Rare Bird Finds

Lady Bug Helmet

Such a pretty work of art - a WWII helmet transformed into a ladybug. Love it! $88 at Home & Planet.

Banana Nut Muffin Soaps

Mmm - I love foodie-type bath products, and these banana nut muffin soaps look delish! But don't eat them - they're for your body. Made with ground almonds, honey and goats milk. Would be super cute in your guest bathroom. $7.50 for two.

Secret Squirrel Dog Treats

So cute (and healthy!) - squirrel dog treats flavored with sweet potato and chicken. They are freshly baked and made to order with certified organic ingredients. Yum! (Or at least that's what I'm sure my doggies would bark). $8 for 12 at The Chocolate Lab.

Allison Strine Magnets

I love the whimsical and witty pendants at Allison Strine and now you can get magnets too! For a short time they are even on sale. $5 each or on sale for 5 for $20

Grey and Red Scarflette

I have to admit that I am a scarflette virgin. I have always admired them but just never taken the plunge. All the cute scarflettes at Urban Knit may have just convinced me to go ahead and try one out. $35 at Urban Knit

Black Birds Fly Tea Pot

I love everything at Little Flower Designs and this new Black Birds Fly tea pot is no exception. So cute! $155 at Little Flower Designs

Scion's Craft My Ride Contest

I am posting about Scion's Craft My Ride contest because I know we have a lot of crafty, talented readers. All you have to do is handmake a cool car accessory (for inside or outside the car), send in a pic, and write a description. If chosen, you win a 2008 Scion! Deadline is October 22, 2007.

Thanks to Coquito Designs for bringing this to our attention!

Update: Edited to fix deadline date - thanks Juri!

Organic Fusion Contest

Our Contests are Back! Woohoo!

Organic Fusion is offering one of their deluxe body kits. The Organic Fusion kit contains: 6.5 oz. bar soap, 6.0 oz. liquid soap, 6.0 oz. lotion, 4.0 oz. body butter and comes in three essential oil blends: Karmic Goodness, Lavender Grace and Geranium Tranquility.

Organic Fusion products are designed to meet your bathing and body care needs in a simple, meaningful way without harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances or colors. They have designed our skin care products to be kind to your body and kind to the environment

To enter:

• Go to Organic Fusion and find their phone number.
• Then come back to Rare Bird Finds, and leave a blog comment for this post with their phone number and your email address (your comment will remain unpublished and therefore confidential).
• How do you leave a comment for this post? Below this post you'll see the word "Comments (0)" (yep, it's blue). Click on that link.
• Do not send emails to Organic Fusion to enter.

Winner will be chosen on September 30th.

Big Holiday News *Please Read*

COMING SOON...We are putting together an amazing 2007 holiday guide for you - yay! The 2007 holiday guide will feature gift ideas for all those hard-to-shop-for people in your life. Look for it (we promise it'll be AMAZING!) on October 15. Unlike many other holiday guides, our guide will feature items that we genuinely love and were personally handpicked by us. No one pays to be featured, and ads will be clearly marked.

If you're a designer or shopkeeper, we have sponsorship opportunities available - just contact us at:

Fab 5 Fridays, Issue 17 - Blythe Claire

Today's guest is Blythe Clair, the uber-stylish Vice President of PR for She Unlimited. She Unlimited recently merged with Daily Confection, so be sure to check them out for a “real, no bull dim-witted journalism” approach in a variety of non-homogenized topics, including glamour, photo shoots of models and celebrities, commercials, interviews, and more! Blythe currently lives in NYC (but Seattle is in the horizon!).

Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew - $14.93
I love the simplicity of this book. The tone is fun and conversational and the patterns are easy to understand. It wasn’t intimidating for someone like me who has NEVER sewn. It inspired me to buy a sewing machine.

Alma Tank - $75
Gail Schneider Designs Gail is a fantastic up-and-coming designer. She has created a line of couture tank tops. The funky designs and patterns transform the tanks from a wardrobe staple to a show stopper. Think subtle leopard prints, ruffles, and lots of class. I love the fem style of Alma, black because it goes with utterly everything, and the satin bows that drape every so girly. It was prefect when I was headed out to an event that was neither casual or dress.

Antik Denim Wide Leg - $195
The price tag is kind of hefty but I justify it by wearing them constantly. Even to work. The construction and quality cannot be beat. Denim is such an important part of most women’s wardrobes now that it makes sense to invest in some good pieces. I did it again, I wore them to work with my Alma Tank Girl tank, I looked casually couture.

Tide Handbag - $288
These handbags are very urban in function and design. The designer’s father custom makes the hardware that are put on the bags. Nothing’s better than a father-daughter design duo! Tide is my favorite, as I tend to adorn myself with ruffle shirts, this give a Balance to my wardrobe, unique but it has enough fancifulness of couture.

Boysenberry Socks - $21, sale
The length of these makes them an alternative to tights under a longer skirt. I’m dying to pair some with my 1940s style orange and brown bib mini-dress for an eclectic schoolgirl look. I simply love the boysenberry; I was actually able to pull it off, but so well that my clever attempt to look young had me accused for using a fake I.D. at a downtown club...and I'm in my 30`s!

Plain Jane Scarf

My Favorite find that you found is the Plain Jane scarf, because I have a scarf fetish. As a NYC city gal, you bet I will find many months to show these off; sadly I found out I was moving to the West Coast, but there are many cold months in Seattle.

Want to submit your top picks for Fab 5 Friday? Read the our submission policy here.

To view past Fridays, click the Fab 5 Friday link.

Today's Fab 5 Friday was sponsored by:

Please visit our sponsor at www.hellagoodproducts.com to help us keep bringing Fab 5 Fridays to you!

Underwood Necklace

I love the ghostly feel of the Underwood necklace, but I think what I love best is that it's a reminder for us writers that we should be typing that next screenplay or novel or poem instead of dilly-dallying. $36 at Ach Ach Liebling.

Crocheted Sea Creatures

Imagine soft cuddly octopuses, squids and sea horses, and that's what you get in this wonderful little shop full of crocheted sea creatures that are perfect for children with underwater imaginations. So much better than the crocheted socks grandma used to make. $16 at Ruby Submarine.

Goody2Chews

I have a major sweet tooth and sometimes it's a bit scary how much sugar I can down in one sitting. I seriously have been trying to cut out sweets, but by mid-afternoon I am going crazy. I have found the perfect way to satisfy my sweet craving without ruining my health. Goody2Chews is soft, chewy and sweet from a center made of dates and raisins (just say no to high fructose corn syrup). Plus, it's gluten free, trans fats free, cholestrol free, high in fiber, high in iron and a good source of energy with 10 grams of protein in a bag.

Okay, you must be thinking, Something that good for you must not taste that great, and that's the surprising part - it's YUMMY! Flavors include yogurt, chocolate and caramel. Although I'm a total chocolate-girl, my favorite was yogurt - mmmmm! - but all three flavors are really good! Seriously, it totally cut my sweet cravings and cut hunger pangs. $16.48 for a pack of 12 at Amazon, or you can check out the Goody2Chews site for retail locations in the U.S. and Canada. Great snack for kids, too!

Fisticuffs Necklace

Girl fight!  And boy, do these girls mean business. 16" necklace.  $62 at Stars and Infinite Darkness.

Anne Taintor Tote Bag

Oh Anne Tainter you crack me up!  I don't have a garden or a green thumb but I want this "My Garden Kicks Ass" tote.  $34.95 at Quincy

Love Thy Neighbor Belt Buckle

A brass knuckle belt buckle for your bad ass boyfriend (or husband but it doesn't have the same ring to it).  $50 at Indie Shopper 

What Would an Angry Scotsman Do? Spin Folder

Yes this is silly but I bet you know someone who would get a kick out of the What Would an Angry Scotsman Do decision spinner?  $4.95 at Archie McPhee

Cafemug Pear by Shinzi Katoh

This is the perfect midnight snack mug.  Enjoy a drink and a tasty snack with this mug and mini dish set.  $18 at Two Potato Four

Bigfoot and Abominable Snowman Magnet Set

Okay, who can resist this Bigfoot and Abominable Snowman magnet set?  They look so happy together!  A great way to add humor to your fridge, filing cabinet or wherever you need a "sighting."  $11 at PearsonMaron.

Raven T-shirt

Of course, as a fan of Poe, I adore this Raven design on either a black or asphalt tee - perfect for Halloween!  Plus, it comes in sizes up to 2XXL.  $28 CAD (approx $25 US) at Sick on Sin.

Let's Cook Japanese Food!

Yummy! This book Let's Cook Japanese Food! promises to teach you home-style Japanese cooking with easy-to-follow recipes.  It even shows you how to make Tonkatsu (crispy pork cutlet) - my favorite!  $15.61 at Amazon.

"The First Adventures of Incredible You" Customized Children's Book

My daughter is just at the age (2 1/2) where she LOVES to read.  We read a million books a day.  I was so excited for her the first time we read our new The First Adventures of Incredible You.  What she didn't know as we sat down to read it was that I had customized the book especially for her. 

I started reading the book and got to a part that might say Mama and Daddy.  My daughter calls her Dad "daya" so that's what I had the book say too.  When I read it her eyes lit up and she said "Daya's in this book!"  When we got to a part where I had entered her sister's name she said "Gianna's in this book too!".  She absolutely LOVES the book.  We have read it hundreds of times already.

Unlike customized books I have seen in the past, this book does not look shoddy where the customizations have been entered.  The pictures are vibrant and the story is super cute.  I think it makes a wonderful kid's present.  If it's not for your own child you may need some help from their mom and dad with some of the customization but it will be well worth it I promise.  You can take a virtual tour of the book here.  $32.95 at Custom Made for Kids

Knitwit Retro Bangle

Here is the perfect gift for your favorite knitty friend...a Knitwit Retro Bangle.  It's made from a retro knitting needle.  Too cute!  More colors here.  $30 at Liana Kabel

Astrosatchel Totes

I just love how fun these tote bags are.  I would have a hard time picking just one.  Lots more designs to choose from.  $75 at Astrosatchel

Undy Rug

Oh my goodness!  How cute is this undy rug?  Definitely for the guy or gal with a sense of humor.  $24 at Fred Flare

New! Review Section

Being the shopaholics that we are, we know that internet shopping can be a little daunting.  Here at Rare Bird Finds we love to point out cool finds but we can't personally vouch for each item that we post (Don't we wish!). 

Because of this, we have decided to create a new section for our reviews where you can quickly see which items we have seen in person and love.  When you see our new RBF Seal you will know that we vouch for that product being a quality find.  Enjoy!

If you are a vendor and would like to see your product in this new section please read here. 

Corn Dog & Fries Soap Set

Today I'm going to the L.A. County Fair (yeehaw!) and what's a county fair without corn dogs?  So of course I had to post about this cotton-candy scented corn dog soap that comes with six soap fries!  $8.50 at Glo Girl.

Tabasco Spicy Chocolate

I'm a big fan of chocolate mixed with chile peppers and the like, but chocolate and Tabasco?  Ha, I'm dying to try it!  $12.95 at Tabasco Country Store.

45 iPod Cases & 45 Nano Cases

These are the coolest (recycled!) cases for your iPod or Nano.  The 45 iPod Case is made from real vinyl 45's.  They even have Wham's Careless Whisper and Nena's 99 Red Balloons.  Oh, and if you have a Nano, the 45 Nano Case is made from reclaimed cassette cases.  $45 CAD (of course!) at 45 iPod Cases.

Still Life Fruit Bowl

I love how this fruit bowl humorously turns an everyday object into a work of art - literally!  $95 at Matter Matters.

Mushroom Stamps

These mushrooms stamps are super cute and stamp "Bon Jour" or "Merci". $6 at Sugar Pine Beauty

Comic Book Charm Necklace

So cute!  It may not turn you into a superhero but the "Shazam" necklace is awfully fun.  $16 at I Make Cute Stuff

Naik Fur Shades of Green Hat

This is definitely NOT your boyfriend's beanie!  Keep your head warm in style with this funky yet sophisticated hat.  $50 at Smashing Darling

"Wings Are For Flying Not Frying" Zip Up Hoodie

I'm not vegetarian but I totally love this "Wings are for Flying not Frying" Hoodie.  Your perfect fall hoodie!  $38 at Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe

Fab 5 Fridays, Issue 16 - Lynn Colwell

Today's guest is Lynn Colwell.  Lynn's a life coach, ardent crafter and supporter of indie arts.  When she’s not working with clients, she’s in her studio painting, cutting, stamping, sewing or creating digital collages.  Most of her work is donated to causes to be auctioned off or given away although she has sold things from time to time. Her dual passions at the moment  are helping clients get unstuck and playing with her four grandchildren. She’s worked with lots of indie designers which is one reason she is so into their work. You can check out her website at www.CoachWithLynn.com.

