Sunday, September 30, 2012

{#Inspiration} If Back-To-School Doesn't Bring Out Your Inner Writer, I Don't Know What Will! {ThrowBack #Photos}

Composition Notebook

Back To School brings out my inner writer in a way no other time of year can. There is something about a brand NEW Composition Notebook that just literally screams 'WRITE SOMETHING NOW!!!'.

Kindegarten Photo - Ascending Butterfly


Before school would begin and we would shop for supplies, I would have to fight with myself not to write in the notebook until the first day of school. And this time of year just makes me want to buy a new composition notebook, just for myself. I have leather bound journals, colored spiral notebooks, pretty stationery, organizational to-do list books, but the old school black and white Composition Notebook brings out my inner writer in a way nothing else can. Maybe it's because that is what I used to use to jot down poems that literally flowed out of me like a waterfall when I was younger. And while very few have ever read my poetry, the few that have, read pages torn from a composition notebook.

That book has always had a powerful way of coaxing me to write, it's stronger than writer's block, more powerful than a stressful day and while it has lines to guide the height of my letters it never seems to care whether or not I play between the lines. Where a journal is where you reveal yourself, somehow the Composition Notebook has always felt like the place where you could develop yourself. Where you could make mistakes and just correct them and move on. The place where 'A's' and Gold Stickers lived. The place where hard work and achievement is always praised. Is there anyplace better for a writer to be?

I can type 90 words per minute error free (and I've been tested), I live and for the most part make a living on a computer, but when I really want to write, it's still a Composition Notebook for me!

Even if you are way past your school aged years or your little ones haven't even started yet, there is something that says 'fall' and that says 'back-to-school' even if you don't have to go there yet, What is your 'Back-To-School' trigger?

So Butterfly tell me, Does the Pages of a brand New Notebook inspire you?

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FTC Disclosure: I am a Latina Advisory Board Member and part of The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach Blogging Program. This program is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media, a communications and Digital marketing company that pairs multicultural and Latino bloggers with influential brands and blogging campaigns. I am a blogger brand ambassador for Britax and I am part of a long term campaign that does provide additional incentives for my participation. This Back-To-School themed Sponsored Post is being brought to you by Britax, However all opinions and stories are 100% my own. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Reducing the Challenges and Hassles of Traveling with Little Ones!



Earlier this year I had a chance to visit the US Headquarters of Britax, and one of the most memorable parts of the trip was a crash test safety demo, I had seen something similar on a news documentary program, but actually seeing it up close and personal and literally 'feeling' the impact in my gut was one of the most impactful parts of my trip. Even though it was a crash test family of 'dummies',  a collective gasp and many 'Ay Dios!' or 'Ay Bendito's' ('Oh my God! and Poor Thing! respectively) could be heard by the bloggers watching that crash test demo. I don't think any of us, myself especially will ever forget it.

It made me think of child safety in a whole new way and the factory tour on the whole also opened up my eyes on what safety feaures to look for when it comes to infant carseats as well as strollers. They really aren't all created equal, in terms of more than just style, but safety features and ease of use. (I know the cliche gets annoying sometimes, but you really do get what you pay for!)

I will admit my sister butterflies did a great deal of research for my niece and nephew butterflies based on what was available to them at the time, but their consistent complaints about the systems they used was that the systems didn't necessarily grow with the child, and that as a result travel had it hassles (Me being the youngest butterfly in the family I get the benefits of their trial and error coupled with my own research!). Spending much of my professional career traveling, I witness families fumbling with their strollers at airport TSA Security Checkpoints all the time and of course upon boarding an airplane where they have tons of folks behind them while we patiently wait for them to fold their stroller and get situated.

There has to be a better way!




Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Travel System Compatible Infant Car Seats BRITAX infant car seats can be used rear facing only from 4 to 30 pounds, and are travel system compatible with the BRITAX CHAPERONE and B-Series strollers. (What happens past 30 pounds? Glad you asked! BRITAX also offers Convertible Car Seats for a weight up to 70 pounds and Standing Height 49 in or less, a Combination Harness-2-Booster with a weight of 25 to 85 pounds and Standing Height from 30 to 65 in tall as well as Belt-Positioning Booster Seats with a Weight from 40 to 120 pounds and a Standing Height from 38 to 63 in tall. (So the safety does NOT end at 30 pounds my friends!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Travel System Compatible Strollers The BRITAX range has flexible and comfortable stroller solutions to suit your lifestyle. Strollers feature the CLICK and GO system that enables all BRITAX infant car seats to click into place to create convenient travel systems.

Safety You Can SEE:

Not only is there a website, www.britaxusa.com/safetyyoucansee, there is also a video:






My Take:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Travel System Compatible Infant Car Seats + Travel System Compatible Strollers with CLICK & GO = LESS HASSLE, LESS STRESS, FUN TRAVEL. That simple!

Butterflies, BRITAX takes your child's safety as seriously as you do, they want their systems to be safe and easy to use, take one less hassle out of travel and invest in a system that won't let you down!

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FTC Disclosure: I am a Latina Advisory Board Member and part of The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach Blogging Program. This program is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media, a communications and Digital marketing company that pairs multicultural and Latino bloggers with influential brands and blogging campaigns. I am a blogger brand ambassador for Britax and I am part of a long term campaign that does provide additional incentives for my participation. However all opinions and stories are 100% my own. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wanna Win an @ToshibaUSA Satellite® U845 Ultrabook™ with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor for yourself? Then VOTE -

Vote by clicking here: http://www.thebigreboot.biz/entries/508


I just entered a contest for small businesses called The Big Reboot. It’s sponsored by Toshiba, Intel and Staples, and we could win a $10,000 technology makeover for our business Ascending Butterfly. And we could use your help.


Vote for Ascending Butterfly in The Big Reboot! I'm going to try again and again each entry period until I win! That's just how much I believe that a Lifestyle and Empowerment Coach can take the latest technology and utilize it to inspire not just double, but triple the amount of people we can reach in one week of providing Coaching Services! At the last 3 conferences I attended this year, many different people ended our conversation by stating not only that they were happy to meet me, but the conversation left them inspired and energized to tackle a project they had been putting off for sometime. That just solidified my determination that I am on the right path! So in case the picture above looks like a repeat it's not, the original entry period I tried for is now closed, a new entry period has opened, and old entries do not carry over from each entry period because the question being answered changes each entry period. So here is this week new entry question:

The Essay asked me to answer this:

Tell us how your business is Powering Service, and how a $10,000 technology makeover would help you do it even better.
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My Answer:



Ascending Butterfly takes Life Coaching Services and Empowerment and inspiration to the extreme with daily breathing affimational meditations that help empower our readers with the tools they need to change their mindset into a place of ultimate success, a place that takes their outer worlds and inner worlds and helps them to live them both not just on their terms but better!

A high tech makeover, takes what we are already doing well, inspiring and empowering people, to a wider scale. Faster technology allows us to reach even MORE people faster and in the comfort of their own homes where they are invariably way less guarded and much more open to the Life Coaching Services we bring!

We'd like Toshiba, Intel and Staples as well as the The Big Reboot to believe in us in the same way we believe and aspire to inspire and empower others! Together we could truly pay it forward!


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Please vote for us at http://www.thebigreboot.biz/entries/508 – your support increases our chances of winning. And just for voting, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Satellite® U845 Ultrabook™ with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor for yourself!

Thanks so much for your vote and your support. Of course, we wouldn’t be here without great readers like you. 

Sincerely,
Tracy Iglesias
Ascending Butterfly

If you win a laptop just for voting, please be sure to come back here and let us know, and be sure to sticky this page so you can remember to come back and vote daily!

T H A N K  Y O U  S W E E T  B U T T E R F L Y!


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FTC Disclosure: This is not a sponsored or compensated post. This is a vote request thread and all opinions how the prize for this contest will help me are 100% my own. I have a strong feeling about this entry period, I'm feeling lucky!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

@DuaneReade NEW Balance Rewards Program I made the SWAP! #DRBalanceRewards




This busy butterfly has been toying with changing her name from Ascending Butterfly to Social Butterfly and with good reason, all this running around and event hopping means certain things have been un-attended for awhile, like ahem, shopping for personal items! I've run out some essentials and decided it was time to kill two birds with one stone.

This is the first sign I saw as soon as I hit my local Duane Reade,  perfect reminder!

On September 16, the Duane Reade FlexRewards Program was converted to the Balance Rewards Program, and since I'm a Duane Reade VIP Blogger and Blogger Brand Ambassador, I had been meaning to swap out and switch to the new card WAY sooner, but my schedule has been absolutely insane, and while there are Duane Reade's nearly everywhere, I just hadn't had the time to stop in and actually do it.

Ever since my Medical Nightmare that began last year, I've upped my dietary supplements and vitamins, and realized that I was out of Krill Oil, and I was also out of Red Lipstick! Now red is my daily signature lip color, some people can pull it off, others can't, for me, it's a custom blend look that includes several different varieties of red colors and gloss that help me get to my desired shade. Aside from the heart health benefits of Krill Oil (which you also get from certain foods including Salmon, my personal favorite), I also find it gives me an energy boost. And I’m all for finding healthy ways to get a good energy boost! (Since my work out routine is still ammended dietary supplements are super important for me especially right now).

Another reminder, there was one on BOTH the left and right hand side of the store entrance!

I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to swap cards first, or make my purchases first, but I ultimately decided that it should be OK to just shop first and then do everything at the register. And it worked out just fine!

Bye Bye Old Friend! If cards could talk! Parting is such sweet, rewarding sorrow!

About Balance Rewards:


Getting Rewarded for Everyday Purchases Could Not Be Easier!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Balance Rewards keeps some of the most popular features of FlexRewards such as exclusive savings for members and the opportunity to earn points and redeem rewards, while giving customers even more benefits.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Balance Rewards program is now active at both Duane Reade and Walgreens. Duane Reade customers can now earn and redeem points at over 7,900 stores nationwide.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Customers can join Balance Rewards at any Duane Reade or Walgreens store at the checkout counter, pharmacy and photo kiosk. They can also sign up online at duanereade.com/balance or on their mobile phone via the upcoming Duane Reade Mobile Application due for release early 2013.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Duane Reade customers who join Balance Rewards will now be able to earn points and savings on thousands of items in store and online at www.walgreens.com.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Members can earn points for making healthy choices, including 10 points for every mile logged in the Walk with Walgreens program. You can earn points for walking up to 100 miles per month.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Duane Reade Balance Rewards members will also earn 10 points per $1.00 spent for every purchase of non-prescription vitamin, cough, cold, pain or sleep medication at stores located in NY, NJ or AR where points cannot be earned on pharmacy items due to regulations.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AARP members will get exclusive 5 bonus point offers and 5,000 points when they spend $25 every month.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Duane Reade Flex Rewards program points will be converted to Balance Rewards and become available when customers join in the new program. 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Duane Reade customers converting from FlexRewards will now have the opportunity to earn more bonus point offers on a weekly basis that can lead to a faster $5 reward redemption than ever before.

Points go further as you earn more.

Points earned
Reward
5,000
$5
10,000
$10
18,000
$20
30,000
$35
40,000
$50










Watch the Trailer to learn more:



Still have Questions? You can always reach Duane Reade's Customer Service and they will help you!







My Take:

It was super easy to make the swap, the cashier scanned my old card, there was some info that needed to be filled in and I gave it to her and she typed it in, and then I hit a button to confirm that the details were now correct and they handed me the new card and a smaller one to put on my keychain. I got enough bonus points + points with my first purchase post conversion to get a $5 reward that I could use on my next purchase, or I can just wait until I have a 1,920 more points to be able to get a $10 reward instead of a $5 reward, which is pretty cool! I like getting rewards for my day to day purchases, it makes my inner 'fab frugalista' super happy!

You can also see more photos from my 'swap mission' on google plus (where I am sure you are already following me right?)

Get Social With It:

Follow Duane Reade  on Twitter and ‘Like’ them on Facebook. Don’t forget to tell them you saw them Featured on Ascending Butterfly and that you made the switch! For more information, visit duanereade.com or youtube.com/duanereade

Butterfly Did You Make the NEW Balance Rewards Swap Yet?


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FTC Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #DRBalanceRewards  I am a Duane Reade VIP Blogger and Ambassador which does entitle me to additional incentives. However, all opinions expressed  are 100% my own.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Gravier Street, New Orleans #NOLA

More New Orleans Photos from my trip to the Niche Mommy Conference, these were all taken on Gravier Street!

Gravier Street Sign, New Orleans

Statue on Gravier Street, New Orleans

Statue on Gravier Street, New Orleans


Feel free to post the link to your Wordless Wednesday Photo in the comments! Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies!


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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I am under no obligation to share my photos of my New Orleans trip to the Niche Mommy Conference!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Hotel Transylvania Movie Review! At a theater near you 09/28 #HotelT

Hotel Transylvania Movie Poster Photo @Sony Pictures Animation



I am always writing to music, and this moment is no different, I'm listening to Hotel California by The Eagles and the lyrics say: "You can check-out any time you like, But you can never leave! " - I definitely wouldn't want to check into that hotel, but you almost can't help but wanting to check into Hotel Transylvania.

During the weekend I had the chance to attend a screening of the new movie, the screening was held in a movie theater central to Times Square in Manhattan and I got the chance to grab a great picture of the movie Billboard on my way out:

Hotel Transylvania Billboard, Times Square, New York City


ABOUT HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

Synopsis:

English Summary: Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s (Adam Sandler) lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world’s most famous monsters – Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more – to celebrate his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday.  For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.


Cast/Elenco:

Adam Sandler
Andy Samberg
Kevin James
Selena Gomez
Steve Buscemi
CeeLo Green
David Spade
Molly Shannon
Fran Drescher

Animated Family Comedy, Hotel Transylvania opens in theaters September  28, 2012


Spanish Summary/En EspanolBienvenido al Hotel Transylvania, el fastuoso resort de cinco estrellas de Drácula (Adam Sandler), en donde los monstruos y sus familias pueden sentirse libres de comportarse como los monstruos que son sin que haya humanos que los molesten.  En un fin de semana muy especial, Drácula ha invitado a alguno de los monstruos más famosos del mundo – Frankenstein y su novia, la Momia, el Hombre Invisible, una familia de hombres lobo, y muchos más – para celebrar el cumpleaños número 118 de su hija Mavis. Para Drac, atender a todos estos monstruos legendarios no es ningún problema, pero su mundo puede desmoronarse cuando un hombre ordinario llega por casualidad al hotel y se deslumbra con Mavis.

Watch the Trailer:



My Take:

I greatly enjoyed Hotel Transylvania, it is well paced, family friendly and enjoyable. There are so many relatable moments in the film, one of my favorites is the Dad, Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) continually comes up with funny nicknames for his daughter Mavis, which my mom always did when I was little (and sometimes she still does! Even my dad had a funny nickname for me too!). Dracula also has a hard time letting Mavis 'fly' which most parents can relate to, and the kids will enjoy all the silly hijinx in the movie. I actually ended up enjoying this movie so much more than I thought I would, it definitely gets 5 butterflies out of a possible five!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. I attended an Advanced Screening as a member of the digital press. All opinions are 100% my own.

Monday, September 24, 2012

P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action #GIVEHope

P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action Poster

P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action Poster and P&G Products Table

 I did it for 'The Girls', Will YOU?

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee, kick off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self-exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in New York. Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman


As I mentioned in my Weekly Moment of Gratitude post yesterday I recently got the chance to participate in one of my most special Twitter Parties yet. I have co-hosted and hosted many twitter parties, but this was my first time participating in a live twitter party with a Celebrity Host! As part of the P&G GIVE Hope "Do It For the Girls!" Day of Action, I attended a blogger roundtable with Giuliana Rancic, new mom, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, Janelle Hail, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the NationalBreast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee, who openly discussed their Cancer experiences and treatments as well as the importance of a Breast Self Exam.



Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee



National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection. Do NOT just rely on your annual doctor appointment, do your self exams MONTHLY, many survivors detected the lump themselves during their monthly self exam! And some found their lump just after meeting with their doctor who did NOT detect it.

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee  Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

One of the things that was discussed during the Q&A was just how differently everyone reacts to the news. There is no right or wrong reaction, there is no right or wrong way to deal with the news. One of the things discussed was whether it's a friend or family member, don't just ask 'What can I do?' - Just do it. Bring over food, magazines, arrange for a house-cleaning service to visit that person, arrange for an in home spa day for the person. Don't let that person just stay in the house, makes sure they get out! And don't under-estimate the power of just listening!

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee

And speaking from my own experience from my Medical Nightmare this year, if a friend or family member is hospitalized, please VISIT them in person. Unfortunately the reality of most hospitals is that the person with the most visitors gets the best treatment because the staff knows someone is always watching. The person with very few visitors is often-times cared for way less. It's a very sad reality, but indeed true! (and I always say treat others the way you'd want to be treated. If it were YOU, would you be OK if your loved ones didn't bother checking on you during a hospital stay?)

After the Roundtable - The Twitter Party!

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, particiaptes in a twitter party and kicks off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in New York. Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

What's a Twitter Party without 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' right? I was live tweeting from the "Kardashian Suite" at the Gansevoort Park Avenue (@HotelGansevoort) where the roundtable took place along with Celeb Guest Tweeter, @GiulianaRancic, Main Hosts  @SheSpeaksUp@NBCF and sponsor @PGmyGIVE.

I was tweeting great quotes and pictures from the Roundtable, here are a few pictures from my camera that I couldn't live tweet:

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, particiaptes in a twitter party and kicks off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self-exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in New York. Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, particiaptes in a twitter party and kicks off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self-exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 at the Hotel Gansevoort in New York City.


@GiulianaRancic (Left) tweeting during the #GIVEHope Twitter Party!

How YOU Can Get Involved:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please perform a regular breast self-exam. For more information, visit earlydetectionplan.org and click here to find out how to perform a breast self-exam.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can save money while giving back by redeeming coupons in the P&G brandSAVER® found in your local newspaper. For every September 30 coupon redeemed, a 2¢ donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and for every October 14 coupon redeemed, a 1¢ donation will be made.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A $1 donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for every hand image created on the PGmyGIVE Facebook app.


MY Take:

Breast Self Exams are CRUCIAL. Please perform them monthly without fail, some people find it easy to remember to do in the shower, some prefer lying down in bed, whichever method works best for you use it! Remember, Breast Cancer does not discriminate, and being young doesn't prevent you from being afflicted, so if you have a history of breast cancer on either side of your family, discuss a game plan with your doctor about mammograms, if there is a history in your family, you are NOT too young to get a mammogram!

Here are some shots of me:

Ascending Butterfly wearing an Adrianna Papell Dress (oddly enough I won this dress from an E! News  Fashion Contest and I wore it for the first time to interview E! News own Giuliana Rancic!)  Boots 'Dinka' by Naturalizer


Ascending Butterfly in the Kardashian Suite at the Gansevoort Hotel for the #GIVEHope Twitter Party, I am wearing  a dress by Adrianna Papell, the jewelry is my own, the Boots are 'Dinka' by Naturalizer

Below is a shot of all the bloggers included in the Roundtable with Giuliana Rancic!

Second from Left ME! @Ascending1, then it's @barrettboys, @MomMostTraveled, @SweetiesSweeps,  Center: @GiulianaRancic, Far Right: Allison Maxwell (in pink dress) she is a P&G Employee and Breast Cancer Survivor!




Have you done your Self Exam this month? Have you battled Breast Cancer? Has someone in your family battled it? Feel free to share your experiences with us!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received. I was a VIP Guest of SheSpeaksUp and was the provided the opporunity to participate in a special roundtable, questions and answers session, light lunch, and twitter party. All Opinions are 100% my own. I do feel Breast Health Awareness and Self-Exams are critical!