Guess who wore @IGIGI to the @TorridFashion Holiday Collection Preview Party in New York City? #Fashion

If you guessed ME, then you are right! I got a chance to preview Torrid's Holiday Collection on a beautiful night in New York City and I definitely wore IGIGI! (Stay tuned this week because a little butterfly told me a special Holiday IGIGI gift is coming YOUR way soon! Being a butterfly in the know has it's privileges!).

Torrid is making a concerted effort to modernize their look, and appeal to plus size women who want to find clothes that are 'on trend' and not just 'fit'. Us curvy ladies are large and in charge and will no longer settle for clothes that just fit, they need to say something! They need to reflect your personality.  And if your personality says bold and ready to shine then ladies give Torrid a try!

Here are some photo highlights from the 2013 Holiday Collection Preview Party in New York City hosted by Gabi Fresh: (My personal photos are watermarked, non-watermarked photos are from Torrid's Facebook Page!)

Torrid introduces the 2013 Holiday Collection

Far Right Blogger Gabi Fresh!

No outfit is complete without the right Accessories, Torrid's got you covered there too!

Full Moon in New York City 

Tracy, Ascending Butterfly Founder and Butterfly-in-Chief, is wearing the IGIGI Miwa Top with revsersible waist-cinching obi belt and Penelope Skirt in Malachite Green and Naturalizer Dinka Boot

Tracy, Ascending Butterfly Founder and Butterfly-in-Chief, is wearing the IGIGI Miwa Top with revsersible waist-cinching obi belt and Penelope Skirt in Malachite Green and Naturalizer Dinka Boot, bracelet is by Jade and Jasper

East Coast Fashion Bloggers and Online Influencers enjoying the rooftop vibe during the Torrid Holiday Collection 2013 Preview Party in New York City!

Parting is such sweet sorrow!

My Take:

Like any brand not every single look worked for me, but I do like the new collection and it truly manages to offer women of all sizes something on trend that's stylish and fun! 

Butterflies take a peek at the holiday lookbook and let us know what catches your eye!

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

FTC Disclosure: Torrid provided Ascending Butterfly with Press Access to the 2013 Holiday Collection Preview Party in NYC for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

{FLASH #GIVEAWAY} #Win a pair of Tickets to the New York City Autumn Wine Festival from @SmoothJazzNY & @Ascending1

Are your Halloween decorations still out? Even though it's not even Thanksgiving yet are the Christmas commercials putting a little 'bah' in your 'humbug'? If you are not yet in the holiday spirit and want to reset your batteries before the madness of holiday shopping begins, I've got just the thing for you!

Would the chance to enjoy over 200 expertly selected Fine Wines put the holiday cheer in your step? Check out video below from the 4th Annual New York City Winter Wine Fest - 2013 Winter Wine Festival:





About the Festival:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Extraordinary Venue: Conrad New York - A lower Manhattan Luxury Hotel will offer a spectacular setting

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 200+ Fine Wines expertly curated by Vintry Fine Wines from around the globe

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Small Plates and Cheeses by Conrad New York's exclusive caterer - Union Square Events

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Taste and Keep - A beautiful Riedel Wine Glass is yours to keep after the event ($30 Value)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Live Music - What would a Smooth Jazz event be without great music right? Gil Parris Live Contemporary Jazz Grammy-Nominated Guitar Virtuoso and his band will be the musical backdrop to each session. He is known for his special blend of Blues, Jazz, Rock and Smooth Jazz!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pick YOUR session, 3pm or 8pm

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Optional Wine Classes led by the American Sommelier's Association of premier sommeliers will offer a minimum of 5 additional palate-pleasing selections and a thought provoking look behind the wines. The Classes Include: 'History in the Tasting', 'Principles of Blind Tasting', and 'Sugar & Spice and Everything Twice'

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Stay the night - Make it a weekend with special deluxe room rates starting at $299

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - And my favorite part? - A portion of the festival's proceeds will benefit Creative Arts Workshops for Kids! - CAW - www.CAW4Kids.org is a nonprofit arts education and youth development organization dedicated to empowering urban youth and underserved Upper Manhattan Communities through the use of the arts!

WIN IT:

Please note butterflies this is a FLASH GIVEAWAY, this giveaway ends at 12 am on Wednesday and the winner must confirm before 24 hours, please do not enter if you cannot attend on Saturday, November 9th! That is THIS Saturday!

Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

FTC Disclosure: Smooth Jazz has provided Ascending Butterfly with Press Access to the NYC Autumn Wine Festival for Editorial Consideration and is providing one Ascending Butterfly reader entry to the Festival as well. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. Ascending Butterfly and giveaway sponsors are NOT responsible for lost, late, or mis-directed mail, one entry per household.

