Breastfeeding Gift for the New Mom

As you know, Jodi is expecting a baby in about a month {I’m so excited, I can hardly stand it}, and we recently celebrated her beautiful baby shower {pics of that cuteness to come soon}. As a mom of 3, I of course have opinions and tips on everything related to ‘baby.’ However, there is one subject that I am very vocal about…breastfeeding. This may be TMI {too much information}, but I’ve had it all – mastitis {breast infection}, engorgement, toe-curling pain, bleeding, constant leaking, inconvenience, etc ALL THREE TIMES. I’ve managed to stick with it for many reasons {6-9 months with the first two and I’m on month number 3 with the 3rd}, but it’s tough. I’m honest about it because everyone I saw breastfeeding as a mom {before I experienced motherhood} made it look so easy and pain-free, and that wasn’t the case for me, so I wanted my sister to be “in the know” about all the things women may not always confess…

Thus is the purpose for my shower gift cleverly presented in a ‘bra-sket” complete with a Bebe au Lait Hooter Hider, cream, nursing pads, a bra filled with a pink and blue ‘boob-balloons’ and a breastfeeding poem written by your truly titled, Boobs…Your Babies Breast Friend. Jodi got a laugh out of it, as did all the women at the shower. After being asked for it several times from other women for upcoming shower gifts, we’ve decided to sell in our etsy store. You can buy it here for your new mom friend…believe me…she will love it.

Jodi is framing her copy because it matches her nursery, it’s chevron and when she’s breastfeeding her baby, it will make her laugh.

If you can’t read the words, please let us know and we will fix it so you can properly read it and laugh!

{images via Tutto Bella}

The material made available at this site is protected by copyright. No material from this site may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted or distributed in any way without prior written permission of Tutto Bella. 

chevron baby love

Tre Sorelle has had one busy year filled with babies.
Jenna’s little man, Dante, was born in April. Jessica’s littlest man, Jackson, was born in July. Now, I have my first little man or little lady due in about 6 weeks 🙂
{pregnancy photos coming soon!}

You are already very familiar with our love for all things chevron. I must say, I am so in love with baby chevron for baby nurseries. Once my little one is born, I am going to go crazy on my personal Etsy account and order all of these customizable items!

For all you stylish, modern mamas, here’s some chevron Etsy baby items I had to share…

Chevron Baby Burp Cloths $25.50
via The Posh Pea Boutique
visit listing

Chevron Diaper Changing Clutch $49
via Foxy Vida
visit listing

Chevron Baby Blanket $38
via BunBunBabyDesigns
visit listing

Chevron Swaddle Blankets $44.35
via LittleHipSqueaks
visit listing

Chevron Hooded Bath Towel
via Lil Kingdom
visit listing 

Chevron Elephant Pillow
via Lil Kingdom
visit listing 

Chevron Nursery Initials
via SpellItWithStyle
visit listing 

Chevron Diaper Caddy $40
via Creat4UsKids
visit listing 

Chevron Baby Bibs $34 for 4
via PeekabooutiqueQuilts
visit listing

 

Chevron Nursing Cover $22.99
via Lilacs & Lollipops
visit listing

Chevron Wood Toy Blocks $36
via Tiny Giraffe Shop
visit listing 

{images via Etsy}

top 10 halloween cupcakes

We have to bring dessert to this year’s Halloween bash. Jenna is making our delicious, homemade caramel popcorn, Jodi is making caramel apples and I’m bringing cupcakes. Here’s my top 10 after some very important research…

1. Witch Cupcake Toppers, Better Homes and Gardens

2. Halloween Hoot Owls Cupcakes, Catching Fireflies

3. Cupcake Liner Witch Hats, The Cake Blog

4. Monster Cupcakes, Bonjour Blog

5. Fake Cupcake with Boo Banner, Msapple
{obviously, I can’t serve fake cupcakes, but I LOVE the BOO banner} 

7. Candy Corn Cupcakes, The Girl Who Ate Everything

8. Polka Dot Halloween Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

9. Pumpkin Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

10. Yummy Mummy Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

{images via Delish, Better Homes and Gardens, The Girl Who Ate Everything, Catching Fireflies, The Cake Blog, Bonjour Blog and Msapple}

pumpkin seed treat

We carved pumpkins last night with the kids, and being the health nut that I am, I took the opportunity to make carving pumpkins not only fun, but also nutritional by saving and roasting the pumpkin seeds. Raw pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamins B, C, D and K, essential fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. They can help lower cholesterol with their high levels of fiber, help to prevent the enlargement of the prostrate and promote bone health. Plus, they are a yummy snack!

Why not share all the health benefits of pumpkin seeds with dear friends? After you carve pumpkins with your friends/family this year, save the seeds for a healthy snack and give as a small token of thoughtfulness to a friend. I made the tags, “you are pumpkin pie spice and everything nice, that’s what friends are made of,” using a pumpkin template online and Microsoft Word, and attached them to a mason jar {my fave…everything looks cuter in a mason jar} with black and white twine.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
Thoroughly wash the seeds after they’ve been removed from your pumpkin.
Spread the seeds out to let them dry. You can pat with a paper towel.
Rub them sparingly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Roast at 350 degrees for 15-16 minutes {watch them carefully as they will go from being perfectly roasted to totally burned within a minute or less}.

Oh, and as for the fun part, Jameson wanted a dragon, Gabriella wanted a heart and Jackson, well, we opted to carve a cute smiley pumpkin face.

{images via Tutto Bella}

october recap

We’re happy to report that we have our ‘bug’ debugged {fingers crossed that didn’t jinx it}, and our blog is back in business. So, while our posts have been live on the web, you {all our fabulous readers} have not received them via email. So, during your relaxing {or busy} weekend, take the time to catch up on all the fabulousness that’s been happening at Tutto Bella.

If you love chocolate or you’re looking for the perfect party dessert, read all about this chocolate mousse. Yummy.

The colors of the rainbow have never looked so good than when Drew Coleman, Event Consultant at Life Design Event Planning, and his team set up this shoot – seriously, so pretty.

It’s the time of year to bundle up…don’t forget to bundle up your home accessories too with these fuzzy sweater ideas. 

After you carve your pumpkin this year, make this spiced pumpkin seeds recipe.

Looking for a Longchamp bag steal…look no further than here.

We are head over heals for this lovely vintage glamorous shoot. 

This creamy Italian pasta recipe will have your guests asking for seconds, and you reigning as a domestic goddess.

If you like a good deal like we do, you will love these fall steals.