Sweet Sanity Designs

Got such a cute invite last week from an East Coast friend promising a 'Clam Bake' in Chicago and encouraging guests to dress the part, and it reminded me of how summer just screams nautical prints, clam bakes and all things LOBSTER!  For parties and weddings {especially if you are somewhere in New England or on a coast!} there is just no better theme.  I have been doing a ridiculous amount of Lobster stickers lately for my clients as well, so I must not be the only one who loves a good lobster motif...
 

Did a quick search on my fellow Etsy Shops and the lobster cuteness just goes on and on. Cookies, linens, embroidery, cake toppers (raise your hand if you remember that FRIENDS episode?) and even lobster traps for your decor (think card box at the wedding!)

{Photo Credit: Mediterranean Gifts, Giggles and Hissyfits, Sugar Lane Bake Shop, The Virginia Rose, Miss Sarah Cake, Linnea Designs}
 

For me whether the classic navy and red color combo or a preppy twist with apple green and pink, a simple lobster on a favor label just always comes out so nicely.
 

Dropping this little lobster monogram stickie in the mail tomorrow...the lobster love continues!

I must admit that I LOVE champagne.  Love. I get excited to attend a wedding knowing it will most likely be the standard drink for at least the first hour...I feel like it completes the fancy outfit.

After many requests for personalized labels for mini bottles I finally researched some sizing and added them to the Sweet Sanity wine bottles section.  This past weekend doing product shots for Etsy I couldn't get over how cute they looked.   Just a label and a bow and they were ready to go.  All lined up on a table as you walked it would look so great.  Not sure why I have never used them at a shower or party but I am taking a mental note...

For bridal showers, bachelorette parties and weddings I think they are the perfect favor.  But apparently they are popular for a Baby Shower, too. While the guest of honor cannot technically enjoy them, the "About to Pop!" phrase is just too cute to resist when it comes to the party planning...

If you want go nuts like Tori Spelling probably would, add matching striped straws.  I guess I shouldn't talk as I have a box of pink ones stashed in the kitchen cabinet.  Tested it out on the front porch after the props were no longer needed....Hey, it was a grueling afternoon! 

It's planting season (finally) in Chicago and last weekend I prepped the decks and geared up for flowers and a few veggies.  So envious of the lovely spacious yards that some of the homes around me have, but at the same time condo planting has it's perks - mainly that I have a VERY tiny space to make cute!  

This year I wanted to try a little herb garden and was brainstorming about what a cute container might be. When I this idea to use a wine box on Life on the Balcony (a smart blog totally devote to gardening in small spaces)  I wanted to try it immediately!  

First things first, where to get a box?  I stalked my local wine shop for a couple of weeks.  The stocking person didn't think I was as crazy as I thought he would - apparently 'crafters' ask for them all the time. Learned something useful: Bordeauxs usually come in the wooden boxes.  I guess as with everything, expensive item = cute packaging.  But since they are pricey they move a bit slower, so are a bit harder to come by.  But on my third spin-by I scored this one.  It was the only one he had and yes, it was EVERYTHING I was hoping for.  Cool lion motif? Yes please!

Next got the herbs.  Cheated and bought a mixed box ready to go. Probably could have left them in the plastic container but then where's the fun in that.

I drilled plenty of holes in the bottom of it.  People also mentioned sealing the wood so it didn't grey.  I skipped this part as I thought since it was for edibles I better not used anything with chemicals.  Ok, that and I just felt like that seemed like a whole extra step that  I didn't feel like doing.   But am sure you can find an ego-friendly sealer out there!

Then in went the dirt....

And finally the herbs!  I do love how my little frog is just about eye level to keep watch...

And there you go my lovelies.   A simple, free, rustic and chic little wine box herb garden!

Acknowledging today all those who are BRAVE enough to protect our country in the most ultimate way! Using them as inspiration for the bravery needed for the many things that come down life's path, big & small.  Happy Memorial Day!

 {Sweet Sanity Original Print}

Do you all get the Olive and Cocoa catalog?  Just started appearing in my mailbox at the end of last year. The photography // styling is awesome and it sucks me right in. I start thinking, 'Surely someone I know needs the Get Well Nantucket Throw presented in pretty wooden box?'  

Anyway, saw this amazingly unique 'La Bonbonniere' Candy Jar (#1) in this week's catalog, with its equally amazing price tag (yikes).  But how cute is it!!  I found myself looking for other unique jars out there at the moment.   Sharing some Friday Finds!

1 // Olive and Cocoa -  'La Bonbonniere' Candy Jar
2 // Save on Crafts ~ The little birdie on top gets me.
3 // Williams Sonoma - I know, no surprise here, but they actually monogram these.
4 // Pier 1 - Just had to include because they are on MAJOR sale right now.
5// GiftsbyGaby - This Etsy Seller has a huge selection; so many colors and all sweet & unique!

Happy Memorial Day! XOXO

Felt like I wanted to skip down the hallway the other night when I finally figured out how to rearrange my desk.  You know when some furniture or decor arrangement is just not working and then finally it clicks? 

I was all excited because I bought a new monitor to connect to my laptop.  Working on a big screen is going to be SO nice.  BUT, before I knew it everything on top of the desk down to the pencil cup was irking me and the arrangement wasn't working.  I am sensing a pattern...typically I have to completely unravel things and it all has to go to hell until I get a game plan of how to put it back together.  And by 'unravel' I mean full blown, everything on the floor, lamps unplugged, 'why don't you just clean the whole area while you are at it' type of unravel.

Over a year ago during a storage meltdown,  I picked up a file cabinet on craigslist to store all my different stocks of paper.  I covered it with chevron contact paper and it tucked nicely under the desk. That solved some of the storage issues that come with having such a minimalistic desk.

I also use this red box for little desk drawer-ish stuff. I love the pop of color and extra storage but it takes up a lot of room on the desk.  I ALWAYS feel like I need more light and have thought about putting another lamp on the desk, but there is no room, and is that even allowed? Finally it hit me -  roll out the little cabinet and place a lamp on top.  I realize this isn't rocket science people but I was SO happy. It gives me a whole other surface when I am working, too. 

It's a bit of a hodge-podge but for now it works and the functionality it is amazing.   Let out a little 'YES!' for figuring out how to incorporate some light in that corner, get the monitor in the mix, and still save my red box.  Phew.  After the revamp detour I am now ready to sit down and be uber productive!!

Blogging is such a funny thing -  a random share can become one of the most read!   My original post on Hiding the Wireless Routers has been my all-time most read post.  It's been pinned, commented on, and constantly comes up in my Google Analytics as the reason people are arriving at this blog.  Clearly I am not the only one disturbed by the ever growing amount of ugly technology laying all over my house.  Maybe I should share my neurosis more often.

{In case you missed this earth shattering post catch up here}

People had OPINIONS.  They either loved my idea, or warned me I my house was going to burn down.  People emailed me their thoughts, their husbands thoughts and even an IT person somewhere offered his two cents! I did my best to reply and even offered a status update; that I hadn't burned my house down, that the boxes were ventilated nicely, that the signal was indeed going through the cardboard boxes (it has to go through dry wall on a good day right?), etc.

Two year later, after moving my router to an entirely different outlet in the house, I wondered what else my little white boxes could hide. Hence, Hiding the Technology Part Two.  Cell phone, tablet, and bluetooth ~ in you go!

I know there are all sort of fancy charging stations out there, but at lot of them remind me of something from a SkyMall catalog - too masculine and office-y.   Pretty boxes however are all over the place (World Market, Home Goods, Target, Container Store) and come in a million patterns, colors and sizes, that can match your room. I put a power strip on the bottom, fed the cords through the hole cut in the back, and brought them inside the top box.

Downside: Yes, each morning I pop off the lid to retrieve my phone.  And if I am traveling and need to bring the charger I have to dismantle the whole shebang and go into the bottom box to unplug.  BUT I do have to say that I actually LIKE the act of putting it away each night.  It forces me to unplug myself from the emails, texts and Instragram updates and officially detach.    Bring on the comments! XOXO

Excited to be a guest blogger over on A Paper Proposal today!  A Paper Proposal shows brides how they can incorporate new ideas and trends into their wedding paper, decor and fashion. Today I am discussing how to keep in container shape and sizes in mind when choosing favors and treats for your guests.  It's cute containers + some sanity tips for planning all rolled into one!   Read more!

Thrilled to be feature on The Girls Of Lincoln Park today!   My hometown fashion // all things pretty go-to blog is featuring some Sweet Sanity prints today!  Check it out!  Thanks GOLP!

Fresh back from a little trip to South Beach.   There's something about feeling the humidity in your hair and squishing your toes in the sand ~ especially after a long winter!  South Beach definitely has its spots that I feel the need to tiptoe around but I love it for how colorful, alive, and full of amazing decor it is, from the hotels to the landscaping, to the restaurants.   My favorite activity while there is taking my sweaty, unmade-up self for a long morning walk and  poking my head into as many spots as I can...

{Away we go}

{National Hotel pool}

{Cocktails at SLS Hotel}

{Rooftop Dining at Juvia}

{Endless outdoor seating}

{Ocean Drive}

 {James Hotel Pool}

Til next time Miami!

Photos from Instagram sweetsanity#