QGossip - QVC insiders let you know what's going on in front of and behind the camera

19 November 2008

Claudia: Check out the brand new Pallino range

Claudia SylvesterLast week I was asked if I would like to wear a gorgeous bracelet from our brand new range, Pallino. As you can imagine I jumped at the chance - it made my week!

The sterling silver bracelet comes with a couple of gorgeous thread-through charms and you can buy additional charms so you can add more and more to your collection. We're offering some exquisite pieces including Murano glass and solid silver designs. It's just divine! 

Pallino braceletI spent nearly 45 minutes playing with it in my dressing room and trying out the various options. Alison Young popped by to see what I was doing and she thought it was really pretty too. 

It's more than a bracelet, it’s a whole new concept in jewellery and I think, if you’re a collector of pretty things, you're going to love it!

So keep your eyes peeled - I’m going to be wearing it when I can and each time I'll put different charms on it.

I'll be in touch soon.

Claudia X

18 November 2008

Pipa: Two trips to A&E in a week!

Pipa VanderburgJust to give you an update on the dramas in my home at the moment. In one week, two of us from a family of four have been to A&E!

My knocked nose on Tuesday began to swell quite alarmingly and by Wednesday, when I should have been preparing to come on air, I was watching my nose go rather purple instead. Good timing I figured! So off I went to A&E, thinking it may have been broken after all, only to discover the cut had got infected (nice!!).

“We’re just on our way to A&E," my husband called to tell me on Saturday, just half an hour before going on air! Oh joy of joys, just what I wanted to hear when I wasn't going home for another 7 hours or so!! Myles had been balancing on a basket and then fallen, right on the corner of the coffee table and cut his eye open. Thankfully he's OK now.

I hope that's the last of our A&E trips!

Love Pipa x

Charlie: Keeping warm in the winter

Charlie Brook Hi guys,

How's the chilly weather treating you? I've always been proud of the fact that I cope well with the cold weather... or so I thought!   

I was lucky enough to take my family to Lapland to see Father Christmas a few years ago. It was an amazing experience and I even caught a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights! It was just amazing - there are no words to describe it. 

Being very cold in Lapland, we invested in some thermals. And these thermals made an appearance again for the first time in two years at a fireworks display!   

They're probably not the most attractive of attire to wear under your clothes, but boy, they really make a difference. I think it's fair to say that winter is here!

See you soon, and stay warm!

Charlie x

Julia on pilates and guest Marjoleine Brugman

Julia RobertsIt was great to be on air with pilates expert Marjoleine Brugman the other night - I was helping her to celebrate 10 years at QVC with her pilates equipment. She really has been an inspiration to me and she is such a kind person.Marjoleine Brugman

She even bought me flowers because I was her first ever host in the UK!! It was her 10th anniversary, shouldn't it have been the other way round?!

She also sent me a lovely email for my 15th anniversary show because she wasn't able to be here herself.

Pilates has really helped me stay strong and supple over the last ten years. For the show we brought in my son, Daniel, as the 'expert'. He has just qualified as a personal trainer and has now agreed to train me - let's hope the waist, that has thickened a little of late, will reappear soon.

Watch this space and I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Love Julia x

Jilly: My most embarrassing QVC moment

Jilly Halliday Hi everyone,


I hate to say it but I burped live on air! It just popped out and was so loud that all the camera men fell about laughing. My producer was giggling in my ear and asking, "Oh my God, you just burped didn't you?"


I tried to compose myself and addressed the audience by saying, "Do excuse me, I just hiccupped". I couldn't even bring myself to say the word burp on air.


It's only happened once in 15 years, and it was a long time ago, but I'm still embarrassed!


Hope that's put a smile on your face.


Love Jilly

X

17 November 2008

Glen chats to Lulu Guinness and Charlotte Tarantola

Glen Campbell Hi everyone, Glen here.

As it's Designer Day tomorrow, I thought I'd give you a little insider info about the event in my new Style File.

