Table Tops in a Box expanded into a retail shop front at the end of October and its been a great success with many other table top products available for sale in store.  The most interesting thing is that many people are asking for Table Cloths, so I have started working with the wonderful Bali Zen 'Fair Trade' manufacturers on table cloths - utilising some of the amazing fabrics and designs already featured in the table runners these will be sold online sometime soon!

The shop is located at shop 1/306 Bronte Road, Waverley in a really cute eastern suburbs shopping village fondly referred to as Charring Cross, my grandmother used to live up the road and I used to live around the corner, so the position of the shop has great memories, as a child running errands for my grandmother, the local milk bar which isn't operating anymore was the local hang out, at age 42 the owner Theo still recognised me as Mrs. Goonrey's granddaughter, some 27 years later, now that's a memory to treasure!

I'd love to see my online customers also in store, so if you are in the area either on holiday or live locally please come and visit.  Due to costs I sadly will have to charge postage for any order under $100.00 online for metro areas in 2014, something I've been trying to avoid for sometime but I'm now into my second year of Table Tops in a Box and the cost of free shipping is no longer cost effective.

On a brighter note, the dots and stripe ranges look fantastic, so take a look at them online at www.tabletopsinabox.com.au now, a four place setting retails for just $142.00 and the runners are reversible. Dots are really in fashion, I especially love the orange and black/white.

A preview below:

Its been sometime since my last blog, and I've made some changes to my work life so I can totally commit to Table Tops in a Box moving on.

The latest news is that Table Tops in a Box now has a shop front at shop 1/306 Bronte Road, Waverley in one of Sydney's eastern suburb small villages fondly referred too as Charing Cross.

The shop gives me an opportunity to complement Table Tops in a Box products with stylish home ware items, such as the Papaya pebble bud vases, amazing ceramics from Mateus and stunning glassware and other statement items that just really make the ranges look more amazing.

So ' Good Gifts we do Bring' at Table Tops in a Box, with the launch of the Christmas in a Box range, now available in traditional xmas red, turquoise for the alfresco beach style lunch or a stunning natural range, all of which can me mingled with some of the existing Table Tops in a Box products.

Box Sets make an ideal gift and with free delivery to all metro locations don't hesitate to order on line now or come and visit in store if you live in Sydney.

Trading hours are from10am each day throughout the silly season, so come and see the 'Good Gift's at Table Tops in a Box either on line or in store now!

A Christmas menu is on it's way and by the way are you not loving the  ALDI ham ads on television with the surf board riding Santa's holding the ALDI ham's, it makes me laugh each time, as it depicts the typical Aussie Christmas!

How amazing is the weather in Sydney at the moment, the shock of returning from Bali last Friday has passed, with the last two days being just glorious!  Bali went well with the ground work for Christmas Boxes in place, Table Art Work is still a work in progress so I'll keep you posted as this idea progresses, it didn't look as affective as planned but still has substance as an idea.  I'll make it happen it just needs more work, sampling and testing implementation.

I've posted on Facebook a competition for the best Mother's Day lunch recipes ideas, the full menu with entree, main and dessert, I will upload on the website www.tabletopsinabox.com.au the best menu/recipe ideas with a prize for the lucky person who supplies the recipe and menu.

The perfect gift for Mum is Table Tops in a Box so spread the word, share the Facebook posting, so I can spread the word about Table Tops in a Box and the competition.

Bali was incredible with the highlight being cooking glasses at the Tugu Hotel, well worth doing and the instruction is very personal almost one on one.  Fine dinning at La Lucciola, Mamasan and Sardine were all amazingly fantastic with each restaurant delivering a varied menu, ambience and service.

Back to normal life and busy time ahead, so place your Mother's Day orders now and I'll post the winning recipe once I collate the entries and choose the best menu!

Happy Easter

Only 6 more sleeps and I'll be flying to Bali for another research trip, I can't wait!  Dinner on Friday night didn't happen the way I planned, two guests weren't able to make it so sorry I didn't post the photo!  Menu for two ended up being Roast Chicken courtesy of Jamie Gordon and then Eaton Mess!!! 

I've just seen cute Easter Egg painting tips in Country Style, so if you are planning an Easter Lunch, you can decorate your table with Table Tops in a Box with the added touch of hand painted eggs!

My recipes are still on www.tabletopsinabox.com.au for easy reference, Roast Pork with Creme Caramel for pudding (as the English would say).

Also reminder to like me on facebook, its an easy way to keep up to date on the markets I attend, plus the latest ranges and decor tips.

Now must start thinking about packing for Bali, I'm sad not to be setting the Easter Lunch table at my sister's place, the family are all gathering for lunch, maybe next year!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Season Changes!!

In little over a week I'll be back in Bali to look at the next ranges, with a view to producing a Table Tops in a Box for Christmas, I'm also going to investigate table art I won't tell you too much more, until the ranges are launched.

Today has been divine, I've set my dining table for dinner on Friday night, I can hear you saying it's only Wednesday but I had a free day and decided to get organised.  I've used the Mix N Match Black runner and napkins with the black rattan placemats, coasters, napkin rings and added some of the pebble bud vases from one of my favourite stores Papaya!  It looks fantastic, I'll post some photos on the night.

Still deciding the menu and have Marg Fulton Cook Book out again, you can't go past Marg for a great recipe.

Today I've also thought about a Pop Up Store, so if you have any location suggestions let me know, its a wonderful idea the Pop Up Store, it keeps the local village strips alive whilst waiting for new shops to open.

So the next time I'll be writing my Blog will be from Bali!

OH! I'll post a photo to show you how Friday night's dinner looked!
www.tabletopsinabox.com.au

Its great news, I've just decided to go to Bali again to work on the next ranges, with a box set for Christmas in the planning.

I'll be thrilled to launch it, potentially in October of this year.

I've also started to plan the Easter table ideas and menu, its not that far away, so you can view the Roast Pork and Creme Caramel recipes on the website now!

I highly recommend the Mix N Match Yellow or Pink settings for Easter, with Easter Egg accessories from Bed Bath and Table, they do great hand painted Easter Eggs!

I've been busy also organising story boards for two other ranges, my ideas file has been working over time  with influences from vintage wallpapers, black and white photography of floral and developing ranges with elegant textures.

Back to my current ranges which you can either purchase online or  I'll be at the markets as well so if you feel like visiting me I'll be doing the following:

Saturday 23 Feb - Kirribilli Markets
Saturday 2 Mar - Mosman Markets
Sunday 10 Mar - Kirribilli Artisan Markets
Saturday 16 Mar - Gerringong Markets
Saturday  23 Mar - Kirribilli Markets

Loving this planning stages, it is just so great to get the creative juices flowing!

Hope to see you soon at a market or make contact via email.

 

Mix N Match Brights - Red Setting

 rope placemat and coaster, votive with fabric sleeves.

Valentines Day - it's time to start planning that Romantic Dinner, with table decor
 by Table Tops in a Box!

The Mix N Match Brights Red is absolutely perfect for a romantic dinner setting, with added red heart shaped chocolates, love notes 'You bring out the best in me',' I love you a thousand times over and over and over again' as little added additions.

Check out the recipe section on my website www.tabletopsinabox.com.au and you'll find two recipes from Nigela, Beef Wellington and Eaton Mess - yummy!

You couldn't find a more romantic cook if you tried, and you'll love these two recipes they are easy to follow.