G'day campers, how you going? After all that waffling in the last post, this may end up short and sweet, it may not. Glad you all liked the bus blind and thanks for all the emails, if I haven't got back to you I am working on it (still not got my computer yet so things are a tad behind 'round here – a Dell from Hell Update coming soon)
Today, sadly is the last day of the summer holidays for us at the Beach Cottage and after a lovely day spent celebrating Australia Day yesterday in true Aussie style with swim, barbie, boat, beer and sunshine we are all ready to start the New Year properly.
It's gonna be an interesting time for me too…I am starting on a few ventures of my own – more to come on this blog as I get those Beach Cottage Kiddos happy and settled and start to think about me…
Anyway, back to today, I wanted to talk about magazines. Because mine are getting outta control. And my New Year Kids Back To School Resolution is to sort them out.
Please tell me you have the same problem with magazines and stashing them as I do? Or am I some sad old bird filling some void with eye candy and then furtively stuffing them in any open and available orifice, to return to at a later date for more lusting?
And it's not even really that I buy bundles of magazines, because I don't. I have two or three faves that I love and one or two that I buy religiously…the trouble is, and that is how this post started, I cannot bring myself to send the ones I have off to the nearest St Vincent's De Paul.
I always, always buy Country Living, both UK and USA - this is one of the first magazines I came across when I started stalking, I mean, liking vintage things…but the best thing was it wasn't a general magazine about the 'country' look, it really was a magazine about the country, with interesting articles and features on people living the kinda life I secretly dream about…one where pigs and chickens roam around somewhere outside, where I have a swinging old field gate and all manner of fruit trees in the orchard.
OK, that's all a pipe dream, though I've really really tried to get Mr BC to let me get a few chicks (no, Favours, did not work in this case)…he told me I would hate the mess, that I would whinge and whine and moan for England, I scolded him and told him I would love them and wander out there with a basket on my arm, a faded flowery skirt flowing and would talk to them as I happily collected the eggs…he told me that is very much a { insert blue word } joke…and flatly refused to go anywhere near a chicken-buying farm…
But that is what I like about Country Living, pipe dreams, yet just about attainable all the way…
This is comfort reading on so many levels…a good magazine, a cup of tea, a slab of chocolate and an hour tucked away on the deck, in the hammock, or my favourite, mid-evening but early-to-bed and tucked up in bed.
It has to be one of the most comforting things to do…without the brain-power for reading a book or the concentration levels to keep up with a tv plot.
Just a simple page flick here and there and oh-so-much inspiration.
And one knows when one might have hit a problem when one decides to decorate with the piles of them that seem to be growing uninhibitedly around the cottage
…when one begins to de-clutter and finds, instead of releasing them to other needy-magazine-lovers, one instead sorts them into new and different categories
And so to try and pass-on my obsession to one of you and with my latest penchant to offer you goodies on this here blog, I am suggesting we have ourselves another Beach Cottage giveaway.
Just in case you are in need of a little comfort, a little magazine bolstering. If I'm still feeling generous, and I'm not in the bad books with Mr Beach Cottage, I'll be signing up more than one of you to a lovely subscription…
see ya later beach chicks, you'll find me Down Under, somewhere under a pile of mags…
and if you're interested in the ladder, I found it out treasure hunting, it was in a bad way but was complete with beautiful old rusted hardware, mmmmmm…I did my usual simple paint treatment on it (video tutorial here)
and other ways I've used old laddders for that beach vintage look, here, hereand here.
{ *simply leave a comment to enter & I'll get a neato little subscription swiftly to your door* }
thanks for the offer, Sarah! I love Country Living as well, but my subscription is about up and I don’t know if I can afford to renew it. So I wouldn’t mind winning a subscription, that’s for sure!
I absolutely enjoy reading your blog…. You have wonderful style and creativity that I adore… Ofcourse I love the Country Living Magazines, and thanks for the chance to enjoy them even more!!!!
i’ve never read Country Living magazine, but I’ll have a look!
I miss Cottage Living, did anyone else used to subscribe to that one? When the magazine folded at the end of ’08, they gave me a subscription to Southern Living instead, and I just can’t get into it.
I like Canadian House & Home (www.houseandhome.com), they have a nice mix of styles.
I too am hopelessly in love with magazines. I have several magazine racks that line my stairway to the second level. Yet they still pile up around the coffee table and bedside table. I love all the ideas and inspiration they lead to. I too find it hard to part ways, even when I’ve collected a whole other years worth…
Know what you mean about the decorating mags…I LOVE mine and actually obsess about what day they’ll come in the mail. I miss Domino!
About the chickies, well, I talked my husband into them and it’s been 2 1/2 years now of cuteness…but your BC is so right about POOP everywhere. We have 2 (used to have 3, but a hawk got 1) and we live in a city. Quite an experience. Have them in their own special area but still. Kinda nice but wouldn’t do it again.
thanks for your inspirations!
I love Country Living, too. Not just the mag, I would love country type living, as well. I love your ladder and I have a dark green one very much like this one. I am going to watch the tutorial next and change it, fast!
Sarah, I have collected magazines for years…I still subscribe to Country Living, but so many of my other favourites have stopped publishing due to the economy tanking. Anyway, a few years ago,I started tearing out my favourite pages from mags and putting them in binders. It just isn’t practical to keep them all, so I save what I most like and donate the rest of the magazine to a thrift store, or give them to friends. Now, on cold winter evenings when I go through my binders, I see only pictures that I like. And no advertisements!
I love Country Living and I too hang on to magazines. And I really don’t buy a lot. Just an occasional Country Living, or Cook’s, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, or something that sparks my attention. Then suddenly we have a million magazines piled up and I can’t seem ro get rid of them! My dear old bf has to force a recycling purge on me, poor guy.
I love your ladder-too cute! I am in love with your blog and the pics of your home-so lovely! It inspires me to do something with our little apartment other than the little mish-mosh of furniture, things, we have already thrown together without any semblance of style.
hi sarah. i absolutely love curling up with a great magazine {or blog….like ‘a beach cottage’!} such a simple yet inspirational delight. country living is wonderful. i (too) enjoy the US & UK versions…i don’t have a subscription yet though. i keep a handful of my favorites in a simple linen lined basket. it’s always fun to go back and thumb through for ideas that you may have forgotten/overlooked. the best magazines (in my opinion) have that beautiful cottage timeless appeal. best!
Country Living is the only magazine I subscribe to because I’m in Germany and can’t buy them at the stores. I love this magazine too, it gives me that dose of country I need every month at least once!
I store my mags in those boxes that copier paper comes in (12 each, one for each month). The boxes are kept in the attic and when I need inspiration for a particular season all I have to do is get out that months box. Works for me…but as someone said above somehow yours look nice just sitting on a chair!
Cheers,
Siggie
You are my inspiration. I have little white dots on items in my house that are sitting by patiently waiting to be painted white some time this year.
The Spring will bring weather warm enough for me to start filling thier needs of being coated with that new fresh look!
I would love to have a tiny piece of something that has brought you inspiration.
Thank you for sharing so much!
I’m also a magazine-lover, and I too buy both the UK and US version of Country Living. While I really do like the US version, the UK version is absolutely sumptious in every way!
I used to be a bit of a magazine hog but I managed to break myself of that habit when it got to be a bit expensive and I found myself with magazines all over the house!!! That said….I’d love to have a few more as a treat!
Oh gracious!!!!
I’ve had PILES of them around! (and will again)
Every January, I go through them and weed and tear and sort and pile.
So now, instead of having stacks of magazines, I have wicker trunk FULL of pages to peruse, sort, and file, to peruse some more. Can’t help it—I’m visual!
annie
I love Country Living and have subscribed to it for more than 20 years. I really like how the style has evolved, no more dark and cluttered. It suits my old farmhouse better than any other look could.
I also can’t bear to part with my magazines, and have them filed on my bookshelf by date! I would love and NEED a country living subscription, because that was one thing to go when I did budget cuts!
Oh, I grab up Country Living anytime I see it in the free magazine bin at the library. I’ve got a few (many) pages torn out and in my “dream” book. I love the look of your house! Thanks.
I also love my house magazines and have about 4 that I buy and then a couple of others I buy every now and again and I have them dating back to about 1998! I even carted them to the UK and back!! God I have so many that they fill a whole cupboard but I can’t bring myself to throw any of them away and I have to say that even though style’s change I still go back and look at the ones from 10 years ago and find ideas and things that I like so don’t take yours to Vinnie’s because if you do I know you will regret it!! Also I have been eyeing off that Thrifty Chic book for a while so I might have to make a trip today to the book store to buy it today!!
I adore magazines, and I have discovered that I will buy one just for that “one” perfect idea or something wonderful in there and then totally forget the real reason I buy them. So, about twice a year I get my stapler out, and cut the pages that I adore from each and every magazine (stapled pages together) and then put them in pretty files that are labeled, bedroom, living room, etc….you get the idea and then when I need a dose of inspiration, I have it at my finger tips….I know that I should donate the mags, but to be totally honest, I am still getting my money’s worth when I save the ideas and then the colorful pictures left over hit the pile for wrapping fragile ornaments and the like……have a wonderful inspirational day through the magic of the magazine world….Susan
I used to be a magazine hoarder, but on my never ending quest to edit, eliminate, redo, find my style, i am starting to get rid of them as i finish with them (give to family, friends etc). That being said, i currently have a stack on the tea cart in the living room, some on my desk in my craft room, a few in the bathroom (shh…only place i get alone time with hubby and 2 little boys), some in my bedroom….hmmm…guess i should relook at my quest
would love the subscription though….ahhh…dream…!
I’ve loved Country Living since the very first issue! After 10 yrs or so I made myself part with the collection and rarely have one over a year old laying around now. My subscription just ended and financial matters prohibit me from renewing. Can this be my little “miracle”? Love your blog and all your treasures! Sandy
I love magazines too! I keep my cooking ones and plan weekly menus out of them. The decor magazines I read through and then lately I rip out the pictures I like or things that I’d like to have in my “forever home” one day. Those pics go in a folder and then I am free to get rid of the magazine. I don’t know if that would work for you though, as you have acquired many more then I ever had!:)
Also, I finally checked out Anthropologie and they have some pretty things but they are so expensive! Although now I am stalking a bath mat they carry. I’m hoping it goes on sale soon!
So I will tell you a short story about how much I love Country Living Magazine. I once went camping on Valcour Island, a very small Island in Lake Champlain. Well, our friends left in their canoe before me and my boyfriend and accidentally brought life jackets back with them, that they had planned on leaving with us. So the next day we made the trek back to shore, but once out in the water, we realized this was going to be a hairy trip. A storm was on its way and waves were coming in our canoe. I was praying for our lives out loud worried we were going to tip. Many thoughts were coming to my mind and I have to admit that along with being scared for my life, I was also scared that if we tipped I would lose my beloved collection of country Living magazines that I brought out in a plastic bag to read while relaxing by the fire. Something told me we would be okay, but I was very worried for my magazines, lol. Im a freak, I know.
On a different note, I have to tell you how much your blog makes me crave an ice cold beer. You see, I’m 5 months pregnant and reading about you sitting on your deck with an ice cold beer makes my mouth water!!
i am a complete “magazine mess!” I have stacks of them, in various stages….to re-read, to clip things out of, to keep forever, to donate to my neighbor. Since discovering blogs, however, I find myself needing magazines less and less. I believe I am singlehandedly responsible for so many magazines going out of business. (hee hee)
I love magazines- don’t get rid of yours because I got rid of a whole bunch of my old ones a few years ago and I regret it. Like my old Country Homes. Now it isn’t even in print anymore and I wish I had my old ones. I also got rid of Victoria and my old Rosie magazines and I wish I hadn’t. Thank goodness I’ve never gotten rid of my Martha Stewart, or my quilting magazines. I did just cut it down to about 3 monthly ones though. It can get a little out of control! I like to make notebooks out of my favorite pages to look at and books of recipes to try “someday”! (I have actually made a few of them)Some people may think it’s crazy but I’ve always saved magazine pages. Now I do the same thing with blogs!
