I’m Rosa and am from Missouri. I used to live out East, a couple hours from the coast, and miss it terribly. We plan to move back next year – yay! I’m a SAHM with two little boys and read your blog while sitting on my couch. Love your coastal style and blog – so pretty & such an inspiration!
I am a nurse from the sweet Carolinas in the USA. I love reading your blog and daydream of someday living on the water in Historical Beaufort NC, home of the pirate lore. I am so impressed with you and your “stones” to move so far from home and make it A HAPPY ONE. I take care of our Veterans in our Veterans hospital and feel so blessed so be a part of their lives.
I’m from Queensland, I don’t live on the beach (but wish I did). I have two children aged 22 and 19, I am married, I work full time at QLD Health. I love renovating and looking at photos of houses and house magazines and pottering around my house. I love your blog because of your tips, the makeovers and your style. I always read your blog at home, not enough time at work and I drive to work. How funny it must have been for your family to hear “strangers” talking about your blog. xx
I am a wife and mom of 1 (plus another on the way) who works parttime and lives in a small beautiful city on the Colorado River in the very hot desert of Arizona. I follow a wide variety of blogs and enjoy pics of your tattered cottage as it is such a contrast to the homes where I live.
I have lived at Frenchs Forest in the same little 3 bedroom cottage for for the past 10 years and am married to a lovely guy – my sweetheart for the past 21 years. I have 3 little girls aged 3,7 and 9. I work as a nurse 3 days a week – have been nursing for 17 years and still love it!. I am also a part time cake decorator – something I adore (I just made a Manly Football Jersey yesterday:). I love thrifting and renovating and adore the thrill of finding a ‘treasure’ on the side of the road or at the op shops and taking it home for some TLC (usually much to my husband’s dismay ). I am obsessed with ruffles, bunting, white things and flaky paint. I read your blog at home and find it so inspiring with your amazing sense of style both within your home and in the fashion you wear. You seem to have a fantastic, fresh and down to earth attitude to life and you crack me up with some of the things you say.
I am a stay-at-home mother of 4 boys (18months to 16yrs. old) in Orlando Florida….dreaming of blogging but haven’t mustered the courage to do so. I am so inspired by your carefree beachy blogging style. I also am a fan of white and weathered, Ikea and all things DIY. I am obsessed with creating a beautiful place to raise my family, create memories and enjoy all life has to offer…with a cup’o joe in hand! LOL!
Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
I am a SAHM living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and I read your blog about 3 times a week, it’s the only time I have carved out for myself. I am obsesses with decorating our house cheaply, but doesn’t look cheaply and my husband is not liking all the furniture I am painting white lately (I have requested a paint gun for my birthday). I thank you for that, he has started work at a company that has a office in Sydney and has requested a transfer, I think we have a long wait for that. Maybe we might live by the beach as well, can only dream. Love your blog.
I live in Collaroy and a mother of two young men 21 & 19.
I will admit that when I’m at Coles MV looking at the clothing I always have my eyes peeled for a possible Mrs BC sighting
I am a stay at home mom of two young teenage girls. I too live near the beach but the beaches in Edmonds, Washington, USA are NOT like the beaches in Australia. That is why I read your blog. To get my warm beach fix. I love that you are not a native to Australia and I feel like you are still discovering where you live. And I love your videos set to music!
Love the idea of this post! I am a lurker old and new. I followed for a while when a friend sent me over, then I went blogging MIA while I worked on my business, now I stop in because I love reading what you have to say and I love the things you share, many recipies have been a big hit over here and I love the stripey skirt!
I am a stay at home Mum of two, who has her own handmade kids clothing label. I leave on the Central Coast of NSW and we adore the beach too, just wish it was in walking distance, we have a 10 min drive (but that is to about 6 different beaches and they are all amazing!
It is lovely to read the simple things of life that I can relate to and I love getting different dinner ideas! I also have a friend whom I mentioned your blog too and she said she used to chat to you(via her blog) when she was blogging about building her house too, and she was glad to be reminded and revisit your blog, funny how things go around! Enjoy your day xx
I’m from Florida, but not the beaches. I live “way down upon the Suwannee River”, if anyone knows that old folk song. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years. We have three kids and 2 dogs. I’m a stay at home mom and love it!
Your blog is one of my favorites. I love the beaches, your home, and you. It so much fun to follow someone with similar interests on the other side of the world. Sometimes it makes me feel like a world class traveler.
I’m Jennifer from Victoria Point, a 40 is the new 30 something happily married, work at home Mum of 1 teenage daughter. Born and bred in Qld , my family are all from Western Queensland so I spent a lot of time there growing up and love going back and I am kinda torn between whether I am a country girl who loves the beach or a beachy girl who loves the country, having lived here for over 20 years now.
I found your blog, gees it would have to be well over a year ago now, when I typed in “white, coastal, country inspiration” in Google looking for some ideas for our old place and somehow ended up at your place and have been a regular visitor ever since because I just love your work. I too don’t have a blog, life gets in the way at the moment with a full time job and stuff and doing up an old Queenslander, but I would love to start one soon maybe. Love your’s though!! xx
You’re right, we all now who you ‘are’, but you don’t know a thing about us… So, I’ve been a follower for a while now, and this is who I am: Chantal, Dutch, returned to the Netherlands last August after having lived abroad for 8 years (expat-wife) of which 6 in beautiful Brazil and 2 years in fabulous France I’m 40+, married, 1 son (almost 13 yrs old), a Golden Retriever and so far, SAHM, although on the look-out for a part-time job. Or I hope that I will have the guts to start my own business…
Love your blog, the viseos, the pictures you make & especially in winter time here, it gives me back the feeling I had when living in Brazil!!
Take care!
xo Chantal
My name is Lauren. I live in Philadelphia, PA for 6 months of the year and Quogue, NY for the other 6 months. Quogue is a beach town and I started following you when I was looking for inspiration on how to decorate our beach house. I’m 42 y/o, married, and have a rescued greyhound named Fred. No children. I’m a professional photographer working in the music industry. My husband’s a tennis pro. I’m obsessed with blogs and love yours! Thank you for it!!
I am Lori from NE Ohio. I’m an interior designer working for a construction company. My children are mid to late 20′s. Two are special ed teachers and one is an accountant with a well known international firm. We live one mile from Lake Erie. I grew up with boats and beaches. I will retire with my hubby in two years (he also teaches) and begin my own blogging adventure at that time. I love gardening, reading and all the birds that visit my yard besides my home remakes. Today I turned 55. I love this bloggy world and you are one of my favorites Sarah!
I am Daniela, executive assistant at a financial services firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am 45 years old and I LOVE your blog! Actually is my break whenever I just need to breathe and keep on going….! Anxioulsy awaiting your bathroom reveal!
hi sarah. i stopped replying a while ago but i read your blog regularly and love the photos! i live inland in southern california, usa. i have beach touches, but not a beach look because i’m not really close to the water. i love your stories of easy access to coffee, walks on the beach, dips in the ocean. it seems an ideal life made more precious with the odd broomstick event. without it where would we be? jane
I am retired and live in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. We have about another month of freezing weather and snow to look forward to, then another month of rain and mud before we finally get to see some tiny buds of green appear on the trees and baby blades of grass push out of the ground. Your lovely blog reminds me that somewhere there is warmth and the beauty of nature, and I hope to get to see it all again in real life someday. Meanwhile, I’ve painted the inside of my apartment in beach colours and am slowly decorating it with seashells and thrift-store finds, trying to create a sanctuary from the concrete jungle outside. Your blog is such an inspiration.
I’m Kerry and I’m from Illinois. My dream is to move to Florida and am working on that. I love life, my job, my family and friends, and most of all, God. I am new to the blogging world and am in awe of people like you. Thanks for sharing your corner of the world with your followers!
Hi Sarah. I’m Roz and I live right across the street from the beach in Mudjimba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. I’m an ex-chef and I now make jewellery for a living. I am a grandmother of three who lives and breathes anything about the beach. I don’t spend as much time blogging as I should. I seem to be always creating! I love reading your blog and seeing what you are doing. I am determined to be more dedicated to blogging but I am about to move house to a smaller townhouse which is only 10 metres from the beach in Marcoola. I will be even more in heaven. I love collecting shells and driftwood and have made some pretty decent indoor decorations lately! It’s very addictive. Thanks for providing this reader with an entertaining blog! xxx
I agree, this blogging thing is so weird and wonderful sometimes…I’ve met two bloggers in person and they are both lovely ladies…it’s great to meet like-minded new friends…you’re never too old (I spout)…to make a friend!! Those two ladies on the bus are going to have a laugh when they read your post!! Robx
Hey Sarah,
I’m Marnie …I live in Melbourne, but I’ll always be a Queenslander at heart.
I’m a Mum to 3 little boys, a wife, a make-up artist, and a blogger too.
