Shed Some Light

Mostly, this week was about birthday parties. Avery’s party was a hit, and both kids and adults had an amazing time. We grownups moved on to another location to continue the fun, which was as it should be. I don’t know why Kelly got involved with trying to help Avery -- but then again I don’t know why she gets involved in most things really.

I’ll have to lead you to the fashion recap to show a photo of what Simon wore to Jill's birthday party. There is so much back-story here. I did my best to turn over a new leaf with Jill, which continued during Morocco, but started to sour as I continued to see evidence that Jill hadn’t changed. In particular, Simon wanted to speak to Jill to burn the past as she and I had -- most of her attacks had been aimed at him, and he was justified, but she refused. He wanted the discussion to begin from a place of warmth, and something had happened that we all thought was funny. When Jill launched her bedding line, one of the fabric styles was called the Simona -- which a few gossip columns joked must have been inspired by either Simon/Alex or Simon/Ramona. Simon and I decided to use the same fabric to make him an outfit, and Jill a gift, for her birthday – sort of a pre-discussion peace offering. Simon brought Bobby into the plan, who loved it and helped us source the fabric. We enlisted Jeffrey Williams, who (although none of us knew it at the time) won The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection. Jeffrey created an amazing caftan for Simon, and a handbag for Jill. I was sorry that it wasn’t explained better on the show.

Back to Avery’s party -- Bobby approached Simon, and I honestly don’t know how to address this. One thing I will say though -- Bobby and Jill communicate in a similar manner sometimes. Bobby hugged Simon and declared the matter over, before any of us knew what the matter was.

Let me try to shed some light. There’s a blog out in cyberspace that isn’t complimentary to Jill. If you read Bravo blogs, chances are you know it or have heard of it. A year ago, Simon and I were on our book tour, and stopped in Chicago, where the founder of the blog is based. The blogger attended one of our book signings, and had contacted us via our website prior to our arrival -- asking that if a meet and greet for local bloggers and fans were to be organized by them, would we attend? We discussed it, ran it by our publisher and agreed that a blogger and fan event was good outreach, and attended the event after our signing in June of 2010. We took fan photos and discussed the book and the show.

I don’t know how that translates into Simon or me being investors, content writers, posters, or even members of the blog. We don’t own it, we don’t have money in it. We don’t write for it. There is a link on the blog to a recap of the Chicago fan event held for us with pictures, and as the blog covers the whole Housewives franchise, we along with all other cast members are regularly discussed on it. That doesn’t mean we are doing the discussing.

Six months later, now that all this nonsense and finger pointing has happened, yes, we do read it, along with a few other sites that blog reality TV. I don’t see everything -- there is way too much online to keep up with while maintaining life and work. The blog owner has now met and interviewed quite a few members of the Bravo family, and sometimes tweets us random questions about our show and pop culture in general. Sometimes I answer, though I won’t speak for anyone else because keeping a handle on my own Twitter feed is enough work. If I had a dollar for every blogger out there who hates me, my husband, or family. . .you know the answer. Reality TV spawns lively online content, and everyone has an opinion about the people on their favorite shows. With the advent of social media, everyone can also comment publicly. If you tweet nice things or garbage, at a Bravolebrity or anyone else in the public eye, chances are they or their fans will see it. I get tons of love and hate every week. Here’s what I DON’T do. I don’t assume that the negative stuff is written by, supported by, or controlled by my castmates. When you assume, you make an A-S-S out of U and ME.

Somewhere in there Cindy and I worked out. And her hoodie smelled funny.

Finally, Simon quit smoking. This week you see us welcome a hypnotherapist into our home, preparing while Simon went out into the remnants of a blizzard to have his last cigarette.

Simon wanted me present during the hypnotherapy, both as a supportive partner and a watchdog to make sure nothing untoward happened or was said. I’ll be perfectly honest that I was simultaneously trying not to laugh at the shouting of “You are a non-smoker” over and over, and also crossing my fingers and hoping somehow it would work. Did it? You’ll have to wait and see.

While we wait to find out, please add our Facebook page. Would love it if you follow Simon and me on twitter, and definitely check out ThuginaCocktailDress.com for our t-shirt partnership with Housing Works. And of course, Simon’s song "I Am Real," and the Thug in a Club Mix!