How to eat well this week for under $20 a day ($4 per meal)
$7 Hipster Chia Pudding Recipe
My toddler and I are addicted to this delicious chia pudding by Urban Remedy. It’s called the “Chia Parfait,” and it costs $7 because this is the Bay Area, and a cup of rehydrated seeds with 4 raspberries on top costs $7 here. After spending $14 on puddings that my 2-year-old and I literally inhaled…
5 Things to Take Home from the Hospital Postpartum Suite (besides the baby)
After you deliver your precious little one, it’s time to hit the postpartum suite, a strange and magical place where privacy and good lighting go to die. Here’s a list of things you should take home with you when you check-out.
My Hospital Bag Packing List for Labor and Delivery
Baby #2 is due very soon! Here’s a list of what I have packed in my hospital bag, based on what I found useful for baby #1.
Keekaroo Peanut Changer vs Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad vs Bumbo Changing Pad
So many changing pads, so many poopy butts to clean! Here’s a rundown of three top options.
DIY Water/Sand Table Hack from IKEA Askholmen Flower Box
Not digging the look of a giant plastic crab in your backyard? Make this attractive water/sand table for $30 instead.
My Super Low Budget Kitchen Backsplash Makeover
For the last 3 years, I’ve dreamt about installing backsplash in our 1920s Craftsman kitchen. I, personally, have never loved the look of paint in lieu of backsplash, and I especially wasn’t fond of the orange sherbet hue that came with the house. For years, I imagined how I would install tile backsplash, but there…
DIY Indow Windows (Interior Storm Windows) with the Magnetseal Kit
How to make and install your own custom interior storm windows
How to Clean Your Kids’ Shoes in Seconds
Clean grubby shoes in seconds with your power drill and this handy brush attachment.
Buyer’s Guide: Baby Feeding Essentials
My favorite baby feeding essentials, including a brilliantly designed high chair, affordable travel chair, bibs, utensils, dinnerware, sippy cups, and more.
Buyer’s Guide: Car Seats and Accessories
A list of all the car seats and accessories I have used and loved for home and travel.
Buyer’s Guide: Strollers and Accessories
My recommended baby strollers and accessories for infant to toddler and beyond, including single and double strollers, and the most amazing travel stroller on earth.
Buyer’s Guide: Baby Sleep Helpers
A list of baby sleepers, rockers, and other gear to help your baby (and you) get to sleep.
Buyer’s Guide: Changing Pad and Crib Mattress/Bedding
My list of essential changing and crib gear, including the changing pad and crib sheet solutions you can’t live without
Converting an Office to a Nursery, Part 3: Furnishings
After dealing with the nursery windows and walls, it’s finally time to dive into the (most) fun part: furniture and decor! I was in an enviable situation in that I got almost all my furniture items as hand-me-downs, or repurposed furniture from other rooms, and ended up buying only a few small items. Because it…
Converting an Office to a Nursery, Part 2: Wallpaper
After completing the window coverings, it was time to move my attention to the office walls. They were painted an inoffensive, somber shade of green — way too serious for a baby’s room. I have a well known love for wallpaper, so I started ordering swatches with glee. My idea was to do a feature…
Converting an Office to a Nursery, Part 1: Re-covering Roman Shades with Custom Fabric
This is the first of a 3-part series on how I converted our tiny (8′ x 12′) home office into a nursery. In addition to the limited floorspace, this room came with a major design challenge: Three walls of windows (seven windows total). I mean, I love natural light as much as anyone, but SEVEN…
How to Freeze Your Child’s Credit Files (with Free Letter Templates to Send to Credit Bureaus)
In a world where toddlers are prime targets for identity theft, and credit bureaus are run by clowns, now seems like a good time to freeze your kid’s credit files. How to Use This Guide You can copy and paste the body of these four letters (aside: did you know there’s a fourth credit bureau called…
How to make a cheaper, crappier version of the Jean Pelle Bubble Chandelier
I loved this Jean Pelle Bubble Chandelier the moment I saw it. Not only does the artist provide step-by-step directions on how to make it in ReadyMade magazine, she sells a high-end version on etsy for $375. The great thing about the bubble chandelier is, in addition to being cool-looking, it’s easy to customize for…
How to convert your closet into a bedroom
Author’s note: This post is from 2010, back when I was single, living in a studio in DC. This was always a popular post so I’m leaving it here, as it captures the spirit of what jkcoolmom is all about. I like to tell people I sleep in my closet. Rents are rising faster…
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