Mother's Day Gift Guide

DETAILS | Monogram Jewelry Box / Initial Necklace / Nude Sandal / Turquoise Kate Spade Wristlet / Amazing Grace Bubble Bath Set / Brown Tote Bag / Peony & Blush Fragrance / Striped Dress / Mixed Gems Necklace / Sunglasses / Aviator Sunglasses / PJ Set / Mercury Glass Candle / Design Book / Chelsea Market Cookbook / Essie Nail Polish / Gray Pillow /

Mother's Day is right around the corner-- May 11th! I'm so sad I won't actually be able to spend the day with my mom on Mother's Day, but I did go big and got her something she'll really love. I can't tell you what, because she reads my blog ;) However, I have rounded up a few other great Mother's Day gift ideas today. 

A few of my favorites:

- This new Peony & Blush scent from Jo Malone is UNBELIEVABLY delicious. Just trust me, mom will love this. My rule of thumb is if I want to borrow it, my mom will love it ;)
- This monogrammed jewelry box is personal and stylish. With a classic design and touch of gold, your mom will adore it!
- Does your mama love to cook? This is one of my favorite cookbooks!
- I may or may not have ordered my mom this pair of PJ's last night while she helped me put together this post. She fell in love with them, so she knows part of her gift now! I have a pair of the Plum Pretty Sugar PJs and they are surely the most comfy thing on the planet. 

Other ideas for Mother's Day gifts that aren't pictured here: gift cards to favorite hair salon, nail salon or spa for a massage and relaxation day, brunch to her favorite cafe, a gift card to her favorite dinner restaurant, a framed picture of you and your siblings, deliver lunch or flowers to her work, cook her dinner. The options are endless!

What are you getting your mom?! Let's celebrate them in style this year!
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

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Giveaway: Dream State Tote Bags

Sometimes I find Etsy shops that make me SO HAPPY. Dream State is one of those shops! I was searching Etsy for the perfect tote bag to give to workshop attendees at Bloom, and when I found Kristina's shop I knew it was the one. I'm not going to give away what the bags will say on them for our workshop, but I will say it's probably the cutest bag I've ever laid eyes on. Pictured here today are a few of her other beautifully done totes, perfect for bridesmaid gifts, party favors, birthday gifts (can you imagine receiving a cute tote stuffed to the brim with fun treats?!) LOVE.

Each design is done by Kristina's hand calligraphy and then screen printed.

Each week leading up to our Bloom Workshop, Ashley and I will be hosting a giveaway from one of our fab sponsors, where you could win something pretty from the workshop swag bags. The goodies are epic, so you'll want to come back here each Tuesday for the next five weeks! Just saying :)

Kristina is generously giving away a $40 shop credit to Dream State so you can pick out a few adorable tote bags for any occasion. You can enter the giveaway below using the Rafflecopter tool:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you can't wait to get your hands on some of these adorable totes, use the code BLOOM at checkout to receive 10% off your purchase.

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo

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Michigan Apartment: Living Room Design Plan

Incase you missed it, I'm moving to Michigan on Thursday, and my bedroom design plan for my new apartment is right here. Today 'm sharing the design plan for my living room/dining room area of my apartment. 

The feel I'm going for here is reflective of my personal style, of course. I love feminine shabby chic pieces, mixed with a few more masculine industrial pieces, and a touch of glam. I'm hoping to find an inexpensive white sofa as soon as I get there. For Michigan locals, any suggestions of where to look locally in Michigan? This one above is ikea, but they don't have a store nearby so I'd have to pay for shipping or drive 3 hours to get one. That might be more of a hassle than it's worth! Anyways, on the neutral colored sofa, I'm thinking of this combination of Arianna Belle turquoise and blue floral pillows with a pop of CWT coral fretwork pillows. 

I've already ordered this amazing gold side table, gold pouf and beautiful lamp from Lulu & Georgia. I'm in love! I also need to choose a rug from L&G for the living room, also probably in the blue palette.   I'm currently dying over the West Elm tufted bench/coffee table and if I can't get my hands on this exact one, I will find another tufted bench to use as an ottoman. I love the idea of the metal base and tufted top. It's the perfect mix of shabby chic and industrial! There will be a gallery wall either above the sofa or above the TV/media cabinet, depending on layout of the room. I found this gorgeous painting by Evelyn Henson and I've decided it has to happen in my living room. It's the perfect focal point of a gallery wall (or it would be great on a wall all by itself). The colors are perfect for the space, I think-- don't you?! Last but not least in the living room is this GORGEOUS wood bookshelf from 55 Downing Street, a fabulous new resource for home decor. It will be the perfect piece to add height to my room (did I mention my apartment has valued ceilings?!) and style all my accessories and favorite books. I can't wait!

Now for the dining room. My boyfriend's friend is going to be making me a dining table out of reclaimed barn wood (dream come true!) so I'm thinking some upholstered chairs, or something more feminine would be a great look with the masculine table. This table above is Pottery Barn, and I love how it looks! Hopefully my custom table will be similar. You wouldn't even be able to guess where these upholstered dining chairs are from. Ready?! Ikea! I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for a similar look, because of the aforementioned pickle I'm in with not living close to an ikea and all.  I have a gift card to Crate & Barrel and I'll most likely be using it on these gold herringbone curtains in the dining/living room. I also have some other white linen curtains that could work, too, but want to add some color without painting. I think the curtains will be a great way to do just that! Not pictured will be some sort of buffet/console table in the dining room that will serve as a bar cart and extra storage for kitchen supplies. If you know of any good pieces like that, let me know! I'm planning to find an old piece of furniture and refinish it to my liking. Lastly, I want to change out the horrible light fixture that is currently in my dining room. I'm really not sure if this is even allowed (hello fellow renters…what should I do?!) but I found this great chandelier from World Market and it would be perfect and affordable. 

That's the game so far! What do you think?

Happy Monday!
xoxo

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April Sponsors to Love

Hello + happy weekend! I hope you all had a great week. This weekend I'll be busy packing up for my move next week, but wanted to pop in to share some of my favorite ladies. Stop by and check out their work and blogs…you won't regret it!
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HI I’M ALYSSA, the lady behind Alyssa Marie Photography! I was born and raised in California and went to high school with Michaela. In 2010 I moved to Kansas to pursue my education in fine art photography. {I know, I’m crazy} Now I’m in Kansas City working as a wedding photographer! In my free time I am at the gym, out on the town with my handsome boyfriend, or catching up on some Pretty Little Liars or Downton Abbey. If that sounds like a good time, then let’s meet up for a cup of coffee. :)

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK
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Hey there! I'm Lauren Hooker, the art director and designer behind Elle & Company. Few things in life make my heart happy like good design and organization, and the brand was created from my love of the two. Elle & Company is about clearing the clutter to create an intentional, less-stressed life. Whether it's through a pretty, organized Daybook planner or a helpful blog post, my hope is that you leave encouraged. 

SHOP | BLOG
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Hey y'all, I'm Caitlin from over at I'm a Transplant From California! I'm a Southern California girl who made the move to a tiny town in New Hampshire four years ago and never looked back. I blog about small town life, DIY, crafting, photography, and whatever else strikes my fancy that day! I run a small photography business as well as being a full time EMT and volunteer firefighter, and love every adrenaline filled minute of my days! Stop on by and have a visit (I'll bring the lemonade)!

BLOG

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If you'd like to advertise with Michaela Noelle Designs readers in May, I'd love to have you. Email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns.com for my media kit and pricing. I'm open to giveaway and sponsored posts options, if you have products you think my readers would enjoy learning about!

Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo

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Traditional Atlanta Home Tour

I came across this traditional home tour on none other than Traditional Home the other day. I love so many elements of the home, especially in the kitchen! My dream kitchen would definitely be white with a marble countertop like that. Perhaps the island would be a darker gray cabinet color. A girl can dream! I've never seen curtains that go to the height of the cabinets before, but I sort of liked it after a few seconds of staring. For a more formal home, it totally works. That soft and farmhouse-esque casual dining room is perfection with it's horizontal white, wood walls and plates hung around the TV to distract the eye. Aside from the fact that I think I could get some serious relaxation and shut-eye in that gorgeous bedroom, I also love the striped bedding and gold frames above the headboard. The unique symmetry in the bedroom does an interesting thing for me-- instead of feeling boring or too predictable, it creates harmony and makes it feel luxurious. I cannot end this post with noting that gorgeous quatrefoil chair in the bathroom. I can assure you I would have a field day doing my make up each morning there!

What's your favorite part of the Atlanta home tour?
xoxo

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Seasons of In Between

Can we chat about something real today, friends? Design is certainly "real", so I guess I should have said "personal". Let's chat about something personal, okay?

Have you ever been in a season of "in between"? You're about to embark on a new job, start college, just about to finish college (that was a doozy for me!), you're home for just a summer from school, you want to switch careers and go back to school, or, in my case, you're moving. Really far away. Do any of these things ring a bell for anyone right now? 

I feel like I have been in this season of in between for the last 4-5 years. At first I was moving TO college. There was so much preparation for this move to Seattle. Then my roommate had a cardiac arrest my freshman year, so she left school to recover and I was without a roommate for a few months. I  was in this stage of awaiting her return nervously. Then I went home for the Summer, only to return to Seattle a few months later. This pattern of packing up for Seattle, then back again for California after the school year was over, was very familiar to me. Once I was in my final few months of college, I felt like I was in this season of big things on the horizon. I was GRADUATING for Heaven's sake, and you know what?! That was terrifying.

As soon as I moved home and began to recover from those feelings of graduation, becoming a "real adult" and feeling the pressure (from myself) to get a job or start my business, I finally started feeling comfortable and settled. As God could only write it, I went to visit my friend Ashley in Michigan that Summer and met my boyfriend. I'm now moving to Michigan next week. Funny, right? As soon as I felt settled, I meet someone who is definitely worth moving for, and here I am yet again in this all-too-familiar in between. 

For me, when I'm in this in between stage, sometimes I get stagnant. For example, I will tell myself I don't want to get involved in ___ (fill in the blank) because I'll just be moving next month. I also find myself replaying the thought "just another month and THEN I'll be settled". Why do I do this? I think (and hope) it's natural, but it's not right, that's for sure. In these in between times, I need to be completely trusting God to prepare the path before me, place specific people in that path to encourage and inspire me, and ultimately, put it all in His hands instead of worrying about it. I also feel convicted of that last statement; the one about feeling settled once I finally move, or reach that next phase of life--whatever it might be for you. How sad for us to miss out on moments in the present where we could have lived fully, instead of living in the future and grabbing for what we think will be a settled, calm season. You know what I've learned? There aren't many of those. We're always going to be waiting for something, even if it's a small something. 

When we are running hard after something that's not yet before us or doing the opposite and being completely lazy about where we are in life currently, we are missing what God has for us. I'm so guilty of this. I don't want to quench what the Lord has prepared for me to do. 

Just like our seasons of life, flowers also bloom in certain seasons. When it's peony season, I will have them in my home as much as possible to savor those moments ;)

A few weeks ago at church, our pastor talked about seizing the current season we're presently walking through and asking ourselves what we can do now, how can we serve others now, in ways we won't be able to in the next season of life? For me, my current season is living with my parents. That caused me to think how I could be serving them while living under their roof. I've made some dinners, tried to help keep the house clean, finished some design projects for my mom so she really loves the home once I leave, and have taken on more responsibility with our pup. I loved this perspective and I think it helped shift my thinking.

"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
~ Psalm 16:11 


What is your current season of life? Have you experienced these "in betweens"? How do you deal with them? 

Hope you have a lovely day!
xoxo

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Spring Shoe Favorites

DETAILS | Strappy Wedge / Lavender and Gray Strap / Floral Cut Out Sandal / Ankle Strap Nude Sandal / Black and White Tribal Sandal / Botanical Wedges / Jack Rogers Cork Wedge / Orange Sandal / Gold Sandals /  Bow Sandals / 

Spring is definitely in the air and I'm loving all the cute sandals, wedges and flats on the market. I haven't bought a new pair of shoes for this season yet, but have my eye on a few of the above. Which are your favorite? Those botanical wedges are ahhhmazing! Also noteworthy are the sweet bow sandals and thick ankle strap flat. 

Have you made any Spring-time shoe additions this year?
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
xoxo

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PS. I'm guest posting on GBO Fashion today sharing another favorite outfit of mine! 

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Fashion: My Easter Outfit

DETAILS | Dress: Apricot Lane Los Altos / Wedges: Toms / Necklace: BaubleBar / Jean Jacket: Nordstrom / Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. (from my boyfriend!) / Bag: Tory Burch (similar) / Sunglasses: Coach 

I figured Easter was the perfect day to wear my Shabby Chic Toms (fabric from one of my favorite designers, Rachel Ashwell)! Floral Toms wedges? Sign me up :) I bought these last year on a whim, because like I said, Rachel Ashwell is a fave designer of mine, and haven't worn them a ton, because they require a certain outfit, but whenever I do wear them I get so many sweet compliments. Easter seemed like a highly appropriate occasion to dawn these pretties. With both blue and pink flowers on them, I think another perfect place to wear them would be a gender reveal party. Yep, my mind just jumped from Easter to that.

What did you do on Easter? Our family went to church, stopped by Starbucks on the way home, then headed to my grandparent's house for a yummy family dinner. Especially now that I'm moving to Michigan in a week (cue crying and nervous excitement), I'm so appreciative of all the family gatherings we have. Such a special thing to have had my family close by me while growing up. As a side note, I'm pretty sure my grandma and mom thought my dress was too short, but I assure you I sat very lady-like at the dinner table and never bent over to pick anything up :)

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
xoxo

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11

He has Risen!

Happy Easter, friends! I hope you have a relaxing day with family and friends. We are spending the day at my Grandma & Grandpa's house with my mom's whole side of the family. I always love our family gatherings. 

Today I'm grateful that God keeps His promises, He is alive and reigning in Heaven, because of what Christ did for us on Easter our sins are paid for and we can have eternal life, and finally, I'm thankful for the grace God pours out on us each and every day. Without any of the above, I would be nothing. In a world filled with little hope, trails, and scary news stories, there is hope found in the good news of Jesus.

He has Risen!
xoxo

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4

Four Things on Friday

Here are four things for your Friday:

1. J.Crew is having a 30% off sale. Use code BIGSALE at checkout! Here are some of my faves:

2. West Elm is having a 20% off sale for select sofas! There are some awesome pieces!

3. I'm now accepting e-design clients and in-home design clients in West Michigan. Please contact me if you're interested in these interior design services! hello@michaelanoelledesigns.com

4. Happy Good Friday. I'm so thankful for Jesus' sacrifice, so that we might have eternal life.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

- Isaiah 53:5

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Spring Flower Arrangement & Fruit Tart Recipe

Photos by Michaela Noelle Designs for The Inspired Room

Want to see a beautiful, colorful, Springtime floral arrangement, perfect for Easter brunch or dinner? Head over to The Inspired Room to get the step-by-step flower arranging tips and learn how to make this amazingly delicious fruit tart! My grandma and I devoured the tart right after these pictures were snapped :)

Happy Thursday!
xoxo

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