The stars at night are big and bright....and I want to see them ALL!

Most of you already know I'm a One2One Network member. Throughout the years my membership has been just as much a benefit to me as it has been to each and every single reader of Ascending Butterfly. I have had the chance to share about great products, great deals as well as host a giveaway or three! Be it by email or during Blogging Conferences, I have been often asked why I am a member, or do I find being a member valuable and would I recommend them? My answer is YES.

I learned a long time ago that Blogging is NOT an Island. And as for work/life balance there are only so many hours in a day, and I don't have as much time as I'd like to do outreach for Ascending Butterfly. I take blogging seriously and enjoy bringing you diverse, rich content. Companies like One2One Network that bring brands and bloggers together specialize in outreach, in a way that I never could, or probably wouldn't even want to. I love to write, I never aspired to be a sales person. But somehow throughout the years it's a hat I've had to wear. With One2One it's like having my own sales team, they do the outreach and then come back to me with the opportunity to connect with brands I actually know and work on projects that excite me, without any penalty when I don't want to or just simply can't participate in a campaign for whatever reason.

The company was founded by Barbara Jones and my favorite quote about why she founded the community is:

"I saw an opportunity to break-out on my own and build a grassroots team of socially active women who have the 'I-can't-help-myself' desire to share information about new products and services with their friends, family and colleagues." ~ Barbara Jones

Their motto is: Fun Projects, Cool Perks, Nice People and throughout the years that's exactly what it has been! I've read great books (like Once in a Blue Moon), Listened to great music (like Harry Connick Jr Your Songs, Norah Jones ...Featuring and many others including the fantastic Sex and The City 2 Soundtrack!) and tried some great products including: Crest 3D Whitestrips (please note if you visit that link, that giveaway is already closed), L'Oréal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lash Mascara, and Gain Apple Mango Tango Laundry Detergent - all of which remain on my permanent shopping list!

One2One is doing something amazing right now and I really want to be a part of it! One2One Network is hosting a full sponsorship to the Blissdom13 conference for it's members, and I truly want to attend! Check out this page to get more info about the sponsorship contest.

I have never been to Blissdom. I've been to BlogHer (both in 2010 and this year), and I'm headed to the Niche Mommy Conference this month (this is the FIRST year and it's being held in New Orleans! Awesomesauce!), but how I've never been to Blissdom I don't know, just the name alone sounds like I should be there!

I started my year with a shocking and horrible mis-diagnosis, that I was on 'borrowed time' it's pretty much anyone's worst nightmare. And after almost a year of exploratory surgeries (and 2 long hospitalizations later) I'm still very much standing. But my medical setback has given me a mountain of medical expenses to deal with and also robbed me of some major holidays (I spent both New Years Eve and my birthday in the hospital this year). It also placed limits on what I could do physically. I'm finally getting back on track and have TONS of lost time to make up for.

So as much as I'd like to attend to Blissdom13 next year, it won't be possible for me without a sponsorship. This year to get to BlogHer12 I volunteered for my pass, if not, I wouldn't have been able to make it. And for Niche Mommy I won my sponsorship this year which I'm super grateful for!

The four Blissdom13 tracks are: Business, Writing, Life Development, and Photography and they would help me grow both Ascending Butterfly (as well as myself) both personally and professionally speaking and I love the fact that the Writing and Photography Tracks format will also have a hands-on workshop feel! 

The conference after 5 years in Nashville, TN is moving to Dallas, TX. There is something so very fitting about that for me, the conference itself has decided IT needed change and that's exactly how I feel in my life. After being told I might lose mine, I really don't want to hold back in any area of my life anymore. I want to see things I haven't seen, I'm bolder now, I'm not as afraid of taking risks or chances and most of all I want change, I want growth. I think my medical setback kind of brought me into a real life 'chrysalis' state and now that it's almost totally behind me, I want to emerge from my cocoon as a whole new butterfly, and what better way to do it than with a new experience?

I'm sure you guessed it by now, but this is a contest entry, but it's also a super personal glimpse into where I'm at right now!

How about you butterfly, What kind of change do you want to bring into your life for 2013?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. However this post does serve as a contest entry for One2One Network Members.

Dads N Grads Gift Buying Guide Recommendation from The Official #TwitterPartyDJ

My apologies on the late start on this year's annual 'Dads N Grads' Buying Guide, but I can tell you it's worth the wait! My first pick not only perfectly covers both the Dads AND the Grads on your list, but it's also a great gift suggestion for any Music Lover in your life.

