All good here, I have been for a walk and mega-leg exercises this morning…that means 350′s plus extras…I tried the sitting down with your back against the wall thing…phew….that sure works um just about everything….my goal was to hold it for 2 minutes, I think I managed about 1 min 20…I love exercise like that…full on wham-bam-thank-you-mam in a coupla minutes…and hopefully strong pins as a result…and I stuck a few more in my exercise routine because of tomorrow’s event for the ♥ Saturday Club…
Anyway I am here this morning for Beach Cottage ♥ Saturday’s Club…you ready for our next mission…?
Remember this is the place in the weekend (or any day of the week if you can’t manage that) where we take time out for the little things, the things just for us, silly little things so that life doesn’t pass by in a huge old round of laundry and sporting events and blogging and blah….
… here, in this club, we love to love things like old linen, vintage china, newspapers, ruffles, coffee, old things, treasure hunting, things washed up by the sea, pots of tea, thrifted things…
here’s what went on from last week’s Saturday Club Mission
Melissa wanted to try out her own potions
‘I’ve been wanting to make one of your home potions forever, so I’m going to take some time to go out and get what I need, meet up with a friend for a coffee and a chat and then, buy myself a lovely fresh, springlike candle.’
Teri decided to smell lotions and re-start her blog!
I love pretty smelling lotions and I just happened to run out of mine too! I hope you don’t mind me joining, but I think you have inspired me to start up my sleeping blog again! Thank you!
Grace did it at home…
‘Oooh…this is right up my alley! I love yummy smelling stuff…and have been needing a little something to freshen up my daily dressing routine…so this is perfect! (Is it okay to drink a coffee and shop via the internet (I don’t think I’ll be able to get away tomorrow)…so long as I’m wearing ruffles?!!) Blessings, Grace’
Sarah bought ruffle socks just for the occasion
‘I have just bought myself a pair of ankle socks with ruffle to wear with plimsolls-will christian them tomorrow on smelly treasure hunt (that doesn’t read quite as glamorous as you made it sound!!!) Yes, I bought the socks in the kids department…no, I do not care! Have a great weekend everyone. xx’
ooohhh I so want to be a life long member, but its supposed to be a sunny 70 here tomorrow and people might laugh at me if I go out wearing my wellies. I might do it anyway – we shall see I will most certainly wear some ruffles!
Haven’t been out with my special guy in a loong time. He owns his own business and it takes up so much time when you have employees. I sometimes (most of the time) dream of him having a job working for someone with set hours and a lower paycheck. Note to you all~ money is not worth all the time away!! Anyway, I made him promise that tomorrow is our day so it will be twice as fun! Can’t wait!
Beth Anderson was excited
Oh yessssssss!!!! Mission #2 is right up my alley!
Can’t wait until tomorrow!!!!!
Sally was looking forward to it
Sarah…thank you so much for coming up with the “Saturday Club”!! Have to tell ya, I’m loving it sister!!!
Looking forward to checking off my list tomorrow.
we also like to rock ruffles and we take time out on ♥ Saturdays just for us, albeit 15 mins or all afternoon, to hunt out the good stuff and celebrate life, no matter what it’s like, wherever you are.
…you must be prepared in being part of this club to embrace the value of down-time & dwelling on the good little things…finding the good in life…this club is so not about money, how much you have or haven’t got, or time, how much you have or have not got, it’s about working with all of those things to rock your life before you blink and it’s all over
so ladies here we go
this week’s
BC ♥ Saturdays mission
should you choose to accept it
is this :
you must head out
to a place
that sells things
that are naughty-but-nice
you must
embrace
indulging in the thing
you love but
you never let yourself eat
it must be full of calories
and it will certainly help
in the live-the-good-life-factor if
it incorporates
chocolate
cream
sugar
ice-cream
honey
pastry
…any
or all of the above
you must
take long, slow
spoonfuls
of pure indulgence
you must embrace
the power
of downtime
and watch
quietly
as you enjoy your treat
the world go by
I have mine ear-marked…it involves Greece, and I am gonna absolutely one hundred and fifty percent delight in the pleasure of it
I will be wearing ruffles, wellies may make an appearance, it will also involve the beach and I will be back here to report it…
lol! My all time favourite, freshly baked portuguese custard tart. Baby I know how mounds of butter go into the layers of pastry to give it that perfect flake and how many eggs go into the custard not to metion the sugar lol and a little dusting of the sweet scented cinamon! Yes very heavy in calories, it is my once in a blue moon treat (used to go crazy on these as a kid and believe me it showed). Are you ready for the mission? You ask. I was born ready baby… Looking forward to tomorrow, I think I will go alone this time round….
