Visit ‘Jerseylicious’ Olivia And Tracy’s 46 Lounge, See Jewelry From ‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey,’ Party And Contribute To A Great Cause

Tonight you have a chance to do a good deed, drink, get to see great jewelry and party in the favorite club of Olivia Blois Sharpe and Tracy DiMarco of “Jerseylicious.” That’s our idea of a great time.

What’s it all about?

We know Christine Benedict, a cervical cancer survivor from Wayne, N.J., because we profiled her for NewJerseyNewsroom.com. Her home clean-up will be featured June 16 on Style Network’s “Clean House.”

Christine sent us an invite to a benefit tonight, Monday, for the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation, in memory of Elise ten Berge. The pretty Garden State girl was a victim of this disease.

Christine and her family

Christine’s friend, jewelry designer Zen Jen Mirman, is hosting the charity event at the 46 Lounge in Totowa. N.J., the scene of many a shouting match between Olivia and Tracy on “Jerseylicious,” the Style Network hit. Mirman’s “Zen jewelz by: jen m” pieces were featured on an episode of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

We believe that Zen Jen will be selling her jewely at the benefit, and Christine will be reading tarot cards. She recently read our cards, and was right on the money.

Forgive and forget, the cards said, even if you were betrayed. Mmmmm, we wonder what that refers to? (Christine also told us during our reading that we have a very enjoyable carnal interlude coming up this summer. We can’t wait.)

There will also be entertainment at the Tay-Sachs Foundation benefit, with singer Josh London performing.

See Tracy and Olivia's 46 Lounge

The cover charge for the benefit is $55, which we admit is a little steep. But we’re going, and we’re not working full-time yet, just doing freelance. But it’s a good cause, and a chance to get some good karma cooking.

The event runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the 46 Lounge, 300 Route 46, Totowa, N.J. There is a cash bar, and credit cars will be accepted at the door.

How HSN CEO Mindy Grossman Brought Iman To The Home Shopping Network, As Told By The New York Times

Model/entrepreneur Iman’s Global Chic line on HSN is one of the home shopping channel’s top four sellers among more than 200 apparel and jewelry lines, according to The Sunday New York Times.

In a Style section profile headlined “Not Just Another Pretty Face,” we learn how Iman’s association with HSN came about, as well as getting a history of how she went from being a Somalian diplomat’s daughter to a super model.

Iman, who is “Ziggy Stardust” creator David Bowie, came to New York City in 1975 knowing five languages, “but had never worn makeup or high heels,” according to The Times.

We learn about her ascension as a super model, and then about how she created her own makeup line for women of color in 1994. It turned into a $25 million a year business. Later on came HSN.

HSN CEO Mindy Grossman in 2007 “was convinced that any fashion merchandise with Iman’s name on it would be a home run for her television home shopping network,” according to The Times.

Iman didn’t want to do it initially, since she had no experience as a fashion designer. But she felt comfortable starting out with caftans, which she had worn while living in Egypt.

At one point in the story, Iman shows off her HSN sequin knit wrap.

The news peg for the story is that tomorrow, Monday, Iman will be recognized as the year’s Fashion Icon by the Council of Fashion Designer of America at Lincoln Center in Manhattan.

The story also notes, as we have already reported, that Iman in September will join another home shopping vendor, QVC’s Isaac Mizrahi, as a co-host on Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.”

‘Housewife Of New Jersey’ Teresa Giudice And Her Husband, In Bankruptcy, Owe $11 Million To Creditors, New York Post Reports

Big spender Teresa Giudice, her husband Joe and their daughters at the second season premiere party for New Jersey Housewives

We read this story yesterday, but we tried to resist blogging about it. But when our cousin Judy out in Washington State e-mailed it to us, we knew it was dish we had to spread.

On Saturday the New York Post did a great story, headlined “Deadbeat Reality: Spendaholic ‘Housewife’ of NJ’ Owes a Big-Hair-raising $11 M,” on table flipper Teresa Giudice.

Man, we thought we were shopaholics, but we have nothing on Giudice, a mainstay of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” She’s been buying up a storm ($20,000 on credit cards for Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, no TJ Maxx for her), even though she and her husband Joe owe $11 million to creditors.

According to bankrupcty papers filed in Newark federal court that the Post dug up, a bank is looking to foreclose on the Giuduce’s $1.8 million mansion in Totowa, N.J.

