Happy Birthday To Me! Another year around the sun! + I may be a Losu Tree!

Happy Birthday To Me!

 

I have no idea why the hashtag #IfYouSendMeFiveDollars is trending. But since today is my birthday, I'll play!

I want to see @shenyunperformingarts for my birthday!

#ShenYun is in NYC starting April 6th.

Let's see if this hashtag can make that happen!

Cashapp: $ascendingbutterfly
Paypal: http://paypal.me/TracyIglesias
Venmo: @Ascending1

 

 

+ Not all gifts cost, I could still use a two sentence testimonial for my Sephora Squad 2023 Application! Post it here: https://www.sephorasquad.com/leave_testimonial/114319

🦋 My personal *New Years Day*

I read in a magazine ages ago, that instead of New Years Eve/Day being when we *reset* the year and revisit our goals, it should be our birthday. Our personal annual rebirth. That always resonated with me, and so for me, today is New Years Day! My annual reset!

LOSU TREE!

🦋 - This flowering tree is called the Losu tree. It is extremely rare and found in China. There are only three of them. It blooms once a year in April, and China provides it with severe protection to preserve it. It is also called the April snow because of its very white flowers. I might just be a Losu tree, since I bloom in April too! LOL!

🦋 Readers Sound Off: Do you consider New Years Day or Your Birthday your annual reset + why?

 

I love that messages have started coming in on my social feed, I plan to be out and about today, so I will return messages in the next few days!

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. 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. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

paypal.me/TracyIglesias or https://cash.app/$ascendingbutterfly or Venmo: Ascending1

Wordless Wednesday: Rock on with your Bad Self!

Yesterday I got the chance to see Kinky Boots on Broadway, and it was so fun and uplifting I thought this graphic would make a perfect Wordless Wednesday, and a perfect reminder that every now and then you have got to let out your inner rock star and let him/her have some FUN! I will definitely post a full event recap of the show soon!

Well it's official butterfly this is my Birthday Eve, and my birthday is tomorrow! I can't wait for the big day! Today I'm off for more social Butterfly fun with several New York City entertainment related events (another play is just one of the things I will be doing today!), and in the next week or so I'll share all that I've been up to this week!)

Rock on with your bad self Butterfly and if you are a blogger share your Wordless Wednesday link as a comment to this post so we can all see your pictures for this week too, and if you haven't already done so, please don't forget to enter our 'It's MY Birthday, But YOU Get The Gifts!" Giveaway of this week for the cake of your choice from We Take the Cake!

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post, no monetary compensation has been received, the Giveaway referenced above will be fulfilled by the Giveaway Sponsor.

{CLOSED} It's MY Birthday but YOU Get the Cake #Giveaway sponsored by @wetakethecake via @Ascending1

Ever since I founded Ascending Butterfly (except the first year because it was founded after my birthday) I have hosted an annual 'It's MY Birthday but YOU Get the Gifts!' series of promotions, because it's my birthday and I can, because it's fun and who doesn't like presents? Am I right?

But what's a birthday without cake? We've had some fun cake collaborations over the years, for my birthday, for Easter, for our Mother's Day Buying Guide, for our blogaversary, I mean who really needs a holiday or a reason to enjoy cake?

Well this birthday I had the privilege of trying a cake from a company whose cake is one of 'Oprahs Favorite Things'! I discovered her favorite bra well before she began talking about it (and of course after she did my favorite colors and sizes were always sold out!), but this time I will admit I found this great find from her, and what a sweet find it is!

About We Take the Cake:

With a cake for every occassion, from birthday, baby shower, holidays and even cupcakes and corporate gifts, We Take the Cake has got you covered! Madame 'O''s particular favorite is their Key Lime Bundt Cake!

What began in 1997 as a mail-order bakery got its start when Lori went to visit a bakery to buy a cake for her son Sean's third birthday, it was 'love at first bite' and she ended up buying the business! It's a small team that makes each cake by hand, and butterflies I can tell you that you can literally taste the love!

"To us, cake isn't just a dessert. It's a symbol of celebration, happiness, friends and family. That's why we take so much care in creating the most splendid and delectable cakes and cupcakes... because we know what it means to you." ~ Lori Karmel, Owner, We Take The Cake

Unboxing My Cake!

