LynnNChicago

LynnNChicago  Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis / Around The World In 80 Plates / Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Blogs

Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis by BB

Mark DeCarlo is a comedian, host and producer who resides in Los Angeles, CA, with his girlfriend, Yeni, a voice-over artist and writer.

Mark tore his house down to the studs and rebuilt it.  He’s not happy about people coming in to change it.  Yeni is all for the change and is looking forward to Jeff and Jenni’s help.  She’s the one who contacted Jeff.  Mark is content with the way it is.  Mark’s house is very eco-friendly.  Jeff appreciates this, but thinks the house looks like Taco Bell circa 1982.  Even Taco Bell has updated their look since then.

While Mark gives a tour of the house, Yeni is pretty quiet.  Everything Mark loves Jeff hates.  They have a major disconnect and Jeff doesn’t see how they are going to work together.

Mark loves himself and he is all over the house.  Yeni wants more of her in the house.  Mark goes through the house telling Jenni and Jeff what cannot be changed.  None of the walls can be touched, he loves his kitchen, he loves everything else about it.  Jeff says the only thing left he would be allowed to do is change the furniture.  They go look at the backyard and Jeff gets inspired about redoing it.  He hopes Mark will let him do what he wants outside.

Mark tells Jeff the room that needs the most work is the closet and asks them to put his shirts in order from light to dark.  Mark wants nothing changed.  Mark and Jeff have similar senses of humor, but Jeff does not want to work with Mark.  Yeni either wants the great room or the back yard redone.

Jeff and Jenni meet with Yeni to talk about what she wants.  She decides she’d rather have the back yard redone.  Yeni agrees that the gym equipment Mark wants back there can be included.  Jeff and Jenni say no gym equipment will be going back there.  It’s going to be the way she wants it, not the way Mark wants it.

On day two Jeff and Jenni meet in the back yard to decide what needs to be done.  Jeff wants to start over.  Jeff and Jenni tell Mark they will be redoing the back yard and Jeff will not tell Mark what the plans are.  Mark asks about his workout stuff and they are not telling him anything about his workout stuff.  Mark is a controller who manipulates by using comedy.  Jeff knows because he uses that tactic himself.  They will all be shopping together for a Jacuzzi, but everything else is going to be a surprise.

Jenni is looking forward to this spectacle this week because it’s going to be two Jeffs (Jeff and Mark) going toe to toe.  Jeff gets the contractor to cover all the windows with solid plastic because he doesn’t want Mark and Yeni to know what’s going on in the back yard.

They all go hot tub shopping.  Jeff picks one out that would fit the yard space perfectly.  Yeni and Mark think it’s way too small.  Mark and Yeni go to a really big Jacuzzi and Jeff is thinking it’s too much of a party tub and kind of boogie nights.  They go back and forth between the big and little hot tubs.  They finally decide on one in between.

Jeff and Jenni check on the progress in the back yard.  Jeff is not happy with the progress and they are already behind schedule.  Jeff is concerned there is not going to be enough room for the hot tub they selected and he wishes he would have just gone with the small one and not asked Yeni and Mark for their opinions.

On day three, Jeff wants to start building the pergola and try to resolve some space issues.  The biggest problem is the larger hot tub issue.  Mark and Yeni are sitting inside the house wondering what all the noise is about.  Mark is nervous because it sounds like a lot more going on that what he was led to believe.  The hot tub salesman shows up and they figure the best way to get the hot tub in there is to use a helicopter; but that costs $5,000.

Mark has made a list of things he does and does not want done in the back yard.  Jeff has met his match.  It’s the war of the micro-managers.  Jeff does not like that Mark will not defer to him as the design expert.  Jeff would defer to Mark as the comedy expert.  They all go shopping for fountains.  Mark has always wanted angels peeing.  Of course, a big fountain splashing game ensues where everyone gets wet and wild.  Mark figures it’s the first time Jeff has ever gotten women wet.  (He said it, I didn’t.)  Jeff knows how to shop for Mark.  Get the exact opposite of what he picks out.

The pergola didn’t get framed and Jeff wants to make sure there will be enough people there tomorrow to finish on time.  They go over the list Mark gave them and it has a very complicated lighting plan.  They get Rosie, the electrician, to come and talk to Mark.  Mark tries to explain to Rosie what he wants.  It’s making Mark nervous.  Mark asks Jeff what the hell is going on outside and Jeff tells him he needs to make room for the petting zoo.  It’s time for Mark, Yeni and their doggie to go to the hotel for the next two days.

