Rare Bird Finds: Shopping Blog for Unique Gifts

Baseball Stitches Cufflinks

Made from real baseballs used in major league games, these baseball cufflinks will surely put a smile on the face of that baseball fan of yours.  $130 at The Spoon Sisters

Kissing Salt & Pepper Shakers

Oh too cute!  A collection of adorable salt n' pepper kissing pooches to decorate your picnic table. I love the chihuahua one (because I have a chihuahua!) but there are other doggies to choose from - doxies, boston terriers, bulldogs, labs - and even a few non-dogs, like turtles, frogs and piggies.  $13.95 at Catching Fireflies

Will Ferrell Sunscreen

 

It is super hot right now in Los Angeles, and with the sun shining bright, it's good to remember to put on sunscreen.  The Will Ferrell sunscreen cracks me up - he's such a goofball, I love it!  SPF 30, and proceeds go towards scholarships for cancer survivors.  Awesome!  Limited edition.  $12 pre-order at Fred Flare

Rare Bird Finds News - Please Read

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! 

Toastabags

Oh for us lazy cooks - the Toastabag is basically a plastic bag that you can slip in stuff like cold pizza, leftovers or even a sandwich to then heat up or cook in your toaster!  Super easy way to make grilled cheese sandwiches.  Perfect for those in dorms or any place with no real kitchen. You get 4 Toastabags, and each bag can be used up to 50 times. $9.95 at Firebox

High Top Socks

Aren't these high top socks awesome?  Comes in turquoise and purple.  $7.99 at Mod Cloth

Sparkly Metallic Green Undies

I think these sparkly metallic green undies are fabulous.  A bit super-hero meets glam rocker.  Available from s through xl.  $22 at Knicker Rocker.

Avenue de New York Print

I love this print of a street sign in Paris because it's a little bit French, a little bit USA.  Maybe it's just the New Yorker in me that really digs it.  $35 at Roadside Photographs  The site carries a bunch of really awesome roadside prints - check them out!

Dachshund Key Chain

Handcarved wooden keychain of a Doxie that includes soft leather ears and tail.  Super cute!  Jack Russell and Scottie designs also available. 

Anthropomorphic Photographs

I love how prim and proper the anthropomorphic creatures look in these photographs. Various styles. $8 and up at Grand Ole Bestiary

Frida Kahlo Art Prints

I love the colors of this artist's art prints of her original artwork. My favorites are the ones of Frida Kahlo.  Currently, she's having a sale where you buy two prints, you get a third one free until June 21.  Great deal!  $15 at My Pink Turtle Studio

Owl Light Switch Plate Covers

Hello!  These wooden, owl-shaped light switch plate covers are the most awesome switch plate covers I've seen. Bright and colorful, they'll brighten any room - even before you turn the lights on!  $28 and up at Bright Color Art

Birdcage Wall Decal

You're probably tired of seeing vinyl wall decals on our site, but I can't resist this one.  It's a birdcage that looks like it's hanging from your ceiling.  You choose the color of the cage and the bird. Totally adorable!  I want one for my apartment!  Be sure to check out their full selection of vinyl wall decals.  $19.50 at Chuck E Byrd Vinyl Wall Art

Wonder Hanger

As you guys know, I've moved into an apartment and while shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond, I stumbled upon these white plastic gadgets called Wonder Hanger.  It promised to expand your closet space by hanging your clothes vertically.  I was a bit skeptical until a woman shopping there picked up four boxes and told me how much she loved it.  Each box comes with 8 Wonder Hangers, each able to hold five garments for a total of 40.  The hangers cascade your clothes downwards so it takes less horizontal space.  It worked magic in my teeny closet!  Honestly, it's love.  The official Wonder Hanger website shows you with a video how the product works, and they offer a bunch of deals if you buy directly from their site (but although, after their shipping/handling, two boxes plus the perks came out to be about $18 - less than what I paid for two boxes at Bed Bath and Beyond - it takes 4 - 6 weeks for it to get to you unless you pay an additional $6.95 for "rush" shipping - what they don't tell you until after you enter your credit card # - annoying!).  I'll be honest, I'm a little skeptical that they can hang 20 lbs of clothes so they may not be the best solution for hanging heavy winter coats, but are perfect for everything else like shirts and purses. $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond  You can buy them at the actual store and also at Walgreens.

Wine Bottle Plant Nannies

A genius way of making an old wine bottle into a gentle watering system for your beloved plant.  Perfect for that wine drinker who (perhaps from too much vino?) forgets to water her plants regularly.  $20 for a set of 4 at Napa Style

Decoupage Cabinet / Dresser Knobs

 

Pretty nifty looking decoupage glass knobs that will surely dress up a cabinet or dresser.  There are a variety of design sets to choose from, including birdies.  $39 for a set of 6

Tea Light Candelabra

I love that this looks like a real candelabra, but really it's just the image on two plates of glass with your tealights inbetween.  Gothic yet modern.  $19.95 at Z Gallerie

Gourmet Popcorn

I was at Costco and there was a stand selling popcorn.  Of course, being Costco, you could have taste samples.  The popcorn was fresh and flavorful. They contain no preservatives (they say the cone-shaped bags help keep it fresher, longer), and made from all natural ingredients.  So yeah, you'll find real butter not some yucky fake stuff.  Trans fat free, too!  I've tried zebra (chocolate and white chocolate drizzled over caramel), cheddar cheese and cinnamon toast - all too yummy for words.  $29.95 and up at Popcornopolis

Newspaper Bags

Here's another designer I stumbled upon at a local craft show over the weekend.  This designer creates handbags, wallets and more out of real newspapers.  The newspapers are covered with vinyl to help protect them, and the work is stunning.  Really awesome stuff.  My friend bought a wallet that had comics all over them - really cool.  $38 and up at The News LA

Carved Hand Cast Resin Cocktail Rings

I saw this vendor at the craft show I went to over the weekend, and could not stop oohing and ahhing.  These carved resin cocktail rings are large, funky and fabulous.  These are definitely show stoppers!  Choose from  a variety of fun images.  I'm going by memory, but the rings ran approx. $50/each.  The site doesn't have a shopping cart, but you can email them at info@hotcakesdesign.com with the item you're interested in, and they'll get back to you with price and shipping info.  I know, a bit old school, but the rings are worth it!  If you like to get even more old school, you can see if there is a brick and mortar near you that carries their items (and for those of you lucky enough to live in the San Francisco area, you can visit Hotcakes Design directly at Favor @ 2420 Polk Street).