Monday, November 26, 2012

Learn how you can WIN with the @DuaneReade 'Show Us Some Leg' Facebook Campaign! + Video #DRLegwear



As my regular butterflies already know I am Duane Reade Brand Ambassador and VIP Blogger. Before joining the program I was already a long time customer of Duane Reade. For New Yorkers, there are certain stores that are a long time part of the city landscape, we fondly tease that certain stores are almost 'one on every corner' around here so they shouldn't be hard to find! Duane Reade is definitely one of those stores along with a very popular coffee shop....(no need to say the name right?)

Duane Reade Branded Legwear Video Shoot Blogger Check-In Signage

Being a Blogger Brand Ambassador has come with a wide variety of diverse campaigns and fun experiences. The chance to try out products that I might not have known about otherwise, as well as unique in store opportunities and events. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a campaign surrounding Duane Reade's (which is owned by Walgreens) newest seven-week social media campaign to raise awareness of Duane Reade-brand hosiery products produced by Doris Hosiery Mills. (And if that name sounds familiar ladies, Doris Hosiery Mills also makes the pricey hosiery you see in many department stores!) The campaign which commenced at midnight November 18th, will run through January 7, 2013.

Behind the scenes shot of all Five Bloggers walking toward Duane Reade! Far Right: Ascending Butterfly in the Green Jacket! We were being filmed walking toward the store and this is a candid shot of us as we were being filmed.

To kick off this campaign, 5 NYC Duane Reade VIP bloggers were selected for a style makeover with Jess Zaino (Style Expert regular on Biography Channel's Fashion Groundbreakers, TV Guide Network's Fashion Team and creator of Cheap Chic Shopping Tours) to help them achieve 5 distinct looks using Duane Reade brand hosiery products (and achieving the look for less than $100), and I was one of the bloggers selected to participate in this campaign.


Duane Reade Branded Legwear Video Shoot Store WATERMARKED
This Duane Reade location is central to Radio City Music Hall, a very popular NYC destination for both tourists and locals!

This was my second time on camera in a very short period of time during the same week and I never really realized how long it takes to film what amounts to a very short amount of time actually on air! It was a pretty intense day. Unfortunately, I ultimately was not actually styled by the stylist, and personally don't think I'd ever even want to put myself in a stylist's hands ever again, but I did enjoy learning about the new legwear and hosiery at Duane Reade!



Duane Reade Branded Legwear Video Shoot Group Hosiery Display Sign WATERMARKED
Hosiery Display Signage at Duane Reade

It feels like we skipped Fall and went straight into Winter here in New York City, with long Sweater dresses I always love to wear tights, and for me the fact that I can now pick them up at my local drugstore is a huge timesaver for me! The more I can buy in ONE store in just ONE shopping trip the easier it is for me. Let's just say that time has definitely NOT been my friend lately!

I did leave the experience with a new pair of Duane Reade Legwear and as soon as I get the chance to wear them I'll take a picture of me wearing them, but it's been all pants for the past few weeks, and with impending snow in the next few days I think I'll be in pants all week this week too!




Above: Check out the Show Us Some Leg Facebook Duane Reade Branded Legwear Video shoot, also on Duane Reade's YouTube page. (I'm in the first few seconds, did you spot me?)

Contest - How YOU can win some great prizes (Just for showing a little leg)!:

Show Us Some Leg. (In the begining of the video you will see yours truly!) You can enter the contest on Duane Reade's Facebook page. All you have to do is snap a picture of yourself in Duane Reade brand hosiery for a shot at great prizes. There is a different theme each week during the contest and Jess Zaino will be judging the entries. The Grand Prize winner will receive an Apple iPad, $200 Duane Reade Gift Card and $100 in Duane Reade brand hosiery. There will be 3 Weekly Prizes for each theme: 1st place will receive an iPod Touch, 2nd place will receive a $200 Duane Reade gift card and 3rd place will receive $100 in Duane Reade brand hosiery. Get 'tweety' with it by following @DuaneReade on Twitter and using the Hashtag #DRLegwear

My Take:

Last week I found a great new eco friendly printer paper at my local Duane Reade, and this week I discover they have great hosiery too, from the day-to-day, to a night-on-the-town, Duane Reade really has you covered! I'm still on the hunt for the perfect sweater dress to pair with my new tights!

