Project Runway was stellar. Well, it was astrology based, anyway. We start off by bringing back all the designers already booted off. Sigh. I don’t like this season anyway, so the last thing I want is to have any of them back again. Plus, Teri? Starting to get a not-so-nice edit. Or they just can’t avoid it anymore. Take your pick. But girlfriend isn’t exactly a sweetheart. A shame, because I like her as a designer. Figures!

Okay, so the challenge is that they are paired with an auf’d designer to create an avant garde look. No one, and I mean, no one, looks happy about this. Such sour pusses you’ve never seen. Including my own. They are told that the auf’d folks can’t come back and they are meant to inspire only. And, that the outfit has to be inspired by the astrological sign of one of each pairing. Yay. Except, oh yeah, not.

Wow, this season is just so uneven for me. I really liked last week’s challenge, then we’re back to oddball stuff. They pair them up in order of the designer’s astrological sign and most seem happy enough with their pairings…except for Teri/Keith. Now, I’m pretty sure no one wanted to get Keith, but these two are probably the worst combo possible. And suddenly, I’m more interested in the show. Hey, I’m out for any entertainment value I can get at this point. Lots of Sag’s and Libran’s. Hmm.

So, Teri/Keith don’t disappoint. Keith’s all “I’m so fragile, I was just auf’d and I might have a breakdown momentarily and it won’t be pretty, so use me, don’t abuse me” and Teri’s all “seriously, you suck, sit there and shut your whiny wuss face.” Or, you know, words to that effect. I didn’t think I’d be in that place of wanting her to go home, but….yeah, she needs to join Keith on the train to Humbleville. Two tickets. Express lane. Kenley can get in the ticket line right behind them. Two go home, so if I cross my fingers and wish rilly, rilly hard?

Oh, and can Stella come back?

They get surprised with a cocktail gathering prior to the runway show which no one is prepared for, and get there to find the guests are former contestants from past seasons. Now that part? Fun. More former contestants! Less currently former contestants! Unfairly, I think, the former contestants get to choose who wins and who goes home, and the outfits aren’t really finished. A shame, there. Unless of course Teri, who is bitching already, is the one they choose. Then I’m totally okay with the format. And can we sent Keith home again? Yes? Wonderful.

So, they finally finish and walk the runway (oh, so two go home based on the runway votes, and the winner is based on the party votes.) There are mostly outfits I don’t like, and then there’s the ones I hate. Not much love this go around from me. Joe’s was the only one I liked. (He’s so off/on for me. A shame.) And with the way Teri/Keith have been going at it, I’m hoping they’re getting the airtime because she’s toast. (Tim had to wake Keith up in the break room to attend the runway showing.) Seriously with these two. Go home now. Kenley should be Thing 2. (Yes, Blayne’s was crazy bad, but he doesn’t make me crazy.)

Oh, and Suede? You’re in the bottom, so referring to yourself in the third person to the judges? Could you be any more affected? Thank you Kors for calling him out, just wish you’d done it to his face.

I’m so not being nice here, I know, but….yeah…I’m seriously not enjoying the show. And the judges were meaner than me.

Please, revive this show next week. This is me…begging.

There is no discussion re: the winner, since the former designers did the voting. For some reason I can’t begin to fathom, Jerrell’s piece wins. Maybe it looked better in the dark at the party, but I thought it was a wild jumble, though I did like the design of the skirt.

And the losers? Not Kenley. So, Teri, Blayne, and/or Suede. Has to be Blayne and Teri. Suede’s wasn’t avant enough, but otherwise not bad. Blayne is sent home and doesn’t even get a ringside kiss from Heidi. And woo hoo, Teri is gone. Wow did the mighty fall. Makes me wonder what we didn’t see in previous weeks. I liked her going in. But don’t let the door hit ya.

Right now, my faves are Leanne (no one is more shocked than me) and and Korto. Next to leave? I think Joe and Suede could walk. I like both of their work off and on, but attitude and taste wise, I think it’s their time. I’ve given up on Kenley ever leaving. But that goes without saying.

What did you think?

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack. Details in Monday’s post! Winner announced tomorrow along with the latest dish on Big Bro.

Now it’s your turn! DISH already!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Last night on Big Brother we get the luxury trip, the POV, and an eviction. Woot! So, Dan takes Michelle on the private beach trip, and I think maybe he scored a few points. At the very least, she doesn’t want to do bodily harm anymore. It definitely didn’t hurt him. Then Memphis wins the POV, but only because Dan basically takes a damn nap so he doesn’t have to be the one to send Keesha home. I tell you, like him or no, his strategy in this game has been pretty spot on. On the way out, after Memphis’ betrayal, she’s all Pro Dan, and he whispers to her that he took Michelle on the beach trip, and to help him secure her vote. Was Keesha pissed? No, because she’s too busy being pissed at Memphis. Seriously, brill.

