A Perfect Canvas c/o Japonesque

Wednesday, August 31, 2016


I've heard so many wonderful things about Japonesque but admittedly i'd never tried any of their products... until now.  I recently had the opportunity to try out some of their complexion products and i was quite pleased with their effectiveness and overall quality.

The three Japonesque products i'm highlighting today are the Velvet Touch Primer, Luminous Foundation and Light Liquid.  You guys... i've been seriously crushing on this trio for a multitude of reasons!  First, i love the feel of the primer.  It's very similar to the consistancy of Smashbox's Photo Finish.  If you like that one i have no doubt you'll love this one!  It has a silky texture that glides onto skin.  Reflective pigments attract and diffuse light and add a hyper-real youthful beauty to the skin. This is the perfect situation for priming your canvas!


Japonesque Color Luminous Foundation creates the most perfect balance of dewiness and flawless coverage.  The formula is creamy and super comfortable to wear.  It's a buildable medium to full coverage foundation that leaves my skin with a gorgeous radiant feel.

I can't tell you enough how much i'm LOVING the Japonesque Color Liquid Light!  This innovative light-reflecting fluid glides on to create the most gorgeous 'glow from within' complexion. The formula is translucent and can be worn alone or mixed with your favorite foundation.  I actually brought this on my trip to Cabo because it complimented my sun-kissed skin perfectly.  I didn't wear much makeup but this with a little mascara and lip gloss was the perfect beach vacation situation! I also love mixing it with the Luminous Foundation because i love that i can even out my skin tone and still have luminous skin!  It's absolutely gorgeous!


I'm so impressed with these Japonesque products!  Will definitely be adding more to my collection!  Any recommendations?  Please send them my way!

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

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

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GLOSSYBOX - August Edition

Monday, August 29, 2016


My August GLOSSYBOX arrived and i simply could not wait to show you what's inside.  This month's box it themed 'Sun Kissed'... gawwww love the theme already!  After all, this girl is desperately trying to hold on to all that's left of summer in the worst way!  Weep...  but on a happy note, this month's box rocked so let's take a peek inside shall we?



Wella Professionals Oil Reflections is the perfect product for keeping your locks hydrated during Summer scorchers!  I'm all about hair oils so this was a major bonus for me.  The size is quite generous too and will last me for quite some time since a little goes a long way!


Borghese FANGO Mud for face and body.  I actually already have and love this product.  This lifts away impurities and leaves your skin looking bright and refreshed.  I'm actually quite a fan of Borghese masks in general.  Their mud masks are seriously amazing... you should try them!


I freaking LOVE InvisiBobble!  These ouch less hair ties are so good!  I've used them for at least a year now and love them.  I use them on myself and my girls because they don't crease and since they're plastic, they're perfect for wearing to the pool or beach!  If you haven't tried these, you must!


Too Faced Mascara  Melt Off was a product i was completely curious about!  Truthfully i haven't tried it yet so i can't speak for it's effectiveness but the concept is genius!



Trifle Cosmetics Lip Parfait wins for best packaging... hands down!  This super cute lippie is housed in a cardboard tube featuring the cutest pup you'll ever see.  The fun bright orange makes this a lippie you'll want to keep visible on your vanity!  The shade is a gorgeous mauve that will compliment most skin tones!



The Lait Apres-Soleil After Sun Lotion is absolutely delightful.  It feels very cooling on the skin making it perfect for sun-kissed skin.  It will add moisture to dehydrated skin while healing it with it's cooling sensation.  Oh and it smells uhhhhmazing!  You will literally smell like the beach once you apply this beauty on your skin!  Love!


So yeah, this GLOSSYBOX rocked!  I think i loved every single product in here and will get a lot of use out of it.  I love when that happens!  So excited to see what next month's box brings!  Are you subscribed to GLOSSYBOX?  It's only $21 per month and you'll get a wonderful selection of beauty products worth way more than the cost.  You can sign up here!



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

*press sample

Friday Fringe

Friday, August 26, 2016


Yay for my first official OOTD post!  As we near the end of Summer (weep), i thought i'd put together a post featuring some casual transitional pieces.  This outfit is super comfy yet fun.  I fell in love with this Who What Wear for Target long trench vest when they first launched.  While it sold out online (you may still find it in stores), i linked another super affordable option also from Target that looks quite similar to this one.  These jeans have my on constant rotation!  I'm getting as much use out of them as possible before i go back to work in September at which time these will only work for me on weekends.  They fit beautifully, so much so my sister purchased them when she saw me wearing them.  The shirt is an oldie but you can still shop it here.  I wish i had it in a smaller size but this one still works when i just want to be comfy on-the-go!   During my LA trip to shoot the IT Cosmetics Commercial, i fell in love with this fringe bag!  I purchased it and rocked it several times. Then, i placed it on the top shelf of my closet and it soon went to the land of forgotten bags.  The other day while organizing my closet, i took notice of this beauty sitting there all alone.  I took it out and hung it on the door of my armoire so that i could get more use out of it.  I still love it just as much as the day i bought it.  This is the bag i purchased though i also found the same bag in a smaller version as well as a few more affordable options!  Lastly, you can never go wrong with aviators right?  Booties are my favorite footwear for Fall! They're so fun and come in so many wonderful options.  I think that peep toe booties are a great transitional piece that you can easily wear from Summer into Fall.  These are SO COMFY not to mention gorgeous!  Very excited to wear the heck out of them!  I love mirrored lens aviators and have them in several colors!  They dress up the entire look effortlessly.











Well, i hope you enjoyed my first OOTD post!  I had so much fun putting it together!  I have several more lined up so stay tuned!  You can shop the post below!

Side note - Please be a doll and vote for me for the Pacifica Muse Contest!  I am a finalist and would love your support!  Click here and then click on my video (Channeling my inner Carolyn Bessette Kennedy) and vote! Your support means everything! Fingers crossed!

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


Pacifica Muse Contest Roud 2 - Channeling Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

Thursday, August 25, 2016


I'm so honored and excited to have made it to round 2 of the Pacifica Muse Contest!  For this round, Pacifica asked us to think of a woman in history that inspired us and recreate her look or essence using Pacifica products.  I had to go with my heart on this one!  While my choice isn't the most obvious, i was completely influenced by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style.  She's a timeless beauty whose life was cut way too short!  While sadly, the world didn't get to see her story unfold, i hope to keep her amazing style legacy alive with this little video!  I hope you enjoy watching it as much as i enjoyed creating it.  Voting starts TODAY! It would mean the world if you took the time to vote for me by visiting PacificaMuse.com!  Voting is simple!  Just visit the site and click 'vote' under my video!  That's it!  You can vote three times a day for the next week to decide who moves on to the next round!  Your support means the world and i thank you in advance for helping on this little dream of mine!

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch (and hopefully vote)!  Xoxo, Carla - FMM

Getting a Little Personal... Cheers to a New Chapter!

Monday, August 22, 2016


When Fashion Maven... Mommy first launched four and a half years ago, i set out to write a fashion blog.  Since i was a little girl, i was obsessed with fashion and beauty!  In my teen years, i tried desperately to create a look of my own often sewing up some of my clothes and accessories just to be different!  You know, my very own 'one of a kind'! I contemplated going to fashion school but my father was very against it.  He did however, let me attend the Fashion Institute of Technology during the summer for some classes but it never really led to anything. I had had the opportunity to intern with a couple of fashion designers in NYC when i was 18 and after graduating college as a teacher, i decided that my life would not be fulfilled unless i gave myself a year to try to get a job in fashion... and so i did.  I landed my first job as a showroom assistant for Liz Claiborne Inc. which led to a promotion two months later with the Sigrid Olsen brand where i worked for three wonderful years.  I made new friendships, learned a ton, traveled and of course was constantly surrounded by beautiful clothes.  Oh and i worked in the heart of Times Square where i spent most of my lunches shopping Sephora!  This is where my love of makeup and beauty intensified! One day... on September 11, 2001... everything changed.  I could no longer travel to NYC to work for fear of terrorism.  Being in NYC on that tragic day paralyzed me emotionally for a very long time.  I decided to switch careers and go back to teaching so that i wouldn't have to commute to NYC.

