Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bachelor Scorned! Let The First Dates Begin!

Hello lovelies! I know I'm not the only one who thought that silence may be golden, but muzzles should have been used on last night's episode! One thing is for sure...there were tons of fireworks on hand to close out Memorial Weekend for our wonderful neighbours in the US! I would love to fast forward and talk about the end of the show, but we have much more to cover before then. Grab your bevvies, fasten your seat belts, and let the games begin!

You know it's not the start of the season without Chris Harrison visiting the star of the show to see how she's doing. I still appreciate that Kaitlyn asked about Britt again, to make sure she was OK. Regardless of what some people may think of Kaitlyn (more on that later!), she has been very classy with how she has handled her new title and the situation as a whole. She's definitely ready to get to know the men, and start the dating process!

Britt calls her mom from the hotel room, letting her know she was not going to be the next Bachelorette. She had a mini crying session, which was quickly forgotten after Brady showed up at her door. One hug later, and these two are about to start their own journey to find love!

The first date involves the men literally fighting for Kaitlyn's affections, as they have a boxing session with champion boxer Laila Ali. Daniel, Justin, Jared, Corey, Tanner, Cooper, Ben H., and Ben Z. are brought along for the wild ride. I have to admit, it was fun to watch the men step out of their comfort zone to impress Kaitlyn. They stepped up to the challenge, and delivered in the boxing ring. I think Kupah forgot that he was actually on a date, and needed to spend time with Kaitlyn. Someone buy this man a clue!

Kaitlyn sat ringside, and watched the men pair off and spar to move on to additional rounds. Jared was one of the men who stood out the most, but he was unfortunately knocked out by Ben Z. in the final round, and was sent to the hospital. Talk about taking one for the team!

Ben Z. is one of the standouts on this date, opening up to Kaitlyn in private about his mother passing away of cancer when he was 14. The emotional connections are just as important to Kaitlyn as the physical ones, and he ends up getting the group rose and a kiss. Jared gets a huge Honourable Mention, sending her a private note to meet her downstairs for his own time with Kaitlyn. Browine points and a kiss go to him. Game on!

This week's 1-1 date goes to Clint, who is whisked away by Kaitlyn for a underwater photo shoot at a private villa. Kaitlyn is still impressed by the drawing he created for her of Chris Harrison with the triceratops (which trumps any of the stick figure drawings I have ever created!). I thought this date was incredibly cool. You could see the two of them getting more comfortable with each other as the photo shoot took place. The pictures were stunning, and the chemistry between Kaitlyn and Clint was undeniable. Having an underwater photo shoot is now on my list of fun things to try! Needless to say, Clint gets the rose, and a makeout session. Is anyone keeping score of how many times Kaitlyn kissed the bachelors in the episode? I'll give you the final tally at the end of this post

The final date of the week was a group date that took place at a comedy club. This time. Kaitlyn brought along JJ, Jonathan, Joshua, Chris, Ian, Joe, and Tony along for the ride. It was nice to see the men squirm on this date, and some of them truly stepped up for their performances on stage. I love how Amy Schumer took JJ down a notch, telling him he wasn't the smartest person in the room. Personally, I think he's the breakout jackass of the season, proving that arrogance is NOT an attractive quality in a man! Sadly, Kaitlyn only sees one side of him, as JJ reels her in on the emotional tip while talking about his three year-old daughter. The rest of the group sees him for the player he really is! For his efforts, JJ gets the group rose.

If JJ is the breakout jackass, then Tony is the breakout Fruit Loop! Saying things like "You're an enigma, wrapped in a riddle', and referring to Kaitlyn as '..a combination lock, not a key turn', makes me want a reference guide to understand what the hell he's talking about!

Finally, I get to dish about the best part of the episode - the cocktail party, and fireworks that take place at the end of the episode! JJ starts the night off on a negative tone, by stealing Kaitlyn for private time. Buddy, you already have a rose, and the men agreed to let the men who didn't get a date with Kaitlyn that week have time with her first. To quote his ridiculous line: Sorry, I'm not sorry. You're an ass!

I am very impressed that Ian finally scored points with Kaitlyn, and surprised her (and me!) with his compassion, and opens up to her about his horrible accident. She felt incredibly comfortable with him, and made the emotional connection they needed. I hope these two get more time together on future episodes. He definitely stepped up as a contender, and scored a kiss from Kaitlyn (total kiss tally for this episode - 6! Go Kaitlyn!)

