Well hello beach lovers, how you going this lovely day? I'm so pleased you liked Polly, she went down well eh? And yep, she will be more than likely moving on to a new cottage soon…when I get the courage to sell her…I'll let you know…
When we first came to Australia nearly five years ago now, we came on a recce for just over two weeks, to see what we thought and for Mr BC to meet up with potential employers.
As soon as we landed I had a very strange feeling, calming but a bit spooky feeling, Mr Beach Cottage did that rolling eyes thing…but I felt as if it were meant to be…for us to adopt this new place as our own…it was winter and the weather was beautiful, with our English blood then we marveled at how warm it was, how blue and cloudless the sky was, how beautiful the sea was and how bright everything was.
The very first Australian thing I bought was, guess what??? A magazine. And of course, it could only have been Australian Country Style.
I positively inhaled every article of that issue in 2005, revelling in the unique Australian light everything was bathed in and so very pleased to see real Aussie homes in all their glory.
I remember coming across a spread on a young couple who had rented a farmhouse and furnished it with thrifted old finds, just like some of the furniture I had collected in England and as I read it I looked forward to be able to put down roots, carry on collecting vintage things and settle in my very own Aussie home.
In my early days in Australia stuck in a horrid modern house we had rented and hemmed-in in a suburb that wasn't really us, Australian Country Style was a bit like an old friend and I looked forward to getting lost in a copy every month…I'd stick it in my basket, head down to the beach with the kids and dream of a scruffy old cottage of my own.. with wooden floors and perhaps an old fig tree in the garden…
I never quite thought the journey would be as tricky as it has been but I guess now I have my own, tatty old Australian cottage, furnished with thrifted finds, far from perfect but where my kids are extremely happy, thriving and it's become very much a part of our new life.
I've been an avid follower of Australian Country Style and its claims to Escape the Everyday,ever since and over the years I've been buying it, it has certainly changed…it's more polished these days…but I still look forward to welcoming my old friend for a read by the sea with a coffee or sitting up in the shade under that big old tree…I love seeing old cottages out in the Australian countryside and enjoy reading about the joys and challenges of living in the country…
Anyway, enough of my romantic notions and back to business, after an email from Australian Country Style offering Beach Cottage readers the opportunity to win a full years subscription I'm over the moon today to give you gals a chance to experience what I'm waffling on about…
And that's not all that's on offer, I'll also be sending copies of this month's magazine (which is chock full of Aussie eye candy) to a few lucky others…so there are lots of chances to win.
So with that, I'm off I have lots to do as I'm going out on a girly day tomorrow with lg…hooray…to a FABBO place
…shock we are leaving the beaches & heading to the city
I cannot wait, of course will report back with pics
See ya beach babes
*to enter comment on any post this week, every comment = an entry * { Tweet or Facebook & I'll double you up } *giveaway closes 05.03.10
btw Australian Country Style have a subscription offer at the moment, find it here
Oh and just before I go look who I spied sitting on the sofa watching me taking photos of magazines ;-)
*to enter comment on any post this week, every comment = an entry *
{ Tweet or Facebook & I'll double you up }
*giveaway closes 05.03.10
Im a magazineaholic too.Country Style always has beautiful eye candy and sends you to a place of peace and serenity.I thought this months cover is stunning, showing how to achieve that beautiful bright,pink,pretty look with a native plant.Cant wait to read it!!
what a fun give away. . . .and to see how Aussie style compares to California style
What would we do without our magazines!!
Hhmm… just a small problem with the amount of monthly magazines I have the desire to buy. One just runs out of places to hide them (LOL).
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
This is a great giveaway! I’m just finishing up my first year of living in Australia and I’ve promised my mom back in Indiana that I’d start sending her issues of Country Style when I’m through reading them. So really you’d be giving it away to 2 people in one if I won the prize! :) Thanks for a beautiful blog – it’s so inspiring.
I am a new admirer of your site and when one of my friends facebooked about your giveaway..well, I couldn’t resist! It looks like a magazine I could dream with for awhile!
Your blog is like a breath of clean air.
Would love to explore the country version of Australia rather than US; sounds great!
Hi Sarah,
I have just returned from a lovely holiday in Robe S.A. If you havent been there you definitely should try, beautiful beautiful beautiful !!!
And while I was away what did I buy but “Australian Country Style”. It really does transport you doesnt it, I would just love to win a subscription so I could get that rush every month.
Theresa Little South Aussie
hey Sarah
thanks for the little tour of some of aussies eye candy i loved it even went back again for a second look! breakfast looked yummy!! glad you had a great day even if you had to leave the beach!!!
Kim
Hi Sarah, boy, you put my breakfast too shame! bills looks mighty damn fine in deed.
I am an avid reader of Australian Country Style, but atlas have never had a subscription.
I think you would look good in one of those beautiful buildings as australias answer to Rachel Ashwell., I can just see it now.
You are such an inspiration.
xo Rosemary
It looks and sounds like a fantastic magazine.
I love the pie safe, she’s gorgeous.
So excited about the give away. I actually looked into getting a subscription for myself, but to the States was so very expensive. So, my heart would have to wait. So, maybe here is my answer to my delima. Please check out my blog. I just started, and I am so inspired by gals like you. It is at blogspot, and is called my lovely little lulu.
Thanks,
Liz
Hi Sarah – I’m a long-time lurker, first time poster! I just love reading your blog. It’s so refreshing to find an Aussie blog that is so unique.
it looks like the perfect magazine to curl up with
Hi Sarah,
My workmate and i are new to blog land.I found yours via Country Home Ideas – Renovating and Decorating.
We have both spent the last month reading all your posts then discussing you at work each day! We’ve dug out old furniture, given it the beach cottage touch, made tablescapes and been inspired, thankyou :) If we won your giveaway it would be lovingly shared.
Liz
Hei there :)
I take a chance that people from Norway can enter this giveaway…
I found your beautiful blog just 2 days ago and it became instantly my favorite blog of all. I love your style!
I also dream about living in Australia. I`ve already lived there for a year. When I was 17 I lived with a host family in Melbourne. But the winters there were almost more miserable then Norway ;)
Linda
I’m loving your blog…so inspiring and so many brillant ideas. Would love the chance to win a subscription to Country Style!!! Looking forward to your next blog.
Looks like an awesome mag. I’d love to check it out. Wish I could find it in my town.
Hi Sarah,
Oh, what a great giveaway! I’m from the states and this magazine reminds me of one I used to get called Country Home! It was my FAVORITE and I couldn’t wait for it every month! I had so many magazines that I would tear out the pages I loved and stapled them together each month so I could make room for more. Well, much to my surprise they discontinued it! I could.not.believe.it!! I tore through my magazines wondering how many I had left before tearing out pages and now they are Treasured!!!!:) So, long story short, I would just love to receive this magazine! I love your blog and you give so much inspiration! Keep up the great work! Thanks!
Count me in aswell please? I love the stripped coushion!
Delurking for the first time to say how much I love this blog.. and have just added my first bit of beachy white furniture to my house.. thanks
Sounds like a wonderful trip you are planning to the city. I have always wanted to visit Australia and travel there vicariously, through your wonderful blog. Enjoy and take lots of photos to share with us!
thank you for the chance to win!
i enjoy your blog and your take on life!
blessings,
danielle muller
sngbrd1997@aol.com
http://www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com
greetings..as always your pictures and sentiments are wonderful.Thanks for hosting this give away. Best wishes to us all!
i loooooove Australian CountryStyle Magazine……..one of my faves..yes please