Ooooh you have brought back such memories…..Layers of flaky pastry just melting on the tongue………The incredible flavour of the smooth custard filling…………..The warm Portuguese sun……………The incredibly beautiful old buildings, their balconies of cascading scarlet geraniums………….Ooooh yes please. Trouble is I have never found their equal here in the UK!
I know good tasting ones are hard to find. The new cafe that opened here (at the end of my street lucky me yeah!) last year actually makes them better than the ones from Lisbon (I couldn’t believe my first bite! The flavour and texture explosion was phenomenal). It’s a family business and the father is a baker that actually specialises in baking these delicious treats both here and once upon a time back in Portugal. I feel so lucky because (I can’t believe I’m saying this) I trully missed Portuguese cuisine especially the deserts and bread. To make my day even better as of last week they have started baking fresh bread too, my husband and I had a whole loaf to ourselves today… After almost 4 years in exile it’s heavenly….
I know what you mean about the old buildings, the geraniums all of it, it’s gorgeous. I wish it was closer so I could visit more often…
This sounds like just what I need for tomorrow. I have suddenly been hit with a head cold which I NEVER got in the the UK, and have already told Mr C that I am having tomorrow “off”.
Gonna drag Miss M along for the occasion too and we can spend a little “girl” time together. Rain is predicted for tomorrow so my wellies (sorry, gumboots) might just make an appearance.
but hey talking about potions n smelly stuff from last week I REALLY wanted to make some of your body scrub from a post AGES ago but couldn’t find it anywhere ( I cant find your Kitchen section any more and I’m sure thats where it used to be , plus I wanted to go over some of your recipes too…………where can I find them? Pleeeeeeeeese help me ) xxxxxx
Last weekend I wasn´t feeling all too good, this weeked, I have a feverish boyfriend on the sofa, therefore we had to postspone my b-day celebration which was suppose to happen tomorrow (sat.) BUT, I did have plans to bake a chocholate- raspberry cake for our guests – thinking I still have to do THAT one, right?! I meen, in the name of the mission…. Maybe I can presuade boyfriend to go down into the garden, he needs some fresh air anyways! And since it is raining as we speek (or maybe I should say as I write) I might be forced to have my wellingtons on! Love them!
LOL! I have to say when I read the first couple of lines, I thought you were sending us to an “adult” store. Is it horrible to admit that I’m much happier that it’s a decadent dessert?!
OK, twist my arm. I’m thinking turtle sundae. A good friend of mine just opened an ice cream treatery a couple miles from my house, so Sarah, since you asked me to do this, then I shall. More P90X on Monday.
It’s a delicious sundae made with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, hot caramel, whipped cream and topped with pecans. It’s one of my all time favorites. FYI P90X is a work-out series from Tony Horton. It will kick your turtle sundae tush!
WOW, as I started reading Saturday’s Club mission, I thought you were sending us into sexy lingerie shops … and I thought “that’s daring” and it could be a lot of fun, and funnier still if with a friend or two along the way. Treats it is! I think I’ll be baking then.
Sign me up for your brilliant Saturday Club Pretty Please with sugar on top!! I NEED to make time for me, me, me. Delicious Treat here I come…hmmm what to choose?
Considering that I haven’t eaten sugar since before Christmas and that tomorrow is my birthday party, I’M GONNA EAT CAKE!
