Let me start by saying Happy Mother's Day to every mother out there! I think Mother's Day is one of the most important days of the year; it is a day where we take a moment to remove our focus from our very busy lives and show appreciation towards our moms (AKA heroes!)

Because my mom and I have lived together for 15 years, I have picked up many of my mom's characteristics/interests/habits. My mom is no doubt my number one role model, and I strive every day to be more like her.

I thought I should make a list of all the wonderful things I have inherited/picked up from my mom growing up. We learn so much from our moms, and I am grateful for everything she has taught me.

1. We both NEVER give up on something we are truly dedicated about, and we never let anyone get in the way of doing what we love. One example of this is when I decided to take up karate during elementary school. All of the boys would make fun of me at school, saying I was too weak to do karate. However, I didn't let their hurtful words stop me from doing what I love. A week later, I brought in a wooden board I kicked in half for show and tell. (You could imagine their faces!) My mom has taught me that stereotypes, doubts, and hurtful words should never stop me from pursuing my dreams and doing what I love. If she didn't have this mind set, I know for a fact she wouldn't be a host on QVC. I look up to her so much, and I am so grateful she has taught me to never give up.

2. We both value honesty more than anything else in our relationships. The number one thing that makes my relationship with my mom so awesome is that we never lie to each other. She has taught me to be honest ever since I can remember, and the few times I did lie to her blew up in my face. One of the first times I can remember lying to my mom was when I was a kid (probably around 1st grade) my mom made salad for dinner. While we were eating, my mom went to the bathroom, and I threw most of my salad in the trash when she wasn't looking. When she came back, she was glad to see that I ate all of my dinner. Later that night, I was in my room crying out of guilt. I didn't want to admit I lied; so, I decided to not make it a lie. I went and ate the salad; yup, that's right. I ate the SAME salad I threw away. I never told her what happened until a couple months ago. (She thought it was hilarious, but she was proud of how much I valued honesty) Ever since then, I have been 100% honest to my mom.

3. Both of us try our best to block out negativity in our house; it is unnecessary energy and it just brings us down. We rarely have the TV on, and when it is on it is either a Spurs/Saints game or SpongeBob. We have a strict no news channel rule; the news is swarming with negative stories! Some people could argue it is a way of being in denial, blocking out negative things and pretend bad things don't happen. However, we know that being positive is in no way being in denial, and a home should have a happy and supportive atmosphere. I will take this positivity with me when I move into my own home someday.

4. Surround yourself with positive people. If there is one thing I value most that my mom has taught me since I've started high school, it is that you should not surround yourself with people who bring you down. I have struggled with this for years. I have had many toxic friendships, and it has always been hard to just let it go. But after this school year, surrounding myself with people who make me happy has been my number one priority. I'd much rather leave a friend’s house feeling uplifted and happy instead of sad or angry. I thank my mom for teaching me to remove negative sources from my life, and it is a skill I will take with me wherever I go.

5. Love yourself. It sounds weird to say, but it is something we must all learn how to do. Loving yourself is in no way being conceited! If we spend our whole lives hating our appearance or hating the way we are it can be extremely unhealthy for you and others. My mom has taught me to treat myself with respect, because if I don't respect myself other people won't either. If you let people tear you down and fill your brain with negative thoughts about yourself, then you're disrespecting yourself by letting people beat you up. Stand up for yourself; don't depend on others to do so. Love yourself, so you may love others. Surround yourself with people who respect your boundaries, and respect theirs. My mom has always had these beliefs, and I am so grateful she has taught me to do these things.

6. Live in the moment. This is something I struggled with deeply when we first moved to Pennsylvania. I kept dwelling on my old life in Texas, and I always wished I could go back. During my whole first year in PA I dwelled so much on my past life that I was blind to all of the amazing things PA has to offer. Although PA is different from Texas in so many ways, it is an amazing place to grow up; I am grateful that I feel this way now. It took a lot of time to adjust and move on, but I couldn't have done it without my mom's help. She was always there to remind me of how lucky we were, and she would always help me see all of the amazing things this world has to offer. Life goes on, and so do you.

Mom, I'm grateful for your encouragement, because you have helped me to believe in myself. But above all, I am just grateful to have you as my mom, because you are the bravest, smartest, brightest, most amazing woman I know. Thank you mom.

Love, Gabby <3

Dear Q Friends,

This Sunday is Mother's Day....A day we set aside to honor our mothers, step-mothers, sisters who are moms, daughters who are moms, and those who have been like a mom to us in some way throughout our lives. I am one of the very lucky ones who has a mother who is truly a gift from heaven above. My husband, half-jokingly, calls her "a saint". She would be the first to disagree.

The older I get, the more I am amazed at how much I've become like my mom. When I was younger, everyone always remarked about how much I was like my dad....in both personality and resemblance. As much as I adore my mother, I really never thought I was very much like her. My younger sister, Jennifer, definitely always LOOKED much more like her than I did. In personality, I was, and am vibrant and outspoken, a leader, very driven to do well, and be successful....just like my dad. I also love cars, pets, taking care of the lawn, baseball, buying presents for those I love, and am the proverbial "life of the party"...like my dad.

But now that I am older, something peculiar has gradually happened to me, without my even noticing. I have become much more like  my mom. I now see we have the same smile, and the same laugh. (Even though I still have dad's brown eyes and command of a room). But I've become more gentle and kind, patient and helpful, emotional and happy to be in the background... sometimes.....just like my mom. And I love that. Because if I could be even a "smidgeon" of the remarkable person my mother is, I would be honored. She had taught me the gentleness in life, to have a huge heart, to notice the little things of beauty along the way. (Although I STILL cannot make her apple pie or spaghetti sauce HALF as well as she, no matter how hard I try!) I have come to realize that my mother is every bit as strong and outgoing and a leader as my father...sometimes more.... but she was always very subtle about it.

She was and is exceptional and has raised 6 exceptional children, all very different from each other, but all a credit to her and to my dad.

I am very lucky to have two wonderful parents, who both have had a huge positive influence on the woman I have become. I am so proud to be their daughter. I am so happy I am now,  so much like my mother. Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's, Step Moms, Pet Mom's and EVERY type of Mom. Thank you for the love you give us every single day. We would not be here without you and we are so happy to have you in our lives, or in heaven watching over us. God Bless you and have a wonderful day!!

Love,
Carolyn XO

Happy Mother’s Day!

Growing up in the floral industry I know very well that Mother’s Day is hands-down the busiest time of year.

For as long as I can remember, the week of Mother’s Day I would leave school to go to my parent’s florist shop and help them until the early hours of the morning. Back then, the tradition was for Moms to proudly wear a corsage on Mother’s Day.  And my parents and I would make hundreds and hundreds of corsages. 

To this day, I hate making corsages and even though I am a traditionalist at heart, I am thrilled that now the trend is making something special for or with your Mom.

(Just like in these pictures of kids making gardens for their Mother!) 

As a mom and floral designer, watching young children interested in plants and gardening brings me a joy unlike any other. Although my fingers were numb and I was exhausted from the nights making corsages when I was their age that is where my love of flowers stemmed from (pardon the pun) and where my love and respect for Mothers grew.

Now, my sons are the ones getting their hands dirty on Mother’s Day.  Every year – as this is still the busiest time of my year as a floral design business – my sons give me a head-start in my gardens. They mulch and weed and get them ready for me to plant. Talk about thoughtful.

There is a reason that in the floral and gift industries, Mother’s Day beats out any other holiday of the year.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s and even Valentine’s Day don’t even come close – not by a mile! The reason is simple. There is nothing more special than Mothers and the gifts they bring to all of us. Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

My father, John passed away on April 28th after a long illness that he bore with great courage, strength and style . Family, relations and friends came to bid him his final farewell; My brother Sean made some amazing videos from old family photos and home movies, and I want to share some with you.

Also, here is  an extract from  the eulogy that I  delivered at the end of the funeral, which I hope gives you an idea of how proud I was to have him as my father.

He was a gregarious man, who took delight in company, who was unfailingly gracious.  Many of you will have been touched by his thoughtfulness and kindness, his capacity to attend to the small details that mattered to others. 

In the days to come, we will recall his enjoyment of life at the epicentre of Rathfarnham village, and how he loved being close to the business, which had been such an important part of his life

And he WAS the quintessential business man, ever interested in commerce, the vagaries of the market place, the motivations of the movers and shakers.    I am grateful for the privilege of having worked along side him.

But I shall also remember him as my father: - Held aloft on his shoulders, I had my first sweeping view of the world, a world that I now inhabit with the life skills he imparted.  I will remember him as a leader, open to adventure; an example to me in matters of practicality and preparedness and presentation. 

And as time passes, I will look fondly back at his inimitable style, his sartorial elegance, his distinctive wit, and his enjoyment of the finer things in life.

Now it is our turn to hold our father aloft, and carry him to his final resting place.

We have loved him.

We will remember him.

Stephen

Hi, everyone!

I hope most of you saw my spring organization posts from this week. I asked five of my blogger friends to tidy their homes with some of my favorite organizational pieces, the Lori Grenier Tabletop Cosmetics Organizer and the nesting baskets from Honey-Can-Do. I shared each of their blogs on Facebook but wanted to share some questions they sent me about how I organize my home.

Beeb from MomStart tidied her cosmetics with Lori Grenier's tabletop organizer and sent me these questions about bathroom organization:

• What are some tips for making the most of a small space when it comes to storage. For example, organizing a lot of beauty products in a small bathroom?

It seems obvious, but the first thing is I would do is clean out my stash so there’s less to organize. The second thing I always did in my apartment days was to use an over-the-door-rack to store everything…day-to-day essentials, toilet paper, washcloths, and jewelry. The other thing you can do is hang shelves for storage, if you’re able to drill into your walls. You may not have space for furniture, but you can use every inch of wall space.

• How can you tackle a large spring cleaning/organizational challenge when you are really short on time?

Great question, Beeb. I’m a big advocate of the 15-minute approach. Do as much as you can in 15 minutes, every day, and you’ll have an area clean in no time. You’ll also keep yourself from abandoning the project and getting overwhelmed. If company’s coming tomorrow, however, and you don’t have a week, do as much as you can and hide the rest away in some handy storage ottomans until you do have time. I have these all over my home—in every room—and they’re perfect for a quick clean-up.

Lisa, blogger behind Planet Weidknecht organized her under-the-sink-space with QVC’s Honey-Can-Do Baskets. She asked me how I handle organization in small spaces:

• What are some of the best ways to maximize storage in a small home?

Lisa, you can’t go wrong with over-the-door-storage racks, storage ottomans, and functional furniture. Every piece of furniture in my home has some kind of storage solution, whether hidden or visible. And again, if you can hang shelves, use that wall space for all it’s worth!

• Can you give me some creative ideas on how to downsize my “stuff” without throwing it away?

Donate, donate, donate. Just last week I cleaned out my linen closet. I had at least six sets of sheets that I don’t use and the local animal shelter is always asking for sheets, towels, and newspaper for its cages. I kept two sets of sheets (one for my bed, one for the wash) and donated the rest. I hate throwing things away so I always do a little research and find organizations to take our extras.

If you don’t want to donate, try vacuum bags for clothes, towels, pillows—anything soft. It’s amazing how much you can get into those bags and now they can stack neatly under your bed. Plus, now you have the shelf space to hide clutter away.

Tristin from Tristin & Company totally thought outside the box with her tabletop organizer. I was honored to answer this question about being a memory keeper:

• How do you document your life? 

I haven’t always been a memory-keeper like you, Tristin, but after I lost my father, I made a conscious effort to take more pictures—if only with my phone—as often as I can. Memories are so important. A few times a year I download them onto my computer and have some printed to update photo frames I have throughout my home. Last year, I also had some of my all-time favorite family photos printed on canvas…just like art. It was so easy and they’re so much more meaningful than a random picture.

Don’t forget to check out Nicole’s post at her blog Mom Always Finds Out and Fawnda’s post from Fireflies & Jellybeans, if you haven’t already. Both girls put those nesting baskets to great use. I’m on vacation for the next few days but plan to share photos on Facebook!

See you soon…from my home to yours,
—Jill

I know quiche is a classic dish, but for me it also serves as a nostalgic trip back to the 1980s, when I was a teenager. There was a restaurant at our mall (of all places) that served what I recall as a perfect version, and I felt very sophisticated going there to have it for lunch. There were mall restaurants specializing in crepes back then, too. No wonder I ended up minoring in French!

Somewhere along the way, it seems that quiche kind of fell off my radar. I’ve actually made it a few times over the years, but none of them measured up to the one in my memory. Lately, I’d been having a serious craving for a truly great quiche, so I was determined to try again.

I spent some time brainstorming a way to get my kids on board, too, and settled on finding a recipe that uses bacon and cheddar cheese instead of the ham and gruyere cheese I’d used in past attempts. When my search turned up these ingredients in a recipe from Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman Cooks, I knew it was the one for me. I’ve found her recipes to be ultra-reliable and relatively easy to make. I’m happy to report that the results were beyond my expectations.

I started with Ree’s nearly magical, works-every-time crust recipe, although I leave out four tablespoons of the shortening and swap in the same amount of butter instead. I just like the idea of getting some butter in there! I’ve used the crust recipe before for pie, and it truly is amazing.

Here’s how it went:

Cutting shortening into flour can actually be pretty relaxing.

Once the crust is done, and the bacon and onions are prepped, putting together the filling is pretty simple.

Into the oven! I used a ceramic tart dish rather than the deep-dish pan with removable bottom that Ree calls for.

A mixed green salad with Balsamic vinaigrette dressing makes the meal complete.

And, voilà! I’m happy to report that this delicious quiche completely satisfied my nostalgic craving. I can’t wait to make it again, and, happily, that crust recipe makes enough for two crusts, offering a nice head start. Oh, and the verdict from our kids? Our 16-year-old wouldn’t try it, because she made “the perfect quiche” in a cooking camp a few years back and doesn’t think anything will ever live up to that (so the cycle begins again). Our 14-year-old, a big fan of bacon, loved it, and she didn’t even balk when we served it up as leftovers the next day. I’ll take that!

Cowboy Quiche

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 1 Hour

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 whole Unbaked Pie Crust (enough For A Deep Dish Pan)
• 2 whole Yellow Onions, Sliced
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 8 slices Bacon
• 8 whole Large Eggs
• 1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream Or Half-and-Half
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Fry the onions in the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes (maybe longer), stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Fry the bacon until chewy. Chop into large bite-sized pieces and set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the pie crust and press it into a large fluted deep tart pan (or a deep dish pie pan).

Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, bacon, and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet, cover lightly with aluminum foil, and bake it for about 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. (The quiche will still seem slightly loose, but will continue to set once remove from the oven.)

Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. If using a tart pan, remove the quiche from the pan, cut into slices with a sharp serrated knife, and serve!

Sylvia’s Perfect Pie Crust

Prep Time: 45 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cup Crisco (vegetable Shortening)
• 3 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 whole Egg
• 5 Tablespoons Cold Water
• 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Salt

Preparation Instructions

In a large bowl, with a pastry cutter, gradually work the Crisco into the flour for about 3 or 4 minutes until it resembles a coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are incorporated.

Separate the dough into thirds. ***Note: Separating it into thirds will result in three thin crusts. If you prefer a more substantial crust, separate it in half.*** Form 3 evenly sized balls of dough and place each dough into a large Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough (about ½ inch thick) to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you will be using it immediately it’s still a good idea to put in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.)

When you are ready to use the dough to make a crust, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes. On a floured surface roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. (Sprinkle some flour over top of the dough if it’s a bit too moist.) If the dough is sticking to the counter top use a metal spatula and carefully scrape it up and flip it over and continue rolling until it’s about ½ inch larger in diameter than your pie pan.

With a spatula, lift the dough carefully from the surface of the counter into the pie pan. Gently press the dough against the corner of the pan. Go around the pie pan pinching and tucking the dough to make a clean edge.

Enjoy!

Your Foodie Friend Shawn

I just received a few more wedding pictures, so I thought I would share them with you. Sure hope you don't mind.

Counting our blessings,

Mary Beth Roe

“Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, the Messiah College graduating class of 2015!”  As I heard those words this past Saturday, my mind went back to the day you were born 23 years ago.  Kelsey Brynn Wheeler weighed 6 lbs., 13 ounces and our family was complete.

You were always so cute but so incredibly shy.  I remember picking you up from pre-school when you were just four years old and I found you playing all alone in the sandbox away from the other kids.   I always hoped you would make good friends and you did but your shy nature made it difficult.  I’ll never forget coming to your school to watch you give a presentation to your class in second grade.  Mommy and I watched as  you stood and stared in silence at your classmates and  teacher. We prayed that God would help you to say something…anything.  After a very long period of silence said a couple of sentences and  ran to your seat.  It was so hard for you.  Nothing came easy.

After holding you back for an extra year of kindergarten it became apparent that you had learning difficulties so we had you tested and discovered you had a learning challenge with short term memory loss.  This made test taking and assignments extremely difficult. But you kept trying and after years of tutors and extra help you graduated from high school. 

As you faced the prospect of college we all wondered how you would do.  But I’ll never forget the day when you and I were visiting Messiah College where your older sister graduated from three years earlier.  We came out of the library and you looked at me and said, “Dad, if Kirstyn can make it here then so can I!”  I knew in that moment you could do it.

The first two years were a challenge but even though you could have received extra time on assignments and tests  you didn’t want it.  Mom and I watched as you became amazingly organized; worked harder than anyone I have ever known; found your calling and began to soar.  You even traveled to Thailand during your junior year to spend a semester working with kids whose lives had been torn apart by the horrors of sex trafficking.

As I sat down and opened the Messiah College Commencement Program I saw the heading that read Graduation Honors.  My eyes scanned down to Cum Laude, academic honors, and there was your name.  Kelsey Brynn Wheeler……  My eyes filled with tears and my mind flooded with so many memories.  Then, I heard your name being called and I looked up and saw a confident, determined woman walk across the stage and receive her diploma from the President of the College…..and the tears streamed down my face as they are now as I write this.

I have never beamed with more pride and I have never been more grateful.  I am so proud of the way you never gave up and overcame every obstacle.  You not only graduated Cum Laude but were accepted into the Advanced Master’s Degree program at a major university.   But I am grateful for the person you have become and that is what makes me the most proud.  You have always had a heart to help those in need and even volunteered throughout your high school years at a local community center in an impoverished area.  You were faithful and went there every week to help kids with their homework and teach them Bible stories.  You did it all out of love and you have taught me that Love Does…..

You majored in Social Work because you want to help people achieve their best life.  That is no surprise to your family because that is who you are.  You have constantly inspired and encouraged us all to give more of our money, time and talents to help those who are hurting in this world.   You love God with all your heart and you are dedicating your life to serving Him and helping others.

Congratulations Kelsey!  I am so proud to say that I am your Dad and I can’t wait to see all of the great things that God is going to do through your life. 

Love,

Daddy

Hi, everyone!

I might have a mild obsession with wreaths. They’re such an easy way to decorate your home for any season…and they can be so much fun to make. Just buy the base, pick your décor, grab the glue gun, and GO! I hadn’t intended to make a (well, another) summer wreath, but I was at the craft store recently and saw some clothespins. Then I saw the Memorial Day decorative display. Then, you can probably figure out what happened next…

That’s right. I was in the car with red, white, and blue spray paint, the wreath base, and clothespins before my logical pistons started firing. And when I got home, I made that patriotic wreath.

Here’s what I did, start-to-finish:

What You Need:

• 12” wire wreath
• Red, white, and blue spray paint
• Clothespins
• Cardstock
• Starpunch
• Hot glue gun

And to Assemble:

1. Spray paint the wire wreath with white spray paint to hide the metal frame.
2. On old newspapers or a drop cloth, line up all of the clothespins. Spray paint them red, white, and blue. (I did an equal amount in each color.)  Let them dry for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, punch several stars out of the card stock. If you didn’t use white card stock, just spray paint the stars white and let them dry.
4. Clip the clothespins onto the wire wreath, alternating them between the second and third rings. I started with the red clothes pins, then did the white, and finished with the blue.
5. Hot glue the stars over the blue clothespins.

Now, mid-creation I realized how fun it would be to make a multi-color wreath for summertime and asked Kathy, who helps us with our You’re Home with Jill crafts, to give it a go. She did a terrific job!

Did you all see pictures from my family vacation to Indiana? I shared some photos on Facebook, but wanted to do it here as well, in case you’re not on that platform…yet!

This is how besties welcome besties to their home...not 1, not 2 but 3 chocolate bars on my pillow. What sweet dreams I had that night thanks to my wonderful friend, Jen. Happy Hoosier Homecoming!

Just had to stop by the Purdue University fountain and show it off to Kylie...glad to see the tradition of running through continues!

Had to take a pic with this WLFI, News 18 car. My first paid job in television was working for this station in West Lafayette, Indiana. Lots of fun memories!

My handsome Grandpa...97 years old and dressed up for his high school reunion!! I adore this man. He is a star.

Sunrise at the farm...headed home with hearts filled.

From my home to yours,
—Jill

I guess it was meant to be. My Mom used to tell me when she left for the hospital the night I was born,  the Wonderful World of Disney was playing on TV.  So  from my first day on earth I was tied to Disney!  When I was little I loved watching reruns of the Mickey Mouse Club.  I wanted a pair of the ears like nobody's business.  My Dad tried to find the ears for me. He called Disneyland in California; he tried the local TV stations carrying the show; he tried everything but never could find those ears.

Then, when I was 9 years old, Disney World opened.  I couldn't imagine how wonderful it would be to go there! But we didn't have the means to get on a plane and go to Florida, so I just read everything I could about this magical place.  My best friend Susie drove to Orlando with her family, and came back with amazing stories of a roller coaster in the dark (Space Mountain) and rides and experiences that I just couldn't imagine.  A few years later my Aunt Frances visited the park, and told me about a ghost who sits next to you in the Haunted Mansion. Wow!

Finally, when I was 36, I was planning my first trip to Disney World. To say it was worth the wait is the biggest understatement I could make.  Cara was two years old and I loved seeing the magic through her eyes.  When we got home we played all the videos for my Dad.  When I kept saying, "Look at Cara!" he kept saying, "But look at you!" I was tearing up at every moment.

A few years later, when Deirdre made her appearance, we went to Disneyland. There was something so special about walking in Walt Disney's footsteps.  We were shopping in Downtown Disney, and Cara (who knew about my Mickey Ears story) spotted a pair of Mickey Mouse Club ears. Of course I had to buy them and thought about how happy my Dad would be!

And now, as the girls are get older, we still love every minute of our trips to Disney. I never take the good fortune for granted to be able to share this love with my family. Our happiest days are at the happiest place on earth, and know that will never change!   

I cannot begin to express the overwhelming joy we experienced watching Chelsea receive her college degree. It was a feeling of pride, relief, joy, gratitude, and of course a lot of anticipation about what the future holds for her.

We’ve been so blessed to be able to give our daughters the opportunity to attend college, something that many people might not be able to do for their children. We felt it’s so important to stress to both Lauren and Chelsea how fortunate we have been and they know to work hard in all they do on behalf of those who may never have this a chance to go to college.

Chelsea was a four-year scholar athlete on the women’s basketball team and graduated cum laude with a BA in business administration. The Multicultural Coalition that she served on awarded her the beautiful sash she wore. 

In the summer before her freshman year of college, James and I talked to Chelsea about her hopes, dreams, and goals for the future. Although, like many freshman entering college, she wasn’t sure what her calling was just yet, she clearly understood that she was embarking on the next chapter in her journey and was committed to making her college experience one that she would cherish her entire life. If I had any advice for parents who are about to start this journey with their children, it would be to let them go, let them grow, be there when they fall, hold them accountable, and love them always because they are the future. 

Good luck to all the 2015 graduates. Congratulations to the parents, grandparents, family, and friends who supported them…it certainly takes a village! God bless and God speed.

In the midst of all the celebrating (and preparing for the long holiday weekend!), we hope you’ll join Pat and I for Fashionably Late this Friday, May 22 at 10pm ET. As always, be sure to check out my Facebook page for our Mid-Week Sneak Peek (#MWSP) item, and if you haven’t already, like my page to get fresh updates each week. And keep checking Facebook for some inside scoop, style inspiration, and lots more fun!

Blessings,

Jayne

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/JayneBrownQVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaynebrown1

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jaynebrownqvc

It truly has been a year of adjusting to "The New Normal" for me. Nikki finished her first year of college! Thankfully she loved it…and I got used to it too.

It is so amazing to experience your child maturing and experiencing life before your eyes…

Trust me, even when she was away, I still had plenty of "mom" moments…like when she had pneumonia but decided she could not miss her zip-lining trip in the pouring rain. Kids! :)

Together Nikki and I learned to navigate all the year's changes and challenges…dorm rooms, new friends, winter weather, and lots of hard work…

Only three more years…but there are plenty of college memories to come!

Through all the adjustments in my life, I was so grateful to join you and Jayne every Friday night for girlfriend time…did you know that this Friday at 10pm ET is our season finale? The first season of FL8 has been a whirlwind, and we have enjoyed every moment. Please check out Jayne's blog for a recap of memories from the show!

I'm already looking forward to returning in August…in the meantime, please let me and Jayne know what you liked about the show, and what you would like to see on Fashionably Late going forward. We want to make your Friday nights better than ever!

All the best,

Pat

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/PatJamesDeMentriQVC

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Hi, everyone!

June is here! My kids are almost done with school and I can hardly believe it. It feels like yesterday when we were sending them off to start a brand-new year. Do you have any vacations planned this month? Any weekend getaways? We have a couple small trips planned so I thought we’d spend the month of June talking about prepping for those trips, the car-ride there, and even a few recipes to make along the way.

First up: the suitcase. How do I pack my life into an incredibly small, unforgiving container? My first (and maybe the best) tip I have for you is to roll your clothes:

Suitcases have lots of nooks and crannies, so by rolling your clothes instead of folding them, you can get a lot more in that bag. Obviously, you’ll need to pack some things that won’t wrinkle like rayon and polyester blends. I like to pick clothes in the same color scheme (usually black) so I need less accessories. The same jacket, jewelry, and shoes will work.

Speaking of shoes, I shoot for no more than four pairs when traveling for a week or more, and I wear the bulkiest shoe on the plane or in the car. I think you always need dressier flats, flip flops, a nicer walking shoe, and a comfy athletic shoe. I usually slip each pair in a plastic bag (to prevent my clothes from getting dirty) put them on the bottom of the bag and then layer the clothes on top, around, and in-between…anywhere they fit!

Especially for beach vacations or tropical getaways, I always bring a big, roomy tote bag so we can still enjoy that final day. When we went to Mexico a month or so back, we had an early-afternoon shuttle to the airport. We had to check out of our hotel room at 11 but we each wore our suits to the pool and had a change of dry clothes in the bag (which, by the way, were the same clothes I wore on the way to Mexico. No need to pack a separate outfit for traveling…I think you can repurpose!) Anyway, after we were done at the pool, the wet clothes and towels went into the bag and that became my husband’s carry-on.

Here’s another great idea if you have younger kids:

I used to pack Trevor’s clothes in individual zip-top bags. Everything from the swimming diaper to the bedtime clothes. At the end of the day, the dirty clothes went right back into the bag and into the suitcase…none of the dirty stuff mixed with the clean and both Doug and I knew what was what because I labeled the bags. I always found it was so easy to lose little shirts and shorts, but nothing got lost this way! For our dirty clothes, I bring extra plastic bags.

I’m sorry to say the exact carry-on bag I own and love (by Vera Bradley) isn’t on QVC.com at this moment, but there are SO many other great bags to choose from. And, I also love Lori Grenier’s Ready Set Go 2-Piece Bag Organizer

…and Set of 2 Silver Safekeeper Metallic Jewelry Cases.

I hope you found this blog helpful...next week, I’ll give you my best road trip tips!

From my home to yours,
—Jill

I read this quote .. " A happier family is but an earlier heaven.." and I thought that is exactly what we experienced a couple weeks ago when my step brother married his best friend. My family in Seattle is the epitome of tight knit. They do family dinners, support each other and all live within minutes of one another.

Getting us all together with another 150 of the coolest people ever was like spending the weekend in heaven. There were too many good pictures for just Facebook so I put together this little picture blog.  My new sister in law, Erica has been a part of my brother, Chris's life for quite a while and in fact they welcomed my first niece, Clair last year. We loved Erica and Claire with all our heart before she married Chris but seeing them say "I do" and now having a real sister makes my heart melt. Isn't she gorgeous!? It was a fabulous weekend we are all blessed to have been a part of.
 
NEED PICTURE OF BRIDE
 
 

{Grace and Georgia and their cousin were flower girls with the most darling dresses!}

{Selfie with my husband and brother on the dance floor}

{My fave pic of Grandpa & Grace as she puts a flower on him}

{My absolute favorite picture of all is Grace looking at the wedding party while taking pictures}

{Me and my brothers Chris and Taylor}

{Me and My Cousin Jeff}

{Georgia fell asleep in the cab on the way to the wedding}

{And Georgia fell asleep right after the ceremony with her cute (dirty) little feet sticking out of the bridal robe.  She must be growing!}

{Me and my Dad}

{Me and Dan}

I found this article about Jennifer Coffey and me from the March 2012 Inside Q and it felt appropriate to share for Founders Week at QVC!!

Story by Mia Rodriguez-Lopez

QVC's Newest Program Hosts: Jennifer and Kerstin have essentially been joined at the hip since they started working for the Q. On air, you’ll see that they’re very different in how they present and sell—but as individuals, they’re the same height, the same shoe and clothing size, and during their auditions they chose the same two favorite brands to sell—kindle and philosophy. they keep the same traditions for their kids, too. Kerstin admits, “We always joke about how we’re so similar we’re almost the same person!”After speaking candidly with these two women, it became evident that their backgrounds are similar, too.

Jennifer Coffey:

Jennifer’s adventure began when she reluctantly agreed to audition for program host at the suggestion of a friend. “I used to own a chain of clothing stores in texas and ran a small public relations firm,” she explains. “I would be on television a lot promoting these businesses, and I found I really enjoyed it. Then, I was asked to co-host a morning show in San Antonio. “My best friend is a photographer and videographer. When I mentioned to her that I saw an email about QVC host auditions she egged me on to submit a video. She wouldn’t leave me alone about it and offered to film it, so I submitted the video. then I crossed my fingers, said a prayer and a couple weeks later I got a phone call from QVC saying they wanted me to come in for an interview and live audition! Then after another, and another, and then the final round—here I am now!” As a single mom, Jennifer says she’s overjoyed to have her daughter, Gabby, on this adventure with her. “It’s a big change living here rather than in Texas.

I tell people there’s a remarkable amount of southern hospitality up here. People are very accepting of me and answer all my silly questions. My daughter likes the students she’s with and she’s been very well received.” When asked about adjusting to the changes in industry, Jennifer tells me, “It’s not much of a big switch for me, from running a store to selling products on air. I feel like it’s much the same thing, but to a wider audience. It’s thrilling for me to know that I’m not just having this conversation with one person, but rather millions. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the QVC viewer, which I’ve already started to do via social media, reading the community blogs and meeting people on the street who recognize me. I know it’s a family in here—but it’s a family out there, too, that I want to get to know, because I plan on being here for a long time!”

Kerstin Lindquist:

Kerstin is a Southern California native who spent nine years as a news reporter. “I definitely prefer QVC to doing the news, that’s why I’m so glad I chose to work here. I loved being a reporter, but with news there are a lot of constraints on being able to speak openly and show who you are. here they want to see your personality. It seems like everyone has to work, so I feel that it’s important to be in a place you love, doing what you love doing. I found that here!” When asked if she misses the sunny shores of California, Kerstin concedes, “I’m a big beach girl, so it was a hard decision. my husband and I lived three blocks from the beach in a little tiny cottage. We have a much bigger house now, which is really great when you have 2 two-year-olds and two dogs!” The real passion in Kerstin’s life is the love she and her husband have for their two daughters, Grace and Georgia, born five months apart. “We couldn’t get pregnant so we started adopting, and while we were adopting, we managed to get pregnant!

We were very blessed; our daughters are just the reason for everything. that’s why I started writing my blog, which became very popular and turned into the foundation of a book I’m writing that lets others know about infertility and adoption, which I feel is something that everyone should talk about. “That’s why the people and culture are my favorite parts of QVC. I can be open about these subjects that mean a lot to me and be accepted warmly. I can honestly say I really like everyone I’ve met. I love education, and with this job there are so many different products that you’re constantly learning."

Here's to many more years to come!

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xo

Kerstin