It's been a lovely winter's day here in Australia, topping at about 21C in our back garden today and to me as a girl from England, who used to hit the beach if the mercury touched 21, I'm feeling extremely lucky to be able to sit outside for lunch in the winter…and yes it does, to me, feel like it is permanently summer at the Beach Cottage and if you want inspiration for all things white, beachy, and all that just scoot over to BeachCottageInspiration.com, the little notepad blog I started for all the ideas we all see all over the internet…it's proving very popular over there!
Yesterday, foofing around the cottage, before some friends stopped by for a casual supper – marinated steak, pan-fried, white bean and garlic rosemary mash plus salad – more no brainer entertaining, I was happily doing that making-it-cosy ritual – lighting candles, slinging stinky teenagers' socks under beds, hiding old newspapers behind the sofas, when I thought I might try to salvage some on-their-last-legs flowers with the string thing and an old washed out tin can.
blogged for Susan's Metamorphosis Monday – surf on over for makeover heaven and participating in the Yard Sale Expert Rhoda's event where you'll find other thrifty looters from the weekend…
Well, I love the blogs you’ve shared AND that project is kick butt awesome. You know I love you, but you just keep getting better and better.
Not much beach sprinting here in Chicago, so I’m thinking I’m safe.
Love it….looks great. I know what you mean about blogs that draw you in and you keep coming back….because I’m over here everyday Love your talent for making a home beautiful, warm & inviting.
Toni
Hard to believe it’s winter there, when it’s so hot and humid here! You’ve got another perky little winner there, Sarah. Makes the flowers look so extra special. I’m going over to visit the link you gave.
Brenda
Hi Sarah what a great look. Thnaks for sharing it with us.
Wow you are so good to be doing that beach sprinting – when I see it on TV it always looks tough to do.
Alison
Sarah, I’m always so honored to have you comment on my blog. I have “stalked” yours for some time now!
I wasn’t sure about the tablescape as I threw it together and didn’t even check to see if it looked right when I posted the pics but if you say it looks good, then I’ll be happy!
My chair slipcovers came from Ballards in Atlanta, Georgia. You can go to http://www.ballarddesigns.com and see their site. They don’t quite fit my chairs perfectly but I’m happy with them as is. The slips were designed to fit their Louis side chairs but the size worked somewhat for my chairs.
You can order a catalog on the web site and if can’t get one where you live, e-mail me at judy36109@yahoo.com with your mailing address and I’ll send one your way.
I just love how this looks! Anything you touch, even an old tin can, look how beautiful you can make it! I’ll go check out the blog you’re talking about!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Glad to hear you survived the beach sprint Sarah. Well done.
Who’d have thought we could recycle the recyling. The string can vase looks great and I can’t believe you still have daisy’s flowering. Mine are long gone down here in Melbourne. I noticed your door blackboard in the background of one of the photos and just wanted to tell you again how fantastic it looks.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
OMG girl how good does that look, isn’t it so soooooooo good to live in the warmer areas where the flowers still bloom this time of year gotta luv it. Ok so I REALLY want to see *the legs, bathers & all the white bits in between* COME ON yah gotta show us! No way on this earth would you get me doing THAT… way to go. You have to pop over tomorrow & check out my post.. my first white wall room (smallest in the house) lovin’ it, think this little cottage of mine might be havin’ a new paint job throughout!
Hope you enjoyed the long weekend.. if not the kids are back at school tomorrow!!
Gorgeous, Sarah! So you just found Thrifty Decor Chick huh? She does have a large following & does some super projects. She’s inspired me to use more power tools.
Oh those are soooo pretty! I am going to try it! There’s twine thrown on the kitchen “catch all” from my husband using it in the garden and I’m making lasagna tonight…so I’ll have cans! haha Thanks for the inspiration! I love it!
wow. and thanks for the link to the ideas – really, this will prevent me from doing a LOT of house work b/c i will be daydreaming of ‘what i can do’ “someday”. lol! what fun to look at those dreamy photos!
condolences on your legs: today i was on my run with my neighbor and i was going on about yesterday, when i was with my daught.in-law to be, and we got her wedding dress. well it was too exciting for me and i almost outran myself. SORE! and on pavement, i cannot even IMAGINE sand. you are a TROUPER. i must regroup and look a t the snaps some more!!! jkj
Hello Sarah! Thanks for your visit and for your nice comment! You have a stunning cottage! So nicely decorated! Your photos are charming and inspiring!
