Reality on Bravo

Padma was recently spotted at Celebrating the La Perla Legacy Event earlier this month, and she couldn’t have looked hotter. In fact, with every picture I see of her, Padma simply outdoes herself. Rarely is she not on top of the fashion game and rarely does she take a bad picture (although, hey…it happens to all of us…) Why does Padma always look so hot?

1. She understands her body. Sure, Padma has a great figure. Few of us “mortals” can actually boast her curves. That said, she doesn’t pick out just any clothing. Even Paddie has her figure faults, and she knows how to use what she wears to minimize them.

2. She’s confident. What scar? Padma isn’t perfect, but she is confident about her look. Who cares if she has a huge scar? Who cares if she’s wearing couture or sweats? Padma doesn’t!

3. Her clothes make a statement. No, she’s not always wearing the weirdest outfit or the prettiest outfit…or even the most note-worthy outfit. She does stick to her “style” though, letting her clothes say something about her. She’s not afraid to take risks when she wants, even if the Top Chef producers may be rolling their eyes at her kitchen dress.

We can all take a few lessons from Miss Padma Lakshmi. She really does march to the beat of her own drummer, and in this world, that’s abnormal for any TV personality. I know there’s been a lot of backlash about her qualifications to actually judge Top Chef, but I do think that she’s doing a great job. And…anyone who is half as classy as Padma, in my opinion, is beautiful.

We’ve all done stupid stuff in 2007…stuff we aren’t proud of to say the least. That’s why we make New Year’s resolutions. We hope that we can be better people in 2008.

Everyone wants to start working out in the new year or spend more time with family or achieve work goals…but let’s talk more specifically. If you were your favorite Bravo star, what resolution would YOU make? As Jo De La Rosa, would your resolution be to be done with Slade once and for all? As Padma Lakshmi, would your resolution be to find a new man?

Here are my ideas for some of the current Project Runway contestants. Can you match my silly resolution with the correct contestant?

1. “In 2008, I vow to stop spitting on clothing that other people will be wearing. I’ll continue to march to the beat of my own drummer, but I’ll stop making others so uncomfortable.”

2. “My New Year’s resolution is to only cry when the situation really warrants crying. Otherwise, I will suck it up instead of continuously tearing up at the drop of a hat.”

3. “My resolution for 2008 is to start taking Tim’s advice. I’ll continue making cute clothing, but instead of going that step too far, I’ll cut the costumer elements and keep it classy.”

4. “This year, I’ll stop quoting overused movie phrases…even if I am kinda a big deal.”

A)Christian………………….B)Elisa………………….C)Chris…………………D)Ricky

(Please note, again, that these are not ACTUAL resolutions from these Bravo designers. I made ‘em up. Just wanted to be clear on that point!)

Answers after the break!
(more…)

We all know that TV stars - even reality show TV stars - have some money to throw around. Do I? Nope. So, I’m bringing your Friday’s Fashion Finds! I’ll take a picture of a favorite Bravo star and show you where to find similar fashion for an affordable price. See an outfit you’d love replicate? Email me today, and I’ll feature you on an upcoming week!

Today’s Fashion Inspiration: Heidi Klum, the host of Bravo’s Project Runway

Who doesn’t want to look like Heidi Klum. Sure, she may be a bit bigger than “size 0″ these days, but give a girl a break. She’s been playing mommy after all! Anyone who can have kids and still participate in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show as one of their lead angels has GOT to have a kick-ass body.

I mean, really…Anyone who doesn’t think that Heidi looks fabulous can immediately leave this blog. She’s stunning.

But not all of us have a supermodel pocketbook…or Seal footing bills for that matter!

No, the rest of us need more affordable options. Don’t worry! You can still pull off that hot as hell Heidi Klum look. Here’s how to affordable get a recent Runway look for a fraction of the cost!

The Shirt
Notice in this picture Heidi Klum is simply wearing a basic black top. Nothing fancy - but she (or her wardrobe people) did put thought into it. Notice how the scoop neck shows off her long, lean model-y neck? Notice how the sleeve length plays up her toned arms beautifully? And open neck and fitted arms will do the same for you, even if you don’t have model-esque features. The shirt pictured to the right is from Eddie Bauer, and it will run you just $34.50…even less if you shop Eddie Bauer during sales days, like I do!

