College financial aid forms…otherwise known as FAFSA…that is my personal hell at the moment. It’s bad enough we have to do our taxes this time of year, but to add in this particular brand of torture? I could do without. And then there is the endless list of scholarships and grants you can apply for. Which ones of the hundreds should you go for, which to skip? Where is that lucky winning lottery ticket when you need it?

Today’s MAC: Project Runway. Interesting challenge, having to design an outfit entirely out of things found in a floral shop. I liked it better than last season’s grocery store challenge. I thought all of the finished designs were really strong. It was a tough call. My pick to go home was Kara, who has been the weakest link of the group, and then last night she pulls out this exquisite dress and almost won the challenge. (Daniel, my favorite, won. Yay, Daniel! 4 time winner!) But Kara staying meant that someone else had to go, and this time it was Andrae. I understood his Audrey Hepburn inspired dress, but out of the group, I can see why he was OUT. I don’t think he was strong enough to make it to the final three, but I was really sorry to see him go. He was a fun character and occasionally he pulled out some really great stuff. (The photo challenge dress from last week in particular.)

Here is Daniel’s winning design. (To see the rest, click on the Project Runway link in the right hand column.)

One gripe was the judges giving the designers a hard time about using so much greenery and not a lot of flowers. They, partially rightly, assumed it was because the designers were afraid of wilting (after seeing Austin’s similar nightmare last year) but what they completely failed to take into consideration was the designers were given a whopping 100 bucks for materials - and flowers are A) expensive and B) don’t cover much ground. The designs had to be 100% foliage, so naturally they went with things that covered more area, were less expensive, and didn’t wilt. No one said they had to use flowers - and a couple of designers found color in different types of leaves. Anyway - that part annoyed me to no end. Although it was cool that designers Badgley and Mischka were part of the judging panel this time. Looked like they were having fun.

So…we’re down to five, all strong designers, although I still think Kara is in jeopardy. And Santino. (His Tim Gunn impressions slay me. For that alone I hope he stays. And Tim brings the major funny in this episode’s pod cast. I loved that he was a good sport about it. Red Lobster anyone?)

Next week’s challenge doesn’t actually look like a lot of fun to me. These guys have been designing non stop under brutal conditions for weeks now and they’re understandably a bit fried. So instead of something fun and inspiring…they get to give each other makeovers. Woo. Hoo. Except, you know, not. I especially feel for those who get stuck designing menswear in this challenge as the entire focus thus far has been women’s wear. It seems those who end up designing for the remaining women would have the edge. Ah well…we’ll see next week!

This episode grade: B+ It was somewhat nonsensical, but I really enjoyed seeing the creativity.

Tune in tomorrow for this week’s giveaway winner!

Tags: Writing //