How about a little beachy project? Golly. One that costs nothing. Works for me.
Though projectconjures up all sorts of scenes of considerable schoolgirl effort, does it not and as usual here at the Beach Cottage, I gravitate to and scheme about ways in which to do things, with the least amount of human exertion.
~~~
I cannot resist candles, in the form of lantern, tealight or taper. I do then, at the moment, find myself mildly obsessed by them and I mean more preoccupied than I usually am, slotting them into just about every corner of the Beach Cottage and lighting them, Hoover in hand, as the sun goes down…
And what better than a candle, than a hurricane type candle holder filled with lovely little things, picked up and stuffed in pockets from a trip down the beach?
Inspired by the beach glass I gathered the other day on my secret, all alone, trip I decided I wanted it somewhere I would see it when I got home.
I love to collect sea glass on my beach combing and so do the kids, all of us hunting for the best find – for what the sea has cast up.
I love it when you spy something down there and bend down and pick it up, like some kinda affordable treasure. The searching as you walk along…following the tide line..wind on your face…I love the idea that it's been discarded, buffed and smoothed by the elements, washed up on the shoreline in a tangle of bits and then eagerly gathered up and very much given pride of place in a new home…
I love how the lifetime of tumbling gives it that soft, old, faded patina that I hanker after so much…right at home here with us.
So I poured my finds into these old jam jars (and now I find myself actively shopping for jars, regardless of the contents), topped with a tealight and added some string.
One I placed on the steps at the back alongside another lantern, the other one right near the front door…
see you soon girlies, I have something I just simply lurve to show you this week – involves the tiny Beach Cottage kitchen and a vintage whitewashed ladder…say no more
What a gorgeous idea, and what a gorgeous blog. I could stay here for hours. I love the beach and we have so many shells, this is a wonderful way to show them off, and I love the photographs, they are stunning.
Sarah,
That looks gorgeous! Can’t wait to see your ladder.
I adore your style and am always amazed at how when I think of doing something it pops onto your blog. I told DH just LAST NIGHT that I wanted to build a ladder to make it all rustic. Great minds always think alike! Can’t wait to see your take on it.
Oh… have you stopped by lately? I found something that was inspired by you!
But I have enough beach glass and shells to make a hundred tea light holders! I have vases and vases full of beach glass.
I’m thinking more stained glass/tiffany style lamp! Now if I can only talk my husband into getting started on this project!
Ooh, I’ve just done a little beachy mantlepiece display with souvenirs from the Med camping trip… I think one of those would finish it off nicely! Thanks for the idea.
Robert wants to make a mosaic in some concrete out back, where he and his brother are at this minute hard at work in the East Texas heat setting huge poles in cement for my giant (or at least it’s beginning to look that way) pergola. He thought maybe he wanted sea glass in his mosaic design. But we had nowhere to look but to eBay, where of course it isn’t cheap. Too bad we can’t take a little walk down a beach and just pick some up, shining up at us in the sunlight, as you did.
Brenda
Sea glass is one of my favorite things to collect! We used to gather it from the rocky shores of Catalina Island (in case you don’t know, it’s a small island off the coast of Southern California) where we spent many summers. I still have most of it, scattered here and there around the house.
Love the large jar on the floor – it really makes a statement in the most simplistic way. Beautiful job Sarah!
Can’t wait to see the Kitchen project.
Have a happy day.
Vicki
Such a simple, but COOL idea! I used to have loads of shells etc because we pick them up each time we are at my mum’s house, but in the various moves they’ve been discarded. When I’m over there in September, I’m going to be picking up a load more!! I’ve never found glass though, I don’t think. And I never see any driftwood, which is frustrating….
when i lived in California…i found and picked up sea glass along the shore. I love it…and it means something to me. I wish i could come take a walk with you and score some treasures! someday…
Priceless! I have bowls of jam and marmalade decantered in the fridge because I can’t wait for the contents to get eaten before I use the jar. Then there’s the enormous jar of Spanish olives in the pantry. They are finding their way into almost every dish I cook in an effort to clear the gorgeous container as quickly as possible. There has been a mutiny though as apparently the addition of olives to spaghetti bolognese is foul so I’m going to make vast amounts of tapenade and freeze it because I can’t wait any longer.
Tragic isn’t it? x
Hi Sarah; I just love how you display your lovely beachy finds… I love to walk the beach early in the morning a look for shells and what every catches my eye… I have not been able to do that for awhile now,,, so after reading your great post, I will have to get hubby to take me to the beach…. have a great week.
I am from Germany and I love to read your blog. I linked it into mine so I always see if there are some news from you. You inspire me and now I have a lot of nice ideas for my new home which I will move in in some weeks.
Have a nice and sunny day!
Now here’s a passion we both share Sarah – candles. I love them too and really, how many are too many I ask you? I don’t have sea glass however, so will have to be on the lookout for that when I get to the beach.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Your blog is such a pleasurable place to visit! I feel calmer just from stopping by. I love, love, love sea glass and your little lanterns are just perfect!
Thanks for a great idea. After a day at the beach yesterday I came home and made one with shells and chunks of marble which washed up as we paddled. This being changeable Normandy, today I made a second one surrounded by acorns. From summer to Autumn overnight- just lke that!
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 gorgeous idea, and what a gorgeous blog. I could stay here for hours. I love the beach and we have so many shells, this is a wonderful way to show them off, and I love the photographs, they are stunning.
