Revel in NY: Mom's Night Out Mommybites Summit 2012 & A Giveaway to The New York Baby Show

Two weeks ago my girlfriend Rachel and I met downtown at the 34th street New Yorker Hotel for a night of mingling, expert advice, food & wine, shopping and let me not forget the awesome SWAG bag!

 Mommybites is a great community for parents here in NYC and for future planned locations that offers great resources, support and education through webinars, classes, national events, and blogs. If you live here in NYC, you can attend lunches, in person support groups and summits to connect with other families. The website also has a great mom-generated nanny/childcare board and a local listings section for finding real estate, part time work, casting calls and tons more.

I have to tell you, I encourage everyone I know to attend this event because it's so beyond worth the $25 ticket just in food and drinks alone and it's a great way to spend an evening with your fave people and a few 300 other people. Rachel and I attended with another friend  two years ago when all three of us were pregnant and had such a great time and this year didn't disappoint. I think we actually had an even better experience this time around and look forward to going again {the Hubby even asked if he could come}.

This years keynote speaker was Gretchen Rubin  the author of the New York Times best seller The Happiness Project. Her discussion was insightful, thought provoking and very entertaining {she had us jumping up and down in the aisles to get our blood moving, to prove the importance of exercise}. I know having that "burnt out" feeling isn't just a symptom of being a multitasking NY mom, but just a part of being a where-ever you live mom. One thing she said that resonated with me {although I'm up typing this post at 1:30am} is to know your bedtime the same way we know our kids bedtime. Sometimes the only way I feel I'll get any "me" time or Hubby and me time is by putting the kids to bed first to get things done and I know I'm not alone. This book will have you questioning what HAPPINESS really means to you and the best ways to achieve it. I can't wait to find a moment to read it.

Ok, now for some pics. I only snapped a few because I really was caught up in the moment and had such a good time {which I think is a vast improvement for me because I know I tend to get caught up in images as a blogger lately}I later realized I didn't even get a snap of me & Rach the whole evening.  

* At the end of this post I am offering my first GIVEAWAY, so keep scrolling!

One of my favorite vendors of the evening was CultureBaby an online global baby boutique that specializes in international clothing, toys and accessories for babies and children.

There were tons of vendors to shop from, whether you were looking for a baby item for your expected bundle of joy or if you needed family portraits taken, or a hands free umbrella that attaches to your stroller,  there was an array of tempting choices to pick from.

 The first thing we did when we got there was find where the food station was set up because I had a headache and was accompanied by a very hungry Rachel + one. The pasta dishes were great, one was extra creamy and cheesy while the other had a spicy kick to it that I'm sure a lot of the preggo ladies enjoyed. I felt so bad for the staff walking around with trays of small tasty bites being followed around by the masses. There were also sweet treats, coffee and tea that made a perfect end to the night.

I spotted a few of the "dads" bunched up and hanging out by the open bar. I say kuddos to those who did bring their beau with them because it probably made it easier to just hand them the bountiful swag bag or raffle winnings to lug home.

By far I think the best place to be was at the Britax table area. It was like Oprah was there giving away cars from the screams and shouts of excitement that echoed across the room, but I guess a few $500 strollers given away is close enough. In celebration of the movie release of  What to Expect When Expecting, they were raffling off several strollers, car seats, carriers and accessories every 10-20 minutes. I swore Rachel was going to call for a do over when the number called for the stroller she wanted was four away from hers {that's her in the left hand corner, getting product info}.

 At the end of the night we walked away with a Swag bag full of stuff, I couldn't fit everything in one picture but it included some great book reads {one just for dad}, a Britax stroller caddy, grooming kit for baby, products for mom and a bunch of other stuff I got from vendor tables {and yes if you are one of my friends or fam expecting a baby, you just may find one of these items in your gift basket from me, Surprise!}. Overall It was a great event and If you missed it this year be on the look out for next years!

Now, about that Giveaway I mentioned above: This Saturday May 19th & Sunday May 20th is the New York Baby Show at pier 92 from 10am - 4pm. This event for expectant and new parents is going to be fun, and educational with great keynote speakers and several exhibitors including Mommybites & Britax, more than 100 baby brands, play areas and activities for the kids, meet and take pics with characters, a free stroller check up and test drive & tons more! 

 I thought that I'd offer 2 family tickets { each for 2 adults and up to 4 children} to 2 randomly selected  followers for Saturday and Sunday. 

All you have to do to win is:  Leave a comment on this post telling me 

What part of the baby show/ key speaker or vendor do you most look forward to seeing?

 For an extra chance at winning you can "like" the blogs Facebook page .

If you've done that already, send someone over to like the page, and have them comment on the link to this post on the FB wall saying who sent them. The more people you send to like the page the more chances you have to win.

The last Giveaway entry can be submitted by 5pm Friday May 18th. I will announce the winnerson Facebook Friday evening May 18th by 6pm. Please make sure you have submitted your email so I can contact the winners. Good luck!

**Update: Congrats to Lovidy for winning tickets to Sundays event!

Bunches of Xoxo's

                               Dellah