Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts

Friday, March 24, 2023

Do you like rooting for the underdog? Here's your chance! #SephoraSquad2023

Am I a glutton for punishment or just the most persistent blogger on the planet?


 

Do you remember Elmyra Duff from Tiny Toon Adventures and its successor show, Animaniacs? She would chase kittens and say "I'm gonna hug you and kiss you and love you forever. I love cats I love kitties, squeeze them into itty bittys!" - You have to admit that Elmyra was cough *persistent*. That is how I am feeling going into another year of applying for Sephora Squad.

During College one of my many part time jobs was selling Classified Ads for a local paper. Sales in general help you develop a tough skin. You learn to let rejection roll off your back and take it in stride. I am sure you remember I tried in 2022, here is the link to my post: https://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2022/03/the-impact-of-beauty-in-digital-age.html

Why I feel 2023 is *my year*

馃 Sometimes doing something different just pulls you right back into what you love doing. 

I started off as a print journalist, a human interest reporter to be exact. Eventually a pro film critic. Then it was lifestyle pieces for magazines, and then a television newswriter. I came into blogging 'backwards' - most people start here hoping to propel into mainstream media. All this time during the pandemic I haven't been writing on these pages as often because I was in back to back Post Graduate study programs. I already have my Bachelors of Arts in Mass Media Communications, and used these programs as a tool to figure out whether or not to pursue a Masters. These programs, both run vastly different, one by eCornell and the other the Milestone Circles program sponsored by NASDAQ both had me tap into various sides of myself. Both prepared me to dive harder into my serial entrepreneurial pursuits.

馃 Connections.

Both programs created a sisterhood during the cohorts of women Entrepreneurs in different stages of their journeys. Those connections very much lit a spark within me in many ways. But the one thing that both my studies and connecting with other Entrepreneurs had in common was that they motivated me to want to re-engage with my own community more.

馃 Women Led/Women Owned/Women Founded

The beauty industry is often women led brands. It is the place where women create that seat at the table for themselves and other women. It dovetails perfectly with all I have learned during my multi year deep dive into the challenges of being a Woman Entrepreneur. When I started Ascending Butterfly in 2008 I was already a ghost writer for brand social media pages and a contributing writer to an award winning brand blog. So when I started my own digital space I knew it was important to me to work with women-led brands, entrepreneurs of color and brands that focus on giving to charitable causes.

馃Ambassadorships

The nature of brand Ambassadorships have morphed quite a bit throughout the years, but it still my remains my favorite ways to work with brands. It gives me an inside view of a brand and deepens my relationships with them. I love that they often come with the opportunities to host giveaways, offer exclusive discount codes and many times there are headquarters visits which I always find exciting! What delights me about the chance to work with Sephora is that they carry such a wide variety of products - they literally have something for everyone. I was smart enough at the onset of my blog to know that it needed to match my personality - I never wanted to be 'niched'. If someone had to put me in a box I only allowed it to be *lifestyle* or *empowerment* not a specific type of industry or product. For most that would prove a challenge, but for me (and maybe that is the Aries in me) I loved the opportunity to breeze in and out of topics and let them be as varied as my interests. As you may know I started a new Ambassadorship this year with Pure Encapsulations. For me health and beauty start from within, and working with Pure has made me even more selective with what I put in my body.
 
馃So much to say!
 
Truth be told while my nose was in the books, I had so much to say. But I knew myself enough to know that to succeed as a student again I needed to focus. I knew just how easily events, a plethora of products and developing new interests could become a distraction if I took every thought to my blog. Now that my studying is over, I can dive back into my community, with a renewed sense of purpose and energy and I can get back to writing/blogging and photography again. 
 
馃 JOY!
 
Learning really sparks joy in me. One of the things about this Ambassadorship that delights me is getting access to learning opportunities from the best and brightest in the industry. My love of beauty was born from the joy of alchemy. From making my own signature lipstick color because what was on the market at the time didn't suit me, to making my own signature fragrance and even mixing products to get a concealer and foundation that is a match for my skin tone (all this as a teen) has made me realize I am still very much excited by the beauty industry and there is still so much to learn. 
 
馃 Where you come in: 
 
I am going to need testimonials to move to the next round and then votes when I get there! Here is the link to provide your testimonial: https://www.sephorasquad.com/leave_testimonial/114319
 
Just for clarity - they want to hear what about my blog or my social feeds resonate with you. So men you too can leave a testimonial, this is not just how I inspire people when it comes to makeup, skincare and hair care but in general.
 
馃 Readers Sound Off: How does the Ascending Butterfly community inspire you?
 
While I have always had my hesitations when it comes to voting contests (they end up feeling more like a popularity contest to me) I do love a challenge and I know this year I am very much up for new challenges personally and professionally! 
 
So right now, I am a just a blogger, standing in front of a brand, asking them to include her. (If you picked up the Notting Hill vibes I put down, you really are my people!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% 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. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

paypal.me/TracyIglesias or https://cash.app/$ascendingbutterfly or Venmo: Ascending1

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Weekly Moment of #Gratitude! + Active #Giveaway + Winner Announcement!





What I am grateful for:


聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - A Week of Pampering Fun! -  I got transported to Morocco (for #MoroccanSpaDay check out the tweets!) and I spent a day Getting Gorgeous (at #GettingGorgeous 2013), it's been a fun week of events that will get their own recaps for sure, but they allowed me to take some time for me and reminded me that I don't do that nearly enough! I even got my first Henna Tattoo!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Simple Things! - Time spent with family and spiritual reflection is the exact fuel I needed this weekend, it will help me approach a new week and a growing list of 'to-do's' with a much more positive perspective. It's hard to have it all butterflies, and work/life balance will always be a 'rat race' but downtime and time to recharge is the only way you can really get through it all with a better balance.

I have been keeping my own daily list of things I am grateful for and taking time to acknowledge my blessings daily. A bit of concentrated focus on what you do have, instead of on what you lack or need, can make a huge shift in your life!


What are YOU most grateful for today Butterfly?

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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 Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Active Giveaway!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - As you know every April is 'It's MY Birthday, But YOU Get the Gifts' time and our current giveaway is for a $100 Gift Card to Wilson's Leather which sells Leather (and non-leather for those of you that don't wear Leather) accessories, apparel, jackets, gloves and more for both men or women, if you haven't already entered, make sure you ENTER, you have to be in it to win it!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - In case you missed it, Please join me in congratulating Dawn S. who is Ascending Butterfly's We Take the Cake Giveaway Winner! 

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it (I love that it gives you writing prompts for when you feel stuck on what to say!):

















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

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own. Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: The What Happens in New Orleans STAYS in New Orleans Edition + @AcmeOyster #NOLA #Travel #Food

Royal Praline Company, French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2012 - What Happens in New Orleans stays in New Orleans!
Some more way overdue photos from my trip to New Orleans for the inaugral year of the Niche Mommy Blogging Conference in New Orleans in 2012! (My New Orleans Wordless Wednesday Series got seriously interrupted so I promise I'll get them through all, at least before #NicheMommy13 that is!) I definitely hope  it's true that What Happens in New Orleans stays in New Orleans! LOL (as well as Vegas and Atlantic City,  Just Saying!) I'm glad that the Royal Praline Company agreed with us! I regret not buying that towel when I had the chance!

Acme Oyster House, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2012 - Prepare for super long lines to get in,  but the food is THAT worth it!

A larger group of bloggers headed out to Acme Oyster House, but only some of us could handle the wait, but I think I speak for all of us who made it, when I say this place is well worth the wait. the food really is amazeballs, great drinks, great service, perfect mix of locals and tourists (and when a local turns around and tells you, 'yes this is the line, even with reservations, but don't leave because you'll regret missing that meal, its the best advice ever and now I'm paying it forward and passing it along to you)

Char-Grilled Oysters at Acme Oyster House, French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2012 - We ordered  one to share, and boy was that a mistake, everyone ended up ordering their very own order of these, they are so good. The long lines were worth it,  seriously just for THIS!!!! The sauce (let it cool a bit) will make you want to lick each of your fingers for the stuff that stuck to your fingers besides the bread. So delicious they are almost sinful! and I mean that in a GOOD way! :) Oyster Nirvana can be found at Acme Oyster House!