I am Tabby from Arkansas. I work at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. But I live in Siloam Springs. I drive about 45 minutes each way for work/home. My husband and I have been staying with his mother who was raising her youngest granddaughter. The granddaughter turned 18 this month and is out on her own. My husband has a daughter from a previous relationship, she is 29 and has two sons. I have a son from a previous marriage he is 25. He spent two years in Iraq and is back home safe and sound.
We just found out we will be moving soon, a lovely home in the country with of all things, a huge jacuzzi soaking tub. Can’t wait for that!
I love reading your blog. I’ve always wanted to live on the ocean. We spent six months a few years ago caring for a sailboat a friend owns, it had damage from a hurricane. It was the most magical six months of my life. I could totally see myself living that way the rest of my life.
I love the photos of the beautiful beaches in Australia. The flowers, the lovely sunny days. I guess I just envy the walks on the beaches and the days of nothing but beautiful beaches.
I guess I’ve rambled enough.
I’m a stay at home mom who loves to teach,all things white and blue,hiking,finding treasures at flea markets and thrift stores and the like,crafting,sewing,knitting,writing,and spending as much time with my family as possible. My son is so awesome as a person that even if he weren’t my son I’d want to hang out with him and my husband is my best friend. I love serving my Lord through ministry work and love baking a little too much. Live in WI.
Hi Sarah, I live in land-locked Mexico, Missouri, but I spend time each year on my two favorite beaches – Sanibel, Florida and Zihuatanejo, Mexico. (Or some other beach in Mexico, the country, not Mexico, Missouri!) I am possibly your oldest reader. I will be seventy next Feb. I have an antiques business. Not a pretty little shop, but a big old warehouse type place. You would have lots of fun shopping here. What drew me to your blog was our mutual love of all things white. I wish I had the energy and talent to blog. I really enjoy reading blogs, but I’m too lazy to write one. . . Thank you for sharing your life with us. Sue Austin, Mexico MO
p.s. A few years ago I mailed you a stack of magazines. Remember? I don’t remember what they were. . . . lol
I have only recently discovered your blog – and love it. I am keen to renovate and sell my house (haven’t informed my husband yet) to buy my dream house. In order to do that I need to actually take action and throw out a good deal of the detritus of 12 years of co-habitation, do some repairs and a great deal of cleaning; apparently buying home improvement magazines and sighing doesn’t do all of that for you.
I am a SAHM of 4 kids aged between 4-11, and we live in beautiful Brisbane, Queensland. We love it here but I have a soft spot for Sydney, and the Northern Beaches, as I used to visit regularly with an ex boyfriend in my carefree childless days…..
I am Colleen, i am a mother of three sons, grandmother of twelve and great grandmother of four. I live in the Brisbane Vally near Fernvale Queensland. Live and love my life in the Great Australian Bush with dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, cows, chickens and the wild life. Yearn to smell the beach once more but never live back there.
I’m Stephanie, I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, just across the harbour from the better-known city of Halifax. My husband and I along with our 2.75 year old son, live in a 90-year old semi-detached Arts and Crafts style house. If you stand on your tippy toes in our bedroom, you can see the harbour. Dartmouth/Halifax is a wonderful place for toddlers as we can wander down to the passenger ferry terminal, which is just past the train track, hop on a ferry, marvel at the military and other helicopters flying by as we make our way across the “Big Harbour” to see “Theodore Tugboat” on the Halifax side. And while we enjoy our city life, we love spending time at our family’s “beach cottage” on Grand Lake in New Brunswick, where we swim, read, relax and eat lovely things and whenever the family can’t find me, they know to check the blueberry field.
I very much enjoy your blog. We’re in the midst of some upgrades and will be painting our house over the course of the next few months.
My name is Jasmine and I live in Brisbane. I follow you on Instagram (lavendersgreen) and I love the daily dose of Beach Cottage and beach beauty you give us I live very close to the city, so the beach is a ‘sometimes’ thing for me. I’m newly married and am in the beginning steps of doing up our 90+ year-old Queenslander workers cottage.
I’m currently sitting at our dining room table, listening to my newly created gym playlist (trying to iron out any dodgy songs). I work in IT, which is a frightfully boring job at times, so I love reading inspirational blogs like yours to get my creative mojo back
Hi Sarah
I started following a few months ago and love your posts. I’m on maternity leave until June so in between nappy changes, feeding, & sleeps I check a few blogs & twitter for doses ofsanity time. I live in Melbourne and dream of one day owning a homewares shop and living in a house like the pages of my coffee table books.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers
I’m Jacqui, I live in Melbourne and am also one of the lucky ones to now be an Australian! I moved from South Africa with my family in 1999. I follow a lot of different blogs through Google Reader, and A Beach Cottage is one of the few in my favourites folder! I usually check during my mid-morning coffee break at work, or in the evenings after work. I don’t get to the beach too aftern but whenever I do I always wish I brought my camera so I can get photots like yours!
I’m Kristen and I’m in Maine. I work just outside of Boston. I read at home on the couch while watching tv after putting the LOs to bed. I NEVER read at work Oh, work – I work in IT in healthcare. I set up interfaces for EMRs. We live in a 1850s cape-style house. I just wish I spent more time in it instead of in the office – so I could put in place some of your inspiration!
I’m Christine, 38 year old wife of a gorgeous man and mum of two gorgeous kids aged 11 and 8. We live in Perth, Western Australia mid-way between the beach and the city
I have only recently found your blog so I’m working my way through your archives, rushing to get my jobs done in the morning so I can sit at the laptop with my coffee and indulge myself! Absolutely love your fashion posts, we have a very similar style and my “uniform” is a lot like yours. We have just sold our house and are building a new one, in the same suburb, though a bit closer to the beach! Getting lots of inspiration from you. I love your photography and you’ve made me realise I need to get a decent camera!
I’m off to KMart today to get me some of those gorgeous blue glasses – what a bargain at $10 hey??!!
I’m a 54 yr-old Brit living abroad near the beach. I live in France near a small village on the Mediterranean. I’m married and we have two daughters in their 20′s and 2 dogs. We moved to France 20 years ago and moved to this house by the sea just 2 years ago which is when I found your blog. I love your style, especially the doors and the table settings.
Just discovered your site today. Love the beachy cottage look. Have lived near the ocean for many years in lovely old houses. Currently, am landlocked in New Hampshire USA but with aspirations to return to the East Coast in the near future, where all of my beachy things can once again be home! Am the mother of two wonderful blK & white English Springer Spaniels who look wonderful on white linen and down pillows! Enjoy your site and will check back often.
Hi Sarah,
Sunny greetings from Hamburg in Northern Germany. I am Sabine, running my own business as a consultant and live together with my husband and two charming cats in a “Strandhaus” (the German beach cottage). I discovered your blog a few weeks ago and love the inspiration not only for the house but also for reminding me of the best beach in town nearby. I love your Saturday Club (yes: life looks better in wellies!!) and looking at your fabulous beach photos dreaming of the upcoming summer at the North Sea beaches. 1 love the idea that there is someone in Down Under and woman all around the world following your blog loving the same things than I do. When we moved to our house a few years ago everyone around asked me how my house could be a beach cottage if the beach is not directly in front of it but 10 minutes away But with “white, vintage and nautical” I can hear the breaking waves of the North Sea even if it takes a two hour journey to get there. And so in the last weeks your blog turns out to be one of my daily goodies with photos and stories from the other side of the world about beaches, puppies, white, nautical and vintage. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas about the things you love.
Sabine
Hi Sarah I love your blog and read it regularly.I dont live near the beach but love to visit them.I live in a little town called Nundle it is a very pretty place to see.it is on the part of the great dividing range and occassionally we get snow in the winter.thanks for sharing your life, you keep me sane at times! I am a mum to 2 great boys 15 and 20.i love to ride my horse,garden and sew.Of course I have many WIP things on the go! Im slowly painting the inside of the farmhouse we live in (it comes with my husbands job) but its very slow progress! I work casually in the library in tamworth which i love>wow there is so many books out there to read.need to make more time in my life.
thanks for your fashion tips I eally enjoy them. What sort of camera do you use? thanks again for sharing your life Judy
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
I’m Rosa and am from Missouri. I used to live out East, a couple hours from the coast, and miss it terribly. We plan to move back next year – yay!
I’m a SAHM with two little boys and read your blog while sitting on my couch. Love your coastal style and blog – so pretty & such an inspiration! 
I am a nurse from the sweet Carolinas in the USA. I love reading your blog and daydream of someday living on the water in Historical Beaufort NC, home of the pirate lore. I am so impressed with you and your “stones” to move so far from home and make it A HAPPY ONE. I take care of our Veterans in our Veterans hospital and feel so blessed so be a part of their lives.
