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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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:
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International Man-Child of Mystery
My daughter regularly has twice as much in her closet as her brother does. But shopping for a boy doesn't have to be boring anymore as CMP is constantly assuring you.
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LA Humor: Beyond Plastic Surgery Jokes
If you have spent any time on the West Side of LA, you will get a chuckle out of the new kids clothing line Rabbit Kinney.
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For Families Really Really REALLY Into Tattoos
My daughter has reached that very important milestone in a child's life: Adoration of temporary tattoos. And spare me the anti-hipster parent eyeroll please.
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Earth Day Pick: Old Tees Made New
After discovering Courtney Chu's original recycled t-shirt dresses, I am pleasantly reminded that eco-friendly kids wear doesn't necessarily mean expensive organic onesies.
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Tea For The Twos. And Threes.
While I'm not a member of the matchy-outfit fan club, I'm definitely partial to mix and match clothes for the kids.
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I'm This Many Years Old
With my kids' birthdays now close enough on the horizon that I can smell the beer bill (what can I say, we have fun parties) I've definitely got their birthday attire on the brain.
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Hey There, Georgie World
If bowling shirts for little boys ever went out of style I'd be sad.
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Your Mama Wears Last Year's Combat Boots
If I woke up Mother's Day morning to two smiling children bearing breakfast I would be delighted.
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Like Steven Sprouse for the Toddler Set
Tax Day Splurge: The Summer Dress Love-Fest Continues With Room Seven
We have to be careful that Cool Mom Picks doesn't turn into Cool Dresses For Little Girls Picks. But man, it's hard to avoid when there are so many sweet offerings this season.
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Dinosaurs Are Our Friends
I'm more than happy to oblige my daughter's new dinosaur obsession, that is if I could find a cool shirt that doesn't display a mean, scary T-Rex.
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So the Girls, They Like to Twirl
The notion of a dress "that twirls" used to seem kind of foo-foo to me until I thought back to my own childhood
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I Like Zutano in the Springtime
One of the perks of editing Cool Mom Picks is that I get to run around trade shows with a press pass acting all important (ha) while checking out the kids clothes that won't be out for another six months.
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Clips That Stay In. Without Corn Syrup. or KY Jelly.
I remember the time someone suggested using corn syrup to stick a bow on my then bald daughter's head.
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My daughter informed me that she wants to "lose her bangs." I'm not sure if it's because she has somehow gone from 3 to 14 overnight, or if she just wants another few I Wish They All Could Be California Boys
Right now, one of our new fave finds for boys is the wonderfully named West Coast shop, Peek...Aren't You Curious.
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The Alphabet According to Pop Culture Junkies
Yeah yeah yeah, A is for Apple. B is for Ball. Whatever. I'm far more interested in Brooklyn dad/designer Adam Scherr's retro cultural take on the alphabet.
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Rock On, Little Girls
Needless to say I find it wee bit annoying when kids boutiques have all the rock-themed tees categorized under "boys."
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Dressed to the Nines With Nary a Dorky Bow Tie to Be Found
When it comes to clothing my favorite little punk, 99% of the time the clothing is just not fun or comfortable, and most of the options are as dorky as they are itchy. However, I have recently found one more addition to the 1% club.
Sock it To Me
How do you get a skirt-obsessed preschooler who hates tights out the door without a battle in the morning? All hail adorable knee socks, like these cuties picked by my daughter herself from Tote and Tee.
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The Jacket Worthy of the Easter Dress
I always torn about spending the cash on a fancy Easter dress for my daughter which I then hope that we can use again in July as a birthday dress.
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We can't look anywhere without stumbling into something argyle for kids this Spring. Take these hot argyle shirts from new mom-pop run label, A Pirate's Life for Me
While my husband is definitely on the conservative side, I tend to push the envelope when it comes to what our kids wear.
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Wait, So Girls Like Robots Too?
It's amazing how quick some boutiques are to put the robot tees under "boyswear." Man, aren't we like 3 decades past the notion of girls only wearing pink ruffle shirts with ballerina spelled out in glitter?
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A Little Swing for Spring
You know I've got a severe case of winter-itis when I'm caressing the lightweight cotton dresses in my daughter's dresser, fantasizing about the first moment I can get her dressed in a single article of clothing and call it a day.
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Tees That Inspire Imagination
I always get happy every time another talented graphic designer decides to spawn, because it means the talent gets redirected from gig posters or shampoo packaging to cool duds for kids.
Socks To Be You
Socks don't tend to be something moms get excited over. In fact, aren't they the butt of jokes about bad gifts, along with fruitcakes and Dustbusters?
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Banz Bonanza
Last month, a family trip to Mexico found my daughter, hilariously, in the same Gap swimsuit as half the kids on the playa.
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Yes it's true, your child will, one day, have a favorite letter. And when that day comes, you might consider turning to 
It's clear that everyone's going green this year. But some retailers seem to be jumping on a trend, while others actually seem to be living their values. In the latter category, the very impressive Rainy Day Barrettes
I'm the type of mom who, when barricaded in the house by a torrential downpour, needs to get out of the rut of the paints- crayons -dvd routine.
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We've had the awesome Netherlands kids label Buisjes En Beugels, or Sometimes Six More Weeks of Winter Isn't So Bad
It's only the beginning of February in the Deep South and I've already had it with the cold. But then I was introduced to Kaching Design's new shirts and I realized that maybe I could live with the chilly temps a little longer.
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Canine Love
I swear, we don't have a house filled with junk food (so back off, Sanctimommies). Yet for some reason, my toddler already equates each holiday with what crap she will get to eat that day, and candy hearts are on the horizon.
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I Want to Be the Girl With the Most Cake
The sigOth and I had this great idea to save all of our daughter's birthday hats, ostensibly to watch the progression from Elmo to Diego to Toodee, if one day Yo Gabba Gabba licenses their characters to party supplies.
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Lady in Waiting
We've seen a whole lot of handmade felt hair clips, but none that made us grin quite like The Little Lady Clip at Lily-Pie designs.
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Mr. Destructo
If there's one huge difference between my son and my daughter, other than the obvious, of course, it's that my son has a penchant for total destruction unlike anything I've ever seen.
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The One Time the Babies Kiss the Candidate
Given the wide range of Presidential candidates still in the running this year, why not add one more?
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Show the Love All Year Long
We're certainly not anti-Valentine's Day here at Cool Mom Picks; I mean what crazy person is going to turn down an excuse to eat chocolates and get flowers? But we like to think that if you're going to stock up on holiday-type stuff for your kiddo, spend your cash on something that she can wear all year long.
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That's Kangaroo Rat to You
With the gaggles of educational animal shows and books out there, the cows, chickens, and puppy dogs of my childhood have been replaced with orangutans, meerkats, and my daughter's current favorite, chinchillas.
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Enviro+Chic
These days, you can't throw a virtual stone without hitting a new environmentally conscious boutique. As we can attest, not all are created equal.
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The Amazing Adventures of SuperChloe
As much as I love those cute flouncy cotton kid's aprons, frankly, they're no match for a toddler and a spatula full of brownie batter. So I absolutely fell in love with the kids aprons from We've Come a Long Way, Baby
Regardless of how you stand on the candidate herself, the fact that there's a woman leading more than one presidential poll is pretty awesome.
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Heads Turning Heads
I love that we've still got a good few months of hat-wearing weather in my neck of the woods. Only partly because my bald baby sports the chapeaux rather nicely without all those fussy locks to get in the way. Our latest happening haberdashery find: The awesome one-of-a-kind creations from Cozy Knits (Literally).
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Editors' Best of 2007: Duds & Shoes
BABY CLOTHESKristen: Maybe it's because my husband and I are both avid guitar players, or because it's one of the most amazing shirts I've ever seen. But either way, Damestarbaby's handsewn guitar tee has won my heart. Liz: The cozy sweatshirt-styled... ... [More]
Not Late, Just Picky
I technically don't yet have a Christmas dress for her. I've been waiting for just the right dress to call to me. Except there's only one week left. Whoops. Fear not you "picky" mamas; when you see the dresses by NoKo, you'll be very glad that you waited.
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The Three Little Kittens Would Never Lose These
Even though snow isn't exactly headed to my part of Atlanta any time soon, that doesn't mean my kids don't need mittens. Chilly little fingers occur with or without the white stuff.
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Über-Hoodie
With December weather fluctuating between mildly cold to oddly warm, toddler-sized layering pieces are a mom's best friend. On my own wish list: A Random Nicole hoodie.
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Tutus for Even the Tutu Wary
As my toddler grows old enough to express clothing preferences, I'm a little less averse to frilly tutu kind of stuff and a little more into making her happy. (Don't make me admit it in public.)
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Hair Clips That Make the Other Hair Clips a Little Envious
In our house, stocking stuffers weren't the cheap crappy things you didn't feel like wrapping, but rather the really nice (and sometimes expensive) loot that just so happened to fit in our stockings.
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Haul Out the Holly
So maybe you need a little Christmas, right this very minute - or maybe you're doing your best Bah, Humbug every time you hear another round of Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer in the supermarket.
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Mom-Approved Mistletoe
I'm all for celebrating the holidays with a bit of seasonal wear, but I haven't quite figured out why, in order for something to be considered festive, it has to be drenched in snowmen and candy canes.
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You've Got Guts, Kid
I'm not sure why people feel the need to go up to my little girl and call her "Princess." Is she wearing a tiara? Waving a wand? Setting me up in a 60 room castle filled with jewels? If only.
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Come on Baby, Do the Locomotion
There's a rumor going around that boys love trains. I wouldn't know for sure, having girls myself (including one who happens to love trains) but I will assume that every boy I've ever seen who needs to be pried from the train set in our local toy store speaks for his brethren.
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The Chosen People
This month is National Adoption Month and we've been keeping our eyes out for cool things to honor the little people who had to make two tough journeys early in life - the one through the birth canal, and then the one to their meant-to-be-parents.
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Psst...Girls Like Trains Too
I know that traditionally, it's boys who like cars and trains and trucks and girls who like...I don't know. Sparkles. I guess.
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Not Like Any Grandmother Sweater We've Ever Seen
When I think of grandma sweaters I think of scratchy, wooly, dated things that you pull out for holidays - if you really really have to. But Fairybread for Kids, is putting a new spin on the term.
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Sets With a Story
I'm really not a "cute baby set" kind of present giver. I generally choose interesting separates and put them together but it doesn't often have that wow factor I want for really great friends. But then I found Lil Squirtz.
Saving The Earth One Empire-Wasted Toddler Dress At A Time
This cozy lounge dress is simply adorable and stylish, no doubt about it. So would you be surprised if I told you that the vivid blue you see is 100% organic cotton from genius kids label Kate Quinn Organics?
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Not Your Mother's Polyester
I'm a mom who tends towards cottons and natural fabrics. So when I heard about the quick-drying kids duds from Milk Factory I admit I was skeptical. But I've come around.
I'm in Love With the Milkman
Apparently the milkman is not some mythical figure we all hear about when no one can explain why cousin Marty looks nothing like his dad. Rather, he's a Nashville based t-shirt designer with fantastic taste.
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When I find gorgeous ribbon ponytail holders, like the handmade ones at Tees That Score a B+
Instead of tees proclaiming your child to be yet another Princess or Hot Shot or (gag) Future Diva, we've found a much cooler alternative in the urban style statement tees from Be Positive.
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Hooray for Hoodie Season!
Did I mention I'm a freak for Fall? The cool crisp air means no fights with the winter coat just yet, but it's definitely time to pull out those cute sweaters or hoodies and start getting your layering chops back.
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Procrasti-moms: The Halloween Costume of Your Dreams
I cannot be the only loser mom out there with the very best intentions as far as Halloween costumes go--only to end up sobbing in the empty aisles of the costume store on October 30, trying to decide if I go for the one cheesy cheerleader costume left, or just try to make something out of tin foil at home.
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We Love Us Some Ben Sherman
It's Just a Fantasy (Whoa Oh Oh Oh)
Halloween is going to be here before you know it wouldn't you know, I still don't have costumes figured out yet. If you're looking for a little PVC-free inspiration, one of our favorite shops, Quiet Hours Toys, has a dandy little dress-up department.
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The Clips To Match the Clothes to Match the Shoes
I've said before on these pages that I am lacking the crafty gene. And so thank goodness there are people out there who are making beautiful things for my children to wear--like mom and designer Kami Friday, who creates some of the coolest clips for kids at her shop, Maya Papaya.
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California Dreaming
Maybe because I've got an ex-boarder in the family, but I'm a sucker for skateboarding clothes on kids far more than other sports-inspired clothing. (Although props to bowling shirts - love you guys. Mwa.) I'm always on the lookout for suave options for future skate zombie and now we've uncovered one more.
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Slowly Back Away From the Pink
There's more to the color spectrum than pink and purple, but try telling that to a little girl. I've found they often need a little encouragement from fashion-forward parents in order to break away from those girly-girl trends.
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A Tee For Every IPod Category You've Got
It's getting to the point where ACDC toddler tees and Metallica onesies are becoming so easy to find, I think if you're looking to stand out, you're going to have to reverse course. In other words, maybe it's time for some Barry Manilow duds for those kidlets.
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Skull Cap! Get it?
While the trendy kidswear motif of 2007 is undoubtedly birds for girls and skulls for boys, we think it's only fair that girls get a fair shot at wearing skulls too--a kinder, gentler skull.
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Scary Hair!
I love Halloween, but the old school Halloween - the kind about ghosts and witches and carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples. Not the kind that gives ten year-olds an excuse to dress like Paris Hilton.
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Calling All Earth Lovers
While we like to promote eco-conscious clothes and gear whenever we can, it's tough finding green-wear that's up to our standards. There's something about a "My parents recycle" toddler tee that just rubs me the wrong way.
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Oh Those Clever Dutch
I love poking around European kids shops because the sensibility is just a little...different than ours. Think fewer fire trucks appliqués, and more apples on stilts doing ballet while wearing French poodle masks. Or something like that.
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Don't You Know That Your Tie's Too Wide?
Want a kid's tee with an ironic hipster slogan on it? I've got a few ideas if you've got all day. So how happy was I to find a totally fresh take on pint-size hipster fashion via Canadian Rock & Rattle boutique.
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Haute Coat-Ure
I first met Beth Miles, the designer and visionary behind the Ses Petites Mains label earlier in the year at a trade show, and instantly fell in love. Not with Beth per se--although she is pretty cute--but with her absolutely inspired clothes.
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For the Princess Whose Poop Don't Stink
There is certainly more frivolous girlie-girl, princessy, pink, ridiculous kidswear out there than you know. And actually, you don't want to know.
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As Close to a Martin Guitar As You're Going to Get, Kid
Seeing how we have way too many expensive guitars piling in our closet, I feel the need to put a kibosh on daddy's new tactic for bonding with our daughter--the hugely expensive toddler guitar purchase.
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Ironic Tees: Now With More Irony
There are no shortage of ironic materni-tees, a few of which we've highlighted here on Cool Mom Picks. But for every funny tee I come across, I can always think of my own saying that I know be a winner.
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A Dress You Take Out for a Spin
It's a rare girl who can resist a bit of twirl. If you haven't spun around in a billowy dress until you were so dizzy you staggered and fell down on the lawn, well, you haven't lived.
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Whoooooo Has The Coolest Shirt?
Longtime readers may notice that we never feature $80 toddler jeans on Cool Mom Picks. Why? First of all, they're stupid.
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The Sassy Side of Hair Clips
Now that my daughter actually has hair (kind of) my latest obsession is tracking down cool hair clips for her with the hopes that one day she might actually let me put one on her. It's a cheaper hobby than shoe shopping, that's for sure.
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Florals for Fall
While I love diving into the cozy cashmeres and comfy knits again, I hate saying goodbye to all the bright, promising floral prints of Spring. So when I found the little girl's Blossom Keyhole Tunic at Abe Jones, my finger edged towards that "buy" button without a second thought.
Some Bling is Better Unseen
I have learned in a relatively short time that kids love anything with their names on it. It doesn't matter if it's spelled out in English, Greek, or hieroglyphics--in which case you could kind of fake it, come to think of it. There's no better gift.
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Nononono...I'M Tiger Woods
Everyone's favorite Tiger reportedly shot a 48 on a nine-hole course by the ripe old age of two. That seems unbelievably early to me as far as getting the kids swinging, but hey, if you have a budding golf enthusiast (with kabillions in endorsement potential), then we've got your gear
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Looking Smart
I admit to being a bit skeptical when it comes to all these baby products that promote early learning. Is it really necessary to label a baby spoon and bowl with words and pictures?
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Felt Up
We've done our best here at Cool Mom Picks to highlight fantastic alternatives to typical baby hair clips. But what we've discovered is that when your kid actually gets enough hair for real accessories, it's as though the designers just take all the creepy infant hair bows and just make them bigger.
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A Totally Organic Experience
We love organic kids clothes' for any number of reasons, but sometimes I get the feeling that the companies who make them are just jumping on a trend to make a buck. Then there's Little Green Stars.
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You're Never Too Young to Accessorize
Who knew that a three-year-old could require accessories? My daughter has her own jewelry box, a slew of hats, and now she's asking for belts.
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Like the Best Flea Market Ever, and No Tube Socks
Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear about Hyena Cart, an online community where moms can sell their handmade wares--and the rest of us, luckily, can buy them.
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The Itsy Bitsy Yet Totally Stylish and Even a Little Avant-Garde Spider
I am all for spending a little more on an article of kid's clothing if it's gorgeous, well made, good for multiple uses, and particularly if it's supporting a small business. And now that I have a second daughter, I've got a new trick: Just look at any price and divide it in half - 50% for each child. Isn't justification wonderful?
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That's Mr. Posh Spice To You
As our nation's kids head back to school--and soccer practice--with visions of bending it like the newly green carded David Beckham, I say get them a little gear to go with the aspirations.
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Love Bug
I used to chuckle when all my friends with little boys would complain about the clothes offerings. Little did I know, I'd be chiming in with my own disgruntlement with the lack of anything other than crossed hockey sticks and little toy trains.
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The Smarter Animal Alphabet
I will be honest, when I got wind of another line of alphabet tees, I wasn't expecting much. But whoa! Where are the silly illustrations? Where's that old standard, C is for Cat?
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Pick Up A Spare
At only 22 months, my son may not have the coordination to throw a strike, but he can sure look the part in the smart bowling shirts from Kid Brother.
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Bling for Braniacs
I've got a nagging fear that today's generation of girls, growing up in Swaraovski-studded shirts that say future model, are in for quite a shock when they get older and do not, in fact, turn out to be models.
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Shades of Brilliance
I see the racks of kid's sunglasses at the superstores and while the hot pink princess shades might seem terribly cute to my daughter, they do nothing to protect her from the sun--or make me keen on buying them.
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Che What?
You know a trend has peaked when the parodies start making the rounds. And the best one we've seen yet: This new take on the already ooooold Che Guevara tee at DryGoods.com that says I have no idea who this is.
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Equal Opportunity Guitar Tee
If the kids' tee motifs are any indication, rock n roll dreams are strictly for boys. They get shirts featuring drums, guitars, the upright bass--while girls are stuck with sparkly pink groupie shirts that say stuff like rock n roll princess.
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From The Fabulous Folks Who Bring You Gouda
I have nothing against pink, especially now that my daughter has proclaimed it her favorite color. But pink plus frills, plus lace, plus spaghetti straps on an active three-year-old just doesn't cut it around here.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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New Uses for Old Kimonos
Considering how many barrettes my daughter trades away to her friends on the playground, I don't often get excited about one-of-a-kind hair accessories.
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Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?
In these past few years as a parent, I've picked up several pearls of wisdom. 1.) Never leave your kid alone in the bathroom. 2.) No matter how late you put them to bed, they'll still wake up early. 3.) Clothes that can be worn several different ways are priceless.
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Pick Your Decade
I've loved the vintage look since long before vintage became fashionable. (I know, I know...everyone says it.) And while I occasionally pine for the adventure of finding treasures among the piles at thrift stores, these days I'm doing more of it online.
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Swimming with Konfidence
I know, I know, it's just too hard to choose between trombone for toddlers and, pre-k/ickboxing. But whether you're the type to go overboard on kids' activities or not, I hope you're fitting swim lessons in there somewhere.
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Germs! All Over His Shirt!
I've always thought that that old nursery rhyme about little boys being made of snips and snails and puppydog tails was sort of weird. First of all: Snails? Really? When's the last time your kid played with a snail? And what the heck is a snip, anyway?
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Diapers Are So Last Year. Literally.
When my daughter started potty training, I was introduced to the world of toddler underpants that come smothered in the 2-D world of licensed characters. While I can sort of see the incentive of wearing your favorite talking animal on your bum, I'd like to think that there are other options.
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Eeny Meanie Miney...Oh Forget It, I'll Take Them All
While it's fun dressing kids in woolly sweaters and cute snow hats, I must say that flowy, breezy summer clothes for kids really hold the key to my heart. And Eeny Meanie is one of those labels that makes me remember exactly why.
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Go Ahead and Squeal "So Cute!" We Won't Tell Anyone.
When it seems that a lot of babywear is about who can be hipper or more irreverent than the next guy, it's refreshing to find a shop that gets back to the basics. Especially when those basics are so cute that you want to buy a dozen of them.
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Feeling Fruity
I'm not into the matchy-matchy look with clothes for my girls. They seem to like eclectic, creative fashion as well: The wildly patterned tights, the bright shirts, the multicolored shoes. I figure as long as we're not blinding anyone, we're good to go.
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Sometimes Girls Have All the Luck
Apologies in advance to all the mother's of boys out there - read further and your ovaries are going to start screaming out for a baby girl, simply so you can dress her in the goooooorgeous bits of gorgeousness from Matti + Me.
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Pulchritudinous, Recondite Garments for Erudite Gamins
It's never too early to start tossing those fifty-cent words around the kids--you might be surprised at how quickly they stick. Now admittedly I say this as a mother whose young daughter insists upon having her way by informing me that "it's a moral imperative."
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Retiring the Ponytail
I have to laugh when I hit my local mom group and almost every one is sporting some form of a ponytail. Let's face it, chasing around kids forces most of us to save actual hair styling for extra special occasions.
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Tattoos Aren't Just For Sailors
If you've got a family that's planning to take you out out to brunch on the 14th, make sure they're coiffed and clad in mom-worshipping style. Something like the Tattoo Heart Mom shirts from Inky Dink Tees.
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Oh, Bull
There's something about kids tee designers and bad puns that seem to go hand in hand. Not sure what it is, but we've come across enough "chick magnet" tees featuring little baby chickens (Get it? Get it?) to lasts a lifetime.
Bonnets, Brooklyn Style
I may gravitate to the classic and the traditional, but I don't dress my girls like we live on a little house on the prairie. Thoughts of calico dresses and frilly bonnets give me Nellie Olsen flashbacks. No thank you.
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How Do You Say ‘Awesome’ in Italian?
As a lover of all things multi-cultural, I am on the hunt for quality baby gear that is both inclusive and multilingual. I mean, I get the charm of diapers embroidered with ‘Oui Oui!’ but I’ve been looking for something a little more…classic.
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Sunday Driver
When I first had a baby I remember very distinctly getting the single word of advice: Zutano. My friend turned out to know what she was talking about. I loved the mix and match, durable styles for newborns, never having any idea that this mom-and-pop run company (turned fashion force to be reckoned with) also made cool stuff that older kids could get into. Now I know.
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Viva La Revolution!
I'm always looking for great political kids' tees because really, what is more 2007 than a toddler with a cause? But the fact is, most of the threads look like the design was an afterthought. Why can't socially-conscious families dress their kids in hip clothes too? Does it always have to look like some guy in the mall just stamped "No War" on a ratty tee in iron-on letters and called it a day?
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Home Run Style
Now that baseball season is in full swing (haha) we've had our eye out for appropriate kids duds that transcend the same old same old. Not that there's anything wrong with an authentic Derek Jeter jersey (Bosox fans, hold your tongues) but we like it when our kids can stand out a bit in the crowd of 15,000 at the stadium.
Keep On Rockin' In the Preschool
It's never too early to introduce your kiddos to the joys of rock. Oh sure, they'll eventually rebel, coming home from high school blasting Steve and Eydie from their 16th generation iPods. But there's no reason you can't at least start them off on an acceptable musical path.
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Parenthood: A Taxing Experience
How you feel about today comes down to one thing: Whether the number in that teeny little box at the bottom of your tax return has a plus before it, or a minus. But one thing we can all agree on is, it's a good day to have kids. Many, many kids.
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Step Aside, Batman
I'm all for supporting my daughter's wild imagination as my blouses become her beautiful gowns and that old ratty dish towel, a magical cape. The only thing I don't love is the argument that precedes almost every trip out the house when we have to leave her creative outfits behind.
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Vintage Fabrics Go to Waist
While I rarely take the time to accessorize myself, I love finding just the right adornments to complete my daughters' outfits. No matter how cute the clothes themselves may be, it's often the hair clip or the cardigan or the belt that perfects the look.
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Because the Old Milkman Joke Never Gets Tired
If anyone ever comments that our daughter looks like her father, her father's answer is always some form of, "really? The milkman?" Yes, it's a chestnut. But for some reason, he's that rare guy who can totally pull it off.
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See a Pinny, Pick it Up...
No matter how cute the current trends in baby threads may be, there are some children's classics that never go out of style. Or at least they shouldn't, in my opinion.
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Clips That Stay In? Be Still My Heart.
Not to brag, but my girls have quite lovely hair: Think spun silk. However, it's a bear to style since elastics tangle easily, and barrettes slide right out. If my preschooler was more open to me fussing with her hair for 36 bazillion hours at a sitting it might not be so much of a problem.
Personalized Onesies, Hold the Cheese
I love buying personalized tees for my friends' babies, but it's often hard to find something that isn't either absurdly blinged out, or so cutesie-sweet it makes your teeth hurt. So I'm loving the personalized tees and onesies from the hip new online shop, Little Uni.
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Two, Two, Two Pants in One
I love the concept of reversible kids clothes. And not just because I'm a shameless laundry avoider. It's more so because I am at times too indecisive to choose between two items--I want them both. So when I came across the entirely reversible swingy, Springy pants from So Anna I knew they were calling to me.
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Children of the Children of the 70s
Some trends in kidswear cannot be short-lived enough. That whole pimp genre of little boys' tees? If I never see another one again that would be just fine. But one trend I'm loving: The groovy 70s-inspired designs on kids tees, that look eerily like the ones I might have worn back in my way younger days.
The World's Least Girlie Barrettes
Even tomboys need hair clips; after all, how are you supposed to catch a frog if your hair keeps falling into your face? But unfortunately most of them are so...girlie.
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Coloring Books Meet Couture
My daughter is a certified coloring addict. We've no shortage of crayons, coloring books, and completed pages (and walls) all over our house -- and if I have to color another Elmo, I might just lose my mind.
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Pour Some Sugar on Me
I'm not crazy about saccharine-sweet girls' clothes. Too much pink and lace and I start to get a toothache. But real sugar? Bring it on, baby.
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The Dingo Ate My Baby!
Sometimes we just find a kids tee that makes us laugh so hard, we'd be remiss if we didn't share it with the world - even if our first instinct is to keep it for ourselves.
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Kimono My House
I go by that old shopping adage that if you're unsure about something, walk away; if you're still thinking about it the next week, it was meant to be. (I also sometimes go by the adage, what the
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Promoting Truth, Justice, and Phthalate-Free Fun
There is hardly an American child alive who doesn't go through a superhero fantasy phase. When my daughter decides she wants to be Wonder Woman, or Super Girl, or The Amazing Flying Ballerina-Lawyer, I will happily indulge her. But not with those scary dioxin-emitting plastic costumes from the store.
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Pants Begone
The only way I can get my daughter to wear a dress is to tell her we're going to a party. Otherwise, she's all about the pants. And honestly, I can't really blame her; it's a bit difficult to get all... ... [More]
More Mommies To Love
In a world where Heather has two mommies, as do her friends Olivia, Aiden and Sam, we think it's high time the old standby "I love my mommy" onesie took on a 21st century twist. The I love my moms... ... [More]
Son-of-a-Kind
Since my kids (as we all feel) are like no others, it's nice to stock their wardrobe with clothes that are the same way - like the one-of-a-kind shirts from Havins Originals. Inspired by good old rock and roll and a love for vintage design, owners/designers Sandi and Vikki have created a truly unique product; no two shirts are alike
A Poncho for North of the Border
One of the few trends I'm happy is sticking around is the poncho. It's just easier to wrangle my squirmy little girl into her mild-weather outerwear when there are no sleeves to deal with. And frankly, she looks cute it it. (Not that she wouldn't look cute wearing a garbage bag.)
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The Rockin' Ballerina
After spending part of the holidays with my girlie-girl nieces, I was trying to come to terms with the inevitable fact that very soon, my own toddler daughter will be asking for princess this and ballerina that.
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Take That, Shiloh You Poser
It's difficult enough that I get mobbed every time I walk down the street these days--Oh my God, you're Liz from Cool Mom Picks! Oh my God!--but when my daughter's with me, it really presents a challenge.
We are the Knights Who Say "Maaa-aaaa."
My dear friend's son loves playing dress-up. Unfortunately, while his sister has a trunkful of beautiful princess outfits with handmade flower garlands and gauzy accessories, he's stuck with cheesy plastic costumes leftover from Halloween after-sales. What's a budding knight to do?
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No Son Of Mine is Wearing Tighty Whities
So what happens when the incentive of sporting tight little undies isn't enough for your little guy to ditch the diaper?
I Saw the Sign
We tend to see certain ironic baby tees over and over, with the same cheeky quips (cranky baby! chick magnet!) repackaged with different graphics. So I had to stop and give pause when I came across the 100% organic cotton shirts created by mom Liz Murphy of Speak Clothing.
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Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia
One prerogative we all have as parents - forcing our kids to wear hats against their will. Without some way to secure it below the neck, I just don't know a single kid that won't toss the thing to the ground at the first opportunity.
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Preparing for the Flood
My little girl loves jumping in puddles after a good rain. She'll get a huge grin on her face, just before her bounding through every fallen drop in her path. The only part I have issues with, however, is the post-splashing whining about wet socks.
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