I am convinced that thrifting goes in cycles. Of luck.
And the last three weeks I have been sorely outta luck girls. But while coming home virtually empty handed on Saturday, I did people find something from the Beach Cottage Most Wanted List.
I had been after a metal skinny flower bucket for EVER and I promise you that I have hunted everywhere and come up with zilch. I thought about buying a 'new' vintage style one but even then could find nothing I liked. Most often nowadays they are plastic. Made in China.
So on Saturday I had scheduled a couple of hours to myself to head off to the nice homey shop up the beaches a bit and get in a bit of thrifting (and have you been toRhoda's yet? boy oh boy I am green with what she got up to at the weekend. Green).
Well I came home with a birthday card, a bunch of flowers and a flower bucket.
To some this may seem trivial, to me a big old deal. To be frank you might label me for the loony bin if you had seen me doing the treasure dance when I found this one lying alone on the grass for $2, snatching it, as only a true hunter can do.
When I got home Mr BC and Mr Teenage BC spied my happiness and asked what I'd got. I presented the flower bucket "Ta Da!"
They eyebrows lifted. But I was pleased.
In other news I've been working on the Powder Room (that makes it sound oh-so-much nicer than it is) makeover – it's coming along well, hope to show you that this week – I got some painting in yesterday, white of course, but not totally white…
I'll draw the giveaway winner tomorrow so if you want to comment on this post or tweet it you'll get an entry to win a Beach Cottage table runner and decor ball (you can see the post here). And please visit Brenda's Blog for some great giveaways in aid of Enchanted Makeovers - an organisation that is doing a very special job that helps to beautify and simplify the lives of women and children in crisis.
I have the exact same bucket that I got at Goodwill for 49 cents and is just waiting for flowers. It’s been on my to do list for 2 weeks to pick some dang flowers and pretty up my living room and I just haven’t done it. You have inspired me!
I am sure the two Mr BC are never shocked anymore when you come home with your finds, look at how much you are teaching your kids, I wish i has learned along time ago that I do not need to go to major stores to shop, so many gr8 finds at yard. garage sales and many websites, I will never buy in major stores anymore, i just found a gr8 pitcher and bowel for $4.99 at a consignment shop for my new home, I love shopping and buying other peoples items and the classic cottage finds…so excited to put my finds together, I found quilted curtain sets for $12.00 I was shocked….thanks so much for all your pics and info, can not say enough on how much i enjoy your site and Ideas. Kindly, ~janice
Very cute! That reminds me…I have a couple of sap buckets that I bought at a flea market years and years ago somewhere in my garage. They are very similar to your bucket. I’ll have to dig them out.
Sarah, I love that bucket,it looks right at home there in your sweet little beach cottage. Enter me again, I am really hoping to win something and I love what you are offering. Hugs ~cindy s~
I SO love your bucket, Sarah! My hubs thinks I’m nuts sometimes when I come home with lovely items that don’t seem to “make sense” to him. LOL! Have a great day!
The bucket looks sensational, what a great find.
I love how the guys ‘roll their eyes’ when you show them some fabulous thing you’ve found or bought. Gotta love ‘em.
Oh your giveaway prize is a treasure – so count me in.
Alison
Your blog has inspired me in so many ways in my home; I marvel at how you take a simple item and, with a simple change or re-position, it becomes quite beautiful. Your use of natural light and lighting in the photos enhances the effect – I’ve always loved light and am using it much more to create an atmosphere.
I’ve ‘borrowed’ some of your ideas and love the result, my home is becoming lighter and freer.
I do that dance. When I spot something I always feel like someone is going to get to it before me as I’m walking towards the thing.
I call them dry spells when I don’t find anything. But that’s ok because my house is full. I do have to leave something for others.
Smiles to you!
It’s a perfect flower bucket. I have one downstairs in the basement storage. You’ve inspired me to use it. Mine is a dark brown. I think I’ll paint it, white, but not totally white:-).
Yummy! Looks just right Hey, I said I’d post a link to my mum’s little beach cottage in Normandy, right by the beach. My daughter posted a link of the Google Earth Streetview picture of it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairerose/3806378532/sizes/o/ I miss it so much
Sarah, dear, I love your flower bucket. My aqua shutters got a raised eyebrow from my hubby too. He asked, how much did you pay for those??? Of course, It’s my fun money, so he doesn’t care, but doesn’t get my obsession with shabby things now.
Well, girl if you want to fly on over here for next year’s Longest Yardsale, come on! We’d love to have you. I’m not kiddin’ either. :0
hey Sarah, what a beautiful flower bucket – and you know what? I have exactely the same! It was a gift of Marjolijn (http://somethingwhite.blogspot.com/) I just got it two week or so ago, when my family visited her lovely home during our holidays. At the moment it’s in our garden, filled with Hydrangea’s – looking just lovely.
Enjoy it!
