Recaps, Reviews, Predictions and Ideas

So much to discuss today! Let's start with my book REVIEW of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson.

Like everyone else I've talked to, I loved it! It took me about 50 pages before I really got in to it. The first 50 are pretty slow moving, but trust me it's definitely worth getting through. This book was dark, suspensful, thought provoking and well written. It was so well written, in fact, that I was super creeped out and had a hard time falling asleep while reading it. It definitely is dark and contains some pretty graphic and horrific scenes, so readers beware. I know they are in the works of making a movie based on the book and I really, REALLY hope they do it justice. It's such an interesting story with a lot of details that need to be included to make the story successful! According to IMDb, the film version has a predicted release date of December 2011 and shows Daniel Craig playing the role of Mikael Blomkvist (for those of you who have read it). I'm not going to give a summary or synopsis in case any of you are still waiting to read it, but I highly recommend it. Do it now, before the movie comes out! You'll be glad you did. And, I'm super excited because one of my friends has recently finished the two sequels to the book and is letting me borrow them!

Next up on my reading list, Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin.

Since it is Thursday, you all know you've got a So You Think You Can Dance RECAP and PREDICTION coming your way! Last night, the final 6 dancers each danced one routine with an All-Star, one routine with a fellow contestant and a solo in their own style! It was another great night filled with amazing talent. Since there were a billion performances, I narrowed it down to my top 3! 

Robert & All-Star Kathryn in a Stacey Tookey Contemporary

This routine brought tears to my eyes. The concept was a soldier leaving their loved one for war. The choreography was excellent and Robert and Kathryn were breathtaking. The concept really resonated with me and the whole thing was just beautiful. 

Billy and All-Star Ade in a Stacey Tookey Contemporary

It was a great night for Stacey Tookey! She choreographed two amazing routines! I loved this one. It was about a high class man and a low class man and at the climax of the routine they realize they know each other. Both dancers danced in completely different contemporary styles and the contrast was amazing. The music was perfect, choreography was perfect, concept was perfects, characters were perfect and the dancing was perfect. One of my favorite of the season. 

Billy & Robert in a Nakul Dev Mahajan Bollywood

 This was my favorite routine of the night! I LOVE Bollywood and it was so fun to see these two amazing dancers do it! I want to find a Bollywood dance class to take! I know it would be ridiculously hard, but the routines always look so fun and what a great workout! Both boys did a wonderful job!!!

Now, for the hard part. Tonight two dancers are going home and the FINAL FOUR will be revealed.

I think Jose is going home for sure. He is without a doubt the worst of the remaining dancers. He's as sweet as can be and I love him, but he isn't formally trained. He is a phenomenal B-Boy, but is having a rough time with the other styles.

I think Kent and Lauren are shoe-ins (and will be the final two) but who will be joining them?

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I think Billy, Robert and AdeChike are all deserving of being in the Final Four! I will say the Robert has surpassed Kent as my favorite! I absolutely love him and he gets better and better each week. Plus, he's easy on the eyes. I wasn't the biggest fan of Billy and up until last night would have picked AdeChike, but Billy Bell was outstanding last night. I thought his solo was the best of the group and I think he landed himself a spot in the top. I guess we'll just have to see what all the crazy teenage girls voting came up with!

All images from Fox.comhttp://www.fox.com/dance/

And, finally, for my big IDEA. I know from reading all your wonderful blogs that a lot of you are quite the little fashionistas. Because of your fabulous fashion sense, I'm guessing quite a few of you watch

Season 8 starts tonight on Lifetime and I cannot wait! There's 17 new designers and the show is now 90 minutes long! 

So, my big idea is to start one of those fun little Linky games! I figure this way we can all give our two cents on the season as it progresses and follow along with what we're all saying. This doesn't have to be a big dedication post, just throw it in with whatever else you're posting about every Friday. Just pick your favorite and least favorite designs from the night before. Then, feel free to share your favorite designers or rant about your not-so-favorites! And, if you're feeling really inspired share some of your favorite fashions, style icons,outfits, tips....anything you want! And of course don't forget to grab this super sweet button I made

See you all tomorrow for the first ever FASHION FRIDAY!!!!

Bachelorette Brief

For the next several weeks, Tuesdays post will most likely be about the ABC show The Bachelorette. I am obsessed. I love this show. I don't care if it's real or fake or scripted or if it works out or doesn't work out---it entertains the crap out of me! I missed the first two weeks of the show (don't worry my BFF dvr recorded them for me) and now I'm caught up and ready to give you my two-sense.

