Rare Bird Finds

Pleasant Holidays with Family Tea

Make a big pot of this Pleasant Holidays with Family Tea and pass it around. I don't know what's in this tea, but it promises I'll have pleasant holidays with family. Ok. Bring it on! Anything should help. $9.99 at Blue Q

Saucepan Hook

Creative items to hang things on are what it's about with artist, Thelermont Hupton's Stuck on you hook collection. This one is a saucepan hook and there is also a rolling pin and a knife. $39 at Gretel. 

NinjaBread Men Cookie Cutters

Forget the weird little people gingerbread cookies this Holiday season. Make your friends envious with these NinjaBread Men cookie cutters. Heck, make Ninja cookies anytime and kick a**. $9.95 for set at UMA.

Alligetter Garbage Disposal Retriever

The scenario: you have 20 people over for Thanksgiving. Things are stressful enough, but dinner went well. Time to wash the dishes. Your ring slides off your finger and into the sink and down into the garbage disposal. Not a problem. With this Alligetter Garbage Disposal Retriever, you can just reach down in there without having to touch the disgusting food scraps off of everyone's plate and retrieve your ring. No stress, no mess. $19.99 at The Container Store.

Robochef 'My Cuppa'

If you had a robo chef, what would be his specialty? Imagination is only a cup away. This Robochef mug is only $15.60 at Just Noey

Earthy Wood Cutting Board

This solid wood bigleaf maple cutting board has such a cool look. Would be a perfect way to add character and organic beauty to any kitchen.  $52 at Red Onion Woodworks

Skull Plate

Serving brains for dinner? This skull plate is the one to serve them on. $20 at Moss Beach Ceramics

Kiss the Cook Ribbon

What a fantastic embellishment on that handmade gift. Kiss the Cook ribbon would be super fun wrapped around a jar of homemade jam. $4.95 for 3 yds. at Sur la Table.

Espresso Set

Ah, love the modern and sleek design of this espresso set. This espresso set, which was a winner of a student design contest, includes a bamboo tray with six inset bamboo saucers,porcelain cups, and stainless-steel spoons that rest across the cups. Don't just use it for espresso - consider using it to serve desserts and appetizers.  $48 at MOMA

Cincinnati Vintage Typography Tea Towel

I have no connection with Cincinnati. Not sure I've ever even been there. But there's something about this charming tea towel that makes it seem really appealing. Great typeography and a nice, clean style would make this an ideal choice for a guy's kitchen, I think. Or...you know...my kitchen would be good too! $22 at VisuaLingual.

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. 

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

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. 

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

Tea Bowls

Just cruising around the Kitchen ceramics on Etsy and I came across these cute Tea Bowls.  These are traditional Japanese style tea cups or bowls rather.  I like these because of the brilliant color and that they come in their own little gift box ready to go.  There are other patterns available.  $55 at Zalt 57 

Sea Urchin Porcelain Bowl

Gorgeous, offbeat bowl that'll work perfectly as a tea cup.  Love the aqua color on the inside.  $38 at New Moon Studio

Yubo Customizable Lunchbox

  

This lunchbox system is perfect for small hands: it's lightweight, has a soft handle, and contains an anti-microbial agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria. It comes with 1 large sandwich container, an icepack, 2 small round containers, and your choice of faceplate sets. The faceplate sets are what sets this lunchbox apart: they are customizable (just slide in the front and back), uniquely vibrant, and will make any mini squeal with delight: from the uploadable photographs to the use of your own colorful slogans, your little's lunchbox will be the talk of the lunchroom. $29.95 for the Deluxe Lunchbox System and $9.95 for Individual Personalized Lunchplates at Yubo

Very Mod Lunchbox

Want your mini to have the coolest lunchbox in school? This red scooter-adorned darling will make her hippest classmates drool, and not about its contents! Comes with an adjustable handle, detachable long strap, and extra back pocket for the other dining essentials. $29.95 at So Young Mother

Cupcake Toppers

Oh so adorable, this shop carries handcrafted cupcake toppers to decorate those homemade goodies of yours!  The toppers are typically of faces (my fave is the ninjas vs. zombies - pictured above) and there is a wide variety to choose from.  A great way to add personality to your dessert table.  $13 and p at Mates & Rubbish

Shark Oven Mitt

 
Apparently, Shark Week is in progress. Personally, I am completely freaked out by sharks after a childhood incident involving one being dropped on my feet. But I understand a lot of people think the shark is cool and eagerly await this week of celebration. If you are one of those people, perhaps you would also like this shark oven mitt. Even I think it's pretty cute. $7.95 at Sur La Table.

Milky Moo Milk Head

This cow head is a fun way to dress up your carton of milk.  Just remove the corn on the cob in the cow's mouth and pour.  $4.99 at Perpetual Kid

Count Ketchup Spread Head

 

This ketchup bottle cap is so goofy just the picture cracks me up. I'd probably get hysterical if it was actually sitting on my picnic table. It's not the sparkly Twilight style of vampire but it sure is a lot more fun! $3.99 at Perpetual Kid.

Urban Trend Ice Straw Tray

 

I am of two minds with this Ice Straw Tray. Part of me thinks it's a "cool", clever idea for those hot backyard barbecues. Ideal for sucking up frosty adult beverages and cold sodas alike. The other part of me shudders to think of my sensitive teeth touching a straw made out of ice. The decision is yours. $9.95 at Amazon.

Guitar Spatula

 

For the guitarist cook, this black guitar spatula will help bring beautiful music to your morning griddle.  $10.95 at Patina

Food Fighter Oven Mitts

Sometimes I feel like I'm battling my oven - all that heat and hot surfaces.  I have battle (burn) scars.  The Food Fighter oven mitt set is perfect for those of us who'd like to take on our ovens and look like a winner - who can look tough with a daisy-patterned mitt?  Plus, what man would feel embarrassed putting these on to take that hot casserole out of the oven?  $16.99 at Perpetual Kid

Altered Antique Plate - R2D2

  

The image on this antique plate is the always loved R2D2. What a fun wall piece or use it to serve appetizers on. It's now on sale for $25 at Beat Up Creations.

Revolver Shot Glasses

These revolver glasses take shots seriously.  $26.95 for a set of 6 at What on Earth

Bacon Platter

 

Serve your bacon on...bacon. It's a little confusing, but this ceramic platter sure will look stunning on your buffet. And it's even got "slightly sloping sides" so the grease collects in the bottom of the platter. That, my friends, is thoughtful design. $19.50 at Archie McPhee.

Pretending to Be Normal Mug

This oversized mug says on the front, "Pretending to be a normal person day-after-day is exhausting," and the inside rim reads, "This above all to thine own self be true." Perfect for those of us who are a little bit offbeat.  $12.95 at Bibelot

Cupmen 2

 

Get one of these relaxing guys and put him on top of your ramen lid. He will change color when your noodles are ready. Straight from Japan, White Rabbit Express can get you this and many other products only available in Japan. $10.50 at White Rabbit Express.

Uni-Corn Holders

 

A unicorn horn was made for holding an ear of corn. These Uni-Corn Holders are a fun set to hold your corn with. They come in a set of 8, or 4 pairs in these bright colors. $7.99 for a set at Perpetual Kid.

Baggie Rack

 

Now you don't need 5 hands to get that spagetti sauce from the pan into the baggie for freezing. Here's a great solution for only using 2 hands and holding up and open that baggie. This baggie rack changes size to fit sizes from lunch bags to gallon size baggies. 

Spoon Straws

 

These colorful Spoon Straws are perfect for the summer. Thinking of a Root Beer Float about now and how you can get the very last bit? Here ya go. $7.95 for a set of 6 straws at Solutions.

Pull Tab Bottle Opener

 

 'm digging this design; a bottle opener shaped like a can pull tab made of stainless steel. Ingenious! It opens bottles 2 different ways but is only 3" long, so you can keep it in your pocket. $12 at SFMoma.

Revolver and Daisies Cloth Napkins

These cloth napkins caught my eye because of the unique design. Screen printed on organic cloth napkins, each revolver has a daisy growing out of the barrel of the revolver. $22 for a set of 4 at Oh, Little Rabbit.

Experimental Kit Texturas

 

If any of you are big Top Chefs fans, then you'll know what I speak of when I say these 2 words: Molecular Gastronomy. If you're not a Top Chef watcher but a foodie or even a science geek, this is what you'll want to buy. It's an Experimental kit for molecular gastronomy techniques created by Albert y Ferran Adria of el bulli (considered the best restaurant in the world). This kit will guide you through the science of food with 12 small jars of necessary ingredients. It gives recipes too. Once you master a technique or two, you can purchase full size jars of the chemical food ingredient you want more of. $32 at Amazon.com.

Nosferatu Soap Dish

For you vampire fans, this Nosferatu soap dish will add a bit of spook to your bathroom or kitchen.  Pair it up with a bar of black or red soap.  $15 at No Tengo Miedo Clay

Dr. Bird Juicer

So cute - this ceramic birdie juicer makes juicing lemons, limes and oranges a snap with its easy pouring bottom (made to look like petals), but personally, I'd keep this one out in the kitchen as a decorative feature, too.  $29.95 at Z Gallerie

Salt & Pants

  

This little guy can sit at your table and watch you eat and when you're ready for the salt and pepper, watch out because he's got pepper in his pants! Salt and Pants salt and pepper shaker only $10 at Artful Goods.

Vintage Comic Book Tea Towel

 

Kitchen towels don't have to be boring. Express your sense of humor in your kitchen with this Vintage Comic Book Tea Towel. Just don't use it the first night you have a date over for dinner or he may run for the hills. $12.50 at Handy Jans.

Peace Sign Bottle Stopper

 

Peace sign bottle stoppers certainly make a statement! They are sophisticated and cool at the same time. $9.95 at Z Gallerie.

Ant Weights

Judging by this weekend's southern California weather- summertime is approaching and it's coming fast. You know what that means: picnic time! These fun ant tablecloth weights will help prevent your seasonal fare from running amok. $10 for a set of 4 at Bay Village Store
 

Home Made Cookie Stamp

 

Celebrate your wonderful homemade cookies with this "home made" cookie stamps.  It's also a simple reminder to those eating your delicious creations that the cookies were all made from scratch by you.  $17.95 at Spoon Sisters

Moth Bar Towels

What I like about these bar towels is the surprising moth design - it's unique and visually appealing.  Very pretty!  $12 for two at Branch Handmade

LOST Magnet Set

Yes, I cried like a baby during the finale.  Yes, I have nothing to watch on TV anymore.  Yes, I want this LOST Magnet set for my fridge.  Well, maybe just Desmond and Sawyer ;-)  $17.50 at Bacon Factory. 

Buttered Up Butter Server

 

This slice of ceramic bread is a great serving plate for a stick of butter instead of the paper it comes wrapped in. So tacky! $14.50 at Modern Poverty.

I <3 Macarons Book

 

My current sweet obsession besides cupcakes, is macarons. They're beautiful. The colors are eye popping. The flavors are endless. They melt in your mouth. I found this wonderful book with gorgeous photos of these adorable sweets and recipes to go with them.  The author is Japanese pastry maker Hisako Ogita. $10.17 at Amazon

Napkin Origami Book

 

This book will show you 25 creative ways to impress your friends with a plain old paper or cloth napkin using origami. How about an ice cream cone? $9.95 at Spoon Sisters.

Star Wars Pancake Molds

Okay, what better way to start the morning than to feel that the force is with you?  These Star Wars pancake molds feature Yoda, Darth Vader and a storm trooper.  Yum yum.  If you're not really into pancakes, but adore cookies, you can also check out the Star Wars cookie molds.  $19.95 at Williams-Sonoma