G’day. Welcome to Good Life Wednesdays Blog Hop Linky Party! Add your link below!
When I first moved into this old cottage, our first Australian home, I was exhausted from working on the wreck that it was to a shell with white walls and wooden floors…one night, locked in the depths of the study, literally surrounded by packing boxes I came across these places on the net called home decor blogs, though I think more of them as home inspiration blogs and I don’t mean those blogs that simply copy and paste pictures from magazines…I mean that here was inspiration from real women, in real homes, with real budgets, and real life going on, in the midst of which they were trying to get their home by whatever means available to them into one that they loved.
And reading these blogs with their makeovers, their budget busting ideas, all I can say is that I was inspired to step back and look for the good things…an old cottage with wooden floors, sash windows, on the beaches of Sydney, a fig tree in the garden and an old wooden deck out the back…it certainly was far from picture perfect but it had the bones for what I’d always wanted…an old cottage somewhere near the sea..
And so I started to blog it all and a very funny thing happened. I picked up a camera and through the lens of that old Cybershot a whole new world opened up to me. Taking photos and blogging washed the little everyday things in a beautiful new light.
Things that I took for granted, my old white sofa shipped from England, a bunch of flowers on the way home from the school run, my cherished, well-thumbed cookery books, the stacks of white vintage linen and heaps of old china. I began to realise that this humongous move to the other side of the world was not only a Sea Change it made me re-evaluate…I realised that what makes me happy is not the badge on the front of my car or benchtops from Italy but more roaming around looking for vintage things, pottering around at home, walking on the beach and lazing around reading on a big old shabby white sofa…
Which leads me today to the start of Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays…the place to come and add your link to what inspires you…your stop and smell the roses things, or really just anything that you have going on…a recipe you tried, a craft you completed, a room you decorated, a flower in your garden, a painting, a piece of furniture, a great photography shot, a vintage thing you found…
Open to everyone…simply add your permalink below, pls do not add capitals for your name and leave a link back here to abeachcottage.com on your post
Have fun..
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grab the Good Life Wednesday button below (just copy the code & paste)
oh and if you have lovely white things to show off go to Faded Charm for lots of inspiration!
Sarah, Thank you for hosting such a delightful party. I had a bit of trouble with the linky. It won’t let me paste so I added my link by sight, and it goes to page not found, but still gives my url, so all good. I’m so happy to have made it over here. Your blog is truly an inspiration. Hugs tami
Hi again, Sarah, I am really really sorry for this, but can you please delete number two link it was mine and the url was not correct. I hand typed it as for some reason the link feature is not allowing me to paste anything into it. I had same trouble with your button, so I added a link on my post under your button photo. Anyway, I am very sorry, I’m happy in the number 3 spot thank you again, tami
Errrr my inspiration is ‘a beach cottage blog’ for all the reasons you said above, real life, real budget not just cut n paste pie in the sky ideas. For the humour, the ups and downs, the budget makeovers and the relax and enjoy what you have rather than being upset about what you havent. Ive said it before and it still stands, this blog has changed my life )
Cant wait to see others inspirational blogs though, the housework can just wait!! ;o)
Hi Sarah…I so-o identify with your comments. Blogging has brought me such joy…..an unexpected gift that I could never imagine, as I felt so computer deficient at the time. Those of us who love to decorate tend to gravitate toward one another. Your blog is beautiful and so is your home. Thank you for sharing. I will join your party and become a follower.
I am completely new to this as a blogger. I’ve been reading blogs for 2 years and only recently joined in the fun. This is the first blog party I’ve joined. I am not sure what I am doing here with all those links, so if I linked someting inapproprietly or did not link to your blog as you wished (I tried and it worked), it was completely unintentional and resulting from my ignorance.
Also a question, the window allowed me to put only 20 charachters while typing the name. It seems that some other party participants have longer names and they were able to fit them in a few lines one under the other. How is this done?
OK..you must have the most talented followers in the world..I checked all the blog links out and they are all beautiful!!! Congrats on a great start to your link party. I may add something about this “new’ house Would you find cardboard boxes inspiring?? LOL
Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for the linky party. I have a new blog and if I had to pick one blog that was my inspiration, it would be you and yours, my dear. You’ve inspired me to share my style and my own voice, and I am having So Much Fun. Thank you!
xo…oneshabbychick ;-}
Hi Sarah, loving this link party – I want to start a blog this year but I get so lost in yours & everyone else’s blogs I don’t see how I will ever have time to write my own. Nor style my home for photo’s and to be honest my children and I live in chaotic mess. Which is why I love getting lost in the perfection that is your blog. oxoxox
Sheesh! I’m having the time of my life at this linky party! I’ve been surfing for hours and been everywhere!!!
Does anyone know how to get that musty smell out of laundry which has been left wet in the washing machine for far too long while you have been engrossed in blogland? ;oP Lol!
I wish I were sitting on your comfy looking sofa with all your pillows, mirrors and funky door! Looks like a wonderful place to sit and mull things over.
Plus I bet it is just a tad bit warmer there…….
I was sure happy to see that you mentioned a Cybershot—never hear much about them, but I LOVE mine!
Hi, Sarah…
I love this new meme of yours and I have WHITES and I tried to link but could never get my URL to link up. Not sure what’s going on with that. I linked fine with others.
ANYway, I’ll keep trying.
xo bj
Thank you Sarah! It’s been a long time since I got in on a blog party and I’m already feeling very inspired by the dozen or so blogs I’ve looked at so far. ☺
Oh Sarah, I have been reading your blog for so long and I rarely comment. I am so sorry for that. I am currently on vacation in my beach cottage wondering what I can do to update it’s blue and white decor. This link party will keep me busy all week.
This party is wonderful.
I was so busy reading all the blogs that I almost forgot to link to mine.
So sorry I can’t link up with you, Sarah…it is the strangest thing. I have been trying everything I know to do to link, but……
My right click button on my mouse DOES NOT WORK ON YOUR BLOG…I have never had this happen…don’t have a clue why this is happening.
bwaaaaaaa
Hi Sarah! Its always fun to find another linky party, thank you for hosting! I love your blog, anything beachy, light,and airy like this is so appealing to me! I’ve joined the party, but I also could not get my ‘right click’ to work on your page so was not able to copy the button code.
Just so you know I have been stalking you for a while and just love your style! I think I’ve left a comment or two in the past {if not, I should have}, but don’t shoot me if I haven’t. Anyway, consider yourself a “blog beauty.” I’ve linked up with you and all the fun today ~ thanks so much for the good reads!
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
Sarah,
What a wonderful party. I am happy to join you. Always lovely to visit!
Sherry
Sarah, Thank you for hosting such a delightful party. I had a bit of trouble with the linky. It won’t let me paste so I added my link by sight, and it goes to page not found, but still gives my url, so all good. I’m so happy to have made it over here. Your blog is truly an inspiration. Hugs tami
Hi again, Sarah, I am really really sorry for this, but can you please delete number two link it was mine and the url was not correct. I hand typed it as for some reason the link feature is not allowing me to paste anything into it. I had same trouble with your button, so I added a link on my post under your button photo. Anyway, I am very sorry, I’m happy in the number 3 spot
thank you again, tami
no worries, if I an work out how to do that lol!
I love these pics-those mirrors and the door-FAB!
What a great idea for a linky party, Sarah! I hope I can participate next week!
Just tried to copy the button and wasn’t able to…..I’ll check back later and try again — thanks.
Errrr my inspiration is ‘a beach cottage blog’ for all the reasons you said above, real life, real budget not just cut n paste pie in the sky ideas. For the humour, the ups and downs, the budget makeovers and the relax and enjoy what you have rather than being upset about what you havent. Ive said it before and it still stands, this blog has changed my life
)
Cant wait to see others inspirational blogs though, the housework can just wait!! ;o)
c xx
Hi Sarah…I so-o identify with your comments. Blogging has brought me such joy…..an unexpected gift that I could never imagine, as I felt so computer deficient at the time. Those of us who love to decorate tend to gravitate toward one another. Your blog is beautiful and so is your home. Thank you for sharing. I will join your party and become a follower.
Hi Sarah,
I am completely new to this as a blogger. I’ve been reading blogs for 2 years and only recently joined in the fun. This is the first blog party I’ve joined. I am not sure what I am doing here with all those links, so if I linked someting inapproprietly or did not link to your blog as you wished (I tried and it worked), it was completely unintentional and resulting from my ignorance.
Also a question, the window allowed me to put only 20 charachters while typing the name. It seems that some other party participants have longer names and they were able to fit them in a few lines one under the other. How is this done?
Love your photos and stories.
Hello!!!
thanks so much for your linky party!!! so fun:)
Thanks for the party, Love the idea of this and the inspiration, Sarah. Just linked my blog.
Your beautiful white couch strewn with pillows looks like the perfect place to curl up and read a good book and then take a little snooze.
