Rub a Dub Dub, No Toys in My Tub

There's nothing like anticipating that glorious, uninterrupted, naptime shower only to have to spend an extra ten minutes emptying out all the darn bath toys that are scattered around the bottom of the tub. And the net thing? Please. That holds one rubber duck and my scrub brush, if that. ... [More]

PB & Everything

I distinctly remember when Peanut Butter & Co opened its doors in New York's Greenwich Village several years ago. The whole city was abuzz - what could someone possibly do with peanut butter that would be worth a wait down the block? ... [More]

Handwashing Fun (You Heard Me)

With all the lovely fall and winter illnesses headed our way, plus the whole potty training thing looming, I figure it's time to get the hand washing thing down. Except in my daughter's mind, you'd think that "washing up" was another expression for "getting a shot." ... [More]

Maybe Pooh Needs a New Home

I won't go into exactly how many stuffed animals I have lying around my house, but I will say that I recently sent a few into on an extended trip to "toy vacation land" in order to make room on my daughter's bed for, well, my daughter. ... [More]

The Fashionable Binkie

I'm a little weird when it comes to my baby's pacifier. While of course I'll pop in the closest one at hand at bedtime (or during meltdowns), it makes me a little wonky to give her say, the purple one when she's wearing green and orange. Her dad thinks I'm nuts. But my feeling is, as long as we have one that matches the outfit, why not use it? ... [More]

Your Business is Our Business

If you read Cool Mom Picks for all of about 10 seconds, you'll realize we're huge supporters of the community of mom-trepreneurs. We know how hard it can be to get a business off a ground, particularly while chasing small children around, and so part of our mission is to help get the word out about cool stuff that moms are making and selling. ... [More]

THE Fall Handbag

Recently a friend asked me for advice on THE handbag for this coming season. I'm the wrong person to ask. Not because I don't know what the magazines say is THE handbag for fall. But because there are so many fantastic bags that haven't been deemed THE bag by a fashion editor who, by the way, gets her $6500 THE bag for free. ... [More]

No, Bless YOU, Lotta

Ever since having a kid, I find we're going through four times the tissues. Maybe it's because someone's always got a cold. Maybe because someone's always spilling something. Or maybe it's because my cat is acting out in really disgusting ways. (Sorry, carpet.) ... [More]

For Those of Us With A Lot to Say

I'm one of those folks that leaves 14 minute long voicemail messages and answers multiple choice questions with a full page essay. So you can imagine what I do with my friends' new baby cards. While I like to think my beautifully composed messages are glue sticked into the baby book, I'm pretty sure they get tossed right in the baby box (or worse) before the new parents get halfway through reading. ... [More]

Give Me Strength!

I've always loved the mysticism associated with bamboo. It's a symbol of long life, protection against evil, and strength--all of which I could use more of these days. Especially strength. ... [More]

Wear Smocks, Not Spaghetti

I am amazed at how, in the two seconds that I turn my back, my daughter is able to get food inside her sleeves, down the back, under the hems of her jeans. I just never know where a wayward farfalle noodle will end up --or when I'll actually find it. ... [More]

Good Thing They Didn't Name It For Its Real Use

I'll never forget the morning of The Big Meeting at work, when my little girl Rosie was about 6 months old. I was just about to walk out the door -- when suddenly she horked all over my best suit. I had protected my shoulder with a burpcloth, but still ended up with a line of spit-up dribbling down my back and all over my clean pants which of course I didn't notice until I was already at the office. ... [More]

The Toaster with the Most-er

I'd love to be one of those moms who makes cool Jello jigglers and star shaped sandwiches. But alas, my sole attempt at creating a Mickey Mouse pancake for my daughter ended up looking more like someone had just spilled... ... [More]

Feeding Your Brain

With all the scary stuff in the news about lead in lunchboxes, I'm leaning towards the old reliable brown bags when my daughter hits "bring your lunch" age. But little did I know, today's lunch bags can be just as good for your kids as the food you put inside it. Cheetos not withstanding. ... [More]

Crafting for Compliments

Growing up, I rarely saw my mother without knitting needles in her hands. Whether we were on long car trips or visiting family and friends, the needles clicked away endlessly. The lesson I took from it: Great way to stay entertained while visiting the in-laws. ... [More]

The Sheriff is in Town

I can't pinpoint the exact moment it hit me, but I remember feverishly rummaging through my daughter's drawers trying to find the bibs I had buried during my misguided early "this child will never ever be caught in a bib" days. And then I saw the awful bibs I actually owned and quickly shoved them back. ... [More]

There's a Future Johnny Cash in There

Masterpieces To-Go

Considering my daughter can spend upwards of two straight peaceful hours a day drawing and coloring, it would be great if I could find something to help us take her artwork on the go. Oh how much I would pay for a quiet restaurant meal! ... [More]

If I Tattoo Vincent on My Butt, You'll Know Why

Forget the smell of the new leather -- just hearing the crinkle of tissue as I pull it from the toes of a brand new pair of shoes makes me pant. And so of course I couldn't wait to take my daughter shopping recently for her first pair. ... [More]

It's All About the Belt

It wasn't until after I had kids and lost most of my baby weight that I started needing a belt. I looked in the mirror one day and realized I had left my butt somewhere on the delivery table. But considering the style of belts that remind me more of what I wore in 1987 with my pegged leg jeans, I've invested instead in long shirts and resigned myself to the constant tug. ... [More]

Skip*Hop Goes Domestic

My kitchen is overflowing with useful but highly unattractive items designed to clean, sanitize, and organize baby feeding paraphernalia. I'm sure visitors wonder what kind of illicit chemistry lab we're running with all the clinical looking gizmos and gadgets covering every inch of counter space. Fortunately, our friends at Skip*Hop – yes, makers of those great diaper bags – have brought harmony back to the kitchen. ... [More]

Francobaby

When I was about eight, we took a big family trip to France. I still remember how fancy I felt coming home with a suitcase full of J'aime Paris tee shirts and TinTin comic books, along with the ability to say "more chocolate croissants please," in French. ... [More]

Excuse Me, Is That a Monster on Your Head?

Hooray for hat season! I've been waiting all summer for the weather to turn cold so I can actually get my toddler to keep something other than spaghetti sauce and noodle bits on her head.
... [More]

When the Bottle and Boob are Distant Memories

There's something so sweetly simple about an infant, especially when it comes to the feeding. But then, after the rice cereal and stage one foods are no longer sufficient, the panic sets in. (Admit it - just a little.) ... [More]

Weeeeeee!

You really haven't lived until you've been peed on by your baby boy...in the eye. Or even worse, when he pees in his own eye. Call me crazy, but I prefer to skip this portion of the diaper change and get on with the cooing and toe nibbling. Which is why I love the Whizz Kid Weeblock. ... [More]

Rock the Belly, Baby

Being pregnant doesn't mean turning into Frumpo McFrump. In fact there is nothing wrong with being Sexy McSexypants or Rock McRoll when you're with child in the 21st century. Which is why I'm totally crushing on LAB40's custom pregger tees. ... [More]

Organized from Day One

It is a known fact that the phenomenon known as Pregnancy Brain is a misnomer, as it lasts well into that first postpartum year. I swear it took a good six months for me to remember to write down the pediatrician appointments, let alone actually showing up on the right day. If i had had a Busy Babe organizer, I might have been a little...well, more organized.

Knit Picks

Since we've had children, every year in mid-December, my husband asks me, "Shouldn't we get a family picture taken for our holiday cards?" And every year, I reply that we should have thought of it in September. Well, guess what? ... ... [More]

Homegrown Music

If you need to escape some of the more commercial-sounding kids' music that has been playing on a loop in your CD player (and in your brain - get it out!), Elizabeth Mitchell's new release, You Are My Little Bird, will clear your head for sure. ... [More]

Back in Block

One of my favorite pastimes as a child was building mini kingdoms with my brothers' wooden blocks.  There was something entirely gratifying about building big towers and castles – and then knocking them all down with one fell swoop. ... [More]

Say Sayonara to Snaps

While I became pretty handy at slipping and snapping my daughter into her onesie, I have to admit that I still had trouble getting those tiny baby clothes over her gigantic head without a few decent tugs. And really, at 2am who needs the extra trouble? ... [More]

Almost Good Enough to Eat

What kid doesn't love Play-Doh? Let me clarify: What kid doesn't love to eat Play-Doh? Hey, I'm all for it, except for the fact that I have no idea what the "secret ingredients" are that's used to make it those lovely neon colors.

Boot-i-licious

As a kid, I always wanted a cool pair of rainboots. I had one of those mothers who never got around to buying them and when a rainy day came, she instead sent me outside in a pair of plastic sandwich bags wrapped around my shoes. ... [More]

Does This Necklace Make My Butt Look Big?

It's a challenge to keep your wardrobe up to date once you've had kids. There are the time contraints, and of course cash flow issues. But even worse is the dread of the changing room's fat mirror coupled with the purely evil lighting design. And this is why jewelry is God's gift to moms. ... [More]

Newbie Fashion

I can't possibly have been the only new mom who experienced layette anxiety: Will it irritate her belly button? Do I cut out the tag? Do I have to wash it first? And do I really have to get that stupid overpriced detergent?

Tees That Make You Yawn

I like to wear the truth on my sleeve and on days I cannot, I like to wear the truth on my child's t-shirt. My truth this week?  I'm tired. Which, conveniently, fits nicely with the Be Nice to My Mom, She's Tired tee from the ever stylish online e-tique, Ubooshi.

Go Ahead and Light One Up

I remember those simple days when I was the sole decision-maker of nursery decor. But then my daughter turned two and suddenly everything had to have that darn pudgy yellow bear on it. ... [More]

One Word: Plastics

Yes, I am a hypocrite. I look at all of the plastic baby gear spewed across the floors of my home and I can't stand it. Everything's just so bright and loud and, well, plastic-y. But then, when it comes to plastic jewelry, I'm like, "ooh, so bright! So loud! So plastic-y!"

Who's the Boss?

We all know who's really in charge. Here's a hint: it's not the adult with the accusatory finger and the timeout chair. It's the kid with the pouty lip, sweet smile, and incredibly cute face that can make us crumble in an instant. ... [More]

Girl Loves Robot

I've had a thing for robots ever since Lost in Space. It continued with Rosie from the Jetsons, and then of course, R2D2--who, between he and C3PO, was clearly "the cute one." ... [More]

Less is More

I was one of those naive moms-to-be who swore up and down that my tasteful adult abode would never become plastic toy central. "The baby stuff will stay in the baby's room," I insisted. Ha.

Sports Obsessed From Head to Toe

I would like to call myself a football widow. No--I would love it. Because it would an improvement over what I am now, which is a football/golf/ baseball/world soccer widow.
... [More]

Isn't a Jack Jill's Brother?

I am clueless about cars. Give me a reliable car with four wheels and a good mechanic and I'm set. However, it has crossed my mind that I'm not so sure what I would do if I had engine trouble on the road, or God help me, had to buy a car without the assistance of my husband (aka The Haggler). ... [More]

Super Dishes!

When I was a kid, our chores included washing our own dishes after dinner. Entirely coincidentally, my brother managed to break his plate en route from table to sink at least once a week. Imagine that. ... [More]

Looking for Mr. David

When you hear of a children’s artist by the name of Mr. David, you probably have a certain image that comes to mind.  Chances are, the image is not that of a twenty-something Bay-area rocker and former skate punk who was heavily influenced by his hippie parents and their 60s's music collection. ... [More]

In Honor of Labor Day

Go Ahead and Cuff Them

I still remember that sweet 18K gold ID bracelet I was given as little girl. I wore that thing every single day, turning my mom into a nervous hovering wreck for fear I'd lose it. For my own daughter, I want something similar, only a little more 2006 and a little less anxiety provoking. 

Getting Out of Dodge

Thanks to the lovely interweb, it's easier than ever to inform the world about a change of address. But if you're like me, you'd rather do the classy thing and kick it old school with the snail mail. ... [More]

Always in Season

Remember the days when a ponytail was the last resort? Those were the days. Now pulling my hair back has become my style of choice. At least, that's what I try to tell myself. ... [More]

Leave the Diving to Greg Louganis

Moms of binky users know this scenario well: You give her the pacifier. She sticks it in her mouth, then spikes it on the floor. You dive to pick it up, wipe it off on the nearest sleeve, and pop it back in her mouth, all within the 5-second grace period you have before the wailing begins. ... [More]

Run Mommy, Run

I learned that if there are two things that all new moms have in common, it's the desire to meet other new moms, and the desire to fit back into the pre-pregnancy jeans. Like, yesterday. ... [More]