when life give you lemons…

make lemonade…or at least something sweet with the lemons!

Last week I was into bright yellow sunshine and this week, it’s lemons. Apparently I’m into yellow right now. The cheerful hue has me day-dreaming about lemons, sunflowers and spring all day.

My grocery cart will be filled with lemons at my next trip to the grocery store {the lemon loaf looks too delicious not to make right now} and the next time I throw a party, I’m keeping lemons in mind. They make such sweet favors…no one will leave with a sour taste in their mouths.

Lemony Lemon Bread, Glorious Treats
{You can find the recipe here, yellowdrop twine at The Twinery and print the FREE printable labels here, courtesy of Glorious Treats and The Twinery}

 Homemade Limoncello, Matt Bites
We served Limencello at my wedding because 1. I’m Italian and 2. it was a fresh welcome to the party mini-drink. Although is was a hit, we should have more clearly expressed its potency or limited 1 per person…preventing some from passing out on a rock at 9 p.m. {wink, wink Nicole} :).
I love the idea of making homemade Limencello and sending it with guests as a favor…and with packaging as cute at Matt Bite’s who can resist? Giada DeLaurentis shares her homemade Limoncello recipe here. Salute!

DIY Lemon Drop Favors via Style Me Pretty
{created by Posh-Paperie}

Lemon drop candy, vintage bottle caps, small containers, ribbon and parchment paper make this DIY doable and adorable.

Homemade Lemonade Favors, Style Me Pretty
These homemade lemonade favors are so clever and make beautiful gifts in the vintage bottles.

{images via Glorious TreatsMatt Bites and Style Me Pretty}

be my diy valentine

We are hopeless romantics, and although we believe you shouldn’t tell the people you love that you love them one time a year {you should tell them all the time}, we love a reason to celebrate love and Valentine’s Day gives us a reason!

From DIY crafts to gift ideas, sweets, creative valentine’s for the little ones and parties…this will be your one-stop-shop for Valentine’s Day this year. Even the V-Day haters might get some lovin…

If you have any ideas, throw a fabulous Valentine’s Day party or want to feature your clever Valentine’s Day idea, send it to trejsorelle@gmail.com and we’ll feature it.

This matchbox how-to for ‘the perfect match’ from Ruffled Blog is so adorable for a wedding favor and a great gift with a sweet-smelling candle.

I love this festive Cupcake Liner Wreath, tutorial found at Tatertots and Jello, especially for a sweet holiday like Valentine’s Day.

Kathleen at Twig and Thistle has a lovely downloadable template for brownies packaged in craft paper bags here.

These homemade, individual mailboxes for valentine’s by The Anderson Crew are insanely cute, and the kids are sure to love them.

Transform matchboxes into colorful boxes filled with candy. Directions can be found at Inchmark.


These votives we found at Mint got a face-lift with pretty paper, lace and doilies. Makes for a great diy gift and decor for any party. Directions here.

We also fell in love with Mint’s Succulent Love Garden. So pretty and such a sweet gift or decor for your home for the holiday of love.

{images via Ruffled BlogTatertots and Jello,  The Anderson CrewTwig and Thistle, InchmarkMint}

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}

oh the places you’ll go

Maybe you’re a world traveler. Maybe you want to log the locations you’ve visited in a creative way. Maybe you have an entire list of places to visit and explore. Maybe you hold a special place in your heart for a particular spot in this great big world. Maybe you and your fiance want to incorporate the places you’ve traveled together on your wedding day. Or maybe you just love maps, or have some lying around that need a new purpose.

Whatever the reason, with these map/globe projects you can feel like a world traveler…without the jet lag.

Globe Bowl, Better Homes and Gardens

Chalkboard Globe, Design Sponge {I love this project for kids too}

Large Map of Italy, A Cup of Joe

Centerpiece, Green Wedding Shoes

Map Envelope Liners,  iDiY

Vintage Map Necklace, dlkdesigns on Etsy

Map Decoupage Furniture, Flea Market Trixie

Map Art, Whimsical Wonderland Weddings

Playroom Map Decor, A Perfect Playroom

Decoupage Map Tray, Martha Stewart

{images via Better Home and GardensDesign SpongeA Cup of JoeGreen Wedding Shoes iDiYdlkdesigns Flea Market TrixieWhimsical Wonderland WeddingsA Perfect PlayroomMartha Stewart}

2011 in review

for auld lang syne

2011 is another one for the books. It’s been a year of ups and downs {mostly ups}, fabulous parties, new trends and stories to share. We’ve each compiled our favorite’s of 2011. Maybe you have some favorites moments/discoveries/obsessions of 2011 you’d like to share – if so, we’d love to hear them.

Looking forward to all that 2012 brings…

Jessica’s Top 11 of 2011
1. Favorite event of the year: The Royal Wedding. No one looked more gorgeous than Kate Middleton {although her sister was a close 2nd} and there was not a better fairy tale to be told than the Royal Wedding.
2. Favorite athlete: Tim Tebow. My husband loves watching sports, so I’m used to ESPN being on ALL THE TIME. However, I’ve been a huge fan of Tim Tebow for quite some time, and have the utmost respect for him. He’s a good role model for our kids, a great athlete {frustrating to watch at times} and easy on the eyes too.
3. Favorite new project: Tutto Bella Blog. This has been a great creative outlet for me, and I’ve met so many wonderful people through the world of blogging. It’s been more work than I anticipated, but it’s a passion and I love doing it. Thank you all for your support and inspiration.
4. Favorite new obsession: Pinterest. If you haven’t signed up, you have to – become at Tutto Bella Blog follower. It’s a wonderful resource for DIY inspiration, wedding ideas – it’s a creative mecca and I LOVE it.
5. Favorite song: Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band. My hubby and I went on a double date with my bestie and her boyfriend to see Zac Brown Band at Red Rocks {coolest venue ever} and fell in love with this song.
6. Favorite party featured on the web: Milkaholic Sip and See by Carrie Sellman of Half Baked. I thought this party was so creative and so many unique ideas that people can bring into their own baby showers.
7. Favorite show: Parenthood on NBC. I can relate to everything on this show and I’m addicted. 🙂
8. Favorite place to find homemade goods: Etsy. This website is genius and so many talented people make and sell unique goods you couldn’t find anywhere else. You can find almost anything on Etsy.
9. Favorite patterns: Stripes and Chevron. I LOVE stripes so much, I am painted my daughter’s room in stripes {I will share photos soon}. I love this entry wall of stripes. And, oh how I love Chevron. Pillowsrugs and walls and furniture – I love it all.
10. Favorite DIY project: Oh man, this is a tough one because I ADORE DIY projects, but two top projects that come to mind are the individual cake stands I discovered at Bump Smitten. The possibilities are endless with the idea of making your own cake or cupcake stand. I also love Martha Stewart’s Decorative Tray with the Chevron pattern.
11. Favorite new ice cream flavor: Ben and Jerry’s Dublin Mudslide. Irish cream liqueur ice cream with chocolate chip cookies and a coffee fudge swirl…seriously delicious!

Jenna’s Top 11 of 2011
1. Favorite concert of the year: Amos Lee with my husband. My Christmas gift, and it was a wonderful one with many memories I will never forget and wonderful music.
2. Favorite event: Opening up my paper & gift boutique Fleur de Lis in April. Truly a dream come true!
3. Favorite monthly club: Book Club! I have really met and fallen in love with the most amazing group of women – all of whom are dear friends.
4. Favorite book: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, a book I love so much I could re-read at least once a year. A great story filled with love, lust, history, architecture, mystery, conspiracy – this book has it all!
5. Favorite movie: Midnight in Paris – a smart, funny movie I really related to with living in Italy, being an old soul, and living your dream at any cost.
6. Favorite routine: Listening to the Today Show every morning as I get ready for work.
7. Favorite new snack/treat: Dark Chocolate Acai Blueberries from Costco. Simply delicious!
8. Favorite lesson learned: You can’t change people. You can only change yourself. Don’t let other people negatively affect your dreams in life.
9. Favorite fashion purchase: My new Ray Ban optical glasses. I am legally blind, so glasses are an everyday accessory for me. Good thing these Ray Bans go with every outfit 🙂
10. Favorite new obsession: Blogging about weddings and fashion on Tutto Bella Blog. Thanks to all of our readers for following! I feel lucky to be able to do this fun project with my two sisters.
11. Favorite new website: Reign, Denver’s Authority on Fabulous. I check this website every Tuesday/Thursday for new happenings and shops in Denver.

Jodi’s Top 11 of 2011
1. Favorite event of the year: My wedding on September 3, 2011. By far the best day ever. I am incredibly lucky to have married the most amazing man I know. Stay tuned for Tutto Bella’s upcoming feature of the wedding.
2. Favorite drink: Skinnygirl Margarita. Bethenny Frankel is the most entertaining reality star to watch on her hit show, Bethenny Ever After, and she knows how to make one delicious drink!
3. Favorite concerts: My hubby and I went to two of our absolute favorite country stars concerts this year – Kenny Chesney {at Red Rocks – you just can’t beat that venue} and Keith Urban, where he sang our wedding song, Making Memories of Us.
4. Favorite bridal shower gift: My personalized bridal hanger from Suspended Moments that my sisters got for me.  Definitely some of my favorite detail shots of my wedding 🙂
5. Favorite yoga songs: The Hop by Bajka & Radio City, Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine and Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac.
6. Favorite trip: Our honeymoon in Maui. Drew kept our designation a secret until I saw our destination for Maui at the San Francisco airport. So fun!
7. Favorite cleanse: Clean by Alejandro Junger. I did this before my wedding last summer and I am starting it again the first week of January. Cannot wait to detox from all the holiday sweets and drinks!
8. Favorite wedding dress: My very own wedding dress, Amsale’s Bijou. I am beyond obsessed.
9. Favorite episode: ABC‘s Modern Family’s Door to Door episode. I nearly cried from laughing so hard when Cam and Gloria look for Stella the dog.
10. Favorite Pandora radio station: Adele radio. She rocks – I listen to it almost every day!
11. Favorite new project: Tutto Bella Blog. We are having so much fun with Tutto Bella! We are excited to share new ideas with you in 2012 and feature your unique décor ideas, parties and weddings!

{image via A Field Journal}