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Okio B Designs

A craft, food, fashion, home & shopping blog

I never ever, ever pass up a box of Scrabble at a garage sale.  Those little tiles (and tile holders) are perfect for DIY projects no matter the season.
In fact, if you've been following my blog awhile, you've definitely seen the many ways I've used these handy-dandy word tiles.  And this Christmas season is no exception.
Scrabble tiles are literally in just about every room of the house.  I might have a slight obsession with them.
How could you not?  I mean the possibilities really are endless.

Jeanine



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(Photo courtesy of Ornaments in the Green, Etsy)

I don't know about you, but I'm gearing up for some serious holiday shopping.  I've been busy bookmarking, pinning and making "wish" lists for everyone on my shopping list.  I'm sharing a few gems that caught my eye.  First up is this adorable Personalized Pajama Party Family Ornament from Ornaments in the Green.  Every year we purchase a personalized ornament for our tree.  I immediately fell in love with this one and ordered it right away.  Find it on Etsy.com, $17.50.
(Photo courtesy of Walmart)

Since my goal for 2020 is to get back on track - fitness-wise - I literally just ordered this Weslo Crosswalk Treadmill.  Never mind that it's arriving on Friday and before Christmas (whoops!).  Unfortunately, it's also not included in Walmart's Black Friday offerings, but it currently has a rollback price of $269.  Find it at Walmart.com.
(Photo courtesy of Hess Toy Trucks)

My husband collects Hess Toy Trucks, so it's no surprise that I ordered one of these as soon as they became available.  His collection dates back to the 80s, and although they seem to be taking up space in our attic, I couldn't not indulge the man.  Find it at HessToyTruck.com, $35.99 plus tax.
(Photo courtesy of Justin Donner and Ascot Media)

My cat lover is going to relish every page of the book, Ninja Cat: Whiskers of Choice.  Written by Justin Donner (with input from his 10 year old son), Ninja Cat tackles tough topics, including bullying, peer pressure and money problems, among others, and is told by a precocious feline, who loves to play video games.  Find it on Amazon, $9.99.
(Photo courtesy of Target.com)

My teenager is dying for a pair of Apple Air Pods.  I'm still searching out the best Black Friday deals for them.  I've seen prices ranging from $85 to $179 depending upon the retailer.  I know I can do better than that.  This pair is available at Target, pre-Black Friday price $144.99.
(Photo courtesy of JCPenney)

Lastly, I'm hoping to find this pretty (Liz Claiborne Women's Leopard Fleece Robe) under the Christmas tree for me.  It's presently under $25 and methinks it will go even lower for Black Friday.  In any event, I've been leaving little hints around the house for my husband.  You know: texting him robe pictures, leaving out the JCPenney card, keeping the laptop open to the page - you get the idea, lol.  Fingers crossed he takes the hint(s).  Find it at JCPenney, $23.79.

That's just a little bit of all I want for Christmas this year.  What's on your gift list?

Jeanine

* Note: I received a copy of Ninja Cat: Whiskers of Choice for review.  However, all opinions, text, images, etc. are honest and my own.  This blog does not contain any content that might present a conflict of interest.  Affiliate links and/or monetary compensation will always be disclosed.
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Or should I say White Wednesday with a touch of green?!  This Joyful sign is a Target find ($5).  I love the touch of green and how it perfectly fits this upcycled wood tote.  It's happily sitting on our kitchen counter.

Jeanine
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Are you squealing with excitement that Christmas is only a few weeks away?!  I know I can hardly contain myself.  And it's certainly felt like 'tis the season here lately.  It's been sooooo cold.  Since I'm not a winter girl, I've been content staying in the house and breaking out some decorations and putting together Christmas-inspired vignettes like the one above.
And I've been busy crafting.  How do you like this Dollar Tree ornament after my embellishments?  I added the snowflake, merry stickers and French "presents."  
Or what about these petite sheet music chalkboard ornaments?  The chalkboards were a thrift store find.  I added the vintage Christmas sheet music (using Mod Podge) and sticker embellishments.
This one is my favorite.  I made a faux canvas sign using a window shade, two pieces of wood and some sticker paper.  I gave it a Rae Dunn look using DaFont's Skinny font.  I simply added the phrase to a word document and printed it out on clear sticker paper.  Super easy!
I also updated our kitchen message board, lol.

