I had a very different weekend to the one last weekend- went to two garage sales on Sat morning, both hideous and enough to put anyone off the sport, for sure.
Of course, what you do at the weekend, is often dictated to by the weather, is it not?. Here in Sydney, however, weather dictation doesn't happen too much – it is more often than not do-able weather to do just about anything you want. That's why we love it here.
But today was grey and cool and dictated that we shelve our beach plans and instead took a bush walk and built a fire at the lake and sat around it poking sticks in it and cooking brunch. Cool. Think I'll blog the pictures, if you like…
So being indoors because of the grey, I got some time to just have a tidy up and do some adjusting, I like doing that and I morphed (find more makeovers over at Susan's blog Between Naps On the Porch) this revolting old plant stand I picked up for a few dollars into an end-of-the-bed storage piece for linen and things…
When I saw it I had little idea what to do with it, what caught my eye was the texture – I thought it would go well with the neutral pallette. I knew I'd like it in white, but then again I think it would sing in a Frenchy grey.
I just remembered half way through the primer to take the before shot. Whaddya think – would you have seen any potential in this piece of old junk that looked like someone attacked it with a can of spray paint?
So I did the treatment on it – first I gave it a quick couple of coats of primer and then a top one of beachy white. It was a lot less fiddly to do than I thought it would be, to be honest I put it off for ages because I thought the weave would make it one of those hideous little projects that you start, that doesn't get finished and then just sits in the garage looking forlorn.
I wasn't sure what to do with it, I knew I didn't want it on the deck, I thought it was a bit too, you know,'cutesy' so I used it to store blankets and throws at the foot of the bed, because in this climate, though of course, very nice, from one day to the next in the winter the temperature can change quite substantially – so it's great to have a place to stack a few things to grab when it gets chilly.
Does it inspire you to go out and thrift a piece of junk to re-purpose – will it has made me happy…
Well it's Sunday night here, I have a couple of roast chickens in the oven and a huge pot bubbling with stock – I'm making it like crazy for this weeks meals – to keep away the flu.
Then I've decided to get my sewing machine out and make a new tote, then I've made a spa appointment with the bathtub – I don't know if you ever do this, but I plan a time when I will lock myself away with a nice drink, a heap of bubbles, a beauty treatment (surely need 'em) and a good book. On the agenda this Sunday night is a Pilsner beer, a homemade foot scrub I recently discovered, a bath bomb from Lush and Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth.
Oh and I was wondering if you could help me with Technorati? Apparently, according to them, I haven't updated this blog for 89 days- and yep I've pinged them a million times and tried to get help.
So, if you have a minute can you click the link and 'favorite' me and see if that does anything…only of course if you lurve my cottage
I'd like my Technorati to be correct. Phew. Love this techno stuff. Keeps me young
rugs IKEA
plant stand thrifted, paint Dulux Antique White USA
throws Bed Bath & Table
birdcage thrifted
white bedspread thrifted
wall colour Dulux Whisper White
linen Margaraet Muir, Shabby Chic
comforter * IKEA
white pillows garage sale
blinds & drapes IKEA
oh and my lovely good blogging friend Rhoda, one of the bloggers who first inspired me to start A Beach Cottage a year ago and has much to tell about treasure hunting and making-over, has a brand spanking new website, hop on over and deluge her with comments, she's hosts a great thrift show and tell on Mondays…
What a great find, my friend! I didn’t find a ton this weekend, but my sweetie and I had a great time together roaming around. Love your paint treatment on the old planter.
My art deco dresser is done! I’ll be posting it a little later today. Thanks for all your help & inspiration.
OK So we live in the same city, but I never see great bargains like this. I know you have to have the ‘Beach Cottage Eye’, but Sarah you have taught us well.. I need to get out more! Gorgeous work!
Oh, this is lovely! I see these types of planters around (my mom even had one while I was growing up), but never knew they could be so chic. Great job. I love the pillows and linens in it.
Such an amazing project! I saw it and started thinking about where could I use such a cool item. Heck with that, where could I find something like that!? LOL.
As usual, perfection in white.
Don’t blame you for “stocking” up on the soup. My carpenter Robert was planning a 63 day cruise in Australia in October, but changed his mind due to the swine flu epidemic. I “lurve” your wicker “end of the bed” piece. Does have wonderful texture and tickles my fancy!
