Win a pair of tickets to @NYBG 's The Orchid Show: Chandeliers! + #Orchid Slideshow #Photography

Apparently Old Man Winter wants to  keep New York in his Vice Grip with snow here on the first day of Spring. This butterfly and Spring Baby (my birthday is coming up in April) yearns for signs of Spring and I found them at the NY Botanical Gardens!

They host an Orchid Show annually (in fact this is the 13th year!) and this year the show is called "The Orchid Show: Chandeliers". This year, it's all about looking UP, not just down or around, but it's this year's "Orchid Evenings" that combines Music, Cocktails and the sublime beauty of delicate orchids that are allowing visitors to make unique connections on themed 'adult only' evenings that allow for a romantic date night, or even a way for singles to connect and meet. Orchid Evenings are being held Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4 (My birthday!), 11 and 18th.

For $25 for Members and $35 per ticket for non-members, the ticket includes one complimentary beer, wine or cocktail of your choice and you will need to select an entrance time for The Orchid Show at time of purchase. Head to the show before your time and hit the gift shop or dine at The Pine Tree Cafe where you can enjoy a special event menu or just lounge to the sounds of The Nick Russo Latin Trio, and ladies don't miss your chance to stop for a quick lipstick touch-up by one of Guerlain's famed make-up artists and indulge in a specialty cocktail inspired by Guerlain's Orchidée impériale line. And for those of you who are Mastercard holders, please be sure to purchase your ticket with your Mastercard to enjoy a special champagne pre-party at Shop in the Garden on Select Nights. Note this VIP ticket is $40 and you can learn more about that ticket HERE.

The three tier living chandelier of orchids is absolutely breath-taking! And while it's still a bit chilly out here in the Big Apple, it's super warm and toasty in the Enid Haupt Conservatory at the Gardens!

And for those of you who visited us last week for Wordless Wednesday, that photo was a teaser, and yes that 'strange' hanging thing was an Orchid Plant!


ABOVE: My Photo slideshow of the show, I took ALL of these photos! (I am working on getting a Pinterest Board posted of all these photos as well, in the meantime each photo can be viewed individually on Flickr using the link on the bottom right of the slideshow.)

WIN IT: 

Ascending Butterfly and The New York Botanical Garden want to help melt away those winter blues and put some 'Spring' back in your step! Enter to win a pair of passes to Orchid Evenings at The Orchid Show: Chandeliers at New York Botanical Garden! Please note this is a Flash Giveaway and ends SOON! Use the rafflecopter widget below to place your entries! (If reading this put the widget to sleep you may need to refresh the page again to get the widget to show up for you so you can place your entries.) Remember Orchid Evenings are on Saturday Night's Only, and you must be 21 years of age or older to claim your passes as there are cocktails being served, this is an ADULT ONLY giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MY TAKE:

The New York Botanical Garden is one of my favorite 'Urban Oasis' places in Bronx, New York. Being there just adds instant zen to my day and as you can tell by my photo slideshow I really enjoyed the Orchid Show. The living Chandeliers of Orchid Flowers just blew me away!

There was a DJ, great flowers, fun Photo Opps, lippie makeovers from Guerlain and fantastic cocktails too! What more can you ask for?

Whether you are single and ready to mingle or lost in love, The Orchid Show has a little something for everyone!

What is your favorite flower?

(Remember you get extra credit in the giveaway for answering this question as a comment below!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received to post our recap of the show or host this giveaway, and all opinions are 100% my own!  We were provided access to show for editorial consideration. 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.

#ad: {#Giveaway} The gift of breathing easy this holiday season with #FebrezeAirPurifiers #HolidayFebreze

#ad: This is a compensated campaign in conjunction with Febreze, all opinions are my own.

Being an apartment dweller in the city that never sleeps means not just noisy neighbors but incredibly smelly ones too. Let's just say their 'assorted vices' are very intrusive and the current construction on the building is sending a ton of dust particles into my apartment. Which equals a NOT so happy butterfly.

While a trip to the tropics until the construction on the roof blows over (and my stoner neighbors move out - a girl can dream can't she?) isn't quite possible at the moment, I got sent the next best thing, A Febreze Mini Tower HEPA-Type Air Purifier! With the holidays approaching and guests bound to be paying visits, I am glad I have this in my arsenal to keep the air in my apartment smelling fresh and clean!

Febreze™ Air Purifier - FHT180W Mini Tower HEPA-Type Air Purifier

About Febreze Mini Tower HEPA-Type Air Purifiers:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ideal for up to 85 sq. ft. (small rooms - so close the window and door to get faster results)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dimensions: 8.66 x 10.16 x 17.32 in

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Weight: 8.22lbs

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Energy Star Certified

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Available in three sizes (1) Tabletop, (2) Mini Tower (3) Tower (I am discussing my experiences with the Tower Unit in this review)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Removes Particles that are typically invisible to the naked eye, yet can contribute to household odors and dust that build up on surfaces.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Triple Duty: (1) Cleans the air through HEPA-Type filtration, (2) Removes up to 99% of airborne particles, and (3) traps household odors while adding a fresh Febreze scent to the filtered air.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There are currently two scents available for the scent cartridges: Linen & Sky and Spring & Renewal (those are my top two scents when I buy Febreze Sprays for my home, so I was happy to see those are the ones that are currently available for the Air Purifier.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Automatic scent and filter indicator replacement lights (each scent cartridge lasts for up to 30 days and the filter up to four months)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - YOU control the cleaning level AND their is also a freshness control dial so you can customize the scent too

See it in Action:

My Take:

I put it straight in my bedroom which doubles as my home office as the building construction is taking place right above me at the moment, and I put the control on MAX for scent and the highest for air cleaning and I noticed a HUGE difference even faster than I expected as the dimensions to the room are surprisingly large for an NYC apartment. This is my first Air Purifier ever and the psychological benfits I am reaping on not feeling guilty about dusting enough are PRICELESS!!! Not to mention not having MY spaces smell like other people's vices and habits. I HATE the smell of cigarette smoke, I have never done it, and hate when that smell wafts into my apartment.

Another thing I noticed that I wanted to share with you all, is that as someone who sits in front of a computer for hours is that I tend to breathe more shallow than I should. Office air environments can also be quite stuffy, and one of the real benefits I also immediately noticed is that I have been taking much deeper breaths now and I breathe in less shallow and more profound. As a lifelong asthmatic that has to be by far my favorite plus for the unit.

I like taking Gaming vacations (for regular readers I'm sure that comes as no surprise) and I often have to have the hotels I stay at provide me with an air purifier, especially if I get stuck with a smoking room when I specifically ask for NON-smoking and they can't change me. I usually have to leave those units running during the day while I'm out and about and tend to turn them off at night because they were super noisy! Not with this one. It's quieter than I expected it to be at the max setting for air cleaning. I am NOT saying it is noiseless, but it is significantly quieter than the units I have been exposed to.

This one does get a thumbs up from me, and I am considering the Tabletop unit for the kitchen as I am a seafood and spicy food lover and would prefer my whole apartment doesn't smell like what I am cooking! So a dedicated unit in that room might be a very good idea.

Check out www.febrezeairpurifiers.com for more info!

WIN IT:

You have the chance to win an Air Purifier with extra refill cartridges and extra filters thanks to our friends at Febreze! Who loves YOU Butterfly?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

While the Air Purifier only offers two scent cartridge types at this time, what is your all time favorite Febreze scent? (There are some seasonal ones for the holidays out NOW!)

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FTC Disclosure: I was provided with a Febreze™ Air Purifier - FHT180W Mini Tower HEPA-Type Air Purifier for Editorial Consideration. This product review and giveaway is part of a compensated campaign, however all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

Enter to win the @FabFitFun Reader Appreciation #SubscriptionBox #Giveaway via Ascending Butterfly! #FabFitFun

FabFitFun Summer 2014 Summer Subscription Box

As you know I am a Fab Fit Fun VIP Blogger, which means I get to try out the new boxes when they are released, this time around my Summer Fab Fit Fun Box never arrived so the lovely folks at Fab Fit Fun quickly sent out a replacement and within 2 days I somehow ended up getting two of them. I normally would have passed the extra one along to a family member or friend, but I am all about Paying it Forward and I thought I would instead use the second box as a Reader Appreciation Giveaway as a way to say Thank You to all my butterflies (other folks would say readers, but you are all butterflies to me).

