Ellyn Exley Dvorkin, Author at Cool Mom Picks

9 adorable ideas for making a summer fairy garden for the kids

Fairy gardens are such whimsical additions to outdoor (or indoor) gardens everywhere, especially if you’ve got kids. It’s an adorable way to get them excited about getting outdoors, getting their hands dirty, and learning more about the real magic of...

This new FEC ruling is a political game-changer for parents.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Doing Good

This past week, the Federal Election Commission ruled unanimously that federal candidates can now use campaign funds to pay for childcare costs that result from running for office. And it’s a big, big, big deal, whether or not you’re thinking of running...

Make a lost tooth sweeter with these 9 creative Tooth Fairy traditions.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Living

No matter how hard we try to keep them young, it is a rite of passage for all kids to lose their baby teeth. To make the entire process a little easy for the kids (ahem, okay for us parents, too), here are a few of my favorite picks and traditions to help celebrate...

Wonderful ways to make 12 of the most popular holiday gift cards more special

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Holiday Picks

The holidays and gift cards go hand-in-hand, especially if you’re a busy last-minute shopper like so many of us, or you’re shopping for a picky relative who really just wants to choose their own gifts! But still, you want to make those gift cards a little...

This glittery bubbly lets you start the new year off by giving back.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Holiday Picks

If you’re going all out for New Year’s Eve, you can toast in 2018 and feed 48 children with a case of ONE HOPE 12-bottle mini glitter sparkling brut. Not only is it beautiful, but magical like all of the company’s glitter edition sparkling wines,...

The coolest Christmas movie-inspired cards (ya filthy animal)

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Holiday Picks

Raise your hand if you’re bored with standard Christmas cards! If you’re looking for your holiday card to stand out on mantles everywhere, I have you covered. Check out these amazing Christmas movie-themed cards by artist Mary Shelffo of Etsy shop The Lassoed Moon....

Adorable magnetic paper doll sets mean no more paper scraps in the carpet, huzzah!

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Toys + Playthings

Every day is a good day for superhero pretend-play. So I couldn’t be more excited to discover these magnetic dress-up paper doll kits by a company that we already love, Petit Collage. (Psst…did you catch their adorable mermaid playset in our list of the...

23 of the hottest pop-culture costumes for babies this year. Look for them all!

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Baby, DIY

Halloween is a great time to be a parent! You probably remember picking your baby’s first costume or maybe you’re picking that costume right now. If you’re the parent that thinks outside the box you have to check out these 2017 pop-culture baby...

We love these My Little Pony, Hello Kitty, Super Mario, and Disney cosmetics for adults. No apologies.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Beauty + Cosmetics

The trend of fun, retro makeup for adults is taking retailers by storm. It may seem crazy, but you can now find your favorite animated characters from your childhood on professional — i.e. adult — collections of lipstick, blush, toner, masks, brushes and...

Exquisite gifts that give back from a shop you need to bookmark, stat.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Baby, Kid Fashion, Style + Beauty

I am so glad to have discovered Shopping For A Change because hey, I love to shop. Even more so when I can feel good knowing my purchases really make a difference for people in need. Every gorgeous item you’ll find at this online shop from housewares to jewelry...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.

Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)

We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).