braid-tastic!

Braid away ladies!

Yes … braids are apparently back in style. Look out pippy long stocking! These braids are for the big girls. Sophisticated and easy, I am seeing braids everywhere. I was watching the Today show the other day {my morning guilty pleasure}, and there was a segment on the braid trend comeback with every woman – career women, actresses, stay-at-home moms, college girls, and even brides. Braid an updo for your wedding day, the Oscars {lucky girl!}, or let your braid low for an effortless, natural look. Braid yourself or have done at a salon for your special occasion. Express yourself with your hair!

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{images via globalfashionreport.com, purplelacedies.blogspot.com, beautyhigh.com, resalonandmedspa.com, joonbug.com, getmarried.com, nexthairstyle.com}

leigh + tommy

When you meet this couple, you immediately fall in love with them!

Leigh and Tommy met through mutual best friends (also darling newlyweds) after college and immediately started dating due to an instant connection. After blissfully dating, Tommy bought a house for the happy couple 2 years later, proposed on one knee in the midst of candles and roses in their new house – and they married on May 28th, 2011 on a perfect Colorado day. As gorgeous Leigh says: “We were beyond excited to begin the next chapter in our relationship as husband and wife, and spend the rest of our lives together”. Knowing this couple, you can really see the love and commitment between them. I had the pleasure of working with Leigh on her wedding invitations – an honor I will always treasure. Enjoy these stunning photos!

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{gorgeous bride!}

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{I am crazy in love with these shoes! Hey Lady Shoes, Marie James – Dress Boutique}

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{So cute! Bride’s “something blue” was a note written on the bottom of her shoes in blue sharpie from all her bridesmaids}

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yellow bouquets

{love navy and yellow wedding colors! gorgeous combo, and unique}

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{Love these dresses from D’Anelli Bridal in Lakewood! the key hole in the back matches the brides gorgeous dress, Jim Hjelm designer from D’Anelli Bridal as well}

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{Men’s suits … how sharp! Al’s Formal Wear}

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{Church, Cherry Hills Chapel in Highlands Ranch, Colorado}

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{Photo book of engagement photos is a great idea for guest book, have your guests sign the pages and it is something you will keep and look through forever – we at TuttoBellaBlog recommend using MyPublisher}

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{cake by Robin’s Bakery}

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{custom m&ms for wedding favors to match the blue and yellow wedding day colors}

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{Gorgeous Colorado venue, Sanctuary Golf Club in Sedalia}

Other details:

Hair Stylist – Salon Zoe

Make Up Artist – The Face Lab

Bride Veil, Hair Piece, and Wedding Day Jewelry – Anna Be Bridal

Band – Soul X, Starkey Productions

{photography by Lindsay B Photography}

winter white

Happy Fashion Friday!

Think that a white wardrobe has to end after labor day? No way Jose! As a matter of fact, white is my favorite wardrobe year round. Maybe not white jeans in the winter, but certainly white and off-white coats and sweaters – big fan! Looking forward to the change of season so that I can play with a change in wardrobe and pull out my winter whites 🙂

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{$168 at White House Black Market}

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{$98 at White House Black Market}

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{$138 Guess faux fur jacket at Nordstrom}

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{$158 Guess blazer at Nordstrom}

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{$348 Michael Kors tote from Neiman Marcus}

{images via White House Black Market, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom}

lights, wedding, action!

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

I helped a wonderful bride at Fleur de Lis recently design invitations for her upcoming wedding with this “lights” theme. The wedding reception will have outdoor lights everywhere – creating an intimate, romantic, glittery atmosphere. These outdoor/indoor lights can be over-the-top, or very affordable DIY. If you are getting married in the fall/winter months, use string lights inside your venue. If you are getting married in the spring/summer months with nice weather, use lights decor outside.

Go ahead … light up with excitement!

lights invitation

string lights

big lights

wedding lights

backyard lights

wedding reception lights

romantic lights

{images via Fleur de Listarastips.blogspot.com, mywedding.com/blog, lightsforevents.wordpress.com, backyardlandscape.net}

gluten free girl

I attended a luncheon today that benefitted the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Rocky Mountain Chapter. This inspired me for the blog post today. It got me thinking about people {like me} that suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, and who have to live on harsh medications and/or with a strict gluten-free diet.

I found this great website with delicious gluten free recipes. Just because some of us suffer with health issues, doesn’t mean we can’t eat delicious food with gluten free ingredients! More and more restaurants and grocery stores are catering to gluten free people – and that is a wonderful thing! I thought this recipe sounded yummy for fall. It has been 10 years since I have had mac & cheese (last time I did, I was sick for 3 days with intense pain and 103 fever – yikes!).

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{recipe by Gluten Free Girl}
Check out her site – there so so many yummy recipes.

{Ingredients}
Kosher salt
1 pound gluten-free pasta shells (suggestion: use quinoa pasta)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound grated sharp cheddar cheese, grated
16 ounces cottage cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
16 ounces sour cream
cracked black pepper
1 cup gluten-free bread crumbs
3 tablespoons fine-chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons butter, melted

See here for directions on how to prepare.

{recipe and photos from glutenfreegirl.com}