04/27

pinterest picks of the week

We are obsessed with Pinterest. We find daily inspiration for fashion, parties, wedding, DIY projects and home decor. It’s genius – pin pictures from all over the web to create categorized boards. They can be vision boards, party ideas, portfolios and inspiration – all stored in one, easy and accessible place.

 Become a Tutto Bella Pinterest follower and you will see why we’re so addicted.

This week, we’re loving…

Unique Wedding Bar, Green Wedding Shoes

Custom Memory Journals from Paper Coterie, found via How Does She?
{visit How Does She? to find the $15 credit to Paper Coterie}

Mini Milkshake Shooters, Hey Gorgeous
{visit Hey Gorgeous for the complete how-to tutorial…how cute is the chocolate/sprinkled rim glasses…this is a MUST at my next party}

Baffin Bags Chevron Organizer, Etsy {$18}

Homegrown Monogram Mug, Anthropologie, $8
{this is a cute mother’s day gift filled with a Starbucks card or ingredients for her favorite hot drink}

Individual 7-Layer Dips, The Girl Who Ate Everything

{images via Baffin Bags, How Does She?, Anthropologie, Green Wedding Shoes, The Girl Who Ate Everything, Hey Gorgeous}

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04/24

books made for royalty by i see me

As you know from previous posts, I LOVE the custom books I See Me Personalized Children’s Books creates. I believe they make every child feel special with each book customized with his/her name and they make the perfect new baby, christening or birthday gift.

We own My Very Own Name and My Very Own Fairy Tale – and I cannot say enough good things about them. Seriously, I love them!

We were lucky enough to be among the first to view their new custom books for boys and girls, My Royal Birthday Adventure.

So, I have a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year -old girl, and they both loved I See Me’s Royal Birthday Adventure books. My son loves dragons, knights and medieval imagination, so he felt so proud to be named a knight for the day. And, he loved seeing his name on every page, whether it was in the text, or on flags, scenery or stars in the sky. And while my daughter was a bit young for the book, she loved the castles and being called a princess.

My favorite part about the book…they made my children feel special, while teaching them the importance of being who they are on the inside.

The words and images take children on a wonderful medieval adventure filled with castles, royalty, magicians and animals. And the images are detailed and colorful, which makes it read like a piece of art children can continuously discover.


One of my favorite lines from the book, “Dear {child’s name}, you are our brave birthday knight {or princess} today because you are special in every which way. You’re a striking young boy {beautiful girl} ,but that’s only one part. It’s the inside that counts. It’s what’s found in your heart. You’re generous, caring, creative and kind, curious and humorous with an intelligent mind.”

 We’re not just going to talk about these wonderful books and not offer you a chance to win one.

Today, I See Me Personalized Children’s Books is offering a lucky Tutto Bella reader a chance to WIN A FREE PERSONALIZED I SEE ME ROYAL BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE BOOK for your little one.

To enter the giveaway, you must:
{1.} “Like” I See Me on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment telling us you did {you have to leave a comment so we can enter your name in the drawing}.

For additional entries:
{which means you can enter the giveaway up to four times}
{2.} Visit I See Me on Twitter and become a follower. Then come back and leave a comment, telling us you did it. If you are already a follower, then leave a comment to tell us that you are.
{3.} Follow I See Me on Pinterest, then come back and leave a comment telling us you follow them. If you are already a follower, then leave a comment to tell us that you are.
{4.}Visit I See Me to look at their wonderful books, then come back here and leave a comment telling us which book is your favorite.

Winner will be chosen via random.org. Must enter by Friday, May 4, 2012. 

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02/27

the lorax and his trees are reasons enough for fun parties

On March 2, Zac Efron, Danny DeVito and Taylor Swift star as the voices behind characters in one of Dr. Seuss’s beloved classics, The Lorax. In the story, a 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. But, to find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, who speaks for the Truffula Trees and fights to protect his world.

In honor of the movie release and Dr. Seuss’s birthday {also on March 2}, today is all about Dr. Seuss party inspiration. His books bring out the child in all of us, and open our world to imagination and wonder…while teaching life lessons.

The Lorax Party Ideas
Mustache on a stick, Babble
Lorax face on beverage dispenser, Tonya Staab
Truffula Trees in a frame, Babble
The Lorax cake pops, Bakerella
Truffula Trees Centerpiece, Portraits by Jenn
Truffula Tree Cupcake Toppers: Hank and Hunt
Orange Smoothie served with orange and white striped straws from Shop Sweet Lulu
Give Tree Favors {after all, The Lorax is all about saving trees}
Among other Dr. Seuss inspired snacks {green colored deviled eggs for green eggs and ham, goldfish for one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, etc}, create Lorax inspired snacks such: For Brown Bar-ba-loots swimming in white fruit, serve Chocolate Teddy Grahams in a bowl of marshmallows and a bowl of Goldfish to represent the Humming-fish in the movie {idea by Babble}.

We featured a Cat in the Hat-themed 1st Birthday Party last summer for Jacob. So adorable, chic and loved every detail!

This 1st birthday party featured on Hostess with the Mostess brings the many Seuss characters to life in creative ways. Be sure to click here to read about all the details and clever food/drink titles.  

