Bachelor Recap & Other Things

| Bachelor Recap |

What the heeeeeeeccccckkkkk was up with this episode?

First: Love Guru.

I was so incredibly uncomfortable the whole time.  I'm loving Carly the more and more she's on the show so I felt AWFUL that she was forced to go on this incredibly awkward date.  I mean, aside from the awkwardness that had to have been there for Carly & Chris, I felt, as a viewer, that this was crossing a line and violating my personal space.  ABC - not well played.  I did feel really bad for Chris when he was opening up about his profession and how he wasn't expected to make much of his life.  Poor guy - that's awful!

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Group date -
Megan........ I'm sure you're a very nice girl and I'm sorry about your dad but SERIOUSLY.  Have a brain.  She didn't understand the concept of "New Mexico".  Is it Mexico?  Is it America?  Is it a country?  Is it a state?  I don't know what's going on up there, but she should really run her thoughts by someone before going on television.

Also, Jade has a condition where she can get hypothermia easier than the average person?  I find that interesting since usually you would wear a lot of clothes if you had something like that, but she's posing nude for Playboy so....

Oh.  Burn.

And did anyone else think at the cocktail party that 1) Jordan was a lot prettier than I remembered and 2) aside from her annoying voice, Whitney is actually pretty awesome.

I wonder what Ashley I. thinks about herself now that she's watching this air live and all of America thinks she's awful.  Literally.  Maybe it was just a ploy to get on television so if that's the case, applause.

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Britt -

I'm so confused by her.  How is it that she's waking up and rushing out of the hotel wearing dirty socks and she looks like that.  I don't believe it.  Also... she has really nice skin, so if she sleeps in her makeup, either she has the best genes ever or that whole not sleeping in your makeup thing is a LIE!

And finally... what we're all waiting on:

KELSEY

WHAT A CRAZY WOMAN!  As a guidance counselor, she has just solidified herself never getting a job again in America if they ever decide to look her up.  I wouldn't be surprised if someone decided to look into her husband's death as a homicide.  JUSSSSTTTT SAYING.  And her breakdown?  Give that girl an Oscar.

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| Vanity Fair |

I love reading Vanity Fair.  I like to call it intelligent celebrity gossip.  I think what I like about it most is I learn a lot about the "upper-class elite" that I never knew about.  Sometimes it's awful, but knowledge is still power, and I love learning about the world I live in - good or bad.  Do you have a magazine or online publication that you can't get enough of?

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| Shopping Dry Spell |

I'm giving up shopping for Lent (I know - cheese in February, shopping for Lent... who am I?!) so I went shopping this past weekend to get it out of my system and update my wardrobe before spring since I won't be able to shop again until April 5th.  I'll discuss all of the details in a later post... but I was surprised at how little I actually liked.  I felt like I couldn't find as much as I wanted.  What is this - a dry spell?!  I'm afraid that I'll want tons of things in the middle of the shopping break.

| Blogger Spotlight |

The Boston Fashionista has done a ton of posts on women in business lately and I've really enjoyed the spin that she's added to her blog.  Since blogging isn't my first job, it's really helpful to hear from other women out in the business world how they live their lives.  Great inspiration!

| Barcart Obsessions |

I've been wanting a barcart since before Christmas and I just can't find one that I'm willing to make a part of the family.  Look at these beauties!

| Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3 |

The Bachelor: Meet the Women

Since it's a new year, I'm trying something new on The Crown Bijoux.  In the past, TCB has been 97% about fashion with the remaining 3% divided between shopping and miscellaneous.  After speaking with a great friend and reader of mine, she mentioned how she missed my old blog that had fashion but other musings about what it was like one year after college.  So, I'm trying something a little new.  Many of you know I love watching television (guilty pleasure... in my defense I tend to read & blog while doing it!) and some of you know that watching The Bachelor/ette is something I am ashamed of, yet brings me much joy.  I'm going to add in a little of my commentary this season with Farmer Chris as some of the posts instead of straight fashion - but don't worry, the outfits will continue!  I'd love to hear your feedback - on this post or on others.  I write for all of you!

So let's begin: The judgement period.  Tonight, Chris Soules will meet 30 women who will all think that they need to be Mrs. Soules.  And as a woman in my mid-twenties who appreciates the occasional (ha) glass of wine, I am happy to watch and laugh and jeer and think, "WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?"  The tears.  The false proclamations of love.  The girl that everyone inevitably hates.  I live for this.  I'm. So. Excited.

But one of my favorite things: judging the women before the show even starts!

| Picture - ABC | 

I've rated the women on a 1-5 scale (1 lowest, 5 highest) based on name, job, looks, statistics, and general information.  I judge the name and job before I see their pictures, by the way.  If you want to see each individual woman, click here.

Let's Begin!

| Alissa | Total Score: 20
Commentary: I think being a flight attendant is really cool.  Maybe that's very 1960's thinking of me, but hey.  Also, I love her most embarrassing moment.  I feel like I was that girl at a couple of points in my life.

| Amanda | Total Score: 16
Commentary: I also am jealous she's a ballet instructor.  Bendy.  Don't love her answers, though.  She wants to be Allie from The Notebook because of Noah's love for her?  That's kind of weird.

| Amber | Total Score: 14
Commentary: I like that she likes Reservoir Dogs.  I can get on board with that.

| Ashley I. | Total Score: 14
Commentary: She listed foundation and mascara as things she can't live without.  If you saw her picture you wouldn't be surprised.............

| Ashley S. | Total Score: 16
Commentary: She looks pretty real, which I like!

| Becca | Total Score: 17
Commentary: I like her.  Her answers definitely helped.  Which is more important, right?

| Bo | Total Score: 15
Commentary: Bo? I don't even like this name for a girl, let alone a guy.  I've heard it as a nickname for Rainbow, but that doesn't help her in the least.  Wait, she's a plus-size model, too?  Seriously.  Why can't we just say she's a model?  Like really - NOTHING IS DOING HER ANY FAVORS AND I HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN HER YET!  Okay, she's pretty and I like her.  I stand by calling her just a model.

| Britt | Total Score: 17
Commentary: Her favorite author is David Foster Wallace?  I'm... intrigued by this ombre haired waitress.  She's going to be interesting.

| Brittany | Total Score: 12
Commentary: WWE Diva-in-training??  Like.  You may be that.  But don't admit it.  Don't ever admit it.  I know which one she is in the big pic, too, and I literally can't even.  Please go night one.  Please.  Unless you create drama.  Then episode 4.

| Carly | Total Score: 17
Commentary: She was doing well until she listed she couldn't live without cut-off shorts.  Mad props for having to be a look-out for real pirates though.  That's badass (and pretty scary)!

| Jade | Total Score: 22
Commentary: I love her!  She likes elephants, she's pretty, she likes Jane Eyre.  She's smart and pretty and real.  Oh please don't make me regret this.

| Jillian | Total Score: 16
Commentary: Being a news producer is pretty cool - and she's from Washington D.C. (no points for location).  Her picture isn't flattering for her back.  Like really - look.

| Jordan | Total Score: 17
Commentary: She sounds a little crazy - she skinny dips.  I'm never comfortable naked sooo.

| Juelia | Total Score: 14
Commentary: I'm interested to hear how she pronounces "Juelia".  Is it a fun spelling for Julia?  Is it a silent "J" like "You-elia?" Or do you pronounce everything like "Jew-Elia"?  I rated it 3 because while I can't judge a name I don't know... I do feel bad for all of the teachers out there who have to figure out how to pronounce unique names on the first day of school.

| Kaitlyn | Total Score: 19
Commentary: She's a dance instructor.  Either she will really get along with Amanda, or they'll be mortal enemies - DANCE OFF! She was doing really well until she got to the Ninja Turtle stuff.

| Kara | Total Score: 21
Commentary: I really like her top.

| Kelsey | Total Score: 23
Commentary: I love her hair, she seems smart and very real.  I feel like if she makes it past 3 episodes she could go really far.

| Kimberly | Total Score: 17
Commentary: Is it just me or do a lot of these girls look alike?  Does he tell the producers his type?  I mean, they all kind of look like Andie...

| Mackenzie | Total Score: 12
Commentary: There's a lot I don't love about her... but she's 21.  That's like REALLY young to be looking for a husband.  At least... in front of the whole nation.

| Megan | Total Score: 18
Commentary: These embarrassing stories are really good.  Like really good.  I'll support the girls who were completely honest (because they're the best ones!)

| Michelle | Total Score: 15
Commentary: I wonder how much someone makes decorating wedding cakes.

| Nicole | Total Score: 18
Commentary: She seems really sweet but I don't think she's going to last.  It's always the redhead.  Poor redheads.

| Nikki | Total Score: 19
Commentary: She's way too pretty.  I bet they picked her up at her modeling agency (which she admits is Wilhelmina Models - nice placement!).  Did you know they do that?  Not only do they have the casting calls but they go to modeling agencies and scout people they think are attractive.  So interesting!

| Reegan | Total Score: 22
Commentary: Props on the fun name.  Donated Tissue Specialist?  Color me intrigued...

| Samantha | Total Score: 20
Commentary: Fashion Designer - we automatically love her.  She also grew up in the country so I like her a lot haha.

| Tandra | Total Score: 19
Commentary: I feel like we're very similar.  The fact that she can't live without contact lenses made me give her an automatic five.  Preach, sister friend!

| Tara | Total Score: 11
Commentary: Sport Fishing Enthusiast?  I'm keeping my jokes at bay because in all seriousness, that could be really hot to a farmer.  However, she's the girl who looks less than enthused in the background, has a stuff beaver named Beave, and refers to a good guy opening the "truck" door for her.  Truck.  Like.  Does it have to be?  And marriage means "legal documentation" that you are forever committed and loyal to your best friend.  This is going to go REAL well!

| Tracy | Total Score: 16
Commentary: She looks like Tiffany Thiessen to me.

| Trina | Total Score: 16
Commentary: For biggest date fear she said, "eating something that gives me "di-di".  Is that diarrhea?  Okay.......

| Whitney | Total Score: 20
Commentary: I love planners, too, and I don't think it's old school.  She also seems real, however, the boyfriend did not like that she had a tattoo.  Mind you this is the only one he saw, as many have more than one tattoo.

My top 7: Alissa, Jade, Kara, Kelsey, Reegan, Samantha, and Whitney - let's see how I do!

* Please note that I'm really not this cruel.  It's just for fun.  I'm sure each of these girls is very lovely, but it should be noted that they are a) on a national television show, so they did sign up for this - and a lot of other people are MUCH less forgiving than I am and b) not depicted as their true selves, I'm sure. *