Hi #Orgullosa, Is your Skirt Well Positioned?

Some writing challenges seem so conceptually easy that they ideally should write themselves. This time, while I have a lot to say, I'm not exactly sure I know where to begin. So I will start with the question: Is Your Skirt Well Positioned? In Spanish there is a saying 'Mujeres con La Falda Bien Puesta' which in English Translates to, "women with their skirts well positioned'. This actually goes beyond the positioning of your skirt, that is just the literal translation the real translation is that of a women with pride within herself. A strong, proud woman that can always hold her head up high. The word 'Orgullosa' translates to 'Proud', sometimes people give the word 'Orgullosa' a negative connotation that comes closer to translating to 'Vain', but it really means Proud in the sense of Pride. And now, being 'Orgullosa' isn't just being about being 'proud', it's an actual movement! A community of progressive, confident Latina Women who now have an online platform to seize their limitless potential through the transformative power of community and the rapid fire pace of social media helping to spread the message. 

Defining Orgullosa: 

Being 'Proud' is different things to different people, from the way you conduct yourself from day to day, the decisions you make and obstacles you surmount. The feeling that is left behind when you accomplish something everyone told you wasn't possible. It's that woman who 'strives' and not just 'survives'.

The Orgullosa Movement:

Orgullosa.com offers Latinas a platform for peer-to-peer interaction, from daily conversation to opportunities to contribute to the community at large. It is a destination that focuses on best-in-class brands and solutions for her changing and busy lifestyle.

Aspiring to Inspire:

In my family we learned at an early age that helping others was important, that you move forward when you help others to do the same!

Last year one of the communities and ambassadorships I played a part of had the opportunity to help in the judging component of a 25K scholarship to an aspiring young Latina. For me it was a source of pride to help a young person realize their dream of going to College. When I went to College there weren't as many opportunities as readily available. I worked very hard in High School, and did land some Scholarship Funding, but I also worked 2 part time jobs: one on campus, and one off-campus, to get through College. In the end I think that degree meant more to me because I had to work very hard to achieve it!

Left: Ascending Butterfly, College Graduation, Right: Mama Butterfly, Both of us were super 'Orgullosa' that day!

My 'Orgullosa' Moments:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ My first television appearance when I was in Kindegarten! (I was destined for *Stardom*)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ President of the Chess Team 3 years running! (Cute Nerds RULE!)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Graduating College! (My entire family was proud of that moment!)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Writing for a newspaper! (When my first article made the front page, I definitely let out a WEPA!)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Film Critic! (I'll never forget my first Press Junket!)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Reaching the title of "President" in Corporate America and running the entire NorthEast Division

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Now owning the Title of 'Founder'

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Surviving a year I was told I wouldn't even get to ring in, and now ringing in another!

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Finally making my first official 'VLOG' in front of the camera instead of just behind it (with super awesome television personality and celeb stylist Robert Verdi no less!)

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ When my first Twitter Party 'Trended' :-)

Join The Movement/Get Social With It:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ 'Like' Orgullosa on Facebook

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Join The Orgullosa Community

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ Follow the @Orgullosa movement on Twitter using the hashtag #Orgullosa

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FTC Disclosure: I am participating in a Sponsored Post on behalf of Procter & Gamble via The Niche Mommy Network, however all opinions are 100% my own!

Winner Announcement for the @NicoleMillerNYC Addison Handbag Giveaway on @Ascending1 + this month's holiday #handbag #giveaway

Winner Announcement!:

After the feature being on hiatus so long, it was no surprise that October's Featured Monthly Handbag in the spotlight garnered a ton of entries! It took me awhile to close this one because before I even draw a winner, I eliminate all entries that did not comply with giveaway instructions. All 'blank' entries etc. This way when I go to draw a winner, only qualified entries are in the running. I know oftentimes people are under the assumption that when bloggers use rafflecopter we just draw and if that winner did not comply with instructions we just re-draw, I can't speak for everyone, but I refuse to do that. I eliminate all dis-qualified entries first THEN draw the winner. So my actual entry numbers for any given drawing may go 'down' after it closes which most people wouldn't want, but I like the drawings to be fair and only the folks who played by the rules get the chance to win!

 

Our October Featured Monthly Handbag in the Spotlight Nicole Miller Addison Handbag Giveaway Winner is Naomi S. Hers was entry #227!

Join me in congratulating Naomi!

This Month's Giveaway:

For this month, we are doing a unique twist with our favorite feature, and letting YOU pick the bag. That's right, this time you pick the Featured Handbag in the Spotlight and have a chance to win it! We are giving away a $100 Gift Card to Wilsons Leather so you can select the item of your choice! If you are a leather lover like I am and can't wait to nab a great new bag or coat, Wilson's Leather just launched their '12 Days of Deals' where Select Styles are now 70% OFF their original prices! (And not to fear my Vegan gals, they offer faux leather styles too!)

Holiday Gift Buying Guide VLOG:

Did you check out Ascending Butterfly's Video VLOG for Procter & Gamble's #PGHoliday Buying Guide? Not only did Lifestyle Expert, Celebrity Stylist and Television Personality, Robert Verdi interview me about my holiday buying tips and tricks, I also shot a video vlog presenting holiday gift buying ideas for everyone on your list, which you can view in full detail with a behind the scenes HERE.

I am working on closing out the McDonald's, Purex, and Gund Boo + Mini Boo Giveaway Winners this weekend, so stay tuned for the next winner's announcement!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No monetary compensation has been received for this post.

Check out my Holiday Buying Guide #Video #VLOG and interview with @RobertVerdi for my @ProcterGamble #PGHoliday Buying Guide!

Founder and Butterfly-in-Chief of Ascending Butterfly Tracy Iglesias shoots holiday buying gift guide VLOG at Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab in New York City!

Within a few days of each other I spent a week shooting my first ever VLOGs for Ascending Butterfly. I'm much more comfortable sharing my world from behind my camera and from my computer then I am with being in front of the camera or on video, but when I was offered the opportunity to film a Video VLOG for P&G with Lifestyle Expert, Celebrity Stylist and Television Personality, Robert Verdi I jumped at the chance!

Despite four years of keeping myself relatively hidden I knew after the health scare I experienced last year and the horrible way I started 2012 that it was time for me to jump in front of the camera, take risks and really meet life head on! How can you inspire others to come outside their comfort zones and be a good life coach if you don't rise up to challenges that make you uncomfortable in your own life?

The first time I was ever on television I was 5 years old and had won a national competition and the grand prize was an appearance on the television show Romper Room. I hadn't been in front of a camera since. To say I was super nervous, is probably the under-statement of the century! (I think I was a lot more calm when I was five!)

All my nerves were immediately calmed upon entering Robert Verdi's Luxe Laboratory! I was met by the 'Glam Squad' which started with Nails, and I can tell you I gave the manicurist quite a job as my nails were in really sad shape! I picked out a perfect Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in (180 Lasting Love), which was a very close match my signature red lip that I custom blend. This high gloss nail polish does not require a top coat and lasted one week chip free on my nails. No easy feat, because I put my hands and nails through a lot of typing, being in water and I kept expecting that the tips of my nails would chip fast, and was super surprised that they didn't! I also loved that they dried super fast! Later on that same day I got my thumb caught in a zipper of my handbag and it did not smudge, chip, smear or budge, color me impressed!

Then it was on to makeup, I was super happy when the makeup artist chose not to change my lip color, she liked my custom red so much she left it alone! That's quite a compliment!

Luxe lab stylist uses Aussie Hair Care Products to style Ascending Butterfly for Video Shoot!

From nails it was straight to hair where Aussie Hair Care products were used on my hair and my hair was expertly flat ironed to glossy fabulousness!

Left: Ascending Butterfly Founder and Butterfly-in-Chief Tracy alongside Right: Robert Verdi - of course as soon as the flash went off I closed my eyes!

Then I got a chance to meet Robert Verdi and it was on to the first of two video shoots! I love that Robert is exactly the same way you see on Television, he is super warm, friendly and totally approachable. He instantly put me at ease!

Ascending Butterfly and Robert Verdi all smiles during the P&G #PGHoliday Gift Buying Guide Video VLOG Shoot!

See, I really can keep my eyes open! In the first of the two videos shot, Robert interviews me and asks me about my tips for holiday shopping, here is the video:



Just in case it doesn't play nicely for you or you'd prefer to view it directly on YouTube you can just click HERE, but don't forget to come back and watch the second video!

Not bad considering I had literally run to the lab after covering an event with Jordin Sparks (if you missed our recap coverage of that event, press HERE).

After the Questions and Answers video with Robert, it was time for the main video, the Holiday Buying Guide VLOG! Here is the video:



 
The products I selected include:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -  Lulu Lemon 'Daily Om Duffel' (perfect for gym, travel or daily commuters like me!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -  Cambridge 'The Metallics' Satchel in Metallic Rose Gold (perfect for New Years Eve!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -  Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing Skincare System
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - P&G Little Luxuries Gift Set (available at your local drugstore, you know, like the one I am a blogger brand ambassador for maybe? :)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - UGG Womens Great Jones Earmuff W/Speaker Technology (Perfect for those cold winters to keep jack frost from nipping at your ears while still listening to music on the go. This matches my new Jacket and Gloves!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - I also picked Diane Von Furstenberg Headphones in the 'Stone Leopard Red' Print, paired with gloves that allow for smartphone use and I love how cleverly the fingers of the gloves are stuffed with Covergirl Outlast Lipsticks in each finger, what teenage girl wouldn' t love that bundle?
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - I also loved the quirky yellow rubbery iPod Portable Speaker! (Needless to say that the #TwitterPartyDJ is always on the lookout for great music accessories!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - And don't forget your Tide to go Instant Stain Remover sticks, I have one in my handbag at all times and keep one in my desk at work and at home, they really do work! I've had all kinds of things spilled on me during events and these have kept favorite outfits from being ruined!

Get Social With it:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Follow @ProcterGamble on Twitter and use the hashtag #PGHoliday
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Follow @RobertVerdi on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Like on P&G Beauty on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Like Robert Verdi on Facebook

Here is the pro shot of myself and Robert Verdi after both videos were shot:

That's A Wrap!

My Take:

I greatly enjoyed my day filming the #PGHoliday Gift Buying Guide, and I will never forget meeting Robert Verdi! Robert helped make my first time back on camera after so many years fun, Thank You Robert! Finding the right gift and staying within budget isn't always easy but with the P&G Little Luxuries Gift Sets you can knock out some of those 'hard to shop fors' with something that is thoughtful and within budget,  for Holidays 2012 P&G has got you covered!

Happy Holidays Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received for shooting this video VLOG. All opinions are 100% my own.