{CLOSED} 2 cool 4 School Back to School Giveaway with ZIPZ Shoes! 2 Winners! Ends 08/19

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor ZIPZ shoes! We look forward to working with you again! The winners have been notified and upon confirmation, follower names will be posted both here and on our homepage. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Ascending Butterfly's 2 Cool 4 School Giveaway brought to you by:

When you were young, what was your style? Is your style the same now? Adults, teens and children may have very different ideas when it comes to back to school shopping. While mom wants durability, children want popular style and teens just want to be unique and wear something that reflects their own personal style.

If you could find footwear that was versatile, durable and definitely in style, footwear that is actually both toddler, kid, teen and adult friendly you'd snap it up in a heartbeat right?

Whether you are shopping for your skater boy, girly girl, urban cool, a preppy teen or somewhere in between, Zipz is your footwear solution!

About ZIPZ®:

ZIPZ® are removable and interchangeable shoes, like nothing you’ve owned before! Match any ZIPZ® COVERS with any same size ZIPZ® SOULS to create one of-a-kind mix and match shoes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Handmade to ensure comfort, quality, and reliability.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Invented in California, Designed in the U.S. - I love that the idea for ZIPZ was born during a family BBQ! (The CEO's dad came up with the idea, and the family as a team went to work bringing his idea into reality.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - By purchasing soles and tops separately you can basically match any top to any bottom creating a endless amount of shoe combinations. - While your child or teen may eventually outgrow their original sole size, I can assure you that they will NEVER get bored as there are a wide variety of covers in a great assortment of styles and colors!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Soles sell for $19 and covers sell for $34.

'Cambio tus Zapatos' means Change Your Shoes! Aren't these cool?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - There are Zip-Ons, Lo-Tops, and Hi-Tops styles. and there are also Toddler T-Strap and Toddler 2-Strap styles available!

Spiderz Toddler 2 Strap

Aren't these Spiderz Toddler 2 Straps just too cute? I am a horror movie buff, and I so want these for Halloween! Me and my nephew are going to look too cute in our matching Halloween Sneaks!

My Take

While everyone's foot is different, I'm wide width (flat foot) coupled with a high instep so for me, I ended up having to size up a bit before I found the sole that worked well for me. Once I hit on the right size for MY feet, it's been a summer of love, love, love ever since. I love that I can find a cover for any mood I'm in. I started with the Skull Rose, CB Bandanaz, Jet Black, and Dragon Rose in the adult Slip on Style. (I'm definitely thinking of getting the Hi-Tops next, those definitely take me back!)

It takes a bit to get the hang of changing out the covers and I found it easier to put my foot on the sole first, and then zip myself in rather than zip it first and try to get my foot in (but that's because I'm wide width), but once you figure out which technique works best for you, you will be swapping covers every day!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at ZIPZ have a very special surprise for 2 lucky winners! 2 winners will receive a completed pair of zips in their choice of style and size based on in stock availability. You can opt to select a pair for yourself, your toddler, youth/child, or teen, the choice is yours!

Don't you just ♥ Zipz? 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- Visit ZIPZ and let me know which sole style and cover you would pick! (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 who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes. One entry per Household, see Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy HERE.

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, August 11, 2011 until Friday, August 19, 2011 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 - You know how much I love finding us both win/wins right? Here's another one: Visit the Degree Women MotionSENSE App on Facebook and enter GetMoving031 in 'Enter Codes' HERE (you'll get an extra 5 MotionSENSE Miles which you can trade in for great prizes including trips, gift certificates, electronics and more!) Enter, share on your wall, and let me know you entered by linking me to where you shared it on your wall, by the way sharing also buys you extra MotionSENSE miles, win/win right? :)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Are you on Blog Lovin? Well so is Ascending Butterfly! Follow us on Blog Lovin for an extra credity entry!

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! Leave five entries.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our NEW Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you have our old one, please swap it out, our URL address has changed!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @zipzshoes on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @zipzshoes 2 cool 4 School Back to School  #Giveaway! #Win #Shoes of YOUR choice! Ends 08/19 http://tinyurl.com/3g3vz8u

(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.)

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 - 'Like' ZIPZ Shoes USA and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You (I'm sure they'd love for you to tell them which shoe cover is your favorite!) on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - One time only per giveaway, NOT a daily: Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active 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 - 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 product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

The Help - Whatever you do, do NOT miss this movie!

I usually tend to read the book BEFORE I see the movie, but this is the first instance where I've viewed a movie based on a book before reading the book. This is definitely a first for me, and I have to say SO worth it.

After a summer of mostly 3D and CGI, I was absolutely ready for something 'real' and 'raw', something that not only tugged at the heartstrings, but had real 'meat' to it, and The Help did not disappoint.

The Help is a movie with a simple yet very powerful tagline: Change Starts with a Whisper. And so it does. Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon,  “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s,  who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change. It's not just the ability to create the change that's the story, it's the courage to create it both within and without!

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” is a provocative and inspiring look at what happens when a southern town’s unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.

It's truly a powerful movie, and there was not one dry eye at the end, and yes that includes many of the men in attendance as well! (No easy feat for a New York Press Screening!) 

While the entire movie is expertly cast, look for Jessica Chastain (pictured above) she's a real scene stealer, she plays the character Celia Foote, and she gives the character tremendous depth, humor and spirit! and as a 'Truebie' I was also excited to spot Nelsan Ellis (who portrays Lafayette Renolds on True Blood) in another disney movie (he was also in Secretariat), Nelsan is a great chameleon who really throws himeself into his roles, and he is always fun to watch.

I know most people cite the 'leads' but this is a well rounded cast, and every single character brings this movie a tremendous amount of depth, feeling and emotion.

THE HELP opens in theatres everywhere on Aug 10th. Butterflies, what ever you do, do NOT miss this movie! I'm leaving this thread open, because I'd love everyone to come back here and comment when they've seen it!

“Like” THE HELP on Facebook

Order the book on Amazon using banner below:

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I attended the New York Press Screening of The Help movie. All opinions about the movie are my own and have not been influenced in any way! An Amazon Affiliate Link has been provided to the book.

{CLOSED} August Featured Handbag in the Spotlight - timi & leslie Hannah Handbag Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor timi & leslie! We look forward to working with you again! CONGRATS to our winner, 'Tee'! Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Ascending Butterfly's Featured Handbag in the Spotlight, brought to you by:

Every year since 2009 which is when our Featured Handbag in the Spotlight special feature began, we have tried to feature what we consider to be exceptional Bags. Be it leather, vegan, or Diaper Bag, or whether it's an emerging or established Designer, I seek out bags where both form and function blend into something stylish. If I wouldn't carry it, I wouldn't expect my readers would either. This is a busy city, it's a commuter city, and for the most part New York women live out of their bag during the week!

As a Native New Yorker, I know just how picky women here are about Handbags in general. The first criteria for a good Diaper Bag in New York City is that it look like anything BUT a Diaper Bag. And let's face it, few bags fit the bill. For the most part, moms are still offered GIANT tote bags, and expected to be happy with that.

I don't know about you, but I save the 'tote' structure as my beach bag for summer, other than that, it's not a silhouette I'd carry on a daily basis. I want something a bit more structured even if it's a 'daily' or 'commuter' or 'errands' bag.

So for my busy mama's on the go, I give you......

Hannah:

You’ll be the envy of all mamas’ wearing your Hannah bag! It’s made from faux leather (PVC free) and features custom hardware in an antique brass finish. Hannah comes with many functional and fashionable accessories and features:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A cross body, adjustable detachable strap so you can wear it hands free whenever you need to

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Our specially designed changing pad with a front mesh pocket where you can store your diapers, wipes and creams when you need to make a quick diaper change trip

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A stylish clutch that you can use as your purse (who wants to carry a purse and a bebe bag?) with interior credit card slots and an inside zipper pocket

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - An insulated bottle tote to keep your baby’s bottle warm or cool

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Matching stroller straps so you can hang your bebe bag from your stroller

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dirty clothes sac to keep your wet or dirty clothes contained, or a duster bag to keep your bag safe during storage.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Water resistant, light colored lining so you can easily see everything in your bag

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two exterior side pockets

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Six interior organizational pockets

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Inside key fob – never lose your keys!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Measures 14”H x 16” W x 6” D and 11” handle drop

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Available in Pewter, Bronze, Rouge, and Black

My Take

I love this bag! It's definitely stylish and functional, it holds all my necessities for my weekly commute and then some! For all non-moms like me, it holds a laptop/netbook/or iPad comfortably and you can adapt the inner pockets (or outer if you prefer) to hold your phone, MP3 player, camera, lunch, and shoes. (In this post 9/11 city, I wear sneakers during my commute and carry my shoes to change into when I arrive!) I was blown away with just how much this bag can take. I definitely put bags through their paces, and Hannah has held her own. In the evening, she sometimes get filled up with files in addition to everything else. One of my favorites is the 'dirty clothes sac' which I use to put my gym clothes in, hello, BRILLIANT! While I'm not yet a mom, this bag is a commuter's delight!

The only thing that would have made it absolutely perfect since I'm not yet a mom is a leather option.  I tend to go with Leather bags, and while this is not leather, it's a non-PVC Faux leather, it actually can pass for leather which of course makes me happy! But I'd love it if they added a Leather Option down the line! :)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at timi & leslie have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will receive a Hannah bag in their choice of color based on in stock availability.

Don't you just ♥ timi & leslie? 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- Visit timi and leslie and post the URL link to another bag other than Hannah that you like! (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 who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes. One entry per Household, see Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy HERE.

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, August 08, 2011 until Thursday, September 08, 2011 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 - You know how much I love finding us both win/wins right? Here's another one: Visit the Degree Women MotionSENSE App on Facebook and enter GetMoving031 in 'Enter Codes' HERE (you'll get an extra 5 MotionSENSE Miles which you can trade in for great prizes including trips, gift certificates, electronics and more!) Enter, share on your wall, and let me know you entered by linking me to where you shared it on your wall, by the way sharing also buys you extra MotionSENSE miles, win/win right? :)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Are you on Blog Lovin? Well so is Ascending Butterfly! Follow us on Blog Lovin for an extra credity entry!

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! Leave five entries.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our NEW Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you have our old one, please swap it out, our URL address has changed!)

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @timiandleslie on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @timiandleslie Hannah #HandBag #Giveaway! Color of YOUR choice! Ends 09/08 http://tinyurl.com/3wazw4z

(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.)

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 - 'Like' timi and leslie and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You (I'm sure they'd love for you to tell them which bag is your favorite!) on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - One time only per giveaway, NOT a daily: Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active 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 - 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 the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Sunday Moment of Gratitude! + Winners!

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - For the Smooth Cruise! I got to see Najee in concert on a Smooth Jazz sail. The weather was awful, it was pouring and no one was able to sit out on deck. For last year's sail, I sat out on the deck the entire sail and I enjoyed that serenity. Great music, great view, great company. This year when I realized I couldn't sit out on the deck, I wasn't so happy at first. I arrived on the ship, looking like a drowned rat, because despite my umbrella, the winds were making it so that I arrived wet anyway. So there I was wet, uncomfortable and forced indoors. But it truly turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I met great people that I would never have met if I sat on deck, and had a wonderful time. In fact, the cruise didn't even feel like it was the full time, because the time went so fast talking to everyone at my table! Spoiler Alert: OK, so it wasn't a movie, so this technically isn't a spoiler, but there will be an encore sail in October, and I'd highly suggest you keep checking our Today's Butterfly, because there may something special coming up for BOTH of us! :)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Help, that movie is a *MUST* see, as you can see Friday I gave you a teaser, and Tuesday I'll have a full review, but for a movie to make my Sunday gratitude list, you know it must be good!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It was an incredibly busy week this week, between events and errands, I didn't feel like I had enough time to get everything done, but somehow I did. I'm filled with gratitude for my busy and productive week!

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

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

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

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

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Active Giveaway!

1) Ends 08/08/11 - Jockey Staycool Collection Giveaway - 3 winners!  Enter HERE

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

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

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BORGHESE GIVEAWAY WINNERS:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Eclairre

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Alicia E.

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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. We list winners by their ascending butterfly usernames instead of full names for privacy purposes.

Today's Words of Inspiration - Can you show love to your enemy?

Today's Quote:

'If you can show love to your enemy, then you already have the victory'  ~ The Help Movie Quote

Last night I had the chance to attend the NYC Press Screening of the Dreamworks movie, The Help, based on the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I can't really discuss it yet, so you will see my full review on Tuesday, but I selected this quote for Today's Words of Inspiration because I thought it was incredibly powerful in general, as well as the context in which it is used in the movie itself.

Today's Challenge: Love your enemy! I'm not going to pretend this is easy. When someone hurts you, it's totally understandable that your first reaction is to lash out. To fight fire with fire. Just remember if you truly believe my favorite quote 'Attitude determines Altitude' then you know that your good energy, begets good energy. If you allow your heart to be filled with hate, be it for a situation or a person, you are filling yourself with negative energy. An energy that harms YOU, more than the person you are harboring that energy towards.

Today's Breathing Affirmation: Close your eyes, take a deep, slow breath in through your nose, and affirm "I give and receive love energy."

Before logging out for your weekend fun, if you haven't already done so, please enter our latest giveaway with Jockey - 3 winners winning a top and bottom from their new StayCool Collection HERE.

August's Bag in our monthly 'Featured Handbag in the Spotlight' will be posted this Monday!

Remember that attitude determines altitude, go out there and make this your best day ever, bless and be blessed!

Have you ever forgiven an enemy?

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Healthify Your Summer with Fage! Recipe 3: Macaroni and Cheese

Our Healthify Your Summer with Fage Total Greek Yogurt Series continues with the third recipe in the summer series and it's a personal favorite! Macaroni & Cheese is definitely a comfort food for me, and something I already know I would never be willing to give up, but I am definitely open to ways to make this favorite healthier and Fage did just that! A small substitution makes this recipe not only healthier, but sacrifices absolutely nothing in taste. It comes out just as creamy and delicious as you want your Mac & Cheese to be, I've already tried this recipe out on family and they had no idea there was a yogurt substitution in my recipe! So if your kiddos are Mac N Cheese lovers, here is a great way to sneak in some Yogurt and they won't be able to tell the difference (you can even sneak in some veggies!).

FAGE (pronounced “fah-yeh”) is known for Total, the authentic Greek strained yogurt. This summer, Ascending Butterfly and FAGE Total takes you on a mouthwatering journey from plainly plain to plain extraordinary!

FAGE Total Greek Yogurt Macaroni and Cheese

@Photo by Yder Laya

Serves:

4-6

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 tablespoon Olive Oil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup Onion, finely diced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup Red Pepper, finely diced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Butter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 ½ cup Whole Milk, warm

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup FAGE Total Classic

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 10 ounces Cheddar Cheese, grated

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup FAGE Total Classic

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 3 minutes. Add red pepper and salt and continue cooking until vegetables soften. Remove from heat and reserve.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2 quart casserole.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour, stir and continue to cook for 2 minutes or so. Gradually whisk in warm milk and yogurt, whisking constantly to keep smooth. Add nutmeg. Bring to a low simmer and remove from heat. Stir in 10 ounces of cheddar cheese. Whisk until smooth. Add remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and Tabasco. Combine macaroni, onion mix and cheese sauce and transfer to prepared casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Combine remaining cheddar cheese, feta and bread crumbs. Remove casserole from oven and top with crumb/cheese mix. Return to oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.

Recipe created by Edward Magel on behalf of Fage Total Greek Yogurt

Want to connect with Fage?

Follow them on Twittter @fageUSA
Like them on Facebook

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FTC Disclosure Information: I attended a hands on cooking session at the International Culinary Council as a guest of Fage Total Yogurt, I was taught how to make the recipes I am sharing on my blog, I am under no obligation to do so. This is a non-compensated post. This is a non-sponsored post. As someone who has shed 26 pounds via lifestyle changes, I love to share those tips and tricks with my readers.

Not so Wordless Wednesday - Homedics Products - Which one do YOU want?

Welcome to a special edition of Not So Wordless Wednesday! I recently had the chance to visit with the team at Homedics and check out some of their amazing products for the home. They gave me a great idea, they thought it would be great for me to share what I saw with you, and then ultimately have YOU vote for what products you'd like to see featured and best of all what products YOU would like to win! I thought that was a great idea, how often do the readers actually get to PICK what they'd like to win?

Here are the photos, I have arrows pointing at the products, and you can visit Homedics website and get more info and features for each product to help you decide! (While you are there, if you see anything else you'd like to see featured here, please leave a comment also and let us know!) By the way, you can press on each picture to make them bigger and see the products in better detail!

Which of the products pictured below, or on the Homedics website would you like to see featured on Ascending Butterfly?

Let us know by leaving a comment below and we will do our best to bring each and every pick slowly but surely. (Yes you can pick more than one product!)

Pictured Above: From Left to Right: (lower left) Paper Shredder (6 page capacity cross cut) (lower right) paper shredder (8 page capacity cross cut) (on top of desk) iPad Speaker Dock (can also be attached to computer, laptops etc gets AMAZING sound!) and (right) Homedics Massage Chair with infrared heat

Pictured Above: (Lower Left) Air Purifier, (Upper Left)  Humidifier, (Right) Sound Machine

Pictured Above: Homedics iPad/iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Dock

Pictured Above: Tracy from Ascending Butterfly enjoying an infrared heat massage!

Pictured Above: Adult Bedroom with Homedics Fountain and Homedics iPod dock w/alarm

Pictured Above: Homedics Water Fountain - Make your bedroom, bathroom or living room a zen oasis!

Pictured Above:  iPod/ipad/iphone Alarm Clock Dock

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FTC Disclosure Info: I was invited to an open house event sponsored by Homedics, this is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation was received, there was a goodie bag and appetizers and beverages!