Perfect assignment Sarah
Oh, and I’ll do it in my putty ruffled shirt x
It’s Friday here in the states VA. and it’s my Daddy’s 80th birthday so I will be starting my Sat. mission today. YUMMY!!!!
Great meal this evening cake and ice cream to follow!
No guy for this one~ he has to work. Gonna go by myself and enjoy some peace and quiet:) Really gonna enjoy the treat!
Didn’t get a post up for last Saturday. Had such a wonderful time exploring antique stores and wandering around with my love. It was a rare and treasured day and I just couldn’t get myself to take time away from our time together to take pics and write a post.
I promise I will this time though!
(I even found myself a lovely smelling new hand butter that my little girls want to sample but I am very miserly with it and only give them the tiniest little speck:)
Well, this is a mission that I can accomplish. I am 8 months pregnant and L-O-V-E easter candy, so this gives me a good excuse to incorporate it into my weekend. Of course, I’ll hit up a sinful bakery too, which is
{sadly} a weekly ritual for me during this pregnancy! Please add me to the BC Club list! Enjoy your weekend!
I so agree, Fiona. That’s why I was so disappointed not to be well enough to go out yesterday! Daft in a way because as we ARE all around the world we are in different time zones and while I would have been out enjoying my treat some one else would have been there, done that and be fast asleep – but it FEELS like we are all together!!! That’s one of the wonders of the internet!! Sue
Yeah!! It’s almost time for the BC Saturday Club! I can’t wait! My list is printed and my plans are in order!
Thanks for making Saturdays such a fun Day to look forward to Sarah.
Ummmm…. I’m not going to waste this on “just anything.” I must figure out the bestest-yummiest, most decadent treat…
Funny — when I first start reading, the phrase “naughty but nice” made me think we were to go shopping in a lingerie shop. (A future mission, perhaps?)
I just love your cheeky English way of speaking, so much so I now subscribe. I’m an American, of British heritage, land-locked in Oklahoma, though I grew-up close enough to drive to the beach in an hour or so depending on traffic (So. California). I stumbled across this blog looking for inspiration for my new “beach cottage look” bathroom which is now spreading to my bedroom, living room, and who knows where this will end. It is Saturday and I’ve had my coffee in bed, enjoying the cotton, off-white flowered sheets (things are getting lighter and whiter, or cream as I say to the boys’ cringes, all over our house). Will be wearing wellies today, as I will putter around the gardens planning now that only one more frost is on the horizon, and possibly one more round of river-beach combing (live a 1/2 mile from the Arkansas River) with my boys…all boys in the house including one grown boy called husband, except me and our smooth collie. Ruffles, well? I can’t get out as much as I’d like, but I bought a copy of Romantic Homes magazine ($5) to peruse at leisure on the back patio swing to get ideas from the cottage looks they have in the mag. Love this club and enjoy all the pics! Keep it up, it brings joy to my land-locked domestic hum-drum
Oh, forgot to mention that last night (not quite Sat.) had the yummy, a mocha chocolate shake…all the boys participated, too, and got strawberry, and extra-dark chocolate shakes to support me in the club. Loved that idea!
Oh dear! I was really looking forward to this and had my plan all worked out. I woke up in the night feeling dreadful. Streaming head cold and cough, shivvery, achey and generally horrid. Shall have to defer to one day next week. It won’t feel the same but I’m NOT missing our!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh how absolutely delicious! I just found you due to your chalkboard backsplash and immediately fell in love!!! You see we have two homes… one in Indiana and one in deplorable condition in the hills of western New York. A once classic 1840′s farmhouse which was ravaged between the 1950′s and 1970′s. Think shocking pink in one bedroom and mirror gold-veined tiles in the “master” bedroom, hideous beige carpeting which had been using as the toilet for many a cat, and peach linoleum/ceramic tile. Yes a truly lovely! Did I mention you can see through the floor of the bathroom into the hand-dug, hand applied, cement walled basement/cellar? A true beauty! At least it will be once we are finished!!
and today I took time with my hubby to enjoy a decadent cuppa Starbucks caramel macchiato and share a piece of lemon pound cake for his birthday while listening to jazz and watching the rain cascade down the large pane windows. it was so nice as we had the shoppe to ourselves!