Jeff is not happy with how slowly Rosie the electrician is moving.  A large crane shows up to

get the Jacuzzi into the back yard.  It will be lifted and moved over the top of the house.  The hot tub has been the bane of Jeff’s existence in this design.  Jeff and Jenni get very nervous about the crane hanging over the house.  The crane is not big enough for the job.  The hot tub is hanging over the house when Jeff is told the crane has gone as far as it can go.  It can’t even reach the back yard, must less the third tier. They have to get men to get on the roof and swing the hot tub from the roof to over the yard area.  Every person there had to help get the Jacuzzi where it belonged.

Rosie is not done with the electrical so he’s going to have to stay late to finish on time.  The next morning Rosie is not finished and it’s four hours to the reveal.  They are going to have to move the reveal to that night.  It’s not going to be good if the lighting and Jacuzzi don’t work for the reveal.

Zoila is brought in to clean the house from where the back yard dirt has been tracked into the house.  Jeff stays in the house to help Zoila because he’s too stressed to be out back.  Jenni knows her boss well and takes over the outside work.  The lighting and electrical finally get done and the furniture gets brought in.

That night Mark and Yeni return for the big reveal. Oh, my.  That back yard is beautiful.  It’s a wonderful oasis with the plants, stones, fountains, a lovely sitting area under a pergola, and of course, the spa.  Mark told Jeff he really listened to what he wanted and he is totally happy with the space.  Mark now feels motivated to change the inside.  Yeni knows she could have never done it without Jeff and Jenni.  Jeff and Mark have a big hug and then Mark tells them the get out.

I’ve really enjoyed this show and definitely hope it gets renewed for another season.  It has become one of my favorites.

Thanks BB, great job as always!  I really enjoyed this show even better than Flipping Out, Bravo was sure to remind us that it will be back soon!  We want this show back soon!  Lynn~

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Around the World in 80 Plates by BB

Tonight’s episode takes place in Lyon, France. Chaz won the title as most valuable chef last week for the Black Team so he will get to pick his team for the next challenge and they will be traveling first class to France.  The rest will make up the Red Team and be traveling in the club car.  Chaz chooses Cheven because of his bread pudding on the last challenge; Avery for her steak and kidney pie; Gary because he’s fluent in French; and Nookie because he’s spent a lot of time in France.  Chaz also has immunity for this challenge.

The Red Team tries to get to know each other in the club car.  It consists of Nick, Liz, Jenna, Sai, Nicole, and John.  Most of the chefs have a problem with Sai, who keeps talking about Thai food, which seems to be the only type of food she knows how to cook.

The first task on the course for each team is to reach the location marked on the map.  Cheven drives the lead gar with Gary.  Chaz, Nookie and Avery follow in another car.  The Red team is led by Jenna, who will not shut up and is pretty bossy.  Cheven misses the exit and Chaz gets frustrated and exhibits a little road rage.  The Red Team gets to their destination first.

They are in a very pretty part of the countryside.  They meet Jean-Marc, a farmer who has a table full of sheep cheese.  Two team members have to identify six cheeses.  Jenna and John volunteer for the tasting.  Jenna thinks she has identified them correctly, but it’s a big “No.”  They try again unsuccessfully.  The Black Team arrives and Cheven and Gary volunteer to be the tasters.  Cheven calls himself a certified cheese guy.  After a bunch of “nos” by the farmer, the Black Team finishes first.  It takes the Red Team a few more tries.

The next course task is for the teams to herd four sheep with either red or black spots on their sides into a pen.  They can’t touch the sheep.  The Red Team is about five minutes behind the Black Team.  Watching both teams herd the sheep is pretty funny, especially Jenna who is screaming at her team pretty much the whole time.  Jenna is kind of annoying.  Gary starts talking to the sheep in French, hoping that will help.  Cheven let’s three sheep out of the pen after they have been herded in.  Cheven is big goof ball.  The Black Team finishes first and leaves to meet Curtis at the next location, which is a large red barge.

The last task is a wine tasting in which they will pair eight wines with foods that make up their ingredients.  Cheven volunteers right away and Nookie is not happy since he was so bad with the cheeses.  Cheven says he knows his wine.  Nookie has to step up and does the math and they finally get it correct.  The Red Team catches up with them, but it’s too late and they don’t even get to do the last challenge.  The Black Team wins the exceptional ingredient.  The exceptional ingredient is a master class with one of the most respected chefs in France.

The next day each team will be taking over two local restaurants and must prepare four traditional Lyonnais dishes, one of which must be a quenelle.  Quenelle [kuh-NEHL]- A light, delicate dumpling made of seasoned, minced or ground fish, meat or vegetables bound with eggs or panada. This mixture is formed into small ovals and gently poached in stock. Quenelles are usually served with a rich sauce and can be used as a first course, main course or garnish.

