Rare Bird Finds

Money Maze Bank

Giving someone money as a gift?  Make them work for it with the Money Maze Bank.  To retrieve the money, you have to guide a ball through the maze to unlock the door.  Great gift for those 10 and up.  Ha ha!  $12.95 at Spilsbury.

Deer Flask

I thought this was such a pretty, colorful flask with the deer and the cute little bird on its antler.  Enamel painted stainless steel.  $38 at Jest Jewels.

Superhero Beach Cape

What kid doesn't tie a towel around his or her and pretend to be a superhero?  I did that as a kid and flew around the house.  I love the Superhero Beach Cape because the towel truly becomes a cape.  The outside shimmers from the Thai satin and the lining is cotton sherpa that is grown and woven in South Carolina.  The Superhero Beach Cape replaces the ordinary beach towel and makes a trip to the beach into an extraordinary adventure.  $48.50 at BoBo Brooklyn.

Puckish Handbag with Bungee Cord Handles

A reader with a keen eye for the pretty and the unusual sent this in as the "coolest handbag ever" - and I totally agree!  Love the olive green color and stark-white stitching and silkscreen of a telephone pole, but what makes this bag super cool is that the handles are made from bungee cords.  $68 at Buy Olympia.

Heart Bike Chain Bottle Opener

We love Resource Revival's original bike chain bottle opener.  How festive is the heart bike chain opener?  Show your man just how much your really love him.  $12 at Elsewares 

Dog Bone Paperclips

My brother's nickname is Bones.  Don't I have to buy these bone shaped paper clips for him?  Also good for dog lovers.  $4.95 at Patina

Brownie & Frosting Lip Balms

Yum right?  I'm pregnant and craving everything in sight and these frosting and brownie lip balms look too good to be true.  $5.95 for both at One Good Bumblebee

Remind Me Pushpins or Magnets

Add a bit of fun in your workload by remindng yourself what needs to be done and when with these Remind Me pushpins or magnets (your choice.)   $18 at Poketo.

Ring Holders

These wooden animal ring holders encased by a glass jar is a cute way to store your rings.  $9 at loloko shop.

Funny Latin Patches

I was recently telling a friend that I missed Latin and that I have nearly forgotten all my Latin from high school.  So, I was very pleased to discover these funny Latin patches, which say things like "Let's Grab a Beer", "Show Me the Money" and "Beware of Work" (pictured above).  Great for geeks like me!  $10 at The Dancing Needle.

Sale Alert! Owl Cards

Snatch up these beautiful owl cards which feature a reproduction of an ink drawing by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) before they're all gone.  They're called holiday cards, but there is no greeting inside so you can use it for any occasion.  Comes with 20 cards with 20 envelopes for only $4.23!  ($3.81 if you're a Metropolitan Museum member). Originally priced at $16.95.

This Sky Gaffers Tape Wallet

I love sky and tree images, and the This Sky wallet, made of gaffers tape (imagine!), is both functional and down right cool. $55 at db clay.  Click to view their entire wallet gallery - all made from gaffers tape.

"Catch the Wave" Dichroic Glass & Sterling Silver Ring

Anyone who knows me knows I like sparkly things, and when I saw this "Catch the Wave" dichroic glass ring I thought, ooh sparkly!  The glass is shaped like a wave and it shimmers colors, especially when it catches the light.  Definitely an eye-catcher. $32 at Casto Creations.

Like me, you were probably wondering, what the heck is dichroic glass?  Well, wikipedia has an answer for you.

Conversation Hearts Crochet Scarf Valentines Candy

You know you need a conversation heart scarf! This scarf is customizable in the colors you want shown in this scarf.  Too cute.  $125 at Urban Princess

Bob's Your Uncle Message Labels

These shipping labels are a fun take on the orginal.  I love "EXPRESS yourself" and "DO NOT BEND the rules".  40 stickers for $8 at See Jane Work 

Tin Can Correspondence Card

This Tin Can correspondence card is perfect for writing to friends who live far away, or to a long distance boyfriend.  Very cute!  $3 at Pencil Shavings.

