A White Plate Stand & The Born Again Baker

Thanks for all the comments about karma yesterday, I found that really interesting, especially in light of the tough times that seem to be hitting so many people at the moment.  It's one thing you can control - what you do and how you treat people I guess.

Now after finding the chair the other day there was no way I thought I might find another Most Wanted item quite as quickly, but here it is, right before your very eyes...a plate stand, plain, simple and white.  I don't need to tell you I thrifted this bargain and in fact there were two of them, this is the smaller one.  So today I used it for a little tablescape vignette and soon will be, no doubt, not seeing much of it left as the Beach Cottage kiddos scoff it for their Afternoon Tea.

I'm always on the lookout for vintage plate stands, there aren't too many here it seems, the ones I passed up in England too sigh...but though I love the vintage ones, what I wanted was just white and clean lines to add vintage china to.  What I like about them is without any fuss and palaver, you can take what really is little more than a store-bought cake, shove it on a stand and hey presto you look like the domestic diva, or in this case Queen of beach cottages.  

And store-bought cake is often what we get round here, because really there is much room for improvement in this cottage for baking skills. A year ago these skills were non-existent but now I have an ever-expanding repetoire of four recipes that I can throw together in a wink of an eye (let me know any easy recipes you know of  and people I mean like chuck-it-all-in-and-stir-easy)

 I am a born-again-baker. 

 

blogged for Susans wonderful tablescape event at Between Naps on the Porch - head on over there to view lots of tables looking lovely and my first time participating in Leigh's thrifty Thursday, though it might be my first I am well qualified!

Comments

[Linda in AZ/ RMS "Mom of a German Shorthair"]

* What a FABUUUULOUS BLOG~~~ There's nothing like the streamlined, clean, unfussy look of "the whites"! There's so much elegance in it's simplicity! KUDOS, kiddo, and THANKS! You're on my favs! Best, Linda

[The White Bench]

This is terrific! I simply adore all your whites (and the cake!!).
Thanks for the lovely comment you left on my little pages, too...
Have a happy day,
Monica.

[The White Bench]

By the way, I have just added you to my sidebar, hope this is OK.
Cheers,
Monica.

[akfrost@hotmail.com]

OHH i actually just love to visit your blog for a bit of serentity..
It is quite a peacefull/relaxing blog..re your gorgeous photos..

Love the cake stand..and hey..I am no cook...BUT it is NOT TOO hard to find easy recipes in all the DELICIOUS/GOOD FOOD/DONNA HAY mags out there..
even ME as A basic cook..something is out there for us to cook/bake!!
well maybe I am getting a BIT too motivated/enthusiastic...

I love the simplicity of your photos...(unlike my blog...they are always out of sequence!! I blame menapause!!)..
have a lovely easter by the beach..

xx andrea

[Lazy Mom Leslie]

I love it! I love the white, I love that it's square and I love that it's thrifty!

[leanne]

I really enjoy coming to see what you've done with white. I have always loved the simplicity of a pale decor...but I am quickly becoming obsessed! A very interesting problem for a girl like me...torn between the two worlds...earthy warmth vs serene white. I'm thinking maybe I'll satisfy my needs by changing with the seasons. Good plan?

[Carrie]

Love the cake stand. The bottle and the white carnation caught my eye.... so very beautiful.

[beth]

Oh, I have a really good recipe for a chocolate cake that is easy to make and tastes like Heaven. The recipe is on www.allrecipes.com and it is called Too Much Chocolate Cake. Be careful not to overbake it. It will come out looking sort of gooey, but it sets up. We usually bake for 1 hour, and it turns out perfect. All recipes is great for easy to throw together recipes.

[Kristin]

Gorgeous photography, pieces and thrifting! I owned a coffeehouse for a few years and we used vintage cake stands for all of our pastries because it literally elevates the store bought into something a little more special.

Nice to meet you, I can over here via Leigh's Thrifty Thursday

Kristin (The Goat)

[leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville]

Well qualitfied, indeed. I love to stop in at your place, Sarah! The beach...and the bargains. We are 'old friends" by now, huh? I just droll over the steals you get, the places you find them, the stories that they have. And once again, the photography is amazing. It is all eye candy!
That little cake plate, to sleek and classy in it's shape. It's perfect!
Thanks for playing along in Thrifty Thursday, Sarah!

"Good day, mate!"

[Jessica Vaughan]

You've got the goods today Ms Beach Cottage! The cake stand is a one of a kind. And in my fav creamy white. Beautiful photography...I'm jealous...I'm a really bad photographer.

