More coolness from recent weeks…
Beautiful new muslin baby blankets, for a new generation of peacefully sleeping babies
New moms now have more baby blankets to choose from than babies have reason to cry. But the cool, mom-owned label, Lulujo that's new to the US from Canada, has really caught my eye with gorgeous, affordable muslin baby blankets and other gift-worthy swaddling...
Tips and tricks for throwing the best Oscar party, serving the best food and drinks, and making off with the Oscars pool.
Sunday night is Oscar Night! Or as so many of us think of it, Oscar party night. So I've scoured the web for some easy Oscars party tips and printables, because it's the perfect excuse to get together with friends, dish on the dresses, talk through the technical...
The 2015 Oscar nominees, now funnier than ever
This year was a pretty serious year for the Oscar nominating committee, if you consider the likes of Selma, Gone Girl, Birdman...you get the picture. Or pictures. But of course, there are always clever artists out there willing to take the gravity down a...
VIDA scarves by Karen Walrond: Gorgeous photos brought to life around your neck
We always love sharing awesome style collaborations between artists and cool companies, but even better when it's a friend, like the amazing author and photographer Karen Walrond, who's launched a line of VIDA scarves. We've known Karen and her outstanding work for...
7 outrageously creative, A-list popcorn recipes that are Oscars night approved
Whether you’ll be watching the Oscars with friends, snuggled up with family, or all by yourself, these 6 creative popcorn recipes are the perfect Oscars viewing snack. Or anything viewing snack, really. Move over fake butter topping, more fabulous dresses...uh, I...
The hipster ABC matching tile game, for parents who value reading proficiency and irony.
Most preschoolers can tell you that M is for Monkey and N is for Nut, but a hip preschooler may know that those letters also stand for Moustache and Narwhal. Since I'm pretty sure my three year old doesn't, I've got my eye on this Hipster ABC matching tile set that...
The coolest free printable Year of the Goat coloring page to ring in the Chinese New Year
For a little Chinese New Year celebration this evening, I'll be tracking down some delicious take-out dumplings at my local Chinese food joint (in lieu of my Chinese mom's amazing cooking, sniffle), and printing out a few copies of this free Year of the Goat printable...
The Breakfast Club is coming back to theaters! Brains, athletes, basket cases, and princesses all welcome.
We're fist-pumping, Bender style, over the rerelease of John Hughes’ arguably best movie ever (sorry, Home Alone), The Breakfast Club. Say it with us: Could you describe the ruckus, sir? In honor of the 30th anniversary of the film that made every girl question...
A Place to Live is a picture book that charms, engages, and hopefully lulls to sleep.
Sometimes the simplest books are a parent's best friend at bedtime. Few words, pretty pictures, calming premise. These are the elements that come together perfectly in Case Jernigan's A Place to Live, a lovely book for a new reader--or a parent desperate to put a...
10 of the most outrageous gender reveal party ideas. Cool or just…what?
It seems the days of simply announcing whether your baby is a boy or girl seem to be long gone. The latest trend in baby showers that shows no signs of waning is the gender reveal party -- personalized, meticulously planned, sometimes messy events with executions that...
The Lugabug child travel chair: A brilliant alternative to the ride-on suitcase for children.
Traveling with kids to fun places is almost always worth the schlep it takes to get there. But trying to rush through a crowded airport with a child or two in tow can put a damper on our enthusiasm quicker than you can say They moved our gate where? For a while, there...
A monster t-shirt kids are guaranteed to love. Because they design it.
It's hard to find a kid who doesn't love customizing things to make them their own, from a blank notebook to their bedroom walls. And while I'd rather not have the interior of my car "customized" with stickers, I do want to foster my kids' love for artistic...
8 of the coolest Year of the Sheep baby gifts for your little lamb
I've always loved the Chinese Zodiac and not just because I'm a Chinese American. I am fascinated by the history of the signs and their meanings. So with the Chinese New Year just a couple of days away, we thought it would be fun to round-up cool Year of the Sheep...
Beep beep! Reader coming through
Bookends are always a smart way to blend function with design in a kid's room, so I'm often looking for cool ones. I'm taken with the wooden car bookends on My Sweet Muffin, which also happen to be on sale right now. They're handmade in the Netherlands from...
Free printable lunch box notes that let you be That Mom. Yes, you!
I always envisioned being That Mom who sends my kids off to school with cute little lunch box notes each day scribbled with heartfelt words of encouragement and love. Ha! Alas, I am the mom who is usually scrambling just to remember to pack a spoon to go with the...
Presidents Day educational videos for kids that they’ll like any day of the year
Today we say hail to all the chiefs who have led the United States of America. The ones we voted for, the ones we didn't vote for, and even the ones we can't really remember. And to help our kids learn more about the men who have led our country--and actually had...
IKEA alternative: The cool new modern shelving and storage bins from Sprout Kids
Keeping the playroom clean is a regular battle at our house, and I'm ready for a truce. But when I start to get sick of the mess, I usually turn to storage bins as my go-to method for keeping clutter to a minimum. It's a system that's easy enough for my kids follow...
A rainbow of handmade sorting games bringing beautiful, old-school play to kids
Ever in search for more colorful playthings to brighten up the dreary northeast weather, I am so happy to discover Laughing Crickets, an Etsy shop creating the most beautiful, bright, happy-making handmade toys for kids, with a focus on handmade sorting games. The...
Here’s where to follow Cool Mom Picks. We’ll make it worth your while.
Whichever social media site is your poison, we're there, making sure you don't miss our favorite posts, breaking deals and last-minute discounts, random fun from around the internet, and sometimes just jokes about oh, whatever TV is on at that particular moment....
Home by Carson Ellis beautifully celebrates the way we all live
Pick up the new illustrated children's book Home by Carson Ellis, and you and your kids will be instantly transported to the many different places that people around the world call home. The celebrated illustrator of the fantastic Wildwood YA series has drawn me into...
Mardi Gras recipes: 6 easy ways to have your King Cake and eat it, too.
During Mardi Gras, it’s customary to say, Laissez les bon temps rouler, which translates, Let the good times roll. In your world, that might be a throwback to Ric Ocasek circa 1978. In my world, it means eat cake. How convenient for me that the most traditional Mardi...