Plenty of Dresses Review and Giveaway - Item of YOUR choice!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Plenty of Dresses! 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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Plenty of Dresses, Where Fashionable Meets Affordable!

Now that the little one's are back in school, have you taken a moment to think about your wardrobe yet? Have you swapped out your summer clothes and started looking at your Fall clothes and sadly realized you've come up a bit short for yourself? Do you have a perfect outfit at the ready for Thanksgiving, for office holiday parties and family festivities?

I am currently in the process of clearing out closets, and getting my home and wardrobe and ready for the new season.

I have to start by apologizing, this review is way overdue, and I want to thank Plenty of Dresses for their patience!

I connected with Plenty of Dresses earlier this year and as I am a butterfly lover, I was sent a variety of butterfly themed items to review. Two very special blouses, that I absolutely adore and a pair of super cute butterfly earrings that were thrown in by the owner, which I thought was extremely thoughtful!

I wore the first blouse and the earrings on my smooth jazz cruise this summer and received numerous compliments! I absolutely love this blouse, it has washed very well, no pills, and no fade out in the silver butterfly design. It looks fab on it's own as I paired it with Black Pants, and also super cute under a jacket for a quick change for evening. I posted the picture of me wearing it earlier this summer, but I just thought I'd show it to you again:

It runs true to size, and I can report it is super comfortable. If you'd like to grab one, it's still in stock, it's called Blue With Butterfly if you can't wait and want to order it now! (And I couldn't blame you!) The other two items don't appear to be in stock (including the butterfly earrings I am wearing in the photo), but there are a wide variety of butterfly themed and non-butterfly themed fabulous clothing that are. And I'm very excited to share that Plenty of Dresses has an excellent variety of Plus Sized items in stock as well. Sometimes when it comes to plus sizing you end up feeling cheated because the selection isn't normally as varied as smaller sizes, but not at Plenty of Dresses! I find it a time saver that I can shop by size and find something super cute that is in stock and available in my size!

I love to get a behind the scenes of brands I work with, and when I'm allowed a glimpse of the person behind the brand I jump at the chance. Plenty of Dresses is a one woman show, that began as a retail location in Canada, the owners, sisters, grew the shop that started with jewelry and accessories, one sister married and moved abroad and the sister that remained expanded the store slowly. She added clothing in a variety of styles, and it took off! Customers responded enthusiastically, and she experienced increased sales and steady growth. And eventually an online shop was formed, that is how Plenty of Dresses was born!

The owner, is the most down-to-earth, approachable person ever (and she's super patient too!) and when I asked her for a bio and more about her she shared her story, but something she wrote really stood out with me, she said:

I'm just a small town girl trying to make it big ~ Corinne, Plenty of Dresses

I honestly don't know how she manages to juggle the demands of a brick and mortar store and running an online shop simultaneously! But with her drive, ambition and perserverance I have no doubt in my mind her quote above will come to pass! I know I make it a personal choice to be sure I think of woman owned businesses first when I shop, I can tell you that having had the chance to try out two pieces from this shop that I fully intend to return to Plenty of Dresses again! As a matter of fact I was thinking of this next:

What do you think? I love purple and the silver accent detail gives it that extra something for evening! OK, I'll be nice and share the direct link to this top, but please don't order them all because I want one! Purple Plus Size Top With Silver Accent

WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Plenty of Dresses would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with your choice of any in-stock item, shirt, dress, the choice is YOURS!

Don't you just ♥ Plenty of Dresses? (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 Mandatory Entry: (2) Visit Plenty of Dresses and Share a link to the item you would pick if you won! (Remember it can't be the giveaway item, or the other items mentioned! Be careful if you link to the review item your entry will be disqualified!) (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 + Canada 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 23, 2010 until Sunday, October 31, 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. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries!)

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 + @plentyofdresses  #win clothing item of YOUR choice #Giveaway! - http://tinyurl.com/2756a3o

(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 - ‘Like’ (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) Plenty of Dresses on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @plentyofdresses 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 needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger, please rock the vote for me daily here:

Good Mood Gig from SAM-e

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!

