Sorry if you didn't win but hey it's so good round here at the Beach Cottage you get another giveaway to enter today…
~~~
I guess I'm not a vintage or white purist, I love some modern thrown in with the whole vintage vibe, I suppose that's nothing new, and I love some colour in with the white, which is one of the reasons I like to decorate with it. It's such an easy neutral to use as a backdrop for playing house and decorating, which if you've been with me for a while, you'll know is something I do way too much.
So, on the weekend, we had the pleasure of nice friends over for some G & T's on the deck and what a gorgeous hand-picked bouquet they arrived with, specially delivered and wrapped …there is, I believe, nothing much better than flowers arranged and delivered by a gorgeous little fair-haired gal is there?
Yesterday, after the weekend felt but a distant memory and all was quiet at the cottage, after I spent long long hours on my knees scrubbing the floors I thought I might do myself a little bit of arranging…no one is ever gonna complain about flowers nicely arranged on the side are they?
But actually I did little more than place the flowers in the pitcher, they had already been beautifully arranged by cute little hands. And how fabulous that they tied-in perfectly with my new print, recently arrived over the oceans to my little Beach Cottage letter box from a very talented girl..sweet Tess from Concord, North Carolina and her chic little shop where she designs & creates, happily inspired by all things natural and island living
When I came across these prints I loved the simple modern style and thought they would work nicely here with the vintage pieces, all the neutrals, white and wood floors and I just loved this green one, funny really cos I don't usually do green.
And I just love to simply layer things up, no fuss, nice and laid-back, no frame – I think it adds that little touch of modern colour propped up casually on the old vintage meat safe…what do you think, do you like it with the white, the putty, and the flowers?
And how fantastic that Tess is offering Beach Cottage readers the chance to win $50 to spend on her site. Simply leave a comment on this post to enter…
Comments will be closed Friday 18th at midnight.
I'm signing off, it's been a very long, exhausting day full of athletics carnivals, swimming squads and lunch boxes – the bathtub is running as I type, filled with my fave vanilla bubbles, a bottle of something cold on the side and the rest of the evening spent laying on that sofa up there with somone, if I am very very lucky massaging my feet
you can find more casual layering with coastal-prints here, more on my floristry journey here, and more blooms around the Beach Cottage here
and if you have your own small home-based business/Etsy shop and would like to sponsor these little Beach Cottage comps then you can go to the Giveway Page for more info
During my own venture into cottage decorating I’ve toyed with the idea of adding “wall words” to the mix. So it was nice to see the print you added to your collection. I love how you keep things simple and not over done. It’s so relaxing to the senses. When I want a few minutes of calm in my day I come and visit your blog.
I would love to be entered into the latest giveaway for Tessyla’s shop. I love her art prints and jewelry.
I adore the white flowers. I always lean towards white flowers when I buy them for myself. I’ve learned that not everyone does so I don’t buy them for others (crazy people)
Thanks for the chance to win..the sign is adorable. I am going to go look at the other items on her site
Sue
Just found your lovely blog….I don’t know how I never came across it before! I adore these images..a lot of white on white with a punch of black…just how I decorate only I throw in a bit of robins egg blue! Your giveaway is lovely!
I’ve been following you since you first started posting about your lovely cottage by the sea. I would love to win anything you give away! Have a beautiful week…Kathy
What if there really were as many murders of simple village folk and random landed gentry as there were on Midsomer Murders? The Cotswolds would be the cheapest place to live in England and the only people living there would be the very brave or silly. It’d almost be worth moving back to the UK…
You have a beautiful home and it almost tempts me to go all white. BUT I love colour as well and my kids would just trash a white home especially daughter No.2 who can’t eat anything without getting it on her face, hair, clothes and furnture. And no, she’s not a toddler, she’s 9. Sigh! Anyway, I digress.
I noticed the “C’est la vie” right away! Love the color and the modern edge, especially with all your beach cottagey goodness! Thanks for introducing us to Tess!
What a pleasure it would be to win and fill my home with something beautiful from your shop!! I love your blog, thank you for all you do to inspire us!
