Cool Mom Picks March Newsletter

Gettin' Piggy With It

This past month saw the beginning of the year of the pig. This doesn't mean that you are required to eat bacon every day; simply that according to Chinese astrology, that babies born this calendar year will be affectionate, smart, warm and generous. And who knows, they might also like bacon.

We've tracked down a few fantastic gifts to honor the new piggies coming into your life over the next year. Remember, those born this year are destined to be generous and lucky; can't hurt to endear yourself to them early.

*WanArt's adorable Year of the Pig Onesie/Bib Set (pictured above) at Elsewares $35

*The collectible Birth Year Block (pictured) from Tree by Kerri Lee $14 or her Keepsake Box $38

*A super-soft Jellycat stuffed pig from Flying Peas $19

*BlaBla Kids' Pig/Whale Mobile at Artebebe $40

*Pretty Pig Jack and Lily shoes designed by children's book illustrator, Lori Joy Smith $24

*The Handscreened Pig Canvas from Jeeto! $39.95, $79.95

*A Chinese New Year-themed handmade baby blanket at Saari Design $25

For more great picks (pigs or not), visit Cool Mom Picks daily!

CMP Momtrepreneur of the Month: Claudia Weber

Claim to Fame: Mastermind behind Bottoms Up, The Fantastic Elastic for Moms-to-Be; Personal Assistant/Slave to 20 month old daughter Chloe

Former Life: PR Manager for Dove soap

How the idea for BottomsUp came about: "Throughout my pregnancy I fought a losing battle with my pants. I wasn't one of those lucky women who expands only in the belly and is somehow able to continue wearing pre-pregnancy pants with the button undone. Later in the pregnancy no matter which style of pants and skirts I wore, they all fell or were pushed down. I asked friends and salespeople in maternity stores if anything existed that could help, and came up empty handed. I thought the solution was so obvious - why not just hook your pants to your bra?"

What's the most challenging/most rewarding part of running your own business?: "What's not challenging about it! The most obvious answer is trying to find time to do both things - the mom thing and the business thing - wholeheartedly. By far the most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing it through to completion and getting nothing but rave reviews from friends and others who've tried BottomsUp. I knew in my gut it was a good idea and there was a need for it, but it wasn't until I heard it from real women that I was able to look at it and think, hey, I MADE this and people love it - wow!"

You can find BottomsUp at GetBottomsUp.com, as well as local shops around Brooklyn including Heights Kids, Ola Baby and Pazzazzz Kids.

In Case You Missed It: Staff Picks for February

While I know I'll be sporting a diaper bag for the next few months, I'm holding out hope for the day I can carry my Jane Redmond Big Daisy Bag. I guess I better start booking the babysitter now! -Kristen

My daughter loves dress-up, so I know she'll flip for the superhero cape from Ellie Bellie Kids. With her streaming cape behind her, she'll leap tall block towers with a single bound, rescue stuffed animals from their precarious perch on top of the couch, and fix that broken dining room chair. (A mom can dream too!) -Nancy

My fave pick for February is the Mi Amor Undies by Lucky Fish. They're cute, sexy AND made of cotton. What more could I possibly want in a pair of underwear? -Izzy

Whether or not you rocked the Docs in your younger days, it's hard not to smile when you see Clarity Miller's Punky Monkeys. Plus your daughter won't have to dye their hair green like I did with my Barbies - it's already taken care of. -Liz

This rocking release, the second from Beverly Hills music teacher Parker Bent, is the kind you won't mind listening to over and over yourself. Don't be surprised if you find yourself humming the tunes to yourself long after the kids are in bed. -Staff

I can't stop telling people about The Six O'Clock Scramble - my family, my friends, even complete strangers if they give me half a chance. Don't dismiss it as "just another cookbook"; it's actually changed my mind about cooking. Who knew that a cookbook could possess such evangelical power? -Julie

March Calendar: Always an Excuse to Shop

National Parent Month

March 16 - Everything You Do is Right Day

March 17 - St. Patty's Day

March 20 - Festival of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day

March 26 - Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

Welcome

While the first day of Spring is in sight, it's hard to imagine when plenty of us are still digging out from February's snow dump. We can safely say we're ready to cram the thermals in the back in the closet and stop mourning our kids' perpetually lost left gloves. At least we've got our laptops to keep us warm.

If you haven't been to CMP in a while (for shame!) make sure to check out some of the cool new features on our site. We're pleased to offer you some enticing discounts from our fantastic new affiliates, Craftsbury Kids, Isabooties and VedaPure.

And we're now offering absolutely wonderful giveaways nearly every single day. Don't be shy - enter. Someone's got to win. Might as well be you. We're pulling for you in fact. Go, you!

-The Cool Mom Picks Staff