The birth of our third child raised a common question with us: Whether or not we would cloth diaper or stick with our trusty disposables. Both my husband and I are very eco-friendly minded and try to make many-if not all-of our consumer decisions based on their ability to be kind to the planet. We flip-flopped between the two diaper options with each child, considering all things: waste, resource depletion, cost, and of course ease. Each time we have landed with disposable through trial and error, but haven’t been completely happy with what we ended up with, all things considered. We haven’t pulled the trigger on a cloth diaper service, and the disposables we use are easy, but they aren’t eco-friendly-to our disappointment.

On Tuesday night, Beau and I attended the launch of The Honest Company, a non-toxic, eco-friendly baby products line founded by Jessica Alba and Christopher Gavigan that are delivered automatically with a simple monthly subscription.

Jessica Alba meeting Beau and I

The event, hosted by Nicole Feliciano of MomTrends, took place at the super swank ABC Kitchen and was attended by a small selection of New York City bloggers.

Christopher Gavigan, Nicole Feliciano and Jessica Alba

I was honored to receive an invitation, and enjoyed learning all about the product line and inspiration behind it. Jessica was candid, genuine and completely adorable. “When I became a mom, I finally became the person I am, that I always should have been,” she says. “It’s the most satisfying job in the world. But, it can also be overwhelming and confusing. I created The Honest Company to help moms and to give all children a better, safer start.”

It pains me to post this photo, but this is Jessica, me, and Christopher Gavigan

Nicole Feliciano and I

I took the products home and immediately put them to the test. I am happy to report that of the baby products I tested, I really liked-especially the disposable diapers. They are super cute while being eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, non- toxic, chlorine-free, sustainable, and made with plant-based materials.

Once you sign up for an Honest Company account, you are instructed to add your children and build your nursery. To begin with, everyone is offered a free trial while only being charged for a minimal shipping fee-a feature that I can appreciate, because this is something you want to LOVE before signing up for a monthly delivery. Also, for a limited time they are offering Honest Wipes to be delivered for free for the length of your membership.

There are two options for orders: The Diaper Bundle, customized to your preferences for $79.95 a month (the number of diapers sent monthly depends on the size of the diaper). The Family Essentials Bundle is $35.95 and is also tailored to your needs. It comes with Shampoo & Body Wash, Face & Body Lotion, Healing Balm, Laundry Detergent and Hand Soap. After the first month, subscribers can personalize and choose from nine other Honest products in the suite.

The Diaper Bundle

The Family Essentials Bundle

Each of the products boasts an “Honestly Free Guarantee”, that the products will be free of the following toxins: phthalates, PVC, benzene, TEA, MEA, parabens, petroleum distillates, phosphates, chlorine, chlorinated or brominated solvents, synthetic fragrances, polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol, quaternium 15, GMOs, nanoparticles, triclosan, DMDM hydantoin, organophosphate pesticides, 1-4 dioxane, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, optical brighteners, bisphenol-A (BPA), heavy metals, alkyl phenol /nonyl phenol, formaldehyde-based preserving agents, artificial fillers, dimethicone, and more.

I’m personally looking forward to having an eco-friendly diapering option that I can count on showing up at my apartment without me having to remember to order them. I’m struggling to remember to shower and eat these days, not to mention walking to the drug store in the freezing temps for diapers is not fun (trust me). Also? The fashion forward side of me is very excited about the super cute, logo free designs. It’s about time that cute diapers came out that aren’t “designer” and high priced, don’t you think? I’m relieved to finally have an eco-friendly diapering option.

It was a treat to meet Jessica and Chris, too. They are lovely people that have honestly gotten behind their product and poured their hearts into it. Beau slept through his introduction to Jessica, which I’m pretty sure he’ll live to regret.

I was not compensated for this post. I did receive a small sample of products at the event for review purposes.

Every year before the holidays kick off, Ocean Spray brings a gigantic cranberry bog to the middle of Manhattan-smack in the middle of Rockefeller Center. In the realm of crazy and amazing things to behold in New York City, a 1,500-square-foot bog filled with 2,000 lbs. of floating cranberries will definitely not go unnoticed.

This year, Ocean Spray debuted an open-air pop-up restaurant inside the “Big Apple Bog” and invited Ming Tsai-owner and executive chef of Blue Ginger restaurant to host the “Cranberry Mix & MINGle.”

