10 AMAZING dollar store finds, hacks and diys for SUMMER

I love summer, and living well on a budget, don't you??? If you answered "yes" you are going to really enjoy this post and video. Today, I'm sharing 10 AMAZING dollar store finds, hacks and diys for SUMMER.

1) DIY Solar-Powered Lamp - I love this cute little lamp, and it's perfect for summer patios. It's also super-easy to make with a few cheap supplies from the dollar store. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

2) Summer entertaining hack - Dishes from the dollar store are perfect for summer entertaining. They are cheap... but they don't need to look it! Pop a margarita glass in the center of a bowl for an impressive way to serve chips and dip. Get a closer look here.

3) Hack for keeping food cold when entertaining this summer - Add water to the bottom of a dollar store bowl, freeze it, and insert a second (identical) bowl on top. Fill it with food, and your good to go! See a visual demonstration here.

4) DIY First Aid Kit - Summer adventures are often accompanied with bumps and bruises, so having basic first aid items ready at all times is advisable. I love grabbing a plastic container at the dollar store and filling it with supplies. I also use duct tape to add a cross to the top to make it recognizable. Find out more here.

5) Water Fight Supplies - The dollar store has everything you need for summer water fights. I love these balloons, but for a more environmentally option, consider cutting sponges into strips and securing the centres together with an elastic. Then, you can dip the sponge balls in water and throw. Both options are perfect on a hot summer day!

6) Wipes - Baby wipes are perfect to have on hand during summer. They are perfect for picnics and for wiping sticky fingers when kids are eating s'mores.

7) Wasp deterent - I've bought these paper wasp nests at the dollar store for years, and I swear they work. I have no idea what crazy science makes these effective, but I'm a believer!

8) Cupcake wrappers - Everyone has cupcake wrappers for making cupcakes and muffins, but they have other uses too. Poke a hole in the middle, pop in a straw, and use them to keep flies out of summer drinks. They also work for catching popsicle stick drips.

9) Custom roasting sticks - Campfires are made for roasting, and these customized sticks are inexpensive and easy to make. Find the "how to" instructions here.

10) Candy tray - I love a simple, summer candy tray. I made this one from a dollar store picture frame, and you can find the "how to" here.

For a closer look at all 10 AMAZING dollar store finds, hacks, and diys for SUMMER, check out the video below.

Let me know in the comments if you have a favourite summer HACK. I love learning new things!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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.

Unique and Budget-friendly DIY Graduation Candy Bar... with free signage and tags

I love a good party DIY... and what's better than a DIY Candy Bar. Today, I'm sharing my tips and tricks for putting together a fantastic candy bar on a budget. I'm even including FREE printable signage and tags.

Take a peek at the video (below) for all the information you need to put together your own impressive and budget-friendly candy bar. Then, come back here and download the free signage and tags.

To download this sign I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 5x7 photo.

To download this sign I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 5x7 photo.

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

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

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

4 NEW Graduation DIYs... made using dollar store supplies

If you want to take your graduation celebration to the next level, you are going to want to pay attention to a few unique and memorable details. Today, I'm sharing 4 NEW graduation DIYs that are awesome, easy, inexpensive and fun! (And make sure to check out the video at the end of this post for all the step-by-step instructions.)

This tiered tray could not be easier to make, and it is perfect for a graduation. And no one will ever know it's made from dollar store plates and candle holders. Find the step by step instructions here.

Isn't this the perfect tray for a dessert table? I might even add a "You're a smart cookie" sign beside it. I love a good pun! 😀

Capturing memories through photos is an important part of any milestone celebration. I love the idea of creating a custom hashtag for guests to use on social media. Make sharing easy with this FREE downloadable sign. Grab your here.

Another fun photo idea is creating a simple "selfie frame". This one is made from a dollar store piece of foam core and dollar store stickers. It's easy, inexpensive, and fun! Find the instructions here.

And check out my handsome graduate...

Displaying photo memories is another wonderful idea. I glued dollar store frames together to make this awesome centrepiece. You can fill it with balloons or flowers. It's also fun to add a "Congratulations" cake topper. Check out the adorable pictures of my graduate below... and see the step-by-step instructions here.

Inspired to create one or more of these graduation DIYs? Check out the step-by-step instructions in the video below...

Do you have a graduation to plan? Are you planning to try any of these graduation DIYS? I think these ideas are perfect for a preschool, junior high, high school, college, or university graduation.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Chocolate, peanut butter CAKE MIX cookies

Who doesn't love a good cookie... and a good short cut? These CAKE MIX cookies are perfect for when you have a chocolate craving, but don't have a lot of time. You can mix up a batch (in one bowl) in less than five minutes. It doesn't get much easier!

To make chocolate, peanut butter cake mix cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, in a large bowl, mix together the following:

1 box of cake mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 vegetable oil

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup peanut butter chips

Mix together, and then scoop 1 tbsp balls onto a silpat (or parchment paper) lined cookie sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop.

Note: If you find the dough too sticky, you can refrigerate it, or add 1-2 tbsp of flour.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Don't overbake. They should be cooked, but still soft in the middle.

For a closer look at how easy it is to make these cookies, take a look at the video I made.

I hope you enjoy these cookies. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of combining chocolate and peanut butter.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

FREE Graduation "Hashtag" Sign

If you want an easy way to capture graduation memories, make sure everyone shares their photos with the same hashtag. I love the idea of setting out a sign as a remember, and I'm sharing the one I designed for free.

To download the sign I designed: click on the picture (above), right-click, save it to your computer and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Then, add your hashtag and pop it in a frame. Here's what mine looks like in a dollar store frame. Cute, right?

I'm currently planning my oldest son's graduation, so I'll have more fun ideas and downloads soon. Make sure you follow me on all my social media channels so you don't miss anything!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fantastic SUMMER Freebies and DIYs (boho chic... and budget-friendly)

Who doesn't love gorgeous (and budget-friendly) home decor? It's so great to refresh decor with a change in seasons, and I have some great options for summer. I have SEVEN free prints you can download, and 3 differently DIYs. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the step-by-step DIY video.)

I love these boho chic pictures. You can download them for free here, and pop them into dollar store frames (like I did).

And how cute is this DIY wall hanging? You can find the step-by-step instructions to make tassels and this wall hanging here.

You can also add picture with tiny clothespins. Cute, right?!?

And once you are addicted to making tassels 😀, you can use them to make this super-cheerful garland.

For a closer look at all these summer freebies and DIYs, check out the YouTube video below.

I hope you like these summer decor ideas. I have more summer content coming soon, so stay tuned!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.