Looks like Jill Zarin's break-up from "The Real Housewives of New York" has been more sweet than bitter.
Last year, the fiery redhead bid farewell to the drama, the cat fights, and the cameras, but she's still got her friends, her fans and her jewels!
In an exclusive interview with toofab's Brittany Kyles, the TV personality/entrepreneur opens up about life after "Housewives," her former foe-star Ramona Singer, and her brand-new jewelry collection, Jill Zarin Jewelry.
Jill admits she still tunes in to the new season from time to time. “I've watched a couple episodes here and there, and I'm still good friends with LuAnn de Lesseps,” Zarin says of her former co-star.
But when it comes to frenemy Ramona Singer and her odd behavior this season, all Jill has to say is "I told you so!"
"Ramona is everything I've said if not more so, you can ask [current cast member] Aviva Drescher or any of the other housewives."
But Zarin says she's grateful for the show – because it gave her the platform she needed to start her dream jewelry line! If you've watched any of the past four seasons, you know Jill loves her jewels. That passion is what drove the businesswoman to make a chic and affordable collection.
Her collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces and earring start at just $18 and are currently sold at Lord & Taylor's 5th Avenue Flagship store in NYC, LordandTaylor.com and JillZarinJewelry.com.
Zarin's an avid fan of faux-jewelry, admitting that sometimes you can't even tell if a piece is real or fake.
“Jewelry can get very expensive and over the years I've lost very valuable jewelry. I challenge anyone to guess what pieces were real and what were fake” referencing what she wore on the show.
And on the subject of losing EXPENSIVE jewelry, Zarin confesses that she almost lost the mother of all pieces, her Elizabeth Taylor ring!
“It's 50-60 carets and I almost lost it twice! Also the stone has fallen out twice. It's so big I have to get a zebra setting. But it's spectacular.” The stunning ring has inspired her Lincoln Center line for 2013.
Her family is tighter than ever after the show, too. “Everything is great! Last night I had a party with my husband, ex-husband and daughter, Ally, in the middle."
"I'm not a real housewife; I'm the real modern family. I am the example of what it should be,” she says.
For more info, visit Jill's jewelry website here. If you're in NYC for Fashion's Night Out on September 6, stop by Lord & Taylor's for a meet and greet with Jill to celebrate the launch of her Fall 2012 collection!
