Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways!

Stop Playing  Chess!

OK so as a former Chess Team Captain, this may seem like very strange advice.

Do you spend most of your day trying to stay two steps ahead of your to do list? Juggling the personal and professional To-Do's all day long in your head.

Chess much like life is a game of strategy, while it's fun to play, and even more satisfying to win; it's an exhausting way to live life.

Play your 'game' today in the here and now. Not that strategy is bad, not that thinking two steps ahead isn't a good thing, but spending your entire day in this in mode will hinder you from enjoying those little victories that often go overlooked as it is, especially when you are already two steps past that victory in your mind strategizing toward the next one.

Stop playing figurative Chess in your head all day and savor the now!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will LIVE in THIS moment!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

OK to RT: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a Community group with real time chat HERE! (Note we have moved our NING group over to Spruz, if you haven't already done so, please switch over to the new community)

Active Giveaways:

(1) Win a Butterfly Pendant Necklace HERE

(2) Win a Luminiqe Deluxe Gift Set HERE!

(3) And while it's not an official part of the Mother's Day Buying Guide, the current bag being featured in our 'Spring Into Bags' 2010 Special Feature would be perfect for mom, if you or your mom are handbag lovers, check out the Helena de Natalio 'Belen' Leather Bag giveaway HERE - ARV $319

The mother's day buying guide will encompass the entire month of May! So while some giveaways will close after Mother's Day itself, the month will still be dedicated to saying Thank You to our moms. For all the daily ways they show us they love us that sometimes go unheralded. While I think you should show your mom you love her everyday, mother's day should be extra special, and we are making May 'Moms Month' on Ascending Butterfly! Stay tuned for the next gift in the buying guide and for our next book club title coming soon. Also, stay tuned June is our big 'dads and grads' month and there are AWESOME giveaways ahead!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways!

Kids seem to have a magical ability to extract abundant joy from minutiae don't they? Twirling in circles until they get dizzy and fall down leads to gales of laughter. Driving in the car at night they see the moon following them out the window. And no one finds goofy one liners funnier than my nieces and nephews.

Don't you wish it was that easy now?

We will ourselves into negative mindsets via negative thoughts and self doubts, we can equally choose to make ourselves happy instead.

It may not be skipping rope anymore, but there is still enough  magic in your world that doesn't cost a dime, tap into it today. Do you love to draw? Doodle on your post it cube. Do you like poetry? Make up a silly Haiku on your way to work. Is there some cheesy song you'd hate to be caught dead listening to? Then whip out that mix tape and sing it at the top of your lungs. And never underestimate the power of a good hug!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will be happy, because I WILL it!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

OK to RT: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a Community group with real time chat HERE! (Note we have moved our NING group over to Spruz, if you haven't already done so, please switch over to the new community)

Giveaways:

(1) ENDS TONIGHT @ 11:59 pm EST: Win a set of Makeup Brushes from Signa Makeup HERE

(2) Win a Butterfly Pendant Necklace HERE

(3) Win a Luminiqe Deluxe Gift Set HERE!

(4) And while it's not an official part of the Mother's Day Buying Guide, the current bag being featured in our 'Spring Into Bags' 2010 Special Feature would be perfect for mom, if you or your mom are handbag lovers, check out the Helena de Natalio 'Belen' Leather Bag giveaway HERE - ARV $319

The mother's day buying guide will encompass the entire month of May! So while some giveaways will close after Mother's Day itself, the month will still be dedicated to saying Thank You to our moms. For all the daily ways they show us they love us that sometimes go unheralded. While I think you should show your mom you love her everyday, mother's day should be extra special, and we are making May 'Moms Month' on Ascending Butterfly! Stay tuned for the next gift in the buying guide and for our next book club title coming soon. Also, stay tuned June is our big 'dads and grads' month and there are AWESOME giveaways ahead!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Weekend Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways!

We've spent lots of time concentrating on physical and emotional well-being, but not as much on love. Is your love life where you want it to be? Are you surrounded by love?

It's a huge part of the journey, some would argue it's what we are here for. And like many things in life you have to give it to get it.

To get enough love you have to give it. and to give it freely you need to be in a place where you love yourself fully, boldly, and confidently so you can attract that same kind of love in return.

Let's focus on love this weekend!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will create more space for love in my life!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

OK to RT: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a Community group with real time chat HERE!

We recently launched our Ninth gift in our first annual Mothers Day Buying Guide! We started with the gift of CleanRest, followed by the gift of cream perfume, the gift of One Dozen Long Stemmed Roses and Godiva Truffles, a review & giveaway of the 'Serene Spring Spa Gift Tower' from 1800Baskets.com, a White Chocolate Raspberry Eli's Cheesecake, a pair of Diamond Stud Earrings (valued at $1,750), a set of Makeup Brushes from Signa Makeup which you can enter to win HERE, a Butterfly Pendant Necklace which you can enter to win HERE, and a Luminiqe Deluxe Gift Set which you can enter to win HERE!

(And while it's not an official part of the Mother's Day Buying Guide, the current bag being featured in our 'Spring Into Bags' 2010 Special Feature would be perfect for mom, if you or your mom are handbag lovers, check out the Helena de Natalio 'Belen' Leather Bag giveaway HERE)

The mother's day buying guide will encompass the entire month of May! So while some giveaways will close after Mother's Day itself, the month will still be dedicated to saying Thank You to our moms. For all the daily ways they show us they love us that sometimes go unheralded. While I think you should show your mom you love her everyday, mother's day should be extra special, and we are making May 'Moms Month' on Ascending Butterfly! Stay tuned for the next gift in the buying guide and for our next book club title coming soon.

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Saturday, May 01, 2010 - Today's Words of Inspiration and Great Giveaways! Happy May Day!

Can't you just taste the promise in the air? Did Spring pour into your window this morning? Were the birds chirping away outside your window?

It's the first day of May! Signs of Spring Abound and Hope is everywhere! Did you ever want to know about the origins of today, May Day? You can read all about it on Wikipedia HERE.

Make your own May day celebration, start your own Spring Rituals. Plan out what you want your summer to be like. Where do you want to go? Start researching activities and destinations.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will make my own May Day celebration!'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field:

OK to RT: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

Don't forget to enter the great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page! It's just our way of saying Thank You for choosing to spend part of your day with us. We are really happy you landed HERE! Don't forget to use the share button below any inspiration to stumble, digg, tweet or share with your friends on facebook and twitter! And if you want to share inspiration with other members, Ascending Butterfly has a NING group with real time chat HERE!

We recently launched our fifth gift in our first annual Mothers Day Buying Guide! We started with the gift of CleanRest, followed by the gift of cream perfume (giveaway ends today 05/01), the gift of One Dozen Long Stemmed Roses and Godiva Truffles HERE (giveaway ends on 05/03),  review & giveaway of the 'Serene Spring Spa Gift Tower' from 1800Baskets.com HERE and our latest gift for mom, a White Chocolate Raspberry Eli's Cheesecake can be found HERE!

(And while it's not an official part of the Mother's Day Buying Guide, the current bag being featured in our 'Spring Into Bags' 2010 Special Feature would be perfect for mom, (this bag comes with changing pad and wipes box, perfect for a new mom, but stylish enough and roomy enough to make a perfect day-to-day bag for any lucky lady! Check out the Lexie Butterfly Tote giveaway HERE)

The mother's day buying guide will encompass the entire month of May! So while some giveaways will close after Mother's Day itself, the month will still be dedicated to saying Thank You to our moms. For all the daily ways they show us they love us that sometimes go unheralded. While I think you should show your mom you love her everyday, mother's day should be extra special, and we are making May 'Moms Month' on Ascending Butterfly! Stay tuned for the next gift in the buying guide and for our next book club title coming soon.

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Spring Into Bags Special Feature - Enter to win a Linea Pelle Dylan Disco Clutch Designer Bag!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. We are NO longer accepting entries for this giveaway. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Linea Pelle! Thank you for participating in our ‘Spring Into Bags’ 2010 special feature. We look forward to working with you again! The winner is follower 'Amber', see official winners announcement HERE.

Remember: There are still some great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page! Stay tuned for the next bag in the feature.
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Ascending Butterfly's 'Spring Into Bags' Special Feature sponsored by:

As I'm sure I've already mentioned, this Spring, color will be hot in handbags (think 'brights' like yellows, kelly greens etc) and studded bags in honor of the 'Rocker Chick' inspired runway looks we saw at New York Fashion Week. The best way to apply runway style trends to our day-to-day lives lies in the accessories. None of us can show up at work with a head-to-toe look straight off the runway, but we can rock a great bag!

For Spring 2010, Ascending Butterfly will be hosting a special feature called 'Spring Into Bags' we are going to be reviewing and giving away hot handbags from 'IT' bag designers! Fasten your seatbelts fellow bag lovers you are in for an awesome ride! Can you believe we are already featuring the second bag? We are hurtling into Spring! We are just days away from the official start of Spring, and we have already had to Spring ahead! Is it me, or is 2010 just flying by super fast?

We are now one day away from St. Patrick's Day! You can see an article I wrote about the 'wearing of the green' called "St. Patricks Day 2010 – Get Charmed!" HERE

Will you be wearing a touch of green this St. Patty's Day? I will! And no, I won't be wearing a green sweater or a goofy hat, I'm going to incorporate the green my favorite way, with the accesories. I'm definitely whipping out the Claddagh Jewelry, and in addition, I will be sporting a very hip, very trendy, very spring 2010 'au currant' handbag, Linea Pelle's Dylan Medium Tote in 'Kelly Green' of course!

I haven't put this bag down since I received it! It's absolutely fantastic in every way! It is the right size for me, not too big, and definitely not too small. I'm a road warrior and my bags need to keep the pace with my busy NYC lifestyle, and I am happy to report that Linea Pelle's Dylan Medium Tote definitely gets two thumbs up. And that's only because I don't have more thumbs to give it! (And in the heart of  NYC if I wave my two thumbs around, someone might try to snatch my  Dylan and run!) Dylan and me will be at the St. Patty's Day Parade tomorrow.

Dylan Tote Factoids: (yeah that's right, I've seen MTV!! Don't judge me!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - available colors: black, cobalt (blue/purple), espresso (dark brown), kelly (green), sand (off white), zucca (orange).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - washed italian leather.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - solid brass hardware.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dimensions: 15" w x 13 1/2" l x 5 1/2" d.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 9" drop.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - features one outside zip pocket.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - inside zip pocket.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - two inside utility pockets.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - zip top closures.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - wear cross body or as a shoulder bag.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - washed in special garment and enzyme blend for soft casual look.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - signature LP dustbag included for protection and storage.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - free gift wrap: arrives neatly wrapped in tissue and sealed with a sticker (and if you are a leather fanatic like me, the smell is just plain HEAVEN in a bag!)

Here's a group shot, so you can see all the colors:

I am definitely thinking the 'zucca' (orange) next for fall! And I love the light hand with the studs, keeps the bag trendy and current, yet seasonless! Only Linea Pelle could pull that off!

Is the 'luck of the Irish' with you? Try your luck!

Linea Pelle Dylan  Disco Clutch $155.00

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Linea Pelle would like to provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to sport a Linea Pelle Dylan Disco Clutch! (This is a $155 retail value!) - Don't you just ♥ Linea Pelle?

Dylan Disco Clutch Facts: (I figured you'd want to know all about your  future bag!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - available colors: black, cobalt (blue/purple), espresso (dark brown), kelly (green), pink, sand (off white), zucca (orange).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - washed italian leather.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - solid brass hardware.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 8 1/2" w x 5 3/4" l.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - adjustable/removable messenger strap.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - features one outside zip pocket.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - inside zip pocket.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - zip top closures.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  wear cross body or as clutch.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - washed in special garment and enzyme blend for soft casual look.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - free gift wrap: arrives neatly wrapped in tissue and sealed with a sticker.

How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) Visit Linea Pelle and Tell us what other bag ASIDE from the Dylan Medium Tote and the Disco Clutch that catches your eye and leave the LINK to that bag in your comment entry! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com, If it is visible in your profile, just say so, that's OK!). Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Tuesday, March 16, 2010 until Tuesday, April 06, 2010 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your Twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - #ascendingbutterfly + @lineapelle - Dylan Disco Clutch #Giveaways- http://tinyurl.com/yz3c467

Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @lineapelle on Twitter HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Linea Pelle on Facebook (and don't forget to tell them Ascending Butterfly sent you!) HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ Where it reads total votes, there is a yellow box that reads 'Vote' Press there to vote, you must be logged in to see the number increase/vote registered. You can also vote directly using the button located on our home page and below (This is a ONE time vote only):

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the '2010 Blogs by Latinas Awards'! Please vote using the below (This is a ONE time vote only):





˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review and the sponsors are also fulfilling product to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.

'Spring Into Renovation' Giveaway featuring Mythic Paint and Accubrush!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsors ‘Mythic Paint’ and ‘Accubrush’! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is "~dab". We post winner usernames instead of full  names. Official Winner Announcement can be seen HERE. Remember: There are still some great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Ascending Butterfly 'Spring Into Renovation' Special Feature 'Today's Butterfly' Sponsored by:

ACCUBRUSH

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Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - We are a few days shy of the official first day of Spring. And you know what that means, Spring Cleaning! After getting rid of clutter and clearing out closets and drawers of stuff you haven't touched in 12 months (some even say 6 months), it's time to think of the rest of the rooms. It's time to paint and re-decorate! My favorite part of the whole process, is finally seeing a room transformed!

My birthday is coming up soon (it falls on Easter Sunday this year), and as a result, I am taking the whole process of  spring cleaning and renewal seriously. I am also trying to work quicky because I want to see it all completed BEFORE my big day.

I like to start with high traffic rooms first, and for 'casa de butterfly' it's the kitchen! It gets the most visitors daily and the most foot traffic. It was also begining to remind me of a sanitarium. There had been a massive leak in my apartment and the landlord repaired the walls and white washed them. Meaning, All white paint all over, UGH!

I couldn't take it! I decided I couldn't continue creating my culinary masterpieces in an all white kitchen! It was time for a change, an immediate change!

Maybe it's the Aries in me, but I'm a strong personality type and I definitely like color. If I'm going to use color I want it to make a statement, I want it to inspire me. My favorite place to be inspired is by the ocean, and it's also a popular spring color this year!

I like to accesorize my kitchen in blue and yellow so picking a paint color was a total no brainer for me.  I chose Mythic Paint's 'Comfortable Blue' for my kitchen. (Now if only Le Creuset would send me their new 'caribbean blue' cookware set to test, it would put the perfect final touch on my new kitchen!)

I am asthmatic and one of my biggest criteria for paint is low odor. I'm also very picky about how I want the room done, I want the paint color on the walls but the borders and ceiling white, which requires precision 'cutting' and is the most time consuming part of the whole process. I knew I wanted low odor paint, and I knew I would need to be able to 'cut' to get the look I wanted. Thankfully I found a way to get everything on my checklist!

About the Paint:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mythic® paint is a non-toxic, ultra low odor paint that provides the durability and coverage you expect from a premium paint without the off-gassing VOC’s and cancer-causing toxins that emit years after drying. Stronger, safer, smarter paint®. Now that’s a breath of fresh air!

About the Brush:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paint Edger has brush which cuts in precisely to the edge

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Rollers are washable and reusable
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Patented Roller-brush combination - speed of a roller and the accuracy of a brush!

I was supposed to film myself painting, but in all the excitement I forgot, but I did get some before and after photos of the kitchen to show you!

Below is a picture of my 'Before' - the all white sanitarium Kitchen - (see the tin ceiling?)

Now peep the new blue kitchen! (Don't you just love my chefs?)

My new blue walls are just what I need to get into a 'Spring' mind frame! I am a much happier cook now! I was pleasantly surprised by just how fast I was able to get this done with the Accubrush! It paints around crown moulding quickly and easily and it handled the tin ceilings with ease! I was also amazingly surprised that I did not have to open every window. When Mythic says, 'very low odor' I can tell you with confidence that they mean it, and it's accurate advertising! I am incredibly pleased with both the paint and the brushes!

Check out the booty you could win:

AND

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Mythic Paint and Accubrush would like to provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to complete a Spring Renovation Project of their own! The Grand Prize winner will receive a color book (to help you pick the right color with accuracy!), 2 gallons of Mythic Paint in winner's choice of color as well as 2 Accubrush MX Jumbo Kits with Video to get the job done quicky, easily and efficiently! (This is a $180 retail value!) - Not to mention the time savings of having the paint and brushes delivered directly to your door...priceless!

Don't you just ♥ Mythic Paint and Accubrush?

How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) Tell us what room you will be painting and Visit Mythic Paint and select your Paint Color Preference and leave the LINK to that color in your comment entry! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com, If it is visible in your profile, just say so, that's OK!). Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Monday, March 15, 2010 until Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your Twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - #ascendingbutterfly Spring Into Renovation #Giveaways! #win 2 gallons of paint + 2 Accubrush MX kits - http://tinyurl.com/yhz2l2m

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @safepaint  on Twitter HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - View the Accubrush in Action on You Tube by pressing HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ Where it reads total votes, there is a yellow box that reads 'Vote' Press there to vote, you must be logged in to see the number increase/vote registered. You can also vote directly using the button located on our home page and below:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the '2010 Blogs by Latinas Awards'! Please vote using the below (This is a ONE time vote only):




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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Keep the suggestions coming, remember we also have a NING group with real time chat, you can give us your comments and suggestions in REAL time, how cool is that?

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And remember if your profile does not have an email and you don't leave your email in your entry, we will not accept your entry. Make sure your entry or your profile have your email address!

Just a helpful Reminder: How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list. (Remember, following a blog, does NOT subscribe you to receive emails, you have to subscribe separately to do that, you will not receive emails for following)

Are you getting the dreaded 'Your Entry Can't Be Processed' message when leaving an entry or comment? Before hitting enter, highlight your comment and COPY it. If you get that message after hitting enter and your comment is still there, just ignore the message and hit enter again, then you will get a screen with a captcha code, enter the captcha code, then submit and VOILA. If after you hit the submit button the first time, you get the dreaded message and the comment 'disappeared' no worries, that's why I asked you to copy it in the first step. Paste it back in and submit again. This has worked for me when comment boxes have glitched on me, and I hope it helps you too!

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review and the sponsors are also fulfilling product to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.

Spring Into Bags Special Feature - Enter to win an Elliott Lucca Designer Bag!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Elliott Lucca, We look forward to working with you again! The winner is 'cdziuba' Remember: There are still some great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Ascending Butterfly's 'Spring Into Bags' Special Feature launch sponsored by:

I was so excited about our new 'Spring Into Bags' special feature, I have decided to launch it one week earlier than expected! This feature was set to go live in March, but I just couldn't wait to share with you one of my favorite joys of Spring, new handbags!

This Spring, color will be hot in handbags (think 'brights' like yellows, kelly greens etc) and studded bags in honor of the 'Rocker Chick' inspired runway looks we saw at New York Fashion Week.

We all know the best way to apply runway style trends to our day to day lives lies in the accessories. None of us can show up at work with a head-to-toe look straight off the runway, but we can rock a great bag!

For Spring 2010, Ascending Butterfly will be hosting a special feature called 'Spring Into Bags' we are going to be reviewing and giving away hot handbags from hot bag designers! Fasten your seatbelts fellow bag lovers you are in for an awesome ride!

The first designer being featured is Elliott Lucca who has been spotted on the arms of celebs like Jennifer  Garner and Carmen Electra.

I was sent Elliot Lucca's "Casares Bag" in the 'Curry' Color, it's major Spring Arm Candy with it's  basketweave design from the base to the middle and the drawstring with the metalic pull stop and side pockets with branded zipper pulls that have a leather tassle accent. It's buttery soft. There is nothing like the smell of leather in the morning!

How would you like to become a 'bag reviewer'?   The winner of this giveaway will win a different bag than the one I reviewed. We'd love to hear the winner's feedback on their bag once they have had some time to test drive it in the spring!

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our amazing friends at Elliott Lucca would like to provide 1 ultra lucky Ascending Butterfly Follower an Elliott Lucca "Lucca 3-Way Demi - Poppy Crinkle Patent Bag" (Don't you just ♥ Elliott Lucca?)

Dimensions: 13" Length, 4" Width, 8" Height, 8" Strap Drop

Exterior: Leather

Interior: Cotton

Adjustable and removable strap; can be worn as a crossbody or clutch!

Lining features two multi function pockets and a zippered backwall pocket

Zipper closure

Clean with a water-based leather cleaner and moisturizer. Use a protective spray to protect the leather surface.

How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) Visit Elliott Lucca and pick another bag (other than the one being reviewed and the one being given away!) that you like and leave the LINK to that bag in your comment entry! (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning! This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. IMPORTANT: Your email will be shared with the sponsor of this giveaway, your entry is your permission for us to do so. As a result, your email MUST be included in your entry!

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Tuesday, February 23, 2010 until Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your Twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this: #ascendingbutterfly + @ElliottLucca Designer Handbag #Giveaways! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #win here - http://tinyurl.com/ykm2yhm

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Elliott Lucca (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -To welcome our new fans to Facebook we are offering 20% off www.elliottlucca.com until 3/9. Please friend us on Facebook to receive the promo code!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @ElliottLucca on Twitter HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW METHOD OF EXTRA CREDIT, Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ Where it reads total votes, there is a yellow box that reads 'Vote' Press there to vote, you must be logged in to see the number increase/vote registered. You can also vote directly using the button located on our home page and below:

And since I know savvy Ascending Butterfly Readers like 'TWOfer's' I just had to let you know that Elliott Lucca is hosting a great 'Book in a Bag' Giveaway HERE

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review and the sponsor is also fulfilling product to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.