Haute Ambassador Lea Black: Keeping up with Lea Black

This summer has been spectacular but way too short. School is about to start for RJ, and we will soon be heading back to Miami. We spend our summers in Los Angeles, and it’s always great fun for us as a family. Roy, RJ, Freda and I love staying in our home in the Hollywood Hills. We really enjoy our spectacular view, fabulous friends, and the top-notch dining. It’s a simple life compared to Miami – a little less work, fewer deadlines, a smaller house and a less hectic pace.

But I am always able to mix fun and business. Here are some of my summer highlights. I had a blast shopping at Kyle Richard’s (star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) store, Kyle by Alene Too in Beverly Hills. My After 5 collection of  Lea Black Handbags are now available at their sister stores: Alene Too, BEACH by Alene Too, KYLE by Alene Too and PALM BEACH by Alene Too. In July, I appeared on the Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” show, which was recently nominated for an Emmy and is hosted by Cristina Ferrare and Mark Steines. They featured my new Lea Black Beauty line as well as the handbags, and the food portion of the show was so delicious!

[highlight_text] As summer comes to a close, I’m now gearing up for the new season of The Real Housewives of Miami which airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. [/highlight_text]

I finally completed another longtime project of mine – I was able to finish my new book, “Lea’s Little Black Book,” on time to meet my agent’s deadline! Whew! I had wonderful family fun time on the beach riding bicycles with Roy, RJ and Freda. Venice Beach is just like it was in the 80s – hippie, fun, chic and oh-so laid back! I love lunching at the Ivy in Santa Monica.

We hosted amazing parties at our home with friends – some you may know: comedians Heather McDonald and Ross Matthews, authors of great books and regular guests on the “Chelsea Lately” show, Lance Bass from ‘N Sync, Adam Gaynor from Matchbox 20 and Lisa Ann Walter who produces the show “Dance Your Ass Off” and is also the author of some hilarious books. My buddies Lisa and Donald Pliner were, of course, regulars, and we even got a quick visit from some of The Real Housewives of Miami producers from Purveyors of Pop. Many other friends joined us – some you may know and others I wish everyone knew because they’re just great company and filled with positive energy. I filmed some videos with the amazing impersonator Amy Phillips for Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” show. She has me down pat! We had lots of laughs and giggles – stay tuned for the clips.

I had dinner with my great friend Natalie Cole, who has a new hit album out in Spanish which is amazing. Natalie left the restaurant with my Luna handbag from Lea Black Handbags while the paparazzi were interviewing and photographing her – be on the lookout for the tabloid magazine shots! Dinner outdoors in the summer is always a special treat – the weather couldn’t be better and the people-watching is so entertaining.

As summer comes to a close, I’m now gearing up for the new season of The Real Housewives of Miami which airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. We celebrated the premiere party on August 6th which was sponsored by Warren Henry Auto Group and J. Milton & Associates. Be sure to tune in every week for fun, fabulousness, conflict and drama! And of course, see the best of what Miami has to offer. The show producers, Purveyors of Pop, really know how to showcase this vibrant city at its finest.

For the latest scoop, follow me and the other Housewives – Joanna Krupa, Lisa Hochstein, Adriana De Moura and Alexia Echeverria – on Twitter and Facebook. And for the inside stories, follow Purveyors of Pop. As exciting as it’s been, summer 2013 is a wrap!