Phenom Coconut Water {Review}

My favorite place to vacation is The Caribbean. At least once per year I try to take a Caribbean vacation (I try to hit someplace different each year). Warm Sandy Beaches, Palm Trees and Coconuts! I don't bring anything remotely electronic (except for my Camera) and I make it a point to disconnect!

Beachside vendors will come at you with a variety of offerings, but the one offering that I rarely pass up is a coconut with a straw! (Sometimes with a lovely cocktail inside, others times just the pure coconut water!)

Benefits of Coconut Water:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Low in Carbs

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 99% Fat Free

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Low in Sugar

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Regulates Body Temperature

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - All Natural Isotonic Beverage that re-hydrates body

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Carries Nutrients and Oxygen to your cells

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Naturally replenishes body fluids after excercising

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Raises your metabolism

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helps to promote weight loss naturally

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boosts Immune System

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helps to detoxify your system and helps to fight viruses

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cleanses Digestive Tract

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helps Control Diabetes

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Aids the body in fighting viruses including those that cause the flu, herpes and Aids

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Balances your PH and helps reduce the risk of cancer

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helps to treat kidney and urethral stones

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boosts poor circulation

I don't know about you, but I don't consume nearly as much coconut water back home as I do on vacation, until now that is!

About New PHENOM Coconut Water - Supercharged with GNC Vitamins and Minerals

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 100% NATURAL Coconut Water fortified with GNC Vitamins and Minerals
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - No Artificial Flavors
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - No Added Sugars
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Low Calories
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - NO cholesterol

Varieties Include:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - PHENOM HYDRO - HYDRO is 100% natural, unflavored, coconut water enhanced with a boost of 5 essential electrolytes to promote rapid hydration for a perfect balance. Containing 17 times more potassium than the leading super hydration drinks, HYDRO has more potassium than a banana. In PURE flavor.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - PHENOM MEGA V - MEGA V is 100% electrolyte-rich, 100% natural coconut water, fortified with additional premium vitamins and minerals, including 100% of the RDA of vitamin C, plus calcium, vitamin B, and more, to support health and well-being. MEGA V is enhanced with a boost of 5 essential electrolytes, including more potassium than a banana, to promote rapid hydration for a perfect balance. Available in Natural Coconut, Orange Guava Passion, Pineapple Punch.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - PHENOM ENERGY - ENERGY is enhanced with B vitamins to support energy production, plus caffeine and other energizing ingredients to boost metabolism. Its packed with vital vitamins and minerals to support health and well-being, including 100% of the RDA of vitamin C, vitamin B-12 and Niacin, plus calcium, vitamin E, and more. ENERGY is enhanced with a boost of 5 essential electrolytes, including more potassium than a banana, to promote rapid hydration for a perfect balance. Available in Acai Peach and Lemon Mojito.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - PHENOM ANTIOX - ANTIOX provides the hydration benefits of coconut water boosted with antioxidants for protection against cell damaging free radicals. Rich in premium vitamins and minerals, including 150% of the RDA of vitamin C, plus calcium, vitamin B, and more, ANTIOX supports health and well-being.  ANTIOX is enhanced with a boost of 5 essential electrolytes, including more potassium than a banana, to promote rapid hydration for a perfect balance. Available in Blueberry Pomme Flavor

My Take:

This is the closest you can come to sticking a straw into a Coconut, and the best part, you can refrigerate it and get it nice and cold, the fact that PHENOM is super charged with GNC Vitamins and Minerals makes it that much better for you! More potassium than a banana and an immunity booster naturally? Doesn't get much better!

As many of you know I have dropped 26 pounds this year via small lifestyle changes, and including PHENOM into my healthier lifestyle is a simple change that is good for me, and makes my body 'feel' better. It is certainly a million times better for me than soda! And has more Vitamins and Minerals than plain water!

Keep up with GNC on Facebook and Twitter @GNCLiveWell

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway:  I was provided product to facilitate my review. I am also eligible for additional incentives by participating in this campaign.

{CLOSED} Crest 3D Whitestrips Review with Giveaway! Ends 09/23

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Crest (and our friends at One2One Network for facilitating this giveaway)! We look forward to having them back again! Our winner is Linda K.! Congrats! Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Last week we discussed an important event where having pearly white teeth would boost self-confidence, the event I selected was New York Fashion Week, because whether you posed or you didn't, you still find yourself in tons of photos! As promised I am sharing my after photo and I have something special in it for you as well! Check out my before post and here is the before and after photos:

Before Photo:

After Photo:

As you can see from the before and after photos, I now have a much brighter smile!

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Do not brush teeth immediately before applying strips.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Apply gel side of strip to teeth.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Align strips with gum line and press gently for good contact, then fold the rest of strip behind teeth to keep in place. (work quickly or the edges will stick to your lip! Definitely do this in the mirror).
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Short strip goes on your bottom teeth, long strip on top teeth.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - After 2 hours, remove and discard.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If any gel remains on your teeth you can either brush it away or rinse it off.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Strips will not whiten caps, crowns, veneers, fillings or dentures. Do not use with dental braces.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Crest 3D White 2-Hour Express Whitestrips are sold at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. MSRP $54.99

My Take:

Crest 3D Whitestrips are definitely cheaper than a trip to the Dentist (however you should get a Dental checkup and cleaning at least every 6 months) and easy to use in the convenience of your own home! What's not to love?

I have also had the chance to try out the Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Enamel Renewal Toothpaste and I find that the combination is a great whitening one-two punch! And the toothpaste really leaves your teeth with that fresh from the dentist kind of clean!

I have always had pretty white teeth, and this is the first time I have ever tried out a whitening product. But using the strips in conjunction with the toothpaste left me a dentist white and clean feel. I definitely think it was worth it!

You didn't think I'd forget about you right? Who loves you butterfly?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Crest would like to give 1 lucky winner a box of Crest 3D Whitestrips, which will provide one year of whitening!

Don't you just ♥ Crest 3D White? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2)MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell us what upcoming event  you'd like to use Crest 3D Whitestrips for  (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. 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, September 19, 2011 until Friday, September 23, 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 - 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 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 @Ascending1 on Twitter (this is Ascending Butterfly's new account, we will soon be hosting twitter parties which necessitates having a second account so you can make updates throughout the entire party!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Crest on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @crest  Box of Crest 3D Whitestrips #Giveaway! ARV $55 Ends 9/23! http://tinyurl.com/3san3j5

(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 - 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 Crest on Facebook and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You or tell them what upcoming event you plan to whiten for! (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets! If you don't post the link where you wrote on their wall I can't give you extra credit for it.)

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 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:  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. I am eligible for additional incentives by participating in this campaign for one2one network.

Weekly Moment of Gratitdue + Winners + Giveaways!

This week, I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  While I haven't had tons of time to enter too many sweeps, I've had a few really awesome wins this month, a dress from @DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) from Fashion Night Out see more and take the reader poll HERE, and a $100 JC Penney Gift Certificate from a win from @imnotobsessed. Fun wins I'm truly grateful for!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Taking some time to completely disconnect this weekend! Cook my favorite meal and have some great wine, music, dancing and laughs.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Caught up with some movies I've missed and I'm watching the Emmy's!

Hope all my butterflies are having an amazing weekend!

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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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Kate Spade NY for Lenox Vase with 1800flowers Bouquet of your choice Giveaway! Ends 09/29 - ARV $175

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Giveaway Winners:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zippity Doo's Giveaway winner - 'Jammie'

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Timi & Leslie Hannah Handbag Giveaway in choice of color (August's Featured Handbag of the Month Giveaway) winner - 'Tee'

Gratitude Journal Reco:

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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FTC Disclosure: Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Ascending Butterfly lists winner's site usernames for privacy.

dENiZEN by Levi's Jeans - Why you should RUN not walk and pick up a pair!

