Rare Bird Finds

Hedgehog Pinnie

Have you discovered pinnies when it comes to your little yet? What's really great about them is that they can be purchased slightly large and worn in the summer with sandals and grow with her throughout the year with layers underneath (think: long sleeves, funky striped tights & her brightest maryjanes). This hedgehog pinnie is lined with aqua hedgehogs for that extra special (fun!) touch. From sizes 6 months to 2 years. $32 at Ainslee Fox Handmade

LAST DAY TO ENTER TO WIN!

 

Last day to enter to win this adorable pink Swarovski crystal bear with green heart necklace ($99.95 retail value)!

To Enter:  Just send an email to contest@vibatv.com - that's it!  Just be sure to get your entry in by TODAY 2:59pm PDT.  The winner will be announced during the live show between 3pm - 3:30pm PDT.  The winner will also receive an email. Open to US/Canadian readers.

For those of you who tried entering yesterday and the email bounced back - try again.  The problem has been resolved :)  GOOD LUCK!!

Peacock Feathers Silk Brocade Clutch

I get so giddy everytime I look at this peacock feathers silk brocade clutch.  Gorgeous, isn't it?  $75 at Clutch That!  Thank you Rachel for the tip!

CONTEST! Pink Swarovski Crystal Bear with Heart Necklace

 

The new live Internet shopping show on vibaTV hearts Rare Bird Finds so much that they are giving away a pink Swarovski crystal bear with green heart necklace ($99.95 retail value) to one lucky reader!  Keep this super cute necklace to add sparkle and color to your wardrobe or give it away to your bestie as a gorgeous gift that will surely get oohs and ahhs. 

To Enter:  Just send an email to contest@vibatv.com - that's it!  Just be sure to get your entry in by 2:59pm PDT on Wednesday, September 29, 2010.  The winner will be announced during the live show between 3pm - 3:30pm PDT.  The winner will also receive an email. Open to US/Canadian readers.  GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR BIRDIES!!

Car-Ambulance Belt

As a mom I often find myself in the in-between predicament: my mini doesn't fit in her current size but the next size up also doesn't fit-- and alas she is right in-between. This fun and reversible belt has red metal D-rings for easy on/off and will last quite some time, since it fits ages 12 months to 4 years. A great investment for all the in-between predicaments you may find yourself in! $15 at Black Eyed Susie

Star Wars AT-AT Walker Family Decals

I'm sure you've seen those stick figure decals at the craft stores..you know the ones you can buy and stick on your car window and show everyone you're stick figure family.  Well I found a Star Wars equivalent for all my Star Wars Geek friends. Check out the AT-AT Walker Family Decals.   You can get the large AT-AT Walkers in White and Pink (or Pink/Pink, White/White) for the parents and little AT-ST Walkers for your kids in white and pink.  The best thing, the price..this listing is $6 for 3 decals (2 large walkers and one small AT-ST and you can get them at Short Sleeve Alliance.

T Rex Belt Buckle

 

Thunder lizard, indeed! This belt buckle has a nice pop art feel to it and I imagine, it would look good with casual wear, but man would it set off a nice business suit. Show 'em who the boss REALLY is! $20 at Everything Tiny.

Zombie Exposed Brains Head Band

I <3 this creepy little Zombie Exposed Brains Headband. It is the perfect accessory for Halloween or just general zombie loving every day wear. $23.00 at Janine Basil.

Dexter Coasters

 

With the new television season starting, lots of people are excited about the return of "Dexter". These coasters might make the wait between episodes a little easier...or a little creepier, depending on how you feel about trophy blood slides. Ew. They will make interesting conversation pieces either way, and they'd be awesome at a viewing party! $34.95 at Showtime.

