{Product Review} + Holiday Gift Buying Guide Pick: The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System

The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System

I owe you guys an un-boxing! This was intended to be a video review, but my Slumlord, ahem, I mean Landlord, finally decided to paint the kitchen (renting is such a nightmare sometimes!), oh it's only been over a year that I've been waiting, but that's a story for another day. My home looks like a warzone right now so I reserve the right to come back here and add on a video review to this post. Not to mention I'd also like to upgrade my technology a bit, as much as I love my Bloggie Touch, the Audio Quality isn't quite what I'd like so I am hoping Santa stuffs a better camcorder in my holiday stocking!

But I didn't want to delay in sharing with you just how awesome The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System really is! Let me start by telling you that this is a total thumbs up highly recommended Holiday Buying Guide gift pick! There really isn't anyone on your list that this wouldn't delight. Wondering what to get your Doctor's Office, a Client, an Exec, your spouse, your BFF, your in-laws? THIS is it!

Are you attending a special Holiday Party? Would you like to buy the hostess a gift that will knock her socks off? The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System is it.

The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System in retail packaging

About The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Fast - The Esío Beverage System is 60 times faster and produces 5 times more beverages than most leading single-serve coffee machines on the market today!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Saves Money - Each of the Esio MultiServe E-Paks™ will dispense 14-18 servings (depending on strength of each drink) of the product of your choice all without cross-contamination between drinks! You will save 50% on your non-carbonated beverages!

Esio vita-24 Fitness Water MultiServe E-Paks™

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Hot or Cold - this system is ready when you are to serve up your favorite name brand drinks! It has a heating element to create hot water for tea or coffee, it also has a compressor to refrigerate cold water! It has a 1/2 Gallon hot water tank, a 1/2 gallon cold water tank AND almost gallon sized resevoir to refill the tanks as you make drinks. You can instantly go from a cold drink to a hot one, no wait, no hassles, no muss and no fuss!.

Esio Maxwell House Simple Roasts MultiServe E-Paks™

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Compact - You can place this on your countertop or under your kitchen cabinets. And for renters like me, it fits perfectly in my portable microwave cart too! :)

Esio V8 Splash MultiServe E-Paks™

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Drop'n Drink Technology - This is the part I want to make you guys the video for, what sets this system apart is the pump at the end of every Esio MultiServe E-Paks™. You drop in your favorite E-Pak, set the Strength Selector (I tend to go higher as I prefer a stronger flavor, but the lower you select, the more money you save in the long run), you press and hold the blue button for a cold drink or the red button for a hot drink, you are not only selecting strength, but you also control how much, you can pour as large or small a serving as you prefer, and the E-Pak mixes in mid-air to make your drink. and here's the best part, the E-Paks self-seal so you can put them away and re-use them until they are empty. They last up to ONE full year with NO refrigeration required.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Patented 15-Setting Strength Selector - I love having the power to control how strong my beverages are!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Safety Feature - To make sure no one dispenses hot water by accident there is a second step to dispensing your hot water, you just tap the Strength Selector dial in the middle and then press the red or hot button to pour a hot beverage!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  2 Gallon Capacity - It holds up to 1.85 Gallons of water when completely full, which pretty much ensures you can have hot and cold beverages all day long no matter how large your family size.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Refill Indicator Light - When you see the orange light come on, that's the refill indicator, it means it's time to refill your Esio with water.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Plug and Play - Seriously, you just plug this in and fill with water, give it a few minutes for it to heat the water in the hot water tank and chill the water in the cold water tank, it's that simple! Easy Peasy, I LOVE that!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Warranty - Your system is backed by a a one-year warranty!

The Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Like Esio on Facebook (by the way they are holding a contest on Facebook to win an Esio Hot & cold Beverage System of your own! Systems will be awarded at 500 likes and again at 1,000 likes) Don't forget to tell them you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly, a Cision rated Top 50 Product Review Blog! 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Follow @esiobevco on Twitter too! 

See It In Action:





Since I couldn't make my own un-boxing video at the moment, I thought I'd share Esio's in the meantime!

