Last Night May Have Felt Uncomfortable

I also want to say this because I’ve seen a lot of talk online from people about how disappointed they are in this season. Look I get it, the season was heavy. We saw a lot of drama and these conversations around race can feel uncomfortable. I know, the majority of people watch TV to escape from life. Heck that’s why Hallmark channel is one of the highest rated cable channels on TV if not the highest rated. People want feel good stories right now because frankly, the world in real life is a pretty scary place. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and we have gone through some very turbulent times as a country in the recent years. More so than I can remember in my life up until this point. Or I just was unaware in my adolescence and in many ways, I was ignorant.

That said, I get the wanting to escape. The thing that everyone has to remember is that these topics are sooooo important. Talking about racism and having an open dialogue where people can learn and grow is important. This wasn’t supposed to be feel good TV. Emmanuel said himself, these conversations feel uncomfortable. But we HAVE to hear them. And we MUST learn from them.

Matt

I felt for Matt so much when he talked about the pressure he felt the season. Can you imagine stepping into the shoes as the first black Bachelor with everything going on in our country? The social injustice, the conversations around racism, the death of George Floyd and so many others – all of it. It’s got to be so much to take on. I can’t imagine the weight he must have felt and still feels. But this is what I do know, I know what it’s like to be in that position in terms of being the lead of the show. The pressure and scrutiny and hate is intense. So I can only imagine with everything going on in our world, the extra level that he had to deal with and how hard that has to be on a person. It’s too much for any one person to take on. The sadness and pain in his eyes was gut-wrenching. So I have to say that I completely respect him for how he handled everything. I don’t think I could have done it.

Racheal

I believe Rachel has shown how committed she is to learning and growing and being better after all of this. I think everything she said were the right things to say (I say “I think” because it’s not my apology to accept) and I believe she’s staying accountable for this and hoping to be better at the end of the day. The only thing I’ll say is that I feel bad that she didn’t feel comfortable expressing her own hurt in the situation. For example, when she first came out and Emmanuel asked her how she’s been.

She said it was a loaded question, but that she didn’t want to victimize herself. I get that she doesn’t want to victimize herself in terms of the fact that she attended an antebellum party – which was WRONG. She is NOT the victim in that case. But it’s okay for her to talk about how hard it’s been dealing with the hateful comments and the bullying that she has undoubtedly received. Yes, she made a huge mistake. But that doesn’t mean she can’t say “Hey, I’m not okay because the hate I’m receiving is horrible”. I personally might get some backlash for saying this, but it’s how I feel. Honestly I’m writing this super quick this morning while I drink my coffee and I’m feeding breakfast to my kids. But that was just the one thing I sort of felt bad for her about and honestly, I feel like it’s just in my nature to want the best for everyone and to hate when anybody’s hurting. This show is intense. The fans are intense. The hate is intense.

Rachael and Matt

In terms of Rachael and Matt’s relationship, I think it’s fair to say that there’s no way their relationship could work at this point. There’s too much pain and too much hurt… and quite frankly too much to take on. Look, I’m not putting myself in that position because I’m not black and therefore I cannot understand what it’s like to be Matt, but what I can understand is what it’s like to be the lead of the show – the amount of pressure the public puts on you is so intense that it makes your relationship more complicated. So on top of the hurt he expressed and is feeling, and it being too hard to come back from that hurt, he also has hundreds of thousands of people criticizing the relationship in one way or another. And that I know, has got to be almost impossible to get through together. I feel for both of them.

And I’m sorry my comments are only on after the final rose. I didn’t get a chance to watch the whole episode. But I usually don’t say much about the final episode other than I wish the best to the happy couple. But obviously that’s not the case here. But I will say I wish the best both to Matt and Rachael. I hope they’re able to heal from this.

Two Bachelorettes!

I’m a huge fan of both Katie and Michelle also I am pumped for both of them! I think they will both make incredible Bachelorettes and I plan to watch both seasons! I guess I’m a little confused as to why they chose 2 women for two seasons. Does that mean there’s no Bachelor in Paradise? So one season is just taking the place of the Bachelor in Paradise season? If that’s the case I’m honestly a bit disappointed because I love Bachelor in Paradise. I know many of  you reading this are more up-to-date with all the spoilers out there than I am, so if anybody has any insight I’d love to know in the comments below!

While Your Here

Before you go – big update to my site! I did an entire blog post about my discount codes that will now live at the top of the homepage on my website. This is so if you guys ever want to get any of the products I recommend you can easily come back to this blog post to find the link and discount code to get a deal on it! I get so many questions about my codea via DM and messages that I figured this would make it easy for everyone!

While you’re here on my site if you wanna check out my emergency prep blog that I wrote yesterday, you can read it here. Plus you can see the ridiculous use Kevin has for the helmet I bought him. I’m telling you, he’s gonna be happy we have that helmet when a big storm hits! I share a few other things that I bought to prepare. If you don’t have an emergency kit prepared take this as your sign to prepare one now!

Love you all. Let’s be kind to one another and try to listen to others. Especially when they tell us they’re hurting. This should go without saying, but I’m going to say it to keep this a safe place. Any comments that condone any form of racism below will be deleted. Let’s lead with love and kindness and understanding when choosing our words – today and always. xoxo

The post The Bachelor – Uncomfortable Conversations appeared first on Ali Manno (Fedotowsky).

This Is Too Much

The very first thing I thought as soon as the episode started was how bizarre it was that all three of the girls were together having conversations about their relationships with Matt. Normally at this point in the season everyone is separated and the girls are not required to interact with each other, except for at the rose ceremonies. Two weeks ago during hometowns, I thought it was weird that they we’re still living together, but I thought it would be the last time and then made split up. But the fact that they still have them all together is just cruel. They should have separated them in separate areas of the resort.

Also, the fact that the girls know who goes first, so potentially who he is sleeping with first, it’s just so disturbing. When you’re separated and there’s so much time, you honestly don’t even really realize who’s going first or second or last. For example, when a lot of traveling happens in the show, you don’t really realize what’s happening on the days you’re not being filmed or with the Bachelor. He could be taking a day off or traveling or on another date or production could’ve stopped for 1 million different reasons. You don’t really know when you’re kind of in the dark. From hometowns, the only thing you’re aware of is your relationship with the Bachelor and nothing else. So the fact that they’re so aware of what’s going on this season is just more than any person should be expected to be able to handle emotionally. I feel so bad for them.

Michelle’s Date

Honestly I thought Michelle would be the one to go home this episode while watching their entire date. He just seemed so serious, not super happy, on their date. Almost like he knew in the back of his head that every time she said I love you, he was never going to say it back. I don’t know what it was. But I was really surprised that she wasn’t the one sent home to be honest.

Bri’s Date

I guess I shouldn’t of been super surprised that Bri went home, but they just giggled and laughed so much together on their date that I just found myself smiling and laughing along with them. I think they make such an amazing couple. But I do think it probably progressed a little too slowly for them to move forward at this point. But gosh, I love Bri and I would absolutely love to see her as the Bachelorette. She’s so beautiful and well spoken and smart. I just think that she would be an absolutely outstanding Bachelorette. I’m sad that we didn’t get to know her better this season. I feel like we never even really heard from her besides the first date and then the past couple episodes.

Rachael’s Date

It just feels so obvious week after week that Matt is choosing Rachael in the end. She’s the only one he tells that he has fallen in love with her. Unless he told Michelle and it was edited out. I don’t think that’s the case because I feel like the producers would definitely leave that in. And I felt horrible for Rachael this entire episode. Again I’m just sitting here sweating and pacing thinking about how awful it would be to be in these three girls situation this week having to see each girl come back from her fantasy suite. That’s just not something we normally see and it’s just not okay and too much to put them through. So I guess I don’t have much to say about Rachel’s date other than I felt bad for her. But I think she’ll end up with Matt in the end.

Thoughts on Next Week?

So much to discuss! Did you also think that keeping the girls together was too much? What are your thoughts on how next week’s finale is going to go? Any theories (no spoilers!) on why Matt is upset in the preview? I am really interested and excited to see how the ATFR goes with Emmanuel Acho as host! Let’s all chat below about tonight’s episode!!

