More coolness from recent weeks…
The ultimate resources for cooking a foolproof Thanksgiving meal
Please, for the love of turkey, do not do a web search for "Thanksgiving recipes," "Thanksgiving help," or "Save me," in your effort to seek out Thanksgiving meal guidance. Sifting through the long list of search results will only confuse you more. Just for you, I've...
Tea Collection’s new holiday fashions = major kiddo cuteness
I'm finding it hard to believe that I'm already thinking holiday clothes for the kids, but...yep. Already thinking holiday clothes for the kids. And since my children pretty much live in Tea Collection, it's always one of the first places I turn for affordable,...
Clever photo gifts aren’t just for grandparents, you know. 5 great photo gift ideas that kids will love.
When you think of custom photo gifts, most people probably think of calendars for Grandma--sweet, but a bit predictable. So why not use photos to make gifts for the littlest members of your family too? Kids love to look at faces--especially familiar ones--so we think...
A coloring book as lovely as the little girl behind it
If you don't know Elizabeth Mitchell's music, you're missing something special. She invokes a vibe of simple joy that's been part of our daily soundtrack as a family for the past few years. Daniel, Elizabeth's husband, and Storey, her beautiful daughter,...
A trucker hat with big attitude…and big compassion
I couldn't help but giggle out loud when I caught wind of these awesome trucker hats. Available at Barnabas Clothing in four colors, the COOLio trucker hat is kind of more coolio than sticking Pabst Blue Ribbon up there which, you know...so Williamsburg...
N is for nitrogen (and nifty nursery prints)
N is for...nitrogen? And: nerdy niftiness. We're not about to quibble when N stands for something far more unusual than nest. We brought you the Periodic Table Blocks, and now we've got something to hang on the wall over Little Miss Curie's crib: the Nn is for...
Because retro rocks: vintage concert tees for hip kids
Okay, I'll admit it: I'm probably the least cool parent there is when it comes to music. I did have a brief David Bowie-loving phase, but other than that hip hiccup, my tastes tend more towards maudlin musical theater and 1970s story songs. Which is why I was...
Wishing for a great kids’ CD? Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well
My singing voice is best kept in the shower. But that didn't stop me from singing to my kids when they were younger, though I'd usually do it along with the lovelier voices of Laurie Berkner, Frances England, and Charlie Hope. (I think my kids appreciated this.)...
5 ways to support our troops on Veterans Day (and every day)
As a daughter of a veteran and a military spouse, Veterans Day isn't just another Monday off from school. It's when we take a moment to honor our own family members and others who have sacrificed so much for our safety and freedom.If you're looking to provide support...
Threadless + Makedo: a match made in creative heaven
Some partnerships make beautiful music together, but this one makes fantastically creative artwork.If you order from Threadless soon, you might find a very special surprise packed in with your artist-designed t-shirts. Our pals at Threadless have partnered with our...
5 tech picks you won’t want to miss this week
Here are a few of our favorite picks from the last week, just in case you missed them. 1. This free kids' app is so amazingly simple, which is exactly why we (and our kids) love it. 2. Which app does Angela from The Office use to keep her daughter entertained on the...
Change the world by changing your socks. Really.
I don't tend to spend much time thinking about my sock purchases. Half of my socks tend to get lost in that treacherous journey from laundry hamper to dryer, anyway. But I've just found an incredible site that makes shopping for socks--and good-looking socks, at...
Ring, ring! Cuteness calling
Here's a sweet phone for your little one that doesn't require a contract, an upgrade, or even a fancy power cord. And it even rings! You know, like phones used to do? The ring ring! phone available from our pals at ROMP is the apex of heirloom toys for kids 3 and up....
Alphabet awesome: cookie cutters as easy as A-B-C
My son has been obsessed with the alphabet since he was two years old--so much so, that he was the alphabet for Halloween two years in a row (ask me how I pulled off those costumes). And his nickname? Letter Boy. I kid you not. So you can...
Cast a spell on little wizards with this DIY Harry Potter Quiet Book
Kids may need to wait until their 11th birthdays before they can start looking for a Hogwarts acceptance letter, but there's no reason to keep the magical world of Harry Potter away from our youngest wizards. If you've got some good ol' muggle sewing skills and a...
ICU for worn stuffed animals and assorted loveys
My son has a very special lovey called Meow that he sleeps with every night. She is still his happy bedtime companion, but after being hugged tightly night after night for almost eight years, she is starting to look a little worse for wear. Gulp.The good news: I...
Annie the Musical is back on Broadway! The sun is out, people.
I am old enough to remember the original Annie on Broadway, starring Andrea McArdle. That show had me and a zillion other little girls dreaming of living in a mansion with a swimming pool and a cute dog--although maybe keeping our own parents. So when I heard Annie...
Hair ties that are way prettier than a hair tie should be
I'm not one to get too excited about hair bands, but when I saw the ones from Emi-Jay, I gasped. Seriously. I know that sounds lame, but for those of us bored of ponytail holders and not up for fussy poufs and clips, this is a beautifully brilliant alternative. The...
Swaddle sweetness: a genius new product for fussy babes
It seems like no matter when you have a baby, a couple years later there's a new product on the market you wish you'd had at the time. If it's baby time right now in your world or a friend's, you won't want to miss this snuggly wonder. *sigh* Oh, how I needed...
Ice cream in November? Heck, yeah.
As we head toward the season of celebration, I'm so excited to see the new fall flavors come in from CMP's favorite little handmade custom ice cream shop, eCreamery. And to hear that they're not too overwhelmed on shipping, now that their Shark Tank appearance fame is...
6 essential pieces of cookware for the holiday cooking season and beyond
With Halloween behind us, it's time to let the holiday cooking season begin! Which means stocking up on the cookware you need. Even if you're not normally a cook, chances are you may be doing your fair share of cooking and baking over the next couple of months....