Whatever Wednesday

I unfortunately don't have much to write in the way of television, but I feel like writing something, so this could come out sounding very random, but you know, it's Whatever Wednesday.

• First of all, is it already Wednesday? Wait, almost Thursday? I'm not complaining, by any means, but I'm just surprised by how fast this week is going. Lately the weeks have been d.r.a.g.g.i.n.g. by and it's nice to know that the week is almost over. Now just get me through Thursday and Friday and we are into the weekend!
• Speaking of the weekend, the husband and I have an overnight trip planned to Indianapolis to see a Pacer's game. We are both super excited to just get away for a little bit. We love to do little things like this every now and then because are a carefree, childless couple. Why not celebrate it instead of feeling sorry for ourselves?
• I have a random cut in the crook of thumb and hand. I keep randomly hitting and it hurts to the highest heaven. Ok, it's not that bad, but it still hurts and is annoying. I wish it would just heal already.
• At my work we are lucky enough to have FSA's - Flexible Spending Accounts - if we so choose. For the first time, I signed up for one thinking of all the medical expenses I was going to incur with infertility. I haven't actually made a claim until today and I am uber excited thinking about the money that is coming my way.
• Speaking of work... it's been stressful. We have (just now) been struggling with the crappy economy and there are been a lot of (not so fun) changes around the office. I, luckily, have not been part of those changes as of yet. I thank my lucky stars everyday, but it often feels like I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
• I may or may not have re-watched every episode of Kell on Earth. Whatever, I don't care.
• I really want to read Kelly Cutrone's book, If You Have to Cry Go Outside. I will read it, learn to bitch at people and boss them around and effectively take over the world. Ok, maybe not, but add it to my list of dreams.
• I have decided that Bravo is my most favorite channel. If the cable company called tomorrow and said that I had to get rid of all channels but one, I would definitely pick Bravo.
• Remember when I wrote about Veronica Mars? Ok, probably not, but I did because it is one of my favorites. Seasons one and two are now playing on the WB. So for the love of all that is holy, go watch it! If you don't take any of my other advice, take this advice and get a little VM in your life.
• I just had a fabulous idea for a blog post, but you are going to have to wait as it is going to take some time to research. Yes, I said research.
• Today a friend of mine told me that my knowledge of pop culture was unparalleled. I don't think I have ever gotten such a high compliment before.
• I am totally joking about that being the highest compliment I have ever received.
• ....Or am I?

I hope you enjoyed Whatever Wednesday. I know I did!

Damn You Bravo, You've Done it Again!

What is it about Bravo? I tell you what, they have a knack for reality TV. They really do because they have yet again sucked me into their reality TV web with another show. Yes, another show because, clearly, I don't already watch enough TV. What is this new show that has me, dare I say, addicted? Kell on Earth, which stars this woman:

Kelly Cutrone is the founder and owner of the company, People's Revolution, which is a branding/marketing firm in the fashion industry. You may recogize her and/or the company if you watched The Hills as Whitney and Lauren worked for her for a period of time.

But before she was on The Hills, Ms. Cutrone made an appearance on MTV's True Life. I don't remember the actual subtitle of the show that she was featured on, but I am pretty sure it had to do with having a bitchy a boss or a horrible job or something to that effect. The episode followed Kelly's personal assistant who lived a rather difficult life. The woman yelled and screamed and practically beat her assistant into submission. I remember watching the episode with my husband and we were both shocked at this woman and at the fact that her poor assistant stayed with the job. She talked about quitting, but apparently it is an uber good company to work for in the fashion industry and she didn't want to let a position like that go.

Then when we saw her make an appearance on The Hills, we laughed. There was that bitchy woman in all of her bitchiness. Again, I can't remember the specifics as this is around the time I started to realize that The Hills was fake and boring and I stopped watching. But, if you have seen the episodes, you know who I am talking about and you know that she wasn't really a nice person.

So then we see a ad for this new show, Kell on Earth and we're all, "We're not watching that. We know all about the likes of her". Until we watched an episode by, um, accident. And that was all she wrote.

