Do you have what it takes to raise a future Olympian? @Bounty thinks you do! #TeamUSA #HockeyMoms #BringIt

Bounty is calling all moms to share their athlete's messy in-home training moments, for every story shared with @Bounty via twitter using the hashtag #BringIt, Bounty will donate one dollar to the P&G Team USA Youth Sports Fund to help aspiring athletes pursue their Olympic Dreams!

There is a reason that across the board, be it an athlete, a celebrity, or anyone winning an award of any kind really thank God and their Mom first. We start life with a cheerleader who is always on our team. Who is there no matter how messy life gets. Who catches us when we fall, encourages us when we fail and teaches us when to laugh at ourselves and how to be good sports. Lessons we take with us no matter where the road leads.

P&G has been thanking and celebrating moms and one of the ways you may already know about is with the P&G Thank You, Mom | Pick Them Back Up | Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games commercial, here it is from YouTube in case you missed it:

The touching and heartfelt moments shared are those moments that many moms can relate to. Those laughs, tears, successes, triumphs, and bumps in the road that all make up motherhood.

Bounty invited a select group of Bloggers to enjoy a dinner with Team USA Hockey Moms as well as Olympian Julie Chu and her "#BringIt" Mom Miriam. Linda Lamoureux, mom of Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, Marilyn Decker, mom of Brianna Decker, Mary Duggan, Mom of Meghan Duggan, Ahlise Coyne, mom of Kendall Coyne, and Maura Bellamy, mom of Kacey Bellamy.

Vera Sweeney of Lady and the Blog was the panel moderator

There was a moderated panel first which was moderated by Vera Sweeney of Lady and the Blog who asked the Team USA Hockey Moms to share about their messiest moments raising their amazing Olympian daughters as well as the things that most people don't get to hear, like Financing the career of an aspiring Olympian. Many moms shared about their messiest moments being picked up with Bounty, but they also shared about being honest with their children about the Family's Finances at all times, the cost of the equipment, gas to travel to matches, and everything in between. Raising an Olympian can really add up folks! Which is why I think it's great that P&G is offering to help P&G Team USA Youth Sports Fund to help aspiring athletes pursue their Olympic Dreams!

Center holding Microphone Olympian Julie Chu, Right: (seated) her mom Miriam

Team USA Olympic Hockey Moms Panel

Team USA Olympic Hockey Moms Panel

Vera Sweeney Moderates Panel with Team USA Olympic Hockey Moms - Love that I caught Miriam's hands in motion!

After the panel we got to enjoy dinner with the Team USA Hockey Moms, and there was a different mom at each table, I had the pleasure of enjoying Ahlise Coyne's company during dinner, and loved the extra touch of a recipe booklet that included a recipe from each mom (I will try to scan these and post them to a pinterest board as soon as possible), recipes included: Pepperoni Bake, Chicken Enchiladas, Miriam's Famous Pork Rib, White Chili, Stuffed Green Peppers for 6, and Angel Hair Pasta!

Left: ME! Tracy from Ascending Butterfly and Right: Ahlise Coyne, mom of Olympian Kendall Coyne - I thought it was super cool of her to put her pin on me to take the photo!

Ahlise was definitely a great sport and she has a great sense of humor, I think our table was probably the loudest as we were laughing a lot and having a great time! We even tried to convince her to start a blog. Especially starting with her Olympic experience at Sochi this year!

Left: Geanine from Macaroni Kid (East Bronx/NYC Downtown), to her right ME! Tracy from Ascending Butterfly, Center: Ahlise Coyne mom of Olympian Kendall Coyne, to her right Kimmie Smith who pens Kitten Lounge and is an accessories expert and to her right is her lovely sister! Photo Credit: Geanine P.

My Take:

Raising an Olympian has its share of messy moments but with love, laughter and patience it's definitely possible! And when life gets messy it certainly can't hurt to have extra Bounty on hand to pick it up!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, however I was provided with a Gift Bag and a great dinner! However, 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.

Wordless Wednesday: Was I somewhere over the rainbow or @elementsshow Rooftop Beach Party? #elementsnyc

Everytime I spot a rainbow I get a bit excited! I was lucky enough to snap a picture of this rainbow behind The New Yorker sign while attending a Rooftop Beach Party as part of Elements Showcase in New York City. Elements was fantastic and will get a full recap with all the brands I met in another post!

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies! Bloggers feel free to share the link to your Wordless Wednesday Photo as a comment to this post and we will go visit you too! (Sorry, but NO giveaway links please!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post! (Although compensation does always make for a lovely find at the end of a rainbow! Any Rainbow Coalitions that want to buy this shot, feel free to email me!)

You can only hope to look this good at 90! Check out the #90thAnniversary 90th Birthday Activities with @AlexanderDollCo

On April 30th, The Madame Alexander Doll Company held a 90th Anniversary (aka 90th 'Birthday) event in  their NEW Mid-Town Manhattan New York City Showroom. For those in the know, the iconic doll company was headquartered originally in Harlem New York, so it was a bit weird to see them in their new location, they were such an intrinsic part of the Harlem Community for so long. (Not to mention their new offices with their proximity to Macy's Herald Square is so much more dangerous for me as it's way to tempting to go shopping after leaving their new offices now!)

21" Cissy Doll emulating a photo of Madame Alexander from a 1920's photo, wearing a beaded dress and fur shawl with a rhinestone broach. She was on display in a display case of her own, so please forgive the glare of my flash.

For those that don't know the brand history, Madame Beatrice Alexander initiated an infamous series of 'firsts' in the toy industry including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first doll based on a licensed character, Scarlette O'Hara from Gone With the Wind

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first to bring feature Baby Dolls to market

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first to create dolls in honor of living people, including Queen Elizabeth, the Dionne Quints and more

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first full figured fashion doll, 'Cissy', with haute couture outfits (years before Barbie hit the market!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first to invent the 'sleep eyes' mechanism that makes dolls' eyes close

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first-ever line of Patriotic Dolls

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first to use hard plastic in doll manufacturing

Collection of Madame Alexander Dolls on display in their new midtown Manhattan New York City Headquarters

They have spent 9 decades capturing the imagination and passion of doll lovers and collectors world wide, and at 90 they couldn't look better, we can all only hope to look that good at 90! My introduction to the brand was when my Grand-Mother gave me my first Madame Alexander doll. My Grand-Mother was a nurse but one of her many passions was embroidery and sewing and she would make Bridal Dolls for Weddings, using Madame Alexander dolls and creating a replica of the bride's dress for the doll. Her handi-work was amazing, and after each one was done, I wanted them all! Everytime I get to visit or attend a Madame Alexander event, it's always a bit nostalgic and bitter-sweet for me, because I instantly think of my Grand-Mother and her late night's making Bridal Dress replicas for Madame Alexander dolls for brides (if anyone out there has one of my Grandmother's creations, I'd love to see a photo!). I only wish she would have been here to make one for me for my own wedding.

Dollie & Me Display in the reception area of their headquarters in Midtown, New York City

The famous doll company is now owned by Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc, a global designer and wholesaler of branded girls' dresses and fashion collections, and during the 90th Anniversary event, we got the chance to learn more about Dollie & Me, a doll lifestyle brand made by Madame Alexander and designed by Kahn Lucas. In addition to selling dolls with matching outfits for girls, they strive to empower young girls through positive and imaginative play. The 18' dolls and trendy matching girl dresses, outfits and pajamas can also be purchased seperately (in case your little princess doesn't necessarily want her little friend to match her all the time!). And for my fellow butterfly lovers there were tons of fab butterfly dollie & me outfits to choose from.

90th Anniversary Collection Dolls are limited edition and all come with a special 90th anniversary hang tag!

The New York City event included a Dylan's Candy Bar treats station:

Dylan's Candy Bar Treat Station at Madame Alexander 90th Anniversary Celebration in New York City! Notice the Dylan's Candy Bar Queen 8-inch Wendy Doll in the background? She is currently on pre-order and expected to ship September 2013!

90th Anniversary Cupcakes:

Madame Alexander Doll Company 90th Anniversary Celebration in their new midtown Manhattan New York City Headquarters attendees enjoyed 90th anniversary cupcakes

I just had to snap a shot of this Eloise at the Plaza replica that was designed for FAO Schwarz:

The Plaza Hotel Replica designed by Madame Alexander for FAO Schwarz in New York City

and a doll to take home! (A bit hard to explain why I was carrying this doll at the Fashion Events I attended later that afternoon and evening!)

Want to join Ascending Butterfly in wishing Madame Alexander a very Happy 90th Anniversary/Birthday?

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Alexander Dolls on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @AlexanderDollCo on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also become Pin friends with Madame Alexander (Official) on Pinterest

What is your favorite doll Butterfly?

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FTC Dislcosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no compensation has been received to share our event recap coverage. We were given Dylan's Candy Treats, Cupcakes and a gift bag!

{Theatre Review} If Kinky Boots The Musical @KinkyBootsBway doesn't make you want to sing and dance in the aisle, check your pulse! #KinkyBootsBway

Playbill for Kinky Boots The Musical on Broadway

Last week during a week I can only nickname 'Birthday Madness', I got to see the new Broadway Musical,  Kinky Boots still in previews. I brought along Mama Butterfly who had already seen the movie version (I have not yet seen the movie), but I made her promise NOT to tell me anything about it!

Kinky Boots The Musical Sign at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Synopsis:

From Grammy^® Award-winning pop icon CYNDI LAUPER and four-time Tony Award^® winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN comes the exhilarating new musical KINKY BOOTS, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner JERRY MITCHELL.

Kinky Boots The Musical Signage in front of The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Charlie Price (Tony nominee Stark Sands) has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola (Billy Porter). A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

Featuring a sensational new score, knockout dancing and a spectacularly uplifting story, KINKY BOOTS is the must-see new musical that proves that sometimes, the best way to fit in is to stand out!

Kinky Boots The Musical Signage of Cyndi Lauper in front of The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

En Espanol:

Charlie Price repentinamente ha heredado la fábrica de calzado de su padre, que está al borde de la quiebra. Tratando de cumplir con el legado de su padre y salvar su negocio familiar, Charlie encuentra inspiración en forma de Lola (Billy Porter). Un fabuloso actor que necesitan unos stilettos robustos, Lola resulta ser la única persona que puede ayudar a Charlie a convertirse en el hombre que ha destinado a ser. Mientras trabajan para apagar la fábrica de alrededor, este improbable par los hallazgos que tienen más en común que siempre soñado posible... y descubre que cuando cambias de parecer acerca de alguien, puede cambiar el mundo entero.

Trailer:




Cast:

Stark Sands plays Charlie Price in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Billie Porter plays Simon/Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Billie Porter as Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Annaleigh Ashford plays Lauren in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Celina Carvajal plays Nicola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Daniel Stewart Sherman plays Don in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Marcus Neville plays George in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Sebastian Hedges Thomas plays Young Charlie in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Marquise Neal plays Young Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Eugene Barry-Hill plays Simon Sr. in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Stephen Berger plays Mr. Price in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

My Take:

The way I open this post is exactly how I feel about Kinky Boots The Musical, if this play doesn't make you want to jump out of your seat and start singing and dancing, you may need to have your pulse checked! There really is no other way to describe it, but you leave the theatre feeling uplifted, happy and with a smile on your face!

It's incredibly well cast, and they all work so well playing off of each other, that it is hard to pick a personal favorite among this amazing cast!

I love the way The Musical takes time to give you backstory for the characters and truly carries the stories through, like seeing both young Charlie and young Simon, and how they relate to their Fathers and then how those foundations from their youth carry through to the way they are as young men, and how the relationship with Simon and his father Simon Sr. evolves overtime. It's a beautiful story of what would normally seem an unlikely friendship. While it claims to celebrate what makes us unique and different, it is actually a celebration of the things that unite us all, wanting to live up to our parents expectations, yet also wanting to chart our own course and dance to beat of our own drummer, looking for a love that allows us to be who we are without trying to change us, and that the most amazing ideas sometimes come from the most bizarre series of coincidences and circumstances!

And THIS:

Butterflies you just have to see it to find out why I'm highlighting this graphic!

The Theatre has been a strong part of my life since I was a child, and I will say my very first two plays set the bar super high, but this has to be the standout for me for 2013 so far, there is just nothing bad to say about it, well cast, strong storyline, an incredible musical score (Cyndi Lauper NAILED it!), and it's just a great paced, high energy, FUN time on Broadway that you will certainly kick yourself if you miss it! (Kick yourself with a high heeled kinky boot for missing it in fact!)

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get the latest updates by following @KinkyBootsBway via Twitter and be sure to use the hashtag #KinkyBootsBway

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out the latest news on their Facebook page (and you can press the video trailer above to go straight to the YouTube page).

Here is me and Mama Butterfly and I'm holding up my tickets high:

Had to ham it up with Cyndi Lauper in the middle! (What is your favorite Cyndi song of all time? For me it's an even tie between Girls Just Wan't to Have Fun and Time after Time!)

I definitely say 'Ticket' butterflies (Do NOT Miss this one!), and when you see it, please come back here and share your thoughts! And remember when all else fails:

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received by Ascending Butterfly, we were provided only with our seats for editorial consideration. All Opinions are always 100% my own. I LOVED THIS SHOW!

New BRITAX FRONTIER™90 and PINNACLE™90 combination carseats with ClickTight Installation System!

It is always so hard to keep great secrets from my butterflies, so I am glad that I can finally share about a fun event I attended last Wednesday (March 20th) where BRITAX launched the New FRONTIER™90 and PINNACLE™90 combination carseats with ClickTight Installation System!

I'm not yet a mom but I'm an Aunt and Godmother and while I love my nieces, nephews and godchildren I have always left installs and assembly to the parents when it comes to cribs, furniture, carseats and the like, in fact I have never installed a carseat myself, until last week that is!

CLICK! That’s the new sound of a secure installation.  That’s the sound of a parent’s peace of mind. That’s the sound of BRITAX’s new ClickTight technology car seat installation.

New BRITAX FRONTIER™90 and PINNACLE™90 combination seats feature the ClickTight Installation System that allows parents to achieve a safe and secure installation every time. With just three simple steps, ClickTight allows parents to easily install the new seats with the vehicle seat belt and eliminates the frustration of putting their weight in the seat or getting into the vehicle to install the car seat. 

Are you currently using the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) to secure the car seat? Were you aware that all vehicles have lower anchor weight limits? When your child's weight exceeds the weight limit, car seats should no longer be installed using the lower anchors! Instead, the car seat must be installed using the vehicle seat belt system, and the new BRITAX ClickTight installation system allows parents to do just that!

We got the chance to see a video about the new technology that was super cute that I wanted to share with you so you could get a sneak peek as well before these officially hit stores:

Isn't she adorable? The talking car seat featured in the video was at the launch event too! Here is the event in pictures:

Above: Signage that was a sneak peek of what was to come!

Above: When you ask bloggers to attend a super early event, smoothies are a great way to start!

Above: Gotta have eats!

Once we grabbed our smoothies and some eats it was time for the presentation!

While I did include the video above in this post, I wanted you to get a feel for the excitement at the Launch Event too!

Above: There is the talking carseat from the video!

Above: Showtime! These are the instructions for installing the carseat, literally it's one, two, three!

Above: There were two vehicle stations set up so we could all take turns installing the new BRITAX Frontier 90 and Pinnacle 90 carseats!

Above: After the 'pro' gives you the instructions, then it's your turn to install!

Above: Carseat Close up

Above: Carseat Close up (Isn't the Rose Print sweet?)

Above: Carseat Close up (What do you think of this pattern?)

Above: Carseat Close up, while it looks like it, this isn't the talking carseat!

Above: Gift Bag Station!

Above: Gift Bag Close Up!

I know after all that excitement you are thinking, 'Butterfly, I MUST Have that carseat in my life!, How do I get my hands on one?'  Well a little Britax Birdie told me that you have the chance to win one before they even hit stores!

WIN IT: I hope you watched the video carefully, because beginning Firday, March 29th, US-only residents will have a chance to enter to win a seat before they can buy it! Entrants will be required to answer a set of 'trivia' questions related to both the ClickTight promotional video as well as the 'little known truths' that support the need for this technology (like the LATCH anchor limitations, tight seat installs, and locking vehicle seat belts).  Thankfully I included all that above, so read this post carefully before you go enter. 15 winners will be selected at random from all eligible entrants by Monday, April 29th to receive a FRONTIER 90. Remember, this starts on Friday, March 29th, and you can enter at: www.BritaxClickTight.com

Another Win It: As you know I'm a BRITAX Latina Advisory Board and Hispanic Digital Outreach Member, and I just happen to know that giveaways will be hosted in April by some of the Latina Advisory Board Bloggers, and I will definitely keep you posted as details are revealed!

Butterflies, if you enter the contest on the Britax Click Tight page, don't forget to come back here and let us know that you did!

My Take:

The carseats are amazingly simple to install and since BOTH the FRONTIER 90 and PINNACLE 90 feature True Side Impact Protection that provides an extra layer of EPP foam to contain a child's head, neck and body and keep them aligned in the event of a crash what's NOT to love? The PINNACLE 90 also features energy-managing Side Impact Cushion Technology, which diverts crash forces away from a child and provides extra protection for the adjacent passenger.

These are definitely a thumbs up butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media, a communications and digital marketing company that pairs multicultural and Latino bloggers with influential brands and blogging campaigns. I am a blogger brand ambassador and Latina Advisory Board Member for Britax and while this post is NOT sponsored and NO monetary compensation has been received for sharing this experience, I am part of a long term campaign that does provide additional incentives for my participation. However all opinions are 100% my own. You can connect with BRITAX on Twitter and Facebook.  Our Disclosure Policy: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html