Ascending: rising or increasing to higher levels, values, or degrees
Butterflies: The change from caterpillar though to the chrysalis and emergence as a butterfly is the greatest change in the animal world. It symbolises significant change in the course of one’s life, personality or way of thinking.
Putting them together brings us on an upwards journey of change and transformation, isn't that what we all strive for?
Inspiration rarely falls from mid-air into our laps. Just like inspiration sometimes comes from bold action, action also brings about inspiration.
This week we have been focusing on Companies that give back, 'brands with heart' and the initiatives they are taking to help communities-at-large and the world!
I find it inspiring to just take action! Action for change. Action for realization. Realization that causes change in you that causes you to take action!
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 put inspiration in action! I will make a BOLD move!'
Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about 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:
@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! #eatpraylove - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx
Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!
Active Giveaways:
1) Back to School with Staples $50 Gift Card Giveaway!Ends 08/27 EnterHERE
2) Smashbox Brow Tech Trio Review and Giveaway! Ends 09/07 Enter HERE
Keep your eyes on the homepage's 'Win Here - Today's Butterfly' section we have more great giveaways to come! Stay tuned for our upcoming return of our Book Club, and the return of our special Handbags feature, whose name has now changed with the upcoming new season, so keep an eye out for 'Fall into Bags' coming soon! (And a new special feature I am keeping hush hush for now!)
Ascending Butterfly has a knack for working with 'Brands with Heart', and another of our favorite friends has an initiative I want to be sure you are aware of!
The Sak Brand Group is hosting an online auction to benefit America Scores Bay Area! You can bid on array of gorgeous bags from all of Sak Brand Group's Brands (including The Sak & Elliott Lucca) and also once in a lifetime internships and shopping sprees! Bidding on eBay starts today 08/23 and continues until 08/27 at 8pm Eastern Standard Time. You can enter a bid by clicking HERE
America Scores has a mission to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifying value, they inspire youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities. To learn more about America Scores click HERE
As we did yesterday giving up our 'Sunday Moment of Gratitude' space for Satya Jewelry's Online Sample Sale with proceeds going to charity (you can read about it here) we are doing again for Sak Brand Group's Online Auction. I beleive in 'inspiration in action' and I am happy to give our Today's Words of Inspiration feature space to help The Sak Brand Group support this iniative. Considering bidding if you can today as your way of putting 'inspiration in action'!
And for reading this far, we have a super surprise for YOU! Our friends at The Sak Brand Group will be hosting a review and giveaway of a super smoking HOT fall handbag! We will be kicking off our Fall Feature with an Elliott Lucca Bag very SOON!
FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences. This post is an effort to help support a charitable initiative.
Our Friends at Satya Jewelry wanted to make you all aware of their 4 DAYS ONLY, ONLINE SUMMER SAMPLE SALE! Save up to 70% off Satya Jewelry necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings!
Remember all those pretty pieces you selected during our Satya Jewelry Giveaway? (See HERE to refresh your memory, and get the name of the original piece you selected to make shopping easier!) Here is your chance to get them at a mere fraction of their original cost but you need to HURRY!
DATES: Sunday August 22nd 12:00am thru Wednesday August 25th 11:59pm
A percentage of all sales are donated to the Satya Foundation, an organization that funds children's charities worldwide.
You know I can't pass up a guilt free, shopping with a conscience opportunity, and I know many of you feel the same way! And because I feel very grateful for everything I do have, I'm taking this opportunity to help Satya Jewelry promote their sample sale and giving them the 'Sunday's Moment of Gratitude' spot in order to help them to help others! You can still feel free to post what you are grateful for this week here! Instead of a usual gratitude list, I thought I'd put 'Gratitude in Action' today instead!
Congratulations to 'Arla' (we post our winner username instead of full name, this is why it's in quotes) the winner of Ascending Butterfly's ProFlowers Organic Fruit Basket Extravaganza Giveaway! Join me in congratulating our winner!
Active Giveaways:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There is still time to enter the Back to School with Staples $50 Gift Card Giveaway! Ends 08/27 HERE!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Enter to win the Smashbox Brow Tech Trio Giveaway! Ends 09/07 HERE!
This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Smashbox Cosmetics for hosting TWO winners this time! The winners are 'Katy' and 'Mommy PR' - Congratulations! Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!
The small details make or break! Your makeup can look fab but if your eyebrows are all 'helter skelter' you are far from 'photo ready'.
I come from a line of well groomed brows. My grandmother always had impeccably groomed eye brows and so does my mom. It took me a bit longer to join them both in learning how to get the shape right, we don't pluck them into submission, we also don't get them waxed, we shape them with a straight edged razor. A technique I wouldn't recommend to a novice!
Once I finally got the shape down, it wasn't until a very transformational makeover I received at last years New York Makeup Show where a makeup ARTIST and I capitalize the word Artist quite purposefully, gave me a makeover that truly transformed the way I saw I myself.
With the exception of my trademark ruby red lip, and a great shape already in place to my brows, I've never been much of an everyday foundation and 20 layers of makeup girl. I began experimenting and playing with it much more recently. Especially after my makeover last year. One of the small touches he made that was quite dramatic was how he took my brows and made them look totally different.
I was pleased until I got home and couldn't easily replicate the look he achieved so effortlessly as a pro. What's a non pro to do when you want professional looking 'perfectly coiffed' brows"?
Thankfully you can skip the pricey salons and do it at home! I'm getting so good I'm thinking of opening up my own 'BrowTique'
Although I'm not sure I could convince my 'fake customer's to keep using my imaginary 'BrowTique' once they realize how affordable and easy it is to replicate on their own!
I originally intended to 'Vlog' this and make it my first Video Blog Post, but my camera battery (a rechargeable) is apparently out of charges anymore and needs to be replaced.
My new cosmetic bag never leave home without it makeup item must have is.....drumroll please......Smashbox Brow Tech! It's truly like having your own personal Eye Brow Technician! (Move over Damone Roberts, Eye Brow King to the stars, here I come!)
Smashbox took their most popular core product and made it even better! (I didn't think it was possible to make it better!) The new brow trios have 2 shades of hair color-coordinated powders for a perfect match every time. Fill in brows with the lighter shade, define with the darker, then use the wax to seal them in place all day. Pair with Angle Brow Brush #12 for flawless application.
Here's an idea of how you want your 'perfect brow' to look:
The general rule of thumb for eyebrow shaping is that if you took a ruler to the inner corner of your eye, that is about where the brow should begin. If you like a more natural look, you can always leave a bit more hair.
Eyebrow Shaping Tips:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If you have wide set eyes (too far apart), then you could leave a few extra hairs outside of the above line towards the nose, to make eyes "appear" closer.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If you have close set eyes (too close together), then you could leave a few extra hairs inside of the above line towards the eyes, to make them "appear" farther.
Also Note: Over Arch and you will look perpetually 'surprised', 'lower' your natural arch too much and you will appear permanently 'angry'. So go with the less is more rule of thumb! You can fix leaving too much hair, but you can't do a thing until it grows back if you take too much off!
While it may seem like a small detail, your brows and their shape define your eyes, and your face, the makeup then enhances or plays up your color, but the brows define the eye, give them pop and shaped right, can give you a 'brighter' and more 'youthful' appearance!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Thanks to our friends at Smashbox TWO lucky winners get a Brow Tech Kit in their color of choice!
Don't you just ♥ Smashbox? I know I do!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC 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' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) Mandatory Entry (this must be done for all others to count): Visit Smashbox HERE and post the URL Link (NOT THE NAME) of another product aside from Brow Tech that you would get. (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). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older.
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, August 21, 2010 until Tuesday, September 07, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)
EXTRA CREDIT:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit the Smashbox Brow Tech Page HERE and tell us which color Brow Tech you would pick if you win! (remember to do the mandatory entry first!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment (+5 entries, leave 5 comments with the URL to your blog post!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!) (2 credits, post twice)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Enter to #win #ascendingbutterfly + @smashboxartists Brow Tech Trio #Giveaway - 2 winners - http://tinyurl.com/28cj35l
(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry. Get the Tweet's URL by clicking on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @smashboxartists on Twitter HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow/Like Smashbox-Cosmetics on Facebook (and remember to tell them that Ascending Butterfly sent you, post the URL of where you posted on Smashbox wall) HERE (+1 for liking and +3 extra credit entries for wall post, (please post 4 comments! 1 comment stating you like them - if you are already doing so, that's OK you still get 1 credit for posting that here and 3 credits for posting on the wall, post the URL three times here!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow/Like Ascending Butterfly on Facebook (remember when we have giveaways which allow for multiple winners, one winner will always be selected at Random from our Facebook Page, so make sure you are following us there too!) HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)
FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate my review and for the giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.
I originally had this in mind for Wordless Wednesday, but I didn't want to delay our Back To School Giveaway.
As you all know I went to see Eat Pray Love on opening weekend, and it highlights life's detours. Is Life Without Detour really possible? Would you really want it?
I sometimes think the detours have made life better. The delayed flights, late trains, missed buses,that resulted in great conversations with a stranger who you now can't imagine life without. While we all deserve life wihout detours, sometimes detours happen. Let yourself enjoy them!
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 'While I deserve a life without detours, I will see them as the opportunities for growth they really are!'
Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about 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:
@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! #eatpraylove - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx
Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!
Active Giveaways:
1) Back to School with Staples $50 Gift Card Giveaway!Ends 08/27 EnterHERE
Keep your eyes on the homepage's 'Win Here - Today's Butterfly' section we have more great giveaways to come! Stay tuned for our upcoming Smashbox giveaway, the return of our Book Club, and the return of our special Handbags feature, whose name has now changed with the upcoming new season, so keep an eye out for 'Fall into Bags' coming soon! (And a new special feature I am keeping hush hush for now!)
As many of you remember I attempted to have my butterflies rock the vote for me to become an Energizer 'Smart ChargHer' during BlogHer 2010, you can see my original post about it HERE.
While I didn't get it, I did get a great opportunity to be the Brand Ambassador for stickylife.com which I am very grateful for! I hope all the folks who received swag packets from me remember to use their gift certificates! (With it being Back To School time it would be the perfect time to order your personalized products!).
I unfortunately didn't get to meet any of the Energizer 'Smart ChargHers' or get my Energizer swag from them. Anyone who was there would know that with conflicting shedules and just the sheer volume of people and how big the venue itself was, it was hard to find or keep up with anyone!
Thankfully Energizer is offering up another opportunity for me and other bloggers who may have missed the 'Smart ChargHers' to get neat swag. Whether you were there or not, or you are a blogger or not, Energizer will be giving away a Smart Charger and a $15 gift card to Target if you write a blog post on one of the following:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Recapping your encounter with Smart ChargHers at BlogHer
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Review of any Energizer charger and/or Energizer rechargeable batteries
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Why you think an Energizer Smart Charger would make your life easier? (This is the angle I am focusing on see below)
This opportunity is not restricted to only BlogHer attendees, so go viral and share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, with your blogger community or email to a friend! If you share on Twitter please use the hashtag #EnergizerSC.
The Skinny
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog articles need to be posted between August 6 and August 27, 2010 (limited to the first 200 bloggers who post their article)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Postings must be at least 200 words and images are encouraged
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - E-mail the link plus preferred shipping address to wendyb AT blickandstaff DOT com
Additional Details
Once your article is online and you’ve emailed Wendy to share the link, we will reply with a confirmation confirming you were in fact one of the first 200 respondents. Chargers and Target gift cards will be shipped to the address you provided (no P.O. boxes, please) no later than Nov. 1, 2010.
As I recently had my digital camera die out on me during a very important event, I learned the hard way just how much I need an Energizer Smart Charger!
And I think it goes without saying that with back to school coming up, $15 at Target wouldn't be bad either!
It is certainly not required, but if you'd like to post below with the URL that you blogged about Energizer Smart Charger, you can do so, I'm sure it will help the folks there keep count as to who is entering!
And I love to present all the facts, so here is the info on the charger itself:
Energizer® Recharge Smart™ Charger
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Countdown timer shows how long until batteries are charged
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Battery Fuel Guage shows charge status
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Bad Battery Alert detects alerts and shuts off charging when a non-NiMH or old NiMH battery is inserted
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Large visual display can be viewed from across the room
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Charges 2 or 4 AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Charges batteries at a safe, steady rate which improves the long-term health of the NiMH battery
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -For approximate charge times, download the user manual.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Energy Star® certified <-you know I LOVE that!
FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences. This post is a contest entry!
This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Staples! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is 'Jessie C'. (We have many Jessie's, please note this Jessie, has already sent her address and claimed her win!) Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page! Watch for the return of our Monthly Book Club!
Ascending Butterfly Back To School Editor's Pick, Sponsored By:
A few weeks ago, I attended a Staples Back to School themed event in NYC (Thanks to Lisa @ New York Chica for sharing this information with me!) and not only did I have fun re-connecting with New York based Bloggers I know, but also got a chance to preview some great items for back to school that I am looking forward to sharing with you!
As most of you know I'm not a Mom but I am an Aunt and a God-Mother and actually enjoy helping my nieces and nephews shop for their Back to School items. I've got a range of ages to help shop for, but I don't like having to visit too many different stores to get the lists completed. Being able to tackle each age group in one place is a huge time saver, let's face it, 'Time is Money'.
Here are some cool items you can find at Staples for Back to School:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Supplies for a Cause - Teens can be encouraged to convert their energy and ideas into positive action with the new DoSomething.org-inspired products ($0.99-$11.99), exclusive to Staples. These products help students stay organized while learning about important issues impacting their communities. The collection includes planners, notebooks, comp books, pocket portfolios and 3-ring pencil pouches featuring cool designs including background on social issues and tips on how students can make a difference. Ascending Butterfly loves 'guilt free shopping' and products that give back. Encouraging young people to get into a mindset that teaches them that their dollars are buying power that should be leveraged to make a difference is important!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Go Glam- Add some ‘bling’ to the classroom with the new Glam Rocks Collection. Sparkle in style with the hand-crafted Glam Rocks Staplers ($4.99) and Glam Rocks Pens ($4.99). Designs available in purple floral, pink color fade, royal blue and crystal clear. Students can also do some sparkling number-crunching with the Glam Rocks Calculators ($4.99). These went over quite well when I attended the event at Staples, and I scored major auntie brownie points with my niece when I got her these!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Flash Forward- Exclusive to Staples, get a little flashy with the Omnitech 2GB Swivel Flash Drive ($12.99), designed to keep the cap in place. Available in new black and white, multi-colored dots and peace-sign patterns. These definitely went over well, and I couldn't resist picking one up for myself!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cool Calculators- Math has never been more fun with these calculators, exclusive to Staples. Students can “flex” their math muscles - literally- with the new Staples Flexible Calculator ($3.99). It’s uniquely bendable with translucent and tie-dyed designs.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - With the new Staples Soccer Buddy Calculator ($3.99) and its functional mini-soccer ball, achieving math “goals” will be easy. My soccer loving nephew named his FIFA and said this one was for HIS desk!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Organize in Style- Students can let their personality show with Staples Brand fashion products ($1.99-$5.49), including binders, portfolios, notebooks and comp books, fashion dividers and more. Available in an assortment of stylish colors and designs from funky geometric prints to free-spirited paisley creations. The Staples BETTER binder™ is built for long-lasting durability and to withstand heavy-duty daily use available in an assortment of vibrant back-to-school colors ($6.99-$14.79). I was tempted to keep one of these for ME, but ever the good aunt, I gave it up, but I am thinking of going back and picking up a few for myself!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zip-it - How do you make a pencil case out of a really long zipper? Just pull it and watch it zip into shape! The brainchild of a student whose class project called for turning an everyday item into something new, the Zip It-Unzip Your Mind pencil pouch ($5.99) is perfect for teen trendsetters. Available in stylish colors including black, purple and pink with exclusive rainbow-zipper design for Staples. This was my favorite product that was shown to us at the event, and my enthusiasm for it rubbed off on my niece too, she wanted one in every color, but I kept the hot pink for me because my ipod protector is pink and I've decided to put it into the Zip It Pouch so it would be safe inside my bag! (During the event Staples held 'zip and unzip offs' where the fastest bloggers won prizes!) I of course immediately asked about how well it washes to use as a cosmetics bag, and all you have to do is UNZIP it completely and throw it in the wash, the makeup residue comes right off and it looks like new again! The uses for this pouch are endless!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Thanks to our friends at Staples the lucky winner of this giveaway gets a $50 Staples Gift Card to help with Back To School Shopping (and with their 99 cent specials - check your local ad for details - this gift card will certainly go a long way!) Don't you just ♥ Staples? I know I do!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC 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' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) Mandatory Entry (this must be done for all others to count): Visit Staples and post the URL Link (NOT THE NAME) of any OTHER back to school item aside from the review items! (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). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA residents who are 18 years of age or older.
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 Wednesday, August 18, 2010 until Friday, August 27, 2010 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)
EXTRA CREDIT:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment (+5 entries, leave 5 comments with the URL to your blog post!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you already have our button, just let us know, you will still get extra credit!) (2 credits, post twice)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - #ascendingbutterfly + @StaplesTweets #win a $50 Staples Gift Card for Back to School #Giveaway - http://tinyurl.com/2co77zk
(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry. Get the Tweet's URL by clicking on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY. If you Tweet more than that, that entry will be disqualified.)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow/Like Staples on Facebook (and remember to tell them that Ascending Butterfly sent you, post the URL of where you posted on Staples wall) HERE (+1 for liking and +3 extra credit entries for wall post, (please post 3 comments!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow/Like Ascending Butterfly on Facebook (remember when we have giveaways which allow for multiple winners, one winner will always be selected at Random from our Facebook Page, so make sure you are following us there too!) HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to receive Ascending Butterfly emails using our Feedburner widget on the upper right hand side of the page below the follower thumbnail pictures! (If you are already a subscriber you will still receive extra credit!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/ You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!
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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate my review and for the giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.
I broke my own strict rule, I went to see a movie on Opening Weekend, it's something I avoid doing. The long lines, over-crowded theater, someone kicking the back of my chair for two hours and bringing out my dormant inner psycho! (Yes, even motivational writers lose their patience when being kicked in the back for 2 hours straight!)
Another broken rule, seeing the movie without having read the book. I went to see Eat Pray Love over the weekend. It was a girl's night out and I caught up with friends I literally haven't seen since High School. Because I didn't read the book, I didn't fully know what to expect, and for once, I was very happy with the idea, deciding to let go and fully enjoy the journey, take the movie for what it is, not what the book said it would be, or the critics or anyone else for that matter.
I will admit catching up with old friends made the movie that much better, (and the rainy night meant the theater wasn't over crowded and there was oddly NO line to buy the tickets since we arrived right before it was about to start!) but it was a post I saw on Facebook this weekend that sparked me to write about this movie. The post generated comments that were equally divided down the middle and and really made me think!
I find most movies tend to be over-analyzed. I don't want to do that, but I love being a part of or sparking conversations that make me think or make others change their perspective. The conversation that generated so much intense conversation was a male perspective on the actions of Julia Roberts character Liz Gilbert. What do you think of how Liz handled the relationships in her life? Did you relate to her? Not relate to her? If so why, or why not? Do you think at the end of it all, the journey she took to self was the right one? The male vs female perspective and opinions seem to vary widely.
No spoilers here, but on a very fundamental level, I don't think that there is anyone out there, and this is very much regardless of their age, that hasn't found themself wondering 'Is this all there is?' - That point where you realize if you take away work, or the relationship, or the kids, or the studies, the THING you do, Who are YOU?
The thing that you rattle off when asked what you do is NOT, and I repeat not, WHO you are. But when you scratch away the 'what' you do, do you know 'WHO' you are?
I don't think a three word 'mantra' can sum anyone up. Is it a great idea for meditations, absolutely, those should be short and sweet. Can you sum up your motto, your mantra, who you are effectively in three words? (Don't worry this isn't a job interview, I'm not judging your answers so don't pick the ones you think others want to see, pick the words that resonate with you personally, profoundly and fundamentally).
I have the strange feeling based on some of the reactions I've been privy to, that regardless of whether or not the person read the book, people seemed to go into this movie expecting a 'magical answer', and so with a movie that was very much over-hyped, and the expectations that life's greatest secret to happiness would be revealed, it doesn't surprise me that many people feel it 'lacked something' they just didn't know 'what'. It was 'anti-climatic' for many people based on very false expectations. I personally, went into it already knowing that the journey we take is the answer. The entire sum total of it! As human beings we are wrapped up in our present so much so that we forget that the journey is WAY more than the particular phase of it we are in. We don't stop and enjoy the 'now' enough and then find ourselves sometimes feeling like an 'outsider' in our own lives. When the resentments, frustrations and fears become too much to take, some people feel that drastic change in the answer!
