More coolness from recent weeks…
Here’s what you can do with your family on #TheLastWeekend before the Midterms, and why it (really!) matters.
Parents. We're not like other people who can just drop everything and fly out to a swing state to canvas, or host raucous fundraising cocktail nights, or even attend a GOTV concert on a whim. But there's a lot we can do -- with our families -- to help make a...
The coolest Halloween costumes from Garden Place Brooklyn, 2018
I'm reluctant to even tell any of you about Garden Place, because it is one of the most delightful things about living in Brooklyn -- and I don't want it suddenly flooded with Manhattan people who swoop in and steal all the candy! (J/K anyone is welcome). But...
How a 13-year-old Broadway fan created the coolest Halloween door decorations
So that 13-year-old Broadway-obsessed kid? That would be my daughter. And after last year's attempt to mashup Halloween with Broadway musicals, she improved on her artwork this year and taped it straight on our apartment door. So, proud mama that I am, I wanted to...
3 smoking black maternity dresses for fall and winter, even if you’re not on Meghan Markle’s budget
If you've been following the newly minted royal couple on their post-nuptial adventures (waving hands, here), you might have caught mom-to-be Meghan Markle in this little black dress and-trench maternity outfit. I'll admit that I've been coveting the look, too, and OF...
The blogging world loses one of our own. Here’s how to help.
Kristen and I are both old school bloggers, going back to 2006 when our kids were tiny. Back then, we were a small, passionate community of writers who shared our lives, our joys, our many challenges and even some painful losses. Many of us became IRL friends. Even if...
12 year olds can be arrested for trick-or-treating and WHAT IS GOING ON | Spawned 129
So uh, yeah. Turns out that some American towns are now banning 12-year-old kids from trick-or-treating, under penalty of arrest. We think it's nuts, of course, so we had to talk about it this week on Spawned.There are even a lot of expert reasons that it's good and...
20 of the most amazing, must-see Halloween face paint video tutorials on YouTube.
My kids have spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting scars and simpler character makeup based off of YouTube face paint tutorials, but these Halloween themed face paint tutorials should put their growing skills to the test. From your classic Halloween ghouls to...
Ever wanted to see your face in sequins? Here’s your chance.
We're always looking for personalized gifts you just don't see everywhere, and this year, the personalized flip sequin pillows from The Mermaid Pillow Co definitely makes my list of It Gifts. As if my kids weren't already crazy enough for the mermaid pillows we...
14 fun and easy Halloween crafts for prechoolers
We always love fun Halloween craft projects for our preschoolers and little kids, because it's one way to get them excited about Halloween that's (generally) non-caloric. And we're all about keeping it real with easy crafts because, hey, we're busy this time of year!...
Time to Parent: A non-judgy book helping you find more time to be the best parent you can be.
The toils of parenting can seem nebulous and never-ending, which is why Julie Morgenstern's new book, Time to Parent, came as such a breath of fresh air for me. A professional organizer by trade, she breaks down the overall job of parenting into manageable tasks, to...
Vote Like a Mother: In time for the mother of all midterms
If you haven't gotten word yet, we have a seriously important election coming up in November. We've asked you to check your registration, double and triple-check your registration, join Michelle Obama and Lin-Manuel Miranda to help new voters to register, and now...
Our top picks from this weekend’s Hanna Andersson 40% off flash sale — including fall and winter items!
As a mom of four, I love to buy clothes from Hanna Andersson for my kids because they last...forever. And this weekend they are having a massive sale: 40% off almost all children's clothes, including outerwear, fall/winter clothing, and holiday items. So like, not...
This indie kids’ label collab is like goth-fantasy-new-orleans-ballerina and it’s wonderful!
Just in time for Halloween, two of my very favorite kidswear brands have joined together for an awesome collab: Nununu X Tutu Du Monde. Whoa! I have written about the edgy but wearable offerings from Nununu and the theatrically-inspired, spectacularly crafted,...
6 fantastically fun things to do in Orlando without kids. Hey, it’s your vacation too!
With winter breaks coming up, I know lots of our readers will be planning Orlando vacations. Because, family! And...Orlando! Let me just say, our family is good at vacation. We trained on our first trip to Disney back when I was pregnant, and our sons were four and...
A thorough comparison of 3 top kids’ clothing subscriptions: KidBox vs Stitch Fix Kids vs Rockets of Awesome
Moms are shopping for their kids more and more through subscription services these days and we thought it was worth taking a good look at these subscription clothing services for kids and compare them. Hey, we get it -- it's so convenient to get a curated box of...
Here’s how to buy Cards Against Humanity’s “Remember to Vote” Worms.
Leave it to Cards Against Humanity, a company that doesn't shy away from the issues of the day, to come out with the genius Cards Against Humanity Remember to Vote Worms in time for Halloween. Aaaaand the incredibly important midterm elections. Related: How to...
Keep calm and carry on with these 7 excellent children’s books about mindfulness, meditation and deep breaths
My four kids range from toddler to teenager, and I find that no matter their stage in life I am always looking for ways to help them increase their mindfulness. Whether they're processing complicated, difficult emotions in their early teen years, or just learning to...
17 of the best pop culture Halloween costume ideas for kids right now, from Meghan and Harry to Serena to Riverdale
Usually, my favorite Halloween costumes that our readers come up with each year are clever pop culture reference costumes. Do you remember the "Derry with the Bat" costume that Kristen's son wore last year, from the viral meme last year? It was amazing! So, to spark...
Resist like Ruth: Because fighting for gender equality is still a radical act.
Wee rascals is fast becoming my go-to site for gifts for enlightened kids. I just love these makers of wonderful historical tees for kids honoring heroes like Malala, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Hamil-crew, and a girl gang we want to run with. My...
New limited-edition Mrs. Meyer’s scents for fall! Here’s where to find them.
I'm a big fan of Mrs. Meyer's all natural cleaning supplies. In fact, I buy a lot Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products in bulk and keep them stocked under my sink so I don't run out. Because, life with four kids = lots of messes. I'm usually partial to their lemon verbena...
2 safe, fun new apps for preschoolers that just may get you a little shower time
We love apps that let our younger kids explore, play, and get creative all in a safe, controlled environment. And recently, we shared two apps on Cool Mom Tech on behalf of our sponsor Kinsane Entertainment that do just that. Since the response has been so positive...