In the mail awesomeness with @InfluensterVox @Maybelline #BigShotMascara @Allure_magazine #BeautyBox @preendotme @Elemis #spon

This past holiday season was very much a mixed bag for me. But there was some "In the Mail Awesomeness" that I couldn't resist sharing!

On the minus side:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lost a family member

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Another had surgery and is still bed ridden

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Writing became one more 'to do' on my plate that I just didn't have very much energy for at the end of the day. Very long, long, long days which are still not totally back to normal, but getting there.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not to mention I can't remember the last time I took a picture and did photography just for fun and  my own memories and not for work.

On the plus side:

When I did give myself some time to roam on the interwebs, it paid off!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I stumbled upon the Lands End Marathon Twitter Party this year (which I would love to co-host someday myself) and ended up winning a $50 Gift Card! YAY ME! They host this twitter party marathon every year, and while I have participated each time this is the first time the randomizer Gods were smiling down upon me and I actually won.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A friend shared a contest entry on her Facebook page as a status update and I entered a weekly contest for Restonic and I won a $100 Target Gift Card. I have a superstore near me and I can't wait to put a dent in that card!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I still have my Kmart Gift Card from participating in the Kmart Shopping Event in NYC for St. Jude (if you missed that post, click here)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I entered a contest on Preen.me for an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream sample and won! (It can be seen in the photo at the top of the page)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I qualified for an Influenster #BigShotMascara Vox Box and it arrived with the Colossal Big Shot Volum' Express Mascara #223 'Blackest Black' but also included a really neat bonus: Maybelline New York Master Precise Curvy liquid eyeliner #310 'Black' color - I must admit Vox Box is one my oldest box programs and I stick with them for good reason, so far their boxes have never disappointed me in any way. They always curate a great mix of cult classics and 'new to me's' that always end up getting added to my purchase list.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - And for the first year ever Allure Magazine decided to thank members of their insiders program with an Allure Beauty Box - In December I received the October 2016 box which included:

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (for hair)

Spongelle Freesia Pear Body Wash Infused Buffer (looks sort of like a hockey puck and is stiff when dry but softens nicely in the shower and leaves you with a fresh scent and also buffs away dead skin cells)

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow Single in 'Kristi' (brown powder eyeshadow with a tinge of shimmer)

Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter - contains indigo extract as well as colloidal oatmeal - allure calls it the 'cashmere onesie of body creams' YAS!!!!

Mally Volumizing Mascara - I will have to have a 'Mascara Off' and do one eye with the one I received from Influenster and the other eye with this one and see which one gives me the eyelashes with the most beautiful volume. 'Flirty Eyes Here I Come!' - I see you 2017! Because just like Jody Watley sings 'I'm looking for a new love baby, a new love....' - so I am fixing to get my flirty self all 2.0 for 2017.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - I like the gentle scent on this one, the scent doesn't  linger and isn't over powering at all.

My Take:

I haven't torn into all of these new products yet and will do individual reviews of products once I have had a chance to thoroughly test them, these are mostly initial impressions.

It was nice to have "Beauty-Claus" pay a visit during a holiday season where the last thing I was thinking about was myself.

I think maybe it is the Universe trying to remind me to take some time for myself no matter what may be going on around me.

Readers Sound Off: What was your favorite gift from Santa this Christmas? Or if you are totally over the holidays, which of these products would you most like to try?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post, all products were provided to me free of charge for Editorial Consideration and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).

Unless it's charity related, If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.

Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey's Butterfly.

Still here? Now go make someone happy today.