Cool Mom Picks

Ten Under Ten: Easter Basket Goodies

We hope this will be the first of many Ten Under Ten features, where the CMP staff tracks down the coolest stuff we can find at ten bucks or less.

This month we know quite a few of you have Easter Baskets to fill. Grab a few of these picks and save the splurges for the chocolate. For, um, yourself.

1. Tattoos for Tots makes sweet - and educational - tattoo packs that even your conservative MIL won't mind the kids wearing. ($3.95/pack)

*enter code CMP0408 in comments at checkout for a free sample with purchase (expires 4/30/2008)

2. Maya Papaya does a sweet easter egg hair clip, but the flowers can brighten up the entire year. ($6.50) We also love Detail Shop's personalized clips for girls of all ages. ($7.95)

3. Handcarved wooden bunnies from Woodmouse last a whole lot longer than the edible kind. ($10)

4. Egg-shaped crayons? Way too cute. From Storyblox who we previously only knew for their wooden toys. ($8)

5. Taro Gomi's Spring is Here is a colorful and imaginative intro to the season from one of our favorite illustrators. ($6.95)

6. Springy pencil toppers from Tatiri look great poking out from any Easter basket or goodie bag. ($2 each at Stubby Pencil Studio)

*enter bonus code CMP2008 to receive a free set of 12 eco-friendly colored pencils with purchase

7. Maple Landmark's Made by Me DIY-ish wooden toys are great for kids three to ten. ($3.75 at Kangarooboo)

*enter code CMP5 for 5% off at Kangarooboo

8. Give a kid a Paint-a-Pot kit and they've got an art proejct and a gardening project. ($4.99 at Oompa)

9. Utilibunnis hail from Portland, Maine, and are are hilarious, inexpensive, and wonderful. If you don't see one that suits you, commission your own. ($8)

10. DA Woodworks' hand carved wooden yoyos kick those plastic yoyos' butts. Do yoyos have butts? ($6)

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

Last month we saw some great photos at Celebrity Baby Blog of Catherine Zeta-Jones and her children Dylan and Carys slumming it on the golf course. And of course, they all look fab. So what's Dylan wearing?

Argyle, of course.

The preppy print is making a big time comeback all over the place.

We're seeing it in everything from bibs, like this one from Zebi Baby ($18 at Kitsel, right) to diaper bags like JP Lizzy's Diana Diaper Tote Set ($98, left)

*enter code COOL for 10% off at Kitsel

If you like it classic and preppy stick with a Cotton roll neck sweater like the one found at Arte Bebe. (Reduced to $47)

*enter code ABCOOL for 10% off at Arte Bebe

A minimalist take on argyle can be found at Oliver Lane, with vertical strips of the diamond print on clean white onesies ($18) across the chest on toddler tees ($14), or embellished with a single-letter monogram on shirts or karate pants ($16).

For a funkier version, new tot label ModesTod offers slouchy grey or pink argyle-printed tees with flying monograms ($20 at Urban Baby Runway, left). Or check out the Ooh La La Mama goth argyle onesie ($38) which has to be seen to be understood.

*enter code ModTod for 15% off at any ModesTod retailer (expires 3/31/2008)

*enter code CMP0308 for 10% off at Ooh La La Mama

Argyle can take over the entire nursery via Murge Design's baby blanket ($40, right), diaper bags ($180) and complete crib bedding set ($340).

But if you just want a touch the trendy print, stick with accessories. We love the cute blue and tan Baby Legs legwarmers ($12 at BabyLegs) or the girlier Jester Print ($12 at Flying Peas). But man, we just can't resist the trendy little knit cap from Kitsel ($24). If only our kids would keep it on.

*enter code CMP10 for 10% off at Flying Peas

*enter code COOL for 10% off at Kitsel

In Case You Missed It: Staff Picks for February

Why didn't they have the Ubi changing table when I had my babies? It's the perfect solution to the diaper changing table dilemma. And it looks fantastic too. -Kristen

*enter code CMP10 for 10% off any purchase at Mason & Matisse

I'm tired of searching through the pile of homogeneous backpacks in my daughter's backpack to locate hers. A few PakNak charms will help her bookbag to stand out from the crowd. -Nancy

*order through this link for 10% off

I have spent many hours admiring the beautiful artwork of Kelly Rae Roberts. At first I wasn't sure why I found it so captivating, but then I realized--almost every one of Roberts' girls has the same inquisitive half-head-tilt that my daughter favors in times of deep contemplation. Beautiful. -Mir

They Might Be Fantastic. And Here Come the 123s might be the best children's album ever. Plus we're completely loving the DVD bonus disc. It's this next generation's School House Rock. Check it out. -Laura

I don't like anchovies, but I do like the the shop Anchovies, which makes layette pieces that are modern and cool without trying hard. Perfect shower gift for a friend who's not big on smocking. -Liz

It's the best of both worlds: vintage-styled toys that you'll want to play with yourself. One more excellent reason to check out the Cool Mom Picks toy offerings before heading out to that big-box retailer. -Julie

*enter code CMP5 for 5% off any purchase at Kangarooboo

Every time I figure out which piece of Lisa Hurwitz's art I want, I then decide it really needs to go in my cubicle at work, not my daughter's room. Love the colors, love the style, love the way looking at it makes me feel--free. -Rita

I love the wickedly funny cards from Motherhood With Attitude. And not just because I think it's about time someone made a card with a screaming baby on the front. Welcome to motherhood. Mwwaaahahahaha. -Tina

*enter code coolmoms for 10% off