Planning for China

Hello my friends! I can not believe its been a whole week since I've been in blogland! Things have been very busy!

Well, I'm starting to plan my trip to China (see my post below). I'm hoping to have a few days of sightseeing in Shanghai, I will go to Expo for sure. I've also been googling for some fun places to visit, and as I'm a big Hello Kitty fan, I've found the perfect places for me!

First up, Hello Kitty Castle in Shanghai!



Look at the fabulous food you can have here!




And, there's also a Hello Kitty Portrait Studio in Shanghai!



I'd better wear my prettiest frock!


Photos from here

So, who wants to go with me? I know the Duchess does :-)

I'm hoping to have time this week to get back into blog land. Patsy and I have missed you all!

Now for the work stuff, here's the updates squashed into one post!
* Dragonflyinteriors.com.au website will be incorporated in Lanternshop.com.au this week. Maybe changing the name of the blog to reflect the merge ... more on that later!
* New wholesale pricelist to be released on April 1 with everything merged. Good news - it will be much quicker and easier for ordering!
* Another shipment is on its way. Expecting to arrive approx 20 April. New colors are coming in the rice paper lanterns - fuschia pink, dark blue, cream. More 35cm paper lanterns, and a new style of white paper lantern for weddings and little girls parties! The white LED Tealights will all be sent out to waiting customers with pre-orders as soon as possible.
* Sadly, I will not be doing any more decorating contract work :-( There's just not enough hours in the day.

Lanternshop is keeping us very busy right now with parties and weddings in Brisbane and the rest of Australia. Patsy and I are burning the candle at both ends ..... Looking forward to a few days off over Easter!

See you all soon :-)

Join Patsy and I - Tuesday Tea For Two!!

Patsy and I are joining in on the fun of Tuesday Tea for Two Blog Tea Party!! (we are posting very early for two reasons: 1. I get confused with the time differences, and 2. I'm going to be busy Tuesday and don't want to miss it! ;-)

Tea Party is hosted by Plumed Pen.
Make sure you visit to see who is playing!



Patsy has chosen her pretty frock!



She's guarding the tea set!



To begin with - just two little cakes for me - 1 for Patsy!!



Funnily enough - here's the calendar page for today - very appropriate!! This is how I will feel at the end of the party!!




Have a delightful day my friends, and enjoy your tea parties!! Thanks for visiting :-)

I've had a makeover!!!!

Well, not me (but I could sure do with one), but Dragonfly Interiors website has!
We got up super-early this morning (0500) and have been working like mad all morning!
A big thank you to the long-suffering Mr Dragonfly for his help with photoshop, and coffee-making!!

To celebrate the new look, we are offering FREE delivery all this week (to Australian addresses only) for all orders on Dragonfly Interiors and Lanternshop! So exciting :-)

Still got a lot of work to do on the two websites, which I will slowly chip away at this week!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend - time for me to indulge in a couple of well-earned cupcakes!!!

A HUGE thankyou to Ingrid (Inkala Images)

A million thankyou's to my very dear friend Ingrid at Inkala Images. What an incredibly talented photographer and stylist (and wonderful cook too)!!

Ingrid and her assistant Miss Molly invited me and my assistant Patsy to her lovely home to photograph my silk lanterns in her garden!! I can't wait to see the pics .... so exciting.

We also had time to sip tea from the butterfly tea set while we watched our hard working assistants play!!

Unfortunately, I took the pic of Patsy and Molly (not so great - sorry) and Ingrid took the amazing pic of our tea!!

Thanks again Ingrid - it didn't even feel like work today!

Dragonflyinteriors website update!

Hello friends. Saturday night and I'm still working on the website facelift! Sigh! Whatever happened to my social life ?..???..

Good news - its going to be ready Sunday night (unless of any other unforseen circumstances)!

There's no new and exciting photos to post - so here's a pic of my favourite non-dragonfly green tea set. Oriental Bamboo design in red/black. Its a beautiful display piece, and, of course lovely for tea!

Back to work now .....

Thanks again for your patience - and Happy Weekend!!!

Cast iron ladybirds

I made it outside - just for one quick photo though. Its still freezing, and Patsy is still on the lounge!
These cute little cast iron ladybirds are on sale at the moment. I've only got 3 left in antique rust and 5 in antique white - both colours have cute little copper antennae! Used as paperweights or decoration for home and garden.
Here they are 'hanging out' in my Bali hut, next to Buddha!
http://www.dragonflyinteriors.com.au/

High Tea Party

Sunday's Brisbane Coffee/Chocolate Affair and Boutique Market Portside was a great day out with the girls. Perfect weather and great company- thanks ladies!

One of the highlights for me was these cupcakes from tabitha's place! They tasted as wonderful as they looked - what a treat! I'll be back for more next market day!

Served on the 3 smallest plates in the 5 plate set (KPSB) in 'kitchenware'

Perfect for a High Tea Party!

More Butterfly

Butterflies are popping up everywhere this week - and everyone seems to want them. Out of interest I decided to refer to the 'animal spirit guides' book to read up on the meanings. Maybe helpful and relevant to you all .....
* lighten up and stop taking everything so seriously.
* Get ready for a big change, one where an old habit, way of thinking, or lifestyle is going out, and a new way of being is emerging.
* It's time to make the changes you've been considering.
* Express yourself by wearing more colourful clothing.
Can you relate to this???? I sure can! Have a lovely week :-)


Animal Spirit Guides is written by Steven Farmer, the very talented husband of the lovely Doreen Virtue. I was lucky enough to meet Doreen a couple of years ago at the Angel Intuitive conference at the Gold Coast. An amazing and inspiring couple!

Butterfly week!

Happy school holidays everyone! A very strange week at dragonfly .... it seems the butterfly is much more popular this week!!!!! The butterfly teasets are flying out the door! Patsy and I have been soooo busy.

Super-cute, hand painted in a black butterfly design, made in Vietnam with bamboo wrap on handle (quite unique). Teapot comes with six cute little matching tea cups. I love it!

Time to order another shipment I guess - or maybe time for another trip. Would be nice to 'escape' Winter for a while!!

Thank goodness for green tea to keep me warm and keep me sane. Also, a big thankyou to the lovely men who spent the morning in my roof installing the insulation. Life gets better every day!

Health benefits of green tea (something to think about after over-indulging at Easter!

Green tea is recognised worldwide for its medicinal qualities! It can help to build up your immune system because it contains lots of wonderful anti-oxidants. It also aids with digestion.

Drink your green tea after meals! Perfect with any Asian meals, especially sushi.

For the perfect brew use 4/5 boiling water, 1/5 cold water. This will reduce the temperature slightly and prevent the leaves scalding which can make the tea bitter. Brew for 1-2 minutes.

You can have your own Japanese tea ceremony at home - all you need is the tea set, green tea and a tranquil setting!

Herbal teas are a healthy and tasty alternative to coffee. Try a peppermint or chai tea for an afternoon 'pick-me-up'. There are so many varieties to try! My favourite - Jasmine tea!

Teas are best stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and light - this will help to retain the flavours.

Welcome to my blog!

For all my Dragonfly friends ...... latest updates on my travels and new stock for

http://www.dragonflyinteriors.com.au/

Thank you to the many dragonfly lovers globally who have supported my website - I'm truly grateful. :-)