G'day girls, I hope your weekend meant you could sit around with your feet up drinking tea. My Saturday certainly did not provide that, I was the beachside taxi driver from hell but yesterday with a beautiful day forecast we headed down the beach at about 11am, stumbled into a few friends and mooched on home at about three o'clock. Mr Beach Cottage and I thanked our lucky stars for our new life in the sun, by the sea and although things here are sooo far from perfect with lots of real life pressures, being able to take time out at the beach really really does re-charge.
So, anyway, this coffee table, I am almost embarassed to tell you I picked up for zero, yep that would be nothing. I spied it outside the back of an old junk shop that likes to call itself an antique junque shop, but we all know that really it's proper junk mixed in with a tad of antique. Don't ask me what I was doing around the back of this shop but it has to do with paint and children and walking.
This old table was kinda propped up and looking very forlorn and sorry for itself, BUT it was just what I had been looking for for a long time – I had been harbouring romantic notions of a bistro we once had morning coffee in right down in the south of France, a few years before we came out to Australia. The outside area consisted of heaps of white painted furniture, truly chippy and shabby and dripping laid-back elegance. We sat at a table similar to this, strewn with cushions and throws. Rattan or wicker or whatever it is, criss-crossed to the sides and with the little wrapped corners, just like this one.
So when I saw it I really wanted it. Like really wanted it. I thought this old girl had just the right mix of beachy/rustic and vintage to sing once it got the beach whitewash.
I popped my head through the back door (in my running gear and errrm quite errrm sweaty and not attractive).
'Scuse me, is this old table for sale?
What, that old piece of junk?
Yep.
Nah, that's not for sale love, no-one will want that.
(What you mean no-one would want to buy a piece of junk like this from this junque shop?)
Errm, well how much do you want for it?
It's not for sale.
Oh ok but I like it?
Sorry I'm waiting for the boys to get rid of it for me, no use to anyone.
But I'd quite like it.
Whaaat??? You want that old piece o' junk? !
Yep.
Lady, you can have it!
Hoorah. So I scooted it into the back of the Beach Mobile before he could change his mind and think it might be a piece of junque rather than a piece of junk.
It's been sitting in the whitewashing studio, *wink forever and waiting and just recently it finally got some treatment as I'd found a chair while not the same, I thought might tie in quite nicely with it.
So I brought it into the cottage as a place for books and magazines (not that I have that many, of course not, ho ho ho) and just a place to sit and flick. Because I sooooo like doing that.
And if you like to sit and flick too, while I can't provide you with a vintage table from a junque shop, I can give you a chance to win my new favourite coffee time browsing.
Easy Elegance, from Atlanta Bartlett – easy to dip into for a little bit of somtimes unrealistic but fabulously inspiring ideas to fill your home with laid-back charm, and make you dream of the easy elegance of a French cafe somewhere in a former life…
For a chance to win, just leave a comment anytime this week on any post. Oh and yep I'll ship anywhere.
One comment = one entry, so if you comment 102 times you'll get, yep you guessed it 102 chances to win.
And if you subscribe to my feed I'll make sure you're entered lots of times.
Kelly from Design-Ties is the winner of last weeks' giveaway, congrats – two beachy stripe cushion covers will be winging their way over the oceans sometime soon!
…stacked to the brim full of white inspiration – pictures and things I've found to keep in an online portal to inspire me
Blogged for Susan's event over at Between Naps on the Porch, where on Mondays you will find a whole heap of creative and inspirational gals in the real world making over…and Rhoda's thrifting show and tell, here
If you enjoyed this post, sign-up for the Beach Cottage email updates (just up there on the top right of the bar) for more chances to win and to access more from the Beach Cottage….unplugged!
What a coincidence we both found table’s for a bargain this week! I bought this great wood coffee table from Vinnies for $35. Hubby cut the bottom of the legs off and it looks great. I just have to decide what I am going to do with it now. The wood is quite nice so I am not sure wether to just give it a sand or paint the bottom white and lime the top….Mmmmmm decisions decisions!
always a pleasure getting something for free and it looks fab after a bit of TLC, well done. Here in Egypt they actually make rattan furniture but I seldom see it in anyones homes strangly enough. I will have to take a second look at it now that I see it white-washed. That appeals to me far more than the raw state.
Thanks for the post.
Cheers from the land of dust and sun.
