So, G'day out there, a sunny slightly cooler day here Down Under, I am checking in with a teaser & a giveaway post, all rolled into one. Gotta love it when your fave blog does that huh?
I don't know if I've said on this here broadcast to white beach vintage lovers that I have been de-cluttering like crazy in this old cottage. It started with the garage, moved to my wardrobe, carried over to china and on Saturday we started on furniture.
There is nothing that can be done to keep some of these pieces round here, I just simply and utterly have to accept that it is getting too packed coupled with the fact that a leggy teenager needs some space to sprawl out and trip over…so out has gone a good few things down to the garage ready to be put up for sale (I'll let you know when and where).
On Saturday then, I spent a good few hours directing males on furniture placment and we moved in a new desk I have been working on for the kiddo's computer (yes it is Beachy White, but there is a leetle twist)...a desk found on a recent Beach Cottage Treasure Hunting foray and one that has turned out much better than I had hoped.
Oh-so-artfully put together (ahem) above it is this little double layer frame vignette…you already know I am having a love affair with empty frames and I had been looking out for a rustic woody sorta one, with the grain showing, that I could remove the pic from, here's how I found it, actually more green than it shows in this photo
This one I thought might well be just right for what I was after…it was just waiting to get the Beach Cottage treatment don't you think?
… it wasn't until the last minute though, white paint on the brush that I decided to go for the pebble grey instead.
So glad I did.
I am pleased with how it turned out, I'm loving the grey with the rustic, with the layering, with the starfish (from Gail McCormack here), with the white. There is something gratifying about wall art like this, one that costs you next to nothing, minimum fuss, tiny effort, pretty good impact.
Whaddya think, is it a keeper?
Now less of empty frames and more of this week's giveaway, it will be featuring, the Beach Cottage and ummm me (yikes) in an Australian magazine, a very good Australian magazine that came here a few months ago to do a shoot.
To celebrate I thought well how about I giveaway the magazine featuring the Beach Cottage *and an Anthropologie gift card for a double candy whammy (not of course that I was training for the gold in Anthropologie Stalking over the weekend when I was meant to be working, no not at all).
So to win leave a comment asking me anything you want (I'm following Cindy and Kate's lead and the blogland trend in Q & A)
Sound good to you?
Looking forward to it, please no favours questions
* through 19/03/10, all comments, all week, all posts, twitter/facebook=double-up *
thanks for entering the Lisa Leonard last week, c.500 entries
winner is Jeannie the Cosmic Cowgirl (she prayed to the Junk God!)
My question is….will we get to see the new desk for your boys soon? I have been on the hunt for desks for awhile and haven’t found anything, so need a little inspiration.
I love your blog and your casual, breezy writing style. I’m putting beadboard in my bathroom after seeing it in your kitchen.
Do you almost always find treasures when you hunt or is it hit and miss? I don’t seem to have the luck you and others have at spotting the fabulous finds.
The picture turned out fab-u-lous my friend!!
Love the frames!
OH my…is that inspiration coming around the corner of my room???
Why yes I think it is!!
Gotta go and do a bit more gazing at your beautiful post!!
Thank you dear friend for taking a really rough day and turning it into a smile!!
Oh my gosh….oh my golly…I was so taken by the beauty of your new artwork…I completely forgot the giveaway. Just so you know…I’m turning myself into a pretzel ago for luck. Fingers…toes…legs…arms are all crossed.
Please oh please Sarah!! I would be in the Land of Bliss if I won. The Land of the beauty of the beach…..sunsets….sunrises…the beauty of the ocean!!!!
Just discovered your site and I love it. Here is my question. My home decorating style has changed. I am drawn toward more of a cottage feel these days and am trying to transform my home. Do you think chair rail and boxed trim fits into “cottage style?” Why or why not? Also – what would you say truly defines cottage style homes?
I really like the grey frame. I like the contrast of the dark against the white wall and inside frame. I’m not sure I’ve seen this before in the beach cottage. Is this a “new direction” for you?
I love the pebble gray on the frame. Only wish I could get to your sale. My question: When do we get to see pictures of your garage and the outside of the marvelous cottage?
Just hearing you’re clearing out makes me want to come on over and scoop up all your discards. I would be happy to take every little crumb of whatever you’re parting with! Hey, I do love the frame, that bold bit of color makes a big impact. Nice job as always.
I may have to evolve and grow a little more before I am able to declutter so am enjoying the vicarious experience of watching you first! My question is similar to Terri’s.. If you weren’t able to, or got tired of your beachy white style.. what other style and colours might you be tempted to have a fling with?
Hi Sarah, I know what its like to declutter.Our last two house moves I became ruthless and only took what I really wanted. Anything less was put out on the verge and was snapped up pretty quickly.
As for the question, Im wondering how much time you have to put into starting a blog and how to get the best pics? Fiona
I would love to live near water – any water, but I don’t. What would you suggest I do to get a “beach” feel in a room or two? A corner would do, really.
If you could live by any Ocean/beach in the world, if money were no object, where would you choose? and why?
I know 2 question but they tie in together.
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
How often do you get back to England to see your family?
Hey Sarah
IMO it’s a keeper!
Cheers
Judy
Love Love Love your blog, your style, your cottage!! Thanks for your inspiration! When would you say you started going with the cottage theme?
Yup!! Double hanging is almost always very, very good!!!
Who could resist those beachy little starfish???
A nice de-cluttering is good for the soul…
My question to you is: Where in England were you born?
annie
My question is….will we get to see the new desk for your boys soon? I have been on the hunt for desks for awhile and haven’t found anything, so need a little inspiration.
Thx!
I love your blog and your casual, breezy writing style. I’m putting beadboard in my bathroom after seeing it in your kitchen.
Do you almost always find treasures when you hunt or is it hit and miss? I don’t seem to have the luck you and others have at spotting the fabulous finds.
The picture turned out fab-u-lous my friend!!
Love the frames!
OH my…is that inspiration coming around the corner of my room???
Why yes I think it is!!
Gotta go and do a bit more gazing at your beautiful post!!
Thank you dear friend for taking a really rough day and turning it into a smile!!
Sally
xoxoxo
Oh my gosh….oh my golly…I was so taken by the beauty of your new artwork…I completely forgot the giveaway. Just so you know…I’m turning myself into a pretzel ago for luck. Fingers…toes…legs…arms are all crossed.
Please oh please Sarah!! I would be in the Land of Bliss if I won. The Land of the beauty of the beach…..sunsets….sunrises…the beauty of the ocean!!!!
Sally
xoxoxo
Would love this giveaway!!
Does your wardrobe reflect your decorating style?
half lurker, okay maybe…but i do comment occasionally, see? have been enjoying your blog the past couple of months or so.
my question for you. where do you shop when you need something specific and fast??
Did you like Batman as a child? Just wondered …*snicker*
I love the gray frame around the picture…lovely!!
Just discovered your site and I love it. Here is my question. My home decorating style has changed. I am drawn toward more of a cottage feel these days and am trying to transform my home. Do you think chair rail and boxed trim fits into “cottage style?” Why or why not? Also – what would you say truly defines cottage style homes?
Thanks so much! I can’t wait for your response!
I really like the grey frame. I like the contrast of the dark against the white wall and inside frame. I’m not sure I’ve seen this before in the beach cottage. Is this a “new direction” for you?
Congrats on being featured in a magazine. Your home is perfect for beach lovers and everyone.
Love the frames.
Gretchen
http://www.birdnestcottage.typepad.com
I love the pebble gray on the frame. Only wish I could get to your sale. My question: When do we get to see pictures of your garage and the outside of the marvelous cottage?
Just hearing you’re clearing out makes me want to come on over and scoop up all your discards. I would be happy to take every little crumb of whatever you’re parting with! Hey, I do love the frame, that bold bit of color makes a big impact. Nice job as always.
I may have to evolve and grow a little more before I am able to declutter so am enjoying the vicarious experience of watching you first! My question is similar to Terri’s.. If you weren’t able to, or got tired of your beachy white style.. what other style and colours might you be tempted to have a fling with?
I love your home and have subscribed to the blog by email so I don’t miss a thing-would love to get my hands on that Australian mag!
Do like the frame with in a frame and the choice of colours are so very beachy.
Q&As
You share so much with us already, what about your wish list for future treasure hunts or the oddest purchase that you now wish you didn’t.
Hi Sarah, I know what its like to declutter.Our last two house moves I became ruthless and only took what I really wanted. Anything less was put out on the verge and was snapped up pretty quickly.
As for the question, Im wondering how much time you have to put into starting a blog and how to get the best pics? Fiona
I would love to live near water – any water, but I don’t. What would you suggest I do to get a “beach” feel in a room or two? A corner would do, really.
hey!! So we are moving this JUNE! I cant wait to set everything up and send you some pics
If you get a second, go to this link and vote for me to win a dream wedding from a local radio station here in Maryland
GO TO:
http://wpoc.clearcontests.com/front/image_contest2.asp?s=A6889271C4BCB3A3557BA5BEA5B19D84939EB49BB6B4678DD1CF8B998EAFA6BDBD777CA6CCC6C2BCA1897D65658270877FA4BC6F8B756866A6B5AF948C6A618499A7A0737C84636C756D828BA4A2BB8B78576B
or http://www.wpoc.com and click or dream weddings, then click on our picture shown above title TIFFANY AND JASON
Love the frame…how did you attach the white frame in the pebble grey one?
Cindy
I love your blog. Its the first one I check each day.
I’m wondering what made you decide to pick up and move to Australia.
If you could live by any Ocean/beach in the world, if money were no object, where would you choose? and why?
I know 2 question but they tie in together.
Love the pebble grey. How did you come up with the idea? It’s “out there” but works fantastically!