Oh! G’day Beach Cottage friends, fancy meeting you here
I am writing this post from the beach, I am sitting by the ocean, the sky is a white grey, the waves are big and the air is fresh. I wish you could smell it.
I am here waiting for one of the Beach Cottage Crew to come out of the surf…this gives a whole other meaning to ferrying kiddos around for their activities, I am not sitting in a rainy grey carpark in the depths of old Blighty while by kiddos run around indoors, I am sitting by the sea listening to the roar of those waves. Baby.
So thanks to technology I am on my blog too…yep this iPad has about changed my life…we all knew it was going to.
There are few things I like more than doing the blog thing and sitting listening to the sounds of the ocean.
This then really is the ultimate Beach Cottage Blogging By the Sea.
But, it’s not all roses around here at the mo’.
At home this afternoon I took some time to clean in our bedroom, you see we are having a few problems.
For one reason or another we are having a few issues in the sleep department, I tell you what we might as well have a couple of newborns in the house.
And so today, I cleaned, changed the bed and went out in the garden and picked masses of lavender and put it all over the house, in a hope to calm and soothe.
If that doesn’t work, there is a broomstick in the cupboard that is getting a little twitchy.
I have always been a person who needs a shed-load of sleep, I only wish I could be one of those people who gets by on 5 hours, that has never and will never happen to me, I like nine hours to function and ten to feel fantastic…but right now it’s about seven…in broken stints.
Mr Beach Cottage’s snoring is one issue. I won’t go into it on here. You might be here for too long.
It was good to foof in here though because it got me thinking of our next projects and what I am going to do…that would be our bedroom, sitting room, breakfast room and driveway…all next on the list for a new look…the driveway is mega-boring, who wants to spend 15,000 on a drive? Not me.
But the bedroom, a bit more interested in that. Once the bathroom is finished and the Summer House is painted (more on that to come), we are giving our bedroom some new paint…plus some new furniture…I have been scouring the beaches for old vintage stuff and have found some new paint to try…it’s not Dulux …I haven’t painted anything for a while…it’s time, I am really looking forward to getting stuck into it and on the lookout for a big old chest of drawers to give a new look to…
So that is it for me this lovely day, I hope you enjoy Good Life Wednesday…apologies for last week, wow that Linky thing was a disaster! Hopefully all back to good this week, oh and the spider bite? All healed and done. Amazing how the human body works isn’t it?
Ladies, if you have any sleep help for me, including but not limited to bashing your husband on the head with a whitewashed vintage oar, I’d love you to leave me some advice in the comments…
Be seeing ya lovely Beach Cottage Ladies.
Sarah
A Note on Good Life Wednesday …. I have had some emails from readers re spamming on this linky…please play nicely & do not spam the first few spots if you happen to get here first…it’s cool to let everyone have a fair go…. oh and linking back, yeah you must link back to abeachcottage to take part…that’s playing nice too un-linked posts will be deleted…thanks so much ladies, enjoy yourself some coastal nautical beachy Good Life at my old place today….xo
Glad to hear the spider bite is all healed – thank goodness it wasn’t more serious!
WRT the sleep – I once bought my mom some Lavender Linen Water from Charlotte Rhys (SA equivalent of Jo Malone) which she used to mist-spray a little on her pillow at night before bed. Can’t help with the snoring though, sorry.
Still haven’t found your box #. Pls send it – you need this thing for when the bathroom is finished
alcohol keeps me awake..best things i’ve tried are swisse sleep formula and melatonin (compounding pharmacy) script needed. very helpful and calming.
could be hormonal, my sleep problems started around 40ish. i could go on but i won’t here.
thanks for hosting!
x
Mmmm, the sleep issue. Being a woman of a certain age coping with work, family and life issues my sleep patterns have been a REAL concern in recent years. I can go to sleep ok but I very often can’t sleep through. I had a sleep test and I don’t have sleep apnea thankfully. I’ve tried Natures Own “MenoSleep” tablets from chemists or health food shops with some success. They also have other tablet options for people not my age and gender. I do a relaxation tape when I can as well which helps. But I think the bottom line is trying to keep my life on a gentle keel. I stress severely over so much but apparently I look like I am cruising!!!! Sarah, your blog is part of my destress routine.
Now to men. The isssues I have identified with various men and their snoring are being overweight; drinking alcohol; cardiac issues; sinus; breathing issues like chronic bronchitis caused by smoking and ongoing exhaustion caused by work demands.
Sorry, I don’t have any advice for you specifically but I hope I’ve helped someone else. I can’t come at warm milk before bed. I’ve tried lavender, camomile tea, sleepy time tea, reading, not reading, watching a realaxing movie, not watching TV, all with nil results as a perfect technique to stay asleep through the night. Even after a nightmare day I can sleep like a log then have only 2 hours sleep after a dream day. The only conclusion I have come to is that it appears to be an accumulation of things for me-and I am a stress head even over good things, I know-that create a bad night’s sleep.
Mr Beach Cottage thinks that our sleep issues are because I am busy (a lot going on behind the scenes here) and so I am disturbed more easily which in turn leads to disturbing him and it goes on and on…so I think what you say about stress etc is interesting…not that I am in bad stress but I am busy!
I am going on a long walk this afternoon to help plus I am going to have a go at those tablets you said…to be honest I will try about anything at the moment.
It may not be soon, but the new bath tub out to help your evening relaxation. We don’t have a good tub at home, but when traveling, I look for hotel rooms with a great tub. Have been know to take several baths in a day! The point is, baths are relaxing. Hope you get yours soon
Ruth
oh, and chocolate. I have heard the sugar keeps folks up, but spoiling myself just feels too good! At home, I turn on an electric blanket to warm the bed and turn it off before I get in: it relaxes my muscles. I also try really hard to go to sleep before my beloved because he snores
I love your bedroom… Mine is jammed with furniture (because I need the storage)… I have gone through massive de-cluttering but more needs to be done. My hubby reduced the size of the wardrobe we had in our bedroom from a 3 door to a two door so it looks better now (I just got him to hang the (now) spare mirror door in one of our built ins door – yep 2 wardrobes in one room)… I love that basket holding your books, I need to ask… where you got it from?.. I have been searching for something similar that doesn’t cost me close to 100 bucks!
