Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Great Giveaways!



On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and focused breathing meditations.

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I am very happy to have my laptop back from the repair shop! The wordless days were driving me nuts! (Yes I know I should have been grateful for the opportunity to have some stillness, but what's an inspirational blog with no inspirations on it???) Having it back has also enabled me to get all caught up on your entries into the giveaways as well! (Now are you happy I have it back?! LOL)  :)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly was given not just one but TWO 'One Lovely Blog Awards' this week! This time we were nominated by Jana at Boobies, Babies and A Blog and Bri from at Silver Savings, Freebies, & Giveaways


Thanks Jana and Bri, I love your blogs too!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I am grateful to report that Ascending Butterfly is a nominee in the Blogger's Choice Awards '10 in the 'Best Blog About Stuff' Category, Please vote for us!

Where it reads total votes, there is a yellow box that reads 'Vote' Press there to vote, you must be logged in to see the number increase/vote registered. You can also vote directly using the button located on our home page and below:

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!

Your vote is appreciated, winning this category will bring Ascending Butterfly the recognition that will help us attract bigger sponsors and offer more prizes to our loyal readers! This is not a daily, it's a one time vote only. If every Ascending Butterfly follower votes just once, we would sweep the category for sure!

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and 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

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! We will be offering multiple giveaways all throughout 2010! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE!

ENDING SOON ALERT: February 2010: The Ascending Butterfly Book Club review & GIVEAWAY - Featured Book in the Spotlight! enter to win this month's Book Club Title 'Dancing With Butterflies' by Reyna Grande HERE!

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


Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!
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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will have no way of informing you if you win, and we will have to select another winner. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Winner Announcement - Ascending Butterfly's MOR Cosmetics Giveaway Winners!



Congratulations to *'CherylS22', * 'Pat' and *'SkipTheLaundry' the confirmed winners of Ascending Butterfly's MOR Cosmetics Giveaway! I know they are just going to love their prize. Join us in congratulating our winners! We would like to thank our sponsor MOR Cosmetics for this great giveaway. We look forward to working with you again soon and thank you so much for the opportunity to offer this great giveaway to not just one, but THREE winners!

Thank You for choosing to spend a part of your day with Ascending Butterfly; and Remember to enter our active giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page!

--Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team

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*We post our winner's username/comment name instead of full name

Friday, February 26, 2010

Weekend Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways!



Welcome Home Laptop!

I received quite a few emails asking where the inspirations have gone! As most of you know my laptop was in the shop for repair, and it is finally back! Welcome home baby, I missed you SO much! Thanks so much to my UPS man who braved the snow and brought me my laptop back!

I truly didn't realize how much I missed the portability and convenience until I didn't have it. This must be what 'you don't fully appreciate what you have until it's gone' really means! LOL

The poor patient had a lot of parts that needed to be replaced and I'm happy to report it's fully recovered now. I spent the morning doing 're-installs' including antivirus/firewall programs, photos, music etc..... It's running better now than it was before! If only our lives had a re-set button! I am happy to report that inspirations are back! And I'm also fully caught up on contest entries (no easy feat, we have had very enthusiastic responses to the current giveaways!).

I also wanted to share, that I am a guest blogger at Linea Pelle's Life+Style Blog, my article 'From Rocker Street to Rocker Chic' is up now (it's dated February 24, 2010) and can be seen HERE

Because it really hits home, let's take some time today to appreciate our often over-looked blessings. Those things that are so much a part of our day-to-day lives that we take them for granted.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I take nothing for granted, I am fully aware of my many blessings-both big and small!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

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

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a NING group with real time chat HERE

ENDING SOON ALERT: MOR Cosmetics Giveaway! THREE lucky Ascending Butterfly Readers can win MOR Cosmetics best selling 'Lychee Flower Soap' in what has to be the most beautiful packaging ever! enter HERE!

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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Winner Announcement - Ascending Butterfly's Affordable Scarves Giveaway Winners!


