More coolness from recent weeks…
Making Grandma’s (Mothers’) Day
I am not a diy-er, crafter, Martha-in-training, or whatever you want to call people who have the genius ability to make things that don’t look, well, like they made them. This is not a big deal until my own mother gets on the phone and tells me to "make her something" for Mother’s Day. And I don’t think she’s referring to the new grandbaby on the way.
Don’t Miss Another Shot
I am one of those moms with my camera always at the ready. (Seriously, it’s annoying and when my kids can talk they will tell you as much.)
How Do You Say “Awesome” in Italian?
As a lover of all things multi-cultural, I am on the hunt for quality baby gear that is both inclusive and multilingual. I mean, I get the charm of diapers embroidered with ‘Oui Oui!’ but I’ve been looking for something a little more…classic.
Jackson Pollock for Your Ears
Whenever I hear about a new "alternative" kids album, I grab it off the shelf, listen hopefully to the acoustic arrangement of "Sheri Had a Little Lamb" (or whatever) and bang my discerning ear drums against a wall. To me, music should be serious business. And by business, I mean something more tolerable than your average American Idol tryout. More artistic integrity, less Sanjaya.
Cards For Moms Who are More Than Moms
I never saw myself as the mommy calling card type – you know, someone who would have a stack of cutesie little cards giving me a job title like "So-and-So’s Mommy" But then, I never saw calling cards like the ones from Hello Ink.
Born Into Luxury
The selection of the perfect moses basket has become one of those over-the-top rituals of the new mother-to-be. I can’t tell you how many friends I saw absolutely frenetic over finding exactly the right first sleepy place for their new little guy or gal.
Nursing in Vogue
With baby #1 I was all about the receiving blanket when I nursed al fresco. This time around, I’m doing it in higher style. The nursing cover-ups from My Turtle Baby may in fact be the best-looking ones I’ve ever seen.
Sunday Driver
When I first had a baby I remember very distinctly getting the single word of advice: Zutano. My friend turned out to know what she was talking about. I loved the mix and match, durable styles for newborns, never having any idea that this mom-and-pop run company (turned fashion force to be reckoned with) also made cool stuff that older kids could get into. Now I know.
Finding Your Child Through Art
My five year old is on a mission to find herself–not through junior self-help seminars, but in every movie poster, magazine ad, or book cover she sees. Mimi will exclaim, "I’ll pretend to be that little girl in the picture, Momma. You can be the cow." (I don’t love being the cow.)
Finding Nemo? Well, Not Here.
Boys can be just as fickle as girls, and household budgets can’t always accommodate tastes that shift each time a new cartoon hits the big screen.
Family Jules
Keepsakes make me cringe (sorry, keepsake fans) as do sappy baby mama gifts. This is not because I’m some sort of cynical, unfeeling hipster, but rather because I’ve found most baby mementos to be anywhere from meaningless to downright goofy.
Because I’m the Mommy, That’s Why
It doesn’t seem that long ago that when someone mentioned The Rules, my mind leaped to "don’t accept a Friday date on a Thursday," as opposed to, "no eating the cat litter." How quickly things change.
Saving the Earth One Sore Nipple at a Time
We know the decision to breastfeed has nothing to do with saving the planet. But when you’re slathering on the Lansinoh, it’s nice to have in the back of your mind that you’re doing something more than just sustaining your own flesh and blood (like there’s a more honorable cause).
The Highlight of Their Month
My daughter is a freak for magazines — heck, she’ll even spend hours with the Pottery Barn Kids catalog. So, when I found out about Highlight’s new 2-5 yearpublication, High-Five, I knew it would be a big hit.
Excuse Me But Are Those Diapers in Your Wallet?
While we’ve had no shortage of diaper clutches to review here at Cool Mom Picks, I have yet to find one that really truly doesn’t look like one. Not that that’s a huge problem, but still, it’s nice to have an option that doesn’t scream “baby crap inside!”
Git Along Little Raindrops
With two little girls, I’ve got boxes full of dress-up clothes for rainy days. Fringed flapper dresses, feather boas, and sequinned high heels – they’ve got it all. But why should girls have all the fun?
Plush Is an Understatement
With all the oodles of baby blankets on the market, it’s certainly hard to pick a favorite. But if you’ve got a picky mom with a penchant for all things plush, then we’ve got just the thing.
Oooooh, Balmy
I’ve got enough in my diaper bag without having to worry about the hundred products I might want to add come spring–Calamine, lip balm, Neosporin, blah blah blah. But after trying a sample of Bye Bye Boo Boo from Zen Momma, I think I’ve just pared down my kit by about 16 pounds.
Home Run Style
Now that baseball season is in full swing (haha) we’ve had our eye out for appropriate kids duds that transcend the same old same old. Not that there’s anything wrong with an authentic Derek Jeter jersey (Bosox fans, hold your tongues) but we like it when our kids can stand out a bit in the crowd of 15,000 at the stadium.
Dear Mr. Darcy…
I always feel like a character in a Jane Austen novel when I pull out a box of fancy cards. Like I’m a 21st century Emma. Or Gwyneth Paltrow–in a good way. And with the new Glitzy & Golden cards from Dorothy Teng’s Charlyn Koo Design Studio , I suddenly I feel like writing Mark Darcy a sassy, solicitous letter.
Arts and Science
As part of my ongoing crusade as a lover of science, my girls are exploring the natural world through trips to planetariums or even just finding ladybugs in the backyard. B