I love to ambush people to see what jazzes them up. Check out the next installment in my Jewelry on QStreet series. Sorry the Carolyn Pollack piece is not available until next year.
Items in my tray:
J149478: Stainless Steel Silk Fit "Our Father" Prayer Ring
J292482: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Sterling Inside Out Hoop Earrings
J295377: 14K Gold Polished Byzantine Heart Enhancer
Here is my next installment of my jewelry blog Jewelry on QStreet. See which piece my boss doesn’t like. Sorry the Carolyn Pollack piece is not available until next year.
Items in my tray:
J149478: Stainless Steel Silk Fit "Our Father" Prayer Ring
J292482: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Sterling Inside Out Hoop Earrings
J295377: 14K Gold Polished Byzantine Heart Enhancer
J295454: 14K Gold 20" Polished Spiga Necklace 2.5g
J295603: 14K Gold 20" Twisted Dimensional Rope Necklace
J296717: Diamonique Everyday Tennis Bracelet Sterling
J317961: Epiphany Diamonique 3.40 cttw Round Halo Stud Earrings
J296062: Gossip Pink Ribbon Perforated Strap Watch
J269039: 18K Rose Gold Plated Sterling 1" Polished Hoop Earrings (currently not available but other options click here: 1" Polished Hoop Earrings
You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NancyHornbackqvc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyQVC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nancyhornbackqvc
toGather: www.gather.qvc.com/member/NancyHornback
Our camera girl shared with us her jewelry pick on my latest segment of Jewelry on QStreet. Just wait till she reveals which gorgeous everyday piece is on her Holiday wish list and why!
Items in my tray:
J149478: Stainless Steel Silk Fit "Our Father" Prayer Ring
J292482: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Sterling Inside Out Hoop Earrings
J295377: 14K Gold Polished Byzantine Heart Enhancer
J295454: 14K Gold 20" Polished Spiga Necklace 2.5g
J295603: 14K Gold 20" Twisted Dimensional Rope Necklace
J296717: Diamonique Everyday Tennis Bracelet Sterling
J317961: Epiphany Diamonique 3.40 cttw Round Halo Stud Earrings
J296062: Gossip Pink Ribbon Perforated Strap Watch
J269039: 18K Rose Gold Plated Sterling 1" Polished Hoop Earrings (currently not available but other options click here): 1" Polished Hoop Earrings
You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NancyHornbackqvc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyQVC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nancyhornbackqvc
toGather: www.gather.qvc.com/member/NancyHornback
My Grandma Ann always made these sugar cookies for me when she knew I was visiting. They are so light & airy, I would eat at least 4 at a time. Making these with Isabella brought back memories. The picture is of one her last Christmases with us. My niece Abby made us all scarves & Grandma is proudly sporting hers! I miss her, but so grateful she's alive in her cookies!
My mom found a small note pad with grandma’s handwritten recipes and one of the recipes was her sugar cookies. I am sharing this family recipe with you so you too may create memories with your loved ones and eat a lot of cookies too. LOL!
Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
Here is the sugar cookie recipe:
Mix well. You may have to add 1/2 cup more flour. Put in refrigerator at least 1 hour . Then put in cookie press. For Christmas I'll sprinkle them with red & green sugar before I bake them. Bake @ 350 degrees.
You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NancyHornbackqvc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyQVC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nancyhornbackqvc
toGather: www.gather.qvc.com/member/NancyHornback
I'm in Tucson for the big Tucson Gem Show! Day 1 was jam-packed with lots of beautiful gems. Here's a snapshot of the first day at the show :)
1st stop -- Smithsonian Booth. I found Christine Webb who was the one who encouraged me to become a Graduate Gemologist!
2.77 ct Andesine. Only one of its kind. A museum quality gem. Wanted you to see it! Untreated...copper inclusions...a beauty!
Peyton Kelley doin' his thing :)
Look at the way they display the opal rough....with water. This is because opal could dry out under the constant light.
Look what one of our gem dealers pulled out from under the table for Peyton....sleeping beauty turq rough! Wow!! This has been in storage for 30 years! America's treasure!
Trying to get enough of these beautiful boulder opal doublets to bring to you!
I found the emerald I am going to buy!! It's a 5.60 ct Zambian - only $38,000! (I wonder if they'll give me 20,000 months of EZpay? Never hurts to ask!)
How about this opal?!?!
We met this miner from The Ponderosa Mine in Orgeon. We found beautiful untreated sunstone. And rough is magical with the copper shining through!
We ran into Graziela! So great to see her. She's out looking for hot new stones for her Q Collection!
Seed pearls and Japanese keshi pearls. Gorgeous quality. Can't believe someone strung these babies together. A labor of love!
Top quality Rhodonite, Russian Charoite, and Australian Varisite....fresh finds!
My first time seeing an imperial topaz up close and personal. This is a top color - red with a beautiful warm orange and yellow undertone. Brazil is the only place in the world sourcing it right now. FYI - asking price.....$25,000!!!
A parcel of pink tourmaline. They sparkle through the plastic!
Rough from Zambia!
We've been seeing gorgeous watermelon tourmaline.
We had an amazing day! We had about an hour to soak up some rays of sun before dinner!
We had a yummy Mexican dinner complete with a mariachi band and guacamole! Then, we hit the hay early!
I can't wait to see what Day 2 at the Gem Show brings!!!
Thanks for reading :)
--Nancy
My second and final day at the Tucson Gem Show was just as fun as day 1! I wanted to give you the chance to see all the beautiful gems!
We started the day at GJX for meetings with vendors. Peyton and Jen were wheelin' and dealin' to bring you fresh from the fair pieces. It's unbelievable what our team goes through to get gems...fascinating!!
These are fine fire opals!!
Brazilian paraiba tourmaline. Exquisite color! We also saw purple paraiba! (I'm in heaven...)
Look at these huge 20ct green apatites! A normal size for these are 4 cts and smaller!
This is how fire opal starts before it is faceted. Notice the range of colors? This is where our Quality Assurance Department comes in. We can only offer you small color range. Can you imagine how few pieces in the same color range and size we could get from this parcel? Mind boggling!!
Earl and I were on air together. He's a true miner! He's showing us Malawi AAA sapphire. It has beautiful undertones of green.
This is Chinese turquoise rough. The supplier has to stockpile enough for us to present to you. Wonder how long that will take?
Kingman Mine (AZ mine) turquoise rough. This will only yield a few stones.
Later in the day, we headed into JOGS...it's a totally different vibe than other shows! Lots of finished jewelry and tons of opaque stones.
Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Swarovski studded Luchese cowboy boots!
Buckets of rough gems!
Check out this huge Quartz. They polished the outside. And inside....amethyst!
Some of the finished jewelry. Look at the size of this squash blossom!
....and cross!
.....and concha belt!
Iz wanted me to get her a blue opaque stone...a lapis heart it was!
I love that even art is carved from big pieces of rough. In this case, turquoise.
Strands of pearls and shades of lapis!
Crazy that the vendors don't have to have GIA certification. You never know what's genuine material. That's why you have to have relationships with trusted vendors and then double check the stones by our Quality Assurance Department and certify them with the GIA!
Oops...I bought a jacket instead of a gem. Sweet Sheron from CO helped me hold it for a selfie! Thanks, Sheron!!
Our final stop of the day....Kingman Turquoise and Marty Colbaugh. Marty was the first gem miner I'd ever met 4 years ago when I was here. He took a ton of time with me to explain the turquoise market. So good to see him again!
We were all way too tired to walk another step....taking the shuttle!
I loved being at the Tucson Gem Show with Peyton and Jen (our buyer). We found some beautiful gems for you! But now it's time to go back home to see my girl and hubby!!
I'll "see" you soon!!
-Nancy
There was a lot of “5’s” in my life in 2014. I celebrated my 5th anniversary with QVC; Isabella turned 5; I hit my 5-year cancer-free mark; and, I turned 50. Gratefully, turning the big 5-0 was easy for me. (Now, 30? That was an entirely different story for a different day. Ugh!) But, 50 also meant it was time for me to schedule my first colonoscopy. Since I’m all about preventative care (i.e. getting your mammos, regular pap smears, going to the dentist, etc…), I sure as heck had better “practice what I preach”. So, scheduled & had my exam this past September.
In case you’re scared, think it will hurt, and/or will hate the prep, I thought I’d take some of the mystery out of the process and will walk you through my journey.
The first step was to find the right Gastroenterologist for me. Because I am still under the care of my Medical Oncologist, I asked her for a recommendation. And gave me Dr. Hameed’s name. I’m so glad she did!! He made me feel comfortable out of the gate. When we met , he talked me through the details of the colonoscopy; so, I knew exactly what to expect when I came back in September.
The worst part about a colonoscopy is the prep! (After this, I promise, it’s easy breezy!) I had to drink some nasty tasting medicine (in 4 waves) to clean my entire colon so the doc could get a “clean” look. I spent the night by myself…reading, journaling, and playing “Farm Saga”. It wasn’t fun. But, I kept reminding myself that this is nothing compared to finding out years later that I had cancer, or some other thing, that could have been caught in the earlier stages.
Jim & I got up early and left home by 8am to get me to my appointment on time. (BTW – you need to have a friend/spouse/neighbor/caregiver go with you to the procedure. You will need them to get you home safely since you will not be able to drive after having anesthesia.)
Once I was called back, the nurse took my vitals, made me don this attractive gown and put in my IV. (I’m a big baby when it comes to needles! So, asked the nurse to be gentle. Of course, she was. I didn’t feel but a tiny prick. Whew!) Then it was time to say hello to Dr. Hameed. He went through everything again…what was going to happen, how long it would take, that he would be taking a few baseline pictures inside of the colon and that he would give me a full report when I woke up. I gave the thumbs up, the Anesthesiologist, Dr. Garcia- Munoz, gave me my meds, & I was out in about 5 seconds.
Next thing I know, I was awake, feeling a little groggy, but with no pain or discomfort! It was over. Just like that.
Dr. Hameed stayed with me until I was awake and gave me the findings. He told me everything looked good; but, He did want to see me for a follow-up in 9 months for tiny spot. I’m grateful he’s being extra cautious, especially with my history of breast cancer. As I said in the beginning, I would rather catch something early, not late!
I wanted to catch the before & after experience on video. :) A big thank you to Dr. Hameed for willingly and enthusiastically talking to us! (The man in the background was my Anesthesiologist!) (Video)
I hope this takes the mystery out of the “dreaded” colonoscopy. It wasn’t a big whoop at all. Don’t be scared. Talk to your doctor & get a recommendation for a Gastroenterologist in your area. Knowledge is power. Remember, you’re the only one of you in this world!
Sending you Love…Nancy
I was in NYC taking classes & auditioning for shows. I had been there about 6 weeks when I finally made the decision to move to NY. It was 2002.
Ice cream has always been my favorite of the 6 food groups. (I know there are only 5; but, I feel it should be part of the official 5). About 45 minutes before one of my classes, I found myself standing outside of the Ben & Jerry's in Times Square trying to decide if that would be dinner. A looong 45 seconds later, I decided it would be. And in I went. As usual, there was a long line. I was minding my own business, making the decision to have a scoop of the pumpkin pie cheesecake AND strawberry cheesecake in a waffle cone, when in walks a super hot, tall, dark & handsome guy. He walked in with purpose - like he owned the joint.
Hold, please - I need to take a detour. It was late August at the time. For my 37th birthday my mom sent me a book called "The Surrendered Single: A Practical Guide to Attracting and Marrying the Man Who's Right for You." by Laura Doyle. At first I was offended, especially since I had chosen not to date to focus on my friends, career & me. (I guess after 3 years she started to worry. Not really, she was just being thoughtful. :)) Then I read it. (FYI - I highly recommend the book for any gal who's beginning to date again!!) One of the pieces of advice was to look at everyone you meet in the eye and smile. I'm tellin' you...I had been practicing this with gusto for 5 or 6 weeks and I was passing with flying colors. But there was a problem. Anytime I met a handsome man, I would look away, say something that made absolutely no sense, laugh real loud, hit them on the arm or do or say some other completely "unattractive" thing. Ugh~!
Let's head on back to the Ben & Jerry's. The hotty-putotty had just walked in and behind the counter. I was up next to order and noticed he was going to ask me want I wanted. Oh no!! What was I going to do???? In a matter of seconds I had a devil on one shoulder & an angel on the other & they started arguing! (Ok, it was really me. I said to myself (angel), " Look him in the eye & smile!" The other me (devil), said, "No, you don't!" The angel replied, "Yes, you will!" The devil more aggressively replied, "NO, YOU WON'T!" With that, when this guy came to ask me what I wanted, I looked at him straight in the eyes and shot him my biggest and best smile!!!
His name was Jim. We eloped in 2005. And we've been married for 9 years. He's the love of my life and the right guy for me!
This was the day Jim met my parents. We were near Rockefeller Center.
This is one of the only pictures we have of our wedding day. The camera that took all the others was stolen :(
If you're looking, may you find the "right" one!!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Nancy
I LOVE smells…for the most part! I love the smell of apples and cinnamon, a campfire, and vanilla. On the other hand I am completely opposed to stinky socks, mildew & day-old fish smells. They say our sense of smell can bring back the strongest memories. But, beautiful or nasty scents/smells don’t typically bring back memories for me. However, when I sprayed a little “Sunshine Grace” from Philosophy in the air, I was immediately transported to Spring Break as a kid.
For years, my mom and her friend, Shirley, packed their 9 kids in our “orange tank” and took the 2 day drive from Indianapolis to Sanibel Island, FL. We stayed at the Island Beach Club, which, at the time, were these little “houses” with wooden slat floors. (Now it’s a huge fancy resort.) They were awesome - perfect for a bunch of kids who were slathered in suntan lotion (probably Coppertone), tracking pails of sand in and out of the house. Since we were right on the beach, we’d spend all day there looking for shells, swimming in the ocean and soaking up the sunshine! (Side story: our first year in Florida, I met Melanie Rada. We were kind of naughty. We spent a little too much time looking for an alligator that lived in a nearby pond. I’m happy to report, we survived! Melanie & I became pen pals that Spring and were able to see each other a few more years before losing touch.) Ah…fun memories!!!
Because Sunshine Grace sent me back 42 years, it got me thinking about other smells/scents that are strongly connected to memories, and two others came rushing back:
Fahrenheit by Christian Dior. A boyfriend of mine used to wear it. I loved it so much I wanted my next boyfriend to wear it, and the boyfriend after that. (I know, totally dumb!!) It never did smell the same on anyone else, so I stopped the madness. But, whenever I get a whiff of Fahrenheit, I’m reminded of Doug. Ah...interesting memories!!!
Shalimar by Guerlain. This was my mom’s perfume. I always knew when it was date night for my parents when I smelled Shalimar. I used to love to watch her get ready as she put on her make-up, her jewelry and a spritz of perfume. Shalimar will forever remind me of my mom. Ah…warm memories!!!
What is your strongest “scent” memory?
Lots of Love…Nancy
There are many things I appreciate about QVC. But, at top of my list is their dedication & support of our viewers through FFANY Shoes on Sale (breast cancer), Super Saturday (ovarian cancer) and Beauty with Benefits (Cancer and Careers). (FYI - “Cancer and Careers empowers, educates and provides essential tools to people with cancer so that they can thrive in the workplace.”)
But does QVC really “walk the talk”? I’ll let you decide…
In the 2009 I was asked to join the QVC host team. 3 days before my job began; I was told I had invasive breast cancer. After processing that “tiny tidbit” of information, I wondered if I would still have a job. The next day, I called my soon-to-be-boss, Jack, and told him the news. I asked, “What would you like to do?” His response, “What do you mean? Are you asking if you still have a job?” I said, “Yep, that’s what I’m asking.” He said, “Of course you do. We want you here.” Then he said something I will never forget: “How can I support you?”
Those were not idle words, either. I began work that Monday and for the months that followed, they adjusted my schedule around doctor’s appointments, surgery, radiation treatments and more. (Remember, I was new! I hadn’t done a thing to contribute to my new employer or warrant such kindness.) Bottom line: Knowing QVC had my back, gave me the ability to thrive at work and made battling breast cancer a whole lot easier.
So, what do you think? Does Q really “walk the talk’?
Unfortunately, there are so many people who aren’t supported & don’t know where to turn when cancer hits. On Wednesday, April 15th at 10pm, tune in for QVC & CEW presents “Beauty with Benefits”. The beauty products you love, and more importantly buy, will benefit “Cancer & Careers”. And every time you use that blush, that perfume, that skincare you purchased from the show, be reminded that you made a difference!
Lots of Love…Nancy
Q is going to the American Country Music Awards this year!
I am so psyched because I’m a HUGE country music fan!!
Many of you know I’ve been singing my whole life. In fact I was 19 when I landed my first professional gig at Opryland USA in Nashville, TN, no less. It was awesome!! At the time I wasn’t a huge country music fan because I was in the opera program at Indiana University. (Don’t worry I didn’t sing country favs with an operatic flair! The show I did was an old pop classics/big band review. )
“I Hear America Singing It’s Song” (Obviously, Chaz hadn't created WEN yet!)
During my down time between shows, I would go to listen to the young country music singers on the other stages. After the summer, I went back to school and jumped back into singing arias in Italian, German, French & English.
I was always performing for my family. I think this was at my Grandparents 50th wedding anniversary.
It wasn’t until nearly 10 years later that I discovered my love for country music.
In my late 20’s I went to NYC for a few months to audition for operas, musical theatre & dinner theatre shows. And one of the shows I was hired for was a country music review. It was weird because my audition song was “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady”, which is anything, but country. But after I finished singing, the casting director asked me if I knew any country music. I told him I knew “When Will I Be Loved” & “Desperado”, but that I didn’t have the music. (How I knew these songs is a whole different story for another time.) He didn’t care & told me to sing it “a cappella”. And, I did. He offered me the contract. Because he knew I didn’t know much about country music, he gave me “homework”: to listen to country radio…all the time!
Being the ever-obedient student, I tuned my car radio to the country music station as soon as I got back to Memphis, TN (where I was living at the time). I have to admit that I was having a terrible time relating to it, but forged on! A few weeks later Tim McGraw’s “I’m an Indian Outlaw” came on the radio. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing:
They all gather 'round my teepee
Late at night tryin' to catch a peek at me
In nothin' but my buffalo briefs
I got 'em standin' in line
Cause I'm an Indian outlaw
Half Cherokee and Choctaw
My baby she's a Chippewa
She's one of a kind
Catch a peek? Buffalo briefs? It was some of the funniest lyrics I’d ever heard. It made me laugh until I cried. Once I dried my eyes & recovered from my “laugh attack”, I was hooked! After that I listened to country music in a whole new way. I found out the music was all about being “real”, loving life, family, heartache & fun. And the talent…amazing! It was that song that made me a fan for life! So, if you ever take a ride with me, rest assured, you’ll be listening to 95.5 WXTU – Philly’s country radio station!
This is why I’m so excited that QVC is going to the ACM Awards this Sunday!! I wish I was going; but, I’ll be with one of my fav peeps, Carolyn Pollack at 1am for an American West Jewelry show with pieces designed with the ACM’s in mind!
Hey, who do you think will takehome“Entertainer of the Year”: Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Miranda LambertorFlorida Georgia Line? (My vote: Miranda!)
I wanted to thank you all for sharing these photos with me on Memorial Day. These soldiers are so special to you and I felt honored that you were able to share on my page. I wanted to put this blog together in remembrance of your loved ones.
Anita P's father who served in the U.S. Army in Germany in the early 60's. Elvis Presley was there at the same time serving.
Debra D.'s Grandpa Wallace. WWII SS City of Atlanta torpedoed. Jan 1942 in Cape Hatteras.
Elaine L.'s childhood friend and neighbor Billie Joe Ontis of Denver, Co. KIA 21 November 1968, Vietnam. He now rests eternally in the honor and glory he earned.
Cheryl J.'s Uncle William McKinley Woolsey who gave his life at the young age of 19 in World War II so that we could be free.
Barbara B.'s dad, WWII veteran, Jack Brower.
Cheryl J.'s daddy James Edward Woolsey was also in World War II also. He is in heaven with his brother William McKinley Woolsey now.
Doug K.'s dad served in the Navy in the late 40's. 3/01/1029 - 11/20/2011 Married to his mom for 63 yrs.
Suzie K.'s husband SSGT David T. Kowaleski. He was 10th Special Forces and was only 32 yrs old when he was killed in a Military Accident. 2/24/1966 - 2/27/1998
Wendy M.'s Dad who fought in WWII as a bomber pilot, John Alan McKiernan.
Patti G.'s husband, served in peace time, and was very proud to serve his country.
Florence S.'s Dad was a MP in the Army.
Pamela E. honors here father who was a Sargent serving in the Korean War.
Karen M.'s Dad, 30 years' service in the United States Navy. Served in World War 2 and the Korean War.
I love Spring... it's one of my favorite times of the year... and also at the Q! I had so much fun here with the hosts, guests, vendors, and products that I wanted to make a recap of the past few months! Thanks for hanging out with me!
You helped me decide which color wedge to wear! I went with the navy :)
I "gelled" my nails "Big Apple Red" before a Mally beauty show. Have you tried this manicure system?! It's amazing...
When I had the pleasure to speak at the annual banquet to honor the Shining Stars of QVC's West Chester Distribution & Customer Service Departments for 2014. I left feeling so blessed & proud to work with excellent-to-the-core people like John Mathew! Congratulations!
Before the Gold Gala... Antonella and I always have a little fun! Coke or Pepsi?!