Ampersand Home Decor and Gifts

With Valentine’s Day coming up, there’s a lot of YOU & ME and ME & YOU talk. And, I can’t help but notice and LOVE the & in between it all. I’ve always loved the & symbol. I love the way it looks ~ against a wall, on an invite and on a piece of jewelry. So, today we’re all about the ampersand, &.

1. rustic gold leaf wood ampersand, Edie’s Lab via Etsy {$7}
2. ampersand wedding art print, between everything {$24}
3. ampersand bowl, pure home {$28}
4. ampersand brass letterpress necklace, Gwen Delicious Jewelry via Etsy {$37}
5. small ampersand cutting board, house industries {$90}
6. french style ampersand cushion, the wooden crate {$30}
7. ampersand coin purse, alphabet bags {$22.25}
8. galvanized ampersand single hook, the country porch {$7.95}
9. vintage ampersand marquee sign, saddle shoe signs {$35 to rent and $150 to purchase}
10. ceramic ampersand dish, iron accents {$7.95}
11. DIY mossy ampersand tutorial, two twenty one

{images via House Industries, Gwen Delicious Jewelry, alphabet bags, edie’s lab, the country porch, iron accents, the wooden crate, pure home, between everything, saddle shoe signs, and two twenty one}

new addition to tutto bella family

Welcome to this world little one.
It is even now, that much better that you are here.
~ Curly Girl Design

Six weeks ago, our daughter came into this world.
She was the third newest member of the Tutto Bella family in 2012.

I am so proud to share the birth story of our little miracle, our beautiful baby girl, Stella. We are so blessed.

To view the video, click on the photo below.
…don’t forget to turn up the volume 🙂

{images via Meredith Moran Photography and Tutto Bella, video by my hubby, audio by Phillip Phillips “Home”}

got nutella?

I am that girl who keeps a large jar of Nutella in her pantry…at all times.
After dinner, I just grab my handy dandy spoon and indulge. YUM!

Thanks to Pinterest, I’ve found other {and more attractive} ways to enjoy Nutella!
{looks like these recipes kick my ‘spoonful of Nutella’ recipe’s butt!}

Nutella Puppy Chow
find the recipe here 

Nutella Shot
find the recipe here 

Red Velvet Nutella Cookies
find the recipe here 

 Nutella Crisps
find the recipe here 

Nutella Cupcakes
find the recipe here

No Bake Nutella Cheesecake
find the recipe here 

{images via Pinterest}

meet…saddle shoe signs

You were first introduced to Saddle Shoe Signs with our latest Peppermint Wonderland photo shoot, and today we are going to introduce the company to you, and the fabulously talented Meredith Moran – the woman behind Saddle Shoe Signs. Yes, this is the same Meredith of Meredith Moran Photography. Not only is she a fantastic photographer, but she also makes the signs with her own two hands. We’ve  seen her work up close and personal…and they are beautifully handmade. In fact, we want some of our own!
Saddle Shoe Signs are vintage-inspired marquee lights.  Our signs are rented by the letter so customers can spell whatever they’d like, creating a custom sign perfect for their event,” Meredith said. “There are so many people out there buying “Eat, Drink & Be Married”, or ” I Do”  signs for their weddings, only to be stuck with the sign after the wedding (& we all hope there isn’t going to be another wedding!), or stuck with the hassle of giving it away, selling it, or just throwing it away.  How about the grand opening for your store or restaurant?  No need to be stuck with a “Grand Opening” sign after the “grand opening”.”
Rental prices are $35/letter for the first 2 letters, $25/letter after that. Outside of Denver, there is a minimum 3 letter rental, in addition to a mileage fee for traveling outside Denver. They deliver and install signs. All rental letters are red, but Meredith can make a letter in a different color for an additional fee.
For all you blissful brides out there, Meredith sweetened the deal. If you book her for your wedding, you can get a sign for free. Click here to see her portfolio.
Letters are also available for sale on Etsy {how cute would these letters be in a home…I can just see JOY on my mantle next Christmas}, and are made with heavier/high quality material. You have the option to choose from 20+ colors. Visit Saddle Shoe Designs on Etsy here.

valentine’s day printables

We have cutesy kid-and-adult-friendly DIY Valentine’s for…all the hot mama’s, the stud{s} in your life, all the cutie’s and for those who make you giggle! Some are healthy and others are not, but they are all adorable, and for Valentine’s Day, that’s all that really matters, right?

The original and new files {revamped with stripes} are available for a $3 purchase here.

DIY Adult Valentine’s

you are one hot mama
{fill the bag with hot tamales, fold over the custom tag and staple closed}

happy valentine’s day stud muffin
{fill the bag with a homemade poppy-seed muffin, fold over the custom tag and staple closed}

Poppy-seed Muffin Recipe
Makes 12 muffins
recipe adapted from our wonderful mom

Add the following ingredients to a large bowl and mix:
2 cups flour
1/8 cup poppy seeds {a used a little more, but less than 1/4 cup}
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter

Add 2 eggs{1 at a time} to the above ingredients and mix well

Add 1 cup plain yogurt and 2 tsp. almond extract and mix into the rest of the mixture.

Put the muffin mixture in baking cups and bake in the oven on 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes {It took me about 18 minutes}.

DIY Kid Valentine’s

i think you are quite a cutie
{fill a bag with clementines, fold the custom tag over the top of the bag and staple closed}

friend, you make me laffy
{fill the bag with laffy taffy for your silly friends, fold the custom tag over the bag and staple closed}

The original cutie file {the orange bubble}, can be bought here.
The original laffy taffy file {the blue bubble} is available too.

{images via j. sorelle}