The Red Team will be on their own for dinner while the Black Team will be getting a lesson from a master chef, Chef Joseph.  They have a traditional Lyonnais dinner, including a quenelle.  They taste the quenelle and Avery thinks she can make it the next day.  The Red team studies the menus of local restaurants.  They find a restaurant that has quenelle and try to figure out the ingredients.  Chef Josef has told the Black Team what ingredients go into a quenelle.  The Red Team goes over the menu for the next day and Jenna insists there will be a desert.  Chef Josef is flirting with Avery which irritates Chaz because he thinks they should all be concentrating on the food.

For the Red Team, Jenna will be working the front of the house because she speaks a little French.  John is making a sauce for a fish dish Nicole is preparing.  Sai is preparing a salad and isn’t able to make poached eggs.  John thinks if you can’t poach an egg, you don’t belong in the kitchen.  Nick’s attempt at a quenelle is not going well.

The Black Team starts their meal and Avery is very excited to be doing the quenelle.  Gary will be working the front of the house.  He speaks French very well.

The Red Team will be serving first.  Curtis and Cat show up with chefs Jacotte Brazier and Gregory Cuilleron.  The Red Team has trouble and cannot call their quenelle a quenelle.  They call it a dumpling.  It’s not a hit.  Nicole’s haddock dish is good, but they run out of it too early.  Sai has trouble getting her salad finished.  It only has four components and she is slow getting it together.  John has already made up his mind she’s going if they lose.  The diners love Sai’s salad once they get it.  The desert is good, but not a traditional dish.

Now it’s the Black Team’s turn. Their quenelle is a big hit.  The vegetable salad is not a hit.  The foie gras is a hit with some, but not with others.  The chicken is late getting out and the diners don’t like the large portions without a side dish.  Avery starts cutting the servings down and the judges notice it.  Chaz is pissed off at Cheven and regrets choosing him for his team because he tried to take over the expediting in the kitchen.  Cheven is Chaz’s target if they lose.

Long story short, the diners voted the Black Team as the winner.  Their quenelle was superb and Curtis and Cat choose Avery as the most valuable chef.  Chaz is totally pissed that Avery was picked as the most valuable chef.  I don’t get his rationale.  Avery made the best dish.

The Red Team has to decide who is going home.  Nick gets looked at for his failure to make the quenelle.  John takes up for Nick and points the finger at Sai.  She only had to do a salad and keeps making excuses because she only knows how to cook Thai food.  They also consider Nicole for not getting the haddock out on time.  They eliminate Sai.  I agree that Sai needed to be a little more well-rounded chef to compete, but I feel bad that she prepared one of the dishes the diners actually liked.

Next week the chefs will be in Barcelona, Spain.

I’m so glad Sai is gone, she hung her hat on one thing. Maybe if they had gone to Thailand first, she’d have been around a little longer but it was a done deal that she had to go.  You can’t only cook one style of food and expect to be successful on a show called “Around the World”.  Thanks BB – outstanding!   Lynn~

Fashion Round Up – Real Housewives of Orange County by MichellefromNY

Vicki– I know Vicki is considered one of the “smart” housewives on the OC, but her underage style faux pas shows incredible fashion stupidity. Each week, I’m always shocked by how inappropriately Vicki dresses. This isn’t to say the other women don’t dress equally age-inappropriate, just Vicki is a)much older than these women and b)doesn’t have the amazing bodies that Alexis, Tamra, and Gretchen all have. I mean, Vicki considers herself a professional. How do people take her seriously when she dresses like a teenager?

 

This outfit she sports while arguing with Briana is a perfect example of adolescent dress. The black furry vest combined with the tacky, gold satin, ill-fitting top makes her look like a middle-aged cheap hooker. A crass analogy, I know, but it’s true. Those slacks which should elevate the outfit to a more “sophisticated” tone, only serves to confuse the overall look and are not properly tailored to boot. As usual, Vicki over-accessorized with a dizzying combination of hoops, glittery necklace, bracelet, and cocktail ring. Her hair pulled back in a pouffy half-up half-down style only further pushes down the age level of who this outfit would look appropriate on–say, a 13 year old. Seriously, Vicki needs a stylist, stat.

 

Alexis– Alexis is in full-on glam (or tacky?) mode. I’m not a fan of the tiara, but I understand that this is a “princess” party, so I’ll let that one pass (after all, who doesn’t want to pretend they’re a princess for a day? Let’s forget the fact that this was her children’s day, but moving on). The statement cuff and necklace combination is a bit much. Alexis would have been wise to edit a bit when it comes to her jewelry, but the simplicity of her black dress kind of offsets the overkill of the bling. I kind of like the black dress, but I’m getting a cheap, polyester vibe; plus that V-neck collar looks off to me.

 

Gretchen– Gretchen looks great here–nice chiffon aqua button down that looks amazing contrasted against her hair. She went for a simple pendant necklace that both stands out and brings her outfit to polished perfection. Her white pants fit well and are perfectly cuffed and tailored. Her nude pumps are a nice feminine touch. My take? I think Gretchen got dressed in her most sophisticated yet casual outfit to visit casa de Dubrow and impress her richer and better dressed castmate.

 

 

Heather– Wearing a black v-neck sweater dress, Heather looks simple yet chic. Heather never over-accessorizes and her simple gold hoops are just the perfect touch of sparkle. Scallop detailing at the shoulder provides interest and the black leather boots gives her outfit a casual, downtown edge.

 

 

 

Tamra– When you compare this shapeless aqua top to Gretchen’s similar aqua button down number, it’s a world of difference. Gretchen’s is chic and perfectly tailored, while Tamra’s has sheer floaty sleeves and panels that is just completely unflattering on her. For a procedure, she sure is wearing a lot of makeup and jewelry, but it’s not like she had to go completely under like her last procedure, so who am I to complain? I do like her black jeans since the dark wash lends a more mature vibe, but the top is killing me.

Love it Michelle!  Thanks so much for the great Fashion Round-Up!    Lynn~

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Congratulations to Andy Cohen!  His book Most Talkative made the New York Times Bestseller list during its first week of release.

Let me know if there is any interest in this book as the 4th selection of the LynnNChicago Book Club?

How is everyone doing with our current selection, Skinnydipping by Bethenny Frankel?  Are we ready to schedule a discussion?  Let me know!

I’m anxious to hear what you all think about the book vs. Bethenny’s real life, it certainly all seems to fit as more of a biography than a work of fiction.

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Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Blogs

Caroline Manzo

Skipping the opening BS…

I’m going say this for the last time — an apology is only an apology when it’s sincere. Issues go way beyond the cookbook. The cookbook is trivial nonsense. I don’t attack anyone, I respond to comments made about me. I don’t back down, and I won’t play the game. I say it as I see it and will never hide behind an insincere apology or a fake friendship. If that’s being a bully, then so be it. I’m a bully.

Who asked you to keep saying it?  We heard you the first time.  That doesn’t mean we have to agree with you, just as being louder doesn’t make it true, repeating it over and over doesn’t make it right either.  Reprimanding viewers in your blog is not usually the preferred way to go Caroline.  Just sayin’  Teresa apologized, you didn’t find it sincere and didn’t accept the apology.  We have to wait and see, read between the lines and go on blind faith that you are right and Teresa is wrong…got it.

My kids drive me nuts, they love to tease me and see how far they can push the envelope before I snap. They almost got me this time. The boys are on the cusp of seeing BLK really become a nationally recognized brand and BAM! Christopher is buying a Jaguar! No! Slow down! It’s too soon, save your money! This is what was going through my mind as I walked into the dealership. It was quite a surprise. I love Al, my kids, and my car!

Victoria hit the nail on the head — yes, I stayed away from the pool party on purpose. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m keeping everyone at arms length, because I don’t want to be a wedge in the Gorga/Giudice/Wakile issue. This was an intimate family party. If I went every move I made would have been analyzed. Who sat with who, what did you say to her, what did she say to you? Not playing, staying away makes the most sense. I spoke to Kathy about it, and I hope she and Rich understand.

Wow,  you really think a lot of yourself.  You really think anyone cares who you sit with and what you say?  I’m guessing not as much as you think they do.

P.S. I LOVE ROSIE! She is pure sunshine, absolute sunshine.

Ok, I agree with this, Love Rosie!

Albert and I have been together over 30 years. We dated for three years and will be celebrating our 28th Anniversary in July. I love that man more than words can say. I hit the jackpot. He is kind, he is funny, he is strong, he is loving, a great dad, and my best friend. We’ve been through everything together; we faced the hard times and came through it stronger and better for it. Life is good.

You two do have a lot in common, you favor your sons and call your daughter fat, well done.

Kathy Wakile

Oh come on Kathy!  5 long pages?  The show wasn’t as long as your blog….sigh.  I anticipate skipping a lot here…

When Richie and I were discussing the events of the solstice party, I was giving my opinion about the comments Teresa made to her brother Joey about Melissa. Whatever her motivation was, whether she felt she was justified or not, my feelings are that she was wrong to say that to her brother. Again, that’s my opinion and I’m entitled to have one. I felt that it was a toxic statement that would serve no purpose other than to be hurtful. As you noticed I stayed out of that entire conversation and kept my opinion to myself where Teresa was concerned. I did not want to get involved because, as we all know, anything that I approach Teresa with gets taken the wrong way. I had made a conscious decision at the BLK launch party to try to mend our relationship. I don’t know exactly what Teresa is going through, and I don’t want to add another set of opinions to her plate that would overwhelm her, and quite frankly she would clearly not listen to them anyway.

The “quite frankly” and beyond wasn’t necessary and actually changed the entire meaning and feel of the whole paragraph.  Kathy is entitled to her opinion and I was giving her kudos for her plan to make things right with Teresa, until she added that last sentence.

Richie, on the other hand, has had enough of seeing me continuously try to give Teresa the benefit of the doubt and make excuses for her comments and actions. Keep in mind that I’ve been doing this for years, way before we joined the show. I would make excuses for her actions because I felt she didn’t know any better and I would try to help her see another point of view.

That is a bit condescending, “she didn’t know better”?

Richie has seen my hurt and disappointment time after time where Teresa is concerned, and like any loving and protective husband he’s fed up. His comments come from frustration. I will admit they are often over-the-top, but that’s just Richie. One of the most wonderful qualities that Richie has is to be able to assess a situation, and whether it’s in the form of a joke or a serious answer, he comes up with a solution. When he’s joking you have to know it, because it’s so ridiculous and sarcastic. But when he’s serious it’s logical and it’s a solution that will help everyone involved. He has the ability to see the big picture and the end result before anyone else even thinks about it. You’ve already seen that illustrated very profoundly this season.

I wish I could say the same about some of the other negative and adolescent comments that were made in this episode. Well at least now I know where the tweets about me looking like a frog came from. Ribbit! Ha! Ha! I thought that was pretty funny actually. A frog has big eyes and so do I. Ha! Ha! But just to quote one of my favorites, “Baby, I was born this way!” I’m glad Richie loves my big eyes. The other comments, however, not so funny. Teresa must have thought they were all pretty hysterical as well, because I didn’t see her interrupting Joe when he was way out of line.

Kathy found it funny that Joe Giudice called her “frog face”, I wonder how funny the rest of his comments were to Kathy.  It’s all well and good to have a sense of humor and to be able to laugh at yourself but Juicy Joe isn’t funny, he is mean and vile.

You know what, after reading Kathy’s entire blog…. I just can’t.  It’s too long and there is nothing new here..if you want to read it, it’s over at Bravotv.com  Trust me, it’s 15-minutes of your life you’ll never get back.  I like Kathy and all but it’s too much!

Teresa Giudice

Yes, I skipped the first three pages, it is three pages of advertisement for her book and her cocktails.

All right, this week’s RHONJ episode: I have to say it was a mix of good and bad. I loved watching Caroline and Albert celebrate their anniversary. The pictures of Albert and Albie were too precious! I didn’t so much love Caroline making judgments about me again, pretending to know what’s in my head. Sad.

That was mighty nice to say about Albert and Caroline, I found it pretty dull myself.

I loved seeing my girls get to play with their cousins. They miss seeing my brother’s kids. I didn’t love the talk my brother and I had. I really, really didn’t want to get into it at a pool party my kids were at, because I knew how it would go. And it went that way… and worse. You didn’t even see the entire argument. Joey’s explosion at me was insane, scary, and yes, really, really hurtful to me. Anyone else notice that in four seasons I’ve never cried except when it comes to Joey? I’m not a crier! But this whole thing breaks my heart.

This makes me crazy because Teresa is implying that her brother scared her, using the word “explosion” makes it sound as if he is violent.  I do not for one second believe that Teresa is afraid of her brother getting physical yet she implies it here.  Not nice.

But it was a year ago, and I’ve moved on to happier, more positive things. I pray that we can all be a family again someday, and I’ll keep praying for that.

To answer your questions, I don’t read the other ladies’ blogs. I hope they are all in happy, positive places as well.

Not buying that, not for one second, I believe that she reads every word.

Finally, I want to talk about my Joe. I love him for who he is. He’s the same guy now as when I first met him when we were kids. He’s old-school Italian, he says what he thinks, he’s tough, but has an amazing heart. He’s a great dad. He’s my best friend. He’s amazing.

I do believe that he has the same mentality as when they were kids, the same IQ, the same immaturity and the same vulgar mouth as well.  Would a great dad tell his daughter to “shut the hell up”?  No!  How about pouring a glass of wine while your daughter is bleeding.  Sure it was a small bleeder but he didn’t know that because he didn’t bother to look.  What about getting drunk and embarrassing your kids?  Great dad?  No way in hell!   He is not amazing, he’s an ass!