My Take:

I love the background story on We Take The Cake, can you imagine loving something so much you just decide to buy the business completely? What started out as something so simple, buying her son a birthday cake became a thriving business operation that still makes each cake by hand!

Here is a picture of my cake:

We Take the Cake Award Winning Chocolate Cake with Creamy Rich Cheesecake!

I love that it's wrapped in plastic, and once I removed the plastic it looked like this:

Is it a bit too much to admit that I wanted to just dip my face directly in it? I didn't do that, but I was tempted to!

I swear I cut two slices one for me and one for Mama Butterfly, I didn't eat it all!

And above is a picture of my slice!

There are two things I didn't like when I was younger that I absolutely love now Yogurt and Cheesecake, it took me forever to eat them both, and now I appear to be making up for lost time! I can't enough of either one! This Cheesecake enrobed in Chocolate Cake is totally decadent, totally sinful and totally delicious! My advice for when order a Cheesecake that arrives cold is to let it thaw well so you get a creamy rich moist bite the first time and every time! I personally knew better than to even try freezing any because I knew it would all get devoured rather quickly!

I couldn't recommend We Take The Cake highly enough, it's fantastic, and now I want to try out their other flavors, maybe I'll even relent and try Oprah's Favorite Key Lime Bundt Cake!

Had to use a pro-shot of the Award Winning We Take the Cake Chocolate Cake with Creamy Rich Cheesecake, because my cut was not so neat or so even!

Win It:

It's THAT time! While Thursday, April 4th is MY birthday, YOU get the gifts too! Our friends at We Take the Cake want to provide 1 lucky Butterfly the opportunity to win a Cake of their own! How cool is that? Not to mention if you sign up on their website to receive their newsletter, you get another chance to win a Key Lime Bundt Cake that way!

Don't you just ♥ We Take The Cake? I know I do!

DISCOUNT: Do you know someone celebrating a birthday soon? Send them an incredible birthday cake with "Happy Birthday" written on the cake and birthday candles included. Save $10 using code BDAY10 (use all caps, case sensitive) when checking out at http://www.wetakethecake.com/birthdays.html

Follow all instructions using the rafflecopter contest entry widget below! (If the widget doesn't load for you the first time, just re-fresh the page!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: We Take the Cake provided Ascending Butterfly with one cake of our choice for editorial consideration, and they are also fulfilling to one prize winner, all opinions are 100% my own. Sponsor is responsible for Prize Fulfillment. Neither Ascending Butterfly or it's giveaway sponsors will be held responsible for lost, late or mis-directed mail. Our full disclosure policy can be found at: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Get your #makeup bag ready for Spring! Win the new @janeiredale PureGloss Lip Gloss and Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening #Mascara

Very slowly here in New York City I'm sensing signs of Spring, the little birds chirping outside the window, and families preparing for Easter. Like most, I wish Punxsutawney Phil has been a bit more accurate about Spring coming early, as we are actually expecting more snow this week which I am NOT looking forward to!

Since my birthday is in early April, I thought I'd host a fun giveaway countdown to my birthday called 'It's MY birthday but YOU get the gifts', and to get ourselves in a festive mood, why not start with a beauty giveaway?

A few years ago I read about using your birthday as your actual 'new year' and not the calendar new year, and I thought that was a fantastic idea! Your birthday is always a great time to take stock of where you've been, where you are, and where you WANT to be.

Back in late February, I shared with you about getting a sneak peek at fab new products for lashes and lips from Jane Iredale Cosmetics for Spring, in case you missed it, you can check it out HERE. And as promised I reached out to the team and arranged to get these fab goodies in your hands just in time for Spring. This way if you are anything like me and clear out your bag seasonally, you can get rid of that mascara of yours (remember the longer you keep it, the more likely it will clump on your lashes, or irritate your eyes), I can't stress enough how important it is to rotate your mascaras frequently whether you consider yourself to have sensitive eyes or not! And I also like to update my lip and eye shadow colors for the new season ahead!

This year I want to be a bit bolder and more dramatic with my makeup, and try out not so much just new trends, but explore which products bring out a bolder and more fun me. I have had so much fun playing with the new Jane Iredale Goodies I got to try out and wanted you to have some fun also!