Now we’re in stage one of the final HoH, winner of which gets to choose who goes with to the final two. I’m hoping for a Dan/Memphis finale, but now I firmly want Dan to win. He’s played this game. He deserves it.

Tonight it’s Project Runway Does Astrology with the return of some former winners and I hope Siriano delivers a smackalicious smackdown on wanna-be-phrase-creater Blayne. Mostly because it’ll be like the Smurf vs the Oompa Loompa. Fun for all!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. Details in Monday’s post.

So….DISH! Who wins? Do we care?

Tags: Writing by Donna
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It’s Monday, and the tides have receded. For those in the path of Ike, my thoughts are with you. Stay safe!

Last night on Big Brother, the only person safe is apparently Dan. He’s a good strategist and after winning HoH and the Luxury Competition, seems to be making pretty good decisions on how not to have the world’s biggest target on his back. He wins a trip to a remote beach and is told, in the Diary Room, out of earshot of his housemates, that he can take a fellow housemate, or someone from the jury house. He immediately figures that taking anyone from the house will create ill will and possibly out his alliances, so he chooses jury house member, thinking best case is it swings him a vote, worst case is, it doesn’t cost him one. He chooses Michelle. Not a bad choice, all in all. (Given the choices are her, Ollie, April, or Libra….seriously? Can I just go alone?) The only way it will backfire is if Michelle blabs to the house that he took her along, as he’s kept that little part a secret. Risky, but whaddya gonna do?

Then it’s time to put folks on the block and though Memphis realllllly doesn’t wanna, they both realize it’s to their best advantage, for multiple reasons, to put him up there. So, it’s Memphis and Jerry on the block, leaving Jerry stymied and thinking he has a possible in with Memphis now, and Keesha thrilled and thinking she has a chance at Final 2 with Dan. Both are wrong. But Dan? Still smelling like a rose. That’s not easy in this game.

For me, I’d like to see Memphis, Dan and Keesha in the final 3. That’s a finale I can be excited about, but in the end, I’d like it to be the guys who go all the way. (Wait, that sounded so wrong….) I’d like Dan to win, as I think he’s played the hardest, but I’d be good with either of them. (Why yes…yes, I would.)

Of course, reading the live feed updates, I already know who won POV, but I ain’t tellin! Tune in Tuesday night for that….or Wednesday morning here.

Now, on to the SHaQ Attack contest for the week. My current work in progress features a Kiwi hero (New Zealander)…so, I’m thinking this week you have to name any two of my heroes who aren’t native to the U.S…OR a native of Scotland. (HA!) What, did you think I’d make it that easy?

Winner gets a free book. Alls ya gotta do is send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “A man with an accent, yum” in the subject line and the hero’s names and homeland in the email itself. Winner announced on Friday.

Happy hunting! Best of luck.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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On Big Brother, the loser was Renny, who was sent packing last night. The winner was Dan, who snagged the HoH. Buh Bye, Jerry! I loved the sumo wrestler when they went back inside. Glad that was about a luxury comp and not for POV. This coming week will be intense! I’d like to see Memphis and Dan go to the Final 2 and I’d be happy with a win for either of them. (And wow, catty much in the Jury House about Keesha? Talk about the mean girl brigade. Wow.)

We have more winners to announce!

I held a contest on my website this past month to announce the launch of the new format, and to celebrate, the winner receives a complete signed set of the Black Sheep trilogy and an advance copy of To All A Good Night. The contest ended this past Labor Day Weekend, and I’m happy to announce the winner is Valerie E. of North Carolina. Woo hoo, Valerie! Thanks so much for visiting the site and entering the contest! Your goodies will be on their way to you soon.

In this week’s SHaQ Attack contest, I asked you to name the three Christmas anthologies I’ve been a part of. The correct answer is Merry Christmas, Baby, Jingle Bell Rock, and To All A Good Night. There were a bunch of entries this week, but only one winner! And that would be Cheryl C from Georgia!

Way to represent the south ladies!!

Tune in next week for another giveaway. In the meantime, I hope everyone stays safe in the impending hurricane and tropical storm zones! I know my family and I are scattered up and down the southern east coast and we’re doing a little battening of hatches here as Hanna heads our way. Let’s hope all it brings us is some rain.

In the meantime, let’s DISH already!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Okay, so it worked better when Marlon Brando did it. What didn’t work? Stella’s outfit last night on Project Runway. Do I agree with the ousting? No I do not. But that matters not. PR didn’t consult me. (The nerve, really.) Yes, I get she’s been in the bottom over and over, mostly due to poor construction, I don’t think she sews fast, but her ideas have been interesting and focused and she definitely has a point of view. Mostly I wanted her around because she’s interesting and entertaining. Unlike, say, Joe, who has gone so far down my I Like List as to not be on it anymore. I’d have sent him packing.

