Journalist, author, and Real Housewives of New York City star, Carole Radziwill started her fairytale right in the newsroom. From her career path to her personal style and beyond, this New York City fashionista tells Style Solutions her story.

S: Unlike the other RHONY, you had a well established career coming into it. Was this good or bad for you with the other women?

C: Yes, I had already established myself in my journalism and writing career, but I never saw it as my accomplishments are better than yours. I celebrate women and the choices they make for their lives, even if they differ from mine.

S: You used to write the “Lunch Dates” column for Glamour. Where did you get this idea? Also, if you were writing this column now, who’d be your dream lunch date?

C: A friend of mine in London wrote a column for Tatler magazine called Blonde Date, which was the same idea, different title (she’s a hot blonde!). My dream lunch date is my perennial, President Clinton. I had dinner with him once and he was the most engaging man I’d ever met.

S: I heard your most recent book is being turned into a TV show. Details!

C: Widows Guide to Sex & Dating caught the attention of several Hollywood producers. The novel really lends itself to make a great series–sort of Sex and the City meets Six Feet Under.

S: Everyone tries to act cool, but you just exude coolness. Where did this attitude originate?

C: That’s funny, I don’t know! I think I exude realness. Perhaps realness is the new coolness. There is nothing less cool than pretending to be someone you are not.

S: What does “Style” mean to you?

C: Style is a feeling, a mood, it’s a state of mind. If you can describe it, you don’t have it. It’s feeling fantastic in whatever I’m wearing.

S: What brands/designers are you loving right now?

C: I love Balmain anything, Helmut Lang leggings, and my vintage levi’s and Paige jeans–always. I’m also into Costume National jackets this season. Amazing.

S: What’s a Style Solutions tip you can give to my readers?

C: Don’t wear the same designer head to toe. Mix it up. Wear long skirts in the day with flats, wear sequined tops with jeans. And always buy the best shoes that you can afford.

S: On your site, your story begins with, “It’s a classic Cinderella story, except that my ballroom was a newsroom.” What’s your story like now?

C: Good question. I guess ultimately, Cinderella is a metaphor for hard work and goodness prevailing over bad. I believe as a life lesson it’s important to work hard, be a good person, and more than anything else, believe in yourself. Don’t focus on what someone else has and great things will happen for you. In that way, I still live my life as Cinderella…except with much better clothes!

S: Do you play in a casino? If so, which one do you choose?

C: Yes, of course. I choose Casino Mate and BetDeluxe