#ad: I got celebrated with a #StaplesSymphony and YOU get a chance to win a $100 @Staples Gift Card! {#Giveaway}

My night at the New York Philharmonic must have started something because I recently had the chance to turn an everyday errand into something pretty grand! A visit to Staples Flagship New York City Store in Manhattan to buy replacement Printer Ink Cartridges resulted in me being celebrated by a 20 piece orchestra! Before you say 'just another day in New York' I have to tell you it was pretty out of the ordinary!

Aside from those old 'you're the millioneth customer' balloon greetings, it's not everyday any retailer just opts to celebrate every single customer that walks in the door! Nevertheless with a full on orchestra! It took mostly everyone by surprise as you can see in the video below:

What few people know about me is that I've been a digital Entrepreneur in some form or another since late High School/early College, I've run a Graphic Design firm, a Translation and Transcription Service, and was running an internet professional association that went international in the late 90's! Your butterfly has been at this for a long time now lovelies; and in my latest career incarnation (or is that incarnations since it's way more than one thing I'm dabbling in at the moment): a Career/Life Coach, Freelance Writer, Social Media Consultant and of course Lifestyle Blogger. I'm no stranger to Office Supply stores that's for sure, but Staples does tend to always be my go-to, and before green became a buzzword, I was participating in the Staples Ink Recycling program since they first offered it!

Check out the #StaplesSymphony! Photo Credit: Tilson Public Relations

Did you know?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Each year Staples recycles 65 million ink and toner cartridges!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Each year Staples.com sells approximately 10 million ink and toner cartridges and 45 million in store! (that's a lot of ink!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Staples retail stores carry 650 SKUS for Ink AND Toner and on Staples.com you can find 4,000 (double the amount since 2012!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can hop on the Reward train and join Staples Rewards where members printer ink cartridges and toner supply orders SHIP FREE when ordered online + members can earn 5% back in Staples Rewards!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $2 in Staples Rewards for EACH ink and toner cartridge recycled.

I actually have two active printers right now (I print A LOT!) I use one exclusively for images (Kodak) and the other (HP) for contracts, event invites and office stuff! I needed replacement ink for the one I use most often for office printing, this one:

I like to stock up on the combo pack and just before I have to open the last combo pack I go buy three more so I never run out when I need to print something important! This is the one I normally select:

Of course it's this one, there's a BUTTERFLY on the box! :-)

Here is the video of my #StaplesSymphony Shopping Experience:



My Take:

While the nature of my entrepreneurial endeavors may change and fluctuate, the one thing I know for sure is that I can find what I need to keep my home office supplied in style with Staples! Did you know they re-designed their site? Making it easier to navigate and find your rewards, with a faster search and checkout and MORE products and deals! You can use the hashtag #newandimproved to tweet @Staples and let them know what you think of the new site!

Get Social:

Visit www.Staples.com to find a store near you or place an ink or toner order online (don't forget to sign up for Staples Rewards first if you don't already have a rewards card), you can check out their latest promotions, news and giveaways via Facebook and Twitter! (And don't forget to get your extra credit entries in the rafflecopter giveaway below for following Staples on their social pages!)

Win It:

Use the rafflecopter form below to enter for the chance to win a $100 Staples Gift Card! Use it to purchase Office Supplies or Holiday Gifts, the choice is YOURS!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What will you buy if you win the $100 Staples Gift Card Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: Staples has provided Ascending Butterfly a gift card for Editorial Consideration and is providing one Ascending Butterfly reader a gift card as well, 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. Ascending Butterfly and giveaway sponsors are NOT responsible for lost, late, or mis-directed mail, one entry per household.

Teaming up with @PGeveryday & @SheSpeaksUp to raise awareness & bring you a great #Giveaway too! #PGBestDefense

{CLOSED}: WINNER IS ENTRY #644 - COURTNEY RENEE, CONGRATULATIONS!

ad: This is a Sponsored Post & Giveaway brought to you in conjunction with SheSpeaks and P&G

I am honored to team up with P&G and SheSpeaks again this year for a very important cause, Breast Cancer Awareness. Last year I participated in the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action where I participated in a blogger round-table with Breast Cancer Survivor and host of E! News Giuliana Rancic, if you missed my recap to that event click HERE. That day inspired me so much that after a visit to my primary (I changed my Primary Doctor shortly after my long term hospitalizations in 2012), where I shared my Family History with Cancer, he opted to have me begin annual Mammograms earlier than I needed to, and I shared about my very first ever Mammogram HERE.

I am so proud of P&G for being consistently involved in such an important cause that directly affects so many lives. I would say too many lives. In fact One in EVERY Eight women will get Breast Cancer in her lifetime. The death rate in fact is actually HIGHER among Latina and African American women. Every hour and a half a Latina woman dies of Breast Cancer in the United States! As a Latina I find this statistic beyond alarming and if I can help in some small way to give another woman the courage to do her self exams MONTHLY, and talk to her Primary Care Physician about getting her Mammogram than I am more than happy to do so.

This year, the P&G Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to educate everyone about the importance of early detection. Throughout the month of October you can visit the P&G Breast Cancer Awareness Website to hear P&G employees' who share inspiring stories about moments made possible in their lives due to early detection and also download the NBCF's Early Detection Plan App!

According to the National Cancer Institute, Early Detection is the BEST defense against Breast Cancer. The earlier it is detected, the higher the survival rate. When detected during the localized, (or early) stage, the five year survival rate is 98%!  An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure my butterflies!

I am actually due for my annual Mammogram very soon, and want to encourage my butterflies that if you have been putting it off, please don't. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible! Breast Cancer, doesn't care how young you are, how healthy and athletic you may be, and it doesn't care that you have no history of it in your family, early detection is the key to saving lives.

P&G goes 'Pink' in October and we partnering with SheSpeaks and P&G to bring you a chance to win some of their most loved products and brands in a 'Pinktober Giveaway'  full of goodies to remind you about the importance of pink!

Enter using Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Double Your Chances to Win and Join the TWITTER PARTY!

**Please Note: Ascending Butterfly is NOT a host or co-host for this party so please direct any and all questions to the host**

Join @PGeveryday and special guest @CoreyWootton for a special Twitter Party about the importance of creating an early detection plan and rallying the women in your life to do the same! (You might want to be sure you are following the hosts before the day of the party, this way if you win the hosts can DM you to get your info for prize fulfillment! and don't forget to RSVP and actively use the hashtag during the party!)

When: Thursday, October 22

Time: 3 p.m. EST

RSVP: http://bit.ly/PGbcaRSVP

Hashtag: #PGBestDefense

My Take:

Cancer has affected my family and I know first hand how devastating it is. Early detection is key for every cancer type not just breast cancer, so please butterflies do your monthly self-exam, and if you have a history of Cancer in your family speak to your primary about referring you for a Mammogram, you do NOT have to wait until age 40 if you have a history in your family or you detect a lump! Playing it safe is the best way to ensure you'll be able to keep playing at all!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored/compensated post and giveaway in conjunction with SheSpeaks and P&G Everyday. 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. All opinions are 100% my own and I can't begin to stress just how important early detection is in saving lives. Ascending Butterfly staff are NOT medical experts nor do we make claims to be, always check with your Physician FIRST!

Win a Got Milk? Themed Gift Basket! Chock of full of great stuff and Gift Cards (like American Express & Starbucks!) too! - 2 winners!

#ad: This is a Sponsored Giveaway. Full Dislcosure Below

I have a strong feeling that most of you are already familiar with the Got Milk? Campaign and have seen even celebs rocking those iconic Milk Mustaches everywhere! I got to meet the  team last year at BlogHer 2012 in New York City and had fun at their booth hamming it up and posing for photos. Check out my picture from BlogHer last year with my Milk Mustache:

Ascending Butterfly & The Milkman at The Breakfast Project Booth, BlogHer12

If you are already following us on Pinterest I'm sure you have already seen that photo. Sometimes we post photos on Pinterest that don't make a blog post, so be sure to follow us there as well! The Breakfast Project, milkmustache.com, knows that every good day starts with Milk, and the campaign is running both in English and Spanish. In Spanish it's called El Proyecto Desayuno and can be found at bigotedeleche.com. Please stop over there right now and take a peek! Guess who the Blogger of the Month/Bloguera Del Mes is? That's right, it's ME!

Making Milk a part of your morning routine has incredible health benefits, including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helping to avoid Osteoporosis, Hypertension and Colon Cancer, these benefits come from drinking milk directly and do not come from only consuming a supplement. (talk about 'one to grow on'!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Protecting you from Tooth Decay and Cavity Problems

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Keeping you slim! People who drink Milk regularly actually stay slim and enjoy the many natural vitamins and minerals that help keep you healthy and fit. I know people tend to think the contrary, but Milk as part of a healthy diet can keep you slim and fit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - By drinking Milk regularly you can help prevent heartburn and other gastric problems. Drinking a glass of milk when you experience heartburn can calm your food pipe from inflammation.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The calcium in Milk gives you strong bones, teeth, nails and helps your hair too!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - My Grandma swore by a hot glass of milk at night and she was right, it can soothe your nerves and help relax tense muscles which helps put you to sleep.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Also helps to replenish the body and is good after a strenous workout!

Milk provides nutrients that the body requires to function properly, vitamins (for our red blood cells), calcium (for strong bones), carbohydrates (for energy), magnesium (for muscles), phosphorous (for utilizing energy), potassium (for the nervous system), protein (growth and the healing process), riboflavin (healthy skin) and zinc (boosts immune system). Who knew that one simple glass of milk did so much? If you are not Lactose Intolerant, then you should make sure you are drinking at least one glass of milk per day, and adding it on at breakfast will help you start your day right!

The folks at Proyecto Desayuno sent over a great gift basket full of Milk Related Items to help me celebrate making Blogger of the Month/Bloguera Del Mes, check it out here:

I have got to put on the tshirt so I can take a picture with it on! The basket contained Special K Cereal Bars, Ferrero Rocher Chocolates, Chocolate Straws, Sugar Wafers, a Got Milk? tshirt, Cafe Bustelo (which instantly reminded me of my Abeulita!), A Picture Frame with motivational messages about the importance of family (why is it that I can never have too many picture frames? I love to display my photos!), a pitcher, a Got Milk? Cup with straw, H2O Milk Skincare Products (I love all things H2O! In fact I'm currently using their Sea Salt line in my shower!), and great gift cards including a $15 Starbucks Gift Card, and a $50 American Express Gift Card).

WIN IT:

Ascending Butterfly and the folks at Proyecto Desayuno want you to join in the fun too! 2 very lucky butterflies have a chance to win a Gift Basket of their own! While some of the items may vary in your basket, the gift card amounts will remain the same and be the same for both winners! The main entry is easy peasy, so be sure to enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Is Milk already a part of your Healthy Breakfast Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Giveaway by Proyecto Desayuno, All Opinions are 100% my own. Visit our Giveaway and Disclosure Policy HERE. I do feel that Milk is a very important part of a healthy breakfast and is very much a part of my personal morning routine!