Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Winner Announcement!



Congratulations to 'heygip' the winner of Ascending Butterfly's SodaStream USA Penguin Soda-Maker Starter Kit!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, SodaStream USA for an amazing giveaway, we look forward to working with you again!

*Remember, there is still time to win the new CD by Harry Connick, JR. 'Your Songs' by going HERE
*There is also time to win our October Book Club of the Month Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos Y Sanchez, note this is an ENGLISH title, you can win by going HERE
*You can also win a Select Comfort Mattress Topper of your size choice by pressing HERE

---Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team

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Monday, October 12, 2009

Five for Fighting is Back!




Five For Fighting is back with their next great album "Slice" full of finely-crafted songs by @JohnOndrasik (Twitter). The Album will be released October 13 and features the single "Chances". You can Watch John's performance of "Chances" on the CBS early show HERE.

First single “Chances”  with lyrics like “Until you crash what have you done/Is there a better bet than love.”, is described by John who says “It’s all about taking the swing—there’s beauty in the scars.” - Sometimes it's the simplest truth that tends to elude us for awhile and it takes that fresh way of presenting it that helps it to finally stick. Music has always been such a powerful force for me. Bet that on most days you can remember the lyrics in their entirety to your favorite songs, but invariably you'll forget something important at the supermarket! LOL

I'm sure that like me, many of you out there have been a fan of Five for Fighting since you first heard ‘Superman' and ‘100 Years'.  While written and released well before 9/11, “Superman” has endeared Ondrasik to the survivors and families of those lost in that tragedy, as well as to servicemen serving around the world. As a New Yorker, the track 'Superman' certainly does hold powerful memories for me.

Ondrasik also conceived and produced For the Troops, a series of compilations featuring superstar recording artists that are available for free to every active service member in the U.S. Armed Forces (the forthcoming collection, For The Troops III, will feature comedians exclusively). Ondrasik’s charity work doesn’t stop there. His site, whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com collects money for various charities. Living in a society that can get wrapped up in celebrity and fame, it very much warms my heart to see those who use this celebrity to help and benefit those in need. Way to Go John!

Ascending Butterfly in conjunction with the One2One Network was recently given the opportunity to review "Slice" at just the perfect time. As most of you know, Ascending Butterfly offices were closed for the holiday weekend (although I will admit, I was forced to push my own advice to the side and make it a working holiday anyway!). I went on an impromptu road trip over the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend and this album certainly became the perfect soundtrack to that journey! As we got farther from the hustle and bustle of the city and the scenery changed to the trees covered in a robe of fall leaves, John's voice became another friend in the car and 'Slice' had my un-divided attention in a way that nothing usually does when I'm sitting at my desk or I'm writing.

I am certainly grateful for the opportune timing (nothing better than new music for a long road trip!), but I am happy to say I really enjoyed the album! Standout Tracks for me are 'Slice', 'Hope', and 'Story of Your Life'.  The entire album takes you along for a journey, that journey will often-times mirror your own so well, it will feel like hanging out with that friend you've known forever.

You can lock in a great pre-order price on Amazon below:



Album Tracklisting:


1. Slice
2. Note To The Unknown Soldier
3. Tuesday
4. Chances
5. This Dance
6. Above The Timberline
7. Transfer
8. Hope
9. Story Of Your Life
10. Love Can't Change The Weather
11. Augie Nieto

TV Appearances:

The View 10/14
The Today Show 10/16

Tour Dates:

John will be hitting the road in October with An Acoustic Evening with Five For Fighting. The songs are great on record, even better live! Definitely a show worth seeing! To find out about how to get tickets in a market near you, go to his site.

18-Oct Toronto, ON El Mocambo
20-Oct New York, NY City Winery
22-Oct Bay Shore, NY (Long Island) YMCA Boulton Center
23-Oct Uncasville, CT The Wolf Den
24-Oct Washington, DC Jammin Java
26-Oct Boston, MA The Paradise
27-Oct Philadelphia, PA World Café Live (downstairs)
29-Oct Nashville, TN The Belcourt
30-Oct Chicago, IL Lakeshore
3-Nov Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
5-Nov Seattle, WA Crocodile
6-Nov Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
10-Nov San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall
11-Nov Los Angeles, CA Largo at the Coronet
Five For Fighting on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fiveforfighting
Five For Fighting Videos on YouTube: http://bit.ly/FFFYouTube

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Harry Connick Jr 'Your Songs', CD Review and Giveaway!

Congratulations Ascending Butterfly follower, 'VJ ~ vantalee' winner of the Harry Connick Jr 'Your Song's CD!  Don't forget to enter our current giveaways listed on the upper right hand side of the page where it says 'WIN HERE'. Good Luck Everyone and congrats to our newest Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Winner!
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Ascending Butterfly wants to add a little music to your Holiday Weekend!

As you may remember we were given the opportunity to provide readers with a review of Harry Connick Jr 'Your Songs', CD, you can read the full review HERE

The One2One Network has generously arranged for one lucky Ascending Butterfly reader to win a copy of their very own!

