G'day Pop Pickers, how you doing out there?
Well I've had a quite beautiful morning…sshhh don't tell Mr Beach Cottage but after the school run, I took it upon myself to go and sit quietly with a new copy of Australian Country Style (more on that soon…a great Australian Magazine I know a lot of my readers would love to read but can't get a hold of…) and treat myself to some Sourdough and a nice Cappuccino, at a very sweet water's edge cafe.
And as I sat there musing, I have to say I had to pinch myself. It really is very good here. With this as a little antidote to everyday life, I surely feel equipped to tackle many a thing.
One of my New Year's Resolutions (along with something else I'll be asking for your help on soon) is to do a little bit of Sarah Pampering. In fact I may actually change my last name to Pamper. Just to make it a little more authentic.
And not because I am hard done by, I most definitely am not. But like many women, I seem to have this idea that sitting alone in a coffee shop is extravagantly self-indulgent, at the very least I should be sharing coffee, phoning a friend or making a list…
And without wanting to go down that heinous route of those who are of the School of Love-Oneself, I have decided that this year I need to get out and enjoy my life more. Just for me.
I will sit alone and enjoy simply N O T H I N G whenever I can. Pleasure itself.
I embrace the spontaneity of occasions such as this…just because…because I could do it …and no-one else knows…you know?
And don't get me wrong here, there is nothing worse, I believe, than the Me Time Movement but this proposition to live life a bit more fully is not because I am following some voodoo notion that I must take time to massage my inner woman but more because I wanna bend down and smell the roses…or the coffee…or the sea…
Actually, I am looking for a new coffee…I've been drinking Cappuccino since I first tried it in Malta nearly 25 years ago, scooping off that haze of fluff on the top, or if it's after dinner downing an Espresso in one…but I'm broadening my horizons baby, lured by names such as Espresso Macchiato, Caffe Mocha ….and those who order something along the lines this that I overheard yesterday 'a double- skinny- extra-hot-triple-shot-long-flat-white-with-a-blast-of-froth-on-top'….phew….made me feel most inadequate when I ordered a 'c a p p u c c i n o p l e a s e.'
I have to say that if I had a vintage-loving, treasure-hunting, white-paint adoring accomplice such as yourself to share a coffee and some by-the-sea therapy with it would be great…but that, my dear Watson, is the beauty of technology.
If you tell me your beverage of choice to widen my horizons, I will enter you in the giveawy for a giftcard so you can treat yourself to a week or so's worth of delights from Starbucks or if you live in the Lucky Country like me, I'll find a way to hook you up with your local Gloria Jean's.
So, I'll catch ya later. Have a cup of coffee for me…you can find more pictures of my morning here
you can find more Beach Cottage Life Stuff here and waterside goings-on here
{ giveaway closes 04/02/10, all comments til then }
and stop by tomorrow, I've a very nice piece of furniture to show you!
I LOVE cappuccino, but coffee kills my stomach, so I’ve switched to chai lattes. They taste a little bit like Christmas to me (the ones from Starbucks).
I love that very first photo…the water, the white cup, the foam, the striped pillow… everything. It just made me smile. Thank you!
I highly recommend a chai tea. It’s not coffee, but it was my caffeine indulgance of choice during both of my pregnancies.
Hi Sarah,
I discoverad Chai Latte about 2 years ago and rarely drink coffee now. Would love to know if you try one what you think.
Regards,
Theresa Little South Aussie.
I rarely drink coffee or tea…mainly to be sociable. BUT I will definitely be in a cold drink with you. As a matter of fact I’ve just been to Gloria Jean’s after my exercise and got a mango fruit chiller! They’re my new favourite. In winter you might catch me having a hot chocolate though.
Delurking Donna from Brissie (again!)
Oooh! Very nice pictures! I love the water! I really enjoy reading your blog. I’ve always wanted to live on the beach! I do live on the gulf coast but I’m not on the beach. I love coffee and it seems only in my dreams to go sit alone with a book and coffee for breakfast. I have 2 small children so needless to say I’m busy in the mornings.
I do like getting a starbucks coffee every so often though as a treat. I love the double chocolaty-chip frapuccino, but usually I order a tall skinny vanilla late. Gotta watch that waist line!
Hi there! Ah, what a lovely morning you had! I am a Starbucks girl, DAILY! I am addicted to a Venti Americano with sugar free vanilla syrup, 3 Splendas, and half and half! Lots of espresso starts the day off right for this girl! Suzie
I have to admit I am less adventuresome than you, I only drink plain black coffee. Nice and hot, please. I don’t sip, I gulp. Starts my heart every morning.
Sarah, if you are giving away the magazine you mentioned today, you are a wonderful woman. My daughter lives in Brisbane but I cannot get her to send me that mag. Love to win any give-away you are part of, Lady. You have wonderful taste!.
Mmmm… my favourite is a skinny latte for a coffee, sometimes I like a chai latte (love the smell) but at a special little gift/cafe I go to I have a pot of green tea.
Fabulous photos and I think we all need to smell the roses and get more out of life than we do We ‘girls’ tend to put ourselves last with most things in life
Alison
I don’t drink coffee, but I absolutely love the iced lemon loaf at Starbucks & Hot chocolate
I’m also a green tea drinker. I like iced mocha’s as well, never had a starbucks one though.
Your pictures are gorgeous, totally drooling in cold Michigan. I miss the beach so badly!
Sarah, How please I am that you are taking those moments for reflection and peace in your soul, I think we all crave them and we all need them, I wish I had an ocean nearby..but the places and the moments are just as surprising as only The Lord can give..KWIM?
My favorite? Green Mountain coffee, made right here in Vermont, I drink the de-caff, otherwise I would be jitterbugging every where I went, but there is no flavor loss with de-caff witha dollop[ok more then a dollop[ of fresh Vermont cream! Mmmm..could use some just now, and would love to sit there by the sea with you in silence, breathing and listening..warm loving hugs from Vermont..as alway’s..Mona
Sarah, I know just where you were – what a great place to spend quiet ‘me’ time. I like a skinny cap. – just coffee that’s coffee and skim milk, no pumpkin, vanilla, cinnemon, soy – I can’t even imagine those added to coffee! Lovely photos!
nice cafe! i live on the other side of the harbour & enjoy decaf skim capuccinos by the eastern beaches.
Skinny peppermint mocha…deeelish!!
Good for you, taking time out for yourself!!
Oh my! I am so loving your blog! The pictures and stories of your life are absolutely amazing…the life a lot of us are looking for, I’m sure!
My favorite drink is a blended spiced chai. You have to make sure the label actually says “spiced chai.” (Trust me on this!) I drink this all year long, even when the weather is -25F here in Alaska. It’s that good! (Not sold at Starbucks…I only find spiced chai at the little “ma and pa” coffee spots.)
Enjoy!
If I based it on the photo, I would say that the place really is a nice spot to hang out. It will surely give you the relaxation you need.
Hi Sarah,
Like you I have been drinking Cappuccino and Espresso for years, and, downing the espresso in one! (Wishing I had ordered a double!) Recently I have been drinking espresso machiatoo and am quite enjoying the change. In the summer (what! You have a summer in Scotland I hear you all say), I like to have a iced Frapucinno, with caramel on the top, mmmnnnn.
Oh! And wish I had a vintage-loving, treasure-hunting, white paint loving accomplice, who also shares my tastes in coffee. Too bad we are thousands of miles away.
PS: Love the white beadboarding, even though I suggested grey.
Beautiful photos – if only coffee could be enjoyed in that setting all the time! I love a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks – pure joy in a cup!! I also like lime sparkling water with a dash of cranberry juice for a refreshing drink in the summer.
My morning view is usually of my cat Oscar trying to look super cute in hopes of getting some treats out of me. He’s usually really good at it.
I love drinking tea but will say that I love a good chai tea latte. And I looooove iced coffee–iced caramel macchiato (spelling?) or iced Vietnamese coffee…though that one’s not at Starbucks.