OK..you must have the most talented followers in the world..I checked all the blog links out and they are all beautiful!!! Congrats on a great start to your link party. I may add something about this “new’ house
Would you find cardboard boxes inspiring?? LOL
haha Sue, well my kids have done in the past lol
Great idea, Sarah! Looking forward to the weekly party!!
Thank you for hosting!
Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for the linky party. I have a new blog and if I had to pick one blog that was my inspiration, it would be you and yours, my dear. You’ve inspired me to share my style and my own voice, and I am having So Much Fun. Thank you!
xo…oneshabbychick ;-}
Hi Sarah, loving this link party – I want to start a blog this year but I get so lost in yours & everyone else’s blogs I don’t see how I will ever have time to write my own. Nor style my home for photo’s and to be honest my children and I live in chaotic mess. Which is why I love getting lost in the perfection that is your blog. oxoxox
Just joined in Sarah…thanks for hosting this party! You’ve been an inspiration for many, many bloggers!
Blessings,
Marcia
Sheesh! I’m having the time of my life at this linky party! I’ve been surfing for hours and been everywhere!!!
Does anyone know how to get that musty smell out of laundry which has been left wet in the washing machine for far too long while you have been engrossed in blogland? ;oP Lol!
c xx
errrrm no…but I did that recently and it was gros! haha
So excited about Good Life Wednesdays! What a fabulous idea! Hope you’re doing well down under!
Courtney
Great party!
I wish I were sitting on your comfy looking sofa with all your pillows, mirrors and funky door! Looks like a wonderful place to sit and mull things over.
Plus I bet it is just a tad bit warmer there…….
I was sure happy to see that you mentioned a Cybershot—never hear much about them, but I LOVE mine!
Thanks for hosting!!!
Sarah~ Way too much fun! Thanks for hosting!
Cricket
I was going to spend time OFF the computer today, but now…oh boy so many lovely blogs to hop to!! Thanks so much for hosting this party Sarah. Alison
Hi, Sarah…
I love this new meme of yours and I have WHITES and I tried to link but could never get my URL to link up. Not sure what’s going on with that. I linked fine with others.
ANYway, I’ll keep trying.
xo bj
Thank you Sarah! It’s been a long time since I got in on a blog party and I’m already feeling very inspired by the dozen or so blogs I’ve looked at so far. ☺
Beautiful Idea, and so many beautiful things to see!
Oh Sarah, I have been reading your blog for so long and I rarely comment. I am so sorry for that. I am currently on vacation in my beach cottage wondering what I can do to update it’s blue and white decor. This link party will keep me busy all week.
This party is wonderful.
I was so busy reading all the blogs that I almost forgot to link to mine.
while this isn’t my personal style…i do find it extremely appealing. i love how light everything is.
Oh I so wanted to join your party but for some reason I can’t link up- I am wondering if you might be able to link my post up for me please.
Do love those mirrors on the wall and the coastal feel of that picture!
bee blessed
mary
So sorry I can’t link up with you, Sarah…it is the strangest thing. I have been trying everything I know to do to link, but……
My right click button on my mouse DOES NOT WORK ON YOUR BLOG…I have never had this happen…don’t have a clue why this is happening.
bwaaaaaaa
Hi Sarah! Its always fun to find another linky party, thank you for hosting! I love your blog, anything beachy, light,and airy like this is so appealing to me! I’ve joined the party, but I also could not get my ‘right click’ to work on your page so was not able to copy the button code.
Hi Sarah…great idea for a party! Thanks for hosting! Your couch look so cozy and comfy…don’t know how you could leave it!
Hi Sarah! I like the name and concept of your new blog party! I’ve been peeking in on you for quite a while now. Love your style!
Hi! I would love to contribute to this linky party but I’m having a problem pasting the permalink. Any suggestions! Love all the posts so far!
Thank you for hosting all the creative fun !
Hi Sarah, I love your beach cottage style! Where did you get those blue bottles? They’re so lovely and beachy, I want them!
I thrifted them
Thanks for hosting this link party. What a beautiful blog!!
Hi Sarah,
Just so you know I have been stalking you for a while and just love your style! I think I’ve left a comment or two in the past {if not, I should have}, but don’t shoot me if I haven’t. Anyway, consider yourself a “blog beauty.” I’ve linked up with you and all the fun today ~ thanks so much for the good reads!
Ciao bella,
Suzanne
Thanks for hosting this linky party.
Yay Sarah!
I have so wanted you to do a linky for so very long!
Love it. Now I get to show YOU, MY beachy shots!