Rare Bird Finds

Hard Candy - 50% Off Sale!

A birdie just told me that Hard Candy is having a 50% off everything sale!  Have fun, beauty junkies!

Emotibud Earbud Set

You get all 4 of these cute emotibud earbuds to interchange with your daily moods for $18. Great way to tell which earphones are yours when everyone's all look the same, too.

Fab 5 Friday, Issue 44 - Victoria Sprow

Victoria is a writer who is currently earning her MFA in Fiction at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. She is engaged to be married next summer in New York City to a handsome Naval Aviator.  Victoria chose the photo for this piece "because my fiance took it, and he is really good at capturing genuine emotion on film!"

Victoria is originally from New Jersey, but has lived in Cambridge, MA, Dublin, Ireland, and Iowa City.

She is also the creator of Victoria with Roses, a delightful blog of creative wedding ideas and products for the bride (or groom!) to-be.

Cut Arts

Silhouette artist Karl Johnson will cut your profile by hand from a photo, to create an original work of art, signed by the artist. If you can sneakily get a profile shot of a friend or family member, this would make a great birthday, wedding or anniversary gift! You can also buy gift certificates on the site. Silhouette portraits start at only $25 for a 5x7, and go up in price as size gets bigger at Cut Arts.

Picked by Victoria Sprow, Guest Editor of Fab 5 Friday

Cootie Catcher Invitatitions

Want to make sure you'll have a huge turnout at your next party? Send these Cootie Catcher Party Invitations. In a mix of orange, teal, purple and pink, these will send your invitees on a trip down Memory Lane. Lift the flaps to reveal the time, date and place of the party. $1.49 each, minimum order of 10 at Urbanity Studios.

Picked by Victoria Sprow, Guest Editor of Fab 5 Friday

Flying Wish Paper

Write your wish on the Flying Wish Paper™, then roll the paper into a tube and place it on the Wish Platform™. When you light the top of the tube, the paper burns down and then floats into the air! This would make an incredibly unique party gift or wedding favor. Watch the video and buy individual favor sets for $3.00 at Flying Wish Paper.

Picked by Victoria Sprow, Guest Editor of Fab 5 Friday

We've Moved! Announcements

When I saw these creative moving announcements, I almost wanted to pack my things and go, just to have a reason to send them! 10 cards per pack, each is 9" x 4".  60 total moving announcements for $29.99 at Shredlines.

Picked by Victoria Sprow, Guest Editor of Fab 5 Friday

Library Cards

As a writer and avid reader, I loooove these authentic library cards and pockets.  Use them to host a holiday gift exchange themed around books--create your invitations on library cards. Then have each guest bring his or her favorite book, gift wrapped, for a a grab-bag. Have an author trivia game, with prizes (like bookmarks, magazine subscriptions, or gift certificates to Barnes and Noble). Research some famous author's favorite foods, and feature these on the menu. $12.75 for 50 sets at School Locker.

Picked by Victoria Sprow, Guest Editor of Fab 5 Friday

2 Tone Skinny Stick Lighter

Are these not the most unique lighters you've ever seen?  There's so many different colors to choose from, you can coordinate with your outfits!  $21 at MollaSpace.

Red Devil Hand Sculpted Miniature Figure

What's wack, not right and red all over? This wonderful little devil! So, if you're wack, not right or just need a compliment to the little angel that sits on your shoulder; then head on over to Bob Horner Art with $35 in your hand.

Greasy Todd Bookmark

Reading a hot and juicy book and need to mark your place? What could be a better match than a hot and juicy bookmark? Get yours at the Art of Rory Skagen for $5.

Neon Arlequin Hoodie

I'm so excited to have found an Etsy shop that makes handmade hoodies. The colors are so vibrant and the designs are amazing. Each one is one of a kind so check out her shop for more colorful styles. $150 at Schizo's shop.

Betsy and Claude Cookies

These vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, dairy-free and nuts-free cookies come in four flavors (chocolate chip, gingersnap, peppermint chocolate chunk, and NOatmeal raisin).  Freshly made, and a wonderful solution for those with severe food allergies who thought they'd have to kiss cookies goodbye.  $21 for one pound at Betsy and Claude (they're on vacation until 9/1 - so place your orders then!)

Sponsor Post: Sharma Designs

Sky Blue and Wood Oval Handmade Bracelet $21

Mod Bayong Wood Donut Handmade Necklace $39

Boho Aquamarine and Wood Hoops Handmade Earrings $17

Kung Fu Fido

"If you break a mirror, you will have seven years of bad luck..... the longest 12 months of your life."- Kung Fu Fido.

Fortunes, like the one above, can be found in all natural fortune cookies for dogs. Each box contains 12 fortune cookies, with fortunes. 6.95 at Sojos.

Fight Club Soap

Luckily, this goat milk soap isn't made from human fat (euww!) like the real Fight Club bars of soap! A tropical citrus and coconut scent.  $3.50 at Beth's Crafts

Woodgrain Log Pillows

So cute!  Love these woodgrain log pillows. $39 at I Heart Norwegian Wood

Tattoo Leather and Sterling Silver Earrings

I love that these tattoo-inspired earrings are an interesting mix of leather and sterling silver. They are so neat! $56 at Eninaj

Lavande Poche Sachet

This refillable pocket is made from a vintage hankerchief and button, and comes filled with a sachet aromatic lavender. You can replace the inner sachet to refresh the scent. Great for your drawers and wardrobe. $18 at Pear McGee.

When Urine Love T-shirt

Ah, potty humor, why do guys love it so? Well, ok, who doesn’t love it when it’s this cute? Adorable kidneys on a gold shirt make quite a statement. It’s cute, but it’s oh so gross…kind of like most guys you know. I think they will appreciate it. $24 from I Heart Guts.

Sponsor Post: Naiad

Strawberry Blonde Beer Soap - For Body, Shaving and Hair $5

Naked Tea Tree Olive Oil Facial Soap $3.50

Chocolate Mint Soap Bars $6

Beaver Faux Fur Guinea Pig Plushie

Doesn't this cute little guinea pig plushie look just like the real thing?  For me, the fact that it doesn't make noise or smell is definitely a plus!  He's stuffed with down alternative to make him extra cuddly. Lots of styles available! $18 at Zygopsyche

Lime Margarita Salt Bar

This lime margarita salt bar is seriously making me drool!  It is made with nearly one half sea salt and is vegan friendly.  $8 at Magic Hands

Burano Italy Houses Through The Viewfinder Photo Print

I am dying for my husband to take me to Italy but in the meantime I can drool over this Through the Viewfinder print of some Italian houses.  A great selection of beautiful vibrant prints. $9 at Scarlet Beautiful 2

Freestyle Palette

When you have a lot of make-up like me, decluttering means you most likely have to de-pot (removing the outer container so that only the pan remains). So what do you do with all those mismatching pans? This is where the Yaby Freestyle palette comes in (the one pictured is the Set palette). This palette does not have 'wells', so you don't have to stick to one brand of eyeshadow for the pans to fit inside. A magnetic backing means you can move your pans around as you feel like it. And as a bonus, the mirror is made from polished stainless steel, meaning it won't break in your handbag - and you can also use it for a mixing surface. $11.99 each at Camera Ready Cosmetics.

Chef Duff Minimate

OK, I know this has been all over the internets but that’s only because it’s so darn cool. I’ve got nephews and guyfriends who are all kinds of crazy about the Food Network program Ace of Cakes and now they can have a little Duff to keep them company in the Kitchen. It’s the Duff Goldman Minimate complete with powertools, guitar and two Charm City cakes. (I’m waiting for the Geof figure myself). $8 at Charm City Cakes.

Shapewear T-Shirt

This v-neck t-shirt has a hidden tummy panel that will slim any bumps and lumps around your midsection. Designed by Yummie Tummie, these t-shirts come in a variety of colors and in sizes S-XL. $76 at Bare Necessities.

Bacon Luggage Tags

 

Well, you'll probably be the only person on your flight with bacon luggage tags.  Will definitely make it easy to spot your bag in baggage pick-up. $4.95 at Fridge Door

El Rancho Gato Catnip Set

This catnip set includes three different catnip filled pieces. The Saguaro Cactus Catnip, the Coral Snake Catnip, and the Lucky Gato Horseshoe Catnip.  Each toy is stuffed with a healthy dose of catnip, and sure to bring lots of joy to your cat.  $24.95 at Modern Tails

Wonder Woman Belt Buckle

I really want one of these Wonder Woman belt buckles!  $28.99 at Shop Happy Trails

Jurassic Amber Soap

I am really fascinated by amber, especially when it has bugs stuck in it - hehe.  So of course I'd love this Jurassic Amber Soap that features a (fake) bug stuck inside.  The bay rum scent makes it perfect for men.  $6 at Amanda Louise

Ninjas All Over the Place T-Shirt

I bought this ninja t-shirt at Comic-Con and I love it.  It might be hard to see the details but the t-shirt shows ninjas battling sea monsters.  Lots of great details.  I especially love the decapitated ninja up on the upper right-hand side of the photo.Men's and Women's sizes available. $19.95 at Nucleus

Shemergency Survival Kit

Great survival kit for any modern day woman.  Comes with a plethora of items for emergencies and isn't the kit itself just so cute?!   Includes things like earring backings, hairspray, hair elastics, nail clipper, clear nail polish, breath freshner, static remover, stain remover, tampon, deodorant wipes, double sided tape, and other very handy items.  $20 at Wishing Fish.

