Natasha Denona Tan Bronze & Glow Palette - One Product Does It ALL!

I spotted this Natasha Denona palette and was immediately drawn to it!  It was warm and i love the combination of creams and powders.  It reminded me of Summer and honestly, i'm so ready for warm summer days and sun kissed skin! The thing is, why wait for Summer to achieve a bronzed goddess look?!  If you know me, you know i'm quite impatient so i bit the bullet!  Though i will say, it took me some time to do so partly because i have so much makeup and wondered how this palette differed from any of my other palettes.  Then it dawned on me... this could easily be way more than just a cheek palette! Hear me out...

When i dig deep into eye shadow shades i reach for, they are essentially right here in this palette.  So i justified my purchase with the hopes of challenging myself to use this as more than just a cheek palette. Wow, was this palette ever so worth every penny!  I kid you not, i purchased it on January 16th and have yet to put it down.  It has simplified my daily makeup routine so so much!  I use it on cheeks, highlight and eyes!  I love swiping the highlight shade across my lids and brow bone while contouring the rest of my eyes with the bronzing shade.  Additionally, i use the bronzer on the hollows of my cheeks, forehead and anywhere i want to look sun kissed.  I dab a little highlight on the highs of my cheeks and cupid's bow.  The top right cream shade i use as a topper on the apples of my cheeks.  My least used shade is the upper left cream pan.  It's pretty but i just don't reach for it that much if i'm being honest.  The palette is pigmented, blends seamlessly and wears so well.

The Tom Ford Soleil Neige Highlighter and Blush Glow Stick in the shade Natural Finish are the perfect compliment to this palette. The creamy corally shade in the Glow Stick adds such a pretty flush of color to the apple of the cheeks.  The application is truly flawless and a tiny bit goes a long way so you won't need to worry about running out any time soon!  This has been my every single day go-to situation for over a month and i'm loving the ease of it all.  It truly is an effortlessly beautiful pairing!

              Below are both the Natasha Denona Palette and Tom Ford Glow Stick swatched together!

If you're a busy mom, or just don't want to spent a ton of time fussing over your makeup, this palette is going to work beautifully to ensure you look your best without much fuss.  Additionally, it makes a great travel companion!  I have no doubt that this will be my go-to situation for my next travel adventure!

If you pick this up, let me know your thoughts! I hope you love it as much as i do!  Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

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Struggling...

(Picture of the sun setting in the mediterranean from our vacation last year)

I've been holding so much in and honestly, i'm really struggling.  I consider myself a relatively positive person and when i'm down, i typically look for an opportunity for a fresh start.  But lately, i can't get past the feeling that i have nothing good to look forward to.  While i'm quite aware that this is not exactly true, my brain is stuck in that dark place where i can't see past all the struggles that await me.  It torments me every waking moment.  Mia's upcoming surgery is obviously a major part of why i'm feeling so scared and overwhelmed, naturally... but that's not where the struggle ends.  Work has been incredibly stressful and i'm finding it difficult to navigate through my days while holding on to every ounce of strength and patience to get through the evenings with my girls.  They both have issues that make time at home challenging.  I don't really want to dip too deep into those issue here, publicly, but every waking minute is a struggle of some sort.  I'm physically and emotionally drained.  I honestly want to move past this and see the light but right now, it's dim.  

It's funny but every year i feel as though we kind of go through the same changes from Fall and all things pumpkin spice, to the holidays and Winter cozies! As we gear up for Spring, i'm typically vacation shopping allowing for something incredible to look forward to come Summer.  Lawd knows i need a vacation more than anything right now, but this year is going to be a bit different.  We can't really commit to summer plans with Mia's surgery and recovery.  It's ok... but i'm longing for some alone time at a beach somewhere and was hoping to squeeze in a quick trip with hubs before the summer for my own personal mental sanity.  I know it would not take away any of my anguish or fear, but perhaps would allow me some space to breathe deep and relax.  Not sure this is going to happen and i can't help but feel as though there is nothing to look forward to right now... not even a small thread.  I hate that i feel this way because i'm being a brat! It's not about me, it's about my child!  But if i'm falling apart, who is going to look out for her and take care of her? I literally can't hold my shit together right now!  

(Picture of the sun rise in Sorrento Italy from our vacation last Summer)

Everytime i think about a way to lift myself up from this deep dark hole i'm in, i get a little nudge to write things down.  I'm drawn to making some sort of list of all the areas of my life that don't feel quite right, and write down ways that could perhaps help me navigate and sort through those unsettled areas.  Perhaps this is my way of gaining back some control of my life.  However, my brain is in such a fog that i stare at my three notebooks and four pens with nothing to write. No clarity, no direction and no focus.  There are so many things that i can't bring myself to just start.  So i figured i would come here... the little space i created for myself many years ago.  The space that i dedicated to my passions... only lately, i'm pouring out my heart to this little space because that's all i can do.  The creativity will come once i sort through this, but until then, i felt compelled to write this here. Maybe there is someone out there that needs to read this for some reason because they're experiencing their own struggles.  If you are, please know that you are not alone.  I'm struggling too.  Right now things feel dark and gloomy.  I'm hoping for better days ahead.  Writing my feelings here may be a wonderful tool to help me along my journey to finding that glimmer of light i'm oh so longing for.

Thank you so much for reading... i hope you are well.  Xo, Carla - FMM

The Only Two Products You Need To Brighten Your Under-Eyes And Fake A Good Night Sleep!

Since its release, Tarte's Shape Tape has been my go-to for concealing my dark, under eye circles!  Now this is a serious task for this busy mommy!  After all, i spend my days teaching little ones and my nights taming my twinadoes so needless to say, i need to enlist the right 'gal' for the job of faking a good night's sleep. She needs to be strong, she needs to perform under pressure and most importantly, she needs to show longevity!  This powerhouse was love at first swipe!  From the convenient wand applicator to the texture and formula, Shape Tape takes its job of seamlessly concealing those dreaded under eye circles quite seriously!  The formula isn't too thick (which i appreciate) but definitely feels substantial and a little goes a long way.  I like to blend mine in with a beauty sponge along the under-eye area as well as any areas that need a little extra coverage.   The wand applicator makes it so easy to swipe and blend. I love it so much that i have yet to stray since its release a few years back!

Enter Tarte's Shape Tape Glow Wand... or shall i say, MAGIC WAND!  No seriously, hear me out! My sweet friends at Tarte invited me to the launch event (and graciously allowed me to bring my mommy who was in pure Tarte heaven!) where we got the opportunity to try the Glow Wand before its release to the public.  When the Tarte Global Artist swiped this beauty on the highs of my cheeks i nearly gasped with excitement! This wasn't your typical highlighter!  You can essentially use it as such, but when layered over your Shape Tape Concealer, it's literally magic!  It brightens your under eye area with a beautiful lit-from-within glow without any glitter! I love to not only layer it in the under eye area but also the inner corners of my nose blended into my cheeks (looks so good once you top it with your favorite blush), the highs of my cheeks and cupid's bow!  The Glow Wand is your quintessential 'cherry on top' situation!  It just adds that extra something that everyone will notice but will not be able to pinpoint if that makes any sense! Noteworthy... the Glow Wand comes with a removable tiny beauty sponge applicator for your convenience.  You can also use a brush or beauty sponge to tap it on.

While Shape Tape concealer has been a permanent fixture on my vanity for a few years now, Shape Tape Glow Wand has officially earned prime real estate along side my trusted concealer.  Alone they're amazing, together they are MAGIC! One a last note, while i absolutely adore these products and wear them daily, i strongly believe that great skin begins with a proper regimen. The Tarte Maracuja C-Brightener Eye Treatment is my current favorite under eye cream.  I've already gone through four containers of this stuff and swear by it.  It brightens and has a beautiful silky texture that feels incredible on the delicate skin under the eyes.

I wanted to alert you of an awesome deal currently happening at QVC on this incredible deal!  You can purchase the Shape Tape Concealer together with the Shape Tape Glow Wand as well as a beauty sponge for only $35!  You can even opt for easy pay for three payments of under $12! I personally think this is the most incredible deal!  If you prefer, you can purchase each of these separately at Tarte or Ulta!  One thing is for sure, they are life changing!  If you try them, let me know what you think!   Thank you so much for reading! Xoxo, Carla - FMM

HAPPY SHOPPING!

*This post contains some press samples and affiliate links.  It also contains products i purchase myself.  All products mentioned were tested and currently loved by me!