Britax B-Agile Double Stroller!

Did you know my *Daddy Butterfly* was a twin? Twins run on BOTH sides of my family so I already know what could happen when I'm ready to take the motherhood plunge (and by when I probably mean IF, LOL). There is a very high probability of me having twins. Thankfully the prospect is a little less scary thanks to Britax's new B-Agile Double Stroller!

The B-AGILE DOUBLE STROLLER, is the company’s first stroller to offer side-by-side seats. The light-weight double stroller offers the same quick-fold design and great maneuverability that made the single B-AGILE a top seller, but now with capacity for two children (appropriate from birth to up to 50 pounds per seat), making it an ideal solution for those families traveling with multiples.

BENEFITS:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Seats are 11.5 inches wide

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The seat backs are 18 inches

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - From the back of seats to the top of the canopies is 26 inches

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There is a 10 inch leg drop. It is from where the seat breaks to where the children rest their feet

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 removable infant headrests

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 50 lbs. capacity per seat (100 lbs. total for the strollerr)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - One touch buckle making it much easier to unbuckle the harness than previous B-Agile models

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Padded 5-point harness that is adjustable through the back of the seat

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Each seat has its own independent recline feature. The seat will always have a slight recline even in the most upright position

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 large, full coverage canopies. The canopies are independent and each has a mesh peek-a-boo window.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Adjustable handle. At its normal position the handle is 41 inches (waist high), it can be adjusted to 31 inches if desired.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Front wheel suspension. It absorbs many of the bumps to ensure child comfort.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Weighs only 28 lbs.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - CLICK and GO integrated adapter system makes it compatible with both the Britax B-Safe and Britax Chaperone infant car seats! Which is totally cool. Please note: only one car seat can be utilized at a time.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 large zippered pockets located on the back of each seat - can easily fit toys, a diaper bag and MORE!

You can purchase it on Amazon or any of your preferred Baby Retailers, just don't forget to maximize your spending dollar and join the Britax Registry Rewards program!

MY TAKE:

Traveling with Multiples is enough of a challenge, if you can find a product that takes child safety as well as YOUR convenience in mind, it makes your life that much easier! Think of it as investment for both your children's safety and your peace of mind!

Any Multiple Mom Butterflies out there who have tried this stroller out already? Please weigh in and let us know what you think!

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FTC Disclosure: The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media, a communications and digital marketing company that pairs multicultural and Latino bloggers with influential brands and blogging campaigns. I am a blogger brand ambassador for Britax USA and I am part of a long term campaign that does provide additional incentives for my participation. However all opinions are 100% my own. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Weekly Moment of Gratitude: Monday Motivation + New Orleans Here I Come Edition!

What I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I'm headed to New Orleans! -  On August 1st I wrote a post that served as a contest entry towards a sponsored trip to the Niche Mommy Conference in New Orleans (you can see the post HERE if you missed it) and I am super stoked to report that I actually won! I'm getting that nervous excited restless energy that I feel right before I travel somewhere new! I had no idea when I embarked on an Ambassadorship with @SafeConBritax that it would lead to many so new adventures! It started with a trip to Britax Headquarters earlier this year, and now the kickoff to a new blogging conference too. I loved the idea of becoming a Britax Ambassador from the very begining, because they put child safety first. I know the majority of my readers are moms. Moms from many different walks of life, but the common denominator for all moms is wanting your child to be safe. And that is Britax's goal, it's their mission. And the small way I get to be a part of that journey has been more rewarding than I ever could have anticipated. I'm grateful to be part of the program! I'm also grateful that this program has given me the opportunity to host giveaways for you so you can experience first hand just how wonderful Britax products really are!

I would love recos from any of our Ascending Butterfly NOLA readers!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Feature! - For last week's Motivation Monday we mentioned the opportunity for a reader to be featured, and I just wanted to remind everyone I am NOT looking just for bloggers for this feature, it's open to EVERYONE! (Here is the original post so you can get an idea of what questions we would be asking you!)

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Giveaways!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Giveaways will be back very soon, including our two favorite regular features that took a mini-hiatus this summer, The Featured Handbag in the Spotlight, and our Monthly Book Club!

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it:

Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html - Please note this is not a compensated post!

Revolutionize your Health and Fitness Experience in 3 EASY steps!

After a year that has been spent mostly in the hospital and in and out of doctor's offices, all the momentum I had gained in 2011 with losing so much weight and several dress sizes was pretty much under-mined. I am slowly trying to get back into the swing of things but my routine had to be modified to accomodate some restrictions until I'm 100 percent back up to speed.

I can't wait to get there, but I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and am happy to report I found a fitness and lifestyle experience that truly works for me, and one I feel strongly about, and strongly about sharing.

Kristin McGee, certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

I tried Yoga for the first time ever last year, and I really enjoyed it! I was hoping to incorporate it into my day to day fitness routine when I got sidetracked. This summer I got the chance to try again, I had an amazing Yoga Session with Kristin McGee (Kristin is a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor as well as an ACE certified personal trainer), the class was held at the Reebok Sports and Fitness Club in New York City! When you check out Kristin's site you'll see a ton of testimonials from her celebrity clients including: Steve Martin, Bethenny Frankel, Tina Fey and more. She is absolutely phenomenal and I get why her clients love her. It's her mind, body + soul approach to fitness that keeps you both grounded and energized at the same time. She made working out fun for me again, and in a way that made Yoga easier for me. She gave me ways to alter certain poses that I can't quite do just yet and still get the same workout as everyone else. I never felt intimidated, I never felt like I couldn't keep up and I definitely appreciate that. She also specializes in Post Natal Yoga so for those moms who want to get back in the swing of things again and lose those last stubborn pounds, you will definitely get the support you need with Kristin!

The Yoga Session was sponsored by CoachClub, who offers a unique approach to fitness, by bringing the gym TO YOU and not the other way around! It's 3 easy steps to get started!

Ever find yourself saying:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It's raining.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It's Snowing.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It's too hot.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I'm tired.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I had a busy day.

All perfectly wonderful excuses for not going to the gym. Until Now! CoachClub allows you to customize a fitness plan that is tailor made to your specific workout goals and needs. Whether you are in College and trying to get rid of the 'Freshman 15' or a mom who has post-pregnancy weight to contend with you are going to be able to customize a routine that not only works for YOU, but works with YOUR schedule.

If you thought 'Movies-on-Demand' were great, wait until you try 'CoachClub-on-Demand'. With CoachClub you can go 'On-Demand' and get over 200 workouts - 3 intensity levels, No subscription, No Commitment and Choose the Video you want, or you can go 'Premium' and set your goals, and get a Coach and unlimited access to fitness videos (so your routine never gets boring!)! Not sure which is right for you? No Worries Butterfly, for a very limited time you can try out Premium FREE. Yes that's right, you read that right, FREE. Premium is in Beta through August 31, 2012 so you can try it out for free and see if it works for you.

While I don't have the money to have Kristin train me daily, (let's face it in this economy hiring a personal trainer is a luxury!), I can certainly afford CoachClub, and love that I can work out when I want, and am not restricted to a specific class or gym schedule that I may not have time for. This is fitness at a time that works for me, in the comfort of my home, so I am at more at ease, can work out in whatever I want to wear break a sweat and not worry about anyone watching and then follow with a shower that has all my favorite beauty products at the ready! Fitness at MY schedule, my way.....CoachClub where have you been all our lives?

Kristin McGee, certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Here are some tips from Kristin and Coach Club to help make CoachClub work for YOU:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Right after you drop off the kids at school do your workout! If you put it off, you'll find excuses not to get moving.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Invite a friend or other mom over to your house and workout to CoachClub together. It's a way to hang out and be social and sneak in exercise

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have your kids do CoachClub workouts with you after school, it keeps the whole family moving and is a fun way to unwind and blow off stress from the day. 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If your kids are too young to get moving with you, play a game where they have to judge you and see if you're doing the moves correctly like American Idol!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Set your iphone, blackberry, computer alarm to alert you that it's time to get up and move and just do a 25 minute Coachclub routine even 25 minutes a day will re energize you.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Take turns with your husband getting the kids ready for school in the AM and do CoachClub on alternate days. You can even set up a little contest with your hubby.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Do some post natal yoga on CoachClub if you're a new mom when the baby is napping to rebuild strength and tone. 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sign up for CoachClub with friends from all over the country and skype or email with each other to share notes.

We were also sent home with Mission Ready 'Omega-3 Ready' which delivers 50% more EPA and DHA than most Fish Oil supplements!

My fitness routine got a boost this summer and now a way to keep it up through winter, and I hope this info helps you to step it up a notch too! And if you are super active during summer but less so during winter, use this program to help you maintain your fitness routine through fall into winter!

