G'day pop pickers!
Thanks for all the comments, I loved all the ideas.
I have to say that I loved Laura's idea of candles – a soft glow, the weathered wood, the old lettering…I thought this would be a nice combination and it was…but just after I wrote this post today, I completely changed it for another idea…I thought you'd still like to see how it was looking…well it lasted one night anyway…
So yesterday afternoon I cleaned it up, this was actually pretty much a case of vacuuming it, then cleaning with a soapy solution and then disinfecting – my normal routine for grotty old items.
I've had much on my mind lately and much happening in our life…on the outside, strangely enough things are probably the most organised they've been for a long time, but inside, for me, it's all just a little bit fuzzy round the edges.
I found how welcome the distraction of this project was from that fuzziness. I seemed to get lost in soapy water and disinfectant. You know?
I've had a gutful of 'real' the last six months…all the normal stuff we all go through…the self-growing laundry pile, dentist trips with the teenager who knocks out his $1000 tooth repair, the tired and ratty seven yr old at seven pm, our wonderful old vintage car having to go to the crusher, Mr BC being retrenched at one of the worst economic times and making a huge and pretty scary life-changing decision to go-it-alone.
So as I lit these candles and snapped a few pics I felt pretty grateful to shift, if only for a short time, away from realities of life…I want old tatty cottages..vintage fruit boxes, weathered wood, white things…here I want to blog the good stuff…the beach, old sash windows, the sea, the simple things…the coastal air, the wonderful Australian sun …
Nostalgic?
Yep
Want more of it?
Oh yes, I do think so.
This post made me smile. I love blogs that are very clearly a happy place and yours is one of them.
You need to REALLY escape – boatshed????
Looking beautiful as usual! I love those boxes…please send the junkinfairy my way next.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Sarah I think we all need to shift from the realities of life from time to time to keep us sane. The greatest comfort comes from the simple things. I, for one, am grateful that you blog about the “good stuff.” I look forward to visiting here at the end of each day. It brings such comfort. So, here’s to you Sarah, for “not keeping it real” and using this space for a safe haven filled with inspiration, creativity, and fun.
Your fruit/candle box looks beautiful, Sarah, and your blog is always a shining light of hope and inspiration. Thanks for sharing your cottage life with us, even when things are stormy.
I feel like my blog is what takes me away from “reality”…and I think that’s my favorite thing about blogs! Even if I can escape for 10 minutes…ah…
The crate looks great! Candles are a fabulous idea.
Such a beautiful blog… Is your house really this clean?!?Loveit. I’m sufficiently inspired… Thank you!
That box looks wonderful. And wishing you lots of strenth and even more good luck from the other side of the world!
wow – denise said it perfectly. thank you denise. and thank you sarah for sharing your life & your home. ruby
The box is pretty painted too.
Life can be pretty messy, but we have to keep focused on the good.
Love you, your home, your ideas.
Simply stunning, once again. I think it’s the fact that I love old tumbly things that draws me to your place day after day, but you have such a way of putting them together that just sings to my heart.
Hoping things will be sunny & bright!
Sarah although difficulties in our lives may come and go, you’ve chosen to focus on the joys as well, the sea, the beach, the old sash windows, the coastal air, the sun, and the simple things in life. Such as found “as is” treasure boxes such as this. You’re blog is wonderful Sarah. I so enjoy it, please continue to do what you do best, and that is to share with us your readers the realities, the dissapointments, the ups, and joys as you currently do.
Gretchen
what a great idea! Sometimes it takes a project to take you away! I am sorry you have had a few rough months. I am right there with you. Keep looking for the “white at the end of the tunnel”! By the way I love your blog, and I am very jealous you live in Australia- I have always wanted to visit.
Your blog doesn’t just carry you away for a bit, it carries ALL of us away to a better place.
The illusion: I’m enjoying a glamorous book tour to promote Waterside Cottages and I’m sitting in the lounge of a lovely bed and breakfast in California.
The reality: I came down to the lounge at 5 am because my body thinks its back home in a different time zone. I have a horrible cold and in a couple of hours must board a plane to go to a different city. I’m so exhausted I could scream!
Haven’t mentioned the downside on MY blog at all!
Sounds like you’ve had a lot on your plate Sarah. Hang in there and know that you make the blogosphere such a better place with your endless inspiration, education, and humorous anecdotes of your life in the beach cottage. I’m sending you and your family positive vibes from all the way down here, deep in the heart of Texas!
It is nice to be able to lose yourself in a project, isn’t it?! I can’t wait to see what you have planned for the boxes!
Surely you already know you’re awesome, but I mentioned you as I passed on my “blog award.”
You’ve totally made me fall for white.
Ah Sarah, Life can be pretty frighening sometimes, I know. That’s when it’s important that we keep the homefront as normal as possible and love up our family and show hubby the utmost respect. You are his greatest cheerleader! Keep moving stuff around and making it beautiful in your own unique, wonderful way and I wish Mr BC great success as he makes a go of it on his own. Hugs, Cindy S.
Good luck to hubby for going it alone. Me too – I was made redundant in August and we’re starting a new business, and it’s scary as HELL! My partner is also out of work so we’ve started coaching for kids in schools, but also stretching that to offering it to people out of work, kids in the probation system, Connexions etc. It’s dead hard and I’m freaked not to have a pay packet but hey, what doesn’t kills you makes you stronger, right?! Loving all your house pictures, as usual. Love it all
Hi Sarah, love your new found old wooden fruit box. It’s so you!
The comment left by “Gretchen Schaumann” says it all.
Thanks for always being a ray of sunshine in my day.
Sarah, thanks for sharing that you needed a little simple pleasure time as a reprieve from the heavy stuff that life sometimes brings us. We always need the simple and pure joys to keep us grounded. Especially when we have a lot of serious activity going on each day.
Your blog gives me (and I think many of your readers) a chance to escape into ourselves and our dreams each day by taking a peek into your life. Your blog helps me remember to pay attention to the things that bring me simple joys.
Blessings to you! And, as always, thank you for sharing your story with us!
Paula
Sarah, I absolutely love your blog! I am new here, but am always so refreshed after I spend time looking at your lovely pictures and beautiful home. Thank you for being “real” with your heart. I honestly feel so inspired for life after being on your blog. Thanks so much for the time and effort you put into it.
Blessings and Hugs to you!
Martha
And as your new follower, I want more…more of your nostalgic good stuff blogging. Thanks Sarah!
-marie
You have a lovely home. There is nothing more beautiful then the simplicity of everyday items.
Nancy
Looks lovely, Sarah! Love it with the white!
Smiles,
Rachel
Hi Sarah….. I have almost nothing new to add to all of the wonderful comments above me. I really hope you take them all to heart and realize what a breathe of fresh air you bring to all of us out here that need a break. I kind of feel selfish so I’m sending you(through blogland) a cup of tea in the most beautiful cup you can imagine…..
Hi Sarah -
This post does keep it real and all of the comments are so right on.
Thanks for sharing your ideas and finds so that at the end of everyday we can escape our worries in the most comfortable place of all – home.
As for me, you have inspired me to plan a beach wedding for my daughter on a realllllllly tight budget and I am enjoying the challenge!
Marsha
I love love your blog and all the beautiful photos of your home on here. I am having my first giveaway today and you might like the white or red berry wreath napking rings that I am giving away. Stop on by and take a peek.
Karin
I have been traveling on the nostalgic road too, and the dentist is looming on the horizon for me too, I have just been putting it off, but I am afraid one day soon, there will be no more putting it off. Jackie
The cloudy days make me appreciate the sunny ones even more. My heart goes out to you, blogging friend, for sharing your heart with us.
Amy
I ADORE whites with woods! Looks rustic and chic all at the same time. Nice look!
Stopped in from FFF.
Donna
Sarah, so sorry to hear things are tricky at the moment. Blogs are a great way to distract ourselves aren’t they? Sending you a big Bloggie hug and one of my favourite sayings is, ‘This too will pass.’
xx
This is your happy place, thanks for sharing it with us!
Sarah ~ this too shall pass. I think that is my mantra when I am dealing with “life” in its entirety!! I tell myself that over and over sometimes!
This is gorgeous! So simple and clean and pure! I love it!!
I just found your blog and love it! I am a follower and I will be back!
Have a great weekend!
Lou Cinda
I love to visit your blog for that calming effect it has on me, it’s a nice respite from the clutter that sometimes surrounds me. We are still in the process of renovating and it can sometimes be unnerving, so it’s always a pleasure and inspiring to see what someone else is doing.
Thanks for posting the good stuff!
Cheers,
Siggie
What a great post. Thanks for sharing it at my Fruniture Feature. I also think about the staged pictures and completed projects that I post on my blog in contrast to all the boring, messy, and busy things that go on in my life. Your picture looks so peaceful and I love the crate with the candles.
Sorry , I am so late – I just joined this morning and then I had to go to WORK – ugh !
Super cute box with the candles – great job !
Kammy
my blog is most definitely my happy little place. having this pretty escape has helped me through some tough times i choose not to share, keeping it all very light and airy.
beautiful images as always, sarah.
xo
elyse
Sometimes we all need to escape reality for a bit… that’s life!! At least we can all spend time hiding out in blogland where the sun is always shining.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
i enjoy your blog always. on this one i need to note that the candles inside the wooden box are very dangerous… coming from one who has lost every single thing in a fire (that was not my fault–a faulty neighbor…), please move the candles out of the box with the top of the box so close to the flame. starting over from scratch after years of collecting my favorite things *sigh…* is not as fun as it might sound. your blog though– lovely as ever.
Sarah great post. Blogging sure is a distraction from some of our ‘real life issues’. Wow the retrench thing for Mr BC was the same for us, my other half got retrenched and once you reach a certain age it makes it harder to get a job. After many and I do mean many months of nothing he has gone out contracting on his own – scary!! Love hpw the fruit box looks
Alison