Tag Archives: jojo fletcher

forever & always – jojo:week 8

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Hey everyone! This episode was definitely the best one since we said goodbye to Chad, with multiple surprise eliminations.  JoJo has developed feelings for all of the men, so getting down to her final 2 has been really tough to her.  Tough decisions means tears and drama for JoJo, so let’s get to it.

Chase Monkey Week 8 Bachelorette

1. This episode is super easy to break into three parts as there are three men left, but we do need to address the cliffhanger at the end of last episode. I was certain that there was no way Luke was going home, considering the editing of last week’s episode and JoJo discussing her decision before the rose ceremony in an ITM.  Unfortunately, I was wrong.  JoJo made Jordan, Robby, and Chase her final 3 and sent Luke to the limo and back to Burnet, Texas.

I found it very heartbreaking to see Luke go home.  He really had no idea that he was the one going, and it broke my heart to hear him say, “I thought you knew” when JoJo told him she just didn’t know where he stood.  I think this falls on JoJo because if she needed more from Luke, she should’ve asked.  She has said multiple times to other men that one of her love languages is ‘words of affirmation’ when she wasn’t getting what she needed from them.  Luke was 100% blindsided. As soon as he leaves, JoJo says that she already misses him. I think that Luke was the guy who she would have had the most successful relationship with (although I hope that I’m wrong).  He seems down to earth and truly ready to settle down.  I know that Luke has country music aspirations, but I don’t think he was using this as his platform to get there.  Luke for Bachelor!

The final three are headed to Thailand, and Robby’s date is up first. They walk around the market and eat exotic foods, something that has happened on every Bachelor season since they started going to other countries. After getting caught in a downpour, the two of them get a Thai massage, and discuss the situation surrounding Robby’s past relationship.  They both agree that they are glad the issue was confronted, and that they can move forward together as a couple. Robby confirms his honesty by ONCE AGAIN reminding her that he told her he loved her in Uruguay.

At night, the two go to dinner.  JoJo tells Robby how she told Ben that she loved him on this date last season. Does anyone else think that its weird for her to discuss how she loved another man with these guys? Maybe not since they all already know. Robby says that his parents love to see him so happy but they could tell that he was a little down about the information that had arisen about his past girlfriend.  According to Robby, his dad must have snuck a note in the pocket of his jeans telling him that he was “the man”.  I say ‘according to’ because if you poll any of my friends, they will all tell you that they think Robby wrote the note himself. At the end of dinner, JoJo and Robby decide to spend the night together in the fantasy suite. And Robby lays the cheesy lines on strong:

Robby Dream Week 8

The next morning, JoJo is really excited that her and Robby are having their first breakfast together – even though the food is at the bottom of the bed and looks as if it hasn’t been touched. JoJo says there were a few times when she was with Robby that she wanted to tell him that she loved him, but didn’t because she knows she’s not ready to say without a doubt who will be standing there at the end of the night.

2. Jordan’s date was next, and JoJo has a difficult hike planned for the two of them. I feel like Jordan required some needling from producers when saying, “don’t you look sporty” because my sporty clothes are definitely not a crop top and cut-offs. I’m lucky if my leggings and my shirt match. Since the two of them are SO sporty they make it to the end of their hike, which leads them into a cave  There is a temple somewhere in a cave that they are exploring, and JoJo and Jordan aren’t allowed to kiss there.  This is something that has happened on plenty of seasons as well, perhaps because so many of the beautiful Asian countries that they visit also have strong ties to religion.  Either way, the lead always makes it a point to tell their suitor that they are not allowed to be kissed in this location, which is difficult because these people can’t keep their hands off each other. In their defense, there is something about beauty that brings out the romance (fireworks, sunsets, temples in Thailand).

At the temple, JoJo and Jordan talk about meeting her family and he asks what they’re like.  Since Jordan didn’t watch last season, he doesn’t know that JoJo’s mom likes to take champagne to the face:

JoJo's Mom_Winesource

During dinner, JoJo and Jordan talk about what their future would look like, which is surprisingly not something they’ve discussed before. JoJo asks him what he imagines the next year of his life to look like and Jordan can’t really answer the question. He says he doesn’t have a home base right now, so he can be wherever she is. JoJo is afraid that she will end up with him and not realize how different their lifestyles are. Jordan tries to calm her fears by telling her “I want to spend the rest of my life with you” but JoJo is quick to come back with, “ahh, that’s what Ben said.” I think JoJo has already fallen so hard for Jordan but is putting her walls up and being defensive with him. JoJo doesn’t want to get heartbroken again since Ben also told her he wanted to spend his life with her, so JoJo drills Jordan asking how he knows he’s in love with her. Jordan says he feels like a different person and whenever he imagines his wedding day or getting down on one knee, it’s worth her. JoJo eats it all up and the two of them venture to the fantasy suite.

