Funny ! I have thought to why do they hurt so bad????? They are flats for goodness sakes ! Try them with a very cute pair of thin socks, maybe with a cute little bow on the side like the wee ones wear !
This is one of the funniest comment threads I have ever read . . . just the perfect break for me from packing boxes. Laughter is good medicine . . . now I can carry on to the next box. THANKS
Fondly,
Glenda
P.S. I appreciate your generosity with your photos.
Hey Sarah
Just love the ballet flats, little trick I learnt years ago, and i swear by it. Put vaseline on part of foot that hurts and same spot inside shoe. The vaseline stops blisters and the shoes them shape to your foot and end up so comfy you will never take them off. Tell me if it works for you.
1. I love your ballet flats!
2. I live in ballet flats.
3. I can’t believe summer is going to make me step out of them up.
4. I wish I had done ballet.
5. I grew too tall.
6. Just like Lady Di.
7. At least she still got to dance with John Travolta.
8. My friend calls him John Revolting.
9. I like him.
10. I was an enthusiastic participant in the Grease Megamix release in the nineties
1. I got stuck in the toilets in a grotty old cinema in the depths of England to see John
2. I love John more than anyone else in the world
3. more than ballet flats
4. even the most beautiful ballet flats
5. Travolta is the BC Man
6. when he flies Oprah Down Under
8. I hope he’ll stop off here with me too
9. I’d show him the beaches
10. I’d show him my white bed
I love ballet flats. But they always hurt my feet so I never buy them. They look so comfy and girly, I want some but too afraid to try any on because they’ll hurt my feet. I’m going shopping with my husband on Tuesday (for a new car), I think I should try a pair on — just to feel french and special before we get a coffee together. I’m sure he wont mind. Thanks for a great blog, I love reading it and enjoy your decorating style.
I love ballet flats {although I can’t wear them}, love your blog {it makes me smile everyday}, love all your photos showing us your beautiful world {and that you generously allow people to share them}, and I love the scent from a fragrant candle in my home {I would love to win a frangipani candle}!
1. I’ve missed you 2. I’ve been busy rekindling an old flame 3. My new old flame loves shabby ( even these ole bones) 4. They will stretch (wear them in the house with socks)5.They look great on you 6. I need a new candle 7. I finally had help figuring out how to leave a comment! 8. Give me the candle 9. Have a great day!!!
love donna
Recently discovered your blog and I love it! I agree about the ballet flats. Sometimes, even if they hurt, you just need beautiful shoes to look at (and wear around the house).
Keep the wonderful blog and beautiful pictures coming!
1. I always loved the way ballet flats looked
2. I tried on so many pairs and they would always hurt!
3. I bought some thinking they would “break in”
4. They didn’t
5. They are still sitting in my closet
6. I went on a trip for work and needed flats because it’s easier to travel with them
7. I bought another pair. Those hurt too and I was sad
8. I heard wonderful things about these shoes: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3119908?origin=category&resultback=0
9. They are by Attilio Giusti Leombruni and I thought people were crazy to spend that much money on shoes. But the lady said I could return them if they hurt.
10. They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn and no “break in” process was needed, no blisters.
11. They are worth 10 times what I paid. Try them. Love them.
1. I am wearing the ballet flats
2. as I type
3. they will soon be in my closet
4. I went to your link
5. there’s nothing there
6. I would spend crazy money on shoes
7. if they didn’t hurt
1. These wonderful shoes were purchased in a department store called Nordstrom in the US
2. Nordstrom’s site says they ship internationally.
3. If Nordstrom does not ship, I will get them and ship them to you.
4. The Nordstrom site is kinda sucky and you have to search by the brand “Attilio” in the search box, (it doesn’t show in the brands list) to see what they have
5. The ones I purchased are called the Ballerina Flat. They feel like slippers on your feet.
6. They were $295 US
7. I threw up a little in my mouth just typing that.
8. I would buy more of these delicious shoes.
9. If I had more money
1. I’d love to go to Nordstroms
2. it sounds like a nice place to shop
3. i threw up a little in my mouth when I read that
4. but I spent $300 on a quilt
5. these shoes by this man?
6. they must mean I would have to do a lot of Favours
8. I think it would be worth it
I totally understand about the love of a perfect shoe (that can only be worn while sitting down). I also understand the language of lists, it’s my favorite way to communicate. Thank you for your blog, I enjoy reading it from my flat overlooking Mission Bay(SanDiego,California).
Love having a teen son to take snaps too – isn’t if fun!! Your flats look so perfect on you and the chair that I thought I might like a pair. That is till your “list” mentioned pain..LOL. Guessing I am going to have to pass. Awesome photo – congrats to the teacher and the son/student.
Those shoes look just adorable, it’s too bad they don’t feel comfortable. I had the same problem with the cutest shoes I bought. I decided to keep them at work since I’m mostly sitting there but I ended up with sore feet even then! Who tests these products?!
Sarah, I love the list thing and not sure whether you will read this the 87th comment also not sure whether you already know this, but if you have leather shoes that are a bit pinchy, you need to give them a blast with the hairdryer (inside your shoe) and then slip your feet in. It helps the leather to mould to the shape of your foot…give it a go, it does work….
Kiss Noises Linda
1. g’day Linda
2. I read all my comments
3. every day
4. that’s the whole point for me
5. I am wearing the flats now
6. while I do the hoovering
8. I have socks on
9. they are killing my feet
10. I will try the hair dryer
11. thank you
Did you take the picture of ballet flats + socks in the mirror? You really are quite a good photography, I hope you give yourself credit for that, Katie x
I am currently looking for the perfect black pair. I had a cute pair w/ a little bow @ the top, but my daughter stole them away from me and now she can’t find them. Maybe soon I will be feeling your pain! ~Lori
Sweet ballet flats!! Love, love, LOVE them! I shall resign my feet, however, to live vicariously through yours. Sadly, my aged feet are nearly withered from wearing ballet flats to excess in the 80s. {sigh}
I love SamBag ballet flats…. recently found I an a ‘sample’ size 38 and bought way too many in the Facebook on-line sample sale… 9 pairs (ssshhhh) plus 2 pairs of high wedges… Lord knows I am so used to flats now I will be lumbering around in those!… LOL
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
Funny ! I have thought to why do they hurt so bad????? They are flats for goodness sakes ! Try them with a very cute pair of thin socks, maybe with a cute little bow on the side like the wee ones wear !
Angie
This is one of the funniest comment threads I have ever read . . . just the perfect break for me from packing boxes. Laughter is good medicine . . . now I can carry on to the next box. THANKS
Fondly,
Glenda
P.S. I appreciate your generosity with your photos.
Hey Sarah
Just love the ballet flats, little trick I learnt years ago, and i swear by it. Put vaseline on part of foot that hurts and same spot inside shoe. The vaseline stops blisters and the shoes them shape to your foot and end up so comfy you will never take them off. Tell me if it works for you.
Gorgeous flats, but tell me why oh why is it that the most beautiful shoes are often the most uncomfortable???????
1. I love your ballet flats!
2. I live in ballet flats.
3. I can’t believe summer is going to make me step out of them up.
4. I wish I had done ballet.
5. I grew too tall.
6. Just like Lady Di.
7. At least she still got to dance with John Travolta.
8. My friend calls him John Revolting.
9. I like him.
10. I was an enthusiastic participant in the Grease Megamix release in the nineties
1. I got stuck in the toilets in a grotty old cinema in the depths of England to see John
2. I love John more than anyone else in the world
3. more than ballet flats
4. even the most beautiful ballet flats
5. Travolta is the BC Man
6. when he flies Oprah Down Under
8. I hope he’ll stop off here with me too
9. I’d show him the beaches
10. I’d show him my white bed
10. hahahahahahahahahahah
I love ballet flats. But they always hurt my feet so I never buy them. They look so comfy and girly, I want some but too afraid to try any on because they’ll hurt my feet. I’m going shopping with my husband on Tuesday (for a new car), I think I should try a pair on — just to feel french and special before we get a coffee together. I’m sure he wont mind. Thanks for a great blog, I love reading it and enjoy your decorating style.
NicoletteNicoletteNicoletteNicoletteNicoletteNicoletteNicoletteNicoletteNicolette
I love ballet flats {although I can’t wear them}, love your blog {it makes me smile everyday}, love all your photos showing us your beautiful world {and that you generously allow people to share them}, and I love the scent from a fragrant candle in my home {I would love to win a frangipani candle}!
1. I’ve missed you 2. I’ve been busy rekindling an old flame 3. My new old flame loves shabby ( even these ole bones) 4. They will stretch (wear them in the house with socks)5.They look great on you 6. I need a new candle 7. I finally had help figuring out how to leave a comment! 8. Give me the candle 9. Have a great day!!!
love donna
Recently discovered your blog and I love it! I agree about the ballet flats. Sometimes, even if they hurt, you just need beautiful shoes to look at (and wear around the house).
Keep the wonderful blog and beautiful pictures coming!
Sarah
1. I always loved the way ballet flats looked
2. I tried on so many pairs and they would always hurt!
3. I bought some thinking they would “break in”
4. They didn’t
5. They are still sitting in my closet
6. I went on a trip for work and needed flats because it’s easier to travel with them
7. I bought another pair. Those hurt too and I was sad
8. I heard wonderful things about these shoes: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3119908?origin=category&resultback=0
9. They are by Attilio Giusti Leombruni and I thought people were crazy to spend that much money on shoes. But the lady said I could return them if they hurt.
10. They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn and no “break in” process was needed, no blisters.
11. They are worth 10 times what I paid. Try them. Love them.
1. I am wearing the ballet flats
2. as I type
3. they will soon be in my closet
4. I went to your link
5. there’s nothing there
6. I would spend crazy money on shoes
7. if they didn’t hurt
1. These wonderful shoes were purchased in a department store called Nordstrom in the US
2. Nordstrom’s site says they ship internationally.
3. If Nordstrom does not ship, I will get them and ship them to you.
4. The Nordstrom site is kinda sucky and you have to search by the brand “Attilio” in the search box, (it doesn’t show in the brands list) to see what they have
5. The ones I purchased are called the Ballerina Flat. They feel like slippers on your feet.
6. They were $295 US
7. I threw up a little in my mouth just typing that.
8. I would buy more of these delicious shoes.
9. If I had more money
1. I’d love to go to Nordstroms
2. it sounds like a nice place to shop
3. i threw up a little in my mouth when I read that
4. but I spent $300 on a quilt
5. these shoes by this man?
6. they must mean I would have to do a lot of Favours
8. I think it would be worth it
Those shoes are cute…and your teenage son took great photos. You’re doing a good job teaching him Sarah.
Blessings~
Marcia
Love those shoes, how cute? Did you say they are uncomfortable?
I totally understand about the love of a perfect shoe (that can only be worn while sitting down). I also understand the language of lists, it’s my favorite way to communicate. Thank you for your blog, I enjoy reading it from my flat overlooking Mission Bay(SanDiego,California).
Your list is fun and really creative
And your son did a great job if taking the snap of you in your ballet flats 
Kelly
Love having a teen son to take snaps too – isn’t if fun!! Your flats look so perfect on you and the chair that I thought I might like a pair. That is till your “list” mentioned pain..LOL. Guessing I am going to have to pass.
Awesome photo – congrats to the teacher and the son/student.
Love the flats…too bad you can’t wear them anywhere
Love your blog…such fun posts! Love that your son takes pics for you.
Those shoes look just adorable, it’s too bad they don’t feel comfortable. I had the same problem with the cutest shoes I bought. I decided to keep them at work since I’m mostly sitting there but I ended up with sore feet even then! Who tests these products?!
Sarah, I love the list thing and not sure whether you will read this the 87th comment also not sure whether you already know this, but if you have leather shoes that are a bit pinchy, you need to give them a blast with the hairdryer (inside your shoe) and then slip your feet in. It helps the leather to mould to the shape of your foot…give it a go, it does work….
Kiss Noises Linda
1. g’day Linda
2. I read all my comments
3. every day
4. that’s the whole point for me
5. I am wearing the flats now
6. while I do the hoovering
8. I have socks on
9. they are killing my feet
10. I will try the hair dryer
11. thank you
Did you take the picture of ballet flats + socks in the mirror? You really are quite a good photography, I hope you give yourself credit for that, Katie x
Hi,
I love your ballet flats. I wear them as well – mine are pink plaid with a little black bow.
Christine
I am currently looking for the perfect black pair. I had a cute pair w/ a little bow @ the top, but my daughter stole them away from me and now she can’t find them. Maybe soon I will be feeling your pain!
~Lori
I heard somewhere also to wear damp socks…that eases the leather out
Sweet ballet flats!! Love, love, LOVE them! I shall resign my feet, however, to live vicariously through yours. Sadly, my aged feet are nearly withered from wearing ballet flats to excess in the 80s. {sigh}
PS Your son took lovely photos! Well done!
I love SamBag ballet flats…. recently found I an a ‘sample’ size 38 and bought way too many in the Facebook on-line sample sale… 9 pairs (ssshhhh) plus 2 pairs of high wedges… Lord knows I am so used to flats now I will be lumbering around in those!… LOL
Cute flats and such a neutral color. But why do some ballet flats have to hurt? I just bought some Tory Burch Reva flats and WOW did they hurt for the first couple weeks. They’re fine now. These are mine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39715038@N00/6770394059/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39715038@N00/6782731895/in/photostream