More coolness from recent weeks…
Reading For All
I recently had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Felicia Steves-Niles and was thrilled to learn that she was not only a cool mom, but a cool mom who ran her own cool online shop which sucked me into a marathon browsing session. Update: this site is no longer in...
Endorsed by Little Rabbit Foo Foo
Not every kid needs a fancy Easter outfit. In fact, those scary pint-size bow ties and the dresses with frills upon frills upon crinolines might just make too much of a statement for some little bunnies. If you're of the less is more camp, you will adore this Organic...
G is for Green with a Giggle
If there's a bandwagon to jump on when it comes to kid's gear and clothing, going green is definitely the one to pick. Particularly if you've got any photographic evidence of yourself in the 80s. Heck, I owe the ozone just on hairspray usage alone.But then there...
You Can Be My Cowboy
When you speak, fair Cool Mom Picks readers, we listen. And so when you write to us and ask us ever so politely for more boy gear, we can't help but oblige, even though tracking down boy gear that doesn't scream "I love sports and tractors" is pretty darn...
Don’t Sit Over the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me
In our house it's called "the thingie with the round bead-y thingies on it." But now I've finally learned the proper term - Bead Maze! Who knew?Whatever it is, my wee ones love it. And one of the sweetest ones we've come across is this new Apple Tree Bead...
Free Kids Music. As in Gratis. Complimentary. On the House.
Back in 1940, a gallon of gas cost 11 cents, a new car to put it in cost $850 and a big house to drive it to would run you right around $3,000. So we're guessing the music you could have played in your giant $3K house was super cheap too. But not nearly as inexpensive...
Bring it On, IRS
Okay mamas, it's officially T minus one month until tax day. Even with my own invented envelope system, I still find myself swimming in a sea of receipts and records when it comes time to file my tax return. So when I heard the organizational gurus from Buttoned...
Crib Bedding For Those Not Getting a Big Refund Next Month
People are always asking us for cheap ways to decorate the nursery. Um...hand-me-downs?The truth is, most inexpensive nursery bedding looks and feels inexpensive. But once in a while, we find something with a boutique feel at big box store prices, like the new nursery...
Delaying Mommyhood But Not Mommy Friends
Sometimes moms of (ahem) advanced maternal age just need some kindred spirits to hang out with. You know, so we can reminisce about our assymetrical prom hairdos and our crushes on Scott Baio while the rugrats run circles around our arthritic ankles. Well if you're...
Alphabet Circus
I've always thought that the best ABC posters for kids aren't the ones that simply familiarize them with the letters, but inspire imagination around the images themselves. We've found that very thing in Paula Prass's lovely Alphabet Girl artwork.Found at her shop...
The Jacket Worthy of the Easter Dress
I always torn about spending the cash on a fancy Easter dress for my daughter which I then hope that we can use again in July as a birthday dress. But when I saw this timeless Neige Signature Audrey Jacket at Aggie Hill, I came up with a better plan: Buy a modestly...
Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad (Bad, Bad) Baby Names. And We Don’t Mean “Krystynne.”
When a newly-pregnant woman asks me for advice (okay, it's not like it happens all the time, but it does happen), I have but one gem to share: Don't tell anyone what you're thinking of naming the baby. It doesn't matter if you're thinking of Joe or Jehosephat, people...
Dads Need Hot Accessory Love Too
A lot of so-called daddy diaper bags are nothing more than lined messenger bags with cammo on the outside. Oh, the cammo - that ubiquitous indicator of paternal appropriateness. So we were psyched to see what the good folks at Dr Moz were up to when they told us they...
Toy Stables For Kids Who Aren’t Horsing Around (Heh)
As a young girl, I was a die-hard collector of lifelike plastic horse models and gear, but the best accessory of them all was my wooden stable, lovingly handmade by my grandfather and accurate in every detail. Black Beauty was thrilled with his lavish digs. If there's...
There’s a reason this baby organizer is called essential
Even though my ever-supportive editors, Liz and Kristen, would never call me on it, I'm definitely off my game as I adjust to life with three kids. [Ed note: You're doing great, Julie!] I have difficulty remembering to take my daily vitamin, let alone tracking of...
Chalk Talk
I'm a firm believer that well-behaved children should also be allowed in restaurants that don't encourage them to color on the tables. But if you're willing to take that leap, then it's up to you to keep the kids occupied in ways that don't require a legion of busboys...
A High Chair That Grows With Your Kid: Magic? No, Mutsy.
I've definitely had several registry regrets, like my high chair for example - that ugly, cumbersome, "good for only 2 years maybe" high chair. Not one of my finer decisions. But at least I have an excuse for that choice because back then, there was no Easy...
If the Easter Bunny Used Labels
As the mom of two little ones these days, I'm probably not going to go overboard with the Easter baskets. But the fantastic Easter tags from Tattered Tags, a paper shop owned by designer Brooke Campbell, almost make me want to. These vintage-style, hand cut and...
I Am Woman, See Me Wear Metallics
I've never been one to thrust all my eggs into one basket, so why would I toss all my baby's belongings into one diaper bag? Truth be told, I've got one for almost every mood and outfit. And so, I give you the bag that will have you counting the days until...
Argyle Goes Rock ‘n Roll
We can't look anywhere without stumbling into something argyle for kids this Spring. Take these hot argyle shirts from new mom-pop run label, Modestod. A bit more practical than your run-of-the-mill argyle sweater vests and definitely more rock 'n roll, these super...
Easter Baskets That the Tooth Fairy Approves of Too
Not every mom is a fan of doling out the high fructose corn syrup or imitation chocolate treats on Easter. It doesn't make you a Sanctimommy - just a little more responsible than those of us who keep the crap around the house as an excuse to eat it ourselves. Behold,...