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Spring is Here! Welcome the Fairies with A Fairy Door & Windows!

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Do you live in your head or in your heart? And where do they take you? Home to Ireland or on journeys to special places in Tir Na Nog, the land of eternal youth? This came to my mind as we prepared to travel to the United States.

My son asked me if I could live anywhere I want where would it be? This is a question he has asked me for many years, and I have always answered, ‘I am living exactly where I want to live.’ This is in the peaceful and tranquil village of Naul in Dublin, Ireland, as opposed to living in my head, which is a little full, not so tranquil all the time, and, on occasion, I have been evicted. He then tells me I don’t understand. I am so glad I have teenagers, as I would never have known how little I know If they didn’t tell me.

I do, however, have a couple of secret spots in the garden and the house where I sit and collect my thoughts and let my mind wonder to far off places through the fairy door over the hills into a world where everything is in harmony and the world seems better, especially in Spring when all the Irish Fairies come out and make the garden a little brighter. I have always considered the Fairies to be the angels of spring, bringing in the light after the dark days of winter.

What’s your favorite time of year? Spring, summer, fall, or winter? Let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

Philip from O’Gowna


Inis, The Energy of the Sea!

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Although a native of Kildare (Horsey country!), I have been living in Wicklow (the Garden of Ireland) for over ten years now (not sure where that decade went!!). When my husband and myself were still only dating, I remember vividly a conversation about where our ideal home would be, and, while there were a few differing opinions, being close to the ocean was something we both really wanted!!

So in some ways, I think it is destiny that I am working with the Fragrance House that created Inis, the energy of the sea! I am certainly blessed!

My kids are very excited about their mammy being on QVC, but there is still a touch of ‘will miss you.’ So when we were down by the sea last weekend, my son came up with a novel plan to keep me close – here he is steering Ireland west to be closer to America!

 

Barbara

 

 

Shop Fragrances of Ireland on QVC.com.

Enter to Win Lisa Robertson’s Go-To Beauty Products!

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FNB

Attention beauty lovers! Would you like to try Lisa Robertson’s favorite go-to beauty products? If so, enter our Friday Night Beauty Sweepstakes for a chance to win the best of the best products selected by Lisa Robertson. Entering is as easy as responding to the question, what are your go-to beauty products when getting ready for a special night out?

Good Luck!

<3 Friday Night Beauty: Where gorgeous meets ground-breaking. 

No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Void where prohibited

What's Your Favorite Spring Accessory?

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My favorite spring accessory? It’s hard to choose, but if I have to, I choose a scarf.  Versatile, colorful and able to completely revamp an outfit, a scarf is ideal for transitioning from one season to the next.  I’m so ready for spring, and with all the new outfits I’ve recently discovered in my closet, I’m counting down to sunny days.  Mother Nature, however, has decided to keep her temperatures down and precipitation up, but rather than putting my spring fashion on hold, I can add a touch of warmth and style with a bright scarf.  


Though scarves are appropriate for all seasons, spring scarves take the cake because they’re more accessories than necessities.  You can buy beautiful patterns and light fabrics, and say goodbye to the chunky wool infinity you’ve worn all winter.  My top three criteria for scarves this season? Bright colors, bold patterns and sheer fabrics.  Find a scarf with all three, and you’ve hit the trifecta!


I like experimenting with how I tie my scarves, because more style options means my scarf selection instantly grows.  My go-to is a silk scarf loosely wrapped, looping once around my neck and the ends left free.  When I’m wearing a blazer, I like to fold my scarf in half, put it around my neck and pull the ends through the loop for a more structured look.  Another option is a lightweight infinity scarf- mine is a lifesaver on days I’m in a rush.  It’s no hassle and no fuss; just loop it around your neck a couple times and it stays in place all day.  


I Hope this helps shed some light (literally) on wearing scarves for spring and transitioning your wardrobe. How do you style your scarves?

See how the girls from Send the Trend style their scarves over on our Pinterest board!

And join in the convo on my new Facebook page.

Denim & Co. Chat of the Week 3/20 at 11:00 am ET! What's Your Favorite Top Length?

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Hi ladies!  It’s Heather from Denim & Co’s design team.  Have questions about items in today’s show or just want to chat about Denim & Co. fashion items already in your closet or new pieces you're loving?  Ask away!  I’ll be here during the show to chat and answer your questions.

This seems to be a hot topic--what's the perfect length top?  Regular shirt lengths or longer tunics; do you like your tops to fall at your hips or at your upper thighs?  I am still loving longer tunics over slimmer jeans.

Denim & Co. 3/4 Sleeve Smocked Peasant Tunic

 

Talk to you soon!

American West Jewelry - Blog Chat on Tuesday, March 19 @ 6pm ET

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Greetings, American West fans! I'm looking forward to spending time with you on Tuesday evening at 6pm ET. Get ready to dish about why you love American West jewelry. 

My mentor, Antonella Nester, will be on air with Carolyn Pollack and I'll be here chatting with you.

So, here's my question: What do you love about American West style?

 

Feel free to leave comments sooner, but you can find me here starting at 6pm ET tomorrow (Tuesday). 

 

Jennifer

 

Ps. If you have an extra few minutes, upload your photos of your favorite piece of American West style :)

Deviled Egg Chicks! Blooming Bunnies! Spring's Here & Easter's Coming!

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Hello, foodies…
 
Just popping in to say hi, and HAPPY SPRING! Since the lovely Jill Bauer is your humble host again this Wednesday night for In the Kitchen with David–PM Edition, I asked her to guest blog for me today and share one of her many (genius!) decorating ideas.You can find her Blooming Bunnies just below Wednesday's recipe…I channeled my inner Jill and got crafty with this one. What do you think of my Deviled Egg Chicks?
 
Deviled Egg Chicks
 
Deviled Egg Chicks
 
This recipe is prepared with the Temp-tations® Old World 24-Section Egg Plate (H198476).
 
Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.
 
Ingredients:
 
12 eggs, hard boiled and peeled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp yellow mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 carrot, peeled and julienned (for the beaks)
3 black olives, diced small (for the eyes)
 
Directions:
 
Cut a 1/2" slice off the top and bottom of each egg (or enough to expose the yolk). Save the tops for later use.
 
Carefully remove the yolks, being careful not to tear the whites. (This will take a bit of patience.) Collect all of the yolks into a small mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
 
Fill a pastry bag with the yolk mixture and fit the bag with a small tip. Pipe the yolk mixture back into the hollowed hard-boiled eggs until they're slightly over-filled and you have a small mound.
 
Place the top of the egg white (you sliced off earlier) on the yolk at an angle. Then, take two pieces of olive and create eyes, followed by a julienned carrot to make a nose. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
 
Here's Jill, foodies. I'll see you Sunday at Noon ET, as usual.
—David
 
 
Hi, everyone!
 
If you caught some of my latest blogs, you know I've been ready to decorate for spring since February. And, you can bet I've been tossing around ideas for my Easter table since January! No! I'm just kidding. It's not been quite that long. But, I have been thinking about a fun, festive centerpiece idea, and here's what I came up with. Meet my Blooming Bunnies! Aren't they adorable!?
 
Here's how you can make them at home: 
 
Step 1: Gather your materials…
Terracotta pots, spray paint, floral foam, foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, marshmallow bunnies, lollypop sticks, Easter grass, and all purpose glue.
 
Gather Your Materials...
 
Step 2: Spray paint your terracotta pots...I like to use a spray paint primer first. Let it dry, and then add your favorite color. Just a tip…lighter colors will need several applications to give you good coverage over the terracotta color.
 
Spray paint the pots
 
Step 3: Once the pots are dry, add a little bit of the Easter grass into the pot followed by your floral foam. (You don't need a big piece of the foam...just enough to wedge into the pot.)
 
Add Easter grass and floral foam
 
Step 4: Put some glue on top of the foam then press some of your Easter grass on top.
 
Put Easter grass on top
 

Step 5: Add the foil-wrapped eggs. Make it nice and full!

 
Add the eggs...
 
Step 6: Put a lollypop stick into the bottom of a marshmallow bunny and stick it into the pot.
 
Make bunny lollipops...
 
Step 7: Repeat the steps above to make as many pots as you like…these make adorable place settings for your guests.
 
Perfect place settings!
 
Step 8: Or, if you want to make a cute centerpiece, nestle a few of the pots together on a large plate. Fill in the space with more Easter grass and use some eggs, candy, bunnies…anything you find, really, to add some extra interest.
 
Make them a centerpiece!
 
That's it! I know lots of you have a crafty streak in you. Don't be afraid to give these a try.
 
But, if crafting just isn't your forte, here's something I know you're good at: cooking! Here's the ultimate side dish for your Easter ham. I'm a lover of pineapple upside-down cake, and this recipe (which you can find on my recipe page on QVC.com) tastes like dessert...but it's for dinner! I like to let it cool to just warm for serving. It's great at room temperature. (And yes, if there is any leftover, I've been known to eat it cold!)
 
Pineapple Casserole
 
Ingredients:
 
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
5 slices white bread, cubed
1 (20-oz) can crushed pineapple, with juice
 
Directions:
 
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter an 11" x 7" or 2-quart casserole dish.
 
Cream the butter and sugar together with a hand or stand mixer. Add the eggs one at a time. Use a spatula to fold in the bread and the pineapple (plus the juice). Stir gently until just incorporated, and pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
 
Bake until light brown and bubbly, about 1 hour. Let the casserole cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy! I'll excited to see you this Wednesday at 8pm.
 
As David always says…Keep it Flavorful!
—Jill

InStyler Q&A


Enter For A Chance To Win Lisa Robertson’s Go-To Beauty Products!

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FNB

Calling all beauty lovers! Share your story for a chance to win Lisa Robertson’s favorite go-to beauty products.

What are your go-to beauty products when getting ready for a special night out?

Share your story by simply responding to this blog.

Offical Sweepstakes Rules

No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Void where prohibited

Denim & Co. Chat of the Week 3/19 at 11:00 am ET! What's Your Favorite Top Length?

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Hi ladies!  It’s Heather from Denim & Co’s design team.  Have questions about items in today’s show or just want to chat about Denim & Co. fashion items already in your closet or new pieces you're loving?  Ask away!  I’ll be here during the show to chat and answer your questions.

This seems to be a hot topic--what's the perfect length top?  Regular shirt lengths or longer tunics; do you like your tops to fall at your hips or at your upper thighs?  I am still loving longer tunics over slimmer jeans.

Denim & Co. 3/4 Sleeve Smocked Peasant Tunic

 

Talk to you soon!

InStyler Q&A Blog

Friday Night Beauty Sweepstakes Official Rules Rules

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QVC, Inc.

FRIDAY NIGHT BEAUTY SWEEPSTAKES

OFFICIAL RULES

 

QVC, Inc. (“Sponsor”) is sponsoring the Friday Night Beauty Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes").

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ENTER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

By entering this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to abide by all terms of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor whose decisions shall be final and binding.

1.    ELIGIBILITY: The Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island, who are 18 years or older as of date of entry.  Employees and agents of Sponsor and their parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, and their immediate families (parents, children, siblings and spouses) and their same household members are not eligible. Void outside of theUnited States andDistrict of Columbia, and where prohibited by law. Void inRhode Island andPuerto Rico.  Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2.    SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY: There are two (2) ways to enter the Sweepstakes, online via www.qvc.com (“Website”) or by mail.  

 

To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, send your name, address and daytime telephone number on a standard 4 inch by 6 inch postcard addressed to the Friday Night Beauty Sweepstakes Studio Park Mail Code 202, West Chester, PA 19380 (“Mail Entry”).