Along with 30 other guests, I was able to attend the event-I even got INTO the bog in waders at 8 months pregnant-I wasn’t about to pass that opportunity up. We met the Ocean Spray growers, learned all about cranberry harvesting and ate the delectable creations of Chef Ming. It was a pretty neat night.

Have you ever heard of a cranberry bog? Apparently three quarters of Americans have never heard of one-I was one of them last year before this same event took place. The harvesting of cranberries is a really cool process, actually. When they are ready, the beds they are grown in are actually flooded so that the cranberries float to the top and are easy to corral with reel harvesters. They are then conveyed and taken to a facility for cleaning and packaging.

I personally will be making my own cranberry sauce tomorrow, using the incredible Jennifer Perillo’s Spiced Scented Cranberry Sauce recipe. Making home made cranberry sauce is actually really easy-so easy that it’s hard to believe that 75% of Americans buy canned cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I challenge you to try to make it on your own this year!

These are the kinds of adventures that I feel lucky to be apart of and will remember as a part of our New York City life long after we leave. I’m already nostalgic.

For recipes all-things-cranberry and information from Ocean Spray, head over to their Ocean Spray Kitchen site.

I was not compensated in any way for this post.

One of my favorite things to do with my kids is host play dates. It’s the perfect thing to do on rainy days, especially when those of us that don’t drive are stuck in our apartments entertaining small children with every available resource.

It turns out that during Winter on the East coast, we are doing that pretty much every single day. I have already started my list of creative things to do while indoors with my 3 year old, 4 year old, and soon-to-arrive baby #3, and much of the list involves creative play and imagination.

We were invited to host a play date courtesy of Paddywhack Lane toys to kick start our winter season of homebody activities. I was very pleasantly surprised to see all of the elements that Paddywhack Lane incorporates in their figurines.

The super cute figurines come with little costumes and play scenes, not to mention there is an entire area online where you can print up costumes for your children to incorporate during the dramatic play. My children had a blast not only creating different stories with the characters, but also dressing up and getting involved with the stories themselves. It is the perfect rainy day activity.

Author/Illustrator Bob Fuller and his wife Sandy created Paddywhack Lane together. The Fullers have eight children ages 9-26, and you could say they’ve seen it all. Unlike even the most classic children’s fairy tales and films, on Paddywhack Lane there are no scary parts and no bad guys. “The Costume Trunk” book and the accompanying line of posable toy figures are all about creativity, confidence and costumes.

Win It!:

I’m happy to be able to give one of you a Paddywhack Lane play date package of your own. I’m giving away one Costume Club Treehouse and a copy of The Costume Trunk!

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment telling me what your favorite indoor activity is with your children. I need ideas to stave off cabin fever this winter!

One comment per person, please.

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Follow Paddywhack Lane on Facebook, and leave a comment letting me know you did (or already are).

*Follow Momma’s Gone City on Facebook and/or subscribe to Momma’s Gone City and leave a comment letting me know you did (or already do!).

*Tweet about the contest using the following:” I’ve entered to win a play date package from @MommasGoneCity and @PaddywhackLane here:http://t.co/rZ3BYlHF”

Leave one comment with link to let me know you tweeted about the contest (one per person).

Contest runs from today, November 22nd until midnight PST Tuesday, November 29th. Good luck!

Update: Winner Chosen

Congratulations to Beth (Disney with Children)! Thank you to all who entered!

I was compensated and provided products for hosting the Paddywhack Lane play date. All opinions are my own.

My favorite show on TV is Top Chef. I’m not much of a cook myself, though I do love to cook- I just like watching the competition and getting to know each of the contestants. The one problem my husband I have with the show is that we always want to try the food!

A little bit back I was asked to attend a Heinz event at The Kitchen NYC to check out some of their new products. Their guest that day was none other than Spike Mendelsohn, Top Chef Season 4 and winner of the Heinz Best Dressed Burger Award. Spike also has two restaurants: one in Washington D.C. called Good Stuff Eatery and We, The Pizza in New York City. He’s just as charismatic and funny (with a bit of an edge) as he was on the show. I was immediately called out for saying that my kid’s wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the ketchup flavors-lesson learned.

It was exciting to watch him throw together super moist turkey burgers, crab cakes, and even tomato salsa made with the new Balsamic Ketchup.

