Thanks for all the encouragement on the veggies…I have just been out to check on my aubergine, she is doing well…no possum has tried to eat her yet lol! And to the many of you who asked the ruffle is from Urban Outfitters…
OK I am in Easter decorating mode…I don’t usually get into it that much, not sure why but this year I do feel the need to throw around some pastel colours and the like.
I don’t really do much more for Easter, other than giving up things for Lent, eating stack loads of Hot Cross Buns (purlease do not even consider fruitless or for that matter, spiceless) and buying more chocolate eggs for my kiddos than I would ever thought I would have done. If one cannot stuff one’s face with chocolate at Easter when one is a child then what is life all about?
And for sure the decorating of things like the Easter bonnet for me were never too cheerily taken on board, I just could not take the competition with the crafty mothers.
I am much better being left to tables.
So here I wanted this to be really white, I am back into white again if you’ve noticed…so I ripped up some white cotton to use as napkin rings with a sprig of Easter daisy on each...
I used more of the strips of ripped up white fabric to tie around the chic little lidded mason jars that I seem to use all the time at the moment…
…and then I tied each one of these to the back of the chairs, filling them with just a tad of water in the bottom…I pulled the fabric really tight so although these look in the photos pretty precarious, in actual fact, they are tied tightly on and it mattered not when pulling out the chair…
though suffice to say if you happen to be Easter-table-dressing-with-white-and-mason-jars and you have little ones around I am thinking lady you’d better put those pots on top of the table
I loved how these jars tied to the chairs turned out, it is very simple and oh-so-very effective and of course suits my budget….this would be lovely for a special occasion I think…it’s really easy if you’re time poor too…the most effort involved is to rip up the fabric and tie it to the chair and jar, the most artistic flair is to stuff the daisies in the jar willy-nilly…
I used dahlias and vintage bottles too…
I loved how the mason jars caught the sunlight on the back of the chair, kinda unusual…
…the Beach Cottage shell spheres came out to play too…
and what’s a coastal tablescape without a thrifted old jug or two
I used some of my clay tags, (I am about to make a few new batches of these, I have some good ideas for new shapes and ways to use ‘em)…but these simple chic little disc ones I love just slung around the neck of a painted bottle & tied with string
I dressed up that ladder too, it’s still in the corner, I have done literally nothing to it, I am thinking I kinda like it that way…
As of now we have only one plan for Easter…after lots of weekends away for sport and the weather problems we had in Noosa we are doing little more than making the most of beautiful Sydney at this time of year and will be mooching down the beach for long walks and a lot of reading plus getting out in the fresh air for picnics, I just love doing that…
We do have one special trip planned, it involves riding on a train, I am so psyched – this will be the first time I have ridden an Australian train, yes I am easily pleased…no my husband would not agree with that…
So what are your plans for Easter? I would just love to hear all about them!
I wonder if they involve the ritual tieing of Mason Jars onto the back of white chairs…?
p.s. Beach Cottage Giveaways (yep that’s plural lined up for Easter Week woohoo)
and you answered my question about how much chocolate children should have… so you are going to think I’m a mean old mummy to too many small boys…… but hey, I’m the one who has to deal with the sugar low……
We plan to mooch around Noosa as the weather here is pretty good although today has brought on/off showers….. I like it as it seems fresh. It’s cooler at night so we all sleep well
Days at the beach and dinners on the deck are right up my alley………. xx
I’ve never seen dahlia’s that color! Gorgeous!
Love the mason jars tied to the chair – what a great idea! Unfortunately I am one of those with a wild 18 month old boy, so I will have to wait a few years for that part
Beautiful! I am absolutely smitten with those shell spheres…
I’ve been saving some tin cans to tie onto the backs of chairs, but never thought of using mason jars – that’s wonderful!
Andrea
looove it looks beautiful!! i finally found shell spheres 3 in a pk at michaels 14.99 with 50 percent off had to get 2 pkgs i had just bought shells to make some saw them last yr at our local meijer and they wanted alot for just one ball so i decided to start buying shells and some styrofoam balls i am always looking at catalogs like p.b and looking for projects knowing i can make that stuff way cheaper!!! the white is so simple and elegant!!! at the same time!
Kim
Love the jars tied to the chairs. Love the whole look. Now I know why so many like dahlias, they are very pretty, first time I have seen one. Hoping to go to a mates holiday house up newcastle way with this Easter and spending it with thema dn a whole bunch of other friends and their kids. Might organise an easter hunt for the kids…
Easter is such a special event for Christians and sweet Sarah you have certainly given graceful distinction to a very special event
with elegance and humble beauty, just what this most holy occasion calls for…amazing!!
AND I so concur, chocolate eggs for everyone is a MUST;-)
Trust me Sarah, riding on Australian trains is not exciting at all.. at least not in Sydney or Newcastle. They’re smelly and filthy – or at least the ones I spend an hour and a half in every day on my commute are. They are a lot more reliable than buses though, I will give them that!
Adore those lovely pinkish dahlias, so dainty and pretty…
Goodmorning Sarah,
Your last 3 posts, the bedroom, the veggies and now the hanging jars, it was all wonderful to read! (I know you hear this
a lot but it’s true). And my sweetheart does the same as your Mr BC, when he is in doubt….so funny to read this!
See ya! Maureen
I love how you fix up pretty things Sarah! Mason jars on the backs of chairs? Crazy inspiration lady!!
Easter? Well..I am doing it again..the BIG annual Easter Egg hunt. Giant Easter Bunny and all…expecting about 30 people this year..12 wee hunters. I do a big brunch. The Easter Bunny and his Hunny go all out!
It may be the day that kick starts me back to blogging so watch for that! it’s time!
I could look at your photography all day! *Sigh!* The whole table seting is just gorgeous, love the mason jars on the backs of the chairs. Those dahlias look like a piece of heaven!
I am looking forward to a peaceful Easter – sleepins, slow, easy days. Autumn sunshine, gardening….ahhhh! PJ’s, gumboots & ugg boots! All good! Too bad I have to go to school though : (
We always have a big dinner with all the families here after church. Then all the daddies go out and hide Easter eggs, and we turn the little ones loose. Our house sits on an acre and a half (not counting our fields) so it’s a nice big space.
Thank goodness my cousin kept having babies because mine are all grown. Ever try to get a 23 year old out there with a basket?? Not easy! lolol Then later we bundle all the little ones and take everyone for a walk (except for the grandparents).
Well I can’t imagine mason jars and flowers on backs of chairs lasting too long in my house, a certain girl would move them all and certain men folk would just think I was completely mad- they probably do anyway!
Easter is always casual relaxed at home soaking up autumn days.
I too am from the UK (S. Wales to be exact), and I can’t believe just how difficult it is to grow veggies and herbs in this extreme climate! We are getting better though and get very excited when a self-sewn tomato plant pops up! Strawberries are the latest addtion to the patch – just hope the scarecrow does his job.
Raining today – any excuse to put my Hunters on!
I love your blog and have serious house envy! I am trying to turn my 1970′s, Brisbane, brick house into a beach cottage (much to my husband’s horror!) – I tell him this is in preparation for our future home on the Sunny coast!
Loving that ladder in the background there. Easter, hmm being a tourist around our home town Olinda, if you live in a tourist area you tend not to visit the local attractions that much so this time we will and enjoy the full blown autumn experience in the hills.
alicia
Exquisite. The photography as well as the simple elegance of your decorating is breathtaking. So many ideas here that would lend themselves to other types of parties. And, I was thinking how professional everything looked. Even though you show us how you do things, it all looks so “magazine” perfect! You are one talented lady!
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
it’s so pretty…….
and you answered my question about how much chocolate children should have… so you are going to think I’m a mean old mummy to too many small boys…… but hey, I’m the one who has to deal with the sugar low……
We plan to mooch around Noosa as the weather here is pretty good although today has brought on/off showers….. I like it as it seems fresh. It’s cooler at night so we all sleep well
Days at the beach and dinners on the deck are right up my alley………. xx
The table is just gorgeous! I just can’t get enough of white on white.
-Aaron {the girl with the boy’s name}
http://www.mudpiesandmarigolds.blogspot.com
Luv it! So pretty and simple, just lovely Sarah.
Kim:)
I’ve never seen dahlia’s that color! Gorgeous!
Love the mason jars tied to the chair – what a great idea! Unfortunately I am one of those with a wild 18 month old boy, so I will have to wait a few years for that part
Gorgeous as always. Luv it!
I’m just SO useless at tablescapes so will have to nick a few ideas
Beautiful! I am absolutely smitten with those shell spheres…
I’ve been saving some tin cans to tie onto the backs of chairs, but never thought of using mason jars – that’s wonderful!
Andrea
looove it looks beautiful!! i finally found shell spheres 3 in a pk at michaels 14.99 with 50 percent off had to get 2 pkgs i had just bought shells to make some saw them last yr at our local meijer and they wanted alot for just one ball so i decided to start buying shells and some styrofoam balls i am always looking at catalogs like p.b and looking for projects knowing i can make that stuff way cheaper!!! the white is so simple and elegant!!! at the same time!
Kim
Love the jars tied to the chairs. Love the whole look. Now I know why so many like dahlias, they are very pretty, first time I have seen one. Hoping to go to a mates holiday house up newcastle way with this Easter and spending it with thema dn a whole bunch of other friends and their kids. Might organise an easter hunt for the kids…
My typing skills are atrocious, I sound drunk! I meant to say spending time with a whole bunch of friends… jeesh!!!
always good to have tipple mid-afternoon roflmao
Delightful table Sarah,
Easter is a nice long weekend on the nsw north coast
Family, fishing, eating, beaching, and maybe even a little relaxing
nice!
so beautiful … makes my heart goes flutter ! Love white !
Easter is such a special event for Christians and sweet Sarah you have certainly given graceful distinction to a very special event
with elegance and humble beauty, just what this most holy occasion calls for…amazing!!
AND I so concur, chocolate eggs for everyone is a MUST;-)
**smiles**
Such a beautiful table setting!!! I love the little jars of flowers tied to the chairs….such a great idea!!!
-emily
nestnestingnested.blogspot
Lovely! Beautiful pictures
lovely tables…like the white painted bottles! i wouldn’t be getting too excited about australian trains.
Beautiful table Sarah…love the little daisy jars! ~Deb~
Trust me Sarah, riding on Australian trains is not exciting at all.. at least not in Sydney or Newcastle. They’re smelly and filthy – or at least the ones I spend an hour and a half in every day on my commute are. They are a lot more reliable than buses though, I will give them that!
Adore those lovely pinkish dahlias, so dainty and pretty…
well it will be for me!
Goodmorning Sarah,
Your last 3 posts, the bedroom, the veggies and now the hanging jars, it was all wonderful to read! (I know you hear this
a lot but it’s true). And my sweetheart does the same as your Mr BC, when he is in doubt….so funny to read this!
See ya! Maureen
thanks Maureen, I appreciate it!
I love how you fix up pretty things Sarah! Mason jars on the backs of chairs? Crazy inspiration lady!!
it’s time!
Easter? Well..I am doing it again..the BIG annual Easter Egg hunt. Giant Easter Bunny and all…expecting about 30 people this year..12 wee hunters. I do a big brunch. The Easter Bunny and his Hunny go all out!
It may be the day that kick starts me back to blogging so watch for that!
Sarah,
I could look at your photography all day! *Sigh!* The whole table seting is just gorgeous, love the mason jars on the backs of the chairs. Those dahlias look like a piece of heaven!
Best,
Kimberly
Very pretty! The jars are great.
I am looking forward to a peaceful Easter – sleepins, slow, easy days. Autumn sunshine, gardening….ahhhh! PJ’s, gumboots & ugg boots! All good! Too bad I have to go to school though : (
I day ’til holidays. Yeah!!
beautiful! i have been working on collecting “white” dishes and things…so you have given me something to shoot for! LOVE IT!
Beautiful Table! Love the mason jars on the backs of the chairs- really neat idea!
We always have a big dinner with all the families here after church. Then all the daddies go out and hide Easter eggs, and we turn the little ones loose. Our house sits on an acre and a half (not counting our fields) so it’s a nice big space.
Thank goodness my cousin kept having babies because mine are all grown. Ever try to get a 23 year old out there with a basket?? Not easy! lolol Then later we bundle all the little ones and take everyone for a walk (except for the grandparents).
Your table is magazine worthy! I adore the mason jars tied to the chairs. Everything looks oh so pretty! Wish I was there!
Well I can’t imagine mason jars and flowers on backs of chairs lasting too long in my house, a certain girl would move them all and certain men folk would just think I was completely mad- they probably do anyway!
Easter is always casual relaxed at home soaking up autumn days.
Hi Sarah…LOVE this table! Save a seat for me!
Easter is very simple here…BBQ on the deck for my little family and my brother. Let’s hope the weather cooperates!
Hello!
The table looks lovely – a fresh take on Easter.
I too am from the UK (S. Wales to be exact), and I can’t believe just how difficult it is to grow veggies and herbs in this extreme climate! We are getting better though and get very excited when a self-sewn tomato plant pops up! Strawberries are the latest addtion to the patch – just hope the scarecrow does his job.
Raining today – any excuse to put my Hunters on!
I love your blog and have serious house envy! I am trying to turn my 1970′s, Brisbane, brick house into a beach cottage (much to my husband’s horror!) – I tell him this is in preparation for our future home on the Sunny coast!
Cerys x
Loving that ladder in the background there. Easter, hmm being a tourist around our home town Olinda, if you live in a tourist area you tend not to visit the local attractions that much so this time we will and enjoy the full blown autumn experience in the hills.
alicia
Your table is drool worthy indeed…can we come spend easter at yours ;p
Seriously, I think you should publish a book, I would love to have it on my coffee table to peruse at my leisure.
xx
Exquisite. The photography as well as the simple elegance of your decorating is breathtaking. So many ideas here that would lend themselves to other types of parties. And, I was thinking how professional everything looked. Even though you show us how you do things, it all looks so “magazine” perfect! You are one talented lady!