When my mom had cancer, one of the things that truly lifted her spirits (and ours) was when friends would drop off home-cooked meals. Beyond the comfort in knowing that people cared, the meals themselves were warm, delicious, and time-sa…
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…
In honor of World AIDS Day today, there's a lot you can do. It can be as simple as signing a petition to keep funding for AIDS treatment and prevention going to save the lives of moms and babies. It can be talking to your kids about AIDS…
We bet you know a pint-sized superhero or two. You might even have one battling baddies in your living room at this very moment. So maybe it's time for some new superhero threads for your fave good guys (and good girls). One of our favor…
While Cool Mom Picks is known for finding the coolest stuff out there for our readers to buy , we've also got a big soft spot for causes and charities , and generally just making the world a better place. (Bonus points if it also involve…
As some of you know, I recently spent a week in Ethiopia with the amazing organization ONE, specifically to see the tangible good that foreign aid is doing for mothers and families around the globe . The amazing thing about ONE is that t…
Today we are feeling so thankful to be home, safe, and with family, taking it all for granted that we can make fun of our aunt's terrible stuffing and bitch about the football game that just happens to be "very important," right when the…
For the past few years, my husband has kicked off November cleanly shaven and ended it in full mustache-mode. I don't even complain because he's doing it for Movember , an annual worldwide mustache-growing fundraiser to raise awareness a…
I couldn't help but giggle out loud when I caught wind of these awesome trucker hats. Available at Barnabas Clothing in four colors, the COOLio trucker hat is kind of more coolio than sticking Pabst Blue Ribbon up there which, you know..…
As a daughter of a veteran and a military spouse, Veterans Day isn't just another Monday off from school. It's when we take a moment to honor our own family members and others who have sacrificed so much for our safety and freedom. If yo…
I don't tend to spend much time thinking about my sock purchases. Half of my socks tend to get lost in that treacherous journey from laundry hamper to dryer, anyway. But I've just found an incredible site that makes shopping for socks--a…
We know how busy you mamas are these days, do we ever, but we really hope you'll take a break from playing super woman today and vote! Whichever button you decide to push (or hole you decide to punch), please take a moment today and hit …
Recently we told you about the Inspiring Mom Awards, sponsored by Tea Collection, and now I'm so thrilled to let you know that after much (much!) deliberation it's been narrowed down from 100 nominees to 9 finalists in 3 categories. And …
In light of Hurricane Sandy, I think a lot more of us are thinking about preparedness and safety precautions our families. Not that it's such a fun thing to think about. But when I saw this kit created for blackouts, I liked the balance …
We adore this new trend of "buy one, donate one" products, in the model of TOMS Shoes. And now there's one more, from a mom of two who took a personal tragedy and turned it into a truly inspiring company. After the near-drowning of her t…
Like many of you, we've been overwhelmed by the photos and stories of Hurricane Sandy. Some of us have even lived through it (but we're all safe, thank goodness!) so have been grateful that so many of you have asked how to help those in …
Sure, we love fancy candles as much as the next mom trying to cover up the smell of a yogurt pop hidden under the couch for two weeks. But men need candles, too, and we think they're really going to love this collection of masculine scen…
My kids are getting to an age when they're understanding that there are big differences between the way we live and how families around the world live.It's pretty tough these days, though, for a kid to feel like they can make any kind of…
We love shops like H+M which offer stylish but still affordable clothing--especially for our kids who we know won't be wearing that pair of jeans for another six years. But we're especially excited when we learn that the same shops are c…
No matter how hard we try, there will be times when our kids will be scared or sad and we won't be right there with hugs. From overnight trips to hospital stays, we found a great, snuggly friend to help keep a kid's heart warm when they …
I'm of the mindset that nearly every mom I know inspires me in some way. Even so, there are some that simply live in a way that is inspirational to many. That's why I'm so excited that our friends at mom-run Tea Collection have created t…
Today is the UN's official World Food Day , the kind of thing that often leaves well-meaning people thinking geez, what can I possibly do that will make any difference at all for hungry kids? Well here's one thing: Sign a really simple p…
I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy shopping. Because, uh, I do. But a brand-new partnership between two very green sites, Vine.com and Healthy Child Healthy World, has me even more giddy about my shopping habit. And with a nice little…