Showing posts with label Kmart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kmart. Show all posts

Friday, January 13, 2017

In the mail awesomeness with @InfluensterVox @Maybelline #BigShotMascara @Allure_magazine #BeautyBox @preendotme @Elemis #spon

Influenster #BigShotMascara Vox Box, Allure Beauty Box, Kmart, Restonic, Target, Elemis, Maybelline, Briogeo, Spongelle, Tatcha, Klorane, Mally Cosmetics
This past holiday season was very much a mixed bag for me. But there was some "In the Mail Awesomeness" that I couldn't resist sharing!

On the minus side:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lost a family member

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Another had surgery and is still bed ridden

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Writing became one more 'to do' on my plate that I just didn't have very much energy for at the end of the day. Very long, long, long days which are still not totally back to normal, but getting there.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not to mention I can't remember the last time I took a picture and did photography just for fun and  my own memories and not for work.

On the plus side:

When I did give myself some time to roam on the interwebs, it paid off!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I stumbled upon the Lands End Marathon Twitter Party this year (which I would love to co-host someday myself) and ended up winning a $50 Gift Card! YAY ME! They host this twitter party marathon every year, and while I have participated each time this is the first time the randomizer Gods were smiling down upon me and I actually won.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A friend shared a contest entry on her Facebook page as a status update and I entered a weekly contest for Restonic and I won a $100 Target Gift Card. I have a superstore near me and I can't wait to put a dent in that card!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I still have my Kmart Gift Card from participating in the Kmart Shopping Event in NYC for St. Jude (if you missed that post, click here)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I entered a contest on Preen.me for an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream sample and won! (It can be seen in the photo at the top of the page)

Influenster #BigShotMascara Vox Box
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I qualified for an Influenster #BigShotMascara Vox Box and it arrived with the Colossal Big Shot Volum' Express Mascara #223 'Blackest Black' but also included a really neat bonus: Maybelline New York Master Precise Curvy liquid eyeliner #310 'Black' color - I must admit Vox Box is one my oldest box programs and I stick with them for good reason, so far their boxes have never disappointed me in any way. They always curate a great mix of cult classics and 'new to me's' that always end up getting added to my purchase list.


Allure Beauty Box, Briogeo, Spongelle Freesia Pear Body Wash Infused Buffer, Tatcha, Klorane, Mally Cosmetics, Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow Single

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - And for the first year ever Allure Magazine decided to thank members of their insiders program with an Allure Beauty Box - In December I received the October 2016 box which included:

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (for hair)

Spongelle Freesia Pear Body Wash Infused Buffer (looks sort of like a hockey puck and is stiff when dry but softens nicely in the shower and leaves you with a fresh scent and also buffs away dead skin cells)

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow Single in 'Kristi' (brown powder eyeshadow with a tinge of shimmer)

Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter - contains indigo extract as well as colloidal oatmeal - allure calls it the 'cashmere onesie of body creams' YAS!!!!

Mally Volumizing Mascara - I will have to have a 'Mascara Off' and do one eye with the one I received from Influenster and the other eye with this one and see which one gives me the eyelashes with the most beautiful volume. 'Flirty Eyes Here I Come!' - I see you 2017! Because just like Jody Watley sings 'I'm looking for a new love baby, a new love....' - so I am fixing to get my flirty self all 2.0 for 2017.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - I like the gentle scent on this one, the scent doesn't  linger and isn't over powering at all.

My Take:

I haven't torn into all of these new products yet and will do individual reviews of products once I have had a chance to thoroughly test them, these are mostly initial impressions.

It was nice to have "Beauty-Claus" pay a visit during a holiday season where the last thing I was thinking about was myself.

I think maybe it is the Universe trying to remind me to take some time for myself no matter what may be going on around me.

Readers Sound Off: What was your favorite gift from Santa this Christmas? Or if you are totally over the holidays, which of these products would you most like to try?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post, all products were provided to me free of charge for Editorial Consideration and all thoughts and opinions are 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.

Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).

Unless it's charity related, If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.

Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey's Butterfly.

Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

Monday, December 19, 2016

{#MondayMotivation} What happens when @Kmart gives select NYC #Bloggers an unlimited budget to shop for @StJude? #Kmart #Love

For those of you that follow me via Social Media, I recently experienced another death in my family. Second one this year if you are keeping count.

It sent me into a very dark tailspin.

One I'm truthfully still trying to shake.

And while I have turned down a majority of events I have been invited to this last quarter of the year, one event invite stood out from the rest.

The opportunity to join with fellow NYC bloggers to support an initiative with Kmart to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Philanthropist Marlo Thomas (daughter of Danny Thomas who founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962) was there with some of the children of St. Jude to lead us in a Toy-Shopping Spree - with my favorite words ever included - 'unlimited budget'. We were told only to 'fill up our carts' and that we were shopping from ages 0-18.

Kmart has marked a milestone achievement of donating $100 Million to St. Jude in total lifetime donations. They are the first Corporate Partner in the hospital's history to attain this landmark donation!
These funds have helped to:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fully treat 206 patients with ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Provide more than 10 million meals for St. Jude Families

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cover the costs of 67,000 days of Chemotherapy

Here are some photo highlights to put a smile in your motivation Monday!

See those cute #Love Hats? They are available at Kmart for $5 and $1 from each hat goes directly to St. Jude!






Special thanks to NYC Blogger and St. Jude Blogger Brand Ambassador, Nichol Perez of fivelittlewords.net for sharing the three photos above with me!

I filled my cart with stuff for pretty much every age group!
MY TAKE:

This is an amazing achievement, and I personally prefer to support brands that are doing something to give back. Way to go Kmart!

I haven't even put up a tree yet with everything I am dealing with (and quite frankly may not), but as a survivor I jumped on the chance to help do something to bring a smile to the children of St. Jude, I know how much a prolonged hospital stay sucks, I know how much Cancer Sucks, anything that makes Christmas a bit brighter for children battling cancer and are in the hospital for Christmas is something I am all about doing.

And I got to experience the joy of giving at a moment where I really needed it most. They have no idea how much I needed to be there and do something to get outside of my own head for a little while.

As I am not a mom it gets super frustrating to be pitched toys all the time, EXCEPT in THIS context!

An event where the toy swag goes directly to the children who need it? YES, PLEASE!

Readers Sound Off: Does knowing that Kmart has reached this milestone level of support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital make you want to shop there just a bit more? Will you pick up a #Love hat this holiday season?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated Post and all thoughts and opinions are 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. Kmart Gift Cards were provided to bloggers in attendance as a thank you for our time, not as compensation for the post.

Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).

Unless it's charity related, If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.

Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey's Butterfly.

Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Ascending Butterfly Featured #Handbag in the Spotlight: See why the @ElliottLucca Cordoba Flap Tote is our one to watch! + Learn about the 'Choose Your Karma' Campaign! #Fashion



I hope it's no where near as hot where you are as it is where I am. The summer heat is coming on strong here but that doesn't stop us New Yorkers from enjoying the City and all it has to offer! 

Things have been super busy around here and I just realized that our Featured Handbag in the Spotlight has gone dormant a lot longer than usual. So while you search for a cool breeze, I am going to share a HOT bag with you!

I know most people think casual tote bags when summer arrives, but for me, I still have business to do, so while a casual 'summery' tote is what I enjoy during weekends, I need a bag that says business during the week, but won't be too out of place when I attend events in the evenings straight after work.

The bag I have been loving pre-summer and so far right through it, is Elliott Lucca's Cordoba Flap Tote in the color 'Teal', exotic . You know how when you first change bags over it takes you awhile to get used to the new one? I didn't experience that with the Cordoba Flap Tote, it's all Fashion and it's just the right size, I also love the inner organizational compartments!



About the Cordoba Flap Tote:


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Exterior: Leather

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Shiny Gold Tone Hardware

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Magnetic Closure

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two Interior Compartments: Front Compartment features two multi-use, open pockets. Back Compartment features back wall pocket with zipper closure

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 13 in L X 5 in W X 9 in H

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Drop: 7 in

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Strap: 16 in

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fringed Leather Tassel Accent

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Top Handles for hand toting or Leather and chain link Shoulder Strap

Ascending Butterfly, White Cardigan, Jaclyn Smith Collection for Kmart, Trouser Jeans, Coldwater Creek, Denim, Cordoba Flap Tote, Teal Exotic, Handbags
Ascending Butterfly is carrying the Elliott Lucca Cordoba Flap Tote in Teal Exotic, White Cardigan is by Jaclyn Smith Collection for Kmart and Trouser Jeans are by Coldwater Creek 

My Take:

I have been wearing my Cordoba Flap Tote in Teal Exotic everywhere, it's laid out in the inside just the way I like it, and there is room for a 'real camera', phone, tablet, sunglasses, and MORE! It's super roomy without being bulky, well organized and I love how versatile it is, it goes just as nicely with a suit as it does with jeans!

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @ElliottLucca via Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Elliott Lucca via Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Be Pin friends on Pinterest

Choose Your Karma, Sakroots, The Sak, Elliott Lucca


CHOOSE YOUR KARMA CAMPAIGN:

As you know The Sak, Sakroots, and Elliott Lucca are all sister brands and Sakroots is currently offering a "Choose Your Karma" promotion where you pick your art of choice among a variety of beautiful prints including 'Peace Print', 'One World', 'Flower Power', 'Dreamland', 'Bambu', 'True Love', 'Water Nation', 'TreeHouse' and then you will have the choice to donate to one of the partner charities associated with each print and Sakroots will match ALL donations received!

If you pick Peace Print you can help The Nature Conservancy (one of my favorites! As you guys know I am a Wildlife Conservation Society Blogger Brand Ambassador here in New York City), One World styles go to Elephant Nature Park, Flower Power goes to NABA - North American Butterfly Association (and needless to say I LOVE that!), Dreamland print proceeds can be donated to NPH USA (Raising children. Transforming Lives), Bambu goes to World Bamboo, True Love goes to The HoneyBee Conservancy (as you know they are endangered, and while they can be annoying when they sting you, they serve an important purpose to our eco-system!), Water nation goes to the Whale and Dolphin Conservancy and last but not least, Tree House style bags go to Plant a Billion Trees! So you can express your style, AND give back which in my opinion is all the more reason to add a new handbag to your collection!

Sorry Butterflies we couldn't arrange for a giveaway this time around, but we hope to have Elliott Lucca back soon!

Tell us Butterflies, which 'Choose Your Karma' style would you choose and why?


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FTC Disclosure: We were provided with the Elliott Lucca Cordoba Flap Tote to facilitate our review, no monetary compensation has been received in exchange for our review. All opinions are 100% my own. See our full disclosure policy for any questions.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Growing an Empowerment Community and Re-Defining What You Already Know



I'm sure many of you have noticed the Latina Smart badge proudly displayed on my sidebar, and many of you remember me sharing the announcement that I had been selected as a Kmart Latina Smart Brand Ambassador which entailed juding the allocation of $25,000 in scholarship funding (you can read that post HERE if you missed it the first time), but another part of what my ambassadorship entailed was helping to grow the Latina Smart community on Facebook.

I've spent years building my own empowerment community and I thought the hardest part of the process would be judging the scholarship entries, and while the scholarships contest was the foundation of how the community began to grow, it is the Ambassadors and Facebook Page Moderators that helped foster, sustain and continue to grow it, with incisive questions to the community to provoke thought and seasonal sharing such as share your favorite summer vacation photo, as well as members sharing information with another that helped the community to flourish.

Do I consider myself Latina? Definitely! Do I consider myself Smart? I'd like to think so! But being part of a community that helps Latina's re-define for themselves what that means has been both challenging and empowering. It's helped me to re-define not just what those specific things mean to me, but to allow me to look at my life and my goals a lot more strategically.

I'm going to be taking what I learned into this upcoming new year, re-defining what I think I know about myself as a writer, as a blogger, and as an empowerment coach and community builder and making myself better and more efficient, which only benefits Ascending Butterfly (and other communities I am involved in) to grow stronger.

I've learned to re-define what I already know including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sharing resources and information blesses everyone (including YOURSELF).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You are not the only one going through something, sharing it, helps you work through it.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There really is power in numbers, when you ask for advice, within the many perspectives you receive, it does help you to see things in a brand new way and tackle an idea, creative project or an even a problem you couldn't before resolve, in a much different way.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A community can only grow when everyone contributes their fair share.

While it seems obvious, take these lessons about community and apply them to your own, be it your place of work, your place of worship, your neighborhood, or your family, you can approve any area of your life with focused effort, purpose, and a spirit of sharing and giving. Which is also an incredible thing to take with you when visiting family for the holidays. It really doesn't have to be the drama and fight fest that most people dread. A community is a call to action to be of service, do so graciously, and you will derive way more from it, than you give to it.

I look forward to seeing how this community grows, evolves and develops in 2012, I am proud to be a member of the Latina Smart Community, and I am proud to be an Ascending Butterfly. My butterflies have taught me so much about inspiration and encouragement that I was able to take those lessons with me to another empowerment community and share in it's growth. In being part of both my own community of inspiration seekers and the Latina Smart Social Media community on Facebook and Twitter I have learned to continue to give the best of myself and receive such amazing blessings and opportunities in the process.

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Active Giveaway:


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - We still have more surprises coming up in our annual Holidays Buying Guide, and right after the annual Holidays Buying Guide, is our 'New Year, New You!' series of promotions, so don't blink! We will be going from one set of promotions to another in the blink of an eye! ;)

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FTC Disclosure: I am participating in a Brand Ambassadorship with Kmart Latina Smart which makes me eligible for additional incentives.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Kmart Latina Smart Brand Ambassador!



Guess Who was selected as one of Kmart's Latina Smart Brand Ambassadors? If you guessed ME, then you are right! Ascending Butterfly is now a Kmart Latina Smart Brand Ambassador. I'm sure you noticed the badge displayed a few days ago, but I wanted to hold off on posting an official announcement, until they made the announcement first!

So now it's official, I'm a Kmart Latina Smart Brand Ambassador! The Latina Smart Facebook page is a community that helps to empower Latinas of all ages by exploring the many different ways we are Latina Smart, culturally, politically, as well socially. The Latina Smart Scholarship Fund was launched in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and I am impressed by the commitment to the Hispanic Community Kmart is making with the Latina Smart Faceook Page, special Scholarship Fund, and this Brand Ambassador Campaign.

Being an Ambassador will be a multi-faceted role with many duties, but the one I'm super excited about is the fact that Ambassadors in this program are being asked to judge the allocation of $25,000 in Scholarship monies via the Latina Smart Fund.

Between Sept. 15 and Oct. 31, eligible candidates can apply for the Latina Smart Fund scholarship by either submitting a 750-1,000 word essay, or uploading a two minute video of themselves answering a topical question to Kmart's Latina Smart Facebook page. The top 50 contestants, or most "Liked" entries, will be rated by the Latina Smart Ambassadors (Blogueras) based on criteria such as originality, style, and enthusiasm. The top 20 selections will then advance to the final round where a panel of experts in the areas of business and education will choose one $10,000 scholarship recipient and three $5,000 runner-up awards. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/latinasmart.

How I wish programs like this existed when I was a student and seeking scholarships for College! It fills me with tremendous pride to have been selected, I am honored by the company I share, fellow ambassadors selected in this wave of the campaign include:

1)  Candy at Mommypalooza
2)  Jessie at Hecho Para Mamá and Tech Savvy Tips
3)  Lua at Miss Lulu Blogs
4) Monica at Monica Wants It

and of course ME! :)

There will of course be great Kmart Giveaways in store for YOU loyal Ascending Butterfly readers so please stay tuned!

If you have a student in your life that would be eligible, please encourage them to apply as soon as possible!

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FTC Disclosure: I am participating in a Brand Ambassadorship with Kmart Latina Smart which makes me eligible for additional incentives.