Of course, he’s not perfect. He doesn’t always say the right thing. But I married him for him. I didn’t marry a Simon. He doesn’t wear bowties and drink tea with his pinkie up.

No one asked him to be a Simon or a pansy, how about just being a man, step up and work hard to take care of your family?  Giving up on the pizza place because things got a little tough, is that what you want to teach your kids?  He has no job and no income, he filed bankruptcy, failed to pay the people who built the house that they live in, failed to pay the vendors who supplied the over the top materials and thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.  The fact is this guy is dumb as a box of rocks.

He also didn’t choose to be a Housewife. I did. And he let me. But he’s happy for it to be my thing. He doesn’t want to be a “House Husband” — that’s why you won’t see him sit down for interviews. He lives his life, he tolerates the cameras in our house, and he lets it fly sometimes. I’m sure many of your men would be the same. In a lot of ways, I feel bad for Joe because this whole experience hasn’t been really positive for him. He’s a private guy who likes to go about his business. But since the show, it’s hard for him to go anywhere without having to stop and take pictures and then worry that those pictures might be sold to a tabloid for a fake story. He just doesn’t have a lot of tolerance for B.S.

I’m sorry, I don’t buy this either.  Listen, Joe Giudice may not do talking head interviews but that doesn’t make him a great guy by any means and he plays it up for the cameras just like anyone else.  Don’t tell me his cartwheel last season resulting in a broken tooth wasn’t for the cameras.  Don’t tell me all of his nasty comments about all of the other Housewives aren’t for the cameras, Teresa already knows how he feels about these people, why is he talking over his wife to be heard while calling Melissa “horse face” and Kathy “frog face” and Joey Gorga “bitch”.   As Tre was trying to tell him what happened, he didn’t even listen, he just got louder to be heard and had nothing insightful to say, just ridiculous name calling.  That is all for the cameras.  He thinks he is funny but he is offensive, rude and a filthy pig.  I know that Teresa has to try to defend this moron and I am sure she’s not happy about it.

In some ways, Richie is the same way. He does what he wants, says whatever he feels, and that’s that. Yeah, I don’t love the things he says about me (I never have), I don’t think he’s particularly funny, but I don’t have to. I didn’t marry him. Kathy loves him and their marriage is strong, and I want that for everyone I love.

I would never, ever compare Richie to Joe Giudice.  There is no comparison.  Richie makes snide comments and sometimes he is trying to be funny (and sometimes he is funny) other times he is being snide but then so is everyone else.  He doesn’t use playground name calling (horse face?  Really?)  because he has 100x’s more intelligence than Joe Giudice.  His suggestion of therapy was actually a very good one.  His comment about burning Teresa at the stake was actually defending her, he was trying to get a point across that everyone was constantly digging at her and it was too much.  Did anyone really believe he wanted to burn Teresa at the stake?  Please!

I’ll be on the LIVE Celebrity Apprentice finale next Sunday, so set your DVRs! Can’t wait to find out who wins! Tweet me your guess, and if you want me to ask anyone from the cast anything. @Teresa_Giudice.

That’s sweet, I really am looking forward to the finale, not necessarily because of the two finalists but to see the rest of the team in action.

Oh, and I want to do something special for my fans to celebrate if my third book makes the NYT Bestseller list again. Send me your ideas. I’m open to almost anything… maybe even a tattoo… OK, maybe not that. We’ll see!

Ok so someone please explain how Teresa getting a tattoo is something special for her fans?  How about giving something away to fans, sending one of them on a trip to Italy or how about having a big party and inviting a few dozen fans who bought your book.  A tattoo on Teresa’s body does nothing for fans.  Besides, would you put a bumper sticker on a Bentley?   (only that one that says my kid could beat up your honor student)  bwahahaha

Congratulations to Teresa, her book is already in the top #100 on Amazon:

‏@Teresa_Giudice  I can’t believe it’s #63 of ALL 1million+ books! ♥♥♥ RT@housewivesnj Fabulicous Fast and Fit is on Amazons top 100 best seller books! Yay!

 

 

 

 

 

Melissa Gorga

Skipped the niceties, the Happy Mother’s day….let’s get into it.

On to the episode. And the saga continues… Well I have to say, this episode was very discouraging. I am and always have been that girl who is very optimistic. I give second changes, and I believe in wiping the slate clean and starting over, especially with family. I am known for that among my friends, my family, and everyone who truly knows Melissa Gorga. I think it’s obvious in this episode that it is not going to be that simple.

