Barbara, Author at Cool Mom Picks

Silicone Ally

Sprucing up for spring usually doesn’t include my kitchen utensil container, but I have long been a convert of silicone spatulas. And these swirly, pretty, funky spatulas are exactly what my kitchen needs right now. Silicone spatulas are not...

A world without fish? Say it isn’t so.

by Barbara | Books for Kids

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, a new book weaves together all the intricate threads –biology, climate, culture, economics, evolution, food, history, and politic — that combined, makes up the rich tapestry of our world. And it does so...

Combating winter skin in time for spring

by Barbara | Kids

A momma friend taught me a simple premise years ago – if a product is genuinely gentle enough for your baby’s delicate skin, it’ll be kind to your sensitive skin, too. That’s how I started using Combat-Ready Balm, formulated for babies and...

Food Pickle – answer your cooking questions faster than you can burn those cupcakes

by Barbara | Uncategorized

I’m one of those passionately clueless cooks who often doesn’t know what she’s doing until she’s elbow-deep in a soup gone wrong. It would be so great to have savvy cooking support close at hand, to help me figure out how to fix my overly...

A little less KINDness. Actually a good thing.

by Barbara | Food + Recipes

I am tired of grabbing a quick, on-the-go “power” bar for my kids (and for me), only to find yet again that we’re just eating a glorified candy bar. When I choose to put candy in my kids’ lunch, I want it to be mindfully (yay! candy!), and when...

Consider It Done. No, really.

by Barbara | Books for Adults

On any given day, I might have to drop off a neighbor’s kid at his piano teacher’s house although he doesn’t know her last name or the name of the street on which she lives, clip a finch’s toenails, and negotiate with an...

Spit That Out!

by Barbara | Books for Adults

I’m not the Most Neurotic Mom in the World, but some days I feel I’d make it to First Runner Up, ready to step in, should she be unable to fulfill her duties. I work hard to give my children a healthy, positive, eco-friendly environment, and that means...

Paper dolls meet building blocks

by Barbara | Toys + Playthings

My go-to standard baby shower gift was, for a long time, either a baby bathtub, or infant footie sleepers. Useful, and admittedly a little uninspired. These days, I want to give something unusual, beautiful and creative: both moms and babies deserve them. My latest...

Perfectly Plated

by Barbara | Food + Recipes

There is only one real rule this holiday season if you are bringing a hostess gift to a dinner party or a weekend get-away: the gift has to be something your harried hostess would actually enjoy. Okay, there is the secret second...

Delicious Butters and Beans

by Barbara | Baby, Kid Fashion

I like to give crafted baby items made of fabric that are as soft and as safe as possible. And if they look fabulous? Even better. A brand new organic baby line is in town (virtually), and the fabrics are sophisticated enough for grown ups, too. [don’t miss...