time of my life-dwts:week 6

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Hey there! I hope everyone’s week has gotten off to a great start, and you’ve gotten over the hump that is Wednesday.  This week on Dancing With the Stars, we had Famous Dances Week.  Although the dances for this week were fun, I don’t like that the professionals don’t get to showcase their choreography skills and creativity as much.  However, I can’t really complain about an episode that has Val in sequined shorts (I’m pretty sure I own the same pair, just ask my college roommates).

Val Sequin Hot Pants

Favorite Dances

https://youtu.be/giyfcOqyRb0?t=2m9s

1. Paige and Mark’s Austin Powers inspired jazz number was bright and fun, and reminded me of Mark’s Mario Bros freestyle that he performed with Sadie Robertson in Season 19. I’d be interested to know what style and dance they were originally assigned, but I doubt it could have been more fun than this one.

https://youtu.be/MFXESBtyOls?t=2m26s

2. After a rough week last week, Kim Fields had a comeback with her and partner Sasha Farber’s jive, inspired by Hairspray.  I may be biased because I’m a big fan of the semi-recent movie adaptation of Hairspray (or really any movie with newly-single(!) Zac Efron), but there is something about the songs and atmosphere of Hairspray that make me smile.

https://youtu.be/T5rcB84dWUE?t=1m52s

3. Saving the best for last, obviously I loved Wanya and Lindsay’s jazz routine, inspired by N*Sync’s performance at the 2000 VMA’s.  I’ve always been #teamnsync so there is no way this wasn’t making the cut.

Did Ya Catch That?

Jake Pavelka1. The next piece of evidence in the “DWTS will let any past contestant come back to be in the audience” arsenal, is the appearance of Jake Pavelka, member of Bachelor Nation and Season 10 cast member.  I would’ve though Jake had fallen out of favor with ABC after his super awkward confrontation with ex-fiance Vienna Girardi, but you know, ratings.

https://youtu.be/giyfcOqyRb0?t=1m50s

2. I think Mark’s childhood in England is getting to him, because his accent in the rehearsal package was something I’ve never seen (heard?).

Swing_Startled Child3. While Alan and Brittany swing dance us back from commercials, they also startle a child sitting in the audience.

Dressing With the Stars

Ginger OutfitThis week I wanted to recreate Ginger’s 80’s Janet Jackson inspired look, worn during her and Val’s jazz performance. Some may say that this outfit is a little heavy for the upcoming summer season, but I think all of the different elements of the outfit make it perfect for those nights when you’re just not sure what the temperature is going to be.

Luxury Ginger1. For a pricier/more luxorious version of the outfit, you could pair this Commando bodysuit, with a pair of Prabal Gurung high waisted pants.  Top the whole look off with a Norma Kamali blazer.

Affordable - Ginger2. Another option is to minimize the pieces needed to make the outfit, and pair a sharp black jumpsuit with a more affordable blazer.

Ginger Accessories
3. To complete the outfit, just add a silver chain and some kick ass lace up booties.

What did you guys think of Famous Dances night? Excited for the Team Dances next week? And who do you think is going to home? Let me know in the comments!

xo
Em

 

movin’ on-dwts:week 5

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Dancing With the Stars is really on a rollercoaster this season, from the highs of Disney week to the (pretty much) lows of Switch-Up Week.  Obviously, we couldn’t expect to have the same chemistry between the celebrities and their new partners after only working together for 4 days, but I was hoping for a bit more than what we got.

Von Hip Wiggle Gif

Favorite Dances


1. Nyle DiMarco and Sharna Burgess danced the Viennese waltz to near perfection (if you believe the paddles the judges held up, not the scores they submitted to production).  It was ethereal and fluid, aided by the fog machine and Sharna’s angel-like gown.  It still amazes me how Nyle can dance so beautifully without hearing the music, but I’ve come to realize this man is just amazing.


2. Pairing Jodie Sweetin and Val Chmerkovskiy together was genius, as they both have similar intensity and drive to win this competition. I was happy to see Jodie bounce back from her disastrous performance last week, to close the show with this great Paso Doble.


3. I know that Doug Flutie is not the greatest dancer, but I love how he continues to strive and improve.  Although some dancers may have gotten better scores than Doug, not many other people achieved their best scores on Switch-Up week.  For that reason, Doug’s is one of my favorite dances of the week.  It may not have had the difficult of content of some other dances, but I thought he looked his sharpest and most accurate, and that made me happy.

Did Ya Catch That? Screen Shot 2016-04-20 at 8.55.06 PM1. One of our favorite style stars from The Bachelor recaps, Becca Tilley, was in the audience Monday night!

Ginger Hubby Shimmy
2. Is Ginger Zee’s husband, Ben, lobbying for a spot next season? The man’s shimmy tells me yes.

DWTS Tom Russian Love Slave Joke
3. These hosts are seriously quick on their feet.  Who else could come up with lines like this?

Dressing With the Stars

Screen Shot 2016-04-20 at 8.49.37 PMThis week, I loved Paige VanZant’s costume, worn during her amazing Rumba with Sasha Farber.

Asos1. This dress, from Asos, has a similar embellished bodice, matched with a fairy tale tulle bottom.

LuLus
2. This dress, from LuLu’s, gives you an asymmetrical hemline, similar to Paige’s, but without the glitz and glamour (if that’s not your thing).  Plus, its a very affordable $52!

RTR
3. Although this rentable dress, designed by Badgley Mischka, is a maxi style, I think the detailed bodice is so gorgeous.  I couldn’t not include it.

That’s all I’ve got this week.  Any thoughts on Switch-Up Week? Are you glad no one went home? Let me know in the comments!

xo
Em

when you wish upon a star-dwts: week 4

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So if my last post was better late than never, this one must be ‘it’s ok if you skip a week because Disney week was worth the wait’? Most Memorable Moment week was moving, but the stories were so heartfelt, that not a lot of crazy stuff was going on.  This week, however, was Disney night, and anytime there is an animated gazelle dancing on my screen, I know we’re in for a treat.

Wanya Lion King Ending

Favorite Dances


1.  Witney and Von’s waltz was magical. I may be a little biased because I have a slight obsession with the newest live-action version of Cinderella, but I’m starting to think that movie may have been better if Witney was cast in the starring role. She looked EXACTLY like Cinderella, and the lights in her dress just made the moment even more magical.  Besides Witney’s killer costume, Von was graceful, charming and everything you could ask for in a prince. I think he’s finally in the game, and I can’t wait to see where this couple goes.


2. As a self-appointed “Belle” girl myself, I thought Ginger and Val really brought the atmosphere of Beauty and the Beast to life during their foxtrot.  While watching this dance, I actually had the thought that this looks like something out of a Broadway production, the set design was that good.  ABC goes all out Disney night (their parent company), and you could really see that at play here. I agree with Zendaya, when she said that even with all the amazing set design, you never lost Ginger in the dance.


3. Paige and Mark’s quickstep was the perfect number to end the night.  It had energy and Mark’s patented creativity which combined for a show stopping number. Paige didn’t miss a step, and I think this could be another couple to watch!

Did Ya Catch That?

Len does the Monkey gif1. Sometimes, world renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman does the monkey with Disney characters.

Doug Kickline Gif2. And sometimes, he just has pure joy on his face when Heisman winners do sicklines in  front of him.

Tom_Keo Hair
3. They say Dancing With the Stars is a family, and clearly they are right.  Right in the middle of judging, host Tom Bergeron decides to pick stray hair of Keo’s face. As it seems Jodie Sweetin says, “Ooook”.

Dressing with the Stars
Since everyone this week was dressed as a princess or an animal, I’m finding it hard to translate the costumes into relatable everyday outfits. So this week, we’re just going to pay tribute to the amazing costumes that the wardrobe department puts together, and to the kick-ass performers who wear them.

Witney as Cinderella1. If I haven’t gushed about Witney’s Cinderella costume enough, here’s a better look at it.  It seriously takes my breath away.

Sharna as Jasmine v22. In the first dance of the night, Sharna played the role of Jasmine in an amazing little spandex outfit.  Does anyone know where I can find her workouts?

Nyle and Peeta Tarzan
3. Nyle and Peta pulled off Tarzan and Jane in a very convincing fashion.  I mean, Tarzan didn’t wear clothes, so why should they?

What did you guys think of this episode? Did you think Marla was deserving of going home? And who do you think is next? Let me know!

xo
Em

fireball-dwts: week 2

Posted in Style, Television by

As the saying goes, better late than never, right? The week was capped off by a bit of flu, but I’m feeling on the mend and ready to post my thoughts on Week 2 of Dancing With the Stars.

Jodie Week 2 Dance

Favorite Dances

1. Jodie Sweetin kicked the night off right with this sexy number.  Much like Stephanie Tanner in Fuller House, Jodie owns her sexiness and isn’t afraid to put it out there.  It paid off with this sizzling samba.


2. I thought Paige VanZant’s salsa was amazing, especially considering the circumstances.  Partner Mark Ballas went down in rehearsals with a slipped disk in his back, giving her only two hours to practice with fill-in partner Alan Bersten. As host Tom Bergeron said, it’s truly a testament to the talent of the professional dancers to be able to substitute in on these complicated routines at a minute’s notice.


3. Although not the most technically proficient celebrity in the group, I really enjoyed Doug Flutie’s performance on Monday.  He appeared strong and in control during his Paso Doble with partner, Karina Smirnoff. I was also moved by the analogy he made between the fight in this dance and the fight against autism, a diagnosis his son received at the age of two.

Did Ya Catch That?Cody Linley1. They say Dancing With the Stars is a family, and I guess that’s true because they invite EVERYONE back to the ballroom.  This week in the front row, former Disney Star and Season 7 contestant, Cody Linley.

Noah Turn Around2. I loved this little moment between Sharna Burgess and her partner from last season, Noah Galloway.  I’m not quite sure if Noah was supposed to still be up in the SkyBox when they came back from commercial, but either way, Sharna had to tap him and remind him to turn around.  That is Dancing With the Stars etiquette!

Thumbs Up3. This guy, who claps when no one else does, and thumbs up when everyone claps. Love him.

Dressing With the Stars

Witney Week 2 OutfitThis week I was a fan of Witney’s coordinating two piece, which I learned in my research is called a Co-Ord.  If you can pull off as much skin and jewels as Witney, more power to you. However, if you’re like me and don’t think you could do it, I’ve rounded up a few similar options.

Asos Outfit Week 21. This outfit, from Asos gives you the jewel factor, without looking like a costume. You can buy the top here, and the skirt here.

Asos Week 2 OUtfit
2. If the first outfit is still a bit much for you (and for me it probably would be), a second option is this Co-ord.  Although not a floral, as Witney’s appears to be, this pink polka dotted number has the same retro vibe. You can buy the top here, and the skirt here.

