Bravo Bibliophiles

Oh. Hey everyone. We're back from a little summer break hiatus and hope you aren't too mad at us. This week we catch you up on what's been happening with us the last 3 months and start a journey into deep-diving a little show called Ladies of London. Ever heard of it? If not, you're in luck, because each week we're breaking down an episode of the ill-fated and incredibly underrated show from across the pond. Starting TODAY. Enjoy!

This is a long one, friends! Former Countess LuAnn de Lesseps taught us that elegance can, in fact, be learned, and she's here to teach us everything we need to know. Like stocking your closet with affordable labels like Givenchy and Chanel but not being afraid of a little Maxxinista moment at your local discount chain. And super useful information like what to do if you ever meet a King or Queen. Hint: Do NOT put your arm around the Queen and if she's not eating, neither should you. Lastly, it wouldn't be a Bravo self-help book without a guide on how to land a man (even if you end up divorcing him, dating a French man who you cheat on with a pirate *allegedly* and then race to the altar with a short bald fella who's been hanging around your circle of friends waiting to snag literally any one of you and then divorce him a few months later too). It's a wild, elegant ride and we hope you learn a lot! Also, we discuss both parts of the RHOA reunion so far, the Summer House reunion and how Carl keeps getting hotter and hotter, and then RHONJ....kinda. Theresa has a secret boyfriend that she's keeping a secret for literally no reason and that's all you need to know. Enjoy!

This is one self-help book written by a Bravo-lebrity that we can actually get behind! Asa, aka, the Persian Pop Priestess, gives great advice on finding your personal style, building better relationships, and manifesting the life you want without being annoying and that's really all we're looking for. She is unapologetically herself and encourages everyone to do the same--if you like Asa on Shahs of Sunset, you'll really enjoy the book, we promise! We also catch up on all things Bravo, as per usual and explain the emotional roller coaster Summer House has us all riding when it comes to our feelings about Hannah and Luke. This week, we're anti-Hannah and fully on Team Luke. What a ride. Enjoy!

This week we're discussing Average Expectations: Lessons In Lowering the Bar by our favorite Southern bachelor, Shep Rose. Well, truth be told, he's only our favorite now that we've read the book. As we all know, Shep comes from a very wealthy lineage and in this book, he's here to make sure we also know that he's A. Not ashamed of it and B. Totally okay with lowering the bar his ancestors set for his family. He tells us that he has, in fact, worked a day or two in his life (actually he's had a long list of different jobs) and although provided with lots of opportunities to pursue a life of success in the corporate world, he quickly realized that wasn't for him and chose his own path. That path was, lucky for us, reality television. He lets us in on some hot Southern Charm takes, explains why cancel culture is the worst (we agree), and even dabbles in some political opinions. Overall, it was a fun read and we both give it two thumbs up! And as always, we discuss all things Bravo, including but not limited to: Kenya being entitled and awful per usual, Theresa also continuing her streak of being horrible, and the very anti-climactic brawl on Summer House. Enjoy!

We have a LOT of Bravo ground to cover this week, you guys. After a bit of a hiatus, we're back with weeks of shows to catch up on. SO MUCH happened in Atlanta, including Cynthia's COVID wedding...we've turned on both Hannah AND Luke from Summer House, and in news that is a shock to nobody, we continue to despise Theresa from RHONJ. Oh yeah, we also read a book. "One Day You'll Thank Me" by one Mrs. Cameran Eubanks Wimberly was...fine. She covers her life from being cast on The Real World San Diego all the way to the present day as a mother of one. We're not sure exactly what we'll be thanking her for one day, but....TBD. Enjoy!

We're baaaaaaaaack with Part II of 'A Little Thing Called Life" by Linda Thompson. In the second half of the book, she gives us all the hot goss on her marriage to Bruce Jenner, their subsequent divorce after he comes out to her as a woman, and her relationship with David Foster, King of Narcissism. If nothing else, Linda Thompson has had the most interesting relationships with some of the world's most interesting partners and she doesn't hold back on details. She lays it all out on the table while still remaining a genuinely kind person, which can't be easy to do given what she's been through. All in all, this is a rare occasion where we DO recommend that you read it yourself. Two thumbs way up! Snaps for Linda! We also try our best to catch up on Bravo, including recaps on RHOA (stripper-gate is upon us), RHOSLC Reunion Part II (a doozy as expected), and RHONJ is BACK BABY! Enjoy!

