More coolness from recent weeks…
FashionABLE scarves get more fashionable, if that was possible
I feel a personal commitment to the amazing company fashionABLE, since having visited their operation in Ethiopia and meeting so many of the women who actually made the scarves. It's even one of my very favorite picks this year in our Holiday Gift Guide, under the...
Christmas stockings go handmade, and not a sequinned snowman to be found
More and more people are craving a handmade holiday season, from stockings to gifts. I understand the feeling of wanting to be surrounded by one-of-a-kind pieces that are unique and beautiful. When I was a young child, my aunt made my whole family handmade Christmas...
10 of the best subscription box gifts that bring the awesome to someone’s doorstep
Big boxes are good. Little blue boxes are sometimes better. But gift boxes that arrive in the mail every month are maybe the best way to remind the folks you love that they're always on your mind. Whether you have a favorite foodie, a beloved bibliophile, a luxe loved...
Spruce up your holiday CD collection with the new releases from some of kindie’s favorites
As much as I love the holidays, hearing Christmas music in stores and on the car radio since Halloween has squashed my desire for another spin of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. Luckily, like a surprise from Santa's elves, three of kindie's biggest and best names...
5 tech picks you won’t want to miss this week
Forget the sugarplums. We've got iPhones dancing in our heads. Here are a few of our favorite picks from the last week, just in case you missed them. 1. Customize this with your sweetest baby photos, and Santa will have to give you an iPhone 5 to go with it. Right? 2....
Fast Fruit for grownups on the GoGo. (Yes, squeeze packs for grownups!)
I can't be the only parent who's swiped my kids' squeezable fruit pouches. I love fruit so much, I could be a fruitarian with very little prompting. And now there's a fruit pouch for us grown folks, with some decidedly grown-up flavors. Score! CMP favorite GoGo...
A wonderful new lullaby CD for moms tired of Brahms…or just plain tired
Stocking-stuffer alert for the sleep-deprived: I'm used to listening to Justin Roberts' songs with the kids in the car, with the volume turned up more than halfway. In my opinion, he is one of the best at sing-along choruses, clever wordplay, and high-energy...
Geek up the tree with ninjas, vampires, superheroes, and Jedi
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: three sneaky ninjas.Also: ten caped crusaders, nine Star Wars figures, two vampires, and a well-muscled werewolf in a fir tree. The husband and wife team of Itty Bitty Wood Shoppe on Etsy is best known for highly...
Planes, trains, and automobiles: 3 of the coolest eco-friendly toys this holiday
If you are shopping for a vehicle-obsessed child who can't wait to get more Things That Go, you're in luck. This holiday, some of our favorite small companies are offering such cool, eco-friendly toys that fly, choo-choo, and zip--with a little kid-power of course....
Is an American Express Platinum Card really worth it? Here’s the scoop.
I am a frequent business traveler, an entertainment junkie (jazz hands!) and a big fan of not cooking on special occasions when a great restaurant can do it for me. That's why I've been an American Express Platinum holder for a long time. I know, I know, it sounds...
Christmas cards go photobooth fabulous
How many of us are currently stressing out about our Christmas cards? Do we take pictures of the family? Do we keep it simple with card stock designs? Colorful? Plain? Traditional? Modern? Ahhh! Too many decisions! Well, let me give you some excellent advice...
FEED the world: let them know it’s Christmas time
In honor of World AIDS Day today, there's a lot you can do. It can be as simple as signing a petition to keep funding for AIDS treatment and prevention going to save the lives of moms and babies. It can be talking to your kids about AIDS and how far we've come with...
Serve up some very happy holidays with personalized plates
I adore everything about the holidays, especially decorating. Growing up in my family, prepping the house pretty much stopped at setting out the menorah. Now that I'm in charge, I love decking out our home with a cozy all-holidays-welcome vibe--especially when it...
Toys in a flash (flash sale, that is)
I love flash toy sales before the holidays. If you're on the ball, you can score really top-quality brands at a portion of their regular prices. (You already know that, if you've been following us through the Cyber Monday madness this week!) Shipping can get...
Stroll on over and subscribe!
We're just a hop, skip, and jump away from the holidays, and we know you could use even more hot discounts, cool deals, and helpful reviews. All you have to do is become a Cool Mom Picks subscriber.Our subscribers get everything you see on our regular site, plus...
Wallpaper that’s easy on the eyes and easier to install
When decorating a new baby's room, most people don't think, wallpaper. Even if you do decide to entertain the thought, how many of us these days have the slightest clue how to hang it? I'm not saying that this wallpaper hangs itself, but I am saying that it's...
A mountain of cool gift ideas from the Adirondacks
I have never been to Glens Falls, NY--and to be honest, I hadn't actually heard of it either. But after discovering this amazing little shop that's a celebration of everything that indie small-town America stands for, I'm ready to road trip up there. Or at least hit...
Stick it to ’em this season
Holiday time is family time, which means it's a fab time of year for photo gifts, right? So we love this novel mom-created concept, especially for those with limited wall space (and those making room to hang all those holiday cards pouring in). Mom-run...
Because the coolest superpower is always giving back
We bet you know a pint-sized superhero or two. You might even have one battling baddies in your living room at this very moment. So maybe it's time for some new superhero threads for your fave good guys (and good girls). One of our favorite indie...
A sweet wooden wonderland for your wunderkind
Silent night? Yeah, only if your holiday toy choices don't include batteries, drum sticks, or bells. We've found a beautiful selection of handmade, heirloom quality toys that can help your child create a peaceful, quiet winter wonderland under the tree. Much like the...
Hooray, at last! The only Holiday Gift Guide you’ll need: ours!
It's holiday time! And around here, that means our editors have been burning the midnight oil to bring you our 6th annual Holiday Gift Guide featuring more than 150 (!) truly inspired gifts for all the special people in your lives--plenty from the small shops and...