Accessories Week 1
3. To finish off the look, add a pair of high top wedges, and a denim jacket!

What are your thoughts on Week 2? Sad to see Geraldo go? Hope Mischa finally finds her mojo? Let me know in the comments!

xo
Em

groove is in the heart-dwts: week 1

Posted in Television by

Hi everyone! Is anyone else feeling the withdrawal that comes with the end of a season of The Bachelor? Thankfully, the glitz and glamour of the ballroom is here to fill our time, and I’m going to be honest, I don’t hate it.

Jodi Dance

Favorite Dances

1. Am I shameless homer? Yes. Am I going to apologize for that? Nope. From the facade of Geno’s steaks, to the dance to ‘Motownphilly’ by his best selling boy band Boyz II Men, I loved every moment of Wanya Morris & Lindsay Arnold’s routine. I think this partnership is adorable, and thought it was really clever that Wanya calls Lindsay his “Z-Pack” because she always makes him better. #TeamYayZee

2. I was excited to see two current football players hit the dance floor this season, and I think Von Miller came out on top (it doesn’t help that Antonio Brown plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, see above homer comment). Von is a defensive beast, but is a soft-spoken poultry (not poetry) lover in the pre-performance package.  Witney and Von’s partnership is comical to look at, simply because he towers over the 5’3″ beauty.Von Miller Poetry

I wasn’t sure what a Super Bowl MVP could want with the Mirror Ball Trophy, but Von came out of the gate swinging. His moves were graceful, and Witney’s Foxtrot routine “went for it in a proper way”, (according to Len, I have no idea).  I think Von is one to watch.

3. Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd blew me away. Jaw. Dropping. If I had not known before, I would never have guessed that Nyle has no ability to hear. Carrie Ann commented on the most remarkable part of this partnership when saying that Nyle wasn’t just on time with the dance, but really found the pocket of the beat with his movements. I’m excited to learn more about Nyle as the season goes on, and see how this partnership grows.

Did Ya Catch That?
One of the best parts of Dancing With the Stars for me are the little background moments that everyone may not pick up on and the behind the scenes packages.

Nick Viall DWTS1. As a companion of Bachelor and Season 19 contestant, Chris Soules, we can see Bachelor Nation member Nick Viall lurking behind Amy Robach and Robin Roberts as Tom Bergeron interviews them.

Theguy32. This guy.

Von Dance 23. Bravo editors, for pairing this dance move of Von’s with a straight into the camera stare of a steer.

Dressing With the Stars

Erin DressI loved Erin Andrews’s DSqured2 dress last night, and I’ve found a few dresses that gave me the same vibe for your next formal event!

DSsquared21. This dress, by the same designer as Erin’s, has a similar neck and is paired with an open/statement back.

Adam Lippes2. Although this dress has long sleeves and a deep-V neckline, the gold chain detail along the back adds some edge, just like Erin’s.

Rent the Runway3. If you’re not in the ball gown market (and really who isn’t?), you can rent this Halston Heritage dress here. The sleeves and neckline are almost identical to Erin’s, with a skirt that has a little more drama.

What did you guys think of the premiere episode? Any early standouts for you? Let me know in the comments!

xxEm

 

only one-the bachelor: week 10

Posted in Television by

Well Bachelor Nation, we’ve finally made it to the end of another season. I can tell this is going to be a long one, so let’s get right into it!

Ben Whoop
source

My Takeaways

  1. The episode begins with Ben chatting with his parents (after the obligatory pensive shots of the girls and Ben, complete with voiceovers), and surprising them with the bomb that he is in love with two women, and has shared that feeling with both of the women. Amy, Ben’s mom, begins her turn as the star of this episode, with her reaction. She says, “to know that Ben could possibly be in love with two women first of all is really disturbing to me.”

    Amy Reactionsource

    Lauren meets Ben’s parents first, and comes off poised and elegant, which I take as a sign of confidence in her feelings for Ben. She seems like herself, especially in the telling of her desire to meet Ben’s parents since their first date. She tells Ben’s dad, Dave, that she loves him and has shared that with him. She also shares that with Amy, but Amy comes back with some hard hitting questions. She states that Ben can often be his worst critic, and asks if Lauren has seen that side of him. Lauren says that she has a little but they also haven’t been through that tough of times, and their relationship hasn’t been tested. In a true showing of her love for Ben, she asks Amy what is the best way to show Ben that she is there for him and give him the support that he needs. Lauren is worried about making Ben happier, not about making herself happier. They are also holding hands (Lauren and Amy, not Lauren and Ben).

    JoJo meets the parents next. She arrives to the villa where Ben’s parents are staying with a very peculiar plant growing out of a seashell (sometimes I think people who don’t watch The Bachelor must think I make stuff up). Something about JoJo’s personality seemed off to me, and she didn’t seem to be acting like the woman that we had gotten to know in the previous weeks. I’ll bet it was just the nerves, but she seemed to be deferring to Ben more than usual. JoJo tells Dave that she loves Ben and that he is her best friend. Amy seems to really like JoJo. She said that JoJo knows what it takes to make Ben feel safe and that meeting with JoJo was “different” than meeting Lauren. Her tone seemed to imply that this was a good different. Looks like Amy is #TeamJoJo.

    Ben debriefs with his parents, and Amy delivers the line of the night: “I hate the fact that at this point in time he still doesn’t know who to plant his stake with.”

  2. For their one-on-one date, Ben and Lauren take a sail boat out on the Jamaican seas. These day-time portions of the date are pretty unremarkable, as I think everyone is just so nervous about what is to come. They cuddle and say “I love you” a lot. Ben tells Lauren that things have been perfect with her and it makes him nervous and that he knew he loved her and didn’t even know why. Uhhh thanks? It’s not Lauren’s fault she doesn’t have Chad as an ex-boyfriend.

    At night, Lauren says that she has a lot of emotions going into the night, but Ben gives her a sense of calm. She tells Ben she’s ready to spend her life with him. Ben does what he does best and further confuses the situation by saying “no matter what happens” which never makes anyone feel better. You can see the fear in Lauren’s eyes, which is followed by an ITM where she says she is scared that Ben is in love with JoJo too. Cue the one single tear falling, classic.

    Lauren Tear
    source

    JoJo and Ben’s last date was very similar to their first date in Jamaica, with the addition of a Jeep (and it was a really beautiful Jeep). They go to a watering hole, and jump off the cliffs, and then do a lot of making out under said cliffs. Then, it was time for serious conversation #1 of the date, which happens while they are drying off and sitting on a rock overlooking the water. They talk about what their life would look like together, and JoJo asks Ben if he feels good. His response: “That’s a loaded question.” JoJo continues to push and Ben says that it’s exactly what she would think is going on, and he confirms to her that he is confused about his final decision.

    JoJo no longer feels like they are on the same page, so things obviously need to be hashed out in the nighttime portion of their date. She tells Ben that she left the earlier part of their date feeling sad and confused, and Ben is left to fumble with the words to reassure her. He tells her that what he feels with her is deeper than anything he’s ever felt, and that if he makes that commitment, she would have nothing to worry about. Ben tells her that he doesn’t have any doubts or concerns about their relationship, which is also not helping JoJo understand. He says to her that she is his best friend, and that they also have great passion and intimacy.

    In an ITM JoJo says that she wants Ben to tell her that it’s her or give her a sign, and we see her leading him into the bathroom. I’m not sure if JoJo thought that she couldn’t be filmed in the bathroom, but I’m betting what he said is not what she had in mind. The two of them still had their mics on, so the entire conversation was recorded, and went something like this: 

    JoJo: I need something from you…

    Ben: …I’m sitting here, on a bathroom floor with you tonight….What I’m telling you tonight is exactly where I’m at but….
    JoJo: But you love her too. Am I right?
    Ben: Yes.

    JoJo mentions that she’s tired of competing with other people, and I question if this is true why she signed up for this show.

    After this, it’s time for Ben to leave, but he doesn’t want to leave JoJo tonight. Too bad Benny-boy this isn’t the fantasy suites, and you gotta get out of there. You have a big meeting with Neil Lane tomorrow. 

  3. After both girls have completed their dates, Ben takes a meeting with Neil Lane to pick out the engagement ring for one of the ladies, although we’re not sure who, as he continues to tell both of them he loves them.  Somehow, when looking at a very square ring, he knows who the girl is going to be. 

    We get shots of both JoJo and Lauren getting ready. JoJo is wearing a super intricate and beaded pale pink gown, while Lauren in in a simple cobalt blue racerback gown.  They both get into helicopters to find out their fate. The question the audience asks is, “Who is going to get out of the helicopter first?” Every long-time Bachelor fan knows the first girl is not the one getting picked. 

    Finally, we get our answer as JoJo steps out of the helicopter. After about a 10 minute walk to meet Ben, complete with voiceovers about Ben not blindsiding her, JoJo finally gets to him. JoJo immediately goes into the typical pre-engagement spiel, that I think is mandatory when you get to this stage of the “journey”. As much as I feel like Ben should stop her, I think he is contractually obligated to let her talk. If you look at his stance, he looks ready to run. JoJo tells Ben that she trusts him and that she’s never going to run from this. Ben can’t make eye contact with JoJo as he begins his speech, and JoJo begins to realize that something is wrong. Ben says, “I didn’t know if I could find love. I found it with you but, I found it with somebody else more.”

    Ben walks her out, and JoJo is mad, hurt, and confused all at once. Ben tearfully tells her that he doesn’t know what to say to make it make sense. They have the long good-bye hug, which is one of the most painful things in the world.

    Even though Ben is about to propose to Lauren, he keeps talking about how much he loves JoJo. Then we get a hilarious shot of Ben taking off his jacket, with an ice pack in his pants.

    Now it’s time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the big proposal! Ben adorably calls her dad to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, culminating in a whoop when he gets the OK.

    Ben Lauren Proposal
    source

    Lauren approaches Ben and in her speech, she tells Ben that she wants him to be her last first kiss, that he is her person, and that she loves him. Ben’s response is to tell her that he thought he was unlovable, and they went through a journey with lots of goodbyes. He says, “but Lauren I never want to say goodbye to you. I want to wake up every morning and kiss you on the face.” (You read that right, face.) He gets down on one knee and presents her with a GINORMOUS diamond, which is rumored to be worth 100K. Lauren says yes to the proposal, and they look happy as can be! Ben tells Lauren she is his person! I love Love!

    During After the Final Rose, Ben and Lauren get to make their first public appearance as a couple, but not after JoJo gets to confront Ben. Anticlimactically, JoJo doesn’t really have much to say, I wonder why? Maybe its because she is the new Bachelorette!

Best Tweets

    • Best Dressed

    1. I loved the romper that JoJo wore on the nighttime portion of her date with Ben. The scalloped edges were cute, and the low back kept JoJo’s reign of “sexiest dresser” alive.

