Branching Out of My Birdcage Envy

July 23, 2009

Posted in: Your Home, Your Way

I have had some serious birdcage envy for quite a while now. “The Nester has eleventy billion of them (that she somehow manages to find for like 25-cents). One of my gal pals has a seriously adorable one on her front porch that makes me want to perform a drive-by birdcage theft (Zoe, I wouldn’t *actually* do that, so please don’t blame me if it goes missing). I’ve seen some cuties in antique stores, but I’m positive that once my dog was introduced to it, his teeth would its life in our home pretty quickly.

When I told my husband that I really wanted a birdcage and couldn’t find one I liked, he responded with, “Lindsay, we’re not getting a bird.” Well, duh. Why would I want to put a bird in a birdcage? I want it for a nest. Or some moss. Or some seashells.
Or a plant.
I finally scored a birdcage a few weeks ago at a discount home decor store, and I’m so glad I waited until I found this one. It was half off, which made the price right. I love the shape of it, and it’s perfect for a little pot of climbing ivy (which is officially the first live plant inside our house – please pray for its survival). It’s my hope that the ivy will grow in a spiral all the way to the top. It’s grown a ton in the past two weeks, so it won’t take long to fill the cage.
(That lamp shade, on the other hand, is not perfect. We’ve discussed it before, and I’m now firmly in the “I hate it” category. The ribbons are coming off of it today.)
I think the little birdie on the top of the cage is quite simply adorable, though.
I’ve positioned it on an end table in front of the window, so it gets plenty of sunlight. I am watering it with a turkey baster (that’s right, a turkey baster) since I don’t have a watering can with a spout long and skinny enough to fit through the cage and into the pot.
Okay, I don’t actually have a watering can at all, so a turkey baster it is! At least I’m remembering to water it, people.
Anyway, the whole point of this rambling post is to show you that birdcages don’t have to contain only bird-related items. Nests, feathers and quail eggs are great (and I totally {heart} them), but when presented with an empty birdcage, you can definitely “branch out” a little bit to find a unique filler. Ba-dum-chhh.
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Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the winner of the back40life vinyl giveway! Our winner was randomly selected by the random number generator at Random.org. The winner is commentor and Twitter follower:
Congrats, Martha! I’ll pass along your info to Jodi (although I guess y’all can just tweet now – LOL). We can’t wait to see where you put your new vinyl design!
For everyone else, don’t forget that Jodi is offering a 10% off discount for the readers of Living With Lindsay at her Etsy store! Enter the code “Lindsay” at checkout to receive your discount. You can apply the discount through Friday, July 25th, so if you aren’t Ms. Martha you can still purchase your favorite design at a discount.

1 Pam July 23, 2009 at 6:52 am

I love that birdcage! So perfect with the ivy inside! As much as I love ivy, I just can't seem to get it to grow right for me. I tried a few times. I hope you have better luck than I do. Pothos is a no-brainer plant. I can't kill it. It's nearly impossible. I've got some of it growing up a ginormous version of your birdcage. I think that plants really help to give a home that little something special. Enough rambling from me.

Have a great day!
Pam

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2 Amanda @ Serenity Now July 23, 2009 at 7:05 am

That is so pretty, Lindsay! Two thumbs up. :)

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3 Laurel @ Ducks in a Row July 23, 2009 at 7:20 am

I love it with the ivy in it – my favorite part is the little birdie on top. Too cute.

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4 southerninspiration July 23, 2009 at 8:21 am

Oh, that's cute, and yes, i agree that birdcages are much better with other dec. items rather than birds. Said items don't poop or spit out bird seed. yuck.

Oh, and I'm so glad to know how to spell ba-dum-chh…..:)

suzanne

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5 Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam July 23, 2009 at 8:30 am

I am with the Nester and have found 5 just this year for under $1, but I can't decide what to do with them….I love your plant in there.
You are too funny about the lamp…some of us still think it's cute. :)

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6 Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam July 23, 2009 at 8:32 am

Ugh – just left a big comment and blogger spit it out. I have found tons of bird cages at yard sales but just don't have great ideas for them…love the plant.

