Did '#Luxe - E - Claus" miss you this year? Check out #photo highlights from the @TheLuxuryReview & form your 2015 wishlist!

Was your holiday a little less than shiny? A little 'luxe-luster'? Maybe Santa just plain missed the mark completely?

Then let the products and brands presented at The Luxury Review give you a little inspiration (or ahem, 'aspiration') to make your wishlist for 2015!

Here are some photo highlights of all the "Luxe-tastic' things I got to experience at the New York City 'The Luxury Review': (I am going for something resembling alphabetical order, but my post holiday brain may not quite get there)

Baron Tequila at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

Mexico is one of my favorite places to visit, and visiting there helped me to develop a love of all things Tequila, I got to try out Tequila Baron for the first time at The Luxury Review event in NYC and I greatly enjoyed it! Will have to add this one to my bar!

Abstract Artist Cecile Brunswick

Cirrus Aircraft VISION SF50 at The Luxury Review New York City

Cirrus Aircraft VISION SF50 at The Luxury Review New York City

I travel by plane often and I can't say I ever thought of flying a plane myself, at least until NOW that is! Do you think fly lessons and THIS would fit under my tree for next year?

Cohiba Cigars at The Luxury Review

Cigar Afficionados certainly know the name Cohiba well, and The Luxury Review never fails to disappoint, they always seem to offer the finest spirits and the finest Cigars too!

Cohiba Cigars at The Luxury Review

The team at Cohiba sent us home with one of their Cigars! SCORE!

Double Cross Vodka at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

I have to admit that the bottle drew me in. Much like Tory Burch's logo, the 'double cross' looks much like two 'T's' to  me, and since my name is Tracy I like to think they created this just for ME! I wonder if they need a blogger brand ambassador?

Energica Superbike at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

I have to confess I have never been on a motorcycle before (perhaps 2015 will bring a 'bad boy' into my life, LOL), this bike definitely makes me want to hit the road!

Giovanni Rana RANA Pastificio & Cucina at The Luxury Review in New York City

Needless to say Media are always hungry in New York City as there are always stories to cover and events to hit, RANA is a restaurant located in Chelsea Market in New York City, they tempted us with delicious pasta dishes and gave us a lovely gift bag to take home that included their Tortelloni, Ravioli, Basil Pesto and Alfredo Sauces and they were all absolutely delicious! I truly hope they will be back for the 2015 Luxury Review!

Chef Antonella Rana of Giovanni Rana RANA Pastificio & Cucina at The Luxury Review in New York City 2014

This Foodie loves her Pasta, and Chef Antonella served it up with love!

Goshwara Jewelry The Luxury Review Fall 2014

I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't mind having some of these shiny baubles under my tree!

Goshwara Jewelry The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Goshwara Jewelry The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Julia Poteat Handbags The Luxury Review Fall New York City 2014

I am absolutely handbag obsessed. (No surprise to loyal readers.) We have hosted a monthly Featured Handbag in the Spotlight since 2009 so meeting Julia Poteat was a pleasure and we actually spoke for a bit about our mutual passion for quality Handbags! She has an open invitation to work with us anytime! 

I just had to get a closeup on this beautiful Pony Hair Satchel:

If that handbag isn't 'ladies who lunch' I don't know what is! Tres Trendy! And with the Pony Hair I would totally go winter white with this, hashtag #seasonless for real!

Libratone Wireless Speakers The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Me being #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ, my life definitely has a soundtrack, and I am always interested in Audio Products, these wireless speakers offer scandinavian design and may just make your music 'cooler'.

Luxtural Skincare The Luxury Review Fall 2014

With a name like 'Luxtural' it's easy to see how they made the cut at The Luxury Review, their products are where skincare and hydration meet with advanced anti-aging benefits!

Maserati, The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

Who wouldn't want this muscle car under their tree?

Maserati The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

McPherson Guitars Custom Shop The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar, and these guitars from McPherson definitely provided extra inspiration!

Author Steve Light for Montegrappa Pens The Luxury Review Fall 2014

It was fun watching Author Steve Light use Montegrappa Pens, the pens are absolutely beautiful, and a must for that Exec on your holiday shopping list! (They are also a very thoughtful gift for a recent College Grad!)

Have You Seen My Dragon a book by Author Steve Light

I love the cover!

Orange County Choppers The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Orange County Choppers was at The Luxury Review and here are some examples of their work:

Statement Bike Perhaps?

Blue is one of my favorite colors!

I was born to be wild I tell you!

Orrefors Kosta Boda The Luxury Review Fall 2014

Orrefors Kossta Boda displayed their handblown glass products which are produced in Sweden, this bowl and ornaments caught my eye! (Super artsy photo right?)

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars offered both a Cabernet Sauvignon, pictured above, and a Chardonnay, pictured below:

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 

There was definitely a long line to get at these, but well worth the wait!

The John Allen Company The Luxury Review Fall 2014

John Allan's Premiere Men's Grooming Club offered their services and also displayed their grooming products, perfect gift idea for the 'well groomed' man in your life, or the one you wish was groomed a little bit better!

Ultra 5 Beverage The Luxury Review Fall 2014 

Ultra 5 Energy Drink helped us all to keep up our energy, there was a lot to see and do! Focused Energy and No crash, makes this energy drink perfect for the active lifestyle!

Velvet Eyewear Sunglasses

Aren't these sunglasses by Velvet Eyewear just making you yearn for a tropical getaway? I would love these under my tree with plane tickets in my stocking of course!

Wusthof Knives The Luxury Review Fall 2014

I know my fellow foodies already know the name Wusthof, their knives are definitely the 'cadillac' of kitchen cutlery! (Is it OK to slip a knife into someone's stocking?)

