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???

Knock it Off!

As much air time as Angelina Jolie's ginormous emerald earrings received during the Oscars, how soon do you think it'll be before we see a knock off on QVC or HSN???

I have absolutely no idea what all us non-red-carpet-goers are supposed to do with these green baubles besides donate them to a needy drag queen, but you know how home shopping channels love to be "inspired" by those red carpet fashions.

Although I do suppose they might be the perfect accessory for when you need a quick midweek dinner, so you decide to swing by the Walmart after work to pick up one of those rotisserie chickens and a bag of triple-rinsed salad.

But the big question is, who will win the frenzied race to be first with their "unique interpretation?"

Kenneth Jay Lane? Joan Rivers? Hot in Hollywood? Suzanne Somers? Diamonique? Absolute?

Angie knows not what home shopping costume jewelry chaos she has unleashed!

Beans and Cornbread

I went to my in-laws this weekend. They live in the country--God's country, y'all--picture horse trailers hitched to muddy pickups, hay bales, and tobacco hanging up in the barn to dry.

In any case, I think I might have gained roughly five pounds in two days. We drove over to the next little town and ate at Cathy's Country Cupboard and let me tell you, it was some good, down home, stick-to-your-ribs kinda cookin'! We had a mess o' fried catfish, white beans, coleslaw, fried potatoes, cornbread, and sweet tea. I have to say that the white beans surprised me. I'm used to pintos (you know, cook 'em up low and slow with some ham hocks or fatback), but these white beans were even better. And then the desserts ... Lord have mercy! This old country gal named Frieda comes in early in the morning and makes all the pies and cobblers from scratch. Coconut pie, pecan pie, peach cobbler, lemon meringue pie, and blackberry cobbler were the selections when I went. Frieda makes what she wants to make. The blackberry cobbler had big, fat, fresh blackberries all through it and the crust was perfection. Frieda is an artist.

That was just one meal. I'm not going to get into the biscuits and sausage gravy, grits, and hashbrowns that happened at breakfast. I'm going to have to eat nothing but salad for days just to get the gravy out of my bloodstream. It was totally worth it though.

A few random Monday morning home shopping thoughts:

I had tons of emails about Lisa Robertson--where did she go? Was she fired? Which I found really funny. We have become so accustomed to the powers that be just canning people with no warning that if someone misses a shift or two, we're pretty sure that the worst happened--post traumatic host firing disorder, maybe? So, calm down. No, she's not fired and she didn't quit. She's back. Word is that her father had a stroke and she--quite understandably--needed to go be with him. I certainly hope that all is well now.

And the other Lisa--Lisa Mason--her hair is to die for! Props to Gino that big Hawaiian hair dresser husband of hers. Love him!

Sterling Silver Designer Day was a total bust for me. I haven't checked out the message boards yet to see how other people felt about it, but I wasn't impressed. The Ripka TSV was covered in hearts and I don't do hearts--Queen Bea is a heartless shell of a woman, you know. There was also waaay too much old stuff, too much expensive stuff, and not enough special deals. I know that the Q is allergic to having "sales," but we are in a recession. Tough times call for some sales on silver.

Speaking of sales, my diva hoops arrived! I totally rocked them down at Cathy's Country Cupboard.

On a side note, I've had some email conversations with several of you about writing. Yes, I enjoy writing. That's why I started this blog to begin with. I wanted somewhere to write that would be fun and freeing. Writing books is a long process that involves more planning, editing, and rewriting than actual writing (writing is rewriting, right?) I wanted instant gratification and I didn't want to fuss over perfect grammar--I wanted to let my participles dangle freely! This blog is a perfect outlet for that.

Anyway, I've once again been bitten by the nasty book bug. A little seed was planted in my head while I was watching a news story one day. That's what happens when your at home laying on the couch with the flu. Your brain is all mushy and fertile--ripe for planting. That little seed has since grown into some characters who I adore and a funny little plot for them to play in.

I know that a few of you are also writers and I know at least one of you is writing a book and another is thinking about it. I'm looking for some buddies to go through the writing muck with me and sit in the dark, lonely trenches. If for no other reason than to provide little word count encouragement. Trust me, it helps! If you've ever done NaNoWriMo, you know that a little peer pressure and competition will spur you to higher word counts. If you don't already know, writers are expert naval-gazers and need a little motivation to actually do something remotely productive. Any takers???

Diva Hoop Dreams

Real Collectibles by Adrienne® Clear Crystal Large Hoop Earrings Item: 363-413
(Clearance Price: $26.95)

The blog posts have been scant lately as I and the entire royal household have been spending more time on the royal throne being royally sick.

As usual when I'm feeling under-the-weather, I buy a little trinket as a pick-me-up.

This time, I splurged on some I-ain't-playin'-around divalicious hoops from the Queen of Hoops, Adrienne (y'all know how I love the Adrienne show). I have been wanting some big, sparkly, yet narrow hoops for some time now, but just haven't found just the right pair at the right price.

These were almost the right pair at nearly the right price, but sickness put its heavy thumb on the scale and tipped the balance.

I did manage to come out of the "Everything on 4 Easy Payments Groundhog Day QVC Spectacular" completely unscathed. Those Evil Pays can add up quick!

Also, I'll be announcing the winner of the IMAN free purse contest today!!!

These Studs are Breakin' Records and Takin' Names

Remember when QVC had that Honora pearl earring stud set as the TSV recently?

Turns out that they sold 287,500 sets, breaking the all-time TSV sales record (I believe the old record was a Dell product).

I remember that they were selling like crazy all day (literally, they were flying out the door!) and I just kept waiting for them to run out, but they never did. I can't even imagine how many of these they ordered.

QVC lived up to its name with this one: it was a name-brand fashionable product, a good price, free shipping, buy more-save more, and a versatile enough of gift to work for everyone from a little girl to a big granny. Quality. Value. Convenience. What a concept!

I thought about ordering these, but I haven't had much luck with Honora. I've had to send back everything I've ever ordered due to quality issues. I understand that these pearls aren't going to be perfect, but huge pits and cracks just aren't gonna work for me. However, this particular set has gotten rave reviews. I think it's because these are only 7mm-pearls, whereas I'm always trying to get a string of boulders around my neck! The bigger they are, the harder it is to get them in a decent quality.

QVC Powers-That-Be, please try to do more TSV's like this one. Learn, grasshopper, learn!

BTW, there's another Honora TSV on the 12th. Check it out here.

Two Things ...

First, according to godFreako on the QVC message boards, the big, pave hoops from the Diamonique commercial that I've been drooling over will be sold for ... drum roll, please ... $248.12!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Has QVC lost their minds? Two hundred and fifty dollars for CZ and silver ... for real? Is this supposed to be a joke? That must be a helluva a lot of platinum that they're plating on those earrings.

Y'all know how much I love my fake diamonds and I've been hunting for a big pair of pave hoops for a while now, so I was primed and ready with my wallet open and credit card in hand to buy those earrings tonight, but there is no number of Easy Pays that can make up for a ridiculous price tag like that. And for once I don't even care about free shipping. That price is just insulting.

Maybe they will realize the enormous error of their ways before tonight ... the Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise!

Second, the TSV--Keurig Ultimate Coffee Brewer w/ 54 K-Cups & My K-Cup Filter--is a rocking deal. Mr. Queen Bea wanted to get me a new coffee maker for Christmas and I do believe I have helped him find it!

My Bunn, which was supposed to last forever, now leaks more coffee than it makes. Although I'm sad and disappointed in my Bunn, I'm pretty sure that I can drink my sorrows away with this little baby.

The reviews are almost uniformly glowing (the naysayers seem to expect their own personal tree-hugging Starbucks barista to pop out of the machine to make their morning brew) and I can't find a better price. Plus you get 54 K-Cups, a coupon for more coffee of your choice, half-price shipping, and the K-Cup filter so you can use whatever coffee you want with it. And did I mention the 5 Easy Pays?

At least someone at the Q still has a clue. Oh! And I forgot to mention one of the best benefits of this coffee maker--watching the already hyper hosts get juiced up on caffeine all day!

So, when all is said and done, at least I will have a tasty cup of coffee to sip while I fume over my hoops (and they are mine even if they aren't technically in my possession).

Today's Blue Plate Specials ... Studly Studs

The HSN TS is a Technibond "Garden of Gems" Textured Pendant with 18" Popcorn Chain. This looks ... how shall I say ... cheap? unattractive? With the exception of the garnet, the gems are washed out and the setting is boring. Perhaps this is my personal bias against most cluster settings or maybe it's just ugly. Who knows?!

(By the way, I have been told by reliable sources that I am a being a bit of a b-i-t-c-h right now due to some crazy PMS so that could be playing into my nasty reviews. Although it's not like they don't deserve it anyway, right???)

I suppose the chain looks decent ... See, I can be play nice! Sometimes. Whatever. I'll just have to go relax in HSN's new Elle Fall Fashion Lounge. There seems to be a lot of room to spread out. Those skinny models don't take up any space at all!

There is a $5 off coupon code for Signature A Club. Maybe this will help Adrienne gain some ground on Joan!

The QVC TSV is a Slatkin & Co. Set of 3 Ceramic Harvest Figural Candles. These are cute, but not fifty dollars worth of cute! I haven't watched the presentations yet, but I'm guessing that there has been talk of breaking this up into three separate presents--hey, you gotta get your kid's new teacher something nice or she won't like him, right?

Good Lord, I am in a bit of a snit today. However, there are lots of Easy Pay offers today. Check them out here.

The ShopNBC OTV is a Sterling Silver / Platinum Brilliante Simulated Diamond Stud Earring Set. Lisa Mason will be sooo jealous of the ShopNBC hosts getting to say "stud" all day will absolute impunity! Not just one stud, but three studs, baby. Poor Lisa.

Anywho, these three studs need to hit the gym or something. They look very fake and even though I have a undying love for fake diamonds, I don't want them to actually look fake. These look like those crystal earrings that come in a set for little girls down at the Walmart.

Sorry, stud.

When I was watching last night, I happened to catch a new line called Sophisticated Steel. I love steel jewelry! And now that the price of gold has skyrocketed, everyone else seems to be jumping on board. I'm sad to say that they were super stingy with the Value Pays though. Check it out here.

Today's Blue Plate Specials ... I Triple Dog Dare Ya!

The HSN TS is a ybf 9-piece Celebration Collection. This is the HSN debut of what was Model's Prefer back when it was on QVC. Read about the divorce drama here.

This collection is basically everything you'll need once the foundation is on. Colors are fairly neutral for a very natural look and you also get a 1-year subscription to Allure magazine.


The ShopNBC OTV is a pair of 14K Gold Cachalong & Black Diamond Earrings. I had to look up exactly what a cachalong is since I've never heard of it. Here's what I found (there wasn't much information on the Internet):

An opaque to feebly translucent porous type of opal which when wetted with the tongue absorbs moisture so quickly that it sticks. Generally white in color but pale colors in other hues are known, Cachalong is commonly associated with opalized and chalcedonized wood. Also abundant as cavity fillings associated with zeolite minerals in pillow basalts.

So--even if you're triple dog dared--don't lick these earrings, chickadees!!!

You might end up like that poor kid, Flick, in "A Christmas Story!"

Can't say that I like these earrings, but I did enjoy learning about another gem.


The QVC TSV is a Folding Island Kitchen Cart with Butcher Block Style Top with Stainless Steel Accents. I love the hardwood and the stainless steel. And I especially love that this just folds up for easy storage. However, it is a little pricey (shipping alone is over $20!) and the actual usable surface space isn't very big. But it could be a nice drink or appetizer station for a party.

Today's Blue Plate Specials ... Flaming Hot!

