More coolness from recent weeks…
Modern fairy tale art for girls who want to write their own endings.
If you check out the Cool Mom Picks indie shop at great.ly, you'll find a whole category of cool kids' room decor, and now we have a new artist we're adding to the fold that I think is just wonderful. Rosy Designs is run by a Vancouver artist, creating what feels like...
Cool messenger bags for back to school. For you and the kids.
I love pretty much every part of back to school shopping, but picking out the new school bag might just be the best part. And it's even more fun these days now that there are so many cool options, like these cool messenger bags (and backpacks) from The Medium Control...
Lovely literary pencils for your favorite young writer
Why settle for #2 pencils when these literary pencils are bound to be #1 on any bookish kid's school supply list? Whether you've got a tween into Harry Potter and Ramona Quimby or a teen with a soft spot for Alice or a hankering to be Divergent, those plain yellow...
5 delicious juice recipes for busy school mornings. (Psst, they’ve got veggies in them too.)
Now that we're heading back to school, even with hectic mornings, I'd still like some healthy fruits and veggies to keep my kids alert, focused and energized while they're in class. One of my favorite ways to sneak those dark leafy greens into their diet is in...
Legit Organics candy bars: A totally organic experience
Not that I need any excuse to eat chocolate, but I'm not a big candy bar eater. I do like a Justin's peanut butter cup when I can find one, but usually I stick with the fancy stuff. Halloween not withstanding. But now when I discover an organic candy bar as...
What are the best gifts for a two year old? We’ve got tons!
Choosing the best gift for a two year old from among ride-on vehicles, construction toys, dolls and more can seem overwhelming, so we've narrowed it down to some favorites that our own boys and girls have loved. Because that first birthday party may get more hoopla,...
Temporary tattoo jewelry make an excellent alternative for kids not ready for the real stuff
My older daughter took the plunge into the world of pierced ear this year and, well, that's a whole story in itself. But in the meanwhile her sister is very happy sticking with the cool temporary tattoo jewelry just out from Poppy Drops. When we first discovered their...
The cutest way ever to get more parents talking to their babies
Want your baby to be smarter? Maybe you've seen all the research that says to talk to her. A lot. Especially in those early months and years. And of course you know that - what is parenting these days if not an exercise in reading way too much research from too many...
5 dairy-free ice cream recipes (and 1 store-bought) so good they can be a staple in any home.
Though hard to find, it turns out that great dairy-free ice cream is not a culinary unicorn. It is possible! It is real! And when you find the one that satisfies you, you'll want the ice cream recipe on hand all year long. Because even dairy-free folks know that ice...
5 of our favorite Pinterest pins of the week
Obsessed with Pinterest as we are? Follow us! Then find cool pins like these from our site and beyond. 1. The awesome boots we're coveting when we start to wean off sandals. 2. It's a healthy back to school snack idea, but we want to eat it too. 3. Love the...
Great Sand Dunes National Park: The National Park family vacation idea you might not have considered.
With all the United States National Parks for us to explore and enjoy with our families, there are probably certain ones that pop to mind first: Yosemite, Yellowstone, Acadia, Sequoia, the Grand Canyon. But if you haven't heard of Great Sand Dunes National Park in...
Define Bottles: Fruit-infused water bottles because, yum.
My son would drink juice all day long if I'd let him. I obviously don't, because wow, there's a lot of sugar in juice, but I know he wants something tastier than water all day long. So this week we've been trying out the Define fruit-infused water bottles for a...
Handcrafted leather bags as gorgeous as those from any big name designer
I love designer bags from big names, don't get me wrong. But there's also just something awesome about handcrafted bags from indie designers and smaller names, especially when they are as modern, sophisticated, and hot (did I mention hot?) as the ones at Opelle...
Plum Organics makes the leap from great baby foods to great toddler snacks
We're long time fans of Plum Organics which is why I knew I had to give their new line of toddler snacks and purees a try the minute I saw them. Healthy, tasty...sounds promising right? We'll my 15-month-old nephew knows what's up and confirmed what my own taste buds...
5 edible finger paint recipes for artists who find their work delicious
My nephew isn't quite a year old yet, but his artistic parents sense that he is ready to express himself through finger paints--probably because of the messes he makes when left alone with a bowl of cereal. And while real paint isn't a great idea for a child who wants...
Back to school snacks: 6 exciting, creative ways to pack fruit for school lunch
They say that a balanced lunch box should include at least one serving of fruit. Apples count, but only if your kid actually eats them--and apparently they can get boring after a while. (Psh, kids these days.) This year, I plan on switching up our back to school...
The MZ Wallace Farmer’s Market Tote: A stylish bag for one of our favorite causes.
So when I saw the MZ Wallace Farmer's Market Tote I willed it onto my shoulder. I'm a huge MZ Wallace fan thanks to all the compliments I get when I carry their Hayley bag on my shoulder. But when I found out their newest addition actually supports an amazing cause,...
Panda school supplies: Our vote for cutest 2014 back to school trend.
We thought hedgehogs, foxes, even narwhals would hit it big as the hot animal for kids his year. And yes, they have. But of all things, we're also noticing a ton of adorable panda school supplies and we can't say we're complaining. If your kids awwww at them as much...
Back to school stress-buster: 5 tips to get kids out the door in time for school
It's back to school time and we would love to go on and on about how structured and peaceful the morning routine is in our homes, what with getting the kids ready, making a healthy breakfast, packing the perfect lunches, signing permission slips days in advance,...
Get the write stuff with cool pencils for a back to school ego boost
Of course we are all guilty in today's society of overpraising our children; everyone gets a trophy right? Yeah, not in my world. However, there is nothing wrong with a little extra parental encouragement. So, as I am starting to assemble the back to school shopping...
GB Ellum stroller review: Lightweight, compact and affordable, it’s a parent’s dream
Ever get the feeling that a new stroller will cost about as much as baby's future college education? Stroller trends over the years have certainly made it seem that way. Which is why I love finding awesome strollers at prices that won't prevent our little geniuses...