The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

I am so excited to announce The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as one of my new affiliates!! Why am I so excited? Well, let me tell you, I have the most amazing story about my last time there.

When I was in Los Angeles last year, I attended a media panel for Paley Fest for the show True Blood on HBO, which is one of my all time favorite shows. As I am sure you have all figured out by now, Alexander Skarsgard is my favorite actor. Anyhow, I had the extreme pleasure of meeting him briefly while I was down there and have a chat with him after the event.

A few days later before I left town, I had the utmost pleasure of meeting his BFF for coffee at the Coffee Bean before I left Hollywood. He and I had been in contact over the prior few months regarding a movie he and Alexander had filmed in Sweden, a short documentary that was absolutely amazing. We tried to meet up a few times while I was down there that week but he was under the weather at first and wasn't able to make it to Paley, so we opted for coffee the Monday before I left.

I met him near where he was casting for a movie he was interested in directing and we had such a great visit. When he pulled in my heart did a little skip-a-beat because he drives the exact same car as Alex. For a second I thought he might be with him, since the windows were so dark I couldn't tell. I have to admit I was a bit relieved that he wasn't! Even though it would have been an awesome adventure, I so wasn't looking hot that morning. Anyways, BFF was handsome, kind, so open and chatty-honestly, it was seriously almost the best part of the trip. He bought me a super yummy pom-blueberry smoothie and himself a skinny latte. I teased him about the skinny part because it is such a Hollywood thing to order and really, he didn't need to worry about his weight.

While we were waiting in line I realized we were standing next to Ashton Kutcher. Honestly, it didn't even phase me in the slightest. I was having such a great time chatting with his bff that I couldn't have given a rat's hiney about Ashton. We were probably near him for about 15 minutes before we grabbed a table on the patio but I didn't care.

I loved the atmosphere of the Coffee Bean, was surprised by all the celebrity sightings- at the time I didn't realize it was a mecca for the young and famous-and truly just loved my conversation. BFF was brilliant, funny, inspiring and just an all around genuinely nice person. We joked about how different LA is from Sweden and I told him about myself, what I do for a living and the area I am from.

He also had some amazing tips on publishing, things that had never even crossed my mind prior to my conversation with him, so once I get my first book published, I am going to owe that to him. If he hadn't lit a fire under me with his suggestions, I wouldn't have come back home and started writing like I have been over the last several months.

I do regret not getting a picture of the two of us together, but I really didn't want to seem like a fan girl, although it would really have been something nice to have for memories sake.

BFF on the left and Alex on the right

One thing that really struck me, and I noticed this with Alex, too, is how incredibly humble he was. I don't know if it is a Swede thing or maybe just the circle of people they run in, but they are some of the kindest, most down to earth people I have ever met. They are both obviously on the rise in Hollywood, but I would be sincerely surprised if it ever went to their heads. As BFF laughingly said,"Alex puts his pants on one leg at a time...unless he jumps into them."

We only stayed for about a forty-minutes, since he was on a break from casting and had to get back, but I really appreciated the time he took out from his busy schedule to come and sit down with me, have a nice chat and enjoy some seriously good Coffee Bean drinks.

Check out their site for awesome home delivery and they have some really good sales going on right now!

The worlds largest, yummiest pancake and Merlotte's!

Despite the lack of sleep I got last night (apparently my room is adjacent to party central), today has been an awesome day. I got up bright and early and headed out for breakfast at The Griddle.

Located near the Coffee Bean and the Directors Guild, the menu is to die for. Any type of pancake you can dream of, they have it. A dark, warm atmosphere greeted me when I walked in. I took a seat at the horseshoe shaped walnut breakfast bar and took in my surroundings. A few police officers when in the corner catching up over hearty looking steaming plates of food.

I couldn't decide what to have, the "Red Velvet" panCake, topped with cream cheese frosting? "Eyes Wide Open" chocolate chip pancake with a shot of expresso? I decided on old faithful, buttermilk pancakes. I know...pretty vanilla. Frankly there was just way too much to choose from I took the easy choice. The waiter advised me to just have one pancake as they were huge. Imagine my surprise when my order was up and he placed it before me.

