Obsessions- Michaela Noelle Designs

This week the gorgeous Michaela Noelle is contributing to my weekly "Obsessions" series and sharing what she is currently loving.
If you have not checked out Michaela's blog, it is a must read! Not only is she beautiful, but she is super sweet and very talented!


(I told you she was gorgeous!)
Her blog is one of my favorite daily reads! She is constantly inspiring me with her eye for design and Fashion Friday posts. Although we have never met in person, I feel like she is a dear friend through all our online exchanges. Michaela you rock, thanks for participating in my series! xoxo

Hi there, fabulous readers of Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers! It's Michaela from Michaela Noelle Designs.  I'm so thrilled to be here! I was so excited when my girl Natalie asked me to guest post about things I'm obsessing over.  Funny thing is, whenever I see something I love I always say, "I'm obsessed with that!" {Even if it's the first time I've seen it} So today I'll be sharing a million five things I'm obsessed with as of lately.

1.

{My room at home}

2.

This kitchen is literally my dream kitchen. I want the fireplace, the backsplash, the rustic barn ceilings.  Obsessed is an understatement.

3.

This is my favorite way to take an outfit from ordinary to unique! Even someone who's read my Fashion Friday posts just once would know I'm infatuated with headbands and flowers.

4.

I want every single piece of clothing the spring line has to offer. Like, right now please (:

I love how they're mixing pastels and bold colors with prints and neutrals! 

5.

How'd this get in here?!  Somehow she makes it into most of my posts.  How could I not be obsessed with the cutest golden retriever ever?  She's will shake your hand, be your defender when you're practicing football {obviously I'm talking about my brother practicing football...I can't play sports to save my curls in a rain storm!}, she'll pick up her toys when she's done playing with them and put them back in her bucket, she won't leave our property {except that one time when she went to go say hello to her BFF Roxy, aka the neighbor dog} and she'll eat your carrots from under the table when you don't want them.  

Thanks so much for having me, Natalie! You're beautiful inside and out, and I hope I will be just as stylish and wonderful when I'm a mama one day.  I just love this series and can't wait to see what others come up with!

xoxo, Michaela

Happy Valentine's Day to Me

Hard to believe Valentine's Day is about a week away. Last year on Valentine's Day we shared a delicious Mexican dinner with my parents and then I ended up going into labor later that night. Valentine's Day was my actual due date (although Sterling was born two days later on the 16th), so it holds a very special place in my heart. Not to mention, Valentine's Day was Matt and I's first date together 10 years ago! This will be my first Valentines spent with my two boys and I can't wait! These are a few gifts I would not be sad to get from the hubs (Matt, for once I hope you are reading)!
Alexis Bittar Crystal Encrusted Pave Ring
Alexis Bittar Crystal Encrusted Gold Extra Large Hoops
Can you tell I love me some Alexis Bittar, especially his new Miss Havisham line. The colors are so my style.
Alexis Bittar Crystal Encrusted Gold Medium Pave Hinge Bracelet
This perfume smells like pure heaven filled with the scent of Gardenias, my favorite!
Chantecaille Petals Perfume

I never met a Tibi Dress I didn't like. Loving the color and style.
Tibi Calla Lily V-neck Dress

and if he's feeling extra saucy, I love this nightgown.
Only Hearts Venice Teddy
What are you wishing/lusting for on Valentine's Day? In reality I am just looking forward to not being in labor, awaiting hospital admittance and an epidural on Vday, and enjoying some quality time and delicious champagne with Matt. No gifts needed.

Hammocks and High Tea

Thank you to House Beautiful for alerting me to this fabulous website!! Every month when I get my new issue of House Beautiful in the mail I get so excited. It is one of my all time favorite magazines. The new March issue is awesome, it is the spring color issue and is filled with pink! You all know I love me some pink. If you don't subscribe go pick up this issue, it is filled with lots of goodies.

Ok, so back to the topic of Hammocks and High Tea. HB featured these adorable totes.


They listed the website, HammocksandHighTea and I have been browsing on it all morning. The totes are $130 and come in such cute patterns. They also have amazing pillows, napkins, drawer liners and runners. I adore this black and white pattern called Sumba.



The other patterns are equally as stunning!




Do yourself a favor and go check out the Hammocks and High Tea Website today! I am wanting to order one of each thing! I especially love the napkins for entertaining and the pillows!

Do I Need This Dress?

Lately all I can think about is summer. Having a tan, wearing a long maxi dress, sitting outside drinking a cold cocktail. Sounds fabulous right??
Well, I keep thinking about this one dress. I really want it for this summer. I love the Ikat-esq print and Cynthia Vincent never disappoints with her clothes. I already own way too many maxi dresses (Erin will vouch for this) but its always nice to have a new addition for the summer, right? Be honest, is this dress too busy or do y'all love it? I will have to wait until it goes on sale to buy it, but I am eyeing it for now! Happy Friday, Hope you have a great weekend! My parents are in town so Matt and I are having a much needed date night tonight! I can't wait.



Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent Dress can be found HERE

Consignment Finds

My mom is one of the best shoppers I know. She has the great ability to scour estate sales, consignment stores and thrift stores and find amazing deals. The best part is she knows my taste perfectly and always finds me fabulous things. Last weekend while I was home she gifted me with two great finds from one of her outings.

1) BERRY BOWLS
My mom has a set of these at home and I have always wanted my own! They are tiny bowls in the shape of a flower made specially for your berries in the morning. I love a tiny bowl. I will use these for way more than berries but how cute are they? I think my mom got about 10 bowls for like $5 at an estate sale! They are truly vintage which makes me love them even more!




2) CERAMIC OWL
I love owls. I have a great owl lamp in Sterling's nursery that is one of my favorite pieces. I was beyond excited when I saw this owl my mom bought for me. Technically it can be used as a vase because the top is open but I will probably just use it for decor. I think my mom found this for like $20 at a consignment store.


Moral of the story, you can find amazing things at consignment stores and estate sales! Oh, and can you tell I love white accessories? I can't ever have too many white items in my house!

Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts

Ever since I saw this recipe in my Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics), I have dying to make it. Puff Pastry, Goat Cheese, Fresh Herbs and Tomatoes, yes please! This recipe is amazing!! I can't say enough good things about it. I think it would be the perfect appetizer for a party or a great main dish with a salad. The recipe calls for 4 large tarts, I ended up making two large and four small tarts with just one sheet of puff pastry, so you can adjust to your liking. For the small tarts I used a 3 and 3/4 inch biscuit cutter and for the large ones I used one of my cereal bowls to cut the pastry. I am not going to lie I ate 4 tarts in one sitting they are that good! Enjoy!





TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE TARTS
INGREDIENTS
1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
Good olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions)
3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (recommended: Montrachet)
1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves

DIRECTIONS
Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.

Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.

Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven. Serve hot or warm.

Print Recipe HERE

Obsessions

To spice things up I am going to start a weekly post called Obsessions, where I will share a few things I am currently obsessed with. I am also asking some of my favorite fellow bloggers to participate as well, as guest bloggers. I am so excited to learn about other's favorite things and share my favs too! Here is my current list of things I am dreaming about:

IKAT
I love everything about it, it even inspired my new header. I am desperately trying to incorporate some in my house!



CHANEL'S NEW NAIL POLISH: ORANGE FIZZ
This makes me ready for Spring! I love the pinkish coral color. This would look amazeballs on tan hands!

LAURA MERCIER BRUSH CLEANER
This stuff is the bomb. It cleans brushes so easily. I use gel eyeliner so I use it daily to clean my brushes. I can't get enough of it!

NEUTRALS
I am so happy that neutrals are "in" for this spring/summer. I love, love, love a nude dress (especially with a tan, because right now my white legs would blind you)!


Here are two neutral dresses, I would love to have in my closet!

Shakuhachi Dress

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Dress
IPAD
My parents just bought an ipad and I played with it all last week while I was home. I am now officially obsessed. I need one asap! I am hoping for my birthday in March, I will get one of these beauties (hint, hint).


What are your obsessions? Let me know if you are interested in doing a guest post for me for this weekly series!