Lucky girl, I wish I could get these lungs full of sea air… I have been having problems in the sleep department too I find 8 hours ideal for me, I am lucky to get six hours of broken sleep. My little boy loves to get up in the early morning and then “play” for about 2-3 hours before he will go to sleep… 18 months later and I am a very cranky zombie cradling migranes on a regular basis…So i get how that broomstick would be twitching… I have found however that…ummm(clears throat – then takes a deep breath)… a certain type…. of….ummmm …..loving (sometimes baby making) activity… ummm…that can be lots of fun with patner…. ummm seems to help me get really good quality sleep (even if its a short sleep)…If you get my drift…heee…heee… Whooo is it getting hot in here or what! Some one get me a FAN! Better yet some sea air! lol Changing the subject…
I am so excited about your new furniture… and all your plans! What an exciting year!!! really I am so pleased to hear! Also, I am so glad your bite has healed The body is an amazing creation, I wish people would respect their own more…The way each system works within itself and with each other it is fascinating… If you want to find God just study the human body then move on to other organisms like plants…Everything is linked to perfection…As a teenager I found that really beautiful (and I still do as I learn more and more…)
cheers
After I turned 40…*GASP*…I finally gave in and started taking over the counter sleeping pills. They are WONDERFUL. Just let me say it again…WONDERFUL. I take my little blue pill every night and nothing in the world can disturb my sleep, and I sleep all the way until the morning, fully refreshed and recharged! It’s an amazing feeling, you really should give it a go! Good luck and sweet dreams!
No real suggestions, as I struggle with this from time to time, so I do sympathise!
For me it tends to be because after busy days with 4 kiddo’s, my mind just goes into overdrive at night and even if I am asleep I am having all these dreams about things that are bothering me on some level, or I lay awake and think about the things that are worrying me. (been doing this since childhood.)
I seriously need to take up meditation, but it is so hard to still the mind with young kids.
Only bit of advice I have is not to over do the lavender, as if you use too much of lavender oil, it can become a stimulant.
I learnt this the hard way once, by pouring way too much into a bath and then being wide awake half the night!!
I hope you can find a cure and get a good night’s sleep.
Maybe once you get your bath back that will help
Oh and I love the pics of your room. How do you find inspiration for what you want to do with colours and decorating?
Do you find that easy to decide or hard?
Hello my dear!!! Have I already told you just how much I adore your Beach Cottage?!?! Seriously! Whenever I hop on over here, it is just so bright, cheery & cozy!!! Love all the inspiration here!!! Happy to be able to link up this week with all the other lovely Beach Goers – thank you kindly for hosting!!!
Sorry to hear you aren’t sleeping well Sarah, I find a relaxing warm shower or bath before bed really helps me clear my head before bed. I also suggest vanilla candles burning before you go to bed it is such a beautiful calming scent that always helps my girls head off to sleep.Although I must add I am one of those people that exsist on about 5 hours sleep every night bed about 12:30/1:00am and then up with the dear husand at about 6am.
I look forward to seeing all your new projects coming together, my list gets longer everyday too LOL just wish I wasn’t in a rental so I could make real changes hehehe.
Have a beautiful day.
Sounds wonderful to be on the beach and blogging – lucky you
I seem to cycle very frequently into sleepless patterns. When I can start counting the nights I haven’t slept I get lavender oil and put a few drops on a cloth and place in my pillowslip and usually it seems to break the cycle but if things get chronic and i’m into weeks of little sleep I have tried Unisom Sleep gels with some success (but I do hate to take medications and prefer trying all the natural stuff first like Bach rescue etc.
Wondering if the lack of bath chill-out time is playing a part?
yes Caz as I have been thinking about it and writing about it it all seems too much of a co-incidence that we are experiencing sleep problems, especially when most nights I spend at least an hour in the bath…that’s seven hours a week normally…big change!
I will have a look for that brand of sleep gels…to be honest I will try anything right now
x
Oh Sarah that is definitely a whole lot of relaxation and time out gone for you. Don’t know how much you are into meditation and visualisation but maybe try to visualise that you are running those bath taps, gathering all the bits and pieces you take into the bath with you, the smell, the bubbles and the feeling that it all evokes as you slide into the water, think about and work through each and every body part and what it feels like when you are in the bath, how it clears your head and leaves you refreshed.
It may be clutching at straws but could be next best thing to actually being able to have a soak xx
everything looking fresh & lovely around your beach cottage sarah!!
s.l.e.e.p. is also way up there on my list and i feel your anghst with not getting enough!!
used to be i’d lay my head down and wake up 8 hours later , simple.
i struggle with working and surfing on my computer til late at night and it seems that the late night
brain activity combined with the bright screen affects us from resting well. makes sense, our braind is engaged
for way too long at that point . i researched some
and found that we should be turning these screens off hours before bedtime. lower lighting, dimming
your surroundings, quiet~ness, deep breathing, “sleepy-time” tea( chamomille) , any ritual of calming
things nightly should help us to slow it down . ( including all those great ideas your followers have posted : ))
stop caffeine intake earlier , and maybe less caffeine too.
sWeEt DrEaMs !!!
There are two things that help me when I can’t sleep – and my hubby has a C-Pap machine with extra oxygen, and the whole thing sounds like Darth Vader – but any way…I drink a cup of Chamomile tea sometimes 2 cups. Also Melatonine is a natural ingredient our pediatrician recommended for our kids when they were having trouble sleeping. Have also used Lavender lotion. Meditating/praying works for me two. Good luck!
Time for my cure! I wasn’t sleeping through the night and it had gone on for at least a year and a half or more. For about a month, I took melatonin that had 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 as an extra perk. That helped immensely & the B12 gave me extra energy during the day. Once my sleep patterns started normalizing I stopped taking the melatonin on a regular basis and now I enjoy a cup of chamomile tea every evening. I’m still not sleeping like I once did (7-8 hours straight with no waking up in the middle of the night umpteen times) but I get much more sleep and I’m rested in the morning.
ps my internal thermostat is wonky these days which tends to wake me up in the night, so hopefully my “cure” will work wonders for you as you don’t have that to deal with.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again- your photographs are so gorgeous!
This is a rookie question but what does it mean that the first spots were being “spammed”?
Good luck with the sleep- if you find a cure, let me know. I haven’t slept since 1998!
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
I’m a nine hour girl myself but with a two year old… You’ve been there. Can’t wait to see what you do. I’m going to give things a bit of a primp this weekend :0)
I’m with you, Sarah. I need my 8 hrs of sleep. Luckily, my hubby doesn’t snore…..usually. But he swears by Melatonin. I guess it’s a hormone that naturally produced in the human body. He takes 3mg of it each night and sleeps like a baby. No grogginess or sluggishness in the morning at all. Might be worth a try – before you get out the oar…..
EARPLUGS……..? I even used them when our youngest two were old enough to not require ‘instant’ attention overnight… plus it help with that well known male disease… “male deafness associated with having a newborn”………
you need that bath… threaten the males with your broomstick!
love that you are beachside blogging. ultimate beach cottage bliss I think…….
Looks gorgeous Sarah. I love that purple splash against the white – I want your bedroom! Can I ask where you managed to find that gorgeous wire basket with the books in it? I LOVE!
Oh, Sarah! I feel your pain..I was on a trip with a girlfriend once and after 4 nights of listening to majorly LOUD snoring, I was exhausted! I remembered something that a girl at youth camp told me…make spit wads, chewed up toilet paper, and use them as ear plugs. They are free, always available and always fit! They worked like magic! We were in an isolated area where there weren’t pharmacies…
Now, I sometimes resort to Simply Sleep, available here in the US, over-the-counter, no prescription. They are made by Tylenol, with no pain reliever. The dose on the bottle is 2 tablets. I take 1/2 of one,,,1/4 of the suggested dose and it works very well.
A friend’s husband snored very loudly for many years and after having a sleep study, the physicians said he had sleep apnea and the skipped breaths had led to heart problems, of which he was unaware. He had a small surgery on his palate and voila! No more snoring…it can be life threatening. Best be careful with Mr. BC!
O, Chris
i do hope the lavender brings you some rest…i find that it helps lull me to sleep and calm a headache. i keep some dried lavender in a jar on my bedside table. i, like you, need 9 blissful hours of sleep! i am quite the nigh owl so this is always hard to come by…too busy creating and blog surfing for inspiration when i should be snoozing. happy dreams to you!!
I’m with you on the sleep part. Less sleep makes me very very cranky and pessimistic to some extent. Haha.
Try a cup of jasmine green tea at bed time or a glass of warm milk. Green tea has really helped me. Also, read a book. Not on your kindler though.
Unconventional ideas
If I was in Mexico and my name was Baja, I would tell you a toke of grass. Okay, censor that
Put the TV on and try watching it after dinner. You will definitely fall asleep.
Sarah, so glad the bite is better and blogging from the beach sounds just devine.
Sorry to hear you’re having trouble sleeping. I’m a 9 hour girl myself, but rarely get it because of the kiddos. Can’t really help you with what to do though cos it sounds like you’ve tried everything I would have suggested, or the others have mentioned them. I just know I need to transition into sleep slowly. I can’t jump from the hustle and bustle of the day straight into sleep, so I always try to get some quiet me time in the bath or bedroom before I turn the lights off. Especailly around the full moon. I’m really affected by the moon for some reason.
If all else fails maybe you should get your husband to knock YOU out with oar instead lol! Nice sleep, but you might be sore in the morning!
In amoungst all of your so-called broomstickness you are sooooo FUNNY, the reference to the oar had me cackling like a hen !!!
I think you are in need of your bath, if I went without my nightly ritual (cup of tea and choc) I would be using not only the oars but the anchor on anyone that dared to breathe, let alone snore. Good luck with sleeplessness ( is that a word??) no ideas here, sorry. Lavender looks amazing…. great to re-arrange and get a fresh vibe in the house.
Hello Sarah
I really enjoy the link party which is Good Life Wednesday, but I am a little perplexed as I can’t always see the links, today is an example, no links just comments. Does anyone else experience this?
Sarah, your home in it’s simple, beach cottage decor has been my favorite for so long. I appreciate you hosting this party.
However, I can’t find the linky this week.
My husband is a horrendous snorer and my solution has been sleeping with ear plugs. Nothing else worked. Hope the lavendar creates a soothing dream space for you.
That’s great that your hubby is booked in for sleep studies – if he ends up being diagnosed with sleep apnoea and needs a machine then the machine noise is a MUCH better noise than snoring. I can testify that a CPAP machine plus the earplugs you already wear (get industrial ones!) make a HUGE difference to sleep – I sleep like a baby now whereas I nearly went insane listening to snoring – even with earplugs it drove me crazy. Hubby greatly refreshed in the morning too.
Interesting – this lack of sleep in over 40 yr old women – count me in too! I wake 3-4 times in the night, and often find it hard to nod off again. I got so bad I tried prescription sleeping tablets, but they don’t necessarily work either, so I rarely bother taking them. Herbal “Sleep Enhance” by Ethical Nutrients seems to help a bit. Probably better than the prescription for me.
I would put my lack of sleep down to life changes (a seperation 21 months ago), stress & just playing things through my mind. As I become more contented, & settled, I find it somewhat improves.(A man on the mind doesn’t help, lol!!!). I hope in time I will sleep better again……..but now I’m beginning to worry that it’s because I’m 40 + ?!! lol
Goodluck! Remember to share your rememdy with us all!
Have you tried rescue remedy ? It is homeopathic and they have a sleep remedy too. It is perfectly safe, you can even give it to kids and animals I LOVE YOUR BLOG too….btw…Lynne xx
P
I love sleep. It’s my gift in life to be able to sleep. If left undisturbed I can sleep-in until 10.30am (or longer)! It is rare that I am able to do that though. So, I feel your pain Sarah. Sleep is a precious thing. As others have suggested, my first thought on the possible cause was the ‘bath deprivation’ you have been experiencing. My second was Mr. BC’s snoring. Glad to hear he is booked in for a sleep study. When my ex-husband got his CPAP machine I was able to sleep deeply for the first time in years. I hadn’t realised just how much his snoring had kept me from sleeping well. We both felt so much better, but it gave him yet another reason to not get up to the babies during the night!!
