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damsel in dior features me

18 May

Our fashionista friend Jacey, the talent behind Damsel in Dior, featured us on her Follow Friday feature today. I was interviewed for the feature, and it exciting to see the interview ‘live’ today. Check out the full interview here…you will learn stuff about me I bet you didn’t know {I think I learned stuff about myself answering the personal questions}, and you can see all the fabulous things Jacey’s been up to {and wearing}.

While your there, you should check out all of Jacey’s Follow Friday features – she’s interviewed some interesting people with a great sense of style and fashion.

 

Thanks for the feature and kind words Jacey!

{images via Damsel in Dior}

rx: sweet happiness

15 May

My sister-in-law recently graduated from nursing school {you go girl!}, so in addition to the new Bayan Hippo purse and Curly Girl travel mug we bought for her, I wanted to fill the purse with something medical-related and sweet.

What did I come up with?

Happy Pills.

Sometimes we need a reason to smile…and sometimes laughter, happiness and joy is the best medicine. Instead of filling prescription bottles with real drugs, we filled empty, clean prescription bottles {you can re-use old bottles or buy from amazon.com} with candy, gum, chocolate and mints.

If you’re hosting a medical school or nursing grad party, another fun idea is to stack them for a display on a dessert table, or give them as take-home favors. It’s affordable and so cute!

Or, for the girlfriend who just had her heart broken by a man – these would certainly cheer her up.

Or {the possibilities are endless}, how cute would it be to give to the bride in her day-of essentials/emergency kit or for a newly-engaged bride to get her through a year of planning? An I Do prescription bottle filled with breath-freshening mints. Or, one for each of the bridesmaids.

Good news for you…we are selling these in our Fleur de Lis, a paperie etsy shop. Check them out here and order today. {$5 for file as is and $10 for a custom file}

{images via Tutto Bella}

looking pretty in plum pretty sugar

14 May

I know I seem to have a new obsession every week – I just can’t help it. My new obsession and item added to my wish list is…

a Plum Pretty Sugar robe {knee-length, beckoning creatures print robe to be exact}.

I just dream of putting this on with a hot cup of joe or tea in hand and curling up on the couch to read a good book….or who am I kidding, the latest issue of People Magazine.

Or, even in my reality of a hectic morning routine packing lunches and snacks, getting the kids fed, dressed and out the door for the day’s activity…if I were wearing a Plum Pretty Sugar robe {instead of my ragged old t-shirt and sweats}, I would feel pretty and feminine…and that is essential for a woman and mom!

For all of you brides out there, a Plum Pretty Sugar robe is the PERFECT bridesmaid gift {or gift to yourself}. And, what lovely photos the day of your wedding. You and all of your maids can feel pretty and pampered on the wedding day, and everyday after when you put it on. You can buy your maids matching sets, or get everyone a different color to spice things up. Whatever you choose to do, I promise, your maids will love you forever for giving them such a lovely gift.

Jacey, our fabulous girlfriend over at Damsel in Dior, gave each of her maids, her mom and herself a Plum Pretty Sugar robe to wear while getting ready for her wedding day {if you haven’t seen her wedding video by Lovespun Films, please do yourself a favor and see it here. Or, if you haven’t seen gorgeous photos of her wedding day, click here}.

{images via Lauren Ross Photography and Jacey’s girlfriend and bridesmaid Gia}

diy framed burlap table numbers

13 May

I am excited to share another DIY project from my own wedding: table numbers.

For the look, we wanted rustic. Something with burlap (love!). Something simple. Something that complimented the entire table setting.

Here are easy DIY steps to make table numbers with burlap fabric.

You will need:

- hot glue gun
- glue sticks
- scissors
- frames
- wood numbers

How to:

1. Stock up on frames from Michaels.
{hint: never buy frames that aren’t on sale at Michaels! if there’s not a sale goin’ on, wait a few days and there’s guaranteed to be one!}

2. Purchase your fabric. Super cheap.
{we went to Hobby Lobby}

3. Since I’m not the most patient person in the world, I decided to skip tracing the sample photo onto the fabric and dug right in to cutting while tracing.
{it’s okay if it’s not exact – the frame won’t show the edges in the front !}

4. Cover the entire glass with glue from your glue gun. Be quick – it dries fast! Press firm into the fabric after placing it onto the glass. Burlap is tricky – it’s tough to get it to stick completely. Don’t worry if it’s not entirely stuck onto the glass. When you glue the numbers on, that will act as a double coat of glue :-)
{ps the glue won’t ruin your frames. it’s very easy to peel off – dry or after soaking in hot water for a few minutes! you can definitely reuse the frames!}

5. Place your new burlap covered glass into the frame and close the backing.

6. Glue your wood numbers and carefully place onto the burlap.
{we went to Hobby Lobby for the numbers and stained them red with a wood stain from Home Depot}

7. Voila! You’re done! Absolutely beautiful :-)

Be creative!
I used these two for the gift table and guest book table to throw into the mix – so fun!

{images via Tutto Bella & Jenna Walker Photographers}

PINTEREST pics of the week: gifts for the grad

11 May

It’s that time of year we celebrate those who are about to embark on a new journey in their lives. Maybe they are about to enter the fun and crazy-filled college years. Or, maybe they are celebrating a milestone of a college graduation and about to enter the ‘real world.’ We salute you grads of 2012. Congrats!

For those of you stopping by the endless open houses and celebrations, we found some fun and creative gift ideas via our new favorite site, Pinterest, that will make your gift stand out from the crowd.
{BTW, you can follow us on Pinterest by clicking here}

8 x 10 Art Print She Turned Her Dreams Into Plans by Lindsey at Pen and Paint via Etsy

Write Your Own Way Necklace, Waxing Poetic {$79}

DIY Caddy, Creation Corner
{fill a shower caddy with Top Ramen, a book reading light, ear plugs, shower shoes, 5 hour energy, first aid kit, Febreeze, Pop Tarts, Hand Sanitizer, ear plugs, etc…visit Artsy MaQnolias for more kit ideas}

We all know new grads LOVE and NEED money, so step out of the box a bit and package it creatively with a…

Money Lei, Your Home Based Parties

Here are some other grad gift ideas we found around the web too…

Dogeared Jewels Forget Me Not Necklace, $64 from Zappos
{Make a wish and put on your necklace. wear it as a reminder that I love you.}

Here’s to You by Dan Zadra and Kristel Wills, $14.95 from Compendium Incorporated
{This company has SO MANY great products and gifts for the grad including, Dream Every Day Journal, The Book of 5 by Dan Zadra and I Believe in You by Dan Zadra}

Curly Girl Stainless Steel Travel Mug, Shine Your Light on the World, $19.99 from Amazon
{this would be adorable filled with a Starbucks gift card or VIA packets for all the late night studying for those soon-to-be college students…I bought this for some of my grad parties this year}

{images via Pen and Paint, Waxing Poetic, Creation Corner, Your Home Based PartiesZappos, Compendium Incorporated and Amazon}

pinterest picks of the week: ribbon

4 May

This week, we loved many things on Pinterest {STANDARD}, but we found a lot of DIY ribbon inspiration we wanted to tie in a bow and package for you.

Ribbon Vase, Country Living

No Sew Lamp Shade, Midwest Living

Hoop and Ribbon Wedding Decor, Style Me Pretty

DIY Lace and Frame Accessory Holder, The White Library

No Sew DIY Curtains, Better Homes and Gardens

Grosgrain Ribbon Napkin Ring, Social Couture
{Social Couture has wonderful colors to choose from if you want to buy these napkin rings. If you are in the DIY  mood, these can be made easily with grosgrain ribbon and the hooks via hardware store…how cute would a blue and white striped ribbon be for 4th of July or a nautical party?!}

{images via Pinterest, Style Me Pretty, The White Library, Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Social Couture}

to: mom

1 May

Motherhood is complete happiness for me. My children amaze me everyday and I can honestly say wouldn’t want my life any other way. As a mother, I have grown as a woman and a human being.

Having said that, I have also never been so tired, dirty, worried and had my patience tried so much as a mother. :)

I have an unbelievable amount of gratitude for my mom and all she did for me and a high level of respect for all the wonderful moms doing the best they can to raise happy, healthy children.

Today, we have a few treasured finds to show your mom you care on Mother’s Day.

{P.S. You should order today as Mother’s Day is 12 days away}.

FOR THE ANTIQUE LOVING MOM
Rewired Basket
, Home Decorators Collection {$24}
{this would be adorable filled with short glasses, a bottle of vino, bread, cheese, grapes and some meat along with a soft blanket for a picnic…it would double as a gift and a fun Mother’s Day outing}

  FOR THE FUN IN THE SUN MOM

Two Color Striped Floppy Hat, Echo Design  {$42}

   FOR THE COLORFUL MOM

Gecko Bangles in a variety of colors, Fornash {$25}

FOR THE BEGINNING GARDENER MOM

Flowers in a Can, FredFlare.com {$15}

FOR THE NEW MOM
I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Noble, Amazon {$13}

FOR THE MOM WHO DESERVES A BREAK AND A LITTLE PAMPERING
Lollia Relax Evening Bubble Bath
, Lollia {available for purchase at Fleur de Lis, a paperie for $34}

FOR THE SENTIMENTAL MOM
My Mom Scented Candle
, Curly Girl Store {$17.95}

FOR THE CUTE, SPORTY MOM
Mom’s Toms Shoes
, toms {$54}

FOR THE CLASSIC MOM
Echo ‘Pear Label Conversational Scarf’
, Nordstrom {$38}

 {images via Home Decorators Collection, EchoFornashFredFlare.comToms, Curly Girl Store, Lollia, Amazon and Nordstrom}

pinterest picks of the week

27 Apr

We are obsessed with Pinterest. We find daily inspiration for fashion, parties, wedding, DIY projects and home decor. It’s genius – pin pictures from all over the web to create categorized boards. They can be vision boards, party ideas, portfolios and inspiration – all stored in one, easy and accessible place.

 Become a Tutto Bella Pinterest follower and you will see why we’re so addicted.

This week, we’re loving…

Unique Wedding Bar, Green Wedding Shoes

Custom Memory Journals from Paper Coterie, found via How Does She?
{visit How Does She? to find the $15 credit to Paper Coterie}

Mini Milkshake Shooters, Hey Gorgeous
{visit Hey Gorgeous for the complete how-to tutorial…how cute is the chocolate/sprinkled rim glasses…this is a MUST at my next party}

Baffin Bags Chevron Organizer, Etsy {$18}

Homegrown Monogram Mug, Anthropologie, $8
{this is a cute mother’s day gift filled with a Starbucks card or ingredients for her favorite hot drink}

Individual 7-Layer Dips, The Girl Who Ate Everything

{images via Baffin Bags, How Does She?, Anthropologie, Green Wedding Shoes, The Girl Who Ate Everything, Hey Gorgeous}

apples & sunflowers

25 Apr

Jessica from Pink Champagne Events organized this beautiful shoot, inspired by apples & sunflowers. I love the idea!

If you are getting married this fall, this shoot is a great way to get inspirations and ideas. The colors are rich and gorgeous, and the tone is very country chic.

dress with bouquet, boots and hat

reception table setup

centerpiece and boots

caramel apples on cutting board

groom cake

sunflower bouquet and boots

sunflower cake

bride in barn

table set up

place setting

sunflower centerpiece with apples

{images via Courtney Lee Photography}

vendor love

Wedding Planner: Pink Champagne Events
Photographer: Courtney Lee Photography
Venue: The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park
Cake: Apron Strings Bakery
Paperware : Fleur de Lis (a paperie)
Model : Jhenna Reed
Hair & Makeup: Rock, Paper, Shears

italian terra cotta love

23 Apr

I have always loved terra-cotta {or baked earth translated in Italian} pots because they remind me of being in Italy, and they remind me of summer and beautiful flowers.

I’m heading to Home Depot this week to make this for my son’s teachers, and might have to buy a couple more terra-cotta pots to make the projects below. It’s the time of year for planting, so it’s the perfect time to start these easy, affordable DIY’s.

Chalkboard Pots, Martha Stewart
{These would make for great gifts, escort cards, favors, place cards and home garden}
Image
Terra Cotta Gift
, Martha Stewart
{fill the terra-cotta pot with seed packets, top the pot with the saucer and tie a bow on top with twine for a lovely, affordable gift}
terra cotta diy gift

ImageDIY Potted Banana Bread, Style Me Pretty
Image
Thank You for Helping Me Grow Teacher Gift
, Giggles Galore
Image

DIY Cupcake Stand, Once Wed
{This idea can be used for a wedding, a birthday party or a shower. It’s an affordable way to make a cupcake stand the color and design of your choice.}

Image

Graphic Pots for any Celebration, Chicago Home and Garden

Image

Favors and Wedding Decor, Snippet and Ink
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DIY Terra Cotta Pot Coasters, Joy is at Home

Image

Pretty Pots, Christine Chitnis
{click here for her tutorial}
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{images via Once Wed, Martha Stewart, Giggles Galore, Style Me Pretty, Chicago Home and Garden, Joy is at Home, Snippet and Ink and Christine Chitnis}

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