Is there anything uglier than a fanny pack? Even the words f-a-n-n-y p-a-c-k give me the shivers! The only thing I am packing on there are remnants of calorie packed coffee drinks. Then I saw this "waist purse". I don't know if I have gone to the dark fanny pack side yet, but I kinda' like the bustle shape of these. My favorite is the gray one but this plaid one is quite festive. $35 at Kinies and 15% off through Nov 30.
Need a monster fix? These monster pouch/pencil cases are handy and ghoulishly fashionable. Big or small, they come in a variety of colors and because each Monster is one of a kind (including personality!), what's there not to love? $13 & $16 at Zomb
Whether you have lived somewhere, traveled there, or just love it, I think these leather travel journals are a great way to record your observations about a place. Or just about life. Tooled and dyed by hand, each of these journals are a work of art. There are many locations available, from New York to Japan to Australia, and even lesser traveled places like the Czech Republic or Morocco, and you can also get them in a natural, undyed state. Photo albums are also offered. 14.90 to 29.90 at Leather Maps.
03:49 PM in Cool Guy Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Pretty Paper, Randi's Picks, Strange but Hip | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
This phrenology helmet is so cool. A million times more interesting than run-of-the-mill helmets. $250 at Belle Helmet
I have to admit that the air gushing out from the overhead plane vent kinda grosses me out. I honestly just think about all the recycled air and the germs, but it's not something I ever admitted out loud because I thought it was just a quirk of mine. Well, it looks like I'm not the only one (phew!). The plane clean air filter removes 99.5% of all bacteria, viruses and other airborne pollutants from the air vent. Brilliant! $14.95 at Reader Values
04:48 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Well, here's the deal. I have to have my coffee in the morning. If I am running late and it's a choice between brushing my teeth or making coffee, I pick coffee. It's really a necessity. If I don't have it, by 2 PM my students will run me over because I will be in a slump behind my desk. This coffee mug is exactly what I need for those mornings when I am running late. I'm gonna have to pick up a couple of these! $8.99 at Dorm Buys
Hello Birdie Friends!
With a heavy heart, I must sadly announce that Sharla will no longer be a regular contributor for Rare Bird Finds. Sharla and I made our first Rare Bird Finds post in March of 2006, and it's been a fun ride! I always looked forward to seeing what finds she discovered and cursing her name for helping to empty out my wallet :) All of us will greatly miss Sharla's eye for the beautiful and the unusual, but more so, her warm spirit and enthusiasm. However, she is moving on her journey to take care of her two beautiful toddlers and tending to her jewelry shop (which you really must visit, if you haven't!)
But this isn't the end of Rare Bird Finds!
We will be taking a break in July to clear our heads and come up with some fresh ideas. If you're signed up for our email digest, you will get an email letting you know when our posts have returned - so please sign up, if you haven't already (the subscription box is on the left column). But if not, be sure to return Monday, August 3, ok?!
To all of you have been faithful readers these past few years, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every day when we post, we post knowing that you're looking forward to our finds. This blog wouldn't be possible without you. You keep us motivated, and we love your emails and comments - so keep them coming!
Warmly,
Mei-Lynn
Call for Fresh Ideas!
As a reader of Rare Bird Finds, we welcome any ideas you may offer to help improve our blog. We're open to suggestions! Just leave us a comment below or if you prefer, you can email us at rarebirdfinds@yahoo.com.
Call for Writers!
We're looking to add more regular contributors. If you feel you can spot shopping finds that are a good match for our blog, send us an email along with a sample of 3 - 5 finds with blurbs. Show us what you got! Also, send along a bio about yourself (please include if you're a shop owner or if you have your own blog), what category you'd like to post in, and why you think you'd be a good pick!
10:14 AM in Announcements, Beauty Products, Cool Guy Things, Cool Websites, Delightful Books, Designer Interviews, Eco-Friendly "Green" Products, Fab 5 Fridays, Fun Kitchen Accessories, Health Conscious Gifts, Home Accessories, Mei-Lynn's Picks, Must Have Women's Accessories, Neato Gadget Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Pampered Pet , Pretty Paper, Reviews, Strange but Hip, Unique Baby Gifts, Women's Clothing, Yummy Food and Drink Items | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Look, if he’s gonna carry a murse or a man bag or whatever he calls it, he’d better make it good looking. And this Starfish Striped Zippity is pretty sweet. Plenty of pockets and zippers make it practical, nice colors make it handsome and since all the profits from it’s sale go to Riverkids Project to help protect Cambodian children, I think we can forgive the fact that he’s got a handbag, right? On sale for $14 at The Riverkids Shop.
05:59 PM in Cool Guy Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Ren's Picks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
I am such a fan of Jane Jenni and I love her new lunch bags with her signature characters. See the eager Beaver peeking out the window? Also available in a birdhouse. $20 at Unica Home
Love the design on this unisex camera case. Nifty cool looking way to keep your camera safe and protected while you travel. $40 at MoMA
For all you bike riders, here's a stylish way to keep your cell, wallet, and other goodies in a safe place while you ride. Available in a variety of designs. $45 and up at Hambone Designs

As someone who goes mano y mano with her pillow and covers nightly, only to wake up in the fetal position shivering, I've often contemplated moving to the Mediterranean where they have tropical days and warm nights. But due to my lack of funds, I've opted for a slightly more feasible solution. With the super versatile Lippi Selk sleeping bag I get to have my cake and eat it, too. The Lippi Selk bag can also double as a sofa, floor rug, space exploration suit, or impromptu dance-off costume. £89.00 or roughly $137.98 at Lippi Selk.
04:00 AM in Fab 5 Fridays, Home Accessories, Organized Travel Accessories, Strange but Hip | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

Do you ever have instances where you have to take off your jewelry and end up just throwing it into your purse, only to lose it by the time you remember about it? I do that A LOT!!! Usually it's one earring out of the pair that I lose! I hate that! So this small jewelry box would be perfect to keep in your purse at all times. Plus, you never know when you might need some jewelry to spice up your outfit. $34.50 at Delight.

Lauren B is an etsy artist who finds vintage items and "tattoos" them with her original artwork. I'm loving this cheeky vintage train case that makes once-prim luggage look like it just came back from a wild weekend. $68 at Made By Lauren B
04:52 PM in Eco-Friendly "Green" Products, Megan's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

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
07:23 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories, Strange but Hip | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

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.
Haha - the facial expression on this yeti luggage tag is awesome. It's like he's growling, "Touch this bag and I'm gonna eat you!" $11.95 at Gama-Go
04:00 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

This is for all the Moms out there. This Momergency Kit comes complete with things to help out in those emergencies all Moms go through all the time. There's also things to keep your child entertained, and things to help store those important numbers and dates. $25 at Wire and Twine.

This might be the best-ever diaper bag for dudes (or moms allergic to "cute"). Here's why: 1) it has all the usual elements of a good diaper bag (changing pad, plenty of space); 2) it has built-in places for non-baby essentials - like ipods, sunglasses, and business cards; 3) it doesn't scream "my life and sense of style ended with the birth of my child;" and 4) it's made from recycled plastic water bottles. Yep...it's that good. Available in additonal colors (and camo, of course) for $118 at Fleurville
These bright luggage tags made from recycled tyvek are sure to get a chuckle at the baggage claim. Easy to spot too! $12 for 10 at Flight 001
Rare Bird Finds has partnered with T-Mobile to offer SIXTEEN amazing prizes exclusively for Rare Bird Finds readers, including $100 gift cards to Crate & Barrel and T-mobile! WOOHOO! All you have to do to enter is respond to the question posed below and enter your contact info. Then you're automatically entered for a chance to be randomly picked for daily prizes and weekly prizes. Contest runs for two weeks starting TODAY!
Don't be greedy - tell your friends!
T-Mobile is hosting this giveaway to draw awareness to the T-Mobile Ultimate Home giveaway - where you get a chance to win a home! Learn more about the T-Mobile Ultimate Home giveaway.
08:03 PM in Amanda's Picks, Ang's Picks, Angi's Picks, Announcements, Ask the Birdies, Beauty Products, Cathy's Picks, Cool Guy Things, Cool Websites, D.I.Y, Dani's Picks, Delightful Books, Designer Interviews, Eco-Friendly "Green" Products, Fab 5 Fridays, Fun Kitchen Accessories, Funky Jewelry, Gifts for Kids, Gym Accessories, Health Conscious Gifts, Home Accessories, Maggie's Picks, Making Work Fun, Megan's Picks, Mei-Lynn's Picks, Must Have Women's Accessories, Neato Gadget Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Pampered Pet , Pretty Paper, Ren's Picks, Samantha's Picks, Sharla's Picks, Strange but Hip, Unique Baby Gifts, Valentine's Day Ideas, Women's Clothing, Yummy Food and Drink Items | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Have a little fun with your plane paranoia. $16 at tinymeat
01:17 PM in Dani's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories, Strange but Hip | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

Darn-it! I discovered this Baggage Check Travel Journal too late. I recently returned from London, and I could've really used this journal to organize my memories. $27 at Fred Flare
06:57 AM in Organized Travel Accessories, Pretty Paper | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Oh love this parking meter alarm! It helps you keep track when you need to feed the meter and it holds quarters or euros. Attaches to your key chain. $9 at Art Effect
08:00 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Neato Gadget Things, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

This cute little spiky pink thing gets rid of your tangled headphone wires! Just wind the wires around his body and stick the earbuds into his mouth. It also doubles as a stress reliever and massager. Comes with a handy chain. $14 at Fred Flare. Comes in green or pink.
Ack, there's only 1 left and it looks like it might be awhile before any more are made. So good luck to the lucky person who gets this adorable owl satchet filled with organic hulled buckwheat, dried peppermint leaves and soft polyfill. Such a cute way to add a bit of fragrance to your living space or travel bag. $5 at craftpaca.
08:17 AM in Home Accessories, Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
My sister in law sent me a link to one of these Lightwedge Book Lights. She was raving that it really makes reading without disturbing anyone very easy. I had just seen a guy using one on the plane and wondered what the heck it was. Mystery solved. Now you can get one too! Perfect for those of us who like to read at night in bed. It goes under the page of your book to light up the page making it readable without a bunch of light spilling out. $29.95 to $39.95 at Vat19
I HATE dragging out the ironing board for just one shirt. This ironing blanket promises to do as good of a job as your ironing board with less hassle. $7.46 at Dorm Buys
10:24 AM in Home Accessories, Organized Travel Accessories, Sharla's Picks | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
No need to give up your favorite cereal when you don't have time to sit down on the way out the door. Take your cereal and milk with you in this handy cereal travel cup. $7.98 at Harriet Carter
Love this lively lemon-y birdie passport holder. Would brighten up any trip through customs. $16 at Buy Olympia.
06:06 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

The Take Charge Charger Case looks a bit like a make-up bag, but instead it's roomy enough to organize the chargers of your various gadgets while you're on the road. $12.50 at Spoon Sisters.
03:29 PM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

If you run a business, here's your chance to win two months of free banner advertising (a $245 value!) on Rare Bird Finds! It's simple to enter! Click here to find out the details.
08:47 AM in Announcements, Ask the Birdies, Beauty Products, Cool Guy Things, Cool Websites, Delightful Books, Designer Interviews, Fun Kitchen Accessories, Funky Jewelry, Gifts for Kids, Gym Accessories, Health Conscious Gifts, Home Accessories, Making Work Fun, Mei-Lynn's Picks, Must Have Women's Accessories, Neato Gadget Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Pampered Pet , Pretty Paper, Reviews, Sharla's Picks, Strange but Hip, Unique Baby Gifts, Women's Clothing, Yummy Food and Drink Items | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

Oh how fun! These spiral luggage tags are made from colorful silicone. You unroll it to write your info, and when you let go, it coils back into its shape. The color and unique shape will help you identify your bags easily. $9 at Pylones.
05:10 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (1)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |

Okay, what was the lamest gift anyone has ever given you? Yeah, yeah, we know it's the thought that counts, but sometimes you get a gift from someone and you wonder, "What were they thinking?!" Yeah, us birdies want to know the lamest gift you ever got and if we deem you as having the lamest gift ever, you win a killer prize; you get to pick the item of your choice from the Rare Bird Finds Holiday Gift Guide! That's our way of replacing your lame-o gift with a brand new shiny one. How cool is that?
For contest rules and how to enter, click here.
02:23 PM in Announcements, Beauty Products, Cool Guy Things, Cool Websites, Delightful Books, Designer Interviews, Fun Kitchen Accessories, Funky Jewelry, Gifts for Kids, Gym Accessories, Health Conscious Gifts, Home Accessories, Making Work Fun, Mei-Lynn's Picks, Must Have Women's Accessories, Neato Gadget Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Pampered Pet , Pretty Paper, Reviews, Sharla's Picks, Strange but Hip, Unique Baby Gifts, Women's Clothing, Yummy Food and Drink Items | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Now we are talking. Shopping bags that are pretty, reusable, environmentally friendly and easy to store. The "Leave No Trace" shopping bags roll up and snap close to store and are waterproof. Comes with 5 bags. $38 at Violet

Now THIS is a handy gadget! My husband and I have no pictures of us on our honeymoon because we had no one to take pictures for us. If we had this cool tripod we could have taken a few. $27.99 at Amazon. (Hurry! Only 5 left)
05:27 AM in Cool Guy Things, Neato Gadget Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Sharla's Picks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Here's something for all our goth readers - a leather carry-on bag shaped like a coffin! $79.95 at PushinDaisies.
09:12 AM in Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories, Strange but Hip | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Here's a great accessory for the guy on the go. This shaving paper is perfect for a carry-on, an overnight bag, or a gym bag. Just add water! $6 at Wishing Fish
07:16 AM in Cool Guy Things, Organized Travel Accessories, Sharla's Picks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
I love these naughty pin-up passport cases. So much more risque than the ones you typical see. Give customs something to blush over. $17.50 at Stiksel.
04:42 AM in Cool Guy Things, Mei-Lynn's Picks, Organized Travel Accessories | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |
Leaky shampoo bottles are no fun. If you need to travel light why not try these dissolving paper shampoo strips? I just sent some to my sister who will be traveling a lot this summer. I'll let you know what her experience is with them! $4.99 at X-treme Geek
08:08 AM in Beauty Products, Organized Travel Accessories, Sharla's Picks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
| Digg This | Save to del.icio.us |






