Ashes of Laughter

Editorial Styling By Yours Truly

2012-02-13T22:24:00.000-06:00

For those of you who don't follow my tweets {here}, you may not know I am a photographic stylist by day, blogger by night.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to style a retro-inspired photo shoot with talented fashion photographer, Orlando Behar.

Hope you enjoy!

Make it a GREAT Day!

2012-02-10T07:50:00.000-06:00

images via here, devo via here

“The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23”

You said the wrong words, took the wrong turns, loved the wrong person, reacted the wrong way.

You spoke when you should’ve listened, judged when you should’ve trusted, indulged when you should have resisted.

But don’t let yesterday’s mistakes sabotage today’s attitude!

So, what makes the difference?

Daily drenching rains! Deluges keep the ground moist, the trees wet, and the lightning impotent.

Lightning strikes you as well. Thunderbolts of regret can ignite and consume you. Counter them with downpours of God’s grace, daily washings of forgiveness.

Once a year won’t do. Once a month is insufficient. Weekly showers leave you dry. Sporadic misting leaves you combustible! You need a solid soaking every day!

Choose to make it a great day—every day!

Have a great weekend y'all!

xx,

Erin

Clutch It + Giveaway Winner!

2012-02-06T10:28:00.001-06:00

And all of these bags are Nine West. They are KILLING it.

And now... for our GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Congratulations Katie Schuett! You've won the $25 P osh Locket gift certificate! Look for an email later this week!

xx,

Erin

Prada Spring 2012 + Giveaway!

2012-02-02T23:01:00.000-06:00

If you haven't already, go enter my FANTASTIC Poshlocket gift certificate giveaway HERE!

xx,

Erin

Recent Faves + Giveaway

2012-02-01T19:18:00.000-06:00

via here, here, here, and here

If you haven't already, go enter my FANTASTIC Poshlocket gift certificate giveaway HERE!

xx,

Erin

Currently Obsessed.Me + Giveaway!

2012-01-31T20:45:00.001-06:00

A few of you have noticed that you can now stalk my current obsessions in the top right corner of my blog.

What you might not have known is that you can stalk ALL of my current obsessions on my page HERE!

Fab shoes HERE

Awesome TB Cuff {only $45!} HERE

Pretty in Purple HERE

Perfect LBD HERE

Go Hogs! HERE

For these and more visit my currently obsessed page HERE!

If you haven't already, go enter my FANTASTIC Poshlocket gift certificate giveaway HERE!

Devo + Giveaway!

2012-01-30T22:34:00.000-06:00

Prepare to Love Others

by Joyce Meyer

The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. —Romans 13:12

Before your feet touch the floor in the morning, put on the full armor of God with which you can quench all the fiery darts of the enemy (see Ephesians 6:13–17*). Put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the readiness of the gospel of peace.

Don’t let the devil steal your peace in the morning. Start talking to God before you even get out of bed.

Tell Him, “I love You, Lord, and I need Your help today. Please strengthen me to walk in the fruit of the Spirit. Help me walk in love all day long. Help me to keep my thoughts on You, Lord.”

^*13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

via here

If you haven't already, go enter my FANTASTIC Poshlocket gift certificate giveaway HERE!

Outfit Post + Poshlocket Giveaway!

2012-01-29T22:19:00.003-06:00

Vest - Ralph Lauren, Top - Final Touch, Skirt - Zac Posen for Target, Shoes - Calvin Klein,

Enamel Bracelet - Poshlocket

Like my bracelet? You can win it!

Ashes of Laughter has teamed up with jewelry site Poshlocket to giveaway a $25 gift certificate!

__________________________________________

To win a $25 gift certificate to Poshlocket, you must:

1. "Like" Ashes of Laughter on Facebook HERE
2. "Like" Poshlocket Facebook page HERE
3. Leave a comment on this post with your email address

For additional entries you can follow Poshlocket on twitter HERE,

or Follow Ashes of Laughter on Bloglovin' HERE!

Unlimited entries per person.
*Giveaway ends Monday, February 6th.

*Photo Credit: Vincent Chiarelli

Joshua 1:9

2012-01-29T14:51:00.000-06:00

Outfit Post: Safari Jane

2012-01-26T16:48:00.001-06:00

Vest - Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Jeans - Seven for All Mankind HERE, Top - Vintage, Shoes - Zara,

Accessories - F21, BCBG, Charlotte Russe

Have a great weekend! Stay tuned I have a surprise on Monday!!

xx,

Erin

*Photo credit: Vincent Chiarelli

Let God Be Enough!