This week, we dive into Part One of a Bravo-adjacent book by Linda Thompson; friend of RHOBH, mother of Brody Jenner, ex-wife of Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn), and ex-love of Elvis Presley (ever heard of him?). The first half of the book focuses on the 5 years spent with her first love, Elvis and his untimely death shortly after they broke up. She doesn't hold back in giving us the details on their lives together, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is a TON of hot goss in a very well-written and thoughtful memoir that, surprisingly, we are both really enjoying reading so far. Next week will be the second half of the book, which details her relationships with both Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner and David Foster. Stay tuned! In Bravo TV-land, we cover this week's AMAZING lineup, including the prelude to the infamous stripper incident on RHOA, the season finale of RHOSLC, Part 2 of the Southern Charm Reunion, and the premiere of Summer House! Enjoy!

This week we dive into Teresa's post-prison memoir, Standing Strong. It's her second book and fills us in on life after her stint in prison while her husband Joe is away serving time for mortgage fraud. Teresa says up front that this is a no-holds-barred tell-all regarding her current situation with her family, her husband, and her career. Sounds juicy, right? You might change your tune after hearing our review, we'll just say that. Also, we discuss RHOA and our queen Porsha, part one of the explosive Southern Charm reunion, and how much we hate Jen Shah of RHOSLC. Also, Armie Hammer and ethical cannibalism (that's apparently a thing....?). Enjoy!

This week, we dive into Brandi's latest New York Times bestseller (allegedly), Drinking and Dating: P.S. Social Media is Ruining Romance. Funny title considering she is the queen of social media and uses Twitter to announce on-the-fly Vegas nuptials, passive-aggressively shade her ex-husband, and exchange choice words with former flings who out her for having HPV. We get some very juicy dirt on the many men she's dated, or just slept with, and basically get a guide of what NOT to do when looking for the perfect man. In true Brandi fashion, the book is full of expletives, raunchy details, and shade to most of the men she's ever dated. it is JUICY, guys. Also, WAY too many #hashtags. Speaking of juicy, we also dive deep into the Bravo universe that, over the last week, has been the gift that keeps on giving. #thankyouSouthernCharm ENJOY!

This week's episode is all about Andy Cohen and his seemingly endless list of A-list friends. In his book, inspired by the Andy Warhol Diaries, Andy takes us through a year of his life, through diary entries that detail the star-studded events he attends almost nightly, his struggle through Dry January, the adoption of his beloved dog Wacha, and LOTS of Housewives juice. This book is jam-packed with hot goss and hot people, so if you want an inside look into Andy Cohen's world, you'll love this one! We also discuss everything in the Bravo Universe and would like to officially nominate Leva Bonaparte of Southern Charm as the new Queen of Charleston. Bravo, call us. Enjoy!

WE ARE BACK, BABY! After a little holiday hiatus, we have rejoined the podcast universe to bring you a rare non-Bravo book selection by hairstylist to the stars/boss ass bitch, Jen Atkin. She tells us of her religious beginnings as the adopted daughter of Mormon parents, living in Utah and Hawaii and how she always knew she just didn't fit in with that lifestyle. From there, she moves to LA to become a stylist and the rest is history. The book is a guide to finding your purpose and when you do, making your dreams a reality. It's full of information and tips from a true entrepreneurial QWEEN and we, for once, HIGHLY recommend you read it for yourself! We also discuss Bravo from the last week and how we hope more than anything that Chris Samuels and Chris Bassett can keep their unrequited friendship alive. Enjoy!

In this novel written by Bethenny Frankel (with help from author Eve Adamson), there is in fact no skinny dipping. There IS one pool party where our main character jumps in the pool at a party in her "granny panties" but that's about it. This is the story of Faith Brightstone, a recent college grad who has a complicated relationship with her father but decides to move to LA and stay at his house while she tries to make it as an actress. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't pan out for her and she instead finds herself on reality television in a competition to become the next Domestic Goddess. Drama ensues, as it often does on reality TV, but along the way, Faith finds the man of her dreams and ends up getting all she ever wanted in the end. Again, with no skinny-dipping. We also discuss the multitude of Bravo shows that we are currently blessed with each week, including our new fave, RHOSLC, and Ashley tells us what she believes all the Southern Charm cast members' signature scents are. Enjoy!

This week's book was brought to you by the one and only, self-proclaimed crazy lady, Kristen Doute. She walks us through the men in her life who have come and gone and how each relationship contributed to her "craziness." It's a deep dive into her psyche and she provides some hot insider goss involving her on-screen boyfriends as well as the ones who broke her heart long before her Vanderpump Rules fame. Surprisingly self-aware, Kristen doesn't hold much back regarding her own faults and indiscretions and seemingly hopes we'll use this book as a guide on what NOT to do. We also get into recent Bravo eps, as per usual, and go out with a song dedicated to Mary of RHOSLC who married her own grandfather because that storyline will never get old. Enjoy!

...."How to Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun, and Never Have An Off Moment." Seriously, that's the full title. Mortician/funeral director and self-proclaimed Southern Belle Phaedra Parks has blessed us with the ultimate guide on how you too can be a Southern Belle, even if you're from North of the Mason-Dixon (ew!). It's possible for anyone, as long as you know how to give an insincere compliment without anyone knowing you're being insincere, you demand that men hold any door you walk in or out of, wear pearls (they can be fake, don't worry), and you can host a mean potluck. Lastly, make sure you're completely out of touch with reality. Simple enough, right? We also discuss the WILD week we all had (Biden/Harris yaaaaaaas) plus all things Bravo. Southern Charm is still going strong, RHOC continues to be unbearable, and Potomac gets better by the week. Oh, and Captain Lee is back on our screens! Enjoy!

It's ELECTION DAY!! While you're either waiting in line to vote, or already have and you need a distraction from your stress and anxiety, allow us to entertain you with our review of Aviva Drescher's memoir, Leggy Blonde. Aviva walks us through her life story, from childhood when she tragically lost a limb in a freak accident, to her mother's struggles with alcoholism, her life in Paris where she danced on tables with Cindy Crawford, her marriage with "great guy" Harry Dubin, and finally her fairytale ending with successful "nice guy" financier Reid. There's tragedy, there's courtroom drama, plus sex, lies, and rich people problems galore! We also discuss all things going on in the Bravo universe (it's a LOT), including RHOC (snooze) and the season premier of Southern Charm. Enjoy!

Ever wondered the secrets to a hot, steamy, passionate marriage? Look no further than Melissa Gorga's book. Basically, it comes down to a few simple things: 1. Marry someone rich 2. Stay home all day making sure the house is perfectly clean and dinner is ready at exactly the time your husband gets home from work 3. Stay in shape (toned, not bulky, ladies) 4. Be at your husband's beckoned call sexually There you have it! Now go listen to our review, which is really us just rage-talking for an hour and some change. Enjoy!

Surprise! This week we took a turn into non-Bravo pop culture with "Open Book" by legendary icon Jessica Simpson. In her memoir, she discusses VERY candidly all things music, relationships, family, and her struggles with addiction. It was an amazing read and we couldn't have loved it, or her, more. It is the first time we have highly recommended something to our fellow readers/listeners to dive into themselves. If you were on the fence about reading it, DO IT! So worth it. We also discuss the Bravo shows of the week, specifically RHOP, which was another doozy....Enjoy!

This week, we had the honor of reading "Southern Charm" by one Miss Tinsley Mortimer, future Coupon Queen. In this novel which is actually a memoir, we meet Minty Davenport, southern belle extraordinaire, who moves out of Charleston and into the Big Apple, where she sits back while her dream life essentially falls into her lap. Her biggest issues are her overbearing mother who insists on renovating her NYC apartment with expensive furnishings and throw pillows, a rich boyfriend who lies about the women in his past, and a very "Devil-Wears-Prada"-esque boss who fires her once she lands a "job" as the muse for the newest up-and-coming designer. After some research, it becomes apparent that the book exactly parallels Tinsley's own life, with a few names changed. No Bravo talk this week because there was literally nothing to watch. BYE!

This week we tie up the Denise Richards deep dive in a pretty little bow! We go through her life since Charlie and up until her much too short stint on RHOBH. We also discuss THE most anxiety-inducing episode of RHOP ever and all other thins Bravo for the week PLUS some new books we're reading! Enjoy!

Part Two of our Denise Richards deep dive includes the "Charlie Sheen years" and we discuss their courtship, marriage, and subsequent *nasty* divorce + custody battle. We also, as always, touch on all things Bravo for the week---lots of stuff happening, people! More cheating, more lying, and possibly some firing...? Fingers crossed (cough Teddi). Enjoy!