The Shoe Wheel

The Shoe Wheel is an alternative to those not feeling the shoe rack love.  Reminding me of a giant fan, the Shoe Wheel can store up to 30 pairs of shoes, and because the pockets are expandable, you can fit a variety of styles.  Just spin the wheel to find the pair of shoes you want.  $65 at Rakku.  *Currently sold out, but they are taking backorders to be shipped at the end of February.

Push Pin Lamp

This Push Pin lamp would be cute in a home office or on a child's desk.  $45 at I Want One of Those

Soggy Dog Super Absorbent Towel

These super absorbant doggy towels even have pockets for your hands so you can easily get between toes and behind the ears.  They thought of everything!  $24.95 - 34.95 at Wrapables

View Mirror

Here is a fun take on a childhood favorite.  The View Mirror looks like a Viewmaster Reel and holds 14 photos.  $150 at Fun by Design

Body Ninja

Now this is a cool daddy diaper bag.  The Body Ninja is meant to be slung over your back ninja style.  $149 at Modern Seed

Butterfly Kinetic Hair Clips

I think these butterfly hair clips with wings that move would really delight a little girl.  $4 at Carolyn Forsman.

Dirt Insulated Dog House

Many thanks to one of our readers who brought this nifty Dirt Insulated Dog House to our attention.  You can plant 60 plants on top of it, and the dirt helps keep the house warm inside during the winter and cool during the summer.  Love it!  $250 at Tails By The Lake.

Bird's Nest Bed

Ohmygoodness - i loooove this Bird's Nest Queen-size Bed!  Look at those beautiful tree branches and the perfect little bird's nest up on top.   Oh how I envy anyone out there who has this bed!  This very limited edition bed was designed by artist Shawn Lovell. $15,500 at MacKenzie-Childs.

Sale Alert! Jewelry Sale at Anne Maa Designs

Ooh drool!  A true rare bird designer, Anne Maa is having a jewelry sale and she is one of my favorites.  So hop on over and check out some amazing savings on bracelets, necklaces and earrings.  Uhm, hello?  Why are you still reading this?  You should be over here.

Swirl Suncatchers Set

Handformed from recycled glass, this artisan suncatchers set would reflect pretty swirls of colors in your window during the day.  $48 at The Art Institute Shop.

Softie Baby/Kid's Tee

A soft serve ice cream cone reminds me of being a kid. I would pass up the first cone handed over the counter to my little brother or sister in hopes that the next one might be a little bit taller (=more ice cream).  Greedy I know, but it makes me laugh now.  This tee reminds me of simpler times when my biggest worry was whether or not I had the tallest ice cream cone.  $22 at Twinkle Kids      

Some Air - Passport Case

Now that you are going to need your passport holder more often it might as well be a cute one right?  I like this passport holder because then you'll know exactly what to do if the cabin loses pressure right?  Lots more to chose from here  $16 at Tiny Meat

TROPICAL TREE HOUSE/ SURF SHACK THEME BED

What little boy wouldn't LOVE this amazing tree house bed?  You can actually have any bed made that you can dream up at Sweet Dream Children's Interiors.  Go peek at their gallery and be prepared to be amazed at their amazing creations.  Prices start at $3500

Grey’s Anatomy Valentine's Cards

I work in an office mostly by myself.  Normally I love it but when I see something like this I wish I had an office full of fun people that I could give Valentines to.  Personally I would rather give the Office valentines but Grey's Anatomy is pretty fun too.  $9.99 at Amazon

(They also have these in the store at Target.  In case you don't have time to buy online)

Egg Cosies

I can't think of any reason for why anyone would need a lambswool egg cosie, but it would surely start off your day with a smile when it's time to make breakfast.  Approx. $21 at Papa Stour.

