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.

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.

* Resolution: Learn to knit 

I love hand-knit sweaters – just not the ones that are hand-knit by me. Sure, imperfections can add charm and character to homemade items but that doesn’t mean you want to wear them! Designer Carri Hammett has created Knitting 101 for the absolute beginner, and it comes with both a fully-illustrated book and a DVD that provide step-by-step tutorials so you can see exactly how to purl or cast on. This set makes knitting the relaxing hobby it’s supposed to be.

* Resolution: Take care of your feet 

So many of us put fashion before comfort, especially when it comes to shoes – so it’s no wonder that our feet hurt. Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief may not be glamorous but it will get you back on your feet again – minus the bunions, poor posture and aching body parts that start at your soles. Biomechanist Katy Bowman, MS, offers easy exercises and shoe suggestions that may literally change your life. Step into the new year pain-free!

* Resolution: Only indulge in the good stuff 

Life is too short to skip dessert, but don’t waste your calories on sub-par sweets. Choclatique by Ed Engoron with Mary Goodbody includes 150 recipes for gorgeous-looking, scrumptious-tasting treats using simple techniques that will make you feel like a professional. Chocolate is the most common craving in North America – duh! – and the book cover alone is likely to have your mouth watering.

* Resolution: Protect your skin

I recently received a sample of Skin Protect by Natura and I have to admit my skin has never looked better. This state-of-the-art therapeutic cream is designed to restore collagen, improve firmness and elasticity and rejuvenate sun-damaged and aging skin. It’s got a very impressive pedigree in botanical and nutritional medicine but what matters most to me is that, after using it religiously every night for the past few weeks, my skin is definitely smoother and softer. This will be a very easy resolution to keep!

* Resolution: Read a little every day

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories goes one better by letting you read a tiny every day – and still feel like you’ve done something productive! This first volume in the three-book series by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (yes, that cutie-pie Joseph Gordon-Levitt from our beloved (500) Days of Summer and 50/50) and his popular open collaborative production company, hitRECord, features 60 selections from more than 8,500 contributions. One of our favorites: “It’s HE-RO,” the boy argued. “No,” the girl insisted, “it’s HER-O.” Proof that good things do indeed come in small packages.

* Resolution: Give in and buy the Blu-ray player

I’m a movie reviewer and I JUST did this so, trust me, I feel your pain! I kept hoping Blu-ray would be the visual equivalent of 8-Track but, alas, it looks like it’s here to stay. Here’s the thing, though. A Blu-ray player can still play all your DVDs so there’s no need to replace your entire library. And, honestly, movies look so much better on Blu-ray. Plus, classics like Dead Poets Society and Good Morning Vietnam keep joining the Blu-ray parade. With after-holiday discounts, now is the time to give in.

* Resolution: Accept that you can’t do it all

I Don’t Know How She Does It, based on Allison Pearson’s best-selling book, is out on DVD and Blu-ray, and it will exhaust you! We can all relate to Sarah Jessica Parker as she tries to be a good mother, loving wife and successful executive, and discovers her life is no longer the glamorous Sex and the City. Take a lesson from her character: Make this the year to just say no, focus only on the things that are most important and simply do the best you can.

Click here to enter our giveaway to win one of these resolution kick-starters. For an extra chance to win, simply leave a comment below.

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!)

So, in case you missed any of these or forgot to share them with your sister/friend/mom/daughter or just want to read them again (thank you!), here are some of our top posts of the year:

* My Handbag, Myself

* Join Susan in Helping With the Somalia Crisis 

* Talking About Polygamy with Lola Shoneyin, Author of The Secret Lives of the Four Wives

* Please Stop Dissing The Help! and Why My Husband Won’t Be Seeing The Help

* My Reading List (And My Anthropologie Blanket and a Few Other Things)

* The Truth About College — and Life

* Author Caroline Leavitt Interviews Lois

* Why Sexist T-Shirts Aren’t Cute

* Jane Goodall: Lessons Learned From Jane’s Journey

* The Budget Fashionista is Featuring Our Post on Shopping With a Conscience

* What Really Happened To Your Loved Ones on 9/11

* Judy Collins vs Katy Perry: The Times They Are A-Changin’

* Four Writers and a Whole Lot of Readers: My Week at the Jewish Book Fair

* No More Wake-Up Calls While I’m Driving, Please 

* Pop Your Cork But Don’t Throw It Away 

* Our Holiday Gift Guide on Huffington Post 

Thanks so much for reading and for being the best community in the cyberworld. We truly love and appreciate every email, comment, Facebook message and suggestion. Keep them coming! And please continue to get involved. Together, we know we can make a difference. We already have.