I didn’t leave the house, but had a Skinny Cow chocolate truffle ice cream bar while in my ruffles! That should count for something! I sure was looking forward to the biggest, most fattest ice cream sundae at Brewsters, but way too busy to leave the house today. I did take time for a break with my Tuffles and Ruffles though! Gotta love Saturday Club!
I headed down to “The Captain’s” shop in Freshwater in my grey ruffle dress and green boots. I bought myself a bunch of pink dahlias that are sitting next to my computer here at my desk. I also indulged in a small Cadbury Cream Egg – soooo sweet! I have been eating all simple, healthy foods for the last 8 weeks – it was the first explosion of pure fat and sugar I had had for while!
(Great panacea for a woman with a “touch” of PMS this weekend, lol)
Sorry you are not feeling well Susan. Hope you get better soon. I had a great Saturday as I was on my own all day – no kids or partner (don’t want that every Saturday but it’s a nice treat every so often) so I headed off to the Farmers markets and bought home bunches of flowers to fill the house, did a bit of op shop thrifting and found some sweet linen tea tray cloths and although I didn’t go out and buy something naughty, I did bake some delicious brownies and devoured one with whipped cream and strawberries. Put the photos on the blog this morning and now I want another one! Can’t wait for next weeks challenge.
Thank you Di. Feeling much better this morning, though. It’s still brilliant weather here in the UK, but it’s forecast to cool down next week. Oh well – nothing lasts for ever!!! Sue
I’ve pretty much been BC Saturday Clubin’ it all week
I’ve been on vacation in Florida and it’s been a week of shopping and delicious food and a trip to Ikea where I stocked up on lots of white linens and down throw pillow.
No naughty but nice shopping cause I’m with my parents, but I’ve made up for that with plenty of ruffle and polka dot clothes shopping
Oh and thanks for the shout out above Sarah!
had my delicious lemon tart,
was creamy yet crisp,
pastry was flaky yet moist
delightful
delightful
delightful.
I think people were looking at me strangely as I sat there with my eyes closed as I ate and enjoyed my quiet moment!!
I must add also went for a 3 hour walk so there was no guilt what so ever!!
see you all next week
How ’bout if I went a wee bit overboard? Indulged and LOVED it on many items today! Maybe I thought I deserved it after an 11 mile hike???…… well – the creamiest, stinkest, BESTEST cheese ever – for appetizer. Then a (small portion) of a pan seared steak! Put REAL butter (just a tiny pat) on the baked tater too! Whoa.. you really gave me all sorts of leeway today, Sarah. THANKS!!
Sorry, no ruffles today!
Boo! First – I can’t play this weekend (but only because I’m doing something else I love – spending the weekend at a needlework retreat) and second – I thought I was part of the club all along, but don’t see myself on the list! Too bad – I’m just going to keep coming!
With a full-time baby to look after, it’s been tough to get my SC missions accomplished. I feel like I’m only partially getting the good stuff done — I spent time in Target at 9 pm last week, tired and in artificial light, looking at creams and potions, but that was hardly relaxing! I need to work on rediscovering those lovely little hideaway shops that sell sweet and wonderful stuff to sample. Anyway, I found myself this morning in the Atlanta airport, traveling back from a conference, and having breakfast at an unusually lovely airport French cafe/bookstore. How strange! My husband took the baby for a quick turn through the terminal so that I could eat my strawberry and nutella crepe and drink my hazelnut steamer without juggling her on my lap. I sat at the linen draped table, staring across the concourse at a stylish Kiel’s lotion shop, listening to French music, and realized I had about three minutes to enjoy this! I closed my eyes, enjoyed the feel of that large, wide, shallow coffee cup in my hands, and just tried to take a few deep breaths. Sometimes we have to take that peace and private time where we can find it, am I right?!