We've put up two out of our three trees.  I'll be sharing those shortly in another blog post.  It's definitely beginning to feel a lot like Christmas over here...and I'm loving every minute of it!

Jeanine
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Raise your hand if you've already started some Christmas projects.  I just can't resist!  I know Thanksgiving is next and blah, blah, blah, but when you've got the itch, you need to scratch it. 
 
First up are these wood tree ornaments.  I grabbed a pack of plain pre-cut trees from Dollar Tree.  I embellished them with vintage sheet music, Scrabble tiles, faux pearls and whatever else I had in my craft room.  I can't wait to see them hanging from our tree this year!
Next up are these Jenga block ornaments.  First I painted the blocks white.  Then I sanded and hand-stamped a variety of holiday-inspired phrases.  This is the before.
And this is the after - after some embellishments and tea-stained seam binding.
And who can resist some holiday retail therapy?!  Both of these pieces are from our local Walmart.  I love, love, love the buffalo check!  I've also been stalking Target.  Their Dollar Spot Christmas goodies are amazing this year!  I'll be sharing my finds in a separate post.  So stay tuned...

Jeanine
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Sharing a sneak peak of the USPS' holiday stamps.  Seems everyone is catching on to the farmhouse spirit these days.  Seriously, how pretty are these stamps?!
According to the post office: displayed on a door, in a window or over a mantel, wreaths are symbols of joy and celebration, inviting the spirit of the season into the home.  Inspired by the holiday decorating traditions of early America, the four wreaths featured on these stamps are classic yet contemporary.  Their designs create feelings of warmth and welcome.  

The four styles include:
  • The ribbon wreath is inspired by French floral art.  Aspidistra leaves, folded and manipulated to resemble ribbons, create a long-lasting wreath;
  • Gilded pinecones and magnolia pods grace the wreath trimmed with cranberry red ribbon;
  • Red and gold ribbon adorns the wreath made from gilded dried hydrangea, eucalyptus and nandina foliage, red berries and small ornaments;
  • The woodland bush ivy and red winterberry wreath presents a classic red and green palette.

The post office will issue the stamps in booklets of 20.  Be sure to ask for them at your local USPS office.  Can't wait to get mine!

Jeanine


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Last weekend, we hopped in the car and took a short ride to Tarrytown, NY to visit Lyndhurst Mansion.  If you're not familiar with it, Lyndhurst is a gothic revival mansion that was once home to Jay Gould, William Paulding and George Merritt.  
Lyndhurst was on my list of things to do since last year!  They did a marvelous job dressing it up for Halloween.  I got a ton of ideas for next year!
This is in the foyer.  But it gets better...
The "sitting room."
How'd you like a seance with these creepy characters?!
The dining room.  Note to self: stock up on velvet for next Halloween.
The fireplace in the dining room.
Stained glass window overlooking the property.
How's this for a view?

If you're in NY or popping by on a cruise, definitely check out Lyndhurst Mansion.  It was gorgeous.  I hear they do an even more spectacular job for Christmas.

Jeanine
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The autumn and Halloween decorations are in full swing here.  It truly is my most favorite time of year.
And it finally (!) feels like fall here. {Target Pumpkin with Dollar Tree harvest sign.}
I can't believe Halloween is a mere three weeks away.  Are you ready for it?! {Creepy Halloween sheet music.  Available in my Etsy.}
I don't want to rush it.  For once I want to enjoy the here and now. {Mason jar lid pumpkins.}
I want to take in all the colors of the season and breathe in the fresh, crisp air. {Hand-stamped book stacks.}
I want to take it slow...{Black Cat Tavern sign from Target.}

Jeanine 
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Stay tuned as I'm working on enabling purchases of my Etsy goodies right here on the blog.  Simply, look for the PayPal and Add to Cart option on my sidebar.  Items available will be linked in my posts.

It's going to take a few days to get everything up and running, but I'm super excited to be adding this option as Etsy has been getting a little tricky as of late.

Jeanine
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It's the most wonderful time of the year!  You guys know how much I love, love, love Halloween.  I started decorating for it last week.  Well...maybe the week before...
My she-shed was the first on the list.  I try to change it up every year.  Last year I did an Alice in Wonderland theme.  This year it's more of a hodgepodge.  I started with a black and white color palette with some touches of teal and orange.
As always, most everything here is either a DIY, thrift store/garage sale find or straight outta the Dollar Store.  The printables are from The Graphics Fairy or ones I found on Pinterest.
It's still a work in progress, but I'm loving how it looks so far!

Have you started decorating for Halloween yet?

Jeanine
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If you're looking for a wicked Halloween project to do with your kiddos, look no further than this Cut & Assemble Haunted House paper model book from Dover Publications (by Matt Bergstrom, SRP: $12.95).
"A deliciously creepy Victoria mansion is loaded with spooky fun, inside and out!  Enter an eerie world with this cut-and-assemble model, which allows you to see both sides of a haunted house.  One side features the exterior of a tall, narrow home with bay windows, dormers, and a front porch.  The other side reveals a busy interior with a variety of rooms plus a basement lab and haunted attic."  
The book has everything you need - minus the glue and scissors - to make the terrifying Skorrenfold Manor.  For a simpler project, those who are afraid to enter the haunted house can make the exterior alone.  Feeling fearless?  Try your hand at harder or more difficult levels that include interior rooms and pop-up monsters.
You'll meet a colorful crew of ghosts, zombies, vampires and witches, among other ghouls, along the way. My little guy can't wait to put this together with me.  And I'm just as excited!

Jeanine

* Note: I received a review copy from Dover Publications.  However, all opinions, text, images, etc. are honest and my own.  This blog does not contain any content that might present a conflict of interest.  Affiliate links and/or monetary compensation will always be disclosed.


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When I saw these Rae Dunn napkins at Home Goods last week, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them: make Halloween coasters!  This project literally takes 15-20 minutes from start to finish.
I picked up this pack too.  The pic shows everything you need to make your own coasters (minus the cork backing).  I've done a tutorial on making these before, but here's the condensed version: remove one ply from your napkin (keep the ply with the image), cut to size.  Spread Mod Podge over the coaster tile and carefully apply your image to it - spreading out any bubbles or wrinkles.  Once that is dry, add another coat of Mod Podge over your image.  Let that dry and then add whatever backing you choose (I've been using corkboard, but I've also used felt).  
Easy peasy!  And speaking of easy peasy, I made a book stack for Halloween, as well.  Hocus pocus seems to be this year's catchphrase.  All you need are some books, letter stamps and an ink pad.  Simply stamp the side of the book pages that you want your phrase on.  Warning: these book stacks are very addicting!

Have you started decorating for Halloween yet?

Jeanine
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Run, don't walk, to your nearest Burlington.  I found this amazing autumn welcome mat there for $6.99.  Yes, you read that right.  A gorgeous farmhouse mat for under $10.  I almost asked my son to pinch me!

Jeanine
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Autumn doesn't officially start for a couple of weeks, but it's certainly felt fall-ish here and I'm loving every minute of it.  I've already started putting out our autumn decor - starting with this cute Hello Fall sign from the Dollar Store.  Yes, you read that right: the Dollar Store!  It could easily be mistaken for a piece from Target's DollarSpot.
Speaking of Target's DollarSpot, have you seen these pretties?  Our local store had only a handful of these available, so I grabbed the last three signs and mini tobacco basket.  
I used some of them for this mini vignette on our coffee table.
I've also been busy upcycling and creating some of my own pieces.  I made this harvest tote using this sweet metal sign (found at the Dollar Store in a three pack with three different words).  It's currently sitting in my she-shed.
This cute little Bingo book display is also in there.
I've got a touch of autumn just about everywhere so far.
The Pick Your Own Pumpkins sign is a free printable you can find on Pinterest.
I love this sweater pumpkin.  I found it at Marshall's a few years ago.
The black pumpkin is also from the Dollar Store. I grabbed two.  I'm really impressed with the Dollar Store's offerings this year.  They've really stepped up their game.

Have you started decorating for autumn yet?

Jeanine
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Okio B Designs
I am a small business owner by day, and mom of two boys and DIY crafter by night. You might remember me from my old blog: One Cheap B*tch. I love sharing my tips and tricks to create affordable home decor, fashion, food, crafts and more! Drop me a line at spam-proof: jeanineb4etsy(at)yahoo(dotcom). Thanks for stopping by! Jeanine
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