Last Minute Beauty Gifts and Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

OK so Christmas is right around the corner and truth be told, some of us just can't get ourselves together and finish our shopping already!  By some of us i mean me of course!  Listen, this is absolutely the craziest time of year for me.  I know it's crazy for you too but seriously, between planning the girls birthday, plus all the parties, girls' activities, shopping, blogging, working, maintaining the house, i seriously feel stressed and spent.  That's why i decided to take a moment and jot down some fun gift/stocking stuffer ideas for my favorite ladies!  I hope this helps you narrow it all down!  

Hard Candy has some wonderful and inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas that i think are so fun for the teenager in your life.  This lip gloss set can actually be taken apart and gifted to three different girls! Great value if you ask me!  Or you can opt for these fun disco ball lip balm ornaments because they're just too cute to pass up!

Did someone say Deborah Lippmann nail set with a super cute sparkly pouch for only $12???? I'm sooo on that!

OK so forget that this set is actually called Summerstash Sephora Favorites!  I purchased this set a while back and couldn't believe the amazing value.  Now it's on sale for only $30 and if you don't take advantage of this you are totally missing out!  It features products from NARS, Urban Decay, Josie Maran, Stila, Marc Jacobs, Deborah Lippmann, OCC... seriously, do i need to go on?? 

I love Tarte and this contouring kit is sooooo makeup pouch perfect!  Oh and it's only $24! I know I'd be a happy girl if Santa left this beauty in my stocking! 

It's no secret that i'm a die hard IT girl!  This limited edition Buki set is just sooooo gorge!  OMG Santa... are you listening?!  OK focus Carla, this is not about you... it's about gifting your loved ones! 

This Tatch Camellia Moisturizing Lip Balm has been my recent go-to balm. It's incredibly luxurious and feels soooo amazing on my lips.  Besides, who doesn't love the fact that it's layered with a 24 karat gold leaf sheet?! 

Whatever gifts you decide on, i wish you all who celebrate the Merriest of Christmases together with your loved ones.  Xo, Carla

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Stocking Stuffer Ideas

My gosh... this list could go on for days!  Sure there's more but I tried really hard to control myself!  Honestly, these little beauty finds are so fun to give and get!  While I already have a couple of these, there are definitely a few that I won't mind seeing tucked inside my stocking this year!

1. Pixi Icy Eye Shadow Palette
2. Top Shop Glitter Nail Polish in Magpie
3. Deborah Lippmann R&B Mini Nail Lacquer Duo
4. MAC Divine Night (limited edition) Nail Lacquer
5. Jouer Sparkle and Shine Holiday Party Favor
6. Pixi Icy Lip Luster Set
7. Emi Jay 'Initials' Hair Tie
8. Puttin' on the Glitz Collection

I'm sure i'll have more lists for you... after all, I'm rather enjoying this 'pretend shopping' experience!  Besides, I'm making my own lists along the way.  All of these would make fantastic gifts for the beauty lovers in my life... you know, me!

So what's on your beauty list? 

Thank you so much for reading! XOXO Carla - FMM

 

The Reverse French Manicure - Inspired by Deborah LIppmann

So a few weeks ago, while flipping through the pages of August's issue of InStyle Magazine, I came across a gorgeous manicure by the brilliant Deborah Lippmann.  She created it for Badgley Mischka's Fall 2012 show.  I was instantly smitten by this stunner!  It's so feminine, sexy and sultry and best yet, it's just in time for Fall!  I've been obsessing over it ever since!  So i finally decided to give it a try!  Since i have a million nail polishes already, (remember my insane collection?? Which I've shamelessly added to since that post!!) i opted for similar shades rather than purchasing the originally used Dark Side of the Moon and Nefertiti.  I'm head over heels in love this look!  For this post, i kept it as close to the original that graced the runways of Badgley Mischka, however, I'm having lovely visions of a midnight blue or slate blue paired with a metallic silver?  Heck, why stop there... i can use just about any combo that suits my taste buds right? You can too!  Here's how!

Begin by painting your nails in the desired color.  I opted for Deborah Lippmann's Just Walk Away Renee.  Once the polish is completely dry, apply nail stickers to the tips (i used Orly french manicure stickers). 

Once you've applied the stickers, proceed to paint the tips with your desired color.  I opted for Julep's Sienna. 

Please excuse the mess, but you can always clean up later right? 

 

Once dry, remove the strips.  Apply your favorite top coat and voila... those Badgley Mischka models ain't got nothin' on you!  Weeeerk it like the diva that you know you are!!! Grrrr

 

 

 

 

So excited that this was my 100th post! Thank you all SO MUCH for your incredible support!  Love my readers... i treasure each and every one of you!  Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM!  XOXO Carla

Accidentally Organized!

So a few weeks back, my make-up train case broke!  Uhh don't you hate it when that happens?  Well, i immediately ordered a new one, and in typical Carla fashion, i failed to check the measurements assuming it was the same as the one i currently owned.  Well, i was wrong!  When it arrived, i knew immediately there was no way this make-up obsessed girl would fit all of her beloved make-up in this new case.  Needless to say i was not a happy camper!  So, i promptly ordered another, this time making sure to purchase the correct one.  But what would i do with this one?  I mean, i certainly didn't feel like shipping it back.  And then it clicked!  This would make a great case for organizing my nail polish collection, which until now, had been residing in a large rectangular plastic container... hardly a pretty home for my gorgeous polish collection!  Turned out to be indeed!  I love how when i open it now, i can see every single color perfectly making it easier to decide on a selection based on my mood.  Key word being "easier" not "easy" by any means since there are so many choices!  But you've heard me say it before, I'm obsessed with nail polish yada yada, so as you can see, i wasn't kidding!  Only thing is, i can't fit much more in this case which can be problematic for future purchases!  Hmmm  As for my manicure supplies, i keep those in a really pretty fabric bag that i found at Home Goods... couldn't fit it all in this one.  I bet if i had the large train case specifically for this purpose, I'd fit it all in there... ok ok, this will have to do for now!  So here are some pictures.  Hopefully, i will inspire some of my nail polish junkie friends to organize their collections as well. 

So when you open the case, it opens up into three tiers on both sides.  My thought was to separate each tier by brand.  Each brand, i tried to separate by shade. 

Getting a picture of the entire open case was quite challenging lol 

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Accessories are EVERYTHING!

You've heard me say it before... accessories are EVERYTHING!  You can take a plain Jane outfit and turn it into a vavavoom outfit simply by adding the right accessories.  Jewelry is a great way to do just that!  JCrew is one of my favorite stores because i feel they really capture what i feel is my style... classic with a twist.  One of my favorite necklaces of all times is the turquoise JCrew bubble necklace which i've shown you here.  I don't know but there's just something about turquoise bold statement jewelry that makes me happy!  Well, the other day, while strolling through the store, i came across this necklace (i picked it up in mineral green btw) which i completely fell in love with.  It's simple, the perfect color and yet has a bit of a sparkle embedded between the turquoise/seafoam beads making it even more special.... you know, classic with a twist!  So i couldn't resist... I knew exactly what i wanted to pair it up with!  Remember a few posts back when i did the side swept bun tutorial?  I wore one of my current favorite white boho tops from Anthropology which you can see here.  Don't you think this would pair well with that top along with a great pair of jeans?  I'm showing it here with that top as well as a classic boat neck stripped nautical top to show how it instantly dresses it up without overdoing it.  What do you think?

I've paired it here with the polishes i used in my most recent manicure post.  I think they compliment each other don't you?

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Here's another magnetic nail polish option

Last week i posted a tutorial on Deborah Lippmann's new line of magnetic nail polish which you can see here.   I decided to try another brand, Nails Inc carried at Sephora.  This time, i opted for teal hue called Whitehall Teal.  I think i like this color better.  So... here it is :)

Magnetic Wave Design... By Deborah Lippmann

I was recently approached by a lovely friend of mine whom i shall call Ms. Ice Cream about this new 'magnetic wave design' nail polish.  She really wanted to try it but was afraid she'd mess it up so she suggested i try it and blog about it.  I wasn't sure i knew what this was but my curiosity got the best of me.  I didn't realize it at the time but during my last trip to Sephora, i noticed a nail polish by "Nails Inc." a brand i absolutely adore by the way, and they actually have a magnetic wave nail polish line as well.  I remember picking up the wand and feeling a bit overwhelmed by it so i quickly put it down and walked away.  My friend was particularly curious about the Deborah Lippmann set that actually comes in two color schemes.  I opted for the purple hues which consist of a light shade called Berry Metal and a richer pinkish purple called Love is a Battlefield (which makes me want to break out into song lol).   I purchased this set from HSN for $25 (it's actually $30 but i searched for an online coupon code and got $5 off SCORE!)  I promptly played around with the wand and mixed up the layers to determine which i liked best.  So here it is! 

 

Step one:  Apply a clear base coat.  You can use any that you already have.

Step Two:  Apply one coat of Love is a Battlefield.  Let it dry completely.

 

Step Three:  Apply a coat of Berry Metal one nail at a time.  As soon as you apply it to one nail, quickly apply the magnet wand over the nail.  There is a little arch on the wand that you can place on the cuticle of the nail, being careful not to touch the nail with the wand.  Hold for 10 seconds and voila!

 

Overall, it's not very hard to do though it is a bit time consuming.  I like it, it's very different from anything i've ever tried and if nothing more, it's pretty darn cool.  I'm not exactly used to wearing these kinds of effects on my nails so it's taking a little getting used to.   The next time i go to Sephora, i will check if Nail Inc has a greater variety of colors.  If i find anything that fancies me, i will pick it up and post a picture! 

*** Just an added note to thank everyone that has checked out my posts.  I'm having so much fun doing this blog as it's a wonderful outlet to talk about all the stuff i LOVE to discuss... fashion, beauty and of course the loves of my life!  For all those who have me saved under 'favorites', i'd love it if you joined the blog and ofcourse spread the word!  Again, thank you for taking the time to read and know that i really appreciate it!  Hugs***