Hope you find relief very soon. If you need sleep-in lessons I’m here to help
Oooh, nothing makes me crankier than sleep deprivation! Hubby started snoring several years back and after a sleep study was told he needed a T&A and uvula taken out. It was a miracle cure!! I hate to tell you, though, as wonderful as that was, I still have nights of sleeplessness and it happens as we get older. ack! I need at least 8-9 hours to feel good and 10 hours has become an elusive goal. Be careful with certain sleep aids as they can be addicting and less effective over time. Also, no alcohol, especially for hubby…makes snoring even worse!
Sarah, Great post, and thank you for sharing about the sleep issue. You do have a lot going on, and we only see part of your daily routine. I’ve just gone through this lack of sleep stuff myself. I started exercising more starting last May, taking an evening tub, and shutting down the computer and TV earlier in the evening. It’s helped a lot. I also bought some melatonin, and only take half a pill when everything else doesn’t work…I’m afraid a full pill will cause me to miss the alarm. .About Mr. BC’s snoring, I’m glad that you’re addressing it together. Once they get to the bottom of it, I’m sure there’s a remedy. Have a great day and can’t wait to see the bath reveal, and hear about the plans for the rest of the house.
uggh, really feel your pain on the sleep issue, I would LOVE 9 hours but usually get about 7 if i’m lucky due to hubby getting up a 6am and being hopeless at getting to bed early – you must be good at that to have been getting 10? Baths are so relaxing, I really hope your sleep is helped when you get yours plumbed in. Stress plays its part for sure, but caffeine too, I find it harder to nod off if I have coffee or tea after about 5pm. Loads of exercise early on in the day and fresh air always make me sleepier by evening but I am sure you get loads with your lovely coastal life. Fingers crossed it all gets resolved soon, sleep deprivation is the pits, no wonder at all your broom is twitchy!
p.s. I giggle the way you sometimes make the UK sound so unremittingly grim – I adore it here, I am in love with the English countryside, changing seasons and subtle light, not all rain and greyness!;) I lived in Hong Kong so know the joys of hot weather living, but England is where my heart is. Just saying!
haha Belinda, I don’t mean to make it sound grim but it’s so very different to the climate & colours here that it does seem very grey to me now…when I went back I couldn’t believe that…but I miss the countryside terribly, especially the woods, I love English woods, I don’t think there is anything like them, even the beach lol!
thanks for the sleep tips, I hope something works ! x
I love the beautiful pictures of your cottage. It looks so welcoming and cozy.
I have a hubby who snores, too, so I know how hard it is to sleep with all that racket going on beside you. I need about 8 hours of sleep minimum to feel like a human being (10 is true bliss but never happens) and I rarely get 6 anymore, due to hormonal issues and the snoring. Unfortunately, I don’t have any miracle remedies for you but if I am having a particularly hard time getting to sleep, I will try to clear my mind of any racing thoughts and say the alphabet backwards or count by 10′s (10, 20, 30, etc) or think about old houses I lived in, something that won’t make me feel stressed and will help keep the to-do list at bay for awhile. But when that snoring starts, there isn’t much that helps besides a little kick under the blankets to make him roll over.
A few other things that help me are no caffeine after about 3:00 p.m. and no computer within a couple of hours of bedtime, plus a pretty magazine to look through and dream about.
Good luck to you. If you do find a cure, let us know.
Hi, I am freezing in the South of France as I look at your beautiful images. Crush some of the Lavender or sprinkle on the floor to really get the aroma. Have a wonderful sleepy time
gorgeous pictures as usual you have a real eye for making a beautiful setting, good luck with resolving the sleep issues – there is nothing worse than lack of sleep. x
i think when your hit 40 sleeping goes out the door, i am now 70 and havn’t sleep good for 30 years i feel for you . and love your beach photos keep them coming
Hi Sarah,
At 53, it seems I’ve been going thru menopause about a hundred years, but the sleep problems were the worst. One thing that helped besides melatonin (which may only work in the short-term) is the herb valerian. Valerian puts me right out if I take it an hour before bed. Also read something light, and stay away from the electronics in the evening seem to help.
As for hubby’s snoring, we’ve got that issue here too. Could your hubby be allergic to anything? The only time there’s snoring here is if the allergies are acting up. Hate to tell you but some folks (like me!) are allergic to lavender, even in small quantities. Chamomile seems to work better then. I bought my hubs a box of those no-snore strips across the nose and they work really well! You might look for those at the pharmacy.
Hope you get some relief soon!
Cyndia
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
come on down to join us…Beach Cottage Club Newsletter 
un-linked posts will be deleted…thanks so much ladies, enjoy yourself some coastal nautical beachy Good Life at my old place today….xo
lovely pictures again!
Hi Sarah!
Glad to hear the spider bite is all healed – thank goodness it wasn’t more serious!
WRT the sleep – I once bought my mom some Lavender Linen Water from Charlotte Rhys (SA equivalent of Jo Malone) which she used to mist-spray a little on her pillow at night before bed. Can’t help with the snoring though, sorry.
Still haven’t found your box #. Pls send it – you need this thing for when the bathroom is finished
Hi Robyn, apologies I forgot about this!
PO Box 3062 Manly East NSW 2095 Australia
x
oh and for the sleeping problem: A bottle of wine before you go to sleep will help (for you, not for the hubby;-) )
haha not for me, I am allergic to wine! I have tried alcohol though…for both of us!
thanks Sibylle x
Allergic, oh no, this must suck! Well, go ahead with the hard stuff then;-)
alcohol keeps me awake..best things i’ve tried are swisse sleep formula and melatonin (compounding pharmacy) script needed. very helpful and calming.
could be hormonal, my sleep problems started around 40ish. i could go on but i won’t here.
thanks for hosting!
x
oh wow I didn’t even think of that! thanksx
Hi Sarah
Mmmm, the sleep issue. Being a woman of a certain age coping with work, family and life issues my sleep patterns have been a REAL concern in recent years. I can go to sleep ok but I very often can’t sleep through. I had a sleep test and I don’t have sleep apnea thankfully. I’ve tried Natures Own “MenoSleep” tablets from chemists or health food shops with some success. They also have other tablet options for people not my age and gender. I do a relaxation tape when I can as well which helps. But I think the bottom line is trying to keep my life on a gentle keel. I stress severely over so much but apparently I look like I am cruising!!!! Sarah, your blog is part of my destress routine.
Now to men. The isssues I have identified with various men and their snoring are being overweight; drinking alcohol; cardiac issues; sinus; breathing issues like chronic bronchitis caused by smoking and ongoing exhaustion caused by work demands.
Sorry, I don’t have any advice for you specifically but I hope I’ve helped someone else. I can’t come at warm milk before bed. I’ve tried lavender, camomile tea, sleepy time tea, reading, not reading, watching a realaxing movie, not watching TV, all with nil results as a perfect technique to stay asleep through the night. Even after a nightmare day I can sleep like a log then have only 2 hours sleep after a dream day. The only conclusion I have come to is that it appears to be an accumulation of things for me-and I am a stress head even over good things, I know-that create a bad night’s sleep.
Cheers
Dr alison
oh Dr Alison, thanks for your comment
Mr Beach Cottage thinks that our sleep issues are because I am busy (a lot going on behind the scenes here) and so I am disturbed more easily which in turn leads to disturbing him and it goes on and on…so I think what you say about stress etc is interesting…not that I am in bad stress but I am busy!
I am going on a long walk this afternoon to help plus I am going to have a go at those tablets you said…to be honest I will try about anything at the moment.
xxox
Absolutely beautiful photo ‘s as usual!! Sarah, excuse my ignorance…what does spammng on this linky actually mean?? Is it advertising or something??
hi Suzanne, no it’s just adding lots of links at once in the linky xx
It may not be soon, but the new bath tub out to help your evening relaxation. We don’t have a good tub at home, but when traveling, I look for hotel rooms with a great tub. Have been know to take several baths in a day! The point is, baths are relaxing. Hope you get yours soon
Ruth
yes Ruth, the lack of a tub here could be the key, I am hoping it is….seeing as most evenings I spend at least an hour in it!
I have been known to take more than one bath a day too xo
oh, and chocolate. I have heard the sugar keeps folks up, but spoiling myself just feels too good! At home, I turn on an electric blanket to warm the bed and turn it off before I get in: it relaxes my muscles. I also try really hard to go to sleep before my beloved because he snores
yeah I will be kicking my chocolate in bed habit Ruth! x
I love your bedroom… Mine is jammed with furniture (because I need the storage)… I have gone through massive de-cluttering but more needs to be done. My hubby reduced the size of the wardrobe we had in our bedroom from a 3 door to a two door so it looks better now (I just got him to hang the (now) spare mirror door in one of our built ins door – yep 2 wardrobes in one room)… I love that basket holding your books, I need to ask… where you got it from?.. I have been searching for something similar that doesn’t cost me close to 100 bucks!
The body is an amazing creation, I wish people would respect their own more…The way each system works within itself and with each other it is fascinating… If you want to find God just study the human body then move on to other organisms like plants…Everything is linked to perfection…As a teenager I found that really beautiful (and I still do as I learn more and more…)
Lucky girl, I wish I could get these lungs full of sea air… I have been having problems in the sleep department too I find 8 hours ideal for me, I am lucky to get six hours of broken sleep. My little boy loves to get up in the early morning and then “play” for about 2-3 hours before he will go to sleep… 18 months later and I am a very cranky zombie cradling migranes on a regular basis…So i get how that broomstick would be twitching… I have found however that…ummm(clears throat – then takes a deep breath)… a certain type…. of….ummmm …..loving (sometimes baby making) activity… ummm…that can be lots of fun with patner…. ummm seems to help me get really good quality sleep (even if its a short sleep)…If you get my drift…heee…heee… Whooo is it getting hot in here or what! Some one get me a FAN! Better yet some sea air! lol Changing the subject…
I am so excited about your new furniture… and all your plans! What an exciting year!!! really I am so pleased to hear! Also, I am so glad your bite has healed
cheers
Alice, I am about to go on a massive de-clutter too! bring it on especially my wardrobe…it’s bad
yes I hear you on the cranky migraines, I have definitely been getting headaches since this non-sleeping phase.
hmmm Mr Beach Cottage would like to try out your solution to getting better sleep…I hope he doesn’t read this and get any ideas lol
yes the human body is amazing…apart from when it doesn’t want to stay asleep for more than a few hours
xoxox
After I turned 40…*GASP*…I finally gave in and started taking over the counter sleeping pills. They are WONDERFUL. Just let me say it again…WONDERFUL. I take my little blue pill every night and nothing in the world can disturb my sleep, and I sleep all the way until the morning, fully refreshed and recharged! It’s an amazing feeling, you really should give it a go! Good luck and sweet dreams!
wow Christy, interesting, would you share the brand you have tried? I am at the stage really where I will about try anything!
refreshed and recharged is so what I need right now x
No real suggestions, as I struggle with this from time to time, so I do sympathise!
For me it tends to be because after busy days with 4 kiddo’s, my mind just goes into overdrive at night and even if I am asleep I am having all these dreams about things that are bothering me on some level, or I lay awake and think about the things that are worrying me. (been doing this since childhood.)
I seriously need to take up meditation, but it is so hard to still the mind with young kids.
Only bit of advice I have is not to over do the lavender, as if you use too much of lavender oil, it can become a stimulant.
I learnt this the hard way once, by pouring way too much into a bath and then being wide awake half the night!!
I hope you can find a cure and get a good night’s sleep.
Maybe once you get your bath back that will help
Oh and I love the pics of your room. How do you find inspiration for what you want to do with colours and decorating?