#ad: I got celebrated with a #StaplesSymphony and YOU get a chance to win a $100 @Staples Gift Card! {#Giveaway}

My night at the New York Philharmonic must have started something because I recently had the chance to turn an everyday errand into something pretty grand! A visit to Staples Flagship New York City Store in Manhattan to buy replacement Printer Ink Cartridges resulted in me being celebrated by a 20 piece orchestra! Before you say 'just another day in New York' I have to tell you it was pretty out of the ordinary!

Aside from those old 'you're the millioneth customer' balloon greetings, it's not everyday any retailer just opts to celebrate every single customer that walks in the door! Nevertheless with a full on orchestra! It took mostly everyone by surprise as you can see in the video below:

What few people know about me is that I've been a digital Entrepreneur in some form or another since late High School/early College, I've run a Graphic Design firm, a Translation and Transcription Service, and was running an internet professional association that went international in the late 90's! Your butterfly has been at this for a long time now lovelies; and in my latest career incarnation (or is that incarnations since it's way more than one thing I'm dabbling in at the moment): a Career/Life Coach, Freelance Writer, Social Media Consultant and of course Lifestyle Blogger. I'm no stranger to Office Supply stores that's for sure, but Staples does tend to always be my go-to, and before green became a buzzword, I was participating in the Staples Ink Recycling program since they first offered it!

Check out the #StaplesSymphony! Photo Credit: Tilson Public Relations

Did you know?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Each year Staples recycles 65 million ink and toner cartridges!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Each year Staples.com sells approximately 10 million ink and toner cartridges and 45 million in store! (that's a lot of ink!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Staples retail stores carry 650 SKUS for Ink AND Toner and on Staples.com you can find 4,000 (double the amount since 2012!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can hop on the Reward train and join Staples Rewards where members printer ink cartridges and toner supply orders SHIP FREE when ordered online + members can earn 5% back in Staples Rewards!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $2 in Staples Rewards for EACH ink and toner cartridge recycled.

I actually have two active printers right now (I print A LOT!) I use one exclusively for images (Kodak) and the other (HP) for contracts, event invites and office stuff! I needed replacement ink for the one I use most often for office printing, this one:

I like to stock up on the combo pack and just before I have to open the last combo pack I go buy three more so I never run out when I need to print something important! This is the one I normally select:

Of course it's this one, there's a BUTTERFLY on the box! :-)

Here is the video of my #StaplesSymphony Shopping Experience:



My Take:

While the nature of my entrepreneurial endeavors may change and fluctuate, the one thing I know for sure is that I can find what I need to keep my home office supplied in style with Staples! Did you know they re-designed their site? Making it easier to navigate and find your rewards, with a faster search and checkout and MORE products and deals! You can use the hashtag #newandimproved to tweet @Staples and let them know what you think of the new site!

Get Social:

Visit www.Staples.com to find a store near you or place an ink or toner order online (don't forget to sign up for Staples Rewards first if you don't already have a rewards card), you can check out their latest promotions, news and giveaways via Facebook and Twitter! (And don't forget to get your extra credit entries in the rafflecopter giveaway below for following Staples on their social pages!)

Win It:

Use the rafflecopter form below to enter for the chance to win a $100 Staples Gift Card! Use it to purchase Office Supplies or Holiday Gifts, the choice is YOURS!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What will you buy if you win the $100 Staples Gift Card Butterfly?

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

FTC Disclosure: Staples has provided Ascending Butterfly a gift card for Editorial Consideration and is providing one Ascending Butterfly reader a gift card as well, however all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. Ascending Butterfly and giveaway sponsors are NOT responsible for lost, late, or mis-directed mail, one entry per household.

#ThrowbackThursday - The #HappyHalloween & How to Stump Serial Killer Jason Edition!

Throwback Thursday Photo of Ascending Butterfly dressed as Josie from Josie & The Pussycats

Happy Throwback Thursday Butterflies! In honor of Halloween I just couldn't resist sharing one of my favorite Halloween Photos from childhood. Check me out dressed as Josie from Josie and the Pussycats! Do you remember that cartoon?

You all know how much I love Horror Movies, it's always been my favorite movie genre (I was the kid who slipped a Fangoria Magazine into her textbook to get in some extra horror knowledge during the day!), so I couldn't resist this find from Facebook where someone finally stumps serial killer Jason from the Friday the 13th movies:

This photo takes trick or treat smell my feet a little too literally! LOL

HAPPY HALLOWEEN BUTTERFLIES! ARE YOU DRESSING UP TODAY?

P.S. A little butterfly told me that our Holiday Buying Guide will be starting earlier this year to ensure ample delivery time for the holidays and our first giveaway starts tomorrow! But shhhhh, don't tell anyone! ;-)

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored/compensated post, just some Halloween fun!

Did you miss the @TheLuxuryReview event in New York City? Check out my Photo Highlights!

I could have easily titled this post My 2013 Christmas Wish List, as this exclusive press showcase and ultimate shopping event of well curated brands and items for those of discerning taste who really appreciate the finer things in life was certainly a luxury lovers dream.

