This is generally the time of year for wrapping things up, not that I’ve started yet, but this weekend is an event called ‘QVC Unwrapped’, where you will be invited to find out what goes on behind the scenes in order to bring you what you see on television and also on our website and other social media platforms. It’s kind of like having a VIP backstage pass at a gig so that you can access all areas. There will be cameras where there are not usually cameras, like in our prep kitchen and the guest and presenter areas. I’ve just had a thought… I hope Katy Pullinger has been keeping our dressing room tidy while I’ve been off sick! That aside, here is Will Gowing to tell you more about what you can expect…
Along with all the behind-the-scenes footage, we also have two amazing Today’s Special Value offerings on air to tempt you with, particularly if you are in full Christmas gift-buying mode.
The first is from Hotel Chocolat, but is nothing to do with chocolate. We’re delighted to have the world launch of the Hotel Chocolat Podster Coffee Machine, which comes with 20 capsules to get you started but is also compatible with Nespresso and other standard size pods. It’s made by Dualit who make the Velvetiser. I have to say I’m very impressed with the quality of manufacture, which I’m familiar with, as we bought a Dualit kettle earlier in the year and I can honestly say that so far, it’s the best kettle we’ve owned. I also love the fact that it comes with a Podcycler, which makes recycling the pods really easy – you can even use the coffee grounds to enrich the soil in your garden. It’s already available to purchase on pre-launch and is on 3 interest-free Easy Pay instalments.
But if coffee is not your thing and you prefer beauty, Sunday’s Today’s Special Value from L’Occitane could be right up your street! I say Sunday’s TSV, but of course, it launches on air at 9pm on Saturday and once again is already on pre-launch.
There are three fragrance options to choose from:
- ‘Warm’ is vanilla based
- ‘Aromatic’ is lavender based
- ‘Floral’ is rose based, but also has the hibiscus shea hand cream which is currently only available on QVC
Each option is a 7-piece collection and comes with a drawstring bag decorated with pom-poms, so perfect for gifting, or ‘sifting and gifting’ if you want it to be more than one present. And, did I mention that it is on 5 Easy Pay interest-free instalments if you want to spread the cost? It’s a win win!
So, many of you will be sat in front of your TVs this weekend enjoying QVC Unwrapped, but my husband has other plans… let me explain.
Last weekend, Dan, Katie and Quin came to visit and to see the velvet cushions for our new sofas, which had arrived a couple of days previously. Can I just say that the wait was worth it – our comfy new sofas are now even comfier. Anyway, whilst sitting watching ‘Strictly’ (how amazing was Rose btw), Dan commented that they both really liked our shelves and would Chris be up for making some for them.
So, yes, that is a photograph of a scaffolding plank lying on our drive, which Chris will transform into two varnished shelves just like the ones in the photo below – the brackets are due to arrive tomorrow so that really is his weekend taken care of. Maybe he could turn it into a business – don’t get any ideas, I’m joking.
When I was taking the photo of the shelves, I noticed what an eclectic mix of books I had on display. The really funny thing is that the bottom shelf comprises almost entirely of books I’ve written or that are written by people I know! Some are by ‘QVC people’ like Ali Young, Tova, Lulu, Liz Earle, Jemma Forte, Jackie Kabler and Simon Wilson and most are signed.
I can’t believe this message in the front of Simon’s Rough Diamonds book was from 1996! Where does the time go? Incidentally, I’m hoping to be doing Butler & Wilson as one of my first shows back – more on that in a minute!
There are also a couple of books written by friends who are not connected to QVC. There is one called ‘On the Beat’, written by my friend Graham Cole who played Tony Stamp in The Bill, and there is also this book called ‘Woody and Nord, A Football Friendship’. It’s about two former Crystal Palace players, which is how I know them, Andy Woodman and the current England manager Gareth Southgate. Probably a good moment to mention that England deserved their two impressive victories to qualify for next year’s World Cup tournament. I was particularly pleased to see Conor Gallagher, a current Palace player make his debut… it doesn’t happen often!
Back to books for just a moment, my latest, ‘The Woman on the Beach’, was selected for a promotional deal on Wednesday which propelled it to number 17 in the UK Kindle chart, where I was rubbing shoulders with John Grisham and Richard Osman, to name but two. I’m so grateful for the success of this book, particularly as it has come at a time when I needed something positive to focus on with all the issues with my health. Speaking of which, I had an appointment with my neurosurgeon which was also on Wednesday as it happens, and he has given me the green light to return to work – Hooray! (I think Chris is probably thinking that too).
So, whilst I’m missing the QVC Unwrapped weekend, which I would dearly love to have been part of, I should be back on your screens for Fashion on Friday next week.
Just before I finish, I would once again like to thank you for all your lovely messages – I will reply to them all, I promise.
I also want to thank Diane, an avid QVC viewer and a friend of mine since we were dancers together in a theatre show in Barcelona in 1976, for making me this card. In it she says, ‘I hope you are recovering at a pace that is right for you.’ To be honest, I’m normally a hundred miles an hour person, which is why Diane wrote that to remind me to slow down.
So, I’ll see you all in the latter part of next week and hoping to restart Permission to Pry on Instagram soon too.
Much love,
Julia xx
15 Responses
Missed you Julia and will be glad to see you back on the Q. Hope you are all better and take care of yourself
You ARE the voice of QVC Julia.. Hope getting back to work is good for you x
Great news you are able to return to work Julia. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022.
Hi Julia really please your well enough to come back to ours screens but even better P2P coming back too. Missed you. All the best xx
Hi Julia so glad to hear you are well and coming back to qvc have missed not seeing you and reading your blogs I have followed you from day one you are my favourite presenter .Look after yourselve and take things slowly . Love Pauline xx
Hi Julia
Can’t wait for you to be back at the q.
It’s not the same without your happy face and fun show’s.
Looking forward to next Friday fashion,see you there.
Happy Days.
Hi Julia have missed seeing you on qvc you make watching a pleasure love Loraine xxx
Hi Julia
I am so pleased that you are on the mend and returning to our screens soon.
Take good care of yourself. My very best wishes. XX
I have wondered where you are on screen. Sorry to hear you’re not well. I struggle with health problems and like watching QVC when I’m not working. Wishing you a speedy recovery xx
So sorry to hear you have been poorly Julia. I didn’t know but have missed you! Glad you are on the mend and look forward to seeing you back on our screens. Lots of love x
Hi julia hope you and family are well iam not bad you will get your xmas card soon.
So glad to hear you will be back soon, I miss seeing you but am happy to know you are finally better.
Hi Julia, I wish you a speedy recovery. You are an absolute star.
Hi Julia, I am really sorry that you have not been at all well. I wish you every good wish that your health improves ASAP. Really enjoyed your Show tonight with Simon who is so fond of you. The two of you are great together and it makes for a wonderful hour. I went into his shop last week when we were in London. Absolutely fabulous and bought a lariat. Simon was not there but I posted the photos on the Butler and Wlson club and he replied to say he was sorry he had missed me as he had been in the shop later on which I thought was lovely. Anyway take care of yourself. Love jenxx
So lovely to see you back on QVC its not quite the same without you! I hope your health continues to improve and that you and your family have a wonderful and stress free Christmas, take care of yourself.