Some info about Heinz’s new products:

Heinz Dip & Squeeze Ketchup –The ketchup bottle-shaped package can be used as either a dip cup or squeezed directly onto foods.

PlantBottle Packaging – Made with up to 30 percent renewable material and is still fully recyclable. The plant material is produced through an innovative process that turns sugars found in plants into a key component for PET plastic.

In honor of Thanksgiving, which is right around the corner believe it or not, I have posted Chef Spike’s Carmel Apple (Secret Ingredient) pie that I plan to make next week with all of the apples from our adventure this past weekend! This pie- as odd as it sounds- is SO good. I could’ve had more than one piece, happily.

Spike’s Secret Ingredient Apple Carmel Pie

Ingredients:
Crumble Top
1 cup flour 1⁄2 cup brown sugar 1⁄2 cup butter
Crust

1 unbaked pie crust

Pie Filling
8 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1⁄3 cup Heinz Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar
12 caramels, chopped 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg 1⁄2 teaspoon cardamom 1⁄4 teaspoon cloves
1⁄4 cup granulated sugar 1⁄4 cup brown sugar 2 1⁄2 tablespoons flour

Preparation:

For the Crumble:
Combine the flour and brown sugar.
Incorporate the butter slowly into flour and sugar mixture.
Mix with a pastry blender until crumbly.

For the Pie Filling:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix together all of the pie filling ingredients in a large bowl.
Pour the pie filling into the pie crust.
Add the crumble topping to the pie.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 7 minutes more.
Cool before serving.

It was so great to finally be able to actually feel-even a little bit- like I was a guest being served on Top Chef. And yes, each dish was really fantastic. I have the crab cake and salsa/eggplant chip recipes as well if you’d like them.

Heinz’s new Balsamic Ketchup can only be purchased through their Facebook page starting November 14th.

My husband is very supportive of my life as a blogger. He sees what it does for me, how I’m able to use my voice in a very unique way and the adult version of my life that I get to explore all on my own. I’ve written much about how this outlet has improved and changed my life in incredible ways.

Every once in a while, an event comes along that is right up his alley and I can bring him into my blogging world a bit. Being the basketball buff that he is, when I received the invitation to attend a launch event that New York Knicks NBA superstar Amar’e Stoudemire was hosting, I immediately suggested that he take Jack to meet Amar’e and cover the event for me.

It just so happened that the event was for the launch of a video game called Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure, which was written by Academy Award-nominated Toy Story feature film writers, Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow- who were also at the event and willing to spend a few minutes chatting with Justin and high-fiving Jack. Talk about the perfect combination for my guys!

Where did you get the inspiration to create stories like this for children?

Alec Sokolow: “Tequila! No, really, I have a 14 year old daughter and a 12 year old son, and Joel has a 14 year old daughter as well. To be honest with you, I’ve always loved movies. I wanted to jump onto the screen as a kid, it’s something that is larger than life for me. So, when I had the chance, my parents were supportive enough of me to start living that crazy ambition with me. I got to live in movies and I still do- it’s far more interesting than the real world.”

How was the transition to video games? It’s much different than movies.

Joel Cohen: “It is different, yet at the same time it’s still storytelling. The link for us is character creation, and that is something we’ve always loved doing. Here was an opportunity to create 30 new characters, which was really interesting for us- it’s certainly not work. ”

The event itself was very exciting. The Boys and Girls Club was on hand to celebrate the festivities clad in Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure pajamas, snacking on mini burger and playing their hearts out with the new game. I know Jack was intrigued- especially as we haven’t introduced him to real video games yet.

Amar’e himself is very involved in the youth of America. I was interested to learn that he spends a great deal of time in the communities with children, and is even writing a series of children’s books published by Scholastic called Stat: Standing Tall and Talented.

What are you doing for the kids in the community?

“What I do is a lot of educational points for the kids, so I travel around a lot teaching them what it takes to be successful, and that is my goal.”

What about basketball? Do you get out and play with them?

“I do, but I don’t want them to just look at it as being an athlete. There’s so much more to being an athlete. I’m trying to break beyond that barrier to get them to realize that education is far more important. “

I’m a dental student. Do you brush your teeth twice a day?

“Yeah yeah!”

Tell me about your children’s book.

“My book is being released through Scholastic, it’s called Home Court: Standing Tall and Talented. It’s a great book man, it’s for the youth. It’s motivational, getting them to overcome bullying and how to succeed in school. It also gives a small snippet into my own life-my personal friends and stories.”

The boys had a great night out on the town together, and I was pretty impressed with Justin’s interviewing skills! I personally would have drilled Amar’e about his fashion collaboration with Rachel Roy called RACHEL, but this video is pretty fun to watch whether or not you’re a fashion or basketball buff.

It’s so neat for me to watch my family exploring my world and enjoying the many fun things that I am lucky enough to be a part of. These are memories that will last us a lifetime.

I was not compensated in any way for this post.

A couple of weeks ago, we were invited to a Pamper’s party at Dylan’s Candy Bar to celebrate the not only the launch of 3-Way-FIt diapers but Christina Milian was also there celebrating her adorable daughter’s birthday.

We’ve been a Pampers family from day one when our son Jack was born. The Swaddlers are the softest, and the Cruisers are the only ones that don’t leak or cause other problems (as far as we have seen), so it was an easy event to say yes to. I’m interested to see what the 3-Way-Fit’s bring to the changing table.

Pampers prides itself on being at the forefront of comfort and performance which is why we’re excited to introduce newly improved Pampers Cruisers with 3-Way-Fit. New Pampers Cruisers give baby the freedom to play their way with a unique three-way fit that adapts to their waists, legs and bottoms. Pampers Cruisers with 3-Way-Fit also incorporate improvements that parents asked us for – including a softer, quilted back-sheet (like our Swaddlers), and most fun of all, new Sesame Street designs.

Win It

(1) Jumbo Pack of newly improved Pampers Cruisers with 3-Way Fit diapers (retail value $13.99/each)
(1) 64-Count Tub of Pampers Thick Wipes ($4.49)
(1) 12-Count Travel Pack of Pampers Sensitive Wipes ($1.99)
Hasbro’s new Let’s Rock! Elmo is ready to take the stage singing and making music! Elmo comes with his very own microphone, tambourine and a drum set and sings six rockin’ songs. Toddlers can choose which instrument Elmo plays, and he magically recognizes which one you give him. (Value $69.99)
TOTAL VALUE: Roughly $100

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me what is the dream birthday party for your child would be.

One comment per person, please.

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Follow Momma’s Gone City on Facebook and/or subscribe to Momma’s Gone City and leave a comment letting me know you did (or already do!).

*Follow Pampers on Facebook and let me know that you did in a comment.

*Follow Momma’s Gone City on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know you did or already do.

*Tweet about the contest using the following:” I’ve entered to win a @Pampers Party Package from @Mommasgonecity here:http://t.co/mGLIzEHr #PampersCruisers”

Leave one comment with link to let me know you tweeted about the contest (one per person).

Contest is open to US Residents only, and begins Tuesday, October 11th until Wednesday, October 19th at midnight, PST. Winner will be chosen randomly. Good luck!

UPDATE: Winner Chosen!

Thank you so much to everyone that entered! Our winner was chosen via WordPress Plug-in And The Winner Is: Congratulations to Debbie Jackson!

I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

Last week, Jack and I swabbed his room for germs and sent them away to Dr. Tanner’s Laboratories to study the results of our germ testing. The following Friday, Jack and I held a play date of sorts at home to talk about the results and discuss the benefits of being more aware of germs and cleaning regimens.

The results of the germ testing were in, and we discussed the process a bit at the party. The dirtiest place in our nursery: The changing station. Fortunately for us, no really bad germs were found, but I can tell you that I’ll be so much more diligent in the future about wiping everything down at least once more.

We’ve been diaper free now for about three months, but that is all about to change in less than 9 weeks when baby #3 comes along-which means we’re in the market for a new diaper pail.

Playtex’s Diaper Genie II Elite Disposal System is perhaps the very best on the market (my opinion!):

Patent pending double-locked pail design and multi-layer refill helps seal in odor and germs
Antimicrobial protection inhibits odor-causing bacteria
Diapers only touch refill film, not the pail, so no messy residue is left behind
Foot pedal allows for easy, hands-free opening
Ergonomic, no need to bend down
5 layer refill bags help seal in odor and germs
Holds up to 38 newborn diapers

Win it:

I’m giving away a Playtex package, full of goodies worth upwards of $300+:

1 Playtex Diaper Genie II Elite Disposal System
2 Playtex Diaper Genie II Elite Refill Boxes (3 refills per box)
1 Pureguardian Clean2 UV-C Air Sanitizer & Hand Vac
2 Canisters Wet Ones
3 Travel pack of Wet Ones
1 $100 Gift Certificate to Babies R’ Us

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment telling me what methods you use to keep your nursery clean.

One comment per person, please.

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Follow Momma’s Gone City on Facebook and/or subscribe to Momma’s Gone City and leave a comment letting me know you did (or already do!).

*Follow Momma’s Gone City on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know you did or already do.

*Tweet about the contest using the following:” I’ve entered to win a @PlaytexBaby Party Package from @Mommasgonecity here: http://t.co/1SWbLPhB ”

Leave one comment with link to let me know you tweeted about the contest (one per person).

This is a quick contest! It officially runs from today. October 9th until midnight on October 13th. Good luck!

UPDATE: Winner Chosen!

Congratulations to Judy S. who was chosen randomly using And The Winner Is! Thank you to all who entered!

Playtex is paying me to participate and providing the prizes for this promotion at no cost to me. This promotion is not being administered or sponsored in any way by Playtex or its affiliates, but solely by Momma’s Gone City. Any questions or comments regarding this promotion must be sent to me at Momma’s Gone City and not to Playtex.

My faithful traveling companion and four-year-old daughter, Molly, accompanied me to Bloomingdale’s in Manhattan last week for the U.S. debut of Pearls & Popcorn (check out the website to see the unique media campaign featuring cutting edge 3D CGI animation).

Paris designer and mom to a little boy, Ronit Pardo has brought her line, named for the sophistication and fun that are required of children’s clothing, exclusively to Bloomingdale’s this fall.

The line is sized from three to 36 months and incorporates classic styles, characteristic of the best Parisian fashion, with a whimsical, joyful spirit. I love the very simple but smart details that do, as designer Ronit Pardo explained to me, exemplify a “mini-me” adult wardrobe for our children. The girls and boys clothes are indeed tiny versions of my husband’s and my favorite outfits: plaids and simple cotton tees abound.

The debut party was a lot of fun for Molly; while I perused the adorable dresses, smock tops and skinny jeans for tots, Molly had her face painted and indulged in more than one tub of popcorn. We were both in our element.

I started looking through the line to see if there were anything I could bring home for my two girls and one boy. To be honest, I expected the line to be more than I could afford–or would be willing to pay for children’s clothing. I was happily surprised that we were able to walk away with an adorable tee shirt for about $20 and a pretty blouse for about $40 (approximate prices). I usually shop at J. Crew’s Crewcuts, and I wait for their clothing to go on sale. I think the Pearls & Popcorn line is priced, as the designer describes, to be “accessible.” Some pieces were more than I would or could pay, but several, including the infant outfits, were well in the affordable range. They also seem very well made, with soft cottons and adorable details.

There is one item of clothing from Pearls & Popcorn not available yet at Bloomingdale’s, but I was told it is coming: harem pants. I swear I never thought I’d covet harem pants for my 2.5 year old. But I do. Let me know when they get here, okay?

The collection, available exclusively at all Bloomingdale’s locations beginning September 1, 2011, features head to toe looks from classic layette, bodysuits, and bloomers to fitted corduroys, plaid flannel oxford shirts, hoodies, denim, smock tops, henleys, dresses, accessories, and more. It’s the detailing that sets the line apart, as Pearls & Popcorn transforms unassuming basics into silhouettes with a European and trendy flair.

Wendy lives in New York City with toddler twins plus a preschooler. She credits her productivity to coffee, and her best friendships, to wine. Find Wendy making errors in grammar and judgment at mamaonetothree.com, @mamaonetothree on Twitter, and on Facebook.

I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are, as always, authentic.

My four-year-old daughter and I went first to McDonald’s in the Chelsea section of Manhattan for the launch of the new Happy Meal, an event hosted with Moms and the City. I remember Happy Meals from my childhood. Oh, do I remember them well. Growing up in the suburbs lent itself to drive-thru cuisine. It is less that case in the city. I don’t think my three children have been to a McDonald’s other than during a road trip the Cape Cod. While my husband is a life-long McDonald’s fan, I gave up fast food (except when I’m pregnant, for some reason), and I would rather my kids not develop a taste for it–historically, the fried, the fatty, the super sized. Still, I went to the event open minded because as parents, we really have to be aware of available choices. And hungry. I went there very hungry.

I was more than a little curious–and, did I mention, hungry?–about the new Happy Meal, which has always comprised a Hamburger, Cheeseburger or Chicken McNuggets, standard fries and drink, along with a toy. I learned from the senior director of nutrition for McDonald’s, Cindy Goody, that in developing a balanced Happy Meal, McDonald’s is responding to to parents’ concerns and requests for healthier food choices and portion sizes.

The newest version of the happy meal is basically this: included are a smaller sized fries, which total 100 calories, and Apple Dippers (apple slices with sauce) with every Happy Meal. The choice of entree is still available, and there are low-fat milks to choose from. And of course, there is a toy. The new Happy Meal is being rolled out first in the tri-state area.

One thing I found pretty cool and interesting was the Plan and Learn activity board at the event, showing different meal variables with the calorie counts. Kids are encouraged to put a meal together for less than 600 calories. I was a little disappointed that this wasn’t available as a take-away. I think kids would like playing with the pictures, while learning what a “meal” looks like. (I did mention this, so maybe soon?) A different version of this is available on the web site, complete with calorie counts for all McDonald’s products.

McDonald’s acknowledges its huge responsibility as a brand that we rely on regularly to feed our hungry, growing, busy families. My concern is always that not all American families have the same options and opportunities when it comes to even basic needs. So it does make me happy that McDonald’s is taking steps toward helping parents provide easy, economical and better food choices.

Am I now a converted fan of McDonald’s? Not necessarily, but I did feel better having Molly eat her new Happy Meal on the way home; and I gained a fair understanding of the company’s goals regarding their consumers’ health, and more comfort with the food choices. I will bring my children to McDonald’s on occasion to enjoy the kid-friendly atmosphere of the restaurants and to try the popular Happy Meals as well . Gee… I wonder if they’ll like them!

Wendy lives in New York City with toddler twins plus a preschooler. She credits her productivity to coffee, and her best friendships, to wine. Find Wendy making errors in grammar and judgment at mamaonetothree.com, @mamaonetothree on Twitter, and on Facebook.

I was not compensated for this post, however we did receive a Happy Meal to test drive for purposes of this review. All opinions are, as always, authentic.

This year’s kickoff to New York Fashion Week was just a teensy bit different than how I celebrated last year. As it turns out, being nearly 7 months pregnant will make you stick out like a sore thumb on a night that is filled with lanky models and super chic fashionistas. One thing I have made sure of is that I don’t lose my sense of style (much) during this pregnancy. I even made a pact with myself that I would go as long as possible without purchasing a single item of maternity wear, and I’m happy to report that I lasted almost 7 months.

Anthropologie has come to my rescue many, many times over during this pregnancy and my last one.

Last week during Fashion’s Night Out, I headed over to Destination Maternity’s flagship store to celebrate the launch of “Celebrities 4 Maternity Denim,” an online auction to support the March of Dimes. Destination Maternity provided celebrity moms Laila Ali, Heidi Klum, Naomi Watts, Jewel, Nicole Sullivan, Diane Farr, Camila Alves, Busy Philipps, and Kaitlin Olson each with a pair of its exclusive designer maternity jeans to embellish. These one-of-a kind denim jeans can be viewed and bid on from August 25 to September 22 at www.biddingforgood.com/celebs4maternitydenim a

The auction is an initiative between Destination Maternity and the March of Dimes to raise awareness about the importance of preventing preterm birth so more babies can get a healthy start in life. Bidding began at $300 per pair of jeans. All proceeds will support the March of Dimes.

I was able to meet and chat with the super gorgeous mama, Laila Ali…

…and I even picked up some new clothes at A Pea in the Pod: JBrand Jeans, a Splendid tank and even a pair of preggo Spanx. Let’s just say I’m very, very happy with my decision to give in to my pride and buy some big girl clothes. They are very comfortable, and I was even able to get a decent deal.

I must say how nice it is to feel good in maternity clothing. I have always detested wearing-and buying-maternity clothing, but the comfort and style options make all the difference in the way that I feel (and afterwards, it’s pretty easy to sell these pieces on EBay so that the investment is minimal).

It was great to be a part of New York Fashion Week that also supports the March of Dimes. I couldn’t have asked for a better event!

I was not compensated for this post in any way.