No Matter What People Tell You, Words and Ideas Can Change the World.

I have to thank Getty Images and Huffington Post for this photo. Robin was definitely an Ascending Butterfly and he will be greatly missed.

Butterflies, depression does carry a very high risk of suicide, if you feel you are in immediate danger or risk please call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) and there is also a hotline for the deaf at 800-799-4889. Reach out for help and do not suffer in silence.

Words and Ideas can change the world. So does our Self-Talk. The most powerful two words you can combine is 'I AM', be very careful how you use them. Do you find yourself constantly saying 'I am sick, I am tired, I am Fed Up, I am Angry'?

Watch your internal dialogue butterflies, and please note, men take their lives nearly four times the rate of women while women have the higher rate of being ignored by physicians or dismissed as just a passing panic attack or 'stress'.

If you have approached your primary or sought treatment for depression and don't feel you were listened to or were dismissed, please do not stop trying to find a physician who will listen, and while you are trying to find the right clinician, reach out to your tribe - your friends, family, clergy, keep expressing how you feel and don't bottle anything in or internalize it!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. You are NOT alone, please share this message with anyone you feel may be at risk!

Would you like to @EscapeMonthly ? Check out the #SubscriptionBox that takes you to a new destination every month!

I just took a trip to India, and it didn't cost me a thing!

OK I confess I didn't go to India, but I sure came super close when a box full of exotic arrived at my door and I opened it's treasures.

I am a huge fan of subscription box services and 'of-the-month' type clubs, they give you a taste of everything under the sun and in my opinion are always great gifts for those hard to shop for folks on my gift list.

Escape Monthly is a subscription box service that is perfect for all travel enthusiasts and anyone with a lust for life who wants to experience something different, new and off the beaten path.

What did my 'Passport to India' Escape Box Include?:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Korma Simmer Sauce by Saffron Road Food - A rich and flavorful sauce with an Indo-Pakistani Heritage that contains an aromatic mixture of cardamom, turmeric (which you know is good for your heart right?), and other spices in a creamy coconut milk and yogurt base. It is all natural, Certified Halal and NON-GMO (genetically modified) Verified! You can add almost anything to it, not just chicken, you can add your turkey, lamb, pork or even shrimp if you prefer seafood instead!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Maya Kaimal Kashmiri Curry Indian Simmer Sauce - A very balanced Curry coming from the mountainous state of Kashmir with hints of nutmeg and mace adding balance to it's very rich tomato flavor.  Add Cubed Lamb or chicken and vegetables.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chai Masala Popcorn with Assam Tea - Masala Pop is an Indian-spiced popcorn snack mix that is actually handcrafted here in the USA in Portland Oregon, using air-popped, organic non-GMO popcorn and adding a special blend of Indian Spices. They are fiber rich and filled with flavor!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Moon Travel Guides: Taj Mahal, Delhi & Jaipur - A great travel guide that gives ideas on how to get there, how long it will take, where to stop along the way, excursion suggestions including Rajasthan, the Himalayas or even nearby wildlife preserves. Where to find authentic Cultural Experiences from Elephant Processions to spiritual retreats. (Um, Eat, Pray, Love Moments? YES PLEASE!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Banyan Botanicals Ayurvedic Oils Organic Healthy Hair Oil - Utilizing Bhringaraj known as the 'ruler of hair' it rejuvenates the hair and scalp assisted by the cooling and cleansing effects of Amalaki and Brahmi (Goto Kola). The Certified Organic Herbs together are used to infuse the oil with qualities known to Ayurveda to strengthen and protect the hair. It is meant to be used on a weekly basis, apply on and massage scalp for 30 minutes as a pre-treatment BEFORE you use your shampoo.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fine Ayurvedic Soap in Cedar Eucalyptus - With Earthy Scents of Cedar, Eucalptus and patchouli this invigorating soap is going to give you a refreshing start to the day it contains Saponfied oils of Olive, Coconut, Palm and Essential Oils of Himalayan Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Patchouli and Vitamin E.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pure Indian Foods Certified Organic Grassfed Ghee Made from Non-Homogenized Milk - Ghee is a healthy, shelf-stable alternative to plain butter or other cooking oils. Indian Ghee is used as an ingredient in traditional dishes as an ideal fat for frying and even used in Ayurvedic Medicine. This Gluten Free Dairy Product is also known as Indian Clarified Butter, Seafood Butter, Drawn Butter, Ghee Butter or Anhydrous Milk Fat, it has a high smoke point which makes it an excellent choice for frying or sauteing and can be stored without refrigeration for months. The next time I make a Whole Lobster or Some Snow Crab, I am using the Ghee as the Seafood Butter that's for sure!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nemat International Indian Fragrances: A small size bottle of the Amber Fragrance was included as well as vial size of the Vanilla Musk which I really loved BOTH of them!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A fun extra in the box were the Gouri Puja Designer Bindi

My Take:

It's a nice taste of India, but now that I heard about the Escape Monthly India Luxe Box, I think that box would have been WAY more ME, with Incense Burners, Pashmina's and other goodies, that one is definitely more my speed. I'm a Luxe Lover!

I love the sauces that were included in this box as I'm a huge curry fanatic and as I have never tried Korma Sauce before that one was also fun to use with the Ghee and prepare something different. Even our palates get bored when we eat the same things all the time, so this was a fun way to shake things up at dinner time as well.

Butterflies, a little birdie told us that the next Escape Subscription box is going to come from the home of my ancestors. Can you guess where? (Let's see who gets this one right first!)

Bring the exotic into your home, be it bath products, beauty products, kitchen ingredients, cool decor or accent pieces let these boxes that curate a super fun destination for you, bring you a taste of something fun and new!

Have you tried Escape Monthly yet? If so, which month was your favorite? If not, what is your current favorite subscription box service?


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FTC Disclosure: While this is NOT a Sponsored or Compensated Post, Escape Monthly did provide our offices with a Box to help facilitate this review for editorial purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Great Haircut by @angelodavidhair – I cut off 13 inches to donate to @pantene #beautifullengths for women battling #Cancer

I recently met an amazing Stylist from Angelo David Salon in New York City at a recent Getting Gorgeous Event. They were offering Hair Touch Ups and my stylist Ivy listened to me about me wanting to make a real change to my hair and my style. She made a few recommendations, the first being cutting a bit of length to bring back the bounce to my hair. (You can check out a recap of Getting Gorgeous HERE in case you missed it).

I finally made the summer chop! It was LONG overdue and quite frankly it felt symbolically like I shed a ton of dead weight as she cut!

I tend to cut my hair shorter in summer, and this summer I decided to make a super huge cut, way shorter than I would normally cut my hair (my motto is 'always leave enough for a ponytail'), and I did it for a good cause!

The Big 'C' has definitely hit my family hard so Cancer Charities have always held a very special place in my heart and with my own recent Hospital Nightmare even more so. So I asked my stylist to measure my ponytail to see if I had enough to donate and I was pleasantly surprised that I had more than I even needed!

So my hair was cut in a ponytail which is the way it needs to be cut if you are going to donate it.

Above: Check with where you plan to donate, but I am donating mine to Pantene's Great Lengths and they ask for 8 inches, as you can see mine is about 13 inches!

About Angelo David Salon:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Over 20 years and located in the heart of midtown Manhattan

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They offer Manhattan's Couture Hair Extensions and Hair Color customized to enhance your skin tone and eye color, hair texture and hair type. (I am thinking of opting for Hair Color next, I told you I'm ready for a change!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They also offer full custom human-hair wigs

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They also sell Angelo David Brushes, Combs, Hair Care and Hair Detox (doctor-formulated herbal supplements for both men and women that promotes hair growth and healthy skin) as well.

About Pantene Beautiful Lengths Donation Requirements:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They require at minimum 8 inches

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hair needs to be free of dyes, bleaches or chemicals

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The hair needs to be no more than 5% grey

My Before and After:

Above: BEFORE: Ivy from the Angelo David Salon giving me a hair styling touch up during Getting Gorgeous

Above: This is still the before, this is after the style touch up during Getting Gorgeous, but this is the length my hair was before she cut it. (and remember, in this photo she curled it, so it's actually longer than it appears!)

Above: Here is the AFTER! This is shortest than I've ever gone but I can't begin to tell you just how liberating going shorter has made me feel, and being able to put the hair to such a good cause was very much the icing on the cake for me.

My Take:

Finding a stylist I am comfortable with is hard enough for me, nevertheless actually uttering the words "Do whatever you want", but Ivy really made me feel at ease during my hairstyling session and impromptu consultation during Getting Gorgeous. I feel super blessed to have met her there and have had the opportunity to have her transform me at the Angelo David Salon. I highly recommend both Ivy and the Angelo David Salon.

Even though they are in the heart of midtown, once you arrive at the Salon you instantly feel at ease, they offer you a warm greeting and a moment to just settle before your appointment which is great. They are right off Grand Central which can be a hectic area so I definitely appreciated just sitting for a moment and having something to drink.

It's super fun attending local blogger events and having some people not recognize me since my signature long ponytail is now gone! I'm thinking it may just stay gone for awhile as I am totally digging the new me!

Butterflies, do you have a favorite stylist or salon, If so, which one? 

Do something for yourself today butterfly that will keep you in high spirits for the rest of the week. 

Happy Motivation Monday!

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FTC Disclosure: While this is NOT a Sponsored or Compensated Post, Angelo David Salon did provide my cut to facilitate my review for editorial purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Want to Win a 55" 4K ULTRA HD TV? Find out how with @BestBuy #UHDatBestBuy #Spon

I was lucky enough to get to preview a 4K Ultra HD TV last year at a Luxury Event for Press and have remained obsessed with them ever since (Too bad they couldn't get one of those in our gift bags right?).

Advantages to Upgrading to a 4K Ultra HDTV with Best Buy:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Stunning Resolution! - FOUR times the picture resolution of Full HD 1080p. Increased pixels allows you to sit closer for a fully immersive experience, with lifelike and breath-taking quality and detail.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Improved Quality! - All around improved quality for movies and television shows! Sony has also introduced a 4K Ultra HD Media Player that comes loaded with free 4K content AND you can download more than 200 4K films! Learn more at Bestbuy.com/SonyExperience

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Future Proof! - BestBuy sells 4K Ultra HDTV's with Advanced Technology, so when your unit needs to be updated, much like a computer a software update will be made available! By the way, Netflix has announced that House of Cards and Breaking Bad will be streamed in 4K, are YOU ready?

Learn more about 4K and find out how to WIN a 4K Ultra HDTV of your own from Best Buy:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Every Saturday from 11am-3pm (August 9th thru November 1st) participating stores are offering personal demonstrations, in store giveaways (including tickets and cord keepers) as well as a chance to enter to win a sweepstakes for a 55" 4K Ultra HD TV including installation and Geek Squad Protection for your new TV! (sweet prize right?) Check out www.bestbuy/4kuhdevents for more information and to see if a store near you is participating.

My Take:

I love the Magnolia Home Theater Experience within Best Buy and since August is Audio Fest month, if you haven't already had a chance to check out a Magnolia Experience, this would be the ideal time to do so! Make an afternoon of it, get a 4K Ultra HD TV personal demonstration and check out Home Theater Sound Systems to go with your new TV. You get the chance to 'try' all the top competing brands before you buy, ask the experts any questions you may have so you get the best system for your home and experience no 'buyers remorse', what could be better than that?

Here are a few from Best Buy that are on my wishlist:

Press on the image above to purchase the Sony 79" 4K Ultra HD TV Smart 3D HDTV

Press on the image above to purchase the Samsung LED Curved 4K Ultra HD TV Smart 3D HDTV

Press on the image above to purchase the LG 79" 4K Ultra HD TV Smart 3D HDTV

Butterflies, do you already own a 4K Ultra HD TV? If so, What is your favorite model?


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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post in conjunction with Best Buy, I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador and WOLF Blogger. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Ascending Butterfly does not claim medical expertise, before trying this or any other product featured on our pages please visit your physician. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Kiss Your Tooth Sensitivity Goodbye Once and For All with @ProcterGamble @Crest #SensiStop #Spon

Awhile back I was challenged to share what event I would like a whiter smile for, you can see HERE for my answer, I was then challenged to share before and after photos of my smile after using Crest 3D White Toothpaste and 3D Whitening Strips, HERE is the post with my results. (Please remember that the giveaway component of that post is now closed).

I was very impressed with my results, and was delighted to find out during a recent Press Preview that the inventor of Crest 3D White Strips, Paul Sagel has also developed Crest Sensi-Stop Strips, a revolutionary at home treatment that is simple, fast and effective at offering both immediate and targeted relief from the pain associated with Sensitive Teeth for up to one month!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Small, flexible, transparent strips that are applied directly to sensitive areas to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with tooth sensitivity

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Unlike toothpastes for Sensitive Teeth, the strips don't have to be used twice a day to be effective

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 STRIP applied for 10 Minutes provides Immediate Relief and up to 1 full month of protection

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pricing: A 6 count box has a suggested retail of $19.99, a 10 count box $27.99 and a 12 count box $34.99

See it in Action:

Power Tips from a Pro:

Dr. Nancy Rosen (who is pictured in the collage at the very top of this post), offered us the following advice for helping alleviate Tooth Sensitivity:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ensure you are using a soft bristle toothbrush, preferably a power brush

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chew Sugarless Gum or Drink Water right after eating

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Drink Acidic Beverages through a straw to help decrease the exposure of acid to your teeth

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - See your dentist twice a year for regular exams and cleanings

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If you are prone to grinding your teeth (especially if you are doing this at night), speak with your dentist about a having a custom night guard made for you

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dr. Rosen a New York City based premiere dentist, is recommending the New Crest Sensi-Stop Strips to her patients

My Take:

I had no idea prior to this event how common and prevalent tooth sensitivity for the canine teeth really is. One of my canine teeth is extremely cold sensitive, turns out I share this issue with 30 million other Americans. I am also prone to grinding my teeth which is definitely a double whammy.

Another tip I learned is that Sensitivity Toothpastes are actually not very effective for whitening, so many people alternate between the Sensitive Toothpaste and their regular/preferred variety, but the only way they can actually be effective against your pain is by using them twice a day.

With Crest Sensi-Stop strips you no longer have to sacrifice whitening for the relief of tooth sensitivity, you can now easily have both. 10 minutes once a month is super quick, no waiting for an appointment, no having to buy a special toothpaste and these really are effective, so it's a tri-fecta of teeth fab in my book!

Thankfully I have no cavities and I definitely plan to keep it that way. I love that the strips are flexible and can be adhered directly to where I experience the most sensivity.

Butterflies, Crest Sensi-Stop Strips are not on shelves until Fall, but you can PRE-ORDER them now at www.crest.com!


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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post in conjunction with one2one network, Procter and Gamble and Crest who provided me with product to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Ascending Butterfly does not claim medical expertise, before trying this or any other product featured on our pages please visit your physician. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Want to improve the quality of your #WordlessWednesday #photos or take a more stellar #Selfie? Try the @Sony #QX10 on for size!

Remember my Mom 2.0 Summit Conference recap post where I referenced a cool device that 'wowed' not only my fellow Best Buy Blogging Ambassadors, but also everyone who hit the Best Buy Booth? (If you missed my conference recap you can check that out HERE), but as promised I wanted to give you the full 'T' on the Sony QX10!

I have been trying to get better at keeping my Wordless Wednesday's truly 'Wordless' but since the point of the day is to showcase stellar photography from across the blog-a-sphere I thought a device that can help you take your phone and turn it into a DSLR might just Pique your interest.

You can press on the photo above to purchase the Sony QX10 at Best Buy!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Image Resolution 4896 x 3672 (this number speaks to image 'clarity')

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 10x Optical Zoom (the Optical zoom is the lens 'true' zoom capability, basically the greater your optical zoom the closer you can get to what you are taking pictures of)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Optical Image Stabilization (not all phones offer Image Stabilization - this is one of the places that the QX10 will 'shine')

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Self Timer

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Micro USB and USB 2.0 for file transfer + Memory Stick + wifi enabled

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - CMOS Imaging Sensor + Tripod Mount

See it in Action:

I tested out the QX10 on a Samsung GALAXY S III and I wanted to share a photo comparison of the same shots taken directly with the camera phone and then the same shot taken with the QX10 under the same lighting conditions and angle, ALL of the shots are entirely un-retouched:

Here's another collage comparison, also with a still subject with slightly better lighting conditions on both shots, again entirely un-retouched:

My Take:

As you can see the QX10 captured more detail and were brighter on their own. Remember the QX10 is an attachment device to your cell phone, so it has no flash and no LCD viewer.

Pros:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It excels for macro shots and outdoor shots

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not lugging an actual DSLR - PRICELESS - it is an ultra-compact point and shoot. And it's definitely ideal for those looking for an entry level intro to the DSLR world. It makes your phone photos better, particularly for those using their tablets to take photos. (This will totally make sense to my fellow bloggers!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Versatility - Does make it easy to capture 'awkward' shots or angles you may not be able to capture as easily with a bulkier camera. When I am at event or crowded venue I have become the queen of the 'overhead' shot, this device is certainly easier to hold over a ton of heads in a crowded space and shoot pointing down. And yes it does help to make Selfies a bit easier to capture!

Cons:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The software is a bit slow and still a bit buggy, this lag may cause you to miss 'action' shots, there is no burst mode.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The bigger your device, the harder your 'snap fit' experience may be. With my Galaxy S III it isn't a totally secure fit and would sometimes depress the button that puts my phone in standby. So be careful not only with your placement, but also be sure you remember it is a detachable lens so don't make any 'jerky' movements while it's attached to your phone as you could inadvertently knock it off and drop it.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A microSD needs to be inserted to store photos and the attachment also has it's own battery - you need to be sure you are keeping both your phone and the attachment fully charged.

If you have already been researching this unit, the QX10 is specifically geared toward entry-level shooters, it offers mid-range optics (way better than your cell but not the same manual control over the creativity of your shots as a full on DSLR offers) and the other model from Sony the QX100 offers a stronger 20.2 megapixel sensor and a 'stronger' lens so obvs a bit higher price point, but I have a feeling that once you are considering the QX100 you may end up opting for a full DSLR to get more control and creativity in the outcome of your photographs.

Extra Reviews for your Reference:

Here are some reviews from fellow Best Buy Brand Ambassadors for your perusal! It's always great to read what bloggers who are always mobile and in this case are also savvy and discerning tech wise think of the same product:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Kitty Bradshaw

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sassy Mama in LA

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mommy Maestra

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sunshine and Sippy Cups

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Being Alison

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Just Short of Crazy

Happy (Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Bloggers as always, leave us a link to your Wordless Wednesday Photos so we can check them out too, just remember, no giveaway posts please!


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FTC Disclosure: I'm a Best Buy brand ambassador and received the Sony QX10 for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

To @BloggerBashNYC With Love! #sweetsuite14 #EAEvents - My Christmas in July!

How do you thank a blog conference that lets your inner child play not just for the two days of the conference but way afterwards? For introducing you to great brands and fun experiences? How about for winning an amazing raffle?

With a great recap post of course!

The Blogger Bash conference kicked off with Sweet Suite where hundreds of bloggers played with new toys, indulged in sweet treats and left with tons of swag! The conference was created by Laurie Schact (Toy Insider, the Big Toy Book), Joey Fortman (Real Mom Media), and Charlene DeLoach (Charlene Chronicles), the conference featured 10 themed parties over the course of two days.

We were serenaded by the Kidz Bop kids singing and were able to customize our own badges and unleash our creativity with Crayola right from the jump! Pretty cool right?

And as I LIVE for mascot shots, I was pretty stoked to be greeted by the one and only SNOOPY!

You can follow Snoopy via instagram and tag your peanuts pics with @Snoopygrams and #snoopy!

With the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie coming out soon (August 8th) and their faces splashed across a wide variety of School Supplies for Back-to-School, be prepared for the #TMNTMovie Madness!

Who was your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?

The Skylanders Trap Team had their own suite (I was lured in by the cupcakes!)

The Ultimate Adventure awaits as you explore Skylands in search of the escaped villains!

There was also a Rabbids Invasion!

And as a horror genre lover, I was super excited to find out that McFarlane Toys is launching a Building Block Set for The Walking Dead.

I can now own my very own The Walking Dead apocalypse, my work here is done folks!

Blip Toys won my heart with Hello Kitty Dance Time, I've been a fan of HK since I was a little girl!

They also have Olaf from Frozen:

and this one above even won them an industry award! Each doll comes with a stand and the hands and feet have suction cups attached to cling them to any smooth surface. They will dance to any song or sound, including your voice!

Above: I even got a great summer read, the glass kitchen signed for me by the Author Linda Francis Lee!

Above: Check out the cute Butterfly Print Tote by MZ Wallace! (Perfect for me!)

Above: Little Pim is the #1 Language Learning Program for Kids!

Above: MiP is the Balancing Robot, with GestureSense technology, ANY hand motion controls MiP!

Above: Also by the folks at WowWee are Elektrokidz which bring back memories of Troll dolls, except these dance to the beat of the music you are listening to!

I started riding horses at a very young age, I would have loved this equestrian playset when I was younger.

Above:  I did geek out a bit when I saw the Care Bears! Which is your favorite Care Bear Butterfly?

Above: If you like Scrabble and Upwords, you will love Bananagrams, plus it comes in cute banana packaging to store it!

Above: Johnny Rockets hosted a lunch, where there was a Ketchup Artist! See her creations below:

Above: So does that make it a 'Ketchup of Liberty'? LOL (Sorry, couldn't resist!) I am a big fan of the Patty Melt at Johnny Rockets!

Above: We even got to make our own Shakes!

Above: I have a funny feeling that LeapTV is going to be a popular Christmas Gift this year! With Body Motion your child is the controller! (and yes there's a Classic Controller also!)

Above: It was a Beados Beads Butterfly that drew me to this table!

Above: I know why the caged bird sings! LOL These birds can record your voice and play it back to you! These look just like the Parakeets I had when I was younger (and these are even better because there is NO poop to clean up!) And by the way they also have a Little Live Pets Butterfly House! (Guess who will be hearing from me about it!) Whether you opt for the Little Live Pets Bird Single Pack or the Butterfly House you can't go wrong!

Above: Sorry butterflies but screen shots of the game in action of Disney Infinity 2.0 were verbotten, but I can disclose that Marvel's The Avengers Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Spider-Man, Venom, Nick Fury, Iron Fist, Nova, Star Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax and Groot are here and it's available for pre-order!

Above: You know just how much Ascending Butterfly loves all things with wings!

Above: Anything Christmas related always has my full attention and this display from Elf Magic caught my eye!

Above: The Elf Magic Elves are recognizable by the magic snowflake placed on their hearts by Santa. What Elfcapades will your Elf Magic Elves get into in YOUR home?

Above: Things with wings alert: Just Pretend Kids stopped me in my tracks with their supercute costumes, isn't this fairy princess costume adorable? And guess what?

Above: You don't have to be a kid to enjoy playing dress up! Left: That's ME Ascending Butterfly (in pink wearing a pink tutu no less!) and Right: My blogging buddy Laura from My 3 Ring Circus

Above: In the 'Why didn't I think of that?' category is Zipz, a premium single serve wine with the look of traditional stemware but 'Clean Wrapped' to keep each glass fresh!

The Elements Associates Social Suite also offered a wide variety of brands and experiences that were a bit more 'Lifestyle' based than they were toys so needless to say I spent the most time there!

We were the first to see the new Miii jewelry collection by Joseph Nogucci, each Miii helps to commemorate a milestone or memory and they are made from semiprecious stone beads. (I like the Buddha's!)

I also got to celebrate the 70th Birthday of Smokey Bear who posed for photos and shared birthday cake! Want to join in on wishing him a Happy Birthday? Sign Smokey's online card!

Above: So I got to experience the magic of 'green screen' first hand, here is a picture taken with my personal camera, and below is how it looked after the green screen magic:

Above: VOILA! Via the Magic of Green Screen, I'm chillaxing in the forest and my friend Smokey is whispering in my ear!

Above: My friends at COVERGIRL were offering Manicures and Makeup Touch-Ups! The look on my Makeup Artist's face when I told her I was already wearing my Ready Set Gorgeous Liquid Foundation (I'm #220) and COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Mascara and Gloss was priceless! I've already featured it here so you know just how much I love the #instaGLAM Collection by COVERGIRL.

AutoTex Pink encouraged bloggers to help "Wipe Out Breast Cancer", for every purchase of AutoTex Pink Wiper Blades, a donation is made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. You can get them in black with a pink ribbon or in pink. 'Pink' your car for the cause butterflies! You can purchase them HERE!

We also got to take home Washdrops, a green car wash solution, it's quick, easy and environmentally responsible, what's NOT to love? + No hose or rinse required to get a beautiful shine. Now all I need is the beamer......

Above: Major "After Party" Props go out to the team who organized "The Angry Birds After Party" - there was food - think actual hotdog stand with never-ending hot dogs, Tacos, hair be-dazzling, sweets and treats and of course 'signature cocktails'. Because after a day of play, grown folks, need 'Grown Drinks'!!!

Above: Angry Birds Stella will debut Fall 2014!

Above: Signature Cocktails included: "The Hella Stella" - a citrusy cosmo with Clementine Vodka, Triple Sec, Cranberry and Fresh Lime Juice, "The Willowrita" - with Silver Tequila, blue curacao, fresh lime juice, sour mix and splash of OJ (this one was my fave, but I am a Tequila Lover, so no surprise!), and last but not least, "The Holy Gail" - Join the dark side with a refreshing mix of blueberry vodka, raspberry liqueur and lemonade.

Above: On the last night of the conference, I passed a jar filled with candy, instead of just collecting our business cards, we were asked to fill out a paper with our cell phone numbers and our best guess as to how many starbursts candies were in the jar. I ventured a guess. And I as I milled about and saw kids actually standing there to count I honestly thought I had no chance of winning. So imagine my surprise when I got a text telling me my guess was the closest to the actual number of starbursts in the jar! I WON!!! I got this beautiful Jansport Backpack filled with a Kindle Fire HD and a cover for the HD as well as AT&T Unite for GoPhone by NETGEAR. I am honestly still pinching myself! I will post a review of the service once I have fully tested it out, but I love having my own Mobile WiFi as I don't trust public WiFi and I feel way more secure having my own!

Above: It was difficult to get all the amazing items included in our post conference 'big box of awesome'. Instead of having to lug our swag haul home, it was mailed directly to us! Notice the Butterfly Wand in the middle? However did Just Pretend Kids know? I love that our days of allowing our inner child to roam free doesn't have to come to an end!

My Take:

Sweet Suite was such a fun way to connect with so many amazing brands in a casual environment that allowed for conversation and great 'hands on' experience with fun products. It was fun seeing products that aren't even out on the market yet, and I have to admit it was a bit like Christmas in July come to life.

I can't even venture to pick a favorite experience, there was literally that much to choose from. I am sure I will find something I missed and if I do, I'll include it an upcoming Wordless Wednesday.

I still can't believe I won such an amazing raffle too!

Which of these brands would you most like to connect with? Which toy is your or your little ones favorite?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: While my conference ticket was sponsored, all opinions expressed are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.