About PureGloss Lip Gloss

I love that Jane is so innovative and decided to take a good thing and make it that much better! The New PureGloss touts many benefits including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Organic Oils

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Moringa Butter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lotus Flower Wax

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Orange Peel Wax

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blackberry Extracts

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pomegranate Extracts

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - anti-oxidants

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vitamin C

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vitamin E

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - New improved flatter packaging

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - New improved longer wand so you get the most product from the tube with less waste

And with 18 flattering shades, much like a pringles, I challenge you to be able to settle on just one! You are going to want ALL of these shades ladies!

Longest Lash Lengthening and Thickening Mascara

Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara

Much like the PureGloss Lip Gloss, the Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara has a new improved flatter packaging and new improved longer wand so you get the most product from the tube with less waste!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - This is a Vegan/Gluten product

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cruelty Free

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Formulated with a proprietary blend of seaweed lipids to condition, moisturize and protect lashes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Reduces Splitting and Breaking

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Free of lacquers, shellac and petroleum

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Resistant to smearing and flaking

My Take:

I love that I can create a wide variety of looks with Jane's products, I can go from day to night with ease all the while knowing I am doing something GOOD for my skin! If you take a moment to read the product testimonials on their site, you'll see good reviews and reviews from users who weren't 100% satisfied, but the difference is, when Jane Iredale Cosmetics gets a less than glowing review, they really want to know WHY the product didn't work, and they actually go back to the lab and find ways to make their products better! Can we satisfy 100% of the people 100% of the time, of course not, but it's nice to see a brand take user feedback so seriously that they keep re-formulating, and bringing new innovations to products that are already best-selling favorites. The newly re-formulated PureGloss Lip Gloss and the Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara is proof in the pudding that Jane is really reading your messages and taking your ideas into account. 

How great is it to finally have a product that you can get the most from the tube as possible? That idea benefits US more than it does the brand which is one of the things I think is so cool about it!

Get Social With It:

Don't forget that you will get extra credit in the giveaway for doing so!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Jane Iredale on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @janeiredale

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Become a pin friend by following Jane Iredale on Pinterest

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Want to see Jane Iredale's products in action? Follow Jane on YouTube!

Win It:

When I told my friends at Jane Iredale that it was my birthday and I wanted my readers to share in the gifts, they were more than happy to join in the fun! Win the PureGloss Lip Gloss shade and the Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara in the shade of your choice (this is based on product availability at the time of the drawing so pick a few shades just in case!). Let Jane Iredale and Ascending Butterfly pimp those makeup bags for Spring!

Enter using the Rafflecopter Form below, as always, the first entry is easy peasy, and how much extra credit you do is up to you, but you have to be in it to win it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: Jane Iredale provided us with the cosmetics featured for editorial consideration, and will be providing prizing for one winner. Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment. Neither Ascending Butterfly nor contest sponsor will be held responsible for lost or mis-directed mail. See full Giveaway and Disclosure Policy HERE

Happy 3rd Birthday Butterfly! We've come a long way baby!

Ascending Butterfly turns three today! It's been three wild years! We started with breathing affirmational meditations daily and have come quite a long way since. It took me a long time to feel comfortable enough to share more pieces of myself and my life on these pages. But now when I read back on my older posts I realize just how far this community has come.
2012 has been a challenging year for me on a personal level, but with the support and wonderful messages from butterflies in this community I've made it through feeling stronger and stronger everyday, so today is just as much about YOU as it ever could be about me. Thanks for sharing in the journey with me. Here's to the next 3 years!
To each and every reader, follower, facebook friend and twitter follower, Thank You.
To each and every brand who has partnered with us, Thank You.
To each and every advertiser, both old and new, Thank You.
To each and every sponsor, be it a giveaway or a blogging conference, Thank You.
To each and every brand who has shown tremendous faith in me and selected me as a Brand Ambassador, Thank You. 
I couldn't have foreseen all the opportunities that have come my way throughout the years, especially the ones that came my way this year. I am certainly filled with gratitude!
To my family and friends who are sometimes part of the story even when they are not always sure they wanted to be, Thank You.

I had no idea a love of butterflies could turn into a community of inspiration seekers, a community of social good and optimism that gives me the strength to move forward on days when I feel I can't. A simple idea, a simple interest coupled with my passion for writing and sharing stories turned into something bigger and better than I ever imagined. ~Ascending Butterfly

Blogging has been exciting and incredibly un-predictable, I have no idea what the next 3 years will bring as Social Media Expands and Changes, but I do look forward to the journey! I do hope the future holds many more Twitter Parties! :)
Cheers Butterflies!

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Not So Wordless Wednesday: It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to!

Butterflies I am finally back home from the hospital. The rest of my recuperation will take place from home instead of the hospital and I'm a few months away from being back to 'normal'. Whatever that is. Pain has been a constant companion and this is certainly NOT the birthday I envisioned for myself.

My first hospital stay that started in December of 2011 robbed me of New Years Eve and most of the month of January, and now my second stay has robbed me of the month of March, part of April and of the birthday celebration I wanted to have this year.

Yet here I am. With a different perspective on everything. I learned a lot about who I am during this difficult time. I learned a lot about what I do (and don't) want for myself and my life.

Each year for my birthday I always check out birthday horoscopes, and really thought this one was interesting:

Photo Credit: http://astrology.horoscope.com/free-birthday-horoscopes.html

For those of us born on April 4:

Happy Birthday! Have faith in yourself and your dreams! Your clear-thinking practical streak will get you through the whole year with ease, with some possible material gain in late May, August, and January. Don't let any little self-doubts gnaw away at your confidence. Good luck and good sense are abundant, no matter how hard you imagine things are going. Act like your normal, calm, solid self, and be ready should a big, positive shift in your work or career happen in the winter. Prepare for great things and believe in yourself. Have a marvelous year!

Just because my day didn't turn out the way I expected, thankfully the year is still young enough for me to turn around with faith, persistence, and hard work. So yeah it's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to, but then I'll get back on track and be the positive butterfly you know and love!

XOXO,

Ascending Butterfly

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{CLOSED} Easter Basket of Your Choice Giveaway! Ends 04/19!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor the Happy Easter Store! We look forward to working with you again! The winner has been notified and upon confirmation, follower name will be posted both here and on our homepage.

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Ascending Butterfly's Happy Easter Giveaway, brought to you by:

As I was born on a Palm Sunday, and Easter isn't all that far from my birthday, April is one of my favorite months of the year!

Many of my friends born near Christmas and Hanukah would tell me all about the nightmare that is the 'combined present'. Thankfully the Easter Bunny always found me despite me having an April birthday! For me, after Church, Easter meant coloring Easter Eggs with friends, and baskets overflowing with treats!

This year, a very funny thing happened. I had the chance to review the newly launched Happy Easter Store, and I spent some time reviewing the site and deciding on what to choose. As I don’t have little ones of my own, and I didn’t want any of my nephews or my niece to feel left out, I decided I’d continue to be the 'cool activity Aunt' and will take everyone out to the movies on Easter, so I thought I'd instead pick something that we could all share, yet wasn’t intended for one person specifically, at least so I thought…..and then this arrived….

A Birthday Cake arrived literally right before my birthday as the review item for an Easter Promo! How funny was that? I couldn’t help but smile. While we did share it and enjoy it, (and I keep my title as world’s coolest Aunt, well ok, maybe I gave myself that title), I’d like to think the Universe was affirming that I should celebrate myself a bit more this year!

10" Three Layer Chocolate Cake

This is the ultimate chocolate cake! A high three layered chocolate cake is filled with rich chocolate cream. It is surrounded by chocolate glaze and appointed with an elegant chocolate border.

Cake Deets:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Serves 16

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Certified Kosher Dairy by Orthodox Union

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Net Weight 5 lbs 7 oz

My Take:

I am a major chocoholic and this cake is pure chocolate, dreamy goodness! The kiddos gave it a thumbs up as well! They even drank their milk with it! They are lucky it was such a generous size that I decided to share! It was so good that left to my own devices I probably could have eaten it by myself!

It’s a definite ‘re-buy’ and I would recommend it for any occasion, and I also love that it’s from a certified kosher kitchen! If you are visiting with family for Easter, this would make a great hostess gift. You can pre-order it and have it sent directly to where you will be visiting for Easter. You will definitely score Brownie Points!

And while I didn’t get a traditional Easter Basket, the Happy Easter Store has a fantastic selection! (By the way, ‘The Infant Easter Long Johns’ are totally adorable!)

You didn't think I'd forget about you right? Who loves you butterfly?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Happy Easter Store have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner can select any Easter Basket of their choice $70 or under from the Happy Easter Store!

Don't you just ♥ Happy Easter Store? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2)MANDATORY entry- Link us to what you would buy if you win! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Tuesday, April 12, 2011 until Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW! - one click, no registration required, super easy, DAILY vote, I am a finalist in Mom Central's Grow Your Personal Brand Grants Program and would really appreciate your vote! Read more about ‘Project Chrysalis’ and vote here

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In the spirit of Easter Fun share with us your favorite item included in an Easter Basket!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Pls RT Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #ascendingbutterfly Easter Basket of Your Choice #Giveaway! Ends 04/19! http://tinyurl.com/3pcyvhp

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Happy Easter Store and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

{CLOSED} Perfect Pairing Lindt Chocolate Giveaway! Ends 04/07

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Lindt! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is CLC408!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Ascending Butterfly's 'It's MY Birthday, but You Get the Gifts' Giveaways, brought to you by:

Well my butterflies, my big day is coming up on Monday, and we are in the middle of the 'it's MY birthday, But You get the gifts' annual promotion! We started with Novica where I shared some great prezzies (including cute and meaningful bling), and now we are moving to treats!

As you know I celebrate my birthday for a full month, and delectable delights are a big part of the fun! I am definitely a chocolate lover, and a big believer in the saying that you should never trust someone who hates chocolate or puppies (unless of course, it's not that they hate either one, but are allergic).

Besides Milk, Do you know what else pairs quite nicely with chocolate?

If you answered 'Wine' then you and your palate are definitely a friend of mine!

Lindt Excellence Bars



70% Cocoa



Even though this is 70% Cocoa chocolate, there is no 'bitter' taste, it's a very smooth chocolate flavor!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Aroma: Citrus, Vanilla, Fresh Leaves

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Taste: Smooth and Creamy Dark Chocolate that is neither bitter nor overpowering. Bright Floral Flavor with Fruit and Vanilla Notes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pairing Suggestions: Sweet Fruit Flavors and pronounced Vanilla found in Merlot compliment the Vanilla in the 70% bar quite nicely!

A Touch of Sea Salt Dark

For those of you who like savory with their sweet, then this bar is definitely for you!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Aroma: Cocoa, Brown Sugar, ocean salt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Taste: The delicate, sweet Cocoa flavor is intensified by the bite of Fleur de Sel Sea Salt. Delightfully sharp with notes of cocoa and honey.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pairing Suggestions: The rich berry notes in a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine are a perfect accompaniment to the Touch of Sea Salt Bar.

My Take:

These bars were both super good! And don't be shy about the pairings, you can try the dark chocolate with a crisp white and it's a nice surprise for your palate. I would also go bold, because I did try this, take the Touch of Sea Salt bar, and pair it with a great Tequila! It makes for an incredible combo!

How about discovering your own Perfect Pairing? You can with the awesome new contest from Lindt called 'Discover Your Perfect Pairing'.  You can enter for a chance to win a luxurious trip to the California Wine Country, or instantly win one of over 100 prizes! How cool is that?

You didn't think I'd forget about you right? Who loves you butterfly? This is one of those times I truly wish I could pull an oprah winfrey on you and say 'you get Chocolate, you get Chocolate, you are all getting Chocolate!' I can't do that unfortunately, but you can try winning some here!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Lindt Chocolate have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will receive the same bars I tried! You can slip one in that special someone's Easter Basket and still keep one for yourself!

Don't you just ♥ Lindt Chocolate? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2)MANDATORY entry- Visit Lindt Excellence and link us another bar you'd like to try! Do NOT Post the Name/URL to the bars reviewed or your entry will be disqualified. (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Thursday, March 31, 2011 until Thursday, April 07, 2011 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW! - one click, no registration required, super easy, DAILY vote, I am a finalist in Mom Central's Grow Your Personal Brand Grants Program and would really appreciate your vote! Read more about ‘Project Chrysalis’ and vote here

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In the spirit of Chocolate Fun share with us your favorite way to eat chocolate!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #ascendingbutterfly @Lindt_Chocolate Perfect Pairing #Giveaway! Ends 04/07 http://tinyurl.com/3s6z63s

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Lindt_Chocolate on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Lindt Chocolate and tell them Ascending Butterfly Blog Sent You on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

*You might want to enter the Lindt Gold Bunny Photo Contest While You Are There!*

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)

Can't wait to win it? You can also order it at a great price:

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor. An Amazon affiliate link has been included in this post.