Added New Items to Our Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Been a few days since you've looked at our Guide for Love Birds and the Brokenhearted?  Well, take another peek because we've added a few more items!

Candy Stripe Personalized Noteflats

Candy-colored noteflats to write sweet correspondences that will surely impress because these noteflats can be customized to say whatever you want it to say on top.  Sweet!  $10 for 20 noteflats and 10 envelopes at Paper Princess.

Swallow Girl Wood Pin

This pine wood pin of a little girl riding a swallow is like its very own fairy tale.  I think I would feel very creative and imaginative if I wore this pin.  $24 at Chocosho.

The Poison-Pen Letter Writing Set

This Poison-Pen Letter Writing Set is for the angry and the humiliated.  It's for all you folks who have nasty, snarky things you just have to get off your chest. Comes with tips on how to write that nasty letter and how to deliver it anonymously.  Includes pen, designs and twenty sheets of red paper with matching envelopes.  $16.95 at the Library Shop.

The Bird has a New Look!

Rare Bird has a new bird logo thanks to the very talented Melanie of Creative Taylor!  We love our new birdie.  If you are reading through a feeder click on through and check out the new look!!

Let us know what you think!

XOXO Mei-lynn and Sharla

Pick Your Poison Coffee Mug

I love this mug.  My poison?  Strong black coffee please! $16.95 at Blue Frog Goods 

Men Who Knit Ringer T

Got a guy who knits?  Are you a guy that knits?  Show pride for your hobby with the Men Who Knit Ringer Tee.  $18.99 at Cafe Press

Pylones of Paris Filou Cake Server

I'm sorry but this is the cutest cake server I have ever seen.  Choose from three different colors.  $22 at Sugar Pine Beauty

EMOTICON CLIPS

Express yourself while you stay organized with the emoticon clips by Iconoclasps.  $4.99 for a set of 20 at Perpetual Kid

Red Velvet Cake 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath

Ohhh, recently I said aloud I was craving red velvet cake. Someone gave me a red velvet cupcake and then last week someone baked me a beautiful red velvet cake which I proceeded to eat with great glee.  So, lordy lordy, imagine my sheer delight when Sharla sent me the link to this Red Velvet Cake 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath by Philosophy.  I haven't sniffed it yet, but if it's true to the real deal, there should be a hint of chocolate and cream cheese.  Mmm.  Hungry!  $16 at Sephora.

If you're interested in buying a real red velvet cake pre-made, visit our red velvet cake post.  Want to make the cake yourself?  Try Martha Stewart's red velvet cake recipe (which my cupcake and whole cake was based on) but be sure to halve the red food dye by half than called for in the recipe or else your cake comes out tasting a lil funny.

Birch Lamp Set

I think my favorite tree is the birch tree, most likely because it reminds me of the Robert Frost poem "Birches" and I used to dream of being a swinger of birches.  I really love this birch lamp set designed by Nicolette Brunklaus.  They look like the real thing and truly have a poetic feel about them. Imported from Amsterdam.  $425 at Lekker.  Never read "Birches" by Robert Frost?  You can read it here.

Art Prints by Kitty Genius

Lately, I've been looking for art prints for my office and my bedroom.  I recently stumbled upon this artist and had to share.  I really enjoy the art prints by Ashley Goldberg, the artist behind Kitty Genius.   Delightful work!  $20 at Kitty Genius.

Rhassoul Deep Condish

Oooh, these Rhassoul Deep Condish bars look like squares of chocolate, but they're actually for your hair to make it soft and luxurious.  The bars also detoxifies hair and scalp.  Made with unrefined black cocoa butter, this is a hair treat you should indulge in!  Approx. $13 for 3 cubes at Anita Grant.

Fredomatic Kitchen Timer

This is too cute.  It's a kitchen timer.  When your time has ended however it comes to life and the balls whirl around and it plays corny music.  Seems like something every kid would love.  $18 at Sweetpea Home Interiors