I was relieved I had listened to him! It barely fit on the plate. While eating, an important director looking type seated himself across the bar from me, ordered his usual and proceeded to work on his laptop while also reading the newspaper.

Once done I hit the road to Burbank for my tour of the WB Studios. First off, I loved that area of Burbank. I could easily see myself living there. I could have happily strolled around for hours, but I was on a schedule.

After checking in for the tour, I checked out the cute souvenir shop, which was filled with Harry Potter, Friends, Gilmore Gils, True Blood and much more trinkets.

When my tour was called, they took us into a little theater and we watched a presentation about the history of the studio. Lucky for me, I found out I was in a group of 11 year old girls from Massachusetts- a synchronized swimming team. Oh joy! Luckily there were 4 other adults who were not apart of this group, so we got put together, along with 3 of the squealing pre-teens.

Once the tour got started, I was very surprised to see the first stop was... Merlotte's! Our tour guide advised they had just finished filming there a few weeks ago, so now the front was all cleaned up, but at the time of filming there were signs, bushes and other decorations.

Without the building being dressed up, it's hard to imagine Sookie Stackhouse, Sam Merlottle and Arlene Fowler here.

Picture courtesy of http://trueblood.wikia.com/

Merlotte's all "dressed up" in a screen shot from "True Blood".

The surrounding area makes you feel like you are really in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Spanish moss hangs from the trees and it is hard to believe you on a lot.

The amount of work that goes into all of this is just amazing, this picture depicts the foliage above Merlotte's.

Right behind Merlotte's on the studio trailer is Sam's trailer.

As we drove down the little road away from the trailer we came upon this little pond. I somehow knew it was important, so I decided to snap some pics. Little did I know that on the 14th, Alex and Joe were flaunting their nekkid bodies in front of Anna filming episode 4. Happy Valentine's Day indeed!

Not the same angles as the scenes from TB, but you get the drift.

Of course there were no random nekkid people running around....

Nor did Alex rise from the water and declare that he was Aegir, God of the Sea. But that's all right, it was fun just the same.

Part two of my tour is next. Slide show of TB photos below, including Fangtasia and Alcide's apartment intermingled with screen caps from the show. :o)

                   

West Sunset at sunset

 I am so tired but I have had the best day. I was up at five this morning and have been going non-stop! I didn't give myself enough time to eat before I left for the airport, so I was starving.

I was so tired I look like poo!

The flight from here to LAX was smooth. I was bouncing in my seat in the way there. Silly, I know, but it has been so long since I did something like this for myself and this trip is just what I needed after my split with my ex to get me out of my funk. Plus, hello!!! True Blood and seeing their panel at Paleyfest, meeting Alex in person?? What more could a woman ask for?

The weather was perfect when I landed and I had no trouble getting my luggage and finding the right shuttle to take me to my rental car. I had a complete blonde moment at the car rental place and bought the insurance to cover the rental, and had I been thinking I would have declined because of course my auto insurance covers this. That was $140 down the tube! I called them later when I realized my error but the only way to cancel it was to go back in and honestly I didn't want to waste my trip driving all the way back to the airport.

Anywho, once the car was locked and loaded I used the handy dandy navigation on my phone and headed to Long Beach. I must have been blessed today because I had no traffic problems. I rocked out to Pandora and reached Alex's Bar in no time. I passed through a pretty shady area on the way there but frankly I didn't care. Still totally on my vacation high!

I got there at 11 in the morning so of course they weren't open, but no big. I was interested in seeing the outside on my way to the Queen Mary and I know they film the interiors on The Lot now.

It was a bit surreal seeing the place where so many scenes from the show have taken place.

After I snapped a few pics I drove through the "hood" to reach Long Beach Harbor.

I knew the Queen Mary was huge, but seeing it in person was a completely mind blowing experience. I couldn't even capture the entire length of it on my camera. It was majestic!

I had planned on eating lunch in one of their renowned eateries, but unfortunately I did not do my research ahead of time and they were closed, so I had to settle for so-so pizza from their little canteen. I ate on the deck around noon and I was so famished I barely tasted it.

It was a chilly on deck but walked around for awhile and took it all in.

Once I had my fill of the ship, I hopped back in my car and headed back over the bay and into the downtown area. I loved it! It was so gorgeous. Blocks of cute shops and rows of even cuter houses. I could have spent all day checking them out but I wanted to get back to Los Angeles and head into Hollywood and check in at the hotel.

While rocking out and driving back, I noticed my arms looked splotchy. Upon closer inspection I realized that the spray tan I had got the night before had turned out really bad. Like REALLY BAD. I almost had a heart attack, I had a slinky black dress to wear to the even Saturday night and I didn't want to look I had a skin disease!

I racked my brain trying to figure out what to do when "Sunset Tan" came into mind. I used to watch that show on E!. So, I looked them up and discovered they were over on West Sunset, not too far from where I was. I called and spoke to a really nice lady there, explained the problem and she told me she could see me in about a half hour and she was also going to give me their special web deal. Score!

While I killed time I went by one other exterior location for True Blood, which also happens to be my favorite one. "Alcide's" apartment in Jackson. Not the I am a fan of "Alcide", because he really isn't my thing, but I loved the outside of this apartment building.

It is seriously stunning in person. When I move to Hollywood I want to live there. It is on a really quiet, shaded street, not too far from all the action.

I snapped some great photos and then popped over to Sunset Tan, praying for a miracle.

I have to say, they did not disappoint! The girl was sweet and made me feel very comfortable stripping down. She clucked over my tan splotches and assured me she would fix them right up. She did an awesome job and she even air brushed a six pack on my tummy! Nice! She warned me that since I had just had a job done last night, that my skin might be extra dry, so I should use gentle wash on my face and body and stay super moisturized.

Once done there, I popped across the street to look in H & M for awhile. Super cute clothes. I walked out the back door and into the cutest patio area, which turned out to be the courtyard for a few businesses, along with Equinox, the celeb hotspot gym- namely Alex Skarsgard. The weather was still perfect, so I grabbed a drink, relaxed at one of the cafe tables and people watched for awhile, in between reading my nook and checking email.

It was about 4 by this time so I decided I should head to the hotel, check in and relax for awhile.

The hotel was further out than I expected and I decided next time I am just going to pay a little extra and book one in the heart of WestHo. It isn't that much more expensive and it would be much more convenient.

Also in a much better area. *lol* When I talked to my mom earlier tonight she asked where I was staying and I told her. The hotel itself is very nice and safe, but the surrounding area isn't the best. She said "You aren't past such and such street... ARE YOU?!" and I responded with, I don't think so...Well, come to find out when I went out later I am about 5 streets PAST such and such street, but I think I will wait until I get home to tell her that. Poor mom.

So, I settled into my room, made my game plan for the next day, cleaned up, went to grab some food and tooled around in WestHo, checking out the city at night. All in all, a fabulous first day and I am so excited for Saturday!

Off to bed, it has been a long day!

Below is a slideshow of shots from the Queen Mary. Enjoy!

Los Angeles here I come!

Yes, I do own this luggage. *lol*

All packed and ready to go! My dad will be here in the morning to pick me up and drop me off at the airport. I am so incredibly excited.

Tomorrow I will go to Long Beach to see the Queen Mary and also check out the bar they use as the exterior of "Fangtasia" on True Blood.

Friday is my tour of the WB Studios, Saturday is the event at Saban Theater where I will get to see the True Blood cast and either Sunday or Monday I will be hopefully seeing Bjorne to get a copy of the movie he and Alex filmed.

I have literally been counting down the days since I bought my Paleyfest ticket on January 30th and I can't believe it is finally here. Woo hoo! So excited!!