When my sis-in-law asked if I was going to see Bethanny Frankel, I said,
“Who?”
And then from somewhere deep within my liver I recalled seeing a clip from the Ellen show about a margarita.
Sometimes I surprise myself. The booze connection jarred my memory.
And then I pieced it together that she was on the “Real” Housewives of New York and the dots began to connect.
I confess that I am not a fan of the “Housewives” shows. I didn’t know who Nene Leaks was either until she showed up on Celebrity Apprentice. I am, however a fan of any Mompreneur who hits the big time.
Come to find out, Bethenny Frankel was coming to my liquor store – one that is so very close I could walk to it from my house if I was thirsty enough – on a Friday afternoon.
Okay, I’m game. My sister-in-law likes those shows, maybe I’ll get her something signed.
Not one to be unprepared, I Googled a little and discovered that I had actually been a Bethenny fan – long ago when she was on Martha Stewart Celebrity Apprentice. And that she is a newish mom now, a NY Times Bestseller, and just raked in $120 million on her Skinny Girl deal with Beam Spirits.
$120 million. Now I was much more interested.
So I drove over – only two hours before the event. The line was already wrapped around the building. To make matters worse, it was not only pouring rain, there was small hail coming down in sheets.
I waited it out in the car until I felt like I was ready to brave the elements to preserve my space in line. I hopped out – armed with a singular umbrella and several bottles of booze. For her to sign, not for the wait in line – although it was tempting.
I don’t know about you, but I think that people watching is a fantastic sport. Imagine people watching for a Real Housewives star, that might top the list of any celebrity signing I’ve been too.
I endured a couple more rain showers before we were ushered inside to stand on the red carpet along the coolers to wait. The line had now grown to as far as I could see tucked behind the building and wrapping through the parking lot.
The sky was about to open up again so I was thankful to be in the swanky shop. Although, disappointingly, Bethenny’s people informed us – right AFTER I had bought yet another bottle for her signature – that despite what the liquor store employees had told us previously, we could not have as many bottles signed as we wanted. Only one per person.
Oiy, there went my plans for 2 sister-in-laws and a friend from Princess’s school.
Well, I wasn’t leaving now. She was about to walk in.
Once the signing started, we were shuttled through with precision. No personal photos, they had a professional who would load the images to Facebook. One guy was the official purse holder while we each cheesed for the camera, pretending like Bethanney was our new BFF.
I have been to a lot of signings (George Bush, Laura Bush, Rachel Ray, the Barefoot Contessa, Bakerella…) and I typically try to say something a little less groupie and a bit more witty when I meet the poor celebrity who is being bombarded by ooohing and gooing fans.
But I didn’t have a plan for Bethenny since I wasn’t really a fan up until a few hours earlier, but it wouldn’t have mattered. I took one look at her up close and personal and I was speechless. I heard myself say,
“OMG, you’re gorgeous.”
Classy, right?
Well, whatever. She is. I don’t think the camera does her justice one bit. In person, she was breathtaking and as thin as a rail. A tiny little wisp of a woman who gallantly smiled through hundreds and hundreds of people hugging and squishing up next to her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tosses her clothes out instead of trying to wash all the humanity off them later.
She was a trooper. We didn’t share a “moment” like when I met Bush or Bakerella. Sorry, no funny anecdote to tell. But it was fun, and my review of the Skinny Girl Margaritas is this:
Chill it, put it over ice. Sprinkle in your salt and squeeze a little lime and they’re pretty darn good for a diet drink. I might even drop just a smidge of Splenda in for good measure. You really can’t beat the convenience of open and pour it. With half the calories and 2/3 the booze, I say CHEERS to the Mompreneur for making it big because she is definitely “winning.”
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