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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Shabby chic Sandy
I have never drank so much hot coco in my life--it is so darn cold. I love the idea of setting up a station. Adorable. I also like the spiced cider packets--might have to add those in too. Enjoy!
Jill
If that's all the vintage Christmas you've found, at least it was something cute!
Gayle
I too had the same lunch box in 1955 when I walked two miles to a one room school house. I know, I know (violins playing) but alas its true-- : )
darla
Such a cute idea! I had this lunchbox when I was a child. Thanks for sharing. Also, wish we had some of that colder weather in Atlanta...it was in the 70's today!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
Super Cute!!!!!
mzzbev
So adorable! You are so creative! Have a blessed Christmas and New Year! 🙂
TARYTERRE
LOVE your hot chocolate station. But I'm crazy about that car in the jar with the tree on top. Very clever, indeed.
Sam I Am......
Well , they may have been wrong about your weather but they were right on about ours! It's been snowing here all day and it is coming your way (I am addicted to the weather channel so I know! LOL!)
Lemon cottage had a hot cocoa station and now yours...I'm going to have to do one now, You were both different though and very unique. I love the car with the tree....now I have to find a car, and a tree. Yes...I am right there with you about the salted caramel thing! If it makes you feel better, I didn't have a lunch box either as a child....should we be thinking about therapy over this issue? It seems to keep coming up...I'm just sayin'.....
I did not know about the the mallow "bits" nor did I ever think about adding chocolate chips to my cocoa. I've been living under a rock except for the caramel and salt part. Thanks for all the great ideas! It's all so cute and homey!
Pam Kessler
I just popped over there to see her cocoa area. Very cute! Love finding new-to-me blogs! I really do think a little therapy will be needed for our lunch box issues!
Jane
I am loving all of the cute hot chocolate stations I am seeing and your's is just the cutest!! Love that lunch box!! You created a wonderful, inviting area!!
Jane
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
OK this is the cutest hot chocolate station EVER! My area wants a re-do now! Love the hint about the starbucks bottles, too! Pinning!!
TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic
I love your hot chocolate station Pam and the holiday touches make it extra sweet. I hope that great new camera isn't there to catch shots of people like me who don't care for hot drinks but wouldn't think twice about swiping the entire cute container of tiny chocolate chips! I should be thinking about trying some hot chocolate with -40C (-40F) temps this morning. I need something to warm me up. With record snowfall for this early in the season I'd be more than happy to ship you a plaid lunch box or two full of snow too!
Marissa
This is so neat!
I would just love to have a coco station in my kitchen the only problem would be me sneaking in those delicious peppermints I think this is fabulous..
ThrifterSisters
I would love to put a little hot chocolate station together. Hmmmmmmm...where to put it? I've pretty much exhausted every flat surface in my house with vintage Christmas décor. Maybe on top of the washer or dryer in the laundry room? I'm in there every hour on the hour so that may be a good way to pace myself!
Btw...those little marshmallows are AMAZING! I discovered them last year and have been know to bypass the hot cocoa all together. Husband recently caught me shoving a handful of them into my mouth. He didn't say a word. Smart man.
~Erica
Merri Jo
I created a rather elaborate hot chocolate bar on a 3-tier galvanized tray, but I like yours better!! It is so adorable in the plaid lunch box(I had that one!). Your idea of a vintage cookie container would be great, too. I really want some snow, but what a bummer to have to miss barn sales & a thrifting for a faulty forecast! Perhaps the school administrators saw those sales advertised too. 😉
Curtains in My Tree
your hot chocolate vignette looks so cool
love the plaid lunch pail
oh and I like the car in a jar i want to copy that with my Santa in a jar
we didn't get any snow here in central Missouri either however St Louis and Springfield got a lot ,maybe the snow just hasn't got to you yet ?
it is 6 degrees here now and below zero wind chill tonight so i need some of your HOT chocolate
Erica of Golden Egg Vintage
This is such a cute post! I'm going to copy you and set up a similar station (if you don't mind). I have yet to find a cheap plaid lunch box though. Booo! It's -1 degrees here in MN!!! So I think I deserve to drink hot chocolate all day long! This weather is tough!
Have a great day! Erica 🙂
Pam Kessler
Go right ahead! I also thought it might look cute in an old Christmas cookie tin! Stay warm up there!
Anonymous
Windchill - 38 Today in Milwaukee Wisconsin Jan 28, 2014 Warming to Single Digits tomorrow! So going to dinner first, then a documentary about Egypt with friends.
You may be colder in MN, but East Coast, it may be coming by weekend so get the cocoa and ckn soup ready or other hot comfort food.