{#Movies} Highlights from the NYC @hotpursuitmovie Media Screening + Meet and Greet with @SofiaVergara #HotPursuit

At the movies and in theaters now is Hot Pursuit, a comedy/action/adventure starring Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara and I had the chance to attend the Media Preview that included a Meet and Greet with Sofia!

ABOUT THE FILM - IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE MAY 8

An uptight and by-the-book cop (Reese Witherspoon) tries to protect the sexy and outgoing widow (Sofía Vergara) of a drug boss as they race through Texas pursued by crooked cops and murderous gunmen.

Walking into the Screening and seeing this, PRICELESS:

I spent my morning at BeautyPress Spotlight Day (more to come on that later) so this display of treats definitely perked me up! Hungry New York City Media like to be FED!

Sofia Vergara's Jewelry Line with Kay Jeweler's was on display:

But she was definitely focused on promoting her new movie Hot Pursuit which was filmed during her hiatus from the television series Modern Family.

BELOW: Killing some time before the Media Screening I was in the Time Warner Center in New York City where I came upon this movie poster and took a moment to snap a shot in front of it:

BELOW: I also got the chance to get a Photo with Sofia:

Above: We are lipstick twinsies! She is the face of Covergirl and I'm wearing Covergirl Lipstick in this photo!

Here is the Movie Trailer so you can take a peek:

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow on Twitter, Instagram and Google+

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit ‘Hot Pursuit’ on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tag your Social Posts about the movie #HotPursuit

MY TAKE:

While the pursuit movie format - protagonists on the run - is certainly not new, Vergara and Witherspoon play off each other well, and the out-takes at the end definitely make you laugh out loud. But it's probably Sofia's purchase of a t-shirt while she is on the run that reads "Butter my Biscuits" that will make you laugh hardest and the interjection of a love interest/bad boy (yes a bit a la Thelma and Louise) that picks the movie up a bit. I will let you guys decide whether or not to 'ticket or skip it' on this one as this is either a plot device you will like or not like. (and you guys all know my preferred Genre is Horror, although on occasion even I will relent and watch a comedy!)

Did you already see or will you go see this movie? Why or why not? Sound off with your opinion as a comment below!

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I was attended a Media Screening of Hot Pursuit 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 check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Let the @40Find App Put a Little More Fun in Your Cinco De Mayo (and BEYOND)! #40Find

#AD: This is a Sponsored Post, Brought to you by:

Would you like to save 40% off your Food, Drinks and Happy Hour WITHOUT using a coupon or coupon code?

If you are based in New York City or New Jersey (or just find yourself in one of those cities for business or pleasure), pick up your phone (IOS or Android) and download this super user friendly and FREE app right NOW! The 40Find App is on my phone and it has made finding deals wherever I find myself much easier. (40 Find = Find 40 percent off, get it?)

Photo Credit: Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco (I love San Fran!)

I know with Cinco de Mayo there is always a little 'happy hour' fun to be had and if you want to find out where the best deals are, this App is all you'll need!

I get contacted by App Makers all the time. I don't immediately write them back, in some cases I try out the app without ever telling them so, if I love it, then I will want to share all about it! (based on how few Apps I have actually covered since 2009 you can tell I don't just rave about an App if I don't really like it!)

Photo Credit: 15pictures.com

Any app that helps me find Sushi at a great discount is all aces in my book! I'm a bit of a Sushi Fanatic, but super picky about where I'll eat it, when the app showed me deals at places that I actually already frequent I knew it was a keeper. I'm also a rawbar girl and there are enough Oyster deals on this app to keep me busy for a very long time!

Photo Credit: Saucy Thyme Blog

Get Social:

Try out this app, once you do you are going to want to connect with them and tell them just how much you are loving these amazing deals!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit 40Find on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Keep up with their Tweets via Twitter too, @40Find is the main twitter handle for the app, then you can add your city to connect with them too to share your local deal. For example, fellow New Yorkers yours would be @40FindNYC (by the way, the same holds true with the hashtags when you tweet out a picture of the great deal you just scored, use #40Find or #40Find and then your city, so for NYC it would be #40FindNYC)

MY Take:

I keep my phone incredibly app 'lite', every app on my phone is an app I am actually using and find useful. Every few months I look at my Apps again and if I am not really using one I will delete it. This App is one of my 'keeper apps', and as a foodie and Lifestyle blogger based in New York City, there is a tremendous amount of options at my disposal, but as a Fab Frugalista who tries hard to stick to her budget (I have big goals and future plans, I need to stick to my budget!), this app is going to make going to my favorite places that much sweeter with the discount, but also when I am in another city - like New Jersey where I like to visit as I love Atlantic City, or San Francisco (where I dream of re-locating someday!) this App will help me find the best deals in other cities too. I have to admit the App is also making me want to try out a few spots that are new to me in my own city. SCORE!

What kind of deal would you most use the 40Find App to nab? Would it be food, cocktails or Happy Hour? (and if it's all of the above we can definitely hang out together when you find yourself in New York City! LOL) Butterflies please try out the 40Find App and then come back and tell us what you think!

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

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, and all opinions are 100% my own! I present brands, products, events and services to my readers that I actually use, test and personally enjoy! 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 check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

10 year anniversary of @TheMakeupShow - highlights from the Blogger Preview with @jvincentmakeup! #‎TMSNYC‬ ‪#‎10YearsofTMS

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend Butterflies! The highlight of my weekend so far was yesterday's Blogger Preview Night of The Makeup Show in New York City. The show is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary, and bloggers were treated to a preview that was hosted by Makeup Artist, and Beauty Editor, James Vincent. While he says he is not friendly, secretly he was the secret brother in all of our heads and made us laugh quite a bit!

Makeup Artist. and Beauty Editor, James Vincent hosts Beauty Blogger Preview Night In New York City!

Throughout the years many products have launched at this show by both emerging and established brands, and this year's show which begins Sunday, May 3rd at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City will be no different. In addition to the show hitting New York City on May 3-4th, the show will also hit Dallas on June 13th-14th, a Pop-Up Shop on August 29th-30th, Chicago on November-8th, and hits Orlando from January 30-31st in 2016.

There will be amazing Keynote Speakers who will be speaking on a wide variety of facets and nuances of the Makeup Industry from practical hands on 'how-to's' to making money! You can even view the show's floorplan in advance so you can scope out the booth numbers for brands you want to be sure not to miss!

The show will also be offering exclusive 10th Anniversary Products that are a nod to one of The Makeup Show's defining concepts including products from INGLOT, Crown Brush - Brush Set, I Make You Beautiful - Magic Touch Sponge, Glamcor Tec - The Makeup Show Custom Branded Light Kit, London Brush Company - Limited Edition - 5-Piece Set, Pinnacle Cosmetics - Vinyl Lipgloss, Make Up For Ever - Artist Eye Shadow Palette, Mehron - Cream and Powder Blush Set, and TEMPTU - Limited Shade Bronzer. Quite a few of these were in the blogger gift bags. And of course with Blogger Preview Events, there are swagbags. But let's face it, there are swagbags and there are SWAGBAGS on fleek! Needless to say this MakeUp Show Anniversary Swag Bag was filled with surprises and it honestly deserves it's own day in the sun with real pics that are hi-res and not grainy, so that is coming soon. and I will take a picture of the whole haul to show you and then review the products as time permits individually within their own separate posts.

In the meantime there are a few brands I will specifically be looking for like Smashbox, (I LOVE their products, and I will always love they were the very first Beauty Brand to support Ascending Butterfly's Mission and just really 'get' us and our vibe.) They took a chance on us when my numbers were low but my organic reach very high, and I still wax poetic about them! Their Gel Eyeliner is really my favorite! I will be looking for Eve Pearl, as they did a makeover on me during BeautyPress Spotlight Day in New York City and I used the products I was given to the end of the containers that's for sure! I hope they will be doing makeovers at their booth! I will wait for one! And while I have never worked with them personally, I am going to be pouncing my way over to the Kat Von D booth. Much like me she has a respect for a signature red lip that matches my own. I DIG her style!

Words were being thrown about like Contour, Contouring Kits, Bronzer, Duo Lipstick/Blush  Combo Products, and Brow Products as well as lashes were being discussed, how brands are incorporating these trends into the kits and how artists will be waving their 'magic brushes' to create their own interpretation of the trends are what I am waiting on baited breath to see.

And we all know I tweet about syfy's Face Off and Ru Paul Drag Race so obsessively I get a ton of their cast following me back, so the super creative show makeup will definitely be something I will watch closely and get great pictures off!

Sound Off:

Butterflies, Which brand are you most looking forward to connecting with at The Makeup Show? What type of makeup look is your favorite? What do you want to learn to do better? If you could ask one keynote or one professional any one question about Makeup what would it be?

Watch our Twitter @ascending1 and our instagram: ascending1 for photos and updates from the tradeshow floor! Tweet me anything you want a closer look of while I'm there!

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I was given press access to The Makeup Show 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 check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#ToyTuesday} Hello Barbie by @Mattel made her debut at @ToyFairNY #ToyFair2015

The sign behind her reads: Introducing The First Conversation-Ready Barbie Doll. You Talk, She Answers.

Hello Barbie, a talking Barbie Doll was unveiled by Mattel during Toy Fair which I attended this year, I had the chance to watch the demo of her and experience the doll which can have two way conversations first hand.

While Gwen Stefani may be no one's 'Holla Back Girl', apparently Barbie will be as this popular doll gets a digital makeover, can you say Barbie 2.0?

This internet-connected version of the doll can tell stories, crack jokes and listen to her owner speaking and gradually respond to particular questions and statements over time.

A prototype of Hello Barbie which is estimated to retail for $74.99 was unveiled during Toy Fair, developed by ToyTalk and will have an hour's worth of playtime built in. Initial questions it would ask would be about favorite colors and school, then the doll which utilizes Speech Recognition would collect users' replies in the 'cloud' would answer and interact with the child.

Release Date was not revealed but I am sure she will be on shelves during the 2015 Holiday Season. 

Want to see her in action? Here is a video taken by the folks at Techlicious during Toy Fair 2015:

My Take:

You can google Hello Barbie or even read the comments on her early un-veiling You Tube Videos to see that she comes with quite a bit of controversy and she has not yet hit the shelves! Privacy Advocates are discouraging and trying to dissuade parents from purchasing her, and many claim it is the wave of future with more toys embracing an interactive format.

Protecting your child in this digital age is certainly a complex task in and of itself, but with Barbie already representing fields like Scientist, Mathematician, Writer, Painter and more, isn't it about time she actually talk?

While I am not a mom, I am a huge fan of Barbie and find her new evolution fascinating, I am sure I would have wanted one as a child!

Parents: Sound off - Will you be purchasing Hello Barbie for your daughter? Why or Why Not?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I was given press access to Toy Fair 2015 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 check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#WordlessWednesday} Sometimes you just need a pretty place to sit! {#Photos} #NYBG

Find yourself a pretty place to sit today!

Couldn't resist snapping a shot of the artwork on the walls, but when I re-visited my pictures I couldn't help but notice just how 'zen' sitting there was (what I saw when I 'looked up' is a photo series for a different Wordless Wednesday Post!)

Above: For some reason there was never a time when the bench under this painting didn't have someone sitting on it, so I couldn't get a full shot with this one! (Just like I don't like people snapping shots of me just because it's a public place I don't do it to others!)

Which is YOUR Favorite?

Brownie points for anyone who can guess where specifically these photos were taken!

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Bloggers feel free to link up by leaving us a comment with the URL to your Wordless Wednesday Photos as we'd love to see your pictures for this week, just remember, no giveaway links, WW only.

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received, and 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 check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MovementMonday} @BalletHispanico BHdos performance at #OrchidShow2015 @nybg NY Botanical Garden {#Photos}

I hope you got a chance to check out The Orchid Show: Chandeliers at the New York Botanical Garden, I absolutely loved it, and in case you missed it, you can check out my coverage of it HERE (just note that the giveaway is already closed).

In addition to being able to enjoy the Orchid Show this year, I also got the chance to enjoy a class in growing mini and macro Orchids (which I will share with you guys in a separate post) and a performance by BHdos, The Second Company of Ballet Hispanico.

BHdos are pre-professional dancers of Ballet Hispanico's second company, they serve as a 'bridge' of sorts between the School of Dance and the Professional Company, as well as the community and their own training careers. They work to bring Latino Culture to schools, communities and corporations through a 50 minute exploration of dance influenced by Spain and Latin America. The fully-costumed performances feature choreography from the current Ballet Hispanico repertory.

If you missed their performances in conjunction with the Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden, you can still catch them at The Joyce Theater from April 14th-26th, so act FAST! And for my readers who are parents, Ballet Hispanico's registration for their 'Los Explorers' Summer Dance (preschool) Camps for Ages 3-5 is open!

Here are my photo highlights from one of the April Performances Ballroom's Best: Tango, Waltz, and Cha-Cha - A Celebration of Ballroom Dances at New York Botanical Garden:

Above: There is an amazing line up of upcoming activities at New York Botanical Garden, I will definitely be back again very soon!

Above: BHdos Rehearsal Director Nicholas Villeneuve shares about the history of BHdos and highlights the dance Program (midway he also leads the audience in an interactive dancing lesson, that gets everyone dancing!)

First Section of the Program: Tito on Timbales - Cha-Cha-Cha Duet: Music by Tito Puente

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Above: Ballet Hispanico's, BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha From Left to Right: Amanda Esposito and Christopher Wilson.

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Second Section of the Program: El Vals - Waltz Duet: Music by Greg Nestor

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing El Vals - Waltz Duet

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing El Vals - Waltz Duet From Left to Right: Nicole Garcia, Nicolay Espitia.

Third Section of the Program: Tango Vitrola - Tango Duet: Music by Vincente Creco and Roberto Firpo

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson, takes the stage for the Tango Vitrola - Tango Duet

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson, and his dance partner literally in mid air dancing the  Tango Vitrola - Tango Duet (I was super stoked on capturing the motion in this shot!)

Fourth and Final Section of the Program: Club Havana - Mambo and Rhumba: Music by Israel Lopez, Ruben Gonzales, A.K. Salim, Perez Prado and Francisco Repilado.

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner set the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner set the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner set the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner are a powerful presence onstage during the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner were bringing Mambo and Rhumba too life! Making us all feel like we were sitting in a Club in Havana!

Above: Now that's a FACE OFF! Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner were bringing Mambo and Rhumba to life! Making us all feel like we were sitting in a Club in Havana!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson and his dance partner join in the final program Club Havana - Mambo and Rhumba

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson and his dance partner look on at Nicolay Espitia and his dancer partner perform from the program Club Havana - Mambo and Rhumba (Isn't the effect of their movement cool?)

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner in mid air!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Left: Christopher Wilson and Right: Nicolay Espitia, in mid air!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancers. I loved how the camera was able to catch the movement of their skirts and how they blend in with the flower on the wall, they sort of look like dancing flowers!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancers. This time both teams are dancing simultaneously, not an easy feat as this is actually a pretty small stage!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancers take their final bow!

MY TAKE:

Ballet Hispanico's BHdos put on such a lively performance, and the tribute to the musicians like Tito Puente in Program One entitled 'Tito on Timbales' was a touching tribute to those who know the musical legend 'El Rey Del Timbal' Sadly I think most people feel they have been exposed to 'ballroom' mostly because of the Television Series, 'Dancing With The Stars' but these dances have a very rich history, and so too does Ballet Hispanico, read about BH's founder Tina Ramirez.

Did you wake up this morning with a 'case of the Mondays'? I thought instead of a typical 'Motivation Monday' to start your day, we begin with a 'Movement Monday'. Just MOVE right now. Get up off your seat, put down your coffee/cafecito and pull up a you tube video on one of the dance styles featured above and follow along with it. Or use your favorite zumba video, or just pop your favorite Salsa song on and get to dancing! Move your way into a much happier Monday Butterflies!

How are you going to MOVE today on #MovementMonday, it's not just a Monday around here today butterflies, it's a movement, so start flapping those beautiful wings of yours!

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received to post our recap of the show, and all opinions are 100% my own!  We were provided access to show 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 check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.