Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Mothers of Reinvention: Talking work and career after motherhood with Mallory Kasdan | Spawned Episode 113
As two women who reinvented ourselves to start Cool Mom Picks, we love hearing stories of other women doing the same, particularly the challenges and obstacles they had to overcome to achieve success. So much can be learned from sharing those experiences. That's why...
Mom, I’m bored! Clever ways to keep kids busy all summer long | Spawned Episode 112
You know it's coming. The dreaded "Mom, I'm bored!" which is why we're getting a jump on our kids (for once). We're sharing tons of clever, easy ideas to help keep the kids busy this summer. From scavenger hunts to family book clubs, even tips on how Liz makes her...
How to make money and save money with the best online consignment shops | Spawned Ep 111
Earlier this year we wrote up a comprehensive post comparing six top consignment and resale shops online. And with the change of seasons, we're ready to get our summer wardrobes without spending a fortune. And hey, we even want to purge some of what's taking up space...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Today’s 50% off Vince Camuto handbag sale is a run-don’t-walk kind of a sale
So today is clearly "test the limits of my credit card" day -- first the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and then a notification in my inbox that today is a one-day-only 50% off Vince Camuto handbag sale. And friends? It is GOOD. CMP is an rstyle affiliate So...
5 OMG fall shoes to buy for less today at the Nordstrom anniversary sale
The much-anticipated Nordstrom anniversary sale opened up to the public today (whoo!) and it's safe to say the next two weeks will be deal-filled doozies. What we especially love about Nordstrom's annual sale is that the items aren't just what's leftover from the...
Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Janelle Monae need your help to register new voters.
In 2014, more than 21 percent of adults who were eligible to vote, didn't, because they weren't registered. It's especially true of young adults 18-30, whose turnout is about 38 percent lower than voters over 60 in midterm election years. Wow. Yet one of the biggest...
Could these crazy glasses be the cure for motion sickness? Here’s hoping!
As a mom to kids who can get car sick -- kids who have friends and cousins who get car sick too -- I never travel anywhere without anti-nausea acupuncture wrist bands (which we recently shared on our list of 12 essentials you'll always find in our bags), some...
20 free things to do with your kids this summer when you’re all out of ideas
Anyone else searching for free things to do with your kids this summer? As the mom of a toddler who hasn't stopped moving since 2017, I know I am. And since I want to keep the whine at bay and still budget for our vacation, I've set out to find the best free...
How to deal with mean girls: Expert tips for building resilience + strength in our daughters
If you have a daughter, it's inevitable at some point that she will encounter the heartache of mean girls. It may be when she hits middle school (oh God, middle school) -- or it may be as early as kindergarten. And when it happens, it will hurt you as much as it hurts...
12 summer essentials you’ll always find in our handbags, for travel or every day
Whether we moms are hitting the road for vacation, or just shuttling the kids back and forth to camp every day, we've always got a list of essentials in our handbags that we can't live without. It's part of our summer ritual: switch the black leather bag to a bright...
The best of the Amazon Prime Day deals: We’ll be updating all day
It's here! It's Amazon Prime Day, a shopping extravaganza for Prime members that starts today, July 16 at 3 p.m. EST/12 p.m. PST and runs a full 36 hours this year. And, lest you think it's all just a lot of hoopla over crap you don't want, we hope our list of the...
8 extraordinarily cool hotels to visit with kids before they grow up. Wow…mind blown.
It's time for my family to start thinking outside the box when it comes to my family vacations. We've been taking the same-old trips for years, and I think I've officially ridden Splash Mountain for the last time. Now I'm ready for some adventure and experiences my...
Our favorite indie kids’ designer has a new line that’s just…wow.
Both Kristen and I have girls who literally grew up in Courtney Courtney dresses. Courtney Chu's hugely popular designs (as in, people avidly refreshing her web shop to pounce on new releases the second they're announced) are all spectacularly crafted, comfy, and 100%...
7 cool kids’ rash guards with UPF so you don’t have to worry about missing a spot
Let's talk about rash guards with UPF -- that's Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or the clothing version of SPF. As a new mom, I'd assumed that every rash guard came with sun protection built-in, but it turns out some fabrics deliver more than others. And some don't...
Barack Obama’s summer reading list: 6 choices in advance of Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday
This week, we're coming up on the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth. As he prepares to head to Kenya and South Africa, in part to honor the occasion, Barack Obama shared a recommended reading list on his Facebook page, and it's just wonderful. Hey, if you're...
ClassBundl saves you time and money on all your back-to-school shopping. Whoo! | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from ClassBundl If you've ever spent too much time, energy and money trying to gather up every item on that detailed list of your kids' annual school supplies, meet ClassBundl. This service offers completely personalized, pre-built, school...
What is Malala Day? A primer for families, and some ideas for honoring her work.
We are all fans of Malala Yousafzai (isn't everyone?), so I was so thrilled to learn about Malala Day, which is today, July 12th. The day celebrates and honors Malala's tireless work in ensuring education for girls all over the world, especially in areas where it's...
Forget Waldo, try finding your own kid in these cool custom seek-and-find books!
I can get lost (er, I mean , my kids can) in a good seek-and-find book. One that's not so hard it's frustrating, but not too easy that you have the whole thing solved in ten minutes. So, when I saw that Wonderbly, one of our favorite indie publishers, just released...
Thanks, Mr. Rogers: A brilliant parenting trick I learned from “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a respite from the heat at our local movie theater and took a little trip down memory lane with Won't You Be My Neighbor? This wonderful film highlighting the work and legacy of Fred Rogers is a must-see, whether you grew up...
Stitch Fix Kids is finally here, and parents rejoice!
Okay, Stitch Fix fans -- if you're a parent of a kid 2-14, the answer to your bargain clothing prayers is here with today's launch of Stitch Fix Kids. CMP is an rstyle affiliate As with the original Stitch Fix service, you can now get a monthly box of 8-12 handpicked...
A new middle-grade book to keep your kids reading all summer | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from KidsBuzz. Want to know how to keep your kids excited about reading all summer long? Give them a book they just can't put down, like the brand new, sure-to-be bestseller, Willa of the Wood, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author...
7 new beach reads from women of color that you won’t be able to put down.
This year, I've rounded up 7 amazing beach reads from women of color that I think make the perfect escape. Because as parents, we know that our lying-by-the-pool time is sorely limited, and it's important to choose something we'll love. We also think it's important to...
The best designer summer handbags on sale at Nordstrom right now. Hurry! We’re talking 60% off.
My grandmother always told me, Get a cheap dress but splurge on your bag and shoes.That's what people notice. Good advice, Mimi. But I've been scanning the sales lately, and you might not even need to splurge on that nice designer handbag. Some of these designer...
Throw pillows that unfold to become awesome play sets for kids: So great!
Plastic behemoths have pretty much overtaken my home since having a toddler, which means I'm always on the hunt for compact toys. Bonus: They're soft. And attractive. My latest find? These awesome new Pillow Playsets from Sago, which are now available from our...