Concrete Lightbulb Wall Hook

                                           

I had hooks shaped like fingers hanging on my walls when I was a teenager. I would have loved to get my hands on some of these Concrete Lightbulb Wall Hooks! $19 at Whamodyne

Sweet Tea Beverage Bar

What a unique soap design!  I have the quite the fondness for Sweet Tea being Southern and all. This
scrumptious Sweet Tea Bar has ice cubes and a lemon wedge. Perfect! $8.00 at Soap Sushi

Fibonacci Lampshade

Bear with me a second because I know you are thinking “Lampshade? Why would a lampshade be a cool guy thing? Unless, you know, it’s got naked ladies on it or something…” No, no, it’s cooler than that. This is a Fibonacci Lampshade, inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, which is a mathematical sequence that describes the spiral structure found in natural occurrences like a sunflower or a shell. The reason I’m calling this a cool guy find is because the Fibonacci sequence was introduced to me by an engineer, who just happened to be a cool guy. And he would totally love this little visual trick. Of course, this does not mean that cool gal engineers wouldn’t totally dig this lovely rubber lampshade as well. I think it might make a particularly clever gift for the engineer or mathematician that likes nice design. They’ll get what it’s all about, even if everyone else thinks it’s just a cool lampshade. $ 70 at Molla Space.

Peas in a Pod Soap

Perhaps my obsession with food-shaped soaps is telling me something? I don't think I could ever bring myself to use these adorable soaps - they are just too cute! $3 for one pod wrapped in cellophane (2oz each) from Anniepoo.

Give me all the French Toast - Limited Edition Print

"I'm starving! Let's get some f**king french toast!" I posted this because it makes me laugh. (And makes me hungry.) $15 at Kill Taupe's Etsy shop.

Sponsor Post: She Shoots

Lily White (8x10) $25  Aengus' Garden (5x7) $15    Family of Forget-Me-Nots (5x7) $15

Felted Wool Acorns

The description for these tiny felted treasures says that "acorns have long symbolized potential, strength, and patience." Tuck one into a child's pocket on the first day of school or send one to a new college student to help them beat the first-day jitters.$6 for 3 at Lil Fish Studios

Knit or Die Tee

This is the perfect t-shirt for that hard core knitter in your life. Pictured is a size medium. $22 at Love One World Zero.

OctopusMe Claw Earrings

These octopus tentacle earrings are so unique!  They are cast from real octopus in sterling silver.  Very funky!  $65 at OctopusMe

Om Ball

This Om Ball is not only beautiful, but when bounced, it will play the "Om " mantra as recorded by Bhagavan Das.  Find your inner pooch with a playful game of fetch, $26.00 at Uncommon Goods.

Airplane Flatware Set

This airplane flatware set is definitely going to make mealtimes a little more fun.  I think both kids and "big kids" would enjoy eating with these.  $10 at Satinbox

Dirty Bird Dive Bar Wallet

I laughed out loud when I saw this "Dirty Bird at the Dive Bar" wallet.  That naughty bird!  $24 at Perpetual Kid

Fab 5 Friday, Issue 43 - Robert Mahar

Whew - time flies!  More than a year ago Robert did the second issue of Fab 5 Friday.  We loved Robert's picks so much that we invited him back to pick us 5 more - and he happily obliged! 

Robert is the proprietor of our favorite artisan children's shop, Mahar Drygoods.  He is also delightfully known as the Grand Poobah of the Junior Society, a society that is "dedicated to the proliferation and advancement of better than average kiddie culture and design!"

"My approach with this Fab Five was to select items on my personal ‘wish list’, goods I’ve had my eye on for awhile," says Robert.

Ann Wood Sailing Ships

I have long been a fan of artist Ann Wood and the magical sailing ships she creates, complete with songbird shipmates.  View images of these crafty vessels on Ann's blog or purchase one at Hazel Wood Children, $224.

Picked by Robert Mahar, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday

Catherine's Animals

The animal photography of Catherine Ledner is nothing short of brilliant...or miraculous when you consider how on earth she managed to position everything from alligators to zebras against beautifully wallpapered backgrounds.  Catherine's Animals, 11" x 14" photographic prints $250. Larger sizes available.

Picked by Robert Mahar, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday

Mustache on a Stick

Create a little office intrigue by keeping a Mustache on a Stick in your pencil jar.  Perfect disguise for avoiding uncomfortable client meetings or simply pretending you're not there.  Something's Hiding in Here, 10" tall, $40.

Picked by Robert Mahar, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday

Little Pink Pearl Print

It is back to school time once again and those of of us 'of a certain age' will remember that no pencil case was complete without a Pink Pearl, the iconic pink eraser.  Phenomenal LA-based artist Jordan Crane pays homage to this classroom classic with his hand pulled silkscreen Little Pink Pearl, 20" x 13", "$40.

Picked by Robert Mahar, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday