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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BEST IN SHOW: Mara Hoffman Takes Us On An Exotic Getaway with the Swim 2010 Collection

Text, Dwayne Knight
Edited by Casi Densmore-Koon
Images Courtesy of Ming Hung Chang/Runwaynewswire.com and Getty Images

Miami was taken by storm with hot trends in swimwear from July 15^th -July 19^th during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim. Keeping with true Miami form Mara Hoffman exposed us to a world of bright colors, sexy silhouettes, and a craving for warm weather fashion.

The show began around 6pm on Saturday, July 18^th at the Beachway located at the Raleigh Hotel in the South Beach district of Miami. The show was produced by the high regarded Peoples Revolution’s Kelly Cutrone, who always puts on a great show. Accompanying the production team and going back to her roots was Whitney Port, who opted to go behind the scenes instead of sitting in the coveted first row. Hair and makeup sponsors for this truly amazing event were Omar Lopez for GHD, a new religion for hair, and Lottie Stannard for Makeup Forever. Chinese Laundry provided the impeccable shoes to compliment the spectacular designs gracing the runway. Gift bags were provided to a number of spectators which included Venus Embrace Razors and Satin Care Lavender Kiss shaving cream who sponsored the event.

The energy at the show was amazing- the most exciting of the week. Attendees were thrilled as a positive energy filled the air. Dina Manzo, one of the beautiful Real Housewives of New Jersey and Olivia Palermo, a true fashionista, from MTV’s The City were among those viewing the collection from the first row and no doubt had the attention of many attendees. Other notable people at the show were Paige Sreenan and Stephanie Gramling.



The collection was made up of 35 looks and included swimwear (both one piece and bikini), beaded body necklaces (which were the perfect accessory for many of the looks), chiffon gowns, dashikis, and headdresses (made in the same colors and prints and the garments). The colors were vibrant, exotic, and feminine ranging from neon to metallic and others in between. Many of these colors were brought to us in forms of prints with names such as white wolf, white bird, neon cage, galaxy, grey columns, and black bird. Prints were psychedelic at times yet had a beautiful tribal vibe. It’s no lie that Mara Hoffman can make the most out of a print and create a garment which is both flattering and thought evoking. Among our favorites were a white wolf chiffon desert gown which was soft and sexy, a red scarab knotted dashiki with silver v wire bikini, a pink v wire bikini with beaded body necklace, and a trendsetting black wolf chiffon jumpsuit which is a must have for any true fashionista. Fun details like turbans, cut outs, braids, body necklaces, and neon fringe kept each moment interesting.

Designers Mara Hoffman and Klee van Schoonhoven know exactly what to do to put us in a tizzy with an exotic aesthetic. They left us beyond sizzling and craving more. It’s no doubt that we feel privileged and gracious for having the chance to see such a stimulating collection.