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 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 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.

Monday Motivation: Spreading Holiday Cheer Edition! @redcross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program!

I shared last night on Facebook about the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program, and wanted to provide additional details for those who asked for more information about the program. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are joining together as part of the sixth annual Heroes Card Program. The Holiday Mail for Heroes Mailbox will be open until December 7th.

CARD SIGNING IDEAS:

Many members of the Armed Forces will be far away from home and loved ones during the holidays. Why not let them know their sacrifice is appreciated and gather folks together to sign cards and be part of the Holiday Mail program? Scouts could sign at their weekly meeting. Civic organizations could organize events in their communities. Businesses could provide cards for employees to sign. Sporting leagues could ask members to sign before the next game.

HOW IT WORKS:

Pitney Bowes will screen the cards for hazardous materials, sort and package them, contributing thousands of volunteer hours at sites around the country. Red Cross volunteers across the United States and on military installations overseas then sort and deliver the cards throughout the holiday season. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have received and distributed more than 4.7 million cards for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families since the program began in 2006.

Mail Cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

RULES/Guidelines: 

To ensure that cards are delivered in time for the holidays, they must be postmarked no later than December 7. Individuals are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary donations, or using glitter or any other kinds of inserts with the cards. More information and card requirements are available at redcross.org/holidaymail.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Ensure that all cards are signed.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Use generic salutations such as 'Dear Service Member' - Cards addressed to specific individuals will NOT be delivered.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Only cards are being accepted, do not send letters.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Do not include inserts, no photos or items.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Do not include your email or your home address on the actual card, the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Do not send cards with Glitter. Many of the cards are being delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery.

Get Social With it:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -  You can connect with fellow card senders through Facebook at facebook.com/redcross and on Twitter @redcross using the hashtag #holidaymail.

The Red Cross relies on the support of the American people to carry out its mission of service to the 2 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 24 million veterans and their families. During this holiday season, people also can support all Red Cross services by making a financial donation at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Individuals can also give the gift of life by making an appointment to give blood at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I have not received any monetary compensation for sharing about this initiative!

A win/win way to help in the #HurricaneSandy Relief Efforts via @Sakroots!

Like most of you, I get tons of  'PR Noise' in my inbox (especially at this time of year) and I rarely share emails I receive in their entirety here, but this one was too good not to share. Since 2009 I have been sharing about Brands that give back. In fact for my first year of blogging I wasn't even PR friendly, I wanted collaborations to be meaningful in ways that are bigger than the obvious, and one of the first brands to ask what if what I was asking you to cover was part of a give back initiative? That's when a light bulb clicked and I made my first brand collaboration. The same still holds true now, you have never once seen a 'what the celebs are wearing' post here. I live in New York and cover Fashion Week as an iconic part of what being a New Yorker City based Lifestyle Blogger sees, but what celebs wear, don't interest me, unless it's something they wore when they were giving back.

Ascending Butterfly has come a long way since 2009, we have collaborated with numerous brands, but a select core group are featured more often by us than others. The long term relationships I've built with some brands is because I believe in the quality and durability of the products they offer and that I respect and admire the company's principles. I love Brands that give back, especially ones that do so year round. And when a Brand I love does something that helps MY own community, I have to help them spread the word!

I tried to enlarge the graphic in the post, but it goes beyond the screen width for text so even though you can press on it to make it bigger, I wanted to share the message so it didn't get lost! The Sak Brand Group (who have collaborated with us often throughout the years for our regular feature 'Featured Monthly Handbag in the Spotlight'), is a New York and New Jersey based company, to assist in the Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts, they are donating 10% of online sales to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, where 100% of donations are dispersed to relief efforts and organizations! How cool is that? You get a fab brand new handbag that you wanted anyway AND you get to make a difference for people who really need it. Right now there are so many New Yorkers in Shelters after getting hit by BOTH Hurricane Sandy and the Nor-Easter snow storm 'Athena'!

My Take:

People think of New York City as the 'Fashion Capital of the World', and I can tell you waking up in a shelter doesn't feel so 'fashionable', but helping people in such a simple way certainly is. Please consider The Sak, sakroots and Elliot Lucca for your holiday gift giving this season. You are getting your family and friends amazing gifts they will love and that will last (let's face it accessories not only make the outfit but expand your wardrobe), but you will also be making a real difference!

Get Social With It: 

Not buying right now but still want to help?

They have posted this message on their Facebook Page and Twitter Stream @Sakroots, please consider a social media share to your own networks, the more we spread the word, the more help displaced families due to Hurricane Sandy can receive.

Let's call this Give Back Friday Butterflies! I thank you in advance for spreading the word about this message!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. This post has not been compensated, nor am I Brand Ambassador! We collaborate with the Sak Brand Group on a frequent basis, however all opinions are 100% my own and we have featured brands with giving initatives since 2009.