Finally, we arrive at the moment of the night. Leave it to Kupah to singlehandedly blow his chances of moving on to the next round of dates. This is the guy who made no effort to talk to Kaitlyn on the group boxing date, and he accuses her of ignoring him up to this point. The irony is that Kaitlyn felt a connection with him up until this point, and wanted to discuss his lack of interest in her on the group date. To add fuel to the inferno he created, he puts her on the spot, asking why he's still there. Telling a girl 'I don't want to be here if I'm the minority guy who fills a quota.' isn't going to win you brownie points, Einstein. Congratulations...you just moved to the top of Kaitlyn's list of men who will get the boot!

The hits kept coming, as Kupah started backpedaling after Kaitlyn told him he talked her out of their connection. Flattery after the fact will get you nowhere fast, as we saw a few minutes later. A word of advice, Kupah...make sure the girl is out of earshot before you dissect your conversation with the other bachelors. I love how Kaitlyn stepped in and gave him the boot after he removed the filter, and kept the verbal babble coming. His meltdown for the cameras was the stuff reality TV dreams are made of! I can't wait to see the conclusion of this towering blaze next week!

It was pretty hard to top that hot mess at the end of the show, but showing Britt and Brady's progression of their week long date sessions end with them entering a relationship shows quickly fast things can happen on a reality show. We all know that this isn't the norm in the real world, but hey-whatever works for them! I'm sure we'll have many more updates on these two as the season progresses.

What did you think of last night's episode? I would love to hear your thoughts. Make sure to join me on Twitter next Monday, as we tweet out the drama and fireworks!

Until next time...xo

The Votes Are In, The Tribe Has Spoken...Kaitlyn is the Bachelorette!

Hello lovelies! Another premiere of The Bachelorette is in the books...what a wild ride that was! I am still trying to process everything that happened in both episodes, but I'm happy that the men chose Kaitlyn as this season's Bachelorette. It will definitely be a season filled with surprises, drama and fireworks. Grab your bevvies, and let's get this party started!

I'm not even going to pretend that I wanted Britt to come out on top. For me, Kaitlyn was always the front runner. She's beautiful, funny, spunky, and will definitely add a lot of spice to this season. I'm sure she'll be pushing the envelope on dates, breaking some rules, and take no prisoners. She has already set the bar high for most kisses on the premiere episode! Judging by the reactions of some of the bachelors, there will be a lot of people fighting for kissy face time with our girl Kaitlyn!

I won't drag out this post and analyze everything that happened last night, but I wanted to focus on a few of the highlights that stuck out for me. First, even though I'm not Team Britt, I did feel bad when I saw her react to Chris Harrison telling her she would not be the next Bachelorette. Obviously, Britt was riding a high wave of confidence after meeting her potential suitors. No one wants to be a runner-up in a contest, especially when it comes to being the center of attention for 25 men! She handled the news with class and composure in front of Chris, instead of having a Britt ugly cry we saw last season on The Bachelor! She scored some points for that. I'm sure she'll get some comfort in the form of a potential suitor...more on that later!

Kaitlyn's reaction to finding out she was the next Bachelorette was priceless! I liked how she asked if Britt was OK after hearing she wasn't chosen. That was a classy move. She didn't have much time to get used to the news before heading in to chat with the men, who immediately started fighting for her attention and affection!

Watching the bachelors who voted for Britt stress out over making a connection with Kaitlyn was interesting. They all felt an instant connection with Britt, and were afraid to be sent home before having any chance of making an attempt to connect with Kaitlyn (and have the opportunity to see the world, paid for by ABC!). I loved and appreciated Jared's honesty in telling Kaitlyn that he voted to keep Britt. Like Kaitlyn said, honesty is always appreciated. It's a duel edged sword to be so candid with the truth, but it also showed that Jared was honest and straightforward in his intentions. Shame others weren't more like him...but that would make for lower ratings. It all boils down to ratings, people!

Here are my standouts from last night's episode:

• Shawn B. may as well have proposed to her at first sight! The guy is crushing on her big time. Their chemistry is obvious (hello first impression rose and kissy face session!). He'll be around all season.


