Category: DIY

AR Workshop: Jingle Box

If you are related to me, maybe don’t read this blog post…

I loved the AR Workshop Harvest box so much (you can read about it here), so it took me less than 5 seconds to decide to buy the Jingle Box when I saw the announcement. This time, I bought a Jingle box for myself AND I bought one as a Christmas gift for a family member.

Once again, the contents of the box were a total surprise. However, much like the fall Harvest box they announced that it would contain a mix of handmade and retail seasonal goodies with an exclusive DIY kit and items from local makers. The cost of the box was $95 with a retail value of over $150. When I ordered my box to keep, I was hoping for a couple items that I could pass on for Christmas gifts and also some that I can keep to enjoy… and I’m very pleased with what I received!

Let’s take a look inside my Jingle box:

(Once again, if you’re related to me… turn away now because I ordered one for a gift too!)

First, check out this gorgeous wrapping job and a peek at what I saw when I opened the box:

Unlike the Harvest boxes, which were unwrapped, each Jingle box was beautifully wrapped so you can put them right under the tree!

These first three items from my box are items that I am planning to pass on, which worked out perfectly for me. There is a soft plaid scarf, a pretty mug with a hot chocolate bomb, and a holiday oven mitt with butter cookie mix inside. All three of these are perfect for gift giving (or keeping!) and I’m planning to pair the oven mitt/cookie mix and coffee mug/hot chocolate bomb for a work friend gift. I’m not sure who is getting the scarf yet, but it is awfully pretty!

This next grouping is items that I am thrilled to keep for myself. I love the handmade ‘Tis the Season’ tray and it’s perfect to sit on an ottoman in my den to hold my coffee cup and kindle on lazy weekend days. The candle smells fantastic and the ‘Baking Spirits Bright’ kitchen towel was immediately added to my kitchen.

And here is the project that they included in the Jingle Box! It is a DIY Classic Wood Ornaments set and it came with three pieces of wood, sanding paper, stencils, paint, foam brushes, ribbon and hooks. Jack and I completed the project over the weekend and it was a fun project to do with a kid, or to do on your own in a burst of creativity!

Once again, the AR Workshop knocked this box out of the park and I LOVE it so much! I’m hoping that my family member also loves it… because I think it’s a great gift for the holidays!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored.

Turning a Robe into a Keepsake

If you’ve been following along with my blog or Instagram account at all over the past couple years, you may know that Jack is pretty much obsessed with his robe. It was a Christmas present in 2018 and Jack took to the robe like a little Hugh Hefner.

This was from about a year ago and I can’t delete it off my phone because it’s so dang cute!

All winter, spring, summer, and fall, if Jack was at home… it was pretty likely that he was wearing his robe. Sometimes over clothes. Most of the time with just a pair of little boxer briefs. On nights that it was a bit too warm, he’d put the robe next to him in bed so that he could enjoy the fuzzy fleece without melting.

I was pleasantly surprised that after almost 2 years of daily wear, the robe was still super soft and never pilled up at all. However, Jack grew like a weed… so the robe that once went down to his knees suddenly only covered his butt.

I ordered him a new robe and luckily was able to order the exact same one that he had (yay Amazon!). However, like anyone who has a kid with a ‘lovie’ may know… just because we replaced his favorite robe didn’t mean we could donate the old one.

Which brings us to the easiest project ever: turning the robe into a pillow!

All I did was chop off the arms and the belt, cut the robe fabric into two big squares and sew it into a big square. I threw the extra fleece bits inside the pillow and topped it off with the insides of a pillow that was in our donate pile. That was it. It probably took me 5 minutes and Jack was THRILLED with his new repurposed robe.

Now, it lives on his desk chair so that he can enjoy his fluffy robe in a virtual school appropriate kinda way!

Oh and if you are looking for a fantastic kid’s robe, I do highly recommend this one!

Disclaimer: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

AR Workshop: Fall Harvest Box

A few weeks ago, AR Workshop announced on their Instagram account that they had a limited-edition Harvest Box coming out. I was intrigued, so when the boxes went on sale, I took a closer look.

The contents of the box were a surprise, but here are the hints they gave:

  • It’s the perfect way to kick off the Fall Season
  • Retail price is $89 and it has a value of over $160
  • The box will contain a mix of handmade and retail seasonal goodies. “Think exclusive DIY kit, unique project type and fall themed items”
  • We even included season items from a few local makers!

Fall + Handmade + Local Makers…. SOLD!

I wasn’t able to stop by the store on box pick-up day, but Lindsey grabbed it up for me and brought it to me this past weekend. And OH. MY. GOSH. This box couldn’t be more perfect!

I’m not even exaggerating when I say I was squealing over every single item and my husband almost hurt himself by rolling his eyes so much.

Let’s take a look…

Pumpkin succulent by Eclectic Blooms

Fall Candle, hand-poured from Farmer & The Belle

16” x 9” Centerpiece box with Happy Harvest design

Okay, let’s start with the Happy Harvest Centerpiece box. It’s dang adorable and has a little oil-rubbed-bronze handle on each side. The design is on just one side, so you can totally turn it around and use it the other way throughout the year. I can see this on an entrance table, on our dining table, or even outside with some pumpkins in it by the front door. The pumpkin succulent is freaking incredible and I assumed the pumpkin was ceramic, so I was shocked when I realized it was a real hollowed-out pumpkin with succulents planted inside. It’s perfect for the season! As for the candle, it is “harvest” scented which has a bit of spice to it and I love the jar too.

I paired the three items together and added them to the middle of our dining table for a pretty fall display.

Layering Rug buffalo check pattern

The layering rug is super cute and will be a fun addition to underneath my ‘welcome’ rug at our front entrance. We are actually about to have some work done on our walkway this week, so I’m holding off until that dust settles to put the rug outside.

8” x 8” Framed Mini sign with Give Thanks design

This little sign was totally hiding behind something in the box. When I pulled it out, I just thought it was the cutest thing. Someone from the AR workshop made it (it’s stamped on the back) and it’s the perfect size to fit in some of our book shelves in the living room.

DIY Tea Towel Kit with Hello Fall design

I love that they included a project for me to do in this box! The tea towel project includes the towel, the Hello Fall stencil, paint, and a little sponge to dab the color on. I did the project over the weekend and it turned out super cute (you can see it here — click the arrow to see each step).

Apple Pie Caramel Apple by Oh My Chocolate

Yeah, it was eaten within probably 30 minutes of seeing it. The apple was dipped in white chocolate and then rolled in this sugary apple spice stuff. It was SO GOOD and I’m not even ashamed a bit that I ate it all without offering it to anyone else…

I could not be happier with the AR Workshop Harvest box and I will absolutely be ordering a winter version if they release one!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored.