G'day girlies? How ya cooking? Ready for the weekend? You betchya.
As I loaded these photos up for this post, I have to say I had a little second thought. Do you really want to see pictures of a 50 yr old typewriter in a scruffy old cottage on the beaches? And do I really want to add any further ammunition to the suggestion that I may be slightly off my rocker?
Without much more thought I came to the conclusion that firstly you gals already know pretty much that I am erring on the side of nutcase and secondly I don't really care too much about the other.
And so with that, here is Tilly, she resides somewhere near Fran ( no I haven't been drinking again).
I have literally no other use for her than to show you, to sit her on the side as a quirky piece of vintage decor and to type the odd word or two when I'm feeling like every modern thing around me and the pace of life is all getting a bit too much… though for sure she more than paid for herself with the brief history lesson she provided for the BC Kiddos, who thought this was absolutely hilarious, especially the little one…he kept bashing the keys, stopping, peering in and then looking up at me in wonder.
I have been reliably informed that this little Swiss Made beauty was the typewriter to have in those days when Miss Moneypenny & Co clipped along the streets to work with one of these tucked under their arm…none other than the Hermes Baby, complete with carry handle, compact case and supplied by Office Equipment Pty Ltd. Sydney.
I have no clue what she is worth, nor do I want to know, probably not much I assume, not old enough to be sought after and totally redundant as I sit here, typing, deleting, saving and amending on my laptop.
What I do know is that at long last I can type abeachcottage in ink via a ribbon, on clunky old keys in a real old typeface.
There are worse things that they call therapy in life.
Enjoy the weekend, I'm hoping to call in here tomorrow, I'm going looking for treasure in the morning (I've actually found a new-to-me Flea Market, but not sure if I can get there), I am creeping around Mr BC to get some things put up and oh yes dinner at lg's…
Don't forget this is the last chance to win a scoop of goodies from Australian Country Style including a whole year long subscription of Aussie eye candy, comment to enter…
I am looking for one of these — my Daddy had one and used it — of course, he was an antique, too! My brother took it — so I am still looking for one…
I had to laugh about your baby’s reaction to the typewriter — I got an e-mail today (one of the “humorous” ones that makes the rounds) and it had a line or two in it about today’s kids and a typewriter — such a funny coincidence.
I love old typewriters… you get that lovely sound when you press the keys… a bit like the lovely noise of the shutter release on ‘proper’ cameras! Happy weekend! x
Oh, Tilly is stunning!:) Seriously!:) All this time I thought 05.03.10 meant May 3, 2010 – I did wonder why it was going on for so long Sarah. LOL! I thought Wow, she’s going to have a lot of comments!:) And you thought you were losing it! Have a great weekend and I wish you luck in finding many treasures!
Sarah not you are not nuts but if you are i am twice as nutty as i have 2 of these beauties, not the same brand but lovely 50 year old manual portable typewriters, just love them and the type they print, but like you they are just a decoration in my home, sometimes i do use them to type notes to my family,(who by the way think i am definitely nuts), so collect away my friend………Amanda
Loved your post today Sarah. And I just adore old typewriters!! And please don’t ever change…I LOVE you and HEART you just the way you are. You make my day happy every time I open my email and see one of your updates. Your posts are just a delight!!! Hope you have a fabulous weekend my friend.
Hi Sarah,
Just wondering what kind of camera you use? Your pictures are always so beautiful! Do you adjust them much in photoshop etc? Have a good weekend!
Jacqui
Now I realise why I had a dream about an old typewriter last night.
I left one job as typist on a state-of-the-art 1978 electric typewriter to one with a huge old manual in an office where the men wore leather elbow patches on their tweed jackets. When I enquired why they hadn’t got electric there was a sharp intake of breath and in hushed tones I was told ‘only secretaries of Grade A managers have those’.! xx
Love the typewriter, though I have to admit I am truly grateful for a computer for practical purposes! There is something about the old font of a vintage typewriter and wondering who used it and what they may have typed with it that sets me to dreaming…Glad you found her!
I have an old Underwood typewriter that was my dad’s–though it’s currently in storage. I’d love to be entered in the Australian Country Style giveaway. Thanks!
I am Nick and I am a Lurker. I have come in from the cold after seeing your typewriter. You see I have just bought one as well, an Olivetti Lettera 32, which I am becoming very fond of, it is so tactile. My daughter has begun writing crazy “Beat” poetry on it. It is like is has a personality of its own and is guiding us to be creative. xxNick
Nice typewriter! This one’s probably better than the big old one I used as a kid to type my school paper. I don’t even remember where it is now…but i remember always hurting myself when my fingers would slip in between the letters
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 …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
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 am looking for one of these — my Daddy had one and used it — of course, he was an antique, too! My brother took it — so I am still looking for one…
I had to laugh about your baby’s reaction to the typewriter — I got an e-mail today (one of the “humorous” ones that makes the rounds) and it had a line or two in it about today’s kids and a typewriter — such a funny coincidence.
Scribbler
I love old typewriters… you get that lovely sound when you press the keys… a bit like the lovely noise of the shutter release on ‘proper’ cameras! Happy weekend! x
Oh, Tilly is stunning!:) Seriously!:) All this time I thought 05.03.10 meant May 3, 2010 – I did wonder why it was going on for so long Sarah. LOL! I thought Wow, she’s going to have a lot of comments!:) And you thought you were losing it! Have a great weekend and I wish you luck in finding many treasures!
Oh I love your vintage typewriter! She IS lovely! Happy weekend!
Smiles,
rachel
Sarah not you are not nuts but if you are i am twice as nutty as i have 2 of these beauties, not the same brand but lovely 50 year old manual portable typewriters, just love them and the type they print, but like you they are just a decoration in my home, sometimes i do use them to type notes to my family,(who by the way think i am definitely nuts), so collect away my friend………Amanda
Loved your post today Sarah. And I just adore old typewriters!! And please don’t ever change…I LOVE you and HEART you just the way you are. You make my day happy every time I open my email and see one of your updates. Your posts are just a delight!!! Hope you have a fabulous weekend my friend.
Sally
xoxox
I love old typewriters, I actually use one at work still so they aren’t completely null and void yet!
I love old typewriters!!! I learned to type on the “old-fashioned” kind and I sort of miss them!
Hi Sarah,
Just wondering what kind of camera you use? Your pictures are always so beautiful! Do you adjust them much in photoshop etc? Have a good weekend!
Jacqui
I bet Tilly and Fran are great friends! She’s a beauty. Hope for lots of goodies from your new Flea Market. Have fun!
Now I realise why I had a dream about an old typewriter last night.
I left one job as typist on a state-of-the-art 1978 electric typewriter to one with a huge old manual in an office where the men wore leather elbow patches on their tweed jackets. When I enquired why they hadn’t got electric there was a sharp intake of breath and in hushed tones I was told ‘only secretaries of Grade A managers have those’.! xx
The photographs are so fresh, cool and beautiful! I’m absolutely amazed. Congrats & best regards.
Love the typewriter, though I have to admit I am truly grateful for a computer for practical purposes! There is something about the old font of a vintage typewriter and wondering who used it and what they may have typed with it that sets me to dreaming…Glad you found her!
I just got a beautiful bloggers award from Whisperwood Cottage by commenting that you are my favorite decor blog! So I am passing the award on to you!
I have an old Underwood typewriter that was my dad’s–though it’s currently in storage. I’d love to be entered in the Australian Country Style giveaway. Thanks!
I am Nick and I am a Lurker. I have come in from the cold after seeing your typewriter. You see I have just bought one as well, an Olivetti Lettera 32, which I am becoming very fond of, it is so tactile. My daughter has begun writing crazy “Beat” poetry on it. It is like is has a personality of its own and is guiding us to be creative. xxNick
Nice typewriter! This one’s probably better than the big old one I used as a kid to type my school paper. I don’t even remember where it is now…but i remember always hurting myself when my fingers would slip in between the letters