Cool Mom Picks - the coolest gifts and gear for parents

Friday 03 July

Avast, ye scurvy junk food

It had to happen eventually--first Cookie Monster, and now pirates have gone on a health kick. Now your wee sea raider can easily sport a message of terror best befitting his or her station in life (right at the highchair) with these adorable pirate onesies. And really, is there any message that strikes more fear into a kid's heart than the directive to eat yar peas and carrots!

Find them from the terrific design studio, Red Prarie Press for just 15 bucks. Then when dinner is refused, you can feel free to declare it's time for someone to walk the plank. Heh. -Mir

Get your Eat Yar Peas and Carrots onesies from Red Prairie Press.

Find More: Baby Clothes

Friday 03 July

A kinder, gentler gift wrap

I've admitted here before that I'm a terrible gift wrapper, but as long as there are children aging in the world, there will be presents to wrap. Which is why I'm so happy to have found the Eco Deco line of green gift wrapping from Olive Paper.

Yes, of course a true eco-crusader would wrap gifts out of used craft paper or a sheet of fabric you can reuse. So let's just call these light green, as in made of 100% recycled material.

The ten patterns are sophisticated but festive, and I'd feel as comfortable wrapping a birthday present for a kid in my son's class as a year end teacher gift in most of them. Along with huge rolls of paper that let you wrap up to 40 gifts (and hopefully never run out of gift wrap again) there are gift bags and gift boxes for the truly wrapping impaired. Plus tissues and ribbons to finish the "oh, I just threw this together" look.

Those on the receiving end of the gift may never realize that the paper is as thoughtful as the gift inside but you will.--Betsy

Find eco-friendly gift wrap at Olive Paper.

Find More: Misc Paper Goods

Read it again (and again and again and again)

We've all been there; the kid has found his Most Favorite Book Ever, and he wants to hear it over and over. Sure, you were a patient and loving model parent the first 5,000 times, but after that I think you get a pass.

With One More Story, not only your kid get his book fix, he can start learning how to read on his own, too. Their library of awesome children's books (about 50 so far of both old classics and new favorites) allows your child to view and listen to the actual book pages on screen, with a professional narrator and custom scoring. Ooh, fancy. Or switch to "I Can Read It" mode where he can click on individual words to hear them sounded out. So much cooler than the electronic toys that do the same thing and really only come with books that support an animated movie.

$15 for endless recitations of the Most Favorite Book Ever and dozens more too? Sounds like a bargain to me. -Mir

Sign up for the 3-month Summer Reading Special at One More Story for just $15 with code summer.

Find More: Books for Kids, Websites

Thursday 02 July

Y water? Because we like it.

Since bringing home a few bottles of Y Water to try out, my kids have been asking for it pretty much hourly. And that is saying something, because getting them to drink water lately is like getting them to eat foods that aren't white.

Basically the stuff is like a certified organic Vitamin Water but better tasting if you ask me. Combos of antioxidants and vitamins give each one a name like Brain Water, Muscle Water, or my favorite, Immune Water.

I know your next question. And the answer is, yes indeedy there's sugar in it - 10-11 grams per bottle (about 2 servings for little kids) from evaporated cane juice - but with nearly half the calories of orange juice, it's actually a decent juice alternative. And more eco than juice boxes (if harder to stack neatly in the fridge), since the company will pay for you to send back the bottles for recycling.

Or instead of sending them back, get a set of these little Y Knot connector doodads for free, that let the kids attach the bottles end to end and build stuff out of them. So Y water really does help their little brains after all. At least when the bottles are empty. -Liz

Buy Y Water through the Y Water store (make sure to grab a set of those free Y Knots) or a store near you.

Find More: Food and Drink, Organics

Thursday 02 July

The one page baby record book

We've all experimented with the best way to keep track of a newborn's schedule of eating, sleeping, and pooping. If the pen-and-paper way isn't for you, then Sarah Masci's stylish and eco-friendly Lullaboard may do the trick.

This dry-erase board is formatted to track important information about your baby's daily existence. It's especially useful for moms and dads with caregivers who want a report of feedings and diaper changes, but don't need to save the report for future generations. They have a few different Lullaboard formats including newborn, older baby, and even a toddler format which includes a space to record potty time. There's also space to jot down milestones so you can get it somewhere more permanent later.

Sarah brings the hip design aesthetic from her Paperluxe Studio, which is appreciated because it's something you have to actually look at, and you know, hang on your wall. I look at it as another little way to bring something pretty and functional into my own daily existence. -Carrie

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT! We have a Black and White Damask Baby Lullaboard for one lucky reader. Just send an email to contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight tonight and include "LULLABOARD" in the subject line. Also answer the following question: What are the dimensions of the Lullaboard? Good luck!

Find More: Around the House, Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness, Gear Essentials

Easy peace-y

I think somewhere in my heart I'm a damn dirty hippie with all this suppressed nostalgia for the Woodstock era. Of course that would be the Pepsi commercial version of Woodstock, where all the guys are hot and shirtless, the tie-dyes are cute and clean, and the port-o-johns are yet unused.

In any case, it's probably why I got a kick out of the new children's peace belt from CMP fave Myself Belts. The khaki ribbon is a nice neutral (way less pink than it looks in the photo) alternating with little pink peace signs, the word "peace," and burgundy flower clusters.

Best of all, like all their belts, it's made so that kids can put it on and take it off by themselves, especially those starting to use the bathroom by themselves: One end snaps around the belt loop, then after you thread it through the hooks, the other end velcros on and off easily.

It's a little themey, sure, but really very cute on a kid too young to get any don't eat the brown acid jokes. -Liz

Find children's belts at Myself Belts and save 10% sitewide with code COOL through 7/15/09!

Find More: Kids Clothing

The leg room's not bad but they don't serve lunch

When I saw the Cardboard Designs airplane at Arte Bebe, I immediately sent it to my husband the pilot, who immediately sent it to all his pilot friends because it might just be the coolest plane toy we've ever seen.

We're already fans of recyclable cardboard toys for kids, and this airplane is no exception. Construction involves nothing but a few tucks and folds if that, and then your kiddo can design his leg powered fighter jet, bi-plane, or Boeing 757 with crayons, markers, paints, and his own imagination.

Or hers. Because around this place, girls love planes just as much as, if not more than, boys. -Kristen

Find More: Toys and Other Playthings

Wednesday 01 July

Doing more with less

I tend to prefer big honking statement jewelry - huge pendants, chunky bangles, cocktail rings that make it impossible to shake hands. But there's something indescribably lovely about teeny and subtle when it's dancing at your tanned collarbone.

That's how I'd describe the teeny pendants from Laurel Denise Design's simply stated collection. Small (like, 3/8" small) handmade circular glass pendants take inspiration from poetry and philosophy with simple script inscriptions like love and be. And because of the small size, a message that normally might be a little heavy-handed or pedestrian is actually cool. Plus each one dangles from a teeny little silver ball chain and the proportions are just perfect.

love pendant

There's also a nice custom jewelry option so that artist Laurel Smith can hand-letter a name, birth date or favorite (short) quote on your piece. At most in the $60-70 range, it's a fantastic new mom gift. Especially if that new mom happens to be you. -Liz

[thanks jennifer!]

Find handmade glass necklaces (and beautiful stationery too) at Laurel Denise Design.

EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! We've got the love pendant shown here to give away to a lucky US reader drawn at random. You'll love it! Just email contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight PDT tonight with LAUREL DENISE in the subject and tell us how many pieces are in the Art & Soul collection. We'll draw one winner at random, good luck.

Find More: Baubles & Bags

This Works. Says them. And us.

this works energy bank bath and shower gel

Each morning, it takes a vat of coffee to get me going and ready to face another day in charge of three young lives. So yes, I was eager to trying out a shower gel with the word "energy" in it.

This Works: Energy Bank Bath and Shower Gel works indeed. Not surprising, considering creator Kathy Phillips of British Vogue and Conde Nast Asia has spent a bit of time around beauty products in her day.

The aromatherapeutic and mostly organic combo of Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Geranium smell sort of sultry and invigorating at the same time. (Don't be put off by the Patchouli---I promise you won't come out of the shower smelling like you've spent the weekend at a Dead show.) My skin felt super soft and silky afterward which is no small thing since I often have to forgo the after-shower moisturizing in a rush to find out what the kids are doing while I've been deep-breathing in the shower.

This Works makes a load of other products for the face and body too. I was almost tempted to try out their Perfect Cleavage serum but when my 8-year-old commented that my A-cup was too big, I realized I'd need more than a little lotion. -Christina

This Works: Energy Bank Bath and Shower Gel and its companion Bath and Shower Oil can be purchased online from British-based This Works.

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT! Enter to win both This Works: Energy Bank Bath and Shower Gel and Bath and Shower Oil by sending an email to contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight with "THIS WORKS" in the subject line. Please also include the answer to the following question: In what year did Kathy Phillips launch This Works?

Find More: Bathtime, Beauty Picks and General Hygiene

Cool Beans

Magic Beans may sound like something a frat guy tried to slip me back in college, but it's actually the name of a super stocked Boston area baby gear and toy store.

The mom/pop team of Eli & Sheri Gurock have done a great job streamlining the site with the modern brands we love, over a dozen gift guides and "shop by age" quick links. Of particular note is their WOW! Baby Basket Builder which is such a huge time saver, it's brilliant; just tell them a little about the recipient, pick a spending level as low as $40, and they'll pull it all together for you. Given how much of their selection I really like, I'm pretty certain the baskets would include the types of things I would have chosen on my own.

This happens to be an extra-great time to check out the site since they're celebrating their five-year birthday all of July with unbelievable giveaways. Starting today, check out their site each morning and enter to win everything from a hot diaper bag to the awesome Oeuf Toy Store storage shelf to your very own Bugaboo Chameleon. You'll be glad you joined the party. -Christina

Find modern baby gear and toys at Magic Beans and don't forget to visit during the month of July for a chance to win really amazing giveaways.

[photo: Miracle Pounding from Plan Toys]

Find More: Gear Essentials, Toys and Other Playthings

Tuesday 30 June

The dress that makes me want a third baby. (This time a girl.)

I have two boys, and while I adore them, I've always felt like I missed out a little when it comes to shopping, because boys really get the short end of the stick for play clothes. I'm especially feeling that way now that I've seen the beautiful dresses from kid a collective.

Each little smock dress is hand-made of all-natural materials; the colors are bright and fun and the patterns are a perfect mix of retro cool and kid-appropriate. The fabrics are all prewashed to minimize shrinking and fading. And the construction and attention to detail is amazing; honestly, each dress is like a wee work of art.

Best of all, though, is this: As beautiful as these dresses are (and truly, they are stunning) they're designed to be play clothes. There is nothing fussy or high-maintenance about them, and the fabric is soft and sturdy. The smock style dress is versatile, too -- when your little girl outgrows it as a dress, pair it with leggings or jeans as a funky top. -Susan

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT! We're giving away the dress pictured here, in a 12 - 18 month size. Just send an email to contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight with KID A COLLECTIVE in the subject line and tell us what color the back of the dress is. US readers only. Good luck!

Find More: Baby Clothes, Kids Clothing

Let's go to the clip

Just when I think I've seen every hair clip known to man (or diva-in-training), I discover the adorable children's barrettes from artist Hayley Hackler of Flying Frog Apparel. She takes fabric scraps and buttons, layers them, and refashions them into teeny little handmade hair accessories of beauty. The colors are refreshingly subtle for girls' barrettes (seriously crafters - easy on the neon fuschia tulle) and the size is just right.

Because each one is one of a kind, a pair never matches exactly, which I really think is cool. Also good when you have to replace one after your daughter loses it at the park. At just $5 a pair, grab a few. -Liz

Find recycled scrap fabric barrettes at Flying Frog Apparel on etsy and mention CMP in notes to seller for 15% off your first order!

EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! We're giving away a pair of earth-toned barrettes to a lucky US reader drawn at random. Email contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight PT tongiht with FLYING FROG in the subject and tell us the other item she sells at her shop. Good luck!

Find More: Kids Clothing

Like a craft fair without the parking hassles

I just discovered the wonderful Poppytalk Handmade, and I am wondering where it's been all my life. This online craft fair comes from the minds behind the wonderful Canadian design blog Poppytalk and each month there's a new theme (right now it's summer fun) that lends itself to a well-curated and vast showcase of etsy artists, crafters and indie designers.

You'll find artwork, photography, housewares, clothing and accessories, paper goods and a smattering of cool kid stuff. Hey, kind of like here! In fact we were happy to see some CMP faves represented like art from Tutti Studio, Kiki & Polly and Kate Endle. But there's so much fabulosity that's new to us (awesome handmade jewelry!) that you can bet you'll be seeing some of it on these pages soon.

Just figured if we're going to be drooling over the collection at Poppytalk Handmade, it would only be fair to let you in on it too. -Liz

[via modish]

Find More: Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy), Baubles & Bags, Websites

The joy of bins

With three kids running circles around me, I've made some concessions when it comes to cleaning up. And one of them is that I'm not going to be doing all of it. My philosophy has always been that if my kids can make a mess, then they can most certainly help pick it up afterwards.

One way to make that happen more easily are bins - particularly cute ones, like the elephant storage bin from 3 Sprouts. We're already huge fans of 3 Sprouts baby products (their adorable bath towels made our Ultimate Baby Shower Gift Guide) and these are no exception. Made from organic cotton and eco-felt spun from recycled plastic bottles, the soft structured bins are big and sturdy enough to hold toys, books, or in my daughter's case, a mountain of dress up clothes. all without a licensed character staring back at us. -Kristen

Visit Lou Lou's Corner for unique baby clothes and kids' gifts.

Use code COOLMOM10 for 10% off your order.

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT! We've got the above bin up for grabs! Send an email to contests@coolmompicks.com with "LOULOU" in the subject by Midnight PST tonight and tell us what else you're coveting at LouLou's corner and we'll pick one winner at random!

Find More: Around the House, Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy), Organics

Monday 29 June

Eco-Fingerpaints inspire a hair less dread than ordinary fingerpaints

When the kids ask to fingerpaint, I conjure up visions of them covered in gelatinous, who-knows-what goo which doesn't make me too eager to indulge them in their favorite medium. But, when they come calling with puppy-dog eyes and promises to clean up after themselves, I at least can feel better about the paints they use when I pull out Eco-Kids' Eco-Fingerpaint Tube.

Using only natural plant, fruit and vegetable-based ingredients, the paints arrive in powder form in five tightly sealed containers which, like the company's cool Eco-Dough, are totally compostable. I like that the powder format allows me to mix up only as much paint as my nerves can bear to later see smeared all over the place. (If you value your sanity, do the mixing of the paints yourself.)

The paints don't have the same gooey feel of the fingerpaints we've used before, and the blue is a bit gray, but I suppose these are small sacrifices for all-natural paints. Because when your wee one forgets himself and sticks his paint-covered hands into his eyes, or more likely, mouth, you'll be thankful you chose to go all-natural. -Christina

Eco-Kids' Fingerpaint is available at Grow Green Baby. And get 15% off your entire purchase with code "coolmom" at checkout.

EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! We have a tube of Eco-Kids Fingerpaints for one reader who sends an email by midnight to contests@coolmompicks.com. Just put "FINGERPAINTS" in the subject line and provide the answer to this question: What is Green Tip #1 as listed on the Grow Green Baby website? U.S. Residents only; no P.O. Boxes, please.

Find More: Toys and Other Playthings

Tiny little circles of awesome

I'm the sort of person who is into the idea of personalized jewelry a lot more than the reality -- the reality usually being a little more twee and a lot more expensive than I like. But at SimaG Jewelry on Etsy, metalsmith Sima Gilady creates a wide array of simple yet beautiful customizable pieces that I can get behind.

My favorite is the Circle of Joy necklace, pictured here. It's just 1" across, leaving me wondering how she manages the perfect stamped lettering. The result is my favorite sort of subtle effect; from a distance, it looks like just a pretty pendant, but up close, the swirl of lettering adds meaning. And if you're looking for that perfect affordable Bat Mitzvah gift, do not miss the gorgeous Listen pendant, something deserving of the "Judaica that isn't lame" category label if only we had one.

Each piece is prettier than the last, and they're all available at prices mere mortals can afford. This is exactly why Etsy rocks. -Mir

Buy your personalized necklace or other custom jewelry at SimaG Jewelry.

Find More: Baubles & Bags

Good karma's in the bag

Say that you need a giant-sized tote bag for the beach next weekend -- or if you're a family of geeks like mine, your library books -- and you're just not the preppy major-label canvas tote type.

And say that you not only want something earth-friendly and a little funky, you'd really like it if it came from a company that's employing and empowering women and dedicated to paying it forward.

Say all of those things, and you have mi k babe and their four fabulous bag options. Whether you choose hemp, Recyclon or organic cotton, you're getting a super-sturdy, eco-fashionable, oversize tote that's brimming with good karma. (Just ignore all the kutesie names that start with k's.) The fact that everyone will be asking where you got it is just the icing on the cake. -Mir

Find your eco-friendly tote bag at mi k babe.

Find More: Baubles & Bags, Organics

Sunday 28 June

A baby wrap so pretty you might steal it for yourself

Organic bamboo swaddling blanket for babies by Shinwa Organics

My younger son has always been a big blanket kid; even now, at six, he sleeps with at least one baby blanket every night. I love this, both because a kid with a blanket melts my heart and because we got some great blankies when he was a baby, and we're still dragging them out today.

The Shinwa Organics line of baby wraps is perhaps one of the best baby gifts ever (no exaggeration). These luxurious Australian hand-printed bamboo swaddle blankets are soft and sturdy, framed with a thin trim of raw silk, and the patterns are adorable without being cloying. You will literally gasp when you see them in person. But these blankets are more than just beautiful: They're all organic with the fibers sourced from ethical growers, and the prints are made from natural herbal dyes. -Susan

Find organic baby swaddlers and more from Shinwa Organics

EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! We're giving away a beautiful swaddler of your choice to a lucky winner. Just hit the site and tell us the names of all the designs available and send it to contests@coolmompicks.com with SHINWA in the subject by midnight PDT tonight. Good luck!

Find More: Bedding and Blankets, Burps and Bibs, Organics

You'll be wonton Handstand Kids' Chinese Cookbook (Heh)

Fried chicken fingers and pink boneless spareribs are not real Chinese food, I tell the kids whenever we order take-out, and now I have the latest Handstand Kids' Chinese Cookbook to back me up.

The latest from Handstand Kids' Italian Cookbook creator Yvette Garfield includes sturdy, colorful pages filled with recipes by professional chef Shanti Jade Greenspan, along with tidbits about the Chinese culture and cuisine, and the cutesy cartoon Handstand Kids who explain things in kid-language.

All the tools and ingredients are laid out up front, which gave me a chance to buy things like spring roll wrappers that we don't normally have lying around the kitchen. And I appreciated the chopstick difficulty rating system as far as planning. Of course if you're looking for true traditional Chinese cooking, this isn't it. But you will find recipes like Belly Full of Beef and Broccoli and Year of the Monkey Mango Smoothies, which appeal to kids without totally Americanizing the food too much.

I was delighted when my super-picky four-year-old gobbled up the black sesame seed and soy sauce-infused Chinese Popcorn without hesitation. He even tried The Great Wall of Chicken Lettuce Wraps when I told him they were Chinese Tacos. Hey, it worked. -Christina

Handstand Kids' Chinese Cookbook can be purchased at our affiliate Amazon with free shipping

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT! We have a copy of Handstand Kids' Chinese Cookbook to give to one of our readers. Just send an email to contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight and include "HANDSTAND" in the subject line and the answer to this question: Other than the cookbook itself, what else comes packaged in the mock Chinese-food carton?

Find More: Books for Kids, Food and Drink

Corsage 2.0

The sentiment of a flower on your wrist is really quite lovely, but there's little I dislike more than an actual wrist corsage. That's why I love this sterling interpretation - the beautiful Stargazer Bracelet from Lealand Eve Boutique.

The skinny cuff adorns any size wrist with a stargazer lily. You could pair it well with a daytime look (maybe not for the playground but certainly when you're out and about) and it's bold enough to go with your LBD. Or get one for your cool grandma for her birthday. I bet she'll appreciate the corsage idea. -Kristen

This silver cuff bracelet is on sale now ($23 off!) at the Lealand Eve Boutique as part of the Decor8 sale

[via decor8]

Find More: Baubles & Bags