Thrifting in Red, White and Blue and a Sausage Roll Recipe

Last Friday with both the beach house brats at school, I ditched the gym routine and decided instead, to hug the coast and visit all the charity shops between Palm Beach and Brookvale.  Oh the thrill of a bargain, some well worn, pre loved beauty that I can take home with me to love some more.  Oh it's almost better than you know what.  Actually I just wrote that it is better but I deleted, cause Mr Beach House if you are reading.... Err Hmm it's not really.  

 So with a budget of $50 I started here at Vinnies. I treat a day thrifting the same as I do a day at the races.  I set a limit and once I have blown it, that's it.  Otherwise you end up having a garage full of stuff that you forget about and which never sees the light of day until you sell it in your next garage sale or take it to the tip.  That is actually where Mr Beach House is headed right now as I write, bless him and we had a garage sale yesterday..... so I really know what I'm talking about.

First I stumbled upon these vintage binoculars, I am always on the look out for nautical type pieces to use as props in my styling business and these would be perfect for that. But this shop has always been a little on the pricey side and at $30 my fifty would be all but blown. So I'll watch them, if and when they come down to $10, I'll become a serious player. I think my mum has a pair similar to the black ones..... How about it mum? Do ya wanna part with them to a good cause, such as the happiness of a beloved daughter?

The next stop was also a Vinnes store, and as the truck deposits here, they take all the furniture so it's huge. Funnily enough I found nothing here but some pretty blue fabrics which I intend to use in a driftwood project soon.

On the way home was Barnardos.  I almost didn't stop because I'd had enough.  By this stage I was contemplating going back for the $30 binoculars, still having $$$$$ burning a hole in my pocket.  Last time I visited, there was nothing that took my fancy and I almost kept driving, except for the fact that there was one tiny little parking spot right out the front, which I could just squeeze my car into.  It was a sign I was meant to stop, because this shop has been transformed since I was last here and was well worth a visit. 

Although full of other peoples junk, the clothing and homewares have been styled in colours and it is very easy on the eye.  It was here that I found some beautiful pieces.

I found this lovely wicker coffee table.  Quite nautical.  Not sure if it's gunna get the white treatment. I'll probably remove the glass so it looks like a big fisherman's basket.

 I think this whole area is looking a little dark and I would like to paint it all white.  It faces south, so is gorgeous on a hot Summers day in the shade and with a sweet ocean cameo. I have pondered many of life's mysteries here,

looking at this view, but I think it needs to be white to give it the wow factor.

I also found these pieces and as you know I just love red, white and blue, so they had to come home with me.  Mr Beach House had a hissey fit when he saw the English soccer ball.  Now being a sports loving Australian, I'm as patriotic as the next person, but I just loved this ball.  It's shiny and the right colours.  I don't know what it is about the union jack, but to me and seemingly millions of others, it is uber stylish. 

The Cottee's cordial bottle is vintage and again it was the right colours.

As I had been out playing all day, I had nothing for dinner, so I whipped up one of the week night wonders that the Beach House clan know and love me for.  I grabbed the left over roast chicken.  I always roast extra veggies so I can use them the next night for sausage rolls and the recipe is oh so simple. 

Chicken and Roast Vegetable Sausage Rolls

• Blend, whizz or process with your appliance of choice, the chicken and left over veggies with 1-2 lightly beaten eggs depending on quantity, retaining a small amount of egg to brush over pastry when rolled .
• Salt and pepper to taste. 
• You can add half a cup of store bought bread crumbs if the mixture is then too wet.  If it's too dry, add a dash of milk. 
• Take the required amount of store bought  puff pastry, thaw slightly.  Cut the pastry in half, place chicken mixture down one side of the pastry.
• Moisten the other side of the pastry with a little water.
• Roll up the pastry and cut into bite size pieces.
• Line the required amount of baking trays with baking paper. Arrange rolls with adequate room for pastry to rise.
• Brush rolls with egg wash and put into a pre heated moderate oven for 15-20 mins or until golden.
• Serve immediately with tomato or sweet chili sauce and enjoy!!!!!!

So we settled in front of the fire, which we have lit for the first time this week, with some wine and sausage rolls.  Yummo!!!!! Only problem was Mr Beach House said.  'Loved the entre darl, now what's for dinner?'  Without batting an eye lid, I just pointed him in the direction of the toaster and wished him luck.

Have a great week. I'm trying to!!!!

Best Carolyn

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