Wow, thanks for all the Powder Room love, so glad you liked it, I didn't expect that…
Today I've been gardening, I kinda half-heartedly planned to get started on those old vintage doors we found (just realised haven't even shown you them yet…divine) but truly after I had got all the chores done I didn't really fancy it. One of the perks of being a SAHM, the luxury of doing what you fancy…
So instead I did some gardening and planted out some more hydrangeas – these are pink and as I was busying around in the dirt, I thought how much I'm loving hydrangeas here – so vibrant and full of life, I know not why they seem to grow like wildfire in this climate, but I can tell you it works for me.
I got a bunch of these from a garage sale, a great price - an old Italian guy who certainly had a green thumb by the looks of what he had on offer. I would like to tell you that he was the sweetest old guy, wowing us with his immigration stories from the 50's and throwing us a good deal on our finds.
Alas, he actually knowingly sold us a dud garden hose, one of those twirly ones, you know? We saw it there and assuming that, as an avid gardener, he probably had a whole heap of twirly garden hoses (thought, you know, he was like me and old neglected pieces of furniture) and was just getting shot of a few of his stash. So, we asked him if it worked ok.
Well his body language told us no, I nudged Mr BC and we sorta giggled, but we took it anyway, along with our flowers and a couple of books…
A couple of days later we went to water and Mr BC popped the swirly hose on the tap, turned it on, it popped right off and in the process soaked him in water.
The moral of the story:
never trust a dodgy old guy at a garage sale, even if he does have a green thumb
never sell a dodgy hose at a garage sale…first they know where you live, second, you'll lose a hydrangea obsessed customer for life!
See ya
p.s. I've been experimenting with my photography skills and wanted a vintage soft look to this photo, have you seen that sort of look everywhere? I have, love it and decided to have a go…turned out like this, I think I might print this shot off as a notecard…
Absolutely gorgeous hydrangea!! I have more than 20 hydrangea bushes that line our property and they have the most gorgeous blooms every year. I was able to give away so many this year. Last year, I forgot to keep some for myself but I remember this year!! : )
love the flowers… gorgeous. I had to comment because you asked about where to get blank cards. There is a website called Redbubble…. join up {free}, upload your photo/s and buy your own cards/prints/canvases etc. The quality is second to none…. I’m very amateur with my photography and joined for fun, my children & I made calanders/cards/t-shirts…. great fun & VERY professionally done. There is NO cost but for the actual purchasing of your card… you can sell on there too btw
good luck, let me know how it goes. Susan ~
Don’t know about card stock in wholesale, but hope you find something worthy to affix your photos to. I’d totally buy them – even as 5×8 or 8×10 mounts to hang in my hall. I love your use of light!
PS – duct tape works wonders on shoddy old garden hoses.
Good lesson to learn about dodgy old green thumbed gardeners!
You probably already know this, but, the color of hydrangeas changes with the acidity of the soil. They can range from purple to blue to pink, depending on the fertilizer that you use. I’m not sure which does what, but I know it’s a factor. Sorry if I just told you something you already knew.
thought i would check your blog for a new post before going to bed so i was pleased to see the beautiful hydrangea & beautiful photos! funny water hose story & love the lanterns! i hope you start a notecard line – i would definitely buy them! good night from the usa. ruby
My mother-in-law brought me round a bunch of beautiful hydrangeas from her garden yesterday and I have fallen in love with them all over again. I think I will need to get to a garden centre this weekend and plant a few at my place – I just hope I have the right conditions to grow them in.
Beautiful photos as always.
I loved your story about the dodgy old guy. Sorry your hubby got soaked, but…;o) I love the look of your last photo, it would make a great note card. Hugs, Cindy S.
Hi Sarah
Yell out if you want me to send you some stock card up, I buy it in bulk for my cards, it’s 8 x 10″ so you need to slice it down the middle, it’s a lovely linen texture
I love hydrangeas, we used to have loads growing, but with the water restrictions, they sadly shriveled up one summer, I used to love drying them, I found the best way was to leave them in the container of water, the water eventualy evaporates and the hydrangea naturally dries
Beware of sly old Italians – this sounded like a movie scene, so cute!! Love them pics – cards would be great, even large prints to frame and hang!
I have several hydrangea bushes – some survive for years here, others hit the dust during periods of drought as they must have loads of water when it’s hot, as it is here in Summer. I dry bunches – the different muted shades are so beautiful with vintage/chippy decor. Looking out the window I have two huge bushes in front of my porch – still loaded with fading flower heads – after this rain lets up I’ll cut and dry more for friends who don’t have any. Hope your plants flourish.
Hey Sarah – stop by my blog and see the fabulous things I found over the weekend at Artsy Fartsy’s booth at an antiques mall. So many things made me think of YOU!
That’s really pretty! I guess there are always risks when you buy something second hand but when you think how much you’ve saved on other things I think it’s worth it! Just off to look at your powder room now…
Hey Sarah,
Those hydrangeas are so pretty.
Loved your powder room makeover too, that mirror is just beautiful.
Sarah
P.S: Loved your article in Country Home Ideas, How to Renovate & Decorate as well!
I love Hydrangeas as well and I have them growing all down both sides of my house they are beautiful! Can you believe my Aunt had them growing all out the front of her house and they were probably 15 years old and huge and fully established and she pulled them all out and put in a boring hedge….criminal!!!
Just discovered your beautiful blog! So refreshing. I do love these photos, and have tried many times to duplicate that soft look. Not much luck though.
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 …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
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
Shame about the hose, but beautiful hydrangeas. I love the table they are sitting on, it’s gorgeous.
Absolutely gorgeous hydrangea!! I have more than 20 hydrangea bushes that line our property and they have the most gorgeous blooms every year. I was able to give away so many this year. Last year, I forgot to keep some for myself but I remember this year!! : )
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
What a fun story! Love your blogging style and humor. Gorgeous hydrangeas as well as photos.
The candle holders are adorable as always!! : )
love the flowers… gorgeous. I had to comment because you asked about where to get blank cards. There is a website called Redbubble…. join up {free}, upload your photo/s and buy your own cards/prints/canvases etc. The quality is second to none…. I’m very amateur with my photography and joined for fun, my children & I made calanders/cards/t-shirts…. great fun & VERY professionally done. There is NO cost but for the actual purchasing of your card… you can sell on there too btw
good luck, let me know how it goes. Susan ~
Don’t know about card stock in wholesale, but hope you find something worthy to affix your photos to. I’d totally buy them – even as 5×8 or 8×10 mounts to hang in my hall. I love your use of light!
PS – duct tape works wonders on shoddy old garden hoses.
Amy.
I love dried hydrangea for the winter when there is nothng much else about….. especially the blue/mauve shade. Pity about your hose!!
Make sure you pop on over this week Sarah, I’m having a GIVEAWAY.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Eventually I plan to have an entire garden of hydrangeas! What are those lantern-like things? I really really like them!
Good lesson to learn about dodgy old green thumbed gardeners!
You probably already know this, but, the color of hydrangeas changes with the acidity of the soil. They can range from purple to blue to pink, depending on the fertilizer that you use. I’m not sure which does what, but I know it’s a factor. Sorry if I just told you something you already knew.
That will be a GORGEOUS card!
thought i would check your blog for a new post before going to bed so i was pleased to see the beautiful hydrangea & beautiful photos! funny water hose story & love the lanterns! i hope you start a notecard line – i would definitely buy them! good night from the usa. ruby
My mother-in-law brought me round a bunch of beautiful hydrangeas from her garden yesterday and I have fallen in love with them all over again. I think I will need to get to a garden centre this weekend and plant a few at my place – I just hope I have the right conditions to grow them in.
Beautiful photos as always.
you could try the Paper Source…I think it’s papersource.com Lovely photos!!
I loved your story about the dodgy old guy. Sorry your hubby got soaked, but…;o) I love the look of your last photo, it would make a great note card. Hugs, Cindy S.
Beautiful photos, and I loved the story of the old guy!
Blessings,
Marcia
Hi Sarah
Yell out if you want me to send you some stock card up, I buy it in bulk for my cards, it’s 8 x 10″ so you need to slice it down the middle, it’s a lovely linen texture
I love hydrangeas, we used to have loads growing, but with the water restrictions, they sadly shriveled up one summer, I used to love drying them, I found the best way was to leave them in the container of water, the water eventualy evaporates and the hydrangea naturally dries
Cute post cute story.
Got to ask any gardner why he’s be selling his hose. Like what you did with the photo touch up adds a pretty touch.
Fab make over for the powder room, think that proves again, paint everything white and it looks prettier and cleaner.
Beware of sly old Italians – this sounded like a movie scene, so cute!! Love them pics – cards would be great, even large prints to frame and hang!
I have several hydrangea bushes – some survive for years here, others hit the dust during periods of drought as they must have loads of water when it’s hot, as it is here in Summer. I dry bunches – the different muted shades are so beautiful with vintage/chippy decor. Looking out the window I have two huge bushes in front of my porch – still loaded with fading flower heads – after this rain lets up I’ll cut and dry more for friends who don’t have any. Hope your plants flourish.
Hey Sarah – stop by my blog and see the fabulous things I found over the weekend at Artsy Fartsy’s booth at an antiques mall. So many things made me think of YOU!
Your photo turned out beautifully! LOVE pink Hydrangeas! Hope you have a great day! Beth.
Hydrangeas are my favourite flower
I love the blue ones the most 
Love your close-up of the hydrangeas in the vase. And the vintage effect is so pretty
Sorry to hear your hubby got soaked by the bum hose!!
Kelly
That’s really pretty! I guess there are always risks when you buy something second hand but when you think how much you’ve saved on other things I think it’s worth it! Just off to look at your powder room now…
Mel x
Hey Sarah,
Those hydrangeas are so pretty.
Loved your powder room makeover too, that mirror is just beautiful.
Sarah
P.S: Loved your article in Country Home Ideas, How to Renovate & Decorate as well!
Lovely as always Sarah! You have indeed captured the perfect vintagey soft look. Mmmm…I just love your cottage. The lanterns are fab!!!
Smiles,
Rachel
I love Hydrangeas as well and I have them growing all down both sides of my house they are beautiful! Can you believe my Aunt had them growing all out the front of her house and they were probably 15 years old and huge and fully established and she pulled them all out and put in a boring hedge….criminal!!!
Beautiful hydrangeas and what a sneaky old guy. Gift of the gab and conned you to buy his old hose!!LOL
Alison
Just discovered your beautiful blog! So refreshing. I do love these photos, and have tried many times to duplicate that soft look. Not much luck though.