More coolness from recent weeks…
Making Christmas cookies the new-fashioned way
Not a whole lot in this world is prettier than the holiday cookies from Brooklyn's Gumdrop Cookie Shop, but then sometimes pretty is in the eye of the beholder. And when that beholder is the proud mom (ahem) whose three year-old daughter is enthusiastically scribbling...
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that bling
I'm not generally a bling evangelist, but if there is a time for all things sparkly and retinal-damaging I suppose it would be the holidays. I'm happy to have come across the Swarovski pencils at Red Stamp Cards--blingy on one side, arty on the other, these fine black...
Jones Soda makes bubbly for your bubeleh
When I saw Jones' Soda's new Chanukah 4-Pack, my first thought was, "what the heck does Latke flavor soda taste like?" This doesn't mean that I was brave enough to actually take a sip, but I do admire their chutzpah. I hope that anyone who invites me to Chanukkah...
Big dreams of tiny Décor
Let's pretend I'm having another baby, and as long as we're pretending, let's pretend I had a budget transplant! Okay? So we're pretending, and I'm heading over to tiny Décor for a couple of the notNeutral Tetra 2 changing table/dressers, plus a few goodies from CMP...
KEEN Shoes: Less carbon footprint, more snowy footprints
More and more, I'm starting to care about how the clothes my family wears are made and by whom. I'm no crazy dogmatic eco-ista, but there's something to be said for corporate responsibility and giving back and supporting people who ride hybrid corn-fed unicorns to...
Little labels that make a big impression
I may buy great gifts, but I'm severely gift-wrap challenged; my presents usually get hidden toward the back of the pile so that you can't see my incompetence. But, this year, these bold little labels from Turtle Papers will help my gifts look more polished and...
Overlap baby hats: The bomb
I'm not sure what's worse - struggling to put your toddler's hat on, or taking it off only to see the ribbing marks practically branded on his forehead. Well thanks to my kid's new Overlap baby bomber hat, we've got neither of those problems anymore.Hand made from...
Maternity wear that makes you look chic. Or as chic as it gets when you’re feeling enormous.
Very few things make me wish I were pregnant again. Until now. Rosie Pope, former dancer and model and now a new mom, recently opened a flagship maternity store in Soho where people like Naomi, Salma and Gwen all shopped. But, thanks to the Rosie Pope online boutique,...
Message to Serena & Lily: Stop adding so many cool items to your site. Love, our wallets.
CMP readers know that Serena & Lily is our one of our favorite destinations for all things nursery and fancy. But now they've expanded their offerings beyond their signature bedding and decor to include all kinds of incredible baby gifts and goodies from other...
Gift tags from Pretty Bitter: Self-adhesive and self-deprecating all at once.
Because I'm spending less on gifts this year than in years past, I'm putting a little more into the presentation - nicer wrapping, nicer ribbons, and hopefully less dog hair underneath the Scotch tape. I'm also looking for gift tags that make a statement before the...
1,2,3,4 Tell me that you love (my napkins) more
I have this dream. In this dream, my house is always organized, dog hair is contained on the actual dog, cushions are kept on the couch, and I frequently host elegant cocktail parties attended just by adults who speak about current events in hushed tones.This dream...
We need your help to save handmade toys in the US, Europe and Canada from the CPSIA
Update 12/13: We've created a Save Handmade Page to keep you posted on ways to help and latest news around this important issue. Stop by any time! Update 12/14: The act was in fact not passed by the CPSC which is a regulatory agency but by congress - apologies for any...
All the Wisey-er
There are plenty of products out there that claim to make life easier for parents when really, it just seems like they take money out of our pockets and fill up the landfills. That's so clearly not the case with Wisey, a company that is truly smart (ha!) about...
Giving a whole new meaning to “clean up your toys”
I am going nuts for the handmade LEGO(ish) soaps we just discovered from the California-based etsy shop, Washable Art. They are adorable, they're original, and hello? They are $5 a pack. No wonder she can't keep them in stock. I can't think of a better stocking...
Hanukkah clothes that are actually cool? Who knew?
Trust me, finding cute Hanukkah clothes is as difficult as finding the correct way to spell Hanukkah. (Or is it Hannukah? Chanukah? Channuukkah?) So check out the super cute infant and toddler tees with handcrafted Menorah appliqués from Littleuni.com, who we already...
Seasons greetings, tied up with a bow
Sometimes you want a little glitz in your greetings, and sometimes you just want something cool, simple and smart. Thanks to Hoote + Annie's new online shop, you can grab the holiday card of your deconstructed dreams.The Noel or Ho3 card, each with a real organza...
A Very Merry Pop-Up Christmas
With my husband-the-pilot's schedule always up in the air (literally) I'm often RSVPing to our neighborhood parties and kid's gatherings at the last minute. Still, I don't want to show up empty-handed. So when I find a great holiday gift that can work for almost...
Smarter than your av-er-age bear
With Tedde.com it was love at first site. Heh. Like the website itself, the stuffed bears they sell are quirky, cool and full of personality, each one sprung from the über-creative minds of different artists then brought to life by hand with embroidery,...
A-lines for winter get an A+
I am still regretting (just a wee bit) giving away the beautiful Kice Kice dress I had in my hands last spring to a CMP readers. With that on the brain, I checked the site to see if they had anything going on for the season or whether I'd have to wait out the Winter...
Yes Virginia, there is a baby carrier designed for napping
With my first baby, The Nap was sacred. With my second, napping was important, but it was no longer worthy of capitalization. Now I'm on the go with the older two so often that I'm happy if the baby sacks out in his carrier for fifteen minutes. Problem is, most...
A toy hybrid car? How very 2008.
Dear Santa,This year, I'm asking you to avoid the following toys: Dolls in midriff-baring clothes, licensed-character clothing and anything so cheap it breaks before New Year's. And, most of all, lay low on things that need batteries.Need a hint? Consider bringing us...