MY Take:

As an apartment renter in New York City, to say I'm cramped for space and that I have a super SMALL kitchen is an understatement. Probably the understatement of the year! I have very little counterspace, and I love that the Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System allows me to save refrigerator space because the E-Paks do NOT require refrigeration. And now I don't need to have a separate Coffee maker which means it is also saving me valuable counterspace. The E-Paks are absolutely brilliant because they self seal, which means it truly stays fresher longer. I have family and friends over on the weekends for Wii parties, and invariably everyone wants something different to drink. There really is no cross contamination of flavors when you go from hot to cold or just from E-Pak to E-Pak! I am looking forward to them expanding their E-Paks offerings, I'm hoping for a hot chocolate E-Pak to be offered! (And if it were made by Godiva I'd be in Hot Chocolate Heaven this winter!)

Aside from not having hot chocolate/cocoa E-Paks yet, there is nothing I can find NOT to like about this system! It is easy to set up, saves you money, keeps me from having to carry heavy bottles up to my super small walk up, and you can go instantly from hot to cold, what's NOT to love? I can't think of anyone on your holiday list that wouldn't love it! The system is already available at Walmart! Check with your local store to make sure they have it in stock before you visit.

Have you tried this system yet? Please let us know what you think!

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FTC Disclosure: I am participating in a campaign via BSM Media, while NO monetary compensation has been received in exchange for this post, an Esio Beverage System was provided to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for editorial consideration to help facilitate this review. However, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

BOB Stroller from Britax Holiday #Giveaway! 1 winner {Ends 12/26}

Isn't it fantastic when an awesome union produces something truly wonderful? Now I'll bet your thinking of your little blessing aren't you? But in fact I'm talking about the Union of BOB Trailers, Inc (which began in 1994 as a manufacturer of Bicycle Trailers and is now considered one of the most innovative 'sport utility'/jogging strollers) and BRITAX which manufactures a full line of premium car seats, strollers, baby carriers and accessories! It's a win/win marriage of form and function all with infant safety at the forefront of it's mind.

"Families want products that fit their lifestyles," said Karl Kahofer, CEO of BRITAX Child Safety, "and BRITAX is committed to developing products and technologies that provide safe mobility and comfort for children around the world. We've admired for some time BOB's ingenuity and commitment to customers and are convinced that its products, customer service, and business ethics make it a natural fit for BRITAX. This purchase reinforces BRITAX global leadership in child safety and mobility, and is fully in line with our international growth strategy. We have no plans to change the BOB name; in fact we are excited to expand the BOB product range globally."

BRITAX acquired BOB Trailers in 2011 and this marriage of the minds is nothing but a win/win for families! They can literally meet the lifestyle needs of pretty much any family!

"When we started this company more than fifteen years ago," he said, "we simply wanted to design and manufacture the world's best single-wheel bike trailers, and later, the world's best strollers for active, sports-minded parents. When you look at the thoughtful engineering behind the BRITAX stroller line and the revolutionary design behind its car seats, you can see why our two companies will fit well together." ~ BOB cofounder and CEO, Roger Malinowski

 

Will a BOB have you covered? Just say CHECK!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Jogger? Check. (The Fixed Front Wheel gives you increased stability while hiking, jogging, or navigating crazy city streets too!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tough Terrain? Check. (The State-of-the-Art adjustable suspension system provides a smooth ride! Not to mention the high-impact polymer composite wheels with pneumatic knobby tires and tubes provide increased traction! With a simple twist of the front wheel tracking adjustment knobs you will keep rolling straight throughout your jog or hike.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Storage? Check. (A Low Cargo Basket provides undercarriage storage and there is more storage space in the large seatback pocket and the internal seat pockets are a great place to stash snacks and toys.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Protection Against the Elements? Check. (The Adjustable, Multi-Position Canopy has got you covered, and the large viewing window allows you to keep an eye on your baby while on the go!)

My Take:

So butterflies, no excuses, your baby doesn't mean you have to give up your fitness routine, you can keep up your power walks, jogging or hiking and have extra time with baby too! Remember babies do need a certain amount of outdoor exposure, there is that vitamin we all need that only comes from some time in the daylight! The sun is our friend!

Win It!