I love all of your ladders. I’d really like to find an old one to hang folded quilts on.
Oh, this is me! I am a self-acclaimed magazine addict, especially any decorating or crafty magazine! I called it my “dirty secret” underneath my bed, somehow the pile grew and started scooching under the bed and I swear, when we cleared out the room to paint, there must have been at least 100 magazines under there! I am
“trying” to buy less, and thinking maybe if they would all go online in a magazine form, maybe that would be a way to help us magazine addicts!
I lurk here and I love here! May I refer you to your “Decorating ideas” pts 4 and 5.It helped me with the same tower of magazine problem. I ditched anything older than 18 months – except “Martha’s” and anything I especially loved the cover of- really loved -and stored the rest in a gorgeous old hat case that I inherited, upon which sits a white washed basket holding current issues and a couple of rolled up throw rugs. The tossing HURT . Now – would you pick up a chair from Council throw out if it was broken in the hopes to liquidnails repair? I hestitated and lost the chance OH and one more thing RENTACHOOK.com.au! We are at the end of a 6 week rent. They are gorgeous. We will do it next year while kids on Xmas break most certainly.
I love Country Living, but haven’t had a sub in a few years. By the way, I do have chickens, and cows, but they have lots of room to roam, so are never in my yard, well, rarely.
Hi Sarah, you are definitely not alone, I’am totally addictted to magazines.Let me know if you find an answer to the problem, my hubby would love you if you do.
Regards,
Theresa.(ps don’t think I wouldnt love the give away though. I would have died and gone to heaven if I won)
I get and love Country Living and I let my Better Homes run out…can’t decide…I got Southern Living for $5 so I couldn’t pass it up…but my first love is Country Living. I do save them all, but recently was able to part with all BUT years of Christmas, Thanksgiving and some Halloween. I will try again!
~Nancy
Right…..I’m about to get a Twitter account. It’s taken your mag giveaway to finally push me into the world of Twitter. I cannot miss out on these great giveaways anymore. Count me in!!
To help suck up to the “Judge”……..Thank you for bringing ideas to my desktop everyday. Thanks for reminding me how to enjoy our country and all its treasures and beauty. Fab Blog x
Having made the big move interstate 6 months ago, I had to do the unimaginable – off load 18 years worth of mags. Through crocodile tears and gulping sobs I sorted, resorted and finally managed to part with 2/3 of my stash. I could never have let them all go.
Now on the brighter side, with the Aussie dollar doing well against the US dollar, I’m buying lots of new ones [giggle]. I’m recollecting faster than ever now.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
thanks for the offer, Sarah! I love Country Living as well, but my subscription is about up and I don’t know if I can afford to renew it. So I wouldn’t mind winning a subscription, that’s for sure!
I have the same mag clutter.
Love Country living mag. I’d love a subscribtion! That would make my crappy month.
loving the ladder
I absolutely enjoy reading your blog…. You have wonderful style and creativity that I adore… Ofcourse I love the Country Living Magazines, and thanks for the chance to enjoy them even more!!!!
Since they got rid of my Cottage Living I could go with some dreamtime! Country Living sounds great!
i’ve never read Country Living magazine, but I’ll have a look!
I miss Cottage Living, did anyone else used to subscribe to that one? When the magazine folded at the end of ’08, they gave me a subscription to Southern Living instead, and I just can’t get into it.
I like Canadian House & Home (www.houseandhome.com), they have a nice mix of styles.