This is the summer 2014 box but in my opinion all these items are fantastic year round. Let's take a peek inside the box shall we?

Fab Fit Fun Summer 2014 Subscription Box Includes:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sonya Dakar Flash Facial - Developed by Gwyneth Paltrow's famed facialist, in just 60 seconds this little wonder will help you reveal softer, plumper, younger looking skin and is packed with antioxidants, and hyaluronic and lactic acids to give you smooth and radiant skin. Retail Value of $95 - TOTAL SCORE!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - pur ~ lisse pur ~ protect SPF 30 - This was featured by Vogue as the Editor's Favorite Summer Product. Remember butterflies you need SPF protection YEAR ROUND, NOT just in summer! I lost one of my Aunt's to skin cancer and cannot stress this enough. Retail Value of $55

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thursday Friday Away Mini Clutch - Tired of the same old same makeup bag? Pimp your cosmetics bag with these Tres-Trendy super cute designs, canvas exteriors, with a nylon interior, metal zip closure and adorable prints. (Note: I received mine in a watercolor pattern, the winner of this giveaway will receive the lips pattern as shown above). By the way the box also includes a $30 Gift Card so you can take $30 off your next purchase at www.thufri.com! How cool is that? You get to try it out yourself and then you nab another one for yourself in another design or a bigger bag (they have more than just cosmetics cases and clutches, they have larger profile totes too) or you could give the gift card to a friend so they can try Thursday Friday too! (Pay it forward my friends!) Retail Value of $35

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Balanced Guru No Frizz Oil - With a blend of argan, jojoba and tamanu oils this helps fight flyaways, tame frizzies and nourish your hair. I have tried quite a few products from this line and I am never disappointed! Retail Value of $25

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - FabFitFun Water Infuser BPA-free Water Bottle - They want to encourage us to "Grab Life by the Excercise Balls" and stay inspired while we perspire. This BPA-free bottle has a built in infuser so you can add your favorite flavors to your water. (Watermelon Not Included) Retail Value of $15

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zoya Nail Polish - Vegan Friendly, safe to use even during pregnancy and long wearing, what's NOT to love? The color shown is called 'Elodie' Retail Value $9

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - KISSTIXX Lip Balm - This 'Makeout' Make-over in a tube will help couples enhance their chemistry with these complimentary flavored lip balms! You keep one, give your partner the other and then kiss each other to mix the flavors up! I received Chocolate/Strawberry and the winner of the giveaway will get the Peaches and Cream Combo. Retail Value $5.99

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - POPchips - POPchips are NEVER fried and are only 100-130 per single-serving bag! If you are like me and need something for the 'mid-day hump' these are definitely just the trick! Retail Value $1.29

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Skintimate Shave Gel - With Signature Scents and Skin Therapy Formulas you can keep your legs smooth and beautiful with each shave! Retail Value of $1.99

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Always Xtra Protection Long Daily Liners - Not just for summer, perfect for those super long days, followed by the Gym or just plain anytime you want to feel fresh and confident. Consider it an everyday essential. Retail Value of $1.50

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Slimfast Have Your Cake Meal Bar - Protein Meal Bar with flavors of Vanilla Cake and Frosting with sprinkles has only 180 calories per bar so you can late night snack with a lot less guilt! (Note: You will receive one individually wrapped bar, not the box). Retail Value $1

My Take:

I absolutely adore being a Fab Fit Fun VIP Blogger, I love Subscription Boxes and I think they make great gifts. No one will have a 'been there done that' reaction to it. I have yet to open one box from Fab Fit Fun that felt like a let down. It's not just a matter of the retail value of the products being higher than what you pay, it's a matter of all those items being well curated and USEFUL - be it for yourself or the gift recipient. This has been one of my most fun Ambassadorships to date and the fact that I actually got to meet Giuliana Rancic in person is the icing on the cake.

