"Dina's Party", Caroline's Handbags and Team Laurita March for Babies

Remember that new reality TV show we told you about a few months ago? The one casting families in the Franklin Lakes area who were planning a party for a new HGTV series? Well, the producers have finally announced the host of the show will be no other than Franklin Lakes' own Dina Manzo. 

Fans of Real Housewives of New Jersey should remember the fabulous events Dina puts on (such attention to detail!), so when we first heard about the HGTV show back in December we were hoping she would be named the host. And this weekend, we received confirmation that our hunch was right. 

According to the producers, the show will be called Dina's Party and each episode will feature a party thrown in someone's home, such as a graduation, surprise, wedding, bon voyage, sweet sixteen, tailgate parties, etc.  

"Dina and the staff of her event company Design Affairs will create magnificent events in their clients' homes," according to the official press release "Whether it's a posh baby shower, an over-the-top fantasy wedding or a grand graduation party, Dina will transform any space into something breathtakingly beautiful and unique. With her extraordinary talents, Dina will make every occasion a perfect celebration for the important moments in a family's life."

"Dina is an accomplished interior designer and also runs a thriving event planning business — her Real Housewives fans will be very surprised to see this side of her," said Kathleen Finch, general manager, HGTV. (Patch says: What? Fans will be surprised? Did Finch not watch Season 1?)  "Dina brings a unique set of skills to HGTV and I'm thrilled to have her join our growing team of expert talent."

"Each week she will throw one fun and fabulous party in homes across New Jersey and New York City areas,"  Avelino Pombo, director of development of JOHLT productions, told Patch. 

The show is still casting local families. To be considered for the show, email apombo@JOHLT.com with a photo of the party throwers, a photo of your home, information about the party including theme and key players, and your contact information. (And if you get cast, be sure to let us know!) 

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Dina isn't the only Manzo sister in the news this week. According to WWD, Caroline has plans to make a handbag collection in collaboration with Kristino handbags. She is also planning to release two lines of dog accessories, one of which is "cruelty-free with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Best Friends Animal Society," WWD reports. 

In her weekly glo.msn.com column this week, she talks about her infamous "Iron Hand" technique for raising children.  

"My children were never allowed to talk back, raise their voice or even look at us crooked. If they did, there were consequences, and when there was punishment we didn't waiver: We stuck to it and made them 'serve their time.'" Caroline writes in response to a single mother of three, who is struggling with discipline. "Giving out a punishment and not seeing it through only shows them that they can do the crime but not the time. Bad, bad, bad. Also, when giving out punishment explain to your children why you're angry and why they're getting punished. Follow with an 'I love you, but you're still in trouble!'" 

For more of Caroline's sage advice, read her weekly column Caroline's Rules.

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If you've noticed the March for Babies signs around town (most prominently at Chateau) and wanted more information, the May 1 walk is a March of Dimes event that raises funds for the prevention of birth defects. 

"Each year in the garden state, 14,040 babies are born prematurely and one in 33 in the United States are born with a serious birth defect," Jacqueline L. Kelly, Community Director for the March Dimes in Morris County, told Patch. "Working to help change this is Jacqueline Laurita, Bravo TV Real Housewife of New Jersey and Honorary Chair for Morris County’s March for Babies."  

Funds raised in March for Babies will help benefit programs, such as Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait, a community outreach program aimed to reduce elective c-sections before 39 weeks gestation for adequate brain, heart and lung development.

“The March of Dimes is especially close to my heart because I experienced  difficult pregnancies and five miscarriages.  I understand the heartache that moms and families go through when the outcome of having a baby is not what they expected,” said Jacqueline, 2011 March for Babies Honorary Chair.

Team Laurita has committed to raising $50,000 in the walk. To help reach that goal, several fundraisers are scheduled. Tonight, in Paramus is celebrating Kim D's Birthday Extravaganza and will be selling a March of Dimes Purple Drink for $15 as a fundraiser for the team. Kim D's store, Posche Boutique, and Chakra are both Team Laurita sponsors. (Details on more fundraisers will be available soon.)

To sign up for March for Babies (or to support support Team Laurita's fundraising goal) visit www.marchforbabies.org. 

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While we are on charities, don't forget The Project Ladybug Fund at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is hosting Wine, Women & Shoes, its Fifth Annual Ladies Night Out on May 23, at The Brownstone in Paterson.

For reservations, visit www.StJosephsHealth.org/LadiesNightOut or call 973-754-4411. If you or yor company wish to donate a high-end silent auction item, email info@projectladybug.org.