G'day all you lovely bloggers out there. Before we move on to tables, I have to mention my interview over at Decor Medley this week – there are some top bloggers over there who have been interviewed so I was honoured to be included, thank you to Giorgina
Giorgina prompted some interesting perusing from me on the Beach Cottage and the journey we've been on to get here, here's an excerpt…
Admit it: part of you has always wanted to get up, leave your house and family behind, and set up a new life on the beach in some foreign country. Our guest today, Sarah, had the courage to do just that. Not only that, but she has never looked back. And she writes all about her adventures inA Beach Cottage, a neat little blog that makes us all wish we could do what she did, but are too afraid to do. We admire Sarah for changing her life and chasing her dream, and for those who have ever considered doing the same, please read this special interview from someone who has been there and done that. Let's begin the questions!
~~~
I know that I don't need to tell you that I love the sport of tablescaping, though I don't know what I love more, tablescaping or finding thrifted things to go on it. I guess both facilitate each other do they not?
And forgive me if I am somewhat passe but a dressed table on a Saturday night, is,for me, what at the moment, my social life is all about.
I think we all have our fallbacks, mine it seems with dressing tables is candles. This one is a case in point. I was running late and although the food was under control, the cottage, beach or not, was a complete tip and the table wasn't set. Far from it.
However, chief among the virtues of copious amounts of candles is the speed and ease which they can be piled on and the stress-reducing glow they instantly add.
I had it in my mind to use heaps of old jars and the vintage glasses I picked up the other day at Vinnies afterSue Farrantleft me a comment pointing to an exceedingly inspirational picture of glass jars and tealights.
So with time not on my side and truly still in my undies I threw this on the table, layering on the glasses and jars, filling them with tealights and combining vintage plates with plain white modern ones.
I hate to blow my trumpet (and although there's a video here today, I don't think you'll ever see me cavorting about on it – just so not up myself enough) I do believe this to be nearing a perfect 10 in the novice tablescaping stakes….if of course you consider it enough of a sport to mark it out of ten.
here it is just before the doorbell rung…
and if you have nothing better to do than watch an amateur video from an English gal in Australia, play this (for some reason YouTube stops it after 29secs it is longer but hey ho you get the picture)…just because I couldn't not show you the twinkling…
Sarah, You outdid yourself again. I love your tablescapes. The twinkling lights looks so lovely in the little video. The china looks so pretty, everything is simple yet so elegant. You are amazing! Hugs, ~cindy s~
Hey Sarah! Looove ur blog. I thought I saw some blue walls in your home…what color did you use? It’s just beautiful!!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Aubree
The perfect blend of contemporary freshness and vintage charm! You might enjoying seeing the young girls who took the sewing class last week at ESSA. The slip covered chairs they made look a lot like yours. There’s a link one or two posts down on my blog.
Evening, Dear Sarah! Oh, Dear One! Look what you’ve done ~ another gorgeous tablescape. Yours are always so elegant, but yet simple! Love your jars with twinkling going on. I’m sure your guests were so thrilled to sit at such a lovely table.
Congratulations on your interview. You are an inspiration to us!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I just love it, Sarah. I can’t wait for another dinner party so I can do the same. I have lots of cute olden glasses and jars. Just need to get a big bag of white candles and I’ll be all set.
Thanks so much..
Of course your table looked fantastic – sometimes creations are better achieved when they aren’t planned – this one was no exception!! I bet the food was just as delicious!!!
Hey, aren’t you lucky I don’t live in Australia, I’d a been over there in a minute and crashed your party! Great table Sarah, the food sounds real good and the music too. Cheers, Siggie
Your table looks amazing, I love the mismatched dinnewarea and the different sized candles…romantic, simple, and perfect! Congrats on the interview, you are rockin’ the blog world!
Sarah, you can set the most tranquil table! I always relax as soon as I click on your blog and see what you’ve come up with. The colors are just so calming. (And knowing how color-crazed I am, I guess I need that reprieve!)! So nice that virtually anything can be used for a candle holder and look so pretty!
Brenda
Lovely tablescape, as usual! I loved the video, the music was beautiful, but I was hoping to hear your voice with your cool accent. I have friends in Australia who are also from Great Britain. I love their accents! I enjoyed the unmade bed entry yesterday!! Your bed still looked awfully nice, I must say, even unmade! I think it helps that everything was the same color. I really enjoy your blog, thanks so much for it. Hugs, ~cindy s~
YOu are silly…Youtubing your tablescape…I loved it! Can’t go wrong with white, candlelight, and Coldplay. Love that vintage china! And IKEA is my best friend.
Picture perfect! I love white. You can not have a better colour for anything.Fresh white linnens,fresh white flowers and fresh white paper.I all love it!
I enjoyed the interview on Decor with you, Sarah. It is nice to know a little more about the woman behind the Blog! Now I know why you like the same magazines that I do! I think you were really brave to bring your family to Australia without having schools etc. You are obviously way braver than I am! (Or more foolish) The Northern Beaches is the area we would like to be. Sigh. Maybe one day! xx
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
LOVE the plates!!!! The whole table is gorgeous!!
m ^..^
Simple & elegant, just your style. And I love your style!
Just gorgeous. I just found your blog and really like it a lot. Am adding it to my favorites!
Sarah, You outdid yourself again. I love your tablescapes. The twinkling lights looks so lovely in the little video. The china looks so pretty, everything is simple yet so elegant. You are amazing! Hugs, ~cindy s~
It’s so peaceful, romantic, quiet, calming…omg wonderful with the lights out and candles lit.
Love the mismatched but perfectly coordinated plates-I love eclectic looks.
Cheri
http://www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
Lovely as usual Sarah and I also enjoyed reading your interview.
One of the prettiest tablescapes ever, Sarah. Sweet simplicity. And it’s so inspirational that you’re living your dream
Your tablescape is beautiful! It really looks so special and inviting.
Oh your table looks simply beautiful! Congratulations on everything! Take care, Caroline
Hey Sarah! Looove ur blog. I thought I saw some blue walls in your home…what color did you use? It’s just beautiful!!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Aubree
Love your vintage china! Is it rosenthal or from bavaria? The candle light is lovely.
HAD to show this to my dh to justify my collection of jam jars!
Was hoping to hear you speak on your video clip to hear your accent – brit or aussie now?
Absolutely somptuous pure white table !
Both old and new but still minimalist and modern, totally unclutter. Love it. I am in this choir…
Sarah,
Its so simple yet so elegant. One would never think you did the whole thing while wearing nothing but undies. Smile! Well done, friend!
Looks lovely, I love all the tealights and the pretty mirror on your shelf.
Perfection in entirety!
Good interview. Loved the video. More please.
What I love about your table is that it is so simple….but effective. That is my motto…..simple always looks best . XXXX
The perfect blend of contemporary freshness and vintage charm! You might enjoying seeing the young girls who took the sewing class last week at ESSA. The slip covered chairs they made look a lot like yours. There’s a link one or two posts down on my blog.
this is such a lovely tablescape sarah – its so simple & elegant
now i’m going to surf over to read your interview
Hello Sara; What a lovely table setting. Every thing looks so very chic and romantic… congratulations on the interview, on my way to read it….
Hugs;
Alaura
This is gorgeous, Sarah!
Congratulations on the interview!
Evening, Dear Sarah! Oh, Dear One! Look what you’ve done ~ another gorgeous tablescape. Yours are always so elegant, but yet simple! Love your jars with twinkling going on. I’m sure your guests were so thrilled to sit at such a lovely table.
Congratulations on your interview. You are an inspiration to us!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I just love it, Sarah. I can’t wait for another dinner party so I can do the same. I have lots of cute olden glasses and jars. Just need to get a big bag of white candles and I’ll be all set.
Thanks so much..
oops, sorry..I meant to say congratulations on your interview. We all are very proud of you…!
Hi Sarah, your table is beautiful! Read the interview…very nice!
I always enjoy seeing your tables and they are so simple yet stunning.
Loved the video!
Perfect! I can hear the comfortable conversation around the table as your guests relax in your beautiful setting Well done!
Jane
ps Loved the flickering candles in your video!
Looks great Sarah
Loving the candles
Alison
Hi Sarah
Loved your interview with Decor Medley
Of course your table looked fantastic – sometimes creations are better achieved when they aren’t planned – this one was no exception!! I bet the food was just as delicious!!!
I just love your vintage dishes and your touches of white and gold! It looks even prettier in your you tube video, very twinklie and dreamy. :O)
What a lovely sight ! Ok, I need serious help around here.
I adore votives…i just posted some today that I like !
i love it! so soothing.
Hey, aren’t you lucky I don’t live in Australia, I’d a been over there in a minute and crashed your party! Great table Sarah, the food sounds real good and the music too. Cheers, Siggie
As always your table is amazing! Loved the video too, great job!
Your table looks amazing, I love the mismatched dinnewarea and the different sized candles…romantic, simple, and perfect! Congrats on the interview, you are rockin’ the blog world!
LOVE the menu and the table… sooooo sad that I would NEVER let my kids eat at that table… LOL!!! BEAUTIFUL… every time I visit!
I always love the ease and warmth of your decor and that includes this lovely tablescape. It is perfectly YOU. Well done, Kathysue
What a beautiful serene table setting. The plates are lovely.
Congrats on the interview! I love candles in jars, and your whole table is amazing and so inviting.
So pretty and clean looking…love the candlelight!
How beautiful, and truly relaxing. I’ve just discovered your blog and have added you promptly to my favourites! Hugs xx
Sarah, you can set the most tranquil table! I always relax as soon as I click on your blog and see what you’ve come up with. The colors are just so calming. (And knowing how color-crazed I am, I guess I need that reprieve!)! So nice that virtually anything can be used for a candle holder and look so pretty!
Brenda
Lovely tablescape, as usual! I loved the video, the music was beautiful, but I was hoping to hear your voice with your cool accent. I have friends in Australia who are also from Great Britain. I love their accents! I enjoyed the unmade bed entry yesterday!! Your bed still looked awfully nice, I must say, even unmade! I think it helps that everything was the same color. I really enjoy your blog, thanks so much for it. Hugs, ~cindy s~
Love it!!!
carolyn
YOu are silly…Youtubing your tablescape…I loved it! Can’t go wrong with white, candlelight, and Coldplay. Love that vintage china! And IKEA is my best friend.
Picture perfect! I love white. You can not have a better colour for anything.Fresh white linnens,fresh white flowers and fresh white paper.I all love it!
I enjoyed the interview on Decor with you, Sarah. It is nice to know a little more about the woman behind the Blog! Now I know why you like the same magazines that I do! I think you were really brave to bring your family to Australia without having schools etc. You are obviously way braver than I am! (Or more foolish) The Northern Beaches is the area we would like to be. Sigh. Maybe one day! xx