FWO recently interviewed our favorite Real Housewife of New York, Bethenny Frankel.  Bethenny gave us the low down on her latest projects, the new season of RHNY, the secret to her success, and her thoughts on the Real Housewives of Atlanta!

FWO: Bethenny, it seems like you’ve always got a million things on your plate… What’s the latest project you’re working on?
BF: I just finished my second book, which will be released in January, and I’m also working on a third book. The book that’s about to come out is all about learning to accessorize your kitchen the way you would your wardrobe. Just like you don’t have to buy all new clothes for an outfit—you don’t have to buy all new ingredients for your kitchen either. The book includes 70 recipes based on what I normally have in my kitchen right now. So for instance, if I have an avocado and garlic, what can I do with that instead of running out to the store? I have 70 recipes in the book, but with those recipes you can create 700 other recipes! It’s like Garanimals for your kitchen! (laughs) It’s basically teaching people how to fish instead of just giving them a fish.

I’ve also got my Skinny Girl Margaritas in stores now and it’s selling out like crazy. It’s got booze already in the bottle and is only about 100 calories per serving– so it’s about the equivalent of a glass of wine! But since you serve Skinny Girl with ice, it’s like adding a little water to it, which is even better. It’s only got the best ingredients, like Agave nectar and Blue Agave Tequila.

I’m also still on Housewives– we’re shooting that right now.

FWO: OK, so that clears up any rumors that you might not appear in the next season of RHNY. Rumors were that you got your own show and wouldn’t be on RHNY anymore…                                                                   

BF: I did get my own show! I don’t know much about it [the spin-off], but I guess it will basically be about me, my life, what I do every day… But yes, I’m still on Housewives too.

FWO: So what do you think having your own show will be like?
BF: Well, I used to be 1/6 of a show, now I’m 6/6 of a show- the whole thing will be about me, so that’s a little different.

FWO: We heard that you recently got engaged. Will your relationship be featured on the show?
BF: Where’d you hear that….?

FWO: We’ve got our sources! And it’s been circulating on the internet for a little while.
BF: Well, I do have a serious boyfriend and we’re working towards that….
(***The day after our interview, Bethenny confirmed her engagement to Jason Hoppy. A few days later, the reality star also confirmed that she is pregnant. Congrats, Bethenny!)

FWO: How does your busy schedule impact your relationship?
BF: Well, I’ve been very busy, so it’s been a struggle… My work travel schedule is hard. For instance, I just did a guest panel for The Insider and I’ve been back and forth between LA and Orlando. It takes its toll. It can be exhausting.

FWO: What can you tell us about the new season of RHNY?
BF: There are rumors that there are 2 new women on the show… but I haven’t really spent time with them yet. I can say that everyone is bringing it this season. There’s definitely going to be LOTS of drama and craziness this season!

FWO: Is Kelly (Killoren Bensimon) on the show this season?
BF: Kelly is on the show—that’s always everyone’s #1 question for me after the fight last year!

FWO: How do you guys get along now? Did you guys make up since the infamous fight?
BF: Well, in the off-season, we actually sat next to each other at a fashion show. People were shocked at that! But relationships change- you’ll see over the course of the season… it has its peaks and valleys.

FWO: What do you think about the Real Housewives of Atlanta?
BF: My blog gets a lot of heat for the things I’ve said about the show. But I like the show. What do I think of the women? I like Nene, I know her… I also think Kandi is SO talented, and it was just really such a tragedy about AJ.

FWO: So you’re a true New York girl… what are some of your favorite things to do in New York?
BF: I like going to Little Italy, Chinatown… I like rollerblading in the park… Things like that which are unique to Manhattan and I can’t do anywhere else.

FWO: What’s the secret to your success?
BF: Every decision I make, I make based on business first! For example, I didn’t do a reality show to be notorious, but to further my business opportunities. It took me 2 months to make the decision to be on the show! I make my decisions not based on emotion, but on business first! Think of things like a business person, and you’ll be successful.

FWO: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
BF: I’d like to have at least 1 child. I hope my dog will still be alive. I’d love to have at least 10 books on the New York Times best seller list. And I’d like my own successful TV show, perhaps a variety show of some sort…

FWO: Lastly, you stay so thin, yet you’ve said you enjoy eating. What’s your secret to staying so thin?
BF: I used to be 20 lbs. heavier! I think you have to eat what you want. I always say, taste everything, eat nothing. You have to have a system of checks and balances. For example, I never binge. I used to work out like crazy, but now I work out maybe one or two times a week. Everyone’s gotten psychotic about food lately, everyone’s obsessed! You have to just balance what you eat and just not be obsessed with food. You have to realize– it’s gonna be ok!

We can’t wait to see the new season of Real Housewives of New York when it airs a few months from now in 2010.  In the meantime, be sure to check out Bethenny’s current book, NaturallyThin, and look for her second book which will hit the shelves in January 2010.

FWO-ForWomenOnline.com!