The QVC TSV is a Candle Impressions Indoor/Outdoor Lantern with Candle & Timer. Oh, how I loooooove flameless candles. Not that I don't like the flaming kind, but they are a tad dangerous around cats, dogs, kids, and especially husbands! In fact, I was just telling Mr. Queen Bea how I needed a truckload or two of flameless candles for the new place. Queen Bea's credit card will be smoking today, chickadees!


The HSN TS is the Wei East Restore Resurface and Renew with Golden Root collection. I know that Wei has a bit of a cult following, but I've never personally tried her products. Her Eyes Alive is on my list to try though! I checked out her Wei East Golden Root Renewal Daily Restoration Wear and discovered that it had a 4.6 rating with 86 reviews. That's Holy Grail Fountain of Youth Magic Potion good. Wow!

The ShopNBC OTV is a pair of 14K White Gold 0.50ct Diamond Hoop Earrings. For about $200, these are ok, but they aren't doing it for me. I don't like all the cutouts on the back. I realize that they want to make the earrings lighter and use less gold to keep the price down, but the design makes it look like another another pair of earrings entirely.

There is a 15% off online only sale on Croton and Invicta watches that ends today and $1.99 shipping on gems and silver.

Today's Blue Plate Specials ... Suck it Up!

HSN's TS sucks! Sorry, lame, I know. I just couldn't resist. Anyway, the TS is a Dyson DC07 Upright Cyclonic Vacuum Cleaner with Accessories. Dyson has a cult following and is supposed to be the greatest vacuum ever. The only complaint? It's too powerful. Oh dear, Queen Bea might accidentally vacuum up the cat.

QVC's TSV are Ryka Slip-on Quilted Mesh Skimmers. These look sooo comfy (and cute--especially that burgundy one). And they come in wide width. Praise be! Queen Bea's pork chop feet appreciate that! However, $39 seems a little on the expensive side for some slip-ons.

ShopNBC's OTV is a pair of 14K White or Yellow Gold 2.00ct Diamond Inside-Out Hoop Earrings. The diamond quality is about one step away from being a drill bit, but I like the earrings--they look stylish and well-made.

But, honestly chickadees, you should really just save the $999.96 and get yourself some fake diamonds. I have a pair of white gold Diamonique inside-out hoops that are fabulous and I've heard the Hollywood hoops are to die for.

Barbara Bixby Clearance Deal!

Rarely does the good designer stuff go on sale, so this is quite the treat! Item# J11870: As Is Barbara Bixby 2.95 cttw Olive Quartz Earrings Sterling/18K -- they're in the As Is section, so they might only have a handful left. Get 'em while they're hot!!! Considering QVC is raising all the prices on all her other items, this is a steal at $80.31 (normally $129.75).

I love Barbara Bixby! Make sure you watch her June 26 from 6-8 p.m.

And on a side note, please, please, please don't push for her to make more (items or quantity), I want the quality to stay the same. This goes for Ann King too!

Priness Di (inspired) Jewelry Sneak Peak

So Paul Burrell's new line of jewelry based on what he thinks Princess Diana would like will be premiering tonight on ShopNBC. I hate to admit it, but from what I've seen so far, it's not bad. It is, however, hella expensive!


J181983 - 18K WG 1.95ct Diamond Pave Ring
This ring can be yours for the rock bottom price of $3,699.95--that's 5 Value Pays of only $739.99. I do like it though, but I'm a sucker for pave.


J181978 - 14K White & Cognac Diamond Cross Pendant w/ Chain
At only $799.95 , this is one of the most affordable items in the collection, which probably means that they brought in huge quantities of this one. It's nice, but not 800-dollars worth of nice.

J181980 - 18K Tri-Color 1.14ct Diamond Flower Ring
For only $1,699.95 , this flower ring can be yours! I'm not much of a flower person, but this ring ain't bad at all. I like the 3D effect.

J181973 - 18K 2.29ct Diamond Earrings
These earrings are on sale for a mere pittance at only $3,299.95 (15% off folks--hurry up before they're gone! I'll be grabbing a pair for me, my mom, and the babysitter.)