[ann]

i lovew your blog.your pics are so well done.well done...ann

[Roberta Anne]

What a really lovely table and I love the Shabby Chic.

Have A Great Table Scape Thursday
from Roberta Anne

[Maya]

The cake stand is fabulous..., and can be used to display so many other things too.

[Sarah]

Oh, I love the shape of the cake stand. I collect them and haven't yet found a rectangle/square one ~ at least not in the thrift stores. I bet I haven't paid more than $5 for any of mine. I use them for everything! Good find! Better yet though - what is that door/window behind the table?
I just love checking your site every morning - I get a new inspiration everyday. :) My husband is getting a little worried about all the white and cream that is now coming into our house but I feel so calm and relaxed now that all the heavy furniture, collectible junk and dark paint is now gone. Can't wait to see your next find ~
Sarah

[Christi at A Southern Life]

Lovely, clean and simple. Love it.

[Brenda]

I have never seen a square cake stand before! That is so much more practical for me since I usually bake square or rectangle cakes, not round. Good on ya mate!

Happy Easter from Brenda in San Diego :)

[LuLu]

you are more than qualified! You find the best thrify finds!!! and this plate stand is perfect, It's on my most wanted list as well. And I just have to make a pot of tea your cake looks so good.
LuLu

[Mary-Boogieboard Cottage]

I love the vintage door frame you used behind your table setting, and the clean, crisp white linens, which showcase your adorable cake stand. Happy Easter! :O)

[Janie G]

I love what you do with white! Everything looks wonderful!

[Chandy]

Lovely white background and pieces! Keep joining in on Thrifty Thursdays, it's fun finding great deals!

[Brenda Kula]

I've never seen a cake plate that particular shape before. Quite becoming. I can just imagine all the little beach cottage vignettes you will create atop it! I always wondered about that phrase: "born again." The pragmatist in me finds it sort of a non sequitur...
Brenda

[Kim]

I love your tablescape & your cake plate. You definitely have the knack for displaying things. You turn everyday items into loverlies!

[Becki]

Found you with a comment you left on Daisy Cottage, are you for real, I thought, it was a very strange, almost gloating comment.
Interesting blog. You said you lived in Sydney, I have visited there, not hardly a little town by the sea?

[Fifi Flowers]

LOVE the cake plate and the YUMMY on it!

[Darnold23]

I really enjoy your blog. My house, though not a beach cottage, is close to being as white as yours. My kitchen, however, is ruby red...my builder almost fainted! You might try my chocolate chip cake on my blog. It doesn't get much easier or better than that.

[Mel]

I like that cakestand verrrry much, not seen a square one before!

Mel xxx

[Sheryl @ My Joyful Home]

I love it! I posted your picture on my blog.

Sheryl

[ChrisCandJonJ]

I just stumbled across your blog,and I love it!If you don't mind,I'm gonna add your blog to our blogroll.

[Michelle]

I've been enjoying your blog for months now and am finally taking the time to just say what a lovely, soul-soothing home you've created on a shoestring budget. You really do show us what's possible with some vision and a bit of clean-up and paint. Kudos to you!

I just happen to have posted a recipe for Butterscotch Bars on my (new) blog - they are a favorite around here and with everyone who has tried them. This is a nearly one-bowl recipe - I stir everything up together but have to dirty a second bowl when I melt the butter in the microwave!

Blessings on your day!

Michelle

[Dawn]

What a beautiful blog you have created. I love your photography and reading about your life in your lovely beach cottage. Looking forward to reading more entries.
Cheers!

[Janice Turner]

Hello - I stop by often, by the way of BellaDella's Blog :>). She is my wonderful daughter. I love stopping by to see what new treasures you have found and how you have put them to use. You have such a knack for putting things together!

I wanted to ask a question...I belong to a crafting forum and each year we have a secret sister for the entire year and mine just happens to live in Australia. I wanted to see if by any chance you might live nearby? Her address 1358 Bailey St, Amphitheatre, Victoria, Australia 3468. We have to find out all kind of ways to correspond and send things and not let them know who we are. It is a lot of fun. I look forward to hearing from you.

Keep finding those gorgeous trash to treasure finds,

Thanks A Bunch
Kim's Mom (can't reveal my name just incase SS might be watching)

P.S. Happy Easter

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

Beautiful! Have a glorious Easter weekend!

[laurie]

I've been searching for a square cake stand, and yours is exactly what I've been wanting to find. I found one recently, but it was out of my price range. You've inspired me to keep looking. It is lovely, and your cake looks delicious. laurie

[Gail McCormack]

Love the Cake stand, it certainly has found itself a perfect new place to live!