F.A.B. Philanthropic Fashion Week Party #FABNYC Event Recap! Opera, Violins, Belly Dancing and Latina Reality Stars!

Excitement and Electricity flowed through the Flatiron Hotel on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 during the Fashion, Art, Beauty Exhibition hosted by Latina Reality Stars Lulu y Lala to benefit the Toshi Now Foundation. 'Las Gemelas' Lulu and Lala, are twin sisters who gained stardom from their appearance on Univision's beauty reality competition "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2007" (My Latin Beauty).

The event which combined Fashion, Art, Beauty and Philanthropy had over 300 leading Fashion Editors, Bloggers, Fashion and Accessory Designers, Philanthropists and Fashionistas in attendance. The event was expanded from it's successful launch in October 2011 at Misin Shin Salon, to now include Fahion and Art Exhibits, and a wide variety of entertainment.

Highlights Included:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Fashion designers: Sandra Baquero, Lizzy Gomez (her designs were pretty and feminine!), Johnny Russia, Ana Segura, and Christine Leitner

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Art drawings by Savior Elmundo and Danielle Mastrian

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – B Spa Bar Beauty Lounge offered spa services such as, hand massages, skin consultations, face spray tanning, back and shoulder massage as well as hair, makeup consultations and demonstrations

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – VIP Anti-Aging Symposium from Joe Lewis-Your Anti-Aging Secret weapon

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Music provided by DJ Nyse (as you know my Twitter Alter Ego is as 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ and I have to tell you DJ NYSE Nailed it!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Special performance by celebrity electronic violinist, Sarah Charness

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Special performance by Opera Soprano Carla Wesby

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – A Belly Dance Performance by Valeria Entertainment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Alcohol Sponsors: Peroni Italy, Voli Spirits (Voli kept the low cal vodka flowing, because you can drink and still keep the empty calories at bay, who knew?)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Gifts and raffle sponsors: B Spa Bar, glisodinskin, Priori (they use a butterfly in their logo!), Ansr, Popchips, Sephora, Pinky Pops, Olivier Cheng, Andrea Syrtash, Lash Card, Ansr, Street King, Smart Water, Nail Taxi NYC, GliSODin Skin Nutrients, Would You Rock This?, Polished, and House of Glam

Photos: Below are a mix of photos from the event, the watermarked ones were taken by Ascending Butterfly (please do not 'borrow') and the non-watermarked photos were provided by Lifestyle + Charity Magazine and are being used with permission, please contact them directly if you would like to use their photos!

Jewelry Designs by Christine Leitner

FAB Host Committee:
Elena Baxter (V. President, Lifestyle + Charity Magazine) Jorge Luis (Celebrity Stylist), Lulu y Lala (FAB Hosts), Diana Seo (Founder of B Spa Bar), Lulu y La La (FAB Hosts), Jessica La-Rotta (Founder of StylEast Group), Rachael Baxter (President, Lifestyle + Charity Magazine)

Models wearing Lizzy Gomez Designs

Fashion Designer Lizzy Gomez being interviewed by BuenaVision Television

Fab Founders: Jorge Luis and Diana Seo

Models are wearing designs by Ana Segura Signature Series

F.A.B. Event Organizer Jessica La Rotta (Center)

My Take:

This was by far my favorite Fashion Week Party! It was the most lively, energetic and just plain inspiring. They combined Fashion, Art and Beauty with Philanthropy perfectly, it managed to be as Trendy as you would expect while still being entirely approachable and 'un-stuffy'. The event will be held again for Fashion Week in September and I'm very much looking forward to it!

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FTC Disclosure: Ascending Butterfly was provided passes to this event as a member of the digital press, gift bags were provided to press attendees. No additional compensation has been received. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lady and the Tramp! {Movie Review}

With the insanity that is Fashion Week and other simultaneous events happening back to back, I just realized we never got anything into our Valentine's Day 2012 Buying Guide for the little ones!

So as a belated Kids Corner pick, Ascending Butterfly recommends Disney's Animated Classic Love Story 'Lady and the Tramp' - I remember seeing it when I was a little girl and was happy to see that the 2 disc Combo Pack was released on February 7th 2012, just in times for Valentines Day!

It's my earliest memory of a 'romance' movie, Lady a pampered Cocker Spaniel and Tramp a free-wheeling Mutt with a heart of gold, meet and fall in love! They made it look so easy! A great adventure set to un-forgettable music......I don't think there is any love story sweeter than this one, so while the kiddos get wrapped up in the Dogs and their fun adventures, there is still a sweet romance story in there for moms and dads to enjoy along with the kiddos.

Yes in reality we know Dad never would have approved of Tramp, and Lady may have come home with Tattoo in the modern day version, and of course the only restaurant open at that hour in the modern day version would have been fast food......but I digress.....

So if you haven't already, pick this up to watch with the kids this weekend! It is Family Approved, and Fun for all ages.

I think everyone's favorite scene in the movie is the 'Bella Notte' Spaghetti Scene Hands Down:




And now I have the sudden urge to make some Pasta! :)

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Ascending Butterfly received the products mentioned above free of charge for editorial consideration, no additional incentives have been received. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commisions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Our full Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy can be found HERE.

Not So Wordless Wednesday! + #NYFW + Let's Throw in Some Philanthropy Too Just for Fun!

Christmas in February? You Bet! I'm a life long New Yorker, and for us, this is the most wonderful time of the year! Andy William's 'The Most Wonderful Time of The Year' has inspired me to write a Fashion Week Christmas Carol:

It's The Most Fashionable Time of the Year

The Fashions are Flowing

The Cool Breezes Blowing

Designers of Good Cheer.....

With The Bloggers a Buzzing,

The Cocktails keep flowing,

keeping me of Good Cheer,

Fashion Week is the most wonderful time,

the hap happiest time .....

OF THE YEAR!!!!

Just a bit of Fashion Week levity to get the creative juices flowing! (My 'Fashion Carol' is still very much a work in progress!) :) 

Remember where I was last year around this time? (A little HINT) Today I am off to the EMU Australia Fall 2012 Fashion Show and I couldn't be more excited, it was one of my favorite shows last year, and I'm sure this year will be no different. I will definitely take pictures and post a recap as soon as I can.

And later in the evening I will be attending an event where Fashion and Philanthropy meet, you know just how much Ascending Butterfly supports giving back and the organizations and brands that do so!

Want to attend a swanky event at the Flatiron Hotel in NYC and support a good cause? $40 buys you admission to the F.A.B. (Fashion|Art|Beauty) semi annual event that will be raising money for the Toshi Now Foundation, which provides arts and entertainment scholarships to kids. Get your makeup done, have your hair styled, relax with a massage or bronze up with a spray tan with one of the beauty lounges in attendance. A whole lot of something FAB for YOU and a way to give back too! Great way to wind down from Fashion Week Insanity! Nab a ticket while there is still time HERE.

WINNER: Congratulations to Lily K (Entry #368), she is our In Bloom by Jonquil $80 Giveaway Winner! Bummed you didn't win? Didn't quite get the gift you wanted for Valentine's Day? Don't get mad, get it yourself, and at a great discount! Use the coupon code “butterflies” (without the quotes when you enter it in), it will give you $10 off a purchase of $50+ at In Bloom by Jonquil - good through March 1, 2012. (Please note the first In Bloom link is to our giveaway so you can check out the winner announcement on the rafflecopter form for the giveaway that recently closed, and the second link will take you directly to In Bloom's site so you can purchase, and it is NOT an affiliate link.)

OK, I know what you are thinking, this is definitely NOT a Wordless Wednesday! :)

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: Ascending Butterfly has been provided with passes to both events as a member of the digital press, no additional compensation has been received in exchange for this post.

Hearts, Flowers and Butterflies - Will you be my Valentine?

Valentines Day is upon us, and I'm sending all my butterflies hearts and flowers today! Cupid hasn't quite hit me with an arrow yet, but my heart is definitely filled with love and gratitude today and I hope yours is too!

