Target September Box

Fall Right In

Target boxes have become one of my favorite boxes (if not very favorite)!  I love that it has a variety of products that aren't too expensive so I can repurchase them again and again without all the shoppers guilt! ;)

Included in this box:

-Biore Baking Soda Cleanser-I love a good exfoliator and I love that this can be found at the drugstore!  This is best for combination skin to gently exfoliate and deep-clean pores.

-EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Natural Deep Conditioner-I love that this will help my hair be stronger, healthier and more manageable.  I LOVE coconut so when I read coconut it's instant love in my eyes!  Aside from the fact that it smells great its all natural, paraben and sulfate free.

-Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream-This cream not only moisturizes your dry skin but helps strengthen your skin and retains that moisture all day long.  

-OGX Renewing Coconut Milk Conditioner-This conditioner smells like heaven, of course it's made up of my favorite coconut milk.  I wish I could have gotten both the shampoo and conditioner, but hey I'll take what I can get!

-Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara in Very Black-With a new "push up cup" brush and new creamy plumping formula this mascara claims to lift, volumize and hold in for an ultra-dramatic look that will last all day long! 

-Rimmel The Only 1 Lisptick in Best of the Best 510-This red shade is perfect for a bold statement lip.  This claims to give the perfect balance of high-impact color, moisture and all-day wear.   

-S.W. Basics Organic Citrus Lip Balm-Made with 5 simple ingredients I don't feel weird about using this all the time!  It also claims to leave lips moisturized and healed without the sticky, waxy feeling.

This wasn't my favorite Target box ever but it definitely had a few great things mixed in! 

 

If you'd like to know more about these products or Target boxes you can go HERE! 

September Birchbox

Products with (Lots of) benefits!

This month is all about multitaskers. Products that help you with a variety of different things in product.  This time of year is always hectic for Dallin and I with school starting and tutoring for Dallin so the faster I can get ready (and longer I can sleep) is always a good thing.

Included in this box:

-Beauty Protector Protect & Blonde Toning Shampoo-This deep purple shampoo smells so perfect and helps refresh blonde tones while refreshing and moisturizing the hair.  This will moisturize blonde hair while amplifying cool tones if used 2-3 times a week.

-dr. brandt pores no more cleanser-This cleanser is perfect for oily/combination skin.  And helps tighten pores! This is a best-selling face wash!

-JUARA Candlenut Body Crème-This smells so rich!  This product is perfect for those cooler temps ahead.  It will deeply penetrate for softer, smoother skin thanks to all the candlenut oil.

-Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek in Perk-I have been so impressed with Milk Makeup and have wanted to try more.  I love that this can be used on the lips and cheeks to add a rosy glow to the skin, and it's easy to use!

-TokyoMilk Light Transformation Eau de Parfum-I hate perfume samples.  Like seriously when I saw this I cried a little.  The scent is very clean here are some notes if you're interested:  mandarin, tuberose, amber and white clay. 

 

I love this cute box!  Is it crazy that it reminds me of sprinkles?!  It's just so darn cute!

 





If you'd like to learn more about this box and products you can go HERE!

September Glam Bag

Glamazon

We're through with lazy beauty!  High Maintenance?  More like hey, gorgeous.  Primpin' ain't easy-but someone's gotta do it.

This box is full of products to help you glam up and look great!

Included in this bag:

 



-e.l.f Cosmetics Clay Eyeshadow Palette in Smoked to Perfection-When I first saw that there was an e.l.f product in my bag I was kind of disappointed.  Part of the thing I love most about Ipsy is I get to try brands I've never tried before and expand my horizon.  Once I realized I got 5 shadows my attitude changed.  This mix of colors borders on the too glittery side, but this combo could be good for tons of different looks which is definitely a bonus. 

-AMIE New Leaf Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish-This exfoliant claims to clean deep down and leave your skin with a smooth and polished finish. I really like that it's great for sensitive skin and gentle, but still works hard to clean out the pores.

-MAKE Skin Illuminator in Llos-This illuminator instantly brightens skin, but it does have a touch of glitter that makes it almost too much for me.  The fact that it can be worn under or over makeup is pretty cool.  The slight pink color is beautiful just that darn glitter is throwing me off!   

-Naked Cosmetics Naked Advanced Aloe Cream-This cream/moisturizer boast of being different then the rest with a base of organic aloe instead of water.  This helps promote cellular regeneration for new healthy skin, while making your skin super soft too!

-Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme- This lip plumper gives instant and long term results, with daily use.  This not only will plump and make your lips fuller but it will moisturize them too.  

The bag is so fashionable and chic this month.  I love the fun fabric that has flecks of gold! If you look closely the girls on the front are spelling out I-p-s-y!   

If you'd like to learn more about Ipsy and their fun Glam Bags you can go HERE! 

September 2016 Youth Sunday School Lesson: Obedience to the Commandments

How does keeping the commandments affect my ability to learn the gospel?

Last Sunday I taught our Youth Sunday School class on how being obedient to the commandments can help us learn the gospel.  As always I wanted to give a review of my lesson just in case fellow teachers want some ideas! 

