{#MotivationMonday} In this case you have BOTH! Make this the week YOU change your life! {Todays' #inspiration"}

Today you have BOTH! A Monday AND a Brand New Year to start those changes! Get working on those resolutions, it's never too late or too soon, just start! (Did you check out our new Facebook Cover Photo? It reads for a New Year to Bring You Something New, Make A Move Like A Butterfly Tearing Its Cocoon! Make A Move! - What do you think of it? What new move will YOU make this week?)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

January 1, 2015 - A New Years Prayer!

Wishing all my butterflies a new year filled with abundance in all its many forms, opportunities to keep you challenged not just busy, love, health and happiness!

If you set resolutions for this year, what are they?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored Post!

Did '#Luxe - E - Claus" miss you this year? Check out #photo highlights from the @TheLuxuryReview & form your 2015 wishlist!

Was your holiday a little less than shiny? A little 'luxe-luster'? Maybe Santa just plain missed the mark completely?

Then let the products and brands presented at The Luxury Review give you a little inspiration (or ahem, 'aspiration') to make your wishlist for 2015!

Here are some photo highlights of all the "Luxe-tastic' things I got to experience at the New York City 'The Luxury Review': (I am going for something resembling alphabetical order, but my post holiday brain may not quite get there)

Baron Tequila at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

Mexico is one of my favorite places to visit, and visiting there helped me to develop a love of all things Tequila, I got to try out Tequila Baron for the first time at The Luxury Review event in NYC and I greatly enjoyed it! Will have to add this one to my bar!

Abstract Artist Cecile Brunswick

Cirrus Aircraft VISION SF50 at The Luxury Review New York City

Cirrus Aircraft VISION SF50 at The Luxury Review New York City

I travel by plane often and I can't say I ever thought of flying a plane myself, at least until NOW that is! Do you think fly lessons and THIS would fit under my tree for next year?

Cohiba Cigars at The Luxury Review

Cigar Afficionados certainly know the name Cohiba well, and The Luxury Review never fails to disappoint, they always seem to offer the finest spirits and the finest Cigars too!

Cohiba Cigars at The Luxury Review

The team at Cohiba sent us home with one of their Cigars! SCORE!

Double Cross Vodka at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

I have to admit that the bottle drew me in. Much like Tory Burch's logo, the 'double cross' looks much like two 'T's' to  me, and since my name is Tracy I like to think they created this just for ME! I wonder if they need a blogger brand ambassador?

Energica Superbike at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

I have to confess I have never been on a motorcycle before (perhaps 2015 will bring a 'bad boy' into my life, LOL), this bike definitely makes me want to hit the road!

Giovanni Rana RANA Pastificio & Cucina at The Luxury Review in New York City

Needless to say Media are always hungry in New York City as there are always stories to cover and events to hit, RANA is a restaurant located in Chelsea Market in New York City, they tempted us with delicious pasta dishes and gave us a lovely gift bag to take home that included their Tortelloni, Ravioli, Basil Pesto and Alfredo Sauces and they were all absolutely delicious! I truly hope they will be back for the 2015 Luxury Review!

Chef Antonella Rana of Giovanni Rana RANA Pastificio & Cucina at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

This Foodie loves her Pasta, and Chef Antonella served it up with love!

Goshwara Jewelry The Luxury Review Fall 2014

I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't mind having some of these shiny baubles under my tree!

Goshwara Jewelry The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Goshwara Jewelry The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Julia Poteat Handbags The Luxury Review Fall New York City 2014

I am absolutely handbag obsessed. (No surprise to loyal readers.) We have hosted a monthly Featured Handbag in the Spotlight since 2009 so meeting Julia Poteat was a pleasure and we actually spoke for a bit about our mutual passion for quality Handbags! She has an open invitation to work with us anytime! 

I just had to get a closeup on this beautiful Pony Hair Satchel:

If that handbag isn't 'ladies who lunch' I don't know what is! Tres Trendy! And with the Pony Hair I would totally go winter white with this, hashtag #seasonless for real!

Libratone Wireless Speakers The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Me being #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ, my life definitely has a soundtrack, and I am always interested in Audio Products, these wireless speakers offer scandinavian design and may just make your music 'cooler'.

Luxtural Skincare The Luxury Review Fall 2014

With a name like 'Luxtural' it's easy to see how they made the cut at The Luxury Review, their products are where skincare and hydration meet with advanced anti-aging benefits!

Maserati, The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

Who wouldn't want this muscle car under their tree?

Maserati The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

McPherson Guitars Custom Shop The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar, and these guitars from McPherson definitely provided extra inspiration!

