This post is sponsored by Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account!

One of my most favorite things to do with my family and friends is go out to eat. As someone who spent a long time working in the service industry as a fine dining server, cocktail waitress and bartender, I have a decent amount of etiquette and food knowledge. I love eating good food, drinking amazing wine and most of all, I love spending time doing all of these things with my favorite people. There is always an awkward moment at the end, though, when everyone goes to throw in their credit card and divvy up the bill more than a few ways. I know that it’s not only NOT fun for the server, but it also can be uncomfortable to divide the bill exactly amongst more than a few people.

I was invited to try Serve, the new service and app from American Express that makes sending money to friends easy. As a part of this program, I was able to take my family out to a beautiful dinner at The Water Club, a gorgeous restaurant on the East River just before Christmas. We ordered an amazing Chardonnay from Napa to pair with our entrees: Two Grouper specials, Beef Wellington and my stuffed pork chops with an amazing side of quinoa and almonds.

The best part: at the end of the meal after indulging in a gorgeous strawberry shortcake dessert, my sister paid for the entire meal on her card and we were able to send her money right there from the Serve app. She had the cash in her account at that moment-easy peasy. It actually left us with more time to finish our coffee and spend more time chatting with each other than fussing over the least fun part of eating out: Paying.

We all appreciated this experience and the special time spent together, and I’m sure there will plenty of times when I’ll need send my sister and mother money in the future.

BONUS GIVEAWAY: If you leave a comment, you’ll be entered to win $100 credit for signing up for Serve. One winner will be chosen from this post-so enter away!

Remember to sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found by clicking here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I’ve made countless discoveries since moving to this big city with my children two years ago. Before we moved to Manhattan, I made it a point to shop in small boutiques for all of my kid’s clothing because I knew I would find unique and well made pieces. There are downfalls to boutique shopping, however: The prices are usually a pretty high, and it’s never really easy to return something if needed. I was totally fine with all of those things (I learned to buy fewer, more versatile pieces rather than the splashy expensive ones), but I was definitely in need of an alternative shopping method-a budget conscious and easy one.

Boutiques are even harder to find in New York City, so I started poking my nose into the bigger stores to find my children’s clothing. When I discovered H&M Kids, I felt like I had really scored. Not only are their children’s clothes unique, but they are nicely made and last through the wear, tear and many washes that a 3 & 4 year old will put them through. The best part? They are priced really well. It’s evident that H&M stands behind their philosophy: To bring style and quality at the best price. They are also the #1 provider of organic cotton-their entire Baby Basics line is made with organic cotton. This was something I didn’t know and was pleasantly surprised to find out, especially as we just welcomed our third baby.

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to shop at H&M Kids along with a few of my fellow NYC blogging friends at their new (and huge) store in Midtown.

I came home with $100 worth of clothing for all of my children-each of them got an outfit and a few accessories that they really loved (Spiderman and Hello Kitty pieces made me the hero of the day). Here are some of my favorite looks:

They’ve been wearing these throughout the last couple of weeks: To meet Santa, in their school play of The Nutcracker, and to the playground a few times. It’s nice that the clothes are versatile in that way. I’ve been a shopper at H&M for as long as we’ve lived here, and while I do miss my boutiques back home, it’s nice to have this as our go-to for children’s clothes.

Win It:

I’m so excited to be able to gift one of you not only a $100 H&M gift card but a VIP discount card as well (these are hard to come by, trust me)!

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me what is important to you when shopping for children’s clothes.

Extra Entries:

Follow Momma’s Gone City on Twitter
Friend Momma’s Gone City on Facebook
Subscribe to my RSS Feed

Leave ONE comment per each entry telling me that you did, or already do!

Sweepstakes run from today, December 20th until Tuesday night, December 27th at midnight, PST. Winner will be chosen randomly.

UPDATE: WINNER CHOSEN!

Congratulations to Rebecca! Our winner was chosen randomly via And The Winner Is, a WordPress plug-in. Thank you to everyone who entered! Happy New Year!

I was given a gift card to H&M for purposes of this review. All opinions are, as always, my own.

Every once in a while as parents we need a reminder to take care of ourselves. We spend our lives day in and day out catering to our families needs in one way or another, not recognizing or taking a moment out of the day to devote to ourselves. At least that’s me.

Planning vacations with family is a little deceiving in that way. At first, when we hear the word vacation we jump, knowing that we’ll be able to spend quality time with family and maybe even get a moment to ourselves. What I have found as a mother of two very young children and with another baby on the way, is that vacation is only such when the kids are happy and taken care of.

On a recent business trip to Los Angeles, I found myself alone in the gorgeous Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire for 3 nights (the property boasts a swimming pool modeled after Sofia Loren’s Italian Villa. Need I say more?). While I didn’t have my own children with me, I did notice that there were many children floating about the property. This to me meant that even for a 5 star hotel right off of Rodeo Drive, the accommodations at the hotel not only welcomed kids, but also treated them as the 5 star guests that they are-something that the Four Seasons is known for across the board.

Even though I was traveling alone, the Beverly Hills Wilshire took pains to make sure that my children weren’t forgotten. Upon my arrival, I found two beautiful little backpacks and a set of bibs for our unborn baby waiting for me. They must’ve known that traveling alone isn’t really my favorite thing to do, as I always miss my children terribly. The staff made sure that I had some fun little gifts to bring back to my kids when I returned home.

