@yurbuds and @BestBuy want to help you 'Cut the Cords' and #GetMotivated let this @BestBuyWOLF show you how to save!

#ad: Ascending Butterfly is a member of Best Buy's WOLF Blogger Program and this is a Sponsored Post. Compensation in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or product/services at no or reduced cost has been exchanged, as always, all opinions are my own!

Have your fitness resolutions already gone by the wayside? Are you having trouble staying motivated?

New York City has been hit by back to back snowstorms and the Polar Vortex was starting to put a cramp in my fitness style, but then I remembered my Wii and my Wii Fitness Board and got back to work! With me because I've done the games so often already I don't really need to 'listen' to the virtual instructor to know what the moves are I just tend to throw on my headphones and iPod and listen to my own playlists to keep me motivated.

Last year we brought you a giveaway from yurbuds. Which by the way has become the #1 selling sport earphone company! And for good reason, they really do stay put in your ears and don't pop out! I posted a full review in addition to the giveaway HERE (just remember the giveaway component is no longer accepting comments and is closed but you can still read the review to see how they held up to our 'road testing').

Yurbuds - Limited Edition Bluetooth Wireless Earbud Headphones sold at BestBuy! (Press on the image to purchase directly!)

I am happy to report that yurbuds found a way to make a good thing even better by cutting the cords! Now there is no tell tale cord connecting to your device, making your jog or power walk just as fun, but keeping the fact you are using a device or a phone a little less obvious. And in the City I live in, it's best to keep your phone or device concealed at all times! 

Studies have shown that music can increase the intensity as well as the duration of a workout by at least 15%, and you don't have to sell #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ on the importance of music. It's always been a passion for me! yurbuds was founded in 2008 by an Ironman Triathlete who is a 24-time marathoner who was sick of earbuds falling out his ears during workouts. They are made for fitness enthusiasts, and they don't slip out so the workout doesn't have to stop!

While I haven't personally tested out the new ones yet, (they are definitely welcome to come back again and let us put these through their paces!), I do know they are sweat and water resistant, offer 15mm drivers and feature full track and call control with a windblocking microphone to help enhance call clarity. (and the Dedicated Pairing Button for a simple 1-touch pairing helps too!)

Did you know that BestBuy has the largest selection of yurbuds? Check them out HERE and they even offer a big list of Health & Fitness HERE so you know that means there is literally no excuse to break your fitness resolutions this year!

DEAL/COUPON/NAB IT CHEAPER:

Our friends at BestBuy and yurbuds want to help you get AND remain motivated! To help you #neverstop they are offering two pretty sweet deals!:

(1) Enjoy 20% off ALL yurbuds valid BOTH in stores AND online HERE

(2) Enjoy a $5 Best Buy Gift Card when you purchase a qualifying Health and Fitness product at a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store HERE

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FTC Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador. This allows me to share information, sales, product reviews and deals on a regular basis! This is a Sponsored Post brought to you by Best Buy and yurbuds. An Affiliate Link is used in this 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

We have a Winner! Find out who won the @Yurbuds #Giveaway on @Ascending1

We had just under 1,400 entries for the Yurbuds giveaway, sounds like a lot of butterflies have running and fitness at the forefront of their minds for this New Year! After eliminating entries that did not qualify we closed with 1,032 entries and entry #106 was the lucky winner! So please join me in congratulating Paula M., the lucky winner of the Yurbuds 'Inspire' Sport Earphones for Women in Pink! I truly hope these help keep you stay motivated during your workouts this year Paula!

I thought this would be a great time to check in with you all and see how your New Year's Resolutions are coming along. This is the time where resolve tends to dissolve, so if you need an accountability partner, feel free to post here! Let's help keep each other motivated and inspired!

Our current giveaway comes to a close soon, I hope you got in your entries for the Jane Iredale Triple Pearl Powder Finishing Powder Giveaway, just like a lot of you are mixing up your fitness routines, I'm sure many of you are eager to try something new in your beauty routines as well!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post!

Find out what The Official #TwitterPartyDJ is recommending this Christmas for the #Music Lover in your life! Seriously, @Bassbuds are like a concert in your ears!

Last year I had the chance to review a pair of earphones that were the closest to 'accessory nirvana' as I even imagined possible, I reviewed the Monster® Butterfly™ by Vivienne Tam with ControlTalk™ High Performance In-Ear Headphones and while I loved them, they died on me in one ear during a very long commute. Not Cool. I will tell you that Monster did make it right and replace them, but I was a bit surprised to have those die before their 1 year anniversary of commuting with me during my daily commute. I've had some cheapos last me way longer.

Because of my status as 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' I get a wide variety of pitches, directly from musicians (alas I wish I had the influence with the studios to help them more), labels, or music accessories. I'm often a bit leery when it comes to music accessories reviews, I am very picky/selective, I have a great ear, and I will be honest when it comes to my assessments, not all tech or tech gear are alike.

I'm also not ashamed to say the fashionista in me still wants a little form with all that function, but when it comes to music, at the end of the day, sound is and always will be King. Most of my DJ pals will only work with Over-the-Ear Headphones, and while I get that, my strong preference is in-ear earphones. No matter how well padded, I have yet to meet the headphone that doesn't press down on my ears and make them red. With earphones I'm able to adjust the size better and wear them longer.

I've been enjoying happy listening with a new pair of earphones that literally feel like it's a concert in my ear, and I mean that in a GOOD way. A very good way!

Bassbuds Classics in ear Earphones

 About Bassbuds:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Ultra distortion-free bass and crisp treble

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Noise Isolation: Immerse in the music

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 9mm Dynamic Speakers with Neodynium Magnet

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Earphone Housing is made with high grade aluminium

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Swarovski Crystals are embedded in the back of the aluminium sound chamber

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Sound waves emitted in the sound chamber are specifically tuned and directed towards the front chamber housing entering the ear canal with optimal bass and balance in treble

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Speaker diaphragm is composed of PET materials and the diaphragm patterns are uniquely designed to maximize the performance of the micro speaker with minimal distortion

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Micro Filter for extra audio purity

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Wide Frequency Response

Close Up Image of Bassbuds in ear Earphones with Advanced Crystaltronics Sound Technology

My Take:

When they say 'Noise Immersion' they really mean it! When I evaluate new earphones I take time to listen to music across as many genres/styles of music as possible, from Classical, to Jazz, to Rap, to Metal, Latin Music and more, and these literally bring out the sound in ways other earphones hadn't for me. I will warn you to put DOWN the volume on your device before putting these in your ears. And for me that is one of the perks to quality earphones, I can listen to my music on much lower settings, meaning I don't have to charge my portable devices as often when using these! I love the packaging, super sleek and sexy, and when you open it not only are the additional size tips for the earphones included on top, there are also extras right below them inside a carrying pouch you can use to store them while on the go. All packaged with a Certificate of Authenticity. And with their genuine SWAROVSKI Elements, they put the fashion and form into what is already an amazingly functional pair of earphones with amazing sound! They are hands down a perfect holiday gift for any audiophile/music lover in your life. Although I am sure you are going to be pretty hard pressed when it comes time to wrap them because you are NOT going to want to give these away! I will tell you they have a super light weight feel to them, but don't let the good looks fool you, there is serious sound under that 'pretty face'.

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Bassbuds on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @BassBuds on Twitter

Discount:

I wasn't able to nab a pair at this time for a giveaway, but I did score you an amazing discount! Use this code to get $30.00 off! - BB59809

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FTC Disclosure: No Monetary Compensation has been received in exchange for this post, however a pair of Bassbuds were sent to us for editorial consideration and to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed herein are 100% my own. I am participating in this campaign via Fuelmyblog.com.

Monster® Butterfly™ by Vivienne Tam with ControlTalk™ High Performance In-Ear Headphones {Review}

I am an audiophile. I have had a life long love of music, with a widely varied collection of music, and a collection of portable devices to match!  I always need more memory to accomodate my expanding collection. And if I had a dollar for all the headphones I've gone through in all these years...

I would make mix tapes all the time and lucky for me, many of my friends are DJ's (I'm even considered the 'Twitter Party' DJ  because I'm always thinking Tunes!) Some of my mixes have fooled quite a few pros, and I don't even have a studio!

I live in the 'City That Never Sleeps' which means a public transportation commute daily. I need to retreat into my music during the commute to get me motivated! My needs as a result of my commute are very specific for earphones, the audiophile in me wants rich, true, and dynamic sound, and the commuter that I am needs to have background noise reduced as much as possible! I do not want to hear screaming children, crying babies, arguing couples, the garbled 'noise' that is supposed to be messages being made by the MTA (that no one seems to understand anyway), and the loud conversations of teenagers on their way to school are among the 'ambient' noises I need to block out (not to mention the noise coming out of other people's cheapo earphones!).

Then there is the butterfly loving fashionista in me. The one who has a very fancy custom skin on her iPod Touch. The one who finds it super important to have form meet function AND fashion. There is no reason I have to keep things generic and sacrifice my sense of style!

My favorite pair of noise reducers had finally had it, when the 'music Gods' smiled upon me and a  box, (whose name simply delighted me before I even opened it) arrived on my doorstep!

The Un-Veiling, or is that Un-Boxing?

The Box Arrives, the name made me giddy with delight!

Like a Kid at Christmas I tear it open!

Totally Insert Singing Choir Here!

I have tested these out on the train and commuter buses, and this weekend I finally tested them on a very long bus trip! And can't begin to put into words how much I love them. I wasn't too happy when my previous pair (different brand) died out on me, it took forever to find them and I really loved them (they were replacing a pair I bought at Brookstone), I didn't think I'd find a pair that compared. When it comes to my music, I do not scrimp, I refuse to compromise sound quality in any way! I use my headphones practically all day, during my commute weekdays and weekend, and at night I plug them into my computer so I don't disturb anyone. Simply put, Music makes me happy and my headphones have to also!

To say that these are beautifully packaged is a total no brainer. They are designed by iconic designer who I am already totally obsessed with, Vivienne Tam. (I am still very much dreaming of her butterfly netbook! Hopefully the computer Gods will hear my prayers on that one too!). But what really 'got' me are the details. Vivienne and Monster leave no stone unturned. Everything you need is literally in the box.

It comes in a box you will want to re-purpose for keepsakes that has a raised butterfly on it. Inside the following words are inscribed 'Music, Tech and Fashion Equal Triple Happiness'. Hello! Like MY Motto in a nutshell!

There is both a hard sided and soft sided carrying pouch,  the hardsided pouch has a butterfly in the middle and looks like a fancy zippered cosmetics case. It is packaged with earbuds in varying sizes to ensure a perfect fit! (and of course as replacements!)



@Monster



Favorite Features:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - First and Foremost - High Performance Sound.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lustrous All-Metal Housing - helps to cancel resonance for purer sound

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Performance Ear Tips - Better Fit Equals Better Sound

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Right-Angle Connector - Reduces Wear and is perfect for Airline Jacks

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 24k Gold Contacts - Gives you maximum signal transfer, offers corrosion resistance and a beautiful look

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two Protective Cases - I love that both are included, the soft sided case works when I am carrying a smaller bag and the hard sided is perfect for travel and luggage to keep them safe in transit.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - ControlTalk Feature: Butterfly with ControlTalk has a built in Monster ControlTalk feature for use with music, phones, and an iPod or iPad. The ControlTalk cable has a call answer button AND microphone so you can easily switch between listening to music and talking on your phone. It also features music and video playback control for iPod/iPhone/iPad. (I love that I can easily switch between music and my phone!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Cable Slider is designed to reduce tangles during storage (In the subway I love this feature. I can skip through songs without ever taking my iPod out of my bag!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Cable Management Clip - Designed to control the cable and keep it out of your way, and reduce accidental pulling of the In-Ear Speakers from your ears, and keep the cable weight off the In-Ear Speakers so they stay snug and in place in your ears

I definitely give these 5 butterflies, my highest rating. They are a perfect gift for the butterfly loving audiophile in your life. And if she's just a style maven, then the rich, pure sound will be an incredible bonus!

I'm not careful or gentle with my headphones, I have to often times pull them out unexpectedly during my commute, or stuff them carelessly in my handbag with no time for the carrying case, and I can tell you while these appear 'delicate' on the outside, these are no dainty in ear speakers! They have held up quite well so far to the abuses I've put them through!

While I was not able to snag a giveaway this time, please leave a comment letting Monster know you'd like a chance at these, I'm sure if we get enough reader interest I can approach Monster and let them know that my community of butterfly lovers really want one too!

Ah, Vivienne you and Monster had me at butterfly! This is truly a marriage made in music heaven for me, butterflies and the rich sound Monster is known for!

Want fashion, great sound, AND a great price? Press on them below and snag em for less!

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FTC Disclosure Info: I was provided a pair of Monster® Butterfly™ by Vivienne Tam with ControlTalk™ High Performance In-Ear Headphones to facilitate my review. My experiences with the headphones are solely my own. I am truly finicky about earphones, and truly do love these!