QGossip

My QVC with Alison Keenan

2013-05-24T15:31:08+01:00

As our 20th birthday celebrations continue, we've invited a whole host of celebrities, journalists, bloggers and presenters to tell us all about their favourite QVC items that they've been buying over the last 20 years.

Here is our very own QVC presenter, Alison Keenan, sharing her favourite QVC items.

Mally's Brow Fix

The most recent addition to my make-up bag and I wouldn't be without it!

Vicella Vita Shapewear

The beige option. The only bra type underwear I can now currently wear. Very comfortable and sexy with the thinner straps.

Cleanse and Polish Trio

Because someone else always needs one! I've been using this cleanser for the majority of the last 12 years.

Perricone Neuropeptide Firming Cream

It may be expensive but I believe it has worked wonders on my somewhat sagging jawline. It began using it last April, 2012.

Gatineau Tan Accelerator and Exfoiliating Gel

Ideally I'd go for the larger size of the Exfoiliating Gel, but both work brilliantly to maintain a real or faux tan

Elemis Pro Collagen Eye Treatment

All that makes up this wonderful range of products in a power-packed serum - great for my fine lines and wrinkles.

Ojon Colour Sustain Collection

Keeps colour and shine on chemically coloured and natural hair

Centigrade

I have it in black and cream. They've been the saving of me in the bitter winter we've just had!

bareMinerals Ready Foundation

This new-comer to the range offers amazing coverage

Laura Geller Baked highlighter

A fab brush and a highlighter with incredibly fine consistency yet excellent coverage. Great as an eye primer!

Visit Alison Keenan's blog

My QVC with Hello! Beauty Editor, Nadine Baggott

2013-05-24T15:13:46+01:00

As part of our ongoing 20th Birthday celebrations we've invited a host of bloggers, journalists, designers and presenters to share with us their pick of the best that QVC has to offer.

Nadine Baggott (left), beauty editor for Hello! Magazine, has kindly agreed to share her QVC favourites with us...

What do you like about QVC?

"There was a time when home shopping channels seemed out of touch with the high street but oh no, QVC have changed all of that. Now the chicest, latest and very best beauty brands clamour to appear on QVC.

It makes perfect sense to shop at home, especially when you can get brilliant value, special offers and the latest brands all from the comfort of your sofa – no hard sell, no pushy shop assistants just sit back, relax and shop."

What are your favourite beauty buys for this season?

bareMinerals Deluxe Foundation

"I have long, long been a fan of mineral bases. I find them easy to apply, easy to blend and they give a super quick, flawless finish. Add to that an inbuilt all natural SPF and you have a beauty must have for my makeup bag."

Tangle Teezer

"I have a TT in every bag, suitcase and drawer. Apart from a full circle bristle brush for my fringe they are all I use on my hair. I love the Compact mini handbag Styler. My hair is fine and coloured so they really do untangle without tearing or breaking my hair."

Clarisonic

"Turns any wash-off cleanser (I love Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish) into a spa facial. Great for getting off TV makeup after I come off air, plus I am sure they boost microcirculation so you end up with a glow and less puffy face."

Mary Greenwell Lemon

"My new must have summer scents; it truly is delicious, fresh yet sensual. Perfect for summer."

Nails Inc Polishes

"Porchester Square or South Molton Street for hands, Chiswick Park for toes and the Express Remover and Corrector Pen are genius."

Bobbi Brown

"I pretty much love this brand full stop because it makes professional finish makeup easy to achieve at home in a few minutes. Their Creamy Matt Lip Colours are classics, the eye palettes, especially the Spring Into Bloom one is stunning and perfect for my trademark smoky eye. And I love their mini Mineral makeup Brush; for me a makeup bag must have."

Benefit Hoola

"Still one of the best bronzers around, not shimmery just the perfect natural shade that can also be used as a shader too. Part of the Iconic Set that also includes a brilliant mattifying pore minimiser and fab They’re Real body building mascara."

Our guest Laurie's been living it up in Cannes!

2013-05-23T14:20:02+01:00

Diamond-expert, QVC regular and all-round jewellery aficianado, Laurie Wickwire, has been spotting stars at the Cannes Film Festival while filming for us there.

She'll be joining Debbie Flint on air this evening at 6pm to lend her expertise to our all diamond jewellery show and to tell us all about it.

Check out the video and pictures below for just a taste of the fabulous star-studded parties she's attended and the celebrities she's met along the way, including Sharon Stone and Dita Von Teese!

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Join Laurie at 6pm for our Diamonds Show with Debbie Flint

Win a selection of tasty EasiYo yoghurts

2013-05-22T23:58:00+01:00

We're excited to be celebrating the 21st birthday of EasiYo yoghurt with some very special shows this Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th May.

Tune in at 2pm this Thursday and Friday to see more from this tasty range and enjoy our P&P offers!

To celebrate their 21st birthday in style, we're giving you the chance to win a fabulous purple yoghurt maker and selection of tasty yoghurt sachet flavours including 1x Greek and Coconut, 1 x Berries & Bits, 1 x Strawberries & Cream, 1 x Greek Yoghurt, 1 x Vanilla Smoothie and 1 x Berry Fruit Squirt!

To enter, all you need to do is answer the following question...

Where does EasiYo originate from?

A. America

B. New Zealand

C. Australia

Email your answer along with your full name and address and subject 'EasiYo Competition' to competitions_uk@qvc.com before midnight on Friday 24th May. One winner will then be randomly selected and announced in QGossip on Tuesday 28th.

Good luck!

See the full Ter ms and Conditions

One Tiana B dress, three fab ways to style it!

2013-05-21T23:58:00+01:00

Coming up tomorrow (Thursday 23rd May) we have an exciting Today's Special Value offer from Tiana B. This beautiful jersey and charmeuse scarf-style print dress is eye-catching and versatile - your perfect summer dress solution! We know you all have busy summers planned ahead, with parties and events galore so we've styled this dress for three special occasions.

Below we show you how to style this dress for lunch with the girls, a party and a summer wedding. Featuring expert advice from QVC's buyers and stylists, we have your wardrobe sorted for the season!

Lunch with the girls

Perfect for a lazy lunch date with your girlfriends, this navy and orange paisley print dress is a great option for when you want to look polished but relaxed. An ideal smart casual choice! Pair with a cute pair of sandals such as Lotus corsage detail sandals or Bahama leather sandals from Scholl, and finish off your look with a relaxed tote like this crochet bag from The Sak for easy summer style. For a cooler day, cover up with this cardigan from Nina Leonard.

Summer wedding

This fab option features an intricate paisley print in pink, white, blue and coral. This eye-catching print is perfect for dressing up with a pretty pair of Marta Jonsson pink peeptoe sling-back heels and a cute Lulu Guinness clutch bag. Cover up with a Dreamkeeper sequin shawl or a pretty Michele Hope bolero and finish off with a fab Finn pebble necklace from Lola Rose!

Party time!

For a summer evening soiree you need a fab dress and simple accessories to make it pop. Cover up with this cute Susan Graver blazer with fab fuchsia lining to complement the dress and wear with these sling back court heels from Clarks for effortless chic. Complete your look with a stylish black agate nugget necklace from Lola Rose.

We hope you enjoy these expert style tips from the QVC fashion team. Make sure you tune in tomorrow (Thursday 23rd May) to check out this fabulous and versatile Today's Special Value dress from Tiana B!

Browse our fashion department

Will: Peony's Chelsea Flower Show-inspired TSV

2013-05-20T23:58:00+01:00

Peony will be here presenting a Today's Special Value faux flower arrangement on QVC on Friday the 24th of May.

The latest Today's Special Value from Peony has been designed to celebrate the centenary year of the Chelsea Flower Show.

I recently caught up with guest Julie Bates to preview the collections and have a chat about the Peony range...

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Don't miss the Today's Special Value from Peony Flowers coming to QVC on Friday the 24th of May 2013.

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Thompson & Morgan guest Michael on the Chelsea show

2013-05-18T23:58:00+01:00

It's that wonderful time of year again for all gardening lovers, as the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show begins this week.

To celebrate this grand occasion, we caught up with guest Michael Perry from Thompson & Morgan to pick his brains a little bit...

What are the key trends to look out for at Chelsea this year?

As far as I've heard, colour is IN at Chelsea this year, and I'm so pleased!! My own garden is all about big colour blocks. I've got a sparkly purple berberis hedge which I've inter-planted with purple lilies, and it looks fab. I've also got some ground-hugging golden lonicera, again inter-planted with lilies, but this time in vivid orange!

As it's the centenary year of the Chelsea Flower Show, I think exhibitors will be pulling out all the stops, so I'm expecting some phenomenal displays. There's one particular display which I've got the inside track on, which will comprise four separate gardens, each set in a different period.

Hopefully we'll have our futuristic foxgloves in the most recent garden, but of course, it depends on how the weather treats us... It can be hard to get things timed just right for Chelsea displays!

The ban on gnomes has also been lifted this year, so I think we should expect quite a few cheeky appearances of these garden favourites!

You won the Plant of the Year last year at Chelsea. Can you tell us about it?

Thompson & Morgan were absolutely thrilled to be awarded Plant of the Year at last years Chelsea Flower Show! Digitalis 'illumination' is a breeding breakthrough, made by our very own plant breeder. He's a bit like a magician of the plant world. When we see something people need for their garden, we have a go at creating it - and there's no better example than this!

Firstly, foxglove 'illumination' flowers for six months without pause (usual foxgloves can only spit out a months worth of flowers, if that!) Secondly, it is a hardy perennial (usual foxgloves are biennials, and die out after they flower). Lastly, the colours are some that you have NEVER seen before, like a basket of tropical fruit!

Those customers who were quick, will have secured their own plants through our recent TSV, so they'll be growing not only the pink, but also new apricot and raspberry this year! We hope to have the collection back on QVC during Chelsea week!

How does Chelsea inspire your own gardening?

Despite visitors feeling that the big wow factor gardens might be unachievable in their own back yard, there are always elements that can be taken and worked with. Whether a new way of using plants (for example I loved the bearded iris, ornamental grass and bronze fennel combos a few years back!) or innovative new ways of using materials, there's also plenty of inspiration.

Always try and visit Chelsea with a gardening friend, as you'll find you'll really bounce off each other, and to be honest, I always smile to myself at how competitive gardeners can be - I often walk behind visitors who are itching to name each plant before their companion does!

Do you have any advice on where to start with gardening this year?

My first piece of advice to anyone, beginner or experienced, is 'don't panic'! Too many people think there's a right and wrong way to do things in the garden, but there really isn't. Plants are like people, each one is different and will respond differently to different treatment. So, just dig in (excuse the pun!) and have a go, you'll soon get the hang of it and learn to trust your instincts.

When buying young plants, the market also caters to a range of skill levels. For example larger plants are great for beginners as they'll be big, chunky and often ready to plant straight into the garden. You'll pay a slight premium, but it's worth it for the peace of mind.

But, if you've grown plants before and fancy getting a bit more involved, there's a superb range of more economical plug plants, which are smaller and will need some growing on, but often all you need is a windowsill, or large table in a back bedroom, by a window. You don't always need a greenhouse!

What are your top five gardening tips?

Difficult one, as there's so many little tricks here and there - shortcuts, secrets, hints, tips...!

Firstly, when growing hanging baskets, always plant up the sides of the basket! Too many people don't, and have to wait ages for those plants planted into the top to cascade over and down.

Compost - it's always, always worth paying a premium for the medium you grow in. Some cheaper brands can lack nutrients, and may contain weed seeds, which will plague you come summer!

Pinching - when plants are young, pinch out the growing tip, this will encourage two shoots in place. Do this once more and, hey presto, you have a superb bushy plant, which will give MORE flowers!

Watering - remember that containers need plenty of water. Rain seldom reaches pots, so make sure you're on top of watering. In fact, mix in water-retaining crystals when you plant up, this will help keep moisture in the soil for longer.

Feed - get the best out of your plants by feeding. If you aren't using Richard Jackson's Flower Power already, why not???

You can keep up to date with new plant developments by liking Michael's page at Facebook.com/planthunter.uk or following him on Twitter @gardening_greek

The Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 21st - 25th. Don't miss our Chelsea themed shows with expert Richard Jackson throughout this week on QVC.

The Liz Earle Today's Special Value!

2013-05-18T10:19:28+01:00

For the first time ever the Liz Earle team have combined skincare & colour together in one Today's Special Value!

Not only that, the Today's Special Value also includes their brand new fragrance, Botanical Essence No. 100.

I caught up with Caroline Archer at Wisley Gardens in Surrey to take a look at the full collection, I also had a chat with Liz Earle Botanist Jennifer Hirsch about their brand new fragrance. Take a look at my videos below...

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Take a look at my chat below with Liz Earle Botanist Jennifer Hirsch and learn all about their latest fragrance Botanical Essence No. 100...

See the BRAND NEW fragrance from Liz Earle, Botanical Essence No. 100

See Liz Earle's Botanical Essence No. 1

See Liz Earle's Botanical Essence No. 15

View the entire Liz Earle range here at QVC.

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Introducing Bronzo Italia jewellery!

2013-05-15T23:55:00+01:00

Hi everyone,

It's a pleasure to be here at QVC. My name is Letizia La Mela and I'm the guest for Bronzo Italia!

I've been working in the world of jewellery since 1998, visiting international fairs and exhibitions to make sure I stay up to date with the latest market trends.

I am delighted to bring you Bronzo Italia. I carefully follow the creation of every piece, from the sketch to the intricate production techniques involved and the impeccable finishings.

I like to think my passion for goldsmith's art makes me an excellent judge during the product's development, down to the very last detail, to which I always pay close and full hearted attention.

Bronze is becoming more and more popular in the jewellery world and I am so excited to be launching the Bronzo Italia range of jewellery. This naturally rose coloured bronze gives the look of rose gold which is a big trend in fine jewellery and featured in many high end collections. Bronzo Italia allows us to offer QVC customers a high end look coupled with Italian design and craftsmanship. I'm sure you will love it! Be sure to tune in on May the 18th to see the shows!

We asked our jewellery buyer Debra Willis to select her top four items from the new range.

This is a great statement piece which also works well for everyday wear. I would wear this as a daytime piece to finish off a work outfit.
The rolo style is a classic Italian look but the oversized link gives it a fashionable update. It is finished with a magnetic clasp which makes it really easy to wear and gives it a clean streamlined look.

This beautiful necklace is a real classic. The chain features polished nuggets along the chain which add a little Italian flair to a regular chain. Layering is a huge trend in jewellery and these two lengths look great together. I would also layer up with my silver and gold chains for a different look.

I love the tactile nature of this pendant and the fluidity of the rings. It is a statement pendant which looks great over a tunic for the summer. Longer lengths are a strong trend at the moment and this can be worn long or fastened at a shorter length. You could even remove the pendant and wear it on a shorter chain or cord for a completely different look.

These are so sophisticated, a really simple design that is so wearable and looks great for everyday. The rose coloured bronze is a beautiful pink gold shade which compliments all skin tones and so looks great when worn close to the face. I love the two options we have the polished are a great classic look whist the satin finish is a really elegant alternative.

Visit our jewellery department

What's coming up in our fantastic Get Gorgeous event!

2013-05-14T23:58:00+01:00

Spring has finally arrived and there is no better time to update your wardrobe and get your gorgeous summer style ready for the coming months. This weekend our Get Gorgeous event will feature fashion top tips and advice to help you unearth a whole new you this season!

We have a host of premiere shows from exciting new brands and a fantastic Nina Leonard maxi dress Today's Special Value for you to look forward to. Plus, everything from the event is available in interest-free instalments so you can spread the cost of your May style makeover.

We have the premiere show of beautiful new fashion brand Ronen Chen this weekend. This high-end and luxurious designer brand showcases clean, understated designs which have become the Ronen Chen trademark. The designs are inspired by geometric lines and shapes, and his pieces are fashionable, classic and flattering.

Our expert fashion buyers have chosen their top picks from the Ronen Chen collection to help you stay ahead in the style stakes this summer. The printed chiffon dress (pictured above) is an elegant piece, with an asymmetric hemline and classic neutral shades - a great contemporary twist to your summer wardrobe. The swirl print tunic (left) is another great piece from the range, with a modern print in on-trend monochrome shades, and the asymmetric maxi skirt is a classic design that will take you from season to season.

We also have a brand new footwear brand joining QVC, Peter Kaiser. The feminine designs offer luxury, quality and exclusivity and feature great fabrics and craftmanship for the perfect fit.

Finally, make sure you look out for a beautiful Nina Leonard maxi dress Today's Special Value. In four stunning and vibrant prints, this dress is sure to become your summer go-to piece. It works for all occasions as it can be dressed up or down and will brighten your day or night with the colourful shades and flattering shape!

Here is more of a sneak peek of what is coming up this weekend!

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Browse our fashion department

Will: bareMinerals are celebrating a decade on QVC!

2013-05-13T23:30:00+01:00

bareMinerals are celebrating their 10th anniversary with QVC this week!

bareMinerals experts, Lee & SJ, will be presenting special shows on Friday the 17th of May, Saturday 18th May and Sunday 19th May, take a look at our TV Guide for more details.

I caught up with Lee & SJ to talk about their 10 years with QVC and to preview some of the special anniversary products featuring over the three days...

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View the entire bareMinerals range here at QVC.

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Watch Brian McFadden on QVC on Tuesday 14th May!

2013-05-13T09:25:20+01:00

This Tuesday 14th May, we were joined by singer, Brian McFadden who stopped by to tell us all about his new album, 'The Irish Connection'.

Brian was inspired by his Irish roots when recording 'The Irish Connection' as the album includes his interpretations of some of the very best in Irish songwriting.

He has teamed up with Irish stars such as Sinead O'Connor for the Irish Classic 'Black is The Colour' and Ronan Keating on U2's 'All I Want Is You'.

If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of 'The Irish Connection', take a look at our website to order yours now.

Watch Brian's music video for his single 'All I Want Is You'...

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Watch Brian's Interview

Will: Slim-Be Today's Special Value!

2013-05-10T23:45:00+01:00

Slim-Be is back this Tuesday the 14th of May with a Today's Special Value collecion!

Slim-Be is an instant drink mix which fills you up before meal times to help with weight loss and management.

The Today's Special Value will contain 90 sachets of the strawberry-flavoured drink, giving you approximately a months supply. I caught up with Christine Hamilton to find out more...

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See demonstrations of the Slim-Be Today's Special Value LIVE on QVC on Tuesday the 14th of May!

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Get tickets for this year's Breast Cancer Care fashion show!

2013-05-10T13:31:12+01:00

The Breast Cancer Care shows are glittering occasions of style and glamour, where all the models who take to the catwalk have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

44 inspiring men and women, who have all been affected by breast cancer, will conquer the catwalk in the ultimate show of confidence, to celebrate life after a diagnosis. This star-studded occasion is a diary must for fashion fans, a great opportunity to treat someone special or just a good excuse for a wonderful night out!

Guests will enjoy a champagne reception, a gourmet dinner and a glittering catwalk show as well a whole host of entertainment - so don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes! And the best bit? This incredible event will raise vital funds to help Breast Cancer Care continue to support the 55,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

The fashion shows celebrate the wonderful work of Breast Cancer Care, and 44 of the models have had, or are going through, breast cancer. The charity offers tailored support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer, their families and friends.

Join us to help ensure this year’s events are even bigger! Shows take place in London and Glasgow to mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1st to 31st October). You can check out the very latest in designer fashion while fundraising for a very worthy cause.

If you'd like to book tickets for the show, visit breastcancercare.org.uk/theshow

Glasgow : 26th September, Radisson Blu
London: 2nd October, Grosvenor House Hotel

Elemis have got a special TSV coming your way

2013-05-09T23:55:00+01:00

In need of your Elemis fix? Expert Keeley Aydin and the team will be back on Sunday 12th May with another fantastic Today's Special Value showcasing a few Elemis favourites, a brand new skincare must-have and much more.

Will Gowing caught up with Keeley to find out more…

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Like the sound of the new Pro Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm? Keeley takes us through the key benefits and how best to use it...

View the full Elemis beauty range

Diane Gilman is celebrating 5 years on QVC!

2013-05-07T21:37:33+01:00

Fashion designer Diane Gilman is celebrating her 5th anniversary with QVC this week!

Tune in for special hour long shows on Wednesday 8th May at 11am, 6pm & 10pm. Diane will also be LIVE on air on Thursday 9th May at 1pm & 5pm.

I popped along to the Wyndham Grand hotel in London's Chelsea Harbour to have a chat with Diane and see what she's been up to recently...

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Follow the link to browse the entire Diane Gilman collection.

See Diane Gilman LIVE on QVC on Wednesday 8th May at 11am, 6pm & 10pm and on Thursday 9th May at 1pm & 5pm.

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Discover more from Imagination Crafts

2013-05-05T23:55:00+01:00

We know many of you have enjoyed our Imagination Craft shows recently and we've got more to show you on Wednesday 8th May at 9pm!

We recently catch up guest, Sue Baker, to learn more about her love for craft and to find out where she gets her inspiration from.

What is your background?

After finishing at Drama School I started working on theatre set design. From learning how to screen print wallpaper and fabric to designing furniture and accessories, it was just a short step to interiors and home décor.

I was also lucky enough to join Harvey Baker and his design company and began producing products for TV Makeover programmes such as Changing Rooms and Home Front.

What motivated you to start your own brand?

The challenge of being able to work with other designers, and creating a range of exciting, innovative products. Also to show everyone that we all have a creative side to us, it’s just a case of finding it and having the right products to use. I wanted to bring this all under one roof. Creating a British brand that people know they can rely on and trust to give them the results they want.

What is special about your products?

Imagination Products are all designed and created in-house by our own talented team. This is a very unique aspect in today’s industry as most of the companies produce their ranges in China with little control over the outcome.

All our pigments, paints, powders and mediums are produced in-house. We are one of the only manufacturers of these kinds of paints and powders in the UK and our recipes are secret, envied by many other brands.

We have our own in-house artist Jayne Saunders who designs our clear Stamps, Stencil and Mask range, which allow us to be entirely original.

We invite guest designers to design exclusive ranges just for the Imagination Brand to run alongside our own distinctive products.

How do you and your team find inspiration to come up with new ideas?

Jayne and I have great ‘brain storming’ design sessions – in fact most of our conversations end up in a brain storming on some new concept or design source, where we bounce ideas off each other. We share the same excitement and enthusiasm for product development.

We get inspiration from everything around us, in the garden, when we travel, noticing shape, colour, textures. There are never enough hours in the day or weeks to produce everything we would love to add to our ever growing collection of products.

We also listen to what our customers want to achieve as far as designs and colours are concerned. People want to paint stencil and decorate furniture again, which is where we began 20 years ago.

Many customers send us pictures, colour swatches and wish lists for stencils and Sparkle Medium colours and we do our best to add them to our range. We love this personal touch.

Do you follow any trends?

We are in the very fortunate position of being able to set trends. This stems from a close knit team who know each other really well. We are able to follow through on an idea or concept to enthuse and encourage our customers to want to join us on their own creative journey.

Join us on Wednesday 8th May to see more from Imagination Crafts

See the Imagination Craft range online

Visit the craft department

Alpha H Today's Special Value!

2013-05-04T23:55:00+01:00

Pop Tuesday the 7th of May in your diary as Alpha H will be launching their latest Today's Special Value collection!

It's an exciting kit as it contains two brand new products, as well as two hero products from the range that Alison Young recommends a lot during her Q&A sessions.

I recently caught up with Alpha H's Tom Ogden to find out more...

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Don't miss the Alpha H Today's Special Value coming to QVC on Tuesday the 7th of May and just follow the link to browse the entire Alpha H range.

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Will: Coming up in May on QVC!

2013-05-01T23:55:00+01:00

Hello to you and hello to the month of May!

As always I've been very busy behind the scenes here at QVC, a big part of my job involves making videos for the QVC website and previewing new products or ranges.

There's a lot coming up over the next few months, so I wanted to sit down and tell you about some of the things that you can look out for in May.

Firstly I wanted to mention our brand new Beauty Pick of the Month, it's the Ultrasun Face SPF 50 in a larger 100ml size!

As you can see in the picture I've built up a nice little collection of Ultrasun products, a mixture of SPF 50 and SPF 30.

I love the Ultrasun range, I apply in the morning and then I'm good to go for the day. If I'm away skiing and the sun is particularly strong, I may touch-up my forehead and nose during lunch but that's it!

I generally only use SPF 50 on my face, so the Pick of the Month is perfect for me. On the rest of my body I normally use SPF 30, however last year I tried the Sports 20 whilst running outside here in the UK, if you're a guy with hairy legs it's brilliant!

Love Gardening?

Take a look at our Gardening Pick of the Month, the Scented Colour Changing Erysimum Plants, again they are available throughout May with free P&P.

On May the 6th (Bank Holiday Monday) QVC will be presenting a Plants & Flowers Today's Special Value, with gardening shows throughout the day.

I'll also be holding another gardening Q&A on Saturday the 11th of May with plant expert Michael Perry! You can join in the Q&A by visiting the QVC Facebook & Twitter pages, Michael will be answering your questions from around 11am.

New from Alpha H...

If you're a fan of the Alpha H skincare range OR you've never tried their products before but would like to, look out for their Today's Special Value on Tuesday the 7th of May.

The 4 piece Liquid Gold collection contains the brand new and exclusive Liquid Gold Rejeuvenating Cream (pictured)!

The Today's Special Value also comes with two of the products that Alison Young recommends a lot during her Q&A sessions online every Thursday afternoon.

I won't say anymore as I'll ruin the surprise, but look out for the Today's Special Value on Tuesday the 7th of May.

Intelligent Nutrients are coming to QVC...

The founder of Aveda, Horst Rechelbacher, is bringing his Intelligent Nurtients haircare range to QVC towards the end of May.

I filmed with Horst and Alison Young recently, he is a fascinating man who has dedicated his life to well-being, you feel inspired just being around him!

You'll hear a lot more about the launch of Intelligent Nutrients over the next few weeks on QVC, but here's a snippet from the inteview...

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Summer Sparkle...

And finally... the month of May will come to a close with a Diamonique Day Spectacular, there'll be a Today's Special Value designed by a 'certain someone' and with that I must say no more... apart from the fact that you can see the entire Diamonique range by following the link.

Have a great May everyone and here's to the warmer weather!

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

This Wednesday on Morning Style with Kathy!

2013-04-28T23:55:00+01:00

Don't miss Morning Style with Kathy Tayler this Wednesday at 10am on QVC!

Every week Kathy and the team focus on a particular theme, this week is all about dressing for your personality.

I recently filmed a video with Kathy and QVC stylist Charlotte Bateson-Hill to give you a little preview of Wednesday's show...

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I hope you enjoyed looking behind the scenes on Morning Style, don't forget you can visit the Morning Style page and our Fashion department whenever you like, just follow the links.

If there's a particular video that you would like me to film from our Fashion department, why not leave me a comment below with your ideas, I'd love to hear from you!

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @QVCUK and @WillGowing on Twitter.

Northern Nights guests on bedding for all seasons...

2013-04-25T23:58:00+01:00

Spring seems to have finally sprung, but the weather is still changing its mind...one day it's warm and sunny and the next it's back to cold and rainy! It's difficult to know how to dress your bed when the weather is so changeable. We caught up with expert Northern Nights guest Susie Adams to chat about how to cope with this inbetween, transseasonal weather...

What are your top five tips for coping with the changing weather around this time?

1. Natural cotton is great for all weather. As you know Northern Nights only use 100% cotton so all of our range will provide you with nature's natural fibre, that absorbs moisture and feels cool and gentle on your skin. If you love to use flannel all year round, or have issues with maintaining your body temperature these too will also keep you fresh in a snuggly way.

2. Using a natural down duvet will also regulate and adapt to your body temperature thorughout every season. You may prefer changing to a lighter spring/summer weight, for the impending warmer weather.

3. If you and your partner experience real difficulties in sharing your duvet (maybe you prefer different weights), then how about purchasing two single duvet for the summer months. They could of course have different fill powers so you both enjoy your sleeping experience together.

4. For those of you who are happy with your duvet, I would also recommend having it laundered and keeping your bedroom window open. A well ventilated bedroom has many beneficial ways to bring about better health.

5. Take a look at your pillow (personally I do this when no one else is around!) Honestly, does the cover look clean? Will it stand on your palm without acting all floppy? Well, congratulations if it does because this sounds perfect. If not, I would recommend popping it in the wash on a very low heat and then either sun drying it or place it in your tumble dryer on a very low heat setting, and dry it for at least four hours. Then it should feel fluffy like a cloud!

What bedding can you recommend for dealing with the transseasonal weather?

Northern Night's new season range is perfect for refreshing your bedroom and bringing it up to date. A few of my faves from the collection are the 600 thread count Floral Bow duvet set, which is an elegant and timeless traditional cotton jacquard fabric in a pale blue/cream shade. This will add a stately home touch of elegance, imagine your room could be your own little palace!

Another one I like is the Emma Butterfly heavyweight flannel duvet set for cooler days. This comes in yellow or a pink option with a white background and features a vintage blossoms and blooms theme - a major bedding trend this spring/summer. This with the butterfly influence brings together a real sense of summer but with a cosy flannel fabric.

What other great solutions have you got for spring bedding?

Spring brings the light back into our lives, the days become a little longer and maybe puts us in the mind to refresh and renew. If you have used darker linens to hunker down throughout the winter, now think about bringing the light into your bedroom, longer lighter hours and cool calming colours help to lift our energy and our outlook on life.

Spring cleaning your bedroom. I appreciate this is an enormous task if undertaken all at one. Split your chores into one task per day. Cleaning our all draws and cupboards, a thorough vacuum in and around the bed, yes and underneath, I am always amazed at the dust that seems to present itself once the sun shines. Clean windows will help you to see the world in a brighter light and also wash away the bleak winter. Give your curtains and or blinds a wash or thorough dusting.

Then, bedding is the fun part: Use our sateen finishes to reflect light. White is of course the easiest way of doing this, but I love the way lemon reminds me of sunshine, cool blues of the colour of sky, and soft pink can be such a warm and romantic colour to use. For those who love bright festival colours, get into the holiday spirit with fushia pinks, tropical blues, and orange the colour of sunshine. I love to use these colours together and use throws, pillows and maybe lampshades to show a sense of fun and let your imagination go wild.

So we hope that Susie's top tips help you achieve the perfect bed for the changeable weather! Northern Nights will be on QVC on Tuesday 30th April for their Today's Special Value Eurofeather pillows set offer. These luxurious pillows are another perfect transseasonal bedding solution, so make sure you tune in and snap them up!

Browse the full Northern Nights range

The winner of our Gem Day competition is...

2013-04-25T13:36:01+01:00

Yesterday marked a very special Gem Day on QVC and we shared lots of gorgeous jewellery pieces with you throughout the day - some of which you can still find online in our jewellery department.

Plus, to celebrate Gem Day's anniversary we offered you the chance to win this stunning Honora Pearl necklace worth £350!

To be in with a chance of winning, you had to answer the following question...

Q. Gem Day has been running for how many years?
And the correct answer is: C) 20

The lucky winner can now be revealed... and it's Kay Adams from Peterborough! Congrats! We'll email you shortly with further details.

Visit our jewellery department

Running the London marathon for Breast Cancer Care

2013-04-24T23:55:00+01:00

Last Sunday, the QVC Team - Bryony and Arietta - took to the streets of London along with 36,000 others to run 26.2 miles for charity! The challenge was set at the end of January and training kicked off immediately, despite the often minus temperatures, rain and snow!

But thanks to the amazing support of the crowds and the Breast Cancer Care team, they both completed the marathon and have raised over £2,000 for the charity. If you would like to donate to the cause, you can find their donation page here.

Here's what they had to say about the event:

Arietta

"The London Marathon is by far the hardest thing I have done so far. I am so proud of finishing it as when I reached halfway, I didn't think I was going to be able to make it.

I was not feeling too well and wanted to quit after mile 2. However seeing so many people struggling and carrying on, especially a woman over 70, there was no way I was going to quit without a fight.

The crowd was amazing and they really help you get through. What an achievement! One that anyone is capable of, so get training and do it."

Bryony

"What an experience. The atmosphere was amazing and I felt like I was part of something pretty incredible, from the moment of silence at the start to show our support for the tragedy in Boston to running over Tower Bridge and hearing the roar of the crowds on either side.

I now understand what people mean when they talk about hitting the wall though! Mine was at 21 miles... and then again at 23 miles when I really had to give myself a good talking to with the exhaustion setting in.

The Breast Cancer Care supporters as well as all my friends and family that came out to cheer were such a help and with all the emotion, I promptly burst into tears on the finish line! Definitely something to be proud of and something I will never forget!"

Visit the Breast Cancer Care site to find out more about this fantastic charity

Have you seen the new look Best magazine?

2013-04-24T17:50:57+01:00

Our friends at Best magazine have had an image overhaul and are looking better than ever! Yet, despite their bold new look, this riveting weekly magazine is still available at a pocket-friendly 89p!

This week's issue features jewellery from our Giles Deacon range and there's an article about QVC's brand new jewellery collection from model and presenter, Lisa Snowdon, on their equally new and shiny website, bestdaily.co.uk.

One to bookmark, we reckon!

Filming the QVC Beauty Day promo!

2013-04-23T23:58:00+01:00

This Sunday 28th April is Beauty Day on QVC!

We'll have a Today's Special Value collection from Mally, supersize products that are exclusive to QVC and shows from Liz Earle, Decleor and L'Occitane.

When we have a big event here at QVC we normally film a 'Promo', here's a little look at what goes on behind the scenes, you can also watch the finished article at the end of my video...

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Talking of all things beauty, don't forget to join Alison Young and myself for the Beauty Fix show on QVC this Thursday at 4pm. You can tweet @AlisonYoungQVC during the programme and have your comments and questions read out LIVE on air!

See you then,

Will

Follow @WillGowing on Twitter.

Win in our Gem Day competition

2013-04-22T23:55:00+01:00

This Wednesday 24th April marks a very special Gem Day on QVC and we've got lots of gorgeous jewellery pieces to share with you throughout the day.

Plus, to celebrate Gem Day's anniversary we're offering you the chance to win this stunning Honora Pearl necklace worth £350!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question...

Q. Gem Day has been running for how many years?

A) 5

B) 10

C) 20

Send us your answer along with your full name and address to competitions_uk@qvc.com before midnight on Wednesday 24th April. One winner will then be randomly selected and announced in QGossip on Thursday. Good luck!

See the full Terms and Conditions

Visit our jewellery department

Breast Cancer Care launch their new and FAB campaign

2013-04-22T11:58:09+01:00

FAB1 Million is a year-long fundraising campaign fronted by Chris Evans with the aim of raising one million pounds for Breast Cancer Care using a bespoke pink Rolls-Royce Ghost a la Thunderbirds.

On Thursday 18th April, Chris was joined by Gary Barlow, James May and Professor Brian Cox as he drove from Land’s End to John O’Groat’s.

Along the way they made pitstops in Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester Warrington and Glasgow, to help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Care.

