Goodbye San Francisco, Hello Los Angeles!


Tomorrow I leave the San Francisco Bay Area to move to Los Angeles. Another new adventure with more memories to be made, lessons to be learned and character to be developed.  For those of you who don't know, I'm still enrolled at my university in Seattle, but am taking part in our direct transfer program with the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA {you know- the school Lauren Conrad, from The Hills, went to!} This is a nine month program and then I will fly back to Seattle to graduate with my class in June. I. Can't. Believe. It.  Through this program, I'll obtain two interior design degrees in four years: one from Seattle Pacific and one from FIDM. 

I couldn't be more thrilled to have the chance to go to FIDM. I'm so looking forward to attending my dream school and taking classes in nothing but design.  The fact that my parents have allowed me to pursue my degree in interior design is something I'll be forever grateful for. I couldn't ask for more supportive, encouraging, and loving parents. Pursuing what I'm passionate about is such a blessing... and I totally encourage you all to do the same. While money may not be pouring in all the time in this field, happiness will. I know this because when I'm designing I feel right. When I'm helping people with their homes, doing projects for my own house, or merely having a conversation about color, furniture, houses, or the like, my heart is happy and that is what matters most. 

In saying that, I'm also nervous, because guess what?! I'm going to a new city, I don't know a soul at my school {no one from my university in Seattle decided to do this program}, and the kicker-- I don't find out my roommate until move-in day. So if you think of me this week, say a little prayer for that, because we all know how roommates are make-it or break-it situations most of the time :)

This week and next will be super busy, but I still have lots of fun posts planned {and no guest posts for vacation time- cue the cheers!} If I'm slow to respond to comments or emails, you can blame it on my frantic, last-minute packing :) Thank you for following my journey! If you have any recommendations for places to visit or restaurants to try in Los Angeles, tell me in the comments below!

So, today I say goodbye to Northern California in all of its beauty and hello to sunny, Southern California. Let the new adventure begin!
And also, I graduate in June. JUNE. I think I just stopped breathing there for a second. Ah!

Happy Monday!
Love,
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PS. Did you notice my new layout design over on the right of the blog?! I decided to go to two columns to keep everything better organized and more visible. The cute new headers should be helpful when finding things, too!  Be sure to follow along via Google Friend Connect over there on the side bar, or follow by email if you'd like :) HUGE thanks to Lindsay at Scenic Glory Designs for designing the two columns for me. She is FABULOUS:)
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37 comments

  1. I did know this b/c Ash told me ;) SO excited for you lady! You're basically just like LC...only way classier and prettier :) You are going to rock this program out and have so much fun. Can't wait to read all your new adventures!

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  2. What an amazing opportunity Michaela! I am so proud of you! So well deserved:)

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  3. I WILL BE HOLDING MY BREATH UNTIL YOU FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR ROOMIES!!!!!!!!!!! AHH!

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  4. Michaela, I wish you all the best! You are an amazing young lady with such a passion and a love of God. He will be walking right along side you these next 9 months. Can't wait to meet you in November!!

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  5. GOOD LUCK MICHAELA! What an amazing opportunity! You are basically living my dream, I mean..Lauren Conrad's school? Come on!

    Can't wait to read all about your new journey. God will reward you for taking chances and believing in yourself.
    xox

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  6. eek congratulations; i think it will be such an amazing experience for you; i love so cal.
    ill pray for you to have good roommates ahah

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  7. you are living the dream! I am jealous! many congrats to you!

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  8. How exciting!! Thirteen years ago next month I moved from Nashville, TN to Ft Lauderdale, FL, for an internship. I did not know anyone. I remember the excitment and the nerves! I will pray for you as you embark on this new adventure. :)

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  9. Such an exciting time for you! I love that you are going after your dreams and fulfilling your wishes for your life. Everyone is LA is going to love you...how could they not?!? Wishing you all the best and sending prayers your way!

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  10. Congrats on such a big step in your life. If you ever travel even further south to the lovely San Diego I'll have plenty of recommendations for you! And a spare bedroom :-)

    Good luck with the move!

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  11. I am so excited for you. I am happy that you get to be living your dream, you inspire me to keep pushing and pursue my own. I know you're going to have so much fun.
    We miss you over here already!
    Staying positive! :)

    Remember to wear your big sunglasses ;) hint hint...Denise Haha

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  12. So exciting !!! I'm so happy that you are doing something you LOVE. So many adventures to come :) Have fun and enjoy every part of it
    http://classysmile.blogspot.com/

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  13. That's so exciting!! I was actually going to be going to FIDM for fashion merchandise!

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  14. Good luck Michaela! This is so exciting for you and I can't wait to hear all about it! You are such an inspiration, and I know you will do great things! :) I'll be thinking of you this week and keeping my fingers crossed that you get a room mate as sweet as you are.

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  15. Happy trails! You'll LOVE LA! My sis and BIL live there...so gorgeous. I love, love, love hearing about people following their dreams! Can't get enough of it - so thank you for being an inspiration Michaela!

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  16. All the best with your program! It sounds amazing.

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  17. So so excited for you M!! It's going to be a great adventure and I'm SURE there are bizzilions of LA bloggers in your area, so you'll make friends in no time!! xo

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  18. We welcome you to So Cal with open arms!!! :)

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  19. Such an amazing opportunity for you -- Can't wait to read all about it!

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  20. Sounds like an amazing opportunity, Michaela. Good luck!! You've totally got that effortlessly gorgeous Cali girl thing going for you, you'll fit right in :)

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  21. Best of luck on this new adventure girl, I know you'll have the best time in SoCal! I'll definitely be praying for you and your roomie situation :) Can't wait to read all about this exciting new chapter of your life! xoxo

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  22. I am SO excited for you!! I can't even imagine all that the Lord is about to do in your life. You have been blessed with an incredible talent and an even more incredible heart. I pray that your move goes smoothly and I will definitely be praying about you meeting your roommate!! I know the Lord is taking care of you. It's going to be wonderful!! xo

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  23. So exciting Michaela!!!! Good luck in everything! So excited to see and hear all about your new adventures :) And so excited to see you again in June!!!

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  24. Girlfriend...I am so proud of you! That is such an awesome thing. You are about to embark on an incredible journey and I can't wait to hear all about it! Praying for you and sending you love :)

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  25. Wow Michaela, Congrats!! This is so AWESOME. You are going to totally rock FIDM & interior designing. Said a little prayer for you, I wish you all the success.
    XOXO
    Stephanie

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  26. How fun Michaela! Good for you for following your passion. You are going to do so well. You are extremely talented and such a sweet and kind woman. Enjoy this next chapter of your life!

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  27. Hooray for a) your new adventure and b) your new best friendship with Lauren Conrad! : ) You guys are totally going to be BFF and sip tea while talking about how awesome y'alls hair is, right? And then you can both come visit me in Atlanta and we'll all be one big happy fam, ha ha. SO excited for you, M!!!!!

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  28. Ahhhhh, this is so exciting!!!! You are going to totally ROCK IT in LA. I can't wait to come visit...with E, of course. Haha!

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  29. Sooooo excited for you girl!!!! You're going to have so much fun!!! I'll be praying for you love!!!! :)

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  30. Oh how spectacular I wish I could join you on your new up and coming adventures ... you are so lucky ! xoxo

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  31. This is so exciting! You're so brave for pursuing this opportunity and going out on a limb - I think you have an amazing nine months ahead of you :)

    xxx
    Jenna

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  32. Good luck on your wonderful new adventure!

    =)


    Brooke

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  33. Michaela you absolutely have to go to Joan's on Third! it's a bakery/restaurant and it's delicious, also the Grove has fun shopping (Anthro :) ) and it has a lovely farmer's market with a cool tea stand near the starbucks in the back left corner. there's good little booths with all different types of food! also, visit the museum district with the LACMA, arts and crafts museum and more. Make sure you visit the Walt Disney concert hall, the architecture and acoustics are amazing, try and see a concert there if you can! LA is a wonderful city, definitely different from Seattle and much bigger but you'll learn to love it!

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  34. Congratulations girl! That is SO exciting!

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  35. M, I am so excited for you and this new adventure you're embarking on. You are going to blow everyone away in LA and just knock their socks off with your passion and talent. Sorry I missed your call today but I cannot wait to catch up soon and hear all about the trip down and how your settling in! I love you lots. Enjoy every second of this new path xoxo

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  36. AHH! So excited for your new adventure here in LA! You'll definitely make friends in no time! I'm a senior at a Christian university down here in LA (Southerner born and bred, though) and you MUST TRY:

    *Blu Jam Cafe off of Melrose - WeHo - Delicious and cutesy brunch :)
    *Chin Chin's off of Sunset - WeHo - Great Chinese (There's also a bakery I've been dying to try behind/below the restaurant).
    *3rd Street Promenade - Santa Monica - Shopping
    *Thousand Steps Beach - Laguna Beach
    *Porto's Bakery - Glendale (Potato Balls. Enough said.)
    *Diddy Riese in Westwood- Ice Cream Sandwiches
    *21 Choices - USC, Pasadena, etc. - BEST FRO YO
    *Old Town Pasadena - Shopping
    *Huntington Beach - Bonfire Pits
    *Philippe's - DTLA (near FIDM) - French Dip Sandwiches
    *The Americana - Glendale - Outdoor Shopping (Anthro!)

    Hope this helps! If you don't make a friend or two (no doubt that you will)...I'm a devoted fan in the area :)

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Thank you for stopping by! If you have a specific question, please email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns.com. I always reply to emails! Have a blessed day! xoxo

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