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}

welcome our new sponsor Felicé Bridal

The word felice  means “happy” in Italian. We can tell you that weddings make us happy. Gorgeous weddings gowns make us happy. And, it makes us really happy that a fabulous, beautiful bridal store like Felicé Bridal, and the talented mom and daughter duo {Karen and Robin} who own it, are now teaming with Tutto Bella. In the future, we can all look forward to tips, trends and jaw-dropping gowns from Felicé Bridal here at Tutto Bella.

With a wide range of prices and designers including Romona Keveza, Amsale, Anna Campbell and Kenneth Pool, Felicé Bridal is one of Colorado’s top bridal salons. If you’re getting married {congrats}, or have a friend getting married, call Karen or Robin today to make an appointment for a fun-filled, pampered day surrounded by satin, silk and lace couture beauties.

When Robin showed us this dress, we fell in love {and secretly wanted to have another wedding celebration just to wear it}. Look at that stunning back!
Gladiator Dress, Anna Campbell, The Ivory Collection.
The best part, prices range from $1,000-$1,400 for this dress, and it comes in several colors.

And this dress by Romona Keveza, Spring 2011, is sure to turn heads and have a bride feeling gorgeous.

{images via Felicé Bridal}

rx: sweet happiness

My sister-in-law recently graduated from nursing school {you go girl!}, so in addition to the new Bayan Hippo purse and Curly Girl travel mug we bought for her, I wanted to fill the purse with something medical-related and sweet.

What did I come up with?

Happy Pills.

Sometimes we need a reason to smile…and sometimes laughter, happiness and joy is the best medicine. Instead of filling prescription bottles with real drugs, we filled empty, clean prescription bottles {you can re-use old bottles or buy from amazon.com} with candy, gum, chocolate and mints.

If you’re hosting a medical school or nursing grad party, another fun idea is to stack them for a display on a dessert table, or give them as take-home favors. It’s affordable and so cute!

Or, for the girlfriend who just had her heart broken by a man – these would certainly cheer her up.

Or {the possibilities are endless}, how cute would it be to give to the bride in her day-of essentials/emergency kit or for a newly-engaged bride to get her through a year of planning? An I Do prescription bottle filled with breath-freshening mints. Or, one for each of the bridesmaids.

Good news for you…we are selling these in our Fleur de Lis, a paperie etsy shop. Check them out here and order today. {$5 for file as is and $10 for a custom file}

{images via Tutto Bella}

looking pretty in plum pretty sugar

I know I seem to have a new obsession every week – I just can’t help it. My new obsession and item added to my wish list is…

a Plum Pretty Sugar robe {knee-length, beckoning creatures print robe to be exact}.

I just dream of putting this on with a hot cup of joe or tea in hand and curling up on the couch to read a good book….or who am I kidding, the latest issue of People Magazine.

Or, even in my reality of a hectic morning routine packing lunches and snacks, getting the kids fed, dressed and out the door for the day’s activity…if I were wearing a Plum Pretty Sugar robe {instead of my ragged old t-shirt and sweats}, I would feel pretty and feminine…and that is essential for a woman and mom!

For all of you brides out there, a Plum Pretty Sugar robe is the PERFECT bridesmaid gift {or gift to yourself}. And, what lovely photos the day of your wedding. You and all of your maids can feel pretty and pampered on the wedding day, and everyday after when you put it on. You can buy your maids matching sets, or get everyone a different color to spice things up. Whatever you choose to do, I promise, your maids will love you forever for giving them such a lovely gift.

Jacey, our fabulous girlfriend over at Damsel in Dior, gave each of her maids, her mom and herself a Plum Pretty Sugar robe to wear while getting ready for her wedding day {if you haven’t seen her wedding video by Lovespun Films, please do yourself a favor and see it here. Or, if you haven’t seen gorgeous photos of her wedding day, click here}.

{images via Lauren Ross Photography and Jacey’s girlfriend and bridesmaid Gia}

sweet succulent love

My latest obsession is succulents. Oh my goodness, I love them. And, they are everywhere – from the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens and real weddings featured in bridal magazines, to their latest debut – my dining room! I am so into them right now. Experts tell me they are easy to maintain – let’s hope so for the sake of my newly planted succulent garden.

Succulents have been popular in floral decor at weddings for a couple of seasons now, and they continue to thrive. I love the variety of succulents and the texture they bring into floral centerpieces.

Look at these gorgeous bouquets. From the bride to her maids, succulents ‘complete’ the look of these bouquets. Who knew a ‘cactus plant’ would look so good next to a pink peony?

I’m trying to find a reason to throw a party just to give away a succulent favor. These make wonderful gifts for friends and family, they are an easy and affordable DIY and make a lovely table display before guests take them home.

A cake that combines Succulents and Chevron… I’m in love.

Last but not least, a DIY Succulent Table by Far Out Flora. I love that Succulents remain a permanent centerpiece.

centerpiece images via: Elizabeth Anne Designs {Large Orange, Peace, White and Succulent Centerpiece}, Wedding Chicks {Neutral and Anthropologie-looking Centerpiece} Ruffled Blog {Succulents and Vintage Silver}, The Sweetest Occasion {Single Succulent next to Birch Vases}, Elizabeth Anne Designs {Succulents with White Rocks and Hydrangea with Single Succulent Centerpieces}, Erin Hearts Court {Billy Ball and Succulent Centerpiece} and Martha Stewart Weddings {Succulent Centerpiece with Blue and White Plates}

 bouquet images via: Wedding Chicks {Bridesmaids Bouquets} It’s a Bride’s Life {Succulents and bright Peonies}, Bride Finds {Succulent Bouquet on the top right}, Erin Hearts Court {Yellow Billy Balls and Succulents Bouquet}, Greer Loves {large Succulent in middle of bouquet}, Bleu Style {Peach, Light Pink and Succulent Bouquet} and Style Me Pretty {Succulent Bouquet in Vase}

favor images via: Love and Lavender {Terra-Cotta painted pots}, Green Wedding Shoes {Salsa Can Succulent Favors}, Elizabeth Anne Designs {Single Succulent on Napkin and Single Succulent in Rust-Colored Bucket}, Emmaline Bride {Succulents in Tea Cups}, Frolic! Blog {Succulent Favors in Buckets with Names}

{Other images via Caroline Tran PhotographySweet and Saucy Shop and Far Out Flora}