Check out the 2013 Ninohe City Fair in New York City through September 6th + Photo Highlights from the Opening Reception!

Back in my days working in Finance I got a chance to attend an event at the Asia Society and represent my boss, that one evening planted a seed of fascination with Asian culture and I have always loved Japanese Artwork and decor. The decor part stems from a beautiful Lacquer Asian Jewelry Box that belonged to my Grandmother. The detail and shine of that box is forever engraved in my memory.

Fast forward and my love of the culture has branched out to include the cuisine and the delicious Sake (Japanese Rice Wine)! One of the best parts of living in New York City is the cultural diversity and restaurants that cater to every taste and culture!

I recently received an invitation to learn more about the Ninohe City Fair in New York City by attending it's opening reception at the residence of Ambassador, Consul General of Japan in New York City. The event was organized by the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the Ninohe City Government and the Ninohe City Overseas Promotion Committee.

The event opened with a Sake Seminar where Nanbu-Bijin presented how Sake is made as well as the Reconstruction in Tohoku Japan, which was followed by a Urushi Seminar (Urushi, Japanese Lacquer Work comes from the substance of the Urushi tree). The next hour of the reception included the breaking of a ceremonial drum, a special Koto performance by Yumi Kurosawa and a signature welcome Nambubijin Cocktail created by Bartender Nana of Angel's Share in New York City and catering by SAKAMAI!

A series of tastings and exhibition sales are being held in New York City, here is the event rundown by date:

August 30 - Sake + Urushi of Northern Japan - At Latitude 40°N - at MTC Kitchen Manhattan Store - Lecture and guided tastings of Nanbu Bijin Sake hosted by Sake Samurais Chizu Niikwa & Timothy Sullivan of UrbanSake.com (cost $20)

September 4th - Lecture about Urushi made in Japan hosted by Takuo Matsuzawa, includes special Urushi Gift. (cost $20)

Venue -  New York Mutual Trading Company "MTC Kitchen Manhattan Store" - 711 Third Avenue (45th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenue) - Tel: 212.661.3333

RSVP to both events by sending an email to matsuo@nymtc.com

I thought I'd also share some photo highlights from the opening reception:

Opening remarks from Ambassador Sumio KUSAKA, Consul General of Japan in New York

Mayor of Ninohe City Japan

Our Translator for the evening stands in front of ceremonial drum

Far Left at the Podium: Mr. Kosuke Kuji, Senior Managing Director Nanbu-Bijin Co.,Ltd at drum Center: Ambassador Sumio Kusaka, Consul General of Japan in New York getting ready to break the ceremonial drum at the Ninohe City Reception

Podium Speaker: Mr. Kosuke Kuji to his right is a translator, Center: Ambassador Sumio Kusaka preparing to break the ceremonial drum at the Ninohe City Reception in New York City

Same as above! :)

The Ceremonial Drum is now open!

Special  Koto Performance by Yumi Kurosawa, Koto Composer, Computer Sound

No surprise that I honed in on this bottle of Sake with Butterflies right on the label! Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai Sake!

She caught my eye at this colorful table display!

My Take:

I have spent this summer enjoying the best my City has to offer and the Ninohe City Reception ended with a special parting gift to take home, a lacquer ware sake cup by Makiko Suzuki that was engraved with the Japanese symbols that signify 'Bond' representing the Bond of Gratitude from Japan for our help in their re-building efforts and the bond of friendship between our cities. There is a great deal of precision, detail and love that goes into the creation of both Sake and Lacquer Ware, and I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so much about both! I highly encourage you to attend one of the upcoming tasting seminars. For those of you here for Fashion Week, this would be a wonderful chance to un-wind from the hectic pace and schedule of Fashion Week events!

To all my Butterflies enjoying Japanese Sake this weekend, KUMPAI (CHEERS!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is not a compensated post, Ascending Butterfly has not been compensated to share our recap coverage of the opening reception of the 2013 Ninohe City Fair, gift bags were provided to attendees. See our full Giveaways and Disclosure Page for more information on our disclosure policy.

Wordless Wednesday: Take me out to the ballgame - Check out my photos from the @Yankees Game and find out how to win a trip to #Florida! #SummerSequel

Alas butterflies, summer is winding down and Back-to-School is upon us again. (As a commuter in NYC I'm not looking forward to the teens back on the trains again, but that's a story for another day). 

Are you ready for summer to end? I for one, am NOT ready to let go of summer!

As you may remember I co-hosted the #SummerSequel Twitter Party (I saw a ton of butterflies on the party, so thanks so much for your support butterflies), Kiss News Wire, the team that is helping to drum attention to Kissimee, Florida as a fun vacation destination for families, hit baseball stadiums in addition to the twitter party to help draw attention to their super fun 'Summer Sequel Sweepstakes'.

The Grand Prize winner will win a 5 day/4 night vacation for FOUR to Kissimmee, Florida that includes accomodations at Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South, four 2-day theme park passes, dinner at Capone's Dinner & Show, an air boat ride at Ultimate Airboat Ride and a coach tour with Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida, and if that's not enough a Rental Car also! (Round trip economy air is also included for the winner and four guests!). There are two ways to enter, you can text KISS to 55155 or you can enter online at www.summersequel.com, and if you live in Atlanta the team will be at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia on August 31st. But hurry butterflies, the sweepstakes ends on September 9th!

The Kiss News Wire Team wanted to thank Ascending Butterfly for her help with the tweet up and twitter party and sent family Butterfly to a local baseball game. And no ordinary seats, but in the Delta Skybox at Yankee Stadium no less! Who could pass that up?

On August 20th, the home team pulled a double header and the Yankees swept a twin bill versus the Jays, it was a super exciting game to watch under the light of a beautiful full moon! (By the way Jayson Nix really did it big that night!)

Since this is Wordless Wednesday, I thought I'd share my pictures from the game:

Left: Mama Butterfly, Right: ME! Ascending Butterfly

Left: Mama Butterfly, Center: Debi from the Blog, The Spring Mount 6 Pack, Right: ME! Ascending Butterfly

Left: Mama Butterfly, Center: Debi from the Blog, The Spring Mount 6 Pack, Right: ME! Ascending Butterfly

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies! Bloggers feel free to link us to your Photos leave the link as a comment to this post we'd love to see them and show you some support too! (NO Giveaway links please!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated Post however our Game Tickets were provided to us by Kiss News Wire. We have not been compensated to share our recap coverage of the game!

Motivation Monday: Are you willing to give up being a caterpillar Edition + We have a winner!

How does one become a butterly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar. ~ Trina Paulus

Motivation Monday:

Sometimes we really do have to shed the skin that is comfortable and venture straight into the unknown to make the significant changes we seek in our lives to feel fulfilled.

It's hard to give up what we know, why?

(1) It's comfortable

(2) We went through a lot just to get here, so we don't always want to embrace change

(3) The Unknown can be big and scary

But Ascending to a new level is a part of our journey, one we are not always pysched about, but often times it's just plain necessary. We learn how strong we are only at times we are challenged, only during the moments of growth that aren't always so willing to embrace. So instead of change forcing itself upon you, embrace it yourself and make small changes each day so that when your moment comes to give up being a caterpillar, you will be ready! Being an Ascending Butterfly means always being on a journey to rise higher than you were before.

We have a winner! 

Congratulations to Milena B. (entry #27) winner of the Smooth Jazz Cruise Rafflcopter Giveaway for this Wednesday's Phil Perry sail! If you didn't win this time, no worries, our friends at Smooth Jazz will be back very soon for the rewind sail in October which has a really great lineup, you won't want to miss it! (And by the way the winning entry was a twitter entry, so always make sure you rack up as much extra credit as you can per giveaway because you never know which of your entries is the one that will win! Extra Credit really pays off!)

Active Giveaway:

Don't forget to get in your entry for a $100 shopping spree to In Bloom, this giveaway closes soon and you've got to be in it to win it!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

Did you miss Latinista #Fashion Week? Highlights from @LatinistaFW including @cesargalindo “Czar” Collection SS14 #LatinistaFW

The Solo Event Space in New York City was the weekend hot spot where Latinista Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 took place! 

Latinista Fashion Week is a twice yearly event that takes place during Fashion Week in NYC, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Washington DC. It serves as a platform for emerging Latin Designers to showcase their collection to both perspective Buyers as well as the Press.

As a top 100 Latina Blogger and Top 3 Big Apple Tweeter I had front row access this weekend to the shows that were kicked off by a welcome reception with Piel Canela Dancers who greeted the crowd by dancing Salsa and also kicked off Cesar Galindo's runway show with their energetic dancing!

The welcome reception before the show, was sponsored by Iman Cosmetics, who touched up my makeup and let me try out their BB Cream, Mirta de Perales, a hair care brand that is very well known to the Latina community who were handing out samples of their Linea Keratina (Keratin line of hair products) as well as their Collagen Elastin Face and Neck Cream with Vitamins A & E - which I definitely can't wait to try out! There were also haircare samples provided by Garnier Fructis of their Hydra Recharge line with Fruit Beads. Nail Lounge NY offered guests manicures (I didn't want to take off my recent mani from ten over ten since it was a color for Fall that hasn't even launched yet that I got at the Elements Showcase (more to come on that event soon!) so I didn't try out Nail Lounge NY but hope to try them out in the future!), Kiss Nail Dress also provided samples, I received the Classic Nail Dress in 'Garter' which I can't wait to put on! And not to be missed was the signature cocktail of the evening, 'The Latinista' of course, sponsored by Tequila Semental.

Here are some Photo Highlights for you to enjoy:

Piel Canela Dancers kick off the runway show for Cesar Galindo at Latinista Fashion Week in NYC (can you spot Ascending Butterfly in the front row?) - Photo Credit: Tequila Semental via Instagram

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City

Runway for CZAR by Cesar Galindo SS14 Collection featured at Latinista Fashion Week in New York City - Shot provided by Latinista Fashion Week used with permission.

End of Show, Model poses with Designer Cesar Galindo - Latinista Fashion Week, New York City, Image courtesy of Latinista Fashion Week and Used With Permission

Designer Cesar Galindo with  Serena Fill fromTequila Semental, Cocktail Sponsor of Latinista Fashion Week SS14 New York City Image courtesy of Latinista Fashion Week and Used With Permission

Designer Cesar Galindo with Mirta de Perales team, sponsors of Latinista Fashion Week SS14 New York City - Image courtesy of Latinista Fashion Week and used with permission.

Designer Cesar Galindo with Latinista Fashion Week Founder, Dee Rivera - Image courtesy of Latinista Fashion Week and used with permission.

My Take:

I think it's amazingly important that both established and especially emerging Latin Designers have a forum and a showcase to share their talent and designs! Kudos to Latinista Fashion Week Founder, Dee Rivera, and Latina Magazine (exclusive official Media Partner) for joining forces to bring this multi-day branded entertainment environment together! They are providing opportunities for Fashion Designers and Sponsors to come face-to-face with not only principal tastemakers, celebs, musical talent and Media to meet but also consumers who are hungry for whats new, now and NEXT. I enjoyed the show and found many of the Fashion to be extremely approachable and wearable right off the runway. One of my standout faves was the purple dress, it was a standout color (that some wouldn't immediately associate with summer but I just love wearing year round) and it was so 'airy' and 'flowy' just perfect for summer resortwear!

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Latinista Fashion Week on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @LatinistaFW on Twitter, don't forget to use the hashtag #LatinistaFW

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out the sponsor websites provided in the Fourth Paragraph and show them some love too!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Are you an emerging Latino/a Designer who wants to apply to be included in Latinista Fashion Week? Are you a member of the Media who wants more information on Press Access to the show in your city? Please email latinistafashionweek@gmail.com for more information!

Did you attend Latinista Fashion Week this week? Please feel free to link us to your recap coverage of the show, I'm sure we all got different photos and different perspectives and I'd love to check out any additional coverage and feedback of the show!

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FTC Disclosure: Ascending Butterfly was provided with Media Access to Latinista Fashion Week for editorial consideration, all opinions are 100% my own, and no monetary compensation has been received to share our event recap coverage. Gift bags were provided to attendees. You may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

A 'Boost' for the mind and 'Boosts' for the skin too with @SeventhGen & @LuckyMagazine #AllNaturalStyleSecrets

#ad: I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for editorial consideration.

Seventh Generation Boosts Natural Skin Serum

For me Beauty always begins from the inside out. My mind, body and spirit have to be aligned and in the right place for the external to reflect the same. Taking time for meditation and getting myself centered helps me to discover my inner beauty.

And thanks to Lucky Magazine and Seventh Generation I found a Natural Skin Serum that helps me keep my outer glow beautiful with a simple 'boost'.

ABOUT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Highly Concentrated - NO Water Added
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Absorbs Quickly
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Non-comedogenic - Won't Clog Pores
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Free of Parabens, Phthalates and synthetic fragrances
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hypoallergenic
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - USDA-certified Biobased (100%)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Soothing Blend of Oat, Argan, Apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil, chamomile flower oil, rosemary leaf extract and Zi Cao

Instructions: Apply 1 to 2 pumps to fingertips and massage into damp skin.

My Take:

Seventh Generation Boosts actually does what it says, it's a perfect boost to your skin, and also boosts your sunscreen perfectly! I find most products that contain sunscreen to be very thick, and using Boosts with my sunscreen makes it easier to apply. It has a nice liquid consistency to it, goes on easy, and feels just a little tacky to the touch when you first put it on your face, but it absorbs quickly and easily and leaves my skin soft and smooth after. You can easily incorporate it into your existing routine, by adding it to your sunscreen by day and your night cream at night. This does NOT make my face break out, good argan oil shouldn't, and this one does not cause any breakouts on my skin. And trust me, my skin is acne prone and can get super sensitive, and I've had no reactions to this serum except softer, 'boosted', skin and a radiant me!

