
Nothing can prepare a first-time pregnant friend for the ordeal that is maternity shopping. Except for maybe you. That is, if you have it in you to dash her expectations that she'll look adooooorable in those chic low-rise jeans for the entire nine months.
Behold the ultimate mama-to-be gift: The Pregnant Paper Dolls at Wishing Fish. Your glowing friend or relative will get to pore through 24 pages of maternity duds, trimester by ever-expanding trimester, right until the bitter, XXL sweatpants-clad end.
These dolls are very realistic, right down to the sagging enormoboobs. Let's just say you shouldn't buy it for anyone who doesn't have a good sense of self--and humor. At least she can take comfort in the fact that we've all been there before. -Liz
Find More: Misc Paper Goods, Reads, Toys and Other Playthings

-Select gift sets of the all natural lotions and oils from Baby Bear Shop are now 20% off
-Eeeeverything is 20% off at Twig through 7/16 including already discount items. Poke around for amazing women and kidswear, home accessories, toys, and other goodies
-Eco-friendly awesomeness awaits you at Nubius Organics, all 20% off with code ECO20 through 7/6
- Take 20% off Organic Style's entire baby collection through July. The discount is applied automatically at checkout if you shop through this link.
-Get 20% off everything at The Polkdot Platypus with code SUMMER20 all week long.
-All jewelry from artist Peggy Li is now 20% off with code JULY08 through 7/15
-Chittypulga is doing a whopping 20-50% off every single thing in their kids clothing department, PLUS use code SPLURGE08 for 10% off all purchases in July, plus free shipping on $100+
-The skater/surfer-inspired spring and summer boys wear at Georgie World (which we love) is up to 40% off for a limited time.
-All shoes and kids clothes at The Pajama Squid are a whopping 30% off through the end of July. Run!
-Tea Collection, the globally inspired children's clothing company, is having its semi-annual online clearance sale to make room for its fall collection.
-Here's an amazing one for you: Serena and Lily is offering $250 off their beautiful cribs and dressers made through partnerships with Morigeau Lepine and NettoCollectioin! Just enter code CRIB250 at checkout through 9/1.
-Use coupon code SUMMER08 at checkout for a 20% discout at Kate's Caring Gifts through 7/10.
-Our fav jewelry stop Blend Creations has a great summer sale going on. Use code CMP10 and get an extra 10% off on purchases over $50 through July 6th
-Code SCHOOLSOUT gets you free shipping on spring styles from Oeuf
-Use code CMPSUMMER for 10% off your order on summer party invites at Paper Shouts through 8/15.
Announcements, Invites and Cards
Around the House
Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy)
Baby Clothes
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Beauty Picks and General Hygiene
Bedding and Blankets, Burps and Bibs
Big Brands Doing Cool Things
CMP Admin
Causes and General Do-Gooding
Dipes
Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness
Food and Drink
For the Menfolk
Gear Essentials
Helpful Services
Holiday Picks
Kids Clothing
Kids Furniture
Kids Shoes
Mama Wear
Maternitywear That Doesn't Suck
Media
Misc Paper Goods
Organics
Reads
Slings and Carriers
Strollers and Stroller-y Things
Tech, CMP-Style
Toys and Other Playthings
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Find the hottest gear, nursery furniture, toys and more at this celeb favorite NYC shop.
For more discounts from our hand-selected partner shops, visit the brand new CMP Emporium.
I was wondering if you have any 'cool picks' of kindergarten or early school memory (K-6) books. I have googled and just havent found the perfect thing. -Amy
Kudos on being super prepared for Back to School, Amy. We have to say that the School Years journals are definitely a great way to go. Plus, they remind us of what we had when we were kids.
For something that's not necessarily school specific but will allow your boys to keep up with all their year long experiences, including school, check out the This is Me Journal.
Lucky Bay Area parents can hit the Renegade Craft Fair's first foray to the West Coast on July 12-13. Buy some awesome stuff for us, will you?
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From a global postcard project to a crafting challenge including a T-shirt design competition, 350.org is hosting a variety of fun and educational activities to promote climate change awareness: 350 is the most important number on the planet!
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CMP-fave kids performer Uncle Rock has just announced his summer tour line up and parents in NYC, Woodstock, Albany and Northhampton are extra lucky. Check his site for the entire calendar.
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We looove Princess Katie and Racer Steve, and if you're around NYC July 6 you get to see them in concert. Lucky you, lucky your kids. Even luckier? They are doing a live concert DVD-shoot on July 13th. Details and advance-tickets at princessracer.com
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BabyLegs is inserting golden tickets, Willie Wonka style, into random pairs of BabyLegs through July 15. Stock up and you could win awesome prizes including a trip to Seattle!

CMP editor Liz's daughter with two of her favorite things:
A balloon and a twirly skirt from Louise Hedley.
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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