@worldmarket is opening a store in New York City and I've got the Scoop AND some #discounts! #WorldMarketNYC #ad

Ad: This Post Is Sponsored By:

A little something for everyone? I would say so:

✔ Furniture
✔ Textiles
✔ Ceramics
✔ Glassware
✔ Home Decor
✔ Jewelry
✔ Accesories
✔ Global Food
✔ Wines

With over 270 retail locations (in 33 states) and a strong online presence, Cost Plus World Market is already known for their broad and unique assortment of home goods (and MORE including over 500 international wines!), as a New York City girl I am super stoked to share with you that Cost Plus is coming to NYC! They have a location in Livingston, New Jersey, but that one is a bit too far for me so the fact that one is coming to New York City couldn't make me happier!

The 5,000 square feet wonderland of shopping nirvana will be housed in the eclectic Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and will showcase lifestyle vignettes that serve to provide inspiration on how to design your space, and even better still: NEW YORK area customers will have the opportunity to see in person select 'online-only' offerings (don't you just love an exclusive?).

The Manhattan Store is located in Chelsea at 620 Sixth Avenue between 18th and 19th Streets and the official store Grand Opening begins on Thursday, August 20th 2015 at 8:00 am. The first 100 customers through the doors from Thursday, August 20th through Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 will receive a re-usable canvas tote bag, NOTE: Each day 10 totes will contain a $50 World Market Gift Card (which can be used in store AND online at www.worldmarket.com), but wait there's MORE!

DISCOUNT: During Grand Opening Weekend Only shoppers will receive a 20% discount on all purchases made in the Chelsea Store! You can nab the coupon HERE!

Check out the cool video for the NYC store:



Remember how the title of this post talks about 'scoop'? If you are not already following Cost Plus World Market on their social channels, you want to be sure to stop and take a moment to do that right NOW because on Thursday, August 20th there will be special surprises around the city in conjunction with the opening weekend, and the only way to find out WHERE these surprises are going down and when is by following Cost Plus World Market carefully on their social media channels, be sure you are following me too, I will be keeping you abreast of all the happenings on my channels as well, and I will be hitting the Press/Media Preview so I'll get to see the store before it opens and will be posting on my social channels as well!

GET SOCIAL: 

Be sure to follow and use the #WorldMarketNYC hashtag to keep track of all the fab happenings and the special surprises around the city on 8/20 (and get glimpses from the Press Preview by following me as I will be posting on Tuesday evening 8/18).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Cost Plus World Market on FACEBOOK
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Cost Plus World Market on  TWITTER
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Cost Plus World Market on INSTAGRAM

MY TAKE:

Anytime I can shop globally but do so LOCALLY I am all for it. I like to march to the beat of my own drummer and I want my space to be unique and eclectic, finding items that aren't 'cookie-cutter' and be bought anywhere just appeals to me greatly, always has, always will. I am looking forward to having Cost Plus World Market accessible to me locally, as much as I love shopping online, there are just certain purchases where I need to see, touch/feel and now I have the opportunity to do just that.

Have you ever shopped at Cost Plus World Market? What room in your home most needs a makeover?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated/sponsored post in conjunction with Cost Plus World Market, and all my 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.

{#TheatreThursday} @OnYourFeetBway 's journey to Broadway this Fall, previews begin October 5th! #OnYourFeet

This post is sponsored by:

Photographer: Chad Griffith

When my blogging world and real world collide and I can shout from the rooftops about something I am truly passionate about, it's a GREAT 'day at the office' in my book. As a born and raised New Yorker I can say the theatre is in my blood and so is music.

Being contacted to share the journey of Emilio and Gloria Estefan's journey to Broadway and their upcoming musical was something I have been following along with very closely anyway and I couldn't possibly be more excited to share about this with you butterflies. I saw some coverage on TV about this show months ago and I have been following it's progress since with baited breath.

While I am sure many of you know Gloria and Emilio from Miami Sound Machine, their marriage and partnership have endured such tremendous highs and lows and their new upcoming Broadway Musical On Your Feet! set to debut at the Marquis Theatre this Fall, shares the story of their true love and international success on a new stage, the Broadway stage to be exact.

