Jill Zarin & the Real Housewives: A Day in the Sun

By Katlean de Monchy–

The Reality TV stars turned out in droves for Jill Zarin’s Luxury Luncheon. It was held at the Thomas Halsey Homestead in Southampton, but that was not announced in advance, so there were no gate crashers. People were given the address only if they had an invitation. And those invitations were tightly guarded by celebrity event planner Sean Koski and Brian Kelly, co-founder of Ticket2Events. 

Jill Zarin, Katlean de Monchy  (Photo credit Sonia Moskowitz)

It was a hot day, and definitely a day to wear hats, and to seek shelter under umbrellas in the lovely gardens, or indoors — where there were displays of Jill Zarin’s lifestyle brands, include Jill & Ally, along with Shirmpys Burrito Bar, Fly Business, Royce & Rocket, Quilted Koala, Beachwaver and so much more

Margaret Josephs from “Real Housewives of New Jersey” showcasing her Soiree Mocktail  (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

Jill‘s celebrity friends included LuAnn de Lesseps, Margaret Josephs, LeeAnne Locken, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, Cynthia Bailey, Kristen Taekman, and Jennifer Fessler — all Reality TV stars on Bravo. Also in attendance were me, Julia Haart, Candace Bushnell, Alexander Hankin, Joey Sasso, Jordan Emanuel, Stuart O’Keeffe and Serena Pitt.

Kristen Taekman from “Real Housewives of New York” (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

The luncheon included a clever pizza-making station by Dolce & Gelato Catering, which gave me a chance to talk to some of the stars.

Margaret Josephs, LeeAnne Locken, Ally Shapiro, Jill Zarin, LuAnn de Lesseps, Jennifer Fessler, Kristen Taekman, Cynthia Bailey, Braunwyn Windham-Burke (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

We also had time to have our brows waxed, compliments of Sania’s Brow bar, or have our nails done with Freshcoat. There were consultations and a goodie bag stuffed with samples of products and those Floof Dog Wipes, which I really needed.

Cynthia Bailey of “Real Housewives of Atlanta”  (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

LeeAnne Locken, from “The Real Housewives of Dallas” (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

Here is what some of the guests told me. LeeAnne Locken said: “I came to catch up with the other girls.  This year I got to catch up with Margaret and to escape the 109 degree Texas weather,  People say it’s so hot here in the Hamptons but you would basically be done in Texas.”

Locken, who was brought up in a carnival family and placed in the top ten in the Miss USA pageant, is working on a true crime movie called, “Sex, Greed, Money, Murder and Chicken Fried Steak.” And on another reality TV show.

(photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

Newcomer to “Real Housewives of New Jersey” Jennifer Fessler said that the experience of being on a reality show has taught her that she is tenacious and brave.

Margaret Josephs, a regular on New Jersey, admitted that she had showed up to promote her line of mocktails, Soiree. Her motto is “Caviar Dreams, Tuna Fish Budget.”

Luann de Lesseps (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)

We see a lot of Luann de Lesseps in the Hamptons. She stood out at the luncheon by wearing a form fitting  orange dress that showed off her svelte figure.

The event was a rousing success, and Jill Zarin could not have been happier.

Jill Zarin (photo BFA / Madison McGaw)