The Post claims that banks have already seized the Giudice’s shore house.

Money is so tight, the Giudices have defaulted on their monthly $1,280 payments for their Escalade, according to the Post.

Giudice, a stage mom who has worked hard to get her small daughters modeling gigs, makes $3,333 a month for doing the Bravo reality show, according to court papers, the Post reported.

Although we see them living large on TV, in bankrupty filings Giudice, who just wrote a cookbook called “Skinny Italian,” and her husband claim they only spend $400 a month on clothes.

We met Giudice at a party for the premiere of the second season of “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” and she was pretty and sweet. So we hope she and her husband can get out from under their debt.

HSN Vendor Iman To Join QVC’s Isaac Mizrahi As Co-Host Of ‘The Fashion Show’

We hope they don’t share secrets of each other’s home shopping channels, but HSN fashion vendor Iman is going to be a co-host and judge along with QVC’s Isaac Mizrahi on “The Fashion Show,” which airs on Bravo.

Iman, the supermodel/entrepreneur who is married to space oddity David Bowie, is replacing former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland on the reality show.

“We are happy to welcome Iman to the Bravo family,” Frances Berwick, Bravo’s general manager and executive vice president, said in a statement. “Breaking barriers in the fashion industry, Iman is a true pioneer and her unparalleled credibility will inspire the contestants and be a perfect match to the always exciting, Isaac Mizrahi.”

Iman does the Iman Global Chic line for HSN, and also serves as host of “Project Runway Canada.”

“The Fashion Show” became Bravo’s fashion competition show last year when “Project Runway” moved to Lifeteime Television.

Mizrahi, in turn, is doing a broad line of merchandise for QVC ranging from clothing to handbags to housewares.

The Return of ‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey’: Is Danielle’s Hole As Big As the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel?

Teresa Giudice, Caroline Manzo and Jacqueline Laurita at the premiere party Monday night

The Real Housewives of New Jersey were back Monday night, and we celebrated the event with them.

Caroline Manzo, her sister-ih-law Jacqueline Laurita, and last season’s table flipper, Teresa Giudice, had a party for the second season premiere of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” at the Brownstone Inn in Paterson, N.J. Caroline’s husband owns the venue, as any fan of the show knows. Money from the party, which was $150 for some tickets, will go to three of the charities that the women support. About 600 people attended the soiree.

There was a red carpet, and we were standing with the paparazzi, including many who actually made the trip from Manhattan to this mysterious land called the Garden State. Hey, you don’t have this kind of event in Sheboygan!

While we waiting for the fun to start we spotted Albert Manzo, who has lost 70 pounds since the first season, with the help of a magic stomach band. One of the scenes is the first episode of this season is of Caroline taking him to Barney’s in NYC to get fitted for a suit. The bill? $8,000 to $9,000. We told him he looked great, and he smiled. A real nice guy.

Both Giudice and Laurita have babies in the second season, so they have a lot in common.

The Giudice family, with the ladies and their matching outfits

But the first one down ther carpet was Giudice, with huge Jersey hair and lots of big jewelty. She and her three little girls (the baby was home) were all rocking lucious purple dresses with rosettes around the neckline. One of the little girls was carrying a Loius Vuitton purse, while the other one had Juicy Couture. Bot bad for kids under 8.

Right off the bat we had to ask Giudice about the juiciest quote from the first Season Two installment, which is her quote. The villain, in case you’ve been living under a rock, in “Real Housewives of New Jersey” is Danielle Staub. She is the only one of the housewives who is single, and last season she was furious when the other ladies dug up information about her shady past. The housewives Caroline and Teresa hate Staub, who is quite the sexually liberated woman.

In Monday’s show, Giudice learned that Staub has hooked up with a friend’s boyfriend’s friend, yet another notch in her belt.

“She must have slept with at least like 500 guys,” Giudice said. “Her hole must be as big as not the Lincoln Tunnel, not the Holland Tunnel, what’s the longest tunnel?”

Andy Cohen claims he's a longtime Jersey fan. Yeah, right.

How did that make it past Bravo’s censors? Were they taking a siesta? For those who live outside of the Tri-State area, those tunnels are pretty damn big.

When we asked her about it, Giudice basically said she was just telling it like it is, just like we Jersey folk do. Her exact quotes are here in our story for NewJerseyNewsroom.com.

Giudice’s husband Joe was standing on the side of the carpet while his wife was being interviewed, and someone asked him, “You getting used to all this?”

