More coolness from recent weeks…
7 tips to help kids walk to school safely. Because October 5 shouldn’t be the only Walk to School Day!
Back in my school day, my mom let me walk alone to school, my friends' homes, and the pizzeria by the time I was 10 years old. (Uphill, both ways, and barefoot, no less.) Fast forward to me as a parent and I admit my own kids -- now ages 12 and 9 -- have never walked...
Got a kid who loves cars, planes, boats and art? They need the new book Project Kid: Crafts that Go.
Two years ago, when I learned about Parents magazine lifestyle editor Amanda Kingloff's cool, modern crafts book Project Kid, I flipped. For joy. These were crafts my kids could easily make, and I'd actually want to keep. (Sorry, glitter macaroni necklace. You're...
The cutest sleep sacks that can actually help babies and toddlers get more ZZZs.
Since becoming pregnant with my first child, I'm trying to absorb all the advice, dos and don'ts of taking care of a baby before I have the baby. (Fortunately, working with all the moms at Cool Mom Picks is a huge help!) One of the things I didn't actually know is...
Midnight Creatures: A pop-up book that’s way more than a pop-up book
We're all big fans of artful, creative pop-up books around here, but when I checked out a copy of Midnight Creatures: A Pop-up Shadow Search, it didn't cross my mind just how extraordinarily creative it would be -- and how much it would captivate even my 9-year-old....
An airy, all-natural perfume that smells nothing like the perfume counter. Thank goodness.
I love finding new fragrances, but I never want to smell like anyone else. For me, the pleasure in perfume is in leaning close to someone and picking up a faint whiff that's distinctly them -- and I hope the fragrances I wear have the same signature feel. This new...
Here’s how you can follow Cool Mom Picks, Cool Mom Tech, Cool Mom Eats. We promise we’ll make it worth your while.
Whichever social media site is your guilty pleasure du jour, we’re there, making sure you don’t miss our favorite posts on parenting, fashion, apps, recipes, deals and discounts, and random awesomeness from around the web. Plus our favorite part: we love hearing from...
29 cool Star Wars pumpkin ideas we’ve found for Halloween: The internet has taught us well.
This year, with all five of my nieces dressing up as Star Wars characters, I couldn't think of a more perfect Halloween craft than creating Star Wars Halloween pumpkins together. So I've searched the web for them -- and all of you! -- and rounded up some of the most...
We found them! 15 seriously awesome preschool birthday party gifts under $15
When you've got a little one, you probably know that means you have a whooooole lot of preschooler birthday party gifts to look for over the course of the year. One gift for each party for each kid in your child's preschool class? Yeouch. That's a whole lot of gifts....
Sleep anxiety in kids: 5 solutions for big kid sleep issues that really work
I still remember celebrating when I was finally out of the baby and toddler no-sleep days, only to discover that I had a big kid with sleep anxiety. Once I realized the incentive of Star Wars Legos wasn't keeping him in his bed through the night, I knew it was a...
9 places we definitely did not expect to find pumpkin spice. But we’re glad we did. Because we’re laughing.
Full disclosure: I'm down with pumpkin spice. Lattes, candles, cookies, soap, cake, more cake. I love the smell, I usually enjoy the taste, and I am most definitely not judging you if you do too. When it comes to Pumpkin Spice Oreos and Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, I'm...
How to get rid of spiders, mice, and moths — without burning down the house.
Is there anything worse than finding mouse droppings in your house? Oh, right. There is: Finding a palm-sized wolf spider in your kid's bed. Ask me how I know. Luckily, I've found a company that makes all-natural pest repellent, which means you don't have to burn your...
5 tips for getting back into the workplace after kids… and finding balance after you do: Tips from Samantha Ettus
As many moms who have done it before (including us!) can attest, re-entering the workforce after taking time off for kids, whether it's been six months or sixteen years, is no easy feat. You may have taken a break from your career for personal reasons, financial...
The 3 hot lip colors for fall: A pro makeup artist’s picks that look great on every woman
When Cool Mom Picks asked me to pick the three top lip colors for fall, I was excited. But I know that for a lot of women, the idea of following trends can be a little scary, especially when the trends veer outside of your comfort zone. My job as a professional makeup...
Handmade Charlotte Kids: Fun activity kits and art supplies at crazy affordable prices
With the cooler weather around the corner, we've got one terrific way to get ready for lots of indoor play: The fun new craft kits and art supplies from our most excellent sponsor, Handmade Charlotte Kids, now available at Michael's stores nationwide, and online....
The most stylish tummy time blanket we’ve seen in…uh, ever?
After 11 years of parenting, I'm a pretty big believer in not buying baby gear that doesn't grow with your child. That means floor mats dedicated exclusively to, say, tummy time isn't at the top of my priority list. (As cute as they may be.) Instead, I'd throw down...
Secret Code: A customizable children’s book to help you raise tech-savvy, confident girls.
As a first time mom-to-be, I am already thinking about creating a household where my child can be whatever they want to be. A doctor, lawyer, sandwich artistan, or even a Silicon Valley techno mastermind. And given that my husband's an IT professional who builds his...
30 things you can clean, fix, or straighten up when you’ve only got 10 minutes
Keeping a house clean when you've got work and kids and pets and all of the things can be a pretty ominous task if you think of it all at once. However if you can break it down, and tackle a single chore or maybe even a couple of smaller tasks when you've got a free...
National Voter Registration Day: Helpful resources to get you to the polls this November
The election is just over a month away, and what better time to check your voter registration status than on National Voter Registration Day? If you can't make any of their hundreds of events across the country today, you can easily hop online to get the voter...
Putting the BOO in Halloween boots for kids.
Some kids are just not down with full-body Halloween costumes. If you've ever tried to wrestle a screaming baby into that adorable plush monkey onesie and ended up covered in bodily fluids, you know just what I mean. Luckily, these adorable Halloween boots for kids...
A pro’s tips for how to choose the right sports bra. Finally.
No matter what size your chest is, a sports bra is an important -- if not the most important -- part of a workout wardrobe. But, so many women, including plenty of us at Cool Mom Picks, don't really have an idea of how to pick the right sports bra for our fitness...
Here’s how you can follow Cool Mom Picks, Cool Mom Tech, Cool Mom Eats. We promise we’ll make it worth your while.
Whichever social media site is your guilty pleasure du jour, we’re there, making sure you don’t miss our favorite posts on parenting, fashion, apps, recipes, deals and discounts, and random awesomeness from around the web. Plus our favorite part: we love hearing from...