Your Greatest Masterpiece
Let me guess: The baby's room is a dream come true - wallpapered and bordered, with hand-painted initials hanging from the wall. It's perfectly coordinated, straight out of a magazine. The funny thing is, your 6 week-old does not care if his Moses basket matches his crib sheets, matches his diapers matches, his curtains. Liven things up a little!
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Happy Hair Days Are Here Again
I was reading some fashion mag or another last summer when I came across a reco for the T3 Tourmaline Professional Wet/Dry Iron. I'm generally skeptical of articles that promise beauty miracles, but pregnant and in desperate need of... ... [More]
Confessions of a Fourth Trimester-ista
Just because the baby's fled the bod doesn't mean the belly has. In fact, I am convinced the fourth trimester lasts longer than three months.
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I've Taken Back My Coffee Table
I finally put my foot down, and cleared all the puzzles, Play-doh, and crayons off my coffee table. Call me crazy - I like to be able to put my feet up at the end of a long day and not get glitter and glue all over them.
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They're Foreign and Hard to Say, So They Must Be Cool
As a half-Chinese girl, I admit to being somewhat obsessed with all things Asian. However, that does not mean that you will find me (or my daughter, for that matter) wearing chopsticks or plastic sushi barrettes in my hair anytime... ... [More]
These Designs are a Chou-In
While I love the loose picture inserts in announcements and holidays cards, I find that it's very hard for the picture to actually make it out of the card and onto my fridge without getting crumpled, folded, or dirty.
Mother's Day Shopping For a Cause
Still haven't done your Mother's Day shopping? Or maybe you have but you're looking for some fun shopping just because. Well why not do it for a cause by shopping for great gifts benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital. St.... ... [More]
Making Life Easier: A Web Magazine After Our Own Heart
If you have read through this site for more than one minute, then you have figured out that we are all about trying to make life easier. We know moms have very little time to themselves, and reading may not... ... [More]
Misogynists, Read No Further
When my daughter was born, I made a vow: no clothing with sayings like future hottie or future runway model. I mean come on, she's a baby. Not a bulimic-in-training. Apparently I'm not alone in my convictions. TIred of... ... [More]
Liquid-Filled Assets
If your husband gets turned on seeing you in a stretched-out, colostrum-stained, saggy, no-underwire, cotton nursing bra, then congratulations. You hit the marital jackpot.
Rise Up, Moms!
"Women shouldn't be discriminated against simply because they are mothers." Any organization with a manifesto like that has our full attention. Introducing Moms Rising, a new organization that's creating a grassroots movement of moms on the internet (hey, that's... ... [More]
PopPop? Uncle Marty? Who are They?
As a military family, we do our best to keep everyone posted on the goings on of the first grandchild. But, let's face it, I can barely keep track of my own relatives, let alone my husband's huge family. And,... ... [More]
Have a Tres Chic Earth Day
Hey, we kind of like the environment. You know, since it lets us breathe and eat and all that kind of stuff. But at the same time, we're moms, and we know that while we want the earth to be around for a very long time, we still need things to be reasonably simple and convenient.
I Think It's Time to Retire the George Costanza Wallet Girls
If it takes you 45 minutes to find a credit card or you're still carrying the receipt for your nursing pump (the one you bought in 2004), you might want to consider moving away from the wallet and into one... ... [More]
I See a Cool Preggo Shirt in Your Future
Hey moms-to-be: Tired of the same-old "I used to be a parachute" t-shirt offerings at your local maternity store? Looking for a clever way to tell the world about your upcoming arrival? Well, I predict a successful purchase in your future.
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De-Snot in Style
When you think of baby items that make you go "awwwwwwww...." humidifiers don't exactly spring to mind. But that's only because no one ever thought to disguise that big plastic eyesore as a panda bear.
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Bleeding Ears, So Not Cool
As we've pointed out here before, the problem with most children's music is that the more your kids love it, the more you want to jump out the window. Allow us to point you towards a few remedies--three bloggers with both children and excellent musical taste.
... [More]Even Your Walls Will Thank You
We try so hard to decorate our child's room with extra special pieces that we love and cherish. We don't expect our kiddo to stop and stare at the beautiful fairy painting or vintage plane poster. Most likely, they fulfill our own obsessive need for everything to match.