In Part One of this deep dive into the life of Qween Denise Richards, we gather information from her book "The Real Girl Next Door" and discuss her life starting from her humble beginnings in Downer's Grove, IL to her breakout roles in Wild Things, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and The World Is Not Enough. We also go through some of her early romantic relationships, her start as a model in the US and Tokyo, and her iconic role in Saved By The Bell opposite A.C. Slater. As usual, we discuss this week's Bravo shows, which included RHOP, RHOBH, and RHONY. And Ashley tells us all about her very generous good deed of the week. Enjoy!

This week we give full recaps on all things Bravo, including your new favorite song by the one and only Countess Lu. It will be in your head at 3am when you're trying to sleep and for that, we're truly sorry. Bayleigh also discusses having her niece over for a sleepover and subsequently scarring her for life and we also (really) indulge in our cocktail of the week from the Fancy AF cocktails book. Enjoy!

We're going through a little transish and discuss changes to the pod format as well as full dives into the Bravo episodes from the week. Pour one out for our beloved Dorinda...we also introduce a new weekly ritual, which involves drinking delicious alcoholic bevs each episode from the amazing cocktail recipe book by Tom Sandoval and Ariana Maddix with special co-author, one Mr. Danny Pellegrino. Enjoy!

This week we struggle through a discussion of Radzi's novel about Claire, a newly-widowed 32-year-old living in NYC and rediscovering herself as a single woman. Her husband, a sex expert who doesn't believe that love and sex can co-exist, is tragically killed when a very expensive sculpture is dropped on him from a high-rise building. She is left with a lot of money as well as a partially-written book by her late husband about a Hollywood playboy, Jack, who she decides to get to know in order to finish the book in honor of her husband as well as an attempt to salvage her once-flourishing career as a writer. One thing leads to another and she starts to fall for Jack's charm, only to be ultimately blown off after a few months of casual dating. In the end, SURPRISE! she finds her true love with someone she least expected and that's that. We also, of course, discuss this week's Bravo episodes, including RHONY, RHOBH, Below Deck and RHOP (kind of). Enjoy!

This week we have our very first Bravo-obsessed guest, Danielle, owner of Hollaback Cards (@hollabackcards on IG)! We discuss all things Bravo, learn her favorite Bravo-lebrity song, who she thinks is the hottest house husband, and which OG Bravo shows she misses most. We of course also discuss this week's book, which is "Pretty Mess" by Erika Jayne, who is basically the only Beverly Hills housewife we still want as part of the cast at this point. Enjoy!

Former New York Housewife Bethenny, who, let's face it, was never actually a "housewife" in the typical sense, regales us with her own dating experiences in the hopes we'll all learn from her mistakes and find true love. She gives a LOT of advice on what to do in a new relationship, but more importantly, what NOT to do and basically lets us in on some secrets, like: PMS makes women crazy, men are pretty dumb, and women should try not to make more money than their partners if they don't want them to feel intimidated. More importantly, we cover last week's RHONY and RHOBH eps, some non-Bravo TV shows worth watching, and Bayleigh's COVID test experience (she's negative). Enjoy!

This week we learn the life story of Ms. NeNe Leakes, former exotic dancer turned Bravo celebrity. She fills us in on her childhood, from being given up by her mother and being raised by her aunt in Georgia, to finding out a hard truth about her birth father, to the present day where she has become one of the most recognizable Bravo stars of all time. We also review old seasons of Atlanta, discuss RHONY, and talk about our own very limited experiences in strip clubs. Enjoy!

Strap in as we take a ride on the Ramona Coaster, friends. Self-described "secure, giving, and successful" Ms. Singer takes us on a journey through her childhood, career, and marriage to arguably one of the most attractive house-husbands of all time, Mario (according to Ashley, anyway). She gives us all the juicy deets on getting onto the greatest Housewives franchise that has ever existed (don't try and argue with us on this) as well as what we're really looking for: details of her very public separation and subsequent divorce. We also discuss #freeBritney and the Wayfair "scandal" rocking the nation. Enjoy!

This week we are pleased to bring you tons of useful tips from our QVC Queen, Lisa Rinna, for improving your sex life. If you're in a rut, she, along with sex expert Ian Kerner, are here to help you spice things up with advice on everything from diets that make you feel your best (and also hungriest) to the perfect poses for sensual nude photo-taking. We also discuss what we've been watching on Netflix, this week's RHONY episode, and some good reads NOT written by Bravo-lebrities. Enjoy!

This week we discuss the novel written by Queen of Potomac, Gizelle Bryant. Loosely (or not so loosely) based on G's own life experiences, it's got everything you want: scandal, heartbreak, strong women, and redemption, all taking place inside the juicy underground world of mega-churches. We also touch on the lack of action on Bravo this week as well as some new books, tv shows, and podcasts we've been loving. LYLAS!