If you would like to re-tweet or share this post, be sure to use the hashtag #AllNaturalStyleSecrets

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FTC Disclosure: Lucky Magazine and Seventh Generation provided a sample of Boosts for editorial consideration, all opinions are 100% my own, no monetary compensation has been received, but this entry does make me eligible for additional incentives and serves as a contest entry. I am a member of the Lucky Community and am participating in the Lucky Community Challenge. You may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

Win a VIP Experience @SmoothJazzNY Cruise to see Phil Perry w/dinner and drinks via @Ascending1 #Giveaway

#Sponsored: This giveaway has been sponsored by (see below for full disclosure):

One thing that's never been much of a secret is that I'm a born and raised New York City Girl, and like anyone living in a City that is a major tourist hub, there are sites you get sick of because of you have to take family and friends visiting town to these same sites/restaurants and experiences pretty much Ad Nausem, and yes, some of them tend to grow old.

Others however have become annual traditions whether or not someone is in town. That's how fun the experience is, that it never grows old or tired, and you never get that 'been there, done that' feeling afterwards. For me being an official Media Partner for Smooth Jazz Smooth Cruises has been an annual tradition that I greatly look forward to. 

Late 2011 on the night before my sail I fell into the hospital which started an over one year drama that forced me to miss the sail in 2011 I was slated for, and I also missed the sails in 2012 which truly made me sad. The smooth jazz cruises are the best part of my summer memories each year. It gives me dedicated time to connect with family and friends in a totally relaxed environment. No TV, No Distractions, just dinner, drinks, hot jazz on a cool night on the water with an expansive of view New York City all around you. And eventually great dinner, great drinks and great music with close proximity to other tables means you can always meet a new friend and have a great conversation with your table mates or those at tables in close proximity to you. 

You can stay in the lower level and have front seats to the concert, or one level up on the buffet level where you can look through directly to the stage from your seat, and eat your meal in comfort enjoying the smooth jazz sounds around you. And you can always head outside for a bit and take in the view, the night air, a cocktail on deck, and the smooth jazz music that is piped outside so you can hear the music both inside and outside the ship.

The Smooth Cruises are winding down for the season, but that doesn't mean the fun is over my butterflies, it's actually FAR from it, there is a full schedule ahead of other fun activities, as well as a rewind sail in October that we will be sharing with you all very soon! 

The Smooth Cruise season is coming to an end, and the last sail is: the smooth sounds of Phil Perry!

I got to enjoy a 6:30 sunset Sail on the Spyro Gyra Cruise and I had a blast! This was the first time I took a Smooth Jazz sail and stayed indoors the whole time. I normally spend some time on the buffet floor, then grab a drink and listen to the smooth jazz live downstairs for a few, then head upstairs to an upper deck overlooking the expanse of the water and the beautiful view, with the sound of the music dancing in my head and I put my feet up and lean back and feel the breeze that is coming off the water brush my hair back, and I take a sip of my drink and literally feel the stress of the week literally slide right off my back. It's like a meditation for me with music. My mind just goes into a relaxed, zen-like state, and I always leave smiling.

Here are some photos from my Sail, The Spyro Gyra Sail:

Spyro Gyra takes the stage at the Smooth Jazz Cruise in New York City

Spyro Gyra takes the stage at the Smooth Jazz Cruise in New York City

Lee Pearson takes a drum solo at The Smooth Jazz Spyro Gyra Sail in New York City

Ascending Butterfly filming the action at The Spyro Gyra Smooth Jazz NYC Sail

Left: Tracy of Ascending Butterfly and Right: Mama Butterfly enjoying the smooth sounds of Spyro Gyra on the Smooth Jazz Cruise in New York City

Emcee of the evening was none other than @LennyGreen Host of the Syndicated Radio Show #TheQuietStorm

Tracy of Ascending Butterfly at Pier 62 in Chelsea Piers, I'm wearing: Jacket: Wilsons Leather, Shirt: Covered Perfectly Shoes: Tika Sandals by Earthies

My Take:

The Smooth Jazz Cruises are my favorite part of summer, back in my recruiting days it was a favorite client gift. It is just a super relaxing evening with great music, food and people! Check out our Pinterest Page for additional photos that didn't make the post!

Win It:

Our friends at Smooth Jazz New York want you to experience the same VIP experience I did! One lucky butterfly will win a pair of passes to the 9:30 Phil Perry sail including dinner and drink tickets for two as well!

Enter using the link to the Rafflecopter Widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: Smooth Jazz New York provided Ascending Butterfly with tickets to the Spyro Gyra sail for editorial consideration, all opinions are 100% my own, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.