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WIN IT! - 1 reader will receive a copy of Harry Connick Jr's new CD, 'Your Songs'.

How to Win: You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. In addition, please share your favorite Harry album or song!

How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list.

Remember, following on twitter or on Networked Blogs is an extra credit step, for the main entry to process you must become a blog follower using google friends connect in addition to your comment. If your 'follower' name is different from your 'comment name', please mention that in your entry (and don't forget your email formatted for security purposes.

Please leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com), if your blogger profile has your email you can just indicate this in your entry. If your comment name, and your follower name are different, please indicate this as well.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, so no worries if your comment doesn't appear on the site right away. This giveaway is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, but you must follow this blog for your entry to count. You have from now until Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. Winner will be announced shortly after Thursday, October 22th! Giveaway open to USA only, 18+.

EXTRA CREDIT:

* Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment

* Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

* Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment. (you can do this DAILY)

* Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

* Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

* Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

* Follow Harry on Facebook HERE

* Please vote for Ascending Butterfly on Divine Caroline's Love! This Site Award '09 for the Body and Soul category, you can press into the badge on the upper right hand site of the page or click through HERE, there is a Vote button right under the description. (it's a one time only, super fast, super easy vote, and here is the best part, people who vote are also going to receive a chance to win a $250 Visa Gift Card just for voting!)

* Please vote for Tracy from Bronx, NY to win in the the Nature Made SAM-e Complete®
Good Mood Gig Talent Search! Press HERE  (Vote for me purple button right next to the blue butterfly)

*Please vote for me on the Simmon's I REALLY want my BeautyRest Mattress contest here, I am a finalist thanks to the voters (thank you!) this is the last leg and I really need your help readers, vote HERE

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Make your special little someone's happy!



Ascending Butterfly in conjunction with the One2One Network is proud to introduce (or re-introduce, we should say!) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition!

Now as many of you already know, game night is usually Friday nights here, and it consists of friends and family, our favorite video games (which I won't mention which platform/system here just in case the competition wants us to review theirs, LOL!), loads of snacks, and yes soft drinks too!

This week I received Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack! This is brilliant, you get both a Blu-Ray and a traditional DVD of the movie for about the same price of just a plain DVD. This allows the Blu-Ray to stay in the home theater room/living room and the traditional DVD can be used in any other room, and let's not forget the car, perfect companion for long car trips!

My nieces were so excited we moved up 'game' night and changed it to movie night! I will admit the grown ups were equally excited to re-visit a classic favorite from our youth. (Ladies aren't we all still secretly waiting for that prince? LOL) We screened the Blu-Ray which boasts first time ever High Definition 7.1 sound, it truly felt like we were out at a movie theater! The kiddies loved it!

What is the Limited Diamond Edition?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition includes a Blu-ray disc and a DVD in one package! You can enjoy the incredible high definition experience of Blu-ray at home, and use the DVD in the kids' room, in the car, or on your computer. Disney Blu-ray Combo Packs are the perfect way to start your Blu-ray collection!

Not only will you get the classic tale of Snow White in this 2-disc special, it comes with plenty of extras:

  • First time ever in High Definition 7.1 sound
  • All new music video!
  • Disneyview - Expanded viewing experience
  • Disney Family Plan – games for everyone to enjoy
  • Backstage Disney – go behind the scenes of this legendary tale
  • Classic Bonus features include Dopey’s Wild Mine Ride Game, Karoke Sing A Long, and so much more
This is a must-have addition to any contemporary family's movie library and it's only available for a limited time!

What is Disney Blu-Ray?

The revolutionary new Diamond Edition provides the highest-level viewing experience, immersive interactivity, unprecedented value, quality, and versatility with the exceptional picture and sound of Blu-ray and the extended utility of DVD. Upgrading to Blu-ray offers you technology on more scratch resistant and kid-proof discs and Blu-ray players play both Blu-ray discs and your favorite DVDs.
 
And, if you already own Snow White on VHS or DVD, click here to grab a $10 off coupon for the new Diamond Edition Combo Pack! Offer is only good until October 20, but starting this fall Disney will introduce their Blu-ray Upgrade program so you will be able to upgrade other Disney titles in your library too!
 
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NOTE: Ascending Butterfly Offices will be Closed from Thursday, October 08, 2009 through Monday, October 12, 2009. There will be no new postings. We will be back on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. We wish our readers a very happy,  healthy Columbus Day Weekend!
 
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Best Blog Award - Chain of Love




Kim at Shop With Me Mama awarded MKOKOPELLI the Best Blog Award along with 9 others, to accept the award, the winning blog has to pick 10 blogs, they think are great, and MKOKOPELLI chose Ascending Butterfly as one of the 10! I am honored!

Here are my 9!

1. MKOKOPELLI - we share a love winged creatures!  :)
2. New York Chica - we share a love of New York City and are both sassy, uber viral Latinas!
3. Raging Rouge - we share a love of all things fab!
4. barefootmommies.com - I totally appreciate the sense of humor!
5. Alice - they heart household products, and so do I, for 'suits' they are not so bad! Alice's blog has great giveaways :-)
6. one meaning couture - ok they are not exactly a blog, but they are just so good they do belong here!
7. Engadget - I'm not even sure if they are officially a blog or not, but I'm a tech head and Engadget has been a part of my daily reading for quite awhile now!
8. Gaiam Life Stream of Consciousness - They just plain rock!
9. - Prissy Green - even though we are nominated in the same category at Divine Caroline's Love! This Site Awards '09, I still love them anyway!

The Best Blog Award rules are:

1) To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 10 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. (--I hope posting on Facebook counts as letting each blogger know! Ok I promise I will try to let them all know individually. :)

What a great way to start my Wednesday!

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Book Review: 'Once In A Blue Moon' A Novel by Elieen Goudge



Good Read in ANY Moon!

When the One2One Network reached out to me and asked me if I would be interested in reading and reviewing a new book release titled 'Once In A Blue Moon' by Eileen Goudge, I didn't know what to expect.

When I received it the cover art made me think 'uh oh is this a romance type novel where someone will invariably have 'heaving bosoms' and be laying around on a chaise lounge in 'breathless anticipation' LOL Too my delight, it is NOT that type of novel!

Synopsis:

Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls' mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.

Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.

Neither sister's expectations are met when they're finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family.

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Statement from the Author about the Novel:



"Set in a fictional coastal town in Northern California, where I grew up, it's the story of two sisters separated at a young age, who reunite in adulthood. There's drama aplenty as well as mishaps, misunderstandings and general mayhem. Not to mention romance, which the sisters find in the unlikeliest of places.

As one of five sisters in a family of eight, I know the territory! In fact this, my thirteenth novel, is dedicated to my sister Patty, who lives in the real-life town of Half Moon Bay, California. (Okay, so I borrowed ...but isn't that what sisters do?)"

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Do you remember the TV series, 'Cheers'? The opening song to the show remind us 'sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came' and this book reminds me of Cheers! The characters are comfortable, well written, you can not just 'picture' them clearly, but you can feel like you are really there, have always known them and are really a part of the action, truly a part of their lives in this richly crafted story. You find that you immediately care, and you are invested in finding out what happens to them all.

In this economy where bleakness surrounds us on a daily basis, a tale of the unshakeable bonds of love and David beating Goliath feels kind of like a warm blanket on a cold day. I found it hard to say goodbye to the characters when the story was done, and that for me is one of the factors that constitute a good read. This is my first Eileen Goudge title, and most certainly won't be my last. (Now if I could only get Jeff Bezos to send me a Kindle to evaluate, I'd fill it with Eileen's titles to catch up with on the morning commute!).

'Once in a Blue Moon' is available in stores today, October 06, 2009. I would highly encourage you to add this title to your collection. I have a strong feeling it will be one of those books you won't want to 'lend out'.

Eileen's website: http://www.eileengoudge.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Goudge/132678273034?ref=search&
Twitter: http://twitter.com/eileengoudge


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Monday, October 5, 2009

Monday, October 05, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and THREE giveaways!



Cut it Out

Name one thing you are doing that consistently makes you unhappy. What is one thing you are doing that is hurting you instead of helping you?

Don't list them all. Bad habits creep into your routine slowly over time. That is how you need to eliminate them. Slowly, over time.

Is it procrastination? Is it bad sleep patterns? Is it that late snack attack? Well, Cut it Out! Now! Remember eliminate just one thing first. Once you've eliminated that habit or that thought pattern that is holding you back, then and only then, should you tackle another.

If you are staying up too late, start going to bed one hour earlier. If you are procrastinating on a project, devote 10 minutes a day to that project alone allowing yourself  no distractions until it's done. When you tackle that project, or eliminate that habit, you'll feel one million times better about yourself. A million times better about life. The more habits you change for the better, the more energy you will have to devoting to the life you really should be living.

I know you have already asked yourself the 7 questions, but if you need a reminder, look HERE.

Let's work on trying to eliminate the bad habits and excuses together. Halloween is around the corner, and around the corner from that is Thanksgiving and around the corner from that is Christmas and you know what comes next.....Yes that's right New Years Eve. The night many of us spend writing out resolutions. How about working toward New Year's Eve by eliminating those excuses NOW, by changing thought patterns and behaviors that no longer serve your highest good NOW.

If we can eliminate them together well before that date, you'll be in the best shape ever emotionally and spiritually to make 2010 the best year of your life!

Does it seem surreal that it will soon be 2010? It surely does for me!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will change the thought patterns, behaviors and excuses that impede me from living my life to it's fullest.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.


It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! 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 THREE giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There are 3 great giveaways today!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list.

Remember, following on twitter or on Networked Blogs is an extra credit step, for the main entry to process you must become a blog follower using google friends connect in addition to your comment. If your 'follower' name is different from your 'comment name', please mention that in your entry (and don't forget your email formatted for security purposes.

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sunday, October 04, 2009 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and THREE giveaways!




Living in Gratitude

On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and breathing meditations.

This week, I am grateful for:

1) Ascending Butterfly has been nominated for the Divine Caroline's Love! This Site Awards '09 For the 'Body and Soul' category! I am absolutely floored. I have been a long time reader of The Divine Caroline Website and consider them one of my daily sources of inspiration. My heart was certainly filled with gratitude to find out we were nominated. And more meaningful still, to find out it was an Ascending Butterfly reader who nominated us! Thank You! If you would like to vote for us, please click HERE!

2) Thanks to our friends at Hay House Radio, I had the opportunity to attend Dr. Wayne Dyer's NYC stop of his Excuses Begone! Tour, you can get more information about remaining cities in the tour HERE. To say it was enlightening would probably be an understatement, but the opportunity to sit a conference room of 3,000 other inspiration seekers filled me a new sense of energy and the talk most certainly renewed my enthusiasm for creating positive change.

3) I'm also grateful to bring back Ascending Butterfly's Book Club this month, you can enter for this month's title HERE.

4) We are also grateful to launch Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group, now users can do more than just connect with the site, you can connect with one another too! Join our Ning Group HERE. One of my favorite Ning Group apps is the Twitter Tracker, up to the minute butterfly updates and great conversation!

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. 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 (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! 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 THREE giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There are 3 great giveaways today!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

How to Follow Using Google Friends Connect:

Please look to the upper right hand side, where the follower pictures are. (Note the number of followers before you start this process)

1) press the follow button - the google pop up wizard will open, this is not an ad and your pop up blocker will not block it

2) tick the option that reads 'follow this blog publicly' once that button is selected, hit follow again - it should now read 'you are now following'

3) if the follower count went up you know you did it succesfully, if your profile has a picture, that picture will be the first one on the left side. If your profile doesn't have one, it should still be searchable on the members list.

Remember, following on twitter or on Networked Blogs is an extra credit step, for the main entry to process you must become a blog follower using google friends connect in addition to your comment. If your 'follower' name is different from your 'comment name', please mention that in your entry (and don't forget your email formatted for security purposes.

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Friday, October 2, 2009

Ascending Butterfly Book Club Returns! October Book Club Title: 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez - Enter to win an Autographed Copy!

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Our winner has been notified, upon verification, winner announcement will be posted both here and on our home page! Check your emails, it could be YOU!

Remember, we have three current giveaways posted on the upper left hand side of the page. And Stay tuned for our November Book Club Title of the Month!
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Enter to win an Autographed Copy of America Libre

The Ascending Butterfly book club took a one month hiatus, and is now back in full force! Not only are we back, we are back with an Autographed Copy, and we are back with a page turning title!

Synopsis

Time: The second decade of the twenty-first century. As the immigration crisis reaches the boiling point, once-peaceful Latino protests explode into rioting. Cities across the nation are in flames. Anglo vigilantes bent on revenge launch drive-by shootings in the barrios, wantonly killing young and old. Exploiting the turmoil, a congressional demagogue succeeds in passing legislation that transforms the nation’s teeming inner-city barrios into walled-off Quarantine Zones. In this chaotic landscape, Manolo Suarez is struggling to provide for his family. Under the spell of a beautiful Latina radical, the former U.S. Army Ranger eventually finds himself questioning his loyalty to his wife—and his country.

Would you like a sneak peak?

The author has generously placed chapter one on his site, you can read the first chapter of America Libre HERE.

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A Statement By The Author

Could it happen here?

When I began writing America Libre in 2004, some thought the book’s premise was unrealistic. An uprising by Hispanics? The idea seemed far-fetched, they said. Today, as the rhetoric over immigration grows more heated, the skeptics are no longer so certain. I posed the nightmare scenario of America Libre as a wake up call to the dangers of extremism—on both sides of this explosive issue. Illegal immigration is a hotly debated topic. Yet it is only the tip of the iceberg. Over the next decade, three other factors will prove equally significant. Some of the volatile conditions presented in America Libre have already surfaced. I hope my abilities as a prophet end here. But the potential for a widespread conflict lurks behind every escalation of our current war of words.

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This book already has the imagination of many readers thinking 'big screen', myself included. The writing really paints the full picture. You feel like you are there. You want to be there! You are yelling at the characters, you are warning them, and this is just with the book! Can you imagine the reactions in the theater? I've read many books both before and after they have become a feature film, with very few did I find myself caring so much about the casting. In this case however, I do.  The author must have anticipated this because there is a chance to play Hollywood Casting agent on the site, allowing you to pick which person in hollywood should play which character from the book. So after you finish this title, head over and vote, play hollywood casting agent for a day HERE. (I've often thought I'd make a great casting agent!)

Now I will say, some of the choices posted so far I can see, others I can't but I do know who should play the character named 'Nesto', anyone who watches the cable television series 'Weeds' will agree that Guillermo DĂ­az who portrays character Guillermo GarcĂ­a GĂłmez on the show would make a perfect Nesto! If anyone can pull off street smart, wily and with a sly sense of humor, it's him!

I can't get enough of talking about this book, and the book has a very interesting 'Reading Group Guide' I'd love to discuss some of the topics in the guide, and will post a new topic each week!

This week's Topic: Characters

1) Who Was Your Favorite Character? Why?
2) Who Was Your Least Favorite Character? Why?
3) What emotions drove Mano's conversion from loyal citizen to insurgent?
4) Do you think Mano's actions were immoral? Why or Why Not?
5) Under the same circumstances as Mano, what would you have done differently?
6) How did Mano's view of their rebellion differ from the views of Jo and Ramon?
7) What experiences ultimately radicalized Rosa?
8) Do you think Rosa's reaction to her predicament differed from that of a mainstream American Woman? If so, How?

I would love to hear from you! Please post your answers to these questions in this thread. This thread will serve both as a discussion guide for those reading along, as well as the place to leave your entries for the book.

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WIN IT! - 1 reader will receive an AUTOGRAPHED COPY of the book.

How to Win: You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. In addition, please share your impressions of Chapter one of the book which you can read online HERE! Comments that don't follow these instructions, or just say enter me will NOT be entered into the giveaway!

Please leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com), if your blogger profile has your email you can just indicate this in your entry. If your comment name, and your follower name are different, please indicate this as well.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, so no worries if your comment doesn't appear on the site right away. This giveaway is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, but you must follow this blog for your entry to count. You have from now until Monday, November 02, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. Winner will be announced shortly after Thursday, November 5th! Giveaway open to USA only, 18+.

EXTRA CREDIT:

* Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment
* Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment
* Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment. (you can do this DAILY)
* Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment
* Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment
* Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog
* Follow the author on Facebook HERE
* Become a Facebook fan of AMERICA LIBRE HERE
* Follow the author on Twitter HERE
*NEW: Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

* Please vote for Ascending Butterfly on Divine Caroline's Love! This Site Award '09 for the Body and Soul category, you can press into the badge on the upper right hand site of the page or click through here, there is a Vote button right under the description. (it's a one time only, super fast, super easy vote, and here is the best part, people who vote are also going to receive a chance to win a $250 Visa Gift Card just for voting!)

* Please vote for Tracy from Bronx, NY to win in the the Nature Made SAM-e Complete® Good Mood Gig Talent Search! Press HERE (Vote for me purple button right next to the blue butterfly)

*NEW: Please vote for me on the Downy Simple Pleasures Next Scent Contest. My scent is called 'Ascending Butterfly' of course, LOL. You can scroll down to the bottom of this page, and press 'Vote' on the widget below, it's super fast and super easy! (You can do this daily and get credit for voting daily!)

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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Thursday, October 01, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!



Excuses Begone!

My apologies my lovely Butterflies, there were no words of inspiration yesterday, but I fully intend to make it up to you today!
 
Yesterday I had the amazing privilege to join up with Dr. Wayne Dyer's 2009 Live Tour called,  'Excuses Begone! - How to Change Lifelong Self-Defeating Thinking Habits' at the Jacob Javitz center in NYC. 3,000 people in one conference room sharing one purpose, learning how to put an end to the excuses and negative self dialogue in our heads. The energy was amazing!
 
I want to share the Tour Description for a very specific reason, this description contains 7 questions, seven life altering questions, if you will only invest a moment in yourself to answer them. Make answering these questions honestly your moment of inspiration and meditation today. Or use them as inspiration for a journal entry tonight.
 
Tour Description

In these all-new lectures, Wayne will take you through the seven questions that constitute the Excuses Begone paradigm, and show you how it worked for him and how it can work for you. By examining the support system that a person has erected over a lifetime and putting those timeworn thoughts through the seven steps in this paradigm, excuses begin to fade away and are replaced with thoughts that speak fervently, almost shouting, Yes, you can change any excuse pattern, no matter how long or how pervasive the conditioning process has been! Wayne has seen people change from a lifetime of being overweight or addicted to all manner of substances by simply applying the principles inherent in the Excuses Begone approach to life.

During these profound, life-changing lectures you’ll explore the seven questions of the Excuses Begone paradigm shift:

• Is it true?
• Where did the excuses come from?
• What’s the payoff?
• What would my life look like if I couldn’t use these excuses?
• Can I create a rational reason to change?
• Can I access universal cooperation in shedding old habits?
• How do I continuously reinforce this new way of being?

If you are truly serious about changing any long-established habits of thought that have led you to use excuses as your rationale for staying on the same self-defeating path, then you are encouraged to follow the principles and practices presented in these all-new lectures!

Discover a new way of changing old thinking habits!

For being in a room filled with 3,000 attendees, it was a very warm and intimate evening. We learned a great deal about the man behind the books. The Human Being. Or as he would probably prefer, 'the spiritual being having the human experience.'
 