What are your Valentine's Day plans?

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What YOU need to know about how we use Rafflecopter + Winner Announcement + Grammys!

First the serious stuff:

Unfortunately I strongly think an explanation of how Ascending Butterfly has integrated Rafflecopter into our giveaway process is necessary.

Butterflies you asked for Rafflecopter and you got it. I have no problem exploring options that make things easier for us both, but it does NOT and I repeat do NOT substitute me moderating the entries. I still moderate EVERY entry. So for those who thought it would allow them to bypass the rules, I'm very sorry to tell you, that nothing slips past me. It is my job to give sponsors accurate numbers. And I will not allow entries that do not comply to pass through to 'pad' my numbers. I do everything with a very high level of integrity. I do not let Rafflecopter do my work for me.

Comments that read:

I want this
I want to win
I like that
Enter me

ARE NOT, and I repeat are NOT being entered, they are being DELETED before the random number generator picks the winner.

All of our entries, and this is PRIOR to our use of Rafflecopter, have had the same 2 mandatory requirements, since 2009, you have been informed clearly that to 'play' you need to be following us via GFC, this is mandatory, not an extra credit, and you need to post a URL link to an item from the sponsor that you like OTHER than the review item. Please don't tell me you can't copy the link. If 500 other people were able to copy a URL link so can you. No exceptions. If you do not post a URL link, regardless of whether or not you completed a million extra credits, all entries have to be deleted. and they will.

Mid 2010 we posted very clearly that we no longer email entrants when their main entries do not comply with win it instructions. We posted this clearly for a full year and a half. We are not emailing people to tell them their entries were voided for not complying with instructions.

I'm not naming names, but for the MOR giveaway instead of linking to another product from MOR's website, someone actually copied and pasted the link to our giveaway page and put in the rafflecopter form. All those entries from those that did that were deleted. Yes I do notice, yes I do check everything.

I look at it this way, I'd rather show 500 entries that are complete and fair and followed instructions than 1,000 that were not all legit. For those that took out the time to do things properly, I assure you that when a winner is being drawn, the only entries the random number generator will be choosing from are VALID ones.

Giveaways are truly labors of love for the bloggers that run them. We are not being paid for them. We do not profit from them. Bloggers can host plain reviews instead of going to bat to get a giveaway in addition.

I am not saying landing reviews are 'easy', but brands are of course more apt to welcome a review, but for the giveaway component, we are pitching and selling to that brand as to why they should consider including another item for our readers. Dear Butterflies, giveaways are a thank you. They are not required. They are not a given. Rafflecopter for the most part is making this process easier for YOU, I am still moderating all entries. So please help make this easier on us BOTH. Do not put in incomplete entries, do not put in false links, do not leave entries blank and think they won't be caught. The more my way of thanking my readers becomes a chore, the less prone I feel to keep doing it.

Now on to the fun stuff:

Lucky Winner:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Annie A. - Winner of the MOR all 9 Lip Macarons Giveaway <-Comment 222 won! Please note Rafflecopter announces the winner in the widget, so you no longer have to wait for us to post the Winner Announcement to any Closed Giveaway, within 3 business days of any giveaway close date, the winner's comment number and user name will appear in the widget automatically.

Join me in congratulating our winner! And don't forget to show our current active Rafflecopter Giveaways:

 In Bloom Pajamas or Nightgown of YOUR Choice Giveaway 

AND Ugglebo Seattle Low Style Shearling Boots Giveaway! ARV $309 Ends 02/18 LOTS of love! (The In Bloom PJ's ends VERY SOON, so act fast!)

And as many of you already know my twitter alter ego is as 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' and I'm currently live tweeting during the Grammy's, follow me @Tracy_Iglesias and feel free to share with me your Grammy impressions, anything from performances to the fashion, nothing is off limits!

Hope you are enjoying the Grammy's tonight. Any big plans for Valentine's Day?

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Ascending Butterfly received the products mentioned above free of charge for editorial consideration. However, all opinions expressed are 100% my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commisions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Our full Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy can be found HERE.