Brenda
What a delightful use for the plant stand. I love it, and I must admit, I’m a bit envious of your regular lovely weather, but I am happy you are able to enjoy it! Have a great spa-appointment – sounds like a great way to end a weekend.
What a clever idea to use this to store pillows and blankets… I love it! I see these kinds of planters all the time in small antique shops here and there. I bet it would also work well in a bathroom to hold rolled up towels.
I love the transformation from plant stand to storing pillows and blankets. What a FABULOUS idea!! I think that would look great in my bedroom too. I’ll have to get on the hunt for one.
Your room is amazingly gorgeous, Sarah! I love how you used the plant stand. I bought one of those a couple years ago. It’s on the back porch. I like your idea better.
OMG… I skip out of blogland for a week or so and look what you get up to. Love the re-do’s, the chicken soup and yes, yes, the black mirror.
Gorgeous wedding gown by the way.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I have never seen such a cute plant stand. It’s gorgeous and what a great purpose you have found for it, so practical. I love when I can come up with a fresh idea like that. You know you love something but sometimes it takes a bit to work out just the place and purpose for it. Love it!
This is really brilliant – it adds texture to the room but gives a place to store the bed pillows at night until you make the bed in the morning. Really like it.
Really like your redo!
Know what you mean about this “tech.” stuff. I added Firefox as a browser this weekend, and lost my Feed list that I subscribe to and have not figured out how to get the list back or set up a new list.
Glenda
oooh I love your plant stand! What a brilliant job and a great way to put it to good use! Look forward to seeing the weekend snaps, sounds like a fun time was had by all.
Hello Sarah – of course I go crazy over anything you find and make-over, but this plant stand is ultra fab! I love the color you chose and to put it at the foot of your bed and use to hold your pillows? What? That’s such a great idea! Thank you for sharing so many of your secrets with us.
That is a gorgeous plant stand. I wish I could have seen a before picture, I can’t imagine it looking horrible. It looks so lovely at the end of your bed, you are amazing!! Hugs ~cindy s~
you are so clever! i’m always looking for thrifty buys to re-purpose, but this plant stand/linen holder would never have occured to me, and it’s just fantastic. great job!
Okay, so i didn’t read ALL of the other comments, so there is a chance somebody else mentioned this idea …. the plant stand being used as a blanket/pillow holder is wonderful!!! Another great/creative way to use one is for cold beverages. Line it with either a plastic plant or metal type liner. On one end place a deep squarish plastic “ice bin” and attach tongs (via a cord), fill the rest with ice as well, but in it place cans of pop, or bottles or beer, or some beverage – and in one corner have a large stack of cups.
Underneath you can put a plastic bag lined wicker basket for empty containers.
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
What a great find, my friend! I didn’t find a ton this weekend, but my sweetie and I had a great time together roaming around. Love your paint treatment on the old planter.
My art deco dresser is done! I’ll be posting it a little later today. Thanks for all your help & inspiration.
OK So we live in the same city, but I never see great bargains like this. I know you have to have the ‘Beach Cottage Eye’, but Sarah you have taught us well.. I need to get out more! Gorgeous work!
I gave you an award. Go to my blog to check it out Its So Very Cheri
Cheri
Oh, this is lovely! I see these types of planters around (my mom even had one while I was growing up), but never knew they could be so chic. Great job. I love the pillows and linens in it.
Love the plant stand makeover, just perfect at the end of the bed!
Such an amazing project! I saw it and started thinking about where could I use such a cool item. Heck with that, where could I find something like that!? LOL.
As usual, perfection in white.
Have a blessed Sunday.
That looks terrific…… and practical and useful too , which makes the hard work even more worthwhile !!!!!
Don’t blame you for “stocking” up on the soup. My carpenter Robert was planning a 63 day cruise in Australia in October, but changed his mind due to the swine flu epidemic. I “lurve” your wicker “end of the bed” piece. Does have wonderful texture and tickles my fancy!
Brenda
What a delightful use for the plant stand. I love it, and I must admit, I’m a bit envious of your regular lovely weather, but I am happy you are able to enjoy it! Have a great spa-appointment – sounds like a great way to end a weekend.
Absolutely LOVE it!!!
m ^..^
This looks perfect at the end of the bed! Love how you’ve worked it into the decor. I would certainly like to see campfire brunch pics
Gorgeous room, im envious!
