Yes Way Frosé! This Watermelon Frosé with Blueberries gets it's own #WordlessWednesday for being my drink pick of the summer! From @curvexpo Cocktail Hour honoring @Wacoal [#Lingerie Designer of the Year] @Pier66Maritime

Curvexpo 2018 was fabulous this year!

The increased focus on Body Positivity and even a panel on Social Media made it my favorite tradeshow of the summer!

More to come, and hopefully some brand highlights in individual posts as there were a TON of butterfly sightings this year which meant I talked to way more brands than I usually get a chance to.

Today's "Wordless Wednesday" is focusing on a delicious Watermelon Frosé with Blueberries that was the signature drink of the event (the drink was brought to us by Vodafone) at the Cocktail Hour hosted outside the tradeshow at a venue called Big Red Boat in Park/aka 'Frying Pan'/Pier 66 Maritime they were honoring Wacoal as Lingerie Designer of the Year and Curvexpo exhibitors and attendees and media were invited to mix and mingle over drinks and apps! It got super packed and busy but the location right on the water somehow made it so relaxing.

Above: Yes Way Frosé! This Watermelon Frosé with Blueberries gave me all the summer feels, it was refreshing, cool and delicious - a treat in a cup!

Above: Just another day in the city that never sleeps when a Cocktail gets its own blog post! I call this "FROYAY"

Above: Not a bad view from my table, Curvexpo NYC did it again, see you guys next year!

These photos were taken by me using a Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera.

Readers Sound Off: What was your Cocktail of Summer 2018? Did you hit on something new or stick to an old favorite? Have you attended Curvexpo in NYC or other cities?

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

#WordlessWednesday This one is for you #Squirrel Friends! #Photography #NikonD3300

I thought things couldn't get worse after the Fourth of July fire, last night I found out that my Aunt passed away, so for the first time ever, I am very much truly wordless!

This photo was taken by me using a Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera.

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Fourth of July FIREworks now have a whole new and not so good meaning for me, this #WordlessWednesday photo is definitely worth a thousand words!

I have never truly come close to a true wordless 'Wordless Wednesday', but today will be the closest I have ever come. A bit after midnight on the Fourth of July we were awakened to the sound of someone pounding on our door yelling "FIRE!" "FIRE!".

Someone threw illegal fireworks off the roof and set the building ablaze.

I have more photos of the destruction that the FDNY left in their wake, but I think my battered bible says it all:

Unfortunately, this is the second time there was a fire in my apartment complex. This time around I am saddened by not only the things that were lost that can't be replaced, photos, the family bible pictured above, trinkets from my travels but also these things that leave me angry:

- FDNY - The firefighters were so RUDE. They let us know that we were SUPPOSED to go up to the roof and stop people from throwing illegal fireworks, um, it was late at night and I was asleep and two, I am NOT a cop. There has been quite a bit of gang activity in this area and he thinks I am supposed to risk my life confronting criminals?

- My Neighbors - People we have lent a hand to when they were locked out their apartments, held their packages when they missed Fedex/UPS - and when the worst was over everyone closed their doors, not one person asked if we would like to stay with them or needed water or anything.

- My Fair Weather Friends - Remember when it was popular to ask 'Who is your 4 am?' - meaning if anything were to happen to you and you could not call your parents, siblings etc who would that person be that would be there for you in the middle of the night. I should have already known this from my health scare in 2011 - but this, really helped hit home that I do not have a 4 am.

- My Landlord - There should be better security measures in this building and if this isn't proof of that, then I do not know what is.

Readers: Have you ever experienced a fire? 

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#WineWednesday} Looking for a Sparkling #Wine to start your #FourthofJuly2018 with a pop of apple crisp goodness that will carry you into fall? Check out @drinksauvage

Happy Fourth of July Butterflies!

Compensated Post Sponsored By: Sauvage Comsi Comsa Apple Crisp Sparkling Wine

June was a BIG month at Ascending Butterfly, it marked the 10 year anniversary of this blog. I normally do a 'it's our birthday, you get the gifts' month of giveaways, but things got super busy so I will sprinkle some giveaway goodness into your life throughout the summer.

Something about Independence day and the expression "As American as Apple Pie" made me want to work on this post today. And while I am not presenting actual Apple Pie, I am talking about 'Apple Crisp', of a LIQUID variety.

Above: Sauvage Comsi Comsa 'Apple Crisp' Sparkling Wine

You guys have no idea just how long it took to get this flat overlay shot to work, then I used Ribbet (my fave online Photo Editing Software) to get this matte effect!

For some odd reason my wine tasting experiences have leaned heavily on the international side, and when I got to cover the Tropicana Winter Wine Fest in Atlantic City, New Jersey, it was the first time I had a chance to try wines produced closer to home.

Today I am proud to share a wine that is produced in Oneonta, New York and has only TWO ingredients - apples and champagne yeast. This wine is natural, gluten-free and kosher and made with dozens of apple varieties sourced from local farms surrounding the distillery.

Sauvage's distillery and tasting room is in Oneonta, New York in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains along the banks of the Susquehanna River and has direct access to 24 varieties of apple's growing in the nearby region's orchards.

It is 12% alcohol by volume with an Amber-Caramel color and a 'full-bodied nose' and is that intersection where bubbly meets cider (cider is only 6% alcohol by volume, Comsi Comsa 'Apple Crisp' is 12%).

It has the refreshing taste of a crisp green apple, not a sweet, crumbly dessert, I tend to lean toward brut and dry palate wines and love that this is crisp, surprisingly full-bodied and well-balanced.

Above: I was so inspired I even started exploring fun filters - this filter is called "True Vintage" and I love everything about it, I want to enlarge this one and put it in my kitchen!

MY TAKE:

Sauvage Comsi Comsa Sparkling Wine is affordable luxury at $14.99 per bottle and pairs so perfectly with cheeses that you will want to make it the star of your summer and fall. I'm a Brie Cheese lover and the pairing of this wine with Brie is literally a match made in heaven.

If an 'Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away' surely stocking my bar with Comsi Comsa Apple Crisp will help me live forever right?

So be sure to pick up a bottle to go along with your backyard barbecues and fireworks today!

Please drink responsibly butterflies, do NOT drink and drive!

Readers Sound Off: What is your favorite way to enjoy Apples?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is both a compensated and a sponsored Post, but the love is real. Ascending Butterfly is not just my passion project, it's my business/brand. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MusicMonday} #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ Celebrating @PaquitoDRivera 70th Birthday @BlueNoteNYC + through June 30 Blue Note Jazz Festival Presented by @Sony and #Inglot

I have eclectic taste in music, fellow eclectics will tell you they have a lot of everything, something from pretty much every genre but rarely listen to the same artist for prolonged periods of time, rotating from various gems in their extensive music collection.

There are some artists I have in every format that music has been produced in: 8 Track, Vinyl, Cassette, CD and now digital.

Paquito D'Rivera is one of those artists.

Last week I got to celebrate his 70th birthday at the iconic and legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City and it was EPIC!

Now through June 30th the Blue Note Jazz Festival which is being sponsored by Sony and Inglot, is bringing a ton of great artists to the Blue Note Jazz Club.

Photo Highlights:

Above: I just had to nab a shot of the stage before the crowd rolled in!

Above: Reserved Table Baby! Look who's high rolling and on the list! :)

Above: Each table has its own Gold Star, sort of like the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Jazz, my table was Illinois Jacquet. Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B sax solo. (He was a skilled improviser and he also doubled on the bassoon!)

Above: After soaking up the vibes it was time to order a nice libation and I was so stoked to see the "Plum Razz Martini" on the menu as I love Plum Sake!

Plum Razz Martini Cocktail:

Stoli Razberi
Umeshu Plum Sake
Fresh Lemon Juice

Above: 'The Paqman' performing at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. From 6/12-17 he performed 12 sets, all different repertoire, there was little something something for everyone!

Above: While this was not my first time seeing Paquito D'Rivera perform live it was my first time seeing him perform at The Blue Note Jazz Club!

Above: I love when musicians banter with the crowd and one of my favorite moments was when the band was about to perform some brazilian music when Paquito asked if anyone was from Brazil in the crowd, an audience member said she was, and that she saw him perform there as well.

Above: We were surprised with a Meet & Greet! This is Cheryl Goodman, Head of North American Global Communications for Sony who I captured at the precise moment when she was pointing to me and telling Paquito "I was so cool!" I think I love this picture even more than my photos with him, because I will NEVER forget this moment!

Above: As you can tell by the laughs Paquito is very down to earth. I seriously have no idea how artists have any energy left for meet and greets after a performance.

Above: A forward facing one, you know for insta!

MY TAKE:

Last year I told you guys about the launch of Sony Square Space, (linking you to my Square Space coverage in case you missed it) and this year it's Sony Hall. While the concert I attended was in the West 3rd venue, Sony Hall, equipped with Sony's technologies is integrated throughout a 12,000 square-foot venue owned/operated by Blue Note Entertainment in the heart of New York's Theatre District (at the Paramount Hotel). Offering a full-service restaurant and bar with a capacity of 1,000 standing and 500 seated.

There is a reason why live plays trump movies and concerts trump CD's, nothing beats theatre or music being experienced live.

I do not know how Paquito D'Rivera has so much energy. At 70 I am probably going to want a nap for my birthday! LOL

Note that the West 3rd venue is quite intimate and it's shared tables so for this venue you really want to round up a bigger crew so you will be seated with folks you know. If you are a smaller group be prepared to share your table. I only mention this as that night I observed a couple on a first date, and they seemed a bit over-whelmed at having folks so close up and personal.

But as a music lover you are also getting a great chance to connect fellow music lovers which can be fun.

We enjoyed quite a few shared apps and a variety of the drinks and everything was great including wonderfully attentive service. But finding a drink with Plum Sake was such a pleasant surprise. And I am going to have to get a bottle of this brand because I really liked it. I personally would use regular stoli and let the plum sake do the talking but I wasn't mad at the stoli razberi!

And I have to admit my Nikon did its thing considering the low lighting. I played around with a few of the photos using my photo editor and did some sepia and black and whites that I didn't include here, I will use those for a Wordless Wednesday because they impart such a totally different mood/vibe that they would be perfect for the day that the interwebs focuses on photos.

One of Paquito D'Rivera's best collaborations was on "Another Kind of Blue: The Latin Side of Miles Davis, featuring Conrad Herwig and Paquito D'Rivera" you definitely want a CD of music that was recorded live at the blue note as a memento of your experience. There is a gift shop on the second floor, so be sure to hit it on the way out.

I am literally posting about last week out of order, so stay tuned for an upcoming Travel meets Tech post next (it's actually where I was during the day that day, this performance was in the evening)!

Readers Sound Off: Who is your favorite Jazz Musician? Have you been to the legendary Blue Note?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, but it certainly should be. This is not just my passion project, it's my business/brand. This is an event recap and passes were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

GLAM + Ambition = Glambition™ Check out the highlights from Beauty Night Out 2018 #GBNO18 #KnockingDownWallsInHeels hosted by @Google

Above: I rarely a start a post with a 'see what I did there?' but I cropped out the person I took this picture for just because I loved the idea of her silhouette juxtaposed against the event signage. I have been really into getting more creative with my Photography. This was shot with a Canon Rebel, I have since switched to Nikon.

In 2016 during Women's History Month I got to attend a very special event called "GLAMBITION Women Think Big". An event intended to help empower and inspire and explore the many roles we play both in life and in business. (Linking you to it just in case you missed it.)

This year Glambition returned to NYC in a different venue, Google's NYC offices in Chelsea. On the day of this event many marches were being held for the #MeToo movement. I actually did not know that but discovered it that day when tons of women participating in the rally in NYC boarded the MTA Subway Train I was on with their signs in tow. 

I love that Glambition events have aligned with significant dates of importance for women.

If you have a bit of GLAM in you and a ton of Ambition then Glambition™ events are definitely for YOU!

There were panel sessions that helped to empower entrepreneurs - women in business who are doing big things and are willing to share the journey so you can learn from their mistakes and be inspired by their triumps! 

Photo Highlights:

Above: Google Neon Sign, NYC HQ Lobby

Above: Google was all about empowering entrepreneurs, and this butterfly was there to soak it all in!

Above: Salud Para Todos greeted guests with their Moringa Detox and Wellness Tea which was perfect because it was freezing outside and it tasted great! I also happened to be the lucky winner of their raffle and won a cool gift basket full of products that fit in perfectly with my personal and blog focus phrase for 2018 'self-care'. So you will see more on this soon, and I hope to partner with them to bring something fun for my butterflies that focuses on self-care. Which is something I have always been saying most of us do NOT get nearly enough of! Take care of your body, it is the engine that drives you daily.

Above: Photo 1: Left: Esmeralda Cruz, CEO of EC-OPS and in the second photo I couldn't help but get a close up of 'Big Lashes Lead To A Big Life'.

Above: Honor Thy Sweets treated guests to cupcakes! NOM NOM NOM

Above: Model Citizen's booth had fun t-shirt swag! They had pretty neat raffles too, I guess I can't win them all, but will post a pic in my tee for a wordless wednesday or on insta, so be sure you are following me there as well.

Above: And with my love of animal prints I spotted this super cute clutch from Faces Beautiful by Gail Sagel across the room! This is so ME! I am an avid travel lover, and I pride myself on being able to anywhere with just ONE carry on and my purse, and that's it. One thing I always like to pack is a clutch so on evenings out or a day just at the hotel I just carry essentials, this clutch is so packable and while it is meant to carry your Faces Beautiful Makeup, you can leave the makeup in the room and use the clutch for an evening out or have this as your makeup travel case. More to come, and they have also been invited to come back and doing something fun. I am also working on an animal print accessories round up and this is definitely going in there as well.

Above: You guys know I am obsessed with Plum Sake (just search my archives - my favorite is Gekkeikan Plum Sake), so when I discovered Plush Vodka - a plum flavored Vodka I was definitely trying it out and the signature cocktails too! They were also invited to do something fun - so stay tuned.

Above: As if Plum Vodka and signature cocktails weren't enough, the fine folks at Bartenura were offering a very nice selection of wines including a very nice Rose and Pinot Grigio!

Above: Dee Rivera, Founder of Dee and CO Group.

Above: Angelina Darrisaw, C-Suite Coach, providing affordable and accessible coaching and career content to millenial professionals with diverse backgrounds.

Above: Aisha Taylor Strategic Partnerships and Program Lead at Google. Aisha launched and oversees Google’s new Digital Coaches Program to equip and empower women and minority-owned small businesses with digital marketing training across 9 U.S. pilot cities (Atlanta, Austin, Bay Area, Chicago, Detroit, LA, Miami, NYC and Washington DC).

Above: Building Beauty is an Asset Panel. Don't let Social fool you, getting rich via Instagram and Blogging is not happening for everyone, and certainly not as easily or quickly as social makes it look. Whether you made or are still trying to make your first 'insta-millions' taking control of your finances is the best way to be sure you have a comfortable future. How to build assets with a Life Insurance was helmed by the team at New York Life Insurance.

Above: Building a Viable Brand Panel

Above: Panel discussion moderated by Hello Beautiful Style & Beauty Editor and Founder of Model Citizen, Danielle James. Left to Right: Sarah Perez (CEO of SALUD), Vera Moore (Founder, Vera Moore Cosmetics), Jane Carter (Founder, Jane Carter Solution), Kim Baker (Founder, Glamazon Cosmetics)

Check out the video coverage of these panels here: https://hellobeautiful.com/2976193/glambition-beauty-night-out-speakers/

MY TAKE:

I love supporting women in business and women owned businesses! I love meeting women who are willing to share their journey. No one has an easy rise/ride to the top, it takes hard work and a ton of guts to make it to the top of your industry.

I like how this event came at Entrepreneurship from all sides, the triumphs, hardships and obstacles that other successful female entrepreneurs have faced, and a reminder that getting a grip on all facets of wealth building and equity including being insured, are important foundations to your success.

Follow your gut instincts, and never second guess yourself was one of the greatest takeaways for me.

Readers Sound Off: What is YOUR GLAMbition?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, but it certainly should be. This is not just my passion project, it's my business/brand. This is an event recap and passes were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

#WordlessWednesday recap coverage from @BellaNYCMag The #Beauty Issue with @MsAlexaJoel Cover Launch Party @LaPulperianyc

NOT COMPENSATED!

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

It is Wordless Wednesday across the interwebs - a day where you say it with pictures!

And I have just the set of pictures for your eyeballs today butterflies

A few days ago I attended the cover launch of the May/June 2018 Beauty Issue of BELLA New York Magazine with Alexa Ray Joel at the 57th street location of La Pulperia New York City Restaurant and it was LIT!

Me and my new Nikon are still getting acquainted so a mix of my best shots and some pro shots are included below:

Above: The Red Carpet Arrivals! Alexa Ray Joel being interviewed by ET - Entertainment Television - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography (BTW, Alexa's hair was done by Angelo David Salon - and you can search my archives to see just how much I love them!)

Above: Alexa Ray Joel holds up The May/June 2018 Beauty Issue of BELLA New York Magazine  - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography

Above: Left: Avanti Gupta, Bella Magazine's TV host interviews - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography

Above: Left: Alexa Ray Joel with her fiance Ryan Gleason (Right)  - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography

Above: Alexa Ray Joel and her mom Christie Brinkley remind me of me and mama butterfly! Just a regular day in NYC hitting the scene!  - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography

Above: You know I am loving this shot for the mix of posed and candid - I love how Alexa's mom Christie is taking her own photo on her cellphone. - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography

Above: Christie Brinkley outside of La Pulperia Restaurant in New York City  - Photo Credit: Staten Arts Photography

OK Butterflies, let's move away from The Red Carpet Arrivals and delve into the event details and venue a bit!

Above: Had to nab a shot of the pretty flowers - table settings included flowers, candles and copies of the May/June 2018 Beauty Issue of BELLA New York Magazine! And this shot was nabbed by me!

Above: We need to go over this Bar Menu because they were great! Prosecco DOC Prosecco, Beso Del Sol Sangria, White Sparkling, Rose Sparkling and Rose Still - these were sweet and normally my palette runs dry but I really liked these! I can see these complimenting so many picnics in the park this summer! Batiste Rhum (I rarely cheat on Bacardi - but this is definitely cheat worthy!), Reeds Ginger Beer and 1907 Water. The Drinks and service at La Pulperia were equally amazing.

Above: Gotta be quick to nab an appetizer in NYC!

Above: I didn't earn my nickame as #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ for nothing, I can't hit an event without taking a good DJ shot, here is a shot of DJ MUVEE in action! NY Editors can sometimes play cool at events, but I can tell you booties were moving, so props to the DJ!

Above: By the way I was not as close as the photo makes it look, so YAS to upgrading my camera and my lenses!

Above: I was totally living for Jonathan Calixto of BELLA New York Magazine's look, that jacket and those pants were FIRE! You can find Jonathan on Instagram at: @ThisisJCali

MY TAKE

Events are mainly work for me, and half the time is spent trying to nab shots worthy of publication - this one brought me back to hanging out with friends just for fun and I had to remind myself I was technically at 'work'! and that is a very GOOD thing.

I met so many super nice folks and my only regret was not asking Alexa for a photo, I rarely do it, but she seemed super approachable and I was looking particularly cute that night and have no photo proof because I took none of me!

Readers: Pick up your copy of the May/June 2018 BELLA New York Magazine at your favorite news stand or check them out online at: bellanyc.com

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.