Since today is supposed to be a snowy day here in Ohio, I put together a cozy little hot cocoa station to help keep me warm. Or hot chocolate station. Not sure what the difference is?
I set it up on my enamel topped cabinet in my new 1960's Aladdin plaid lunch box.
Yes, this could have been my lunch box when I was in elementary school. If not for the fact that my mom packed my lunch in brown paper bags.
I so wanted to be one of the cool kids with a lunch box though. And now I am!
I've got your typical Nestle hot cocoa in packets (just add water) and in the little can next to the bottle brush tree is salted caramel hot cocoa.
Who knew you could throw salt onto sticky caramel and create a little slice of Heaven? That stuff is to die for!
I've got candy cane sticks to stir the cocoa with. Along with tiny chocolate chips and tiny marshmallow bits to sprinkle on top.
The marshmallows are called Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits and are even tinier than typical mini marshmallows. And they're hard.
Think of Lucky Charms minus the nasty Cheerios type things.
The little milk bottle looking things are actually the 9.5 oz bottles of Starbucks' chilled Mocha Frappuccino that you can buy at the grocery or convenience store. I just peeled the plastic Starbucks labels off them and spray painted the caps green.
I purchased two of these Santa mugs at the thrift store for $1 last week (you can find very authentic looking reproductions HERE, if you can't find the originals).
The only worthwhile Christmas stuff I have found at the thrifts this year!!!
I added my newest vintage camera to the vignette. The Kodak Duaflex III camera, manufactured from 1954-1957. It's not a super thrifty find, since I bought it at an antique mall, but I thought it was in pretty good shape for the $15 price tag.
Normally I don't like to spend more than $5 on a camera.
It's one of those cameras that you hold at your waist and look down in to. The viewfinder is folded back into the down position in this photo.
I also added my car in a jar.
Same car, same tree, but different jar from last year's Christmas Kitchen Tour.
They were expecting so much snow here today that they called off school. Problem is that, as of right now, there is NO snow on the ground and I'm beginning to think they were reading the wrong forecast.
And not to be nit-picky or anything, but I had two barn sales and one new thrift store to check out today and now I'm just sitting here getting fat on hot cocoa.
Oops, my chocolate chips have all melted, can you pass me the bottle?
Have a wonderful, snow free, hot cocoa filled weekend!
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Isela C.
Hi, I love your Starbucks jars!
Can I ask what the exact color of spray paint you used for the green caps?
Thank you!
pattt
Great station and I collect these type of lunchboxes, I have a GI Joe for my husband and a Candyland one for me. Will try the station in our kitchen, since we like hot chocolate and New Jersey is cold now.
Pam
You've probably had the weird weather that we have. The problem is that I'm normally done with the cold and snow after Christmas and I have a feeling it's just getting started. Hoping for a mild winter anyway!
Annette K
I have to tell you how much I enjoy your posts? I love all your finds and so enjoy your sense of humor! I too love old and vintage things and like to see them used throughout a home. Thanks again for all the enjoyment I get from seeing your posts.
Patti
I have this exact lunch box from my first grade year in 1964. As an adult, I've used it with Christmas decor every year. Last year, I set up a hot chocolate/coffee station very similar to yours!
Pam
I've been thinking of maybe putting a snowy scene in it this year. Throw some of that fake snow in the bottom and put some deer and bottle brush trees on top of it 🙂
Dee Sewell
Absolutely gorgeous, what a lovely gift idea too and love the little car in a jar 🙂
Pamela Groppe
I love the car in the jar with the faux snow. The entire vignette is so cozy and warming to look at.
Amy Stafford
I love this! Very cute and colorful.
Pink Roses and Teacups
Oh I am just loving your hot cocoa station! Love the lunch box, and the car in the jar! Too cute! Where may I ask did you find that cool car?
Happy New Year!
Debbie
Robin Johnson
What a fun thing to do on cold snowy day. It's perfect. Oh, and by the way I still want to snatch that enamel table away from you. If ever it's mysteriously missing, I may just have gotten a wild hair, jumped in my car, drove to Ohio from Minnesota and smuggled it home to my house for safe keeping. LOL.
LivingVintage
I drink so much hot chocolate during the wintertime, it ain't even funny, and I don't even live anywhere near as cold as Ohio. Love your idea! I'm definitely wanting to replicate it especially when we have company. I also love your little diorama. So cute!
Patty Antle
very very cute! Ingenious how you used the Starbucks bottles and painted the caps!