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StyleSubstanceSoul.com is excited to host a live Q&A with Angelina Jolie at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time/ 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time! Angelina will be discussing her writing and directorial debut, In The Land of Blood and Honey, and you will have the opportunity to ask her questions about the film live! 

In the Land of Blood and Honey has been nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Foreign Language Film. Set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War that tore the Balkan region apart in the 1990s, the film tells the story of Danijel (Goran Kostić) and Ajla (Zana Marjanović), two Bosnians from different sides of a brutal ethnic conflict. Danijel, a Bosnian Serb police officer, and Ajla, a Bosnian Muslim artist, are together before the war, but their relationship is changed as violence engulfs the country. Months later, Danijel is serving under his father, General Nebojsa Vukojevich (Rade Šerbedžija), as an officer in the Bosnian Serb Army. He and Ajla come face to face again when she is taken from the apartment she shares with her sister, Lejla (Vanesa Glodjo), and Lejla’s infant child by troops under Danijel’s command. As the conflict takes hold of their lives, their relationship changes, their motives and connection to one another become ambiguous and their allegiances grow uncertain. In the Land of Blood and Honey portrays the incredible emotional, moral and physical toll that the war takes on individuals as well as the consequences that stem from the lack of political will to intervene in a society stricken with conflict.

Please join us later today for what promises to be a fascinating and insightful discussion!

In the Land of Blood and Honey is currently playing in New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle. It opens on Friday in Washington DC, Dallas, Palm Springs, Amherst, MA, Berkeley, Charlotte, Denver, Monterey, Phoenix, Mountain View, CA, San Jose and Sausalito.

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Since we’re already a week late, let me first wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! We are so excited about everything we have in store for 2012, and know it’s going to be an amazing year.

January traditionally means resolutions although mine don’t normally kick in until about March after all the birthday celebrations – for my husband, my mom, my sister and me. For most normal people, though, the beginning of the year is a good time to make a list of what you want to accomplish.

We found some great resources that just may help you reach your goals – and inspire you to strive for a few more.

* Resolution: Write every day

We know a lot of you like to write – personally, I often like “having written” more than actually “writing” – which means you sometimes need a push to sit down and get the words out. The Writer’s Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callan gives you everything you need to jump-start your own story. Filled with innovative games and exercises that really work, it’s got the ideal equipment to unclog your creative faucet. … read full story →

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Like many of you, we’re taking some time off for the holidays. We’re excited about spending time with our families, celebrating the joys of the season and gearing up for a great 2012.

We won’t be posting again until early January but hope you’ll take some time to look back on what we’re calling our Best of 2011. Personally, we love everything we write about so we think it’s all the best, but we went through all of this year’s posts and made a list of the ones that really resonated with readers — we know which ones are being clicked on the most and, surprisingly, those don’t necessarily have any correlation with the ones that get the most comments. (Speaking of comments, if you want to know what we really want for the holidays, read this great piece!) … read full story →

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Oprah Winfrey may be one of the biggest celebrities in the world but, as she always admits, the role that is most meaningful to her is that of teacher. For 25 years, The Oprah Show has been her classroom where she’s taught millions of viewers everything from paying attention to... read full story →