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).
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!
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!
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!!
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…
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!
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
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!
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.
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
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