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