Reality on Bravo

Project Blog is an on-going competition at Reality on Bravo where top-notch bloggers from around the world are competing to be named the ultimate “top blogger”. We’ve got some great prizes lined up, and there’s good news - you can win too! Every Monday, I’ll announce the weekly sponsor and the prize. Make sure that you play every week - you can win some amazing things, thanks to our awesome sponsors!

Week One’s Sponsor: Gillian and Food History (www.foodpast.com)
Week One’s Prize: Chronicling The Fifth Deadly Sin

I’m pumped for this week’s prize for y’all, because I have a copy already and LOVE it. This week, our Project Blog sponsor is Gillian Polack, writer, historian, and all around cool cat from the blog Food History. The prize? A copy of her e-cookbook, “Chronicling the Fifth Deadly Sin,” which is a tasty collection of recipes from around the world. And I do mean tasty.

This isn’t your typical cookbook, and Gillian’s not your typical blogger. Occasionally, I read through it just because it’s funny and interesting, even if I don’t need a good idea for dinner.

Add lemon juice to taste. Stir well. Serve hot or cold. This is a VERY filling dish - very solid (like my waistline).

Some of the recipes you’ll find in this book include Andy’s Hong Kong Curry Triangles, Trudee’s Canadian Chocolate Cheesecake (I’ve made that one - DELISH), and Medieval Style Mushroom Pastries. Mmmmmm…

If that sounds interesting to you, check out Gillian’s site for a sneak peak of what you could win! Her site includes recipes from around the world, as well as the history behind them. It’s one of my favorite blogs on the Internet (and that’s saying a lot, as I spend a good part of my day reading dozens of different blogs).

And, if you like fiction, your can also purchase Gillian’s novel, Illuminations, from Barnes and Noble,

Want a chance to win this week’s prize? You can enter up to three times!

• For one chance, leave a comment on this post on Reality on Bravo with one “food fact” that you’ve learned from any post on Gillian’s website.
• For a second chance, blog about this contest on your own site and email the link to me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com.
• Want a third chance? Check back here on Friday, vote for your favorite in our Project Blog competition, and leave a comment showing support! The winner will be drawn at random from all qualifying entries.

As most of you know, I’m sponsoring the uber-awesome, Project-Runway-inspired Project Blog contest. This is contest is open to all bloggers from anywhere, and there are still contestant spots open - fill them please! You’ll have the chance to win books, home decor items, jewelry, gift certificates, and much more!

But that’s not really what I wanted to talk to you all about today. Over at Everybody Loves Coupons, the blog king of the coupon world, they’re giving away A NINTENDO WII. Um…yeah, I want one. Head over there and check it out, and don’t forget to sign up for Project Blog!

Interested in sports? Although many of you might be nodding, you’re also probably wondering what that has to do with Bravo. Well, it does, except for one thing - yours truly is the brand new writer for BCS Frenzy, a blog about college football!

To celebrate the launch of the Sports Channel at b5 media, the network sponsoring my new blog, is holding an awesome contest for readers. I wanted to pass along the awesomeness for everyone who’s supporting me here at Reality on Bravo! (Don’t forget about entering the Project Blog competition as well!) Here’s the info:

(more…)

I’m still looking for more blogtestants, so here’s a quick reminder:

Have you ever watched Top Chef and wished you could be a contestant…if only you could cook? Or wished you could be on Shear Genius…if only you could cut hair? Or wish you could be on Project Runway…if only you could design clothing?

Well, now’s your chance to take part in a competition that’s perfect for you—Project Blog.

Project blog will begin this fall to coincide with the new season of Project Runway. Every week, you’ll take part in a competition that mimics the PR challenge, and readers will have a week to vote. The contestant with the lowest number of votes gets eliminated, and the winner will get a special prize. It doesn’t matter what kind of blog you write–all topics can participate. For example, if the challenge on Project Runway is to design an outfit from recyclable trash, I might as you to write a post that “recycles” a post you’ve written in the past.

And oh, there are some great prizes lined up for those who rise to meet the challenge, including gift certificates, books, DVDs, beauty items, magazine subscriptions, and fashion products. The winner, choose by a panel of judges and popularity (not by votes alone), will receive a prize every week, as will one lucky reader who votes and leaves a comment. At the end of the competition, the two bloggers still standing will compete for an extra-special prize pack full of goodies from our wonderful sponsors and maybe even some cold, hard cash!

