Mandizzle is Two!

The Mandizzle Shop turns two today! A big THANK YOU to all of my friends, family, supporters...and of course, my awesome customers!

As a gift to you, take 20% off your entire purchase this week at mandizzle.etsy.com. Please enter the promotion code "TWO" in the notes to seller box when checking out.

Hurry! Ends Saturday, October 9!

Rope Me In!

The Ropey was one of the first pieces I created. It's so chic, functional and versatile that it has become a customer favorite.

So, what would I wear with the ropey? Just about anything...but right now I'm really feeling this look for end of summer/early fall.

Laura Lace Dress - Delia's

Winnie Boot (I need these) - Coconuts via DSW

Richelle - Zoya via eNail Supply

Have a great Wednesday!

♥

Mandi

Haul

Ok, I lied. I did not write a dedicated Bachelor Pad post last week (nor the week before) and I'm technically not going to tonight. I do have a few questions:

• What exactly is this show? What is the point? Ok, I don't care...I'm still going to watch, but if I was expecting more (say, I was a stranger to the show), I would just turn the crap off immediately.
• Why are they having romantic competitions and there is a girl with a boyfriend there? Oh yeah, to make it more scandalous. (By the time this blog went into production, Gia had already been sent home. So that answers that.)
• Why is that Elizabeth girl (though beautiful) so crazy?
• Why is Wes still singing the same song three years later?
• Why is Melissa Rycroft only on camera about 10 minutes per show (I love her)?
• Finally, why don't I just write bulletpoints...I really want to. I'm refusing (at least for now).
• Wait, really quick - Ok, must admit...next week looks like it's going to be pretty, pretty good

To divert my attention away from giving in and writing bulletpoints, I'm going to do something I never do...post a recent haul from Ulta. I haven't totally spoiled myself in months, so I went a little crazy at Ulta last week.

I went in with my Buyers Rewards certificate, which was worth like $10. I spent a little more than that. Rundown of what I got...

Nail Polish:

• Seche Clear - Crystal Clear Base Coat
• OPI - Meet Me On The Star Ferry (Hong Kong Collection)
• OPI - Lucky Lucky Lavender (Hong Kong Collection)
• OPI - William Tell Me About OPI (Swiss Collection)
• OPI - Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous (Swiss Collection)
• OPI - Couture Collection Mini Set (FREE Gift with $10 OPI purchase!)

I've only worn Lucky Lucky Lavender on my nails and William Tell on my toes so far. I am obsessed with Lucky Lucky. So pretty. I have been matching my outfits to it (which is not hard since it's a creamy lavenderish-pink).

Eye Colors

So I went in hoping to only buy the new Urban Decay NAKED palette and get maybe a nail polish or two. The UD palette was sold out, so I figured I could go crazy with my second favorite eye makeup brand...NYX.

• NYX Purple Smokey Eye Palette



• NYX Bronze Smokey Eye Palette
• NYX Natural Eye Palette

• NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Slate (love all of these)
• NYX Eyeshadow Single in White
• NYX Eyeshadow Single in Aloha

So far, I love the Purple Smokey Palette a ton. I am pretty much a spokesperson for purple shadow, though. I love everything else as well, just haven't used it as much. I use the White and Aloha singles everyday and this was probably my third or fourth time replacing them.

Other Stuff:

• Revlon ColorStay Foundation
• ecotools - Bamboo Bronzer Brush





• Pink Quilted Train Case (I was going to dish out the cash for the Sephora Brand, but I think this $30 works JUST as well and keeps my stuff from being spread out all over the bathroom counter, which it has been for years.)
• Ulta Citrus Cream Shower Gel - My free gift

AIGHT, sorry for going on and on. No one will probably read a word of this, which is fine. :)

♥

Mandi

mandizzle in the real world - Bride Casey

I got a note from Casey, a bride I worked with on a custom order a few months ago. She shared some of her beautiful photos...how gorgeous was she. Love her dress (the back is cray cray in a good way) and her hair piece wasn't too shabby either! :)

A little English Garden Couture

Hi! Today's Daily Dizzle is:

The English Garden Couture Collection #1

So, I have a freakishly vivid memory about most things. That's one of the things that some of my old boyfriends have definitely not enjoyed...I remember every single, solitary detail of the most minute conversation or event that happens. I'm telling you this because I remember creating this piece on a freezing night in February while watching the Cavs play (and get beat by) the Bobcats on a Friday night. I had a bridal show coming up in a few weeks, and I was not expecting to make anything like this...but I guess my basketball frustration was turning into positive creativity, because I really love this piece. I think it's just a whimsical, classic, garden-esque piece. That I love. Yes.

