Call me sappy but I love the idea of getting all festive for the Fourth of July. And I really love the idea of doing it in a way that doesn't involve my children blowing something up. So sign me up for giant watermelon slices, sparklers …
If you've been living under a rock, you might not know that The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is premiering today. Now, I humbly admit that I've yet to get sucked into the Twilight series, however, that doesn't mean I don't get the obsession wi…
I've had a heart for the adorably luxe baby clothes from LA's PAIGELAUREN baby since I found them earlier this year. The sweet pastels and softer than soft cottons are exactly the kind of shower gift that steals the stage . But now I'm e…
If you're a regular Cool Mom Picks reader but have yet to become a newsletter subscriber, then let us just say that this is the perfect time to join. Because you might just win an incredible prize package valued at $500 from Micralite , …
I have a thing for great alphabet posters, as you frequent Cool Mom Picks readers probably know by now. I suppose there's no greater joy to a writer than watching her child find a love for letters and words, and surrounding those babies …
The night light is an essential component of the bedtime routine around my place, but no matter what method we employ, which lately has been our hallway light, it never seems to satisfy the kids' need for light right next to them. That's…
I reluctantly retired my favorite brown leather handbag for the summer and decided to give canvas a try. And let's just say, I'm going to have a hard time going back once it starts to get cold again. Indeed this adorable houndstooth bag …
As a mom of a boy, I know how challenging it can be to find cool shirts that aren't drenched in licensed characters . Sure, I love super heroes as much as the next person, but even spider man wears real clothes when he's off duty. So, I'…
If you're looking for some cool gear for your family's summer travels, we've got you covered, from you cool mamas of babies, to kids old enough to walk four feet in front of you in the museum and pretend they don't know you. Click over t…
We first fell in love with Green Toys way back in the day of the lead paint recalls (aw, remember those fun days?) and knew they were onto something fabulous. Well sure enough, their line has expanded beautifully since then and today the…
It's time to check your cribs yet again, mamas, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of 2 million cribs , including some popular brands. The list of recalled cribs includes Jenny Lind, Evenflo, and Delt…
We've been fans of the Handmade Toy Alliance since this organization formed in 2008 in response to Congress's [expletive deleted] Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. This ill-conceived (and ironically named) law is the impetus for …
As a budding young ballerina, I was simply in love with A Very Young Dancer by Jill Krementz. I used to just lose myself in those marvelous photos until the pages were as dog-eared as the copies in the used bookstores that now carry it. …
I don't care that it's only the first day of official summer, when it's almost 100 degrees every single day. And in the Deep South, that means planning a lot of indoor activities--preferably free ones--like the Free Family Film Festival …
I've kept my eye on TOMS shoes for a long time, hoping for a style that might just fit my fancy over their classic flat slip on that I just don't think I can pull off. And I think I just found it in the newest member of the TOMS shoes fa…
When we discovered the movie Being Dad last August, Mir gave it an enthusiastic thumbs-up. She loved this look at 40 normal, often funny new dads (no "touchy-feely over-earnestness") and a few experts confessing the real scoop on newborn…
After falling in love with Canadian mom Kate Inglis' writing at her personal blog Sweet Salty , it was no surprise to me that she'd write a book. But what I didn't expect was that it would be the fantastically scrumptious morsel of kid f…
I'm sad to admit that it's been a very loooong time since I've been to a music concert, but I still have vivid memories of the amazing Lilith Fair , the awesome all-female touring music festival back in the late 90s. Well, it's back, mam…
With my daughter's birthday coming up, I've got party decor on the brain. (Expect more on these pages in the coming weeks!) So when I saw these awesome beach ball decorations made out of waxed Japanese washi paper I went oooohh ...You ju…
I'm in heaven. Floating above the clouds, birds tweeting around me, angels singing sweet melodies heaven, all because I've discovered the sweet caloric glory of Elsylee cookies . Let's just say these handmade-to-order artisanal cookies f…
I had a May baby and a July baby and as such, I still remember those panicky early days of taking the baby out into the (gasp) sun. I don't think I could have had enough muslin swaddling blankets and floppy brimmed sunhats to put me at e…
We're huge fans of the Dante Beatrix backpacks for almost too many reasons to mention--the eco-friendly materials, the perfect toddler sizing, the adorable designs. How's that for a start? Now the company is simply named Beatrix NY. And …
After getting two kids through the messy eating phase and currently dealing with one who's in the thick of it, I might just be a bib expert. And I have to say that the bibs from JJ Cole are some of my all-time favorites. It doesn't hurt …
No matter what season it is, I can always find a reason to use our Mabel's Labels, and with everything from summer camps and lessons, to pool playdates and picnics these days, I'm always putting those handy labels on something. Now if yo…
