These days, there's just no way we could head back to school without a little (okay, a lot of) help from technology. That's why we've put together our second annual Cool Mom Tech Back to School Guide , which launched this week. You'll fi…
The summer is almost officially over and that means one thing: The launch of our sixth annual Back to School Shopping Guide , featuring close to 150 goodies that will help make your little and big kids' school year the coolest one yet. Y…
I learned the hard way, as have many parents, that if you buy a cheap backpack for your kid, even your toddler, you will be buying a second (and possibly third) backpack before the school year is through. So now I look for good quality, …
I take backpack shopping very seriously. My kids are hard on their stuff, so by the time spring rolls around, we may need to upgrade what seemed so new and fresh in the fall. I need something durable but slightly more kid friendly than a…
If you haven't yet settled on a new backpack for your older kid yet, I think she'll probably love this one-- at least if she's a fan of Twilight, or vampires, or True Blood. Which she is. As required by law. The Vampire Orthodontics back…
We're pretty sure that back to school is synonymous with a brand new backpack and not one that's ragged and torn from last year's heavy load of school books and homework . Here are a bunch of our favorite book bags that are not only cool…
Sometimes I picture myself like in a movie scene, on the back of a shiny turquoise scooter (yes, in my fantasy it's turquoise, okay?), silk scarf in my hair, cruising around Europe without a care in the world. That's not likely to happen…
Sometimes when I'm chasing four kids around the zoo, the playground, or the pool, I've wished for a bag that I can just pop on my back. Yes, I know that's called a "backpack," however, I'm not really a backpack kind of a gal. Plus I don'…
This past week, I had a dandy time perusing the 600,000* aisles of the NY International Gift Show, scouting out what's cool in gifts and gear and design for our fair readers. I was also honored to be one of ten judges of the Best New Pro…
I'm off to the park and I have my twelve-month-old in one arm, diaper bag on my shoulder, another hand holds the sand toys, my three-year-old needs my hand to get down the stairs and maybe we'll need a blanket to sit on... wait, I'm out …
I've learned that as my kids get older, they will have plenty of time to use their decked out backpacks with the 400 pockets and zippers. And I'll have lots of chances to clean them out. But for my little preschooler, I'm digging the new…
If you missed Cool Mom Picks editor Liz Gumbinner on the Today Show this morning, fear not: We've got the clip right here . Catch Liz chatting with Meredith Viera (who was wearing seriously killer shoes!) and sharing some of our favorite…
We're so excited that Cool Mom Picks editor Liz Gumbinner will be joining The Today Show tomorrow to talk about some of the cool back to school picks in our Back to School Shopping Guide. The best part might be that Liz gets to share the…
It's 104 degrees outside, and you know what that means: back to school and our annual Back to School Shopping Guide ! We know-- it doesn't make much sense. But we also know that the next few ultra-sunny weeks will require new clothes, sh…
We've long adored the cute, unique little kid backpacks from Little Packrats (now PVC-free, by the way!), but now that some of our little kids are turning into big kids, we're glad that they've added some new bags just for them. The new …
In the summer, I tend to let my handbags go a little more casual and a little less structured. Messenger bags can do the trick, but frankly, I don't want to look like a messenger. [ don't miss the giveaway after the jump!] That's where M…
I can't believe I'm already looking at back to school items for my kids, but that I am. So I checked in to see if last year's CMP find, Dabbawalla Bags , was doing anything new for 2010. And that they are. Good stuff too! I adore this Un…
We're huge fans of the Dante Beatrix backpacks for almost too many reasons to mention--the eco-friendly materials, the perfect toddler sizing, the adorable designs. How's that for a start? Now the company is simply named Beatrix NY. And …
You probably already know Crumpler for their sturdy, stylish bags for adults. Or at least you should. But now they've gone and shrunk two of their favorites down to kid-size and it's definitely worth a look. The Baby Pea preschool backpa…
Still looking for the perfect backpack for your preschooler? You're in luck. Because recently, CMP editor Liz Gumbinner taped a segment for BetterTV on some of the cutest backpacks for younger kids headed to preschool and kindergarten. O…
We're so excited to bring you the first of our new weekly Etsy round-ups. Tune in every Wednesday for more delicious handmade goodness. Everyone knows that when you go back to school , it is IMPERATIVE to have the coolest stuff. (Althoug…
I was clicking around etsy this past weekend and discovered this adorable handmade girls' pencil case that I love for so many reasons. The illustration is beyond precious of course, but the I Heart Books slogan is really the kicker. It c…
So okay, we've been fawning over Dante Beatrix way too much lately. First it was their fabulous eco-backpacks made out of 100% recycled bottles which now come in little kid sizes. Then it was their adorable wheelie bags for kids. Next up…
These days, not everyone wants (or needs) to spend money on a brand new backpack or lunchbox for the kids each school year. So I like the idea of finding those fun little doodads that help liven up backpacks and make them feel new again.…