As you all know by now I'm fondly considered 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' because I love to host (and attend) twitter parties and spin party tunes that fit the party's respective theme. Music has been a long time passion and love of mine so throughout the years I've road tested my fair share of Audio, from Home Theatres to personal/portable and the accesories that go with them!

I literally enjoy music in every room of the house, when I'm cooking there is always music on. I have a huge pink boom box in my kitchen that is an iPod dock and I also have a different type of dock in the bathroom for long hot bubble bath music! I'm obsessed with music and am always updating my playlists. I'm an early adopter when it comes to tech, electronics, software and I'm currently obsessed with Spotify. I'm in the market for a new player as my bedroom dock died and I want something a bit jazzier than what I was using to replace it.

So my research is your gain, and of course this fab music loving, twitter party DJ'ing frugalista also had to find something that not only fit the bill, but also offers a great deal too!

About:

Get ready for some floorboard rattling, heart thumping HiFi sound. In the kitchen. The bedroom. Any room at all. Start with one Sonos® player, then expand wirelessly, wherever you want music. Now take control with your Android smartphone or tablet, iPhone or iPad and play whatever you want, wherever you want.

Listen to Millions of songs and stations:

Stream a radio station from Brazil in the bedroom, listen to Top 80s in the kitchen, and play your favorite song from iTunes all over. Sonos connects directly to the Internet, so you can blast a universe of music in every corner of your home. Play a different song in every room or play the same song everywhere, in perfect sync.

Your music library:

Play any music stored on any computer or NAS drive.

Free Internet radio:

Tune in to more than 100,000 Internet radio stations, shows and podcasts for free.

Online music services:

Stream millions of songs and stations direct from the Internet —no computer required.

GREAT DEAL:  Sonos Wireless HiFi System Promotion At Target Stores And At Target.com

Receive a FREE $30 Target Gift card with the purchase a Sonos Play:3 wireless HiFi system or a FREE $40 Target Gift Card with the purchase of a Play:5 now through June 16, 2012 at Target stores and at Target.com.

Sonos Play: 3

Compact, all-in-one Sonos player with 3 integrated speakers and 3 digital amps for big HiFi sound. Available in Black or White ($299)

Sonos Play: 5

Original, bigger room, all-in-one Sonos player with 5 integrated speakers and 5 digital amps for a powerhouse of HiFi sound. Available in Black or White ($399)

Want to let Sonos know that you would love to see a full product review and giveaway featured on Ascending Butterfly? You can send them a tweet on twitter, or post on their facebook wall!

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Disclosure: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and I'm eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in the post are my own.

{Before} Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips - Fashion Week NYC!

My friends at the One2One Network and at Crest 3D White asked me “What life event would you whiten for in just two hours with Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips?”

For me, that was an easy answer, New York Fashion Week! New York Fashion Week is one event after another back to back and tons of photo opps! With many of these events not only do you have to consider the pictures you pose for, there are also the ones taken of you that you don't even know about! Both pictures and video are shot of the attendees, not just the models on the runway!

I'm still not used to being in front of the camera, which I know sounds weird for a blogger. But my blog started solely with inspirational and empowerment posts, I never really expected to share very much about myself. Along the years I've become a bit more comfortable with sharing the face behind the brand, and Fashion Week for me this year has been way busier than last year, while I don't aspire to walk the runway, I definitely want to have the whitest, prettiest smile possible!

I'm off to try out the Whitestrips, and I'll share my after photo with you (and you know I'm always looking out for my butterflies, so stay tuned for your own chance to share what life event you would whiten for and win a box for yourself!)

By the way,  I have also had a chance to try out the Crest 3D White ToothPaste and I really love it!

In the meantime you can:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nab Crest 3D Whitestrips Coupons

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Connect with Crest Whitestrips on Facebook

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FTC Disclosure: I was given this product for free to review as part of the Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2One Network. My participation in this campaign makes me eligible for additional incentives. I am a blog with integrity blogger and all opinions regarding the sponsor and product are my own.

Nabisco Newtons Fruit Thins - Where Good Meets Good For You!

Happy Monday Butterflies! Did you miss me this weekend? I spent this weekend away from all things electronic, and spent the weekend where I'm happiest, at the Beach! It's the only place where I feel completely relaxed and can re-charge. Beach trips have always held great memories for me, family, friends, sun, food, music, sand castles.

Spontaneous and entirely un-planned Beach trips usually mean relying on food vendors when you don't bring something of your own. And most food vendors are selling high calorie, not so good for you fried foods. My trip this weekend wasn't entirely un-planned, but the beach we were going to was very far, making me bringing food more of an inconvenience than anything else. So I grabbed some waters and low cal snacks, sunscreen and my ipod and headed out.

As many of you know I have been making very simple, small changes in my life and have lost quite a bit of weight. My biggest weakness is late night sweet snacks like ice cream, and I'm actively trying to substitute my favorite late night treat for healthier snacks!

A trip to the supermarket a few weeks ago, led to a great discovery. A cookie from a brand I already knew quite well and trust, has a brand new line of cookies on the market with 8 grams of whole grain! This definitely caught my eye and I opted to try it in the Chocolate Raspberry flavor. And I'm super happy I did!

When I was little I used to share Fig Newtons with my grandmother, she loved them and passed that love to me. So I had a feeling I would like these too!

Shortly after trying these for myself after a supermarket visit, I was contacted by One2One Network who asked if I'd be interested in trying out Newtons Fruit Thins and share about it with my readers. And needless to say I jumped at the chance! I love sharing about products I already buy for myself. And I was also super lucky because I was sent a different variety than the one I had already purchased myself and tried out!

Newtons Fruit Thins

For more than a century, Newtons has been one unique cookie - wholesome goodness made with real fruit and a taste all its own. Now, with the creation of Newtons Fruit Thins, Nabisco is breaking the mold again with a cookie unlike any other with real fruit in unexpected combinations packed into a thin and crispy cookie. 

The four delicious varieties include:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cranberry Citrus Oat - I plan on trying this one next!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Blueberry Brown Sugar - This is the one I tried via One2One Network, YUM!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chocolate Raspberry -This was the one I purchased, YUM!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fig & Honey  - I bet this one will remind me most of traditional Newtons

And because Newtons Fruit Thins are made with real fruit and 8 grams of whole grain per serving you can feel great knowing you’re having a deliciously wholesome snack.  

Nutritional Information

Serving Size - 3 cookies
140 Calories
5 grams total fat
1-1.5 grams saturated fat

My Take:

I've had the chance to try 2 out of the 4 varieties, the first I purchased when I happened upon them in the Supermarket, and the second I tried via One2One Network. I greatly enjoyed both varieties, and I plan to purchase the other 2 as well.

If you are totally tired of cereal, these make a great substitute for cereal for breakfast, they are great to have in your pantry for an anytime of day snack. 3pm doldrums at work? These are perfect! Unlike the traditional Fig Newtons, these are actually crisp, so they give you that crispy crunch, and with the chocolate raspberry variety you can also get that chocolate taste, but still have a healthy snack.

I totally think Newtons Thins are where good meets good for you! It is possible to make healthy snacking choices that don't make you feel like you are sacrificing great taste.

I brought my bag with me to the beach, and friends and family enjoyed them as much I did. My niece and nephews already like traditional Fig Newtons, and they enjoyed these as well. They also have a variety called Fruit Crisps which I haven't found at my local supermarket yet, but I will try it once they carry it, have you tried either Fig Newtons, Fruit Thins or Fruit Crisps yet?

I had a wonderful weekend at the Beach, and I hope you had a great weekend too!

Our annual Dads N Grads Buying Reco Guide, where you have the chance to win everything you see will launch this week!

What did you do this weekend?

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FTC Disclosure Info: This post offers me the chance to win a Gift Card from the One2One Network. I was provided with samples of Nabisco Fruit Thins to help Facilitate this review. All opinions about Nabisco and the Fruit Thins products I sampled are my own. No monetary exchange has taken place. This is not a sponsored post and no compensation has been received in exchange for my opinion.

Tame the Snack Beastie with Ritz Crackerfuls! (Coupon for you!)

I have to confess I'm not the healthiest snacker. I don't always make 'healthy' snack choices, nor does my mind imagine a healthy snack when I'm craving a treat. Visions of chips or sweets or chocolate is usually what dances in my head. What about you?

It's usually late afternoon or late night (especially while watching a movie) that will put me in a snacking state of mind. Which I already know is the worse time ever to snack. I strive daily to lead a healthier life daily; body, mind and soul, but as we all know 'old (and bad) habits die hard'.

And best of all, I will actually begin working with a trainer soon!

I figure before I begin with the trainer, I might want to begin by working on healthier eating habits and learning to tame the afternoon (& evening) snack 'beastie'. How do you calm the snack cravings and still eat 'right'?

I'm not a carrot stick or celery stick type (unless that celery stick comes with hot wings and ranch dipping sauce!) So when the folks at the One2One Network asked if I'd like to try the new Ritz Crackerfuls, I jumped at the Chance. I already knew I loved Ritz so I was SOLD.

About Crackerfuls:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Varieties: Garlic Herb, Four Cheese, Classic Cheddar and the newest Cheddar Cheese & Bacon

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Each Crackerful is made with 6 grams of whole grains and real cheese

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Great Taste: Crunchy cracker with a rich creamy cheese filling

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Portable: Individually wrapped which makes it perfect to just throw in your bag and go

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Helps keep you satisfied between meals

 

I tried the Classic Cheddar and the newest Cheddar Cheese & Bacon flavor and I loved BOTH varieties, Huge thumbs up! Who knew whole grain could taste so good? I didn't. At first I was a bit worried that the 'whole grain' would change what I love about Ritz, the buttery goodness of the cracker, but nope,  it was still there. A good snack,  that's good for me, fits in  my bag (perfect to stash one in my desk too!) and I actually like eating. I'm thrilled! This certainly beats pricey vending machine snacks that are usually who knows how old!

 
I couldn't nab you all a box, but there is a coupon in it for you!
 
Coupon Details:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · $1 Off Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Crackerfuls can be downloaded from the Ritz Crackers Facebook Fan Page

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Good through August 31, 2010 or up to just over 33k coupon prints, print HERE

Gotta Nab a Box of Your Own? Buy it for a great price below:

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I received two boxes of Ritz Crackerfuls  for review and my post is eligible for a chance to win a gift card via random drawing by One2One Network

Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack Review

Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack Review

So somehow my tickets to the Sex and the City 2 movie premiere must have been way-layed, because this New York City Based Blogger would have been there with bells on!

Add me to the list of  New Yorkers that are super stoked that the sequel to Sex and the City (one of my favorite series ever) comes out May 27, 2010!

While I didn't get to preview the movie, my friends at the One2One Network did send me the movie soundtrack, which I am listening to AGAIN right now as inspiration. I did a happy squeal when I opened this yesterday!

Sex and the City 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on May 25th and the film is in theaters May 27th!

Soundtrack Highlights:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The soundtrack features a brand-new duet "Love is Your Color" by Grammy and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, along with global superstar, multi-platinum recording artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee Leona Lewis. I love both Jennifer's voice and Leona's, this is a great duet!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Soundtrack includes a new song by platinum-selling CeeLo and International superstar Dido also contributes an exclusive new track. I like CeeLo and Dido as well and was excited that they both contributed new tracks to this soundtrack.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony and Academy Award® winner Liza Minnelli covers Beyonce’s chart-topper “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” OK, I will admit I'm still not sure how I feel about this track....this one might be best left to the original! (With the exception of Justin Timberlake's 'spoof take' on the song on Saturday Night Live which was super funny!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys performs her own extraordinary new version of the Blondie classic “Rapture”. I couldn't imagine anyone singing a Blondie song, but this was a different take and a nice tribute to the original.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The soundtrack also features the stars of Sex and the City 2, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, performing the Helen Reddy classic “I Am Woman.” This one just made me want to call the girls over and whip out my karoake Wii Game.

Which of the girls do you identify with most? Are you the Carrie in your circle? Would you love the opportunity to win a call from Sarah Jessica Parker? Try your luck and enter the giveaway whose grand prize is a call from Sarah herself by clicking HERE!

Tracklisting

1. Alicia Keys “Rapture”
2. Dido “Everything to Lose”  <--New for the album from Dido!
3. Cee Lo “Language of Love”  <--New for the album from Cee Lo!
4. Erykah Badu “Window Seat”
5. Natacha Atlas “Kidda”
6. Michael McGregor “Euphrates Dream”
7. Liza Minnelli “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
8. Ricki-Lee "Can't Touch It"
9. Alicia Keys "Emire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" <-Definitely my favorite track!
10. Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis "Love Is Your Color"
11. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon “I Am Woman”
12. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “If Ever I Would Leave You”
13. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Sunrise, Sunset”
14. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Till There Was You”
15. Shayna Steele, Jordan Ballard, Kamilah Marshall “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”
16. Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”
17. Cyndi Lauper “True Colors”  <--This track took me back! :-)
18. Aaron Zigman “Divas and Dunes”

Apologies dear readers, I wasn't able to nab a copy for giveaway this time, but if you just can't wait to get your hand on it, do it cheaper below:

Check out Sex and the City 2 on Facebook HERE

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Review: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the soundtrack, movie and the series are my own experiences. I was provided product to review, this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. An opportunity to win one of six gift cards is available to all those who post their review of the soundtrack.