Saturday, January 31, 2015

Sharing my #RapidResults with @neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer thanks @Allure_magazine! #SPONSORED #BBloggers


I couldn't possibly succeed at being more entertaining on this particular topic than this buzzfeed article called "22 Things That Only Happen To People Who Have Resting Bitchface" by Lara Parker and Candace Lowry, this collection of GIF's are simply hilarious, but something that anyone accussed of this shall we call it 'condition' can relate to. (For those in the know '2's' always follow me, so I find it interesting this particular article on Resting Bitch Face most caught my eye!)

As a freelance writer, blogger, social media consultant and life coach, reading my emails on a daily basis, give me this face:


See those forehead wrinkles? That's exactly what happens every time I open another email asking me to do something for free! It sounds sort of like this "You want me to craft content for you with how many words, and on a deadline and you want me to do it for free because if I won't invariably someone will' - Then I scream profanity at my email and go grab an energy drink because I know it's going to be a long day!

I actually hate being in pictures. I don't do selfies, and I try to avoid being in front of the camera as much as possible. Taking pictures goes something like this for me:


Allure Magazine asked their Beauty Enthusiasts to test out Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer


ABOUT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Accelerated Retinol SA
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fades the look of stubborn wrinkles
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brightens Skin Tone
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Smooth fine lines and texture

MY TAKE:

While it claims to boast visible results in just one week, I found it took closer to just under 3 weeks to show visible results for me. But then again I do test a lot of products and tend to have to ease my skin into it a bit. The first week I had to start it one day on and one day off which is the norm when I'm testing anything with Retinol. It takes my skin a bit to ease into products with Retinol. so technically the first week may not count since I didn't use it every single night. I found by the beginning of week 3 that I began to notice a fade in the most stubborn wrinkles which for me are forehead and parenthesis (or more like a semi colon than parenthesis because one side is more pronounced than the other!). It did work well on both fine lines and stubborn wrinkles but I didn't notice a marked difference in terms of brightening, I would have liked to see more especially since I am using the Pink Grapefruit Cleanser by Neutrogena during the day as a face wash since my skin is acne and oil prone/combination.

Overall at a price of $20.99 per 1 fl. oz I found it to be effective and budget friendly and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It did deliver the promised results, just in a bit more time than one week!

What is YOUR favorite Neutrogena Skin Care Product Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: Allure and Neutrogena provided product to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Junior High School Graduation #ThrowbackThursday

I have already shared High School before so I thought I would share a Junior High School Graduation Photo for Throwback Thursday this week!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

{#WordlessWednesday} How a #Foodie survives #Snowmageddon2015

hearty seafood bisque with organic mushrooms


While it didn't come down in New York City nearly as bad as was predicted, the MTA Public Transportation System as well as local airports did shut down. Supermarkets and Super Stores in general sold out of food and essentials very quickly and I spent my time making comfort food like this hearty seafood bisque pictured above (I normally don't but I added fresh organic mushrooms to this one because I love mushrooms and didn't want them to go to waste!)

Did you get snow where you are butterfly?

Happy Wordless Wednesday, bloggers feel free to link us to your photos today, leave a comment here, just no giveaway links please!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Wine & chocolate! @romanticwine paired with Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters! #DISCOVERBROOKSIDE #SPON

The folks at Crowdtap recently challenged a few of their members/digital influencers to pair Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters with another thing they love and post the results of our pairing, so here is mine:


I chose to pair IceWine Exclusives TMRW Vidal IceWine with my Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters and it was the perfect combo!

Don't get me wrong, wine and cheese is still aces in my book, but I have been attending tastings that are dedicated to pairing wines with chocolate and I have enjoyed them and wanted to re-create the experience at home.

TMRW - The most Romantic Wine are carefully selected handcrafted Icewines from Canada which I have featured on Ascending Butterfly before (see our coverage of the NY Wine Festivals for more info or their website), are such an exception to my palate rule. I tend to lean toward dry and less sweet wines, but TMRW wines offer such 'balanced complexity' that they are 'sweet and refreshing' in my book, not cloying or annoyingly sweet, but just that perfect sweetness that doesn't overshadow.

BROOKSIDE Chocolates combine exotic fruit juices and clusters of crispy multi-grains with soft fruit flavored centers with sweetened cranberry bits covered in smooth dark chocolate. I love that they offer a 'crispy, fruity' taste with a dark chocolate. 

Together they made the perfect combo. The chocolates are not super sweet, so pairing them with a sweet wine gives all your senses a little rush!

What pairing will you try today on #TryMeTuesday Butterflies? Have you ever paired Wine with Chocolate?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

{#WordlessWednesday} Male AND Female #Butterfly #Photo - Lexias Pardais - WOW!

The right wings of this preserved Lexias pardais are characteristic of the female of the species and the left wings are typical of the male. (This is called 'gynandromorphism'). The body's coloration is exactly split down the middle lengthwise! You can read more about it, and where you can see it on display HERE!

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies! Bloggers you are always welcome to post the link to your WW photos as a comment, and we will go visit you too! (No Giveaway Links, Wordless Wednesday Only Please!) Happy Humpday, and remember in nature there are NO accidents!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post! I am a lifelong butterfly enthusiast and when I find out something this fascinating about butterflies I just HAVE to share!

Friday, January 9, 2015

Wanna wish Stephen Hawking a Happy Birthday? Then Go See @FocusFeatures #TheTheoryOfEverything

The Theory of Everything Theatrical Movie Poster

On January 8, 1942 (73 years ago) Stephen Hawking was born, and with it being the famed physicist's birthday, I thought it would be the perfect day to post about Focus Feature's The Theory of Everything which is a British Biographical Romantic Drama directed by James Marsh and adapted by Anthony McCarten from the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Wilde Hawking.

The movie stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones (who portray Stephen and Jane), the movie outlines how the two met at Cambridge University in the 60's and chronicles their relationship and lives.

Eddie and Felicity offer a spot on performance and it is uncanny just how much they resemble the real Stephen and Jane, take a look at this photo:

Stephen and Jane Hawking, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones
Left: The Real Stephen and Jane Hawking, Right: Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones!
I got to attend a fun Advanced Screening with Q&A that was hosted by The Moms that was followed by a question and answer with Felicity Jones!

Now I am the first to tell you guys that I am normally not a big romance movie person, but this one is compelling, well cast, and the performances couldn't have been more spot on! I understand that it took almost 3 years to convince Jane Hawking to agree to a film adaptation, and I hope she agrees that the performances did her memoir justice. The sheer difficulty of the physicality of the role should certainly win Redmayne some kind of award in my book! The voice you hear in the latter part of the movie is Stephen's real voice.

The Moms and Felicity Jones, #JonesMamarazzi


Here is a video of the Q&A:


My Take:

This is as real life as it gets, life gets messy, it has it's ups and downs and this is a romantic drama that really hit the mark for me.

Have you already seen The Theory of Everything? What did you think of it?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, it is an event recap. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Stuck in a #beauty rut? @beautypress #SpotlightDay offers up great ideas for 2015 for both men & women! #bbloggers


Don't get stuck in a rut for 2015, just like you set professional goals, set some new personal ones too! Single and ready to mingle? Maybe a switch up in appearance is what you need to help cupid along while you are waiting to get hit by the love arrow!

I have been on a sort of 'personal renaissance' myself, I chopped off over 13 inches of hair last year to donate to women with Cancer (read up on my experience if you missed it HERE), next up for me a color change for my hair which I have never actually done but really want to try (and NO there are no grey hairs on my head yet, this is just for FUN), and I started the first week of the new year by shopping my closet, tossing stuff I have entirely outgrown and getting ready to make some wardrobe changes. Starting with new foundation, because you can buy great clothes but if the undergarments aren't holding what they should hold, the clothes won't look right!

Even with professional goals the first foot you put forward counts, so I am also looking to give my Beauty Routine a swift kick in the mascara so to speak and my favorite New York City event, Beauty Press (a network for Beauty Editors and Bloggers to connect with Beauty Brands) put some new products on my radar, and I just had to share them with YOU, here they are in alphabetical order:

Brand Exhibitors Include:

Absolutment Parfumeur, Absolument Homme, Men's Cologne
Absolutment Parfumeur, Absolument Homme






































My little 'scent secret'? I tend to wear Men's Cologne's over women's perfumes. I like the notes in cologne better and find that they smell better on me (and I guess men feel the same way, because when I go out and wear cologne I get more of those 'what scent are you wearing'? from men than I do when I try wearing women's perfume! With 3 notable exceptions, my three 'girlie' fave scents are Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue, Doux Amour by Spadaro, and Midnight Promise by Bellegance Perfumes!) Absolutment Parfumeur, (Press on the British Flag to read the site in English!) founded by Pascal Rolland (the person who re-introduced Absinthe Liquor in France in 1999 after an 84 year ban!) decided to create his first perfume Absolutment Absinthe - making him the first liquor-maker perfumer! I did like Absinthe, but I LOVE Absolment Homme, I mean like obsessively love it! I am waiting on full size units on both of them and I think they would be amazing as gifts for Valentine's Day! (and if you want to bring over a bottle of Absinthe while you are it....#justsaying)

Aquage, Haircare, Hairspray
Biomega Freeze Baby Mega-Hold Hairspray by aquage (Photo credit @beautypress)


















While I love my new shorter 'do', keeping those layers looking 'styled' definitely requires a good hair spray, but I don't want sticky helmet head, so I'm digging the new Biomega Freeze Baby Mega-Hold Hairspray by aquage to keep those layers in place on these cold, windy and inclement winter days on the East Coast!

Baiser ROSE, Scented Candles
Baiser ROSE Candle


I love the smell of FRESH Roses. And yes I meant to capitalize the word Fresh, one of the reasons I tend to not be attracted to many perfumes is that the rose scent used is highly 'synthetic' or overly concentrated and over-bearing, at least to my nose. I was surprised to find myself taken with the Baiser ROSE Candle, I'm rarely such a frilly, girly girl type, but this very pink, rose-scented candle was a delight to the senses and I really like it! Definitely another Score as a Valentine's Day Gift Idea!

Breakups to Makeup, fashion, accessories, beauty
Breakups to Makeup


































Breakups to Makeup is the creation of makeup artist Angelique Velez (pictured above) as a staple of self-expression for the person whose heart was broken and buried themselves in the darkest of places, to the cancer patient who has lost all her hair yet finds comfort in that perfect shade of lipstick, a brand for those with a genuine love of makeup, their fashion and accessories are just plain spot on! See the t-shirt next to her? It reads "I would cry but my mascara is designer' - I know I am not the only one yelling YAS! and YES! or the makeup bag that reads "I May Not Be Perfect But My Makeup Is' - If you plan to 'give good face' this year, then this is EXACTLY the brand you want to do that with! I wish one of their T-Shirts or Cosmetics bag were in the Swag bags, but sadly they weren't or you would see a picture of me wearing it!

Huile des Princesses, aromatherapy, precious oils for face, body, hair & massage
Huile des Princesses aromatherapy utilizing precious oils


If a trip to Paris is on your bucket or New Year's resolutions list but for whatever reason you don't think this is going to be your year either, try Huile des Princesses a new aromatherapy line with all-natural precious oils for face, body, hair and massage on for size. A little bit of Paris luxury for your home spa. Maybe not a trip to Paris, but your skin will think it has been there at least!

Intelligent Skin Sense, Skincare
Intelligent Skin Sense


Founded by a multi-spa owner, Intelligent Skin Sense uses a very holistic approach utilizing botanical herbs and clinically tested ingredients to make beauty products and tools that help you bring the spa experience home. Sense a theme? Why not make pampering yourself one of your top priorities for this new year butterflies? I would love to try out the Micro-Current Home Facial Device, I have never tried one of these before and have often wondered about their efficacy. If any of you have tried them please let us know what you think!


K6 Skincare, Sharon Krahn, Traditional Naturopath, Naturopathic Skincare
K6 Skincare (Photo Credit: @beautypress)


K6 Skin Care, founded by Dallas based naturopath Sharon Krahn, her combination of enzymes, herbs, essential oils and nutrition led to an organic skin care line that is safe for ALL skin types especially those with hypersensitive skin.

