Somewhere on the Toddler Swimwear Continuum Between Innapropriate and Amish

It's bathing suit season and I'm not ready. Not for me (although really, I'm not ready) but for my three year old daughter who, if this year's crop of kids suits are any indication, is supposed to be wearing a string bikini, a flirty tankini that says "hula honey" across the chest, or something with cherries on the nipples.

A Princess Book for Anti-Princess Parents

Despite my husband and my efforts to foist sidewalk chalk and softball bats on my daughter, she prefers the sparkly, the frilly, and the delicate. I've often changed the words to fairy tales while reading them to her because they seem so dang sexist. ... [More]

The Shower Invitation No One Can Ignore

Fact: Moms like cookies.

One-of-a-Kind Dolls For Kids Who are Pretty Unique Themselves

I have never seen my 12 month-old daughter take to a doll quite like the handmade cutie that arrived from Poot & Boogie. Mostly she's happy to entertain herself with blocks or turn things like paper clips and dog kibble into playthings. ... [More]

The Medela Freestyle: Holy Heck, It Actually Works

You'll never guess what I was doing while I typed this post. Even if you guess, you'll never believe it. I didn't believe it either.

The Greening of Playtime

Okay so it's like that old joke about grandparents who look at your kids' video games and say VIDEO GAMES? Back in my day we played with twigs and rocks and we LIKED IT. ... [More]

Happy Mother's Day, Cool Moms

Hope you're enjoying plenty of pampering, relaxation, a few goodies to unwrap, and most of all, the love of your doting family. ... [More]

Slainte Bags: Giving the Hippie Diaper Tote an Overhaul

I can certainly appreciate some moms' love of the classic fabric diaper tote. It's not too bulky, not too heavy, and can be tossed in the wash without thinking twice. But what I don't get is why they're still making them in the same old lame "mommy" fabrics. ... [More]

If Your Breastfeeding Boobs Wrote a Book

There's not a lot of fun involved in breastfeeding in the beginning, as I can attest as a two-time, soon to be three-time nurser. Unless you enjoy the feeling of your boobs about to explode. But moms Shannon Payette Seip and Adrienne Hedger certainly found the humor in it all ... [More]

Cookies That Hold the Allergies, Not the Taste

Okay so phrases like high fiber, no refined sugar, no dairy or eggs aren't generally an indication that kids will be excited about the resulting snacks.

Avoiding Your Own Version of the Nanny Diaries

Oh, the problems most moms are facing these days: Top tier pre-school interviews, PTA meetings conflicting with opening night at the opera, challenges with the live-in help.

Use Your Head, Save the Earth (Or At Least Your Baby's Head)

I'm trying to be a more environmentally-friendly mom when I can, and fortunately I've found a way to conserve while indulging my shopping habit.

Crafty Moms, This One's For You

Okay you mamas with the crafty gene. Now don't be coy, you know who you are. You're the ones who see some of the awesome handmade stuff we feature here and turn up your noses and say pfft, I could make that myself for THREE CENTS.

Baby Zen Guarantees No More Screams...Er, Tears.

My babies aren't babies anymore, but that doesn't stop them from acting like babies on occasion. In particular, my son is prone to shrieking like a lamb at the slaughter if a single molecule of shampoo or conditioner hits his precious eyeballs while he's in the shower. ... [More]

Sok-O: The Cabbage Patch Kid for the Next Generation

For some time now, we've been hearing about these $49 sock animals and we just had to see what it was all about. Cashmere socks with diamond chip eyes perhaps? ... [More]

Message Shirts We Can Definitely Get Behind

I had decided that 2008 was going to be the year to move past the message shirts. But then BreeAnne Clowdus, owner of CMP fave Tiny Revolutionary sent me her new "This Shirt Saved a Life" tee (available in mama sizes now too!) and I was totally sucked in. ... [More]

Babies Get the LA Treatment

Chic moms and non-moms alike are fans of the great tee shirt basics from Michael Stars. And now babies, long before they have to worry about such things, can get in on the yummy supima cotton goodness.

Peekaboo Just Got A Little More Challenging

For the rest of you with average children who enjoy the trite game of peekaboo, may I suggest upping the stakes? Alex Casey Baby is now offering Baby Star's sweet Little Dipper blankets and coordinated snap suits.

Because Mother's Day isn't All Sunshine and Moonbeams

For new moms, it's not as though the baby can just whip out a drawing or pick some flowers on her own for Mother's Day. Someone has to help. And that someone is too often faced with syrupy greeting cards. ... [More]

BPA-Free Beach Fun

With Memorial Day just about a month away, I can almost smell the beach - or more like all the plastic toys that get crammed into our beach bags. ... [More]

SF MOMA Has Got Jewelry Down

A recent (and costly) side trip with my co-editor Kristen to the San Francisco MOMA last week found us salivating over the jewelry cases in the gift shop. Apologies to the staff for the drool marks on the glass. ... [More]

Hats Off to Plastisock Hats

After last weekend rednecking it up at my mom's house with a toddler pool on the front lawn and my cute naked girls, I realized it was probably time to start thinking sun protection. ... [More]

Biodegradable Disposable Diapers? It Can Be Done.

Let's face it, greener isn't always easier. I think we all want to be the best eco-moms we can, but for me there was no way I was venturing into the world of cloth diapering. ... [More]

Organic Crib Bedding Just Keeps Getting More Awesome

If you heeded our love for the Q Collection's junior line and picked up one of their gorgeous cribs, you need some worthy bedding to go with it. Heck, even if you have a different crib, there's no reason you can't go for some charming and earth-friendly bedding ... [More]

What Is a Pajama Squid? No Clue, But I Think I Need One.

New Yorkers definitely think we have it made with kids boutiques, but I must say my sisters, these days I think the DC area is giving us a run for our money. The latest entrant: The Pajama Squid in Takoma Park. ... [More]

When You Think Pink Chicken, Don't Think Salmonella

People are always asking me whether I dress my girls in the clothes we feature here. Well, some of it, sure. But hey, I'm not made of money ... [More]

A Little Bit of Do-Gooding on Mother's Day with Global Giving

Not everyone wants another piece of jewelry for Mother's Day. Why not, it's hard to say. But if you've got a mama on your list who prefers to give than to receive, I recommend checking out Global Giving. ... [More]

The Baby is Here. Now What Do I Do With Him?

It seemed like the great anticipation of meeting your baby was quickly dashed by the fact that he really doesn't do anything but sleep, eat, and poop. Or, if you're my babies, just eat and poop -- apparently sleep was optional. While I was sobbing over my breast pump, I wish someone had given me a copy of The Rookie Moms Handbook.

Notepads Perfect For Kids. And Narcissists.

The Best Mother's Day Gift of All Time: Time Itself

Really want to make a new mom's day next Sunday? Forget flowers and perfume - just try taking that baby off her hands for more than a minute. ... [More]

Their Name In Leather

If there's something I've noticed about tweens, other than their total obsession with Hannah What's-Her-Name, is that they really like stuff with their name on it. ... [More]

One of These Kids is Just Like the Other

Having been on the search for unique twin gifts, I admit to succumbing to the totally uncreative "two of the same thing." So before you moms of twins boo me off your screen, wait until you see my sweet redemption: ... [More]

Missing Marker Tops, No Longer the Bane of My Existence

Whoever invented magic markers was not a parent. While it's bad enough that crayons end up in teeny little shards all over our floor, at least there are no caps to lose. ... [More]

Bugaboos: The Game, Not the Stroller

The thing about computer games for early-elementary kids is that there is a precarious balance to be struck between learning and fun. You want it to be educational (justification, justification) but if it's too difficult or dry it won't hold their attention. ... [More]

Quilts as Cool as Your Taste in Baby Clothes

I have a terrible time parting with my baby's clothes when they're outgrown. I end up tossing favorite ones in a bag for, um...stuffed animals? Dolls? Quiet moments alone with a bottle of Chardonnay? ... [More]

Like Answering Questions? Like Getting Free Stuff? You've Come to the Right Place.

Cool Mom Picks is partnering with Munchkin to find a wee bit more about all the cool parents of the world. Stuff like what kind of toys you like, whether the sigOth is a better housekeeper than you are, what TV mom you best relate to. ... [More]

The Elfin Way

Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I was so happy the day I realized my baby was old enough to hold her own in a crib full of toys. ... [More]

Just Add Cake. No Really. I Mean It.

If there's anything I like about throwing a party (other than the actual partying part) it's the amassing of all the themed goodies. Apparently my inner Martha comes out. ... [More]

Getting Funky for NOLA

Do you ever listen to music and think, "Seriously, how do people make these kinds of wonderful sounds?" Me too. And I just did when I checked out Funky Kidz. ... [More]

Wrapping the Baby Like a Burrito. An Organic Burrito.

I've been a champion of swaddling since my first baby. Transforming a wiggly little newborn into a baby burrito does wonders to settle him--and me--down. ... [More]

A New Bugaboo for 1/10th the Price

Okay so I admit to a little stroller remorse with my Bugaboo. Not that I don't love it (I really, really love it) but I'm getting a little tired of the red after three years. ... [More]

Bracelets for Moms With A Lot to Say

I'm the one who always buys the blank greeting cards and leaves at least two voice mail messages because I talk waaaaay longer than the one minute time limit. So when I saw the four sided personalized skinny cuffs from Aqua Beet I did a double take. ... [More]