The Skirt
This skirt is what really makes the outfit interesting. She’s wearing black and white, so the visual interest has to come from neat patterns. Don’t forget to add visual interest to your outfit, either using a color or a pattern. The skirt pictured to the right is from Sears, and although it isn’t like the one Heidi is wearing in the picture, it uses the same principles - a sleek, structured cut, with visual interest created by the red color and the pattern. If you look for it, finding the black and white version of Heidi’s skirt should be fairly easy. The red one from Sears will set you back under $20.

Finish off your look with a great belt and some pumps and people will be mistaking you for Heidi Klum! Ok, maybe not…but you will look fierce!

Don’t forget to check out some past Friday Fashion Finds!

As we approach the new year, it is fun to look back at all that has happened in the past 365 days. Bravo has had quite a year! In addition to seeing some great new shows, like Flipping Out and Shear Genius, we got to enjoy old favorites, like Top Chef and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, as well. In no particular order, here are my top ten favorite Bravo moments of 2007.

1. The Top Chef Season 2 Finale, When Marcel Peed on Himself
Season 2 was a real blood bath! With Cliff getting kicked off the show and multiple people yelling at Marcel, there was never a dull episode. One of my favorite moments, however, HAS to be when Marcel pricked himself trying to reach for the uni, and he peed on himself to ward off infections. It’s either that or the time Marcel rapped to the camera. Gotta love that kid, even if he didn’t win!

2. Jo and Slade’s Break-up
This was one of the few Real Housewives moments when we were really allowed to see someone hurting. The tears were real. The situation was real? Jo and Slade’s break-up was…real? Jury’s still out on that one. Who knows if they ever got back together?

3. Michael’s “Carissa comment” on Top Design
Ah, it seems like Top Design was so very long ago….but it was just last spring! The best moment on that show, in my opinion, was Michael saying “It’s like trying to squeeze Carissa into a pair of pants” when they were having troubling fitting a plastic sheet in a drawer. hahaha!

4. Rebecca throwing water in Jesse’s face on Work Out
This season on Work Out was tough, as the cast was dealing with Doug’s death. I wouldn’t call that one of my favorite moments, though. What WAS one of my faves was when Rebecca got sick of putting up with Jess’s shit about her and Jackie’s relationship and threw water in his face. He deserved it.

5. Tyson’s Shear Genius “trance”
Tyson and Tabitha’s feud was by far the best part about Shear Genius. The thing that cracked me up the most? Tyson’s “trance” when he got inspired to create the GORGEOUS Elizabethan style. The end result was beautiful…but that guy was WEIRD.

6. The Top Chef Smackdown
There wasn’t one specific part about the reunion challenge show that I loved - the whole thing was great. I love that TC has these little specials every so often to remind us how much we love that show!

7. Gay Porn - God’s Work
This year, My Life on the D-List also had some heart-touching episodes, as Kathy’s father passed away. I’d like to highlight here another moment, however, that is classic - when Kathy hosted the Gay Porn awards, and one of the winners said that they were doing “God’s Work.” Really? God wants you to have lots of gay sex on camera? LOL!

8. Top Chef Season Three Restaurant Wars
Restaurant Wars was by far my favorite episode of season three. It was so exciting to watch the underdogs competing against the powerhouse team…and then NO ONE went home…and then the UNDERDOGS won the second time around. Sweeeeeet.

9. Sex Toy on Welcome to the Parker
Welcome to the Parker’s Success was short-lived…but who can forget the Sex Toys episode?

10. Elisa spitting on the fabric
We’re not too too far into Project Runway yet, but Elisa spitting on the fabric has to be one of the weirdest, funniest moments on the whole show. And Sweet Pea’s Reaction!?!? PRICELESS!

Some little WordPress Gremlins seem to have been stealing comments! They’re hiding everything in my spam filter - even if you’ve commented before. I’ve been trying to pick them out when possible, but do me a favor. If you post a comment and it does not immediately show up on the site under the comments, use the contact link under my name (found in the right-hand sidebar) to shoot me an email! I love reading everyone’s comments, and I don’t want yours to slip through the cracks!

Project Blog is an ongoing competition that coincides with Bravo’s Project Runway. Every week, blogtestants from all over the blog-o-sphere compete in blogging challenges. Every week, the top blogger wins a special prize and, more importantly, immunity and the blogger with the lowest score is eliminated. There are prizes for readers too! And you can play along on your own blog if you’d like email me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com with your entries, and I’ll show you a little link love AND give you an additional entry in the prize for that given week!

In this past week’s challenge, blogtestants were asked to give us goals for the new year. Bloggers were judged on how well they inspired us and interested readers.You can find a list of their entries here.

You guys voted to pick the reader’s favorites, who get points, which are added to the judges’ scores to create a final score for each player. Project Blog Judges are Beth (the winner of the Reality on Bravo “Create your own Reality Show” contest), April (a freelance writer and the blogger for Life as a Christian Woman), and myself.

Imagine, if you will, that the bloggers are lined up on a virtual runway, because it’s time to announce the winner! There was some stiff competition this week, but the person with the highest score is….

Blogtestants, your entries were downright awesome. I *might* be inspired to jump on that treadmill come the new year. Might. Kate is back on top this week, though because her entry really captured us, and judging from the reader response, she did that to everyone else as well. For the first week, Winnie had a real challenger for top spot in the readership vote!

Congratulations, Kate. You and your blog, Babylune, win week five of Project Blog!! You have immunity next week and will be getting a cool prize in the mail in the next week or so.

Mark, you captured second place points. You may not have the biggest readership community, but you wooed the judges, getting points from all three of us (a rarity - we never agree!!).

NOTICE TO BLOGGERS: This is the last week immunity will be offered!!

And now for the part I don’t like…the elimination.

Sigh.

You’re all wonderful bloggers, but we do have a few comments for the bottom two before making an elimination. Congratulations Winnie and Jodie. Your scores have qualified you to remain in the competition; you may leave the virtual runway.

That leaves us with the bottom two. Kara and Sally, let’s bring out your models…er…blogs so we can make a few comments.

Both posts fulfilled the requirements quite well - you gave us goals for 2008. We just really missed that “spark” to draw us into your post, in both cases. Perhaps they were a bit too “personal”. Although writing about personal goals (rather than goals about your specific topic) was totally acceptable, we didn’t feel that connection. In other words, what in your posts would interest readers who typically come to your blog for information about your topic? Your posts have to always be relevant for long-term readers. If they are personal (which admittedly makes your blog “you”), we would have liked to see shorter, more concise posts, since not every person will be interested about the blogger’s personal life.

This was by far the toughest decision we’ve had to make. In fact, there was less than ten points difference between the top and bottom blogger!

Now here’s the hard part…this week, we’re eliminating:

It makes me so sad to write that, as everyone on the judging team absolutely loves your creativity in meeting challenges. The deciding factor was formatting - we found Sally’s entry to be more “skim-able”, which is always a good trait for any blog choice!

I’d like to take this moment to say that all of the judges at Project Blog miss ALL past contestants. Here’s a little linky-love, guys! Readers, go check ‘em out to see what’s new with past friends:

Randi, Brad Pitt Wat

Cynthia, TV of the Absurd

Kara, Colorado Review

REMINDER: Project Blog is on a little breaky-break for the holidays, so no new competition tonight!

Sorry to do this to you all, but I have to postpone the Project Blog winner announcement ONE more day, because I’m blogging from a relative’s house and I realized that I left the notes and points recap at home. Whoops!

Will post first thing when I’m back tomorrow - sorry to keep you all in suspense!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love,
Alli

Happy Holidays, RoB readers. Thanks for making this year so special for me. I love what this community has become, and I can’t wait to continue into the new year! With so many great new shows on Bravo, I hope to see you here often, checking up on the shows, reading news about your favorite Bravo stars, and becoming a new Reality on Bravo friend. Merry Christmas (or, Merry Whatever-holiday-you-celebrate)!

May you be able to cut the holiday stress out of your life and enjoy the big day.

May your days be filled with laughter…

…and even giggling.

May you get exactly what you wanted from Santa, even if you’ve been a bit naughty this year…

…or every year.

May you look absolutely fabulous…

…no matter what your age.

May you spend the day with your very best friends…

…and family…

…and friends who have become family.

May you not be afraid to be who you are, even if you have a silly hairdo…

…or a silly life.

May you overcome all health problems.

May you always have enough to eat…

…and totally forget about your diet for the day (or week…).

Most of all, may you simply have the best love and the best luck for the end of 2007 and beyond in 2008!

(And stay tuned for find out last week’s winner of PROJECT BLOG! It will be announced TOMORROW, on Christmas Day (along with the name of the lucky reader who won the prize as well - Good luck everyone and thanks for making Project Blog such a success!)