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday with Heart 2011 at Build a Bear! {Photos}

It's been a long time ongoing tradition since I was a girl to do something for others during the holidays (and year round actually), my mom always taught us that we were blessed in so many ways, and that there were other children and families that needed help especially during the holidays. So each year we do something different, we'll work with local not for profit organizations, or our church, but each year we've focused on doing something for others, and this holiday season is no different.

I received an invitation from the smart + sassy team at moms & the city to attend a very special workshop at Build A Bear in New York City where participants were offered the chance to create a bear to donate to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation!

So me and mama butterfly set out on a cool, rainy, Fall night in New York City to build bears and fill them with special wishes to send to a special boy or girl. The bears also have different allocations to them, so they were actually a DOUBLE give back opportunity! For example the bear I chose to build was called 'Champ', proceeds from Champ the Bear also benefit children's wellness charities.

Here are some photos of me and mama butterfly at the Build a Bear Workshop (what's a Wordless Wednesday without pictures?):

Ascending Butterfly (left) and Mama Butterfly (right)

In case you are wondering:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - my jeans? Denizen,

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cardigan? Elle (Yes THAT Elle), 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Necklace? Energy Muse

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - and boots? 'Prance' by Kalso Earth

Ascending Butterfly and 'Champ' a bear whose proceeds benefit Children's Wellness Charities

 



In case you are wondering:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - handbag? Timi and Leslie

Mama Butterfly made a Happy Feet Bear and was super happy to donate it to Toys for Tots!

Ascending Butterfly hamming it up with a big snow globe at the Manhattan Build a Bear Workshop

In case you are wondering:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - coat? Wilsons Leather
and I've always loved snow globes (wish I could find one with a butterfly inside!)

Loved the first sign which reads 'Even this City has a Big Soft Spot'

I snapped this shot on the way out as I went up the stairs, I love the first sign, 'Even this City has a Big Soft Spot', fitting sign after just watching a group of not just moms, but dads and some marines building a bear to give to children in need this holiday season. It truly put me in the holiday spirits!

Do you want to help too? From December 2nd- December 4th, go to your local Build-A-Bear Workshop to build a bear for Toys For Tots. You can also bring in an unopened toy to donate or you can choose to make a donation during the entire month December.

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FTC Info: This is NOT a sponsored post. No monetary compensation has been received. Build a Bear gift cards were provided to attendees.

{CLOSED} Jockey Being Family Bear Giveaway! Ends 11/30

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Jockey! The Winner is 'tinagirl' - Congratulations! Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Ascending Butterfly's 2011 Holidays Buying Guide, Giveaway #9 brought to you by:

Kids Corner: A Bear That Gives Back!

If you are anything like me and love to shop with conscience and buy from brands that give back, then I have the perfect shop-o-tunity for you!

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month?

Jockey Being Family Bear

About Jockey Being Family® Bear

• support newly adoptive families with the Jockey being family® bear
• the perfect adorable and cuddly gift
• lovable bear sure to bring a smile to any child's face
• approximate size: 11" x 5"
• for each bear sold, Jockey® will donate $3 to charities supporting adoption
• You can name your bear and get a personalized certificate!
• Fabric Content: All new materials stuffed with polyester fibers. To care for your bear: insert in pillowcase and wash in warm water & tumble dry low. Imported.
• This years bear comes with it's own backpack.

 My Take:

This bear is super soft and cuddly and has that 'heirloom' bear feel for a super affordable price. I love that the bear offers a chance to teach children about adoption, or makes a very memorable gift for an adopted child!

What I really love is that Jockey is donating one percent of all catalog and Jockey.com online sales, as well as 100 percent of sales from theirJockey Being Family® Bear in November to the Debra Steigerwaldt Waller Foundation for Adoption, which funds critical support for children and families after an adoption. By shopping at Jockey this November, together, we can help provide more support to families touched by adoption.

I can't think of a cuter face to see poking out of a Christmas Stocking this year!

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Jockey would like to give 1 lucky winner a Jockey Being Family Bear of their own!

Don't you just ♥ Jockey? 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 Jockey and select any other item NOT REFERENCED ABOVE (ie you can't pick the bear!) that you like and provide the URL LINK to it!  (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. No purchase necessary. One entry per Household, see Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy HERE

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 Saturday, November 26, 2011 until Wednesday, November 30, 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 - Sign up for the Jockey email list and post here the email address you used to sign up! (Lower right hand side of the screen on the main page)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In honor of the Jockey Being Family Bear, tell us what family means to you or tell us how you are celebrating National Adoption Month?

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 - Grab our NEW Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you have our old one, please swap it out, our URL address has changed!

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @jockey on Twitter

Tweet This:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Jockey + @Ascending1 Being Family Bear #Giveaway! Ends 11/30 - http://tinyurl.com/87msazj

(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 - Like Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Jockey on Facebook HERE (Tell them what family means to you or that you are trying to win the Jockey Being Family Bear from Ascending Butterfly) - Be sure you leave the link to your comment here for extra credit. (You can get the link the same way you do on twitter, press on the time you left the comment on their facebook wall, and when the page fully loads, highlight and copy the URL address and then paste it into the comment field here). If you say "I wrote on their wall" and do not leave the link that Extra Credit Entry will NOT be processed.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW! Here's a win/win extra credit entry if you join Scorebig from my affiliate link you will be entering for the chance to win a $100 ScoreBig Gift Card AND a $100 Amazon Gift Card (yes both) and if I get the most people to sign up via my link, I get a shot at a prize too! How cool is that? ScoreBig is the members-only place to save up to 60% on sports, concert and theater tickets. (Unfortunately if you have already signed up on your own or under someone else, you cannot claim the extra credit here) - tell us which email you used to sign up.

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 -This is ONE time per giveaway, NOT daily.

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 sponsored promotion. NO compensation has been received  from the sponsor in exchange for this post. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. All opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor. An Affiliate Link is used for the ScoreBig Extra Credit Entry and for EZ Win game.

Third Annual SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour! - A way for you to give AND get, cool mom or dad (or Auntie/Uncle) points!

SUBWAY^® RESTAURANTS LAUNCHES THIRD ANNUAL ‘BASEBALL DESIGNS’ TOUR WITH NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE® BASEBALL APPRECIATION GAME

SUBWAY® restaurants, the world’s largest restaurant chain, today unveiled the third annual SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour with its first exhibit at the 2011 SUBWAY® National Little League® Baseball Appreciation Game at La Cienega Park in Los Angeles.

 SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS: Apolo Ohno Signed Baseball

The SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour includes more than 40 baseballs designed by young artists and signed by celebrities and athletes including: musician Katy Perry, actor Zac Efron, rock band Maroon 5, gold medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps, pro football’s Drew Brees, baseball star Ryan Howard, basketball Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams, celebrity chef, Robert Irvine and Jared Fogle (the “SUBWAY® guy”) among others. The Ball Pictured above was signed by Apolo Ohno! (Did you catch him when he was on Dancing with the Stars?).

While you are rarely going to find posts on Ascending Butterfly touting what dress, or accessory du jour is being sported by the it celeb of the moment, you will find them featured here when they are using their celebrity Klout to help someone in need! So thanks to Katy Perry, Zac Effron, Maroon 5, Michael Phelps, Drew Brees, Ryan Howard, Serena and Venus Williams, Robert Irvine, Jared Fogle, Apolo Ohno and others for taking time to do something so wonderful!

 SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS: Selena Gomez Signed Baseball

The tour will visit four U.S. cities concluding with a final stop at the Little League® Baseball World Series (LLBWS) from Aug. 19-28, where the baseballs will then be auctioned off to the general public with all proceeds benefitting the Little League® Baseball Urban Initiative program which helps fund start-ups, developments, equipment, clinics and field maintenance for inner-city youth leagues and teams.

“The SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour and our national sponsorship of Little League® Baseball continue to provide an opportunity for SUBWAY® to support Little League® with a program that is unique and brings added awareness and exposure while giving back,” said Tony Pace SUBWAY® Franchisee Advertising Fund Chief Marketing Officer. “The level of creativity these young athletes and artists show in designing these baseballs is inspiring. We’re looking forward to kicking off the tour in Los Angeles and highlighting their talent across the country.”

“As the world’s leading youth sports organization for over 70 years, Little League® is focused on providing a community program that includes the opportunity to promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through participation,” said Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League® Baseball and Softball. “SUBWAY® continues to reach out and embrace the focus of the Little League Urban Initiative and its benefits to Leagues. We’re looking forward to this summer-long event and its culmination in August at the Little League Baseball World Series”

Baseball legends and Famous Fans of SUBWAY® will participate in the tour’s various stops including Cy Young Award winner and ESPN baseball personality Orel Hershiser and former Los Angeles all-star outfielder Shawn Green, who will also serve as honorary coaches in the 2011 National Little League® Baseball Appreciation Game.

In addition to its introductory stop in Los Angeles and its final, 10-day stay in South Williamsport, Pa. at the Little League® Baseball World Series, the SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour will also visit Phoenix during baseball’s All-Star festivities in July and New York in early August.

For more information on the tour, please visit SubwayKids.com and the Official SUBWAY® Facebook page. Online auctions for the celebrity-autographed baseballs are now open to the public and will run through the Little League® Baseball World Series, which concludes Aug. 28th.

SUBWAY® Restaurants have proudly sponsored Little League® Baseball and Softball since 2005 as a way to encourage Little Leaguers and their families to live active lifestyles and eat healthy.

About Subway

For more information about the SUBWAY^® chain, visit www.SUBWAY®.com. Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/SUBWAY®. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/SUBWAY®freshbuzz. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.

About Little League Baseball and Softball

Little League® Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest and most respected youth sports organization. With players in every U.S. state and more than 70 other countries, the program is led by more than 1 million adult volunteers. It serves children ages 5 through 18, including physically and mentally disabled children (Challenger Division) and children in urban areas (Little League Urban Initiative). Little League Baseball, an international, educational, nonprofit organization is designed to install leadership qualities in boys and girls, ages 5-18. Under the direction of principled adult volunteers, the program utilizes the games of baseball and softball as vehicles to teach children the fundamental skills of the games, and the values of teamwork, fair play, respect for authority and the desire to excel.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no better way to wield your spending power than by shopping with a company that gives back, especially a company that is giving back to children in such a meaningful and impactful way. Let's keep sports (and art!) available to our young people. Sports teaches discipline and art expands young minds. Both are equally important to their development! So be sure to visit the Auction and pick up a signed ball! It would make an awesome present for that young person in your life, and it will be a gift that also keeps on giving to such an important organization such as Little League® Baseball and Softball

Ascending Butterflies always live well, because they give well! Share this with your friends, and ask them to share the word too! 

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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post in conjunction with Subway and Mom Bloggers Club to help spread the word about an annual fundraising charitable iniative sponsored by Subway that benefits Little League. While a small incentive is being issued for my participation, I do feel It is important to support organizations that give back, especially to children and young people!

Back to School with Staples - Deals for YOU and a way to give back!

Last week I attended a Staples Back-to-school event hosted by Moms And the City, Melissa Gerstein, Denise Albert and Raina Seitel. A midtown Manhattan Staples store played host to a group of mom and dad bloggers who were divided into groups and taken to three different learning stations around the store.

The first station was for learning all about the ways that Staples is giving back. You know I love featuring 'Shopping with a Conscience' opportunities! If you can do something good for you, at a good price AND give back, that's shopping nirvana as far as I'm concerned.  Staples partnered with the organization, Dosomething.org,  to design new products and also for their 4^th Annual Staple for Students School Supply Drive where Students are encouraged to collect school supplies for children in need and drop them off at Staples.

The second station is where we got to learn about the laptops, service plans and easy comparison checker that you can use to compare and contrast features from different laptops at the display just by pulling them up on one without having to walk all around and read all those cards. Me being in the market for a new laptop after the back to back lemon experiences I have had with HP, made this demo one of the highlights for me! I'll be going back to Staples soon and checking out the laptops, although I'm kind of leaning toward an iPad 2 instead of a standard laptop this time around.

The third station is where we learned all about the Staples Savings Pass, a $10 discount card where you can get everything for back to school every day through September 17th at 15% off. (Think about the savings if you have to buy a laptop or other electronic items! And for larger families, this savings pass certainly pays for itself!).

Melissa, Denise and Raina then showed us all their favorite new back to school items. That's where I noticed this cute notebook!

I didn't realize it until I got home, but this cute Butterfly Notebook is by our friends at Carolina Pad, how butterfly perfect was that? Everywhere I go I ALWAYS have a butterfly sighting!

You know how I feel about new notebooks right? They are like perfect blank slates, and I'm dying to grab my colored pencils and draw on the first page! I have so far managed restraint, but I'm sure it won't be long before I start drawing butterflies all over the first and last page!

We also had the opportunity to make fun photo bookmarks with the folks at Photo Op NYC

It was fun posing for these pictures, the results are a way hipper, way cooler photo booth type picture! PhotoOp was recently named the Best Children's Family Photo Studio in New York by New York Magazine in their "Best of New York" issue and I could see why by the looks of my own and other bookmarks I got to see, they are very easy to work with and have a way of bringing out the best in their subjects! I'd highly recommend them. I hope my scan is doing it justice!

Our Staples visit ended with a 'Staples Bingo' Game with fun prizes and we left with goodie bags (but shh, let's keep that our secret, unlike last year, I didn't tell my niece and nephew about this one, I am NOT giving up my butterfly notebook! But I'm definitely not called the 'cool aunt' for nothing, I'll end up taking them to Staples to buy some fun Back-to-School supplies of their own very soon).

Check out your local Staples weekly ads for sales, don't forget the 1 cent specials to help you REALLY stock up, sign up for your Staples Rewards card for great rebates, and up your cool factor by sharing the fun videos made by Modern Family's television show co-star, Rico Rodriguez, who shares what kids need for Back-to-School in a series of funny videos HERE.

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post. No monetary compensation has been received. I attended a local event and was under no obligation to write about it. I did receive a gift bag after the event, and lunch was provided during the event however the opinions expressed are solely my own. I really do beleive in featuring corporations with a conscience that give back to the community and world at large!