DIna Manzo: Life on Reality TV & her passion with Project Ladybug

Dina Manzo is one of the most beloved housewives from Bravo's hit series, The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Not even considering herself famous, she is one of the most down-to-earth and passionate people we have ever met  - a  joy to talk to and a wonderful person to work with. We can't wait to share our one on one with the one and only Dina.

We miss you on the show, so much! Would you ever come back on the show?

Reality TV and that form, ummm no. I have to say that is hard - the fame that came along with it makes me uncomfortable because I would rather be famous for what I am talented at rather than for arguing with someone. That is what I am working on - and I appreciate our fans, they are so amazing and they are the biggest supporters and especially the Ladybugs but there is always that why, why do you want me to sign it, I didn't get it, it made me a little uncomfortable like I felt like there is no reason for me to be famous. I don't mind the fans coming up at at all - I LOVE them and it is one of my favorite parts.

Now that you are off the show, is Project Ladybug your main focus?

Project Ladybug has always been my main focus - I started this fund before I was a Bravo Housewives so it was something that I was really passionate about to be quite honest with you I never thought it would get as big as it was - it started off being like one event a year that I wanted to just throw this for the kids and it grew into something bigger and the more I started doing it the more passionate I became and the more I feel like it is my purpose in life. Not only does it feel good to do things for these kids but it really builds me up. My favorite thing is meeting people who think the same and  truly want to help people and to surround yourself by the people that really get you - that is really the key to happiness.

You have a passion for creating a beautiful home. Your house as we see on TV is beautiful. 

Do you have any decorating tips you can share with your readers? 

I actually have been doing a You Tube series on decorating tips - I get a million questions so I decided to make these little clips to address the questions I am getting and of course a lot of them our decorating because I did it for 20 years. My philosophy on decorating is to surround yourself by things that really mean something to you and things that you love and you're drawn to. I mean, you're drawn to a certain color for a reason. I believe in past life and all of that so if your drawn to a period of furniture or a certain color - there is a reason why you are. If you surround yourself with stuff your just drawn to and stuff that brings you happiness it's really going to bring your happiness because when you open your eyes the first thing you see in the morning is your home. And for me if you can make your home a happy place that  makes you feel good and nurture your soul you're going to carry that with you throughout the whole entire day. My best advice is to follow your gut - even if it is something that isn't in trend or if it makes you feel good just do it. The way I decorate my home people, a lot of people don't necessarily agree with the concept but I find something I love and find spot for it. If I see something that speaks to me I will buy it and even if it sits downstairs for a year - it does. 

We are really trying to bring more home into cupcakeMAG  - everyone is trending in fashion but their house as well. 

Sure. I mean we are going back to that. With this economy we are back to our homes. We are staying in more so it is more important then ever to make it a sanctuary. You don't do that by picking room number 2 in Ethan Allen. You have to make it your own. 

You always look so great - your hair is always perfect, your make-up, so flawless. What can we find in your make-up  bag? Certain things you can't live without? 

I am addicted to Carmex, I hate to tell you for $1.69 a tube - that is with me at all times. I love Makeup Forever's HD Foundation - especially being on television, it was a lifesaver. And I love my staple that I have been using for years and years is MAC Powder. 

What is on your Christmas list? Anything you are dying for? 

Well, I have to tell you, I am building this magnificent closet and that to me - I can't thank my husband enough for doing this. I mean, I am not going to lie, I love my shoes, I love my purses, I love everything but the fact that there is some clutter going on in my current closet, it just doesn't feel right to me so I am not asking for anything for Christmas - I am just so grateful that he is building me this closet. It will also be in a couple magazines as well. 

As for Danielle, Dina says she still receives links with Danielle still talking but she does her best to ignore it. As Dina says, "I left for a reason and I am not allowed to officially announce if I am part of season three or not but leave me alone. It doesn't bother me what she says because everyone knows that there is no truth to it - it just bothers me that she can't move on, I want her to move on and I want her to be successful and I want her to make millions so she is finally at peace." 

I hate talking on the phone with the passion. This interview is probably the longest I have been on the phone. I have actually lost friends from not talking on the phone. I am just not a  phone person. I will sit with a glass on wine and talk for hours but don't call me. 

I am fanatical about soft material. Like if my shirt is itching me I will stop and buy something else. 

I love the smell of horse breath. Sometimes I will pull over and pet the horses just to smell their breathe. 

If I see an old person walking on the side of the road, I will break down in tears. I don't know what it is. Old people really get me. My daughter is the same way, I don't want her to be as crazy as I am like if we see an old person walking with both look at each other and cry. 

I only drink water. No carbonation, no soda, no nothing. 

My favorite room is my bathroom - it is the prettiest thing ever. 

Pet peeve? Liars really get me. 

I hate surprises. I need to know every Christmas gift, I just need to know. I am good at finding out everything too and don't ever through me a surprise party because I am too good of detective. 

I love blues. 

I have the worst memory in history. 

Favorite place in NYC to eat? Upstairs at Bergdorf - I actually crave them.

All things Dina! 

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Caroline Manzo -- Genuine, Humble, & Anything but Drama!

We were so lucky to talk to Caroline Manzo today! Yes, can you believe it? We are both working on Labor Day.

Caroline was able to take time out of a family BBQ to chat with us before the big finale tonight of The Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion. For those who need to be filled in - Caroline Manzo is the strong-willed fiery red head on Bravo TV's The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Laid back and very humble - Caroline thanks all her fans and supporters for the success of the show and says "You can't bite the hand that feeds you." -- and we couldn't agree more!

Are you excited for part two of the reunion show to air tonight?"

Caroline: We have not seen it. I can tell you the nuts and bolts of what happened, but we have not seen the DVD.

Do you usually see the show before it airs?

Caroline: Yes, it is delivered by courier and we see it before it airs, but we didn't this time. I don't know if it is because of the Labor day Holiday or if there is an ulterior motive.

What can you tell us about part two that airs tonight?

Caroline: The entire process was very intense, we taped for over 10 hours. Teresa's outburst, Jacqueline's out burst, which I think you will see tonight. I just thought "Oh My God. When is this madness going to end?"

Is someone in fact leaving the cast, as there are so many rumors about a "replacement"?

Caroline: I don't know that, but I would think that if someone is leaving the cast, they would already know. It's a roller coaster ride. What differentiate's us from the other shows is that this darkness, this negative impact, was not just television, this was our reality.

We know from talking to other cast members of The Real Housewives that what you see is what you get. I am guessing that is the same for you. 

Caroline: What you see is what you get. Blaming editing, that's a cop-out, the camera does not lie. Editing is maybe 10% because of time restrictions, otherwise we would be on 24/7. The time frame has to be edited. Your mannerisms, your voice, what you say is there.

What is your favorite moment from the season?

Caroline. Sheesh, I dunno. It was so long ago... favorite moment.... favorite moment..."When we are cooking and joking around in the kitchen, being relaxed. no he said, she said."

I was going to ask you about that, we always see you cooking and in the kitchen. Have you thought of doing a cook book? I cook from Teresa's cookbook all the time. I would and I know your fans would love a cookbook from you.

Caroline: Without a doubt, cooking is such a huge part of our lives. Just today I was by Jacqueline's house, Chris did all the shopping and I did all the marinating with Albie and I cooked it. So many offers are coming in, we are trying to navigate through these waters. We'll see.

The weekly blog is great that you can and WANT to interact with your fans.

Caroline: They take the time to write us. Without them, we would be nothing, to not interact would be biting the hand that feeds you.

Do you have any makeup tips? As we saw during the reunion show, your makeup looks fantastic!

Caroline: Ah, for makeup tips you would need an interview with my daughter, Lauren. She did my makeup and Jacqueline's for the reunion show. Any questions for makeup tips, send them to my daughter!

Did she really? She did an amazing job!

Caroline: I saw this in her, like you saw last season. I told her "I see this fashion and makeup talent in you, but you have to have the proper training." I think you'll see, in season 3, the "Evolution of Lauren."

Will you be attending NYFW? 

Caroline: It's funny, for years, I would go to all the BIG shows. It became a job, if you go, you want to enjoy them. Not that the hoopla was focused around me, not that it would, but the industry, everything... I just want to go and enjoy it. I am going to Suzuka Patel -- just beautiful things and Beach Bunny and Chris Benz.

Are you attending FNO?

Caroline: I will be a Bloomingdales, singing karaoke with Kay Unger!

I'm sure you are very busy for NYFW, I know we are.

Caroline: There is just so much going on, I don't know which is way is up or down!

Oh ya, that is how we feel! Last year was so, crazy trying to get cabs. This year we plan to have a driver.

Caroline: That's what I told Albert. "This year just get me a driver!"

1. I am very time conscious and very prompt. 

2. I am easy-going and laid-back.

3. I don't like wearing a lot of make-up.

4. I am always in flats.

5. My first job was working for my Dad's plastic factory where I would lift 50lb bags. I worked the 4-12 shift.

6. Favorite designer is Carolina Herrea

7. Middle name is Claire. 

8. Politic junky -- love the news channels.

9. Favorite food? Stuffed mushrooms. 

10. I love to read. I read when I want to relax.

While Caroline couldn't confirm if all the speculation of Danielle leaving is true we are definely leaning towards a sign-off. We all will be tunning in tonight just to see what happens! Make sure you tune into Bravo tonight -- check your local listings! 

In the mean time follow Caroline on Twitter and check out her blog where she answers a question every Monday night that a fan sends in -- real questions with real answers! Check out her website too! And thanks again to Caroline! We were big fans before but now we are even BIGGER -- if that is possible and looking forward to Season 3!

skinny italian -- teresa giudice has the best of both worlds

Teresa has no regrets for the table flipping incident we all know (and love!) her for - lucky for others she hasn't flipped any tables since. Teresa Giudice, a born and raised Jersey girl stars on Bravo TV's hit series, The Real Housewives of New Jersey is a true housewife. We watch Teresa each week as she devotes her time to her family - her "juicy" hubby Joe and 4 fabulicious daughters - Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana -- she does it all and still stays fabulous!

Just recently her first book, Skinny Italian, hit shelves and is a New York Times Bestseller. The lifestyle title is all about healthy Italian cooking while getting a glimpse into her family - showcasing 60 recipes straight from Salerno.

Throughout the book Teresa offers helpful advice and mouth-watering recipes you just can't wait to try with a dash of the behind-the-scenes gossip we love! She is a true example of how you can still eat spaghetti and fit into your "skinny" jeans.

How do you eat it all but stay so fit?

Italian food gets a bad rap in America because everyone thinks Italians sit around eating chicken parm and cannoli all day – and if you do eat that way, you certainly will not be skinny! But real Italian food—the kind we eat in my family because my parents grew up in Italy—is healthy as well as delicious. You’ll see in my recipes that I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil and fresh cheese instead of processed cheese, I sauté instead of deep fry, and I serve vegetable-based sauces rather than creamy sauces. I use sugar only in desserts (NOT in tomato sauce – that is sacrilege!). And my desserts are usually light and fruit-based.

How do you manage it all - wife, mother, work, etc? What advice can you give to other moms juggling it all?

Cook for your children. I know it sounds overwhelming, but the more you do it, the better you get. I’ve gotten a lot of emails from moms saying “my kids are such picky eaters. They never like anything, but they love your food.” That makes me so happy. And my girls love what I make for them. They never want me to order out because they’d rather eat what I make for them. My recipes are easy, too. Strawberries & Sambuca, which is my favorite dessert, has 3 ingredients and takes 10 minutes.
How do you keep your marriage so happy even with kids? Do you take timeout together?

Juicy Joe and I have date night together which gives us time for just the two of us. He wrote the sidebars in my cookbook called “Juicy Bits from Joe” that are funny and sometimes sexy, too. Check out my recipe for taking a sexy bath! I love to do vacation with the kids though. I wouldn’t have fun on vacation if my children weren’t with me.
What's your favorite designer? No one designer. I like unique pieces
What are the essentials you never leave home without? Lipgloss, lipliner, Blackberry

What is your favorite time-saving tip you think every mom should know?

I usually make extra food so that I can save the leftovers and serve it to the kids as their after school snack. That way I know they’re eating healthy, homemade food as snacks. I’d also recommend saving time by planning ahead: sometimes I cook two dinners at once: one to eat that night, and one to eat the next night.

What is the one thing you swore to yourself you would never do, but after having kids have found yourself doing it?

I never thought my husband would wind up doing our family’s grocery shopping, but after our third daughter was born, I realized I couldn’t do everything on my own. Now I make the shopping list and Joe goes to the store.
Okay, you know we just have to ask - does it bother you that your known as the "table flipper" because by far that is still the all time best moment and I'm sure you have gotten a ton of LOVE from it.

No regrets!

Teresa has given us a peek inside her glamourous life - up close & personal and wants to share more - which is why you NEED her book. Lucky for you, she is giving one of our lucky readers a chance to win a SIGNED copy!

Coke or Pepsi? Neither, I like bellinis!

RHONY or RHOC? I like both, but I blog about RHONY on People.com

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate

Movie or book? Cookbook!

Beach or Mountains? Beach

Yoga or pilates? both

Texting or talking? I used to like talking better, but it takes so much time.

Texting is faster for me these days.

Twitter or Facebook? I started out with just Facebook, but now I’m Twittering a lot too.

Dressing up or going caz? I like getting dressed up to go out with my husband and

staying casual when I’m with the kids

Heels or flip-flops? Both – heels when I’m dressed up and flip flops

when I’m being more casual

Shopping online or in-store? Mostly online, but if I’m shopping in a store,

it’s usually at boutiques

NYC or LA? New York is my back yard so I have to say LA –

it’s fun because it’s different for me.

Lipgloss or lipstick? lipgloss

Latte or frapp? latte

Wine or beer? wine

Blackberry or iphone? blackberry

SATC character? Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda?Carrie

Morning riser or night owl? Morning

Make a comment telling us why you must-have Skinny Italian! This comment is mandatory. You also MUST be a follower of CupcakeMAG & Sprinkles.

For extra entries, please leave a separate comment for each entry letting us know.

The more you comment the better chance you have to WIN!

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The winner will be selected next Monday, June 14th around or after 11pm, EST. Open to US residents only please.

Just can't wait to win? Grab a copy of Skinny Italian now here. You can also read more about The Real Housewives of New Jersey here along with Teresa's blog. And stay-up-to date with Teresa on Twitter & Facebook. And for all of your Teresa needs visit her website.