I too am hopelessly in love with magazines. I have several magazine racks that line my stairway to the second level. Yet they still pile up around the coffee table and bedside table. I love all the ideas and inspiration they lead to. I too find it hard to part ways, even when I’ve collected a whole other years worth…
Know what you mean about the decorating mags…I LOVE mine and actually obsess about what day they’ll come in the mail. I miss Domino!
About the chickies, well, I talked my husband into them and it’s been 2 1/2 years now of cuteness…but your BC is so right about POOP everywhere. We have 2 (used to have 3, but a hawk got 1) and we live in a city. Quite an experience. Have them in their own special area but still. Kinda nice but wouldn’t do it again.
thanks for your inspirations!
I love Country Living, too. Not just the mag, I would love country type living, as well. I love your ladder and I have a dark green one very much like this one. I am going to watch the tutorial next and change it, fast!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Country Living British Edition is my new obsession.
Much better than the US edition because it has so much good garden and nature stuff.
What a brilliant giveaway! Your evening curled up with such magazines and chocolate sounds heavenly…
Thank you, Sarah.
Sarah, I have collected magazines for years…I still subscribe to Country Living, but so many of my other favourites have stopped publishing due to the economy tanking. Anyway, a few years ago,I started tearing out my favourite pages from mags and putting them in binders. It just isn’t practical to keep them all, so I save what I most like and donate the rest of the magazine to a thrift store, or give them to friends. Now, on cold winter evenings when I go through my binders, I see only pictures that I like. And no advertisements!
I LOVE Country Living!PICK ME!!!
love your blog and woudl love a sub. to Country Living
Blessings on your day!
I love Country Living and I too hang on to magazines. And I really don’t buy a lot. Just an occasional Country Living, or Cook’s, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, or something that sparks my attention. Then suddenly we have a million magazines piled up and I can’t seem ro get rid of them! My dear old bf has to force a recycling purge on me, poor guy.
I love your ladder-too cute! I am in love with your blog and the pics of your home-so lovely! It inspires me to do something with our little apartment other than the little mish-mosh of furniture, things, we have already thrown together without any semblance of style.
hi sarah. i absolutely love curling up with a great magazine {or blog….like ‘a beach cottage’!} such a simple yet inspirational delight. country living is wonderful. i (too) enjoy the US & UK versions…i don’t have a subscription yet though.
i keep a handful of my favorites in a simple linen lined basket. it’s always fun to go back and thumb through for ideas that you may have forgotten/overlooked. the best magazines (in my opinion) have that beautiful cottage timeless appeal. best!
Country Living is the only magazine I subscribe to because I’m in Germany and can’t buy them at the stores. I love this magazine too, it gives me that dose of country I need every month at least once!
I store my mags in those boxes that copier paper comes in (12 each, one for each month). The boxes are kept in the attic and when I need inspiration for a particular season all I have to do is get out that months box. Works for me…but as someone said above somehow yours look nice just sitting on a chair!
Cheers,
Siggie
You are my inspiration. I have little white dots on items in my house that are sitting by patiently waiting to be painted white some time this year.
The Spring will bring weather warm enough for me to start filling thier needs of being coated with that new fresh look!
I would love to have a tiny piece of something that has brought you inspiration.
Thank you for sharing so much!
I’m also a magazine-lover, and I too buy both the UK and US version of Country Living. While I really do like the US version, the UK version is absolutely sumptious in every way!
I used to be a bit of a magazine hog but I managed to break myself of that habit when it got to be a bit expensive and I found myself with magazines all over the house!!! That said….I’d love to have a few more as a treat!
Oh gracious!!!!
I’ve had PILES of them around! (and will again)
Every January, I go through them and weed and tear and sort and pile.
So now, instead of having stacks of magazines, I have wicker trunk FULL of pages to peruse, sort, and file, to peruse some more. Can’t help it—I’m visual!
annie
I love Country Living and have subscribed to it for more than 20 years. I really like how the style has evolved, no more dark and cluttered. It suits my old farmhouse better than any other look could.