I had a chat with Lulu Guinness about her new collection and I've also got you a sneak preview of the brand-new Charlotte Tarantola knitwear range we're launching!

Both Lulu and Charlotte's shows are set to be very popular, so make sure you get ahead by checking out the interviews.

Love Glen x

Claire Sutton: My mummy's birthday

Claire Sutton I had the most wonderful experience last week and thought I'd share it with you.

It was my mummy's birthday and she came to stay, bringing with her a special present from my brother Neil. Neil had taken a small piece of cine footage and had it converted onto DVD! 

It dated back from… well, let's just say we worked out I was 6, Neil was 8 and my eldest brother Mark was 10. So a little while ago!  A young Claire with family

It was fabulous to see my mummy younger then than I am now, flirting outrageously with the camera and looking amazing in a bikini. 

Plus, the utter joy of seeing my Daddy 'come to life' was incredible. He died when I was 13-years-old so it was emotional but incredible! To see his moving image, his face, mouth and eyes so like mine, and to be able to share him with my own children was so very, very special.

We can't wait to transfer all the other footage. I just wish there was sound, but hey, you can't always have it all. I was just grateful to have that!

I'll be in touch soon.

Love Claire
X

15 November 2008

Alison Keenan: My winter memories

Alison Keenan Hi everyone, Alison here,

We didn't have much of a summer so let's pray for snow this winter!

One of my favourite things to do, if there's been a snowfall, is to get up really early and walk in the newly fallen snow before anyone else has touched it. I love the crunching sound it makes and the stillness in the air. Alison sledging with her son

When the children were younger we'd get up first thing and attempt to make a snowman, and then go sledging in the field nearby. We didn't always have a sledge but tin trays were just as good!

I also love sitting in front of a roaring fire listening to music or reading a good book, with a glass of mulled wine in my hand.

How do you make the most of the colder months?

Love Alison
X

14 November 2008

Catherine Huntley on QVC's first Designer Day

Catherine Huntley

Hi everyone,

I'm tickled pink to be launching a brand new jewellery range that's gorgeous and made just for us on Designer Day at midnight on Tuesday 18th November.

It's called Tacori for Epiphany and is breathtakingly beautiful. Tacori is a family-run jewellers who are highly acclaimed for their diamond and platinum treasures, which I think possess an heirloom elegance with a modern touch. I can't wait to show it to you!

Continue reading "Catherine Huntley on QVC's first Designer Day" »

Charlie Brook: If I wasn't a presenter…

Charlie Brook ...I'd like to be a professional tennis player! No, not really. Maybe a harbour master or a fisherman.

I’ve always had a special connection with the sea. It goes back to my childhood holidays spent on the Isle of Wight. We stayed in a rumble tumble-down cottage a stone’s throw from the sea.

I spent my days fishing and rowing with my dad. We didn’t have the luxury of a motor cruiser, but our beloved rowing boat served us well.

When I was a teenager I was exploring in the shed and found an outboard motor. I helped restore the trusty rowing boat with the motor, and then we had the power!

Did anyone else spend their holidays on the Isle of Wight?

Love Charlie

Jill Franks on moving home

Jill Franks Hi QGossipers,


I'm exhausted - just moved in to a new house and spending most evenings unpacking boxes and making sure we've got everything we need in our new home.


We've had the removal men doing most of the hard work unpacking and they asked for a list of priorities. Most women would say the kitchen stuff and things for the bedrooms. Not me - mine were the tread machine and my wardrobe with my cherished handbags, shoes and outfits!

Continue reading "Jill Franks on moving home" »

13 November 2008

Claudia: What a week!

Claudia SylvesterI have had such a hectic week! My little boy Blake has had an ear infection and has not been sleeping very well. So, Steven and I have been taking it in turns each night trying to pacify him.

It really breaks my heart to see him suffering because as a child I had terrible ear problems. It actually resulted in me losing my hearing in one ear, although a lot of that was to do with too many horse riding accidents. 

With a lot of TLC he’s on the mend and chatting away to us about his beloved Spider-Man.

Where can I get some great Spider-Man goodies for Blake this Christmas? Spider-Man’s not that popular at the moment but Blake is obsessed.

If you know of anything, do let me know.

I'll be in touch soon.

Love Claudia x

Simon on gardening, cameras and early starts

Simon BiagiWith half term over, together with a nasty sick bug that brought down the whole family, it’s nice to be back into the early morning routine! But having turned the clocks back, those early five o’clock starts do seem awfully dark and lonely.

It’s been nice to work with Kathy on a regular basis and have a bit of a catch up before The Morning Show starts. But I think my unshaven, un-showered, pre-show appearance has taken her aback a bit!

Continue reading "Simon on gardening, cameras and early starts" »

Jilly: My birthday weekend

Jilly Halliday Hi everyone,

Last weekend was my birthday, and I had a great time. It was on the Saturday and there I was at midnight with the crew singing 'Happy Birthday' when I had no make-up on!

We were about to launch the ybf Today's Special Value, and my 'before' shot was awful - I looked about 100! Whoever invented make-up is my saviour!

I hope you managed to get your hands on the Today's Special Value, it was such a fabulous collection and Stacey from ybf always puts her kits together beautifully.

Continue reading "Jilly: My birthday weekend" »

12 November 2008

Craig Rowe: Gearing up for Christmas!

Craig Rowe Hello!

Hope you're well and enjoying the build-up to Christmas. Before I was at QVC I couldn't have imagined getting into the Christmas spirit so soon but I have to say I'm really enjoying it - the new studio, the new shows and I'm having loads of fun - hope you are too!

Over the last few weeks there's been lots going on and a few 'firsts' for me. I had my first Lime Tree Pantry show and loved every second of it! Harry and Marjorie are lovely and everything they bake is so scrummy - I only wish it could have been a 2-hour show so I could have had some more cakes! I'm still dying to try one of Marjorie's millionaire shortbreads. One? Who am I kidding? More like five!!

I also did my first fashion show, Modern Soul, which I absolutely loved. It was good to have Glen there too, I hope you enjoyed it if you tuned in.

Other than that, it's been great to get stuck into the Christmas shows especially as it means I get to see lots more of the gorgeous guests such as Anne, Beverley and Gill!

Continue reading "Craig Rowe: Gearing up for Christmas!" »

Jill Franks reveals her most embarrassing moment

Jill FranksI was presenting a Today's Special Value for Remington hair clippers and had spent three days in a salon training prior to the launch show. After my training I was confident enough to cut someone's hair live on air.

Judgement day came and I was introduced to a gorgeous male model whose hair I was about to cut - no one had told him I wasn't a professional hairdresser!

Everything went smoothly and I gave him a pretty good haircut, if I do say so myself. However, towards the end of the show I was demonstrating the variety of blades and left the safety guard off and shaved a chunk of his hair off!

Continue reading "Jill Franks reveals her most embarrassing moment" »

11 November 2008

Arran Aromatics founder Janet Russell shares her top tips

Janet and granddaughter OliviaArran AromaticsWe caught up with Janet Russell, founder of QVC's new brand Arran Aromatics, who spoke to us about the magic behind this range and revealed some of her top tips for feeling good...

Tell us about the story behind Arran Aromatics

For five generations the magical Isle of Arran has been our home and inspiration. With its rugged Highland hills and the warm waters of the Gulf stream it gives us the perfect environment from which naturally stems an abundance of pure ingredients.

Continue reading "Arran Aromatics founder Janet Russell shares her top tips" »

Glen answers your winter fashion questions

Glen Campbell Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your winter style questions. I've answered them all on my new blog - Glen's Style File. If you can't find your question today, don't panic, I'm popping more answers up tomorrow.

Oh, and keep an eye on the Style File for my top winter fashion tips coming soon. You'll find advice on coats, colours and more!

Love Glen x

Pipa: Thank goodness for Arnica

Pipa VanderburgEarlier in the week in my hurry to do the school run, I slammed the boot of the car whilst forgetting to lean back and, yes you guessed it, the big heavy boot of the car came crashing down on the bridge of my nose!

