Saturday, October 9, 2010

Disney Secretariat Review & Movie Prize Pack Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Disney! We look forward to working with you again! The winner has been notified and upon confirmation, follower name will be posted both here and on our homepage. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!
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My apologies, this was meant to post pre-release, but to say this week has been insane would be an absolute understatement. On Friday, October 8th Disney released the movie 'Secretariat', which chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. The first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting race records that still stands today in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. In 1973, Secretariat also graced the covers of three magazine covers in the same week, Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated.  In 1999, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a 33-cent postage stamp with Secretariat’s image!

Secretariat Fun Facts:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Secretariat’s heart was twice the size of an average horse’s heart.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths and still holds the record time at 2:24 for 1.5 miles.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Secretariat was ranked the 35th Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century by ESPN.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  During the peak of Secretariat’s career, the William Morris Agency would book the horse’s appearances the same way they would any of their other (two legged) mega celebrity clients.

I was invited to a sneak preview during BlogHer, but wasn't able to sneak away and sent a representative in my stead, who said something about the movie immediately afterwards that has still stuck with me:



"This is an amazing story that chronicles not just Secretariat, but a woman who by necessity was very much ahead of her time."

I honestly don't think I could have summed it up better!

I love reading stories about strong women who triumph despite the obstacles thrown in their path. Penny Chenery (Played in the movie by Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables. Chenery, with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years! No small feat!

I have had life long love of horses, since my first trip to a Dude Ranch in Pennsylvannia when I was five. By the end of that trip I quickly graduated from pony to riding horses, and wanted to become a cowgirl (in addition to being a Doctor) when I grew up!


Here is a movie trailer:


I wish I would have seen this movie when I was younger, maybe I would have wanted to manage a race horse too!


Photo Credit: Disney

For fellow True Blood fans you may recognize Nelsan Ellis (who plays Eddie Sweat in the movie Secretariat), HBO's True Blood 'Lafayette'. True Blood is one of my TV guilty pleasures, I was very happy to discover he was in this movie!









Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Disney would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with a Secretariat Prize Pack which includes a Men’s T-Shirt,  Women’s T-Shirt, Youth T-Shirt and Hat!

Don't you just ♥ Disney?

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) Share your or (little ones) all time favorite Disney Character! (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. No PO Boxes.


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 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, October 09, 2010 until Friday, October 15, 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.

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!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ok to RT Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - #ascendingbutterfly + @SecretariatFilm #win a #Secretariat Prize Pack #Giveaway! #Secretariat http://tinyurl.com/2vektmr

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click 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 - Follow, now called ‘Like’ (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) Secretariat on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @SecretariatFilm on Twitter HERE

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 Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!
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)




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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 movie and Disney are expressly my own experiences. I was provided a prize pack and press screening passes to facilitate my review and to facilitate the giveaway. The sponsor is fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the product or the film. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor. And by the way, I really do love horses and have been riding since the age of five! :-)

Friday, October 8, 2010

Macy's Fifth Annual “Shop For A Cause”charity shopping event!


You all know how much Ascending Butterfly loves to feature 'companies with conscience', those that give back, those rare win/win 'shop-ortunities' where you can feel really good that you are not only getting a great deal but also helping a worthwhile cause.

If, like me, you are living in gratitude, and want to find a way to give back consider Macy's Fifth Annual “Shop For A Cause”charity shopping event, has raised more than $34 million for local charities across the country since 2006! Now that is what I call giving back!

Through Shop For A Cause, Macy’s provides participating organizations with shopping passes to sell for $5 each. Organizations keep 100 percent of every ticket sold. Pass holders will enjoy 20 percent or 10 percent off most regular, sale and clearance purchases all day, plus 25 percent off one regular, sale or clearance item in men's, women's or kids apparel or accessories. Some exclusions apply, see pass for details. By purchasing a shopping pass to the event, you will be supporting your favorite cause while enjoying a day of spectacular discounts, entertainment, special events and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. Another Win/Win!

This year’s Shop For A Cause will take place at all Macy’s stores and on macys.com on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

Shop For A Cause passes sold in Macy’s stores across the country will benefit Feeding America, The Family Violence Prevention Fund and other designated charities. Passes sold online at www.macys.com on Oct. 16, 2010 will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

Charities can register to participate in Macy’s Shop For A Cause @ www.macys.com/shopforacause

Do you want to purchase a ticket to benefit a specific non-profit organization? You can look up participating charities on www.macys.com/shopforacause

About Macy's:

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for epic events like Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of their customers.
 
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FTC Disclosure: In conjunction with BlogRollers Media I am alerting my readers about upcoming events for Macy's Fifth Annual “Shop For A Cause”charity shopping event and I am being provided a $25 gift card to Macy's for my participation in this campaign. No monetary compensation has been received by this blog for our participation. We genuinely feel it is important to share information about retailers who give back to the community!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Bratz Party Dolls Review and Giveaway! Ends 10/14!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Bratz! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is 'Freddie' (remember we post winner usernames for privacy purposes, in the case of similar usernames we will post a first name and last letter initial). Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!
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Hey there Party Doll, what are you doing 10.10.10?

I don't know about you but I'm having a Bratz™ party! Bratz™ are celebrating 10 years of being the life of the party. They always bring their sassy spirit, signature style, and a whole lot of attitude! or is that 'brat-itude' (couldn't resist!). And they haven't aged a bit!

I will admit I was 'hipped' to the Bratz line by my niece years ago, but I wasn't very convinced about the name. She let me know that they are 'sassy' and 'stylish' and 'cool' and her and her friends love them! And since I am the 'cool' Aunt I secretly proceeded to call her mom and make sure the doll was mom approved! (But SHHH, don't tell her!)

I am happy to report that I did get to keep my status as the cool 'Aunt'. Although I will say I think they wear a little too much makeup for 10 year olds, LOL. One of them does a better 'smokey eye' than I do!

But I guess you don't get 'life of the party' status by wearing muted earth tones!

So now that we've established they are not your average doll, and they are definitely a bit 'spunky' here's a bit more info:



Features:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Fully-articulated Bratz doll comes with 2 super-stylish outfits, plus sassy accessories

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 6 Years and Up

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Material: Plastic

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean With a Damp Cloth

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Dimensions: Length: 4.0 "; Height: 10.0 "; Width: 2.0 "

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Product Weight: 0.4 Lb.
 
NOTE: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts Not for children under 3 yrs.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Bratz would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with a Bratz Doll with Accessories! Doll will be selected by the sponsor based on availability.

Don't you just ♥ Bratz?

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) Visit Bratz and let me know which doll is your favorite! No link necessary this time, the name is fine! (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. No PO Boxes.


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 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 Thursday, October 07, 2010 until Thursday, October 14, 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.

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!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ok to RT: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - #ascendingbutterfly + @Bratz #win a Bratz Doll #Giveaways! -http://tinyurl.com/2euaeet

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click 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 - Follow, now called ‘Like’ (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) Bratz on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Bratz on Twitter HERE

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 Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!
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)




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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 Bratz 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. And by the way, I really am a 'Cool Aunt' :-)

Official Winner's Announcement - 1800Flowers.com $40 Gift Card Giveaway!




**And the Winner of the 1800Flowers.com $40 Gift Card Giveaway is:**

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - lfhpueblo.

Congrats lfhpueblo!

With the wide range of options, I know you are going to have fun shopping with your new gift card to 1800flowers, don't forget to tell us what you decided on! Will it be flowers, cheesecake, a gift basket, chocolate covered strawberries maybe?

Ascending Butterfly would like to thank our friends at 1800 Flowers for sponsoring such an amazing giveaway! We hope to work with you again soon!

Active Giveaway: Hurry Enter NOW!

1) Ends 10/08 - Macaroni Grill Entrees Review and Giveaway! - Enter HERE

**We will be working on quite a few new giveaways for you, be alert, these will close quickly, we need to clear out the giveaway closet to prepare for some fun happenings for you for Halloween!

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** We post our winner usernames instead of full names to protect privacy

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Anne Geddes Beginings Book Review - Ascending Butterfly Book Club Pick

Ascending Butterfly Monthly Book Club Pick:


My butterflies, my deepest apologies, this was supposed to be a vlog review, but my camera battery appears to have died completely, even after charging it over night, it still won't power. So while I get the battery replaced, I didn't want to hold up this review, because I'm just super excited to share this one with you! (I've actually had both my camera and cell phone battery die at the same time, electronics have not been my friend this week!)

Last month our book club pick was all about challenging us to explore ourselves, to learn from our own experiences and use them to become the person we want to be, Thank You again Daisy Fuentes for sending us 'Unforgettable You' and for hosting a giveaway. I greatly enjoyed reading everyone's entries about what makes a woman unforgettable!

This month we change focus, but continue to explore the human experience, this time from it's 'Beginings' with an exploration in pictures.

"Beginings explores the parallels between ourselves and other miracles of nature, placing these complimentary wonders side by side in an attempt to evoke a deeper appreciation of the simple yet deceptively complex beauty of our existence."

This is no ordinary 'picture or coffee table' book, it is an exploration of mankind and it's origins that is sometimes humorous, other times mysterious, very complex, and quite fascinating!

I'm sure there are very few of you who haven't seen Anne Geddes work by now, the cute babies in amazing poses turning them into cute little stuffed animal replicas or sometimes pea pods, certainly very cute.

But what I've often wondered is where does Anne Geddes get her inspiration? Her creativity seems to know no bounds. And I've also wondered, if writers get writers block, what do photographers do to keep things fresh?

This book answers that question! Anne herself reveals:

"Pregnant women and tiny babies are the human face of beginings, yet all of nature is caught in this insistent stream of seasons, of aging and rebith, of concealment and bursting forth. Even though I have been photographing babies for so long, every time I unwrap a newborn I am aware of the miracle before me."

It is no wonder that Anne Geddes has received acclaim in more than 83 countries and has been published in 24 languages. Her work extoling the miracle of pregnancy and the wonder of newborns has such a strong appeal because it is universal, it is experienced and understood by all, yet always fills us with wonder because of  it's simple beauty and utter complexity. Check out the video below of Anne Geddes behind the scenes of her new book (Please note this video is in English, it is sub-titled in French)


This is an amazing gift for anyone, but if you know someone who is expecting, this book is a must gift for a new mom. She will touched by your thoughtfulness, because every range of emotion she could possibly be experiencing is brough to life in beautiful vivid images, she will find herself constantly reaching for it each day and enjoying the images and her part in the beauty of creation!

It will at times leave you speechless, or leave you haunted and spellbound by the raw power of the images, this will definitely bring home for you the expression 'A picture is worth a thousand words' and you truly have to see it, to experience this book, to fully understand.

I highly recommend it! I give it five butterflies, our highest rating! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

I wasn't able to arrange a giveaway of the book this time around, my apologies, normally our monthly book club selection is a review with giveaway, but hopefully Anne Geddes will host a review and giveaway with us soon!

The book will hit shelves on 10.10.10 but you can order it now on Amazon here:
















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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Todays Words of Inspiration - Spread It and it will get you noticed!

Photo Credit: Sprinkles Cupcakes

I was feeling a bit cheeky today and I knew that title would get your attention! So what do you think I mean? C'mon you can be honest we are all amongst friends here, fess up! Hey, why are you blushing and giggling!

I am sure you all thought I meant Joy! It's not just what's for Christmas. It needs to be spread year round every single day.

(1) How would you want friends to fill in this blank about you? (Insert YOUR Name HERE) usually spreads:

____________________________________________________________________________


(2) What about immediate Family, they say you'd spread:

____________________________________________________________________________


(3) Now how would that blank be filled in by co-workers:

_____________________________________________________________________________


For me I think all three blanks would contain the word inspiration in there, how about you? Friends would even throw in laughter or joy, nieces and nephews would say cuddles and kisses.

But what would your blanks come back as? Are you sure?

You know how they say every Rose has its thorns? Try to avoid being the thorn at all costs, don't cause pain and drama today, use your bloom to spread a sweet fragrance.

You know they say 'Oh every office has one of those.' Don't be the office 'Downer' that bums everyone out, and slow downs the energy levels those around you!

When negative situations surround you and are trying to sneak up on you and rob you of joy, stop the negativity in it's tracks! Make sure you start your day with joy, big amounts of joy so much so, that you have to spread them out a bit at a time. You will make customers happier, your day will go easier, and you will find more reserves of energy at the end of the day than you've ever had before. No matter which end of the table you are on, say hello to someone today and fully listen to their response, and when you do, don't rattle off your pain list, or your drama list, or frustration list, spread some joy first, even before the sympahty or empahty, spread some joy. That joy is just light within you, that manifests to others in the way you opt to let it, with a warm hug, a charming smile, a wink, putting forward a warm hand and taking someone's cold hand into yours. It manifests with light kisses on the cheeks. With a genuine question, like How are you?

Because just like you always know who the office morale drainer is, you tend to know their polar opposite, the moral booster, who makes every thing run better, fixes problems before they can arise. Can be experiencing a day from hell and still manage a sincere smile and a 'have a nice day' for customers and colleagues. She is the one who everyone wants to do something special for on her birthday and is always surprised when you do. Not because she doesn't think she deserves it, but because she is so used to spreading light out towards others, that it genuinely touches her when she is on the receiving end of it.


She's JOY, and if you spread her around, it will get you noticed.

But she's a bit like a fairy, almost like Lady Luck, she lands ever so gently upon you and you must be sure you make yourself ready for her visit, by reducing stress and chaos from your mind, heart, and home, and making a big welcome sign so she knows you are happy she is there. Treat 'Joy' like a lady and soon you will both have each other smiling.

I wan't to be noticed and remembered for my joyous inspirations. For the light and laughter I bring into people's lives and I conversely also want to remember those who bring me joy and light. I want more 'joy' bringers in my inner circle!

(1) So how exactly does this inspire you? Two ways, begin by evaluating yourself, are you a joy bringer in the home? Do you spread your light and leave your atmosphere lighter and happier from your visit? or do you nitpick, judge, envy, seek flaws in others and diminish their sucess? Are you the friend called last all the time because no one is sure what mood you will be in today? Is it afterwork activity night?  Do you join in or bow out? 

If you can say No I would not be described this way, I'm just the opposite, I am the joy bringer, then congratulations! and skip ahead to part 2.

(2) If you can answer yes with assurance that you are always a joy bringer in every situation, then you must strive to live in joy in the most inspirational ways to help others to be joy givers too. Give joyously at work by doing your work graciously, joyously and with a light of purpose, being the team glue that keeps projects running smoothly and on time. Will it always be easy? Probably not, but your consistent joy, will be infectious once it's efficacy is witnessed by all. Joyous people tend to be increased! They tend to find just the favor that they required at just the right time.

I want to take active steps daily to walk, live and work joyously. I'm starting by making it my daily mediation today. And will refer to it when I am feeling pressured by deadlines, by less than joyous team members or even over stressed bosses. I will return to a center of joyful giving. Knowing that my Karma is sure. Knowing that when people come to me its because they know it is my pleasure to take care of the tasks at hand, effectively, efficiently and joyously.

Today I will spread it all over, and I know it will get me noticed!

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 be joyous in mind, in heart, in all actions and in my deeds!'

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! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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

Active Giveaways: Hurry Enter NOW!

2) Ends 10/08 - Macaroni Grill Entrees Review and Giveaway! Enter HERE
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Monday, October 4, 2010

Official Winner's Announcement - Unforgettable You by Daisy Fuentes Giveaway!




**And the Winner of the Unforgettable You Giveaway is:**

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Erma H.

Congrats Erma!

I know you are going to love this book, and the fun and challenging excercises that offer an incredible opportunity at better self-awareness!

Ascending Butterfly would like to thank our friend Daisy Fuentes for sponsoring such an amazing giveaway! We hope to work with you again soon!

Active Giveaways: Hurry Enter NOW!

1) Ends 10/04 - 1800Flowers.com $40 Gift Card Giveaway! - Enter HERE

2) Ends 10/08 - Macaroni Grill Entrees Review and Giveaway! - Enter HERE

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** We post our winner usernames instead of full names to protect privacy

Sunday, October 3, 2010

This weeks 'Moment of Gratitude' and Great Giveaways!



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 focused breathing meditations.

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - For a Happy Mailbox, I won a Facebook Giveaway from Flawless Effect! Thanks Lynn! Lynn is a Consultant & Customer Care Liaison for Flawless Effect, an Instant Skin Smoothener & Wrinkle Remover. She manages contests, giveaways, freebies, and answer questions, she can be followed on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - More Happy Mailbox, this one I can't comment on quite yet, but this one comes with something for you in our upcoming Holiday Buying Guide launching in November!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A fun event this Saturday from Dewars - (I attended the annual event last year as well, read my coverage here!) - I actually spent an entire day and night away from my computer, so if you put in an entry for any of our giveaways yesterday you won't see them posted until later today.

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

Active Giveaways:

1) ENDS MONDAY 10/04 @ 3pm EST - "1800Flowers.com $40 Gift Card Giveaway! Enter HERE

2) Ends 10/08 - Macaroni Grill Entrees Review and Giveaway! Enter HERE

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Keep your eyes on the homepage's 'Win Here - Today's Butterfly' section we have more great giveaways to come! (And we are working on our Holiday Buying Guide! so Stay Tuned!)

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and a direct link to purchase it (it has a great list of suggestions to help you overcome 'gratitude' writing blocks!):















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

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Friday, October 1, 2010

Macaroni Grill Entrees Review and Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Macaroni Grill via My Blog Spark! We look forward to working with you again! The winner has been notified and upon confirmation, follower name will be posted both here and on our homepage. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page Where it reads “Today’s Butterfly! Win Here’!
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It's been pouring rain for the last couple of days here, giving me a major case of the 'rainy day blues'. The last thing I want to do in a heavy torrential downpour of rain is fuss with an elaborate meal after a busy day or go out to a restaurant and brave slick roads and dangerous driving conditions. So the best solution is to have the restaurant come to me!


Literally, the restaurant came to me thanks to my friends at My Blog Spark and the new Romano's Macaroni Grill frozen entrées, I got to have an Italian Dinner at home and not have to brave the storm outside, or face the extra expenses of delivery or take out!


I was sent the Basil Parmesan Chicken entrée. Grilled white meat chicken, broccoli florets and tomatoes with cavatappi pasta tossed in a creamy basil parmesan sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?




I greatly enjoyed it. It was very easy to prepare and I was very grateful not to have to cook and deal with multiple pots and pans and a big clean up afterward or even have to go out and brave the rain storm. I will admit I did 'doctor' it just a bit, because that's just who I am in the kitchen, and I did add a bit more of my own cooked chicken to it because it was more than just me eating it, and I didn't feel it was enough chicken. And I also added just a pinch more fresh Basil to it.


This frozen entrée definitely piqued my curiosity and I plan to buy a few more and stock up so I have some on hand for those nights I don't feel like coming home and facing the kitchen after a long hard day. Read on to find out how the Restaurant can come to you too!


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Macaroni Grill would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with a Macaroni Grill Frozen Entrée & Prize Pack of their own! Flavor will be selected by the sponsor and frozen entree will arrive on dry ice, winner must be home to accept delivery. Don't you just ♥ Macaroni Grill?

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) Visit Macaroni Grill and let me know what flavor other than the review flavor you’d pick to try! You can also print out a coupon for $1.50 off if you can't wait and just have to try it NOW! (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. No PO Boxes.


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 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 Friday, October 01, 2010 until Friday, October 08, 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.

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!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ok to RT: Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - #ascendingbutterfly + @MacaroniGrill #win your own frozen entree #Giveaways! - http://tinyurl.com/22o5vlc  

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click 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 - Follow, now called ‘Like’ (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) Macaroni Grill on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @MacaroniGrill on Twitter HERE

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 Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly is a nominee for the Bloggers Choice ’10 Awards in the ‘Best Blog About Stuff’ Category - You can press the button below to go straight to the page where Ascending Butterfly has been nominated!

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NEW! 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)




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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 the Macaroni Grill product via MyBlogSpark 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.