Thursday, June 30, 2011

Today's Words of Inspiration - Affirm Your Worth!


Have you ever had one of those days? Have you ever had something bad happen or some major inconvenience and caught your inner mind speak saying to you 'I should have known this would happen.' or 'I guess I deserved it'?

Today's Affirmation: I have complete and unconditional worth as a person in this universe.

I fully believe this to be true and you must also! You must be aware of those triggers that get your mind to use negative self talk. That negative self talk will win out over our affirmations, if we don't make the affirmations a regular habit. Everytime those moments happen that trigger your negative self talk, refer back to this affirmation instantly and say it out loud if you can. Eventually when those stressful moments arise, you will be able to defeat the chain of negativity just by stating this affirmation! Does this means you will never experience stress? No it doesn't, but affirmations are a very powerful tool to help you manage the stress efficiently!

Today's Words of Inspiration'
 
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 have complete and unconditional worth as a person in this Universe.'

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 ! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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

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Where are the Giveaways?

Look for the return of our monthly Featured Handbag in the Spotlight Feature in July (I'll try to get this posted for you on July 1st, but in case it doesn't go live until after the Fourth of July weekend, no worries, as usual this feature is a monthly and you will have ample time to enter). July will be the begining of our 'Summer of Surprises' giveaways and the return of our monthly book club, so stay tuned!

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Ascending Butterfly @CaesarsAC for her birthday! {with Picture}



The picture above was taken for my birthday in 2006 at Caesars Casino in Atlantic City! It became my friends and family's annual tradition to take a picture in the chariot, they don't have it anymore and I miss my taking my annual picture there! (If you press on the picture, it will open up enlarged which will help to see it more clearly!)

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

{CLOSED} Carolina Pad Stand Up Collection Review with Giveaway! Ends 06/30

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Carolina Pad! 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!
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Ascending Butterfly's Annual Dads N Grads Buying Guide Giveaway, brought to you by:


While I know I didn't exactly invent 'shopping with a conscience', I'm definitely it's biggest champion. It's important to me to know that I can empower others simply by making wise spending choices. We all know money is power, it's also your voice, so what is your money saying?

I research not only what I shop for, but WHERE I shop and what the place I shop at does for the community they are in and the world at large. And when I come across brands, celebs, campaigns and companies that are donating their profits to worthy causes, I am more than happy to share them with you!


Carolina Pad

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Who They Are:  - Did you know they started in 1945 with the founder/owner selling direct, and by direct I mean directly out of his truck! (My grandmother had that kind of entrepreneurial spirit!) Moving forward to the year 2000, Carolina Pad helped transform the stationery industry. How? By introducing fashion school and office products! To stay competitive the company shifted focus from manufacturing products, to designing them. They were the first company to add fashion to School and Office Supply Products. And we know that turned out to be a great idea because you can see their products featured on hit TV shows like 90210 and Gossip Girl!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They GIVE as good they get - Commerce with a Conscience® allows Carolina Pad to partner with nonprofit organizations to build awareness and raise funds for worthy causes. Their approach to corporate responsibility works from the inside out. Their values not only include the company’s commitment to giving back to the community, but also encourage and recognize employees who participate in community and environmental programs.

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Collections by Year - Each year, Carolina Pad devotes a collection of school and office products to the Commerce with a Conscience® cause. A portion of the sales of these items is then donated to a nonprofit organization.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Dreamsicle Collection and Girls on the Run - 2010 -Carolina Pad partnered with Signature Designer Jackie McFee and Girls on the Run International (GOTR) to create the Dreamsicle Collection, stylish school and office products for women and girls. The GOTR after-school curriculum-based program inspires more than 50,000 girls a year to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, and embrace their gifts in more than 150 cities across North America.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Kendall Kollection and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - 2008 and 2009 - Carolina Pad partnered with Jackie McFee and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to launch the Kendall Kollection. Funds raised through the Kendall Kollection support LLS’s blood cancer research and patient education and support services.

Latest Collection: Their newest Commerce with a Conscience collection is Stand Up! By designer Liz Diller. This collection was created in partnership with The Humane Society of the United States to promote Humane Teen, a nationwide movement of young people working to help animals. Students can participate in community service projects that tackle issues such as puppy mills, animal abuse and cruelty, farm animal protection, living peacefully with wildlife, and the fur trade. Stand Up! is available exclusively in the Carolina Pad Web Store.


My Take

I love this collection what better way to instill a sense of responsibility for animals in young people than with this collection where the sales benefit Humane Teen? I love the messages 'Respect', 'Love', and 'Speak Out.'

I am a pet lover and over the years have had pet dogs, a cat, a snake, an iguana, and birds. I think the only pet I haven't had is a bunny and one of my friends had that covered! I always dreamed of owning a ranch or a horse someday! I love animals and those commercials on tv that show abused animals always makes me sad then insanely angry that there are people out there abusing animals so organizations like the Humane Society are still very much needed. The work they do is so valuable, but how I wish it was not necessary!

My Niece fell in love with the collection so I'll have to order some for her, but I took the opportunity to also explain the meaning behind the collection and I hope she'll share it with her friends as well. This is a great collection of supplies to stock up early for back to school, and I love using Speak Out Notebook for all my note-taking at events and interviews! (It always draws attention and compliments!)

I dare you to help me change the world, one folder, one notebook, one binder and one collection at a time by shopping the Carolina Pad Web Store's Stand Up! Collection.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Carolina Pad have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will get the Stand Up! Collection (remember you can't have won a Carolina Pad contest across the web in the past 90 days to enter this giveaway) This giveaway is open to our readers in Canada as well, YAY!

Don't you just ♥ Carolina Pad? 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 (2)MANDATORY entry- In honor of this collection benefiting Humane Teen and Humane Society, Tell us about a Pet you love! (can be a current pet, childhood pet, or pet you've always wanted to have!) (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. One entry per Household, see Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy HERE.

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, June 28, 2011 until Thursday, June 30, 2011 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) You cannot have won a Carolina Pad prize pack orgift certificate in the past 90 days.

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You know how much I love finding us both win/wins right? Here's another one: Visit the Degree Women MotionSENSE App on Facebook and enter GetMoving031 in 'Enter Codes' HERE (you'll get an extra 5 MotionSENSE Miles which you can trade in for great prizes including trips!) Enter, share on your wall, and let me know you entered by linking me to where you shared it on your wall, by the way sharing also buys you extra MotionSENSE miles, win/win right? :)

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! Leave five entries.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our NEW Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you have our old one, please swap it out, our URL address has changed!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @CarolinaPad on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter (this is Ascending Butterfly's new account, we will soon be hosting twitter parties which necessitates having a second account so we can make updates throughout the entire party!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @carolinapad Stand Up! Collection #Review and #Giveaway! Ends 06/30 USA + Can http://tinyurl.com/4yl6bnv

(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 - 'Like' Carolina Pad and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You (I'm sure they'd love for you to tell them who you'd give this to and why also!) on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - One time only per giveaway, NOT a daily: Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active 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 - 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 the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Ascending Butterfly puts GreenPan to the Test + Tipsy Salmon Recipe!


Have you ever seen the TV show 'Pimp My Ride'? Well the fine folks at GreenPan, 'pimped my roaster'. And I couldn't be happier!

I absolutely love to cook, I'm an adventurous cook and love trying out new recipes. (And adapting them drastically thereby making them 'my own'). My all time favorite roaster to use was my Grandmother's Roaster. I loved using it because it felt like a part of her was still with me. Even though I can't cook for her, using her roaster made me feel like I was still cooking with her. (Her Roaster is the one on the right).

Unfortunately the roaster had seen better days and I knew it was time to let it go. I'm pretty hard on my roasters and use them often. I started doing research on replacements and will admit I had been procrastinating a bit because I really didn't want to get rid of my favorite roaster!

As you can see from the photo my old roaster really needed to go! I reached out to GreenPan as I had heard really good things about their cookware. I knew going in that non-stick was super important to me, and I wanted something really durable!

I was sent the GreenPan Dubai Ovenware Roasting Tin, and right from the begining I will tell you they blew me away with the presentation, in that gift bag (pictured in the top photo), was the Roasting Tin, a frying pan, silicone trivet, an oven mitt, and a cleaning sponge! I really loved the presentation and decided to put my new Roaster to the test right away with one of my favorite recipes!



Tipsy Salmon

Please Note: You have the option to make a non-tipsy version by removing the White Wine altogether (and it will taste just as good without it as it does with!)

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Salmon Fillets - (my cooking time is based on Two 1 pound Fillets, adjust based on the amount and pound weight you desire) - You can also use Salmon Steaks if you prefer that cut to the Fillet.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dry Rub (mixture of seasonings, dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Tbsp of Worcestshire Sauce + Soy Sauce + Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup butter, melted

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, basil and dill

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 cup chopped capers

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup of  2008 Bixler Vineyards Union Island White Table Wine (this one is my preference, feel free to use whatever white wine you prefer!)

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Rub the salmon fillets with Dry Rub, then marinate them in the lemon juice, White Wine and melted butter (remember if you prefer a non-tipsy version then feel free to omit the wine).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Arrange in GreenPan Dubai Ovenware Roasting Tin and bake in preheated hot oven (425°F) for about 20 minutes, basting with a combination of melted butter, White Wine and lemon juice every 5 minutes. You do not have to turn (but I prefer to turn them at the 10 minute mark).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mix the pan juices with the chopped parsley, basil, dill and capers, and pour over the fillets.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If additional liquid is needed, add a little dry vermouth or more white wine. (If you are making a non tipsy, just add more lemon juice and melted butter to the recipe to render enough liquid)

Serve the remaining White Wine with dinner and VOILA! BON APPETIT!




Ah yes, my observant butterflies, my table was very much a Rick James song (Super Freak), that is incense, Wine and Candles on the table! :)

The first thing I can tell you I loved the most about the Roasting Tin, is that it actually shaved time from this recipe, I use very thick Fillets and it used to take me almost 10 minutes longer to bake in my old Roaster! Total PERK!

As I'm the dishwasher (because I don't own a dishwasher), what I was wondering most about was clean up. And much to my surprise clean up was a total breeze, no more letting it soak for awhile and then coming back and using a scouring pad to clean up the roaster. It came clean super easy! Will it last as long as Grandma's Roaster? Who knows. But for now, I'm enjoying faster cook times on all my favorite recipes (including Lasagna, baked chicken and more), and the easy clean up, I'd say GreenPan is a 5 out of 5 butterfly rating in my book!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON-Compensated Post. While the cookware was provided by GreenPan for my evaluation and consideration, all opinions (and recipe) is my own!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Sunday Moment of Gratitude!




This week, I am grateful for
:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Summer Purge 2011 - I'm finally tackling my closets and it feels good to be rid of 'stuff' that no longer serves a purpose! Oddly enough I feel like I can breathe again!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Seems like the worse of my summer flu has passed and I'm feeling much better!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - OK, I'll admit to being a Vamp Nerd and I'm super happy that True Blood is back! (Any other 'Truebies' out there?)

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

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Active Giveaways!

1) Ends 06/30/11 - Wine your Dad or Adult Grad with our California Wine Club Review and Giveaway! Enter HERE

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
















Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link

Friday, June 24, 2011

TGIF - Thank God It's Friday


What I managed to avoid ALL winter, I'm battling now. The Flu! UGH! Not quite feeling myself today, hope you are having a better Friday than I am. Winners will be notified next week for the Shenzhen Ceramic Knife, SodaStream Genesis, and Joya Shoes (5 winners for Joya, Yay!).

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Active Giveaway!

 1) Wine your Dad or Adult Grad with our California Wine Club Review and Giveaway! Ends 06/30 (*Must be 21 years of age or older to enter!) - Enter HERE

2) I am not giving up on winning an iPad2, wanna join me? http://bit.ly/jrA0jY
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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Todays Words of Inspiration - Disarm From Within!


So the picture above should look familiar if you read yesterdays Not So Wordless Wednesday. I loved that tshirt that I spotted at Exhale Spa last week when I took my first Zumba Class thanks to Degree Women. It really resonated with me. We've spoken here at length about Negative Self Talk and how it sabotages our own progress. So if the negativity and self-defeatist thoughts originate from within, then they need to be disarmed from within and that's where affirmations come in!

Today's Quote: Disarm From Within

Sometimes it is super easy to blame external circumstances for our problems, pains and fears, but just how much of it are we causing ourselves?

You can disarm, by starting from within!

Today's Words of Inspiration'
 
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 I will disarm from within and release negative energy that no longer serves a higher purpose in my life.'

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 ! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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

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Active Giveaways!

1) Put a Spring in Dads (or your) step with Joya Shoes - 5 Winners - Ends 06/24 - Enter HERE

2) Tickle Dads Tastebuds with the SodaStream Genesis Giveaway! Ends 06/24 - Ends 06/24 - Enter HERE

3) Wine your Dad or Adult Grad with our California Wine Club Review and Giveaway! Ends 06/30 (*Must be 21 years of age or older to enter!) - Enter HERE

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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Not So Wordless Wednesday! - Ascending Butterfly Tries Zumba for the First Time {pictures}



DEGREE® GIVES WOMEN A MOTIVE TO MOVE

I was recently invited to try out Zumba Fitness for the first time at Exhale Spa in New York City by Degree Women. Yes that's right the folks behind Degree Deodorant are challenging us all to move! And as many of you already know I have already dropped 26 pounds so far this year making small Lifestyle Changes that have really added up. Last year I got to try Yoga for the first time, and this year I tried Zumba for the first time!

Exhale Spa


I thought the spa was beautiful, it's a large but warm and inviting space in Manhattan, New York City. I couldn't resist snapping this picture, I loved the quote on this t-shirt:


Just in case you can't read it very well from this photo, it reads: 'Disarm From Within' - Isn't that a great inspirational quote?

Degree and the Spa provided us with Breakfast as the class was held very held very early in the morning, check out the pretty and very zen spread:



A very zen and healthy spread was laid out for us!

Zumba!

After Breakfast, we had the chance to try out a Zumba session, and boy was it intense, super fun and got everyone sweating in no time! Below is a picture of instructor Samuel Salazar showing us all some moves! (You can practice with sam too, email him directly at zumbawithsam@aol.com)


And below is another picture of the class in progress, I'm in this picture!



I may be a little hard to spot, you can press on the pictures to open them though, I'm in the very back left of the picture posted above this caption, I am in a Turquoise Top and Black Pants.

Degree Deodorant with motionSENSE Technology

For the past week since the event I've been testing out the new Degree® Women Deodorant with motionSENSE™ technology, the only anti-perspirant formula activated directly by movement, not moisture. And I have to tell you, it's what I'd call a 'Drugstore Gem'. There are some staples that you get at the Drugstore that you say to yourself 'oh well, I can just get the brand on sale' but there are other things, that regardless of the sale price you will not change your regular brand for. I've been a Secret Deodorant user for pretty much a lifetime and switched to their clinical strength when they first launched it. I honestly have never switched from Secret (except from their regular formulation to the clinical) and now that I've tested out Degree with motionSENSE, I'm hooked. I've made the switch. It's beyond effective! And I know it's totally geeky but I like that my new deodorant has a 'technology' behind it! I will tell you this Deodorant will take what you dish out, so hit it with your best shot, be as active as possible, I'm sure you will be as surprised as I was at how well this keeps you fresh and dry effectively all day!

MotionSENSE™ Technology – The More You Move, The More it Works

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - While the average anti-perspirant/deodorant releases fragrance upon contact with sweat, Degree Women with motionSENSE™ is the only antiperspirant that starts working when women start to move, keeping women fresher for longer.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Degree Women Expert Protection with motionSENSE™ keeps women protected longer than the leading anti-perspirant

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Degree Women Clinical Protection® with motionSENSE™ provides prescription strength wetness protection without a prescription. Seven out of ten women say they would switch to Degree® Women Fresh Energy Clinical Protection from their current anti-perspirant (count me among those seven!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Additionally, Degree Women Fine Fragrance® and Natureffects® anti-perspirants/deodorants feature motionSENSE™ technology

For more information, “Like” the Degree Women Facebook page and follow Degree Women on Twitter at @DegreeWomen.

Amazing GIVEAWAY Alert - Degree Women “Get into the Move” application on Facebook

Now you know I'm always on the lookout for the win/win, I like to be sure Ascending Butterfly Readers get something too, that's why I don't mind working so hard, this time even putting up a sweat to bring you back something great!

If you have seen the extra credits for our amazing Dads N Grads Month Buying Guide Giveaways, you may have noticed the Degree App extra credit entries I've offered. But you don't need to be entering our giveaways to benefit from this info and promotion!

Do you like gift cards, electronics, trips?

I kind of had a feeling you'd say that!

By registering for the Degree Women “Get into the Move” application on Facebook (facebook.com/degreewomen) or on mobile devices (m.degreewomen.com), fans can start earning motionMILES, 'virtual currency' redeemable towards chances to win thousands of prizes. These motionMILES are earned for various ways women move, including checking in with Facebook places and logging activities. Earning motionMILES is easy - eligible activities include going to the gym, taking Zumba® or yoga classes and various other activities women already do, like grocery shopping or catching the bus. Fans can also earn motionMILES by answering daily trivia questions on the Facebook application, inviting friends to “Get into the Move,” and even logging in daily. I have FIVE EXTRA MOTION MILES for YOU! Enter the Code GetMoving031 (that is the number zero, not the letter 'o') after you register where it says 'Enter Code', this code will get you Five Extra motionMILES that you can trade in for instant win prizes, weekly prizes or even the amazing Grand Prize Trip Prizes! (If you enter the code, I have a shot at a prize too!)

Once earned, fans can use motionMILES for a shot at winning instant prizes by spinning the prize wheel or by entering weekly and grand prize sweepstakes. Prizes include a surfing trip in Hawaii, designer shoes, gift certificates for Zumba classes and much more. Fans can also choose to donate motionMILES in a dollar amount to one of two charities: The Challenged Athletes Foundation and Girls in The Game.

“Women partake in infinite daily actions. In fact, the average woman moves 5,000 times a day,” explains Mike Dwyer, Director of Marketing for deodorants at Unilever. “With Degree’s new motionSENSE™ technology, the more you move, the more it works. We took that same idea and created a rewards program for our fans to get into the move and reward them with motionMILES - the more they earn, the more chances they have to win. What a way to put our product to the test!”

Dance for motionMILES with Zumba Fitness

To help women earn motionMILES, Degree Women has partnered with the largest dance-fitness company in the world, Zumba fitness. Coined the “fitness party,” the Zumba program blends contagious and easy-to-follow choreographies with upbeat international music, from the hottest award-winning producers, to provide an effective total-body workout. Fans can win Zumba fitness prizes through the “Get into the Move” application and earn motionMILES by taking Zumba classes at participating fitness clubs.

“To help women get in the move, we are breaking down signature Zumba moves that will be featured on the Degree Women Facebook page,” explains Beto, creator of the Zumba program. “You don’t have to be a dancer to master the moves, just be ready to get lost in the music and have your own exhilarating Zumba fitness party; it’s all about the fun!”

My first Zumba Class ever was super fun, and I can't wait to try it again, thanks Degree Women for giving me a great way to get moving and keep up the momentum, now I want the Zumba Fitness Game for Wii (so if the lovely folks at Majesco Entertainment want to send me this game to try out, I'd be totally open to it!)

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FTC Disclosure Info: NO monetary compensation was received, This is a NON-compensated post. I was invited to a Zumba Fitness Class, fed and given a gift bag with samples for my review consideration, I was under NO obligation to post. If my motionMILES code is used, I will gain additional entries into a giveaway for a chance to win a trip to Sedona, Arizona. Transparency is everything! :)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

{CLOSED} Wine your Dad or Adult Grad with our California Wine Club Review and Giveaway! Ends 06/30

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor California Wine Club! 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!
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Ascending Butterfly's Annual Dads N Grads Buying Guide Giveaway, brought to you by:

Dads N Grads Month has been a whirlwind this time around and seems to be moving along so quickly! Today is the first day of summer, the summer equinox, the longest day of sun of the year! A perfect day to be outdoors enjoying the sunlight and a perfect day to chill a nice bottle of wine!

Is your Dad a 'Oenophile'? (No folks it is NOT spelled 'Wino-Phile')

Are you celebrating an adult Grad, either College, Grad School, Med School or Law School and looking for a unique way to say 'Congratulations' and wish them well on their road ahead?

Not that the California Wine Club is exclusive to Dads or Grads, it's a great anytime gift for the wine connoisseur, wine novice, or someone like me who is somewhere in between the two!

The California Wine Club

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - World's BEST Job Ever!  - Since 1990, club owners Bruce and Pam Boring have traveled California’s wine country searching for limited-production wines from small, family-owned wineries dedicated to the art of making fine wine. Whether for yourself or a gift, California Wine Club membership is an adventure in wine tasting that will not be experienced anywhere else. They journey not only to Napa and Sonoma, but to less-explored wine regions like Santa Barbara, Monterey, the Sierra Foothills and beyond. When I visited the New York Wine Festival, this is one of the things I loved, getting the chance to sample wines that weren't always readily available everywhere, but when I went to try to find some of them I couldn't. Now with the California Wine Club I get the best of that experience right to my door! And I don't know about you but I want to be Pam when I grow up. (Whenever that is!) That has to be the best job ever! (or maybe I should marry a Vintner?)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Be The Show Off In Your Circle - More than three-quarters of California’s 2,100+ wineries are small, boutique, mom-and-pop operations whose wines never travel beyond their local markets and private customer lists. You will definitely be the one in the know in your wine circle with California Wine Club. Let your friends think you just came back from a Vineyard trip without the price of the airfare (and sans the airport pat down or loss of privacy scanner!)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Membership costs nothing, you can cancel anytime, and every wine is 100% guaranteed. - Like a good mobile carrier, there is nothing better than no contracts and no commitments!

Here's what I tried:

I tried: I had the chance to try out the 2007 Bixler Union Island Red Table Wine which is a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Petite. This versatile wine shows very rich, ripe, forward fruit, with flavors of ripe plums, cherries, blackberries and a hint of toasty oak.

Food Pairing Suggestions: Crafted to be both approachable and versatile, pairing nicely with most any grilled red meat, sausages, stews, hearty soups, pizza, pasta and hamburgers. Being nicely balanced and silky smooth, this wine also works well as a cocktail - by the fireplace, at picnics or at your next party!


I tried: I had the chance to try out the 2008 Bixler Vineyards Union Island White Table Wine shows of citrus, with rich, ripe fruit and flavors of grapefruit and a hint of banana. No oak was used during aging, allowing the ripe fruit to be fully expressed in the finished wine.

Food Pairing Suggestions: Created to be very approachable and will compliment grilled chicken, pasta with pesto or white sauce, many fish dishes and will also make a great patio sipper or cocktail wine out on the boat or at the beach. (Please follow all local beach regulations, and be sure to drink responsibly, a drunk butterfly is NOT cute! :-)

My Take

I have a very weird palate and in terms of preference it's (extra dry) Champagne first, then White Wine with Reds coming in third. I have a taste for dry champagne and my favorite is actually one that is not the  most expensive, but I find it the superior choice for MY palate. When I collaborated with California Wine Club they took the time to get a sense of my tastes and what I like and don't like flavor wise. And when the Bixler wines arrived at my door, I approached them with a sense of adventure, I had no idea what I was in for. I will admit I went straight for my comfort zone and tried out the white first.

It almost didn't make it as a pairing with the meal I was making, it was THAT good. I like to make Beurre Blanc sauce with my fish, and so I opened it to use in my sauce, before cooking with it, I knew I should taste it and make sure I was happy with the flavor, I was literally blown away when I took my first sip and found that it tasted exactly like my favorite brut cava extra dry champagne! It tasted just like it without the bubbles. I had to remind myself that some was going into my beurre blanc and the rest was supposed to be for dinner! I'll share my personal pics of it with the meal I prepared very soon. It is recommended to use this wine within a year of shipment, and I see why, it's bursting with flavor, and I'd be surprised if anyone could let this just sit for even a year nevertheless going past the year mark!

I was so astonished with how much I sincerely enjoyed the white that I couldn't wait to crack open the red! The red was a surprise also! I've tried less red than white, so I'm not going to pretend I have the biggest base of comparison, but I found it refreshing, and what I don't like about many reds is this strong tang that comes after the sip, I don't particularly find that strong tang pleasing to my palate. When I've gone to restaurants I've fallen in love with a few House reds, but they are never for sale (ahem, cough cough Cipriani's), at least now I can have my own 'House' Red! Delivered right to my door, does it get better? So there, Cipriani's with your delicious House Red that I cannot have, TAKE THAT! :)

I'm not going to say that I'll ever reach Sommelier level of expertise, but I really do enjoy Bixler Wines and very highly recommend them, and very highly recommend California Wine Club, their personalized service made this at home 'tasting' an absolute pleasant surprise and a total pleasure.

DEAL FOR YOU: Try out a shipment with no obligation to continue, you can choose the standard shipment of one red and one white or you can choose 2 bottles red or white. Enter promo code: ascending

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our new friends at California Wine Club have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will get to try out the California Wine Club and experience at home delivery of one red wine and one white wine. (Winner will receive the vineyard being featured at the time of the win, they may or may not receive the same wines I tried).

Don't you just ♥ California Wine Club? 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 (2)MANDATORY entry-  (A) You must preface your entry by stating 'I am 21 years of age' (B) Visit the Member Benefits Page and share one thing you learned about California Wine Club Serivce and Member Benefits here. (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 21 years of age or older. No PO Boxes. One entry per Household, see Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy HERE.

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, June 21, 2011 until Thursday, June 30, 2011 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 - Rock the VOTE - it's super easy and a ONE time only, Please vote for me, Tracy Iglesias, (in red jacket)  - http://www.yourbestpose.com/competition/?id=1#6

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You know how much I love finding us both win/wins right? Here's another one: Visit the Degree Women MotionSENSE App on Facebook and enter GetMoving031 in 'Enter Codes' HERE (you'll get an extra 5 MotionSENSE Miles which you can trade in for great prizes including trips!) Enter, share on your wall, and let me know you entered by linking me to where you shared it on your wall, by the way sharing also buys you extra MotionSENSE miles, win/win right? :)

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! Leave five entries.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In the spirit of Father's Day Fun share with us your favorite advice that your dad has given you! (and yes, if you were not raised by your dad, you can share with us the best wisdom received by the person who did raise you! Uncles and Grandpas count too!) Or you can share if you are giving these to lucky guy in your life or keeping them for yourself! And since this is also Grads month, you can also share the best advice you've given a grad too!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our NEW Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you have our old one, please swap it out, our URL address has changed!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @cawineclub on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter (this is Ascending Butterfly's new account, we will soon be hosting twitter parties which necessitates having a second account so we can make updates throughout the entire party!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @cawineclub California Wine Club Review and #Giveaway! Ends 06/30 http://tinyurl.com/42ejemm

(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 California Wine Club and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You (I'm sure they'd love for you to tell them who you'd give this to and why also!) on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - One time only, NOT a daily: Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active 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 - 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 the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.