“Topsy-Turvy Thursday” – Kings of Leon

I have had several friends recommend this band to me and I never really got around to listening to them…until now!  I am infatuated with these men.  Listen for yourself.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1795749273?bclid=203710924&bctid=1755338062

Me like-y!

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Wedding Wednesday” – How to find the perfect wedding dress

 All brides want to look their best on their wedding day, and, to many, the dress is the focal point of the ceremony.  Finding that perfect dress, however, might seem to be an insurmountable task.  A bride-to-be can avoid becoming overwhelmed by following a few simple rules that can make the shopping trip as fun and memorable as it should be.

 

Shop Early! – This is the most important bit of advice I can give you.  As soon as you set the date, time, and place of the event, start shopping for your wedding dress.    You should have your dress chosen at least six months before the wedding.  You have to allow enough time for shipping (many dresses are hand made) and for alterations (rarely will a dress be perfect with the first fitting.)

 

Bring Pictures – If you have an idea of what you want, search wedding magazines for a picture (or many pictures) to show the salesperson in the bridal boutique.  This practice will save valuable time while ensuring you will get to choose only from those gowns that interest you. 

 

Know Your Budget – Have a realistic budget already established upon entering a bridal boutique.  The veil, along with underwear and other accessories should all be included in the dress budget.

 

Call The Bridal Boutique Before Hand – Before shopping at a particular bridal boutique, call to see if the shop carries dresses that fall within your budget.  You should also ask if appointments are required.  It is especially wise to follow these rules if you are searching for a wedding gown outside of your hometown.

 

Be Prepared – When shopping, bring all of the things that you know you will wear with your wedding dress.  For instance, bring a strapless bra, control top pantyhose (if needed), and shoes that are approximately the height that you want your wedding shoes to be.  If possible, bring a friend or relative who can snap your picture with a digital camera as you try on each dress.  I f you are uncertain about which gown to choose, you can take time at home to browse through the photos to see those that offer the best fit and present the image you want on your special day.  Once a dress has been ordered and the deposit made, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make changes.  Seeing yourself in these gowns can help you avoid disappointment later.

 

Happy shopping and good luck!

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

 

 

 

 

 

“Fashionable Friday” – It’s fashionable to bring your pet to work!

Today is “National Bring Your Pet To Work” day!  I happen to bring my doggie, Prada, to work with me every day!  I hope you to the opportunity to bring your doggie to work with you today, too!  If you did, post some pics! 

I always put something on Prada.  Whether it is just a collar or a dress, every day that she comes to work with me she’s dressed.  Otherwise she looks naked.  Today, she’s sporting a cute pink polka dot scarf.   

 

This is a picture of me and Prada, but I couldn’t get the one from today to upload.  This one is from a while back.

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Topsy-Turvy Thursday” – This is Style

What does the word “style” mean to you?  Typically, your first thought will probably be that of clothing, but the word “style” is used for so many other things.  For instance, it can be used to describe your pets, your home, your garden, your hair, your relationships, and most importantly, your LIFE.   So, “This is Style” translates to “lifestyle.”

 

The goal of the “This is Style” radio broadcast is to be informative yet fun and entertaining.  When you tune in to 92.7, you won’t be listening to boring commentary; hopefully, you will be listening to and learning about interesting topics like “living naturally,” “finding the right pet,”  “which makeup brushes are essentials,” “how to define your own style,”and absolutely everything else in between (like male contraceptives)!

 

Along with the informative parts of the broadcast are the fun parts where you get to peek inside the life and mind of me, Erin Love, and my co-host, James McCready, who is the owner of Rain the Salon.  As a wedding coordinator, personal stylist, professional organizer, and editor of a magazine, I run into thousands of interesting things daily!  And, you can imagine that working in a predominately female business  lends itself to making James’ life extremely interesting, as well. 

 

Together, James and I make a great team.  We are different in so many ways, but we are alike in that we find the same things interesting, and we work in the world of “style.”  Don’t get me wrong, James and I have plenty to disagree about, but that’s what makes “This is Style” interesting.  After all, everyone is different and everyone has his own opinion.  That difference is  what makes each and every one of us “stylish” in our own right. 

 

Hopefully, you’ll be able to learn something from the program, but if not,  I hope we at least keep you entertained.  Remember to tune into  “This is Style” on Fox 92.7 FM or you can listen live online at www.fox927.com.   We are always open to recommendations for topics to discuss, so don’t be afraid to drop us a line or call us live at (318)323-8886. 