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All That Glitters
I'm not sure if it's because I've been living in Mississippi too long (the pizazz capital of the world), or if I'm really a 3-year-old trapped in a woman's body - but in either case, I heart glitter. However, as... ... [More]
As if Charlize Weren't Enough, Now South Africa Gives Us This
If you think Chai is still all the rage, then wake up and smell 2006--Rooibos is what savvy tea drinkers are turning to these days for comfort in a cup. A red tea from South Africa, Rooibos has many... ... [More]
Attention Nursing Mamas: Step Away From The Poncho
While I was a poncho-wearing breastfeeder myself, let's face it - ponchos are a little last year. And unless you like to wear wool in June, they're not so great for temperature moderation in the warmer months (which is pretty much all but two, for my fellow Southern state dwellers).
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Jesus Christ, Fashion Superstar
We've come to that time of year when all not-so-good Christians, including me, make their annual pilgrimage to the big house for cleansing and renewal. But just because I don't go to church on a regular basis doesn't mean I... ... [More]
Blow Your Refund (or at least part of it)
We know you probably already have every single penny of your tax refund budgeted for the rest of the fiscal year. And being like-minded moms, we bet you most likely didn't set aside any part of that on something for... ... [More]
All the Small Things
Being the big tall girl that I am, I tend to gravitate towards clunky heels and big bags. However, when it comes to men (height people, HEIGHT) and jewelry, I'm a sucker for small and fabulous. So, I've set aside... ... [More]
Go Ahead, Put Your Refund Right Into Your Purse
... Or Diaper bag. Because most likely you keep your wallet where you keep your diapers. Remember when you rocked your it-bag Balenciaga? Your Louis Vuitton Speedy? Your whatever else was hot and hip prebaby? Remember when you actually followed... ... [More]
Mama Mags, Eat Your Heart Out
If you haven't figured it out yet, we here at Cool Mom Picks like underground, lesser-known, but just as fabulous cool stuff. Nothing against the mainstream parenting paraphernalia, but there's something about reading a plainly printed, hand folded zine that makes us giddy. It doesn't hurt that they feature top-notch work from writers slash parents.
Where the Heck is Wyoming?
It seems I've got a little puzzle glutton on my hands. With a few handy 25-piecers, she reaps intellectual benefits and I get a good 20 minutes of quiet time. However, all that is null and void on car rides since, I'm pretty sure even a genius couldn't put puzzles together in any type of moving vehicle.
From Briefcase to Diaper Bag
As if the shock of having a newborn wasn't enough, I think I might have had a harder time adjusting to the change in job from sassy professional gal to stay-at-home-mom. While I was surrounded by a gaggle of career mothers, few could share in my loss of what once was my very precious work.
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are stuck with the same old coloring book or your fancy magnetic art board. But thanks to Gretchen at "Organized New Mom": You Don't Hear That One Too Often.
I am not living up to my obligations as a Virgo these days; I'm supposed to be organized, neat and fastidious. Instead I am, like any new mom, a disorganized train wreck. If for some crazy reason, someone official... ... [More]
Curious George two times a day for how many weeks, I think we are all ready for a change. So I ordered a set of Kit Allen's children's Tastes Like Chicken
I have a great set of hand-me-down dishes from my childhood – plates, cups, teapots, silverware -- the works. However, there's one big problem when my girls try to have a pretend picnic or tea party: no play food to speak of.
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W-W-W-W-Wipeout
Dirty fingers. Dirty butts. Dirty all of the above! Being a mom means wiping pretty much everything so why not do it in style? Introducing the chic for cheeks, Made by Angie handmade baby wipe containers - for the savvy... ... [More]
Once Upon a Time There Was This MP3...