I am a BRITAX Hispanic Digital Outreach and Social Media Blogger and Ambassador and one of the best parts of working with BRITAX, is the opportunity to present my readers and followers with some amazing giveaways! BRITAX and BOB are helping us to spread some holiday cheer and make our holiday buying guide that much more fabulous with an awesome giveaway! One lucky Butterfly will receive a BOB Stroller (the exact model will be selected by BRITAX at time of prize fulfillment) that is over $400 in Approximate Retail Value! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter, if you experience problems with rafflecopter loading, please refresh your browser or clear your cache and open a new browser window.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get Social/More Chances to Win:

You can learn more about Britax and get product updates via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  Follow all the Britax Blogueras for the latest giveaways and deals! Each of the Britax Hispanic Digital Outreach Bloggers will be hosting BOB Stroller Giveaways this holiday season, so visit all of us for extra chances to win!

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FTC Disclosure: 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, I am part of a long term campaign that does provide additional incentives for my participation. However all opinions are 100% my own. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Wordless Wednesday: Blue Butterfly #Inspiration

In light of this week's events, this seemed like a fitting Wordless Wednesday!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post.

Meet the Parents with eBay Ascending Butterfly Style

Meet the Parents with eBay Ascending Butterfly Style by tiglesia featuring alice olivia

Alice Olivia alice olivia
ebay.com

Oasis wrap coat
$110 - oasis-stores.com

Gold pumps
ebay.com

Rare London suede handbag
$23 - rarelondon.com

Van Cleef Arpels gold brooch
jewelry.1stdibs.com

American Apparel gold plated earrings
americanapparel.net

Jazz eyeshadow
$22 - zalando.co.uk

Guerlain
nordstrom.com

Necklace
$2,015 - astleyclarke.com

Diane James Peony And Rose Bouquet In Glass Vase
gracioushome.com

Vintage Style Oval Frame
$20 - oliverbonas.com

Mercury Bottles
jaysonhome.com

Pip Studio Ribbon Rose Espresso Cup & Saucer - Pink
$16 - amara.co.uk

Scroll Background - Rubber Stamps - 1-2-3 Stitch!
123stitch.com

I had fun creating this board via Polyvore, if you'd consider giving this board a like/vote I'd greatly appreciate it, press HERE to vote!

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FTC Disclosure: This board is for a contest on Polyvore, if I get enough votes I am eligible to win a drawing for a gift card. No monetary compensation or extra chances are being offered to me to share my board.

Weekly Moment of Inspiration: #MotivationMonday Edition + Winner Announcement!

What I am grateful for:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Joys of the Holiday Season! -  Passing the rows of live Christmas Trees on my way to the subway in the business district and taking in that great smell of Pine, holiday lights in the windows, and getting Christmas Cards!

What are YOU most grateful for today 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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 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Featured #Handbag in the Spotlight: It's YOUR choice! Win a $100 @wilsonsleather Gift Card with @Ascending1 Giveaway!

Winner Is:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Samantha F.

We are working on closing entries and processing the 5 winners for the Terox Footwear Giveaway and will have all the winners announced shortly!

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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: This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions 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

Gifts for the #Equestrian #Fashionista in your life with @LLBean

I was introduced to Horse Back Riding at the age of 5 and it's been a life long love ever since! We spent a few summers visiting a Dude Ranch in Pennsylvannia when I was younger, escaping the city for greener pastures and guided trail riding. I followed the Ranch Hands around and wanted to be their helper so I could have more time with the horses! I guess I never was a typical city girl, I loved horses and martial arts and had a serious aversion to the color pink!

Many of my greatest summer and vacation memories center around riding. On annual vacations to the Caribbean, we would ride on the beach, and those are cherished travel memories for me. In Mexico I went on a beach ride that was guided where we had the chance to explore an ancient ruin site via horseback, and I certainly don't even need to glance at the pictures to remember that trip, it's all still very much ingrained in my memory!

The summer I spent in Puerto Rico when my older sister got Married, I'd go for long walks by myself every morning, and I'd pass an old apple tree that always dropped apples and I'd collect a few so when I walked passed a ranch I would feed the horses a few of the apples. One of the bolder horses began waiting for me each morning waiting for his apple!

I can only assume my fascination with Riding Boots and Equestrian Fashion stemmed from learning to ride so early. But Riding Boots are probably the biggest part of my boot collection. I can't get enough of the style! What stilettos do for most women, is what Boots (and admittedly handbags) do for me!