Traveling alone isn’t always so bad (in fact, I do love flying alone and the notion of sleeping in a gigantic bed all to myself). Mothers-especially pregnant mothers-need to take time out of their busy schedule to pamper themselves a bit. I firmly believe that a happy, relaxed mother is a more patient mother. The Beverly Hills Wilshire has a truly fantastic spa on its property, one that not only offers maternity massages, and amazing facials, but they also offered a package for children this summer called Alice in BW Land, where children could receive a variety of treatments complete with special treat of cupcakes and tea afterwards.

I was astounded by the serenity and luxury at the Spa at the Beverly Wilshire. I left after having an amazing 45 minute Natura Bisse facial and maternity massage feeling like a brand new human being… Not an easy feat when you’re 6 months pregnant. I loved my facial so much that I brought home the moisturizer used during the treatment, and apply it every single day. The effects are lasting, and it makes me feel like I’m pampering myself even for just a moment every morning-which in my book is very necessary. The spa itself is completely serene and inviting, the robes are warm and the accommodations are many. I could have easily spent an entire afternoon just in the relaxation room. It’s one of those places that I think about often when I’m juggling two children on the busy streets of New York City.

Even though I don’t take the time out of my daily life to treat myself to such luxuries, it was an absolutely wonderful experience and one that I reflect on frequently and fondly. I even find myself getting jealous of myself thinking of the fabulous treatment I received and relaxed feeling I left with. Spa treatments make the best gifts, for those of you husbands and fathers out there that are reading- just in time for the holidays!

Head over to the Four Season’s Blog Have Family Will Travel for this article and many more all-things-travel with children related.

I was not compensated for this post, however I was given the spa services and one night at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire for purposes of the review.

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.

I wrote last week about our new fascination for making dinners in the crock pot. It’s super easy, the dinners usually turn out really good, the apartments smells so divine, and the clean-up is minimal. The best part: Even the kids enjoy them.

Last weekend, my husband hopped on his bike and rode 80 or so blocks up to Costco and filled his backpack with as much bulk food as he could possibly fit. We don’t get up there very often, mostly because we need a car for transporting all of our Costco bounty, but when we do get to go, it makes me positively giddy (does that show my age? sigh). Easily his best purchase: A four pack of pork sirloin tip roast for $18.56. That’s at least 5 or 6 healthy & easy dinners for our family.

Sundays are my favorite days-our local farmer’s market is open and I can take the kids to the park and shop for organic produce in the same trip. Yesterday, in my usual Sunday fashion, I stocked up on fruit and vegetables and created a recipe for the pork we bought to use in the crock pot and created what I call Sweet Harvest Pork with Truffle Mashed Potatoes.

Sweet Harvest Pork Recipe

1 1/2 lbs Pork Sirloin Tip Roast
2 Tbs Olive Oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 apples (tart ones, like Pink Ladies or Honey Crisp)
2 Bosc pears
3 fresh figs
1 med sized onion
3 sprigs thyme
3 sprigs sage
1/4 c apple cider
2 Tbs cornstarch

Season pork with salt and pepper and sear in a non-stick pan. Core apples and pear, slice horizontally and throw into the crock pot with halved figs, chopped onion, thyme, sage and pork. Cook on high for 3 1/2-4 hours.

When finished, place pork and fruit/onion mixture aside, cover with foil, and pour remaining juices into a skillet on the stove. Slowly whisk in apple cider and cornstarch on medium heat until thickened and garnish as needed.

Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Peel and slice 6 russet potatoes into quarters and steam until tender. Drain and blend with mixer along with 3 TBS Milk and 1 tsp truffle salt.

Enjoy!

ADDED BONUS: A GIVEAWAY

I’m happy to extend the joy of shopping at Costco to one of you in the form of a $25 gift card.

To Enter:

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite dish is for fall (and leave the recipe! KIDDING).

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 Costco gift card from @Mommasgonecity here: http://t.co/GPNKM2UU ”

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

Sweepstakes run from today, October 17th until Monday, October 24th at midnight PST. Good luck!

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.

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://moms.dailybuzz.com/channel/style.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not much of a girly girl and I never have been. While I enjoy facials, pedicures, and spa days as much as the next woman, I book them very infrequently and as a special treat to myself. They just aren’t a part of my weekly-or even monthly-routine. Part of it is financial, but most of it is based on time-I’m lucky to get a shower in the mornings on a daily basis. With our new baby due in December, I’m at peace with the fact that I won’t even be getting that daily shower in. Such is life (and I’ll take it).

When we moved to New York City, I learned quickly that the winters ravage my skin leaving it dry, cracked, red and even sometimes peeling. I bought some intense balm for my hands to prevent the massive drought, and I think I’ve finally found a moisturizer that will protect my face from the dry air and other elements.

This fall, I began to wash and moisturize twice a day and I’ve noticed a distinct difference in the health of my skin! I don’t have a fancy night time moisturizer, but the one that I bought from the Spa at the Beverly Wilshire is fantastic. It protects against free radicals and even offers a healthy dose of Vitamin C for it’s anti-aging elements. I’m not sure exactly what any of this means, technically, but I can tell you that the extra TLC that I’ve given my skin has made a huge difference.

While I’m not exactly bouncing from spa to salon, I’ve learned to take a couple of extra steps this fall to ensure the health of my skin. Who knows, maybe I’ll start booking spa appointments more frequently… I sense this could be addicting.

Thank you to Walgreens for sponsoring this blog post. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.