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 Bound! Happy New Year!

You guys!!!! I'm going to PARIS!  Last Christmas, while at breakfast with one of my best friends (who btw shares a birthday with me therefore making her my birthday twin!), suggested that we celebrate our 40th birthday in Paris!  At first i was like, whhhhaaaat?!  But the more i thought about it, the more it made sense.  You only live once...  so why not?!  I quickly ran out and purchased the latest Fodor's Paris edition and began dreaming of this day.  Eventually with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Paris sort of got shoved in the back burner and was never discussed again.... until last month.  I thought about it a lot. This time of year is so difficult because my girls have their birthday in December so we always plan a big party for them.  In addition to that, we have a ton of birthdays and of course Christmas.  It just gets so expensive... add a trip to Paris to the equation and yikes! However, the more i thought about it the more i felt as though if we didn't do this, i would totally regret it.  After all, we only turn 40 once... and second, our birthday is always gonna fall on an 'inconvenient' time of year. So, just like that... we booked out tickets!  The past month has been incredibly stressful and honestly, i haven't had the time to actually sit and plan much.  Though as soon as Christmas was over, i felt this sense of relief in a way... like i could finally breathe!  It was so nice to actually sit with a blankie and my Fodor's book and finally devote a little time planning this amazing trip.  So here's the thing... we are only going for 5 days and while it's going to be amazing, I'm having some major anxiety about leaving my little girls behind.  I know they'll be in great hands, i just hate flying so every time i travel, i experience a little of this feeling.  I'm working on getting past that.  

Well, we leave tomorrow and i just organized my entire closet in order to make packing a bit of a more pleasurable experience.  Oh who am i kidding, i hate packing!  I'm a little overwhelmed with the wardrobe selection.  We will be doing a ton of walking so i have to make sure my shoe situation is comfortable but not frumpy.  I have a couple of pairs of flat boots and Tieks that are super comfy so they'll work.  Also, it's cold in Paris and since we'll be outdoors, i have to make sure that i pack my favorite winter accessories. I've found a ton of super cute things to wear while I'm there but haven't found one single thing to wear on my actual birthday.  We have dinner reservations at the Eiffel Tower (omg screaming here) and i want to look my best but at this point, I'll figure something out.  Who knows, perhaps I'll find something amazing while in Paris! I'm sure it won't be hard! After all... Paris is the fashion mecca of the world!  I'm excited to make some beauty discoveries as well (I'll be sure to share them with you of course). 

For this post, i thought I'd put together a few things I'm bringing with my for my very long flight besides Xanax, Nyquil and vodka of course! Check out my list:

Frends headphones - can't get any more chic than rose gold Frends!
My new Burgundy Tieks - oh so  comfy!
Bonjour sweater - i mean, can you think of a better option for a Paris arrival?
Orla Kiely luggage - because it's sooooo cute!
Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody bag - perfect for keeping hands free while sight seeing.
Amika dry shampoo - never ever leave home without it!
Cute hair ties - self explanatory!
Daily Concepts super comfy sleep mask - for when the Xanax, Nyquil/Vodka cocktail kick in!
Tatcha Travel Kit - obsessed with Tatcha and this TSA approved kit is everything!
Gorgeous plaid scarf - obsessed with this bargain find!
Christian Dior Diorific Vernis in Sparkling Plum - because it's Parisian perfect!
Book: How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are - oui oui!
Travel Pillow - again for when my anxiety cocktail kicks in!

Hope you will all follow along on this amazing trip with me.  Be sure to follow on instagram, twitter and facebook for loads of pictures!  Can't wait to tell you all about it!  Thank you SO MUCH for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

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Yin and Yang

As you have seen in previous posts, I'm having loads of fun with my nail polish!  In fact, i think it's one of my favorite beauty products because you don't have to commit to it for long periods of time. I'd get bored anyway.  In fact, back in January, i tried the new OPI gel manicure that lasts forever, and i can tell you that i was over it quick!  I can see from a practical perspective how this particular manicure can be a good thing, but certainly not for my everyday polish needs. 

I love corals, particularly this time of year.  But what i love even more, is the pairing of orange and pink.  I love it so much, i used those colors in my wedding decor with subtle touches of apple green.  This manicure is inspired by my love of these two colors.  When i couldn't decide which to use, i used BOTH!  Problem solved! 

For this manicure, i used two polishes from Forever 21 by the brand "Love & Beauty" which I'd never heard of before.  First i applied a coat of "orange", then a coat of "bubble gum" on just one side of my nails creating what i call a 'yin and yang' effect.  For a touch of fun, i added gold glitter polish solely on my ring finger (optional).

 

Interestingly, if you look from one angle, it looks as though I'm wearing orange polish...

  

From a different angle, it looks pink! 

From afar, since the colors really compliment each other, you can't quite tell you are wearing two shades of polish.

Thank you SO MUCH for visiting!  I would love it if you would become an official follower of Fashion Maven Mommy!  If you already are, WELCOME BACK!  Also follow me on twitter, Bloglovin, and "like" my page on Facebook!  Hugs