The Char-Grilled Oysters were a HUGE hit, let's just say that quite a few of these platters were ordered to share! And sadly when you leave NOLA, you will see these and taste these in your dreams, your taste buds will salivate at the sheer thought of them! This will be my first stop when I go back to New Orleans!

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies! 

Bloggers feel free to comment with your Wordless Wednesday links, we are not formal enough for an official Linky Widget around here, so just join in the fun, get laid back, and most of all, get Wordless (someday I promise I'll keep it entirely wordless).


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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored, this is a recap of my experiences during my visit last year to New Orleans for the Niche Mommy Blogging Conference in it's inaugral year. I was sponsored by Britax as a member of their Latina Digital Advisory Board and Latina Hispanic Outreach Blogger and Brand Ambassador. No Monetary Compensation has been received for sharing my experiences at the conference.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013 Today's Words of #Inspiration: Do NOT work for Free!

do not work for free under the guise of good exposure

As most of you know I went kicking and screaming into Pinterest. Not because I'm afraid of being an early adopter, in fact many who know me come to me with questions on new software, apps, tech and the like because I am an early adopter. I was afraid of pinterest, because I knew invariably I would spend a ton of time there. And lo and behold, when I joined that exactly what happened. To me it's like facebook with the commentary turned off, so it allows you to focus on what is worth the proverbial 'thousand words' the pictures!

When I got the email notification from Pinterest that fellow Blogger Bren from B So Chic! was following me on Pinterest, I immediately followed her back, and went to check out her boards, I saw the graphic above and I just had to share it because it sums up how most bloggers feel in a nutshell.

When a blogger solicits a brand, we better have a value proposition in place, very few bloggers are being 'gifted' a thing. We are expected to not only leverage our Social Media Influence, we are expected to be a Marketing and Public Relations Power House, and a photographer, editor and powerful story teller, and a myriad of other requirements sometimes before a brand will even consider working with us.

But brands however seem to feel it's OK to come us with no value proposition in place. A review item, (no matter how high it's approximate retail value may be), isn't even close to compensating that reviewer for their time.

We can't pay our landlords or bills with the knowledge of your brand or client's (in the case of a PR firm) sales, discounts or events. We can't pay our bills with your good intentions. We can't pay our bills with tweets, instagram, pins or likes. We can only do that with payment.

A magazine editor draws a salary and gets benefits (and those vary by publisher, I worked for a number of publications before I flew the coup). They are also oftentimes 'assigned' a product. Bloggers are not. We can't pay our bills with your widgets no matter how shiny or sparkly they may be. And conversely, when we solicit a brand, more often than not it's a product we already know well so we are already consumers of that brand.

So when you get a Media Kit in response to your solicitation to me or any blogger, don't be offended. Welcome to reality. Welcome to the new digital age.

Bloggers, If you don't value your time or work, neither will anyone else. So when you are asked for what amounts to free social media consulting and PR services, put a price on it! Wipe that digital dust off your Media Kit and send it back when you receive a solicitation. And not just for the obviously bad pitches as a way to make them go away, but for the good ones too, even if you like a product it doesn't mean your time shouldn't be valued.

We read enough pitches to know when a brand is seriously looking to build a long term, mutually beneficial relationship or just use you for a one shot mouthpiece with no regards to your time, efforts, energies and talents.

I held on to this graphic and this post since last year as I saw it during the Holiday Season, and my editiorial calendar had already closed, but this post was sitting in drafts just waiting for 2013 to begin. So Bren, thank you, what may have been a simple Pinterest 'pin' for you one day, definitely inspired me to sound off on blogging on the whole.

They say the relationship between PR firms/Brands and Bloggers could always stand room for improvement, but a great start is by respecting one another's time. And YES, that very much goes both ways.

