Want to win a copy of the new hardcover Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority
Then on Thursday, May 22, come back to our blog to read our review of Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life
Giveaways courtesy of HarperCollins - go HarperCollins!
An Etsy Fab 5 Friday!
Leah lives near Boston with her husband and four snuggly cats. You can often find her drinking hot chocolate, wandering aimlessly in libraries, laughing loudly, and admiring the beauty of trees.
Leah is a mixed media artist. "I enjoy working with collage because it mirrors the way my mind works. Seemingly unrelated images, words, and ideas come together to tell a story," she says. "I believe that every one is creative and I work towards inspiring others to find the creativity that surrounds us in everyday life."
Discover her work at her site, Blue Tree Art Gallery. Of course, as our first Etsy-themed Fab 5 Friday guest editor, Leah has an Etsy shop where you can buy her art. She also blogs and leads the "Creative Every Day 2008" challenge and the "Art Every Day Month" challenge every November on her blog www.CreativeEveryDay.com.
Yes, more whales! I couldn't resist this adorable blue whale organic catnip toy from Caelista. My cat, Sadie, has a few favorite cat toys that she carries around in her mouth and drops at my feet, as if they were prey that she'd killed. The great thing about this "prey" is that it's re-usable and so much cuter than having mouse guts dropped at your feet! Grab this whale by the tail for just $10 at Caelista.
Picked by Leah Piken Kolidas, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday
I've been writing in journals ever since the tooth fairy brought me a journal covered in teddy bear fabric at age 6. As an artist, I really appreciate a gorgeously constructed journal and the journals created by Lunar Adornments are handmade treasures. A journal like this will surely inspire poetry to flow from your pen. Purchase the Pure Beginnings Hand Bound Journal for $63 from Lunar Adornments.
Picked by Leah Piken Kolidas, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday
Etsy is a fabulous place to start your art collection. Sometimes original art prices are out of reach, but not to worry, many artists, such as Bridgette Guerzon Mills, offer fine art prints at incredibly affordable prices. Start or supplement your art collection with the Pink Poppy Print from bgmill's shop for just $15. For a limited time, she's also offering free shipping!
Picked by Leah Piken Kolidas, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday
I have a thing for whales; they show up in a lot of my artwork. So when I saw these silver whale hoop earrings by imogene, I was so thrilled! I haven't worn hoop type earrings since the 80's, but for these beauties, I'd make an exception. Scoop these beauties up for $48 at imogene.
Picked by Leah Piken Kolidas, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday
A few years ago, my husband and I stayed at a bed and breakfast in Vermont that had the most glorious handmade soap. Ever since we've been hooked on trying and using different handcrafted soaps. The Yu: Tangerine Spice Soap by Nahia Creations is one of our favorites. It has the perfect, not too overpowering, but delicious scent and the mango butter in it leaves your skin oh so smooth. Buy for just $8.50 at Nahia Creations.
Picked by Leah Piken Kolidas, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday
I think these Batucada Jewels on the Skin are super cool - these handmade, eco-friendly plastic jewels look like tattoos. There are necklaces and bracelets, and they come in 4 different designs in 5 different colors. $19.95 - $34.95 at Brooklyn 5 & 10.
You can now get your very own personally customized super hero sock monkey lovingly made by hand. Too cute! The Wonder Woman sock monkey is my fave. $150 at bigREDlips.
Sugar for the eyes! Wouldn't you love to hang this on your wall and see this happy face smiling at you? Come o sweet death and live on my walls! (my sugar walls...sorry couldn't help myself) $22 at Art of Skull's Esty shop!
Ah, this is the coolest - an online greeting card site that lets multiple people sign the same card. Yep, a group e-card! Best of all - it's free! Many thanks to reader Angela for the tip!
This is such an awesome glass belt buckle for all you knitters out there! $50 at Buy Olympia
I just love how this Russian Cathedral tee looks! Perfect for upcoming summery days. $26 at Pepperhem
I get hummingbirds in my backyard (yay!) and I'm seriously thinking of getting this pretty, hand-blown glass hummingbird feeder. It also glows in the dark - not for the hummingbirds' enjoyment, but for us humans. $29.99 at Whatever Works
My husband doesn't understand why I don't clean my hairbrush. Maybe I need one of these hair brush cleaners to keep him happy? This neato gadget will appeal to his geeky side, and it'll get rid of all those pesky hairs on your hairbrush in seconds. $3.50 at KarmaKiss.com
It’s nice when a manly man doesn’t smell too manly, if you know what I mean. How about if he smells like Manly Man Soap, a blend of clary sage and veviter? It’s a scent made for a man, but I’m thinking women will like it too. $4.50 a bar from Seattle Sundries on Etsy. They have a Sasquatch Soap too if you need something a little more…primal.
For those of you who receive our blog in a daily email digest form, you didn't get yesterday's digest until this morning. There may be another email digest going out today at its regularly scheduled time, but it will be a slimmer version since half of today's posts were already included in this morning's delayed mailing.
We did notice that three posts didn't make it into the email digest and wanted to share them with you in case you may have missed them:
Thanks so much for reading Rare Bird Finds!
And if you're not subscribed to receive our blog every day in your inbox, you should be! You can subscribe by entering your email address below - and be sure to respond to the confirmation email that will be sent to you to complete your subscription.
I love this cute, handmade accessory that you can add to either your cell phone, or backpack, or anything with a zipper. Very girly and bright. But if you don't like this design, she has many, many other styles to choose from, or you can even design your own! $21 with free shipping.
If my dad, the king of nickel knowledge, cooked I would get this geeky measuring cup for him. Haven't you always wondered exactly how much table salt is in a large human? $12.99 at Think Geek
I'm not afraid to admit that every time I look at these Swiss Roll toys, I get a little hungry. Each handmade Swiss Roll is made of 100% cotton stuffed with poly fiberfil and 100% organic catnip and measures 3 inches long by 1.5 inches in diameter. Your cat is sure to love these. $6.99 for one roll, by Jake and Micah.
What a smart little gadget to keep in the car or with your camping gear! This BoGo flashlight runs on solar power and rechargeable batteries, meaning fewer batteries end up in landfills. Bonus: for every one you buy, the manufacturer will donate another to people in a developing country. $25 at SunNight Solar
For my fellow children of the 80's. A cube clock that changes between time, date, alarm or temperature with a twist of the block. $22 at Fred Flare
This eco-friendly cherry wrap skirt looks so yummy. Made from hemp tencel, it’s custom made to fit you perfectly. Other fruits available. $89 at Jennifer Joy Creative's Shop
Change is good
