Rare Bird Finds

Mo's Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix

Ever since I heard Fred Flare was having a 30% off sale, I've been spending some quality time perusing the site.  Not to go Fred Flare overboard on ya, but I saw this bacon chocolate chip pancake mix and had to share.  It's definitely a "rare bird"!  This buttermilk pancake mix has Vosges Mo Bacon Bar Chips - a chocolate we've featured before on RBF.  It's chocolate that has bacon made right in it.  Mmmm, a yummy combo of salty and sweet.  $15 at Fred Flare  (and don't forget to use coupon code preview to get 30% off!)

Routin Violet Syrup

When I was a kid I used to love to eat flocks, a type of edible flower. That is why I was excited to see Routin Violet Syrup. Try it in Italian sodas and granitas! $7.49 at Mondo Food

Chocolate Pasta

This is the perfect pasta for the adventurous connoisseur! Need some inspiration? Includes recipes for Savory Chicken Mole, Chocolate Pasta Fruit Sauce, and Razzle Dazzle Dessert Pasta. $7.99 at Chocolate Heaven

Chocolate Covered Ridged Potato Chips

These chocolate covered potato chips look yummy! Unfortunately, I am allergic to chocolate so I'll just have to stick with my homemade carob brownies. For those of you lucky enough to enjoy these, they are $19.90 at Candy Warehouse.

Beer Flavored Popcorn

This would be the perfect snack for crisp fall days or your next football party. These tasty alcohol flavored kernels are $3.49 for a 10oz bag at Pub Corn.

Daddy Cakes Pancakes

I made these pancakes this weekend for the family and I have to tell you, the batter smelled like snickerdoodles and I was ready to dive into that! The pancakes had no need for syrup because they were a bit sweet and nicely cinnamon. I was truly in heaven. My goodness. Just add water to the mix and put on the griddle. That’s it! $7.99 at Daddy Cakes Bakery.

Lisa’s Cookie Sampler

Mom, your first kid just went off to college and didn’t hardly turn around to say goodbye. It’s ok if you don’t bake and want to send that first care package. These cookies will give your kid that little bit of guilt they deserve about now. $22 at Lisa’s Cookie Shop

 

Chocolate-dipped gummi bears

For those of you looking at these sweet weekend finds and wishing you had some real gummi bears, this is for you. Gummi bears dipped in your choice of rich chocolate: milk, white, dark, or if chocolate's not your thing, butterscotch. Delicious snack to stick in your lunch. 7.75 for 1/2 a pound at Friendly Creationss.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Truffles

I'm not a huge fan of peanut butter cups, but these sound delicious and quirky. Truffles filled with an elementary school treat, peanut butter ganache and strawberry jelly. They come attractively packaged, and are complemented by the other offerings in her shop, like the honey lavender truffles or custom fortune cookies. 10.00 for 16 at Vintage Confections.

Salt Blend Collection

These are finishing salts and a thoughtful gift for any occasion or a great way to impress guests even if you believe that you've cooked the blandest meal on the planet. The flavors range from Sumac Pepper to Vanilla. 8 salt blends. $20 by Didi Davis at Foodzie.com

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! 

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

Mix & Mingle Chocolate, Toasted Coconut & Vanilla Tea

 

I really wish this blog had scratch and sniff features, because this Mix and Mingle loose tea made with real chocolate bits, toasted coconut and vanilla smells like a decadent dessert.  What's even better, it tastes divine, too!  You know how how some teas smell good but they don't deliver in taste?  Well, the Mix & Mingle tea does!  Ohh yum!  I was first introduced to this line at last Fall's Unique Los Angeles, a fair for independent designers.  When I went to Unique Los Angeles this past Sunday, Naja was one of the first booths I sought out.  Their tea is THAT good.  I've yet to be disappointed with any of the teas in this organic tea line - from Tealicious (chocolate, vanilla and mint, oh my!) to Pink Passion (apples, peaches and apricots), there's a tea blend for everyone.  Be sure to check out the entire line - I promise you won't be disappointed!  (sshh..makes a great gift, too!) $16 at Naja

Organic Animal Cracker Cookie Mix

Animal crackers remind me of childhood, and how fun would it be to bake your own?  This organic animal cracker cookie mix would be a fun weekend activity.  $12 at Williams-Sonoma

Bubble Gum Cocktail Wienies

My cube mate and I are totally planning on buying these bubble gum cocktail wienies.  I just had to make sure they didn't taste like meat (euw) but it says it tastes like bubble gum (yum!).  $4.95 at McPhee

No Evils Chocolate

 

This set of "no evils" chocolate cracks me up!  $4.95 at Patina

Hot Cocoa Mixes

Oh my goodness, I'm a total hot cocoa freak, and these hot cocoa mixes look delish!  They come in a variety of flavors like original chocolate, white chocolate, pumpkin spice, hazelnut and more!  Guaranteed to be rich and creamy.  Okay, my mouth is totally watering as I type this.... $14 and up at Tetoncocoa

Java Pop - Organic Coffee Soda

My coffee-addicted friend sent me a case of the caramel flavored Java Pop as a small pick-me-up during my final exam week,and I've been drinking these ever since! It comes in 5 fabulous flavors: Espresso, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Mocha, and Caramel.  It's $4.99 for a 4-pack and the case of 24 Java Pops are currently on sale for $29.99.

Handpicked by Fab 5 Friday Guest Editor Songyi Kim

Stroopwafels

I have visited Amsterdam twice, and absolutely loved it. And the one thing I crave SO BAD from there are the Stroopwafels! They are cookie sort of things, with two thin wafers with a buttery caramel syrup in between. They might not look like anything special but trust me...you will want to send me flowers after you taste these. $5.19 at Holland's Best

Handpicked by Fab 5 Guest Editor Kelly Delp

Hazelnut Chocolate Whisky Sandwich cookies

Yum yum!  These hazelnut sandwich cookies stuffed with a Whisky-infused Madagascar chocolate filling sound soooooo good.  $9 for half-a-dozen at this fully-licensed shop Whimsy and Spice