Winter / Valentine's Day Porch Transformation... using Dollar Store Supplies

I have a really fun DIY for you today! I decorated my porch for winter and Valentine's Day with a few inexpensive dollar store items. Check out the dramatic transformation below!

Here's what I picked up at the dollar store: three heart picks, two strings of hearts, and two packages of glittery clothespins.

Here's a video I made showing how my porch looked BEFORE, what I did to transform it, and how it looked AFTER.

I think the garland around my door looks fantastic with my DIY Winter Wreath. What do you think?

And my Christmas greenery arrangement looks totally transformed.

Cute, right? I'm currently obsessed with how cozy my porch looks. 

Can you believe this wonderful transformation was done with dollar store supplies? I love a budget friendly DIY, don't you?

Winter can be gloomy, but with a few inexpensive supplies, you can really make your home cozy and bright. How do you decorate the outside of YOUR home this time of year?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

Valentine's Day FREEBIES & Dollar Store DIYs

I have some fantastic Valentine's Day FREE downloads & dollar store DIYs for you today. Watch the video I made showing you all the fun ways to use my designs, and then download your own prints and tags for FREE (below).

To check out all the fun freebies and Valentine's Day DIYs, check out this video... and then grab all the free prints and tags below.

To download and print the 11x14 prints

 I designed: click on the photo below (that you want to print), right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 11x14 photo. 

PRO TIP: I print mine at Staples (on cardstock) for less than $2. The cardstock makes the picture easy to frame, and it looks high end and professional.

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

I hope you like these Valentine's freebies and dollar store DIYs. If you are looking for inexpensive Valentine's Day decor, you should totally download and print the free 11x14 pictures I designed. I love how they look in my home... hanging in my dollar frames. Budget-friendly and super cute!

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

The Perfect SNOW DAY Treat: Chocolate Chip Pecan Snowballs

This is the perfect snow day cookie recipe. These chocolate chip pecan snowballs are crispy on the outside… and the insides melt in your mouth. I even made a video to show you how easy they are to make!

You’ll need: 1 cup salted butter (softened) 3/4 cup powered sugar (plus an additional 1 cup for coating the cookies after they are baked) 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted ... on a cookie sheet at 350 for 5 minutes) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup powered sugar (plus an additional 1 cup for coating the cookies after they are cooked) 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

And here's a video showing you how to put them together...

 

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Mix butter and 3/4 cup icing sugar with a hand mixer (on medium for about 1 minute)... just until light and fluffy.

3) Stir in vanilla and almond extract.

4) Add 1 3/4 cups of flour and mix on low (just until incorporated).

5) Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.

6) Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refridgerate for 20-30 minutes.

7) Remove from fridge, and roll dough into 1 tbsp balls. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet for 15 minutes.

8) As soon as cookies are cool enough to touch (but still warm), roll the cookies in powdered sugar.

9) Allow to cool completely, and sift another layer of powered sugar to the top.

These cookies are soooooo good with a warm mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate!!!

If you give them a try, let me know what you think!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. 😃

Budget-friendly WINTER DECOR diys... simple crafts with a high-end look

When all the Christmas decorations come down, it's nice to have a few simple pieces of winter decor to fill up the blank space. When the temperatures outside are chilly, a few budget-friendly winter DIYs can make a home feel warm and cozy.

DIY WINTER WREATH - What do you think of this gorgeous budget friendly wreath made from dollar store supplies? I used an 18" wreath form, faux fur ribbon, silver skate ornaments, and silver florals. I cut strips of fur ribbon and used hot glue to attach it to the wreath form. Then, I hung the ornaments and used hot glue to attach the florals to the top of the wreath. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

SIMPLE CUSTOM WINTER SERVING TRAY - With a dollar store vase, tray and trinkets, you can make a gorgeous winter-themed serving tray. Fill the vase with glittery florals (or whatever you like), and use glue to attach the tray to the top. Easy peasy! Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

CUSTOM (and cheap) WINTER ARTWORK - Dollar store ornaments can be repurposed to make adorable winter artwork. Cover the glass of a dollar store frame with contact paper, and use hot glue to attach an ornament to the front. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

WINTER TERRARIUMS - I love these terrariums, and they are super-easy to make using glassware you likely already own. Add some epsom salts to the bottom of a jar, pop in some bottle brush trees, and insert one of the fun snow characters that you can download for FREE here. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

For all the details on these fantastic projects, check out the video I made below.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite? I think they are all totally adorable!

These are the perfect DIYs for cold winter days. Happy crafting!!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. :-)

Adorable DIY Winter Terrariums... including FREE printables

Sometimes the simpliest ideas are the best ones, and I am absolutely obsessed with making DIY winter terrariums. They are easy to make, inexpensive, and totally adorable. Today, I'm sharing a few I made, the step by step instructions, and FREE prints for you to download. Let me know which one is your favourite!

To make a DIY terrarium, you'll need: a glass container, epsom salts/glitter, bottle brush trees, and a 4x6 (which you can download for free below).

Then: add epsom salts and glitter to the container, insert a couple of trees, cut out one of the prints I designed (below), and insert it into the epsom salts. That's it!!!!

Check out the THREE versions I made below. Cute, right?!?!

To download one of the super-cute winter characters: click on one of the pictures below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo. 

Make sure you use copy paper or cardstock!

What do you think? Do you have a favorite? I think they are all totally adorable!

This is the perfect DIY for a cold winter day. Happy crafting!!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. :-)

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: tips, tricks and my BIG reveal

I have been looking at my stained oak cabinets for years and yearning for a a more modern and bright kitchen. After getting a quote, I knew hiring a professional was out of my budget, so I decided to do it myself. My husband and I did research, purchased supplies, and got to work. Today, I'm sharing the result, the products I used, and what I learned.

Here is the before picture of my kitchen.

And here is the after. I love how bright and modern it looks.

It wasn't hard... but it was a lot of work. For me, the key was to just do small sections when I had the time to do them. I took my time and got it done.

If you have considered painting your cupboards, I highly recommend getting started. It really is amazing the difference paint and new handles make!

Check out these photos for inspiration...

Ready to take the plunge? I made a video showing you all the steps you need to take to get a fantastic result. Check it out on YouTube!

You might also find these links helpful...

LINK TO THE HANDLES I USED: https://amzn.to/3Z4UZsQ (aff.link) LINK TO THE PAINT PYRAMIDS: https://amzn.to/3GyGXsj (aff.link) LINK TO THE CABINET DOOR BUMPER PADS I USED: https://amzn.to/3Z1XFY5 (aff.link)

I hope you are inspired to tackle this project in your own home. And if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below, and I'll answer you as soon as I can.

Good luck, and thanks for checking out my painted kitchen cabinets!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

The BEST Ideas for Celebrating NEW YEAR'S EVE at Home

When you have kids (and even when you don't)... sometimes dressing up and heading out to a fancy New Year's Eve party isn't always desirable. So, hosting a family-friendly celebration can be the perfect way to ring in the new year. Today I'm sharing the BEST ideas for celebrating New Year's Eve at home.

Activity Bags - I love making activity bags that can be opened each hour leading up to midnight. The bags can contain noisemakers, the supplies for a midnight toast, games, and more.

I love having one bag contain the items needed to set up a photo booth.

And including a year in review questionnaire is fun too. 

To download a FREE copy of the one I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Special New Year's Eve Treat - To make this festive treat, simply add candys to the bottom of a wine glass and top with a decorated cupcake. Cute, right?!?

Adorable New Year's Eve Mocktail - To make this adorable beverage, add sparkling water or 7up to a champagne flute, add a bit of cotton candy to the top, and insert a straw. Easy... but so much fun!

New Year's Eve Party Favours - Every party needs a party favour, and I have three simple options to share.

Breakfast for tomorrow - Add a tag to a small box of cereal or a pop tart.

Midnight Kisses - Add a tag a little bag of Hershey kisses.

Rings to ring in the new year - Add a tag to candy rings.

For a closer look (and full instructions), check out the YouTube video I made.

Will you be celebrating at home this year? I hope you find some of these ideas fun and helpful. Happy New Year!!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)