The years went on, i got married, had my twin girls, bought a house and life was good... yet, i didn't feel complete.  I always felt as though something was missing from my life.  My creative outlet was simply not fulfilled and it was an awful feeling.  I knew someday I'd find my passion but until then i wondered what it might possibly be.  My thoughts and emotions were a bit all over the place.  I began following a blogger Love, Maegan whose style i really enjoyed!  I looked forward to her daily posts and felt happy when exciting things happened to her!  Then one day i thought... hey, that's it!!!!  I can BLOG!!! This was the ideal situation because it allowed me to use a creative voice and style that was all mine!  I didn't have a boss or someone telling me how i should post or what content i needed to share.  This was mine... all mine!  A place for me to be me! I wanted my blog's title to have the word 'mommy' in it because i am very proud of that title.  Yet i wanted people to know that it was a fashion blog so i came up with Fashion Maven... Mommy.  I wanted the title to be a bit cheeky... though I'm not sure it comes across that way.  This is why i opted for the three dots after the word 'maven'.

The day i wrote my first post i felt this sense of relief.  I could at last exhale because I'd finally found my outlet.  There was only one problem... one that halted my vision for a fashion blog... my weight! My entire life i struggled with my weight.  I remember as early as 12 years of age, hiding in my parents' room because they had company over and had cheesecake on the table.  I knew that i shouldn't have it because i was a big girl. So i cried... sobbed really... for years and years.  In college i was at my thinnest.  I also barely ate and exercised for hours daily.  A couple of years after i got married did IVF and had a horrible pregnancy that required me to be on bed rest.  I was heavy and swollen.  After my girls were born, my weight struggles intensified.  I have been on every diet you can possibly think of.  Name one, and most likely I've tried it. Truth is, I'd loose 10-15lbs and then i stalled.  I felt trapped in a body that i didn't think belonged to me.  I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the person that i saw.  It was a sickening feeling.  So my fashion blog became solely a beauty blog.  I wanted to change the name to reflect that but some of you might remember the Allure Magazine Beauty Blogger Awards?  Yes, i was a finalist (still feel so blessed for that amazing experience) and gained a decent following which meant that if i changed the URL of my blog, i might cause some confusion.  So for the past four and a half years, I've been writing a beauty blog with a 'fashion' title.  I hated that!  I hated the fact that i couldn't fit into the beautiful clothes i admired even more!  So i hid from the world.  I posted my face here  but there weren't many pictures from neck down because i felt too ashamed!  Mainly because i didn't see that person in that massive vessel as myself!  I was living in someone else's body because certainly it wasn't mine!  Fast forward to January 20, 2016... after much research and contemplation, i decided to embark on a life changing journey.  I had gastric sleeve surgery in hopes of getting back to a healthy weight. I've been documenting my journey via my YouTube Series Beneath The Surface if you're curious (see my before/after pics here).  I didn't want to share too much of that on here because i figured you follow my blog for beauty and probably don't want to read this chick's rants about her weight.  I get that! But on the same token, i feel that most of us women have struggled with weight at some point in our lives... whether it's the fact that we're overweight or even underweight.  This is a topic many can relate to so hopefully you're receptive to it.  Fast forward to today... I've lost a lot of weight and finally feel like myself!  When i look in the mirror i see meeeeeee! I'm not super skinny, I'm not trying to look like a model, but i am thrilled to say that i finally feel like myself again! I'm so grateful for my journey because after four and a half years of writing a beauty blog with a fashion name I'm happy to report that I'm putting the 'fashion' exactly where it belongs! Along with the usual beauty posts you're accustomed to seeing, you will also see outfit posts.   I'm beyond excited to be doing this!  This is my dream and while i want to say that it completes the journey, i can't quite do that.  I am excited to see where this new chapter leads me!  For now, I'm hoping that you enjoy these new changes as much as I'm enjoying creating them for you.  You may notice that the header photos have changed and are reflective of this new chapter.! I'm beyond excited!

