Hey Little Birdie | Shopping Blog

Here’s the kickoff of a new regular feature on Hey Little Birdie- Birds the Word. A simple explanation- one of my biggest inspirations is quotes (whether from books, speeches, lyrics, etc) so I am going to share something that is inspiring to me at the moment and add in an illustration (picture, product, you get the idea) of those words. To start, I had to make it all about birds (of course!)

sweet little paperclip bookmark from Paper Daisy Design Co.

Rise up this morning,
Smiled with the rising sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou.”

Singing: “Don’t worry ’bout a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
Singing: “Don’t worry ’bout a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right!”

Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

One of the most cherished regularities in my life right now is… my amazing book club. It is comprised of a handful of intelligent, witty, and creative people. And everytime we meet, I am reminded of how full and enhanced my life is because of each one of them. (Gosh, I hope you all are reading this… I mean, this type of love doesn’t ooze often.)

It’s really unbelieveable that I wasn’t in a book club before this (we are only 4 or 5 months old). I mean it combines some of my favorite things in the world… books, conversation, and friends. Add in a little coffee and possibly a pastry, and you can imagine how I might as well keel over in complete bliss once every month when we get together.

So… last week, highlighted somewhere on the world wide web, I saw these Book of the Month clutches from Kate Spade. And while they are more than I could spend, I couldn’t help but show you in case you haven’t seen the likes of this cuteness anywhere else. Right now there are three to choose from… Great Expectations, The Great Gatsby, and The Importance of Being Earnest. What book would you like to see Kate Spade clutch next?

Do you like books? Do you like t-shirts? Do you wish that the two would join forces to create something completely incredible? Well, voila. Close your eyes… picture Vanna White arms waving back and forth in a displaying fashion… while a soft-spoken person whispers “ta-da” in your ear… wait, that last part sounds creepy. Sorry.

Out of Print features unique and often out of print book covers for some of our culture’s greatest literary works of art. Not to mention every time you purchase a shirt, a book is sent to a community in need in Africa. Nice.

Check them out.

Father’s Day is fast approaching and that means spoiling the dads in your life. But why DIY? Well because if you are like most of us, spare money is a little tight currently (and now we have to save up for the new iphone. Again.) Plus, we all know that homemade presents mean so much more! Here’s a few ideas to get you started on your Father’s Day project:

1. Custom labeled snack box- treat dad to “hero supplies” by marking his favorite foods and drinks with these fun labels. Buy his favorite beer, make his treasured cookies, throw in his beloved beef jerky and display it all in a wooden box available at any craft store. Here’s the detailed instructions and free label templates.

concept and photo by Jordan Ferney

2. Beginner’s gardening kit- maybe your guy wants to cultivate his green thumb or perhaps he loves to cook? A starter herb garden would make a perfect gift! Purchase a container (this one is a metal caddy from Target. I spotted it at the store in four colors), add small planters holding an array of his favorite herbs, and customize it with a handmade gift tag (here are the instructions on how to make this version but get creative and make up your own!) I would also toss in some gardening gloves, an herb snip, as well as label the planters with a permanent felt tip marker and include care instructions.

concept and photo by Abbie Hendrickson

3. Memory flip book- honor a special time for Dad by ordering a custom flip book of any digital video clip under 30 seconds. From your little one’s first laughs and steps to the father/daughter dance at your wedding- the possibilities are endless! Flip books are available in many sizes and covers at FlipClips. And they are affordable too!

photos by Martha Stewart

I hope these ideas help inspire you or your children to make something unique and full of love for dear old dad! If you still need further inspiration, Martha has a fabulous DIY resource with many more options here like monogrammed ties and crafted cuff links. Enjoy!

Let’s try something… let’s combine three of my favorite things – Anthropologie, Jane Austen, and reading… come on, it’s the trifecta, otherwise known as a the perfect gift for yours truly. My sweet husband, knowing me so well after 11 years of marriage, purchased said book for moi for Christmas this year. My goal in penning this post is that I will remind him how much I adore this gift, so that he will go back and buy me more!

Enough about me and my selfish pursuits, let’s talk about you… and this collection of books. Penguin Classic hardbacks include such masterpieces as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, and several other Jane Austen finds. And you can get them for $20 a piece at one of our favorite wonderlands, Anthropologie. Husbands, you’re welcome in advance.