Made the switch from @CanonUSA to @NikonUSA with a ton of inspiration from @PhotoPlusExpo I am making March #SpringIntoPhotography Month on #AscendingButterflyBlog

Last year's PDN Photo Plus Expo definitely inspired me, like most expos I am hoping to be able to work more closely with some of the exhibitors so I can bring you more in depth coverage on the hottest products instead of a broad overview that doesn't give enough 'meat'.

I am going to make March 'Spring Into Photography' month on Ascending Butterfly and I plan to open with a great giveaway that will help you improve your photos!

I also made the jump from Canon to Nikon - after 7 years of shooting with Canon pretty much exclusively this wasn't an easy thing to do. Before my Canon I had an Olympus Digital Camera and it was also hard making the switch. My Olympus had been with me for a ton of significant life moments and milestones. It was hard to wrap my mind around a new Camera - but my blog had picked up a lot of momentum by then so when my Olympus conked out I knew I needed an upgrade and that camera was a big upgrade.

But I really want to focus a bit more on my photography and my Canon wasn't giving me the same results it was giving me in the beginning. Instead of waiting for it to die out on me totally I thought I would put the decision in my own hands this time.

Just like when my HP desktop died and I switched to a gaming rig laptop from ASUS, I have been finding change to be a very good thing, and I hope it works this way with my new Nikon as well.

I am going to be honest I am tempted by SONY and I still plan to test them out - if you are wondering - *weight* is a factor that swayed me to NIKON - my CANON was *HEAVY* and I wanted something lighter as I do a lot of commuting throughout the city during the day, I wanted a lighter DSLR but I didn't want to give up picture quality.

I also wanted to be able to transfer photos from my Camera to my Phone wirelessly and Nikon has me covered there as well.

So here is my very first photo shot with my new camera:

I keep these Tarot Cards on my mirror, I was so eager to shoot something I grabbed the first thing I saw, but they are pretty good for a motivation Monday right? Who doesn't want love, strength and fortune?

MY TAKE:

So there is a bit more change on the way as I am contemplating either a site redesign or a complete re-branding. I'm an Aries, so I have a built in need to pioneer and re-invent myself. I have this strong need to revamp literally *everything* this year. On a personal level it's hair, I'm ready for a chop so if it is long enough I will donate the hair to a cancer charity like I did last time with Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

I have been keeping true to my personal and blog theme this year - "Self-Care" and just recently getting over the FLU (which was horrible this year by the way), taking some time for Self Care has been more important than ever.

I will be attending one of my favorite annual events at a New York City Landmark on Tuesday! Another reason I wanted to break in my new camera so I could be ready, this event is a photography lovers dream! If you aren't already make sure to follow @Ascending1 via Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

Spill Butterflies: Do you shoot with a Digital Camera/DSLR or do you mostly use your smartphone for capturing the moment? (Your answer may just sway an upcoming giveaway so answer with care and stay tuned!)

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT sponsored  post, nor is it compensated 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 & Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure this butterfly out of her cocoon: Technology, Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Spirits (Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Sake, Bourbon, Craft Brews), Foodie Fun - really I'm such a *simple girl*.

{21+ Only} Happy New Year Butterflies! Here's a peek into my New Years Eve celebration with @cinzanoofficial #Cinzano #Prosecco and #Asti and @BottegaGold Prosecco and Sparkling #Moscato

All things bubbly/sparkling provided by Palm Bay Imports!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BUTTERFLIES!

I hope 2018 is treating you well, I will be back soon with an inspirational post and to share my "word/phrase" for this new year, the theme is actually a personal one that will cross over into the blog as I will post monthly to hold myself accountable for truly living my word this year, don't tell me yours yet, we will share them together on an upcoming post (more than likely on Monday for "Motivation Monday" on the interwebs).

Remember that EPIC BabbleBoxx Holiday Party where I got a chance to meet the nice folks at Cinzano Prosecco? ICYMI - In Case You Missed It - here is a link to that post: BabbleBoxx Holiday Party New York City

They were nice enough to hook me up on New Year's Eve, I usually share a shot on social media with a picture of what I am sipping leading up to midnight, but this year things were pretty festive so I thought I would share my sparkling sips with you in a full blog post.

Above: Bottega Il Vino Poeti Gold Prosecco

Bottega Gold - Prosecco Doc Brut Sparkling Wine, Glera Grapes grown close to the Venetian Prealps. Stainless Steel containers at low temps to preserve freshness and the golden bottle also protects the wine from any source of light helping to also preserve aroma and freshness. Alcohol Content: 11% - and it just plain looks cool on your bar!

Above: SWEET DECISIONS! From Left to Right: Bottega Platinum, Sparkling Moscato, Cinzano Cuvee Storica Prosecco, Dry Sparkling Wine, Cinzano Asti D.O.C.G. Sparkling Sweet Wine and Far Right: is the Bottega Gold Prosecco. Also featured in the close up photo above with the two glasses.

My Take:

I already raved about Cinzano Prosecco when I got to try it at the BabbleBox Holiday Party in NYC, it tastes amazing and won't break the bank, and is really well balanced, not sweet yet not overly dry.

Bottega Prosecco is just slightly sweeter than Cinzano but also very well balanced and the bottles are such a beautiful presentation in addition to blocking light to preserve freshness.

Quite frankly any of these would make lovely hostess gifts!

And I have no idea where I have been, but this was my first time trying a sparkling moscato! YES to that! Yes to all things sparkling and bubbly!

I had a lovely start to my new year and hope you all did too!

Butterflies What Did you do for New Year's Eve? Did you got out or stay in? What were you drinking?

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

FTC Disclosure: Wine provided 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 & Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure this butterfly out of her cocoon: Technology, Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Spirits (Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Sake, Bourbon, Craft Brews), Foodie Fun - really I'm such a *simple girl*.

Not your mama's #WordlessWednesday a #WineWednesday with @VivancoWines - today YOU play #sommelier! #spon

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

Delicious Decisions!

You know I am never quite capable of going completely Wordless on Wordless Wednesday, so I thought today I would come strong with a Wine Wednesday sponsored by Vivanco Wines and let YOU play Sommelier.

Which wine would YOU select?

The Vivanco Viura Tempranillo Blanco Maturana Blanca Rioja - (Much like me) Tempranillo, thrive with cool nights and slow ripening. Pale-yellow with green hues; clean and bright. Expressive, intense and complex (again much like me!) with aromas of citrus fruit, green apples and white peaches, underscored by elegant floral hints.

OR

The Vivanco Crianza 2013 Rioja - Bright cherry-red in color. Intense aromas of fresh, ripe red fruit, with spicy and licorice notes, accompanied by elegant toasty and smoky hints. (Being obsessed with Bourbon's as of late so I can definitely appreciate smoky notes!)

I LOVE their motto:

"Wine Sustains Us. It Empowers Us. It is Who We Are. " ~Vivanco Family Vineyards

Above: Left: Vivanco Viura Tempranillo Blanco Maturana Blanca Rioja and Right: Vivanco Crianza 2013 Rioja - Don't you just love my bling-blingy Wine Glasses?

My Take:

I hope someday soon to be able to take a tour of the vineyards and do a tasting as well as visit The Vivanco Cultural Museum! The Museum houses modern and functional collections that the family has acquired over the years. The collection includes everything from wine labels, to tools, manifestos and fine works of art by masters like Juan Gris and Pablo Picasso. The museum is an enterprising and ambitious initiative, and has become an international point of reference about wine, its history, production techniques, research and all cultural and artistic events that revolve around it.

The weather here in New York City has been sweltering! A nice glass of wine and a spot under the Air Conditioner where I can write in peace sounds perfect for Wine Wednesday!

So tell me butterfly which wine would you select the red or the white, and what would you pair it with?

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

FTC Disclosure: Wines were provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration, 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.

{#WordlessWednesday} Snowglobe {#Photography} #LifestyleBlogger

Did you miss my coverage of the annual New York Botanical Garden Annual Holiday Train Show? If so, see more pictures HERE!

Have you ever owned a Snowglobe?

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

FTC Disclosure: All opinions are 100% MY OWN. This is NOT a Compensated Post. 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.

@BestBuy and @CanonUSAimaging want to help you capture those special holiday moments + A #TwitterParty too!!

For a limited time Get $150 OFF the Canon EOS Rebel T5i at Best Buy!

With the holidays in full swing, there are tons of holiday moments to capture and share and Best Buy and Canon want you to capture them in style! One of the hottest and best-selling Digital Cameras at Best Buy is The Canon EOS Rebel T5i which offers exceptional image quality and a host of great features including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full HD Video

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Continuous Auto-Focus while Taking HD Video

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 18 megapixel CMOS sensor

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - DIGIC 5 image processor

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3" vari-angle touch screen to simplify navigation

Nab it at a Steal - Save $150 on the Canon Rebel T5i at Best Buy! (Normally $899, it is pricing at $699 right now, so GRAB it NOW!)

But Wait There's MORE:

What: Twitter Party

When: TONIGHT! Thursday, December 18, 2014

Time: 7pm CST/8pm EST

Prizes: 4 - $100 Best Buy Gift Cards

Hashtag: #CanonatBestBuy and #HintingSeason

RSVP: http://www.gaynycdad.com/2014/12/bestbuy-twitter-party-t.html

Follow all hosts and co-hosts including: @BestBuy, @Gaynycdad, @KittyBradshaw, @BeingAlison, @LatinMami and @StacieinAtlanta

Please Note: I am not hosting or co-hosting this one so please make sure to direct any questions to tonight's hosts directly.

My Take:

I have the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and I love my camera! In fact this summer I took photography classes at a Best Buy retail location and learned so much about how to get more from the camera. They let attendees know that the in-store experts are always happy to help customers learn how to use their camera better or answer any questions you may have about accessories for your camera as well.

Look forward to seeing your holiday photos during upcoming Wordless Wednesdays on the interwebs! Happy Tech Thursday and Happy Holidays, see you at the Twitter Party Tonight!

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

FTC Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador, gift cards and sometimes products are received to facilitate an editorial, however 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. There are affiliate links in this post.