I have been getting lots of enquiries about my photos, especially the ones I post daily on the Facebook Page… along the lines of will I be selling them…and if so, when?
Well, the simple answer to this is yes. The more complicated answer is that to get it how I like it has taken a while.
And I recently had an enquiry from France….Sophie who wanted one of my prints on her wall…I sent her the high res original and below is what she did with it…love! Waving to Bordeaux
Dear Sarah, My name is Sophie, I am one of your french readers. I live in southwest of France, at 120kms from Bordeaux. I love your blog since the beginning and never miss any post. I would like to ask you if you agree to send me this saturday’s sea picture, in high resolution. I would like to print it on a big canvas for my bedroom. I have one already but I would like to change it because it is too sad (you can see it with attached file). I can pay for that if you want, as I payed for the clay tutorial. Best regards Sophie
I replied with of course and asked her if she could send me some French bread in return… haha…
(here’s her picture, yes I can see a little sad, I just love France…but still beautiful, I love the sea when it’s grey & cloudy)
and here’s mine on her wall, all the way in the South of France, how amazing is the power of the internet?!
How wonderful does it look? (pics a bit grainy but you get the idea), think it looks fabulous with the white and the table….
So back to my prints…I got stuck basically because of photographic paper and quality…after the first few attempts at printing and getting these beauties on the wall, while not disappointed, I wasn’t exactly stoked…I wanted the print on the wall to convey exactly what I was trying to capture when behind that camera…and that wasn’t quite happening..
Until I found some beautiful professional metallic paper with a lustre that makes my photos and my heart sing…I can’t tell you how happy I was when the postman knocked with the package and they looked a-m-a-z-i-n-g… and ever since my head has been spinning with the possibilities…
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but if you have been with me for a while, you’ll know that one of the best things that has come from blogging for me, apart of course, from lovely readers from far off places like Bordeaux, was awakening the creativity in me, that was never there before, that came when I picked up an old Sony Powershot and started on a journey with a camera…before I found the love of being behind the lens, I was always a bit sad that I wasn’t ‘creative’ that I didn’t have a real hobby, that I wasn’t crafty and arty…now I feel like I have that in my life…and it’s oh so good…
So we will be selling my Fine Art Images from the Seaside on the most divine metallic paper that makes the Beach Cottage Sea pop (and if you live locally you’ll be able to have a look in person on big clear mounts)…they will be available in the shop soon…they will be sold in limited editions and signed by me…if you are interested initially please send an email to info @ abeachcottage.com to register your interest and you’ll be the first to know…(just pop the word PHOTOS in the subject line)
Anyway, I am off to the garden…..I’ll be back soon with some Iqkea love
p.s. ♥ Saturday Club is very much on this week…don’t miss! …get those diaries marked for me-time xo
blogging for Sweet Shot Tuesday at Darcy’s…thanks so much
That’s very exciting news Sarah! I’d be very interested in purchasing a print or 2 or 50 My SIL lives in mid-America and misses the Aussie ocean terribly, so I’d love to be able to send her one. Will they be ready in time for Christmas?
Have a great weekend being creative
Hi Sarah,
Re-awakening your creativity is a lovely way to say you are doing what you enjoy, if you enjoy something it seems to come easily. Your blog is beautiful and constantly reminds me to ENJOY EACH MOMENT. Thankyou.
PS: Just been to K-mart $10 jeans oooh la la. Great fit, perfect colour. Who knew !!
well, i must be blind – please tell me where to find your email so I can sign up for the early notice. Poor little land locked me would love (needs!) one of your lovely photos
I adore the fact that you’ve so touched the heart of someone on the other side of the world like that. Brilliant!
But more importantly, I am just so delighted that you have found your passion, and stunning talent, for photography. Isn’t it wonderful to be creative? There’s nothing like it.
I love the hues of your ocean photos. They make me smile now when they pop up in my FB feed. Your blog, and a few other Australian design blogs I like to visit, sustain me through the frigid, dreary, dark days of winter here in “The Ocean State” of Rhode Island, USA, while you are enjoying a lovely summer. So yes, you touch people on the other side of the world! And if you ever need beautiful summery ocean photos to sustain you through YOUR winter, let me know
Sarah – that’s fantastic. I can’t believe that you thought you weren’t creative with all you’ve done in your home, but your photography IS truly amazing and artistic and creative. You definately have a gift. I haven’t been a “follower” for years – only about 5 or 6 months, but I’ve been truly amazed at your gift and have talked about your photography skills several times on my itty-bitty baby blog. I grew up in Florida and love the ocean – I don’t see it because I live in Arizona and have for over 30 years. I often go to your site to look at your photographs of the ocean and the beaches and dream of living like you do – on the beach.
Congratulations on your new endevor, I know it will be at least as successful as your other accomplishments – probably more so. You rock that camera girl!
Thank you SO much Sarah ! Visiting your blog really encouraged me to decorate my house. You breathe us an incredible energy ! (hope my english is correct
Sarah, I think you are so talented and so lucky to have something creative and arty that makes your heart sing.
I really wish I could find something like this for me, however with 4 little ones under 9 I am a bit pushed for time.
Maybe if I sit and finally write my dream list from last Sat club, I will find what it is that will one day make my heart sing, other than being a Mum and Wife.
Thanks for the inspiration and beautiful pics!
I used to live on the Welsh coast but now live in land locked Cambridgeshire. It is my dream to live by the sea again and I feel having one of your stunning photos on my wall would bring it to me sooner – the law of attraction! Please let us know when they are available
I love these beach photos! I’ve always wanted to visit the beaches of Australia. I’m glad to hear some good things about the metallic paper. I’ve always wanted to try it but never knew anything about it. Keep those pictures coming!
How exciting and amazing! I am on a similar journey. I feel the same way about this new found love. Beautiful images. Maybe I need to go in search of the beauty I see around here. No water oceans but rather oceans of wheat and canola. A prairie ocean.
Dana
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
from far off places like Bordeaux, was awakening the creativity in me, that was never there before, that came when I picked up an old Sony Powershot and started on a journey with a camera…before I found the love of being behind the lens, I was always a bit sad that I wasn’t ‘creative’ that I didn’t have a real hobby, that I wasn’t crafty and arty…now I feel like I have that in my life…and it’s oh so good…
Hello sarah
gorgeous photos as always and France – well go figure…..
We dream of far away places of going to beautiful France and the French are dreaming of our beaches
I am trading in my old Digital SLR and upgrading – hopefully next week.
have a lovely day
loulou, hereiamloulou blog
x
That’s very exciting news Sarah! I’d be very interested in purchasing a print or 2 or 50
My SIL lives in mid-America and misses the Aussie ocean terribly, so I’d love to be able to send her one. Will they be ready in time for Christmas?
Have a great weekend being creative
thanks Tiff, we will definitely have the first collection ready for Christmas
xo
yey!
I so love your photos Sarah!!! I have such a huge crush on them! I always want to hop on a plane and come to Australia! Thanks for posting them.
you are welcome…it’s pretty good posting them and taking them lol
x
What a great news! I love all your photos. You´re doing a great work. I’m agree with you: what amazing power of web!
Hi Sarah,
Re-awakening your creativity is a lovely way to say you are doing what you enjoy, if you enjoy something it seems to come easily. Your blog is beautiful and constantly reminds me to ENJOY EACH MOMENT. Thankyou.
PS: Just been to K-mart $10 jeans oooh la la. Great fit, perfect colour. Who knew !!
haha, so pleased you like ‘em…yep the colour rocks!
x
Fantastic! So glad for you, your photos are always inspiring.
well, i must be blind – please tell me where to find your email so I can sign up for the early notice. Poor little land locked me would love (needs!) one of your lovely photos
Mary in MN
hey Mary
just email us and we will put you on the notification list once they are up & running shortly
info@abeachcottage.com subject PHOTOS
cheers
Sarah
Ah Sarah. This really makes me smile.
I adore the fact that you’ve so touched the heart of someone on the other side of the world like that. Brilliant!
But more importantly, I am just so delighted that you have found your passion, and stunning talent, for photography. Isn’t it wonderful to be creative? There’s nothing like it.
I hope your prints are a rip-roaring success.
J x
yes it is Jane, thanks!
Hi Sarah,
Your photography is amazing. Sophie would be one happy customer. I love the colours against her white walls. You are a very talented lady. Mimi xx
Hi Sarah–
I love the hues of your ocean photos. They make me smile now when they pop up in my FB feed. Your blog, and a few other Australian design blogs I like to visit, sustain me through the frigid, dreary, dark days of winter here in “The Ocean State” of Rhode Island, USA, while you are enjoying a lovely summer. So yes, you touch people on the other side of the world! And if you ever need beautiful summery ocean photos to sustain you through YOUR winter, let me know
Keep them coming!
Thanks, Kristyn
Sarah – that’s fantastic. I can’t believe that you thought you weren’t creative with all you’ve done in your home, but your photography IS truly amazing and artistic and creative. You definately have a gift. I haven’t been a “follower” for years – only about 5 or 6 months, but I’ve been truly amazed at your gift and have talked about your photography skills several times on my itty-bitty baby blog. I grew up in Florida and love the ocean – I don’t see it because I live in Arizona and have for over 30 years. I often go to your site to look at your photographs of the ocean and the beaches and dream of living like you do – on the beach.
Congratulations on your new endevor, I know it will be at least as successful as your other accomplishments – probably more so. You rock that camera girl!
thanks Jeannie, too kind, I love rocking that camera for sure! xo
Thank you SO much Sarah ! Visiting your blog really encouraged me to decorate my house. You breathe us an incredible energy ! (hope my english is correct
Sarah, I think you are so talented and so lucky to have something creative and arty that makes your heart sing.
I really wish I could find something like this for me, however with 4 little ones under 9 I am a bit pushed for time.
Maybe if I sit and finally write my dream list from last Sat club, I will find what it is that will one day make my heart sing, other than being a Mum and Wife.
Thanks for the inspiration and beautiful pics!
I used to live on the Welsh coast but now live in land locked Cambridgeshire. It is my dream to live by the sea again and I feel having one of your stunning photos on my wall would bring it to me sooner – the law of attraction! Please let us know when they are available
Such gorgeous photos! So peaceful! Best wishes in your new endeavor!
Wow! You certainly found your ‘muse’ ~ Excellent! ~ thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy SST ^_^
These are wonderful!!! And how exciting to have one of your images in France!
I love these beach photos! I’ve always wanted to visit the beaches of Australia. I’m glad to hear some good things about the metallic paper. I’ve always wanted to try it but never knew anything about it. Keep those pictures coming!
These shots are beautiful, I feel like I am right there on the beach!!!
So glad I found you through Sweet Shot Tuesday!
Lori
How exciting and amazing! I am on a similar journey. I feel the same way about this new found love. Beautiful images. Maybe I need to go in search of the beauty I see around here. No water oceans but rather oceans of wheat and canola. A prairie ocean.
Dana