Cool Mom Picks | SF MOM MAP

Holiday baby gifts for baby that are actually more appealing than the wrapping paper

November 20th, 2008 — Toys and Other Playthings, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Oh I just can’t wait for all those obligatory stuffed animals that my baby will get over the holidays because really, what do you give a newborn for Christmas? So here’s a suggestion: An adorable …

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Good news for the immature among us (ahem)

November 20th, 2008 — Reads from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

While I submit that no one in their right mind gives a kid a harmonica–even with a how-to book–I got the chance to poke around the Klutz site recently and there are definitely some cool new…

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Silhouette cards - Make sure they get your good side.

November 20th, 2008 — Announcements, Invites and Cards, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Every year, our families bug us about our holiday cards because we only send pictures of the kids. I guess my husband and I never figured that anyone would actually want to see our mugs too.

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Yak yak yak

November 19th, 2008 — Around the House, Baby Clothes, Kids Clothing, Mama Wear from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Merino wool? Old hat. Soy cotton? So last week. The new hot luxury fabric of the day it would seem is hand combed yak hair. Heavenly soft like cashmere, thick and yummy in every way.

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Scrub-a-dub-dub, Zoo Zuds in the tub

November 19th, 2008 — Bathtime, soap, stocking stuffer, zoo zuds from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I love the idea of all-natural soaps, but often I don’t actually love the actual all-natural soap. Sometimes they just seem… I don’t know. Fussy. Slimy. And weird-smelling.

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Berry beautiful holiday cards

November 19th, 2008 — Holiday Picks, Misc Paper Goods, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

These days you can spread “good will on earth” while being kind to it as well. But let’s be honest, not all eco-friendly cards are created equal.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year: The time our holiday shopping guide launches.

November 18th, 2008 — CMP Admin from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

The winter sweaters are out, the tinsel is already in the store windows, and the annual Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide is live and, if we do say so, kicking. We’ve scoured the web to help you…

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A bag that brings your work and your babies together in one

November 18th, 2008 — Baubles & Bags from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Yes, I’m an avowed bag fanatic, but that doesn’t mean I want to carry a second one for my laptop along with my diaper bag. However I had yet to come across a hybrid diaper/laptop bag that I’d…

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Definitely not your granny’s crochet

November 18th, 2008 — Baubles & Bags, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Thanks to my not-so-quickly shrinking postpartum body, the only items that are guaranteed to fit me are accessories. So at the top of my “dear santa pleeeeeeeeease” list are these Floral Crochet…

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I always knew books could save the world

November 18th, 2008 — Causes and General Do-Gooding, Reads, better world books, books, carbonfund, literacy, national center for family literacy, onine bookstore, worldfund from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I suppose they could’ve come up with a different name for Better World Books, but when you’re really making a better world for everyone through a love of books, well, the name fits. Perfectly.

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Baby Bjorn makes the bouncy seat of my dreams

November 17th, 2008 — Gear Essentials, Kids Furniture from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

BabyBjorn did a really brilliant thing when they launched their fantastic new BabySitter Balance bouncy seat - they created an adult-size version and let all the product review editors all sit in it….

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Not since the mimeograph have we been more excited to sniff paper

November 17th, 2008 — Announcements, Invites and Cards, Holiday Picks, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’m one of those goofy, sentimental types where it comes to personal correspondence. If you send me a card, you can be sure it will occupy a place of honor on my refrigerator.

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We’ve got the buzz right here

November 17th, 2008 — Baby Clothes, Bedding and Blankets, Burps and Bibs, Toys and Other Playthings from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Timing is everything. Like I finally discover the excellent boutique Baby’s Buzz, only to learn that they’re closing up shop and moving onto other endeavors. Bad timing.

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Invisibelt - Putting an end to plumber’s butt for life

November 16th, 2008 — Mama Wear, Maternitywear That Doesn't Suck from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Invisibelt is basically an invisible belt that every fashionista seems to be buzzing about these days. Yes, it’s invisible in that magic Wonderwoman airplane sort of a way because it’s clear plastic,…

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And the best kids music of 2008 is…

November 16th, 2008 — Tunes, Websites from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Last year, we helped introduce you all to the first ever Fids + Kamily music poll winners, decided by an incredible panel of judges who subjected themselves to endless hours of aural pain just to…

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Deck your halls all year long

November 16th, 2008 — Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy), Holiday Picks, J. Austin Ryan, ornaments, wall art from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Talk about getting a bang for your nursery decor buck: The whimsical set of mini hand-painted artwork are not just wall art, they’re ornaments. Personally, I’d hang them in the baby’s room, but sneak…

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Diaper bags get a makeover with oilcloth, believe it or not

November 16th, 2008 — Baubles & Bags, diaper bag, oilcloth bag from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’ve come across enough leaky bottles, squished tubes of diaper
cream and spilled snacks to realize that the stuff of mothering should
be strong enough to be hosed off in the backyard.

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Nice unit blocks

November 15th, 2008 — Toys and Other Playthings from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

We have our fair share of toys that beep, blink or speak, but one of my son’s favorites are his no-battery-required wooden unit blocks from City&Country School.

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You know what Bugaboos really need? A way to cost even more.

November 15th, 2008 — For the Menfolk, Strollers and Stroller-y Things from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Sure we all marveled at the Bugaboo strollers (and their price tags) when they first came out. They were the ergonomic and stylish answer to every chic mom’s prayers. However some dads needed a…

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Look mom, no hands

November 15th, 2008 — Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I know I’m very lucky to only have to pump as an extra curricular activity. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the benefits of owning a PumpEase, a cool mom-created product that allows you to use…

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Organic kids clothes take over the world. Starting with the holidays.

November 14th, 2008 — Kids Clothing, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

With all the holiday invitations coming up, I’m trying to broaden the girls’ party wardrobe without succumbing to either scary appliquéd sweaters or velvets and tulles that will be a bitch to get the…

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Raising a glass to glass baby bottles

November 14th, 2008 — Gear Essentials from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’m actually glad that I pitched all of the bottles I used for my first two kids and had to buy new ones for surprise baby #3. Because with all the recent news about plastics leaching BPA…

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Greeting cards for charities that benefit you too

November 14th, 2008 — Announcements, Invites and Cards, Causes and General Do-Gooding, cards that give, charity cards, christmas cards for charity, holiday, holiday cards from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

While I’ve always liked the idea of buying holiday cards that benefit a charity, the reality of some of those options was… not really what I had in mind.

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Do animals smile? Anamalz do.

November 13th, 2008 — Organics, Toys and Other Playthings from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

All three of my kids totally dig toy animals. Even the baby happily bangs the horse and cow and pig against the roof of our wooden play barn. It’s pretty easy to see that a bunch of new animal…

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Making the kids set the Thanksgiving table this year

November 13th, 2008 — Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy), family, holiday, thanksgiving from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Last year, my daughter had a blast creating custom place settings for each guest at our Thanksgiving table. The setting for her little brother had a school bus on it. The setting for my stepmother’s…

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The only thing cooler than giving kids books for Christmas - giving kids personalized books

November 13th, 2008 — Reads, children's books, personalized books from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

As I read my own childhood picture books to my daughter, I also read the handwritten dedication penned on the first page of most of them. To Rita, on her third birthday, from Mommy and Daddy. To…

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See Dick. See Dick wipe up puke.

November 12th, 2008 — Bedding and Blankets, Burps and Bibs from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

II’m a sucker for vintage fabrics, even when I know they’re going to be used to sop up body fluids that you could never have imagined you’d spend quite so much time with back in your prepartum days….

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Poppies…poppies…

November 12th, 2008 — Baubles & Bags, holiday from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

The grayer it starts to look outside, the more I want to remind myself that sunny days will return again. Fresh-cut flowers on the table, a bright-red pedicure, and this modern Poppy necklace from…

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Hand-me-downs go digital

November 12th, 2008 — Websites, hand-me-downs from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Let’s face it, Freecycle is filled with scary people (uh, no, I don’t want your used Kleenex) and the prices on eBay can be out of control. I’ve all but given up on great places to find gently used…

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Deck the walls with pretty things

November 11th, 2008 — Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy), Holiday Picks, christmas, holiday decor, holiday trimmings, wall stickers from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

With certain types of decor, your standard glittery, tinsel-y holiday trimmings just don’t fit. They’re festive, sure, but sometimes you just need something simple, something sophisticated. Something…

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Nap + Cuddle = Nuddle

November 11th, 2008 — Around the House, Bedding and Blankets, Burps and Bibs from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

The weather is finally turning cold here in Colorado, which means that it’s time to begin our annual battle over the thermostat. My husband turns it up, I turn it down, and round and round we…

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Function that makes me feel pretty for a change

November 11th, 2008 — Mama Wear from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

My baby boy and I are closing in on nine months of successful breastfeeding but unfortunately, that’s just the problem. Based on my first two babies, I planned for only a few months of nursing and…

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Shearling booties! Ack, dying from the cuteness!

November 10th, 2008 — Baby Clothes, Kids Shoes from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Feet certainly don’t get any cuter with age, so I figure I might as well leave my kids’ toes bare for as long as I can. But while bare toes are adorable, they look a little out of place paired with a…

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Rocketship Run - Laurie Berkner’s latest CD is a blast (off)

November 10th, 2008 — Tunes from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

My son has a crush on an older woman, and her name is Laurie Berkner. Judging by the number of times he’s listened to her new CD, Rocketship Run, he has fallen hard. Fortunately for the rest of us,…

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Giving the big sister tees a break with something a little more shiny

November 10th, 2008 — Baubles & Bags from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

My daughter, cursed with only a brother for company, regularly trots around the house with whatever doll she’s favoring that day and tell me it’s her little sister, and she’s taking very good care of…

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Dreaming of Verde Mela

November 9th, 2008 — Kids Clothing from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Dear employer, I respectfully request that from now on you pay me in Euros. Or possibly Yen. Because then I’d be far more likely to be able to afford the black and grey collared dress from Verde Mela…

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Beaba Babycook: Now you’re cooking, mama

November 9th, 2008 — Around the House, Food and Drink from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Call me ecologically bankrupt, but I’m willing to pay for convenience. Disposable dipes and wipes are a mainstay around here, as was jarred baby food–until I tried the Beaba Babycook.

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The Daily Grommet: Another enjoyable time (and money) suck on the web.

November 9th, 2008 — Websites from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Here at CMP, we see a lot of fabulous products created by entrepreneurs. But we don’t always get a chance to delve deeper into the stories behind those products.

So we’ve been waiting eagerly for…

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Glow Mama, Glow

November 8th, 2008 — Food and Drink from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I know I’m not the only mama out there went a little nutty trying to down those 10 glasses of water a day during pregnancy. I’m all for hydration, but after a while it was nice to change up to…

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You say tomato, I say Happy Tomato

November 8th, 2008 — Baby Clothes, Kids Clothing from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’ve learned in my humble five years as a parent that no matter how hard you try, kids are going to like what they like - and around here it’s trucks and mermaids. But what I have figured out is that…

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Pictures of you

November 8th, 2008 — Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy) from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I love to choose sentimental, personal gifts that say something more than “I dropped $50 on you.” (Hello, gift cards.) Problem is, sentimental, personal gifts can border on cheesy if you aren’t…

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Mama loves salsa, and now baby can too

November 7th, 2008 — Tunes from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’m all for exposing my kids to world music, but have to take into account that they do enjoy some of the regular old kids music (pain me though it does). Thanks to Baby Loves Salsa, the new release…

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Design your own booties. C’mon, you know you want to.

November 7th, 2008 — Kids Shoes from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’ve never been one to coordinate every aspect of my baby’s clothes, which is obvious based on the blue socks, pink pants, and yellow onesie my newborn is sporting right now. But I will say there…

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When you care enough not to leave your sitter a novel

November 7th, 2008 — Misc Paper Goods from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I’ve tried to use babysitter notepads, but they’re either too labor intensive, or they don’t have spots for the information I think is important. So I usually end up just writing out my own on a…

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Put a lid on it

November 6th, 2008 — Kids Clothing from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Considering we were just wearing shorts last week in Atlanta, the cold snap took me and my son’s poor little head by surprise. No wonder when I tried the hat from Eli’s Lids on him, he refused to…

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Diaper bag organization gets a fashion forward facelift

November 6th, 2008 — Baubles & Bags from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Long before Cool Mom Picks, I was a big fan of diaper bags that made a statement beyond “I wipe poopy butts all day long.” But after treating myself to something pretty, I soon discovered pretty…

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Moccis reinforce my view that slippers are for old ladies

November 6th, 2008 — Kids Clothing from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

We’re a no-shoes-in-the-house kind of family, which is no problem in the summer. But when the cold weather arrives, I’m stuck with a couple of kids with darn chilly feet.

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You won’t mind bringing these ants into your house

November 5th, 2008 — Toys and Other Playthings from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Wooden blocks are a staple in any kid’s toy chest, but wait until they get a look at the New Antics Ant Blocks. No matter which way your kids stack or place these wooden cubes they’ll create an…

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Oh go on, let the kids draw on their shirts

November 5th, 2008 — Kids Clothing, Toys and Other Playthings from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

Like plenty of kids, my own girls are obsessed with drawing–on paper, on their bodies, on their shoes, on the walls. Sigh. So I imagine they’d find themselves immediately in love with the…

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Soy to the World: Greener greetings from My Good Greetings

November 5th, 2008 — Announcements, Invites and Cards, Holiday Picks from Cool Mom Picks @ Cool Mom Picks

I have a confession to make: Generally I am terrible when it comes to sending out holiday cards. I always intend on ordering the photo ones, but there have been years when I just don’t get…

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Guide for family fun in the San Francisco Bay Area