The site has a wonderful timeline of photos that span their career, which you should definitely check out, HERE.

With all the recent 'un-coupling' these days - Ben and Jen, Gwen and Gavin and now even Miss Piggy and Kermit there are very few love stories standing the test of time - The Estefan's give me HOPE! Piggy and Kermie may have thrown in the towel at the 40 year mark, so watching Gloria and Emilio beat the odds is giving me life right now!

ABOUT:

Her Voice. His Vision. Their Story

Here is Episode One - Here We Are - of their Journey to Broadway for your viewing pleasure:

I have to admit re-watching the news footage of the accident in her tour bus still gives me goose bumps to this day!

Here is Episode Two - Writing The Show:



As I writer myself, I can't even say enough how these words from the video resonated, I just had to quote it:

"In America You Can Dream Big - And if You Are Willing to Sacrifice It All, there's A Chance!" ~ Alexander Dinelaris, reveals how he captured the lives of the Estefans in his writing for the show. (Alexander is an Academy Award Winner for Birdman)

Here is Episode Three - Casting the Story:



Here is Episode Four - Directing the Musical:

It's full of passion, it's full of color, it's full of people, it's full of life - it's going to be really incredible! ~ Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (of Kinky Boots! You know how much I love that play, see my review of Kinky Boots HERE!) BTW, choreography is by Olivier Award Winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys)

My Take:

Episode 5 reveals the actors portraying Emilio and Gloria, and for that episode my lovely butterflies, you will have to check out the show's YouTube Page. I can't give it ALL to you here! This post is meant to entice you, the rest is up to you!

I am looking forward to seeing On Your Feet! The Musical and my hope is this post will make you want to see it too. I want to see this show surpass it's own box office sales expectations and literally SWEEP the TONY Awards. I want to see the Latino community rally around this one hard. We can't complain that there aren't show's 'made for us' where we can see people 'we can truly identify with' and then when they are produced not support it. Latinos please join me in putting your money where your mouth is with this production. THIS is exactly the story about our culture that we want out there, that we are passionate, focused, driven men and women with so much to contribute. Let's put aside the where a Latino/Latina is from nonsense - the country of origin separation thing does more to hurt our community than help, that's not what is important, this is a human story, an inspirational and powerful story, and one we should rally around seeing be told, and being told BOLDLY on the Broadway Stage no less.

As a Latina I feel an extra sense of pride seeing their story hit the Broadway Stage, they are a Latino 'Power Couple' (sorry bae and jay but the Estefan's were doing it FIRST!) and that is to say the least, they have been making amazing music together and they have also been giving back, supporting charitable organizations such as We Are The World Foundation and Disaster Relief among others.

They are hardworking, focused, determined and driven and that drive has been channeled into this Production, I have no doubt in my mind it will be an amazing night on Broadway. One that I can't wait to experience for myself. The show will be in previews starting October 5th 2015. I may or may not be camped out by the theatre the night before! (Will have to check my closets for a sleeping bag!)

****I hope to be able to bring you all a tickets giveaway as well, so please stay tuned!****

In the meantime get social with On Your Feet! The Musical here: and don't forget to use the hashtag: #OnYourFeet

Twitter - @On YourFeetBway 
Facebook - On Your Feet The Musical
YouTube - On Your Feet Bway
Instagram - OnYourFeetBway

What is your favorite all time Play/Theatre Production/Musical? Do you have a favorite song from Gloria Estefan, if so which one? Did any of my Chicago based readers catch the show there? - If so PLEASE spill the tea here!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, monetary compensation has been received, 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.

So how awesome was getting a sneak peek of @Grandfathered and meeting @PortableShua during #BlogHer15, this awesome!

I don't think I can give you guys one big post that would fully recap BlogHer 2015 in New York City, so I am going to give it all to you in bite size chunks! One of the cool things I got a chance to do was attend a preview screening of the upcoming FOX Television Series Grandfathered starring John Stamos and Josh Peck. (Oddly enough I am watching Josh on an episode of Big Bang Theory as I write this, coincidence? I think NOT!).

You may remember Josh Peck from his role as Josh Nichols in the Nickelodeon live-action sitcom Drake & Josh, but Josh is all grown up now and is coming to FOX TV on Tuesday, 9/29 at 8/7 central.

ABOUT GRANDFATHERED:

Successful restaurateur and confirmed bachelor, JIMMY MARTINO (John Stamos) is used to being the most suave, most handsome, and most single guy in the room. All that changes when Jimmy discovers he not only has a son, GERALD (Josh Peck), but also a granddaughter, EDIE. Jimmy's blissful selfishness will make it difficult to juggle success with his new-found, unlikely family.

Josh was brave enough to face a room full of bloggers who had a ton of questions and he was down-to-earth and had a great sense of humor!

Here are some of my photos:

Above: (Left) Actor Josh Peck fields questions during GRANDFATHERED Sneak Peek during #BlogHer 2015 in New York City

Above: OK, so there may have been a TON of questions on what it was like working with John Stamos and baby Edie at this point, LOL - Josh was such a good sport!

As you can tell I had AMAZE BALL seats (front row center all the way baby!) and my DSLR to capture all the action!

Check out the Official Trailer:

Get Social:

You can start cyber-stalking the show on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+ and be sure to use the hashtag #grandfathered!

My Take:

If you loved John Stamos in Full House as Uncle Jesse you are going to getting a huge kick out of seeing him play a grandpa! He does have a knack for working with babies that's for sure! He is definitely not your 'retirement home' grandpa, his character is still trying to get his 'single and ready to mingle, playing the field swag on' and then gets hit with being not only a dad to a fully grown son, but a grandfather as well. For me, being a single girl in the city with no kids myself, I would probably just go ahead and pass out with that kind of news (you can insert a Kevin Hart "I'm NOT ready!" voice here!), but his character takes to the news quite well all things considered, and Josh Peck who plays his son Gerald has great chemistry with him. The cast who plays John's restaurant staff are stand-outs as well, and look for Paget Brewster as Stamos's character's ex and Christina Milian who plays Vanessa, Baby Edie's mom (aka Gerald's 'baby mama').

I wish John Stamos was my sexy grandpa! But since he's not, I will have to be content with watching GRANDFATHERED this fall (9/29 to be exact) on FOX!

Watch the trailer and let me know what you think -- will you be watching this Fall?

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FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by FOX and SheKnows, 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.

{#MotivationMonday} Can you have #SwitchersRemorse and still feel GRATEFUL? #Inspiration

I was on a very different career path in life.

I was very young while watching the news one night around dinner time and the reporter announced that more people had died of heart problems that year than murders (and in New York City for murder to NOT be the number one killer/taker of lives that is quite rare indeed!).

I marched into the kitchen and told my mother quite matter-of-factly that I wanted to fix hearts when I grew up. (As I also had a passion for horses and was also sure I wanted to be a cowgirl, I'm sure she was amused to say the least). I told her about the news story, and she told me there was different types of doctors who worked on the heart, some that diagnose and others that did the surgery to repair it.

Childhood happened, but my interest in medicine never really waned and eventually she took me to the  library to read up on Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. In high school I even got the chance to sit in on the actual Gross Anatomy class. I watched as adults ran off and puked their guts out and wondered how on earth they'd become doctors if they couldn't handle that class! I wasn't allowed to do anything but observe the first year med students on the first day of this class and for some reason I didn't feel nervous.

Later on doing the frogs in anatomy class in school was a breeze for me. I got to work on bigger animals in a College Course I took knowing that this was all leading me to my dream of becoming a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon someday.

But College was a whole different ball game, and various circumstances forced me to switch majors and I went from being a Biology Major with a minor in Psychology to a Mass Media Communications Major.

And from there a chain of events was set in motion:

(1) I interned for a Newspaper

(2) I took my first Television Course

(3) I interned for a local cable television show

(4) Became a film critic for a local paper

(5) Got to head up a science section as an Editor for the same local newspaper (My reporting skills led to a beloved community doctor getting additional exposure in various outlets until he eventually re-gained his practice, I have to say this was the moment where I personally felt just how powerful one voice and one simple 'human interest' assignment could be....)

(6) Freelanced for one my favorite magazines

During that process something else happened. Communications classes forced me out of my shell. Unlike my science labs, which on ocassion did have me partner up, communications classes were all about partnerships on deeper levels, especially the courses for Televison. I learned what being a fish out of water felt like. This wasn't my strong suit, with the exception of the writing. My love for writing was always there all along, but it wasn't coming out as much in the sciences in the same way it did when I switched to communications. It gave me the confidence to enter writing contests and when I took home first prize and cash for a writing contest in College just after I changed my major I must admit I felt quite validated by my decision!

A recent totally random conversation on my bus ride home this weekend (ironically from a blogging related event) got me to talking to the bus driver. His daughter is studying to be a nurse and I told him I wanted to be a Doctor when I was younger but life sort of 'veered me off course'.

For a very brief moment I did feel #SwitchersRemorse. I know I would have been a phenomenal Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, I am a good listener, I am compassionate and I am a problem solver and lover of 'puzzles', I could see me being a fantastic diagnostician and physician!

MY TAKE:

And while random moments have often made me wonder what my life would be like now had I pursued my original goal of Medicine, I do know that Communications changed my life in ways I am eternally grateful for. My creative writing found it's way to the light, and in the writing community I have found my tribe. In managing Social Media campaigns I have utilized every single thing I learned in Mass Media Communications courses. I sometimes have pangs of #Switchers Remorse, but I have absolutely no regrets, I am doing what I was meant to do, coach, inspire and help people, just in a very different way than I originally intended.

There are tons of quotes out there on the topic of Remorse:

Have YOU experienced #SwitchersRemorse? Have you often wondered what your life would be like now if you had done just one thing differently in the past? If so, what was it? Would you change your path and go back and change something if you could?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a paid post for Verizon's #SwitchersRemorse campaign. If you switched away from Verizon and are regretting it, don't worry. They're making it easy for customers to come back. For more information, click here or head over to your local Verizon Store, 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.

Let the @40Find App Put a Little More Fun in Your Cinco De Mayo (and BEYOND)! #40Find

#AD: This is a Sponsored Post, Brought to you by:

Would you like to save 40% off your Food, Drinks and Happy Hour WITHOUT using a coupon or coupon code?

If you are based in New York City or New Jersey (or just find yourself in one of those cities for business or pleasure), pick up your phone (IOS or Android) and download this super user friendly and FREE app right NOW! The 40Find App is on my phone and it has made finding deals wherever I find myself much easier. (40 Find = Find 40 percent off, get it?)

Photo Credit: Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco (I love San Fran!)

I know with Cinco de Mayo there is always a little 'happy hour' fun to be had and if you want to find out where the best deals are, this App is all you'll need!

I get contacted by App Makers all the time. I don't immediately write them back, in some cases I try out the app without ever telling them so, if I love it, then I will want to share all about it! (based on how few Apps I have actually covered since 2009 you can tell I don't just rave about an App if I don't really like it!)

Photo Credit: 15pictures.com

Any app that helps me find Sushi at a great discount is all aces in my book! I'm a bit of a Sushi Fanatic, but super picky about where I'll eat it, when the app showed me deals at places that I actually already frequent I knew it was a keeper. I'm also a rawbar girl and there are enough Oyster deals on this app to keep me busy for a very long time!

Photo Credit: Saucy Thyme Blog

Get Social:

Try out this app, once you do you are going to want to connect with them and tell them just how much you are loving these amazing deals!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit 40Find on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Keep up with their Tweets via Twitter too, @40Find is the main twitter handle for the app, then you can add your city to connect with them too to share your local deal. For example, fellow New Yorkers yours would be @40FindNYC (by the way, the same holds true with the hashtags when you tweet out a picture of the great deal you just scored, use #40Find or #40Find and then your city, so for NYC it would be #40FindNYC)

MY Take:

I keep my phone incredibly app 'lite', every app on my phone is an app I am actually using and find useful. Every few months I look at my Apps again and if I am not really using one I will delete it. This App is one of my 'keeper apps', and as a foodie and Lifestyle blogger based in New York City, there is a tremendous amount of options at my disposal, but as a Fab Frugalista who tries hard to stick to her budget (I have big goals and future plans, I need to stick to my budget!), this app is going to make going to my favorite places that much sweeter with the discount, but also when I am in another city - like New Jersey where I like to visit as I love Atlantic City, or San Francisco (where I dream of re-locating someday!) this App will help me find the best deals in other cities too. I have to admit the App is also making me want to try out a few spots that are new to me in my own city. SCORE!

What kind of deal would you most use the 40Find App to nab? Would it be food, cocktails or Happy Hour? (and if it's all of the above we can definitely hang out together when you find yourself in New York City! LOL) Butterflies please try out the 40Find App and then come back and tell us what you think!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, and all opinions are 100% my own! I present brands, products, events and services to my readers that I actually use, test and personally enjoy! 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.

Find out how @Vitabath is helping me keep it #FruityFresh for Spring, plus a #Giveaway and #TwitterParty too! #client

While the weather here still has a bit more to warm up before it truly begins to feel like Spring, small signs are starting to pop up everywhere, birds chirping out the window in the mornings, tulips in the local flower shops and direct to me from Vitabath two new products to put a little 'Fruity Fresh Spring in my Tub Time'!

The folks who have been putting Vitamins, Nutrients and Anti-Oxidants in their bath products for 50 years and counting while always keeping it all free of harmful chemicals are hitting us with two new scents for Spring called 'Pineapple Sunset' and 'Raspberry Vanilla Velvet'.

And if you are thinking 'butterfly that name sure sounds familiar' - (A) I commend you for your sharp memory and thank you for being such a loyal reader and (B) affirm that you are right, I met the Vitabath team in person at one of my favorite New York City Lifestyle Events, Getting Gorgeous! There were featured in my recap of Getting Gorgeous 2014 HERE.

Let's get all 'up close and personal' with the two scents and their notes:

About Pineapple Sunset:

-Sweet Pineapple

-Sun-Kissed Melon

-Passion Fruit

-Coconut

-Cashmere Musk

-Blend of Vitamins A, B3, C, E, and pro-vitamin B5

-Anti-Oxidant Blend of Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Coffee, Noni and Pomegranate

About Raspberry Vanilla Velvet:

-Black Raspberry

-Mirabelle Plum

-Rich Vanilla

-Caramel

-Amber

-Blend of Vitamins A, B3, C, E, and pro-vitamin B5

-Anti-Oxidant Blend of Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Coffee, Noni and Pomegranate

My Take:

I am super picky when it comes to scents and my bath products. And while I normally keep all things 'fruity' contained in the tropical umbrella drinks I enjoy beach-side while on vacation, I am stoked to report that the 'fruity' in these new scents is actually subtle and not cloying sweet despite their sweet names. They both contain one of my favorite base notes in the perfumes I like to wear, the cashmere musk in the Pineapple Sunset and Amber which they use in the Raspberry Vanilla Velvet. I can also tell you it's a good Vanilla smell in that one also, I know most Vanilla scent lovers are very particular, this one doesn't dis-appoint.

And I do love to layer so I was happy to have the duo of the Body Wash and Fragrance Mist.

But wait there's MORE, A Twitter Party:

Not only are you going to be rewarded for reading this far by the giveaway we are hosting, but our friends at Vitabath are hosting a Twitter Party! Giving you another chance to win! Here are the deets:

What: #Vitabath #FruityFresh Twitter Party

When: Thursday, April 16th at 8pm EST

Where: Twitter! Once you are logged in, type the party hashtag into the search box on twitter to follow along

Who to Follow: @Vitabath (Please direct any questions about the party to the host, @Vitabath)

Hashtag to Follow: #Vitabath

RSVP: You must RSVP for the party, which you can do HERE

So dear butterflies, you can get with THIS:

or you can get with THAT:

or have a chance to win them both for yourself, because that is where it's at! (for my music lovers did you like my 'The Choice is Yours' by Black Sheep reference? LOL)

WIN IT:

Use the rafflecopter entry widget below to have a chance of winning the Scent Duo (Body Wash and Fragrance Mist) of YOUR Choice from Vitabath!

As always the first entry is easy peasy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Which of the new #Fruity Fresh Scents would you choose and WHY? + Tell us if you are going to RSVP for the Twitter Party! (You are NOT obligated to RSVP for the Twitter Party to enter our contest!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, 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.

Find out how my #Travel Wanderlust could mean a trip to #Paris for YOU! #trafalgarinsider

This post is sponsored by:

I have battled both Snowmageddon 2015 and the Flu this brutal winter here in the North East and the only thing they have both stirred up in me is my never-ending battle with Travel Wander Lust! I want to escape, and I want to escape BAD! Having worked in the airline industry in the past my passion for travel has never waned.

With my birthday coming up in April I really want to go big, but quite frankly I'm not sure I am up for the planning involved in an Epic adventure you know - that 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip that you never forget! (My first trip to Vegas was one of those Epic trips that's for sure! Thankfully what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!) The only thing I'm sure of at this point is that I want it to be an international trip, Europe, Asia or somewhere Down Under are my top choices right now.

While stuck at home with the flu I have done some preliminary research, and come across some real contenders both in terms of destination AND who should plan it - with the same attention to detail that I would if I did it myself.  One of the forerunners is a family owned company who is one of the innovators in "Insider Experiences' - allowing travelers to dine with locals in their homes and more! I have always been an 'off-the-beaten-path' type of traveler, and like me, the folks at Trafalgar share a passion for all things travel.

I need a personal travel director/concierge for this upcoming birthday trip and with Trafalgar they arrange for every detail - think luxury coach transportation, hand-picked four-star accommodations, all baggage, hotel and restaurant gratuties! Now that's what I'm talking about!

I personally was snowed in with the Flu on Valentine's Day, but my research for one thing (my upcoming birthday trip) led to another that I just couldn't keep to myself and just had to share! How does an eight-night romantic trip to France - you know THE CITY OF LOVE - sound to you?

Photo Credit: Mayors & Cities - The Worldwide Municipalities Magazine

Not yet sold? The Wonderful France Trip Includes:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visiting famous landmarks including: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Palace of Versailles

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - St. Tropez and Monaco - the playground of the rich and famous

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pristine Cote d'Azur Coastline

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Trafalgar unique insider experiences including a Be My Guest dinner in Provence cooked in a wood-fired oven in a family run restaurant

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit the world-renowned vineyards of Cote du Rhone and Burgundy Wine Regions

But HURRY! The contest runs until February 26th, that is also the deadline date for the Early Payment Discount allowing couples to save up to $1,200 on trips to Europe! Enter HERE for the contest, and if you can't wait to find out if you won and want to lock in that discount, call Trafalgar Travel Experts at 866-544-4434!

MY TAKE: 

You know just how much brands that give back mean to me and I am happy to share that Trafalgar is a founder and active supporter of The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit that works to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and well preserved, TreadRight has donated $2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide!

If you are like me and like to 'lurk' a bit and get to know a brand before you commit, you can hang out with Trafalgar on Facebook and Twitter! And as a blogger I am literally bursting at the seams to share that if you fill out the form HERE and share your best photo taken during a Trafalgar Vacation, they will PAY YOU for it! And it is easy as one, two, three - (1) Enter your Details, (2) Upload your images and (3) Submit, note they will only accept hi-res images 710 x 710 pixels or larger!

Where is your next adventure? Where would you like Trafalgar to help you plan an epic adventure for? Did you enter the Wonderful France Competition Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, 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.

Wine & chocolate! @romanticwine paired with Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters! #DISCOVERBROOKSIDE #SPON

The folks at Crowdtap recently challenged a few of their members/digital influencers to pair Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters with another thing they love and post the results of our pairing, so here is mine:

I chose to pair IceWine Exclusives TMRW Vidal IceWine with my Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters and it was the perfect combo!

Don't get me wrong, wine and cheese is still aces in my book, but I have been attending tastings that are dedicated to pairing wines with chocolate and I have enjoyed them and wanted to re-create the experience at home.

TMRW - The most Romantic Wine are carefully selected handcrafted Icewines from Canada which I have featured on Ascending Butterfly before (see our coverage of the NY Wine Festivals for more info or their website), are such an exception to my palate rule. I tend to lean toward dry and less sweet wines, but TMRW wines offer such 'balanced complexity' that they are 'sweet and refreshing' in my book, not cloying or annoyingly sweet, but just that perfect sweetness that doesn't overshadow.

BROOKSIDE Chocolates combine exotic fruit juices and clusters of crispy multi-grains with soft fruit flavored centers with sweetened cranberry bits covered in smooth dark chocolate. I love that they offer a 'crispy, fruity' taste with a dark chocolate. 

Together they made the perfect combo. The chocolates are not super sweet, so pairing them with a sweet wine gives all your senses a little rush!

What pairing will you try today on #TryMeTuesday Butterflies? Have you ever paired Wine with Chocolate?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post 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.

Want to up your #Travel #Photography Game or make #WordlessWednesday pics pop? Then #GoProatBestBuy @BestBuy

#ad: Ascending Butterfly is a member of Best Buy's WOLF Blogger Program and is also a Brand Ambassador and Blogger Advisory Board Member and this is a Sponsored Post. Compensation in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or product/services at no or reduced cost has been exchanged, as always, all opinions are my own!

Where are my adventure lovers? Where are my thrill seekers? Where are my photography enthusiasts with a lust for life? If you took grainy, less than stellar action shots this summer that were totally un-usable, how about hinting to Santa that you need a new camera for the holidays this year?

Our friends at Best Buy have some product ideas that will help you 'up your action shot game', they are the home of the latest cameras and camcorders and they offer a full line of new GoPro Cameras that will help you capture that perfect winter shot from the ski slopes this holiday season.

GoPro HERO4 Black

Press on the image above to purchase the GoPro HERO4 Black directly at Best Buy!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Most advanced of the GoPro line with improved image quality and a 2x more powerful processor

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2x faster video frame rates (see full description of other features below + BONUS item with purchase!)

Press on the image above to purchase the GoPro HERO4 Silver directly at Best Buy!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The first-ever GoPro to feature a built-in touch display that controls the camera, playing back footage and to adjust settings - just view, tap and swipe the screen!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Offers 1080p and 720p as well as 12MP photos at 20 frames per second!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pro-quality capture WITH a Touch Display!

GoPro HERO

Press on the image above to purchase the GoPro HERO directly at Best Buy!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - This unit also offers 1080p and 720p video, but picture is 5MP up to 5fps

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Features integrated WATERPROOF housing for use in up to 131' of water!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Auto low-light setting will automatically compensate for dim lighting.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A COOL FREEBIE: Note that right now if you order the GoPro at Best Buy you can nab a cool free bonus item: A Shutterfly 8 X 8 Photo Book to help you preserve those memories you just captured. The Digital Age is great, but I personally still love photo books, and seeing my photos all in one place instead of across a plethora of devices!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ultra-wide-angle glass lens - for an expansive field of view

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - QuikCapture - Turn your camera on and begin recording with the push of a button

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Built-in battery - up to 2.5 hours of recording time

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Built-in microphone - the skeleton backdoor of this unit enhances audio capture during low-speed activities.

My Take:

One of the hardest places to capture a still shot or video is on something moving, this is type of camera you want if you are at an amusement park and want to capture that look of horror on your friends faces as a roller coaster descends, or that moment when you are swooshing down a ski slope to capture the scenery gliding by as you whiz past it!

Check out GoPro at Best Buy to figure out which GoPro model is right for you and check out user reviews too! I love that you get awesome functionality with any of the GoPro models but you don't have to buy more camera than you need as the basic model is super feature rich in its own right!

Which GoPro Model will you choose Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador. This allows me to share information, sales, product reviews and deals on a regular basis! As a Best Buy Ambassador I receive products for editorial consideration, use affiliate links in my posts and am sometimes with compensated with Best Buy Gift Cards as well. 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.