To apply for a spot in Project Blog, click here. PLEASE GET YOUR ENTRIES IN BY OCTOBER 1 AT MIDNIGHT!

To sponsor one of the challenges email me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo.com.

I can’t wait to get started! Good luck to everyone involved!

blogging, contests, win, prizes

Congratulations to Wendy from New York, the winner of the Reality on Bravo “If I had $300…” comment contest. Wendy writes for the blog www.tvenvy.com and the celebrity section of LoveToKnow and will receive a magazine subscription of her choice. Her comment was picked in a random drawing. The winning words?

“If I had an additional $300, I would put it towards my Disney World fund. For $300, Kathy Griffin should buy a new haircut! I think she needs to update her bangs.”

Thanks to everyone who entered!

On a side note, 451 Press is still compiling all of the comments from throughout the network for the cash drawings, so stay tuned to find out who won the money (it could be you!).

In the meanwhile, don’t forget to enter the Real Housewives DVD contest. You could have a prize coming to your mailbox soon too!

Desperate for more housewife drama? Then get ready for addictive, indulgent fun with Season One of Bravo’s hit sensation, The Real Housewives of Orange County!Join five real-life ladies of leisure—Jo, Jeana, Lauri, Vicki and Kimberly—for an all-access pass inside their exclusive planned community. Whether they’re sharing cocktails, shopping trips, travel plans or Botox treatments, these stylish women exspose the realities of living in Southern California luxury!

Bravo’s finally released the first season of The Real Housewives of Orange County on DVD, and you could win a copy of it today! Meet Jo De La Rosa, Jeana Keough, Lauri Waring, Vicki Gunvalson, and Kimberly Bryant for the “first time” all over again with over 5 hours of footage. You don’t want to pass up this Real Housewives give-away.

Entering is easy:

1. Link back to this site from your own website, blog, FaceBook, or MySpace profile. Sorry, comments on forums or other blogs don’t count. You must link directly to this post, not the site’s homepage and the link must be active through September 20 (ie, you can’t take it down after a day).

2. Leave a comment on this post with the URL where I can find the link. Make sure you fill in your email address–don’t worry, I’ll keep it private, but I’ll need to be able to contact you if you win!

3. Comment on at least one other post on this website: check out the categories on the right to find your faves or simply go to the home page and leave your opinion on the latest post. It has to be an intelligent comment, not spam or “cool site.”

That’s it! The contest will run now through September 20, 2007 so start linking! You can enter as many times as you’d like, but for each entry you must complete all three steps above.

And I’ll make it a little easier: You can simply copy and paste the code below, replacing the @ with < and the $ with >:

@a href=”http://www.realityonbravo.com”$Reality on Bravo@/a$ is giving away a free Real Housewives of Orange County DVD. I’m@a href=”http://www.realityonbravo.com/win-the-real-housewives-on-DVD”$ entering@/a$ to win! Are you?

Thanks for entering! If you want all the latest Real Housewives news, sign up for the Reality on Bravo newsletter here.

For those of you who have your own blogs, don’t forget to sign up for the Project Blog Contest for some awesome prizes of your own this fall/winter!

contests, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Real Housewives, Real Housewives DVD, reality tv

Have you ever watched Top Chef and wished you could be a contestant…if only you could cook? Or wished you could be on Shear Genius…if only you could cut hair? Or wish you could be on Project Runway…if only you could design clothing?

Well, now’s your chance to take part in a competition that’s perfect for you—Project Blog.

Project blog will begin this fall to coincide with the new season of Project Runway. Every week, you’ll take part in a competition that mimics the PR challenge, and readers will have a week to vote. The contestant with the lowest number of votes gets eliminated, and the winner will get a special prize. It doesn’t matter what kind of blog you write–all topics can participate. For example, if the challenge on Project Runway is to design an outfit from recyclable trash, I might as you to write a post that “recycles” a post you’ve written in the past.

And oh, there are some great prizes lined up for those who rise to meet the challenge. The winner, choose by a panel of judges and popularity (not by votes alone), will receive a prize every week, as will one lucky reader who votes and leaves a comment. At the end of the competition, the two bloggers still standing will compete for an extra-special prize pack full of goodies from our wonderful sponsors and maybe even some cold, hard cash!

To apply for a spot in Project Blog, click here.