      2. Lauren Meet the Parents

    2. Lauren’s outfit to meet the parents, was actually one of the only ones in the entire show that I could actually pull off. A tank top tied at the waist and paired with a maxi skirt is something that all of us normal gals can work with.

      3. Lauren Proposal Dress

    3. The cobalt blue of this dress looks amazing with Lauren’s hair and skin tone. Lucky for us, this dress is actually available on Rent the Runway, and can be found here.

    That’s all we’ve got for this season. I can’t believe its over and we have to wait until May (probably) to get more Chris Harrison in our life. Until then, keep checking out the site for my comments on a wider variety of topics, and as always you can find me on twitter @third_and_girl.

    Thanks for reading!
    xxEm

    lips are movin-the bachelor: the women tell all

    Posted in Television by

    This episode was a bit of a bore – and I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to recap it. I’m all about sticking with what you start though, so let’s get to it.

    JoJo Becca workoutsource

    My Takeaways

    1. I thought the segment with Olivia was the most interesting. The more I listened to her, the more I thought that she really was just out of her element while on the show. I said the night of her Teen Mom comment, that I got the impression that she thought it was a funny joke. Seeing her reaction to all the women saying they felt attacked by her over the course of filming confirmed this feeling for me.

      Although interesting, the segment was also pretty uncomfortable. I felt like the other women continued to attack Olivia, when she was trying to apologize and say that she didn’t like what she had seen of herself on TV. Olivia mentioned being taken back to being bullied when she was younger, when she would walk into a room and it would be complete silence. I can’t imagine what that would feel like, to know that everyone was just having conversations and that you weren’t welcome to join. I thought it was out of line for Izzy, someone who I didn’t even know was on the show, to say that if she was bullied she would have learned from it and not acted the way that she did. Everyone handles things differently, and the way any two people deal with being bullied as a child can be on completely opposite ends of the spectrum.

    2. The segment with Caila was pretty heartbreaking. The Women Tell All special was filmed before last week’s episode aired, so I think they probably showed it to the women before filming. To have Caila comment on her heartbreak, so soon after watching it for the first time, must have been really tough for her.

      In usual Caila fashion, she handled all of her questions with grace. I find it interesting though that she mentioned still kind of being in love with Ben, when I’m about 95% sure she will start filming her season of the Bachelorette any minute. I guess that’s just Hollywood for you.

    3. When Ben came out, most of the women had nothing but nice things to say. Caila thanked him for allowing her to love and open her heart. Lauren H and Becca thanked him for showing them that there are great guys out there. Olivia even said she saw that there were problems in their relationship when watching it back!

      Jubilee had the most interesting question, and I also think she managed to get the answer out of Ben that she wanted. She asked him why when she started to pull away did he say that he didn’t see a future with her, but when Caila or JoJo began to pull away, he worked with them to get them to open up. She had felt like he was blaming her for their relationship not working out. Originally, Ben talked his way around the question, but Jubilee explained that if he didn’t see it working out, she would have rather him just say that, than putting the excuse on her lack of communication. This is the reason I love Jubilee, she says what is real, and makes sure she gets the answers to her questions.

    jojo funny gif

    [I’m just going to leave these here because takeaway 3 1/2 is how Becca and JoJo are friendship goals]

    Favorite Tweets

    1. becca tilley gif 1

    Best Dressed

    1. Olivia’s white jumpsuit was so major. I loved every single thing about it. I thought it was classy and fashion forward, and the peek-a-boo sides made it sexy as well. I’ve always looked like I was wearing clothes that were too small for me when trying on jumpsuits, but this one has made me consider giving them one more try.

      2. Caila jumpsuit 1

    2. I must be having a jumpsuit moment, because I also loved Caila’s black jumpsuit. It was an unexpected choice for her, one that I think paid off.

      3. Becca Sequin Boho

    3. Becca is the queen of the boho glam look, and this was no different. The deep neckline on the romper, paired with her beachy waves was at once easy and glamourous.

    Did you guys think this episode was kind of a bore? Or wish we could’ve just skipped it and gotten to the finale already? Let me know in the comments!

    xx
    Em

    dilemma-the bachelor: week 9

    Posted in Television by

    Hi guys! I’m back at it to recap another episode of the Bachelor, and we’re getting into unchartered territory over here. Although the final outcome of the episode wasn’t surprising to me, as I saw Becca and Amanda’s snapstories from the Women Tell All taping which included Caila, it was still filled with drama and uncomfortable decisions. Thankfully, I finally got all those L-bombs I was waiting for, and some from an unexpected source!

    turtles ben and lauren

    source

    My Thoughts

    1. First up was Caila’s date, which involved a raft ride down a river, and a stop at a jerk chicken shack. Caila admits that she is feeling anxious, and this is shown through plenty of awkward silences. During the daytime portion of the date, Ben tries to get Caila to tell him if something was bothering her but she continuously tells him that everything is good.

      At night, Caila realizes she has to be honest with Ben if she wants their relationship to move forward. She admits to having her guard up, as after her hometown date, she finally realized that there are two other women who also have very strong feelings for Ben. Knowing that it’s now or never, Caila tells Ben that she is in love with him. Ben’s reaction, telling once one watches the entire episode, is to smile and go in for the kiss.

      The fantasy suite card comes, and Caila accepts. After a quick jaunt into the ocean, Ben and Caila retreat to their room, with these crazy ass fireworks blowing up in the background. They don’t seem to bothering those two though.

