Thursday, August 31, 2017

@MotorolaUS Moto Z2 Force Edition held one of the hottest parties in NYC this summer! #HelloMotoWorld #TechThursday

THIS IS NOT A COMPENSATED POST

I have attended some really fun events this summer, and if you already follow our social you have probably seen live tweets from many of the events I had a chance to attend this summer, those are the best way to get news out fast, but I also like to take the time to recap events fully when I can.

Now that summer is winding down and Fall is nearly here I can't really say I am winding down as September brings New York Fashion Week Insanity and of course a ton of tourism boards that hit NYC around the same time as NYFW events are happening to complicate my already insane schedule just a bit more.

I did tell you my event recaps aren't quite coming to you in the order I actually attended the events.

Oddly enough one of the hottest events of the summer, one can that came with a very secretive event invite that didn't reveal much (which of course makes Editors speculate even more), was actually held for a Phone!

Not just any phone, but the launch of the Motorola Moto Z2 Force Edition. That day I had two amazing events to choose from that just happened to overlap a bit but for the most part were going on at the same time. A very 'New York Predicament' to be in I assure you.

Now I have to preface this post by telling you that for the most part this is NOT a product review, I have requested a review unit but have not received one, so I can only speak on the actual feature demos I did get to see while at the event. (Being the gadget geek I am I don't give my seal of approval to any gadget I haven't put through its paces personally for OVER 30 days. Don't you just love that when electronics opt to break down it's always that day right after they are already off warranty?)

That being said, back to the hot party!

Above: Beverages of all kinds were flowing!

Appetizers were also in full effect, but getting a picture of them wasn't happening, hungry New Yorkers were pouncing on those apps so fast I couldn't nab one single shot!


Above: You know I live for my DJ shots. As #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ it's become my job to nab a shot of the DJ at every event, and it's a double perk for me when the DJ is female! DJ Vashtie kept the vibe flowing with great tunes in such a super wide range of genres and styles that I almost thought it was ME spinning for a minute. YAS!!!!

Above: oh, and did I mention the drinks were flowing?

This was everyone's favorite bartender, she had this knack for recommending really cool cocktail selections based on what I can only call your drink pattern, she'd get to know it and make spot on recommendations for cool drinks I hadn't actually already tried yet, and for a New York City gal that alone is pretty rare.

Above: The most impactful demo of the night, and the one no one could get enough of, DJ Va$htie at the #HelloMotoWorld launch party showcasing Motorola's new Moto Z2 Force Edition - it really is SHATTERPROOF-  July 25, 2017 in New York City. Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images North America. This is the one shot of the night you will see here that isn't mine.

The PR rep also did this demo for me, they encouraged me to try it for myself, but as badly as I need a new phone right now, I could not stand the idea of purposely chucking a brand new phone on the floor!

Above: Nabbed a shot of the PR rep showing us the moto mod moto gamepad console module which is compatible with any phone in the Moto Z family.






































Above: moto style shell + wireless charging which is also compatible with any phone in the Moto Z family and requires a compatible wireless charging pad which is sold separately.


Above: And 'the mod de resistance' the one I really need them to send me so I can actually test it and try it out the HASSELBAD TRUE ZOOM MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY X10 - 10X Optical Zoom and Xenon Flash and (inserts my best tim the toolman taylor grunts here) shoots in RAW format! ME NEED AND ME WANTEEEeeeeeEEEEE!

If this lives up to it's hype and I can actually stop lugging heavy camera equipment everywhere it would be worth it's weight in GOLD for me! This is a feature I did not get to test personally or see in action.

I am super curious how this mod compares to the SONY Cybershot DSC-QX10 cell phone attachment I reviewed awhile back, if you missed that post, check it out HERE.

MY TAKE:

I did try to reach out to Motorola before this went live as I would have preferred for this to be a real review, like when I covered the Global Launch of the LG G2, (if you missed that, you can check out that post HERE), they did send me the phone to put through it's paces, and that phone was honestly one of my favorite smartphones to date. It replaced a Palm Treo that I was sad to part with.

I haven't tried any of the Moto Z series phones personally, but I do like the idea of the mods that serve so many purposes, obviously the ones that pique my interest include the HASSELBAD I am an avid photographer and of course in that realm the moto 360 mod to capture immersive Ultra HD Video, JBL Soundboost 2 (tunes are my life), and the offgrid PowerPack as well. and I am sure the gamepad console mod would keep the niece and nephew units happy and score me cool auntie vibes when they are over! There is even a moto insta share projector to project and stream movies, photos and shows!

Notables:

Are you inventor at heart? Would you like to design your own Moto Mod? - Learn more and take the challenge HERE (there are 10 lucky developers already pitching their ideas in Chicago to Motorola and they are on the look out for MORE!)

There are a number of summer deals to be had, you can check them all out HERE

I am hoping I can twist Motorola's arm on a review unit and of course nab an extra for you guys so I can host a giveaway and give one lucky reader the chance to win a Moto Z of their very own.

READERS SOUND OFF: Are you currently in the market for a new phone? If so, which brands are you considering and why? Do you currently own a smartphone you LOVE? Please tell me what it is as I am definitely in the market for a new phone myself!

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FTC Disclosure: This was a private event for Media, Editors and Influencers, and all opinions are 100% my own!  This is NOT a compensated post although it certainly should be. This is NOT a sponsored post as I have not received product nor were there gift bags. 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.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Find out why @Influenster + @KATVONDBEAUTY has me embracing my inner #SAINTANDSINNER #THERESURRECTIONISREAL #spon

Disclosure: I received all products at no cost to me as a member of Influenster.