I’ll come back again!
Warm greetings
Vale
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I can’t believe I had just blogged about wishing for a beach cottage and on that very post someone whose blog is called “A Beach Cottage” comments!! Enough to give you the chills : ). Your blog is so gorgeous and full of so many fun ideas. I’m going to have fun poking around!!
Dropping by from SITS, where you are not the last poster by the way. Love the string-can arrangement… hmm, I have some string, maybe it would work with a yoghurt pot?
love from another English expat (albeit not in Oz)
My name is Abbie Allen. I’ve just visited your website and I was wondering if you’d be interested in
exchanging links with my website. I can offer you a home page link back
from my Furniture website which is http://www.aitong120.com/Links.html with page rank 3 .
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. Â 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? Â 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. Â 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
Â
6. layer on top the cream combo
Â
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
Â
*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 ;-)Â
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. Â 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.Â
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. Â Oh yeah. Â 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. Â 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
Really a beautiful and interesting idea to use those decorated cans as a vase!
Have a good Sunday, I´ll be back.
Marjolijn
Wonderful idea!
Love the texture and colours – fits in to your decor like a comfortable beach cottage glove!!
Thanks Sarah
OMG, I have a huge roll of twine, LOL… U come up w/some good ideas…. Another blogger showed a wall her mom did encrusted w/seashells!.
Well, I love the blogs you’ve shared AND that project is kick butt awesome. You know I love you, but you just keep getting better and better.
Not much beach sprinting here in Chicago, so I’m thinking I’m safe.
Love it….looks great. I know what you mean about blogs that draw you in and you keep coming back….because I’m over here everyday
Love your talent for making a home beautiful, warm & inviting.
Toni
Hard to believe it’s winter there, when it’s so hot and humid here! You’ve got another perky little winner there, Sarah. Makes the flowers look so extra special. I’m going over to visit the link you gave.
Brenda
Mmmm….LOVE it, as usual!
P.S. Thanks again for directing your visitors to my new blog…I’ve had loads of traffic ever since. You are VERY popular you know!!
Blessings,
Rachel
Hi Sarah what a great look. Thnaks for sharing it with us.
Wow you are so good to be doing that beach sprinting – when I see it on TV it always looks tough to do.
Alison
Love it! So rustic and cute!
What a great idea, and green too! Love it! laurie
Sarah, I’m always so honored to have you comment on my blog. I have “stalked” yours for some time now!
I wasn’t sure about the tablescape as I threw it together and didn’t even check to see if it looked right when I posted the pics but if you say it looks good, then I’ll be happy!
My chair slipcovers came from Ballards in Atlanta, Georgia. You can go to http://www.ballarddesigns.com and see their site. They don’t quite fit my chairs perfectly but I’m happy with them as is. The slips were designed to fit their Louis side chairs but the size worked somewhat for my chairs.
You can order a catalog on the web site and if can’t get one where you live, e-mail me at judy36109@yahoo.com with your mailing address and I’ll send one your way.
You will L-O-V-E Ballards!
Hugs!
Judy
Love this!The daisy’s are just perfect for those adorable vases!!!
(I love twine:)
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
Love the 2 mirrors too.
I just love how this looks! Anything you touch, even an old tin can, look how beautiful you can make it! I’ll go check out the blog you’re talking about!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Such a clever idea. I’ll be making a can tomorrow. Thank you!
I may have mentioned this before, but I really like how you layer the mirrors.
Also, I would love to be able to do the beach sprinting with you. Sounds like my kind of fun!
You have so many great ideas on your blog! Sarah will be highlighting ideas from you soon.
~Sherrie
This looks great! I love the idea of using string to make something completely different looking.
Blessings,
Traci
Great DIY idea!
Nice job…
TTFN ~~ Claudia
You should stop by and see the beachy item I picked up for 50 cents
Toni
All your photos are so gorgeous! The tin can covered with twine looks very beachy and cute.