Also, i wanted to share that I'm thrilled to have made it to round two of the Pacifica Muse contest!!! Oh my gosh! What an honor!  I'm working on my round 2 video which will be live on Wednesday!  I will need your help because your vote will count BIG TIME!  You can vote three times per day for the span of 7 days.  Please vote (starting Wednesday, August 24th) and help me spread the word.  This is such a dream... I'd be thrilled to continue through to the next round!  As always, thank you for your continued support!  I know this post was a bit long but i felt it was important to reflect on the past four and a half years as well as the direction of the blog.  I owe that to my loyal readers!  Xo, Carla

Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Introducing the new & limited edition Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette.  Transform your eyes with this must-have, universally flattering, game-changing palette featuring 12 all-new Superhero inspired shades. Discover the long-wear power of innovative Superhero Pigment Power Technology for super smooth, super skin-loving, super saturated shades that last from day to night!  Experience your flawless Superhero Nudes, Superhero Neutrals, and Superhero Liners, plus discover your ground-breaking Superhero Eye Foundation eyeshadow base shades in three super wearable colors that are perfect for all skin tones!  First-Ever Breakthrough Innovation!  Superhero Eye Foundation eyeshadow color correct, neutralize and smooth for perfectly prepped lids!  Wear alone or as your all-over base color. Superhero Nudes give you a flawlessly gorgeous "no-makeup" look!  Wear alone or with other shadows.  Superhero Neutrals complement the twinkle in your eyes and make your eye color come alive!  Wear alone or with other shadows.  Superhero Liners are super-intensely pigmented for beautiful definition!  Wear wet or dry, as your eyeliner or contour crease color.  Each anti-aging, ultra-luxe shadow in your Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette is formulated with hydrolyzed collagen, real silk, peptides and antioxidants, plus innovative Superhero Pigment Power Technology for younger-looking lids and velvety-smooth, super intense pigment that won't come off until you take it off!

Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette is available at ULTA and ULTA.COM in August 2016 for a limited time.  I'm definitely checking this out next time i'm at ULTA

Thank you so much for reading! xo, Carla

Three New Kleenex Launches You Don't Want to Miss!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016


When i think of Kleenex, i think of my trusted go-to tissues for keeping my nose clean during some rather unpleasant times. So when i learned that the brand was expanding their line to incorporate facial cleansing products i was all about that life! When i finally got my hands on these products, i literally gasped for air with excitement!  They're so so good!  Let me tell you more...



The Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes are on a whole other level of good.  The exclusive combination of multi-layered, textured fabric and a gentle cleanser, infused with a pro-vitamin complex will feel completely luxurious against your skin!  This beauty is designed to give the natural radiance of a freshly cleansed face in just one step.  These facial wipes work well for all skin types, are dermatologist tested and alcohol free!  Once you purchase the kit you'll simply need to replenish with refillable packs. I keep mine on my vanity.  Not only does it look pretty next to all of my favorite beauty products but it's super functional too!





I'm obsessed with the Exfoliating Cushions!  These dual-sided, multi-layered fabric discs are infused with a gentle cleanser that exfoliates and polishes skin.  They're designed to reveal a healthy, more radiant glow in just one use.  Talk about convenience!  These are even great for travel!  Let's say you're going away for a weekend... simply toss a couple of these in your toiletry bag to ensure properly cleansed skin!  They're simply genius!



I always keep cotton pads on my nightstand!  Personally, the larger and more luxurious the better!  I can't stand flimsy cotton pads that leave stringy residuals on my skin... yuck! Well beauties feast your eyes on the new Kleenex Cotton Soft Pads!  Oh my gosh they're so so soft and supersized making them my new beauty BFF!  The micro-fine textured fabric is cotton soft with less link for a cleaner clean! They're great for using with your favorite cleanser or toner!  Personally, i'm a fan and will never go back to anything else but these!  They're beyond good... they're uhhhhmazing!

You will definitely want to check these out!  They're wonderful new additions to the Kleenex family and i'm officially a fan!  Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

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

Favorite Affordable Beauty Brands

Monday, August 15, 2016

Favorite Affordable Beauty Brands


You don't have to break the bank to find some amazing beauty products! In fact, while sure i love high end makeup (who doesn't really) some of my favorite can't live without products are actually quite affordable!  I absolutely love that there are so many wonderful brands out there that create quality products at affordable prices making it easy for every beauty lover on a budget to rejoice.  For today's post, i thought it'd be fun to show you my favorite budget friendly brands. 

Pixi - you all know I'm a huge Pixi fan.  The packaging is beautiful and the products are definitely worth checking out.  I've declared my love for Pixi's Glow Tonic numerous times on the blog and for good reason.  This beauty has been a game changer for my skin!  The multibalms are also worth checking out.  As a busy mommy of twins, it's so nice to reach for a good multi-tasking product when i'm on-the-go and simply want to look awake and somewhat presentable to the world!  BTW have you entered my Multibalm giveaway?  I'm giving away the entire collection to one lucky FMM reader (open internationally).  ENTER HERE!

Colourpop has been a brand that I've loved from the second i swatched my first ever shadow!  Average prices run about $5 and the quality is insane! I'm currently obsessing over the highlighter Churro... Oh Em Gee you guys have noooo idea just how GORGEOUS it is!  You must check them out!

Sonia Kashuk is another brand I've loved for years!  Some of my favorite products include SK nail polishes (currently on my nails), the blush/bronzer combos and the toiletry bags (never leave home without them)! I also love her makeup pouches as well as the fun limited release brush sets!  

Whenever a reader or friend asks me for my favorite affordable vegan/cruelty free brand i always steer them towards Pacifica.  They have a beautiful range of quality products that are fun and innovative (I'm looking at your Pacifica deodorant wipes)!  My favorite products are the roll on perfumes (so good to toss in your purse for a quick refresh throughout the day), the nail polishes (love the color range and longevity) and their Power of Love Coconut Infused palette!  The colors are pigmented and wear beautifully.  The packaging on all of Pacifica products is also insanely beautiful so if you love great packaging like i do, you'll fall hard for this brand!

Milani has set the bar quite high for drugstore makeup.  Their eye shadows could easily stand up to some of the most expensive brands!  The packaging is sleek and very high end looking.  Their rose carved blushes are insanely beautiful.  I'd say my favorite products from this brand are most definitely the eye shadows and blushes!  They're worth every penny, look great on your vanity and won't break the bank!

Last but certainly not least NYX cosmetics has really exploded in the market lately with a huge range of innovative new launches! Their lip butters, shadows, blushes... i mean, i can go on and on.  One of the products i love so much is their eye shadow base.  It's a white cream primer base that evens out all the redness in my eye lid creating a perfect canvas for my eye shadow.  Their color correcting palette is also a great buy for the price and is comparable to some of the more expensive ones on the market.

I hope this post has given you some great options for shopping beauty on a budget!  Thank you so much for reading and be sure to enter my current Pixi Beauty Giveaway here!  Xo, Carla - FMM

Maskara Beauty Eye Shadows - Create Your Own Palette!

Friday, August 12, 2016


It's no secret that I'm a huge fan and supporter of Cara Brook of Maskcara Beauty!  If you follow her blog and beauty line you know she's basically a makeup genius!  A few weeks ago, she launched a collection of gorgeous eye shadows and i was first in line to purchase them because I'm beyond excited for this new Maskcara Beauty addition! There are several options when ordering.  You can opt for already made palettes or you can customize one to suit your needs.  I decided that this was the best option for me.  I typically love a good range of neutrals with a couple of gem toned shades for some interest.  I selected the boho pan palette (because duh look at it) and began picking out the individual shades that would essentially create my perfect palette.

