• Home
  • about emily
  • before + after
  • HGTV + DIY Network
  • good press
  • contact
  • Let’s Organize These Posts:

    • Art Attack
    • Backyard
    • Barn
    • Basement
    • Bathroom
    • Beach
    • Bedrooms
    • Being Thrifty
    • Business-y
    • Buying and Renting and Selling
    • Casual Celebrations
    • Closets
    • Curb Appeal
    • Dainty Details
    • Deck
    • Decor
    • Dining Room
    • DIY
    • Dog-Related
    • Entryway
    • Flooring
    • For the Kids
    • Garage
    • Gardening
    • Helping The Economy
    • HGTV + DIY Network Projects
    • Holiday-Related Projects
    • Home Safety
    • Kitchen
    • Lighting
    • Living Room
    • Merry Travels
    • Office Space
    • Organized
    • Other Pads
    • Outdoor Living
    • Scooter Fun
    • Stairwell
    • Sunroom
    • Supporting Sponsors
    • The Art Room
    • Tools
    • Uncategorizable
    • Wedding
    • Windows
    • Work-pads
  • Search

  • Hi, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle.

    You can find me writing for Home Living Handbook, HGTV.com, and a handful of other websites. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    Thanks for visiting!

  • BROWSE POSTS BY CATEGORY:

    • Art Attack (7)
    • Backyard (92)
    • Barn (8)
    • Basement (27)
    • Bathroom (43)
    • Beach (13)
    • Bedrooms (73)
    • Being Thrifty (53)
    • Business-y (12)
    • Buying and Renting and Selling (23)
    • Casual Celebrations (36)
    • Closets (17)
    • Curb Appeal (44)
    • Dainty Details (8)
    • Deck (23)
    • Decor (286)
    • Dining Room (37)
    • DIY (578)
    • Dog-Related (24)
    • Entryway (59)
    • Flooring (58)
    • For the Kids (32)
    • Garage (17)
    • Gardening (70)
    • Helping The Economy (30)
    • HGTV + DIY Network Projects (283)
    • Holiday-Related Projects (80)
    • Home Safety (12)
    • Kitchen (87)
    • Lighting (31)
    • Living Room (77)
    • Merry Travels (21)
    • Office Space (21)
    • Organized (41)
    • Other Pads (14)
    • Outdoor Living (12)
    • Scooter Fun (8)
    • Stairwell (20)
    • Sunroom (22)
    • Supporting Sponsors (43)
    • The Art Room (3)
    • Tools (43)
    • Uncategorizable (1)
    • Wedding (28)
    • Windows (14)
    • Work-pads (10)
  • Search

  • Pages

    • blog
    • Good Press: Special Features, Freelance Projects, and Long-Term Clients
    • Privacy Policy
    • about emily
    • before + after
      • before + after – transforming my first home
      • before + after, our current home
    • contact me
    • choose a badge and share the merrypad.com love
merrypad website logo with acorn and text
  • Home
  • about emily
  • before + after
  • HGTV + DIY Network
  • good press
  • contact

Merry Finds in 2010

December 22, 2010

In 2011, I’ll resolve to frequently post things that gives me heart palpitations. To start somewhere, and give credit back to all sorts of things I’ve come across in the last year, here are 10 items I’ve seen, bought, or made, that just make me bubble and become all squirmy with excitement.

1. Initials. Those padded fabric letters you can find at Anthropologie (or, if luck’s on your side, second-hand shops)? I’ve bought 3 this year (one for me, two for J). So ornately patterned, such a subtle addition to a girl’s bedroom. I don’t even buy them in the interest of spelling things (like “eat” in the kitchen, or “dream” “love” “inspire” blah blah), I just dig initials (for some reason).

  • Letter E, for Emily. This was an awesomely random find at a San Fran Goodwill. (I know my Anthropologie.)
  • J and her J and J.

2. Wall hooks. I wish I had more belongings that need to be hung, because I have somehow amassed a sizable collection of hooks from all over the place. In the last year, my keys found a home on a small bird hook, and the calendar hangs gracefully on an owl hook (not shown, but purple and die-cut and cute).

Chirp. Urban Outfitters Bird Hook.

3. Built-in shelves. I imagine having a house (someday) that has more built-in shelves than I know what to do with. I love what lots of designers do when they build the shelves from floor to ceiling, around doorways and windows, and love the opportunity it brings to displaying (tasteful) collections (in my case, as many books as I can salvage from garage sales, candles, and plants [see obsession #4]. I made some of my own built-in’s this year (which is why I have this collection of inspirational shelving tear sheets), but those were baby steps compared to what I’d like to eventually do.

  • So pretty full of books. Cute curtain for concealing the library, too.
  • I have the perfect doorway for this. Will I ever do it?
  • Love the paint showing through - this picture was the inspiration for my own built-ins.

4. Thank god for IKEA, it’s allowed me to expand my collection of affordable ceramic and porcelain planters. I love my houseplants, and I’ve inherited probably a bazillion clay pots from my Dad, but there’s something wonderful about enclosing those clay pots in pristine, white houses. I’ve bought all sizes, with a variety of designs, and I still ask for more whenever I know someone’s going to the store (Sure wish they’d build an IKEA in Western NY – the closest locations are over the border in Ontario, Canada).

Shown: White IKEA ceramic pots on my kitchen island. I also have larger, smaller, and taller ones. Really, I have a lot of them.

5. Trunks. The trunk in the Jeep (also bought this year) is ideal for carrying the dog and lumber, but what I really was referring to were the storage trunks in my house. I only have two right now (for blanket and seasonal clothing storage), but aspire for more, and have to talk myself out of buying every one I see. One’s in my bedroom, and I’m told that it came over from Poland with mom’s ancestors (wouldn’t be surprised if that was a lie though). The other was a garage sale find, and has found a home as the coffee table in my living room – it’s hardwood with a big, flat top, and I didn’t mean to keep it in its current location, but it’s workin’ for me.

Antique trunk in my bedroom. This was in my parent's attic for ages.

6. Words With Friends. Best. App. Ever. (Except the dictionary is questionable.) I have about 15 games going simultaneously, keeping my brain stimulated and challenged.

Words with Pete. (Displayed on iPhone 4 with fabulous retina display, whoop!)

7. Fish’s Eddy. I’m ever so especially happy that I stumbled upon the flagship store in NYC this summer, since I’ve been an online stalker for a few years now. While all of their themes are amazing, my heart raced seeing the polka-dotted collection in person, and I’m sure some day when I own the full set (oh, please go on clearance) it will be my incentive to eat-in more often. Drool, and yum. <3

8. Zinnias. Started from seed back in March, my house was filled with fresh-cut blossoms all summer. And, they’re HARDY – they blossomed from June right up until the first frost in October, and grew to be at least 4-ft in height. When I removed them from the ground, I found that the base of each plant was the same thickness of my thumb!

Love the rich colors and long-lasting petals (bright pink was my fave).

9. Tiny copper treasure boxes. They were originally priced at over $60 each at Anthropologie, but I found them in clearance area for $6 each (score!). They’re perfect for concealing makeup and cotton balls in the bathroom. I really love that clearance section. I regret not buying 10.

Copper container from Anthropologie. It's about 5" wide and 4" tall.

10. Purple dog toy. OK, this isn’t my obsession, it’s Cody’s, but I REALLY hope that other dog-owners give this a try – it was a wonderful gift that I’m not sure I ever would have encountered otherwise. It’s a treat dispenser, where the pet has to learn to maneuver the rope and shake the container to release snacks. Cody liked it so much, that I began using it as the sole way to feed him his breakfast and dinner. It helps slow down his food intake too, improving digestion, while providing him a half-hour of “exercise” and fun at each meal.

Share

Decor  / Dog-Related

Emily
I'm a home improvement enthusiast living a very merry, DIY-filled lifestyle. As a freelance writer, you can find my work on many popular home and garden sites, including HGTV.com, HomeLivingHandbook.com, and other outlets. Follow me on social, or drop me a note.

Leave A Reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • HI, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    You can find me writing for Home Living Handbook, HGTV.com, and a handful of other websites.

    Thanks for visiting!

  • Instagram

    merrypad

    I’ll always say yes to a maker space experience, I’ll always say yes to a maker space experience, and The Shed at @timberland’s HQ did not disappoint ✌️🥾 @homelivinghandbook 

Final footwear design not shown 🙂

PS tagging some cute shoes they gifted from the Fall 2024 collection!
    I made the call and snapped off the elephant garli I made the call and snapped off the elephant garlic scapes yesterday evening. Who’s going to help us harvest and eat the next 1,000? 🧄🧄🧄🧄
    Hi! Boy, do I have things to share. 🎉 🫶 Fr Hi! Boy, do I have things to share. 🎉 

🫶 Friendly reminder to focus on balance and wellness: Pete and I lived abroad with our family for the entire month of August 2023. If you ever have the opportunity to work remotely, I promise it to be a worthwhile adventure that’ll change your POV in so many ways. And, If you need an in with an incredible AirBnB in Denmark, DM me. From new playgrounds and museums to the culture and design, making this trip a reality continues to be something we celebrate every day, and I wish everyone can experience it on some level.

💻 Friendly reminder to say yes to new (overwhelming) opportunities: The professional celebration happened upon our return. Last fall, I was approached to launch @homelivinghandbook, a new Pursuit channel for @mensjournal that highlights home improvement and DIY! It has been really fun to see it come to light, and truly one of the most exciting partnerships I’ve ever had. Timing couldn’t have been better, and I’m really happy to see how it grows over time. Please follow along — the team published 150 articles in two months, covering all kinds topics for home enthusiasts! So much more to come. #linkinbio #homelivinghandbook

✌️ the end, many thanks for your support!
    How much garlic is too much garlic? Maybe we’ll How much garlic is too much garlic? Maybe we’ll find out in 2024. Finished planting 1,005 cloves (and 19 shallots) in three new beds at the farm, and crossed one huge chore off my list 📝 #gardennotes #garden2024
    Instagram post 18003690670970980 Instagram post 18003690670970980
    We grew these fools. We grew these fools.
    pumpkin patch is doing great✌️#year1 #squashbl pumpkin patch is doing great✌️#year1 #squashblossoms #pumpkinpatch
    follow emily: @merrypad



  • Like Us On Facebook

    Facebook Pagelike Widget



  • Popular Posts

    • How to Make Your Own Barn Quilt 38 views
    • The Easy Way to Hang Art on Brick or Stone 37 views
    • Building a Flagstone Patio in One Day 37 views
    • Designing a Durable Wooden Fence For Our Beautiful Backyard Garden 32 views
    • How to Dye Pasta Different Colors (Halloween Recipe) 26 views
    • Reasons We Recessed Our Induction Cooktop 20 views
    • How to Build New Front Stairs and Railings 18 views
    • The Farmhouse Wedding Table Smackdown 16 views
    • How to Reverse an Unwanted Pet Door and Make Repairs 16 views
    • How to Make Creepy Halloween Windows 16 views



  • BROWSE POSTS BY CATEGORY:

    • Art Attack (7)
    • Backyard (92)
    • Barn (8)
    • Basement (27)
    • Bathroom (43)
    • Beach (13)
    • Bedrooms (73)
    • Being Thrifty (53)
    • Business-y (12)
    • Buying and Renting and Selling (23)
    • Casual Celebrations (36)
    • Closets (17)
    • Curb Appeal (44)
    • Dainty Details (8)
    • Deck (23)
    • Decor (286)
    • Dining Room (37)
    • DIY (578)
    • Dog-Related (24)
    • Entryway (59)
    • Flooring (58)
    • For the Kids (32)
    • Garage (17)
    • Gardening (70)
    • Helping The Economy (30)
    • HGTV + DIY Network Projects (283)
    • Holiday-Related Projects (80)
    • Home Safety (12)
    • Kitchen (87)
    • Lighting (31)
    • Living Room (77)
    • Merry Travels (21)
    • Office Space (21)
    • Organized (41)
    • Other Pads (14)
    • Outdoor Living (12)
    • Scooter Fun (8)
    • Stairwell (20)
    • Sunroom (22)
    • Supporting Sponsors (43)
    • The Art Room (3)
    • Tools (43)
    • Uncategorizable (1)
    • Wedding (28)
    • Windows (14)
    • Work-pads (10)





  • a little bit of everything, friends, DIY, and inspiration

    • Dadand.com < My husband and his BFF
    • HGTV
    • Home Living Handbook, a Pursuit Channel for Men's Journal
  • Some Legal

    Merrypad incorporates the occasional affiliate link to Amazon.com and Minted; we link to many other websites and products, but if it is in context of a paid sponsorship, it is always noted as such. Please review the privacy policy and contact me if you have any additional questions.

    Theme customized by Pete Fazio Creative, the guy from dadand.com.


© Copyright Merrypad