The last place I expected to find something to satisfy my inner Equestrian:

I love seeing a brand I already know well in a whole new light. Like many of you, I regularly get an LL Bean Catalogue in the mail. I already know I'll end up bookmarking turtleneck sweaters, and great sleepwear for myself and for others on my list as gifts, but this year while scanning online (Yes, I get the catalogues but end up actually ordering online!) I saw some great Equestrian Inspired Fashions that caught my eye!

Wool/Cashmere Jacket from LL Bean:

LL Bean Wool/Cashmere Jacket in Color: Claret Red Item No: TA270958

Isn't this jacket awesome? It instantly dresses up a pair of jeans (Great with Trouser Jeans for Casual Fridays in the office) and of course pairs brilliantly with Skinny Jeans and Riding Boots! Not to mention the color is just so me! I love the Claret Red, but you can't go wrong with any of the colors!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Made of a premium Italian blend of 80% wool and 20% cashmere that feels warm, soft and luxurious to the touch!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Slightly fitted; falls at low hip (No worries it's true to size but does NOT require a size up, it's not too fitted, you can move freely with it and can fit a lightweight sweater underneath!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Designed to layer easily over a lightweight sweater or woven shirt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Traditional three-button styling, with notched collar

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Princess seams and front darts add feminine shaping.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Welt pocket on chest

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - front flap pockets

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Button cuffs

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full polyester lining

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Back vent

LL Bean Women's Deerfield Boots:

LL Bean Women's Deerfield Boots, Equestrian Tall Side-Zip Item No: TA278619

I can't get enough of these boots!

About:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Premium leather and refined details crafted in Brazil, using a handselected water-resistant leather upper

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Contoured cushion insole gives outstanding step-in comfort and support

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full cotton lining and elastic panels on outside ensures a proper fit.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Wide styles also have a wide shaft for a better fit at the calf.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Flexible rubber outsole has a slight heel to set off your favorite skirts or trousers.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Leather outsole with rubber treads at the forefoot and heel. 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boot 14"H; Heel 1"H

My Take:

I am so glad I ventured beyond my usual LL Bean Turtlenecks and looked into other options this holiday season. While I will tell you that their Turtlenecks are fantastic, and amazingly durable, after the year I've had I find my tastes changing in many ways. I want to up things a notch from my usual 'comfort wear' and give it all a bit more flair while still being true to who I am. While Cocktail Dresses will always have a place in my life and my wardrobe as a New Yorker, at heart I'm that girl that would rather see my world from the vantage point of a horse with the wind whipping through my hair! If there is such a thing as a 'Sophisticated Casual Look' for me Equestrian is it! The jacket runs true to size, it is fitted but gives me room to move my arms freely, when picking out an Equestrian Jacket, lift your arms up to your shoulder and make sure the jacket isn't so tight or fitted that you can't do so. This jacket definitely met my expectation of LL Bean quality, warm and a wonderful fit in a fashionable color. (I am trying to force myself to stop getting everything in Black, particularly clothing!) The boots are phenomenal. As a wide width foot with athletic calves finding boots has always been a challenge for me. These are quality leather boots in a water-resistant leather. I will tell you that they feel surprisingly glove like when you first put them on, even a bit snug, but don't be discouraged by that, the leather WILL stretch with you and the heel height is low but very comfortable, you can wear these all these day, and not have a difficult break in period.

These were both a hit with me and thankfully they were way too big for my niece because she wanted to steal them the moment she saw them! I owe you guys a personal picture of me wearing all these, I have worn them, but no one nabbed a picture, I promise the next time I wear them both together I will have someone snap a picture for me !

Nab a Deal:

My inner fashionista is especially excited about getting it for less and nabbing a great deal, right now you can score a Free $10 Gift Card with the purchase of $50 or more at LL Bean. Place a qualifying order online or from any catalog and you will receive a gift card by email within 24 hours. Make a qualifying purchase in any LL Bean retail store and receive your gift card right at the register, How cool is that? For details about this promotion, you may visit llbean.com/promocard.

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like LL Bean on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @LLBean on Twitter

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received in exchange for this post, however all products featured were provided to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for editorial consideration; all opinions expressed are 100% my own and I've been shopping LL Bean decades longer than I've been blogging, I have a genuine affinity for the brand and it's durable products!