After Teresa and I argued at the solstice party, I got everything off my chest and I was just hoping I got through to her. Watching her recant the story to Joe, I clearly didn’t. This scene was hard for me to watch, and to be perfectly honest without sugar coating it, it was disgusting. I couldn’t help but sit back and think, “What happened to these people?” This is a man that Joe and I made the godfather of our first born child. To see him speak about me in this repulsive manner made me sick. Calling me a “tramp,” a “gold-digger,” and “horsy face” among other things on national TV. Is this man for real? I just don’t understand how Teresa can sit there as her husband calls her family names. Kathy is a “frog face,” Rosie is a “butchie boy.” Joe Giudice has no limits, but what I find even more appalling is the fact that his wife laughs as he says hateful things, and the only time she stops him is when he calls her brother a “bitch.” Joe Giudice is lucky my father isn’t still alive. He would never tolerate the way he treats and talks about women.

THIS, ladies and gentlemen is what I’ve been saying all along.  There is no excuse for the vile creature they call Joe Giudice.  He has daughters, how would he feel if someone spoke of his daughter the way he speaks of Melissa, Kathy and the rest of the Housewives.  You don’t have to like them but name calling is immature and stupid, say something intelligent or shut the hell up!

It’s hard not to see why Joey gets frustrated. It’s almost humanly impossible not to at this point. He’s was trying to be positive, and she just doesn’t get it. There are all different kinds of love. Joe has enough for everyone, but those different kinds of love seem to be blurred with Teresa. The amount of attention she demands from him is a little strange to me. I don’t even require that much, but I constantly try to be patient until they can figure it out. What bothers me the most about their conversation is when she says that I’m a bad aunt to her children and in her interview that Gia hated me. If you watch the episodes, it’s right in front of your eyes. As they are talking, I was holding Audriana and helping her children out of the pool. I was cheering them on from the sidelines, and she keeps making the conversation about me. Why she tries to say these ridiculous things is beyond me.

Obviously since the Giudice’s don’t have a filter when their children are around, the kids hear them and the way that they talk about Melissa.  The kids are naturally going to react based on what they’re hearing from their parents.  If their father calls her a “whore” and “horseface”, the kids quickly pick up on the fact that their parents don’t like Melissa and they act similarly when they are around Melissa.   I never, ever see Joe Giudice trying to play with or even pay any attention to his Godchild or any of Melissa’s children.  I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, I’m saying he makes no effort.  Luckily!  Who would want that animal around their children?

The end of this episode is what is truly sad. Joe walks away cursing and frustrated and Teresa drives away using a word that no women should EVER use. WOW! I really just wish it would stop for the sake of all of us.

I have to agree, Teresa called Melissa a “c-u-Next-Tuesday” and it was completely uncalled for.  Melissa wasn’t even in on the conversation, but her children were within earshot, what a sad situation.

I promise that the season does take a more positive turn. It’s so hard watching these episodes and seeing what was said when you weren’t around. I’m not saying I am completely innocent, and there are times that I make digs. Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to just meet in the middle.

GAWD I hope so…it’s time to move on!

In other news! Our house is up for sale! I want to clear some things up about it, and it’s totally understandable that a lot of you have questions. Just like Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards sold their houses and moved to other ones, that is all we are doing. Joe is a builder, and we have done this before. Yes, we will build another house from scratch very similar to this one. This is how we actually made a lot of the investments in the buildings we own today. Thankfully Joe and I are better than ever and own more properties than ever. We have gotten lucky to make good investments. I always tell Joe he should write a book and tell everyone how we did it. I think it would be such great advice for everyone to know.

With that said, please don’t believe any of the rumors that we have a balloon payment due, that our interest rate exploded, or that we can’t pay our bills. Our mortgage history is all available in public records, so I would never say that if it wasn’t true. We have a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 5% and have never once missed a mortgage payment in the whole eight years we’ve been married. It would make no sense that now we couldn’t afford this house. We own four buildings and have many other investments that would allow us to stay in this house forever if we wanted to. Montville is such a beautiful town. I absolutely love it and the school systems are incredible, but we just truly want to move back to Franklin Lakes. That’s where we lived when we first got married. It’s closer to where Joe works and sometimes you just have to make changes that are good for your family. The kids are getting older, so we want to be settled in now where we are going to be for the long run.

I think it’s obvious where all of these rumors are coming from.  Each New Jersey Housewife has their favorite media outlet and they throw them bones with tidbits of information and it gets posted as fact.  They all do it but as Melissa said, it is all a matter of public record.  It is?  Where is it?  I’d love to see it just so we can put this all to bed.

