Cool Mom Picks - January 2009

Saturday 31 January

I've smelled red and it's absolutely delicious

Mo Smells RedKids and dogs go together like red and Valentines Day, which is why I think the story book Mo Smells Red is such a cute gift for your little sweetheart. Not only will preschoolers love hearing about the adventures of Mo, a real life rescued stray, they'll get a kick out of the "Press 2 Smell" feature which makes regular old scratch-and-sniff look passe. ... [More]

Saturday 31 January

Toy storage for when your whole house feels like toy storage

Oeuf's Toy StoreOne month after Christmas, and I still have no idea where half of these toys are going. I definitely need The Toy Store by Oeuf, a brand new super three-level toy storage system that offers a nice modern alternative to plastic storage bins. ... [More]

Saturday 31 January

Making Valentine's Cards that don't look like you did

heart confetti Good thing we just received a whole boxload of the cutest ev-ah Valentine's Craft Supplies from Martha Stewart. Even a craft spaz like me can put together something passably adorable ... [More]

Friday 30 January

Breaking news - CPSIA delayed! Your amazing efforts made a difference

Save Handmade Toys According to today's most excellent release from the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the CPSC has granted a one year stay of testing and certification requirements until February 10, 2010 Which means... whoo! ... [More]

Friday 30 January

Not since Carrie Bradshaw has wearing a brooch been so stylish

The last time I wore something painted on my cardigan it was a first-grade finger painting project gone awry. But the one-of-a-kind fabric brooches we just discovered from artist/designer/mom Danita Art may change all that. ... [More]

Friday 30 January

The Club Med Vacation: Only more appealing now that kids stay free

I learned early on that family vacations tend to be something you do for your children. [Ahem, fill in theme park of choice here.] Not so Club Med. In recent years the company has converted nearly all of their properties from places that singles went to be...very single, into incredible all-inclusive family friendly resorts. The kind that parents not only don't mind going to, but you weep openly when you leave. ... [More]

Friday 30 January

Bringing new meaning to the term "animal print"

So you want a canvas or two for baby's room, and you're trying to figure out something bright and colorful, with animals, that doesn't look like the circus threw up on your walls. Leave it to Tiny Decor to find just the right mix of mod and whimsical. ... [More]

Friday 30 January

Whereas I take back all previous skepticism about Yo Gabba Gabba!

If you had asked me about Nick Jr's Yo Gabba Gabba! a few months ago--unlike editor Liz who's their biggest fan on the planet--I would've told you, I don't get it. However I am now writing enthusiastically about the Yo Gabba Gabba! soundtrack. ... [More]

Thursday 29 January

Born with a stainless steel spoon in his mouth

baby spoon keepsake I have to say that the keepsake gifts for boys are pretty slim pickin's. I mean, nothing says "Welcome Boy" like a big plush monogrammed baby blanket, right? So, when I spotted the Baby's First Spoon at Lisa Leonard Designs, I was glad to see someone finally got it right. ... [More]

Thursday 29 January

The perfect way to shake things up this Valentine's Day.

valentines day baby rattles Growing up, no Valentine's Day was complete without a bagful of Be Mine and Hug Me heart candies. Sure they were cute, but let's be honest, they tasted like chewable antacids. ... [More]

Thursday 29 January

bgreen or b squared

I guess you could say that I'm the token eco-skeptic among the Cool Mom Picks writers. Before you start throwing rotten tomatoes at me, consider what this means: If it's green and crunchy and I rave about it, then it really is spectacular. ... [More]