Sunday, August 16, 2009 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and TWO giveaways!

Living in Gratitude

On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and breathing meditations. 'Today's Butterfly' will remain a daily and will post with the Today's Inspiration Monday through Saturday, and will post with the Weekly Moment of Gratitude on Sunday.

This week, I am grateful for:

1) I had the opportunity to attend John Legend's concert at Madison Square Garden with opening performance by India.Arie! The music was amazing and so were the featured guests which included Kanye West and Estelle, Rick Ross, Buju Banton, Gramps Morgan and more. The concert started in prayer with India.Arie and ended in prayer with John Legend sending out blessings to the audience, it was amazingly uplifting and I'm still singing the tunes I heard that night! You can see my recap of the concert (including really awesome photos) HERE!

2) I am grateful for Ascending Butterfly's amazing sponsors! See two of them in the 'Today's Butterfly' Featured Site of the day below.

3) I'm grateful for some amazing surprises from my fellow bloggers:

• New York Chica, you can visit her blog HERE
• Coupon Queens of Laurel Run, you can visit CQoLR HERE
• Beauty is Easy, you can visit them HERE

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update fieldOK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win the Reign Eye Shadow Palette of YOUR CHOICE, Majesty or Monarch HERE (you may also press on the Smashbox logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Weekend Inspiration - Ordinary People Extraordinary Talents!

Today's Words Of Inspiration are going to be a little different today! The Ascending Butterfly celebrates its 2 month 'Blog-a-versary' today! Thank You loyal readers, for choosing to spend some time each day with us.

Last night I had the amazing fortune to be able to attend John Legend's Madison Square Garden Performance, VIP Style. The concert 'opening act' was none other than India.Arie! And that was just one of many surprises the night had in store.

I arrived early enough to watch the set up process and what did I see? A HUGE BUTTERFLY on the screen!!!! I already love India.Arie's style, flow and music, but that just cinched it, seeing that butterfly let me know that I was in the right place at the right time. She started in prayer and John Legend ended in prayer as well. I'm all about living in gratitude and this concert certainly filled my soul on many levels!

We had amazing seats (Thanks J.T./Madison Square Garden/and Hot97). We were about 3 seats away from a celebrity! Malcolm-Jamal Warner (you may remember him as 'Theo' from the Cosby Show) was sitting in front of us!

Since the concert started with India, so will I. I was too happy to see her big butterfly on screen, and she even comes out during the concert wearing butterfly wings!

I am writing and listening to her song 'Therapy' featuring Gramps Morgan. I LOVE this track, if you don't have it yet, pick it up. (And if her lablel is reading this, we'd be stoked to offer up autographed copies to our Ascending Butterfly readers!) 'Therapy' is a track that speaks of the love we are all seeking! It's the love we all want, the WAY we all want it. And the dynamics between India.Arie and Gramps on that stage was absolutely electric! They really have great chemistry together. Ladies, listen to this song, if the man in your life doesn't make you feel this way, you are with the wrong man! (any men out there who want to approach this butterfly, better listen to this song first and learn how it's done!)

That was just one of many amazing songs sung by India.Arie during her set. It was a mix of old favorites and tracks off the new album.

Here are some photos (It is NOT OK to copy or otherwise reproduce or re-distribute these photos!)

ABOVE: India.Arie walking down the main aisle. Look at that smile!

Her voice and her amazing smile, lit the garden up! And the energy she gave out to the audience was extremely uplifting and positive.

ABOVE: India.Arie with her backup singers and her guitarist (and look at the pretty butterfly)

ABOVE: India.Arie in her butterfly wings!

ABOVE: And she brought out a special guest towards the end, HER MOM!!!

I'm very close with my mom and it was so nice to see India.Arie's mom perform with her on stage! The apple didn't fall from the tree! Two beautiful women, Two powerful Voices, two happy spirits.

The night's headliner John Legend, started out singing directly in the heart of the audience. I will admit it was hard to hear him over the screams of the crowd and shrill shrieks of the delighted ladies for the opportunity to touch him or grab his hand as he tried to make his way to the stage!

I am now listening to 'Ordinary People' as I write, it is one of my favorite John Legend tracks. And somehow everytime I see him sing it, I have to think it is his favorite too. ('Used to love you' and 'heaven' are another two favorites of mine!) (I make your label the same offer John, we'd love to give our readers autographed CD's!!)

Like India.Arie, John Legend put together a great combination of his well known tracks blending with tracks from his new album. And there was so many amazing performers that took the stage with him, Rick Ross, Buju Banton, Kanye West and Estelle, and not to mention India.Arie! I've always liked reggae and dancehall and was happily surprised to see Buju Banton take the stage!

John Legend teamed up with Gap to offer 'exclusive (RED)ZONE' seating for (PRODUCT)RED purchases made at Gap. (PRODUCT) RED purchase proceeds help to eliminate AIDS in Africa. It was a concert with a cause and there is nothing more in line with my mission than that! John is definitely the all-around man to watch, great voice, great style and the heart of a humanitarian, a man that wants to help be a part of the solution, that is MY KIND of man, GO JOHN! You can Buy Red and save lives, learn more by signing up to (RED) HERE

ABOVE: John started off singing to the audience, from INSIDE the audience! (as you can see from the lower right of this photo, he definitely gave security a workout and made them earn their money by doing this!)

ABOVE: John and the band

Above: Buju Banton takes to the stage! As you can see from this pic he was feeling the love!





ABOVE: Kanye West and Estelle sing 'American Boy'

ABOVE: John Legend takes to the stage with India.Arie

The concert began and ended in prayer and folks rarely sat down, it was an on your feet, begining to end high energy and very electric night that ended with me actually getting the chance to meet John Legend in person!

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Talent! Do something out of the ordinary this weekend!
And listen to great music while you're doing it!

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win the SmashBox Cosmetics Reign Eye Shadow Palette of YOUR CHOICE - Majesty or Monarch HERE

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE

Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thursday, August 13, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

A winner announcement and 'release your inner sexy gal Thursday'

NOTE: Our Tres Sleek Giveaway winner was lilyk, Congratulations!

Readers before you send me anymore emails, I am aware that there was no 'Today's Words of Inspiration' for Wednesday August 12th. My host was down for the bulk of the day and I couldn't post. It was a very frustrating experience to say the least. My apologies for the delays in publishing all the entries for our new giveaway for a Smashbox Cosmetics Palette of your choice. As soon as my host came back up, I've been working on moderating the entries and getting them all posted. So while other sites are focusing on the little ones, Ascending Butterfly is all about focusing on YOU. YES YOU. You remember you don't you?


Before becoming a parent there was a sexy gal in there. One who wanted to look pretty and feel sexy before her dates. We have quite a month ahead here at Ascending Butterfly. And this month is all about releasing your inner sexy.


Don't blush, don't giggle demurely, I know it's all in there just waiting for an excuse to come out!

I made productive use of my 'enforced downtime' yesterday and used the time to secure some great sponsors and giveaways. I remind you, keep checking daily, you don't want to miss the great things that are coming!

I am heading out to a concert tonight and I just can't wait! I've always loved music. While I know enough to keep my singing behind closed doors in the shower, I somehow seem to always have music on. And all my friends find themselves amazed that I have music in EVERY room. I'd even have music streaming out of my closet as soon as I opened it if I could.

Music lifts my mood and my spirits. What is your favorite type of music? What is your favorite genre and song? Do you have an artist or song you highly recommend? Comment here and let us know. I'm always open to something new and would love to know what you are listening to. And if there are any record labels out there, feel free to send me music! :-)

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will listen to music that uplifts my spirit today.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win the Reign Eye Shadow Palette of YOUR CHOICE, Majesty or Monarch HERE (you may also press on the Smashbox graphic below to be taken directly to the giveaway)

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Smashbox - Reign Fall 2009 Collection -Review and Giveaway!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Congratulations to 'Miss Manda' the winner of Ascending Butterfly's Smashbox Purple Reign Giveaway!

---Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Smashbox' new Fall Collection - Purple Reign

► REIGN JET SET PALETTE - ($48.00) - Adorn eyes with opulent shades of budge-proof metallic liner. Includes four shades of our cult-favorite waterproof liner (3 brand-new hues and our best-selling deep black) housed in a mirrored airtight compact with a mini arced liner brush for flawless application.Shades: Matte black, Matte deep brown, Metallic deep gold, Metallic bronze

► REIGN LIP GLOSS - ($19.00) - Indulge lips in luxurious, creamy color and scandalous shine. This ultra-moisturizing gloss saturates lips in a gorgeous warm nude shade that pairs perfectly with a smoky eye.Shade: Soft peachy pink

► REIGN DOUBLETAKE LIP COLOR - ($22.00) - Envelop lips in color to lust after. A long-wearing liner on one end and velvety-smooth lip color on the other in two of Fall’s hottest shades.Amaretto: Nude Pink, Creamy peachy pinkCurrant: Deep wine, Deep berry red

► REIGN LASH DNA MASCARA - ($19.00) - Bejewel lashes in a sumptuous new shade fit for a royal. Lash DNA protein and amino acid packed formula dramatically lengthens, strengthens and defines for stand-out eyes.Shade: Shimmering black plum

► REIGN FUSION BLUSH ($32.00) - Give cheeks a sensual glow with this dual-toned blush in both matte and shimmer shades, in a gorgeous flip-top mirrored compact. Shades: Matte peachy nude, Shimmery peachy nude

► REIGN EYE SHADOW PALETTE ($42.00) - Decadent mirrored compacts with 6 baked shadows in both matte and shimmer for higher pigmentation and longer wear. Wear wet for a metallic look or dry for a sexy wash of color. Majesty: Matte champagne, Shimmery champagne, Matte cabernet, Shimmery cabernet, Matte black, Shimmery black. Monarch: Matte soft gold, Shimmery soft gold, Matte copper, Shimmery copper, Matte deep brown, Shimmery deep brown

WIN IT! - We like to save the best for last! Thanks to our friends at Smashbox, you have the opportunity to win the Reign Eye Shadow Palette of YOUR CHOICE! Monarch or Majesty!

How to Win: You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (this will be checked if you are selected as a winner) and indicate your palette preference in your entry. Please 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 blogger profile has your email you can just indicate this in your entry.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, so no worries if your comment doesn't appear on the site right away. This giveaway is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, but you must follow this blog for your entry to count. You have from now until Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. Winner will be announced shortly after Tuesday, September 15th!

EXTRA CREDIT:

• 
  
  Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment
  
  
  
• 
  
  Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment
  
  
  
• 
  
  Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment
  
  
  
• 
  
  Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment
  
  
  
• 
  
  Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog
  
  
  
• 
  
  Follow SmashBox Cosmetics on Facebook HERE
  
  
  
• 
  
  Follow SmashBox on MySpace HERE
  
  
  
• 
  
  Follow Smashbox on Twitter HERE
  
  
  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Purple Tuesday

In honor of our Smashbox giveaway launch, I have dubbed this 'Purple Tuesday'! I will wear Purple, and of course I'm listening to Prince's song 'Purple Rain' in the background as I write today.

Purple is the color for Fall this season, although as far I'm concerned Purple never goes out of style, it's a color I'm very fond of! I love it in it's entire shade range from lavendar to Royal. Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much purple, like the color blue, could result in moodiness.

The color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color of Egypt's Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.

Considering using Purple to decorate this season? Deep or bright purples suggest riches while lighter purples are more romantic and delicate. Use redder purples for a warmer color scheme or the bluer purples to cool down.

There is a lot more to color than meets the eye! Color your space today, color your world!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will add color to my life and my space.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update fieldOK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win the Reign Eye Shadow Palette of YOUR CHOICE, Majesty or Monarch HERE (you may also press on the Smashbox logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday, August 10, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Zen Monday - Ascending Butterfly is your Zen Garden

I'm resolved not to have a 'manic Monday' this week, so I'm keeping one step ahead of my schedule and to-do list today. Less chaos = Less stress. Less Stress means a 'Zen Monday'. And that's just how I like my Mondays.

What can you do today to put the zen in your Monday? I'd say starting off with Ascending Butterfly's Today's Words of Inspiration, is a great start! Try not to hit the snooze button twice today, if you can get to work 15 minutes earlier than usual, you can plan out your day. Both your professional and personal to-do's. That should give you 15 minutes or more to yourself this evening. What would you do with an extra 15 minutes? You don't have to guess, you can actually make it a reality by staying one step ahead of yourself today.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will stay one step ahead of my schedule and I rule over it, instead of letting my schedule rule over me.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.
Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends TODAY!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

NOTE: Come Back Tuesday for a review and giveaway that is very much fall trend fab!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, August 09, 2009 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and TWO giveaways!

Living in Gratitude

On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and breathing meditations. 'Today's Butterfly' will remain a daily and will post with the Today's Inspiration Monday through Saturday, and will post with the Weekly Moment of Gratitude on Sunday.

This week, I am grateful for:

1) My local radio station Power 105, they showed me love in a big way this week. I was the 'Chicas Project' grand prize winner and will be sporting a new Power 105 Tshirt and a new chromatics 8 gb pink ipod Nano to go along with it! Just like 'readership (and followership) does have it's privileges with Ascending Butterfly, listening really paid off for me this week!

2) I am grateful for Ascending Butterfly sponsors who has this made this whole summer special, and there is certainly more great stuff to come!

3) I'm also grateful for having received the opportunity to attend the eenamaria bag launch bash earlier in the week, it was both fun and informative and I'm thankful for all the great people I met there. And the creative inspiration I received regarding a project that is part personal, and part Ascending Butterfly related. But more on that to come later, way later!

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and a Giveaway! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

NOTE: We have a new review and giveaway coming soon! It's very much in line with Fall Trends, Come back to find out more!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Sites of the Day

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Saturday, August 08, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

I am in Weekend Mode. My mind filled with fun and indulgence. Some time outdoors, time with friends and family, good food, refreshing drinks and treats, I have to admit it's hard to focus on the ever growing inbox and to-do list.

So let's focus today on indulgence, and how it can actually be a good thing. A healthy thing even. We all know that stress causes damage to your heart, your brain, your immune system, and it makes your blood pressure rise. Sometimes you need to indulge your whims. Doing so reduces stress and as you can see reducing stress is a good thing, a VERY good thing.

What are you doing this weekend to indulge yourself? Please share. Sometimes we can all use reminders of the little and big ways to help ourselves feel better.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will indulge at least one whim this weekend.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thursday, August 6, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Mark Twain had it right when he said:

Dance like nobody's watching....
Sing like nobody's listening...
Love like you've never been hurt...
Work like you don't need the money...
Live like it's heaven on earth...

Sometimes we all stumble with one of these (or some times all of these!) but it's never too late to get back on track. You really can Dance like nobody's watching, I do that one all the time when I'm cooking!

I also Sing like Nobody's Listening in the shower, OK in this case, it's probably really good no one is listening. I won't be auditioning for American Idol anytime soon.

I will admit, 'loving like you've never been hurt' is sometimes a hard one for me! Do you trip up on this one sometimes?? Come on, fess up, I can't be alone with this one!

And in this economy, 'working like you don't need the money' may be difficult too, but it can be done. Don't let work become WHO you are, make sure it's always WHAT you do but NEVER who you are!

Live like it's heaven on earth is my favorite! I strive for that one each and everyday. How do YOU live like it's heaven on earth? What makes you feel that way? For me, it's travel. For me it's a beach chair, while I'm sitting out by the ocean watching the waves crash, feeling the warm sun on my skin and the feel of Ocean Breezes through my hair. For me, that truly is heaven on earth. Or at least as close as I've come to it.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will live like it's heaven on earth.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now a Word from our Former Sponsor!

Just wanted to let everyone know that our friends at Mimobot have an announcement! Mimobot has joined forces with Infectious to offer 'Mimobot iPhone Skins'! Give your iPhone some style! I love skins, my iPod touch has a skin. Even your digital world can reflect your personality, style and Savoir-Faire!

And I'll also give you another cool heads up: From mid-August through September, Mimoco and Infectious will be teaming up to find the next MIMOBOT to be designed by YOU! Sign up for their newsletter for the latest design challenge news. I am truly hoping one of our creative Ascending Butterfly readers will submit a 'Butterfly' Mimobot design for the challenge! I really, really, really want to see a Butterfly Mimobot.

Now go show Mimoco some love and order your iPhone skin HERE
(or by pressing on the iphone skinned graphic above)

And just in case you hadn't noticed the new 'vote-a tunity', please vote for Ascending Butterfly on Fuel my Blog here: http://www.fuelmyblog.com/index.jsp?c=/pages/vote.jsp?vt=fuel&id=26956

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Happy Hump Day

According to Urban Dictionary, 'Hump Day' is defined as 'Wednesday, the middle of the week, implying that you have to get "over the hump" before you can anticipate the weekend. The term was not originally intended to carry a second, more risque meaning.' - While I can understand the urge to, (I'm in a silly mood myself), Keep the replies clean on this one everyone! By all means email me the really funny stuff! (I'm going to have to start forum pages soon!)

I won't be happy until I've posted something about every day of the week. I found it interesting that according to the Hebrew Bible, Wednesday is the day when the Sun and Moon were created. Now that's more like it, I'd rather have this association with the day than the some of the others!

How do you get over 'Hump Day'? I try to make it a point to get out for the entire hour during lunch, it somehow helps to not only make the day feel like it's going by faster, but when I get out, I just plain feel more connected to everything including myself. I'd advise you to get away from your desk today regardless of whether or not it is sunny out. Get connected, make your 'hump day' happier!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I take the time I need to get fully connected.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

This book is an amazing resource for young cancer patients and their families to find strength, truth, wisdom, humor, grace and perseverance personified. I highly encourage you to read this book, and I wish it had been available to me years ago when my nephew was battling cancer. Reading the stories of other young people speaking to him in a voice he could understand and sharing their unique experiences would have helped him to put his own experiences in better perspective I'm sure.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Overcome your fears? Oh YES you can!

Last night I found myself facing an unusual bout of shyness, which hadn't reared it's ugly head since childhood. It made me think that overcoming fears would be a good discussion for today!

What are YOU afraid of? What fear do you have that you need to overcome? Is it public speaking? Heights? Spiders?

I received that Nike advice last night, that we all think sounds kind of lame, "Just Do It". But it honestly was the only advice that made sense. It was the only advice that worked. And when I took it, the rest of my night went really well. There will be more to come on the specifics really soon.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I can overcome any fear.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

NEW FEATURE LAUNCH -The Ascending Butterfly Book Club - Featured Book in the Spotlight

This contest is now closed for entries! I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their amazing stories of strength and perseverance. The winner has been notified and once the winner confirms, this thread will be updated with a winner announcement shortly. Stay tuned, September will bring a new book club title!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Can you imagine being in high school or college and suddenly learning you have cancer? You thought you had a lifetime ahead of you and the whole world at your feet, but suddenly you’re told… maybe not. How would you cope?

That’s the question the twenty young people in this book had to answer when they were diagnosed with childhood cancer. Perseverance shares life lessons learned through their stories and educates the reader on how to incorporate them into his/her life. It tells of their trials and tribulations, of their triumphs, and of the unique challenges that day-to-day life brings them. Perseverance also provides an intimate look at the lives and journeys of these young people and how their courage and strength have affected the lives of others.

These honest, first-person accounts lend amazing depth to the inspiring stories of these young men and women. Inside, you’ll meet Zac York, who tells of climbing Mount Whitney—on crutches—after battling brain cancer. You’ll meet Alex Oden, who—just days after brain surgery—gave his 8th grade peers a graduation speech called “A Day Well Spent,” in which he challenged them to make a difference in just one day. You’ll meet Kristen Jones, who, while battling leukemia, was able to pass the MCAT and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.

Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common theme: perseverance. The stories of these heroes demonstrate how anyone can learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles to be faced, and will remind us all that now is everything.

I will admit my desire to obtain the review copy of this book and practically devour it was because Cancer hits home for my family. This wasn't just a 'read' it was incredibly personal. I've had to watch not just older family members battle this disease but also one too young. I'm amazed how easily conversational a book on a subject so serious turned out to be.

I do a lot of reading and writing to keep up the continuity on not only this inspirational blog but other writing that I do. Sometimes it's fashion, sometimes beauty, and it's very easy to get consumed by it all. Life is busy. But what happens when life forces you to slow down? Perseverance is what happens. And reading about how each young person in this book copes with how to press forward when your life stops is awe inspiring.

To say I recommend this title is an understatement. Sometimes we find ourselves at a loss on what to say when someone we love is going through something like this, I wish I had this book sooner. For young people going through it, here are your own thoughts, fears, ups and downs right there to help you through it. For any parent of a young person battling Cancer, this gives you the strength to know that you are not alone. That there are other parents like you out there having to dig deep inside and help your child fight the fight of their life. This book shows you that it can be done. It can be done with dignity, laughter, grace, and inspiration.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn’s Bio:

Carolyn Rubenstein has spent most of her life working with children with cancer, in one form or another. She first met “kids with cancer” when she was six years old, and visited Camp Sunshine in Maine. Even at that young age, meeting these children affected her deeply—they were her peers, but considered “different”. But really, Carolyn realized, they weren’t different at all. She made dear friends at that camp, and it started her on a path.

That path has taken many turns. At 14, although still just a kid herself, Carolyn started “Carolyn’s Compassionate Children” (CCC) a non-profit organization that began as a pen-pal program for kids with cancer. As the years passed, Carolyn “grew up” with many of her friends with cancer, and saw the financial difficulties they were facing when it came to paying for college. Often, these young people had so much medical debt that paying for school seemed out of the question. To address this need, CCC changed focus from just a pen-pal organization to one that provides scholarships and support to childhood cancer survivors. In addition to providing its own scholarships, today CCC features on its website the “CCCpedia,” a database accessing information about more than 3,000 college scholarships for young adult cancer survivors.

A native of Boca Raton, Florida, in 2007 Carolyn graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Duke University with a BA in psychology. She began her PhD program in clinical psychology at Harvard University in the fall of 2008. Now age 24, in her free time she practices yoga, writes letters, and spends as much time as she can with her family, her friends, and her dog Lila Rose.

Carolyn is a Featured Blogger on the Huffington Post and also blogs on Psychology Today.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

WIN IT! - 1 reader will receive an AUTOGRAPHED COPY of the book.

How to Win: You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. In addition, please share a time in your life when perseverance pulled you through! Comments that don't follow these instructions, or just say enter me will NOT be entered into the giveaway!

Please 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 blogger profile has your email you can just indicate this in your entry.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, so no worries if your comment doesn't appear on the site right away. This giveaway is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, but you must follow this blog for your entry to count. You have from now until Monday, August 24, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.

Winner will be announced shortly after Thursday, August 27th! Giveaway open to USA only, 18+.

EXTRA CREDIT:

• Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment


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


• Follow the author, Carolyn Rubenstein on twitter: http://twitter.com/clrsimple2


• Become a Fan of the author on Facebook: http://facebook.com/clrsimple2


• Become a Fan of Ascending Butterfly on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ascending-Butterfly/55906234945


• Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment.


• Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment


• Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment


• Subscribe to this blog (see box on upper right)


• DAILY EXTRA CREDIT FOR VOTING DAILY: Fuel my Blog - http://www.fuelmyblog.com/index.jsp?c=/pages/vote.jsp?vt=fuel&id=26956
  

1 entry for each extra credit item you do, list each entry separately!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday, August 3, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Press on the graphic above to be directed to our NEW BOOK CLUB!

Today we are launching our newest feature to Ascending Butterfly, Our Book Club! Each month we will feature a book in the spotlight and open up the book club thread to comments on the book. In honor of our first book club title, today's meditation will be on Perseverance.

I will say this book puts true perseverance in a new light. It made me reflect on the times in my life where I had to show perseverance to get through tough times and challenges. We all have our perseverance tested, sometimes on a daily basis even, but it's how you handle the tough times that count. Perseverance is your true grit and it has nothing to do with obstinancy, in fact this quote describes it perfectly:

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Reflect on the times when you've shown true perseverance in overcoming an obstacle. How did it make you feel? Powerful? Confident? Able to take on the world?

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will always persevere.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And a Giveaway!

Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

NOTE: Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, August 02, 2009 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' AND a giveaway!

Living in Gratitude

On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a 'full week' of Inspirational messages and breathing meditations. 'Today's Butterfly' will remain a daily and will post with the Today's Inspiration Monday through Saturday, and will post with the Weekly Gratitude on Sunday.

This week, I am grateful for:

1) July offered the rare opportunity of running into both in person and on-line a lot of people from my past. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have re-lived a lot of different moments, with a lot of people I thought I'd honestly never connect with again. So this week I'm grateful for friends both old and new.

2) A lot of time spent burning the midnight oil has Ascending Butterfly running on schedule to launch a new feature tomorrow. I'm grateful for our first book club sponsor!

3) I'm also grateful for another rare opportunity that opened up in July for me to learn Italian, more on this to follow. But this too is another thing I didn't really expect to be doing but am grateful for the opportunity to do so. So to my Italian friends 'come siete?' (or as Wendy Williams and 'Joey Tribiani' would say 'How YOU doin'? :)

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live it, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and a Giveaway! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

NOTE: We have a new feature launching Monday! Come back to find out more! This feature definitely comes with something in it for YOU!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Sites of the Day

Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Saturday, August 1, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and a giveaway!

HAPPY AUGUST!

I'm spending the weekend doing some serious homework getting Ascending Butterfly ready to launch it's newest regular feature on Monday. In addition I am testing products that will be reviewed here soon. (And you know that means something amazing for YOU too!) So the work week hasn't altogether ended for me yet! There is some exciting stuff coming this week!

I have a ton of catching up to do, so today we will continue upon yesterday's words of inspiration. Make room in your life for surprises this weekend.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I live in wonder and enjoy surprises.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

NOTE: We have a new feature launching Monday! Come back to find out more! This feature definitely comes with something in it for YOU!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And a Giveaway!


Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~