What could you pair the EGCC #1 up with? Here's what I think:

If you're a bride...

Ivory Silk and Chiffon Backless Dress - Holly Stalder on Etsy

Antique Vintage Inspired Chiffon Wedding Dress - bridalblissdesigns on Etsy

If you're attending a wedding or other special occassion...

Matteo Dress in in Blush - Dallin Chase via Bluefly

If you just want something pretty to wear everyday...


Loop Chain Knit Top (High probability that I will buy this top!) - Forever 21

Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in Smoke Wash - J. Crew

Rock Star Sandal in Gold - O'Neill

Rock Candy Nail Polish - essie via The Beauty Clutch

The Bachelorette: Ali and Roberto Edition

The Bachelorette is over. Dunzo (in my best Kristin Cavallari or Stoibs Laguna Beach voice). Finito (in my best chic from Blaque voice from that scene in Bring it On. Side note - ever notice how ridonkulous that song is by Blaque? The one with JC from *NSYNC (a side, side note - I used to be OB-SESSED with him. I mean, OBSESSED.) Anyway, he actually says "are you feelin' my Timbs', my baggy jeans, my thug appeal." Really? JC Chasez and Thug Appeal. Hmm.)

Sorry, I'm making no sense.

A couple of quick Bachy Bullet Points:

• I know, I know. I've really been lacking with my BP's this season and it's partly due to the fact that I read the spoilers (kind of accidentally). It just takes the fun out of it. I will be back on track with Bachelor Pad. Please Believe.
• Ali's family seems really nice and down-to-earth. I really have started to like her a lot more over the season. She is a normal chic who doesn't try too hard like most of the chics out there.
• Ali looks nothing like any member of her family.
• It was always pretty obvious that she was going to pick Roberto. I mean he is adorable, and if he is as nice as she claims he is...than best of luck. I'm still skeptical.
• I think it's great that she went against the producers and let Chris go before the big finale. He seems like a nice guy and I'm sure it was a lot easier than it would have been had he been humiliated after walking up those high stairs.
• My friend Stephanie made a comment that Ali's hair is always halfway falling out of a ponytail. It's so true. During her breakup with Chris...it was halfway falling out of a ponytail. Again, I like that...makes her a lot more normal.
• I cried. The rainbow thing made me cry.
• Will Chris be the next Bach? I don't know. I'm sure someone does, I've been too lazy to Google.
• Ali's finale dress was REALLY pretty.
• Roberto sweats A LOT. I would sweat profusely too if I were in 110 degree weather (I just made that up, how do I know how hot it is in Bora Bora?) Anyway, dude is constantly sweating.
• Cute proposal, more natural than most. Much more natural than "Monkey, will you marry me?" Bleh, gross. We all saw how long that lasted.
• After The Final Rose - which is normally my favorite part because of the drama, really kind of sucked. Frank didn't show (not surprising), and Ali and Chris were very cordial - which I was happy about. I want to yell at Ali and Roberto and beg them not to move in together. Is it only a matter of 4 months before Ali is on tv calling Roberto a fake liar? Let's hope not. (To rewind, I can't believe I didn't bullet point about the Jake Vienna situation. That WAS AMAZEBALLS!)

Ok, finallly...this has nothing to do with our beloved Bachelorette Ali, but can we talk about how obsessed I am with some of the new OPI Swiss Collection for Fall 2010 which launched just a few days ago? Oh my gosh...truly need these colors:

Diva of Geneva

Glitzerland

Just a little Rosti at this

Lucerne-tainly look Marvelous (MY FAV!)

Ski Teal we Drop

William Tell Me About OPI (My other FAVE)

Ok, sorry for rambling. Sorry for this whole post actually. It doesn't make much sense, but whatevs. :)

♥

Mandi

Sunny Day.

Today's Daily Dizzle is the sunny.

I picked up this pretty yellow fabric a while ago, and one very late night while watching, undoubtedly, HBO on Demand, I wanted to create something really simplistic yet super cheerful. A couple of hours later after experimenting with the fabric and different colors/styles of headbands, I finally put together this pretty combination. It has definitely been a personal and customer favorite.

Check it out HERE.

Summery items I'd love to wear the sunny with:

Long Ribbed Tank in White - Forever 21

Only $3.50 and I ruin tanks like it's my J-O-B.

The Rachel BellBottom - 7 For All Mankind at Piperlime.com

7's + Bell Bottoms + Rachel Zoe = LOVE

Paprika Cansee Shoe in Tan - ZooShoo

I need some HIGH heels if I'm going to wear those 7's...and I love camel and manmade leather.

Red and Orange Long Beaded Necklace - Feather and Bird on Etsy

A girl can never have too many lonnnng beaded necklaces.

OPI - The Thrill of Brazil

For the toes and the fingertips (even though I normally have a real problem with matching them. I'm so weird.)

Make Up For Ever Super Lip Gloss in True Red - Sephora

Because I can't wear a heavy lipstick in August. Who am I kidding, I love lipgloss.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, lovelies!

♥

Mandi

Daily Dizzle - 7.30.2010

Happy Friday!

I had to do a quick on-camera interview today for something at my FT job. Right before going down for the interview, my friend Steph handed me a mini cupcake (de-freaking-licious!) After the interview, I looked at my sleeve and I had frosting all over my sleeves. Sweet, that's just how I roll.

Let's get into the Daily Dizzle...

the flora - Pink Chiffon Petals on Grassy Green

This is one of my favorite pieces ever. I am obsessed with pink & chiffon (as you can probably tell.) This was such a happy marriage for me when combined with the green rope. It really reminds of a real flower in the garden (if only my grass were that green.)

Check it out HERE!

Have a great weekend, friends!

♥

Mandi

Dizzle of the Day - 7.29.2010

Hi friends! In order to keep myself posting more regularly, I'm going to post a piece I've designed each day and tell a story behind the design.

I'm going to kick it off with one of my newer pieces -

the blanca.

I designed this headband with the intent of it sitting atop a bride's head on her special day. I wanted to create something with a simple ruffle...so I did, and I decided I wasn't done. After wrapping the headband in satin and then placing two rows of pretty pearls, I added the coveted ruffle. I then added a puff of chiffon and some pretty net tulle...and ta da! I was happy with the result. Nothing over the top, but definitely beautiful!

Check it out in my shop HERE.

On a sad note...I'd like to say farewell to a very special man in my life, Dexter Derrow.

Dexter was the thirteen year-old Cairn Terrier that my parents surprised my brother and I with when I was a Freshman in high school. Many of our friends were scared of Dex, he had a knack for attacking people, but he LOVED the family and would never hurt us (ok, he bit almost all of us once, but he was still a sweet guy.)

This past Friday, my parents and I had to take Dex to the vet and he had to be put to sleep. It was extremely sad, but he was sick and I'm sure he is in a much better place now.

We will always love and miss you Dexter D!

♥

Mandi

One Hot Dizzle Sale!

Mandizzle and N.E.E.T. Magazine have teamed up once again...this time for a super-awesome discount to the shop! If you're not a N.E.E.T. reader, you need to jump on board...it's amazing!

Bachelorette Post - This was a good one!

Ok friends. Once again I’ve strayed and did not report on the last two episodes of The Bach. I do, however, have great excuses:

1. During episode 2, I was watching at my parent’s house with my Mom, Dad and Grandma. My Dad started doing jerky things on purpose, just so he could say “Look at me, I’m Craig M.” It was quite hilarious.
2. Last week, well, I was taking a nap and accidentally slept until 9:30 and missed most of the episode.

It seemed like I didn’t miss anything too important last week (The Barenaked Ladies, NAF)…at least nothing that can hold a candle to the amazingness which was last night’s episode.

I did not take notes, but I’m positive that I can issue a pretty accurate recap using the fond memories I absorbed in those two magical hours.

Bulletpoints, and go:
• The outfits picked out at InStyle were cute. I really don’t have anything else to add…it’s a fashion magazine so they should have been cute.

