Oh it's busy times here and guess what we had another trip to the ER, and yes it was Mr Teenage BC and yes it was from the skate park. Lots of blood, a heap of stitches and dressings but thankfully not too many tears. And why you ask did I let it happen? That I cannot answer.
Anyway after a full day today of which I'll be showing you more of soon I collapsed in a jumble of grottiness out here on the deck. It had needed a bit of an overhaul after all the recent rain and that happened a few days ago and was very welcome this afternoon…
I thought though that I would tell you about the deck and how when we moved into the cottage it was looking extremely hideous in all it's orangey painted glory and more importantly I was thinking that it would never, ever, be anything more than a dead decorating loss. I knew it had some plusses, first off being that at the very least, yes it was a wooden deck of timber, second it was already there and we didn't have the bother of going about building it ourselves. Then I came across a few homey makeover blogs and I was inspired to get off my backside, stop moaning, start doing andwork with what I had or didn't have (and go hereto see the first makeover job a year or so ago) – Mr Beach Cottage and I hauled out this old sofa and then I gradually pulled a few things to bring it all together – I think it is amazing what you can do with nothing, this could easily be a very different corner.
The back cushions I recovered with some natural linen and the seat is a throw from IKEA tucked in and around, added a few new nautical fashion cushions, I'm really liking those and a pot of lavender grown from a cutting by my fair hands, yup, truly…easy as sticking a cutting into some rooting compost and letting it go after itself.
Every little corner of your home is beautiful! Love your porch! Looks like a great place for your son to rest and recover too…
Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us!
I think that looks like the perfect outdoor corner to collapse in All that’s missing is a nice cold drink (I’m thinking lemonade)
Hope Mr Teenage BC is doing OK today. Getting bumps and bruises and cuts and stitches are all part of growing up. Better that you give him the freedom to do all those things than to try to protect him from it all. Growing up can be painful at times, but it has to be fun too
The cushion covers arrived safe and sound yesterday They’re very beachy and pretty, and I’ve posted about them here:
Such a beautiful look. I also love candles clustered like that… Especially in the daylight, creates such a lovely mood (even when im not feeling lovely ha)! Kellie
Sarah – I really love what you did with your patio! It looks so cozy and inviting out there, especially with the candles and comfy pillows. Thank you for the inspiration!
Great ideas u have.. That deck looks great.. I’ve started recycling my stuff around.. I use to collect birdhouses… a bunch were made from a guy who took wood from torn down barns… he even used spindles off of bannisters and drilled holes in them and made mini ones.. decorative of course.. those I have put in various parts of my backyard slope and in and around trees..
It looks so pretty, Sarah. We have family coming over this week, and I need to get out and clean up and beautify our deck a bit. Right now it looks pretty terrible. Yours looks great!
Love this little space. Sorry to hear about Teen Beach Boy. I have a skater (as in skateboarder) myself and last year he broke his foot. He’s 18.5 years old now and is still a stupid skater. Still gets hurt, still has no fear.
Okay, back to your little outdoor space…It’s lovely, I’ll be over at 4.
I love your beach cottage! Can my Southern Oregon mountain home have a beach cottage master bedroom? I think it can! And will – someday.
It is so light and airy at your place!
As for the teenager – well, my teen boy had ankle surgery, complete with metal plate under the skin, from riding a skateboard Thanksgiving-before-last. Not in a skatepark even, in a parking lot! He says, “Girls like scars, Mom!” Oh, and I guess having the metal detector go off at the airport is cool too?!!!
Keep us inspired and tell that boy to be careful – as if that helps…..huh?
So sorry about your son, I hope he is on the mend and no, it is not your fault. Whatever would make you think that?
I love the corner of your porch. I’m afraid am too clutter minded to ever achieve this look for long! LOL!! Maybe the opposite is true… You do however, prove over and over that easy elegance can be found on a budget. I just saw your daisy flower can decorated with string and I love this idea. I am going to try it as soon as I remember to buy string. Not what sort of clutter~bug wouldn’t have tons of string!!!
Hope Mr Teenage BC is on the mend quickly for you so you can have more fun thinking up new and different ways to recycle and repurpose things in your own creative and inspiring way. Thanks for the suggestions and nudge to get up and make our space a nicer place to be.
I hope Mr Teenage BC is not too seriously injured. I bet you wish you could wrap him up in cotton wool padding before letting him loose on the skate park. Has your heart stopped pounding yet Sarah?
Beautiful decking by the way.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I love the wicker couch. That isn’t from indoors, is it? If not, where did you get it? I love the shape and lines of it. My deck is “basically” finished. If you want to call having the floor put down finished. Can’t wait to decorate when it’s stained!
Brenda
I am in absolute love with both your cottage and your blog! I have a feeling my afternoon will be spent reading it. I would love to decorate in a theme similar to this, so I’m feeling very inspired!
Glad teenage BC is okay with just stitches. Thankfully teenage girls don’t requite so many trips to the ER. That’s probably the only “thankful” thing. haha…just kidding. Kind of. :S
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
Very restful Sarah, you have done a good job, and sounds like just what you needed after the skatepark incident – aren’t teenage boys just grand?!
Every little corner of your home is beautiful! Love your porch! Looks like a great place for your son to rest and recover too…
Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us!
I think that looks like the perfect outdoor corner to collapse in
All that’s missing is a nice cold drink (I’m thinking lemonade) 
Hope Mr Teenage BC is doing OK today. Getting bumps and bruises and cuts and stitches are all part of growing up. Better that you give him the freedom to do all those things than to try to protect him from it all. Growing up can be painful at times, but it has to be fun too
The cushion covers arrived safe and sound yesterday
They’re very beachy and pretty, and I’ve posted about them here:
http://design-ties.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaways-coming-out-ying-yang.html
Thank you, Sarah!!
Kelly
What a great place to knit or read a book. So cozy!!
Such a beautiful look. I also love candles clustered like that… Especially in the daylight, creates such a lovely mood (even when im not feeling lovely ha)! Kellie
Sarah – I really love what you did with your patio! It looks so cozy and inviting out there, especially with the candles and comfy pillows. Thank you for the inspiration!
Blessings,
Marie
Great ideas u have.. That deck looks great.. I’ve started recycling my stuff around.. I use to collect birdhouses… a bunch were made from a guy who took wood from torn down barns… he even used spindles off of bannisters and drilled holes in them and made mini ones.. decorative of course.. those I have put in various parts of my backyard slope and in and around trees..
It looks so pretty, Sarah. We have family coming over this week, and I need to get out and clean up and beautify our deck a bit. Right now it looks pretty terrible. Yours looks great!
Love this little space. Sorry to hear about Teen Beach Boy. I have a skater (as in skateboarder) myself and last year he broke his foot. He’s 18.5 years old now and is still a stupid skater. Still gets hurt, still has no fear.
Okay, back to your little outdoor space…It’s lovely, I’ll be over at 4.
I would want to sit out there in the evenings and have a a nice chat with my hubby.
Cheri
http://www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
How lovely. It’s perfect. The comfy cushions, the lantern, the candles. Soooo nice!
Fantastic! Looks so tranquil. (sp?)
Such a lovely place to relax! I love it, all the lanterns and candles? Divine!
So sorry about the ER visit, yikes! Glad he is OK!
Happy day!
Popped in from SITS to say hi! What a lovely porch!
It looks so wonderful & relaxing.
love
Alison
x
Um, that is gorgeous and relaxing! So jealous!
I love your beach cottage! Can my Southern Oregon mountain home have a beach cottage master bedroom? I think it can! And will – someday.
It is so light and airy at your place!
As for the teenager – well, my teen boy had ankle surgery, complete with metal plate under the skin, from riding a skateboard Thanksgiving-before-last. Not in a skatepark even, in a parking lot! He says, “Girls like scars, Mom!” Oh, and I guess having the metal detector go off at the airport is cool too?!!!
Keep us inspired and tell that boy to be careful – as if that helps…..huh?
ps. just posted a scrap/craft room re-do online too – http://patinamarie.blogspot.com
How I wish I could enjoy a place like that. Beautiful and cozy .
Stopping by from SITS to say hello
I love your deck couch. It looks so inviting. I would spend hours out on the deck if it were mine.
Hello Sarah! This is a beautiful spot….a great place to sit with some tea and favorite deco mag in hand!
Blessings,
Rachel
Oh I feel for you. We have the 4 stitches in the forehead at the moment. A basketball incident with an elbow deliberately put in.
It looks fabulous. So much more fun when you can use thrifted and cheap buys with your own bits and pieces.
Alison
I can almost smell the rosemary plant — looks so inviting, I hope you get a few minutes of peace to enjoy!
Sarah,
So sorry about your son, I hope he is on the mend and no, it is not your fault. Whatever would make you think that?
I love the corner of your porch. I’m afraid am too clutter minded to ever achieve this look for long! LOL!! Maybe the opposite is true… You do however, prove over and over that easy elegance can be found on a budget. I just saw your daisy flower can decorated with string and I love this idea. I am going to try it as soon as I remember to buy string. Not what sort of clutter~bug wouldn’t have tons of string!!!
Have a wonderful week, Sarah!
xoxo
Jane
Hope Mr Teenage BC is on the mend quickly for you so you can have more fun thinking up new and different ways to recycle and repurpose things in your own creative and inspiring way. Thanks for the suggestions and nudge to get up and make our space a nicer place to be.
I love grouping candles together like you have done here too. Wonderful post yet again.
Eek…sorry to hear about Mister TBC.
Your porch…fabulous. I love the plant wrapped in the burlap. You really are the burlap queen!
I hope Mr Teenage BC is not too seriously injured. I bet you wish you could wrap him up in cotton wool padding before letting him loose on the skate park. Has your heart stopped pounding yet Sarah?
Beautiful decking by the way.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
love your beach cottage! love your inspiration pics! from a fellow sydney sider & mother of a skate boarding teenager..
I love the wicker couch. That isn’t from indoors, is it? If not, where did you get it? I love the shape and lines of it. My deck is “basically” finished. If you want to call having the floor put down finished. Can’t wait to decorate when it’s stained!
Brenda
I am in absolute love with both your cottage and your blog! I have a feeling my afternoon will be spent reading it. I would love to decorate in a theme similar to this, so I’m feeling very inspired!
Glad teenage BC is okay with just stitches. Thankfully teenage girls don’t requite so many trips to the ER. That’s probably the only “thankful” thing. haha…just kidding. Kind of. :S
I love this area of your home – so peaceful!