Hi there,

For this blog post, I have turned the reins over to one of our InsideQ staff writers, Mia Rodriguez-Lopez. Mia interviewed Sandra at her home for the February InsideQ story, and here she shares her impressions and behind-the-scenes tidbits from the photo shoot and interview. Take it away, Mia!

Troy

InsideQ Editor

It was a cold and rainy Monday morning when my adventure began. Although, instead of heading straight to QVC Studio Park, I was taking a detour to Sandra Bennett’s home outside of West Chester, Pennsylvania, with our photo team to shoot the February InsideQ cover. 

As I followed the wooded back roads, I didn’t know whether I was more excited to attend my first photo shoot or to interview Sandra. Deciding it was a lot of both, I glanced into my rear view mirror and realized that I had forgotten to apply mascara that morning. Typical. I’m going to meet a super-chic beauty-savvy host and I skimp on my make-up routine. Hopefully, I can make up for it with my striking good looks (it’s true, ask anybody) and razor-sharp wit (again, I have references).

As soon as I entered the house, I was immediately greeted by an adorable little white and brown Shih Tzu named Mike, who pawed at my leg (and heartstrings), until I picked him up and cradled him like the adorable baby puppy that he is. I did this for a little while as I watched our photo team set up for the shoot.

I had just put Mike down for a drink of water when I was called into the kitchen to interview Sandra while she was having her hair and make-up done. I sat at the kitchen table in front of a large picture window and introduced myself while Sandra got the final finishing touches. She told me how much she loves InsideQ (blush) and even complimented me on a few articles that she noticed I’d written (double blush).

I asked Sandra about her favorite part of working at QVC, and she responded, “The people. I’ve made some good friends during my six years here,” and she lightly patted the arm of the lucky makeup artist, Adrienne, and said they’d been working together for years and are friends as much as coworkers. (Get to know Adrienne in the next InsideQ blog and find out what QVC products she used on Sandra.)

Looking around at the big windows, high ceilings, and loft-like floor plan, I asked Sandra about the lovely décor. “I am naturally drawn to neutral colors,” she told me. “I tend to like modern, uncluttered, comfortable spaces. Right now, I especially love gray. However, I am really trying to infuse some color into each room. Although we watch TV in the family room, we actually spend a lot time in the living room. It is the center of the house, so we purchased furniture that is very comfortable and kid friendly but still feeds my need for style, in this case a mid-century modern look. I splurged on a couple of pieces, like my Sputnik lamp, but I also got some pieces surprisingly cheap. For instance, one of my favorite things is a horse head sculpture I got for $14!”

Before I knew it we had talked for half an hour and it was time for Sandra’s photo shoot. At 11am, she was already looking more glamorous than I’ve ever looked in my entire life (and I have a 24-year span of awkward photo evidence to prove it). She told me she hoped I could come back for a longer visit, and I told her I’d be happy to.

Mia

InsideQ Guest Blogger

Thanks, Mia!

Have a conundrum about cosmetics? Beauty-lover Sandra Bennett is here to help! Check out her blog on QVC.com for tips on skin care, cosmetics, hair care, nail care, and more. Speaking of nail care, Sandra loves Julep nail polishes and she’s sure you will, too! She’s wearing Delaunay (chili-pepper red crème) from the Julep Classic with a Twist 4-Piece Nail Wardrobe  on the February InsideQ cover.

“Julep is a newer brand created by Jane Park and it’s one of the hottest emerging nail care brands in the beauty business,” Sandra told me. “Jane runs the successful Julep nail parlors in Seattle and decided to turn the nail polish she makes in her salon into a business. The great thing about Julep is that the colors are totally on trend but also still very wearable with one-coat coverage. I wear Julep polishes all the time!”

Look for Sandra’s “nail polish pick of the week” on her Facebook page and shop our full selection at QVC.com. 

Happy trails!

