Rare Bird Finds

Quaker Oats True Delight Blueberry Muffin Instant Oatmeal

I usually don't like instant oatmeal.  It tends to be glue-y, super sweet and not all that filling.  My feelings about instant oatmeal has had a complete turnaround with Quaker Oats True Delight instant oatmeal in blueberry muffin flavor.  It has a delicious blueberry muffin scent, and while it tastes like oatmeal, it has the "essence" of a blueberry muffin.  For me, it wasn't as sweet as Quaker Oats regular instant oatmeal, which I really appreciated. You're not gonna think you're eating a bowl of blueberry muffins, but it's quite good.  Plus, it's only 150 calories when made with water and it's filling from the 4g of fiber they put in it.  I'm usually the kind of person who has to eat two packets because one packet isn't filling, but with this stuff, I'm content with just one packet of this stuff.  So, if you're looking for a low-calorie breakfast that will get you through the morning, give this a try!  Also available is Hazelnut Latte flavor.  About $5.99 at your local grocery store.  Quaker Oats is also offering a $1 off coupon that you can print out.

Ibiza Ride Binary Watch Cuff

This cuff watch is for that seriously cool geeky dude with a rock star vibe.  The watch not only looks cool with the wide cuff, but the watch itself has a cool watch face.  You have to decipher the lit LED lights to get the time, and folks will definitely be in awe watching you do it.  $246 at Fractalspin

Dynamite Candles

 
These dynamite candles will sparkle intermittently like the real thing while making your birthday cake look dangerously good.  I like how in the write-up blurb about the candles they had to tell you it's for novelty purposes only and they won't explode.  Like, who'd want their cake to explode?  $6.50 at Spoon Sisters

Champagne Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Last weekend I spent at the LA Cupcake Challenge on Meringue Bake Shop's team competing in that challenge. All day I sat staring at the cupcakes that she made and smelling them. They were champagne cupcakes with strawberry cream topping and Pop Rocks on the top. So, when you put them in your mouth the mimicked the pop or bubbles of champagne.  I just came across these champagne chocolate strawberries and the color and description really reminded me of her yummy cupcakes. 5.99 for 4 oz bag at igourmet.com.

Pet Hats

Aww - how cute!  The shop carries hand crocheted bear and bunny hats for your kitty or doggie.  If only my dog would keep one of these things on his head - at least long enough for a photo! $20 and up at xmoonbloom

Handmade Porcelain Animal Cups

 

What a delightful way to have a cup of coffee or a spot of tea!  These handmade porcelain cups features a variety of animals on the side of the cup as the handle.  Cute!  $17 and up at Mie Kongo Studio

Man Flu Rescue Kit

  Ok, this might be a bit mean, and some men aren't going to find this funny (Hi Honey!), but c'mon! The Man Flu Rescue kit gets to the heart of the matter. Some guys just really are that pathetic when they are sick (and some, aren't, yes, I know, sweetie, I didn't mean you...). A chill pack for his feverish brow, a check-list so no one will forget just how sick he is and a digital thermometer so he can prove it to everyone. It might take the edge off, for the patient AND the one nursing him back to health. $9.95 at Moxie.

Bottle Biner

  While I don't want to suggest drinking while actually ON the go, you might need help once you get there. This handy tool would make a nice addition to any picnic basket, cooler or backpack for the guy that loves the beach party, a night at the Hollywood Bowl-type venue or attending barbecues. Personally, I feel that everyone should have a bottle opener handy at all times. But that might say too much about me. You can never be too prepared, so be prepared and clip on the bottle biner and the wine and beer can keep flowing. $15 at Modern Poverty.

Viking Hat

It's time to get your Viking on!   Vikings are in and they are hot!  Don't be left out, get your handmade Viking hat TODAY!  $35 at Bananagans. 

Kitchen Pencil - Wood Spoon Pencil

 
This is for the serious cook or the person that multi-tasks like me, a kitchen wooden spoon with a pencil at the other end. Do you want to cook something and remember the recipe? So just write it down. Or do as I would; cook dinner and remember you have to pick up toilet paper tomorrow. Just write it down. Hehehe. $12.95 at Fitzu.

Peeps - Recipes and Crafts Book

Peeps Rule! They especially rule this time of year and while they are plentiful, stock up and use this book to make crafts and recipes with your favorite Peeps! Isn't this the best!$12.95 at Spoon Sisters.

Seven Deadly Sins Sugar Grinders

When I was in Cambria, CA over the holidays, I visited a cute little shop that had these Seven Deadly Sins Sugar grinders.  Each spice grinder is named after a Deadly Sin, and are unique.  Lust is a sweet mixture of rock sugar, ginger, lime and rose petals.  Wrath is rock sugar, chocolate and chili.  Envy is rock sugar mixed with basil.  Pride is rock sugar, coffee beans and cardamom.  You get the picture.  You then grind these sugary spices onto your cupcakes, coffee, sauces, meats, etc, depending on the sin you pick.  A nifty fun way to add interest and flavor to your next meal, dessert or drink!  $7.95 at Rori's Kitchen

Sterling Silver Dachshund Knuckle Ring

You'll be the toughest doxie lover on the block with this adorable knuckle ring.  $62 at Little Pretties by Rachel Pfeffer

Mam PaPaul Red Velvet and Black Velvet Cake Mixes

 
OHMYGOODNESS, I was given a box of Mam PaPaul's red velvet cake mix over the holidays and boy oh boy, am I so glad!  I'm a red velvet cake snob. So I didn't expect much from a boxed cake mix (uhm, Duncan Hines anyone? Bleagh.).  Birdies, this is hands-down my favorite red velvet cake - and it's so easy to make!  Seriously.  Off the top of my head, I think all I needed to add was eggs and oil for the cake part.  The mix even comes with an icing mix (which requires butter, shortening and cream cheese).  I skipped the shortening for the frosting and just used the mix with cream cheese and butter, and it was so delicious.  The cake was moist and tasty.  The frosting was to-die-for.  And for those of you who have made red velvet cake from scratch, you know how the red food coloring can give the cake a weird taste if you add too much?  Well, there was no weird taste and the cake was a gorgeous deep red.  So, if you want a fast and easy red velvet cake mix - LOOK NO FURTHER!  Amazingly, it made enough to create two high layers of cake - for a mouthwatering two-layer cake with some good height.  Pretty darn good for a boxed cake mix!  Mam PaPaul also has a black velvet cake mix that I can't wait to try - imagine how awesome it would be for Halloween with a tinted orange frosting?  The cake is chocolate flavored and comes with a buttercream frosting mix.  $7.99 at Cajun-Store  Also, the person who got me the mix said she picked it up at her local Cost Plus World Market if you have one near you. 

Galileo's House of Eccentricities

If you’re a mover, a shaker,

or a crafty craft-maker,

an artist, chance-taker,

or world forsaker.

 If some call you freaky,

If you’re super uniquey,

If you love mathematics,

Or engage in tech geekery,

If you’re a doubter, believer,

Or a comic book reader,

An avant-garde writer,

Or an overachiever.

If you’re a traveling actor,

Or secret-thinktanker,

Or a cryptozoologist.

Or professional prankster.

Welcome Home.

I love Galileo's motto. It's so much like us at Rare Bird Finds. This is a new boutique and gallery that just opened, in Tustin, CA which is in Orange County. It is a fantastic hanging out place to read, work on your computer, shop for unusual finds and one of a kind items as well as handmade items by independent artists. They are the only shop in the US that stock Le Whif, breathable chocolate. They also carry Bonnin Designs jewelry, accessories and art! (that's me).482 El Camino Real Tustin, CA  92780.

Le Whif

It's what you've been dreaming about. Chocolate. No calories. It's breathable chocolate. Developed in France by a Harvard Professor, it has just taken off. Just take a whif from the biodegradable plastic cylinder of Le Whif and extremely small airborn food particles give you the real chocolate experience . Real chocolate without the calories. It comes in 3 different flavors: Rasberry chocolate, chocolate, and mint chocolate. This March, they will be launching coffee. So it's like a cup of coffee, without the chance of spillage. wow. 3 pack is 4.99 euros.

Wine Sock Monkey

This sock monkey wine cover is definitely a cute way to dress up a bottle of wine.  It's not available yet, but sign up to be notified when it's available.  $9.99 at Perpetual Kid

Modern Baby Hedgehog Clock

Soo cute!  Love this hedgehog clock.  $48 at Decoylab

Trey Anastasio

  You wouldn't be purchasing the ACTUAL Trey Anastasio here, just a poster inspired by some of his work. I think it would probably look better on your wall anyway. A lovely two color poster, but what really caught my eye was the marshmallow/chocolate guitar. Now who wouldn't love that? Nice colors, clever design, perfect for a Phish phan, I think. $50 at Aesthetic Apparatus.

Power Bots Gnasher Kit

This diy power bots gnasher kit helps you create a moving, eating bot to terrorize your neighbors!  Well, maybe not as scary as the power bot on The Big Bang Theory, but at least it can move and eat small items.  $15.95 at Cool Stuff Express

Shadowbox Pendants

These shadowbox pendants are cool because they're like tiny scenes that tell a story.  Each one is handmade and are definite conversation pieces.  The shop carries a variety of "scenes" and available also as rings, cufflinks and earrings.  $75 and up at Posy Studio

Super Snapsuit

I was at a local gift shop in Pasadena when I spotted these Super Snapsuits.  I absolutely loved them!  They're small snapsuits for babies that come with a cape.  The boy's version is blue and reads, "I'm Super."  The girl's is red and reads, "Super Cute."  Adorable!  $29.95 at Firebox

Customized Train Pendant

This fabulously unique pendant features a little graffiti artist doodling his artwork on the side of a train.  The best part is that his graffiti can be completely customized by you - you tell the designer the words you want written on the train side, and it will be customized for you in the artist's graffiti handwriting.  $145 at DMDmetalsmith

Turquoise Blue Squid Teapot

At first it was the color of this that caught my eye, then I saw the details and thought that it was just cool all around.  This turquoise Squid Teapot is definitely a conversation piece and then some.  $145 at Sky Bird Arts. 

Large Robot with Headphones Plush

  Sometimes a teddy bear just isn't going to do the trick. Sometimes you need to show your love in a more modern fashion. And sometimes, a robot wearing headphones is the only way to do it. $42 at Shanalogic.

Zombies Ate My Brain Mug

Sometimes in the mornings I do feel like zombies ate my brain until I have my first cup of coffee.  If you feel the same, then let the world know with these handcrafted mugs that come in 14 - 20 oz sizes.  $25 and up at Cups by Karin Lorenc

Nightmare Before Christmas Knitting Needles and Stitch Markers

Ohhhh - these Nightmare Before Christmas knitting needles and stitch markers totally make me wish I could knit!  They are the coolest!  $40 at Scary Merry

Robot Metal Garden Stake

No country bumpkin garden for you. You want the geek garden that is the extension of yourself. Well why not? Here’s a metal robot garden stake to watch over your plants and maybe scare off a few crows, perhaps. $21.67 at Rusty Rooster Metal.

Handy Handlebar Print

This print is certainly a unique take on handlebar mustaches!  $14 at Hisss Illustration

Know It All No. 2 Pencil Set

What a nifty set of pencils.  Each one features some bit of knowledge that will surely come in handy for that schoolboy or schoolgirl in your life.  Plus, No. 2 pencils are just what they need when filling out Scantron.  $11 for a set of six at Paper Pastries

Curling Pennant

What is the most awesome sport in the Winter Olympics and even Homer Simpson is doing it? That’s right! Curling. How about your own Curling Pennant to celebrate this wonder of a sport. $4.95 at Archie McPhee.

Starving Artist Mug

How many of us were a starving artist? How many of us still are? This Starving Artist mug’s for you! And you can afford it. Only $14.95 at Paper Source.

Ninja Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

Oh, too cute!  I absolutely adore this ninja salt and pepper shaker set.  Also check out these Day of the Dead newlywed set.  $20 at Plasticland

What Big Teeth You Have -print

 

Cute yet scary. Wolfish yet lovable. Strange yet charming. Sounds like some guys I know. This odd little monster by Emma Sancartier might find a good home with one of them. A little to scary for some kids, but just right for a big boy to enjoy on his walls. $15 at Odd Fauna.