Today's Words of Inspiration: Let's send light, strength and prayers to the families affected by today's tragic shooting! #PrayersForNewton

I've been watching the news unfold new details of the tragic shooting today at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. I am deeply saddened, and am joining in the prayers being sent to the students, teachers, and the families who are suffering a loss no one should ever know. There are various groups out there using their social media for good, and the one for those on Twitter is #PrayersforNewton,

In light of today's tragedy I know it seems impossible to turn our hearts toward inspiration, but it's only with sending light and love to the victims that we can begin to heal. Many moms expressed on Facebook that they are planning to hug their kids extra hard today, and I plan to do the same with my nieces and nephews.

If you can think of nothing to be grateful for today, be thankful you are home, be thankful if your child made it home safely from school today. As an inspiration based community let's find a way to encourage one another and take our energies to a place of  healing. Post any prayers and thoughts here, all comments are moderated so I respectfully ask that you refrain from posting any hate messages to the shooter here, this is NOT the forum or place for that kind of hate and anger.

As a former Special Ed Teacher myself, I shudder to think that this could have easily been my school. A school that wasn't in an area nearly as nice as Newton, a school where there were students with special needs and broken homes. It's such a sad state of our times that our elementary schools now need to up their security measures to ensure the safety of children!

I hope all of your little butterflies made it home today safely!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post!

Find out what The Fitzgerald Family Christmas starring @Ed_Burns have to do with @themoms and @pagesix! #fitzmas #Mamarazzi

Theatrical Poster for the movie 'Fitzgerald Family Christmas'

So Ascending Butterfly finally gets invited to a Page Six worthy event, and she couldn't attend! What's a Butterfly to do? Research Last Minute Cloning Options, Make a rally cry to the heavens? Never to fear, Mama Butterfly is always near and she stepped in for me and covered a very special Mamarazzi event for the movie screening of Ed Burns latest movie release The Fitzgerald Family Christmas which he also wrote the screenplay for AND directed! 

Synopsis/About Fitzgerald Family Christmas: 

With The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, Ed Burns returns to the working-class, Irish-American roots of The Brothers McMullen. Reuniting with McMullen co-stars Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), and Mike McGlone, along with Noah Emmerich (Little Children, Beautiful Girls) and Kerry Bishé (Newlyweds, Red State), Burns seamlessly weaves an ensemble story of adult siblings dealing with the desire of their estranged father (Ed Lauter, The Artist, The Longest Yard) to return home for Christmas for the first time since he walked out on his family 20 years ago. Family rifts emerge, and like with any family, Christmas brings a mixed bag of complicated emotions and dynamics. Alliances form, old wounds are reopened or glossed over, and the possibility for a new hope and forgiveness emerges.

Con la Navidad de la familia de Fitzgerald, quemaduras vuelve a las clase trabajadora, raices de irlandes-estadounidense de los hermanos McMullen. Reencuentro con co-estrellas McMullen Connie Britton (de Friday Night Lights) y Mike McGlone, junto con Noah Emmerich (ninos pequenos, las chicas guapas) y Kerry Bishe recien casados (rojo), quemaduras perfectamente teje una historia de conjunto de hermanos adultos relacionados con el deseo de su padre (Ed Lauter, el artista, The Longest Yard) para regresar a casa para la Navidad por primera vez desde que salio de su familia hace 20 anos. Surgen divisiones familiares, y como con cualquier familia, la Navidad trae un grup heterogeneo de emociones complejas y dinamicas. Formulario de alianzas, reabrio viejas heridas o alto, y surge la posibilidad de una nueva esperanza y perdon.

Pre Screening Excitement:

 

We got the chance to try out some awesome teas and got bags of very delicious popcorn! Cheese flavored, Salt and Vinegar Flavored and Wasabi!

Left: Melissa Gerstein Right: Denise Albert

The Questions and Answers:

Left: Melissa Gerstein, Center: Ed Burns, Right: Denise Albert

One of my favorite parts of Mamarazzi movie Screenings with The Moms is the opportunity the bloggers in attendance get to ask questions of one of the film's stars! It reminds me of my 'pro' film critic days on Press Junkets, but thankfully with much less travel because the screenings are much closer to home! It's definitely been a month of 'hollywood hunks' here at Ascending Butterfly this month, first getting to interview Gerard Butler regarding his new movie Playing for Keeps and now getting the chance to ask Ed Burns questions about The Fitzgerald Family Christmas!