Please don't mis-interpret the title of this post, I am NOT discussing Volunteer work, you should definitely find ways to give back, and using your platforms for social good is a wonderful thing too, but let's face it, there are but so many hours in any given, day, week, month or year, and not all of them can be given away for free. I actually think the topic has merit across the board and is not specific to only blogging, consultants go through this each and every single day, freelancers and at some point down the line, every single job hunter. How many Marketing job interviews don't come with the 'write out a presentation or brief about specific ways you'd improve our Marketing Strategy' and then you are not selected, but your ideas get used anyway. Putting a price on your skills reduces the burnout and feeling of being used. Like Beyonce sings the famous 'If you like it, then you should have a put a ring on it!', you too need to put a price on it so others know how to value it! And remember, just like the cost of living goes up from year to year, your prices can and should too, so revamp your Media Kits!

I'm also toying with a full post on the differences between soliciting someone and trying to bully them, but for now I leave you all with my usual questions to spark some additional thoughts and great conversation on a topic which I'm sure many of you will have very strong opinions on!

Today's Thought/Challenge: What do YOU think butterfly? Do you think the 'business of blogging' will soon change as more bloggers put a price tag on their services? Bloggers what has been your biggest PR or Brand Fail? Why?

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FTC Disclosure: You can best believe that this is NOT a sponsored post! All opinions expressed herein are 100% my own! (Although I'm sure you can find a few hundred thousand bloggers out there who share these sentiments!)

Monday, December 10, 2012

Monday Motivation + #Giveaways + 5 #winners to announce!





What I am grateful for:


I read a great post in Jennifer James' Mom Bloggers Magazine it was an articled titled 'Mom Blogging Has Treated Many Well This Year', and it got me thinking! I actually write about many of my blogging blessings in my weekly gratitude posts, but responding to this thread and seeing the highlights all in one place made a big impact on me, and I thought I'd share about that here. While I'm a woman who blogs, I am NOT actually a Mom Blogger, I'm not yet a mom. But many of my readers are, and I'm an Aunt and God-mother.

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Blogging Blessings This Year: The highlights! -  Of course my top 3 highlights would be my 3 Ambassadorships this year, Britax, The Bronx Zoo, and Duane Reade. They have blessed me in very different ways, but thanks to my Britax Ambassadorship I had the opportunity to attend the Niche Mommy Conference in New Orleans in it's Inaugral Year as a guest of Britax one the conference's official sponsors. It was an amazing trip and an amazing City! I made new friends there and I will never forget that trip. I also got to visit Britax at their US Headquarters in North Carolina and meet fellow Hispanic Digital Advisory and Social Media Outreach Ambassadors. It's a dynamic, smart and enthusiastic group of Latina Bloggers across the United States that I'm super proud to be a part of! Through Duane Reade, I've met Jordin Sparks, enjoyed an amazing massage from Oasis Day Spa, been introduced to a variety of great products, got my first experience with a Celeb Stylist, and more! Thanks to P&G I bit the bullet and filmed my very first VLOG  with the amazing Robert Verdi! Super Awesome Interview! I got the chance to interview Gerard Butler while he was in Miami promoting his new movie Playing for Keeps! It was a conference call and myself and one other awesome blogger (Rosy from Accidental Sexiness!) got to ask Gerard Butler (press on his name to go to the Q&A article if you missed it!) questions about his new movie. I asked 3 questions, and 2 were from Ascending Butterfly readers! I posted asking everyone if they could ask Gerard Butler one question about his upcoming new movie what would it be. I used one question that was asked on the post, and the other from a twitter follower! And I got to host some awesome Twitter Parties this year that were even picked up for additional media coverage! Some fun Mamarazzi screenings and events where I got to meet Jada Pinkett-Smith, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin James and Henry Winkler, and had some great moments on Broadway in New York City at the theatre (even some behind the scenes!) at Ghost The Musical, Annie, Emotional Creatures, Rated P for Parenthood, and Elf The Musical. And last but certainly not least two memorable Breast Cancer Awareness events this year one with Kristin Chenoweth and the other with Giuliana Rancic in conjunction with P&G's #GIVEHope campaign where a live twitter party was also hosted!

