I am good, though if you Facebook with me you’ll know, I had an interesting start to the week yesterday re being a mum who forgets Dress-Up Day. I will say no more.
Sooo, I am mega-busy, the sort of busy where you are not quite sure what to do next so you end up getting not much achieved….You get that too, right? I am trying to get things for my new shop sorted out and ready to go, attending about a million and one kiddos sporting events, negotiating with new door people (oh yes I said I have a new door coming hooray).
Anyway, in the middle of all that last week I put everything aside and spent some time doing this just for me.
I dunno about you but sometimes I just need to zone-out, I was on information, technology, life, overload and so I decided to go dig in the garden and do some painting.
So this is what I painted….that headboard I found on the side of the road recently, well this is the smaller end of it.
There were soooo many wonderful suggestions for what to do with them on here (you can read more about how and where I found them and see a before pic right here) but in the end with the smaller section I decided on a chalkboard…just because I thought I wouldn’t come across a patina like this easily again and just because, well I guess I am in chalkboard-paint-obsession mode…
So this is yet another use for chalkboard paint and I can’t help feeling that this stuff’s possibilities are somewhat endless…find an old bed end, throw on some chalkboard paint, and instantly a transformation occurs right before your eyes and you can sit back, sigh with self-indulgent pleasure and declare oneself one seriously crafty diva. It really is a shame one cannot paint this on one’s face
I love the instant uniqueness this paint drops to pieces…old frames, vintage doors, pieces of old wood…the dark of the paint seems to perfectly offset most anything I’ve tried it on and I love how the silky velvet darkness balances all the white in this old place…
Even if you are not a chalk-board lover, you will, I believe, be bowled over by the power of this paint…this stuff is so persuasive you will find yourself frantically looking around at things that can be re-invented. You will paint an old door or frame…a few weeks will go by and then you will have another go…just to be certain…
I wanted a leetle bit of French on this…I blame this wholeheartedly on Kasey and her Paris sign.
So I stenciled on some words for the Francophile in me…for when I sit in here eating my breakfast a million miles away from gay Paris. And dreaming about it with Elizabeth David.
And that my friends is that for now…never underestimate the power of a can of paint.
Or beer.
Or butter.
Or the beach.
See you all next time
want BC Shell Spheres? pre-ordering tomorrow for delivery early Sept… yep international shipping
Oh that turned out beautifully! And yes never underestimate the power of beer and butter, althoug I am more of a butter on bread kind a gal, but you have that on your list too!
Looking forward to your shop and hooray for international shipping!
Just love that… in the middle of it all you do a “project” but hey Sarah how else would your house look so divine if you did not operate like this ?? lolxx Looks fantastic!
Looks great. The hubby and I fell in love with black board paint last year.. We created an outside blackboard on a wall in our garden for the kids to mess about on… It looks great and they love it. Everyone comments on it when they come over… It definitely works better than them using the patio! Lx
wow I hadn’t even thought of going outside with it…hmmm my mind is spinning with it now….thank you! dontchya just lurve the power of sharing via the good old internet?
xo
Yeah, we painted plant pots, planted them up with herbs and then wrote what they were on the side… Helps the hubby, when I tell him to go and get so, and so from the garden… otherwise he wouldn’t have a clue!
Oh I absolutely LOVE this idea! I have been thinking of painting something with chalkboard paint, but haven’t decided what yet. This is PERFECT! Now, I’ve got to start looking for some ole bed boards on the road side. HA!
Sarah! I just love it!! It’s so unique…and you know painting a headboard like that with chalkboard paint would actually be really cute in a child’s room (albeit really messy.)
Oh what a nifty idea! Everytime I read your blog it makes me want to jump up and decorate…something! I started my business in 2006 and I am ashamed to say my home fell to the wayside. I am now focusing on redecorating my home anait is a work in progress. Blogs like yours are so inspiring:)
oui oui tres jolie madame Sarah pour rever en plus … viens me trouver so errr I was saying to come over and dream along in Paris with me once more
x desiree
Fabulous headboard.
I’m having a love affair with chalkboard paint at the moment too.
I repainted my old outdoor fridge in it and also put some labels on my herb pots, unfortunately I can’t seem to copy a link onto here for you to look at.
I can’t wait to see what beachy, cottagey, vintagey (okay, maybe I’m pushing it with the made up adjectives) treasures you’re selling in your shop. After seeing the chalkboard sign I envision your new virtual shop with an adorable Sarah original chalkboard sign with the day’s featured items for sale.
Hi Sarah,
Just want to ask and I am sorry if this is a silly sort of question but… when I click on the link to your BC shop it is asking me for a Password? I am not sure how to get a Password or will it all make sense and come together when the actual BC store opens? Sorry if I am missing something. Jennifer
Thanks so much Sarah for your speedy reply , I thought that might have been the go but I am just so excited about the BC shop opening that the suspense is just about killing me! Saving the pennies madly to have a shopping spree very soon!
You’ve just inspired me to paint a panel on the back of the front door with blackboard paint- for all those things you mustn’t forget when you leave! OH JOY, Oh JOY!
I love what you’ve done Sarah, I think I may have to have a go around with a can of that paint! I have a great old panel door in my kitchen, I think I’d like to try to paint a bit. I can really use a spot like that for the grocery list. Very inspiring. thanks!
When you’re in uncomfortable position and have no money to go out from that point, you would require to receive the loans. Because it should help you emphatically. I get short term loan every single year and feel myself OK because of that.
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
Oh that turned out beautifully! And yes never underestimate the power of beer and butter, althoug I am more of a butter on bread kind a gal, but you have that on your list too!
Looking forward to your shop and hooray for international shipping!
BWHAHAHA!! That last line make me snort!
Can’t wait to see all your new treasures!!!
Bread Butter and Beer…what more could a girl ask for??
That looks fantastic Sarah! What a great idea… very creative you are my friend
xo
I love what you made, but more importantly.. where are your jeans from?!!
you have to pay me for me to tell you roflmao
Oooh I sure do like the look of your foot-board turned chalk-board….yes. I. do!! It looks right at home there in the Beach Cottage.
I’m sure my kiddies would paint themselves in this given half the chance
Très joli ce tableau !
… So cute ! ^^
merci madame
Ce sembler beaus!
Bev
exactement
Quite clever! I really like the chalkboard idea and hope to do some stickers for re-labelling in my pantry. Fiona
hehe you remembered I wanted balls!!!!! yay!!
headboard looks really cool by the way!
Footboard looks great as a chalkboard Sarah. You continue to be a genius down under.
i’m sorry but what are BC balls? i’m not sure but i’ll probably want some!
~tara
hilarious!
BC balls, if you are in the know, are white spheres of shell glory…
and I love ‘em Tara
sarah
that looks just fabulous. Sarah what a great idea!!!!
Sarah what a fabulous way to use the old bed end. Looks amazing.
Alison
Just love that… in the middle of it all you do a “project” but hey Sarah how else would your house look so divine if you did not operate like this ?? lolxx Looks fantastic!
Looks great. The hubby and I fell in love with black board paint last year.. We created an outside blackboard on a wall in our garden for the kids to mess about on… It looks great and they love it. Everyone comments on it when they come over… It definitely works better than them using the patio! Lx
wow I hadn’t even thought of going outside with it…hmmm my mind is spinning with it now….thank you! dontchya just lurve the power of sharing via the good old internet?
xo
Yeah, we painted plant pots, planted them up with herbs and then wrote what they were on the side… Helps the hubby, when I tell him to go and get so, and so from the garden… otherwise he wouldn’t have a clue!
Oh I absolutely LOVE this idea! I have been thinking of painting something with chalkboard paint, but haven’t decided what yet. This is PERFECT! Now, I’ve got to start looking for some ole bed boards on the road side. HA!
Hi Sarah
I’m catching up with you this morning and lovin’ it! This headboard chalkboard is fabulous. I will add a headboard to my ever growing list!
Love it! It’s very fun! I’ve been looking around for something (or somewhere!) to chalkboard paint. I have a couple of options.
But I also thought it would be fun to decorate the back patio like an outdoor bistro, and have a little chalkboard with a menu.
I think it came out great Sarah!!
I love it! You may have already shared this info, but what kind of chalk board paint do you use? I would like to try it.
Thanks!
Yey! Your shop is shaping up! I knew you’d do it!
I have been contemplating painting my entire office in chalkboard paint. Over the husband’s dead body.
Looks great Sarah…I knew you’d come up with something wonderful!!
Lovely ! I love how you tell yourself to go to the beach!
xo
Kate
I’m going to need that headboard…and that striped shirt
ahem!!!
I love that sign and if you notice it missing in the middle of the night…IT WAS NOT ME!
p.s. Did you mention BALLS?
I love balls….
Sarah! I just love it!! It’s so unique…and you know painting a headboard like that with chalkboard paint would actually be really cute in a child’s room (albeit really messy.)
xoxo
Wendy
Super cute. (My husband and I have been using the ugliest reindeer notepad for our shopping lists, ha ha.)
Love it, looks fabulous and the jeans too! Good thing you have a very nice behind.
hugs from Danmark
Must be all those 350′s!
What a clever idea! It looks fabulous and fits right in even though it isn’t white:)
Oh what a nifty idea! Everytime I read your blog it makes me want to jump up and decorate…something! I started my business in 2006 and I am ashamed to say my home fell to the wayside. I am now focusing on redecorating my home anait is a work in progress. Blogs like yours are so inspiring:)
super duper cute
& you are too funny
ps
if i lived by the shore
my chalkboard would totally have GO TO THE BEACH
probably everyday
Sarah..this is delightful..love it!!
oui oui tres jolie madame Sarah
pour rever en plus … viens me trouver so errr I was saying to come over and dream along in Paris with me once more
x desiree
I adore this so much.
What a lovely, comfy, marvy thing. 
Fabulous headboard.
I’m having a love affair with chalkboard paint at the moment too.
I repainted my old outdoor fridge in it and also put some labels on my herb pots, unfortunately I can’t seem to copy a link onto here for you to look at.
I can’t wait to see what beachy, cottagey, vintagey (okay, maybe I’m pushing it with the made up adjectives) treasures you’re selling in your shop. After seeing the chalkboard sign I envision your new virtual shop with an adorable Sarah original chalkboard sign with the day’s featured items for sale.
Hi Sarah,
Just want to ask and I am sorry if this is a silly sort of question but… when I click on the link to your BC shop it is asking me for a Password? I am not sure how to get a Password or will it all make sense and come together when the actual BC store opens? Sorry if I am missing something. Jennifer
Hi Jennifer
Sorry if I didn’t make this clear! The shop is not open yet…once it is the password requirement will be gone…
thanks
Sarah
Thanks so much Sarah for your speedy reply , I thought that might have been the go but I am just so excited about the BC shop opening that the suspense is just about killing me! Saving the pennies madly to have a shopping spree very soon!
love love love!!! I am saving my pennies to go shopping in your store – wooohoooo
You’ve just inspired me to paint a panel on the back of the front door with blackboard paint- for all those things you mustn’t forget when you leave! OH JOY, Oh JOY!
Brilliant Sarah! Looks fantastic, and thrifty too. And saving something from landfill. And being uber-cool. The list goes on…
I love what you’ve done Sarah, I think I may have to have a go around with a can of that paint! I have a great old panel door in my kitchen, I think I’d like to try to paint a bit. I can really use a spot like that for the grocery list. Very inspiring. thanks!
Absolutely Awesome Idea! I can’t help but find myself looking at everything in my house as something I can paint with blackboard paint!
When you’re in uncomfortable position and have no money to go out from that point, you would require to receive the loans. Because it should help you emphatically. I get short term loan every single year and feel myself OK because of that.