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

Valentine's Day isn't so bad...

So many people talk about hating Valentine's Day. Yes, I'm a single gal this VDay, but so what? There is pink everywhere and flowers and chocolates are being given out all over. I definitely don't hate that.

Valentine's Day is a holiday about love, and I was surrounded by those that I love this weekend.

Below are a few pics of the the gorgeous tulips(they're my fav) my Mom and Dad sent me on Friday. They made me so happy.

Yesterday, my Mom, Grandma and nephew drove up to visit with me over the weekend. Spending time with them...to me...is a lot more fun and meaningful than waiting around in some crowded restaurant with some dude I barely know.

For those of you with a loved one who truly appreciates you, good for you. For those of you who are single like me, I hope you were able to talk with or spend the day with friends, family, or anyone that makes you feel special. Man, I am really deep today! :)

I hope everyone had a great day.

♥

Mandi

P.S. I'm sure I wouldn't be so "yay, Valentine's Day" if I hadn't been able to see my family. :)

Also, praying for the family of my Mother's dear friend Kathi, who passed away today. May they find peace in the memory of this lovely lady.

Homey Hometownnns

Ok friends, so this Hometown recap is going to totally suck. My electricity went off and the cable box took forever to reset. I saw about 5 minutes of Gia’s Date, completely missed Tenley and most of Ali’s, and saw all of the Tisdale clan through the end of the show. Let’s get this shiz goin’.

Gia’s Hometown (the 5 minutes I saw):

• Family is very, very New York (shocker, since that’s where they live)...and do I really know what very New York is? No, I am from Southeastern Ohio. Ignore this bulletpoint.
• They seemed nice and protective.
• I still am thinking that she is a little too, I don’t know, hot for him? Not that he isn’t a cute guy, but it seems like maybe he’s not her type.

Tenley’s Hometown – I got nothin’.

Ali’s Hometown:

• I literally only saw 2 minutes of Ali’s hometown.
• I say this every Bach season, but nothing irks me quite like the run and jump when they see each other for the first time in a few days. UH-NOOOY-ING.
• I didn’t even get to see Ali’s family. I just know that I felt bad for her since that was the first time she’d been home since her Grandmother’s funeral, and her house reminded me of the house in Marley and Me (but let’s not talk about Marley and Me. Tears.) She also said the word "foiliage."

Tisdale’s Hometown:

• Another run and jump. Stop it.
• I didn’t know that Tisdale was from Florida, but her family totally fits in there (again, just talking about stuff I have no idea about).
• You can tell that she is totally spoiled by her Dad…but not overly-rich spoiled. Like, maybe her Dad spent every dime he ever had to give her what she wanted? I’m not trying to sound like a b here…and who knows how the Bach spin changes things, but that’s just the way it looked to me.
• Everyone's family is going to trust Jake because he is total cheese and some parents eat that up. I think my Mom would say “what a nice guy, but kind of nerdy” and my bro would say “what a douche.”

The Dramatic Last Hour

PART 1:

• The Scene: Jake is in his hotel room, gazing out the window.
  
  
• The Cleverly Inserted Voiceover: Jake ponders who he will eliminate at tonight’s rose ceremony (which is sure to be the most dramatic ever), all while happily chatting with himself about the four amazing women he has remaining.
  
  
• The Knock: Enter a very sad-faced looking Ali.
  
  
• The Conundrum: Ali must choose between her job and staying with Jake. (Hmm, this sounds strangely familiar and not the most dramatic at all. Remember one season ago when Ed left because of his job? Do these producers think the people who watch The Bach don’t also watch The Bachelorette?)
  
  
• The Scandal: Whilst (sorry, I’ve been watching way too many epi’s of The Tudors and have been kicking it old school with words like whilst and betrothed). Anyway, WHILST talking with Jake, Ali…PUTS.HER.LEGS.ON.JAKE’S.LAP. NOOOOOOOO! Hide your eyes, Gia. For the love, HIDE YOUR EYES!
  
  
• The Result: A very confused Ali leaves the room with no answers and is so distraught that she must collapse in the middle of the hotel hall and cry.
  
  
• The Text: My Mom texts me during this time with these exact words: “Stupid Ali. Ur on The Bach, don’t you think someone will hire u?” True that, Motha. Side Note: Apparently, Ali works for Facebook. You'd think The Bach would be right up FB's alley/Ali, haha. Sorry.
  

PART 2:

• The Dramatic Stroll: Jake and Chris Harrison walk to the infamous room filled with the framed photos. Jake thinks he has found love, but it’s not his decision tonight. One of the women will choose if they want to leave this incredible journey to go back to the real world and leave the pilot (er, Flight Instructor) lacking wings…wings of love.

