they are adding to their nest baby shower

A beautiful, vintage iron birdcage from the Pasadena Rose Bowl was the inspiration behind this They Are Adding to Their Nest baby shower. Experts are telling me birdcages are the “it” thing right now in decor, so this birdcage, and all the details to go along with, really NESTled in with the trend beautifully. We adore the soft color palette, vintage china patterns, the beautiful invite, the bird bath centerpiece and as always…the chandelier.

Brooke of Brooke Merrill Photography captured the sweet details, and fills us in on the inspiration behind the photos.

Using square tables and chiavari chairs, Ellen and Brook {the mom-to-be’s inseparable best friends since elementary school} were able to maximize the space within the backyard and allow friends and family to sit with the guests of honor, Jodi and Travis.

According to Brook, “We also pulled in vintage china patterns, silver-plated flatware and a burlap table runner to complete the vintage, chic feel we were going for. The wow factor came from the regency-style, gold and crystal chandelier that we hung over center of the table so that it was the first thing guests saw when they walked outside.”

And, only as truly genuine friends would say, Brook commented, “When it was all over, Ellen and I both agreed that the best part of the evening was being there to witness our best friend with her best friend celebrating a new first adventure together…getting ready to welcome their baby.”

Well done ladies! Everyone deserves life-long friends like you.

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Brooke Merrill Photography

{images via Brooke Merrill Photography}

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}

diy framed burlap table numbers

I am excited to share another DIY project from my own wedding: table numbers.

For the look, we wanted rustic. Something with burlap (love!). Something simple. Something that complimented the entire table setting.

Here are easy DIY steps to make table numbers with burlap fabric.

You will need:

– hot glue gun
– glue sticks
– scissors
– frames
– wood numbers

How to:

1. Stock up on frames from Michaels.
{hint: never buy frames that aren’t on sale at Michaels! if there’s not a sale goin’ on, wait a few days and there’s guaranteed to be one!}

2. Purchase your fabric. Super cheap.
{we went to Hobby Lobby}

3. Since I’m not the most patient person in the world, I decided to skip tracing the sample photo onto the fabric and dug right in to cutting while tracing.
{it’s okay if it’s not exact – the frame won’t show the edges in the front !}

4. Cover the entire glass with glue from your glue gun. Be quick – it dries fast! Press firm into the fabric after placing it onto the glass. Burlap is tricky – it’s tough to get it to stick completely. Don’t worry if it’s not entirely stuck onto the glass. When you glue the numbers on, that will act as a double coat of glue 🙂
{ps the glue won’t ruin your frames. it’s very easy to peel off – dry or after soaking in hot water for a few minutes! you can definitely reuse the frames!}

5. Place your new burlap covered glass into the frame and close the backing.

6. Glue your wood numbers and carefully place onto the burlap.
{we went to Hobby Lobby for the numbers and stained them red with a wood stain from Home Depot}

7. Voila! You’re done! Absolutely beautiful 🙂

Be creative!
I used these two for the gift table and guest book table to throw into the mix – so fun!

{images via Tutto Bella & Jenna Walker Photographers}

PINTEREST pics of the week: gifts for the grad

It’s that time of year we celebrate those who are about to embark on a new journey in their lives. Maybe they are about to enter the fun and crazy-filled college years. Or, maybe they are celebrating a milestone of a college graduation and about to enter the ‘real world.’ We salute you grads of 2012. Congrats!

For those of you stopping by the endless open houses and celebrations, we found some fun and creative gift ideas via our new favorite site, Pinterest, that will make your gift stand out from the crowd.
{BTW, you can follow us on Pinterest by clicking here}

8 x 10 Art Print She Turned Her Dreams Into Plans by Lindsey at Pen and Paint via Etsy. Lindsay at Pen and Paint is offering Tutto Bella readers 10% off with code BELLA10. 

Write Your Own Way Necklace, Waxing Poetic {$79}

DIY Caddy, Creation Corner
{fill a shower caddy with Top Ramen, a book reading light, ear plugs, shower shoes, 5 hour energy, first aid kit, Febreeze, Pop Tarts, Hand Sanitizer, ear plugs, etc…visit Artsy MaQnolias for more kit ideas}

We all know new grads LOVE and NEED money, so step out of the box a bit and package it creatively with a…

Money Lei, Your Home Based Parties

Here are some other grad gift ideas we found around the web too…

Dogeared Jewels Forget Me Not Necklace, $64 from Zappos
{Make a wish and put on your necklace. wear it as a reminder that I love you.}

Here’s to You by Dan Zadra and Kristel Wills, $14.95 from Compendium Incorporated
{This company has SO MANY great products and gifts for the grad including, Dream Every Day Journal, The Book of 5 by Dan Zadra and I Believe in You by Dan Zadra}

Curly Girl Stainless Steel Travel Mug, Shine Your Light on the World, $19.99 from Amazon
{this would be adorable filled with a Starbucks gift card or VIA packets for all the late night studying for those soon-to-be college students…I bought this for some of my grad parties this year}

{images via Pen and Paint, Waxing Poetic, Creation Corner, Your Home Based PartiesZappos, Compendium Incorporated and Amazon}

pinterest picks of the week: ribbon

This week, we loved many things on Pinterest {STANDARD}, but we found a lot of DIY ribbon inspiration we wanted to tie in a bow and package for you.

Ribbon Vase, Country Living

No Sew Lamp Shade, Midwest Living

Hoop and Ribbon Wedding Decor, Style Me Pretty

DIY Lace and Frame Accessory Holder, The White Library

No Sew DIY Curtains, Better Homes and Gardens

Grosgrain Ribbon Napkin Ring, Social Couture
{Social Couture has wonderful colors to choose from if you want to buy these napkin rings. If you are in the DIY  mood, these can be made easily with grosgrain ribbon and the hooks via hardware store…how cute would a blue and white striped ribbon be for 4th of July or a nautical party?!}

{images via Pinterest, Style Me Pretty, The White Library, Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Social Couture}