Shop Till You Drop

I couldn't let this weekend pass by without sharing some of my FAVORITE places to shop and their big 'ole Labor Day sales!

1. ASOS: 20% with code Summer4Ever

2. Madewell: 30% off sale items with code BYESUMMER

3. J.Crew: 30% off sale with code HELLO30

4. Tory Burch: 30% off using code LABORDAY

5. Lulu & Georgia: 25% off all our cute home decor using code LABORDAY25


Those Tory Flats up there would be SO cute for Fall, which may I remind you, is just around the corner!

I also wanted to let you know I'm accepting sponsors for the month of September. If you'd like to promote your blog, business or shop, I'd love to help! Email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns (dot) com for more info.


Happy Shopping!
xoxo

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Inspiration: Favorite Outdoor Spaces

First of all, thank you so much for your kind comments on yesterday's post. I'm so glad to have encouraged some of you at the same time. 

It's Friday...finally! And it's a long weekend. Hooray! {This means nothing to me, as I work from home at the moment, but it's exciting for the rest of you!} I am looking forward to Monday, because it most likely means a BBQ at my grandparents house and laying out by their pool. 

In honor of a weekend filled with BBQ's {or "cook outs", for you from the South/Midwest!} I pulled some of my favorite outdoor spaces. Go ahead, feast your eyes on the beauty!

*image via House Beautiful 

 *images via Trad Home

*image via Trad Home 

*image via Trad Home

*image via House Beautiful

Oh, to have a porch or patio like one of these. Yes, one day. One day! I'll have you all over for brunch when that day comes :)
What are your weekend plans?

Happy Labor Day!
xoxo

PS. I'm now accepting advertisers for the month of September! If you want to promote your blog, business or shop here on MND, please email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns (dot) com for more info and rates. I'd love to have you!

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Let Us Not Become Weary

*image by Ashley Slater Photography

Since graduating college, I've been putting out feelers here and there trying to find a more full-time interior design job, working for a designer in the Bay Area. Even though I'm going to launch my website and design services in the Fall, it will be more of a "soft" launch, as I want to be working for a designer simultaneously.  Can I tell you something, friends? This whole career world is hard work. Don't get me wrong, I love being out of school and am so thankful for being done with college and on to this next phase of life, but boy, is it scary at times. Some days I'm SO hopeful that something great is going to come my way and other days I get really nervous and discouraged. 

I feel so blessed my parents are letting me live at their house for a while to save up some money for the time being, but the other day I started browsing apartment prices just for fun.  It soon turned into anything but fun. Apartment, condo and house prices are no joke here in the Bay Area. With not even a studio apartment under $1000, I found myself discouraged and concerned for my future.  I don't have the husband I thought I'd have upon graduating, I don't have the funds to live somewhere on my own, and I don't have a full time job with benefits and healthcare. Then, as I often do when I get that sinking feeling, I picked up my Bible and started reading God's truth to replace the lies. I turned to Galatians 6:9, and it was the perfect verse at the perfect time...

 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Yes. This hit me square in the face. My only job is to do good, keep seeking out employment opportunities, continue making connections in the design world, and pray that in His timing the right doors be open. Don't worry about how good the pay is or whether I'll get benefits. Don't worry about when I will have enough money to move out and decorate a cute place of my own. Worry not about the future, pleasing others, getting ahead, having a family, or owning a booming business. None of this is for me to worry about, because thankfully, God has it all planned out already. And His plan is sweeter than I could ever dream.

So, if you're in a season of in-betweens, not-sures, or straight up discouragement with where you are presently, let me be the first to say I'm right there with you. Friends, let us not become weary if we are doing good. Hold onto hope and trust in God's perfect timing. Will you join me in trying to live fully, with an abundance of joy, in the season we're presently in? 

Have a blessed day!
xoxo

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She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not: Attempts at Domestication

Today I'm excited to introduce you to one of the most fun and kind DIY and home bloggers around. Meet Ashley from Attempts at Domestication...

Ashley dishes on life as a newlywed, cooking, DIY projects and home decor. She's always so genuine and thoughtful; I just love her and the inspiration she brings to the blog world! I'm thrilled she's here sharing what she's loving (and not!) for this Wednesday's installation of She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not.

***

Hey there everybody! I'm Ashley and I blog at Attempts At Domestication, where I write about everything from home decor, DIY projects, recipes and life in general. I'm so excited to be guest posting here on Michaela's blog today and sharing about some things I love, and some that I'm not so into. 

Fall Fashion - August is almost over which means fall is coming! I can't wait to take my boots and scarves out of storage, plus go shopping for a few new items. ;)

Paris - My husband and I are going on a European vacation in September and we'll be in Paris for half of it. I absolutely cannot wait to see the sites, especially the Eiffel Tower. I'm also excited to eat a ton of croissants, macaroons, and of course chocolate.

Pumpkin - Fall also means indulging in all things pumpkin! My favorites are pumpkin desserts and pumpkin spice lattes. I'm also looking forward to visiting a pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins with my husband for Halloween.

Glee - I've been obsessed with this show for a few years, so much so I'm rewatching it, again. I've always loved musicals and I like tv shows with drama, this is a combination of both and I love it! I'm excited for Season 5 this fall, even though it will all feel different without Cory Montieth.

Ultimate Frisbee - As the weather starts to cool down I want to spend as much time as I can outside. My friends have been playing Frisbee every weekend for a few weeks now and it's so fun! Not to mention a great form of exercise!

Waking Up - I'm not a morning person. Never have been and definitely never will be. I especially can't stand getting up early to do something not fun, like going to work.

Cleaning the Kitchen - My husband and I have a deal that whoever cooks dinner doesn't have to clean the kitchen. My husband does the vast majority of the cooking which means I'm always stuck on dish duty. At least he's an excellent chef. ;)

Rain - It has rained over 80% of the summer. Luckily there's usually one sunny day on the weekends, but all the dreary weather definitely has affected my mood. I can't wait for the clouds to part for some sunny, non-humid fall days.

Thanks so much for having me Michaela! :)

***
Thanks for sharing, Ashley! Do you think it'd be okay if I came along to Paris with her? :) I also can't wait for fall and the boots/sweater weather that comes with it.

Go say hello over at Attempts at Domestication!

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

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Day in the City by the Bay

This last weekend one of my best friends came to San Francisco with her family. I was able to go into the city on Saturday to spend the day with them. We did all the touristy things, which is always fun for a local, too :) After we walked around Pier 39 {where I found my all-time favorite tea I've been searching for for years!} we headed to ghirardelli square for some ice cream. Boy was it delicious! My weakness is definitely ice cream. Here are just a few pictures from our day...

It was a gorgeous day outside-- rare in August in the city! It was windy, but perfectly sunny all day.  I'm so thankful for good friends, sweet time together, and our beautiful city by the Bay.

What did you do last weekend?
xoxo

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Fashion: Chambray Dress

*images by Nicole Dianne 

Details | Chambray Dress: Madewell; Belt: Target; Shoes: Sole Society; Turquoise Bracelet: Stella & Dot (similar); Ring: gift.

A few weeks ago my lovely friend and talented photographer, Nicole, came over for a day of photo fun! We ran outside to snap some pictures before the sun set, and we were dying over the light!  Now, let's talk about the dress. If you're looking for a cute and casual, yet put together outfit this is the one.  Throw on a sparkly belt and you're ready for a lunch date, dinner out, church, or even a concert. To tell you the truth, I wear this everywhere because I much prefer dresses over anything else :) Also, it's chambray, and I'm real obsessed with anything denim!

Do you have a go-to chambray dress?
xoxo

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August Sponsors to Love

Today I'm introducing you to two of my lovely friends, Karen & Nicole. Take a read to learn a bit about them and their businesses!

***

 

Hi MND readers, my name is Karen; the girl behind BitnPieces4you. I started this Facebook page about a month ago, mainly to use for promoting the products we have in our online store. BitnPieces4you sources the cutest pieces for you to shop, offering goodies for daily life and special occasions. Each item comes in a very limited amount, so we offer regularly occurring sales to give our customers the best deals. Be sure to like us on Facebook and see if there are any bitnpieces suitable for you, your family and friends!

SHOP
***

Well, hi there! My name is Nicole and I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in Northern California. I am absolutely in love with my hubby, Jeff and our fur baby Turbo. In my spare time you can find me redecorating my home, thrifting for a good quilt, reading any book by Jodi Picoult or sipping on grande green tea lemonades from Starbucks. I’m also really into sun flares and yummy candles. If you like those things too, we should probably be friends and if not..we can discuss why you should over coffee ;)

WEBSITE | BLOG
***

Such sweet gals-- go say hello to them and have a blessed Sunday!!
xoxo

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Announcement: Abstract Paintings on Lulu & Georgia

I'm so excited to let you all in on something I've been working on as of lately. I just did a collection of abstract paintings, being sold in the adorable online home decor boutique, Lulu & Georgia! You can find them over on the site under the Wall Art section, and while you're there, check out all our adorable mirrors, too! 

Emmaline & Lorelei 

Emmaline
  

Lorelei

 Lucy

 Nola

These are perfect for for gallery walls, above your desk, buffet, dresser and more. And yes, there is a touch of gold leaf detailing on each painting for the gold obsessed gals :)

Hope you enjoy your weekend! Mine will be sent exploring San Francisco with one of my best friends who's in for a visit. What are you up to?
xoxo

21

Bathroom Paint Reveal: Serene Sky Blue

A few months ago {wow-- where does the time go?!} I mentioned we needed a bathroom refresh. I showed you my vision through a mocked-up-photoshop picture of the bathroom, and after going back and forth on colors, I helped my client {who happened to be my mom!} choose this soothing and fresh blue paint, called Spray by Devine Color. We wanted something that would be less loud than the previous color, which was a yellow, and something to go with the cute knobs. When we originally moved into this house, the bathroom had a floral wallpaper that was less than desirable, so my first year of college, I spent a week tearing that down and painting the walls yellow. Turns out we grew tired of the yellow color fairly quickly, but I'm SO glad we made the change to a soft blue. It's a huge improvement! 

Here's the before (sorry for the picture quality!):

And here's the after:

*all images by Nicole Dianne, God is Good print: SS Print Shop, Knobs: Found in India but similar here. 

We're really happy with it! And you know what we loved about Devine Color? It has zero VOC and low odor.  The paint is creamy, true to the swatch color, and the finish is durable and wipeable.  It's no wonder we have this paint in other areas in our home as well. 

The room still isn't totally finished, as we're waiting on this garden stool, these hand towels  and I need to pick out new light fixtures for above the sinks, but it's getting there.  Any sconce suggestions, I'd gladly take!

Do you like the color change? Have you painted any rooms in your home lately? It's the most inexpensive way to change up a room, I think. 

Happy Thursday!
xoxo

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