LuAnn On Combining Families & Memorial Day

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week the Countess discusses a royal diss and firming up for summer. 

Any tips on combining families — whether it’s becoming a step-mom to your new husband’s kids, or dealing with your children having a new stepparent?

Today’s families often include children from past marriages and relationships and the blending process can be challenging. The best advice I can give to new stepparents is to relax and not force yourself on your spouse’s kids. Never criticize their birth parent or expect that they will love you. Instead, be happy if you can establish a harmonious and trusting relationship built on friendship.

Tip: Your stepchildren will come to respect and admire you if you give them time to adjust to their new situation.

How to throw a classy Memorial Day party that’s fun for kids as well as the adults — any tips to keep it elegant without feeling stuffy?

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays and I love to have friends over to BBQ. If you are inviting kids to your party, have activities for them like badminton, swimming, croquet or volleyball and make sure that you serve kid friendly foods and drinks. For the adults, I serve fun cocktails, like mojitos and watermelon martinis and I always have chilled salads and grilled chicken or steak.

Tip: When serving dinner outside, keep it simple and keep it chilled! Use non-breakable plates and glasses in fun, festive colors.

Credit: OK! Magazine

LuAnn On Combining Families & Memorial Day

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week the Countess discusses a royal diss and firming up for summer. 

Any tips on combining families — whether it’s becoming a step-mom to your new husband’s kids, or dealing with your children having a new stepparent?

Today’s families often include children from past marriages and relationships and the blending process can be challenging. The best advice I can give to new stepparents is to relax and not force yourself on your spouse’s kids. Never criticize their birth parent or expect that they will love you. Instead, be happy if you can establish a harmonious and trusting relationship built on friendship.

Tip: Your stepchildren will come to respect and admire you if you give them time to adjust to their new situation.

How to throw a classy Memorial Day party that’s fun for kids as well as the adults — any tips to keep it elegant without feeling stuffy?

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays and I love to have friends over to BBQ. If you are inviting kids to your party, have activities for them like badminton, swimming, croquet or volleyball and make sure that you serve kid friendly foods and drinks. For the adults, I serve fun cocktails, like mojitos and watermelon martinis and I always have chilled salads and grilled chicken or steak.

Tip: When serving dinner outside, keep it simple and keep it chilled! Use non-breakable plates and glasses in fun, festive colors.

Credit: OK! Magazine

New York Housewives Want To Make You Sweat

The stars of Real Housewives of New York City get plenty of exercise shopping, pointing fingers, flipping their hair and catfighting. But sometimes, they've got to do a little bit more to really feel the burn.

Out promoting NBCUniversal's Healthy Step-a-Thon in Times Square, Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, Alex McCord, Cindy Barshop and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps opened up about the workout and diet routines they follow to maintain their—love 'em or hate 'em—toned and slim selves.

"I do work out a lot compared to some people," LuAnn says, describing her Pilates-tennis-crosstraining routine.

And whether it's Ramona's attempt to work out in heels, Jill promoting her new line of shapewear or Cindy showing off her Jimmy Choo sneakers and emphasizing the importance of spray tans (instead of real ones) and drinking lots of water, all of the regimens sound about right for the Housewife in question.

"If I walk home, that'll be the best exercise ever, but I'll probably take a car service," laughed Jill.

"It's definitely bikini time, so it's not just about being fit, it's about looking hot," Kelly admitted.

Credit: E! Online (Natalie Finn)

Photos by Wire Image

New York Housewives Want To Make You Sweat

The stars of Real Housewives of New York City get plenty of exercise shopping, pointing fingers, flipping their hair and catfighting. But sometimes, they've got to do a little bit more to really feel the burn.

Out promoting NBCUniversal's Healthy Step-a-Thon in Times Square, Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, Alex McCord, Cindy Barshop and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps opened up about the workout and diet routines they follow to maintain their—love 'em or hate 'em—toned and slim selves.

"I do work out a lot compared to some people," LuAnn says, describing her Pilates-tennis-crosstraining routine.

And whether it's Ramona's attempt to work out in heels, Jill promoting her new line of shapewear or Cindy showing off her Jimmy Choo sneakers and emphasizing the importance of spray tans (instead of real ones) and drinking lots of water, all of the regimens sound about right for the Housewife in question.

"If I walk home, that'll be the best exercise ever, but I'll probably take a car service," laughed Jill.

"It's definitely bikini time, so it's not just about being fit, it's about looking hot," Kelly admitted.

Credit: E! Online (Natalie Finn)

Photos by Wire Image

Coutness LuAnn Attends 'Paws For Style' Event

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends the 11th annual Paws for Style fashion show benefiting the Humane Society of New York at Ink 48 Hotel on May 23, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Coutness LuAnn Attends 'Paws For Style' Event

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends the 11th annual Paws for Style fashion show benefiting the Humane Society of New York at Ink 48 Hotel on May 23, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

LuAnn de Lesseps: amNewYork Welcome Party

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends a welcome party for new columnists at The Chelsea Room on May 18, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

LuAnn de Lesseps: amNewYork Welcome Party

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends a welcome party for new columnists at The Chelsea Room on May 18, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

NY Housewives At A Beach Bum Tanning Event

Sonja Morgan, Countess Luann de Lesseps and Jill Zarin attend the Mobile Spray Tan Unit launch at Beach Bum Tanning Salon on May 18, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

NY Housewives At A Beach Bum Tanning Event

Sonja Morgan, Countess Luann de Lesseps and Jill Zarin attend the Mobile Spray Tan Unit launch at Beach Bum Tanning Salon on May 18, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

LuAnn Talks Bin Laden Death; Baby Names

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week the Countess weighs in on “celebrating” Osama bin Laden’s death and odd celebrity baby names.

 

As the news of Osama bin Laden’s death erupted across the world, many struggled with the appropriateness of “celebrating” another human’s death. Advice for those who don’t want to be callous about human life, but want to express themselves in the wake of such a momentous event?

As an American and a New Yorker, I believe that there is nothing wrong with feeling joy that Osama bin Laden was brought to justice. Although some people may think that it is callous to celebrate the death of this terrorist who had no regard for the lives of the innocent Americans murdered on 9/11, I think that he got what he deserved. The best way to express yourself in this situation is to thank the brave men and woman in the Armed Forces, law enforcement and emergency services who have sacrificed so much in the war on terrorism and who will continue to defend our country in the face of new threats.

Tip: Patriotism is not just for the Fourth of July, it is for every day that we wake up in a free and democratic country.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon named their twins Monroe (girl, after Marilyn) and Moroccan (boy, after a room in her home and, ostensibly, the country). What do you think of the trend of celebs giving their children odd names?

I wish celebrity parents would think about how the names they give their children affect them for a lifetime. Odd names can make children the target of teasing and as a result, the children often resent their parents for naming them something strange. Parents don’t think about how their children will have to spell their names out over and over to teachers, customer service reps, etc. and how their mail will arrive with the wrong name more often than not. Isn’t there a better way to foster creative in children than by giving them an odd name?

Tip: Before giving your child a “unique” name, think about whether you would like to be called this name for the rest of your life.

Credit: OK! Magazine

LuAnn Talks Bin Laden Death; Baby Names

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week the Countess weighs in on “celebrating” Osama bin Laden’s death and odd celebrity baby names.

 

As the news of Osama bin Laden’s death erupted across the world, many struggled with the appropriateness of “celebrating” another human’s death. Advice for those who don’t want to be callous about human life, but want to express themselves in the wake of such a momentous event?

As an American and a New Yorker, I believe that there is nothing wrong with feeling joy that Osama bin Laden was brought to justice. Although some people may think that it is callous to celebrate the death of this terrorist who had no regard for the lives of the innocent Americans murdered on 9/11, I think that he got what he deserved. The best way to express yourself in this situation is to thank the brave men and woman in the Armed Forces, law enforcement and emergency services who have sacrificed so much in the war on terrorism and who will continue to defend our country in the face of new threats.

Tip: Patriotism is not just for the Fourth of July, it is for every day that we wake up in a free and democratic country.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon named their twins Monroe (girl, after Marilyn) and Moroccan (boy, after a room in her home and, ostensibly, the country). What do you think of the trend of celebs giving their children odd names?

I wish celebrity parents would think about how the names they give their children affect them for a lifetime. Odd names can make children the target of teasing and as a result, the children often resent their parents for naming them something strange. Parents don’t think about how their children will have to spell their names out over and over to teachers, customer service reps, etc. and how their mail will arrive with the wrong name more often than not. Isn’t there a better way to foster creative in children than by giving them an odd name?

Tip: Before giving your child a “unique” name, think about whether you would like to be called this name for the rest of your life.

Credit: OK! Magazine

LuAnn Talks Bin Laden Death; Baby Names

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week the Countess weighs in on “celebrating” Osama bin Laden’s death and odd celebrity baby names.

 

As the news of Osama bin Laden’s death erupted across the world, many struggled with the appropriateness of “celebrating” another human’s death. Advice for those who don’t want to be callous about human life, but want to express themselves in the wake of such a momentous event?

As an American and a New Yorker, I believe that there is nothing wrong with feeling joy that Osama bin Laden was brought to justice. Although some people may think that it is callous to celebrate the death of this terrorist who had no regard for the lives of the innocent Americans murdered on 9/11, I think that he got what he deserved. The best way to express yourself in this situation is to thank the brave men and woman in the Armed Forces, law enforcement and emergency services who have sacrificed so much in the war on terrorism and who will continue to defend our country in the face of new threats.

Tip: Patriotism is not just for the Fourth of July, it is for every day that we wake up in a free and democratic country.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon named their twins Monroe (girl, after Marilyn) and Moroccan (boy, after a room in her home and, ostensibly, the country). What do you think of the trend of celebs giving their children odd names?

I wish celebrity parents would think about how the names they give their children affect them for a lifetime. Odd names can make children the target of teasing and as a result, the children often resent their parents for naming them something strange. Parents don’t think about how their children will have to spell their names out over and over to teachers, customer service reps, etc. and how their mail will arrive with the wrong name more often than not. Isn’t there a better way to foster creative in children than by giving them an odd name?

Tip: Before giving your child a “unique” name, think about whether you would like to be called this name for the rest of your life.

Credit: OK! Magazine

Countess: Use Your Head Shop For A Cause

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends the Use Your Head, Shop For A Cause benefit at 262 Mott Street on May 4, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Countess: Use Your Head Shop For A Cause

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends the Use Your Head, Shop For A Cause benefit at 262 Mott Street on May 4, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Countess: Use Your Head Shop For A Cause

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attends the Use Your Head, Shop For A Cause benefit at 262 Mott Street on May 4, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Coutness LuAnn: Divalysscious Mother's Day

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps attended the Divalysscious Moms Mother's Day luncheon at Centrolire on May 4, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, Christy Turlington.

Credit: Wire Image