I remember being angry at the begining of the year when I lost out on a job because the company 'couldn't wait for me', I spent New Year's Eve in the hospital after being given a very bleak prognosis, and missing out on my birthday as well as a conference because I wasn't yet cleared for air travel. I spent a long time angry about the opportunities I missed. I needed to stop and count the ones I did enjoy and not worry about those that were missed!

As I look back on a year that I was told I wouldn't even see begin, nevertheless end, I'm still humbled by all I accomplished this year. If I can overcome the worst news one person can ever hope to receive, what can YOU accomplish? If I did all that in 2012 while spending the bulk of my year in and out of the hospital, I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store!

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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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 Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Giveaways!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 Holidays Buying Guide Giveaway!: December is National "Made in America Month!" 5 Winners can win @TeroxFootwear - MEN OR WOMEN, in our very first GLOBAL Giveaway! - Butterflies, these flip flops are truly comfortable, and spring you back with each step! Slip one of these in someone's Christmas Stocking and they will definitely be happy!

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

3 giveaways down, 5 winners to share!

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - McDonald's Cheddar Bacon Onion Sandwich Giveaway Winners Are:

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Nicole T.
 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Brad M.

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Triple Action Purex with Oxi and Zout Stain Removers Product Coupon Giveaway Winners Are:

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Anne D.
 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Sonia G.

 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Gund Boo Plush Toy and mini Boo Plush Toy Giveaway Winner Is:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Sharon L.

We are working on closing entries and processing a winner for the $100 Wilsons Leather Giveaway and will have a winner announced shortly!

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

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: This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own. Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The stars at night are big and bright....and I want to see them ALL!



Most of you already know I'm a One2One Network member. Throughout the years my membership has been just as much a benefit to me as it has been to each and every single reader of Ascending Butterfly. I have had the chance to share about great products, great deals as well as host a giveaway or three! Be it by email or during Blogging Conferences, I have been often asked why I am a member, or do I find being a member valuable and would I recommend them? My answer is YES.

I learned a long time ago that Blogging is NOT an Island. And as for work/life balance there are only so many hours in a day, and I don't have as much time as I'd like to do outreach for Ascending Butterfly. I take blogging seriously and enjoy bringing you diverse, rich content. Companies like One2One Network that bring brands and bloggers together specialize in outreach, in a way that I never could, or probably wouldn't even want to. I love to write, I never aspired to be a sales person. But somehow throughout the years it's a hat I've had to wear. With One2One it's like having my own sales team, they do the outreach and then come back to me with the opportunity to connect with brands I actually know and work on projects that excite me, without any penalty when I don't want to or just simply can't participate in a campaign for whatever reason.

The company was founded by Barbara Jones and my favorite quote about why she founded the community is:

"I saw an opportunity to break-out on my own and build a grassroots team of socially active women who have the 'I-can't-help-myself' desire to share information about new products and services with their friends, family and colleagues." ~ Barbara Jones

Their motto is: Fun Projects, Cool Perks, Nice People and throughout the years that's exactly what it has been! I've read great books (like Once in a Blue Moon), Listened to great music (like Harry Connick Jr Your Songs, Norah Jones ...Featuring and many others including the fantastic Sex and The City 2 Soundtrack!) and tried some great products including: Crest 3D Whitestrips (please note if you visit that link, that giveaway is already closed), L'Or茅al Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lash Mascara, and Gain Apple Mango Tango Laundry Detergent - all of which remain on my permanent shopping list!

One2One is doing something amazing right now and I really want to be a part of it! One2One Network is hosting a full sponsorship to the Blissdom13 conference for it's members, and I truly want to attend! Check out this page to get more info about the sponsorship contest.

I have never been to Blissdom. I've been to BlogHer (both in 2010 and this year), and I'm headed to the Niche Mommy Conference this month (this is the FIRST year and it's being held in New Orleans! Awesomesauce!), but how I've never been to Blissdom I don't know, just the name alone sounds like I should be there!

I started my year with a shocking and horrible mis-diagnosis, that I was on 'borrowed time' it's pretty much anyone's worst nightmare. And after almost a year of exploratory surgeries (and 2 long hospitalizations later) I'm still very much standing. But my medical setback has given me a mountain of medical expenses to deal with and also robbed me of some major holidays (I spent both New Years Eve and my birthday in the hospital this year). It also placed limits on what I could do physically. I'm finally getting back on track and have TONS of lost time to make up for.

So as much as I'd like to attend to Blissdom13 next year, it won't be possible for me without a sponsorship. This year to get to BlogHer12 I volunteered for my pass, if not, I wouldn't have been able to make it. And for Niche Mommy I won my sponsorship this year which I'm super grateful for!

The four Blissdom13 tracks are: Business, Writing, Life Development, and Photography and they would help me grow both Ascending Butterfly (as well as myself) both personally and professionally speaking and I love the fact that the Writing and Photography Tracks format will also have a hands-on workshop feel! 

The conference after 5 years in Nashville, TN is moving to Dallas, TX. There is something so very fitting about that for me, the conference itself has decided IT needed change and that's exactly how I feel in my life. After being told I might lose mine, I really don't want to hold back in any area of my life anymore. I want to see things I haven't seen, I'm bolder now, I'm not as afraid of taking risks or chances and most of all I want change, I want growth. I think my medical setback kind of brought me into a real life 'chrysalis' state and now that it's almost totally behind me, I want to emerge from my cocoon as a whole new butterfly, and what better way to do it than with a new experience?

I'm sure you guessed it by now, but this is a contest entry, but it's also a super personal glimpse into where I'm at right now!

How about you butterfly, What kind of change do you want to bring into your life for 2013?



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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. However this post does serve as a contest entry for One2One Network Members.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

{Bump} Top 10 Family Friendly NYC Destinations + Live Tweets during #BlogHer12

Today is day one of BlogHer and while I'll be live blogging FOR BlogHer, I'm not entirely sure when my blogs will go live on their site, as soon as I know, I'll post the URL!

So in the meantime, I'm bumping Monday's post as you guys have given me great feedback on the Top 10 Family Friendly Destinations in New York City Post!

For those of you who mentioned that you can't make it to BlogHer this time but are planning a trip to NYC, feel free to email me and I'd be happy to send over additional recommendations that did not make this list!

I will be tweeting during the day and trying to recap my experiences in those 140 characters or less digital soundbites otherwise known as 'tweets', be sure you are following us at both accounts @Tracy_Iglesias AND @Ascending1 to stay up to date on BlogHer 2012!

Happy Thursday Butterfly!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post!





Wednesday, August 1, 2012

I am on my way to #BlogHer12 so why are my thoughts on the @NicheMommy Conference?



Witchcraft, Voodoo Legends, and Vampire Folklore - OH MY!


This week the BlogHer Conference is coming back to my city, New York City! And I'm live blogging this year FOR BlogHer which I'm totally excited about. So why is my mind already on the Niche Mommy Conference?



I guess since I already live in New York City, and I'm not taking a plane to get there, I'm not getting that 'travel rush' I normally get before a conference, so my mind is drifting and wandering towards thoughts of new sites and sounds. A city I have never visited. A city with Vampire Lore (Hello, life long Horror and Vampire Movie lover here!), a city with a rich Jazz musical history and great restaurants, New Orleans!



I have been researching this city for years now, and according to the Haunted New Orleans Tours website, "New Orleans, (is) America's Most Haunted City" - It seems to me it's part haunted and part enchanted and that is a strong part of the draw for me. I don't know why none of my travels to date have yet to take me there, but I'm thinking the Niche Mommy Conference sounds like a perfect excuse, I mean ahem, a 2012 'business' trip! Yeah, that's the ticket! While I know most folks immediately think about Mardi Gras madness, I don't want to try push my way down crowded streets, I want to take leisurely strolls and get great pictures of local architecture, meet tons of locals and hit the restaurants on my wish/research list. Yes I have actually been compiling a list of must try restaurants, I'm such a hopeless foodie!

