It's been one of those days....

Stubbs & Wootton dress slippers £330

Birdie love!
xxx

right now...

doodles sent to valentines across the globe

• I recently heard Prince's "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry" for the first time ever in my life...despite being classics in their own rights, I never really made time to hear them or willing to based on the snippets I have heard. Byt I was blown away. And the immense pleasure of hearing all the notes, beats and quivers were just awesome! You're never too ol to make discoveries!

• it's been three weeks since getting back from my holiday trip to Orlando, Florida (blog posts to follow!) and it already feels like I've never left! Apart from the few mementos, photos and memories to look back on, it really was a great time and a great reminder of my love for travelling. It re-lit the fire in me and already planning a few trips well into 2015 with a family one to Norway which is looking to be a great experience - fingers crossed!

• Karma is being nice to me and for that, I'm very thankful for the experience and reminder that life does have great moments. And Im glad to never take it for granted

• I'm in the process of saving up for the forthcoming release of the Lego Simpsons' House and Ghostbusters headquarters...saw them in the Lego shop in Downtown Disney and I know I will need them in my life! sooooo awesome!

• Life is ever-changing and of late, certainly is rolling forward more so than ever. Where once, things were unclear, are now becoming startling so, where things were once a no became a yes and what was deep becomes deeper. Life is a strange creature!

I hope you are well, dear readers, what have you been up to of late?

Birdie Love

xxx

Valentines -craft share!

Valentines - love it or hate it, you cannot really ignore it!
And so, if you hve a partner or just treating yourself to a little self loving, here's some lovely crafted items for  your consideration!
Remember...crafty love is for life, not just for valentines!

lego heart

***The fun part comes form the connection, there is no clasp on the necklace the LEGO plates make the clasp, so to put the necklace on just detach the 2 plates (pic 2) place the chain around your neck and then attach them back together to form a strong clasp. ***

Simple idea but so brilliantly executed! So in love with this necklace!

Dont go Bacon my heart mug

Cheesey but brilliant...especially for my bacon/fry-up loving hubby!

book sculpture

perfect for the book lovers in your life (like me! *wink wink!*)And an added bonus of being upcycled too, this beautiful piece captures what words simpy doesnt!

double heart garter set

We all know Valentines tends to be all about the...well....you know...*nudge-nudge, wink-wink!*
And this is adorably sweet! Being an old hand when it comes to the Dom and fetish world, this garter set is perfect and unique for I've not seen anything like this yet! I want!

Anatomical embroidered heart card

For the more macabre and morbid lovers out there, you can't go far wrong with these beautifully embroidered anatomical heart cards! I love the vintage style design and the photo corners are the perfect finishing touch!



no matter who you are or where you are in this crazy world, or how you celebrate Valentines day, just remember - someone loves you!

Birdie love!
xxx

insta-who?

Bonjour!

I hope you well!

If you are a regular reader, you might be aware of my Instagram account and may even follow it from time to time!
I love taking pictures and Instagram for me, is like a photo-blog, a medium I can record my own day to day little memories
But there are some great instagrams out there for you to follow if you are an instagram user!

Allow me to recommend you some!


instagram.com/beckybedbug

Kooky and cool, Becky's instagram captures some awesome little pieces of her life...such as her Bellatrix Estrange dress (do go and see it!) and her collection of shoes, make-up (which she reviews on her blog) and books!



instagram.com/henpinn

This is the instagram account that goes hand in hand with the popular henhousehomemade blog...the pictures are sublime and beautifully set up to feature hand made felt jewellery and eye-dazzling quilts...A great pick-me-up site to browse and feel it lift your spirits!



instagram.com/twinkiechan

Yes, this is the girl who knits and crochets food! If you can't get enough of her yummy-tastic bog, then shuffle over to her instagram and take in more happy, perky piccies of her work, her wonderful face and scrummy food....as well as her cuddly doggy, Bibi!




instagram.com/allyebdon

This is perhaps one of the best secrets out there in the blog world, Ally runs a little blog called Now Thats Pretty and I cannot recommend enough thatbyou drop everything and go have a nosey...now! (but do come back!)  so creative and talented in ways that leaves me green beyond green..Ally's blog and her recently started Instagram is just a wonderzone of delights. Do go see the picture of her handbaked golden snitch macarons with the awesome Monster book of Monsters you see in the Harry Potter movies...just amazing....and the recent pictures of the cut-out Sherlock dress....sublime!



instagram.com/citybirdie

And then there is this one created by....me!
*blushes*
Sometimes I feel I can convey more in a picture than a blog update!


Do feel free to check these lovely people out and leave your own instagram account details for me to check out! I do love a good look around!

Birdie Love
xxx

Sleep - craft share

Hello!
I hope you are well, fine and dandy and your day is rolling on by nicely!
I bring to you another craft share this time, focusing on the the theme of "sleep"...something I've been getting very little of late!

Whether you get little or plenty of it, sleep is something we all need...like these lovely pieces to follow...!

