WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING!

No, not for me, but for my younger sister Devon who just got engaged! We are all thrilled for her and the planning has already begun, right down to what color I will be sporting as a bridesmaid on her big day.

I am currently the last of the Ehardt sisters left to get married, which is no real surprise, especially with me living in LA and being an actor. I have actually talked to many of my friends, actors and non-actors, about this very topic, over the past year or so. It seems that when you live in Los Angeles you are in a “singles” world, where people are concentrating more on trying to carve out careers for themselves than on having a “happily ever after” life.

Therefore, not being married is actually the norm, and you even find yourself forgetting, at times, that you are at the age where most people are, in fact, getting married. In all actuality, wedding bells will most likely only be ringing for me on a set and after a director has called, “Action!” - at least for now! And I am OK with that, because I am not living my life on a timeline, but rather on a what ever happens will happen when it is supposed to happen basis.

Is it somewhat strange having a younger sibling marry before I do? Yes. Does it make me any less happy for her? Absolutely not!

I am not only happy for her, but excited as well and am enjoying being a part of the entire process again. My older sister Danielle just celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary, so this is the 2nd time around for my family. Which means by the time I ever walk down the aisle, if I do, my family will be well rehearsed!

Devon actually made me laugh, in a cute way, the other day when she asked me, “What is the acting business like during September or the first two weeks of October?” She was referring to the time next year she is hoping to have her wedding, while we were discussing colors, flowers and dresses.

It was so sweet of her to even think about me, and how her day might affect my career and me, since we all know the lack of stability that exists in the life of an actor and the importance of not missing any possible opportunities that may present themselves. My family is amazing like that though! They always consider others and understand how timing can be key for an actor, and I am so thankful for them and their continued support

In the end, of course, I will do everything in my power to be there for my sister’s big day. I plan to be, but with my career thus far, almost every big booking has come with a timing complication of sorts. So, perhaps this means something big on the acting front is in store for me in 2009, just as wedding bells are ringing!

“No wedding bells for me…I’ve been happily married to my profession for years.” - Shirley Bassey

RED CARPET ROUNDUP

Looks like I survived my designer dress, hair, make-up and red carpet charity event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Thursday evening. I am happy to report that the 35th Annual Vision Awards Show was a success complete with glamorous giving, fancy food, plenty of pictures, fabulous fun, and a slew of sparkle!

There were lots of familiar faces including: Danny Glover, Stewart Townsend, Martin Landau, Ed Harris, Melissa Jon Hart, Kris Kristofferson, Tatyana Ali, Mia Michaels, Michael McDonald, Malcolm McDowell, Kyle Chandler, and Connie Stevens among many others. Even some classic actors like Dee Wallace (mother from “E.T.”) and Barbara Eden (Jeannie from “I Dream of Jeannie”) made an appearance as presenters.

It was fun seeing them all, but a personal favorite of mine was Ashley Jones, an actor whom I have been watching since I was 16 years old. I happened to be in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hilton with my friend Jenny, between some of the awards, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and it was Ashley Jones, whom I do not know personally, but would love to work with one day. She had approached little me to pay me a very sweet compliment on my dress and look.

It was a very pleasant surprise, but I didn’t register who she was until she was walking away with her father, who was her date for the evening. The ironic part is that I loved her dress that so nicely complimented her classic beauty. Had it sunk in sooner I would have let her know that I think she is a talented actor and have been following her career for years.

Therefore, if she happens to ever read this, which is unlikely, or if I am lucky enough to cross paths with her again, hopefully on a set, she will know. Regardless, I want to say “Thank You” to her for her genuine kindness, a quality that is sometimes rare to find in Hollywood.

Now, before I wrap this up, I promised to report on my not so secret love, Regis Philbin, and I am a girl of my word! Unfortunately, his Red Carpet Tribute segment was pre-taped, which I suspected would be the case after seeing he was still in NYC and on “Live with Regis and Kelly” the morning of the event.

What does this mean exactly for me, as far as meeting Mr. Philbin?

Well, I just have to become worthy of being on his show sometime soon. However, this requires somehow jumping from my Z-list to maybe D-List, like Kathy Griffin, which looks to be quite the feat, but I am up for the challenge! Needless-to-say, I am always open to any suggestions and, of course, movie or TV acting offers to help with my venture, so please don’t be shy!

All in all, it was a successful and fun week. In addition, there were a few auditions and producer sessions, with some interviews on the side. I shall continue to see what pans out, if anything, and press on, while hoping for a visit with Regis on “Live with Regis and Kelly.” Till next week, there are a few more pictures from the event below and I hope you enjoyed my red carpet roundup!

“I started small. I learned to keep it small. Small is friendly and more real. Small lasts longer. It wears well. I guess that’s why I’m still around.” - Regis Philbin

GETTING GLAMOROUS WHILE GIVING

As you may know, I am an actor who happens to love fashion and getting dressed up on a daily basis, not just for special events, which I mentioned in last week’s blog about seeing the “Sex and the City” movie. Well, this past week I was invited to attend the 35th Annual Vision Awards in Beverly Hills, which is a far dressier, red carpet affair.

It is a formal charity event where “directors, producers and celebrities gather to pay tribute to Legends and Humanitarians in the fields of music, film, television, leadership and technology,” over dinner and cocktails. I am beyond excited to get red carpet ready in a glitzy, full-length, designer gown, complete with hair and make-up to match.

However, I am most looking forward to being a part of an evening that is designed to help others. Throughout my life I have volunteered whenever possible, and been involved in charity events, while planning to one day start and be an active part of my own children’s charity foundation. So, there is nothing more perfect for me than getting to combine charity and glamour in one fun night!

A few of the honorees include: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Helen Hunt, Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Clint Eastwood, John Cusack, Peter Jackson, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Quentin Tarantino. Regardless of who attends, I will enjoy being in the company of creative entertainers, A-list to my Z-list, no matter what the setting. Plus it gives me an opportunity to see who’s wearing what, while people watching. That, of course, happens to be another love of mine.

Regis Philbin is doing a Red Carpet Tribute for the Awards. Between any of you out there in Internet land who happen to be reading this blog and me, I have always loved him, just as my mother does. He comes across as one of the few completely genuine, gracious, kind, and classy entertainers in, what we call, Hollywood. Oh yes, and he is simply adorable!

In fact, I have secretly hoped one day to see him in person, or better yet, meet him. In my perfect world, I would do so by being a guest on “Live with Regis and Kelly.”  However, a girl must keep things in perspective, while on her road as an actor, and not lose focus amongst the bright lights. The reality of my being on his show anytime soon is, you guessed it, slim to none. Yet, because he is doing the Tribute, all hope of my actually seeing him in person is not lost! Rest assured that I will provide full details, if it does happen.

Regardless I will be ready! I had a designer dress fitting last week. After trying on a number of different dresses, in an array of styles, cuts, and colors, I chose one which drew a unanimous “that’s the one” reaction from the group. It is an “Old Hollywood” meets “New Hollywood,” form-fitting number by Escada that has no shortage of classy sparkle, with a back that reminds me of an art deco NYC building. This week I go back for my final fitting, before taking the dress home with me to await our debut, hopeful that we will be well received.

Needless to say, things are once again beginning to roll along for me. Actually, it looks as though my new perspective combined with, what I like to call, positive assertiveness, is paying off; all the while keeping true to myself, of course.

However, we actors are facing a possible SAG strike, so this all might end abruptly. That said, I like to look on the bright side and will, therefore, wait to see what happens, before worrying too much. Hopefully, a SAG strike will not occur, or is resolved quickly and amicably, if it does, and more exciting acting updates are to come soon.

Meanwhile, I shall wait it out patiently, and look forward to getting glamorous while giving!

“There’s a balance in my life, there’s reality and there’s the part that looks really glamorous, but we’re all just people in the end.” - Olivia Newton-John

I GOT “CARRIED AWAY”…DID YOU?

I am going to give you one guess as to what a single gal, with a well-known love for New York City, who openly embraces fashion, room-sized closets, and heels was doing this past weekend. If you said, “seeing ‘Sex and the City,’” then you must now give yourself a big pat on the back, well done!

The highly advertised and hyped-up film made its nation-wide debut this past Friday night, wearing a “Get Carried Away” designer tag (line). Carried away you couldn’t help but be, since seeing the film was anything but a normal trip to your local movie theatre. Rather, it was an event within an event; a fashionably fabulous one at that!

My wonderful friend Miss Jenny put together a fun girl’s outing on Saturday evening to see the movie at The Grove in LA, followed by classy drinks at Lola’s. She had planned the entire thing the week prior, to insure that we all would have tickets before they were sold out, which they were, for all the weekend screenings, by the Tuesday before. Fear not, my fellow blog readers, because we were on top of things, we had snatched ours just in time.

One of the things I love most about Jenny is that she too loves fashion and getting dressed up, something I do on a daily basis. However, it is so nice to have a friend who will pull out all the stops with me, and throw on a fancy dress, fashionable heels, and fun accessories, regardless of where we are going. Especially since LA tends to lean more towards the casual side of fashion. Of course, she too used to live in Manhattan, so perhaps it is the city girl within us.

We five planned to meet at the theatre an hour and 15 minutes prior to the movie starting. We anticipated the busy scene that greeted us, with a line slowly forming outside, around the fountain. So our little plan was unfolding just as expected.

I am a big people watcher, and this was the perfect place to put my side hobby into action, while we waited out the hour prior to the movie’s start time, with all the other excited, mostly female, moviegoers. This was the first time, aside from formal events, where, to my surprise, I had seen such a large group of people all dressed up and sporting their own personal “Sex and the City” style.

A few even matched their favorite character from the show, be it Charlotte, in classic cocktail dresses; Miranda, in practical pantsuits; Samantha, in something short and sexy; or Carrie, in cutting edge attire. Still, each completed their look with a designer-esque handbag and shoes, of course.

Right behind us in line was writer/actor Paul Lieberstein, who plays Toby on the popular NBC show, “The Office,” with a group of his friends. He also happens to be from Westport, CT where I first lived, when I entered this wild world. So, you see, all types of people were interested in seeing this movie, and many of us had chosen to attempt doing so the weekend it came out, which was half the fun.

I suppose you are wondering what I thought of the movie. So, I will now briefly tell you my thoughts, without giving away any plot details or spoiling any of the fun, for those of you who haven’t ventured out to see it, yet.

Apart from the energetic cheering and expressive audience, it was what I had expected it to be, on the whole. They accomplished tying a TV show to a movie, years later, by giving the audience what they could, as best they could, all with no shortage of fashion, shoes, or conversation that most can relate to on some level. Plus, they ended the movie with a long shot of my beloved Pastis, a restaurant in the meatpacking district of Manhattan, which brought it all back “home” for me.

Overall, it was, aside from serving up a slightly predictable main course, entertaining; with a side of sex…and the city!

“Don’t give me a diamond, just give me a big closet!” - Carrie Bradshaw (“Sex and the City” Movie)