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Do you love making your life easier, while staying fabulously fashionable? Then you’re in for a treat. Meet Tara Tesher, founder of Temp-tations, a lifestyle brand with homeware items to beautify your space, just in time for the holiday season. If the brand name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen her pieces decorate family members’ homes all-year round. Or, you’re a devout fan of the at-home shopping network QVC.
A majority of her pieces are stoneware. That means easy hosting, and most importantly, easy clean up over the holidays.
5 Holiday Must-Haves from Temp-tations
- Temp-tations Seasonal 9″ x 13″ Baker with Upswept Handles, Merry Chefs, $25
- Temp-tations Woodland 12-Piece Essential Dinnerware Set, Emerald, $69
- Temp-tations Set of (4) 16-oz Mugs w/ Ornament Lid-it & Gift Boxes, Nutcracker, $42
- Temp-tations Set of 3 Fiberoptic Flameless Candles, Holly Peppermint, $50
- Temp-tations Seasonal Set of (2) 16-oz Soup and Sandwich, Holly Peppermint, $25
What inspired you to develop Temp-tations?
My childhood was the inspiration. My mother is a wonderful cook, but she used every dish in the house, and I was responsible for clean-up. As I got older, I just knew there had to be an easier and more affordable way, and one-dish cooking was the answer; prepping, cooking, serving, and storing all in one dish led to Temp-tations.
How has using Temp-tations made your life easier?
Temp-tations replaces so many steps and stages in your kitchen. The fact that you can prep in one dish, cook in that same dish, serve in that dish and store in that same dish not only makes this brand timesaving and space-saving, but also saves you money.
How would you describe your experience working with QVC over the years?
I grew up around QVC, interning for a company that worked with the retailer from the beginning. QVC is the master of storytelling, and when you have a brand or item with a message, there is no one better to tell the story.
I love working with QVC. The hosts are some of the absolute best in the business. Being able to share stories, demonstrate live features and benefits and hear directly from customers makes this channel of distribution incredibly unique.
How have fans of the brand inspired you to create?
I affectionately say that I started the brand 22 years ago, but it’s the collector of the brand that helps steer us with great suggestions. I love to hear all of their ideas and see what they used in their childhood homes, and I use that as a never-ending source of inspiration.
What is your hope for the future of Temp-tations?
Some of my best compliments are that my brand has given them the confidence to cook again, that their tables have never looked better, and that they feel so good about their homes. I hope all of this continues and that these “dishes” and the lifestyle brand I have created remain as the reason to gather more friends and family around the table and in our homes.
What does every holiday party host need from Temp-tations?
Every gathering needs a few simple things:
- 9″ x 13″ Baker: Our single most requested, most used baking dish. This size makes for the perfect side dish, dessert dish, or entrée. At the heart of it, this piece is magic!
- Dinnerware: I call it the exclamation mark on your table. We eat with our eyes first, so a beautifully set table already makes guests feel special. Temp-tations dinnerware is not only beautiful and can double as your fine china, but it is also our same great stoneware, so it is oven-safe to 500 degrees, microwave-safe, fridge and freezer-safe, and best of all, dishwasher safe.
- Mugs: I love to say ours have “magical transformation,” meaning it is not just a mug but is also a baker—especially for individual desserts. It is also a soup mug, perfect for homemade soup or from a can, and it can hold both hot and cold beverages, making this one of the most versatile items in my collection.
- Fiberoptic candles: Nothing for me sets the mood like the warm glow of a candle. I have designed these battery-operated candles with matching patterns on the table, sideboard, or around the house. These candles truly make every house feel more like a home!
How can these items be used to create a beautiful tablescape for the holidays?
All of the items mentioned above can set a beautiful tablescape in that all pieces can be used in multiple ways as the host sees fit.
- Some of our 13×9 bakers come with a stoneware lid that can be used as a serving platter, cutting board, and trivet to protect your table.
- Our mugs could be used as little vases down the center of the table for fresh cut flowers.
- You can break up the dinnerware to use the salad plates for appetizers and the soup bowls for dessert.
- The candles can go anywhere for added ambiance around the home.
How can everyone give the gift of Temp-tations this holiday season?
I have created an entire assortment of “break apart” gifts. Multiple items can be used to give as one big gift, or if you want to budget, break them into 3 or 4 individual gifts. I always chose universal items that everyone can and will want to use.
As Tara mentioned, this is one of the most essential Temp-tations pieces one could own. It’s dishwasher, fridge, and freezer safe. Plus, this Baker is oven safe up to 500 degrees. Best of all, it’s available;e in a slew of patterns and colors to suit anyone’s home decor.
These dishes are perfect for serving a delicious meal. This stoneware set includes 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, and 4 18-ounce bowls. Plus, cleaning the dishes doesn’t have to be a huge chore with this stoneware dinner set—they’re super easy to clean.
Here is one purchase that turns into 4 easy gifts. Each of the 4 mugs includes a gift box and a cover that can be used as an ornament on your Christmas tree and a coaster once the festivities are done. Don’t celebrate Christmas? There are still a number of winter-themed patterns and colors to shop.
Welcome effortless ambiance. This set of 3 flameless candles illuminates your home for a customizable amount of time. Either turn it on and leave it on or set it to its timed function so it turns on for 6 hours, and off for 18.
Finally, the most versatile set (in my humble opinion). This duo consists of 2 trays and 2 16-ounce mugs. You can use this stoneware set for soups and sandwiches. But, you can get creative with a fondue, chips and dip, and so much more.
