More coolness from recent weeks…
Go vintage with embroidered handmade jewelry. Because, dainty can be darling.
Jewelry with embroidery and lace? I know, I know. Very dainty. Very breakable. But still. So pretty! I've gone through all the stages of mom jewelry -- from chewable beads to no (pullable!) stud earrings. Now that my kids are old enough to avoid snatching my favorite...
Let’s talk puberty: 3 books for girls that help you have the talk
I love having a daughter. Her bright, energetic, and (yes) sometimes emotional personality is such a treat to have in our home. We've had a very open relationship so far, which I am very grateful for, and now she's creeping up on the age where we're going to start...
Sponsored Message: Celebrating a brand new Rosemary Wells book with a $250 giveaway
This is a sponsored message from MacMillan In honor of the launch of Hand in Hand, the beautiful new book from popular kids' author Rosemary Wells of Max and Ruby fame, you could win a special $250 literary prize pack, plus everyone who enters wins a special magnet...
A fun interview with Anne Holton, wife of Tim Kaine, about parenting, politics + funny tweets | Spawned ep 50
This week on Spawned with Kristen + Liz, it's our golden anniversary, and we're extraordinarily thrilled to be joined by an incredibly special guest, Anne Holton, wife of Senator Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for Vice President. But wow, Anne is a powerhouse...
Pablo and His Chair by Delphine Perret: A story about being the best version of you
I have a soft spot for quirky children's books with captivating illustrations, which is why I keep picking up the brand new Pablo and His Chair by the French artist and author Delphine Perret to read to my kids. The story is simple -- a fidgety boy receives a chair...
11 of our favorite nursery must-haves | Baby Registry Essentials Guide
We're so excited to share our own favorite baby registry nursery must-haves as part of our ongoing Baby Registry Essentials Guide series, which we're bringing to you thanks to our partner, Gugu Guru. Some of our picks we bet you've seen (or maybe...
5 tested tips for handling separation anxiety, from parents who have been there too
I know a little something about dealing with separation anxiety when it comes to young kids and school. Back when my kids were in preschool, this was my routine: drop them off at the classroom, peel around the corner and press my back against the wall, then wait --...
Primal Pit Paste review: A natural deodorant that really works. Really. Stop making that face.
If we're going to talk about natural deodorant, there's no way it's not going to get a little TMI up in here, which I'm okay with if you're okay with. Because if you're like me, you've had to use the strongest deodorant formulas, you know, the ones in the box that are...
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...
The Favela Art Project: bettering the lives of kids in Rio through art
During this summer's Olympic coverage, we all enjoyed seeing beautiful images of fun, lively Rio, and its gorgeous beaches, but there was one major aspect of the city that wasn't broadcast -- the favelas, or slums, which populate Rio and rarely sees electricity,...
The worst TV shows for kids with Wendi Aarons | Spawned episode 49
On this week's episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we're chatting with humorist and writer Wendi Aarons about one of the most popular posts she wrote on Cool Mom Picks: The 9 worst television shows for kids. Wow, did people have a lot to say about this post. Is...
9 fantastic beginner chapter book series to help create avid readers
My youngest child started Kindergarten this week -- sniff -- and he's learning to read so quickly. I'm thrilled to find out he loves books, and I've been scouring our bookshelves and grilling our librarian for some great beginner chapter book series. Of course, there...
The hottest new designer for kids is… your kid. Eat your heart out, Stella McCartney!
Whether your little artist is more of a Versace or a Van Gogh, they can become the hottest new designer... and wear a creation of their very own. Picture This is an awesome new mom-run business that will print your kid's drawing directly onto a dress, whether for...
Sponsored Message: EasyKicks new kids shoe subscription service makes life easier for parents
This is a sponsored message from EasyKicks Shoe shopping with kids can be pretty challenging, then when you do find just the right pair, it's like the shoes are outgrown or destroyed before their time. That's where EasyKicks comes in, to make buying shoes for kids a...
3 extremely cool world map decals to get kids excited about geography
If your family is anything like ours, you're only now getting caught up on lost sleep from the Olympics. But in its wake, the games leave us all with a healthy dose of wanderlust and interest in oh, say...Tonga. For no apparent reason. So, we've decided to round up...
Swanky baby gear that looks like adult coloring books? Color us excited.
The only thing we love more than super safe, comfortable car seats and strollers is when our essential baby gear has swanky styling too. The new City Motif Collection of baby gear from Maxi-Cosi combines serious safety features with a playful black-and-white city...
6 driving distractions people without kids will never understand
Whether you're hitting the road for Labor Day weekend, or you're back in the saddle as your kids' own personal Uber driver, we parents know that driving with kids in the car comes with its own special challenges. Let's just say it can be... tough.* So I had so much...
The (totally evil) family tabletop game for wicked word nerds and master strategists.
If your family is divided by the word nerds who love Scrabble and the strategists who love Monopoly, then we've found the family tabletop game for you. It's called Word Domination, it's on Kickstarter now, and it's already winning gaming awards. Bonus: You get to be a...
The easiest, cutest bike bell? Ding ding ding! We found it.
We all know the transition from balance bike to training wheels to full-on bicycle takes a while (and can get a little wobbly). Add the required coordination to ring that out-of-my-way-new-rider-here bell and your kid may be in danger of an all-out collapse on the...
How to talk about safety with kids: Why we talk about tricky people and not stranger danger.
In an increasingly connected world, we parents can feel overwhelmed about making sure our kids are protected and knowing how to talk to kids about safety, strangers, and all that other stuff that we wish we didn't have to. We know it can be tough. While keeping our...
This new board book for kids is a breath of fresh Air
My younger kids usually need a little one-on-one time to decompress after school, and one of our favorite ways to do this is reading together. After a few minutes in my lap, they're ready to go play again. But, I have to admit, I'd much rather read a cool indie book...