Rare Bird Finds

Handmade Hellos Book

Because the art of hand-written letters is dying, I fully support people who fight to keep it alive.  This adorable book has 25 different easy, fun ways to make greeting cards that people pay big bucks for in those chi-chi stationary stores. $20.95 at Fred Flare.

Fondue For 2 Mug

This mug holds a tealight to heat your cheese or chocolate and it comes with two forks! Cute! It's everything you need for a cozy date night with your sweetie. $19.95 at Heliotrope

Cut The Cheese Knives

I love cheese. All of it; hard, crumbly, runny, stinky. I also love fart jokes, but I'll save that for another day.  Each colorful knife is made specifically for the type of cheese it goes with. Four in a set: Hard, Soft, Medium, and Crumbly. YUM!  $19.95 at Heliotrope.

Jonathan Adler Shoe Butter Dish

What to get the person who has everything?  This butter dish is quirky and functional (soft butter spreads so much better, don'tcha know!).  Made of glazed porcelain and measuring 9" long by 5" high, this is one shoe you'll never want to take off the table!  $64.00 at Fred Flare.

Draft Snake

Keep your heating bills low and your house cozy with a Draft Snake! They measure 20" long (for doors) and come with instructions on how to shorten them to fit your windows, they're filled with lentils (which overlap  for maximum wind-stoppage) plus a bay leaf for luck and to keep bugs out of your house... And, if that wasn't enough, they come in many adorable colors/styles... but The Hipster (pictured) is my favorite! $7.50 at OhTheCuteness.

Make and Take Baking Dish

Following in the ever-expanding line of "ceramic, reusable things that look like disposable things" comes this awesome Make and Take Baking Dish.  Made to look like a Styrofoam take-out container, this ceramic dish is totally reusable and totally cute. You can write on it with Sharpie (like heating directions or a love note perhaps?) and it will come off with soapy water. So neat!  $43.95 at Vat19.

alt. mug

Perfect for the golf fan in your life! This totally legit, drink-out-of-able mug can hold coffee one minute and be laying still on the ground for a round of office/living room putting practice the next.  $20.00 at FredFlare.

TNT Candles

So cute and just a little bit twisted.  These candles don't explode, obviously, but they look like they could. Made of paraffin, these suckers are just waiting to find a home. Perhaps next to an ACME brand anvil?  $12.00 (the bomb), $10.00 (the dynamite), or $16.00 (the set) at Mystake.

Tetris Ice Cube Trays

Who doesn't love Tetris?  Bring a little of the game's whimsy to your favorite beverage with this silicone ice cube tray. Come in blue, pink, or green. $12.00 at Mymistake.

Gangsta Card Set

Don't get me wrong -- I'm a fan of technology. Texting instead of making a phone call, keeping tabs on people via Facebook statuses; I love it.  But as technology progresses at lightning speed, I start to pine for The Way Things Used To Be. I mean, people don't even read emails anymore! What's that about? I start to feel like a cranky old lady and I'm only 31!

What I've realized is that despite (or maybe because of) technology's rapid growth, people start to appreciate "old fashioned" things more.  Take, for example, a handwritten card. How great is it to get one of those in the mail? And even better -- what if that card makes you laugh, too?

These Gangsta Cards by Farewell Paperie (at Etsy) are the perfect way to let your friend know you're thinking about them; to give them a fun, cheeky surprise at the end of a long day. Made of sturdy, high-gloss cardstock, these notecards measure 3.5"x5", are blank on the inside and perfect for almost any occasion. They can be purchased seperately, but the 4-pack ("Sup Shawty," "Fo Shizzle," "Hey Holmes," and "Werrrd") comes in a cute linen pouch and is only $12.00.

The cards come with bright white envelopes and are begging to be sent to your dawg, shotty, boo, boy, or anyone else you can think of!

Cookie Trio Mmm-agnets

I love cookies. All kinds.  Chocolate chip... Gingersnaps... Snickerdoodles...  And now clay.  This trio of 1" magnets are made from durable polymer clay, have strong magnets secured to their backs, and are almost good enough to eat!  Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, and Peanut Butter.  $7.00 from Etsy.

USB Robot Owl

It can be lonely to work at home or pull an all-nighter cramming for a test. Let this little guy keep you company!  He plugs into any USB port and perches atop your monitor, moving his head and blinking his eyes at you adorably. And if he gets too adorable, you can press a button and he'll go to sleep.  $19.99 at ThinkGeek.

Modern Animal Clock

This clock would be great in any room, but especially in a nursery.  It's made of bamboo and is completely silent so it won't disturb the baby. $68.00 at Decoylab.

Ion USB Cassette Deck

There are turntables that hook up to your computer so you can transfer the songs from your favorite albums to mp3s... but what about all those mixed tapes from high school? What about them?  Now there's finally a tape deck that hooks up to your computer! The Ion USB Cassette Deck comes bundled with EZ Tape Converter by MixMeister, which converts your audio cassette recordings directly into iTunes. $129.99 at ThinkGeek.

Melee Mug

Mornings are not for sissies. Show everyone around you that you grab 6AM by the throat and don't let go with this mug. It holds 20 oz., has a brass knuckles-style handle, and is "big and heavy enough to use as a melee weapon should the Zombie Apocalypse finally come." Awesome. $15.99 at ThinkGeek.

Autumn Lantern

This beautifully simple and pretty lantern adds the perfect amount of ambiance for the upcoming chilly Fall nights.  If you want, you can choose what type of clear jar you want (Ball, Mason Star, Kerr) and the chain is 12 inches, but can be made longer upon request. $5 at Etsy.

Go Green Sweeper Covers

All the new sweepers out there are great for cleaning, but can be costly with the disposable refills.  That's why this 100% cotton, hand loom knit sweeper cover is a great alternative.  It's machine washable and dryable, can be used wet or dry, and comes in just about any color you want. $5 at Etsy.

Smile Tumbler

Simple. Clever. Happy.  This little glass tumbler comes all the way from Japan, has a cute little nose that sticks out and a big, beaming smile. And, even cuter, it comes with a cotton coaster handmade by the artist's mother. Cute!! $28.00 at Etsy.

Birdie Chandelier

A new take on the chandelier!  These birdies perch inside their handmade cage and would be colorful addition to any room!  Custom work (white birds, cardinals, butterflies, etc) is available.  $84.99 at Etsy.

Large Personalized Magnetic and Dry Erase Board

My mom has an old, small magnetic board that she uses in the kitchen, to hold her recipes while she bakes. I might upgrade hers with one of these when her birthday rolls around.  This board is big (18.5" x 18.5"), customizable (choose colors, fonts, ribbon accent), and can also be used as a dry erase board (even on this black one -- use a chalk marker).  The back has an easel so it can be set on the counter or it can be hung on the wall. So sweet! $28.00 at Etsy.

Ninja Star Coat Hook

I've seen cute coat hooks shaped like birds or twigs, but never something as badass as this!  Each throwing star coat hook is made from really strong nickel-plated zinc, has a screw permanently attached so it's easy to install, and is really, really cool.  $12.99 at ThinkGeek.

Fly-Goodbye Bug Vacuum Gun

No one wants bugs in their home, but many people don't want to actually kill the little invaders. The Fly-Goodbye Bug Vacuum Gun actually sucks bugs up humanely and lets you release them outside. Your good karma stays intact!  $29.99 at ThinkGeek.

Yes Frills Wall Jewelry Holder

Your jewelry is awesome -- why keep it hidden in a box?  This pretty metal jewelry holder attaches to your wall and holds necklaces and earrings (usually it's one or the other). It comes in either white or bright red so it'll match almost any design scheme you've got going on.  $24.00 at UrbanOutfitters.com

Pantone Coffee Mugs

A perfect gift for your favorite design geek!  These mugs feature Pantone color swatches in colors such as Grape, Process Yellow, and Duck Egg Blue, plus many more. $14.99 at PopDeluxe.

Screw Keyring

Usually when I really need a screwdriver, I can't find one in my apartment. And I own like 4 of them -- I do! But they seem to hide as soon as I dump the contents of the bookcase or side table box into the floor.  That's why this keyring is so genius.  It's inexpensive but well-made, so you could get several of them and stash them everywhere. Then one is never out of reach! $5.00 at CountyComm.

Tea For 2: Carafe & Mug Set

People who are into tea are INTO tea. And teapots. But even if you're not oolong-obsessed, this darling teapot is worth the splurge. This set contains a carafe and two mugs (all ceramic) that stack on top of each other.  The bunny head peeking out of the top of the carafe is actually a mesh sieve for loose teas. Too cute for words! $45.00 at Fred Flare.

Anatomical Heart Recycled Glass Soap Dispenser

I love love LOVE etched glass. Especially when the etching is something unexpected.  Bread and Badger makes recycled etched glass soap dispensers with all kinds of cool designs on them, but this one with the anatomical heart is my favorite.  Perfect wedding or housewarming gift for a friend with a quirky sense of humor... or a medical license. $25.00 at Etsy.

Personalized Reusable Snack Bags

There are lots of reusable snack bags out there, but I like these because not only are they machine washable (and thus can be used for sticky or "wet" snacks as well as dry) but you can choose the phrase you want embroidered on the front of it!  Each bag is 8"x8" -- large enough to fit two sandwiches. They don't have to be used for food, either -- they'd be great for baby things, pet things, any things! $7 each at Bleuroo

Schoolhouse Script Cross Stitch Piece

Usually "home sweet home" cross stitch pieces are muddled with ivy and bunnies and baby booties but this one is simple, sweet, and one I would want to have in my own place. Maybe that's because I've always loved the paper they had us practice our cursive on in third grade. So many memories of trying to master the letter "z"...  $52 at Etsy

Bird School Coaster

These little birdies are back at school, ready to learn some new songs!  This colorful coaster is made from a recycled ceramic tile, has a durable resin finish with a little sparkle on top of a vintage Japanese image and a non-slip backing. A great gift idea for a music teacher!  $6 at Etsy

Grade School Seating Napkin Rings

Pay homage to your school days by seating your dinner party guests "boy, girl, boy, girl." (Once you're an adult, it stops being a punishment and starts being an opportunity!)  These napkin rings are upcycled, restaurant grade ceramic rings and are sold in a set of six, but can be purchased in larger quantities. $26 at Etsy