Family Series Wall Art

 
  

Made to order and a perfect family gift, this customizable wall art is stitched to your specifications with your choice of characters, colors and placement. Each hand-made wall hanging ranges in size and is sent ready to hang. Prices vary from $134-160 at Branch

Butter MiniBot Print

Here's a small print that packs a big punch, rock 'em sock 'em style! Cute 6X6 image of the "Butter MiniBot" would be equally at home in a kid's room or in a big guy office. $18 at John W .Golden

Jaws Shower Curtain

Make your bathroom fun (and maybe a tad frightening..muhaha!) with this Jaws shower curtain.  Use discount code SEPT for free shipping.  $20 at Fred Flare

Center Cage Card and Jewelry Holder

The antique-y bird cage design of this card and jewelry holder has definite eye appeal.  Definitely super cute!  $23.99 at Mod Cloth

Personalized Bottle Opener with Cap Catcher

It is soooo beer season.  I'm sick of going to the drawer to get out my bottle opener and then throwing the cap away when I could be drinking my precious beer already.  That's why I need a personalized bottle opener witha cap catcher just like this!  $31.50 at Innovation Workshop. 

Movie Review: Catfish

"Jaw dropping" - L.A. Times

"...Most haunting movie around..." - Playboy

We paid $29.50 for two tickets at Arclight Pasadena to see Catfish.  When the L.A. times said the movie, Catfish, is "jaw dropping," I don't think they meant the ticket price.  I think what they really meant was that after the movie, I would stare at the movie screen, jaw in my lap, thinking, "My god, we spent how much for this?!" And, by "haunting," surely Playboy meant the feeling I felt the next morning - completely haunted by the memory that I was completely duped by advertising and movie reviews.

In case you never heard of Catfish, then here's the trailer:

(In case you can't see the trailer above, you can find it here on YouTube.)

Catfish is a documentary about a guy named Nev who is a photographer living in NYC.  One day he receives a painting of one of his photographs that had been published in a newspaper.  The painting is done by an 8-year old genius artist named Abby, who lives in Michigan.  He befriends Abby on Facebook.  He also befriends her mom, Angela.  Soon, he is sending Abby photos to paint and receiving the paintings in the mail as gifts.  While on Facebook, he befriends all of Abby and Angela's family members and friends.  Nev, I should say, is mighty cute and so I was willing to go with the flow and enjoy that piece of eye-candy develop an internet romance with Meg, Abby's older sister.  All the while, Nev's brother and friend are filming his romance. He chats with Angela and Meg on the phone.  Everything seems to be going really well, and he can't wait to meet the family, especially Meg.  

Meg plays music and she takes requests for songs from Nev.  She plays the music and sings and sends him back the audio.  Nev is completely smitten by how talented Meg is - until he accidentally discovers that she isn't the one singing the songs.  She's taking songs from Youtube and elsewhere online and pretending that they are hers.

He gets suspicious. He even suspects that maybe she's a man pretending to be a girl - 'cuz you know, people lie on the internet.  Since Nev, his brother and friend are going to Colorado for a film festival, his brother and friend suggest they just drive to Michigan from Colorado and do a surprise drop-in on Meg and family.

Now, after seeing that trailer, I'd expect something horrific to happen in this movie.  Like, Nev and friends visit the family and discover they're serial killers, have dead bodies danging in the barn, or at the very least, are inbred cannibals. Nuh-uh.  And I don't count the surprise peek of Nev's tramp stamp as "jaw dropping", although I was "haunted" for days wondering, "What straight man has a tramp stamp?"

SPOILER ALERT!  Don't read below if you don't want to know the end, but honestly, it's not really a surprise.

So the big reveal that Indiewire said is "a bizarre and completely unpredictable mystery" (really, Indiewire?  I don't know even know who you are and think you're a big fat liar) is this lesson:  "People can lie about who they are on the Internet, and sometimes their lies can be pathological and stupendous."  This is no more bizarre or mysterious than if we were to learn sometimes dirty men drive white vans and offer candy to children in an attempt to kidnap them.  It's, like, d'uh.

What happens in the end?  Angela really is a mom, but has created about fifteen false identities on Facebook to create an elaborate lie.  She is also Meg.  She does have a daughter named Abby, but Abby doesn't paint - Angela is the one who does all the paintings.  Angela is married and has two twin step-sons who have severe disabilities.  It's a hard life, that's clear, and the internet fantasy is her way of stepping out of the hardship of her reality.  Supposedly, her husband thinks she's been commissioned by Nev to do all the artwork.  She tells Nev more lies while he's there, like, she has cancer. While Nev is visiting her, he doesn't get angry.  He is stays calm and listens to this very sad lady tell him about her life.

And in the end, she kind of did get the life she wanted. She's in a big movie, albeit with a tarnished reputation, but hey, this is Hollywood - bad press is better than no press.  Heck, you can now even buy Angela's art online.  Maybe the real lesson?  It pays to lie!

As for the "catfish" reference that the poster says "don't let anyone tell you what it is," is really a great marketing ploy because it really got me going wondering what it means.  Well, here's what it meant: Angela's husband tells an anecdote about how traders would put cod in barrels to ship to China, and by the time the cod got there, their skin and flesh would be mushy.  So they added catfish into the barrels to keep the cod agile and on their toes.  Seriously?  Do we need liars like Angela to keep us agile and on our toes?  Uhm, I don't think so.  I wish had a time machine because I would've rather stayed home washing my hair.

Cupcake Wrappers

 I love cupcakes. I do. Do you? I love them so much in fact that I'm known as the cupcake mommy at my daughter's school (admittedly I like to share my cupcake enthusiasm with her schoolmates on pretty much any occasion). So when I came across a shoppe that's chock-full of wonderfully colorful cupcake wrappers I became hooked. Tons of adorable designs to choose from. $13.50 for one dozen wrappers at The Cupcake Wrappers

Auto Safety Master Opener

This handy tool can open canned food without leaving any sharp edges.  Plus, there is a mini-plier that lifts the lid right off so you don't have to use your finger or a fork to try and lift out that can top.  But again, let me repeat - no sharp edges!  In addition, the auto safety master opener can break vacuum seals on jars, pull open soda can tabs, pop open a bottle cap and twist off a screw cap.  Awesome!  $19.95 at Vat 19

Trio of Sparrows Stacking Rings

I love stacking rings, and this trio set is so pretty for everyday wear. They feature birds on a wire and a bit of sky.  $62 at CameraShy Photography

Smashbox O-Gloss Noir

I'm a fan of Smashbox's original O-Gloss, a moisturizing lip gloss that goes on clear and turns the perfect shade of pink for your lips.  As an exclusive to Sephora, Smashbox now has O-Gloss Noir - it goes on blackish-purple but turns into the perfect shade of dark berry for your skin tone.  Just like the original, it's a gloss that keeps your lips moisturized.  $22 at Sephora

Mini Me Custom Felt Brooch

All of you lovely Rare Bird Regulars know that I love to post both felt and customizable finds with an equal amount of glee. This find, dear Birdies, has both rolled into one: send in your favorite photo and be transformed into an adorable and unique felt brooch, hair clip or headband. $14 at Em and Sprout

Evil Octopus Pirate Tee

 

If i have to say anymore than "EVIL...OCOTPUS...PIRATE" to you before you are clicking on this link and buying this t-shirt, then...I guess it's not the t-shirt for you. But for the rest of you...it's awesome. I just saw the title in an email and had to see it right away. I don't know what part is the best...the evil? The octopus? The pirate? Actually, I think I like the stripes. And hey, the price! T-shirts are getting waaaay expensive these days! This one is a bargain at $22 at Shanalogic.

Hand Thrown Sushi Cruet and Sauce Dishes

Now I am in no way a fan of sushi.  Can't stand the stuff.  However, this hand thrown Cruet and Sauce dishes just jumped out at me today.  I love the simple designs and the blue glazes are just some of my favorite colors when it comes to pottery.  I'm sure you could use it for bread dipping sauces or anything aside from Sushi.  $60 at Sandy Moore Designs. 

TARDI-Soap

 

I am a bit of a geek for Doctor Who and this incredibly detailed TARDI-Soap make me giggle with nerdy delight. Even better, it's vanilla custard scented (as they say "it's like Fish Custard, without the Fish" and the three of you who watch Doctor Who appreciate that joke, right?). But if all this is lost on you, rest assured, the Whovian in your life will get a kick out of this nifty and handy cleanser. $10 at Geeky Clean.

Allie Pearl+Ribbon Necklace

Every little girl tries to dress up like mommy, especially when it comes to high-heels and jewelry. What little lady wouldn't go for a pretty-in-pink faux pearl & ribbon necklace? The site even has a matching bracelet. $29 at Stella & Dot

Personalized Constellation Silver Army Tag

 

This Personalized Dogtag is pretty neat. You could pick an astrological constellation or just one that you like. And it's a simple design that would look great on guys or girls of all ages. A nice gift to mark the stars at the time of birth perhaps? $40 at MarkHed Design.

Halloween Eyeball Soap

Ah, creep out your guests this Halloween with a pair of eyeball eyes!  You get your choice of a pair of blue, green or red-eyed soaps.  The smell?  Peach sangria!  $4 at Bunny Bubbles

Ninja UV Toothbrush Sanitizer

I've been thinking about getting a toothbrush sanitizer.  I just get kinda grossed out thinking about my toothbrush sitting in the bathroom where it can pick up all sorts of germs and whatnots - and then I pop it in my mouth. Okay, I just grossed myself out.  So while cruising for a sanitizer, I came upon this cutie - a NINJA toothbrush sanitizer that uses UV light to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria.  Does the job in 7 minutes.  $29.99 at Perpetual Kid

Elephant Bookends

 Now that school's back in session, your mini is probably going to be bombarded with books. What better to keep them organized than with these lovely Bollywood-inspired bookends? Although the price is a bit steep, the Indiaphile in me couldn't resist, and they do hold up to 50 books! $110 at Little Living

Hello Submachine Gun Kitty T-Shirt

I grew up loving Hello Kitty so when I typed in "Killer" on Etsy and this Hello Kitty Submachine Gun T-Shirt, I had to post it.  $12.75 at Gyoja Busho.

Vintage Printer Drawer Jewelry Holders

Ah, Sharla pointed me towards this gorgeous way to organize your jewelry.  These jewelry holders hang on your wall and are made from vintage printer drawers, giving them a shabby chic look that is both beautiful and functional. $98 and up at BlueBirdHeaven

Sheep Longbottom Scarf

Ohh cute plushy scarf that looks like a sheep.  Perfect way to head into the cooler weather!  The shop carries other animals - check them out!  $65 at Bobbin4Apples

Marie Curie Tee

   

Sending your mini back to school displaying her scientific prowess is pretty darn cool. This Marie Curie tee is the perfect display of pint-sized grrrl power and a must for your little walking brain. $32 at Peek... Aren't You Curious
 

Skinny Blue Genes Earrings

 

I literally just came across these Skinny Blue Genes Earrings  on Etsy.  See the pun..they're blue..skinny....genes (not Jeans hahaha).  I thought they were cute and the name just grabs ya!  $21.95 with free shipping at Tout Doucement.  There's also Irish Genes, Rainbow Genes and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprout Eco-Friendly Corn Resin Watch

 

Bamboo dial, organic cotton watch strap, corn resin case and buckle...I'm not sure a watch gets any more eco-friendly than this. Then there's the happy orange color and easily readable face, and the nicely affordable price. It's the perfect storm of watches! $24 at Amazon.

Epi - Pen Pouch

Just this morning, a friend told me about his brother's brush with death caused by a hidden peanut. Seriously, allergies can be deadly! And both the friend and the brother have the same terrifying sensitivity. So they've decided they really do need epi-pens available all the time. This clever pouch might make things a little brighter for them, and maybe even more so for kids with allergies. $12.95 at Ouch Pouch.

Feature Wall Paper

These colorfully designed wall papers feature super cute designs.  Plus, the charming design takes center stage since they are made to fit your wall perfectly.  The price of the wall paper is determined based on your wall dimensions.

Buddha Butter Dish

I am totally in love with this butter dish because it's shaped like Buddha!  Talk about a way to get the dinner conversation going.  Fantastic!  $20 at GAMA-GO

Clicker

 

Is it necessary? No. Do you want to get it anyway? Probably. It does, after all, solve that age old problem...where's the bottle opener? And that other age old problem...where's the remote? Now you can lose both items at once with the Clicker. Perfect for the start of football season! $24 at My Clicker.

Divvies Bakery Cookbook

  

One of my dear friends and I were recently discussing back-to-school fears and hers included her mini's very scary allergy to nuts. When I came across the Divvies Bakery Cookbook which boasts fabulous recipes without the milk, eggs or nuts-- an allergy-mom's dream-- I just had to share. $17.15 at Amazon

Cast Iron Mounted Elk Hook

Fabulously pink, this cast iron mounted elk has a vintage feel that will add cheer to your wall.  $22 at Nestling

Nice Jewish Guys Calendar 2011

I was recently shopping at Kitson and saw this Nice Jewish Guys calendar.  It's so cute and funny.  Each month features a "nice Jewish guy" who are real guys (not models) who you can even e-mail.  I picked one up for a friend who would love a nice Jewish guy in her life.  $12.95 at Kitson

Jane Goodall Jersey

   

Every little girl needs a hero- and who better than anthropolist-conservationist Jane Goodall? This jersey will be perfect for your mini as the weather starts to cool and she can sport her own awareness and love of all things ape. $42 at Peek... Aren't You Curious

Ghost Handmade Marshmallows

This is one of my favorite edible Etsy shops.  I just LOVE the marshmallows they make and this year they're making a bunch of different Halloween themed ones.  I thought you'd all love these handmade Ghost Marshmallows.  $1 for one (you can request a custom order for more..and you will want to) at Have It Sweet Confections. 

Dual Time Multicolor Dial Copper Leather Band Watch Wristwatch

 

I've always liked dual time wristwatches. They make me feel like an international traveler when really I sometimes just forget that it's three hours later at my parent's house. The copper alloy watch face on this one is colorful and rugged and the band is a wider, funky style that looks great with casual wear. I think it would make a romantic gift for the long distance daters out there. (It might also keep you from waking anyone up by calling too early).  $110 at KAPA Designs.

Teacup Bracelet

So cute - this teacup bracelet is the perfect accessory the next time you go out for afternoon tea.  Quirky yet feminine.  $35.50 at Le Chou Chou

Oval Steel Knockout Belt Buckle

 

So, it's a nice looking belt buckle but guess what...it's also eco-friendly, go figure! The over "knockouts" would otherwise be industrial waste. So you are keeping your pants up AND saving the environment. Multi-tasking at it's finest. $50 at Citizen Objects.

Yo Gabba Gabba DJ Lance Chocolate Covered Pretzels

I just thought these were adorable.  I think just about everyone knows what Yo Gabba Gabba is and these DJ Lance Chocolate Covered Pretzels just make you wanna dance.   If DJ Lance isn't your favorite character, there are pretzels in every character...perhaps you prefer Muno or Foofa.  $11.75 for 6 at Delightful Chocolates.

Ranch Mints

These are not your grandma's mints! Delightfully creamy ranch flavor is infused into every "mint". $2.50 at Archie McPhee.

Onion ring mints

With the taste of deep fried onion rings these "mints" are certainly not breath mints! $2.50 at Archie McPhee.

Reversible Leather Octopus Necklace

Oh gorgeous!  This laser cut leather octopus necklace is not only breathtaking, but it's also reversible.  Silver on one side, deep plum on the other.  I'm nearly tempted to get this for myself.  Last one in stock.  $35 at Trilby Made