Friday, October 29, 2010

3 Baskets for 3 Winners! Review and Giveaway with 1800Baskets.com! Ends 11/08

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor 1800Baskets.com! We look forward to working with you again! The winners are Alisa, @JessieNuez and bdiane34. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!
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KNOCK! KNOCK! TRICK OR TREAT !


As promised butterflies, it's an 'All Treats and No Tricks' Halloween Weekend at Ascending Butterfly! Our friends at 1800Baskets.com are back with a very special and super fun giveaway! Join me in the pumpkin patch while I wait for the great pumpkin! Casa de Butterfly has been having tons of fun road testing great treats and here's our report:


Photo Credit @ 1800Baskets

12 ct of the Fall Leaves Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - These were super yummy! The strawberries were HUGE and bursting with fresh strawberry goodness! My fave in the variety are the dark chocolate dipped. And these go really well with champagne, just saying! It's starting to get chilly here in the Northeast, which means more time spent indoors, this is a perfect indoor treat for you and that special someone! Because this is a fresh fruit delivery it requires overnight shipping, so keep that in mind when you order it.

Now when you think of fruit you think of two other things, cheese and nuts! What is your favorite? My favorite is definitely Cashews! If anyone figures out why you can't stop at a few of them, please let me know! Are you attending any Fall parties and want a thoughtful hostess gift? If you were coming over to my house, I'd love this:

Photo Credit @ 1800Baskets

Vintage Pressed Glass Jar with Jumbo Cashews - These were great. They were just the right amount of salty, they were whole not halves, and when they say JUMBO they mean jumbo, most important, they were soft, don't you hate when you bite into a cashew and it's so hard that you are afraid you might crack a tooth? I love the jar and will definitely be re-purposing it once I run out of the cashews! So it's really a two for the price of one kind of gift! And the chocolate plaid bow adornment would make it a very guy friendly gift also, send them straight to his office as a fall surprise! (Just don't send 'manflowers' to go with it, save those for when he gets home!)

While I always love working with 1800Baskets and try my best not to pick favorites, I did decide to save the best for last this time. This basket is by far the perfect centerpiece for a Fall Table. It's perfect for Thanksgiving and for the Holidays. And would totally make an excellent Hostess gift as well if you are a guest at a Fall gathering. There is something about the Corncupia shape that just speaks 'bounty' and reminds me immediately of a big Thanksgiving meal shared with Family and Friends!

Photo Credit @ 1800Baskets


Cornucopia of Fruit Gift Basket - The selection in this basket includes:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cornucopia Basket
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Comice Pears
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Bosc Pear
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Fuji Apples
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Granny Smith Apple
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Navel Oranges
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 8oz Cheddar Cheese
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1.5oz Toasted Seasoned Almond Halves
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3oz Pistachios
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Net wt. 8lbs

I absolutely loved this basket, and will be ordering a few as gifts for sure! It is filled completely no empty spots, you won't feel cheated or that it had more filler than content. It's chock full of delicious fruit, nuts, and cheese! I also hate when I get a basket that includes very few things I actually consume, this basket is a 100% winner!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at 1800Baskets.com would like to provide 3 Ascending Butterfly Followers with a Fall Treat of their own, you win what I tried! I can assure you it's all treats and no tricks here at Ascending Butterfly! We are mixing this one up in honor of Halloween. We will select one google follower, one twitter follower and one facebook follower! (Remember the, twitter and facebook follower must also be a google follower!) Each person will receive one of the items listed above! The first person to respond to their winner notification will receive the Corncupia Basket, the second winner the 12ct chocolate dipped strawberries and the third winner to respond to their notification will receive the Cashew Nuts! We are in no way requiring you to become a Facebook Follower or Twitter Follower of ours or the sponsor (although we would love it if you did!), you can opt to only to do a main entry as a google follower and will still have the same chances as an entrant using the other methods to win!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and Mandatory Entry: (2) Visit 1800baskets.com look through the list of Fall Baskets and link me to any basket other than the three listed above! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Friday, October 29, 2010 until Monday, November 08, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In the spirit of Halloween fun, how about an extra credit for sharing your favorite scary movie? (Some of my faves include Nightmare on Elm Street, The Excorcist, and Terror Train!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #ascendingbutterfly No Tricks all Treats #Halloween #Giveaways with @1800baskets, 3 winners! - http://tinyurl.com/2c2skzj

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @1800baskets on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow 1800baskets.com on Facebook (and remember to tell them 'Ascending Butterfly sent me) HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW! Ascending Butterfly needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger, please rock the vote for me daily here (voting for me daily nets you daily extra credit, talk about quid pro quo! I thank you in advance for your support!):

Vote for Me
Good Mood Gig from SAM-e

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - 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!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)


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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding 1800baskets are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review & giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Halloween Best Dressed Photo Contest Sponsored by Gilt Group! –Enter to Win a $1000 Credit!