Let's start with the Bachelorette herself:

ALI:

 











   




Ali was my early favorite on Jake's season until she started getting consumed with her hatred against Vienna. I mean I get it, we all hated Vienna but she was supposed to be there to fall in love with Jake not prevent him from falling in love with Vienna. So she sort of bugged me. It was pretty obvious that after she left she would be the next Bachelorette and I was ok with that. Now, as this season progresses I'm starting to like her more. I think she's just a normal girl, which I like. Her excessive laughing and weird whine thing she does bugs me, but other than that I'm a fan. I love that she was just chillin' drinking Coors Light with the boys in last night's episode. I hope she finds what she's looking for and it works out. I like her. One other quick thing, I wish they'd stop putting her in the super long ballgown type dresses, she looks completely awkward and uncomfortable in them....she's sort of a tomboy but she's gorgeous, so put her in some smokin' hot little short dresses, these crazy prom dresses just aren't working. 

And now, for the boys.... 

EARLY FAVORITES: 

Chris L. was my favorite from the very first episode when they did the little pre-meeting Ali story on him. He is from Cape Cod and is extremely close to his family, especially after his mom passed away a year and a half ago. His is sooooooo good looking AND after this third episode his personality is really starting to show! Did anyone see the very end, when they show the extra clips of him diving on the floor trying to catch the mouse! I was dying of laughter! So cute! Love him, love him, love him!

Roberto, I think is definitely Ali's front runner right now. He is bea-u-ti-ful! He's super sweet and Ali just lights up every time she sees him, is with him or is talking about him. Unfortunately (for the rest of us girls) they have an obvious connection and already act very coupley around each other.

It's too early in the season to make a prediction but here's what I would like to happen. I would like Chris and Roberto to be the final two. Ali chooses Roberto and they live happily ever after and then Chris becomes the next Bachelor and we all get to see him for another full season! Yes? Thank you.

Dark Horse:

Kirk is my pick for the dark horse. Until last night's episode I had no idea who this guy was and then all of a sudden Ali spent half the show making out with him. The physical chemistry is DEFINITELY there and from what I've seen of his interviews it seems like he has a great personality to match. I think if him and Ali click without their lips locked he could be around for a lonnnnng time.

JURY'S STILL OUT:

I know Justin is supposed to be the villain of the house but I kind of like him.  I still can't decide if he's there for the right reasons or not. He's definitely competitive and I wonder if this is more of a game to be won than actually trying to fall in love. There always has to be someone to cause drama in the house and with his "Entertainment Wrestling" job title he's the obvious choice. I'm going to have to keep me eye on this one...but for now he's actually one of my favorites.

NOT-SO-MUCH:

I started out thinking Frank was a total goon, then after his one-on-one date with Ali, he kind of grew on me. Now I want to punch him in the face. There's always one super jealous one who can't deal with the Bachelor(ette) seeing other people. WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?!  This is the entire premise of the show! You know going in that there are 24 other people trying to date the same person you are. Just because you got the first one-on-one and it went well doesn't mean you've won the show! Ugh, he's driving me nuts. Hopefully, Ali will get just as sick of his whining and let him go soon! I do, however, think he'll be safe for sure one more week maybe a couple more.

What is up with Kasey? I don't want to sound mean, but is there something wrong with him? His voice is very strange! If he has some kind of problem, then I'm very sorry. But if he doesn't, what the heck?! I don't know about this guy, besides his voice he just kind of creeps me out! And did you see the previews for next week? He comes to a date with bandages around his wrist? What?! Hmmm, I hope he's alright but he straight up gives me the heebie jeebies!

PEACE OUT CUB SCOUT:

 
Jonathan aka "The Weatherman," Craig and Kasey are my votes for "get the heck off the show!" Weatherman is just there to be the weirdo, Craig has absolutely no purpose and I don't see and OUNCE of interest in him from Ali and Kasey is the creep-o. I don't know how many she gets rid of next week, but these are the 3 that should go!

What do you think? Who are your early favorites? Who can't you stand? I need to know, I'm too obsessed with this show!

Thoughtless Thursday

It's another "Thoughtless Thursday" over at Life in the Fulmer Lane!

Since it is Thursday and So You Think You Can Dance was on last night you all know that I actually have MANY thoughts! But, to stick with the point of "Thoughtless Thursdays" I thought I would treat you all to a little pictorial treat! Cat Deeley, the host of SYTYCD, always looks absolutely stunning! Whoever her stylist is should be winning awards! To prove my point, here are some of my favorite Cat looks from the past few seasons...

Credit

Alright, now to the thought-filled stuff. Last night's show. I thought overall it was good. The first few weeks are always tough because no one has really come into their own yet, you don't really know all the contestants and they're still working with nerves. This season it, the first episode was especially tough because we have to get used to there being an all star dancer paired with each contestant....I'm still not sure how I feel about the format. Okie dokie, I know you're all DYING to hear my thoughts, so lemme break it down for ya!

First, before I can talk about the contestants, I have to get one thing off my chest. When did Adam Shankman become soooo annoying! I used to love him and he is obviously a creative genius (Hairsrapy, anyone???) Maybe it's just becuase he's a full-time judge now and it's just Adam overload. He CANNOT give a critique without talking about himself! IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! And he can't give a critique under 5 minutes long. Drives me nuts-o!

Ok, back to business...

Contestant: Billy
All-Star: Lauren
Routine: Tyce Diorio Broadway

I found this routine to be too fast, it looked panicked. It was too quick to really enjoy the movement and the playfulness the routine could have had. I didn't like it at all. Billy is clearly an exceptional dancer but this was not the routine for him. He was too feminine. I mean, Kevin Bacon did some pretty feminine moves in Footloose but he made them look masculine and sexy...this was definitely missing from Billy.

C

Contestant: Cristina

All-Star: Mark

Routine: Sonya Tayeh Jazz

I loved this routine but I can't stand Cristina. I don't know what it is but I'm not a fan. I love Mark and it was great to see him back...especially dancing this routine. The judges loved Cristina in the routine but I didn't see it. I give her props because she is a Latin dancer and this is way out of her comfort zone but I didn't get anything snake-like from her.

Contestant: Jose
All-Star: Comfort
Routine: Tabitha and Napoleon D'uomo Hip Hop

I was disappointed in this one. Hip Hop is my favorite genre and Tabitha and Napoleon are my favorite choreographers. I felt like there was too much crawling on the ground and not enough dancing. I get the premise was that they were wild animals....but crawling on the floor is not Hip Hop. Jose did well and I really like him but I wanted more....Comfort + Jose + Nappy Tab (should) = amazing! But it fell short.

Contestant: AdeChike
All-Star: Kathryn
Routine: Travis Wall Jazz

I really liked this routine! It was super fun...Travis Wall is amazing!!! I agreed with the judges, though, that there wasn't much chemistry coming from AdeChike. Technically he was great but he was lacking in the performance part. This was one of my favorite routines of the night.

Contestant: Melinda
All-Star: Pasha
Routine: Tony and Melanie Jive

Disaster. I actually fast forwarded through a good portion of this routine because I felt so bad for Melinda. This was just not her cup of tea. I thought maybe she could pull it off because of her tap dancing...but I was wrong. Yikes, without a doubt the worst routine of the night.

Contestant: Alex
All-Star: Allison
Routine: Sonya Tayeh Contemporary

I'm not an Alex fan. He's for sure my least favorite of the boys but you would have to be a complete MORON to say an ill word about this routine. It was unreal, amazing, beautiful, dramatic, everything you could use to describe a flawless routine. By biggest beef with Alex is his personality, it's obvious that he is a remarkable dancer (maybe the best to be on the show) but he's stoic. He actually let feeling show through routine and that did wonders for him, SIMPLY AMAZING!

Contestant: Alexie
All-Star: Twitch
Routine: Tabitha and Napoleon Hip Hop

Again, this Hip Hop routine fell short. It was better than Jose's but it was forgettable. It didn't help that Alexie had to follow Alex's routine. She danced it well, but it wasn't anything to write home about. I like her though.

Contestant: Lauren
All-Star: Ade
Routine: Mandy Moore Pop Jazz

My home girl, Lauren, got it rough from the judges. Unfortunately, I agree with them. She is such a strong dancer but her feeling and emotion in the routine are void. I LOVED this routine and thought she danced it perfectly. But, instead of being flirtatious and feeding off of Ade she was flashing cheerleader-esque smiles (no offense to cheerleaders, but you know what I mean). I really hope she takes the judges criticism to heart and works on it because she has MAJOR potential.

Contestant: Kent
All-Star: Anya
Routine: Tony and Melanie Cha Cha

This was soooo fun! Kent is by far my favorite contestant. He's so stinkin' cute! Technically he wasn't perfect, but talk about performing! Oh man! So cute, so full of energy! LOVE IT!!!! LOVE HIM!!!!

Contestant: Ashley
All-Star: Neil
Routine: Tyce Diorio Contemporary

I really like Ashley, she is sneaking up on Lauren as my favorite girl. I thought this routine was solid. She danced it beautifully. I agree with the judges though that the emotion was either lacking or directed in the wrong way. I don't know, overall this was there. Nothing exciting. Maybe I was just distracted because Mrs. Bear told me a story about what a jerk Neil is. Sad! I think Ashley has a ton of potential and could go pretty far.

Contestant: Robert
All-Star: Courtney
Routine: Sean Cheesman African Jazz

I LOVED THIS ROUTINE! This was my favorite of the night! There was so much energy, it was so fun to watch, and how difficult it must have been! SOOOOO good!

So there you have it....my review! Now, my prediction: 

Melinda's going home.

(All pictures from Fox.com)

What did you think of the show? What was your favorite routine? After week one, who is your favorite contestant?