Talk about some #BADASS MFing people on #TeamSober … #JustSayin

Happy Tuesday Y'all!!

and CHEERS to HEALTH!!

Colgate Optic White Beauty Bar 2015

I am a pretty excited person. Seriously, I get overly excited about the silliest things. Which works out nicely since I live in a town and work in an industry that applauds and celebrates enthusiasm. Coincidently, this time of year it when accolades and awards are granted to those who channel their enthusiasm and energy i to their artistic work. 

The buzz that surrounds Award Season in Hollywood is infectious. And since I'm on that Sober Tip, I''ll take any good-clean energetic buzz that rolls my way. So when I was invited to the Chateau Marmot to kick off Golden Globes weekend at the Colgate #OpticWhite Beauty Bar, I could barely contain my excitement. No, seriously. 

Guests invited to the Colgate Optic bar were treated to manicures, massages, and makeup applications by Priv (beauty on Demand App) ; infused water by Rove; vegan milkshakes by Naturade; popsicles and champagne with frozen fruit pops by Chloe’s Fruit; gifting and pop-up shop by LA-based clothing line, 35mm; and, gifting by jewelry brand, Tuleste. 

Um. Hella fun basically. 

Isn't Jennie garth the cutest ??!!

I had an amazing time enjoying myself at the Beauty Bar mingling with so many of my favorites and it was also such an honor to have my hair done by Celebrity Stylist Josue Perez.

                                 

Josue also styled my FAVES Christina Milian and Cheryl Burke's coifs in preparation for a weekend full of celebrating, elbow rubbing and excitement. 

 Jose kills it with the Rowenta Beauty Tools.

Cheryl is a fellow Bay Lady like me. She's the SWEETEST!

                                       And me in the chair of honor. Sometime my excitement looks like nervosness. haha.

Josue and I were on that goofy wave. 

Seriously wavy. 

I couldn't imagine a better way to kick off the 2015 Award Season and the 2015 year in general.

Thank you again  

to Colgate Optic White Jen Betts and Pivotal PR for having me.

      PHOTO CREDIT: ALEX WYMAN // AP/INVISION

Style Icon: I Swear She's Destined For the Screen

Before her name was getting dropped in Billboard 100 songs like Mark Ronson's 'Uptown Funk' & Vance's 'Riptide' the iconic Michelle Pfeiffer has throwing game DOWN. 

One of my responsibilities of an actress is to learn from the greats and Michelle Pfeiffer's career choices have always been ones I've enjoyed. She's just so sweet, lovely & BADASS. Her role as Elvira in Scarface is DEFINITELY an enviable character to rock out. I could watch that movie over & over, and obviously I'm not alone on that feeling. 

Not to mention Elvira's wardrobe for that role was AMAZING.

Michelle like can't help but be hot. I mean like smoking (which coincidentally she does a lot of in Scarface). 

  "Lesson number two: Don't get high on your own supply."

-Elvira Hancock

"Can't you stop saying fuck all the time?"

-Elvira Hancock 

 "Don't call me "Baby". I'm not your "Baby"."

-Elvira Hancock

 "Nothing exceeds like excess. You should know that, Tony."

-Elvira Hancock

 "What makes you so much better than me? What do you do? Kill people? Deal your drugs? Real contribution to human history Tony! What makes you think you can be a father? You don't even know how to be a good husband!"

-Elvira Hancock

 Of course I had to wear my love for Michelle & Elvira on my "sleeve" … I am SERiOUSLY obessed with my Married to the Mob Elvira leggings. A must for any Scarface fanatic. 

Happy Thursday Y'all!! 

Free The Nipple & Your Demons …

"Yeah it's been a ride man. I guess i had to go to that place, to get to this one. Now, some of you, might still be in that place. If you're trying to get out, just follow me. I'll get you there." -Eminem #NotAfriad

Well 2014 was a hell of a year. I embarked on many new journeys in 2014. Like enrolling in James Franco's Studio 4 Acting School and getting my SAG card.   But first and foremost my 2014 started with my 2013 decsion to get sober. The end of 2013 was a rough one for me & i was at my absolute worst. I had exhausted my party efforts to a point where i was on a path to self destruction. It was either sober up or wait for something terrible to happen. 

A drunken arrest & passing out on Melrose (only to be picked up by an ambulance) were not enough to slow my roll. When it finally dawned on me that i needed to get sober, i started looking at my options. Rehab, AA and all alternative methods. And while i did attend some meetings, i, for the most part looked in side myself to find the strength and mostly courage to turn down (for what, i'd prefer my dream instead) alcohol.

It was a daily choice, sometimes an hourly and by-the-minute choice. Champagne, man i miss that ishh. Drunken sessions with my ladies? Miss those too. And man, liquid courage, that was my fuel. How to do you expect me to party with Drake when i still got all my inhibitions??  It's MFing Hard to lose that shxxt & act like I'm not shy as fxxck when you're sober. 

Nights were hard, but i still hit the Hollywood club scene likka a TMZ socialite. Sugar Free Red Bull or Mr. Pinks complete withha straw in tow. I was #ThatGirl. The sober girl at the club onna Tuesday… "who is she???" Amber MFing Lane, that's who. 

Mornings were rough for the first three months. Um, do hangovers ever stop? I was onna perma-one for days until my system began to clear out. But once my system cleared i started to see that my endless sorrow, depression and guilt over my actions from the night before began to fade. It was likka a black cloud had magically lifted. One I NEVER thought would pass. It was like those demons of mine finally stopped bothering me.

I learned a lot about myself this past year, that for sure. Pretty sure i got to know a part of me that i had been drowning in alcohol for the past 15 years, and she's actually pretty badass and one hard ass fxxking worker. And yeah maybe it still takes me awhile to warm up, but my confidence (as evidenced in my acting and dedication to work) is back and better then ever.

I've always been an outsider, and sure due to society (and what it constitutes as "doing something") Sobriety makes me even more of an outsider, but i'm cool with that cuz i'm cool with myself now. And that's what matters. I'm not trying to impress or making anyone happy but myself (I mean I like making my parents happy & proud but sometimes even they don't totally "get me").  and #NEWSFLASH … drinking is NOT an activity, and i'll be the first to say that you have a problem with alcohol if drinking to "do-something" is your go-to (daily, weekly) hobby. 

Eminem served as my unofficial sponsor during my sobriety journey. He was always a click away for me day & night. Whenever i needed words of wisdom from someone who's gone down this path of overcoming their demons before, i turned to Em.

And James Franco was my guiding light, giving me an outlet to pour all the energy i used to pour in partying & socializing. I instead poured all that time, energy & pain into art, like i had never been able to before. THANK YOU JAMES FRANCO. 

in honor of my two boundary-pushing  mentors who pushed me through 2014, i look forward to year of pushing boundaries even further. I plan on getting to those places i DREAM of, and would NEVER be able to reach with a glass of champagne in my hand. 

SO i encourage you to go out and push yourself outside your comfort zone this 2015. Make a change for the better. Free yourself from your own demons (#FreeTheDemons #DontFeedTheDemons). And soar higher then you have ever been before. 

Happy New Year and THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE & SUPPORT in 2014!!! Here's to a kick-ass Boundary pushing, #DreamDoin TWENTY FIFTIETH !!!! 

" i love to do something the censors won't pass. " - Marilyn Monroe

 … 

i'm coming at 'cha 2015. 

Get ready.