Win It:

It's been awhile since awhile since I have hosted a pure Reader Appreciation Giveaway that is being fulfilled solely by me, and I am super happy to do something fun for all my butterflies, I hope you enjoy Fab Fit Fun as much as I do! Please note the prize is the box as shown above with any exception being noted in the box subscription, the prize is this specific box, not a full subscription.

Use the Rafflecopter Widget Below to enter this giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Which item in this Fab Fit Fun Box is your personal fave or which one would you most like to try Butterfly? Can't wait to try the box and can't wait to find out if you won? I have three codes for $15 off a box, Tweet me @Ascending1 and tell me you want to 'try it and  buy it' - 3 butterflies will be selected at random to get a code for $15 off their next FabFitFun Box Purchase!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post, Ascending Butterfly is fulfilling this giveaway to one winner directly. I am a Fab Fit Fun VIP Blogger and subscription boxes are sent to us for editorial consideration. All thoughts and 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.

Review and #Giveaway of @monicamcgurk #DarkHopeBook via @Ascending1 #CleverGirls #Spon

By now most of my butterflies know I'm obsessed with 'all things with wings', butterflies obviously, but things with wings include dragonflies, ladybugs and as a girl raised in the Catholic Church, the ultimate thing with wings? Angels. I grew up with this Guardian Angel Wall Plaque above my bed as a little girl:

I never once doubted that we all had a Guardian Angel to protect us. One who watched over us, kept us out of harms way and helped us stay on our path. Over time I came to see departed loved ones as additional 'Angels on our Shoulders' and for my confirmation I studied the stories of all the Saints to help me determine which Saint name I would take for my confirmation. I read them all, and returned to class resolute that I wanted 'Saint/Archangel Michael'. I was none to happy to be laughed at by my teacher and class at my audacity and silliness to think I could take a male name. But I loved his story, he stood before the enemy, not just any enemy, THE ENEMY and won! Surely I possessed the same courage? My little inner feminist was not happy when I was told I had to select another Saint, A Female Saint. Not that their stories weren't equally powerful, but they didn't resonate as powerfully with me as Michael's story of defeating the ultimate enemy had.

I came home and explained my dilemma to my Mother who helped guide me to other Saints to study so I could make my final selection. But my fascination with Archangel Michael is still very much a part of me. So much so that I have a prayer card and Sword that I hold very dear to me:

When the opportunity presented itself to read a book whose central theme was 'the love between a human and an archangel' and not just any archangel, but MY Archangel, MY Michael I just had to read it! Dark Hope: Book One in the Archangel Prophesies by Monica McGurk is categorized as a Young Adult Fantasy Novel, but it certainly touches on some very 'grown up' and important themes.

ABOUT:

A new young adult saga in the Twilight tradition about the love between a human and an archangel.

For years, Hope Carmichael, survivor of a shocking child abduction, has lived a sheltered existence under the protection of her fanatically religious father. Now, liberated by her mother, Hope prepares to start life over as a normal kid in an Atlanta, Georgia, high school.

Normal, that is, until Hope meets Michael, a gorgeous emancipated teen with a mysterious past and a strong interest in Hope. And soon, Hope’s life is filled with questions. What’s behind the angry looks Hope gets from Lucas, leader of a gang of students? Who’s responsible for sending Hope a strange valentine inscribed with Bible quotations? How does this relate to the sinister business of human trafficking that operates on the periphery of Hope’s suburban world? And is Michael really a protector, or something more sinister—and just why does he seem so familiar?

In an epic narrative that takes readers from the back streets of Atlanta to the height of Vegas penthouses and beyond, Dark Hope introduces readers to The Archangel Prophecies, a new young adult saga that blends the feeling of Twilight with a vast mythological scope and moral urgency, as well as to Hope Carmichael—a young woman instantly memorable for her endurance, heart, and determination—and Michael, Hope’s dangerous companion who’s fated either to save Hope—or to kill her.

Note: A portion of proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations that fight human trafficking. Now you know there is nothing that makes Ascending Butterfly happier than a 'Give Back' opportunity, A total win/win in my book. A great read for YOU and you are doing something to help victims of human trafficking as well.

Directly from the Author:

MY TAKE:

I am not going to give out any spoilers, I will say this is a must read. Even if YA is not your usual type of read I would highly urge you to give this book a try, it is a total page turner, and in my opinion is very much respectful to the Church, to how it handles biblical references and surprisingly to how it handles the story line between Michael and Hope. I really wanted to be mad at it, how dare they make MY Michael a romantic protagonist? and seriously with a teen no less? But Butterflies, the writing is TIGHT and the author does make so many unlikely and disparate elements come together cohesively. And in my opinion if it helps to shed light on just how rampant and dangerous the Sexual Trafficking Industry really is then all the better. I know it's not always easy to talk difficult topics, but if you are letting your teen read this, (my personal opinion is that YOU read it first just to make sure you feel comfortable), then use the book as a talking point to teach your teen to be careful in social situations and of their surroundings.

There is even a Pinterest board with a Hope Casting Wish List! (Is there someone you would add to that list that's not there?)

WIN IT:

Our awesome friends at Clever Girls Collective and the Greenleaf Book Group, want one lucky butterfly to win their own copy of this month's Book Club title, so use the rafflecopter form below to enter; and as always, the main entry is easy peasy!

One of the 'Extra Credit' entries is for you all to share your favorite (past or present) Young Adult Book - Remember to answer that here on the giveaway post so we can see your selection, but tick it off in rafflecopter so you get the extra credit entries! (I figured with back-to-school coming I'd get you in the mindset of thinking 'extra credit', sneaky right?)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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FTC Disclosure: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and this is a sponsored post, the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Sponsor will be fulfilling prizing directly. Neither Ascending Butterfly, Sponsor or Clever Girls Collective is responsible for lost or mis-directed mail. 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 spend more time enjoying your vacation than you do planning it? Want to win $1,000 USD? #TravelOnUs

Take it from someone who used to work for an airline, at one time travel was my living, I assisted key agencies in their vacation bookings for a major airline, and let me tell you when it comes to Travel you want to shop smarter and not harder.

I had to live and breathe air fares and hotel rates for top resorts, this was a bit before the dot-com boom turned anyone with a computer into a travel agent, and agencies relied very heavily on our team to get them the best fares possible.

Being on the inside helped me to become a much savvier consumer when it came time to book my own flights and vacations. The one thing that ruled then, still very much applies now: bundles are cheaper. Booking your air and hotel together is not only a time saver, but when done right, it's also a tremendous money saver also. With entertainment being super expensive these days, it is invaluable to me to be able to save money when booking my vacation so I'll have some money to spend on the things that matter while on vacation, eating out, tickets and entertainment, museums, ground and local travel at my destination and hopefully a little ching ching for some shopping too! (and depending on my destination a little 'pulse-pounding' gaming fun!)

One site I have frequented since its inception is Expedia. Did you know that their parent company owns upwards of 140 dot-com travel sites? I won't list them all here (it's actually a top result if you google them), and with that many travel sites under their umbrella, they are serious about getting their customers the best possible fare!

What are the advantages of booking your trip online (like with Expedia) vs an agency? One of the top ones butterflies is accountability. And I can tell you first hand after having trips go wrong that I booked with agencies, it's hard to get them on the phone after their business hours end in their time zone. Expedia will assist you if you run into a problem. They offer 24 hour Customer Support. They also offer a Best Price Guarantee (which I have yet to receive via a traditional brick and mortar agency). And if that wasn't enough to sway you, you can also download their Fare Alert tool which will email YOU about the prices of flight destinations you are tracking. That's a great tool not only for business travelers who tend to frequent the same cities, but destination and resort travelers who also like to regularly visit a particular location.

Letting Expedia do the leg work for you to find fares and hotel deals or a bundle that does BOTH in one shot, is not only smart, it's a time saver. (With those minutes you save, you could start packing!)

GREAT GIVEAWAY ALERT:

Expedia has partnered with Savings.com to host a giveaway where Three (3) winners will each receive $1,000 Visa Gift Cards! You can enter the giveaway by heading to the Expedia Page on Savings.com and submitting your email address on the form at the top of the page! But ACT FAST dear butterfly as this giveaway runs from Tuesday, July 15th (TODAY) at 9:00 AM ET to Thursday, July 17th at 9:00 PM ET. Winners will be chosen via a Lottery drawing on Friday 07/18/14 and will be notified via the email address they used to enter!

TWITTER PARTY ALERT:

You know just how much #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ loves her twitter parties right? Well there is going to be a Twitter Party using the hashtag #TravelOnUs on Wednesday, July 16th at 1:00 PM ET with THREE (3) $100 Visa Gift Card Prizes! RSVP HERE! - Just note butterflies, I am neither a host or co-host for this party so please direct questions directly to the hosts. I, like you will be there for the great conversation, because when it comes to combining my two passions travel and twitter, I'm in it to WIN it! Feel free to tweet me a hello, I'll be tweeting from my personal handle @Tracy_Iglesias and will only use the @Ascending1 handle if I get thrown in twitter jail for oversharing!

MY TAKE:

I love that Expedia offers 24/7 Customer Service Support! I learned the hard way on the very last trip I ever booked via an agency that accountability and being able to reach an actual human being is important. I booked an international trip (pre-Expedia of course!) via a Brick and Mortar Travel Agency and when I arrived at my Resort there was confusion about my confirmed room type and even my printed itinerary from the Agency wasn't enough to solve the problem. The hotel manager wasn't helpful and when I got back the agency attitude was 'well did you get a room?, then everything is OK right?' - UM NO!!!!

Take it from an airline industry insider, leave the fare finding to a pro, in this case Expedia and have more time to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. They say it's not the destination but it's the journey right? Well as for me, I want that journey to be smooth and that destination to be five star!

If you win that $1,000 Visa Giftcard, where will you travel to Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Savings.com. 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.

{#Giveaway} Need to update your brand? Start by winning 100 Business Cards from our friends @tinyprints!

This Giveaway is CLOSED, winner is Rachel T.

It is exactly one year now that I have been putting my 'best face' forward on my business cards and using a card that is not only creative, but the most reflective of me and my personal brand.

For me, being an 'Ascending Butterfly' is a soul that is always in transition, always growing, changing and evolving. Even in the most simple ways I like to see signs of change, my desktop wallpaper rotates every 15 minutes with a new picture or motivational quote, the same with my screensaver. I even change the desktop background to my phone daily! So for me to say I haven't re-designed my business cards in over a year is truly saying a lot. Usually every time I needed a new box, I would re-design the entire card. But not anymore!

About Tiny Prints:

tinyprints is a company that was founded by three friends with big dreams and a passion for beautiful paper that has grown into a booming online destination for stylish stationery (and more!) for every occasion.

My business card is a folded card so it can be stored as a standard size card. But as you can see below, it is anything but 'standard'.

It opens up and this is the 'inside' of the actual card (I blanked out my phone number, sorry guys!)

The back of the card has room for notes, and even though the surface of the card is 'pearlized' you can write on it easily!

My Take:

Since I started blogging I have designed a new card each year, which makes perfect sense, the cards evolved as much as me and my blog have. But now I'm in more of a 'groove' and my tinyprints Business Cards have been the most accurate reflection of me to date!

The tinyprints Custom Design Service allows you to work directly with a Designer, so your card truly reflects your vision instead of just a standard template. They also offer a free physical AND digital proof. There is a low One-Time Fee of $25 for the service. My designer took a very scattered vision and helped me organize it all in a way that made sense from a design standpoint, and still retain the creativity I wanted the card to have. The quality of the cardstock and the brilliant design make these my favorite cards to date! I couldn't recommend tinyprints more (as you can see from past reviews, here and here), but I will warn you, order at least 100 more than you think you'll need, you'd be surprised just how many you will go through PER conference or networking event with these! For me the past few months have been filled with non-stop tradeshows, conferences, expos and events, and I have almost run through a print run of 500 cards already!

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tinyprints

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinyprints

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Discount:

You can find current Tiny Prints Coupons Codes and Promotions HERE - Get free shipping on orders $49 or more! Use Code: FREESHIP49 | Limited time only see website for details

Win It:

One lucky butterfly will win 100 business cards! Use the rafflecopter widget below for your entries, remember as always, the first entry is easy-peasy! (and of course keep a look out for fun and fast extra credit entries too!) Hurry this giveaway ends on St. Patrick's Day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: Tiny Prints provided us with Custom-Designed Business Cards for editorial consideration, and will be providing 100 cards for one winner. Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment. Neither Ascending Butterfly nor contest sponsor will be held responsible for lost or mis-directed mail. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. All opinions are 100% my own! RRRUK88F2KC4

Weekly Moment of Gratitude: Last SUNDAY of the year edition!

Have a Beautiful Sunday, Butterfly Fairy Wings

Butterflies it is the last Sunday before the New Year! So much gratitude and so little time left before a new year begins!

What I am Grateful For:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - YOU! - There has been a weekly moment of gratitude since 2009 in this space, and it's meant so much to me each time you all join in and share with me something you are grateful for. It's been an amazing glimpse into one another's life and I am very grateful for each and every one of you!

From Every Wound There Is A Scar And Every Scar Tells A Story. A Story That Says, I Survived.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - SCARS + LIFE! - New Year's Eve before 2012 began I was battling for my life and that was the absolute worst New Year I had ever known. I am grateful for my life of course, grateful to be ringing in another new year when doctor's didn't seem so sure I would. But most importantly that year was a defining moment that taught me how strong I really am. We all think we know what we will think, feel and do in certain situations, but until life puts you to the test, you really don't know. Trials are life lessons that help to uncover hidden strengths.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - ASCENDING BUTTERFLY! - In many ways it is hard to say if I've grown into this site or if this site has grown with me. It's probably a mix of both but I'm grateful for every moment of it. It will change in 2014. I am changing in many ways and I'm sure those changes will reflect here. But being a butterfly has always been about transformation. I am excited to welcome in a new phase of my journey and share it all with you!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - VISION BOARD! - I am planning on creating a Vision Board and making my New Year's Wishlist something Visual I can tap into when the day-to-day needs of the present moment try to side-track me from my long term goals.

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GIVEAWAY ALERT:

 New Year, New Jacket!

For all you give to me, I love to offer fun giveaways as a way to thank you all for sharing this journey of gratitude and transformation with me! Our wonderful friends at Wilsons Leather are closing out the year with us and want one of our lucky followers to enjoy a $100 gift card to start the new year with a new jacket, or a new handbag or a new accessory of choice! But much like the lottery you've got to be in it to win it, so be sure to put in your entry HERE ASAP! And if you aren't already doing so, sign up for their newsletter as they host regular giveaways of their own, AND they offer exclusive discounts to newsletter subscribers, so trust me when I tell you that a $100 with them can really go a long way, and with styles for both men and women as well as fashionable and functional accessories, there is literally something for everyone!

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

I wish each and every one of you a year filled with peace, happiness, love, joy, health, abundance and prosperity. May each new day that unfolds in 2014 bring you something new to be grateful for!

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

What are you GRATEFUL for this week Butterfly?  Is it a lesson learned, or a random act of kindness that you gave or received? What do you want 2014 to bring?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post.

#ad: Starting a Business Takes More than just 'Ganas'/Desire, it takes Planning + a #Giveaway too! @AmwayUS #SomosAmway

#ad: This is a Compensated/Sponsored Post in collaboration with Amway and Latina Bloggers Connect, as always, all opinons are 100% my own, additional disclosure information below post.

I've been an entrepreneur in some form or another for as long as I can remember, in fact I worked three jobs to get myself through College (in addition to several academic merit scholarships!). My original major was Biological Sciences (because I was pre-med and an aspiring Cardiologist at the time), but I was already a freelance writer contributing articles to a Bronx Newspaper (no, folks not just the Campus paper), and I ran my own Transcription and Translation Service, it started small and the word-of-mouth eventually landed me a Major Magazine Client whose editors would use both services, they would send me the tapes of the interviews editors would conduct with Spanish Speaking Celebrities and have me translate them because the magazine published articles solely in English at the time with some peppering of Spanish in some articles, so I would not only transcribe all interviews, (both the English and Spanish ones), but also translate the Spanish articles. It was my first lesson in just how long the hours are when you work for yourself. I would get a lot of 'overnight' turn around requests. Tapes would sometimes arrive to me via a messenger service up until 1 am (the latest time those services ran in my city) and I would have to translate, transcribe, proof read and get the tape returned and story sent to the editor hours later for same day rush service. Yes I was smart enough to charge additional fees for same day service and turn around, but I had to be up all night sometimes to complete those jobs. And still get up early for an office day job and a FULL TIME, NOT PART TIME class schedule.

