Hi, everyone!

Every time I create a seasonal decoration (like my Fall Wreath) I immediately think of ways to make a summer, winter, and spring version just like it. It’s like a crafter’s curse (or dream, depending on how you look at it). There are always more projects waiting in the wings!!

So as I began to conceptualize our next DIY project for You’re Home with Jill, I thought, why don’t we make five crafts—one for every season, including the holidays. And why don’t we make those crafts based on the one decoration that’s never out of season: a candle. The end result is 5 Ways to Style a Luminara. Any candle will work, mind you, but I just love our Luminara flameless candles. We have a lot to choose from on QVC.com and we used a 6” candle in all of these projects, so look for any candle 6” or larger.

To make this fall centerpiece, you’ll need:

• Wire basket
• Varied fall leaves, berries, and gourds
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun

And to assemble it, just place your Luminara in the center of the wire basket. Cut sprigs of leaves into various sizes and tuck them around the candle. Hot glue gourds and berry bunches all around for texture and color.

To make this holiday centerpiece, you’ll need:

• Elegant plate or small tray
• 24" of green holiday garland
• 1 stem of gold leaves
• 1 stem of gold-tipped eucalyptus
• 5-7 clusters of tiny red berries and other small fruits
• 1.5 yards holiday ribbon
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun
• Small piece of floral wire

And to assemble it, bend the garland into a circular or oblong shape depending on your plate/tray shape. Place the berry and fruit stems all around the garland. Cut gold leaves and eucalyptus sprigs and hot glue throughout. Make a multi-loop bow, wire together, and fasten to one side. Place the Luminara in the center.

To make this winter centerpiece, you’ll need:

• 4" square vase
• Thin white twigs (either purchased this way or collected and spray-painted white)
• Silver glitter spray paint
• 1 small bag of small, round (silver, clear, or white) stones
• 1 yard wintry ribbon

And to assemble it, spray the twigs with silver glitter paint. Place the stones in the bottom of the vase. Nestle in the Luminara. Cut the twigs to various heights and tuck them in around the candle. Tie the ribbon in a bow around the vase.

To make this spring/summer centerpiece, you’ll need:

• Basket
• Floral foam
• Varied seasonal flower bunches and greenery
• Wire cutters

And to assemble it, place the Luminara inside the basket and then surround it with floral foam you’ve cut to size. Cut the flowers in short lengths (3–5”) and push into the floral foam. To make it look natural, use varying lengths and different colors all around. Fill in the spaces with the greenery.

To make this coastal-themed centerpiece (which I LOVE!), you’ll need:

• Beachy-looking basket with a glass liner
• 1 small bag of sand
• Small, narrow shells
• 1/2 yard burlap ribbon

And to assemble it, place the sand in the bottom of the glass. Nestle in the Luminara. Tuck shells in around the candle. Then, tie ribbon in a bow on the handle (or wherever it makes sense for your basket).

I hope you love these centerpieces as much as I do…stay tuned for You’re Home with Jill on Wednesday at 7pm ET. Have a very Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone.

From my home to yours,
—Jill

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few "end of summer" garden photos from the past week at our place.

There are many more, but I've picked a few of my favorites. I hope you had a lovely summer in your own garden spot! Stay tuned and keep checking my Facebook page for some fall garden photos coming next month! 

XO, your gardening pal,

Carolyn

A special spot for Johnnie in our garden.....it's near a bench we relax on in the evening under a beautiful tree canopy. Recognize the Plow & Hearth Stepping Stone?

This is the garden spot that my late brother, Matt, started 7 years ago. It has grown into one of the most lovely places on our property. I believe angels tend to it when I am sleeping. :)

A lovely hanging basket of succulents, hens and chicks, etc...inspired by my friends, The Walliens, of Roberta's Unique Gardens.

These are my "time out" angels. They are sitting in "the corner" of my backyard.

This is one of many Cottage Farms hydrangea trees in my garden. With last winter being so harsh, many of the hydrangea plants refused to bloom this summer....they took a long time to "wake up" this time around. However, the hydrangea trees were as spectacular as ever!

With every blog post about photography and cameras I try to come up with a project/theme for the photos I am going to share with you. For the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 photo project I decided to recreate photos of my 2 sons that I captured a decade ago. I hope you get a chuckle out of the pictures...we had fun with this project you should try it with your family!

