Good morning lovely Beach Cottage friends, neighbours, anyone who is out there and cares to listen to me rambling on about my love for a white ruffle quilt.
OK, so this my sweets, is the pay-off for missing going down the beach on Saturday and spending one’s day cooped up in a bedroom trying on clothes that never looked good in the first place and pondering why you ever let them into your cottage, let alone hung onto them for 3 years.
It sure did on Saturday for me, because stashed in the back of the wardrobe I was decluttering as part of my 2 Week : 5 Rooms : 1 Mission challenge I found this.
And gasped.
In fact I danced.
You see, I purchased this quilt cover a while ago…back in the Winter and there were two reasons I stashed it in the back of the cupboard.
1. it was not a budget purchase for someone who has already, rather a good collection of white linen for one’s bed
2. it was Winter and I felt this quilt had Beach Cottage Summer written all over it
After I had de-cluttered the life out of everything in my bedroom (except that bedside you see there, that is still to go and scary), I was left with one glaring problem…I needed to get this ruffle quilt on the bed before Summer left again…the problem being getting it on their without Mr Beach Cottage having a coronary.
OMG you ask, your husband is happy to sleep in that??!
Yikes.
I actually am not sure on that one…you see, an additional reason as to why I stashed said quilt in back of said wardrobe was because I thought this white, ruffly affair might just be taking things in the bedroom department a bit too far….
You may have gathered, that in this house there is one person who wears the trousers, that person is not male…but on frilly ruffly beds….not so sure who wears the trousers…
Luckily for moi, said male in this old cottage is
1. extremely laid-back
2. extremely uninterested in home-decor
3. mostly not very observant (except when it’s soccer watching time)
So, I am hoping that one of a few things will happen when we walks in from work and sees this amount of ruffling going on and pink flowers on his side of the bed
1. he will have opened a beer and not give a flying fart what bed he gets in to this evening
2. he will remain un-interested in home decor, ask me if we have a new white ruffly quilt, upon which I will reply in the negative and say that we’ve had it ages and he will raise his eyebrows and carry on.
or
3. soccer will be on or he will be going to soccer and therefore, he won’t notice
The most likely to occur is number three…
If none of the above works, I will just be very nice to him
So, anyway, now we’ve got that bit over with, what do you think?
You like?
paired up with a few coastal bits for some beach decor
some polka dots and coastal grey
and a couple of whitewashed oars, I love it…
Someone emailed me recently and asked if I really took the pictures on this blog or did I get someone in to do it!
um, yep, this is a one-woman show people…sitting on the floor taking photos of my bedroom is all part of the job spec…yep they let me out every now and then just to do this…
…to sit take close-ups of white ruffles
and beds without males
Sometimes I smile too, mostly I fly around on a stick
and today I am flying through as I have quite a lot to do, including trying to find some bathroom accessories, if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know we have the lady in the house and she’s nearly ready to go…hoping for a bath partay tonight ladies
So I’ll be seeing you ladies….let me know what you think of my ruffles…
Would you love this in your bedroom?
Would you get away with it?
If not sweetie, best you start practising being nice…if you need a tutorial on that let me know
This is too funny! I do the same thing with my husband and new purchases. Hide things all the time and then forget all about them. The things we have to do, lol! Love the new quilt!
Oh I am so jealous. 1 – of the gorgeous ruffle quilt and 2 – that you have a husband who doesnt care about home decor AND who isn’t very observant. My husband does care and IS observant so I can hardly get away with anything!!! And ruffles on the bed? He would go nuts! I have been able to convince him to add a lot more white into our home this last year and he has been agreeable, but it always take me several months to convince him before I can bust out the paint! Ha!
Anyway, I love how Ive seen your bedroom evolve over the last year – it just keeps getting better!
Question – I’m loving the little white and blue side table. Do you think that painting style would be too much on a larger dresser? I’m about to paint a large dresser in my bedroom and I was originally thinking all white, but I love hints of blue here and there and wondered if I could make that work. Would love to know your thoughts!
Thanks Sarah!
xo
hmmm Alima I think you would have to go carefully on that incase it looked a bit ‘DIY’ …I would go very watered down to start with and work from there…I just sloshed water and the paint into a plastic container and kept adding paint colour…
LUV LUV LUV it, Sarah! Yeah….you ARE one lucky bird to have a male who doesn’t give a flying fart about interior decor. Unfortunately the male who lives here (and THINKS he wears the trousers) seems to think he should have a say in what decor flies into this old farmhouse (when he REEEEALLY hasn’t a clue about decor). AGH!!! Kinda like banging your head against a wall, ya know? lol! Anyway, your bed is beautiful with all of the summery ruffles and I might have to have one for my bed (w/out my male’s input). hehehe!
Okay. I love your purchase logic with your husband and I do the same things…
This one is a winner. I actually have the same ruffles in a long black cotton skirt and that too is fantastic.
Like a dream, that bed is! So fresh and bright. It reminds me a bit of meringue, with the ruffles. Lovely.
Nice to see that no matter what side of globe one resides, we all introduce new items into the home in much the same way. I have been known to greet my husband at the door with an open beer and a big smile.
Love this beyond words! I’m not sure the Mr would let this slide in our house, but I think I might be able to get away with pink flowers and a few ruffle-y pillows … now to find the perfect ones! He actually loves looking at your blog with me because he loves the crisp whites you’ve used … so perhaps now that you’ve endorsed ruffles, that will make it okay for me?
At this moment I’m laughing a lot about your husband and you. Beside that, I loved your bedroom…so sweetie!! My fiance doesn’t care about home decor, but sometimes he try to give his opinion, I kind of like this, but just when he agrees with me
Well, Sarah, I do hope that hubby doesn’t mind your (almost) new bedspread/quilt because it looks like it fits right-in with your white decor. It looks very romantic.
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 …]
Helloooo lovely Beach Cottage ladies, some blog tips for real girls from this old cottage broadcasting from deep Down Under this morning. Now, I love blogging, I think that is pretty much obvious now for sure, for me it has opened up a world of opportunities that simply were not available in any shape [...]
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
Can’t WAIT to see the new lady ensconced in her home. Flying through? I’ve never managed it there.
What about an old soccer game? PVR’d? Would he notice or just enjoy that it was on? :0)
oh he watches games from 30 yrs ago Jane! x
This is too funny! I do the same thing with my husband and new purchases. Hide things all the time and then forget all about them. The things we have to do, lol! Love the new quilt!
I think a lot of us do the same liz lol x
Oh I am so jealous. 1 – of the gorgeous ruffle quilt and 2 – that you have a husband who doesnt care about home decor AND who isn’t very observant. My husband does care and IS observant so I can hardly get away with anything!!! And ruffles on the bed? He would go nuts! I have been able to convince him to add a lot more white into our home this last year and he has been agreeable, but it always take me several months to convince him before I can bust out the paint! Ha!
Anyway, I love how Ive seen your bedroom evolve over the last year – it just keeps getting better!
Question – I’m loving the little white and blue side table. Do you think that painting style would be too much on a larger dresser? I’m about to paint a large dresser in my bedroom and I was originally thinking all white, but I love hints of blue here and there and wondered if I could make that work. Would love to know your thoughts!
Thanks Sarah!
xo
hmmm Alima I think you would have to go carefully on that incase it looked a bit ‘DIY’ …I would go very watered down to start with and work from there…I just sloshed water and the paint into a plastic container and kept adding paint colour…
x
LUV LUV LUV it, Sarah! Yeah….you ARE one lucky bird to have a male who doesn’t give a flying fart about interior decor. Unfortunately the male who lives here (and THINKS he wears the trousers) seems to think he should have a say in what decor flies into this old farmhouse (when he REEEEALLY hasn’t a clue about decor). AGH!!! Kinda like banging your head against a wall, ya know? lol! Anyway, your bed is beautiful with all of the summery ruffles and I might have to have one for my bed (w/out my male’s input). hehehe!
xoxo laurie
oh dear Laurie, hmmm, maybe you need to be a bit nicer to him?
x
Okay. I love your purchase logic with your husband and I do the same things…
This one is a winner. I actually have the same ruffles in a long black cotton skirt and that too is fantastic.
love ruffles anywhere x
Like a dream, that bed is! So fresh and bright. It reminds me a bit of meringue, with the ruffles. Lovely.
Nice to see that no matter what side of globe one resides, we all introduce new items into the home in much the same way. I have been known to greet my husband at the door with an open beer and a big smile.
I love it!!!
Love this beyond words! I’m not sure the Mr would let this slide in our house, but I think I might be able to get away with pink flowers and a few ruffle-y pillows … now to find the perfect ones! He actually loves looking at your blog with me because he loves the crisp whites you’ve used … so perhaps now that you’ve endorsed ruffles, that will make it okay for me?
x Jasmine
Ok,
At this moment I’m laughing a lot about your husband and you. Beside that, I loved your bedroom…so sweetie!! My fiance doesn’t care about home decor, but sometimes he try to give his opinion, I kind of like this, but just when he agrees with me
Thanks Sarah!
X
Vitoria Richter – Casa e Décor
Well, Sarah, I do hope that hubby doesn’t mind your (almost) new bedspread/quilt because it looks like it fits right-in with your white decor. It looks very romantic.
Technically it’s NOT new so I think you can get away with it… and if all else fails, put out
LOL