I have to tell you before I go any further that I scored today SO much, a beautiful deco cupboard already painted white that I can't wait to upcycle (according to these gals, I am a tried and tested UPcycler, gotta love that) and re-purpose in the Beach Cottage…a very old vintage wooden crate, complete with zinc brackets which I've been after for ages and the shabbiest old stooL EVER. Ooooh oooh yeah.
Anyway after a few requests for a bit more about my bench from last week I decided that I must actually do with that bench, which incidentally I picked up for one dollar ( I won't bore you with the story but boy did I get the thrift thrill!)what I intended to do with it. And that was to put it into the hall.
It is a very small hall. Actually errrrm it is a tiny hall with a tiny space for a couple of skinny bits of furniture but it was so in need of a metamorphosis. I had sitting in this space a chair which while looked ok, didn't really serve any purpose rather than to be a chair with two cushions on it. So the bench I believed would be much more agreeable to the odd umbrella, pair of thongs,beach hat or set of keys.
So I dumped the chair in little Mr Beach Cottage's room and slid in the bench, which I had quickly whitewashed (and seehere if you wanna know how I did it).
I am sure that in a real Beach Cottage, with five real people, three real Beach Cottage kiddos including one nearly-teenage-girl and one for-certain-teenager that this bench will not, very often, be looking quite as it does in these pics – smelly old runners, laden school bags and briefcases will lurk here and are what I will chuck into the cupboard with a tut…but now, you wouldn't wanna see that, would you?
and the, oh-so-inspiring Rhoda's - the master of yard salesThrifty Treasures
p.s. I came across heaps of mindblowingly gorgeous images forBeach Cottage Inspriration – the portal for all things white, beachy and homey – it's just so easy to copy and paste
*smile, surf on over and have a look…
oh & all my images & writing from anywhere are copyright, I thought that was obvious
I look forward to check your blog out everyday, at least 3 times a day.I just don’t want to miss a thing.Even when the kids are yelling and fighting behind me your pictures just take me to another place.
Actually, it is nice to see signs of your children/family in your amazing beach cottage. Several years ago we scaled down and moved in-town to be closer to work after our children finished school. I took advantage by recovering all our furniture in soft white. Now when my kids and granddaughters come to visit, I am faced with the challenge of keeping it “livable.” My youngest granddaughter Miah, who is four always asks me “why do you have so many rules.” Book bags, shoes, etc., I am always amazed at learning techniques and tips for living in our “white space.” Please share!
It looks great! We have a great ‘meuble de chassures’ in our hallway, which swallows up shoes while supporting some natty baskets and an Emma Bridgewater tray for hats, cycling gear etc on top. However, as you say, somehow that’s not enough, and weird and generally unpleasant things (a damp bike helmet and a muddy dog lead, for example) seem to end up on it every day.
I’m having a bloggy Garden Party for my birthday nex month. Check out the invitation on my blog if you’d like to come!
Well, now I am just beside myself to find an old bench, just like this, to add to MY long, skinny entry hall…between you and Tina at Cherry Hill, I am hopping all around town, trying to locate some CUTE just like ya’ll have !! You are wearing me out and….I love it all.
hugs, bj
My husband has said for years that I have a “white obsession.” Maybe so. But honestly Sarah, one would not need to be obsessed with white to enjoy your lovely photos and vignettes. Just gorgeous!
I want to go junkin with you cuz you really find the good stuff, but we would probably trip over each other trying to get to it first….LOL!! Good thing we are oceans apart!!
I love the bench and hat hooks, looks fresh and beachy My entry never stays neat either… school shoes and books and bags, tripped over all the time, lol! But it’s nice to know under all that you’ve tried to make something beautiful anyway!
Seriously Sarah, how do you score so well when treasure hunting?? Amazing CHEAP finds.
I solved the problem of my kids dumping everything in my front entrance hall – they have to use the back entrance. Works well. They leave all their kiddie junk at the back door and the front always looks inviting, neat and tidy for any visitors… LOL.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Oh, Sarah, I love this! You can turn a frog into a prince! I wouldn’t have thought I would have been able to do anything with that little bench and you’ve made it so charming!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I wish I could find a bench like that
you have the touch girl, it’s simple enough to find a bench but a whole lot harder to get it looking like that, love your styling and your eye
every time I come by here I just think I can have a go too and make my house look better, I am not quite as busy as you with it thought but I am getting there slowly
I don’t usually comment, just stop by, because I read in feedburner but wanted to let you know that I painted my lounge from a dreary blue to a soft white and the change is absolutely amazing, no other change just the paint and moving a few bits of furniture, I am becoming more and more interested in painting most of my home in whites and neutrals now because of your influence.
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
I am so jealous, how come I never find stuff like this! It looks gorgeous I love it.
Simply beautiful and perfect in every way.
I look forward to check your blog out everyday, at least 3 times a day.I just don’t want to miss a thing.Even when the kids are yelling and fighting behind me your pictures just take me to another place.
Actually, it is nice to see signs of your children/family in your amazing beach cottage. Several years ago we scaled down and moved in-town to be closer to work after our children finished school. I took advantage by recovering all our furniture in soft white. Now when my kids and granddaughters come to visit, I am faced with the challenge of keeping it “livable.” My youngest granddaughter Miah, who is four always asks me “why do you have so many rules.” Book bags, shoes, etc., I am always amazed at learning techniques and tips for living in our “white space.” Please share!
Hey Sarah how good does that look.Really love your *sea* sign looks great. So how did the dinner go last night??? Hope you had a great weekend.
Lyn xxx
So Beautiful!!!
It looks great! We have a great ‘meuble de chassures’ in our hallway, which swallows up shoes while supporting some natty baskets and an Emma Bridgewater tray for hats, cycling gear etc on top. However, as you say, somehow that’s not enough, and weird and generally unpleasant things (a damp bike helmet and a muddy dog lead, for example) seem to end up on it every day.
I’m having a bloggy Garden Party for my birthday nex month. Check out the invitation on my blog if you’d like to come!
Well, now I am just beside myself to find an old bench, just like this, to add to MY long, skinny entry hall…between you and Tina at Cherry Hill, I am hopping all around town, trying to locate some CUTE just like ya’ll have !! You are wearing me out and….I love it all.
hugs, bj
My husband has said for years that I have a “white obsession.” Maybe so. But honestly Sarah, one would not need to be obsessed with white to enjoy your lovely photos and vignettes. Just gorgeous!
I’m in love with your bench! It looks fabulous!
I want to go junkin with you cuz you really find the good stuff, but we would probably trip over each other trying to get to it first….LOL!! Good thing we are oceans apart!!
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
I really like the big letters S E A!
Scribbler
I am so delighted to meet you! Your style is so indicative of what we use in our seaside cottage…
Clean, crisp and so comfortable!
Looks great!
Sarah – love the bench! Especially the SEA letters! Great idea.
Blessings,
Marie
blog: http://emmacallsmemama.com
email: marie@waltercom.com
Such a fabulous find! I love how you have styled it – perfect.
Sarah what a great spot for your fabulous find.
Alison
A perfect spot for it, it looks wonderful (as usual)
Love, love, love!!! Can’t wait to see more.
Love the bench. Love the look. $1.00…..you really did get a bargain.
I love the bench and hat hooks, looks fresh and beachy
My entry never stays neat either… school shoes and books and bags, tripped over all the time, lol! But it’s nice to know under all that you’ve tried to make something beautiful anyway!
Oh Sarah, that is one seriously perfect bench. How nice that it found it’s way to your home.
Seriously Sarah, how do you score so well when treasure hunting?? Amazing CHEAP finds.
I solved the problem of my kids dumping everything in my front entrance hall – they have to use the back entrance. Works well. They leave all their kiddie junk at the back door and the front always looks inviting, neat and tidy for any visitors… LOL.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
hello Sarah,I really love your pictures,and your blog.
Greetings from Holland.
Karin
Love, love, love this bench and its accents! This is the perfect space for it, too!
Blessings! Rachel
Oh, Sarah, I love this! You can turn a frog into a prince! I wouldn’t have thought I would have been able to do anything with that little bench and you’ve made it so charming!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Now, I’m not sure I’m actually the master…you are pretty awesome yourself with the beachy finds over there, Sarah! You always come up with a winner.
I love it! Your home is so calming from the pictures you share. Earth tones calm me but I still love looking at your pics to freshen up the view…
Thanks for stopping by my blog, still trying to catch up on everyone!
I wish I could find a bench like that
you have the touch girl, it’s simple enough to find a bench but a whole lot harder to get it looking like that, love your styling and your eye
Hi Sarah
every time I come by here I just think I can have a go too and make my house look better, I am not quite as busy as you with it thought but I am getting there slowly
I don’t usually comment, just stop by, because I read in feedburner but wanted to let you know that I painted my lounge from a dreary blue to a soft white and the change is absolutely amazing, no other change just the paint and moving a few bits of furniture, I am becoming more and more interested in painting most of my home in whites and neutrals now because of your influence.
anyway, thanks so much, keep it coming!
Love the coastal inspirations! The whites are so refreshing.
Thanks for sharing the fantastic ideas!
Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm
I never met a bench I didn’t take to. I’ve been buying them for probably twenty years. And still in love with their versatility!
Brenda
It’s like a breath of fresh air.
So light and pretty!!
Love the bench and the “SEA.” Also really enjoyed looking through all of the beautiful photos collected in Beach Cottage Inspiration! Thanks so much.
The letters make the picture perfect.