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 Plenty of Dresses are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review & 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.

Gain “Sniff, Sniff, Hooray!” Review

I do not yet have a dishwashwer and will admit while I love to cook, and I love to eat, I'm not such a big fan of the dishes part of dinner time, or lunch time or breakfast time. . .well you get the picture!

There are lots of minuses to dishwashing by hand, the dreaded 'dishpan' hands if you don't wear gloves and having to expose to your hands to harsh detergents. And ladies as you probably already know by now, our neck and our hands reveals our age way more than our face actually does! SCARY STUFF!

I don't know about you, but I for one, have never had time to 'comparison shop' when it comes to dishwashing liquid. I have been pretty much used to getting the one that's cheapest. Let's face it when it comes to our shopping, some items we won't compromise with and others are not as important to have by specific brand but just by function and price.

Our friends at My Blog Spark recently sent me a Gain package, that included original scent Gain Dishwashing Liquid, 3 tshirts and 3 $5 Walmart Cards. The day the package arrived, I was sitting for my nieces and they grabbed the t-shirts! Tshirts that had Butterflies on them by the way! LOVE IT!!! It made me feel like they had me in mind when they developed this package! My nieces also laid claim to the walmart cards for snacks and a DVD, while that scored me cool auntie points, that left me without a giveaway item! So you are going to have to blame my nieces for this being a review instead of a review with giveaway as we normally do!

While I love when they come over, they know the rules are, they dirty a dish, they wash it! So after the movie we all set off to the kitchen so everyone could wash their popcorn bowls, and we all tried Gain for the first time. For them, they have a dishwasher, so they only end up washing dishes at my house! Which I think is a good thing for them to learn anyway, we all know electronics can sometimes go wonky. I have actually never tried Gain Dishwashing Liquid, although I am of course very familiar with the liquid laundry detergent. So for me the first thing that stood out was the scent, which I greatly enjoyed. The girls of course enjoyed 'dishwashing liquid bubbles' more than washing their popcorn bowls, but they too liked the scent and all the giggles and silliness made washing dishes so much more fun!

My take on Gain Dishwashing Liquid:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I love the scent!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I like that a little goes a long way, it really does cut the grease well!

I know I will actively seek out Gain, unlike before where I wasn't so concerned with brand, but price. That doesn't mean I won't stick to my budget, but I will be actively seeking it out when it's on sale and making sure to re-stock with Gain when I do run out!

For more information about the new Gain Dishwashing Liquids, visit ILoveGain.com or yoamogain.com. In addition, be sure to “Like” Gain on Facebook and follow Gain on Twitter! By the way, their twitter background has butterflies! Love it!!!!

The search for the Scents of America is on and now it's your turn to vote! Let your nose be heard! http://ilovegain.com/scentofamerica

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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 Gain are my own experiences. I was provided with product from P&G via MyBlogSpark to facilitate the review.

Today's Words of Inspiration - What do you want to be when YOU grow up?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Invariably this question came up often when you were young, and perhaps in a few job interviews where an HR person asked you that question and it instantly felt like a spotlight shining on you or an interrogation lamp glaring at you depending on how confident you were feeling at the moment.

You are still growing up. Personally and Spiritually (and hopefully professionally!) you will continue to grow and evolve. Your definition of what it truly means to be an adult will continually shift. You should take a moment to re-visit this question. And answer it. I'll bet your answer now doesn't reflect your very first answer! And I'll bet the next time you re-visit this question your answers will differ again. Do you measure being grown up by being married? by having children? How do you define adulthood? Based on your own answers to that definition, are you grown up yet?