What a clever idea to use this to store pillows and blankets… I love it! I see these kinds of planters all the time in small antique shops here and there. I bet it would also work well in a bathroom to hold rolled up towels.
Thanks for sharing.
I love the transformation from plant stand to storing pillows and blankets. What a FABULOUS idea!! I think that would look great in my bedroom too. I’ll have to get on the hunt for one.
Very cute and very handy to have at the end of the bed for blankets, throw pillows, etc.!
i had an antique plant stand like this that i sold when i cleaned out my parents’ home. i love how you used this and wish i had kept mine!
You have a great eye, finding what something could be! Thanks for sharing
Great makeover Sarah. What type of primer do you start with
Alison
I love your transformation. That is a guest room anyone would love to stay in!
Very cool and handy too ! Love the color !
Hugs ~ Kammy
Such a lovely and clever use for a plant stand! The extra bedding looks lovely and it really compliements your pretty bedframe!
Tina
Hi Alison
thanks I started with Zinsser – great primer!
Sarah
I love it! And what a great way to use it! It looks beautiful there!
Your room is amazingly gorgeous, Sarah! I love how you used the plant stand. I bought one of those a couple years ago. It’s on the back porch. I like your idea better.
OMG… I skip out of blogland for a week or so and look what you get up to. Love the re-do’s, the chicken soup and yes, yes, the black mirror.
Gorgeous wedding gown by the way.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Sarah,
I love your plant stand at the end of the bed. What a great use for it too!
Gretchen
What a cute way to re-purpose this planter! It fits in just perfectly with that sweet room.
Sue
I have never seen such a cute plant stand. It’s gorgeous and what a great purpose you have found for it, so practical. I love when I can come up with a fresh idea like that. You know you love something but sometimes it takes a bit to work out just the place and purpose for it. Love it!
Your room is just “beachy”! Love your ideas and the colors are so soothing.
I love what you did with the plant stand. It is perfect for a guest room.
Jane
The stand is beautiful and it looks great at the end of your bed. Good job!! Connie
Your plant stand re-do is fabulous Sarah! Don’t you just love Pillars of the Earth? Great book! Happy Monday.
Your bedroom looks so serene; I could sure nap well in there! Love your plant basket-thing in your room; very nice idea
This is really brilliant – it adds texture to the room but gives a place to store the bed pillows at night until you make the bed in the morning. Really like it.
Really like your redo!
Know what you mean about this “tech.” stuff. I added Firefox as a browser this weekend, and lost my Feed list that I subscribe to and have not figured out how to get the list back or set up a new list.
Glenda
oooh I love your plant stand! What a brilliant job and a great way to put it to good use! Look forward to seeing the weekend snaps, sounds like a fun time was had by all.
What a wonderful idea! It looks beautiful!
Looks great..wonderful place for towels, etc!
Hello Sarah – of course I go crazy over anything you find and make-over, but this plant stand is ultra fab! I love the color you chose and to put it at the foot of your bed and use to hold your pillows? What? That’s such a great idea! Thank you for sharing so many of your secrets with us.
Blessings,
Marie
I absolutely love your room! The white is gorgeous!
I don’t see how that plantstand could have ever been revolting! It’s just gorgeous there at the end of your bed! Love it!
That is a gorgeous plant stand. I wish I could have seen a before picture, I can’t imagine it looking horrible. It looks so lovely at the end of your bed, you are amazing!! Hugs ~cindy s~
you are so clever! i’m always looking for thrifty buys to re-purpose, but this plant stand/linen holder would never have occured to me, and it’s just fantastic. great job!
Okay, so i didn’t read ALL of the other comments, so there is a chance somebody else mentioned this idea …. the plant stand being used as a blanket/pillow holder is wonderful!!! Another great/creative way to use one is for cold beverages. Line it with either a plastic plant or metal type liner. On one end place a deep squarish plastic “ice bin” and attach tongs (via a cord), fill the rest with ice as well, but in it place cans of pop, or bottles or beer, or some beverage – and in one corner have a large stack of cups.
Underneath you can put a plastic bag lined wicker basket for empty containers.
this room is so pretty and i like the idea of using a plant stand in the bedroom….thanks for sharing…maureenlynne…