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

Q. What did you draw upon in your own personal life that came out on film and in the writing of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas?

Ed Burns: "A lot of people think these films, especially “The Brothers McMullen” are autobiographical. It is in fact that the Fitzgerald family comes from the exact same place that I came from — working class, Long Island, Irish-Catholic from that neighborhood. So certainly, who I am, how I was raised and the people I was friends with are a big part of who these people are. That said, any of the major plot points I never pull from my family's experience for the simple reason that I don't want a Christmas like this one!"

There are some little things that I pulled from my family and extended family. For example, my wife's tradition, which I never heard of before, is to all wear matching pajamas on Christmas Eve. So I was like all right, I'm going to steal this for the film. And it's something we do now with our kids.

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

Q. Would you ever put Christy in your movies?

Ed Burns: Christy said on our very first date: 'Look, for the last 10 years I've been offered dozens of parts in movies. I don't want to be an actress so if you want a second date promise me you won't ever ask.' So I never have.

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

 

Q. Is it true that you're going to do a 20th reunion of “The Brothers McMullen?

Ed Burns: We're going to do a sequel, I just started writing the script. The plan is that the first movie came out in 1995 and ideally we'd like to get it out by 2015. It's going to be a good one.

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

Q. What inspires you to write your films?

Ed Burns: They come from different places. I acted in a movie last year with Tyler Perry called “Alex Cross” and he had just re-watched 'The Brothers McMullen.“ And he said your first two movies were so successful that had to do with these Irish-Catholic families and you haven't gone back there in 15 years. Take a look at what I'm doing, the empire I'm building. You have to super serve your niche. Your audience loved those two movies, give them another one. The minute he said it I knew he was right so I started writing the screenplay for “The Fitzgerald Family Christmas.“

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

Q. Do you think your focus has changed making movies, writing since having kids?

Ed Burns: To be quite honest, I've never sat down and thought about myself as a husband and a father when I was writing a screenplay. So now my oldest is 9 years old, so this will be the first script that I'm really looking at fatherhood, marriage, child-rearing. That said, there's no way that being a father and a husband hasn't changed the way I thought about my parents, my friends' parents and the challenges they must have experienced and what all parents must deal with. That definitely shaped the writing in this but it wasn't something that I consciously sat down to do.

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

Q. How do you balance it all?

Ed Burns: Both of our jobs require us to travel. And I made a decision at a certain point that if I want to be the dad I want to be that means I have to stay in New York. So that means I have to focus more on my filmmaking, which I can control and keeps me in town. But I sort of said, I won't go take an acting part that will take me to Australia for four months. And I'm lucky that I'm not just an actor because having to make those decisions would be difficult

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

 

Q. When you're on the set and your kids have something and you're late, do you ever feel guilty as a working dad?

Ed Burns: All parents these days feel guilt. When you're the director, you call the shots, so if there is something that is very important that I need to be at, we schedule around it. I also think you have to have the healthy perspective that kids want to see their parents work, be engaged, happy and satisfied, even little kids. We don't need to be there as much as we think we need to. They're OK.

Ed Burns being interviewed during a Questions and Answers Sessions post  film screening of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas in New York City

 

Q. Would you let your two children follow in your footsteps? 

Ed Burns: The rule is after 18 we'll help them do what they want to do. Get through high school, get into college. While you're in school, if you want to pursue acting or modeling or photography, we'll help you. But nothing until 18. 

Check Out The Video Here:

Fitzgerald Family Christmas is available on Video on Demand and in theaters starting December 7th!

If you want to get Social about The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, you can follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #fitzmas

Special Thanks to Mama Butterfly for covering for me! Here is a picture of my mom with Ed Burns (Cool right?) I think my fellow Beauty Mavens will understand when I post about exactly where I was instead! ;-)
 

Left: Mama Butterfly! Right: Ed Burns!

 

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received by Ascending Butterfly to share our recap of the movie or our experience, we attended a private Press screening and had the opportunity to interview Ed Burns at that time.