Love is GLOWING!

Friday, February 27, 2015


Well Pixi has done it again!  Surely you've heard me rave about their Glow Tonic right?  Well meet the Glow Tonic's BFF... the Glow Mist!  It was love at first spritz when this beauty met my skin! Glow Mist is an all-over face mist for a glowing, luminous and smooth complexion.  It's enriched with 13 natural oils plus propolis, aloe vera and fruit extracts. There are many wonderful uses for this beauty!  I keep it on my nightstand and like to apply it before bed as well as when i wake up simply because i love that it leaves my skin feeling so refreshed and renewed.  However, you can use Glow Mist before makeup to hydrate, protect and nourish your skin.  You can also use it to set your makeup as this beauty adds a dewy finish while protecting skin.  In actuality, you can use it just about any time your skin needs a little 'pick me up'!  I'm thinking this baby is probably wonderful on long airplane rides!  I don't know about you but my skin needs major hydration when i travel!  Glow Mist has certainly earned prime real estate on my nightstand... right next to its BFF!



Lets chat makeup!  In keeping with our 'glow theme' Pixi's Fairy Dusts are so much fun to use!  They add just the right amount of sparkle to even the simplest of makeup looks! I love swiping Olive Gold across my lids while dabbing Silver Glow in the center. I also love to dab a little in the center of my lips (over my lipstick) for a little extra dimension! Oh and here's a tip, use a damp liner brush dipped into the pigment to trace your lash line!  Yep, they can be used as eyeliner!  In fact, i love doing this to my lower lash line!



I never leave home without at least a couple of my Tinted Brilliance Balms in my makeup bag! They're just so easy and feel amazing on my lips!  On harsh winter days like today, i love reaching for these yummy balms because they add a hint of colors while ensuring that my lips remain soft and hydrated.  They're packed with lip-loving ingredients making them a year round makeup bag staple! Check out Lucent Glow... it's a gorgeous luminous gloss-finish rose gold shimmer!  Lovely right?



OK it's no secret that i have a slight obsession with nail polish!  OK OK so maybe it's more like a major obsession but there's nothing better than a great mani!  The right polish makes a world of difference and for quite some time now, i find myself very attracted to deep blues!  Pixi's Amethyst Amore is sooooooooo me!  Seriously, it's as if the beauty brains at Pixi decided to custom make a nail polish for me!  The limited Edition Amethyst Amore is a rich, elegant and regal royal blue with a purple undertone and i promise it will wow you! A few swipes of this baby and your nails will smile for days!  This is part of Pixi's 2015 Birthstone-Inspired Nail Color which I'm loving thus far! I'm excited to see all the wonderful hues Pixi creates each month!


Pixi's Spring 2015 Collection launches in stores the week of March 8th!  Go check it out because this is one collection not to be missed! You can purchase Pixi via their gorgeous website or at your local Target stores!  Thank you so much for reading! So, Carla - FMM

*press sample - all opinions are my own based on my experience with these products.

Physicians Formula Argan Wear Blush and Bronzer

Monday, February 23, 2015


A couple of weeks ago, while browsing through the pages of Allure, i spotted the Physicians Formula Argan Wear Blush and fell madly in love with the packaging!  I was so attracted to the gorgeous pink on gold hues.  The colors and design on this product make  completely swoon worthy!  I quickly ran to my local drugstore in hopes of spotting this beauty!  Lucky for me, i not only spotted this but the bronzer from the same collection that i didn't even realize existed!  I couldn't wait to get home to play! I had really high hopes for this blush and bronzer.  Sadly, it wasn't love at first sight.  The gold, while making the packaging incredibly gorgeous, was very glittery on my skin.  While i love glitter on lots of things, my face isn't exactly where i prefer it! Although perhaps in my club hopping days i would have probably been all over this!  However, not all love is lost here!  Once the top layer of gold wipes away, the underneath color on both products is actually very pretty.  The blush is a beautiful pink that adds a soft dose of color to your skin.  The bronzer is a warm tone and will give you a pretty glow.  The only thing i disliked about the bronzer (aside from the initial gold glitter overload) was the scent.  It's a bit too fragrant for my taste.  If you like your makeup to smell strongly of perfume, this is for you.  If you're sensitive to heavy scents, definitely stay away from the bronzer.




Overall, i'm glad i purchased these because i can never resist gorgeous packaging.  Once the top gold layer wipes off (and it does quickly and easily), these argan infused beauties are completely wearable and affordable.

BTW don't forget to enter my Borghese giveaway!  Major beauties up for grabs! Enter here!

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

Get Oscar Ready With a Borghese Beauty GIVEAWAY!

Sunday, February 22, 2015


Yay it's Oscars Sunday!  I don't know about you but I'm getting all dolled up to watch the red carpet in hopes of spotting major beauty/style trends!  What's even more exciting is that I've teamed up with Borghese to gift one of my gorgeous readers an amazing makeup prize so that you too can get Red Carpet Ready! This amazing prize includes the following Borghese Products:

1 Set of Makeup Brushes With Storage Pouch
3 Eyeshadow Palettes
1 Liquid Liner
3 Lip Glosses





How great is that?!  You can create an endless array of looks with these beauties!  The shadows are very pigmented and very long lasting.  The liner is soooo easy to use making it a cat eye's bff.  The glosses give your lips the most beautiful color and shine and of course the brushes are a wonderful bonus and travel friendly!  I created a look using one of the eyeshadow palettes, liner and glosses for a party i went to last night and will be reaching for these beauties quite often!  The colors are very wearable and i love the combo of mattes and shimmers!




To enter, be sure to use the raffle copter widget.  Only two required entries, the rest of the entries will give you extra chances to win! US entries only!  All entries will be verified prior to announcing a winner.  Winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 24 hours of notification or a new winner will be selected. Thank you so much for entering and GOOD LUCK!!!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Tatcha Polished Deep RiceEnzyme Powder

Tatcha Polished Deep RiceEnzyme Powder by fashionmavenmommy 


It's no secret that my skin absolutely adores Tatcha products. One of my sweet readers recommended i try the Rice Enzyme Powder swearing by it's benefits.  When i read into it i knew I'd have to try it.  Wow, so glad that i did!  First, lets chat about this product's innovation. This water-activated enzyme powder effortlessly releases debris from skin,. leaving it polished and incredibly soft.  The Rice Enzyme Powder functions as a 2-in-1 cleanser and toner which is so amazing.  I've loved the effect it's had on my skin.  I keep it in the shower, as i do all of my facial cleansing products and use it daily.  I feel as though it leaves my skin feeling soft, balanced, renewed and prepped for my skincare.  It's not harsh like many other exfoliating products.  This gentle beauty has officially become a staple in my skincare routine.  I am completely in love... and so is my skin! 

You can purchase this directly from Tatcha (btw while there, check out some of their other amazing products such as this one and this one).  Oh and i was thrilled to learn that you can now purchase this beauty at Sephora as well!  SCORE! Happy Shopping!!! 

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla


*press sample -all opinions are my own.  My skin truly loves this product! This post contains affiliate links.

A Smile Is Your Best Accessory!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Colgate-Palmolive. All opinions are mine alone. #OpticSmiles #CollectiveBias.


I've always said that accessories are everything! So when it comes to my best accessory, my smile, i like to arm myself with two simple things; a great lippie and of course Colgate® Optic White® Express White Toothpaste.  We tend to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we often forget to smile more.  I'm here to remind you that doing so will tremendously impact your mood as well as that of those around you.  This is why i've decided to start off the new year opting to smile more!  Besides, with brighter, whiter teeth, you'll want to smile more too!




I recently headed to my local Walmart to purchase Colgate® Optic White® Express White Toothpaste. I was looking to brighten my smile a bit and my current toothpaste just wasn't cutting it! Three days in and i was officially convinced that this baby worksThis is such an easy and fast way to brighten teeth! Think about it, other methods involve multiple steps.  With Colgate® Optic White® Express White Toothpaste you are simply brushing your teeth... something you do regardless right?  The difference with this toothpaste is that it has 2 times more of the professionally recommended whitening ingredient than Optic White Sparkling Mint toothpaste. Give this baby 3 days and you will instantly take notice of its amazing benefits.* 




Ok so back to my resolution!  After ensuring my teeth are nice and bright, i like to accessorize my pearly whites with a great lippie. I always let my mood lead my color choice!  When i'm feeling playful, i opt for bright happy pinks.  Red matted hues are sexy and make a great 'date night' option. Of course, sometimes i just love to swipe a great nude across my lips and let my smile do the talking! Choosing the right lippie can instantly brighten your day.  Choosing the right toothpaste such as Colgate® Optic White® Express White always ensures a great smile! 



Want to know more about this amazing toothpaste? There will be a roaming demo in 550 stores on 2/28/15 to promote the new product.  Ambassadors will be roaming the aisle giving out $1 off coupons good on Express White Toothpaste.  Be sure to check out this demo at your nearest participating Walmart! 

*For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks.

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

CHANEL Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eye Shadow

Tuesday, February 17, 2015


The other day, while browsing through the Nordstrom beauty counter, this Chanel beauty caught my eye! I began to play with the colors and loved every single one so i knew i'd have to bring this baby home with me.  CHANEL's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eye Shadow in 232 Tisse Venitien is a collection of vibrant, pigment-rich shades inspired by the iconic threads of CHANEL tweed. Honestly the possibilities are endless here.  You can create the most gorgeous smokey eye or keep it simple with a dab of glamour and sheen. You get two medium tones to color and contour, a deep shade to intensify and a light shade to highlight!  Nothing else necessary here! The colors work with all skin tones and are very user friendly.  This is seriously a wonderful addition to my makeup repertoire. Check it out!





Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

It Cosmetics Hello Lashes Extensions Mascara

Monday, February 16, 2015


Listen up!  If you're a member of the itty bitty lash committee like myself, i've got your ticket out!  IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes Extensions Mascara has been sent from the lash heavens straight to my doorstep to rock my lashes! Seriously, i have a few (very few) mascaras i absolutely love but this one takes the cake!  Here's the deal!  I've tried several fiber mascaras and after many tragic faux pas, i actually found one that i love.  However, i simply can't be bothered with the three step process on a daily basis so i often skip it all together!  That is, until one of my favorite brands (you all know i'm an IT girl all the way) created Hello Lashes Extensions Mascara.  Clearly they had me in mind when they created this beauty!  You see, one simple application is all it takes to get your lashes from well non existent in my case to ladies i've not only entered the room but i own it lashes! The tip of this mascara wand is designed to makes application so easy.  I love seeing all the fibers dispense into my lashes creating crazy length and volume!



This is my one step to happy! What's yours?

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*This mascara came in one of the QVC TSV packages sent by IT Cosmetics for consideration.  It's become one of my favorites so i wanted to highlight just how amazing it is. I've since purchased it again and will continue to do so :)

MUA Brushes on SALE at CVS!

Saturday, February 14, 2015



There are so many wonderful deals happening at CVS right now!  I'm especially loving the MUA collection!  If you're on a budget, their brushes are a great bargain and are currently on sale! 
Innovatively designed with a mix of natural and synthetic fibers for use across face, eyes and lips, the 15 brushes feature precision-cut heads and sleek, gunmetal finishes and are now available exclusively at CVS/pharmacy and www.cvs.com/muapro (and on sale this month, details below!).
From best-sellers like the Pro BB/CC Cream Brush ($18), which diffuses cream over the skin to create a feather-light,  no-makeup finish, to the Pro Smudger/Detailer Brush ($8) with a dome shape ideal for blending out a dark smoky eye, Makeup Academy has a brush for every look. Here are some other favorites:
·         Fierce Flicks: The Pro Point Liner Brush ($10) is uniquely shaped to achieve a precise cat-eye, without hands or fingers getting in the way. Synthetic fibers mean the brush can be used with cream, liquid or powder formulas!
·         Perfect Pouts: Apply gloss and lipstick with the Pro Retractable Lip Brush ($8), featuring a tapered point and retractable top, making it perfect for on-the-go touchups. Use it to apply the Makeup Academy Color Intense ($9) orHigh Shine Lipsticks ($8), and outline with the Anti-Feathering Lip Liner ($8) for added definition (a la Kylie Jenner)!
·         Bold Brows:  A one-stop tool that grooms, combs and defines brows and lashes, the Pro Brow/Lash Comb($8) tames and blends for a natural, polished look.

As a bonus, all Makeup Academy products are buy one, get one free on February 15th.

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

Sweet Valentine's Day Mani

Friday, February 13, 2015


Valentine's Day is tomorrow (omg can you believe it??) so i created a sweet mani idea to get your in the mood! For this manicure you'll need the following:


While these are the nail polish colors i opted for, you can obviously do this with any colors/brands of choice!










You can seriously let your imagination go wild with this mani or keep it real simple!  Either way, I'm loving the metallic/coral combo! I hope this inspires you to get creative with your mani!!! Happy Valentine's Day beauties!  Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*affiliate links

Pretty in Pink - Valentine's Day Edition

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Pretty in Pink - Valentine's Day Edition

Pretty in Pink - Valentine's Day Edition by fashionmavenmommy 

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and i've got pink on the brain!  I honestly have a bit of a love hate relationship with this ultra feminine hue.  At times i want nothing more than to lay in a mountain of fluffy pink feathers and sip pink champagne, other times it just isn't my scene.  Clearly i have issues but that's a topic for another day!  Since i'm currently embracing all things pink, i thought i'd devote this post to some of my current faves in the hopes that perhaps you'll find something special to treat yourself with.  Why wait for your sweetheart right?? I'm all about treating myself... hey, you only live once!

Love this shaggy layered jacket and love the price even more! I'm so obsessed with Kate Spade jewelry!  This watch is insanely cute and can we please talk about how darling these earrings are??? OMG!  Speaking of Kate Spade, while this fragrance smells amazing, it's the bottle that had me completely smitten!  If you follow me on social media than you know i splurged on a new pair of Valentino Rockstuds which i'll tell you more about in an upcoming post but these pink ones are uhhhhh-mazing! Like shoes and bags, i have a thing for expensive lippies.  This one stole my heart!  OMG have you guys seen the new beautyblender bling ring???? I.need.this.stat!  I can't begin to tell you how happy i am that this stunning IT Cosmetics CC+ Ombre Blush is now sold separately!  It's so so soooo spectacular! Wear it as blush or shadow... i mean, why not?!  An envelope clutch is a must in every woman's wardrobe!  This beauty is perfect for date night!


Well, i hope you've had fun parading in this wonderful sea of pink!  You can shop this post below!  Happy Valentine's Day and HAPPY SHOPPING!



Paris Part Deux - Rainy Day at the Louvre and More

Monday, February 9, 2015


You can read part 1 here...

Closed until Monday, January 5th at 2 pm!  I'll admit, my heart shattered in little pieces because i was so looking forward to some good high end vintage shopping.  We began to walk a little further down the street where i came a cross another vintage shop I'd read about online!  Yay it wasn't a total loss after all! Wow, it was a sea of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes etc.  It was so fun to look around and see some of these gorgeous pieces in person.  We were on such a tight schedule however, that i didn't want to rush into a decision I'd later regret so i wound up walking away empty handed.  It was only our second day in Paris so i knew i still had time to find my big ticket item!






As i mentioned before it was a dark, dreary, rainy, cold day!  While walking the streets of Trocadero towards the tour bus we'd gotten passes for, we came across the most spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower!  Yay photo op!  We took a million pictures and admired this incredible structure.  That was the one thing i could not get enough of.  Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person is magical! Once we finished taking photos we took the bus to the Louvre Museum.  We figured that a museum would be perfect for this cold rainy day. When we arrive, we nearly fainted looking at the 2 1/2 hour line to purchase entry tickets.  Mind you, the waiting was all outdoors... in the cold... and rain!  I was ready to give up but thankfully my friend Vilma (she's a firecracker that one) was determined to find a way in!  We walked toward the Louvre Hotel (which is gorgeous BTW) and walked in.  We asked the gentleman at the counter if we could possibly use his computer to purchase and print out tickets to the Louvre. He told us he could actually sell us fast pass tickets himself for $16 Euros each!  What???? We nearly cried with excitement.  He was SO sweet!  This guy was so amazing!  He sold us the tickets and showed us the side entrance.  We literally walked right in!  As we're walking down the halls of the Louvre we kept asking ourselves, 'omg are we really here???'   As you'd expect, the museum was incredibly crowded but breathtakingly beautiful.  To see some of the paintings and statues I'd only read about in text books in person was nothing short of a dream.  The Mona Lisa is way smaller than one would imagine.  The crowds to see her and snap a picture are insane... still, i got my picture and loved that i got a chance to see this iconic beauty in person! We spent about 3 hours at the Louvre and left with yet a lot more to see.

















When we left, we were starving but had no idea where to go.  I wanted to go to Laduree and knew that it wasn't too far away.  My hope was that there'd be a restaurant we could eat at near this macaroon heaven and head there for dessert.  Well, we ended up rushing into a place that we somewhat regretted going to later.  They were rude and it just didn't feel right. We ended up just ordering a french onion soup which really hit the spot since we were freezing.  When we left there we went to Laduree.  I was so excited to visit the place where macaroons originated.  The store was decked out in pastels, crystal chandeliers and smelled divine!  I got three macaroons because i simply couldn't decide.  I didn't want to stock up just yet since we weren't leaving for another few days.  We tried to go to the tea room next door but they weren't seating anybody anymore.  This was 8 pm so as you can see, Paris, on a Saturday night is not exactly hopping!












We walked down gorgeous streets decked out in white Christmas lights and nestled in cobblestone sidewalks that were quite a sight to see.  I walked past many favorite stores... Chanel, Valentino, Prada... all closed!







After walking another few miles, we wound up at the famous Place De La Concorde where the famous Parisian Ferris Wheel 'Roue De Paris' stood in all its glory! We purchased tickets and rode this beauty at night overlooking all of Paris!  It was scary and super cool all at the same time!  I'm afraid of heights so i was definitely uneasy but i can tell you that the views were so gorgeous that it made the whole experience worth while!




 The pictures aren't great because of the reflection of the glass but i wanted you to see what the view was like... so so beautiful!

Since the Place De La Concorde stands directly in front of the Champs Elysees we headed that way to see what was happening.  The first half of the Champs is a bit of a street fair.  Lots of delicious food, chaud vin (hot wine), ice skating, shopping etc.  It was pretty neat seeing this side of Paris.  We feasted on the best sausage and peppers, shish kabobs, roasted chestnuts and hot wine.  Soooo sooooo yummy!




This is also where i purchased the most beautiful (and new favorite) winter hat.  It's a fleshy pink knit hat covered in crystals and a fur pom pom (you'll see it in the next post or perhaps you've already seen it if you follow me on instagram ).  As we walked past the fair section of the Champs, things began looking fancier and prettier.  The street was covered in the prettiest lights and at one point we just stood there starring in aw at the beauty of this place.  It was almost impossible to capture the feeling of what this place really looked like on camera.  It's just spectacular!  There were lots of high end stores (all closed except for MAC), restaurants etc. At the other end of the Champs Elysee was the famous Arc De Triomphe.  We walked all the way there and finally got to see it up close.  It was such a beautifully grand structure and while it was night time, it was still an incredible sight to see.







At that point we decided it was time to call it a night.  We were so happy that we'd gotten to see so many things in one day.  My legs and back were killing me but we wanted to see and do so much in such a short time that i just pushed through the pain and kept on! We took the train back to the Eiffel Tower district which is where we were staying and rested for what would be another amazing day in Paris!  Perhaps...one of the most amazing days....

to be continued...
- DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -