Colleen's New Do

Colleen chops off her hair! What do think of her new do???

More Host Stork News

Sandra announced that she is having a girl ... congrats to her!

Also, I hear Sharon--not to be confused with Sandra--is on bed rest until she delivers. That's one of those things that sounds like it might be nice (I absolutely must stay in bad eating ice cream and watching the Golden Girls marathon! It's doctor's orders!), but probably gets old really fast.

Pretty soon QVC is going to have to keep a baby news ticker scrolling at the bottom of the screen at all times.

Obsessed with Laura Geller

For all you Laura Geller fans (Queen Bea is raising her hand and frantically jumping up and down), you absolutely must watch this in-depth interview that Laura did with ObsessedTV.com.

The interview isn't about which baked product to use or the latest TSV kit, it's about Laura and her struggles to launch and grow her line while juggling her life as a single mom. She is very candid about her mistakes along the way--including being swindled out of a ton of money by a shady, embezzling bookkeeper, how she cried after her first product sold out on QVC, and how she needed a child even though she hadn't met that someone special just yet.

Laura is amazing and the interview provides a candid look into her life and her passions. At almost 30 minutes, it's a long interview, but it is worth the watch.

Click here to check it out.

The REAL Queen Bea

I might be the self-proclaimed Queen Bea of Home Shopping, but make no mistake, Bea Toms is the real Queen Bea. I humbly bow in her presence.

Bea is a 95-year-old great-great-grandmother who brings home the bacon, fries it up in the pan, then turns around and sells it on QVC. She is one hot mama!

According to the Baltimore Sun, she single-handedly cooked for the 300 people that came to her 95th birthday party before heading to the QVC studios to promote her book, Recipes From a Country Cook, which she first published at the tender age of 90.

When asked if she ever takes a day off, she pauses and asks, "A whole day?"

Energy, she figures, is a state of mind. If you want to do things, you do them. Simple as that. "Work does not stop me," she says. "I've shocked wheat, I've driven horses, I've husked corn, I've driven tractors. It's who I am."


Her take on cooking and life is real and is the antithesis of the fancy-shmancy celebrity chefs we have crammed down our throats. She grew up on a farm making big, hearty meals that tasted good, weren't complicated, and didn't cost a fortune. Her catering business grew organically out of her kitchen through word-of-mouth--a wedding here, a baby shower there--and she still makes all the food herself. She's written five cookbooks, two volumes of poetry, and a collection of short stories in her spare time.

Just stop and think about that right now ... she's 95 and runs a catering business where she does all the cooking herself and has written 8 books in her spare time. What have you been doing with your time lately? Sure makes you stop and think about what you could accomplish if you put your mind to it.

Bea might be slight of stature, but she is strong as steel.


(This is by far the cutest home shopping picture ever! Love David!)


"They call me the little old roll lady."

Venable bit deeply into one roll stuffed with country ham. "Mmmmmm. Mmmmmmm," he said. "I do like."

Later, on the phone with a reporter, Venable says that all the oohing and ahhing wasn't just for the camera.

"Her rolls are without parallel," he says. "I've never had a nicer, fluffier, more wonderful roll than Bea's."

Bea's advice on cooking: "I don't buy cheap food. You can't make something excellent out of something mediocre." Words to live by.

Check out the entire article here including pictures, recipes, and videos.

QVC Brings Back the Kirks Folly Fairyland Fantasy

After Kirks Folly was unceremoniously stripped of their glitz, glitter, and costumes during their last visit to QVC, the peasants revolted! Kirks Folly sans sets and half-naked male models is tantamount to a Jeanne Bice without her trademark headband. It just ain't fittin'! (If you need to catch up on the whole situation, check out Queen Bea's post about the controversial bare bones sets here.)

A gazillion message board complaints, letters to the QVC President, and a sprinkling of fairy dust magic later ... Fairyland in all its over-the-top glory is back!

Check out the great pictures posted by the Behind the Q Twitter (I told you all the cool kids were on Twitter! Join me!)

No Birki's for Patti!

Is that the telltale red sole of a Christian Louboutin shoe I'm seeing ...




First, Lisa R.'s watch and now Patti's shoes ... it seems home shopping hosts have expensive taste.

If you aren't already familiar with Christian Louboutin shoes, check them out here. Be forewarned, there are commas in some of the prices.

Cindy Crawford vs. SuperMelC

Cindy Crawford will be back on QVC in May to hawk her skincare line, Meaningful Beauty. She was on the Q several years ago selling the same line, but was supposedly dropped for low sales. Will it be any different this time?

Obviously, if I could slap a cream on my face and look like Cindy Crawford, I'd buy that special French non-rotting melon cream like it was going out of style--but for some reason, I have my doubts.

Cindy also has competition this time from SSC's SuperMelC line, which is supposed to be the made from the same magic melon.

Oh well, I've always liked Cindy. She's a model with a brain and she's never looked like an emaciated, strung-out heroine addict like most of the models do these days.

HSN and the Pips

Gladys Knight's leaving
(leaving!)
On that midnight train to HSN,
(leaving on a midnight train to HSN)
And she's goin' back
(goin' back to sell)
To sell her new jewelry line!

Gladys is working with The LaRoda Group and Robert Rose Jewelry to create The Gladys Knight Jewelry Line, which should be available in December 2009 in department stores and HSN.

According to Robert Rose, the collection is excptected to be an eco-friendly fashion jewelry line using "friendly elements like recycled glass, fair trade beads, and parts made from Tagua nuts (a sustainable rainforest crop often referred to as vegetable ivory)."

Says Ms. Gladys Knight, "My team and I were impressed with Gary Rose, CEO, Robert Rose Jewelry, and its family oriented organization as well as their mission to provide quality jewelry for the working woman and appeal to those who are just fashion forward. I am excited to work with a company that shares our ideas of creating natural products that are not only environmentally friendly, but also creates jobs. The affordable prices of the new line, along with quality and attention to family, is an unbeatable combination. I thank the Rose family for this opportunity."

Sounds cool. Plus I have always wanted to be a Pip!

Joan Goes Nuclear!

If you haven't seen it already, you must watch the foul-mouthed fireworks fly!!!

Taking full advantage of all the free publicity she's getting today, Joan was on QVC early this morning and got an on-air call from fellow Celebrity Apprentice, Jesse James. He's the only remaining contestant left who Joan likes in the slightest. She thinks he's incredibly cool, talented, and loves that he has a two-legged dog and a three-legged dog (I have to admit, that last part kinda wins me over too).

According to her blog, now she's out for blood:

Now that all the other players that I adore are gone, I just want to win. It’s that simple. Brandeeee is silly and weak and believes whatever anyone says to her (as long as they say it slowly and with words that are no longer than two syllables). Clint is blinded by his own arrogance and cannot be a part of any team. And Annie is sooooo determined to win at any price and so she treats everyone as an opponent. People are not like a deck of playing cards. You can’t shuffle, play and discard your teammates just to pull a winning hand for yourself. Watch her…she plays life like it’s a poker game.

I want to beat them all but I want to do it without losing my integrity or having to lie, cheat or backstab. If I’m going down in flames, it will be honorably.

I guess that answers the question about whether or not she'll come back to the show.

BTW, you can vote on what Joan should wear on the finale of the show here.

It Costs a Lot to Look This Cheap!

QVC's Beauty Day was awesome!!!!! So many bargains ...

I got the Clarisonic Facial Cleansing System for $195.00 + $9.22 s&h.




The Tria Beauty At Home Laser Hair Removal System for $795.00 + free s&h (hello! bargain alert!)




The NuFace Microcurrent Facial Toning System for $295.00 + free s&h (they're practically giving it away!)




And, the coup de grace, the Rock & Republic Bronzer & Highlighter Duo with Crystal Compact for only $225.00 + $8.97 s&h.



So for ONLY $1,510.00 + 18.19 s&h + tax, my face is clean, hairless, toned, and beautifully bronzed ... I'm also homeless now, but at least I look good, y'all!

Who said we're in a recession?

Dan Hughes Drops his Drawers

Even though I live in the South, I've never understood the whole NASCAR thing. But, for all you race fans, there is a great and extremely detailed article on NASCAR.com that goes behind the scenes of the Q's long-running For Race Fans Only show.

And there's a lot to know. Did you know that it takes 4 trucks, 30 QVC crew members, and a cuticle-saving baby-oil-covered cotton swab to make the show happen?

QVC host Dan Hughes, not only loves racing, but he's also a bit of a race car driver himself. Between that and the stand up comedy, I'm guessing there isn't much that scares him. Except maybe when he made a Freudian slip at at the worst possible time:

"I said, 'I just thought of something. It's Valentine's Day. We've been plugging your sponsors all night long. Don't you want to plug your wife?' And the second it came out of my mouth, I thought, 'Oh, my gosh. This is the end of my career. I'm dead.' Dale looked up into thin air for 37 seconds and never said a word.

"Now he's 1,000 miles away from me but his eyes locked on mine, and I could feel the beads of sweat rolling down my back. Finally, he looks into the camera and says, 'Teresa, I love you and I'll see you tonight.' "

Hughes got off the air and immediately called Daytona to apologize.

"And I hear in the background this laughter that I had never heard before," Hughes said. "And I had known Dale for a few years. But it was a joyful, 4-year-old laugh. And it was Dale, laid out on the table. And he picks up the phone and says, 'Dan, I've got one question for you. Did you mean to say it?' And that was really the start of us being friends. That's the worst it ever got."

You think Dan would've learned his lessen from that. But unfortunately for him, this is the money quote of the whole article:

"I don't usually start interviews by dropping my pants," Hughes says with a laugh.

It's a Beautiful Day

Check out the QVC It's a Beautiful Day sneak peak over at the Beautiful Makeup Search blog here and here and here (she's got a lot of ground to cover!)

Rock & Republic will also be making their debut on the Q. Never heard of them, but the name has me intrigued. Will I come out looking like Pink?

And Philosophy will have the TSV ... check out the Philosophy Advanced Make-up Optional Skincare Set.

So will you be glued to the couch all day tomorrow with QVC set on speed dial???

My Favorite Little Tweeter

I think that I'm finally starting to *get* the whole Twitter thing. I signed up for because it was the thing to do, but I really had no idea why it was the thing to do or what I was supposed to do with it. Besides, when you try to conjugate the verb twit or tweet, you end up getting into some rather interesting territory!

So far, my favorite home shopping tweeter has to be Rick Domeier. Now, if you aren't particularly keen on his dry sense of humor, than this post ain't gonna be for you. Just quit reading this and go turn on QVC or read a book or something.

Anyway, here is a smattering of his tweets:

Saw an interview Today on the Narcissistic epidemic. How silly. By the way, do I look great today, or what??!!

Currently catching up with Facebook, Twitter, Rickdomeier.com, my top ten other sites. Kids haven't eaten in three days.

May the Gods watch over me. Working with Richard Simmons tonight

The Lord is Risen Today. I, however, am currently horizontal on the couch.


See what I mean??? Love it!

Join me on Twitter .............. It's fun, y'all!!!

A Royal Mess!

This is my Michael Jackson Beat It purse:



I normally carry a suitcase-sized handbag, but I found this one on clearance at Target for about $7 and thought I would use it for a while as a much needed "pop of red." It was the cute polka dot lining that sold me (QB *hearts* cute lining). Check it out:





Notice the big mess in there? Yeah, I know. I might be a self-proclaimed Queen, but I'm also a royal mess! Let's dump out all the contents, shall, we?




EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!! I need help! It just so happens that an anonymous carrier pigeon dropped off the new TSV Lori Greiner Purse Organizer at my door. How convenient!