Hard to believe, but your computer's MP3 player can be more than a repository of embarrassing one-hit wonders and Lite FM ballads. It can also be a source for encouraging your children's love of literature. ... [More]
We're Not Only Cool, but a Little Crazy to Boot
We here at Cool Mom Picks understand the important role of the television in your home. How else would you pee in peace and have a great excuse to put off that last load of laundry? But, we also know... ... [More]
You'll Listen to This Even When Your Kids Aren't in the Car, Man
The true test of a purchase-worthy kids cd is whether you would listen to it on your own. And as a certified Bob Marley junkie, I think I've died and gone to dreadlock heaven. ... [More]
That Wasn't In The Manual
Feeling a little disappointed with that Dr. Expert parenting book that everyone raved about it? Would you rather have a root canal sans novocaine than listen to yet another round of "well-meaning" advice from your mother-in-law? Does it seem like... ... [More]
Pack Up Your Trumpet in Your Old Kit Bag...
Do you honestly think you are ever going to pull out your old 6th grade band saxophone and play a little "Tequila" for your family and friends? And please don't tell me you plan on taking lessons again or are... ... [More]
Cloth Diapers Made Very Easy. Really.
Cloth diapers are back, baby, and they aren't anything like the leaky versions of yester-year. No huge scary pins or fancy folding skills required. The Very Basic All in One diaper from Very Baby is as easy as cloth... ... [More]
The Mother's Day Gift That Keeps on Giving
While it's nice to see your spousal unit wiggle and squirm in an attempt to figure out what the heck to get you for mother's day, I imagine you probably don't need yet another "I Love Mom" necklace or beaded... ... [More]
Cooshie, Cooshie, Cool
Restaurant booster seats? Hate 'em. They're always covered with the slimy remnants of another toddler's meal -- or we hope that sticky mess is from leftover food and not something worse.
There's a New Shoe in Town
If I see another baby wearing those ubiquitous soft-leather soled shoes, I may lose it. Sure the fairy princesses and blue songbirds are kind of cute, but let's face it, they're getting overplayed.
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Let Someone Else Remember For You
You look at your calendar and realize you've forgotten your mother-in-law's birthday. You jump online and send her a crappy e-card that she won't be able to open anyway because she still uses dial-up. And even if she can get... ... [More]
How the West Was Drooled All Over
Now that cowboys have emerged as the hot subculture du jour, marketers are jumping all over it. ("Ballad of High Noon" ring tone, anyone?) But the most appropriate use of the cowboy motif as far as we're concerned is on gifts for little boys.
Just Say No to Frump!
Nothing says sexy mama like a big huge nursing nightgown with huge booby slits and a fabulous floral print. NOT.
Leggo of your Lego
I hit the jackpot today. My couch cushion diving expedition uncovered $2.32, a pen, some cheerios, and way too many LEGOs. It's general parenting knowledge that if you have a kid, you have LEGOs, and they are everywhere. So, instead... ... [More]
Attention Future Rock Stars
Handstitched and cool - two words that perk up our ears at Cool Mom Picks. So it's not surprising at all that we're enamoured of 60 Bugs, a website whose tagline is, appropriately, handstitched coolness. Designer Debbie Lee hand-embroiders... ... [More]
Batters Up
Just because I'm not a partaker in America's Favorite Pastime doesn't mean I don't think it shouldn't be celebrated. So, this year, I've decided to mix up a special "Homerun Martini" and pull out one of my favorite movies - "A League of Their Own."
Baby's First Martini
The drinking age may be 21 but the way we see it, that gives your child plenty of time to get his James Bond impression down before he shows it off in public. My First Martini, the latest offering... ... [More]
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Ask Cool Mom Picks
I have been searching for a photo album or scrapbook that is NOT in the classic style you see everywhere that's either pink and fluffy or traditional leather. Any ideas? -Sarah
Googling "photo albums" can definitely lead to very bad things. We always find cool stuff at Zanisa and we like the Molly West books at Chittypulga.
But lately we really dig the handmade wooden albums from Tree by Kerri Lee [pictured] with metal hinges and the funky wooden ring and strap. And the prices are terrific.
Got a gift dilemma? A shopping conundrum? Write to CMP at info@coolmompicks.com.
CMP Flickr Group
CMP reader Sarah's daughter Alli looks cozy and snug in her Baby Bisou Carrier.
Have a picture of your little one (or yourself) in a Cool Mom Picks find or prize you've won? Join our Flickr group so we can show off your good taste to the world.
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