Play Date

The drama gets juicier the farther we get into the season. Even the entertainment writer from The New York Post can't get enough of the show. Her comment from the last episode was that I was an irresponsible mother for riding a horse I had never ridden in the Hampton Classic horse show. These are the facts. The horse I fell from was actually a mare, whom I had been riding all summer. She thankfully stopped right before the jump, because there was nowhere for her to go. Not only was I nervous about the horse show, but also I was also nervous to be filmed riding on a television show. Another horse, a gelding that I had tried the night before, did so well for me that I decided to take him into the 3 foot ring during the Classic. He moved so well, and took me over all the jumps with the greatest of ease, even though Ramona was distracting me before I competed. I am not a pro, and riding is a fun hobby I love. If I thought I was going to put myself in an awkward position, I wouldn't have done it, ever. But, what is more evocative television: watching two women gossip about their "friends," or me falling off a horse, getting back on, and trying my best? The good news is that because of the episode, I have met so many interesting people who have great horses for me to potentially buy. I am so sad about the sale of my "Mr. Handsome," Mirado, but there is a new horse in sight, I can feel it. And, more importantly, it was a great lesson for my girls. When you fall off, get right back on and try again.

In this episode, LuAnn wanted to come downtown and see my apartment. So I decided to organize a play date for all of us. I am not the "let's have drinks and chit chat" kind of girl. I prefer creating new memories, and the best way to do that is through activities. I didn't know LuAnn very I had already taken Ramona to the Richard Meier model museum, but I still didn't know LuAnn very well, so I thought we could cook together. I have already hung out and eaten super chef Sam Talbott's food at the Surf Lodge in Montauk. I've also met his wife and cooked with the Top Chef star on my show Behind the Hedges on www.plumtv.com. So, I knew that it would be fun for LuAnn and my girls to cook a little together. LuAnn came downtown, the girls came home from school, and we made a light meal. When I was a child I always tried to cook after school with my friends, but always unsuccessfully. Because they don't know LuAnn, having Sam there made it more fun for the girls. Also, with Sam there we were sure the food would taste good!

Phew! The funny thing was when LuAnn came into the apartment she immediately commented on the matching sweaters the girls were wearing. My mother, her friends, and all my friends for generations dressed children in matching clothes. They look so sweet and it is akin to a first uniform. They both know what they are wearing, and there is no room for argument. Then, while we were eating, LuAnn commented that I was the "mommy police." I am happy that she acknowledged that my girls are well mannered. Raising my children well with good manners is very important to me. Bensimon's have a lot of rules and a strong moral code. I want my girls to explore the world with ease and grace, and not have to exploit it because of insecurity. I was also flattered that LuAnn recognized that I am a single mom trying to raise my children well, and work at the same time. My life is unconventional - I model, I have a Jewelry line, and I am a writer. When there is a "Take Your Daughter to Work" day, my daughter and I stay home. But it's not about what I do anymore. I am their vehicle. I just hope I am doing a good job raising them by myself, because every day is a challenge, especially "the talk." All I can say is thank god for popcorn. When in an awkward talk with your kids, make popcorn, and keep eating if it gets crazy! Sorry for the tangent!

How sweet was it that LuAnn misconstrued friendship with flirting? I have a boyfriend who you will meet soon! Sam and I have awesome chemistry, and I always tell him we should do a show together, or when I have my own talk show, he will be a regular. Sam is a pro, not a ball boy. All my well-known celebrity friends, who use him to cook for events like the Dior fragrance dinner party and private VIP dinners, know he is super talented chef. Sam Talbot and Anna Biordi, of the Chef Biordi family, are my two favorites chefs. GOOOOOOOO SAAAAAMMMMMMMMM! We think you are awesome, you make killer food, and you make us smile. No one is more genuine than Sam.

In real time life. Today I shot for Us Weekly and you are going to see my favorite beauty secrets from CVS for under 100 dollars. Yes, I am beauty crazed. When I worked at ELLE, I would beg the beauty editor, Emily Dogherty, to tell me the latest and greatest everything. My super secret is voluminous mascara, and lots of it. And, tan is always in. I love my fun life, love to do cartwheels with my girls on the beach, and swing on the swings. If my amazing and fun life shows on my face, give me more wrinkles. I love every wrinkle I have!

Don't forget to go on www.bravotv.com and check out my panties and yoga pants. A portion of the proceeds being donated to the Neuroblastoma fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer hospital in New York. If I can run a marathon for those little cuties, you can buy a pair of panties, which are so hot. Forget the g-string. Sexy and fun girls wear boy shorts.

Check the next page for some fun quotes from Coco Chanel!

Coco Chanel Quotes!

Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.

Success is often achieved b y those who don't know that failure is inevitable.

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.

The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you.

A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future.

Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.

A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed.

I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.

There goes a woman who knows all the things that can be taught and none of the things that cannot be taught.

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.

There is time for work, and time for love. That leaves no other time.

There are people who have money and people who are rich.

I invented my life by taking for granted that everything I did not like would have an opposite, which I would like.

Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.

Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.

Those who create are rare; those who cannot are numerous. Therefore, the latter are stronger.

Great loves too must be endured.

Since everything is in our heads, we had better not lose them.

I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the ugliest word in our language. I stay in the game to fight it.

Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.

I don't know why women want any of the things men have when one the things that women have is men.

A woman has the age she deserves.

When I can no longer create anything, I'll be done for.

Material things aside, we need no advice but approval.

Youth is something very new: twenty years ago no one mentioned it.

A fashion that does not reach the streets is not a fashion.

I've never done anything by halves.