Look, it even separates out like those cute Russian dolls:



Will it work?

I couldn't use the the outermost part because it was waaay to large for my purse. But I think it'll work well in my bathroom for random toiletries. Anyway, I managed to get my brush, mints, pens, glasses, keys, phone, nail file, and money into the remaining pieces. I also kept my big wallet (which also has cute lining, thank you very much) with the pepper spray attached for all the usual wallet stuff.





The whole thing fit into my purse nicely and I just had to set the wallet on top. BTW, the random papers you see in the big pile of royal purse crap are now folded nicely and tucked into the zipper compartment of my purse. I did throw some of them away. Somehow i had managed to collect about five different grocery lists and receipts from every gas station visit and coffee I've purchased in the last year!








So will my new found organization last? I don't know. I like to be organized, but I have a hard time staying that way.

Scariest. Bunny. Ever.

This ... gulp ... sinister-looking bunny stuffed animal doll thing was put out at a restaurant as "decoration." Chucky ain't got nothin' on this critter! Rick, if you do another Evil Dead movie, you need this bunny!!!

HSN Gives Back

Because I have mentioned my love for animals in numerous blog posts, Kenneth Strickland, an HSN employee and pilot extraordinaire, wanted to let me know that the folks at HSN share my passion for our four-legged friends and for giving back.

"HSN gives us two community service days a year that we can use on behalf of any non-profit. I volunteer as a pilot for a group called 'Pilots N Paws' (PNP). Basically, what happens is that rescue groups find shelter dogs in jeopardy of being euthanized and arranges for them to be transported to a foster family. For longer trips, they put out requests with PNP for pilots to carry the dogs with them in their aircraft.

"I volunteered to pick up a border collie in Valdosta, GA. She was going to be put down because she has heart worms, but a BC rescue group in Tampa Bay offered to take her in, get her treated, and put her up for adoption (they have a very high success rate). HSN allowed me to use one of my community service days to fly up there and pick her up. She slept the entire way back (2-hours) in a crate that was in the back cargo hold of my plane.

"The dog is an absolute sweetheart and didn't mind the flight at all. I got word from the foster parent that she's running around and playing with her foster brothers/sisters right now. Pretty awesome experience - one of the nice things about working for HSN."

It's good to know that the little doggie is doing well and that HSN is generous enough to let their employees take time to give back to the community. Go HSN! Go Kenneth!

And ladies--before you ask--Kenneth, the super dog-rescuing, home-shopping-insider pilot is taken. Sorry.

Newbies Make Me Nervous

I can't watch new hosts. In fact, I usually find them to be downright cringe-worthy. Sorry. It's not that I have anything against them personally since everyone has to start somewhere. But they just stress me out!

I turn on home shopping for mindless entertainment to help me unwind and defrag my brain, but the newbies make me so nervous that I can't relax. Like watching a jittery gymnast wobble on the balance beam, I just find myself holding my breath and praying that they don't completely lose their footing and go crashing face first onto the mat.

You can even see the wheels wildly spinning in their brains when they pause or laugh nervously. Are they listening to a producer in their earpiece? Did they completely flake out and lose their train of thought? Are they totally out of ideas about how to describe the lovely bunny rabbit themed ankle bracelet with lobster claw clasp available in goldtone or silvertone?

It takes a whole lotta time, experience, and dedication to get your home shopping host sea legs. All I know is that I'm not comfortable enough to even watch--much less buy--until they are comfortable enough to sell.

Rhonda Shear's Panty Raid (NSFW)

This video probably isn't safe for work or for husbands with heart conditions:



Panty pusher and HSN hottie, Rhonda Shear, is launching a new Internet reality show called Panty Raid. Here's the description:

Watch for Panty Raid...Rhonda Shear (cult goddess of the 90's) who hosted the classic show USA: UP All Night...she is back with her own lingerie company and her own lingerie models...the internet show that will teach you the lingerie business from inside out...follow these hot "Panty Raiders" around in their day to day life and watch them Raid your underwear drawer...

I wonder if it's just gonna be about the dreaded VPL (visible panty line) and bra bounce tests or if we'll really get to learn about their lives and what it takes to make it in the lingerie business. T&A will certainly get you the men, but the ladies need some high drama and cattiness.

On a side note, Rhonda just barely lost our Home Shopping Lingerie Cage Match to Dr. Rey. Why? I just don't understand Dr. Rey. Why does he need a stethoscope to sell panties??? Ugh!

Because They Asked ...

I swear, what some people won't do for attention! Anyway, they wanted their picture taken and posted on the Interwebs .. so here ya go, you faux tan lovin' fiends!

Has Jeanne Bice Lost Touch?

We all know that Jeanne Bice is no shrinking violet. In fact, she'd take that shrinking violet, slap a duck embroidered headband on it, bedazzle it with a rainbow of sequins, and light that sucker up with fiber optics just for good measure.

Personally, I like a sassy woman who deals in bawdy humor and witty retorts. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea, but it makes life--and home shopping--more interesting. So even though I'm not a Quacker, I've always loved Jeanne's eccentric personality.

Yesterday, however, she said something that even took me aback. Not because I was offended, but because her remark just seemed so insensitive and out-of-touch with the everyday lives of her customers.

I certainly don't begrudge Jeanne's success. She's earned it. But has she forgotten what it's like to live pay check to pay check, hoping and praying that you have enough to cover the bills and the unexpected expenses? Can she relate to the constant fears that all us working folk have every single day that we're gonna get a pink slip or the whole company will tank? It's scary out there. Especially right now.

During the presentation for her Quacker Factory Coral Reef Short Sleeve Cardigan (click link to watch QVC video), she talked about how important color is this season. That much is true. Historically, the worse the economy gets, the bolder the colors get. But I think Jeanne might have taken it a bit too far this time.

Here's a transcript of what she said (emphasis mine). Antonella made small interjections throughout, but I left those out.

"Guys, this is the summer you're gonna want color, color, color, color. They say as the world is trying to pound us down, the way women retaliate, they put on color. And they just wear the brighter the color, the better we feel. I know it! You can not listen to what they're ... you know ... they're talking about 'oh, I've been downsized.' If I hear one more person say, 'Oh my husband's been downsized. He's 55, what is he gonna do?' My dream did not come true til I was 60 years old. So ... you know ... wear bright colors. Don't let the newscasters get you down. Really ... think about it people. It's all in our head. It's what we make it. Wear bright colors and stand up for yourself and say look at me."

I'm just guessing, but if your husband just got laid off, you probably aren't interested in spending $46.14 plus $5.97 S&H for a sweater, no matter how bright the color is.

What do you think? Was it just an inspirational sales spiel gone awry or has Jeanne lost touch?

This is What Happens ...

... when you follow the advice of many a home shopping host and vendor to stack! stack! stack!

(The picture is of the first lady of Nicaragua, Rosario Murillo at the Summit of the Americas. You can check out more pictures here.)

Why We Care

Jill's public announcement of her very personal loss has highlighted why there is nothing else in sales or entertainment quite like home shopping. The sales person at Macy's, Target, or Dillard's might have also gone through a recent tragedy in her life, but in most cases we would know nothing about it. In fact, we probably don't even know her name.

On the other hand, not only do we know Jill's name, we feel like we know her. We certainly feel entitled to comment on her hair style, her clothes, her sales shtick … and, in all honestly, being in the public eye, I think that's all fair game for discussion and opining.

Jill, like all the other hosts, talks about her personal taste, her lifestyle, and her family. We hear stories of how she grew up as an only child, how she met her husband, and what she's making for dinner that night in the pressure cooker (it's a time saver because she's a busy mom!) I know that she loves hoop earrings because she thinks they don't make her face look too full. I know that even though she tends to go for the more "understated elegance" look, she loves bold silver jewelry because it reminds her of what her grandmother always wore. I know that she wants a real emerald mother's ring. I know she's a good cook and that David Venable. loves to come over to eat and gossip. I can tell that it physically pains her to wear bedazzled Quacker Factory clothes. I know she was a journalist before coming the the Q. I know that she snagged the Silver Style show when Jane Treacy was gone and carved out that territory for herself. I suspect that she has a Martha Stewart perfectionist streak in her. And even though Jill's presentations on Saturday were technically fine, I could tell that she was not herself.

But, no, I don't really know her. And unless you are friends with Jill in real life, neither do you.

When Jill happily ... no, joyously ... shared her pregnancy news on air, she opened up the floodgates of well-wishers. It seemed every caller was truly excited for Jill and wanted to offer their sincere congratulations. It was that overwhelming outpouring of support that forced Jill to make that announcement of her tragic miscarriage and ask that it not be mentioned on air. The same community of people who shared in her joy, would also want to share in her pain. Obviously, this would make getting through a segment selling the latest Denim & Co. capri pant or Sleep Number bed without breaking down and crying a bit difficult.

As home shopping fans, we are privy to the joys and life-changing events of the hosts, the tense moments and off-the-cuff remarks, and sometimes, the shiny veneer is peeled back just a little bit and we get a peak at their hearts. And when that happens, we can't help but be touched.

Reality TV has nothing on home shopping. It doesn't get more real than this.

Told Ya So

I knew it as soon as I saw Angie step onto the red carpet. I knew it!

The race to be the first to sell the knock-off of Angie's ginormous emerald earrings is ... HSN's Roberta Chiarella!

You can check out the Angie earrings and the coordinating gargantuan ring on Roberta Chiarella's site. Roberta's Academy Award Collection was featured on the Today Show and US weekly, but so far not on HSN. I don't know what's up with that other than the fact that they are already having trouble keeping up with the demand.

According to Roberta's blog, Not Bad, For a Girl from Queens, "We've been working overtime in the studio, shipping out our "angie" earrings and rings as fast as the factory gets them here from Rhode Island. Bob is doing such a great job with these beautiful swarovski crystals! Who would have thought these items would be so popular, but considering the images we have of Angelina Jolie at the Academy Awards, I am not surprised."

Where do all these non-Oscar-attending ladies wear these earrings???

Report Abuse

After reading through your emails and comments regarding the "Queen Bea is Watching You" post about comment moderation, I finally came to a decision.

I'm going to continue to let people say whatever they want without moderation; however, if you see a comment that is particularly offensive, click on the "Report Abuse" link on the left hand column and fill out the quick form. I'll take a look at the comment and decide whether or not to delete it.

When in doubt, I will err on the side of letting people speak their minds even if they are blathering idiots.

Condolences

Condolences to Jill Bauer on the news today of her miscarriage. My thoughts and prayers go out to her.

Jill made the emotional announcement at the beginning of her "You're Home with Jill" show on Saturday. Although she said that she appreciates everyone's support, she requested that callers not mention her loss on air--certainly understandable. I'm sure that going through this publicly hasn't been easy, but she went on to host her show professionally.

ETA: My thoughts here.

Ellen, the New QVC Queen

Ellen bedazzles herself in Quacker Factory to promote her Halo pet food.

The picture is like the home shopping version of a Where's Waldo or an I Spy book. It's fun to try to spot all the QVC products ... Joan Rivers sunglasses, Technique pots and pans, Virginia Candles reed diffuser ...

Ellen even gives away a new TV and a year's worth of cable just to get this viewer to watch her on the Q:




Maybe Carolyn will at least have a snack before she gets there today so she doesn't resort to eating dog food again.

Sophie Miller, Duchess of Bling

Jewelry designer Sophie Miller--heretofore to be referred to as the Duchess of Bling--has been in the jewelry industry for 25 years. She's worked behind-the-scenes for big-name designers (trust me, you know them!) and also sold her own private label jewelry to department stores, speciality stores, and other ... ahem ... places you may be familiar with.

