Our workshops that we have been running over the past few months have been incredibly popular so we will be continuing to schedule new dates.  All our classes are suitable from ages 12- adult and are held in our shop in Wahroonga.  Attend with a friend or come alone and meet a handful of likeminded people.

Classes sizes are limited to 8-10 people and bookings are essential.

Book online here

food styling 

Basic calligraphy

Vintage book sculptures

On Saturday, we held a Food Styling Workshop with Annabel instore.

It was a great success with 9 people attending and learning the tricks of the trade when entertaining.

Over the course of 2 hours, we saw Annabel assemble a feast on one of our vintage cheese curing boards and had a play on individual boards.  Afternoon tea was served, with all the participants helping themselves to the amazing spread.

This was the first of many food workshops we will be running instore, it is a lovely thing to do with a friend or relative, or maybe for a hens afternoon.

Sign up to receive our newsletter online if you are interested in more information, or call us on 02 94899915

Over the past few years I have been fortunate to meet two fantastic and inspiring women, Kath and Kim (both quite different from their TV namesakes).  Kath and Kim are the founders of The Possibility Project - a collaborative enterprise dedicated to greater social justice in all communities.  Grosgrain is proud to stock their stunning silk covered beads and now we are welcoming them to our store to hear them share insights into how they have built their brand slumwear108 with artisan communities in Jaipur, India.  Their talk, The Art of Possibility captures the essence of what it means to be creative, particularly under adversity.  The girls will take you on a special journey on how their innovative programs have got off the ground and you will leave feeling empowered that anything is truly possible!

We hope you can join us on Thursday 3rd September at 7pm instore for a massive dose of inspiration from these gorgeous women.                   RSVP grosgrain@bigpond.com

- Pronounced Wash-mama -

Grosgrain was one of the first Sydney stockists of Uashmama bags and 4 years later, they are still selling like hotcakes and the range just seems to get bigger and bigger.  I thought you may like to know a bit of the history of Uashmama bags from the girl herself who discovered them in Italy all those years ago, Casey......

"While travelling through Tuscany in 2011 with my family in tow I came across the paper bag which changed my world, quite literally. To briefly set the scene it was on a small Tuscan terrace eating under the umbrella of grape vines when I first saw the Le Sorelle bread bag which today we know as UASHMAMA.

Le Sorelle 'The Sisters' is a small family run company based in Montecatini just outside the walls of Lucca. Once a popular tourist destination Montecatini has struggled in the last decade being bypassed for more promoted areas. The village now thrives again with the growth of UASHMAMA, who employ a large group of local men and women to sew from home the paper bag you buy today.

    

Our paper bags, braces, and aprons are all sewn in a cottage in Tuscany, so we are proud to call ourselves a cottage industry. The more sophisticated designs our totes and handbags are produced in Florence by manufacturers who also produce for the fashion elite.

UASHMAMA washable paper looks and feels like leather but washes with ease. Our bags are soft yet resilient, where the manufacturing process is similar to leather the paper is stretched and tanned making it durable to withstand washing and daily use.

      

UASHMAMA washable paper is made using a virgin fibre through cultivation and not deforestation. Paper that washes like fabric holding it’s form so it can be used over and over again promoting sustainability perfect for catering and homewares.

Today the Marconi family and I work together to bring you washable paper designs in accessories and homewares.

The project UASHMAMA combines functionality, tradition and innovation. Paper, leather and fabric are all part of this project. We are working tirelessly to introduce new designs to the collection all the time."

Top ten uses for a basic Uashmama bag, as voted by our customers.....

1. Fruit/vegetable storage
2. plant/flower holder
3. keys/coins that get dropped on the hall table
4. bread bag (original use)
5. toy storage
6. rock salt in piccolos
7. hair accessories/makeup storage
8. plastic bag storage
9. recycling bin
10. laundry bag

You may have noticed some recent additions to the website of some gorgeous homewares made by the French brand Un Esprit en Plus.  I absolutely love this brand and would like to share with you the story behind the brand......

Un Esprit en Plus is a story about a brother and a sister who share a taste for different materials and a passion for brocante.  Pascale, with a degree from the Arts Deco of Paris, worked for 10 years as advisor in arts and creativity to large French corporations.  Stephane, a horticulturist for 20 years in the Grenoble area, brings a harmony with nature that is a distinct style in their creations.

Un Esprit en Plus has become known in Europe for their zinc blackboards, wire bells, jute strings and pre-washed linen tableware.  Rusted letters and baskets set against brut woods and mosses offer a gently rustic look that will find its place in even the most modern home.

Founded in 2004, the company is located in the heart of the Alps, near Grenoble, in an old barn converted into a workshop.  Helped by a french subcontractor network, they brother and sister duo design, produce and assemble in their workshop, decorative objects, lighting, textiles and ephemeral items.

Their wish is to marry authenticity with contemporary, using boldly simple and raw materials : white wood, rusted metal, galvanised steel and zinc.

I think the materials that they use may be simple, but are highly effective in giving your home the quintessential French "less is more" look.

photos courtesy of Un Esprit en Plus and Blanc Leger

It sounds a bit crazy to be excited about glass preserving jars, but I am! We have just received our shipment of WECK preserving jars, made in Germany since 1892, these quality jars have a million uses particularly when you have the plastic keep fresh lid, so fabulous for food storage and serving as they look great and have a nice smooth rim.  The small size would make gorgeous butter or salt dishes, the large and extra large good vases and the list goes on, expect to see me using them all over the place in the next few months!

I'm sharing a recipe here from New Zealand House and Garden which would be amazing made up in a WECK jar.....

TOMATO, BASIL AND MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA POTS

500g cherry tomatoes

8 basil leaves torn

1 teas capers

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

2 cloves garlic crushed

1 teas brown sugar

3 tablespoons basil pesto

100g fresh mozzarella cut into 6 slices

1/4 cup pine nuts lightly toasted

bruschetta or similar toasted bread to serve

place halved tomatoes on a grill tray, cut side up, and cook under a hot grill for about 5 minutes or until they just start to colour. Cool.  Place basil leaves, capers, oil, vinegar, garlic and brown sugar in a bowl.  Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper and mix well.  Add tomatoes and toss gently to coat.  Leave to sit for at least an hour to allow flavours to infuse.   To assemble pots, place about half a tablespoon of pesto in the bottom of each jar then add a few tomatoes, a slice of mozzarella, followed by another layer of tomatoes.  Drizzle over any remaining dressing to top up the jars , sprinkle with pine nuts and seal.  Serve room temperature with bread.

makes 2 1/2 cups.

We had a fantastic turnout for our November Champagne Shopping Night considering we had experienced thunderstorms all afternoon.  Those brave enough to come out and get stuck into a bit of Christmas shopping were rewarded with 10discount, ice cold champagne and delicious nibblies bought to us by EAT & CO a Sydney based catering company, and we are proud to be stockists of their Chilli Jam, Beetroot & Cranberry relish and Moscato Jelly, instore now.

Keep watching for dates for our December Champagne Shopping Night, and I am hoping EAT & CO will join us again.

Some of you will be familiar with the striking potted succulents that we have been stocking this year from Villa Botanique.   Last Friday we were excited to welcome VILLA BOTANIQUE to our little courtyard with a stunning display of potted gorgeousness.  The weather was a searing 40 degrees which was unfortunate, but a fun day was had by all (except maybe the Hydrangeas who really don't love the heat).  If you see anything here that you would like to purchase or get more information on, please contact Kim at sales@villabotanique.com

Wow, I know I am not the only one who is suprised that it is already November! This year has gone so fast and it seems unimaginable that Christmas Day is a mere 7 weeks away!  Well, only thing you can do is embrace it, so we are kicking off the silly season with our Champagne Shopping night this week.  I always find that a glass of bubbles and something yummy to nibble on makes the daunting task a little easier - so hopefully you can join us this week, and we can send you home with at least one beautifully gift wrapped gift so you can confidently say you have started your christmas shopping!