Huggles
Registered Shopper
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2008
- Messages
- 862
Just got back from the Gem day preview in London. I tried to get some photo's so those who couldn't go can get an idea of what it's like (Bargainhunter especially) 
We arrived outside Marco Polo House at 5pm..we think this is Julia Roberts bike but we could be wrong, what do you think?
We assembled in the foyer...
The lovely lady in the last photo is the receptionist, Sharon, and she said I could take as many photo's as I liked in QVC and agreed to let me take her photo even though she knew I'd be posting it on the internet. I didn't get into any interesting places like studio's or changing rooms, though.
I met two fellow QVC fans from Southampton...Terry and Mary. They hadn't been aware of shoppingtelly.com so I hope they visit the forum as I think they'll enjoy the banter...hiya, Terry and Mary if you're reading this :60:
Next we went up in the lift to the 3rd floor to meet the models, Tanya and friend and had a quick introduction by Julian Ballantyne who is a lovely, lovely man
. We were offered a cup of tea and a cake...really pushed the boat out, didn't they?
No, I wasn't needing the toilet...just trying to pose :1:.
I had to cut me out of the photo with Pippa, she is so petite I looked like a giant hippo next to her. She was away to present a new american clothing show. I asked why we couln't get more British fashion on the lines of Gok Wan in 'How to Look Good Naked', Pippa said that they have a special relationship with the US QVC so it ain't going to happen in the near future, :2::42: She was wearing 'Ugg' boots with this outfit, by the way :32:. Anthony Heyward didn't mind me taking his photo but I told him it wouldn't be going on a dodgy porn site, just shopping telly.com...hence his expression
.
Guy Clutterbuck gave us a very informative talk and kindly spoke to me afterwards...we went down in the lift together, ooh, errr, missus
. He said he loved Scotland and likes to bag Munro's (mountains over 3,000 feet). He says he worked on Scottish fishing trawlers at one point and began his gem hunting because he yearns for adventure. He said he used to sell gem stones to Tiffany & Co dressed as a carpenter with his gems in a tool box. He did that because he can't stand their pomposity and that's why he likes QVC so much because they're not exclusive. I really don't know whether all this is true but he is a very charismatic man and I'd like to believe him.
We all got a goody bag from the models before we left, I got a QVC mug, a QVC ruler, a QVC teddy, a disposable camera, a silver ring and a pretty beaded necklace. My sister got the same but instead of a ring she got a Kirks Folley necklace which looks like it came out of a Christmas cracker...we just cracked up laughing. I couldn't leave without a hot scoop...the QVC toilets have L'Occitane en Provence handwash and handcream...hold the front page :11:
The day was very entertaining but it was a real scrum seeing the jewellery and unfortunely somebody took the opportunity to help themselves to a couple of items off the luxury table. It was mortifying to think we had a tea leaf in our presence and they should be ashamed of themselves. Jullian said at the beginning it was based on trust that we were allowed to pick up and handle the jewellery...he gave the thief every opportunity to hand the stuff back discreetly, too. So sad...I feel absolutely terrible as it was a crummy way to end a entertaining day. I don't think we'll go back for anymore 'Gem Days' even supposing we are lucky enough to get another invite...I'll never know how small Julia Roberts really is but I'll just have to learn to deal with that :33:
We arrived outside Marco Polo House at 5pm..we think this is Julia Roberts bike but we could be wrong, what do you think?

We assembled in the foyer...



The lovely lady in the last photo is the receptionist, Sharon, and she said I could take as many photo's as I liked in QVC and agreed to let me take her photo even though she knew I'd be posting it on the internet. I didn't get into any interesting places like studio's or changing rooms, though.
I met two fellow QVC fans from Southampton...Terry and Mary. They hadn't been aware of shoppingtelly.com so I hope they visit the forum as I think they'll enjoy the banter...hiya, Terry and Mary if you're reading this :60:
Next we went up in the lift to the 3rd floor to meet the models, Tanya and friend and had a quick introduction by Julian Ballantyne who is a lovely, lovely man



No, I wasn't needing the toilet...just trying to pose :1:.



I had to cut me out of the photo with Pippa, she is so petite I looked like a giant hippo next to her. She was away to present a new american clothing show. I asked why we couln't get more British fashion on the lines of Gok Wan in 'How to Look Good Naked', Pippa said that they have a special relationship with the US QVC so it ain't going to happen in the near future, :2::42: She was wearing 'Ugg' boots with this outfit, by the way :32:. Anthony Heyward didn't mind me taking his photo but I told him it wouldn't be going on a dodgy porn site, just shopping telly.com...hence his expression
Guy Clutterbuck gave us a very informative talk and kindly spoke to me afterwards...we went down in the lift together, ooh, errr, missus



We all got a goody bag from the models before we left, I got a QVC mug, a QVC ruler, a QVC teddy, a disposable camera, a silver ring and a pretty beaded necklace. My sister got the same but instead of a ring she got a Kirks Folley necklace which looks like it came out of a Christmas cracker...we just cracked up laughing. I couldn't leave without a hot scoop...the QVC toilets have L'Occitane en Provence handwash and handcream...hold the front page :11:
The day was very entertaining but it was a real scrum seeing the jewellery and unfortunely somebody took the opportunity to help themselves to a couple of items off the luxury table. It was mortifying to think we had a tea leaf in our presence and they should be ashamed of themselves. Jullian said at the beginning it was based on trust that we were allowed to pick up and handle the jewellery...he gave the thief every opportunity to hand the stuff back discreetly, too. So sad...I feel absolutely terrible as it was a crummy way to end a entertaining day. I don't think we'll go back for anymore 'Gem Days' even supposing we are lucky enough to get another invite...I'll never know how small Julia Roberts really is but I'll just have to learn to deal with that :33:
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