Cheating is Cheating

Today is Easter! Christ has risen! What an amazing day! My kids wake up to cotton balls all over the house "proving" that Peter Cottontail did actually come drop off the Easter baskets! (It's fun to see their expressions, but it sure is a lot of work to clean up!) Then we go to our family brunch and egg hunt and then church! This Easter Pastor Jentezen flew in live lions for the church set, so the kids are pretty excited!

Slade's birthday surprise for Gretchen was such an amazingly thoughtful, fun, and spontaneous gift! I loved it! Jim almost had a painting of me done last year for our anniversary, so I totally related to it and thought Slade hit a home run. Gretchen was a great sport with the painter pants, and I love the painting they made together! The fact that Slade had a portrait of Gretchen made was priceless. It doesn't matter how much the gift is worth, it matters more the thought and meaning...and it was apparent Slade put a lot of time and thought into this special day! This scene is living proof that if you step outside your box (i.e. Gretchen was timid at first but dove right in), it can become one of the best experiences of your life.

When I was driving to Vicki's house, I cannot lie, I was nervous! I didn't know what to expect, and I didn't know why I would agree to go to her home, rather than meet at a neutral location. However, something in me told me to just go. So when she opened the door with a smile and soft hello, I remembered why I liked her. Vicki has this way about her to make you feel OK and comfortable when you are in her presence. The thing I do not understand is that I thought our conversation went so well. When I was driving home that night, I thought she was truly happy for me and that she seemed happy for Alexis Couture. However, when I watched this episode, it shocked me to hear the things come out in the interview. She was acting kind and supportive to my face, and then BAM! She throws a dig at me behind my back. Vicki states, "What's with the dresses? How can she do that? Last I heard she was a fitness instructor...so which is it?" Now why in the heck didn't she tell me that to my face -- at her house? Why didn't she just be real with me? That's all I want from these girls. I'm not being judgmental, I'm simply asking a question. And for the record, yes, I did just start a dress line. I graduated from college with a marketing degree, changed my mind about my career, and ended up managing a health club for a few years, and now I'm designing dresses. Yes, it's called the American dream, it's called thinking outside the box, and I may even change my mind tomorrow and decide to become a chocolatier. Who is to stop me? People don't have to be labeled a certain way. Last I heard Vicki was making robes and some eyelash product. Isn't that the same as what I'm doing? Insurance sales to robes to eyelashes? Hmm. We can all chase our dreams, and I did just that.

Then Vicki continues to say, "Alexis thinks she's in the big girl world. She's got a lot to learn." Yes, I do have a lot to learn. Bring it on! I love the challenge, I am not afraid, and I learn from my mistakes. I love everything about life. Plus, when Vicki was my age do you think she was sitting back thinking, "Oh, I'm only 34 years old. I have way too much to learn to start this insurance company. I am too young to do anything." No, she was 34 years old and ambitious. If someone has a talent, why sit back and wait? Seize the opportunity, and if you fall along the way, you pick yourself up and start again. At least that is how I live my life. A few moments later I say, "Yes, but I'm married to a man who's had a lot of life lessons." Jim is fifteen years older than me, and I am so blessed to have a best friend who is also my husband and who has already made a lot of the mistakes! He gives me sound advice -- sometimes I listen, sometimes I don't, but the point I was trying to make to Vicki is that just because I am young, doesn't mean I'm not wise enough to ask my other half for advice when I need it.

Peggy and Micah at the restaurant sampling the menu for their dinner party made my mouth water. I couldn't wait to eat dinner after that scene!

I love Briana. I think Briana is such a sweet girl with a bright future ahead of her. It was fun to see her and her and her girlfriend go to Vegas. Briana has had a rough couple of years and deserves some fun in her life! I would probably be just like Vicki if my girls ever want to take a trip to Vegas. I won't even let them go on the other side of the park next to a boy. (I'm joking, but I don't even like to think of Mellie or K-Bug going to Vegas. Yuck, ugh, ouch, someone please call 911!)

It was so inspiring to see the Marisa K fashion show. I have always loved her dresses and think her new line is beautiful. I actually did some modeling for one of her lines a few years ago, so I've always been a Marisa K fan! (Just to be clear, I'm in no way claiming I'm a model, I'm simply saying I did a modeling shoot for one of Marisa K's lines.) At the fitting Tamra makes the comment, "Jeanna looks great, she just has a nasty soul." That's mean. I think Tamra is projecting in this instance. (I'm not judging, it's just my opinion).

Tal and I at our final dress fitting for Alexis Couture was an intense scene for me. Cutting off that sleeve was cutting about twelve hours of work, but I had to get my point across to Tal. I know that dress, which I called "Grand Finale," will sell better without the sleeves, and the reason I started Alexis Couture is to sell dresses that women want to wear. Boy do I sound educated when I say, "Couture is a term put on a dress if it's super rich." What in the heck was I thinking when those words came out of my mouth? Haha! I think that is what you call a fried brain after three hours of interviews! I laughed so hard at myself after that answer. I was like, "Good one Alexis, super fab answer there!" Geez.

Oh boy, then we get to the scene with Fernanda and Lynne. Who else was shocked to hear Tamra and Fernanda kissed last year at Tamra's birthday while Tamra was still married? Why am I shocked though? Cheating is cheating, whether it's with a girl or a boy. That was a chin-dropper! And once again, I feel Tamra has pointed fingers and blamed others for her own actions. She claims Gretchen cheated and was this horrible girlfriend to Jeff, yet it seems Tamra did the same thing she was accusing Gretchen of. Also, getting a little deeper, Tamra just accused me of not owning the foreclosure rumor (which was never true as we sold our home), but she is not owning kissing this other woman? I honestly hope that this "birthday kiss" isn't true, and I'm not believing it until I know it's true, but going with the track record and going with my gut, it may be. I know Fernanda fairly well, and she is not the type of person to start trouble, lie, or act for the camera.

I also want to say one more thing. A few of your comments have claimed I am being judgemental when writing my blog. Thank you for your constructive advice. It is never my intention to be judgmental. However, this is a blog, and I have to be able to state my opinions about certain issues. I realize there are ways to phrase my opinion without sounding judgemental, but I also need to be able to point out facts and situations that have occurred.

Exciting news! Last night I launched "Everything Alexis" at www.alexis-bellino.com, which has some of my favorite products that all of you have continuously asked about! Available now are the trucker hat, the bling phone case, and the personalized photos! The black maxi is in production and should be available for purchase by next week. And I have some exciting new products coming to "Everything Alexis" in the next two weeks, so check back regularly! I can hardly wait to share some of my other fabulous secrets and products with all of you over the next month!

For daily updates and posts, follow me on Twitter @alexisbellino or follow me on Facebook at "Alexis Bellino Verified Profile"!

God Bless and Happy Easter to you all!

xoxo,

Alexis