Monday, December 19, 2011

Motivation Monday - Holiday Cheer!



While most neighborhoods are starting to look a lot like this, I have to admit that my tree isn't even up yet!

I'm just getting over the flu and my throat is still pretty sore, I haven't yet been able to motivate myself for the whirlwind cleaning and decorating thing!

How about a tree full of butterflies?

Until tomorrow, please check our current active holidays buying guide giveaway - Earthies Jasko Boots Review and Giveaway! ARV $209 Ends 12/22

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Weekly Moment of Gratitude + Winners, Winners, Winners! + Active Giveaway!




This week, I am grateful for
:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Some super fun events this month! It's been hard getting in all the recaps because of the holiday buying guide, but look for a recap during this week's Wordless Wednesday (or in my case not entirely wordless....)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It's been an amazing shoe week, and you'll see a ton of footwear promos to close out our annual holidays buying guide. You'll be able to start your new year with some pep in your step! And don't worry my girly girls, we've got a beauty surprise coming too!

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 Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Active Giveaway:

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Winner Announcements:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {CLOSED} Hulk Hogan Main Event Video Game on Kinect for Xbox 360 Giveaway! Ends 11/28 - The Winner is follower 'Sam Buck'

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {CLOSED} Jockey Being Family Bear Giveaway! Ends 11/30 - The Winner is follower 'tinagirl'

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {CLOSED} $25 Uncommon Goods Gift Certificate Giveaway! Ends 12/02 - The Winner is follower 'Selinda M'

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {CLOSED} The California Wine Club 3 Month Premiere Membership Holidays Giveaway has closed, no new entries are being accepted. Entries are still being processed and a winner will be notified shortly.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {CLOSED} Make 2012 your most fit year yet with our Zumba Fitness 1 and Zumba Fitness 2 Prize Bundle Giveaway! Ends 12/18 - has closed, no new entries are being accepted. Entries are still being processed and a winner will be notified shortly.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - {ENDS SOON} Act Fast! - Earthies Jasko Boots Review and Giveaway! ARV $209 Ends 12/22 <- Trust me, ladies you NEED these boots in your life!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Do you LOVE Jeans/Denim? If so, comment on this post, and let this fab eco chic denim company know you'd like to see them back! Click HERE
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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.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Stuff her stocking with Jeans she'll LOVE - Beija Flor Jeans! Eco Chic Denim!



For most of us ladies, regardless of our size, we tend to dread shopping for Jeans and swimsuits. Yes we love denim, it's normally a closet staple and a casual 'go-to' must have, but finding just the right pair can sometimes be much like picking out that proverbial 'Needle in a Haystack'. It's no different for me.

Added to the mix my Latina curves, I love them, but not all jeans work with my 'curvy' and very much 'hourglass' figure. I have always had a super small waist regardless of my weight or size at any given moment which usually means countless hours of trying on jeans or having them tailored, sometimes both to have the waist taken in, and have the length hemmed/shortened. Which means tacking on tailoring fees to the price of most my jeans and taking away the fun of the instant gratification most of us get from our 'retail therapy'. (I don't usually get to wear my purchase until the items come back from the Tailor).

For me it's been a very weird jeans year, I've lost some weight, which is great of course, but it has made the waist gap issue I experience with most denim even more pronounced.

If you are like me you do your homework and research when it comes to making a purchase. Although let's face it, in this economy, every purchase is an investment! When I read positive reviews including "These Jeans Changed my Life!" from People Magazine Style Watch, "Designer Jeans that fit Everyone" from an AOL Stylist, "Wow" from Essence Magazine, "Super Flattering" from Redbook and "Your Answer to Jeans that Fit" from WE TV, I knew I was on to something!

The Story of A Brand, The Story of a Family and The Story of What Will Become Your Favorite Jeans!

I know that 'hourglass curves', 'ample bottoms' and 'healthy hips' are not solely a Latina phenomenon, and that finding jeans suited to 'real women' bodies is not always easy! That's where Beija Flor (pronounced "beige-a floor"), comes in! These jeans are not only designed by women for women, (by Mother/Daughter talent phenomenons Kathy Moça & Emilie Whitaker), but also designed based on the style and cut of Brazilian jeans which work with a woman’s natural curves rather than against them! GENIUS!

While living in Brazil, they noticed that the style and cut of Brazilian jeans worked with a woman’s natural curves and when they returned to the States, they decided to share this insight through the design of their own line of jeans made with premium Brazilian denim that are now available in more than 300 boutiques nationwide, as well as online at ilovethesejeans.com. The name Beija Flor comes from the indigenous selection of hummingbirds that grace the countryside of Brazil.

Maybe it's because I'm super close with my mom, but I absolutely love that the minds behind the brand are a mother/daughter duo! How cool is that?

THE JEANS

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - No-Gap Countour Waist (I'm inserting a choir of denim angels here!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Curve Friendly (Can I get an Amen?)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Higher Back, Mid-Rise Front (This is why it doesn't gap, yet you don't have to constantly tug them up!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Flattering Pocket Placement
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  M
emory Stretch Denim (Which means they fit like a dream)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Eco-friendly production (These jeans are Eco-Chic Ladies!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Certified Water Recycler
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fair Trade Fashion
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Women-Owned, Women-Designed

Originally I asked for the Beth Jean:

This is NOT me, this is a model shot!

But I received the Jennifer Jean instead because at the time they were out of the Beth Bootcut in my size:

Again, this is NOT me, this is a model shot!

I will tell you honestly I was a bit nervous about this style, because when I looked at them all online, I wasn't totally convinced about the front pocket styling on this cut, that's why I didn't select it in the first place, but all things really do happen for a reason, a good reason! These have become my FAVORITE pair of Jeans this year so far! And I didn't think I'd find ones I love as much as my Denizen Jeans (you can see my Denizen review HERE!) As hard as denim is to shop for you can't help but gush when you find a great pair!

Here are some shots of me in my new Jennifer Jeans by Beija Flor:

Ascending Butterfly wearing Beija Flor Jennifer Jeans and Ugglebo boots - What's that in the bag?

and let's zoom in on the back:

Ascending Butterfly wearing Jennifer Jeans by Beija Flor and 'Ebony' style boots from Sole Society

SMOKIN HOT RIGHT?

My Take:

I love these jeans! I did have to have them tailored but only because they were a little too long so I had them hemmed, but thankfully nothing needed to be done to the waist, and all my initial reservations about the styling of the front pocket went out the window once I actually tried them on. I am super happy to report that these jeans are actually so generously cut that they are one size DOWN from my normal jean size with other brands! They wash well and I have not seen signs of fading or pills, and the no gap waist and memory stretch denim make them super flattering. Beija Flor jeans are the 'butt lifting' jean - they may just be your denim 'Fountain of Youth'.

Lovely butterflies I was not able to arrange for a giveaway this time around, but if you'd like to see a giveaway of the best jeans ever, please Facebook or Tweet @beijaflorgirl and let them know you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly and would love for them to come back and host a giveaway! When you do, come back here and post on this thread letting me know! While I couldn't nab a giveaway, I can tell you if you stuff these into someone's Christmas Stocking they will love you forever! They are definitely a holiday buying guide pick!

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FTC Disclosure Info: This is not a sponsored/compensated post. No monetary compensation has been received. A pair of Beija Flor Jennifer Jeans were provided to our editor for editorial consideration. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

{CLOSED} Earthies Jasko Boots Review and Giveaway! ARV $209 Ends 12/22

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Earthies Shoes! We look forward to working with you again. Entries are being processed. The Winner is *'Swtlilchick'*. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!
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Ascending Butterfly's 2011 Holidays Buying Guide, Giveaway #11 brought to you by:


DRESS BOOTS!

We've focused on some fantastic cold weather boots this holiday season, but not nearly enough on Dress Boots. I thought today would be a good day to remedy that. I was actively on the look out for a killer pair of Grey Boots so I could pair them with my favorite Kooba bag, and it took awhile, but I found two pairs that not only fit the bill but did so in style. I will focus on one now, and the other very soon.

My instant love of this particular pair is probably very likely because they look like the boot version of a summer shoe I featured earlier this year on Ascending Butterfly. (see my review of the Earthies Veria Shoe HERE).

About Earthies Jasko Boots

Earthies Jasko Boot in Grey (Insert Choir of Boot Angels here!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Elaborate folds of brushed suede that wrap from forefoot to shin in lustrous Norwegian elegance.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A sleek zip-up the back snugly nestles the foot over the contoured footbed
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Exposed platform - Platform Height: 0.87
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Smart 'wellness' heel
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Heel Height: 3.35”

Aren't these GORGEOUS?

 My Take:

As you guys remember heels are usually not the first choice for me after a certain height, (you know fun stuff, a formerly fractured toe, really bad arches, and super high insteps), and Earthies shoes always amaze me with their comfort level at a height that I had already given up on for myself.

These didn't require much of a break in and thanks to the platform and wellness footbed I find wearing them a pleasure!

and I love that I can match them with my favorite bag!

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Earthies would like to give 1 lucky winner a pair of Jasko boots in the color of their choice (black or grey) based on in stock size availability!

Don't you just ♥ Earthies? 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: Visit Earthies and select any other item aside from the Jasko Boot and the Veria Shoe and provide the URL LINK to it!  (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. No purchase necessary. 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, December 15, 2011 until Thursday, December 22, 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 - In honor of boots, tell us about your all time favorite pair of boots!

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 - Join the Ascending Butterfly Blog Frog Community HERE

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @earthiesusa on Twitter

Tweet This:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @earthiesusa + @Ascending1 Jasko #Boots #Giveaway! ARV $209 Ends 12/22 - http://tinyurl.com/7lbrl2n

(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 - Like Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Earthies on Facebook HERE (Tell them what your favorite pair is or that you are trying to win the Jasko Boots from Ascending Butterfly) - Be sure you leave the link to your comment here for extra credit. (You can get the link the same way you do on twitter, press on the time you left the comment on their facebook wall, and when the page fully loads, highlight and copy the URL address and then paste it into the comment field here). If you say "I wrote on their wall" and do not leave the link that Extra Credit Entry will NOT be processed.

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 -This is ONE time per giveaway, NOT daily.

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 sponsored promotion. NO compensation has been received  from the sponsor in exchange for this post. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. All opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor. An Affiliate Link is used for the ScoreBig Extra Credit Entry and for EZ Win game.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Have a great one!


I had an entirely different Wordless Wednesday Planned, but today has been nuts, be back tomorrow!

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

{Inspiration} Hope you're having a Honey of a Day!



Hope you are having a Honey of a Tuesday!
 
I've been a super busy butterfly today, and have not had much personal time this week, I haven't even put my tree up yet! YIKES! (Anyone up for a tree trimming at my house?) :)
 
 
See you tomorrow for a fun (Not So) Wordless Wednesday!

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Monday, December 12, 2011

ABBA You can Dance Wii {REVIEW}



I am a Clever Girls Collective Member and was selected this year to be a UbiChamp, unfortunately my erratic schedule meant I wasn't fast enough on the email draw to get in on some of the earlier campaigns this year (total SMURFS envy - ah! I digress....), I shamelessly begged my way in to the Abba You Can Dance Campaign and hosted a 70's themed party this weekend!

To say this year has been a mixed bag is a total understatement and we all needed something fun to focus our energies on!

My butterfly pals who sadly are not so keen on pictures (they are not bloggers and don't get the whole 'live your life out loud' concept of blogging)  threatened me with bodily harm with their heavy platform shoes, so this post won't be as picture happy as my usual. We had wig power, flower power, platforms, bellbottoms and quite a number of peace sign graphic tee shirts in attendance.