And both Jerell and Blayne made serious wtf outfits and neither got called out? Oookay. Sure, Suede’s wasn’t all that and a questionable back slit, but seriously? Did you see those pantaloons on Blayne’s model? And, well, every damn thing Jerrel’s model was wearing?

Terri is apparently wearing thin on everyone, but I still like her aesthetic. Korto is definitely starting to come out of her shell, but needs to do more of that on the runway. (They’re saying nice things, Korto, smile for god’s sake.) However, someone needs to keep Kenley on her meds as the mood swings are getting a little overwrought. Yes, it was touching that she was so in awe of Diva Von Furstenburg, but after a while? Just sew, Kenley. And next week it looks like she’s back to inappropriate giggling girl. Yikes.

I will get behind Leanne for the win last night, which surprises no one more than me as I’m not generally a fan, but that dress was smokin hot and the shrunken coat was a cute contrast. And, most importantly, she listened to Our Tim about the jacket and actually Made A Change. Other designers? Pay attention. I also liked her more after her I Want To Be A Spy moment. Actually cute.

Next? Kenley and Joe need to leave. And maybe auf’d designers come back? Yay. Not.

No chance to watch the new Top Design, but perhaps after the latest update on Big Bro, it will happen tonight. Maybe MAC tomorrow.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest - details in Tuesday’s post and winner announced tomorrow!

Your turn - DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, last night on Big Brother, Memphis wins the POV (woot!) which was another one of those freaky face meld things. Renny takes ten times as long as anyone else, but according to the live feed recappers, both she and Keesha were smashed out of their minds going into the event, which apparently took the hammies by surprise. So….ha. Memphis saves Dan, Renny is the only hammy left, so up she goes and I fear it’s buh bye Renny. A shame, but she made waaaaaay longer in the game than I thought she would. Funny how that works out, same as with Sheila last season. Most impressive is that Memphis managed to, more or less, keep his bargains with all three hammies that will be left. Pretty tricky game play my mixologist friend. But, for the love of Fruit of the Loom, can you please stop with the deep v-neck tshirts? Not doing you any favors. That said, can’t wait to see how Thursday shakes out with the HoH! Just Not Jerry. Please.

In other news, there was some fantastic tennis played in New York yesterday at the Open. Federer was pushed to five sets, Djokovic was never going to get off the court, then Roddick was done in ninety minutes. Some really fun stuff was going on for us home viewers. It’s been a good fortnight so far! Looks like we might be headed to another Rafa-Fed finale, which wouldn’t break my heart in the least. But I fear that Federer, who is overcoming a hefty bout of mono, will be the weaker of the two, literally, after that five setter. We’ll see! Roddick, with new coach Pat McEnroe, is playing like the Old Andy, so he could be the upset in this. I wouldn’t mind that a bit, either. Fun stuff.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest - details in Tuesday’s post. Tune in tomorrow for some Tim Time Project Runway MAC…..and maybe some Top Design MAC to boot! Woot!

Your turn…..DISH already!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Hope everyone had a wild and wonderful holiday weekend. Today is the first day of school here in my home town and for the first time in 20 years, I didn’t have anyone to send out the door! So weird!

I did get to watch Big Brother on Sunday - not nearly as satisfying as last Thursday. I wanted Dan to win the HoH, but noooo, it was Jerry. The only one I really wanted gone. Kinda hard to do that when he’s the HoH now isn’t it? Which means one of the Final 4, or what was supposed to be the Final 4, will leave a week early. I was kind of looking forward to the Memphis/Dan vs Keesha/Renny week. Now we get PeePaw hanging around another week to bore them silly with his long stories. (Feed viewers apparently were entertained by his story of hiring a Korean hooker for a month while in the service. Way to make your family proud, JerBear. Mention that on camera and then go into great detail on how great it was. You gotta wonder.) Btw, he puts up Dan and Keesha.

So, being a feed recap reader, I know who wins POV and what happens on the block, but in the interest of not spoiling anyone, I’ll wait until tomorrow after the official airing tonight. Regardless, it’s gonna be an interesting week.

Now for the SHaQ Attack contest! As of this fall, with the release of To All A Good Night, I will have been involved in three Christmas theme anthologies. Name all three and you’ll be in the running for a free book. Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Dear Santa…” in the subject line and the title of the three books in the email. Winner announced Friday! Good luck!

Only a few more weeks until the fall season kicks in and we have fun stuff to dish about. In the meantime, who’s your odds on fave to win Big Bro? (Dan or Memphis for me.) Who would you like to see depart next on Project Runway? (Buh bye, Kenley please.) Oh, and this week launches Bravo’s second season of their interior design reality series, Top Design, with Todd Oldham. I’m tuning in!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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