2012-01-25T21:46:00.000-06:00

Perfect for today.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

Matthew 6:33-34

Jesus said, “I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough.”

Not enough time, luck, credit, wisdom, intelligence. We’re running out of everything, it seems, and so we worry! But worry doesn’t work.

I challenge you to become a worry-slapper.

Do you procrastinate when a blood-sucking bug lights on your skin? “I’ll take care of that in a moment.” Of course you don’t! You give the critter the slap it deserves.

Don’t waste an hour wondering what your boss thinks. Ask her.

Don’t assume you’ll never get out of debt. Consult an expert.

Let God be enough! He knows your needs. Seek Him! He will give you everything you need!

-Max Lucado

*images via here

Ashes of Laughter: Product Love!

2012-01-22T21:56:00.000-06:00

1. Mac Cranberry Eyeshadow
Fantastic for green eyes, really makes them POP! My lovely friend Blair introduced me to this fabulous shade.

2. Origins Clear Improvement Mask
The active charcoal draws out impurities and actually leaves your face looking visibly better. It also has a nice tingly feeling on your skin.

3. Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me
My new favorite lip balm. A little color, a little flavor, a lot of goodness. People on a regular basis have asked me what I have on my lips when I wear this. Such a nice subtle color.

4. FACE Nail Polish in Gold Sparkle
I won this at a dirty santa party and have been wearing it ever since. The perfect full coverage sparkle polish.

5. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink
I tried this while visiting my friend Rachel and knew I had to get my own. It's a very natural glow for day, but I layer it with powder blush at night. Also great for lips too!

6. Hard Candy Balmination in Vampire Bite
Very similar to the Maybelline Soft Lips, but not as glossy. This shade is also a little more neon. It looks fabulous with a tan.

What are your favorite products??

xx,

Erin

Pray.

2012-01-18T00:58:00.000-06:00

I love today's devotional. We don't need to get in the habit of praying only when we are in need. God is there to listen to us about anything, all of the time {talk about understanding}. Prayer is just talking to God. It doesn't have to be formal, it doesn't have to be rehearsed, it just has to be from the heart, and it's always heard.

Anyone who is having troubles
should pray. Anyone who is happy
should sing praises.
James 5:13

When a believing person prays—great things happen.

If you want to deepen your prayer life—pray. Don’t prepare to pray. Just pray. Don’t read about prayer. Just pray. Don’t attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer. Just pray.

James 5:13 says anyone who’s having troubles should pray. Anyone who’s happy should sing praises.

Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Do what works for you. Just don’t overthink it. In other words, don’t be so concerned about wrapping the gift that you never give it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.

And if you feel you should only pray when you’re inspired, that’s okay. Just see to it that you are inspired every day.

-Max Lucado

Outfit Post: Orange Crush

2012-01-13T13:03:00.001-06:00

Dress and Pearl necklace-F21 (similar here and here), Fox Fur Vest-(similar here), Boots-(similar here), Gold Necklace- Chico's (similar here)

This dress is actually from last year, but Forever 21 has re-issued it! (can you tell I'm jumping in the second shot?)

Hope you have an amazing weekend! Look forward to a surprise next week!!

xx,

Erin

Photo credit: Craig Rhodes

Reason to Celebrate!

2012-01-11T22:51:00.001-06:00

My friend Aaryn shared this Jon Walker devotional the other day on twitter and it really hit home. Too often we breeze past Christmas and forget that we should be celebrating Jesus year round. Hope you
enjoy!

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20 NIV)

We celebrate the birth of Jesus, and then we return to the office, to school, to the things we normally do.

Do you remember that Christmas was just a few weeks ago? (Or are you still thinking about when you’ll take down your decorations?)

The shepherds of Bethlehem returned to their fields. God had sent them to find the baby Jesus in a manger. They marveled at God and knew they’d been blessed to see the Messiah’s arrival.

And then they returned to their flocks. They returned with an energized faith, glorifying and praising God. But, still, they returned to their routine.

God takes us to the mountaintop where he shows us great miracles and wonders, but he doesn’t leave us there. It is in the fields and among the flocks that our faith grows, nurtured in the soil of the day-to-day, the mundane. This is where we die to Christ, allowing his life to blossom within us (Galatians 2:20).

