BeChicMag.com

It comes down to the happy people sticking together and the unhappy people sticking together- Alex McCord

By Mercedes

The moment many of us have been waiting for has arrived. The Real Housewives  of New York City is back with the premiere of season three tonight on Bravo!

I hung out with some of the ladies at a private screening last week at Tenjune and they said this will be the most “explosive” season yet! While Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon and “Countess” LuAnn de Lesseps where missing in action, I caught up with Ramona, Alex (and Simon) and Bethenny. Two new wives, event planner Jennifer Gilbert and former model Sonja Morgan, also shared why they signed up for the show.

See what they all had to say in our Q&A below!

BeChicMag.com: Ramona, how did this party come about?
All of us worked our butts off. So I wanted to celebrate. Bravo this year did not want to throw us a party. They were very gracious last year so I said you know what, ‘I’ll give us a party. I’ll host it.’ Tenjune was elegant enough to give us this place, and my friend Andrea from Elegant Affairs did all the food.

I like to have fun and I like to celebrate. I worked my ass off this season because I wanted to assure that we had a successful third season. I came up with the idea of the yacht. They don’t come up with it. I had a friend rent me his yacht for the day. I leased it. They said we can’t do it (the show). I said we have to do it. It’s going to be spectacular. I came up with the idea that I wanted to renew my vows- something that I personally felt but I thought I wanted to share with the show.

What do you think of the new housewife Jennifer Gilbert?
No comment? Not much. I didn’t interact with her. In all sincerity, she came near the end. I knew Sonja from before. So Sonja and I had great chemistry. I didn’t really feel it with Jennifer. So I really have no opinion but she seems like a nice enough girl. I really don’t know her.

Alex and Simon, what made you sign up for the show again?
Alex: I think there are more stories that we had to tell.
Simon: Season one is baptism by fire. Season two you’re relaxed. We know what not to do and what to do-we think.

The women from Orange County often discuss their marital problems. How do you keep a strong bond?
Alex: Well, it’s hard to judge because we know how shows get put together, and we know how they get edited for drama. But one of the things that’s great about us is people always want to know who’s in control and what’s happening- but really for us it’s like a relay race.

Simon: In Season 3, Alex doesn’t work a 9 to 5 desk job anymore. You see her filming a lot more during the day when I’m not around which again is real. In some way, we’re the realest. In the beginning, we were on it so much. Going through this roller coaster of a reality show is an interesting ride; we don’t recommend it for everybody. You have to be very confident in yourself.

Alex: You have to have rhino skin. I think the most successful people in reality TV, deep down they are happy and we are. It’s interesting because there’s a new girl- two new girls actually- who joined this season and Sonja is one we had a chance to film with a lot and she’s a happy girl. It’s fun to be around happy people. I would almost say that it comes down to the happy people sticking together and the unhappy people sticking together.

Bethenny, what can we expect to see in season three?
It’s been a great show. It’s been good to me. This season is crazy. Completely tumultuous. I’m pregnant. I get engaged. The most rocky season ever.

One of the housewives just told me that the happy people stick together while the unhappy stick together. What do you make of her comment?
I think there are definitely alliances that shifted and some of us found each other and decided to not think about labels. We sort of just found who are really the good people- like the quality of the honest people.

Things are going great for me. I have a spin-off show coming up. My second book is on the New York Times Best Seller list. Skinny Girl Margarita is flying off the shelves.

Jennifer Gilbert, how did you interact with the housewives?
I channel Oprah, and I try to get everyone to kind of calm down and take a minute and breathe and go to a place of happy thoughts. I think three things surprised me. One is how many people are obsessed with the show. Two, how much time it was going to take out of my life. Three, that it’s not scripted. It really is not. So the drama is real. The relationships are real.

Sonja Morgan, I’ve been hearing great things about you. What keeps your spirits so high?
I’m the first to laugh at myself. I’ll wear the lampshade at the party. I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure everyone’s having a good time. I’m happy because when I wake up and I have my health, I have it all. And I have my family.

The show first came to me when it was Manhattan Moms, but I backed out because I was newly divorced and I had a young kid. I didn’t know how life was going to be. I mean, rough is rough enough, right? So then I saw my girlfriends are doing really well looking more beautiful. Countess LuAnn is a good friend. Ramona is a good friend. Then I ran into Jill Zarin. Then I ran into Bethenny, a good friend. I’m like, ‘They’re having a ball. Why am I so afraid.’ So I called them, and they said, “Honey, you’re onto Bravo and NBC now.”

Watch what happens tonight on Bravo!

Charlie Vargas is proof that guys can have both beauty and brains! This stud was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as one of its hottest bachelors of 2009.

We sat down with the 27-year-old for an exclusive one-on-one interview for BeChic TV! You’ll be more impressed when you find out what he does besides modeling. Take a look at the clip below…

Happy New Year! I dedicate this post to our loyal readers and viewers who are making BeChicMag.com a success.

