#ad: Is furthering your Education part of your 2014 Long Term Goals? Find out how to score a 10K Scholarship to do just that! #spon

#ad: This is a Sponsored Post on behalf of Scholarships 4 Moms

I for one have been in 2014 planning mode for awhile now. Both long and short term goals are swirling around my head. From personal to professional there are a myriad of goals I have set for myself and a new year is the ideal time to begin working on them.

I worked three part time jobs and had landed a few merit scholarships to cover my College Tuition. It wasn't easy, but I know the sacrifices I made to pursue to my degree were very much worth it. Post College was a whirlwind of work and I shelved my Master's Degree dream because I was on a career path that kept me very busy.

I want to go back. I want to pursue a Master's, and I'm sure I'm not alone. I'm probably busier now then I was right after College, but despite having way more on my plate, I am not going to let anything, including this lousy economy stand in my way. I have never let any obstacle stand in the way of something I really want for myself.

5 Tips for any Adult Considering Returning to College:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Choose a Degree that is PROFITABLE - Adults have less time to experiment and knowing which Degree is 'profitable' in the long run is going to be half the battle won!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - STEM initiatives (acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are not just for younger students! Educations focusing on the Technical and Scientific Fields are actually a bit easier to find Scholarships for. I am NOT saying it will be easy to land them, but there is a bigger need especially for women in these fields and there are scholarships out there geared to students who wish to pursue a scientific or technical career!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Exhaust all options as 2013 acceptance rates showed heightened School Selectivity. It's even harder for Adult returning students to compete for those Golden Acceptance Letters, you need to be creative and exhaust as many options as possible.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Consider Distance Learning. Who said the only way to get a Degree is to attend an actual campus? Your dining room table can be your study hall, with a Distance Learning Degree, College comes to YOU on your schedule whenever, wherever.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Start with what you already know - Sit with a counselor or academic advisor to find out how your real world experience may translate into credits toward your degree. Your experience and maturity is actually an ADVANTAGE not a dis-advantage!

$10,000 Scholarship 4 Moms Sweepstakes:

Exhausting every possible option for funding is just plain smart! How about the chance to win $10K to return to school?

Benefits of entering:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - No Essay to complete!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - No GPA Score Required to Participate!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Short Registration Form!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - $10,000 to put toward the start of your DREAMS!

Instead of asking Why? Ask Why Not?

Are you still here?

WIN IT:

Visit HERE and enter for your chance to win $10,000 to put toward your Degree! If you are a mom all I can say is this, aside from your children, your degree is the second biggest job with sacrifices you'll ever love and NEVER regret! Go for it! (I always say before any entering any competition, check out the Official Rules first!)

MY TAKE:

As a Career and Life Coach I can tell you that a Degree is a must! Hiring Managers in this economy can be way more selective, and if you don't have a degree (as a former recruiter) I can tell you a hiring manager is going to lean toward the candidate who has that Degree!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign brought to you by Scholarships 4 Moms and Mom Bloggers Club. 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.

#ad: I get rewarded just for making someone smile, do YOU? #HallmarkCardRewards

#ad: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Hallmark and Latina Bloggers Connect.

I get rewarded just for making those I know and love smile! Just for letting them know I was thinking of them! Something I do even when it's not a particularly special occasion. I love to celebrate everyday moments and victories with friends and families, not just the major milestones! I learned the hard way last year that everyday moments are 'the special moments'! And I love the look on a friend or family member's face when I surprise them with a 'real card'. The smile on my niece or my nephew butterfly faces when I send them a card in the mail just because they got an A on a 'hard test' or won an award for team sports is priceless!

I actually get rewarded TWICE (but please don't tell them that!). The first is for the happiness that my card gives them, and the second is via Hallmark Rewards! Yes that's right, you get rewarded for buying cards! NICE, verdad? (verdad? = right?) :-) So if I go in and buy cards for co-workers, friends and family and I purchase at or about 50 individual cards (this is for individual cards, not boxed sets) I get one reward for every 5 cards I buy; so if I nab 50 cards, I'll end up with 10 rewards that I can use for either Lands End, Applebee's, Omaha Steaks and Cherry Moon Farms! Pretty sweet deal!