• The Decision: Ali, again very sad-faced, enters the photo room crying like she is sitting in the hotel hallway or something. After going back and forth, she finally reaches a decision. She will return to work…(someone pointed out to me and I was thinking the same thing…fun to work with her that next Monday.)



• The Result: Ali gets in a limo and yells “What am I doing? Why am I leaving him?” Why do I have a funny feeling that you’ll pull another Ed and show up in Puerto Rico or whatever tropic region the other 4 are heading to next week? The previews show us that you call Jakers. Are the producers trying to pull one over on us? Uhm, I’m guessing yes.
  



• The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony Ever: Not dramatic at all. No crying, no questioning, nothing. WTF.

Please fill me in on what I missed with the first 3 hometown dates.

♥

Mandi

The 100th Dizzle Post...this one's about The Bach

My 100th post, and how fitting…a session of Bitchy Bachelor Bullet Points.

This epi was pretty, pretty, pretty boring (in my best Larry David voice.) I will still talk about it of course.

The ladies and their pilot (flight instructing) prince are in San Fran – home of my friend, Jen. I’m glad she was not a part of this.

Tenley’s Date:

Jake – what the H is that turtleneck you are wearing? No.

“Tenley, I have a table for two set up on the roof.” Hey Jake, no you don’t. The writers or producers or someone that is not you set it up.

When asked by Jake what she would have changed in her marriage, Tenley answers that she would have jumped off the couch or run out of the kitchen to greet her ex-hubs. If that is all she did wrong, dude is a total a-hole (which he obviously was.) I would have so many more things to list than that…and I don’t even have an ex-husband.

Tenley then asks about the old “pilots are unfaithful” rumor. Jake says that the woman he marries will be the last one he looks at. Oh, that’s right…he’s not a pilot, he’s a flight instructor.

Jake wraps up the date with a super-iffy comment…"The kisses were magical.” Please don’t say that ever again. You’re not at Disney World.

The producers wrap up the date in the most awesome away possible... another super cool instrumental remix of OTWOL with lots of xylophone. Yeah, haven’t heard that word in a minute have ya?

Gia and Vienna's 2-on-1 Date:

Gia and Vienna learn that they will be going on the 2-on-1 date and a chest full of clothes shows up at the door. Tisdale says that “it was really sweet of him, it meant a lot.” Guess what…HE DIDN’T DO IT!

Jake is exactly the kind of guy I’ve been waiting to take home to my parents.” – Tisdale. Your parents like flight instructors, huh?

The girls show up to this 12th Century castle, and Jake is standing at the top of the stairs with the “Huh, how badass am I?” look. He even says “What do you think?” Again…IT’S.NOT.YOUR.CASTLE. Last time I checked, you weren’t faux flying 8 or 9 centuries ago…but what do I know? Maybe you’re a vamp. No, definitely not.

Before Gia and Jake began their gratuitous makeout session, Gia expressed how upset she was when one of the girls said that Jake let her put her legs on his lap. "I thought that was our thing. That really hurt me." Lame.

Most hilarious moment of the show: Tisdale scouring the castle with her lantern. Alas, she finally found Jake...and put her legs on his lap. EEK!

The date ends with Tisdale sneaking down to get in bed with Jake. He turned her away and that was that.

Corrie's Date:

BORING (and way too awkward to discuss), next. (I must admit, that I like that she is saving living with a bf and other things until marriage.)

Ali's Date:

• Ali has become a serious villain to me. When she was yelling at Tisdale saying "How do you know I was acting like that at the last rose ceremony because of you?" Uhh, because you obviously were! She doesn't like Tisdale because she was talking about the other girls. Isn't that what you're all doing? Aren't you contestants on a reality dating show?
• When Ali and Jake walked by that seagull with the crab...I would have freaked. I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on anything else. I know it's the circle of life, but poor crab.
• Ali and Jake did have a cute little date...but she was at a serious advantage. She lives in San Fran (or SF, as Jake apparently calls it.)
• Not a fan of the park scene. She was straddling him in a public place and eew with the tongues. Yuck!
• They ran into the water and the only thing I could think was "why ruin those cute boots?" and "DID YOU SEE THAT AWESOME DOG?"
• Before the rose ceremony, Tenley complains that when Jake says he's falling for all the girls, it breaks her heart. Sensitive and insecure as ever, Ali says "When I hear him say that, I think he's just talking to me." Really nice.

