Valentine's Day Cookies

Hey Guys! Today's blog post is Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies! Ashley and I can personally vouch that these taste amazing! Hope y'all enjoy! 

Cookie Ingredients: 

•2 Cups sugar

•1 Cup Margarine (or butter)

•3 Eggs

•6 Tablespoons Milk

•5 Cups Flour

•1/2 Teaspoon of salt

•5 Teaspoons Baking Powder

Frosting Ingredients: 

•1/4 Cup Butter (softened)

•Dash of Salt

•1 Teaspoon Vanilla

•3 Tablespoons Milk

•4 Ounces Cream Cheese

•1 Can of store bought vanilla frosting. (Or 3 cups powdered sugar)

Cookie Instructions: 

•Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

•Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, & milk until well combined. 

•Add flour, salt, & baking powder until just combined. 

•Generously flour a work surface & a rolling pin.

•Roll out 1/4 of the dough at a time to 3/8 inch thickness.

•Cut w/ cookie cutters & place on lightly greased cookie sheet (or non greased stone) 

•Cook for about 10 minutes until cookies are just done. (THEY SHOULD NOT GET BROWN!)

•Immediately remove from pan and place on cooling rack.

•Frost when completely cooled. (Frosting directions below pictures) 

Frosting Instructions:  

•Soften butter & cream cheese.

•Blend together w/ remaining frosting ingredients.

•Tint w/ food coloring if desired.

Thanks so much for visiting our blog! Feel free to share this post and follow us on Instagram! Subscribe by email to see our upcoming posts! Happy Valentines Day! -Maddie :)

February Fashion Inspiration

Hey Guys! Here is an easy, modest, and cute outfit for winter: 

Top: A solid black t shirt from Old Navy. In colder weather than Texas, a solid black long sleeve shirt can be worn.

Bottom: I am wearing a gray knee length skirt by Faded Glory & some black tights from target.

Shoes: I am wearing some black, slouchy knee high boots from Kohl's. 

Accessories: my chunky scarf is one of my new favorites this winter. I was given it by a friend (Thank you Amanda!) for Christmas so I am not sure the brand or where it was purchased. I am also wearing a sparkly bracelet that my parents gave me for Christmas. 

Hope y'all enjoy! Don't forget to check us out on Instagram & subscribe to get our posts delivered right into your email inbox! -Maddie

Fashion Inspiration

Hey Guys! Here is a cute modest fashion inspiration for the warmer days of winter! We live in Texas so the grass is still green and it's not too chilly. Hope y'all enjoy! 

Shirt- Marshalls 

Lace Blazer- Dillards

Necklace- given as a gift

Pants- Dillards

Boots- Shoe Carnival 

-Ashley 

3rd Day of Christmas

 Hey! For the 3rd day of Christmas, we are doing a fashion post! This is an easy outfit that can be casual or dressy! In addition to this, there will be a Christmas devotion! Hope you enjoy!

The casual way to wear this outfit is to wear dark blue jeans, a red long sleeve shirt. These were the same jeans and shirt worn in our Where's Waldo Post. Sparkly Toms® (mine were BOBs®), and a Christmassy scarf. My scarf was black with silver striped on it. 

For the dressier look, wear the exact same top combination and shoes. However switch the jeans out with an adorable black pencil skirt. 

This is a perfect Christmas party look that is cute, modest, and festive!

*sorry about the photo quality, my iPhone is fading fast. 

Christmas Devotion: 

{Isaiah 11:1-5} "Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the lord . He will delight in obeying the lord . He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment."

This scripture was written HUNDREDS of years before th  birth of Christ, yet it contains so much wisdom and complete accuracy. It is obvious that it was from God. The "branch" is referring to Jesus and the "old root" is referencing the line of David. It says that Christ would have to spirit of the Lord up in Him, which you can find evidence of in every story throughout the New Testament. I think it is very comforting to know that Jesus will never judge us based on worldly view points and will always be fair. Our God is righteous! This Christmas season, remember to spend time with God and thank Him for the amazing work He has done.

2nd Day of Christmas

Hey guys! For our second day in our 12 Day  of Christmas series we are doing a SUPER cute, crafty DIY. We will be doing TWO Christmas centerpieces that are super cute, festive, inexpensive, and fun! In addition to the centerpieces, we will have a Christmas devotional. Hope you enjoy!

First take a glass bowl of some sort. It can be decorative or plain. Add as many round, ball ornaments as will fit  comfortably in the bowl. If possible, add a variety of colors or textures. Finally, add a simple Christmas wreath around the bowl. Place on a table and its complete!

Upward view^

Side view^

"Normal" view ^


First take a wicker "plate" or some thing similar. Next, place a glass vase in the center of it. Preferably a wider vase as we are putting things into it. Then, take a festive candle (I chose a silver sparkly one) and set it inside the vase. Finally, add either a simple Christmas wreath or a fake berry wreath like shown in the picture around the vase. You can find these at any craft store during the holidays. Set it on a table and its complete!

Christmas Devotional:

"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." -Grinch (Dr. Seuss)

Dr. Seuss had  lot of hidden meanings in his work. This particular quote is just one example. Our society is so focused on gifts, decorations, and the busyness of the season (none of which are necessarily bad. However when they become a higher priority than Jesus it is.) to pay attention to why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Jesus's birth is just the beginning of an amazing story! Christmas is more than what comes from a store, it's about Jesus. Never forget the amazing things He has done! Remember, CHRISTmas begins with CHRIST. It's easy to get caught up in the season, make sure to take the time to focus on God and His word this Christmas.

Fall Nail Inspiration

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope y'all have a great day! Here is a easy fall nail idea to wear this thanksgiving! 

All I did was paint all my nails brown except for my ring finger. Then I painted it gold. This gives it a more fun and autumnal look. Here are the nail polishes I used: 

Remember as you spend time with family and friends today to be thankful for our amazing God who never fails! 

Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

New Upcoming Series

Hey everybody! We are about to start a new series called "The 12 Days of Christmas". Every day for the 12 days leading up til Christmas will have a blog post! Starting on December 14 there will be one DIY, fashion, beauty, craft, or recipe, and one devotion EVERY DAY FOR TWELVE DAYS! We have been working really hard on this and hope you enjoy this series! Don't forget to share this blog and post with your friends and follow us on our Pinterest and Instagram! Thanks so much!!

Brown Sugar Peppermint Lip Scrub

Hey guys! It's Maddie again! Ashley is currently in Hawaii so I'm writing this post instead. This post is on a peppermint brown sugar lip scrub. Its perfect for the upcoming holiday season! It's super easy, cheap, and works amazing! 

Ingredients: 

•3 Tablespoons of coconut oil

•4 Tablespoons of brown sugar

•2 Tablespoons of honey

•4 Drops of essential peppermint oil. 

Directions:

1. Combine all of these ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly. 

2. Place scrub into a small container. You can find these at almost any store in the travel section or on Amazon. 

That's it! Don't worry if it appears runny at first. Almost all DIY beauty products need to settle and sit before its to the normal consistency. Hope you enjoy the lip scrub!

How to use a lip scrub:

First, apply the scrub to your lips with your finger. Next, rub gently to exfoliate (for better results use a new toothbrush to exfoliate). Let it sit for a minute or two to moisturize lips. Finally, take a wet washcloth to remove the lip scrub. It's seriously that easy! 

~Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @maddieandashleybeauty. ! 

Where's Waldo Halloween Costume

Hey Everybody! Halloween is in just a few days so I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on my Halloween costume. This is a super easy, cheap, and MODEST costume! -Maddie

What I wore: 

•Denim, dark blue jeans

•Black converse 

•A red shirt. I couldn't find a striped shirt so I took a normal red long sleeve tshirt and made stripes w/ white ductape. Most people couldn't even tell it wasn't a normal shirt. 

•"Nerd" glasses.

•Film Camera (can use any type of camera) on a strap.

•Across the shoulder small brown purse. 

•Where's Waldo Hat. I crocheted and knitted mine but amazon has hats very similar for an inexpensive price.

•Red nail polish. Mine was from ELF.

•Red Lipstick. Mine was from Sephora. 

{special thanks to my brother, Conner, for taking these pictures for me at my church!}

Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!

Hebrews 13:16 -And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

This week I took the PSAT. As I'm sure many of you did. However, if you didn't, let me inform you of what happened.       Before the test actually began, you had to fill out about 9,000 pages of information about yourself (totally not exaggerating). One of the boxes asked for your religious preference. There was this super long list of religions, denominations, a space marked "none", and "other". There was also a space marked, "Don't wish to give info" or something like that. That space really made me think. Have we become so ashamed of God and the Bible that even on a test we are afraid to proclaim Jesus? There is a scripture that I turn to whenever I feel like stepping back and hiding. 

.     Acts 18:9 -"One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!" This is such a powerful verse that convicts me often. When I feel myself shirking back instead of standing up, I remember that even if people judge you, which they will, even if people hate you, mock you, and turn away the truth, they are not turning away us, they are turning away, judging, hating, or mocking God.       Matthew 10:22 -You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  This verse clearly tells us that we will not be accepted by everyone. Just the other week people were shot and killed at a college in Oregon from standing up for Christ and saying "Yes, I'm a Christian." You can see in America alone that being a follower of Christ is not a popular choice. However, being Jesus wasn't popular either. In fact, HE WAS KILLED! FOR YOU! Let that sink in. If Jesus Christ would die for you, shouldn't it be a joy to proclaim Him to the world?  Psalms 96:2 -Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.  

       Here's another verse that convicts me personally to live a life free of fear and shame. It's a very popular verse that many followers of Jesus have taken as their personal testimony. However, when things happen it's sometimes hard to stand by our convictions. Remember, if you don't stick to your values and beliefs while tested, they are not values or beliefs, they're hobbies. 

Romans 1:16 -For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Are we an ashamed people? Are we afraid to stand up for Christ? Think about what you just a read over the next week and look for ways in which you can stand up and not be ashamed. Again, never forget the words of Luke in Acts, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!" Thanks for reading! -Maddie 

Favorite Beauty Products

Hey guys! Today's blog post is going to be on my (Maddie's) recent drug store beauty favorites. Hope you enjoy!

Beauty Favorites:

The first item is lipstick. It is by Loreal Paris® in the shade, "Nature's Blush" number code "840". This is by far my favorite lipstick EVER! I use it almost every day and it is so amazing. This lipstick is perfect for any season of the year. In the spring/summer months, a thin layer looks super adorable and fun. In the autumn/winter months, a medium/thick coat of this looks stunning and gorgeous! 

The "Full Lash Bloom" mascara by Mabelline® lengthens, darkens, and gives the appearance of full, lush lashes. It separates the lashes, which I love, so that the mascara doesn't clump as easily.

Third, is this Revlon® eyeshadow palette. The title of it is "02 Coffee Bean". I put the use of each of the shadows on the picture above. I use the bottom eyeshadow with an angled detail brush to fill in my eyebrows. It is very inexpensive, but very high quality!

Last but certainly not least, is this fragrance mist. Ashley and I both purchased this at Bath & Body Works over the summer. I'm pretty sure neither one of us have used any other perfume all summer long! It has an amazing smell that is not overbearing. {For any people who watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Ashley and I fangirled and laughed so hard over the name of this perfume in the mall.} We both got the travel size so that we can throw it in our purse whenever we need it.

{This post was not sponsored or paid for in any way. All opinions were my own and 100% truthful}

Hope you enjoyed today's post! Don't forget to check us out on Instagram (we recently hit 110 followers! Yay!) and on Pinterest! Love ya! ~Maddie 

Fashion Inspiration for the Week

Because of fall starting and clothing styles switching over, I thought it would be a cool idea to post pictures of cute outfits or accessories from my wardrobe, Maddie's, or online. I've been absolutely in love with this vest since I first laid eyed on it at the store, but I haven't been able to wear the vest out yet, due to Texas weather. 

     Anyways, I keep seeing all of these adorable outfits on Pinterest. So, I just couldn't wait any longer. Plus my eyeliner (which i never wear, because i get super inpatient doing it) looked on point, so i thought "WHY NOT???" - Ashley

DIY Sea Salt Spray

Hey Guys! Sorry our posting hasn't been very regular. We have had a crazy few weeks, starting back to school. Hope y'all enjoy!