Throughout the years my answer has included: (in no particular order)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - cowgirl <- I have been riding horses since the age of five!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - cardiologist <-interesting story about this but kind of long, we'll revisit this later

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - writer <-At the time, my school guidance counselor told me that writing was not a 'real career' that I should have my sights set on something more practical/attainable. I have often wondered if race played a part in his response to my career choice? Why did he feel I needed to learn a 'trade'? I was a straight 'A' student taking top honors. Shouldn't he have been more supportive?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Filthy Rich Lottery Multi Millionaire who sails the world on a yacht <-oops that was last nights sweet dream, how did that sneak in here? :-)

What does your list look like? Care to share? I'd love to read everyone's list!

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 'I affirm today that while I may not know where I'll end up, I have a clear vision of where I'm headed, and I flow with Universal Energy towards goals that bring my highest good to life!'

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 Giveaway: Hurry Enter NOW!

1) Ends 10/28 @ 3pm EST - Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway with Satya Jewelry! Win the Cherry Quartz 'Om' Bracelet (ARV $48) - Enter HERE

Stay Tuned we are clearing out the 'giveaway closet' to make way for some fun Halloween Happenings! And the Holiday Buying Guide will be launching in mid November!

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Wordless Wednesday - The leaves are changing colors!

It's that time of year again! The leaves are changing colors, there is a cool, crisp breeze that requires a chunky sweater and your favorite Fall Boots! I've had this picture for ever, and I guess I have to credit Microsoft because it came as a wallpaper option with one of my computers!

What are your favorite signs of Fall?

What changes do you wish to create this season?

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Official Winner's Announcements - Secretariat Prize Pack + Pillsbury Sweet Moments Prize Pack winners!

**And the Winner of the Secretariat Prize Pack Giveaway is:**

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'tristatecruisers'

Congrats tristatecruisers!

**And the Winner of the Pillsbury Sweet Moments Prize Pack Giveaway is:**

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - '5Webs'

Congrats 5Webs!

Ascending Butterfly would like to thank our sponsors Disney and Pillsbury for hosting these super fun giveaways! We hope to work with you again soon!

Active Giveaway: Hurry Enter NOW!

1) Ends 10/28 - Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway with Satya Jewelry!  Win the Cherry Quartz Om Bracelet (ARV $48) - Enter HERE

Todays Quote from our friends at Satya Jewelry:

Be the change you wish to see in this world ~ Ghandi

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

Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway with Satya Jewelry!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Satya Jewelry! We look forward to working with you again! The winner of this giveaway is 'racergirl1313'  Congratulations! 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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As I'm sure you know by now this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month that is dedicated to bringing attention to early detection and prevention.

'The Big C' (and I don't mean the cable TV show) has definitely affected my family and as a result I'm a strong believer in the saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

While there are a variety of factors that contribute to Breast Cancer, including environmental, hormones, genetics and more, one thing that is most important to a healthy outcome is early detection. Early detection gives you the most treatment options as well as the greatest chance at survival and remission!

It seems like the entire planet is washed in pink this month, pink has seemingly become the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness!

Have you given yourself a 'self examination' this month? I found a very thorough article on ehow which is a must read concerning the proper way to conduct a self-exam!

As you know this month offers those fabulous 'Shop-a-tunities' to get something great for you, and do something great for the cause too! We love featuring companies that give back! Especially one whose products we totally adore!

In honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Satya Jewelry is proud to partner with The Young Survival Coalition (YSC). A percentage of sales from the 'sweetness in your life locket necklace' will be donated to the YSC during the month of October. Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC works with survivors and caregivers; as well as the medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under. For more information about the YSC visit http://www.youngsurvival.org

While you are thinking pink, take a look at the great assortment of Pretty Pink jewelry you can purchase at Satya! And of course I have to mention that they have a lovely assortment of butterfly jewelry too! Like their '18kt gold plated eb mini butterfly earrings' (style#: eg154) and it's matching Necklace (style#: ng401_l18) The Satya Foundation donates 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these items to the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation, aiming to find a cure for a rare childhood skin disease. For More information on the foundation please visit www.ebkids.org

 

We have worked with Satya in the past and are always amazed with the quality and of course overall WOW factor of their jewelry! But the fact that they are always giving back is why they will always have a place in my heart.  I firmly beleive that when you bless others you will always be blessed yourself. They don't just promote gemstone jewelry with a zen aesthetic, they very much practice what they preach. They have a quote right now on their website from Ghandi that reads 'Be the change you wish to see in this world' and I feel they embody that message perfectly.

 

Lately life for me has been extremely busy and somewhat chaotic, and when I opened the mailbox to find Satya's 'cherry quartz harmony bracelet' inside I was extremely excited!  The  7.5" bracelet made of  pink faceted beads of cherry quartz bring your mind, body and emotions into balance. A sterling silver cut-out om charm represents the sacred sound of the universe also bringing inner peace and harmony. Wear this bracelet to bring your life into the balance it deserves! I put it on right away and headed to my meditation altar with it! I will say looking at it made me smile, and when I am not meditating with it, I actually leave it out on my meditation altar and greatly enjoy seeing it everyday!

 

 

 

I placed it on top of a red pyramid I have on my meditation table and it just looks striking against it! And somehow looks to me like it's always been there, and definitely belongs there! I have a feeling my jewelry box won't see this one!

I perceive it as a visual reminder, to love and take care of my body and my health, the importance of prevention and because of the Om symbol, also as a reminder to take moments of deep breathing and stillness DAILY. Very much fitting with our daily breathing affirmational messages! You know I had to incorporate a butterfly into the picture somehow!

 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Satya Jewelry would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with a Cherry Quartz Om Bracelet of their own!

Don't you just ♥ Satya Jewelry? (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 Mandatory Entry: (2) Share a link to another item you like at Satya Jewelry (Remember it can't be the giveaway item or the two other items mentioned that have butterflies! Be careful if you link to the review item your entry will be disqualified!) (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 Monday, October 18, 2010 until Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 11:59 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 + @SatyaJewelry #win the Cherry Quartz Om Bracelet #Giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/2cxlor3

(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 - ‘Like’ (and don't forget to write on their wall that Ascending Butterfly sent you!) Satya Jewelry on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @SatyaJewelry 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 needs your votes! I really want to be NatureMade's Good Mood Blogger, please rock the vote for me daily here:


Good Mood Gig from SAM-e

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!

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 Satya Jewelry are my own experiences. I was provided a Cherry Quartz Om Bracelet  to facilitate the review & 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.

Official Winner's Announcement PLUS . . .

**And the Winner of the Bratz Party Doll Giveaway is:**

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Freddie'

Congrats Freddie!

A Bratz Doll is on it's way! We are super happy to hear that a special little girl will be on the receiving end during the holidays, we sure hope she enjoys her new doll!

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

Active Giveaway: Hurry Enter NOW!

1) Ends 10/18 - Pillsbury Sweet Moments Prize Pack Giveaway! Includes a free product coupon and heavenly chocolate scented spa products and bath sponge in super cute packaging! Ends Soon so HURRY - Enter HERE

Today's Random Fun Fact:

October 16 [every year]: Boss's Day (National Bosses Day). If it falls on a saturday or sunday, it is observed on the work day closest to the 16th.

Are you getting your boss a gift today? If so, what? Are you the boss? If so, I hope you are on the receiving end of something great today! And if you are your own boss? Celebrate yourself! And this in economy, if you are the boss, you should be writing that as a gratitude entry in your gratitude journals!

**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

Today's Words of Inspiration - Saved by the Butterfly!

Photo Credit @ Dave Dube

We have had various discussions about butterflies, what they mean to me, and what they represent for many of you as well. Last night a very interesting post came my way via facebook from our friends at One Meaning (Thanks Ingrid! 813!) and it was just too interesting not to share!

Komo News posted a fascinating story entitled 'Chilean miners believed saved by butterfly' and the video (which you must watch) sent chills down my spine in a good way! I don't want to give away any spoilers, it's not a long video and you really MUST watch it! See it now HERE (then come back and share your opinion.)

"It would have to be a very hardened heart not to be moved in some way by this compelling video." ~ Ascending Butterfly

What do you think about this video? What do you think about the notion that the miners were saved by a butterfly?

Butterflies for me always signal an oncoming change, not a small one, but a powerful transformation to come in my life, and they have always been very 'lucky' for me as well, sometimes representing an unexpected, yet pleasant stroke of luck.

Many people feel they are signs from loved ones who crossed over who are letting you know they are watching over you.

I thought in honor of this story we would make Today's Words of Inspiration about Symbols. For some it's a repeating number they see everywhere, for others butterflies or dragonflies. Sometimes people ignore their gut, or they ignore symbols that were sent to 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 'I affirm today that I am open and receptive to the signs around me and that I allow my intuition as well as my signs to guide me on the right path today!'

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!

1) Ends TODAY @ 3pm EST - Disney Secretariat Review & Movie Prize Pack Giveaway!  Enter HERE


2) Ends Monday, 10/18 @ 3pm EST - Pillsbury Sweet Moments Desserts and Prize Pack Giveaway! Enter HERE

Stay Tuned this weekend for a special giveaway in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, trust me, you won't want to miss it! Also, our Bratz giveaway winner has been notified via email and Twitter, so stay tuned for an official winners announcement!

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I challenge you today to look carefully for your own butterfly, your own symbol, your sign that transformation will soon come! What shape will it take? ~ Ascending Butterfly

Todays Words of Inspiration - Who is going to rescue YOU?

Photo Credit: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

With the recent happy news of the Chilean Miners being rescued at last, I thought it would be a great time to explore our own deep caves.

I swear I could almost hear a collective and universal sigh of relief each time a miner was brought to the surface. With sunglasses to shield their eyes from the sun because they were in darkness for so long.

Are you in a cave of your own doing right now? Are you in darkness? While you may not be thousands of feet below the earth, if you are currently mired in darkness spiritually, it's almost as if you were in a real cave.

Who is going to rescue YOU?

The miners survived, and their story of triumph touches a cord. So many prayers in unison concentrated for one cause brought amazing results.

We can apply that lesson to our own lives. They endured just about 70 days in darkness away from those they love, separated from the things in their lives that brought them joy and comfort, was it easy? NO, I'm sure it wasn't, but they focused their collective mindset on the outcome they wanted, rescue, escape, FREEDOM. And eventually it came.

Are you in need of rescue? With a mixture of Faith, Perseverance and tremendous effort, it will come. Put yourself in the mindset that sees only the outcome you want for yourself, and will it to happen.

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 see the outcome today in every area of my life that I wish to bring to reality!'

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!

1) Ends SOON: Expires Friday, 10/15 @ 3pm EST - Disney Secretariat Review & Movie Prize Pack Giveaway!  Enter HERE

2) Ends Monday, 10/18 @ 3pm EST - Pillsbury Sweet Moments Desserts and Prize Pack Giveaway! Enter HERE

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Wordless Wednesday - Rise Up!

I know you guys have been missing the "Today's Words of Inspiration" breathing meditations, and they will be back, I promise! I just couldn't resist this picture for Wordless Wednesday. We tend to measure our success in wealth and perceived victories. Oftentimes, we forget that within studying not just our failures and setbacks, but HOW we rose above them, that our grit, persistence and determination are a much better measure of worth than any material possession can possibly offer!

Remember, Attitude Really does Determine Altitude!

Note: We are working on clearing out the giveaway closet to prepare for some surprises for Halloween and our upcoming Holiday Buying Guide, so please remember to show our sponsors some love and enter our great giveaways on the upper right hand side of the page where it reads 'WIN HERE' (and of course you know ordering from any of our sidebar ads really helps too!) :-)

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Pillsbury Sweet Moments Desserts and Prize Pack Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Pillsbury! 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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Today a freak rainstorm has been knocking out my access to both my internet connection and my television reception! It's been a stress filled week, and the week is still quite young!

I don't know about you, but the occasional stress pick me up, especially on 'one of those days' is a must, and I can't think of a better 'pick me up' than chocolate!

OK, in all fairness I probably don't need an excuse to eat chocolate, and few would accuse me of skipping dessert, LOL :)

But every now and again when the day starts swirling around me, I become painfully aware of the need for some 'me' time, a moment to make the day just stop.

And today I did just that!

I will admit another guilty pleasure of mine is a midnight snack when I'm writing, I like to work when the world is half asleep. Or at least when my world is half asleep.

You will notice in my posts or on twitter, I sometimes mention I'm still wide awake working and would someone send snacks, we'll I'm super happy to report that someone heard my bat signal. Someone very cute and round who has a giggle that I can imitate spot on. Yes, you guessed it, PILLSBURY - straight from the Doughboy himself to my kitchen. Well, it might not have been that simple, OK, there was a middle man, I'll admit it! It was more like straight from Pillsbury to My Blog Spark, and My Blog Spark to me!

This post would have been up sooner, but my three nearest supermarkets didn't have it yet, and I just recently found it available at a Supermarket a little out of the way from my normal buying trip. But I will report the minor inconvenience was SO worth it!

Not so long ago I reviewed some delightful Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes (I won't mention any names here, but you can check my archives if you are curious), and they did have me spoiled, I thought I couldn't possbily fall for another. Until now, that is. I might just have a new lava cake love in my life. It's Pillsbury Sweet Moments Molten Lava Brownie!


I haven't tried all of them yet, but I wanted to let you know that Pillsbury Sweet Moments come in two varieties, Bite-Size Brownies, which are layered with either rich caramel or fudge and chocolaty coating; and the Molten Lava Cakes. I can't yet speak for the bites, but I'm so glad I opted for the Molten Lava Cakes instead, since they need to be warmed in the microwave, I knew I would be more prone to take a moment for me. To really enjoy it and savor it. With the bites, I'm quite sure I would have worked at my desk while eating them, and not have had the same 'Me Time' Experience!

"They are single-serve bowls of chocolate nirvana that come in rich caramel or fudge. Each are covered in decadent chocolate or creamy caramel and topped with a chocolate drizzle." ~Ascending Butterfly

And as someone who loves stationery and crafting, I have to take a moment to tell you how this was packaged. It was sent in round mini nesting boxes that contained pampering bath products in addition to the coupon for my Pillsbury sweet moment. Yes, I have already re-purposed the cute boxes. And absolutely enjoyed the 'chocolate' scented bath time treats. I know most of us are lucky to squeeze in a shower before running out the door, but a scented bath is always an amazing way to get centered!

To say that I rate these highly is probably an understatement, the cakes are sweet and sinful, and the chocolate scented bath treats in their lovely packaging was just icing on the cake of my 'Me Moment' Perfection.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Pillsbury would like to provide 1 Ascending Butterfly Follower with a Pillsbury Sweet Moments desserts and Prize Pack! Can't wait to find out if you won and you have to have it NOW, (I can't blame you) you can get a coupon for $1.50 and you can also send a coupon to a friend on their site, click HERE (but don't forget to come back and enter, because you can only get the bath treats in this prize pack!)

Don't you just ♥ Pillsbury? (and the Doughboy!)

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 what time of day you could use a quick pick-me-up with new Pillsbury Sweet Moments? (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 Tuesday, October 12, 2010 until Monday, October 18, 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 + @pillsburytreats #win the #Pillsbury Sweet Moments Prize Pack #Giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/273qzd4

(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!) Pillsbury on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @pillsburytreats 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!

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)

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding Pillsbury Sweet Moments are my own experiences. I was provided a prize pack and product coupon to facilitate my review and to facilitate the giveaway from My Blog Spark on behalf of Pillsbury. 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 chocolate and molten lava cakes, YUM! :-)