View from the Birdhouse

Monday, December 1, 2014

Music Monday - "Walkin' Back to Happiness" by Helen Shaprio (1961)

Helen Shapiro was a 14 year old teenager when she recorded "Walkin' Back to Happiness" in 1961. She had a pop career in the early 1960's in London, and The Beatles toured as her supporting act during 1963. Helen Shapiro is famous for rejecting a Beatles composition. Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote "Misery" for her, but she decided not to record it.

I first heard "Walkin' Back to Happiness" this year on the PBS Masterpiece Mystery! series Breathless. I liked it from first listen, and find it perfect for a Monday morning.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

#ShopSmall On Small Business Saturday

It's Small Business Saturday! This day is a reminder to shop with small businesses, whether the local coffeehouse, the antique shop, the local produce stand, the little neighborhood pizza restaurant ... and of course, small online businesses as well.

I have a small online store focusing on cute, whimsical vintage items including children's books, holiday cards, dog and cat ephemera, and more: Birdhouse Books on eBay. I'm running a 25% off sale storewide all weekend through December 1, with over 2000 unique vintage items to treasure or give as gifts.

I also have some great friends who are online sellers, and I would love to share their links with you:

Big Daddy's Money

Book Corner Cafe and More - vintage collectibles (sale through December 1)

Depression Glass Warehouse

Eclectic Avenue

Grandma Bev's Stuff - sweaters, punch bowl sets and great stuff (sales and promotions running)

I-Love-My-Black-Lab-Girls

KDMore Crafts and More - sale through November 30

My Mom's Books

Sweet Woodruffs

This N That Freeland Enterprises - Christmas jewelry, Avon and more

I hope you have a great Small Business Saturday and enjoy exploring some fun small businesses today!

Friday, November 28, 2014

It's a Very Vintage Black Friday

Hi all!

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, usually starts my Christmas shopping. I always envy those smart people who shop early and are finished shopping months in advance. I am not one of them, though!

I do a lot of shopping online, especially at eBay, Etsy, and Amazon. I value gifts that are unique and special. If you're doing some vintage Black Friday shopping, I hope you'll stop by my store: Birdhouse Books on eBay. I'm running a 25% off sale through midnight on Cyber Monday, December 1.

I love, love, love vintage Christmas items. You'll find hundreds of beautiful vintage Christmas cards in my shop. These are great to frame, and also make sweet small gifts, tucked into a greeting card with a personal note from you. Just click here if you'd like to browse: vintage Christmas cards at Birdhouse Books.

Ornaments! I have a few unique ornaments, like this Georgia ornament, in my store. I have MANY more ornaments to list the next couple of weeks, so please keep checking my ornament department.

Vintage children's books are the very heart of my store. If you're looking for a special gift for a child, please pop by: vintage children's books at Birdhouse Books. I love finds like I Like Trains by Catherine Woolley, pictured here.

There's a lot more - vintage sewing, crafts and needlework kits, vintage cookbooks. I hope you'll stop by if you're in the mood to shop from the comfort of home: Birdhouse Books on eBay.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Music Monday - "Bad Motorcycle" by The Storey Sisters (1957)

This weekend I was catching up with email and listening to the 1950's channel on SiriusXM. This song came on and I had to stop and listen. I can't believe that I had never heard this fun, infectious 1957 tune before. "Bad Motorcycle" was recorded by The Storey Sisters (Ann and Lillian Storey) in Philadelphia in 1957 on the Cameo label. This song charted briefly in 1958 on the Billboard pop charts. It's a girl group sound with a rockabilly beat, and it is just FUN.