Just popping in to show you what I've been up to these last few days as another week seems to fly by at the Beach Cottage.
I am painting, I am slap bang in the middle of a painting fest.
I have the pie cabinet, a bookcase and theunit I showed you the other day all in various stages of being enveloped in the new hand-mixed beachy white…
I took a snap along the way of the pie cabinet (before shot is here if you wanna look) just so you could see the new trademarked Beach Cottage colour, though it is subtle for sure, I am really liking it…and though I prefer the look of matt white emulsion paint, for the purposes of this here cottage and the crew that lives in it, nowadays, I paint most things in a semi-gloss oil-based enamel…saves the Beach Cottage Witch coming out when she can't get grubby finger marks off…
It is really quite hard to show you the colour I had mixed to match up an old piece of vintage linen, you can see it is just a tad warmer than pure brilliant white, it actually had a grey feel to it in the tin (and on the linen) which doesn't seem to be coming out in the painting…I added the shell ball which is white white to try and show you the subtle difference, but it didn't really work…
I had plans of using brushed steel or even shiny chrome-ish pulls on this one but as this is near completion I think I am going to go with the pulls that were already on there when I came across it as they've aged some, a bit rusty and give a nice contrast to the errrm…white.
What do you think?
Yep I want your input again girlies.
I think chrome ones might modern-it-up-too-much but then again I love that whole vintage/modern thang baby….I might just get some anyway, I'm sure I'll find a use for them…
Anyhoo I gotta rock, I have a lot on my plate with those Beach Cottage Kiddos at the mo' so I'll catch ya later.
*Don't forget Coastal Living Giveaway runs til Friday & this post counts!
glad the dudes went down well…don't worry I've got more where they came from…
(you can find how this whole new colour thing started here with the vintage grey door)
You’ve done a brilliant job once again! I like the old door handles but would love to see what some new ones would look like too! lol…not much help am I! xo
Great job on the cabinet. It really is a bit hard to see the suttle difference between whites in the photos isn’t it…especially on furniture. I’m a visual person so I can’t comment on the chrome pulls without seeing them.
I do like the mix of modern and vintage but for your cottage I can picture those rustic ones with your new paint mix as looking quite fabulous – like everything in your beachy cottage does!
Love, Love, Love the piesafe. It looks so much fresher. I’d try the old one’s, and buy some new one’s, too. A great excuse to go shopping. Also love the aussie surfer dudes. As cold as it is here, I’m ready to move to Australia.
I do love the old chest (sorry – piesafe, never heard of such a thing, totally cute) – do you know where you’re going to put it? I like the handles on it now but the chrome will really look fresh.
Gotta go promised the girls a play in the snow after homework…
Looks LOVELY! I tend to prefer the darker pulls… gives it a nice contrast in color. I’m sure it’s going to end up looking splendid! And I retweeted as well…
Hi Sarah:) Love how the pie-safe has come up with your lovely new custom paint! My opinion on the handles…well I love the old ones:) Whatever you decide, I am sure it will look fabulous. Thanks for sharing more of your beautiful home and treasures! Enjoy your day ~ Tina x
Your cabinet came out beautifully so gorgeous… I like the pulls it had on it…..but that is just my opinion…. what ever you choose it will be great…. hope you are having a wonderful week.
love the original pulls! WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT IT?? i’m fantasizing about it! i have a hutch i got for like $30 at a garage sale that was ‘stained’ green. i’d kinda like to paint it white…but the stain looks really cool. and…um…WHERE are ya gonna put it again? =) can’t wait to find out!=) you’re the coolest!
How about pulls and knobs in black, every room can use a little black so they say.I also like the original ones too.Cabinet looks great, is it staying in your living room?
Have a great blissful day.
Terri
Hmmmm, no to the chrome me thinks. I do love the ones on there, or perhaps a copper kinda one, they would go well with the cushions if its going in the sitting room.
And what a lovely ‘color’ you have created…. again you crack me up. HAHAHAHA!
Keep up the inspirational daily addiction.
She’s a beauty and I love the old pulls.Can’t wait to see where you put her.Maybe you’ll want to use some beadboard paper in the back to make her extra special!<3
I think I just became a white junkie! Seriously, I just painted my family room the palest of sea blue with a slight hint of sea faom green in it and painted the trim a bright white. I want all my furniture white in here now. I have to change out some furniture anyway so you know I’m gonna do it! I’ve crossed over to the white side. Was that corny? Well I did. I guess since I live near the beach here in Virginia USA turning my home into a beach cottage makes sense. If I had a tale it would so be wagging right now!
Normally I wouldn’t mind chrome pulls but in your place, the vintage pulls would look better. I vote for painting the vintage pulls white and distressing them a tiny bit.
Great cabinet Sarah! I also love the original pulls.
I liked what you did to it but since you asked for feedback, I’d love to tell you what I’d do to it: I’d additionaly sand the edges of the cabinet a bit to let some of the Original wood show and wax it a bit, I love that kind of look.
I love what you did to it though also.
Cheers,
Siggie
Well isn’ that looking just lovely? I think you will have to put a side-by-side comparison of the chrome handles versus those fabulous vintage originals. How else can we decide? I think either way though, it will look wonderful (like always)!
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
Beach Cottage colour, though it is subtle for sure, I am really liking it…and though I prefer the look of matt white emulsion paint, for the purposes of this here cottage and the crew that lives in it, nowadays, I paint most things in a semi-gloss oil-based enamel…saves the Beach Cottage Witch coming out when she can't get grubby finger marks off…
You’ve done a brilliant job once again! I like the old door handles but would love to see what some new ones would look like too! lol…not much help am I! xo
Great job on the cabinet. It really is a bit hard to see the suttle difference between whites in the photos isn’t it…especially on furniture. I’m a visual person so I can’t comment on the chrome pulls without seeing them.
I do like the mix of modern and vintage but for your cottage I can picture those rustic ones with your new paint mix as looking quite fabulous – like everything in your beachy cottage does!
The pie safe, everything looks delicious–I love the tinge of gray that’s mixed into your white–you should bottle it and sell it–seriously!
xo
Love, Love, Love the piesafe. It looks so much fresher. I’d try the old one’s, and buy some new one’s, too. A great excuse to go shopping. Also love the aussie surfer dudes. As cold as it is here, I’m ready to move to Australia.
The pie safe looks wonderful! I love the shape of the rustic original pulls for the cabinet.
I do love the old chest (sorry – piesafe, never heard of such a thing, totally cute) – do you know where you’re going to put it? I like the handles on it now but the chrome will really look fresh.
Gotta go promised the girls a play in the snow after homework…
hm, good question. I like the modern against vintage, too…what if you spraypainted the old pulls chrome? just a thought!
Looks LOVELY! I tend to prefer the darker pulls… gives it a nice contrast in color. I’m sure it’s going to end up looking splendid! And I retweeted as well…
What a great cupboard – please keep the old handles – they are just so beautiful.
Suzy
I think it looks great and please don’t change the pulls(unless you want to send them to me…)!
It looks so good! I like the original pulls – keeps it from looking too new.
Cabinet looks great … I like the original pulls …a connection to it’s past!
Hi
I like the idea of painting the old ones chrome as well, and then if you decide you don’t like them you can always get new ones then.
Cheers
Judy
The pie safe looks great and I love the pulls you showed with it. I think they’d be perfect – just MHO!
Hi Sarah:) Love how the pie-safe has come up with your lovely new custom paint! My opinion on the handles…well I love the old ones:) Whatever you decide, I am sure it will look fabulous. Thanks for sharing more of your beautiful home and treasures! Enjoy your day ~ Tina x
I love the pie safe! And I like the look of the old pulls. Have fun deciding!