Courtney at Pizzazzerie featured a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party on a Budget…and you would never know it was on a budget by the looks of it. It’s so fun and colorful. After you looks at all the details of the party, you MUST also view the orange and green-themed Green Eggs and Ham party. It’s adorable and you will love it.  
We leave you with some words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss, Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!

{images via Babble, Bakerella, Tonya Staab , Hostess with the Mostess, Pizzazzerie, Portraits by Jenn, Hank and Hunt and ByHeartBooks.com}

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12/06

{giveaway} i see me personalized children’s books

I love when I discover a new, fabulous and unique product that makes the perfect gift. I get giddy…seriously! I love it even more when I get to share it with all of YOU.

I became familiar with I See Me Personalized Children’s Books because I received My Very Own Name from a good friend {thanks McKenna} when I had my first child. It was one of my favorite gifts I received. Not only because it was personalized {who doesn’t love the added touch of personalization?}, but because it was a beautiful, lasting book that engaged my son with words, letters and animals to teach him his name.

There is something for everyone at I See Me! Whether you’re an uncle or aunt, grandparent, godmother or godfather, brother or sister, friend or neighbor ~ you can make a child smile with the gift of words and pictures beautifully bound in a story they can keep forever.

Your little one can have a magical holiday with A Christmas Bear for Me or A Hanukkah Bear for Me. Your fairy princess will star in her own magical fairy tale in My Very Own Fairy Tale as fairies bring letters one by one to spell out her name in rhyme {my daughter loves this book and actually tries to smell the flowers on every page}. Sea creatures will spell your child’s name in rhyme in My Very Own Pirate Tale. The newest member of the family will feel even more blessed and loved when he or she receives God Love You! Personalized Book for his/her christening. And big brothers and big sisters can feel extra special and rewarded with The Super, Incredible Big Brother/Sister personalized books.

I love these books! In fact, I loved these books even before I knew the hottest Hollywood celebrities coveted I See Me books for their children.

Today, I See Me is offering one lucky Tutto Bella blog reader a FREE personalized My Very Own Name book. This giveaway is worth $29.95 plus shipping. Thank you I See Me!

My Very Own Name is a beautifully illustrated personalized children’s book that helps children to learn to recognize letters and spell their names. In this hardcover, professionally bound book, animals bring letters one by one to create the child’s first and last names in rhyme. A jackal brings a J, an ostrich brings an O, and so on. At the end, the animals celebrate because they’ve created the perfect name.

As an added personal touch, this award-winning book includes the child’s birth date, a printed dedication from the sender, and an illustrated encyclopedia of 61 animals. This storybook is made in the USA and written by Maia Haag.

Click here to order “My Very Own Name”, a personalized children’s book

To enter the giveaway, you must:
{1.} “Like” I See Me on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment telling us you did {you have to leave a comment so we can enter your name in the drawing}.

For additional entries:
{which means you can enter the giveaway up to three times}
{2.} Visit I See Me on Twitter and become a follower. Then tell us you did it.
{3.}Visit I See Me, then come back here and leave a comment telling us which book is your favorite {you have to leave a comment in order to enter your name in the drawing}.

Winner will be chosen via random.org. Must enter by Sunday, December 11, 2011. 

{images via I See Me}

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12/05

our favorite things {for the new mama}

New moms have to adjust to 9 months of their body changing and growing, and once their child is born, their lives are turned upside down {in a good way} with diapers, sleepless nights, milk and baby talk…and the endless joy and unconditional love that miraculous babies bring.

All moms ~ pregnant and post-birth, moms of one, two or three or more children and moms of children of every age ~ DESERVE to be pampered. They dedicate their lives to their families and deserve to be given a little something special this holiday season…and always.

We put together a list of sweet gifts for the pregnant mom and new mom that is sure to bring a smile to their face…and their tiny tots too.

All products have been given my highest stamp of approval because I received these items as a new mom and absolutely LOVED them all!

1. Hanky Panky Lace Thong, Nordstrom, prices vary but range from $18-23 per pair: Comfortable, pretty, no pesky underwear lines and wearable even with 50lbs of baby weight because it’s one size fits all. Gotta love it…I know I do, whether I’m preggo or not.
2. Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth, Jenny McCarthy, Amazon.com, $10.98: This book will make her laugh and give her an honest and hilarious insight into the changes a preggo mama goes through. Read an excerpt here.
3.  Mama Mio Tummy Rub, Amazon.com, $35: She will love to massage this on her belly to try to prevent stretch marks as her belly grows, but will come to love the routine of massaging and rubbing her sweet baby bump daily.
4. My Very Own Name, I See Me Personalized Children’s Books, $29.95: Animals bring letters one by one to spell out your child’s name in rhyme. This is a gift that will keep on giving. You can personalize the mom to be’s child when he/she is born or personalize for a big brother or big sister. I LOVE this book and so do my kids!  
5. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag, Petunia Pickle Bottom, prices vary: The new mom will stay fashionable with her designer diaper bag that fits all her new baby needs.  
Check back here tomorrow for our wonderful giveaway and how to enter. It’s a good one you won’t want to miss.

{images via Nordstrom, I See Me, Amazon and Petunia Pickle Bottom}

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