Liz Gumbinner, Author at Cool Mom Picks

10 of our most popular summer articles to help get you through the season

This week we’re doing something I don’t think our team has done in 15+ years — we are taking a full staff summer break. (Whoo!) Some of us are traveling, some of us are hanging with the kids, some of us are counting the seconds to Ted Lasso season...

On modeling body positivity for our kids: Where we succeed, where we can do better | Spawned Ep 245

by Liz Gumbinner | Health, Fitness + Wellbeing, Podcast

When Kristen wrote a viral post last week about wearing crop tops over 40, in response to a conversation with her daughter, the comments from our readers were so inspiring, we knew we wanted to discuss body positivity further on Spawned. Interestingly, we each have...

Yes, this celebrity-fave face peel is as good as they say it is. For a change.

by Liz Gumbinner | Beauty + Cosmetics

I’ve been recommending Aloisia Beauty’s Korean-inspired clean beauty products since they first launched. (Like, here for example!) The brand was co-created by a longtime colleague and to be honest, I’ve been so impressed by every product I’ve...

The best summer camp care package ideas for tweens and teens: A helpful list from a mom who’s been sending them for 8 years

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks

We are completely celebrating the return to summer camp around here. And I am celebrating the joy of putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens! After the year they have had, the chance to run around with friends, swim, be silly, stay up too...

Which lunch boxes and bags hold up the best? After testing dozens, here are our 5 picks. [updated for 2021]

by Liz Gumbinner | Back to School Shopping, School Gear

Hi Cool Mom Picks, I know you’ve tested so many lunch boxes every year and I was hoping you could tell me what you think really are the best lunch boxes. I want something I don’t have to get rid of at the end of every year! And it should be sturdy and...

11 of the best Prime Day 2021 Deals from brands we trust. No “ACKHYDRO” or “PROFORL7” or whatever.

by Liz Gumbinner | Baby, Living, Tech CMP-Style, Toys + Playthings

Each year, we try to go through all the clutter and crap, and put together the best Amazon Prime Day deals for you. I mean, with all due respect to the “flash deals” on Amazon Prime Day that look like your Great Aunt Hilda just cleaned out her attic, This...

Elected leaders need to do more than just “recognize” Juneteenth. Tell them to act on these 5 issues.

by Liz Gumbinner | Thinking : Parent

Today marks the very first Juneteenth since the US Senate unanimously passed a resolution to make Juneteenth a national holiday this week and it was quickly signed into law by President Biden on Thursday. It’s amazing! So many of us grew up never having heard of...

14 brilliant last-minute gifts for Dad. So many ideas! | Father’s Day Gifts 2021

by Liz Gumbinner | Father's Day Gifts

We always love helping you all out with great last minute gifts for Dad, Grandpa, your stepdad, or anyone you’re celebrating this Father’s Day. Because it helps us out too! While Father’s Day gifts have been on our minds — and our shopping...

Inspirational quote art for your home office which may be your forever office: 14 amazing quotes to encourage amazing women

by Liz Gumbinner | Art + Decor

She believed she could so she did. My very favorite inspirational quote. The first time I saw it, not long after I had graduated college, it was printed on a funky wooden brooch by an artist at a craft fair. I pinned it to a jacket, and wore it for ages. From then on,...

Step away from the Hydroflask! We found the best water bottles and they’re not $50 a pop either.

by Liz Gumbinner | Living

When my daughter needed a new water bottle for school two years ago — or 20 years ago in pandemic time — she had mentioned something about a Hydroflask. So I looked and…holy sticker shock. 50 bucks for a 32-oz bottle with a straw lid! I’m all...

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).

We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.