The @cosmoproflv beauty B2B trade show hits Vegas 7/12, but NYC got a sneak peek, here are my highlights! #cosmoprofna

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) - a leading B2B Beauty Trade Show will be taking place this year on July 12 - 14 in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. More then 27,000 attendees from 100 countries worldwide and close to 1,000 exhibitors from over 35 different countries are expected to make an appearance!

Show sections will include:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cosmetics and Personal Care - highlighting finished products including skincare, haircare, nails and tools for retail distribution

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Packaging/Contract Manufacturing/ & Private Label - dedicated to the suppliers serving the beauty industry production supply chain - from raw materials to machinery and formulation to packaging

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Professional Beauty - devoted to the salon and spa world showcasing professional products, accessories, implements, tools, equipment, furniture and attire.

In addition to the three main sections outlined above, there will be special areas including Boutique, Country Pavilions, Discover Beauty Spotlights, Emerging Beauty and Interactive Experience a multi-sensorial area as well as Interactive Technology. Three new areas will include an International Business Forum and Exhibition-Focus on the Beauty Supply Chain, Discover Scent (dedicated to exploring artisanal niche fragrances) and Tones of Beauty - featuring an upscale array of products geared to 'polyethnic consumers'.

One of the most unique experiences of the night was provided buy Sniffapalooza, who was chosen to curate Discover Scent at Cosmoprof North America - an exclusive showcase for new and innovative fragrance products.

Left: Founder Karen Dubin, Right: Karen Adams - @Albapro Photography

Sniffapalooza is an international, event-based organization of fragrance afficionados that unites perfume enthusiasts around the world, they celebrate fragrance as art and appreciate perfumers as artists. What started as a small group of friends getting together to shop for and share their passion for perfume, now knows international acclaim from TIME Magazine, Forbes, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal and many others! During the 'Rising Stars of Beauty' Event (which is the name of the sneak peek event), they offered a Fragrance and Spirit Pairing with the expertise of Back Label Wine Merchants and sommelier Patrick Watson that kept us on our toes! It was definitely multi-sensory as smelling the fragrance and then drinking the spirit it was paired with be it wine or Whiskey, truly awakened the senses and made the experience so much more unique.

Above: The fragrance "Desert Blush' by Raw Spirit (a warm yet sophisticated floral!) was paired with Bera Piemonte Brachetto a sparkling red wine that is sweet with a fragrance of fresh flowers and roses making it a perfect partner for the Desert Blush scent. We were asked to smell the fragrance, and then taste the wine, which offered a unique sensory experience.

Above: Orlov Cross of Asia is paired with Bodegas Tampesta Maneki Blanco. As I am familiar with Bodegas and have tried the Maneki Blanco before I was very excited by this pairing! The fragrance has notes of green and pink geranium, Ylang flower, jasmine, tuberose, with a warm and musky amber to balance out the floral and give it some 'warmth', smelling it and then tasting the Bodegas Tampesta Maneki Blanco which is a pale yellow white wine with a nose of tropical fruits, definitely brought out my wanderlust! I wish I was in coasting along somewhere in Spain right about now, but ah I digress......

Above: While there were many more pairings (and sadly I don't have space to feature them all), the one that wasn't for the faint of heart was the Concentration de Parfums Allegedly Rose Candle that was paired with Catskill Provisions Honey Whiskey, some ladies found this one a bit too strong for their palate, but I found it totally unique and really dug the idea! I think many felt the rose in the candle was too delicate to pair with a Whiskey, but I'm a big fan of not doing the 'obvious' or 'typical' and found this to be a pretty inspired pair. Others felt it was where opposites attract at best but to each his/her own right?

My Swag Haul:

My Take:

There were so many amazing brands in attendance, some that were already quite familiar to me, like Clique by Roble which we have featured on Ascending Butterfly multiple times as they are a favorite of mine at Beauty Press Events here in New York City (and the body butter is to DIE for!), and brands that were entirely new to me like many of the scent pairings offered by Sniffapalooza and the Love, Aunt Bonnie Boxes curated by Corey Huggins (who aims to write the chic story of Black and Brown Beauty via sharing her Aunt's knowledge and curating amazing brands that speak to the diversity in beauty!) Much like the Makeup Show this is a pretty big swag haul and I will have to just include invididual product reviews as I go along using them all, but I was stoked to find a Love, Aunt Bonnie Box in our swag bags as I have been wanting to try them out since I heard of them. I'm also looking forward to using my Lamik samples as well!

Use the #Cosmoprofna hashtag to keep up with the show in real time, and if you are attending, make sure to use it on your instagrams and tweets!

Are you hitting #Cosmoprofna this year? If so, who are you most looking forward to connecting with? If not, which brand featured above caught your eye?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is an event recap, this is NOT a compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received, Press Passes to the Rising Stars of Beauty Cosmoprof Sneak Peek Event were provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration and 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.

