More coolness from recent weeks…
Halloween revelers, start your flashlights.
I can't believe it, but this year my kids are actually old enough to carry around their own flashlights on Halloween. Yippee! Of course for some reason all our flashlights could double as tire irons so, yeah. Probably not the right weight and size for a five year-old....
Crafting tips for the not-so-crafty – An interview with designer Lotta Jansdotter
The joke around here is that a great many of us are devoid of the crafty gene, hence our obsession with the amazing creations by many of the folks we feature here at Cool Mom Picks. But that doesn't mean we don't have crafters envy, especially when it comes to doing...
This week on Cool Mom Tech
5 ways to watch movies at home, since we parents never get to the theater! (Hmph.)A simple web based to-do list organizer designed by a mom, graphic designer, and one of our favorite bloggers.Great video cams under $500. Or really, under $250. Because who needs to...
The Clever Detective sneaks some math into gametime
As a homeschooling mom, my kids know that I'm often trying to sneak learning moments into our day. Unfortunately, they are now old enough to resist my attempts to shove some factoids down their throats; often they aren't trying to be mean, it's just their way of...
The Hub brings back Fraggles, Lemon Meringue, and Kevin + Winnie
Just when you thought your kids could live on PBS and Nick Jr alone, along comes a whole new TV network designed just for kids. And uh, their TV-loving families. Or as I always say, if it weren't for Elmo, I might never get to take a shower.Launching today is The Hub...
Design your own tutu. Without, you know, designing your own tutu.
Tutus are everywhere these days (I even saw some at Costco) and little girls are wearing them everywhere and anywhere. And why not? They're little girls. Nobody's going to look at them funny. Or so we hope.Here's a fun spin on the already fun tutu: One that comes on a...
An “amuse bouche” of tunes from Lucky Diaz
After watching a few seasons of Top Chef, I now know what an amuse bouche is: a bite-size appetizer that is supposed to give you an idea of the chef's approach--and hopefully make you hungry for more. And though Lucky Diaz's 15 minute debut EP is more than a single...
Three “boos” for an eco-friendly Halloween
It seems as though the more kids I have, the more inclined I feel to get into the spirit of each upcoming holiday. But aside from a bunch of freshly picked pumpkins on our porch I'm still hard-pressed to spend money on a bunch of disposable Halloween decorations....
Web coolness – Pumpkin decorating, mobile making, Barbie zombifying
Here are some things we've liked reading around the web this week. We hope you will too. No-carve pumpkin decorating ideas from Amy Atlas. Sign us up!On momformation, Kristen shares an awesome coloring book that doubles as a babysitter. Download this adorable free...
Natural nail polish for kids – if you have to do nail polish at all.
Let me start by revealing a major bias I have against nail polish on little girls. I'm of the mind that sheesh, can't we save something until they're 13. Or at least 6? I know I sound like a fuddy-duddy when I say am always surprised when I'm seated across from a...
The 6 most fabulous purchases for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Shopping is not really our first line of defense against breast cancer. But even so, we're proud to support some of the companies, big and small, that are offering special items to help raise funds for research and patient support during National Breast Cancer...
Oh how fast they grow
I'm always looking for cool alternatives to our current growth chart - pencil markings on our kitchen doorway. Classy, huh? I suppose anything would be a step up. But the amazingly cute personalized ones we just found are a huge, welcome leap. Truth...
Versatile doesn’t even begin to describe this diaper bag
Some days, I tend to be a bit of an over-packer. What if the kids get really thirsty and they finish their water bottles? Better pack an extra. What if they have a run-in with a mud puddle? Better pack clean outfits for each of them. What if they get hungry while we...
You make your bed
I've had new bedding on the brain lately. Maybe it's the change of seasons, maybe it's the fact that we no longer have babies who are going to be spewing liquids all over our bed. (Or so we hope.) But after looking at the department store damasks and same-old stripes,...
mOmma cups wobble but they don’t fall down
You know how you can tell when your kid is using a really cool sippy cup? When you hear they sell them in the MOMA design store. Oh, and when they're imported from Italy, of course. The new mOmma line of baby feeding products fits the bill on both counts. But it's not...
Hat season is upon us.
One night this week, a cold breeze wafted through the window, really for the first time, and I was struck with the horror that it's October now. And soon I would have to get the kids off to school with more than the backpacks on their backs. I'm already steeling...
When you wish upon a star
Just when I thought my daughter had sort of outgrown the wand phase, a few days ago I watched her snatch up a tulle covered one and attempt to pawn off a pointer to her younger friend. You can be the "teacher fairy", she said. Not bad, huh?But with that in mind, I...
“Cool stroller liner!” “I know.”
Last summer, my three-year-old's black car seat was always too hot and she told me so in no uncertain terms ("Hot! Too hot!"). Fast forward to next summer and I will be using a Cool Mee seat liner by Meeno Babies. The Meeno Babies car seat, stroller, or infant...
Frighteningly artful Halloween invitations
I've been thinking about having a small Halloween party for my three-year-old and her friends. Nothing elaborate. No baking required. And I'll send out the invitations on-line because who has the time to dig up everyone's actual address? Fortunately pingg, one of...
Need a gift quick? Boombini Toys is just the right size.
I can't even walk into a sprawling, mega-selection toy store without breaking into a sweat. Oh sure, they may carry some of the brands I love, or even have an organic stuffed toy tucked into a corner, but I have to weed through so many things, I'm reminded of the...
See Kai Run, be still my heart!
Deep breaths. I am in a tizzy over the new Kat shoes from See Kai Run's Smaller collection. I can see it now: My little girl's cute, chubby legs in white tights and these classic, navy Mary Jane shoes with a twist. I love the heart shape on the Kat Mary Janes carrying...