When launching in 2006, I envisioned the site to be an online magazine with original content, and that’s exactly what it is today. Our goals are being met everyday as we chat with experts in fashion, beauty and entertainment.

In 2009, we spoke with the best in the industry. From Vera Wang (who gives us a very nice shout out), Christian Siriano, to John Leguizamo, Shecky’s President Claudia Chan, Beyonce’s make-up artist Jackie Gomez, renowned author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, DJ Lindsay Luv and many more prominent personalities.

BeChic TV began as an experiment where I spoke directly to my MacBook with the built-in camera reviewing the latest book, movie or make-up product. Today, BeChic TV is more than just tutorials and reviews; it’s a lifestyle channel. We produce, shoot and edit our own segments. In 2010, I personally aim to improve my editing skills.

Special thanks to four very chic and talented ladies who expressed interest in contributing. In the upcoming “Who We Are” page you will see the faces behind some of our beauty, shopping, lifestyle and politically conscious stories. But most of all, thanks to you for your support.

The best way to find out about our upcoming features and for exclusive photos and lifecasting videos, follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

May 2010 bring you all much happiness and success, and remember to stay chic!

Xoxo,
Mercedes

BeChicMag.com caught up with Nikki Yeager, a young local artist who recently moved back to New York City from living abroad. Peruse her Web site and you’ll see that Nikki’s themes include everything from NYC mixed media pieces, to portraits and facial close ups. If you really want to do justice to her amazing talent, we recommend you get up close and personal by visiting her two-week display at  Bar Nine (more details below). We were so struck by her talent and her energy that we couldn’t resist asking her a couple of questions. Nikki inspired me to continue working on my dreams and to invest in an affordable and beautiful piece of art for my living room. - Carolina Baker

BeChicMag: When did you start painting?
Nikki: I started drawing when I was really young. My mom encouraged my drawing big time. I developed my style when I attended a commercial art program as a junior in high school. My mom suggested that I attend this program. Until a couple of years ago, I was odd about sharing my art. I would paint and paint and paint but refuse to let anyone see it (including my parents). By hiding my art, I never really talked about it with my family. I wouldn’t let anyone bring it up.

What inspires you to paint?
Myself. My mind works out the world around me through art. It’s my way of keeping sane and organizing my thoughts and my perceptions.

How did you end up in Cambodia and the Bahamas? Did your experiences in Cambodia and the Bahamas affect your painting?
Travel has been a spontaneous desire. I applied to and accepted the job in Cambodia because I knew it would get me closer to my chosen career. I also knew it would be an adventure. I didn’t even know what continent Cambodia was on until I booked my flight. Arriving to the Bahamas was also another fluke. I found a job opening and two weeks later I was on a little seven seater plane to Freeport. Both countries affected my painting because they affected my life. My next series will be largely focused on both countries and my experiences in each. Anything that ends up in my thoughts ends up on my canvas.

What gave you the courage to drop out of college?
Thank you for calling it courageous, most people call it naïve. I got into my dream college but once I started classes I realized I had taken a step further away from my goals rather than a step closer to them. I was doing a lot of unrelated work and I realized I could funnel that energy and that time into achieving my own dreams. For me, that seemed a more practical use of my time. In my opinion, it’s not the degree that makes a person successful – it’s the activity.

Who is your favorite artist?
Salvador Dali or Rene Magritte.

What museum in NYC do you most recommend and draw the most inspiration from?
I used to live by the Met. If I needed a little pick-me-up, I’d pay a small amount of the recommended donation and take a 10 minute stroll through the modern art section. I loved being able to pop in and visit Dali’s whenever I needed some lovin’.

BeChicMag.com readers are invited to get a glimpse of Nikki’s pieces at Bar Nine the week of November 18th. Opening night is on Nov. 21st after 8:30 p.m. Bar Nine, 807 Ninth Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets.

Alex McCord Hosts Opening of Second Time Around Boutique
Last night we celebrated a new boutique in the Upper East Side with the Real Housewives of New York City. Alex McCord hosted the opening party of Second Time Around- a store that sells new and resale designer clothing. STA carries an eclectic mix of labels such as a Yves St. Laurent pant suit, Juicy Couture sweat suit, Christian Lacroix skirt and much more!

Though it wasn’t confirmed, it also looked like the wives were filming for the next season of the Bravo hit show. We saw all the girls except for the former countess and Jill Zarin whose Twitter says she’s headed for L.A this week.

We got the chance to speak with McCord’s very own celebrity stylist Alegra Torel who told BeChicMag.com how much she loves working with her! “Alex is great,” said Torel. “She has a petite body and says ‘whatever you want to put me in, you’ll put me in’ whereas some other clients of mine are not so easy going.” For more behind-the-scenes of Tuesday’s party (and taping) and to learn more about Alex McCord’s style, check out our video on BeChic TV here.

Second Time Around.  1040 Lexington Avenue.