How to make sea salt spray:

     Here is an amazing recipe for Sea Salt Hair Spray. It works so well and I love it! 

    First, make sure you have a spray bottle ready. I used an empty leave in conditioner spray bottle, but any spray bottle will do. Next, take 1 cup of water and microwave it until it is warm pour it into bottle or whatever container you are using to mix the ingredients . Then take 1 Tablespoon  of Sea Salt add it into the warm water. Take I Teaspoon of Coconut Oil and mix that in as well. Finally, take 1 teaspoon of hair gel and add it in. Once all the ingredients are in the spray bottle, shake throughly to mix it up. 

How to use sea salt spray:

First, make sure your hair is damp. Don't have it too wet or you won't have the results you want. Next, spray the sea salt spray all over hair (don't forget the roots.) Then, using your hands, scrunch up your hair. If your hair doesn't hold curls (LIKE MINE!) put your hair up in 4 buns. Either leave in for a few hours until dry, blow dry it, or leave in over night. Once done, take hair out of the buns and style your hair as desired. Make sure to add hairspray to hold the waves. 

Hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to check out our Instagram and Pinterest! -Maddie

Happy Birthday Ashley!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY! 

Ashley has been my best friend for a very long time! We played together when we were 3 years old and then "re met" when we were 9/10ish. Ashley is such an amazing example to her younger siblings and everyone around her. She gives off this joy that makes you want to smile, even when you don't really want to. We've done a lot of things together: thousands of cookies baked, many tv shows & movies watched, much fangirling, waiting for books to come out together, and writing a blog. 

     People say that "Friends are the family we choose." And I'm so glad I chose Ashley to be my family. There is a quote from Winnie the Pooh that reads, "A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left  inside." A day spent with Ashley is ALWAYS better than one without! 

       I went through something in my life that was very hard on me. I'm not going to go into details, for I haven't even talked to Ashley about it, but through it all Ashley was there and helped me in ways she doesn't realize. Proverbs 17:17- “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” I'm so thankful to have a friend like her who, is someone you want to always be around, who cares and prays for you. There is a quote that says, "As we grow up, we realize it becomes less important to have a ton of friends, and more important to have real ones." I can testify that Ashely is a real friend that I always want in my life. 

   Happy Birthday Ashley! Thanks for everything! I love you! -Maddie 

She sprouted love like flowers, 

Grew a garden in her mind, 

And even on the darkest days,

From her smile the sun still shined.

                        -Erin Hanson

Lavender Foot & Hand Scrub

Hey guys! Here is an amazing foot/hand scrub that will exfoliate and soften your skin. You can use it on your hands, arms, feet, and legs. It is so wonderful and it feels fantastic. This scrub also moisturizes your skin and will never leave it dry.

• Microwave 1/2 cup of Coconut Oil in a microwave safe container until completely melted.

• Pour melted Coconut Oil into a small bowl and add one cup of White Sugar. Mix until blended well.

• Add 10 drops of Lavender Oil to the mixture. 

• Store the scrub in a cute mason jar or container. 

{because the coconut oil was completely melted, it will seem very runny and liquid like. Don't freak out! It will thicken as the oil cools/hardens. It will take about 12 hours to be normal} 

Benefits of Lavender Oil: 

It is very soothing, relaxing and creates a calming effect. It also is supposed to help with balance. 

Homemade Dry Shampoo

I don't know about you guys, but dry shampoo is a life saver to me! If you are rushed in the morning for school and don't have time to wash your hair, this is perfect for you! This recipe has only 3 ingredients and is super easy to make. Not to mention so much cheaper then regular dry shampoo and much more natural. -Aѕнley

Ingredients: 

• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch 

• 4 Tablespoons of water

• 1 Tablespoon rubbing alcohol

Mix together in a small bowl, then pour into a spray bottle.  

To use: 

Spray all over head until hair is slightly damp. Use more in the oilier spots on your head. Let dry.