Find out how I got to the 'Corner of Happy & Healthy'!

Earlier this week I had the chance to see Elf The Musical (yes more on this to come), and during the play Duane Reade is actually referenced which made me laugh as I've spent this year as one of Duane Reade's VIP Bloggers (Sign from the Universe? You decide!). So when I got my newsletter the next day and saw this:

you know I had to go shopping! I can spend over $30 there easily so spending $30 and instantly getting rewards that amount to getting $5 back is just a pure win/win! I picked up my weekly circular as well as the NEW Holiday Magazine and got to 'circling'!

New Happy & Healthy 'Storezine' Holiday Edition 2012: Available in Stores from November 4th until December 31st, 2012

Duane Reade Holiday Magazine and Weekly Circular Display

I have to start by saying this week has been pure insanity. Because of Hurricane Sandy being followed by a Nor-Easter in New York City, a week's worth of meetings and events were post-poned, all those meetings and events were shifted to this week. I have not had one single solitary moment to myself all week and have events on Saturday and Sunday as well, to say I'm stressed out and had very little time for personal errands is an under-statement!

I'm not sure what the point of 'e-tickets' are when you are expected to still print the tickets and show them at the door or print the confirmation email, I literally ran out of printer paper this week (I know this month has been insane but my printer feeder tray really does hold a lot of paper! I was pretty surprised to get the 'paper low' warning message pop up. I thought it was a mistake, but lo and behold I only had 5 sheets of paper in there and no new ream of paper in my supply cubby!), that would normally mean a trip to an office supply store for me, and an extra shopping trip I did NOT have time to add in. Thankfully Duane Reade saved the day by saving me an extra trip. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised to find printer paper at my local Duane Reade!

Exclusive to Walgreens and Duane Reade, Ology brand products provide assurance that these items work as well as the larger brands but are also free of the harmful chemicals that today's pediatricians are so concerned about. And, best of all, they're available at an affordable price.

Made from readily renewable sugarcane husks that would otherwise be disposed, and quick-growing bamboo that regenerates in as little as six months.

• For copiers, printers and fax machines
• 100% tree free
• Low moisture paper means less paper jams
• Whitened with H2O2, a non-chlorine based bleach
• 94 brightness, 20 pound
• Biodegradable

I got to save myself an extra trip to the office supply store AND support a product that's eco-friendly? Um, yes please! I got two of these! (Note this item is an 'in-store' only right now, and prices may vary per store, these are NOT available for purchase online.)

And while on a paper theme, I picked up some bathroom tissue from the Ology brand as well.

Duane Reade ology Facial and Toilet Tissue Display

Soft and strong, this biodegradable bath tissue is made from readily renewable sugar cane husk that would otherwise be disposed, and quick-growing bamboo that regenerates in as little as six months.

• 300 two-ply sheets per roll
• Septic safe
• 4 in x 3.7 in sheets
• 370 sq. ft. total area

My Take:

I'm seriously thinking that Ology could easily become one of my favorite Duane Reade brands! I also bought Vitamins, Laundry Detergent (Notice in the picture it's the 'Butterfly Kiss' scent, yes I really am all butterfly all the time!), Fabric Softener, New Toothbrushes + Toothpaste, Air Freshener, frozen meals and quite a few of my favorite ice cream in a limited edition flavor that they only launch several times per year. By the time I was done and the cashier packed me all up I had two super heavy bags to lug home, and a Total Savings of $14.80 (9%), and 5,480 balance rewards points earned this visit! On my next visit I will have $10 in spending money in my balance rewards because I had some to start with plus an additional $5 when I completed this shop thanks to my ology purchases which earned me extra rewards. Getting all that shopping done AND getting money back for my next visit - Not sure it gets any better than that!

WIN! And if the great deals haven't tempted you yet, how about a chance to win great prizes? (Somehow I knew that would get your attention! With the current 'Text2Win' Sweepstakes if you text HAPPY to 35350, you are entering a contest for a chance to win a $6,000 + weekend getaway grand prize, or a weekly $100 Walgreens Gift Card by answering weekly questions only found in Happy & Healthy via text.

Major Shopping Haul this weekend at Duane Reade!

Get Social With It:

Follow Duane Reade  on Twitter and ‘Like’ them on Facebook and don’t forget to tell them you saw them Featured on Ascending Butterfly! For more information, visit duanereade.com or youtube.com/duanereade

Butterfly, Did you a score great deal this weekend?

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FTC Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #DRHappy&Healthy #cbBigApple  I am a Duane Reade VIP Blogger and Ambassador which does entitle me to additional incentives. However, all opinions expressed  are 100% my own.

What are you doing? I'm just feeding my Scalp!

Once the New York City summer humidity starting kicking in, I got a strong urge to chop my hair off, so I did. I cut it in a short, layered sassy style that I absolutely loved. Until I had to re-create it myself that is. I couldn't quite get it to look the same the stylist did. But I also cut it to make sure I nipped split ends in the bud, and now I want to be sure to keep it as healthy as it looked when I cut it.

My hair and I have had a lifelong battle, and I am not sure either of us ever win. We are both stubborn and want things our own way. My hair goes nuts when it's humid out, but I'm over ponytails and pulling it back, that's why I cut it, to force myself to style it more and not cop out with ponytails, buns or some other slicked back hairstyle.

Years ago I read this magazine article where they suggested changing your shampoo and conditioner periodically helps when your hair doesn't seem to be responding to your favorite shampoo and conditioner. With that in mind, I came across something new and thought I'd try it out.  Seems like there may be something to this theory!

When the hair gets frizzy, the hair goes SHOPPING!

Ascending Butterfly holding Duane Read Circular, time to shop!

Can't hurt to check out what's on sale right?

HairCare Aisle, Duane Reade

Look Up - It's the Haircare Aisle!

CLEAR Scalp & Hair THERAPY Shampoo & Conditioner

What's This? I spot the NEW CLEAR Scalp & Hair THERAPY Shampoo and conditioner! There were quite a few choices, after reading the descriptions of each, I selected the one called 'Strong Lengths' for my hair needs, but you can actually pick out which one works for you before even hitting the store, take the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Quiz, it's only 7 easy questions to strong, beautiful hair! There is another interesting test you can take that measures the strength of your hair. 99% of hair's natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp. So feed your scalp right, and you will be feeding your hair right!

I decided on 'Strong Lengths' from Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy

The Strong Lengths Strengthening Serum will help make hair stronger in only 7 days. It's a Scalp & Hair regimen that's ideal for hair prone to breakage. And because I tend to wear ponytails a lot, my hair is definitely more prone to breakage and split ends. (I for one can't imagine working out without picking my hair up and putting in a ponytail or bun, that part I just can't change!).

Duane Reade, What's in my basket?

Found additional sales I just couldn't pass up! AquaFresh Toothpaste on sale for only .99 cents, not the small size, the regular size! Pretty hair and pearly whites too, who can resist?

Ben & Jerry's Display at Duane Reade

RUH ROH! Ben & Jerry's Buy One Get One FREE!!! Sweet Temptation!

Duane Reade Shopping Basket, getting MUCH fuller by the minute!

Wait! How did those two pints of Ben & Jerry's get in MY basket?

I'm thinking it may be time to head to the cashier before I get tempted buy more snacks!

Waiting for a Cashier, Duane Reade

Trying to keep focused and ignore the snacks to my immediate right!

Manager signing a rain check!

Turns out they didn't have enough of the AquaFresh Toothpaste in stock so the manager gave me a raincheck so I could come back when they are back in stock! He was able to find me one (I had selected the wrong ones), so at least I was able to nab one at the great .99 cents sale price! SCORE!

Had to make sure I put the ice cream away first when I got home! They seem quite happy in my freezer next to an organic chicken! LOL

My new shampoo & conditioner and toothpaste!

My new finds in my bathroom on my fave 'zen shelf'

Love how the bottles sleek style totally match my zen shelf!

Got everything stocked and put away where it belongs!

Get more info about the products featured here:

http://www.facebook.com/clearhaircare
http://www.clearhaircare.com/

http://www.facebook.com/clearmen 

http://www.youtube.com/clearhaircare

http://www.duanereade.com/

http://twitter.com/duanereade

http://twitter.com/clearhair


GIVING CAMPAIGN:


You know how much Ascending Butterfly loves it when brands give back! From Monday, June 11th, 2012 through Saturday, August 11th, 2012, $5 for each new Duane Reade Facebook Page 'Like', up to $100,000 will be donated between six participating partners through the Duane Reade Charitable Foundation (DRCF). You can help make a difference in promoting health and wellness within the New York tri-state area. For more info visit www.duanereade.com/charity and don't forget to 'Like' Duane Reade on Facebook to participate!

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I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ but all opinions expressed are my own #CBias #SocialFabric Questions about Ascending Butterfly's Disclosure Policy? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

My Day as a Not So Mystery Shopper in New York City!

Years ago when the 'Mystery Shopper' idea became popular and people were looking for a way to supplement their income, programs cropped up like wildfire, some reputable, others not so much. I won't say the idea didn't intrigue me, but I never had time to pursue it.

The opportunity finally presented itself, well kind of!

As many of you know, I am now a Duane Reade VIP Blogger, it all began with my entry essay blog post where I shared a bit about what Duane Reade meant to me on a personal level which you can check out HERE. When I found I got selected it made that week's Moment of Gratitude, which you can check out HERE.

Here is a Group Shot of myself and fellow fabulous Duane Reade VIP Bloggers:

Can you spot the butterfly?

Being a part of this program has given me the opportunity to take on shopping missions and share with you a bit about my purchase experience, from how I selected what I was going to buy, the path to purchase and then the products getting used at home. It's like being a mystery shopper except without all the mystery!

For me my first shopping 'mission' was all about a lazy weekend and movie night. I knew I didn't feel like cooking, and wanted my favorite snacks at hand for my Movie Night, so I checked out the online  Duane Reader Circular to find out what was on sale before heading out to the store! (Prices in this reader are available through June 2, 2012). I was excited that right on page 1, I spotted my favorite treat, Haagen Daaz (2 pints for $7 which is a super deal) and I circled that, I already knew I'd be doing a bit of cheating on my diet that day, a better choice probably would have been the Good & Delish Veggie Corn with Flaxseed Tortilla Chips and the Good & Delish Organic Salsa. I'll probably pick those up on my next trip to the store (along with the sour cream and onion Pop Chips)!  I had already stocked up on another Duane Reader sales item The Dr. Browns Soda 6 Pack, 2 for $5 (I love the Dark Cherry and Cream Soda's from Dr. Brown's). and the last thing I needed was some eats, so I picked up a DiGiorno Pizza that was also on sale. Making movie night eats and treats complete! All my movie night picks were also on sale which made me extra happy.

During my last few trips to my local store, it was being renovated, and I was happy to see that it had been completed during my recent trip, the aisles are wider and brighter, and it's so much easier to find everything which is a big time saver!

Here are some shots of me on the way to the store, it's a busy shopping district, so it's not so easy to get shots of it without someone invariably passing by and getting in the shot!

Here's me finally inside!

Below: And as soon as I walk in, I find a super friendly employee wearing a Duane Reader tee shirt in one of my favorite colors purple, she agreed to let me take a picture of her!

I wanted to look around and see the renovations so I didn't quite go straight to my aisles.

Of course I got distracted by Beauty Brands, Products and items.

Latina Bella, beauty products made with Latina Skin tones in mind, FAB!

Finally made it to the eats!

MMM.....Pizza!

Then it was on to the treats!

Ice Cream plus warm day means I'll have to run home so it doesn't melt.

Movie Night was a blast, here are my purchases in use:

Eats + Treats = Fun Movie Night!

There are more photos of this shopping experience on Ascending Butterfly's Google+ Page, and you can connect with Duane Reade online, Twitter and Facebook. (Check out the VIP Bloggers Tab on Duane Reade's Facebook Page and you'll see a picture of me! Yay!)

Happy Shopping Butterfly!

If you purchased any specials in the Duane Reader, please be sure to come back here and let us know!

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FTC Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a special social shopper insights study for CollectiveBias. #CBias #DReade #DReadeVIP - However all opinions expressed are 100% my own. Being part of the Duane Reade VIP Blogger Program offers additional incentives for my participation. Questions about Ascending Butterfly's Disclosure Policy? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Weekly Moment of Gratitude! + Active Giveaways! + Events + WINS!

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Happy News! (Which I've been long overdue for in my life lately!) - I found out that I was selected as part of Duane Reade's NY VIP Blogger Program! And I found out via my favorite part of the 'SocialMediaVerse', Twitter of course, check out the tweet that put a smile on my face HERE. While many people participated, only 10 New York City based Bloggers were chosen and I am one of them. For all those butterflies who tweeted a vote on my behalf THANK YOU! I am super excited and promise to work hard. And I hope to be able to share great deals with you too! I'm a #DReadeVIP, last year I enjoyed my time as a Blogger Brand Ambassador for Kmart's Latina Smart program and I'm looking forward to working with Duane Reade in 2012.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A Win! I don't often get too much time to enter giveaways (as I'm mostly hosting them), but I entered a giveaway in conjunction with the New York Toy Fair this year and won! I won a Wonderworld Toys Smart Gear Balance Bike! The news definitely brought a smile to my face.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Another Win! I won a conference pass to Hispanicize! I now have to find sponsorship so I can get out there! The conference is 6 days after my birthday, sounds like a nice birthday present!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Events: I attended an amazing event where I had the opportunity to see the inner workings of a brand with heart, if you didn't have a chance to read the recap of The Royal Asscher event, check it out HERE. I have some fun ones coming up this week, including a screening of Disney's John Carter!

While there is still a bit of confusion in my life as of late, this week was a fresh breeze of relief that makes me feel things are really turning around, and good things are finally headed my way this year! With a few weeks before my birthday, I remember the saying that says your real new year is not December 31st or January 1st, but the actual day of your birthday. I'd like to beleive that is true, as my January New Year wasn't the best ever this year, but these weeks leading up to my actual birthday just feel so filled with hope! I have a strong feeling, that this year, on this particular birthday, the doors will finally open and a floodgate of opportunities are being sent my way!

Hope all my butterflies are having an amazing weekend!

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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:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press Directly on Description to link to giveaway: Ascending Butterfly Monthly Book Club: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times Book Giveaway! Ends 03/25 <-This book has brought me a great deal of hope, and the prayers are spoking so directly and with a simple, yet raw honesty, that they truly touched my soul. I genuinely hope that the winner of this giveaway finds this book to be a huge blessing and source of hope that helps them find the words and faith to pray their life onto a better path.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {Coming Soon} : The return of our monthly Featured Handbag in the Spotlight with a handbag from Nicole Miller! (A perfect handbag for a night out!) + Our friends at Smashbox are coming back for a Spring Beauty Promotion with a collection that you will certainly want to add to your beauty bag this Spring!

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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.

2012 DUANE READE VIP INFLUENCER CONTEST ENTRY + Calling my fellow NYC based bloggers! #DReade

Are you a NYC Based Blogger and LOVE Duane Reade? Duane Reade is looking for 10 NYC based bloggers to become 2012 Brand VIP Influencers. Think you have what it takes to be one of ten Duane Reade VIP Bloggers?

Enter now by writing a blog post telling us why you love Duane Reade and why you should be chosen to be a 2012 Duane Reade VIP Blogger. As a VIP Blogger you'll receive:

• $200 in Duane Reade gift cards per month
• Exposure from Duane Reade via Facebook and Twitter.
• Exclusive knowledge on Duane Reade promotions and products
• Opportunity to be featured in the Duane Reader, the circular and new website.
• Opportunity to attend executive level meetings
• And much more!

As a VIP Blogger, you'll be expected to write up to 2 blog posts a month, share content via Twitter and Facebook, and participate in corporate meetings, in-store events, and serve as a brand advocate. Read Official Rules for more information.

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My #DReade Entry:

So while I'm happy to share the information about this contest with fellow NYC based bloggers, this post today is also my entry!

Working my way through College in New York City I signed up for 10 local temp agencies, I needed flexible schedules and spent my time from week to week and sometimes from day to day being switched to a new company, new department, new team and new desk. My time temping in New York City made me flexible, adaptable, able to learn new proprietary databases with ease and I've even learned to design my own databases since those days. In the begining being somewhere new each week and some weeks each day, was incredibly daunting, and even lonely at times.

The only constant in my travels around the city was and still is Duane Reade. There was always a Duane Reade near my job site. And I found myself visiting pretty much daily. There was something comforting to me about going inside. I have them near my home, near school and work, it gave me something consistent at a time when my life's normal was inconsistency.

Since my College days, nothing has changed and everything has changed. Duane Reade is still my go to no matter what I'm shopping for. Back then it was more soda's and sweet snacks for the afternoon after 3pm slump, now it's more multi-vitamins and dietary supplements as well as household and toiletries, but they are still my first choice for my weekend errands to pick up those essentials!

My lifelong love of my city has often been shared on the pages of this blog. I was also briefly pre-med (I wanted to be cardiologist since Kindegarten, YES I was THAT specific) and was a contributing writer during College to a local newspaper's medical/health section. I can't imagine a more perfect blogging opportunity for me, I love NYC (I know the city quite well), I love Duane Reade, and I love writing about Health topics because although life got in the way of my plans to pursue a career in medicine and treat patients, I still have a love for Science, Medicine and Health topics.

I hope my readers will post a quick comment here or on Duane Reade's Facebook Page, telling them just how much Ascending Butterfly would be a perfect fit for Duane Reade's 2012 VIP Influencer Program! (Never know if giveaways will be part of this program, and if there are, you know Ascending Butterfly always looks out for her readers!)

Duane Reade, I am definitely one of your 10. My approach to wellness - a mind, body and soul endeavor means the sky is literally the limit in the ways I can blog for you! My diverse approach makes me the ideal candidate! Last year I worked with Kmart as part of their 10 Kmart Latina Smart VIP Bloggers, and it's given me great experience working with a brand that is so much a part of people's daily lives and homes, I'd love to do the same thing this year with Duane Reade!

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FTC Disclosure: This post is an entry into Duane Reade's VIP Influencer Contest. This is NOT a sponsored post. All Opinions Expressed are 100% my own.