Tracey Krieger, a member of the Breast Cancer Care London fashion show committee and QVC blogger, tells us how she has been involved:

Monday, 8 April 2013

It was like any normal mundane Monday afternoon until I saw that I had received an email from lovely Hannah at Breast Cancer Care entitled 'Chris Evans Project - Last Minute Request'. Naturally, I was intrigued to read further and found that, along with 49 other women affected by breast cancer, I was being asked to help with an exclusive launch photograph with TV and radio personality Chris Evans in a project to raise £1 million for Breast Cancer Care.

All I knew at the time was that there were going to be some other well-known celebrities joining Chris. I would have to wear pink (not a problem as my wardrobe has pink everything!) and be ready to go having my hair and make-up done and ready.

I couldn't reply to Hannah quick enough with my resounding “yes” and all I had to do was wait for further instructions.

Tuesday, 9 April 2013

The email instructions eventually arrived and the meeting time was 9.45 at Earls Court on Wednesday, but it had to remain top secret ahead of the public launch on Sunday, 14th April!

Wednesday, 10 April 2013

I was up bright and early, excited with the anticipation of the morning that lay ahead and wondering which of Chris Evans’ friends would be at the photo shoot. Pink dress in place, suck-it-in underwear doing their job (just), face painted and hair coiffed, killer heels in bag (couldn’t possibly walk anywhere in them) and lipstick to hand.

I checked in with my lovely friend Maggie Lawrence (my catwalk partner from the Breast Cancer Care fashion show in 2010) to arrange where and when we were going to meet.

When we arrived at Earls Court, we were greeted by a sea of pink! A whisper went around the room that Gary Barlow, Mary Berry and Professor Brian Cox were also going to be there! Excitement was mounting!

One of the team came in to update us on the running order and to let us know that we were to be taken down shortly. Toilet break taken, lipstick and hair checked and it was time to change out of my sensible boots into my killer heels.

In no time at all, we were collected in groups and escorted around the back of Earls Court to the stairs. It was when we reached the four flights of stairs that I wished I still had my sensible boots on, so off came the killer heels in place for stockinged feet. Downstairs, in a corner, we saw some flashes emanating from behind a black screen and it was there that we headed.

Around the other side of the screen were all of the celebrities along with Jamie Anderson (son of the legendary creator of Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson) with his mini-me puppet - Chris Evans as Parker, not to mention the gorgeous pink Rolls Royce with the FAB 1 number plate.

The make-up girls went around checking for shiny faces and, killer heels back in place, we took up our positions around the Rolls Royce whilst chatting to the team who were so lovely and interested in the ladies who were and are on their breast cancer journeys. Lights flashed and then there was a lot of cheering and clapping.

I managed to have a few words with Chris, Gary and the lovely Mary Berry and I couldn’t resist in telling her that her Pavlova recipe was the best!

By now Chris Evans, Gary Barlow and Brian Cox had all Tweeted calling it THE THING and tantalizing those Tweeters to wait until Sunday 14th April for the big unveiling. We had all been sworn to secrecy for the next four days.

The next few days passed with the odd email and Tweet being displayed, but still the secret of THE THING hadn’t been revealed.

Sunday morning arrived and in moments I had updated my Facebook status and Tweeted for everyone to get involved with FAB1 Million. I spent most of my day on Sunday trawling the net and spreading the word.

Where to now? Well, I have been thinking about this and ask myself a few questions. Would I like to join the team from Lands End to John O’Groats to blog/Twitter/Facebook along the way? Yes. Can I provide enough Skittles to keep the drivers happy? Yes. Do I have enough pink items of clothing in my wardrobe for the journey? Yes.

So with all items ticked just ask the question - Tracey, would you like to join the team from Lands End to John O’Groats? I would answer quicker than you can say FAB1 Million - that’s a huge YES m’lady!!!!

Astrid from Vercella Vita reveals more about their first TSV

2013-04-21T23:58:00+01:00

On Tuesday 23rd April, Vercella Vita and the ever popular Astrid return to QVC with their first ever Today's Special Value offer. We caught up with Astrid to find out more about the stylish camisole offer plus the latest trends in shapewear and more...

Tell us about your first few months on QVC

Vercella Vita’s launch on QVC was not really that long ago, but the success of the collection has been amazing from the word go and our customers had already started asking when we were bringing our first TSV? The team and I couldn’t have hoped for a better compliment and so we took on the challenge to design something extra special and produced an amazing camisole in record time for spring and summer.

The reason I say challenge is because our collection is also available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Russia and all our shows there are planned up to a year in advance.

You can imagine how much time is needed to manufacture hundreds of thousands of garments… including the time needed to perfect the designs, go through all the quality controls, pack everything, etc.

But the hard work has been worth it and we’re very proud of our first TSV! Even the guys in the factory and all the ladies who work behind the scenes who had to work extra shifts to get everything produced in time (and of course to standard) are happy they did so!

Tell us about the TSV

As far as the exquisite and intricate design is concerned, we didn’t need long to come up with a theme. All the girls in the Vercella Vita team love butterflies and it seemed the perfect design to celebrate our first TSV on QVC UK.

Butterflies represent what the collection stands for: a metamorphosis into something beautiful and with our collection you can change your silhouette in such a way that you feel gorgeous and good about yourself and your figure again.

Butterflies are light in weight and silky to the touch…just like our garments. Their shimmering rainbow colours fascinate us and Vercella Vita is one of the most colourful ranges on the market, it stands for the colours of spring and summer.

And as far as the comfort, support and compression features are concerned, you can look forward to a camisole with the best we have to offer so that all those naughty lumps and bumps can be smoothed out ;).

How would you wear the camisole?

You can choose to wear the camisole with any outfit in your wardrobe, whether it’s blouses (great under transparent blouses in a colour to match), T-shirts, jumpers, jackets, blazers, dresses, combined with jeans, elegant trousers, skirts, shorts… anything!!

What you should definitely try out- - and that’s why we chose gorgeous spring/summer colours to go with the design - is letting some of the camisole show as an eye-catcher and a splash of colour to brighten up even the darkest of outfits.

No one will ever know the camisole is your underwear, they’ll be too busy admiring your figure and asking whether you’ve lost weight!!

What are the latest trends in shapewear?

