Just popping by this lovely warm balmy Friday evening to show you a couple of simple things, unfortunately as I snapped the first two photos my camera battery died so 2 is all I have to offer…
Today I got the dresser finished, in the room and it is now sitting beside me happily as I type and brimming with our linens.
It has delivered, as I knew it would (just see those layered edges. love. ) and is standing so very proudly in the study-cum-spare-room-cum-office-cum-place-to-stash-junk…you know those sorta rooms?
Well, to be very honest the acquiring and overhauling of the vintage Glory Box (read about it here, should you be new here) has meant that I had to get my act together and start organising the study. Because really, no-one else was gonna do it. Sometimes it's tough to admit that, isn't it, that no-one else has either the time, the inclination or the want to get it done. But that is, simply the way it is.
So, I have been de-cluttering like crazy, don't stand still or I'll put you in bag and stand you by the front door, ready to be shipped off to Vinnies.
And in the study it's paying off. Big time.
I thrifted a white cover for the day bed, found the Glory Box and today bought a vastly reduced candle to stand on top of the now cleared (though who knows how long it will last?) surface.
Sigh.
I think it is hard to improve on this scenario - a beautiful old piece saved from landfill, a white candle, hydrangea from the garden and a bit of bling to finish it off.
I don't know what it is about a combination like this. All I know is that for me. It works.
see you next time
vintage bottle : garage sale candle holder : IKEA
white candle : Freedom chest : garage sale hydrangea : garden
My study is in a complete state of chaos at the moment too – you have inspired me to start de-cluttering and tidying up over the weekend. What a glorious hydrangea – never seen one such a deep shade of blue – stunning! Am so glad I have discovered your blog, am loving your posts and photos.
Oh how I wish I could grow hydrangeas like you all do down under. I lived in NZ for a short time and never stopped being amazed at the incredible variety of colors—cobalt, teal, grape, sky blue—that hydrangea flowers (even on the same plant) would grow in.
Perfection! The only word that works for this simple, beautiful vignette.
Glad you are getting down to the job of organizing the study – I have a similar chore awaiting, if I can ever get DH to move his mess out first!
Stop by and see my outdoor job of yesterday – my ‘find’ was a bargain, the painting I’m doing, but still have to pay the upholsterer, sigh! I’ve wanted one like this for ages though so hopefully it will be worth the expense.
Simple, but effective – my type of decorating!! Can’t get over your hydrangeas, our’s are only just starting to take colour – picked the first this week, hope to post soon!!
Man Sarah, your killing me. The suspense of not seeing your dresser, but only a corner is killing me. Ha! Something to look forward to, and I’ll be waiting for that battery to charge up. What I can see looks lovely and the hydrangea and candle holder are perfect.
Have a great evening as we have a great day here in Minnesota.
Gretchen
Sarah, I’ve been knee deep in Christmas decor this week, but wanted to stop by & say hello! Oh, what a pretty hydrangea, your pics are always so uplifting and fresh. Love the old crates you found too, you just have a way with junk, ya know?! I can always come by here for some beautiful eye candy.
Yes, but the great thing about being the only one who will sort things out (or who cares) is the POWER! Think how awful it would be to live with a man who insisted on things his way! (my mum pointed this out to me years ago when I was whingeing that it all fell on me.)
By the way Sarah, terrible idle curiosity and nosiness, but what happens inside your summer house? Storage? Work shop? Bluebeard’s den? Or is it your private retreat?
Always love your photos. The color of the Hydrangea is simply beautiful and on your Glory Box it really pops. I’ll be spending seven weeks in Melbourne visiting my daughter and her family for the holidays……can’t wait to see her garden with all those beautiful, eye catching colors that Australia’s Hydrangeas are so famous for. I keep thinking how fun it would be if where you live and where my daughter lives were closer – I would love to meet up with you for an afternoon coffee.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Vicki
I’m very happy to meet your blog…because I like very much your beach cottage and your talent of décoratrice…sorry for my english, I’m french and leave in a beach cottage too on the west coast of France ! I will follow your blog …
I would like to know what you think of my blog (I just begin it) ilt’s name is deco bord de mer (deco seaside)I don’t know if your can translate it in english
Bye bye
Virginie
Hello Sarah,
That really looks pretty, very simple and calming. Sounds like just what you need for now. Hope you’re feeling better about things today. It’s been a rotten year, for a lot of us! But we’ll manage, there are so many who have it so much worse. It’s great that you can consider the postives in you life, and then just get on with it.
Have a relaxing weekend ! I’ll be keeping good thoughts for you.
XO
Heidi – Heart and Home
Simply lovely! I have been working at getting myself organized this week, also. My sunroom almost looks like it could be in your house! It has lots of white loveliness with white accesories! Hugs, Cindy S.
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
Beautifully simple arrangement. I can’t get over the colour of the hydrangea, it is so intense and deep.
My study is in a complete state of chaos at the moment too – you have inspired me to start de-cluttering and tidying up over the weekend. What a glorious hydrangea – never seen one such a deep shade of blue – stunning! Am so glad I have discovered your blog, am loving your posts and photos.
Happy Friday (or Saturday) to you, too! Thanks so much for popping by to see me.
That lavendar just pops so beautifully against all the white. It works so well!
