We are having lovely weather here, 24C and sunshiny, loving slowly stripping my layers off…funny how it seems one minute a pair of summer sandals is the last thing on your mind the next thing proper shoes seems so weird. Summer here we come…
So yesterday, I went to that little Nordic boutique I frequent more, much more than I should, IKEA, or as I like to call it Iqkea
I must admit I am surprised I haven’t been there since the new catalogue came out, and I am even more surprised and disappointed that I didn’t get one delivered.
I went for some frames to get those beachy pics of mine up on the wall.
…but as you know, the occupational hazard of stepping foot in that place, I came back with a few more goodies….but my friend and yes Mr BC you should be very proud, I restrained myself and my pocketbook and only bought a few things.
I had pencilled in yesterday as one of the days when I don’t have to be around here for anything else and I must admit, even if this sounds sad and like I have no life, I was like, really looking forward to it….(yes for some reason I keep saying like, it started with my daughter’s friend who like, says, ‘like’, like very other word…it’s, like, catching)
I have a bit of a routine going now if I go to IKEA…firstly, I will RARELY go at the weekend…this is just too like madness for me, a very very different experience when one goes in the week…
Secondly I always wait until the traffic/school rush hour has passed (I have to go through busy suburbs to get there)
and thirdly, I always start going up the stairs and turning left, heading straight for the coffee and the pastries….and a sit down and browse of the catalogue…yesterday it was even better…their offer was on the coffee and cakes….$1.50 for Morning Tea, coffee and a pastry, I like the sound of that…
Then I scoot around that top bit, well I don’t really scoot….but I try not to linger too long up here…otherwise there’s no time for meatballs
I like you quite a lot, in fact I spend quite a lot of time thinking about you, oh and yes I love coming over for a visit and yep I have a lot of you in my ratty old cottage on the beaches…
…would you like a lady named Mrs BC to come and do some tablescaping with you? I would be in plate, china, glass, tablemat HEAVEN, having all that at my disposal to play with…imagine having to dress up ten tables and foof all day…dream job…
Hello sink, I love you
I was looking for photo wall / framing ideas…I liked this over the sofa in a line…I had been thinking along these lines because I don’t like art on the wall too much and I wanted something a bit more casual…I think this might be it..I’m thinking a line of frames under the oar above the sofa…
under a shelf….
I seem to see this print everywhere at the moment…
um, wow, I like polka dots, but yowzas that’s one spotty sofa!
but I liked the stripy one…very nautical / coastal to me…if I had a bigger cottage I would love one of these…but I think it needs a pretty large expanse of space to work…
I liked the idea of a mirror in the photo wall…I might try this…
love the hanging pendant light….I should have got one of those….next time
loving these double sinks…I must say I am not a big fan of the bowl sitting on top of the vanity thing….just about everyone has it, it will date real fast I think plus every single one of these that I have ever used leaks all over the show….but then again these would look pretty nice in my new bathroom…I hadn’t even thought of IKEA for the bathroom…duh!
I love this bedroom setup…I am looking for new lamps, but I thought these were rather exxie for IKEA…I am decorating my bedroom soon, it needs it…and am thinking one wall in a different colour to white, I am not sure about grey, but maybe a very pale one a bit more on the blue side…like this…
…and then I got to the mirrors…secretly that’s what I came for…I have been coveting large mirrors for this old cottage since we moved in here…but it has always been bottom of the pile…but I had seen two mirrors on the IKEA site…
one the Mongstad which I have had my eye on for like ever
…the Hemnes being nearly two hundred dollars cheaper than the Mongstad…
When I started looking at them…I loved the Mongstad…it’s thick and chunky and was just me….
but then when I looked at the Hemnes you got more mirror and less border….and I want this to bounce the light around and add some feature to my bedroom…plus of course I want to do, after three years of squinting in that thin black thrifted vintage mirror, some serious Muffin Top Checking in a nice big mirror…
It wasn’t easy getting that mirror from the bit where the Ikea Witch normally makes an appearance…you know the bit at the end, where after, hours of mooching and oooohing and ahhhing and measuring and writing down with that funny little pencil and using that paper tape measure…where you suddenly realise that all your dreaming and coveting is in vain because darn it, guess what, that mirror/pot/chair/shelving unit/lamp is actually out of stock.
