Our presenters choose their favourite Gem Day jewellery

This Gem Day not only will we be bringing you a host of favourite designs, we'll also be introducing you to four new gemstones. Here are our presenters favourite jewellery from the day...

Julia Roberts

Olive apatite is one of the gemstones premiering on Gem Day, so I couldn't resist these chic stud earrings. They are stylish, elegant, 'wear anytime' earrings and the white gold is the perfect setting for the unusual shade of green.

My second choice is this multi quartz bracelet - it's truly a stunner! I love the fact that it's all about the stones; no fancy gold work, just simple connecting links letting the gems be the star. I think it's really eye-catching and not quite like anything else I've seen before at QVC.

Woman magazine loves our ybf Bronzing Oil

Whether you're suffering from a touch of post-holiday blues or never managed to get away this year, this could be the product to boost your spirits - and your skin! 

This ybf Imitation Vacation Fragrant Bronzing Oil is perfect for keeping your skin hydrated and giving you that instant golden glow. Use daily after a bath or shower for best results.

What Woman magazine say: "It gives a subtle bronze glow, with a sultry, tropical fragrance"

What you say: cativr, London - "I plan to keep on using this to keep me glowy and smelling gorgeous in the gloom of winter."

Pet of the week...

This week's cat is very sweet and belongs to Catherine Huntley...

Name: Baby (though I nickname her Apitou... it's a silly 'me' thing but it's because she's pretty and ''happy too''. Sounds like a French name, hee hee!)
Breed: Maine Coon
Age: 10 months
Likes: Cuddling with her adoptive brother Dinky, cleaning everyone with her exfoliatingly scratchy tongue and watching bubbles being blown.
Dislikes: Being picked up - she suddenly becomes attached firmly by the claws to whatever surface she is on if you dare try. But she's very sweet and placid though.

Do you have a cat that doesn't like being picked up, or has a funny nickname? Let us know your cat stories by writing them in the comment box below.

Keep an eye out for more furry friends next week.

Top party season hair tips from La Coupe

With the Christmas party season fast approaching, it can never be too soon to start thinking about how you're going to style your hair!
 
It's time to think about which glamorous up-do you're going to create to show off your sparkling party jewellery, make-up and of course... that special dress!
 
This season, hairstyles are eclectic, and no doubt longer hair is 'in' but always focus on volume. You can opt for super-shiny straight hair or consider 50s curls and waves, which can look every bit as fashionable.

Take your pick with whatever suits your mood, your outfit, and of course your actual hair type. 

How to create show-stopping hair

For us at La Coupe, Cheryl Cole has perfect show-stopping glamorous hair; it's big and bouncy, full of volume and body.

Rollers and back-brushing reign when it comes to achieving Cheryl's volume, but practising is essential to make sure you get it right on the day.

All I want for Christmas...

Here at QVC Towers we start looking forward to Christmas early, especially our presenters! So much so that they've written their wish lists already! But unfortunately all the letters got jumbled up before they could be sent, so we need your help to figure out which list belongs to which presenter.

Here's the first (click on it to make it bigger), and let us know who you think it belongs to by leaving your answer in the comment box below. In case you can't read the presenter's handwriting we've typed it for you too.

Dear Santa,

This year could I please have the largest wall-mounted telly you can find. A great pair of pyjamas from Carole Hochman so I can just curl up on the sofa on Christmas morning and watch TV.

I would love some Ojon to keep my hair in tip-top condition and some Pure Grace perfume from Philosophy because it's my favourite, and I would love some glamorous Diamonique earrings to wear on Christmas day (clip-ons of course).

Love ?

xxx

Try Simon Brown's Christmas cake recipe

With the last days of summer only just behind us it can seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but here at QVC we like to help you get ahead! 

Simon Brown, our cook's essentials expert, says ''October is the perfect time to make your Christmas cake so that it has time to mature and develop a rich, delicious flavour before the big day.''

Here's Simon's delicious recipe that you can make way in advance to avoid the stress of doing it in the busy festive period...

Traditional dark Christmas cake

Cooking time: 4.5 hours

Serves:

Ingredients

400g (14oz) currants
200g (7oz) raisins
200g (7oz) sultanas
50g (2oz) glacé cherries - rinsed, dried and quartered
3tbsp brandy, plus extra for ‘feeding’ if desired
225g (8oz) dark muscovado sugar
225 g (8oz) butter
4 large eggs, beaten
225g (8oz) plain flour, sieved
½ tsp ground mixed spice
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
50g (2oz) mixed candied peel, roughly chopped
50g (2oz) whole unblanched almonds, roughly chopped
½ tbsp black treacle
Grated zest of 1 orange
Grated zest of 1 lemon

Christmas card ideas from Dawn Bibby

If you're working on your Chistmas cards at the moment and are looking for a little inspiration, I've put together a couple of craft projects for you to try your hand at.

These cards have been created using a Christmas 3D Cardmaking Kit (588424 - available from Tuesday 29th September). It's perfect for beginners as it has a coloured instruction booklet with hints and tips included. I've also used micro dots (586741) and double-sided tape (586493).

You can find these and more in the Craft department of the QVC website.

Tree Lights card

1. Select the correct components (left) and fold the accordion card along the scored lines (right).

2. Pop out the Tree Lights die-cuts, organise them into three sets of four and attach them inside the folded sections with micro dots - one set at the top and one at bottom, all in the same direction (left), then have the centre set of four going in the opposite direction (right).

3. Build up the front matts with 3D foam and attach them onto the card (left).

Be inspired by self-help guru Wayne Dyer

Do you ever feel like you hold yourself back from achieving the things you want? Well, we caught up with Wayne Dyer - internationally renowned author dubbed the 'father of motivation' - for some self-help tips and advice.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Content, spiritual and love.

When should people use your 'Excuses Begone' TSV for best results?

I think it's something we can apply at all times in our lives. Excuses Begone is about becoming aware of the patterns we've developed over a lifetime which don't fulfil us, and our explanations for why we are not where we'd like to be.

Excuses keep you from having a higher level. They're evidence that you are contemplating what you can't do or what you can't have rather than what you can.

Hot autumn trend spotted in Grazia magazine

Lace is back! To rock this trend, you don't have to dress in lace from top-to-toe - lace detailing is all the rage and our own Per Lei ring is a great way to start, says Grazia magazine.

This on-trend ring boasts an intricate lacy floral design made from Italian 9 carat gold. It's the perfect way to embrace this trend and keep up with the catwalk!

If you like this ring, take a look at the rest of the Per Lei range for more lacy designs.

Meet the celebrities who support Breast Cancer Care

This year sees QVC and Breast Cancer Care's partnership hit the 10 year milestone. Over the years, QVC has continuously supported this inspirational charity and have particularly been involved with their annual Fashion Show.

As Breast Cancer Care's Fashion Show is fast approaching, QGossip caught up with a few celebrities who are huge supporters of the charity. Here they reveal why Breast Cancer Care is so close to their hearts and what inspires them...

Why is Breast Cancer Care close to you?

Lesley Joseph

"I don’t think there is anyone in this land whose life has not been affected by breast cancer. My beloved aunt Sue was the last of my mother’s 11 siblings to die and she died of this condition.

So many people I know have been affected – most have fortunately pulled through with the support and care they can now receive from charities like Breast Cancer Care. It is vital that work continues to help people with this illness and I am pleased to always do everything I can to help."