I really admire the creativity of these designs. Just seems to add so much character and brightness to everything….I sure hope to win…I definately could use this talent in my decorating.
I love your cottage style! I am trying to do some cottage style decorating in my home and use some of your designs for inspiration. Throw my name in the hat for the giveaway! I’d love to win something!!
I keep SAYING I want to do all white and neutrals in my beach house (which is my only house), but I keep bringing things into the place that are red, brown, green, blue….
how do you find the DISCIPLINE?!?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, such is life!!! Very nice!
It took me a while to figure out what a vintage meat safe was. I keep looking on top of the piece of furniture. Then I remembered what a “pie safe” was and got it.
Does the “meat safe” have a story that I have missed? Just curious………… Thanks for a great give-away. Relax, be happy.
I love your blog because you always give me great ideas and tips on stuff I never would have thought of!I always look forward to reading it! Love the giveaway too. The jewerly is fantastic and the prints are so pretty! Someone is going to be lucky to win! Thanks!
Oh how I love to come to your blog. I dream – everytime I read your posts and look at your pictures – of the day when I can own a little beach cottage and play with it so beautifully. I keep praying it’s soon!!! What a fun little print. mmmmmmm.. would love to win!!
So Happy I found your site tonight… you are the second one that I have bookmarked that I love . I live near the beach also, and love anything beachy and cottagey. I totally understand the dumpster find of the vintage window… a treasure waiting to be found! Thanks to Tess also for the great giveaway. I really liked her Blue and Gold Palm Tree Cards, living here in Palm Beach, they would be perfect. Cant wait to hear the continuing story of the window!
Love it! The color is scrumptious!
And your photos are as usual, inspiring…
And I so love it that you put in that last part about your relaxing bath, reminded me to do something nice for me today~
XOXOXO
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
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 …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
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
I thought I might do myself a little bit of arranging…no one is ever gonna complain about flowers nicely arranged on the side are they? 
I love these sort of prints. She is a clever lady. Hope you were able to unwind peacefully. Cherrie
GREAT LOOK
GIO
During my own venture into cottage decorating I’ve toyed with the idea of adding “wall words” to the mix. So it was nice to see the print you added to your collection. I love how you keep things simple and not over done. It’s so relaxing to the senses. When I want a few minutes of calm in my day I come and visit your blog.
I would love to be entered into the latest giveaway for Tessyla’s shop. I love her art prints and jewelry.
Hi Sarah -
Love this print…my husband loves to say “la vie” to justify everything.
Gotta have it!
Marsha
Sarah – if I don’t win, I’m buying one…
Thanks for the lead -
chandeliermagic.blogspot.com
Beautiful flowers, beautiful print!
Love the print and and then green is a lovely addition to your lovely home. Thanks for sharing!
I adore the white flowers. I always lean towards white flowers when I buy them for myself. I’ve learned that not everyone does so I don’t buy them for others (crazy people)
Thanks for the chance to win..the sign is adorable. I am going to go look at the other items on her site
Sue
Just found your lovely blog….I don’t know how I never came across it before! I adore these images..a lot of white on white with a punch of black…just how I decorate only I throw in a bit of robins egg blue! Your giveaway is lovely!
I’ve been following you since you first started posting about your lovely cottage by the sea. I would love to win anything you give away! Have a beautiful week…Kathy
Your home looks so gorgeous and comfortable! Love all your pics
OOh I love that cane chair-do I really need another?
Beautiful room to relax in esp after a sports carny day.
Love the layers too
x
~Justine~
This room is so heavenly that I would love to curl up on your couch with a book and a cup of tea–sigh.
The print looks lovely – that greeen is perfect. But Tess’s print with the quote about missing her Daddy just made me cry – so sweet (i miss mine)
That is the perfect green – it’s like a freshly scrubbed face or a basket of washing off the line.
I love the green. I think it looks beautiful in its new little setting. The beautiful flowers just add the finishing touch.
