the real housewives of new york city

• An unrecognizable Countess LuAnn sings about etiquette surrounded by men — People
• 14 worst reasons to get married — YourTango
• UK PSA reminds men not to rape — The Frisky
• What to do when a sex position hurts —Em & Lo
• Does "mom talk" belong on social networking sites? — LilSugar
• Top 10 most awkward bridal shower moments — Wedding Channel
• Can you expect fidelity from the married man you're sleeping with? No? — Nerve

One Real Housewife of New York was noticeably absent from Bethenny Frankel's nuptials this weekend: Countess LuAnn de Lesseps. But if you've been following the show this season, her omission from the guest list is no real shocker. When we last saw the pair it was at New York Fashion Week, and Bethenny was yelling some pretty biting things at LuAnn: "I'm telling you to your face — I don't like you, I don't trust you, and I think you're a snake."

Though LuAnn may not have been at the celebration, we do have a glimpse into what kind of etiquette she may have followed at the reception. The Countess tells OK magazine:

"Never go to a party when you are hungry. You will have an easier time sticking to your diet if you have a light snack before you go out. Party food is supposed to be tempting and fun; you won’t make good food choices if you are starving."

I think her advice of having a light snack is a good one; I once went to a party famished and scarfed down way too many bacon-wrapped scallops as a result. LuAnn also says that your diet is nobody's business but your own:

"Remember that your diet is a private matter. Let your friends enjoy their food without critiquing their choices. If you eat the bread, skip the wine. If you drink the wine, skip the bread. It’s one or the other. I personally choose the wine."

When I am at a party, I give myself license to have the wine and the bread, because I don't like feeling deprived at a festive event. How about you — do you only give yourself one indulgence at a party?

Catfights, cocktails and creme de la creme guest lists are de rigueur on Bravo's hit Real Housewives of New York, where the cast spends much of their time decorating their homes, attending social events, and gossiping behind each other's backs. So how will the standout star, Bethenny Frankel, known for her witty zingers and Skinny Girl margaritas handle motherhood? With a mellow attitude and some perspective.

The mama-to-be who's due in June is keeping busy promoting the current season of Housewives, filming her own new series, Bethenny's Getting Married about her wedding to the babe's daddy, Jason Hobby, and penning her third book, A Place of Yes. The reality star chatted with me via phone yesterday as she was being prepped for a photo shoot.

BabySugar: Tell us about the pregnancy – were you surprised?
Bethenny: I was totally, completely surprised. It was generally something I was open to, but I wasn’t doing handstands and taking my temperature. I was just not being careful because I thought it would take a very long time because of my age. So yes, it was definitely like “Holy S**t”.

BabySugar: How’s the nursery coming along?
Bethenny: It isn’t. We haven’t done anything yet. We have to get to that in the next couple of weeks after we have the wedding. I like the catalog at Restoration Hardware, I like their style and the way they do it. Not so jungle-y. I think it will be much more conservative and nice. Not over the top with like clouds and hippopotamuses.

BabySugar: Should we expect to see a parenting book out of you like your costars Alex and Simon?
Bethenny: That will be years to come. It's so hard to be a parent to a thing that doesn’t do anything yet.

To see Bethenny's take on parenting and if the baby will call any Housewives "Auntie," just read more

"Shooting this season without alcohol was a real achievement. It was like being in the desert without water."

— Bethenny Frankel tells US Weekly that being pregnant is easy, but filming Real Housewives without her signature Skinny Girl cocktails, not so much.

Before the claws come out on the season premiere of Real Housewives of New York this week, Bethenny Frankel plays ladylike in the latest issue of Shape, and shares with readers her top 10 tips for healthy entertaining. "Hosting a party doesn't have to take a toll on your waistline or well-being," says Bethenny, who is six months pregnant. She should know — Bethenny, a private chef, is the author of Naturally Thin and The SkinnyGirl Dish. She's made a career at putting healthy twists onto party foods and cocktails.

1. Create a signature cocktail. Bethenny says keep calories down by mixing up a batch of your signature cocktail ahead of time. That way people are not mixing with abandon at your soiree. Stick to clear liquors and use lots of ice, club soda, and keep the juice to a minimum. Try adding some vodka to our recipe for this nonalcoholic ginger pineapple punch.
2. Load up on veggies. Veggies are a great way to add fiber and important antioxidants to any dish, and they help people feel full faster. "I layer red and yellow sauteed peppers on my cheese quesadillas, and blend chopped spinach, tomatoes, mashed peas, or fresh herbs into dips," says Bethenny.
3. Update old school favorites. Find a classic appetizer that people love and reinvent it with a healthy twist. Bethenny wraps scallops and shrimp in turkey bacon instead of the more traditional version that uses full-fat pork bacon.
4. Invest in upscale ingredients. Good quality ingredients usually taste better and have a more intense flavor. This is especially true of olives, cheeses, and cured meats. "Guests will feel satisfied with less."
5. Sneak in whole grains. Whenever you can, use whole grains — "If the topping tastes decadent, no one will feel cheated."

Check out the rest of Bethenny's tips in the latest issue of Shape, which is currently out on newsstands.

I may or may not have done an in-seat happy dance when I heard that the promo for the third season of one of my favorite reality shows, Real Housewives of New York City, was here. The Manhattan-based installment of Bravo's franchise is neither the original (that's Orange County) nor the most outrageous (that's Jersey), but there's something about the cast of women — Jill, Bethenny, LuAnn, Ramona and Kelly — that has me addicted.

My addiction has forced me to keep up with the offscreen drama of the NYC ladies, and this new preview of the upcoming season is full of these revelations: LuAnn is now a divorcee on the prowl (and uh, behind the mic), Bethenny is pregnant and engaged, and some wives who shall remain nameless are just as crazypants as ever. If you're judging me for my lowbrow reality love, go ahead, but I dare you to watch this video from the coming episodes and not be entertained. To see it, just read more

• Something I never thought I'd write: David Archuleta and Bob Dylan's dueling Christmas albums! — Vulture
• The dreamy Adam Brody takes a pop culture personality quiz. — PopWatch
• Rebecca Hall has been cast as the lead in Richard Linklater's latest flick, Liars A-E. — Coming Soon
• Here's some help deciphering Diablo Cody's brand of slang. — Cinematical
• Eclipse director David Slade wants his Twilight installment to be gorier and more guy-friendly. — MTV Movies Blog
• Check out the first 18 minutes of Flash Forward — TV.com
• The return of VH1 Divas prompts a dissection of the term "diva." — TrèsSugar
• Not a joke title: TLC's upcoming reality show is called "My Monkey Baby." — Best Week Ever
• Rich Sommer dishes on how he gets that Harry Crane hair for Mad Men. — Pop Candy
• Good news! The Real Housewives of New York City are all definitely coming back for a third season. — TV Squad