You may have returned to your routine, but God wants you to know this:

The things we truly believe emerge day-to-day. It’s the conflicts over who makes the coffee, who cleans up the mess, who gets to go home early, or who gets the biggest piece of pie that test whether it is Christ who lives in us or if we’re still saying, “No, it is I who live.”

God wants you to succeed, and he is going to stay with you to help you get it right. As Pastor Rick often says, God is on your side. This means God’s intent is not to catch you doing something wrong; his intent is to reveal where you still need to yield to the Jesus-life growing in you.

You can still be merry! Don’t we always point out how friendly, cordial, loving, and giving people are during the Christmas season, and then lament the fact that they aren’t like that during the rest of the year? It may be January, but you can still be friendly, cordial, loving, and giving right now. It is a choice!

Merry Christmas and a Happy Return to Routine.

xx,

Erin

Unconventional Headboard Love

2012-01-10T16:45:00.000-06:00

images via pinterest

And before I forget, one of my very favorite NWA boutiques is about to launch a website! They are running a giveaway on their Facebook for those that "Like" their page. Sooo what are you waiting for!? Like Maude Boutique HERE!

Hope you have a great day!!!

xx,

Erin

Nicole Farhi Spring 2012

2012-01-08T23:34:00.000-06:00

images via here

It's safe to say I'm ready for warmer weather!

xx,

Erin

Go to Him

2012-01-05T19:40:00.000-06:00

I think the best way to incorporate Christ into my blog is going to be alternating fashion and faith posts. I wanted to start the year off by sharing a Max Lucado devotional. Here's to the beginning!

“God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Ever feel as if you need to get away? So did Jesus. (Mark 1:35)

Ever have so many demands that you can’t stop for lunch? He can relate. (Mark 6:31) . . .

Do your friends ever let you down? When Christ needed help, his friends dozed off. (Matthew 26:40) . . .

When you turn to him for help, he runs to you to help. Why? He knows how you feel. He’s been there . . .

So go to him.

By Max Lucado

xx,

Erin

Changes for 2012.

2012-01-02T23:41:00.000-06:00

Hello friends, bloggers, and family. I want to take this time to say thank you for your continued love and support of Ashes of Laughter. I am truly amazed by the number of people that visit and come back to my site everyday. I am dearly blessed.

I want to do something for someone very important in my life this year. I think of all of the blessings that I've been afforded and know that it is time to give back. I want to make it my mission grow in Christ with my readers throughout the year and future. I know that I may lose some readers along the way, but it's the least I can do. I hope that you choose to take this journey with me.

A verse for the new year.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jerimiah 29:11

Here's to 2012!

xx,

Erin

Outfit Post: Rain or Shine

2011-12-27T01:08:00.000-06:00

Vest - BB Dakota HERE, Shorts (and jewels) - F21, Top - Vintage, Shoes Steve Madden HERE

Packed and ready for my New Years trip. I'll see you next week lovelies!

xx,

Erin

Affordable L-U-S-T List!

2011-12-19T22:45:00.000-06:00

Icicle Necklace HERE

Navajo Sequin Skirt HERE

The Perfect Pink Shift HERE

Swing Dress HERE

Fantastic Pink Dress HERE

I want them all.

xx,

Erin

Chanel’s Pre-Fall Show

2011-12-14T20:43:00.000-06:00

My invite must have been lost in the mail. Fantastic.

xx,

Erin

Tea For Two + Riffraff Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-13T00:52:00.001-06:00

images via this is glamorous

And the {lucky} winner of the Riffraff dress giveaway is dom dom dooom,

Barbara Lagasse!!!

I'll be emailing you details shortly! ;)

xx,

Erin

Outfit Post + Last Day of Giveaway!!

2011-12-11T22:29:00.001-06:00

Fox Fur Vest - My Aunt's (similar faux version), Dress - Tibi, Tights - Signature Style,

Boots - Michael Antonio (similar version), Necklace - Max & Chloe

Today is the LAST day to enter my Riffraff Dress Giveaway!!

Enter HERE. Winner announced Tuesday!

Photo credit: Orlando Behar

Christmas Wishlist + Giveaway!

2011-12-08T19:48:00.000-06:00

The Birthday Project Dress HERE

West Avenue Monogram Earrings HERE

Aqua Maxi Skirt HERE

Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Union Square HERE

Spike the Punch Glass Crystal Statement Necklace HERE

Adrianna Satin Buckle Pump HERE

I would be extremely happy if any of these appeared under my tree!

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER MY DRESS GIVEAWAY!!! Winner announced Monday!

ENTER HERE!