I’m a big believer in making your home your personal refuge from the world. I’d rather spend my money on feathering my nest than taking a grand vacation. When we planned our home expansion, I insisted on creating my own sanctuary by incorporating a courtyard into the design plan. In truth, my courtyard is my favorite “room” in my home. I begin and end each day in this very spot.

We’ve been landscaping our barren backyard in several stages, and for several years. When choosing plantings, I find myself drawn, time and again, to anything with deep purple flowers or sage green leaves. Jackpot, if both occur. In nature, I find the color combination of aubergine and sage green irresistible.

Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent 

In my outdoor decor, I also return to shades of green. To me, green is a color that is fresh regardless of the season. I never tire of it.

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I hope you’ve had your coffee, cause I’m getting up close and personal this morning. 

When you step out of the shower or bath, what is your first layer of choice, after drying off your bum with your towel?  Are you a robe person?  Do you immediately dress?  Or do you dance around to bad 80s metal in your skivvies?  (Don’t tell us, if the latter is you.)

Quite frankly, I am none of the above.  (Although Mr. CG loves to belt 80s rock ballads while shaving, but don’t tell him I told you.)  Robes make me sweaty (except on the coldest mornings), and I can’t imagine getting dressed right away.  And I’m much too bashful to run around in my underwear.  Day after day, I turn to a spa towel wrap because it covers me with cozy terry cloth, but frees up my arms for all that I must accomplish between 7 and 8 a.m.

My old storebought spa wrap was getting a bit tattered after years of use, so I thought I’d just make myself a new one.  My five year old daughter is just as “anti-robe” as I am (“It’s too sweaty mommmmmmiiiiiieeeeeee” ) so I also made her one too. 

One clearance towel + 1/2 yard of cute cotton fabric + one afternoon = glam spa towel wrap.

Here is the pink version I made for my girl:

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Yep, it’s still me.   Just a little enhanced.  LOL.  

Ooooooh, it’s all just soooooo purty!   Well at least I think so.  You’re looking at the nearly completed, totally transformed, new and improved Centsational Girl™!  I’ve been working with a site designer for the last few weeks with a new concept for where I want to take this blog, and we’re so close to achieving the aesthetic goal.   September is my birthday month, so this site is a Happy Birthday present to me from Mr. CG.  Awwww, thanks shmoopie. 

I must admit, I miss my peonies and my damask background a little bit, but the ‘bloom was off the rose’ so to speak.  Now I’m loving the new illustrated header and the amazingly organized navagation bar.

Say farewell to the old CG:

* Sniff Sniff.  Sigh *

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With the kids back to school, I can’t help but anticipate the changing of the seasons.  It’s still warm here in California, but when I take my daughter to school in the early morning, I can smell the crispness of the air.  Autumn is coming!   I really want to accessorize my family room with a few pieces for fall. 

Coincidentally, I received an email the other day requesting I feature some affordable décor.  So today, my mind is on decorative throw pillows, especially in warmer tones: chocolate browns, golds, burnt oranges, rich reds and olive greens. 

I thought I’d go browsing online to see what stylish pillows are available for the autumn season.  Here are some selections I found in earthy colors, and all under $50 dollars.  

From Target:

 Dwell Studio lattice $24.99; Paisley toss brown $24.99;  Thai silk brown $49.99; Normandy Ciel $49.99

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