Rare Bird Finds

Poppin' Cotton Candy

Cotton candy too tame for you? Need a little more excitement with your sugar. I've got it covered. Here's some cotton candy infused with POP ROCKS! You can thank me later...unless you gave it to the kids, then you probably won' t thank me at all. Available in Blue Raspberry, Hawaiian Coconut, Pina Colada and Strawberry flavors and it's only $2.99 a container at Vat 19.

I Just Boldly Went - Baby Snapsuit

When I saw this onesie, I totally LOLed and immediately started making a list of all my nerdy friends who need one for their nerdy offspring. I think it would make a great baby shower gift, maybe with a box set of the show for all those sleepless nights. Possibly the best onsie I have ever seen. $17.95 at Neatoshop.

Boris Karloff Frankenstein's Monster Watercolor Painting

Here's a good looking Frankenstein's Monster painting. And it's postcard sized, so you won't have that staring at you, all life-sized, while you eat breakfast.It's an original, it's a watercolor and it would be a great little gift for that monster movie fan you know. $35 at Scott Christian Sava's shop on etsy. Take a look around, there's a lot of fun pop culture-y stuff there.

Enormous African Elephant Statue

I am sure I only love this statue because it is so insanely ridiculous. The size of it, the cost of it, the very idea of it...all ridiculous. And yet...if had that $8,499 to just toss away, it would look stunning in my back yard. $8,499 at Design Toscano, of course.

Assemble by Danny Haas

This art print is available in a number of sizes and formats. You can even get it on a t-shirt. I just think it's a sharp, yet still cute, design that would look equally great on a kid's bedroom wall or a comic fan's office wall. $17.68 for a mini-print at society 6.

Transformers Hitch Plug - Autobot

I know very little about Transformers. I know less about Hitch Plugs. But I do know geeks, nerds and fans and I know they will take their obsessions everywhere with them. I think a hitchplug will go pretty far to prove that. I also know that the Autobots are the good guys and that if I had posted the Decepticon, I would have gotten a lot of grief from the nerds I know. $52.99 for preorder at Big Bad Toy Store.

Hey Who Turned The Lights Out Doctor Who Shirt

I LOVE THIS SHIRT! And if you don't watch Doctor Who, let me help you out....See there's this library planet, but there's no one there...and then some explorers...shadows....too many shadows...Donna in another dimension...vashta nerada...RIVER SONG! DAVE! Get it? Hmmm, yeah, it's a tough one, but let me assure you, Doctor Who fans know what this all means and there's a really good chance that they will like it. $12 at Coast City Shirts.

Marvel Avengers Classic Boxers

The Avengers movie is a box office smash, and now you can share your underpants with all the heroes...sorry, Black Widow not included. $14.99 at Superhero Stuff.

Henry Rollins Tattoo Whiteboard

This whiteboard had me laughing even before I knew it was from the...unusual mind of Brandon Bird. He of the rather odd art featuring pop culture icons in ways you'd never before considered. Give Henry Rollins the tattoos YOU think he should have. Sadly, there is no rear view, so tramp stamps will remain imagined. $20 at Topato Co.

Magic Hamstermit

This is an odd one, I admit, but it's so odd that it's genius. You may have to be of a certain age to remember things like "vocabulary cards" or even things like "vocabulary"." But for those who do remember, the odd pairings on these vintage styled cards will make you wish you had gone to a more progressive school. Quirky art for your wall, perhaps? Or maybe slide it in with your kid's lessons and see what happens. $15 at Dead Ace Co. 

Krusty the Clown Plush

I used to believe that I was aware of all Simpson's merchandise, everywhere. I was very, very wrong. There's a lot of it. Like a really, really lot of it. I once saw a Simpson's asthma inhaler cover. That's almost so not cool it's cool, but this Krusty plush is just so cool that it's cool. $9.95 at Fugitive Toys.

Skinny Necktie Douglas Adams

I will admit that I came across this tie by searching for Douglas Adams on etsy. I will also admit that I have no idea what this tie has to do with Douglas Adams. But I like Douglas Adams and I like this tie so...there you go, a handsome linen tie that would certainly look elegant while dining at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe...I guess. $46 at Speak Louder.

Thor Mug

I feel like with all this Avengers love going on, what with the movie release (and Free Comic Book Day), Thor kind of gets the short end of the stick. I mean, everyone loves the Hulk and it would be un-American to diss Cap. But for Valhalla's sake Thor is a GOD and not just any god, he's a THUNDER and LIGHTNING god. And he has pretty, long blonde hair. So show a little love for Thor with this spiffy mug, won't you (ooh, look, the handle is shaped like Mjolnir)? $12.95 at Boing Boing.

Shark vs Narwhal

Seriously. I kind of just want to let this art speak for it self. But I will say things like., "11x17," and "poster print," and i will mention that each print comes with adescription autographed by the artist, Shark, and Narwhal. $15 at Legendary Tiger Hero.

Grady Twins Troopers

Oh, there is a lot of Star Wars merchandise out in the world. You can pretty much have a Storm Trooper emblazoned on anything you want. Heck, you can have Darth Vader on your toast. But this t-shirt is possibly one of the best, weirdest, funniest Star Wars type things I have seen in a long time. A mashup, to be sure, and a really odd one at that, but hey, it's Star Wars and the Shining and how can that be bad? $18 at Society 6.

You as a Lego Guy: Custom Portrait

Here's a unique gift and you still have time to order for Father's Day...how about a portrait of your dude (husband, dad, brother...dude), as a Lego guy? Because this artist will paint you an original, they'll even send you a rough for an approval, so you can make sure it's got just the right sparkle in it's little plastic eye...very cool and very personal and even ready for hanging, all for only $65 from The Whimsical Frog.

Gemini Pals

So I just learned about this company, Wheatpaste and I think it's pretty cool. They make self-adhesive, fabric based posters that stick to walls, are removable and are studier than vinyl clings, so you can reposition them without tearing or creasing. They also feature some very interesting artists. I picked this particular print, but there are many other pieces to choose from, in a wide variety of styles (I am a big fan of the artist Amy Rice, and they have two of her pieces available...two that would look very nice in my kitchen...). So, if you are over posters, but still live in a dorm or an apartment, or maybe you just like to change it up every now and then, check these out. The print shown is $30.45.

Island Golf Pool Game

 

It's starting to warm up around here and my thoughts are turning to pools and barbeques and...golf. Actually, I don't play golf, but my significant other does and I need to buy him a present soon AND we just got a pool. This game would appear to be the perfect gift! Chip the balls from poolside to the floating green and then take a leisurely swim to retreive the missed shots. Just make sure to shoot away from the house, ok? $69.50 at Frontgate.

Doctor Who Tardis Decorative Double Light Switch Plate Cover

Here's a particularly attractive light switch cover and it features...oh look, it's a TARDIS. Who would have expected to me to show you such a thing? OK, fine. But I like this! It's pretty sharp and it's geeky without being cheesy and you could certainly spiff up your room for only $10 at Idllard. And hey, look around, there are single switch covers, double swith covers, art, and beltbuckles featuring quite a lot of your nerdy faves and some that are slightly less nerdy but equally attractive.

Robocop Inspired Hollow Stash Pendant

Look, I am not going into what one might stash in a "stash pendant." I am just going to point out that this looks a lot like Robocop and Robocop won't put up with any of that nonsense. Also, Robocop would look great on your desk, or possibly your keychain. Maybe even as a toggle on your bag or jacket. He's $75  but he's awesome and unexpected. At Zentastic.

Let's Eat Serving Tray

We all know that there's something disturbing about going to a barbeque place and seeing all the happy pig decor scattered around. I mean, it's one thing when it's a steak house and there are pictures of big, menacing steer, but it always seems like the pigs at the b.b.q. shacks are just happy to um...be served to you. Take it one step further with this very discomforting serving tray. Not only is the pig happy...well, you can see what's going on. Probably not a good gift for the vegetarians in your life though. $11 at Archie McPhee.

Ampersand Skinny Tie

You may have noticed that I've been on a tie kick here. AND here is one more....Available in three different colors and, for an extra few dollars, you can change the color of the ampersand too. It's a skinny tie, like the kind I used to wear in school...in fact, this would smashing on the ladies as well as the gentlemen. $15 at MartyMay.

Lorem Ipsum Tie

If you are familiar with the printing (or perhaps the website building) world, then you probably know that Lorem Ipsum is random type generated to fill space to show type flow. It's a place marker, but it's odd "language" makes it look like it might be some strange language that you ALMOST know. And it's kind of a thing amongst design nerds and bibliophiles. So if you have one of those in your life, perhaps he'd enjoy this spiffy tie. And those who don't know what Lorem Ipsum is might just mistake him for some kind of foreign digitary...or not. $30 at Shanalogic.

Star Trek Ties

For the subtle geek, here's a spiffy new Star Trek Tie. Iconic in color, but muted details make this seem a little more sophisticated than your average nerdwear. But don't buy him a red tie unless you aren't sure you want him to come back from work...we all know what happens to the red shirts....$49.99 at Think Geek.

Dr. Watson Mens Aftershave

I featured a Sherlock Holmes inspired tea a few days ago, and today, it's Dr. Watson inspired aftershave. One with a very complex description:

"This perfect blend has top notes of Black Pepper, Lemon, and Violet leaf. Just like Dr. Watson a complex center of Cumin, Coriander, and Ginger, with a bit of jasmine on his top coat and his leather shoes to help you notice him as he walks by. He will leave the rome in a whirlwind of oak moss, Musk, Amber, Apple and Patchouli and thanks to Mr. Holmes a hit of tobacco!”

Which sounds like a lot going on, but also sounds a lot like our good Doctor Watson. Complex and gentlemanly with a bit of the outdoors. $14 at Nevermore Body Co.

Glow in the Dark Solar System Underwear

Now you will be able to find your underwear in the dark. Because I am not sure why else you would need glow in the dark underwear...hee! These nifty boxer briefs are printed with the solar systerm and they glow. There is also a version available for the ladies, so you can match with your glowing mate. $26 at Make It Good PDX.

Sherlock Blend Tea

Did you watch "Sherlock"? Because Season Two is on it's way to the U.S. and I am pretty sure if you watched season one, then you are eagerly awaiting season two. Maybe this Sherlock inspired tea will make the wait go down a little easier. It's a blend of lapsang souchong, assam melody and oriental spice, which seems quite fitting for our hero. And if you have a more favorite character (Inspector Lestrade, perhaps?), there's a tea to match him or her as well. Then, when season two starts, you can have a nice cuppa while you watch. $10 for 3 oz at Adagio Teas.

Galaga inspired Pilsner Engraved Glass

Go a little old school in your video games with this Galaga inspired beer glass. You can even choose the style of glass you like (but I think the Pilsner is the best looking). There are other themes available, but this one is just cool. $25 at Wasted Talent Designs.

Green Army Guy Candle Holder

Most guys seem to have had some experience with those "army guys," even it was only through their brilliant use in the Toy Story movies. Now they can have a more elegant experience with them on their dinner tables with this candle holder. I kind of like the idea of making a war themed item a little more peaceful too. $31.99 at Retro Planet.

Knuckle Case for iPhone 4&4S

I wonder if this particular iPhone case would make your phone kind of unwieldy. Or if that even matters when it just looks so cool. It's silly, I know, but I've seen much sillier phone cases and let's face it, this one is kind of bad@$$, right? But you know, I think that those grips might make for a comfortable phone call, even if it does void your warranty to use it as anything but a phone case. $99 at Knuckle Case.

Reading IS Cool

Looking for ideas to decorate your mini's room? These adorable 'Reading is Cool' prints would add a happy splash of color to any wee one's space, while also promoting a love of books. $20 for boy or girl print at DazeyChic

Arrow Head Laser Pointer

Look, I honestly do not know what you would do with this Arrow Head Laser Pointer. I would use it to annoy my cat. You might actually have things to point at in a laserly fashion. Doesn't matter, it made me laugh. And it's only $8. I am pretty sure I have a nephew or two who would appreciate such a thing. Maybe you do too. Ar Kikkerland Design.

Star Wars Art X-Wing Fighter

I think that this X-Wing Fighter Poster is particularly unusual and handsome. It would be equally at home in a kids room or in a sleek modern office. And at 11x17, it's rather subtle, and isn't glaringly geeky, so it's kind of like a nerdy sneak attack. It uses the force, but not in that obvious dark side way. $19 at Harshness. (Oooh, the shop is running a BOGO on 11X17 prints until 3/20...and there are a lot of cool choices!)

Hand Painted Mario Birdhouse

A cute accessory for the gaming fan, this Mario Birdhouse would be charming indoors, and I am guessing, that you can have it treated for outdoor use too. Because birds are nerds too, you know. $40 at Nird Haus.

Shark Skin Reclaimed Copper Cuff

Now, I know that jewelry for men can be kind of polarizing. But happen to like the look of a bracelet on a guy. And I particularly like a copper bracelet. So this shark skin-patterned copper cuff speaks to me. I think it would handsome with a casual look, jeans and a sweater, and kind of funky too. It's available in several widths, and patterns though, take a look around, see what you like. So if you are, or have a a gentleman that is not averse to jewelry, perhaps try this. $38 at Luster Metal Works.

Benny's Bloody Mary Beef Straws

Mostly I am posting this because never again will I have the excuse to use the phrase "Bloody Mary Beef Straw," nor am I sure I want to. But as a fan of a good Bloody Mary, I have to say, I find this sort of intriguing. What we have here appears to be a beef "snack stick," that has been hollowed out, allowing the Bloody Mary to soak into the snack stick and the snack stick to flavor the Bloody Mary. Bloody interesting, I'd say! $22.95 for 4 packages of 5 straws each at Benny's Bloody Mary Beef Straws. I mention the packaging because these might make a good gift to keep on hand for things like hostess gifts, don't you think?

Solemn Turtles

A hand cut 3D paper craft piece of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, nicely framed, would look good on my wall, or possibly on your wall. All four turtles sit in a row, in repose, or perhaps just in a stiff breeze. It's a handsome piece and a little more grown-up looking than you may expect. $75 at Pigg's Art Forge.

Unisex SURFER Leather and Wood Weaved Choker

This necklace is listed as "unisex" and we all know what that means. It means it's cool enough for you to want to "borrow" it from your man and possibly never give it back. That's what I'd do, because it's got that surfer style without being all...gnarly. Cute beaded leather choker will look good on both of you. And you know, summer is on it's way. Time to break out all that beachwear. $10 at Rock Bottom Beads.

Unscented Moustache Pomade

When you don't have a moustache (or you do have one, but you won't admit to it...eep!), you just don't think about things like the scent of a moustache pomade. One would imagine that it could get annyoing. And I guess it could get annoying for the loved one of one who pomades a moustache to, what with all the kissing and whatnot. So here, unscented moustache pomade, so he can keep the handlebars but will only have a light pleasant scent to consider. (This is honestly not something I ever thought I'd have to write about. Go figure). $10 at Herban Lifestyle.

Pure Guts

I love the design on this t-shirt and I hate riding bikes, so that must say something. A clever design for those who pedal their way into your heart and truly do have the guts to do it. Me, I prefer to walk. $38 at degree.

Of Cumin Bondage

Tea towels can be amazingly feminine. They are often adorned with daisies or kittens, or even worse, generic southwestern patterns (mine have cow skulls on them...weird). But I get kick out these literary/vegetable themed towels, it must me the English major in me. They'd be a good housewarming gift for a writer, a teacher, a gardener or even a vegetarian. And they are funny. Can't go wrong with funny. $10 at Wearable Vegetables.

Sterling Silver Hogwarts Ring

I don't think the Harry Potter books or movies ever mention a class ring, but this sharp sterling silver one ought to do the trick. It bears the school seal and motto and certainly looks heavy. How cool would it be to flash this as your alma mater ring? $52.99 at Blackmore 5253.

Tool Tank

It's a key chain! It's a multi-tool! It's a tiny green tank! It's everything you ever needed, all in one adorable package. I know it sounds like hyperbole, but really, how many times have you found yourself in need of a screwdriver but only had a key chain? Because, like I said, this is BOTH. And it's cute. And it makes a great stocking stuffer, package topper or tiny "just because" present. £9.99 at Spinning Hat.

Fish IPAD Sleeve

iPad sleeves aren't difficult to find, but attactive iPad sleeves are another story. And while everyone loves the octopus themes (and they are offered at this store), I think this puffer fish is a more interesting and unusual take on the underwater thing. And the leather sleeve is fashionable and functional. $70 at Dewdrop Designs.

Zip Tie Ring

I am not entirely sure who actually uses zip ties. But it really doesn't matter because this ring is cute and unusual. Maybe it would be good for someone involved in peaceful protests...don't they zip tie hands when they cart people off? I don't know but still think it's a cute design and you could always go for the "ZIP! You've tied up my heart!" line to make it romantic. $69.99 at Rock My World, Inc.

Ram Rhyton Mug

A mug fit for a king. Or a viking. Or...you. There's a lot of history about the mug in the seller's description, but all you really need to know is that drinking from it automatically makes you awesome. The fact that it's stoneware, keeps your drink cool, but it really won't matter because you'll already be cool. Good for Ren Faires, SCA gatherings and Saturday nights at home. $40 at Chischilly Pottery.

Ceiling Fan Blades

Don't let the title of this post mislead you. These are way cooler than the average ceiling fan blade (get it?). They are alternately described as "batwing", "dragon" and goth, but no matter what you call them, you get nifty, unusually shaped, wooden fan blades that you install on your pre-existing ceiling fans, adding that certain look of doom to what I can only imagine you call your "lair" (and hopefully not your "dungeon"). It's the small details that really bring out the goth in a room, don't you think? $55 at Darkwear Clothing.

Dinosaur USB Flash Drive

There are literally THOUSANDS of styles of usb drives. Some are merely functional while some are mostly fun. This dino usb drive is one of my very favorites. 4 gigs of memory and a smiling T. Rex. It's two great things in one. $35 at Shana Logic.

Chemistry Set Shot Glasses

These cute, colorful beakers are mini size. Perfect shot glasses for the mixmaster-mad-scientist in your life. And they are on a "deal of the day" sale for the next few hours, so act fast. Add a bottle of something potent and you've got a great gift. And for the teetotalers, add a few flowers and you've got an adorable centerpiece. $7 at Busted Tees.

Bacon Pendant

While searching for bacon themed Valentine's gifts for my husband, I came across this charming glass pendant. Now, my husband won't wear a necklace, but yours might. Or perhaps this would make and equally delightful key chain. Even better, you have the option to add toast or an egg to this lampworked beauty. $35 at Artwork by Jessica Landau.