Rare Bird Finds

Win Daily and Weekly Prizes!

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.

Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak)

Okay, so this might totally gross you out, but if you have an adventurous palate and love coffee than this Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak) gourmet coffee may be right up your alley!  Supposedly quite delicious with a rich chocolate-y flavor, this coffee has been fermented through the digestive tract of a Sumatran Civet Cat.  Perfectly safe and sterile to drink, and considered quite the delicacy.  Imagine serving this to dinner guests!  $44.95 at Firebox.  And if you like the idea of strange coffee, but the civet blend seems a tad too expensive, why not take a peek at the Weasel Coffee.

David Lynch Coffee

Yes, that David Lynch. Why he has a coffee I do not know. A friend, for whom I had bought some, said it is actually pretty good. I'm not sure if that creepy picture of his face on the container is something I'd want to look at first thing in the morning, though.  $16.27 for 12oz at David Lynch's website

Picked by Carla Dellavedova, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday

Cinnamon Licorice Reindeer

I like licorice but it's not my favorite candy.  It's a good, reliable movie snack but not something I would make a special effort to purchase.  That has changed since I discovered licorice worth the special effort -- Route 29 Cinnamon Licorice Reindeer.  The company won't even ship to Canada so my mom has to forward it to me.  It is so worth the wait!  $18.00 at Route 29 Napa Confections.

Picked by Michele Rajput, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday

Maple-Bacon Lollipops

I saw these maple-bacon lollipops and went "eeewww".  I told my husband and he said "MMMM" So maybe they are on to something!  4 for $10 at Lollyphile

Zotter Schokoladen Chocolate

My husband proclaimed himself a genius when he started adding banana slices to his Japanese curry, until we discovered Zotter Banana Curry Chocolate whilst in Switzerland which tastes exactly like that ... wrapped in chocolate. If you think dipping French fries in your sundae is adventurous eating, this Austrian chocolate will take you to a whole new stratosphere. With flavours like the exotic Banana Curry, intriguing Tofu and Sake, to the downright daring Spicy Chicken Ensemble and Chilli, there has to be a combination to suit anyone's palate, no matter how obscure it might be. And what's more, it's 100% organic and fair trade to boot. £3.25 at Cybercandy.

Picked by Samantha Cheung, Guest Editor for Fab 5 Friday

Despair, Inc. Bittersweets

Bittersweets are the opposite of the conversation heart.  They come with sayings like "Table for 1", "Forget we Met",  and "PS I Luv Me" to name a few.  There are three different theme tins: Dumped, Dejected and Dysfunctional.  $9.99 at Think geek (save 20% when you buy 2 or more)

Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcake Mix

Mmm..Sprinkles the cupcake shop is so popular in Los Angeles (thanks to Oprah!), and now you can make your very own red velvet cupcakes at home (along with the shop's signature "dots" to decorate) using their mix. $14 at Williams-Sonoma.  Other flavors also available (but I'm partial to red velvet - Valentine's Day, anyone?)

Valentines Day Gift Idea: Strip Chocolate

Strip Chocolate Game $25 at Uncommon Goods

Valentines Day Gift Idea: I Love You Lollipops

I Love You lollipops - $14 for a set of 4 at Plum Party

Valentines Day Gift Idea: Romantic Fortune Cookies

Romantic Fortune Cookies $30 at Red Envelope

Valentines Day Gift Idea: Heart of Love Tea Buds

Heart of Love tea bud (6-count) $16.98 at Zabar's

Valentines Day Gift Idea: Personalized Chocolate Dispatch

Personalize a chocolate gram  $32 - $40 at ABChocolates

Wild Hibiscus Flowers

Pour champagne (or any other fizzy drink) over one of these wild hibiscus flowers and watch it bloom - plus you can eat the champagne-soaked flower afterwards, which has a rhubarb/raspberry taste to it.  A unique way to liven up a glass of champagne - perhaps for New Year's?

Chocolate Hedgehogs

These chocolate hedgehogs are so cute!  $9.98, set of 3, at Hearth Song.

Simple Food's Soynut Butters

Yummy!  Boy did I find the best thing ever for you guys who may have nut allergies. These soynut butters have the look, texture and scent of peanut butter, and in a sandwich (like, in my fave with jelly on wheat) it even tastes like peanut butter with its "nutty" taste.  Completely organic (no yucky pesticides) and made in a factory that is peanut-free and tree nut-free.  They're also gluten-free, vegan and kosher. Plus, soynut butter is just better for you (a.k.a. healthier) over peanut butter!  Comes in 5 delicious flavors: No sugar/no salt, sea salt, slightly sweet, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate.  And isn't the labeling adorable? $4.99 - $7.99 at Simple Food.

Winner of our contest to be announced.

Business Owners: Win Free Advertising!

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.

The What's-the-Lamest-Gift-You-Ever- Got Contest

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.

Lucky Man Fortune Cookies

This Lucky Man Fortune Cookie Box comes filled with yummy chocolate fortune cookies and cheesy pickup lines for fortunes. Perfect for a white elephant party or a stocking stuffer. $7.95 at Spitfire Girl

Day of the Dead Chocolate Skulls

Perfect for Halloween or Day of the Dead, these gourmet chocolate skulls have black, sparkly eyes and look so darn cool. Comes in three flavors: white, red fire (chiles and dark chocolate..yum!), and Barcelona (gray sea salt, smoked almonds and dark chocolate..double yummy!). $8 each at Vosges.