• Tony isn't happy that he has to share a well with the rest of the men for Kaitlyn's affections. Tell you what, buddy...I'll buy you a shovel. Go home and dig one there. You were into Britt, anyway!


• Poor Brady was devastated that Britt wasn't chosen as the Bachelorette. Good thing he removed himself from the running, and wants to try and date Britt. If you follow the show on social media, you probably already know how this turned out. I won't spoil it for you, but a simple search on Google on Twitter will answer that burning question for you.


• I have to give Chris the dentist props for going in for the kill on the first kiss with Kaitlyn! If we know anything about her from last season, she tends to like this sort of assertiveness. I'm sure we'll see a LOT more of this throughout the season.


• Men who open up to Kaitlyn will get a lot farther in the pecking order! Case in point: JJ opening up in his private time with Kaitlyn scored him huge brownie points. Take note of this, gentlemen...women really appreciate your willingness to open up! Try it more often. :)

After the first rose ceremony, here's who was left standing: Shawn B., Chris, Ben H., JJ, Joe, Kupah, Daniel, Ryan B., Joshua, Tony, Clint, Cory Stansell, Jonathan, Cory Shivar, Ben Z., Tanner, Ian, Justin, Jared.

To be honest, I was more excited about the preview clips of what we will be seeing in upcoming episodes than the actual rose ceremony! Having Nick come back as a suitor for Kaitlyn is crazy! After coming in second to Josh Murray on Andi's season of The Bachelorette, and seeing him drop the bomb about her sleeping with him on their overnight date, I never thought we would see him on another season. I wonder how the other men will handle the news that these two have a bit of a history. Kaitlyn admitting that she slept with one of the men is also interesting. How she shares this information could be a potential time bomb. Guess we will find out soon enough! Bring on the drama, fireworks, and beefcake!

Until next time...xo

Two Bachelorettes? What 'Chu Talkin' 'Bout, Willis!?

Hello lovelies! I had to dust off the blog for the new season of The Bachelorette after I found out there would be TWO women competing for the title of The Bachelorette. I'm still reeling from Part One of the season premiere. We have lots to dish about, so grab your beverage of choice, and let's get this party started!

Like many other people who watch the Bachelor franchise of shows on a regular basis, I was very skeptical about the approach for this season of The Bachelorette. Putting two women in front of the mansion to meet 25 bachelors, then having the men vote for who they want as The Bachelorette seems crazy! Then again, all's fair in love, drama and Nielsen Ratings! Last night's episode drew in 7.2 million viewers! That's HUGE! I'm not sure if they will keep up those numbers for the entire season, but for a premiere, that's impressive. Anyway, on with the show.

It's no secret that these ladies aren't exactly close friends, but they did a really great job of being civil for the cameras. I have been Team Kaitlyn since I found out she was in the running for the Bachelorette, but I can see the appeal Britt has for the bachelors, as well. She's very attractive and seems to say all the right things to men, However, I think Kaitlyn's laid back attitude and great sense of humour is much more appealing to the bachelors. I hope she comes out on top in tonight's episode.

I will be providing a more detailed breakdown of my thoughts of the bachelors after tonight's episode, but wanted to share a few of my highlights from Part One of the season premiere:

• I laughed when I heard Tony using the same line on both women! I can only imagine how many women can relate to being in a situation like this one.
• Shawn E. rolling up in the hot tub car was hilarious! If nothing else, I give him points for being original. At least he didn't have to fight for time in the hot tub out back!
• Chris should have left the cupcake car in the box! Seriously...use the limo. There are better ways to make an entrance. Bring a cupcake with extra frosting instead. Most women love a sweet treat (unless Chris mistakenly thought that's what they would think of him when they saw him get out of the cupcake).
Any guy who give the Bachelorette butterflies at first sight is a keeper! Brady and Shawn are my early favourites!
• Ryan McDill - there aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe what an ass I think he is. I have renamed him Ryan McDouche. Total disaster from start to finish, and I'm glad Chris Harrison threw him out. He needs coffee and a serious detox session. He's also the ex-boyfriend of Nikki Ferrell, Juan Pablo's ex from his season of The Bachelor. Not sure what she saw in him, but here's hoping he stays single for a while.
• It was interesting to see the ladies scramble for time with the men before they cast their votes on who would be the next Bachelorette. Usually, the mad scramble comes from the men trying to get time with the woman chosen as the Bachelorette. Both ladies have mad hustle game! I can't wait to see what the outcome is tonight.

Although I'm not a fan of having two women having to compete to be The Bachelorette, I'll admit that I was drawn in for the curiosity factor. To me, it made the experience of becoming The Bachelorette less special, and added to an already stressful situation. I'm sure once one of the ladies gets sent home, the experience will take an enormous turn in the right direction. I personally can't wait to see what happens next. Bring on the drama, tears, fireworks and roses!

I would love to hear your thoughts on last night's episode. Who do you think will be the next Bachelorette? Who are your favourite bachelors so far? Let me know! As always, you can follow me on Twitter (@sassygirlcanada), and join along in the live tweets, dissing and hissing every Monday night! Looking forward to tweeting with you soon!


Until next time...xo

The 'Juan' That Got Away - Andi's Bachelorette Journey Begins!

Hello lovelies! Wasn't that a great season premiere of the Bachelorette? There's nothing like a sassy, sexy and confident woman taking charge over 25 men, as she begins her quest to find love, romance and adventure through several countries. I hope ABC has stocked up on bubbly, Kleenex and waterproof mascara...looks like they'll need it for this season! Grab your drink of choice, and let the dishing begin!

I've said this before, and I will say it again. Andi is such a great choice for the Bachelorette! She is a successful woman with an amazing relationship with her family. She also gets brownie points for putting Juan Pablo in his place! I will never forget that moment, and I don't think the men on this season of the show will, either. It sets the tone for what I think will be an unforgettable journey for Andi.

I loved how Chris Harrison paid tribute to the sudden death of Eric Hill, one of the eliminated bachelors. Like everyone else, I was shocked at the news reports on how he passed away. Eric sounds like he was an incredible person who was as ambitious as he was adventurous. I am looking forward to seeing how his story played out on the show. It was obvious that Andi was intrigued by him. It's a tough situation to deal with, and one the Bachelor franchise has never dealt with before. At the very least, I applaud the show's acknowledgement of his untimely passing, and dedicating the season to his memory.

Let's skip right to the good stuff...the first night at the mansion! I liked the chat Andi had with her sister while she was getting ready for the men to arrive to meet her, but that was basically filler for the main event! Andi looked fabulous, and very anxious for her journey to begin. I was thinking 'Lucky girl...she has 25 men hand-picked for her to choose from, in a gorgeous setting!' As the limos pulled up to the mansion, I was taking notes on my early favorites:

• Marcus - My first thought was that he was a serious cutie patootie!
• Chris - Another looker. He'll be around for a while!
• Marquel - Adorable, and super dapper!
• Tasos - Loved when they made that wish outside the mansion!
• Dylan - He was so nervous while he was checking her out! Very handsome.
• Eric - I loved when he gave her the dolls! Very worldly and ambitious. However, let's be honest...only home three days a month?? He won't last long with that track record! :(
• Josh M. - Tall, dark and handsome. Who doesn't like that??? :)

I loved how Andi was finally able to relax once she saw how nervous the men were about meeting her. It made the cocktail party more realistic. How would you react after meeting 25 strange men who were there to fight for your affection and a rose to stay in the game!? It's the same for a lot of men out there. Trying to speak to a beautiful, sexy, confident and intelligent woman surrounded by a large group of men could be equally intimidating.

It's always entertaining to watch the bachelors interact with the Bachelorette on the first night. Making that first impression is crucial when all you know about a person is their name and what they look like. I wasn't surprised to see Josh M. jump in to grab some personal time with Andi. He is obviously blown away by her, and she said he was her type, but I appreciated how she questioned how genuine he is being toward her. Obviously, she has first experience on dealing with that on the show! One of my favorite things Andi said during the premiere was that she was there and single for a reason. I don't think Josh is going anywhere for a while, but I look forward to seeing them interact on future episodes!

How cute was the cookie scene between Andi and Marquel?? Regardless of how far he gets on this season, I will always remember him fondly as the Cookie Dude. I would happily eat those Black & White cookies anytime, and am available for tastings in the future. Whoever said the key to a person's heart is through their stomach had a very good point. :)

I need to address the asshat moment on the show...yes, I mean the scenes with Chris Bukowski. Seriously, how many times does this guy need to be on a reality show?? Nothing made me happier than seeing Chris Harrison give him and his gas station roses the boot! The only thing that would have topped that would be seeing Andi kick him out...but she was busy dealing with the cuties inside the mansion. No doubt we'll see Chris on the Bachelor In Paradise show that will air later this summer. If you haven't heard about it, it will be a show similar to Temptation Island, and will bring back some Bachelor/Bachelorette favorites for another season of drama! I promise to cover it on a separate blog!