KASEY

• Kasey. Dear, sweet, Kasey. Disclaimer: I didn’t want to say anything mean about him. I’ve tried really hard not to…but I think that I have free reign to say whatever I want. Again, I think that the producers edit a lot of these people into looking cray cray…so I’m not really judging Kasey as a person; I’m simply pointing out some abnormal activity displayed by the edited version of him. I will not make fun of his voice, because that’s a problem he can’t help (but did I just indirectly do it by pointing it out?)
• What the hell was with that song? How did he have time to fall in love with Ali, guard and protect her heart, and write that (not-so) catchy tune within the span of a 45 minute helicopter ride? Dude is a plant. Craig M. was for sure a plant, but Kasey is a plant and he doesn’t even know it.
• When he made the statement that he was being honest about his love and “come on in” to his heart or whatever. Gagfest. Seriously. WTF.
• After Ali doesn’t dump him (which she clearly wanted to do, but the producers wouldn’t let her), Kasey goes and gets a “guard and protect” (hopefully FAKE) tattoo. I’m not even that creeped out, because in my mind…this is all fake. There is no way this poor guy is this crazy. The teasers after the first episode made me think that he was going to try to commit suicide. Instead, he just got a guard and protect tattoo. That’s a plus!

The Lion King

• Before I even start on this subject, I’m going to go ahead and make an extremely bold statement: I LOVE ROBERTO. If he is not the man picked in the end and goes on to become the next Bachelor (or she picks him, they break up, and he returns to the show (a la Jen Schefft)), I promise you all that I will audition to be on the show (if I’m single of course). I will stoop that low for Roberto. He has a sparkle in his eye…seriously, pay attention next episode and you will see it.
• Back to the group date starring Roberto and 7 other dudes. Pretty much boring, but I was quite entranced by Jesse’s beautiful voice during the auditions.
• Roberto won since he sang to Ali (and since she also loves him and probs told the Lion King director to pick him). He and Ali were given the opportunity to perform (air hump) live in that evening’s performance of the Lion King on Broadway.
• Here’s the thing. Let’s say you are a hardcore Broadway fan…or even better. Let’s say your name is, uhm, Martin. You save for like 20 years to have your badass dream vacation to NYC. You take in all of the sites, get an autograph from Sean “Puffy” Combs, eat delicious food, take pics in front of your favorite Gossip Girl locations, watch the Yankees play the Cleveland Indians, and finally, take in as many Broadway shows as you can. You decide to save The Lion King for last since you know it will be the perfect culmination to your New York dream trip. You decide to go over budget and splurge on the most expensive seats for TLK, you just know it will be worth it. You go out shopping, buy a new 3-piece suit and opera binoculars (even though you don’t need them since you’re in the front row. ) You take your seat: awesome. The house goes dark, the curtain goes up, and what happens next? The whining girl that used to work for Facebook and sits and reflects on San Francisco rooftops appears with one of her many suitors. She is flying around on a harness. How pissed off are you, Martin? Seriously, you’re 20 years of savings have just possibly gone down the drain? You would have used your savings to go to the World Cup had you known how your dream trip to NYC would end. Now, if you are me, your NYC dream trip just ended in the 2nd most perfect way possible (hello, half-naked Roberto!) 1st place goes to time-warping back 10 years to see *NSync on TRL in their prime.
• After the show, Ali takes her dudes to dinner and she starts feeling really sick. She doesn’t give out a rose, but does let Kirk walk her to her room and put her to bed, bed, bedddd (Not in a J. Holls kind of way, though.) It was actually pretty cute, and it made me like him. He was not even on my radar before. How sad that I have a Bachelorette radar.

Chris from Nantucket
• He hung with Ali all day while she was sick, that was very nice of him. I kept thinking that I would want to chug Nyquil and sleep all day if I were her.
• I cried. When he told the story about his Mom, I seriously cried.