We wish all of you the happiest holidays, and a happy and healthy new year. Let’s make 2012 the best year ever! And let’s be sure to keep clicking a day for charity! xo

One bite of this multi-layered confection triggers bittersweet memories of my sister-in-law, Sheila, who passed away over a year ago.  Baking was Sheila’s forte and at most family events we were pampered with her skillfully-prepared pies, cookies, cakes and, most importantly, Nanaimo Bars.  The energy and care put into every task she conquered was a sheer marvel. I admired her grasp on life and how her spirit was transferred to every person and project she touched.  As a mother, daughter, sister, wife and cook, she quickly became my role model.

The chocolate nutty cookie crust flecked with morsels of chewy coconut is the bar’s foundation.  It builds into a layer of rich vanilla cream and is crowned by a crunchy layer of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate.  The three textures — crumbly, creamy and crunchy — are magic, making them perfect treats for the holidays or any time of year.  There are still moments I can see Sheila preparing them in her Island home, chatting with her family, with a young assistant standing patiently on a stool waiting for the final product or at least a spoon to lick.

Sheila and memories of her kitchen will always hold a special place in my heart.  She died after falling asleep one evening at the age of 51.  There was no reason – she was perfectly healthy.  It remains a mystery.  A surreal and pervasive grief gripped our family for the days and months to come.  She left us way too early.  Our vacations and holidays on the Island will never be the same.  However, I bake and try to grab each task in life with the same perseverance in honor of her.  I have put love and spirit into each ingredient of these Bars in remembrance of my sister-in-law.

Nanaimo Bars

In Canada, Bird’s Custard powder is used instead of instant vanilla pudding.  You can find the powder in specialty food stores (especially British) or on Amazon.com

1/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 cup + 2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 egg, beaten

1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

2 1/2 tablespoons cream

2 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding powder (Note: In Canada, Bird’s Custard Powder is used instead of instant vanilla pudding.  You can find the powder in specialty food stores, especially British, or on Amazon.com)

2 cups powdered sugar

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

Combine the sugar, cocoa and 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.  Stir until butter is melted and everything is well mixed.  Remove from heat and quickly stir in beaten egg.  Stir in graham cracker crumbs, nuts and coconut.

Press mixture firmly into a lightly greased, 8-inch square pan.  Refrigerate for one hour.

Meanwhile, beat the milk, pudding powder, powdered sugar and 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  It should have the consistency of butter cream frosting.  Spread over chilled base.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Melt the chocolate with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over low heat.  Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.  Pour over bars and spread evenly.  Return to refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

You can find lots more delicious recipes on Liz Hughes’ blog, Virtually Homemade.

Anna’s fiction, essays and reviews have appeared in Salon and other publications. She writes the “Ink on the Tracks” playlist column at Connotation Press. Her novel, The Diary of Suzanne Frank, is forthcoming.  She’d love to hear your suggestions, so feel free to reach out to her on Facebook.

Empowering:

Dear Sugar  is an advice column unlike any other you’ve ever read.  Written by an anonymous forty-something woman who is married (to Mr. Sugar) and raising two kids (the baby Sugars), Sugar offers us a huge dose of her own life (the column where she reveals that Mr. Sugar was unfaithful to her before they married will tear you to bits, just before it restores you) and her wisdom-from-the-pain sensibility gives her a wide platform on which to stand with us and call on each of to rise up and find our way out of the muck.  Her bi-weekly column is not about dispensing pat advice; instead, it is a roughly 2500 word meditation that whittles each question down to its very core and then implores to reach within to find our own truth and push ourselves to live that truth.  Sounds hokey, but it is not one bit hokey.  In a world full of snark, it is charmingly sincere.