Mommy Tags - starts at $65
These take offs on soldier’s dog tags are great conversation starters. I’ve ordered the sentimental favorites for myself (I’ve got one tag for each grandchild with names and birth dates) as well as for friends and new mom (and grand mom) gifts. 

Smoldering Damage - $75
Nothing makes me happier that an artist using bright colors to express her vision of the world. This print of Mindy Wilson’s feeds my exuberant side and makes me smile every time I look at it. I love the idea that the print originated from a water stain and that the artist’s vision grew from there.

Alice Wicker Purse - $195
I enjoy making people laugh and I also like to stand out from the crowd. That’s why I covet one of Tracy Vest’s Alice Wicker purses. Those wild red feathers would be just the thing to get the conversation going if I found myself among a group of strangers.

Cheery Skulls Guitar Strap - $30
Like many guys, my 30-something son is hard to buy for, but when I saw this cheery skull guitar strap, I knew I’d discovered something that would blow his socks off. It’s hand made. It’s got skulls. What’s not to like?

Cascading Ball Tree - $47.50
This was my granddaughter’s favorite gift when she turned three. But the adults at the party could hardly keep their hands off it. Each “leaf” makes a different sound, reminiscent of a xylophone, as marbles tumble down the wooden tree. And it’s beautiful to look at as well. It was such fun that I bought one for myself!

Choose Happiness T-Shirt
My favorite Rare Bird Finds just has to be Choose Happiness T’s. After all, I’m a life coach and this is what I ask of clients every day! [See original post]

Want to submit your top picks for Fab 5 Friday?  Read the our submission policy here.

To view past Fridays, click the Fab 5 Friday link.

Customizeable Halloween Candle

Ooh this black candle with dripping red wax is perfect for Halloween - and the best part?  It's completely customizeable.  The scent is spiced mulberry, but if mulberries don't do it for you, you can choose a different one from a list of more than 40 scents - free!  May I suggest apple pie or pumpkin pie? And if you like the look of the candle, but don't want your candle looking like it's melting blood (aw, too bad), you can even change the color free of charge as well.  Just contact the candle artist.  $18 for a 3" x 6" pillar at Studio 3B.

When Two People Love Each Other VERY Much Baby One-Piece

Ah, the story of the birds and the bees.  This baby one-piece made me chuckle!  $15 at Egg-A-Go-Go.

The Poet Scarf

I've been waiting all summer to finally post about something from this shop.  Here is my favorite, an absolutely beautiful scarf that can also double as a shawl.  Love it!  But be sure to check out the shop's entire collection.  $48 at Fringe.

Miss Me Don't Give a Hoot Hoodie

I love the look of this brown hoodie.  It has black tree branches silk-screened on the front and inside the hood, and a pretty beaded owl patch.  $66 at Lulu's.

Fiesta Piggy Bank

Saving money and pinching pennies is no fun but maybe it will seem a little more fun if you have this cheerful Fiesta Piggy Bank.  $34 at Patina

Felted scarf in red with black accents

It's starting to get chilly around here.  I've been on the lookout for some cool scarves and I came across this funky red felted scarf.  Love it!  Lots more here too.  $30 at Karlita

"Severed Finger Trick" Wallet

This Severed Finger Trick wallet cracks me up because didn't we all have that kinda funny uncle that tried to traumatize us with this trick when we were younger?  $22 at Shirts and Ladders

Fire Koi with Crab Fire Agate Necklace

I am in awe of this Fire Koi Necklace.  It is just stunning!  The fish is hand tooled leather.  Different colors of Koi available here.  $64 at Sunny Rising 

Cute Socks!

Oh I am lovin' these Rainbow and Clouds socks, and the Skull Ice Cream socks.  So cute and it totally makes me glad the weather is getting cooler!  $13 at Plasticland.

Whirl-Vintage Brass Butterfly Necklace

How pretty - a vintage brass butterfly necklace that goes with anything!  $29 at ElisabethSpace.