{#FillInTheBlankFriday} This weekend I plan to: _____ Attend the @NYTTravelShow ‏#NYTTravelShow #TravelBlogger #LifestyleBlogger

THIS IS NOT COMPENSATED!

This week's theme:

This Weekend I Plan To: Attend The New York Times Travel Show in New York City!

I am so glad I am in town this weekend and will be able to catch The New York Times Travel Show this weekend at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC.

Travel tends to combine ALL my loves: Music (during my journey), Photography (have DSLR will travel) and Foodie Adventures and I love checking out this show and finding out about new trends and exploring fun destinations all under one roof!

Are you attending The New York Times Travel Show this year? If so, hit me up on twitter at @Tracy_Iglesias or @Ascending1 so we can meet up! What is the top destination on your travel wish list this year?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, all opinions are 100% my own! I will be attending the show as Media/Press. 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*.

{FLASH #GIVEAWAY ALERT} Find out more on how to win a Family Four Pack of Tickets to @NYBG New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show via @Ascending1 #AscendingButterfly #HTSnybg #spon

♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ This is a Sponsored Post on behalf of New York Botanical Garden. All opinions are 100% my own.

Happy Holidays Butterflies!

I attended the Media Preview Day for the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show and was blown away with how much they improved the show this year! It literally felt like a whole new show, here is my coverage from last year's show: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2016/01/last-chance-for-nybg-holiday-train-show.html

I took so many pictures that there is literally no way I can optimize and watermark them all before the holidays!

I did actually start the process, here are a few photos I've done so far:

Above: You know I like to walk you through an event in order, check out the entrance, tres festive right? You can press on the image to see it bigger and then hit back to come back to the post!

Above: Had to do a close up on that wreath, I am actually using the RAW file of this image as my computer wallpaper right now, for the blog I use jpg format, but I always keep the RAW version of every photo I take as well.

Above: Had to nab a shot of the event signage!

Above: My Die Hard, true blue, long time butterflies, will know exactly why I took this shot! Look at the number on the train! Enlarge it and find the number actually appears twice. 

22, 222, 2222 - these numbers always appear to me daily!

Above: The iconic Macy's Herald Square Flagship Store is the first thing you see when you come up the stairs, dig how I captured that train even though it was in motion with very little blur?

Above: Captured another train in motion and I am loving the reflection of the buildings on the water in this shot!

There are so many more so I will get them done as time permits and post them via Pinterest, when they are ready, the word pinterest in this sentence will be clickable!

WIN IT:

For the first time ever I am hosting a social channel only giveaway! I am hosting a Family Four Pack of Tickets to the New York Botanical Garden Train Show, but you do not enter here, you enter directly with Ascending Butterfly via Instagram!

MY TAKE:

Kids of all ages will be amazed by this show! All the buildings are made with organic material, plant life, coconut shells, and comes to life with special surprises both by day and by night.

As a single girl in the city I normally host a giveaway for the Night Only more adult oriented Version of most exhibits, but this year I really wanted to share this with all my butterflies and make this one a family friendly giveaway! So instead of The Holiday Train Show by night, this giveaway is for a family four pack instead, date will be based on availability to be determined by Sponsor.

Spill Butterflies: Have you ever been to the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show? If so, which was your favorite iconic landmark? If not, what is part of your family's favorite holiday tradition?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is 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 & 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*.

{#FestiveFriday} #Photo Highlights from the @TropicanaAC Tropicana #AtlanticCity #Casino Holiday Tree Lighting

Tropicana Atlantic City Casino 2015 Holiday Tree Lighting

If like me you share a penchant for 'pulse-pounding' gaming/Casino action, then a visit to Atlantic City is definitely for you. I have been visiting there for a VERY long time and I enjoy visiting Atlantic City for the holidays, each Casino has it's own unique way of decorating for the Holidays and this year I got the chance to attend the annual Tropicana Atlantic City Casino Holiday Tree Lighting as Press. (You may remember I featured Tropicana's Holiday Tree in 2013 and Google Plus did it's 'auto awesome' magic to my shot of the tree and I made it my first photo in the post, you can see that post and photo HERE).

I arrived a bit before the official kick off and got a chance to take a peek at the Casino Floor and hit some new Slot machines I hadn't tried before like Britney Spears, Batman, The Walking Dead and The Big Bang Theory and enjoy the 25-foot Poinsettia Tree located in the Palm Walk!

If you haven't visited in awhile, Tropicana underwent a $50 million renovation which includes a Multimedia Light and Sound Show, the addition of AltantiCare LifeCenter Fitness and  (NEEDED) renovations to its North Tower Hotel Rooms and Casino.

The 25-foot Poinsettia Tree is just one of the trees you will find at Tropicana, and here are the highlights of the Tree Lighting Ceremony:

Above: As you can see The Quarter at Tropicana was all abuzz in anticipation of the lighting!

Above: Tropicana General Manager, Steve Callender

Above: Mayor Don Guardian

Above: Tropicana General Manager Steve Callender, Mayor Don Guardian and the big guy - Santa Claus light the Holiday Tree!

Above: Tropicana's Holiday Tree all lit up and pretty!

Above: I just had to nab a shot of Santa laughing! He gave goodies to some of the children that were in the crowd!

Above: We were treated to a delightful medley of Christmas Carols, the performers are from the Tropicana Holiday Magic Show (which I have some photo highlights from as well!)

Above: All that Christmas Goodness really helped us Press work up an appetite, thankfully Tropicana had just the right idea, lunch for Press at Broadway Burger Bar in The Quarter! Salad, Sliders, and beverages of choice - my choice was prosecco of course! The Broadway Burger Bar has a great deal for a meal and imax movie, date night anyone?

Above: After lunch we hit 10 North Lounge on the Casino Floor for drinks before the show.

Above: Need a break from the action on the Casino Floor? Hit up 10 North Lounge for a 'Hazelnut Hot Chocolate' - what's in it? I am so glad you asked:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nutella

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Frangelico

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brandy

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Topped with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Straw and Shavings for garnish!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better than this, they brought out:

Above: Option 2 'Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate' 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Caramel Baileys

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Topped with Whipped Cream, Caramel and Sea Salt

Served with an assortment of cookies and biscotti.

These were both delicious, but the standout for everyone was the second option. I was actually surprised I liked the second one so much as I am actually not a Caramel fan, but I am a Baileys Fan and this was warm and delish. In all fairness what didn't resonate with folks about the first spiked hot chocolate was the brandy. I am a Brandy Lover, but I only like Remy Martin, I want to try to make this one myself using Remy for the Brandy and see if I taste a difference. Hot Chocolate and Nutella Goodness, they just needed the right Brandy! 

Above: View of the Gaming Floor from 10 North Lounge.

I will definitely go back to 10 North Lounge when I visit again, it's a great place to unwind and get off the Casino floor for a moment. Or if like me and my friends and family if you all go in different directions this is a great place to meet up before dinner or before the Holiday Magic Show!

Above: Dancers twirling at Tropicana Holiday Magic Show

Above: Remember the singers that sang during the tree lighting ceremony - here they are!

Above: I need to add that I was off center and there is no flash photography during the show. So I was taking these with a DSLR with no Flash and trying capture performers in motion - I'm pretty pleased with myself! :)

Above: I did say this was a Magic Show!

Above: Ta-Daa!

Above: And then Presto-Chango!

Above: Check out the leg action - with NO Flash - can you tell I am still quite pleased with myself?

Above: Great singing and dancing!

Above: Beautiful Aerial Performance!

Above: I wish I could do this! (My watermark gets cut off with this photo on extra large, but it's worth it!)

I got WAY more shots, just didn't want to give it all away! :)

Above: Back to the Magic!

Above: How do they do that?

Above: Here is where I admit I haven't put up my tree yet! Maybe I will just hang these photos on my wall! LOL

Above: Notice the elf in the audience?

Above: Let it Snow!

Above: Dancing Snowmen!

Above: Dancing Reindeer!

Above: Singing, Dancing, Magic and Fantasy, what's not to love?

Above: Santa came out into the audience and brought this little audience member some holiday magic!

MY TAKE:

Atlantic City has always been one of my favorite weekend getaway destinations, I didn't get nearly as much time as I wanted to explore all the changes at Tropicana so I think another trip up there is in order! I enjoy their Holiday Tree Lighting and they really have become a one stop shop, with an imax theatre, comedy club, 2 pools, spa, great restaurants from casual to fine dining, bars, shops and so much more! You really don't have to leave the building, well only to watch the outdoor light show! This was a great way to kick off the holiday season and I couldn't recommend it enough! Don't miss the Holiday Musical Light Show in The Quarter at Tropicana Atlantic City Casino!

Readers Sound Off: Have you seen the changes at Tropicana Atlantic City? What is your favorite Casino and why?

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

FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated Post, and all opinions are 100% my own! The tree lighting was open to the public, lunch and tickets to the Holiday Magic Show were provided for Editorial Consideration. 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.