Tuesday, September 24, 2013

It's a tea party giveaway

My friend Jodie thinks I should swap over from coffee drinking to tea drinking because it suits my image more.

I totally love this!

I love the idea of drinking tea. I love all the stuff; the tea pot, the tea cozy, the tea leaves, the strainer, and all the pretty tea cups. I love the whole ritual of boiling and pouring and turning and waiting and sipping. And I love the thought of women all over the world sharing cups of tea and friendship and love.

My friend Jodie is one of those people I knew of before I actually knew. I'd admired her gorgeous doe eyed paintings around Daylesford for years before we started saying hi in the street. I'd watched her beautiful tea business start up and develop before we'd spoken more than a sentence and then finally this year we ended up at the same cafe a few mornings a week and actually chatted.

I'm always, always fascinated by how creative women balance motherhood and creativity, how they keep the passion in their creative businesses, what drives them, where they find their inspiration and how they keep it all fun. 

And although our stories are as different as the fact that I drink coffee and she drinks tea, I can totally relate and understand and admire Jodie's gorgeous tea tales.

I think you'll love her and her story too.

Where did the idea for SHE-TEA come from?

Vanessa (my business partner) and I both have degrees in nursing, when we met we were both working for a medical device company selling into hospitals. We decided that after many years of sales and marketing in the medical field that we really wanted to spend our days working in a business we were deeply passionate about and that inspired us on a daily level. We also wanted to create a business that we could build up once we started our families, which was on the agenda in the near future. 

At this point we decided to both write a list of all of the things we were passionate about in our lives, that make us happy, and come back to compare the lists. When we met up again and showed each other our lists, there was a strong common theme with 5 key factors that were identical: family, female friendships, art, tea and humour. 

We built She-Tea backwards from this list with tea being the actual product, and art and humour being our differentiating factors from the rest of the market. The tea is aimed at women to represent the value of our female friendships, and our family is represented by the fact that we have been able to stay home with our children for the past 3.5 years.

Where did the name SHE-TEA come from?

We wanted to be all about women as women by far drink the most tea, and support each other through life over endless pots and conversations. We knew that ideally a product name should spell out exactly what it is as first glance and so Ness came straight our with SHE-TEA. It just stuck.

What is your favourite tea?

Despite having tried literally hundreds of teas and herbal blends (tisanes) in the past few years, I always come back to a simple black tea, our Daylesford Breakfast tea (mix between English and Irish). When we were in Sri Lanka last month, one of the factories we visited gave us a box of single estate Ceylon tea...that's one of my new favourites as it's very strong and so we are looking at bringing it into our new Slow Tea range. It's so strong and gutsy and delicious. Close second is green and jasmine (Daylesford Lazy Lunch).

What do you think is special about your tea?

Our vision has always been to nurture, support and inspire busy women, every day and we wanted to build our range around this vision.

Originally we sat down and thought about all of the reasons women might gather for a cup of tea together. We developed a range of teas to support women through life's challenges with beautiful and amusing canisters, along with the perfect tea blends for things like hormones, break-ups, motherhood, love, health kicks and hangovers. We felt that putting some humour into the experience, and adding some of my original artwork, while sourcing amazing tea blends would be the perfect way to create something really special that women could enjoy by themselves, or share with friends as gifts and in challenging times. 

Since the first Loose leaf range, our business have evolved a lot, and we've also added a Daylesford organic / fair trade range in biodegradable pyramid tea bags which has been really popular. We realise that not everyone has time to brew a pot of tea so the bags have been a welcome addition!

Every canister also has a different work of art on the front to make our customers feel that extra bit special.



Are there any other interesting SHE-TEA facts you care to share?

Yes, we decided to start our business in 2009. We had a plan that we would start She-Tea while we were both still working, then get pregnant 3 months apart to allow us to cover each other during the new baby stage, and then we'd build the business while raising our children. This is exactly what happened. My son, Jasper, was born 3 months before Ness's daughter Addison. At this point we decided that we were the masters of the universe... and we've gone on to grow the business over the past few years around our kids' needs. Ness had a second little girl 18 months ago and with the two of us working together we have been able to juggle our responsibilities according to our kids' needs. It's been challenging for sure, but well worth the effort!


We've also just came back from a child-free tea tour that took us to China, Hong Kong International Tea Fair and Sri Lanka. It was absolutely amazing and we have started writing about it in out blog Tea Travels.


Jodie has also kindly offered up two giveaway prizes for two lovely lucky Foxs Lane readers.

Prize A - A canister each of Motherhood, Sweet tooth and Zen tea.

Prize B - A canister each of Abundance, Daylesford breakfast tea and Happy hippie.

All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.
And the giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere. Yay!

In the meantime you can check out;
The SHE-TEA website here 
The SHE TEA blog here
The SHE TEA facebook here
The SHE TEA twitter here 
The SHE TEA online shop here 
Ok, you gotta be in it to win it so comment, comment, comment and we'll announce the winners on this post on Friday. (Please make sure I can contact you).

And happy tea drinking, or in my case coffee, sorry Jodie.

xxxx

The winner of Prize A is The Life of Clare.
The winner of Prize B is Amanda K.

135 comments:

  1. I enjoy a good cuppa in the mornings and at night but then I do have coffee during the day :)

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  2. Thank you for the introduction to your friend Jodie and Vanessa and their She-Tea business and philosophy and the glimpse it gives into Daylesford life. I tend to drink coffee in the winter and tea in the summer. Or coffee first in the day and tea later. Both are beautiful plants, rituals, flavors, and many hands that bring them to the cup.

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  3. I would love to try some of this cool looking tea. If the flavor is as good as the art work, it's a hit! My fingers are crossed!

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  4. I have already tried some samples of these wonderful She-Teas - I love the artworks as much as the tea. At the moment loving drinking iced green tea as the weather warms up.

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  5. I would love to give this tea a go, with 3 girls one being a newborn bubs I cherish my 5 mins when I get to sit down with a nice cuppa..

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  6. Fabulous concept, love the art and I'm quite sure the tea is superb!

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  7. I love the artwork on the tea, and also that these women made a plan for their work and family and went for it!

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  8. I could think of nothing nicer than drinking tea with friends and without a cold (which is what I have at the moment) I love that nurses are so proactive in changing their lives and the lives of others. Well done to your friends for incorporating their love of family, art tea drinking and friends into a business

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  9. Love love love those canisters. And the name is fab too. x

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  10. Oh I love coffee too but can only have one a day but I do have multiple cups if tea! I too would also live to start my own bussiness with a friend but we have to come up with something original! Thanks for the chance x

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  11. Lovely story, I would give them to my daughter who is an avid tea drinker.

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  12. I'd love to try their tea, what a lovely idea!

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  13. I am such a die hard tea drinker that I almost resent having to buy coffee for the cupboard :) I almost went nuts when I was pregnant (3 times) because I couldn't bear the taste of tea but nothing else gave me that satisfied aaaaah like a good cuppa.
    xXx Helen

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  14. count me in, I'm learning to be a tea drinker. But mostly I want the female friendship at least while I'm drinking tea I can think of ways to build a network.

    cheers Kate
    kattip (@) gmail com

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  15. Lovely give away! Lovely story. I'm a tea LOVER!

    Holli xx

    www.twinsplusonemumma.com

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  16. Loved your tea blog - what a great community Daylesford must be. These clever ladies and their well-thought-out-family-oriented-business-plan makes me ponder once more how much nicer the world would be if we women were in charge. Simone

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  17. Love little Independant tea companies! And adore the tea cosie too. Once I had my tonsils out earlier this year, I began to loose the tea loving taste but it is back! Yay for great tea and tea companies!

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  18. Definitely a tea-person! And nothing I love better than a cuppa with my bestie!

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  19. I'd love to share this giveaway with my best friends, as we're tea enthusiasts!

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  20. Just what I've been looking for - happy dance.
    I have always drunk either tea or coffee in phases. This coffee phase is way too long. Am really craving some quality tea.
    Thanks SHE-TEA & Fox's Lane

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  21. die hard tea drinker here too, I'd love to try this tea in my new teacup!

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  22. It's time for a tea party for my friends.This would be wonderful to serve. I love the packaging. Very well done!

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  23. The artwork on the canisters is beautiful! I love tea, but I've never heard of these ladies...definitely checking them out now!

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  24. The artwork on the canisters is beautiful! I love tea, but I've never heard of these ladies...definitely checking them out now!

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  25. I love the name SHE-TEA! I'm a bit of a tea addict so I'd love to try some of their gorgoeus looking tea!

    Sarah xx

    fleurchantille(at)gmail.com

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  26. What a cool way to start a business!

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  27. I'm affraid, I cann't share the raffle, because I'm from Germany and the shipping costs would be to high. But this canisters are so lovely. And the idea of the shop is great.