Left: Kristin McGee, Right: Ascending Butterfly

Get Social With it:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like CoachClub on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @CoachClub on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Kristin McGee on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @thebendigirl on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Get Mission Ready on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @getmissionready on Twitter

So Butterflies, What are you going to do to kick up your fall/winter Fitness Routine?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post. No monetary compensation has been received. I did attend a Yoga Fitness Class led by Kristin McGee at Reebook Sports & Fitness Club NYC and I did receive Get Mission Ready 'Omega-3 Ready' dietary supplements to try. I do feel strongly about health and fitness and enjoy sharing fitness and health finds with Ascending Butterfly Readers, however I am not a medical expert, so please see your doctor before embarking on a new fitness routine or trying any new supplements!

The Odd Life of Timothy Green In Theaters NOW! #TimothyGreen

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes well you might find

You get what you need

Apparently, The Rolling Stones aren't the only ones that feel that way! Can you 'plant' a wish and make it 'grow'? Maybe you can. That's what the book 'The Secret' tells us right? What we believe and what we speak can be manifested into our lives merely by the process of asking The Universe for it, that by telling The Universe we already have it, we are making it so.

Even the biggest dreams can be realized with true passion and faith right?

I for one, do strongly believe that we say and think are very powerful, and can alter our destiny as quickly and simply as our actions (good or bad) can. In Disney's latest movie release, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, a couple that wants a baby don't exactly get what they expected, but they do get what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

ABOUT:

Academy Award-nominated director/writer Peter Hedges ('Dan in Real Life,' 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?') brings enchantment to the screen with 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green,' an inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who can't wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim--and their small town of Stanleyville--learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.

Genre(s): Comedy,Drama

Run Time: 102min.

Theatrical Release Date: 08/15/2012

Distributor(s): Walt Disney Pictures

Director: Peter Hedges

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Ron Livingston, Dianne Wiest, CJ Adams

MY TAKE:

With many of you flocking to the theaters this weekend to beat the summer heat and humidity, you should check out the heart-warming yet quirky film.

Get Social with The Odd Life of Timothy Green here:

on Pinterest

on Facebook

on Twitter - Make sure you use the hashtag #TimothyGreen when you tweet!

So Butterfly if you could 'plant' any wish and make it really 'grow' what would it be?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored or compensated post. I reviewed the film as a member of the Digital Press and was no under obligation to post a recap.

Wordless Wednesday - The post #BlogHer12 in Pictures and I kissed Zac Efron Edition!

Re-capping BlogHer in it's entirety could probably take weeks, so I thought I'd walk you through some of what I did and what I saw in pictures, what better day than Wordless Wednesday to do it?

At the T-Mobile Suite during BlogHer, I had the chance to get a massage, a mini-makeover and a chance to kiss Zac Efron - SCORE!

Rickland Orchards took me to Greece! Check out Ascending Butterfly hamming it up at the Rickland Orchards booth at the BlogHer12 Expo Hall - Try all their Greek Yogurt Bars - The Blueberry Acai was my personal favorite!

Got Milk? Check out Ascending Butterfly with her milk mustache, wouldn't you like a home delivery from this smiling Milk Man?

Um....The Lorax is seriously stalking Ascending Butterfly - HELP!

BlogHer Co-founders from Left to Right: Elisa Camahort Page and Lisa Stone

On my recap of day one I shared about President Obama addressing BlogHer Attendees during the Opening Keynote! You could feel the charge of energy throughout the entire room!

I got to steer the ship at the Gorton's Seafood Booth!

I was the Live Blogger for the 'Honoring Your Culture - Celebrating Your Commonality' Panel Session. From Left to Right: Kristin Russo (far left), Grace Hwang Lynch (Session Moderator behind laptop), Carol Cain (wearing glasses) and Sabrina Enayatula (far right). This was a great panel! Press on any of the panelists' names to check out their sites!

From Left to Right: Martha Stewart (left), BlogHer Co-Founder Elisa Camahort Page (right)

Staples was featuring their Martha Stewart Home Office Products, notice the butterfly to the right?  Butterflies follow me everywhere, no wonder I'm a butterfly blogger! I only wish my home office was this organized!

There are some great photos from other parts of BlogHer12 that I will share in other posts, hope you enjoyed these! (I am way more comfortable BEHIND the camera than I am in front of it!) You can also see these pics on Ascending Butterfly's Pinterest Page on the BlogHer 2012 Board!

Did you attend BlogHer12? If so, please feel free to share your Wordless Wednesday BlogHer12 recap links here so we can all see them!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No compensation has been received to share my BlogHer12 conference experience. All opinions expressed are 100% my own!

The stars at night are big and bright....and I want to see them ALL!

Most of you already know I'm a One2One Network member. Throughout the years my membership has been just as much a benefit to me as it has been to each and every single reader of Ascending Butterfly. I have had the chance to share about great products, great deals as well as host a giveaway or three! Be it by email or during Blogging Conferences, I have been often asked why I am a member, or do I find being a member valuable and would I recommend them? My answer is YES.

I learned a long time ago that Blogging is NOT an Island. And as for work/life balance there are only so many hours in a day, and I don't have as much time as I'd like to do outreach for Ascending Butterfly. I take blogging seriously and enjoy bringing you diverse, rich content. Companies like One2One Network that bring brands and bloggers together specialize in outreach, in a way that I never could, or probably wouldn't even want to. I love to write, I never aspired to be a sales person. But somehow throughout the years it's a hat I've had to wear. With One2One it's like having my own sales team, they do the outreach and then come back to me with the opportunity to connect with brands I actually know and work on projects that excite me, without any penalty when I don't want to or just simply can't participate in a campaign for whatever reason.

The company was founded by Barbara Jones and my favorite quote about why she founded the community is:

"I saw an opportunity to break-out on my own and build a grassroots team of socially active women who have the 'I-can't-help-myself' desire to share information about new products and services with their friends, family and colleagues." ~ Barbara Jones

Their motto is: Fun Projects, Cool Perks, Nice People and throughout the years that's exactly what it has been! I've read great books (like Once in a Blue Moon), Listened to great music (like Harry Connick Jr Your Songs, Norah Jones ...Featuring and many others including the fantastic Sex and The City 2 Soundtrack!) and tried some great products including: Crest 3D Whitestrips (please note if you visit that link, that giveaway is already closed), L'Oréal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lash Mascara, and Gain Apple Mango Tango Laundry Detergent - all of which remain on my permanent shopping list!

One2One is doing something amazing right now and I really want to be a part of it! One2One Network is hosting a full sponsorship to the Blissdom13 conference for it's members, and I truly want to attend! Check out this page to get more info about the sponsorship contest.

I have never been to Blissdom. I've been to BlogHer (both in 2010 and this year), and I'm headed to the Niche Mommy Conference this month (this is the FIRST year and it's being held in New Orleans! Awesomesauce!), but how I've never been to Blissdom I don't know, just the name alone sounds like I should be there!

I started my year with a shocking and horrible mis-diagnosis, that I was on 'borrowed time' it's pretty much anyone's worst nightmare. And after almost a year of exploratory surgeries (and 2 long hospitalizations later) I'm still very much standing. But my medical setback has given me a mountain of medical expenses to deal with and also robbed me of some major holidays (I spent both New Years Eve and my birthday in the hospital this year). It also placed limits on what I could do physically. I'm finally getting back on track and have TONS of lost time to make up for.

So as much as I'd like to attend to Blissdom13 next year, it won't be possible for me without a sponsorship. This year to get to BlogHer12 I volunteered for my pass, if not, I wouldn't have been able to make it. And for Niche Mommy I won my sponsorship this year which I'm super grateful for!

The four Blissdom13 tracks are: Business, Writing, Life Development, and Photography and they would help me grow both Ascending Butterfly (as well as myself) both personally and professionally speaking and I love the fact that the Writing and Photography Tracks format will also have a hands-on workshop feel! 

The conference after 5 years in Nashville, TN is moving to Dallas, TX. There is something so very fitting about that for me, the conference itself has decided IT needed change and that's exactly how I feel in my life. After being told I might lose mine, I really don't want to hold back in any area of my life anymore. I want to see things I haven't seen, I'm bolder now, I'm not as afraid of taking risks or chances and most of all I want change, I want growth. I think my medical setback kind of brought me into a real life 'chrysalis' state and now that it's almost totally behind me, I want to emerge from my cocoon as a whole new butterfly, and what better way to do it than with a new experience?

I'm sure you guessed it by now, but this is a contest entry, but it's also a super personal glimpse into where I'm at right now!

How about you butterfly, What kind of change do you want to bring into your life for 2013?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. However this post does serve as a contest entry for One2One Network Members.

Motivation Monday: What inspires YOU? Tell us for a chance to be featured in our new monthly '#inspiration corner'!

It's Motivation Monday Time, but this time there's a twist, usually I do all the writing and you do all the reading. How about we mix things up a bit?

I've been reading a lot of Post BlogHer12 drama and the only thing that came to mind was 'How can I help be a part of the solution'? There seems to be so many flames, trolls and mis-understandings going on right now, that I'd like to see something positive instead.

I've been wanting to do a feature monthly since I started Ascending Butterfly and somehow never got around to it, it was originally going to be a share your best butterfly story type of contest, and then I kept toying with the idea and somehow put it on the back burner.

So here's my proposal, because my schedule is absolutely insane, I'll start it off as a monthly feature, if we get slammed with entries we'll increase the frequency.

I would like to feature one person per month, the feature will ask you to answer the following questions:

(1) What inspires you?

(2) What are you most grateful for in your life?

(3) What does being an ascending butterfly mean to YOU? What's YOUR butterfly story?

Whether you are a blogger, small business owner or a celebrity you will get a very small bio at the end of the feature, the point of this feature isn't for anyone to sell anything, this is for us all to embrace the positive things in our lives and in one another, are you game?

Want to be featured? I'd like to keep things simple so just post your email address formatted for security purposes and we will email you the questions above which you can answer at your own convenience, I really want truly thoughtful answers!

If you are selected to be featured you will be notified via email!

We will feature as many people interested as possible, and NO we aren't just looking for bloggers! Everyone will have the chance to be included, this is not a contest, this is a way for us all to give and receive inspiration from one another! (Do you have any input as to when you'd like to see the feature rolled out? I'm thinking the first of the month? Let me know what you think!)

Happy Motivation Monday Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post!

Weekly Moment of Gratitude! The Post #BlogHer12 Edition!

What I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - YOU! -  I wanted to thank you all again for your votes on my #windowstyle makeover entry, while I wasn't selected as one of the five winners, I was told I had the most tweets of support for my entry and that really means a lot to me. I wanted to personally thank all of you who took the time to tweet a vote on my behalf, I greatly appreciate it! I try to limit my vote requests for contests that really matter to me and try to ask as infrequently as possible, so when I work up the courage to make a vote request public it really means a lot to have you all vote! (and I am happy to return vote requests, so don't hesitate to post your requests here or tweet them to me!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Survived BlogHer! - I wasn't exactly sure my body was going to be up for the challenge this year, but somehow I not only survived the insanity that is BlogHer, but this year as conference volunteer who had the opportunity to live blog during some of the panels for BlogHer's website. So far, I have one recap live (day one, where the PRESIDENT addressed the conference, which you can read HERE) and I hope to have more posts up soon! I know it sounds weird, not that being sponsored the first time I attended BlogHer wasn't great, because it was (thanks to the great folks at stickylife.com who sponsored me in 2010 and were fantastic to work with), but I was really proud this year to be a volunteer. My medical expenses have been prohibitive, and finding a way to still be able to attend would have been close to impossible, so I am grateful that BlogHer offers the volunteer option and thankful that when I applied I was actually selected. It's the only way I was going to be able to attend this year that's for sure. This year I felt like I 'earned' my own way there, and that my friends is a great feeling!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Random Acts of Kindness! -  I was on the receiving end of a major RAOK, and I know the person who did it didn't do it to be acknowledged publicly, so I won't get too specific, but it did fill my spirit with gratitude, enough to know that I want to pay it forward and will. Have you given or received a Random Act of Kindness this week? If you'd like to share about it, I'd love to hear about it!

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Giveaways!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Giveaways will be back very soon, including our two favorite regular features that took a mini-hiatus this summer, The Featured Handbag in the Spotlight, and our Monthly Book Club!

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it:

Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html - Please note this is not a compensated post!

My Not So Dirty Little Conference Secret!

Last year on my way to the endless maze that is the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New York City I ran into a street team passing out 5-hour ENERGY® Samples. They were energetic, enthusiastic and all around nice, so how I could refuse them right?

I put them in my handbag and almost forgot about them. That is until about 3pm, when I realized I had dashed out the door without breakfast, hadn't drank much water and spent the entire day on my feet and still hadn't had lunch. To say I was exhausted was an under-statement. I remembered the sample, but I hesitated. This is the girl who never even tried that little pill that is phonetically similar to 'slow crows' even when cramming for exams in College when it was very popular. I was afraid of the 'crash' I heard these things can cause and as I avoid caffeine on a daily basis (when I do drink soda, it's caffeine free) I was a bit nervous about trying it.

When I realized I was no closer to food and dead on my feet I gave in, and I tried it. I was pleasantly surprised that I found it be very fast acting. I also made sure I stopped and ate something, and bought extra bottled water to get through the rest of the expo. After the expo I had to stop by the office, and after that an evening event, that day was pretty much an 18 hour day, and 5-hour ENERGY® did give me just that extra boost I needed to get through the day without collapsing from sheer exhaustion!

A few weeks later, I had landed an awesome side job, the problem with that side job is that it started late evening, and ran pretty much through the night and I had to be back at work early in the morning. I reached for my second sample and again it got me through a super long day with no crash and no negative side effects. That awesome side job went so well it became a once a week thing for about a year, needless to say I kept myself in supply of my favorite energy drink!

Now I carry one with me every time I have to visit an Expo or Conference, not just at the Javitz but anywhere. I also bring one with me when I have to fly to the West Coast and especially when I fly international to keep myself from getting too tired when I have to be 'on'. Whether it's a presentation or a client dinner. Honestly, even on a vacation with an over-packed itinerary.

5-hour ENERGY® is the first of it's kind that I tried and it worked well for me so I haven't tried any others, but like they say 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', right?

What's in 5-hour ENERGY®?

The key ingredients in 5-hour ENERGY® are also available in every day foods – like broccoli, avocados, bananas and apples – or already in you. It contains zero sugar, four calories and as much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee. (and for those like me who restrict their daily caffeine intake, there is also available a Decaf Version)

Why try 5-hour ENERGY®?

Quick, simple and effective Fast and easy to consume Zero sugar Zero herbal stimulants 4 calories!

B-vitamins and amino acids As much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee Also available in a Decaf version Non carbonated

What it DOESN'T?

5-hour ENERGY® does not cure any disease and/or ailments and does not enhance performance. It should not be drank before going to a club/bar and should not be used with alcohol. In addition, 5-hour ENERGY® is not for children!

My Take

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Individual Results Will Vary, but in MY personal experience, it gave me just the boost that I needed. It was fact-acting in my case, and I did not experience any kind of crash after drinking it. I do NOT drink this daily, I use energy drinks very infrequently probably 1-2 times per month, but when I do use them it's 5-hour ENERGY® for me!

Get Social With It!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can LIKE 5-hour ENERGY® on FACEBOOK - by the way butterfly check out the 'WIN' Tab on their facebook page too for fun contests!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet with @5HourEnergyGuy on TWITTER

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hang Out with the 5-hour ENERGY® family on Google Plus too!

Share Butterflies, How do you get over the 3pm slump?

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FTC Disclosure: I received a free sample of 5-hour ENERGY® courtesy of Smiley360 for editorial consideration. This is not a compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received and all opinions are 100% my own. I am an infrequent user of 5-hour ENERGY® but have not had any negative experiences with the product and it is my preferred Energy Drink.

@Sakroots Spring 2013 Collection Preview! #fashion #handbags #accessories

This week I had the pleasure of attending Sakroots Spring 2013 Media Preview Event & California Fiesta, and was so inspired I created a fun photo collage of my pictures! The preview was alight with great spring colors, new shoes (and some previously launched ones that were re-designed taking consumer feedback into account, think of them as shoes 2.0, newly re-designed for YOUR comfort!), and of course fabulous handbags!

I was happy to see tons of butterflies, on the bags, and the wallets. The wallets actually have the butterflies embroidered on for a fun 3 dimensional feel. I also loved the butterfly keychains which would also double for phenomenal zipper pulls for your handbags!

As The Sak is headquartered in my favorite state California, they opted to host a 'California Fiesta' complete with quesadillas, chips n dips and the best guacamole ever! (Love my avocados!).

The nature inspired prints and fun colors have me looking forward to Spring 2013 already, my two standout prints so far were the Aqua Flower Power (of course because of the butterflies) and the Raspberry Dreamland print which is a funky fun Unicorn print with a tattoo type vibe. (For those of you coming off BlogHer12, think of it where the Sparklecorn party meets Ed Hardy!)

Check out my Photo Collage from the Media Preview (remember you can press on it to make it bigger and then hit the back arrow to come back here! I'll also post it to our pinterest account, so you can get a better look there too!):

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No compensation has been received. I attended a Media Press Preview of the Spring 2013 Collection and was no under no obligation to post. All opinions are 100% my own.