Between the heatwaves and the crazy downpours, I feel like we've been getting more use out of our creative indoor toys this summer than our scooters. And now here's one more that I'm just smitten with, because it's more than just a build…
One of my children's very favorite thing about Grandma's house is the the swing in the backyard. We are city-dwellers after all, and swings are generally something you have to wait in line for. This one started as a little baby swing han…
Not everyone gets excited about cool passport holders. But I do. While I'm not the most organized of people in my normal, day-to-day life, I turn into an organizational queen when my family travels, so I'm always on the lookout for organ…
Long before it was considered the "right thing to do", one of our favorite toy companies, PlanToys was making imaginative, eco-friendly toys in cool, modern shapes and bright colors. While they've pushed the standards in environmentally …
At least once a day (sometimes more), my husband is searching for his keys and wallet. And don't even get me started about the piles of change all over my house. So that's why I think this new Etsy find might be a cool, surprising Father…
So I'm a sucker for everything handmade with a nerd-chic pop culture reference built in. It's like three of my favorite things all in one glorious, slightly weird package. And the handmade finger puppets from Abbey Christine fit the bill…
My kids graduated to a big-kid bed in need of a bedrail, right around the same time that they discovered the joys of sneaking book under the covers to "read" past their bedtime. I love their thirst for books but don't enjoy finding books…
It is a sad moment when I put a barely worn outfit on one of my kids and realize they've outgrown it before they've even had a chance to spill something on it. But now the smart people at online clothes-swapping site thredUP have come ou…
O, G. Can it B? Y, yes, I can C that a rainbow of letters is waiting for U. Seriously, though. Aren't these recycled felt letter pillows too adorable for words? The Personalized Letter Pillows from MableDear on Etsy are big, snuggly, and…
I never mean to, but I occasionally have a weird mind slip and underestimate the power of simplicity. When a package arrived in the mail from Gween , bearing six pieces of pretty, shiny wood meant to put together into a windmill shape, I…
Because I live in the desert, snowflakes are as rare as... well, snowflakes in the desert. We dream of white Christmases but they don't often happen. So snowflakes are my holiday totem, and I absolutely love how they've come together in …
Designer clothes tend to be timeless and well made -- I guess that is why the magazines call it "investment dressing." However, the reality is that most moms simply cannot afford to invest thousands of dollars on one article of clothing,…
My kids fell in love with Anamalz right away. Not so much because they were made out of eco-friendly, organic wood and textiles by a super cool Australian company. But because of all the reasons kids like toys--they're cute. And they're …
Garfield has never been called elegant, nor is Snoopy considered stylish. And yet, in the right hands, the Sunday comics are being transformed into stunning holiday ornaments. The Sea Urchin Recycled Newspaper Ornament from kissadesign o…
We were so impressed with the gorgeous eco-friendly holiday cards from Night Owl Paper Goods last year that we ordered them for our own CMP contributors. So when I heard they added a few new items to their collection of goodies, I couldn…
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…
I love family projects that are truly intended for the whole family. You know, instead the kind where on parent works (and gets frustrated), the other parent helps (and offers constructive advice), and the kids sit waiting impatiently. S…
I love that furniture designers have stopped looking at cribs as a utilitarian object, and started embracing their artistic nature. GroFurniture is a stunning new eco-friendly furniture line, all made in the USA by real furniture artisan…
There is nothing that gets my inner MacGyver going more than upcycling. The creativity it takes to see something useful in a random everyday object--love it, not to mention the fact it can be an earth-friendlier way to shop . It totally …
I am so not a crafty mom. I've said it a zillion times. But this here tutorial is so easy, and the results so awesome, even I can do it. The animal craft jar project idea at House to Home is literally as easy as gathering up all those an…
Maternity wear is a tricky thing. Looking like a slob for nine months is not what most of us want. On the other hand, spending a ton of cash on clothes with such a short shelf life can seem like a big old waste. The answer might be in a …
It's hard trying to sort through all the plastic safety issues these days when it comes to feeding our kids. Between BPA, pthalates, melamine fears and microwave warnings, sometimes I just want to throw up my hands in frustration; does e…
Qu'est-ce que c'est? Why it's only the sweetest cardboard play structure I've ever laid eyes on. Okay, I've only laid eyes on it online, but still. I think my children need this thing, stat. The French Café from Little Play Spaces takes …
I've been on a self-imposed no-new-furniture diet lately--we kind of either have to buy a new house or knock down a few walls at this point--so this brand-new line of gorgeous kids' furniture is absolute eye candy. Which may turn to in-m…