I also learned that not every stylist is cut out to style a curvy frame and it's really OK to be yourself and just say No when something doesn't work for you. I don't think I get the point yet of a stylist, we spend what feels like a lifetime getting away from our parents dressing us so we can be our own person, I'm not sure I see the point of having someone else try to mold me in their idea of what my body type should wear. Maybe at some point I'll feel differently. But since I spent this afternoon on the phone with Gerard Butler (Yes Ladies THAT Gerard Butler!) I'm floating on a butterfly happy cloud! You can check out the rest of the photos from this shop on our Pinterest Board or on Google Plus!

Butterfly, Have you tried the new Duane Reade Branded Legwear/Hosiery yet? If so, what do you think of it? Have you ever relied on a stylist? If so, How was YOUR experience? If you do decide to enter please let us know here so we can vote for you!

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FTC DisclosureI am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Duane Reade #CBias #SocialFabric All opinions are my own!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

If you could ask Gerard Butler one question about his new movie #PlayingForKeeps What Would It Be?

Gerard Butler in Playing For Keeps


English: If you could ask Gerard Butler one question about his upcoming new movie, Playing For Keeps, What Would It Be?

Spanish/Espanol: Si usted podría preguntar a Gerard Butler una pregunta acerca de su próxima película, 'Jugando Para Siempre', ¿cuál sería?

Check out the Official Trailer Below:




Sound off as a comment on this thread with your question, one question will be selected for me to ask Gerard Butler! You can also tweet me your answer @Tracy_Iglesias or @Ascending1 and please use the hashtag #PlayingForKeeps

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No monetary compensation has been received for this post. I will have the opportunity to interview Mr. Butler as a member of the digital press, one reader question will be included during the interview which is the sole purpose of this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Elf The Broadway Musical!



As a lifelong New Yorker, one of the hearts of this city is Broadway. It's the heartbeat, it's the pulse, it's where locals and tourists alike come together to enjoy the magic of the theater and live performance. Every single night during the run of any given show is different, the actors picking up on the energy of the crowd, a crowd that changes nightly, and they give slightly different performances each night because the energy changes each night. It's what makes theater special, every performance is much like a snowflake, each beautiful in it's own way and each one unique!

The Neon Lights just add to the magic of New York City  at Night!


Broadway is ready for the holidays, first with Annie The Musical (press to read our review if you missed it the first time), which I was blessed to able to attend a special performance with The Moms, and now with Elf The Musical which I also was able to attend along with The Moms! I love The Moms events, you get to catch up with fellow bloggers and meet each other's families! Elf The musical will run from November 9, 2012 to January 6, 2013.

Outside Shot of Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York City


About Elf  The Musical:

ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and his step-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Checklist of the Theater Rules, I may have a been 'Naughty' see below:

Elf The Musical Stage Shot WATERMARKED
A picture of the stage before the play began, Shhh, it's our secret OK?

The Cast:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Jordan Gelber plays Buddy, he certainly had big shoes to fill, no pun intended of course, and did a great job!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Leslie Kritzer plays Jovie, a single girl in New York City who works at Macy's and eventually falls in love with Buddy. (Does the theme of how difficult dating is in New York City ever get old?)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Wayne Knight, yes that Wayne Knight from Seinfeld, plays the big man himself, Santa Claus! He brings just the right mix of humor and cynicism! (If you live in NYC I'm sure you have already seen the commercials by now!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Beth Leavel plays Emily, Buddy's Stepmother!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Adam Heller plays Mr. Greenway,  Buddy's real dad.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Michael Mandell plays Macy's Store Manager with great humor and likability.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Valerie Wright plays Deb, Mr. Greenway's Assistant and she's a definitely scene stealer! Strong performance!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mitchell Sink plays Michael, Buddy's Little Step-Brother who makes his Broadway Debut in Elf, he also put in a very strong debut performance!



Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Poster WATERMARKED
Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Poster


Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash sponsored a pre-show mixer, I made it just in the nick of time to try a lovely cocktail using the Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash and then it was show time!