I’m expecting a baby in May and had lost my taste for coffee for a couple of months. I was petrified that it wouldn’t come back but am happy to report that it has. : ) Nothing fancy for me. Just lite with cream and no sugar. I don’t know if you have Dunkin’ Donuts coffee in your neck of the woods but, to me, it’s the Nectar of the Goddesses!! I have also had a thing for Diet Dr. Pepper during this pregnancy. I’ve had gallons of it, I’m sure.
During my first pregnancy (17 years ago), I craved grape soda and drank it morning, noon and nite. Thankfully, that didn’t happen this time!!
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Here’s one…it’s not even coffee…but it is DELICIOUS and DOES have caffeine…I love to get a Chai Tea Latte. It feels so decadent…although you can get it “skinny” if you like…
The only time i drink hot coffee is at Starbucks.My favourite is a tall caramel macciato.I also loveeeeeeeeee java chillers.
Starbucks does a Caramel Apple Spice that is to die for on cold days after shopping. No Caffeine but totally sweet. Like an apple crisp. And we have a Gloria Jeans near by in California. Wonder if it’s the same?
Now that all four of my children are away from the cottage for most of the day…the oldest at work, the second in College, the third and fourth at H.S…(I homeschooled all four of them for 15 yrs.)…I have lots of alone time…sipping my favorite tea~ Tazo AwAke tea~ with a bit of organic sugar and non-dairy creamer…my fav! And they even sell it at Starbucks. My fav cool drink is iced black tea with lemonade! perfect for summer.
Your sweet spot to sip a cappuccino and nibble sourdough with jam looks heavenly…you just have to do it several times and by the 10th time you are sure to feel perfectly comfy with no more guilt! Guarenteed from personal experience!
My hubby, The Carpenter, is the coffee drinker…his fav is Peets Chocolate Caramel Frappe. Do you know Peets Coffee? He loves his Starbucks too…just French Roast with cream, boring, I know, but he loves it!
I had to stop drinking coffee when I was 20 due to the oils…made my body sick.
Your pictures are gorgeous! What a nice morning you had! I love to go out for long runs in the mountains and the first thing I want when I get home, summer or winter is a nice big mug of hot herb tea. I like fruity blends the best!
I usually get a skinny vanilla latte. Yummy!!!
Shall I tell you my thoughts on coffee? You know I always have a large full cream latte. I have skim milk at home and so my one indulgence (ok maybe not quite the truth!) is full cream in a “real” coffee. With the latte you get the coffee blended through the froth on top – yum! Also you need to definately check out the type of glass they are going to serve it in. In my opinion a crap glass always means crap coffee. Those fancy, cone-shaped things with the little semi-circle handles on the side – in fact anything with a handle – pretty much means they have spent more time on what the coffee looks like than what it tastes like! What you should be looking for is a good solid glass or mug. Now it’s not foolproof that you will get a good coffee if the glass is good, but I can guarantee that if it is too fancy you will be drinking dishwater. BTW what did you drink this morning????????????
Sarah what a beautiful pic and good for you for loving it and sharing. My fav winter drink is(always Starbucks) tall with room in a mug please and in summer grande sweet iced coffee with only 2 pumps please. yummy
I’m a half-caff, non-fat latte kind of girl. But living in South Florida, I drink my fair share of cafe con leches as well (basically a Cuban latte).
Those pictures absolutely make me want to crawl into my computer screen and live there.
I like a good old cafe mocha – decaf at this point.
I love the earl grey tea latte at Starbuck’s – tea at it’s best. The taste and aroma are unbelievable!
My brother gives me Starbucks cards for Christmas, and it’s such a nice treat that I can use again and again for a few weeks after Christmas…but alas, I used it all up! I love a vanilla latte!
English toffee coffee/cappuccino, yum!
Sarah
I just keep on enjoying a standard cappuccino. I used to be a skim decaf cap girl but I find the milk that cafes use for skim varies significantly and after several “shockers” I gave up.
I have been subscribing to Australian Country Style for a while and love the pure escapism and inspiration. Check out a copy of “South Coast Style” magazine when you get the chance. It’s based on the NSW South Coast & Illawarra regions-beautiful!. I also subscribe to “High Life”, a magazine based on the NSW Southern Highlands. It’s a lot posher, but devine escapism.
alison