It was a pure Tom and Jerry moment (although at that moment I didn’t find it funny)! I am convinced there really were stars floating around my head as the whole world went dark and I thought my nose had been spread from ear to ear. 

With what must have been a surge of adrenalin, I managed to pick up the children, get home, struggle through the front door, get to my bathroom and find my SBC Arnica. This I liberally and VERY tenderly applied!

Afterwards I sat there feeling very bruised and sorry for myself – but now all you can see is the cut. All I can say is thank goodness for Arnica!

Love Pipa x

Debbie: The temptations of presenting Thorntons chocolate

Debbie GreenwoodAs a self-confessed chocoholic, I had a ball on Sunday in our Thorntons show. Our guest, Amanda Stearn, had to almost physically restrain me from scoffing the entire day's stock! Thorntons chocs definitely fall into the irresistible category. Thorntons chocolates

The Thorntons show reminded me of a series I presented years ago for the BBC with Tom O'Connor (lovely man). We toured all over the country and I presented the out and about travelogue part of the show.

Continue reading "Debbie: The temptations of presenting Thorntons chocolate" »

10 November 2008

Vote in The 2008 Craft Awards

Craft Awards 2008

Calling all crafters!

Love QVC craft? Have your say and vote for QVC in the 2008 Craft Awards - you could even win some fabulous prizes!

Dawn Bibby and Leonie Pujol are also up for awards in the categories of Best Overall Card Designer and Best Craft Book respectively!

Find out more in our sister blog Craft Etc.

Kathy Tayler: If I wasn't a presenter...

Kathy Tayler... I'd love to be involved in medicine. It's a walk of life I've always been fascinated in, and I nearly studied to be a doctor at university. It's funny to think how things might have turned out, don't you think?

Kathy training for a marathon At the time I was competing in modern pentathlon at international level, and I wanted time to continue my athletics. That's why in the end I decided not to study medicine. Instead I chose to study physiology and biochemistry.

I still read all the medical articles in the press, and now my 17 year-old daughter, who's taking her A Levels this summer, is applying to read medicine next September. So there may still be a doctor in the family!

Dr. Olley has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?

Love Kathy x

08 November 2008

L'Occitane expert Alexis answers your beauty questions

Alexis from L'Occitane Hi everyone, Alexis here,

I want to say a big thank you to all of you who sent in your questions to me. I'm going to be on QVC on Sunday 7th November so be sure to tune in for some more of my top beauty tips.

For now, I have selected some of your questions to answer which you will see in QGossip throughout the week. Here are the first few...




Do you have a facial regime within the L'Occitane range that uses exfoliators and rich creams for dry and mature skin? JodyL'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream


Dear Jody, we have a wide skincare range for all skin types and needs. Immortelle Skincare is our anti ageing range. It offers a slightly richer day cream moisturiser, called Immortelle Precious Cream. In this range we also have a fantastic Immortelle Cream mask which is rich and luxurious and can be used twice a week.

Our Shea Butter skincare range also features rich moisturisers, but if you want to tackle the signs of ageing too then I believe that Immortelle Skincare would be the best option for you.

Our boutiques have qualified skincare consultants who can help you to find your perfect moisturiser, so please do not hesitate to come and visit us in your nearest L’Occitane boutique. Kind regards, Alexis.

Continue reading "L'Occitane expert Alexis answers your beauty questions" »

07 November 2008

Try on Glen's new Style File blog for size!

Glen Campbell Hi, Glen here,

I wanted you QGossip folk to be the first to try out my new fashion blog.

It's called Style File and it's basically me talking fashion with other presenters, and keeping you up to date with fashion looks and trends.

Why not comment and tell me what you think? If you've got any ideas for the blog or fashion questions, I'd love to hear them.

Love,

Glen xx

Dale's top tip for preparing for Christmas

Dale Franklin Hi everyone, Dale here,

How are your Christmas preparations coming along? We are in full Christmas swing here at QVC towers with many of the shows already presenting a wide range of gifts - there's something for everyone.

But don't stress too much about choosing the perfect gift because QVC have extended there 30-day money-back guarantee. You can now return products until 25th January, so it's great for anyone who wants to plan ahead.

This extension really enables you to make a purchase ahead of time and in the comfortable knowledge that a swap or refund will not be an issue when you buy from QVC.


I'd better go, I'm just popping out now to take some footage of the Thames with Sunday's TSV - make sure you tune in.

Happy Christmas shopping!

Love, Dale x

04 November 2008

Anna Griffin speaks to Craft Etc.

Anna GriffinDo you want to know what makes craft designer Anna Griffin tick? Don't miss her interview in our crafting blog, Catherine Huntley's Craft Etc. to find out her craft tips, favourite products and what inspires her.

You can also check out Anna's range of craft products here.

Enjoy!

31 October 2008

Jilly's Halloween fun and games

Jilly Halliday Hi everyone!

I love Halloween as it's a chance to have parties for the kids and dress up. We usually have some of the children's friends round and play party games. We've even been out for dinner with all of the kids dressed up in their costumes! Here's a snap Jilly's children in Halloween costumes of my children dressed up for Halloween, ready for trick or treating.

My favourite game is getting the kids into pairs, giving them two toilet rolls and it's the first pair to wrap each other up as Egyptian mummies that win! It's great fun.

We only trick or treat people we know, and last year we rang my sister's doorbell and she opened the door with a werewolf mask on! Everyone screamed (including me!), as we weren't expecting it!

What spooky fun do you get up to at Halloween? I'd love to hear all about it! Just leave me a comment below.

Love Jilly x

30 October 2008

Dale's spooky story for Halloween

Dale Franklin Hi everyone, since it's Halloween I thought I would share my spookiest story with you.

It happened way back in the '80s when I was an estate agent. I went round to value a beautiful old coach house and was welcomed in by a mum and her young son.

Over a cuppa I said how lucky they were to live in such a quirky old house. The little boy looked up from his sandwich and said, "Yeah it's great, except the ghost really annoys me!"

His mum looked embarrassed and told me that they had experienced something spooky in the house, but didn't talk about it for fear of people thinking they were strange. She went on to tell me about the time the kitchen stool moved of its own accord across the kitchen. I must admit, it gave me goose bumps!

Continue reading "Dale's spooky story for Halloween" »

29 October 2008

Brand-new beauty range from Linda Papadopoulos

Linda PapadopoulosLinda Papadopoulos is a popular celebrity psychologist, well-known for her appearances on morning chat shows, Loose Women, Big Brother and Celebrity Fit Club.

With an avid interest in beauty and both looking and feeling great, she's launching her new beauty range Psy Derma and we're lucky enough to have it on QVC! We spoke to Linda to see what it was all about...

Describe your new range in three words

Unique, effective, ground-breaking and luxurious (oops, I know that’s four but I couldn't fit it all into three)!

Share your top three skincare secrets

1.
Make time for yourself - this is important both for the well-being of your skin and your mind.
2. Learn how to look in the mirror - you'll feel a lot better about yourself if you focus on things that you like rather than on things that you don't.
3. Don't see skincare as a chore, see it as a treat.

Continue reading "Brand-new beauty range from Linda Papadopoulos " »

Tova replies to customers about her signature fragrance

Tova Dear everyone,

I want to assure those of you who have written comments about changes to the Tova Signature fragrance. This fragrance is as close to me as it is to all of you. It has my name on it and so the integrity of it is equally important to me. Neither the formula nor the fragrance has changed at all, that I can tell you with confidence.

When I celebrated the fragrance's 25th Anniversary I introduced a new artTova Signature 100ml EDP  deco bottle. The original had a frosted, opaque finish and the new one is completely transparent. With a new bottle, it's easy to perceive the fragrance differently. It's like eating ice cream from a bowl you don't usually eat it from - you think it tastes differently!

Continue reading "Tova replies to customers about her signature fragrance" »