mad hatter tea party

We’re MAD about these photos from this Mad Hatter’s tea party
…and we know you will be, too!

Two hundred guests donned their best hat and garden party attire on Sunday June 10th for Lund’s 3rd Annual Mad Hatter’s Tea & Bubbly in South Burlington, Vermont, where everyone got to be a kid for a few hours and help support Lund’s work. 

It was an afternoon of mayhem and merriment filled with scones, fresh berries, tea sandwiches, pastries, tea from around the world, champagne and more.
Festivities included a treasure hunt, musical toad stools, face painting, hat making and croquet. The most original hats won prizes.

The event helped raise more than $23,000 to support Lund’s programs that strengthen children and families across Vermont. With more than 122 years of experience, Lund annually serves more than 5,000 children and family members.
Lund’s work focuses on three goals: strengthening families, reducing child abuse and neglect, and helping to create new families through adoption. Its mission is to help children thrive by serving families with children, pregnant or parenting teens and young adults, and adoptive families.

VENDOR LOVE

Photographer:  Cat Cutillo Photography, catc@lundvt.org 
Event Designer:  Liquid Studio
Bakery:  Birchgrove Baking

{images via Cat Cutillo Photography}

something special brewing

When I first saw these I love you more than coffee favors, I had to see more of the Etsy shop where they were created. And, the more I got to know Jennie-Mae, owner of Apropos Roasters, the more I wanted to drink her coffee and support her Etsy shop. I love her rustic, eco-friendly packaging, and of course what’s inside…coffee {or depending on your personal preference, tea or hot chocolate}.

I love a good cup of coffee, and I really love a good story…especially when people turn their passion into a successful business. And, that’s just what Jennie-Mae did.

In Jennie-Mae’s words: When I started Apropos, I didn’t have a lot of extra money, it all going into growing the business, so I started trading and gifting with coffee.  I traded coffee for hair cuts and produce at farmer’s markets. I gave the coffee as gifts during the holidays and when I traveled, I always left coffee at the house of whoever let me stay with them.
Anyway, some friends of mine were getting married and I wanted to do something for them so I came up with smaller coffee packs they could use as their favors, as a way of contributing to their wedding. Two years later and I’m in the wedding business selling more coffee favors than I can count. I never would have guessed!
Now I’m in the process of opening a “brick and mortar” shop in downtown Richmond because I need more space. That’s pretty exciting for me, as well. I’m also planning a trip for next year to a coffee farm so I can see first hand where some of my favorite beans are coming from.

We wish you continued success with your new shop, Jennie-Mae!

Here’s some of my other personal faves from her cute shop you need to check out.

Coffee Wedding Favors in Vintage Red and White

Airmail Wedding Favors

Coffee of the Month {or Week} Club
{great gift for coffee lovers…each month the recipient will receive 12 oz. of beans in his/her mailbox along with a “coffee card” to read information about the variety of the month}


Something is Brewing Baby Shower Favors

Good news for all you Tutto Bella readers because Jennie-Mae is offering you a 10% discount {good until November 1, 2012}.
Just enter TUTTOBELLA into the discount box at checkout.

Visit Apropos Roasters today to get something delicious brewing in your life…or coffee pot…today! If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, contact Jennie-Mae and she will help you create it!

{images via Apropos Roasters}

diy vase

I’ve seen people make beautiful handmade centerpieces with just about anything – bark, photos, candles, mason jars and of course vases. Today, we broaden our vase database with these adorable and chic ideas!

Cori Cook Floral Design, a sweet and creative Denver-based floral designer we ADORE, designed some cute DIY vases that would work for any party, especially a bridal shower or baby shower. I can’t wait to do this! Find her tutorial here.

The talented Beverly at Flamingo Toes made some cottage chic single-bud framed vases, and shares her fabulous how-to here.

Eden from Sugar and Charm shares her bright, DIY enamel-painted vases that is sure to impress, and easy to make. Visit her site for how-to instructions.

Hey Gorgeous transforms various-shaped milk bottles into a beautiful display of white vases with spray paint. Here directions here.

Add an antique touch to your table setting by using vintage tea tin cans as a vase. I love this look. The tea tins at Pearl River Mart would be perfect for this project.

{images via Cori Cook Floral Design, Flamingo Toes, Sugar and Charm, Hey Gorgeous, The Sweetest Occasion}