Hey girls,

Last weekend I had some of my favorite girlfriends over for dinner.  It was a blast!

Of course, I made my famous lasagna and a salad – and all those skinny little girls asked for little pieces of lasagna!  Not in the NESTER house!!! :-)  I cut all of them “slivers” ….. that would be an Italian “sliver”  Wink,  wink …. And then I told them if they didn’t have seconds, I would truly be offended!  I’ll get some meat on their bones yet!!!

The good news is that lots of them asked for “To-Go” bags for their hubbys, boyfriends and others…..

Laughter, good food and good fun ….. all on a Friday night.

Here are some photos and my recipe - Give it a try!

Antonella's Famous Lasagna

Ingredients:

Directions:
Boil lasagna noodles. Sauté beef, then add salt, pepper, and some of the strained tomatoes. Sauté the veggies in olive oil, then add garlic powder and oregano powder. Mix the beef and veggies into one pan. In a separate bowl, mix the Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and some fresh chopped basil.

Putting the lasagna together:
First sauce the bottom of your lasagna pan. Next, add a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by a layer of meat and veggies. Add a layer of mixed cheese (Ricotta and cream cheese), then a layer of sauce. After that, add a layer of shredded mozzarella. Repeat these steps two more times to create three layers total. The last layer should be mozzarella. Cover and then place into a preheated oven at 350°F for 1 hour or until done to your liking.

Everyone needs a little something sweet after dinner! 

xoxo A

Hello everyone!

Stopping by to share my Ma’s Apple Pie recipe with you – in case you still need a Thanksgiving dessert. 

It's incredible – if I do say so myself! :-)  When my sisters and I were very young, my Italian immigrant parents knew nothing of Thanksgiving, turkeys, pilgrims and apple pie.  We had an apple tree in our back yard though and one of our neighbors taught my mom how to make this pie – in exchange for some of our apples.  It was a WIN-WIN!  Over the years, my mom has refined the recipe into the one I share with you today.

CRUST

 Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. sugar

4 sprinkles cinnamon

1 ½ cups butter-flavored shortening

1 tsp. vanilla

7 tbsp. water

Mix flour, salt, sugar and cinnamon.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles fine crumbs.  Sprinkle vanilla then water, one tablespoon at a time, over mixture.  Knead dough until it is soft.  You may have to add more water, but add it slowly.  Separate into two balls.

FILLING

Ingredients:

10 cups apples, peeled and sliced

2 cups sugar

5 tbsp. flour

3 dashes cinnamon

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup powered sugar

2 tbsp. vanilla

1 dash of nutmeg

Stir all ingredients together.

ASSEMBLE PIE

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out one dough ball for bottom of pie.  Place in 12-inch cast-iron pan.  Add apple filling.

Roll out remainder of dough and cover apples.  Fold over edges to seal and reinforce by forking those closed edges.

Slit top of pie with a knife all the way around so it can breathe.  Sprinkle top of pie with sugar and cinnamon.

Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Just in case you need a carrier to take to your pie to the big feast, or pie servers, QVC.com is always there for you!  

ENJOY and from my home to yours Happy Healthy Thanksgiving!

Xoxo   A

Have you girls tried Mally’s gel nail system? I know what you’re thinking…it looks too hard, I’ll just use my regular stuff, why spend that money or another common one, I’ll just get them done!

Let me tell you why I LOVE this system! It’s super easy. I did this little photo shoot thing with some of the cute marketing girls and we just gabbed while I painted my nails (tough job, right?!). I can do this while I’m watching tv, catching up with Hope or while my husband’s watching tv and I’m not a big fan of the show 

I have to keep my nails nice all the time…especially since I’m on with jewelry most of the time (again, tough job haha). Mally helps me keep my nails looking great for at least two weeks.

Just the money alone would make me use this thing and ditch the nail salon, but the colors are hot and I’ve gotten better each time I’ve used it and I'm so glad I did. You’ll be a pro in no time too. 

Check out these simple steps in photos that I took a few weeks ago.

Xoxo A

There were 42 people at the last party I hosted... and that was JUST family, wow!! My "little Italian family" gatherings have grown through the years, due to new babies and new members, so little by little, I ended up with a crowd.

My big secret is PRE-PREP as much as possible. My daughter, Hope, knows that three days before a party, is crunch time. We clean the house, make sure we have all our dishes, glasses, utensils (spoons disappear at our house so I always have to go buy more), plan the meal and grocery shop. The day before the party, we pre-prep all the food. We do as much prep before the day of the party as possible, but I will never sacrifice freshness for timeliness. I bake pies, process veggies, and prep the hams, turkeys and lasagnas so all that’s left is to pop it in the oven the day of the party (notice how soooo much of this revolves around food..my Ma is coming so it has to be great).

The night before the party, we set it all up: tables, chairs, the place settings and dishes. We also arrange platters, drinks and clean the house again... Sheesh. It's a bonding time for Hope and I. Things always go wrong and we just laugh at all the craziness! Last year, the poor girl had to peel 25 pounds of potatoes, have mercy!

Shortly before your guests arrive, set the atmosphere. Light the candles, turn of the beautiful music (quiet for the old folks) and take it all in. You’ve done a great job and you get to see your loved ones..win win!!

My point is this, by the time my family gets to our home, it's all done! The food is hot and just coming out of the oven and we are all set to enjoy their company!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: don't stress, have fun, it doesn't have to be perfect. The whole point is, precious time spent with the people we love!! Breath, just breath.

Xoxo

A

PS. Love all of your feedback on Facebook!

This time of year reminds me of the grand finale at the fireworks!  I’m driving home, and all the trees are EXPLODING with color!!  The leaves are almost saying “Wahoo, look at me!!!  This is it!”  The reds, oranges and yellows are on fire!  It’s time to put out the pumpkins, dress up in fun costumes AND it’s OK to buy multiple bags of candy!!  The cashier won’t look at you in a judgmental way….. LOL!  I don’t know about you, but I have to hide the candy, or it won’t make it to Halloween.  Last year I found candy that I hid two years ago…………..sheesh.

There’s a crips in the air, that cools our thoughts to Thanksgiving and Christmas;  there’s a little joy in everyone’s steps and football games are in full swing.  It’s fun to get out your warm sweaters, jeans and boots.  It’s a gala of fashion, festivities and FUN! 

Enjoy every minute of this season because it is never long enough!

Xoxo,

A

P.S.  Here’s a flashback of my kids at Halloween… trick or treat?  

Welcome to a very special edition of Throwback Thursday.  Today’s #tbt is a photo of my hubby and me on our wedding day: September 5, 1987…..26 years ago! OMG – look how young we both look!  The awesome man behind me is THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, my Grandfather and the light of my life. When my Father was out working three jobs, this man stepped in, swooped me up and TAUGHT me how to shop!! We had the best times together and as you can see by the photo, he had a hard time giving me up to Hubby that day. Lol! 

 Our wedding was held at the church I grew up in, Saint Theresa's. Our reception was at the Army War College. I don't really remember eating, but I do remember that I felt as if I was floating on air the whole day. It was kind of funny at times, half of the people were from the South (Hubby's side) and had thick Southern accents and the other half of the people were Italian (my side, duh) and also had thick accents ... Everyone had trouble understanding each other, BUT everyone had a BLAST……love truly is the universal language!! 

Here is my handsome dad walking me down the aisle:

And for a really far-back throwback photo, I included my mom and dad’s wedding day photo too.  Just looking at it gets me all teary.  They looked amazing! 

Do you remember every minute of your wedding day or did it fly by in a blur?  I would love to hear your true love stories!  Tell me everything!!!!! 

:-)  Xoxo  A

I had the total joy of carrying this orYANY bag ALL week!!  I'm wrapping up some work at QVC and am ready to finally hit the weekend!!

My bag did it ALL this week, fun time, play time, cookouts, salon time and work time. It went with every outfit, dressy to casual. I had room for anything and everything!! The number one thing I loved was the roominess, organization and ease of carrying it.... Ok, uhmmm, that's three things.   Ok.. off to have fun!!!  Here is my week of Purse-onality:

Personality Day 1 & 2: Showing off my Purse-onality with my daughter’s Persian:  Soooo clearly, I'm not the only one who finds this bag irresistible and ooooh so chic!!! My daughter's little Persian thinks it is glamorous enough for herself. Lets face it, this bag is chic, sophisticated and gorgeous, even when it's just laying around the house.... Everyone wants to get in it!! 