He is a 69 year old father of Eight, who began his life in an orphanage, who over came a tremendous amount of personal battles in his life, yet he always knew not only what he could be, but he would be. He shared a story about having the following words outside one of his homes for many years 'You are going to have an attitude everyday, pick a good one!' It reminds me of the mantra I share with you all daily 'Remember, Attitude really does determine Altitude.'
 
Another exploration, that  of Motivation vs. Inspiration, really stood out in my mind and I thought we'd also explore that here today. Motivation is when You take an idea, and don't let anything deter you from it and Inspiration is when an idea gets hold of YOU and doesn't let you go. So reader, are you motivated or inspired? Which do you want to be? I personally vary between the two at different times. I think most of us do. But is it more fulfilling to be inspired? Are there steps you can take to become more inspired?
 
The Voices In Your Head
 
Right now if I asked you to list what's wrong in your life, you could probably rattle off the list in one breath, almost without thinking right? Wayne gave a very strong reminder last night to 'stop putting attention on what you DON'T WANT. Stop discussing what is wrong. What is wrong in this moment, this day, this hour, this week, this month and this year. Don't give it energy. Don't give it intention. Don't allow it to take hold of you, to take root and to destroy what you are working so hard to build. A better you each and everyday really is possible.
 
Don't Feed The Spiritual Vampire
 
We all have one. That person who drains our energy. That person we least look forward to speaking with on a daily basis. Stop feeding them. Don't enable the negativity by participating in the talk. If you allow this person to drone on about everything wrong in their life, those things gain power, they continue to experience them, and that person's power to suck all the happiness out of a moment will just increase. And Who wants that??
 
Divine Relationships
 
We all want them, but how are we going about creating them? Wayne asked us to 'create divine relationships in our lives by elavating our concept of ourselves to a higher level.' Be what you want to attract. It really is that simple.
 
It would honestly take days to truly dissect the many topics that were covered in just over 4 hours. But I will say if you have the opportunity to see Dr. Wayne Dyer speak in your city TAKE IT. Those hours will be the absolute best investment in yourself that you could possibly make. It will be the biggest and best investment in your happiness and creating the future you truly deserve.
 
Aside from reminders to be careful about the influences we allow into our homes everyday, we were asked to take the last 5 minutes of our day everyday and 'assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled'. When we sleep, our subconcious minds have 8 hours to 'marinate' (his words readers!) in the last thoughts we go to bed with. Why not shape those thoughts ourselves? Why not give our minds 8 hours to 'marinate' on the life we want to create. The people we want by our sides, the jobs we want to be working on? Put those thoughts in your mind before bed and change your life from the inside. I began his advice last night. And I will say that I honestly tossed and turned way less than ever and woke up with a new level of excitement and energy. (I'm sure my clients are going to be thrilled!)
 
I highly recommend catching Wayne Dyer live, and there is still time to do so. Here are some upcoming appearances: You can go HERE to buy Tickets:
 
Chicago, IL 10/2/09 Chicago, IL Sold Out
Maui, Hawaii 10/23/09 Maui, HI
Phoenix, Arizona 11/13/09 Phoenix
Boston, MA 11/16/09 Boston Sold Out
Tampa, FL 11/20/09 Tampa

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will change my inner dialogue and put aside all of my own excuses into creating the life I desire for myself.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and Two Super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There is still time to enter to win a soda-maker!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!




Which of these two are you celebrating?

Today there are two celebrations on the calendar.

1 - Michaelmas - (Also Called Michaelmas Day) -

a) A Christian feast observed in honor of the archangel Michael.

b) September 29, the day on which this feast is observed.

Michael (according to Wikipedia) - is an archangel in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition. He is viewed as the field commander of the Army of God. He is mentioned by name in the Book of Daniel,  the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelation. In the book of Daniel, Michael appears as "one of the chief princes" who in Daniel's vision comes to the angel Gabriel's aid in his contest with the angel of Persia (Dobiel), and is also described there as the advocate of Israel and "great prince who stands up for the children of your [Daniel's] people".

The Talmudic tradition rendered Michael's name as meaning "who is like El?", - so Michael could consequently mean "One who is like God." But its being a question is alternatively understood as a rhetorical question, implying that no one is like God.

Much of the late Midrashic detail about Michael was transmitted to Christianity through the Book of Enoch, whence it was taken up and further elaborated. In late medieval Christianity, Michael, together with Saint George, became the patron saint of chivalry, and of the first chivalric order of France, the Order of Saint Michael of 1469. In the British honours system, a chivalric order founded in 1818 is also named for these two saints, the Order of St Michael and St George. St Michael is also considered in many Christian circles as the patron saint of the warrior. Police officers and soldiers, particularly paratroopers and fighter pilots, regard him as their patron. He is also a patron of Germany and of the City of Brussels.

Roman Catholics refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael. Orthodox Christians refer to him as the Taxiarch Archangel Michael or simply Archangel Michael. The New Thought Movement refers to Michael as Christ Michael.

Many chose to light a red prayer candle in his honor on this day. (I am among them!)

2 - Confucius Day -

When : Always September 29th

Confucius Day honors one of the world's greatest philosophers. Born in China on October 18, 551 B.C., Confucius is one of the earliest, and perhaps the the first great philosopher. He was also a teacher, a scholar, and a politician. He gave the world many teachings, and gave the world 499 famous sayings.

Celebrate Confucius Day by learning more about this ancient philosopher, and read some of his teachings and sayings.

Note: Over the years, many comical and humorous sayings have been created and referenced as sayings of Confucius, usually titled "Confucius Says". As a rule of thumb, if the saying is humorous, chances are it is not a true saying by this great scholar.

In this economy one of his standout sayings is:

'He who will not economize will have to agonize."  ~ Confucius

Will you be celebrating Michaelmas or Confucius Day? What is your favorite Confucius saying?

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I embrace my inner confucius and make my own words to live by.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and Two Super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There is a new giveaway for a Select Comfort Mattress Topper!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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Monday, September 28, 2009

Monday, September 28, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!




Oh, Monday, Monday

I can't beleive we are days away from October! Soon the leaves will change color and pumpkins will grace doorways with their eerie smiles and September will be a memory.

Our first 'green-themed' giveaway came to an end this weekend, and our winner was Ascending Butterfly reader 't42vek20', join me in wishing her a hearty congratulations! You can see the full winner announcement here. And don't forget to enter our two current giveaways, (look for the 'WIN HERE' box on the upper right hand side of the page) one for a Soda Maker and one for a Mattress Topper! Just remember you must be a follower to enter all giveaways and if your profile doesn't have an email address you must include it in your entry comment for your entry to be processed. If you don't see your entry on the contest page, it means you missed a step.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I welcome in a new week with joy in my heart.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and Two Super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There is a new giveaway for a Select Comfort Mattress Topper!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Your Songs - Harry Connick Jr CD Review



Your Songs - Harry Connick Jr CD Review


When the One2One Network reached out to me and asked me if I would be interested in listening to Harry Connick Jr's new CD, Your Songs I didn't hesitate one second in saying YES, YES, YES!!!! Now they never did confirm whether or not I will be able to offer a giveaway, I truly do hope so and will keep you posted here when I get the final answer. Don't hesitate to write in and let the folks at one2one know that Ascending Butterfly's out there want a chance to win the CD too!

I love Harry's voice and his music and consider myself a long time fan! I also enjoy his acting. Everyone that knows me knows I love horror movies and I have to admit Harry truly creeped me out in Copycat, he played a killer just a little too well, LOL! (1995 thriller, you can get it online or rent it at your local video store). Odd to be attracted to someone and creeped out by them at the same time, lol!

Harry's voice immediately conjures up certain images for me, specifically a glass of wine and a bubble bath are the top two, because that's how I usually enjoy his music! This new album was no different. I immediately tore it open and went into the bathroom to listen, I mean solely for the great acoustics and all.....

The first track is Frank Sinatra's classic 'All the Way' and Harry wraps his voice around it like a hug. It's one of my favorite tracks on this album of standards. Another standout is Harry's rendition of Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile'.

Now I will admit I tend to always end up preferring the originals to a re-make, and there are two tracks on this album that were better left to their original artists, one is 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You'. I don't think anyone will sound sexier than Elvis crooning that track. And as a Latina I have to admit that Harry also falls short on 'Besame Mucho' (a song written in 1940 by a young girl named Consuelo Velázquez before her sixteenth birthday, According to Velázquez, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time. She was inspired by the aria "Quejas, o la Maja y el Ruisenor" from the Spanish 1916 opera Goyescas by Enrique Granados.). Besame Mucho was first performed by Emilio Tuero with notable covers by Cesaria Evora, Javier Solis, and others.

This album is like coming home in every other way though, it's familiar, it's comfortable, it's the places and the people you know. It's the perfect accompaniment to a romantic dinner or a night in with your sweetie.

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):


All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho (Emilio Tuero)
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

Harry’s Upcoming TV Appearances:


9/28 – Today Show
9/29 – The View
9/30 – Imus in the Morning
9/30 – Letterman
10/1 – Today Show
Week of 10/5 – Rachael Ray


Other links:


Behind the Scene look at ‘Making of’ the album: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m22XB2WJ5NXPVL

Harry’s website: http://www.harryconnickjr.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Winner Announcement!



Congratulations to user 't42vek20' the winner of Ascending Butterfly's Activeion Giveaway!

Winning Entry:

I learned that the water is flat and the nanobubbles connects with the ions of the dirt and the repel each other, and break apart so that it can be wash away. If you use it for a year, it's like taking 2200 cars off the road! Green is Clean!!! Yeah!

t42vek20

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, Activeion, for an amazing giveaway, we look forward to working with you again!

Don't forget to check the box that says "WIN HERE: Today's Butterfly Featured Sites of the day!' on the upper right hand side of the page, that is where you will find our current giveaways! Readers asked us to make the giveaways faster and easier to enter, and your wish is our command!

---Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team


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Select Comfort Mattress Topper Review and Giveaway!

This Giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to Ascending Butterfly 'ElKaye' (we post our winner's username instead of full name, which is why we put it in quotes!)  Don't forget to enter our current giveaways listed on the upper right hand side of the page where it says 'WIN HERE'.

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Select Comfort Mattress Topper Review and Giveaway

There are various reasons that many people find it difficult to fall and stay asleep, fluctuations in our body temperature is one major culprit! The Outlast In Balance Mattress Toppers by Select Comfort helps your body regulate your sleeping temperature so you are comfortable throughout the night. Less tossing and turning and more quality sleeping, how cool is that?

I am a night owl by nature, but when it's time to sleep, I want to reduce tossing and turning as much possible! And for allergy and asthma sufferers you want to keep your mattress as clean as possible, and a mattress pad that you take off and wash frequently is a great way to reduce allergens in your sleeping environment. Sneezing and wheezing are definite sleep robbers!

Our very patient friends at Select Comfort, who gave me more than ample time to truly review this product, are generously offering up an Outlast In Balance Mattress Topper, to One lucky Ascending Butterfly reader!

I love that it comes with a 10 year warranty, wide bands to hold onto corners so it won't slip off, 100% cotton cover, antimicrobial filling, and of course it is machine washable. I am in the market for a new mattress and after trying the mattress topper, I can only imagine how great a Select Comfort Mattress must be! (feel free to share your testimonials!) OUTLAST® fabric technology is designed to reduce the temperature swings that can cause restless nights-to help you sleep more comfortably each and every night. 300-thread-count, 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton top, 100% cotton bottom. RELY™* polyester fiberfill features an antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of fungus, mold, mildew and the odors they cause. Hypoallergenic. Logic™ Label system takes the guesswork out of where to start making your bed. This topper is intended to lay over your current mattress pad and it is secured to your bed with anchor bands in the corner. Machine washable, made in the USA and comes with a 10-Year Limited Warranty!

When conducting giveaways, your privacy as an Ascending Butterfly reader is very important to me, and  I only use your email address to contact you if you are the lucky winner. And for those who subscribe to Ascending Butterfly emails you are opting in to receive our daily words of inspiration in your inbox! Select Comfort in giving away an In Balance Mattress Topper wants you to know that when you enter this giveaway, you consent to let Ascending Butterfly share your email address with Select Comfort, which will sign you up for Sleep Number deals and tips via email (you can always unsubscribe if the emails don't interest you).




WIN IT! - We like to save the best for last! Thanks to our friends at Select Comfort, you have the opportunity to win an In Balance Mattress Topper! (Depending on your mattress size this is a $119.99 TO $179.99 value!!!!) There will be 1 winner.

How to Win: (1) You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differ from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) please visit Select Comfort and tell me your favorite SelectComfort product, and what mattress size you would select if you win. (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). Please follow the 1, 2, and 3 steps to winning!

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "i want this or I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Saturday, September 26, 2009 until Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. Winner will be announced shortly after Wednesday, October 28th!

EXTRA CREDIT:

* Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment

* Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

* Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment. (you can do this DAILY)

* Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

* Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

* Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

* Follow Select Comfort on Facebook HERE

*  Follow Select Comfort Twitter Customer Service HERE

* Follow Select Comfort's Sleep Number Sara on Twitter HERE

* Please vote for Ascending Butterfly on Divine Caroline's Love This Site Award '09 for the Body and Soul category, you can press into the badge on the upper right hand site of the page or click through here, there is a Vote button right under the description. (it's a one time only, super fast, super easy vote, and here is the best part, people who vote are also going to receive a chance to win a $250 Visa Gift Card just for voting!)

* Please vote for Tracy from Bronx, NY to win in the the Nature Made SAM-e Complete® Good Mood Gig Talent Search! Press HERE (Vote for me purple button right next to the blue butterfly)

* Please vote for me on the Simmon's I REALLY want my BeautyRest Mattress contest here, I am a finalist thanks to the voters (thank you!) this is the last leg and I really need your help readers, vote HERE

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!




TGIF

This week has flown by and I will admit to being very happy it is finally Friday! The week shot by so fast that I haven't even finalized my plans yet!

For me when a week just passes so quickly it literally brings new meaning to the expression 'in the blink of an eye', it makes me just want to take the weekend real slow. My inner butterfly could really use a massage! (Any New York City Day Spa Owners out there reading this! LOL)

Although, what ends up happening is trying to squeeze in as much fun as you possibly can in two days! So in an effort to follow my own advice, I plan on giving myself some time for meditation upon rising on Saturday morning, I hope you'll consider doing the same. (Even if it turns out to be Saturday afternoon for you). A sort of 'slow down' so you can 'speed up' later kind of thing.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will make the most of my weekend, not just the 'best of it'.

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and Two Super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER TO WIN AN ACTIVEION PRO ($299 RETAIL VALUE), ENTER NOW

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed.

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

Check out our review of Tiara Minerals Makeup HERE

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