 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Wedding Wednesday” – Recent Wedding Coordination

I was super lucky to be able to be a part of the Crawford/Monzingo wedding.  Check out some pics from the wedding below. 

 

The wedding was beautiful!  I need to give props to Leslie Cobb for the floral design and Boudreaux’s for the awesome food!! 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Fashionable Friday” – Who are your fashion icons?

When I meet with a new personal shopping or outfit coordination client I always ask them who’s style they admire.  It helps me to help them be able to create their own personal style.  So who are your fashion icons?  Mine are below:

Jackie Kennedy Onassis – She was the first person I admired and wanted to emulate.  Although, my personal style is a far cry from her conservative chic style, I still feel like I have a little of her infused in me. 

Anne Hathaway – I truly think she is the most beautfil woman!  She’s so timeless and classic. 

Reese Whiterspoon – She has definitely grown into her style.  I remember her style in her younger years, and I much prefer it now.  Way to go, Reese! 

Rachel Zoe – I can see myself in absolutely everything Rachel wears, except, of course, for the fur.  She has my since of bohemian, contemporary, chic style down for sure!

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Manic Monday”- Recent Playroom Organization

Organizing playrooms is so much fun for me.  It takes me back to my childhood when I used to play with the same toys (or similar)!  There are so many new and improved toys today!  It blows my mind.  Anyway, take a look at the before and after pics of this playroom.  It was for three little boys. 

This is the desk area before….

And the desk area after!  There was a bookshelf in a corner of this room that wasn’t being utilized to it’s full potential so I moved the books that were in the desk area to the bookshelf and devoted the desk to arts, crafts, and computer work and games. 

This is a picture of the lego center of their room before…

This is the space after.  Although I somehow didn’t get the lego table in the picture.  The desk area had legos upon legos scattered on the desk and on the lego table, but there was an obvious project that they were in the midst of working on, so I left those on the desk but put them in a basket labeled “Current Projects”.  The other legos were sorted into clear plastic shoe boxes and set in a cubby hole armoire that they have.  Now when they are finished with one project they can quickly move on to the next. 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Topsy-Turvy Thursday” – My foster dog…

I have decided to start fostering dogs from the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter.  It is the least I can do to try to save pets from being euthanized.  I may not can save them all, but I can save one at a time. 

This is Axle.  He is the second dog I’ve taken in as a foster dog. 

His previous owner surrendered him after a neighbor called the animal control officer to report that he was being abused.  Axle’s owner didn’t want to take care of him any more so he just put him outside to let him die.  The first thing I do when I get a new pet (even a foster pet) is take him/her to the vet for a thorough exam and to get spay or neutered if they are old enough.  The vet said that Axle has heartworms, is flea infested, and is so underweight that they cannot perform the heartworm treatment yet.  It breaks my heart to know what Axle must have gone through.  Nothing deserves to be treated as though they don’t matter.  Life matters.  Anything living and breathing deserves a chance at life and deserves to be treated and cared for. 

June is “Adopt a Cat” month.  Please consider adopting and/or fostering a cat or dog this month.  You will save a life. 

If you are interested in adopting Axle, please let me know.   He is a full-blooded Weimeraner and is being treated for his heartworms and fleas and he has been neutered.  The only upfront cost to you is his adoption fee – $20. 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Wedding Wednesday” – A few quick tips

As a wedding coordinator, there are a few things that I know that most brides don’t.  Afterall, most of the brides I work with are first-time brides!  They’ve never had to know where to pin the boutonniere, for instance! 

So here we go. 

1.  Boutonnieres are pinned on the left lapel.

2.  Tips aren’t mandatory but they are a nice gesture.  Especially if your vendors have gone above and beyond.

3.  The groom is responsible for paying for the bride’s bouquet, the mothers’ corsages, and the boutonnieres.

4.  Ushers offer their right arm to the ladies.

5.   The bride should take the first bite of wedding cake. 

Those are just a few of the answers to the most asked questions that I get!  If you have a question, leave me a comment!   

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Fashionable Friday” – A look into my shopping bag…

The Miracle Bra – I bought it in nude.  My other nude bra is getting a tad dingy. 

 The patent platform sandal – I got this in the faded sage color, just because I don’t have a shoe that color!

The babydoll tank – These are a summer essential.  I went with the seagrass color.

 The checker trimmed bikini – I don’t like tan lines, so I usually go with strapless tops! 

So I didn’t do too much damage today!! 

What is in your shopping bag?

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com