G'day sweet blogging friends, how the devil are you all and how glad are you that it's Friday? I know I am very pleased, not that the weekend is always that relaxing with the pace of the kiddos life but I dunno I've always loved Friday nights and Saturdays, always loved Saturday, sandwiched in the middle of the weekend…possibilities all over the show.
We are off for dinner on Saturday night at a very nice (are you reading?) friend's and then the weekend is the start of the school holidays so bring on the laying around in pj's til mid-day and no schedules.
So this week with Mr BC flitting around all busy, one day I came in quite late with the Beach Cottage Kiddos, up to my eyes in school bags, stinky sports clothes, children's artwork, you know, and opened the door to a fairly clean and tidy cottage and lit candles. Now how nice can that be? Very very nice (for more inspiration go toMelissa'sFriday round-up).
Little things like that mean a whole lot to me…that feeling of coming home to something calming, low light so I can't see the grubby evidence of boys, tidy so I don't trip over things kids have left on the floor and the sofa plumped and ready for me to plonk down on with a Peroni. Am I the only one who gets pleasure from little things like that? I am the proverbial cheap date – give me a plumped sofa, dollar store candle and muted light over a trip to the Shangri-la.
Here's what's there when I open the door, a skinny old white hallway with lots of doors and as many candles (I'm hooked on them) and pieces of white furniture as possible…yep that's one of those candle chandys that always looks like it's the one who has drunk the Peroni's and wavers a tad precariously when lit…like it?
Now go on, tonight, conceal the boy grunge and light as many candles as you can find for the weekend…
~~~
OK, so let's move on to pillows, shall we, finally I've gotten around to this and hopefully I've worked out the Paypal button thingy properly, phew!
There are only a few of these, a very few – of course, shipping internationally (click the pic orhere).
I don't need to tell you I love these, if you've been here for a while you'll probably have seen them around and about – I love the way the stripe hints at nautical but is still simple enough to work easily with other things, like vintage things or thrifted things…you know
…these freshen up and give a little modern coastal twist to those old battered finds out junking…
And, next week I'll have some of the other ones I love, the blue and putty stipe, if you are interested in those, you can pre-order by emailing me at abeachcottageblog@gmail.com.
That's all for now beauties, signing off from Down Under, have a good one!
Wow…really wonderful. White is …always so fantastic. I am working on my living room…busy making much of it…white. I still have to do the coffee table. Some things I can’t do..but…so far..so good. I’m learning how to paint…right!
Your home is amazing!
Oh Sarah,
I’m trying to picture the mister flitting about… when husbands flit they tend to look like awkward baby birds instead of butterflies, don’t you think?
That’s a heck of a good deal on the pillows! The page is beautifully done.
I’ve converted my Mr to candle light too and he even has his fav scented ones. I think we all look better seen through the dim light of candles – hmmm…perhaps this is why my Mr likessto look at me over the candles. LOL.
Right now I am loving the Vanilla ones from IKEA.
Hope you have a lovely weekend and school holiday break.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Dear Sarah,
I love your home and I really enjoy every new post. Your hallway looks tiny but so airy (you have an eye for this) and your bed is a dream.
I know what you mean…give me candles, bubbles (either in a glass or a bath – or both!) a good DVD or music and a magazine and I’m happy. Great way to spend a Friday night! Have a lovely weekend
Love candles, I have converted all my boys and hubby too. When son no. 3 sets the table (quite infrequently I might add!!!) he always puts candles and flowers on the table too. Not bad for a ten year old.
Your school holidays are starting alot later than ours. We have just had three weeks off and all are back on Monday. It is nice not having to get up so early and enjoying a bit of a sleep in.
hi sarah…..what a lovely start to your school holidays..
(both my boys are in their 3rd yr of uni..so a bit out of touch re hols etc..but I know vic kids go back this monday!!)…the local grammar school is just down the road..so havent had to share the mad rush of mums 4 wheel drive pick up!!…
LOVE the cushions…lovely..simple..elegant..
hope you have a lovely weekend..
Oh our home is filled to the brim with candles, I always seem to buy candle holders when I want a treat! I actually bought a pretty new one the other day too!
Have a wonderful weekend
love
Alison
x
Great pillows! I’m trying to picture them in my house right now, and oh they’d be perfect. I love your entryway too. It looks like it leads to a wonderful fantasy-land where time moves slower and everything feels soft and quiet. Have a really fantastic weekend!
Every time I go away for a few days with my family I come home to a tidied apartment, thanks to my thoughtful sweetie. I appreciate it because I know that while I’m away the mice will play, so to speak, and I can just imagine him scurrying about in the impending hours to my return, tidying up. Candles would make it even better!
I really love the way you have a slight beach influence in your home but not too much, as there is a line that must not be crossed and you haven’t crossed it…………. It’s perfect. XXXX
LOL on the cheap date
How true though, everything looks more beautiful by candlelight.
Have a wonderful weekend brewing up new ideas for casual beachy cottage finds.
I love your house and the neutral palett! So very soothing! I wonder how that would fly at my house with our two boys. I’ve tried neutral in our bedroom and I find that I am bleaching and washing more often LOL.
I read your blog avidly, and I love this picture of your hallway! And I have a request- I’d love to see a photo of this little cabinet with glass doors from the other angle, to see what it looks like a little better. It’s so cute from the side, I’m sure it’s even prettier head on, and I’d love to see what you have in it and also hear the story of where you found it, how you redid it, etc. I love all of your furniture stories!
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
Your bedroom is like a cloud!
Beautiful style girl!
Love your style, everything is crisp and clean!! Gorgeous!
Wow…really wonderful. White is …always so fantastic. I am working on my living room…busy making much of it…white. I still have to do the coffee table. Some things I can’t do..but…so far..so good. I’m learning how to paint…right!
Your home is amazing!
Oh Sarah,
I’m trying to picture the mister flitting about… when husbands flit they tend to look like awkward baby birds instead of butterflies, don’t you think?
That’s a heck of a good deal on the pillows! The page is beautifully done.
Pleasant weekend
I’ve converted my Mr to candle light too and he even has his fav scented ones. I think we all look better seen through the dim light of candles – hmmm…perhaps this is why my Mr likessto look at me over the candles. LOL.
Right now I am loving the Vanilla ones from IKEA.
Hope you have a lovely weekend and school holiday break.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Dear Sarah,
I love your home and I really enjoy every new post. Your hallway looks tiny but so airy (you have an eye for this) and your bed is a dream.
Have a nice weekend, Nadine
I know what you mean…give me candles, bubbles (either in a glass or a bath – or both!) a good DVD or music and a magazine and I’m happy. Great way to spend a Friday night! Have a lovely weekend
ps… love the pillows!!!!
Love candles, I have converted all my boys and hubby too. When son no. 3 sets the table (quite infrequently I might add!!!) he always puts candles and flowers on the table too. Not bad for a ten year old.
Your school holidays are starting alot later than ours. We have just had three weeks off and all are back on Monday. It is nice not having to get up so early and enjoying a bit of a sleep in.
Enjoy you weekend.
A lovely Post Sarah!!! …. as always beautiful character filled photos
I’m actually not good with candles, I forget about them and go out while they’re still burning – now that is dangerous!
Happy School Holidays and Happy Weekend to all in the BC!
hi sarah…..what a lovely start to your school holidays..
(both my boys are in their 3rd yr of uni..so a bit out of touch re hols etc..but I know vic kids go back this monday!!)…the local grammar school is just down the road..so havent had to share the mad rush of mums 4 wheel drive pick up!!…
LOVE the cushions…lovely..simple..elegant..
hope you have a lovely weekend..
& look forward to your next post..
xx andrea
How wonderful of your husband! Very nice and sweet! Love the pillows. Take care, Caroline
Oh our home is filled to the brim with candles, I always seem to buy candle holders when I want a treat! I actually bought a pretty new one the other day too!
Have a wonderful weekend
love
Alison
x
Great pillows! I’m trying to picture them in my house right now, and oh they’d be perfect. I love your entryway too. It looks like it leads to a wonderful fantasy-land where time moves slower and everything feels soft and quiet. Have a really fantastic weekend!
Your entryway looks so beautiful and romantic! I really enjoy your sense of humor! Hugs ~cindy s~
Your posts only seem to get better and better. Each day is like a newfound inspiration. I just love it here.
Every time I go away for a few days with my family I come home to a tidied apartment, thanks to my thoughtful sweetie. I appreciate it because I know that while I’m away the mice will play, so to speak, and I can just imagine him scurrying about in the impending hours to my return, tidying up. Candles would make it even better!
I really love the way you have a slight beach influence in your home but not too much, as there is a line that must not be crossed and you haven’t crossed it…………. It’s perfect. XXXX
Inspiration is the perfect word for this blog! Clean, crisp, white, homey, comfort, elegance, and more!
As always Sarah – lovely photos I would love to find that hallway to greet me when I opened my door! Enjoy the holiday!
Great hallway – and love the wonky candle!
Great pillows too.
Have a lovely weekend
LOL on the cheap date
How true though, everything looks more beautiful by candlelight.
Have a wonderful weekend brewing up new ideas for casual beachy cottage finds.
Ah yes….it is the littlest things that truly make a home….thank you for sharing!
Many Blessings,
Melissa
I love your house and the neutral palett! So very soothing! I wonder how that would fly at my house with our two boys. I’ve tried neutral in our bedroom and I find that I am bleaching and washing more often LOL.
Thanks for sharing!
Amanda
I read your blog avidly, and I love this picture of your hallway! And I have a request- I’d love to see a photo of this little cabinet with glass doors from the other angle, to see what it looks like a little better. It’s so cute from the side, I’m sure it’s even prettier head on, and I’d love to see what you have in it and also hear the story of where you found it, how you redid it, etc. I love all of your furniture stories!
Elisabeth
Crisp and pretty! I am glad to find your blog! Have a lovely weekend, Christy