The Keoughs, famous for being all-star baseball players, playboy bunnies, and stars on The Real Housewives of Orange County, are living proof that money does not make your life easy. I haven’t been following the news on Matt Keough and Jeana Keough breaking up, but someone on Google News caught my eye today - Matt’s arraignment has been rescheduled. Arraignment? Arraignment for what? I really have been out of the loop lately. Bad blogger!

In 2005, Matt was arrested for DUI, which means that he’s on parole. However, he was caught drinking at a Newport Beach hotel not long ago, when a concerned staff member called the authorities. That’s a direct violation of his parole. Currently, Matt is not eligible for parole, probably because this is not the first time his violated court orders.

It’s a sad story.

For those of you who don’t know, Matt Keough was a star baseball player for the Oakland A’s, as was his father. His son, Shane Keough, is also playing ball, and everyone expects that his younger son, Colton, will as well. When Matt met Jeana, he was a fun, interesting, hot guy who was at the top of the world. She was a playboy playmate, also at the top of her game. It was a solid super-star hook up.

Then, Matt was hit in the head by a line drive while in the dugout at a game. He almost didn’t make it, and they had to do emergency brain surgery to save his life. Unfortunately, he was never the same Matt. He turned into a person that you generally don’t want to be around.

It wasn’t hard to see that Matt and Jeana were falling out of love on the show. The only thing keeping them together was their kids and their morals that “you marry for life.” Sadly, that wasn’t enough, and in this season Matt and Jeana are separated, although the report did say that she attended his court date.

This poor guy, due to an accident, has little left in his life. I’m not surprised that alcohol became a problem. Last year, Matt checked himself into the Betty Ford Clinic to attempt to sober up, but apparently he still needs more help.

My heart reaches out to you, Matt and Jeana. It’s been a hard situation, and I admire your strength.

“F You, F You, F You, F You…”

We all saw the previews and were braced for a Vicki - Jeana smackdown…but it didn’t really happen that way…here’s your Episode 307 Recap:

First of all, let’s talk about how sleezy the OC Angels are. Well, not the girls themselves…but the concept. Maybe Lou Knickerbocker ran things differently, but those bathing suits were ridiculous. I get it - sex sells. But that doesn’t mean that you have to walk around in a thong and a top that barely covers your nipples let alone the rest of your chest. My favorite quote of the night was from one of the horny old men running the company - they did a close of of one of the girls’ butts, only half-way covered by the teeny little bottom, and he goes thought it should be “just a little bit smaller. Good for Ashley (Lauri Waring’s daughter) for not wearing something she wasn’t comfortable wearing.

In this episode, Quinn planned a birthday get-together for Billy with some of his friends. It was a bit awkward - I felt bad for the girl. She didn’t know, like, ANY of his friends, and then she did a weird announcement about how much she cares about Billy…and he didn’t really respond. He left her hanging, and you could tell that it made her feel even more uncomfortable. I really like Quinn, so I hope things work out for her and Billy.

The rest of the ladies went out together in this episode, and it looked like they had a lot of fun. The whole “meltdown” was about - you guessed it - Frankie staying in Vicki’s house, which Jeana set up. Here’s the problem: Frankie agreed to rent Vickie’s house while she did a little work and put it back on the market. She asked for a $4000 security deposit. He gave her $2000. That was problem number one. Problem number two is that he hasn’t been paying his rent every month. I agree with Vicki that a security deposit is necessary. I don’t care how “disaster zone” your house may be, there are always damages that can occur, and you have to be covered for that.

HOWEVER, to ask for full rent when the place is being renovated is unreasonable. Yes, Frankie agreed to like there while it was being redone…but it sounds like he was under the impression that they were going to be redecorating, not KNOCKING DOWN WALLS. People can’t live like that. I don’t think it was justified that HE reduced his rent - but Vicki and Don shoudl have already reduced it for him.

Furthermore, Frankie and Vicki both need to grow up and talk to one another. Right now, they are both just yelling at Jeana, which is not fair.

What do you think about the situation?

It’s that time again, folks - time to talk about what some of your favorite Bravo stars are doing NOT on the screen. Here’s a look at who’s been out and about around the town recently:

The cast from Bravo’s Work Out, including Jackie Warner, was honored at the 15th Annual Diversity Awards. It’s an award well deserved, as they’ve been making leaps and bounds for the homosexual community, bringing issues to the forefront in the show. And look at them - they’re a hot bunch!

She may not be the “face” of Bravo (that honor has to go to Andy Cohen), but Lauren Zalaznick, the President of the network, recently attended the 27th Annual New York Women in Film and Television’s MUSE Awards Luncheon at the New York Hilton and Towers. She’s amazing. Bravo is amazing.

The giggling Chris March from Project Runway attended 2007 Saint Jude’s Toy Drive at DAVID BARTON GYM on December 11, 2007. He’s always SO HAPPY! I have no delusions that he’ll win Project Runway, but I am glad that he’s back for a little while longer.

Tim Gunn (my faveeeeee) and Veronica Webb were guests at The 2007 Safe Horizon Annual Benefit Gala in New York City on November 28, 2007. Don’t they look smashing? Tim ALWAYS looks so amazing!

Looking strange as always, Kelly Wearstler was spotted at the Hamish Bowles’ book signing for Vogue Living at the Oscar de la Renta Home flagship store on December 4, 2007 in West Hollywood, California.

That’s all for now - and Project Blog is on a little break for the holiday season, but don’t forget to vote this week for your favorite!

On this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, we met Quinn Fry, a new housewife. New housewife? Was anyone else as surprised as I was? It seemed weird that Bravo would be bringing in a sixth housewife half-way through the season…

But no matter how weird it is, Quinn is here, invading our precious show, less than a season after we were introduced to Tamra Barney. Maybe invading is a strong word, though…because Quinn seems like she’ll be an awesome addition to the group!

I have to admit something - for over two years I was a professional stalker. Well, that’s what I call it anyway. I worked to a college as a research assistant - but not in a lab…in the development office. A research assistant in a development office looks for information about potential donors. I used the Internet, including a number of paid subscriptions, to research a person. Believe me, it is creepy the amount of information you can legally find out about another person if you have the right subscriptions.

But even without them, I’m still a pretty good snoop, with my past experience in learning the best places to look for information. So, I did a little snooping on Quinn to bring you the most information possible. And here what I found out:

• My best guess at her age is 42. That’s not confirmed or anything…but it is a very good guess, based on Internet sources. (And no, I’m not telling you how I figured that out. lol.) Some plays are reporting that she’s in her 50’s though…I don’t buy that..
• Quinn is an Internet marketing manager and the editor of an OC entertainment website, which is called OC Now. (woman after my own heart)
• Her favorite movie is Serendipity. (I love that movie!)
• Quinn has two children - one daughter, Shannon (who will not be on the show, as far as I can tell), and one son, Colin (who will be on the show in the future I believe).

I really do like Quinn. But Ok, I’m don’t being a stalker now. Too much of that and I get a nosebleed.

Tune in every Tuesday night at 10 PM to learn more about Quinn and all of the other housewives, and this week make sure you’ve got your TiVo set. There’s going to be a big smack down between the two housewife powerhouses - Jeana and Vicki!

On this week’s episode of Project Runway, the designers had one of the best challenges I think we’ve seen in a long, long time - create an outfit for a woman who’s lost a significant amount of weight, using her favorite outfit from BEFORE losing the weight as inspiration for the new outfit.

But that wasn’t the big news of the night. This was the episode we had been warned was coming, way back in October. Contestant Jack Mackenroth left the show. Yes, the rumors were true. Well, some of them.

True:

• Jack is HIV positive. (He never made this a secret, and was often shown taking medications and talking about his health.)
• Jack left the show.
• Jack left due to a staff infection he developed during Week Five.
• The staff infection got pretty nasty, causing his face to swell up.

FALSE: Bravo kicked the designer off of the show.

Now, I know you guys didn’t believe that, did you? Staff is gross and contagious and really f’ing dangerous. So yet, it is good that he left for his own health and the health of the other contestants. But that was Jack’s decision. I’m not saying that the producers didn’t encourage it. Wouldn’t you? If someone has a potentially deadly skin infection, wouldn’t you tell them to screw a silly contest and seek medical help? No one held a gun to his head, though. Unless they did some REALLY creative editing and Jack is being totally cool everything.

Everyone, including myself and other PR fans, was sad to see someone go due to a medical problem. But you know what that means, don’t you?

“I’m baaaaaaaaaaaack…*insert insane giggle here*”

I lurve Chris. Even if he does create wacky designers…I just think he’s the bee’s knees. Lol.

(To see pictures of outfits, click on the links below, after the break)

(more…)

Update: Voting is now closed! Project Blog’s Week Five Winner will be announced later this week, and then we’ll return with all-new competitions on January 1! Have a happy holidays, readers!

The blogtestant entries are beginning to roll in, so that means it is time to vote for your favorite! The reader poll counts for 5 points in the overall score. First place gets 3 points, second place 2, and third place 1. Each judge also gets 5 points to distribute as they want, and the person with the overall highest score WINS! So, your votes could determine the winner this week and the blogger who gets immunity in next week’s competition.

In this week’s challenge, blogtestants were asked to share with us a goal for 2008. Which blogger did you find most passionate and inspiring?

The blogtestants:

1. Winnie, Watching the View: “I can almost picture it now…”
2. Kate, Babylune: “Here’s to a Slower 2008″
3. Sally, Style Fix: “Hunger Pains Drive My Goals for 2008″
4. Jodie, “Big (Dinner) Plans for 2008″
5. Kara, Colorado Review: “2008 - Bring it On!”
6. Mark, Get Incensed: “The One Habit of a Moderately Successful Person”

Blogtestants are listed above by time of post and below by their previous week’s points. They have until Friday at 8 AM to post! If you came here from one of their sites, I encourage you to check out the other entries before voting. You can vote once every 24 hours, and the polls officially close Tuesday at noon! Happy voting!

Update: Voting was soooooo close this week! After intense competion, Kate eeked out on top with 124 votes. Winnie was a close second with 116 (it was neck and neck all day yesterday!), and Jodie came in third with 38. The race is getting closer and closer every week!! Great job, bloggers, and thanks for your votes, readers!

AND DON’T FORGET: After you vote, leave a comment here telling everyone who you’re voting for and why (it can be anonymous). Use a valid email address, because leaving a comment will put you in the running to win a free astrological reading from Astrology Explored and Reality on Bravo!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Project Runway week one? I won’t reveal the outcome in case you haven’t had a chance to tune in yet, but I will bring you a full recap tomorrow!

The task at hand tonight, though? IT’S TIME FOR PROJECT BLOG! In case you’ve not been staying up to date with your Reality on Bravo news, Project Blog is the blogger’s answer to Project Runway. We’ve got the best of the best in bloggers ready to go head to head in weekly competitions for the grand prize:

• An autographed picture of Jackie Warner, courtesy of Sky Sport and Spa (Jackie Warner’s gym from Work Out)
• A pair of shoes from the newest line from Jonathan Kayne (one of my favorite Project Runway Alums)
• A Soffe college hoodie, courtesy ofBCS Frenzy
• Gold-plated earrings from Aurora at Between the Sheets
• A pet portrait, courtesy of Intricate Art
• A set of bud vases from Top Design’s Jonathan Adler

And as a reader here are Reality on Bravo, YOU CAN WIN TOO! Every week, Reality on Bravo is teaming up with some awesome sponsors to offer prizes for lucky readers. Anyone who leaves a comment on Monday’s post or on the voting post (which will go live on Thursday) will be automatically entered to win the super-awesome prize - a astrological reading from Beth at Astrology Explored!

As for the competition, you have a say in that too! Every week after Project Runway, I’ll announce the weekly challenge and our 10 competitors will scurry away to write some amazing posts. Read them, and on Friday, vote for your favorites. Your votes, along with the opinions of our amazing judges, Bethany (the winner of the RoB “Create Your Own Reality Show” contest) and April (an extraordinary professional writer and blogger), determine who stays and who “goes home”

And now, here’s what you really want to know - THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:

On this week’s episode of Project Runway, contestants created outfits for women who had achieved an amazing goal - losing a TON of weight. Some of them had lost over 100 pounds! This week, your challenge is fairly easy - write about a goal you have for 2008. The New Year is arriving quickly! Your goal can be about blogging (”I want to post 1000 entries in 2008!”), about your blog topic (”I want to meet and interview Heidi Klum in 2008!), or just about your personal life (”I want to run a triathlon in 2008!”). It can be as crazy or as realistic as you want…just show us your passion. Make us cheer for you. Give us the motivation to set our own goals for the year!

You have until 8 AM on Friday to post, but remember - your link will be posted here for voting as soon as you post your entry, so for maximum voting, get your entries in soon!

Bloggers, start your engines! Check back later for a complete list of posts from our blogtestants, and don’t forget to vote on your favorite! Oh, and if anyone else out there wants to play along, send me the link to your post and I’ll include it on the list - you won’t be eligible for the grand prize, but you will get a little link love.

Good luck, bloggers!