G'day lovelies, hope you all enjoyed the weekend. Mine included sport. More Sport. And Sport.
Including me and can I just tell you that I could barely get out of bed this morning – you know that feeling when you exercise properly after a bit of a break and then the next day you feel like someone went over you with a steam roller. Yep that was me, I had to lift my leg with my hands to put the foot brake on the car…
But back to old pink dressers that have not been morphed and seeing as so many got in touch to see whether it had been shipped off to the dump I thought I'd show you where we were at.
Hmmm, are you surprised to see it still pink?
Well I don't know if you've noticed but I've got a bit of a colour thing going on here lately, inspired by a new interior/decorating book that blends using vintage thrifty things with white and simple elegance and it's got me all revved up for a bit of nostalgia in the cottage.
And, to be utterly truthful, after the message from the reader Susheela Myers, (you can read what she said here) I just couldn't stomach painting her white to have her 'slumped in the corner' and then dismally regretting it. And besides that's how this whole journey started using old vintage chippy furniture with a faded patina against a backdrop of white and neutrals with a few nautical inspired things thrown in for good measure (and gohere for more).
Recently we had a move around…this got me to thinking about the lack of storage all around in the kitchen and how, though I love open shelving, this can look somewhat messy unless you are sergeant major-like in your putting-away and seeing as three kids have chores of dishwasherputting away while I lie idly around on the sofa, this is not the best recipe for ummm, aesthetically pleasing style.
Soooo, I saw a dresser in a magazine article on kitchens, right next to some very modern units, used to store tea towels and napery, it said. So I thought I would give mine a go in the breakfast room, to store napery and my much thumbed, some looking a bit daggy cookbooks and those oh-so-annoying plastic things that you seem to accumulate and not use until one day when you desperately need a plastic storage container and then realise that you threw them out in a de-cluttering fit.
And so I'm thinking it's not too bad – a decorating storage solution for 20 odd bucks?
What about you, and seeing as a whole load of you lovely gals took the time to let me know last time (some even coming out of lurkdom, woot woot) what you thought and had me in absolute quandaries over what to do, I'd love to hear what you think?? But more importantly, are its pink days numbered? wink*
oh and remember the burlap sack love I experienced, well go and visitPetit Coterie where you will find these lovely oh-so-rustic pillows for your beach cottage, all expertly hand stitched – I came across these in blogland this weekend and don't know anywhere in Australia where I might find such beautiful hand crafted real French delights…but these are spot on, the Ampersand ones are maybe even better, if, of course, that is possible
…and no I am in no way affiliated , just sharing the positive love, as per the powerful post at French Essence,
* MY “happy guess”, Sarah, is that VERRRY SHORTLY (if not ALREADY), you won’t know how you ever got along WITHOUT that terriffic piece~ and specifically, where it is & how USEFUL it’s proving to be!!!
I find it not only uber-charming, but the color itself is sooooo soft & understated, that it shouldn’t “compete” with anything~~~~ I think it’s a lovely “marriage” with your home!
I love the pink dresser. I’m glad you didn’t paint it. Sometimes things are better left the way they are. Love the pillows and keep on sharing. Happy Thrifty Monday.
hi there down under! i just arrived here, thank you for visiting my blog!
i’ve been reading about your story and i am amazed and inspired! i love it when people do things that make them utterly happy, if it means moving to another place, so be it. i myself moved from finland to sweden as a 19 year old, not too big of a leap but challenge for me anyway since my safety net, family and friends, were in finland. 2006 i moved to shanghai, loved it, but stayed only about a year. i am so inspired about your story and will be returning here to read some more! your house is beautiful too so i just add you to my blogroll and keep me updated on your budget finds. best of wishes from rainy and cold stockholm!
Not sure if my other comment went through or not. But I’ll try again. I really loved this blog as I stumbled upon it. I think your work in doing this pink dresser is wonderful. It looks very well done. I checked your other blog..inspiration..you have some wonderful talent. I’m really impressed. I have always loved thinking about living by the ocean. I’ve visited it a few times here in the States, but to have a beach cottage must be wonderful. Your pictures make it look like we’re really there with you. Well done!
Sarah, you know that is such a lovely shade of pink, so I’m glad you decided to keep it. It actually looks quite at home there in your beach cottage & I just think it’s fun to mix it all up and not get too predictable. Good decision on this one! Love that piece.
Oh please don’t mess with it! The soft pink provides just enough contrast to your slip covered chairs and it is chipped to perfection! It’s beautiful and functional. How great is that!
Absolutely perfect as always! Your cottage is delightful. And, you’ve a wicked sense of humor. I always laugh out loud when I read about the pain you feel after having exercised ~ me too!
I love the pink! Also, first time visiting your blog….and your beach cottage is my dream cottage. I love it! The colors, furniture, accessories are perfect. Well done!
Please, please, please….s t e p a w a y from your can of w h i t e p a i n t!!! Please leave her pink…she is so pretty sitting there in all her faded glory…let her continue to grow old gracefully. Like the beauty of an older woman’s gray hair and smile wrinkles (I should know)…let her be. Thanks for letting me vent…whew!!!!