The Cocktail Party and The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony in Bachelorette History
• I noticed that Ali said she got to take these guys on the “most exciting dates yet.” I was hoping she said “the most dramatic dates yet.” Too bad.
• The weatherman played his guitar and sang. Wow.
• Kasey didn’t get to show his tattoo.
• The wrestler is just f’ing annoying now.
• Frank is starting to be annoying with the “I’m so in love with her; I can’t watch her making out with this guy.” Duh, you signed up for this, brah!
• …to the rose ceremony.
• Uhm…who is that guy with the hair that always gets a rose? He never talks, but is always there.
• Kasey got a rose(because the producers made Ali keep him.) How else will he reveal his (fake) tattoo?
• Those who ended up being booted: Weatherman and JESSE.
• Pause. I’m issuing the Graham rule right now. What’s the Graham rule? Well, I made it up and I think it’s pretty legit. Mom: if you’re reading, please stop here.
• Ok, so…remember a few years ago when Deanna booted Graham right before the overnight date? I wanted to kick her ass. You keep the hot guy THROUGH the overnight date. How hard is that to understand? Ok, so last night Ali sends Jesse packing. Graham Rule. Right now you might be spending the night in a hotel room with Kasey over Jesse. Yes, he will be booted before it gets to that point, but that’s still the situation right now. GRAHAM RULE.

Ok, I’m done. I drank too much iced coffee and my hands are literally shaking. Wait, one more thing? Chris Harrison is basically disappearing from these episodes and I don’t like it. Ok, now I'm really done.

♥

Mandi

My Bitchy Bach Bullet Points...have returned. S6/E1

I haven't posted anything in 2 months. I have been busy for reals, but I won't stray any longer. I was going to post something last week...but I thought no grander entry than that of a Bachelorette post. So let's get it.


Strike One - No cheesy title. Let's not take ourselves too seriously, please. (Seriously, couldn’t stop singing On the Wings of Love to my dogs all night.)


Strike Two – If you’ve read my past Bach blogs…I’m obviously not the biggest fan of Ali (but I will admit, she is growing on me a little after this epi.) The fact that she is wearing Chucks in that photo is also helping.


Strike Three – There is no strike three. The Bachelor will have to do something pretty bad to strike out in my book.

Just a reminder – I do not read spoilers. If I did, I wouldn’t have nearly as much fun reporting the Bach nonsense.

…and it begins

• Good to see Ali is still sitting on rooftops in San Francisco…looking as insightful as ever.
• Things I didn’t really know about Ali: Impressive soccer skills (me=not too jealous. I lasted one week in this soccer class my school tried to make me take in college. Not happening). Very impressive abs (me = jealous. They showed her running…that must be it.)

Time to see what terrible antics the producers made these dudes pull out...
In order of appearance w/some first impressions:

1. Chris H./27/Vancouver - No real first impression. Seems pretty nice. Reminds me of Chris Evans!

2. Jesse/24/Peculiar, MO – He’s cute…she seems to like him.
3. Chris L./32/Cape Cod - He seems really nice.
4. Ty /31/ Nashville - Did he have that accent in the little pre-segment?
5. Frank /31/ Geneva, IL - He seems really funny to me. He will probably annoy some people, but I think he’s funny (so far)
6. Justin/26/Toronto - Sympathy vote with the crutches. She really likes him…he’s a professional wrestler. I didn’t like his Rated R personality in the pre-segment, but he seems more normal as Justin.
7. Jay/29/Rhode Island- How is he only a year older than me? He is much, much more mature than me.
8. Chris N./29/Orlando- Alert: FIrst cheesy tactic – pulling a rose out magically (the standing on the limo was cute to me).
9. Kasey/27/Clovis, CA – Seems like a really nice guy.
10. Kyle/26/Colorado - Nope. He hunts a lot. Not gonna work for me, maybe her…definitely not me. Did you see all of those poor creatures being displayed in his home?
11. Roberto/26/Charleston, SC - She looooves this dude. I can tell by the comments she is making, such as: "I love hugs” and “I’ll just call you cutie.” He does have a cute way about him. He is speaking Spanish with some sweet music in the back ground.
12. Craig M/34/Toronto - "I'm so happy you're not Vienna." Wow. Dude looks like the guy from Devil Wears Prada (or more currently The Mentalist.)

13. John N./27/Kansas – I didn’t write anything about him. I don’t think he made any real first impression on me.
14. Tyler V./VT - I think he is cute and seems nice. He made a comment that he is glad Ali is not flying around on Jake’s airplane. I think he messed up. It’s supposed to be not flying around on the airplane of the student who (or whom…I always messed this up). Jake is instructing.
15. John C./32/Washington – He’s the one that supplied the fake diamond ring. Ali looked mortified and pretty, pretty scared.. I was, too. Cheese ball.
16. Jonathan/30/Houston - The weatherman. This isn’t directly related to him, but I I feel bad that she has to give this many fake smiles. Sheesh.
17. Craig R./27/Philadelphia - I feel so old. I am older than a lawyer.
18. Steve/28/Cleveland – Dude is from Cleveland, so that’s cool. I know a few people that know him, and the consensus is he is a nice guy. Anyway - "Thanks for comin' out" kind of means he's getting sent home…maybe not.
19. Kirk /27/Milwaukee – Kirk thinks Ali deserves a rose…and he is going to make her one. Out of tissue paper. Too bad that dude like 10 guys ago gave her a realish rose. Sorry, bro.
20. Tyler M./25/Austin – Oh, Tyler M. Tyler really enjoyed the fact that Ali was wearing cowboy boots when she got out of the limo on Jake’s show…but she wasn’t wearing boots, and it was super awkward when she reminded us that she was never wearing cowboy boots. Ouch.
21. Hunter/28/San Antonio –Says he planned something humorous to say, but instead confssed that he had to pee. Wow.
22. Derek /28 /Warren, MI – Another gimmick. Derek told Ali he saw her hometown date when she spoke of catching a falling leaf and making a wish on it. So, he brought these huge leaves and through them in the air and she caught three of them, and her hair caught one. Fake laughing commenced.
23. Phil/ 30 /Chicago – I wrote nothing down about Phil when he came in. Oops.
24. Derrick/27/ San Diego – Derrick tells us that his nickname is Shooter and he will explain why later. This should be interesting.
25. Jason/27/Denver – Jason did a backflip off of the limo. That was a good gimmick to round out the 25 dudes.

On to the partayyyy…
• I wish they didn't have to wear suits. Girls in dresses look different. Boys in suits all look the same, just different heights.
• I would be super nervous…these dudes are staring at her like she is a Triple Big Mac with Bacon and they haven’t eaten in weeks.
• Frank grabs Ali for some alone time. He mentions that he quit his job and lived in Paris to write screenplays. Ali says Paris is amazing…but then tells us she has never been. Sure.
• Kirk decides to tell everyone that he made a scrapbook for Ali. Great idea. Wow, wow, wow. After giving it to her, he says “I feel really good, I really think she liked the scrapbook.” Wow.
• We then pan to Hunter, playing a ukulele. A personalized song. It wasn’t too bad, but I still am not a fan.
• Then the moment happens...we learn why Shooter is named Shooter. Fully equaling (if not surpassing) last season’s amazing landing strip comment in inappropriateness, this was not nearly as funny. I was actually embarrassed. Shooter, who seems quite proud of his name, informs us that he is named Shooter because in college, he “shot” prematurely with his you know what. I’m not making this up.
• I still can’t get over how much Craig M. looks like dude from Devil Wears Prada.
• She seems to really like Roberto.
• Craig R. brought the yellow Chuck key chains – cute gift, but stop trying to sell people out for no reason. The person that does that never gets picked in the end. The person they are trying to sell out always makes it really far (e.g.: Vienna, Wes).
• Roberto has just won the first impression rose. Shocking (not).
• The creepy box comes in where the guys have to choose a fellow suitor to be voted out. It’s much easier to conduct this process on the Bachelor…girls can sniff out who they don’t like in 2 seconds flat. Dudes aren’t like this…unless they are jealous or something. They all chose Justin, the pro-wrestler, to be voted off. I really don’t think he seems like such a bad guy (at least not with editing.) Maybe he will prove me wrong since Ali chose for him to stick around.

The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony in Bachelorette History Commences:
Now – I wonder this every single year during the first rose ceremony. Do they have earpieces in when choosing 15? I mean…that’s a lot of names to remember of people you JUST met after a long night of drinking. I know the one Bach (DB Brad maybe?) messed up a few seasons ago and called the name of a girl he didn’t mean to keep…I would think that’d be a more common occurrence.

The 15 Chosen to stay (don’t forget that 2 others were already picked):
• Jesse - Not surprised.
• Ty - Not too surprised.
• Craig R. - Not surprised due to his gift.
• Tyler B. - Not surprised.
• Frank - Not surprised.
• Steve – Pretty surprised. They didn't show him at all...but, yay Cleveland!
• Chris L. - Not surprised
• Kirk - Not surprised...he made a scrapbook. She would look like a total B if she booted him after that.
• John C. - Surprised.
• Chris N. - Surprised.
• Chris H. - Not surprised
• Hunter - Surprised. He seems like kind of an a-hole.
• Craig M. - Not surprised. They probably made her keep him.
• Jonathon - Not surprised. Too much of a character to kick off.
• Kasey - Not surprised.

I wasn’t surprised that she didn’t keep whoever was booted. 17 dudes Is a lot to keep around. I would be terrible at this show.

My front-runners at this point:
Roberto
Justin
Jesse

...but I kind of think that one of them, maybe Justin or Jesse is the one that has a girlfriend at home. Again, I don't like to read Bach spoilers, so I don't know for sure.
We will see as we continue on this amazing journey.

Missed you lots!

♥

Mandi

Meet Charlie!

It's been too long, friends! I'm sorry for my MIA-ness. I do have some exciting news, though. Cooper has a new brother!

Introducing: Charlie Cotton!

Charlie is a Maltese which I got from a rescue group in Pittsburgh. He is about 4 and a half months old and weighs 3.8 pounds. He is a sweet little guy, and he and Coop are getting to know each other.

Love these boys!

♥

Mandi

Super Late Bachelor Post

Argh - friendies I'm so sorry about my absence. I have had 2 crazy busy (in a good way) Dizzle and full-time job work weeks (obvi if I can't take find time to post about The Bach.)

Anyhow, I'm going to write up a quick recap about what I can remember from The Women Tell All through After the Final Rose (I know this is so 2 days ago, but I wouldn't feel right about not wrapping up this magical season.)

Women Tell All

This was just good ol' tv. Starting off with the Bachelor reunion was just brilliant if you ask me. I mean, I seriously can't wait for that amazingness.

• Let's start with the Reunion segment.


• Erica that wears the crown? Yes. Thank you for being on this show. You could have your own show, so the Bachelor reunion is sure to be a hit. She looked a lot like Tisdale a few years ago in her Bach days...and she's a judge? Uhm, wow.


• Gwen - I loved her. She was so cute. Happy to see her.


• A personal side note...if I showed up to this reunion show and Graham wasn't a part of it...I'd leave immediately. For reals.


• Wes - Tool.


• Matt Grant - He's cute...I like his accent.


• Deanna - No. You're doing this? No.


• SHAYNE? REALLY? No.


• Juan - Creepy.


• Bettina - Loved her. I actually originally picked her as the winner of Brad's winnerless season. Actually, they all won because he didn't pick them.


• I thoroughly enjoyed the segment when they were handing out bags of food and Shayne was still dressed slutty.


• On to the "We Hate Rozlyn" segment.


• Ashleigh planned her fall. "Good thing he's a good catch." C'mon Chris Harrison. You are so much better than that.


• When the girls were talking about Tenley, I was laughing so hard. "She shits rainbows." "She floats on twinkle toes and dreams in cartoons." HAHA


• Michelle - The Bachelor is not the real way to find love. Oh, thanks for that wisdom. You still scare me, but Elizabeth shouldn't have been picking on you. Oh, and Ali...you're offended by the comment that the Bach isn't the real way to find love? I wonder why, oh, because they are paying you to be on the show. Annoying, be quiet.


• Out comes Rozlyn. I don't think I really need to speak on this subject. Everything was awesome...especially when Rozlyn admitted that the dude she isn't having an affair with (sure) has a wife (nice.)


• Uhm, yes I will watch the atrocity that is Jason and Molly's wedding. It's probably actually really pretty...and I have a girl crush on Melissa so I'm still pretty bitter.


• When Jake decides to come out and use the line "MY HEART WAS CRYING" to Ali. No. DOUBLE U TEE EFF. Never say that again.


• Jake said that he wanted to get to know Christina better...I think she was my least fav on the show...but I also think she kind of had low self-esteem so I shouldn't be such a b.


• Finally, I love Corrie because she farted.

FINALE

Alright. I was sitting at my desk at work during the entire 3 hours of the finale and After the Final Rose. This is going to be as short as the skirts I used to wear in college (seriously, what was I thinking?)

