Simple Cottage Living

09/19/2026

There is something ridiculously satisfying about making something from scratch that I would normally just toss into my grocery cart.

Today it was sourdough English muffins. 🍞

I mixed up the dough yesterday, let it ferment overnight, and this afternoon turned it into these little beauties right on the stovetop. And yes, I was probably a little too excited when I split one open and found all those wonderful nooks and crannies. 😂

They’re rustic, definitely not all perfectly shaped, and absolutely delicious—which is pretty much exactly how I like homemade things to be.

The recipe is from Lisa Bass, and this one is absolutely going into my “make again” pile.

One more small pleasure of making a home and a life I love here in my little Vermont cottage. 💚

Recipe: Sourdough English Muffins by Lisa Bass

08/16/2026

Some of my favorite things in my little Vermont cottage cost almost nothing. 🤍

A stack of simple white dishes from the transfer station.

A wooden-framed mirror from the transfer station too.

A vintage table base that became exactly what I wanted after I paired it with a stone top from a FREE coffee table.

Original Vermont art I found tucked away in an antique shop for about $22… total.

And a tiny Bombay Company table that belonged to my dad and somehow always ends up exactly where I need it.

I’ve realized over the years that I don’t really want a home filled with things that are simply new.

I want things with stories.

Things that have been used and loved.

Things I stumbled across when I wasn’t necessarily looking for them.

Things that make my 520-square-foot cottage feel like mine.

And honestly, decorating secondhand has also allowed me to put my renovation money where it really matters — windows, insulation, heating, plumbing and all those very expensive things that aren’t nearly as fun to photograph. 😉

My newest post is up on Simple Cottage Living: My Favorite Secondhand Finds in My Cottage.

Come see some of my favorite Marketplace, transfer station and vintage treasures — and the stories behind them. 🤍

Link in bio.

What’s something secondhand in your home that you would never want to replace?

08/02/2026

For years, I convinced myself I didn’t need a self-propelled lawn mower.

After all, I’ve always been independent. If something needed doing, I figured I’d just push a little harder.

But my little Vermont cottage sits on a sloping property, and over the last few years I’ve started paying closer attention to something I didn’t think much about when I was younger: protecting my body so I can keep doing the things I love for years to come.

This wasn’t just a purchase. It was a mindset shift.

Sometimes the smartest choice isn’t the one that requires the most effort. Sometimes it’s choosing the tool that lets you spend less energy on the work and more energy enjoying the life you’re building.

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing why I finally decided to make the switch, what I chose, and why I think it was worth every penny.

If you’ve been debating whether a self-propelled mower is worth it, especially if you have hills, acreage, or just want to make yard work a little easier, I hope my experience helps.

🔗 https://simplecottageliving.com/why-i-bought-a-self-propelled-lawn-mower/

Have you made a purchase that completely changed the way you tackle a job around your home?

💚 Melissa

07/30/2026

There are some things we carry with us much longer than we expect.

These little seed packets have followed me through six years, several moves, and the end of a relationship that once included eleven raised garden beds. I left the garden behind, but for some reason, I couldn’t throw away the seeds. They’ve been sitting in the back of my refrigerator ever since.

This spring, my vegetable garden stayed empty.

Last year’s battle with Asian jumping worms left me discouraged, and one of my raised beds is literally falling apart. I’d been telling myself I would eventually take it apart, spread the compost somewhere else, and build something better.

But this week, while sitting quietly with my coffee and thinking about those empty beds, I realized something.

Maybe they didn’t have to be perfect.

So I spent an hour moving compost from the failing bed into the others, marked out my square-foot grid, tucked those six-year-old seeds into the soil, and made a few simple plant markers.

Will they germinate?

Honestly, I have no idea.

But that isn’t really the point.

Sometimes the smallest act of hope is simply giving something one more chance before deciding it’s finished.

If these seeds grow, I’ll be grateful for a fall harvest.

If they don’t, I spent a peaceful hour outside, reclaimed an empty corner of my garden, made space in my refrigerator and finally let go of wondering “what if.”

Either way, I think that’s a pretty good return on an hour’s work.

🌱

Here’s to second chances—for old seeds, old garden beds, and maybe even ourselves. 💚

07/29/2026

For almost six years, this little bedroom has been a work in progress.

What started as four old walls became so much more than a renovation. It became a place to heal after some of the hardest years of my life—a space built one project, one challenge, and one thoughtful decision at a time.

In my newest blog post, I’m sharing the entire story, from tearing the room down to the studs to hanging the final piece of artwork. Along the way, there were free antique doors, a judge’s cabinet that almost didn’t fit, help from kind neighbors, and a gift from my daughter that I’ll treasure every night.

This room isn’t perfect, but it finally feels like me.

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a home that tells your story instead of following trends, I hope you’ll enjoy this one.

🏡 Read the full story at simplecottageliving.com (link in bio).

I’d love to know… Which room in your home feels most like your sanctuary? 💚

07/12/2026

How do I afford my little Vermont cottage as a single woman?

The honest answer...

Sometimes it's incredibly hard.

People often see the gardens, the cozy rooms, and the finished projects. They don't always see the demolition debris filling my car, the days I hauled five-gallon buckets of water to my spring during a drought, or the Ring camera footage of me wrestling furniture into the house by myself.

I've owned four homes over the years, and every one of them taught me something different about money, relationships, and what "home" really means.

This little cottage has taught me that progress doesn't have to be fast to be meaningful.

Some days I feel nervous doing it all alone.

Other days I feel incredibly capable.

Most days...I feel both.

I wrote this post because I wanted to share the real story behind creating this life—not the Instagram version, but the everyday one.

If you've ever wondered what it's really takes to build a home on one income, I hope you'll give it a read.

🏡 Read it here:
https://simplecottageliving.com/how-i-afford-my-vermont-cottage-as-a-single-woman/

I'd love to hear from you...

What's one thing you've accomplished on your own that you're really proud of?

A personal look at how I afford my small Vermont cottage on one income through slow renovation, budgeting and determination.

07/05/2026

What started as an overgrown property with big dreams and a lot of unknowns has slowly become a place that feels more and more like me—one project, one lesson, and one season at a time. This post is a look back at how it all began, from the early days of clearing trees and rethinking the land to learning that progress doesn’t have to happen all at once.

If you’re in a season of building, changing, renovating, or simply trying to create a home you love on a real-life budget, I hope this one encourages you to just start.

Read the full post here: https://simplecottageliving.com/vermont-cottage-renovation-one-project-at-a-time/

06/29/2026

I love my life at this simple little cottage. Check out this video of a mama bear and her twin cubs right in my front yard!

One morning from the porch of my little Vermont cottage, I had the ...

06/27/2026

Sometimes the best pieces in your home are the ones that had a previous life.

When I found this solid pine dresser for $80 at one of my favorite vintage shops in Vermont, I immediately pictured it as a bathroom vanity for my tiny cottage.

It needed a lot of sanding, some plumbing modifications, and a brand-new purpose—but the end result is still one of my favorite DIY projects in my home.

Instead of buying a new vanity, I created one that fits my style, gives me twice the storage, and makes me smile every time I walk into the bathroom.

I shared the entire transformation—including before photos, the products I used, and everything I learned—over on the blog.

✨ The link is in Instagram my bio.

Would you ever turn a vintage dresser into a bathroom vanity?

01/18/2026

Progress peek inside my little cottage kitchen ✨ I’ve finally cleared off the counters and gave these cabinets and walls a fresh coat of Simply White by Behr just to create a blank canvas… but now I need your help!

What cabinet color would you choose in this space?
Would you go soft and creamy, earthy and grounded, or maybe a moody statement?

Also… hardware? Or none?
Brass, matte black, pewter, wood?

Drop your suggestions in the comments or send me a DM — I’d love to hear your ideas!
This kitchen has come a long way and I’m so excited to make it beautiful AND functional. 🛠️💛

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