Dorinda Medley has been preparing for this busy period for months.
More than six years after she said goodbye to “The Real Housewives of New York City,” the Bravo franchise that made her a star, she has reunited with her TV sisters for “The Golden Life” on the E! network.
It’s a familiar blueprint following many of the women “RHONY” fans already know, with the same drama and sharp catchphrases. This time around, it’s set in Palm Beach, Fla., and the women are in new phases of their lives.
“It’s important for people to see what women are like in their 50s and 60s,” said Medley, 61. “We are booked and busy. We are out dating, having fun, doing our lives, enjoying this freedom.”
In addition to recording her radio show four days a week, Medley also found time this year to write an advice book, “I Know a Thing or Two About a Thing or Two,” out Nov. 17, film her acting debut (opposite Glenn Close) on the new season of the Ryan Murphy legal drama “All’s Fair,” and book several DJ gigs. “It just all seemed to happen at once,” she said. “It’s one of these moments where the spotlight is on me!”
In a phone conversation last month from her Blue Stone Manor home in Great Barrington, Mass., Medley explained her obsession with Ziploc bags, Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise and rosary beads once owned by Mother Teresa. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
‘Crone’ Attire
I’ve always had this sort of alter ego of walking the grounds of Blue Stone Manor in black. Being the lady of the manor and doing semi-spooky, but fun, interesting, crone-like things. It’s such a different persona than my city persona. We have such a bad perception of people that wear black, that they’re supposed to be dark or witches. I think it’s a sign of wisdom.
Decorating
I have a 27-foot pumpkin outside of my driveway as we speak. I love for people to come up the hill, open up the gates, walk in and enter a different world. I love a house when it feels like it holds secrets.
Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
I don’t love it for the reason people love it, like on sandwiches. I use it in my cake batter. I use it as a marinade for chicken. I use it for my dips. I’ve actually used mayonnaise for a mask. It’s very moisturizing! I think if you have a jar of mayonnaise, you can make endlessly wonderful things. Mayonnaise gets a bad rap.
Ziploc Bags
I know that people are really into buying all these containers and beautiful makeup bags. Ziploc bags are the best way to store stuff. You can store your sweaters in them in the winter. It keeps everything organized. When I travel, it’s a series of filled Ziploc bags. I don’t think you need to spend money on all the expensive stuff.
D.J.ing
My next D.J.ing gig is an hour long. I usually keep everything at like 128 to 131 beats per minute, but I pushed it up to 134 to 137 to see if people like it. I’m kind of moving up and hyping it up a little bit.
Making Homemade Dog Food
I have this theory that whatever you eat, you can make it into a dog-food recipe. If I make a lasagna at home, I make a dog version for Parsley and Pepe. It doesn’t have any salt, onions or garlic. I play around with different vegetables, quinoa and pumpkin.
Weekly Fresh Flowers and Candles
That’s the most luxurious gift you can give yourself. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but there’s something beautiful about coming home, having a little thing of fresh flowers by your bed, and lighting a candle. It just sort of elevates everything.
A Morning Ice Facial
I’ve been icing my face every day since I was in my 20s. I fill a huge bowl with lots of ice and water. Let it sit for five minutes, so it loosens. It not only tightens your face and wakes up your brain, it helps with your breathing. I think it also calms your nervous system.
Rosary Beads From Mother Teresa
Dolores Catania, from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” gave me a rosary that belonged to Mother Teresa before I went back to “Traitors.” They’re purple glass beads with a silver cross. These go with me everywhere, every day. When I put my bag together in the morning, I always put my few things in, like my lipstick in a side pocket. My rosary goes in that or in a little Ziploc bag.
The RealReal
My obsessions list on the RealReal is huge. I have a whole madness to my method: The minute the price drops, I go in. I love anything vintage. I bought a Gucci raincoat from the early ’80s. It’s embossed with Gucci G’s. You would never see that again. I love the fact, and I’m going to say this, that no one else can buy it.
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