You know how I feel about Vision Boards, and how they help you put the power of attraction in action! I have been compiling info on New Orleans for awhile now, and here is an advertisement that I clipped from a  magazine that highlights some of the things I want to do while in NOLA!

My 'Big Easy' Vision Board:

Press on each picture to see them as a full page and then backspace and come back here to see the next one!









I was robbed of quite a bit of travel time in the last year (due to a medical nightmare I certainly didn't see coming), and I plan to make up for it! While there are all the obvious reasons of why I love conferences (connecting with online friends from across the miles in the real world, learning how to make my business grow stronger by blogging smarter not harder, meeting great brands and making new friends), I also love travel and I love exploring new cities. I'm totally excited that Niche Mommy will be held in New Orleans this year, and I totally hope to make it out there!

For all those coming in this week for BlogHer, please be sure to visit my post that outlines the top 10 family fun New York City sites and attractions, if you missed it, you can click HERE.


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FTC Disclosure: While this is NOT a sponsored post, this is a personal essay entry into a Britax Competition for an opportunity to win a sponsorship to the Niche Mommy Conference. This is a closed competition for members of their Latina Advisory Board - Hispanic Digital Outreach Blogger Brand Ambassadors. This post is my entry, all opinions are 100% my own. I have NO personal affiliation to the Niche Mommy Conference organizers or the New Orleans Tourism Board. I am however entirely fascinated by the supernatural and have always wanted to visit New Orleans!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Weekly Moment of Gratitude - The Thank YOU + Pre #BlogHer12 edition!







What I am grateful for:


聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - YOU! -  Yes that's right YOU! Ascending Butterfly has certainly evolved quite a bit throughout the years, and while the transition to 'living out loud' as a blogger hasn't always been an easy one (I'm more comfortable behind the scenes, except for a brief stint on TV as a child), it has expanded my life both personally and professionally in ways I never dreamed were even possible. Throughout my whole medical nightmare that started last year the emails that I received from readers (and even from brands and PR firms that I have worked with throughout the years) has been incredibly heartwarming & encouraging to me. On Tuesday I made a post that was a personal entry to a contest, and I was literally floored that my humble call to action was embraced and acted upon by so many of you. Your tweets in support of my entry really means a lot to me, and win or lose, just having that many of you show me your support filled my heart with gratitude this week so I knew it had to be my first entry in this week's moment of gratitude. Thank You! Hopefully I'll be one of the five winners of an awesome makeover by Windows during BlogHer! (Can you believe BlogHer is now just *days* away!)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Fun! - Sometimes being a blogger can be filled with random, goofy fun. This week I attended gaming  previews for both Ubisoft and Majesco and got to try out Video Games like Zombii U for the new Wii U gaming system from Nintendo, FarCry 3, Assassins Creed 3, NBA Baller Beats and many, many more which will all get their own reviews as we get closer to their release dates. In case you missed it, I got Zombiefied with ZombiiU and posted a cool Zombie photo of me as my Wordless Wednesday this week. My schedule doesn't often permit me to play video games very often, so getting the chance to 'just play' and demo new games was super fun! I actually got to meet an NFL player during one of my game demos and a few retired players as well!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Counting my Blessings!-  While I still have a ways to go, I got great news during my recent medical visit, and I feel like I can slowly starting putting it all behind me and focus on the road ahead!




聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Getting Caught Up - I'm pretty much caught up on posts that needed to go live before BlogHer, which will allow me to really focus my energies next week on the conference! If you are going to the conference I'd love to meet as many of you as possible in person! Post a comment here if you are attending BlogHer!

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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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 Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Giveaway Winners!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - The two winners of the Purex giveaway are Gloria M. and Caseyle2010, your free product coupons are on the way, Congratulations!

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Gratitude Journal Reco:
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. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html - Please note this is not a compensated post!