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ICYMI
Last week, I started a new series on Friday's, Loving Lately! Each week I am sharing my latest obsessions as well as a Bachelor recap!
Meryl Streep's Golden Globe speech:
Jump ahead to the 3-minute mark:
“Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence insights Violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others we all lose.”
I am not trying to get all political here or anything, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm scared for our country these next four years and the steps backward we are taking as a society (not just because of Trump but because of how we have been treating one another).
But at the end of the day, it is our responsibility as a community to spread love and reject disrespect and violence, no matter what side you are on.
Also, if you haven't watched President Obama's Farewell speech this week, go watch and grab tissues. His words to Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Vice President Biden (ok those words were in a different speech he gave this week), and our country had me in tears.
Food Obsession:
Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers from Trader Joe's. These super healthy Southwest quinoa burgers with black beans and roasted corn are my go to lunch. I literally can't stop eating them. I make them with whatever is on hand: on top of a slice of toast, on top of a sweet potato, on multi-grain veggie mix with a fried egg on top, mixed into steamed veggies, and sometimes top it with some avocado if I have. Basically, it's the “kitchen sink” of lunches where you can throw it on anything and it's perfect… well maybe not like ice cream, but why would you eat ice cream for lunch? But you can put them in a salad, on a sandwich, even on pizza and they would be amazing!
Movie:
Criminal. Starring Kevin Kostner (and Ryan Reynolds… sorta). This thriller is about a CIA agent who dies so the CIA busts this crazy criminal out of jail and implants the CIA agent's memories into his brain! WTH Who thinks of this stuff?
Tv Show:
If you missed this weeks episode of ABC's Blackish, “LEMONS”, you need to stop everything you are doing and go watch. Blackish is the right mix of comedy, family, and also tackling real world issues when appropriate. It's one of my absolute favorite shows on the air right now and this weeks episode is a must watch even if you've never seen an episode. Also in the same vein of Meryl Streep's speech, an important take on the conversations we should be having in our country today. I'll warn you, it's heavy. I was bawling by the end of it.
Bachelor Week 2 Recap:
Welcome to Week 2 of Nick Trying To Get It In *I mean the Bachelor!*
I honestly can't even keep my thoughts straight for this recap because this episode was so ridiculous… I have sat down to write this five times now, but SO MUCH AND SO LITTLE HAPPENED, I can't even…
The episode starts off with all the girls swooning over Nick, even though they literally met him less than 24 hours ago. #totesnormal
Chris Harrison herds the ladies to give the first date card and some sound advice, “Remember ladies, not all of you will even get a date, and on the group dates there's a crap ton of you so CLAWS OUT BETCHES!” –> flees the scene like a true gentleman.
All the group date numero uno ladies squeal on out (seriously why are they so excited? It reminds me of that episode on “WOOOO” girls on How I Met Your Mother).
They roll up to this gorgeous home where they meet by far the strangest photographer ever. Seriously, why is he wearing a romper? Can I get it at Forever 21? And where did he get those sunnies because I totes want them!
He decides to place the girls in themed wedding gowns because #firstdateDUH
Nick shares his wisdom, “After 10000 million group dates, I'll be honest, I sucked at them. So let's take wedding photos on our first date because I will probably never take them at any other point in my life, #alwaysabridesmaid”
Then the next twenty plus minutes are the Corrine show. And listen, I get it, #VilliansGottaVill (RIP JJ), but can we let up on this “I kissed him first, my name was on the date card first, I'm going to pop his cherry first… (oh wait honey, that ship longgggg sailed).”
The photo shoot begins where it quickly becomes evident that Romper Photog is all about the groping.
“Who's been naughty in Las Vegas? Somebody needs a spanking“
“Somebody's getting frisky that's exactly what I love!”
