August 13, 2012 10:40 pm Bravo... Please click Bravo link to access AvivaD’s review…
Things (and people) are gettin’ crazy up in here…
Watching this episode I am having flashbacks to filming now more than ever, because it was during the holidays and I can remember being crazed trying to keep all the balls I was juggling in the air along with the added pressure of the season! Oy! I remember being happy when I got Carole’s invite to what I knew would be a lovely holiday dinner at Hotel Griffou. I had just hosted my company Holiday party there for Yummie only two days prior, and I love the place. Jon and I didn’t need a sitter because my sister was in town, and I knew Ramona and Mario were not attending, so I was looking forward to a fun night out with my hubby and friends. The game we played called “White Elephant” (where you have the choice to keep your surprise present or trade with someone that has gone before you) was so much fun! And Aviva’s dad, the now infamous George, added thrilling shock waves with his irreverent wit. But as you saw, even George was upstaged by the live lizard that leaped out of its neatly wrapped box. Bravely, Carole captured him, gave him a home, and named him George. I’ve actually asked Carole to write the story of George for all to read, because you could never imagine what became of him, but that is another story. On this particular evening the two Georges added a lot of emotion to what might have been a predictable evening out on the town!
Carole continued in her hosting role by inviting all the ladies downtown to her apartment for lunch to discuss an idea of a trip she was pondering after she had delivered her book. Carole is a very cool, laid-back gal and her style is casual. Neither Carole nor myself are the high maintenance types, and I would have been so down with the pizza order, but others aren’t as easy going. I wish Ramona would relax and try to just enjoy the moment. I mean, friends shouldn’t have to roll out a red carpet for each other every time they get together! Somehow the word “entitled” seems fitting here. Meanwhile, the nervous tension coming off Aviva, who was sitting next to me, is like a force field when Ramona was less than accommodating concerning Reid joining us in St. Barth’s. If this is what ordering lunch while planning a luxury vacation is like…will I ever survive the actual trip?
I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my work, and I care deeply about giving my all to anyone or any project that I am associated with. I took Sonja’s branding project very seriously, and I put together a dream team of talented and passionate experts, all of whom volunteered to help Sonja. She was not paying any of us for our services. There was no barter system for our time and efforts, yet here comes Sonja rolling into the shoot over an hour late! At this juncture I am not surprised, but now I am really getting annoyed. Not only did she not have the decency to acknowledge the people that I had gathered to work on this project, but when she did get there she showed no sense of urgency to get into hair and makeup so we could start. Then her “lady problems” delayed us further, and did we really need to hear the graphic details? Sonja, spare us, puh-leeze! I was pushing to get the first shot, because I know from experience that once you get that first shot off and get rolling the magic begins.
I feel like I care more about Sonja’s brand than she does. A good friend once told me that if you want to get something done quickly, you give it to someone who is busy, because busy people don’t have any time to waste so they do it as fast as possible to get it off their plate. I am a busy girl with my own company to run. I want to help Sonja, but I can’t waste my time, and she needs to acknowledge and respect that. Again the word entitlement seems fitting. Oy!
Now that I have that off my chest, I will say that Sonja was AMAZING in front of the camera. She totally turned it on and looked fabulous, and in that regard she made our task easy. I am happy with what we created for her especially under the circumstances. Sonja’s set up on the table is exactly what she wanted and it’s a wrap! The shoot is complete and I am ready to present two set up options for her to choose for her campaign. As long as she loves one after editing and retouching, I will proudly have delivered on my word.
I was happy to attend Ramona’s red wine launch event, because I knew it would give me a chance to see all of the girls. I had been getting along a little better with Ramona, and it was good to have been asked to come out and support her. As soon as I walk in the door I see Sonja and I really wanted to congratulate her on the images we captured and to let her know I still support her toaster oven idea. Like I said directly to her, I had my vision for the shoot, based on all that she had shared with me and the Sonja I know and adore, but in the end Sonja needs to choose what makes her happiest and what she wants representing her brand.
Like all of you watching the show, I now realize there was a conversation between Ramona and Sonja about my steamrolling her on the set and the fact that we didn’t want Ramona there. Well, mea culpa. It is true…sort of. I did push my idea for Sonja, but let’s be totally honest…those toaster ovens that she is saying suddenly need urgent branding (Which is crazy, because I wouldn’t recommend buying production inventory until you have shown a customer and received an order!) would still be sitting in a warehouse somewhere without any branding if someone didn’t push it. I was fighting FOR Sonja not against her. James was the one who asked that Sonja not invite anyone on set, and I happened to concur. So, I can take the criticism, but I am NOT a liar and for Ramona to accuse me of that really floored me. Now that you have seen both sides, what do think? I can tell you I have learned this: 1. Sonja talks out of both sides of her mouth. She tells you the version that you want to hear and not necessarily the whole story. And 2. Ramona only listens to half of any story — the half that she believes — then she walks away. She is operating in a bubble of partial information that fits into her paradigm. What is it with these women?!
On to the holiday party. Sonja invited us to Janna Bullock’s fabulous home. Wow, can that Carole dress up! She truly looked like a princess that evening. That was pretty much the highlight for me, because everything quickly went downhill from there.
Why did Aviva (girl, I love you, but…) have to bring up that wine tasting event with Ramona again? Is it just me or are these girls running in circles? I just could not let Ramona and Aviva trash talk Jacques without at least addressing it with Aviva directly. The others didn’t surprise me, but what’s going on with Aviva? I mean, that they started in on him before the front door was even closed? Come on! A fake French accent? He is French-Moroccan and was anyone there an expert on regional accents? Ramona says she really hates the thought of people talking behind her back (even when they are not!), but she has no problem doing it or worse (making fun of people) behind theirs. But like I said, Ramona hears only what works for her then flees the conversation before anyone has a chance to finish a story and perhaps prove her wrong. And yes, I did call her crazy. I could have said worse. I was reacting to her antics and out of a sense of loyalty to Lu and Jacques. You have to admit, it’s not too far off the mark at certain moments.
Last question — the Holiday spirit was at the heart of it, but do I keep the red lipstick? I am giving myself mixed reviews and would love your thoughts!
As always, thank you for all of your support and feedback. You make being on the show so rewarding for me. To learn more about me and my shapewear business, go to Facebook,www.yummielife.com, and www.heatherthomson.net. Pls don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at @iamHeatherT and to visit donatelife.net to sign up to become an organ and tissue donor.
xx Heather
None asked her for her help…..Team Ramona
I read this post and literally thought “who the heck is heather thomson?”….. such a non-person
I like Heather…Ramona will never get over being excluded from the London trip and it shows when interacting w/Heather. Heather stands up to Ramona in a way no one else has done before.
Sonja does play both sides. Are those toasted ovens on the market yet? Hope Sonja has more up her sleeve for her brand ……not sure the toasters will be flying off the shelves! Sonja needs income.
i like Heather a whole bunch. in fact, each time i see the show, i like her more and more!
Same here. In fact I don’t even really mind her big fake smile. In fact I love it when she unleashes it on Ramoner. It drives her crazy and Heather keeps giving her KEWK(kill em with kindness) face. So awesome.
Heather,
Love,
Made
Lol Made, Ugh! I HATE the smile! I think the thing with Ramona is funny, but I think Heather started it on purpose from day one just to be relevant. I could really do without Heather and Aviva.
Me too folks! I have grown to (begin) adoring Heather! She gets Ramona’s goat like no other.
Saw another side of Sonya too…. people don’t like a liar sweetheart…. dial that back. Heather is not the liar in this equation… Sonya was.
I also like the big, wide, ‘fake’ smile. I think one day, Ramona is gonna be in the loony bin and all she’s gonna see is that big smile on the wall. Ramona’s version of Alice in Wonderland… Ramona in LaLa Land… with her own Cheshire cat
yes MP!!! exaclty!! and i love KEWK– i’ve never seen it put like that before– you’re way too cool and i loves it!
awwww Thank you.
honestly my pleasure young lady! forget the news, between you and SH i learn something new ery day
Well there is really no HW reason for me to post this one but I think its funny. Perhaps Reid could entertain himself like this if Avivia ever lets him have a night alone with his computer.
HA! L O V E this MP– and i would TOTALLY call the dude in the bikini & wig! but just to be his friend…i swear!
lol. What I think is soooo funny about this video is the number of dudes that go on chatroulette together… like the buddy system or sumpin. By now they should KNOW what they are gonna end up seeing.
mostly dingdongs
HA!
I like Heather too, I am so glad she gives grief considering Ramona has being giving everyone else grief since day one. The only person who remotely ever went toe to toe with Ramona was Jillz so they need someone to stand up to her. As for the fake smile….remember season one? All of the ladies were at a chariity event for LuAnn and Victoria was there with her. Ramona made a remark about marrying for true love and LuAnn married a man twice her age (implying that she was a gold digger) and how hard that must be. LuAnn lost it and screamed at Ramona. In hind sight she was so upset because her marriage was probably already on the rocks and Ramona knew it. She knew and still made that comment in front of this womans child. Ramona stood there the whole time LuAnn came unraveled and smiled, prompting LuAnn to call her crazy eyes because her eyes were open to big and she had a huge smile on her face, and that was one of many times I have noticed her doing that There is a theory that when you hate some one you just meet to the point of being irrational it is because there is something about THEM that you hate about yourself. Ramona has been a drunken, devious, troublemaking bossy butt every season it is about time someone ruffels her feathers for a change.
Sonja’s toasters won’t be flying off of any shelves, because nobody really use those anymore. Sonja is playing both sides because she hates the new women who are on the show. They have money and either hot husbands or hot boyfriends. She lost all her money and have to run to Aviva’s ex to be happy. Somewhere in this season there is talk of her losing her brownstone.
Ramona despises Heather for not allowing her to go to London and she won’t let it go. I think there are two reasons why Heather didn’t want her to go. The first is that she remember what Ramona did to Jill and her business venture and doesn’t want Ramona to poison her business at all period. Ramona did that on purpose in order to hurt Jill and would have did it to Heather because of her jealousy. And two, there is alot of talk about town about Mario. In that group it’s really hard to keep secrets and I think she knows about Mario and his relationships with other women.
I’ve wondered about Mario…or as JillZ would say MaareO. He’s handsome but I think he knows better than to get caught…Ramona would definitely hand him his manhood on a skewer! Wouldn’t want to mess with her….
I like Heather. She along with the other new girls are fresh and have interesting storylines. Her blog above is pretty spot on as far as I’m concerned. Sonja pulled a wanna-be Diva move. Showing up late and having people running around for her getting stuff. Honestly having someone help you change your pad. Really? That just made you look pathetic. She snubbed Heather, was rude and showed no respect for the team Heather put together. It may not look like a lot of work but you are asking 10-12 people to wait for you so they can do their jobs. She is right about Ramona. I have never come across anyone like Ramona. She is freakin on something. I have never seen her calm. She can’t sit still or keep her mouth shut.I guess that is why she is a good marketing person. You can’t escape her, except putting her on mute. Is it ADD? I don’t know how anyone can deal with her and when she gets together with Sonja it’s like Dumb and Dumber.The whole accent thing with Jock was weird. Totally out of the blue and leave it to Ramona to run with that one. Poor Lu. Once that Jock flame burns out, there is no story with her. There really isnt one now. She is boring and annoying. Her actions with the Indian discussion were out of character for the Countless. They finally showed the real Lu. Tacky and fake. Oh yeah the pregnancy issue. Well that will last a few episodes. Heather, lose the Oy & Holla comments, no one uses them anymore. You sound like a Spice Girl. On the red lips, I think less is more. You are a beautiful woman, you don’t need masks. Team Heather!
Bill, You pretty much nailed what I was thinking. I am definitely team Heather!
Spot on, Bill. I’ve wondered if Ramona’s on diet pills or something, she’s so freaking hyper. As for Lu and Ranjana, it did seem out of left field–it would be rude for an aquaintance of a friend to ask to borrow clothes, but this might be more of a bravo/business thing. After all Bravo recruits the hausflies with potential business of their own, and Ranjana been introduced now. Maybe that’s where Lu’s head was in asking
I agree with you Lu is boring. I think that is why we are hearing about having a baby. She doesn’t have any thing else going on and if her mother is correct that Lu had her tubes tied the “baby” line will run out soon. Lu also seems to enjoy Ramona going after Heather. I get the impression Ramona scares Luann.
Luann knows her baby story doesn’t even have enough teeth the last the season… so she she bumps uglies with Johnny Depp for good measure. She is counting on Ramoner to make a big ta do about it.
Wow. All I can say is that Heather admitted she has “balls.”
I like Heather (as much as I can like a HW.) Ramona drives me crazy and is an embarrassment to herself. Sonja is lost in her own little world. She really seemed to have no respect for Heather at all. Bugged the heck out of me. Did the words Thank you even come out of her mouth.
I’m with you Cyn. Heather seems like my kinda gal… meaning the kinda gal I would like to be if I wasn’t so doggone much like Sonja in the “own little world” department. Bless her heart.
Regarding Ramoner Vs Heather. I think Heather is on the better side of right.
ramona is nuts, it is always about her, kinda like vicki. ramona is a hit a run kinda cheap shot taker. and it also makes me wonder if sonja’s husband left her because she is such a mootcher. she wants something for nothing, and maybe he has left her “high and dry”, but she made her bed, she probably acted the slut with to many of his friends. byt he way, where is this infamous toaster oven and cookbook?
i like heather, i may not agree with the “holla” thing which i feel is tacky, i think she has an amazing head on her shoulders and is a mover and shaker. aviva needs to grow up, her father is disgusting, if he were to tone it down by 90 percent he may be funny, but that is to much. aviva needs to get a life and get some therapy, she is so confused.
Speaking of cheat shots, Avia took a swipe at Sonja with this:
” Did Sonja Morgan just give me marital advice on how to keep my husband missing me? As the story goes, she lost her husband on her last girls’ trip. Enough said. ”
Some bad nasty must have gone on between them. Also I am thinking Heather might have blocked Avivia on twitter I dont know how it works though so I could be wrong. Yeah she needs help for sure.
I have to agree with Aviva on this one. Who is Sonja to give marriage advice, or even dating advice, no success there for Sonja!
i really don’t understand twitter or hashtags or any of that so i don’t know, but i think aviva is a mess and may need to have reid with her to keep her from falling to pieces, and i don’t mean her phobias. i think she may have a screw loose, like ramona screw loose. she personality seems to keep changing
I agree w/all the above comments… And Sonja asked Heather for her advice on Marketing her Toaster Oven… Ramona supposed to be Sonja’s friend I didn’t see her bending over backwards to Help in anyway on thing RaMonster anted to do was give criticism.. And Sonja is the type of person who throw the brick then hide her hand… Sneaky ppl I can’t stand… Aviva And these damn Phobias drives me nuts she needs to institutionalized.. Gosh..
i have to say that it seems like aviva suffers from panic disorder. what she needs are medications. i take two that are very effective. since people cannot see you having a panic attack, they do not understand them and they make light of them, but trust me, they are horrible. i wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy. i would think that louann, a former nurse, would have a clue about this, but apparently she doesn’t. aviva doesn’t need reid by her side all the time. she needs to see a psychiatrist, get diagnosed and then put on the proper medications and dosage.
Did anyone notice on a previous episode after the inital interview that Ramona showed up and bossed everyone around and rubbed Heather’s people the wrong way, that Heathers branding person told SonJa please don’t bring your lunch friends to our meetings?? lol thought that was funny. He didn’t really see SonJa as the chic buisnesswoman as she sees herself but as a rich lady that shops and lunch wich is about right.
I like Heather. Actually I like all the new “wives” and could do without the others
I love this site and these comments!!
Sonja is on the verge of something bad. Her disregard for Heather’s time and efforts and lack of gratitude shows she’s nasty. Maybe she was a “catch” but she’s a leech now. She acted like she was doing Heather a favor showing up to the photo shoot. The best was she had the gall to get pissed off b/c Heather wanted to quit!! WTF!! Heather doesn’t live in a moldy townhouse. She isn’t freaking over an ex-husband and banging contractors for repair work.
I’ve liked Heather from the start. The “holla” thing is a bit much but she puts Ramona in a tailspin with a look and that makes her o.k. in my book. Heather seemed amused by Ramona’s antics until Sonja brought her in Heather’s business=which was just stupid.
Lu doesn’t seem scared of Ramona, but dreads her. Lu could handle Ramona if she had to but it wouldn’t be pretty. Remember, she’s tall.
Sonja fears Ramona. It’s obvious when she plays both sides of the fence and defends Ramona when she’s obviously wrong. She eats crap for Ramona. After 20+ yrs of friendship Ramona must have a lot of dirt on Sonja, and wouldn’t give spilling it a 2nd thought-if was pissed. The woman is a loose cannon. Imagine if (Hypothetically) Sonja and Mario acted on their obvious attraction and Ramona found out!! That would bring on the ratings.