Cool Mom Picks

Shopping for the Mother of All Causes

You have to be living under a rock not to know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and that there are plenty of merchants and designers out there doing some good giving in its honor. But while we like do-gooding as much as the next gal, we've been on the lookout for items that go beyond your standard pink ribbon motif.

A set of five chic Echo Scarves were created by Fred Flare to honor CMP's good friend, fellow blogger, and current breast cancer survivor extraordinaire, mod*mom.
Where the $ goes: 10% of all profits to breastcancer.org

We've always loved TJ&Co's sterling keepsake jewelry and her new key tag to promote breast cancer awareness is no exception. The beautiful rose jade beading is a nice alternative to a pink ribbon and you can personalize the back.
Where the $ goes: 25% to Susan G Komen For the Cure

Environmentally-conscious Canadian company Hatley's Giving Breast Cancer the Boot campaign sends contributions from any purchase on their site this month--not just the cute kids rainboots.
Where the $ goes: 20% of all profits to LA's John Wayne Cancer Institute Breast Center

The always cool MD Moms has launched a limited edition We [heart] Moms Breast Cancer Awareness gift set to deliver pampering to both mamas and babies, including a breast self-exam shower card.
Where the $ goes: 15% to Komen.

For the whole month of October, any of Playdate NYC's pink, entirely handmade shirts will help the sisters out, including the funky new kanji styles featuring hand-painted Japanese characters.
Where the $ goes: 20% to Susan G Komen

Okay so we said we don't always wear our ribbons on our sleeves (or our shirts), but we can't resist the handmade ribbon baby tees and bodysuits from Resa Design, which let your children be your bullhorn.
Where the $ goes: 40% to Chicago based Bright Pink

Nummies nursing bras are made all the more beautiful when they're helping to support more than your own boobs - order off their site or from any of their retailers.
Where the $ goes: $5 from any bra purchase all month to Credit Valley Hospital Foundation for Cancer Research

Finally, The Silly Wagon is giving away 10% of all profits from anything in their awesome shop. What better excuse to stock up on the chicest kids' clothes, funkiest nursery decor, or coolest handcrafted toys out there? A little good for you, a little good for Komen...everyone wins.
Where the $ goes: 10% to Susan G Komen

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

Our friends at Celebrity Baby Blog, the world's most impressively unsnarky celeb site in existence, gave us a peek at Reese (just Reese. We're like that, see?) and her son Deacon who sports some awesome Vans.

More Sweet Home Santa Monica than Alabama, the Vans Old Skool V Toddler Shoe is available at one of our favorite shops, Little Ruler along with tons of other skateboard fashion that you don't have to be a celebrity to afford. Why do you think we're there so often?

Another great label for skate-influenced kidswear is Georgie Wear, which you can find online at The Polkadot Platypus. After all, man can't live on shoes alone.

In Case You Missed It: Staff Picks for September

I'll do anything for a smooth baby butt, or at least anything that doesn't involve thick stinky creams. The Bad Ass Booty Balm from Least Likely 2 Breed makes diaper rash not so bad. -Kristen

I used to search high and low for plain colored t-shirts to go with my girls' patterned skirts and pants. But now I know where to look: Cottonseed Clothing, with its huge variety of fabulous basics in colors like raspberry, lemonade, and tangerine. And yes, they look as yummy as they sound. -Nancy

*15% off with code coolmomnews

We featured so many really amazing items in September, I'm having trouble picking just one. But the colorful faux leather diaper bags from Lychee Line are sticking in my head for the lethal combo of style and practicality. I'm mad at Kristen for giving one away to a reader instead of to me. Is it unfair if I enter our own contests? -Liz

*20% off through 11/15 - email your order to sales@lycheeline.com with LLCMP in the subject line

We're doing everything to get my son interested in books, but it seems he enjoys throwing them more than reading them. At least with these softcovers from TyBooks, he won't destroy anything as he "reads." -Laura

*Free shipping through 10/31 with voucher code coolmom

Father Knows Less compiles the bizarre, insightful and hilarious questions kids ask and brings them to an amazing range of experts for the responses. We loved this book through and through, and not just because the author had the balls to ask Yoko why the Beatles broke up. -Staff

I take my slings (AKA magic baby quieters) pretty seriously these days, so I'm loving the Missoni Fabric Sling from bronwenhandcrafted. Not only is it an amazing sling--it's always the coolest part of my outfit. -Tina

Monsters and children's rooms don't usually mix, except in the case of YumiYumi's Berry Monster prints. These monsters (and their orchid and hibiscus munching pals) are welcome in my house anytime. -Julie