Showing posts with label horses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horses. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Gifts for the #Equestrian #Fashionista in your life with @LLBean



I was introduced to Horse Back Riding at the age of 5 and it's been a life long love ever since! We spent a few summers visiting a Dude Ranch in Pennsylvannia when I was younger, escaping the city for greener pastures and guided trail riding. I followed the Ranch Hands around and wanted to be their helper so I could have more time with the horses! I guess I never was a typical city girl, I loved horses and martial arts and had a serious aversion to the color pink!

Many of my greatest summer and vacation memories center around riding. On annual vacations to the Caribbean, we would ride on the beach, and those are cherished travel memories for me. In Mexico I went on a beach ride that was guided where we had the chance to explore an ancient ruin site via horseback, and I certainly don't even need to glance at the pictures to remember that trip, it's all still very much ingrained in my memory!

The summer I spent in Puerto Rico when my older sister got Married, I'd go for long walks by myself every morning, and I'd pass an old apple tree that always dropped apples and I'd collect a few so when I walked passed a ranch I would feed the horses a few of the apples. One of the bolder horses began waiting for me each morning waiting for his apple!

I can only assume my fascination with Riding Boots and Equestrian Fashion stemmed from learning to ride so early. But Riding Boots are probably the biggest part of my boot collection. I can't get enough of the style! What stilettos do for most women, is what Boots (and admittedly handbags) do for me!

The last place I expected to find something to satisfy my inner Equestrian:

I love seeing a brand I already know well in a whole new light. Like many of you, I regularly get an LL Bean Catalogue in the mail. I already know I'll end up bookmarking turtleneck sweaters, and great sleepwear for myself and for others on my list as gifts, but this year while scanning online (Yes, I get the catalogues but end up actually ordering online!) I saw some great Equestrian Inspired Fashions that caught my eye!

Wool/Cashmere Jacket from LL Bean:

LL Bean Wool/Cashmere Jacket in Color: Claret Red Item No: TA270958

Isn't this jacket awesome? It instantly dresses up a pair of jeans (Great with Trouser Jeans for Casual Fridays in the office) and of course pairs brilliantly with Skinny Jeans and Riding Boots! Not to mention the color is just so me! I love the Claret Red, but you can't go wrong with any of the colors!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Made of a premium Italian blend of 80% wool and 20% cashmere that feels warm, soft and luxurious to the touch!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Slightly fitted; falls at low hip (No worries it's true to size but does NOT require a size up, it's not too fitted, you can move freely with it and can fit a lightweight sweater underneath!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Designed to layer easily over a lightweight sweater or woven shirt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Traditional three-button styling, with notched collar

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Princess seams and front darts add feminine shaping.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Welt pocket on chest

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - front flap pockets

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Button cuffs

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full polyester lining

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Back vent


LL Bean Women's Deerfield Boots:


LL Bean Women's Deerfield Boots, Equestrian Tall Side-Zip Item No: TA278619


I can't get enough of these boots!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Premium leather and refined details crafted in Brazil, using a handselected water-resistant leather upper

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Contoured cushion insole gives outstanding step-in comfort and support

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full cotton lining and elastic panels on outside ensures a proper fit.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Wide styles also have a wide shaft for a better fit at the calf.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Flexible rubber outsole has a slight heel to set off your favorite skirts or trousers.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Leather outsole with rubber treads at the forefoot and heel. 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boot 14"H; Heel 1"H

My Take:

I am so glad I ventured beyond my usual LL Bean Turtlenecks and looked into other options this holiday season. While I will tell you that their Turtlenecks are fantastic, and amazingly durable, after the year I've had I find my tastes changing in many ways. I want to up things a notch from my usual 'comfort wear' and give it all a bit more flair while still being true to who I am. While Cocktail Dresses will always have a place in my life and my wardrobe as a New Yorker, at heart I'm that girl that would rather see my world from the vantage point of a horse with the wind whipping through my hair! If there is such a thing as a 'Sophisticated Casual Look' for me Equestrian is it! The jacket runs true to size, it is fitted but gives me room to move my arms freely, when picking out an Equestrian Jacket, lift your arms up to your shoulder and make sure the jacket isn't so tight or fitted that you can't do so. This jacket definitely met my expectation of LL Bean quality, warm and a wonderful fit in a fashionable color. (I am trying to force myself to stop getting everything in Black, particularly clothing!) The boots are phenomenal. As a wide width foot with athletic calves finding boots has always been a challenge for me. These are quality leather boots in a water-resistant leather. I will tell you that they feel surprisingly glove like when you first put them on, even a bit snug, but don't be discouraged by that, the leather WILL stretch with you and the heel height is low but very comfortable, you can wear these all these day, and not have a difficult break in period.

These were both a hit with me and thankfully they were way too big for my niece because she wanted to steal them the moment she saw them! I owe you guys a personal picture of me wearing all these, I have worn them, but no one nabbed a picture, I promise the next time I wear them both together I will have someone snap a picture for me !

Nab a Deal:

My inner fashionista is especially excited about getting it for less and nabbing a great deal, right now you can score a Free $10 Gift Card with the purchase of $50 or more at LL Bean. Place a qualifying order online or from any catalog and you will receive a gift card by email within 24 hours. Make a qualifying purchase in any LL Bean retail store and receive your gift card right at the register, How cool is that? For details about this promotion, you may visit llbean.com/promocard.

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like LL Bean on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @LLBean on Twitter


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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received in exchange for this post, however all products featured were provided to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for editorial consideration; all opinions expressed are 100% my own and I've been shopping LL Bean decades longer than I've been blogging, I have a genuine affinity for the brand and it's durable products!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Horse Haven Facebook Application by Ubisoft {#Review}




The first summer my family visited a Dude Ranch in Pennsylvania I fell in love with Horses. I was still pretty young and was going to take my first beginner ride, I was supposed to take it on a Pony, but somehow I convinced them I was ready for a 'real horse' because I was a 'big girl'.

It worked (more than likely with a lot of help from my mom), and all weekend I rode 'real horses'. I followed the ranch hands like a shadow and I got to brush the horses, feed them apples, and form a life long fascination with the most amazing animals out there. How they carry so much weight on the most delicate legs and ankles has always amazed me.

The feeling the first time I rode fast on a horse is the closest a person can get to understanding how a bird feels when they take flight. Fast, wild, free and un-tamed, it's the best feeling ever. I still love to ride and it's become the most unique part of my vacations. I look for a stable or a ranch wherever I go, and one of my most memorable rides was through ancient ruins and then on the beach in an ecological park in Mexico.

Would I love to own a Ranch someday? YES!

Can I afford to? Not just yet!

But thanks to Ubisoft I can own a virtual horse ranch AND do something to actually help an animal rescue. I have a longtime love/hate relationship with my facebook friends, for years they have spent time sending me invites to their farms, sororities, vampires, mobs and more. I declined each and every one. There is only one facebook application of the game variety I ever tried and that was Willy's Sweet Shop which helped to benefit one of my favorite charitable organizations ever, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital. I would check in with it daily. And of course I invited my facebook friends, and very few opted to 'play' along with me. Which did bum me out, but perhaps it was a bit of revenge because I showed no interest in their mobs or farms. That's OK, I still love them *smiles*.

So after a year of being a UbiChamp, this is sadly only my second time around sharing some fun Ubisoft news, you might remember my first share which was a review of  Abba You can Dance for Wii. Not that I don't love being a UbiChamp, but my schedule hasn't quite allowed for a lot of free time lately. I did feel a strong draw to try out this Facebook App because of the charitable component tied into playing the game and my life long love of horses.

Description

Horse Haven is a new Facebook social network game allowing you to raise, nurture, and breed horses. Experience the thrill of being a horse ranch owner—maintain buildings and stables, care for horses, compete against friends in special horse competitions, and much more!

As the sole inheritor of a once champion horse ranch now fallen into disrepair, you must find a way to return it to its former ...glory. With just a few rundown buildings—a stable, a farmstead, and some deteriorated drinking troughs and hayracks—you will only have a short amount of time to turn the horse ranch around. With only one lonely foal to start with you’ll need to expand your stable through a combination of breeding and nurturing. In Horse Haven you will experience the excitement and hardships of owning and running your very own horse ranch!


The Game

BREED UNIQUE AND EXCITING HORSES

Build a unique stable of horses through Horse Haven’s distinct breeding mechanics. Choose from five unique American horse breeds and more than 20 skin patterns, 20 body markings, and 10 facial markings, create hundreds of different types of horses, and then show them off to friends!

NURTURE AND CARE FOR YOUR HORSES

Develop a close personal connection with your horses through a variety of nurturing and caring tasks. As you spend more time feeding, watering, petting, and brushing your horses, they will progress to competing with other horses on Facebook. Find out whose horse is the best!

RANCH RESTORATION AND EXPANSION

When the game begins, your ranch consists of only a few run-down buildings—a stable, a farmstead, and some deteriorating drinking troughs and hay racks. Fix up the ranch up and return it to its former glory! Then, add new assets and expand your property. Erect buildings that allow horses to earn money, enhance their training, or broaden their breeding insights. You can even customize your ranch and its surrounding land with decorations to match your horses and their needs.

NEW ADVENTURES AND COMPETITIONS

At the end of each care cycle your stable of horses will go on adventures and participate in competitions! Whether it’s barrel racing, show jumping, or jump racing, make sure your horses are prepared to go for the gold!



How YOU give back by playing

Playing Horse Haven allows players to give to an actual Horse Rescue that is working to save America's Horses, Angel Acres Horse Rescue, which is a Non-Profit Organization. Instead of spending 10 minutes reading status updates, give up just a few of those and add Horse Haven to your daily Facebook routine. Doing so my butterflies would be a double win/win, playing the game is a fun way to de-stress between online activities (think after a long photo intensive blog post that got you all stressed out, or a long spreadsheet, or powerpoint presentation), and that simple 'game' also benefits a real life horse rescue. Talk about win/win.

My Take:

I've always loved finding ways that are totally do-able to give back. Giving to me has always been more than just taking out a checkbook and writing a check, I share and give with time as well as money, and with my competitive personality I knew I'd want to progress along as fast as possible with the game, the more achievements I unlock the better I feel about playing because I know my efforts with this game go beyond bragging rights, they really mean something. And that's exactly what being an Ascending Butterfly means to ME.

So any of my butterflies who decide to give Horse Haven a go, have a ranch friend in me, feel free to reach out here and we can become Horse Haven friends, we can help  make each other's Dude Ranch' fantastic and give back in the process!



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Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this blog post sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #UbiChamps - Questions about Ascending Butterfly Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html