My Pie

Ladies Night

2010-11-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

Last night was a beautiful event. Forty loyal lemon pie customers arrived and we rewarded them each with a gift. Elana won a gift hamper, Madonna won a beautiful Thai garden statue, Kate and Estelle won some lovely throws and numerous other gifts and prizes were given out last night.

Sue Alm, fabulous chef and caterer that she is cooked up a feast. We had pork and apple sausages with chilli and lager mustard. Lamb kebabs and vegetarian haloumi kebabs with lemon and feta, an absolute treat - a beautiful home made terrine with pistachio nuts served with beetroot and wild pepper salsa and caramellised onion, some absolutely delicious fig and camembert mini quiches and some delicious spring rolls served with spicy coriander dipping sauce.

Everyone was happily chatting and laughing and it was a really relaxed and enjoyable night with fabulous company.

2010-10-25T05:40:00.000-07:00

Today, we had another shipment of floral throws and heart cushions and white nighties as well as some lovely plates and bowls in the shapes of little birds.

I really like little birds especially willy wagtails and blue robins and actually I even like sparrows. They are just sweet little things going about their business merrily and not really trying to look cute but they just are.

So we have lots of things at Lemon Pie with little birds. Aprons, tea towels, bags and tablecloths with little birds embroidered on them and plates and glass figurines and metal work all with little birds. Makes a change from butterflies and chooks I guess.

Feng Shui wise, little birds tend to represent messages and success and all kinds of good things. A painting or print representing 100 birds placed in the south is said to bring fame and success. So little birds are very auspicious. Naturally I have several such paintings - one I commisioned from a street painter in Kuala Lumpur and the other was purchased in Australia by a feng shui artist hangs in my office on the South wall.

Has it brought fame and success. Fame I do not seek, but success, I do believe so.

Ladies Night Invite

2010-10-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

Personalize a digital invitation

2010-10-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

Today started out with a nasty headache but it has improved considerably. Friends, Robyn and Doug brought in some lovely organic greens for lunch, and after taking a pain killer and having a nice neck massage by husband Spyro I am feeling very well now.

The reason I am blogging is because Lemon Pie just got in two boxes of new books and some of them are so funny. I have been looking at "the worlds most absurd signs" and laughed till I got tears in the eyes. So I thought that I might as well write about it.

Some of the books that have arrived have only just recently been published and they are just wonderful. I really like Nigella's Christmas Food and Enchanting Magical Cakes is so interesting - not that I have the patience of course. Then while on the subject of magical, Heston's Fantastical Feasts is an eye opener. You don't have to be a chef to appreciate - more like a mad scientist, I believe. Certainly appeals.

I can hear the door bell on the shop going. Must go. Tra La

Thank God its Monday

2010-10-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

Strange how one looks forward to the weekend only to spend the entire day and a half working on the house. We had our weekend mapped out. Saturday avo 12:30 - 1:30 set up bird netting to stop the cat jumping the fence. 1:30 - 5:30 get a coat of paint on large built in cupboard and put undercoat on three doors. In between coats of paint quickly shove loads of washing into machine and dryer. Clean out cat litter. By the way we are using dulux whispher white and beige royal half strength on the trim. That is the colour scheme for the entire house. Highlights and accessories are in charcoal, red and bleached pine. eg bleached pine floor with red rug. Looks good.

Sunday: No more gap the cupboard, put two coats of paint on cupboard and trims. Compete top coat on doors. Clean out office filing cabinet. While doing that, might as well clean the office. Might as well vacuum cat hair out of computers at the same time. Clean up desk and throw out ten year old files. Since we are cleaning might as well wash the filters in the air conditioners. Lets just keep cleaning till 9:00 and then collapse in an exhausted heap.

Thank God its Monday

Famous Author in Mitchell

2010-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday Morning in Mitchell burned bright and Sunday after the wet wet wet ( wettest in recorded history) month of September. So what did we do, morning tea at the home of famous author Robin Stewart and her equally famous husband and supporter, Doug Stewart.

After meeting two exuberant German Shepherds, a blue tongue lizard and a delightful Siamese we enjoyed a wonderful gluten free morning tea prepared by Doug.

What has this to do with Lemon Pie. Well, the delightful outcome is that Lemon Pie will now be stocking some of Robins books signed by the author. How fabulous is that.

http://www.lemonpie.com.au/

Sooooo Busy

2010-09-03T01:25:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to keep you up to date with all the latest news and have hardly had a chance to even sit at the computer to do so. Everytime I go to sit down another customer walks in to Lemon Pie.

The Gift Trade Fair products have been astoundingly successful and I'm so pleased because the Spode baking days mugs are nearly all gone and the Portmeiron Botanic Gardens products have to be re-ordered. Plus the beautiful south sea pearl and saphire sterling silver jewellery is doing really well and I am begging the artist ( I can't call them manufacturers when it is hand made) to get me a catalogue so I can re-order.

Right now I am awaiting a range of Gourmet foods under our own brand which is being created for Lemon pie. It includes yummy products such as Spicy Coriander and Chilli dipping sauce, Moroccan mustard chutney, lemon horseradish cream, beetroot and wild bush pepper pickle. And for the sweet tooth we have passionfruit and grand marnier sauce, white chocolate butterscotch sauce and double chocolate sauce.

I'll be having a food tasting night early in October and will be organizing invites to people who are interested and are Lemon Pie fans.

I dont know when I'll get a chance to blog again so until next time - lots of love

Krystal

A Maze ing

2010-08-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

Went to Gordon Ramsays restaurant, The Maze, tonite and had a great time. We tried grass fed beef steaks with a peppercorn sauce that was easily the best we've tasted with an aniseed flavour coming through. The ambience was excellent and we had a really good night.

I was really pleased to notice the bird cages and the wrought iron bird theme on the wall in the restaurant. It reminds me of the organic linen range of blue wren designs we have for lemon pie in stationery and kitchen napiery that will be coming in soon. I really like little birds.

I'll be sorry to leave Melbourne. It has been a real pleasure. Today we visited David Jones and I noticed that on every floor staff were extremely helpful, friendly and willing to assist. In fact at every entrance staff were stationed for the sole purpose of helping assist customers. Their attention to detail is formidable. I believe I purchased more than I had intended because of their friendliness.

Same here at the Crown Metropol. Attention to detail is stunning and if I take anything back from this trip it will be to try to recreate that sense of welcome and ambience that they have managed to do here.

Tomorrow we head home back to Mitchell, Western Qld where the locals are friendly most of the time.

http://www.lemonpie.com.au/

Big Spend Up in Melbourne

2010-08-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Melbourne has been fabulous. We have had four days of perfect weather - not that I could tell really being at the trade fair for those days and today is raining.

This time we saw everything. It took three whole days to travel both gift fairs but it was fantastic. We saw beeeeutiful things. We will be stuffed to the rafters with linen. Gorgeous italian linens, australian designs, designs from all over the world. Fabulous cushions and tablecloths, tea towels, table runners and doilies. You name it.

Oh and the most beautiful jewellery I have personally ever seen that does won't require mortgaging the house. This is solid sterling silver with real peals and gorgeous gem stones in the most stunning settings. I can't wait till it arrives because a ring and a necklace with rubies and silver are set aside for me.

Books, Oh yeah - since I love my cook books there is a ship load of the latest on their way. We also got a great range of gift and funny books, and quite a few new age c'ds, books and cards for the gurus.

Now as for stylish and funky homewares. omg. You have no idea. If I could only triple the size of Lemon Pie it would be the funkiest in the southern hemiphere if we could display it all at the same time. lol

But oh, there are some really beautiful, straight out of the best interior magazines labels on there way. I'm not going to tell you exactly what - because well we don't want the competition to find out do we darling - but you just have to see it to drool over it.

I'll tell you in more detail as it gets closer because I've actually only just touched on a few of the things I've ordered here. So see you again soon.

http://www.lemonpie.com.au/

Cow Parade Cows are here finally

2010-07-13T00:04:00.000-07:00

The cow parade cows are cute as. And from a retailer point of view I like the packaging also. They come in great little black and white cow type boxes and they are enclosed in protective foam so they post easily.

Cow Parade

2010-07-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

I am really thrilled because my very kind Painted Pony and Cow Parade supplier has today sent me a cd filled with lovely images of the Cow Parade cows and the new painted ponies. This will make it a lot easier for me to add these images to http://www.lemonpie.com/ . Of course I am still waiting for my new stock of Cow Parade figurines and then I have to see if my lovely clientele love them as much as I do. But, hey at least they'll look cute in Lemon Pie.

I've ordered 'Something to Crow About', a very cute cow that I saw at Margaret River, and Hugs and Smooches a New York Cow, Kiss Me from Madrid, Ramona, a cute cow with flowers and butterflies, Maddi's Garden another very pretty cow and a very pretty blue and white cow with tulips from Copenhagen called Muuu Selmalet.

That should hopefully give you a taste of what the cows are like and perhaps see whether anyone wants to collect them here in Australia.

Well and Truly Tourist Season

2010-07-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but the idea of travelling the roads free as a bird sounds pretty good to me. Its July in Mitchell and this is Grey Nomad Season. The influx of vans and Recreational Vehicles is now upon us.

Since Mitchell boasts both Lemon Pie Gift Shop and the Great Artesian Spa plus a few good places to eat and a good dress shop and great Pharmacy and medical services, we're a pretty good small town to visit. Plus our van park is pretty good. There's been a bush poet staying there for quite a long time to entertain the nomads and they build a big fire up at night and eat damper and yarn into the wee hours apparently.

Our visitors are good for business too and we welcome them. Today is sunny and warm despite the freezing early hours and we have been busy at Lemon Pie selling souvenir t-shirts and Mor products and silk flowers, photo frames, and lots of other bits and pieces.

The owner of the Mitchell Coffee Shop dropped in and bought some beautiful things. By the way until she tells me otherwise, her coffee shop is for sale. Since Mitchell is such a growing town it would be a great investment, I'm sure.

http://www.lemonpie.com.au/

About Green Coffee

2010-07-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

Yes I know, it has nothing to do with Lemon Pie Gifts. However, I bought some a week ago and have been taking a cup every morning and it's great. I have noticed I have more energy and I feel great taking it. i just felt I had to say something about it. The Green Coffee Plus I have been trying has all these ingredients to boost the metabolism, reduce sugar absorption and help you to lose weight. I like it and it tastes yummy.
http://www.greencoffeeplus.com.au/

Oh, I bought mine locally at the pharmacy next door to the gift shop. It was a bit cheaper there than online.

Cold and Wet

2010-07-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Its 14 degrees and raining in Mitchell today. No one and I mean no one is in town today. Presumably they are huddled up inside with heaters on.

My day, exciting as it is, has involved reconciling some bank accounts and printing off end of year financial stuff for accountants to pore over.

Fortunately for me, the office is warm and cosy and I can work uninterrupted so there is a silver lining.

My work on the web site is proceeding happily and should have it altogether in a shorter time than I thought.

Further to

2010-06-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

I have decided to get busy on the site and load up all the Mor products, willow tree figurines ( we have just about all of them), all the painted ponies and all the cow parade. Did I tell you, soon we will have cow parade which since I saw it at Margaret River I just love. The cows are just as gorgeous and beautiful as the Painted Ponies. Where the Painted Ponies are poignant, beautiful and sometimes sad the Cow parade cows are quirky, humourous and just delightful. Sooo I think we have a great of range of products for a great website.

Of course I know, and people who visit Lemon Pie know ,that that is not all we are about. Regular visitors are aware we stock Noritake, Didgeridoonas, Jamie Oliver, Outdoor Furniture, Water features Plants, Lighting you name it. However the web must go on and dont forget any purchases on line over $200 get free delivery in Australia. So there you have it

http://www.lemonpie.com.au/

I've been thinking

2010-05-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

It occurs to me that I have too much stuff to put on a website. What I need is ten different websites and then maybe I could organize it all into portfolios.

You see we have kitchenware, Throws, dinner ware, jewellery, Mor cosmetics, giftware, willow tree, painted ponies, furniture, ummmmmmm. And then everytime I sell out of something I have to update it here on the website and this is getting out of hand sooo. Things need to change.

So Many Products So Little Time

2010-05-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have been extremely flat out this last month or so just cataloguing, pricing stock and catching up. Plus had two weeks holiday in Margaret River, WA and Creswick, Victoria. Two fabulously lovely places. Margaret River was considerably warmer.

While I was away I naturally checked out all the gifts shops in the area and was reasonably impressed with most. There was one gift shop in Ballarat however that totally blew me away with its excellence. It had a coffee shop at the rear and was just a fabulous place to be. I loved it. The owner must have put a lot of thought into the shop design because every single products looked as though the space had been custom built to take it. There were alcoves in the walls with downlights. Powered display plinths and stands and everything in just the right colour coordination. So nice. Harder for me to do being the only gift shop in a tiny town ( I do have to carry a wider range and cant just stick to ivory, black and red in my colour scheme but oh it looked so nice).

Anyway I came back with lots of great ideas.

Now I have to admit I have been extremely slack regarding this website and I apologize. Truth to tell I was waiting for the search engines to pick up the site before I did any more work and now that they have I had better get cracking again and get more of our fantastic products loaded up.

Busy Busy

2010-03-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

Very quick post today. Havent had a chance to work on the website this week. Too busy with shipments arriving and needing unloading and etc etc. What I will say is that some of the new Willow Tree ornaments, Jamie Oliver cookware and Spode Baking Days table, serving and bake ware has arrived.

But I wont be putting that on the website as I have only a limited amount of stock. However if you go to Spodes website in the Uk the baking days range is on line. We have an excellent special offer and it should sell quickly. If you are reading this drop me an email and I will get pricing and availability to you. Quite a lot of Mothers Day products also arrived and again they are probably for the store and not the online store. So I am not being very helpful here to online customers am I. Don't worry some beautiful products are arriving soon from Angads and Urban Rituelle and more from MOR so I promise, one way or another, I will get these online this week even if I have to do an all nighter.

Did I mention Gingerlilly night ware. OMG they are so beautiful. Oh, and nearly forgot to mention the Laura Ashley garden is in stock now. Will try to get these on site too asap.

http://www.lemonpie.mybigcommerce.com/

Monday

2010-03-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Well things seem to be getting back to normal now with three days of sunshine. People are starting to emerge from properties and all is well.

I have been flat out getting some new orders out into the shop and trying to catch up with paperwork. Haven't had time to put any products on site yet but really need to finish uploading the willow tree range. I've made a start on the liquid crystals jewellery which is coming in in three weeks and my next project is to get the lovely Laura Ashley gardening products on line. This range includes the rose printed cressida wellington boots, gardening apron, gloves and heart shaped tool basket. Very pretty range which should be in store by the end of the week. I might even get some onto the site tonite if I dont fall asleep from exhaustion.

Back Home

2010-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

We didnt quite get home last night due to the flooding and had to book a motel in Roma. We stayed at the Bungil Creek Motor Inn and had a reasonably pleasant night and a nice meal at their restaurant. Even after the great restaurants we went to at Darling Harbour I would still give the lamb wellington a thumbs up and the service was excellent.

There is nothing quite like home, so when we arrived this morning, we were first greeted by a very enthusiastic fox terrier followed by two fluffy, long haired Burmilla cats.   The cats, in their opinion, had not been spoilt enough while we were away and told me so, loudly.     We then found the final member of the family still asleep in bed.   Greetings done, it was off to work for me and odd chores for Spyro who does not have to return to work until Monday. Lucky Duck.

I am really quite excited about some of the items that will soon be arriving from the Gift Fair and cant help being enthusiastic about it. Hope I didnt bowl the customers over with my enthusiasm.    Some of the items are really fabulous and Lemon Pie is going to look just gorgeous.     There are some wonderful wreaths and ivy, rose, peony and jasmine garlands arriving with moss and tall vases with roses and hydrangeas. It is really going to be very, very pretty. Especially since I discovered some absolutely adorable fairies and cherubs with the dearest expressions on their pretty faces. I am normally not a fairy/cherub type person but these are just darlings and I fell for them.

So, I'm afraid there is going to be a really girly section in Lemon Pie. I couldnt help myself.   But dont worry we have some stuff for the boys also. I will save that for another Blog.

Sydney, Gifts and Floods

2010-03-02T03:49:00.000-08:00

We've been in Sydney for four days now and I am really happy with the selection we have chosen for this seasons gifts and homewares. I'll be talking in more detail about the individual products over the next month or so as there really is a marvelous and extensive collection arriving into store. For now I'll just say that I have taken a shift away from the French influence of last season and have moved into Meditteranean and English influence with a strong country Australian theme throughout the entire collection. I know if we were able to pick Lemon Pie up and put it on The Gold Coast or Sydney or Melbourne it would be a huge success. Seriously between myself and the one fan I have, there are times when I wish I could. Suspect I'm wastiing my talents out west. But that aside, the collection is fabulous.

Think Mor, Urban Rituelle, Gingerlilly and Laura Ashley. Think Spode, Noritake. Thats just the tip of the iceburg.

Right now apparently there is flooding of the Maranoa River in Mitchell. There is flooding in Charleville and flooding in Roma so not quite sure whether we will make it home tomorrow. Hope we do. Thats it for now.

Hmmmm

2010-02-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

For fun I just thought I'd scroll through a few blogs that other people write and, you know, mine isnt that crazy. In fact now I am wondering if it should be, because that might make it more interesting.

Anyway that aside, I just wanted to let any tourists who might be planning on dropping in on the store know that when I actually say "Hi, nice to see you, etc etc" I actually am saying, "Hi , nice to see you". I am not saying " this is a hold up so give me all your money". I would also like you to know that I do not have the plague.

This is a small country town. Despite the fabulousness of Lemon Pie, there are still only so many birthdays, weddings, and celebrations to buy for, so often when locals come in, it is to chat and I am totally cool with that. Buying product is a bonus.

There I've said it. I feel better now.

Website Madness

2010-02-24T23:39:00.000-08:00

Seeing as this blog is new and I have only 1 fan so far, to me it seems a good way to get my thoughts and ideas in order. Lucky I write like I think. Fast and disorganized. In hindsight maybe that's not so lucky.

Today, I have spent most of it working on adding new painted ponies to the website and finished off by adding some of our lovely Mor products. Honestly I dont know how I can work in Lemon Pie surrounded by so many lovely things without going completely ga ga. When you are forced to confront products you see every day in all their glory and uploading their photographs and features onto a web page you realize exactly what you have and ........ its actually quite good.

Its Muggy In Mitchell

2010-02-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Strange weather we are having at the moment. Rain, rain and more rain. Its supposed to be HOT and DRY in Mitchell this time of year. We are in the outback you know. But its muggy and humid. Not that I'm complaining. I like rain. Rain is good. Rain changes the colour of the countryside from yellow to green which I might add isnt that common for out here and its good for business.

This morning, speaking of business I saw a rep and ordered some great souvenir stubby coolers, embroidered hats and mugs. He even took a photograph of the street with our shop in it to put as part of a photo collage on the stubby coolers and mugs. I am really pleased because now they will be unique to Mitchell and no where else.

Right at this moment, when I am not sitting here I am trying to put together the stand for the pop up cards. Luckily one of Mitchells famous and fabulous builders walked in and he has come to my rescue. Thank goodness for Daniel, I was getting in a real mess as the base screw had a crooked thread.

Well thats it for today. Till next time.

Gift Trade Fair

2010-02-21T22:03:00.000-08:00

Well first of all I am going to congratulate myself for setting up this Blog because normally my smarter half does this sort of stuff for me. Secondly, excitement is in the air because we are heading off for the first of our bi yearly shopping sprees for Lemon Pie Gifts. Now this yearly gift extravaganza at Darling Harbour happens to coincide with the Gay Mardi Gras which I have personally never attended and will do so while I am there. So I am hoping for some inspiration from this event when I do my shopping so customers, you can look forward to some veeeeeery interesting items when I return.

Seriously though, I have been poring over catalogues and websites. There are some amazing outdoor products including gorgeous metal animals and water features, cafe chairs and tables and out back settings. I'm looking at a wonderful new supplier of linen tablecloths and embroidered tea towels and aprons. Orchids, tablewear, platters, candelabras, French and English inspired pieces and heaps more. I dont want to give away too much. It is all going to be a lovely surprise. In the meantime. I suppose I had better get back to getting this brand new website on the road. Only 35 products uploaded so far.
Oh dont forget to drop in and see us. Lemon Pie is a real shop you know. We are in a town called Mitchell. Its easy to find. We are on the Warrego Highway half way between Mungallalah and Muckadilla.