First, lets talk about quality!  I had high expectations for these shadows because i can't imagine Cara putting her name on a product that is nothing short of perfection.  These shadows are pigmented, buttery, very little fall out and blend like a dream.  The quality surpassed even my greatest expectations!  Job well done Cara!  OK now on to the shades i selected....



From left to right (top row): Sabrina, Mama, Basic and Oak
From left to right (bottom row): Coco, Gilded, Kin and Emerald City


Now brace yourself for the most GORGEOUS swatches you've ever feasted your eyes on!

Right???!!!!!!  I'm absolutely in LOVE with this palette that I've customized myself!  You can purchase each shadow individually or save a little money and buy the whole palette (create your own or pre-selected).

Here's a quick everyday look i created with these stunners! I especially love to swipe Emerald City on my water line.... so gorge!




Go check out Maskcara Beauty's new shadows and customize your very own palette! I know you'll love the quality and range of colors just as much as i did!  While you're shopping her site, be sure to check out her signature HAC palettes!  OH my gosh... you have no idea how good they are! (check out my previeous reviews/tutorials here and here) STOCK UP! Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla

Foreo ISSA Toothbrush

Wednesday, August 10, 2016


There are certain things you simply don't skimp on... your skincare and your oral health! Speaking of oral care, have you seen the Foreo ISSA toothbrush?  It's so different from anything I've ever seen or previously tried so naturally i was curious! I've been using a Phillips Sonic Care for about a year now but my curiosity got the best of me when Foreo sent this over.  Aesthetically this brush is super sleek and modern.  It will look gorgeous on your bathroom counter for sure.  Yet something tells me you don't buy toothbrushes based solely on their appearance am i right?  That would be silly... however, i think this beauty's aesthetics are a major bonus!

I'm not gonna lie, i was a bit hesitant when i saw this brush in person.  I mean, it's not at all the traditional bristle style we are all so accustomed to but sometimes it's good to veer off the typical and potentially find new gems!  Foreo ISSA features high-intensity pulsations which are channeled through soft silicone bristles that will not scratch like standard bristles. They generate the ideal amount of friction to effectively remove stains and plaque while remaining gentle on tooth enamel. It's extremely light weight and features a brush head with 3D flexibility to adapt to any tooth surface and can brush even the most difficult to reach crevices. Every 30 seconds the brush reminds users to brush a new quadrant of the mouth and signals when a two-minute brushing routine is complete... genius right?



Other features include:

  • Each charge lasts for 365 uses (i cannot confirm because I've only had it for one month but so far so good!)
  • The brush head needs replacement only ONCE per year!  Whaaaat?!
  • No charging dock is required
  • Eight-speed adjustable pulsations
  • The brush is fully waterproof and can even be used in the shower
  • A two-year limited warranty and 10 year quality guarantee is included

Also noteworthy:

The ISSA toothbrush is BPA free.  It is made from nonporous silicone that resists bacteria buildup, making it at least 35 times more hygienic than regular toothbrushes, which can be home to millions of bacteria.   



My personal impression....  

As previously mentioned, i was quite hesitant to use this toothbrush because i simply could not wrap my head around how different this was from my previous toothbrushes.  However, i've been using it for about a month now and am loving it. Yes, it takes a little getting used to but once you get used to the feeling you'll love it too.  I love that it signals when to move around the mouth ensuring that i'm brushing long enough to really deep clean my teeth.  I feel as though my teeth are very clean once my two minutes are up which is so important.  I do want to try the hybrid brush head because i've read some great reviews on that.  Overall i definitely recommend it.  The only downfall for me is the price. It's quite hefty but then again so was my Phillips Sonic Care and truthfully it's a price i'm willing to pay to ensure that i'm taking proper care of my teeth. 

You can purchase this toothbrush here and here.  Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press sample 

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