Wednesday, March 22, 2017

#ad Want a chance to win a $100 @worldmarket GiftCard + do something creative? RSVP for the DIY Easter Treat Jars Workshop!

ad: This is a compensated campaign brought to you in conjunction with Cost Plus World Market

Cost Plus World Market DIY Easter Treat Jars Easter Workshops!

Press on me and make me bigger!
This Cost Plus World Market Brand Ambassador is co-hosting an Easter Workshop with a fun and quick Do-It-Yourself Easter Craft (and trust me when I tell you that you don't have be 'super crafty' to master this one) at my local Cost Plus World Market and there are a few US locations hosting this workshop, and guess what?

YOU are invited! RSVP HERE!

Sometimes the cool stuff I do is "Press Only", but this time around you can come to!

Here are the deets:

Everybunny's Invited! Join me Saturday, March 25th from 1pm – 3pm (your local time) for a fun Easter Workshop Event.

"eggs-pert bloggers" will be on hand to teach you how to bring Cost Plus World Market Easter jars to life, and help you create memorable Easter Baskets.

Purchase any Spice Jar from Cost Plus World Market to create your very own Easter Jar. Participating stores will provide supplies including the candy fillers and construction paper for your DIY masterpiece! DIY Easter Treat Jars originally created/designed by Cori of www.HeyLetsMakeStuff.com

Local bloggers will serve as special guests leading the Easter Workshop Event at the following Cost Plus World Market stores:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tempe, AZ (1800 East Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 150, Tempe, ...AZ)
- Liz Call of www.lizoncall.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brea, CA (109 West Imperial Highway, Brea, CA)

- Nicole Standley of www.jetsetfam.com

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - La Jolla, CA (8657 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite 117, La Jolla, CA)
- Alli Ward of www.madewithhappy.com

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Glendale, CO (770 S. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CO)
- Angela Rathbun of www.blueistyleblog.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fort Myers, FL (13741 S Tamiami Trail, Unit 3, Fort Myers, FL)
- Krystal Butherus of www.sunnysweetdays.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dunwoody, GA (4733 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA)
- Jessica Hughes of www.happilyhughes.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Evanston, IL (1725 Maple Avenue, Evanston, IL)
- Maggie Roush of www.thelovenerds.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Covington, LA (69318 Highway 21, Covington, LA)
- McKenna Trahan of www.stylewaltz.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Framingham, MA (1 Worcester Road, Unit 501, Framingham, MA)
- Sarah Melito of www.thebelmontranch.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ann Arbor, MI (2900 South State Street, Suite 15, Ann Arbor, MI)
- Crystal Fox of www.theweatheredfox.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chesterfield, MO (238 Thf Blvd, Chesterfield, MO)
- Lisa Bass of www.farmhouseonboone.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Winston-Salem, NC (1075 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC)
- Amy Buchanan of www.attagirlsays.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - West Las Vegas, NV (2151 North Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV)
- Sara Syrett of www.twelveonmain.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paramus, NJ (17 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, NJ)
- Charlotte Smith of www.atcharlotteshouse.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brooklyn, NY (850 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY)
- Tracy Iglesias of www.ascendingbutterfly.com

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Columbus, OH (1655 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH)
- Loriann Cargill Bustos of www.thymeforcocktails.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Montgomeryville, PA (751 Horsham Road, Unit B2, Lansdale, PA)
- Denise Sabia of www.thepaintedhome.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Woodlands, TX (1620 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX)
- Susan Moss of www.doughmesstic.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Webster, TX (1001 West Bay Area Blvd, Suite C, Webster, TX)
- Michelle Lynch-Heath of www.elletalk.com


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brookfield, WI (625 Main Street, Brookfield, WI)
- April Preisler of www.foodnfocus.com


You are certainly welcome to come as you are, but be sure to RSVP first so the stores will have a headcount and know just how much supplies to have in stock so they don't run out!

A little birdie told me there may be cool new in-store events like this each month this year (check to see which stores are participating) and I happen to know for a fact that next month's event (different theme, but also family friendly) at the Brooklyn Store will be starring a certain Ascending Butterfly again so I hope you will all join me!

Readers Sound Off: Is there a location near you participating? Which demo did YOU RSVP for? If you got Easter Basket's as a child, which one stood out for you the most and why?

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FTC Disclosure: Compensated post/campaign however 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 see our  Disclosure Page for additional information.

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.

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.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Where #Art #Photography #Foodie Fun and #Fragrance Collided, a #SCENTsational #SniffaVoluptuary @maisonten

Sniffapalooza Presents Voluptuary: An Afternoon of Sensual Pairings at MAISON 10 in New York City

#Sniffapalooza #SniffaVoluptuary event @Maisonten in New York City
I had to immediately open the email, based on the name of the event alone. When you receive an event invite with this title, the curiosity factor alone makes you open the email and entices you to RSVP for it.

Sniffapalooza celebrates perfumery as an art, and they love to create unique experiential events where the olfactive universe is explored with kindred spirits, combining fragrance with other sensorial pursuits. This event was an interactive multi-sensory journey, an evening of sensual delights... fragrant, culinary, artistic and cinematic pairings... created for the voluptuary in us all!

THE SPACE:

Maison Ten, Maison Ten Gallery, Maison10, New York City Art Gallery
The event was a "meeting of sensory minds" held at MAISON 10, NYC's stunning new concept store and gallery space in the heart of Manhattan's exciting NoMad district and was the brainchild of Stephen Dirkes, a Perfumer, filmmaker, multi-media artist, founder of  EUPHORIUM BROOKLYN an innovative niche perfume brand. To celebrate Euphorium's latest fragrance creation, the Voluptuary Trio Set, Dirkes collaborated with Chef Tessa Liebman and Photographer Tal Shpantzer to reinterpret and pair the fragrances in edible and visual format. And quite frankly I have never attended a Fragrance Event that interpreted Scent in quite this way before.

THE SCENT:

Petales Euphorium Brooklyn Display #Sniffapalooza #SniffaVoluptuary event @Maisonten in New York City
The Voluptuary fragrances -  Suédois, Pétales and Chocolatl - were designed with a focus on sensual, decadent and romantic aspects. The intricately layered relationship of fragrance, flavor and imagery in the stories behind the collection came together to find perfect expression in this event.

THE VISUALS: PHOTOGRAPH SERIES

Tal Shpantzer's series of photographic portraits, The Petal Series
The fragrance Pétales was inspired by Tal Shpantzer's series of photographic portraits, The Petal Series, which Stephen Dirkes brings to life as a perfume. The Petal Series was on view at the event. The photo above is one of the photographs in the series - and that oversized Gorilla Statue is certainly a unique backdrop!

THE EATS: INTERPRETING FRAGRANCE THROUGH FOOD

Chef Tessa Liebman CHOCOLATL Pastries
Chef Tessa and CHOCOLATL
For Chef Tessa's interpretation of CHOCOLATL  she conjured up a Mexican chocolate meringue base with red wine and Piloncillo stewed prunes with a creme fraiche. It was a rich and decadent treat that totally nailed an edible interpretation of the fragrance!

Photographer Tal Shpantzer taking a selfie with Chef Tessa Liebman presents Pavlova Pastry at #Sniffapalooza #SniffaVoluptuary event @Maisonten in New York City
Chef Tessa's challenge was to create an edible that mirrored the notes of Petales, orange blossom, black pepper, honey, ambergris, indole, and galbanum and her creation, the elegant Pavlova pastry was her edible answer!  I loved catching Photographer Tal Shpantzer taking a selfie with Chef Tessa!

Chef Tessa Liebman presents Pavlova Pastry at #Sniffapalooza #SniffaVoluptuary event @Maisonten in New York City
The pastry combines grapefruit curd and orange flower water which Chef Tessa dusted with rose petal powder and mixed with rose pink edible glitter to give the effect of petals shimmering in the moonlight which is part of the story of the fragrance.