A few other random notes:

• Jake is obsessed with touching all of the jewelry the girls are wearing. Weird.
• Another comical production direction is the "Now, take each photo and stare intently while we waste time with a thoughtful voice over."
• Corrie got booted...shocker. They didn't like each other. She thinks it would have been different if he wasn't dating 4 other women. Yep, I think that's a given. I really like her pretty hair.
• Finally...HOMETOWN Dates next week. Love the Hometown Dates so much I'm capitalizing them like they are proper nouns. They are equivalent to the makeover episode on Top Model for me. Exciting.

Love y'alllllll.

♥

Mandi

P.S. HOW AM I SO BEHIND ON THIS? Check out Corrie's official blog here: http://ohsodandy.com/blog/

This week's B-word Bachelor Bullet Points (and a Mandizzle Giveaway!)

Before I begin this heartwarming post, I want you all to enter the Mandizzle Giveaway on my gal Lizzie's blog - http://www.itsunbeweavable.com/. She is having a week long giveaway extravaganza and you can win something from my shop and some other gorg items as well.

On with my Bitchy Bachelor Bullet Points:

• Dear Jake. Give.it.the.f.up with the motorcycle. That's probably not even you riding it! You're telling me you rode that thing all the way down the California coast? Sure you did, you are scared of heights and you are clearly too high above the ocean to feel comfortable on that ride.
• This episode revolved around the girls taking buses (a la Rock of Love) down the California Coast to different outdoor locations that fit "the real Jake." As if I wouldn't have already bolted, I would have refused to take this trip. I hate road trips, I hate buses. No.
  

Gia's Date:

• The first stop on the road trip is a pretty vineyard where Jake declares that he can't think of a better place to fall in love. Hmm...yep, I can. Anywhere inside probably. I bet mosquitoes are pretty bad at night there, and I can't deal with mosquites.
• No to the Hide and Seek scene.
• Gia and Jake play a super-fun game of Spin the Bottle and Surprise! The bottle lands on Gia! Shocking! Right before they start to kiss, Gia says "This is our first kiss." WHO DOES THAT? I shouted that out loud, don't worry.
• In all fairness, Gia is really pretty and seems like she is nice. I like her. Oh, and when she declared her plans for the future, she said she wanted kids (including an adopted Chinese baby girl) and a pig. She had me at pig.
• When Gia declared that she hadn't felt like this in "a year and a half" (which obviously isn't a long period of time), I was so relieved. Finally, a girl not gushing about how this is the most in love she's ever been in her entire life!
• ...and the date closes with a moving instrumental rendition of what else but...On the Wings of Loveeeee!

The Group Date:

• This date actually looked really fun. I would have fun dune buggying and sand surfing.


• I don't have much to say about this date except I'm pretty much obsessed with that pink wall in the room Tenley was in. Oh, and how could I forget Ashleigh saying she doesn't want to come across as desperate, yet she is basically trying to dry hump little Jakey during their one-on-one time. I could see her butt cheeks. About that.


• Tenley gets the rose. Good - she is cute and sweet.
• End scene...this time with a jazzy remix of OTWOL. They are writing Joel McHale's material for him.

2-on-1 Date (Ella and Kathryn):

• Before I get into this, let me say how much I appreciate the dramatic direction the producers give these girls. "Hey Ella, go deeply reflect alone on the beach...but hey, we are going to shine this bright-ass light on you and film the whole thing. Make sure you think about what you are going to say in your voiceover while you're reflecting on how you might go home tomorrow."
• This date was boring. SO obvious that he was going to send them both home. He had zero chemistry with either of them and was outright bored the whole time. Oh yeah, and they showed him burning the rose in that plaid shirt with the elbow patches (what are those for, anyway?). He is terrible at acting like he likes these girls...which is refreshing because douchey Brad Womack was just in love with all of them (and picked none of them.)
• The actual rose burning scene was truly amazing. I was laughing like I was watching Superbad or something. The acting they are making Jake do is so hilarious.

A few notes on Ali:

• I think I'm off of Team Ali. I get it that she doesn't like Tisdale and Tisdale sucks or whatever, but why does she feel like it is her duty to be so mean about it?
• When Ali mentioned that if she went on the 2-on-1 date, and she had to take one for the team, she would...because she was sure she'd come back with the rose.
• She is just so all-knowing and I'm over it.

The Rose Ceremony:

• The rogue footage of Jake looking for Chris Harrison was awesome. I wish they would do a special episode of completely rogue footage.
• Not surprised at all about who went home.
• Again, annoyed with Ali being such a B at the end. Hopefully, just the way they are making her look.

Alright...sorry to go on and on, but this episode was just toooo good.

♥

Mandi

The Poppies! Vote Mandizzle!

