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I'm back...

It's been like a scene out of the movie, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles though. The hurricane canceled Amtrak (btw, I hope you all survived unscathed) so it's taken me a Chinese bus line, a Philly car service, and a lot of muscle dragging my over-packed bag to and fro through countless big cities, to finally get home. Ah, the spirit of adventure. Never rode the commercial bus lines before. Other than my butt falling asleep for five hours, it was just fine. And it's quite entertaining to eavesdrop on the conversations of those around you. I could write a book. A Greek couple sat across the aisle from me, a young punk rock gal sat next to me, and some enterprising 30-something guy, trying to get a patent petition filed before his big "I'm gonna strike it rich with my invention" investors meeting, sat behind me. I love people watching (and listening). The world and its many humans is a glorious place filled with such awesome stories.

Okay, my top 10 moments/memories from Cape Cod 2011 are...

1. A seagull pooped on me our first day at the beach (isn't that good luck in Italy?).

2. I'm addicted to smelling my nephew David's head. He is beyond delicious in every way and he throws these hysterical sweating, inconsolable breakdown tantrums when you stop paying attention to him...he gets himself so worked up little beads of sweat form on his brow and his lip and he sweats right through his little baby Polo.

3. My niece Sloane asked me, "Can you throw bad dreams in the garbage?"

4. Hunting for moon jellies (some mini version of harmless jelly fish that are the size of your palm) with Sloane and putting them in a Pringles can (because we forgot the beach bucket).

5. Eating the best, whole fried clams I've ever had out of Styrofoam from a fish pier.

6. Walking to the Chatham Cookware store every morning with dog Henley, baby, and Sloane on my back for coffee and a chat with Jerry, one of the longtime locals who is a member of something called the "Presidential Porch Society." Jerry knows everybody. In fact, Martha MacCallum from FOX News drove by and she hollered a "Good morning, Jerry!"

7. The outdoor shower at our little cottage (see picture) that I bathed in every day, despite the snails and my perceived threat of snakes. 

8. Going on a boat ride to see the seals in Chatham Harbor

9. Taking turns holding, rocking, bouncing, consoling, and feeding baby David so he does not launch into a full-scale meltdown. Also, the little man outfits he wore every day. Check out picture of him in seersucker pants and a popped collar.

10. Burping baby David. There is nothing better than hearing that gratifying little guttural sound, while he lay drunk on milk, nearly asleep, belly full, passed out on my shoulder.

Took a pit stop in NYC before returning home to meet with Dr. Dennis Gross in his offices, as well as visit Rita Hazan at her salon. First things first. Dr Gross has a TSV coming up. I think it's on 9/26 or 9/28. All I can say is — buy it. It was so amazing to see him in white medical coat, at work, in his townhome offices on Park and 37th. I had no idea that he began his career as a skin cancer research scientist. The best-selling peel pads that are part of his upcoming TSV were his first-ever development. He concocted them in the basement of his offices, after clients were coming to him, skin obliterated by painful, harsh chemical peels. And he gave them out free to clients to help them. Then people started calling from all parts of the country, wanting to buy them, but he didn't offer them for sale! He's a true genius. Having had melanoma skin cancer myself, he gave me a whole body mole-patrol check. He is wildly smart and so attentive to detail. He wears these magnifying goggles while he analyzes every last drop of your pores and skin. I wish everyone had the chance to visit him in his offices to understand what a remarkable doctor he is. He's apparently known as the "Park Avenue Peel god." So tune in late September to find out why. For an early glance, check out A210578.

Okay, then I paid a visit to the Rita Hazan Salon. Rita is über famous. Check out her website to find out all the hair she does. In fact when I visited her, she had just gotten canceled on a shoot due to the hurricane where she was set to color Katy Perry's hair. Rita is the goddess of hair color. She doesn't cut, she only colors, and at 37, she is wildly young to be so famous and talented. She gets your highlights and lowlights just right. She can just look at you and know what flatters your skin tone. My dilemma on said day — I wanted to capture my Cape vacation with super white blonde highlights that look like baby blonde from the beach. She knew just what to do. She juggles handfuls of high-paying clients all at once at warp speed while moving about her retro chic salon in Louboutin heels and skinny jeans. Her salon assistants wear walkie-talkies and headsets like the secret service. Video on TVs in the reception area show her appearances on the Today Show, etc. And the coolest thing is that she's super down-to-earth. Her first product on QVC sold out — A218462.

Excited for fall. Already put my leaves wreath up on the door. Eating Stuffin Gourmet for dinner and listening to new favorite CD, Michael Buble's Crazy Love. We listened to it in Boston. Catching up on all sorts of stuff including mail. Been reading my fav catalogs and am inspired to paint house — sick of room colors and need a fresh start for fall. The challenge is figuring out what colors! Think I will use chalkboard paint in one of my rooms for a funky French bistro vibe.

Couple things... I'm back on air this Friday 9/2 (Happy September and back to school!) so Shawn Says, "Accessorize!" resumes this Friday with a super-fly "Shawn's Splurge" from KVZ — awesome boots with studding. And because this weekend is Labor Day weekend, if you're around, tune in for special programming and pricing on all sorts of things including on Saturday Morning Q starting at 10 a.m. ET. Plus Sunday I have No Problem! with Shawn (get ready for a mixture of entertaining chaos) starting at 6 p.m. ET. Then at 8 p.m. ET I have a philosophy divine color cosmetics hour with the launch of philosophy's new divine fragrance! You guys, this is worth tuning in for, trust me.

Next week I think Amy Stran and Jonathon Redford begin our QVC@L.A.LIVE shows at 1 a.m. ET which I cannot wait to watch. And I've been missing Isaac, but he's on holiday for Labor Day so tune in on Monday 9/12 to resume the fun with us. On Labor Day, I'm on with Joan Rivers 11 p.m. ET (hysterical) and then at Midnight, I kick off a special something from the gals at Breezies. Later on Tuesday 9/20 I have an hour of Tokidoki cosmetics. Have you heard of them? Incredibly gorgeous color palettes all designed by an Italian graphic designer. A big favorite of the über high-end fashion houses.

Think I may be golfing with some NY Rangers next week — that is unless I chicken out, oversleep, or get lost on my way to NYC. In an attempt to put myself out there more and try new things, my friend Dr. Connelly from Go Smile invited me to join his foursome on a charity golf outing. Am I insane? I barely play, my clubs are holding up my snow shovels in my garage, and I have no idea what appropriate, A-list golf attire looks like on account of I'm not A-list and haven't played golf in years. Plus, I'm not a good schmoozer and know nothing about the Rangers. Am sure will make total dork of myself. What have I gotten myself into? Well, if it benefits charity and makes for some good stories I can share with you later, then it's well worth it.

I don't have dogs, I have QVC packages. They wag their tails and wait for me when I come home (thanks Dick and Carol for babysitting them while I was gone) so my Clarins toner has arrived (A206091) and some philosophy goodies. I also need to order more Clarisonic replacement brushes.

Going to Laurie Shore's baby shower this Friday. She's having a little girl. Ugh, I'm jealous. Precious. Bought her treats (including baby bloomers with flowers on the butt) at a little place called "Tale of the Cod" on the Cape. Ahhh...

Clearly still have vacay on the brain and am pointlessly babbling now. So sorry. Hope you found some of this mildly interesting. Promise I'll have more substance and QVC scoop once I re-enter the Q life this Friday. I'm secretly thrilled we're nearing Christmas 2011. It's the most fun time to work, and decorate, and shop. If you ask me.

Love,

—s