Troy

Editor, InsideQ magazine

We had a little free time on Saturday, so we visited Chaz Dean. His puppies go to work with him at his salon. Their fur is so soft you want to cuddle up and use them as a pillow! He was excited, as he’s launching his WEN Pets line this week. This is Hunter; he’s very photogenic! :)

Eva (my friend who does my hair and makeup) and Claire (who you may know works with me on Social Media) came as well so they were able to see his salon for the first time. He has redone the whole little complex in the last few years and it’s beautiful. 

What a view from the hills near Chaz's! No wonder this area is filled with houses. Who wouldn't love a view like this? Now, if I could just live here, have someone peel me a grape, and give me a foot massage, that would be great! :)

This is Cameron Silver. He has a show coming out on Bravo this week. He was my date for the Elton John viewing party. We had a little time to hang out before we got ready for the big party. :)

I had to choose between these two beautiful pairs of shoes. (I know, cry me a river!)

And the winner is...  : )

My friend Sandy hung out with me while Eva did my hair and makeup. She had stunning jewelry on from Swarovski. She was part of our party, attending the party. 

A beautiful clutch is worth "packing lean." :)

Claire snapped this photo when I walked out to meet Cameron.  (The girl has skills!)

Cameron and I walked the red carpet together.

This is the view from our table & my place setting.

I learned a new term at the party: "Selfie.” This means taking your own photo. This is Jamie letting me be part of his "Selfie." Or, is that an "Ussie?" : )

Sometimes there are weekends that are so packed you can't process it all until afterwards.  What a wonderful problem to have. :)

It is hard to believe, but Season Three of LRS starts next Friday! I am very excited about this season.  We have new G.I.L.I., beautiful new “Looks" for every show, and we'll be introducing you to the newest beauty products and brands.

We'll also be introducing a new segment on air and on our page, where you will get to learn a little about some of the designers who are creating a buzz in the world of Fashion. Those segments are thanks to my friend Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE, and one of the most influential men in the industry.

He is a style authority :)

 See you soon!

—Lisa

P.S. Don’t forget about Big BonanzaSilver Sale tomorrow! It’s our 25^th Annual event. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find. I think I need to have that Lace Ring. And maybe those VicenzaSilver cuffs too..(here& here)

Join Joan Rivers and me Saturday, March 2nd, at 4pm for a fun show filled with new jewelry, spring fashions and a BIG dose of Red Carpet gossip. And, be sure to chat with me right here throughout the show on this blog!!!

We will have a brand new color in our best-selling Seersucker Signature Jacket, Red!

I also have a fashion-packed show with my good friend Amy Stran that morning at 4AM.  I’m hoping you can join us then, as well!!

Best,

David

Follow Joan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joan_rivers

Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/joanrivers

Follow David on Facebook at www.facebook.com/daviddangleqvc

For Joan’ concert and QVC schedule go to www.joan.co

I spent countless hours baking with my Mom, who felt KitchenAid was the best you could get! When I got married, my Dad bought me my KitchenAid mixer, so our family recipes lived on.  We do an Easter Cookie that was my Dad's favorite. It is more of a bread dough consistency. I love the way the KitchenAid works through what could be a difficult dough to handle.  When my niece and God Daughter got engaged, her shower gift from us was - of course- a Kitchenaid!!   Dad was smiling from heaven.

My Dad's favorite Easter cookie recipe was from his Mom that brought the recipe over from Italy, but nothing was written down. So, through the years we tweaked it, and this was the recipe that would challenge the mixers we had before KitchenAid. It's the perfect recipe for the double bowls because you can make the heavy duty dough and then - without washing a thing - go on to make the icing. Enjoy! 

Easter Cookies

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

4 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. anise extract

2 Tbsp. anise seeds 

Cream butter and add sugar. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together and add to bowl, mixing until blended.  Add milk, anise seeds and extract flavoring. Roll into 8" strips and then knot each strip. Bake at 350 for approximately 10-12 minutes. 

Top with buttercream icing when cool: 

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

4-5 Tbsps. milk

A few drops of your favorite food coloring (we sometimes divide the icing for several spring colors) 

Cream butter, add sugar, then add vanilla and milk. When icing is finished, add a few drops of food coloring.  Ice the cookies with the buttercream icing and top with sugar sprinkles.  Enjoy!!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Wen fan.  Slowly, over the years, my entire family has started to use Wen. My kids, my mom, and my sister have all been using it for a couple of years. My dad just started using the oils on his scalp and the cleansing conditioner last month. I saw him last week and could not believe the difference in his hair!  I could have never predicted that I would someday have a conversation with my dad where told him how shiny his hair looks. In fact, I’m still laughing about it. Such is the power of Wen! 

Until now, there has been only one member of the family who remained “un-Wened”…. Our dog, Mike. Mike is a 14-lb Shih Tzu. He is 2 ½ years old and while he is cute, I would never have described his fur as extra-soft. Last year, he almost got a makeover with Wen, but I stopped it. My husband was bathing him and I saw him walk out of my bathroom with SixThirteen. “Stop!”, I yelled. “I don’t even let myself use SixThirteen every day! It’s my special cleanser!” My husband said he didn’t know that I was so attached to my bottle. He just thought it smelled good.  Oh, the things men don’t understand! 

Anyway, after our marriage survived the SixThirteen incident of 2012 (kidding!), my husband would still occasionally squirt a handful of Wen onto Mike when I wasn’t looking, but not enough to completely cleanse him. When Chaz Dean, the creator of Wen, offered to let me test drive the new Wen for Pets, my husband and I jumped at the chance. Mike seemed less thrilled, but didn’t put up too much of a fuss. 

We took a couple of pictures to document the big makeover.

Now it’s time for the big reveal. Behold, the new soft and silky Mike:

After just one use, he is definitely a lot softer and tangle free. His fur has never felt this good after a bath. My 10-year-old daughter noticed as soon as she came home from school. She hadn’t even put her backpack down and she yelled happily, “My puppy! He looks so cute! He is so shiny!” Mike looked pretty pleased with himself.

This is part of my weekly “Pick Me!” blog where I discuss the products I am currently using and enjoying. If you have a product you would like me to review, please let me know and I will do my best.  You can leave comments here, or join the discussion on my Facebook page. Have a good week!! 

-Sandra

Monday is my birthday. The fun thing about a birthday is that it’s a day that is uniquely yours -- the one day out of the year that is special because of you.

One of my favorite things about a birthday is Birthday Cake! It’s my belief that no birthday should go without some sort of birthday cake. It’s a delicious symbol of the special day and a treat to celebrate another year.

So I’m trying to decide what kind of cake I would like this year. I really love carrot cake, but I had that last year, so I thought I’d change it up. I’m a big fan of chocolate cake, but that seems kind of plain. When I was a little girl, I always had a banana nut birthday cake, because it was my favorite. In hindsight, I wonder if that says something about me? :-)

Anyway, my favorite birthday ritual, or maybe you would call it a "birthday tradition" is blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. So I have to decide what kind of cake those candles will top. Maybe this year it will be a mash-up -- a “CHOCARANA” -- chocolate, carrot and banana combined. Then again, good ole’ yellow cake with buttercream works just fine. Happy Birthday to Me!

One year I had a special custard birthday cake at Le Cirque in Las Vegas

Not only is Monday my birthday, it is also Spring Fashion Day. We’ll celebrate the arrival of Spring with colorful, fun fashions I think you will be excited to see, and even more excited to wear. I hope you’ll join me; it’s going to be a fun day!

What is your favorite cake? How do you celebrate your birthday?

Leah

Putting together a fresh Spring look is as easy as 1-2-3, right? Throw in two stylists, Send the Trend’s Editor, a curious little tike and a very full closet and you’ve got quite a styling session. Recently, I invited two incredible stylists and my colleague, Lindsey, to my New York City apartment to help me de-clutter and re-design my wardrobe. Talk about Spring cleaning! Sprucing up my wardrobe for the season to come was essential – trust me, there was a “discard” pile – and we managed to come up with a handful of new looks that you'll be seeing through March. Take a peek at one of my favorites!

The top? I was convinced it didn’t flatter me. Blousy, patterned and a touch cropped, I generally threw it on only when I was out of ideas and short on patience. Who knew it had so much potential? The skirt, on the other hand, I’ve loved since the beginning. Bright, feminine and figure flattering, it has become a go-to. Tuck the blouse into the a-line skirt, and voila! I’ve got an easy-to-wear, on-trend ensemble that’s suitable for the office, daytime brunch and evening summer drinks with my husband. What’s more, the blouse boasts red accents, while the skirt is a solid fuchsia. My immediate reaction would have been to think pairing the two would result in a clashing nightmare. In fact, the colors play off each other to create something really modern. A chunky nude wedge (totally in for spring!) gives me height and lengthens my legs, while statement earrings (like http://i.sttyle.it/dixon-drops) dress me up without taking me over the top. Suffice it to say, my typically disregarded blouse is making its way into my steady rotation.

Despite my son scooting over my pile of dry cleaning (who knew I had about eight pieces with tons of stains in my closet) and nearly destroying a stylist’s iPad (it’s impossible to keep him out!), my wardrobe was re-worked and I was educated. Here are a few of the other tricks I picked up:

1)  Belt it – Even if you think a belt won’t work, it just might. It will define your waist, cinch a shapeless design and add an element of color or texture to an otherwise monochromatic look.

 2)   Empire waisted pieces…are a no for ladies with larger busts. Trust me. They draw too much attention to the chest. Instead, opt for drop waisted pieces or cuts that fall closer to your natural waistline.

  3)   Choose black and white, but incorporate a pop of color. A traditional blazer gets new life from a cobalt patent belt, and a white shift dress looks stunning with a colorful statement necklace (I love the yellow in this one: http://i.sttyle.it/sunburst-necklace). In my case, I opted for color in my wardrobe, choosing a teal pencil skirt to spice up a graphic silk blouse. I kept my accessories black to amp up the glam factor and make the look nighttime appropriate.

I hope I’ve inspired you to edit your closet– it’s refreshing, it’s satisfying and hey, it’s an excuse to shop some more! Be sure to check out my brand new Facebook page and my Instagram, where I’ll be revealing more of my looks.

Join Joan Rivers and me Saturday, March 2nd, at 4pm for a fun show filled with new jewelry, spring fashions and a BIG dose of Red Carpet gossip. 

We will have a brand new color in our best-selling Seersucker Signature Jacket, Red!

I also have a fashion-packed show with my good friend Amy Stran that morning at 4AM.  I’m hoping you can join us then, as well!!

Best,

David

Follow Joan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joan_rivers

Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/joanrivers

Follow David on Facebook at www.facebook.com/daviddangleqvc

For Joan’ concert and QVC schedule go to www.joan.co

Skin care is more to me than a job—it’s honestly my calling. As a child, I struggled with eczema and skin issues from an unstable home life. My emotional distress was manifesting in severe rashes and head-to-toe eczema. I looked for different remedies, but the creams never cured the wounds. That’s how I got into skin care, because I knew what it was like to feel uncomfortable in my own skin. I knew what it was like to be embarrassed because it really does affect your self esteem; it affects everything. If you’re uncomfortable, you can’t be yourself. That’s what gave me the compassion to do this career.

When I began my education in the field of esthetics over 20 years ago, I knew I wanted to focus on skin health, so I decided to work side by side with doctors, to complement their services. I put together a business plan and, shortly after graduation, opened my own clinic inside a cosmetic surgeon’s office south of Cambria, in San Luis Obispo. I worked with doctors preparing clients’ skin for surgery and laser treatments. I learned so much about skin care, and was fascinated by the possibilities of the newly burgeoning field of paramedical esthetics. I met and fell in love with an incredible man and moved to Los Angeles. For a short period of time, I worked for a skin-care company in product development and education. This is where my passion for product development began. Innovations in ingredients and technology were making products more effective, and producing visible results. It was an exciting time, full of possibilities. Later, I decided to set up again in an esthetics office with a cosmetic surgeon in Santa Monica.

At the time, he was the top surgeon in his field, and his clients included major celebrities. This doctor gave me the tools and inspiration I needed to fully pursue my dreams and career goals. He encouraged me to make a difference through innovation, and inspired me to create my own line. My first product was Quench Hydrating Serum, and to this day, it’s one of my top sellers! After having my son, I knew it was time for me to bring my dream of having my own clinic to a reality. My goal was to deliver results you could get in a doctor’s office, in a comfortable, beautiful environment. A place where we would not only change skin, but also empower men and women to take control of their lives and help them achieve their skin-health goals! In the spring of 2004, I opened my own full-service medi-skin clinic: Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts on Melrose Place.

Not long after we opened, word spread throughout the entertainment industry that we could help resolve skin issues and be trusted. So within a year of opening, we had a list of celebrity clients who depended on us for healthy-looking, radiant skin. Women and men of every skin type and concern came to see us every day, and through these challenges, my product collection developed. I knew exactly what I wanted and needed from my product line, and worked with chemists in my lab to develop formulas to produce results. In the fall of 2006, we launched the Kate Somerville product collection, and it was absolutely a dream come true for me! To know that I’m helping people all over the world is one of my greatest pleasures—it feeds my soul. While I may not be able to personally treat everyone, through my products I can. And because my name is on the outside of each product, expect to find me on the inside. Expect advanced science, progressive ingredients, and healing botanicals. Years later, my goals have remained the same: deliver clinic-level results without downtime. Everyone has a right to skin radiance; it’s not reserved for celebrities, brides-to-be, or those who are simply born that way. You have the power to change your skin and change your life!

Love,

Kate

A lot has changed in the kitchen since the days my Grandma Metzger would whip up a batch of her homemade rolls or bake up one of her delicious pies.  Refrigerators have doubled in size, ovens now have convection, bakeware is non stick, and spatulas are made out of silicone.  What hasn't changed in all that time however is the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer.  Industrial in design but chic in all of its colors, the Kitchen Aid mixer is a prize in any home kitchen.  I started wanting one when I was a teenager!  I would see it in the homes of my friends, whose Moms always seemed to bake the BEST things...and I just knew the secret had to be that mixer!  I was able to work first hand with Kitchen Aid mixers during my stint working at a bakery. I was already working full time as a tv news anchor, but on my day off, would go and waitress and bake up goodies for a friend in her bakery.  I couldn't believe how creamy the mixer could get the butter and sugar, how it always kneaded the bread doughs just right, and how I could whip cream for a crowd in what seemed to be seconds.  It wasn't until I was working at QVC however that I finally got a mixer I could call my own...and I love it more every single time I use it.  Seriously...EVERY SINGLE TIME!  From cookie dough to mashed potatoes, meatloaf to bread dough, a dozen eggs or whipped frosting, the Kitchen Aid mixer never lets me down.   When I dig through my grandmother's brown recipe box, seeing her handwriting on those recipe cards and missing her so much, I know that whichever recipe I choose, it will be (almost) as good as Grandma used to make as long as I'm using my Kitchen Aid. I think we all love the mixer  because of its performance, but also because it reminds us and encourages us to make things from scratch...to be adventurous and try something new! To introduce family and friends to foods you've grown up with and want to share.  I think in this day of high technology with phones that are cameras and tablets that are movie screens, we have created so many distractions in our lives that we forget how good a homemade meal or dessert can taste, how memories can come alive when you make them and how food can bring us together. I have to admit, I do love to use technology to find new recipes....like the cinnamon roll cake recipe in the photo that I found on lilluna.com. 

The Kitchen Aid mixer delivered  amazing results!  But also in the photo is my Grandma Metzger's recipe box...it sits out on my counter all the time, just like my Kitchen Aid Mixer, reminding me that family time is simply one recipe away.

Do you have any great photos or stories to share about your KitchenAid experiences?  Please comment below.  :-)

I am so excited to kick off yet another Spring Fashion day with you!! QVC has decided to make this a huge event — the largest one I can remember. FIFTY BIG hours of spring fashion & accessories!! And I will be quacking right along with you!!

We will be bringing some brand NEW items, including our DreamJeannes Capris with Rhinestone Spray, Zebra Sparkle Beach Dress& Short Sleeve Zip Up with Hood & Animal Detail Pocket!!! You ladies have been asking for some new things, and I am so excited to be sharing them with you!! 

We will also be bringing some back-by-popular-demand items. And I am thrilled to tell you that Patrick Hoy will be joining Jane Treacy and me for the 6-8 pm ET show on Tuesday, March 5 for another live chat!! 

So don’t miss a minute of the BIG Spring Fashion Event at QVC!!!! It starts Sunday night, March 3, at 10 PM ET. I will have a great pair of DreamJeannes in this show, and the event continues on through Tuesday, March 5!! You can also catch me on Monday, March 4 during Fashionably Early from 6-9 AM and PM Style from 7-10 PM ET. On Tuesday, March 5, we have a big one-hour show from 2-3 AM, then I will have one great item in the noon show Color Your Spring, and then I’m on to wrap things up for our two-hour Quacker Factory show from 6-8 PM ET with Jane Treacy and Patrick Hoy!! I am thrilled to tell you that Patrick will be joining us, and he will be doing a live chat with you here on our blog. He will also be revealing some new Quacker Factory sketches and giving you yet another sneak peek in to what is coming this season for Quacker Factory!!! You really enjoyed the last peek we gave you, so we decided to give you MORE!!

Have a great week, and I will see you soon!!

Until then — Quack, Quack for now!!

Angel

Shop the complete Quacker Factorycollection

Spring fashion day is finally here! It's time to break out the iced lemonade with hint of mint and cucumber and talk about how we will transform our spring/summer wardrobes. Maybe it will be in all pastels, or maybe we'll step out of our box and try some neons... who knows! All I can say is that it is a welcomed breath of fresh air.

As you may or may not know, I just got back from LA with Lisa and Amy. Whenever I go to LA at the beginning of the year it’s always interesting to see what the gals there are wearing.  Because their weather is so much warmer than ours, I feel slightly like they get ahead of the game for spring fashion. One fashion trend I saw at our Red Carpet Style party were solid colored, short dresses that were draped in shear fabric to make them appear longer but also airy and with more flow. Naturally when I got off the plane I dreamed of wearing outfits like that all day for spring... and the very next morning I was out of bed before I was awake headed to my favorite store to find something to fulfill my LA Fashion hole.  Here's what I came up with; A Black maxi skirt.  Now I know it doesn't scream spring, but a huge trend going forward out of Paris is just simple black and white.  The skirt itself has heat-set pleats with 4 cuts (2 in the front and 2 in the back).  The skirt itself is solid from the top down until it meets the pleats, then it turns into more sheer fabric.  I feel in love at first sight and this was my splurge for spring! That being said... what's going to be your splurge or most anticipated new fashion item for Spring? 

With every spring fashion day, our buyers travel the world and bring us back a wealth of information for what they have seen for the upcoming seasons.  Here are 5 trends that you can expect to see for spring and summer 2013. 

Innocence:  A play on when life was easier.  Think vintage feeling clothing - simplicity and florals.

Voyage: City dwellers find island fever.  Travel to India for inspirations of jungle, wood, and ikat prints. 

Adorn:  Time to start a 1920’s affair.  The birth of the flapper - embellishments paired with black, silver, and gold. 

Simplicity:  Clean and simple meets modern - sophisticated, futuristic prints. 

Activated: Athletic wear dressed up.  Moving fast stays true to form with a dressy edge. 

For PM Style I am taking on the innocence and voyage trend.  I’ll be wearing an eyelet top from our own Isaac Mizrahi (innocence) and then pairing it with a cayenne red pant and snake/jungle inspired shoe.  How fun is that?!  Can’t wait to talk to you soon J

Have a great week!

CC

PS. In other news Allie-Cat has decided to forego all spring trends and still continue on with her version of Little Red Riding Hood. 

Hello Q-ers,

I have been terribly delinquint on blogging. My sincerest apologies for being such a flake. I am so stressed trying to juggle a million flaming swords known as my wedding rings, wedding dress, food, decor, cakes, RSVP's...all along with my regular hectic life and career...that I feel truly at my max. Like, any minute I'm going to either melt into a pile or just snap!

Ok, quick wedding update since I know you all are hungry for some deets. Are you following my Wedding Wednesday posts? Latest update includes ... I'm doing a red velvet/buttercream cake...my brother (8yrs older than moi) is my "man of honor"...food will include gnocchi, mini lobster rolls, and bread served in flower pots (bc it is Spring!)...bouquet is TBD...niece and nephew will be carrying "Here Comes Bride" flag and wearing velvet and sneakers.

My girlfriends from HS, my most cherished friends on earth, are all ringing me like little hens, wanting to check on my plans and help handle details.

Cannot wait to finally, after the big day, post pic of my Dennis Basso dress. I hope you like bc I adore. Mom is on crash diet (dont tell her I told you that) and pastor pat is asking us to recite 1 Corinthians 13:4 every day.

Ok blah blah...you didnt just read this blog to hear about my wedding (or maybe you did!) In other news...was in enchanting Lake Placid for wedding few weeks ago and fell in love with the place. If you love snow and charm, be sure to visit the Mirror Lake Inn and eat lunch or breaky at Chair 6 just as you drive into town.

Plus in the heart of winter they have dogsled and toboggan rides. Awesome. Our room overlooked the frozen lake and had old wood furniture and a "symphony in the mountains" CD playing when we checked in. Plus the smell of hickory wafted through the air as tons of homes and inns and eateries downtown have outdoor wood burners. I wore my goat fur boots nontstop along with my ratty old ski coat.

Spring brings all sorts of fun, including sandals and fashion and the hope of outdoor decorating and patio plants. This year I really need to buy a grill (I don't cook but grilling is easy peasy) And I do wish I could stumble on some cool adirondack chairs at some little ole garage sale. Few years ago I stumbled on this chandelier at neighbors garage sale. I love garage sales. LOVE them. I just love trash to treasure...

Latest QVC Loves - have been using First Aid ultra repair cream to get through itchy dry skin this winter. only thing's that's helped me. Only!! You all keep asking what tanks I use for layering so it's skinny tees. sit tight bc some of the more fun prints they do ARE coming to their collection on Q. (Ps am hearing thrilling rumblings of a Tsv. Yay!) Just had my fav body transformer on Shawn Says .. this bodysuit from the gals who make Breezies. I own 4. The "WYOB curve and contour bodysuit". Ugh! it is insane awesome. They tried to retire it and i went on a one woman mission to get it put back into production. Its paperweight thin and light but has like 30%+ spandex!!!  As for my Mom, she just asked me to order her the Alterna Bamboo S/C and my friend Christine asked me how I know when mascara needs replacing. I said, "when it smells or dries up". I also ordered this hot little new thing called skootskirt. It's leggings w a skirt attached, in like atheletic shiny stretchy material. By the way, speaking of QVC loves, Lori Goldstein has the most awesome TSV coming up. So does D&co, Bethlehem Lights, and apparently there is a laser hair removal device debuting soon that doesnt hurt. Voila and Eureka!!

In other news, am addicted to downton abbey. Want to live there. Devistated they killed off Matthew crawley. Love Mary. Love old lady grantham...and Carson. Oh dear Carson .. he is a softy-love all wrapped in stiff butler's clothing. (Ps - did u hear the rumor that the actor Matthew crawley is played by, might be starring in the feature film version of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY?!?!)

Ok have blabbed enough. Watching devil wears prada. Just got done watching Argo. Exceptional! Looks like its movie night on my couch!

Shawn

Ps tot' unrelated. Learned fun new expression from our new style expert-trend spotter, DIVYA from www.sendthetrend.com. "Body-con!" As in body conscious. Love it! Love quickie slang and made up words. Big surprise! :)

Welcome, Denim & Co. Ladies, to our big Spring Fashion Days event for 2013!! I have been SO excited to show you what our Denim & Co. Team created for you for this big day...

Introducing the Denim & Co. Crochet Trim Maxi Dress & Shrug Set!! It's our only maxi dress and shrug TSV of the season from Denim & Co.!

I have been crazy about maxi dresses since last Spring, when they started appearing everywhere. I added several to my wardrobe last summer and wore them often! I love THIS maxi dress and shrug set for SO many reasons! It’s available in both classic and fashion colors, and we’re offering a choice of regular and petite lengths! We've added a little tie-back to the dress, by customer request, so you can create a more customized fit!! It's so comfortable in our soft, easy-care, easy-wear 95%Cotton/5%Spandex fabric that breathes and moves with you during those hot summer months to come! The dress has convenient side slits for ease of movement.

It's versatile too...you can wear the dress with or without the included shrug (it's bra-friendly either way) AND wear the shrug with other items in your closet! I could pop on a colorful Denim & Co. jean jacket instead of the shrug! By the way, I love that the coordinating shrug is included because, if it's a cooler night OR I just don't feel like showing too much of my arms, it will come in very handy! The dress fits so nicely, not too tight or too bunchy, and the long maxi length covers my legs. It's an outfit that can be dressed up or down, depending on the shoes I wear and the accessories I choose to go with it! This dress will look great with espadrilles, wedges or flat sandals! I can wear my long necklaces, beads and colorful bangles...or a fun floral scarf! How cute will this dress be with my new summer patent or straw handbags or with a colorful clutch and a floppy summer hat?

It will also be so easy to travel with, as it will pack up nicely in my luggage, and I'll have it for going out to dinner or to church, on a shopping date or a sightseeing tour!

I know you'll love having this maxi dress and shrug set as part of your Spring AND Summer wardrobe this year! Last year, we featured a maxi dress TSV in June, and it was VERY popular! So, the Denim & Co. Team wanted to make sure we offered our NEW maxi dress to you EARLIER this year, so you'll have even more time to wear it and enjoy it this season!! At this value, you may want to pick up more than one color and mix and match the sets! What color will you be picking up? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

Denim & Co. has taken their latest TSV to the MAXI...and it's nothing to "SHRUG" at!

For MAXIMUM fun, comfort, style and value...it's always Denim & Co.!!

Happy Shopping!
Carolyn

Shop the entire Denim & Co. collection.

Patrick here, and I’m so excited to be chatting once again with the QVC Community today, March 5th, right here on the Quacker Factory blog during our 6 – 8 PM ET show to celebrate QVC’s Spring Fashion Days Event! Since you loved getting a sneak peek of upcoming items during one of our last chats, we’ve decided to do it again! Here is a look at some more new items we have coming up. I’d love to hear what you think!

Looking forward to a Quack-tastic chat!

Shop the complete Quacker Factorycollection on QVC.com.

Hello my LCNY fashionistas. Well, March is rolling in. The spring fashion event at QVC is here and therefore it is almost time to bare the arms and legs.  Bring on the faux tanner and the colorful collection, count me in.  If you have been tuning in on Wednesday mornings for the LCNY show you have, as I have, fallen in love with our one and only Mary Beth Roe.  She and her lovely husband Mark just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.  After four children, lots of love, laughter, tears, and happiness, they are still going strong.  What is the secret in the recipe for success?  Having been married for 27 years, I think I have a read on it especially having the priveledge of being with MBR every week.  It is called commitment, honesty, integrity, values, loyalty and of course love.  She shared with me that after her first date with Mark he told a friend he had just met his future wife. Of course he did, what a lucky man.  After the first, second, third LCNY show with MBR I knew we had something special as well.  The secret ingredient in the soup is the friendship between the two of us and most importantly you!  Wednesday mornings are the highlight of my week.  I wake up refreshed and ready to go.  I look forward to working with my girls and hearing from all of you.  So, if you would be so kind, send a shout out to MBR via my blog, Facebook or call in this week and wish her a happy 30th wedding anniversary.  She sets the bar high for all of us, and gives us all hope, because yes, fairytales do come true!  Grab your cup of Joe and a bagel for me, see you soon my friends.

Linda :)

Join Linda and Mary Beth Wednesdays at 9am ET and shop the Liz Claiborne New York collection on QVC.com!