G'day bloggers, thanks for voting for me! But I'm still in the low number doldrums so if you think I am the queen of Beach Cottages and you have a minute on your hands, surf on over and vote baby, vote..
I had one of those Sundays where you pretty much just amble around from one thing to the next, you get those too right? Started off lazily with a bit of a lay-in after the neighbours came round for dinner last night and we stayed up late. It was a nice evening, with a set table, slow-cooked chicken and sticky toffee pudding.
This morning we watched Mr Teenage Beach Cottage play soccer and then I headed off treasure hunting. Cos I needed some more vintage plates and china. Really needed them.
I sometimes find there nothing better than a bit of weekend thrifting to cheer me up (find lots more lovely treasures at Rhoda's blog Southern Hospitality), for me it's kinda like a guilty pleasure that unlike quite a lot of things in life that cause you pleasure does not cause one to make an almighty great hole in one's pocket.
And more, along with the pleasure, comes the expectation of what might be found. Today that was better than I hoped for, though those who do not get excited by the idea of an 80 year old vintage plate from the potteries of Northern England might wonder just what on earth I am going on about.
But for me it was worth rummaging around in the plate undergrowth to find a Meakin Marigold platter from the 1930's, a Burgess and Leigh Burslem which is circa 100+ yrs old and one of my favourites a Meakin Rosa bowl, together with some vintage glasses – lovin' all for 5 bucks. Not a bad bit of entertainment for the afternoon.
After I got them home I enjoyed washing them up in soapy bubbles by hand when normally I frantically run round filling the dishwasher with teapots and vases rather than having to even think about soiling my fair hands with such drudgery 
Oh and some pics of our beach combing haul, what is it about walking along the beach picking things up, examining and putting them in your pocket? A great way to waste an hour or so and loved by most ages so perfect for our family…
after getting home the shells were scattered on the windowsill by the Beach Cottage kiddos and I thought how they had completely improved a rather tired looking window.. there with the sun streaming through… (and see more morphed areas at Between Naps on the Porch)
So it's over and out from Australia, I'm off for a long long bubble bath, then sitting here with these tealights watching a delicious episode of Miss Marple in my dressing gown and eating leftovers…see ya next time.
I saw the title ‘vintage’ and came running..Your photos are lovelier each time. Beautiful light in #3 and love that wooden box and those gorgeous glasses.What type of camera do you have Sarah? Is it a canon? Not that that changes the fact that your camera skills are great. Good luck with the awards! Julie
Wow, your home is lovely.. Picture perfect, I love it all, you have put everything together just beautifully..
Xcherrie
Oh, I forgot to say thanks for dropping by !!
I could have used some of those freshly collected beach shells for insipiration over the weekend, never mind always next time!
Glad you had a good weekend
Twas a pleasure to drop over
How come shells look beautiful when arranged on your windowsill?!
Great finds.
Heading out for Sunday lunch with the family later, weird to think your day is already over!
Eye Candy??? By the boxful! You always deliver!!
Gorgeous as usual!
Lovely as usual………..
Bubble bath, tealights & Miss Marple… what a nice way to wind down… such a sweet little corner.
Sarah, I clicked on both blog candy logos/buttons and they didn’t take me anywhere. I went to your post from yesterday and clicked on that candy button and it didn’t go any where. I would love to vote for you but don’t know where to go to do it.
Renee
Glad you had such a wonderful day. Good job on your great treasures!
Hi Miss Sarah. Love your finds – as usual.
How cute do those shells look near the window!
Ah, these pics are so, so lovely. I know what you mean about thrifting and beach combing. In fact, they’re quite similar, aren’t they? They’re both a fun, affordable way to cheer oneself up, and you never know what you’ll bring home!
Hi Yep I have voted for my favourite eye candy. I am the Aussie living in England and we have been doing the exact same thing beach combing and the kids bought back treasures which I think I will now go display(your inspiration again!) and to top it off I was looking at vintage plates too on the way home from the beach bad sadly didnt give in to temptation! next time Have a good week Sharon
GIVE AWAY will be posted by tomorrow morning-there’s a peak preview of one of the items-go check it out and send everyone over to get their names in Monday morning.
Cheri
http://www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
I am SOOO far from a beach to walk on. I admire that you can, so grab up those pretty shells where I can see them! You have such a fun way of telling things that I love to read about your day-to-day life! And you’ve truly got some of the best eye candy I’ve ever laid eyes on!
Brenda
Is this the NEW Miss Marple? Do you like her? I haven’t seen her yet, but I hear that has been quite a dustup about her!!
Lovely beach finds. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Hey, you should tell people how to vote. i figured it out, but maybe other people who want to won’t. Toot your own horn. Be obvious. good luck.
IF you hadn’t asked me to I might have had to vote for Cafe Cartolina who I love and is on my blog list too. But you won out. xo Joan
I have just found you through Being Ruby. What a fabulous job you have done. It all looks wonderful.I have a Victorian house and garden here in the U.K. My garden is north facing ,so lots of plants dont like it but I have great hostas and ferns and, one good thing about the U.K. rain is that it makes everything lush and green, although we are having a scorching time of it at the moment. Will be popping over to see you often. So glad I found you. Thanks Julie at Being Ruby. XXXX
I love your blog !!
I voted!!
good luck -susan
Hello Sarah! Yes, I have those lazy days too….sometimes its so nice to just do a lot of nothing.
Love the shells on the windowsill. I popped over and voted for you as well!
Hugs,
Rachel
Hello Sarah – I’m always amazed by what you do around your home. Love what you did with the shells along the ledge – and to add the votives make it even more fabulous! Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
Sarah, of course you always find some amazing things to add in that beautiful beach cottage of yours. I always enjoy your pics. Congrats on your nomination for Eye Candy. I will have to go and vote!
Oh my gosh, can I come live with you!?!? I love your decor and I dream of a vintage beach cottage, if only they were made in Dallas, Texas!
What an inspiring space you have! Enjoy your winter, I’m melting here in 100+ degree heat.
Gorgeous photos as always!
Looks great. Sounds like some good family time together. Yes – I had one of those Sundays today.
Glenda
Sounds like a perfectly lovely day! Treasures found, time spent with family, and then relaxing.
Who could ask for more?
Love your treasures!
Off to vote!
You take the most wonderful pictures! I like your haul from the beach. It’s the ultimate great find! Amazing that you found the dishes and glasses all fro $5!
I always enjoy my visits here! I do hope nothing is still living in the shells–you’ll know soon
Love the photos!
Hi Sarah, beautiful post as usual…something as simple as shells on the sill…love it. I love reading your blog!
I just found out you can vote once a day…I’m going back!
Oh, Dear One! What lovely treasures you’ve found! I understand the joyness of finding something special and your dishes are wonderful! You’re quite the story teller today and I’ve loved it! Love your little shells gracing the window sill and a bubble bath ~ I love that! I know you’ve had a great day!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday. I popped over and voted for you love.
You sure did find some great stuff! Glad you needed them as well as wanted them, makes them more treasured… Those shells and rocks are just beautiful and the window does seem more cheery with them on it!
As always– such lovely looks and content.
Keep up the great works…
TTFN~~Claudia
I just went over and voted for you Sarah – I’m a bit slow on the uptake at times – I worked the how to vote out in the end, really wasn’t that hard!!!
I hear you on the junking, I think even if I didn’t have to watch my pennies and wasn’t doing it to make a living, I’d still enjoy junking – I’m addicted – I wonder if there’s some sort of Junking Rehab or Junking Anon. service available for us addicts – I very well might need to join oneday
Gorgeous photos – love coming over to vist your Cottage
No hurry with the other
Hello! Thank you so much for your nice comment! You always post such lovely photos…I like your finds!!! I think that you could grow lavender in your garden…usually it grows well near the sea!!!
I’ve tried to vote but…nothing opens!!!
Wish you a nice new week!
Hugs
Vale
Thank you for visiting Margie’s Crafts and leaving your comment. Of course I will add you to the giveaway list. It is an International giveaway. I really enjoyed my visit here and have added you to my blog roll so I will call again. Margie.
I hope you enjoyed your Miss Marple. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Miss Marple. I haven’t seen this new version yet. I adore Joan Hickson in the role but the previous actress (name eludes me but she had a very pretty face) was pretty good as well. I have heard some criticism about this new one. xx
Lovely sight for sure, it’s getting exciting here. Saw that distinctive sepia picture of tulips hanging in your lounge/living room in the recent Country Home and Interiors mag and at first glance thought it was your home in there. Go and check it out, wondering if they are the same though.
I voted!!!
It’s amazing how something so simple as placing a row of seashells on your window sill can make such a lovely statement……
sue
Would love a walk on the beach collecting pretty shells. Sounds so relaxing. Love the way you have arranged them on your windowsill.
Christi
hi. i did try to vote but it wouldn’t let me. i was too late, probably. sorry.
i have things on my sills, too, and i wonder this: how does having all the little shells affect your dusting? are you really disciplined and you pick each one up and dust each shell and the sill? really? i’m so bad! i just don’t do it regularly. jkj
How cool the beach kiddos are picking up on the theme and doing a bit of beach theme decorating.
The fun of thrifting is that you never know what might turn up and I figure for anyone who is actively looking and smart enough to know what they are looking at well deserves everything they find.
Just went to vote for you and it’s closed! Good luck, I hope you win!!!
Love the camellias in your garden, such a gorgeous color on these cooler winter days. Lovely place to sit
Looks like the beach cottage kiddos didn’t fall far from the tree!
And what a haul for five bucks! Oooo…I wished we lived close to one another to thrift together…though I reckon there would be some aggressive jockeying between the two of us to win the prize(s)!
Honey, you so need to come to the States and stage the house for one of my hubby’s clients. They are getting ready to move back to the UK, so hubby did a new kitchen for them, stair rail, trimwork, etc. Sign went up the other day and OMG! I walked thru it to see the work he had done. His work is gorgeous. There are 3 beds and not a headboard to be seen! I walked into the 3rd bedroom and thought, Sarah’s window would look SO good here…shells and candles on the little ledge under the window. The place seriously needs something and they could spend $50 and stage it better….what WAS the realtor thinking? I hope he got something done.