Some of us still think your lamp is cute…you are too funny with that. ;)

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7 Lindy July 23, 2009 at 8:55 am

I have that same birdcage and have been trying to figure out what to do with it. Is it okay if I am a total copy cat and do exactly what you did, turkey baster and all?

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8 Beth July 23, 2009 at 8:58 am

Great look! I love the climbing ivy in the bird cage. I might have to steal that idea, lol

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9 Jenny@ L.O.T.s of Love July 23, 2009 at 9:36 am

Great idea! Might have to copy that!

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10 Little Lovables July 23, 2009 at 10:03 am

It is really cute, the bird on top is a sweet little touch. I had a friend with a candle garden in a birdcage many years ago and thought that was so creative.

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11 The Summer Kitchen Girls July 23, 2009 at 11:00 am

Cute birdcage! Karla got one from a junk store this spring… everyone kept asking if they were getting a bird. What's up with that?
Karla & Karrie

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12 Martha July 23, 2009 at 11:06 am

Oh my goodness! Did you hear me GASP? I'm just reading away enviously looking at your cute birdcage and ivy and then out of the corner of my eye, I see … Martha at A Day in the Life… and my heart began to flutter! I am so excited! You have no idea how I have longed for a back40life vinyl; in fact, I want one of each :-) but for now one will do. Thank you so much and thanks random.org. I'm so excited.

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13 DomesticDivasFancy July 23, 2009 at 11:26 am

I think that birdcage is adorable. I love it. Also I wanted to stop by and let you know that I am moving in to the house, and VERY SOON will be displaying the photos of where I display the plates. I am just trying to find the perfect spot. I cant wait to put them out! They are all so gorgeous.

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14 Kim @ NewlyWoodwards July 23, 2009 at 11:54 am

I love love the ivy inside. My wheels are turning. What can I grow ivy up?

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15 Christina July 23, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Your birdcage was certainly worth the wait. It is fantastic and very unique. Love the ivy too.

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16 Kelly at I Dream of Decor July 23, 2009 at 1:52 pm

I love the birdcage too! also love your new blog header, thanks for keeping us do-it-yourselfers entertained:)

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17 Michelle July 23, 2009 at 2:22 pm

Oooh, Aaah! Love the ivy and the slender cage! What a great combo!

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18 Amy {The Red Chair Blog} July 23, 2009 at 6:59 pm

Cute birdcage. Worth the wait :)

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19 Ruth July 24, 2009 at 7:33 am

I love the new blog look. It's great.

I, too, have been looking for a great birdcage and haven't found one. My hubby would say the same thing yours said. Silly guys. LOL

I love the one you chose. The ivy will grow well and it's an easy plant to take care of. I'm sure it will do great. They do grow very fast.

Ruth

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20 Trish @TheOldPostRoad July 24, 2009 at 9:53 am

Oh, Great. Now I want a bird cage.

It looks great and I will now be on 'the hunt.'

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21 Kimm at Reinvented July 24, 2009 at 3:48 pm

Wow a real plant, you go girl! I LOVE the bird cage.

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22 Cozy Little House July 26, 2009 at 9:48 am

Came here from Centsational Girl, and I'm so glad I found you! A hot glue gun girl who likes to decorate lamp shades. Oh yeah! And then decides she doesn't much like it. Oh yeah! Aren't glue guns fantabulous? Except when we burn ourselves in our enthusiasm? Love your sweet bird cage. I am a gardener. Ivy is pretty easy. Don't over water with your baster. Let it dry to inch deep before watering again. Try to keep dust off the leaves so you can watch for the little ivy pests that hide there. Husbands can be so silly sometimes…
Brenda

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23 Cozy Little House July 26, 2009 at 10:00 am

Oh, and I added you to my blog roll straight away!
Brenda

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