Karen
Sarah,
That looks gorgeous! Can’t wait to see your ladder.
I adore your style and am always amazed at how when I think of doing something it pops onto your blog. I told DH just LAST NIGHT that I wanted to build a ladder to make it all rustic. Great minds always think alike! Can’t wait to see your take on it.
Oh… have you stopped by lately? I found something that was inspired by you!
Love them! And I have some sea glass I have been wondering what to do with!
Great job! Perfect for your beach cottage style!
But I have enough beach glass and shells to make a hundred tea light holders! I have vases and vases full of beach glass.
I’m thinking more stained glass/tiffany style lamp! Now if I can only talk my husband into getting started on this project!
What a fabulous, simple idea. I’m going to steal it for sure!
Ooh, I’ve just done a little beachy mantlepiece display with souvenirs from the Med camping trip… I think one of those would finish it off nicely! Thanks for the idea.
Oh, it’s perfect! Love the found elements that get a polish from being combined… Lovely work
That is just beautiful! What a great idea. I’m going to play around with this idea today. Check my blog for beachcottage inspired pictures tomorrow!!
Thanks!!!
Mmm I love sea washed glass. We always collect pebbles and shells when we go to the sea so I’ll bear this in mind.
Mel xxx
PS a FREE treat is always treasure to me!
Love that look!!!!
m ^..^
It is pretty and as I say… cheap is good, free is better!
Robert wants to make a mosaic in some concrete out back, where he and his brother are at this minute hard at work in the East Texas heat setting huge poles in cement for my giant (or at least it’s beginning to look that way) pergola. He thought maybe he wanted sea glass in his mosaic design. But we had nowhere to look but to eBay, where of course it isn’t cheap. Too bad we can’t take a little walk down a beach and just pick some up, shining up at us in the sunlight, as you did.
Brenda
Great idea, Sarah, I shall have to try that. Hugs, Cindy S
Sea glass is one of my favorite things to collect! We used to gather it from the rocky shores of Catalina Island (in case you don’t know, it’s a small island off the coast of Southern California) where we spent many summers. I still have most of it, scattered here and there around the house.
Looks lovely as usual, Sarah! Can’t wait to see your kitchen!
Have a great day!
Smiles,
Rachel
Love the large jar on the floor – it really makes a statement in the most simplistic way. Beautiful job Sarah!
Can’t wait to see the Kitchen project.
Have a happy day.
Vicki
Such a simple, but COOL idea! I used to have loads of shells etc because we pick them up each time we are at my mum’s house, but in the various moves they’ve been discarded. When I’m over there in September, I’m going to be picking up a load more!! I’ve never found glass though, I don’t think. And I never see any driftwood, which is frustrating….
when i lived in California…i found and picked up sea glass along the shore. I love it…and it means something to me. I wish i could come take a walk with you and score some treasures! someday…
I love the first picture, with the combination of glass and shells… I am gonna collect some to put up in my new bedroom
Priceless! I have bowls of jam and marmalade decantered in the fridge because I can’t wait for the contents to get eaten before I use the jar. Then there’s the enormous jar of Spanish olives in the pantry. They are finding their way into almost every dish I cook in an effort to clear the gorgeous container as quickly as possible. There has been a mutiny though as apparently the addition of olives to spaghetti bolognese is foul so I’m going to make vast amounts of tapenade and freeze it because I can’t wait any longer.
Tragic isn’t it? x
Sarah, these are just lovely! If I lived near the beach, I’d have these all over my home.
I love them! – I’ve done similar with a few clear glass vases around the place (they don’t get to see flowers so much these days)
Hi Sarah; I just love how you display your lovely beachy finds… I love to walk the beach early in the morning a look for shells and what every catches my eye… I have not been able to do that for awhile now,,, so after reading your great post, I will have to get hubby to take me to the beach…. have a great week.
Hugs;
Alaura
Dear Sarah
I am from Germany and I love to read your blog. I linked it into mine so I always see if there are some news from you. You inspire me and now I have a lot of nice ideas for my new home which I will move in in some weeks.
Have a nice and sunny day!
Regards
Dany
Now here’s a passion we both share Sarah – candles. I love them too and really, how many are too many I ask you? I don’t have sea glass however, so will have to be on the lookout for that when I get to the beach.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I love a lit candle in the daylight. x
hello!!!
what a beautiful post. so happy to have found your lovely blog!!!
~erin
Candles and beach finds… my favorites. ANd as for your tiny kitchen project, please say MORE!
Terrific idea!
HI Sarah
Cute Idea. I love storing things in ordinary jars. I was just spying some jam in the fridge and thinking I wished the jar was empty.. hehe
Your blog is such a pleasurable place to visit! I feel calmer just from stopping by. I love, love, love sea glass and your little lanterns are just perfect!
Can’t even tell you how much I love sea glass. Great post!
?, Susan
Is that ever beautiful! Love it! =)
Beautiful!
Such a simple and beautiful idea. I love your blog and wish my home was as put together.
Samantha
Thanks for a great idea. After a day at the beach yesterday I came home and made one with shells and chunks of marble which washed up as we paddled. This being changeable Normandy, today I made a second one surrounded by acorns. From summer to Autumn overnight- just lke that!
I’ve linked to your Sea Glass Lantern from the Sea Glass Network. Lovely project. http://www.seaglassnets.com/2009/08/whos-chatting-about-sea-glass-in.html
Gail