Anita
Hi Sarah
Love the flower bucket. I got something similar from Ikea, but with spout and handle – made of same tinny stuff – by the way not only do I do the dance, but I once drove the wrong way round a roundabout when I spotted a boot sale (not something I’m proud of, but thought you would understand) Fortunately there was no traffic!
Several years ago I found one put out for the trashman and quickly snatched it up. Sometimes I use it as is, other times I tie ribbons on the handles or a rustic bandana around the top. With a little tweaking it works for every occasion.
Isn’t that the funniest thing, that it are always the small finds that make us the happiest.
Love your tin bucket for a vase, it is perfect in your house.
What a find! I have one too, that I just remembered about. But it is PURPLE, ugh, a gift from a so-called friend.(Who would give me something purple for this house of mine,I ask you?) Anyway, I never thought about painting it until now. So I’ll go out right away and spray some White on that baby, and it will be saved!! And I will be HAPPY!
thanks for the inspiration, Sarah!
I understand your excitement, because I looked for one for a couple of years before I found one! It looks very happy there, like it’s glad that it’s finally home!
I love, love the flower bucket..what a wonderful find! The Enchanted Makeovers is a wonderful organization…the young lady really had a blessing presented to her totally unaware of how she could make life so comforting to so many! It’s really special. :0)
Have a great week and stop by for a visit anytime,
Stephanie
It’s perfect! I have one just like it, only the handles of mine are wrapped in jute/burlap rope, and there is a little jute rope trim around the base. The only bummer thing is if I put in real flowers that need water, I have to set a vase inside as it leaks, as I discovered accidentally, of course!
I come to your blog every day to see what’s new. I love your ideas and have tried out a few for my own home. I love color too much to go all white, but I’m introducing more white and I really like it.
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 …]
G’day ladies, oooh have I got a good Beach Cottage recipe for you or have I got a good recipe for you. Well it’s actually not Beach Cottage, I cannot claim that… So, a couple of months ago I met up with a couple of blogging friends, AllConsuming and Mrs W for a lil [...]
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 it! Your little bucket adds rustic texture to the room, & your simple bouquet is perfect.
I am so glad that you found the perfect flower bucket. It looks at home on your table.
It’s a lovely find. I would dance too.
T
I have the exact same bucket that I got at Goodwill for 49 cents and is just waiting for flowers. It’s been on my to do list for 2 weeks to pick some dang flowers and pretty up my living room and I just haven’t done it. You have inspired me!
soooooooooo beautiful.
love the bucket.
Sarah,
I am sure the two Mr BC are never shocked anymore when you come home with your finds, look at how much you are teaching your kids, I wish i has learned along time ago that I do not need to go to major stores to shop, so many gr8 finds at yard. garage sales and many websites, I will never buy in major stores anymore, i just found a gr8 pitcher and bowel for $4.99 at a consignment shop for my new home, I love shopping and buying other peoples items and the classic cottage finds…so excited to put my finds together, I found quilted curtain sets for $12.00 I was shocked….thanks so much for all your pics and info, can not say enough on how much i enjoy your site and Ideas. Kindly, ~janice
I love it when I finally find something I’ve been looking for! It always comes along at the right time!
Looks lovely!!
Amy
Very cute! That reminds me…I have a couple of sap buckets that I bought at a flea market years and years ago somewhere in my garage. They are very similar to your bucket. I’ll have to dig them out.
It looks right at home at the beach cottage! Just perfect..
Oh I just love it! What a great new treasure.
Sharon
Ps: I know that “dance” all to well myself
So glad you found a treasure! I love that feeling.
Sarah, I love that bucket,it looks right at home there in your sweet little beach cottage. Enter me again, I am really hoping to win something and I love what you are offering. Hugs ~cindy s~
I SO love your bucket, Sarah!
My hubs thinks I’m nuts sometimes when I come home with lovely items that don’t seem to “make sense” to him. LOL! 
Have a great day!
Smiles,
Rachel
The bucket looks sensational, what a great find.
I love how the guys ‘roll their eyes’ when you show them some fabulous thing you’ve found or bought. Gotta love ‘em.
Oh your giveaway prize is a treasure – so count me in.
Alison
These kind of buckets are the best, just never let them outside with water in it in winter as it will become all wompy
It looks like the real florist flower bucket…very nice. It is fun finding exactly what you want!
A lovely find.
love
Alison
x
Your blog has inspired me in so many ways in my home; I marvel at how you take a simple item and, with a simple change or re-position, it becomes quite beautiful. Your use of natural light and lighting in the photos enhances the effect – I’ve always loved light and am using it much more to create an atmosphere.
I’ve ‘borrowed’ some of your ideas and love the result, my home is becoming lighter and freer.
Ah Sarah this is a gorgeous look! I have two just sitting around… Beautiful inspiration! x
Hi Sarah…lovely post as usual. Please enter me in your giveaway, your prize is delightful! Marilyn xoxo
Your beautiful pictures are always so inspiring.