I’m from Queensland, I don’t live on the beach (but wish I did). I have two children aged 22 and 19, I am married, I work full time at QLD Health. I love renovating and looking at photos of houses and house magazines and pottering around my house. I love your blog because of your tips, the makeovers and your style. I always read your blog at home, not enough time at work and I drive to work. How funny it must have been for your family to hear “strangers” talking about your blog. xx
I am a wife and mom of 1 (plus another on the way) who works parttime and lives in a small beautiful city on the Colorado River in the very hot desert of Arizona. I follow a wide variety of blogs and enjoy pics of your tattered cottage as it is such a contrast to the homes where I live.
Hi Sarah,
I have lived at Frenchs Forest in the same little 3 bedroom cottage for for the past 10 years and am married to a lovely guy – my sweetheart for the past 21 years. I have 3 little girls aged 3,7 and 9. I work as a nurse 3 days a week – have been nursing for 17 years and still love it!. I am also a part time cake decorator – something I adore (I just made a Manly Football Jersey yesterday:). I love thrifting and renovating and adore the thrill of finding a ‘treasure’ on the side of the road or at the op shops and taking it home for some TLC (usually much to my husband’s dismay
). I am obsessed with ruffles, bunting, white things and flaky paint. I read your blog at home and find it so inspiring with your amazing sense of style both within your home and in the fashion you wear. You seem to have a fantastic, fresh and down to earth attitude to life and you crack me up with some of the things you say.
thanks and hello the Forest xoxo
keep up the nursing, you girls need a medal xo
I am a stay-at-home mother of 4 boys (18months to 16yrs. old) in Orlando Florida….dreaming of blogging but haven’t mustered the courage to do so. I am so inspired by your carefree beachy blogging style. I also am a fan of white and weathered, Ikea and all things DIY. I am obsessed with creating a beautiful place to raise my family, create memories and enjoy all life has to offer…with a cup’o joe in hand! LOL!
Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
I am a SAHM living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and I read your blog about 3 times a week, it’s the only time I have carved out for myself. I am obsesses with decorating our house cheaply, but doesn’t look cheaply and my husband is not liking all the furniture I am painting white lately (I have requested a paint gun for my birthday). I thank you for that, he has started work at a company that has a office in Sydney and has requested a transfer, I think we have a long wait for that. Maybe we might live by the beach as well, can only dream. Love your blog.
I live in Collaroy and a mother of two young men 21 & 19.
I will admit that when I’m at Coles MV looking at the clothing I always have my eyes peeled for a possible Mrs BC sighting
I am a stay at home mom of two young teenage girls. I too live near the beach but the beaches in Edmonds, Washington, USA are NOT like the beaches in Australia. That is why I read your blog. To get my warm beach fix. I love that you are not a native to Australia and I feel like you are still discovering where you live. And I love your videos set to music!
Love the idea of this post! I am a lurker old and new. I followed for a while when a friend sent me over, then I went blogging MIA while I worked on my business, now I stop in because I love reading what you have to say and I love the things you share, many recipies have been a big hit over here and I love the stripey skirt!
I am a stay at home Mum of two, who has her own handmade kids clothing label. I leave on the Central Coast of NSW and we adore the beach too, just wish it was in walking distance, we have a 10 min drive (but that is to about 6 different beaches and they are all amazing!
It is lovely to read the simple things of life that I can relate to and I love getting different dinner ideas! I also have a friend whom I mentioned your blog too and she said she used to chat to you(via her blog) when she was blogging about building her house too, and she was glad to be reminded and revisit your blog, funny how things go around! Enjoy your day xx
I am waiting for the 2 ladies on the bus to comment. LOL that is very cool Mrs BC
OMG! I didn’t even think of that!!!!
they haven’t come out of the woodwork have they?? funny
x
x
I’m from Florida, but not the beaches. I live “way down upon the Suwannee River”, if anyone knows that old folk song. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years. We have three kids and 2 dogs. I’m a stay at home mom and love it!
Your blog is one of my favorites. I love the beaches, your home, and you. It so much fun to follow someone with similar interests on the other side of the world. Sometimes it makes me feel like a world class traveler.
Hey Sarah,
I’m Jennifer from Victoria Point, a 40 is the new 30 something happily married, work at home Mum of 1 teenage daughter. Born and bred in Qld , my family are all from Western Queensland so I spent a lot of time there growing up and love going back and I am kinda torn between whether I am a country girl who loves the beach or a beachy girl who loves the country, having lived here for over 20 years now.
I found your blog, gees it would have to be well over a year ago now, when I typed in “white, coastal, country inspiration” in Google looking for some ideas for our old place and somehow ended up at your place and have been a regular visitor ever since because I just love your work. I too don’t have a blog, life gets in the way at the moment with a full time job and stuff and doing up an old Queenslander, but I would love to start one soon maybe. Love your’s though!! xx
Hi Sarah,
You’re right, we all now who you ‘are’, but you don’t know a thing about us… So, I’ve been a follower for a while now, and this is who I am: Chantal, Dutch, returned to the Netherlands last August after having lived abroad for 8 years (expat-wife) of which 6 in beautiful Brazil and 2 years in fabulous France
I’m 40+, married, 1 son (almost 13 yrs old), a Golden Retriever and so far, SAHM, although on the look-out for a part-time job. Or I hope that I will have the guts to start my own business…
Love your blog, the viseos, the pictures you make & especially in winter time here, it gives me back the feeling I had when living in Brazil!!
Take care!
xo Chantal
Hi Sarah,
My name is Lauren. I live in Philadelphia, PA for 6 months of the year and Quogue, NY for the other 6 months. Quogue is a beach town and I started following you when I was looking for inspiration on how to decorate our beach house. I’m 42 y/o, married, and have a rescued greyhound named Fred. No children. I’m a professional photographer working in the music industry. My husband’s a tennis pro. I’m obsessed with blogs and love yours! Thank you for it!!
Hi Sarah:
I am Lori from NE Ohio. I’m an interior designer working for a construction company. My children are mid to late 20′s. Two are special ed teachers and one is an accountant with a well known international firm. We live one mile from Lake Erie. I grew up with boats and beaches. I will retire with my hubby in two years (he also teaches) and begin my own blogging adventure at that time. I love gardening, reading and all the birds that visit my yard besides my home remakes. Today I turned 55. I love this bloggy world and you are one of my favorites Sarah!
Keep on bloggin’ and using your great photos.
XOXO Lori
I am Daniela, executive assistant at a financial services firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am 45 years old and I LOVE your blog! Actually is my break whenever I just need to breathe and keep on going….! Anxioulsy awaiting your bathroom reveal!
XOXOX
Dani
hi sarah. i stopped replying a while ago but i read your blog regularly and love the photos! i live inland in southern california, usa. i have beach touches, but not a beach look because i’m not really close to the water. i love your stories of easy access to coffee, walks on the beach, dips in the ocean. it seems an ideal life made more precious with the odd broomstick event. without it where would we be? jane
I am retired and live in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. We have about another month of freezing weather and snow to look forward to, then another month of rain and mud before we finally get to see some tiny buds of green appear on the trees and baby blades of grass push out of the ground. Your lovely blog reminds me that somewhere there is warmth and the beauty of nature, and I hope to get to see it all again in real life someday. Meanwhile, I’ve painted the inside of my apartment in beach colours and am slowly decorating it with seashells and thrift-store finds, trying to create a sanctuary from the concrete jungle outside. Your blog is such an inspiration.
I’m Kerry and I’m from Illinois. My dream is to move to Florida and am working on that. I love life, my job, my family and friends, and most of all, God. I am new to the blogging world and am in awe of people like you. Thanks for sharing your corner of the world with your followers!
Hi Sarah. I’m Roz and I live right across the street from the beach in Mudjimba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. I’m an ex-chef and I now make jewellery for a living. I am a grandmother of three who lives and breathes anything about the beach. I don’t spend as much time blogging as I should. I seem to be always creating! I love reading your blog and seeing what you are doing. I am determined to be more dedicated to blogging but I am about to move house to a smaller townhouse which is only 10 metres from the beach in Marcoola. I will be even more in heaven. I love collecting shells and driftwood and have made some pretty decent indoor decorations lately! It’s very addictive. Thanks for providing this reader with an entertaining blog! xxx
I agree, this blogging thing is so weird and wonderful sometimes…I’ve met two bloggers in person and they are both lovely ladies…it’s great to meet like-minded new friends…you’re never too old (I spout)…to make a friend!! Those two ladies on the bus are going to have a laugh when they read your post!! Robx
Hey Sarah,
I’m Marnie …I live in Melbourne, but I’ll always be a Queenslander at heart.
I’m a Mum to 3 little boys, a wife, a make-up artist, and a blogger too.