To sponsor one of the challenges email me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo.com.

I can’t wait to get started! Good luck to everyone involved!

Hey, Everyone! Don’t forget to enter this 451/Reality on Bravo comment contest. If you’ve already entered, guess what? YOU CAN ENTER AGAIN. Leave your answer right here on this thread. Every time your enter, you have one ticket in the drawing at the end of the month. REMEMBER: to be eligible for MY part of the contest, you HAVE to tell me a how your favorite Bravo star could use the money as well. Telling me why you want the money will ONLY enter you into the drawing for the money (which is still pretty good, by the way!

Complete rules:

If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.

As a special treat, I’ll also be listed some interviews with your favorite Bravo stars asking them what they would do with an extra $300!

Note that you can comment on any 451 press site (and as many times as you’d like) for the entry to count. However, if you comment right here on this thread, you’ll be in the running for an additional prize from me. The catch? After you say what you’d buy for $300, say what you think a Bravo star should buy for $300.

Example: “If I had an additional $300, I would buy that Coach purse I’ve been eying. For $300, though, Howie should buy some headbands or hats to keep the sweat from dripping into his food!”

or

“I wish I had $300 to buy new school clothing for my kids. Joey should use an extra $300 to start a fund to send his family to Italy like he had wanted to do!”

You examples can be not only from Top Chef, but also from any other Bravo show, past or present seasons.

The prize? A free one-year subscription to your favorite magazine on me. Comment today!

prize, prizes, free money, win money, win, contest, comments, Bravo, reality telvision

If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.

As a special treat, I’ll also be listed some interviews with your favorite Bravo stars asking them what they would do with an extra $300!

Note that you can comment on any 451 press site (and as many times as you’d like) for the entry to count. However, if you comment right here on this thread, you’ll be in the running for an additional prize from me. The catch? After you say what you’d buy for $300, say what you think a Bravo star should buy for $300.

Example: “If I had an additional $300, I would buy that Coach purse I’ve been eying. For $300, though, Howie should buy some headbands or hats to keep the sweat from dripping into his food!”

or

“I wish I had $300 to buy new school clothing for my kids. Joey should use an extra $300 to start a fund to send his family to Italy like he had wanted to do!”

You examples can be not only from Top Chef, but also from any other Bravo show, past or present seasons.

The prize? A free one-year subscription to your favorite magazine on me. Comment today!

contest, give-a-way, Top Chef, comment contest

I’ve been having so much fun with this blog that I’ve decided it’s time to share some of the pleasure in writing about food. Send me a few hundred words telling a food history story and you could win a great prize. I’m not talking wider food history here: I want family stories. They can be serious or funny or sad. With each story I want at least one recipe.

Gillian’s Food History blog is hosting a contest, asking you to submit some great family recipes. The prize pack?

1st Prize
A set of 6 serviettes and 6 placemats
ABC Delicious Magazine - Issue 25 March 2004
ABC Delicious Magazine - Issue 22 November 2003

2nd Prize
Set of non-stick kitchen implements
Super Food Ideas - Issue 60 June 2005
Super Food Ideas - Issue 45 February 2004

3rd Prize
Australian Gourmet Traveller
1 Apron (choice of 4 colours)

ENTER TODAY! Click here to read the complete details and rules.

Hey, all! I’m enjoying some fun in the sun this week, so if you check back often, you’ll see some guest posts by some amazing bloggers! That said, before I jet away on my vaca, I wanted to remind everyone about the latest Reality on Bravo Contest! Hope to see your entries soon!

1. Go to my other site, www.findreligion.net. See the banner at the top of the page with the clouds and the purple “find religion”? That’s the idea–that’s what you’ll be designing for Reality on Bravo. You can check out some other 451 Press sites for more examples (some of my favorites are at www.PopBuzzUK.com and www.ToyBender.com).

2. You MUST be subscribed to the newsletter to enter. If you aren’t already, you can subscribe here.

3. If you win, you must agree that I can use your entry on the site and in the newsletter as I see fit.

4. All entries must be sent to my email, allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com by July 12, 2007 at midnight.

5. All entries must be sent as an attached .jpeg file.

6. All entries must be under 50k.

7. All entries must be 728×90 pixels.

8. No copyrighted logos of anything else that is “iffy” and could get me in trouble with Bravo or anyone else. By sending in your entry, you’re telling me that YOU created the banner (or, I guess, you could pay someone to do it for you…but either way, YOU have to own the rights to it).