Was it easy? NO, not at all.

Was I always tired? Indeed.

While my three jobs were very different in scope they all taught me unique lessons that all specifically prepared me well for the future. They honed my discipline, my accounting skills, my time management skills, project management skills and client management skills. All skills you need in spades to turn your dreams of running your own business into a reality.

It takes more than 'Ganas'/'Desire', it takes more than wanting it to make it happen. Yes butterflies if you can dream it, you can achieve it, I have NO doubt about that, but don't forget that it takes planning, research, in some cases additional education and it does take financial preparation. When you work for yourself, you will work way LONGER hours than you've ever worked for anyone else. Trust me when I tell you no day job you've ever had will ever compete with the amount of hours you will have to work when you go into business for yourself.

Amway is partnering with various digital entrepreneurs to discuss and share our stories. They empower people everyday by enabling them to start a business, and they wanted us to share our perspective with being your own boss. Despite the fact this economy is still very much in a recession, it's exactly that reason that many people are exploring their options. Sometimes a 9-to-5 isn't quite enough to make ends meet these days and knowing that there are other options to empower yourself and your family is important.

My friends there is a cure out there for "The Common Cubicle"! Sales skills are an integral part of any business, so this is a great way to hone those skills in hours that are convenient for you. Check out the quick video below:

I for one think it's important to get first hand feedback from someone who is currently in a business, so I would suggest checking out the testimonials from happy Amway Family members including the Diaz Family, the St. John Family, the Avellaneda Family, the Veloz Family, the Kothapallis Family, and the Garcia Family. There are tons more!

I personally think it's good business to allow folks to 'try the goods' you know 'sample the merchandise', and thankfully our friends at Amway agree, there is no better way to help people understand just how great your products are than by giving them the chance to try them out for themselves! Amway wants YOU to do just that!

WIN IT:

Our friends at Amway want you to try out some of their most popular products including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NUTRILITE Fruit & Vegetables 2Go Twist Tubes (We actually did a full review of this product HERE if you'd like to check that out)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NUTRILITE Men's Packs Dietary Supplements

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NUTRILITE Women's Pack Dietary Supplements

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NUTRILITE Perfect Pack for your Health

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Artistry Youth Xtend Collection

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Artistry Light Up Lip Gloss

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Artistry Liquid Eyeliner

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Legacy of Clean All Purpose Surface Wipes

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Legacy of Clean SA8 Triple Liquid 3X Concentrated Laundry Detergent

The Approximate Value of this Prize Basket is $710.00! Can I get a Woot! Woot!

Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note Ascending Butterfly is NOT drawing the winner, the sponsor is, so please check back after the contest closes to see the winner's name announced on the widget as I won't be posting a winner's announcement for this since I'm not drawing it.

Tell us Butterflies, What part of the prize package interests you most?

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FTC Dislcosure: This is a Sponsored Giveaway in conjunction with Amway. All prizes are non-transferable with no cash redemption, equivalent or substitution except at Sponsor's Sole Discretion. Prize details and availability are subject to change and in the event that Sponsor is unable to provide a Winner with their Prize the Sponsor may elect to provide such Winner the approximate value of said prize in an alternate prize of comparable value. Prizes will be awarded via a random drawing and winners will be notified directly by Amway NOT by Ascending Butterfly. All Winners must respond to the notification within 24 hours or an alternate winner will be selected. Ascending Butterfly is NOT responsible for shipment of prizing, shipping fees or insurance, prizes will be fulfilled by Amway. Sponsor nor Ascending Butterfly will be held responsible for lost, late or mis-directed mail. Winners are responsible for any taxes on prizes awarded. Odds of winning are based on the number of  participants during respective entry period. No Purchase Necessary. Prizes will be honored and shipped to winners ages 18 + who are United States Residents.