I am obsessed with Vespa scooters. I mean, seriously, what could be better than hopping onto a scooter and zipping off into the sunset in some gorgeous foreign land? But what do you do if (like me) you can't afford your scooter fix? Well…
In honor of Black History Month, I've started sharing a beautifully illustrated new book with my kids that introduces them to 200 years of poetry from some of the most influential African-American poets. Even more than a history book, th…
It feels like the world is in a very give-back kind of mood this year, doesn't it? And while we have quite a few gifts that give back on our holiday gift guide , there's something particularly special about ornaments that support a great…
I feel a personal commitment to the amazing company fashionABLE, since having visited their operation in Ethiopia and meeting so many of the women who actually made the scarves. It's even one of my very favorite picks this year in our Ho…
As much as I love the holidays, hearing Christmas music in stores and on the car radio since Halloween has squashed my desire for another spin of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer . Luckily, like a surprise from Santa's elves, three of …
Recently, we introduced you to an incredible company making beautiful scarves that help significantly improve the lives of mothers and women in Africa. Along those same lines, we're so happy to see that babywearing has also gotten more s…
At this time next week, I'll be traveling through Ethiopia with the wonderful humanitarian organization ONE . Yes, I'm excited. Yes, I'm nervous. No, Bono won't be there that I know of. And yes, you will be hearing more about it. But whe…
As a mother, here's a program I'm so happy to be able to tell you about: for the next few hours only , you can help prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in a significant way by barely lifting a finger. In fact, you will quite lite…
As much as we know that dads love a present on Father's Day , not every dad expects one. In fact, certain charity-minded dads might not even want one. That's why we're highlighting these four nonprofits that are doing cool things--and wh…
This post is sponsored by Chase -- a strong supporter of the 100,000 Jobs Mission, a program that helps find jobs for veterans of the US armed forces. Learn more here : As if I needed yet another reason to love technology, it's worked wo…
Love bright prints, colorful toys, and cottons that will really breathe this summer, since they were crafted to withstand the sweltering heat of Africa? Love knowing that your purchase helps babies all over the world? Us, too. That's why…
One of our favorite kinds of Mother's Day gifts to recommend are those that give back, because we hardly know a mother among us who isn't committed to making the entire world a better place for our babies. Now there's a new one, offering…
Black History Month is rolling to a close, but it's never to late to share new learning resources with your kids. Along with some great books, movies and music picks that honor African American culture and history, I have recently come u…
We have always loved the versatility of Dan Zanes' music and the multicultural sound of so many of his songs, whether they're in his collaborations with the children of South Africa's Agape Orphanage in singing Zulu folk songs , or in a …
We love finding ways to make our purchasing dollars do good in the world. Now we have another one to add to the list, along with Tiny Revolutionary, Jedidiah, and do-gooder deal site Pure Citizen. Welcome, Sevenly! Each week, Sevenly sel…
I still remember so vividly the courageous story of Elizabeth Glaser, her children, and their own public fight with AIDS 20 years ago. She was the first person to reach out to Congress, in fact, on behalf of children afflicted with the d…
Oh, honey. You know we love our flash deal sites. Gilt for designer duds? Check! Fab for home goods? Totally! Little Rue for kids? Please! Ideeli for splurges? You get the picture. And it goes on. But this one has a unique twist that mak…
At Cool Mom Picks, we get a kick out of finding cool stuff to make moms' lives easier. Then along comes a community partnership like ONE Moms that's helping make moms' lives easier in a truly profound way: Keeping mothers and babies safe…
I'd have to say that cleaning the kitchen has always been one of my least fashionable moments. I'm usually in an old t-shirt, with a scowl on my face and schvitz on my brow. But a new designer sponge (that's right, designer sponge!) may …
Having just observed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day last month, my kids are familiar with this major figure in black history. But I want them to know that history goes well beyond one man (or woman), and the fact that February is also Bla…
I was in Starbucks this week--okay, a few times this week. ( What? It's Peppermint Mocha, season. ) And I was thinking about how much the people in my life like getting Starbucks gift cards over the holidays. Glancing at the display, I w…
I was fretting to my sister that I didn't know what to get her kids, my sweet little niece and nephew, who seemingly have everything. Her response: Don't you review kids' music for Cool Mom Picks? Just get them some cool new tunes! Funny…
This is the time of the year when the anticipation of holiday craziness, my kids' frenetic schedule, and the darker, drearier day conspire to really bum us all out. On these days we really need a big dose of lovely to touch us and make u…
Some kids put on a Superman cape when they want to run super fast. But my kid puts on her "Cheetah Dress," which is actually the Jasmine Shell Puff Sleeve dress from WeWe Clothing. And she has good taste, according to celebs like Halle B…