NEW High-end HALLOWEEN Decor... made using dollar store supplies

I love creating high-end holiday decor, and I especially love when it is budget-friendly. Today, I have some fantastic Halloween DIYs made using dollar store supplies. I absolutely LOVE the LED cauldron. Take a peek and let me know which one if your favourite.




This wreath could not be easier to make, and it's totally adorable! I used an old grapevine wreath form and a wooden ghost from the dollar store. You can get a closer look (and the instructions) here.




I also made this cat and old-fashioned ghost face using dollar store wooden blanks, and you can see how I made them here. Pretty cute, right?!?!




And here is my FAVOURITE! I love this cauldron made from a dollar store LED light and curling ribbon. It looks fantastic when it is lit up at night. I think it would look great set up on a food table at a Halloween party. You can find the simple "how to" here.



Are you ready to make something fantastic for Halloween? Check out the video I made below to see how easy and inexpensive these gorgeous pieces of decor are to make using dollar store supplies.




Let me know which one of these Halloween DIYs is YOUR favourite. Which wooden piece would you have used for the wreath?


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)


You might also be interested in the ideas here...

Fall & Halloween Dollar Store Finds and DIYs

I love inexpensive seasonal decor, and I have created some great pieces this year. I'm also sharing options that work for BOTH Fall and Halloween. Check out the dollar store finds and DIYs (and helpful video) below.




I absolutely love the trays I made for Fall and Halloween using dollar store supplies. I think the dollarama vase fillers and remote control LED light are super-fun! Check out the video here for the step by step instructions.




Here's the tray I made for FALL. (Check out the video here for the step by step instructions.)




And here's the tray I made for Halloween. (Check out the video here for the step by step instructions.)




And while you are at the dollar store, make sure to pick up these 7ft ghosts. They are inexpensive, super-cute and give you a great "bang for your buck".





And for Fall, make sure you pick up items to decorate a tiered tray. This year, I found an adorable and whimsical "turkey" bell.




Dollar store jars are another great dollar store find.




I used mine to make a treat tray that works for Fall AND Halloween.




I also used a dollar store two-sided sign to make a sign I can use for Fall AND Halloween. (Check out the video here for the step by step instructions.)

Here's my Fall version.




And here's the one I made for Halloween.




To take a closer look at all my latest dollar store finds and DIYs, check out the video I made:




Make sure you check out my video and let me know which find or DIY you like the best. 😃


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)


You might also be interested in the ideas here...

High End FALL Decor... on a dollar store budget / Clever money saving HACKs

I love adding seasonal decor to my home, and I really love doing it on a budget. I especially enjoy using what I have so I have less clutter in my home. Today I'm sharing a few of my clever money saving HACKs for Fall.



One of my favourite HACKs is to replace the artwork in frames that I already have in my home. For Fall, I designed a fun "hello pumpkin" print that you can download for FREE below. I absolutely love the colours!




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




I also LOVE updating existing decor. For example, I made this simple grapevine wreath for summer. (It's just a grapevine wreath spray painted turquoise and embellished with faux flowers and greenery.)




When I found these adorable pumpkins (for ONLY $2) at my local Dollarama, I knew they'd be perfect for updating this wreath for Fall.




I used the clips to attach them to the wreath, and "voila!". I instantly turned a Summer wreath into a Fall wreath. Clever, right?!?!




Want a closer look at these products... and check out MORE ideas like this? Take a peak at the video below.




What colours do you love for Fall? Do you prefer traditional or untraditional colours (like the ones I used for my print and wreath)?


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)

3 "C" Cookies -- Crispy, Crunchy and Chewy

Sometimes you need a break from the traditional cookie recipes you bake all the time, and this recipe is just what you have been looking for. It's simple to throw together, it makes a bunch, they freeze beautifully, and they are delicious. The texture and buttery flavour of these cookies is EVERYTHING!




To make these cookies, you'll need:

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup oil

1 cup softened butter (not melted)

1 egg

1 tsp real vanilla

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

1 cup Rice Krispies


Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Beat together: white sugar, brown sugar, oil, butter, egg, and vanilla together.

3) In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar, oats, coconut and Rice Krispies.

4) Mix the two bowls of ingredients together.

5) Roll into ball, and flatten with a fork.

6) Bake until lightly brown in colour (approximately 10 minutes).


For a closer look at how I make these cookies, check out the short YouTube video here.



Seriously... sooooo yummy!