It's football season and as you know, I love football! I also love easy recipes the whole family can enjoy! This is one of them. What's great too (as with most of my recipes) you can change out ingredients to suit your taste. If you do not like onion powder, feel free to change it to garlic or your favorite seasonings .... not a fan of chex? change it to bran cereal. Have fun and let's get ready for some football!!

Counting our blessings,

Mary Beth Roe

 Poppin' Party Mix

• 4 cups chex cereal
• 1/2 cups pretzel sticks (I snapped these in half to make them bite size)
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Hi, ladies!

I hope everyone enjoyed a great holiday weekend - whether you enjoyed some rest & relaxation or did some traveling! I went for some rest & relaxation this year and stayed close to home. Did anyone wear any of their Denim & Co. wardrobe over the holiday? Would love to hear…

In today’s show we have our most popular Denim & Co. pant; our stretch pants with side pockets! Are you one of the many customers that already owns this pant?? What are your favorite colors, and what new colors are you looking for?

The fall is a great time to stock up on some new pants; both wardrobe staples & some fashion pieces. What are you looking for this fall? Do you have a favorite Denim & Co. pant?

We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions about any items in the show or just want to chat, just let me know. 

Talk to you soon!

Heather

Check out the complete Denim & Co. collection on QVC.com.

Hi Pet Lovers!!

We had so much fun looking through all of the fun summer pet pictures you sent in over the long weekend for us to show on Sundays with Carolyn and Dan! Here's your regular PAW-Parazzi showcase, hope you enjoy, and thanks again for sending us your pictures!! You can always seem more cute pictures on my Facebook page!

XOXO from your fellow pet lovers,

Carolyn and Dan

Hello, foodies…

I hope you had a very Happy Labor Day! Even though the weather doesn’t feel very fall-like (it’s 93 in the West Chester area), I saw so many kids out at the bus stop this morning for their first day of school and it just felt like fall. As most of you know, every time we start a new month on In the Kitchen with David we celebrate a new  theme. So in honor of fall and the back-to-school season, we’re making one-pot meals this month. In other words, dump-and-stir recipes. You don’t have time for lots of steps. Neither you or the kids wants to spend all night cleaning up dishes. You need simple, easy, quick recipes you can fit into your busy schedule.

We’re kicking off September in a delicious way…let’s make my Fudgy Salted Caramel Brownies.

Whether you want an easy dessert idea, something to slip into the kids’ lunchboxes, or something to make for the school bake sale, you won’t need an hour and 10 pots to make these “gourmet” brownies.

Fudgy Salted Caramel Brownies
Serves 12–15

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp sea salt, divided
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 oz extra bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao), chopped
• 1 Tbsp instant espresso coffee granules
• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce

Preparation:

1. Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease an 8" x 11.5" baking pan. Set aside.
2. Whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and baking powder. Set aside. In a large saucepot, over medium-low heat, melt together the butter, chocolate chips, bittersweet chocolate, and coffee granules, stirring constantly. When chocolate is fully melted, remove the pan from the heat, and whisk in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla until fully incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and whisk again until combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Drizzle caramel sauce all over the surface of the brownie batter and gently swirl the caramel into the batter with a toothpick. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Do not over-bake.
4. Cool the brownies on a cooling rack. Sprinkle the remaining 1/8 tsp of sea salt over the brownies. Cool completely before cutting.

This recipe is prepared with the Prepology® 11-Piece Polka Dot Cookware Set (K37620).

Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.

I hope you’ll join Mary in the chat on Wednesday…In the Kitchen with David is celebrating its 3-year "chattiversary!" If you haven’t chatted in a while, we’d love to hear from you. Or, if you’ve never chatted before, you can make some new friends. We always chat on my Facebook page…look for the “CHAT HERE” post Mary puts up just before the show on Sundays and Wednesdays. That’s it!

 Finally, I’d love for you to answer my blog question today…what is your favorite one-pot dessert? Do you make a mile-high trifle or pudding? Maybe a dump cake? How about a fall apple cobbler? Doesn’t an apple cobbler just sound so tasty? I might not be ready for fall weather, but I’m DEFINITELY ready for fall comfort food! See you Wednesday at 8pm ET.

Keep it flavorful!
—David

P.S. The Grammy-award winning rock band Train is performing live on QVC this Friday! Backstage coverage starts at 4pm ET, as does a very special QVC Plus® show hosted by our girl MARY! If you don't get our second channel, remember you can watch on QVC.com. Show her some love, foodies, and check out Train’s special assortments of red and white wines!

Hi, everyone!

One of the things I love most about fall and winter is the baking. There’s nothing more welcoming than walking into a house that smells like fresh-baked cookies or cake. So as we continue to decorate our homes for the approaching autumn tomorrow night on You’re Home with Jill, I’d like to sweeten your thoughts of fall with a beautiful dessert: my Chocolate Cream Cheese Ribbon Cake.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Ribbon Cake

Ingredients:
Cake:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Chocolate Frosting:
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 6 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1-1/4 cup confectioners' sugar (or more if needed)
• 1 tsp vanilla

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the cake mix, 3 eggs, oil, and water together. In a separate bowl, cream together the cream cheese, butter and sugar. Add the remaining egg, milk, cornstarch, and vanilla. Mix well. Pour half of the cake batter into a 13'' x 9'' pan. Spread the cream cheese filling on top of that and then add the rest of the cake batter. Bake 45-50 minutes. Let the cake cool.
3. Meanwhile, make the chocolate frosting. Place the butter, chocolate chips, heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla in a medium-size saucepan. Cook over low heat and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly, adding more sugar if necessary to achieve a spreading consistency. Ice the cake while the frosting is still warm.

This recipe is prepared with the Temp-tations® Floral Lace 24-piece Oven-to-Table Set (K39348).

We’re also making my Luminara centerpieces tomorrow night…if you haven’t seen my DIY blog yet, go check it out!

From my home to yours,
—Jill

Healthy, beautiful nails just got even easier to attain with our Perfect Formula Today’s Special Value offer! Team Perfect Formula will be standing by to answer your burning Perfect Formula and nail care questions all day on Tuesday, September 9th. So post your questions here! We’ll share highlights from Shari throughout the day as well as about great tips and tricks for longer, stronger, more beautiful natural nails.

Don’t miss this amazing TSV® collection and keep your questions coming!

—  Team Perfect Formula

at philosophy, we believe your skincare routine should be a pleasure, not a task. we bring you multi-tasking products that feel good, smell good, and deliver results in our super-sized Today’s Special Value® philosophy super-size 24-hour skin care makeover system. this low-maintenance, high performance system works hard both day and night with three simple steps in three short minutes to cleanse, treat, & moisturize. this is our most complete system to outsmart wrinkles!

• cleanse and purify your skin with super-size purity made simple, a super multi-tasker that cleanses skin while hydrating, and removes all traces of makeup in one step.
• treat your skin with when hope is not enough facial firming serum to improve the appearance of skin radiance, tactile smoothness, and fine lines.
• moisturize in the morning with wrinkle-fighting miracle worker miraculous moisturizer, which contains the highest level of antioxidants of any philosophy moisturizer.
• moisturize at night with miracle worker overnight moisturizer to provide skin hydration while you sleep.

we’ve put this collection together to let you experience how good your skin can be — with that well-rested appearance that makes you feel good! get great skin that you can wear every day!

this 4-piece skincare system from the brand that brings you science-based skincare is easy to use — with products that perform, are a pleasure to use, respect to your busy lifestyle, and the need to look and feel your best!

philosophy: believe in miracles

Q: three reasons why I love this TSV® collection

dara lyn

1. A full am/pm comprehensive 24-hour wrinkle fighting system. I get more questions on how to fight wrinkles than any other question. This kit is the answer to the question, "what should I use on my wrinkled skin?"
2. This kit contains our pillars in anti-aging. For a product to carry the name "miracle worker" it has to do something wonderful for your skin. This kit delivers.
3. The philosophy team works many months in advance to bring you our best system. You wear your skin every single day. Using these products gives you skin you are proud to own and show off every day. It is nice to look in the mirror in the morning and know you can rely on great skin.

mari lyn meier

1. i have never received so many compliments on my skin as when miracle worker came into my life! i don't have a lot of wrinkles, but i am concerned, so this system is a must-have in my routine.
2. this system is so easy to use, and i love the way the products feel on my skin.
3. wrinkles are the most common concern i hear from customers and i am confident that this wrinkle-fighting system could be your answer to youthful-looking skin.

heidi guest
that’s easy!

1. this TSV contains the foundations of my personal skin care routine…our best formulations that give me the outcome i have consistently enjoyed since using philosophy products consistently: makeup optional skin. that’s a pretty incredible thing to “own” at 50+. These four are in my top five must-have skin care products. my number five? our microdelivery triple acid peel pads!
2. i love that this is a complete routine, or system, of performers: a world-class cleanser, an outstanding multi-tasking serum that addresses the look of your aging skin, and “couture moisturization”: one for day and one that understands your skin’s unique needs at night. 
3. super sizes of products mean it will take you a long time to run out…i view these products (along with every philosophy girl who loves them like I do) as staples. i always want to have them on hand. i don’t just want them; i need them for my skin to help look its best. and, like every other person out there who loves a good value.. prestige products at an incredible price.

Q: who could use this TSV collection?

dara lyn:
if you feel like your skin is aging and you would like to do something about it, this is the kit for you.
you want a start-to-finish routine that takes minutes a day, and that not only you notice but other people start to comment on how great your skin looks.
you believe that the best "cosmetic" is great-looking skin.

mari lyn meier:
this collection isn't just for the person who already sees wrinkles, or other signs of aging. this system is not just anti-aging, it is de-aging. if you are concerned about the appearance of wrinkles, loss of hydration, or firmness, this is the skin care collection i would recommend using. it is simple to use, and is outstanding! also, if your skin tends to be on the drier side as the cooler months approach, miracle worker will provide the extra layer of moisture without a greasy feeling and help hydrate your skin during the harsh weather months better than any moisturizer in our line.

heidi guest:
this TSV is ideal for the woman (or man) who is concerned about aging skin…and that is a large community of which I am a resident. this is for the person who yearns for the look of smooth, glowing, ageless skin. for those who are committed miracle worker moisturizer users, but have not used philosophy skin care as a system, this is a great way to procure a super-size version of the must-have moisturizer with its incredible cast of best supporting products. many miracle worker users haven’t yet tried miracle worker night and i know when they do, they will be amazed at the enhanced benefits they see when they look in their magnifying mirrors first thing in the morning. for the woman or man who has never used philosophy, and is concerned about dryness, and the appearance of fine lines, and wrinkles, this is a great way to get a complete am/pm system.

Q: what makes this TSV collection special?

dara lyn:

• it is truly one-stop shopping for advanced skincare. you receive everything you need for the am and the pm.
• we have taken the guesswork out of the equation and have given you the best anti-aging system we have to date.
• we have put together a system to help you look and feel wonderful.

mari lyn meier:
this collection could be all you need for clean, hydrated, youthful-looking skin. it's a great place to start your journey with philosophy if you are concerned about aging in general.

heidi guest:
this TSV is special because it delivers a simple, complete, scientific approach to effectively deal with the appearance of multiple signs of aging. it’s incredibly easy to use: three products for ageless-looking skin in the morning and three for night. most of us don’t have the time to devote to many-step skin care rituals and we want easy to use effective solutions. this 4-piece system delivers skin that is ageless, luminous, and healthy-looking. this TSV delivers on one of my favorite philosophies: the best foundation is great-looking skin.

Q: what is a tip/trick on one of these products that you would like to share?

dara lyn:

• in a hurry? blend a few drops of your serum and your miracle worker moisturizer in your palm and then apply. You have just turned two steps into one!
• want to skip makeup primer? miracle worker moisturizer makes an excellent primer. You will end up wearing less foundation and concealer and look better!

mari lyn meier:
we are all busy bees. if you need to speed up your routine, mix three drops of when hope is not enough serum with your moisturizer and save yourself a step. the product will be delivered exactly where it needs to go to begin working.

heidi guest:
I am a devotee of when hope is not enough facial firming serum. I have never used a product like it that produces such an immediate glow. Because it has anti-aging benefits, I use it on my face, neck, décolleté, hands, and even a couple of drops on my arms and legs pre-moisturizer (face or body) to give every inch of my skin a radiant glow.

It is the long awaited show this Friday....when you can finally get the G.I.L.I.(TM) Zipper Dress! This week we are showing you some of the most popular concepts for fall. The zipper dress brings in the element of zippers as an important design element.

The faux leather jacket brings in the leather influence, colors of leather, and darker hardware, and the longer military style jacket highlights the continuing military influence that is a mainstay in luxury, cold weather fashion.

There is a G.I.L.I.(TM) pendant and earrings that have a delicate feminine feel, and a bold status link bracelet that gives you a completely different direction. Of course, we have a brand-new beauty item for you and this week and it's from Dr. Gross, the renowned NY Dermatologist. I can't believe they are only two weeks left in the season of The Lisa Robertson Show!