What if there really were as many murders of simple village folk and random landed gentry as there were on Midsomer Murders? The Cotswolds would be the cheapest place to live in England and the only people living there would be the very brave or silly. It’d almost be worth moving back to the UK…
You have a beautiful home and it almost tempts me to go all white. BUT I love colour as well and my kids would just trash a white home especially daughter No.2 who can’t eat anything without getting it on her face, hair, clothes and furnture. And no, she’s not a toddler, she’s 9. Sigh! Anyway, I digress.
Please put me in your competition.
Sarah,
I love your cottage! It’s so restful and bright. I’d love to win the chance to buy something from Tess’s site. Thank you for the chance.
Gorgeous! I check your blog daily as I am often inspired by your lovely combinations. . . this particular post is no exception!
Simply lovely! Thanks for the opportunity to take a chance to join in!
love it! if i win, can you help me decorate with it?
absolutely beautiful
I love the site and things
Diana
I noticed the “C’est la vie” right away! Love the color and the modern edge, especially with all your beach cottagey goodness! Thanks for introducing us to Tess!
perfectly beautiful!!
What a pretty print. Would look great in my own beach cottage, which should be livable in about, oh, six years!
Love your blog-Beautiful- you have such wonderful taste. Thanks for the chance to win on your giveaway.
ejxd95 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the chance. This is a fabulous giveaway!
I love your style & have been a fan of your blog for awhile. I checked out Tessyla as soon as I read your latest entry
What a pleasure it would be to win and fill my home with something beautiful from your shop!! I love your blog, thank you for all you do to inspire us!
I really admire the creativity of these designs. Just seems to add so much character and brightness to everything….I sure hope to win…I definately could use this talent in my decorating.
I just love visiting your little beach cottage. It is so calming & relaxing. Love the sign, love the flowers.
Would love to be entered! It’s funny – I live just about 30 mins north of where Tess lives!!!! =) Small world.
Love the print and the flowers. I like that green in particular! Sharon
I love your cottage style! I am trying to do some cottage style decorating in my home and use some of your designs for inspiration. Throw my name in the hat for the giveaway! I’d love to win something!!
Leslie
We’d never tire of looking at this room! The green of that adorable pring just pops – wonderful!
{love that layered mirror look you’ve got too!}
The flowers are lovely, as is the print. How generous…my fingers {and toes} are crossed!
I keep SAYING I want to do all white and neutrals in my beach house (which is my only house), but I keep bringing things into the place that are red, brown, green, blue….
how do you find the DISCIPLINE?!?
Congratulations Gretchen.
What a cute print – looks fabulous next to the flowers
Wow another giveaway – count me in.
Sounds fabulous.
I’m envious that Spring is on your doorstep as Autumn will soon be here. I thrive during spring and summer!
I enjoy reading your blog so much.
I like Tess’s dandelion prints–I can’t decide which color I like best.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, such is life!!! Very nice!
It took me a while to figure out what a vintage meat safe was. I keep looking on top of the piece of furniture. Then I remembered what a “pie safe” was and got it.
Does the “meat safe” have a story that I have missed? Just curious………… Thanks for a great give-away. Relax, be happy.
I love your blog because you always give me great ideas and tips on stuff I never would have thought of!I always look forward to reading it! Love the giveaway too. The jewerly is fantastic and the prints are so pretty! Someone is going to be lucky to win! Thanks!
Oh how I love to come to your blog. I dream – everytime I read your posts and look at your pictures – of the day when I can own a little beach cottage and play with it so beautifully. I keep praying it’s soon!!! What a fun little print. mmmmmmm.. would love to win!!
So Happy I found your site tonight… you are the second one that I have bookmarked that I love . I live near the beach also, and love anything beachy and cottagey. I totally understand the dumpster find of the vintage window… a treasure waiting to be found! Thanks to Tess also for the great giveaway. I really liked her Blue and Gold Palm Tree Cards, living here in Palm Beach, they would be perfect. Cant wait to hear the continuing story of the window!
Thanks for sharing more pictures of your beautiful home! Would love to be the winner of this one!
Love it! The color is scrumptious!
And your photos are as usual, inspiring…
And I so love it that you put in that last part about your relaxing bath, reminded me to do something nice for me today~
XOXOXO
Robin
All Things Heart and Home