Honestly, this is why I have a deep and forbidden love of fake diamonds. These prices are ridiculous! How many times would I wear those earrings? For 3k, they better pick up my dry cleaning or something. Jeez!

Look for the show tonight with Wes and Pam McCoy and tomorrow night with Libby Floyd at 7 p.m. both nights.

Tacori Crescent Line is a Dud

The new Tacori Crescent line is premiring on the Q on June 15th. After looking at the "real" Tacori Crescent Silhouette Line (example pictured to the left), I had some high expectations. And, other than the emerald ring, these just don't do it for me.


I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to this line. I always get super excited and I'm always let down. I just keep coming back for more. Why? Why do I do this?

If you do see soemthing you like, be ready with guns and credit cards blazin' to order it quickly on the 15th because most Tacori does see out fast (except for the few pieces they order thousands and thousands of that we're forced to revisit all day long over and over and over again).


J35754Tacori Epiphany Diamonique Crescent Design Pendant w/Chain


J35772Tacori Epiphany Diamonique Crescent Design Drop Earrings


J35799Tacori Epiphany Diamonique Crescent Design Rose Pear Earrings




J35664Tacori Epiphany Diamonique Crescent Design Bloom Cut Ring

J35817Tacori Epiphany Diamonique Crescent Design Wide Band Ring

J35789Tacori Epiphany Diamonique Simulated Emerald Cresent Ring

QVC Today's Special Value: Love, Love, Love!

Bold Polished Wedding Band Hoop Earrings 18K Gold

Item# J26447

$177.84
4 Easy Pays of $44.46
FREE S&H

As Lisa Robertson would say ... love, love, love! Queen Bea really loves a big, bold yellow gold hoop and these are fabulous! Even though the Q probably just worked the cost of shipping into the price so they could offer it for free, I still appreciate the pretense.

There are soooo many times that I completely geek out and 'X' out of the QVC website after I see the price with shipping, handling, and tax added on. Ugh! That has killed the deal more times then I can count. But with gas prices soaring, shipping prices just aren't gonna come down anytime soon.

ShopNBC Our Top Value 6/2/08: Studs-N-Jackets

Sterling Silver/Platinum or 18K Vermeil Set of Three Gem Studs & Jackets
Item# J302875
$99.98
2 Value Pays of $49.99
Choice of platinum plated or 18k yellow gold vermeil

I give this a '10' for concept and a '4' for execution. I love the idea of the three studs that you can wear alone or mix and match with the three different jackets. So versatile! Definitely alot of bang for the buck. However, I don't think they are ... what's the word ... pretty? Right, I think that they are u-g-l-y. Ugly. Sorry ShopNBC, but this ain't doing it for the Queen Bea.

I do like two of the studs though--the zircon and the iolite (highly underrated gem ... looks like tanzanite at a fraction of the cost), but the third one is described as--and I quote--"reddish brown rhodolite garnet." That just sounds like a really poor quality garnet. Garnet is plentiful and not terribly expensive! Couldn't they do any better than "reddish brown?" Yuck-O. But I suppose that two out of three studs ain't bad!

The Queen's Clearance Deal of the Day

Item# L56384

14K Ball Stud Earrings

• Regular price: $44.95
• Clearance price: $34.95 (22% off)
• Sorry, folks, no value pays!

Since, as we all know, May is gold month, I thought I would try to find some gold on the cheap. With the gold market going through the roof, it costs big bucks just for a tiny, tinny-sounding, thin, weightless sorry excuse for a piece of gold jewelry! So. Not. Worth. It.

Anyway, these studs are basic and, aside from a few problems with the earring backs, got great reviews. Eight millimeters is a great "Goldilocks" size--not too big to be uncomfortable and not so small to not be noticed. I have no idea how heavy they are since no gram weight is provided (this is a rant I will save for another day), but I personally don't mind if earrings are hollow or on the light side since I don't want to have to tuck my earlobes into my collar.