“A little bit,” Joe said, “You don’t get a choice.”

Giudice also told us that Joe doesn’t want to “get snipped,” which would ensure that she doesn’t get pregnant again. A bit too much information.

Bravo host Andy Cohen was on the carpet as well. When we asked him what was with the flood of Jersey reality shows, he said, ““I think it’s a great place. I think it’s ripe. Look, who doesn’t love people from Jersey?”

“People from New York, for years,” we shot back at him.

“I do (like New Jersey),” Cohen said. “I’m from New York. It’s (Jersey) fun, its got a vibe.”

“But I’ve been hearing cracks about Jersey from Manhattanties for years,” we told him.

Cohen then said that New Yorkers are “crusty, mean people.”

Realizing his tongue had gotten a little loose, Cohen said, “I’m kidding. I’m from New York City. Don’t take that out of context. I was kidding.”

Jacqueline Laurita and husband Chris, her errant daughter Ashley and the older boyfriend

No problem Andy.

Laurita, clad in deep purple like Giudice, was so tiny we mistook her for her teenaged daughter. She was wearing black lace Louboutin shoes. She had picked up her Roberto Cavalli dress in Neiman Marcus.

It was Jacqueline’s husband Chris’s birthday. He is the brother of Caroline and Dina Manzo, who is also in “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

Caroline Manzo looked gorgeous, much younger than she appears on the tube. She had a satiny beige one-shouldered Kay Unger dress she said she bought the night before at Bloomingdales.

Jill Zarin, one of “The Real Housewives of New Yoik,” was also in the house with her husband Bobby. She was thin as a reed, and friendly. What was she doing in Jersey?

“I’m here to support my girls,” Zarin said. “They’re authentic.”

The food at the Brownstone — including short ribs with meat so tender it fell off the bone — was delicious. The apple martinis were tangy, and free. The dessert bar included mini zeppoles, pignoli cookies, waffles with different toppings, macaroons, fruit, carrot cake and cheese cake.

We sneaked a brownie, a macaroon and a pignoli cookie in our purse in a knapkin and took them home.

Caroline Manzo's husband Albert, the owner of the Brownstone Inn, has lost 70 pounds. Looking good Albert.

The first episode was shown on a large screen TV in a ballroom at the Brownstone, with several hundred people watching.

We had to laugh out loud when the audience booed when Staub came on the screen, and cheered when Manzo, Giuidice and Laurita were depicted.

We Jersey girls are a tough crowd.

For our birthday, our friend Ann gave us a circle pendat that says “Jersey Girl” that we saw and loved down in Manasquan. So asked the store owner if middle-aged women bought the pendant like us, or was it just kids?

They looked at us like we were nuts. Of course women of all ages buy the pendant. That Jersey girl thing is a state of mind, it has nothing to do with age.

InStyle Magazine Gives Us A Peek Into Celebrity Stylist, And QVC Vendor, Rachel Zoe’s Jewel Box

The April issue of InStyle magazine has a feature on celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, which talks about her designs for QVC as well as her personal collection of bling.

The article is part of the magazine’s monthly “My Jewel Box” series, which we never miss, and it’s headlined “I Dream of Jewelry.” It’s pretty expansive, three pages as well as a full-page photo of Jersey girl Zoe decked out in her jewels. She’s got it all piled on, she is no minimalist, and one fo the pearl necklaces she’s wearing is from Bulgari. It was a gift from her husband to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their first date.

Zoe is also wearing huge hoop earrings with big white and green stones. We can’t believe that they’re real emeralds and diamonds. It’s likely costume, since Zoe tells InStyle that she owns about 1,000 pieces of costume jewelry.

There are photos of two of Zoe’s QVC pieces in the story. One is a glass bead bib necklace that sells for $125, the other is a gold-plated bracelet with bars, also $130. We couldn’t find the bracelet on QVC’s Web site, so it may be sold out.

Zoe talks about layering jewelry, and admits to wearing about a dozen pieces a day. She started collecting jewelry when she was 11, she told InStyle, and her style icon is 1970s Elizabeth Taylor.

While Zoe often comes off a bit bitchy on her Bravo show, “The Rachel Zoe Project,” she comes across as very charming and passionate during her QVC appearances.

We love her big costume jewelry looks and clothes so far for QVC, which have included a gorgeous lambskin jacket.

The April InStyle issue has Gwen Stefani on the cover.

‘Jerseylicious’ Nets Lousy Ratings, As One Viewer Proclaims ‘We’ve Had Enough of New Jersey’

We are more interested in Gatsby owner Gayle Giacomo, right, than Tracy DiMarco, left.

Well, for awhile there New Jersey, and its loud shoot-from-the-hip residents, seemed to have captured the loving attention of American TV viewers. But the audience has spoken now, and it’s apparently had enough.

The numbers are in for “Jerseylicious,” and they are not good. We knew something was up when Style Network didn’t put out a ratings press release Monday about the show’s premiere Sunday night.

“Jerseylicious,” which chronicles the lives of the owners and stylists at the Gatsby Salon in Green Brook, N.J., had only 320,000 total viewers for its debut. The show posted a 0.42 rating with women in the 18-to-34 demographic.

It pains us to see this, since were like the cast members of the show and were rooting for it.

But it looks like America is sick and tired of seeing fatmouthed, overdressed Jerseyites. Audiences bought into Garden-State shows such as Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (a fav of ours) and MTV’s “Jersey Shore” (which we detested). But that ship has sailed.

We wish “Jerseylicous” had kicked off focusing on the story Gayle Giacomo and her daughter Christy Pereira, both of Bridgewater, who have re-launched their 32-year-old beauty salon and want to make it a big success. They are both smart, gracious women.

Instead, it seems to us that producer Endemol TV decided to concentrate on the battle between makeup artist Olivia Blois Sharpe, of Montville, who looks just like Snooki of “Jersey Shore,” and hair stylist Tracy DiMarco of East Hanover. At least, that’s what the first episode was abouit. That just makes “Jerseylicious” seem like a lot of other Jersey reality shows.

We know Style is trying to draw in younger women by concentrating on Olivia and Tracy, but we frankly are more interested in pretty Gayle (she in her 50s, our demo).

Anyway, even before the ratings came out, we suspected the show might be in trouble when we read a post on the story we did for NewJerseyNewsroom.com on the “Jerseylicious” premiere party.

“I personally enjoyed ‘Jersey Shore.’, but I think bringing on this show is pushing it!” wrote Nikki Dolce, a hair stylist from Scottsdale (our favorite place in the world). “We’ve had enough of New Jersey!”

‘Jerseylicious’ Gets Big Thumbs Down From New York Times, Which Defends The Garden State

Jerseylicious

The Grey Lady has spoken: The New York Times panned “Jerseylicious” Saturday.

TV critic Neil Genzlinger accused Style Network’s “Jerseylicious” reality show, which debuts Sunday night, of trying to ride on the coattails of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

And that’s the nicest thing he had to say.

He described the show as “witless” and the cast from the Gatsby Salon in Green Brook, N.J., as “vapid.”

Genzlinger also jokingly lambasted two of New Jersey’s most famous inventors, Thomas Edison and David Sarnoff, for their role in bringing electricity and color TV to America.

“They made it possible for their home turf, a perfectly decent state, to be flogged over and over again by lazy television executives working the same tired shtick,” the TV critic wrote, referring to “Jerseylicious” on Style Netweork. “Fellows as visionary as Edison and Sarnoff should have seen this coming and suppressed their innovations in the interest of protecting New Jersey’s reputation.”

And that’s not all he had to say about “Jerseylicious.” Neil, tell us what you really think!

“Virtually everyone here is loud and self-absorbed and not overly bright, qualities that were amusing for about an episode and a half of ‘Jersey Shore’ but now seem as unappetizing as the ’80s look that the Gatsby is inexplicably still peddling,” he wrote.

Home Design TV Stars Tracy Hutson Of ‘Extreme Home Makeover,’ HGTV’s Genevieve Gorder and ‘Flipping Out”s Anal-Retentive Nut Job Jeff Lewis Design Home Collections For QVC

HGTV's Genevieve Gorder is one of three TV home design stars doing home collections for QVC

Why does QVC post press releases on its Web site two days after they are dated? And on a weekend, no less. You tell us.

We check QVC’s Web site “Media” section several times every day, and this press release was not up there until this afternoon today, Valentine’s Day. Note that it is dated Feb. 12. And it’s a good story.

QVC has put together a nice roster of TV home design stars — Tracy Hutson of ABC’s “Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition,” Genevieve Gorder of HGTV’s “Design Star” and “Dear Genevieve,” and nut case Jeff Lewis of Bravo’s “Flipping Out” — to do home collections for it. Those shows will start debuting this week.

