Do Babies All Have to Be Einsteins?

If you gave birth within the last ten years, the odds are about 4 in 5 that you've got one of those make your baby a rocket scientist DVDs on your shelf. Because even if you steered away from such things yourself, someone else thought it was a fabulous shower gift. Am I right? ... [More]

Like You Needed Another Reason to Buy More Books

At the request of my husband, I have curtailed my purchases of hordes of children's books for my avid little reader. And while being relegated to the library isn't such a bad thing, there's something about a crisp new book that I just can't let go of. ... [More]

Made In the Shade

I can't be the only one who, in a fit of desperation, draped a receiving blanket over the top of my stroller to shield my sleeping baby from the sun. And I certainly can't be the only one who couldn't enjoy the silence of a napping child because I was totally sure she was deprived of oxygen under there. ... [More]

The Thymes They Are A-Changin'

I've been a fan of The Thymes line of bath and beauty products ever since the sigOth and I first spotted them in a great boutique on vacation years ago. He wanted the fig leaf-cassis candle, I wanted the lavender lotion. We compromised - by buying forty different things. ... [More]

Pocketbook On Wheels

Since we all know that women only buy cars based on the cupholders (is my scarcasm coming across?) the same might go for strollers. Then again, the top strollers don't necessarily have the best Diet Coke storage, to say nothing of easy access to all your other junk. ... [More]

Breaking News: City Girls Wear Color!

For those of you under the impression that we urban dwellers have wardrobes consisting of black, black, and black...well, you'd be right. But according to the City Girls magnetic dress up dolls there are a few other options.

Party Animals

I'm a firm believer that children can appreciate the tunes as they were intended to be heard--i.e. singers that don't make you pray for an irreparable crack in the CD--if you just give them a chance. Which is why the CMP staff have always been such fans of the Putumayo Kids series of music. ... [More]

How Naughty Can They Be If They Don't Pee on Your Bed?

My sigOth thinks I'm mean when I tell him I'm getting rid of half of my kid's stuffed animals, but when she isn't yet two and the collection is are taking up more of the crib than she does(to say nothing of the living room and two toy boxes), I think it's time to start paring down. And then I come across these. 

Giving New Meaning to Unique Jewelry

I'm a total sucker for a baby keepsake, I admit it. But it's got to be a keepsakes that no one else has ever seen before so I can maximize The Ooh-Ahh Factor. ... [More]

Noo For Baby

I've just discovered a new go-to baby gift to add to my list: The beautiful Noo Noo comfort blankets available at the chic new online emporium, Twig. ... [More]

A Bicycle Built for Two Year Olds

It took me three years to figure out that my daughter doesn't care what the heck her ride-on toy looks like, just so long as it has wheels and she doesn't have to work them. As for me...well, I care. ... [More]

Vamos A La Playa

I'm all for a cute halter bikini on me (when I'm in my best possible shape) but on my 3 year old? Call me a fuddy-duddy but I'd prefer something that covers her just a bit more. Besides, slathering suntan lotion all over a constantly moving little body every hour is too darn hard. I say, more fabric! ... [More]

Future Jeff Gordons, Have a Seat

For some reason I'm always paralyzed when it comes to picking out kids' furniture. Every time I see something I'm sure I want, I find something else and thus never end up with anything at all. ... [More]

Taming Flyaways with Flies

My friend's daughter has a thing for bugs. Each year, her mom throws a birthday bash with insect-themed decorations and goody bags. The problem is finding unique gifts for this bug-crazy gal that she doesn't already have. ... [More]

Here Kid, Darn My Socks

I've learned not to invest too much in craft supplies for every new project that strikes my girls' fancy. One moment you're bringing home fabric paints and the next they're like, "No mom, we want the Bedazzler!" Both of which, by the way, will end up in the back of a closet before you know it. ... [More]

Straight From Project Runway (And It Will Actually Fit You)

My co-editor Kristen is the biggest Project Runway fan ever. And I think she will just fall down and convulse in fits of ecstasy when she learns that Season One winner Jay McCarroll now has a fab bowling bag on sale at Fred Flare for just 60 bucks. ... [More]

Photo Bags with Money Left Over For Film

I have a love-hate relationship with photo bags. I actually love the idea of them, but I'm not too crazy about the prices. Unless it's Marc Jacobs customizing the handbag for you himself, there's no reason to spend upwards of $250. ... [More]

Blankets By Martha. The Other Martha.

I have a friend whose son sleeps with a plastic fish every night. To each toddler his own and all, but if I were a babe picking a bedmate, I'd look at something a bit more un-plastic fishlike. Like, say, the blankets from Martha's Baby Bundles.

Love, The Thoughtful Gift Giver With the Great Cards

Am I tired of paying $5 for a card to go with every gift for every kid's birthday party on the block? More like I'm tired of running around the house looking for a sticky note to slap on that puppy. Well, no more. ... [More]

Oh, Those Pesky UV Rays

I have never understood why sunblock is scented like pina coladas, particularly for kids. Do you really want your child smelling like a drunken cruise ship tourist stumbling around Key West? ... [More]

Fleeced!

While I'm grateful for all the lightweight summer blankets I've received for my new baby, I still wanted something warm and cuddly for those overly frigid  stores, restaurants, and my grandmother's condo in Florida, a.k.a. The Air Conditioning Capital of the World. ... [More]

Ooooooooh La La!

Wee see a whoooole lotta onesies trying to track down cool products to review here. You have no idea how many onesies. Easily a million. So when we tell you we've come across ones that are fabulously unique and that you must click over immediately, heed our words.

Bathing Suits That Don't Advertise Your Momness

There's nothing more painful for me than trying to find a bathing suit that fits my new post-childbearing body along with my style sense. But I recently discovered Poppi Swim and Sport, and now I'm actually excited about getting into the pool this year. And no, I never thought I'd say that. ... [More]

Knitting 101 That Looks Like Knitting 504

It's easy to appreciate beautifully hand-knitted garments, but creating them isn't necessarily a piece of cake. The mere presence of two X chromosomes does not endow a woman with a talent for needlework (as much of the CMP staff will assure you).
... [More]

Clothes For Hanging Around

Year after year, my mother outfitted me in dresses that were fine for the classroom, but completely inappropriate for the playground. While all the other girls wore slacks and hung upside down from the monkey bars, I stood off to the side and silently cursed my mother's sewing machine. ... [More]

One Bag That's Pure Poetry

When your child finally leaves the 35-pound diaper bag stage, you're left with a couple of options: Continue carrying the same gigantic bag even though you could basically fit your kid in there, or dare to toss a sippy cup in your purse. ... [More]

Candy For Your Ears

Remember when you were little and someone introduced you to the local candy store for the first time--and they gave out samples? Free! That's how I felt when I discovered Hip Young Parent: The Children's Music Alternative. ... [More]

Take. Back. The Tie.

I'm not sure what it is about the tie that makes us grab them in desperation for Father's Day gifts. Me included. But this year, I urge you to return it--it's not too late!--and instead check out the plethora of appropriate hipster dad gifts at McSweeney's Store, the online shop of Dave Egger's hilarious literary journal. ... [More]

Get Packing

An expectant mother walks into a baby superstore...No, it's not the beginning of a joke. Just the beginning of an overwhelming experience, especially when you hit the gear aisle. Which gadgets can you live without? Most of them.

Congrats, Fatso. Boy or Girl?

Sometimes the traditional greeting card just doesn't cut it. Sorry, but I can't bring myself to buy some foil-embossed doily covered in melodramatic sentiments without throwing up a little bit in my mouth. ... [More]

Taking Style Cues From Your Daughter

Confession: I admit to wearing one of my daughter's hair clips out of utter desperation.

Granted I didn't wear it out of the house (I swear) but still, there's something to be said for sharing accessories, provided they don't have Elmo on them. 

Stuck On You

With all the bells and whistles - literally - that are the hallmark of modern toys, I'm always happy to find those that put a new spin on an old classic without the use of batteries--or the need for a bottle of ibuprofen for mommy. ... [More]

Say Goodbye to the Beanie

I'm all for hats on the wee ones. Warm heads are terribly important in cool weather and in the summer, no one wants a baby with a sunburned face. But why, oh why do baby hats have to be so terribly...well, babyish? ... [More]

Luxury Blankets That Don't Require a Platinum Card

One of the things we love about Cool Mom Picks is being able to track down Barney's (or fill in your favorite high-end store here) quality items that you don't have to hock your jewelry to afford. ... [More]

Two Little Elephants for Ten Little Piggies

Babies do not need shoes; that's an undisputed fact. And that's exactly why I love baby booties so much. I mean, since when did accessories have anything to do with need? ... [More]

Make Every Day Father's Day

Golf clubs, BBQ grills, ties and tickets to see his favorite team - eh. Let's face facts, what dads really want is just a wee bit of quiet around the house now and then. ... [More]

Can You Count the Potholes, Sweetie?

I have not been a mom all that long and already I'm tired of the same old images in counting and alphabet books. 10 apples, 9 bananas, 8 ducks...how about 1 snoring mommy? So I love the fresh take on counting in photographer Joanne Dugan's 123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City.

Fantastic Baby Oil and Dog Aphrodisiac

Ever since developing the bionic nose of pregnancy (you all know what I'm taking about, mamas) I can't settle for any bath or baby product that smells less than amazing. Fortunately, there are plenty of options no matter what your own supernose demands. ... [More]

Shower Invites That Demand RSVPs

If I had to do my baby shower all over, I wouldn't change a thing. Okay, one thing: Instead of not so subtly pointing my best friend towards the invites that, um, you know, I wouldn't mind her using if, you know, she happened to like them too...I'd point her to Armato Design & Press. ... [More]

Putting the Toys Away Was Never So Appealing

The toys are accumulating--if not actually reproducing--just as everyone told us they would. And now the toys outnumber the square footage allotted to keep said toys out of eyesight and keep me from going insane. ... [More]

Organic Bedding, Hold the Hemp Jokes

While I applaud the intent behind buying organic, I have to admit I'm a little cynical about what I'm getting. The fruits and veggies are smaller, the meat is way pricier, and the clothes - at least they're getting better, if slowly. ... [More]

The End of Cooties As We Know It

As anyone who's ever thrown a party knows, you need about six times as many cups as guests. Mainly because half of them get wasted when the guests get...well, wasted...and forget which half-full cup was theirs after they put it down. Or worse, instead of leaving it altogether, they unknowingly drink from someone else's cup. Yuck. ... [More]

The Elegant Slob

I was always told that pearls can dress up any outfit. Now that adage is being put to the test with the String of Pearls Bib. ... [More]

Take a Hike, Tinkerbell

I'm always looking for books for my daughter featuring strong female protagonists. They don't have to be fist-in-the-air feminist characters, but they don't have to be princesses dreaming of marrying princes, either. ... [More]

Clippy Not Slippy

My first child is on her way and while I still have a lot to learn, one thing I've already got down pat is how not to experience a repeat of The Slippy Blanket Stroller Incident that occurred while I... ... [More]

Caterpillars in the Shower

My daughter has been introduced to the scientific concept of metamorphosis by, of all things, an episode of The Wonder Pets. She now understands, in her 2 year-old way, that a caterpillar turns into a "buh-fwy." Also that butterflies sing and dance.
... [More]

See a Binkie, Pick it Up. Or Not.

If you've got a kid who's into the binkies, and therefore drops the binkies, and therefore makes you bend down to pick up the binkies 674 times a day--can you tell I know of which I speak?--check out the paci clips from Bink Link. ... [More]

Triple the Fun

I can barely keep my head above water with two kids of different ages so the notion of triplets (triplets!!!) sends me into shock. And I'm not just talking about all those diapers or managing their feeding schedules. I'm thinking about the important issues--like how the heck you dress them. ... [More]

A is for Anhui, B is for Beijing

As a writer I've always subscribed to the adage, "write what you know." And I assume the same goes for other art forms as well. (Paper maché what you know!) So it's not surprising that prolific illustrator and photographer Stephanie Wise began creating a spectacular series of modern adoption art in 2005 after setting off on her own adoption journey. ... [More]

Toys Like They Used to Make 'Em

I'm a huge fan of choosing wood over plastic when it comes to kids' toys. My only gripe is that they often seem to be just for show, and not made to stand up to the drooly mouths and rough grips of actual children. ... [More]

You Never Forget Your First Girl

The CMP staff has been busy with the birthin' of babies as of late and we're proud to welcome our staff writer Tina in on the all night diaper-changing fun. ... [More]

Beautiful from A to Zzzzzzzzzz

Sometimes I look at comfy cozy baby accessories and wonder why business suits aren't made in silky chenille too. It seems like we always give up the best things as we grow up. Things like lullabies. ... [More]

Just What You Need: Another Time Suck on the Web

While we'd like to think that CMP is the definitive source for all things cool on the web, we do have a few resources that tip us off to what moms are digging on the web. And now we have a new one to add to our list - sk*rt.

Will Clean Up Toys for Peanuts

It's hard to beat little cotton dresses on little girls for summer. The problem is, not every girl is the gingham and bows type, and that's a lot of what toddler dresses are. If we put my daughter in something frilly and flouncy...well let's just say it wouldn't happen. ... [More]

Because Some Babies Are More Equal Than Others

For those of you who use the pages of Cookie Magazine as a shopping list as opposed to a daydream starter, have we got the thing for you: The absolutely stunning baby calling cards from Sesame Letterpress Designs. ... [More]

The End of Shrieking Wet Baby Syndrome

There's nothing like seeing your happy, warm, water baby turn into a screaming cold monster when you attempt to extract her ever so quickly from the bathtub. Even the most highly skilled supermom does not have the power to wrap that baby up quickly enough to avoid those awful yelps. ... [More]

On the Outside Chance That What He Wants for Father's Day Isn't a Day With His Buddies

What's that you say? You still have not yet picked out the perfect Father's Day gift for the new dad in your life? You came here looking for ideas? How fortuitous! For we have just the thing. ... [More]

You At Your Fattest: Preserve the Memory

If I may totally frank, the staff at Cool Mom Picks cannot entirely understand the appeal of pregnancy belly casts. It sounds cool in theory-- sort of--but what do you do with it when you're done? ... [More]

No C-Ems

Aside from the rare celebrity or overexposed heiress who schedules her delivery around her publicity schedule, most women don't exactly look forward to c-sections. ... [More]

A Dry Heiny is a Happy Heiny

If you've been wavering on whether or not to cloth diaper your child, we might have found something to seal the deal. Although sorry, it isn't totally odorless poop that magically disappears on contact with air. ... [More]

Party in a Box

I'm not worried about keeping up with the Joneses when it comes to my girls' birthday parties. You won't find a petting zoo in my backyard, nor will I be sending guests home with goodies that rival the contents of Oscar night swag bags. Still, I want to make the party memorable. ... [More]

Here Come the ABCs

In the height of the preppy craze, I begged my mother for a monogrammed sweater to wear with my Calvin Klein jeans. She refused, telling me that I'd outgrow the sweater in a year, so what was the sense in spending extra money to embroider my initials on it? Grr... ... [More]