More coolness from recent weeks…
Snoots: Sneaker-boots for kids who want to stay comfy, and the parents who want them to stay warm.
When I first got wind of Snoots sneaker-boots (get it? Snoots?) from Stride Rite, I first thought I didn't really need them. After all, I live down south and we don't tend to think of daily walks to school in the snow as a kids' wardrobe issue that needs addressing....
11 easy Valentine’s Day crafts for preschoolers and younger kids, most with supplies you already have at home.
While I'm not sure I'm ready for my house to look like it exploded in hearts, Valentine's Day is coming sooner than you think. And since my kids' own language of love is craft projects, I've been looking for some easy Valentine's Day crafts for younger kids that...
One of David Bowie’s greatest hits, reissued
There's no question that David Bowie had a huge impact on the world of music, which is partly why we can't stop talking about him. So today we are so happy to discover that the iconic 1987 David Bowie READ poster has been reissued by the American Library Association....
A look at the brand new curvy Barbie: Will you buy her? | Thinking: Parent
Well, after oh, only sixty years or so of women complaining about Barbie's unrealistic figure, Mattel has decided to get with the 21st century zeitgeist and the changing look of the world, today releasing Barbies with three brand new body shapes -- curvy, tall and...
The adult coloring book trend comes to baby carriers
For years we've been letting kids color in their own bags, t-shirts and coloring books, so why not give adults a chance? Now LILLEbaby has jumped all over that, with the clever new LILLEbaby Color Me Carrier. This is more than a gimmick to sell some sub-par carrier --...
3 smart, stylish waterproof winter boots for women now that it is, in fact, winter
Okay so December was a balmy 70 in New York City but how quickly things change. Now that we've gone from tropics to tundra, I'm pulling out the puffer coats, earmuffs, and winter boots so I can make it through those surprise knee-deep puddles that disguise themselves...
7 little indulgences under $10 that make big changes to your mood.
I'm a huge fan of grabbing little indulgences or surprises for my kids here and there to help make them feel better after a bad day or, you know, just make them feel special. But when it comes to me, I have gotten pretty good at rationalizing myself right out of...
31 of the absolute funniest Valentine’s cards, for sweethearts with a sense of humor. AKA Keepers.
Each year I have the best time scouring the web for the funniest Valentine's Cards. I was just never a fan of those long, poetic prefab cards written in wedding script. I guess if I have something sentimental to say I'll say it myself. As for my cards? Give me the...
Festive Roots: Very cool craft kits for kids that help them be smarter global citizens too.
My kids can easily spend an hour at the kitchen table working on a good DIY project, so I'm always on the lookout for cool crafts kits that will pique their interest. Lately, it's been the globally-minded kits from Festive Roots, which helps teach kids about cultural...
Small Apparel: Cool little tees that give back in a big way
Supporting amazing artists and designers we find at cool, yet undiscovered indie shops we find is so important to us -- in fact, it's why Kristen and Liz started Cool Mom Picks in the first place. So when we find a shop like Small Apparel, we can't wait to share them...
Friendships after kids: Smart tips and resources for making new mom (and dad) friends | Spawned Episode 30
Making new friends as adults is hard enough as it is, but it can be especially challenging when you have kids. And it's not just making new friends, but also maintaining those old ones too. I know first-hand that when you've already gone all those life changes that...
8 great cars for big families that fit 3 car seats safely in the second row
I still remember car shopping when I was pregnant with my third child, trying to figure out which cars for big families would be right for me. As in, I didn't want a minivan, and I wanted my car to safely fit three car seats, for my three kids under four. To be...
9 modern kids’ desks for small spaces, that don’t feel like kids’ desks at all.
For those of us in smaller homes, finding our kids a great desk can be a challenge. With my two girls sharing a small room, it's not like I can just grab one of those giant kids' desks you see in the catalogs and call it a day. In fact, their shared desk isn't even in...
Meet Marco. He’s here to help keep your kids in the bath.
You always need a few toys to keep kids entertained in the bath, of course. Cups and boats have always always been a hit with mine, but I just had to share the adorable new Marco light-up bath toy from Boon from Boon for something a little more special or even a fun...
TIA Girl Club for Tweens: A monthly subscription of role models
While I can't pick my daughters' friends for them, I do try to help my girls grow up with smart, healthy, and interesting women as role models. You know, not the ones whose biggest life advice has to do with how to take a great selfie. So, I'm really interested in the...
7 favorite beauty product splurges that are absolutely worthwhile.
Okay so let's start with a disclaimer: When I describe beauty products I can't live without, I'm being a bit hyperbolic. Do they fall under food? No. Clothing? No. Shelter? No, unless we're talking sunscreen should I ever be stranded on a tropical island. So of course...
Stand up straight! 5 simple ways to improve your posture
I'm not sure whether it's because I'm tall or because I sit hunched over a computer all day long, but I have terrible posture. This isn't necessarily a new discovery, but what is new to me is how much bad posture can actually affect your stress levels -- something I...
The Volume Mascara by Kevyn Aucoin: You’ll never buy another mascara ever again.
I discovered The Volume Mascara by Kevyn Aucoin last year when Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere raved about it, and after using it for this long (hey, it takes me awhile!), I feel comfortable saying that it is by far the best mascara I have ever owned. If you're...
The 2016 Coretta Scott King book award winners: Great reads for MLK Day and beyond
I don't want to let holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day slip by with my kids thinking it's just an extra day off of school. So if you're like me and are looking for some ways to honor the spirit of MLK while you're home today, we highly recommend you check out...
Great family craft project for MLK Day: Come together to create this Martin Luther King Jr. mural
Over the years, we have shared our favorite books, videos and websites that help our kids learn about the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. And now, along with learning about his life, we can add an interesting art project that our kids can do with their friends or in...
Our favorite cool tech picks this week
Here are 5 of our favorite tech picks this week from Cool Mom Tech. Look what you might have missed! 1. Our Editor Kristen cut the cable cord and shares what she discovered when she did (Hint: so much money saved) 2. The coolest wearable fitness trackers from...