Industries on hand included automotive, aviation, fashion, jewelry & timepieces, luggage, wine & spirits, electronics and more! There were some major debuts including the 2014 McLaren 12C Spider courtesy of McLaren Long Island and LG Electronics USA also showcased the debut of it's razor thin 55 inch CURVED OLED TV. They also featured the LG G2 Smartphone (which if you remember I attended the Global Launch for this phone in New York City, you can see that coverage HERE). They also displayed their newly expanded line of Ultra Hi-Def TV's led by the 84-inch UHD model with four times the resolution of today's HDTV's in their ultra high-tech lounge.

Check out my Photo Highlights:

Tache Artisan Chocolate treated attendees to chocolates using the finest ingredients, with no artificial colorings, flavorings or additives!

ClearJet the first flat fee direct access marketplace for Jet Charters!

Elite Mobile Cigars - They designed a very special cigar called 'The Stanyon Cigar' whose proceeds benefit Heart to Heart Foundation - www.heart-heart.net - Created for the parents of two sisters, each one killed in a car accident exactly 19 months apart, those tragedies resulted in organ donations and the parents are now passionate advocates of organ donation. You know just how much Ascending Butterfly loves featuring Brands that GIVE Back, and their passion for their products and for their amazing cause made this particular brand a stand out for me!

Oddly enough I met with Chivas Regal, twice in that same night, first during The Luxury Review and then again later that night at the Hispanicize NYC Meetup at the CopaCabana Night Club! Apparently much like me, they are very social butterflies!

DRESSAGE Collection showcased a stunning collection of luxury handbags!

Santa Baby, put some DRESSAGE under the tree, for me......

Yes, Ascending Butterfly is Handbag obsessed!

Cooks, Chefs and serious foodies already know the Wusthof Brand and their quality knives!

Louis IX uses the finest textiles and fabrics and also offer an exclusive concierge service!

Anatomie from Europe offer modern, feminine and sophisticated styles for women!

Armand Diradourian Cashmere showcased a mix of home, clothing and travel goodies! I only wish there was 'touch-o-vision' so you could feel how soft and cozy their cashmere is!

I would also love Santa to slip something Cashmere and Fab under my tree!

House of Horology presented their timepieces in a most unique way! Those fish are styling in that tank!

Eleven James offers an annual membership program that is helping to redefine how luxury watches are being discovered, this takes 'of the month' club's to a whole new level that's for sure!

Hartmann presented their luggage, business cases, and totes! You know just how much I love Travel, and they are making me think it's time for a new suitcase in my life!

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars presented a selection of their finest wines! I enjoyed the Chardonay as well as the Cabernet!

Technogel Sleeping presented their pillows and mattresses, I definitely want Santa to slip both of them under my tree!

Iride Italian Bicycles presented their hand crafted bicycles (since 1919) that are now available in North America!

Stunning Jewelry on display by Trunfio Jewels

LG Electronics John Taylor shows off the 55-inch 55EA9800 ($9,999) curved-screen Full HD 1080p OLED TV at the Rand Luxury Review in New York

LG 65" CLASS ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION 4K TV WITH SMART TV (64.5" DIAGONALLY)

84" CLASS ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION 3D TV WITH SMART TV (83.9" DIAGONALLY)

I think I need to pimp my Family Room's TV, looks like LG has something for everyone!

Disaronno created a signature punch for the occasion!

Mina D Jewelry presented their jewelry - and because you know I love brands that give back, I have to point out their Jeni Bracelet a jade and agate bracelet with a sterling silver ribbon charm 15% of the proceeds from this bracelet will be donated to the American Diabetes Association! (A very thoughtful holiday gift for someone you love who has Diabetes)

The Puku Charger is a powerful, portable and rechargeable battery for smart phones, tables mobile or hand-held devices with USB Chargers! Perfect for us busy blogger on the go that's for sure. I'm thinking perfect stocking stuffer!

Akribos which means exact and precise in Greece offer watches with a bold and industrial look that has received rave reviews - Ladies stuff this in his stocking this year, and you will score MAJOR brownie points!

Signature Car Collection offer an un-paralleled car rental experience!

You know how much I love red, wouldn't I look fab behind the wheel of this car? BTW, I'm totally rocking my new Margherita Wrap Dress in Turquoise from IGIGI! My shoes are Earthies (The Veria Too Style) and my bracelet is Jade & Jasper!

Here are some Video Highlights I found on YouTube:

My Take:

I loved that such a wide variety of brands were brought together to create such a fun and exciting event! There were a few more brands in attendance than shown above, I really need to remember that the hi-res setting uses so much memory!

Which Brand Featured Above is YOUR Favorite? Which of these would you want to see under the tree this year?

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

FTC Disclosure: LG Electronics provided Ascending Butterfly with Press Access to The Luxury Review for editorial consideration, all opinions are 100% my own. I have NOT been compensated to share my event recap coverage, nor were there gift bags just so you know! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.