More coolness from recent weeks…
Swoop bags for LEGOS get more portable. Whoo!
Whether you need to organize LEGOs, corral Polly Pockets, or secure squirrely Squinkies, the Swoop bag has been our go-to recommendation for smart, easy toy orgnization. And now they've got a new to-go version made just for travel,that's just as sturdy and...
A cool free Scandinavian online magazine for parents and kids: Ja tack!
Every once in a while, something amazing comes along in the land of kids and parents that makes me giddy with excitement. And more often than not, whatever that amazing thing may be ends up costing me a lot of money. Not so with my recent discovery of a totally free...
A is for aperitif. Or…apple juice? Yeah, apple juice,
Our admiration for NYC photographer Joanne Dugan goes way back. From her genius ABC NYC book and then her NYC counting book, to the custom name artwork made from her photography, her work is equal parts sophisticated and child-like, which is why we love it as much as...
A pregnancy care package subscription to make those 9 months a little easier to take? Yes, please
Every pregnancy is a gift and with this being my third, I still marvel at how miraculous the whole process is. But along with the miracle of life comes other "gifts" like massive indigestion, fatigue, bloating, and well, I'll spare you the others. Just in time for my...
4 healthy coconut snacks you must have on hand, and not just for the kids.
We've gone cuckoo for coconuts. According to my last count, there are a million and one coconut snacks on the market today. (And, yes, that's official market data, ha.) Turns out, pure coconut is pretty healthy stuff. It is still high in saturated fat, but also in...
Artwork you want to touch. And we wouldn’t blame you.
A while back, I was introduced to the beautiful felted wool art from artist Maryanne Quinn, which was mainly made to order. But now there's a sale on her work and if you've got a nursery to furnish or a kid's room with a wall calling for some color, it's worth a look....
A whole new kind of personalized gift from the kids from Hiho Batik
I've been a longtime fan of the fun, spirited kids clothing by Hiho Batik since back when we started Cool Mom Picks. (Yes, even before the Obama girls were photographed wearing their tees.) But I think I might love them even more now that I discovered their...
The best poetry books for kids: make some time for a little rhyme
What can I say? My kids just love poetry. Maybe it's because my singing voice sounds like a goat gargling, and maybe it's because they can always convince me to read just one more poem. There's also the possibility that poetry is a beautiful, rhythmic exploration of...
The best age-appropriate bikini swimsuits for little girls. As in, no, they don’t need to dress like teenagers.
If I fall on my sword for one thing every year, it's that retailers need to provide us with more appropriately modest two-piece swimsuits for our daughters. Last year was a tough year, with triangle bikini tops making the rounds. This year looks more promising!...
Growing up with Manhattan Toy just keeps getting better
When my kids were little, Manhattan Toy's Whoozit and Skwish were among their favorite playthings. And while they are still tried-and-true gifts for all the younger nieces and nephews in our lives, I am thrilled to find a fun and creative line of toys...
In season: tea towels as fresh as just-picked veggies
Cooking with the windows open, wrists slightly dirty from picking fresh veggies, knife making a crisp choppety-choppety sound--not going to lie. I live for spring and summer produce. But, with cooking comes cleanup, which pales in comparison to eating. Until you...
Homemade fudgesicle recipes: It’s that time!
We've officially hit that time of year that every day ice cream requests have replaced the every day hot chocolate requests. Since my kids have come home from school more than a few times with the telltale artificial blue-icee stains under their noses, I like the idea...
Strong. Or, Boston Strong
Living just south of Boston, the recent attacks at the Boston Marathon are still a recent and raw memory. But all the amazing signs of solidarity and strength--who would have thought Yankees fans would ever sing Sweet Caroline willingly--make it clear that the motto...
Parenthood Listography: It’s a baby book, it’s a parenting keepsake journal, and it’s hilarious
Raise your hand if you've ever felt guilt--even a little--over those unfinished baby book pages, incomplete prompts and photo spaces that really, you swear you meant to put a photo in...one day... Yeah, well, me too. Which is why I think I may have found the best book...
The genius idea for packing wine on your picnic
While there's something to be said for sipping wine out of those big red keg cups in the summer, I admit I always feel a little fancy when my Albarino is an actual wine glass. Unfortunately, if you're picnicking, glass isn't going to cut it. So to speak. The Wine...
Happy Mother’s Day, cool moms!
Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, and otherwise essential caretakers of the world. We hope it's the best one yet. -Liz and Kristen and Team Cool Mom Picks [9 funny Mother's Day cards via Mom-101]
The Rebecca Minkoff tastemaker series honors cool moms. And Cool Mom Picks!
We love prolific designer and mom Rebecca Minkoff. Love! Liz is still coveting her black and white tote and Kristen continues to drool over her mint crossbody bag. So we are beyond honored (seriously) to find ourselves interviewed this week on her excellent,...
Literature in bloom
I'm not usually one for fake flowers around the house--I much prefer the real thing. But when they're as cool and crafty as these, I could easily make an exception. Julie Romero's Handmade Paper Flowers are all made to order with 50 blooms crafted from recycled books....
5 easy handmade Mother’s Day card ideas from the kids. Promise.
Yes, we're getting down to the wire on Mother's Day cards and crafts. You've got just two more days--unless you're sending goodies out overnight, in which case get on it stat! While we've got some cool DIY Mother's Day card ideas and gifts for moms in our archives,...
Special DIY Mother’s Day crafts and cards to really make someone’s day
With Mother's Day just a few days away, it's time to focus on the little handmade touches that make the day so special and heartfelt. Along with breakfast in bed ideas, we've got a bunch of ideas for very special handmade cards and little banners that the kids can...
The eco beach totes that look like summer heaven
With our family living at the pool all summer long, a strong, sturdy tote bag is a summer must-have. This year, I'm thinking of switching from my standard canvas bag to one of these amazing totes made from recycled sails. Sea Bags are an old favorite of ours, designed...