I sniffed and slathered on smelly good lotions and potions! I took time to relax with the hubs. Let the sun shine on my face for a bit too! I totally over ate at dinner which left no room for dessert. However, I did fit in a little chocolatey goodness topped with whipped creme later in the evening! All in all…it was a fabulous SaturMEday!
1. Can I please be put on the list of Saturday Club members? PLEASE??
2. Went to the beach today~fab dinner at a fav BBQ place~tangerine sorbet with choc. chips…sigh…what a great day
Loving the Saturday club & this satuday I enjoyed my moment. Dinner with friends at a great wood fired pizza place followed by Moccachinno Swirl Ice Cream in a freshly made waffle cone and a walk in the moon light on a really beautiful Autumn night with Hubby & our baby girl.. So good to enjoy the moment.
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
I will most certainly wear some ruffles!
THIS I CAN DO!!!
ENJOY!
lol! My all time favourite, freshly baked portuguese custard tart. Baby I know how mounds of butter go into the layers of pastry to give it that perfect flake and how many eggs go into the custard not to metion the sugar lol and a little dusting of the sweet scented cinamon! Yes very heavy in calories, it is my once in a blue moon treat (used to go crazy on these as a kid and believe me it showed). Are you ready for the mission? You ask. I was born ready baby… Looking forward to tomorrow, I think I will go alone this time round….
Ooooh you have brought back such memories…..Layers of flaky pastry just melting on the tongue………The incredible flavour of the smooth custard filling…………..The warm Portuguese sun……………The incredibly beautiful old buildings, their balconies of cascading scarlet geraniums………….Ooooh yes please. Trouble is I have never found their equal here in the UK!
I know good tasting ones are hard to find. The new cafe that opened here (at the end of my street lucky me yeah!) last year actually makes them better than the ones from Lisbon (I couldn’t believe my first bite! The flavour and texture explosion was phenomenal). It’s a family business and the father is a baker that actually specialises in baking these delicious treats both here and once upon a time back in Portugal. I feel so lucky because (I can’t believe I’m saying this) I trully missed Portuguese cuisine especially the deserts and bread. To make my day even better as of last week they have started baking fresh bread too, my husband and I had a whole loaf to ourselves today… After almost 4 years in exile it’s heavenly….
I know what you mean about the old buildings, the geraniums all of it, it’s gorgeous. I wish it was closer so I could visit more often…
When it involves cake i’m in.. cant wait.
This sounds like just what I need for tomorrow. I have suddenly been hit with a head cold which I NEVER got in the the UK, and have already told Mr C that I am having tomorrow “off”.
Gonna drag Miss M along for the occasion too and we can spend a little “girl” time together. Rain is predicted for tomorrow so my wellies (sorry, gumboots) might just make an appearance.
Yup I can def do this one! ;o)
but hey talking about potions n smelly stuff from last week I REALLY wanted to make some of your body scrub from a post AGES ago but couldn’t find it anywhere
( I cant find your Kitchen section any more and I’m sure thats where it used to be , plus I wanted to go over some of your recipes too…………where can I find them? Pleeeeeeeeese help me 
) xxxxxx
here’s the scrub link
http://www.abeachcottage.com/2009/09/beach-cottage-diy-feet-scrubs-sugar-oil.html
xx
try looking in food and drink in the archives…
Thanks Sarah your’e a Beach Angel ;o) xx
Ooooh can I join in please?
I love the sound of this and I can tell husband that I HAVE to go out and eat cake because it’s my mission!
Beth x
of course!
i’m thinking ricotta cannoli…… : ) mmm
oooh yum!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will homemade scones with strawberry jam and creme fraiche eaten outside in the garden qualify?
Last weekend I wasn´t feeling all too good, this weeked, I have a feverish boyfriend on the sofa, therefore we had to postspone my b-day celebration which was suppose to happen tomorrow (sat.) BUT, I did have plans to bake a chocholate- raspberry cake for our guests – thinking I still have to do THAT one, right?! I meen, in the name of the mission…. Maybe I can presuade boyfriend to go down into the garden, he needs some fresh air anyways! And since it is raining as we speek (or maybe I should say as I write) I might be forced to have my wellingtons on! Love them!
