Art and Decor - Cool Mom Picks

A comparison of our 9 favorite custom photo book services, for one of our all-time favorite gifts

by Cool Mom Staff | Art + Decor, Holiday Picks

Since custom photo books are among our very favorite gifts for the holidays, for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and even for teacher gifts and gifts for favorite sitters, we’ve put together a helpful comparison of our top picks. For years, we’ve...

VOTE: The puzzle

by Liz Gumbinner | Art + Decor, Toys + Playthings

Now that more of us know that voting isn’t just something we talk about on Election Day, and certainly not just every four years, I think this new women VOTE puzzle is the most wonderful gift for a civic-minded friend. Officially titled “Women Will Decide” (catch that...

This non-profit creates absolutely free, Instagram-worthy room makeovers for adopted kids and foster families

by Kate Etue | Art + Decor, Doing Good, Kids' Furniture

Several months ago I stumbled on the work of the non-profit group Bloom Family Designs on a friend and fellow adoptive-mom’s Instagram feed. This organization creates beautifully designed rooms for adopted and foster kids — at absolutely no cost to the families....

Are Ruggable rugs really washable and stain-resistant? We bought one to see. | “Damn you, Facebook ads” series

by Caroline Siegrist | Art + Decor

Those ads for Ruggable have been popping up in my Facebook and Instagram feeds for ages, but it wasn’t until their Star Wars line of rugs debuted that I finally gave in and bought one. In my defense, the designs are super cool! And subtle enough that our house...

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,...

5 messages about your relationship that high school graduates need to know, before they leave home

by Cool Mom Staff | Art + Decor

With my almost 17-year old graduating from high school this summer (WHAT?), I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the things she needs to know before she leaves. Suddenly, I’ve got an urgency to make sure she remembers how to boil an egg or hang...

8 stylish planters that totally zhuzh up your living space indoors

by Kate Etue | Art + Decor

If you had’n’t noticed, houseplants are having a real moment right now. I’m cracking up over friends who are naming their plants and calling themselves “plant parents.” It’s a serious obsession and considering the year we’ve...

How to decorate with tea lights: creating ambience, not a shrine

by Liz Gumbinner | Art + Decor, Kitchen + Dining, Tips + Tricks

We’ve hit spring. So yay! But, that also means we’ve all been inside for a long time now. A year of quarantine has taught me this, at least: it’s time to update my home decor. A new rug or dining set may not be in my budget, but do you know what is?...

These retro-modern tree skirts make your Christmas decor the ginchiest.

by Liz Gumbinner | Art + Decor, Holiday Picks

With lots of us going a little bigger and bolder with our decor this holiday season, I realized I needed a new tree skirt that was not an old bed sheet. (Don’t judge!) An Etsy search yielded the gorgeous retro-modern tree skirts from Crash Pad Designs. Oof, be...

How to get your hands on iconic photos + paintings to support equity for Black artists. We can’t pick a favorite!

by Liz Gumbinner | Art + Decor, Doing Good

By now, I think our readers are aware that that creating more equity and representation for Black Americans across every industry is one of the most impactful ways to dismantle racist systems. So as a fan of original rock portraits — and of organizations that...

These 5 awesome Etsy houseplant shops are perfect pandemic pick-me-ups

by Caroline Siegrist | Art + Decor

We’ve all picked up new hobbies during quarantine, and mine has been buying and potting houseplants on Etsy. I lead an exciting life, what can I say. But while I’m at home so much of the time, surrounding myself with these little reminders of growth and...

5 incredible deals on home decor at Zulily right now. It’s holiday entertaining season!

by Liz Gumbinner | Art + Decor, Holiday Picks, Kitchen + Dining

If you’re looking to score some deals right now without dealing with the Black Friday madness, our partner Zulily.Is a great option. You’ll find thousands of products up to 70% off including an entire home & garden category. If you’re freshening...

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.