#SniffaVoluptuary @maisonten , Pavlolva Pastry
Close Up of Petales Pavlova Pastry
I wasn't fast enough to nab a shot of the edible interpretation of SUEDOIS (suede) which is a soft leather scent that is part of the trio. The fragrance has notes of  Indonesian sandalwood (you guys know just how much I am drawn to Sandalwood!), raspberry, raisin, labdanum, vanilla cream, and tonka musk which paired perfectly with Chef Tessa’s Suedois Cream Puffs with a Ylang Ylang Profiterole Shell and Tonka Bean and Sandalwood Bavarian Cream, and Raspberries. I love the smell of Leather and Suede so this scent was definitely an appealing one for me.



Stephen introduced a special sneak peek screening of Voluptuary #535, the short film he created in collaboration with Tal which will be premiered at La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival 2017.

#SniffaVoluptuary @maisonten
Above: From Left to Right: Far Left: Stephen Dirkes, Perfumer, filmmaker, multi-media artist, and the founder of Euphorium Brooklyn, Photographer Tal Shpantzer, Karen Dubin, Sniffapalooza and Far Right: Chef Tessa Liebman

Another Spotlight Scent:

Be Careful What You Wish For 4160 Tuesdays London
Be Careful What You Wish For 4160 Tuesdays London
I don't want to steal the limelight from Petales, but another scent I was introduced to at the event stayed in my head called "Be Careful What You Wish For" by 4160 Tuesdays a fruity oud that you won't soon forget and I now need in my life!

A Little Lifestyle:

Handbags at #SniffaVoluptuary @maisonten
There were a variety of Lifestyle Products on display including these handbags!

Adult Themed Products at #SniffaVoluptuary @maisonten
A few 'Adult Themed' items were on display as well.

Thompson Ferrier Buddah Candle
You know I love Zen art/décor accents and the Thompson Ferrier Buddah Candle stopped me in my tracks! WANT IT!!!

#SniffaVoluptuary @maisonten
Above: From Left to Right: Far Left: Chef Tessa Liebman, Photographer Tal Shpantzer, Stephen Dirkes, Karen Dubin, Sniffapalooza, and Henri Myers and Far Right: Tom Blackie who are the Founders of Maison 10

From a photographic standpoint I love snapping a group shot when the group is looking at a different photographer, for some reason I have always loved doing this - so it's posed and not posed at the same time.

The Gallery:

TEN things about Maison Ten

Here are TEN things about Maison Ten:

01. is an exciting new concept store and gallery space
02. showcases 10 carefully curated items across 10 categories
03. donates 10% of every sale to one of 10 different charities decided upon by the customer
04. features bags, books, candles, fragrances, gifts, homewares, jewelry, men's accessories, and well-being products
05. has a 10th themed category which it rotates every 10 weeks
06. exhibits 10 works of art for each 10 week period
07. changes everything apart from one top-seller in each category every 10 weeks
08. celebrates its new artist, designers and range of products every 10 weeks with a great event
09. is also online at www.maison10.com
10. LOVES YOU! :)


Above: Some of the guests in attendance pinched hit and rotated as "Guest Bartenders" this is Angus of The Container Globe as guest bartender pouring The Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour.  I borrowed this from Wine.com, but I just had to include it:

"The Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour, celebrates the life and times of Madame de Pompadour (the great courtesan and mistress of Louis XV) who is credited with introducing Champagne to the court and was an influential tastemaker in the matters of art, architecture and philosophy–famous for her comment,


"Champagne is the only wine a woman can drink and remain beautiful.""


MY TAKE:

This event was so "New York" to me in a good way. It was almost too hip for it's own good, I love the sensory interpretation and back story to the Voluptuary Trio by Euphorium Brooklyn. It was a treat for the senses combining sight, sound, scent, and amazing edibles.

Another Fragrance from Euphorium Brooklyn that stood out for me was CILICE, it is not part of the Voluptuary Trio, but notable none the less.

Other Sniffapalooza Events we have featured on Ascending Butterfly:

http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2015/07/the-cosmoproflv-beauty-b2b-trade-show.html

http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2013/12/sniffapalooza-moltonbrownusa-in.html

Keep up with upcoming Sniffapalooza Events HERE

Happy Sniffing Butterflies!

Readers Sound Off: What are YOUR favorite fragrance notes? What type of scent appeals to you most? Do you stick to the same fragrances or are you always trying something new?

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FTC DisclosureThis is NOT a compensated post, press access was granted for Editorial Consideration. 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 see our  Disclosure Page for additional information.

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.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

How Well Do You #KnowYourYogurt ?

AD: This compensated post is sponsored by The Dannon Company, Inc. and Mamavation Network. All opinions are my own.

GMO-Free Yogurt - From 'Farm-to-Cup'

Dannon encourages you take the Dannon Pledge: http://www.dannonpledge.com/ and to #KnowYourYogurt

Learn about the Dannon Pledge: http://www.dannonpledge.com/. And get to #KnowYourYogurt

How well do you know your Yogurt?

Is there a checklist you can use when trying to figure out what Yogurt to buy?

In fact there is, look for a Yogurt that:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - offers Non-GMO Ingredients
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Non-GMO fed Animals
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - engages in Proper Animal Welfare in the production of its food (Dannon works with Dairy Farms that operate under the Validus Certification System)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - and engages in farm-to-table relationships where the farmer is at the center of the process
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - and for my fellow tech inclined friends look for a whole lot of 'WYSIWYG' on the label (What You See Is What You Get - look for the label that reads 'NON GMO Ingredients")

Dannon's Pledge to reinvent the dairy process was featured on the Mamavation website and I highly encourage you to take the pledge yourself at: http://www.dannonpledge.com/

Dannon is launching a multi-year plan to change how they make their Yogurt to give you more choices about your food. The first Dannon Products that were NON-GMO hit the market July 2016. All products offered transparent labeling by the end of 2016 and they are including more natural and non-synthethic ingredients in their flagship brands and are partnering directly with Dairy Farmers. They are also strongly committed to improving sustainable agricultural practices to aim for better soil health, water quality and quantity and a decreased carbon emission and energy use. Brands that respect Biodiversity are important, there is but so damage we can keep doing to this planet and still sustain a quality of life.

MY TAKE:

Oddly there are two dairy delights that I never ate as a child or teen and didn't discover the joy of until quite recently, cheesecake and yogurt. My parents really didn't enjoy either one so it was never really around and I never thought much of it.

My first associations with Yogurt were doing my cubicle days, I would hear co-workers going into tirades over who stole their yogurt from the fridge. I was never looked at as I never ate the stuff. Most office parties offered one of two cakes where I worked, cheesecake or carrot cake, and since I didn't eat either I would tend to avoid the office memo about cake in the break room.

Oddly, now that my cube days are far behind me, I find myself loving both Yogurt and Cheesecake. In fact I did a series of recipes one summer that included Yogurt Substitutions for Favorite Comfort Food Recipes (you guys really responded to it so I may need to do a few more this summer), plus an iconic NYC landmark that launched a farm-to-table dinner series, and Yogurt even made its sneaky way into my smoothies. I even attended a Philharmonic event that was sponsored by a Yogurt Brand. My blogging journey has certainly never been dull.

Farm-to-Table is important to me and when a Yogurt brand like Dannon can provide me with a 'Farm-to-Cup' experience even better. Since I am using Yogurt as a substitute for recipes that call for more fatty ingredients, it makes the decision TWICE as sweet for me knowing that I am selecting a Yogurt that is NON-GMO and that uses Natural Ingredients.

I can't think of a better way to take something healthy and make it that much better - but thankfully Dannon Did!

Readers Sound Off: What is your favorite Dannon Yogurt Flavor? Do you currently use Yogurt in any of your recipes? If so, which ones?

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FTC DisclosureThis is a compensated post sponsored by Dannon and Mamavation. 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 see our  Disclosure Page for additional information.

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.