Let her sleep wall hanging

Simple, naively sweet and with a rustic edge due to the stamped lettering , this piece just so cute!
Ive seen several variations to this little quote but this one in its' embroidery hoop and the little details like the heart for me, is the best of the lot!

Go the F*** to sleep cross-stitch pattern

I'm sure every parent at one stage or another have thought this after countless nights of no sleep whilst looking after the baby
I love the fact whilst this remains cute overall with its baby-related border, the over all message is one all adults can relate too!
....I have a feeling I will be cross stitching this for a few people in the near future, judging at the rate everyone around me is getting pregnant!

Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired sleeping mask

So cute! I love those lashes and little pearl at the corner of each eye!
I love the scene where Audrey Hepburn's character comes home late in the morning after another night out and proceeds to bed, complete with wearing ear plugs and an eye-mask completely with eyelashes....I could never forget such a sight!

sleeping cat necklace

Oh to be a cat!
Think about it....they eat, they sleep and do little else in life!
As this "puuuuur-fect" necklace shows....sorry!
I love the kitty's little paws!

sleeping mother and baby bear

Awwww! So beautiful and sweet.
I just love that little cub nestled into his mummy's arms. Just love, love, love this piece!
Beautiful!

sleeping otters

These slumbering sweeties are holding on to each other so they don't drift apart in their dreams. Their magnetized paws keep them together; also, one is clutching a starfish, the other a scallop for an after-snooze snack

What a brilliantly cute idea!
So original and well executed! And a nice reference to Otters who do, sleep holding hands with their loved ones!
This would make a great valentine's gift wouldn't you think?

dud's sleeping bag

Doodlebug Dud's sleeping bags are great for the pets that love to burrow. Does your pet love to snuggle under your blankets? Are they always trying to get under the clothes or blankies on the couch? Well, now they can have thier very own sack to snuggle in. 

It's not just us humans who like our beds, our four legged friends do too!
I can totally see my bunny loving this, hoping in and out as he has a good rummage around inside then lying down to snuggle!
There's something so darling seeing this little doggy in his own sleeping bag!

totoro sleep mask

I can't do a craft share without sneaking in a Totoro piece from time to time can I?
I know myself and a few friends who regularly reads this blog would go gaga for this piece!
Look at those eyes!
Those ears!




And now, can i present to you the best thing since sliced bread....

sleeping bag pizza slice

A slice of Pizza sleeping bag with veggy-shaped cushions!
As you can see, the crust is the pillow, then you slip yourself between the tomato and cheese topping and the base to snuggle in.....bliss!
I cant stop looking at this fabulous piece! So witty and brilliantly designed and made isn't it?
I love that broccoli cushion!


Isn't Sleep so exciting?!
You can sleep in a giant pizza slice, whilst holding hands with your loved one like otters, wearing your Totoro eyemask......


Maybe not!


Birdie Love as always!
XXX

food for thought....

....!


Birdie Love
xxx

Mikimoto Kitty

Mikimoto.....perhaps the best and highly desired pearls in the world which can sell for mega bucks...
I wore at my wedding my nan's Mikimoto pearls so they are special to me and I know one day I will inherit them as they are too, my birthstone. Wearing them on the day just was too scary as I know they were so expensive!

But I digress....Mikimoto has released a somewhat-cool range of pearls themed around our most loved, mouthless kitty...Hello Kitty!

The necklace above is going for around $278,000......

let that sink in

....

....

*tumble weed rolls by*

It sunken in yet? Good!

I think I will stick to my Hello Kitty lip balms from primark...at £2, they are a bit more affordable!




Birdie Love!
xxx

today...

Make it a good day today!

Birdie Love
xxx

Crafty Shop Spotlight - Pop & Moo

Hello there!

I bring to you a new feature on this blog which I hope to make a regular appearance!
I been doing craft shares for a while now and they have been a popular feature on this blog and deservingly so! There are thousands of wonderful craftsters out there making wondering things that deserve a shout out and a share to the world...but sometimes you come across not one product, or two, or even three that catches your attention but a whole shop!

So Crafty Shop Spotlight aims to now bring your attention to some of the best little online shops hidden in the corners of the web, and their awesome wares for your delight and hopefully purchases...'cos you simply can't live without that kawaii little thing that caught your eye!

So without further ado, I shine the spotlight on...





WIth a banner this cute, it's looking awesome already!

Grey cat flats

It was these lovely little kitty flats that caught my attention first whilst casually browsing....and immediately I had to check these out. Cute, quirky but subtle at the same time, something I very much appreciate about these shoes. Not in-your-face cute overload but tastefully done...I give these a thumbs up and decided to look deeper into Pop & Moo to see what else is on display....


Clicking on the "About" link, I was able to see just what Pop & Mo is about and it's inspiration....

"If I ever come back in another life I want to be a well loved cat".

A saying my family has always said. A well loved cat really has it all, cuteness, play, relaxing, love, happiness.

I wanted a slice of a cats life in this life so left an office job and dived head first into Etsy and, inspired by my two own well loved kitties Pop & Moo, my shop was born and it's filled with everything that is good about a happy cats life...

Cuteness, fun, happiness and joy!

Always be yourself and don't let anyone tell you otherwise xx"

With "Cuteness, fun, happiness and joy" ringing in my ears, i really do think it sums up the shop very well and all its lovely little pieces!

cute cat brooch

Dawwwwwwwwww! Look at his little face!

teabag necklace

I'm so in love with this little chappy! unusual and so delightful, especially with his little dickie bow!
What a wonderful productive and amazing imagination!

bones iPad case cover

I reckon that bone in the middle is the funny bone....geddit?! *groans*....i never said I was good at jokes y'know!

kawaii bunny shoe clips

I've never been persuaded by shoe clips but these could just about do it!

tea and cake mary-janes

I need these in my wardrobe......so bad!....

fluffy cloud brooch

Pop & Moo got this cute, fluffy cloud design on several product lines from shoes to necklace....I just adore her little happy face with the bow and the blue background!

Rocket necklace

I love the colours used!


Having looked around Pop & Moo, I adore the shop and its pieces.
They been well thought out and designed and clearly a lot of time and effort been spent thinking on the colour-ways and developing the characters so they each had a twinkle in their eye!

All too often , its very easy to go overboard with cute and kawaii designs, and start overloading designs with bright, garish colours and sparkles....Pop & Moo has kept restrained and let the simplictiy of the design remain the cuteness factor with carefully selected colour schemes which I actually like very much.

The best features for me of the shop certainly was the shoes! I adore how the designs elevated the accessory to a whole new level! In fact, I'm pretty sure I've seen a pair showcased in my favourite craft magazine "Mollie Makes"....hmmm...!

Do give Pop & Moo a look around! I think you will adore it as much as I did and as a fellow Brit', I'd like to give a shout out to Pop & Moo and say Well done! Keep up the creativity and the awesomeness!


click here for Pop & Moo shop


Until next time, where I bring you another awesome shop...

Bye!

Birdie Love
xxx

New Year, New Goals!

I've learnt a long time ago to not bother with resolutions.
Its that old cliche of new year, new me....off to the gym and lose weight and by February, you've fallen off the bandwagon and never to reattempt to get back on until the following new year....whilst feeling very angry and disgusted in yourself during the mean time.

To me, personal goals are set all the time, some big one and some small, Once they are achieved, a new one takes its place that is relevant to you at that time. You've no way of knowing what the year will bring so planning as you is the better way to do it I've found and the pressure is less and more realistic.

Design and produce new pieces for Bird's Nest
I now got some inspirations and themes stockpiled around my house and in my mind! Its about time I get something down on paper and out to the world for others to see what I'm about....and how crazy/weird/kooky I am!


To Blog Regularly!
There are times where I am quiet here, simply because I am busy or I am tired and need space or nothing to say. But overall I kept posting over 2013 and want to continue that into 2014....it keeps me sane and I've met some amazing people through it!


To focus more on my photography
Through the bad times in recent years, I've found my rekindled passion for photography. It expressed thoughts and feelings where words cannot and it forces me to re-look around and hone in on the smallest but most wonderful details that make up our lives and show what an amazing life I have. I want to play with more camera effects and models and capture more around me...there's so much to see in this crazy world of ours!



To sell my wares at least one craft fair in 2014
Its all very well designing and making things but you do need to sell them at some point! I be happy with doing at least one craft fair this year....they are more stressful than you realise you know!



Use social media and the internet less
The internet is a strange and addictive beast. I recent did a post on this blog about the dangers and experiences I've had of social media (you can read it by clicking here ) The truth is, life is the best reality to experience in all its painful and beautiful details. reading other people's status and seeing how much of a great time they are having when you aren't is a little soul-destroying for all of us deep down....but we are making judgement calls on other people's "high-light reels". We do not need to put ourselves through the ordeal of feeling worst coming off the laptop....we did fine without the internet at one point you know! Also it's very easy to spend hours on the internet and it does take hours to do blog updates at times! Isn't that time better used else where? I'm happier away from the laptop and facebook and I'm ok with that.



To eat less meat
Meat is expensive and as a planet, we are struggling to keep up with the demand. Its too easy to plonker a huge slab of meat on the plate and them squeeze in a tiny bit of veg around the sides. Whereas our health and fitness and well being requires to eat more fruit and veg than we actually do. By reducing the intake of meat, I hope it to force me to eat more fruit and veg and to be creative in my cooking and thinking outside the comfortable box whilst taking care to select the meat i do eat is well sourced and well respected.



See friends and family and arrange social events more
Its too easy to shut yourself away at times. Due to my mental health, there was a time where I needed to be around people constantly which wasnt healthy. Then I went the other way and shut myself off....I just wish to readjust the balance a tiny bit more. I always have more fun than I realise and creating happy times and memories is just the best thing ever!



So! there you have it!
What are your hopes and goals for 2014?
Do share! I'd love to know!

Birdie Love
xxx