Even at my 'fighting weight' I'm naturally curvy.  I actually love my curves, but they have always made shopping for a denim a problem. I have a small waist in proportion to my hips, which means that most jeans have that annoying gap at the waist, or sit too snugly at the hips. I can try on literally hundreds of pairs in a store dressing room and leave empty handed. (Shopping for Jeans and Swimsuits tend to be the bain of most womens existence, can I get an Amen Ladies?)

My preference is for a medium weight, and while I like a bootcut, that is sometimes the only 'detail' you find in 'curvy' denim.

While I'm well past my jeans with holes trend days, I'm not exactly at that Mom Jeans stage either. I'd like some trend detailing!

I'm 26 pounds down and counting this year, and when Levi's contacted me to try out a pair of their dENiZEN jeans I was a bit nervous as I've NEVER had a one shot try on and walk out the store experience with jeans. I was even more nervous when they arrived and I saw 'misses' on the label, every jean I've owned in the past 10 years have all had the big 'W' on them!

I tried them on and much to my surprise fell in LOVE with them. I had a small and easy to remedy 'pero' (spanish for 'but'). They were actually a bit long for me even in the regular, so I had them hemmed. When I took them to the tailor, they all fell in love with the jeans at the shop and asked me tons of questions about them because they weren't yet available in my neighborhood's retail district at the time.

I'm super happy to report that dENiZEN by Levi's are readily available at your local Target store, available for men, women, and children and I urge you to RUN not walk and pick up a pair. They are truly the most well cut pair of Jeans I've owned in a long time, NO gap for me at the waist, fit like a glove (NO, not tight), and have a well done boot cut (not all curvy denim has to flare out like 70's bell bottoms!).

@2011 dENiZEN by Levi's Model Photo

Reasons to Love:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Totally Shaping at Waist (No Gap)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boot Cut (slimming, but not overdone)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tummy slimming panel (friends and family will ask, did you lose weight?)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - High stretch fabric (these move with you, not against you!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Light Sand Blasting Detail
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Great Price Point

I have denim in my closet in a variety of price points, but these quickly became my favorite, and they are definitely my 'go-to' pair. Here is a pic of me wearing them (below) totally casual with sneakers on a day of running errands, but they look equally great with a crisp white blouse, cute boots and throw on a great necklace/acessories to dress them up more.

@2011 Ascending Butterfly rocking the dENiZEN by Levi's Jeans

You can purchase these at Target (see your local ad to check price points at your nearest store as they may differ), and you can connect to all things dENiZEN on Facebook too!

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FTC Disclosure Info: This is NOT a sponsored Post. No monetary compensation has been received. I did receive a pair of dENiZEN Jeans from Levi's for editorial consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

{CLOSED} Kate Spade NY for Lenox Vase with 1800flowers Bouquet of your choice Giveaway! Ends 09/29

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsors Lenox and 1800flowers.com! 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!

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Ascending Butterfly's 'Don't Let Go of Summer Sweepstakes', hosted by:

Is it just me or are we moving into Fall super fast? Kids are back in school (a few weeks away from first report cards), we are days away from Rosh Hashanah, fast approaching Halloween, and Thanksgiving will be right around the corner!

When I think of September, I think of Indian Summer and trying to hold on to the sunshine for as long as possible. One of my favorite ways to keep the summer in my heart and in my home is via flowers. They always lift my spirits, and I like to have live bouquets in my home and the office weekly. I take time to arrange each flower and really get the right balance and symmetry. What ultimately sets off your arrangement is the Vase. You can't put the perfect arrangement in just any Vase! (Well sometimes you have no choice in the office, but you usually do at home).