The photog put Brittany in the “Adam & Eve” bride outfit (is that even a thing? where can I find this trend on Pinterest?). Brittany's response to her topless outfit: “And this is an XS too *sad sigh*) – Girl I so feel you! Props to her for being such a champ
All the other girls are wiping sweat off their brow for dodging that bullet, except (you guessed it!) CORRINE. Corrine is super jealous actually about the topless outfit. We will come back to that though…
The beef is starting to heat up between Mental Health Counselor, Taylor (I can say this because I worked as a mental health counselor and with mental health counselors, people in that field are F*ing crazy. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg with her). Taylor's all, “Why is Corrine rubbing my face in her kiss?” –> It's not just to you honey, it's to everybody. But then Corrine starts throwing some serious shade during the most romantic shoot (that actually could potentially restore America's faith in Nick) with Taylor. All the girls freak out over how sweet and real there kiss is. Then in the masterful editing of the producers (do you guys ever notice the sound changes in the voiceover clips from the producers splicing it together? Love when I catch those) Corrine is all beefy with stepping up her game and taking Taylor down.
Which leads us back to Corrine's jealousy towards Brittany. Corrine wants to make sure Nick “feels the more Corrine side of Corrine” < — that is a direct quote from Corrine! She is now referring to herself in the third person people?!? SOMEONE STEP IN!
And then… as if this sh*t show of making out and groping couldn't get any more awkward… right in front of all the girls. Corrine turns her bare breasts to them and says “Let's Janet Jackson this!“. Nick, rather than saying, “eh that's probably not a good idea in front of the 10 other woman I am dating,” GOES FOR IT!
“There was definitely another spark in that pool.” –> HONEY NO! That was his peen!
“I was daring enough to take my top off” … I guess that's what we are calling it now.
In all of Corrine's gloriousness, Romper Photog obviously awards her with the additional time. WTH did they even do during that time? Dry hump is my guess.
During the second part of this horrible group date, Corrine proceeds to steal Nick first. Then steals him like 4 more times from other women. When she starts catching shade she decides this is a good time to share her wisdom with all of the ladies about how they just need to be themselves and be open and get used to the weirdness.
That is of course, until Taylor (whose one on one time got interrupted by Corrine) in the best move of the episode, goes back and re-interrupts Corrine!! YASSS! At which point, Corrine can't remember the Miss America BS she was spewing at the ladies, and proceeds to insinuate Taylor's interruption was trashy, but her way of doing it (I guess multiple times as opposed to once?) is classy. #mindblown —> that's some serious logic y'all!
In case you were wondering whether or not Nick was done with making brain dead moves, he's not! He doesn't disappoint by making yet another one and giving the rose to Corrine.
PHEW I'm exhausted and this was just the first group date.
So let me go back to one moment on this group date as a pick me up before we get into the rest of this episode: Dolphin girl shares her real name, Alexis, with Nick and introduces herself. She is then placed in the “Shotgun wedding” bride outfit which consists of a baby bump and shotgun. I wish I could find a clip for you all to watch (or rewatch) this. It was the perfect pick me up and break from the Corrine Show. I am so in love with her sense of humor.
Next up, this week's one-on-one date card goes to Danielle M. Seriously, she is so perfect. Their date is pretty boring because it's literally so normal (minus the whole helicopter ride to a yacht with a helipad and jacuzzi). Danielle then, once again stole my heart, when she shared about being previously engaged but her fiance died of an overdose. I was literally crying as she told this story and Nick's response was beautiful, IMO.
Alright, back at the mansion, we have Liz getting a little crazy while chopping body parts, I mean food (did anyone else notice the dead body in the background)?
And holy heck, if I have to hear that Liz met Nick at Jade and Tanner's wedding one more time ABC… Seriously, get a new sound bite!
Liz decides this is a good time to confide about her relationship with Nick to one of the girls. Major props to Christen for actually keeping her mouth shut to all the other girls in the house!