We started the lesson with talking about what helps us learn the gospel.  The list went from seminary to friends to personal revelation.  I love hearing what teens are doing to learn more about the gospel!

I went over three different topics with them that would help them learn the gospel while of course keeping the commandments.  These three topics went along with the three general conference talks provided for this lesson on lds.org. 

1.  Be Obedient

"Obedience is the first law of heaven." -President Joseph F. Smith

I let them listen to the story from President Monson's talk (linked below) about his experience with obedience.

We read lots of quotes so I made a separate paper for them to follow along and keep.  If you'd like a copy the printable will be linked below!

"Obedience is a choice.  It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God's unlimited wisdom and omnipotence." -Elder L. Tom Perry

2.  Seek Revelation

Just like the prophets we can receive personal revelation for ourselves!  But in order to receive revelation we have to be obedient and follow the inspiration we receive.
 

After reading Elder Scott's quote about being "trusted of the Lord", we discussed what that meant and how we can become "trusted of the Lord". 

We also discussed how he'll give us knowledge line upon line.  This will help us understand the concepts we learn, and grow on what we already know.

3.  Grow Your Testimony

"For spirituality to grow stronger and more available, it must be planted in a righteous environment.  Haughtiness, pride, and conceit are like stony ground that will never produce spiritual fruit."

-Elder Scott

After reading that quote from Elder Scott we talked about gardens and how good soil is a vital part of your garden in order to get the fruit you want!  You have to nurture your garden and keep it in good condition in order for it to produce fruit.  This is just like our testimonies. 

"So a seed of faith is already planted in your heart.  You may even have felt some of the expansion of your heart promised in Alma.  I did.  But like a growing plant, it must be nurtured or it will wither.  Frequent and heartfelt prayers of faith are crucial and needed nutrients.  Obedience to the truth you have received will keep the testimony alive and strengthen it.  Obedience to the commandments is part of the nourishment you must provide for your testimony." -President Eyring

We then read the warning from Alma that President Eyring mentioned in his talk.  You can also find it in Alma 32: 38-43.

With so much talk about fruit I just had to incorporate it in my handout!  I packaged a dipped strawberry and some chocolate dipped grapes to give to each person.  I opted for a buying them because I was short on time but you could definitely dip your own.  If that's a little too much work or money for you don't worry!  You could do a little package of Frooties, Runts, sour cherry candy or Sour Patch Watermelon and attach the tag below. 

Talks used:

-Obedience Brings Blessings By President Thomas S. Monson

-How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life By Elder Richard G. Scott

-A Living Testimony By Henry B. Eyring

Scriptures Read:

-Alma 32: 38-43

As always these are obviously great to use if you teach a Youth Sunday School class too, but you could also use these printables for FHE, Visiting Teaching messages, Relief Society Visits and so on! 

If you'd like the free printable for the tag and quote page you can go HERE!

September 2016 Youth Sunday School Lesson: Commandments

Last Sunday I taught our Youth Sunday School class about commandments.  Specifically touching on how the commandments help us learn to be more like Heavenly Father.

We started the lesson with discussing the "whys" of the Gospel.  Meaning why do we do the things we do and why the whys are so important.

"Sometimes, in the routine of our lives, we unintentionally overlook a vital aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ, much as one might overlook a beautiful, delicate forget-me-not.  In our diligent efforts to fulfill all of the duties and obligations we take on as members of the Church, we sometimes see the gospel as a long list of tasks that we must add to our already impossibly long to-do list, as a block of time that we must somehow fit into our busy schedules.  We focus on WHAT the Lord wants us to do and HOW we might do it, but we sometimes forget WHY." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This was such a great topic for my class.  We have an amazing young man that is a recent convert in our class and he's had a lot of people ask him why he does the things he does now.  I hope our discussion helped him realize he isn't alone.

We also talked about attitude.  A good attitude helps us enjoy what we are asked to do even more and realize all the blessing we do receive while following the commandments. And then we watched the video Following God (linked below) and read the definition of Obedience in True to the Faith.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf went on to say,

"While understanding the "what" and the "how" of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the "why."  When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight.  It becomes precious and sweet."

Speaking of sweet things, I decided to share with them one of my favorite hobbies.  All of them know I love to bake so I told them I wanted to share with them a recipe for the Perfect Peanut Butter Brownie Bites.  I switched the first recipe I gave them to have missing ingredients and very little instructions and asked them if they could make it.  They had tons of questions! I told them that the recipe stapled to this one was actually the correct recipe and that commandments are like the recipe for the perfect person.  We need specific instructions to help us become like Him.

Just like in baking you have specific things you add to a recipe to make it rise, taste good, etc.  Heavenly Father has done this with the commandments to help us become like Him in specific ways.

We then discussed each commandment and what attribute or blessing we would receive from Heavenly Father or how we would become more like Him by following that commandment.

"Heavenly Father understands that when we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated.  Our challenges and problems will be easier to bare, and we will receive His promised blessings...The choices that you make here and now are forever important."
-President Monson

The choices we make define who we are, they show others what we care about, what we believe and who we are. Sometimes our standards can set us apart from others.  We then watched the video Leave the Party (linked below). 

I love that one girl in our class brought up how we are all one of those friends and it made her think which friend am I?  The one that decided to leave, the one that tagged along or the one that did it anyways to fit in.

I love that John went on to teach at a school in Japan.  It just goes to show that Heavenly Father does really have a plan for us and sometimes we may not know all the blessing in store for us.  He knows what's best for us and what we can become if we follow Him.

Just like John in the video the commandments and standards we have can set us apart, we may even feel completely alone.  Even President Monson has felt that way.  I also shared the video Dare to Stand Alone (linked below).

The word courage stood out to me in this lesson.  It takes so much courage and persistence to follow the commandments.  When we decided to follow them and understand why we follow them, we will grow closer to our Heavenly Father and we will never stand alone. 

So when it gets hard becoming the perfect person, remember that Heavenly Father has so much in store for you and that he is trying to help you become the best you-you can be.  He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible.  He has provided us with the perfect recipe which if we follow, will see us safely through this often treacherous mortal journey and make each of us grow closer to and become like Him.

Scriptures we read:

-D&C 82:8-10

-Exodus 20:3-17

-Matthew 22:34-40

-John 14:15

Videos we watched:

-Following God

-Leave the Party

-Dare to Stand Alone

Talks I love and used in this lesson:

-Keep the Commandments By President Thomas S. Monson

-Forget Me Not By Dieter F. Uchtdorf

-The Blessings of Commandments By Dallin H. Oaks

-Diligence in Keeping the Commandments:  A Key to Blessings, Protection and Happiness By J. Alan Walker

This week happened to be Fast Sunday, but I still wanted to package up the Peanut Butter Brownie Bites so I gave them two for a little take home treat after they ended their fast, with the real recipe for them as well.

I also thought the little Keep the Commandments! tag could be attached to a single Reese's or a bag of their mini peanut butter cups so you don't have to make the cookies, but still give them a little treat!

If you'd like the printable for the Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe, as well as the NOT real one for the lesson, and the Keep the Commandments tag you can find them all HERE!



Peanut Butter Brownie Bites Recipe

If I were to picture the perfect cookie, I would think of this one.  Full of peanut butter and chocolate goodness and even topped with mini peanut butter cups.  I'm sold! 

At first sight you may think these cookies are super complicated, but they are actually pretty easy.  When I first found this recipe months ago on Your Cup of Cake I knew this was the cookie for me.  I made some slight alterations to her recipe, which can be found below or you can find her original recipe HERE!  Her pictures are enough of a reason to go over there, trust me!

I haven't met anyone that doesn't like these cookies!  I made these for my Sunday School class this last Sunday, and really they were the star of the whole lesson.  More on that to come so make sure to check back soon. 

Peanut Butter Brownie Bites

Recipe from Your Cup of Cake

Brownie Cookies

1 Box Devil's Food Cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 C. oil

1 T. brown sugar

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 C. butter, softened

3/4 C. smooth peanut butter

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3-4 T. milk

3 C. powdered sugar

Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache

3/4 C. milk chocolate chips

1/2 C. smooth peanut butter

Mini Peanut Butter Cups, chopped

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.

2.  Sift cake mix into a large bowl to remove lumps.  Add eggs, oil and brown sugar and stir until smooth.  Batter will be thick.

3.  Use a small cookie scoop to form small dough balls.  Place on cookie sheets and gently flatten each dough ball. 

4.  Bake for 6-8 minutes depending on how fudgey you want them to be.  Let cool.

5.  For the Peanut Butter Frosting-Beat butter and peanut butter together.  Add vanilla extract and milk.  Slowly add in powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.  Add more milk if needed.

6.  For the Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache-Microwave chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30 second increments until melted.  Stir until smooth.

7.  Once cookies are cooled place a heaping spoonful of frosting on a cookie and spread.  Make a small hole for Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache with your knife.  Fill hole with ganache and top with chopped mini peanut butter cups. 

8. DON'T keep them in your house deliver them or give away to friends or you'll eat them all in record time! ;)

Friday Faves

One of the best things us Warner girls do together is shopping together!  When I had a day off back in the starting of August and Dallin was out of town we decided to go to all of our favorite spots. 

 

My mom got a few fun things for Fall like this decorative sign at Hobby Lobby!

 

 

Also at Hobby Lobby she got these super useful, and festive food containers.  How perfect would these be full of your favorite chex mix or treat for neighbors!?

 



 

We also headed over to Target of course!

 

I've heard so much about this candle and finally had to buy it! It smells like the perfect summer day with a touch of coconut-my favorite.

 

When I go to Target I can't not stop at the Dollar Spot!  It just wouldn't be a shopping trip to Target without it! 

 

I love stocking up on their adorable note cards and I found a ton of cute ones this time around.  They are so nice to always have on hand so I'm not scrambling when I need one.

 

My cute Mom even bought this cute little ceramic pencil for me to help me decorate our little place for back to school.  She's the best!

 

It's always sad when summer ends and real schedules kick back in but retail therapy and seasonal buys usually make up for it!