Mom’s Night Out

Sometimes you don’t know how much you need a night out until after it occurs. As you can imagine, I haven’t spent much time away from Katie recently, other than a quick manicure and a few errands. While I have a husband who often suggests I should take time for me, the mom guilt is very real. Anytime he says he’s happy to watch Katie, I always feel like I’d rather spend the time with them versus go get a manicure, massage, drinks with friends or take a nap.

Thanks to Momtrends, I spent two hours last week relaxing, meeting other mom bloggers, and toasting with bubbly while enjoying a night out and interacting with brands. It’s humorous to both Bo and me that it took a sponsored blog opportunity to get me out the door. Oh well, regardless of what finally convinced me to leave Katie with Bo for the evening, I have zero regrets even though I checked the NEST camera and texted him multiple times. In fact, he and Katie had such a wonderful evening, I’m tempted to enjoy more evenings out in the future.

The event, Mom’s Night Out 2.0, was an event organized and hosted by Momtrends and Meredith Publications (Parents, Fit Pregnancy, and FamilyFun magazines). For two hours, they hosted a lively group of NYC mom bloggers while providing the perfect opportunity to network and mingle with great brands (New Balance, Swaddle Me, Williamsburg, JIF and Munchkin) while sipping bubbly, enjoying hordourves as well as treats like foot massages and pampering!

moms night out 6

During the course of the event, we were able to not only mingle with brands but also interact with them through different events while catching up and getting to know other bloggers. It was so nice to meet and get to know so many different ladies while we talked about the woes of balancing life, children and the chaos that is New York City. Every person I met, including the brand representatives, were so welcoming to this new mom who was clearly away from my baby girl for the first time.

moms night out 1

I started the evening at the JIF table, where I was able to sample some of their delicious snacks as well as talk with the brand about their new campaign, Imagine If. We were each asked to write how we inspire our child on their boards which in turn, prompted some great conversations.

From there, I was able to learn about the Williamsburg region which includes Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown as well as the sights in that area. Growing up I visited Colonial Williamsburg twice but, it’s clear that in the past twenty years the area has grown and evolved a great deal. These days there is truly something for everyone ranging from craft breweries, spas, golf and of course, history.

Next, it was time to get a makeup touch-up from the experts at Glamsquad compliments of SwaddleMe. Their products, which help both baby and parents wake up feeling more refreshed, feature traditional swaddles, as well as more unique and innovative swaddles and products like the SwaddleMe Kicksie swaddle, which allows your baby to feel the comfort of a swaddle and the freedom to kick. Their new SwaddleMe® Footsie™ is a swaddle with pajama-like legs and footies, great for cooler weather and able to be used in a 3-point harness like our swing. I also loved checking out their 3 new gift sets, each of which would make great baby shower gifts for my friends who are expecting!  I’m going to talk more about our experience with these swaddles in a separate post, as they have been a game changer for Katie!

moms night out 4

They highlight of the evening was the New Balance station where we were treated to ten minute foot massages before sliding our feet into a new pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi shoes. These stylish, breathable shoes provide all-day comfort whether you’re on the treadmill at the gym or running errands.

moms night out 3

Last but not least, Munchkin brand, gave us the opportunity to design our own lavendar and wildflower mason jar bouquets. These bouquets allowed each of us to bring freshness and beauty into our home.

moms night out 2

Thank you to Momtrends and these wonderful brands for treating me to a night of relaxation & laughter!

Your turn: What does your perfect night out include? 

This post is sponsored by Meredith Corp., Visit Williamsburg, New Balance, Swaddle Me, Jif, and Munchkin. While this is a sponsored post, as always, all opinions are my own.

Share Button
Follow:
Share:
Comments Off on Mom’s Night Out

Instagram Fashion: April 2016

Insta Fashion April“Where can I buy that shirt? Who makes those shoes? Those tights are awesome, who makes them?” 

It’s time for this month’s edition of Instagram Fashion workout gear round up! This month I mixed things up a bit by sharing items beyond workout gear. April’s weather was far different than I expected – chilly and rainy, which therefore limited the amount of fun, new workout gear I could wear. The forecast for the next few days is warm and sunny so I’m sure that May will bring the beginning of Summer’s heat and humidity.

  1. An athleisure moto jacket that combines fashion with the technical details you’d expect from an athletic brand sounds too good to be true, right? This New Balance Shadow jacket is a favorite of mine as I dash home after a sweaty workout since it’s breathable and made of sweat-wicking material. Anytime I wear the moto jacket people are in shock when they hear it is New Balance.
  2. Is there a more fun combination than stripes and pom-pom details on a shirt? I love pairing this navy and white striped top with jeans or white shorts for a casual, yet fun weekend look. Since buying it last month I’ve worn it five times AND bought it for two friends. It’s on super sale right now, so snag it before they sell out.
  3. I’ve worn this outfit combination a few times this month as it’s perfect for the transitional weather. The Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity tights are lightweight while still providing compression and fun details, while the Brooks Ghost tank is so light I forget I’m wearing it. While I’ll probably not use the tights for Summer workouts, this tank will be a staple for the next few months as I run through the heat and humidity.
  4. I wore this same outfit on three different flights this month as it is comfortable and keeps me warm during chilly flights. The Patagonia Nano Puff  is compact and lightweight so you can easily stuff it into your suitcase if you don’t need it.  Available in 30 different color combination, the Brooks Chariot Heritage shoe is a great everyday shoe that provides great foot support while still being fun and colorful. Last but not least, the Timex Ironman Sleek 150 is a great update to their classic sports watch, allowing me to keep track of time and my workouts with a pop of neon.
  5. There is no question about it, the Brooks LSD Running Jacket was my single favorite item of clothing in April! It’s available in 7 different colors but I love pairing the neon yellow with solid crops or shorts for wet or windy runs.
  6. I wore this vibrant, flattering Jill Stuart dress to a beach wedding down in Avalon last month and loved it so much that I was tempted to buy it after my great Rent the Runway experience. The fun open back and high neck flattered my shoulders and back, two areas I love to highlight.
  7. As soon as I saw this tank in Target I knew I had to buy it! This fun, flowy and inspirational muscle tank has been the perfect top for barre classes and HIIT classes alike since it has side vents and is lightweight.
  8. I’ve owned this Athleta bikini (top and bottom) for four years and it is constantly my favorite for everything from laying out to riding the waves.  The halter top is adjustable and has removable cups – making it a great option for those of us who want just a little bit of padding.

Your turn: What was your favorite item of clothing last month? 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

Share Button
Follow:

Instagram Fashion: March 2016

Insta Fashion March

 

“Where can I buy that shirt? Who makes those shoes? Those tights are awesome, who makes them?” 

It’s time for this month’s edition of Instagram Fashion workout gear round up! Since so many of you enjoyed last month’s first Insta-Fashion post, inspired by Jenna’s monthly Instagram fashion round up, I wanted to keep things going by making this a monthly post. The weather in March was almost always a little chilly, therefore causing me to repeat a lot more outfits than usual for my outdoor workouts. Even though I’m not excited for the heat and humidity that comes with Summer, I am looking forward to breaking out the shorts and tank tops.

  1. There is no better cure for the Sunday blues than fresh air, a great run and neon workout gear! I’m wearing Brooks head to toe including these kicks, this long sleeve running shirt and these crops. How fun is this pink and green neon watch? It’s part of the new Timex Ironman Colors collection!
  2. New gear can make any run feel faster, right? This speed workout in Prospect Park was fueled by neon kicks, these awesome, new tight stuff crops and an old favorite top.
  3. This beachy look included a lightweight aqua top, these tights and my new favorite sunglasses. Seriously, if you’re looking for fun sunglasses for Summer, check out Vira Sun!
  4. Even though the half marathon didn’t go as planned, my running attire was perfect for the blustery, chilly morning! I ran in this Nike top, these tights, these shoes and this bra.
  5. It was an awesome feeling to finish the first shorts run of the season! I’ve had these shorts (similar here) for years and always receive compliments on their vibrant colors. I paired the shorts with my Nike Berlin Marathon top for one very bright Friday morning run outfit.
  6. Spring running is all about layers that will keep you warm without over heating. When Ashley and I headed out for a 10-mile training run in Central Park the sun was shining but the breezy temp still was in the 30s. I paired my oldest pair of running tights with this Brooks vest and turtleneck to ensure I wasn’t freezing the entire time. Luckily the turtleneck is lighter than most Under Armour gear, making it perfect for warmer Winter weather or cooler Spring days.
  7. I’ve worn this Sweaty Betty combo at least once a week over the past few weeks as it’s perfect for the windy, cool weather we’ve had in New York City. The pants have vents behind the knees which allow them to breathe and the top is flattering and bright, aka perfect.  You can use code SB16RE03AC07 to get 20% off and free shipping on any Sweaty Betty order this week!
  8. This picture is from late October when I shot photos for the blog with the talented Nick Ortega. As soon as I posted this snap I immediately regretted chopping my hair. Also, it should be noted, that five months later this is still a favorite outfit choice for HIIT workouts as this Nike tank (sold out but similar found here) breathes and is the perfect length to be tied back, the tights are funky but flattering and the bra doesn’t let anything bounce around.

Due to lots of travel in April, I have no doubt that there will be a few tank tops and shorts in next months round-up!

Your turn: What was your favorite look last month? What is your favorite piece of workout gear right now?  

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

Share Button
Follow: