Welcome Bag included:  Sandcastle book, playing cards, sunscreen, bug wipes (not pictured), hat, (not pictured) muslin bag for collecting shells, and a note from the hosts welcoming everyone to the island.

Other favors:  Custom wedding tote bag with Map of wedding venue, Sea Glass Candies, Personalized S’mores, Print of handpainted map of wedding venue, customized note, bag with seashell soaps and Necker Island Box of seashells.

3 Tips for choosing wedding favors:

Remember, it’s the thought that counts, so choose favors that are thoughtful (hats, umbrellas, sunscreen, bug spray, etc).

The favors should fit the venue, the bride or groom’s personality—or both!

If it’s a destination wedding make sure it’s something that can be taken home easily.  Otherwise your guests may leave it behind or have to make special arrangements to ship gifts home.

The post Wedding Swag: Wedding favor ideas appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

Earlier this year the Road Warrior’s Daughter was married in the British Virgin Islands.   Although it was a small (immediate family only) affair, we did want to send out Save The Date Announcements that would set the tone for the upcoming destination wedding.

An invitation in a bottle was the obvious choice along with island inspired details such as: a map of the BVI on the label, starfish, sand, sea glass and shells.  If you’re  planning an island wedding this isn’t a difficult invitation to DIY.

If I could change anything about this invitation I would have aged the bottle. Other than that, I’m happy with how it came out. Most importantly, the bride was too.

 Resources to DIY your own Island Wedding Invitation in a bottle:

Starfish

Raffia

Bottles

Sea Glass

Sand – pick up from the beach or use white play sand

The post Island Wedding Invitation in a bottle appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

I’m never so happy as when I’m somewhere quiet and have the luxury of reading for hours on end, with a highlighter and notebook in hand. This year my goal is to make more time for reading (for pleasure) and share the books I’m reading (or have read) on the blog each month.

Homemaking

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
Similar to Rubin’s other book, The Happiness Project,  Happier at Home follows the same basic monthly project format based on a series of principals Rubin believes are essential to being happy at home.   Rubin then takes on monthly experiments and shares the results .   I thought it was thought provoking and inspiring.  I’ve heard others say they enjoyed it even more than Rubin’s first book, The Happiness Project, and I have to agree.  I think the reason I think I enjoyed this book more was because it seemed more applicable to what I’m doing right now.  Homemaking, specifically making a HOME for my family that fosters relationships and happy childhood memories is a focus for me.  It was the perfect book to read on Sabbatical because it got me thinking about what small but important changes I wanted to make to our home life, or my perspective on our home life, for the better of all. I read it with a highlighter and made a list of things I’d like to incorporate and new ideas I was inspired to try for myself.

Memoir

What Remains by Carole Radziwell

“We create narratives for people, because they are simpler than the complexities of real life. When narratives change, it’s unsettling, because whether or not they’re our own, they help to define us, and we don’t want to let go of them”

I had never heard of Carole Radziwell before I read this book. I also wouldn’t consider myself a fan or follower of the Kennedy Family, but I found myself wishing I had paid more attention to the story of John Kennedy Jr. and his wife after reading about them from Carole’s perspective. Her writing is so powerful and her story is both beautiful and painful. Immediately after finishing it I recommended it on my Personal Facebook page and every friend who later read it said they loved it as much as I did.

Augusta, Gone: a True Story by Martha Tod Dudman
I won’t lie.  As a mother, this book scared the heck out of me.  I actually stopped reading it on Sabbatical because it wasn’t doing anything to relax or encourage me. If you or someone you know is going through a tough time with a teenager, this book might be one of those you’re-not-alone books that sometimes we all just need to hear.  While I’ve read books on drug addictions before, this book really hit me in the gut.

Faith

A women’s secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa Terkeurst
This book was like a welcome balm for my soul.  It tackles the things that most women really want out of life, based on biblical perspectives.  Every woman I know talks about how busy they are and how there isn’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all that they are trying to.  For me this book was an opportunity to redirect my priorities more intentionally and feel encouraged and inspired to do so.  I highly recommend this book for any Christian woman who is either feeling overwhelmed or simply desires to know how to better live out God’s priorities for her life and find that balance we all desire.

