Search Merriment
Connect!



 

Merriment Homes


click to read

Receive Merriment in Your Email!

Email Address:

Tuesday
Oct042011

KIDS - Marvelous Modern Toys 

With their brilliant designs, bright colors, and built-in fun, these inspired toys will entertain your kids with hours of pleasant play. I discovered the Glodos BIT Bike and the Go Cars at the modern playspace and party business where I work in Los Angeles. With their uncanny ability to wow and mesmerize both children and adults, these products will make excellent birthday or holiday gifts. To purchase these items online or browse other original toys, visit the designer children’s gift store, Toyella.

  • Glodos BIT bike (Available in more colors) - "award-winning, new children's ride-on toy from Spain"
  • Go Car (Shown in grass green & aqua blue) - "simple, stylish, practical, and eco-friendly"
  • Trunki (Terrance, more designs available) - "providing fun for children and appreciation by parents"


Images & Above Quotes via toyella.com

Monday
Oct032011

INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - Luggage as Furniture

If you’re looking for an eyecatching piece of furniture or décor on a tight budget, consider transforming a vintage suitcase or a beautiful trunk into your next show-stopping design. Luggage can easily convert into nightstands, coffee tables, medicine cabinets, bars, and even seating. Plus, you’ll gain some extra storage with your new stylish creation. Try flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores, and yard sales for great deals. 

I also love bright suitcases for kids’ rooms and playrooms; they serve as perfect organizational tools for toys and other knick-knacks. The flowered green suitcase (Modge Podge Rocks) and the multi-colored cases (Land of Nod) captured my fancy, but let your kids express themselves by choosing the colors and patterns they love the most. Have fun on your search for charming luggage pieces; I know the trip will be well worth it!


From Left to Right: House Beautiful, elementsofstyleblog.com, designsponge.com, apartmenttherapy.com, designsponge.com, tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com, re-nest.com, kristanlynn.com, & debholien.blogspot.com

From Left to Right: modgepodgerocksblog.com & landofnod.com

Monday
Oct032011

FASHION - Pan Am Fashion

Last night, I tuned in for the second episode of ABC’s new, 1960s drama series, Pan Am. I must say it’s refreshing to watch an ensemble of such strong female characters.

Throughout the episode, I couldn’t help but gaze at the gorgeous hairstyles. I absolutely love the voluminous look of the leading red head, Kate (Photo 1 & 6). Inspired by the show’s fabulous fashions, I decided to find Pan Am styles for this fall. With the current trend of ladylike, figure-flattering pieces, you will have no problem pulling together a gorgeous, spin-off outfit. You will look just as soaringly sleek as the Pan Am characters with the desired modern twists!

Pan Am Fashion


Photos via: smallscreenscoop.com, imdb.com, smallscreenscoop.com, starcasm.net, smallscreenscroop.com, & tvline.com

Pan Am Fashion Now 


From Left to Right: Anthropologie, Swingy Ponte Dress (Neiman Marcus), Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, JCREW, Banana Republic (stylebistro.com), JCREW, Enzo Angiolini (Nordstrom), Kate Spade, Yves Saint Laurent (Nordstrom)  

Friday
Sep302011

Merriment Moment of the Week - Friday Finds from Pinterest Friends

Here are my favorite style finds this week, all pulled from actual friends I follow on Pinterest. Whenever you're looking for fashion, home, or wedding ideas, I recommend seeking inspiration from your friends. Often, they have just as ingenious ideas as the “experts.” If you have a friend with killer fashion sense, mouthwatering desserts, beautiful bookshelves, or perceptive insight, then why not learn from her expertise and share some of your gifts in return? I hope you enjoy some of my friends' fabulous finds!

Tory Burch Boots 
(via Callie, www.toryburch.com) 

Colorful Cake
(via Anja, brides.com) 

Sophisticated Kitchen
(via Kristen, dreambookdesign.com) 

Wedding Dress Hanger
(via Loren, stylemepretty.com)

QUOTE
(via Jenna, bellamumma.com)

Wednesday
Sep282011

KIDS - Nursery Ideas

It is definitely baby season! My dad delivered about eleven babies in a span of a few days last week. While I’m not thinking about babies and nurseries in my proximate future, I have noticed that many of you are working on a nursery – either as a mommy-to-be or as a soon-to-be aunt or grandmother. I was so inspired by my cousin, Monica (expecting her first) and her creation of an adorable nursery for her baby girl, so I decided to share some nursery inspiration with all of you.

Here are a few of my favorite styles. Hopefully, they will help you as you design your own nursery. Even if you’ve already completed your room, you can steal a few décor ideas for your finishing touches. Merry nesting!


From left to right:inspirationfordecoration.blogspot.com, aedriel.blogspot.com, canadianfamily.ca, littlegreennotebook.com, projectnursery.com, Serena & Lily (serenaandlily.com), ohdeeoh.com, Pottery Barn (potterybarnkids.com), Pinterest (Amy Pitre), apartmenttherapy.com, & annesage.com 

NURSERY INSPIRATION

Don't miss these great sites for more nursery inspiration! For photo galleries, check out projectnursery.com, the Bump, & ohdeeoh.com (search nursery).

LITTLE GREEN NOTEBOOK - NURSERY INSPIRATION BOARDS



Lay Baby Lay - Nursery Inspirations & Delights (Great ideas on this site!)

Serena & Lily – Nursery Style 101 & Nursery Design Tips

Tuesday
Sep272011

ENTERTAINMENT - What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures

I’m feeling under the weather this morning, so I’m going to briefly share my favorite recent read that I highly recommend. If you haven’t already read What the Dog Saw (or any of Malcolm Gladwell’s books for that matter), then you’re missing out on a truly entertaining, thought-provoking and adventurous experience. I couldn’t put this one down, and I’m still meditating on it a week later. Reading Gladwell is like reading the most intriguing psychology or sociology textbooks but with the ease and enjoyment of reading a favorite magazine.

What the Dog Saw presents a collection of Malcolm Gladwell’s fascinating writings from The New Yorker, organized into three parts:

Part One – Obsessives, Pioneers, and Other Varieties of Minor Genius
“To a worm in horseradish, the world is horseradish.”

Part Two – Theories, Predictions, and Diagnoses
“It was like driving down an interstate looking through a soda straw.”

Part Three – Personality, Character, and Intelligence
“ ‘He’ll be wearing a doubled-breasted suit. Buttoned.’ – and he was."


REVIEWS FROM THE BACK COVER

“The most original American journalist since the young Tom Wolfe….Nobody else writes the kind of stories he does, because nobody else thinks the way he does.”
–Baltimore Sun

“In the vast world of nonfiction writing, Malcolm Gladwell is as close to a singular talent as exists today.”
–New York Times Book Review

“Gladwell’s real genius is as a storyteller. He’s like an omniscient, many-armed Hindu god of anecdotes: he plucks them from every imaginable field of human endeavor.”
–Time

“Gladwell’s unique talent as a journalist at The New Yorker is that he can look at seemingly mundane things…and find valuable lessons about what makes human beings human.”
–Chicago Sun-Times
 

Other Gladwell Must-Reads:
Outliers: The Story of Success
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference