Q, R, S, Tween

Q, R, S, Tween

Since we focus mainly on the under 6 set here at Cool Mom Picks, we realize that leaves a bunch of extremely cool mamas out. Truth is, most of the super indie and handmade items we find are for kids still needing their butts wiped. But when we come across a great pick...
Pak Nak Fever

Pak Nak Fever

As a child of the 70s, I remember insisting that my mother sew my soccer patch, my daisy patch, and two souvenir patches from a family trip to Europe right on the top of my Osh Kosh overalls. Ah, my early days as a fashion trendsetter. Patches may have gone the way of...
Tickle-Me Phyto

Tickle-Me Phyto

As a child of the eighties, I was privy to the debut of many fads that should never have been, including parachute pants, bolo ties, and those cheesy Chia pets. If only the last one had died out along with the first two. If you want a cool plant to cultivate at home...
You’re Never Too Young to Accessorize

You’re Never Too Young to Accessorize

Who knew that a three-year-old could require accessories? My daughter has her own jewelry box, a slew of hats,and now she’s asking for belts. Belts? So luckily I happened upon the reversible ribbon belts from Monkey Foot Designs. Handmade by mama (and the...
Monkeybar Buddies: Clothes For Hanging Around

Monkeybar Buddies: Clothes For Hanging Around

Year after year, my mother outfitted me in dresses that were fine for the classroom, but completely inappropriate for the playground. While all the other girls wore slacks and hung upside down from the monkey bars, I stood off to the side and silently cursed my...
Take a Hike, Tinkerbell

Take a Hike, Tinkerbell

I’m always looking for books for my daughter featuring strong female protagonists. They don’t have to be fist-in-the-air feminist characters, but they don’t have to be princesses dreaming of marrying princes, either. So I’m really enjoying...
The Gift That Gifts Back

The Gift That Gifts Back

When I was a kid, every gift-giving holiday came with a request from my mother to make her something. After a few years of amateur photo collages and tedious poetry I was plum out of ideas. If only I had had a copy of I Wanna Make Gifts, by prolific writer Clea...