I must say I’ve seen similar coffee tables that have been given a makeover (some by me) BUT none of them have turned out as wonderfuly as yours – you have GOT IT Sarah!!! well done – big pat on the back for you
I can understand how you saw the beauty in that little table. I love to read your posts. You have the prettiest home…and in my head I read your words with an accent. Not a Texas accent!
OMG yah just can’t beat a freeeee out the back *no one would want THAT* coffee table, I did that same a few years ago with one of my cane chairs which has pride of place on my all time favourite front veranda! Wtg Sarah…. so ok here’s hoping the saying *third time lucky* is going to apply this week & I win what looks like a great book, nothin’ better than sitting on MFV with a cup of coffee (or a beer!) with a bloody good book. Crossing fingers & toes this time….
Sounds like yah had a great weekend
Lyn xxx
Love the table Sarah! Thank you – I’ve always filled my days with beading chandeliers- (my passion), whitewashing, gardening, junque hunting, sweeping up, etc. But you’ve shown me new ways to fill my days and things to do while handling my troubles…blog-reading, subscribing, twittering, following, flicking, sipping, hanging laundry on the line, rearranging, and a good 1/2 hour break by the beach or anywhere.
I love the table! I once passed up a whole set of chair, loveseat, tables at a Goodwill on half price day that were very similar. What was I thinking?! I still regret doing that even though I didn’t know where I would put it at the time. I’m sure I could have found somewhere for it.
Wow that was great find. I love the table and it is perfect in your cottage. Great job. Never hurts to ask!. Have a great day. I did have ice tea this weekend since it was 100 degrees yesterday! Enjoy and thanks for visiting Expressive Creations
Sarah, girl! you find the best junk over there in Aussie land. I love that table & can’t believe the guy didn’t think it was valuable. But good for you though. It’s beautiful & you gave it just the right Beach Cottage touch. Thanks as always for playing in my party.
You sure can’t get a better bargain than free! The chair and table look like they were made for one another. You’ve created such a pretty and comfortable reading spot. Please enter me in your give-away. That looks like a lovely book. laurie
WOWZA girl!! Dontcha just love when stuff like this happens?! That table is GORGEOUS and I’m totally jealous!! Some people just dont see the POTENTIAL do they?
Oh, what a lovely find! Truth be told, I’ve adored (and coveted) your little white pitcher for quite sometime now. It, along with lots of other vintagey pieces, is on my most wanted list. I have actually been eyeing this Atlanta Barlett book as well.
Blessings!
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 …]
G’day ladies, oooh have I got a good Beach Cottage recipe for you or have I got a good recipe for you. Well it’s actually not Beach Cottage, I cannot claim that… So, a couple of months ago I met up with a couple of blogging friends, AllConsuming and Mrs W for a lil [...]
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
well – i think the chair and the table go together pretty well…thank you for the chance to win the mag…
There is nothing like a find that is free…it looks wonderful!!
Hugs~T
I love a deal & you can’t beat free!!!! Terrific find!!!
Free and fabulous!!! Love your new table.
Toni
Just goes to show… one persons junk really is anothers treasure. Great find Sarah!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Dear Mrs. BC,
I just popped into your lovely blog. It’s pure inspiration to me. I will visit you again very often.
Greetings from Kiel, Germany
Silke
I just don’t know how you do it,just fantastic.
What a coincidence we both found table’s for a bargain this week! I bought this great wood coffee table from Vinnies for $35. Hubby cut the bottom of the legs off and it looks great. I just have to decide what I am going to do with it now. The wood is quite nice so I am not sure wether to just give it a sand or paint the bottom white and lime the top….Mmmmmm decisions decisions!
Oh I love me a bargain find! It looks just perfect there. I have your blog on my Google Reader to be sure I don’t miss a thing
You do seem to have the knack for finding a bargain AND making it look so good – it fits in perfectly! We’ve had terrible weather this weekend.
always a pleasure getting something for free and it looks fab after a bit of TLC, well done. Here in Egypt they actually make rattan furniture but I seldom see it in anyones homes strangly enough. I will have to take a second look at it now that I see it white-washed. That appeals to me far more than the raw state.
Thanks for the post.
Cheers from the land of dust and sun.
Congrats to your winner Kelly and Congrats to the beach cottage for the recent addition, cute little table and perfect for the beach cottage flavour
Hi Sarah
I must say I’ve seen similar coffee tables that have been given a makeover (some by me) BUT none of them have turned out as wonderfuly as yours – you have GOT IT Sarah!!! well done – big pat on the back for you
What a terrific find! Guess it pays to visit the front and the back of the antique/junk stores!!
What a great coffee table! I love getting things for free!
Thanks for the chance to win!
My comment number: Lucky number 3?
Hi, nice post as usual
Marilyn
Table looks great. I will put your new giveaway on my side bar and in tomorrow’s post.
Renee
I can understand how you saw the beauty in that little table. I love to read your posts. You have the prettiest home…and in my head I read your words with an accent. Not a Texas accent!
That is a lovely table! You have a great blog, too, btw. Enjoyed the visit! Hugs, ~cindy s~ (from Canada)
Oh makes me want to go to goodwill and find something to paint.
Can’t believe someone would throw away a perfectly good table–looks quite nice to me!
Hugs from Florida, Chandra
OMG yah just can’t beat a freeeee out the back *no one would want THAT* coffee table, I did that same a few years ago with one of my cane chairs which has pride of place on my all time favourite front veranda! Wtg Sarah…. so ok here’s hoping the saying *third time lucky* is going to apply this week & I win what looks like a great book, nothin’ better than sitting on MFV with a cup of coffee (or a beer!) with a bloody good book. Crossing fingers & toes this time….
Sounds like yah had a great weekend
Lyn xxx
Perfect! It looks quite at home in the Beach Cottage. Cute, cute, cute! Great find!
Great book! I’ve heard of it – gee, I hope I win!
Love the table Sarah! Thank you – I’ve always filled my days with beading chandeliers- (my passion), whitewashing, gardening, junque hunting, sweeping up, etc. But you’ve shown me new ways to fill my days and things to do while handling my troubles…blog-reading, subscribing, twittering, following, flicking, sipping, hanging laundry on the line, rearranging, and a good 1/2 hour break by the beach or anywhere.
From now on, I will be going behind the junk and thrift shops looking for cast offs. Love what you have done with this.
And, thanks for the opportunity!
Good eye! The coffee table is lovely, certainly not junk!
Doggone it! This looks like a piece I bought at a yard sale years ago and sold it the same way! I wish now I still had it!
Thanks for your comments about my sewing table.
Scribbler
Can’t believe you got that for nothing. So cool. It looks great.
Such a steal! I love it!!!
Amazing
You certainly can’t beat free! It is super cute!!
Wow – why didn’t that qualify as ‘junque’, then? (Great name for it!) I’d love to enter this week’s giveaway, please?
I love the table! I once passed up a whole set of chair, loveseat, tables at a Goodwill on half price day that were very similar. What was I thinking?! I still regret doing that even though I didn’t know where I would put it at the time. I’m sure I could have found somewhere for it.
That is a LOVELY table!
Wow that was great find. I love the table and it is perfect in your cottage. Great job. Never hurts to ask!. Have a great day. I did have ice tea this weekend since it was 100 degrees yesterday! Enjoy and thanks for visiting Expressive Creations
Love the table and the story!!! I’d like a chance to win the book, please. Just what is need.
I love that bench.
But what I don’t understand is Flicking?
i love free stuff….that table was a score! i would also love to win your drawing for the magazine!
kathi
Ther’s nothing that gives you quite the same feeling as finding a treasure…for free!!!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Sarah, girl! you find the best junk over there in Aussie land. I love that table & can’t believe the guy didn’t think it was valuable. But good for you though. It’s beautiful & you gave it just the right Beach Cottage touch. Thanks as always for playing in my party.
I’d love to win that book!
Oh that table is fabulous!
You sure can’t get a better bargain than free! The chair and table look like they were made for one another. You’ve created such a pretty and comfortable reading spot. Please enter me in your give-away. That looks like a lovely book. laurie
What a pretty little table! Great job scoring it for free! Everything you find looks wonderful in white.
Your blog is very inspiring.
I’m from a beach town in Florida…if you ever come my way I’ll take you junking!
WOWZA girl!! Dontcha just love when stuff like this happens?! That table is GORGEOUS and I’m totally jealous!! Some people just dont see the POTENTIAL do they?
Oh, what a lovely find!
Truth be told, I’ve adored (and coveted) your little white pitcher for quite sometime now. 
It, along with lots of other vintagey pieces, is on my most wanted list. I have actually been eyeing this Atlanta Barlett book as well. 
Blessings!
Rachel
freebees are the best !!!
I just love your table and chair, very beachy! Are those purple hydrangeas from your yard? They’re beautiful. :O)