Do you find that easy to decide or hard?
thanks Kat, I will watch out for the lavender I didn’t know that actually
I just go for what colour I am fancying at the moment…yesterday it was aqua, but for a while it has been VERY white and grey in my bedroom
xo
Hello my dear!!! Have I already told you just how much I adore your Beach Cottage?!?! Seriously! Whenever I hop on over here, it is just so bright, cheery & cozy!!! Love all the inspiration here!!! Happy to be able to link up this week with all the other lovely Beach Goers – thank you kindly for hosting!!!
XOXO’s,
Jessie
you are welcome Jessie, thanks so much for taking part today x
lucky oyu for being able to blog and be at the ocean at the same time!! I love the shots!!
yeah I sure am x
Sorry to hear you aren’t sleeping well Sarah, I find a relaxing warm shower or bath before bed really helps me clear my head before bed. I also suggest vanilla candles burning before you go to bed it is such a beautiful calming scent that always helps my girls head off to sleep.Although I must add I am one of those people that exsist on about 5 hours sleep every night bed about 12:30/1:00am and then up with the dear husand at about 6am.
I look forward to seeing all your new projects coming together, my list gets longer everyday too LOL just wish I wasn’t in a rental so I could make real changes hehehe.
Have a beautiful day.
haha Tammy, I don’t know HOW my list gets longer…it must have been huge when we started lol
x
x
Sounds wonderful to be on the beach and blogging – lucky you
I seem to cycle very frequently into sleepless patterns. When I can start counting the nights I haven’t slept I get lavender oil and put a few drops on a cloth and place in my pillowslip and usually it seems to break the cycle but if things get chronic and i’m into weeks of little sleep I have tried Unisom Sleep gels with some success (but I do hate to take medications and prefer trying all the natural stuff first like Bach rescue etc.
Wondering if the lack of bath chill-out time is playing a part?
yes Caz as I have been thinking about it and writing about it it all seems too much of a co-incidence that we are experiencing sleep problems, especially when most nights I spend at least an hour in the bath…that’s seven hours a week normally…big change!
I will have a look for that brand of sleep gels…to be honest I will try anything right now
x
Oh Sarah
that is definitely a whole lot of relaxation and time out gone for you. Don’t know how much you are into meditation and visualisation but maybe try to visualise that you are running those bath taps, gathering all the bits and pieces you take into the bath with you, the smell, the bubbles and the feeling that it all evokes as you slide into the water, think about and work through each and every body part and what it feels like when you are in the bath, how it clears your head and leaves you refreshed.
It may be clutching at straws but could be next best thing to actually being able to have a soak xx
I’ve tried it all, just go with the oar:-)
Tracey
roflmao Tracey…gotta say it’s very tempting x
everything looking fresh & lovely around your beach cottage sarah!!
s.l.e.e.p. is also way up there on my list and i feel your anghst with not getting enough!!
used to be i’d lay my head down and wake up 8 hours later , simple.
i struggle with working and surfing on my computer til late at night and it seems that the late night
brain activity combined with the bright screen affects us from resting well. makes sense, our braind is engaged
for way too long at that point . i researched some
and found that we should be turning these screens off hours before bedtime. lower lighting, dimming
your surroundings, quiet~ness, deep breathing, “sleepy-time” tea( chamomille) , any ritual of calming
things nightly should help us to slow it down . ( including all those great ideas your followers have posted : ))
stop caffeine intake earlier , and maybe less caffeine too.
sWeEt DrEaMs !!!
thanks, I have to say I have been using my iPad more, purely b/c I didn’t have one before…so tonight it won’t be switched on! x
There are two things that help me when I can’t sleep – and my hubby has a C-Pap machine with extra oxygen, and the whole thing sounds like Darth Vader – but any way…I drink a cup of Chamomile tea sometimes 2 cups. Also Melatonine is a natural ingredient our pediatrician recommended for our kids when they were having trouble sleeping. Have also used Lavender lotion. Meditating/praying works for me two. Good luck!
I am so praying tonight Annie xo
Time for my cure! I wasn’t sleeping through the night and it had gone on for at least a year and a half or more. For about a month, I took melatonin that had 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 as an extra perk. That helped immensely & the B12 gave me extra energy during the day. Once my sleep patterns started normalizing I stopped taking the melatonin on a regular basis and now I enjoy a cup of chamomile tea every evening. I’m still not sleeping like I once did (7-8 hours straight with no waking up in the middle of the night umpteen times) but I get much more sleep and I’m rested in the morning.
ps my internal thermostat is wonky these days which tends to wake me up in the night, so hopefully my “cure” will work wonders for you as you don’t have that to deal with.
Don’t let the bed bugs bite dear Sarah!!
xox
thanks Anne, a few people have now recommended me B12, very interesting this is, I will be going to the chemist this afternoon armed with a list
glad to hear yours were sorted out in the end x
I have said it before and I’ll say it again- your photographs are so gorgeous!
This is a rookie question but what does it mean that the first spots were being “spammed”?
Good luck with the sleep- if you find a cure, let me know. I haven’t slept since 1998!
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
OMG that is like 4 years, yikes, don’t even say that to me!
it means that the first spots get the same person adding multiple links to their site…
x
x
I’m a nine hour girl myself but with a two year old… You’ve been there. Can’t wait to see what you do. I’m going to give things a bit of a primp this weekend :0)
love me some primping jane xo
I’m with you, Sarah. I need my 8 hrs of sleep. Luckily, my hubby doesn’t snore…..usually. But he swears by Melatonin. I guess it’s a hormone that naturally produced in the human body. He takes 3mg of it each night and sleeps like a baby. No grogginess or sluggishness in the morning at all. Might be worth a try – before you get out the oar…..
xoxo laurie
thanks Laurie, someone else suggested that too xoxox
EARPLUGS……..? I even used them when our youngest two were old enough to not require ‘instant’ attention overnight… plus it help with that well known male disease… “male deafness associated with having a newborn”………
you need that bath… threaten the males with your broomstick!
love that you are beachside blogging. ultimate beach cottage bliss I think…….
have a happy day
yep I use ear plugs every night Susan! and I can still hear it through that! x
I need that bath man!
