Play! by Sephora Beauty Bag May 2016

Let's Beauty Together

While I was on the hunt for beauty subscription boxes back in September, I researched a ton of different boxes and bags.  Some ranged in price, reviews and samples.  I think I've found some great options, and luckily all of them are $10 or under. 

I never imagined that Sephora would have a bag of their own for only $10! It was like a dream.  Recently I received an email that I was taken off their waitlist so I hopped on the chance to try brands that are usually too expensive for me to buy!

This month's bag focused on The Forces of Nature.  All about products that are high performing and that are good for you too. 

I thought it was also pretty neat that you get a little Play! Pass that gives you 50 extra Beauty Insider points when you scan it with any purchase at your local Sephora.  This Pass also lets you have a one-on-one tutorial for free with one of their beauty experts. 

In every Sephora Play! Box you also receive a Play! Book.  This little book folds out to give so much advice on how to wear/use the different products and to let you know all the details about them.  I love reading up on the products I receive so I know i'm using them the right way, so this was a huge help!

Included in this bag:

-Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine-I love this slightly orange scented cologne.  With hints of sweet blood orange and bitter orange peel paired with notes of geranium, its actually a scent I don't totally hate or makes me sick.

-Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Kimchi-Even though this lipstick is bright pink it's such a fun color!  I love the sleek packaging and the long wearing formula.

-Tarte Tarteiest Lip Crayon in Latergram-This lip crayon is perfect for sensitive skin and such a great shade for any skin tone.  I love how natural looking it is.

-Origins Maskimizer, Drink Up and Clear Improvement Masks-This mask set is such a cool idea!  I have been a fan of the Origins Clear Improvements Mask for years, its such a great mask to calm down crazy skin issues.  I'm so excited to try the maskimizer-it's a primer for your mask so you get the most out of it!

-Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial-This overnight mask helps your skin brighten up and locks in the moisture.  In the morning just wash it off like normal and your skin will be noticeably brighter! 

-Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask-I've received this sample just recently in another box as well and I still haven't tried it.  This claims to repair frizzy hair and to make your hair super soft without weighing it down.

In every Play! Box you receive 5 makeup samples and 1 perfume sample.  Even though I get major headaches with most perfumes I think its a cool idea to try some new fragrances and it's like a guarantee you wont just get a perfume sample for one of your other makeup products.

Like I mentioned before this box is $10, I think its so awesome I get to try all these high end products for that little!  If you are interested in learning more about Play! you can go HERE!

Ipsy Glam Bag May 2016

 My May Glam Bag is probably the cutest little makeup bag I've ever seen!  So many perfectly small pictures to get the wanderlust and travel bug in you excited to go on an adventure this summer.

 

 

Overall this bag was a so-so.  It wasn't great but I didn't totally hate it either.  Ipsy is heading into summer with lots of traveling and helping me to find products that will help me with my traveling ahead too.

 



 

Included in this bag:

 

-BellaPierre Cosmetics Nude Gel Lip Liner Pencil-I've never tried a lip liner people.  Like ever.  So I'm super stoked to try it now.  Even though the shade looks a little darker then I'm used to it will be fun to give it a try!  This brand is known for their mineral beauty products. Other awesome perks about this products are that it's waterproof and it can be worn under lipstick or by itself!

 

-Simissglam Small Contour W07 Brush-I might be crazy, but I'm starting to like receiving brushes again.  It just helps my stash grow that much more.  This brush is perfect for contouring and small enough for a variety of things other than just contouring.

 

-The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm-This lip balm is made of simple, and effective ingredients.  I love the size of this sample and I'm always in need of a good, hydrating lip balm!

 

-Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover-Even though I don't quite understand this type of product the cleanser/make-up remover dealio, I think it could be a cool idea.  This claims to remove makeup and dirt from pores and tones the skin while cleaning, without drying the skin out.

 

-Smashbox Cosmetics X-Rated Mascara-I've tried Smashbox mascara before and have loved it.  This one is claiming the great same benefits from the formula like clump, flake and smudge-proof!