Rune of Romance Necklace Review

  Rune of Romance Necklace

In December, we worked with Energy Muse to bring you the Rune of 'Riches' Necklace see review HERE. For Valentine's Day I was sent the Rune of 'Romance' Necklace and as a single girl in the city, I have to admit I was bit curious to see if this one would work the same magic in my life as the Rune of Riches! I immediately put it on, saged it (I do this with all gemstone jewelry), set my intention, said the included affirmation and even added a few of my own. The weather was awful the day the necklace arrived, and I had stayed indoors the entire day and worked mostly from home.

The Day of it's Debut in New York City!

I finally had a chance to wear my new necklace and during New York Fashion Week No Less! With the awfully cold weather it was mostly under my coat and I wondered if I would experience the same results if the necklace wasn't as clearly visible.

I didn't have very long to wonder how well it would work! I was on the subway when a man sitting in front of me tried to strike up a conversation out of the blue! This rarely ever happens to me! Most of my subway conversations with strangers on trains are usually about the garbled announcement, or why is the train not moving?

During back to back events that day I found people 'friendlier', just more 'welcoming' somehow. 

After a super long day when I was finally on my way home, I realized I had no energy to cook but was starving, so I decided to pick up some fast food. As I was walking from the restaurant toward home, I saw someone coming toward me in the opposite direction. I had a feeling he was going to say something to me, but I wasn't very sure what. And I will admit as a born and raised New Yorker I was slightly expecting a dis-respectful catcall. And when he approached me, he completely took me in with his eyes (I must admit this was a bit off-putting!), and then just said 'Gorgeous' and turned beet red and walked away! He seemed more taken aback by it all than I was!

It was absolutely flattering to receive such a sincere compliment, and seeing a grown man turn as bashful as a kid was a fun bonus! He actually walked away before I could even answer!

I have found much like with the Rune of Riches people are very attracted to this necklace when I wear it. Maybe they can 'feel' the positive intentions I've set, and anything we are vibrationally aligned to is that much more powerful!

While I have not completed the full 21 day cycle of saying the included affirmations with this necklace, I have already noticed more people 'drawn' to me. I find during networking events I'm way less nervous, and I have noticed more attention when I am wearing this necklace, will 2011 finally be the year cupid gets me?

That, dear Butterflies, remains to be seen! J

I do want to thank Energy Muse for letting me try this fabulous necklace out, and if I meet the love of my life this year, you guys will definitely get an invite to the wedding! ❤

We hope to have Energy Muse return with something special for You in May!

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

Active Giveaways!

1) Ends Soon! - Ends 02/26 - Amazing Footwear Prize Bundle Giveaway! $100 Gift Certificate for Naturalizer AND a pair of Silver Linings Insoles! - Enter HERE!

2) - Ends 02/28 - RedEnvelope's You pick it, we ship it Giveaway! - Enter HERE!

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

FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a compensated post. I was provided a necklace to facilitate my review, my experiences and opinions regarding this necklace are solely my own.

Today's Words of Inspiration - Happy Valentine's Day!

What's Love?

“Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you.” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

We Need To Catch Up

Butterflies there is so much going on, and literally a ton to share! I think I've lived a month in a weekend! And I promise catch up posts about everything going on are coming!

Love Month

I've decided to make it love month at Ascending Butterfly and I have some fun giveaways in store, in fact one will be coming up later today!

Taking Stock

Whether married or single, I hope this is a day of taking stock of all the love in your life! Roses are beautiful, but this holiday is about Love. Candy is sweet, flowers are pretty and jewelry does dazzle, but Love is so many other things! It's the friend you can call at midnight because you need an ear, it's the husband that made breakfast, took out the garbage and got the kids to school so you could sleep in, it's the wife who greeted you with heart shaped pancakes, the baby that lights up when you walk in the room! It's your parents who love you unconditionally!

Mud Masks and Margaritas!

What started out one Valentine's Day as a night where the weather was bad and none of my single friends wanted to venture into the city, became a ritual that even our married friends want to join in on now. We get together and have home spa treatments like facial masks combined with Margaritas, coupled with girl talk, and tons of laughs!

Today, don't measure how much you are loved by the number of gifts you receive or admirers that you have, measure it in the daily ways that love manifests itself in your life!

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

 

Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways! - ♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥Happy Butterfly Valentine Weekend!

Happy Butterfly Valentine!

Do you remember how much fun Valentine's Day was when you were a kid? Who got your paper heart back then? Was it your crush? Your BFF? A few 'Besties'?

I got my first paper heart in Kindegarten from a very sweet boy in my class, it was a very bold move for him because he was so shy!

From the heart gestures are still the ones that rule with me. Remember Holidays are only as commercial as you make them!

In this recession, the old 'coupon book' standby and today's 'mixed tape' equivalent, the 'playlist' are silly, fun and endearing ways to show you care. Showing love doesn't mean going into debt!

Don't forget to show some love to your FIRST Valentine, ahem.....YOUR MOM!

Also, Try to remind your sweetie how much you love them everyday,  and be sure to fill this weekend with romance! Remember why you both fell in love in the first place!

No sweetie this year? Then enjoy some 'single and mingle' fun this weekend, the universe can't send you romance if you don't put yourself out there!

You are all my Valentines! Wishing you all a magical weekend. Wishing you stars in your eyes. Songs in your heart. Music for your soul. Good Company and better still endless Possibilities!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will allow the joy of romance into my heart this weekend!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a NING group with real time chat HERE

LAST CALL: The Mimobot Giveaway ends TONIGHT, get in your entry HERE

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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

Thursday, July 30, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and Two giveaways!

Today our Emily Elizabeth 'Butterfly Kisses Lariat' Necklace giveaway comes to a close. The winner will be notified Friday and the winner announcement will be posted on both the homepage and the giveaway page next week. Get in your entries NOW if you haven't already done so. We thank Emily Elizabeth for sponsoring and hope to work with them again soon. (I'm thinking the Butterfly Duo Necklace, what do you think dear readers?) Remember to put Ascending Butterfly on your 'safe' list so you don't miss the winning email. You will have 48 hours from the date of notification to respond or another winner will be selected until the prize is awarded. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter so if you are selected as the winner, I'll have extra places aside from just your email to send the winner notification! Isn't that smart??

You still have time for the Tres Sleek Giveaway, but I would suggest getting in your entry as soon as possible so you don't miss out! This is our second giveaway and THIRD prize offering from Tres Sleek, to them we also say Thank You!

There is not much time today for a long inspirational message, but today's focus is on laughter. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. Today, just laugh. Watch a good comedy. Tickle someone. Watch your pet do something silly. (Feel free to comment with jokes if you'd like, I love to laugh!)

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I live to laugh.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Sites of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win a lovely Butterfly Kisses Lariat Necklace sponsored by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry HERE! (You may also press on the picture to be taken directly to the giveaway!)

*****CLOSED FOR NEW ENTRIES,WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED!!! WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT TO FOLLOW*******

2. Enter to win NEWLY Launched arm shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!)


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

IZEAFEST ON THE BRAIN

I just found out about IzeaFest and boy do I want to go! If the prospect of attending BlogHer 2010 had me all ' a buzz', IzeaFest has generated even MORE excitement. If that's even possible. Now this really just boils down to location. I know both will have programs that will provide countless opportunity for this young blogger to learn, grow and interface. But IzeaFest is being held in Florida. Sunny Florida! Aside from the fact that this has been the rainiest summer in the big apple that I can ever remember, I absolutely love water, I love the beach, being near the Ocean is the only time I'm ever really still, ever really at peace. (And when I can find opportunities to go HorseBack Riding on the Beach, even better!)

Ascending Butterfly is actively seeking Sponsorship to both IzaeFest 09 and BlogHer 2010. If your organization needs a gregarious, amiable shameless promoter, let me know!

I apologize readers, I've been wildly distracted lately, I know you are here for a moment of inspiration to take you AWAY from work world thoughts for awhile.

A twitter friend sent out a quote last night that I knew would make a great topic for us today:

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. -Lao Tzu

I remember hearing women say as I grow up, it's better to spend a life with someone who loves you more than you love them. Hearing that always confused me. I always felt there couldn't be any richness in living life that way, with 'one-sided' love.

What are your thoughts on love? Are you in love now? If so, is it 'one-sided'? Do you love them more than they love you? Do they love you more than you really love them? Are you happy? Are you fulfilled in your current relationship?

Today's Inspiration is not going to be a definition of love. Life and time will help you define that for yourself. Just spend some time thinking about the 'Love' in your life and whether or not you are fulfilled by it. Appreciate it all, all the love you have now, the love you have had and even the love you are waiting for if you are single (like me); but most importantly dear readers, make sure it is all loving and appreciating you right back!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I appreciate all the love in my life.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Sites of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win a lovely Butterfly Kisses Lariat Necklace sponsored by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry HERE! (You may also press on the picture to be taken directly to the giveaway!)

2. Enter to win NEWLY Launched arm shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday, June 29, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration - Unleashing your Inner Sookie Stackhouse

Monday, June 29, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration - Unleashing your Inner Sookie Stackhouse

Obviously I was watching True Blood on HBO last night, (it's one of my *non-guilty* pleasures!) and in observing Sookie and Bill (played by Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer), there was a great scene between them where they discuss loving each other for both the good and bad within, and how within each of us there is both good and bad. How often do we really love one another for both the good and bad within? When someone behaves in a way that is contrary to your own, do you stop loving them? Do you love them less? Let's use today's words of inspiration to focus in on how we love.

Use Today's Words of Inspiration as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will love without limitation'.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

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: http://twitter.com/Tracy_Iglesias

Make this your best day ever, Bless and be blessed!

While you are here, don't forget to enter The Fourth of July Giveaway HERE!

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*