Kyle Richards might be one of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," but on a warm summer morning, she's just a busy mom.
"Portia, no honey!" Richards says.
"I'm driving in the car with all my kids, Cindy," she adds. "This is my everyday on the run.
"We just pulled up to the store and she's already running down the street," Richards says with an exasperated laugh.
Yes, she's talking about her new store in Beverly Hills, which is a must stop when you're in town. Or you can just checkout the website for everything from vintage Chanel jewelry to the world's most amazing dresses like Richards wears on the show including designs by Parker, Haute Hippie, Camilla and Ramy Brook.
She's not dressed up right now because like almost every day, Richards is juggling 97 things at the same time including a new season of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" debuting this fall. Kyle didn't stop for this interview, but did it in motion!
Q: You always look so gorgeous. Do you ever have a schlumpy day?
Richards (Laughing): "Right now, I have on jeans, a blouse and flip flops. There are a lot of times when I'm running with the kids in leggings and flip flops. Unfortunately in Beverly Hills, there are paparazzi everywhere. The other day, I was coming out of Villa Blanca dressed down. TMZ was waiting. I started running away from them like, 'No, please. This is not a moment I want a close up.'"
Q: Tell us about your most exciting new project, which is this store. Did you always want your own boutique?
A: "I was in Boca doing a book signing for my book and I fell in love with this type of store. I was so distracted by it that when I came back, I said, 'I want to open an Alene Too store in LA. So, I reached out to them and they were so excited."
Q: Do you have a favorite thing in the store?
A: "Oh my gosh, I don't want to be greedy. I do feel guilty taking things out of the store. But there is an amazing sequined Haute Hippie jacket. It looks like it has diamonds on it. Gorgeous! There is also an Alexander McQueen black leather dress that's stunning and some amazing Camilla pieces. I'm a huge fan of Camilla. We also have the best collection of vintage Chanel."
Q: I think my heart just stopped. Did you say the words, "Vintage Chanel?"
A: "No other store in Beverly Hills carries all the top designers, plus a denim bar, plus great pieces of jewelry. I can't lie. It's hard to resist. As for the vintage Chanel, we have amazing necklaces. They're the ones I remember seeing years ago on my mom and my sister. I look at the jewelry and it's like a photo album. I think, 'I remember this piece from when it came out.' People are loving the vintage jewelry."
Q: For us over 40 ladies who dread buying new jeans what is a denim bar?
A: "It's a way to try on jeans and find your perfect fit and have fun with it. People can try on jeans and relax because there are many choices. My store also has a casual section of jeans, T-shirts and cashmere sweaters along with the fancy cocktail dresses."
Q: Are you more of a jeans woman or a dressy dressy type?
A: "I do wear jeans. In fact, one of my favorite looks is wearing jeans with a great blazer. In Los Angeles, you can get dressed up wearing jeans and a pretty blouse and heels. I like jeans better than dresses because I'm always dressing up for the show and to go out. Jeans are a great way to look pulled together at all times depending on how you dress them up."
Q: You always look skinny perfect. Any tips for middle aged ladies who worry about their weight in jeans?
A: "First of all, I'm not skinny. I gained a lot of weight in season two and maybe it's because of stress. I was pretty stressed out because of that big fight I had with my sister Kim. I'm just one of those people who get stressed and gain weight. I've since lost 11 pounds since season 2. I'm still not as thin as I want to be and it gets harder each year with age."
Q: What do you do before a big Beverly Hills party to drop a few pounds?
A: "I love spinning. I've been spinning and hiking three to four days a week, which has been amazing. I have to balance shooting and the kids with taking care of myself. But women should remember that we have to take care of ourselves. Exercise makes me much better mentally. It keeps me sane."
Q: Finally, give us one gorgeous hair tip. You have the best hair in Beverly Hills and maybe all of North America!
Q: (Laughing): "OK, here it is. First and foremost, you need to take great hair care vitamins. When I had Portia, my hair started falling out. I also stopped taking the hair vitamins because I got lazy and now I'm taking them again. As for the rest, I use Pantene. Everyone laughs, but that's the truth. You don't have to spend a lot of money on shampoo or product. It's more how you take care of your hair. I don't overheat. I don't put product in or it dulls the shine. I'll say, 'Don't even put spray in my hair.' Oh, and don't rip at your hair when you brush. You can't rip!"