To enter the Sweepstakes online, sign into your QVC account at www.qvc.com and access the QVC Community Blog page. If you do not have an existing QVC account, you must create one to enter the Sweepstakes online. No purchase is necessary to create a QVC account. Creating a QVC account requires providing your email address, a pin number, your title (i.e. Mr., Mrs.), your first name, last name, address and telephone number.Then go to the Sweepstakes Blog post (“Blog”) on the QVC Community Blog page, click the “New Reply” button and submit your response to the question, “What are your go-to beauty products when getting ready for a special night out?” (“Submission”). A Submission includes any story, text or any other information or data in any form that an entrant submits in any manner, directly or indirectly, to Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes.  Your Submission constitutes your entry into this Sweepstakes (“Online Entry”).

Once submitted, Submissions become the sole property of Sponsor, cannot be modified by entrant, and will not be returned. Receipt of Submission may be acknowledged, but such acknowledgment does not constitute any representation by Sponsor as to Sweepstakes eligibility.  By submitting a Submission, entrant gives permission (and warrants and represents that he/she has obtained all rights necessary to give such permission, including from the creator, if other than entrant) to Sponsor and hereby grants Sponsor a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, sublicensable, non-exclusive license to post entrant's Submission, name, likeness and all other information about the entrant contained in the Submission on the World Wide Web, and to otherwise use entrant's response, name, likeness and all other information about the entrant in the Submission without compensation in accordance with the requirements of this Sweepstakes and the advertising, promotion, and publicity of the Sweepstakes, and otherwise, as stated in these Official Rules (as solely determined by Sponsor). Such Grant of Rights will be confirmed by potential winner upon Sponsor’s request and potential winner agrees to sign any and all necessary confirming documents without compensation of any kind (other than the prize).

Entrant further warrants and represents that he/she has fully complied with these Official Rules and that his/her Submission: (1) does not violate any law or regulation; (2) does not violate or infringe any right of any third party, including but not limited to intellectual property rights, such as but not limited to rights of copyright, trademark or patent, or rights of publicity or privacy (without in any way limiting the preceding, entrant represents and warrants that he/she has obtained permission from the recipe creator if not him/herself (upon Sponsor’s request, winner must submit proof of obtaining all necessary consents); (3) is not defamatory, slanderous,  libelous, scandalous or obscene; (4) is entirely entrant's own original work and entrant owns or controls all right, title and interest in the Submission, including but not limited to its copyright; (5) has not been submitted in any other competition or Promotion; (6) does not contain any virus, bugs, or other deleterious material; (7) does not contain the trademark, tradename or logo of any third party (but may contain a trademark, tradename or logo of the Sponsor); (8) does not name, depict or describe any person (living, dead, or fictional) unless entrant has first obtained the consent of any named/depicted/described person as per (2) above; (9) without limiting the foregoing, does not  contain any material that is protected by copyright other than the copyright owned exclusively by the entrant, including but not limited to product labels that are subject to others’ copyright. Submissions may not (and Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Submissions that do): 1) include nudity or what Sponsor, in its sole discretion, considers to be obscenity, pornography, racially offensive, sexually explicit, and/or offensive language/content, hate speech or drug usage; 2) disparage Sponsor or any other party, including brands or trademarks other than those of Sponsor (this includes but is not limited to the brands/trademarks of Sponsor’s competitors); 3) depict acts of violence or aggression; 4) advocate illegal conduct of any kind.  If a Submission is unable to be viewed by Sponsor for any reason whatsoever, that Submission shall be disqualified (and Released Parties, as defined below, will not be responsible or liable for any such inability).By entering a Submission, entrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Released Parties (as defined below) from any action or liability resulting from the publishing of his/her Submission and/or use of the Submission.

By submitting an Online Entry or Mail Entry, you are signifying that you have read, understand and agree to these Official Rules.  

 

Limit of one (1) entry per person during the entry period either by Mail or Online.  Any person who attempts to participate with entries in excess of these entry limitations will be disqualified.Any other attempted form of Sweepstakes entry is void. Any person who attempts to participate under multiple identities or uses any device or artifice to enter in excess of this entry limitation will be disqualified; use of programmed, automated or like means of entry is prohibited. All duplicate entries will be discarded. Use of multiple email addresses or QVC accounts by the same individual to enter is prohibited and such multiple entries shall be voided. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting an entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the QVC account of the entry, which the entrant will have the obligation to establish. Sponsor is not responsible for late, incomplete, misdirected, delayed, or undelivered entries, including without limitation inability to access Website or entries not timely received due to hardware or software errors, other technological malfunctions or failures and disruptions of any kind, Internet service provider problems or lost, late, mutilated postage-due mail. Incomplete information may result in disqualification of entry. No entries may be effected on behalf of someone else. All Mail Entries are the non-returnable property of Sponsor. All eligible entries carry an equal chance of winning.

 3.    SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins on March 22, 2013 and ends 11:59:59 pm ET on April 5, 2013 (“Sweepstakes Period”).  Online Entries must be submitted by 11:59:59 pm ET on April 5, 2013. All Mail Entries must be postmarked by April 5, 2013 and received by April 12, 2013.

 4.    WINNER DETERMINATION:  One (1) Winner will be determined by a random drawing from all eligible entries on or about April 13, 2013.  Sponsor reserves the right to delay the random drawing. The number of eligible entries received will determine the odds of winning. Winning entries are subject to validation.

 5.    WINNER NOTIFICATION: Sponsor or a representative of Sponsor shall contact Potential Winner on or about April 13, 2013.  Potential Winners may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, liability release, and (where legal) an affidavit of publicity prior to receiving the prize. Potential Winners will have forty-eight hours from the time he/she is contacted to respond as directed and accept the prize. Noncompliance with the time period described above will result in disqualification and an alternate winner selected. Potential Winners may be required to present proof of identification prior to claiming prize. Acceptance of any prize shall require acceptance of the terms of these Official Rules and shall grant Sponsor the right to use Winners’ first name, last name and city and state of residence for any publicity associated with this Sweepstakes.

 6.    PRIZES: One (1) Winner will receive one of the following items:

  • A234367 philosophy fresh cream creamy dreamy 5-piece collection. Approximate Retail Value: $70.00
  • A212450 is the BE Faux Tan. Approximate Retail Value: $56.00
  • A221929 Nude Lip. Approximate Retail Value: $25.00
  • A227337 WEN 613. Approximate Retail Value: $49.98
  • A97351 Dr. Denese Luxury-size HydroShield Face Serum. Approximate Retail Value: $199.00
  • A214014 StriVectin Intensive Concentrate Face Cream Treatment. Approximate Retail Value: $93.50

 

Approximate Total Retail Value:  $493.98.

If a Winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize he/she will be disqualified and the prize forfeited; and, in such event, an alternate Winner shall be selected from among all remaining eligible entries received. Prize cannot be substituted or transferred by Winner. If a Prize must be forfeited, Winner will not be given the cash value of the prize. Prize Winner is solely responsible for all expenses not expressly included. All taxes are the responsibility of the Winner. Winner and/or parent or legal guardian may be required to sign an IRS Form 1099, Form W-9, or the equivalent for all prizes valued at $600 or greater, or for any prize as to which Sponsor, in their sole discretion, believes it is warranted. Prize provided by QVC, Inc.

 

  1. USE OF SUBMISSIONS; LICENSE:  By entering the Sweepstakes or making any Submission to or for the benefit of the Sponsor, entrants hereby irrevocably grant to Sponsor a non-exclusive, sub-licensable, royalty-free, fully paid license and right to use, distribute, make derivative works from and otherwise exploit the Submission, in any manner and in any medium now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world in perpetuity, including, without limitation the right to use the Submission in whole or in part in merchandising, advertising, marketing or promotion or for any other commercial or non-commercial purpose related to the Sweepstakes or not related to the Sweepstakes.  Entrants hereby forever waive and relinquish all so-called “moral rights (droit moral)” now or hereafter recognized.  Entrants agree that Sponsor shall havesole discretion in determining the extent and manner of use of Submissions and is not obligated to use any Submission.   

 8.    CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating, participants agree to be bound by and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects and not subject to appeal. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies, advertising and promotion agencies , and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, loss or damage to person(s) or property arising in any manner, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part from participation in this Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes-related activity, and/or acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize.

 

By accepting the prize, Winner authorizes the Sponsor and its designees to use his/her name, voice, likeness, photograph, prize information, biographical data and city and state of residence in any media now known or hereafter discovered, world wide, including on the World Wide Web and Internet, in perpetuity, at any time or times, in programming, advertising, trade and/or promotional material relating to this Sweepstakes or on a Winner's List (if applicable) without additional compensation or notice, review or approval (unless prohibited by law). Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor's sole discretion, without obligation or compensation.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RELEASED PARTIES MAKE NO WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE USE OF THE PRIZE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

 9.    DISPUTES: Arbitration/Choice Of Law: To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrants agree that: (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or the prize, or the determination of the Winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by arbitration pursuant to the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, then effective, and (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes (if any) but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and/or Released Parties in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard for conflicts of law doctrine, and all proceedings shall take place in the City of Philadelphia, County of Philadelphia.

 10.  PRIVACY POLICY: The entry information provided is subject to The QVC Privacy Statement accessible via www.qvc.com. To read the QVC Policy, access the QVC Website and then click on the Privacy Statement link under the “Policies & Information” heading.

11.  WINNER’S LIST: For the names of prize winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Friday Night Beauty Sweepstakes QVC Studio Park Mail Code 202, West Chester, PA 19380.

                                                                         

           CLICK HERE TO ENTER                                                                   

A Very Special Susan Graver Set of 2 Crochet Trim Tops!

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With spring well on its way, I want to share one of the hottest, chic and stylish trends of the season...crochet! That being said, I am so excited to introduce my new favorite duo...

I've taken two of my best silhouettes – one sleeveless and one elbow sleeves – and updated them with a beautiful crochet appliqué. This gorgeous embellishment frames the neckline and adds a little bit of fun and elegance to any outfit.

Each top is made of the softest cotton to keep you nice and cool on those sunny days and spandex to ensure they will fit like a dream. This fiber combination also creates the most comfortable, soft, stretch jersey knit that you could ever wish for...You're going to want to live in these!!

We hand-selected the vibrant color pairings to represent another big trend of the year: tonals! Each color option gives you a super saturated colored top paired with its lighter shade tank.

Color Options (Shirt/Tank):

  • Purple / Light Purple
  • Green / Light Green
  • Orange / Light Orange
  • White / Black
  • Blue / Light Blue
  • Pink / Light Pink

Pack these for your upcoming spring get-away, dress them up with an elongating maxi skirt, or wear them cute and casual with a pair of jeans; the options are endless! The top will look amazing with your favorite capris and the tank as a bra-friendly camisole for a little punch... One thing is for sure: these will be your go-to tops for the spring and summer months to come!

What's your favorite color combination? Are you planning any spring break get-aways? Please share, I love hearing from you!

To see more, tune in beginning at midnight on Thursday, March 21st and throughout the day!

xoxo,

Susan

 

March 21st Programming:

MIDNIGHT

3 AM ET

9 -11 AM ET

3 PM ET

6 PM ET

9 PM ET

 

Shop Susan’s complete collection on QVC.com.

Follow Susan on Facebook.

I'm officially a blogger... and check out my Spring picks!

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Hello Friends!

OK, it’s official.  I'm a blogger!  Yes, really and truly.  Since I am not a professional writer, please bear with me.  I'm excited to use this forum as a way to connect with all of you.  Also, please feel free to make comments to let me know what else you would like to hear from me - I definitely want your feedback!  Judie has been very gracious by sharing her blog platform with me a few times, but I felt that it was finally time to start my own.  So, please let everyone and anyone know about my new blog.  I will be covering all things jewelry- and fashion-related, as well as other “Things I Love” that excite and inspire me throughout the day.

As the Style Director for the Judith Ripka Collection, I thought it was only fitting that my first blog was, in essence, a Spring 2013 Trend Report.  The runway shows were chicer than ever, getting back to basics with a lot of black and white, and neutrals like grays and taupes.  Ahhh, what a sigh of relief!  The runways validated my wardrobe, because my closet is a sea of black!  What I love most about this classic take on spring ready-to-wear is that it provides the perfect backdrop for jewelry and accessories and LOTS of it!  Like Judie, for years, I have always picked out my jewelry first, and then based on the jewelry I was in the mood to wear, chose my outfit accordingly.  The best part about blacks and neutrals is that they provide a blank canvas, and the sky is the limit with how you can mix and match and express your own personal style through your accessories.  Also, for me, it takes the pressure off feeling like I have to buy new clothing to stay on trend.  It allows me to shop my closet for the basics, and then have fun with my accessories.  Now, don’t get me wrong, the Spring runways were definitely sprinkled with flashes of brilliant pops of color and standout prints (mostly floral), but the spectrum of bright, bold hues were definitely rooted in luxurious blacks and navy blues, icy grays, and buttery beiges and taupes.

With the foundation set, it is now time to SHINE!  Judie has outdone herself for her upcoming shows with many NEW designs.  I love everything NEW for Spring.  It just feels fresh – like a new beginning.  And, to balance out the new, these shows will also include some classic best-sellers and customer favorites, as well.  I just saw the show line up, and there are so many styles I love that it was hard to choose my favorites to feature in this blog.  But, here they are – I have narrowed down my must-haves for Spring.

Everyone who knows me knows that I love watches.  I always have.  Even before I officially starting working with Judie for the QVC Collection, I have always thought of watches as so much more than just a time piece, rather another piece of jewelry in my wardrobe.  Therefore, you can only imagine how over-the-moon thrilled I was when Judie added watches to her collection.  And, our plan for 2013 is to expand the watch category even more.  This weekend, we will be focusing on three watch styles – the Chronograph, the Ceramic, and the NEW pearlized silicone strap watch.  True to Judie and QVC, the watches are the finest quality, very similar to what you would find in luxury watches.  All of the watches feature warranties and long life batteries.  (I know it’s a little thing, but I love that they feature long life batteries.  Such a huge perk!)  They are all water resistant, which is also a great bonus, because I never take my watch off during the day.  So, even if I am washing my hands, I don't have to worry about a splash of water here and there.  All of the watches are stainless steel, and the durability is exceptional.  As with all of Judie’s jewelry, Judie wants you to enjoy these watches every day and not worry about damaging them.

For those of you who have yet to purchase the Chronograph watch (J269939) just do it!  You won't regret it.

I find myself reaching to wear it at least 3 to 4 days a week.  The watch is available in silver-tone, gold-tone, and rose-tone.  Although this is not a new item, it is definitely on my list of top 10-favorite must-haves for Spring.  This watch is as super luxe as it is sporty, and in the short time since Judie debuted it, it has already become one of her best-sellers.  I knew it was a hit when I walked into our New York City corporate office last week and saw over half of the women wearing it.  It made me smile and also reminded me of the very first thing Judie said to me when I started working with her:  “Allison – Whenever I interview a potential employee, I ask them if they like the jewelry and would buy it.  One of the most important job requirements is a love for jewelry!”  Clearly, our wonderful staff loves the jewelry and especially this watch design!

If you already own the Chronograph and are looking for a new style, my personal pick is the new Pearlized Silicone and Stainless Steel Watch (J280165). 

This style is a new twist on Judie’s silcone watch and offers a new pearlized strap in three colors including Emerald Green, Silver, and White.  The pearlized finish gives this watch a great new lustrous look.  We decided to choose Emerald Green as the “pop of color,” as it was voted as “Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year.”  To quote Pantone, Emerald Green is “Lively.  Radiant.  Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance, and harmony."  I could not agree more!

To complement this Spring’s trends of simple, chic elegance, my next top pick is not a single piece of jewelry, rather a collection.  I am OBSESSED with anything 100-Facet.  Yes, that’s right.  Obsessed.  For years, Judie has used Diamonique to give all of you the “look of diamonds” because it is the world's finest simulated diamond.  In 2011, Judie wanted to further elevate the brilliance and look and introduced the 100-Facet round Diamonique into the collection.  These stones have almost double the number of facets as a standard cut round Diamonique which means more sparkle and more brilliance.  Judie’s 100-Facet Diamonique Collection has grown since its debut and will continue to grow throughout 2013.  The most notable piece is the classic diamond stud (J268391), which we offer in either a 2-carat size or 5-carat size.  The offering has also expanded beyond silver and is now available in 14K clad, both gold-tone and rose.

So, what’s my go-to 100-Facet Diamonique piece?  I could easily say EVERYTHING 100-Facet, but if I had to choose just one piece, it would be the 100-Facet Diamonique Adjustable Necklace (J269592).  I wear it every day regardless of any other jewelry I mix and match with it.  Part of my attachment to this piece is that growing up, my own mother always wore a solitaire diamond necklace, and it reminds me of her.

Although the Spring color palette trended towards basics and neutrals, many designers added interest and intrigue to their runway silhouettes with textured fabric or trims, with the biggest trend being leather or the “look of leather.”  When I saw that leather and leather accents were trending for Spring, I breathed another sigh of relief!  One of my most favorite pieces of jewelry for over 20 years has been the Braided Necklace with Heart Charm from Judie’s couture collection.  It has truly been a staple in my jewelry wardrobe, and I often refer to it as the “little black dress” of my jewelry box.  As you know, we introduced a version of this necklace to QVC in sterling, J276113, and now, I am thrilled to announce that we will debut NEW versions of this style in 14K gold-tone and rose-tone.

I also wanted to share with everyone that the material we use for Judith’s couture collection is the same as the one we use for QVC.  The reason is that the material wears better, and is softer and more flexible.  And, it has a colorfast attribute that you do not always find with genuine leather.

Last but not least, I always like to say, make new friends but keep the old.  My final Spring pick is the Smithsonian Sterling Diamonique and Gemstone Flower Ring and Earring (J269028).

This classic floral design was inspired by one of Judie’s 18K couture floral collections and was perfect for the Smithsonian show, as it represents the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.  This simple floral silhouette speaks to Spring in a sweet, soft shade of pink.  Not too candy pink and not to pale, it's just perfect!  I usually don't like wearing jewelry that is too matchy matchy, but   these earrings and ring just feel right together.  And, once you mix in some layered cuffs, bangles, and necklaces - voila, you've created your own Spring runway look!

