SAVE ELMO!
Here's the bad news: In the next few days, Congress will vote on a bill that could completely eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting. That's not an exaggeration. Here's the good news: There's still time to save Elmo. The g…
Topic
social good
A kids' party that gives books back. (Plus: cookies!)
Despite light-up toys, dolls that talk, and, um, iPads, at the end of the day, nothing holds a candle -- or backlit touchpad screen -- to a good kids' book . It's a lesson my 3.5 year-old daughter has already learned, and I'm sure your k…
The guy who told us to "Whip It Good" is all about doing good
Oh the red, plastic upside down flower-pot-ish hats, and the throbbing techno beat -- Man did I love Devo back in the day. Frontman Mark Mothersbaugh has always been a visionary and an artist (maybe your kids know him from Yo Gabba Gabba…
NOM NOM NOM your kid's nightmares
Four is a magical age. And for us, it includes a daily account of closet gremlins and nightmares that involve an epic battle between Scooby Doo and armored Transformer/My Little Pony hybrids. I love the imagination. The fear of bedtime, …
Putting the art in heart, times a million.
See that gorgeous iPhone case over there? It's printed from original art and signed by the artist. Impressed yet? You will be. The artist's name is Anwar, and he's from Kuwait. He's also a child cancer patient. All of the lovely goods fr…
Cuteness for a cause
It's clear we love bombarding you with ideas for adorable gifts that give back--but because we're picky, we look for the kind of stuff that's not just cool because it helps someone, but it's cool in itself. Well we love the idea that sho…
Our favorite charities for that very last end-of-year tax deduction
As we come to the end of an amazing year at Cool Mom Picks, we all have so much to be thankful for--our families, our friends, the fact that we get to do what we love. And of course, the support of the coolest readers on the planet witho…
On the thirteenth day of Christmas: PEACE.
Partridges, French hens, the splattered eggs of a dozen overactive geese. Forget 'em. If you want to say "I love you" with birds, go for the artistic, lasting beauty of paper lovebirds, another gift that gives back. Whether you'd like a …
Last minute holiday card help from Cocodot that helps people in need too.
This year, I planned on getting my holiday cards out with plenty of time and all of a sudden it's Christmas week . Good thing there's a service that lets me send out cards--really, professionally designed holiday cards--digitally. Not on…
Free letters from Santa that are more about giving than receiving
People always say that nothing is for free, but here is something that really is: A customized letter to your child from Santa that you help create. And it will do more for other kids than your own. At Letter from Santa , add personal de…
Send cookies to the troops without turning on your oven
Just around this time last year, my husband was returning home from his deployment in Afghanistan and he mentioned how he and his fellow troops really did appreciate the goodies and treats folks sent their way. With that in mind, I could…
10 holiday gifts that give back
The only thing better than connecting our readers with fabulous finds is knowing that those purchases do real good in the world. So we thought we'd take a look-see around Cool Mom Picks for some of our favorite picks that put your money …
Wondering what to do with your spare change? How about save some animals.
Before I was a Mom, what seems like a lifetime ago (oh, a whole four years back), I worked for the Audubon Society . It was thrilling to be involved in a community that was so passionate about conservation and protecting the wildlife we …
Raise your crayons for the Cool Mom Picks & Etsy ornament contest winners
You talented artists, you! You made it so hard for us to choose among all the amazing entries to our Cool Mom Picks + Etsy color your own paper ornament design contest to support Housing Works, and we have, after much deliberation, final…
Fingerless gloves find new fans in the smartphone age
Yes, I pretty much love everything from Shokay. Their gorgeous, hand-knit, fair trade items have made it into our baby shower gift guide , our 2010 holiday gift guide --and now, even our Cool Mom Tech gift guide . No, they're not making …
It's Small Business Saturday - Have you hugged your mom + pop today?
Well hello! And happy Small Business Saturday --quite possibly our new favorite shopping day. (It certainly sounds better than Black Friday, right? So dark! So ominous!) Today is an amazing opportunity to devote some of that holiday budg…
Know what your school needs? A bar.
Could your local school use a salad bar? Because I sure know that ours could. Well, believe it or not, you can possibly get one --free-- thanks to a grant by the Salad Bar Project. But you need to hurry. Chef Ann Cooper, Whole Foods, and…
Petit Tresor for Target: cuteness and philanthropy go hand in hand
I just went through my little girl's infant clothes to give to my sister-in-law and wham... seeing those tiny bodysuits brought me back to those early days. I could still smell that baby smell and see her chubby little arms and legs in t…
Do Fun Stuff and help some kids with some seriously fun kindie tunes
I've never doubted the power of music to unite people--though it does bring to mind those big events like Woodstock or Live Aid. But it's the effort of one dad and some very cool bands with loads of heart that now deserve to get people b…
Saving the world, one cup of delicious gourmet coffee at a time
We've all heard the standard wisdom that if we each gave up one daily luxury--say, your morning latte --you could put that money towards charity and really make a difference. And I happily gave up my frou-frou coffeeshop runs for brewing…
Kids tees that make a great story
The mission of past CMP pick, Out of Print Clothing is to spread the joy of reading. Through fashion. Hey, two of our favorite things? And, now, they have expanded their collection to include t-shirts for kids. Find shirts featuring cove…
Designer Tory Burch takes on National Women's Business Week.
It's National Women's Business Week this week. Or at least, officially. Because in my mind, every week women should be in business. One of the big supporters of this week is uber designer, mom, and friend-to-women everywhere Tory Burch, …
Shop for a cause at Happy Chickadee
As if I needed another reason to scour the virtual shelves of Happy Chickadee, one of our fave mom-owned boutiques, I just got another really awesome one. And it's not even because of my new baby (that has yet to arrive, argh). It's beca…
6 all-natural, allergen-free, or fair trade Halloween treats that aren't scary at all
With some Halloween candies containing loads of hydrogenated oil, artificial colors and even high-fructose corn syrup, I appreciate why so many of us are taking a closer look at what we drop into those pillow cases come October 31st. Eve…