HERSHEY’S® BOO BLVD. - Throwing the Perfect Halloween Bash! + Treats #Giveaway

Long time readers know that Halloween is my favorite holiday, and horror movies have always been my favorite movie genre! The first movie I got to see sans parents was a horror movie. I love to look back on pictures of me in Halloween Costumes starting from when I was little, they are usually such a great indicator of what was popular at the time.

After a certain age my family decided to stop letting us 'trick or treat' and our family and extended family would get together and throw a Halloween Party mostly at home, or sometimes at a rented space depending on how many people were joining in on the fun that year. I still think House Parties are more fun and certainly a whole lot safer.

We still hold the same traditions now, instead of allowing the kids to go door-to-door our families still get together and hold a big family party mostly geared toward the little kids, and then we'll take the older kids to the movies the next day. We can't resist a costume party, and even the adults still like to dress up!

And we definitely like to exchange Halloween cards, Check out this card display below, I used it to get ideas:

I love creative cards any season, but they are especially fun during Halloween. Isn't that FrankenVampire on the top left totally sweet? I love how even the most innocent things can become creepy during Halloween, take the cat for example:

OK in all fairness Black cats have always been associated with Witches and Halloween! (Little known Ascending Butterfly trivia, I once owned a Black Cat, which I named Ebony - I know Creative right? LOL Someday when I tackle Mount Closet I'll dig out pictures of me with that cat and post them as a Wordless Wednesday. Perhaps I should post a picture of my closet, it's certainly the scariest thing I've ever seen!)

And of course what is Halloween without a Jack-O-Lantern?

Whose idea was it to creepify pumpkins anway? 

Getting everything organized for the bash is half the battle won, it's such a shame it all only comes out once a year!

Something about these Ghosts say 'cute' not scary!

I've always loved Hello Kitty and don't ever remember seeing a 'Halloween Kitty' version of HK especially on a mug!

These would be perfect to fill up with treats as a fun surprise for any visits with teachers or your doctors office reception staff!

Above: Check out these fun treat cups already pre-assembled with a mock licorice stick straw!

Above: When I saw this, I had to have it! An Owl Pumpkin! Brilliant! (And a bit of Italian thrown in for fun, I would like to visit Italy! so I should start practicing! Hmm, I wonder how you say BOO in Italian?)

Above: Did anyone else want to wait it out with Linus for a 'Great Pumpkin' sighting? I did!

Above: Did the peanuts gang open my scary closet? Something about Lucy is different? ;)

Above: That one is addressed to YOU! Happy Halloween Butterflies! Feeling Festive yet?

All month long HERSHEY’S is hosting HERSHEY'S BOO BLVD where you can check for new blogs (this post by yours truly will be featured there!) , crafts, recipes and videos through October 31st! In fact each of the blogs by the bloggers featured are hosting giveaways too, so be sure to visit them all and double your luck!

I'm not even sure how they knew because no one asked us, but they sent me my favorite treat of all, REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups. It's a bit eerie that they somehow knew that one is my favorite, I'm almost sure I've never posted that anywhere! (See you got 2 unknown facts about me in one post, I feel so exposed!)

These were probably devoured by 'team butterfly' in seconds!

Snack Size does mean it's OK to have 2 or maybe 4 right?

As you know, here at Ascending Butterfly Halloween is always all treats and absolutely NO tricks! I had to make sure some extra goodies were involved in this deal for my butterflies, and HERSHEY'S not only stepped up to the plate with hosting a giveaway, they are offering treats to 20, yes that's right TWENTY Ascending Butterfly Followers! SUH WEET!

I like keeping it simple, so the first entry in rafflecopter is super simple, and how much extra credit you want to do beyond that is always up to you!

And don't forget our monthly 'Featured Handbag in the Spotlight' is back with a Nicole Miller Designer Handbag Giveaway ($295), it ends on 10/31 so be sure to get in your entry if you haven't done so already!

WIN IT!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: I am participating in the HERSHEY’S BOO BLVD. campaign via Mom Bloggers Club. This post was sponsored by HERSHEY’S. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

BOO AT THE ZOO! - Prepare for some family #Halloween themed fun @TheBronxZoo

http://www.bronxzoo.com/

My family loved finding unique ways to keep us all entertained and oftentimes wanted an alternative to throwing a party in the house. Let's face it children's parties especially can get super messy, and who has time for that?

Looking to do something fun with the kiddos this Halloween? Why not try BOO AT THE ZOO? Would you be able to host a party at home that included:

A Creepy Hollows HayRide

A Haunted Mansion

Creature Chats

Hay Maze

Children's Theater

Costume Parade

Magic Shows

Pumpkin Carving

Creepy Crafts Workshops

Treat Stations

Live Music

And oh so cute Animals!

I don't know about you, but I'd rather let the Zoo do all the hard work! Buy 4 or more tickets and receive an exclusive, limited-edition Boo at the Zoo Snake Hat Free when you visit during Boo at the Zoo, weekends now through October 28th. Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free general admission with one paid adult general admission. With loads of free scores and great deals, what's not to love?  It's all Treats and No Tricks this Halloween!

So Butterfly, will it be TRICK or TREAT this year?

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Disclaimer: Ascending Butterfly is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming. However all opinions are 100% my own. And I have been visiting this particular zoo since my childhood!

Piratey Pumpkin Carving For All Hallows Eve!

Photo @WDWMagic.com Forums - Completed Jolly Roger Jack O Lantern Copyright 2004 M. Turner

Getting your little Ghouls and Goblins ready for the big day? If Pumpkin Carving is on your agenda, then check out this PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES Pumpkin Carving Time-Lapse Video courtesy of Disney!

Want a cheat sheet? Visit HERE download the file named 'POTC_PumpkinCarving_FIN.pdf' - Save it to your computer and then print it, and you'll have both the instructions and a stencil for making a Jolly Roger Jack O Lantern! If you don't want to download and save the file, just print it, then visit this LINK. If you, or someone you know is dressing up as a Pirate this year, be sure to share this info with them so they will have the coolest Jack O Lantern's on the block!

If anyone is dressing up as or dressing their little ones as a Butterfly this year, be sure to tag Ascending Butterfly on FACEBOOK, we'd love to see your butterfly photos!

Happy Halloween Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored Post. No monetary compensation was received.

This weekend I'm taking a trip to the 100 Acre Wood - And so can YOU!

I'll be attending the New York Screening of Winnie The Pooh this weekend, and I just can't wait! Winnie was one of my favorites, and I couldn't get enough of his adventures! Now I share that love with my younger niece and nephews.

Sometimes my nephews are much like Tigger, bouncy, adventurous, silly and fun!

While I can't take you all to the screening with me, I can leave you with some fun activities to try out with your little ones!

While I know it's a Tad early to be thinking Halloween, one of the activities that I thought was super cute, is a Winnie The Pooh Mask!

Winnie The Pooh Mask

No one says a Halloween costume has to be scary. Here's a cute disguise inspired by a honey of a bear who makes it his bees-ness to eat as much of the golden syrup as he can get his paws on. The sweetest part is how quick and easy this mask is to assemble.

Materials:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Winnie the Pooh Mask template

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scissors

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thin cardboard

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cardstock or scrapbook paper - (two shades of golden yellow, black, and red)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Glue stick

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pencil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paper hole punch

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Craft knife

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thin black sewing elastic
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Stapler

Instructions:

1. Print out the template (pages 3 and 4) and cut out the pieces to use as patterns. First, cut out a head from the thin cardboard and set it aside (you'll use this to back the mask later). From the lighter shade of golden yellow paper, cut a second head and a muzzle. Cut the face shadow and the inner ears pieces out of the second shade of golden yellow. Then cut out eyes, eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth from black paper and a tongue from red paper.

2. To create the mask, start by gluing the inner ears in place on the paper head. Next, glue on the face shadow, positioning the top of it about 1 1/2 inches from the top of the head. Attach the eyebrows right above the face shadow.

3. Next, glue the nose onto the muzzle. Then glue the muzzle in place so that the lower edges match up with the bottom of the head and the top overlaps the face shadow. Glue on the mouth, positioning it about 1 3/4 inches up from the chin, and then stick on the tongue.

4. Place (but do not glue) the eyes on the mask and lightly trace around them. Remove the eyes and use the craft knife to cut a hole through the head within the lines of each tracing. Don't make the holes as big as the eyes -- instead, leave a 1/8-inch border between the hole and the pencil line.

5. Now punch a hole in the center of each of the black paper eyes to create a pair of black rings, and glue them in place around the eyeholes in the mask. At this point, have your child hold the mask up to his face to make sure he can see well. If not, use the craft knife to make the eyeholes larger.

6. Place the mask atop the cardboard backing to mark where the eyeholes are. Then cut matching holes in the cardboard.

7. Cut a piece of black sewing elastic to a length that's just a bit longer than needed to fit around the back of your child's head. Knot the elastic ends and staple them to the sides of the mask backing.

8. Finally, glue the mask onto the backing, matching up all the edges, and it's ready to wear.

Not much the arts and crafts type but love to bake? Then you will definitely want to try out this fun recipe. Who doesn't want to pull something Pooh inspired out of the oven? (OK stop giggling over there, I see you! Yes YOU!)

Sweet Beehive Cake

Create some buzz at your little honey’s garden-, flower-, or bug-themed party with this simple cake and its cookie swarm.

Materials:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 8-inch round cake
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 6-inch round cake
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Half-sphere cake baked in a 2-cup ovenproof bowl
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3 ½ cups yellow frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 13 round cookies
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 ½ cups light-blue frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12 Twix Minis
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12 marshmallows
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chocolate frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Large yellow gumdrop

Instructions:

1. Use a long serrated knife to trim the tops of the round cakes flat, if needed. To get the smooth look, first stack the three cakes on a wire rack over a cookie sheet. Heat 3 cups of the yellow frosting in the microwave until it liquefies, about 20 seconds (remember microwave wattages vary so you may need to adjust this). Stir the frosting, then slowly pour it over the top of the cakes, covering them completely. Refrigerate the stack for about 30 minutes to harden the frosting.

2. Meanwhile, frost 12 of the cookies light blue and place a Twix in the center of each. Use scissors to cut the ends from the marshmallows and press on these ends, sticky side down, for wings.

3. Carefully transfer the cake to a platter. To add a door, trim one edge of the remaining cookie, cover both sides with chocolate frosting, then press it onto the hive. Spoon the rest of the yellow frosting into a resealable sandwich bag, snip off a corner, and pipe markings onto the bees and hive. Top the hive with the gumdrop and arrange the bees around it. Serves 12.

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON-Sponsored Post. Permissions have been granted by @Disney to share the craft, recipe and photos with my readers!

3 Baskets for 3 Winners! Review and Giveaway with 1800Baskets.com! Ends 11/08

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor 1800Baskets.com! We look forward to working with you again! The winners are Alisa, @JessieNuez and bdiane34. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!

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KNOCK! KNOCK! TRICK OR TREAT !

As promised butterflies, it's an 'All Treats and No Tricks' Halloween Weekend at Ascending Butterfly! Our friends at 1800Baskets.com are back with a very special and super fun giveaway! Join me in the pumpkin patch while I wait for the great pumpkin! Casa de Butterfly has been having tons of fun road testing great treats and here's our report:

Photo Credit @ 1800Baskets

12 ct of the Fall Leaves Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - These were super yummy! The strawberries were HUGE and bursting with fresh strawberry goodness! My fave in the variety are the dark chocolate dipped. And these go really well with champagne, just saying! It's starting to get chilly here in the Northeast, which means more time spent indoors, this is a perfect indoor treat for you and that special someone! Because this is a fresh fruit delivery it requires overnight shipping, so keep that in mind when you order it.

Now when you think of fruit you think of two other things, cheese and nuts! What is your favorite? My favorite is definitely Cashews! If anyone figures out why you can't stop at a few of them, please let me know! Are you attending any Fall parties and want a thoughtful hostess gift? If you were coming over to my house, I'd love this:

Photo Credit @ 1800Baskets

Vintage Pressed Glass Jar with Jumbo Cashews - These were great. They were just the right amount of salty, they were whole not halves, and when they say JUMBO they mean jumbo, most important, they were soft, don't you hate when you bite into a cashew and it's so hard that you are afraid you might crack a tooth? I love the jar and will definitely be re-purposing it once I run out of the cashews! So it's really a two for the price of one kind of gift! And the chocolate plaid bow adornment would make it a very guy friendly gift also, send them straight to his office as a fall surprise! (Just don't send 'manflowers' to go with it, save those for when he gets home!)

While I always love working with 1800Baskets and try my best not to pick favorites, I did decide to save the best for last this time. This basket is by far the perfect centerpiece for a Fall Table. It's perfect for Thanksgiving and for the Holidays. And would totally make an excellent Hostess gift as well if you are a guest at a Fall gathering. There is something about the Corncupia shape that just speaks 'bounty' and reminds me immediately of a big Thanksgiving meal shared with Family and Friends!

Photo Credit @ 1800Baskets

Cornucopia of Fruit Gift Basket - The selection in this basket includes:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cornucopia Basket

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Comice Pears
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Bosc Pear
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Fuji Apples
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Granny Smith Apple
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Navel Oranges
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 8oz Cheddar Cheese
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1.5oz Toasted Seasoned Almond Halves
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3oz Pistachios
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Net wt. 8lbs

I absolutely loved this basket, and will be ordering a few as gifts for sure! It is filled completely no empty spots, you won't feel cheated or that it had more filler than content. It's chock full of delicious fruit, nuts, and cheese! I also hate when I get a basket that includes very few things I actually consume, this basket is a 100% winner!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at 1800Baskets.com would like to provide 3 Ascending Butterfly Followers with a Fall Treat of their own, you win what I tried! I can assure you it's all treats and no tricks here at Ascending Butterfly! We are mixing this one up in honor of Halloween. We will select one google follower, one twitter follower and one facebook follower! (Remember the, twitter and facebook follower must also be a google follower!) Each person will receive one of the items listed above! The first person to respond to their winner notification will receive the Corncupia Basket, the second winner the 12ct chocolate dipped strawberries and the third winner to respond to their notification will receive the Cashew Nuts! We are in no way requiring you to become a Facebook Follower or Twitter Follower of ours or the sponsor (although we would love it if you did!), you can opt to only to do a main entry as a google follower and will still have the same chances as an entrant using the other methods to win!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and Mandatory Entry: (2) Visit 1800baskets.com look through the list of Fall Baskets and link me to any basket other than the three listed above! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Friday, October 29, 2010 until Monday, November 08, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - In the spirit of Halloween fun, how about an extra credit for sharing your favorite scary movie? (Some of my faves include Nightmare on Elm Street, The Excorcist, and Terror Train!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #ascendingbutterfly No Tricks all Treats #Halloween #Giveaways with @1800baskets, 3 winners! - http://tinyurl.com/2c2skzj

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @1800baskets on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow 1800baskets.com on Facebook (and remember to tell them 'Ascending Butterfly sent me) HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW! Ascending Butterfly needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger, please rock the vote for me daily here (voting for me daily nets you daily extra credit, talk about quid pro quo! I thank you in advance for your support!):

Good Mood Gig from SAM-e

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding 1800baskets are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review & giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.