      In the morning, Ben and Caila looked to have had a nice night. They eat breakfast on the terrace, and Caila is all smiles, repeatedly telling Ben she loves him, and being met with just a smile.

    2. After leaving Caila, Ben is ready to meet up with Lauren for their date. He mentions that it’s hard to go from one girl to another, but he says “the moment I see Lauren, the day is about her” (yeah, because he loves her). Ben takes Lauren on a boat to THE COOLEST DATE EVER. Seriously, if anyone took me to do this, I would hope that they would drop to one knee and propose right there.

      Ben and Lauren are going to help save sea turtles at Gibraltar Beach. Mel teaches Lauren and Ben about what his program does to save the turtles, and then lifts back a flap of mesh within a hole to reveal a small mound of baby hawksbill turtles. Lauren and Ben are both squeeing with excitement, and are told by Mel that they can grab a turtle and take him/her to the ocean and clean them off. After the turtles are all cleaned from their nest, Ben and Lauren place them in a bucket and release them into the ocean. Watching those little guys fight to get to sea is the most heartwarming thing ever, and I hope they all make it. To learn more about saving the sea turtle, visit The Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary.

      For Lauren’s nighttime portion of the date, her and Ben do a little bit of reggae dancing, and then talk about their feelings over dinner. Lauren is also very wary that there are two other girls in this process, and isn’t able to get up the nerve to tell Ben that she loves him. Even without the ‘I love you’, Ben offers the date card, and Lauren accepts. In the suite, the two of them sit on a couch, and continue to discuss their feelings (I really don’t know how else to put it). Lauren starts to ramble a bit, and you know the ‘I love you’ is coming. “I’ve felt this way for a long time but, I’m completely in love with you and you really are the man of my dreams and you make me feel a way I didn’t even know I could feel. And I feel like I’ve been wanting to tell you that for awhile, this isn’t something new”, says Lauren. Ben looks at her happily, and says “I have no doubt, especially talking to your family that you are someone who doesn’t just jump into things and they know you wouldn’t be here unless your feelings are strong. For me, I’ve known I’m in love with you for awhile as well”. Say whattttt???

      ben loves lauren

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      Lauren looks expectedly surprised, because, uhm, you’re not allowed to do that. Needless to say, she is extremely pleased, and the two have a cute moment of covering their faces and saying they love each other. Ben and Lauren make out, while Ben’s leg is awkwardly crossed. Their morning is uneventful, besides the two of them continuing to say “I love you”.

      Ben leaves to go on his date with JoJo and says “My heart is right now with Lauren but I need to explore where it’s at with JoJo”. The daytime portion of their date is pretty uneventful, they jump off a waterfall and go in a helicopter. In her ITMs, JoJo mentions that her love language is ‘words of affirmation’, and she hates that when she tells Ben that she loves him, he won’t be able to tell her back unless she is the last one there. As they talk about their feelings (this show seriously must be the most exhausting thing ever), JoJo tells Ben, “When I think about the future there’s not a doubt in my mind that I want to spend it with you.… and why I think it’s so hard for me to say I love you is because I’m so scared. But I do, everything that I’ve said up to this point makes me think that I do love you, like I’m not just falling in love anymore…I do, I do love you. To JoJo’s surprise, Ben says, “JoJo, I love you too”. Whatttt?!?! JoJo, being pretty adorable, says “What? Are you allowed to say that?”

      jojo are you allowed

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    3. After JoJo’s date is over, Ben is understandably confused about what he is doing with his life. He knows he has to let Caila go, as he just wasn’t able to say ‘I love you’ to her. He’s sitting outside, pondering his life choices, when Caila comes bouncing out to “surprise” him because she just wanted to see him. She is so excited, as she believes that Ben loves her too, and watching the whole exchange made me cringe. I just wanted to yell “Run Caila! Save yourself!”.

      Ben tells Caila that he has fallen and love and he just wasn’t able to get there with her and Caila handles the breakup as gracefully and realistically as anyone I can remember. In some of my favorite Caila moments of the season she responds with, “That sounds like a line, but uhm” when Ben says it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye to her. When he says he’s going to miss her, she says, “You don’t have to say that. You really don’t have to say that.” She tearfully tells him that she’ll miss him, and that’s she is going to go because “there is no reason for me to stay”. While sitting in the van waiting to leave, she decides that if she wants answers she has to get them now. She gets out and confronts Ben, asking him if he knew after their date and if he did, why he’s doing this to her now. Realizing, that the wound is too raw to really get any closure, Ben walks her back to the van that whisks her away. The real heartbreaker was Caila sobbing in the car while saying that she still loved Ben.

      For some unknown reason, there is still a rose ceremony. Both Lauren and JoJo tell Chris Harrison that they told Ben they loved him and he told them the same. Actually, I think they held the rose ceremony just for the Chris Harrison reaction shots to this news.

      Chris harrison face - bach tumblr

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      Ben first gives JoJo a rose, and then Lauren, and they participate in a super awkard group hug/toast. Sister wives anyone?
      Awkward Group Hug

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    Best Tweets

    Best Dressed

    1. JoJo Daytime Date
      JoJo’s date outfit was fun and casual for a day of hiking. I liked the deep v-neck of the shirt, which stays tasteful when paired with a bathing suit top. This outfit is something I would wear, and JoJo looks great.
    2. Lauren rose ceremony
      Lauren’s rose ceremony dress was a little casual as compared to earlier rose ceremonies, but I thought it was appropriate for the tropical atmosphere of Jamaica. I loved the high slit in the dress, as well as the bright color.
    3. Jojo rose ceremony
      JoJo continues her trend of really killing it in the sex appeal department at the rose ceremonies. The fun, tropical print is perfect for Jamaica, and the fit is impeccable.