The next morning, JoJo once again points out that they are eating their first breakfast together – this time, they seem to actually be eating.  In an ITM, Jordan says, “we took a big step last night, in a really exciting direction.” Hmm, wonder what that could mean?

3. Chase’s date is up last and it starts in a fish market, super romantic. Chase surprises me by continuing to open up aka actually talk. The two of them take a boat ride on the waters of Thailand, and have a really deep connection with a monkey. The two of them sit on a beach and talk about how far they’ve come in their “journey”, and then get hot and heavy in the water.

Between the day portion and night portion of Chase’s date, we get an interruption by Robby who just wanted to say hi to JoJo. The previews made it seem like this was a big deal, but really Robby just stopped by to tell her he loved her and then goes on his merry way.

At dinner, Chase mentions that he’s “battled through this” a little more than Robby and Jordan aka they’ve been front runners (and Chase knows it) and he’s had the slow and steady rise to the top. Chase lets Jordan know that he wants a future with her and the two of them go to the fantasy suite.

Chase still hasn’t dropped the L-bomb and he knows that the fantasy suite is the right place to do it. He tells her that he doesn’t want to be scared anymore and wants her to know that he’s 100% in love with her. He’s never told anyone that first and knows what a burden that phrase carries, and he is ready to carry that for her. She kisses him then says, “thank you for telling me that….can you hold on one minute?”

Upon coming back in, JoJo tells him that she didn’t feel what she thought she was going to feel when Chase told her he loved her and that she doesn’t know if she is in the same place. She  doesn’t think spending a night together would change her feelings, and Chase responds accordingly.

Chase Break Up Week 8

Chase doesn’t let JoJo off easy telling her that he just jumped over a hurdle he’s never done before, and she has left him shattered. He tells her that he 100% regrets telling her he loves her. Also, this gem of a line:

Chase Quote Week 8

Chase was terrified to say “I love you” and now he feels like he shouldn’t have done it. He believes that JoJo didn’t give it a chance, which I think further solidifies the notion that Jordan and Robby have been front runners since the beginning.  JoJo wanted to prevent Chase from being blindsided like she was, but Chase feels as if this breakup is exactly that. JoJo, like most people, wants the break up to end on an amicable note but Chase doesn’t really feel the same way, and I think that is a justified feeling. He’s allowed to be angry, and walk away from her. Chase cracks a beer, and hops into a creepy van to be taken away from what he thought would be one of the greatest nights of his life.

At the rose ceremony, JoJo wants Jordan and Robby to also say yes to her. In a SHOCKING twist, Chase shows up and wants to talk to JoJo, leaving Robby and Jordan feeling a little nervous.

Jordan Robby Sweat Week 8

They shouldn’t have been worried though, Chase just wanted to tell JoJo that he didn’t want to let their relationship end the way it did. He says he was shocked and there was a lot he wanted to say but he couldn’t because his shock turned to anger.  Chase wants to tell JoJo that he is proud of her and thinks she’s amazing and that he isn’t angry. He wants wants best for her and thinks she deserves something great.

JoJo gives Jordan a rose first followed by Robby, leaving them as the two men who will meet JoJo’s family next week!

Best Tweets

https://twitter.com/KaseyEsser/status/757797015535259648

 

Best Outfits

JoJo Week 8 Crop Top1. JoJo wore a lot of blue on this trip and looked amazing in all of it. I really loved the casual blue and white crop top she wore in a montage of her walking the beach. The top is Show me your Mumu and can be found here.

JoJo Jordan Date Week 8
2. JoJo continued to look great in blue in this ensemble from her dinner date with Jordan.  The white crop is Show me your MuMu and unfortunately I couldn’t find the white option in stock.  Luckily, it comes in a lot of fun prints: paisley, floral,  and even black. The real stand out is that skirt. The skirt is MiJo by Michelle Jonas and can be found here.

JoJo Chase Date Week 8
3. I’ve been into peek-a-boo shoulder tops and dresses, so the dress from her date with Chase was obviously a favorite. This dress is Ramy Brook and can be found here.

Are you guys ready for the finale? Who will JoJo pick, Jordan or Robby? And will the relationship last? Let me know in the comments!

xo
Em

 

just a friend-jojo: week 5

Posted in Television by

Finally! I’m back with a Bachelorette recap for JoJo’s fifth week in her journey to find love.  A thief can steal my computer and prevent me from making gifs, but they can’t stop love.

While I was offline, we sadly saw the end of Chad.  I hate that I didn’t have a computer available to me to comment on Chad’s antics in the house – which culminated in him whistling in the woods after being denied the rose.  God, I’ll miss the Chad-bear, and can’t wait to see him on Paradise.

I was hoping that this season would be the one I would recap in its entirety, but alas, it was not meant to be. Maybe next season (which in my dream world would be led by the token good-guy James Taylor).

My Takeaways

1. We’re in Argentina this week, and Chris Harrison drops the bomb that there will be another 2-on-1 date this season, as well as a group date and a 1-on-1.  Inexplicably, he also tells the guys that he hopes to see them all at the rose ceremony, when that is actually impossible with a 2-on-1 this week.

Wells gets the 1-on-1 date, and for some reason reminds the guys that he is the only one who hasn’t kissed JoJo.  This gives the guys the opportunity to awkwardly bring that fact up when JoJo stops by to pick Wells up for their date, and then continue to talk about it for what seemed like a very long time. I think all of the talk of Wells not kissing JoJo put way too much pressure on the beginning of the date, which I think the editors agreed with. The montage of them walking around the streets of Argentina was accompanied by some seriously awkward music.

Wells_Awkward_Hi5

JoJo takes Wells to a performance art space that actually seems pretty cool.  I don’t consider myself artistically sophisticated enough to understand the running on the treadmill and getting shot piece, but I could get down with that slip-and-slide pool.  Wells decides that sliding around a pool in the dark is the right time to kiss JoJo, and finally lays one on her.  I loved that she called the kiss out, yelling, “That was the moment Wells, that was the moment! We did it!” It was cute and playful – much like their relationship.

At dinner, JoJo asks Wells about his previous relationship, and they get into a discussion about what they are looking for.  JoJo doesn’t want to believe that the passion in a relationship ever subsides, and wants to always look at her husband and think about how hot and attracted to him she is.  Wells is a bit more skeptical of the “unicorn” love that JoJo describes, leading JoJo to the realization that they may not be looking for the same thing.  Sadly, JoJo doesn’t give Wells the rose, sending him packing.

JoJo doesn’t need a man because she goes back to the performance art space, where she was clearly supposed to take Wells, had she given him the rose.  Her black co-ord paired with her leather jacket made her look like such a bad ass.  Just look at girlfriend strutting around:

JoJo_BadAss Strut

2. During the group date, JoJo took Alex, James, Luke, Robby, and Jordan to wander the streets of Argentina, where they danced with street performers, and played soccer with some locals.  Honestly, this date was pretty boring.  I did get a little enthused when they had a soccer shoot-out to win a kiss from JoJo and James was the only one shown making a goal.  I have such a soft spot for that guy.

At the cocktail party, Luke and JoJo make out. And I mean MAKE OUT.

Chemistry is Crazy_JoJo
Their chemistry is cra-zy.

With his time alone with JoJo, James brings up how he thinks Jordan can feel entitled based on his background.  He tells her a story about how they were playing poker and he felt as though his opinions were disregarded by Jordan.  In his ITMs, James says that he wanted JoJo to know what kind of guy Jordan was, but I think that James was just feeling a little insecure from the date.  Although he was the only one to score a kiss from JoJo, he mentioned many times that he felt out of place with the other guys, and that he felt they were much better than him.  I think by telling JoJo this story about Jordan, he was trying to show her what he had over the other guys, and subliminally trying to compensate for his own insecurities.

When JoJo has her personal time with Jordan, she brings up her conversation with James, and Jordan knows exactly what incident she is talking about.  I found Jordan to be very defensive when explaining the situation to JoJo. In the situation he states, “No James, those actually are just the rules, those aren’t my rules”. I don’t know anything about poker, but maybe James plays by different rules when he’s with his buddies than they do at the tables. Or maybe Jordan was actually wrong.  I found it to be a turn-off that Jordan didn’t even try to acknowledge the fact that either of these could be possibilities.

Jordan confronts James about talking about him to JoJo, and James doesn’t try to deny it (in stark contrast to Leah last season). James didn’t feel like he did anything wrong in bringing up the situation with Jordan.  He wasn’t warning JoJo about Jordan or telling her that he wasn’t the right guy for her.  He was just telling her how something made him feel.  If you are supposed to treat the relationship with the Bachelorette as a regular and real relationship, shouldn’t you share your feelings with them? Even if they are negative feelings, or feelings about something other than her?

3. If the group date was boring, the 2-on-1 date was even more boring. Derek and Chase are taught a 3 person tango. Derek goes on about how much passion he feels with JoJo, while Chase seems to be putting a guard up.

At night, Derek tells JoJo he loves her. During her conversation with Chase, she tells him she noticed the wall and Chase attempts to let it down.  With JoJo asking for words of affirmation, he tells her that he came here for her – to be with her and to leave with her.  That’s all she needs to hear, because the declaration of love wasn’t enough to keep poor Derek around. She gives the rose to Chase, and sends Derek to the limo to talk about himself in the third person.

Derek is Imperfect

At the rose ceremony, JoJo can’t make a decision and everyone gets a rose.

Best Tweets

https://twitter.com/PrincessProbz/status/747582032566378496

Best Outfits 

JoJo Red Dress_Ep61. JoJo’s scalloped red dress would be the perfect dress to take from the office to after work cocktails or a date. I’m not positive if this is the exact same fabric dress, but its the same designer and pretty darn close.  Plus, SALE!

JoJo Mesh Cutout Dress_Ep6
2. It was only when I started researching this post that I realized the cut out in the front of this dress wasn’t open, but instead was black mesh.  I love the subtle sexiness of the mesh, as well as the contrasting black straps.  I can’t find the Noam Hanoch stunner in stock anywhere, but you can get the contrasting straps and cut out in this NBD dress.

Robbie_Ep6_Cocktail
3. Robby can rock a neutral suit like nobody’s business.  I think the blue-grey in his tie and pocket square really gives that “southern gentleman/beach wedding” look I assume he was going for.

What did you think about this week’s episode? Is it starting to feel like a two horse race to anyone else? How are everyone’s fantasy teams looking? Let me know!

xo
Em

burnin’ up-jojo:week 2

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Hi there! I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day Weekend, and pray that you didn’t have as much trouble getting back into the swing of things at work as I did.  I’m back to recap the second week of Jojo’s journey to find love, so let’s get to it.

Guys Singing_Ep2

My Takeaways

1. We start the second week of JoJo’s journey to find love with a group date, which features the men donning firefighting gear and competing for the chance to save JoJo. The only thing I could think for most of this date was how embarrassing it would be for Grant if he didn’t win. Imagine if a legitimate firefighter lost this competition to a radio DJ? Thankfully, that didn’t have to happen because Wells almost died (I’m not thankful for that, I’m really glad Wells made it through, he’s one of my faves), and Grant beat Luke up to the top of the “burning” building to save JoJo.

Grant wins extra time with JoJo at the cocktail party that night, and they have a really nice conversation about Grant’s career choice. JoJo is into it and Grant gets the first kiss of the night. Luke and JoJo also have a nice talk, which ends in a steamy make-out on the balcony.  JoJo is definitely into Luke. My favorite one-on-one chat of the date was between JoJo and Wells. Wells was the perfect amount of self-depricating about his poor physical showing at the firefighting challenge, and he had JoJo cracking up. Wells is really turning into a dark horse in the competition for me, I just hope that he doesn’t end up getting friend zoned. I don’t think we have to worry about that quite yet though, because JoJo loves that Wells never gave up during the competition and gives him the group date rose.

Self Depricating Wells

The second group date of the episode was one that I would love! The guys got to visit ESPN’s Los Angeles studios and run a Bachelorette combine of sorts trying to get on Marcellus Wiley and Max Kellerman’s big board. The guys had to perform a Bachelorette worthy touchdown dance, and give JoJo their best proposal after playing a non-alcoholic form of dizzy bat. Lastly, they had to give a press conference complete with questions about their feelings for the other guys (DRAMA ALERT!).

Chad was a big subject on this date, but enough went on with him this episode to warrant having a whole section devoted to his behavior. So stay tuned for Chad-talk.

The nighttime portion of the date took place at the Houdini mansion, which was a really cool venue. James Taylor steals her away first, and creates one of the sweetest moments in Bachelorette history. He mentions that he knows JoJo isn’t in his league, and that scares him, but he thinks she wants a guy that cares for her and that is him. I loved that James mentioned his faith, and how he really can’t believe how blessed he is to be in the situation that he is currently in.  You can tell that this really touched JoJo, and I think they connected on a deeper level in that moment.  To solidify that connection, James goes in for the kiss, and JoJo goes in for the second one.  To round out James’s awesome qualities, he said yoked, so that’s another one in the plus column.

Nothing too interesting happens on the rest of this group date that doesn’t involve Chad. James got the group date rose (no surprise there), while Chad thinks it should have been him.

2. JoJo’s one-on-one date this week was with Derek, someone who I think could be a quiet contender.  I mean, the guy looks like John Krasinski but with ice blue eyes. However, their date was not super eventful, as it consisted of them making a series of “difficult” choices, which would create components of their date.  It was pretty much a real-life create your own adventure book.  However, I’m not one to lose sleep over a decision about whether to take a private plane north or south.

Their choices ultimately lead them to San Francisco, where they have a picnic overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, and later, dinner. During their dinner, JoJo opens up about getting back on the dating scene after Ben, and encourages Derek to open up about his past relationships. Derek reveals that he had been ready to propose to a previous girlfriend, but then found out that there was another guy in the picture. He was being very vague during all of this, and for awhile I wondered if he was the one doing the cheating.  Alas, we wouldn’t get that drama, and JoJo gives him the date rose.

Chad West Side Story_Ep2

3. Ah Chad, finally we get to the center of the episode. Chad was the narrator of all the dates this week, even the ones he wasn’t on.  The man has a comment about every other man in the house and how he is better than all of them.  Chad is above doing any bonding with the other guys (Although, I don’t think I’d be into singing songs about JoJo with a bunch of dudes either. I guess they get bored without their phones). He would much rather tie a suitcase full of protein to his waist and do some pull-ups.

On the group date, Chad simultaneously was taking the Bachelor “combine” not seriously and WAY too seriously. When asked to propose to JoJo he went with a simple “Will you marry me?”. JoJo asked for him to explain a little why he wanted to marry her, and Chad said that if they were at that point she should already know. He wasn’t above trying to woo her though, going with the always successful “call a woman naggy, and she’ll love you forever”.

Chad’s main gripe with all the men was that they were all lying to JoJo by telling her things that they loved about her, or really by expressing any feelings toward her. It was his idea that they barely know this girl, so all their feelings were based on what they had seen on TV. Unfortunately, he’s kind or right in this situation. There is no way that any of these men love JoJo, but the “proposal” on the group date was meant to be fun.  JoJo certainly wasn’t taking any of those proposals seriously. At the night time portion of the date, Chad actually opened up, and talked to JoJo about losing his mom.  This endeared him to JoJo, and reminded America that there are multiple sides to every person.

At the rose ceremony, Chad was back in Chad form. He greeted JoJo when she arrived to the mansion, stealing her away before she even got to see any of the other guys.  I’m not sure if this was Chad’s idea, or a producer’s, but I actually think it was a good move.  Honestly, if any of the other guys had done this, no one inside would have been mad.  The show is about finding love, and the way to do that is to spend as much time as you can with someone. Once inside, Chad was confronted by the other men, which only made him steal JoJo away more. The main contention seems to be between Chad and Alex, who he had a few confrontations with during the rose ceremony.  One of them almost got physical, with Chad claiming that Alex should be afraid of him.  Maybe he forgot that Alex is a U.S. Marine? Also, Chad did all this while eating copious amounts of meat.

Best Tweets

https://twitter.com/PrincessProbz/status/737751773562187778

Best Outfits
Unfortunately, there are a lot less outfits of interest to look at during The Bachelorette than there are during The Bachelor.  Fortunately, Jojo has great style, and many of her men have got this style thing down as well.

JoJo Derek Date_Ep21. I loved this sparkly mini JoJo wore on her one-on-one date with Derek.

JoJo Group Date_Ep22. JoJo brings the edge factor with this leather legging and white sweater combo.  I didn’t love the fringe on the sweater, but the make-up and giant ring made up for it.

Luke Rose Ceremony_Ep23. As for the guys, my favorite look was Luke.  I really fell for that gingham pocket square.

What did you guys think of the episode? Who are your favorites? Next week we have two episodes, so look out for double Bachelorette posts next week!

xo
Em

 

 

 

the luckiest-jojo: week 1

Posted in Television by

AAAAAND we’re back rose lovers!  I really feel like I finally have something to live for again, now that Chris (B.) Harrison is back on our TVs. This time around he brings us JoJo Fletcher, she of Ben Higgins blindside fame, and the 26 men vying for her heart.

WhatJustHappened_JoJoEp1
My Takeaways

1. After the intro packages for JoJo (did you know Ben told her he loved her and then blindsided her?), and a few of the men, we get to the limo entrances. It’s pretty well known that the men who make the first and last entrance are normally ones to watch, and this season was no exception. Jordan Rodgers, brother of MVP and Superbowl winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers, was the first one to exit the limo, and all 6 foot 3 (with an extra couple inches for that coiffed mane of his) of him was looking great. He didn’t need a fancy entrance and JoJo was into him.

RobbyWine_JoJoEp1

Robby had a great entrance, presenting JoJo with a bottle of wine and taking it to the face similar to Mrs. Fletcher in Ben’s hometown visit last season. JoJo is in on the joke and says “My mom would like him”. Chase exited the limo with every mustache pun in the book ready to go, but if I’m being honest they would have made me giggle. Wells exited the limo with Grammy Award winning pop group All-4-One singing their hit “I Swear”. Although most of the men couldn’t appreciate a good entrance (more on that later), they all seemed to think Wells’s move was pretty smooth.

The last entrance was Luke, who didn’t come out of the limo but rather riding a unicorn, or a white horse with a horn strapped to its head. Luke is from Texas, like JoJo, believes in unicorns, like JoJo, and is ruggedly handsome, which I don’t think is like JoJo but I’d guess she definitely likes it.

2. Once all the men were inside, we really got to see their personalities come out. And by personalities I mean drunkenness because most of these guys were hammered! Between taking off all their clothes and jumping in the pool (Daniel), to interrupting JoJo filming her ITM’s with producers (Nick S. and Vinny), these guys were not holding their alcohol very well. Daniel continued his drunken escapades by poking Evan in the belly button, something that many of the guys told us was something you just do not do.

Chad_DressBright_JoJoEp1

Another person we saw a lot of inside was Chad, and that is because he thinks he’s the greatest person alive. Chad took it upon himself to pretty much bash every man that came out of the limo. When doing my fantasy draft for this season (I have Jordan, Chase, Nick B, Derek and Alex by the way), I was trying to figure out who the man was that all the other men would hate but JoJo would love. I was between Chad and Daniel, and if the “this season on…” is any indication, it is definitely Chad.

3. At the rose ceremony, we get a “shocking” entrance by a former Bachelor aka Jake Pavelka who just happens to be a Fletcher/Patton family friend. ABC teased this up like he was going to join the cast, and it was funny to see JoJo’s momentary look of panic when she thought this too.

VinnyConfused_JoJoEp1

Luke gets the first rose (Jordan had been given the first impression rose), and the eliminations were not too surprising. Honestly, I think there are only about 5 guys that JoJo may be into, probably another 7 that she thinks are nice guys, and the rest are just producer planted nut jobs. I can’t think of another reason that Daniel and Vinny would be given roses, after their drunken escapades.

My favorite part of the episode may have just been the scene that rolled over the credits. I couldn’t find a youtube video of it, but I really suggest taking it upon yourself to get on over to Hulu and watch.

JamesHorse_JoJoEp1

Best Tweets

https://twitter.com/jenniferweiner/status/734927848293683201

Not really a tweet…but so funny.

Top 3 Guys
Tonight wasn’t a big night for fashion, so I’m going to kick off the season with my front runners for JoJo.

Jordan

1. No surprise here, but I think Jordan Rodgers is the top contender for JoJo’s heart. Who wouldn’t want to join the Rodgers family and get to strike up an insta-friendship with Aaron’s girlfriend Olivia Munn. The previews for the season show a little drama with Jordan, and whether he is there for the right reasons (shocker) but I don’t think that will phase JoJo that much. They really did have a lot of chemistry, and he was one of the only guys that she was comfortable with on Night 1.

Luke

2. I give Luke a pretty good shot at the final rose as well. Besides the first one/last one limo theory, I think that he and JoJo have a lot in common and were raised in similar ways. Luke is definitely cuter on the show than he is in his ABC bio photo, and I wish I would have known that when drafting my fantasy team.

Wells

3. My dark horse of the season is Wells. His entrance was memorable, him and JoJo had a good conversation and he just seems like an all around cool guy. He didn’t give me the overly “done up” vibe that someone like Jordan or Robby did. He is the kind of guy that you would want to go catch a show and a beer with, and I think that’s the guy that you want to spend your life with.

That’s all I’ve got for you guys after night 1.  What did you think of the premiere?  Does anyone not think Jordan is a front runner? Let me know!

xo
Em

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
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    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
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    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

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    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