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  28. I couldn't get through my day without tea! It helps me think and it has helped me through good and bad times. There is nothing like brewing a pot of tea. I love the artwork on the canisters. If I owned these, when the tea was finished I would have to keep the canisters to put all my buttons in and display them on a shelf somewhere!

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  29. my house has yet been flooded with neighbourhood kids...i cant even count....i need a cuppa, sounds perfect.

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  30. Love everything about this! The concept, design and the fact it's TEA, my favourite thing (with a wedge of lemon drizzle preferrably!)

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  31. I love Tea! Literally LOVE it! I'd love to win this give away xxx

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  32. Passionate about coffee but willing to be converted

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  33. I drink tea all day long and love trying different blends. These additions would be most welcome.

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  34. The art work is fab and it is great to see Daylesford being the home to so many little great entrepreneurs!

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  35. My name is Leah, and i am addicted to tea....
    She Tea, so great!! xx

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  36. OH MY GOLLY GOSH YES I'm itching to try that Daylesford tea! Am a Twinings/ T2 addict but willing to be converted :D

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  37. Thanks for sharing such an interesting story with us Kate. I'm definitely a tea drinker but never really ventured from my usual, English Breakfast, white with one. Would be fun to try something different xx
    jenni@baggas.com

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  38. These teas look lovely, always keen to try new tea. Count me in please.

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  39. I am sat reading this with a cup of tea right next to me! Twinings everyday now I come to think of it, some times earl grey or lady grey and later on ginger & lemon, peppermint or fennel.

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  40. Those tins are fabulous! I switched to tea two years ago and make multiple cups every day.

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  41. Oh I do love a pot of tea and these look fabulous! I'd love to try!!

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  42. Oh my, I love tea. This is really lovely. Thanks for sharing!

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  43. Oh I am definitely all about tea! And tisane

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  44. Ohmygoodness !! How wonderfully amazing !! Tea from a mums business - check ! And just tea to share - check ! Tea from such a gorgeous sounding place (your place!) - check check !! Tea really does make e world go around , I went through a mental list of all the situations one drinks tea - I don't think there isn't an occasion for it !! Anjou so much for sharing and ill keep an eye out here in Sydney !! Would love to try out a bit of Daylesford for my breakfast ! Lauren
    X

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  45. You know with me packaging is everything and I love the artwork on these teas!! Even tho I am a coffee drinker I would buy one of these to try in a heartbeat! Too bad that I live so far away....

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  46. I would love to win this . Tea canisters are so great. Very happy the contest is open to us here in the states New York yay!!!! Thanks Lisa Williams Contact me at Leelee624@aol.com

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  47. Love tea, but hadn't heard of these girls. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  48. Ooh, I just love a nice cuppa tea! If you can imagine that spoken with a strong Manchurian accent, you'll have a glimpse into my family history. Tea is a cure- all. Plus it warms you in winter and cools you in summer. There's nothing quite like it xx

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  49. I love tea, I love their idea, and I love the art (especially the picture of the Zen-canister) - so beautiful! And I love how everything worked out according to their plans regarding having children!
    I would love to try them all - autumn is already here (am living in Germany) and winter is not so far away!

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  50. What an absolutely wonderful story of two friends. I love their idea, tea and art. Fantastic

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  51. Motherhood Tea? Oh I'd love to try that!

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  52. Gracias!!! Hermoso el blog y muy original el negocio. Me hace sentir reconfortada. Gracias de nuevo.

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  53. I do so love my coffee...need that caffeine kick in the morning...but I wish I was more of a tea drinker...tea seems so much calmer and gentler.
    Would love to try these teas!!!

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  54. Count me in please - I'd love to try some!

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  55. While I do mostly drink coffee, I love tea and the whole ceremony involved with tea. And while I feel I can only drink coffee in the morning, tea is an all day pleasure. I also love the variety of teas.

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  56. I would love to try. The packaging looks amazing. Would happily have it sitting on my kitchen shelf xo

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  57. Oh my gosh, I have had "she tea" book marked for aaaages! I love their packaging SO much. I love the idea of drinking tea more than the actual drinking of it. Coffee is still my addiction, but every so often I indulge in a little tea drinking frenzy. Usually when I'm super stressed (or pregnant, ha) :) It helps.

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  58. Ooooooooo! Please enter me! The tea sounds lovely!

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  59. She-Tea sounds fabulous! I love tea, but it is so hot in HK, that I just end up drinking cold water all the time. I need to try some iced tea, me-thinks.

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  60. Love tea and this sounds like a great company!
    thank you

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  61. I love the idea of drinking tea but don't actually do it that often. Loved the story of how they built this business!

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  62. I love tea, especially now that it's turning fall here. I love having a steaming mug of tea and watching the snow fall. So cozy.

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  63. I love tea, I make it with loose tea leaves straight in the mug, which my mother thinks is slovernly, but since I am over 50 I will do what I want. My favourite tea is Earl Grey, but I also love Ceylon, lapsang and when I can get it Fort Mason from Fortnum and Mason. Mostly I drink it black despite being a dairy farmer and if I get distracted its just as good cold.
    Everyone should drink more tea, these ladies will go far.

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  64. What a great story! It sounds like an amazing company and an awesome product (:

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  65. A perfect post to read as I am sitting here freezing and waiting for my water to boil for my cup of Rooibus Chai! The temp is in the 60's outside, but inside my house the thermostat, which is hooked up to a non-functioning heating system says 52. Bring on the hot tea!

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  66. It's my first time back to Foxs Lane in a while and what a great post! I just jumped back to tea this week. Coffee and tea will always battle for first place in my kitchen as the English and Swedish in my heritage duke it out. Maybe SHE-TEA will put tea out in the lead! Beautiful artwork, too. The women look like they have a secret.

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  67. Oh wow Kate. I would love a chance to win some tea. I have been thinking about switching to tea, but don't what kind.

    Linda

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  68. I love tea! Not a coffee drinker at all. Recently I've been moving to herbal teas over black tea because the caffeine seems to increase my morning sickness. I'd absolutely love a few new ones to try!

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  69. I love tea - an Earl or Lady Grey is my tipple, I am also a teapot girl, I also love pretty tins, I would love to win some of these. xxx

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  70. what an inspiring story...may She-Tea continue to grow and nourish all tea lovers...YAY...yes would love to have those arty containers decorating my shelf long after enjoying the contents...thanks to all for this offer.

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  71. Inspiring story. I would love to join in on the tea party.

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  72. i'm a coffee girl in the morning and a tea girl at night! love the artwork on the tins :)

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  73. Our school put in a coffee machine; it is disgusting! So, I bring in my own delicious tea. I would dearly love to win one of the prizes. The tins are so pretty!

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  74. Wow this story really hit the spot for me. I am also starting out on my own business to combine all the things I love.
    Tea is going to be an important part of that, and I happen to be looking for a great tea supplier for my new venture.
    I would love to try these, I think I need to make contact. Good on you both for daring greatly, I hope it rewards you.
    Robyn

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  75. How gorgeous are those canisters!

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  76. I love the ritual of making tea. And I would love to try some new blends. I love the business too.

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  77. I loved reading this story about She-Tea. The cannisters are beautiful, collectable. I'm enjoying tea more and more these days, and always looking for something new to try...

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  78. What gorgeous tins! They are beautiful.

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  79. My friends call me a tea-belly. I can't leave home without having my morning cuppa :) i love this.

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  80. I drink many cups of tea a day and I think that tea that comes out of such gorgeous canisters must be delicious!

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  81. I'm Irish and my mom sends me my tea faithfully every month. In Ireland you're with a Barry's Tea Person or a Lyons Gold Label. I'm a Lyons Gold Label kinda person. I love mine with a teaspoon of sugar and a drop (literally a drop) of skimmed milk. Heaven in a cup.

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  82. What a great day to discover your blog! Inspiration with a cuppa!!

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  83. i for one adore tea and all things that come with making a culpa- moving back to US after living in Oz has been so hard- most coffee shops offer one or two varieties of tea :(

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  84. My cupboard is cluttered with different types of teas, but no containers as pretty as those! I even grow rosella especially to dry the calyx's to make my own beautiful scented pink teas. There are some awesome blends available - I would love to try them out!

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  85. Hi Katie, listened to you on life matters this morning and decided to subscribe to your blog as I felt a real kindred connection to your perspective, thanks! As for tea (& coffee), my Mum and I were just talking this morning about how our bodies have built in tea/coffee daily schedules which must be adhered to full ultimate performance! Tea first thing (Russian Caravan), at 3pm (Traditional Afternoon) and last thing (Peppermint or weak Earl Grey). Real coffee at ten am (&5pm if it's been that kind of day with the kids!)

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  86. love the idea of She-Tea! thanks for sharing the joy! xxx

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  87. Thank you for the chance - I can see you knitting or crocheting tea cosies now.

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  88. Wake up in the morning, make a cup of tea.
    Without its leafy presence, the morning just wouldn't be me!
    leayas@optusnet.com.au

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  89. Yes please! They sound delicious! I drink tea all the time so this would be perfect. Only problem which ones to choose.

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  90. Loved reading the she-tea story. I love my herbal tea! x

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  91. I'm trying to turn from a coffee person to a tea person so I loved this post!

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  92. What a wonderful way to share your passion. What beautiful teas too!

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  93. I am a tea person, love my china cups and saucers and would so love to try these teas.

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  94. I love tea. I think it would be the one thing I could never give up. I have never drunk a cup of coffee in my life but love all sorts of teas - especially Earl Grey and Chai blends and I start most days with a cup of green tea. And then there is the teapot collection.... Oh Kate, I can see you knitting amazing tea cozies!

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  96. Just started drinking tea! Took me a while (4 weeks of daily tea drinking) but I finally grew to love it! I feel so grown up now ;)

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  97. Coffee gets you going but tea is good or the soul.

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  98. My husband and I both love a good cup of tea :) One of these days I am going to be game enough to say "hi" to you. Our daughters are both in Prep - though not the same class... Xanthe talks about Pepper all the time so maybe they are friends?

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  99. I know they'll all be good, but I'd love to have some HAPPY HIPPIE in my pantry - if only to see my mother's reaction!

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  100. Ooh, I could do with a sympathetic cuppa about now!
    What a fantastic story of how to blend business, friendship and family :o)

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  101. I would love a hot cuppa She-Tea in the mornings to wake up!

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  102. I have heard lovely things about She-Tea. Sound delicious.

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  103. I'd never put the tins in the pantry - they are just gorgeous.

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  104. I have seen this tea before, not tasted it yet, but love hearing the story to it.
    I seriously have Daylesford on my next place to see, I cannot wait to get there one day!

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  105. Lovely story to read and sounds like lovely tea too.

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  106. I love the artwork and the idea of a tea for every occasion. It puts the fun back into drinking tea rather than the quick morning teabag and rush to get kids off to school

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  107. I love tea and art, this is the perfect combination!
    X

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  108. I would love to try that tea,so generous of you.Looks interesting and perfect timing too,in the fall,thank you for the chance to win it.

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  109. What an inspiring story of the growth of a wonderful business. I am fairly new to tea drinking and would love to try this tea :)

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  110. Totally excited in trying new teas, thanks for the opportunity!

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  111. I love tea and would love to try the Daylesford blend. I used to live in Creswick and we have moved to the border and miss home.

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  112. I love the sound of Prize A pack!q

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  113. Oh how lovely! Who doesn't love a nice cup of tea :-)

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  114. Ahhh this would be perfect for Spring and the best excuse to get everyone together for high tea! Also love that this is fairtrade and organic. Bookmarking their site for future reference now! Thanks for the chance xx

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  115. Love the idea of these teas, would love to try them.

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  116. I am a coffe gal myself, but love the ritual of tea drinking and know these teas would be perfect gifts for all my tea drinking friends.

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  117. tea is my go too pick me up and boy have I used it a lot lately! It would be a lovely treat to win such a prize, thanks girls

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  118. oh how i'd like to be a tea person too! The whole idea of slowly sipping, peaceful, serenity... but yet i'm a fast coffee drinker with a house full of loud creative girls!

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  119. A big tea drinker in this house :) .....the artwork on the canisters is beautiful and would love to have them on display in my kitchen and be the envy of all my tea drinking friends :)

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  120. I don't drink coffee and since its near impossible to get a really great cup of tea in a cafe, I've spent rather too much time learning to make perfect tea. Did you know George Orwell wrote an essay on how to make tea? Required reading! I'm always trying to recruit others to the tea army - my comrade in the propaganda war is also a Jodie and we can never have enough of the stuff.

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  121. i could always use some more tea in my stash. thanks for the chance to win.

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  122. Hi Kate, what a huge pleasure to 'meet' you, having heard the interview on ABC RN. What a beautiful blog you have here, I will be following with interest : )

    Re tea, if you saw my recent post on Moroccan mint tea, you will know that I'm a coffee aficionado who has turned to mint tea due to being unwell recently. Love this post!

    Keep in touch xo

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  123. I love that they said they'd get pregnant three months apart...and did!! Priceless!

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  124. looks to be creative and sounds good to drink . :) thanks
    tumblemumbo at gmail.com

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  125. There's nothing like a proper cup of tea! I once read a good analogy of tea-bag tea: it's just brown water.

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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