Author Steve Light for Montegrappa Pens The Luxury Review Fall 2014

It was fun watching Author Steve Light use Montegrappa Pens, the pens are absolutely beautiful, and a must for that Exec on your holiday shopping list! (They are also a very thoughtful gift for a recent College Grad!)

Have You Seen My Dragon a book by Author Steve Light

I love the cover!

Orange County Choppers The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Orange County Choppers was at The Luxury Review and here are some examples of their work:

Statement Bike Perhaps?

Blue is one of my favorite colors!

I was born to be wild I tell you!

Orrefors Kosta Boda The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Orrefors Kossta Boda displayed their handblown glass products which are produced in Sweden, this bowl and ornaments caught my eye! (Super artsy photo right?)

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars offered both a Cabernet Sauvignon, pictured above, and a Chardonnay, pictured below:

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 

There was definitely a long line to get at these, but well worth the wait!

The John Allen Company The Luxury Review Fall 2014

John Allan's Premiere Men's Grooming Club offered their services and also displayed their grooming products, perfect gift idea for the 'well groomed' man in your life, or the one you wish was groomed a little bit better!

Ultra 5 Beverage The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

Ultra 5 Energy Drink helped us all to keep up our energy, there was a lot to see and do! Focused Energy and No crash, makes this energy drink perfect for the active lifestyle!

Velvet Eyewear Sunglasses

Aren't these sunglasses by Velvet Eyewear just making you yearn for a tropical getaway? I would love these under my tree with plane tickets in my stocking of course!

Wusthof Knives The Luxury Review Fall 2014

I know my fellow foodies already know the name Wusthof, their knives are definitely the 'cadillac' of kitchen cutlery! (Is it OK to slip a knife into someone's stocking?)

Here is a really cool video of the event:

My Take:

Here is my coverage of last year's Luxury Review in case you missed it!

The Luxury Review is definitely one of my favorite NYC events to attend, they showcase such a wide variety of products that are part of a luxe lifestyle, I could definitely imagine quite a few of these under my tree next year!

Which product featured above would YOU most like to find under your tree next year butterfly?


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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. Nor are there any affiliate links in this post. Ascending Butterfly attended The Luxury Review as Digital Press. As always, all 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.

This Christmas! #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays #FelizNavidad

I just love the sentiments expressed in this graphic:

From 'Casa Butterfly' to each and everyone of you, wishing you a very happy, healthy, love-filled holiday season and a very prosperous New Year!

What is your favorite of the sentiments expressed above to try this Christmas Butterflies? Mine? Express Your Gratitude of course!

Dont' forget our holiday giveaway ends on 12/29 so get your entry TODAY!

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Happy Holidays FTC: This is NOT a Sponsored Post! So there!

The five funniest @elfontheshelf Photos across the interwebs + why the elf now sticks around past the holidays!

Elf on the Shelf A Birthday Tradition

Earlier this year I got to attend the Niche Parent Network's New York City Meetup at Dylan's Candy Bar hosted by Elf on the Shelf. I got to attend the Niche Parent Conference in it's inaugural year in 2012 (when it was branded as Niche Mommy, here is my recap of that conference in case you missed it: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2012/08/weekly-moment-of-gratitude-new-orleans.html) and this year different cities held pre-conference meetups before this year's conference. Since I wasn't able to attend the conference this year, I am glad I had the opportunity to attend the NYC meetup.

As I am not a mom and do not have children, I learned quite a bit about Elf on the Shelf as I was not familiar with the tradition or the company's backstory. Lisa of the blog Atypical Familia is a niche parent ambassador and she coordinated the NYC meetup. In attendance at the meetup was Christa Pitts. Christa, who is the daughter of Carol Aebersold and sister of Chanda Bell who are the co-authors of Elf on the Shelf.  It seems the original story went through quite a bit of rejections before they got a yes, and as an entrepreneur I really enjoyed hearing about how the tradition evolved into a book and how the book and elf are now a part of the holiday tradition in so many homes.

Christa Pitts from Elf on the Shelf

I love this flipagram video that Lisa posted of the event (if you don't blink you will catch ME in the video too!):

Throughout the years I have seen some funny Elf photos on the internet and I couldn't resist sharing a few here!

Here are five super funny Elf on the Shelf Photos from across the interwebs:

She poops peppermints, gotta love it! (Via Flickr)

Chug! Chug! Chug! (Via Flckr)

Maybe the peppermint poops are cuter, LOL! (Via Flckr)

The Sons of Anarchy Edition! LOL (Via Flckr)

Gotta keep fit for all the Elf on the Shelf Hijinx! (Via Pinterest)

But wait there's MORE:

Elf on the Shelf A Birthday Tradition

Elf on the Shelf now has a Birthday Tradition! There is a book which outlines the little-known story of how Santa's helpers celebrate birthdays at the North Pole and each kit includes instructions for inviting your scout elf for a birthday visit as well as a festive birthday outfit. There is also a Birthday Countdown and Game and the Birthday Chair Decoration Kit too!

Group photo of bloggers at the #NicheParent14 Elf on the Shelf New York City Meetup

My Take:

When I was younger we used Advent Calendars to countdown to Christmas. It seems like the Elf is taking over, and with all the hilarious hijinx the elf can get into I can see where kids really have fun with it. The possibilities are pretty much endless! I may have to bring mine out for some holiday wine tasting!

Where is your Elf on the Shelf right now butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. Nor are there any affiliate links in this post. As always, all 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.

{#Movies} Looking for a family flick to see for the holidays? Check out @AnnieMovie #NorwegianMOMS

Annie Theatrical Movie Poster

As my butterflies know I am NOT a Mom, and I do NOT have children, but that doesn't mean I don't occasionally enjoy a family friendly movie or two. (My movie genre of preference is actually Horror, but there aren't exactly a ton of horror flicks being released during Christmas! LOL Although 'Dexter Claus' has a kind of nice ring to it right?).

I recently had the opportunity to see the new Annie movie at a very special screening hosted by The Moms which was sponsored by Norwegian (ssh don't tell anyone but I have never actually taken a cruise before, I'm a 'Cruise Virgin') and held in the Sony Screening Room in New York City!

And while I am a huge lover of music, I am not normally a big fan of musicals, so I always approach them with a bit of caution, I tend to find them contrived as life doesn't come with people spontaneously bursting into song for hours. So when I actually enjoy a musical - be it a play or a movie, it surprises even me. I read so many bad reviews on this one, and honestly it surprises me. I found it a perfect family movie, and I thought it was very well cast, had a great pace, and the songs were done well.

I get that we all know the story by now, but so many movies have been re-made with the actors of that generation that I hate to see this one getting so much backlash when it was very well done.  I'm not a big instagram lover and the movie even made me see it in a whole new way! (No spoilers here, but it's the most creative use of a social media channel integrated into a movie - second only to the Facebook movie of course!)

After the screening there was a Questions and Answers Session with the young ladies who play the 'Foster Kids' in the movie, they are not 'orphans' in this movie, they are 'Foster Kids'. Here is the video:

Photos from the Questions and Answers:

Far Left: Denise Albert of THE MOMS, to her left Nicolette Pierini who portrays 'Mia', then Zoe Margaret Colletti who portrays 'Tessie', then Eden Duncan-Smith who portrays 'Isabella' and Amanda Troya who portrays 'Pepper' and Far Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein of THE MOMS.

My Take:

Oddly enough I was invited to a Sony screening before this one where Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis were slated to appear but I wasn't available that night so I was super happy that the chance to catch this movie came around again at a time that I was available to see it!

I personally liked the twists that made this more modern and up-to-date.

Will you catch a movie this Christmas this Butterfly? If you do go so see Annie, then come back here and let us know what you thought!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. Nor are there any affiliate links in this post. This post does serve as a contest entry (so if you want to give it a re-tweet I would certainly LOVE that!). As always, all 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.

Weekly Moment of Gratitude! - Come sound off, What are YOU most grateful for this week?

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy

Good and Grateful For Stuff:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Developing a case of the 'wanderlust' again and it means it's time to pick a place on the planet I haven't yet seen and book a ticket! I have a feeling a getaway would do me a world of good!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It's been snowing lately, so hopefully a 'white' Christmas is on it's way for those of us here in the Northeast. Maybe the cold weather and some snow will create a blanket of stillness and peace. With all the insanity right now in New York City, some holiday cheer would be a welcome thing!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I am also always excited by this time of year. Much like snakes shed their old skin and develop new skin it's place, that is what the ending of one year and the beginning of a new one feel like for me. A time to shed my old skin and make the changes I need for overall renewal. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 'renewal' period as you transition into a new year!

Ask yourself at the end of each day: What am I grateful for Today?

My Take:

I always miss this feature when I have to skip it to play catch up or find myself so tired on Sundays that I am just too pooped to write! I love reading what you are grateful for, so please share something good that this week gave you to be grateful for!

My old gratitude journals are my favorite ones to read. I like spending time on New Years Eve reading over old journals - it helps me see how far I have come and re-evaluate the things that both are and the things that are no longer important to me anymore.

What are you most grateful for this week Butterfly? What changes are you going to make for 2015?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. Nor are there any affiliate links in this post. As always, all 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.