The other weekend on my way home, with a boot load of treasure from the crazy Jumble Sale that happens a few times a year round here (you can read about my last visit to it, what I found and a whole day of thrifting here), I passed a shop that I've driven by for the last 4 years but never stopped at. Two reasons for that, one I often see it mentioned in magazines and to say the prices are, ahem, quite out there is an understatement and two there is rarely a park – it's on a busy road. But there was a space so I pulled in and parked up.
Now, price doesn't normally stop me from window shopping, but phew this one blew me outta the water. I had collected Mr Teenage BC from the beach and he whispered to me referring to an old sideboard/buffet that had been spruced up and painted "mum you should really start a shop, this old thing is $3000!"
Anyway, my not entirely orthodox way of getting the look I want, is to either shamelessly try and copy something for a fraction of the price or thrift it. The thing is though, for certain things, like accessories I don't have the inclination to wait and so despite all my thrifty ways I will easily fork out for just the right thing to, you know, add that little touch.
So sitting on the floor was a basket stuffed full of the most divine Frenchy rattan bells.Absolutely just what I've been looking for for outside. I wanted two to sit on the table on the deck. I dove in and picked out two. Unfortunately there was a wee problem. Each 4 inch high bell was 45 dollars.Now I knew they wouldn't exactly be cheap…a nice shop in a nice area with nice things. But I thought this, quite frankly, comical.
Perhaps, I may well have lost touch with the real world. Perhaps there were days before we moved to the other side of the world, had three kids, two houses and a penchant for old antique trunks that I would have paid the knocking-on a hundred dollars for two little bells. Perhaps you are cringing even that I have the audacity to bring up 'price' in the world of Frenchy rattan bells? Perhaps I should have gaily handed over my cash and fed my children baked beans on toast for the week.
But I didn't, I showed Mr Teenage BC, whose eyes nearly fell out of his sockets, he I imagine thinking of the computer games or surfboard-saving-up he could do with that and we laughed and swiftly put them back.
So anyway what has this to do with tablescaping (and find more tablescapes today over at Susan's blog)? Well I was, to be honest, most disgruntled about those bells and so I thought I would use my rattan food covers for that same look that I so sadly had to leave in the shop the day before.
And rather than set the table, to be very honest, dear readers, I couldn't actually be bothered and anyway recently we had been to dinner at a friend's and though I am loathe to sprinkle the words 'casual entertaining' around (there is to me, no such thing) she pulled it off just like that. On a side table were all the bits and pieces, piles of the accoutrement's of dining, then a simple roasted meat, salad and potatoes and we just sort of pottered to and fro. Too easy.
I noticed how my kids loved this set-up. I however, have never been much of one for buffet food – conjuring up dreadful images for me of Boxing Day 80's lunches where I'd forgo the platters of turkey and instead fill my plate with too many mini-quiches and chips and end up feeling sick.
But sticking to the three or four dishes that would regularly be set down on the table there was no room for error.
So after the afternoon spent milling about, doing a bit of gardening and those weekend-things we do, a roast in the oven, we just piled all the apparel on the table…followed by the food, covered with the rattan covers and we spent much of the evening going back for seconds…and thirds…just pottering.
No bells in sight.
Nice.
find one of my favourite and ever-so-thrifty tablescapes with tealights and mason jars here , a blue and white beachy one here, and one of my first, ever-so-stripey! ones here. Other tabletop scapes including one with soft pinks plus an old trunk can be found here, and a dollar-free one here.
And if you want to see what the dining looked like before when we came to view this old cottage, you can see the before and after here.
table & chairs IKEA : tablecloth IKEA : rattan foodcover Target : candles Dollar Store : candle holders IKEA : vase old pesto jar : cutlery vintage thrifted : napkins IKEA :
(nope I'm not affiliated to Ikea..but I'd like to be!)
Hello sweet Sarah – I just love your tablescapes. Beachy elegance. I especially love what you’ve done in this post. The simplicity of the pretty white flower and shiny silver candle holder and white candles. Fabulous!
Enjoying all your posts. The tin can is missing in this one! I’ve picked up a few glass jars in the past couple of weeks at local op-shops. Living on the other side of Oz is just as good for bargains & I keep well away from fancy shops.