The argument between Teresa and Joey happened, to criticize one or the other for even having a discussion, at this point is a waste of time.  Clearly they both agreed to talk so why waste time pretending Teresa was forced to have this discussion.

For the record, we sold our last house in Franklin Lakes for $2.45 million to LaVar Arrington (formerly of the Washington Red Skins and NY Giants) and bought in Montville so we could be closer to Teresa and the cousins. We moved into our current house in 2008 and didn’t sign on to the show until 2010. So obviously we did not just move into the house because we got on the show. We were approached by the producers two years after we were already living here. It does however kind of stink to be looped into the negativity surrounding everyone else’s problems, but I get, so that’s why I’m explaining it to you. Also, to all of you asking about my studio downstairs — it’s just a room, and all the equipment is coming with me! Yes there will be a new studio in my new house. Mind you, if we don’t sell this house, we aren’t moving anywhere. We will still be here! Sorry, it’s not juicier than that.

Sorry guys but Melissa does have a point, just because one or more of the Jersey housewives are in financial hell, doesn’t mean the Gorga’s are as well.   This balloon payment that keeps being thrown around has never been proven, in fact we’ve not seen any evidence of financial difficulty here, nothing beyond rumors.  (if I’ve missed something, please feel free to correct me)

The argument / discussion that Joe Gorga and Teresa had was unfortunate, the worst part is that they couldn’t just apologize to each other, agree to disagree and try to move on.  There are so many hurt feelings on both sides that it is never going to be resolved.   I’m not sure Teresa even wants a resolution, each time Joey brought up something that Teresa did or said in hopes that she would recognize she was wrong and maybe apologize, instead Teresa would bring up Melissa and something she did or said.  Then Joey goes on to try to defend his wife and brings up something that Joe Giudice did or said… it is a never ending battle that they have to put aside so that they can be a family again.

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  @AubreyODay   just got off the phone with @Teresa_Giudice! We were cracking up at how desperate Arsenio is with his lying… & hating on Joe? Lordy lord.

What prompted this Tweet?  Well, Arsenio was a guest on The View yesterday and he told a story of Aubrey showing photos (on her cell phone) to Teresa while on a task on Celebrity Apprentice.  These photos were allegedly men’s private parts belonging to men that she has slept with.  Arsenio asked Teresa what her husband would think of her looking at those photos.

Apparently Arsenio wasn’t “hating on Joe” and it doesn’t sound desperate to me, why would he make that up?  It doesn’t benefit him at all.  Desperation was evident however in Aubrey’s next move.  She went on to re-tweet every negative tweet she could find about Arsenio.  Now THAT is desperate.  Clearly Aubrey wasn’t chosen for Celebrity Apprentice because she can’t be taken seriously with that Bozo Orange Hair of hers!  She’s hideous, obnoxious, immature and a back-stabber!  I really wish Teresa could see her for what and who she is.  Aubrey threw Teresa under the bus at almost every task while they were teammates, why can’t Tre see that?

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

More reports about Taylor Armstrong and her “issues” with drinking.

From Huffington Post:

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Taylor Armstrong has recently displayed wildly erratic behavior during filming, leaving producers to wonder if she should continue with the series.

“There was talk of getting rid of Taylor from the season now taping, but after her husband, Russell, committed suicide it didn’t feel right dumping her,” an insider tells me. “But now, after watching her at several tapings, everyone is very worried. If they have another disaster on their hands, this would have a devastating impact on the entire franchise.”

Following Russell’s suicide, Taylor made several paid appearances to discuss her troubled past and even authored a book, “Hiding From Reality,” in which she revealed her difficult journey with abuse and low self-esteem.

“Taylor said she told her story, hoping she could help other women, but in the process she forgot to get help for herself,” a friend of the reality star tells me. “At a weekend spa getaway taping, it was obvious that something wasn’t right. At what point do you finally put down the cameras documenting the car crash and try to save the victim? She has been seen rolling around on the floor and no one wants to do anything to stop her. Her close friends are in denial. She was even drinking at Kyle’s kid’s birthday party that was at 1:00 p.m.”

Radar Online recently quoted sources who said they saw Taylor drinking during a spa visit in Ojai, Calif. Her representatives did not respond to a request for comment.

Does Bravo have a conscience?  Will they edit out all of Taylor’s antics?  This is what they get for renewing her contract and allowing her to be on for another season.  This is not what fans wanted and it was expressed loud and clear to the powers that be at Bravo.  Now Bravo has to deal with all of this.  Let’s hope they do the right thing.

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Until Next Time…