I’m a huge fan of the books myself, so to know that I got to play Clary – who’s a literary heroine to me – was a huge honour.

I’m a big fan of the whip... That snake whip was awesome!

When I first covered [presidential election ] in 2008, I was asking questions for kids around the world, but mainly for myself. I didn't know the process, I didn't know how it worked. Now, of course, I'm more schooled on it, but I deal with so much politics in my fashion work and in Hollywood, that I haven't been as connected this time.

Think before you speak. Think before you judge. Think before you think you have a person all figured out.

It's really important to stand up for yourself and not always agree with what people say if indeed you don't feel that that's true

Everything for me has happened so quickly. I finished shooting 'The Blind Side' not this past June, but the June before, and all of sudden up to now, it seems like it's gone from zero to 60 for me. I feel so fortunate to be able to say that.

In the '30s, every day was an event. And, as much as I love that idea, I think nowadays it's nice to have the differentiation of when you dress up and when you don't.