You can’t imagine how thrilled I was to see my burlap pillow on your fabulous blog. Thank you for the kind words. Alison from sotreadsoftly sent me a wonderful note as I am having a giveaway and she wanted to enter you.
I love the soft pink and I think it looks wonderful right where it’s at.
Merci
it is just perfect, when will you come out with your own book or magazine…better then any home and garden…if I went to your home for a visit, my eyes would never shut, I love this pink dresser, so amazing….~janice
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
* MY “happy guess”, Sarah, is that VERRRY SHORTLY (if not ALREADY), you won’t know how you ever got along WITHOUT that terriffic piece~ and specifically, where it is & how USEFUL it’s proving to be!!!
I find it not only uber-charming, but the color itself is sooooo soft & understated, that it shouldn’t “compete” with anything~~~~ I think it’s a lovely “marriage” with your home!
Warmest,
Linda in AZ *
I love the pink dresser. I’m glad you didn’t paint it. Sometimes things are better left the way they are. Love the pillows and keep on sharing. Happy Thrifty Monday.
I’m undecided about the colour but do love where you have put it. Now it has a use and will be treasured no matter what colour it is.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I love that she’s still pink and what a great storage idea for the kitchen! Hope you’re keeping warm in this freezing cold sydney weather. xx
hi there down under! i just arrived here, thank you for visiting my blog!
i’ve been reading about your story and i am amazed and inspired! i love it when people do things that make them utterly happy, if it means moving to another place, so be it. i myself moved from finland to sweden as a 19 year old, not too big of a leap but challenge for me anyway since my safety net, family and friends, were in finland. 2006 i moved to shanghai, loved it, but stayed only about a year. i am so inspired about your story and will be returning here to read some more! your house is beautiful too so i just add you to my blogroll and keep me updated on your budget finds. best of wishes from rainy and cold stockholm!
passed by from sits, liked the dresser…i love vintge furniture
My vote…definitely pink. It compliments the muted tones with a subtle addition of color. Very elegant.
Tina
Wow, reminds me of those we see in decorating magazines.
Have a terrific week, from a SITSta.
I am not really a ‘pink person’ but I totally love this piece! I think it is subtle enough that it works and it’s orginal-even better!
I really think you did an excellent job in pink. It looks really great. What great photos too!
As usual – beautiful and inspiring! Love the pink.
Sarah, it looks great tucked in that corner. I knew you’d make the right choice for it!
Hugs,
Gina
Not sure if my other comment went through or not. But I’ll try again. I really loved this blog as I stumbled upon it. I think your work in doing this pink dresser is wonderful. It looks very well done. I checked your other blog..inspiration..you have some wonderful talent. I’m really impressed. I have always loved thinking about living by the ocean. I’ve visited it a few times here in the States, but to have a beach cottage must be wonderful. Your pictures make it look like we’re really there with you. Well done!
Sarah, you know that is such a lovely shade of pink, so I’m glad you decided to keep it. It actually looks quite at home there in your beach cottage & I just think it’s fun to mix it all up and not get too predictable. Good decision on this one! Love that piece.
Sarah – love little “pinky’s” new home. And I’m happy she kept her coat. Great idea to house some of your kitchen things.
Blessings,
Marie
GOrgeous = simply beautiful! Your styling, the ambience, the rooms – it’s just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing !
don’t mess with perfection!!
Oh please don’t mess with it! The soft pink provides just enough contrast to your slip covered chairs and it is chipped to perfection! It’s beautiful and functional. How great is that!
I forgot to ask in my last comment. May I add your wonderful blog to my blog list “take me away blogs to read”?
Absolutely perfect as always! Your cottage is delightful. And, you’ve a wicked sense of humor. I always laugh out loud when I read about the pain you feel after having exercised ~ me too!
I vote yes! to pink…
I like the pink dresser! It’s so sweet!
I love the pink! Also, first time visiting your blog….and your beach cottage is my dream cottage. I love it! The colors, furniture, accessories are perfect. Well done!
Ashley
Please leave it pink. I love it.
I love the dresser and the pink. It’s different, you know. You could have a white dresser anytime!
Sorry I’m not loving the pink. I do love the piece itself though.
I think it looks great! You’ll get a lot of function using it near the kitchen! Really pretty!
Please, please, please….s t e p a w a y from your can of w h i t e p a i n t!!! Please leave her pink…she is so pretty sitting there in all her faded glory…let her continue to grow old gracefully. Like the beauty of an older woman’s gray hair and smile wrinkles (I should know)…let her be. Thanks for letting me vent…whew!!!!
You can’t imagine how thrilled I was to see my burlap pillow on your fabulous blog. Thank you for the kind words. Alison from sotreadsoftly sent me a wonderful note as I am having a giveaway and she wanted to enter you.
I love the soft pink and I think it looks wonderful right where it’s at.
Merci
I love the dresser! It’s just great! Pink is the only way!
Hugs,Lisa
Hi Sarah!
I think the pink it utterly Perfect!!
She’s the perfect aged pink! Keep it! Toni
it is just perfect, when will you come out with your own book or magazine…better then any home and garden…if I went to your home for a visit, my eyes would never shut, I love this pink dresser, so amazing….~janice
Where did you find that lovely French grain sack motif pillow?