More coolness from recent weeks…
What the Mayans got right: hot chocolate
Well, we here are beyond happy to know that the world is still around today, Mayan calendar apocalypse warnings notwithstanding. It would be so wrong for it all to end before we get a chance to dig into Season 3 of Downton Abbey. So we were thinking, if you've got a...
O, joy! The sweetest aromatherapy of the season
Several years ago, we introduced you to a new line of wonderful aromatherapy-based skin care products from hellomellow. All this time later, I still really like their body butter--and the room spray, which I've used more than once in my girls' room to "ensure good...
Snowflakes for Sandy Hook
I just got wind of the most beautiful idea - a group putting together a mountain of handmade snowflakes from children everywhere, to help decorate the new halls of the brand new school where the Sandy Hook elementary students will be returning after the holidays. The...
Hey, good-looking! 10 attractive gift cards you’ll be glad to give
We admit it, we're not the biggest fans of gift cards as holiday gifts. It can seem somewhat last minute and impersonal. Then again, there are some great gift cards out there, and if it's for the right store or service, a gift card may be exactly what your loved one...
Heifer International gifts: Buy the cow. And the goat, and the flock of chicks.
We love end-of-year charitable donations (or any time of year) to deserving organizations, and we've always been fans of Heifer International. Especially now that they've made it even easier to help a family take care of itself through your donation--and it happens to...
10 easy, edible holiday gifts that kids can help make
Shipping time is running out and shopping time is ticking down, but there's still plenty of time to whip up an edible gift handmade with love. These holiday treats are easy enough to make with the kids' help--and so much easier than dragging them through crowded...
DIY Star Wars LEGO ornaments: perfect for your Hothmas tree
This is no mere ornament. It's a LEGO ornament. A LEGO Star Wars ornament that you can DIY. And it's going to look great hanging on your tree, along with a LEGO Millenium Falcon and TIE Fighter. Besides, isn't pew pew pew more fun than ho ho ho? These three sweet Star...
You don’t need a blue Easy-Bake Oven to get boys to bake
Although Easy-Bake ovens are now coming out with "boy-friendly" versions (what, girls don't like blue?), there have always been lots of options for boys to cook--really cook--with the help of great products and cookbooks for kids. Handstand Kids is a longtime favorite...
Coffee gifts? Don’t mind if I do. Give, I mean.
I admit it. I used to settle for a cup of coffee from just about anywhere, then quickly douse it with milk and sweetener. Then I had a proper cup of joe, which was like the pigeon describing a hot dog to the duck in Mo Willem's beloved The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog:...
Cinnamon candies! Pear + clove candies! Bergamot candies! Papabubble…you’re killing me
While there's no shortage of ideas for food gifts around the holidays (we even have six of them you can make yourself, in our Holiday Gift Guide), here's one more I absolutely adore. But no, you can't make them yourself. And that's okay. If you're not familiar with...
Eco play food for kids that happens to smell delicious. Not in a pretend way.
In my part of the country, it is definitely more hot-cocoa time than ice-cream weather. But not according to my kids who know that any day is perfect for ice cream. Which is why this sweet-smelling six-pack of cones would be a welcome addition to their playtime, no...
Maternity lingerie ideas to help you make the holidays a little uh…more festive.
Why maternity lingerie? Well between the well-meaning but okay-enough-already belly touches of visiting relatives and feeling like your burgeoning bump is making you look a bit too much like Santa himself, holidays can be rough on a mama-to-be. So we're for anything...
Sweet and safe: an allergy-free gingerbread house kit
Food-allergy suffers and vegan families, fret no more at Christmas! You, too, can experience the joy (and balancing act!) of gathering around the table to assemble a candy-covered gingerbread house. This year, an allergy-free bakery in Orange County, California, will...
The Sbyke: the best gift your tween or teen will get, period.
The siren song of electronics has a huge pull on my tweens this holiday, so if I'm going to ask Santa to bring them something that doesn't begin with an "i" it'd better be something pretty cool. I found something pretty cool. No...really cool. The Sbyke is the rad...
Elizabeth Mitchell’s latest kindie CD takes on Bowie, Hendrix and your kid’s playlist
Smithsonian Folkways artist Elizabeth Mitchell has one of those crystal clear, beautiful voices that can take any song and turn it into the musical equivalent of spun gold. And while she has already released the much-loved, Grammy-nominated collection of Woody Guthrie...
Modern Nativity scenes you won’t mind the children touching
When you consider that most nativity sets include a couple of sheep, some people, an angel, and a stable, is it any wonder that most kids can't wait to get their hands on them? But after my three were finished playing with the set I had growing up, I understood why my...
6 tech picks you won’t want to miss this week
Unless you're willing to pay for overnight shipping, the clock is counting down for Santa's little tech helpers. Here are several of our favorite picks from the last week, many of which would make fantastic presents. Hint, hint! 1. With one brilliant little change, a...
Sometimes a little pampering is in order: the natural indulgence of Tata Harper Skincare
Luxe alert: I was introduced to the 100% natural, nontoxic Tata Harper Skincare at Canyon Ranch this summer. It was a moment of seriously posh pampering in my otherwise ordinary life, and an incredibly soothing experience. Luckily, it's a splurge you can enjoy at...
Holiday gift tags that make a difference in the lives of hungry kids
One goal that my husband and I have set for our family this holiday season is to give back as much as we possibly can. I think we're all feeling it a bit this year. That's why I love products like these holiday gift tags, which look great and do great things, with all...
A Paris-pretty tea set guaranteed to be loved. Even if the macarons are pretend.
What little girl doesn't love tea parties? Well, I sure did. Some of my fondest childhood memories are making my grandfather sit down for nice cup of my make-believe tea. He was always the best sport about it, which meant the world to me. So I have a sweet spot for...
Reusable squeeze pouches for snacking on the go
Feeding your baby solids is an exciting but somewhat stressful time--especially when you are on the go. As you know, most babies can't really figure out the whole spoon-to-mouth thing when they first start eating, and it can get pretty darn messy. So I dig fruit and...