Weekly Moment of Gratitude - The twitter party for a good cause, goodies in the mail and Social Butterfly about town edition!

What I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - YOU! -  I wanted to thank you all again for your votes on my @TheBigReboot Contest Entry, for those of you who voted, tweeted and took the time to comment on my entry I greatly appreciate your help! Votes are still open until 11:59 pm if you haven't already voted PRESS HERE! (A one click daily vote, so if you voted once, you can vote again as long it wasn't today that you voted!)

Left: Janelle Hall, Chairman of the Board of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Center: Giuliana Rancic, Celebrity and Breast Cancer Survivor.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Twitter Party for a GREAT Cause! - I was honored to be asked to participate in a very special way in the #GIVEHope campaign, I was live tweeting from a special bloggers roundtable and meet and greet with Giuliana Rancic, bloggers got to ask her questions as well as participate in the #GIVEHope Twitter party live with @GiulianaRancic <- This busy mom does her own tweets by the way, I will post a full recap of the day with my pictures soon! It is so important for women to be able to discuss the importance of Breast Self Exams! (The photo above was taken with my iPod while I was live tweeting, so it might be a bit grainy, I will post the shots taken with my camera when I post the full recap).

Animal Print Cosmetic Case stuffed with Beauty Products from Target and Latina Magazine

Animal Print Cosmetic Case stuffed with Beauty Products from Target and Latina Magazine 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cool Stuff in the Mail! -  I got this cute cosmetic case with beauty products inside in the mail, just for being a Latina Subscriber from Latina Magazine and Target, sweet!

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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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 Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Giveaways!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hoa Le was the winner of our recent Britax Car Accessories Prize Pack Giveaway! New giveaways soon, including the return of our 'Featured Handbag in the Spotlight'.

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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. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html - Please note this is not a compensated post!

Ascending Butterfly or Social Butterfly?

I have been super busy this week and still have more to go through the weekend! At this rate I might have to change my name from Ascending Butterfly to Social Butterfly instead!

I will be checking out the Hotel Transylvania movie screening tomorrow! What's on your Agenda this weekend?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored Post!

Winner! Twitter Party, Prizes & More!

It's all in the Thursday Bag! First up: Winner Announcement:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to our Winner Hoa Le who won a Britax Accessories Prize Pack for the car that includes:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 1 BRITAX Vehicle Seat Protector (MSRP $29.99)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 1 BRITAX Back Seat Mirror (MSRP $19.99)

Once I get Hoa's information, the prize will be shipped directly by our wonderful sponsor @SafeConBritax

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TWITTER PARTY INFORMATION FOR TODAY!!

Special Guest Celeb Tweeter: @GiulianaRancic

Did you know that one in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime? Fortunately, there is hope! When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Early detection saves lives.

We’re teaming up with P&G GIVE Hope to fuel a breast cancer early detection movement among women everywhere, kicked off by the “Do It For the Girls! Day of Action” on Thursday, September 20 with breast cancer survivor and TV personality, Giuliana Rancic. Join us for an afternoon Twitter Party at 3 p.m. We’ll be spreading the word about this important call to action – and more importantly – rallying women to take action. All while giving away some fabulous prizes, including a $200 gift card to the spa of your choice!

RSVP to be eligible for the door prize by commenting on this post with your Twitter handle (Ex. @SheSpeaksUp)!

I'm joining a very special twitter party and I hope you will too!, Here are the deets:

Party Details:

When: Thursday, 9/20 at 3pm ET
Where: Twitter - follow hashtag #GIVEHope
Custom Tweet Grid: http://bit.ly/S0sxO0
RSVP: http://bit.ly/ghope
Brands: @PGmyGIVE
Special Guest: @GiulianaRancic
Panelists: @Zipporahs, @LisaSamples, @StacieInAtlanta, @haveuheard1, @MommyBlogExpert, @goodenufmother, @MamaMaryShow

Prizes:

We're giving out over $750 in prizes! You could win our grand prize - a $200 gift card to the spa of your choice!

Don't forget to RSVP for these amazing prizes, and great conversation with Special Guest Star Giuliana Rancic, who is a Breast Cancer Survivor and New mom!

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The Fashion Forward Conference in New York City

I attended a Fashion Conference in New York City yesterday (which is why my Wordless Wednesday was a little late yesterday, it was fantastic, and I was live tweeting from the event, so you can check out my tweets by reading my twitter stream @Tracy_Iglesias

Once I'm more caught up, I have multiple events back to back to back through Sunday, I will get my recap photos posted!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post. This post is NOT sponsored. All opinions are 100% my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Harrahs Casino in New Orleans!

Isn't this is a great shot of the Harrahs sign? I'm pretty please with myself on this shot, this is NOT a PR shot, it's mine!

During my trip to the Niche Mommy Blogging Conference in New Orleans, I got to sneak in some time to visit the Harrahs Casino in New Orleans which is within walking distance of The Roosevelt Hotel, (the conference was held at this hotel and this is where I stayed, amazing hotel with so much within walking distance!) here are some pictures:

Harrahs NOLA,  New Orleans Casino - I took this shot while on my way to the Insectarium!

Harrahs NOLA,  New Orleans Casino at night!

Harrahs NOLA,  New Orleans Casino (Left: Ascending Butterfly!)

Harrahs NOLA,  New Orleans Casino, (Left: Ascending Butterfly!)

Get Social With It:

I got to visit the Casino with a great blogger pal Maria from http://bloggingbabiesandthebayou.com we visited during the evening and then I got a day shot of the exterior the day we went to the Insectarium, but the cool part is that we Tweeted the Casino to tell them we had a great time, and they tweeted us right back! Don't you love when brands use their Social Media to truly 'engage'? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet with @harrahsnola on twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' them on Facebook too (and of course don't forget to tell them you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I have NOT been compensated to share my experiences at The Harrah's New Orleans Casino. Please Gamble Responsibly! ;-)

When New York City Serves up Tornados, Why not make it a MIST instead? An @EnjoyArborMist that is!

Today it has been literally raining cats and dogs. To say it's 'heavy rain' is certainly an understatement. So what do you when the 'City that Never Sleeps' serves up Tornado weather and you'd rather be sitting on a sunny, sandy beach?

Unfurl my Yoga Mat, pretend it's a beach towel and serve up some Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails! The perfect cure for the 'rainy day blues'!

Arbor Mist Frozen Cocktails Nestled Comfortably in my Freezer!

I got my package a bit late, (way after BlogHer), which moved straight to the Niche Mommy Blogging Conference (Thanks to my wonderful conference sponsors @SafeConBritax) and then BAM! it was suddenly Fashion Week and this review was LONG overdue. But I always say there are no small coincidences, and this grey, gloomy day outside, turned into something so much better because I chose to try these today!

Arbor Mist Frozen Cocktails Nestled Comfortably in my Freezer!

About Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails

Learn more by watching the video below, just press play!

Freeze.Squeeze.Enjoy! Introducing the fastest way to enjoy frozen wine cocktails! Arbor Mist's ready-to-drink, portable pouches combine your favorite wine and fruit flavors in a refreshing frozen cocktail. No mixing, blending or cleanup.

After giving them ample time to freeze it was time to take them out of the freezer!

Time to add glasses to the mix!

What I Tried:

White Pear Pinot Grigio - In true 'tasting' fashion I started with a white so I could end my tasting with a red! This one has natural pear flavor with hints of apple and citrus. The two tasters (me being one of them, both gave this one a thumbs up!)

Here are some pics of the White Pear Pinot Grigio in action:

One package gave us enough for two glasses, pretty cool!

We let some of it 'melt' a bit before taking our first sip!

Strawberry White Zinfandel - The bursting flavor of fresh picked strawberries integrates so well with the White Zinfandel, this was both of our favorite of the three by far. For me it was so reminiscent of a frozen strawberry daiquiri, instead of using rum, using Wine, and not just any wine, but Arbor Mist's White Zinfandel to be exact! This one was delicious!

Here are some pictures of the Strawberry White Zinfandel in Action:

Arbor Mist's Frozen Wine White Zinfandel Strawberry Cocktail pre pour!

Arbor Mist's Frozen Wine White Zinfandel Strawberry Cocktails, Ready to Taste!

Major Thumbs Up All Around for the Strawberry White Zinfandel Arbor Mist Frozen Cocktail!

And last, but certainly not least was the Blackberry Merlot - This one hits you with the aroma of ripe blackberries and fresh guava which is a great new twist to the Arbor Wine Merlot. We moved from the Whites to the Red and greatly enjoyed this one as well. All three flavors got a thumbs up with the Strawberry White Zinfandel a definite first place, and this one and the White Pear Pinot Grigio equally tied at second place.

Here are some Pics of the Blackberry Merlot:

Blackberry Merlot Frozen Wine Cocktail by Arbor Mist, just out the freezer!

Blackberry Merlot Frozen Wine Cocktail by Arbor Mist, a little time out the freezer and after massaging the pack and giving it a good squeeze, we are ready to go!

Blackberry Merlot Frozen Wine Cocktail by Arbor Mist, doesn't this just say 'taste me'?

My Take:

These are a definite re-buy for us, with the Strawberry White Zinfandel standing out as the favorite! I highly recommend these for frozen drink lovers as well as Wine lovers. And don't be afraid to think outside the box with these, they are NOT just summer drinks. I'd pair the White Pear Pinot Grigio with my favorite scallops wrapped in bacon with spicy dipping sauces. The spice of the sauce and the nutty flavor of the scallop pair so well with the smooth crispness of the frozen White Pear Pinot Grigio, and I'd do any of my favorite Thai food with the Strawberry White Zinfandel Frozen Cocktail. I love that these are freeze, squeeze and serve they are totally easy peasy, no mixing, no mess and more time to spend with my guests!

If anyone tries out the newest flavor before I do, the Moscato Mango Strawberry, please come back here and post about it, I plan to try that one out next!

The Arbor Mists Frozen Wine Cocktails turned my frown upside down, literally! Take a look:

Frozen Cocktail Happy Face!

Get Social With It:

If you are 21+, tweet with Arbor Mist on Twitter @EnjoyArborMist
You can also give them a 'Like' on Facebook too!

Did you take some time to 'savor the moment' today?

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FTC Disclosure: Samples were provided for editorial consideration by SheSpeaks on behalf of Arbor Mist, however all opinions are 100% my own. Please enjoy your Frozen Wine Cocktails Responsibly. Do NOT drink and drive!

NBA Baller Beats - Preview Event Recap, Pictures, Video and Game Review!

Majesco Entertainment's NBA Baller Beats is now out and I finally get to share my recap from the preview event that was hosted by two-time NBA Champ Kenny Smith and WNBA All-Star Essence Carson!

NBA Baller Beats Video Game for the Xbox360 Kinect in Retail Packaging

About NBA Baller Beats:

The first ever full-body motion-based NBA video game that lets players use a real ball to gain real skills. Players of all skill levels – from rookie to pro – will dribble to the beat of popular and chart-topping music tracks, across various genres including hip-hop, rock, and old school favorites from artists like Kanye West, Common, Queen, Skrillex, Wiz Khalifa, Rise Against, Santigold, and many more. NBA Baller Beats will come packaged with an official Spalding® NBA game ball replica and will make its debut exclusively on Kinect™ for Xbox 360® on September 11, 2012.

NBA Baller Beats challenges players to time their dribble to the beat of each song and perform a variety of skill moves displayed on-screen to score points, earn achievements and unlock assets and additional gameplay. Players are challenged to perfect 20 different baller moves and increase their stamina in single player mode, break it down and practice different skills in Move School mode or show-off in multiplayer mode and go head-to-head against up to 8 players. To maximize their performance, gamers can visit the extensive in-game tutorial where two-time NBA champion and Emmy Award-winning TNT NBA analyst Kenny Smith dishes tips for success.

Check out Video from the Preview Event:

I also had the opportunity to do a one on one interview with Essence Carlson, but because we weren't miked up you can't hear the video so I'm not including it here. I will try to re-shoot with her as soon as her schedule permits.

Here are some cool pictures from the preview event:

As I entered the venue - The Reebok Sports Club NYC

Majesco CEO Jesse Sutton

Majesco CEO Jesse Sutton

Two-time NBA champ Kenny Smith

Two-time NBA champ Kenny Smith

Two-time NBA champ Kenny Smith

Two-time NBA champ Kenny Smith

Two-time NBA champ Kenny Smith

Two-time NBA champ Kenny Smith

Very Left: Curtis Smith , 2nd: Kenny Smith, 3rd: Jesse Sutton, 4th: Teenage Phenom Jashaun Agosto, Very Right and 5th in lineup: WNBA player Essence Carson.

Left: WNBA player Essence Carson, Right: Ascending Butterfly

My Take:

I love music and I love the challenge of trying to dribble in time to the beat which is not as easy as the pros shown in the demo make it look. The game is fun, fast-paced and helps you improve your skills, and hand-eye coordination. I would definitely recommend you add this game to your holiday shopping list, it's the perfect gift for that Basketball AND Music lover in your life!

A few tips: Look at the screen instead of the ball. Stay low and bend at the Knees as it will help improve your game and your score, it also helps you work up a sweat, this game is NOT as simple as it looks!

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FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of the NBA Baller Beats Game for review purposes and editorial consideration, this is NOT a compensated post and all opinions are 100% my own. I was under no obligation to post a preview event recap.

I've Joined The Big Reboot and YOU can too! Just by voting, you can win a Tosiba Portege Ultrabook!

My medical scare this year has been making me crave change, not just any change however, something focused, impactful and meaningful. With career being first and foremost on my mind. I've been providing Life Coaching for about 10 years now, it started as purely Career Coaching as an off-shoot of my work when I worked for a high volume staffing agency. And has transformed to Life Coaching throughout the years. When people read my blog business card which does not even mention my Life Coaching, they immediately associate the name to a Life Coach.

I'd like to integrate my offline and online worlds and I feel The Big Reboot will help me do it, I am hoping this Technology Makeover will help make both my worlds a bit more efficient, which would make me a much better coach!

So if you want to vote for my entry and learn more about how you can enter too, please click HERE! <- Did I forget to mention that just by voting, you get an entry to win a super hot Toshiba Portege Ultrabook. (But I'm sure you would have voted for me without the extra incentive, right?) ;-)

Forgot to mention, this is a DAILY VOTE, and I need 50 votes to even qualify for the grand prize, which I must do before 09/23!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I was not required to post about my contest entry and all opinions are 100% my own. I do feel this Technology Makeover would be amazing for my brand!

{UPDATED} - 'Bloggers to Brands: Best Practices for Working Together'

What: A live, all-text Talk on The Motherhood, called Bloggers to Brands: Best Practices for Working Together. Navigating the waters of the blogger-brand relationship can be tricky. Join us for thoughts and suggestions that might help, and share your best tips and advice for PR people, brands and companies when it comes to working with YOU. We'll create a crowd-sourced list of best practices for brands when it comes to approaching bloggers (and vice versa).

When: Thursday, September 13, at 1 p.m. ET. We will chat for 30 minutes!

Where: On The Motherhood, right here - http://bit.ly/P3WVKW

Who: The all-text chat will be hosted by Carol Cain of NY City Mama, http://nycitymama.com/. Co-hosting are these awesome people:

Corine, Complicated Mama, http://www.complicatedmama.com/
Jen, Next Kid Thing, http://nextkidthing.com/
Niri, Mommy Niri, http://www.mommyniri.com/
Roo, Nice Girl Notes, http://www.nicegirlnotes.com/
ME! Tracy, Ascending Butterfly, http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/

Host Twitter IDs:

@CarolACain

@CooperMunroe

@eolson426

@theMotherhood

@EmilyMcKhann

Co-host Twitter IDs:

@ComplicatedMama

@jenrab

@mommyniri

@roociambriello

Me, @Tracy_Iglesias

The Talk will move fairly quickly – please don't worry about not following everything and everyone! Most importantly, ENJOY the conversation. A Blog Post will be created from the transcript of the text chat afterwards that will serve as a guide and a white paper of sorts that both bloggers and brands can use in learning new ways to collaborate with one another better!

So please be there and contribute to this very important online conversation!

UPDATE: I wanted to personally thank all the hosts and everyone who attended this fast-paced chat, I also wanted to update this post to share with you the Talk Summary. The article offers tips for both brands/PR firms and blogger to improve their working relationship!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, however co-hosting the chat does come with additional incentives.

I am Unapologetically Strong and it's my Goal to help YOU to be too! #DegreeStrong

I can't remember when exactly it was that I became aware of being strong. Of being 'Unapologetically Strong.'

Was it after battling my first bully in elementary school? Who was a big tall boy by the way, one who had everyone terrorized because his Dad worked in the school, so many people would take his abuse because they felt they had no one to tell, and that if they did, the person would certainly take his side instead of theirs. The very first time he picked on me, I gave it right back and when he challenged me to a fight that day after school. I was there. With my super long hair tied up in a bun and my face slathered with Vaseline!

Was it the male bully in my neighborhood who kept picking on me and when he hit me, I hit him on the head with my Kabangers (also known back then as Klik Klaks)? He ended up VERY sorry he hit me, if anyone had that toy they know just how deadly a weapon they actually were! (In fact injuries is the main reason that toy ended up being recalled!)

Was it losing my Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Father in the same year?

Was it in high school when my school forced all girls into a gym class called 'modern dance' and because I refused to wear the skimpy outfit and dance around in hippie circles with plastic garbage bags and I insisted on my gym being changed so I was put in the 'weightlifting' class where I of course was the only girl in the class, is that when I realized I was Un-Apologetically Strong? Probably Not.

Or was it in College when my mom began her battle with Cancer and I was working part time with a full time course load and labs during the weekends (I was on a 'pre-med' track at that point which is why I had so many science labs on weekends) that I realized I was 'Strong'? I changed majors but kept my part time jobs and still went to the hospital every single day.

Somehow I've risen to each and every challenge life threw my way, but I started this year with my biggest one yet, being told I myself was on 'borrowed time' because a mass had been found on my Lung. And after several exploratory surgeries, (where I actually WOKE up during), and two different almost month long hospital stays in two different hospitals after the first one almost killed me via various acts of negligence, it was THEN that I realized I went beyond 'regular Strong'. It was this experience that helped me understand I truly am Unapologetically Strong.

I've spent many years being 'that' person. The one everyone comes to for help, advice, and guidance when the chips are down. The one who could solve it. The one who could figure it out. Whether it was for tech help, electronics, life advice. I was somehow everyone's life coach. The one who turned the lemons into lemonade.

From that stupid weight training class where I was the only girl, I learned that when I worked up a sweat, it made my problems disappear while I trained. And I took it all with me, well after that class whenever I was having a bad day, I'd crank up power music playlists and I'd train until my muscles felt like goo and I was drenched in sweat, then I'd jump in the shower, and go about my day. Being active has somehow always had that effect on me, when I would go horseback riding and would get to ride fast is when I felt most alive.

Right now I'm not yet allowed to resume a full workout routine, but I will get there again. Slowly but surely.

In 2009 I was looking for a site where I could find some kind of motivation and inspiration in a way that would help me truly remember it. And I couldn't find what I was looking for so I created it. I started a site that focused on affirmational breathing excercises daily. A way to 'breathe your way' into a better day. That site, Ascending Butterfly, much like me has evolved quite a bit since then, but much like me, is still the place whose mission statement is 'to seek out and share the best sources of inspiration both on and offline'.

I can tell you that Life will test your resolve and your mettle each and every single day! It's HOW you face the challenges that determine your strength. Do you keep trying? Do you keep fighting? ~ Ascending Butterfly

Graphic Reads: I won't apologize for who I am

What moment in your life made you realize that you were 'Un-apologetically Strong'?

WIN FOR SHARING: Don't just share it with us, share your unique and inspiring Unapologetically Strong story on the Degree Women® Facebook page for a chance to win a grand prize of $5,000 to spend on achieving your goal, how awesome is that? The Facebook contest runs from September 12th through September 26th.

It's like kismet that I was asked to participate in this campaign, as we have recently announced our new feature on Ascending Butterfly called 'Inspiration Corner' where we will feature someone and find out who or what inspires them! You can participate in this feature too by leaving your email (formatted for security purposes on this or the original post) and we will email you some questions! Each month we will feature someone new!

Degree® Clinical Protection Deodorant with motionSENSE™ Technology

Last year I took my first ever live Zumba class thanks to Degree® Women Deodorant with motionSENSE™ technology which you can read all about HERE. I greatly enjoyed the class, and I even got the game for the Wii so I could keep up the fun at home! And since that day which is when I first started using Degree, I switched from my old brand to Degree and have never looked back! This year I was sent a different scent to try out called 'Cotton Fresh' and I LOVE it! This deodorant really works for me, and living in this walking city I can truly work up a sweat before I even get to the gym! Trains are certainly a hot, sweaty place especially in the summer in New York City!

I'm the one all the way in the back the person right near the exit sign, this was taken last year, at my first ever live Zumba Class sponsored by Degree!

Get Social With it:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - “like” Degree Women^® on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - follow Degree Women on Twitter at @DegreeWomen

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