Many shapewear manufacturers are moving away from garments that are uncomfortable and made of stiff material that cause us to feel hot and sticky after a while, and that are made with both thick elastic and seams that dig into our soft flesh …basically what I would call instruments of torture!! Some manufacturers are also experimenting with more colours than the basics (white, black, nude).

The great thing about Vercella Vita though is that we have only ever offered you seamless garments without underwiring, bones or padding. Our materials have always been breathable and easy to take care of and they dry very quickly. We were also one of the very first to offer you a wide range of unusual colours and intricate designs. So as we have had over a decade of time to improve on the quality of all these aspects, many of our customers say we are trendsetters offering high quality, luxury shapewear at affordable prices.

What have you been up to recently?

Getting the TSV organised as well as working full time as a TV Presenter has meant that I haven’t had as much free time in the last few months as I usually would. So on my days off it’s been great to spend time at home just doing relaxing things like reading and cooking for my family.

I also discovered a charming little English Tea Shop recently and I go there occasionally with a girlfriend for a good gossip. I love it there because it’s a little bit like home from home (I grew up in Surrey), but I have to be careful not to go there too often…the scones with jam are just too dangerous!! Thank goodness for Vercella Vita is all I can say!!!

Join Astrid on 23rd April for the launch of the very first Vercella Vita TSV.

Be inspired by our Gem Day picks...

2013-04-20T23:58:00+01:00

Welcome to our 20th Gem Day! Just to prove things only get better with age, we have put together an even more dazzling selection of gemstone jewellery than ever before.

Tune into QVC TV throughout the day on Wednesday 24th April for everything from Topaz by Ostro to South Sea Pearls. Plus, to help celebrate this jewellery milestone we have a stunning selection of special-priced designs and Easy Pay instalment offers so there really is no excuse not to rock those rocks this season!

Here's a little sneak peek at what to expect…

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To give you a helping hand choosing between so many gorgeous designs we asked some of our jewellery-loving presenters, guest and buyers to let us know their top picks from the day…

Catherine Huntley - presenter

"I love this watch so much. I'm mad about Clogau's exceptional quality and perfection. This design is wonderfully contemporary yet will go with all of my more classical Clogau pieces due to the rose gold which, for me, contains not only a touch of that rare Welsh gold, but is symbolic of the magic of Wales. A very special piece indeed!"

Doug – jewellery buyer

"I've picked this Green Tanzanite ring as my pick of the day as it's the first time to my knowledge that we've ever been able to offer this amazing gemstone. One of the world's largest buyers of rough tanzanite experienced a very small quantity of material which did not 'take' in the way expected when it was going through the heating process that all tanzanite goes through, it instead has a green body colour with flashes of petrol blue which are displayed when the stone is rotated. This material was collected and set aside over a number of years, and when the parcel was offered to us we immediately recognised it as something special that we had to offer on Gem Day."

Jackie Kabler – presenter

"I fell in love with diamonds when I was presented with my beautiful princess-cut diamond engagement ring nearly 20 years ago, and thankfully both love affairs have stood the test of time! This pink and white diamond ring is stunning. The shape is so unusual - it's a real head-turner!"

Rosalyn Kwan – jewellery guest

"There is only one rare Golden South Sea Pearl pendant in the show. The pinky red undertone that flickers within the pearl is amazing, while the natural deep golden rich colour overlays. One must sift through thousands of pearls to find just one of this calibre!"

Carey – jewellery buyer

"My pick of the day HAS to be this gorgeous stiletto pendant from the Lavender Tanzanite collection! I worked closely with our supplier to create this beautiful shoe, taking it from initial idea to sketches and design and finally to perfect execution. This is a really delicate and feminine piece at a truly affordable price - accessible for all!"

Clare – jewellery buyer

"As soon as I saw this canary yellow diamond ring I was in love! The colour reminds me of a perfect summer's day (something we've not seen for a while!), and the pear profile sits beautifully on the finger, elongating the hand. Plus yellow is the season's must have colour!"

Claire Sutton – presenter

"You couldn't ask for a more noticeable and conversation-worthy piece of jewellery than this gorgeous ring. Sensational in size, which always attracts me, and completely brimming over with the exquisite and of course natural rare pink diamonds...pretty in pink? ...completely!!"

Debbie Flint – presenter

"I love statement pieces, and often wear single colours, but this brighter combination cheers up any outfit. Plus I often wear a multi-colour necklace from the kids, and my fave colour for accessories is purple - so this ring covers all the angles!"

Birgit Rieder – jewellery guest

"Purple is one of my favourite colours! Violac-coloured Passion Topaz has calming, protective and spiritual power, but most of all I like it because it reminds me of my grandmother. I very much like eternity bands because they are a classic and go with almost any outfit. With the beautiful Passion Topaz stones perfectly cut by Swarovski, this is definitely one of my favourites."

Guy Clutterbuck – jewellery guest

"It is important for a piece of jewellery to reflect nature's subtlety by utilising softened edges and organic shapes. A pendant should be a thing of beauty and harmony. QVC carefully selects designers whose creative sensitivity is integral to their work."

Keep an eye out for these stunning designs and many more on Wednesday 24th April.

Visit our jewellery department

Spoil Yourself Sunday...

2013-04-20T09:41:02+01:00

If you've had a busy week, why not relax this weekend with 'Spoil Yourself Sunday' on QVC!

We've got an exciting day of shows lined up for you from our Fashion & Accessories department, as well as Beauty and Jewellery too.

Look out for a Today's Special Value from Lulu Guiness. Sarah Chapman will be popping in with her Skinesis range. We also have jewellery from Lisa Snowdon and Butler & Wilson.

Brand New Fashion

If you love fashion don't miss the launch of a brand new range Chelsea Muse by Christopher Fink. I managed to grab a chat with Christopher recently, take a look at my video below...

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See more from Chelsea Muse by Christopher Fink.

Talking of Fashion, did you miss Kathy Tayler's Morning Style show earlier this week? If you did just head on over to the Morning Style page to watch online and see some of the pieces she featured on Wednesday's show.

See you soon,

Will.

Follow @WillGowing on Twitter.