j. sorelle

11/28

the knot feature…

I was lucky enough to be the Maid of Honor for my BFF Shannon last summer. It was a happy day for me to see her blissfully happy and say “I do” to the man of her dreams…and look stunning while doing it. The details, colors and design of the wedding was absolutely gorgeous. YOU get exclusive photos and details of the wedding next week {I’ve been waiting more than a year to share it with you}, but wanted to give you a sneak peek today.

Her wedding was recently featured in The Knot Colorado…how fun is that?

Not to take away attention from the bride…cuz it’s always ALL ABOUT THE BRIDE {as it should be for all brides on her wedding day}, but that’s me…the 4th one from the left in the top photo below.

{images via The Knot Colorado and Andrew Clark Photography}

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Filed Under: modern, wedding Tagged: bride, bridesmaids, chandelier, colorado wedding, cori cook floral, grey, photography, pink, tent, the knot, wedding, wedding cake, wedding dress, white

11/21

vote for jodi + drew

I am so excited to share that my wedding has been nominated for Colorado Expression’s Icon Awards!

To our lovely readers, please vote for our wedding under Best Wedding over $75,000 and Best Photography! You will first need to create login information. Once you are logged in, select the chosen categories, find the event and rate 5 stars. Yay!

If we win, our wedding will be published in Colorado Expression Magazine and will be honored at the Icon Gala Awards. So much fun!
{Finalists are chosen based on originality, creativity and overall execution of the event}

Thank you, Tutto Bella readers, for your support!

{In case you missed the features last week, you can still check out jodi + drew part 1 and part 2}

{image via Jenna Walker Photographers}

posted by jodi 1 Comment
Filed Under: wedding Tagged: icon awards

11/20

pumpkin dip

If you’re looking for that easy, no-bake, semi-healthy appetizer for this year’s Thanksgiving party, snack for the kiddos or even a treat to share at the office this week, look no further. This pumpkin dip is delish.

Pumpkin Dip
recipe adapted from friend and former colleague, Elizabeth

1 8oz package cream cheese
1 can {15 oz} pumpkin puree
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ginger

Serve with ginger snaps, apples, graham crackers and pears.

{images via Tutto Bella}

posted by jessica Leave a Comment
Filed Under: holiday, lifestyle, recipe Tagged: appetizer, dessert, halloween, holiday, party, pumpkin, recipe, thanksgiving, thanksgiving appetizer

11/19

DIY Gratitude Journal

The list of things and people I am grateful for is quite lengthy. I have lived a very blessed life with ample opportunities and good, wonderful people by my side. Most days I remain very optimistic and grateful for all that I have been given, but I have bad days too, and forget to take the time to think about all that is good in my life. One way to really focus on the positive instead of the negative is to start a gratitude journal. It’s simple – find something you are appreciative or grateful for everyday – just one thing, and soon you will begin to feel a shift in your thinking. You will develop a new perspective on life, and begin to find more joy and the beauty in all things and people around you.

So, on this holiday of Thanksgiving, where we take the time {hopefully} to sit and reflect on what and who we are grateful for, spread the gift of gratitude to your friends and family.

A gratitude journal would make for a lovely hostess gift, and if you’re hosting, it is a great place card or favor. You can buy beautiful journals, or if you want to keep things simple and on budget, buy a small hardbound book or journal. Wrap it old-school style {the way you use to cover your school books} with Kraft paper, add a library card due date ‘gratitude’ label with the date of this year’s Thanksgiving and sign your name at the bottom. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. Even if you don’t have the means to buy a gratitude journal for others this year, make it a point to start one for yourself.

If you forgot how to cover a book, here’s a few tips that may ‘spark’ a memory from your school days…

Cut Kraft paper as large as the book, plus an additional 2 inches on the top, bottom and 3-4 inches on the side. Place book on the paper, and fold the top and bottom of the Kraft paper, so it is equally aligned with the top and bottom of the book.

Place the book on top of the folds, open the book and push the cover the book through the Kraft paper sleeve openings on the side.
Repeat with the back of the book.

Using Word or Illustrator, create a gratitude journal label, print and tape to the cover of the book…or you can even use a sharpie to write ‘gratitude journal’ on the cover.
Tie a bow with twine and voila.

{images via Tutto Bella}

posted by jessica 1 Comment
Filed Under: diy, gifts, lifestyle Tagged: diy, favor, Gift, gratitude, holiday, journal, kraft paper, place card, thanksgiving, twine

11/15

Country Wedding with Sunflowers, part 2

Rustic. Yellow. Elegance. Barn. Romance. These words describe the inspiration for our dream wedding reception.

We took one look at Crooked Willow Farms and knew that it was made for our reception. The big, red barn is tucked in the midst of mountains, farmland and a white, picket fence – a perfect setting for our Colorado wedding celebration.

I have always dreamed of a vibrant yellow wedding with sunflowers. Ever since Drew and I were surrounded by the sunflower fields of Tuscany, Italy, I knew we wanted to be surrounded by the same sunshine and happiness on our wedding day.

We had a lot of country touches at our reception. Guests were greeted with horses and a hayride. Wine barrels served as cocktail tables. Horse shoes were the good luck charms for our guests that hung on a rustic, wood door on display for escort cards. And, our entire wedding party changed into cowboy boots for the reception.

I’m all about details. So, we made sure the DIY projects throughout the wedding reception were one-of-a-kind.

Custom cut and hand painted antique wood signage (made in our garage), were scattered throughout the reception area, pointing guests to reception, cocktails and restrooms, but also reminding them to “dance” and “eat, drink & be married”.

Our table numbers were made with burlap fabric, wood numbers and rustic photo frames.

We created custom sunflower seed packets for place cards. Women received sunflower seeds to ‘plant, love, grow’ in the garden, and men received edible sunflower seeds to ‘crack, chew, enjoy’. They went perfectly with our sunflower theme and gave guests a sweet reminder of our wedding day.

Kids received sunflower chocolate suckers for their sweet place card.

Drew and I danced to our high school song, ‘Making Memories of Us’ by Keith Urban. I remember listening to that song at only 16 years old and imagining our first dance together on our wedding day, dancing to that song. It was an emotional moment for me – I couldn’t believe my dream of marrying Drew was finally a reality.

From my emotional walk down the aisle with my dad toward man of my dreams, to our first kiss as a married couple, to my gorgeous, handmade bouquet to match my dress, to an unforgettable wedding party entrance, to emotional and hilarious speeches, to amazing sunflower balls and arrangements, to dancing under a beautifully draped tent and rustic chandelier, to a sparkler send-off… our wedding day was everything that I had dreamed of and more – a day that I will never forget.

VENDOR LOVE

Dress: Amsale Bijou from Felice Bridal Salon

Shoes: Jimmy Choo ‘Isabel’, Nordstrom

Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaid

Groom/Groomsmen Attire Rental: Al’s Formalwear

Planner: Jessica, Tre Sorelle, trejsorelle@gmail.com

Paper Products {Invites/Programs/Menus/Escort Cards/Sunflower Seed Packets}: Fleur de Lis, a paperie

Ceremony: Holy Ghost Catholic Church

Reception: Crooked Willow Farms

Bridal and Bridesmaids Jewelry: Kathryn Giarratano Jewelry

Photographer: Jenna Walker Photography

Guest Book & Escort Door photos: Cori Cook Floral Design