My favorite scene is when Liz is told during her travels in Rome, that Americans experience 'satisfaction' but not 'pleasure'. And I laughed at much of the grumbling around me. It's true, we work hard, but tend to feel like life requires us to 'earn' our breaks, and even while on vacation we are rarely 'dis-connected' from our electronic feeding tubes. If you are not engrossed in a moment, you are not truly experiencing it. You are not deriving pleasure from it. The universe doesn't want us to 'earn' every pleasure, just know we deserve it, and be grateful for each experience we receive. Allow yourself the freedom to experience pleasure fully. The pleasure you are in right NOW, not the next one, the next one is not guaranteed to you so enjoy this one! Ask yourself, are you experiencing merely satisfaction in your life, or are you truly experiencing pleasure?
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 disconnect from my 'electronic feeding tube' and actually enjoy a real moment!' (and butterflies, don't just speak it today, DO IT).
Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about 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:
@Tracy_Iglesias #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! #eatpraylove - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx
Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!
Active Giveaways:
NONE - While there are tons of reviews & giveaways that need to be posted, today we are observing a giveaway FREE day! It's our first review and giveaway free day in a LONG time, and for today, we are proud to go back to our roots and just share daily words of inspiration!
Keep your eyes on the homepage's 'Win Here - Today's Butterfly' section we have more great giveaways to come! Stay tuned for our upcoming 'Back to School' themed giveaway and the next amazing handbag in our series (the feature now switches names so keep an observant eye out, trust me, you won't want to miss this one!)
FTC Disclosure: I went to see Eat Pray Love on my own, I was not provided with tickets, screening passes or any other incentive. I was not asked to provide a review nor was I compensated for it. My experience with this movie is solely my own opinion.
I have been falling in love with New York City all over again this summer! I've lived here my whole life and it took this summer for me to realize I had been taking my beloved City for granted. After attending BlogHer last week and watching other people's fascination with "The City That Never Sleeps", it reminded me of just how much there is to actually see and do here.
I've had an incredibly busy summer. More so in fact than I ever remember, but the highlight of my summer was this past Wednesday when I set sail on a Spirit Cruises Yacht around the Hudson River thanks to our friends at SmoothJazzNY. In June we hosted a giveaway with Smooth Jazz and you can see our original post HERE.
Oddly enough, I beleive both of Ascending Butterfly's winners set sail before we did! You can see the coverage on Single Mama NYC of her sailing HERE. She got some great shots!
'The Guitars & Saxes Smooth Cruise' was an amazing (sold out) concert (and I could see why!) that included: Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub and Gerald Albright and it was AMAZING! The concert was fantastic, and with all those musical guns firing I had no doubt it would be. Thankfully my sail companion suggested sitting outside and I am so glad we did. We sat on the upper level with a front facing table with amazing views, and were super stoked about the amazing attentiveness of the staff at Spirit, we availed ourselves of the tableside beverage service (which meant not having to get through the crowd or leave our coveted table!), And enjoyed the amazing views, amazing sounds and time spent just enjoying the journey. I was pleasantly surprised that there were some 'inspirational' songs played, and when the Yacht was returning to the pier, I was a bit sad to see my amazing journey come to an end, but also incredibly uplifted and very grateful!
One of my favorite parts of the concert is when the artists spoke about who inspires them and their sound, and Gerald Albright's funny anecdotes about married life. A jazz artist and a true gentleman with a very romantic spirit, if only he were single! (Any sax playing, romantic at heart, SINGLE men out there left?)
This was supposed to be our 'Sunday's Moment of Gratitude' post, but I actually, get ready to gasp now, took an ENTIRE day away from all things electronic to re-connect with friends I haven't seen since High School to enjoy a girls night out and go see Eat, Pray, Love. And I had a great time!
It had been way too long since I had some 'just me', 'breathe' and relaxation time and then this past week I was blessed with not just ONE but TWO girls nights out, isn't that cool? I'm definitely begining this week in a cup 'more than half full' frame of mind and it's a great place to be!
We definitely look forward to working with Smooth Jazz again next summer! THANK YOU!
Active Giveaway:
1) ENDING TODAY AT 3PM EST - ProFlowers Organic Extravaganza Fruit Basket Giveaway! HERE
Our next giveaway will be for everyone getting ready for Back to School, Stay Tuned!
Ladies you really missed your handbags, we got a great turnout for the Twisted Orchid Giveaway, and we have a winner! Congrats to 'Shellie' she is the confirmed winner of our Twisted Orchid Handbag of Choice Giveaway! Shellie your 'tall Ebony and Ivory Cream Tote’ is on it's way, ENJOY!
Ascending Butterfly would like to thank Twisted Orchid for stepping in so we could continue the feature, we are happy to say we have the next bag in the series coming SOON!
NOTE: We have added end dates to the titles of all giveaways!
Active Giveaway:
1) Ends 08/16 - ProFlowers Organic Extravaganza Fruit Basket Giveaway! HERE
Our next giveaway will be for everyone getting ready for Back to School, Stay Tuned!
I wanted to get this post up early, but my site host has been down most of the day! (Now that we are back up and running; we are currently working on processing entries for the Twisted Orchid Giveaway, which will now close late!) How did today treat you?
Don't let the date on the calendar dictate the type of day you experience!
Many people I know cited mishaps today and part of me wonders how much of it is psychological because we expect this day to be frought with mishap! Other than my site host being down most of the day and not allowing me to log in, process entries or post, this was a normal day otherwise. I've never beleived in the lore surrounding this day. I will say I hope to sneak in a horror movie sometime today, my only guilty pleasure!
I have a strong love of travel, and I am looking to forward to seeing Eat.Pray.Love, and looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback about the movie! Let's use this thread to discuss all things about the movie! (Just remember, NO Spoilers please!) :-)
Do you have a three word mantra for life? If so what is it? (Mine would probably be Travel.Pray.Learn)
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 'Only I can dictate the type of day I will experience!'
Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about 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 #ascendingbutterfly - Today's Words of #Inspiration and Great #Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx
Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!
Active Giveaways:
1) Ends 08/13 - 'Slip Into Summer' with a Twisted Orchid Animal Friendly Handbag Giveaway HERE! (This was slated to close at 3pm, but because our site host was experiencing technical difficulties we are accepting entries until 11pm EST today!)
Ascending Butterfly Summer Jewelry Review and Editorial Sponsored by:
With all the excitement surrounding BlogHer 2010, I nearly forgot to share with you ways to up your summer 'bling factor' with affordable and versatile jewelry that will take you from a casual backyard BBQ to a summer cocktail party with ease!
While at BlogHer I wore a very special ring from ice.com that didn't fail to get attention! You all already know by now that when I wear a piece of jewelry that truly becomes 'my own', for some reason, I can't help rubbing it when I'm lost in thought! I'm happy to report this ring passed my 'rub test'. I found myself doing it without even thinking about it, that's when I know the piece has a found a home with me!
What I love about jewelry is that it has a WAY longer shelf life that expensive trendy jeans or tops. You will either outgrow a trendy clothing item, it won't be in season, or it no longer fits, this doesn't happen quite as often with jewelry, and your jewelry goes with mostly everything you wear making it a very versatile investment!
Ice.com is running a Summer Styles Campaign bringing you some of their best pieces at a steal! Here is a peak at 12 of their most amazing pieces for summer (I'd say YEAR round as well!):
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Carat Diamond 10K White Gold Tennis Bracelet - It's definitely hard to resist a Tennis Bracelet! Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 44 Carat Blue Topaz & Diamond Sterling Silver Bracelet - (you guys know I'm an April baby and Diamond is my birthstone, so anything with Diamonds in it is bound to catch my eye! This would pair just as nicely with a sundress as it would with jeans!) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -25 Carat Sapphire 18K Gold Over Sterling Silver Bracelet - (These are some RICH looking Sapphires, this is your little black dress, cocktail party bracelet for sure!) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 4 1/2 Carat Blue Topaz, Sapphire and Diamond 10K White Gold Ring - (Ok, TING, more Diamonds, but it can also go super casual with your jeans with that play on play of blues with the topaz and sapphire!) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3 1/10 Carat Green Amethyst and Black Diamond 14K White Gold Ring - (I've never actually owned Black Diamonds, would love the feedback of those who do, do they sparkle as much as white diamonds?) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 14K Yellow Gold Ring w/ Rhodium - This is the ring I reviewed, and I absolutely love it! It has great detail which allows it to play up both evening and daytime attire! And with the Gold and Rhodium color interplay I can go either way with earrings. I can wear pretty much any style watch with it and I'd have to say it's the most versatile Gold Fashion Ring I own! - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 Carat Diamond Sterling Silver Heart Pendant w/ Chain - (I would highly recommend this one for anyone who has a daughter going off to College this Fall. There is something so youthful, graceful and special about this pendant, it would be treasured by your daughter for sure!) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 4 1/3 Carat Blue Topaz, Sapphire & Diamond 14K White Gold Pendant w/ Chain - (For the Topaz afficionado, this is a true stunner. Something about it strikes me as being somewhat Russian Inspired) - Check it out HERE Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 Carat Black & White Diamond Sterling Silver Heart Pendant w/ Chain - (Definitely a great pendant for a night out on the town!) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 20 Carat Multi-Gemstone 14K Yellow Gold Earrings - (I love the purple hues from light to dark and the overall flirty appeal, from summer sundress to jeans and a flirty top this will work well with what you've got in your wardrobe!) - Check it out HERE Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 Carat Black Diamond Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings - (These are statement earrrings! They are not small!) - Check it out HERE
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 Carat Princess Cut Diamond 10K White Gold Invisible Set Earrings - (I SO wanted these myself! I am sure it goes without saying that these go with EVERYTHING!) - Check it out HERE
And for those who saw me wearing them at BlogHer my favorite White Gold Hoop Earrings were purchased at Ice.com YEARS ago, well before my blogging days, so when I tell you I love Ice.com's jewelry it's from personal experience that started way before my reviews! Those earrings have held up well, and I'm not exactly delicate careful with my jewelry, those earrings have been through the ringer and have held up well for YEARS now, and I have no doubt the 14K Gold Rhodium Ring will hold up just as well to my incessant banging on the keyboard and drumming my hand on the desk when I find myself on hold on the phone and forget I have a ring on!
Now you know I wouldn't forget you guys! You can get up to 75% off the 10 items in the "Summer Style" Series, as well as 20% off all jewelry at ICE.com by using source code: FBSS2 at checkout, or by shopping directly using this link. This offer expires August 31, 2010. By the way, ICE.com accepts payment via PayPal. They also have a Monthly Payment Plan!
For all that good karma they are spreading around, I say we all show Ice.com some major Social Media ♥
'Like' Ice.com on Facebook and be in the know of upcoming promotions, sales, and receive special discount codes for being a follower (HINT: There is a facebook code posted NOW!)
Follow Ice.com on Twitter and be in the know of upcoming promotions, sales, and receive special discount codes for being a follower
And for those of you not already doing it, Ice usually holds a monthly contest of their own for subscribers which you can find on their homepage, for the month of August the prize is a 1 Carat Diamond 10k White Gold Bracelet & 1/4 Carat Princess-Cut Diamond 14k White Gold Earrings Set (Retail Value – USD $1,595 ) -you can link to this giveaway on their homepage or on Facebook (all the more reason to hop on over and Like them today!) - Although because I love this prize so much I completely discourage you from entering. I mean it. It's mine. All mine. And I don't want you entering to win it. Yes that's right, I said it! Don't Judge Me!
FTC Disclosure Info for this Review: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the products are expressly my own opinions. I was provided product to facilitate my review, this in no way influenced my opinion of the product.
OK so even on Wordless Wednesday I have a hard time being absolutely 'wordless' This picture was taken in the expo hall during BlogHer 2010 at the Hilton in New York City. I was so tempted to poke his belly! The tasting opps at this booth were totally decadent and sinful, it was way too good to calorie count!
Active Giveaways:
1) Ends 08/13 - 'Slip Into Summer' with a Twisted Orchid Animal Friendly Handbag Giveaway HERE!
Ascending Butterfly is a LIFESTYLE Blog. While it's Founder/Editor is in full possession of a Uterus, she doesn't choose to use it, keep that in mind before hitting send on your next pitch. We focus on Travel, Spirits, All things Foodie, Photography, Beauty, Fashion, Eco Friendly, with a mind, body,and soul approach to wellness and well-being.
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