Primp and Polish, Manicures, Nail Art, Nail Salon
Manicure by Primp and Polish


This Gel Manicure with Nail Art courtesy of Primp and Polish (linking you guys to their twitter handle as the website was down when I sat down to write this!) is just plain EVERYTHING! Looking back at it just makes me happy. Look at that vibrant nail polish and that 'deco-inspired' Nail Art! This lasted well over a week for me and while Gel is a bit harder to remove than traditional Nail Polish, the long lasting brilliant look is worth the extra time and steps in my opinion. They have 3 locations in Brooklyn, New York!


What happens when a group of cosmetics-crazed science geeks from MIT join forces? Wink Natural Cosmetics an all-natural solution to help promote eyelash and eyebrow growth in dormant hair follicles. While some growth serums, can boast giving you longer eyelashes, they can still be sparse, just longer and sparse, what Wink does is make your lashes AND brows thicker and fuller too!

In addition to the brands above who provided samples, there was a swag bag and the Editor Review Bag Sponsors included:

Nordic Beauty, skin care, Marine Collagen Peptides, SPF 30 CC Cream
Nordic Beauty (photo credit: @beautypress)


Nordic Beauty is a natural and organic skin care line that utilizes Marine Collagen Peptides from Norway, it is a combination of Science, Marine Collagen Peptides and cold Norwegian Sea Water. 

Nurse Jamie, skin care
Nurse Jamie (photo credit: @beautypress)

Jamie Sherrill, R.N., "Nurse Jamie" is the owner of Park Medical Spa in Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi, she is a registered nurse and global skincare expert with quite a list of celebrity clientele who love her healthy skin solutions, cutting-edge products and medical devices. She also offers skincare regimens for MEN, not just women! That's right my male butterflies, this is the year to kick your grooming habits up a notch too!


I actually got to meet the Zotos 180PRO  team at the summer Beauty Press (held on a Luxury Yacht in Manhattan, if you missed that recap click HERE), the anchor in the line (oops no pun intended after the yacht reference I swear!) is the Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator Treatment which uses a patent pending cross-linking ingredient to attract the reparative benefits of 180PRO products to the damaged areas of your hair like a magnet, to repair up to two years of hair abuse and safeguard your tresses against future damage. I tend to blow out and flat iron my hair often, so this is literally made for me!

My Take:

I was stoked that Beauty Press was actually able to squeeze in another event just before the holidays! I loved to see that 180PRO returned as my hair is really responding their products, and there were a ton of new to me products, and as I go along road testing them I will provide individual reviews. (I only test one system at a time so I know what is actually working for me, takes me a bit longer, but I test systems individually and finish them completely/empty the tube so I can give you an accurate review and pinpoint exactly which product is giving me results. I fell in nail love with my mani with nail art so I will be doing more Gel Manicures on these pages this year that's for sure! Although I will say that KISS Products pop on and pop off nails are still a particular fave of mine for speed, ease and convenience. 

Wonder if it's too much to ask of Cupid to be sure that the man that comes trying to sweep me off my feet is wearing Absolutment Homme?

Butterflies which brand resonates most with you? Which one would you most like to try? Let them know you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly so we can hopefully come back with something fun for YOU too!


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FTC Disclosure: I am a member of the Beauty Press Network. This is NOT a compensated post, it is an event recap. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Monday, January 5, 2015

{#MotivationMonday} In this case you have BOTH! Make this the week YOU change your life! {Todays' #inspiration"}

You don't need a New Year To Make A Change. . . All You Need Is A Monday. Make this the week you change your life!






















Today you have BOTH! A Monday AND a Brand New Year to start those changes! Get working on those resolutions, it's never too late or too soon, just start! (Did you check out our new Facebook Cover Photo? It reads for a New Year to Bring You Something New, Make A Move Like A Butterfly Tearing Its Cocoon! Make A Move! - What do you think of it? What new move will YOU make this week?)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

January 1, 2015 - A New Years Prayer!



















Wishing all my butterflies a new year filled with abundance in all its many forms, opportunities to keep you challenged not just busy, love, health and happiness!

If you set resolutions for this year, what are they?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored Post!