Hey Little Birdie | Shopping Blog

Simple.  Sleek.  Modern Appeal.  Love this Genuine Leather iPad Case from FelTu: Fashion for Technology Users.

I would change all the decor in my house to accommodate the color grellow. (If money were no object of course.) New designs at CB2 featuring this yellow meets green shade are speaking to my love for retro, mid century pieces. Take this rocker for instance:

or this pedestal table:

or even this crane task lamp:

Wouldn’t its glossy bright hue just make your day a tiny bit happier? I sure think so. And who doesn’t love a word like grellow? I must have said it to myself like a hundred times while writing this post because I love it so much! Check out even more grellow goodness at CB2 online. (ugh, another store I am wishing with all my might would open an outpost here!)

I may have an almost two year old, but I’ve never had to think much about baby proofing or toy storage. Until now. My little Claire Bear has learned to do multiple rolls across the floor (yippee!) and is amassing quite a collection of therapy toys. It makes me smile. And feel somewhat like a normal mom.

These welcome changes are creating a need for kid friendly, easily accessible bins that I can hide crap in (to be blunt). I hate clutter and I hate ugly plastic kid stuff almost as much. When it’s not in use, I want it out of sight and there is no way in h. e. double hockey sticks that I am storing it all in those primary color, plastic monstrosities you find in most stores. I know that Pottery Barn Kids has a few canvas options but they are all mostly in pastel shades and a little more than I would like to spend. My favorite solution so far is these stylish fabric bins from SewingMomma on etsy. With 58 fabric choices, I am bound to find a perfect fit for my living room. I think I just may have to get one for Lily’s dog toys too. And if you really think about it, you could use them everywhere around the house- to store TP, magazines, craft supplies, closet organization, you name it!

I don’t know why but I am crushing on faux bois (that’s fake wood en francais) designs lately. Maybe it’s the lack of greenery in the Phoenix desert this time of year or maybe the 112 temps are getting to my head, but whatever it is I want to take faux bois on a date and buy it a nice steak dinner. I’ve spotted gorgeous faux bois pottery on my beloved Martha Show, pretty faux bois fabrics in boutiques and even faux bois sterling silver jewelry. The funnest (yes I said funnest. not most fun. I don’t care if it is not technically a word. It should be. I like it)  application of woodgrain I have stumbled upon is this laptop decal on etsy.

I think it would make my macbook smile. I am torn between the pink and green versions. But I would probably default to green so my husband wouldn’t be too ashamed to use it if needed. Only $12 too, yippee!

Faux bois bonus for your furbaby: these darling collars on etsy. Cuteness!

Not only do I adore letterpress as an art form, I love the idea of displaying vintage letterpress pieces in my home. These letters are large five inch pieces that would look perfect on a shelf or side table. The ink left behind from years of use just adds to their character and beauty. They are available in many different letters (and even some numbers) and varied sizes as well.

I love coffee. – Josie, HLB, 2010

It may sound unusual, and strangely irresponsible of my parents, but the taste of coffee is one of my earliest memories.  On long road trips to visit Grandma’s house, I’d get stir crazy from laying in the back of the station wagon.  Soon I’d be climbing over the seats to get some attention from my parents, (no need for seat belts back then, you know) spot the red thermos and beg for a drink.  They’d eventually give in, take the top off and pour coffee into the handy lid/mug.  It’d always be cold because it was far into the trip.  Nevermind the taste of Folger’s and subtle hint of tin, I loved it anyway and felt so grown up.

I love that it is one of my first memories.  Soon my coffee memories would turn into a coffee love affair that included hot cups of coffee, college coffee houses and being behind the bar as a barista.

These coasters do my heart good – stylish, functional, artsy.  Love, love, love these!

The girls can tell shop has more hand-drawn goodness for you.  Check it out!

What about you?  Are you a coffee fanatic?

Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven.  ~Jessi Lane Adams

For the second installment of my do-it-yourself series, I want to give you the how-to on making your very own fabric memo board. I have spotted these bad boys for sale in the chicest baby boutiques for no less than $100. That is a travesty! You can easily make your own custom version for 1/3 of that cost. I recently started on one for a friend’s baby shower. (Her nursery theme is vintage John Deere in case your were wondering about the fabric choice.)

First, I purchased a frame at IKEA and removed everything from it, saving the back insert. I hot glued a layer of cork (available at any craft store) to the back insert.

Next, I covered the cork with 2 layers of thin batting (also available at most craft stores) and hot glued it around the back of the insert.

Then, I laid the fabric across the canvas and hot glued that to the back of the insert as well.

Next is the most difficult part. Select a ribbon that coordinates with your fabric and cut it into strips to fit diagonally across your board. Then, lay out your ribbon in a grid like so:

It may take a few tries to get it looking the way you want but you basically start at the corners and go from there. It all depends on how big of “slots” you want for your memo board. Next, I stuck mini pins that I found in the sewing aisle at an angle into the “x” sections of the ribbon. This secures your grid pattern. Then I simply hot glued the edges of the ribbon behind the board.

Lastly, I stuck it all back in the frame!

The only thing I have left to do now is find some coordinating buttons and hot glue them onto the ribbons. But here is a version I did for Claire’s nursery so you can see the button placement.

Fabric memo boards are perfect for kids’ rooms, offices, kitchens, just about anywhere! You can make them as modern, fancy, simple or vintage inspired as you like. Give it a try!

Boulder Mugs – $10.00

From Urban Outfitters

This mug rocks! Rustic colors and handmade-feel, this tea-cup style mug holds up to 8 ounces. Imported. Hand wash.
* 4.25″d, 2.5″h
* Ceramic

Day of the Week Clips – $9.00

From See Jane Work

Contemporary and cool but with a simple, playful appeal, paper goods and desk accessories from the Susy Jack Collection will brighten your desk, counter, or craft table.

Like those cute Days of the Week undies you had when you were a kid, but infinitely more practical, this set of handmade clips is great for getting your paperwork in order, assigning chores to kids, or keeping track of daily tasks.

Set of 7.

Enamel Stacked Lunch Box – $26.00

From Viva Terra