Check out my latest #bulubox Review! #Health #bulugan

While the lovely folks at Bulu Box are very much on schedule, I of course am not! I am about a box behind, so this month you will see two Bulu reviews instead of one so I can catch up.

With August being a flurry of travel, events, conferences and always being on the Go, the products curated in this box were absolutely right on time!

The August 2014 Bulu Box was curated by Laryssa Didio, Celebrity Trainer, Fitness Expert and Developer of 'Strogation'. Strogation is a combination of Yoga, Meditation and Target Stretching. The 5, 15 or 20 minute program where Laryssa guides you through a stretching routine helps to ease aches, increase your flexibility and diffuse stress.  It also allows your body to detox which aids in speeding up weight loss results, increases energy, improves circulation, regulates digestion, reduces inflammation and allows the body to heal itself. (Stay tuned below for a discount code if you'd like to try this out for yourself!) - So I may be just a bit jelly as this is all stuff I was already doing, isn't this making you want to slap your forehead and say "DOH!" just like Homer Simpson?

Let's dive into this box!

The August 2014 Bulu Box Included:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NutriLux Bubble Vitamins - Who says vitamins have to stop being fun when you become an adult? I had to feature this first, as this product wins as my box favorite for this month just for the sheer fun factor. When it's FUN and still gets the job done you know it's a winning combination. And this is just EVERYTHING - A VITAMIN BUBBLE! YES PLEASE! You simply chew on a bubble (they recommend 3 times a day) and it's absorbed immediately into the body upon bursting, giving you max nutrient absorption in a truly fun, easy and portable way to remember to take your vitamins! The fact that they also help build strong hair, skin and nails with age-defying collagen, is the icing on the cake. SCORE! I will reach out to them directly and find out if they want to do something fun for Ascending Butterfly Readers as I just think these are the smartest things ever!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Kratos Natural Beef Bar - To fuel muscle you need protein, these 100% lean beef bars contain 15g of protein, is low cal and gluten free. Great for post workout, also great to have in your desk for the 'mid-day hump' when you are feeling peckish and sluggish. I say stash a few everywhere, your purse, gym bag and desk!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Forgiven - While I don't think drinking to excess is a great idea, it happens to the best of us, so in case you find yourself with a case of 'kissing the porcelain God' and a ton of regret, try Forgiven instead! They call it 'Hangover Absolution' but in a nutshell it fuels the metabolism to process alcohol and clears the harmful toxins so you can wake up refreshed, but please drink responsibly butterflies! If you or someone you love has a drinking problem, Reach out to Alcoholics Anonymous and get help! Remember:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - EBOOST Energy Shot with Coconut Water Berry-Melon Flavor - With 74 seaweed derived trace minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, green tea and coffee bean extracts plus the power of coconut water, what's NOT to love? I tend to rely on Energy Boost enhancers during conferences as those tend to come with back to back days that are about 10-12 hours long. And I have been on a coconut water kick lately, so this definitely combines the best of both worlds!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Simple Being Daily Personal Vitamin Gummies - More fun vitamin goodness, with these you will never have to have to deal with swallowing a large pill ever again! But don't think it's all fun and games butterflies, this little gummy bear gives you your daily dose of Vitamin D, B-6, and B-12 too!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dream Water - About 30 minutes before you turn in, take some dream water, brush your teeth, take a warm shower, put on some smooth jazz and then let the melatonin get to work on your internal clock and regulate your sleep cycle. They are definitely not new to me, I am a total insomniac, always have been and prefer a natural solution to a drug based one. In fact, on my last press trip on the Atlantic City Party Bus, we were handed slippers and Dream Water on the way off the bus, which totally made me smile. Dream Water and I are definitely good friends!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zestra - A botanical blend arousal oil that is applied topically, it increases arousal as well as offering a deeper more pleasurable experience overall. This was the Bonus Sample in the August Box.

GET SOCIAL:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Bulu Box on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @BuluBox via Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get with the pin program via Pinterest too

DISCOUNT:

I have two discounts for you this time Butterflies!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get 20% off "STROGATION" with Promo Code: STROGATION2014

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join the Bulugan Nation, Nab a box at a 50% discount by entering code:  BULUGAN707 - or pressing on the banner ad below directly!

MY TAKE:

I really enjoyed this box, so far they have all been a hit. And the NutriLux Vitamin Bubbles were my pick as my favorite from this box!

Have you tried Bulu Box? If you have, do you have a favorite product that you learned about via Bulu? If you haven't tried them yet, which of the products in this box featured above would you most like to try?

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

FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received. A Bulu Box has been provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration. As always, all 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.

Gratitude, Re-Discovery, and Getting Gorgeous 2011 New York City!

As you know Sunday is usually dedicated to my 'Sunday Moment of Gratitude' post, but trust me this ties in! My birthday is April 4th, and this weekend has been very much all about me, in the best way possible.

I've been trying despite all the stresses lately to devote a little more time to myself and my own needs. And this weekend I attended an event that dove tailed perfectly with my current theme of taking more time for myself, and discovering who I am under the layers of 'title', 'roles' and 'responsibilities'.

I greatly remember 'younger' me, she was a lot more fun. She spent more time on her face and hair, she had a thing for great shoes and handbags. Well this birthday I decided to 're-discover young me' again. And cast aside the thoughts of guilt that come when you take time away from one area to give it to another. This weekend I took some much needed me time, and met some great brands in the process.

This is my second Getting Gorgeous Event. The first, was last year at BlogHer 2010 in New York City. This year's event started with me checking in my coat, getting a special wristband (for my goodie bag on the way out) and being handed a Mimosa! Simply Orange Juice provided attendees with a fantastic afternoon Mimosa! I couldn't actually remember the last time I had one. (Check number one for rediscovering fun Tracy).

I had a chance to circulate in the place that is somehow slowly but surely becoming my home away from home, The Metropolitan Pavilion! (Many of my Fashion Week Photos were taken here!)  I had the chance to meet some great brands and do tons of things I normally don't do like eat Hummus (my family is going to gasp here, I'm not the biggest garbonzo bean lover and usually shy away from anything which contains it), somehow BJ's got me to try a Guacamole and Hummus Hybrid Dip, and I discovered it's delicious! (Being Adventurous, Check number 2 for rediscovering fun Tracy).

Midway in, I passed a tempting tower of cupcakes provided by Georgetown Cupcakes and decided to sit a spell and try one out. (Cupcakes before dinner, I'm smelling a check 3 here!)

Another highlight was meeting the Tide reps who handed me a Tide 2 Go mini sample and me breaking out laughing, I reached into my handbag and pulled out my full size Tide 2 Go which I never leave home without. I compared it to an American Express, which made them laugh so hard I couldn't help but laugh too! It's like they had me in mind when they invented it. Even when I change handbags, my Tide 2 Go always come with me. I can't tell you how many outfits that thing has saved. How many times have you gone out and had someone spill a drink on you, or a waiter/waitress accidentally put the plate too close to you and get food on your shirt. (and why is it usually your favorite white shirt?) (I’d say a check 4 here for laughter!)

Another table that was memorable for me was Sarah Potempa because she actually made us work for our goodie bag! She did a celeb hair trivia game that was super fun! When I light the candle I won I am sure I am going to remember her!

As you can see from the photo above, I also had the chance to get my picture taken with a life size standee of Brooke Elliott who plays lead character Jane Bingum on the Lifetime TV Series Drop Dead Diva! I love that show! I wish they would have also had a Standee of Margaret Cho who portrays Jane’s fiery Assistant, Teri Lee, I would have definitely posed for that picture as well! I have this thing for taking photos with mascots or standees! (Drop Dead Diva Moment, definitely a check Five!)

Another fun time was had meeting the reps from Sandals! ‘Fun Tracy’ (the one I’m trying to reconnect with!) usually visits a warm, sunny beach vacation each winter. Responsible Tracy has not had her annual beach vacation in 2 years so speaking with the Sandals Reps was a bit bittersweet, as now I’m having visions of sun, sand and fun floating in my head! I’ll be dreaming of Turks and Caicos this birthday weekend!

There were tons of fabulous brands in attendance including: Tide, Hanes, Simply Orange Juice, Dream Water, Goody Hair, Miraclebody, Shopafrolic, BJs Wholesale, Lifetime Moms, Weight Watchers, Hair Room Service, Amy Tara Koch, Sandals Resorts, Georgetown Cupcakes, Belli and great brands in the gift bags including: Affresh, Nyx Cosmetics, Smashbox (great friends of Ascending Butterfly, we love all things Smashbox), Sue Devitt, Restaurant.com, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Studio Jewel (Lisa Lehmann Designs included a pair of totally fab earrings), Lichi Supplements, Soft Lips, Secret Sleeves, Nick Chavez (his fantastic wet/dry conditioning spray was included in the gift bags), and while I was not able to get my hair done by Hair Room Service (which I would have loved since my big day is coming up!), they did provide great hair samples as well!).

The title sponsor of the event was Degree Women, and I’d like to thank them in addition to the other sponsors and exhibitors for supporting the efforts of Getting Gorgeous, a woman owned events business that does fantastic work connecting bloggers and brands! Degree provided samples of the NEW Degree Women Deodorant with motionSENSE, which I am looking forward to trying out!

I had a fantastic time, and it was a great way to spend my pre-birthday! I like to do goal setting on my birthday instead of New Year’s Eve, and the time I spent at Getting Gorgeous, is a perfect reminder that this year one the biggest goals I plan to set for myself is better work/life balance and increasing the time I spend on myself.

As for me, this ‘drop dead diva’ plans to make everday a perfect excuse for ‘getting gorgeous’, care to Join me?

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

FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products and the brands listed are expressly my own experiences. Getting Gorgeous organizers are hosting a giveaway for attendees who post a recap of the event to have a chance to win $500, this post is my entry for that giveaway, however all experiences cited are my own with each brand. I did receive a gift bag for attending.