    That’s all I’ve got for you today rose lovers! What did you think about Ben telling two women he loves them? Does anyone think that was a good move (I’m going to guess no)? And who do you think is going to win, JoJo or Lauren? Let me know in the comments!

    Xoxo Em

    pass the wine

    Posted in Movies by

    Hi Everyone! Surprise Monday appearance by me today, but I had a lot of thoughts about the Oscars that I wanted to share. From favorite to least favorite moments and of course best dressed, there was a lot going on last night.

    Michael Keaton Oscarssource

    Favorite Moments

    1. Chris Rock kicked the show off right, with a monologue that was funny, boundary pushing, and topical at the same time.  Rock has never been one who worries about making his audience uncomfortable with his comedy, and those skills came into use while hosting the 88th Annual Academy Awards. You can watch Chris Rock’s full monologue here.

    2. Three of last night’s ‘Best Original Song’ nominees were performed during the show, but none more powerfully than Lady Gaga’s performance of ‘Til it Happens to You’. From “The Hunting Ground”, a documentary that chronicles the rise of sexual assault on college campuses, the song was written by both Lady Gaga and master songstress Diane Warren. Gaga’s performance was introduced by Vice President Joe Biden, who provided a call to action to put a stop to sexual violence.  The most moving moment, however, was the final moments of the song, when survivors of sexual assault gathered on the stage with mantras written on their forearms such as “Not Your Fault’ and ‘Survivor’. Gaga joins them as their arms are raised, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. You can watch the full performance here.

    3. On a lighter note, Jacob Tremblay, whose talents I experienced when watching Room this weekend, has been quite the darling of the award’s show circuit. My favorite moment was last night, when presenting the award for ‘Best Live Action Short’ with fellow newcomer Abraham Attah. With both presenters being shorter than the mic, Chris Rock brought them boxes to stand on.  Without missing a beat, Tremblay says, “Thanks Chris, I loved you in Madagascar”. Adorable.

    Least Favorite Moments

    1. Although I thought Chris Rock was very funny last night, some of his jokes fell flat.  The one that didn’t land for me was bringing out Stacey Dash, of Clueless, who has spoken out against Black History Month, as the director of the Academy’s new minority outreach program. The Weeknd thought it was awkward too.

      the weeknd oscarssource

    2. Last night’s telecast presented a number of changes from previous years. The winners provided a list of people they wanted to thank to the producers, who then projected that list on a scrolling chyron while they were giving their speech.  This was supposed to reduce the times the speeches took, but based on the length of last night’s show, I wouldn’t say it was successful.  Not only that, but those in the audience couldn’t see the chyron, so the winners still mentioned everyone important that they wanted to thank.Another change that was made was the order of award presentation.  The awards were presented in the order of which a movie is made, i.e. writing awards were given out first, while awards for full products were handed out last.  The problem with this is that all of the awards that aren’t traditionally cared about by the general public were front loaded to the beginning of the telecast, making it a pain to get to the big ones. Luckily, we had a few acting awards sprinkled in the beginning of the show, such as Best Supporting Actress and Actor, to get us through.

    3. Speaking of the Best Supporting Actor award, this was my biggest disappointment of the night.  I’ll say up front that I haven’t seen Bridge of Spies, and I’m sure that Mark Rylance gives a quality performance.  That being sad, man was I bummed to not see Sylvester Stallone take home an award for playing the role that made him famous 40 years ago. As someone who runs past the Rocky statue three times a week, I was rooting for a local movie to take home some gold.  Plus, they would’ve probably shown Michael B. Jordan in the audience, and that is never a bad thing.

    Best Dressed

    1. Saoirse Ronan Oscar
      Saoirse Ronan’s custom Calvin Klein dress was something I would love to wear.  The emerald green color looked amazing on her, and the cut was both edgy and tasteful. I loved her loose messy curls, to complement the fitted shape of the dress.
    2. Brie Larson Oscars Brie Larson’s Gucci dress wasn’t the flashiest, but I thought it suited her personality. It wasn’t one of the dresses that you wanted to see up close and from every angle, but the color was beautiful, she looked comfortable, and most importantly, she looked like herself.
    3. Cate Blanchett Oscars Cate Blanchett was my favorite dress of the night. From what I’ve seen this morning, her Armani Prive dress has received mixed reviews.  Not many people can pull off the avant garde details such as feathered shoulders and the floral applique. The colors really complemented her skintone, and she looked like a real life ice queen, (not the mean kind, more like Elsa).

    Thanks People.com for the photos!

    What did you guys think of the show? Any favorite moments or favorite looks? Let me know in the comments!!
    xxEm

    the house that built me – the bachelor: week 8

    Posted in Television by

    Ahh the hometown dates, where things start getting serious and normally we start to hear the first “I love you”s. Unfortunately, the girls let me down in the second department, as none of them professed their love to Ben. Even though there were no romantic proclamations, this episode packed plenty of drama, so let’s get to it!

    JoJos brothers GIFsource

    My Takeaways

    1. The first hometown we see is Amanda’s, in Laguna Beach. Upon his entrance, Amanda runs to Ben, while pulling up her off the shoulder top the entire time. Suffice it to say, the outfit choice was not the best for a date that involves running around and playing with her kids. I was honestly shocked to hear Amanda tell Ben that she hasn’t seen them since she’s been home. It was a super cute moment for the producers to have on camera, but I didn’t think they would keep her away from her kids just to get that scene.

      Amanda’s kids are the cutest things on this planet. The first question the oldest one, Kinsley, asks Amanda is, “Where’s Ben?” Clearly someone is feeding this kid lines. They spend their date playing at the beach, which involves sand castles, kite flying, and just general chasing. Kinsley is loving it while the younger daughter, Charlie, is unimpressed. She expresses her unhappiness by crying and screaming for the entire ride back home.

      As soon as the crying lasts longer than a minute, you can tell Ben is becoming a little harried. As people say, you don’t truly know what its like to be a dad until you actually are one. Although Amanda’s girls are adorable, well behaved and sweet, I think this date really showed Ben that he wasn’t ready to be a father. I think he had feelings for Amanda, but knew at this point in his life he wouldn’t be able to give her and her girls everything that they deserve.

    2. Next, Ben travels to Portland, where Lauren “keeps it weird”. My girl crush on Lauren continues to develop as she takes Ben around downtown Portland, with stops for food at a food truck and a whiskey library. For the first time all season, we see someone actually put food in their mouth, as Lauren claims, “This is everything. I love butter. I don’t know if we’ve discussed my love for butter, but I love butter”. I don’t know about you, but I really need to get whatever brand of butter they have out there in Portland.

      Lauren takes Ben to meet her parents, sister, and two little brothers. Her sister, Mollie, is the one who grills Ben the hardest about his intentions with Lauren. She asks him, “My sister is an eligible bachelorette. She’s beautiful, she’s smart, she’s funny, she’s nice, good values, any guy would fall in love with her. What makes her stand out to you?” Ben’s response is telling of his feelings when he says, “There’s something about your sister that I can’t put words to. I don’t know, I feel really lucky, I do.” AND THEN HE TEARS UP. I really don’t see how anyone but Lauren can be the recipient of Ben’s final rose.

    3. Finally, we can talk about JoJo’s hometown! In all honestly, the rest of the episode was pretty anti-climactic, with dad’s warning their daughters that there are still other girls in the process and daughter’s spilling their feelings to parents; but JoJo’s hometown is where it really gets good.

      The segment starts with JoJo walking up to her “house” and seeing a bouquet of roses on the porch. They come with a letter and assuming it was from Ben, she reads it on camera without any hesitation. Unfortunately for her, and after a very long time, she realizes the letter wasn’t from Ben. It was from her ex-boyfriend Chad, who has decided it was time to tell her he made a mistake and wants her back. JoJo is furious, although I have a feeling she may be angrier at the producers for letting this happen than with Chad himself. JoJo calls Chad, whether to tell him that she doesn’t want to be with him or she does (we don’t know), as Ben walks up the drive. JoJo answers the door looking upset, and Ben is super confused. When JoJo sits him down to tell him what has happened, you can see in his eyes that he thinks it is going to be over between them. Luckily for Ben, she tells him that she called Chad to tell him how happy she was and how everything between them is done.

      Maybe not so lucky for Ben, that means he still has to meet JoJo’s charming brothers. At her family dinner, Ben meets her mom, dad, sister, and two older brothers, Ben and Matt. Both brothers seem WAY too excited to see their sister, and engulf her in a giant sandwich of a hug complete with screaming and very close to the mouth kissing. Seriously, I had to turn my TV down when these guys were on the screen.

      JoJo’s brothers don’t seem to like Ben as soon as he walks in the door. They continuously tell Ben that they want the best for their sister and don’t want to see her get hurt. Brother Ben says that when he sees JoJo light up around Ben it is spooky and scares him because she deserves better. Possessive much? Also, what? That doesn’t even make sense. When JoJo tells them that she can see herself falling in love with Ben, they don’t gently remind her that there are still other girls in the process but yell to Ben, “Ben you’ve brainwashed these girls way too much. To see my sister like that after two dates…” All of this becomes even more hilarious when you learn that JoJo’s brother Ben was on a reality dating show himself.

      On the opposite end of the spectrum is JoJo’s mom, who doesn’t seem to know how the show works. When JoJo tells her that she’s afraid to go for it because there are three other women, her mom’s response is, “Oh?” She also tells JoJo, “you’re not going to get hurt, you’re beautiful” and takes champagne bottles to the face. Essentially, what everyone wants in a best friend.

      4. Caila’s hometown was pretty uneventful, and Amanda is sent home at the rose ceremony. Next stop: Fantasy Suites.

    Favorite Tweets

    Favorite Looks

    1. Lauren B quilted leather jacket
      Lauren looked a little edgier than normal for her hometown, I guess she was tapping into Portland’s “weirdness”. There have been plenty of leather jackets on this season but I fall hard for any that have a special detail. I like the quilting on this jacket, paired with a long plaid flannel.

    2. I loved JoJo’s rose ceremony dress. It was super sexy, with a deep neckline, but a tasteful length making it a winner all around.

    3. Caila’s hometown date look was anything but edgy, complete with a white turtleneck and a puffer vest. She looked like she stepped straight out of an L.L. Bean catalog, a look I try and emulate on a day-to-day basis. Plus, with hair like that, you can never look bad.

    Well that’s all I got for you Bachelor lovers! Is it just me or do these posts get longer and longer? If you enjoy reading them, please subscribe in the sidebar to the right, and you can always reach me @third_and_girl on Twitter!

    xxEm