I would love to hear your thoughts on Andi's choice for the first impression rose! Nick was the lucky, or unlucky recipient of it, depending on how you look at it. Typically, getting that rose puts a huge target on the person that receives it, but I appreciated her reasons for giving it to Nick. Again, time will tell on how long he lasts this season. It definitely makes for great drama for everyone else that doesn't receive the rose!

I am looking forward to seeing more of Chis and Marcus in future episodes! I don't know many farmers who look THAT good in a suit, but I would happily line up to have him show me how to milk a cow...and I'm a die-hard city girl! As for Marcus, I'm sure he could learn how to ask for more than just ice and a drink in German and Polish for Andi's sake. He is definitely eye candy that will stick around for a while.

In case you missed the Rose Ceremony, here's how it went down:

Roses: Nick (first impression), JJ, Eric, Marquel, Craig, Tasos, Josh M., Brian, Bradley, Marcus, Andrew, Ron, Carl, Chris, Dylan, Brett, Patrick, Cody, Nick S.

No roses: Emil (sounds like anal...best line ever!), Rudie, Mike (the Thor lookalike), and Josh B, who gets the award for worst exit speech.

That's it for now! I hope you enjoyed the season premiere as much as I did. I look forward to dishing about the rest of the season every week! Take care, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Until next time...xo

It's Baaaaack!!! A new season of The Bachelorette!!

Hello lovelies! Are you as excited for Andi's season of The Bachelorette as I am?? In my opinion, any girl who is strong and sassy enough to stand up to whiny Juan Pablo and tell him off about how he treats women deserves a season of her own to find love! We finally get to see the start of her adventure tomorrow night! Fasten your seat belts...I think it will be a wild ride. ;)

I can't tell you how happy I am to be back to blogging about the show. I have lots of fun things planned, including a Bachelorette viewing party next month in Toronto! If you're in the GTA (or out of the area like I am!), and want to come out for a night of fun and dishing about the show, stay tuned for details! I'll be posting an invite on Facebook and Twitter this week! Mark June 23 in your calendars! It will be a fun girl's night out.

I'll keep this short and sweet for now, but I will have a full blog post about the season premiere and Andi's delicious bachelors on Tuesday. Make sure to tune in for the premiere tomorrow night at 9:30 PM EST on ABC (City TV in Canada). I know a lot of people weren't aware the show started tomorrow, so I wanted to remind you just in case!

That's all for now. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the premiere, Andi, the bachelors, and who you think are the early studs and duds of the season (lol). Dishing about the show is one of my favorite things, and I know many of you love to do this, as well.

Until next time...xo

Secrets, Lies, and Cowboy Boot Camp, Oh My! Someone's Got Some 'Splainin' To Do...

Hello lovelies! Isn't it sweet how all the bachelors swear they have come on the show to find love, they're here for Des, and ready for a lifetime commitment? Clearly, some people will say anything to get onto a reality show! Saddle up, fill up your watering can with your bevvy of choice, and get your kickers on. This week's episode looks like it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;)

It's week three of The Bachelorette, which is a good time to start bringing out secrets some of the bachelors may be keeping from Des. The one Brian has been hiding is a doozy, but we'll get to that later. First. we have a date card that brings a group of the bachelors into a dodgeball battle against each other! The National Dodgeball League teaches the guys how to play the game, which will help when Des tells them they will battle it out on two teams. The winning team will get private time with her later.

The first major injury of the season takes place when Brooks breaks his finger, and is taken to the hospital to get it realigned. In the end, Des allows both teams to come along to the afterparty, so she can continue getting to know all of the bachelors. Brad privately mentions to Des that he has a three year-old son named Maddox, and his ex pulled him into a domestic violence situation, but the charges were dismissed.

Not to be outdone by the other bachelors, Brooks heads to the party after his trip to the hospital, which makes Des insanely happy and relieved! The rose eventually goes to Chris, who gets private time with Des, as well as a private concert with Kate Earl. I don't recall this guy saying more than three words to Des in the previous episodes, but I'm glad he was able to have some quality time with her.

The next day, Des is getting ready for her one-to-one date with Kasey, when the phone rings, It's Chris Harrison (dun dun dun!!!) calling with news of one of the bachelors having a girlfriend, and she needs to come to the mansion to confront him. Des takes Brian outside to speak with him privately, asking if there is anything he wants to tell her. Brian says nothing, and Chris comes out with Brian's girlfriend Stephanie to have the throwdown of the season.

To spare everyone from reading all the details, they were still together the night before Brian left to film the show, and he told her he needed time apart from her. She had no idea he was going to be on The Bachelorette. To add another layer to this crazy story, Stephanie used to date Craig Robinson from Ali's season of The Bachelorette, and was a Playboy Playmate! Talk about trying to boost ratings!

Needless to say, Des kicked Brian out, and had to get ready for her 1:1 date with Kasey. If this was the real world, there is no way any woman would want to go on a date with anyone after another guy blatantly lied to her about being single, and wanting to be there for her and to potentially fall in love and get engaged. They end up going on the date, which involves dancing on the side of the building. I was as interested in this date as Des was, as it's obvious she's not in the mood to be on a date with anyone at this point. The date was brutal from start to finish, and even though Kasey gets a rose, it's clear they are in the friend zone at this point. I don't see Kasey going too much further after this.

The next day, Des meets with the members of the second group date, which involves 'cowboy boot camp'. Des is dressed in a gorgeous purple gown, and explains that they will be working with the stunt team from the new movie 'The Lone Ranger'. The bachelors will learn how to lasso, draw pistols and fight for justice. The person who does the best job of saddling up to save the lady wins time with Des later.

I have to say that this was hilarious to watch, and a few of the bachelors stood out for me. Dan was a trooper when his pants split while he was competing, but he kept going. He gets props for that! Joan Pablo did everything while speaking Spanish the entire time. What woman doesn't love a sexy accent!? Des obviously did, as she chose him to be her Lone Ranger in the end! The two watched a private advance screening of The Lone Ranger movie and shared some smooch time. One thing is for sure...this little Spaniard is muy caliente! Later in the evening, James gets the rose from the group date.

The next day, Des throws a pool party for the guys, which replaces the cocktail party that was supposed to happen later in the evening. Before Des gets inside the house, Ben steals her away for a private ride in the Bentley, and some extra time with her. The guys see them kissing in the car later, and are jealous of the extra time he keeps getting with Des. To add insult to injury, Ben lies about the private time with Des, and Mikey calls him out on it. He tells Ben that he doesn't trust him.

Brandon spends his time with Des telling her that he doesn't want to see her get hurt, and that he's fallen in love with her already. Ummm...Brandon...didn't you get the memo? You leave this until you make the final three!! This to me is the kiss of death! If this was poker, I would say you never show anyone your cards, and you keep that poker face on as long as you can!

Finally, it's time for the rose ceremony. For those of you keeping score, Chris, Kasey, and James already have roses. The final roses are given to Bryden, Juan Pablo, Zak W., Brooks, Drew, Zach K., Brad, Michael G., Mikey, and Ben. Brandon looks like he's going to be sick, and Des follows him out to tell him privately that there was no chemistry. It was better to send him home now, instead of waiting until later. Dan is also sent home, who thinks Des has been completely duped by Ben.

Well, that episode was filled with secrets, lies and battle lines drawn! I can't wait to see what happens next time. We have seen a lot of roses being handed out already...now it's time to win some of your own! Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (http://www.rockychoc.com/) has kindly offered a prize of long stemmed red chocolate roses to one lucky reader! To win, you need to post a comment at the bottom of this post, telling me the worst experience you ever had on a date! This prize is only for GTA residents, as you need to pick up the prize at the Square One location (or you can work out an arrangement with me, and I can meet you to deliver it!). Make sure to follow Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on Twitter (@rcmf_chocolate)! The contest will be open until Friday, June 21. Good luck!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my posts, for your comments and messages. It's always a pleasure to hear what you have to say, and tweet with you on Twitter! Until next time...xo

Wedding Gowns, Rap Videos, and Road Trippin'...First Dates, Bachelorette-Style!

Welcome back! Hope you're enjoying the new season so far. Sorry for the delay in posting. Life can get a little crazy, and things sneak up on us. I spent some time in the naughty corner to make up for it, and am back to dish with you on the first dates! Grab your bevvies...here we go!

I liked that Des chose Brooks for the very first 1:1 date. Brooks hasn't had as much airtime as some of the other bachelors in the house, so it's nice to see him get some private face time with Des. I'm not sure about going to a wedding gown shop to start off the date trying on tuxedos, but if he didn't run away screaming at the sight of Des modeling bridal gowns, he just might be a keeper!

I do need to say that I'm disappointed in how so many of the previous season's dates/locations are being recycled on newer seasons of The Bachelor/Bachelorette. I'm sure the show can try to come up with more original things to see/do for the couples on the dates! The Hollywood sign dates have popped up several times, as has dinner on a blocked off bridge. I love the Bachelor shows, but let's try to step it up a bit by choosing other places for them to hang out on dates!! You have a private jet, helicopter, and Bentley...take them on a new adventure! OK, rant's over...back to the date...:)

Despite the recycled date locations, it's obvious there is a lot of chemistry between these two. They're both laid-back and clearly enjoyed each other's company. I'm sure Brooks is happy that he got the first kiss of the season! If anyone is keeping tabs on the kisses for this season, let me know. I'm sure a TON of them will be given to this little cutie, since he was offered a rose on the date.

Date number two for the week was a video shoot with Soulja Boy. Let's be honest...how many people thought a paper cut would be more comfortable for some of the guys, as opposed to starring in a rap video? That was about as painful to watch as getting a root canal without Novocaine! Who did you think gave the best performance during the video shoot?

I'll be totally honest...the only memorable thing about this group date was when Ben stole Des mid-chat with Mikey to get more alone time with Des, and Mikey pulled him aside to talk about what had happened. We know this show is all about drama and ratings, and this is setting the stage for more drama in future episodes. It worked in his favor, as Des offered him the rose. Ben is clearly becoming a thorn in the side of many of the guys in the house, and I am looking forward to the fireworks in the future!

Did anyone else think that Brandon is very much like Kasey Kahl from Ali's season? I think he would do anything to "guard and protect' Des' heart, too! Let's see if he ends up sneaking off to a tattoo parlor in a future episode.....;)

The final date of the week is a road trip with Bryden to check out a few sites in California. Again, a lot of cheesey locales, until they hit the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (now we're talking!) Finally, a hot tub scene sneaks in, and takes the date up a notch. There's only so much you can get out of running through an orange grove and trying to fly a kite on the beach. While I appreciated Bryden opening up to Des about the terrible car accident he was in after college, I'm not sure it was something you need to share on a first date. I was also surprised he pulled out the scary hospital pictures! It was a bit TMI for me...but fortunately for him, Des gave him the rose.

Finally, it's time for the cocktail party, and more drama involving Ben. I thought he was such a great guy in the first episode, but it's obvious that he's not opposed to stepping on a few toes (or people!) to get more time with Des. I guess the old saying rings true on this show..."All's fair in love and war"! Ben is very quickly becoming Public Enemy Number One, and doesn't care that he already has a rose. He wants more face time, even though there are still several bachelors who want more time to convince Des why she should offer them a rose later. You could tell Mikey wanted to throw a case of whoop-ass on Ben, after he interrupted his time with Des. I can't wait to see them battle it out down the road!

Rose ceremony time finally comes, and with three roses already secured, Des makes her choices:

James, Kasey, Dan, Juan Pablo, Brad, Chris, Brian, Zak W., Drew, Mikey, Zach K., Michael, and Brandon. Will, Nick, and Robert were sent home. If you follow Des  on Twitter, it turns out Robert used to date Des' roommate, so his days were already numbered!

OK, time for another giveaway! Jacob's Creek (http://www.jacobscreek.ca/home) has very kindly offered a prize pack for me to give to one lucky reader! To win, you need to post a comment below, telling me which bachelor gave the best performance in the Soulja Boy video shoot, AND what song you would perform if you were going to star in your own video shoot! I will announce a winner on Thursday, June 20. Good luck! Make sure to follow Jacob's Creek on Twitter (@JacobsCreekCA), and tweet along with them every Monday night during the Bachelorette, using the hashtag #MoscatoMonday! :)

Thanks so much for sharing your comments and feedback with me! Until next time...xo