I’m trying really hard not to think about work this week. Not that recapping “Project Runway” feels much like work …

Take it away, Melissa!

Gretchen? Really? Nina and Michael have lost their minds.

I honestly thought Mondo had this in the bag. I told a friend earlier in the day that it was a slam dunk and I probably would have put money on it, if given the chance. Mondo’s collection was fun, vibrant and – well – runway-worthy.

Did you see the sequin top? I have no place to wear that top, but I would buy it tomorrow. It was the “wow” piece I wanted from Mondo. It was young, hip and fun, all while still being very Mondo. Between the sequin top and the tights, I couldn’t get enough. We all knew what to expect from his clothes, but tights? Genius!

Even though I’m bitter about his loss, I did hate the head pieces he made. However, I respect that Nina strongly encouraged him to scrap them and he didn’t. Because he’s Mondo. He knows what he wants and is a confident designer.

And, after seeing Andy’s collection walk down the runway, I thought he’d get second. It struck me as monotone and casual, with mostly separates, but it was still very well made. It appealed to all women. We all could pick one piece in that collection that we would wear. I wouldn’t pick any of the green pieces, because that color does nothing for any skin tone, but the gray pieces were impeccable.

But, Gretchen? I have been trying to think of something nice to say about her collection and I honestly think that if some of her pieces (as in maybe three) were to be in a different (read: modern) print, I would like them. But, her collection as it stands is dusty and old. The only women I can picture wearing her pieces are those vacationing at a resort in the Sahara. Do they have resorts in the Sahara? If so, you should call them immediately, Gretchen.

I didn’t get it at all. I loved the hats and aviator sunglasses, but that’s about where it ended. Someone needs to explain to me what’s so great about desert/animal prints mixed with dark green leather.

But, I think I was most shocked about Nina and Michael’s reactions. Nina and Michael were sold on Gretchen and Heidi and Jessica Simpson (yes, you read that right) liked Mondo. Obviously, Jessica didn’t get a vote in the end. And, she shouldn’t. She is one of the last people I would expect to see as a guest judge on the finale of Project Runway.

The judging was so boring until the deliberation that I found myself thinking about how Nina’s hair is amazing. Really, it’s pretty fantastic.

Then Nina and Michael morphed into people I’ve never seen before. Since when do they care about what can be pulled off the rack at a department store? Since when are they looking for a collection that speaks to every woman? This is a runway show. We expect – no, we demand pieces that are show-stoppers.

Heidi stuck up for Mondo until the bitter end, but Nina and Michael weren’t budging. They said that Gretchen’s collection is on par for what’s next in fashion. Honestly, if a fusion of leather and desert is the tomorrow of fashion, then I’m going to stay in bed in my sweats.

The finale embodied the entire season for me – it was ok. Mondo had an “it” factor, but that’s really it. I liked some looks from all of the designers, but not an entire aesthetic of anyone. And, the judges seemed to be a little off their game this season, too. They wanted really minimal, easy-to-wear pieces. So, Mondo really didn’t have a chance. But, how cute was he in that suit for the runway show? I want to put him on my lap, rock him, dust him off and send him on his way. We’ll see more of you, Mondo.