Always great to find something on the Most Wanted List. Big or small. Good job!
I do that dance. When I spot something I always feel like someone is going to get to it before me as I’m walking towards the thing.
I call them dry spells when I don’t find anything. But that’s ok because my house is full. I do have to leave something for others.
Smiles to you!
It’s a perfect flower bucket. I have one downstairs in the basement storage. You’ve inspired me to use it. Mine is a dark brown. I think I’ll paint it, white, but not totally white:-).
Pretty photos, as usual, Sarah!
Cute bucket! I have a bigger one with a handle that I store my old weathered clothes pins in – I love when I hang laundry! =)
Love your vase – looks perfect in your beach cottage!
Yummy! Looks just right
Hey, I said I’d post a link to my mum’s little beach cottage in Normandy, right by the beach. My daughter posted a link of the Google Earth Streetview picture of it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairerose/3806378532/sizes/o/ I miss it so much 
Sarah, dear, I love your flower bucket. My aqua shutters got a raised eyebrow from my hubby too. He asked, how much did you pay for those??? Of course, It’s my fun money, so he doesn’t care, but doesn’t get my obsession with shabby things now.
Well, girl if you want to fly on over here for next year’s Longest Yardsale, come on! We’d love to have you. I’m not kiddin’ either. :0
Fits in perfectly
hey Sarah, what a beautiful flower bucket – and you know what? I have exactely the same! It was a gift of Marjolijn (http://somethingwhite.blogspot.com/) I just got it two week or so ago, when my family visited her lovely home during our holidays. At the moment it’s in our garden, filled with Hydrangea’s – looking just lovely.
Enjoy it!
Anita
Ohhhh what a pretty flower bucket! What a steal!
Hope you have a splendid day!
I’d like to comment on your photography… You have a great eye! I like the angles and prospective used. the last two are my favorite.
I’d like to escape to that room and read
Hi Sarah
Love the flower bucket. I got something similar from Ikea, but with spout and handle – made of same tinny stuff – by the way not only do I do the dance, but I once drove the wrong way round a roundabout when I spotted a boot sale (not something I’m proud of, but thought you would understand) Fortunately there was no traffic!
Several years ago I found one put out for the trashman and quickly snatched it up. Sometimes I use it as is, other times I tie ribbons on the handles or a rustic bandana around the top. With a little tweaking it works for every occasion.
Love your bucket – reminds me of the ones at the flower stalls in the flower market in Paris.
Here is the link if you want to peak http://www.janmary.com/2008_05_01_archive.html
Do you think there is a chance you will find something I DON’T love?!!!
Isn’t that the funniest thing, that it are always the small finds that make us the happiest.
Love your tin bucket for a vase, it is perfect in your house.
What a find! I have one too, that I just remembered about. But it is PURPLE, ugh, a gift from a so-called friend.(Who would give me something purple for this house of mine,I ask you?) Anyway, I never thought about painting it until now. So I’ll go out right away and spray some White on that baby, and it will be saved!! And I will be HAPPY!
thanks for the inspiration, Sarah!
I understand your excitement, because I looked for one for a couple of years before I found one! It looks very happy there, like it’s glad that it’s finally home!
I just wanted to enter again and I have posted your button on my blog.
Hope to win!
Thx for doing such a great giveaway!
-Morgan
Bess101202@gmail.com
Ooohh…I’m going to keep my eyes opened for one of those flower buckets. It’s lovely!
Hi Sarah -
love your blog and your photos -
love love love the runner and ball -
love your beach cottage too -
see you soon -
Marsha – chandelier magic
Hi Sarah as usual you have excited and inspired me.
You go girl.
Regards,
Theresa
My latest passions are metal buckets and wire baskets! So of course I was very excited to see your sweet flower bucket!
LuLu
Hi Sarah
Love your flower bucket, makes a fabulous feature against your tones of white!
hello sarah,
now THAT is one AWESOME bucket!
xo
Hello Sarah,
I love, love the flower bucket..what a wonderful find! The Enchanted Makeovers is a wonderful organization…the young lady really had a blessing presented to her totally unaware of how she could make life so comforting to so many! It’s really special. :0)
Have a great week and stop by for a visit anytime,
Stephanie
It’s perfect! I have one just like it, only the handles of mine are wrapped in jute/burlap rope, and there is a little jute rope trim around the base. The only bummer thing is if I put in real flowers that need water, I have to set a vase inside as it leaks, as I discovered accidentally, of course!
I come to your blog every day to see what’s new. I love your ideas and have tried out a few for my own home. I love color too much to go all white, but I’m introducing more white and I really like it.
Please enter me in the giveaway. I love to win!
Oohhh…. aarrrr… great price on the flower urn Sarah. I’d be doing that happy thrifter dance too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne