doodads and random bits of coolness

Picnic Week: Built NYC's Neoprene Six-Pack Tote

My memories of picnicking as a child include my poor dad struggling to carry a giant plastic cooler weighing approximately 100 pounds to our picnic site.  He'd heave the monstrous beast onto a...

That Water Fountain Just got about a Milion Percent More Appealing

There is one definite problem with toting your eco-friendly 21st century reusable water bottle around, and that is, eventually it runs out of water. At least if you're me and you drink like a fish...

Picnic Week: The Mod Bento Lunchbox

I'm tired of unpacking a picnic lunch and finding that the sandwiches have been squished or the plastic containers have spilled their contents all over the inside of the cooler.  Next time, I am...

The Blue Bird of Barrette Organization Happiness

Being that my daughter was a little baldie for a very long time, imagine my excitement when she became obsessed with hair clips. Especially because I am not the type to stick barrettes on a...

Sometimes Mama Needs a Cocktail. Even if Baby Doesn't.

The CMP staff has just returned from the BlogHer conference, that magical yearly event in which hundreds of bloggers gather together to hone our craft, take thousands of photos and drink copious...

Lap Desks for Kids That They'll Totally Use

My daughter is insistent on drawing anywhere and everywhere, which isn't so bad when we're sitting in our kitchen. When we're in our car it can present a bit of a problem. But now with her Room it Up...

Poo-Pourri: The $9.95 Marriage Saver

When you get a pitch for something called Poo-Pourri you think it's a joke. Maybe a teaser for a Will Ferrell movie or an April Fool's email that got lost in the ether for three months. But holy cow,...

Baby Shower Favors, Hold the Cliches

In theory, party favors are a wonderful idea.  Sending your guests home with a lovely memento of a special occasion - who could object to such thoughtfulness?  Problem is, most favors are...

Connect the Dots

While my four-year-old daughter can definitely write her name, she still has trouble nailing that tricky letter N. But now, thanks to her Little Stamp, she doesn't have to tell me that the N in...

Photo Stamps Make Envelopes as Awesome as the Announcements Inside

Little known geeky fact about me: I've collected stamps since I was my daughter's age. Before you question my credibility where it comes to finding cool picks for fabulous moms, check out PhotoStamps...