See you Friday night at 10pm ET! :)
—Lisa

This week Rich and I had the opportunity to sneak away for a few days to sunny California. Although it was only three days, it was totally glorious and well worth the trip!

If you haven't heard, my daughter Jaclyn recently moved to California. We immediately booked our flights to checkout her new neighborhood and spend valuable time together.

Of course the moment I arrived, I was anxious to check out the new fashion designs at Fred Siegel. Jaclyn and I both adore that store! Next, we checked out all the boutiques and yummy places to eat.

The beaches were spectacular and we walked endlessly on the boardwalk. 

Jaclyn, Rich, and I took a yoga class together that stretched me out from head to toe!

Not only did I get to see Jaclyn and her boyfriend Kevin, I also visited my close friends and my brother Joel. We all had dinner together at our favorite Italian restaurant and talked into the wee hours of the night. 

Although my trip was short, it was jammed packed with quality time spent with the people I love. When I returned home, I felt refreshed with my heart full of joy and happiness!!

xoxo,

Susan

Click to  shop Susan Graver!

It's always grand when our Irish friends come to visit! It was so wonderful to see my pals from across the pond and celebrate Rose Of Tralee! I miss them already and can’t wait for their return in March! Here are a few behind the scenes photos for you to enjoy!

Happy Matt Doolan made the trip!

My buddy, Stephen Walsh with this beautiful Connemara Marble Claddagh ring representing Love, loyalty and friendship! 

John Cullen - my renaissance friend! 

Beautiful Irish sweaters!! 

And Katie las kept the party jumping!

Colm, Patricia, Kieran, Sinead, Barbara, Eve, Philip, Anita, and Barry! Safe travels and I can't wait to see you all again!

-Jane

If you follow me or Rachel Boesing on Facebook, then you know we walk a lot. This wonderful part of my life began after Rachel decided to help me train for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer walk.

When training for the event, I have to walk as much as 17 miles a day and that can be so long, exhausting and boring. Rachel jumped on board to help me train. Not only did this help me train and get ready for the long walk, but it did wonders for my head and heart.  Rachael and I talk and laugh for hours on these walks. It's like therapy, and part of the reason I love the actual event each year. It’s devoted time with my best friends.  

When training, I'm walking at least three or four days a week, so I have to be very specific about what I'm doing on my off days.  When I'm not training for the charity walk, I usually run, do yoga and mix in weight work.  But, because I don't have as much time, I have to be much more specific with what I do.  The only problem with this walk is that it takes hours a day to train.  It's so hard for me to be away from my kids for that long, especially since I am already away from them at work.  So on off days I don't do more than 30 minutes a day. The good news is that is all I need to do Pilates and Zumba.

I used to be a Mat Pilates instructor when I was a struggling actress in Los Angeles. I was so happy to start selling the Reformer on QVC, because I know it is a form of exercise that can truly work for everyone. The DVDs make it even easier. I love running, P90X, Tracy Anderson and Zumba, but I know from my own family, that not everyone can physically do such high impact work outs. I would never tell my mother, who never works out, to try working out with Tony Horton or have my Aunt, with her he arthritis and multiple foot and back surgeries, to go for a three mile run. But, I have told both of them to get the Reformer. In fact my Dad and step mom did get one and they love it!

There is no impact on your joints, you use your own body weight so it works for all levels, and the machine is on the ground so it’s not even hard to get on like others. And for someone like me who is very physically fit and needs more of a challenge, it can be adjusted to really kick my butt and give me a hard core work out inside of 20 or 30 minutes. The machines, whether you choose the 3 cord (beginner) or 5 cord (more advanced) come with videos so you can follow Marcheline in your workouts, but even more valuable to me is the wall chart of all the exercise broken into muscle groups.  I don't need to work out my lower body when I am walking so much, so I use my precious 20-30 minutes to focus on abs and arms.  No fail, every time I get off that machine my stress is less, my breathing is better, my heart rate is up and I feel that wonderful "good" sore.  

When I am using the reformer I turn up my music on my phone through my Braven (or if my husband doesn't have it the Bose) and rock out while I work out. I know I am a 30-something mother of two and a wife of over a decade, but I gravitate to work out music that is more in line with the college students that have all returned to my university town. Seriously, I need Pit Bull and Pink to get moving. Which is part of the reason I love Zumba. The music is heart pumping and toe tapping and before you know it you have danced away 25 minutes and you have a smile on your face. I was shocked when my mom said she went and took a Zumba class. I wish I had a picture of that! I studied musical theater in college and I was a professional dancer for a few years (while trying to make it as an actress a.k.a waitress/fitness instructor) so I guess I had to get that dance gene from someone. When I heard my mom was taking Zumba I was floored. But, it makes sense, it's just plain fun!!!! The Zumba movement has taken over. I heard its the fastest growing franchise in the U.S! Zumba isnt just a work out, it has become a way of life.  From the great colorful clothing, to the music, to the moves, it sticks with you all day long. Just a side note, I do recommend doing any exercise you do, in the morning. That is when our body’s are best prepared for the impact and so much can happen during the day that can prevent you from getting a workout in at the end of the day. So if you are starting something new, do it first thing in the morning.  Have a glass of water, a small bit to eat and your Natures Code Vitamins and then go work out.  Before the kids, husband, dogs, work, stuff of the day, get in the way. Okay, back to Zumba.  My mom didn't stick with the classes. She went to two. She had other challenges that kept her from following through but the beauty of having my own Zumba DVDs is that I don't need to get in the car, fight the weather, fight traffic, and fight my feelings of inferiority dancing in front of other people and so on. If I only have 20, 30, 40 minutes I don't waste any time.  I walk up the stairs in whatever mommy attire I happen to have on and put on my tennis shoes and dance.  Its a blast!  It just makes you smile. I can dance, not as well as the instructors, but I do have some moves left in me. But, even if you can’t dance, it’s not intimidating. I have a wedding coming up and I love the DVD that shows all the different types of dance. I can even pick up a few new moves for the party. It’s like going to a dance class. But, no matter which DVD I use, the goal is to get moving.  And not just chasing toddlers and dogs moving but heart pounding, muscles firing moving.  

I’ve said it in just about every blog and Ill say it again, I NEED to work out for my mental health. There is something about those endorphins that give me a better outlook on life. My husband will tell me to go work out when he can tell I am getting moody or sad. If I skip a day or two my attitude is much worse. That’s just how my mind and body work. Other people can be fine without getting their heart rate up every day, I just can't. And, I’m always looking for different ways to keep myself going.  

The end of the summer means I usually get a little blue as the weather gets grey, so its even more important for me to get my heart rate up. So now as my babies (can I even call them that anymore??) go back to school, (again a reason I'm blue) I start getting back on track, back into a routine. Though I'm not doing the walk this year, I still enjoy knowing that I can walk to my hearts content without worrying when I'll squeeze in the rest of my workouts. I'd love to hear if you like Pilates or Zumba, or what keeps you moving! Happy "end" of Summer my friends.

Have a blessed day!

Kerstin

PS- Be sure to follow Nancy Hornbeck as she gets ready for this year's race!

Like -  www.facebook.com/kerstinlindquistqvc.
Follow - www.twitter.com/kerstinlindQVC
and read more....  http://qvc.co/KLblogs

Relaxing and getting away from it all is how almost everybody likes to enjoy their vacation, and I am no exception. There is a trend to go totally gadget free, and leave all the tech at home, and I was ready to take that challenge during my escape from the everyday routine . So how did QVC’s tech guy fair for 10 straight days unplugged? Not very well.

Don’t get me wrong. I get it. The idea of totally disconnecting and getting away from technology is a noble pursuit, but it didn’t work for me. The Super Smith Vacation 2014 began with a trip to a water park. My daughters and I spent the night before scoping out the slides thanks to YouTube videos and the park’s website. Battling brutal traffic on I-95 required the maps on my iPhone to be in a constant search to find a road that didn't resemble a parking lot. There was also plenty of reading, and all of it was done on a Nook. Then in the middle of all the good times and laughs, there was the passing of Robin Williams. I found out through a random conversation, not some text or email alert, but once I learned this sad news, I needed to connect and learn more. For a couple of days, I spent several nighttime hours watching old Robin Williams’ movie clips and reading dozens of articles. I felt a need to connect to what was going on, and I was glad to have a tablet and WiFi connection to make that happen.

