Lights, Cameras, ACTION!

Hollywood came calling in the most manifested and hilarious way...

The Bachelorette Season 13 was my first and only time ever watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. It just never appealed to me, but when Rachel Lindsay was chosen as the #HBIC-Head Bachelorette In Charge, I knew I had to tune in. She was super smart. Super cute. AND, she reminded me of the #Minime's GodMom, Latoya "Toya" Blakely.

Every single time I watched an episode of The Bachelorette, I would text or call Toya and tell her "I did not understand why this was not her." I pretty much bugged her into submission lol.

Cue #TheProposal

Someway somehow, my dear friend was submitted to be on this show. The premise...a mini Bachelor/Bachelorette with a bit of a twist;-)

When Toya called me to tell me that she had been chosen to be on the show...I could not stop laughing. Toya is actually a much more private person than I. Additionally, she does not watch TV, especially reality tv like that. So for her to be on there was a BIG thing. I was proud of her and knew it would be a great opportunity to potentially find love.

As if Toya being on the show was not icing on the cake enough, she informed me that the producers asked her to pick two people to be on the show to assist her in choosing a mate. Guess, who one of those lucky people!? M-E!!!!

It was one thing to harass Toya to be on the show. It was a WHOLE 'nother thing for me to appear on the show with her.

My excitement turned into fear...I needed to lose MORE weight lol

Also, what the heck was I to do with Sloane!? Her dad could not keep her, so that meant only one thing...Sloane was going to Hollywood...

"Hello, It's Hollywood Calling!"

Within a week, Producers contacted me to book flights and hotel. I checked with the producers to make sure I had the "ok" to bring the #Minime.

I also checked with my employer to make sure I was not violating company policy by appearing on the show. I was not. They were totally cool about it and excited about it.

Sidenote: I work with majority of males, who do not and would not watch this kind of show on their own. Many of my team members have either been tuning in weekly or recorded the show in anticipation of my appearance. Cannot tell you how much this warms my heart.

Early May, Sloane and I made the all expense paid trek to Hollywood to help our dear friend find love:-)

#Hollywood #RealityTV #LightsCamerasAction

#TheExperience

Shooting a reality show is very intense and long, especially when doing it with a then 20 month old. PLUS, Cali is two hours behind Chicago.

However, Sloane could not have been anymore behaved. I was actually SHOCKED lol;-) I will save the write up about her toddler behavior for another day...cue the sideye...

The Producers, Assistants, Creators, etc of the show could NOT have been any kinder. They were great to Toya. They were great to Toya's mom. They were great in how they picked the people for Toya to consider.

They even allowed Sloane to run and play onstage.

#AStarIsBorn #TheProposal #LittleLadySLoane #HollywoodCalling

This was her on stage in front of a live audience of about 200 people:-o Again, her whole behavior that day was pretty shocking, BUT we did go to the Crystal Shop earlier in the day, so maybe that helped lol.

Getting Clear Energy so Toya could Pick the Right Guy #Crystal #SpellboundSky #CaliVibes

With a wink, Sloane let Toya know..."You GOT THIS!"

One thing that is no joke...FILMING. The one hour episode viewers saw took SIX hours to film. Again, Sloane was so well-behaved. I cannot say that enough because well... lol :-)

The Chosen One

Tyler cannot be a nicer guy! Toya and Tyler are still together and have spent quite a bit of time with one another.

I look forward to see how their relationship continues to unfold.

The REAL-i-TEA

This is actually a real show y'all. These people are still with the people chosen from the show. There was nothing scripted or manipulated while filming or after filming.

The producers of the show stayed out of it. We found out a lot more info about the guys after, but the producers were thoughtful to not disclose too much information that could influence our opinion.

I was so happy to support my dear friend in her quest to find love, and happy to have been there when she found it.

Of course, Sloane and I had a blast and took advantage of having time off to enjoy each other and the Cali life B-)

We were so thankful to have had the opportunity. I am most thankful that my #Minime could be a part of something so monumental for her God mom.

I have never had a#BucketList per se, but, after this experience, I was surely inspired to create one.

#RealityTea #TheProposal #BucketList #Adventures #CaliLiving #ChicagoParent #SMOM #SMOMintheCity #ChicagoLiving #AdventureswiththeMiniMe #RealityTV #Hollywood #Manifestation #Destination