As long as you r wearing wellies!
Enjoy
it will have to be a delicious lemon tart for sure for sure!!!
LOL! I have to say when I read the first couple of lines, I thought you were sending us to an “adult” store. Is it horrible to admit that I’m much happier that it’s a decadent dessert?!
OK, twist my arm. I’m thinking turtle sundae. A good friend of mine just opened an ice cream treatery a couple miles from my house, so Sarah, since you asked me to do this, then I shall. More P90X on Monday.
What’s a turtle sundae, please?
It’s a delicious sundae made with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, hot caramel, whipped cream and topped with pecans. It’s one of my all time favorites. FYI P90X is a work-out series from Tony Horton. It will kick your turtle sundae tush!
Sounds wonderful! Thanks
WOW, as I started reading Saturday’s Club mission, I thought you were sending us into sexy lingerie shops … and I thought “that’s daring” and it could be a lot of fun, and funnier still if with a friend or two along the way. Treats it is! I think I’ll be baking then.
Sign me up for your brilliant Saturday Club Pretty Please with sugar on top!! I NEED to make time for me, me, me. Delicious Treat here I come…hmmm what to choose?
Shall do…… *if I HAVE to then….. *sigh
Yay & yum! X
Considering that I haven’t eaten sugar since before Christmas and that tomorrow is my birthday party, I’M GONNA EAT CAKE!
Perfect assignment Sarah
Oh, and I’ll do it in my putty ruffled shirt x
It’s Friday here in the states VA. and it’s my Daddy’s 80th birthday so I will be starting my Sat. mission today. YUMMY!!!!
Great meal this evening cake and ice cream to follow!
Ooh, can’t wait for this mission…I am already ready to get my sweet on!
Oh, and add me to the Saturday Club List, please!!!
Much love, Grace
WooHoo!!!! This is my kind of mission!!
I’m gonna have my cake and eat it too!!
Kindly add me to the Saturday Club List !!
Beth xxx
No guy for this one~ he has to work. Gonna go by myself and enjoy some peace and quiet:) Really gonna enjoy the treat!
Didn’t get a post up for last Saturday. Had such a wonderful time exploring antique stores and wandering around with my love. It was a rare and treasured day and I just couldn’t get myself to take time away from our time together to take pics and write a post.
I promise I will this time though!
(I even found myself a lovely smelling new hand butter that my little girls want to sample but I am very miserly with it and only give them the tiniest little speck:)
Well, this is a mission that I can accomplish. I am 8 months pregnant and L-O-V-E easter candy, so this gives me a good excuse to incorporate it into my weekend. Of course, I’ll hit up a sinful bakery too, which is
{sadly} a weekly ritual for me during this pregnancy! Please add me to the BC Club list! Enjoy your weekend!
Uggghhh and I was just thinking about how I needed to lose weight for my wedding–oh well, this an assignment I can’t refuse.
Hey Sarah,
Just notice I am not on the Saturday Beach Club list.
Please add me and I promise I will post about the mission completed this week!
Oh and by the way just did a promo of your club in this post
http://fivebrothersonesister.blogspot.com/2011/04/sentimental-saturday-four.html
I love knowing that all over the world is a club of people with the same hearts and mission on a Saturday. Im looking forward to this afternoon. Fiona
I so agree, Fiona. That’s why I was so disappointed not to be well enough to go out yesterday! Daft in a way because as we ARE all around the world we are in different time zones and while I would have been out enjoying my treat some one else would have been there, done that and be fast asleep – but it FEELS like we are all together!!! That’s one of the wonders of the internet!! Sue
Yeah!! It’s almost time for the BC Saturday Club! I can’t wait! My list is printed and my plans are in order!
Thanks for making Saturdays such a fun Day to look forward to Sarah.
Sally
xxxxxx
Ummmm…. I’m not going to waste this on “just anything.” I must figure out the bestest-yummiest, most decadent treat…
Funny — when I first start reading, the phrase “naughty but nice” made me think we were to go shopping in a lingerie shop. (A future mission, perhaps?)
I thought that too! I was thinking all Mr BC’s dreams had come true!!!!! Oh the favours you could wrangle out of him then…………
hmm that is a very good point I hadn’t thought of roflmao
I just love your cheeky English way of speaking, so much so I now subscribe. I’m an American, of British heritage, land-locked in Oklahoma, though I grew-up close enough to drive to the beach in an hour or so depending on traffic (So. California). I stumbled across this blog looking for inspiration for my new “beach cottage look” bathroom which is now spreading to my bedroom, living room, and who knows where this will end. It is Saturday and I’ve had my coffee in bed, enjoying the cotton, off-white flowered sheets (things are getting lighter and whiter, or cream as I say to the boys’ cringes, all over our house). Will be wearing wellies today, as I will putter around the gardens planning now that only one more frost is on the horizon, and possibly one more round of river-beach combing (live a 1/2 mile from the Arkansas River) with my boys…all boys in the house including one grown boy called husband, except me and our smooth collie. Ruffles, well? I can’t get out as much as I’d like, but I bought a copy of Romantic Homes magazine ($5) to peruse at leisure on the back patio swing to get ideas from the cottage looks they have in the mag. Love this club and enjoy all the pics! Keep it up, it brings joy to my land-locked domestic hum-drum
Oh, forgot to mention that last night (not quite Sat.) had the yummy, a mocha chocolate shake…all the boys participated, too, and got strawberry, and extra-dark chocolate shakes to support me in the club. Loved that idea!
Oh dear! I was really looking forward to this and had my plan all worked out. I woke up in the night feeling dreadful. Streaming head cold and cough, shivvery, achey and generally horrid. Shall have to defer to one day next week. It won’t feel the same but I’m NOT missing our!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh how absolutely delicious! I just found you due to your chalkboard backsplash and immediately fell in love!!! You see we have two homes… one in Indiana and one in deplorable condition in the hills of western New York. A once classic 1840′s farmhouse which was ravaged between the 1950′s and 1970′s. Think shocking pink in one bedroom and mirror gold-veined tiles in the “master” bedroom, hideous beige carpeting which had been using as the toilet for many a cat, and peach linoleum/ceramic tile. Yes a truly lovely! Did I mention you can see through the floor of the bathroom into the hand-dug, hand applied, cement walled basement/cellar? A true beauty! At least it will be once we are finished!!
and today I took time with my hubby to enjoy a decadent cuppa Starbucks caramel macchiato and share a piece of lemon pound cake for his birthday while listening to jazz and watching the rain cascade down the large pane windows. it was so nice as we had the shoppe to ourselves!
I didn’t leave the house, but had a Skinny Cow chocolate truffle ice cream bar while in my ruffles! That should count for something! I sure was looking forward to the biggest, most fattest ice cream sundae at Brewsters, but way too busy to leave the house today. I did take time for a break with my Tuffles and Ruffles though! Gotta love Saturday Club!
I headed down to “The Captain’s” shop in Freshwater in my grey ruffle dress and green boots. I bought myself a bunch of pink dahlias that are sitting next to my computer here at my desk. I also indulged in a small Cadbury Cream Egg – soooo sweet! I have been eating all simple, healthy foods for the last 8 weeks – it was the first explosion of pure fat and sugar I had had for while!
(Great panacea for a woman with a “touch” of PMS this weekend, lol)
Sorry you are not feeling well Susan. Hope you get better soon. I had a great Saturday as I was on my own all day – no kids or partner (don’t want that every Saturday but it’s a nice treat every so often) so I headed off to the Farmers markets and bought home bunches of flowers to fill the house, did a bit of op shop thrifting and found some sweet linen tea tray cloths and although I didn’t go out and buy something naughty, I did bake some delicious brownies and devoured one with whipped cream and strawberries. Put the photos on the blog this morning and now I want another one! Can’t wait for next weeks challenge.
Thank you Di. Feeling much better this morning, though. It’s still brilliant weather here in the UK, but it’s forecast to cool down next week. Oh well – nothing lasts for ever!!! Sue
I’ve pretty much been BC Saturday Clubin’ it all week
I’ve been on vacation in Florida and it’s been a week of shopping and delicious food and a trip to Ikea where I stocked up on lots of white linens and down throw pillow.
No naughty but nice shopping cause I’m with my parents, but I’ve made up for that with plenty of ruffle and polka dot clothes shopping
Oh and thanks for the shout out above Sarah!
I would love to be a part of the Saturday Club – sounds fun!
had my delicious lemon tart,
was creamy yet crisp,
pastry was flaky yet moist
delightful
delightful
delightful.
I think people were looking at me strangely as I sat there with my eyes closed as I ate and enjoyed my quiet moment!!
I must add also went for a 3 hour walk so there was no guilt what so ever!!
see you all next week
How ’bout if I went a wee bit overboard? Indulged and LOVED it on many items today! Maybe I thought I deserved it after an 11 mile hike???…… well – the creamiest, stinkest, BESTEST cheese ever – for appetizer. Then a (small portion) of a pan seared steak! Put REAL butter (just a tiny pat) on the baked tater too! Whoa.. you really gave me all sorts of leeway today, Sarah. THANKS!!
Sorry, no ruffles today!
Boo! First – I can’t play this weekend (but only because I’m doing something else I love – spending the weekend at a needlework retreat) and second – I thought I was part of the club all along, but don’t see myself on the list! Too bad – I’m just going to keep coming!
Mary in MN
With a full-time baby to look after, it’s been tough to get my SC missions accomplished. I feel like I’m only partially getting the good stuff done — I spent time in Target at 9 pm last week, tired and in artificial light, looking at creams and potions, but that was hardly relaxing! I need to work on rediscovering those lovely little hideaway shops that sell sweet and wonderful stuff to sample. Anyway, I found myself this morning in the Atlanta airport, traveling back from a conference, and having breakfast at an unusually lovely airport French cafe/bookstore. How strange! My husband took the baby for a quick turn through the terminal so that I could eat my strawberry and nutella crepe and drink my hazelnut steamer without juggling her on my lap. I sat at the linen draped table, staring across the concourse at a stylish Kiel’s lotion shop, listening to French music, and realized I had about three minutes to enjoy this! I closed my eyes, enjoyed the feel of that large, wide, shallow coffee cup in my hands, and just tried to take a few deep breaths. Sometimes we have to take that peace and private time where we can find it, am I right?!
Mission 2 & 3… COMPLETE!
I sniffed and slathered on smelly good lotions and potions! I took time to relax with the hubs. Let the sun shine on my face for a bit too! I totally over ate at dinner which left no room for dessert. However, I did fit in a little chocolatey goodness topped with whipped creme later in the evening! All in all…it was a fabulous SaturMEday!
I posted some pics of my latest mission if you want to check it out!
http://livebythesunluvbythemoon.blogspot.com/2011/04/saturmeday.html
1. Can I please be put on the list of Saturday Club members? PLEASE??
2. Went to the beach today~fab dinner at a fav BBQ place~tangerine sorbet with choc. chips…sigh…what a great day
Loving the Saturday club & this satuday I enjoyed my moment. Dinner with friends at a great wood fired pizza place followed by Moccachinno Swirl Ice Cream in a freshly made waffle cone and a walk in the moon light on a really beautiful Autumn night with Hubby & our baby girl.. So good to enjoy the moment.
I love all of your decor ideas& your blog is beyond adorable. Hope to one day be as talented as you are
Love, Little Flapper
Sarah please add me to the Saturday Club list! I checked and I’m not on there. Would love to be included.
)
Hugs and God bless,
Fi