Sunday, September 18, 2011

Weekly Moment of Gratitdue + Winners + Giveaways!




This week, I am grateful for
:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  While I haven't had tons of time to enter too many sweeps, I've had a few really awesome wins this month, a dress from @DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) from Fashion Night Out see more and take the reader poll HERE, and a $100 JC Penney Gift Certificate from a win from @imnotobsessed. Fun wins I'm truly grateful for!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Taking some time to completely disconnect this weekend! Cook my favorite meal and have some great wine, music, dancing and laughs.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Caught up with some movies I've missed and I'm watching the Emmy's!

Hope all my butterflies are having an amazing weekend!

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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, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. 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 on Twitter here (@Tracy_Iglesias) Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Great giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Active Giveaway

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Kate Spade NY for Lenox Vase with 1800flowers Bouquet of your choice Giveaway! Ends 09/29 - ARV $175


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Giveaway Winners:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zippity Doo's Giveaway winner - 'Jammie'

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Timi & Leslie Hannah Handbag Giveaway in choice of color (August's Featured Handbag of the Month Giveaway) winner - 'Tee'

Gratitude Journal Reco:
For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it:
















Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Ascending Butterfly lists winner's site usernames for privacy.

Friday, September 16, 2011

dENiZEN by Levi's Jeans - Why you should RUN not walk and pick up a pair!


Even at my 'fighting weight' I'm naturally curvy.  I actually love my curves, but they have always made shopping for a denim a problem. I have a small waist in proportion to my hips, which means that most jeans have that annoying gap at the waist, or sit too snugly at the hips. I can try on literally hundreds of pairs in a store dressing room and leave empty handed. (Shopping for Jeans and Swimsuits tend to be the bain of most womens existence, can I get an Amen Ladies?)

My preference is for a medium weight, and while I like a bootcut, that is sometimes the only 'detail' you find in 'curvy' denim.

While I'm well past my jeans with holes trend days, I'm not exactly at that Mom Jeans stage either. I'd like some trend detailing!

I'm 26 pounds down and counting this year, and when Levi's contacted me to try out a pair of their dENiZEN jeans I was a bit nervous as I've NEVER had a one shot try on and walk out the store experience with jeans. I was even more nervous when they arrived and I saw 'misses' on the label, every jean I've owned in the past 10 years have all had the big 'W' on them!

I tried them on and much to my surprise fell in LOVE with them. I had a small and easy to remedy 'pero' (spanish for 'but'). They were actually a bit long for me even in the regular, so I had them hemmed. When I took them to the tailor, they all fell in love with the jeans at the shop and asked me tons of questions about them because they weren't yet available in my neighborhood's retail district at the time.

I'm super happy to report that dENiZEN by Levi's are readily available at your local Target store, available for men, women, and children and I urge you to RUN not walk and pick up a pair. They are truly the most well cut pair of Jeans I've owned in a long time, NO gap for me at the waist, fit like a glove (NO, not tight), and have a well done boot cut (not all curvy denim has to flare out like 70's bell bottoms!).

@2011 dENiZEN by Levi's Model Photo


Reasons to Love:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Totally Shaping at Waist (No Gap)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boot Cut (slimming, but not overdone)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tummy slimming panel (friends and family will ask, did you lose weight?)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - High stretch fabric (these move with you, not against you!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Light Sand Blasting Detail
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Great Price Point

I have denim in my closet in a variety of price points, but these quickly became my favorite, and they are definitely my 'go-to' pair. Here is a pic of me wearing them (below) totally casual with sneakers on a day of running errands, but they look equally great with a crisp white blouse, cute boots and throw on a great necklace/acessories to dress them up more.

@2011 Ascending Butterfly rocking the dENiZEN by Levi's Jeans


You can purchase these at Target (see your local ad to check price points at your nearest store as they may differ), and you can connect to all things dENiZEN on Facebook too!


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FTC Disclosure Info: This is NOT a sponsored Post. No monetary compensation has been received. I did receive a pair of dENiZEN Jeans from Levi's for editorial consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

{CLOSED} Kate Spade NY for Lenox Vase with 1800flowers Bouquet of your choice Giveaway! Ends 09/29

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsors Lenox and 1800flowers.com! We look forward to working with you again! The winner has been notified and upon confirmation, follower name will be posted both here and on our homepage. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!
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Ascending Butterfly's 'Don't Let Go of Summer Sweepstakes', hosted by:








Is it just me or are we moving into Fall super fast? Kids are back in school (a few weeks away from first report cards), we are days away from Rosh Hashanah, fast approaching Halloween, and Thanksgiving will be right around the corner!

When I think of September, I think of Indian Summer and trying to hold on to the sunshine for as long as possible. One of my favorite ways to keep the summer in my heart and in my home is via flowers. They always lift my spirits, and I like to have live bouquets in my home and the office weekly. I take time to arrange each flower and really get the right balance and symmetry. What ultimately sets off your arrangement is the Vase. You can't put the perfect arrangement in just any Vase! (Well sometimes you have no choice in the office, but you usually do at home).

My grandmother and mom have beautiful Crystal Vases, which I always admired. As for me, I had a collection of Vases that came with the bouquets. An odd assortment of sizes and shapes, but mostly smaller, which meant when I bring home or receive a large bouquet I'd have to split them between multiple small vases. I'm not going to complain, because that gave me the ability to put flowers in almost every room, but sometimes you really want the bouquet you've received to remain intact. Especially if it's a hostess gift. Flowers are my favorite hostess gift, both to give and receive. I know many of you will be attending and hosting special family dinners this season.


Kate Spade NY for Lenox

kate spade Pleasant Hill Bouquet Vase


I'm sure most of you are familiar with Lenox. Their dinnerware and housewares are on most bridal registries. What you may not know is that they have many designers who design specialty collections for them, including Marchesa for Lenox, Disney, Dansk, Donna Karan, and Kate Spade NY for Lenox.

Kate Spade NY for Lenox is an amazing collection of dinnerware, serving pieces, flatware, glassware, Barware, gifts and Home Decor.


I received the Kate Spade NY for Lenox Pleasant Hill Bouquet Vase, this Vase is available in 2 heights, a taller version and the one I received with a 'rounder' profile. I love the rounder profile and absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the butterflies!

About the Vase:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Crafted of glass
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Height: 6"
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The wide mouth of this vase is designed to accommodate a full bouquet.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Etched butterflies encircle the vase for a look that's chic with a touch of whimsy.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Made by Lenox
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Under license by kate spade new york, which has reviewed this product for quality and authenticity
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $75.00

1800Flowers




What's a beautiful Vase without flowers right? I thought it would be perfect if our friends at 1800flowers.com joined in on the fun and added some flowers to fill up the new Vase! I was trying to get artistic, but I forgot to take a picture of them both side by side, I received a florist choice bouquet that reflected my personal favorites, and extras thrown in by the designer. I received TWO huge over-flowing bouquets! And ended up using 2 vases in 2 different rooms by the time I was done arranging!


My 'Florist Choice' Bouquet:






Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pink and Red Roses
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Assortment of Stargazer Lilies
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - salal tips
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - alstroemeria
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - limonium




The Photo Above is my own Vase with the second bouquet, the candles, and candleholders are my own, and I used the Raffia that the bouquets came wrapped with for added decoration.

My Take:

The Vase and flowers are beautiful, the scent filled my home for literally two weeks (using the powder preservative packets that come with the bouquets and changing the water every few days.) Flowers just always make me smile, and having the flowers welcome me home every day and waking up to that scent every morning automatically lifted my spirits. The Vase is elegant and beautiful, and the butterflies are very meaningful for me, butterflies have always represented those I love who have passed away saying hello, and symbols of change and luck for me personally, so this Vase carries all those meanings with it for me and I hope to never put it back in its box, I hope to have it out every day!

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Kate Spade NY for Lenox and 1800flowers.com have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will win a Kate Spade NY for Lenox Pleasant Hill Bouquet Vase + a $100 savings pass from 1800flowers.com!!! (Total ARV of the prize is $175) (By the way, the $100 savings pass can be used not only at 1800flowers.com but also at their sister brands: 1800baskets.com (who we LOVE at Ascending Butterfly), Cheryls Cookies, The Popcorn Factory, and Fannie May Fine Chocolate, so if you are allergic to flowers, you can still enjoy this prize.)

Don't you just ♥ Kate Spade NY, Lenox and 1800flowers.com? 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: LINK US TO THE BOUQUET YOU'D FILL YOUR VASE YOUR VASE WITH IF YOU WIN FROM 1800FLOWERS.COM AND LINK US TO ANOTHER KATE SPADE NY FOR LENOX ITEM YOU LIKE  (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. 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 Thursday, September 15, 2011 until Thursday, September 29, 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 - 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 @katespadeny on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Lenox_Corp on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @1800flowers on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter (this is Ascending Butterfly's new account, we will soon be hosting twitter parties which necessitates having a second account so you can make updates throughout the entire party!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @katespadeny  for @Lenox_Corp  Butterfly Vase + $100 worth @1800flowers #Giveaway! Ends 9/29! http://tinyurl.com/3qyfd7q

(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 - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Kate Spade NY on Facebook, Lenox on Facebook and 1800flowers on Facebook and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You or tell them which product you picked for your entry! (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets! If you don't post the link where you wrote on their wall I can't give you extra credit for it.) - Leave three separate comments so you can receive 3 extra credits for following each brand!

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

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 paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products and the sponsors are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion Show!


@2011 Tracy Iglesias, www.ascendingbutterfly.com

This picture was taken during Fashion Week at the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion Show. I'm particularly pleased with this shot because I was sitting way up in the boonies at a very bad angle, while me and this camera are still getting to know each other, I'd say it's a pretty decent motion shot! Looks like deep corals are coming back again Spring 2012!

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FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the show are my own!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

{Before} Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips - Fashion Week NYC!

My friends at the One2One Network and at Crest 3D White asked me “What life event would you whiten for in just two hours with Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips?”



For me, that was an easy answer, New York Fashion Week! New York Fashion Week is one event after another back to back and tons of photo opps! With many of these events not only do you have to consider the pictures you pose for, there are also the ones taken of you that you don't even know about! Both pictures and video are shot of the attendees, not just the models on the runway!

I'm still not used to being in front of the camera, which I know sounds weird for a blogger. But my blog started solely with inspirational and empowerment posts, I never really expected to share very much about myself. Along the years I've become a bit more comfortable with sharing the face behind the brand, and Fashion Week for me this year has been way busier than last year, while I don't aspire to walk the runway, I definitely want to have the whitest, prettiest smile possible!

I'm off to try out the Whitestrips, and I'll share my after photo with you (and you know I'm always looking out for my butterflies, so stay tuned for your own chance to share what life event you would whiten for and win a box for yourself!)

By the way,  I have also had a chance to try out the Crest 3D White ToothPaste and I really love it!

In the meantime you can:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nab Crest 3D Whitestrips Coupons

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Connect with Crest Whitestrips on Facebook


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FTC Disclosure: I was given this product for free to review as part of the Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2One Network. My participation in this campaign makes me eligible for additional incentives. I am a blog with integrity blogger and all opinions regarding the sponsor and product are my own.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Today's Words of Inspiration - I am here. Now.

words and photo @Sierra Goodman, Shared from divinedolphin.com

Today's Quote:

I no longer hide from my light.
I no longer argue for my limitations.
I fully accept, honor and carry out my Divine Plan
and Service to humanity without resistance
(except for when it comes up and then I shall
joyfully do the work to name it, claim it and release it).
I easily and gracefully step into my agreed upon
Divine Role and I fully embrace Who I Really Am.
I shine my light with pure love and compassion.
I am here. Now.


I saw this on Divine Dolphin's Facebook Page and I just had to reach out to the author to share it here, this is the most beautiful reminder of the importance of remaining in the now and claiming energies that serve a higher purpose in our lives and releasing energies that don't. If you are not already following Divine Dolphin on Facebook you should consider doing so!

And before I get accused of Fashion Week madness, I thought we should start out the week on an inspirational post! =)

Today's Challenge: Remain in the now. Sometimes trying to have it all means you are making lists in your head instead of enjoying lunch or dinner, scrolling through your to do list mentally during your commute home. Be in the NOW today. Just for today try being in the moment.

Today's Breathing Affirmation: Close your eyes, take a deep, slow breath in through your nose, and affirm "I Am Here. Now."

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Active Giveaway:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Step into Fall With Earthies Talera Shoes - Review and Giveaway! Ends 09/18 - Win a pair of Talera Shoes in your choice of color!

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Remember that attitude determines altitude, go out there and make this your best day ever, bless and be blessed!

Have A Wonderful Day Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated to share Divine Dolphin's Facebook Page, I consider them a great source of inspiration, this is a NON compensated post!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Weekly Moment of Gratitude + 9/11 Peace Intention Experiment and MORE!




This week, I am grateful for
:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - As some of you might remember, I had been offered a job in the Towers that year, but didn't accept it. It was a great job, great benefits and a great team, but somehow I immediately turned it down. I can only assume it was God's protection. On 09/11 I was working in a Hospital that wasn't that close to Ground Zero, yet we received casualties. The phone lines were shut down and we couldn't reach out to our families, nor them to us, and body bag after body bag kept arriving. It was literally like living in a movie, or a nightmare, it was surreal. The transit system shut down and I was lucky enough to be in one of the last cars allowed on the highway that day. We were a full house in the car and it broke my heart to pass so many people trying get home on foot. Most people were walking from pure instinct, their faces and eyes were just glazed with shock and a sadness so profound it was heart breaking. It seems surreal that it's actually 10 years later because I can remember it like it was yesterday. I'm grateful for many things on this day: not taking that job, making it home that day, and watching heros first hand, EMT's, Fire Fighters, NYPD, the Doctors and Nurses at the hospital where I worked, and just being here to tell the tale.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - This week my emails were filled with all kinds of pitches and stories, but only one really stood out, The 9/11 Peace Intention Experiment

About The Experiment:

Tens of thousands of Arabs and Americans are joining together for the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack on New York’s Twin Towers for a remarkable experiment: to discover whether their collective intention can bring greater peace to an area of conflict.

The 9/11 Peace Intention Experiment will take place in a 20-minute period every day for eight days. As such it will replicate McTaggart’s 2008 Peace Intention Experiment, carried out on Sri Lanka, which showed a 74 per cent reduction of violence after the experiment and a demonstrable effect when studied through statistical time analysis.

This blog is all about the power of intention, if we all focus our intention on Peace, just imagine how powerful that could be!

The experiment fills me with gratitude that the human spirit is so resilient, determined and strong, and that despite the pain there are still people out there trying to bring hope to a hopeless act.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Another email I received this week regarding 09/11 that stood out was from our dear friends at The Sak.

Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 by helping The Sak Give Back!   

100% of the proceeds from the Betty Sue Collection benefits The Brooke Jackman Foundation, which honors Brooke's memory, a fallen hero of 9/11.  Shop the Betty Sue collection at http://www.thesak.com/handbags_betty_sue/pl/c/587.html.

To learn more visit www.brookejackmanfoundation.org

I love that Ascending Butterfly gets the opportunity to work with brands that give back. Put your buying power to work and support corporations with a conscience wherever possible.

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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, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. 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 on Twitter here (@Tracy_Iglesias) Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Great giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Active Giveaway

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Step into Fall With Earthies Talera Shoes - Review and Giveaway! Ends 09/18 - Win the Talera Shoe in your choice of color (based on in stock availability!)


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For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it:
















Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. I was not compensated to post about The 9/11 Peace Intention Experiment nor the sale with The Sak, I thought they were both important causes to share!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Diane Von Furstenberg Fashion Night Out Win + Reader Poll

Not that I quote Charlie Sheen often, but last night I had a Fashion Night Out WINNING moment, I won a DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) Wrap Dress playing along with @DVF on Twitter! Me and Twitter have a very special relationship anyway, this just solidified it!

So for those asking where the official #TwitterPartyDJ is? She is enjoying Fashion Night Out as a party attendee, not a DJ! And boy did it pay off!

Reader Poll: Which is your favorite DVF Wrap Dress? (check out the pictures and comment below with the name)

Linda Dress in Glaze Red

Julian Wrap dress in Black
Genevieve Dress in Teal


Ah, Decisions, Sweet Decisions! Hope you are enjoying Fashion Week as much as I am this year Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. I won a DVF Wrap Dress during Fashion Night Out in a twitter contest I am under no obligation to post. But with designs, this classic and beautiful I couldn't help but share! ;)

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Lucky Magazine and Lord & Taylor's Shop. Eat. Blog. Blogger Breakfast

@loribergamotto  (Left) & Suze Yalof Schwartz (Right) Kicking off Blogger Breakfast at Lord & Taylor New York City


My schedule hadn't permitted me to attend any events hosted by Lucky Magazine until today, and what an event to make my first! I was invited to a very unique' Fashion Morning In' hosted by Lucky Magazine and Lord & Taylor this morning. The 'Shop.Eat.Blog' Breakfast Blogger Event was a heavenly way to start the insanity that has been Fashion Night Out. (Don't get me wrong it's Good Insanity, but being this over-booked in a walking commuter city in inclement weather can be a challenge!)

You can sometimes feel very much lost in the shuffle no matter how 'intimate' an event claims to be, but this morning I didn't feel that way at all, the team at Lucky Magazine and Lord & Taylor truly went out of their way to make us feel like we were just hanging out with friends. (You know if you and your friends get to shop privately at your own equivalent of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.)

After breakfast, the bloggers in attendance were gifted with a shopping spree at Lord & Taylor before the store opened to the public.  (Insert Choir of Angels sound here). Being able to shop before the store even opened gave us the opportunity to really see styles we might have missed in the crowds, and I got the chance to interact with some amazing folks including the visual merchandiser for Guess who happened to be stocking when I walked over to the Guess Section! I probably spent WAY too much time checking out shoes and handbags which will always be my weakness!

As many of you already know I have dropped 26 pounds this year so far, and was pleasantly surprised to find that many of the stuff in the womens section was actually too big! YAY! I was super stoked to experience the REVERSE problem, usually stuff is too small, but today a ton of way 'too bigs' had me leaving the store floating on a confidence high.

I met some wonderful bloggers I didn't know whose blogs I am off to follow, and discovered a scent that an employee was wearing that I fell in LOVE with! (More to come on that scent later!)

And of course as with everywhere I go, there was a butterfly sighting, I spotted quite a lovely butterfly necklace with a swarovski crystal that did catch my eye.

I can't think of a better way to have started Fashion Night Out! I certainly hope Lord & Taylor was on your agenda!

And now, tell me all about your Fashion Night Out experiences. Where did you go? Which shows did YOU see?

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FTC Disclosure Info: A Gift Card to shop at Lord & Taylor was provided to bloggers in attendance, however, no monetary compensation has been received and I was no under no obligation to post and all experiences and opinions regarding the blogger breakfast are my own.

Odilon Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Presentation!

Last night I attended the Spring/Summer Fashion Presentation for Odilon and thought I'd share some pictures with you. What stands out most is that this is truly wearable straight from the runway, and I don't often say that. I may like what I see at some shows, but that doesn't always mean it's wearable, it's usually 'interpretable' more than wearable, so when I attend a show where I really find the fashion wearable it stands out for me. Last year it was EMU Australia's show that stood out in my mind, and this year Odilon's wearable fashions for Spring/Summer 2012 are becoming a real standout for me as well. (Yes, I'll admit the week is still young and there are about a million more events to go!)

Designer, Stacey Clark, put together a great show, and as I'm fondly called 'The Official' #TwitterPartyDJ on Twitter, I have to tell you the DJ really rocked it! You can keep up with all things Odilon on Twitter @odilonbysc


Totally digging the white jacket above!


This is perfect resort wear and I can see me taking this set along with me to the Caribbean!


A shot of the all the white outfits and the designer!
(Sorry about photogs head on the lower left!)


Navy and White are my fave color combos for summer, Love that set on the right, yet more summer/resortwear for me! :)


Not sure if my camera did this shot justice, the green on this dress is a bit more vibrant than this photo would indicate!


OK, you know I HAD to snap a shot of the DJ, he ROCKED!


Here's a shot of all the models, I have a penchant for catching models smiling in my coverage, don't you love it?


Designer Stacey Clark (center) and her lovely creations!

 
I enjoyed getting a sneak peak of Odilon's S/S 2012 line, and hope you now feel like you were there!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No monetary compensation has been received, nor swag, I was under no obligation to write about the show, however because disclosure is very important, please note refreshments were provided! :)