Above: #SAINTANDSINNER Influenster Vox Box

After a long dry spell, me and Influenster have reunited and it feels so good, my last two Vox Boxes included goodies from L'Oreal and Smashbox respectively (if you missed it, check out that post HERE) and then I got a beautifully packaged surprise for the trifecta - the much coveted recently re-launched fan favorites of Kat Von D's Saint and Sinner perfumes!

The perfumes were off the market for eight years and recently re-launched due to fan demand with beautifully re-designed bottles. I wish we had been sent the full size bottles so I could show you all the intricate design. And because they smelled so great on me.

ABOUT 'SAINT'


NOTES (SAINT 2017 KAT VON D BEAUTY):

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Top Notes: Clary Sage, Mirabelle Plum,

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Middle Notes: Jasmine, Almond Blossom, Lily of the Valley

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Base Notes: Vanilla, Cedar, Peach, Musk Tiare flower, heart of Mandarin, Caramel, Sparkling

This gourmand scent with heart of mandarin and caramel, is a candied floral, that represents Kat's (or any woman's for that matter) dreamy, romantic and alluring side.

ABOUT SINNER:



NOTES (SINNER 2017 KAT VON D BEAUTY):

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Orange Blossom, Plum

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Middle Notes: Jasmine, White Flowers, Cinnamon

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Base Notes: Vetiver, Patchouli, Vanilla, Musk

This gourmand scent that is a part sweet and part spicy represents Kat's (or any woman's) dark, sultry, and empowering side. A 'fragrant embodiment of the edgy, unapologetic and outspoken side of Kat Von D.


So SAINT + SINNER is a world of complementary contradiction:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - light + dark
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - vulnerable + empowered

and it is VEGAN and NOT tested on Animals!


Above: I thought I would feature other Kat Von D goodies I have been digging including the tattoo liner and Shade+Light Eye Contour Kit, the makeup items are mine and were not included in the Vox Box, the Vox Box solely contained the perfume samples, the animal print cosmetics case is also my own and is not sold via Kat Von D Beauty, just some fun staging!


Another Closeup of my Kat Von D Beauty Faves:


Above: The Saint Perfume is playfully resting on the box for the Shade+Light Contour Brush

Fun+Flirty Testing Ideas for YOU:

Test them both!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hit your nearest Sephora and spray Saint on one wrist and Sinner on the other (these fade a bit quickly and take a bit to fully project) and find out for yourself whether or not you are 'Saint' or 'Sinner' or a bit of both.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Of course you can go the traditional wear Saint by Day and Sinner by Night route.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Him Test: Put a little "Saint" on your neck behind one ear and a little "Sinner" on the other and let your significant other tell you which one he likes best. No guarantee that these gourmand scent's won't inspire him to nibble a little! :-)

MY TAKE:

Influenster definitely matched me with the right campaign on this one, I love playing with Scent, and always tend to throw traditional rules out the window, if I want to wear a 'light as air' scent in the winter and a spicy, warm scent in the summer then that's what I will do. I also love wearing some men's colognes over women's perfumes.

So am I #TeamSaint or #TeamSinner - color me BOTH and not just in the sense of wearing one or the other, but I really loved mixing them both together, it gave them a bit more complexity.

On the whole in terms of longevity and projection they did leave me wanting a bit more, I found that both faded on me fast and I had to re-apply a bit sooner than I am used to. Saint is way more subtle than Sinner obviously. I consider it a perfect after shower, as an a.m./morning post-shower scent, it won't linger long and takes awhile to project so when you walk into the office you won't be offending anyone's nose or triggering allergies. Once you find yourself putting your nose to wrist because you can't detect it, you may want to re-apply.

Sinner is also not overly spicy, it's way warmer than Saint, but not super spicy, and because of it's shorter projection and longevity the beauty of it is having your special someone detect it mostly when they are closer to you which can certainly be nice.

I love reading the reviews that are out there particularly on fragrance reseller sites, they are wildly mixed with most complaining that Saint was too sweet and Sinner wasn't Spicy enough, but remember my butterflies, scent and beauty are both very much SUBJECTIVE. Scent works differently with our body chemistry, something can smell one way on someone and entirely different on somebody else, so try these on first, and then decide.

I do not find Saint 'toothache sweet' and thought Sinner was just right on the warmth and spice, a few reviews equate Kat Von D Beauty's "Sinner" to being "Opium" reminiscent. I do not find Sinner nearly as warm and spicy as Opium, but for those of you who have smelled both Opium and Opium's scented body powder, (which smell just slightly different from each other to my nose) Sinner can be reminiscent to Opium POWDER on it's drydown.

Overall: I did like both Saint and Sinner - match them to your mood on a given day, or do what I did and mix them both together!

So tell me butterflies have you tried Saint or Sinner yet, if so, which scent are you? What is your favorite scent - do you rotate but that have that particular favorite you keep reaching for more than others? Which is it? What are the notes?

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FTC Disclosure: Products were sent to Ascending Butterfly at no cost as a member of the Influenster Network, and all opinions are 100% my own!  This is NOT a compensated post although it certainly should be. 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. If Kat Von D would like to send over the full sizes of Saint and Sinner so I could use the smaller bottles when they are empty as the place to create my alchemy mixing saint and sinner together using perfume funnels and taking them with me in my handbag/clutch everyday I would be more than happy too! :-)