There are many more new designs coming your way from the Judith Ripka Sterling Collection this weekend, so please tune in!  Show times are as follows:

Saturday, March 23rd:

Sunday, March 24th:

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!  And, of course, as usual, Judie will also be blogging prior to her show.  It is definitely a must-read!  She will be sharing BIG news about a special, first-ever giveway and maybe, just maybe a TSV treat that could be coming your way!  Thank you again for your warm welcome and support.  I truly love being a part of the QVC family.

XO Allison

Wedding Wednesday - cake flavors .....YUM

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It's WW again...time is ticking til big day! Went to cake tasting recently. Man is this tough. Buttercream icing, regular frosting, cream cheese frosting.. AHHHHH!!!! There r so many choices.

Am leaning towards cinnamon cake or red velvet. Old fashioned simple delish. Want cake to look like old southern grandma living in farmhouse w country kitchen and wrap porch, just put on her apron and whipped it up! (Wow, I've created quite a backstory to this simple cake)

what flavor was ur cake? (And did u save a piece for ur 1st Annv?)


Style Watch- Look Stylish At All Hours, Literally!

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You can't go wrong with a stylish watch or two!   What's your watch style?  Do you go for the timeless, neutral look or do you go big and bold?  Personally, I'm loving the rose gold trend right now.

We put some of our favorite watches together for you below.  Which is your favorite?

Check us out on Polyvore to follow more looks and trends that are inspiring us.

Shop the Looks (clockwise):


[12:00] Honora Mother-of-Pearl Round Case Leather Strap Bronze Watch

 

[1:00]  Black Hills Goldtone Leather Strap Watch

 

[2:00]  Gossip Rosetone Multi-Function Leather Strap Watch

 

[3:00]  Isaac Mizrahi Live! Vintage Dial Leather Strap Watch

 

[4:00]  Vicence Round Drusy Quartz Dial Leather Strap Watch, 14K

 

[5:00 Jacqueline Kennedy Leather Strap Round Watch

 

[6:00]  Veronese 18K Clad Oval Case Pebble Strap Watch

 

[7:00]  Vicence Bold High Polished Round Case Watch 14K Gold

 

[8:00 Vicence Bold Face Watch w/Colored Leather Strap 14K Gold

 

[9:00]  Gossip Set of 3 Strap Watches in Individual Boxes

 

[10:00]  Vicence Round Roman Numeral Dial Leather Strap Watch 14K Gold

 

[11:00 Gossip Crystal Dial Watch with Croco Leather Strap

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Cottage Farms Blog Chat Tonight At 10:00 pm ET! Come Celebrate the First Day of Spring With Us!

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It’s the First Day of Spring! Join me, William Moss, and the Cottage Farms team as we chat about plants, flowers, gardening, and more! Chat with me while we Celebrate Spring!

 

Why Do You Love Judith Ripka Jewelry? Share Your Story For A Chance To Win!

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Share your story by simply replying to this blog and you'll be entered to win a Judith Ripka Sterling or 14K Clad Braided Necklace with Heart Charm (J280068) and a Judith Ripka Sterling or 14K Clad Double Row Bracelet (J279920) in your choice of color.

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited.  Must be 18 years or older to enter.

 

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL RULES

Judith Ripka Stories Sweepstakes Official Rules

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QVC, Inc. (“Sponsor”) is sponsoring the Judith Ripka Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes").

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ENTER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

By entering this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to abide by all terms of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor whose decisions shall be final and binding.

1.    ELIGIBILITY: The Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island, who are 18 years or older as of date of entry.  Employees and agents of Sponsor and their parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, and their immediate families (parents, children, siblings and spouses) and their same household members are not eligible. Void outside of the United States and District of Columbia, and where prohibited by law. Void in Rhode Island and Puerto Rico.  Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2.    SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY: There are two (2) ways to enter the Sweepstakes, online via www.qvc.com (“Website”) or by mail.  

 

To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, send your name, address and daytime telephone number on a standard 4 inch by 6 inch postcard addressed to the Judith Ripka Sweepstakes Studio Park Mail Code 202, West Chester, PA 19380 (“Mail Entry”).

To enter the Sweepstakes online, sign into your QVC account at www.qvc.com and access the QVC Community Blog page. If you do not have an existing QVC account, you must create one to enter the Sweepstakes online. No purchase is necessary to create a QVC account. Creating a QVC account requires providing your email address, a pin number, your title (i.e. Mr., Mrs.), your first name, last name, address and telephone number.Then go to the Sweepstakes Blog post (“Blog”) on the QVC Community Blog page, click the “New Reply” button and submit your response to the question, “Why do you love Judith Ripka jewelry or why are you a “ripkanista”?”(“Submission”). A Submission includes any story, text or any other information or data in any form that an entrant submits in any manner, directly or indirectly, to Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes.  Your Submission constitutes your entry into this Sweepstakes (“Online Entry”).

Once submitted, Submissions become the sole property of Sponsor, cannot be modified by entrant, and will not be returned. Receipt of Submission may be acknowledged, but such acknowledgment does not constitute any representation by Sponsor as to Sweepstakes eligibility.  By submitting a Submission, entrant gives permission (and warrants and represents that he/she has obtained all rights necessary to give such permission, including from the creator, if other than entrant) to Sponsor and hereby grants Sponsor a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, sublicensable, non-exclusive license to post entrant's Submission, name, likeness and all other information about the entrant contained in the Submission on the World Wide Web, and to otherwise use entrant's response, name, likeness and all other information about the entrant in the Submission without compensation in accordance with the requirements of this Sweepstakes and the advertising, promotion, and publicity of the Sweepstakes, and otherwise, as stated in these Official Rules (as solely determined by Sponsor). Such Grant of Rights will be confirmed by potential winner upon Sponsor’s request and potential winner agrees to sign any and all necessary confirming documents without compensation of any kind (other than the prize).

Entrant further warrants and represents that he/she has fully complied with these Official Rules and that his/her Submission: (1) does not violate any law or regulation; (2) does not violate or infringe any right of any third party, including but not limited to intellectual property rights, such as but not limited to rights of copyright, trademark or patent, or rights of publicity or privacy (without in any way limiting the preceding, entrant represents and warrants that he/she has obtained permission from the recipe creator if not him/herself (upon Sponsor’s request, winner must submit proof of obtaining all necessary consents); (3) is not defamatory, slanderous,  libelous, scandalous or obscene; (4) is entirely entrant's own original work and entrant owns or controls all right, title and interest in the Submission, including but not limited to its copyright; (5) has not been submitted in any other competition or Promotion; (6) does not contain any virus, bugs, or other deleterious material; (7) does not contain the trademark, tradename or logo of any third party (but may contain a trademark, tradename or logo of the Sponsor); (8) does not name, depict or describe any person (living, dead, or fictional) unless entrant has first obtained the consent of any named/depicted/described person as per (2) above; (9) without limiting the foregoing, does not  contain any material that is protected by copyright other than the copyright owned exclusively by the entrant, including but not limited to product labels that are subject to others’ copyright. Submissions may not (and Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Submissions that do): 1) include nudity or what Sponsor, in its sole discretion, considers to be obscenity, pornography, racially offensive, sexually explicit, and/or offensive language/content, hate speech or drug usage; 2) disparage Sponsor or any other party, including brands or trademarks other than those of Sponsor (this includes but is not limited to the brands/trademarks of Sponsor’s competitors); 3) depict acts of violence or aggression; 4) advocate illegal conduct of any kind.  If a Submission is unable to be viewed by Sponsor for any reason whatsoever, that Submission shall be disqualified (and Released Parties, as defined below, will not be responsible or liable for any such inability).By entering a Submission, entrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Released Parties (as defined below) from any action or liability resulting from the publishing of his/her Submission and/or use of the Submission.

By submitting an Online Entry or Mail Entry, you are signifying that you have read, understand and agree to these Official Rules.  

 

Limit of one (1) entry per person during the entry period either by Mail or Online.  Any person who attempts to participate with entries in excess of these entry limitations will be disqualified.Any other attempted form of Sweepstakes entry is void. Any person who attempts to participate under multiple identities or uses any device or artifice to enter in excess of this entry limitation will be disqualified; use of programmed, automated or like means of entry is prohibited. All duplicate entries will be discarded. Use of multiple email addresses or QVC accounts by the same individual to enter is prohibited and such multiple entries shall be voided. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting an entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the QVC account of the entry, which the entrant will have the obligation to establish. Sponsor is not responsible for late, incomplete, misdirected, delayed, or undelivered entries, including without limitation inability to access Website or entries not timely received due to hardware or software errors, other technological malfunctions or failures and disruptions of any kind, Internet service provider problems or lost, late, mutilated postage-due mail. Incomplete information may result in disqualification of entry. No entries may be effected on behalf of someone else. All Mail Entries are the non-returnable property of Sponsor. All eligible entries carry an equal chance of winning.

 3.    SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins on March 21, 2013 and ends 11:59:59 pm ET on March 25, 2013 (“Sweepstakes Period”).  Online Entries must be submitted by 11:59:59 pm ET on March 25, 2013. All Mail Entries must be postmarked by April 1, 2013 and received by April 7, 2013.

 4.    WINNER DETERMINATION:  One (1) Winner will be determined by a random drawing from all eligible entries on or about April 8, 2013.  Sponsor reserves the right to delay the random drawing. The number of eligible entries received will determine the odds of winning. Winning entries are subject to validation.

 5.    WINNER NOTIFICATION: Sponsor or a representative of Sponsor shall contact Potential Winner on or about April 8, 2013.  Potential Winners may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, liability release, and (where legal) an affidavit of publicity prior to receiving the prize. Potential Winners will have forty-eight hours from the time he/she is contacted to respond as directed and accept the prize. Noncompliance with the time period described above will result in disqualification and an alternate winner selected. Potential Winners may be required to present proof of identification prior to claiming prize. Acceptance of any prize shall require acceptance of the terms of these Official Rules and shall grant Sponsor the right to use Winners’ first name, last name and city and state of residence for any publicity associated with this Sweepstakes.

 6.    PRIZES: One (1) Winner will receive a Judith Ripka Sterling or 14K Clad Braided Necklace with Heart Charm (J280068) and a Judith Ripka Sterling or 14K Clad Double Row Bracelet (J279920) in their choice of color. Total Estimated Value of Prize will vary based on the color chosen by the Winner per the below price listing.

 

Judith Ripka Sterling Braided Necklace w/ Heart Charm $175

Judith Ripka 14K Clad Braided Necklace w/Heart Charm $195

Judith Ripka Sterling Double Row Bracelet $235

Judith Ripka 14K Clad Double Row Bracelet $255

 

 

If a Winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize he/she will be disqualified and the prize forfeited; and, in such event, an alternate Winner shall be selected from among all remaining eligible entries received. Prize cannot be substituted or transferred by Winner. If a Prize must be forfeited, Winner will not be given the cash value of the prize. Prize Winner is solely responsible for all expenses not expressly included. All taxes are the responsibility of the Winner. Winner and/or parent or legal guardian may be required to sign an IRS Form 1099, Form W-9, or the equivalent for all prizes valued at $600 or greater, or for any prize as to which Sponsor, in their sole discretion, believes it is warranted. Prize provided by QVC, Inc.

 

  1. USE OF SUBMISSIONS; LICENSE:  By entering the Sweepstakes or making any Submission to or for the benefit of the Sponsor, entrants hereby irrevocably grant to Sponsor a non-exclusive, sub-licensable, royalty-free, fully paid license and right to use, distribute, make derivative works from and otherwise exploit the Submission, in any manner and in any medium now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world in perpetuity, including, without limitation the right to use the Submission in whole or in part in merchandising, advertising, marketing or promotion or for any other commercial or non-commercial purpose related to the Sweepstakes or not related to the Sweepstakes.  Entrants hereby forever waive and relinquish all so-called “moral rights (droit moral)” now or hereafter recognized.  Entrants agree that Sponsor shall havesole discretion in determining the extent and manner of use of Submissions and is not obligated to use any Submission.   

 8.    CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating, participants agree to be bound by and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects and not subject to appeal. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies, advertising and promotion agencies , and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, loss or damage to person(s) or property arising in any manner, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part from participation in this Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes-related activity, and/or acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize.

 

By accepting the prize, Winner authorizes the Sponsor and its designees to use his/her name, voice, likeness, photograph, prize information, biographical data and city and state of residence in any media now known or hereafter discovered, world wide, including on the World Wide Web and Internet, in perpetuity, at any time or times, in programming, advertising, trade and/or promotional material relating to this Sweepstakes or on a Winner's List (if applicable) without additional compensation or notice, review or approval (unless prohibited by law). Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor's sole discretion, without obligation or compensation.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RELEASED PARTIES MAKE NO WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE USE OF THE PRIZE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

 9.    DISPUTES: Arbitration/Choice Of Law: To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrants agree that: (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or the prize, or the determination of the Winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by arbitration pursuant to the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, then effective, and (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes (if any) but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and/or Released Parties in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard for conflicts of law doctrine, and all proceedings shall take place in the City of Philadelphia, County of Philadelphia.

 10.  PRIVACY POLICY: The entry information provided is subject to The QVC Privacy Statement accessible via www.qvc.com. To read the QVC Policy, access the QVC Website and then click on the Privacy Statement link under the “Policies & Information” heading.

11.  WINNER’S LIST: For the names of prize winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Judith Ripka Sweepstakes QVC Studio Park Mail Code 202, West Chester, PA 19380.

                                                                                                                                               


                                                                            

How Does Your Garden Grow? (I'm Planning My Best One Yet!)

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Greetings Gardening Friends!

When "Mary Mary, Quite Contrary"  was asked this question in the Nursery Rhyme, she answered, "With Silver Bells and Cockle Shells and Pretty Maids All in a Row". Miss Mary had quite an interesting little garden! Although I don't have any of those items planned for MY garden this season, I am VERY much looking forward to receiving what I DID order already from Cottage Farms and Roberta's Unique Gardens, to add to my gardens and landscaping. When we moved to PA from Los Angeles nearly 9 years ago now, (wow, time flies!), our new home's property was nearly 3 acres of weeds and neglected garden areas. It took me about 3 Spring and Summer Seasons to get it looking the way I wanted it to look. (Hubby helps with mowing the lawn and watering the area, but leaves all the flowers and "detail" work up to me).

The reason I share this time frame with you, is that I wanted you to know that gardening is not always instant gratification, and sometimes to get the results you see in magazines and the photos we show you during our garden shows...even MY OWN garden photos....sometimes to get these results, it does take weeks, months or even years. The payoff, however, is extraordinary...and once your garden takes root and starts to fill in, you can almost hear it whisper, "I've got this....I know what is supposed to grow here....I know what to fill in over there....I understand your gardening vision....Now watch what I'll grow for your THIS summer!"

You'll find, that after a season or two of adding and subtracting, moving things around, pulling things out that didn't quite make it, or that took over too much of the area, that you will starting having more and more time to sit back and enjoy your garden! Now, every beautiful garden requires maintenance, like mulching, fertilizing, watering, and adding annuals each spring, however, with the basics all planted and growing and returning each year on their own, you'll find, like me, that you spend some lovely moments each day, simply surveying the beautiful scene that you put into motion. Take lots of photos, from the very beginning. Each summer, you'll love seeing how that baby tree got bigger and how those Knockout Roses grew another foot or two taller to make that privacy hedge and how those little hydrangeas are THIS season a true hydrangea shrub, filling up the space under your window sills, and how those butterfly bushes somehow are now taller than your fenceline and have FILLED the backyard with butterflies!  Soon there will be no room for weeds!! (Well....that may be a bit of wishful thinking, but I must say as your garden grows, the weeds find fewer and fewer places to pop through!)

Don't be afraid to move your plants around if they don't seem to be doing as well as you had hoped. Your plants will let you know if they are happy, by growing big and full, like gangbusters! If they linger and stay small and look a little tired and are struggling....they probably don't like where you've put them. At least they are telling you to add some good garden soil to the ground they are planted in, and to give them some plant food and micronutrients. Sometimes they may just need a little more or a little less water! The more you garden, the more you learn....and you learn from your mistakes, just like with anything else in life. Soon, that brown thumb of yours will begin to turn green....often before you know it!

Gardening is a joy...it's relaxing....it's satisfying....it's hard work....its a big payoff of beauty! Try it! You'll love it!

Here at the Q, we have many experts to help you, and many wonderful products and ideas! Tune into our gardening shows to find out! Or look on QVC.com for lots of inspiration in our gardening department! You'll find lots of experts on our gardening blog pages too....if you click HERE, you'll see the latest in a series of Gardening Video Blog Tips from my friend and expert, Eric Wallien of Robertas!! 

and I'll continue to have regular garden blog postings, with photos of my OWN gardens throughout the spring and summer, right here, so you can see "How MY Garden Grows" along with your own! I hope you will share your own gardening photos with me and your fellow QVC gardeners on my Facebook page too....Carolyn Gracie QVC.  Don't forget to check out my Garden PartyPinterest Board from time to time.....I'm always adding new photos of ideas I've found or great gardening products that you may like to try! Enjoy today's QVC Patio and Garden Event! Don't forget to tune in from 4-6pm eastern for a big Two Hour Garden Party with Carolyn today as well, for lots of fun and easy ideas... and if you happen to miss the show, don't forget you can always check out my Garden Party page  on QVC.com to see everything available from the most recent shows, as well as products that are my favorites from my "Garden Shed". Enjoy....keep planning.....keep planting.....Your garden will reward you in time with many treasures!!

Love and Happy Gardening,

Carolyn

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