Looks gorgeous Sarah. I love that purple splash against the white – I want your bedroom! Can I ask where you managed to find that gorgeous wire basket with the books in it? I LOVE!
Oh, Sarah! I feel your pain..I was on a trip with a girlfriend once and after 4 nights of listening to majorly LOUD snoring, I was exhausted! I remembered something that a girl at youth camp told me…make spit wads, chewed up toilet paper, and use them as ear plugs. They are free, always available and always fit! They worked like magic! We were in an isolated area where there weren’t pharmacies…
Now, I sometimes resort to Simply Sleep, available here in the US, over-the-counter, no prescription. They are made by Tylenol, with no pain reliever. The dose on the bottle is 2 tablets. I take 1/2 of one,,,1/4 of the suggested dose and it works very well.
A friend’s husband snored very loudly for many years and after having a sleep study, the physicians said he had sleep apnea and the skipped breaths had led to heart problems, of which he was unaware. He had a small surgery on his palate and voila! No more snoring…it can be life threatening. Best be careful with Mr. BC!
O, Chris
thanks Christine, Mr Beach Cottage is booked into a sleep clinic, we are both so over it
I wear ear plugs every night x
Hi Sarah,
thanks for hosting the linky partay today. Wish there was a bar………
x Marnie
i do hope the lavender brings you some rest…i find that it helps lull me to sleep and calm a headache. i keep some dried lavender in a jar on my bedside table. i, like you, need 9 blissful hours of sleep! i am quite the nigh owl so this is always hard to come by…too busy creating and blog surfing for inspiration when i should be snoozing. happy dreams to you!!
lavender heaven- fingers crossed for you tonight- as a sleep deprived mamma , no matter how old her kiddos are- is not a happy mamma AT ALL!
keep that broom locked away for one more night & you may wake from 10 hours of perfect slumber!
love that little iron basket that your book is sitting in – was that a find at some special little shop – or perhaps an ebay find?
Melissa x
PS_ snoring happens in our little house too and we invested in a very unattractive mouth guard looking thingy for the husband…bingo sweet it worked!!
I must try and find the link for you!
I’m with you on the sleep part. Less sleep makes me very very cranky and pessimistic to some extent. Haha.
Try a cup of jasmine green tea at bed time or a glass of warm milk. Green tea has really helped me. Also, read a book. Not on your kindler though.
Unconventional ideas
If I was in Mexico and my name was Baja, I would tell you a toke of grass. Okay, censor that
Put the TV on and try watching it after dinner. You will definitely fall asleep.
Rukmini XO
I’m hoping you get caught up in the sleep department. Cut out caffeine after 4pm and take a hot bath. Fall into bed. If only it was all this easy.
hmmm, I must be missing something ’cause I can’t find the linky….?? Am I losin’ it, ya think?
Sarah, so glad the bite is better and blogging from the beach sounds just devine.
Sorry to hear you’re having trouble sleeping. I’m a 9 hour girl myself, but rarely get it because of the kiddos. Can’t really help you with what to do though cos it sounds like you’ve tried everything I would have suggested, or the others have mentioned them. I just know I need to transition into sleep slowly. I can’t jump from the hustle and bustle of the day straight into sleep, so I always try to get some quiet me time in the bath or bedroom before I turn the lights off. Especailly around the full moon. I’m really affected by the moon for some reason.
If all else fails maybe you should get your husband to knock YOU out with oar instead lol!
Nice sleep, but you might be sore in the morning!
In amoungst all of your so-called broomstickness you are sooooo FUNNY, the reference to the oar had me cackling like a hen !!!
I think you are in need of your bath, if I went without my nightly ritual (cup of tea and choc) I would be using not only the oars but the anchor on anyone that dared to breathe, let alone snore. Good luck with sleeplessness ( is that a word??) no ideas here, sorry. Lavender looks amazing…. great to re-arrange and get a fresh vibe in the house.
Hello Sarah
I really enjoy the link party which is Good Life Wednesday, but I am a little perplexed as I can’t always see the links, today is an example, no links just comments. Does anyone else experience this?
Sarah, your home in it’s simple, beach cottage decor has been my favorite for so long. I appreciate you hosting this party.
However, I can’t find the linky this week.
My husband is a horrendous snorer and my solution has been sleeping with ear plugs. Nothing else worked. Hope the lavendar creates a soothing dream space for you.
Hi Sarah,
That’s great that your hubby is booked in for sleep studies – if he ends up being diagnosed with sleep apnoea and needs a machine then the machine noise is a MUCH better noise than snoring. I can testify that a CPAP machine plus the earplugs you already wear (get industrial ones!) make a HUGE difference to sleep – I sleep like a baby now whereas I nearly went insane listening to snoring – even with earplugs it drove me crazy. Hubby greatly refreshed in the morning too.
Good luck Sarah.
Interesting – this lack of sleep in over 40 yr old women – count me in too! I wake 3-4 times in the night, and often find it hard to nod off again. I got so bad I tried prescription sleeping tablets, but they don’t necessarily work either, so I rarely bother taking them. Herbal “Sleep Enhance” by Ethical Nutrients seems to help a bit. Probably better than the prescription for me.
I would put my lack of sleep down to life changes (a seperation 21 months ago), stress & just playing things through my mind. As I become more contented, & settled, I find it somewhat improves.(A man on the mind doesn’t help, lol!!!). I hope in time I will sleep better again……..but now I’m beginning to worry that it’s because I’m 40 + ?!! lol
Goodluck! Remember to share your rememdy with us all!
Hi, me too …. No links, just comments.
Okay I thought it was me who couldn’t find the link up party.
Good to know it’s not just me. haa-haa.
Have you tried rescue remedy ? It is homeopathic and they have a sleep remedy too. It is perfectly safe, you can even give it to kids and animals
I LOVE YOUR BLOG too….btw…Lynne xx
P
thanks for the blog love Lynne!
yes I have tried rescue remedy…doesn’t seem to rescue me lol xx
Wonderful pics again. Good luck with the sleep issues I am the worst sleeper so I’m afraid no advice. Ever so glad the bite has healedX
thanks Sharon xoxoxox
I love sleep. It’s my gift in life to be able to sleep. If left undisturbed I can sleep-in until 10.30am (or longer)! It is rare that I am able to do that though. So, I feel your pain Sarah. Sleep is a precious thing. As others have suggested, my first thought on the possible cause was the ‘bath deprivation’ you have been experiencing. My second was Mr. BC’s snoring. Glad to hear he is booked in for a sleep study. When my ex-husband got his CPAP machine I was able to sleep deeply for the first time in years. I hadn’t realised just how much his snoring had kept me from sleeping well. We both felt so much better, but it gave him yet another reason to not get up to the babies during the night!!
Hope you find relief very soon. If you need sleep-in lessons I’m here to help
Tiff, I too can sleep in til 10.30 if I am not disturbed, well I did before…!
I am hoping the sleep clinic will provide a solution x
Oooh, nothing makes me crankier than sleep deprivation! Hubby started snoring several years back and after a sleep study was told he needed a T&A and uvula taken out. It was a miracle cure!! I hate to tell you, though, as wonderful as that was, I still have nights of sleeplessness and it happens as we get older. ack! I need at least 8-9 hours to feel good and 10 hours has become an elusive goal. Be careful with certain sleep aids as they can be addicting and less effective over time. Also, no alcohol, especially for hubby…makes snoring even worse!
thanks Candy, we have the trip to the sleep clinic lined up! cannot wait xo
Sarah, Great post, and thank you for sharing about the sleep issue. You do have a lot going on, and we only see part of your daily routine. I’ve just gone through this lack of sleep stuff myself. I started exercising more starting last May, taking an evening tub, and shutting down the computer and TV earlier in the evening. It’s helped a lot. I also bought some melatonin, and only take half a pill when everything else doesn’t work…I’m afraid a full pill will cause me to miss the alarm. .About Mr. BC’s snoring, I’m glad that you’re addressing it together. Once they get to the bottom of it, I’m sure there’s a remedy. Have a great day and can’t wait to see the bath reveal, and hear about the plans for the rest of the house.
Elaine
thanks Elaine, I am interested to hear your tips that have worked, and will be trying them out xo
uggh, really feel your pain on the sleep issue, I would LOVE 9 hours but usually get about 7 if i’m lucky due to hubby getting up a 6am and being hopeless at getting to bed early – you must be good at that to have been getting 10? Baths are so relaxing, I really hope your sleep is helped when you get yours plumbed in. Stress plays its part for sure, but caffeine too, I find it harder to nod off if I have coffee or tea after about 5pm. Loads of exercise early on in the day and fresh air always make me sleepier by evening but I am sure you get loads with your lovely coastal life. Fingers crossed it all gets resolved soon, sleep deprivation is the pits, no wonder at all your broom is twitchy!
p.s. I giggle the way you sometimes make the UK sound so unremittingly grim – I adore it here, I am in love with the English countryside, changing seasons and subtle light, not all rain and greyness!;) I lived in Hong Kong so know the joys of hot weather living, but England is where my heart is. Just saying!
haha Belinda, I don’t mean to make it sound grim
but it’s so very different to the climate & colours here that it does seem very grey to me now…when I went back I couldn’t believe that…but I miss the countryside terribly, especially the woods, I love English woods, I don’t think there is anything like them, even the beach lol!
thanks for the sleep tips, I hope something works ! x
I love the beautiful pictures of your cottage. It looks so welcoming and cozy.
I have a hubby who snores, too, so I know how hard it is to sleep with all that racket going on beside you. I need about 8 hours of sleep minimum to feel like a human being (10 is true bliss but never happens) and I rarely get 6 anymore, due to hormonal issues and the snoring. Unfortunately, I don’t have any miracle remedies for you but if I am having a particularly hard time getting to sleep, I will try to clear my mind of any racing thoughts and say the alphabet backwards or count by 10′s (10, 20, 30, etc) or think about old houses I lived in, something that won’t make me feel stressed and will help keep the to-do list at bay for awhile. But when that snoring starts, there isn’t much that helps besides a little kick under the blankets to make him roll over.
A few other things that help me are no caffeine after about 3:00 p.m. and no computer within a couple of hours of bedtime, plus a pretty magazine to look through and dream about.
Good luck to you. If you do find a cure, let us know.
Sharon I don’t think I am going to find a cure! and it seems I am not alone! x
Hi, I am freezing in the South of France as I look at your beautiful images. Crush some of the Lavender or sprinkle on the floor to really get the aroma. Have a wonderful sleepy time
cheers Celiea and hello France, I will try that! x
gorgeous pictures as usual you have a real eye for making a beautiful setting, good luck with resolving the sleep issues – there is nothing worse than lack of sleep. x
thanks Mandy x
Your beach cottage is lovely and I envy you the sitting by the ocean in the warm and picking lavender. It’s freezing in Blighty!
Sarah
haha Sarah, it’s never really too cold here for us now we live over this side! x
i think when your hit 40 sleeping goes out the door, i am now 70 and havn’t sleep good for 30 years i feel for you . and love your beach photos keep them coming
oh no! 30 years!!!!!!!!! I would be permanently irritable! x
Hi Sarah,
At 53, it seems I’ve been going thru menopause about a hundred years, but the sleep problems were the worst. One thing that helped besides melatonin (which may only work in the short-term) is the herb valerian. Valerian puts me right out if I take it an hour before bed. Also read something light, and stay away from the electronics in the evening seem to help.
As for hubby’s snoring, we’ve got that issue here too. Could your hubby be allergic to anything? The only time there’s snoring here is if the allergies are acting up. Hate to tell you but some folks (like me!) are allergic to lavender, even in small quantities. Chamomile seems to work better then. I bought my hubs a box of those no-snore strips across the nose and they work really well! You might look for those at the pharmacy.
Hope you get some relief soon!
Cyndia
thanks so much Cyndia, I did buy some Valerian yesterday on the advice of the pharmacist, so I am trying that too…hoping something works!
cheers sarahx