• Shocking that Jake's family loved Tenley.


• Shocking that Jake's family didn't like Tisdale (and then pretended to like her later.)


• Uhm, I could barely watch the last chance dates. When Tisdale wrote "I love you" in sand or mud or whatever dirt that was, yuck. I can't take stuff like that.


• Tenley looked beauiful when Jake rejected her. She was WAY to nice. I'm sitting at my desk with a few others I work with screaming "DOUCHEBAG" and "F U" at the tv, just because he was crying and pulling Mesnicks left and right. Eew.


• Tisdale's win? I really couldn't watch. I was photoshopping something for work on my computer and listening to the groans going on around me. I mean he proposed to her. At least they played OTWOL.


• After the Final Rose...Tenley again too nice and level-headed.


• More of me yelling "douche." One of my bosses suggested that the show needs someone like me to tell this dude how it really is. I wouldn't last past the first round.


• I find it hard to believe that Jake and Tisdale are still together. Honestly, they aren't, right?


• Best part? The show embracing OTWOL and bring Jeffrey Osborne onto the show. Thank you for that.


• Final thoughts? I don't have any. I don't like that Ali is the next Bach, but I will still watch. I don't have any feelings about Jake's decision because he's a turd and this show is fake anyway. Again, I will still be watching and writing when the Bachelorette starts.

Your opinions, please?

♥

Mandi

Let's kiss in the ocean, shall we?

Bachies...this week was all about the infamous "run and jump" and gratuitous makeout sessions in the ocean on the tropical island date...this one happened in St. Lucia. Also, poorly staged shots of a heartbroken Ali sitting on some random rooftop in her Chuck T's (nothin' wrong with those.)

On to the one-night-stands (maybe it's wrong for me to assume that, but yeah.)

Gia:

• How many times can he say he doesn’t like her for how she looks...but never stops telling her she is drop dead gorgeous, sexy, etc. 1,000 times? "When you stepped out of the limo, I thought you looked great, you looked amazing."


• Take the "Hey, I went on a beach vacay" necklace off. It’s really nice that you bought it from that guy, but you can take it off now.


• Bathtub scene - "I’m kissing this wildly gorgeous girl … that has everything in the world going for her." Again with the who "looks that he doesn't care about since he likes everything else about her more" bit.


• My life with her starts flashing before my eyes. Or the next 4 minutes when things get too hot for tv.

Tenley:

• Not really fair to place the almost virgin after Gia. Tenley is so pretty.


• "Can you believe we’re here?" That’s his opening line with both girls so far.


• Most annoying point of the show...he shows Tenley his passion…flying...while someone else flies the helicopter Oh, that’s right. He’s a flight instructor.

• When Tenley asks Jake about how he will court her in the real world ("Will we have picnics, will we go to exotic places?") Jake answers with a "Yes, that's the great thing about the airline. One night we can say 'Let’s go to Cannes tomorrow morning.'" Yeah. Right. Go in the water and makeout or something.


• SIDE NOTE: GIVE ME THAT FILET O' FISH. GIVE ME THAT FISH!


• Did Jake seem drunk to anyone else?


• The date ends with Tenley accepting to stay with Jakers in the Fantasy Suite. I do believe that Tenley was a good girl.

Tisdale:

• Jump and run. Gross.


• "Ive never been in love before," says Tisdale...but...you've been married?


• Nothing of note to talk about at the pirate ship portion of the date, but there was a fun, playful version of OTWOL playing. That's notable.


• The microphones amplify the disgusting sounds of the kissing.


• Kissing in the ocean...shocking.


• Fantasy Suite...Here comes the lingerie. This turned in to Rock of Love real quick. Tisdale is too young to have seen season 1 when Trista did it with the dude on the overnight date and he picked the other chic.

Ali:

• Jake tells her she can't come back.


• She's probably going to be the next Bach.

The finale:

Jakers dumps Gia and we find out that "The Women Tell All" special will be airing next week. LOVE IT. They have been pretty good the last few times...or maybe that was "After the Final Rose." Anyway, I love when they catch up with the ex stars of the show, and I love even more that they are making a whole series about it.

Don't forget to watch Johnny Weir skate. Just for his antics, and he lost the fur.

♥

Mandi