I do like the old pulls, especially the ones from the drawers. PLEASE don’t paint them. they have a beautiful, aged patina!
I love this and the old pulls! Great job!
Ooooo! I really like the pulls that came with the pie safe. That thing is just gorgeous! Lucky, talented you!
Looks great. My vote is for keeping the original handles.
It looks great!
Beautiful!!!! The original handles get my vote for sure! They keep in with the history element of the piece.
I have to go with the original pull for the drawers. They will pop against the white and give it the original vintage “feel”. Sue in Renton, WA
The new color is subtle but so pretty! And I like the old hardware, but that’s just stodgy ‘ole me!
Kat
LOVE those pulls!
m ^..^
Your cabinet came out beautifully so gorgeous… I like the pulls it had on it…..but that is just my opinion…. what ever you choose it will be great…. hope you are having a wonderful week.
Hugs;
Alaura
SUCH pie safe LUST!! I can barely look at it…keep the original hardware is my vote.
love the original pulls! WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT IT?? i’m fantasizing about it! i have a hutch i got for like $30 at a garage sale that was ‘stained’ green. i’d kinda like to paint it white…but the stain looks really cool. and…um…WHERE are ya gonna put it again? =) can’t wait to find out!=) you’re the coolest!
Love the cabinet. Definitely the old handles.
How about pulls and knobs in black, every room can use a little black so they say.I also like the original ones too.Cabinet looks great, is it staying in your living room?
Have a great blissful day.
Terri
Hi Sarah, this is just a beauty. What a lovely piece. I can’t help but side with the original handles. Take care. xx
Hmmmm, no to the chrome me thinks. I do love the ones on there, or perhaps a copper kinda one, they would go well with the cushions if its going in the sitting room.
And what a lovely ‘color’ you have created…. again you crack me up. HAHAHAHA!
Keep up the inspirational daily addiction.
I love pie safes and yours is just gorgeous. I really like the old pulls, they are really nice.
She looks beautiful, Sarah! Lovely job as always!
Smiles,
Rachel
She’s a beauty and I love the old pulls.Can’t wait to see where you put her.Maybe you’ll want to use some beadboard paper in the back to make her extra special!<3
I think I just became a white junkie! Seriously, I just painted my family room the palest of sea blue with a slight hint of sea faom green in it and painted the trim a bright white. I want all my furniture white in here now. I have to change out some furniture anyway so you know I’m gonna do it! I’ve crossed over to the white side. Was that corny? Well I did. I guess since I live near the beach here in Virginia USA turning my home into a beach cottage makes sense. If I had a tale it would so be wagging right now!
So lovely and dreamy! I vote original handles… but then again I’m more of an all vintage girl myself!
original rusty and contrast, please
Normally I wouldn’t mind chrome pulls but in your place, the vintage pulls would look better. I vote for painting the vintage pulls white and distressing them a tiny bit.
I also love the old handles for the contrast and for the bit of rust. Why get new when you can have rust?
Rusty old pulls for sure, they’re perfect.
To add to your finished beauty, I would put back the original rustic pulls.
i agree..the original pulls are very nice! i can imagine this cupboard stacked with gorgeous linens fabrics & quilts.
I just love those handles…you are definitly inspiring me to try to save some of the old furniture we have laying around in our old shed!!!
Great cabinet Sarah! I also love the original pulls.
I liked what you did to it but since you asked for feedback, I’d love to tell you what I’d do to it: I’d additionaly sand the edges of the cabinet a bit to let some of the Original wood show and wax it a bit, I love that kind of look.
I love what you did to it though also.
Cheers,
Siggie
Well isn’ that looking just lovely? I think you will have to put a side-by-side comparison of the chrome handles versus those fabulous vintage originals. How else can we decide?
I think either way though, it will look wonderful (like always)! 
Love that cabinet and the orginal handles.
I like the original handles.
Another vote here for the original handles . Looks great !