Monday, May 7, 2012

Weekly Moment of Gratitude: Life Journey's Travel Edition - Happy Motivation Monday!


Where in the world is Ascending Butterfly?


Happy Monday Butterfly! There is so much to catch up on that I am combining my Weekly Moments of Gratitude, with a special Motivation Monday this week to share with you what I've been up to this past week! First of all, thank you all for the emails expressing concern, you are all amazing, you all know I try to post daily and when I don't I always get emails from readers checking in to make sure that I am OK. That means so much more to me than you could ever know. I have tried to answer as many of you as I can individually. Please know I am just fine, I was on an amazing trip and my devices don't always play so nice with the available WiFi. (and my flights did not have WiFi both ways!)


What I am grateful for

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Travel -  Against the better judgement of my team of Doctors (and my family quite frankly), I set out on my first airplane trip this year. I didn't quite have my Doctor's blessing, but my heart felt it was important to set out on this journey, and I am infinitely grateful that I did.

I have always loved travel, among my career path transitions I briefly worked for an Airline in their Caribbean Sales Department selling tickets and trips directly to Travel Agencies instead of to individuals. I landed that job right after College because I was bi-lingual and speaking Spanish was a huge part of the job. While I ironically traveled much less during my time working for an Airline than I have since then, travel has always changed me. I'm probably the only person smiling all throughout check in, and I guess that's why I have met so many great people at the airport or gate during my travels, I am totally open to the process and actually welcome every step of the way.

From the moment I hit the airport I'm filled with the excitement of the journey. The rush of taking to the skies and being somewhere entirely new. This time I did it with a sense of nervousness and trepidation I had never known before because of my health. While I'll admit I may have overdid it a bit and I'm a bit sore now, I have no regrets!

As many of you remember I shared that I was selected to be a Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach Blogger and my collaboration with Britax USA and Mami Innovative Media has sent me on a recent adventure to North Carolina along with 25 other amazing, talented and passionate Latina Bloggers!

All the bloggers selected for this campaign include:

Take a moment and check out the sites of all the bloggers selected, there are amazing women behind each and every one of the blogs chosen to participate and I feel blessed to have met them all and been given the opportunity to collaborate with such dedicated and passionate writers!

Alba Garza: www.independentmami.com
Amanda Diaz:
www.thoughtsfromher.com
Amber Ortega:
www.thriftyninja.net
Chantilly Patiño:
www.biculturalmom.com
Clauyda Martinez:
www.unknownmami.com
Cristina Duffy:
www.unacolombianaencalifornia.com
Dariela Cruz:
www.mamitalks.com
Denisse Icaza:
www.ahorrosparamama.com
Divina Rodriguez:
www.dancinghotdogs.com
Eliana Tardio:
www.elianatardio.com
Helena Osorio:
www.pinkguayoyo.com
Jennifer Hutcheson:
www.mami2mommy.com
Laura Tellado:
www.holdinoutforahero.org
Lilian Hurn:
www.superbaratisimogratis.com
Liz Cerezo:
www.thoughtsofamommy.net
Mirna Arce:
www.ahorrosconcupones.com
Myrah Duque:
www.couponmamacita.com
Oriana Romero:
www.mommyhoodsdiary.com
Pattie Cordova:
www.livingmividaloca.com
Sara Patterson:
www.mommafindings.com
Silvia Martinez:
www.mamalatinatips.com
Taty Padilla:
www.coolmomscooltips.blogspot.com
Tracy Iglesias:
www.ascendingbutterfly.com <-YAY ME! :)
Vanessa Martinez Bell:
www.desumama.com
Yadira Ambert:
www.clubdelasdiosas.com
Yolanda Machado:
www.sassymamainla.com

