Ready to rock your Saturday, ready for a lil’ bit of me time, some time where you move the pace down down down?
Come right on in baby
Now, I know that we have quite a few new Beach Cottage Girls here at the moment, so if this is your first ♥ Saturday Club, welcome.
This week I am starting a little hashtag to go with this Beach Cottage Saturday Club, according to my inbox a lot of you love this meme and I thought it would be great to share not just on this blog but anywhere you want to…
so add the tag #BCSATCLUB to your sharing…. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, wherever you share, so all of us girls all over the world whether we are on the beach in Sydney or sitting in a cafe in New York in the cold can connect
♥ Saturday Club started one rainy weekend for me, when I went out with my lovely husband, just the two of us, in the rain with our umbrellas and a coffee…it was just a snatched couple of hours of time away from running around after the kids, house stuff and generally just being busy.
We ended up on the beach in the rain, messing about with an old glass bottle that had been washed ashore, he took photos and we just had a laugh…
I blogged it and hence the start of ♥ Saturday Club…here’s what you have to do to join in
There are a few conditions….you must be willing to call yourself a BC’er & you must love white paint and wellie boots
You must also be willing to do the following: when required
You must be prepared in being part of this club to embrace the value of down-time & dwelling on the good little things…finding the good in life
…this club is so not about money, how much you have or haven’t got, or time, how much you have or have not got, it’s about working with all of those things to rock your life before you blink and it’s all over
and it helps if you love
ruffles
subway tiles
vintage things
pretty floaty cotton
nautical stripes
ballet flats
white things
bathtubs
new friends
reading on the beach
Italian coffee
Australian tea
So this weeks mission, should you choose to accept it
I am loving finding inspirational quotes, and this week with my iPad I will be doing my Sat Club brain dumping via a cafe on the beach surrounded by quotes
there was a time I thought quotes were for ninnies, no more
i would be interested in pinterest, could you please help me get started.
bet you”re ready for that new tub and a bubble up! amishsjsmith@gmail.com
thanks in advance
My favourite favourite quote of all time has to be Mark Twain, my children are sick of it, but it never leaves my side, and that is
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines, set sail from the safe harbour …. Explore, Dream, Discover.”
It’s not just a quote, it’s a mantra for life (apart from I need my bath tub back!! ) xx
Will have to do Saturday Beach Cottage Club on Sunday this weekend, have been too busy being at the beach and napping on the daybed on the veranda!
Hope you have a bath to lounge in soon x
Fleur
Just baking the apple muffins now – unfortunately the time out can’t be on the beach (-8 last night!) but cosying up to a log fire. Don’t know if you know W H Davies poem, ‘Leisure’ (here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_(poem)), but I am a great one for finding the ‘time to stand and stare’ . . .
Got up this morning thought right lets have some me time and guess what I ended up doing !! making shortbread now thats a surprise to me as much as it was to my dear husband…. Its surprising what just a little down time can lead to he hexxx
Hi Sarah! I would love to get on pinterest. I look at it often, but have not made my own account. I love your style, so an invite would be great. Thanks so much!
Oh, I LOVE me some downtime!… I have always be very good a the relaxing, daydreaming and just oozing the time away with fun things..but it is not often I have the opportunity.. that is why I appreciate the Saturday Club, which I usually do on Sunday because I have to “work” on Saturday… that four letter word!!!… I have loved quotes for a long time, I just wish I could recall them but I seem to have CRS syndrome (can’t remember sh($%%!)…. sun is shining.. it is cold, but I am gonna get my cuppa coffee and head to the couch for some lazing!! Enjoy your day all!
I have just discovered your blog and am so happy I did! It’s just beautiful. I know I’m going to enjoy becoming better acquainted with it and with you this year!
Hey Sarah!
I love reading your blog! All your ideas are gorgeous!! We recently moved away from the beach : ( and are trying to make our house a little less coastal feeling. Let’s just say I am living through your blog vicariously!!! I wanted you to know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger away. Thanks for all your beautiful ideas!
- Kat http://withywindle.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/v-is-for-versatile-blogging/
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 …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
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
Golly Gosh Sarah, you have just taken me off for a ramble into pinterest. I have lost an hour of my day. All for a good cause though.
Luv your pin interest finds follow you each day, I will have to follow Chantelle, another excuse to get out of housework, happy BC Saturday x
i would be interested in pinterest, could you please help me get started.
bet you”re ready for that new tub and a bubble up!
amishsjsmith@gmail.com
thanks in advance
My favourite favourite quote of all time has to be Mark Twain, my children are sick of it, but it never leaves my side, and that is
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines, set sail from the safe harbour …. Explore, Dream, Discover.”
It’s not just a quote, it’s a mantra for life (apart from I need my bath tub back!! )
xx
I totally agree. We are in the process of down sizing, retiring, and getting ready to sail for a few years….literally. Can’t wait!
“Love with all your heart and accept the unlovable side of others; for anyone can love a rose, but only a great heart can include the thorns.”
Will have to do Saturday Beach Cottage Club on Sunday this weekend, have been too busy being at the beach and napping on the daybed on the veranda!
Hope you have a bath to lounge in soon x
Fleur
Just baking the apple muffins now – unfortunately the time out can’t be on the beach (-8 last night!) but cosying up to a log fire. Don’t know if you know W H Davies poem, ‘Leisure’ (here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_(poem)), but I am a great one for finding the ‘time to stand and stare’ . . .
Pomona x
Got up this morning thought right lets have some me time and guess what I ended up doing !! making shortbread now thats a surprise to me as much as it was to my dear husband…. Its surprising what just a little down time can lead to he hexxx
Hi Sarah! I would love to get on pinterest. I look at it often, but have not made my own account. I love your style, so an invite would be great. Thanks so much!
Oh, I LOVE me some downtime!… I have always be very good a the relaxing, daydreaming and just oozing the time away with fun things..but it is not often I have the opportunity.. that is why I appreciate the Saturday Club, which I usually do on Sunday because I have to “work” on Saturday… that four letter word!!!… I have loved quotes for a long time, I just wish I could recall them but I seem to have CRS syndrome (can’t remember sh($%%!)…. sun is shining.. it is cold, but I am gonna get my cuppa coffee and head to the couch for some lazing!! Enjoy your day all!
Subject: Pinterest
I would LOVE to get started on Pinterest…
I’m addicted to Pinterest and I love, love, love all the quotes! They’re definitely not for ninnies! Smiles, Lesli
Hi Sarah!
I have just discovered your blog and am so happy I did! It’s just beautiful. I know I’m going to enjoy becoming better acquainted with it and with you this year!
Have a wonderful week!
From a new follower in Missouri, USA,
Keri
Hey Sarah!
I love reading your blog! All your ideas are gorgeous!! We recently moved away from the beach : ( and are trying to make our house a little less coastal feeling. Let’s just say I am living through your blog vicariously!!! I wanted you to know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger away. Thanks for all your beautiful ideas!
- Kat
http://withywindle.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/v-is-for-versatile-blogging/