Woops, I missed this request…
I am Tabby from Arkansas. I work at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. But I live in Siloam Springs. I drive about 45 minutes each way for work/home. My husband and I have been staying with his mother who was raising her youngest granddaughter. The granddaughter turned 18 this month and is out on her own. My husband has a daughter from a previous relationship, she is 29 and has two sons. I have a son from a previous marriage he is 25. He spent two years in Iraq and is back home safe and sound.
We just found out we will be moving soon, a lovely home in the country with of all things, a huge jacuzzi soaking tub. Can’t wait for that!
I love reading your blog. I’ve always wanted to live on the ocean. We spent six months a few years ago caring for a sailboat a friend owns, it had damage from a hurricane. It was the most magical six months of my life. I could totally see myself living that way the rest of my life.
I love the photos of the beautiful beaches in Australia. The flowers, the lovely sunny days. I guess I just envy the walks on the beaches and the days of nothing but beautiful beaches.
I guess I’ve rambled enough.
I’m a stay at home mom who loves to teach,all things white and blue,hiking,finding treasures at flea markets and thrift stores and the like,crafting,sewing,knitting,writing,and spending as much time with my family as possible. My son is so awesome as a person that even if he weren’t my son I’d want to hang out with him and my husband is my best friend. I love serving my Lord through ministry work and love baking a little too much. Live in WI.
Hi Sarah, I live in land-locked Mexico, Missouri, but I spend time each year on my two favorite beaches – Sanibel, Florida and Zihuatanejo, Mexico. (Or some other beach in Mexico, the country, not Mexico, Missouri!) I am possibly your oldest reader. I will be seventy next Feb. I have an antiques business. Not a pretty little shop, but a big old warehouse type place. You would have lots of fun shopping here. What drew me to your blog was our mutual love of all things white. I wish I had the energy and talent to blog. I really enjoy reading blogs, but I’m too lazy to write one. . . Thank you for sharing your life with us. Sue Austin, Mexico MO
p.s. A few years ago I mailed you a stack of magazines. Remember? I don’t remember what they were. . . . lol
of course I remember you Sue!
I think I need to come and poke around in your shop! xoxoxo
Hi Sarah,
I have only recently discovered your blog – and love it. I am keen to renovate and sell my house (haven’t informed my husband yet) to buy my dream house. In order to do that I need to actually take action and throw out a good deal of the detritus of 12 years of co-habitation, do some repairs and a great deal of cleaning; apparently buying home improvement magazines and sighing doesn’t do all of that for you.
I am a SAHM of 4 kids aged between 4-11, and we live in beautiful Brisbane, Queensland. We love it here but I have a soft spot for Sydney, and the Northern Beaches, as I used to visit regularly with an ex boyfriend in my carefree childless days…..
I am Colleen, i am a mother of three sons, grandmother of twelve and great grandmother of four. I live in the Brisbane Vally near Fernvale Queensland. Live and love my life in the Great Australian Bush with dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, cows, chickens and the wild life. Yearn to smell the beach once more but never live back there.
I’m Stephanie, I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, just across the harbour from the better-known city of Halifax. My husband and I along with our 2.75 year old son, live in a 90-year old semi-detached Arts and Crafts style house. If you stand on your tippy toes in our bedroom, you can see the harbour. Dartmouth/Halifax is a wonderful place for toddlers as we can wander down to the passenger ferry terminal, which is just past the train track, hop on a ferry, marvel at the military and other helicopters flying by as we make our way across the “Big Harbour” to see “Theodore Tugboat” on the Halifax side. And while we enjoy our city life, we love spending time at our family’s “beach cottage” on Grand Lake in New Brunswick, where we swim, read, relax and eat lovely things and whenever the family can’t find me, they know to check the blueberry field.
I very much enjoy your blog. We’re in the midst of some upgrades and will be painting our house over the course of the next few months.
hey Steph and hello Dartmouth! x
Hello, hello!
My name is Jasmine and I live in Brisbane. I follow you on Instagram (lavendersgreen) and I love the daily dose of Beach Cottage and beach beauty you give us
I live very close to the city, so the beach is a ‘sometimes’ thing for me. I’m newly married and am in the beginning steps of doing up our 90+ year-old Queenslander workers cottage.
I’m currently sitting at our dining room table, listening to my newly created gym playlist (trying to iron out any dodgy songs). I work in IT, which is a frightfully boring job at times, so I love reading inspirational blogs like yours to get my creative mojo back
x Jasmine
PS. Have the bus ladies said hello yet?
Hi Sarah
I started following a few months ago and love your posts. I’m on maternity leave until June so in between nappy changes, feeding, & sleeps I check a few blogs & twitter for doses ofsanity time. I live in Melbourne and dream of one day owning a homewares shop and living in a house like the pages of my coffee table books.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers
Hi Sally
thanks for de-lurking, nice to ‘meet’ you! x
I’m Jacqui, I live in Melbourne and am also one of the lucky ones to now be an Australian! I moved from South Africa with my family in 1999. I follow a lot of different blogs through Google Reader, and A Beach Cottage is one of the few in my favourites folder! I usually check during my mid-morning coffee break at work, or in the evenings after work. I don’t get to the beach too aftern but whenever I do I always wish I brought my camera so I can get photots like yours!
hi Jacqui, isn’t this a fantastic place to end up in? xoxo
p.s thanks for the blog love
I’m Kristen and I’m in Maine. I work just outside of Boston. I read at home on the couch while watching tv after putting the LOs to bed. I NEVER read at work
Oh, work – I work in IT in healthcare. I set up interfaces for EMRs. We live in a 1850s cape-style house. I just wish I spent more time in it instead of in the office – so I could put in place some of your inspiration!
waving to Kristen in an 1850′s cape house, the house of my dreams xo
Hi Sarah!
I’m Christine, 38 year old wife of a gorgeous man and mum of two gorgeous kids aged 11 and 8. We live in Perth, Western Australia mid-way between the beach and the city
I have only recently found your blog so I’m working my way through your archives, rushing to get my jobs done in the morning so I can sit at the laptop with my coffee and indulge myself! Absolutely love your fashion posts, we have a very similar style and my “uniform” is a lot like yours. We have just sold our house and are building a new one, in the same suburb, though a bit closer to the beach! Getting lots of inspiration from you. I love your photography and you’ve made me realise I need to get a decent camera!
I’m off to KMart today to get me some of those gorgeous blue glasses – what a bargain at $10 hey??!!
Lovely to meet you and keep up the great work!
Cheers,
Christine x
hey Christine, nice to meet you, I hope you enjoy reading here xo
Hi Sarah
I’m a 54 yr-old Brit living abroad near the beach. I live in France near a small village on the Mediterranean. I’m married and we have two daughters in their 20′s and 2 dogs. We moved to France 20 years ago and moved to this house by the sea just 2 years ago which is when I found your blog. I love your style, especially the doors and the table settings.
Thanks for sharing.
Just discovered your site today. Love the beachy cottage look. Have lived near the ocean for many years in lovely old houses. Currently, am landlocked in New Hampshire USA but with aspirations to return to the East Coast in the near future, where all of my beachy things can once again be home! Am the mother of two wonderful blK & white English Springer Spaniels who look wonderful on white linen and down pillows! Enjoy your site and will check back often.
Hi Sarah,
But with “white, vintage and nautical” I can hear the breaking waves of the North Sea even if it takes a two hour journey to get there. And so in the last weeks your blog turns out to be one of my daily goodies with photos and stories from the other side of the world about beaches, puppies, white, nautical and vintage. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas about the things you love.
Sunny greetings from Hamburg in Northern Germany. I am Sabine, running my own business as a consultant and live together with my husband and two charming cats in a “Strandhaus” (the German beach cottage). I discovered your blog a few weeks ago and love the inspiration not only for the house but also for reminding me of the best beach in town nearby. I love your Saturday Club (yes: life looks better in wellies!!) and looking at your fabulous beach photos dreaming of the upcoming summer at the North Sea beaches. 1 love the idea that there is someone in Down Under and woman all around the world following your blog loving the same things than I do. When we moved to our house a few years ago everyone around asked me how my house could be a beach cottage if the beach is not directly in front of it but 10 minutes away
Sabine
hello Sabine!
nice to meet you x
Hi Sarah I love your blog and read it regularly.I dont live near the beach but love to visit them.I live in a little town called Nundle it is a very pretty place to see.it is on the part of the great dividing range and occassionally we get snow in the winter.thanks for sharing your life, you keep me sane at times! I am a mum to 2 great boys 15 and 20.i love to ride my horse,garden and sew.Of course I have many WIP things on the go! Im slowly painting the inside of the farmhouse we live in (it comes with my husbands job) but its very slow progress! I work casually in the library in tamworth which i love>wow there is so many books out there to read.need to make more time in my life.
thanks for your fashion tips I eally enjoy them. What sort of camera do you use? thanks again for sharing your life Judy
thanks Judy I use a Canon with a 50mm lens mostly
I love the sound of your little town, Nundle, what a sweet name! x