 

Ipsy's Glam Bag is a monthly makeup subscription bag that is $10 a month.  Along with Birchbox, Ipsy will give you points if you refer a friend or review the products after trying them which you can later use for MORE products you've been wanting to try!

 

If you would like to learn more about Ipsy's Glam Bag you can go HERE!

Target Beauty Box May 2016

Spring Fling

I'm not even joking when I heard this box was live on Target's website I screamed at work and had to stop everything I was doing and try to order one.  Priorities people!  I say try because seriously if you aren't keeping an eye on Target's emails, website etc. and checking like a crazy person like every day to see if you can finally catch one, they all disappear right before your eyes they go so fast! Trust me, I know from experience.  Well one lucky day I was FINALLY able to snag one for myself.  This box included loads of fun samples and a $3 off coupon on any beauty purchase of $15 or more.

 

 

-Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream-An all natural blend of antioxidants that works overnight to stimulate circulation and healthy cell renewal while slowing cellular damage. This sounds like a miracle product!

-Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream-This textured moisturizer strengthen skin with hydro-ionized mineral water and biogen technology and last 24 hours to provide continuous hydration.

-L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen-When I showed this to my little niece she said if that's too bright for you, you can always give it to me. It was hilarious!  I think this might be a little too bright for Emma though.  This pen doesn't require any sharpening and gives off a highly pigmented lip color.

-Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo-I love dry shampoo!  Especially when it's a lightweight formula that instantly refreshes.

-Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer-This moisturizer is made with DMAE, Jojoba oil and vitamins A and E, claiming to support healthy elasticity and visibly firm and lift skin.

-Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream-Even though I don't really like foil packets this one sounds pretty cool!  This can be used as a makeup remover or primer and also gives intense moisture for the face and body.

-CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser-This is my favorite cleanser!  I have been using CeraVe products for years now and I love them.  This is perfect for sensitive skin and I love that I have a travel size for vacations now.

-Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil-My mom and sister LOVE this oil!  This naturally cleanses and softens skins.  I'm excited to try it out!

-L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes-Again I'm not a huuuge fan of being tan.  (I'm rhyming now, oh boy!) But this sounds like a cool product if your into that sort of thing.  Streak-free tanning towelettes that dry quickly.

 

This box was $10, but sometimes Target Beauty Boxes range from $7-$10.  This is not a subscription so if you want to try 1 or 10 it's up to you to sign up and you're not tied to anything which is also good if you don't want it after a couple months.  If you would like to stalk Target's website with me you can stay updated for the next one HERE!



Birchbox May 2016

This box is to help us stay radiant as we jump into the Summer season and are constantly outside in the sun!  They partnered with Keds to bring us this cute and fun box design too.  Even though a couple of these items are repeat items for myself, I'm excited to give them another go and get ready for the warmer months ahead!
 

 

Here's what I found in my box:

-COOLA SPF 50 Sport-Mango-This is the classy version of sunscreen!  With a fruity scent this sunscreen is sweat-proof, and water resistant and made with organic botanicals.

-Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner-I've had a few Eyeko eyeliners before and they are so jet black its crazy! I appreciate the Skinny part of this because it's easier for precision and doesn't create so many mess ups.

-Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub-I knew once I smelled this I was hooked.  This contains organic coconut oil for hydrations, plus brown sugar and Tahitian coconut shell for exfoliation.  I'm going to use this and pretend I'm in Tahiti!

-Obliphica Professional Seaberry Hair Serum (Medium to Coarse)-This hair serum claims to revive damaged, colored and unmanageable hair without weighing it down.  With my hair being almost a mile long (jokes) and is somewhat colored, damaged and unmanageable this sounds like the perfect product for me!

-The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil-I'm excited to try this! I don't think I've ever tried a facial oil.  This will hopefully absorb quickly to reveal smoother and revitalized skin.

  

Birchbox is a monthly beauty box subscription service that is $10 each month. I bought a year long subscription and got 1 month free!

If you'd like to know more information about Birchbox or get a box for yourself you can go HERE!
On a side note i'm going crazy for subscription boxes! Be prepared for an overload of reviews.  If there are any you'd recommend or you can't live without I'd love to hear about them!



Youth Sunday School Lesson: Scripture Study

How can I improve my scripture study?

Dallin gave an awesome lesson this last Sunday to our youth Sunday School class!  He taught about how we can improve our scripture study.  I loved how he went through the lesson and I want to make sure to remember it for future use. 

He started the lesson by asking if any one had a skill or something they were good at that normally people are not good at, or hobbies in general.  He asked the youth how they got that skill and then related it back to scripture study.  The youth mentioned it took hours of consistent work and study.  It takes time and focus to get good at doing it. 

"Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment."  Quentin L. Cook

He shared this quote and asked what immersion meant and how it is different than just reading the scriptures. 

We then discussed some other ways we can study our scriptures.  Some of our list included:  memorizing scriptures, books, manuals, cross reference guide, Topical Guide and Bible Dictionary, Highlighting, writing talks or prepare a lesson, schedule a time, by topic, cover to cover, and randomly just flipping open tabs or opening your scriptures and reading.

Dallin then introduced the Search, Ponder and Pray exercise.  He mentioned the well known Primary song about just that!  He then gave everyone a paper full of different scripture references, while he was writing up Search, Ponder and Pray on the board.  We were instructed to read the different scriptures and if we could find either search, ponder or pray we could put it under that subject.  Some of the scriptures went under two or even all three.  It was a great exercise for the youth to really comprehend the scriptures.  We then read each one out loud and discussed why we put it in the category we did. 

On the bottom of the page he gave some other great scriptures that would help with practicing scripture study.  He made a list from what he found online with lds.org and scriptures that he remembered while preparing this lesson, if you are interested in what he gave each person you can find the printable below.  This could always be changed to different scriptures for a different lesson.

I made a batch of Rice Krispie Treats that morning for Dallin's treat and everyone loved them!

Search, Ponder and Pray Printable

April 2016 Highlights

Well before JUNE hits I better highlight some of April. I'm kind of behind.  April was such a great month.  Full of so many great things and people.  We kicked off April with something I really look forward to, General Conference!  And it didn't (and never will) disappoint!  One of my favorite quotes from this General Conference was from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

 

"Keep loving.  Keep trying.  Keep trusting.  Keep believing.  Keep growing.  Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

 

How awesome is that!? And it's true!  Don't give up, heaven is cheering for us! I love it!  If you'd like to read, listen, or watch the whole talk you can go HERE!

 

Dallin and I took a walk in the golley during sessions and it was completely beautiful.
 I love this nice weather!

 



 

Lots of long days at the office are made a liiiitle bit better with Banbury Cross donuts.  Their blueberry donut is delicious, but lets be honest, every one of their donuts are delicious!

 

We  also went to an MMA fight up in Logan with some of Dallin's fam.  Tom and Rosalie were so nice to invite us, we had VIP treatment and all.  That same day we also saw Zootopia-LOVED it, and went to Union Grill for Ogden's Restaurant week.  We are always up for a good deal when eating out and it was such a good meal! 

 

It was also my cousin Andrew's Homecoming in April and we loved going to his families house after for lunch and treats, I should have gotten a picture with Andrew.  He is the funniest kid! Thanks for the picture Robyn!

 

Brandon and Courtney got bees!  It was so cool watching them "unbox" them. 

 

 

This is the little queen box.  The worker bees have to help her out of that so they can form a hive. I think.  I don't know much about bees, but if you want to learn more Courtney has a blog and you can find out about all their fun home adventures and bee time HERE!

 

After weeks and weeks of waiting to give my Easter lesson so both Dallin and I and the youth were all there I finally was able to give it.  Those kids are awesome!  I love working with them!  If you'd like to read more about our Book of Mormon lesson or to get the free printables you can go HERE!

 

 

We got a ton of fun things at Pirate O's! 

A fun post and review on all of all our treats is coming soon!

 

 

My Mom bought me THE cutest donut things at Walmart. 

 

 After a rough day Dallin bought me some pretty tulips at Costco, they have the prettiest flowers.  He's the sweetest!

 

I cannot believe how fast this year is going!

Mother's Day Chocolate Printable

While I was thinking about what to get our moms and grandmas for Mother's Day this year I wanted something they would love, something cute and simple but also something that let them know we love them and are so, so grateful for them.  I think I found just that!

We are so grateful for these incredible ladies in our lives and all that they have done for us (and continue to do for us).  My mom is the sweetest lady, she is always there to help, talk, listen, support...the list could go on and on with that one.  And boy do I love her! I'm so grateful to have her as my mom!

So if you are in need of a quick idea for Mother's Day, Brittany and I created this adorable printable that could go with any sort of chocolatey treat.  Some ideas:  favorite candy bar, box of chocolates, chocolate cake, etc.  You name it! 

I decided to go with little boxes of chocolates from Cummings right here in SLC.  

I think they turned out perfect! 

I love that you can color in the bottom any way you like!

Just print, color, cut and back with a fun color.  

Add some chocolate and your Mother's Day gift is done!

If you would like the printable you can find it HERE!

Youth Sunday School: Easter Lesson and Book of Mormon

How can the Book of Mormon help me strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

I'll be honest I was a little overwhelmed that my teaching day landed on Easter Sunday.  I have so many thoughts and ideas regarding this special week and our Savior, Jesus Christ and I wanted to make sure the youth in my class felt it too and got something out of this lesson.  Later that day I actually found out I planned the wrong lesson for that week and it really could have been solely on Easter lesson.  Whoops!  BUT it went fabulously and the Book of Mormon was a great topic to go along with Easter Sunday.

I began with a personal story of when I was at work and someone asked me about the Book of Mormon, what it was about and what it meant to me.  He was not a member of the church so he was asking out of genuine curiosity.  I told the class how I responded and asked them what they would say if that happened to them.  Would you know what to say, would you be prepared, how would you respond?

We then watched the short video called Book of Mormon Introduction.  After we talked about how the Book of Mormon is a record of God's dealings with the inhabitants of ancient America.  And how we can find the main purposes of the whole book on the Title Page and the Introduction.  We then read parts of each.

Here are some questions I asked the class through out the lesson:

-Why would another testament of Jesus Christ be so important for our day? Why would the Lord bring forth another witness to strengthen the powerful declarations of the Bible?

-Why do you think stories of so many individuals and families are included in this book both good and bad?

-Why do you think it is necessary to have faith in Jesus Christ?

-How has studying the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon, helped you in your life?

Other specific topics we discussed:

-Believers and Nonbelievers in the Book of Mormon,
we also get to choose if we want to follow Christ

-President Benson's 3 great reasons why we should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit.  1.  Keystone of our religion  2.  Written for our day  3.  Helps us draw nearer to God

-Scripture Power (Primary song) and how the scriptures can give us power in our every day life

We read many quotes and scriptures regarding Christ and the Book of Mormon.  I was in a Relief Society lesson once and the teacher had ALL the quotes on a sheet of paper for each person to help participate and keep after the lesson.  I loved it, so I did the same thing! 
I'll attach it at the bottom of this post.

You know me I ALWAYS need a hand out.  I have had people ask why go into so much work but when you see the people in your class, or even just one persons eyes light up I hope they know how much I care about them individually.  And besides its really fun to do! So the handout for this lesson was a little Book of Mormon of course!  This was one of the easiest handouts I've done!  Pick up some Orbit gum and wrap them with the print out below!  I used double stick tape and it worked like a charm.

I also wanted to give them a picture of Christ that related to Easter.  I couldn't find the exact one I wanted, but the one I found worked great!  I attached a little quote and reminder of this lesson on the back so while they are reading the Book of Mormon they can use this as a bookmark and remember what this book is all about!  Another testament of Jesus Christ.

Here are the printables I mentioned above! So, so easy just print, cut and go!

 

Book of Mormon Gum Cover Printable 

Book of Mormon Quotes and Scripture Printable