So the idea of being totally tech free was a failure, but I certainly did take a break. Did I spend more than a few fleeting seconds on Facebook over those 10 days? Nope. Did I read an email? Not a single one. In fac,t my phone and tablet spent the overwhelming majority of my vacation sitting on a non-descript countertop while I conquered water slides, margaritas and fun in the sun. When that big fireball in the sky faded to the west, my family and I played epic games of cards instead of clicking the remote, and it was great. Then when the morning sun returned, we were on our bikes and off to the next adventure whose only tech specs I was concerned with were SPF numbers. For a pale skinned guy like me, that means SPF 15 or above, and I’ve got the sunburn to prove it.

Did I get away from it all? No, but I don’t want to. However, I do see the importance of taking some kind of a break. At QVC we have a phrase called “Be here now,” and for those 10 days I absolutely was. As I make my way back to work, the connection to emails, news alerts, and text messages will go back to normal, but I also hope to unplug more when it’s time for family fun. Finding that balance is key, and its not an easy balance for any of us to get just right. I will absolutely keep on trying.

As always, feel free to connect with me on Facebook at Craig Smith for QVC. 

Back to school!!!  Yay or Nay?  If you are an empty nester for the first time your first response is probably… it’s too soon to say. 

Several ladies I work with have asked me recently how I got through the emptiness, loneliness and sadness that comes when the kids are all gone.  While I don’t consider myself an expert and everyone’s situation is different, I did offer some advice on the things that worked for me the first time both Lauren & Chelsea were out of the nest. 

First, Congratulations!!!  You did it!!  You survived elementary school, middle school, high school, school concerts, parent teacher conferences after school activities & sports, taxi mom duties, getting their driver’s license, SAT’s etc.  I could go on and on but you get the gist of what I am saying.  We have been there every step of the way for our children and served them well.  Through it all we loved every minute of it and would do it again if given the opportunity. You should be very proud of the job you did with your children.

Now it is time to let Jesus take the wheel and realize that this is not just a new chapter in their lives, it is also a new chapter in yours.  Think of it as a new beginning for everyone, not an ending. 

Take some time, all the time that you need to relax into your new nest.  I found I felt like I should be doing something every minute.  After so many years of doing, doing, doing it felt strange not keeping that same pace. 

I highly recommend getting your home organized.  I started by really taking a hard look at my closet.  I purged a lot of stuff, donated things I haven’t worn in years etc.  It is a good feeling.  Next, I made some changes to our master bedroom.  New comforter, sheets, rug.  We re-decorated Lauren & Chelsea’s rooms through each milestone from infant to big girls, then teen to young adult, and had not done anything new to our master suite.  Time to create that sanctuary.

Next, on to the girl’s rooms.  They took all of the things they could not live without to school with them so anything that was left I packed up or donated.  We donated their twin beds and got queens for when the queens come home. 

I cleaned out my pantry, kitchen cabinets and garage.  I took my time and just did a little at a time.  And I still do the same thing with cleaning the house.  I keep a tidy house but I am not obsessed with it being spotless.  My house won’t pass the white glove test. I would rather spend time doing fun stuff. 

Now to the fun stuff!  For me, it was painting again.  The last time I took a painting class was when I was pregnant with Lauren.  Now I can’t stop.  Find whatever it is that you enjoy and JUST DO IT!!

Simple suggestions really.  I don’t think I am telling you anything you haven’t heard before. 

For all of you that still have babies, toddlers, pre-teens & teens, relish the time with them because it goes by sooooo fast.  Celebrate with them when they head off to new adventures as adults.  Remember that this is a new beginning for everyone and Lord willing your family will move forward together.

Blessings,

Jayne

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/JayneBrownQVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaynebrown1

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jaynebrownqvc

Hi Everyone,

This is a very big week for me.  I am so excited to be heading back to QVC this weekend for two shows on September 7.  I’ll be with Jennifer at 4:00am and Antonella at 4:00pm, what fun! While we have all been crazy for Sleeping Beauty Turquoise this year, I am thrilled to celebrate some other luscious, magical gems on this visit.  Back in February, at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I discovered the availability of the most awesome quality Charoite and Apatite, two gems I have always loved, but cannot always have!  I also fell in love with a new stone called Golden Sheen Obsidian.  Imagine dusting Black Obsidian with a fine golden powder, fabulous!  It’s taken us almost seven months to bring these new designs to QVC, and just in time for adding these saturated, rich gems to our fall wardrobes!

And speaking of TRUE GEMS…..I am about to step out on a 3Day 60 mile journey in the fight to end breast cancer with my great friend, 5 year breast cancer survivor, passionate mother and wife,  amazing QVC Host, and  recent Graduate Gemologist Nancy Hornback!  We will be participating in the Philadelphia 3Day beginning September 12th.  Nancy has lovingly created six t-shirts for us to wear with the name you all chose for our two-girl team, “Gemtastic Q-Ties”.  If you want Nancy and me to walk for someone touched by breast cancer, let me know! We'll write their first name on the back of our shirts that we'll wear during the Susan G. Komen 3-Day on Sept 12-14!be wearing all weekend.  And if you’re in Philly, we’d love to see you at the cheering stations! 

Thank you all for your friendship, love and support!

Sincerely,

Carolyn

Internet trends come and go, but once they do hit, look out. Within days, millions (yes millions) of people around the world are joining in and posting about it online. Most of the time, it’s just something silly and mindless (yes, I’m referring to you Harlem Shakers). Other times, it’s just something cute that makes us all laugh. However, all of these viral trends are almost always connected with a common theme. They are simple, fun, and quickly out of our minds in a week or two.

The latest trend dominating our news feeds and in-boxes certainly meets the fun criteria, but after that, this one is vastly different. It’s called the Ice Bucket Challenge, and if you haven’t seen one of these videos yet, let me be the first person to welcome you back to the planet. People all over the world are dumping buckets of ice cold water over their heads to draw attention and help raise funds in the battle against the very scary disease called ALS. The goofiness of these videos doesn’t always make that fact clear. In fact, in my own Craig Smith for QVC Facebook video, I screwed a couple of things up, but the goal is a noble one. If we all come together, we can make a difference, and we are.

ALS is a scary thing, and sadly it claimed the life of one of my high school classmates. Scott Shapleigh died a little over 2 years ago, long before dumping buckets of ice water over your head became the trend du jour. I wasn’t particularly close with Scott. We were passing friends in the hallways of school, and I hadn’t seen him in years when a mutual friend told me about his troubles. It hit me hard, and I felt helpless. Thanks to social media and emails, several members of my class chipped in, and we were able to help Scott and his family out during Scott’s final months. We may have done a little to make his world slightly more comfortable, but that was all we could accomplish. Scott lost his fight, and we all lost a really great guy. Since then, most of us have gone back to our normal lives, but for those closest to Scott, I don’t think that transition will ever be complete.

I hadn’t thought about Scott in a while, but all these videos have brought his memory back to my mind. I keep reading news reports about the huge spike in donations to ALS charities. I’ve seen George W Bush, Bill Gates, and hundreds of strangers take the challenge. My favorite video has to be Eddie Vedder who honors former NFL player Steve Gleason before getting soaked. After living in New Orleans for 5 years, I have a soft spot for the Saints, and Steve’s #nowhiteflags campaign has been amazing as he fights for himself and others with ALS.

Like any hot topic, the Ice Bucket Challenge has its fair share of critics. I’ve read “is dumping water on your head do anything for ALS?” more times than I can count. This is may be your opinion too. I for one do think it makes a difference, and I’m glad I did it. In a few months, the attention given to ALS will likely fade, and we’ll be busy watching  the next internet trend comes our way. I only hope that one also finds a way to bring us together and make the word a better place. Until then, keep dumping away, and #nowhiteflags.

Connect with me on Facebook at Craig Smith for QVC. 

my recent time off gave me time to cocoon, heal. There were days I didn't lv the house bc it brought me safety, simplicity. My home has always been Where I go for comfort. Shhh don't Tell anybody, I'm secretly a homebody-introvert. :)

Joe and I moved over the summer so little by little rooms are coming together. And yes I know I over decorate. Joe jokes my style is best described as, "no wall space showing" with a dose of, "hang something everywhere". If done right, I do love clutter. Makes me feel safe. :)

here is a peek into our dining room. I will share more pics of the rest of our home as soon as i can. 

Hve a great day!
SK 

We are greatly saddened by the loss of our dear friend Joan Rivers.  She has been a special part of our QVC family for 24 years, and we knew Joan not only as an extraordinary comedian, writer, producer and business leader, but as a generous and caring spirit, who inspired us to be better every day.  Joan truly loved her customers, and delighted in bringing joy and inspiration to their lives over these last many years.  We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and fans.

Mike George, President and CEO, QVC