Lemon and Lime Summer Party

This party not only made us think about our childhood days when we were allowed to drink the soda 7-up, but it made us so happy. This “7-up Lemon Lime” party for Safronia’s 7th birthday is so original, so cheerful and beautifully done. We love the bright yellow and green colors, antique furniture and accessories, unique games, photobooth and all the little DIY details {including the DIY lemonade stand by her dad}. It’s just too cute for words. It looks like a party to remember for Safronia.

VENDOR LOVE
Photographer:  Heather Lynn Photographie
Event Designer:  Mariah Rainier Style
Cake Designer:  jenny cookies
{images via Heather Lynn Photographie submitted via Two Bright Lights}

top 10 halloween cupcakes

We have to bring dessert to this year’s Halloween bash. Jenna is making our delicious, homemade caramel popcorn, Jodi is making caramel apples and I’m bringing cupcakes. Here’s my top 10 after some very important research…

1. Witch Cupcake Toppers, Better Homes and Gardens

2. Halloween Hoot Owls Cupcakes, Catching Fireflies

3. Cupcake Liner Witch Hats, The Cake Blog

4. Monster Cupcakes, Bonjour Blog

5. Fake Cupcake with Boo Banner, Msapple
{obviously, I can’t serve fake cupcakes, but I LOVE the BOO banner} 

7. Candy Corn Cupcakes, The Girl Who Ate Everything

8. Polka Dot Halloween Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

9. Pumpkin Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

10. Yummy Mummy Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

{images via Delish, Better Homes and Gardens, The Girl Who Ate Everything, Catching Fireflies, The Cake Blog, Bonjour Blog and Msapple}

october recap

We’re happy to report that we have our ‘bug’ debugged {fingers crossed that didn’t jinx it}, and our blog is back in business. So, while our posts have been live on the web, you {all our fabulous readers} have not received them via email. So, during your relaxing {or busy} weekend, take the time to catch up on all the fabulousness that’s been happening at Tutto Bella.

If you love chocolate or you’re looking for the perfect party dessert, read all about this chocolate mousse. Yummy.

The colors of the rainbow have never looked so good than when Drew Coleman, Event Consultant at Life Design Event Planning, and his team set up this shoot – seriously, so pretty.

It’s the time of year to bundle up…don’t forget to bundle up your home accessories too with these fuzzy sweater ideas. 

After you carve your pumpkin this year, make this spiced pumpkin seeds recipe.

Looking for a Longchamp bag steal…look no further than here.

We are head over heals for this lovely vintage glamorous shoot. 

This creamy Italian pasta recipe will have your guests asking for seconds, and you reigning as a domestic goddess.

If you like a good deal like we do, you will love these fall steals.

Chocolate Mouse Recipe

I love all things chocolate. I’m totally addicted. So, last week, while perusing my cookbook filled with family and friends recipes {given to me at my bridal shower}, I was happy to find a chocolate mousse recipe by one of my fabulous BFF’s, Kimi Hansen. It sounded like the perfect ‘fix’ and let me just say, OMG…SO GOOD. I love it. I tried it on my sister-in-law and the kids {virgin recipe} and they, too, were WOWed! For you gluten-free folks, it’s totally doable too.

To share with guests at your upcoming Halloween parties, just serve it in shooter glasses, top it off with homemade whipping cream and then decorate it with orange sprinkles.

Chocolate Mousse
{Recipe by Kimi Hansen}

Ingredients
1 cup chocolate chips {I used Nestle and it was delish, but Kimi tells me it’s even better with Ghiradelli or a ‘higher quality’ chocolate}
1 cup whipping cream
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp Kahlua or Dark Creme de Cocoa {for the kiddos, exclude this ingredient, and I promise, it’s still so yummy}

How To
Add chocolate chips, Creme de Cacao, vanilla extract and egg yolk to a blender
Heat cream to a boil on the stove and then slowly add the cream to the other ingredients in blender
Pulse ingredients together
Pour into serving glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours
Top with raspberries, or another fruit or whipping cream and sprinkles

{images via Tutto Bella}

Rainbow Wedding Inspiration and Colorful Table Setting

Somewhere over the rainbow where the MN skies are blue
red, orange, yellow and green are there too.
Colorful flowers, linens and stationery are perfectly placed,
with this shoot, the colors of the rainbow are beautifully embraced.

We fell in love with these GORGEOUS images from Drew Coleman, Event Consultant at Life Design Event Planning, and his team. The Phoenix-based event planning firm recently expanded their services to Minnesota, and they certainly brightened the planning possibilities for brides and others in need of their services in Minnesota with this colorful shoot. They teamed up with Minnesota’s best, and the results were stunning!

Drew said, “This concept was simply inspired by the rainbow. We wanted to prove that we could do a rainbow shoot….and do it well! Being new to Minnesota, we wanted to collaborate with some local talent and work on something that would bring us together for something fun with some fun vendors!”

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

placecards_Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

VENDOR LOVE
Desserts: Cocoa and Fig
Floral Design: Just Bloomed
Paper Products and Design: Paperista
Furniture: BeEvents Photography: Sewell Photography
Tableware and Linens: Apres Party and Tent Rental
Shoot Location: Calhoun Beach Club
Pillows: Pillowtalkk
Wedding Gown: L’atilier Couture Bridal
Hair and Makeup: Smart and Chic Bride
Concept, Design, Details, and Shoot Direction: Life Design Event Planning

{images via Sewell Photography}