Here is a really cool video of the event:

My Take:

Here is my coverage of last year's Luxury Review in case you missed it!

The Luxury Review is definitely one of my favorite NYC events to attend, they showcase such a wide variety of products that are part of a luxe lifestyle, I could definitely imagine quite a few of these under my tree next year!

Which product featured above would YOU most like to find under your tree next year butterfly?


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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. Nor are there any affiliate links in this post. Ascending Butterfly attended The Luxury Review as Digital Press. As always, all opinions are 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.

I got the hook up for a great event tonight, wanna join me? Like #Food? Like #Tequila? Read On!

Arte Agave New York El Cuento Del Artista

You know when it comes to all things New York, fun, foodie, lifestyle and fab, Ascending Butterfly is on it! I am attending a special event tonight, and I've got the hook up to get you in at half price! So to all my New York/Manhattan Central, Food & Tequila Loving Butterflies this one is right up your alley!

 ARTE AGAVE - LA GRAN CELEBRACIÓN

A UNIQUE CELEBRACIÓN OF FINE AGAVE SPIRITS + CUISINE + ARTS INSPIRED BY THE RICHNESS OF LATINO CULTURE. 

• Over 100 varieties of Agave spirits to sample at over 20 Estaciónes de Sabor, including Herradura, Tanteo, Ilegal Mezcal, El Buho Mezcal, y mucho mas
• Savory Latino cuisine and treats from local culinary favorites including Hecho en Dumbo, Anejo, and La Newyorkina
• Live music and acoustic guitar performance
• Special gifts from Rolling Stone
• Performances by Flor de Toloache – the all lady Mariachi band 
• Hacer + Probar ("Make + Taste") – learn the art of making agave inspired cocktails
• Guitar giveaway valued at up to $4,500 from Martin Guitar
• Audiofly Listening Station and prize giveaways
• Y mucho, mucho mas (English: and much more!)

SCORE: Sounds good right? Hit HERE to get in at a steal, call this one a 'butterfly groupon'! :-)

Seriously with each ticket going for $85, getting in for $42.50 is pretty sweet indeed, see it pays to have familia' in high places! Remember, I'm an attendee not a host, so if you have questions, please hit up Arte Agave directly, you can get social with them @ArteAgave on Twitter and on FACEBOOK too!

Mariposas/Butterflies, will I see you there?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No monetary compensation has been received by us to notify you about this event, this one is puro amor amigos!

Look Out it's Behind You! Happy Friday the 13th! Cocktails Anyone?

Did I scare you? Did you look back just for a second?

Chaos and Apologies

Friday the 13th Mayhem started a bit early! Wednesday night my site hosting went down and I lost access to the site as well as emails, it's been pandemonium!

Please note while I get things sorted, the entries for ALL current giveaways are being extended to accomodate those who were unable to get entries in during our site maintenance. If you put in entries since Wednesday and noticed they haven't appeared, it's because we didn't have access to our server until now. If you have sent me an email in the last 3 days, please be patient as the email server was also down.

Friday the 13th

I am a horror movie buff, making today a close second to Halloween as my favorite day to watch scary movies. Usually I'll just go to the Theater and catch the newest Horror Movie released today, but this time, my Friday night Wii Game Night with friends, is becoming a Horror Movie themed Fest including some fun cocktails and great eats!

I experimented with some new recipes (and ultimately decided to make some minor alterations to the original recipes! So read the notes alongside recipe ingredients to see where I made changes)

The Stone Place - I am respectfully changing the name of this one to The Stone Grave, I am going to use mini coffins that I have for Halloween decorating and use them as the Coasters for this when I serve it)

Ingredients:

One orange wedge

1/2 oz. Organic Fresh Lemon Juice (I bought lemons at the local market, they may not have been Organic, lol)

3/4 oz. pomegranate grenadine (I couldn't find Pom Grenadine, so I used regular Grenadine)

2 oz. Appleton  Estate Reserve Jamaican Rum

Nutmeg (I omitted this, I'm Not a big Nutmeg Lover, I do have it on hand for guests who like it)

Directions: Shake with orange wedge and ice, and strain into a  chilled coupe dust with nutmeg. (Again, if you don't like Nutmeg, feel free to omit)

Golden Margarita

Ingredients:

⅓ oz Alizé Gold Passion (I prefer Alize Gold, if you prefer one of the other blends of Alize you can substitute)

⅓ oz tequila (I prefer Sauza Silver, it's very smooth and blendable, perfect for Mixed Drinks)

⅓ oz lime juice

1 oz triple sec

Directions: Serve in a margarita glass coated with salt and garnish  with a lime wedge.

Pork Belly Tacos

Both cocktails pair nicely with the Pork Belly Tacos or if you prefer you can make Chicken Tacos (which will also pair very nicely with the Tequila in the Margarita) and one of my personal favorites, Fish Tacos. I'm actually making one of each, Pork, Chicken and Fish!

Ingredients:

·          Soft Tacos

·          Crispy Iceberg Lettuce

·          Pickled Garlic

·          Fresh Lime

Me and my pals will be enjoying cocktails, an assortment of Tacos and some Horror Films tonight, in between movies there will be some Wii time, How do you plan on spending your Friday the 13th?

We will resume our regularly scheduled Mother's Month Buying Guide this weekend with something super special from our friends at Borghese!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a non-compensated Post. No Monetary Exchange took place. I really am a Horror Movie Film Lover and the makers of Appleton Estate Reserve and Alizé Liqueur provided samples to facilitate the making of the cocktails listed in this feature.