My grandmother and mom have beautiful Crystal Vases, which I always admired. As for me, I had a collection of Vases that came with the bouquets. An odd assortment of sizes and shapes, but mostly smaller, which meant when I bring home or receive a large bouquet I'd have to split them between multiple small vases. I'm not going to complain, because that gave me the ability to put flowers in almost every room, but sometimes you really want the bouquet you've received to remain intact. Especially if it's a hostess gift. Flowers are my favorite hostess gift, both to give and receive. I know many of you will be attending and hosting special family dinners this season.

Kate Spade NY for Lenox

kate spade Pleasant Hill Bouquet Vase

I'm sure most of you are familiar with Lenox. Their dinnerware and housewares are on most bridal registries. What you may not know is that they have many designers who design specialty collections for them, including Marchesa for Lenox, Disney, Dansk, Donna Karan, and Kate Spade NY for Lenox.

Kate Spade NY for Lenox is an amazing collection of dinnerware, serving pieces, flatware, glassware, Barware, gifts and Home Decor.

I received the Kate Spade NY for Lenox Pleasant Hill Bouquet Vase, this Vase is available in 2 heights, a taller version and the one I received with a 'rounder' profile. I love the rounder profile and absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the butterflies!

About the Vase:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Crafted of glass
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Height: 6"
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The wide mouth of this vase is designed to accommodate a full bouquet.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Etched butterflies encircle the vase for a look that's chic with a touch of whimsy.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Made by Lenox
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Under license by kate spade new york, which has reviewed this product for quality and authenticity
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $75.00

1800Flowers

What's a beautiful Vase without flowers right? I thought it would be perfect if our friends at 1800flowers.com joined in on the fun and added some flowers to fill up the new Vase! I was trying to get artistic, but I forgot to take a picture of them both side by side, I received a florist choice bouquet that reflected my personal favorites, and extras thrown in by the designer. I received TWO huge over-flowing bouquets! And ended up using 2 vases in 2 different rooms by the time I was done arranging!

My 'Florist Choice' Bouquet:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pink and Red Roses
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Assortment of Stargazer Lilies
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - salal tips
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - alstroemeria
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - limonium

The Photo Above is my own Vase with the second bouquet, the candles, and candleholders are my own, and I used the Raffia that the bouquets came wrapped with for added decoration.

My Take:

The Vase and flowers are beautiful, the scent filled my home for literally two weeks (using the powder preservative packets that come with the bouquets and changing the water every few days.) Flowers just always make me smile, and having the flowers welcome me home every day and waking up to that scent every morning automatically lifted my spirits. The Vase is elegant and beautiful, and the butterflies are very meaningful for me, butterflies have always represented those I love who have passed away saying hello, and symbols of change and luck for me personally, so this Vase carries all those meanings with it for me and I hope to never put it back in its box, I hope to have it out every day!

You didn't think I'd forget about you right? Who loves you butterfly?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Kate Spade NY for Lenox and 1800flowers.com have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will win a Kate Spade NY for Lenox Pleasant Hill Bouquet Vase + a $100 savings pass from 1800flowers.com!!! (Total ARV of the prize is $175) (By the way, the $100 savings pass can be used not only at 1800flowers.com but also at their sister brands: 1800baskets.com (who we LOVE at Ascending Butterfly), Cheryls Cookies, The Popcorn Factory, and Fannie May Fine Chocolate, so if you are allergic to flowers, you can still enjoy this prize.)

Don't you just ♥ Kate Spade NY, Lenox and 1800flowers.com? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2)MANDATORY ENTRY: LINK US TO THE BOUQUET YOU'D FILL YOUR VASE YOUR VASE WITH IF YOU WIN FROM 1800FLOWERS.COM AND LINK US TO ANOTHER KATE SPADE NY FOR LENOX ITEM 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 residents 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, September 15, 2011 until Thursday, September 29, 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 - 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 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 @katespadeny on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Lenox_Corp on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @1800flowers on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter (this is Ascending Butterfly's new account, we will soon be hosting twitter parties which necessitates having a second account so you can make updates throughout the entire party!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Ascending1 + @katespadeny  for @Lenox_Corp  Butterfly Vase + $100 worth @1800flowers #Giveaway! Ends 9/29! http://tinyurl.com/3qyfd7q

(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 - 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 Kate Spade NY on Facebook, Lenox on Facebook and 1800flowers on Facebook and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You or tell them which product you picked for your entry! (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets! If you don't post the link where you wrote on their wall I can't give you extra credit for it.) - Leave three separate comments so you can receive 3 extra credits for following each brand!

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 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 products and the sponsors 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.

Wordless Wednesday - Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion Show!



@2011 Tracy Iglesias, www.ascendingbutterfly.com

This picture was taken during Fashion Week at the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion Show. I'm particularly pleased with this shot because I was sitting way up in the boonies at a very bad angle, while me and this camera are still getting to know each other, I'd say it's a pretty decent motion shot! Looks like deep corals are coming back again Spring 2012!

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FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the show are my own!

{Before} Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips - Fashion Week NYC!

My friends at the One2One Network and at Crest 3D White asked me “What life event would you whiten for in just two hours with Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips?”

For me, that was an easy answer, New York Fashion Week! New York Fashion Week is one event after another back to back and tons of photo opps! With many of these events not only do you have to consider the pictures you pose for, there are also the ones taken of you that you don't even know about! Both pictures and video are shot of the attendees, not just the models on the runway!

I'm still not used to being in front of the camera, which I know sounds weird for a blogger. But my blog started solely with inspirational and empowerment posts, I never really expected to share very much about myself. Along the years I've become a bit more comfortable with sharing the face behind the brand, and Fashion Week for me this year has been way busier than last year, while I don't aspire to walk the runway, I definitely want to have the whitest, prettiest smile possible!

I'm off to try out the Whitestrips, and I'll share my after photo with you (and you know I'm always looking out for my butterflies, so stay tuned for your own chance to share what life event you would whiten for and win a box for yourself!)

By the way,  I have also had a chance to try out the Crest 3D White ToothPaste and I really love it!

In the meantime you can:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nab Crest 3D Whitestrips Coupons

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Connect with Crest Whitestrips on Facebook

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FTC Disclosure: I was given this product for free to review as part of the Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2One Network. My participation in this campaign makes me eligible for additional incentives. I am a blog with integrity blogger and all opinions regarding the sponsor and product are my own.

Today's Words of Inspiration - I am here. Now.

words and photo @Sierra Goodman, Shared from divinedolphin.com

Today's Quote:

I no longer hide from my light.
I no longer argue for my limitations.
I fully accept, honor and carry out my Divine Plan
and Service to humanity without resistance
(except for when it comes up and then I shall
joyfully do the work to name it, claim it and release it).
I easily and gracefully step into my agreed upon
Divine Role and I fully embrace Who I Really Am.
I shine my light with pure love and compassion.
I am here. Now.

I saw this on Divine Dolphin's Facebook Page and I just had to reach out to the author to share it here, this is the most beautiful reminder of the importance of remaining in the now and claiming energies that serve a higher purpose in our lives and releasing energies that don't. If you are not already following Divine Dolphin on Facebook you should consider doing so!

And before I get accused of Fashion Week madness, I thought we should start out the week on an inspirational post! =)

Today's Challenge: Remain in the now. Sometimes trying to have it all means you are making lists in your head instead of enjoying lunch or dinner, scrolling through your to do list mentally during your commute home. Be in the NOW today. Just for today try being in the moment.

Today's Breathing Affirmation: Close your eyes, take a deep, slow breath in through your nose, and affirm "I Am Here. Now."

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Active Giveaway:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Step into Fall With Earthies Talera Shoes - Review and Giveaway! Ends 09/18 - Win a pair of Talera Shoes in your choice of color!

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

Have A Wonderful Day Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated to share Divine Dolphin's Facebook Page, I consider them a great source of inspiration, this is a NON compensated post!