Scout Collection was the first company I ever encountered at a trade show that was totally committed to organic kids clothes and fair trade practices, but designed with styling that could hold its own in any chic urban boutique. This was…
For the first year ever, since becoming a parent, I actually have my kids' Halloween costumes ready to go with more than 2 hours to spare before the 31st. Well, almost. The last thing we have to track down is some black cat nail polish ,…
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and it's certainly one of my kids' too. But with all the costume-wrangling and candy-buying and party-coordinating, I suddenly realize I have yet to hang so much as a fake spiderweb on my front d…
Hey you, Famous Mom. Yes you, the one who held the kiddo's first birthday party at the Beverly Hills Hotel, hired Martha Stewart to make your cakes, and asked the Jonas Brothers to stop by to sing Happy Birthday. What are you going to do…
Anyone with kids know how important it is to label every single item they have. How else are you going to identify all the stuff that winds up in the lost and found bin? Over the years I've tried many different labeling methods and have …
I'm so high tech that, sometimes, I need to go low tech. For those of you like me, or those who just plain reject iPads and online organizers and anything with a plug, may I recommend the MEpad from LobotoME? Okay, so you can't surf the …
True Parent Confession: Life is so hectic that I once served crackers to my toddler in one of her own shoes. I couldn't give her the giant, store-fresh bag of cheesy crunchers in her car seat, but I had promised her a snack. So she had a…
Searching for just the right children's furniture always seems a challenge. You don't want anything too adult, or too baby-ish either. You want something as beautiful as the rest of your decor, and if you're going to invest in quality ch…
When I first discovered Abe's Market last year, I thought of it as an online Farmer's Market - goodies like small batch natural soaps, handmade baby blankets, organic vinaigrettes, and pretty much everything I love about our local Farmer…
It never occurred to me to decorate my kids' rooms with mirrors, probably because they're glass. And breakable. And potentially dangerous. At least when you've got a couple of rambunctious, climb-happy toddlers. Petit Collage must have t…
We know school lunches have been the butt of jokes since the invention of "mystery meat." But, if watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution taught us anything, it is that what our kids eat at lunchtime can get better with the effort and co…
Anyone can pick up a package of boring old jack-o-lantern paper plates at the grocery store. But guess what you can't get there? Customizable Halloween plates featuring your kiddos, all Halloween-ized with a spooky bride of Frankenstein …
I still remember what a pain in the neck it was for my now-husband and I to register when we got married. First of all, it was in the days before those handy little scanner things. Second, I wanted an iron and he didn't and there was a b…
I'm not what you'd call the decisive type. When I shop online, I put my almost-purchases in the cute little cart icons and let them rest there while I construct (and reconstruct) mental pro and con lists as to why I should get them. (Yea…
I can't be the only mom who would sooner frame a picture of my crying, tantruming kid than the pretty, perfect one that looks like I bribed her with a lollipop. In fact, I know I'm not the only mom who feels that way since discovering th…
I switched over to reusable grocery bags at the supermarket a long time before I managed to break the plastic produce bag habit, I confess. Because back then, the only "produce" options seemed to be bulky cotton bags that added weight (a…
It seems as though the more kids I have, the more inclined I feel to get into the spirit of each upcoming holiday. But aside from a bunch of freshly picked pumpkins on our porch I'm still hard-pressed to spend money on a bunch of disposa…
I'm always looking for cool alternatives to our current growth chart - pencil markings on our kitchen doorway. Classy, huh? I suppose anything would be a step up. But the amazingly cute personalized ones we just found are a huge, welcome…
I've had new bedding on the brain lately. Maybe it's the change of seasons, maybe it's the fact that we no longer have babies who are going to be spewing liquids all over our bed. (Or so we hope.) But after looking at the department stor…
I've been thinking about having a small Halloween party for my three-year-old and her friends . Nothing elaborate. No baking required. And I'll send out the invitations on-line because who has the time to dig up everyone's actual address…
Well, what an honor to wake up to find Cool Mom Picks on Babble's List of the 50 best design blogs for moms . We are in such amazing company we can hardly stand it. Click over for 49 other blogs we know you'll adore too, including some o…
I remember when I was a kid watching Mary Poppins, and I couldn't figure out how she could fit so much stuff in her purse . And then, when I had my first baby, I got all wistful over the thought of a cute, bottomless carpet bag that woul…
It's no secret we are big fans of Houston designer Melissa Borrell, having selected her stainless steel jewelry as a 2009 Pick of the Year. But her product line extends far beyond amazing jewelry. I am thrilled to see that she has turned…
Having small children underfoot can make even the simplest task complicated and/or maddening. But did you ever think that having a gorilla around could help bring much-needed balance and tranquility to your life? Okay. Fair enough. Me ne…