Sunburn Saver

We are lucky in Key West to have “Key West Pinks” right in our own waters. However, this dish will work equally well with any variety of shrimp and as with most everything, the fresher the better. This is such a great dish for entertaining because the shrimp marinate with the garlic, getting infused, so you can prepare this before guests arrive. Then all you need to do is quickly cook them up right before you are ready to serve. Here goes.

Either peel & devein shrimp yourself, my preferred way, or buy them that way. Truly, either is perfectly fine. Lay them out in a bowl or platter and pour over a good amount of extra virgin olive oil. They want to be swimming in it, this will all make sense in a bit. Chop up finely several cloves of garlic and spread about. Liberally salt and pepper the whole lot. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to cook. Or cook right away, just let that mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. It can sit in the fridge for a good long while marinating. Next zest 2 lemons, putting the zest in a bowl. Then juice those 2 lemons into the same bowl. Set aside. Then chop up a generous handful of Italian parsley. Place in a little bowl. You will use this later.

Get water boiling for pasta. Cook a box of your favorite linguine. If you use fresh, even better. While that is cooking away, you are ready to cook the shrimp. 

On the stove top, get a pan heated on medium high, add a big knob of butter. Place the shrimp, all the olive oil they have been swimming in, plus the garlic into the pan. Cook the shrimp not more than 2 minutes a side. Take off of heat. Add the lemon zest/juice from the waiting bowl. Stir around. The lemon mixes with the butter and the olive oil to make a bit of a sauce. Then add the parsley. After you have drained the pasta, add all, the shrimp mixture & pasta, back into the empty but still warm pasta pot. Place the lid back on and let sit for a few minutes to marry all those amazing flavors. Serve. 

Just so simple and hearty. Ample enough to serve just as it is, with a green salad, baguette and a glass of wine. For a heartier dish, simply grill up some steaks and serve alongside for a summery surf and turf.

It's our labor day sale and the last sale of the season so hurry down! Everything on the porch and in the store is 30% off August 30-31.

Cottage will be CLOSED for the month of September, reopening October 4th.

We thank everyone for a WONDERFUL year! 

Think outside the box with this planter. Not only will it look fabulous with a a big leafy fern, it will also serve purpose fabulously as a catchall for towels, toys, magazines and even garden tools. Only two in stock...

Garden Angel

This heavenly angel will watch over you and yours. Available at Cottage. $62.50.

Made of cast stone & concrete in the USA by a company that has been in business for three generations.

Summer Bench

We have this fun bench for sale that works well inside or on a covered porch. It is pale yellow in color and very comfortable.  Come check it out for yourself.

Garden Gnome

Am I the only one who likes garden gnomes? I think not. Every garden, whether manicured or wildly overgrown, deserves a gnome to keep watch over the bugs and birds. This little fella is named Toby. He is actually made of paper mache and would be happiest nestled in some greenery on your covered porch or inside your home.

Meet Toby's friend and mentor, Fred. Fred may look a little strange but he's a good egg with a sardonic sense of humor. He too is made of paper mache. These two gnomes are waiting for good homes.

Reading chair

This sweet chair is just begging for a little girl with a good book. $295.00 and if you mention that you saw it on this blog you will receive 30% off.

Social Media

Summer Projects.
1. Face Book
2. Website
3. Instagram
4. Pintrest
5. Shopping for season
6. Lots and lots of margaritas....

Help! As a small business, it is important to get as much free advertising as possible and in this age of Social Media, I have made it my mission to try to figure it all out. Help! If anyone out there has any tips or advice, I would welcome a visit from you. Once I get a handle on it, we will be offering all kinds of specials and deals so please stay tuned. Also, we are going shopping in July so if there is something you would like to see us carry, now would be a great time to let us know. We ALWAYS welcome ALL feedback from our customers. After all, we are here for you. This is as much your store as ours.

The Scrimshaws head back to their Key West home this morning with baby Flamingo in their bike basket.
Yesterday they purchased Mama Flamingo but she must have looked a bit lonely with her baby. Thank you Scrimshaws!

Welcome

Welcome

It has been a long time since Cottage has posted anything on social media but now that summer is here we hope to have more time. We also are in the process of updating our website at www.CottageKeyWest.com

The website is tricky as we try to buy unique items in limited quantities so that not everyone is buying the same product. Our customers have come to learn that if they like something, they should get it when they see it because odds are that it wont be in the store when they come back in. We will try to add as many of our products to the website as possible and as always, please feel free to call if you saw something in the shop that is not on the site. 

Please visit often and feedback is always welcome.

Thank you for supporting Cottage, an independent local business!

Dominique Barrera

Business is Brisk

Rooster Weather Vane SOLD

Concrete Garden Statue SOLD

Vintage Metal Trough SOLD

At Cottage, we look for unique items and usually only purchase one or two of any large piece. If you see something you like, do not procrastinate. There have been so many disappointments from customers who have had their eye on a piece only to find out it is gone when they finally decide they want it.

We do not have a formal layaway plan but if there is something you see and want to make payments on it, we will happily do that for you with no extra fees. Please just ask.

Dont forget about our rewards propram which gives you 10% back of every purchase to put towards a future purchase. Its a great deal for locals and frequent visitors alike.

Yesterday we sold the beautiful mermaid that you can see in the opening picture. She sat on the porch for three weeks and had been much admired. Suddenly three different people wanted her yesterday but one woman who had been to the shop looking at her several times, came running in with her credit card in hand and she purchased her. I'm sure the mermaid will have a great new home.

Cat Bookends $39.50

At Cottage, we see a WIDE VARIETY of items. Literally something for everyone. We work very hard to find unique items that are not sold in any other stores on island. We keep our prices as low as possible and offer free giftwrapping. We have a reward program that gives you a five dollar credit for every fifty dollars you spend. The credit never expires and you can use them one at a time or save them up for a special purchase. 

Chicken Prints on wood. $90.00 each

How about a garden clock? This beauty runs on batteries and will add sass and class to your covered porch or even your kitchen wall!

Cottage is open after a summer sabbatical. The shop has been redesigned a bit and stocked with fresh new merchandise like these wonderful hooked Key West pillows and chicken design pilllows.

We also have beautiful stationary including guest books, address books, internet password keepers, fitness journals and so many more. We have letterpress cards and envelopes from Rigel Stumiller and of course we still have the hand crafted cards from our own Roxanne Bean.

The Garden room is chock full of all things beautiful. Come see for yourself.

Cottage is open daily. 10-6 Monday thru Saturday and 10-4 on Sundays. See you there!

Sidewalk Sale

Cottage is having our first annual side walk sale. Incredible savings of up to 80%. The majority of sale items will be out in the red bricked driveway located next to the shop. There will me a mixture of items for the home as well as for the garden.

Cottage is located at 526 Southard Street. Watch for our ad in the Key West Citizen newspaper.

Garden Sign

New at Cottage. Whimsical garden sign. Reproduction and there are oly two in the shop!

Herb Planter

Check out this ultra cool herb planter. Made locally of steel, this planter is adorned with brass herb name plates and embellished with a friendly Gecko. Just pour in the dirt and plant in the herbs.
Stands four feet tall and is quite heavy. Great for those with limited room for pots and planters.

Garden Gnome

He's Here! Looking all cute and portly, this gnome is made from cast concrete/stone and is guaranteed to stay upright even in the most windy conditions. Every garden needs a gnome!

All of us at Cottage, would like to thank all of our wonderful customers for shopping with us this holiday season. You know who you are. We hope your gifts, both given and received, brightened your holiday. 

For those of you who like Frasier Fir, we have just a tiny bit left and it is all marked 50% off until it sells. The Frasier Fir smells like fresh pine trees and only comes out during the winter months so once it is gone, we wont have it back until September. In addition to Frasier Fir, all of our Christmas ornaments and items are also marked 50% off. I cant believe it but as of this morning we still had three glass chickens on the tree and they only cost $5.00 with the sale price.

Don't forget to sign up for our Cottage Points program if you have not already done so. For every $50.00 you spend, you earn a $5.00 credit towards a future purchase....