The next group date involves a trip to a Broken Hearts Museum? Is this even a real thing? Where once again ABC lays it on thick with all of Nick's rejections as they showcase Kaitlyn's engagement ring that she never accepted. The girls then all proceed to break up with Nick, because again, #firstdateDUH
I have to say this, it was painful watching this group date. Watching Nick ignore Liz around the museum literally broke my heart. But thennnn… she went ahead and did some crazy shite! She broke up with him using THEIR ACTUAL STORY! WTF She just outed them.
It was so painful to watch. Probably not the best move Liz.
FFWD out of this painfully awkward situation to the evening part of the group date, where Christen shares she knows all about Nick's trip to boom-boom town with Liz. Nick proceeds to finally show Liz some attention and has “the talk”. I really wanted to give Liz the benefit of the doubt here because she is Jade's best friend and we only see 20 minutes of very carefully crafted footage about these people, but she couldn't answer any of his questions or make any sense during this talk. “I don't like to talk on the phone to people I know” <—- So you just like to bust out the phone book and ask strangers if their refrigerator is running? I know last week I said I was excited to watch her, but that ish was just painful. Ultimately he sent her home in the middle of the date. THANK GOODNESS.
After allllll the drama, the episode ended without a rose ceremony!
Yeah, that actually happened ^
Itunes .99 Movie of the week:
ICYMI: Each week Itunes does a .99 rental! You can rent it and “watch now” giving you 24 hours to finish it, or “watch later” giving you 30 days with it. Once you start it though you have 24 hours to finish it!
This week’s movie: Cafe Society. Starring Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, and Steve Carell. This Woody Allen film is set in the 1930s and focuses on a New Yorker visiting Los Angeles, falls in love, then heads back to NYC where he gets swept back up in life.
Item I Can't Live Without:
Nordstrom Sunnies. Seriously how fun are these? They are sold out but I liked a few similar ones below!
Blog Posts I'm Loving This Week:
“‘This Project Will Give You So Much Exposure,' & Other Red Flags I've Grown To Run The Other Way From.” by The Balanced Blonde
“Bloggers Who Inspire: Rachel” by My Little Box of Tricks
“How To Improve Your Credit Score In The Next Year” by Gentwenty
I don’t watch the Bachelor but I do watch Black-ish and I love how funny but real that show is. Also, those burgers from Trader Joe’s are SO yum. I love veggie burgers!
Agreed! And last week’s episode of Black-ish was so good!
I NEED to pick up those quinoa burgers next time I’m at TJ’s. And I also couldn’t believe this week’s Bachelor episode. It was almost unbelievable in that girls don’t start acting crazy and professing falling in love until maybe at least one more week? The producers could have at least told Corrine to come up with a reason that she liked Nick instead of just that she was on a show and wanted to win.
Lol Have you ever watched Unreal? The show on Lifetime created by a former Bachelor producer about what it’s like behind the scenes? It’s a scripted drama, but you still get a better idea of how it all works and it’s so crazy.
ugh, YES, to meryl streep. I didn’t get to watch it live but the next morning I watched it online and my. jaw. just. dropped. awesome!
Agreed! I really don’t get how in the world that deserves a twitter attack. Like what are we going to teach our kids? If you disagree with someone’s POV go on twitter and attack them? #SMH
HAHAHAHA GIRL. Text me ASAP cos we need to hash out this week’s episode.
After it, I think I might hate Nick. I have no words.
Coming Up Roses
Girl, I can’t wait for tonights episode! It’s going to be crazy!
ugh, ugh, ugh I couldn’t HANDLE Corrine! Oh my word, I was absolutely SHOCKED when she took her top off. And then followed up by saying her father would be proud!! AHHH. This episode was unreal! But I did really love Danielle’s date 🙂 She’s so darling!
Lol you are not alone! Danielle is SO darling! Honestly I don’t think she will last because she is just too sugary sweet for him haha
Also Meryl is SO inspirational <3 <3
I’ve been wanting to try that burger from TJs! Also those sunnies look amazing on you! 🙂
Definitely try them! They are SO packed with flavor and an awesome consistency!
Love your recap on the Bachelor! I’m already loving this season but also already so annoyed with some of the girls! Cough cough CORRINE!
Lol thank you! Don’t even get me started on that mess haha
I loved Meryl’s and Obama’s speeches this week! They’re both so inspirational!
-Anna | http://www.fivefootandfabulous.com
Agreed!
I can’t stand Corrine. At all. But in a way, I feel bad for her, as it’s clear she has self esteem issues!
Lol I can’t imagine why! 😉 I honestly go back and forth with whether or not I feel bad for them when I write these and judge them while watching, but the way I look at it is they go on the show knowing what they are getting into and most plan to launch a blog after or model or something. They either choose to play a character or the producers edit them into a character. So my commentary and judgements are on the character not the whole person… but still she probably does have self esteem issues or daddy issues or something which is sad
For real!!!
I need to check out those ‘burgers’ from trader joe’s – always looking for meat alternative, and quinoa’s always an awesome substitute. x, nicole // http://www.nicoleeigh.com
They are delicious and packed with flavor!
I just found your blog and I am so glad I did! I’m obsessed with the Bachelor too and I am dying at your commentary! It’s all so true! Alexis’ shotgun wedding was my favorite and I want to be her friend! Thanks for your tip on the $0.99 movie on iTunes, that’s so great to know for travel planning. Only $0.99 for a movie on my flight, that’s my kind of deal!
Awe that makes me so happy! Alexis is totally my favorite! I want to hang with her haha Yeah and if you have Netflix you can download the movies and shows now for flights which makes it SO easy!
I haven’t seen the bachelor yet so I skipped over that section (coming back to read it when I’m done! I loved your last recap x) but I did see Meryl’s speech (she’s my idol, that woman is a god) and also Obama’s and both were soooo good. To me it’s truly mind blowing that both are getting criticism… but on a more positive note I absolutely LOVE those sunnies!!! x
I was wondering why you didn’t have a bachelor recap up this week actually! And agreed on the speeches! I really don’t get why they are being criticized! They are sharing their opinions respectfully and not starting riots or spreading hate with them.
Haha! Those Bachelor GIFs are too much!
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
Lol thank you Alix
Corrine is TERRIBLE. I also thought that photographer’s romper was RIDIC. Come on people! Ha.
Lol the worst! Tonight is going to be ridiculous!
I really can’t stand Nick – he has not improved my opinion of him by giving Corrine the group date rose after that nonsense!
I really can’t stand Nick – he has not improved my opinion of him by giving Corrine the group date rose after that nonsense!
Came here specifically for the bachelor recap but I’m so happy to see that you watch Blackish. Especially this week’s episode. All the feels dude. Everyone needs to watch that show… seriously why don’t more people know about it?
First of all, that makes me so happy you came for the recap! I always read recaps and find 90% of them to be boring and in turn, always worry whether or not mine are boring too! haha and YAS on Blackish! I didn’t realize more people didn’t what it! That makes me so sad! I think TV has moved away from shows with a lesson/message and it’s really one of the best shows on network television today IMO
Those sunnies are so cute on you, oh my gosh! Thank you for loving our credit blog post this week 🙂
Haha thanks girl! Seriously, it’s a must read! So many people don’t realize how easy it is to repair your credit because it seems like this big scary thing!
I was in tears watch president Obama’s speech too. I am so thankful for his leadership, grace, humility, vision, and hope. Although we are in a very precarious and unsettling period in our history right now, I am also confident in our ability to overcome these obstacles if we work together as a community for justice. Great post Rachel 🙂
It was so good! Unfortunately I really don’t think we will come together though… too much hatred. I really just don’t understand what parents are telling their children, like how can we have real conversations about cyberbullying with a President acting like that?
LOL I literally cannot with the Bachelor last week. Corrine is a disaster and idk why Nick is loving it.
She is such a mess! I think he probably sees a lot of himself in her which is drawing him in TBH. I mean a lot of the things she is doing are things he would do or has done… it’s going to be so explosive when it ends, i am so excited haha
I agree about the backwards direction of our country and how we treat one another, but I’m hopeful we can all rally together to inspire change for the better. As for The Bachelor, that wedding photog totally made my night. His outfit! lol Corinne is beyond self absorbed and her GG sendoff had me rolling my eyes. I laughed as Nick was getting out of the pool with her and he very obviously had to look down to make sure he wasn’t “showing” his happiness over the whole Janet Jackson situation. hehe Love your sunnies!
erin | sandsunandmessybuns.com
Me too Erin <3 Haha I totally didn't notice the out of the pool situation!!! Dyinggg haha!
UHH NO.WORDS. for this weeks bachelor. You were totally spot on in your recap. This is definitely one of the more dramatic seasons ALREADY!! xoxo
Girllll I am with you! I can’t even with this season! I am however, beyond excited for this hot mess to continue on BIP this summer haha
I just speeded through the recap and closed my eyes…sorry! I have it recorded. Travel makes it hard to keep up with your favourite shows! 🙂
I do adore those TJ burgers…actually one of the only brands that I actually like.
Haha don’t apologize I totally get it! Excited for you too catch up! And arent those TJ burgers the best? Seriously I force feed them to all my friends that come over and everyone is so surprised by how good they are! And healthy!
I just watch Meryl Streep’s speech and OMG I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO LOVE HER MORE. Brb, going to watch Barack Obama’s farewell speech now.
Haha right? Hope you enjoyed the farewell speech!
My parents love Blackish!! I’ve seen a few episodes and it definitely has its funny moments! I might have to check out this episode 🙂
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
It’s definitely not a “funny” one but its going to have you feeling all the feels!
Those two speeches were so powerful! I am in love with your sunnies <3
Totally agree and thank you!
I haven’t watched the episode yet and I am now scared for what my poor little eyes will have to witness!! Oh sweet Nick!! Your recaps are hysterical! This one was better than the last 🙂 Keep ’em coming!
Lol it’s painfully awkward at moments! And thank you!! I am SO happy you are enjoying them! I seriously worry whether or not they are boring haha
I loved the Meryl Streep speech so much, so powerful and inspirational. Checking out Obama’s speech now!
Agreed! Hope you enjoy Obama’s too!
Girl! You’ve got me obsessed with The Bachelor! I just wanted to punch Corrine. Like she’s just too much, I can’t even with her. Love your comments above! So glad Liz is gone.
HAHA YASS! So happy you are getting into it! So happy Liz is gone! That turned out to just be painful to watch! While I can’t stand Corrine, I have to such she is such an entertaining villian to watch! xoxo Gossip Girl! Haha
So many people are talking about Blackish lately – I need to check it out!
Definitely do it! It’s a good mix of funny and light hearted as well as tackling important conversations in our country (like the election and police brutality)
I agree with you about the direction of our country right now. Spreading love and acceptance is needed right now. I am behind on the Bachelor. I will have to catch up.
So true <3
Meryl Streep & President Obama’s speeches gave me chills they were both so beautifully written/given. I cried at President Obama’s speech and all I can do is pray that we’re nicer to easy other as well as go out of my way to choose my words and actions carefully!
xoxo
Ashley | http://ablondeandabriefcase.com
Is it just me or is Corrine so cringeworthy that you just cannot turn away for fear of missing the train wreck?
You nailed it! haha I am writing this weeks recap (it’ll be up tomorrow) and Ellen even called her out! haha
Almost watched Criminal last night! Not heard of Blackish before. Will check it out 🙂
Ah I finally started watching the Bachelor! Also, I cried during the farewell speech and I am also scared for what the next few years hold. There is a lot more discrimination and hatred in this country than people wanted to believe.
Corrine is awful and I kind of hate Nick for going with her stunts- completely honest.
I’m so glad you love Danielle too! She’s the sweetest, most genuine girl on the show – I’m obsessed! As far as Corrine… I just can’t.