Hi, everyone!

How is school going for your kids? Are they still having fun? My kids have another few months before the days seem to start earlier, the homework gets tougher, and the “love” really starts to fade. But the chaos has officially hit the Bauer house and their school stuff is EVERYWHERE. Luckily, I anticipated this.  And, before school began, I created a school supply organizer for the pencils, crayons, markers, and supplies.

Okay, I may or may not have also wanted to feature this project on You’re Home with Jill so I had to make it before school began. But, it's it awesome! That’s an over-the-door shoe organizer. I use these everywhere in my home…in my closet for shoes and accessories, in the kids’ rooms for their toys, and I’ve even seen them used in the pantry to hold spices, kitchen utensils, and foods. So, I thought, why couldn’t I make a school supply organizer?

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Shoe organizer with clear plastic pockets
• Scrapbook paper or card-stock
• Label maker
• Double-sided tape
• School supplies

And to assemble, measure the inside of clear pockets and cut your scrapbook paper or card-stock to size. Insert the paper and adhere each piece with a piece of double-sided tape. Decide how you would like supplies to be organized, make the labels for each pocket, and adhere them to the front of each pocket. 

That’s our DIY project this Wednesday on You’re Home with Jill. Stay tuned for my blog on Tuesday…I’ll share my recipe for Apple Brownies! See you Wednesday at 7pm ET!

From my home to yours,
—Jill

Last year I designed a wedding on the most beautiful island I have ever seen – Antigua.  The entire wedding weekend was wonderful and to top it off, I had a private tour of the gardens at the resort with the 2 head gardeners Ezra and Smooth!  It was truly idyllic and I have dreamt of going back ever since – with my husband Joe and sons, John 19 and Kyle 23 years old.   Truly, there was nothing better than having my family all to myself (trapped, if you will) on this island paradise.    

Antigua is an island in the eastern Caribbean 14 miles long and 11 miles wide.  The climate boasts winter temperatures in the mid-seventies and summer in the mid-eighties.  Known as one of the sunniest islands in the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua only gets about 45 inches of rainfall annually – compare that to the 58 inches of SNOW we got in Pennsylvania this winter… needless to say, I’ve had my bags packed since January!

If you are a garden fan like me, do not forget to plan ahead for a garden and property tour.  Ezra and Smooth were more than happy to show me their gardens and the latest additions to the property.  I was excited to see them again and their exotic gardens.   It doesn’t get much better than having a behind-the-scenes tour on your vacation with another gardener who is more than happy to show you what they love.  It’s as easy as asking the concierge or hotel manager if you can meet the head gardener or designer and if they would be willing to show you around.  Chances are great they will not only be flattered, but will enjoy speaking with another garden enthusiast (you) too! 

My “boys” Joe, Kyle and John and I had blast fishing, eating, swimming, sailing….everything Antigua has to offer.  My “Antigua boys” Ezra, Smooth and I had a great time reuniting and talking about the beautiful island and its indigenous plants.   So don’t forget or be hesitant to ask to speak with the property’s gardener – a special tour or even conversation will make for a wonderful addition to any once in a lifetime trip!

- Barbara

Now that September is here, summer vacation seems like a distant memory. But I promised to share a few photos from my family’s vacation in Mexico, so I thought now was as good a time as any. Just one thing, revisiting these pictures is making me think a fall vacation doesn’t sound half bad.

Enjoy!

Family Photo at sunset

The beautiful grounds of our resort

Authentic Mexican meal prepared for us

Risking my life on the zip line

Family bonfire complete with s’mores and a piñata

Sailing on the Espiritu Santi Sailboat

The famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas

Shopping for a straw bag on the beach

The girls all got turtle bracelets

Andrew getting a hanna tattoo

Twice a week I have been using Dr. Gross' facial steamer to help get my skin in tip top shape. It opens up my pores so that I can take the bad stuff out and get some of the good in.

Next I use my clarisonic with TATCHA to help restore moisture and get rid of the dirt and oil.

I follow up with dr.gross glow pads to get radiance and a hunt of color.

I finish my am routine with it cosmetics CC cream and my night routine with dr. Denese triple strength wrinkle smoother for face and neck.

For my hair I got it cut and colored three weeks out but decided to keep it much like I normally wear it. To make sure it looks incredibly healthy I have been using tea tree treatment oil nightly and then the remoisting treatment twice a week.

Nails- what a fun accessory for the big day! I wanted to do something natural but with a kick...

Here are three looks my friends at julep created that a neutral tones that have a fashion forward theme to them. All of these were created with their brand new accessory kit and colors. Which look do you like best? Vote here: 

XO,CC

http://www.facebook.com/CourtneyCasonQVC

http://twitter.com/CourtneyQVC

http://instagram.com/courtneycasonqvc

http://gather.qvc.com/member/CourtneyCason/

Find More Wedding Inspiration at Southern Living :)

We saw that many of you were asking about the Stormy Rivers videos and we thought you would like to see these.

Stormy Rivers was QVC's first-ever (and last!) ShopOpera. Conceived by host Rick Domeier, written by Ellen Thorn, and produced by QVC's in-house video production team. The "actors" were Joan Rivers, Lisa Robertson, Dave King, Rick Domeier, and Joan's QVC models, Staci Dickerson and Suzanne Thompson. Voice-over talent was Carolyn Gracie and David Venable.

Character Intro's:

Host on QVC:

Joan Interview:

In honor of the start of the start of the season we thought we'd share a few of our hosts all decked out in their team's gear! Take a look.

Rick 

Stacey

Dan

Jennifer

Mary Beth Roe

What's your favorite team?!

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our customers about Santa's Best Christmas Trees.

Do you have a question? Please post it below, and check back throughout the day on Saturday, September 20th for the answer from our Santa's Best team of experts!

Q: Where do I find replacement bulbs?

A: Each tree comes with replacement bulbs.  Should you have misplaced or need more please call Santa’s Best customer service.  This is a specialty bulb, please do not use ordinary bulbs bought in the marketplace.

Q: Can I use this tree with a rotating stand?

A:  We do not recommend it.  Consumer would need to have the top of the line stand, due to the girth and weight of the tree.  Some rotating stands would not support it, and it's too risky.

Q: If I shut my tree off do I need to cycle through the functions again when I turn it back on?

A: No, both the on/off of 7 function control box and 7 function remote have memory, so your last function when you turn off your tree will be the first function that appears when you turn it back on.  Please note the functions on the remote only go forward on the remote, and not backwards.

Q: If I bought 2 Santa’s Best Foxwood Fir with 7 functions can I get them to be on different functions?

A: If the consumer wants to have separate functions, they need to set the 1st tree and then unplug it.  Then set the 2nd tree, and plug back in the first.  The remote is universal and will change the function of both trees if they are within the remote distance noted in question 6.

Q: Do I need to have the remote in clear sight?

A: The remote may work through a wall, but the signal could be affected. 

Q: What distances can my remote work at?

A: 20FT without the antenna extended; 40FT with antenna extended

Q: What is the length of the plug in cord?

A:  60" from control box to adapter

Q: Where is my battery?

A: Attached to the plug in cord in clear protective wrap.

Q: Where is the 7 function control box.

A: The 7 function control box is fastened with a zip tie at the bottom branch underneath the tree.

Ever since I can remember, Sundays were a BIG day in our household.  Each week, my dad and I would sit down in front of the television, with slices of ring bologna and a bowl of chips in hand - and watch football!!! Then, we would do it again on Monday nights. Even as I write this I can hear the classic Monday Night Football theme music...(Dada, Dada, Dada)... and the familiar voices of Howard Cosell and Al Michaels.  Those two were like family.  I love football! 

My dad played in college and he and I would toss a ball around in the backyard.  Growing up, I watched a lot of Steelers games in awe of the precision of Terry Bradshaw and agility of Lynn Swan.  But I grew up around Philadelphia, so I started as an Eagles fan.  Then, while attending college in Pittsburgh, I was quickly won over by the city's love of the game, its humble roots and the amazing Steelers fans.  I have never looked back and bleed black and gold on game day. I've taken a lot of heat for it, especially from my husband who is a die-hard Eagles Fan.  But it's all good!  The rivalry is fun and makes for a loud Stauffer household. 

  My best friend, Liz, and my Steelers rally partner in crime!

My oldest son Ben now plays flag football and I'm sure his little brother will be right behind. It’s a whole different experience cheering for a team for which your children play.  I am little more nervous, but it definitely makes the game I so dearly love - that much sweeter!  

My dad and Ben #7

Little Larry in his Eagles jersey and Mickey.

Ok - pass the chips....

-Stacey

Hi, ladies!

I am very excited about our Denim & Co. Today’s Special Value today, September 8^th, being that it’s our first Denim & Co. “How Comfy” legging! We’ve offered many “How Comfy” bottoms in our soft knit fabric, but this is the first time we are offering it in a legging style. Our “How Comfy” program offers pants that have jean styling but offer the comfort of a yoga pant. It is in our soft, stretchy & comfy 96% cotton/4% Spandex “How Comfy” French terry fabrication. It is a pull-on style with a flat elastic waistband, with jean styling details like a faux fly and functional front scoop pockets. It has a very clean, plain back.

The fit of this pant sits slightly below the waist, like you are used to, but it has a fitted fit through the hip & thigh (since it is a true legging style). Being a legging, it also has a narrow leg opening. And it is being offered in 3 lengths today: the Regular with a 29” inseam, Petite with a 26” inseam, and Tall with a 32” inseam.

It is a great wardrobe staple for fall, as leggings can be styled in so many different ways and is so great for layering.  I would wear it with a long tunic & some great boots!  Check out Gary’s blog for some great styling options.

The colors available today are Dark Indigo, Black, Grey, True Olive, Dark Chocolate, & Fall Wine. What colors are you looking at today?

Greetings Denim and Company Fans!!

I believe this is the MOST excited I have ever been to tell you about one of our awesome TSV's!!

Gary and the team have been working on our new How Comfy Leggings for about a YEAR now, and I think the end result is fantastic!! In other words.....YOU will LOVE these!! Introducing our first EVER "How Comfy Pull On Leggings"!!  Ladies, if I can wear these and look great, so can you!! They are a substantial knit that flatters EVERY woman's figure!! The same How Comfy fabric you already know and love in our How Comfy knit jeans!! These PULL ON, FLAT FRONT LEGGINGS are PERFECT to wear with boots, shooties, flats or heels...whatever  you prefer! PERFECT to wear with all of your longer or tunic length tops!!  These are a brand new leg shape in our "How" program of Denim and Company pant silhouettes!

Here are some things you'll want to know about our new leggings:

• They give you the look of a "jegging" or "jean legging", without the woven denim. They are as comfy as a yoga pant in there wonderful knit, french terry fabrication!
• They are available in Petite (26 inch), Tall (32 inch) and Regular (29 inch) inseams and are a full length legging!
• You CAN tuck them into your boots easily!
• They feature a pull on style and FLAT waistband for a comfortable, clean look!
• AND they come in all the colors you'll want for this Fall season:
• Black, Dark Indigo, Charcoal Grey, Dark Chocolate, Fall Wine and True Olive!
• Easy care? You bet! Machine wash and tumble dry!

If you have always wanted the slimmest look possible and the most comfort at the same time, you need to try these new How Comfy Leggings! I wore them a few days before the TSV launch as a sneak peek and got RAVE reviews from the customers who were tuned in that day! Of course, I will be adding these to Carolyn's Closet as soon as I can get to the phone to place my order!

It's just another way Denim and Company is helping you to look Fabulous For Fall!!

Happy Shopping!

Your fellow Denim Diva,

Carolyn

See more of my favorite Denim & Company pieces in my toGather collections and on my Facebook page, and of course in my regular 11:00am Denim and Company show on Tuesdays!

Breakfast Bake

• 1 bag or box of croutons
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 pounds sausage links, cooked and diced
• 6 eggs
• 2-3/4 cups milk
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (optional)

Line croutons in the bottom of a greased baking dish. (This time I used a 7" x 11" pan, but a 9" x 13" will also work)

Top with sausage and cheese. Beat eggs with milk and pour over cheese, sausage and croutons. Refrigerate overnight. 

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 and a 1/2 hours. (Optional - pour can of soup over top just prior to baking)

Enjoy!

Counting our blessings!

Mary Beth Roe 

“Alright, let’s think of a game plan.” You might be thinking you’re in the locker room of a major football stadium, and your coach is getting you hyped for the big game. Actually, we’re in Dr. Dennis Gross’ dermatology office at 900 5th Avenue, and Dr. Gross and I are preparing a skin-care regimen for a special patient who’s about to have a huge event—her wedding!

I’m Courtney Brooks, and I’m the Director of Medical Aesthetics in Dr. Gross’ office. Think of me as his offensive coordinator. Together, Dr. Gross and I are working with QVC's very own Courtney Cason to determine what she needs to have glowing, radiant skin for her special day.

In fact, when we heard that Courtney was getting married, we couldn’t wait to get started! The best part is that she can perform all the necessary steps at home using our products, without ever having to step inside our office.

Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, creating a beautiful, healthy-looking glow for a wedding takes time. Courtney already has lovely skin, so we wanted to help her boost and maintain that fresh glow. We advised that Courtney start performing at-home facials on herself one month prior to her wedding.

The steps for a proper at-home facial

• Gentle cleansing: this removes dirt, oil, and debris.
• Steam: this allows clogged pores to open and for ingredients to penetrate.

Here’s Courtney using Steamer Solutions!

• Apply peel: this will help exfoliate away dead skin cells and introduce hydrating ingredients to the skin.
• Moisturizer: this will hydrate skin and lock in moisture.

Here's what we recommended for Courtney: All-In-One Cleanser with Toner, Steamer Solutions, the Original Alpha Beta Peels, Ferulic + Retinol Fibroblast Anti-Aging Moisturizer, and our newest product innovation, Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream.

With Courtney’s skin on the fast track to looking smooth and even, she can boost her regimen even more by performing an Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel one week before her wedding.

Step 1 of the Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel—which contains 15 acids and employs thick, luxurious pads—helps firm the skin and improve cell turnover. Step 2 is an innovative peptide milk emulsion.

Courtney’s on her way to a beautiful complexion for her big day! All that’s left is day-before prep. And now that she has deeply exfoliated, it’s time to use the Alpha Beta Glow Pads. This unique peel not only helps maintain smooth skin with exfoliating acids, it contains subtle tanning agents that give skin a gorgeous candlelit glow

With this peel routine, Courtney is all set for her wedding. We can't wait to see the stunning bride!

One more thing—be sure to tune in Tuesday, September 9 for Tuesday Night Beauty to see Dr. Gross feature his Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel.

My very best wishes to Courtney and to all of you!

—Courtney Brooks

Hello there pet mamas and papas!

It looks like we had a lot of fur babies waiting by the window for their friends to come back from school last week! Thank you for taking the time to send in photos of your pets for us to show on Sundays with Carolyn and Dan. Here is a sampling of the great photos...be sure to check them all out on my Facebook page!

XOXO from your fellow pet lovers,

Carolyn and Dan

Hi Kids! How thrilled are you for fall?! The hot, sticky temperatures are over. Now, don’t get me wrong, summer is a fabulous season but there’s something special about fall.

My favorite place to be during weekends in September is Bridgehampton. From lazing around in the backyard to spending time in the kitchen with my husband, there’s no place in the world I’d rather be.

So, without further ado, here are my Bridgehampton Top Three:

1. Harry and Dean (Best Dogs in the World)

When we’re in Bridgehampton, Harry and Dean (my boys) are living the life. Sun bathing, laps in the pool and leisurely afternoons are their favorite.

2. Farm living

I always stop at my favorite farmstand - Pike’s Farmstand in Sagaponack. There’s a reason this place is always packed —the heirloom tomatoes are EVERYTHING and the corn is luscious.

3. Can you can?

When the summer ends, I like to can some of my best farm finds, especially tomatoes. I can the tomatoes for an entire year! Once they’re ready, I use them to make jars of my special gourmet sauce, which I give out as gifts – but only to a very select few.

That’s it for now kids! Have a great start to September!

xIsaac

Fashionably Early has a new look and we want YOU to be a part of our social. Each week we hope to ask a question or solicit for engaging photos and show some of these on air.  We were thrilled to have over 368 people respond on both Jayne’s and my Facebook page when we asked: 

What time do you usually wake up?

… Here are a few of the fun responses.. thank you!

Sharon Alexander: Usually around 5 a.m. The cats don't know I'm retired! Glad there will be a Fashionably Late. Most of the fashion shows are at impossible times for those of us in the West.

Betsy Wagner: I get up super early. I am always happy on mornings that fashionably early is on! Love the show!

Sharon Adams Everhart: Up at 4:30 make breakfast & packing 2 lunches for my kids get them out the door by 6:30 . Oh my time for coffee and qvc .

Julie Kenney: On Fashionably Early Days, I get up at 4:45am so can be all set & ready to watch Jayne & Pat.

Tracy Hyle O'Shea: School days are here so we are up between 5:30am & 6:00am. Love turning QVC on as soon as I am up.

Susan Zweier-zatorski: 5:00-5:15 pst. So ok it's 8:15 your time.I dvr your show and watch the last bits of 45 mins with coffee.

In case you missed us this am.. we revealed the new set, celebrated our model Ann’s birthday.. and Jayne proceeded to show us her funky socks… Stay tuned for Fashionably Early on Friday @ 6am and a special Fashionably Late on Saturday at 8pm. 

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

Twitter: www.twitter.com/pdementri

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PatJamesDeMentriQVC

I got to work with Train. Not the locomotive. The 20-years-running, 10 million-albums-sold, 30 million-singles-sold, 3-time Grammy-award-winning Train. To say I felt lucky is an understatement. I've loved their music for years and couldn't believe they were HERE at QVC!

If you’re familiar with them, then you know what I am talking about. Never heard of them? They sing “Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Drive By,” “Marry Me,” and many, many more favorite radio songs. They make great all-American music. They are completely diverse: sometimes their sounds is country, sometimes it’s reggae, there’s a little Motown woven in there sometimes, but ALWAYS rock-and-roll. You can sing to it, you can dance to it, and you can DRIVE to it.

So what the heck were they doing at QVC? We have always had shows called Q Sessions Live. We have featured some incredible musical acts…Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton were some of the recent legends that stopped by. Now we have Q Sessions Backstage running on QVC PLUS® the hour before Q Sessions Live to give you some behind-the-scenes on the band!

On Friday, I hosted the pre-show and Carolyn Gracie hosted the concert. In the pre-show, we watched all-new footage of the band at the Ravinia Festival. They talked about everything: how they write songs, teases from the new album, and the fact that they make WINE! Yup, the band’s diversity doesn’t stop at music. As a northern California band, they wanted to tie in their neck-of-the-woods and give back to their fans. Check out the story; it’s heart-warming to see a big-time band care so deeply.

It was a BLAST. Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford, and the whole band brought the HOUSE down! Check out some photos from the shows, their new CD Bulletproof Picasso (with the exclusive bonus disc ONLY at QVC!), and their AWESOME wine. Also, if you are thinking, “I wish I could have seen the concert” – you can! It has been uploaded, in full, to our YouTube channel. Click or tap HERE to watch the concert in full. ENJOY!

Who would you like to see on Q Sessions live? Sure would love to hear who your favorites are. See you soon! ~ Mary DeAngelis

Hello, foodies…

We’ve had an interesting weekend weather-wise here in the Philadelphia area. Friday it was HOT, Saturday it was HOTTER, and yesterday was COOL! Today it’s a balmy 73. I think we’re officially on our way to autumn. And you know what, I’m ready.

I think knowing what we’re making on Wednesday on In the Kitchen with David helped me make the transition. We’re making my Pressure Cooker Beef Stroganoff which is hot, hearty, and a true cool-weather classic. Luckily for you, busy mom or dad, our recipe is fast. REALLY fast, which means you can make it to practice, that church meeting, the open house…whatever is on the calendar for your busy weeknight ahead.

Pressure Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Serves 6–8

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup medium-diced onion
• 10 oz package mushrooms, quartered
• 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 cups dry penne
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 4 oz cream cheese, cut into small pieces and room temperature

Preparation:

1. Set your pressure cooker on the brown setting. Brown the ground beef with the garlic and drain off the excess fat. Stir in the onions, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, penne, thyme, salt and pepper.
2. Place the lid on pressure cooker and lock in place. Pressure cook for 7 minutes on high. Release the pressure and remove the lid. Fold in cream cheese until melted.

This recipe is prepared with the Cook's Essentials® 6-Qt Round Digital Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker (K41143).

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

Foodies, if you just started pressure cooking, you won’t regret it. But if you’re still on the fence about the process—maybe you remember the pressure cookers of long ago—trust me when I tell you that things have changed and only for the better. Here’s how the process works in a nutshell.

Okay, time for your blog question. Beef stroganoff is a classic beef casserole…what’s your favorite beefy dish? Do you love shepherd’s pie? Beef stew? Pot roast? Beef pot roast will always be my favorite beefy dish—and comfort food for that matter. My mother usually made a beef pot roast on Sundays and we all sat down for dinner together after church. I can still taste the potatoes, carrots, mashed potatoes, and gravy. YUM!

I’ll see you Wednesday night for In the Kitchen with David, foodies. The fun starts at 8pm ET.

Keep it flavorful!
—David

Since it was unseasonable cool this summer, I got to take my Clarks Crystal Quartz wedges out early for a little spin. And let me tell you, they are fabulous! As you can see, I wore a basic t-shirt and jeans, but my wine colored wedges instantly and effortlessly added a splash of sass.  Whether you plan to wear them out shopping like I did, to work or (if you’re lucky), on a hot date, the two and a half inch wedge offers a boost in height without compromising comfort.  Plus our beloved bendables technology creates a broken-in feeling right out of the box. While I love the water-resistant suede styles, you can’t go wrong with the always luxurious black leather. Which color and texture do you see yourself sporting this season?

Talk about a throwback…check out this picture of me and my Dad from my freshman year in college! I found this photo recently and it stirred up so many incredible memories. It perfectly captures the love and support I got from both my parents throughout my life. But it also brings me right back to the excitement of starting a new school year…and all the good stuff that went along with it.

It’s been quite some time since I headed back to school, myself. But I still use this time of year as an excuse to organize my life and stock up for the busy months ahead. It’s just a lot more fun now. Because these days, I celebrate back-to-baking instead of back-to-school. And it’s much yummier. ;)  

Of course, it’s the perfect time of year to recreate some of the recipes my mom used to make as special after-school treats for my sister and me. As a working mother, back-to-school season was extra hectic for my mom. But she always took the time to make delicious casseroles and a few unforgettable desserts during those first weeks back to school, just to give us a little something to look forward to at the end of the day. Like her easy Lemon Blueberry Tube Cake (recipe below), which is one of my favorites, to this day.

These are all the memories swirling around my head as I get ready for this week’s Cooking on Q: Comfort Cooking event. And you’ll see it on air, too. Because we’re whipping up lots of fun fall foods with the help of brand new temp-tations designed to help make your fall cooking and baking so much easier.

When we first debuted our temp-tations Bake Set, the rolling pin was the very heart of the collection. It’s such an iconic symbol of everything cozy and comforting about the kitchen…and it’s tied to so many kitchen memories. Every time I reach for my rolling pin, I remember tagging around after my grandmother in the kitchen, sneaking tastes and nibbles of her yummy family recipes whenever she’d let me. And learning them by heart without even realizing it.  

From the very start, so many people have shared similar memories, so I decided to design a stand-alone rolling pin set…and now it’s here! Our temp-tations Ceramic Rolling Pin with Stand is now available on its own in your favorite patterns and colors. Plus, it’s available in seasonal patterns and colors, too. So ready to get rolling on yummy pies, cookies, biscuits and making brand new cozy memories in the kitchen. 

Our Set of 4 Scoop and Measure Spoons are so pretty and versatile, you may just decide to keep them on display all the time. I know I reach for them so many times a day, I’ve lost count. And they’re a fun way to add a pop of color to your kitchen décor. 

Then, of course, there’s our beautiful Floral Lace Set of 2 9" Deep Dish Pie Plates. You won’t believe just how easy it is to make – and present – your favorite family recipes with this versatile set. And, here’s my favorite idea: Keep a dish for yourself, then bake something in the second pie plate and gift it to a dear friend or family member. Such a heartwarming gift!

In the mood to bake yet? Just wait until you see all the goodies we have prepped for Cooking on Q! Here’s a taste of my mom’s recipe, to get you started.

BLUEBERRY LEMON TUBE CAKE

Cake

2 boxes yellow cake mix

1 ½ cups fresh blueberries

¼ cup flour

4 Tablespoons lemon zest

Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

⅔ cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Lightly spray your temp-tations fluted tube pan with non-stick spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl prepare cake mix according to package instructions.  Stir in lemon zest.
3. Toss blueberries and flour in a small bowl.
4. Place half of the batter in the pan. Sprinkle with half of the blueberries.
5. Top with remaining batter and then the rest of the blueberries.
6. Bake for 45 – 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving.  Turn out onto serving plate.
8. For the icing, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth.  Drizzle over cake and serve.

See? Looks like Wednesday is shaping up to be a delicious day. And chock full of savings, too. QVC is offering Easy Pay on select temp-tations until 11:59 ET 9/12.

Hope you’ll tune in (and chime in – click here to join the Live Chat with Lisa at 11:00 am ET) to let us know what cozy comfort foods you’re looking forward to this fall!

XOXO

Tara

I share a love for the autumn season with so many of you!  

Here are a few decorating tips that I hope will be helpful as your dress your home for Fall.

To create this mantlescape follow these easy steps…to hang the wreath on a mirror, you can use a suction cup hook available at your local craft or home improvement store.

The hook will hold your wreath securely.  

To add height on each end of the mantle you can fill a glass or wire apothecary with season elements.

Start by gathering seasonal elements with interesting textures and colors that will add visual interest to your container.

Layer the elements.

You might like an airy feeling like this glass apothecary jar..or you may prefer a denser look achieved in this wire apothecary with pumpkins and pine cones. 

Once filled, place your containers on either end of the surface your decorating. In this case the container wasn’t quite tall enough so we gave it a “lift” with a cereal bowl from the kitchen cupboard. 

Add a garland, along with mercury glass gourds or pumpkins. Then use clear glass candle holders or pedestals to give height to smaller elements, like the miniature pumpkins pictured here.

Have fun pulling out your harvest decorations and using what you already have to achieve a similar look in your home.

These sample principles apply to any horizontal surface, not just a mantle.  

If you find there’s something you’d like, but don’t already have….check our our boutique. 

Happy Harvest Decorating,

Valerie