But no, Ikea Witch stayed away, cos Hemnes was very much in stock ….
one happy Beach Cottager…
I will show you it soon…it is in pride of place and though I say it myself it looks fab….thank you IKEA for a lovely Good Life Wednesdays trip, on a Tuesday, but more thank you for a very good $120 well spent.
Righto I have to fly outta here ladies, I’ll show you the other bits I bought later….I have to go front door shopping and I am looking for a bathroom suite…our builder is on the way…..HOORAY!
thanks for the trip to ikea! i’m dying to go but waiting for the new one to open much closer to where i live. love the aqua bowls and have always liked the striped sofa.
thanks for hosting today : )
x
I used to shop IKEA all the time, but the last few years by us have been so mobbed that it is no longer enjoyable. It literally stresses me out to go inside. I just settle for IKEA online! andrea@townandprairie
I LOVE Ikea!! I don’t get there often, it’s 3.5 hours away.. But we go bout twice a year and make each trip very worthwhile.. That store is AWESOME!! Can’t wait to see all your goodies
Oh the Ikea trip – a professional trap for ALL players.
I love it – I love the marketing, the slogans, the themes and the prices.
Most of the quality is really good now.
I agree with you on the new image and look of it all.
I think they have done a overhaul and given themselves a new look – quite the trendy than ever before.
Looking forward to your photos of the mirror doing it’s thing – and girlfriend – there is no muffin top (baby muffin if you think)
have a wonderful day and thank you a lovely happy read for me.
I’m packing today for a few days in Melbourne – going to ProBlogger conference on Friday, interesting to say the least.
when I saw the title of your post had the word Ikea in it, its like the magic word….. just had to read… and yes us too over here in the west… we didint get a catalogue in the post box either… maybe ikea is slipping with that? Do you get their check in the mail though every month..did you sign up for that offer? I did and get $15 check every month from Ikea towards our purchases! I must be due for another ikea visit soon!
Oh! how I miss Ikea. We moved from Perth to rural Queensland last year and NO IKEA!!! Your post has brought back my withdrawal symptoms Love your blog and am now following along.
only you can make a simple trip to IKEA such a beautiful feast for the eyes. i REALLY like the stripe sofa and may have a place for one or two!!! seriously. and the mirror too.
this blog always costs me some cash, and i bet that’s music to your ears as you stimulate the US economy!
I love Ikea, I’ve been shopping there since they first opened. I loved it so much I told my family I wanted to work for them, but they were just too much of a commute;)
Now it’s a couple hours to drive there from where we are, so we always make it worth our while.
I love seeing what’s new thru your tours though, and thanks so much for hosting such a sweet blogging link party, Sarah, I love when I get home in time from work to join in. Hugs, tami
Can’t beat a mooch around Ikea for some inspiration. Unfortunatley inspiration usually means ‘just have to have that’! Linking up today for Good Life Wednesday.
x
The closest IKEA to me is almost 3 hours away. So…when I go, I make a list and go wild once a year!
While you are in the throws of spring, I am rolling in the fall leaves, literally.
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com
I haven’t been to Ikea in a few years but my friend has the farmhouse sink and the sofa and loves them both. Your post has inspired me to drive to Burlington, Ontario and have a look at the latest and greatest Ikea has to offer. Thanks for hosting. I enjoyed your visit to Ikea.
Lynn
Sarah: I have the Hemnes mirror in white…it is in my post about my master bedroom (which I am linking to). I love your Nordic boutique! Not sure about the meatballs…Swedish fish and frozen yogurt are great.
Thanks for hosting again, Sarah.
Even though the new IKEA just opened up nearby and I can go easily, when someone else that I know goes (without me), I get a bad case of “IKEA envy”…..is that wrong?
x Marnie
I too love to mooch around Ikea but am yet to go sans kids.
I can’t say I am a fan of sink on top of the vanity…they look so impractical to me. We’re you still considering using wall paper in your bedroom? Maybe that will give you the hit of colour you are after.
