Alison Sweeney (@Ali_Sweeney) 'the star attraction' #Book Signing Event @makemeaningUSA cc @GabrielasNYC #thestarattractionmamarazzi

Alison Sweeney at 'the star attraction' book signing event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

I have a special (Not Entirely Wordless), Wordless Wednesday Edition this week! I just got back from the City from a super fun book signing and thought I'd share my photos with you!

It's no shocker I'm a Soap Opera Fan (I'm pretty sure the General Hospital Blogger Campaign, and my recent posts on behalf of All My Children and One Life to Live coming back online were a huge tip off), and today I got the chance to attend a Book Signing Event for Alison Sweeney's new book 'the star attraction'.

Alison Sweeney has portrayed the character 'Sami Brady' since she was 16 years old on the NBC hit daytime drama Days of our Lives, and is also the host of NBC's reality series The Biggest Loser. She is also the Author of 'The Mommy Diet' and she has penned another book titled 'the star attraction'.

The new book 'the star attraction' was released yesterday by Hyperion Books, and is about a Hollywood Publicist who scores her PR firm's most important actor client, and after a steamy make out session in a restaurant alley with her big name client, lines start to blur and one woman's daytime soap comes to life.

Sounds 'Tres Steamy' to me and I can't wait to read it! I'm thinking a day at the beach, a pina colada, me and this book have a date soon!

Here are some more pictures from the Book Signing Today:

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Mama Butterfly, Right: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: It's ME! Ascending Butterfly, Right: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

My Take:

The Moms always take the time to really put thought into their events, the lunch was catered by Gabriela's Restaurant in New York City who put out a wonderful spread, and the Make Meaning Store where the event was held is a space in New York City where you can do crafts (and there is even a 'Wine' night, so I definitely need to go back there and create something fun and kick back with a glass of wine!).

In addition to the lunch and book signing where we got to meet Alison, she also answered questions from the audience and spoke about the difficulties of the work/life balance, and how important it is to truly love what you do. When you love what you do and are excited by it, your children will feel that. You do need to be professionally fulfilled, but if it's not at something you love doing it makes staying energetic for them AND for you, that much harder!

Mama Butterfly asked Alison about her weight struggles and how it was handled by the producers of Days of Our Lives, and Alison said that the Producers were always behind her, but she did read negative comments throughout the years, and that brought me right back to the Strong Moms Empowerment Summit and how important it is not just for press (print or digital) but for all moms to be supportive of each other! Alison was super down to earth and it was a pleasure meeting her! As Mama Butterfly is the one who got me hooked on 'Soaps' on my very first sick day from school as a pre-teen, it was only fitting somehow that we attended this event together!

I will post a full review of the book once I have read it (and I'll try to reach out to publisher and see if they'd like to host a giveaway in an upcoming Ascending Butterfly Book Club, hopefully for the summer as this looks like a great summer read!). I will also create a Pinterest Board for this event on Ascending Butterfly's Pinterest Page!

Here is the video from the Questions and Answers Session:

Video credit: Fredy Mfuko, Mission 101 Media

You can nab the book at a great price below:

What are you reading right now Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. No monetary compensation has been received to share our recap coverage of this event. A meet and greet and signed book were provided for editorial consideration, however all opinions are 100% my own! The book banner is an affiliate link.

Happy Mother's Day! Have You Taken The StrongMoms® Pledge Yet? {#Photos and recap of StrongMoms® Empowerment Summit in New York City} #strongmomsempower

Display Signage at StrongMoms Empowerment Summit in New York City

When a survey leads to a summit you have to figure it must be pretty powerful! The National Motherhood Decisions Survey which was conducted by Mom Central and Similac found that 95% of moms feel negatively judged on their parenting decisions. The online survey included responses from over 1,100 moms with at least one child under 5 years of age and found that moms feel most judged on decisions related to parenting approaches, work, as well as infant feeding. Surprisingly, moms that completed this survey felt equally judged for being 'too strict' and equally judged for 'spoiling' their kids! (Sadly, this judgment goes beyond moms and mom bloggers, it's occurs with all genres/styles!)

Display Signage at StrongMoms Empowerment Summit in New York City

The survey results and the issue of 'mom-judging' was the focus of the May 7th, 2013 StrongMoms® Empowerment Summit in New York City, hosted by The MOMS and presenting Sponsor Similac. The goal of the Summit was to heighten awareness of the issue and to empower moms by creating a more supportive and less judgmental environment, both on and offline. A panel of influential moms shared stories that included how they created their support systems and how they empower themselves and other daily.

“Similac created StrongMoms Empower^™ to encourage moms to support each other and build confidence in their decisions.” ~ Rhonda Hoffman, Division Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Pediatric Nutrition

Speakers and Panelists Display Signage at StrongMoms  Empowerment Summit in NYC

Speakers and Experts on the Panel included:

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings:

“As someone in the public eye, others have definitely judged some of my parenting choices,” said Kerri Walsh Jennings, three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball and mother of three. “But I don’t let their comments get to me. I try my hardest and make the decisions I think are the best for my family and me. I think that’s all any mom can do.”

Parenting Expert Michele Borba, Ed.D.:

“It’s not easy being a mom in today’s world,” said Michele Borba, Ed.D., expert on parenting and bullying prevention and StrongMoms Advisory Board member. “Moms face tremendous pressure to make the ‘perfect’ parenting decisions, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting.”

"The Kid's Doctor" Sue Hubbard, M.D.

"Anxiety plays a role in raising stressed out kids!"

Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein, The MOMS

“There’s no such thing as a ‘Mom Manual,’" said Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein of The MOMS, StrongMoms Advisory Board Members. “StrongMoms Empower has such an important message for all moms – whether you work or stay home, breastfeed or formula feed, are strict in your parenting or not – the message to support mom is universal.”

The Chatty Momma Blogger, Tonia Sanders

Tonia Sanders (wearing the red dress) blogs at http://thechattymomma.com/

Founder of ExtraordinaryMommy.com Danielle Smith

Right: Danielle Smith, (Who is wearing the Orange striped dress) is the founder of www.extraordinarymommy.com/ and one of the authors of 'Mom, Incorporated'

If you are interested in checking out Danielle's book, you can order it directly from Amazon below:

All Speakers!

Producer Dina Conte Schulz (Far Right) is with 'The Kid's Doctor Media'

Moderator, Darlene Rodriguez

Moderator, Darlene Rodriguez, is co-anchor of the award winning 'Today in New York' and she also fills in as co-anchor for the NBC 4 New York's Evening Newscasts.

My Take:

I love that the StrongMoms Empowerment Summit featured real moms sharing their real world experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly. Those moments where they didn't feel so empowered were used to help empower other moms when they got the chance and that is exactly what it's all about. I firmly believe that every experience we go through, especially the bad ones, are meant as teaching tools, they empower us to help someone else facing the same situation.

I took the Pledge:

And I hope that you will visit StrongMoms® Empower and take the pledge too! Let's stop judging each other, and help empower each other. What better gift can you give Mom, than pledging to empower ALL moms?

I won the centerpiece!

I was at the lucky seat at my table (there was a little purple sticker on my chair) and I won my table's centerpiece (which contained an Orchid, Roses and pretty Carnations!) And the (former) event planner in me must share that the venue, the Apella Event Space at Alexandria Center in New York City couldn't have been more perfect!

Happy Mother's Day Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored/Compensated Post, no monetary compensation has been received to share our event recap. All opinions are 100% my own. The banner to the book is an affiliate link. I genuinely feel the world would be a MUCH better place if we took as much time empowering one another as we do be-littling each other!

The Croods + Questions and Answers with Actress Catherine Keener and Directors Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco!

Da Da Daaaa! By now I'm sure you've seen the super cute commercials for the upcoming movie The Croods.

About The Movie:

The Croods tells the story of the world's first family road trip. When their cave is destroyed, the Crood family must embark on a comedy adventure into strange and spectacular territory in search of a new home. As if patriarch Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage) didn't already have enough to handle, it goes from bad to worse when they encounter an imaginative nomad named Guy (voiced by Ryan Reynolds.) With Guy's help the Croods conquer their fear of the outside world and discover that they have exactly what it takes to survive - each other.

The Cast:

Crug (The Dad) is voiced by Nicolas Cage

Ugga (The Mom) is voiced by Catherine Keener

Eep (Daughter) is voiced by Emma Stone

Gran (Grandmother, Ugga's Mom) is voiced by Cloris Leachman

Thunk (Son) is voiced by Clark Duke

Sandy (baby) is voiced by Randy Thom

Guy (The New Guy) is voiced by Ryan Reynolds

Belt (The Sloth) is voiced by Chris Sanders (III)

The Event:

As you know Mamarazzi screenings with The Moms are not your typical movie screenings, they are EVENTS! This screening was followed by a Questions and Answers Session with the films two directors Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco as well as Actress Catherine Keener the voice of Ugga who is the family matriarch in DreamWorks animated film The Croods.

You know me, I like to take you through the event via photos from begining to end so you can see everything I got to see! Before we got upstairs a very special mascot made his entry in the lobby and caused quite a bit of excitement, it was BELT!!! So when we got upstairs there he was so we could take pictures, and you know I love Mascot photos (as all my photos from most BlogHer Conferences are with the Mascots I find on the exhibitor floor!).

Left: Ascending Butterfly, Center: Belt Mascot from DreamWorks Pictures The Croods, Right: Mama Butterfly

My eyes were closed in the first photo above, so thankfully they got another one!

Now we're talking! DA DA DAAAAA!

And there was another cute photo opp waiting at the entrance to the auditorium:

I didn't dare sit on that little chair, so I snapped a picture of it!

And there was cute Crood branded Popcorn Bags at the ready for us too!

The screening was followed by a Questions and Answers Session led by Denise Albert and Melissa Gerstein the dynamic duo behind The Moms, Catherine Keener the voice of Ugga, and directors Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco!

Below is a video with Questions and Answers that were asked prior to the audience Q&A but it opens with some of the pre-screening reception and don't blink because I'm in the beginning of this video posing for my picture with Mama Butterfly and Belt!

I can see why Actress Kristen Bell likes Sloths, Belt is kind of sweet and cuddly! Here are my photos from the Questions and Answers Session, thankfully it's accompanied by the video of the session as my shots weren't super clear. (This butterfly definitely needs a new camera!)

Left: Denise Albert from 'The Moms', Center: Actress Catherine Keener, to Catherine's Right  Director Chris Sanders, Far Right: Kirk DeMicco

Left: Catherine Keener (Voice of Ugga in DreamWorks Pictures The Croods), Center: Director Chris Sanders, Right: Director Kirk DeMicco

Left: Vincent DiCaro, Director of Public Affairs, National Fatherhood Initiative, Right: Denise Albert from 'The Moms'

Here is the Video of the Questions and Answers Session:

My Take:

The Croods is good family fun for ALL ages! While I did enjoy Oz The Great Powerful, that movie is definitely for older children and teens, while The Croods is good for all ages. It touches on so many different aspects of what being a family means, and the great lessons they learn along the way when they were forced to embrace change ready or not. Parents learning how to let their children grow and go, and the struggles that children go through when they want more freedom than they may necessarily be quite ready for.

The Croods hits theaters on March 22nd and I would definitely say it's a 'Ticket' if you are looking for a family friendly film that is fun for all ages!

Once you've had a chance to see it, come back here and let us know what you thought! And Bloggers feel free to link us to your Wordless Wednesday Posts here too!

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FTC Disclosure: Ascending Butterfly attended a Private Screening of DreamWorks Pictures The Croods, we were provided with snacks and a gift bag, however this is NOT a sponsored post and no monetary compensation has been received to share our screening experience or film review. Full disclosure policy: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Glass Slippers are SO Back! Cinderella on Broadway is a MUST see! @CinderellaBway #Cinderella

Theatre sign for The Broadway Theatre where Cinderella on Broadway is currently running

My mom has always been a huge theater buff, and through her I developed the same love of Broadway. I think it is one of the best parts about being a Native New Yorker. The first two plays I saw spoiled me, Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan and the original King and I starring Yul Brynner, both of those plays were amazing from every standpoint and gave the theatre a sort of magic that had been missing for me for quite awhile until Ghost on Broadway last year, this year Cinderella on Broadway brought back that magic for me, and I wanted to make sure I got my recap posted because I don't want you to miss this one!

Playbill for Rodger's + Hammerstein's Cinderella at Broadway Theatre

The Moms put together a totally fun night on Broadway for New York City Bloggers and their families and seeing the little girls dressed up in the lobby of The Broadway Theatre many in their little Cinderella dresses was so cute! Many of them admiring the touches and details of the other's outfits, we arrived to a lovely reception where we had time to talk and take a few photos before the Play began.

Ascending Butterfly at Broadway Theatre for Cinderella on Broadway Mamarazzi Event

Rodger's + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway starts with an overture that truly sets the pace for the show, it's a hint to the magic that is to come! With a nod to the tradition of musical theatre. There was already so much excitement and energy in the air that the overture just added to the strong energy you could feel in the crowd.

Ascending Butterfly at Broadway Theatre for Cinderella on Broadway Mamarazzi Event

About The Show:

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA has arrived on Broadway for the first time ever! Four-time Tony Award® nominee Douglas Carter Beane’s (Sister Act, Xanadu) delightfully romantic and hilarious take on the ultimate makeover story features all the classic elements you remember—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists! Rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago” in this outrageously fun Broadway musical for dreamers of all ages.

Right before the overture you are asked 'kindly turn off your phones and leave your worries and cares at the door', and for 2 hours and 20 minutes you get to do just that, leave your cares at the door and be immersed in a magical, musical, wondrous fairy tale come to life right before your eyes!

The Cast:

Cinderella is played by Laura Osnes, The Prince by Santino Fontana, Marie/The Fairy Godmother was played by Victoria Clark, Harriet Harris plays Madame/Cinderella's Stepmother, Ann Harada plays Cinderella's Step-Sister Charlotte, and Marla Mindelle plays Step-Sister Gabrielle, and Peter Bartlett plays Sebastian (yes my fellow One to Live lovers THAT Peter Bartlett, our beloved Nigel!), Greg Hildreth plays Jean-Michel and Phumzile Sojola plays Lord Pinkleton and is also the understudy for Sebastian.

After the performance a Questions and Answers Session was arranged with some of the members of the cast, here are my photos from the Q&A:

Questions and Answers Session with Cast members of Cinderella on Broadway

The Cast really had a great dynamic and rapport amongst each other!

Questions and Answers Session with Cast members of Cinderella on Broadway

The cast as well as the audience enjoying Harriet Harris answering one of the question asked by a child at the Q&A "How did it feel to have to be so mean to Cinderella?"

Harriet Harris plays Madame, Cinderella's Stepmother, she was a very good sport during the Questions and Answers!

You may remember Harriet from her television role on the hit TV series Frasier!

Left: Santino Fontana who plays The Prince and Right: Laura Osnes who plays the title role of Cinderella

We asked Santino who plays the Prince about his background with his musical training and he mentioned that he was a bit embarassed when he was younger and starting out but outgrew it and fully began to embrace his training.

Victoria Clark plays villager Marie as well as The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella on Broadway

And of course The Moms always put together thoughtful gift bags so you can have a fun memory of your experience! Here are the bags on display:

Gift Bags at Cinderella on Broadway Mamarazzi Event

Here is a close up shot of the bags (apparently people liked my vignette, because before I could get my camera out of my bag people took photos of my gift bags before I could! LOL)

The bags contained light snacks from Andean Dream (Gluten-Free and Vegan Quinoa Cookies), a foaming facial wash from Willa and something fun for the moms too, a cosmetic bag from Trish McEvoy with a wonderfully thoughtful note enclosed, that contained a lash treatment, long-wearing, upper-eye brightener/shadow primer, intense gel eye liner pencil and under-eye brightener/line filler - products that will keep your eyes shining after the clock strikes twelve! :-)

Super thoughtful, thanks to The Moms, Andean Dream, Willa, and Trish McEvoy to making an already magical experience that much more memorable!

I got to nab a photo of the family of one half of the dynamic duo! Here is Melissa Gerstein and her family:

Melissa Gerstein of The Moms and her family at the Cinderella on Broadway Mamarazzi Event

Aren't these his and hers souvenir tshirts cute?