Hi there! I was almost having the exact same conversation with my boss and my husband about a 3 seater lounge I liked and it’s ridiculously over-priced $3100 price tag. How on earth???
Funny and true as always… you have such a gift for writing about /style/decor/life/things/ that are so relatable and true! Keep writing!!
Doesn’t it frustrate you to no end when you walk into a shop and everything is overwhelmingly overpriced? Yes, I agree with Beach Cottage Teen – you need to continue with your own finds and salvage them and resell them! But not at inflated prices, of course. You can find a happy medium, although I suspect you’d undercut yourself just to keep everyone happy.
Love the all white! So crisp and clean ! Thanks so much for sharing your story about the bells, I needed a laugh today! I can so relate! Have a great week!
The big farmhouse table in our breakfast is too narrow for serving bowls and such. I set the table for big family meals, but we move back and forth to the kitchen island, where I try to make the platters and bowls of food look pretty.:-)
Oh and I know I always seem to set the dining room table, for Tablescape Thursday, more often. That table is great for 4 or 5 folks or just the two of us. When we have family gatherings, there are 12 of us, all sizes and ages. Breakfast room makes more sense.
Oh how I hate those expensive shops. It is so frustrating when you see the prices some of these shops charge for things just because of the area their shop is in
Alison
Loved this post…as I love every post…and I enjoyed reading about how you made do with what you had! Isn’t that something we all need to learn to do?! Thanks for more inspiration!
Hi Sarah~ ~You do such a nice white look with a bit of whimsy that I love. (sea)
I do totally agree casual entertaining is not a look I do well. I tend to pull out all the plugs even for a casual dinner for 4. Case in point in todays post at my blog.
It’s been fun visiting.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
The biggest thing you have opened my eyes to is the beauty and soothing-ness found in a simple white room. You make me want to scrap my attempted mid-century modern aesthetic and just go all white and beachy throughout my condo!!
Great article Sarah!
I’m glad there is another person in this world that feels the same way about the pricing that goes on in some of these stores. Granted, they are great for inspiration and these people need to make a living too, but 45$ for one little rattan ball?! Geesh. You could always get those ones at Ikea and paint them black?
I used to live in Fredericksburg, Texas and there are a lot of stores like the one you mentioned there (at least there were when I was there several some odd years ago). Even though they were fun for a stroll through, the stuff was usually way off my budget limit! I often wondered if there were really that many people who could afford to spend so much. I think those stores were the hobbies of the already affluent city folks, because I can’t imagine that they sold very many big ticket items. My sister and I had our laughs about things like an old rickety table (not antique) that my grandma wouldn’t even have wanted to sit in her basement which had a 500$ price tag. I guess that was at the beginning of the shabby chic era. Since then, I have fallen for the look also, but I still wouldn’t pay oodles on anything old that I could eventually get for much less or free and shape up a bit.
Anyway, before I get too passionate about the subject I just wanted to tell you that your eye for photography and your style of writing keep me coming back to your blog, pure enjoyment!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I just popped over to say hello. Your table looks lovely, and I am looking forward to looking through more of your posts.
O.K I am with you…how do shops like that even stay open,I once went into a shop that I knew was a little beyond my reach but thought what the heck,I saw the sweetest little(and I mean less than 3 inches little) crown,my heart was pounding at the thought of which vignette to put it in,then I saw the price……..just a mere$65…so of course I bought 3 of them …..NOT!!!!!! Loved this post, love your sense of humor and of course you table is lovely!! All the best Sarah, Chrissy
Your tabletop is divine! Forget those Frenchy rattan bells; what you created is so creative and serene. I tell people all the time that when they are thrift and vintage shopping, karma is always at play. Sometimes we pass something up, feel disappointed, but then the most marvelous mystery occurs: that thing just appears when we least expect it. I see this happen all the time when people buy one thing from a set and then the mate appears half-way around the world! Let’s see where these bells show up again….
Fun post. So sorry they were so expensive but I love the tablescape you shared.
So your having guests tonight? Or was it yesterday or is it tomorrow?
I am in Texas so I don’t know what day it is there. LOL. I love your blog and love we’re friends now.
Thanks for sharing your lovely cottage with us who don’t get to live on the beach.
Smiles,
Sherry
Thanks for the curtain tips Sarah – I may just give it a go if I can ever stay home long enough! I’m in the North Carolina Mtns. for the weekend – celebrating 47 years in the US today (read my post about leaving England!) – and visiting a special blog friend. We went treasure hunting and I found something I’ve been searching for, yippee!!
Love the shape of the pesto jar – I save pretty jars too.
Why, oh why, do they charge so much for such simple items? It’s almost frustrating! I love shops like that, but cannot fathom spending so much for something so small.
See! you don’t really need those cloches ;PP But if you still want them maybe you should look at the Riviera Maison sit http://www.rivieramaison.com there are nice Christmas ones of ratam for less more.
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 . Â 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? Â 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. Â 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
Â
6. layer on top the cream combo
Â
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
Â
*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 ;-)Â
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. Â 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.Â
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. Â Oh yeah. Â 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. Â 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
and we spent much of the evening going back for seconds…and thirds…just pottering. 
Hello sweet Sarah – I just love your tablescapes. Beachy elegance. I especially love what you’ve done in this post. The simplicity of the pretty white flower and shiny silver candle holder and white candles. Fabulous!
Blessings,
Marie
Nice–it looks so clean and serene as always!!
PS. We have those expensive places in Charleston, SC….but Man, yours was off the wall expensive!
Well, here you go again, making pretty! Everything is so lovely! Just love the jar with the flower in it!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
beautiful, as usual
Enjoying all your posts. The tin can is missing in this one! I’ve picked up a few glass jars in the past couple of weeks at local op-shops. Living on the other side of Oz is just as good for bargains & I keep well away from fancy shops.
Sometimes…”simple” is just what the Dr. ordered!!
Lovely!
m ^..^
Love Love Love all the white…
xoxo
Julie
This is very simple but elegant. I love it. I live by the sea as well. Charming. thanks for sharing with me!
ooooooo love it.
simple…………..is beautiful.
xo
Hi there! I was almost having the exact same conversation with my boss and my husband about a 3 seater lounge I liked and it’s ridiculously over-priced $3100 price tag. How on earth???
Oh, so elegant in white!
I just love all the white, so clean and peaceful looking.
Sandy
I love the simplicity. Very crisp and fresh. I can only imagine how divine the cuisine would look when served on this table!
Funny and true as always… you have such a gift for writing about /style/decor/life/things/ that are so relatable and true! Keep writing!!
Doesn’t it frustrate you to no end when you walk into a shop and everything is overwhelmingly overpriced? Yes, I agree with Beach Cottage Teen – you need to continue with your own finds and salvage them and resell them! But not at inflated prices, of course. You can find a happy medium, although I suspect you’d undercut yourself just to keep everyone happy.
Email coming your way! Best, Amy.
It’s so pretty and simple. I love the combination of the light and water and glass. Great photography!
Lorrie
Love the all white! So crisp and clean ! Thanks so much for sharing your story about the bells, I needed a laugh today! I can so relate! Have a great week!
dear sarah….so totally beautiful in its simplicity…
Love the rattan food cover..
love everything really!!
xx andrea
Hello Sarah! This is gorgeous!!
The big farmhouse table in our breakfast is too narrow for serving bowls and such. I set the table for big family meals, but we move back and forth to the kitchen island, where I try to make the platters and bowls of food look pretty.:-)
Make that, breakfast room.
Oh and I know I always seem to set the dining room table, for Tablescape Thursday, more often. That table is great for 4 or 5 folks or just the two of us. When we have family gatherings, there are 12 of us, all sizes and ages. Breakfast room makes more sense.
Love the composition of your photographs.
Oh how I hate those expensive shops. It is so frustrating when you see the prices some of these shops charge for things just because of the area their shop is in
Alison
Loved this post…as I love every post…and I enjoyed reading about how you made do with what you had! Isn’t that something we all need to learn to do?! Thanks for more inspiration!
-Grace
http://rubymoondesigns.blogspot.com/
I have no doubt that someday you will find your bells for next to free. : )
Hi Sarah~ ~You do such a nice white look with a bit of whimsy that I love. (sea)
I do totally agree casual entertaining is not a look I do well. I tend to pull out all the plugs even for a casual dinner for 4. Case in point in todays post at my blog.