Glad to hear you survived the beach sprint Sarah. Well done.
Who’d have thought we could recycle the recyling. The string can vase looks great and I can’t believe you still have daisy’s flowering. Mine are long gone down here in Melbourne. I noticed your door blackboard in the background of one of the photos and just wanted to tell you again how fantastic it looks.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
OMG girl how good does that look, isn’t it so soooooooo good to live in the warmer areas where the flowers still bloom this time of year gotta luv it. Ok so I REALLY want to see *the legs, bathers & all the white bits in between* COME ON yah gotta show us! No way on this earth would you get me doing THAT… way to go. You have to pop over tomorrow & check out my post.. my first white wall room (smallest in the house) lovin’ it, think this little cottage of mine might be havin’ a new paint job throughout!
Hope you enjoyed the long weekend.. if not the kids are back at school tomorrow!!
Lyn xxx
YAY! At last, 3 out of 4 of your gorgeous latest photos were taken in an upright position – no seasickness this time!
Andrea. Perth WA
Thanks for the inspiration Sarah! I’m sitting here with ideas running around in my head.
Another great post!!
Gorgeous, Sarah! So you just found Thrifty Decor Chick huh? She does have a large following & does some super projects. She’s inspired me to use more power tools.
Hmmmm…. LOVE those layered mirrors!!
That is so cute! Love that you recycle things in beautiful ways!
Michelle
What a lovely transformation! Well done~!
Oh those are soooo pretty! I am going to try it! There’s twine thrown on the kitchen “catch all” from my husband using it in the garden and I’m making lasagna tonight…so I’ll have cans! haha Thanks for the inspiration! I love it!
Glad your legs are recouping,sprints on the beach are not easy. Love the string idea. It is definitely beachy!. G’day to you.
Hi Sarah – love how you grouped those mirrors together on the dresser! I get so much inspiration from your blog.
Blessings,
Marie
Lovely!!!
Enjoy!!!
Cathy
wow. and thanks for the link to the ideas – really, this will prevent me from doing a LOT of house work b/c i will be daydreaming of ‘what i can do’ “someday”. lol! what fun to look at those dreamy photos!
condolences on your legs: today i was on my run with my neighbor and i was going on about yesterday, when i was with my daught.in-law to be, and we got her wedding dress. well it was too exciting for me and i almost outran myself. SORE! and on pavement, i cannot even IMAGINE sand. you are a TROUPER. i must regroup and look a t the snaps some more!!! jkj
I love the texture twine or yarn gives to a table…this looks great!
this is so me. i love cans and jars … and keeping cut flowers as long as possible. love it. love it all!
xo
Love the tin can idea, simple and cheap which is my kind of decorating!!
The flowers look absolutely gorgeous – thank you for sharing them!
Hello Sarah! Thanks for your visit and for your nice comment! You have a stunning cottage! So nicely decorated! Your photos are charming and inspiring!
I’ll come back again!
Warm greetings
Vale
Great idea! So natural and so pretty!…Christine
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I can’t believe I had just blogged about wishing for a beach cottage and on that very post someone whose blog is called “A Beach Cottage” comments!! Enough to give you the chills : ). Your blog is so gorgeous and full of so many fun ideas. I’m going to have fun poking around!!
How fabulous and creative that is. I love the look with the added texture of the twine. What a great centerpiece they’d make for any summer event…
I love how you decorate! I need you in my house
I’m taking notes though, thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
great idea & love love your blogs!! stopped to say Hi from SITS
Hi Sarah,
I love the look you’ve created with the twine! Thanks so much for linking to 2nd Time Around!
I love the cans. I always hate throwing them away but don’t need another pencil holder. That is a great idea. Thanks
Go to my main blog– click on my profile– go to my cooking blog. I have a bloggy award for you there.
Dropping by from SITS, where you are not the last poster by the way. Love the string-can arrangement… hmm, I have some string, maybe it would work with a yoghurt pot?
love from another English expat (albeit not in Oz)
What a great idea! I’ve seen it done on jars but I hadn’t thought of cans!
Hi
My name is Abbie Allen. I’ve just visited your website and I was wondering if you’d be interested in
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