A very big thanks to all the ladies who sent in their submission for the HomeGoods ‘Mom Cave’ contest, via email or by linking to the party.  Let me tell you, it was excruciating, and I mean painful, trying to narrow it down to five winners, and then choose a top prize. 

It was such a delight reading each and every one of your entries.  The judges (Layla, Rhoda, and I) spent the weekend reviewing them.  I don’t think I’ll be volunteering to be a judge for anything anytime in the near future . . . it really was that difficult!  But after the votes were cast by three judges, and all criteria considered, it’s my pleasure to announce the following winners:

The top prize, the $250 HomeGoods gift card is awarded to, drumroll please . .

Blair of ‘Blair’s Blessings‘ ! 

Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings lovelies!  I do hope you all had a fabulous fall weekend.  It was pouring down rain all weekend around here, so the paint on my lovely credenza is still drying due to cold temperatures.  I soooo wanted to get all my files organized this weekend, but it was not meant to be.  My office is a straight up disaster zone, so I’ve got absolutely nothing for ya!  But who cares about that because today is all about YOU!

It’s time for the ‘Mom Cave’ Link Party, sponsored by HomeGoods!  The top prize is a $250 gift card to HomeGoods, and there will also be four runners up, each winning their own $50 gift card to HomeGoods.

Here’s how to enter:

Write up a post* under 200 words in one of the two categories below with images of your space, and link your post to this party to be eligible.

A) Describe your ‘Mom Cave’ and get creative!  It can be your home office, your craft corner or closet, your reading nook, your vanity, or your favorite getaway spot.  Wherever it is that YOU take time to recharge, create, get organized, or just relax.  Why is it special to you?   How does your existing ‘Mom Cave’ help you stay organized, unwind, or simply be a better Mom?

B) OR, answer this question in your post:  How would a $250 gift card help you create your own ‘Mom Cave’?  Don’t forget a picture!

*If you do not have a blog, please submit your written entry (with at least 1 picture) to centsationalgirl@gmail.com on or before October 26th by 11p.m PST.

Read the rest of this entry »

My friends, I’m inspired this week.  Inspired to make changes, inspired to inject color, inspired to make my home serve our needs better.  Why?  Why the lovely Elaine Griffin, that’s why!  You may recall I reviewed her book last year, and was delighted to find so much practical advice from one of the Top 100 Designers named by House Beautiful.

I had the opportunity to talk to Elaine last week, and it was like we were long time BFFs.  She has the most valuable advice to give, and quite frankly, one of the kindest voices in the biz.  It goes without saying I am a fan forever.  In anticipation of the big Mom Cave Link Party coming up next week (ladies, mark your calendars!), here’s a few Q & A’s exchanged between the incredible Ms. Elaine and little ol’ me.

Q: How did the idea of the ‘Mom Cave’ originate?

HomeGoods conducted a national poll of 1000 people and it revealed that 56% of moms don’t have a space to call their own!   Of those moms, 7 out of 10 said they would "love a space all for me"!  They asked me (Elaine) to come in and help visualize what a Mom Cave would look like so that any woman (moms or not) could have one, no matter what size space they had or budget.  So I designed three spaces as examples to kick off this new concept and inspire ladies to create a space that belonged just to them.

CG Note:  Having a hard time focusing when gazing on these incredible saturated teal paneled blue walls with white, green, and gold accessories.  Swoon.

   

Read the rest of this entry »