More coolness from recent weeks…
Instant heirloom toy boxes, now on sale
We love it when reeeeeally wonderful things go on sale...especially when we've been eyeing them for months. Naturally, we want to share the joy with our readers, and this fantastic opportunity is one we'd hate for you to miss. The gorgeous Owyn Toy Box and Maude Toy...
The best lunchboxes and lunch bags: Back to School Guide 2013
Finding the best new lunchboxes and lunch bags for kids is one of our favorite back to school rituals. It's even more fun that we get to pick more than one, since we're shopping for you all! This year for our back to school shopping guide, we've pared it down to 14...
The only thing better than a cupcake? A cupcake tucked into this gift box.
It's still a little toasty outside for me to consider baking, but I'm busy lining up recipes for when the temperature takes a dive. And because I usually bake more than my family can eat, I'm also collecting creative ideas for sharing my wares with friends and...
5 tech picks you won’t want to miss this week
Here are 5 of our favorite picks from this week just in case you missed them. 1. Just what we needed: another reason to shop at IKEA. 2. You don't even really need to be a Ryan Gosling fan to get a chuckle out of this. 3. Smart tips for talking to your teen...
Monsters: way better on the wall than under the bed
The coast is clear. We checked under the bed, in the closet, and behind the curtains. The only monsters we found are these utterly adorable ones framed on the wall. And they look friendly. Well, except maybe for the chupacabra. If you have kids who dig monsters or...
Head of the class: This personalized teacher’s gift beats an apple any day
Whether you can't wait for the school bus to come, or you wish summer would never quit, it's nice to remember all those teachers who are revving up for another year of hard work. And I can't think of a better gift for those hardworking teachers than one that says,...
Watercolor cookies, the coolest (and easiest) party favor ever
I love to throw parties for my kids, especially with inspiration from all the great party ideas here on Cool Mom Picks. In particular, I'm always on the lookout for activities where our guests can make cool stuff that they'll actually want to take home (and their...
Dragon-proof pants for boys? We’ll be the judge of that.
Our pals at Tea Collection say their latest round of boys' pants can stand up to dragons, thanks to reinforced knees, durable material, and the look of denim without the zipper issues. So they'll probably survive the playground, too. When my daughter was a baby, I...
Well, hello! Simple stationery for those just-because notes.
I'm a huge fan of email, instant messaging, text messaging, direct messaging, and wishing people happy birthday on Facebook. If there's a way to reach out and touch someone with kind words, hey, I support it. But a handwritten note is still my favorite way to let...
Mr. Sharky says lights out: switchplate covers with big personality
Light switches are boring. Mostly. But thanks to our clever friends at Graphic Spaces, we've now got these fun switchplate covers in shapes like owls, octopi, and a rocket ship. So it's a little more fun to turn off the lights for bed. "Mr. Shark says it's...
The very most perfect Moleskine for the new school year. Especially if you have a sense of humor.
Just in time for back to school shopping, I am so smitten with these hand-painted, colorful moleskine journals from an Etsy artist who shares my sense of humor and writing geekery. At Em Dash PaperCo you'll find lots of eye and desk candy, but none so striking as the...
A free printable to get your kids excited about back to school. (Also: cheaper than a new outfit.)
With my kids starting a new school in a new city this year, I'm doing everything I can to take the edge off what could be a pretty nerve-wracking experience. That's why I'm loving these adorable free printables that are sure to make the first day of school an extra...
The best back to school memories from top parent bloggers. And a cool app to help you share your own
We all have such strong memories of our own first days starting a new grade. And now with back to school time upon us as parents (we are futile to resist!), if you're like us then you're snapping tons of photos and videos of those first walks through the schoolyard,...
A girl’s first purse? Make it cute and uh, make it strong. Trust us.
My girls have hit the age where they like to have their own purses. Well, we'll use that term loosely, considering what they put in them. While I've given them my share of hand-me-down handbags, I know they'd adore the sweet handmade little purses and change purses...
Booties that will warm your baby’s toes (and your heart)
We're always excited to find global nonprofits that empower women and their families rise to above poverty. Now we're especially happy to find one that supports that mission in the form of adorable baby gifts that we'd buy even if they weren't doing so much good. (But...
Best Lunchbox Snacks: Back to School Guide 2013
Many of my Cool Mom Picks comrades swear they prefer backpack shopping to planning school lunches, but I admit it: I enjoy the challenge of getting creative with packed lunches. Sure, I get in a rut sometimes, but a pantry full of go-to school lunch snacks helps keep...
A last minute sale on fancy baby funiture and gear on Fab.
Browsing through Fab today (we can't stay away), we found out you've still got until tomorrow to snatch up eco-conscious, high-end baby furniture and stylish crib bedding from Argington during this flash sale. And even if you're not in the market, there's some...
Cool Mom Picks back to school best on Kids Place Live
Just yesterday you might have caught our Editor Kristen and her cute daughter Quinlan live on SiriusXM Kids Place Live chatting with host Mindy Thomas about back to school. If you missed the show or weren't able to track down all the coolness we chatted about, we...
NYC, you just hit the Rice Krispy Treat jackpot
Gee, another place to eat sweets, opening in New York City? That's no big whoop. But when the new eatery serves up gourmet rice crispy treats (because Rice Krispy Treats would be a trademark issue, right?) in flavors like red velvet, birthday cake and caramel fleur de...
Cool backpacks for big kids: Back to School Guide 2013
One of our favorite annual traditions is shopping for a cool new backpack with our big kids to get them excited for the school year. With any luck, these picks should last you beyond a year--or at least give a second kid some joy with a gently used backpack next...
Actual stylish mommy and me aprons from one of the coolest designers? A fantastic excuse to bake
If you're going to bake together, do it in style. But do it quickly! These gorgeous denim aprons from Oh Joy (yes, really) are going to disappear faster than a hot stack of chocolate chip cookies. We dig the beautifully curated goods on Brika, and while we're not...