Cool Mom Picks

Cards, Schmards...Bring On the Chocolate!

Who deserves more sweet, delicious, caloric love on Valentine's day than hardworking mamas? No one, that's who. Make sure you point your sweetheart towards one of these goodies on the 14th.

Or if you're a single mom, a military spouse, or just have a holiday-averse man (grrrr....), give yourself a little love. You've certainly earned it.

For the nostalgic sweet tooth: Eleni's bakery has evolved those nasty-tasting heart candies into far more edible conversation heart cookies (right) which we tracked down at Dean & DeLuca. Same fun, cheesy sayings on top, no chalky aftertaste.

For the eco sweet tooth: Kate's Caring Gifts is one of our favorite stops for eco-responsible goodies, and they have an amazing selection of organic, fair trade, and even vegan chocolates. (Okay, so they're friendlier to the planet than they are to our thighs. We're okay with that.)

For the serious sweet tooth: Award-winning CocoaMill Chocolates will hook you up with a heart-shaped box filled with truffles - and the box is edible too. If you're really jonesing, spring for the 1.75 lb box.

For the compassionate sweet tooth: Mom-run Great American Pretzel Co not only makes yummy bags of chocolate-covered pretzel hearts (left) but is donating 15% of all sales in February to the American Heart Association.

For the fancy sweet tooth: If you're willing to put your money where your mouth is, Richart's Valentine's Collections are as gorgeous as they are delicious. The Intense Love assortment (above) is, well, intense. As it should be for $80.

What Celebrity Children Are Wearing (As If You Cared About That Sort Of Thing)

Last week Celebrity Baby Blog gave us a look at arguably the most fashionable celeb family, Gavin Rossdale, Gwen Stefani, and little Kingston decked out in camo.

While some mamas are wary of dressing the kiddos up like little soldiers, plenty of parents dig this throwback to the 80s punk look, which we're finding all over the place this year.

Traditional camo pants from Knuckleheads are perfectly cute. ($33 on sale at Chittypulga, right) Carlie Rockets does the pattern on comfy lounge pants.($34 on sale at the Silly Wagon) And we found a subtle charcoal pair by Okkies with a great-looking frayed cuff. ($25 on sale at Trendy Togs)

For a fancier version, Oilily's boy collection is online for the first time ev-ah, and these awesome pants have animals and trees cleverly hidden right in the print. ($95 at Silly Wagon)

If you prefer your camo as accent, we found accessories galore. Myself Belts added the print in classic green camo, and a pink for girls. ($15) We also love the camo Trumpette socks at Milk Shop. ($24) And Western Chief Kids does a funky chunky rainboot. ($25, left)

Mamas can score some camo too: Skip*Hop's smart, functional diaper bags come in classic green camo, plus blue and pink in various styles (starts at $28 for the Saddlebag, lower left). Fashionista mamas can preorder Oilily's V-Tarazan bag now for Spring. ($150 at Silly Wagon, right)

Dads can get in on the action too with Baby Skooch's two Urban Cool Dad Bags - we like the Desert style. ($130 at Rosenberry Rooms)

You can even add a matching wipes case, from Made by Angie. ($30) Because as we all know, diaper duty can at times be one heck of a battle.

*Use code GetSilly for 15% off at The Silly Wagon
*Use code "coolmompicks10 for 10% off at Rosenberry Rooms
*Use code XOXO2008 at Chittypulga for 10% off plus free shipping on orders $75+ through 2/08
*Use code CMP15 for 15% off at Made by Angie through 2/29
*Use code COOLMOM for 10% off at Myself Belts

In Case You Missed It: Staff Picks for January

No need to make my own baby food when I've got Jack's Harvest Organic Baby Food showing up right at my doorstep. Tasty, healthy, fresh and convenient--how all food should be. -Kristen
*Mention "coolmom" with your order through the end of Feb and get a free bag of go-Bananas with your order

I can't wait to check out Princess Katie & Racer Steve's new album as a change of pace from our normal kids' music selections. My girls will love the princess element, and I'll bet the tunes won't make me want to smash the stereo into smithereens. -Nancy

Domo arigato! Thank you very much, retro robot prints from PrestoBingo. Because of you, I finally found a "big boy" room theme my son and I could agree on. Right here on Cool Mom Picks. Of course. -Laura

My toddler is now on full-on KP duty, since getting her very cute, very practical apron from Bean Soup. Suddenly I don't mind her "helping" in the kitchen so much, now that it means less laundry for me. -Liz
*Use COOLMOMS at checkout for 10% off your order

Coat-collecting must be genetic; I've now passed the bug on to my kids. The Fancy Coats from Hazel Wood Children are my latest find, and the fact that they're US-made at a women's co-op adds to their appeal -Julie

I love The Little Lady Clip by Lily-Pie designs. It makes me smile for two reasons--first it says, "I'm a girl!" and second, it says that if my daughter's wearing it, she finally has some hair. -Tina
*Use code coolmom for 15% off your order through 2/29

We just adore the new eco-friendly nursery furniture from Spot on Square and Q Collection Junior, which each look more chic than crunchy. Is it too late to rewind the clock and redo all of our kids' rooms? -Staff