13 Favorite Posts in 2013

Over the last 365 days, a lot has happened! I really can't believe the 31st day of December is here and tomorrow will be the start of 2014. Just stop the time! At the end of each year, I round up my favorite posts from the previous year, so that's what we're doing here today. Some are DIY projects you may want to check out, some are fashion, beauty, entertaining posts, and some are posts about work that was featured. Enjoy my top 13 in 2013!


1. DIY Ribbon Backdrop:

2. My cousin's peachy pink bridal shower

3. Gluten-free banana chocolate chip recipe:

4. Emory's navy and pink nursery reveal:

5. The day I shadowed Emily Henderson (still can't even handle this!)

6. Why I started blogging: an interview with many of my favorite bloggers!

7. One sweater, worn two ways:

8. The Kate Spade Succulent photo shoot I styled for Danielle Capito was featured on Ruffled!

9. Our old studio apartment from college was featured in Rue Magazine, Issue 20 (page 90). Such a fun day for me and my sweet roommate Alexa.

10. What I learned in college series: on grace, not being a "college girl", what I learned in design school and creating a home away from home. AND I graduated!!

11.  My makeup and skin care routine:

12. The styled apple orchard shoot I designed for Ashley Slater Photography was featured on 100 Layer Cake (and a little about the day I met my boyfriend!):

13. I launched my very own interior design business, accompanied by the prettiest website!

2013 really was a blessing. So many wonderful things happened in my personal life-- like graduation and meeting the sweetest boy. My professional life has been an exciting venture as well, with my business and working for a couple of wonderful people on the side. While everything isn't always rosy, God has blessed me beyond measure and I'm so, so grateful. I hope your 2013 was joyful!

I'll be back tomorrow with my New Years goals. I've been thinking about them for a while now and can't wait to share.

Happy New Years Eve!
xoxo

5

Fashion: More Snow & The Cutest Head Bands Ever

A few weeks ago when I went to Michigan, I found myself stumped at what to pack! One of my sweet friends here in California has a very talented mom, who makes the prettiest headbands for the cold weather. Let me introduce you to Bandanela. Marinela and Lauren create these headbands with so much love and beauty. Needless to say the one thing I was sure I was packing was my bandanela. I wore mine outside almost every time we went out, if even for a few seconds running in and out of a store, it really kept me so warm! I gave Ashley one for her Christmas present and she loves hers as well. Also, I realize that these boots are not practical for snow. Next time I go somewhere snowy, I will be more prepared :)

My favorite thing about the bandanelas is that you can personalize yours to reflect your personality. There are a number of different yarn colors and broaches to choose from. Here's a few pictures of Ashley and I modeling ours in the snow:

*photos by Ashley Slater Photography 

DETAILS | Coat: Macy's / Jeans: Anthropologie (pink is sold out, this is the same brand) / Boots: Steve Madden / Bandanela / 

Now for the fun part! You can enter to win a beautiful Bandanela below using the Rafflecopter tool. One lucky winner will get to customize a headband for themselves. Hooray!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, friends!
Happy Monday!
xoxo


PS. Welcome my sponsor Sherry of Life of the Party!

Sherry is a party-planner-extraordinaire, mama, wife, and lives in the beautiful Aloha state. {Jealous!!} Join her and she shares her design and entertaining inspiration over at her adorable blog.

BLOG 

19

Advertise on MND in January!

It's almost January-- and I really can't believe that -- which means, I'm accepting advertisers for January now! If you'd like to promote your small business or shop, I'd LOVE to have you and chat about unique ways to bring awareness to your company to my readers.  If you think your company is a good fit for the 20-30 something reader, lover of fashion and interior design, budget-concious, stylish customer, then please email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns (dot) com to inquire about packages and pricing. You can also check out my blog stats right here.

What does Michaela Noelle Designs hold for the New Year? Lots of client project reveals, DIY projects for your own home, fashion and accessory look book posts, interior design tips, my own home decor, and a few big surprises along the way!

I hope your weekend is lovely!
xoxo

0

Christmas Day Outfit: Denim & Lace

DETAILS | Lace Top: J.Crew / Jeans: Anthropologie / Shoes: J.Crew (similar) / Necklace: BaubleBar / Bracelet: Margaret Elizabeth

On Christmas morning I unwrapped this lace top from my mom. I LOVED it and was so happy because I really didn't know what I was going to wear on Christmas Day. Lucky for me, this top made the outfit and this is what I wore over to my grandparent's house. I also received the jeans you see on me. I swear by AG brand jeans, because they're made from recycled materials and are surely the softest things ever. Get the shirt while they last; it's on major sale now!!

Speaking of sale, there's some awesome after-holiday sales going on now:

- 60% off at Sole Society (cutest shoes ever!)

- 20% off SALE items at Serena & Lily using code 20-EXTRA

- 25% off SALE items at Anthropologie! (This is huge! They just added tons of new items to the sale. Use your Christmas money to snag something cute:))

- 40% off SALE items at J.Crew using code SHOPHAPPY

- 40% off SALE items at Madewell with code SALETIME

- Up to 50% off Nordstrom for women and men!

- Up to 50% off ASOS

- Lots of fun deals at West Elm

- Up to 60% off at Pottery Barn on Winter items (Buy your Christmas decor for next year!)

Hope you enjoy your Friday and have a happy, happy weekend!

You can catch our family Christmas recap here (complete with a cute video!)

xoxo

10

Christmas Day Recap + Video

Hi everyone! I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did. We woke up and ate my mom's delicious egg casserole and coffee cake, opened presents, and watched Hope open her stocking (which really was hilarious!) Then we got all ready and headed over to my grandparent's house to celebrate with the rest of the family. You can watch the video I created of our Christmas Day down below! Here's what Christmas 2013 looked like in our home:

Music by Lady Antebellum // YouTube Link to Video Here

I love my family. Each year my aunt brings party poppers and we sit around the table and open them. They come with a rather funny and sometimes lame joke, a hat, and another random toy. It is always hilarious to see my cute grandparents wear the hats. 

Come back later today to see what I wore on Christmas Day!
Happy Friday!!
xoxo

6

The Night Before Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve, my friends! I'm going to take the next few days to spend with my family, but wanted to leave you with some Christmas inspiration from around our home. In case you missed anything, you can find all the Christmas decor and excitement below:

Christmas Tree
Christmas Mantle
Holiday Milkshake
Snow Outfit
Holiday Tablescape & Flower Arranging Tutorial
***

I pray that you all have a wonderful, warm and joyful Christmas, remembering that Jesus is the reason for our celebration. 

"The miracle is always that God is gracious. You don't have to earn Christmas, you don't have to perform Christmas, you don't have to make Christmas. You can rest in Christ. You can wait with Christ. You can breathe easy in Christ. Open your heart to the miracle of grace."
~ Ann Voskamp

Merry, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
xoxo

9