Kristen Chase | 3/47 | Cool Mom Picks

The best teacher gift ideas from people who know: actual teachers.

We are always on the lookout for the best teacher gift ideas every year, and it may in fact be one of the top gift questions we get from readers every year about this time. (Then again in May.) And hey, I get it; if there are any people on my holiday shopping list...

Hold onto your mouse ears! Disney Vans are here.

by Kristen Chase | Kid Fashion

We have to say that Vans is killing it with their collaborations lately, from Van Gogh to NASA, and now Disney Vans. Now, if these are anything like their other collections we’ve featured, they’re going to sell out pretty quickly. So, if you’re...

How many times do we tell our kids, STOOOOOOP!

by Kristen Chase | Family Travel, Tips + Tricks

I have to admit, I never thought about my car’s tires a whole lot. I guess your tires are the kind of thing you don’t think about a lot — until they stop working properly. In which case…yikes. So I’m truly happy to support our fantastic...

Support an amazing cause when you bid on these one-of-a-kind jean jackets from some of our favorite artists

by Kristen Chase | Doing Good

We’ve been watching the news in shock and horror as fires ripped through California this past week. We know many friends and family who have been affected, and in an effort to lend some support, we’ve shared some ways you can help. And well, we just got...

Why this mannequin head is a seriously cool birthday gift for a tween girl

by Kristen Chase | Beauty + Cosmetics, Toys + Playthings

When my daughter came home from camp this summer, all she wanted to do was braid everyone’s hair. Except… none of us really have long enough hair to braid. That’s when I decided to search Amazon for a hair mannequin head so she could braid whenever...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A new jewelry line empowering women with just three words.

by Kristen Chase | Doing Good, Fashion

If you’re familiar with Cool Mom Picks, you know that we started this site to help discover cool new businesses and products, support women entrepreneurs, and share their amazing stories. That’s why I’m so thrilled to tell you about someone I’m...

5 ways parents can empower our younger kids and tweens to be more independent.

by Kristen Chase | Tips + Tricks

It can be hard to remember when we’re so busy with the minutiae of each day, but the ultimate goal of parenting is to raise responsible, independent adults. And, well, that starts before they actually hit the age of 18. The dance of educating our kids and then...

Everything you need to know about a family vacation at Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa

by Kristen Chase | Family Travel

When a local yoga studio owned by a couple of friends of mine mentioned they were doing a yoga retreat with discounted rates at Aulani Disney Resort and Spa in Oahu, I jumped at the opportunity to join. Hawaii is one of my favorite places, and I was thrilled to be...

An honest review of Tentrr, the Airbnb of camping.

by Kristen Chase | Family Travel

Last year, our friend Anna Fader of Mommy Poppins fame posted about her positive experience with Tentrr on Facebook. The service functions like Airbnb, except for campsites, and if that sounds like a brilliant idea, you’re right. Particularly for those of us who...

10 things you should do before you leave for vacation, that you might be forgetting.

by Kristen Chase | Family Travel, Tips + Tricks

Whether you’re hitting the road for a quick weekend getaway, or are heading out for a family vacation, getting out the door can be pretty overwhelming. Between packing lists and all those last-minute to-do-before-we-leave lists, it’s so easy to get sucked...