9. You can use pictures of celebrities IF they are “common use” photographs and are found on a number of websites, but not if they are copyrighted and belong to someone else.

10. Previous RoB fans of the month are not eligable, as the winner will be the new fan of the month.

11. I reserve the right to not choose ANYONE as a winner. I also reserve the right to choose a winner, but not ultimately use the banner on my site. It will depend on the quality of your entries!

12. The Words “Reality on Bravo” must be prominent. You’re encouraged to think of a funny tagline as well if you’d like!

Good luck, everyone!

Top Chef, My Life on the D-List, Kathy Griffin, Project Runway, Bravo, contests, contest, prizes

Are you a subscriber to the Reality on Bravo newsletter? If so, check your inbox–I just sent out the June issue, including the winner to Rob’s Create Your Own Reality Show Contest. The prize? Selection as this month’s fan of the month, putting the winner in the running for the uber-prize for fan of the year!

While it’s too late to enter that contest, it is NOT too late to participate in the new RoB contest–design my header! Here all the details:

1. Go to my other site, www.findreligion.net. See the banner at the top of the page with the clouds and the purple “find religion”? That’s the idea–that’s what you’ll be designing for Reality on Bravo. You can check out some other 451 Press sites for more examples (some of my favorites are at www.PopBuzzUK.com and www.ToyBender.com).

2. You MUST be subscribed to the newsletter to enter. If you aren’t already, you can subscribe here.

3. If you win, you must agree that I can use your entry on the site and in the newsletter as I see fit.

4. All entries must be sent to my email, allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com by July 12, 2007 at midnight.

5. All entries must be sent as an attached .jpeg file.

6. All entries must be under 50k.

7. All entries must be 728×90 pixels.

8. No copyrighted logos of anything else that is “iffy” and could get me in trouble with Bravo or anyone else. By sending in your entry, you’re telling me that YOU created the banner (or, I guess, you could pay someone to do it for you…but either way, YOU have to own the rights to it).

9. You can use pictures of celebrities IF they are “common use” photographs and are found on a number of websites, but not if they are copyrighted and belong to someone else.

10. Previous RoB fans of the month are not eligable, as the winner will be the new fan of the month.

11. I reserve the right to not choose ANYONE as a winner. I also reserve the right to choose a winner, but not ultimately use the banner on my site. It will depend on the quality of your entries!

12. The Words “Reality on Bravo” must be prominent. You’re encouraged to think of a funny tagline as well if you’d like!

Good luck, everyone!

There are only three days left until the season premier of Top Chef: Miami. What can you do in those three days?

Today: Finalize and send in your entry for the Create your own Reality Show contest. Deadline is tomorrow by midnight!

Tomorrow: Subscribe to the Reality on Bravo Newsletter

Wednesday: Check out Wednesday’s post and make your guess as to who will win TC3!

Top Chef, Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, Bravo, cooking, food, reality tv, television, cooking on tv, food shows, Bravo network

As part of June’s special Reader’s Appreciation issue of the Reality on Bravo newsletter, I’m asking you the question: If you could design your own Bravo reality show, what would it be?

Tell me how the show would work, who would be the host, who would be the judges, examples of challenges, and what the finale would be like. Would you have a short challenge and an elimination one, like on Top Chef and Shear Genius? Would you just have one challenge with multiple parts, like on Top Design? Would your finale allow contestants to work at something for months, like on Project Runway?

The best idea will be featured in June’s issue of the Reality on Bravo newsletter! Here are some hard and fast rules:

1. I’m choosing the winner–that means that you have to please me. If your mother thinks your idea is great, you should enter her contest instead. Some things I do not like: Violence, anything too sexual (but have fun), anything derogatory, etc.

2. All entries must be less than 400 words. Give me your best details!

3. Use the contact button on the right to enter. You must include your full name and a valid email address.

4. By entering, you agree that I can publish your idea in the Reality on Bravo newsletter. It will not be published anywhere else, and rights revert back to you at 30 days.

5. The more times you enter, the cooler you are.

6. You can enter even if you’re under 18, but in that case, I’ll need a parent’s name and email address along with your own.

7. Your entry MUST be received by June 12, 2007 at MIDNIGHT (EST).

8. Good luck!

contests, Bravo, reality television