Congratulations to both *'Hotsnotty 2' and * 'Deb C' the confirmed winners of Ascending Butterfly's Affordable Scarves Giveaway! Join us in congratulating both of our winners! We would like to thank our sponsor Affordable Scarves for this great giveaway. We look forward to working with you again soon and thank you so much for the opportunity to offer this great giveaway to not just one, but TWO winners!


Thank You for choosing to spend a part of your day with Ascending Butterfly; and Remember to enter our active giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page!

--Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team

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

*We post our winner's username/comment name instead of full name.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Spring Into Bags Special Feature - Enter to win an Elliott Lucca Designer Bag!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Elliott Lucca, We look forward to working with you again! The winner is 'cdziuba' Remember: There are still some great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!


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Ascending Butterfly's 'Spring Into Bags' Special Feature launch sponsored by:



I was so excited about our new 'Spring Into Bags' special feature, I have decided to launch it one week earlier than expected! This feature was set to go live in March, but I just couldn't wait to share with you one of my favorite joys of Spring, new handbags!

This Spring, color will be hot in handbags (think 'brights' like yellows, kelly greens etc) and studded bags in honor of the 'Rocker Chick' inspired runway looks we saw at New York Fashion Week.

We all know the best way to apply runway style trends to our day to day lives lies in the accessories. None of us can show up at work with a head-to-toe look straight off the runway, but we can rock a great bag!

For Spring 2010, Ascending Butterfly will be hosting a special feature called 'Spring Into Bags' we are going to be reviewing and giving away hot handbags from hot bag designers! Fasten your seatbelts fellow bag lovers you are in for an awesome ride!

The first designer being featured is Elliott Lucca who has been spotted on the arms of celebs like Jennifer  Garner and Carmen Electra.



I was sent Elliot Lucca's "Casares Bag" in the 'Curry' Color, it's major Spring Arm Candy with it's  basketweave design from the base to the middle and the drawstring with the metalic pull stop and side pockets with branded zipper pulls that have a leather tassle accent. It's buttery soft. There is nothing like the smell of leather in the morning!

How would you like to become a 'bag reviewer'?   The winner of this giveaway will win a different bag than the one I reviewed. We'd love to hear the winner's feedback on their bag once they have had some time to test drive it in the spring!

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our amazing friends at Elliott Lucca would like to provide 1 ultra lucky Ascending Butterfly Follower an Elliott Lucca "Lucca 3-Way Demi - Poppy Crinkle Patent Bag" (Don't you just ♥ Elliott Lucca?)


Dimensions: 13" Length, 4" Width, 8" Height, 8" Strap Drop
Exterior: Leather
Interior: Cotton
Adjustable and removable strap; can be worn as a crossbody or clutch!
Lining features two multi function pockets and a zippered backwall pocket
Zipper closure
Clean with a water-based leather cleaner and moisturizer. Use a protective spray to protect the leather surface.



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) Visit Elliott Lucca and pick another bag (other than the one being reviewed and the one being given away!) that you like and leave the LINK to that bag in your comment entry! (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). Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. IMPORTANT: Your email will be shared with the sponsor of this giveaway, your entry is your permission for us to do so. As a result, your email MUST be included in your entry!

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 Tuesday, February 23, 2010 until Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:59 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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this: #ascendingbutterfly + @ElliottLucca Designer Handbag #Giveaways! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #win here - http://tinyurl.com/ykm2yhm

(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).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Elliott Lucca (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -To welcome our new fans to Facebook we are offering 20% off www.elliottlucca.com until 3/9. Please friend us on Facebook to receive the promo code!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @ElliottLucca on Twitter HERE

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 - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ Where it reads total votes, there is a yellow box that reads 'Vote' Press there to vote, you must be logged in to see the number increase/vote registered. You can also vote directly using the button located on our home page and below:

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!

And since I know savvy Ascending Butterfly Readers like 'TWOfer's' I just had to let you know that Elliott Lucca is hosting a great 'Book in a Bag' Giveaway HERE



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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 product are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review and the sponsor is also fulfilling product to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.

Monday, February 22, 2010

I am an official General Hospital Brand Ambassador!


My first sick day many years ago when I was still a student resulted in my introduction to my mom's secret world of 'stories' and General Hospital was one of them. I got wrapped up in the story lines and couldn't wait to ask her about them when I got home from school.

I still watch to this day, thankfully Soapnet, Tivo and Cable have made it easier to watch them on MY schedule!

I wanted to alert you to an exciting General Hospital sweepstakes that’s currently being run on the Mom Central website. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a trip to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital and have a walk-on role! The sweepstakes is open until February 28th. The sign up survey for this Sweepstakes can be found HERE

Would you like to become a Brand Ambassador too? Learn How!

How to join the General Hospital Brand Ambassador Group

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - All Brand Ambassadors are encouraged to join our private brand group. In this group, you’ll have the chance to interact with each other, Mom Central and the ABC Daytime Team. Here are the instructions for signing up for this group. There are several steps involved since it is a private group!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Make sure you have an account set up on MomCentral.com. If you do not have an account set up you can register here

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Whether you’re registering with the MomCentral.com website for the first time or are logging in to our new website for the first time since our makeover, please make sure to complete the entire registration process so that you will be able to fully participate in the General Hospital Brand Ambassador group.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If you’ve lost your MomCentral.com password, here is how to reset your password: http://www.momcentral.com/go/password/recovery

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If you are not already logged into Mom Central, go to the Mom Central homepage and click the “login” button at the top: http://momcentral.com/
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Once you are logged in, click the “My Profile” link in the top navigation bar to obtain your Profile URL. For example, here is Community Manager Adrienne’s profile URL: http://community.momcentral.com/adriennemomcentral




Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Copy and paste that link into an email and send it to generalhospitalmoms@momcentral.com with the subject line: Please invite me to join the General Hospital Brand Ambassador Group.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Once we receive your email with a link to your profile we will invite you to join the group.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You will receive an email in the inbox of the email account you used to create your MomCentral.com profile. It will come from community.momcentral.com

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Open the email and click on the link. It will take you to your “Member Quick Links & Notification” section on MomCentral.com

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Click on the “Group Invites” link and “Accept” the invitation to General Hospital Brand Ambassador Group.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You are now officially a member of the group! Here is the group URL: (remember, you will not be able to participate until you have completed the steps above):


I for one would be over the moon if I won, and I'd want my scene to be with Steve Burton who makes bad look oh so good as Mob Enforcer 'Jason Morgan' (formerly Jason Quartermaine). I can just picture the scene now.....a sultry, mysterious Lady Mob Enforcer rolls into town (played by ME of course) and has to go up against Jason in an all guns blazing fight....I'm thinking we both get away less worse for wear, this way I get to come back! Or maybe I'm sent to kill off Sam, Mu ha ha ha ha ha!

A hunky, handsome actor, Steve Burton gives the character of Jason the detachment and coldness needed to be a mob hit man. Burton, however, also portrays what goes on inside Jason Morgan - a loving heart aching to show itself. (inserting the words 'only to me' in my head,  pretend you didn't hear it!)

This Week's Juicy Storyline Topic of Discussion: Sonny’s trial for murder begins! One son is tormented when his father takes the fall for him while the other is called to stand to testify against his father.

What do you think is going to happen? Should Sonny take the rap for Michael?

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

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.

Monday, February 22, 2010 - Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways!


The Brass Ring is Still There

Do you remember back when you were young and rode on a merry-go-round? Did you try to reach for the Brass Ring? Did it often seem so close you thought you had it? Did you ride the Carousel each time hoping to grab the Brass Ring?

Life can often times feel like a Carousel, a constant up and down, with an endless round and round motion when you are just itching to move forward quickly and make faster progress toward your brass ring.

For each of us that Brass Ring is different. Our measures of satisfaction, success and personal fulfillment differ. But there is one constant, that we each have a brass ring uniquely our own and sometimes we can't reach it alone.

What is your Brass Ring?

I do know that the Brass Ring isn't going to fall from the sky and magically land in our laps. Despite the ups and downs, the moving farther away from it and then hurtling toward it again, it is still there. It is still within your grasp.

The how and the when is why we are here, just remember don't stop reaching out for it, one day you will get it. (Just make sure you are reaching for the right ring!)

This month has found me so much closer to my Brass Ring than I ever imagined I could be. It has given me the fuel to continue to press forward. I hope the daily words of inspiration shared here will bring you closer to your own brass rings!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I reach for the brass ring with hope, optimism and enthusiasm daily!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

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

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a NING group with real time chat HERE

ENDING SOON ALERT: Affordable Scarves Giveaway! TWO lucky Ascending Butterfly Readers can win the scarf of their choice including pashmina, cashmere and silk, the choice is YOURS, enter HERE!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and 4 giveaways (with SEVEN winners)!



On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and focused breathing meditations.

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I am very happy to share with everyone that I was the Grand Prize Winner in the One Meaning Poetry Contest! I just found out today and I am literally floating on Cloud 9. I should preface this by saying, my Poetry is the one thing I very rarely share with anyone and it took an incredible deal of courage just to muster up the guts to enter. And now the girl who rarely shares her poetry with anyone, will have her poetry turned into a special piece of jewelry to be shared with the world! If you'd like to read the poem and see the winner's announcement, visit HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly was given another Sunshine Award today! This time we were nominated by Traci at 38 and Growing, you can see her great post HERE - It's fun spreading sunshine! Thanks Traci, we love your blog too!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I am grateful to report that Ascending Butterfly is a nominee in the Blogger's Choice Awards '10 in the 'Best Blog About Stuff' Category, Please vote for us!

Where it reads total votes, there is a yellow box that reads 'Vote' Press there to vote, you must be logged in to see the number increase/vote registered. You can also vote directly using the button located on our home page and below:

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!

Your vote is appreciated, winning this category will bring Ascending Butterfly the recognition that will help us attract bigger sponsors and offer more prizes to our loyal readers! This is not a daily, it's a one time vote only.

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and 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 (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

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

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

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! We will be offering multiple giveaways all throughout 2010! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE!

ENDING SOON ALERT: Affordable Scarves Giveaway! TWO lucky Ascending Butterfly Readers can win the scarf of their choice including pashmina, cashmere and silk, the choice is YOURS, enter HERE!

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


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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will have no way of informing you if you win, and we will have to select another winner. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!


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

Friday, February 19, 2010

MOR Cosmetics Review and Giveaway! 3 Winners!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor MOR Cosmetics, We look forward to working with you again! Congratulations to *'CherylS22', * 'Pat' and *'SkipTheLaundry' the confirmed winners of Ascending Butterfly's MOR Cosmetics Giveaway! *We post our winner's username/comment name instead of full name. Remember: There are still some great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

 
Ascending Butterfly Editor's Pick Sponsored By:



Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - My running theme this week has stemmed from a burning desire to escape the bitter cold, snowy and icy' not-so-wonderland' that is New York this week! With technology challenges that include my laptop being in the shop for repair and spotty connections with my ISP, my daydreams of warm, sun-drenched and sandy beaches are pretty much all consuming at this point.

And then along comes my friends at MOR Cosmetics to the rescue! While they didn't send me on the caribbean vacay of my dreams, they did the next best thing to it, they sent me some goodies to try out that transported me with a sensory delight of aromatherapy that nearly did take me to the tropics!

MOR is a line of divinely inspired skincare, spa and body products that draws inspiration from the far corners of the globe. It was during a trip to India in 2001 to source fabrics for their homeware line that Melbourne based founders Dianna Burmas and Deon Iuretigh fell in love with the endless possibilities of blending traditional and contemporary ingredients to create an array of fragrances and beauty products. Deciding to channel all their energies into a new line of body products, they created MOR Cosmetics. With over 350 products today, the line has a cult like following and is sold in some of the world's hippest boutiques. Mor offers a range of products from bath oils and foams, body wash and scrubs, soothing massage oils, richly emollient hand and body creams, and lovely soaps and candles.

I tried out the Lychee Flower Soap, it's a MOR Cosmetics best-seller and for very good reason, the scent is hypnotic, and it instantly conjures up images of a warm beach, flowers in your hair and the sun on your skin, yes folks, it's THAT good!



And don't get me started on the packaging! It's so beautiful that it took me forever to open it because I didn't want to destroy the paper! But I know I have to do the 'hard' stuff so you don't have to, and while I did open it very carefully, the scent permeated the air in the bathroom in such a way that it rivals some of the finest candles I've purchased!

These are stunners, perfect to display in your powder room and your guest bathroom as well. (Why do guests always get the good stuff?) These are also fabulous hostess gifts!

I also had the pleasure of trying out the Snow Gardenia Body Butter. I am pretty picky when it comes to my body butters. I like them to be rich (not too thick, no too thin), to be super-hydrating (especially in winter since it's so cold and windy here that the weather tends to dry out my skin) and I like scent, I like to know it's there (not too much as to offend the 'noses' working around me but enough to know I have something special on!) and I am pleased to report, Mor definitely exceeded my body butter expectations. And that's not so easy to do!


Again, note the beautiful packaging! It's already ready for gift giving! Gentlemen take note, that special lady in your life will absolutely LOVE this! This is vanity worthy packaging for sure. Don't you just love the silk damask inspired packaging?

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Mor Cosmetics would like to provide 3 lucky Ascending Butterfly Followers a Lychee Flower Soap! (Don't you just ♥ Mor Cosmetics?)

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) Visit Mor Cosmetics and pick another soap (other than the one being reviewed and given away!)  that you like and leave the LINK to that soap in your comment entry! (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! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older.

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 Friday, February 19, 2010 until Friday, February 26, 2010 at 11:59 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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this: #ascendingbutterfly + @MORcosmetics 3 winners - bestselling lychee flower soap #Giveaways! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #win here - http://tinyurl.com/yjubsuu

(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 ONCE A DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow MOR cosmetics (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @MORcosmetics on Twitter HERE

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 - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!

Didn't win? Purchase Mor Cosmetics online for less here:


















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

FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review and the sponsor is also fulfilling product to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Not So Wordless Thursday -Trying to keep it Zen!


Trying to Keep it Zen!

We are wordless again today!

A  Laptop-less blogger makes for another wordless day. I have some choice words in mind, mostly for the manufacturer of my Laptop, but  I was told 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.' And so I won't!

But I do want to.......in the meantime I'll be staring at the Zen Garden and trying to transport myself into the picture!

Remember we have THREE active giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page!

Wordlessly Yours,


Ascending Butterfly
 
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

My First Wordless Wednesday!



Butterflies I am sad to inform you all that technology has revolted against me today at 'Casa de Butterfly', my laptop is in the shop, and my internet connection has been spotty at best, so in honor of losing my battle to the 'tech war of winter 2010', I am hosting my first 'Wordless Wednesday'. They say you sometimes have to sit still and in silence to find inspiration.

As I mentioned yesterday I usually keep my sanity in the winter by spending one week (or more) somewhere warm. Here is a picture of the view from my balcony taken during my last trip to sunny Cancun, Mexico. I certainly wish I was there right now!

If you don't see a post here tomorrow you will know I have lost the tech war altogether, or I have hopped on the next flight out of here in search of sunnier skies!

Wordlessly Yours,

Ascending Butterfly

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways!