First and foremost? This woman is a bitch, but then again, she isn't. Is she tough? Yes. Is she direct? Yes. Is it always her way? Yes. Will she beat you into submission if she has to? Um, maybe. But I realized that overall, she isn't as big of a bitch as she was previously made out to be. I understand the biggest rule of reality TV and that is editing. So on the other shows that focused on other people and how Kelly affected them, then yes, she is going to come across as a huge wanker. Yes, I said wanker. But on this show, it's focused around Kelly and get you get to see more of the fashion side and let me tell you, it appears as though you have to be a bitch in order to make your way in the fashion world Because, honestly? Designers are self centered, egotistical, maniacs. They are slightly off kilter and will get angry and judgy over the simplest things. So if you are working in the fashion industry, you have to grow a thick skin and become tough. So Kelly is tough and she demands only the best of her staff and if you aren't willing to give it? Get the eff out of her way.

So Kelly Cutrone, I have gone from hating to you, to thinking that you are one smart, tough cookie. I only wish that I worked in an industry in which I could be direct people and tell them when they are stupid so that they learn to be smart or get to steppin'. I believe that I might even like to have you as a friend. You, me and Tim Gunn would get along just fine, I do believe.

Oh, and that assistant that considered quitting? Her name is Stephanie Skinner and she is now a Jr. Account Executive for People's Revolution.

Making it Work

I do apologize for my last blog, as it was a bit... salty. It's been a rough two weeks with work and I've been a bit of a Negative Nancy BUT it's Friday and I have some reassurance with work things so things are on the up and up.

So, this time around let's say we have a more positive entry, shall we?

Last night was Project Runway night (among other shows). I love Project Runway. There really isn't much about it that I don't like. Heidi is fun and entertaining to watch. She says some of the funniest things even though I don't think she realizes that they are funny. She doesn't seem snotty or self-centered (cough, cough Tyra! cough, cough, Padma!) She seems rather genuine and sweet. Plus (for the most part) she has a good fashion sense. I enjoy Michael Kors and his acronyms. For example DTM (dyed to match) and MOB (Mother of the bride). I like the creativity of the designers and seeing how they can really something out of nothing. My most favorite challenges are when they are given odd materials and it seems like they will never be able to make anything wearable out of it - and then they do! It never ceases to amaze me.

But do you know my most favorite part about Runway?

I love him! Words cannot describe. I would love for Tim Gunn to be my very best friend in the entire world. I feel like I could go to him at the end of a very long, very hard day and tell him my woes and he would have some fabulous words that suddenly would make everything ok. Or, I could go to him with a very big problem and he would tell me in his very recognizable voice to , "Make it Work" and I would know exactly what I needed to do in order to solve my problem. Having Tim Gunn as my friend would make my life that much better. Of this I am certain.

If Tim and I were friends, I would most definitely take him shopping with me. I can just see us now walking through fabulous stores while he picked out clothes that were both stylish and timeless. He would tell me in his sing song voice how stunning certain things were and how unflattering other things were. I would never have to wonder again if a certain piece would work or not work, he would be right there to help and guide me. So not only would my life be better for having Tim Gunn in it, but so would my wardrobe (did I mention he would also have to fund entire said wardrobe??).

And not only would we shop together, but he would also give me fabulous swag from Liz Claiborne, because that's what friends do, right? When one friend has the "hook-up" said friend shares with their friends. It's the polite thing to do.

And because Mr. Gunn is so well connected, he would introduce me to all of his fabulous friends including Heidi, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia (but only after we have been on said shopping trip). He would tell me secrets of Project Runway (did Irina's model really use double sided tape??) and I would get front row seats at the Project Runway runway show at fashion week. Ok, who am I kidding, he would score me tickets to the front row of all the fashion shows as fashion week. Now, my social life would be that much better just by having Tim Gunn as my friend.

Yes, I can see Tim and I having a wonderful, long lasting friendship, but alas it is only a dream. And a girl can dream, right? So what about you? Do you have any celebrities or TV characters that would like to be friends with?