The Handmade World's virtual answer to the Grammies...The POPPIES! A fun awards ceremony for the Handmade Community, and I have been so graciously nominated!

Click over here to vote --->>>http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2010/01/poppies-vote-no-3-accessories.html

Check out the beautiful site while you're there!

Thanks, friends!

♥

Mandi

Pilots are apparently afraid of heights.

This is going to be short because I have been in bed all day (sore throat, achey, bleh) which affects my ability to think straight about issues as complex as The Bach.

Starting with Ashley Tisdale (Vienna)'s 1-on-1 date:

• Producers, please stop making these girls spend hours on their hair and then put them on the back of that bike forcing them to have helmet hair. Let's be honest, they ride about 15 feet down the road and hop into a limo or SUV which will ultimately take them to wherever they are going.


• A. Tisdale declares that she is in love with Jake before their date even begins. Right.


• The date starts out as a fun helicopter ride, but takes a bad turn. The copter lands near a super-high bridge which overlooks a stream full of rocks. Tisdale learns she will be bungee jumping from this bridge. F YOU, later. Seriously, no way.


• Jake soon admits "I'm terrified of heights." You're a pilot. He wasn't lying, though. I thought he was going to have a heart attack or start crying before they jumped (both of which I would have done.)


• ...but the jump happens, and is topped off with a Spiderman-esque upside down kiss. Jake mentioned that he'd never had a first kiss like this before. I'd surely hope not.


• After the date, Tisdale declares that she's on Cloud Jake. Lame. Even lamer: "Jake's my Prince Charming. He's it. He's the real thing. " LAMEST: "This has been the best time of my life so far. The best day of my life will be when I marry Jake."


• These chics really hate Vienna. They aren't showing why she is so deserving of the hatred, though.


• Ali is really starting to bug me with her know-it-all, but I'm so sweet, 'tude. She also felt betrayed that Jake was going on another solo date with Vienna. Guess she thought the show was over.

Michelle will now get her own set of bullet points:

• "I see myself as very attractive." - Michelle (We see you as psycho. Hopefully, the producers are just making you look that way).


• "Our first kiss will be different. Soft, passionate, crazy, rippin' the clothes off." - Michelle


• Did you catch the coconuts joke? About them being on her waiting for Jake? WTF.


• "I'm not over dramatic or emotional. I really, really want a husband." Yep, we got that...and you're only 25.


• After forcing herself onto Jake, she is upset that he didn't kiss her enough. Eventually she leaves before the rose ceremony and is quite upset because "everybody felt, certain people felt I was the girl." Sure they did.


• With Michelle's departure...there goes the entertainment...but, I'll still watch.

The rest of the comedy date:

• Stupid and boring.
• Girls being catty.
• More of Ali being a sweet know-it-all.
• Tenley is really pretty.

Ella's date:

• Not much to say outside of the fact that she wants she and Jake to be the next Trista and Ryan.
• Don't think I need to even comment any further on this. Or anything else for that matter.
  

♥

Mandi

An Etsy Shopping Post

As some of you may know, I moved into a new place a month and a half ago. I am definitely still in the middle of decorating.

Fine. I'm in the beginning of decorating...the only piece of furniture I have in my living room is my beloved CHOFA (It's not a chair...not yet a sofa. I'm singing these words out loud to a beautiful Britney Spears melody. Holler.)

I need to class this place up like whoa, and I'm not EVEN kidding. I took a looksy around Etsy, browsed through my favs, and found some things I need to order immediately.

♥

"softly ever after" - Set of 4 5x5 fine art photography prints from GabrielleKai
I actually want everything in her shop! I love the gorgeous colors - everything is so soft, and mostly pink. I am totally obsessed. Hooray!

♥

Pic 1 - "Poppies with Dragonflies" - Wall Art from PopWall
Pic 2 - "Flower Gathering" - Wall Art from PopWall
Pic 3 - "Bloom Variety" - Wall Art from byrdiegraphics
Since I rent, I want to get a few of these in different designs to stick in my studio and my bedroom. The best thing is that you can customize them in your choice of colors as well. There are so many of these I want, too!

♥

"Pink and Green Crystal Leaf Spiral Chandelier" from PinkPerch
This is probably meant for a baby's room...but I want to see it hanging in my house.

♥

"Tiffany's Blooms" - Wood Artwork by curiousmess
I have started prettying up my studio in pink and aqua. This would be a perfect match.

♥

Finally...something I've already purchased and can't wait for them to show up in my mailbox.

"Pink, Indubitably" - Paper Poms from PomLove
I got 10 of these in a mix of pinks, aquas, and white. Can't wait to get them! I think I mentioned that already.

Have a great Friday!

♥

Mandi