I also can’t bear to part with my magazines, and have them filed on my bookshelf by date! I would love and NEED a country living subscription, because that was one thing to go when I did budget cuts!
Oh, I grab up Country Living anytime I see it in the free magazine bin at the library. I’ve got a few (many) pages torn out and in my “dream” book. I love the look of your house! Thanks.
sorry if you are having trouble commenting sarah
I also love my house magazines and have about 4 that I buy and then a couple of others I buy every now and again and I have them dating back to about 1998! I even carted them to the UK and back!! God I have so many that they fill a whole cupboard but I can’t bring myself to throw any of them away and I have to say that even though style’s change I still go back and look at the ones from 10 years ago and find ideas and things that I like so don’t take yours to Vinnie’s because if you do I know you will regret it!! Also I have been eyeing off that Thrifty Chic book for a while so I might have to make a trip today to the book store to buy it today!!
I would love having a subscription of my own!
Please enter me!
I adore magazines, and I have discovered that I will buy one just for that “one” perfect idea or something wonderful in there and then totally forget the real reason I buy them. So, about twice a year I get my stapler out, and cut the pages that I adore from each and every magazine (stapled pages together) and then put them in pretty files that are labeled, bedroom, living room, etc….you get the idea and then when I need a dose of inspiration, I have it at my finger tips….I know that I should donate the mags, but to be totally honest, I am still getting my money’s worth when I save the ideas and then the colorful pictures left over hit the pile for wrapping fragile ornaments and the like……have a wonderful inspirational day through the magic of the magazine world….Susan
I used to be a magazine hoarder, but on my never ending quest to edit, eliminate, redo, find my style, i am starting to get rid of them as i finish with them (give to family, friends etc). That being said, i currently have a stack on the tea cart in the living room, some on my desk in my craft room, a few in the bathroom (shh…only place i get alone time with hubby and 2 little boys), some in my bedroom….hmmm…guess i should relook at my quest
would love the subscription though….ahhh…dream…!
I’ve loved Country Living since the very first issue! After 10 yrs or so I made myself part with the collection and rarely have one over a year old laying around now. My subscription just ended and financial matters prohibit me from renewing. Can this be my little “miracle”? Love your blog and all your treasures! Sandy
I love magazines too! I keep my cooking ones and plan weekly menus out of them. The decor magazines I read through and then lately I rip out the pictures I like or things that I’d like to have in my “forever home” one day. Those pics go in a folder and then I am free to get rid of the magazine. I don’t know if that would work for you though, as you have acquired many more then I ever had!:)
Also, I finally checked out Anthropologie and they have some pretty things but they are so expensive! Although now I am stalking a bath mat they carry. I’m hoping it goes on sale soon!
So I will tell you a short story about how much I love Country Living Magazine. I once went camping on Valcour Island, a very small Island in Lake Champlain. Well, our friends left in their canoe before me and my boyfriend and accidentally brought life jackets back with them, that they had planned on leaving with us. So the next day we made the trek back to shore, but once out in the water, we realized this was going to be a hairy trip. A storm was on its way and waves were coming in our canoe. I was praying for our lives out loud worried we were going to tip. Many thoughts were coming to my mind and I have to admit that along with being scared for my life, I was also scared that if we tipped I would lose my beloved collection of country Living magazines that I brought out in a plastic bag to read while relaxing by the fire. Something told me we would be okay, but I was very worried for my magazines, lol. Im a freak, I know.
Please enter me!!
On a different note, I have to tell you how much your blog makes me crave an ice cold beer. You see, I’m 5 months pregnant and reading about you sitting on your deck with an ice cold beer makes my mouth water!!
I love your blog! So many great ideas (even for those of us who aren’t lucky enough to live near the beach).
After reading, I pass magazines on to other family members. At least then you don’t feel like you’ve wasted them!
i am a complete “magazine mess!” I have stacks of them, in various stages….to re-read, to clip things out of, to keep forever, to donate to my neighbor. Since discovering blogs, however, I find myself needing magazines less and less. I believe I am singlehandedly responsible for so many magazines going out of business. (hee hee)
My first comment on your blog after spending many hours lurking. Love everything in your home. I’m an ex Brit(Kent) girl living my dream in Canada.
I placed a link on my blog to yours at:
http://bellacasa.typepad.com/bellacasa/2010/01/mags-gone-wild.html.
I had already left a comment, but I had to go set up the link on my blog so I’m back.
I love magazines- don’t get rid of yours because I got rid of a whole bunch of my old ones a few years ago and I regret it. Like my old Country Homes. Now it isn’t even in print anymore and I wish I had my old ones. I also got rid of Victoria and my old Rosie magazines and I wish I hadn’t. Thank goodness I’ve never gotten rid of my Martha Stewart, or my quilting magazines. I did just cut it down to about 3 monthly ones though. It can get a little out of control! I like to make notebooks out of my favorite pages to look at and books of recipes to try “someday”! (I have actually made a few of them)Some people may think it’s crazy but I’ve always saved magazine pages. Now I do the same thing with blogs!
I love all of your ladders. I’d really like to find an old one to hang folded quilts on.
Oh, this is me! I am a self-acclaimed magazine addict, especially any decorating or crafty magazine! I called it my “dirty secret” underneath my bed, somehow the pile grew and started scooching under the bed and I swear, when we cleared out the room to paint, there must have been at least 100 magazines under there! I am
“trying” to buy less, and thinking maybe if they would all go online in a magazine form, maybe that would be a way to help us magazine addicts!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Magazines….It is so my comfort reading:)
I lurk here and I love here! May I refer you to your “Decorating ideas” pts 4 and 5.It helped me with the same tower of magazine problem. I ditched anything older than 18 months – except “Martha’s” and anything I especially loved the cover of- really loved -and stored the rest in a gorgeous old hat case that I inherited, upon which sits a white washed basket holding current issues and a couple of rolled up throw rugs. The tossing HURT . Now – would you pick up a chair from Council throw out if it was broken in the hopes to liquidnails repair? I hestitated and lost the chance
OH and one more thing RENTACHOOK.com.au! We are at the end of a 6 week rent. They are gorgeous. We will do it next year while kids on Xmas break most certainly.
I love Country Living, but haven’t had a sub in a few years. By the way, I do have chickens, and cows, but they have lots of room to roam, so are never in my yard, well, rarely.
sign me up, please
Hi Sarah, you are definitely not alone, I’am totally addictted to magazines.Let me know if you find an answer to the problem, my hubby would love you if you do.
Regards,
Theresa.(ps don’t think I wouldnt love the give away though. I would have died and gone to heaven if I won)
Great giveaway!
Thanks!
I get and love Country Living and I let my Better Homes run out…can’t decide…I got Southern Living for $5 so I couldn’t pass it up…but my first love is Country Living. I do save them all, but recently was able to part with all BUT years of Christmas, Thanksgiving and some Halloween. I will try again!
~Nancy
Oh I do love that ladder! How did you know?!
Right…..I’m about to get a Twitter account. It’s taken your mag giveaway to finally push me into the world of Twitter. I cannot miss out on these great giveaways anymore. Count me in!!
To help suck up to the “Judge”……..Thank you for bringing ideas to my desktop everyday. Thanks for reminding me how to enjoy our country and all its treasures and beauty. Fab Blog x
Heck yes! I’m all over this one!!!!
Pick me, Pick me! I love Country Living AND I love winning things. See, I’m perfect for this!
Having made the big move interstate 6 months ago, I had to do the unimaginable – off load 18 years worth of mags. Through crocodile tears and gulping sobs I sorted, resorted and finally managed to part with 2/3 of my stash. I could never have let them all go.
Now on the brighter side, with the Aussie dollar doing well against the US dollar, I’m buying lots of new ones [giggle]. I’m recollecting faster than ever now.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne