G’day bloggers, hope you are all sizzling in the heat and thinking of us Down Under where though hardly cold, (it hit 21C today on my walk by the sea), it is certainly chilly in the evenings. Before I tell you about my beachy trunk love a couple of bits of news.
First I got featured earlier this week on Apartment Therapy, that’s good isn’t it…go take a look…
and second I’m guest posting atSandy’sthis week who persuades us all to open our homes to others and not worry about things like tatty old cottages on the wrong side of town…hop on over for recipes and advice to get you back in the groove of having people over without any stress…
Anyway after the tips on Monday I thought I’d put it into practice…a very old trunk, on it’s last legs some might feel, but for me when I came across it was just what I was looking for for an awkward space in the sitting room. A somewhat blank wall but because of it’s window and aspect is difficult to get most anything right in there…and as you can only too well imagine, I’ve had the males in this old cottage hauling lots of different pieces in and out of there til this one when it felt right.
I found this unique little baby at a sale all old and wearing time, and got it for $35, it’s very scratched and a teeny bit musty inside, but that’s ok, I wanted it more for it’s aesthetics than it’s storage capacity.
I did the dance when I got it as I had been looking out for a rustic, bit unusual wooden trunk, that with any luck had chunky old latches and was the right shade of weathered wood. I had come across a few others on my travels but the wood was paler and, yep, believe it or not, in the white world I live in, I wanted some natural dark wood for a pop against the backdrop.
Now, sorry but I can’t go on without telling you that I did seriously consider the paint treatmenton this one, you’ll be pleased to know that didn’t last too long - I rather loved it once it was in here with a few bits and bobs to dress it up on the top. And am I wrong to call this tablescaping? I am not sure of tabelscape etiquette, but I believe these little side table vignettes are great to fiddle about with so I’m including in my learning-to-dress-a-table-journey (find more tablescaping delights atBetween Naps on the Porchwith Susan.
What do you think? Do you think it adds a bit of vintage marine style to the sitting room as perthose tips the other day, even with those oh-so-girly pink beauties I pulled out of the front garden this morning?
Hi Sarah,
I think it’s absolutely perfect just as it is and yes a great buy. It’s very very hot here, almost 90 degrees, but I’m not complaining because I know winter will be here soon enough.
I’m so glad you didn’t paint it–I think your instinct for a dark wood contrast was dead on. It looks wonderful with all your other natural-colored surfaces, esp. the rug!
The “tablescape” (“trunkscape?”) looks wonderful, too. You’ve collected a really nice mix of textures there.
Natural elements like wood do shine beautifully in your beach themed cottage. What a lucky find that trunk is.
Did you see the Homemade show last night? One of the families said they wanted everything white, and I did cheer her on a bit, but what the designers did with the navy walls and white furnishings was very classy. I am sticking with my white though.
great trunk! although i like a bit of timber amongst the white i think this one is too dark for your cottage. i’d paint it white..
congratulations on the apartment therapy feature! looks great as usual.
cheryl
Oh I love that trunk/chest it was definitely worth $35. Lucky I didn’t see it, I might have had to race you for it…well you would have beat me anyway…great find! Kiss Noises Linda
I love it, I think the natural wood looks great mixed in with your white, what a fantastic buy! Now I have just bought this great old kitchen unit off Ebay. I am guessing its maybe 1950,s and I am going to use it as a sideboard in my loungeroom. Its painted green with cream underneath, not sure what I am going to do with it yet, maybe either paint it white or strip it back to some natural wood……..It seems that my house is becoming a total mismatch of furniture from all over the place and I am not to sure whether it all actually goes or just looks plain ridiculous!!!
Sarah Thank you for visiting my new blog and making me feel so welcome! I love your blog and will be back soon to visit! I really love how you show the beautiful details, I will come back and take notes, I love to learn new beautiful things. Take care…Rose
Just found your blog thru 4RE, and I’m so glad I did. Beautiful photos. I too, live on the beach in Sydney. Even though my own home is ultra-modern, I really enjoy looking at your beautiful cottage and the calm, relaxing beachy feel you’ve created there.
Congratulations on AT! I love the trunk as is…and I paint furniture all the time…but love this in its natural wood color! Thanks for visiting my blog…you have a wonderful blog and I look forward to following it! Take care, Caroline
I love the trunk, and your photographs are wonderful. Thank you for stopping by my blog for a visit because now I know about your fabulous blog!
xo Gigi
It could be indeed a sea captains trunk…, if such a think actually does exist. I think I have heard about it somewhere, hmmmm. It looks great, and I suppose you could put a lining in it too.
Congrats!… I love old trunks u can use them anywhere and any place… and that tray of shells and flowers are so pretty…I wish I could get that lucky and find one like that…I love your style
Congrats on your feature. Love the trunk and the way you are displaying it. Enjoy the cool weather. The heat index here today is 105 Fahrenheit! We are staying inside!
Congratulations are in order, Sarah! You are such a talented girl. And with such personality you bring people flocking to you! I would have paid a LOT more for that old trunk, believe me! You got one hell of a deal.
Brenda
Sarah, please…tell me…can your home get any prettier…really, I mean it….your blog is like a total comfort zone. I relax and enjoy it so much. Thanks!!!!!!
Congratulations on A.T. feature. You definitely SHOULD be featured! Love your trunk. I love that it is sort of shallow and doesn’t stick out into the room, and the wood color is beautiful! What a deal! laurie
I found you a few days ago from somewhere. I added you to my fav’s because I just love your decorating style. Oh maybe it was at relunctant entertainers. Anyway. Love your blog. I’ll visit regularly to see what your up to.
Blessings,
Sherry
Kudos on the feature…I’ll be checking that out…I keep seeing peeks of pink! Is this becoming a new trend for ye ole beach cottage? I think it all started with that dresser!!! Beautiful photos Happy TT!
Hi Sarah! Love your blog. I will be back to visit! And what a great trunk. Good eye; good buy!! Thanks for your comment on my blog. To answer your question, I used what’s called Gorilla glue. It dries clear, which was important to me. And I wanted something that would hold, hold, hold. Krazy glue dries a bit too fast for me, but it’s good, too. I don’t use hot glue as it tends to melt over time in the humidity — and boy, do we have major humidity!! Can’t wait to see your mirror! cheers, -susan
Over from SITS. Love the trunk and the look of your beach house. Living in the midwest in the States and no ocean near by. I do miss the sea. The lakes just don’t cut it.
Will be back to see more refurb ideas.
I like the trunk a lot. I also like your tablescape and think that the pink camelias (those look like camelias) look great mixed with the sea shells. I like that combo.
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
Congrats on the AT feature! Love that site. Oh, and it’s 21C here as well, but that’s our version of summer here on the northwest coast;)
That trunk is truly the perfect piece, and I love how you’ve dressed it up with a mix of feminine and rustic bits and bobs.
Now I’m off to check that link, thanks!
Hi Sarah,
I think it’s absolutely perfect just as it is and yes a great buy. It’s very very hot here, almost 90 degrees, but I’m not complaining because I know winter will be here soon enough.
LeAnn:)
Perfection. What a terrific find, you lucky gal. And congrats on AT, or more correctly, congrats TO them for showcasing your lovely cottage
Sarah what a bargain. Love it as it is.
Alison
O! great find – lovely contrast against the whites. Congrats on the AT post!
I’m so glad you didn’t paint it–I think your instinct for a dark wood contrast was dead on. It looks wonderful with all your other natural-colored surfaces, esp. the rug!
The “tablescape” (“trunkscape?”) looks wonderful, too. You’ve collected a really nice mix of textures there.
Natural elements like wood do shine beautifully in your beach themed cottage. What a lucky find that trunk is.
Did you see the Homemade show last night? One of the families said they wanted everything white, and I did cheer her on a bit, but what the designers did with the navy walls and white furnishings was very classy. I am sticking with my white though.
You know that I LOVE it!
Love the accents too.
Rachel
great trunk! although i like a bit of timber amongst the white i think this one is too dark for your cottage. i’d paint it white..
congratulations on the apartment therapy feature! looks great as usual.
cheryl
Fabulous find Sarah!! As always, you make everything look gorgeous!
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love your blog with all this lovely pictures…
Wow, great trunk. I passed on one a while back and am regretting it now I have seen this. Congrats on apartment therapy.
Oh yeah, that sure was a gift at that price and I love that you have left it natural too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Oh I love that trunk/chest it was definitely worth $35. Lucky I didn’t see it, I might have had to race you for it…well you would have beat me anyway…great find! Kiss Noises Linda
I love it, I think the natural wood looks great mixed in with your white, what a fantastic buy! Now I have just bought this great old kitchen unit off Ebay. I am guessing its maybe 1950,s and I am going to use it as a sideboard in my loungeroom. Its painted green with cream underneath, not sure what I am going to do with it yet, maybe either paint it white or strip it back to some natural wood……..It seems that my house is becoming a total mismatch of furniture from all over the place and I am not to sure whether it all actually goes or just looks plain ridiculous!!!
Sarah Thank you for visiting my new blog and making me feel so welcome! I love your blog and will be back soon to visit! I really love how you show the beautiful details, I will come back and take notes, I love to learn new beautiful things. Take care…Rose
Just found your blog thru 4RE, and I’m so glad I did. Beautiful photos. I too, live on the beach in Sydney. Even though my own home is ultra-modern, I really enjoy looking at your beautiful cottage and the calm, relaxing beachy feel you’ve created there.
Congratulations on AT! I love the trunk as is…and I paint furniture all the time…but love this in its natural wood color! Thanks for visiting my blog…you have a wonderful blog and I look forward to following it! Take care, Caroline
I love the trunk, and your photographs are wonderful. Thank you for stopping by my blog for a visit because now I know about your fabulous blog!
xo Gigi
Is it the Australian light???? Why does your “white” always look almost magical!
m ^..^
Hi Sarah,
I agree not painting it was the way to go. Congrats on the mention in Apartment Therapy, how wonderful for you!
It could be indeed a sea captains trunk…, if such a think actually does exist. I think I have heard about it somewhere, hmmmm. It looks great, and I suppose you could put a lining in it too.
just wanted to say thank you for stopping by my blog and your lovley compliment about my pictures seeing how lovley yours are it realy made my day.
thanks
val
It’s beautiful. I love the deep color of the wood.
Hi,
Thanks for visiting my blog. Beautiful, beautiful pictures you have here. I will come back later…
That is the sort of box I dream of finding!
I have an old pine chest but it is a lot bigger and lower than that.
Congrats on being featured and guest posting too.
Wonderful, Perfect, Special.
Love everything you do.
Congratulations – you deserve it all.
Better than a Bargain! I love stopping in here to see your latest! Puts me at such peace… I am green with envy!
Cat
Congrats!… I love old trunks u can use them anywhere and any place… and that tray of shells and flowers are so pretty…I wish I could get that lucky and find one like that…I love your style
Congrats on your feature. Love the trunk and the way you are displaying it. Enjoy the cool weather. The heat index here today is 105 Fahrenheit! We are staying inside!
Christi
Congratulations are in order, Sarah! You are such a talented girl. And with such personality you bring people flocking to you! I would have paid a LOT more for that old trunk, believe me! You got one hell of a deal.
Brenda
Congratulations on the feature in Apartment Therapy!
Love the little trunk, and what a bargain! Your beautiful photograhy shows it up well.
Good job on the trunk, Sarah! You were right to leave it unpainted. What a deal. I look forward to reading your post on Sandi’s site.
Sarah, please…tell me…can your home get any prettier…really, I mean it….your blog is like a total comfort zone. I relax and enjoy it so much. Thanks!!!!!!
Congratulations on A.T. feature. You definitely SHOULD be featured! Love your trunk. I love that it is sort of shallow and doesn’t stick out into the room, and the wood color is beautiful! What a deal! laurie
That trunk is a great find, and you’ve dressed it up so well. I say yes, you most definitely can call that a tablescape
Love the pink flowers
KElly
Gorgeous trunk, it’s lean, beautifully shaped & has a clean lined solid latch… reminds me of a guy i used to know.
Hi Sarah! Beautiful trunk and as always, you’ve made the most gorgeous photos!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I found you a few days ago from somewhere. I added you to my fav’s because I just love your decorating style. Oh maybe it was at relunctant entertainers. Anyway. Love your blog. I’ll visit regularly to see what your up to.
Blessings,
Sherry
Kudos on the feature…I’ll be checking that out…I keep seeing peeks of pink! Is this becoming a new trend for ye ole beach cottage?
I think it all started with that dresser!!! 
Beautiful photos Happy TT!
Hi Sarah! Love your blog. I will be back to visit! And what a great trunk. Good eye; good buy!! Thanks for your comment on my blog. To answer your question, I used what’s called Gorilla glue. It dries clear, which was important to me. And I wanted something that would hold, hold, hold. Krazy glue dries a bit too fast for me, but it’s good, too. I don’t use hot glue as it tends to melt over time in the humidity — and boy, do we have major humidity!! Can’t wait to see your mirror! cheers, -susan
Beautiful photos and congrats on being on Apartment Therapy! That is so exciting!
I LOVE your old trunk. I don’t think you should do anything to the paint at all. It’s perfect just the way it is.
Over from SITS. Love the trunk and the look of your beach house. Living in the midwest in the States and no ocean near by. I do miss the sea. The lakes just don’t cut it.
Will be back to see more refurb ideas.
How cute!
Love how you kept it! and hurray for those lovely blogs for featuring such a talented gal!
LuLu
It’s perfect!!!
What a great find ! It looks perfect ! love your beach house
I can already tell you have a beautiful blog and I will be back when I have more time to look around a bit. Thanks for stopping by my place..
I like the trunk a lot. I also like your tablescape and think that the pink camelias (those look like camelias) look great mixed with the sea shells. I like that combo.
Congrats on the honors, too.
XO,
Sheila