When Sugar lays forth her own pains, fears, insecurities, struggles, her readers feel — as they typically exclaim in an outpouring of comments — “understood” and “not alone.” Sugar constantly reiterates that there is a way out and the way out is within you.  She reminds us to say “thank you” and points out that “nobody will protect you from your suffering.”  She implores us to “be brave enough to break your own heart,”  step forward out of your fears and be all about the love.  To stop worrying about the roundness of our bellies and “inhabit the beauty that lives in your beastly body and strive to see the beauty in all the other beasts.”

You will find, in her columns, that “acceptance is a small quiet room” and that you already know at least part of the answer to your own question.  Sometimes Sugar reveals that there really is no answer — that life is a series of choices and most of the time there is no right or wrong answer, as much as we want someone to tell us what to do. In fact, she reminds us over and over that there is only being true, being honest, being fair to others, being kind, and searching, digging deeper, working harder to be our own best selves.  That’s empowerment.

Embarrassing:

I was invited to go holiday caroling here in my small town.  Someone else who was going asked me, seriously,  “Are you going to dress sexy for it?” I suppressed a laugh. Among other reasons not to “dress sexy for it:” evening caroling on the Mid-Atlantic coast in December promises to be windy and chilly — not so conducive to sexy caroling attire, not that I knew what sexy caroling attire was. “What do you mean?” I said. “Oh you know, a sexy elf costume or something or frisky Mrs. Claus?” my friend replied.  She was not kidding.

So, now, as if the shopping and wrapping and baking and decorating weren’t enough, you can add “dressing sexy” to your list of holiday chores!

I’ve got no problem if someone wants to dress like a sexy reindeer or a hot Mrs. Claus.  Live and let live.  However, I do have to ask, is there no place where women are not expected to get their sexy on these days?

This typical ad states: “Naughty red Christmas costume includes bra top, mini skirt and matching hat. It’s sure to be festive and fun times any time of year you wear this smoldering hot Adult Christmas Sweetie Costume for ladies … Garters that you can remove along with a Santa hat, a fur shrug, and stockings make this costume hot enough to melt the hearts of the coldest men at your next holiday gathering.”

Really? 

My advice: say “bah-humbug” to this trend.

As the holidays approach, so does the activity of gift giving. I urge you all to make each purchase count. Shop with a Conscience this holiday season and all year round. Support independent retailers, shop online and avoid the crowds and hassle. Buy a gift that gives back in some way. As women, we wield power with every purchase we make so make a statement — make a difference — with where you shop. Don’t support companies who don’t support your values and morals. Do support women owned businesses, artists and entrepreneurs. Buy from companies and from people who donate a portion of their proceeds to charity. Buy items made by people at risk. Support people who create, who reduce, reuse and recycle. And if the people on your list really don’t want for anything, shop on a charity’s website, giving food, clothing or medical attention to people in real need, in their name or honor.

This philosophy is something that Lois, Susan and I are passionate about. It is that commitment that drives us to search out the talented, creative, dedicated people and companies we feature in our Shop with a Conscience section. It is the reason we put together Holiday Shopping Guides. It is what inspires many of our posts throughout the year.

We hope you’ll spend some time in our Shop With a Conscience section and support these carefully selected vendors. By supporting companies that give back in some way, you have the power to really make a difference. Now that’s a gift.

For more holiday shopping, read Lois’ article in the Huffington Post here. Please be sure to “like” and “share!”

What’s made Oprah such an amazing and effective teacher is that she doesn’t stand there lecturing – instead, she shows us how things work and introduces us to people who have gone through those experiences. And by letting us see her in some of her own vulnerable moments – without makeup, in her pajamas, doing the “ugly cry” — Oprah has given us a safe haven to ask embarrassing questions and share our most personal hopes, worries and secrets.

When I was selected as one of Oprah’s Ultimate Viewers last September, I felt like Oprah had just taught me another huge lesson – the Law of Attraction really worked! I had been talking about, dreaming about, praying to somehow get to Oprah for years. She was the inspiration for StyleSubstanceSoul.com, and I wanted her to see that, because of her, we were trying to make a difference in the world. I had put that in writing and sent it out into the universe back in 2007 and then put all of that in writing on the Ultimate Viewer application. The fact that it was now actually coming to fruition – and that Amy, Susan and I were GOING TO AUSTRALIA WITH OPRAH! – took my breath away.

That trip was life-changing and I was surprised, when we got back, at the number of people who asked me what Oprah was like in person, whether she was really the same person they saw on TV. Of course she was. She didn’t just talk the talk; she walked the walk. She was exactly who she seemed to be, and many of the lessons she had been teaching us all these years were put into practice and proven over and over again on the trip.

Here are five of them:

Dream big

After a private tour of the Sydney Opera House, we were treated to a surprise and very intimate performance by legendary soprano Penelope Mills and pianist Simon Kenway. Following a once-in-a-lifetime private beach party with Oprah and Gayle – catered by Curtis Stone, no less – we were invited to the sweetest dessert party ever. Each activity in which we participated included a goodie bag.

Any one of these special events – and, trust me, special takes on a whole new meaning here – would have been enough for us. But not for Oprah. She and her producers dream big in a way none of us could ever imagine, and that’s a skill worth practicing because if you can dream it, you can make it happen.

Step outside your comfort zone

For two thirds of the Ultimate Viewers, this trip halfway around the world marked their first time out of the United States. During this trip, people who were afraid of heights climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. People with fears of the water swam in the Great Barrier Reef.

Because we had Oprah as our safety net, it was easier to try things we had never experienced before. I am not a snorkeler – I get nervous trying to breathe underwater – but I’d be damned if I was going to miss the opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef.

Putting that mask on and viewing that unparalleled underwater world was something I’ll never forget. I left there with a real sense of pride and accomplishment, as did so many people on that trip. It was transformative to learn that you could do something you had always held yourself back from doing, and I will be forever grateful to Oprah for giving us the chance to learn that firsthand.

Everything’s better when it’s shared

Oprah could have headed Down Under herself but she chose to take 302 people who she knew would appreciate the experience as much as she would. She always says, “Everything’s better when it’s shared,” and she proved that to us on this trip.

I am really not a big group person but this was not just any big group. As Oprah herself said in one of her speeches to us, “Of course it’s a nice group. We didn’t take any assholes on this trip!” Each person was nicer than the next and we would all turn to each other at different times to try to take in the incredible moment together.

Now, almost six months after the trip, we still communicate through a very active Facebook group. I am so thankful for the amazing people in this group because they are the only ones who truly understand the emotions of that trip and the only ones we can share our feelings with, without sounding like we’re boasting in any way. We help each other in whatever ways we can, and we know we are bonded to these people for life.

We’ll be introducing you to some of our fellow Ultimate Viewers over the next week and know you will love and learn from them, too.

Be grateful

Oprah has kept a gratitude journal forever, and she gave us all journals at the beginning of the trip so we could do the same. We could have filled up a dozen of them.

As we traveled around Australia, we were constantly being thanked by the warm, hospitable Aussies for coming so far to visit their country. We genuinely couldn’t understand why they would be thanking us, and we would fall over ourselves trying to explain how grateful we were to them. These encounters often ended with lots of hugging, which, really, could be the answer to world peace.

The most touching display of gratitude, though, was Oprah’s surprise visit to the airport to see us off and thank us for being her Ultimate Viewers. It was such a classy – and unnecessary – thing to do, especially since, once again, we felt that we were the ones who had so much to thank her for. I thought this revealed so much about her as a person.

Anything is possible

This lesson is now indisputable. If you had told me anytime before last September that Amy, Susan and I would be going to Australia with Oprah, I would never have believed you. It was hard enough to believe when we were actually there! And I think all 302 of the Ultimate Viewers would agree.

With Oprah’s final show coming up this week, there’s another lesson that’s also indisputable now: One person can make a difference. Oprah has proven that over and over again.

I mentioned to my husband the other day that no one will ever take Oprah’s place and he said, “No one, but many.” That was a giant “aha” moment for me because I think he’s absolutely right.

Oprah’s influence has been so far-reaching that if every person she’s touched in some way did their own part to make the world a better place, the world really would become a better place.

So, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, all I can say is, “Thank you, Oprah.” I will miss you in my house at 4:00 every day — although please know you are always welcome to show up!

I will take to heart the lessons you have taught so well and work hard to do you proud. I know we will meet again – maybe for a StyleSubstanceSoul segment on OWN or back in Australia for an Ultimate Viewer reunion? (Hey, I am mastering that Law of Attraction lesson and have to throw it out there!)

Meanwhile, I am stocking up on tissues to watch the finale on Wednesday because I am going to go full-swing into the ugly cry. This I know for sure.

This is where we were one year ago today! Read the back story here!

This was the day we had all been waiting for – we were going to be VIP guests at the two tapings of The Oprah Show at the Sydney Opera House. For Oprah’s Ultimate Viewers, this really was the ultimate gift.

At 9 a.m. we were off to the first taping. The crowds on the street were as excited as we were, and they were screaming their welcomes to us and we were screaming our thanks right back at them!

With our yellow bracelets wrapped around our wrists, we were ushered to the VIP section – oh, we could so get used to this! – and were awestruck to look around and see 6000 audience members all smiling and laughing and feeling that same sense of gratitude and awe. Some Aussies had told us that it was harder to get tickets for this show than it had been for the Olympics! More than 350,000 people had sent in requests.

Sally Lou Loveman, who we remembered so fondly from that life-changing Chicago show taping back in September, warmed up the audience – which didn’t seem to need much warming up! By the time Oprah came on the stage, we had been whipped into a frenzy!

For those of you who missed the first show, here’s a quick recap: First up was the family of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin. I had interviewed young Bindi over the phone when her movie, Free Willy 4, was released on DVD, and was so impressed by how charming and articulate she was. In person, she, her little brother and mom set off an emotional torrent that just got more intense when Jay-Z surprised a compassionate boys’ school teacher with a special appearance, and Oprah presented the students with a million dollars worth of laptops and computer equipment.

Russell Crowe visited next, followed by Kristian and Rachel Anderson. Kristian was battling cancer, and Oprah gave the couple a check for $250,000 so they wouldn’t have to worry about bills and could just spend time together with their two little boys. We were in tears watching the video Kristian had made for Rachel.

Next up was Bon Jovi, singing hits “It’s My Life” and “Living on a Prayer.” We were sitting in about the twelfth row so we can assure you that, yes, Jon Bon Jovi is still one of the sexiest men alive. As if all of that wasn’t enough, Oprah ended the show by presenting the entire audience – all 6000 of us – with an exclusive pearl necklace from Kailis engraved with “Oprah The Farewell Season.” We get so many compliments every time we wear it, and it is so meaningful to us because of the incredible memories it represents.

We were emotionally spent – and there was another taping coming up in the afternoon! After lunch in the Opera House (how lucky were we?), Susan went back to the hotel to call her husband and have a good cry (I think I was teary for a good three quarters of the trip but will probably have my breakdown sometime down the road when I come back down to earth), but Amy and I decided to use the couple of hours in between tapings to do some shopping! We found the fantastic Aboriginal Art Galleries at the Sydney Harbour, and spent all our time – and money – there, buying earrings, scarves, journals, artwork, boomerangs … we could go on but, suffice it to say, we spent enough to warrant a tax refund at the airport the next day. It was a good thing we had bought the extra suitcases!

After a quick change, we were back at the Opera House, this time sitting in the fifth row center – hello, Oprah! – and, because this would be the final show, we were ready for anything. We had a great time talking to the two Australian mother-daughter pairs sitting in front of us who had won the ticket lottery and were beyond excited. They had just found out that they had been selected to upgrade their seats to the VIP section, and they were feeling as crazy happy grateful as we all were to be sitting there!

We had to rehearse what would be the grand finale – a gigantic Australian flag unfurling over us while a children’s choir sang “I Still Call Australia Home.” We prepared for the waterworks to flow because we knew this would be a huge emotional moment.

Oprah came out, looking like a queen, and brought out her first guest – Bono! What a thrill! Next, making a grand entrance that would make headlines all over the world, came Hugh Jackman, speeding down a zipline from the top of the Opera House to the stage. Unfortunately, he smashed right into something hard and we got an up-close and personal view of it. Ouch. It was actually really scary and when he turned around, his eye looked awful. He was so gracious, and said it was completely his fault because he got a little overenthusiastic. What a gentleman – and what a cutie! Even the young male paramedic couldn’t resist hugging him when he went onstage to help him!

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban did their first interview together with Oprah, and they were adorable. Olivia Newton-John was equally adorable – and she’s a shocking 62 years old now! She showed off the black leather pants she made famous in “Grease” – how could those tiny little things have ever fit anyone?!

The road trip ladies – who are as sweet in person as they were on TV – were sitting in the front row, and Oprah presented them with limited edition Australian Colours pink diamond “O” necklaces from Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine. And then she presented them to the rest of the 6000 audience members!

Then came the big moment when the kids’ chorus started singing “I Still Call Australia Home,” accompanied by Hugh, Olivia, Keith, Nicole and Russell Crowe. The star power on that stage was dazzling. When that flag starting unfurling over our heads, it was magical.

The Ultimate Viewers were the first to leave the taping, and the crowd’s reaction as we walked out of there brought us to tears. We could totally feel the love as they waved to us, clapped for us and screamed for us to come back soon. One by one, they were calling out, “thank you,” and we were calling out, “thank you” back to them. We were yelling, “We love you” to them and they were yelling “We love you” back at us. It was just a surreal moment and the perfect end to our trip.

Except we still had one big surprise in store for us.

After an evening of collecting email addresses and phone numbers, taking photos and packing up all our memories, it was time for the first group to leave for the airport. We were in the later group so Amy and I took a quick walk through the Botanical Gardens, then Janet and I visited the Sydney Museum. We didn’t want to miss a thing!

We traded in our Australian phones for ones we could use back home, praying that all our photos and video made the conversion. Then we were off to the airport, where we stocked up on Tim Tams to share with our families and friends.

While we were waiting at the gate, our group was ushered together and we knew something was up. Suddenly, to everyone’s shock, Oprah walked over. She didn’t know why we were so surprised, saying of course she had to come say “goodbye” and “thank you” to us. Really?! She totally did not have to do that, and the fact that she did shows what a class act she is. We were so touched.

She thanked us for being the “ultimate Ultimate Viewers,” and told us to expect some post-Australia depression. She encouraged us to hold this experience in our hearts forever, and to build on this momentum and spread the love. I said we would pay it forward and she repeated, “Pay it forward.”

So that is what we’re going to do in both our personal lives and through StyleSubstanceSoul.

We hope you’ll join us as we pay it forward and make this the gift that keeps on giving.

Epilogue:

Watching the four Australia shows on TV last week was in some ways even more emotional than actually being on the trip. It made us realize just how big this experience was, and how incredibly blessed we were to have been chosen to be there. We have not taken one minute of this gift for granted.

We are on Facebook with our 299 new friends every day, not just reminiscing about the past but planning how we are going to use the incredible energy of this group to make a difference in the future.

We are so grateful for the love and support of our friends, families and readers, who have encouraged us to share our stories – and who keep asking for more, even when we feel we must be boring you to death. You have all made this experience even more meaningful to us.

The main reason we wanted to devote so much space to our Ultimate Australian Adventure is to show you that anything really is possible. We are living proof that dreams do come true.

So dream big, send your dreams out into the universe and watch the magic happen.

This is where we were one year ago today! Read the back story here!

For people who are not sailors, we sure had been on a lot of boats the past few days! This morning, we boarded yachts for a private Oprah Regatta around Sydney Harbour, and we even signed up to help out as crew members, as well. Amy was a bit wary – she is a devoted landlubber now – but she didn’t want to miss this Oprah activity, so she donned her seasick bands and, with the help of boatmate Rose Cowan, made it through like a trouper.

The sight of the Harbour filled with these 20 beautiful boats celebrating Oprah’s Farewell Season was so moving. The impeccable attention to detail taken with each of the sails reflected the level of care and professionalism of our hostess herself. We took turns at the helm, with a gentle nudge from our professional captain whenever there was a traffic jam or whenever we started steering, uh, drifting, a little too close to Oprah’s boat.

We had a relaxing morning on the water, enjoying the breathtaking views. By the end of our ride, we were standing up and holding on tight as we sailed past the Sydney Opera House and under the Bridge we had just climbed yesterday. It was a totally different view from down here!

When we were back on dry land, it was time for lunch at Bungalow 8 at Sydney’s King Street Wharf. There were people and cameras all over because You-Know-Who was coming to have lunch with us.

As we were settling in at our table, I noticed someone familiar walk by on the other side of the fence. He waved and I automatically waved back, but it took me a minute to realize who it was. Russell Crowe! OMG! I grabbed my camera and ran to the fence. He had just taken Oprah out on his boat, and he graciously stopped to pose for photos and say hello to us.

Meanwhile, Oprah and Gayle were making their way into the restaurant which, with everyone vying for their attention, was no easy feat.

Oprah gave another empowering speech that day, one that came at the perfect time for her Ultimate Viewers, many of whom had, at some point, commented that they didn’t deserve this huge gift we were receiving. “You are all here for a reason,” she reassured us. “No one is here by accident.” I got goosebumps as she went on to explain that she and the producers had read and re-read every application, that they knew everyone’s stories and had handpicked each person for this trip. “That’s why there are no assholes here!” she laughed. We roared — you’ve got to love it when Oprah swears! — but, inside, felt much better!

Oprah also told us that when she was younger, she disliked her name because she could never find it on any of the little license plates or tchotchkes that the other kids had. She waited patiently for Miss Louise on Romper Room to look in the Magic Mirror and see her, but although she would say, “I see Suzy” or “I see Barbara,” she never saw Oprah.

Today, though, she realized that God had bigger plans for her, happily pointing out, “Now I have an O on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a Regatta with my name on it.” She assured us that whatever our background was or wherever we were from, “There’s a regatta with your name on it.”

Wow!

We called good-bye to her as she got into her car, mobbed by throngs of people, and told her we’d see her tomorrow at the tapings of her show at the Opera House.

With just a couple of hours until we had to be on the bus for our “surprise activity,” we all descended on Sydney’s luggage stores to pick up a bag or two to take home all the amazing goodies we had collected during our trip! Amy, Susan and I bought two bags for the three of us to use and, trust us, they were filled to the brim by the time we schlepped them to the airport.

At 6 p.m. we lined up for our box dinners (not the sandwich and chips you may be imagining — there were like six delicious gourmet courses in this unassuming box) and boarded the buses to – where? This was our surprise activity, and we had no idea what to expect.

Once we were all seated, Oprah came on the video monitor to welcome us and tell us we were going with her to see U2 in concert with opening act Jay-Z! Woo hoo! I love U2 and have wanted to see them forever. Another bucket list item – check!

It was so exciting to pull up in front of ANZ Stadium, where the Sydney Olympics took place in 2000. Our beloved Blue Shirts pointed the way (how in the world were they everywhere we needed them to be?) to our seats which – duh – were great! We bought t-shirts to commemorate the occasion, and rocked the night away to U2’s greatest hits with 70,000 other fans. We were especially thrilled when they recognized the special guest star in the audience by changing some of their famous lyrics to, “See Oprah Winfrey right in front of you!”

After a totally satisfying concert, we rode home trying to predict whether Bono would show up at one of the tapings of The Oprah Show tomorrow. Although we would LOVE that, it really didn’t matter – we had already had a “Beautiful Day.”

This is where we were one year ago today! Read the back story here!

Today, we were told, our morning activity would take us to new heights – 134 meters above Sydney Harbour, to be exact! (I would love to tell you what that is in feet but I still have no idea how to convert measurements.) We were going to do the world-famous Sydney BridgeClimb! We were thrilled because, before we left the U.S., so many people had said this was a “must do,” and encouraged us to do it if we had the chance.

We were divided into groups and brought into a room for an introduction and a breathalyzer test. This was a little worrisome to some people who had indulged in one too many apple and thyme martinis the night before, but luckily everyone passed! We were given our bridge-climbing uniforms and lined up to get tethered to a static line on the Bridge. Then, led by our enthusiastic guide, we were off and climbing.

The Climb takes you along the outer arch of the Bridge, and you walk on catwalks and up ladders. For most people, it is really not scary – although it was fascinating and inspiring to watch Oprah last week and see how many people, including Gayle, overcame their fears to reach the summit. It is really fun and exhilarating, and it was amazing to look down and see all the Australian fans waving and taking pictures of us. Cars were honking their horns in support of us, and we literally felt like we were on top of the world!

When we finally got to the top, we could see Oprah and Gayle in the middle of the Bridge, and the helicopter which had been hovering overhead for a while, taking photos of us climbing, suddenly disappeared! We found out that it had to refuel and Oprah was not happy. We were setting a world record for the number of people on the Bridge at one time, and the cameramen were in that helicopter to take an official photo. This was not a good time to have to refuel!

Personally, none of us minded. Because we weren’t allowed to bring cameras or cell phones on the Climb, we once again were able to just relish the experience and marvel at the fact that our group – two thirds of whom had never been out of the country before – was standing at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, setting a world record with Oprah Winfrey! It was another amazing moment in a trip full of them.

The 360 degree views were spectacular, it was a perfect day weather-wise and we were happy to wait as long as it took for the helicopter to refuel. Once the picture was taken, we headed back down, where we received certificates and photos proving we had made the Climb, along with some adorable souvenirs to remind us of our experience.

It was then time for lunch at the Waterfront restaurant in the heart of Sydney’s historic Rocks precinct. We sat with Sheree Franklin-Hill and her friends, who had all been part of the group which went to Uluru. We loved listening to their tales of this spiritual journey, which was transformational for them. We were riveted, just hearing about it, and we hope to share their stories with you soon. We also hope to visit there ourselves one day.

After lunch, we were given a choice of activities and the three of us unanimously decided on the Chic in the City shopping tour. Led by stylist Eliza, we were given the inside scoop on some of the best independent shops in the very cool neighborhood of Paddington. We got to visit half a dozen stores, and Amy did her part to give back to Australia by buying something in every single one!

I was no shopping slouch myself, although I did force myself to resist the adorable pillows Amy ordered in Lazybones because that was our first stop and I felt like I needed to see what was still coming. Lots of our fellow Viewers picked up some really great vintage-y dresses there, though, like the one Lucretzia Jamison is wearing here. How cute is that?! I should have bought one!

I did do some major damage at Jiva, which featured delicate little white linen and cotton shirts in yummy pastel patterns, and, of course, I couldn’t resist sampling and bringing home gifts from Just William Chocolates, where “Keith buys chocolate for Nicole.” They were a big hit with my family, and I should have bought more!

While Amy shopped at Fleur Wood, Susan and I headed to the Sanctuary Café behind the store to try and buy some of the tasty HealthyFeast treats, including their famous lemon meringue pie – which, by the way, is gluten-free, a fact you would never guess from its rich, sweet taste. We had the loveliest chat with HealthyFeast founder Kim McGlinn, who was yet another example of the warm, friendly, bubbly people we came to know and love as Aussies. She showed us the front-page article of the Sydney Morning Herald, which featured some of HealthyFeast’s delicious desserts, and we begged her to open a branch in San Diego …

Next, our group pretty much cleaned out Tessarella House, whose hand-crafted jewelry was an immediate hit with all of us. We loved everything they made, and I don’t think anyone left without a special purchase of their own. Allison Doty even found a pair of one-of-a-kind earrings to wear to her wedding this year! What a special way to celebrate her special day!

By the end of the afternoon, we were full – all over! Our hands were full from our own purchases and the well-stocked goody bags Chic in the City had so generously given us; our bellies were full from the treats at Just William and HealthyFeast; and our hearts were full from our conversations with the fantastic women we had spent the day with, including Janet and Wendy, Lucretzia and Rashida, and Allison and Nikki.

That night, we had dinner at The Cut in the historic Argyle Precinct. The prime Australian beef was delicious, as was the rich pate appetizer (which, interestingly, is called an entrée in Australia, while the entrée is called the main dish). Dessert was served in the 19^th century sandstone courtyard, but we really tried to be good or we’d be over our weight limit on the flight home without even counting our luggage.

As an aside – and this was just a weird kind of thing – I went to the bathroom at the club over there and it was fascinating! Not only were they smart enough to make all the stalls accessible to women (they were all marked either W or M + W), since the W line is always the long one, but in the back, they had futuristic pods with urinals hidden behind them. The long, trough-like fixture in the middle of the bathroom looked like a pool table but was actually a sink with the water coming down from above. It was so cool, and so practical. But most interesting to me was the vending machine in the bathroom, selling Spare Soles, which we had just featured on StyleSubstanceSoul the week before. What were the chances of finding these here now on the other side of the world? It was another sign that all of this was meant to be!

If you’re thinking, “Okay, they’re just over-tired and possibly delusional now,” you may be right! We went back to the hotel to get a few hours of sleep before our big Oprah Regatta tomorrow.