Charm Bracelets that Actually Have Charm

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Stop the bling! Seriously…stop the bling. If you want to commemorate your child’s birth with jewelry that doesn’t look "soooo 2007" in the years to come, allow us to point you towards the photo keepsake jewelry from LA-area designer...

70’s Flashback! 70’s Flashback!

by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings

Hear that squeal? That’s me having just rediscovered only my favorite ever (ever!) toy from my childhood – the bouncy thing. As it turns out, it has a real name: Space Hopper. Or Super 70’s Space Hopper to be exact, but I’m not sure that that...

I’m in Luv With a Sunscreen

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

There’s nothing like a beach day with two kids: The sun. The sand. The 30-minute suncreen battle.It’s almost enough to make me forego the beach and just skip to the ice cream. But sincediscovering KINeSYS, I have a newfound love — not only for the...

Born With a Silver Rattle in His Hand

by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings

I never really got the expensive silver rattle thing until I had kids (like everything else, right?) and my dear friend gave me the kind that come in the pretty blue box. Either my kid has extremely expensive taste or he just knows a good thing when he hears it, but...

We’re Gonna Zoom, Zoom, Zooma Zoom

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

In theory, I appreciate the heroic intentions of the diaper clutch — saving moms everywhere from gigantic diaper bags. But let’s face it, they’re not made for quick access, nor do they provide you for much space for your own personal items. An...

Monster Repellent

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

I’ve tried all sorts of tricks to convince my girls that monsters do not inhabit their rooms. I even resorted to logic at one point, to no avail. Silly me for even trying such a longshot. By far, the best method I’ve found to get a good night’s sleep...

Old Alt Indie Country Artists Don’t Die, They Just Make Children’s Albums

by Cool Mom Team | Entertainment + Media

The other day, my son and I were wandering aimlessly in a children’s clothing shop when I started humming along to the piped in music. "Wait a minute," I said. "That’s Rosie Flores! Awesome!" An iTunes search for the song led me to The...

Like the Best Flea Market Ever, and No Tube Socks

by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings

Writing for Cool Mom Picks has completely changed my outlook on shopping. Previously,I’d hit the local mall or big box store in the hopes of finding the perfect one-of-a-kind gift. But now that I’ve seen all the fabulous artisan and mom-made products...

Pearls for the Not-So-Into-Pearls Set

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

I’ve never been the Grace Kelly type, although I certainly admired her style. I just couldn’t pull off a pearl choker over a cashmere twin set without looking like I was in a costume. But boy do I like pearls. So I’m very excited by what I’m...

Dream Dolls

by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings

I often dream about eating sandwiches. I’m not sure what’s up with that, but no matter what else is happening, sandwiches keep showing up…kind of like Charro on The Love Boat. So if I were a designer, I would create excellent dolls that looked like...

Babies That Actually Sleep Like Babies

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Examining a sample of the Cozy Cocoon, I admit I was skeptical. A single piece of fabric that you just stick your baby in, like a sock? It can’t be that simple to swaddle, can it? I kept calling it the baby condom. But holy heck did this thing work–and...

Who Doesn’t Like Jimmies?

by Cool Mom Team | Entertainment + Media

God love the Wonderpets soundtrack, but I’m just about one long car ride away from "accidentally" cracking the CD in half. So on a recent trip, I was happy to have another CD on hand to try out: The premier album from NY-based kids band, The Jimmies,...