Clothing to take you from the RINK to the LINKS

 *sponsored post*

Every Spring I realize how much my boys have grown, and I search for new clothes to fill their drawers. My boys love hockey and golf, so they are huge fans of Gongshow Gear clothing. Today, I'm sharing my boys favourites from the new Spring/Summer line. These options are perfect for the rink and the links.

Each of my boys has his own personality and style, so of course they selected different items.

My oldest is pretty confident with clothing colours, so he picked a pretty bold shirt. How fun is this tie game on polo ? The colours are fantastic. He paired them with the absolute bomb shorts (which are also high quality, stylish and comfy).

My middle son is less adventurous with colour, and his number one priority is always comfort. He's loving the in the 90s polo and the tee one up hat he chose. Perfect for the golf course!

My youngest is a goalie, and he has really strong opinions on what he wears. Goalies are a unique breed! lol

He chose the protect the tarp t-shirt and the Always Hockey hat (which he loves to wear backwards). Here he is heading to the rink for Spring hockey.

My boys are loving all their new clothes -- the perfect combination of quality, comfort, and style. Have you checked out the new Gongshow Gear line yet? Do you have a favourite? Let me know in the comments below.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure - I was given GONGSHOW products for free in exchange for my honest review and promotion of the products. As always, the views expressed on this blog are 100% my own... and my boys genuinely loved everything they received.

My Boys FAVORITE Picks from the NEW Spring/Summer Gongshow Line

***sponsored post***

The weather is getting warmer, and my boys are getting ready to spend more time outside (and away from the rink). So, when Gongshow offered to let them pick out a few items from their new Spring/Summer line, my boys jumped at the chance. They love the cool, high-quality hockey themed clothing... and I'm sharing their favourites below.

My youngest is a goalie and just finishing up his Spring hockey development camp. He chose the Classic Blues hoodie. It's perfect for wearing to the rink, but it will be great for chilly summer evenings by the campfire too. 

My oldest son loves the Gongshow hats, and he picked his two favourites from the new Gongshow line. He chose the Keep it Subtle Bucket, and the Hit up the Pond hat. They are both big on style and perfect for summer.

My middle son loves clothes that are comfy and allow him to move. He doesn't like anything too flashy, so this cozy grey hood was a perfect choice for him. It's called the Keep it Close Hoodie, and it's a fantastic addition to wardrobe.

There are so many fantastic options at Gongshow. You should totally pop over to their website and check out all their high-quality, functional, and stylish options. My hockey players are huge fans!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure - I was given GONGSHOW products for free in exchange for my honest review and promotion of the products. As always, the views expressed on this blog are 100% my own... and my boys genuinely loved everything they received.

Fun Ways to Decorate a Room for a Hockey Fan

*Disclosure - I was given the opportunity to try the hockey wall decals from HockeyRooms.ca, and I was compensated for my honest review and promotion of the product. As always, the views expressed on this blog are 100% my own.

I just revamped my youngest son's hockey-themed bedroom, and I can't wait to show you how cute it turned out. I have a fantastic product to introduce you to, and a couple simple DIY projects that will make the room even more fun!

 

First, I cleared my son's walls and room of clutter, and gave it a good cleaning. There were some things (like a "picture book" bookcase (and more) that he has outgrown.

Then, I installed some awesome wallpaper decals from hockeyrooms.ca. They were easy to install, and they really upped the "wow" factor of the room. 

Finally, I completed the room with a few simple DIY projects that added a personal element to the space.

Check out the details, before and after pictures, and short below.

On this wall, I added boards and glass decals from hockeyrooms.ca, and then I set up gallery wall above the boards. I included hockey pictures of my son, and a hockey art project we did together. Didn't it turn out great?

On the wall by the window: I removed the rocking chair, added more decals, cleaned up his books and shelf, and added the letters of his name (which I already had) to this hockey stick hanger he was given as a gift many years ago.

On the wall beside his bed: I added a football poster that he loves (even though it has nothing to do with hockey... lol), I left a bit of blank space to keep the room from feeling cluttered, I and cleaned out the baskets on his dresser.

I also added a command strip hook to the wall so he could hang his favourite jerseys.

And, of course, just to finish off the room, I applied the hockeyroom.ca decals to the space in between the closet door and the door to his room.

If you are interested in seeing how I installed the high-quality wallpaper decals (and you'd like a closer look at my son's room), check out the short video below. Keep watching until the end if you want to see my son's adorable reaction. 💗

I'm so pleased with how my son's room turned out, and he is beyond excited. If you have a hockey lover in your home, I highly encourage you to check out the products at hockeyrooms.ca

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Let me know if you have any questions.)

Top 10 GIANT TIGER Finds for Easter... including fun DIYS and gift ideas

*Disclosure - I was given the opportunity to write about my favourite Giant Tiger products, and I was compensated for my honest review and promotion of the products. As always, the views expressed on this blog are 100% my own.

I am so excited to be able to share my favourite Giant Tiger finds for Easter. I have great ideas for filling Easter baskets, fun Easter gift options, Easter crafts, and Easter decor. 

1) Easter Candy - What's better than an Easter basket full of candy? What about a Easter basket made of candy? Pretty cute, right?!?!

First, head to Giant Tiger and get all your favourite goodies. The selection and prices are fantastic!

I chose some of my boys' favourite treats in coordinating colours, but you can choose anything you like. The only requirement is four boxes of candy that are the same size.

Then, use hot glue to attach the ends of the boxes together, and use hot glue to attach a piece of cardboard to the bottom of the boxes.

Finish by filling the box with all your Easter treats!

 

2) Travel Mug - If someone on your Easter list is a coffee or tea drinker, these travel mugs from Giant Tiger are a perfect and inexpensive addition to their Easter basket. (I got mine on sale at Giant Tiger for only $4.)

These are wonderful plain, but they are even better after a little DIY.

I added a fun little "punny" Easter decal to this one. Isn't it adorable?!?

3) Pastel Retro Hoodie - This licensed hoodie is an excellent addition to an Easter basket. The retro design is adorable and the colour is perfect for Spring. And you can't beat the price of $24.97!

4) Luxurious (budget-friendly) Throw - Cuddling up and watching movies is one of my family's favourite things to do. We are always looking for quality throws at affordable prices, so I was super-excited to find this gorgeous throw at Giant Tiger for only $20. The blanket is soft, and the sherpa lining is really cozy. 

It would also be a great addition to a "family movie night" Easter basket. What could be better than a basket filled with this throw, movie treats, and the movie "Hop"?

5) Tie Dye Kit - When I was a little girl, I always found bubbles and a skipping rope in my Easter basket. When you're a kid, it's fun to receive an Easter gift that you can play with. My kids are a bit old for bubbles and skipping ropes, but I think they'll have fun with this tie dye kit. I can't wait to help my boys make colourful shirts for Spring.

6) Socks (for a fun craft) - Giant Tiger has three pairs of these socks for ONLY $6... and they are the perfect supply for an adorable Easter craft -- "no sew" sock bunnies. This is an excellent Easter craft for families to make together.

Isn't this little sock bunny adorable?

First, using a funnel, fill a sock with rice, and seal the top with an elastic.

Then, use a ribbon to separate the body from the head.

Make ears by using sharp scissors to cut the top of the sock in half and shape the pieces.

Finish by using hot glue to embellish the bunny. Use googly eyes, pom poms, buttons, or whatever else you have on hand. (And you can add a pom pom tail to the back too!)

7) Mini Massager - "Pampering" gifts are always appreciated, and this mini massager is a cheap and cheerful Easter basket option. It's a perfect budget-friendly gift for kids and adults!

8) Bubble Popper Fidget Toy - Popper fidget toys are really popular right now, and this Octopus from Giant Tiger is adorable. I think it would be a super-cute addition to an Easter basket.

9) NHL-themed KanJam - My boys spend the winter playing hockey, but when Spring comes, it's time for them to get outside and play. This frisbee game I found at Giant Tiger is perfect for my boys to play when the weather starts to get warmer... and the fact that I found a version featuring their favourite team is a bonus!

10) Flameless LED Candles - I love the ambiance created by flameless candles, and this three pack from Giant Tiger (for only $15) is awesome. It's hard to see in the picture, but they look and feel exactly like real candles.

They are gorgeous plain, and the light blue colour works well for Easter, but I thought I would take them to the next level with a little DIY.

I used my Cricut to write the word "HOP" on the candles. You could also use stickers if you don't have a Cricut.

I styled them on a wooden tray I already had, and filled the bottom of the tray with little white rocks. Cute, right?!?

Or, for a simpler display option and a different look, you could just set them on metal tray.

Aren't these easy and inexpensive Giant Tiger finds perfect for Easter? Giant Tiger really is a one-stop-shop destination for all things Easter.

Do you have a favourite item on my list? I know my boys will love all my purchases... but I'm pretty sure the candy baskets will be a highlight on Easter morning.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Easy Ways to "Gift" Local Products this Year

Disclosure: I received compensation from Perennia for including the Antigonish Farmer's Market products in this post; however, be assured that the opinions expressed in this blog are 100% my own.

Is there anything better than supporting locally made products? I love to browse my community farmer's market each week, and I'm never disappointed with the products I purchase. This year, why not consider the wonderful products available in your communtity as gifts for your family and friends? Below, I'm sharing a few EASY ways to "gift" local products this Christmas.

1) Give the gift of a meal - I love the idea of spending time with family and friends while enjoying a meal together, and farmer's markets make it easy to get all the fresh ingredients you need. My local market, the Antigonish Farmer's Market, even has complete meal kits you can purchase. Check out the fantastic dinner kit they are selling here.

Each Holiday Meal Box contains:

– Pork or Beef roast from Forever Green Farm & Gardens or Westerwind Farm

– Bee Sting Honey Mustard or Bee Sting BBQ Sauce from Cornect Family Farm 

– Bag of carrots from Lochaber Growers

– Bag of potatoes from Forever Green Farm & Gardens

– Large onion from Casey’s Vegetables 

– 6-pack of biscuits from Nanny’s Country Kitchen

– Pecan tarts from Swick’s Bakery

2) Give the gift of time together - People are very busy this time of year, so a quick "meet up" for appetizers and drinks is a wonderful idea. Treat your friends and family to great conversation and locally sourced drinks and appetizers. Check out the fantastic appetizer box available to order from the Antigonish Farmer's Market here.

Each Holiday Appetizer Box contains:

– $20 Liquor Gift Certificate from Steinhart Distillery or Candid Brewing or Coldstream clear Distillery

– 2 Pepperoni Sticks from Forever Green Farm & Gardens

– Dunmaglass cheese from Knoydart Farm

– Peppercorn cheese from  Knoydart Farm

– Bread Chips from Martins Fine Bakery

– Hummus from Martins Fine Bakery

3) Give the gift of self care - I love thoughtful gifts, and there are many wonderful "self care" options available locally. The Antigonish Farmer's Market has a wonderful holiday box here.

The Holiday Gift Box contains:

– Bath bombs from TresBien Naturals Bath & Body

– Picture from Melinda by the Sea

– Earrings from Simply Lovely

– 2-pack of cleansing cloths & cloth bookmarks from Liss & Landi

I also love the idea of pairing quality handmade items with inexpensive trinkets. I packaged the content of my holiday gift box with a dollar store throw and "mindfulness" notepad, and I think it looks great!

4) Use fun gift tags - Small gifts can be made extra special by adding a punny gift tag. I found these adorable honey-based sauces at my farmer's market, and I made a cute tag for them. It says, "Merry Christmas to my SWEET & SAUCY friend". Cute, right?

I also made tags that say, "Spreading Christmas Cheer one jar at a time." These tags would work with any jar of goodies made locally.

To download the tags I designed: click on the tags below, right-click, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 4x6 photos.

5) Share your talents - I love the idea of sharing special talents with family and friends during the holidays. It's a wonderful way to make a gift extra special. 

For example, if you are crafty, you could make a special beer mug and pair it with a few cans of local ale. And if you are good in the kitchen, you could also add your favourite homemade granola or trail mix.

You could also update a dollar store cutting board with a ribbon (and maybe a monogram) to pair with local ingredients for a charcuterie board.

*** BONUS ***

If you don't know exactly what to give, gift certificates are always great... especially if you give them in a creative way. Check out the fun idea below!

Cut a paper towel roll to fit inside a jar, place it in the jar, fill the outside with Christmas candy, and stick a gift certificate in the centre. The Antigonish farmers market has several great options here.

Then, add some twine and cute dollar store ornament, and you are good to go!

I think these are all fantastic ways to "gift" local products this Christmas. Which of my ideas is your favourite?

I hope I've inspired you to shop locally this year. I know I'm loving all the wonderful Nova Scotia products the Antigonish Farmer's Market has to offer.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)