Rocket Cuff Links

  I am back to my old argument about cufflinks. I don't much care for giving them as gifts since most guys only ever wear them on their wedding day. But then I see a cool pair like these rocket cufflinks, and I know they would be perfect for my rocket scientist brother, or even just my friend who happens to be fascinated by space travel and I have to rethink my stand on cufflinks. Perhaps guys will just start wearing french cuffs again and I won't feel so bad about a gift that won't be used that often. Let's make that happen, ok? $32.72 at Magic Pony.

Lime Horse Hook

I'm not really into horses like some people I know, but I really love how this cast-iron horse hook looks - especially the color.  Would look super funky on a wall or door that needs some eye-appeal.  A larger hook is also available.  $18 at Monkey and Squirrel

Good Time Photo Ring

What I really dig about this Polaroid-esque ring is that it's bold and you can customize it by slipping in a new photo.  Also available in silver.  $78 at Yellowgoat

Eye Rolling Clock

This eye rolling clock cracks me up.  One eye tells the hour, and the other tells the minutes.  It rolls and rolls making funny faces at ya all day long.  May not be the most accurate, but it will definitely brighten your day.  $40 at Curiosity SHoppe

Cat Skirt

What a sweet little cat skirt!  Looks comfy for those days you don't want to dress up but still want to look cute. $48 at Kaching Design

2010 Winter Olympics Royal Blue Ice Scraper

For all of you fighting the winter weather, fear not. The Winter Olympics has got you covered! An ice scraper with the Vancouver Olympics 2010 logo and it’s on sale for only $3.99 at Shopwintergames.com.

Tiger Face Waffle Hand Towel

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger in your bar or kitchen area with this really cool, original design of a jewel eyed Tiger hand towel. $12.95 at Fleur de Me Designs.

 

License Plate Mosaic Belt Buckles

What I love about the collection of belt buckles on this site is that the designer is creating mosaic patterns from old, retired and vintage license plates.  I also like their distressed look.  Be sure to check out all of the designs.  $44 at Randi Tan

Baby Star Wars Prints

Know someone who is a HUGE Star Wars fan and has a baby on the way?  Perfect gift right here.... these cute Baby Star Wars prints.  You get all 4 of these prints for $46 at Ginormous Robot.  Other sizes available. 

SteamLight

 

How cool are these steamlights?  The light has a shade that resembles those metal steamer things that you probably have in your kitchen, so it can open, tilt and rotate to create unique light patterns.  Super cool!  $77.77 and up at Light Texture

Forget-Knot Ring

Slip on this adorable tiny brass knot-ring to help you remember.  So much better than a red ribbon.  $17 at Chain Chain Chained

Oy Vey Pillow

I adore this "oy vey" pillow.  Would look great on your couch or bed to add a big splash of personality.  $22 at Sweet Magnolia Originals

Telephone Stenciled Wooden Tray

This is the subtle hint you can give when  you have that person over that you really adore that just isn’t getting it. Serve them and the tray has a telephone stenciled on it. “CALL ME” is the message you relay. Duh. If they don’t get it, they’re not right for you. Oh, did I tell you not to take relationship advice from me? I think this time you could. Only $12 at Handmade Awesome!

Furry box guy - Amour

 

Squee! This little Furry Box Guy is so cute! In a slightly creepy way. He can hold little treasures inside and would be the perfect hiding place for a secret note. There's a cute story that goes with him, but I'll let you read that for youself, and you should because he has some brother's looking for new homes too. $39 at Muddy Feet.

Cup Size Hand Stamped Pendant

Whether you're an A, B, C, D or even an FF (do they get that big????), say it loud and say it proud with this Cup Size hand stamped pendant!   The pendant is Sterling Silver and if you don't see your Cup size, just convo them and get a custom one.  $32 at Metal Taboo. 

Mr. Darcy Cross Stitch Pattern

Are you a Darcy fan?  Like to get your cross stitch on?  Now you can with this Mr. Darcy cross stitch pattern.  $7 for the PDF pattern at The Time is Now