My Take:

I greatly enjoyed Elf The Musical, I wasn't sure how the movie would translate to the theater, and how it would hold up as a Musical, but I did greatly enjoy it! It keeps both the kids and adults entertained and was very well paced/directed. As a Duane Reade Blogger Brand Ambassador I did find the New York and Duane Reade references funny, I wasn't expecting that. I don't think we are all as cynical as the play portrays us to be, it played quite a bit into New York Stereotypes, but on the whole I do agree we could ALL use a little more magic in our lives, especially during the holidays.

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Elf The Musical on YouTube
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @ElfTheMusical on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Elf The Musical on Facebook

My pictures:



Elf The Musical Playbill WATERMARKED




 Unfortunately, I've reached some sort of picture limit so you can see the full photo album on Pinterest!

Are you taking in any Broadway Shows this holiday season Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, I am under no obligation to share my recap of Elf The Musical, my tickets were complimentary as an event guest of The Moms. All opinions are 100% my own!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Weekly Moment of #Gratitude - Thanksgiving Edition #WhyImGrateful






It seemed appropriate that this week's 'Weekly Moment of Gratitude' be posted on Thanksgiving Day!

What I am grateful for:


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Just Being Here! -  Last year in October I began a Medical Roller-Coaster that I'm still sorting through. But considering 2012 started with a Specialist telling me to 'get my affairs in order', I'm fundamentally grateful just to have been able to wake up and have the gift of this day. This very day. The right here, the right now.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A Home Cooked Meal! - After a full year in and out of hospitals for month long stays, I am happy to be eating a home cooked meal that I can actually stomach!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - My Home - With so many in the North East devasted by the Hurricane, I'm grateful for the roof over my head!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - My Blogging Blessings! - Despite the uphill battle that this past year has been for me on a personal (as well as physical, emotional and spiritual) level, blogging has brought many wonderful blessings and many wonderful people into my life and for that I find myself feeling profoundly blessed and grateful. For all the brands both long term brands who have been with us since the begining, and for newer brands I have had the chance to collaborate with this year, I am grateful! (Special Shout Out to Britax, Duane Reade, Mami Innovative Media and Collective Bias for the wonderful opportunities working with you has presented me with!) And for all the wonderful blogging conferences I had the opportunity to attend, and learn and grow as a blogger (BlogHer, Niche Mommy, and the Fashion Forward Conference!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - My Family - They say hospital stays and prison sentences show you who your friends are, so to the friends and family who have shown me so much love and support through this incredibly difficult year, Thank You!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Ascending Butterfly - I'm grateful for YOU butterflies! I never thought my simple love of butterflies and seeking inspiration in the day to day would grow into such a large community. And for readers who emailed me, and sent me messages of support via our social media channels during my hospital stay I wanted to thank you all again for your kindness and support!

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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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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Giveaways!


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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!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING BUTTERFLIES!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, I am a Britax Latina Advisory Board Member, Digital Hispanic Outreach Blogger Brand Ambassador via Mami Innovative Media. Being an Ambassador comes with additional incentives, however all opinions expressed herein are 100% my own. Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Not So Wordless Wednesday: @JordinSparks, My Migraine Triggers App, @DuaneReade + @Excedrin {Photos} #DRExcedrin #cbBigApple #cbias


Excedrin Migraine in store Poster at Duane Reade Herald Square WATERMARKED
Excedrin Migraine Relief Poster at Duane Reade New York City


If just hearing those sleigh bells jinglin', ring ting tinglin' to is starting to make your head throb, and the stress of the upcoming cooking marathon that is Thanksgiving Day has your head aching and you feel a Migraine coming on, knowing what your actual triggers are is half the battle won. For some of us it's Stress, for others it's hunger, sleep deprivation and more.





DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 01 WATERMARKED
Tracy, Ascending Butterfly Founder and Editor walks the carpet at Duane Reade/Excedrin My Migraine Triggers App Launch in Herald Square New York City!

Last week, Duane Reade and Excedrin hosted a wellness event in Herald Square, New York City to help promote the launch of 'My Migraine Triggers' a free, easy-to-use, convenient Migraine Tracking Tool. The Makers of Excedrin® Migraine teamed up with a neurologist to create the My Migraine Triggers™ app, the app will allow you to:


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Keep track of your everyday activities, such as exercise, stress and eating habits to help identify your potential migraine triggers

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Chart out daily log information into customizable reports to easily understand which activities, foods and beverages are associated with the onset of your headaches

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Print or email your log and results to share with your doctor to better diagnose and treat your migraines, the more you use it, the more it helps.

Note: Since migraines can set-in up to 48 hours after being exposed to a trigger, it is important to record potential triggers whether or not a migraine has started.

Don’t wait until your next migraine. Download the My Migraine TriggersTM app on itunes and start tracking your migraines today!




DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 02 WATERMARKED
How I styled it? - Outerwear: Jacket by Wilsons Leather and  Handbag: Linea Pelle Dylan Tote!

The Event Kicked Off with Massages provided by Oasis Day Spa, I don't know about you, but a good massage definitely helps me relieve stress!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 03 Pre Oasis Day Spa Massage WATERMARKED
Meeting my Masseur!

Getting Started!


DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 07 During Oasis Day Spa Massage WATERMARKED
Masseur at work!

If you spend as much time in front of a computer as I do, your neck muscles probably get super stiff and sore too!


DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 05 During Oasis Day Spa Massage WATERMARKED
My Masseur has his work cut out for him, I hold a lot of tension in my shoulders!
A sunny, breezy November Day, you can just start to feel the chill in the air, but a massage just makes this beautiful day in New York City that much better!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 04 During Oasis Day Spa Massage WATERMARKED
As you can see we had to spend quite a bit of time on my shoulders!

By this time more of a crowd was starting to form, you know free massages in the heart of the shopping district is going to draw attention!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 06 During Oasis Day Spa Massage WATERMARKED
Ah! A little slice of Heaven in the City that never sleeps!
Can't help but love being a New Yorker on a day like today!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square me 08 After Oasis Day Spa Massage WATERMARKED
All Smiles! I'm one happy butterfly!

But I think this massage was to get us ready for what came next!


DRExcedrin Event Herald Square trying to get a shot of Jordin Sparks WATERMARKED
Reporters jockeying for positions!
Jordin Sparks is not just a songbird with a beautiful voice, she is a Migraine sufferer too, no wonder she is the 'voice' of this campaign!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square trying to get a shot of Jordin Sparks 02 WATERMARKED
Ascending Butterfly hoists her Olympus Camera in the air and hopes for the best!

Close but yet so far away! I got the top of her head, as she sings the song 'Faith' (A capella no less!)


DRExcedrin Event Herald Square Jordin Sparks 04 WATERMARKED
Jordin Sparks greets the crowd at the My Migraine Triggers App Launch Event in Herald Square New York City!

As 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' I can assure you, it's not studio work on that voice, she can really belt it out!


DRExcedrin Event Herald Square Jordin Sparks 03 WATERMARKED
Um, Did I mention I had to jump up on a platform for this shot?
While events can be fun, it's not so fun or so easy jockeying with the pro-photographers for the perfect shot!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square Jordin Sparks 02 WATERMARKED
Jordin Sparks greets the crowd at the My Migraine Triggers App Launch Event in Herald Square New York City!

OK that killer smile made all the jockeying worth it!

DRExcedrin Event Herald Square Jordin Sparks 01 WATERMARKED
Jordin Sparks heads off for one on one Media Interviews! Butterfly did good, if I do say so myself!

Team Excedrin's Street Crew handed out discount coupons for Excedrin Migraine to the crowd, so I headed over to the Duane Reade on 35th and Broadway with a few of the bloggers in attendance to check out the Excedrin Migraine display and do some shopping!


Excedrin Migraine in store Pain Reliever Aisle at Duane Reade Herald Square WATERMARKED
Looks like it's Aisle 3 for Pain Relief!
I am sure we confused the poor store staff. A group of bloggers with Cameras is not an everyday occurence, not even in New York City!

Excedrin Migraine in store Display 02 at Duane Reade Herald Square WATERMARKED
Eureka! We found it!
Is it just me, or are Migraines getting pretty expensive? Thank goodness for the discount coupon from the Excedrin crew! Thanks Excedrin!

Excedrin Migraine in store Display 01 at Duane Reade Herald Square WATERMARKED
Excedrin Migraine it is!
Because of Hurricane Sandy followed by a NorEaster in the North East, all of my meetings and events got shifted to the following week (last week), I literally put in 16 hour days for 7 days last week, to say I was stressed was an under-statement, I can tell you I made sure to keep my Excedrin in my desk at work and at home and I also kept some in a pillbox in my purse too! There was no time for Yoga last week, so having something to treat a Migraine with me was super important!

Excedrin Migraine in store sign on FLOOR at Duane Reade Herald Square WATERMARKED
This was on the floor near the Excedrin Migraine Display in Duane Reade!

Parting is such sweet sorrow!  I literally had to run from this event to another one but I had a great time with  both team Duane Reade as well as team Excedrin! And I greatly enjoyed hearing Jordin Sparks sing, she has an amazing voice!

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Duane Reade on Facebook (don't forget to enter the Show Us Some Leg contest on Duane Reade's Facebook Page, I will be posting another reminder about it soon!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @duanereade on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe to Duane Reade TV, their YouTube Channel (by the way you might spot yours truly in one of the videos there! Find me if you can!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Excedrin on Facebook (While you are there check out the 'What's your Migraine Relief Story? for a chance to win $5,000 - I bet that tidy sum would come in handy just in time for the holidays!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Excedrin on Twitter

You can get social with Jordin Sparks here:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @JordinSparks  on Twitter

You can check out the photos from this shop on Ascending Butterfly's Google Plus Page or on our Pinterest Account!

Butterfly: How do you find relief from Migraines? Happy (Not So) Wordless Wednesday! Bloggers feel free to link up your Wordless Wednesday posts as a comment to this thread so we can all check out your pictures too!

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FTC Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This post has been compensated/sponsored as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Duane Reade #CBias #SocialFabric #DRExcedrin All opinions are 100% my own.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Win a Gund BOO and a mini BOO too! {@Rafflecopter #Giveaway}


THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED WINNER NAME IS ON RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET BELOW!

I have fellow Blogger to thank for getting me hooked on all things Boo! I was on Facebook one day, totally minding my business, and I saw a picture of Boo the dog, and it was love at first BOO!  BOO is a tres adorbs Pomerian with a BIG personality, and everyday BOO would share his impressions of his world, life with his mom and doggie room mate Buddy. What I love about his facebook posts is that you get to see his world from his perspective. While I'm doing better now, and only check in weekly, when I first found out about BOO I checked in daily for new posts and pictures!

It's the real BOO in the center of a sea of mini-boo plush toys by Gund! He's doing an 'ET'! Remember that ET puzzle?


As you know unless you've lived under a social media and real world rock, BOO is a sensation, and not just an internet sensation, but he has books ( Boo: The Life of the World’s Cutest Dog and Boo: Little Dog in the Big City) and his own Gund stuffed animals! I haven't been able to work up to getting a new dog since my Rottie passed, but I made room in my heart and my home for a super cute Gund plush stuffed animal BOO and a mini Boo too!

Sleeping BOOty - Is this not cute overload? :)


Not only is being 'the cutest dog in the world' garnering BOO a ton of attention, he has also posed for the online boutique Tobi as well as posing for pictures to raise money for the charity Operation Smile! Way to go BOO, now that's using your Social Media Influence for Social Good!

BOO has even been on Good Morning America! Check out this clip of his appearance:




 My Take:

I'm obsessed with all things BOO! And the GUND brand is the destination for premium plush toys! When I was little I loved the Gund's MONCHHICHI as well as the Curious George plush toys! And I doubt any trip to a zoo would be complete without a new GUNDimal right?

Get Social With It:
There are TONS of ways to get social with Boo and Gund!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - GUND on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @GottaGettaGUND on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Gund1898′s channel on YouTube
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - GUND on Pinterest
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - BOO on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - @BoothecutestDog on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boo on Pinterest

Win it:


8" Tall Gund Boo Plush Toy!


Don't you just love BOO and Gund? I do too! And our friends at Gund want you to have some Boo in your life this holiday season. Win a full sized Gund Boo Plush Toy AND a mini Boo too! 1 lucky winner will get an 8" tall, huggably soft and totally CUTE Gund Boo Plush Toy as well as a cute stocking stuffer sized mini Boo! (This way you can keep one and give the other to a special little one in your life, or a Boo obsessed BFF!)

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter, as always our first entry is super easy, how much extra credit you want to do is up to you, but with all this cuteness how could you possibly not want to put in some extra credit entries?



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can't wait to win? Gotta have all things BOO right now? Nab your Boo at a great price below:




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FTC Disclosure: No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited by law. GUND provided a product  sample for the Review & Giveaway and they will be responsible for prize fulfillment to the winner. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This Giveaway is brought to you by GUND and Ascending Butterfly and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. Ascending Butterfly is not responsible for lost or mis-directed mail. There are amazon affiliate links used in this post.

Monday, November 19, 2012

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS/GUARDIANES DE LOS NIÑOS - In Theaters November 21! {#RiseoftheGuardians #Movie #Review}

Rise of the Guardians Theatrical Poster



I hear a lot of my friends complaining this time of year that Thanksgiving gets lost in the shuffle and we seem to go straight from Halloween to Christmas with nothing in between. I guess because I have been in Media in some form or another for so long I'm already used to it.  I spent most of my time last week at Spring/Summer 2013 preview events, so I'm actually a few seasons ahead already, but I have had a chance to take in some fun Holidays themed entertainment and throughout the coming weeks I'll be sharing about it all here.

On Saturday I took in the Rise of the Guardians screening, and for those of you who like to take in a family film Thanksgiving Weekend this is definitely one to consider!

Santa and his Elves, Rise of the Guardians, DreamWorks Animation film


About Rise of the Guardians:

Rise of the Guardians a 3D computer-animated fantasy-adventure film based on William Joyce's The Guardians of Childhood book series and The Man in the Moon short film by Joyce and Reel FX. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Peter Ramsey, the film will be released on November 21, 2012 in North America, and on November 30 in the United Kingdom. Joyce is also exec-producing, along with Guillermo del Toro.

English Synopsis:  RISE OF THE GUARDIANS is an epic and magical adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost – legendary characters with previously unknown extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children everywhere.

Cast:              Chris Pine (voice of Jack Frost), Alec Baldwin (voice of Santa Claus), Hugh Jackman (voice of the Easter Bunny), Isla Fisher (voice of Tooth Fairy) and Jude Law (voice of Pitch, aka 'The Boogeyman').

Rise of the Guardians: Left: Jack frost, Santa Claus, The Sandman and Far Right: The Easter Bunny



GUARDIANES DE LOS NIÑOS



Spanish/Espanol Sinopsis: RISE OF THE GUARDIANS es una aventura épica y mágica que cuenta la historia de Santa Claus, el Conejo de Pascua, el Hada de los Dientes, Sandman, y Jack Frost, personajes legendarios con talentos extraordinarios que la gente desconocía. Cuando un espíritu malvado llamado Pitch los desafía para apoderarse del mundo, los guardianes inmortales deberán sumar fuerzas para proteger las esperanzas, las creencias y la imaginación de los niños de todo el mundo.

Elenco: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher y Jude Law

The Trailer:



Get Social

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - "Like' The official Facebook page for DreamWorks Animation Rise of the Guardians
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @DWAnimation on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #RiseoftheGuardians

My Take:

I love that the film brings up topics so many young people can relate to, just wanting to be 'seen'/understood,  standing up for themselves and it makes parents think along the way too. How long do you allow your child to 'believe'? Wonder and sheer imagination are taken away from children at such a young age, it's nice when a family film can help encourage that wonder again, without being too boring for the adults to sit through! Jude Law is a convincing 'Pitch', and Alec Baldwin is a funny 'Russian Santa', and I dare you not to 'Aww!' at 'Baby Tooth' one of the tiny Tooth Fairies! And of course I wouldn't be the Ascending Butterfly without sharing that there is a butterfly sighting in this movie!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post. I was provided invited to a Press Screening as a member of the Digital Press, all opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.