Although she's designed in gold, diamond, and natural gemstones, she's now bringing her love of color and bold designs to her own line of faux jewelry. As she writes on her website, "Especially in these economic times, Sophie strongly believes that all women deserve to be able to purchase stunning jewelry for themselves, at non fine jewelry prices." Amen, sista!

You may recall that Queen Bea got into a bit of a spat with Sophie over a pair of micropave Diamonique hoop earrings (just read through the comments section on this post to catch up), but we have since made friends ... bling builds bridges, y'all!

I'm rather fond of Sophie's "Critter" Collection--that rockin' snake ring pictured above is one of my favorites! But she certainly offers more traditional pieces for those of you who prefer to be more understated.

So why am I talking about Spohie Miller, Duchess of Bling? Well, she has generously offered to answer all of our burning jewelry questions. Anything and everything you've ever wanted to know about jewelry: Can you size silver rings? What is electroform anyway and why are they injecting it with silicone? Is there any difference in CZ jewelry?

Not only that, but, just for submitting a question, you're entered to win a $100 gift certificate toward anything you want on SophieMiller.com.

... But wait! There's more! ...

If something catches your eye, the Duchess has so kindly extended an exclusive 25% OFF COUPON CODE to Home Shopping Queen blog readers. Just enter the code "QueenBea" at checkout.

Enter your questions below!!!

Reduce, Reuse, and Buy More!?

On April 22, QVC is gonna turn into a bunch of tree-hugging, granola-eating hippies! The Q will be commemorating Earth Day with 24-hours of "green" home shopping geared at saving energy, the planet, and even money--cause "buy more and save" is always the mantra of the environmentalists, doncha know!

Environmentalist and actor Ed Begley, Jr. (remember him from St. Elsewhere?) will be making a special appearance to educate and offer such products as the Bayes Waterless Car Wash (QVC Item #V28583) and the Oxygenics TriSpa Multi-Spray Chrome Showerhead (QVC Item #V28740 and #V28741).

Gorgeously green Sophie Uliano, who represents the newer, cleaner, hotter hippie chick, will also make special appearances to promote living a more Earth-friendly life her books, "Gorgeously Green" (QVC Item #F190838) and "The Gorgeously Green Diet, How to Live Lean and Green" (QVC Item #F06948).

Honestly, I'm glad the Q is putting forth the effort to help the planet and be more responsible, but I can't help but snicker at the seemingly unholy alliance of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and "Buy! Buy! Buy!"

Shawn Wilsie Gets Jiggy Wit It

ShopNBC host and watch connoisseur, Shawn Wilsie, shakes what his mama gave him! How funny!

If you are obsessed with all things that go tick-tock*, you can keep up with all the latest watch news on Shawn's My Space Blog. He has a website too, ShawnWilsie.tv, but what he's gonna do with it is a bit of a mystery. This is all you see:



What a tease!

*note: unless said watch is a Rolex, then there should be no ticking or tocking going on.

Tax Day Sucks

I hate April 15th. There is just nothing good about it. So when QVC offered a beacon of hope ... a small island of free shipping goodness in the unforgiving, tumultuous sea of income taxes ... I was ecstatic!

I hate paying for shipping. I hate that home shopping channels view shipping as another way to make a quick buck than as an unfortunate cost of doing business. I hate that they can't get it through their thick skulls that they are now competing with companies like Amazon, which offers Free Super Saver Shipping on ton of their most popular products every single day.

So you can imagine my disappointment when I headed over to the Q's website this morning only to discover that almost all the products getting the free shipping special treatment are excess inventory products that they are trying to unload. Very disappointing.

ETA: I just read through my post and realized that it sounds very negative. I use the word "hate" a lot, which isn't a word I generally like to throw around. Apparently, taxes really put me in a foul mood. Perhaps I need to relax with a glass of wine and a funny movie tonight!

Lightning Strikes Kelly Repassy!

Former HSN host and pioneering plus-size model, Kelly Repassy, provided some much-needed color as part of the roundtable discussion on Fox-13 Tampa's 'Lightning Round.' Including an interesting conversation about things that sound dirty but actually aren't: Pumas, Tatas, and Hummers (oh my!) Speaking of words that sound dirty, no one on any home shopping channel should ever use the term nasolabial folds ever again. Ever. Seriously.

Kelly also recommends her favorite skincare collection, RAW Natural Beauty, on her website. Could there be some sort of endorsement deal in the works? Is this similar to Carol Alt's RAW Essentials line? And why do they both spell raw in all caps?

QVC and the Art of Instant Gratification

I don't think that a girl should have to wait for fake diamonds. That kinda defeats the purpose of buying the fake stuff. Diamonique is not something that you have to scrimp and save for and worry that it will go out of style in ten years after you spent a fortune to buy it. It's just a little something special you get for yourself because it's pretty and fun--instant sparkle gratification.

After a long fake diamond dry spell, I find myself rather enamoured with the new Judith Ripka Emerald Cut Wedding Band. I've had my eye on this ring for at least the last week--ever since those super sleuths on the Ripka message board found it (Shout out to the Ripka board! I know you already have a Queen, but perhaps I can be a visiting dignitary or something?)

But if I order it now, it won't even ship until June 18th.

Huh??? That's more then two months away!

Why didn't they just wait to sell it on June 18th? Maybe as a TSV? I'm completely baffled.

Of course, if you don't order today, you miss out on the special anniversary price. How annoying. Considering we have to wait for two months to get the ring, the Q could have at least offered free shipping or a special coupon for our inconvenience.

Patience is not and never has been a home shopping virtue. How can I fall prey to their slippery sales tactics and impulsively buy a ring that I don't really need if they aren't even going to send it to me?

As Margaret Thatcher said, "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

QVC Jewelry Designer Jennifer Carey on Dateline

Paul Krueger, that con man Queen Bea posted about last June, was profiled last night on Dateline. Our mystery Texas jewelry designer turns out to be Jennifer Carey.

Although she wasn't interviewed, she was briefly mentioned in the Dateline piece. In a nutshell, Jennifer met Paul on the online matchmaker site, MillionaireMatch.com. She went to Atlantic City with him, but eventually got into a fight with him about money. She hired a private investigator after he threatened her. The investigator contacted the police about the threats.

It doesn't look like Jennifer will be sticking around the Q much longer. A quick search of Jennifer Carey on QVC turns up a small page of mostly clearance items--never a good sign.

You can watch the entire Dateline piece on Paul Kruger here. Jennifer is mentioned in part four around the 2:40 mark. I used to have the video embedded, but it was taking waaaay too long to load!

Happy Easter!!!

They're Always After Me Lucky Charms!

According to ShoppingBlog.com, a settlement was reached between Van Cleef and Arpels and Mouawad USA Inc. over Heidi Klum's clover collection of jewelry sold on QVC, but QVC is suing to stop the settlement from happening.

Heidi did her clover collection for Mouwad, but Van Cleef and Arpels claimed that it was a direct copy and infringed on its trademark clover design, which is part of their vintage Alhambra line.

Apparently, the Q bought a whole lot of this lucky clover jewelry and under the settlement they're stuck with it because they won't be allowed to sell it. There are no Heidi Klum pieces listed on the QVC website. However, the jewelry is being sold here.

Curiouser and curiouser.

ShopNBC Rocks the iPhone

ShopNBC is gonna be rolling out a new mobile app for the Apple iPhone and the iPod Touch--beating HSN and QVC to the punch.

From your iPhone, you'll be able to check out the OTV, review the last 12 items on air, and what's being presented right now. Of course, for more info, you can click through to the website or you can call ShopNBC from your iPhone to order. Pretty slick.


They also have info and fun little tidbits about the hosts for when you need a Charla fix on the go!

Check out a demo here (OMG! You must see the jacket on the demo!)



"The ShopNBC app is part of the company's mobile strategy, which is part of a broader 'ShopNBC Anywhere' initiative," said ShopNBCproject spokesperson Marv Segel. "We believe that shopping should be fun – an escape from the ordinary into a world where anything is possible. The network's initial merchandising strategy on this mobile app is to focus on incredible deals, with a taste for what else can be seen on the network."

Does this open up ShopNBC to the almost 30 million iPhone and iPod users who otherwise wouldn't watch a home shopping channel on TV??? Will this new "ShopNBC Anywhere" initiative help save them??? Any iPhone users out there with any thoughts???

Dueling Bellies

Does QVC have an ambulance on standby? I'm starting to get nervous!

John Cremean's Outrageous Museum of Home Shopping

Home Shopping ... the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Cremeans. His life-long mission: to explore strange new products, to seek out new trends and new loyal customers, to boldly go where no host has gone before ...



HSN host and home shopping pioneer, John Cremeans, started up the website SoldOutrageous.com, which is fast becoming the encyclopedia for all things home shopping.

John is using the website to document the unique history of the home shopping industry--including the many home shopping channels that have come and gone over the years, trailblazing hosts, and--of course--everyone's favorite, bloopers.

I had a chance to chat with John about his new online Museum of Television Shopping, Sold Outrageous (of course, you know me, I had to try and slip in a totally random question or two!)


QB: I assume that you started the site as a way to preserve the history of home shopping. Why did you feel that was something important or necessary to do?

JC: The Television Shopping Industry is incredibly interesting, as well as, at times...hilarious. There are so many great stories that the viewer never hears about or misses. I wanted a place where those stories would be kept for all to see. So that anyone interested in our industry, or a particular host, can experience a little bit more than what they see on air.


QB: Would you like for people to email you with information and stories they have for your website?

JC: SoldOutrageous.com is an evolving website. The name came from a show that I used to do at an older shopping network, CVN, out of the Twin Cities (It was like David Letterman on Home Shopping). We had a lot of fun, great products and even actors to break up the presentations. Definitely what the late-night viewer enjoyed. When the name became available as a website I grabbed it to make a television shopping museum out the site. A place, much like the origins of television shopping, that would included a lot of the fun and unscripted moments that make the industry what it is today. I would love to have as much input from the readers as possible. I'm sure I've left information out of some host's bios and I definitely know I don't have all of them listed quite yet. Maybe I've missed a story or two that they would love to share about their favorite host of shopping channel. All they have to do is email me at this address: TheDoc@SoldOutrageous.Com


QB: What has changed for the better and for the worse in home shopping since you started? Is there anything that you'd like to see come back? How do you envision the industry changing in the future?

JC: In the beginning of Television shopping there were no set presentations, no guidelines to follow and most, if not everything, was a free for all. Controlled chaos would best describe the early shopping channels. As time has gone by, the channels have become the leaders in information, and demonstration, of many of today's up and coming consumer products and technologies. The amount of support and research that goes in to a show before it goes on air is mindboggling, compared to the way we used to do it years ago. To me, every show is an adventure. I still feel as excited about my show as I did when I started in this industry over 24 years ago. I pride myself in knowing everything about a product and hopefully conveying my knowledge to the viewer in a fun way so that they can make an informed decision, and have a great time shopping.


QB: If you never got into home shopping, what do you think you would have done? Besides ride motorcycles! (If you didn't already know, John is a bit of a Harley freak.)

JC: I enjoyed Talk Radio a lot in my earlier years of broadcasting, and probably would go in to something like that or some other form of television. If I didn't do either of those I might have stayed in some other form of retail. What many people probably aren't aware of...there was a time I worked for Target stores, in Minneapolis. Matter of fact, I worked at the first Target store ever built! T-1, in Roseville, Minnesota. The target stores of old are a far cry from what they are today.


QB: I have to ask you about your love of the Internet and domain names since some ... ahem ... horrible blogger that isn't named Queen Bea previously teased you about it! What is it that you like so much about all of it? Do you like that you can experiment with different media formats (your You Tube channel, for example)? Does it remind you of home shopping when it was in its infancy?

JC: I absolutely love the Internet! Everyday I read over 30 news sites, from all over the globe. I read about the top stories from every angle, and every viewpoint, then make my mind up based on all that I gather. The internet has put more information in to the hands of ordinary citizens than any advancement in the history of our nation. As to the websites I own...I have fun being creative. My love of SciFi helped me create Galaxyman.Com. Alan Skantz bought me the domain for my birthday one year and I've had it since. Other website's I own, like Cremeans.Net and JohnCremeans.Com are basically sites that let people know more about me and my extended family. CremeansMedia.Com is a website that my production business will operate soon. Several other sites, ExperienceDelivered.Com (my motivational speaking site) and MyHiddenTruth.Com (An online confessional site) are still under development and should be operational shortly. All of these sites let me experiment and grow in my creativity. My YouTube channels help me showcase some of my other talents that most people don't get a chance to see, or experience, when they watch me on HSN.


QB: Have you ever been mobbed by crazy fans? :-)

JC: Yes! I still can't get over some of the reactions I've had over the years. I'm still quite humbled when someone comes up to me and says they watch my show. I've been blessed with an incredible gift and it makes me happy to know that I've given some of that back to the people that have watched me over the last 24 years. I would have to say one of the funniest (mobbing's I guess you can say...hehe) was when I went in the QVC store at the Mall of America, in Minneapolis! I know what you're thinking...why was I in the QVC store? I love to shop and I wanted to see what they had in there. After I walked in and started looking around, one by one, the people that were shopping noticed who I was. Before it was all over I had greeted and talked to practically everyone that had come in over about a one hour period. It was fun answering their questions about HSN, QVC and some of the other shopping channels. I have friends that I know, or have worked with, at practically every one that exists today.


QB: What is/was your absolute, hands-down, favorite product to sell?

JC: I love my kitchen, home and electronics shows! I do most of the cooking in my household and it's fun to get to see the newest and latest!


QB: If you had to pick a last meal, what would it be?

JC: Last meal...hmmm...that's easy! I'd start of with an ice cold beer and about a pound of my most favorite peel and eat shrimp in the world from the Hog's Breath, in Key West (they have some of the largest prawns I've ever seen!). I'd then head in to a nice steak, medium well, with a side of shredded horseradish and grilled green beans or asparagus. Then to end it all...strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries and ice cream! Ok, I know that's a lot of food! But with any great meal...there will be some sacrifice! I'll immediately get on the treadmill to work some of it off! Hehe...


QB: Since you're a space guy, are you excited about the new Star Trek movie???? (I can't wait!) What's your favorite Star Trek? (I'm a John Luke Picard kinda girl myself.) Is it your favorite SciFi space-themed series?

JC: Being a SciFi guy and major memorabilia collector I can't wait until the new Star Trek movie comes out! Unfortunately the franchise lost it's way after 'Next Generation' and the movies that came out. I think this new version, of an older story (how it all came to be) might excite not just the older Trekkies but excite a whole new generation. I know both my sons, John and Alec, are excited about seeing the movie. I think they just think it's going to be cool effects! Hehe... I've met so many of the actors, from William Shatner to James Doohan. Shatner actually had two books that came out after the movie 'Generations' that resurrected James T. Kirk and went on some pretty amazing adventures with some of his old crew and the 'Next Generation' crew. I loved those books and told Shatner he should really push for those to be made! Of course, that was years ago, it would be tougher to do it now. I also like comics, especially anything to do with Marvel and Stan Lee (I've had him on several shows, and even did a Spiderman Premiere show out in Los Angeles). I have a rather large collection of ScFi memorabilia, much of it signed, that adorns my studio's walls and have been stored away for future generations.


A big thanks to John for taking the time an answer all my questions … Live long and prosper, my friend!

So, if you have home shopping related pictures, videos, or stories that you think should be a part of the SoldOtrageous.com online museum, shoot John an email at TheDoc@SoldOutrageous.Com and be a part of history!

All Hail the Baroness of the Beauty Bash!

Introducing (drum roll, please!) ... Mandy, the Baroness of Beauty! Mandy is pictured above with QVC host, Antonella (I just love her!!!)

Since Mandy loves all things beauty, road trips, and the Q, it's no surprise that she's a Beauty Bash veteran with several Bashes under her belt. She's also a super cool, fried-pickle-eating, Barry-Manilow-listening, caffeine-addicted chick! I'm trying to be happy for 16 1/2 pound bag of *free* goodies, but my smile is still through gritted teeth of jealousy. Sigh.

She has written up her whirlwind experience at this year's Beauty Bash on her blog, Just a Small Town Girl, complete with pictures:




The QVC Beauty Bash event for me is like all the great holidays wrapped up into one. Like a kid at Christmas, I get so overly excited for the event I don’t sleep for weeks days. I become childishly giddy with anticipation of all the great products I hope to receive and my brain goes into vacation mode causing me to ignore responsibilities such as emailing, blogging, returning phone calls and working. This was the third year in a row I’ve attended the event and I can honestly say that they get bigger and better every year.




I know the first question I am going to receive is “What is a Beauty Bash?” so let’s talk about that briefly. The Beauty Bash is like a huge trade show held at QVC Studio Park in West Chester, PA. Various beauty vendors who sell their products on QVC have the opportunity to set up a booth. When people attending the event arrive and get registered, they are given a tote bag and a passport, which is a list of all the vendors. Once inside, people go from vendor to vendor who generously give away some product or samples. People also have the opportunity to talk to the creators of the product – discussing anything from any questions they may have or about what new products will be making their way onto the air in the upcoming months. Some vendors also have areas set up where one can get their make up done, have a facial, or even get hair extensions! (Ken Paves giving one lucky woman some hair extensions.)




The second question that I have received is “When is the Beauty Bash coming my way?” The Beauty Bash takes place once a year and is sort like Mount Everest. If you want to climb the mountain, you have to go to the mountain; the mountain doesn’t come to you. Over the past few years, in speaking with different people, I’ve learned that people drive and fly in for this event from all parts of the country. QVC isn’t right in my back yard; every year we make the almost 6 hour one way drive. Trust me, it’s worth it!




The quality of event that QVC pulled off this past weekend was top notch, five stars. With huge crowds of people, typically tempers flare, there is a lot of anxiety, and it can take away from the overall experience. Personally for me there was none of that. The vendors were all extremely generous and so genuine. When you see them on television, of course they are going to be happy and passionate about their products. I can tell you first hand, that these people and their representatives believe in what they are doing with every fiber of their being. If you have a question about a product, chances are they will pull it from their arsenal of supplies to give you an exclusive look at it. When you were talking to a vendor, they made you feel like you had their undivided attention, which is very much appreciated. The vendors are just normal every day people like you and me. They talk with people who are waiting in line at the studio store or chat with someone on their way out of the building. They laugh with you while washing your hands together in the bathroom. The QVC employees were always smiling and helpful, many going way out of the way to assist us. They were more visible this year, helping to herd throngs of people this way or that way to make things run more smoothly. The other participants of the beauty bash were fun to be around. All around us we heard stories of what a bonding experience it is for mothers and daughters, sisters and aunts, and friends. It was so easy to look around and see everyone smiling, which isn’t always the case in a tough economic environment like the one we’re currently facing. Those smiles and attitudes were infectious. There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air.




I know what you’ve come here for today isn’t to read about the experience, you’ve come back to see what was in that big tote bag I showed you the other day. The “dumping of the bag” is much like being a child at Halloween. Remember when you were a kid who upon coming home after trick or treating sat in the middle of the floor and shook out your treat bag to see what goodies you had amassed? That’s exactly what I do when I return home from the beauty bash. Dump the tote bag, give it a few hard shakes to make sure I have every last thing out and then dig in. This year the tote bag weighted over 16 pounds and contained several hundreds of dollars worth of product. I received more this year than in Beauty Bashes past and can I just tell you, I had the incredible urge to just roll around on the floor on top of it all? I didn’t but I really, really wanted to. This picture doesn’t do the haul justice at all, but it was one of few that I could get that showed everything. Most of products we received were full size or very close to full size.

I’ll spare you a full list (if you’re interested let me know and I’ll send you one), but here are some of my favorite products in bullet form.

• Wen -- Six 6 ounce cleansing conditioner that are nothing short of glorious. Three lotions and body crèmes, and a soy candle. Can I just tell you he also had his three gorgeous lab dogs there? I also found out he uses the cleansing conditioners on their coats and they were oh so shiny! And you don’t even have to ask, yes, Sandy my golden retriever will be rocking a WEN cleansed coat after her next bath.

• Laura Geller – always one of my favorites was giving away full sized products of balance and brighten, balance and bronze, or blush and brighten each coming with a kabuki brush that works wonders. I love her reps and they are always one of my most favorite stops at the Beauty Bash. I want to be friends with all of them and the next time I am in NYC you better believe I will be stopping in at their studio. I want Laura Geller to be my new best friend.

• Philosophy – this organization is always incredibly generous, and this year was no exception. In addition to providing the opportunity have to facials and have your make up done by one of their artists they gave away huge foil bags containing Hope in a Jar, Purity foaming facial cleanser, a body wash in their new Unconditional Love scent, and a lip gloss that has me applying it every half hour because it smells so damn good.

• Ojon – these people provide hair care products that seriously make me want to shower three times a day for no other reason than to smell their products. They are mainly coco based that not only leave your hair super soft but your skin as well. This year we received full size “Rub Out” dry shampoo and a revitalizing hair mist.

• Tarte – this cosmetic company has learned from the past. Last year their sample sizes were ok but noting to get too excited about. This year however, I wanted to do cartwheels. They gave away a full sized conditioning lip stick, a full size foundation in your choice of shade, AND a compact with 8 lip glosses. To say I was happy was an understatement. It doesn’t hurt that all their products come in purple containers as well.

• T3 and Orlando Pita – this was their debut Beauty Bash and WOW, did they go all out. Their beautifully presented full sized products included volumizing dry shampoo, a heat seeking un-serum, a heat seeking volumizer, and a set of six professional combs. I cannot tell you how excited I am to try these out. As someone who uses heat styling products on an almost daily basis, my tresses are going to them them.

• Mally -- yet another company I always look forward to seeing was handing out metallic make up bags containing full size blush, eye shadow and lip gloss. I have actually been carrying this product in my everyday bag since Sunday. It’s a perfect size for touching up in the middle of day or heading out to meet friends for dinner after work.


As I said before, this is just a small sampling of the products that were tucked into my Beauty Bash tote bag. I have hair products that range from Ken Paves (hair dresser to Eva Longoria Parker and Jessica Simpson), Nick Chavez, and Fredrick Fekkai. There is eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick from companies like LORAC, Smashbox, Prescriptives, DuWop Clinique, and Bare Essentials. I have skin care products that help detoxify, reduce my pours, give me smooth hands and feet, cleanse, moisturize and prevent wrinkles from Dr. Denese, Diane Young, Peter Thomas Roth, DDF, and Doctor Perricone. There was so much, I have found something new and interesting every time I dump the tote out and sort through it all (which I can assure happens at least once a day for the first few weeks). I seriously have enough products to carry me well into next year and have no excuse for not looking beautiful at any given time.

Go check out Mandy's blog here and be sure to congratulate her on her new title! She wrote up another post about the looong wait and huge crowds waiting outside the Bash before it began and her comments sections are rockin'! Go Mandy!


Here's a video of Laura Gellar at the QVC Beauty Bash Dinner Cocktail (how swanky sounding!):




And Mally Roncal: