Welcome to Prairie Chic in BC Land …and BC Coastal Prairie
When I was a child I loved Little House on the Prairie…it seemed so far away from the reality that I was living…all rustic and muted, farmhouses, cows and hens…and I would sit in my bedroom and dream about living that sort of life…I schemed how I could turn a tiny box room in the middle of a terraced house in the depths of old Blighty into a homestead… I dreamed that I would one day have wooden floors and thought about ways I could paste cardboard to the walls for a cabin effect…and I certainly had my own Nellie at school…
Years later I still love those Ingalls and all that goes with that, I just can’t quite pull off a smocked prairie dress with my shoulders, so instead I decided to, now in the depths of the beaches of Sydney, all these years later, go for a bit of Prairie Chic in the form of a crochet blanket draped around my Sitting Room.
Do not even ask about what the males said.
OK I will tell you what they said.
After Mr BC blabbered on about how I don’t have a clue about the practicalities of long screws, hmm I beg to differ on that I can do long screws when I want to he just raised his eyebrows and went to the deck with a beer.
The resident BC Teenager?
Hmm.
Well he was a little bit more vocal.
walking past the new Little Beach House on the Prairie curtain “Mum?! WHAT on earth is that on the door? I can’t even walk through it”
me : “crochet”
Teenager “Oh God” (envisaging his friends coming ’round & playing Playstation in there)
“You’ve hung a lacey blanket that goes on the bed on the doorway?”
me : “well that’s what they did in the old days on the prairies” all smug & happy & gleeful
Teenager “really?”
me : “yeah, they didn’t have much money and so used their talents to create beautiful pieces of work and hang them around their houses or put them on their beds”
Teenager : ”But we don’t live on a prairie”
me : ”I know, that’s why I put that crochet up”
Teenager “OK so what about the boots?”
me : “boots, what boots?”
Teenager “yeah those new tan boots that are by the door…where’d you get those”
me : “I have no idea what you are talking about, I’ve had those boots years”
eyebrows
me : “and Prairie girls wear leather boots with smocked dresses”
eyebrows
Teenager ”Mum, you have lost it…there is an old blanket hanging in our doorway and you have bought cowboy boots and lined them up in the Sitting Room & are staring at them all weird”
Teenager “I’m going to bed”
and that my friends is what I have to put up with in this cottage for all my creative efforts…can you believe it
I am thinking here that perhaps you could give me your input?
Wanna play Little Beach House on the Prairie with me?
Ditto on the dreaming of Little House as a younster as I was in the middle of “Smogville”, aka Los Angeles County. So, here I am in Oklahoma (though not the prairie quite as I’m in the eastern part called green country, the foothills of the Ozark Mts, but close enough to the prairie) dreaming of beach cottage living, ha! I think little touches of Little House are nice.. Yes, I have all boys and one pre-teen who is the nicest of them on comments, so can relate to the conversations. We love ‘um anyway My big boy, husband, says it is good to have a woman do these things because they (most males) really like the nicey stuff in the house but without a woman in it, they could not get away with it. And that was my license to express my girl-self in the house decorating (not too girly, though). So, enjoy yourself, Sarah, and keep sharing your pics with us
I had to clasp my hand over my mouth when I saw your photos of the crochet curtain! This is the most beautiful set up I have seen in a long time!!! I just can’t express how smitten I am with this whole look!!! To help curb my jealously I’m trying to entertain ideas of how I can replicate my own version in my newly purchased cottage home! Thanks so much for sharing! Your blog is such a joy!
~JC
I think it looks wonderful! I started a blog on blogspot so that I can get the positive feedback I crave and don’t get at home for my (I think great ideas ) hehe Great Job!
Hi Sarah, I think it looks wonderful! Did you crochet the curtain? Or find it somewhere? I have the same reaction from my 2 teens when they try to get out the slider that has vintage white chenille spreads hanging over them. I’m always reminding them not to catch the “curtains” in the door and they very snarkily remind me that bedspreads do not count as curtains
Cindy
Sarah..I cant even describe how much I adore this crocheted curtain and what you’ve done with it!!
I saw it somewhere on the internet so someone must have shared your photo..but anyway when I saw it, my eyes almost popped out of my head!! It is b e a u t i f u l!! and the boots look perfect!
You are too funny with your little scenerio..it made me laugh..my stepson who is in his early twenties sees my shabby chic style (and prairie) (and coastal) lol and he says it called shabby s _ _ _. I wont say the real thing, but you can imagine.
They cant fathom why anyone would want to paint things all white or put an oar up on the wall, or buy old used items. Its too funny but hey, we all have our own style..and I love yours! If I can find a crocheted piece like that Ill grab it let me tell ya!
Love, love, love it and your sweet style my dear!
Go Sarah go!!
I love the crochet. But more importantly, I love the conversation with your child. I only have one. And he’s 5 now, and the conversations are so sweet, and because I only have one I have been dreading him growing up too fast. How sweet are the conversations even going to be when he grows up and is no longer interested in hanging out with mommy? But this conversation…it gave me a smile and some joy to look at the future with happy eyes and not just tears of losing the sweet baby years. Beautiful style, really. Even more beautiful conversation.
Love the crochet blanket! I’m in the middle of adding on an office to our home and am so excited to decorate it with a beachy, vintage, shbby mood. I live in Missouri, the middle of the US on a farm…and while you were dreaming of Laura Ingalls and the praire (I LOVE the books too!),—I was dreaming of living near a beach somewhere. We traveled to the east coast last summer, and plan to leave next week for another beach adventure. I’m hoping to pick up some gems in antique stores while we’re goine. Don’t you love teenagers?? I have two daughtersa nd they have eye rolling down to a science! Love your blog!
-Nancy
Love, love, LOVE your little cottage by the sea! And your vintage prairie… To die for! I live in Iowa – in the central United States – on a farm surrounded by cornfields. What I am facing in my new home is exactly what you did with your beautiful little beach cottage! And I’m just getting started. Uggggghhhhhh! Question? How do you have all that lovely white with children??? And how do you not feel overwhelmed by all your ideas when you’re just beginning to turn a home into what you imagine? So glad I ran across your blog. How inspirational!
Mothers live to be mocked by their children! I think this is just gorgeous… love the curtain and the boots. You have a wonderful blog which I shall be paying many more visits too
My home also has this crochet blanket that I bought at the thrift store this year. I have used it as a curtain but I love the door idea more..well because you can still see through it. When I brought it home my husband just looked at me. Yes Hon, I brought home a really big doily this time! =D
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
…and BC Coastal Prairie
That is so funny that my mascara must surely be smudged from the tears of laughter I have!
Only another mother with a teenager could howl as loud with mirth and merriment and sympathy!
Oh, and by the way, it looks fantastic. Laura Ingalls would be tickled pink.
Ditto on the dreaming of Little House as a younster as I was in the middle of “Smogville”, aka Los Angeles County. So, here I am in Oklahoma (though not the prairie quite as I’m in the eastern part called green country, the foothills of the Ozark Mts, but close enough to the prairie) dreaming of beach cottage living, ha! I think little touches of Little House are nice.. Yes, I have all boys and one pre-teen who is the nicest of them on comments, so can relate to the conversations. We love ‘um anyway
My big boy, husband, says it is good to have a woman do these things because they (most males) really like the nicey stuff in the house but without a woman in it, they could not get away with it. And that was my license to express my girl-self in the house decorating (not too girly, though). So, enjoy yourself, Sarah, and keep sharing your pics with us 
I had to clasp my hand over my mouth when I saw your photos of the crochet curtain! This is the most beautiful set up I have seen in a long time!!! I just can’t express how smitten I am with this whole look!!! To help curb my jealously I’m trying to entertain ideas of how I can replicate my own version in my newly purchased cottage home! Thanks so much for sharing! Your blog is such a joy!
~JC
You go girl, I got the same reaction when I painted the door purple.
You’re so talented.
Crochet is wonderful.
But I only know the basics…
Your curtain is gorgeus!
Your house is gourgeus and so welcoming.
I think it looks wonderful! I started a blog on blogspot so that I can get the positive feedback I crave and don’t get at home for my (I think great ideas ) hehe Great Job!
Hi Sarah, I think it looks wonderful! Did you crochet the curtain? Or find it somewhere? I have the same reaction from my 2 teens when they try to get out the slider that has vintage white chenille spreads hanging over them. I’m always reminding them not to catch the “curtains” in the door and they very snarkily remind me that bedspreads do not count as curtains
Cindy
Sarah..I cant even describe how much I adore this crocheted curtain and what you’ve done with it!!
I saw it somewhere on the internet so someone must have shared your photo..but anyway when I saw it, my eyes almost popped out of my head!! It is b e a u t i f u l!! and the boots look perfect!
You are too funny with your little scenerio..it made me laugh..my stepson who is in his early twenties sees my shabby chic style (and prairie) (and coastal) lol and he says it called shabby s _ _ _. I wont say the real thing, but you can imagine.
They cant fathom why anyone would want to paint things all white or put an oar up on the wall, or buy old used items. Its too funny but hey, we all have our own style..and I love yours! If I can find a crocheted piece like that Ill grab it let me tell ya!
Love, love, love it and your sweet style my dear!
Go Sarah go!!
Deborah xoxo
I love the crochet. But more importantly, I love the conversation with your child. I only have one. And he’s 5 now, and the conversations are so sweet, and because I only have one I have been dreading him growing up too fast. How sweet are the conversations even going to be when he grows up and is no longer interested in hanging out with mommy? But this conversation…it gave me a smile and some joy to look at the future with happy eyes and not just tears of losing the sweet baby years. Beautiful style, really. Even more beautiful conversation.
Love the crochet blanket! I’m in the middle of adding on an office to our home and am so excited to decorate it with a beachy, vintage, shbby mood. I live in Missouri, the middle of the US on a farm…and while you were dreaming of Laura Ingalls and the praire (I LOVE the books too!),—I was dreaming of living near a beach somewhere. We traveled to the east coast last summer, and plan to leave next week for another beach adventure. I’m hoping to pick up some gems in antique stores while we’re goine. Don’t you love teenagers?? I have two daughtersa nd they have eye rolling down to a science! Love your blog!
-Nancy
i love the crochet work on the door, thank you for sharing these inspirational pictures!
Love, love, LOVE your little cottage by the sea! And your vintage prairie… To die for! I live in Iowa – in the central United States – on a farm surrounded by cornfields. What I am facing in my new home is exactly what you did with your beautiful little beach cottage! And I’m just getting started. Uggggghhhhhh! Question? How do you have all that lovely white with children??? And how do you not feel overwhelmed by all your ideas when you’re just beginning to turn a home into what you imagine? So glad I ran across your blog. How inspirational!
Super love your blog! The serenity of well-worn white decor will never go out of style!♥
Linsey
thefarmhouseporch.com
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/
Mothers live to be mocked by their children! I think this is just gorgeous… love the curtain and the boots. You have a wonderful blog which I shall be paying many more visits too
My home also has this crochet blanket that I bought at the thrift store this year. I have used it as a curtain but I love the door idea more..well because you can still see through it. When I brought it home my husband just looked at me. Yes Hon, I brought home a really big doily this time! =D
This curtain is wonderful!