More coolness from recent weeks…

Everything is better with a gorilla

Everything is better with a gorilla

Having small children underfoot can make even the simplest task complicated and/or maddening. But did you ever think that having a gorilla around could help bring much-needed balance and tranquility to your life?Okay. Fair enough. Me neither-- until now. Everything Is...

A minimalist Halloween

A minimalist Halloween

While my oldest would just as soon cover herself in a head to toe costume for Halloween, my other little one would is more in the "naked baby" camp. Amazing how kids are so different. So if you've got a kiddo who's not so into the whole dressing up thing, or just need...

Babble’s 50 best design blogs for moms. Yay!

Babble’s 50 best design blogs for moms. Yay!

Well, what an honor to wake up to find Cool Mom Picks on Babble's List of the 50 best design blogs for moms. We are in such amazing company we can hardly stand it. Click over for 49 other blogs we know you'll adore too, including some of our own favorites.Thanks...

A mobile that really moves

A mobile that really moves

It's no secret we are big fans of Houston designer Melissa Borrell, having selected her stainless steel jewelry as a 2009 Pick of the Year. But her product line extends far beyond amazing jewelry.I am thrilled to see that she has turned her talent to...

Mary Poppins, eat your heart out

Mary Poppins, eat your heart out

I remember when I was a kid watching Mary Poppins, and I couldn't figure out how she could fit so much stuff in her purse. And then, when I had my first baby, I got all wistful over the thought of a cute, bottomless carpet bag that would fit all the necessities I...

Eat better, live healthier: ChopChop

Eat better, live healthier: ChopChop

I'm not going to bore you with facts and figures about childhood obesity in America, because we've all heard it before. What I will tell you is that there is little my kids enjoy more than receiving their own mail, and in particular, magazines addressed to them. The...

The ultimate cute bookends

The ultimate cute bookends

I don't know about your kids' book collection, but my son's always looks like a cyclone tore through it. And as I've found out the hard way, toy trucks make pretty rotten bookends. Enter these insanely cute forest friends bookends from Graphic Spaces Wood. Each of the...

To Halloween and beyond!

To Halloween and beyond!

Oh Lordie do I wish I could be one of those moms who whips up their kid's Halloween costume every year. But no, I end up going to some Party store and buying an overpriced polyester get-up. Whether or not you can sew I think this adorable hand made super hero cap from...

What, me worry?

What, me worry?

I have all sorts of tricks for when I worry too much, because I do worry -- too much and too often. Worrying happens to be a family trait. Unfortunately, that means I have a pint-sized worrier in my own house, and he can't self-medicate with...

Fighting fire with Halloween cards

Fighting fire with Halloween cards

When an enormous fire roared across San Bruno, California, on September 9, it destroyed homes and uprooted hundreds of people. Scary--unbelievably scary. But it couldn't have been more terrifying for anyone than the children and families whose lives were suddenly...

I hereby pledge to get crafty and go shopping!

I hereby pledge to get crafty and go shopping!

Every month, each of the CMP contributors pick our favorite pick of the month and write a quick blurb on it for our monthly newsletter. Out of dozens of amazing posts in September, four of us nearly had a cage match over who got to squeal about Cubebot, the handmade...

Escape from pink with Umi’s fall footwear for girls

Escape from pink with Umi’s fall footwear for girls

One of the frequent questions we get from readers is about finding girl shoes that are sturdy, well-built, stylish and not pink. Not that there's anything wrong with pink, of course. But there's more to life--and girls' footwear--than bubblegum and fuchsia. So I often...

Mama’s got a new tattoo. On her plate.

Mama’s got a new tattoo. On her plate.

I admit that I completely poo-poo'd the idea of registering for fancy pants dishes when I got married. I also used Chef Mic (aka the microwave) for most of my meals back then too. But after seeing the amazing place settings by Ink Dish, I've come to learn that it was...

Steel yourself for stainless baby bottles

Steel yourself for stainless baby bottles

We've been toting our drinks around in stainless steel bottles and containers for years now. But what about the babies? Well, obviously when they're drinking their milk straight from the source, they've got the best drink container out there. But if a baby needs a...

Adorable families, custom made to look just like yours

Adorable families, custom made to look just like yours

The list of things my 3-year-old daughter doesn't love is a lot shorter than the list of things she does. But if there's one thing she digs more than anything else right now, it's dolls. Specifically, dolls to whom she can assign the personalities of her family...

Breaking News: Fisher-Price recalls 10 million toys

Breaking News: Fisher-Price recalls 10 million toys

Check your tricycles, high chairs, play mats, and more, mamas - Fisher-Price has just this morning issued a recall of nearly 10 million toys and baby gear for all sorts of safety issues.According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission website, the recall ...

Cloth toilet paper? I dare you.

Cloth toilet paper? I dare you.

Okay, I'm going to lay all my cards on the table here. When Liz asked me if I wanted to review Eco Potty Wipes from Cushytoosh, I thought she meant an environmentally friendly version of those mass-produced pop-up flushable wipes for toddlers. [Ed note: So did I!...

Rockin’ deals on Rockin’ Baby Slings

Rockin’ deals on Rockin’ Baby Slings

I more than happily paid full price for my Rockin' Baby Sling, and considering I wore it almost every day for six months with two out of my three kids, it was well worth it. But they're currently selling all their stock for an exciting relaunch early next year,...