A Little Snow Crazy

I will admit I've had enough snow already! It snowed during the night and more is expected today. I am all snowed out!

For those of you reading today from somewhere warm and sunny, be GRATEFUL for the sun today! I wouldn't mind seeing some more of it myself. Normally each winter I take one week and run off somewhere warm, sandy and sunny. This winter hasn't afforded me the time or funds to do so and I'm going a bit stir crazy! (Any warm resorts and spas looking for a review? :)

Have you finally recovered from your Valentine's Day 2010 sugar rush? Have you disposed of the evidence? Remember, the padded heart boxes make great Jewelry Boxes, Recycle, Re-Purpose, and Re-Use.

Did anyone celebrate the Chinese New Year on Sunday? Did you go to a parade? I would love to see your pics if you are willing to share them.

Sunday was also a New Moon (in the sign of Aquarius), I hope you remembered to make a New Moon Wish!

No matter how you may have spent the weekend, Let this week fill you with new promise!

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

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

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

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a NING group with real time chat HERE

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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

Monday, February 15, 2010

Tommee Tippee® Review and Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Tommee Tippee®, We look forward to working with you again! The winner is * 'GabbyLowe' - Congratulations! Remember: There are still some great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙


Baby Love!

As many of you remember, I teased about a wonderful product launch I was attending in December last year, but couldn't reveal all the details at the time.

I had the pleasure of attending the U.S. product launch of well known and much loved #1 selling U.K. brand, Tommee Tippee®! I enjoyed the up close and personal opportunity to interact with the folks behind the brand (phenomenal team!), the chance to see the line of products set up for various age groups, there was even a stand up comedian, but the absolute highlight was that beverages (water and green tea ladies, NOT those kind of beverages!) were served from Tommee Tippee® Weaning Cups! It certainly made a room full of moms and bloggers giggle, myself included!

In the last couple of months, there were a lot of 'little butterflies' in my circle between friends and family! All the new babies meant one thing, new recruits in my product testing army! Yes I start them young! I sent out some Tommee Tippee® goodies to the mom's and let the 'wee ones' 'field test' everything.

The report from the troops are all Spectacular! All the mom's had nothing but good things to say, and based on the baby giggles when I speak to them on the phone, Tommee Tippee® products are baby tested, mommy approved and Auntie endorsed! Blogging has put me in the rank of 'favorite' and 'best' Aunt ever, I LOVE IT! (I'll post pics of smiling baby faces as soon as they come in from the field!)

Because I'm surrounded by newborns I tried out a few products in the newborn range of products, but the line takes you through the toddler years too!

ABOUT TOMMEE TIPPEE

Today, Tommee Tippee innovations provide comfort for babies and peace of mind for parents in 45 countries around the world.Tommee Tippee is the number one brand of infant and toddler feeding products in Great Britain. Since 1965, Tommee Tippee has earned a reputation for its clever ideas, product quality and simply intuitive designs that promote natural development at every age, stage and feeding need. These smart ideas have earned the company top ranks in the prestigious Mother and Baby awards a head-to-head assessment of competitive products voted on by moms themselves. In fact, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature line of baby bottles has been chosen as Great Britains best baby bottle winning the Gold Award in 2006/7, 2008/9 and again in 2009/10.

The company’s first product, the Tommee Tippee Cup, featured a rounded, weighted base that makes it impossible to tip over and eliminates spills. Since then, Tommee Tippee has advanced the baby and childcare industry, partnering with parents around the world to create products inspired by nature and scientifically designed to solve real consumer needs. Tommee Tippee is especially known for two brands–Closer to Nature® baby bottles and accessories and Explora® toddler feeding cups and mealtime accessories.

Now you all know how much I adore butterflies, and I had to make a butterfly themed product my editor's pick! The Tommee Tippee Explora Truly Spill Proof Trainer Cup 9oz - 6m+ - Green/Butterfly pictured below:


I also wanted to highlight the features of the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature First Sips Weaning Cup - 4m+ - 5 oz. pictured below:


No More Hard Drinking Spouts



The unique soft spout with flexible ribbing offers a natural transition from bottle to cup for comfort as baby learns how to sip.

Switch easily between bottle and cup


The bottle base interchanges with Closer to Nature nipples, and the removable handles are interchangeable with all Closer to Nature bottles, making the transition from bottles to sippy cups easier on both baby and parents.

Convenient for travel


Traveling with the Closer to Nature First Sips Cup is a breeze thanks to the included hygienic lid that protects the spout.

Another  product tested by my little butterflies was the Tommee Tippee 2-Pack Closer to Nature Clear Shield Pacifier - 0-6m pictured below:


Product Description

The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Clear Shield Pacifier soothers have been scientifically developed in association with a world leading authority in pediatric dentistry and a biomedical engineer. This unique patented range develops in size and shape as your child grows, supporting natural, healthy oral development. Features a clear shield for simple soothing. Contains 2 Stage 1 Clear Shield pacifiers and includes free sterilizer case. BPA free.

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Tommee Tippee® would like to provide 1 lucky Ascending Butterfly Follower the following: one 5 ounce,  one 9 ounce, and one 0-6 month clear shield Pacifier, and a first sips weaning cup! (Don't you just ♥ Tommee Tippee®?)

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) Visit Tommee Tippee® and pick an item you like (other than the review items) and leave the LINK to that item in your comment entry! (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! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older.

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 Monday, February 15, 2010 until Thursday, Marrch 04, 2010 at 11:59 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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this: #ascendingbutterfly + @TommeeTippeeUS #win products for your baby! #Giveaways Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #win here - http://tinyurl.com/yhrbz5m

(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 ONCE A DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Tommee Tippee (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) on Facebook HERE

NOTE: Afterwards be sure to check out their 'Sweepstakes' Tab on Facebook and enter for chance to win free Tommee Tippee products, a weekly drawing for a $500 BabiesRUs gift card, and the Grand Prize is a $1,000 BabiesRUs gift card!! After you become a facebook fan, just go to the sweepstakes tab and you will see a button that reads 'enter sweepstakes' this is a giveaway being hosted directly by Tommee Tippee® exclusively for their facebook fans!!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @TommeeTippeeUS on Twitter HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sign up for Tommee Tippee email HERE

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 - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE (any Ning Group member who puts the Ning Group badge on their blog will get double points! Grab the badge at the Ning Group using link provided)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!

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

FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review and the sponsor is also fulfilling product(s) to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways! - ♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥Happy Butterfly Valentine Weekend!


Happy Butterfly Valentine!

Do you remember how much fun Valentine's Day was when you were a kid? Who got your paper heart back then? Was it your crush? Your BFF? A few 'Besties'?

I got my first paper heart in Kindegarten from a very sweet boy in my class, it was a very bold move for him because he was so shy!

From the heart gestures are still the ones that rule with me. Remember Holidays are only as commercial as you make them!

In this recession, the old 'coupon book' standby and today's 'mixed tape' equivalent, the 'playlist' are silly, fun and endearing ways to show you care. Showing love doesn't mean going into debt!

Don't forget to show some love to your FIRST Valentine, ahem.....YOUR MOM!

Also, Try to remind your sweetie how much you love them everyday,  and be sure to fill this weekend with romance! Remember why you both fell in love in the first place!

No sweetie this year? Then enjoy some 'single and mingle' fun this weekend, the universe can't send you romance if you don't put yourself out there!

You are all my Valentines! Wishing you all a magical weekend. Wishing you stars in your eyes. Songs in your heart. Music for your soul. Good Company and better still endless Possibilities!

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

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

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

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a NING group with real time chat HERE

LAST CALL: The Mimobot Giveaway ends TONIGHT, get in your entry HERE

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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