We have a cold, and our head feels like it’s going to fall off and our nose is as red as a valentine, so read the release yourself, pretty please. Here it is, verbatim:

Television’s Hottest Design Stars Team Up with QVC to Launch Exciting Collections

West Chester, Pa. (February 12, 2010) – Talk about a real channel changer! Three of television’s top home designers – Tracy Hutson, Genevieve Gorder and Jeff Lewis – are joining forces with QVC to unveil home collections throughout the month of February.

“Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition” ’s Hutson is scheduled to kick off the series Tuesday, February 16 at 1 PM (ET) followed by Gorder, HGTV Design Star and “Dear Genevieve” designer/host, on Friday, February 19 at 10 PM (ET). Rounding out QVC’s month of debuts is real estate expert and “Flipping Out” star Lewis, who is scheduled to introduce his home collection line on Monday, February 22 at 1 AM (ET).

Featuring an eclectic assortment of home décor, bedding, and accent pieces, these exciting new collections were created especially for QVC to offer distinct design solutions for any living space. From modern accents and bright, bold accessories to understated bedding and décor, QVC’s new designer collections allow shoppers to update their homes without breaking the bank.

Tracy Hutson Love Where You Live

As one of the stars of “Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition,” Hutson knows first-hand the effect that a living space can have on a family. Dedicating her career to helping others beautify their homes, Hutson is now taking her makeover mission even further as she unveils her first home collection. Tracy Hutson Love Where You Live will offer bold, vibrant pieces that include oversize pillows, fashionable throws and whimsical home accent pieces. Created especially for QVC, the line will range in price from approximately $32.00 to $210.00.

Genevieve Gorder Home Designs

Gorder, whose unmistakable enthusiasm and intimate approach to design have made her one of America’s favorite interior designers, has applied her soulful and eclectic style to the Genevieve Gorder Home Designs collection. Featuring exquisite bedding and accent pieces that range from duvets and throw pillows to vases and storage items, her line is perfect for reinventing the bedroom or simply updating it with a few, beautiful pieces. Genevieve Gorder Home Designs, which was created especially for QVC,will be priced from $26.00 to $160.00.

Jeff Lewis Home Designs

Real estate and design expert Lewis has helped millions realize their homes’ potential thanks to his hit show “Flipping Out.” Currently in his fourth season, Lewis is now expanding his reach to include the Jeff Lewis Home Designs line, which he created especially for QVC. Embodying a more masculine element, Lewis’ collection will feature a rich color palette of dark browns and light blues and feature a variety of pieces, including accent tables, rugs, lamps and even bedding. The collection will range in price from approximately $40.00 to $190.00.

Celebrity X-Ray Rachel Zoe Brings Size 0 To QVC: Will Any Customers In The Hefty Heartland Be Ordering It?

Leave it to wafer-thin celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe to bring size 0 to QVC.

The home shopping network introduced its new size, “XXS,” or extra extra small, during its telecast Saturday night from Fashion Week in Bryant Park in Manhattan. That XXS equates to a size 0. Previously, the smallest size that QVC offered was a “XS,” or extra small (that’s us), which equates to a size 2 to 4.

Host Lisa Robertson (with an unflattering, severe pulled-back hairdo) was doing a presentation with Zoe, who does a line of clothing and accessories for QVC when she’s not telling Hollywood what to wear. They were talking about a crinkle patent trench coat, and Robertson noted that it came in XXS.

“Rachel has been pushing for that,” Robertson said, adding that other designers had been asking for QVC to offer the XXS as well.

It’s not without irony that Zoe lobbied for QVC to carry XXS. The New Jersey native has been the subject of much controversy over her weight, or lack of it. In one almost shocking scene in her Bravo reality show, “The Rachel Zoe Project,” Zoe’s backbones stuck out like knives from her backless gown.

We doubt that most of QVC’s female customers are a size XXS. But with QVC and HSN trying to draw younger, hipper and we assume –skinnier — women shoppers, we guess it makes sense to create a new smaller size.

Some posters on QVC’s online forums were thrilled that QVC was “finally” offering XXS.

We were trying on jeans in Target tonight, and got a good look at our thighs in the dressing room mirror. We don’t think we’ll be ordering QVC’s new XXS any time soon.