It’s been fun visiting.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
beautiful!
all the white is so peaceful & serene
The white is still doing it for me…in your sweet little cottage by the sea.
xo bj
simple and beautiful, love that look~
The biggest thing you have opened my eyes to is the beauty and soothing-ness found in a simple white room. You make me want to scrap my attempted mid-century modern aesthetic and just go all white and beachy throughout my condo!!
Great article Sarah!
I’m glad there is another person in this world that feels the same way about the pricing that goes on in some of these stores. Granted, they are great for inspiration and these people need to make a living too, but 45$ for one little rattan ball?! Geesh. You could always get those ones at Ikea and paint them black?
I used to live in Fredericksburg, Texas and there are a lot of stores like the one you mentioned there (at least there were when I was there several some odd years ago). Even though they were fun for a stroll through, the stuff was usually way off my budget limit! I often wondered if there were really that many people who could afford to spend so much. I think those stores were the hobbies of the already affluent city folks, because I can’t imagine that they sold very many big ticket items. My sister and I had our laughs about things like an old rickety table (not antique) that my grandma wouldn’t even have wanted to sit in her basement which had a 500$ price tag. I guess that was at the beginning of the shabby chic era. Since then, I have fallen for the look also, but I still wouldn’t pay oodles on anything old that I could eventually get for much less or free and shape up a bit.
Anyway, before I get too passionate about the subject I just wanted to tell you that your eye for photography and your style of writing keep me coming back to your blog, pure enjoyment!
Cheers from Germany,
Siggie
So crisp and clean and beautiful. I love your white scapes. Love the sweet flowers in the little jar…
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I just popped over to say hello. Your table looks lovely, and I am looking forward to looking through more of your posts.
How very classy yet comfortable at the same time. I enjoyed every word and every picture.
Sue
What a wonderful post, as always. : ) I just love the old pesto jar vase. So, so pretty!!
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
O.K I am with you…how do shops like that even stay open,I once went into a shop that I knew was a little beyond my reach but thought what the heck,I saw the sweetest little(and I mean less than 3 inches little) crown,my heart was pounding at the thought of which vignette to put it in,then I saw the price……..just a mere$65…so of course I bought 3 of them …..NOT!!!!!! Loved this post, love your sense of humor and of course you table is lovely!! All the best Sarah, Chrissy
Good for you for resisting the overpriced bells, although, I’m sure they were lovely. Your table is beautiful just the way it is!
Christi
So crisp and clean! This is a simply elegant table. Love it!
I love your tablescapes, I love your diningroom make over and most of all, I love your stories.
Thanks for the smile.
I know what you mean with those exorbitant prices.I think it’ll be fine without those bells, your have created beauty here just the same.
Your tabletop is divine! Forget those Frenchy rattan bells; what you created is so creative and serene. I tell people all the time that when they are thrift and vintage shopping, karma is always at play. Sometimes we pass something up, feel disappointed, but then the most marvelous mystery occurs: that thing just appears when we least expect it. I see this happen all the time when people buy one thing from a set and then the mate appears half-way around the world! Let’s see where these bells show up again….
Have a fantastic weekend!
Stan
Sarah, I just love your relaxing style of decorating…it’s gorgeous!
Jane
I just love the white petunias in a simply glass jar.
If I could purr, I would. So, so, so lovely!
xo Isa
Fun post. So sorry they were so expensive but I love the tablescape you shared.
So your having guests tonight? Or was it yesterday or is it tomorrow?
I am in Texas so I don’t know what day it is there. LOL. I love your blog and love we’re friends now.
Thanks for sharing your lovely cottage with us who don’t get to live on the beach.
Smiles,
Sherry
Thanks for the curtain tips Sarah – I may just give it a go if I can ever stay home long enough! I’m in the North Carolina Mtns. for the weekend – celebrating 47 years in the US today (read my post about leaving England!) – and visiting a special blog friend. We went treasure hunting and I found something I’ve been searching for, yippee!!
Love the shape of the pesto jar – I save pretty jars too.
Why, oh why, do they charge so much for such simple items? It’s almost frustrating! I love shops like that, but cannot fathom spending so much for something so small.
Love your tablescape! Have a sun-shiney day!
See! you don’t really need those cloches ;PP But if you still want them maybe you should look at the Riviera Maison sit http://www.rivieramaison.com there are nice Christmas ones of ratam for less more.
White is the best color when done right! Great photography too!