We were flown to North Carolina to get a behind the scenes look at Britax USA's Headquarters, we got to tour the factory, get detailed product demonstrations, and an  unforgettable safety demonstration (I will share about this demo in an upcoming post!) and the chance to break bread together at a wonderful Dinner hosted at Harry's Grille & Tavern. Britax couldn't have been a better host. They couldn't have been more transparent. They take infant and child safety seriously. Very seriously. And it's that passion that has made them the leader in the market. They are innovative. There is technology behind the safety features that so many of us take for granted. Not all baby products are alike! There are touches and well considered details that make product usage safer and much more convenient for moms to use. They truly opened my eyes to things I took for granted. As a loving Aunt and God-mother I have always taken my purchases seriously and researched them carefully, but this trip helped me to see how much we really take for granted and how important the installation of child car seats really are. For me to truly take on an Ambassadorship Collaboration with any brand, I have to be able to honestly say I can stand behind the products. I have no doubt in my mind that going forward none of the little ones in my life will have anything less than Britax. I am eternally grateful for this experience and I have learned so much more than I ever imagined.

In all my years of blogging I never really thought much about what being a 'Latina Blogger' really meant. I'm a Latina and I blog. I haven't always stopped to consider that my voice truly is a unique one. I've always known that my heritage and culture profoundly impacts who I am and my choices, but never stopped until this experience to think about what that means as a blogger. Last year I co-hosted my first bi-lingual twitter party for PBS's iconic children's television series Curious George with a group of amazing Latinas who I greatly admire, and a year later I went from co-hosting a bi-lingual party to directly hosting my first bi-lingual twitter party with Helping Hands Milk Bank (along with my phenomenal co-host Jessie Nuez) and it began a journey that eventually led me on an adventure in North Carolina with a Brand that is making major strides in not just 'translating to' the Hispanic Community, but embracing the Hispanic Market in a truly collaborative way. I could probably go on and on about my experience, so I promise I'll space it all out a bit! (Look for the pictures that go along with this amazing adventure in this week's Wordless Wednesday!)

What does my adventure have to do with YOU?



I am so glad you asked. My collaboration with Britax USA means I will be bringing you product reviews and great giveaways, twitter parties, and all the information you need when it's time to purchase a carseat, stroller or carrier for your little one. I am going to help you make the un-biased decisions you have come to know and trust from Ascending Butterfly. If you have any questions about Britax that you can't find an answer to on their site (which I pretty much doubt), feel free to send it to me and I'll be sure to forward it to the right person and get you an answer! Butterflies this is as much about YOU and the safety of all children as it is about me!



Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Being Open - I made a concerted effort to be open to this experience, and met wonderful people at the gate while waiting for both of my planes, normally at the gate I would dive straight into a book, or put on my music, or get on a device and try and look for a signal, but this time around, I stopped to smell the roses more and engaged in conversations with total strangers which is not like me at all. And I met so many fun and warm people. There was a woman on my return flight, 96 years of age traveling to her great grand-daughter's first communion. The flight attendants and gate personnel all asked if she'd like to pre-board and when she replied simply 'No Thank You. I have no health issues or medical reason that would necessitate me to pre-board. I am sure there are others here that really need your help.' Everyone was blown away, but I totally saw myself in her, that's who I want to be, I want to travel until I can't do it, and even then my head will still be in the clouds!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Discovering Inner Strengths - It took a concerted effort on my part to make this trip on many levels, but doing so allowed me to discover so many inner strengths and foster my independent spirit in ways that change, forward motion and travel can only do. Whether it's around the corner or around the globe butterflies, TRAVEL, MOVE, SEE, DO. When I thought my life was being taken from me this year, the only real regret that instantly rose to the surface was not seeing nearly enough of this beautiful world. Time is too short butterfly. Don't use any excuses to NOT do something. Working hard is great, but that money can't come with you, and that time spent not making new memories is time you will regret squandering!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Annual Mother's Day Buying Guide: Our annual Mother's Day Buying Guide this year, opened with a product review and buying suggestion, the CEVIA Pro 80 Digital Frame and PicturePlan Photo Delivery Service, and will move forward this week with a chance to win a gift card you can use to purchase a new spring trench and fab handbag, this is going to be SWEET. And guys, even though it is a Mother's Day Buying Guide, you are NOT being left out on this one, as this company also sells Menswear and Mens Accessories as well. So our first Mother's Day buying guide giveaway promotion will be from a brand that sells great products for Women, Men and Children so there is something for everyone! (I wanted to have it posted today, but I still need a bit to get caught up, I promise it will be posted SOON).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - PLEASE ROCK THE VOTE: I could really use your vote on my Swag Mom contest entry! (If you are in a voting contest and need a return vote, please leave a comment on this post, I'd be happy to return the vote!) The essay forced me to be very concise, but it expresses what I have been through this year in a very raw, open, emotional and honest way, I hope you will read it even if you are not a swagbucks member. Those who vote however will receive swagbucks just for voting and the shot at winning the same prize to Las Vegas as the Grand Prize Winner, those who vote will also be put in a special prize draw to win the same prize! (You know I love win/win opportunities!) If you do vote, please comment here and let me know, I'd love to say Thanks! - bit.ly/HGRmzN

Happy Motivation Monday Butterfly, May this be a week filled with exploration and discovery!

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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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Winners

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - All Winners in our #HHMilkBank Twitter Party have been notified, and many have sent lovely tweets and even pictures of their swag to us on Twitter. Thanks again butterflies for your participation, and in case you missed this last week, here are the winners to our Twitter Party:

Door Prize: @LLLSummer


Party Prize Packs: @SecretsofKristi, @EileenCCampos, @soulfliesfree, @Shihtzuation, @candacki, @abbebrown,@kymnasium, @SweetmatchaJail

Grand Prize Winner: @Paramedic_Mom2

All prize packs will include an Amazon Gift Card and will also include some fun branded merchandise from our wonderful sponsor, Prolacta Bioscience's Helping Hands Milk Bank! As a reminder, the door prize winner received a $50 Amazon Gift Card with their prize pack, the Party Prize Pack Winners received a $25 Amazon Gift Card with their prize packs, and the Grand Prize winner's prize pack will include a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

I want to personally thank all my butterflies for your participation, by joining in this party, your participation has helped spread the word about how Helping Hands is working to save the lives of preemies everywhere, thank you! Stay tuned for our next twitter party!

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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. The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media, a communications and digital marketing company that pairs multicultural and Latino bloggers with influential brands and blogging campaigns. I am a blogger brand ambassador for Britax and while this post is NOT sponsored and NO monetary compensation has been received for sharing this experience, I am part of a long term campaign that does provide additional incentives for my participation. However all opinions are 100% my own. My press trip was sponsored by Britax USA. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Let's Be Honest: Where coming clean about life could be VERY rewarding! cc @Purex #PurexLetsBeHonest


Do you and your pals like to dish about life? Maybe share some laundry woes or funny laundry mishaps? Did you know all that 'dishing' you were doing for free could instead have been getting you something for it?

Whether you are paying too much for "Premium Detergent" or uncovering the truth about skinny jeans, the folks at Purex Let's Be Honest - http://www.purex.com/lets-be-honest - is shedding some light on everyday absurdities with a series of new videos and the chance to win free Purex for a year. You can check out each video every time you enter the daily giveaway to win Purex detergent for a year.

This summer we will see the resurgence of  'Neon', yes that's right, NEON as a Fashion Trend, you are already going to be easy to spot and bright, the last thing you want on your new neon shirt or outfit is a big ole stain!

But in case you do get a stain on your new neon fashion statement this summer,   from NOW through July 24th, you could win a year's supply of Purex detergent simply by registering at http://www.purex.com/lets-be-honest

I'm getting horrible 80's flashback's in my head, although I do remember one really cool pink neon belt that paired nicely with my favorite Little Black Dresses back then as well as my black skinny jeans with the zippered ankles and high heel boots! (alas, where did the adventurous me go? where is my rebel yell? - I guess she is too busy doing laundry this weekend!)

Check out the cute animated 'Judy Let's Be Honest' character who is part of the campaign:


I think she's working her wash day outfit too, that's quite an ensemble she has there, love how her headband matches her pink shoes too!

Check out this campaign on Facebook or Twitter and get social with it!

So for my butterfly fashionista, frugalista, fabulista and mom washing Divas out there, let's get to coming clean for a chance to 'win clean' for a year!

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FTC Disclosure: This is not a compensated post, no monetary compensation has been exchanged. I am however, a Purex Blogger Brand Ambassador Insider and my participation in this long term campaign does come with additional perks and opportunities to sample various products for the purpose of facilitating honest reviews. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Mother's Day Buying Guide Gift Recommendation #1 - Help Mom Store Cherished Memories in Style!



Happy May Day Butterflies! Today is the first day of May and our annual Mother's Day Buying Guide is now in swing!

If you haven't today, go KISS your mom, and if you are too far right now, please CALL her immediately. Tell her you love her and thank her for the gift of life, for being there when you were sick, for every warm meal, for every hug, for being your nurse and doctor and for all the wonderful memories of your childhood.

In fact, why not also give her a way to preserve her memories in style?

As you may remember we featured a digital photo frame as our holidays 2010 gift buying guide recommendation (and you even scored a chance to win one for yourself), the CEIVA Pro80 with one year picture plan photo delivery service. Read my original review and first impression of the Ceiva Pro80 HERE.

I fell in love with my CEIVA, and in fact so has everyone who sees it when they come visit, and I still love it, it's simple to set up, and gives me instant gratification when I can send a picture from an event or party while I'm still there, right to my frame and have it already loaded into the frame when I get back!



Features

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Connect by telephone line or by Wifi and receive photos sent from anyone you invite as your guest – from anywhere in the world!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Send pictures to your frame via smartphones, iPhone, email and sites like Flickr and Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Lifetime warranty – as long as you have an active PicturePlanCEIVA will replace or repair the product for free.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Memory Card Slots - Insert a memory card into the back and enjoy an instant slideshow

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Use a media server application to show photos over your home network

Set Up:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Register Your Frame

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Upload Photos

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Connect the frame to your wifi and sync



Nab A Deal!
Mother's Day Sale (Deals Valid through May 7th)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - CEIVA Pro80 Starter Pack (includes one-year PicturePlan Photo Delivery Service and WiFi adapter)- $119.95

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - CEIVAshare Starter Pack (includes one-year PicturePlan Photo Delivery Service)- $99.95 (Wifi adapter optional)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Place an order totalling $99 or more in the CEIVA Store and get FREE economy shipping! Not valid on standard, 3-day, 2-day or overnight shipping.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Purchase any two frames and receive 10% off, Buy 3 or more and get 20% off! (Think, one for your mom, aunt, grandma, Men should add an extra one on for their wife too!)

My Take:

I really love the CEIVA Pro80 Starter Pack! I highly recommend it across the board for anyone on your list. There is nothing more personal or more thoughtful. Whether you and your mom are in the same city or are miles away from each other, imagine her delight when you send this to her, and in 3 simple steps she can not only enjoy the pictures she chooses to put on the frame, but you can instantly send her pictures anywhere, anytime. The grandkids can send grandma pictures right from their phones! Mom never feels like she misses a single moment. And with this frame, everyday feels like Christmas because you can send mom, or your Aunt or your Grandma, a new photo each day and no one misses a milestone.

This year mama butterfly is getting one! (But shhh, don't tell her!)

While I wasn't able to nab an extra one this time for a giveaway, CEIVA is awesome about throwing great giveaways and promotions on their Facebook page and you can also get social with them on twitter too! And don't forget to tell them Ascending Butterfly sent you, maybe we can arm twist them a bit to come back with us again next time! :)

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FTC Disclosure: I received a CEIVA frame and a picture plan for the purposes of this review, all opinions regarding the product are expressly my own experiences. Our full giveaway and disclosure policy can be found at: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Monday, April 30, 2012

Weekly Moment of Gratitude - It's Motivation Monday!





What I am grateful for

 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Family -  I had a great Sunday afternoon yesterday celebrating my cousin and uncle's birthday, I got to see extended family I hadn't seen in a long while and it was a great reminder of all the things that are really important in life.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Church - Late afternoon Sunday service yesterday after the family party at a church I hadn't been to in many years. The last time I was in that church was for a funeral. It was a bit bittersweet being back there. But it filled my spirit to spend time in prayer as I have quite a bit to be thankful for!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blogging Opps - One of my blogging opps is taking me on quite an adventure this week and I will be sure to share more as soon as I can!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Annual Mother's Day Buying Guide: Our annual Mother's Day Buying Guide this year, will open with a double whammy promotion, AND it will also include the May Featured Handbag of the Month, butterflies you are going to LOVE this promotion! If you love to travel, want to travel in style and love handbags, this promotion is definitely for YOU.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - STARTING TODAY MONDAY, APRIL 30th PLEASE ROCK THE VOTE: I could really use your vote on my Swag Mom contest entry! (If you are in a voting contest and need a return vote, please leave a comment on this post, I'd be happy to return the vote!)  - bit.ly/HGRmzN

Happy Motivation Monday Butterfly, May this be a week full of surprise blessings to be grateful for!

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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

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

Winners

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - All Winners in our #HHMilkBank Twitter Party have been notified, the list is as follows:

Door Prize: @LLLSummer


Party Prize Packs: @SecretsofKristi, @EileenCCampos, @soulfliesfree, @Shihtzuation, @candacki, @abbebrown,@kymnasium, @SweetmatchaJail

Grand Prize Winner: @Paramedic_Mom2

All prize packs will include an Amazon Gift Card and will also include some fun branded merchandise from our wonderful sponsor, Prolacta Bioscience's Helping Hands Milk Bank! As a reminder, the door prize winner receives a $50 Amazon Gift Card with their prize pack, the Party Prize Pack Winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card with their prize packs, and the Grand Prize winner's prize pack will include a $100 Amazon Gift Card with their prize pack!

I want to personally thank all my butterflies for your participation, by joining in this party, your participation has helped spread the word about how Helping Hands is working to save the lives of preemies everywhere, thank you! Stay tuned for our next twitter party!

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

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.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Todays Words of Inspiration: Do you really want to say that to the Universe?







Hi Butterfly!

It just felt like high time we had a back to our roots plain and simple Today's Inspiration! Despite everything I've been going through this year, I've been working hard to remain focused and inspired, and I hope you are too!

I can't believe April is almost gone and we are swiftly approaching May. They say April showers bring May Flowers, and I don't know about you, but I'm overdue for 'flowers' in my life lately! I'm definitely ready to let the sun shine in, both through my window and in my heart. How about you?

You know how it is said that 'words have power', that our destiny can be altered with our words and with our thoughts? What you don't say and what you don't believe is just as powerful as what you do say and what you do believe about yourself.

When things are going along swimmingly in your life, are you secretly waiting for the other shoe to drop? When you experience a triumph do you truly believe that you really deserve it?

Today's Inspiration: Be careful that when something good happens to you, you don't say 'I can't believe this is happening to me, I didn't think something this great would ever happen for me.' If you do, the Universe will believe you, and may not send you more. It will believe you are not ready accept more than what you have.

Today's Challenge: When something good happens today, Just say Thank You. To God if you are Faithful/Spiritual or the Universe, or BOTH even better still. Don't say I don't believe this, and go beyond saying WOW, say Thank You, and say you are grateful to see a harvest for your efforts and you will continue to be rewarded because you are telling the Universe you are grateful for what you have received. That gratitude WILL open the pathway to more.

Speak your way to success today Butterfly, You DO deserve it!

XOXO,

Ascending Butterfly

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Friday, April 27, 2012

Beautiful Butterfly Friday!





Wishing all my butterflies a happy, healthy and beautiful Friday!


 
 

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Butterfly Wednesday!



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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Infant Nutrition Twitter Party TONIGHT, let's help save #preemies in the #NICU sponsored by @hhmilkbank



'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ', @Tracy_Iglesias of Ascending Butterfly (@Ascending1) is hosting tonight's #HHMilkBank Infant Nutrition Twitter Party along with @JessieNuez, the tweet chat is being sponsored by @hhmilkbank, not only will there be prizes, but we are going to learn ways to help preemies currently in the NICU! So many moms have reached out to me since the RSVP page for this twitter party was posted, to tell me that when they had their babies, they produced more breastmilk than they even knew what to do with. It's so sad to know that so much life saving milk is being thrown away when there are babies that desperately need it!

This will also be a bi-lingual twitter party conducted in English and Spanish! The English RSVP page is HERE, (the rafflecopter widget is also on this page, so you can just RSVP here as well) and the Spanish RSVP page is HERE.

Helping Hands Milk Bank is operated by Prolacta Bioscience, they collect excess breast milk to help save the lives of babies who are in the neonatal intensive care unit. Excess breast milk is used to make nutritional products from 100% human milk which has a significant impact on the lives of the infants and their families. They also make the donation work harder, for every ounce of donated qualified breast milk collected by Helping Hands Milk Bank $1 will be contributed to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of Breast Cancer Research.

Preemie who needed fortified human milk from Helping Hands Milk Bank

Here is the party 411:

Who: Helping Hands - Make sure to follow the sponsor on twitter @hhmilkbank and of course our party hosts: @Tracy_Iglesias (if I get sent to twitter jail, I'll then be tweeting from @Ascending1 so you may just want to go ahead and follow that account too), Co-hosts include: @JessieNuez from Hecho Para Mama - http://www.hechoparamama.com/

What: Twitter Party! - Follow along with the #HHMilkBank Hashtag

When: April 24, 2012 at 9pm EST/6PM PST - 2 hour party!

Where: You can follow along using the #HHMilkBank Hashtag or you can use a grid. Here is a link to the custom tweetgrid already created for this party, (you only need to be sure to change the username on the very right hand column to your own so you can see any tweets made directly to you!)

Baby Drinking Prolacta Fortified Human Milk


And of course, what's a party without presents?

Prizes:

Door Prize: Follow the RSVP instructions in the rafflecopter widget below for a shot at the $50 Amazon Gift Card and Prize pack just for RSVPing for the party! The party is come as you are, but only the folks who RSVP have a shot at the door prize (as long you actively participate during the twitter party!)

Party Prizes: There will be 8 $25 Amazon Gift Card and Prize Packs awarded during the party every 15 minutes!

Grand Prize: One luck party goer will win our Party Grand prize a $100 Amazon Gift Card along with a Helping Hands Prize Pack!

That's over $350 in prizes, so be sure to tell a friend. Tweet it out. Share it on Facebook!

RSVP using the rafflecopter widget below: (You only need to RSVP once, there will however be sign up widgets on each hosts blog!)

Baby Isabella, an underweight newborn who benefitted from Prolacta Fortified Human Milk



a Rafflecopter giveaway



BUTTERFLIES: LET'S GET THIS TWITTER PARTY TO TREND AND HELP SAVE PREEMIES!

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FTC Disclosure: While this post is not sponsored, the twitter party is sponsored. I will receive additional incentives for hosting this party. For full details on Ascending Butterfly disclosure policies: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Monday, April 23, 2012

Weekly Moment of Gratitude, Twitter Party Tomorrow + Winners!







What I am grateful for:


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Sometime the best lessons are learned the hard way -  {Motivation Monday Thought}: Sometimes you KNOW something, but you just don't apply it until life hits you HARD, and one of the lessons I've had to re-learn the hard way this year is that there are literally but so many hours in a day, and if I don't stop and take some time for myself to let my body heal and rest, it won't. So for the first time ever, I'm not answering emails within 24 hours and I'm not yet totally caught up since my return from my last hospital stay most of March and early April. The True Lesson: IT'S OKAY. And I know some people will understand and be patient, and others won't. The True Lesson? You can't be ALL things to ALL people ALL of the time. And yes, that's OKAY!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Twitter Party! - That's right, 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' is hosting a great twitter party tomorrow! On April 24th from 9-11pm EST/6-8pm PST Ascending Butterfly's Editor @Tracy_Iglesias along with @JessieNuez will be hosting a twitter party sponsored by @hhmilkbank! (Make sure you are following all three twitter accounts before the party!) So if you haven't already done so, RSVP for the #HHMilkBank Infant Nutrition Twitter Party HERE. The prizes are amazing (Prize packs and Amazon Gift Cards that total over $350), and the tweet chat is going to be super fun and fast paced as always, they don't call me 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' for nothing!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blogging Opps - I have some amazing Blogging Partnerships/Brand Ambassadorships to share with you, and will reveal them all one by one very soon.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Annual Mother's Day Buying Guide: Our first Mother's Day Buying Guide Gift Recommendation this year, is actually a double whammy promotion, it will be the first gift featured as it will cover two different regular features, our buying guide for Mother's day as a Mother's Day Suggestion, AND as our May featured Handbag of the Month, butterflies you are going to LOVE this promotion!


Happy Motivation Monday Butterfly, May this be a week full of surprise blessings to be grateful for!

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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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Winners/ Closed Giveaways:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WINNER: ashleymorrissey90:  Ascending Butterfly Monthly Book Club: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times Book Giveaway! Ended 03/25 - Let's Congratulate our winner! I genuinely hope that the winner of this giveaway finds this book to be a huge blessing and source of hope!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WINNER: Nightowl: Think you've got the moves? Ideology by Macys DOUBLE Giveaway! (ARV $100) Ended 03/19 - 1 winner! - Congrats, Enjoy your new fitness gear!

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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.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

April 19, 2012 - National High Five Day! Can you High Five for Cancer Research? @NH5D



My friends at Hayneedle tweeted out today that it was National High Five Day and I thought they were joking so I thought I'd look it up, and lo and behold they were right! But it's high fiving with a purpose and a cause, and you know how much Ascending Butterfly loves using the power of social media for social good right? Well the National High Five Project is using the power of the High Five to raise money for Cancer Research.

Giving 55 high fives on National High Five Day helps to raise money for Cancer Research! Pretty cool right? You'll get your own registration page to customize with your picture and your personal goal for how much you hope to raise for cancer research. Send it to friends and family and ask them to make donations to your page (if they do, they'll be entered in drawings for fun prizes).

Approximately 2 in 5 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. All of us have, or will, be affected by a cancer diagnosis in some way. The money raised by this event goes to four cutting-edge research institutes trying to cure cancer once and for all: The Gateway For Cancer Research, the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

So high five today to help those with Cancer come closer to a cure! Kudos to Hayneedle for sharing about this initiative with their followers!

If you missed it, you can read all about my Tide Loads of Hope countdown to Earth Day with Celebrity Television Personality Vanessa Lachey HERE, and learn how YOU can win a Maytag Washer and Dryer. And also, don't forget to RSVP for our upcoming #HHMilkBank Twitter Party on April 24th at 9pm EST/6pm PST with great prizes!

Happy Thursday, and Happy National High Five Day Butterfly!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No compensation has been received to share regarding the National High Five Day Initiative and all opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Not So Wordless Wednesday: My day with Vanessa Lachey in NYC!



The butterfly was out and about today and got a chance to celebrate Earth Week in New York City learning about a super easy way to greatly impact the environment!



The clever folks at Future Friendly from Procter & Gamble makers of household products that include Tide Coldwater, Duracell Rechargeable, Cascade Action Packs, Dawn Ultra, Prilosec OTC, PUR and Pampers Cruisers hosted a fun countdown to Earth Day event in New York City which featured Tide Coldwater Laundry Detergent, Maytag® Bravos XL® HE Top Load Washer and Dryer and their spokesperson and celebrity host, the very personable Mrs. Vanessa Lachey, host of the ABC television series Wipeout.

One of my favorite quotes from Vanessa was:

"This is a realistic change that everyone can do."

As a shespeaks VIP blogger at the Take A Load Off event, my day began with a pick up from NYC Green Car, an eco friendly car service that provides a fleet of advanced hybrid only vehicles for corporations who want to cut back on their carbon footprint. And this being a very small world, my driver actually lives only 4 blocks from me! You can connect with them on twitter @nycgreencar

Arriving a bit early gave me the opportunity to re-connect with some of my favorite bloggers including: @, @,  @@ (a fellow Duane Reade VIP Blogger!),  @SweetiesSweeps,  @barrettboys and more! (Apologies, I normally provide blog links, but twitter links were just so much faster, you can link to all their blogs via their twitter pages!).

TIDE COLDWATER

Developed by P&G to work most effectively in cold water conditions, Tide Coldwater Laundry Detergent ranked among the top detergents by a leading consumer group. It is specially formulated with different enzymes and surfactant which allows for effective cleaning in cold water and also allows consumers to live more sustainably and save money without sacrificing the results they expect from a leading brand such as Tide.

MAKE THE SWITCH TO TIDE COLDWATER

Switching to a cold water laundry detergent is such a win-win. You are cutting down on household energy use and saving money while doing something good for the environment.

Many people are hesitant because they feel only warm water kills germs, but one of the most interesting quotes from the event came from Jack English, Senior Scientist at The Procter & Gamble company who said:

"The Dryer uses heat to kill germs, but most washers don't unless they are set to 140 degrees, for the most part the germs are really being killed in the heat of your dryer"

Utilizing 'Catalytic Chemistry', the enzymes are allowing Tide Coldwater to clean just as effectively as warm water washing cycles.

So before I get to what makes Wordless Wednesday so great, the PICTURES, I know you must be thinking 'But Butterfly, what's in this for ME?', and I'm so glad you asked!



Take A Load Off Sweepstakes!

P&G is inviting consumers to pledge to wash in cold water for a chance to win some awesome prizes in their Take A Load Off Sweepstakes. Between now and May 13, 2012 enter daily for a shot at weekly prizes that include a Maytag® Bravos XL® HE Top Load Washer and Dryer and Tide Coldwater Detergent to help you keep up your pledge in high laundry style!

My VIP Blogging experience continued with a special lunch, roundtable and Q&A with Vanessa Lachey! Vanessa is a mommy to be, and it was very clear that protecting our environment to ensure the safety of her coming little one is important to her, she was super down to earth, and spends time online herself seeking out tips to help set up a safe nursery. I am sharing some awesome photos from todays event, the photos without the Ascending Butterfly watermark are from PR firm Citizen Paine and are being used here WITH their permission, please check with them before borrowing any photos. The watermarked photos were taken by Ascending Butterfly and the same applies, please contact us for use of any of our photos. You can press on each photo individually to make them open up bigger and then hit backspace to come back to the main article.

Vanessa Lachey, Take A Load Off Event in New York City, April 18, 2012


Above: This was one of my favorite shots, and I'm pretty stoked it came out so clear because I had to use a bit of zoom to get in this close, and usually when I zoom the shots get grainy. Thankfully all that time in the hospital I didn't loose my photographic touch!


 Vanessa Lachey, Take A Load Off Event in New York City, April 18, 2012
Above: Vanessa's actually quite a ham, and there were a few times where she took quirky, fun shots and I was happy I was able to catch one of those moments from my awkward vantage point.


Vanessa Lachey, Take A Load Off Event in New York City, April 18, 2012
Left: Jack English, Tide and Right: Vanessa Lachey


Above: This picture was taken during the lunch roundtable Q&A session. On the left is P&G Senior Scientist, Jack W. English. On the Right, Celebrity Spokesperson, Vanessa Lachey. At the Sagaponack Bar & Grill in the Flatiron District in New York City. 






Above: Group Shot with She Speaks VIP Bloggers and Celebrity Host, Vanessa Lachey. For those playing 'Spot the Butterfly', I'm standing on the very right in a wine colored jacket!

 A few pro shots:















So now you have a full peak into my day with Vanessa Lachey! Hope you decide to take the Pledge too!

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FTC Disclosure: I am blogging on behalf of SheSpeaks/Tide and received VIP perks for attending this event. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Terrific Tuesday! Sweet Pleasures!




Today's Inspiration: This Tuesday has been all about savoring simple pleasures for me. Drinking some gingerale with dinner not because I had to or I felt sick, but because I wanted to, it was cold, crisp and refreshing on a warm early spring weather day. A long shower with all my favorite pampering bath products. And a frozen treat, just because.

It was also a great mail day, and remember butterflies, when I have a great mail day, YOU do too! Just a little teaser on some neat stuff coming for our annual Mother's Day Buying Guide! The stuff that arrived today falls in our 'Traveling Mama' category, and you are going to LOVE what we have in store! (HINT: It's a brand we work with often on Ascending Butterfly, and they were in last year's buying guide as well). This promotion is geared toward moms traveling with style who like to travel in style!

What is your Terrific Tuesday tale Butterfly?


Twitter Party Alert: Don't forget to our RSVP for our next twitter party here: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2012/04/rsvp-for-helping-hands-hhmilkbank.html

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