This week we cover Andy Cohen's memoir, where we learn about his life growing up in the Midwest, his career path leading up to becoming King of Bravo, and everything in between. We also discuss the downfall of many a Bravo celeb in the last couple of weeks, make another plea for Jax to be fired, and get very heated while discussing remakes of 90s ballads. Enjoy!

Podcasts we love:1619Code SwitchPod Save AmericaBooks We Love :Queenie by Candice Carty-WilliamsDominicana by Angie CruzTV/Movies/Docs to Watch:Insecure (HBO)The 13th (Netflix)Just Mercy (free on Amazon Prime right now)

Kelly Cutrone, Queen of PR, gives us all some hard truths about life and how to be successful at it. She takes us through her own journey from busting out of her hometown the second she could and moving to NYC to begin her career in PR. She fills us in on everything from forming your own tribe, finding your spirituality and making your own mark on the world. She's a master of tough love and, truthfully, we're ready to become best friends with her immediately. Also, as usual, we discuss last week's Bravo shows and tear Jax to shreds because he's the worst. Enjoy!

We discuss Taylor Armstrong's book about her life with an abusive husband and journey to loving herself. On a lighter note, we spend the first half of the episode discussing last week's Bravo LOLs and how we're spending our quarantine time.

Queen/Icon/Legend Rachel Zoe tells us how she got her start in the fashion biz, gives us endless style tips that are actually useful, and advises us on everything from making the perfect banana bread to throwing an amazing dinner party. PLEASE BRING BACK THE RACHEL ZOE PROJECT. We also discuss Bravo this week, including LuAnn being back on the sauce, Dorinda's meddling, Luke being a f*ckboy, and Jax being the ultimate worst.

We’re here to share the story of a hard-working man who isn’t afraid to get his hands or deck shoes dirty. He started out as a welder, climbing to heights above the clouds to sodder buildings and water towers together until he discovered that majestic thing they call the sea.He worked his way up through the ranks to become America’s favorite Captain.Through turmoil, lots of technical words about engines and tests of his masculinity, he never lost sight of his dream.This is the story of Captain Lee – your captain, their captain… our captain.

Once upon a time, there was an unsuspecting sweetheart of a wife and mom living in a far away land called New Jersey. This beautiful, Italian woman, who was beloved by all, was asked to star in a reality television show.This wonderful woman was named Teresa, and she just wasn’t sure that her shy, timid demeanor was right for the show, but she decided, on a lark, to give it a shot.When the cameras invaded her world, lovely Teresa was SHOCKED to see that the woman they filmed, was not her. Somehow, she was portrayed as a hot-tempered, mean girl. Everyone who knows her knows that the cameras had it wrong.One day, this crazy institution called government, accused Teresa and her loving, handsome – dare we say, juicy – husband of FRAUD. This came as a complete shock to Teresa, as she had never done anything bad in her life!This unjust institution somehow found Teresa and her doting husband GUILTY and sent Teresa off to a dusty, dirty, sad place called prison.In this heinous place, Teresa experienced a lot of untoward behavior from her fellow inmates. From LESBIANS to drug addicts, she could not believe her terrible luck.Teresa navigated these turbulent times by befriending other white-collar criminals and discovering the works of patron saint, Joel Osteen. She spent her nights dreaming of her four beautiful angel-daughters and her handsome husband, and her days becoming a better woman through exercise and eating right.When Teresa was finally released from this dark place, she left as a better wife and mother, even though she did absolutely nothing wrong and didn’t even deserve to be there in the first place. The End.

Our GoT and murder-obsessed queen teaches us all about self-acceptance and how to let our inner basic bitch free.

The matriarch of Southern Charm teaches us all how to speak, act, party, and decorate like true Southerners. She gives us advice on everything from how and when to wear a tiara to throwing a great themed party.

A deep dive into Caroline Manzo's self-help/advice/Italian recipe book, "Let Me Tell You Something." Lots of great advice here as well as a recipe for the most delicious soup you'll probably ever make in your life.

Buckle in for some sage life advice from your favorite flexible, belted-caftan-wearing Beverly Hills housewife, Kyle Richards.

Welcome to the pod! So glad you're here! This ep is an introduction to your hosts, Ashley and Bayleigh. We discuss how we met, our fave + most hated Bravo-lebs, and tell you all about the journey you're about embark on with us. LYLAS!