Photo Credit: @ Gilt Group via Mom Bloggers Club

Think your child’s costume is the cutest on the block? Want to prove it and get a chance to win something really cool for doing so?

Between October 22nd and November 8th, upload a photo of your child in his or her Halloween outfit to enter for a chance to win a $1,000 Gilt Credit. Visit the “contests” tab on the Gilt Children Facebook page or click here to enter! The 10 most popular entries, as voted on by Gilt Children fans, (until November 19) will become finalists!

Fans can encourage their friends to vote the following ways:

1. Invite friends to participate in the contest on Facebook

2. Post your vote to your Facebook wall by selecting “share on my wall” when you vote for your favorite photo.

3. Let your friends know that you can vote for each entry once per day

Remember for best chances you should submit your entry early and vote often!

A panel of Gilt Groupe judges will then select five winners based on the overall quality of the photo and the costume, announcing the results by November 26 on the Gilt Children page and Twitter account.

Each of the winners will receive a $1000 credit for use on Gilt.com!


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FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post. This is a sponsored post via Mom Bloggers Club and I am a participating blogger in a paid campaign.

Preparing for a weekend of all Treats (No Tricksies)! - Share your favorite horror movie!

photo credit: Mimoco

Our friends at Mimoco posted the coolest Hello Kitty Computer Wallpaper ever on their Facebook Page HERE! I just had to share, isn't Hello Kitty the coolest? As soon as I saw it, I immediately made it my desktop background on my computer and just had to share her with you!

We are preparing for a very cool weekend surprise of all treats and no tricks for you, so stay tuned! HINT: Our friends at 1800-baskets.com are joining us for a 3 baskets for 3 winners Halloween Themed Giveaway! You WON'T want to miss it!

We experienced a server glitch, no worries (you know I'm all over it!), no entries were lost, but as a result we are extending our deadling for the Satya Jewelry Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway that was supposed to close today at 3pm until 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time, so HURRY enter NOW! Click HERE! (And don't forget to show Satya some love when you are shopping for gifts! They have many collections where the proceeds go to charity! And be sure to check back for a special upcoming giveaway with Satya for our holiday buying guide launching in mid-November! So let's show some entry love for this giveaway!)

So because I'm in super work mode, we are keeping things short and simple today. I thought it would be fun if we shared our favorite horror movie, what is yours?

Horror is my favorite genre and guilty pleasure, and my favorite 'killer' is Freddy Kruger, I also like the movie 'Terror Train' (maybe because it reminds me of my morning commute by rail in New York City, ROFLMAO!), and the Excorcist will always have a creepy factor for me!

NEW NEWS!:  Ascending Butterfly needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger (no worries I do NOT have to stop blogging here, I can do BOTH jobs!), please rock the vote for me daily here: http://www.sam-e.com/job/entries/645

You can also get there using the cool button below:


Vote for Me
Good Mood Gig from SAM-e

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FTC Disclosure: This is a non-compensated post, just alerting my readers of cute wallpaper and upcoming giveaways! So as they say in my neck of the woods 'Don't get it twisted!'

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - What's in the Oven?



Today I had the pleasure of attending a Panera Bread Baking Event in New York City headed by Tom Gumpel, Panera's Head Baker! Here he is during a demonstration making a super delish Bread Pudding! More details to follow, but I thought this would make a perfect Wordless Wednesday Picture!

So, What's in the Oven?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a non compensated post. I was invited to a local event by the Mom Bloggers Club and Panera Bread, while they did feed us, we were not compensated in any way!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Dunkin Donuts Flavored Coffee - Review and Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Dunkin Donuts! We look forward to working with you again! The winner has been notified and upon confirmation, follower name will be posted both here and on our homepage. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!
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America Runs on Dunkin

Don't you just love that tagline? America Runs on Dunkin - and on occassion so do I! My first memory of the smell of coffee in the kitchen was in my great-grandmother's kitchen, she was a die hard coffee drinker. And while I am not an every morning cup of joe person, there are mornings when I already know my to-do list for the day is what some don't do even in a week, and it's on those mornings, I know I need help. Help to see me through a day that will end up being 16 hours or more at least with back to back meetings. Sometimes I need a little help summoning up the 'back-to-back' energy for those 'back-to-back' meetings!

I want something that I can enjoy drinking and that won't drain my weekly budget, yes, even a butterfly has to stick to a budget! and in winter when it's freezing out, I want something warm to start my morning!

When the Mom Bloggers Club asked if I'd like to participate in a testing opportunity with Dunkin, needless to say I jumped at the chance, and while I'm no Coffee Connoisseur, I do know what I like, and just how much I am willing to pay for it!

I was sent 3 different flavors to try,  French Vanilla, Cinnamon Spice and Hazelnut. I ripped open the Hazelnut first. Which doesn't surprise me, it's my favorite variety and I already knew it would be. It didn't fail to disappoint, honestly just the smell in the bag before you even brew it, is just heavenly! My second fave was French Vanilla, and Cinnamon Spice came in last, but not least, it's good, but hazelnut is definitely my hands down fave!

While these three year-round flavors are awesome, Dunkin Donuts also offers seasonal flavors! You can find info on the seasonal flavors at: http://www.dunkinathome.com. (There are Halloween as well Holiday flavors available, they even have gift baskets too! Or you can pick up some bags at your local grocery store and put together your own gift basket, I'm sure some of those hard to shop for gifts like your mail carrier would definitely love a bag or two of morning love for the holidays!)

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Dunkin Donuts would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with a bag of Dunkin Donuts coffee. The flavor will be a surprise, chosen at random by the sponsor; But I can assure you it's all treats and no tricks here at Ascending Butterfly!





Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and Mandatory Entry: (2) Visit Dunkin at Home and tell me which Dunkin Donuts flavor you would most like to try! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Tuesday, October 26, 2010 until Tuesday, November 02, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  #ascendingbutterfly No Tricks all Treats Halloween #Giveaways! - Win a bag of Dunkin Donuts #Coffee! http://tinyurl.com/2g8fswx

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger, please rock the vote for me daily here:

Vote for Me
Good Mood Gig from SAM-e


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - 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!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)



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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding Dunkin Donuts are my own experiences. I was provided product via Mom Bloggers Club to facilitate the review & giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Today's Words of Inspiration - How can I be the change if nothing ever changes?


credit @littlebuddhadesign

How can I be the change if nothing ever changes?

I know what you are thinking: Million Dollar Question, Right?

As cliche as it may sound, 'the change' that you are waiting for, be it a new job, house, mate, friend, car or lifestyle, starts and ends with you.

If nothing around you is changing, it's because you are doing the same things over and over again, and hoping for a new result. That is defined as insanity. A label that may be a bit harsh, but is certainly rooted in some truth. If your routine is the same now as it was 10 years ago, you can't wonder why things have stayed the same.

When does 'The Change' Happen?

Simply put change happens with or without us. With or without our consent and with or without us being ready, but it happens faster, when YOU get fed up. When you are tired of not seeing the level of progress in your life that YOU measure success by. Notice I said YOU. Your friends, family, parents, partner can tell you where your life should be by now, but until you want it, I mean really want it, you won't get there. We put effort into something that we value. Until the change you want to make becomes something of genuine value to you, you won't make it.

Today's Challenge: Get Fed Up of Being Fed Up!

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 'I affirm today that I will put in the effort necessary to cultivate the changes needed to reach my goals and find fulfillment!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about 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:

@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

Active Giveaways! Hurry Enter Now!

1) Ends 10/28 - Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway with Satya Jewelry! Win the Cherry Quartz Om Bracelet (ARV $48)  HERE

2) Ends 10/31 - Plenty of Dresses Review and Giveaway - Win the Item of YOUR choice! Any Dress, Blouse/Top in any style, size or color! HERE

3) Coming Soon: A special giveaway with Smashbox (this was due to YOUR popular demand), Halloween/Fall Treats from 1-800Baskets and so much MORE! Don't forget the Holiday Buying Guide will be launching in November (11/15), and our book club returns too!

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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunday Moment of Gratitude and Great Giveaways too!


Photo Reads: 'Beleive in Gratitude Big' Credit: @Bing

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 - Something I normally wouldn't be, a ritual that comes with the changing of the seasons, clearing out my closets. I've actually been pretty productive and been purging my closets of items that no longer serve a purpose and no longer hold the same value they once did. It's a time consuming process, but very rewarding in the end. And while I still have a bit to go, I'm grateful for the feeling of 'lightness' that clearing out closets leaves me with. The newly cleared spaces are filled with anticipation of what will come, now that a space has been cleared for it.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - For some very happy mailbox days both personal stuff and butterfly stuff! We have some great giveaways ahead, some fun stuff for Halloween and a super fantastic holiday buying guide ahead. For my 'crafty' butterflies we have something super extra special headed your way . . .

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - For all my friends who have participated in Breast Cancer Awareness runs and walks this month, we all choose to honor this month in different ways, but I'm very proud of my friends and the time they put in. And super happy that our friends at Satya Jewelry are hosting such a meaningful awareness giveaway with us! (I'd love it if you could all make sure you take time to enter this giveaway before it closes, and of course if you are shopping for jewelry please consider purchasing from Satya who is donating portions of the proceeds of their special collection to breast cancer awareness, there are also other pieces that donate to different charities as well)

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

Active Giveaways:

1) Ends 10/28 - Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway with Satya Jewelry! Win the Cherry Quartz Om Bracelet (ARV $48)  HERE

2) Ends 10/31 - Plenty of Dresses Review and Giveaway - Win the Item of YOUR choice! Any Dress, Blouse/Top in any style, size or color! HERE

3) Coming Soon: A special giveaway with Smashbox (this was due to YOUR popular demand), Halloween/Fall Treats from 1-800Baskets and so much MORE! Don't forget the Holiday Buying Guide will be launching in November (11/15), and our book club returns too!

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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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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Plenty of Dresses Review and Giveaway - Item of YOUR choice!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Plenty of Dresses! We look forward to working with you again! The winner has been notified and upon confirmation, follower name will be posted both here and on our homepage. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!
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Plenty of Dresses, Where Fashionable Meets Affordable!

Now that the little one's are back in school, have you taken a moment to think about your wardrobe yet? Have you swapped out your summer clothes and started looking at your Fall clothes and sadly realized you've come up a bit short for yourself? Do you have a perfect outfit at the ready for Thanksgiving, for office holiday parties and family festivities?

I am currently in the process of clearing out closets, and getting my home and wardrobe and ready for the new season.

I have to start by apologizing, this review is way overdue, and I want to thank Plenty of Dresses for their patience!

I connected with Plenty of Dresses earlier this year and as I am a butterfly lover, I was sent a variety of butterfly themed items to review. Two very special blouses, that I absolutely adore and a pair of super cute butterfly earrings that were thrown in by the owner, which I thought was extremely thoughtful!

I wore the first blouse and the earrings on my smooth jazz cruise this summer and received numerous compliments! I absolutely love this blouse, it has washed very well, no pills, and no fade out in the silver butterfly design. It looks fab on it's own as I paired it with Black Pants, and also super cute under a jacket for a quick change for evening. I posted the picture of me wearing it earlier this summer, but I just thought I'd show it to you again:



It runs true to size, and I can report it is super comfortable. If you'd like to grab one, it's still in stock, it's called Blue With Butterfly if you can't wait and want to order it now! (And I couldn't blame you!) The other two items don't appear to be in stock (including the butterfly earrings I am wearing in the photo), but there are a wide variety of butterfly themed and non-butterfly themed fabulous clothing that are. And I'm very excited to share that Plenty of Dresses has an excellent variety of Plus Sized items in stock as well. Sometimes when it comes to plus sizing you end up feeling cheated because the selection isn't normally as varied as smaller sizes, but not at Plenty of Dresses! I find it a time saver that I can shop by size and find something super cute that is in stock and available in my size!

I love to get a behind the scenes of brands I work with, and when I'm allowed a glimpse of the person behind the brand I jump at the chance. Plenty of Dresses is a one woman show, that began as a retail location in Canada, the owners, sisters, grew the shop that started with jewelry and accessories, one sister married and moved abroad and the sister that remained expanded the store slowly. She added clothing in a variety of styles, and it took off! Customers responded enthusiastically, and she experienced increased sales and steady growth. And eventually an online shop was formed, that is how Plenty of Dresses was born!

The owner, is the most down-to-earth, approachable person ever (and she's super patient too!) and when I asked her for a bio and more about her she shared her story, but something she wrote really stood out with me, she said:

I'm just a small town girl trying to make it big ~ Corinne, Plenty of Dresses

I honestly don't know how she manages to juggle the demands of a brick and mortar store and running an online shop simultaneously! But with her drive, ambition and perserverance I have no doubt in my mind her quote above will come to pass! I know I make it a personal choice to be sure I think of woman owned businesses first when I shop, I can tell you that having had the chance to try out two pieces from this shop that I fully intend to return to Plenty of Dresses again! As a matter of fact I was thinking of this next:


What do you think? I love purple and the silver accent detail gives it that extra something for evening! OK, I'll be nice and share the direct link to this top, but please don't order them all because I want one! Purple Plus Size Top With Silver Accent


WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Plenty of Dresses would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with your choice of any in-stock item, shirt, dress, the choice is YOURS!



Don't you just ♥ Plenty of Dresses? (I know I Do!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and Mandatory Entry: (2) Visit Plenty of Dresses and Share a link to the item you would pick if you won! (Remember it can't be the giveaway item, or the other items mentioned! Be careful if you link to the review item your entry will be disqualified!) (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA + Canada residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Saturday, October 23, 2010 until Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ok to RT Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  #ascendingbutterfly + @plentyofdresses  #win clothing item of YOUR choice #Giveaway! - http://tinyurl.com/2756a3o

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - ‘Like’ (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) Plenty of Dresses on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @plentyofdresses 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 - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger, please rock the vote for me daily here:

Vote for Me
Good Mood Gig from SAM-e


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - 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!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)



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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding Plenty of Dresses are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review & giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Gain “Sniff, Sniff, Hooray!” Review





I do not yet have a dishwashwer and will admit while I love to cook, and I love to eat, I'm not such a big fan of the dishes part of dinner time, or lunch time or breakfast time. . .well you get the picture!

There are lots of minuses to dishwashing by hand, the dreaded 'dishpan' hands if you don't wear gloves and having to expose to your hands to harsh detergents. And ladies as you probably already know by now, our neck and our hands reveals our age way more than our face actually does! SCARY STUFF!

I don't know about you, but I for one, have never had time to 'comparison shop' when it comes to dishwashing liquid. I have been pretty much used to getting the one that's cheapest. Let's face it when it comes to our shopping, some items we won't compromise with and others are not as important to have by specific brand but just by function and price.

Our friends at My Blog Spark recently sent me a Gain package, that included original scent Gain Dishwashing Liquid, 3 tshirts and 3 $5 Walmart Cards. The day the package arrived, I was sitting for my nieces and they grabbed the t-shirts! Tshirts that had Butterflies on them by the way! LOVE IT!!! It made me feel like they had me in mind when they developed this package! My nieces also laid claim to the walmart cards for snacks and a DVD, while that scored me cool auntie points, that left me without a giveaway item! So you are going to have to blame my nieces for this being a review instead of a review with giveaway as we normally do!


While I love when they come over, they know the rules are, they dirty a dish, they wash it! So after the movie we all set off to the kitchen so everyone could wash their popcorn bowls, and we all tried Gain for the first time. For them, they have a dishwasher, so they only end up washing dishes at my house! Which I think is a good thing for them to learn anyway, we all know electronics can sometimes go wonky. I have actually never tried Gain Dishwashing Liquid, although I am of course very familiar with the liquid laundry detergent. So for me the first thing that stood out was the scent, which I greatly enjoyed. The girls of course enjoyed 'dishwashing liquid bubbles' more than washing their popcorn bowls, but they too liked the scent and all the giggles and silliness made washing dishes so much more fun!

My take on Gain Dishwashing Liquid:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I love the scent!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I like that a little goes a long way, it really does cut the grease well!

I know I will actively seek out Gain, unlike before where I wasn't so concerned with brand, but price. That doesn't mean I won't stick to my budget, but I will be actively seeking it out when it's on sale and making sure to re-stock with Gain when I do run out!

For more information about the new Gain Dishwashing Liquids, visit ILoveGain.com or yoamogain.com. In addition, be sure to “Like” Gain on Facebook and follow Gain on Twitter! By the way, their twitter background has butterflies! Love it!!!!

The search for the Scents of America is on and now it's your turn to vote! Let your nose be heard! http://ilovegain.com/scentofamerica


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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 Gain are my own experiences. I was provided with product from P&G via MyBlogSpark to facilitate the review.