When I loaded the game, my Wii decided it needed an update, so while it updated, we put in the order for pizza and sodas.

The first surprise was that this game has a Karoake component to it, I didn't know that, and everyone agreed to start there. After a ton of howling (ahem, I mean singing), dogs began barking, and finally pizza arrived. After a brief pizza break where we discussed everyone's singing, it was agreed that the grown ups would switch to adult beverages, while the teens were offered snacks and treats! We all agreed that none of us should quit our day jobs. No 'The Voice' in our group! :)

And then the fun really begins. We couldn't agree on which song to start with for the dance part, so we decided we'd play them ALL! That was quite an undertaking as we had quite a few players! (Up to four players can play at the same time so long as you have the four remotes!)

We all danced to:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Angeleyes
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - As Good As New
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Bang-A-Boomerang
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dancing Queen (two versions available)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Does Your Mother Know
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fernando
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Head Over Heels
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hole In Your Soul
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Honey, Honey
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I'm A Marionette
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If It Wasn't For The Nights
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Knowing Me, Knowing You
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lay All Your Love On Me
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mamma Mia
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Money, Money, Money
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - People Need Love
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - SOS
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Summer Night City
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Super Trouper
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Take A Chance On Me
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Winner Takes It All
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Voulez-vous
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Waterloo
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - When I Kissed The Teacher

I will say I wish I had been able to snap photos of everyone, particularly the guys doing these dances. One of the songs is actually danced with ballet steps, and the hilarity ensued watching the guys doing their best 'black swan' imitations!



Everyone wanted to steal my Disco Ball! As I wasn't willing to part with it, I offered up a Disco Ball Key Chain to the highest score of the night!

This game is not restricted to Abba Fans, if you like Dance style games, you will definitely want to add this one to your collection! I can tell you they are NOT easy, they really make you work! You work up quite a sweat dancing along with this game.

If like me, you are an Abba Fan, you'll love that the band's videos and some live performances are part of the background to the songs so you follow along with the instructor, and you also see the Band at the same time playing the song which I thought was pretty cool.

And not to get too heavy on the spoilers, but make sure you have a rug setup where you do this, you will be hitting the floor for one of the routines and your knees will thank you if you remember to put something soft underneath them! (And well, not to brag or anything, well OK maybe just a little, but I got a 'PERFECT!' cheer from the game for that part of the dance, YAY me!)

You get a score at the end of the dance as well as star achievements, 5 stars are NOT easy to earn! Plan to start your play early in the day if you are competitive and want those 5 stars before you go to bed. :)

Much like a good book that you just can't put down, you'll find yourself unable to play just one song with Abba You can Dance!

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FTC Disclosure: Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

{CLOSED} Make 2012 your most fit year yet with our Zumba Fitness 1 and Zumba Fitness 2 Prize Bundle Giveaway! Ends 12/18

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Majesco Entertainment! We look forward to working with you again. The winner is: *'Centsable Lady'*. Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!
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Ascending Butterfly's 2011 Holidays Buying Guide, Giveaway #11 brought to you by:




Earlier this year I had the chance to try out Zumba Fitness 1 for the Wii. I have since attended an actual Zumba Fitness Class. It's hard to say which I like better, the video game or the live classes! As most of you know I have dropped 26 pounds so far and holding steady for the past few weeks even though I haven't lost more lately. I'm between sizes and am almost close to another dress size down which I'm totally excited about!

My schedule is super busy, always on the go and then it's on the computer late at night, which of course makes me want to snack, DANGER Will Robinson! I get my best writing done when the rest of the word is asleep, but it's also a very dangerous time to snack. I honestly haven't had a 'real world' gym membership in a very long time. Even when I bring my own music I get super bored at the Gym. For me, sometimes the gym makes excercise feel like this routine, boring obligation instead of the gift of health for myself that it really is.

Maybe it's my Aries nature but I need a lot of variety to keep me motivated and focused when I work out, and I think that is why the Wii has proven so successful for me. There are such a wide variety of games for fitness that it really does make working out like play. And lets face it, when it's fun, we are more prone to stick with it!

Majesco Fall Preview Event


A few weeks ago I attended a Fall Preview Event hosted by Majesco Entertainment. During the event various games were previewed including: Hulk Hogan Main Event (which we recently hosted a giveaway for), Cooking Mama (stay tuned she may appear on Ascending Butterfly too! I'm posting my picture with her here), and Zumba Fitness 2 (which I had no doubt I'd love since I like Zumba 1 so much!).

We got a chance to speak with designers of the games, and we played against them as well as Majesco staff and other bloggers. While I tend to play my fitness games by myself, and then dance and singing games with family and friends, I had a great time trying out the fitness game demos with other players!

Here is a picture of me and Cooking Mama:

Ascending Butterfly (left) with Cooking Mama (right)

A bit of hair nostalgia for when my longest layers were all past my shoulders! :)

What I'm wearing (in case you are curious):

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cardigan and tank set by Jockey
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Necklace by iLuck

Zumba Fitness Party 1



Bring the exhilarating Zumba Fitness PartyTM right into your living room! The Zumba program pairs red hot international dance steps with sexy Latin music to create an ultra fun fitness party on your console that's focused on the joy of movement. Follow along as Zumba instructor fan favorites Tanya Beardsley, Gina Grant and Zumba's creator Beto guide you through 30 routines that will make you forget you are even exercising! Rated E for everyone.



Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Learn and perfect nine different dance styles: Reggaeton, Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Hip-Hop, Mambo, Rumba, Flamenco and Calypso

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Includes 30 Zumba routines-some exclusive to the game-designed by Zumba creator Beto and his core group of celebrity instructors

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Build strength, tone and endurance as you dance to 30 official Zumba music tracks, some created exclusively for the videogame

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow your on-screen Zumba instructor's routine in a high voltage party atmosphere. As you fine tune the steps, the stage transforms and the party and crowd become more dynamic.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Wear the included Zumba belt to holster your Wii Remote and dance hands free as your hips match the rhythm.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Supports up to four players. Team up and try to earn the highest workout score as a group or play against each other in Zumba Attack! Mode for the ultimate fitness dance off.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dance in a range of venues: learn the basics in the Zumba gym and then take the party to a fantasy night club, an industrial factory, a skyscraper rooftop and a Zumbathon® stadium

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Includes "Learn the Steps" training, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced routines for all skill levels (and unlike the class, if you are having trouble picking up a step, you can keep practicing that step until you get it right!) ;)

Having grown up on Latin Dance Music I can tell you that you do work up a sweat!

Zumba Fitness Party 2:



Three million players and counting have already discovered the exhilarating Zumba® Fitness interactive video game work out. Following the worldwide best-selling original, Zumba® Fitness 2 builds on that phenomenal success while elevating the exer-game category to a new high of fun, effective fitness. This cutting-edge experience layers in loads of new features and improvements, amps up the dance-fitness party and gives you even more ways to sculpt your body and party yourself into shape. Get ready for the sleek, sexy physique you’ve always dreamed of!



Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get a total body workout with 32 electrifying new routines and music tracks, including hits from today’s hottest artists including Pitbull, Nicole Scherzinger and Yolanda Be Cool and DCup.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow along as celebrity Zumba instructors Tanya Beardsley, Gina Grant and Beto guide you through each routine. New 3D models of each instructor make playing the game feel like taking a real class with Zumba’s elite celebrity trio!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Learn 20 different dance styles across routines, from fan favorites like Merengue, Samba and Cumbia to new additions like Axe, Bollywood, Latin Pop, Bellydance and Pasodoble.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - LOVE THIS FEATURE!: Get in shape with 5 different game modes:

– Single Song: Dance a single routine of your choice. The new song preview feature gives you a feel for a track before you dive in and lose yourself in the music.

– Zumba Class: A work-out block of routines in 20, 45 or 60 minute formats. You can now create your own custom routines by saving a playlist of your favorite songs.

– Zumba Party: Up to 4 players can join the party in your living room with cooperative gameplay.

– Learn the Steps: Revamped tutorial mode lets you learn at your own pace by breaking down the core dance styles into the basics.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get your party on in 5 stunning, dynamic environments, from a Miami Yacht to a LA nightclub. Watch the party grow as you match moves throughout each area! (OK, kinda wishing I was on that Miami Yacht right about now!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Choose each instructor’s outfit and personalize clothing with the new Zumba apparel customization feature. (For the fashionista who says working out can still be stylish!) ;)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - New video cueing system makes the choreography easier to follow for new players.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - New Progress Tracker lets you follow every stat relating to your gameplay, including: calories burned, trophies earned, overall rank, technique score based on how many moves matched overall, and more.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Approachable gameplay offers a full tutorial mode with Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced routines tiered for all skill levels.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Affix the exclusive Zumba Fitness belt (included free in the game box) to your waist and slide the Wii Remote into the holster to dance hands-free.

My Take

I have enjoyed using Dance and Fitness Games multiple times per week, it's offered me a fun workout with a great variety, it has truly made fitness more fun, and in turn has also yielded incredible results. I still have a long way to go, but I'm doing it at a pace that works well with my schedule and in a way that's fun and never routine.

The Zumba Fitness Party series has truly made fitness a pleasure, and I love the variety of dance styles and dance music. When I'm playing music it's always a wide range of styles (guess that's one of the reasons my social media nickname is 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ') so I don't get bored.

If your fitness routine needs a bit of spice, then let us make 2012 your 'funnest', and 'fittest' year yet!

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Majesco Entertainment would like to give 1 lucky winner a more shapely 2012 with a Zumba Fitness Party 1 and Zumba Fitness Party 2 Prize Pack Bundle! Please Note: Zumba 1 is only available to us in Wii format, however the winner can select the platform of their choice for the Zumba 2 game.

Don't you just ♥ Majesco Entertainment? 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: Visit Majesco Entertainment Games and LINK us to your favorite Majesco Game OTHER than Zumba 1 or 2. (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. No purchase necessary. 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 Sunday, December 11, 2011 until Sunday, December 18 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 - In honor of all things fitness, tell us your favorite way to stay in shape. Are you a cardio type? Boxing? Avid Runner?

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Majesco on Twitter

Tweet This:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ @Majesco + @Ascending1 #Zumba #Fitness 1 and Zumba Fitness 2 Prize Bundle #Giveaway! Ends 12/18 - http://tinyurl.com/d5j8rfp

(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 - Like Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Majesco Entertainment on Facebook HERE (Tell them which game is your favorite and/or that you are trying to win a Zumba Fitness Party 1 and 2 Prize Bundle from Ascending Butterfly) - Be sure you leave the link to your comment here for extra credit. (You can get the link the same way you do on twitter, press on the time you left the comment on their facebook wall, and when the page fully loads, highlight and copy the URL address and then paste it into the comment field here). If you say "I wrote on their wall" and do not leave the link that Extra Credit Entry will NOT be processed.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

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

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's Blog Frog Community HERE -There is an active giveaways thread there too, so if you are a blogger also, please feel free to add your active giveaways to that thread!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog -This is ONE time per giveaway, NOT daily.

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 sponsored post. NO compensation has been received from the sponsor in exchange for this post. A review copy of the games was sent to me free of charge for editorial consideration. Also, The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. All opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor. An Affiliate Link is used for the ScoreBig Extra Credit Entry and for EZ Win game. Please note we post winner's site usernames for privacy reasons.