Rare Bird Finds: Shopping Blog for Unique Gifts

Fold and Mail Stationery from Chronicle Books

Ah, I love these notepads. They look like a pad of paper with designs, but each sheet can be folded, licked, stamped and mailed. It's a stationery set and envelope in one. There are 40 sheets in each set. Such a neat idea! I just got the Wallace & Gromit one this afternoon and I can't wait to begin writing letters to friends. There are several Fold and Mail Stationery pad designs to choose from - Yellow Submarine, Nancy Drew, Mutts, and more. $7.95 - $8.95 at ChronicleBooks.com.

Hardwood USB by Michael Leung

This hardwood USB designed by Michael Leung for Lexon holds a decent 256 MB but also doubles as a pretty, stylish necklace.  Who says carrying data from your PC has to be geeky?  $50 at GreenerGrassDesign.com.

Gold Metal Necklace

So you never won the Olympics...okay you never even had a chance. You can still score this Gold Metal Necklace.  It's more feminine and flirty than the Olympic one anyway.  $44 at Patina.

Working Girl Apron by Pamela Wiley

Who wouldn't want to be a busy little bee if they got to wear this apron? Practical AND cute this apron is for the woman who needs 10 hands. The Working Girl Apron comes in turquoise and brown or pink and brown and you can choose between dots or stripes. $90 at SCAD

Posted in Accessories_

Vanessa Quilt by American Pacific

Don't you hate it when you have just picked out your bedding and you find something you love more? I am in love with the cute fabric circles in this Vanessa Quilt. I know the gorgeous colors would make me happy everytime I saw it in my room. Its probably for the best though....my husband would hate it. $79.99-129.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Posted in Home_

Lumen Oil Lamp by Adam Frank

I love these acid-etched oil lamps called Lumen designed by artist Adam Frank!  Dim the lights and watch the shadow it casts on the wall.  $48 at Elsewares.com.

Reversible Swirl Necklace

This necklace is like a mini piece of art. Fun and simple, the Reversible Swirl Necklace has white with black swirls (shown) on one side and black with silver swirls on the back. $38 at Patina

Posted in Jewelry_

Buddha Bowl by Flavour Design

This handy bowl called the buddha bowl by Flavour design is just what I've always needed. I love to sit in front of the T.V. eating cereal anytime of the day (I know, so Seinfeld) and oftentime I find balancing the bowl in one hand to be a bit clumsy. This bowl makes it easy to hold because it balances perfectly in the palm of your hand, thus making eating so much easier. It's microwave and dishwasher safe. The color shown is snowpea, but there are 7 colors to choose from. $18 at FlavourDesign.com.

Breakfast Gift Set

This little flowered breakfast set would make the perfect housewarming gift! The Breakfast Gift Set comes ready to give in a hat box and includes a bowl, mug and plate. $18.95 at Patina.

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Svetlana Alexievich and Keith Gessen (Translator)

This month, April 26th to be exact, is the 20th anniversary of the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl. I was only a child when this happened, but I remember hearing it on the news, but I was too young to grasp the devastation. I only knew what happened was bad, but there was no human connection for me to the event at the time. Although I am sure the death toll was discussed on the news, I don't remember hearing about it. I was too young to understand.

The book Voices of Chernobyl puts a human connection to the tragedy that occurred in Russia. The book is a collection of oral stories of the survivors of Chernobyl. I know this isn't the usual light-fare we typically serve at Rare Bird Finds, but this book is a rare find. It gives insight into the human spirit, and that can be a beautiful, albeit at times painful, thing. $10.78 on Amazon.com.

"[Alexievich] has transmuted into a haunting and essential work of literature that one can only hope documents a never-to-be-repeated catastrophe." - Booklist

Carrie Scott Cargo Handbags

If you are a shy girl who likes to melt into the crowd then Carrie Scott's Cargo Bags are simply not for you. Made from drive thru bank pneumatic tube carriers they "show off" the contents of your purse and are sure to attract a lot of attention. If you simply love the bag but are a little shy, consider purchasing a Cargo Wrap to keep your contents a mystery. $69.95 at Carrie Scott. Wrap $12.95

Posted in Accessories_

Clacket Lane Cream Wallpaper by Mibo

Wallpaper is such a pain to put up and take down. This gorgeous Clacket Lane Cream Wallpaper by Mibo makes the daunting task very tempting. Each roll is trimmed and wipeable. $85 at Velocity.

Posted in Home_

Leather Baby Shoe Alternatives

My daughter has super chubby feet. I love the soft leather shoes because they are the only shoes that fit her little chubs. It is a little sad to go through baby shoe sections though. There are all these stylish little baby shoes without animals, cupcakes, or fruits.

Persistance pays off and I have found a few alternatives. I love these Black Brocade Shoes. Stylish yet still roomy for very chubby feet. $24.95 at Cute Baby Shoes

These Robins Egg Booties are also adorable and stylish! $24 at Isabooties

Posted in Baby_

Mail Organizer Set by Dominique Brunet

I like to just throw away junk mail. My husband, however, has a whole system of discarding of junk mail in the proper way to ensure that no one will be able to use our info for identity theft. This little Mail Organizer Set is perfect for us. I can be happy knowing that I only have to deal with the good mail and he can get rid of the bad mail any way he sees fit. $28.80 at Illico.

Life-like Stuffed Dogs by Mary Holstad

I can't get over how life-like these collectible toy dogs designed by Mary Holstad look. Each one is made lovingly by hand - even the hair is hand-trimmed. Who would have thought it possible that someone could make collectible toy dogs that look so real? But they are 100% stitched by hand, conjured up in the mind of the artist, and made with mohair. The dogs come with a sterling locket of a picture of Mary holding them. They are sold on eBay and prices go up quickly for these works of art. Expect to pay upwards of $3,000.

Posted in Strange but Hip_

Pentatray by Boris Bally

Metalsmith Boris Bally has taken those retired traffic signs and made them into eye-catching trays. The signs are hand-pressed, and no two trays are alike. You can also hang it on your wall as a decorative piece of art. What a neat-o way to recycle! Each tray is approx. 17" in diameter. $70 at Eco-Artware.com.

BCBGirls ´Nia´ Stripe Dress

I am drooling over this colorful BCBGirls 'Nia' Stripe Dress. Flirty with a retro feel to it, I think it's perfect for a summer soiree. $138 at Nordstrom

Posted in Clothing_

Needlepoint Yarmulkes

These festive yarmulkes are hand-knit and so colorful and fun. They will definitely perk up your day! This is a must-have for that Jewish guy in your life who has a flair for fashion. Approx. 5"x5" in diameter.  $48 at JonathanAdler.com.

Laptop Buddha Board

This clever little toy is intended for anyone four years old and up. Your little one (or you!) can draw on the surface with water, creating brilliant artistic designs. When the water evaporates, your drawing disappears, and you can whip up a new design. The best part? No mess!  $29.95 at Buddha Board.

Moss Mills Peacock Feather Black Dolman

I am a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl.  However, I still like to look like I have put some effort into my look and so I prefer shirts that are comfortable and stylish.  This Moss Mills Peacock Feather shirt is the perfect combination of style and comfort.  It's also on sale at a great price.  $43.50 at 80's Purple