Please Pack Your Knives...

...and go. The Top Chef season finale was this past Wednesday and I not really surprised who the winner was, but I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed. This season was chock full of talented chefs, even more so than in prior seasons. I can't remember a season in which it was so clear cut who the finalists would be. Not far into the season, my husband and I both knew the final four would be the brothers Voltaggio, Kevin and Jennifer. There really was no question about it. From there though it got a little unclear as they were all so strong, that is until Jennifer starting sabotaging herself by not trying and getting into her head. She was a good chef and she should have done much better than she did. So after the top four were chosen, it was clear Jennifer would be the next one gone and the final would be between the brother Voltaggio and Kevin. And lo and behold we had the face off we had been waiting for weeks to see.



Early on, my husband and I staked our claims on who we liked. He instantly liked Kevin and even though she lacked a, oh I don't know, personality, I found myself liking Jennifer. I liked how strong of a chef she was and I loved seeing her beat the brothers Voltaggio. If you can't tell by now, I am NOT a fan of the either of the brothers. They were rude, nasty, egocentric, bossy, cocky, self-important and just not nice people. Now, I will concede, they are amazing chefs (I speak as if I have tasted their food, which clearly I have not), but if the judges enjoy the food then it must be pretty good right? Anyway, their behavior, especially the one who always wore the hat, was just uncalled for. You are good, everyone knows it, you don't have to be a jacka** 24/7. I didn't care for them so much, that I didn't even bother to learn their names to differentiate between the two. I know that their names are Michael and Brian, but honestly, I have no idea which is which. And, really? Who cares?



So anyway, back to my point. When Jennifer was ousted in Napa (which, by the way that place is amazing) I sent my loyalties to Kevin. He has been a pretty strong chef himself and really seemed like the best match to take down the brothers Voltaggio. Then in true Top Chef finale fashion, it came time to pick the Suez Chefs that would help the contestants on their way to victory. And of course, the choices of Suez chefs were past contestants from the season. Only this time, instead of them just picking who they wanted, the had to draw knives with the names of the Suez chefs. Poor Kevin. Karma has just not on his side that day. He picks and his first pick is Preeti. She left in, oh I don't know, episode three or something ridiculous like that. Then the one Voltaggio brother picked and he picked Jennifer. Killer pull. Then the next brother pulled and picked Jesse, who I believe went home on a lark Quick Fire challenge. Then Kevin picked again and it was Ash. Ash lasted a bit longer than Preeti, but he still wasn't top quality. The first Voltaggio brother picked Ashley. Definitely not as strong as his first pick. And finally the last Voltaggio picked Eli. Eli was the one who was eliminated before they went to Napa, so he lasted quite a while. Another pretty strong pick of the Voltaggios. Meanwhile, Kevin's got Sucky and Crappy on his side. It was clear. Kevin was going to have a tough go of things. I'm not going to lie. I was hoping that one of the Voltaggio's would have picked Robin because, well, she is worthless and it would have been hysterical. I'm just saying.

Then there was some cooking (well most of the people cooked, Preeti did not), some eating, some criticizing and judges table. It's a good thing I DVRed the thing because I fast forwarded through the judges table. Its all so redundant. They just repeat the things they said while they were eating and then they repeat it all again when the discuss just between the judges. Then it came time to reveal the winner. Of course Kevin was the one who was told to pack his knives and go. I was sad. Kevin seems like he is a great chef and I really believe that he could have beaten the brothers Voltaggio. I think that he just let some things get into his head and he let that get the best of him. I've seen it a thousand times. Finally in surprising turn (not) the mean(er), cocky(ier), cranky(ier) Voltaggio won (again I can't even remember his name). Shocker.

Anyway, I am looking forward to the reunion when we find out who the fan favorite was. I am sure that the brothers Voltaggio will NOT win, and again I am pulling for Kevin because really? Everyone else on this season was kinda flat and a snoozer. Here's hoping next seasons chefs are a bit more likable.