What’s Going on With Me This Week!

I am sooo excited about my upcoming Amazon Live!!! Amazon asked me for a wishlist, and they are going to offer everyone that’s watching my live a crazy 60% off discount on towels! You have to be watching live to get the discount, so I definitely recommend going to follow me on Amazon now! Click this link and hover your cursor over the video. You will see a +Follow button. Once you follow me, you will be notified on your Amazon app whenever I go live! Make sure to do that so you don’t miss this insane towel deal!!! Also, if you bookmark the link above, it will always take you to my most recent live, as well as list out all the rest in case you missed one!

 1. MY AMAZON LIVE FEED

Also, if you missed my Affordable Friday from a week ago, check that out here! I talked all about my new favorite tees and they are only $12!!! They come in a bunch of colors and are so comfortable! I also talk about some new jeans that I love that are under $30! This is one that you won’t want to miss – it’s my first spring Affordable Friday post of the year and it’s the first from Nashville!!!

 1. PALE YELLOW TEE | 2. LIGHT BLUE TEE | 3. $27 JEANS

The post The Bachelor – This is Too Much to Handle appeared first on Ali Manno (Fedotowsky).

And last week with everything going on with Chris Harrison and how he handled the interview he did on Extra! with Rachel Lindsay, I really just felt like a scatterbrain blog post was not appropriate. And beyond that I didn’t even have time to watch the whole episode. I had to text Madi to find out who was even in the final four because I didn’t make it to the end. So those are a few of the reasons I didn’t blog last week.

And to be completely honest,  I still don’t feel like I can give this topic the justice it deserves. But I put my stake in the ground and said very publicly on my Instagram and now here that I do not condone any form of racism. My mother raised me to love everyone as they are. What Chris said was uneducated, ignorant, and insensitive. He knows it. He apologized for it, but I know it is not my apology to accept. Of course he has a lot of learning to do, as so I. That’s said, I do not believe in cancel culture. I believe in giving people a chance to learn, grow, mess up, learn some more and ultimately be better. If you want to learn more about what happened, I strongly suggest watching this video from @theblckchelorettes.

Please know that any racist comments on my blog will be deleted. Like I said, I will not tolerate racism in my life. So let’s keep this a positive and safe space for all!

Let’s Talk About Tonight’s Episode | Final 4

Now I am going to continue my Bachelor blog because it’s something I enjoy doing and honestly I want to support Matt. Plus, I think it’s pretty awesome that out of the five cast members left, Matt and the four girls, four of them are black. I want to talk about that! I want to support the season, so I will watch and blog and I hope you all watch too. I’m guessing you do if you’re reading this

I didn’t even think about the fact that for hometowns they wouldn’t be traveling. It just feels like such a fantasy land that I didn’t really think about how it’s real life and there is COVID! I know that probably seems weird for somebody to say that was on the show. But it was just so long ago, that I feel like sometimes I forget, and I also didn’t go through it during pandemic! So let’s talk about these dates.

Michelle’s Hometown

To be honest with you, I thought the classroom thing with her students was kind of awkward. I’m not quite sure what grade they were in maybe second grade? Maybe she told us this information, but I just can’t remember. I pretty much have the worst memory of all time. Although I do think Matt did a good job of answering the questions because the real answers to those questions were highly inappropriate for children.

I know I really enjoyed their visit with her parents. Her mom and dad are so cute and I just loved how nervous her dad was talking to Matt. He was so awkwardly adorable. And then Michelle’s conversation with her mom had me crying! I loved Matt’s first 1-on-1 date with Michelle, but something since then doesn’t seem as strong. I can’t put my finger on it but he just doesn’t seem as into her as he once was. Also, the fact that he told Rachael that he was falling in love with her and said told Michelle’s dad he was falling in love with her, but didn’t say it to Michelle when she told him at the end of the night, at this point I think says a lot.

Rachael’s Hometown

I’m pretty shocked that Rachael suggested the skydiving date. I never really got the feeling from her that she was super adventurous or a thrill seeker. Which is fine, I’m not at all! I just never really saw that in her, but it’s pretty obvious that Matt is, I mean he told us he is, so I think it’s pretty awesome that they have that in common. And oh my gosh, that’s all so terrifying! I can’t believe she didn’t get more hurt than she did. She could have broken her nose or worse, her back. I’m just so thankful she’s okay!

One thing that I found a little disappointing was how different Rachel seemed with her parents than she is with Matt or even in the house. But the more I sat back and thought about it, maybe she’s just not super close with her parents and doesn’t have the best relationship with them. Honestly that’s how it seemed to me. And when I was her age, that’s kind of how my conversations were with my parents. So I definitely don’t think any of us can blame her for that.

Bri’s Hometown

I don’t know what it is about Bri but I just have so much respect for her. She just seems so smart in badass, but in such a subtle way, that it’s even more badass. I can’t really describe it, but I think she’s awesome. But I do not see her with Matt. It just seems so obvious that the connection wasn’t there even though I so badly wanted it to be.

I think because she had the first 1-on-1, I’ve been pulling for her all along, but also so confused why she hadn’t gotten any air time. I just kind of figured all along it’s because she ended up with Matt and they didn’t want to include her in any of the drama but, I’m also realizing now that we got to know her a little better that’s probably because she it’s too smart to play the Bachelor game. And what that means essentially is she probably didn’t give good material during her interviews because she’s too smart to be manipulated. A similar thing happened on Peter’s season with Kelley Flanagan. She was the lawyer that Peter ended up dating for a while after the show (maybe they are possibly even dating again? I’m not sure). She didn’t get very much air time, but I think that’s because she’s a lawyer and too smart to give them what they want from contestants. So that’s kind of what I think happened with the Bri situation.

And oh my gosh, can I just say how much I love her mom. She’s so wise and smart and drop dead gorgeous! I need to know what her skin care routine is stat!

Anyway, as much as I like Bri I don’t think she’s ending up with Matt and I would love to see her as a Bachelorette! Although I don’t think there’s anyway that’s gonna happen because if she wasn’t giving the producers what they wanted on camera on this season, they’re not gonna cast her as a lead. Hopefully at very minimum we will see her on BIP!

Serena’s Hometown

Her date was super cute! I love how playful they are together and how much they laugh. But the thing I was most focused on during their date was what kind of ice skates she had on. He clearly had hockey skates on, but hers looked like black figure skates. I have to give that a little bit of slack because I can say from experience, because I skated in hockey skates last month, they are so much harder than figure skates! That toe-pick is essential for stopping yourself and getting going if you’re not good on skates. By the way I realize how ridiculous it is that this is what I focused on during the beginning of their date. But I’m traumatized from trying to ice skate in hockey states. Ha!

So I know Serena is from Canada, but do they still live there? I must’ve completely missed that because I’m pretty sure the borders have been closed to any nonessential travel. Anybody have any insight into this? Or are the Bachelor producers in the franchise that powerful that they can bring people across the border is during this pandemic?

I’m curious how long ago Serena’s last relationship was. Because it feels very recent to me. Like recent enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if they got back together after this. She keeps saying she doesn’t know what it is because Matt checks all the boxes. It’s the spark. The spark that nobody can describe that makes you feel attracted to someone. Makes you feel like you could fall madly in love with them. It’s either there or it’s not and clearly it was not in this scenario. She made the right choice to leave.

The Final Three

The last thing I wanna comment on regarding tonight’s episode is Bri’s concern with getting the last rose. I really wish I could let her know that she shouldn’t be concerned about that whatsoever because the producers 1000% choose the order in which you hand out the roses. I remember one rose ceremony that was particularly emotional for me, I was adamant about giving it to my top pick first. But other than that, I just handed them out in the order they told me too.

And wow the next few weeks look good. I’m surprised to see Chris Harrison hosting the Women Tell All, but my guess is they recorded it before his Extra interview. I’ll be curious to see who fills in for him at the After the Final Rose. I hope it’s Rachel Lindsay, if she chooses to do it. I think she’ll be able to ask some hard, honest, and raw questions to Matt and to Rachael since they will both be there regardless of whether or not they end up together at the end.

Thank you so much for coming by the blog today and let me know what you think about the final 4!

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