Paola Merrill is a Puerto Rican American living in rural NE Washington State. She is an English literature student, and has worked as a magazine editor and writer for several years. The philosophy behind her popular Youtube channel, The Cottage Fairy, was to bring people from all backgrounds together and develop a greater awareness of nature preservation and sustainable living. Her videos are artistic representations of daily life. They are intended to be meditative and have a calming effect on the viewers. As for past examples of her work, she is an English literature student who worked as a magazine editor and writer for several years.
Merrill, who has one million subscribers, believes that a cozy cottagecore vibe can be had anywhere, not just in the country. As she writes in her debut, The Cottage Fairy Companion, ... a beautiful life 'isn't dependent on where you live, but how.' She organizes the projects and reflections in the book by season, under chapter headings including A Gentle Start, Cultivating a Loving Space, and Quiet Living in Winter. Her crafts-orange slice garlands, a terrarium, and more-are 'very easy,' [senior editor Natasha] Vera says, but 'they're no less enjoyable, even if you're an expert. The purpose isn't to keep busy or master it. It's to slow down and have a moment to connect to nature and yourself and be in the present moment.' -Publishers Weekly This book presents an easy entry point for readers interested in exploring mindfulness and the cottagecore lifestyle. -Carrie Byrd, Library Journal