These cookies are fantastic for school lunches, and I love mine with a cup of coffee or tea. If you give them a try, let me know what you think. 


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)



You might also like the cookie recipes here.

First Day of School 2023

Today was the first day of school for my youngest two boys. My oldest started university yesterday. As always, I served a special breakfast and took a few photos. 😀



I wasn't sure I was going to get my university student to pose for a photo, but my sweet boy reluctantly let me take a quick picture before he embarked on his new adventure. He's actually holding a picture of him on his graduation day holding a picture from his first day of grade primary. Cute, right?!?!?



In keeping with tradition, my other two boys took pictures holding pictures from the first day of school last year.

Here's my "baby" who is going into grade 9.

 



And here's my middle son who is heading to grade 11.




We had our traditional breakfast, and we'll have a special treat when they get home. I can't wait to hear about their day! 💗



How did you celebrate the first day of school? I hope you all have a fantastic year!


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)

Top 10 DORM ROOM essentials

With many kids (including my own) starting university in the Fall, I thought I'd put together a collection of fun ideas for dorm rooms. I've listed all my favourites, and I've included links in case you want to make a purchase. 

Note: I'm an Amazon affilate, so if you buy something using one of my links, I'll receive a small percentage (at NO extra cost to you).


1) Mattress topper & fun sheets - Dorm beds do not always have the most comfortable mattresses... and with all those classes and late night study sessions, students need a good night's sleep. An inexpensive mattress topper and some cute sheets will make a dorm room comfy and cozy.

Click on the picture to purchase.



2) Fan - Dorms can be super-hot, so a slim fan is a "must have".

Click on the picture to purchase.


3) Shower shoes and shower caddy - Shared bathrooms call for shower shoes and organized shower supplies. I love this one from Amazon that has a special place for a phone. (AND it comes in a lot of great colours.)

Click on the picture to purchase.


4) Command strips and hooks - Command strips and hoods are fantastic for damage free hanging. They hold strongly and remove cleanly.

Click on the picture to purchase.


5) Laptop and printer - Every student needs the right equipment, and computers and printers are a must. I LOVE my wireless epson printer (below). The printer works great, AND the ink lasts a lot longer than all the other printers I have owned (which has saved me a lot of money). I highly recommend it!!!

Click on the picture to purchase.



6) Microwave / fridge (if not included) - Meal plans are great, but being prepared to make a few things in a dorm room is wonderful too.

Click on the picture to purchase.


7) Multi-purpose cart - In tight spaces, organization is extra important, and this multi-purpose cart is inexpensive, useful, and super-cute.

Click on the picture to purchase.



8) Portable speaker - I have this speaker, and I LOVE it! It's waterproof, inexpensive, and (despite it's small size) it sounds great. I think this is great for a dorm room.

Click on the picture to purchase.


9) Snacks - I don't think this needs any explanation. Dorm room snacks are VERY important. lol

Click on the picture to purchase.


10) Thoughtful gifts from home - Getting fun mail from home can really help a homesick student, and I have adorable and inexpensive items in my shop that can be mailed directly to a loved one. Check out my "BEE thoughtful" collection, choose a fun gift, select a handmade tag, and I'll mail it for you. Easy peasy!

Click on the picture to purchase.





What would you add to this list? Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments below.


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)

Back to School Crafts & DIYs... made using dollar store supplies

Back to school is a special time for kids and adults. It marks a new beginning, and a time to get organized. To make the milestone special, I have some fantastic back to school crafts and DIYs to share today.

 



1) Desk storage - Use a dollar store container or a can from the recycling bin to make store for office and school supplies. Find the full instructions here.



2) Pencil toppers - All you need are pipe cleaners, googly eyes and pom poms to make these adorable pencil toppers. Check out the instructions here.



And the pencils look adorable in the DIY storage container.




3) Personalized binder - Kids can personalize binders with stickers or pictures. Check out how easy it is to do here.



4) Custom Journal - Everyone needs a place to keep track of homework or jot down "to do" lists. I love the idea of using a personalized journal. It's easy (and inexpensive) to make using the instructions here.



5) Personalized pencil case - Dollar store pencil cases can easily be personalized with decals and stickers. Check out how I made mine here.



Seriously... how cute are these supplies?????



6) DIY (and budget-friendly) photo props - Everyone takes photos on the first day of school, and I have some great ideas for special pictures here.




For a closer look at all my back to school crafts and DIYs, check out the video below...



I hope you like these ideas. Let me know your favourite in the comments. ðŸ˜€


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)

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