Writing

Writing down the Bones: freeing the writer within by Natalie Goldberg

This book is for writers or would-be writers. It offers encouragement, inspiration, and tips on becoming a writer, delivered  in bite size chapters.  I cannot speak to how a published author may view this book, but for me it was just the bit I needed at the right time.  I didn’t read it straight through, this isn’t that type of book. I’ve been reading a chapter here and there and it’s provided just the write boost I need to continue writing regularly, the only way to truly improve as a writer.

Motivation/Marketing

Start by Jon Acuff
This book is just like hearing Jon Acuff speak.  It’s purely an encouraging and motivational book. There are no deep secrets that you haven’t heard before but  Jon does offer an inspiring kick in the butt to do what you know you need to do, but haven’t been doing.  The book is applicable to any type of goal or dream.

Unmarketing: Stop Marketing, Start Engaging by Stratten

This book is about how to stop marketing and start engaging.  After hearing Scott Stratten speak at a blogging conference I was interested in reading it because it specifically covers social media and viral marketing. Although the book mostly focuses on selling products or services I thought it contained really useful information for bloggers who are primarily interested in building a platform.  Of course, like anything, the real key is what you do AFTER you finish reading the book.  Stratten lays out a pretty detailed road map to get you where you want to go.  It’s more than just a motivational book. It’s packed with useful information.

Have you read anything good lately? I’d love to hear your book suggestions in the comments.

The post What I read on Sabbatical appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

I’m so ready for summer.  Because we homeschool year round we usually  have a light schedule during the summer, except this year.  I cannot even think about it right now without tearing up.  I’m worn out.  I feel sort of like the Worst End of School year Mom Ever, except in a homeschool way.  Which makes me both the worn out Mom and the Teacher assigning more work.  To make myself feel better we had our first Maryland Style Crabs of the season.  Some men grill, my Road Warrior makes us Maryland Blue Crabs and it wouldn’t be summer without it.

Summer Inspired Links

I want to make these Summer S’More Kits with my kids for their friends.

This  Cherries Jubilee Ice Cream Pie looks like summer, doesn’t it?

Click through 26 Summer House Tours  and there’s a chance to link up your own!

TMD Recap

This week I shared DIY Pirate Party for Kids, our last kids’ birthday party of the season.   Each time I say it’s my best party yet, but this one is.  I even learned to use a sewing machine (very basic) in the process.

The {ditto} DIY Project continues and I hope you’ll link up with us in July. It’s going to be so much fun. I’m already planning a big trip to the fabric store.

Instagram Feeds to Follow

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I really love Instagram.  It’s come a long way since just shots of everyone’s food or coffees with a heart in the foam.

Neil Kramer is a writer with a great eye for instagram photography. He lives in NYC and his city perspective will make you long for (or miss) NYC.

Up Close & Stylish is the feed to follow if you love fashion. I love looking at every picture she posts even though none of the outfits fit my lifestyle. It’s just fun to look.

P.S Are you following me on Instagram? : 0 )

The post Links & Things: Summer Edition appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

Invitation

I’ve always said that the invitation sets the tone for an event and that’s even more true with themed events.  For this event I created a Pirate Invitation in a bottle using an aging technique on the bottle and corks.

Each invitation had a custom label with the Buccaneer Guest’s name.  Most of the invitations were hand delivered but a couple were mailed packed in Spanish Moss and a narrow white box.

Decorations

The party was held  in the heart of Florida Cracker Country so my challenge was to make this rustic setting fit a pirate themed party.  Using a pond on the property, we created a ‘Pirate Lagoon’  as the backdrop for this party and the location of our shipwreck.

Masts were created for these tables using the DIY Pirate Mast Centerpiece instructions

Entertainment

The boys had one request for their party: they wanted to play a lot of games with their friends.  This Pirate Party was packed full of non-stop entertainment including a Treasure Hunt that involved riddles and clues and a Scavenger Hunt for Treasure Boxes containing the next clue.

Other games included: Capture the flag, Cannon Ball Toss, Pirate Sword Pop, Swab the Deck relay race and a Pirates Life for Me Obstacle Course.

Our band of merry Pirates

Menu

After all the non-stop actions we served up a buffet to feed our band of hungry Pirates.  When it comes to a kids’ parties you cannot go wrong with a buffet.

The Pirate Theme was carried over to the buffet where playful buffet cards were made for the menu which included:

Pirate Punch,

PBJ Planks,

Pirate Ship Hot Dogs,

Pirate Peg Legs

Mr. Smee’s Deviled Eggs

Pirates Booty

Fishy Snacks

Watermelon Slices

Roasted Pig

Pirate Party Resources:

Make your own Pirate Invitation in a bottle

Visit my Pirate Party Resource Page for more information on resources used in this party.

The Sherbert Party Punch Recipe makes a great Pirate Punch

Download the Pirate Party Entertainment PDF to read more about the games we played and what you need for them. (coming soon!)

DIY Salt Water labels 

Check-out my Pirate Party Pinterest Board for more inspiring ideas

The post DIY Pirate Party appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

This post is part of the {ditto} DIY series.   Once a month ten very different bloggers are hosting this challenge to recreate in their own homes a project or design element inspired by a haute couture design. The idea is to inspire everyone to incorporate fine design elements into their own homes while adding their own unique perspective and style.

Welcome to the June {ditto} DIY challenge!

Hosted by:

Darlene @ Fieldstone Hill Design
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less
Cindy @ Skip to My Lou
Jen @ Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
Edie @ Life in Grace
Rachel @ Surviving the Stores
Karin @ Trophy Mom Diaries
Lauren @ I am THAT Lady
Kelly @ View Along The Way
Melissa @ The Inspired Room

This month’s theme is: Go for the GOLD, and this was our inspiration photograph:

{Art and design by Samantha Reitmayer Sano of Style/Swoon.}

The {ditto} DIY Challenge:

Gild something, or paint it gold! Then use it in a lovely display.

Here is my Go For the GOLD {ditto}DIY project:

I won’t lie. I had a really hard time with this challenge. I don’t have a lot of gold (or brass) in our decor.  I knew that whatever I created, I wanted it to be true to my personal decor style and not just fit a current design trend.  Because that’s what is really at the heart of these challenges. Taking design trends as inspiration for your own projects using your own style and taste.

On my Instagram feed I shared that I recently went to Tuesday Morning for the first time and I found a few too many things I liked, including these bookends ($14.99 each):

I initially thought they were perfect the way they were…but then I felt inspired to add a little gold gilding using Martha Stewart’s Gold Multi-surface Metallic acrylic paint and Copper Gilding.

What do you think? The project took about 15 minutes and cost approximately $18 (excluding the bookends).

And now comes the fun part! It is time to link up your own fabulous Go for the GOLD projects and join the {ditto} DIY party! It wouldn’t be much of a party if you didn’t stick around, so be sure to check out as many projects as you can! Then be sure to visit Darlene’s site for a peek at next month’s challenge along with some expert design tips on incorporating gold accents into your home. (HINT: This design challenge could very well use something that is just sitting in your closet, and turn it into gorgeous art work for your walls!)

Link up your own GOLD project here:

The post {ditto} DIY: Gold decorating challenge appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

On Mondays I share my musings on Motherhood or Marriage. Today’s post is about Motherhood.

I remember how anxious and afraid I was when I found out we were having twin boys.  I had always  dreamed of having children and our infertility struggles seemed to magnify both my desire to become a mother and my determination to be the best mom that I could be.

I worried aloud (frequently) to the Road Warrior how a ‘girly girl’ could raise boys.  What about all those nursery rhymes I longed to recite and the crafts I imagined us doing?  Could you do those things with boys?

He assured me I could. But quite honestly I had my doubts.

I was fearful, didn’t play sports and wasn’t particularly adventurous.  Three traits I was convinced would make me an epic failure as a mother to boys.

When I think back to that time, I have to laugh at myself.  In the Ten things I’ve learned after 10 Years of Motherhood, I shared that I now believe anyone can be a Boy Mom.  I’m certainly proof of that.

As their Mother I definitely don’t try to become their Dad, but I do try to be open to exploring their interests with them and supporting them in their ‘boyish’ pursuits.  Pursuits which have surprisingly now become family pursuits that include their sisters.

Raising Boys has been an exciting adventure and while I still get nervous, I’ve learned that by not always holding them back, I expand my horizons as well.

Their sense of adventure has unleashed my own and taught me a lot about myself in the process.

I’m stronger/tougher than I thought.

and  I’m a pretty good shot.

The post The Adventure of Raising Boys appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

This post is part of a wedding series covering details and ideas for an Island Destination Wedding.  All pictures are from the destination wedding we hosted earlier this year for the Road Warrior’s daughter.

A White Party is the perfect way to kick off an island destination wedding and get guests in the mood for the upcoming nuptials.  White parties aren’t limited to just weddings, so even if there isn’t a wedding in your immediate future, there are still some elegant takeaways you can apply to your next dinner party or stylish white party.

 How to create a White Party Tablescape

1. Use varied simple white floral arrangements to add interest to the table.  In this tablescape 3 different types of flowers were used yet they were grouped individually in 3 different vases.  This type of arrangement is very easy to DIY.

2. Use white linens and napkin rings in different hues.  Pictured above is an off white napkin with white napkin ring place card.  White comes in many different tones, layer them for the most dramatic effect.

3.) Candlelight is the perfect white light!  Use string lights and candles generously.  If you’re using lanterns, don’t forget to add lights to the inside for a nice glow.

Other details from the evening:

To add a little fun to this evening party we used LED balloons, bracelets and glow bar-ware.

After dinner the guests headed out to the beach where we watched fireworks over the ocean.  It was the perfect way to end our evening and begin the weekend.

Candids from the evening

I love this picture of me with one of our sons, standing by the bonfire.  It was our first evening in the British Virgin Islands and we arrived 3 hours later than planned, due to a mechanical issue with the plane!   I was very overwhelmed by all that needed to be done and I distinctly remember that this moment, near the end of the evening, was the first time I remembered to just breathe and relax.

My dress (and necklace) is by Lanvin and it was so comfortable.  The Road Warrior encouraged me to buy it the year before when we were in Las Vegas on a business trip. At the time I wondered when I’d ever have an occasion to wear a long white gown, but I didn’t want to put a damper on his enthusiasm with picking out something for me.

I’m glad I didn’t.  It was the perfect dress and the most perfect evening.

White Party Resources:

Lanterns
Napkin Ring place cards

14″ LED balloons

Glow barware

LED Bling ring

LED white bracelets

The post White Party: Necker Island appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

There be a Pirate Party on the Horizon!  Here’s the details on how to host your own Buccaneer Bash.  Avast Ye, the invitation sets the tone for the party, so don’t be forgetting about it, or ye might have to walk the plank!

DIY Aged Glass Bottle Technique

There are numerous ways to age glass bottles but my favorite technique for this application is to combine the sandpaper technique with a little glass enamel wash.  I think it gives it an older aged look that is perfect for a Pirate Party Invitation in a Bottle.

Step One:  Using a heavy grain sandpaper (I like 80 grit) sand the bottle in various directions.

Step Two:  Mix 40 % enamel paint with  60% water to create a wash and apply evenly with a brush.

Step Three: Using a paper towel, cloth or tissue dab lightly around the bottle.  This will give texture and remove some of the paint.

Step Four: Allow to dry completely.

DIY Pirate Party Invitation in a bottle

Step One:Create a custom label for your invitation.   For our invitations I customized each label with the name of the guests with ‘Buccaneer’ followed by the child’s name.

Step Two: Create an invitation using parchment paper.  Try to be creative with the text.  There are a number of great websites to look up popular Pirate phrases or jargon.

Step Three: Hand tear the edges and use an ink pad on the edges. My favorite is Tim Holz’s distress ink, but a regular ink pad would work too.

Step Four: Crumple paper into a ball, and then unfold it.

Step Five: Roll paper up and wrap twine around it and tie a knot.

Step Six: Add sand to the bottle (if desired) and shake it up so the sand sticks a little to the sides of the inside of the bottle.

Step Seven: Insert roll into the bottle, leaving enough twine to hang out the side of the bottle.

Step Eight: Add a cork (not too tightly).

Additional Resources

See how the party all came together in the DIY Pirate Party for Kids post (coming soon!).

Don’t forget to visit the Pirate Party Resource page for more information on where to find materials used in this project.

Learn How to age costumes

The post How to make a Pirate Party Invitation in a bottle appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.

On Mondays I blog about Marriage or Motherhood.  This weeks post is inspired by the 10th Birthday of our Twin boys.  My firstborn.

I believe Motherhood is a lifelong learning experience.  Since our first borns recently turned 10 (double digits!) I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what 10 years of motherhood has taught me.

10 Things I’ve learned after 10 years of Motherhood

Children are resilient.  One innocent (well intentioned) parenting mistake won’t ruin them for life.
I shudder when I remember sitting our boys in front of the television to eat their breakfast and watch Baby Einstein.  Now we have a house where they only watch limited television on the weekends.  They can read, write and appear to have a good number of brain cells.  Whew!

Your children will teach you more about yourself than you will ever teach them. They challenge you, show you sides of personality you never knew you had, mirror your worst habits, and just fill you with an overwhelming desire to be a better parent, person and friend.  I am by no means perfect, but I am a much better person today than I was 10 years ago.

Through your children you will experience the heights of pride and the depths of humility.  I have never felt prouder or been more humbled as I have been with and through my children.  Whenever you think you have this parenting thing down, something will happen to remind you that you don’t.  On the other hand, sometimes during the hardest weeks and most challenging days, when you’re wondering whatever made you think you could actually be a mother, your children will do or say something that surprises you in the most wonderful way and fills your heart with pride.

Anyone can be a ‘Boy Mom’.  If you told me 10 years that ago that one day I would be able to:  Name the various types of construction vehicles by their proper names, identify  insects and bugs, raise and breed reptiles,  enjoy shooting targets at a rifle range, and be able to plan fun birthday parties for boys—I would have laughed.   Yet, I’ve not only done it, I’ve truly enjoyed it.  Loving my boys has opened me to new experiences I would have never thought I could handle. While I’m still terrified of roaches, I am also a ‘Boy Mom’ and proud of it.

Motherhood is club, a sorority, a clique and a mob.  Mothering is both a universal language and a way to divide women.  I have enjoyed and benefited greatly from the sisterhood among mothers.   I’ve also been bitten by it.    Women are passionate and opinionated about motherhood, and when I’m honest with myself, I realize that I am too.

You won’t die of exhaustion or sleep deprivation, although it will feel like it.  They say the early months of bringing home an infant are hard because of the sleep deprivation.  What they don’t tell you is that after you have children you won’t ever sleep as soundly as you did before kids.  

You will say those things that you swore you would never say. You know the ones I’m talking about.  Even worse, you’ll say them often.

You will think in-depth conversations about poop are normal.

You will eventually learn how to handle all the unsolicited advice that comes your way.  When people tell you to “sleep when the baby sleeps” you will muster up enough self control not to slap them and point out that twins aren’t identical robots, but rather 2 separate individuals who sleep, eat and poop on their own accord and not just in sync with their twin.

The most ‘thankless’ jobs are also the most personally rewarding.  Motherhood isn’t  glamorous ,  high paying, or highly regarded as an occupation  by most of society  but it’s always a worthy endeavor for those who choose to embrace it.

The post What I’ve learned after 10 years of Motherhood appeared first on Trophy Mom Diaries.