Get the lowdown on Hallmark Card Rewards:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get rewarded everywhere you buy Hallmark Cards at more than 30,000 grocery stores, drug stores, and supermarkets across the U.S. for selecting individual cards and NOT for boxed greetings!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Earn 1 reward for every 5 Hallmark Cards Purchased. Rewards include gift cards, discounts, dollars off, and more from rewards partners including: Starbucks, Nike, Applebee's, Land's End, Omaha Steaks and many others!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Download the Hallmark Card Rewards mobile app (for Android and iPhone) to easily scan the bar-code on the back of your purchased Hallmark Cards and register your rewards for your account.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Register today for Hallmark Card Rewards at http://bit.ly/1hK3ijP

Hallmark has been a Holiday Tradition for my family as my mom would buy a new holiday ornament at various Hallmark locations during her travels in and out of the city, it's a ritual we still do to this day! We like to get collectible ornaments especially and each year we run over to get the next ornament in several series we are collecting for our tree! Our tree decorations are NOT complete until we add this year's newest store ornament!

One of our favorite types of ornaments to collect are the carousel horses, Hallmark always gets great ones and a new one each year, I have this one, it's one of my favorites:

Photo Credit: Coppertonlane.com

Another of our favorites are the Hallmark Holiday Barbie Collector's Series Ornaments, here is one I'd like to add to my growing collection:

Photo Credit: Highwire.com

Hallmark is a special part of my holidays year after year! 

BUTTERFLIES: what is your favorite gift to buy at Hallmark or do you just focus on cards? (Either Way, be sure to get rewarded for your purchases!) 

If anyone saves up enough rewards, I LOVE Applebees riblets by the way! So if you save up enough you treat to dinner OK? Wink! WInk! :-)

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FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign brought to you by Hallmark and Latina Bloggers Connect. 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.

Highlights and #Photos from the @hayariparis Parfum Launch @HenriBendel #NewYorkCity

Who is that woman in your life? You know the decidedly feminine one with a vanity not filled with a ton of 'cheap' scents but one classic one? One Vanity worthy beautiful bottle of her signature scent?

The women in my family all have very different senses of style, but are all very feminine and in many ways romantics at heart. As a girl I used to love watching my Mom get ready to go out, I was amazed by her ritual which always ended with her 'walking into' her scent.

As for me, it's hard to find a women's fragrance that doesn't go over the top with the florals to prove it's feminine and that has always been my biggest issue with women's fragrance. What use is beautiful packaging if the fragrance inside doesn't meet the mark?

Creating a fragrance is an art, finding your signature scent is certainly a journey, and the memories you create wearing it is the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned!

I recently had the opportunity to attend the launch of Hayari Parfums Paris debut at fine shopping retailer Henri Bendel in New York City. I knew if the House of 'Hayari Couture' was behind this trio of luxury fragrances that the packaging would certainly be beautiful and it did not disappoint, but what stands out is how ultra-feminine the trio really is. They are feminine in a way that harkens to old world romance, back to true sensuality, not just the sexuality that is used to sell everything under the sun now a days!

Table Display at Henri Bendel Hayari Parfums Launch Event in New York City

About the Parfums:

Hayari Parfums Paris: Left: Goldy,  Center: Only for Her,  Right: Broderie

The Scents Individually:

Hayari Parfums Paris, Only For Her

About Only For Her:

Created by 'the nose' behind 3 of Killian's perfumes, this unique scent pays homage to French Classic Elegance!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Top Notes: Freesia, Grapefruit

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Middle Notes: Magnolia, White Peony

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla

Hayari Parfums Paris, Broderie

About Broderie:

The inspiration for this fragrance (my personal favorite of the trio by the way) is embroidery and lace, which designer Nabil Hayari of the House of Hayari uses within his collections as they are the most elegant and glamorous of textiles. (I have a strong feeling my Grand-Mother would have loved this one as much as I do as her embroidery was very much top notch and she would have loved the back story on this scent!). I am also very partial to the Sandalwood and Amber combo!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Top Notes: Mandarin, Peach

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Middle Notes: Lys, Gardenia, Incense

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli Oil, Amber

Hayari Parfums Paris, Goldy

About Goldy:

This is a woody-powdery fragrance created by the nose behind Amouage Memoir Women inspired by glamorous vintage couture (which of course speaks to Nabil Hayari's background as a Couture Fashion Designer!). This is the scent that I received and as I love White Jasmine, Sandalwood and Cedarwood I do like Goldy (but I am a bit more partial to the way Broderie 'dies down' on my body chemistry), Goldy really does marry a combination of singular elements well, it is actually even parts Woody, Powdery and a subtle warm Oriental all at once which means your chemistry may play up one element more than the others, for some reason this one on me remains powdery making it very playful and soft so don't be put off by the 'woody-powder' description it really isn't too much of one or the other but a very smart marriage of the two!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Top Notes: Mugwort, Rosemary

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Middle Notes: White Jasmine, Narcissus, Orange Blossom

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Cedarwood

Nabil Hayari debuts Hayari Parfums Paris at Henri Bendel in New York City

About The Designer, Nabil Hayari:

Drawn to the world of Fashion at a very early age, Mr. Hayari decided to create his own label in 2009, with a mission of bringing to life the type of gowns women dream of wearing. He has dressed Top Models and Princesses, and now with his line of fragrances in their 'blossom' designed packaging combining the faceting of jewels with the softness of a flower opening, he brings his sense of luxe fashion design to the world of fine fragrance.

At the launch at Henri Bendel's in New York City (The Fifth Avenue Boutique being the home of trendy fashionista's in New York) one of his beautiful gowns was also featured, here are photos from the launch:

Nabil Hayari debuts Hayari Parfums Paris at Henri Bendel in New York City, Isn't this Couture Gown lovely?

Nabil Hayari debuts Hayari Parfums Paris at Henri Bendel in New York City pictured with Team Butterfly! Left: ME! Ascending Butterfly and Right: Mama Butterfly!

My Take:

These are all ultra-feminine, sensual and romantic fragrances that are Vanity Worthy to say the least! These luxe scents are a must for holiday gift giving. (Although any occassion like a birthday and certainly for Valentine's Day would work too!).

There was no time to get this in our Holiday Buying Guide for a giveaway, but hopefully we can bring you something fun for our annual Valentine's 'Love' Guide in February! In the meantime don't forget to get social using the links below and let them know you saw Hayari Parfums Paris featured on Ascending Butterfly and that you'd love to see a reader giveaway soon!

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @hayariparis on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - "Like" on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @HenriBendel on Twitter too!

Butterflies, Which scent resonates with you most? Why?

Bloggers, as usual, I'm not so Wordless, but please feel free to link up your Wordless Wednesday Photo's as a comment to this post so we can all visit your site today too!

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FTC Disclosure: This is an event recap, this is NOT a sponsored or compensated post. All opinions are 100% my own. A sample of Goldy Parfum by Hayari was provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration.  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.

{#Giveaway} @Ascending1 & @ToiletTreeProd want to stuff your stocking with the Professional #Skincare System! 3 Winners!

How about a gift you can't quite put a price on? Confidence. Self-Esteem. Both are boosted when you put your best face forward. And putting it forward everyday with or without cosmetics is what it's all about! Good skincare is at the core of your self-esteem, and while good cosmetics help you hide things, good skincare helps you enhance everything!

Exfoliation is wonderful for the skin but some exfoliation products can be too harsh or even cause tiny abrasions in the skin. All makeup does is go into those abrasions, it doesn't take them away! You have to be super careful about the frequency you exfoliate and what you use.

I love skin scrubbing brushes but had very bad luck with a well known brush on the market constantly konking out on me before the 60 day mark. And when customer service and social media was less than helpful in getting an exchange, I became a bit dis-heartened about using them. But I did miss the benefits!

And as you guys know I'm all in when it comes to trying out new exfoliators, I love what exfoliation does for my skin! And one of my favorite 'pros' when it comes to exfoliation brushes is that they have a brush for face and one for the body as well, and they even have a pumice stone attachment to do your feet!

When I found out ToiletTree Products had a skincare brush I HAD to try it! I have the fogless shower mirror and it's one of my all-time favorite things (in case you missed that review you can check it out HERE), I can tell you their products are definitely built to last and always perform as promised!

I opted to wait a full 90 days before posting a review on this one as I had such bad luck with the pricier systems dying out on me, and I can tell you this one is still going strong. I love that this one is battery operated so it's always ready to go and a great option for travel as you don't have to worry about converters!

About The ToiletTree Products Professional Skincare System (+ benefits):

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Includes: 2 face exfoliators (1 soft for sensitive skin & 1 medium for normal skin), 1 body exfoliator and 1 pumice sphere.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Rotating Facial and Body Brushes Provide Deep Cleansing and Exfoliating

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Reduces the appearance of problem areas such as: oily skin, dry patches, fine lines, blemishes, visible pores, blackheads and wrinkles

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - ideal for both the preparation and removal of cosmetics

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - gentle massaging action helps stimulate new skin cell production, creating firmer & healthy glowing skin

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - cleanses deep to remove stubborn makeup

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - improves skin clarity and appearance

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - removes dead skin cells to expose healthy looking skin

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - enhances absorption of moisturizers

My Take:

This system is perfect for literally everyone on your list! Who doesn't want healthy, glowing and radiant skin? Hard to shop for? CHECK. Teens? CHECK. Men or Women? Check, Check! I can't imagine anyone on your list these wouldn't suit, and the regular price on these won't break the bank! They are actually super budget friendly and do the job as effectively as their pricier (and not so often reliable) counterparts! I LOVE mine, and when I told my friends at ToiletTree Products just how much I love mine and how much I thought YOU would love it too, they decided to join in the fun and offer 3 lucky Butterflies the chance to win The Professional Skin Care System in the color of YOUR choice! WOOT!

Win It:

As always our main entry is easy, peasy nice and breezy! So throw in an entry using rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: This giveaway is being sponsored by Toilet Tree Products, prize fulfillment will be handled directly by sponsor. Ascending Butterfly and giveaway sponsors are not responsible for lost, late or mis-directed mail. One entry per Household. No Purchase Necessary. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and reside in the United States. All opinions are 100% my own. A Professional Skincare System was provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration.  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.

Looking for a #Healthy Snack? @HarvestSnaps has got you covered!

With the advent of the Holiday Season upon us there are going to be a million ways to blow your diet. Holiday Parties with their array of tempting treats, and not let's not even begin to discuss the amount of average calories consumed on Thanksgiving Day. (Although with Black Friday starting earlier and earlier at many retailers you may get to burn quite a few calories pushing and shoving your way in the door for those great deals and bargains!)

If you are looking for a few healthy snack alternatives to have on hand (and at this time of the year who isn't?) I would highly recommend Harvest Snaps. I have to tell you they are the weirdest 'snack idea' you'll forever love. I found myself super skeptical about trying these, but one bite definitely turned my idea of normal late night 'salty snacking' on it's head!

I write best late at night when the world is asleep and all is quiet (well as quiet as City living can be anyway), and I invariably end up craving a late night snack when I'm up late trying to meet deadlines, let's face it, any eating after midnight is pretty much bad eating, so finding a way to minimize the damage to my waistline and keep the cravings at bay in a healthy way is something I'm all for!

Here is what I tried:

Benefits:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Less Fat and less Sodium

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – More Fiber

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Higher Levels of Protein and Vitamin B

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Gluten Free

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – Lower Glycemic Index

My Take:

I enjoyed all of these with Wasabi Ranch, Black Pepper, and Tomato Basil being my stand out favorites of the bunch, but I truly did enjoy each variety. They satisfied my salty cravings and I found myself reaching for them first. Niece and Nephew Butterfly like them also, and had no idea they were 'good for you' snacks, they just thought they were good! These are perfect anytime, but I also tried them as a crunchy topping on a salad which I liked a lot! Post workout or just plain late night snack out the bag you won't be able to stop at just one!

Get Social AND WIN IT:

You want to be sure to get social with Harvest Snaps because they are having a contest to win a bag and try them for yourself with their newest flavor, "Salted Caramel":

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ –  Follow them on Twitter @HarvestSnaps

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ –  "Like" them on Facebook too

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ – WIN A BAG: https://apps.facebook.com/shaketheseason/

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FTC Disclosure: Harvest Snaps were provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration.  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.

#spon @Ascending1 wants YOU to Fall in Love with @IGIGI with a $75 Holiday Shopping Spree! {#Giveaway} #Fashion

#Sponsored - Prizes are being sponsored by:

By now it's no surprise just how much I love IGIGI by Yuliya as I have been wearing their Fashion quite a bit and sharing my pictures with you from events that I have been proudly wearing clothing by IGIGI Style. From dresses to separates to career and outwear and pretty much everything in between, there is literally something for everyone at IGIGI.

IGIGI clothes are cut with Curvy Women in mind, and are not only figure flattering, but always on trend! No more 'Moo-Moo's' or tunics ladies!  IGIGI clothes are not about HIDING your figure, they are all about ENHANCING it and showing it off!

I am in love with their Fall Collection and have worn quite a few pieces from this collection to various events and have felt confident and received tons of compliments. Here are some photos of me wearing pieces from IGIGI's Fall Collection (others are not in the fall collection but I am providing direct links to all pieces featured):

Ascending Butterfly is wearing the IGIGI Miwa Top in Black, (the top with comes with the Obi-Belt Sash pictured) and the matching IGIGI Penelope Pencil Skirt in Malachite Green.

Same outfit as above!

Ascending Butterfly is wearing the IGIGI Margherita Wrap Dress in Turquoise

Left: Ascending Butterfly (with hair in bun) is wearing the IGIGI Luella top in Red, this color is no longer available but the top is available in 'Garden Green' HERE

Which item from the Fall Collection is your personal fave? (Commenting here with a link to your favorite piece in the Fall Collection will get you extra credit entries in the giveaway! Woot! Woot!)

My Take:

I only have one problem with IGIGI, I like EVERYTHING! Definitely a good problem to have right? Usually us 'curvies' have trouble finding clothes that not just fit but actually flatter, with IGIGI I can tell you I haven't found an outfit I don't like. I'm a huge fan of separates because of their versatility, but with IGIGI I have actually been wearing more dresses and skirts which I used to shy away from until now! I feel more confident in IGIGI and find myself reaching for them each and every time I go into my closet. They are definitely helping me win the battle of the age old closet dilemma of 'not having anything to wear'!

DISCOUNTS:

PRE-BLACK FRIDAY SALE - EXTRA 25% OFF SELECT CATEGORIES!

Code: THANKSNSAVE

Sale ends 11/22 at 12 pm PST

FREE GROUND SHIPPING on all Continental U.S. orders of $150 or more and 50% off on ALL International Orders! Offer Ends 12/31

WIN IT:

I want you to fall in love with IGIGI too, and when I told my friends at IGIGI that November is our annual holiday buying guide month, they wanted to join in the fun and give one lucky Ascending Butterfly Reader a gift certificate to have a shopping spree of their own just in time for the holidays! (Ladies they have some beaded gowns that will knock your socks off for New Years Eve!)

Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: This giveaway is being sponsored by IGIGI, prize fulfillment will be handled directly by sponsor. Ascending Butterfly and giveaway sponsors are not responsible for lost, late or mis-directed mail. One entry per Household. No Purchase Necessary. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and reside in the United States. All opinions are 100% my own. Fashions were provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration.  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.

{Wordless Wednesday} The if I were a #Tarot Card I'd be the @DoreenVirtue444 #Butterfly Maiden of course edition!

Butterfly Maiden Tarot Card: Transformation - "You are experiencing enormous change right now, which brings great blessings"

No words even necessary as to why this card applies to me right?

Fellow Bloggers Please Leave the Link to your Wordless Wednesday Posts as a comment, no formal linky around here, but we would love to check out your photo for today and say hi! (No Giveaways Please!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is not a Sponsored Post!

#MotivationMonday: Season of Giving: @RMHC 11th annual “Give A Hand” fundraiser + #TwitterParty! #togetherness

Happy Motivation Monday Butterflies! To keep with the theme of the day I wanted to share an important giving initiative with you as well as info on an upcoming twitter party and a phenomenal contest too!

From November 10th through November 20th you can purchase a paper hand in various denominations including $1, $3, or $5 at McDonald's restaurants. The hands are a physical reminder to 'lend a hand' to support those in need served by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The paper hands will be displayed in restaurants throughout the month of November, but this year there are two new elements to the campaign I wanted to bring to your attention:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - McDonald's Augmented Reality - After purchasing a hand in restaurants, donors can upload a McDonald's Augmented Reality app on their smart phone to receive a one-of-a-kind "thank you" message from Ronald McDonald hmself. (I personally think this is a phenomenal way to involve children in the spirit of giving this holiday season!) You can engage in the "Give A Hand" conversation online using the hashtag #GiveAHand on twitter.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - McDonald's Family Togetherness Photo Contest - Celebrate family togetherness for a chance to win a $5,000 family vacation and other great McDonald's and Snapfish prizes. Enter a photo and small description of what Family Togetherness means to you from Family Game Nights to celebrations to coming together in times of need.

Grand Prize: $5,000 travel voucher, $500 to spend at Snapfish and McDonalds's Prize Pack

30 First Prizes: McDonald's Prize Pack and $200 at Snapfish

50 Second Prizes: $25 Arch Gift Card and Snapfish Photo Book

and a Free Gift just for Entering: Set of (20) 4x8 photo cards

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not visiting a local restaurant before the 20th and want to get involved? Check out Season of Giving a unique web experience that shows various stressors that cause worry in the mind of a sick child's father and how each stressor is relieved with the help of RHMC, visit http://www.rmhc.org/season-of-giving to learn  more and to donate as well.

TWITTER PARTY:

Who: @RMHC

What: Season of Giving Twitter Party

When: December 10 at 6:00 pm CST

Official Party Hashtag: #togetherness

MY TAKE:

Exploring ways to share in the true meaning of the holidays and give to others who need help the most is what it's all about, I hope all my butterflies will donate, and I hope you will also take part in the Family Togetherness Photo Contest and the upcoming Twitter Party as well! The more you give butterflies, the more the Universe blesses you and enables you to share!

Butterflies, How Does Your Family Share in the Spirit of Giving During the Holiday Season?

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FTC Disclosure: I am a Ronald McDonald House Children's Charities Brand Ambassador, however this is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own. This is NOT a compensated post and my work with RMHC is voluntary! 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.

Weekly Moment of #Gratitude: The subtle and not so subtle shifts edition! #inspiration #motivation #change

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not focusing on insensitivity! - As a life long New Yorker I have to admit I was outraged to hear of the two women who dressed as The Twin Towers being destroyed as a 'Halloween Costume' and the woman who opted to dress like a Boston Marathoner, I can't say I can begin to understand what went through their heads. But this weekend an event took me to the site. I have mixed feelings when I visit there. It's become a bit of a tourist attraction and there were folks trying to sell stuff to the tourists to make money which did not make me happy, I don't think it's right for someone to try and profit from the tragedy that occurred that day. But when I took in the scene there this weekend, there is excitement and hope that something has finally been done with the location. That New York took it back, we came together, re-grouped and decided to re-build. Is what was ultimately done with the site going to please everyone? Probably not, but something did need to go there. That empty hole, that space needed new life and like it or not, there is something there, life must and will go on. Instead of focusing on what's not, on the horror and tragedy that occurred that day, I took a moment to focus on what the space can now become, and I'm going to let that fill me with hope.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Receiving! - I'm normally the giver in most of my relationships, and when someone gives to me without expecting something back in return, it still sadly takes me aback. Don't get me wrong, it's not a matter of seeing the bad in people before the good, I'm just not in the habit of being on the receiving end of generosity. And this week someone did something super nice and it made me feel grateful that there are still nice people out there.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subtle and Not So Subtle Inner 'Shifts'! - There has been a lot of putting my foot down this year and making it super clear to myself and others about what is and isn't acceptable, these subtle and not so subtle shifts have caused some doors to close and some relationships to come to an end, and while it doesn't feel like it in the moment, the year soon coming to an end has made me realize it was necessary for some of those doors to close to make room for bigger and better opportunities. Don't mourn the doors that close butterflies, celebrate the ones that open!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Events! - A very mixed bag of non-stop events that I will recap shortly. The wide variety of experiences that I have had this week kind of made me feel like I lived a year in a week, so today while trying to clear my devices to make room and space for the new week of events and experiences that are ahead of me I took some time to reflect on the subtle and not so subtle shifts these experiences made on me and be grateful for how each and every single one of them allowed me to 'shift' and grow.

This month is moving super fast and somehow December is almost here! The flurry of holiday madness is descending upon us and another year will soon come to end. Are you ready?

Our Holidays Buying Guide has already begun and new giveaways will launch this week so stay tuned! And we will draw and announce the winner of the $100 Staples Gift Card soon!

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 What are you GRATEFUL for this week Butterfly?  Is it a lesson learned, or a random act of kindness that you gave or received?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post.

The 90's + Bangs = #ThrowbackThursday

The 90's + Bangs = #ThrowBack Thursday : The Christmas Edition!

Our next giveaway in The Annual Holidays Buying Guide coming up soon, in the meantime be sure to get your final entries in for the $100 Staples Gift Card as this great giveaway ends SOON!

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FTC Disclosure: This is not a Sponsored Post, Throwback Thursday is just pure fun!

{#WordlessWednesday} @StPatsNYC This Landmark Church May be Under Repair, but it's Still a Respite in a Busy City!

Entrance to the stairway to heaven? You Decide!

The Landmark Church St. Patrick's Cathedral may be under construction but it is still very much an amazing respite in a busy city. It's a moment to make the crazy, hectic day come to a stop so you can center yourself, and re-set your spiritual battery!

Here are some photos I took amid the construction:

Taken from the perspective of the row I was kneeling down in, can't you almost feel the peace and stillness?

Prayer To Saint Patrick  is framed under a beautiful Waterford Crystal Cross at St. Patrick's Catedral in New York City (You definitely want to press into this photo to make it bigger, this way you can read the prayer, and then don't forget to hit the backspace to come back here and leave your comment!

Happy Wordless Wednesday Bloggers! Link us to your Wordless Wednesday Photos by leaving your link as a reply to this thread and we will be sure to check them out! (No Giveaways Please!)

Don't forget to check out the giveaways section to enter our current giveaway for a $100 Staples Gift Card or go directly HERE) + A little fashion loving butterfly whispered in my ear that a fun Fashion Contest is coming up this week next so stay tuned!

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored or Compensated Post. As a life long New Yorker who spent a great deal of time working in near proximity to the Church, I find myself always stopping in when I am near the area! But if any camera companies want to get involved and Sponsor a Wordless Wednesday I am always game! :-)