Oh how I wish I could grow hydrangeas like you all do down under. I lived in NZ for a short time and never stopped being amazed at the incredible variety of colors—cobalt, teal, grape, sky blue—that hydrangea flowers (even on the same plant) would grow in.
Very calming picture!
Perfection! The only word that works for this simple, beautiful vignette.
Glad you are getting down to the job of organizing the study – I have a similar chore awaiting, if I can ever get DH to move his mess out first!
Stop by and see my outdoor job of yesterday – my ‘find’ was a bargain, the painting I’m doing, but still have to pay the upholsterer, sigh! I’ve wanted one like this for ages though so hopefully it will be worth the expense.
Have a wonderful weekend Sarah.
Mary – ACROSS THE POND
Loverly. Plain and simple. Love coming over here for my daily dose of Ahhhhhhh.
Simple, but effective – my type of decorating!! Can’t get over your hydrangeas, our’s are only just starting to take colour – picked the first this week, hope to post soon!!
Man Sarah, your killing me. The suspense of not seeing your dresser, but only a corner is killing me. Ha! Something to look forward to, and I’ll be waiting for that battery to charge up. What I can see looks lovely and the hydrangea and candle holder are perfect.
Have a great evening as we have a great day here in Minnesota.
Gretchen
It’s beautiful, love the vintage bottle.
Sarah, I’ve been knee deep in Christmas decor this week, but wanted to stop by & say hello! Oh, what a pretty hydrangea, your pics are always so uplifting and fresh. Love the old crates you found too, you just have a way with junk, ya know?!
I can always come by here for some beautiful eye candy.
J’adore your almost purple hydrangea. It’s one of my favorite flowers and have it all around my garden too!
-marie
Beautiful photos! Have a happy weekend:)
Lovely
What especially caught my eye was the edge of the dresser and the silver candle stick, it looks so crisp and clean.
Thanks for sharing, have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Siggie
Yes, but the great thing about being the only one who will sort things out (or who cares) is the POWER! Think how awful it would be to live with a man who insisted on things his way! (my mum pointed this out to me years ago when I was whingeing that it all fell on me.)
By the way Sarah, terrible idle curiosity and nosiness, but what happens inside your summer house? Storage? Work shop? Bluebeard’s den? Or is it your private retreat?
Always love your photos. The color of the Hydrangea is simply beautiful and on your Glory Box it really pops. I’ll be spending seven weeks in Melbourne visiting my daughter and her family for the holidays……can’t wait to see her garden with all those beautiful, eye catching colors that Australia’s Hydrangeas are so famous for. I keep thinking how fun it would be if where you live and where my daughter lives were closer – I would love to meet up with you for an afternoon coffee.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Vicki
LOVE the second photo… VERY pretty bottle… and flowers!
Hello,
I’m very happy to meet your blog…because I like very much your beach cottage and your talent of décoratrice…sorry for my english, I’m french and leave in a beach cottage too on the west coast of France ! I will follow your blog …
I would like to know what you think of my blog (I just begin it) ilt’s name is deco bord de mer (deco seaside)I don’t know if your can translate it in english
Bye bye
Virginie
Beautiful post, in the middle of the chaotic lives we live it is nice to take a moment to enjoy the simple beauties.
Love, love, love…sigh…absolutely perfect…as always! Have a happy weekend, Sarah!
Smiles,
rachel
Those ages make me wanna cry!
dear sarah…it looks beautiful..
amazing colour of the hydrangea…
take care..
xx andrea
Pure and simple – and a pop of color.Just the way I like it!
You know I love the simple style sometimes too, and the one in your photo is so pretty… I hope you show us the room when you are done with it..
Have a great weekend,
Hugs’
Alaura
Very beautiful. I love hydrangeas, I have huge bushes of them outside of my house. Hopefully I can get some beautiful blooms like that one.
Hello Sarah,
That really looks pretty, very simple and calming. Sounds like just what you need for now. Hope you’re feeling better about things today. It’s been a rotten year, for a lot of us! But we’ll manage, there are so many who have it so much worse. It’s great that you can consider the postives in you life, and then just get on with it.
Have a relaxing weekend ! I’ll be keeping good thoughts for you.
XO
Heidi – Heart and Home
It’s award time over at my blog! Come on over! x
Oh how I relate to your study clean up story Sarah. I patiently wait for the fairies to come and help out… but they never come!!
simple & beautiful – love it! ruby
This is lovely.
Popping in from Chic Chick Media. I usually rollover the links daily and pick and picture that I have to know more about and this was it!
You’ve got quite the eye and decorating knack for chic simplicity. I will be visiting again soon!
Warmly,
Cristina
Simply lovely! I have been working at getting myself organized this week, also. My sunroom almost looks like it could be in your house! It has lots of white loveliness with white accesories! Hugs, Cindy S.
All looks vintage lovely, Sarah! And I like that spark of color in the flowers.
Brenda
Beautiful and serene pictures!
Simply lovely!
m ^..^
Simple but beautiful!
the pop of blue can be noticed because it doesn’t have to compete with its surroundings…and that, once again, is why i like white!!!
I SO need to declutter like crazy! That was supposed to happen this weekend. Whoops.
There’s always next weekend…
Great look Sarah and that hydrangea is such a ‘popping’ blue
Alison