His and Hers Souvenir Tshirts from Rogers + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre

My Take:

Left: Mama Butterfly Right: Ascending Butterfly enjoying a Magical  Night at the Cinderella on Broadway New York City Mamarazzi Event! 

Cinderella on Broadway is a truly magical theatrical event, it brings back the roots of what made theatre magical for me right from the begining. They pull of costume changes right before your very eyes that are truly amazing, when the pumpkin turns into the coach I'll bet you could watch it literally a hundred times and not see how it is really pulled off. It's magical for the adults as well as the children! 

This is a MUST see!

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @CinderellaBway on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Cinderella The Musical on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @andeandream on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Andean Dream on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @WillaSkincare on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Willa Skin Care on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Trish McEvoy on Facebook

And don't forget to tell them you saw them Featured on Ascending Butterfly! Of course we will also be putting these photos on our Pinterest page as well.

Fan of the Week:

If you get picked as Fan of the Week, don't forget to come back here and let us know! 

Do you have a magical Theatre moment that you'd like to Share? Tell us About it!

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FTC Disclosure: Our tickets to the show and gift bags were provided courtesy of The Moms, however NO monetary compensation has been received for our recap coverage and all opinions are 100% my own.

Today is National Cereal Day! Find out how Cereal, Wine, Tina Fey and me are connected! #admission #hellocereal

Admission Theatrical Poster and vignette of General Mills Cereals - Hello Cereal Lovers!

March is certainly a busy month, and I keep finding fun facts for the month of March, did you know that today is National Cereal Day?

Are you a cereal lover?

How many mornings do you get to spend with Movie Directors, Celebs, Mimosas (aka MOMosa's for those in the know) and combine them with creative cereal pairings? Morning MOMosa anyone? Just another  Tuesday morning for us bloggers in New York City!

I think you all know just how much I enjoy the Mamarazzi® events hosted by The Moms, and this one definitely delivered! Just look at how we were welcomed:

MOMosa Anyone?

And then we were offered some pretty unique eats to pair with our signature MARTINI Wines 'MOMosa's', CEREAL! I don't know about you butterfly, but I had never paired my cereal with Sparkling Wine and OJ before! Have you?

There were tables with treats on display:

Cinnamon Toast Toffee Crunch Bars

Little Lucky Whoopie Pies

And even once we were seated cereal was delivered directly to us at our seats!

Your pick of General Mills Cereal delivered directly to your chair!

I mean seriously, how can you say no to that smile? I have never had Cereal brought to my chair during a movie before, NEAT! And in our cupholders we found Mayan Chocolate Chex Mix in cute little popcorn bags:

Guess which Cereal I chose! :)

I thought it was super creative, and so you know I had to make a cute little vignette and get a shot of it all before I dove in! Now this is the way to put together a Movie Screening! If only all of them were this creative, fun and organized!

And before the movie began there was a Questions and Answers Session with Director Paul Weitz and Actress Tina Fey! Here is the YouTube video so you can get in on the fun too:

Here are some of my pictures (sorry butterflies, my camera battery was going wonky and my pics are a bit blurry, so I'm going to include some pro shots so you don't have to strain your eyes too  much!):

Left: Director of Admission Paul Weitz, Actress Tina Fey, The Moms Melissa Gerstein and Far Right: Denise Albert

Left: Director of Admission Paul Weitz, Center: Actress Tina Fey, Far Right: The Moms Melissa Gerstein

Thankfully the pros got good shots! Doesn't Tina look awesome  in her blue wrap dress?

Event Sponsors MARTINI Wines, Hello Cereal Lovers, The Moms and Focus Features Admission put together one very enjoyable movie screening!

This event was actually featured recently by Perez Hilton, because you know, that's how I roll, Page Six here I come!

ABOUT ADMISSION:

Admission Theatrical Movie Poster

Every spring, high school seniors anxiously await letters of college admission that will affirm and encourage their potential. At Princeton University, admissions officer Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is a gatekeeper evaluating thousands of applicants. Year in and year out, Portia has lived her life by the book, at work as well as at the home she shares with Princeton professor Mark (Michael Sheen). When Clarence (Wallace Shawn), the Dean of Admissions, announces his impending retirement, the likeliest candidates to succeed him are Portia and her office rival Corinne (Gloria Reuben). For Portia, however, it’s business as usual as she hits the road on her annual recruiting trip.

On the road, Portia reconnects with her iconoclastic mother, Susannah (Lily Tomlin). On her visit to New Quest, an alternative high school, she then reconnects with her former college classmate, idealistic teacher John Pressman (Paul Rudd) – who has recently surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), a gifted yet very unconventional New Quest student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption years ago while at school. Jeremiah is about to apply to Princeton.

Now Portia must re-evaluate her personal and professional existences, as she finds herself bending the admissions rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the future she thought she always wanted – and in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.

RECIPES:

Want to make the cool treats we got try out at the screening? Here are the recipes butterflies:

Mayan Chocolate Chex Mix

Mayan Chocolate Chex Mix:

3 cups Corn Chex Cereal
3 cups Chocolate Chex Cereal
2 cups Cinnamon Chex Cereal
1 cup Whole Cashews
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 teaspoons ground ancho chile pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal and cashews
2. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, chili and red pepper uncovered on high about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in Vanilla. Pour over Cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
3. Microwave uncovered on high 5 to 6 minutes, stirring after every minute. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Break into bite-size pieces; stir in chocolate chips. Store in airtight container.

Tips: Pecan Halves can be used in place of the Cashews!

Little Lucky Whoopie Pies:

Little Lucky Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:

Cake

1

box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® butter recipe chocolate cake mix

1

cup water

1/3

cup vegetable oil

3

eggs

Frosting:

1/4

cup vegetable shortening

1/4

cup butter

2

tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2

teaspoon pure mint extract

Green food color

1

tablespoon milk

2

cups powdered sugar

1

cup marshmallows from any size package Lucky Charms® cereal

• 1Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• 2In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, and eggs on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• 3On a parchment lined baking sheet, drop heaping tablespoons of cake batter two inches apart.
• 4Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean in the center of a cake.
• 5Allow cakes to cool on parchment for 10 minutes on a wire rack.
• 6In medium bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer on high speed 3 minutes.
• 7Reduce speed to low and add granulated sugar, mint extract, food color and milk.
• 8Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until smooth.
• 9Spread a small spoonful of mint frosting between two cakes and decorate the edges with Lucky Charms® marshmallows.

Cinnamon Toast Toffee Crunch:

Ingredients:

4

cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch® cereal

1

cup butter

1

cup packed brown sugar

1

bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

3/4

cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds, toasted

• 1Heat oven to 350°F.
• 2Line 15x10x1-inch pan with heavy-duty foil. Spray foil with cooking spray. Spread cereal evenly in pan.
• 3In 2-quart saucepan, heat butter and brown sugar. Using whisk, mix butter and brown sugar together as butter melts. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium. Boil 2 minutes without stirring. Immediately pour mixture evenly over cereal in pan.
• 4Bake 12 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Let stand 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate; top with pecans. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate 20 minutes to set chocolate; break into pieces. Store covered in refrigerator up to one week.

MY TAKE:

The Official Website sums this film up perfectly - It's about the surprising detours we encounter on the road to happiness.

My friends it really is about the journey, it just takes some of us longer than others to realize it. There are also great lessons about learning when to let go in this movie. We sometimes hold on to things that no longer serve our higher purpose, and while it seems difficult, sometimes you really have to close a door forever for the better one to open.

And as always, Lily Tomlin is BRILLIANT! Gloria Reuben also does a perfect job playing that office back-stabbing rival that we all will end up confronting at some time or another!

It was also fun learning some creative ways to use cereal in recipes and mix it up a bit!

ADMISSION hits theatres March 22! (Hmmm... if you read yesterday's 'Seriously, it's Celebrate Your Name Week!' post you'd know why it's totally ironic to me that this movie is being released on the 22nd!)

Butterflies once you've had a chance to check out this film, please come back here and let us know what you thought! And don't forget to tell us which Cereal you rang in National Cereal Day with!

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

FTC Disclosure: I attended a special New York City Screening of the Movie Admission, Gift Bags were provided to attendees, however all opinions are 100% my own. I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." See our Full Disclosure Policy HERE