Purse-onality Day 3: Why does it take twice as long, to look half as good, as I used too?!?!? Sheesh. It was beauty day today. Even though I needed a lot of work, this bag doesn't need a thing!! I loved that I could carry all my work with me, including "blue cards". This bag makes my life easier!!   Ps.... Yep, that's me under all those foils. Hot look, right? Lol

Purse-onality Day 4: This bag is SMOKIN' HOT!! I had a little time in between shifts to grill up some Nathan's Hot Dogs, then off to work with this fun, fabulous bag! It goes from backyard barbecue to a day on the air! SOOOO VERSATILE!!  Have a Happy 4th of July!!!

Purse-onality Day 5: I love this bag!!!

 This purse makes me feel CHIC when I carry it.

I love to take it to THE SALON, TO COOKOUTS, TO FUN TIME because it fits my LOOONG LIST OF DEMANDS FOR A HANDBAG that I can’t live without.

It looks best with EVERY OUTFIT because it is GORGEOUS ANDVERSATILE.

Overall, this purse fits into my OVER-STUFFED life because IT CARRIES ALL & MAKES MY LIFE EASIER.

And THAT is my purse-onality.

One of the most special times of the year for me is right now…. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years…. All wonderful opportunities to stop and be grateful for what we have, how far we have come in the last year and make all our grand plans for the coming one.  The two biggest reasons I love this time – are family and food!  It just wouldn’t be the holidays without being with the people that mean the world to me  - and the food and drink that has become so much a part of our cherished memories. 

For the Nester family, on Christmas Eve Morning, we all pack up and get in the car and head to my mother-in-law’s for breakfast.  She is a sweetie – and she goes all out for us.  All year we look forward to this breakfast.  I can smell the coffee and bacon as I write this!  :-)  We talk and laugh and really take time to enjoy the morning after all the hustle and bustle of the last few months.

THEN – we all pile back in the car to drive to my mom’s house for the Feast of the 7 Fishes.  For all of you who never heard of that, it is an Italian Christmas celebration.  It typically consists of seven different seafood dishes. But, some people that I know have been known to celebrate with nine, eleven or thirteen different seafood dishes!  Whew!  I think we will keep ours at the traditional 7!!!!  Especially since we believe that you have to at least have a taste of all of the fish dishes to have good luck in the coming New Year. 

This celebration commemorates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus.  In my mom’s home town in Italy, the entire town goes black on Christmas Eve.  Then, at midnight – all of the lights are turned on – the lights in the houses, the Christmas lights, everything… it is breath-taking!

Everyone comes to my mom’s house for the feast…. And when I say everyone – I mean 2^nd and 3^rd cousins too!  It is an enormous crowd!  We all eat, laugh, talk, open presents – and of course, help my mom with the cooking.  Dinner begins around 4:00pm or 5:00pm with antipasta – Italian meats, cheeses, peppers, olives, etc.  Then, besides the regular salad and all the different veggies, my mom makes 3 fish pastas – usually – an anchovy one, a shrimp one and a crab one.  We also have seafood salad that has octopus and lots of other delicious seafood that is served cold.  There is fried calamari – which is squid.  Our soup is Salmon – so we are up to 5 of the 7 fishes – and we haven’t even gotten to the main course.  :-)  It is usually a whole flounder and the traditional bacalla– which is salted cod.  My mom lightly breads it and fries it and it is delicious!

THEN – a little break – to stretch and digest….and on to my favorite course – DESSERT!  Oh my….the desserts…. Cannolis, Italian Rum Cake, pastries of every size and kind, Ma’s Famous Apple pie, panettone – which was known as the “cake of kings”.

Wow … I am starving now!!  Lol!  It just wouldn’t be Christmas without all of our holiday traditions.  I am sure you feel the same….

From my house to yours, I hope you have a happy, safe and blessed Merry Christmas!

Xoxox  A

SOUND OF TRUMPETS::::

Pause::::

November 5^th…. BON JOVI!!!!!  WAHOOOOEEEE!!!!

I get to see these guys about every two years and I LIVE for it!!  As the Jersey boys remind me that, “I’m not old,  just older” and that “when I look in the mirror, I don’t hate what I see.  There’s a few more lines, staring back at me”.

I’ve rocked out to their songs since I was 19….so let’s just say, I’ve loved my Jersey Boys for decades!!!  I brought my kids up on their ballads and I made sure Bon Jovi was their first concert (like it or not, yes it was shoved down their throats, but so was prayer.  It’s a good thing)…ha ha…. Besides you never forget your first concert!

The coolest thing was one year, I brought my daughter, Hope to see them.

She really only wanted to go to see the opening act, I think it was Nickelback.  She made it very clear that she was only going because she wanted to see Nickelback.  I’m like, “Whatever”…. As soon as Bon Jovi hit the stage, she went NUTS!!  Jumping up and down, singing to every song and totally loving it!!!  I was kinda proud, she knew every word to every song!!  Yea, I know, she HAD to know every word to every song, she was raised on it. But, to see her singing loud and proud, made me smile. (P.S.  She caught Richie’s guitar pick at that show).  So now, whenever the Boys come to town, it’s a family affair. 

All of us go – me, Michael, Hope, and Phillip – Hubby still has a chip on his shoulder about Jon, so he sits these shows out.  I have NO idea why...hey.... how did THAT photo get in there!?!??!LOL

So I will be “Living on a Prayer” hoping to meet them one day and I will make sure I don’t take any “Bad Medicine” when I get geared up for the show.  I’ll “Keep the Faith” and tell everyone to “Have a Nice Day”.  “Who says you can’t go home?!”  When Jovi is in town, I’m HOME!!!  J  This is CORNEY I know, but I couldn’t help myself.  LOL

Xoxo,

A

Antonella took the Q Quiz! Check out her answers and take the Q Quiz along with her by leaving your answers in the comments below!

{ Favorite holiday? }

Christmas

{ Favorite holiday memory? }       

It is a memory that happens over and over every single year.  Christmas Eve at my mom’s house with the whole family…and I mean “whole”!  All the aunts, uncles, cousins, children, grandchildren etc.  It is the best feeling to sit at one of the many tables and look to the left and to the right and see all of the people that I have loved all my life.

{ Best advice for holiday entertaining? }   

Pre-prep everything as much as possible.

{ Favorite holiday recipe? }           

Ma’s Apple Pie

{ Holiday party décor? }                

I love candles and music to set the mood and lots of sparkly, glittery eye-catching decorations. (Shocking, right?! )

{ Gift giving advice? }                      

“Think it through”.  I always try to think of something special that happened between me and the person during the year, and I try to give a gift that reminds them of that special time.  For example, one of our Jewelry Buyer came to a Christmas party at my house and she loved my “Bliss Lights” that I used for decorating the front of my home.  She just bought a house and invited me to a housewarming party – and I took her a Bliss light as a gift.  She loved it!

{ Favorite Christmas song? }        

The one about chestnuts roasting on an open fire….which one is that!??!  Oh yeah – Nat King Cole sings it… “The Christmas Song”!

{ What’s on your wish list? }        

#1 – Happiness, Fulfillment and Joy for my family

#2 – A nice BIG piece of BLING!! 

{ When do you start decorating? }

At Thanksgiving, I put up my Bethlehem lights wreaths to make the house seem cozy and festive, but I don’t turn on the lights.  To me Thanksgiving is warm and welcoming and Christmas is lights and sparkle.

{ Holiday attire? }              

“Keep it Simple”  Probably black head to toe with some sparkle and shine added – either with a cute sequin shell or I would use jewelry to elevate the look.  Unless you are asking about Christmas Morning – then it is definitely PJ’s and slippers – ALL DAY!

{ Gifts: Give or receive?  }

Give!  I get so excited seeing the person’s reaction!  And, as you all know, I am terrible at keeping secrets.  For a long time now, I have allowed my kids 3 hints about their gift – and I LOVE driving them crazy with it until the 25th!!

{ Any holiday tradition?  }

My family always does the “7 Fishes” for dinner.  We also always go to Mass.  And my kids know that every single Christmas morning they get a brand new pair of PJ’s and a photo album of our Summer Vacation photos.

{ I finish all my shopping.. }

the 24th!  (Doesn’t everyone? )

This time of year can get REALLY crazy………….DON'T LET IT...here is a list of "Things To Do":

-Remember the true meaning of this time of year.

-Remember to really enjoy your family and friends.

-Remember to keep joy and kindness in your heart and on your face! SMILE!!

-Remember those less fortunate and help them, if you can.

-Remember the people who have been forgotten.

-Remember to laugh.

-Remember that you are loved.

-Remember to breath.. Just breath! Lol

_____________________________________________________________

List of "Things NOT To Do":

-Don't panic.

-Don't get stressed.

-Don't get upset or worried.

-Don't overdo it.

-Don't take everything on yourself.

-Don't over extend yourself.

-DON'T FORGET THE "THINGS TO DO" LIST!!

LOL...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MAY JOY, PEACE AND HAPPINESS FILL YOU UP!!! :-)

Xoxo

A

I had my little Christmas party for my Jewelry Buyers and some others that help me all year at the Q.  As always, we had a great time….we laughed a lot and ate a lot and drank a little too! 

This year, instead of my Lasagna (recipe here)– I made 3 different types of pastas with three different types of homemade sauces; a big salad and of course sausage (sweet and hot), peppers, onions and potatoes.

Just a little bite to eat.  

If you want to try two of these sauces, the one on the left is my Red Sauce:

Antonella's Red Sauce 

Ingredients:

Directions: Warm everything in a pot, except for the fresh herbs. Add them about 5 minutes before you take the sauce off the heat. They'll wilt and burn out if you add them too early. Pour over pasta. Add freshly grated cheese, if desired, and serve.

And the one in the right foreground is my Summer Sauce: 

Antonella's Summer Sauce

Ingredients:

6 farm/garden fresh tomatoes
1/2 ball of mozzarella
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp. oregano
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 stick butter
1 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
Salt and pepper

Directions:

In a bowl, combine peeled, cubed tomatoes, softened butter, and olive oil. Cube the mozzarella and add to the mixture. Crush garlic clove and add, then chop the parsley and basil and add them as well. Use salt and pepper to taste.

Place sauce in a Lock & Lock container and shake vigorously. Let it sit at room temperature for several hours. Pour over one pound of fettuccine and sprinkle with Romano cheese. 

The ziti was just a mushroom sauce I put together with some ingredients around my kitchen…don’t know if I could even duplicate it!   

My dog, Finn weighs more than that cute little Jackie!

Thought you might want to see a shot of how I use my Bliss Lights indoors to decorate.

A shot of my tree…. Look at all those QVC boxes!!!!  LOL   

And finally,  the whole crazy gang!  

From our hearts and homes to yours, here is our wish for a Merry Christmas and a Healthy,

Happy New Year! 

XOXOXO,

A   

I love those countdowns that the Late Night Talk Show Hosts do, so I thought I would put my own together for these TOP 10 JEWELRY GIFTS that we can still guarantee for Christmas Delivery – for NO additional shipping and handling.  If you are still shopping , this might help.  Don't forget - you have to use a credit card - and you have to order by THIS FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th!

Ok - Here you go:

#10:  The Diamonique Design of the month this flattering Epiphany Band Ring 

#9:    Set of 4 Steel by Design Initial Bangles – right on trend!

#8:   DQ Set of 3 2.00CT Stud Earrings– keep one give two! 

#7:   Honora Pearl 18” Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Boxed Set– a timeless classic

#6:   Black Spinel Faceted Bead Bracelet– sparkle for days – and a price that will knock your socks off!

#5:   S/S 14KT Gold Crucifix Pendant– many of you have asked for more crucifixes.

#4:  Steel by Design Pave Heart Initial Rolo Bracelet– fun and flirty!

#3:   14KT 1” High Polish diamond cut Hoop Earrings– your choice of white, yellow or rose…..AND only $59.00!

#2:  Set of 12 Honora Bracelets– The more the merrier!  Give them all the colors or pick and choose.  

And my #1 JEWELRY gift pick is  …………………… (DRUMROLL …………………….)

My Mega Diamonique Ring!  10 amazing carats of bling for your special someone!  

I hope it helped and have a very Merry Christmas!!!!  

XOXO  A

Let's kick off the year with something FIERY and FIERCE!!

I'm talking about January's Birthstone... GARNET!!  Can I get an Amen, Sisters!!  :D

Ok, maybe I'm a little partial -  it is MY birthstone.  I'll be honest with you, growing up, I never liked my own birthstone.  All the garnets I ever saw were way too dark, almost a root beer color……….ugh.  All that changed when I laid eyes on QVC GARNETS.

Rich, deep, fiery red!! A very sexy, alluring color....

Check out that amazing Garnet Cross!  

Clear and honest in its dazzling sparkle!!   I'm hooked!!  I love my birthstone now!!

Understated elegance of this garnet and sterling ring.

Flattering oval shape and fiery garnets in these earrings - FAB!

Garnets are the only gem stone with this deep, saturated color that blings out sooooo beautifully. No matter how you slice them (rounds, marquise, Princess or pear) they are dramatic and definitely a showy stone. Let's drink these up all month, starting in January.  Happy birthday January babies - OUR BIRTHSTONE ROCKS!! 

Xoxo

A

I recently had to do a presentation in front of all of the other hosts in one of our team meetings….. ME!  Talking in front of Mary Beth Roe and Rick Domeier and Jane Treacy ….. all of them really ….my heros!  The ones I watched for years and years and bought and bought and bought from!  To try to help me be less nervous – I shared with them my secret motivational board.  When I first came here to QVC it was like a dream come true…. I kept asking people to pinch me and wake me up!   I was so star struck meeting my idols that I asked them all to sign autographed photos to me – since I was convinced that I wouldn’t last the week!  LOL  After a few months, I thought “OK … maybe I can do this” .  But those photos and personal notes from each and every one of those kind people – some of who are no longer here at QVC – meant more to me than they can ever know.

So, now all the photos live on a huge poster in my room and when I think I just am not good enough, or am not doing my job well enough – I look at my board and at all of their kind words…  and I am READY TO ROCK!   :D

How did I do on my presentation you may ask?  Well, I didn’t faint or cry or anything like that but my boss said he could see my hand shaking from across the room.  (that wasn’t all that was shaking!   )  And true to form, all of my fellow hosts congratulated me and told me how great I did and, generally raised me up and made me feel like a MILLION BUCKS!!  I couldn’t be more blessed to do a job that I ADORE with people that are so caring, supportive – and most of all an ABSOLUTE BLAST to be around!

My wish for you all is that you have someone or a group of someones in your life that lift you up like that!

XO

Antonella

You Ladies are rockin' your amethyst. One of my favorite gem stones, drenched in rich, deep purple. Oooooh is that ever a beauty!!

Amethyst is such a regal stone. In its color, it just looks like Royalty, and it is. Amethyst has been used in crowns and jewels, fit for a Queen (even a QVC Queen - is that you?). There just isn't anything more beautiful than looking into that deep, melting purple color. Soothing and exciting, all at the same time.... Mmmmm, it just LOOKS yummy!!

I wanted to share with you, my first piece of Amethyst that I ever got at QVC. It's also my first purchase, a 2ct amethyst, surrounded by marcasite... Still beautiful, still enchanting, still wearing it!!

I've also included a picture of an enormous amethyst rock from the Tuscan jewelry show... I'd love to just bathe in it!! Join me, in celebrating FEBRUARY'S REGAL STONE... AMETHYST and get lost in its mystery and drenched in its magnificent color.

Now on to show you some things you can actually order for yourself or for a gift for the Amethyst Baby in your life.  LOL

Here is a close up of that gorgeous amethyst and garnet ring I am wearing!  Hello Beautiful!!!!!!!  

Here are the stunning Rose de France and African Amethystlever back earrings that match the pendant necklace I am wearing... I do have them on but with all my hair, you can't see them in the photo. 

And, finally here are all of them with the exquisite Amethyst Tennis Bracelet.

Enjoy your birthday month and your amazing birthstone!

Xoxo,

Antonella

A very poor man lived with his wife. One day, his wife, who had very long hair asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and to be well-groomed. The man felt very sorry and said no. He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. She did not insist on her request. The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife. He came home in the evening with the comb in his hand ready to give to his wife. He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very short hair cut. She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band. Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions, but for the reciprocity of their love. MORAL: To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love,that is EVERYTHING. Never take love for granted.

BY: O. Henry 

I am sure many of you are very familiar with the “Gift of the Magi” story by O. Henry.  I was recently looking on the internet and I came across this version and it made me remember something that happened to me and I wanted to share the story with you.

Years ago, when Chris and I were newly married, we would go to the Ocean City Maryland shore every year for vacation.  Chris had made a tradition of buying me a gold bracelet at the shore each and every year.  We were just starting out so Chris would save all year and set aside that money for that special gift – and it really meant a lot to me.  It was always a high point of our vacation to go “bracelet shopping”! 

One year, after a lot of searching,  we had found the perfect bracelet and we were walking up to the register and getting ready to pay for it , when out of the blue.....my husband – who barely notices jewelry – was stopped in his tracks by a watch in the jewelry case. He said, “Oh Antonella… look, they have that watch I like.”  I was so shocked – I couldn’t answer (you know if I am at a loss for words – it was a BIG SHOCK!!  ) We asked the owner if Chris could try it on. At that point, I saw something soooo familiar. You know what I'm talking about...that feeling you get when you find "that" piece of jewelry, the one that rocks your world. It's that face I always make....... Chris was making "The Face".  His eyes twinkled, a sweet smile spread across his face, his head tilted to the right, in admiration of the piece on his wrist. The watch was the exact same price as the bracelet I had already picked out - $150.  Chris never spends any money on himself, it's always for me and now for me and the kids. He is very selfless and would give the shirt, shoes and trousers off his back to a stranger. That's one of the many reasons I love him (oh, and his blue eyes and biceps melt me too.  Lol). Back to the story...  I said we would get the watch instead.  He said absolutely not – that he saved that money all year for my gift. We argued back and forth in front of the owner for quite a while. Finally, Chris handed the owner the watch and told him to put it away and ring up my bracelet. Grrrrr, I hate losing a fight.  As the owner and I walked up to the register, I looked over my shoulder and watched Chris gazing through the glass at the watch. I yelled back, “OK Chris – I am getting my bracelet, right?”  and sweet Chris replied “Definitely!”  I slid the bracelet to the owner and whispered  “You ring up that watch and put this bracelet away.” I pointed to the big red sign that read "All Sales Final" and very insistently said, "No matter what, you stick to that!"  He was so stunned that he just stood there.  Finally, he said all the people that come into his store were always “Me, Me, Me!” when their spouse was offering to buy them something.  In all his years, he had never seen someone turn it down and turn it around. He said he was so moved - that he gave us ½ price on the bracelet and we were able to buy the watch AND the bracelet.  We didn’t eat very much for the rest of the vacation because we were so broke – but it couldn’t have been more worth it!  I still have - and wear my bracelet to this day  - and here it is:

Chris wore that watch until he wore it out but here is what it looked like:

To borrow from the story above :  “To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love, THAT is EVERYTHING.”

We are still each other’s Valentines to this day…. Have a wonderful St. Valentine’s Day!

XOXOXOXO,

A

With all of this horrible snowy, icy winter weather, I dream about sitting on my front porch with my cup of coffee and the warm, relaxing spring sun on my face. 

This is my view one night last spring on a warm, rainy night.  I would even take RAIN - as long as it was WARM!   

All gardens are beautiful, but MY garden isn’t all about just pretty colors and fragrant flowers.  My garden is my HEART and FAMILY.

10 years ago a dream came true and I got the job here at QVC.  I’ve always loved gardening and it broke my heart that I would have to leave behind the garden that I had groomed and grown for 17 years at my old house.  I couldn’t let it go because they weren’t just flowers… they meant something….no, they meant a LOT.

In my garden, I have plants and flowers from everyone in my family.  I have purple irises from my sister Dina; clematis from my sister, Maria;  peonies from  my sister Franca…… and the MOST important of all – I have a 40 year old hydrangea from my mother.  Growing up I remember playing around that hydrangea, even pulling off those gorgeous fluffy blooms and using them as cheerleader pom-poms – come on – I was 10!!!!!  :D 

So, you see… I just couldn’t leave these plants with their amazing memories behind.  My sisters and my mother and I all share a love of gardening and we all helped each other establish and care for all of the gardens.  So, 10 years ago, after Chris and I settled on the new house, I feverishly ran home and dug up all my plants…don’t worry – I actually wrote it into the contract of sale. :-o!  Now, if you know anything about gardening, those plants won’t live very long if they are not in the ground.  I planted and watered and checked and prayed like a madwoman for days… because if I lost those, I would have lost more than just plants. 

Now, every spring and summer, I sit on my porch, I sip my coffee and I look at those stunning blue flowers on the hydrangea, and I feel like my mom is right there with me. 

When the wind blows, the waft of the peony scent fills me with memories of Franca. 

The purple iris and its velvety petals remind me how soft and beautiful my sister Dina is. 

And, the crazy climbing clematis reminds me to reach for the stars … which is what Maria always told me to do.

So, when you plant your garden, remember of course that there is a science to it, but don’t forget the Love and the Heart!

XOXOXO,

A

P.S.  Maybe this fig tree will go in my garden next to honor my dad!

Fashion is not all about clothes...in my opinion, it is the "total package" - hair, make-up, jewelry, clothes and, of course, ATTITUDE!  

Today as we recognize our favorite "Fashion Friends", I wanted to call out my amazing friend and hair stylist, Maria McCool.  Since so many of you have complimented me on my new hairstyle and asked for more information about how I achieved the look, I asked Maria to break it down for you - step-by-step. Being the sweetheart that she is, she said "Of course!"  Enjoy!  XOXO  A  

Spring 2014 brings a whole new look on style. The best words I can use to describe it are neat, fresh and free. The hair should appear shapely and soft, beautiful but simple, loose but styled.  This is what inspired the look I created for Antonella this season.

For her hair color, I chose two shades to blend out her existing highlights; a deep chocolate brown and caramel brown shade to match Antonella’s super sweet personality!  I worked with one of my lead stylists, Patty, who does Antonella’s hair when I’m not in town, or busy at the Q.  She methodically alternated with each color section by section to create the beautiful hues of brown throughout her new style, it reminds me of tortoise shell.

As for her new haircut, I started by creating a perfect length that would still look very feminine for Antonella but have a little more of the drama she also loves by creating a very strong blunt bottom line 5 inches shorter. The perfect new length I chose was about an inch below the collarbone and I cut at a 30 degree angle so her new look would have a lot of movement and swing.

Once I began cutting sections from the part, my angle was closer to 75 degrees and I was point cutting these sections because it creates more lightness to the style that blunt cutting does not and I pulled the part line up to cut because both techniques create more lift on top.... because my girl Antonella loves her lift! 

Then I sprayed on Calista Tools Embellish Expand to give her extra fullness, shine and style before I blew dry it. I then repointed the slight graduation and re-blunted the bottom line. I dry cut 100% of the time, even if I wet cut first, because that’s how it becomes perfect and extends how long the haircut lasts. 

To finish Antonella’s new rocking look, I used Calista Tools Embellish Volume for great volume, lift, texture and hold. Taking a section 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick, I sprayed from root to end, a little heavier in the root for my bling girl, held for 5 seconds and then worked my way through all the sections of her hair. Then, I took my Perfecter and created a soft wave in the front and flipped the ends up and VOILA! GORGOIS!!!!!

Ok that's it!  Hope you get a chance to get an inspiring new look for the Spring too!

Best,

Maria McCool 

As the frosty winter comes to a thaw, March Babies turn the season over with Crystal Blue Aquamarine!  Colors ranging from a clear blue summer sky to a deeper Caribbean blue ocean.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…. Are you ready for it?  I AM!! 

Just the name – “Aquamarine” – makes me feel like I’m on vacation, sunning myself on a warm beach.  The name 'Aquamarine' was derived from an old Latin expression which meant 'seawater'.

In the same beryl family as emerald and morganite, aquamarine shows the same fantastic properties and being that it is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is very wearable. 

Whether you choose the cross, the traditionally faceted aqua ring or the milky aqua ring with the stunning pop of iolite stones on the band, I know you will love these additions to your jewelry wardrobe!

We don’t get to see this clear, sparkly beauty often and March always provides that window of opportunity to look into the world of Aqua.  Enjoy these stones, no matter whether they are faceted or cabochon.

Delve into the bright, brisk blue and thaw out…… See you on the Beach!!!!

Happy Birthday March Babies!

Xoxo,

A

If March is not your birthday month, here are the rest of the birthstone items we offer!  Take a look!