More coolness from recent weeks…
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...
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...
It’s a lunch bag! It’s a place mat! It’s the answer to every germaphobe parent’s prayers.
While there are all kinds of kids lunch bags and boxes that I find are really durable and effective, I've long been a fan of the lunch bags from Built NY -- in no small part because the size and styling means I can borrow them from my kids. And now they're out with...
Kubo and the Two Strings: Why this exquisite film is worth a trip to the theater.
If like me, you try to choose carefully when it comes to which movies make sense to see in a theater where it costs you a year's college tuition for a family of four -- and then, decide which movies seem worth forking over the extra few bucks for the 3D experience --...
Toothbrushes delivered right to you door. This is our kind of tooth fairy.
When I got an email about Boka oral care subscription boxes, I got pretty excited because I am a little obsessed with toothbrushes. Yes, I'm the one who disinfects them after illnesses, tosses them pretty consistently every 3–4 months, and never ever goes to bed...
It’s a perfume. It’s a bug spray. It’s my new best friend.
A delicious-smelling perfume that's also a bug spray? That actually works? Shut the front door. UPDATE June 2018: The manufacturer is no longer making this product It's true. As a mosquito magnet and a fan of artisan fragrances, I've found my new best friend. It's...
Hey sexist Olympic journalists: We’re watching you. | Spawned episode 48
This week on Spawned with Kristen + Liz, we're talking about the rampant sexist media coverage of the Rio Olympics -- and beyond -- and why, as parents, it particularly bugs us and needs addressing. Take a listen as we discuss the craziest headlines, the ridiculous...
Skateboarding to school just got a lot easier. And cooler.
When we lived in a big city, my kids loved to watch teens skateboarding to school. There was this effortless coolness to gliding along, flipping the board, tossing it over a shoulder, and hopping on a bus. If you think your kids might be a great age for rolling up the...
11 of our favorite childhood books that we can’t wait for our kids to read
There's something so special about sharing our very favorite childhood books with our kids. When we see our kids falling in love with Anne of Green Gables, or imaging themselves racing through Narnia to defeat the White Witch, there's a certain jolt of nostalgia that...
14 fun birthday traditions you can start with your child at any age
I've already let my secret out: I'm not one for elaborate birthday parties. In fact, we keep birthday parties simple and on a budget around our house. That said, I love to celebrate the birthday kid and make them feel really special on their big day. We do easy things...
5 creative ways to make personalized candy favors and gifts the coolest ever. Look what we made!
My kids believe they are the World's Greatest Fans of Dylan's Candy Bar. Which is hilarious, considering that every single one of the zillions of kids who visit their shops each year also believe that they are the World's Greatest Fans of Dylan's Candy Bar. So when...
The new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana review: A family vacation spot where everyone has fun. Yes, even the parents!
As a first-time to Punta Cana vacation-goer, and with a gaggle of Nickelodeon fans, I was thrilled to be invited to visit the brand new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana on its grand opening week. This new property from Karisma, whose Mexican resorts I've...
17 fun pencil cases for writers, book lovers and word nerds. Like us!
We love pencil cases! They're where we put all our pencils! And pens, and earbuds, and erasers, and... pretty much anything that'll fit. As our kids head back to school, we're getting serious about corralling clutter, and if we can do it with flair, even better. So...
Decluttering the bedroom night table: Check.
My night stand is a thing of terror -- between the glassware, the paperbacks, the cards from the kids, the remote controls, the empty candy wrappers (what? It's been a stressful election season), the mini body moisturizer samples, and a couple of photo frames, it does...
What makes back-to-school gifts more special? We’re gonna go with llamas.
If you've done any back-to-school shopping lately, you may have noticed, like we have, that llamas are taking over the world. Quietly. And with deceptive cuteness because let me tell you, llamas mean business. The takeover may be inevitable at this point, so I've...
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...
Finally, a stylish breast pump tote. Thanks, Petunia Pickle Bottom.
Ahh, the breast pump. Not the most glamorous part of new motherhood. But for many of us, it's a necessity. Whether you're just pumping and freezing so your partner can take the midnight feedings or you're headed back to work but don't want to cut off breastfeeding...
13 organizations helping Louisiana flood victims: Even if you can only give a little.
Oh, our hearts have been heavy watching the devastation from the flooding across Louisiana this week. More than 100,000 homes and buildings have been affected by these rising waters with reports of 30,000 people affected, and as many as 11,000 who have spent time in...
These metallic shoes for kids are winning back-to-school
We've been binging on the Olympics at our house, and it has us seeing gold, silver, and bronze. (Go Team USA!) Now, our love for the medals is spilling over into our closets too, because a little metallic accent is always a good thing. And metallic shoes for kids are...
What the hell is a backpack fairy? The back to school episode. | Spawned episode 47
This week on Spawned with Kristen + Liz we're talking back to school! It's awesome! And yet...it's exhausting! Take a listen as we commiserate, laugh, offer helpful tips, and gawk at the most insane first day of school traditions that we found on Pinterest. (The...