I have quite a collection of mirrors here…I had been after a large lean against the wall mirror for ages and found one early last year for the bargin price of $50…the frame was a hideous gold but came up a beauty in white Looking forward to seeing how you have incorporated your new one and dying to see how the frames prints looks also, as I too don’t like art on the walls.
hi Sarah – I have the Hemnes mirror in my bedroom. i’ll send a photo if you want. looks great (on my pale blue walls). I also love the sink – have it in my kitchen – bargain for what it is.
have a great week
cheers fiona
Hi Sarah, I just visited Ikea yesterday…had’nt been for ages, and like you I always pick late morning to midday to avoid the traffic and the crowds (I never ever visit on a weekend). I was on a mission to check out the xmas decorations as I find that they go really quickly here in England. However, I think I was a bit too early…although there were some about, the big display was not up yet….so another visit will be in order soon…Needless to say I managed to come out with some purchases….just bits ‘n pieces…Ikea is a bit like a stationery store…there is always something I can’t resist! Robx
Hi Sarah
I love reading your posts – can totally relate to them.
IKEA here in Brisbane only opens at 10am, so I always get there just around opening time to avoid the crowds. Never go on a weekend unless I am desperate – no not even then.
I have the Hemmes mirror at the end of my WIR – Love It
I chose to have one wall in my bdroom different although I went for a cafe latte colour, but there are some beautiful greys out there.
Only thing is – I’ve never eaten at the caffeteria – must try that next time.
Cheers Kylie x
Oh yes the like speech phenomenon… The worst part is that I can hear myself use it all the time but I just can’t like seem to stop, so I kind of like just cringe throughout the whole conversation as the word like keeps pouring out of my mouth….lol
I go to IKEA in the evenings now during the week since they have changed their closing hours! I use to hyperventilate during the busy times… The crowds were too much for this IKEA family member (where do I sign up for that $15 dollar cheque? I, like, want in too…lol)
Sarah you took a picture of my sink! (Well soon to be sink lol, I did a little dance of joy when I saw that IKEA sold these babies!). I love glass lamps but I find them extremely expensive where ever I go (even in IKEA) so my hubby made some for our bedroom out of zambucka(?) bottles- they look so good and the shape remind me of a lighthouse (without it actually being one).
I remember you were thinking of putting wallpaper on your bedroom wall not too long ago… I think a barely there aquamarine blue with grey undertones would look dreamy behind that gorgeous bed of yours…
I could type all night but I will not… Have a good one…
Loved you post! I love when you take us shopping with you!! Now I want to go to Ikea….
I’ve contemplated painting my bedroom a darker color. I Love, Love the paint in our room. It’s in the white family with hints of green/gray/blue. We live by the water and it changes color with the daylight…so soothing BUT, we have cathedral ceilings in our bedroom and I think one wall would bring it all together. Now you have given me food for thought.
Love the sink!! I didn’t realize Ikea had it. I haven’t gone in quite sometime and I’m only about 45 mins away!!!
A-DORE Ikea. Wish it wasn’t 3 hours away. Then again, if it was in town, I’d probably be there once a week and need a full-time job to support my habit. Craving the Songe full-length mirror. $99 for a 6.5 foot x 3 foot mirror in wide, curved, silver-leafed wood? Um, YES! (As for the catalogue – I have a profile, the whole nine yards, and I STILL have to manually request it EVERY year. Crazy. Want to know about the monthly check a reader above posted on – what the…!?)
I admit that I love Ikea FAR more than a grown woman should. And we are getting a new one … opens December 7th … and it will be the BIGGEST one in Canada! It’s about four times the size of the one we have now. Can you tell I am excited? Expect I hate ridiculous crowds, so I’ll probably wait until January to visit.
I would have to say, that you would be my perfect IKEA buddy, my Hubby just does not get it, I enter this store and I just don’t which way to go first, and all those sofas to sit and try…..I don’t get there often only when we visit France as this is the closest one to us, but its such a joy………
did anyone stop an ask you why you were taking photos?
Thanks for hosting! I love Ikea. I have that floral duvet in the last room setup. Purchased it for $10 in the as-is department. I could spend a good hour just walking around Ikea!
I am an IKEA fan too….my nearest is almost two hours away so it is a whole day outing and I more often than not come home with a headache BUT I still love it. Usually once (and sometimes twic) a year we venture up there. Straight for the coffee and something sweeet and then back at the end for the meatballs. My office is decked out almost fully in IKEA but I love the way they set up the rooms….very inspiring.
Thanks for the post xox Jo
Hi Sarah: I would have loved to visit IKEA with you – what a great few hours and I love all their stuff – even the polka dot settee…unfortunately the closest IKEA to me is south of Boston and is about an hour and a half drive. I went once but got the new catalog and get emails regularly and check out their site all the time. Looking forward to your transformations!! I added to your linky list!! ;–))
Wow, like so much nice stuff and no Ikea in our state!!
Please come to Tasmania Ikea!!!!
I have a friend going to Vic for the week who told me to check out Ikea online and she can get me a lamp or whatever it is my heart my desire, or rather whatever my budget can stretch to.
I think I would hyperventilate in that place!!
Ps love the stripey couch too.
just to clarify the cheque payment from ikea… a while ago when the new catalogue came out they said that they would ‘pay’ people to have this catalog in their home… just another incentive..as if we need one to go more to their store. So I thought what the heck and signed up. Well now a cheque for $15 is delivered to my email box once a while and if I spend over a $100 in the ikea store then I get to use the cheque for further price reduction. I think I easily spend or it is very EASY to spend a 100 bux in Ikea and then get to use the discount cheque…so sarah do enquire about this with Ikea! its worth it!
I’ve been browsing my Ikea catalogue lately and thinking of you Sarah. I think you got your lounge from there?? I’m with you on the bowl on top of the vanity thing, not my taste either. Still searching for a nice vanity for my ensuite reno!
On my one and only trip to Ikea I couldn’t help but feel like a rat in a scientific experiment with that “one way only” through the shop. It creeped me out. Are all Ikeas like that?
yes i think they are…the Sydney one is the EXACT replica of the one I went to in England, even down to the toilets and the cafe…that is creepy and weirded me out at first….
i just love ikea! there is one opening up in my city of winnipeg, manitoba canada in about a year and i’m so excited! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
anyway, about your thoughts on bedroom paint colors, how about perusing sarah richardson’s new paint palette. i know you love her on fb – she’s my absolute favorite designer – and you’re style is very simliar to hers so that’s pretty telling about why i love you so much! here’s the link to her palette: http://sarahrichardsondesign.com/products/category/paint …and i vote for ‘surf’. and if you can’t get her paints in aussie, you’d likely be able to color match it if you can get a chip of the color you want.
teres
heading into late fall and winter here in winnipeg, manitoba canada – the temps a couple of weeks ago for a couple of days were at 30C and are now at about 10C during the day. brrrrrrrrrrr…it’s coming! but i’m not going to complain too much because winter brings christmas!!!
I need to make a visit to IKEA. Gotta get that mirror and some silvery frames. I’ll likely have about 20 other things by the time I get out. I have one of those little blue bowls in the tablescape pic, bought as a try-out to see if I wanted more. I love it! Great size and the shape is just so utterly graceful and fluid. I like clean and simple, not embellished and busy. May have to add 3 more of those to my list. See? It’s already growing! You’re such an enabler!
I too am an ikea fan and when i saw you took a picture of the stripped couch i screamed! My husband and i were decorating our little apartment and we needed a couch. Being newlyweds and 22 we were/are a bit skint so we went to ikea! I love the ektorp couch but the colour i wanted (grey) was $200 more than a plain white one……..But i do want a dog so i thought white is a bad idea. After some searching i saw the stripped couch and got very excited. My husband knowing my love of you and all things beachy said “that looks like it could be on that beach cottage website you read” i nearly died.
Anyway i just thought i would share……Love your work.
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
thanks for the trip to ikea! i’m dying to go but waiting for the new one to open much closer to where i live. love the aqua bowls and have always liked the striped sofa.
thanks for hosting today : )
x
I used to shop IKEA all the time, but the last few years by us have been so mobbed that it is no longer enjoyable. It literally stresses me out to go inside. I just settle for IKEA online! andrea@townandprairie
I LOVE Ikea!! I don’t get there often, it’s 3.5 hours away.. But we go bout twice a year and make each trip very worthwhile.. That store is AWESOME!! Can’t wait to see all your goodies
Hello Sarah
Oh the Ikea trip – a professional trap for ALL players.
I love it – I love the marketing, the slogans, the themes and the prices.
Most of the quality is really good now.
I agree with you on the new image and look of it all.
I think they have done a overhaul and given themselves a new look – quite the trendy than ever before.
Looking forward to your photos of the mirror doing it’s thing – and girlfriend – there is no muffin top (baby muffin if you think)
have a wonderful day and thank you a lovely happy read for me.
I’m packing today for a few days in Melbourne – going to ProBlogger conference on Friday, interesting to say the least.
take care
x loulou
PS sorry – thank you for hosting your party – it’s lovely to attend.
by the way – is the Queen coming to visit you especially on her tour? She heard you are pretty popular now!
)
x loulou
yeah for Afternoon Tea haha
x
when I saw the title of your post had the word Ikea in it, its like the magic word….. just had to read… and yes us too over here in the west… we didint get a catalogue in the post box either… maybe ikea is slipping with that? Do you get their check in the mail though every month..did you sign up for that offer? I did and get $15 check every month from Ikea towards our purchases! I must be due for another ikea visit soon!
what!!
no I don’t think so
It’s funny but I’m on the other side of the world but we could have been in the same store today :0)
I’m glad you found the mirror that you like and that it was in stock! I love Ikea too. It’s so fun to discover new treasures in there.
Have a great day and enjoy your summer weather!
Pam
Hi Sarah,
Oh! how I miss Ikea. We moved from Perth to rural Queensland last year and NO IKEA!!! Your post has brought back my withdrawal symptoms
Love your blog and am now following along.
Kel x
sarah,
only you can make a simple trip to IKEA such a beautiful feast for the eyes. i REALLY like the stripe sofa and may have a place for one or two!!! seriously. and the mirror too.
this blog always costs me some cash, and i bet that’s music to your ears as you stimulate the US economy!
michele
I love Ikea, too!
I love Ikea, I’ve been shopping there since they first opened. I loved it so much I told my family I wanted to work for them, but they were just too much of a commute;)
Now it’s a couple hours to drive there from where we are, so we always make it worth our while.
I love seeing what’s new thru your tours though, and thanks so much for hosting such a sweet blogging link party, Sarah, I love when I get home in time from work to join in. Hugs, tami
Fun shopping trip – love the virtual “go with”!!!
Can’t beat a mooch around Ikea for some inspiration. Unfortunatley inspiration usually means ‘just have to have that’! Linking up today for Good Life Wednesday.
x
The closest IKEA to me is almost 3 hours away. So…when I go, I make a list and go wild once a year!
While you are in the throws of spring, I am rolling in the fall leaves, literally.
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com
I haven’t been to Ikea in a few years but my friend has the farmhouse sink and the sofa and loves them both. Your post has inspired me to drive to Burlington, Ontario and have a look at the latest and greatest Ikea has to offer. Thanks for hosting. I enjoyed your visit to Ikea.
Lynn
Funny! I need to find an Ikea somewhere! There are none nearby. Glad you got some good stuff.
Sarah~ You make me laugh! Great post! And I am proud that you didn’t break the bank!!!
Have a great week!
Smiles~
Cricket @ gypsea nurse
Your post today made laugh
Have a wonderful day!
Ikea can be very dangerous to your health! Good thing I don’t go there too often. I have a friend that has that farm sink in her kitchen. Too Cute!
Love Ikea and your choices are superb!!
Sarah: I have the Hemnes mirror in white…it is in my post about my master bedroom (which I am linking to). I love your Nordic boutique! Not sure about the meatballs…Swedish fish and frozen yogurt are great.
Thanks for hosting again, Sarah.
Even though the new IKEA just opened up nearby and I can go easily, when someone else that I know goes (without me), I get a bad case of “IKEA envy”…..is that wrong?
x Marnie
Hi Sarah I went to Ikea the other day, it is almost impossible not to spend at least $100.00 there!! I spent way too much as usual!!
Fun!!
I too love to mooch around Ikea but am yet to go sans kids.
I can’t say I am a fan of sink on top of the vanity…they look so impractical to me. We’re you still considering using wall paper in your bedroom? Maybe that will give you the hit of colour you are after.
I have quite a collection of mirrors here…I had been after a large lean against the wall mirror for ages and found one early last year for the bargin price of $50…the frame was a hideous gold but came up a beauty in white
Looking forward to seeing how you have incorporated your new one and dying to see how the frames prints looks also, as I too don’t like art on the walls.
x
hi Sarah – I have the Hemnes mirror in my bedroom. i’ll send a photo if you want. looks great (on my pale blue walls). I also love the sink – have it in my kitchen – bargain for what it is.
have a great week
cheers fiona
yeah sarah – hemmes was the way to go -guilt free price tag…large mirror part…cute frame…
errr…not that you have a muffin top to check for girl!!
Melissa x
Oh, how I do love Ikea!!
Thanks for the wonderful party
I just went to Ikea last week and bought the white plastic chairs, that you have on the pictures from the cafeteria.
They are comfy, cheap and plain looking. Fits into my kitchen very neatly.
And I really admire Ikea for making designs, that is liked worldwide.
Hi Sarah, I just visited Ikea yesterday…had’nt been for ages, and like you I always pick late morning to midday to avoid the traffic and the crowds (I never ever visit on a weekend). I was on a mission to check out the xmas decorations as I find that they go really quickly here in England. However, I think I was a bit too early…although there were some about, the big display was not up yet….so another visit will be in order soon…Needless to say I managed to come out with some purchases….just bits ‘n pieces…Ikea is a bit like a stationery store…there is always something I can’t resist! Robx
no I got a few Christmas bits, but they are not here yet either x
Hi Sarah
I love reading your posts – can totally relate to them.
IKEA here in Brisbane only opens at 10am, so I always get there just around opening time to avoid the crowds. Never go on a weekend unless I am desperate – no not even then.
I have the Hemmes mirror at the end of my WIR – Love It
I chose to have one wall in my bdroom different although I went for a cafe latte colour, but there are some beautiful greys out there.
Only thing is – I’ve never eaten at the caffeteria – must try that next time.
Cheers Kylie x
Oh yes the like speech phenomenon… The worst part is that I can hear myself use it all the time but I just can’t like seem to stop, so I kind of like just cringe throughout the whole conversation as the word like keeps pouring out of my mouth….lol
I go to IKEA in the evenings now during the week since they have changed their closing hours! I use to hyperventilate during the busy times… The crowds were too much for this IKEA family member (where do I sign up for that $15 dollar cheque?
I, like, want in too…lol)
Sarah you took a picture of my sink! (Well soon to be sink lol, I did a little dance of joy when I saw that IKEA sold these babies!). I love glass lamps but I find them extremely expensive where ever I go (even in IKEA) so my hubby made some for our bedroom out of zambucka(?) bottles- they look so good and the shape remind me of a lighthouse (without it actually being one).
I remember you were thinking of putting wallpaper on your bedroom wall not too long ago… I think a barely there aquamarine blue with grey undertones would look dreamy behind that gorgeous bed of yours…
I could type all night but I will not… Have a good one…
Loved you post! I love when you take us shopping with you!! Now I want to go to Ikea….
I’ve contemplated painting my bedroom a darker color. I Love, Love the paint in our room. It’s in the white family with hints of green/gray/blue. We live by the water and it changes color with the daylight…so soothing BUT, we have cathedral ceilings in our bedroom and I think one wall would bring it all together. Now you have given me food for thought.
Love the sink!! I didn’t realize Ikea had it. I haven’t gone in quite sometime and I’m only about 45 mins away!!!
Enjoy your treasures:)
Oh…never been to ikea. I think that has to go on my Must Do list:) linking up today…thanks for hosting good life!
I’ve had the Hemnes mirror for 7+ years now and I still love it. Just watch when you move it around as the white finish chips off easily.
A-DORE Ikea. Wish it wasn’t 3 hours away. Then again, if it was in town, I’d probably be there once a week and need a full-time job to support my habit. Craving the Songe full-length mirror. $99 for a 6.5 foot x 3 foot mirror in wide, curved, silver-leafed wood? Um, YES! (As for the catalogue – I have a profile, the whole nine yards, and I STILL have to manually request it EVERY year. Crazy. Want to know about the monthly check a reader above posted on – what the…!?)
I admit that I love Ikea FAR more than a grown woman should. And we are getting a new one … opens December 7th … and it will be the BIGGEST one in Canada! It’s about four times the size of the one we have now. Can you tell I am excited? Expect I hate ridiculous crowds, so I’ll probably wait until January to visit.
That farmhouse sink is so mine….and their butcher block counter tops…..and dozens of other things in the store. Sigh.
I would have to say, that you would be my perfect IKEA buddy, my Hubby just does not get it, I enter this store and I just don’t which way to go first, and all those sofas to sit and try…..I don’t get there often only when we visit France as this is the closest one to us, but its such a joy………
did anyone stop an ask you why you were taking photos?
no they didnt…there were three or four people taking photos…i think a lot of people do it for planning etc, I know I did, not just for the blog xo
Lovely post and nice write up! IKEA is my fab too. Thanks for sharing
Sanghamitra.
Thanks for hosting! I love Ikea. I have that floral duvet in the last room setup. Purchased it for $10 in the as-is department. I could spend a good hour just walking around Ikea!
Not sure if you’re aware but Ikea has a channel on YouTube. Here’s the link
http://www.youtube.com/user/IKEAUSA?v=XrGbUys7fds&feature=pyv&ad=14559949186&kw=design
Lots of cool stuff!
=)
thanks Heaven! I was not aware x
I am an IKEA fan too….my nearest is almost two hours away so it is a whole day outing and I more often than not come home with a headache BUT I still love it. Usually once (and sometimes twic) a year we venture up there. Straight for the coffee and something sweeet and then back at the end for the meatballs. My office is decked out almost fully in IKEA but I love the way they set up the rooms….very inspiring.
Thanks for the post xox Jo
Hi Sarah: I would have loved to visit IKEA with you – what a great few hours and I love all their stuff – even the polka dot settee…unfortunately the closest IKEA to me is south of Boston and is about an hour and a half drive. I went once but got the new catalog and get emails regularly and check out their site all the time. Looking forward to your transformations!! I added to your linky list!! ;–))
Wow, like so much nice stuff and no Ikea in our state!!
Please come to Tasmania Ikea!!!!
I have a friend going to Vic for the week who told me to check out Ikea online and she can get me a lamp or whatever it is my heart my desire, or rather whatever my budget can stretch to.
I think I would hyperventilate in that place!!
Ps love the stripey couch too.
you want IKEA
I WANT H & M!!
my life would then be complete
just to clarify the cheque payment from ikea… a while ago when the new catalogue came out they said that they would ‘pay’ people to have this catalog in their home… just another incentive..as if we need one to go more to their store. So I thought what the heck and signed up. Well now a cheque for $15 is delivered to my email box once a while and if I spend over a $100 in the ikea store then I get to use the cheque for further price reduction. I think I easily spend or it is very EASY to spend a 100 bux in Ikea and then get to use the discount cheque…so sarah do enquire about this with Ikea! its worth it!
oooh I will, thanks so much for taking the time to tell me about it…investigating for myself lol….xo
I’ve been browsing my Ikea catalogue lately and thinking of you Sarah. I think you got your lounge from there?? I’m with you on the bowl on top of the vanity thing, not my taste either. Still searching for a nice vanity for my ensuite reno!
On my one and only trip to Ikea I couldn’t help but feel like a rat in a scientific experiment with that “one way only” through the shop. It creeped me out. Are all Ikeas like that?
alison
yes i think they are…the Sydney one is the EXACT replica of the one I went to in England, even down to the toilets and the cafe…that is creepy and weirded me out at first….
x
i just love ikea! there is one opening up in my city of winnipeg, manitoba canada in about a year and i’m so excited! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
anyway, about your thoughts on bedroom paint colors, how about perusing sarah richardson’s new paint palette. i know you love her on fb – she’s my absolute favorite designer – and you’re style is very simliar to hers so that’s pretty telling about why i love you so much! here’s the link to her palette: http://sarahrichardsondesign.com/products/category/paint …and i vote for ‘surf’.
and if you can’t get her paints in aussie, you’d likely be able to color match it if you can get a chip of the color you want.
teres
heading into late fall and winter here in winnipeg, manitoba canada – the temps a couple of weeks ago for a couple of days were at 30C and are now at about 10C during the day. brrrrrrrrrrr…it’s coming! but i’m not going to complain too much because winter brings christmas!!!
I need to make a visit to IKEA. Gotta get that mirror and some silvery frames. I’ll likely have about 20 other things by the time I get out. I have one of those little blue bowls in the tablescape pic, bought as a try-out to see if I wanted more. I love it! Great size and the shape is just so utterly graceful and fluid. I like clean and simple, not embellished and busy. May have to add 3 more of those to my list. See? It’s already growing! You’re such an enabler!
I do my best
I too am an ikea fan and when i saw you took a picture of the stripped couch i screamed! My husband and i were decorating our little apartment and we needed a couch. Being newlyweds and 22 we were/are a bit skint so we went to ikea! I love the ektorp couch but the colour i wanted (grey) was $200 more than a plain white one……..But i do want a dog so i thought white is a bad idea. After some searching i saw the stripped couch and got very excited. My husband knowing my love of you and all things beachy said “that looks like it could be on that beach cottage website you read” i nearly died.
Anyway i just thought i would share……Love your work.
xx
thanks Isobelle! how funny that your hubby said that!
)))
IKEA is great if you are on a budget…happy newlywedding…best time of your life !xo