people are boring (but you’re something else)

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Sarah S.

People are boring

But you’re something else completely

Damn, let’s take our chances

-Father John Misty in Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)

It’s finally here! The 2015 edition of the Spring Mix Tape. As you know, I create a mix tape (i.e. a 2-3 albums of curated music as well as handcrafted cover art) twice a year- once for spring and another for fall. I ask my friends to submit songs that remind them of that particular season then curate their great music into “albums.” The music is always excellent and always of a wide variety (my favorite part!). But the best experience for me is creating the cover art, which has also varied widely: from screen printed canvas to watercolor to this season’s piece: collage. In fact, this season’s cover may be my favorite. I enjoyed the free form of the collage process as well as the structure of creating a “booklet” that literally stands on its own.

Copies of the mix tapes are for participants only, but luckily for you, I’ve put together public Spotify playlists for everyone to enjoy. Here’s to new music, art making, and above all else, the great friends to who make it happen, year after year…!

Album #1: People Are Boring

Album #2: But You’re Something Else Completely

Album #3: Damn, Let’s Take Our Chances

Tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #29 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima.

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recycled packaging for my etsy shop

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Sarah S.

I love to shop. Especially online. As a result, I end up with (an embarrassing amount of) used packaging. Thankfully, I had enough foresight to save two years worth of packing material, so when it came time to develop the packaging for my new vintage clothing Etsy shop, The Gibbson Girl, I had lots to work with.

To me, using recycled packaging is an obvious choice: it’s free, I have lots of it, and it’s friendlier to the environment. Instead of spending money creating new branded packaging, I went to my local resale craft store (Pittsburgh Center for Create Reuse) and picked up vintage wall paper and library catalog cards. The result is unique branded packing material with homemade character.

I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I was hesitant to handwrite my package inserts. But just the other day I received an encouraging compliment: “Library catalog cards! And I love that these are handwritten. They feel…so authentic.” So there you have it. I’m sticking with inexpensive, easy to make, recycled packaging for my Etsy shop!

Tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #27 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima.

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spring packing + spring making

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Sarah S.

Today is devoted to packing. It’s unbelievable how entrenched I’ve become in my apartment after just two years. I feel like I’ve been packing for days (I have) and still haven’t made any progress (I have).

#100DaysofMiaPrima Packing

So, I took a break to work on my Spring Mix Tape project. Every season (well, fall and spring), I ask my friends to submit songs that remind them of that season in anyway, subtly or not to so subtly. I then compile the songs into what usually turns out to be a three volume set of CDs– or “mix tapes.” I also create the cover art, which I’ll admit, can get a bit out of hand at times. I usually have to create ten or more copies of each piece, after all. But the project keeps me creating, and sharing work with friends makes it absolutely worth it.

For my last mix tape, I carved a hidden space into old books. For this project, I’m going a simpler, though no less time-consuming route, and focusing on creating art “books” to store the tapes. Here’s my progress so far.

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #3 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima.

progress, progress

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Sarah S.

I’ve lived in Pittsburgh (and the same apartment) for over a year. For the last, well, decade, I haven’t stayed in one place for more than twelve months. Finally, I’ve had time to settle in to my new place and begin to claim it as my own. My living room, dinning room, and kitchen were more or less done six months ago. (Mostly given to that the fact that my kitchen is smaller than a walk-in closet) But my bedroom has taken longer to come together. I wanted a simple, neutral pallets of whites and creams with a focus on texture. What ended up unfolding is far from that but no less awesome. Actually, probably way more fun to look at. I have images and color everywhere, yet somehow everything still seems comfortable and in order. It’s the perfect embodiment of my style: classic and neat but undoubtably sprinkled with color and pattern. The room has a way to go, but so far, it’s a pretty good start.

gallery wall? check.

Unique way to use a postcard collection for decoration

bookshelf? check.

Handmade Corkboards

handmade cork boards? check.

repurposed basket drawers? check.
Jane Austen Reads + Hat Box

Jane Austen novels? obviously.

Cheers!

Sarah

So Fancy

It’s amazing what $12 can do. As you know, I’m one of those crazy people who picks out her outfits for the week on Sunday night. Who has time to worry about what they are going to wear at say, six o’clock on a Tuesday morning?!

Previously, I stuck some nails into my wall to hang my week’s outfits on, but this past weekend, with the encouragement of a very fun aunt (shout out, Aunt Jeanine!), I purchased a rolling clothes rack from Ikea.

Now my bedroom feels like a fancy Dutch blogger’s bedroom. Sort of.

Closet Organization Ideas miaprimacasa.com

I Want to Make Stuff

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Sarah S.

And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m dedicating this weekend to only four main things: go on a 12 mile run, explore a new local brewery, go to church, and CRAFT. The crafting is going to be part spring cleaning, part sewing/painting/building, and it’s about time I got to it! There is a whole list of projects I’ve been meaning to do, and now I’m finally going to make time for them.

I’m sharing this with you all not just for your reading pleasure…but also because I hope you all hold me accountable. I better come out of this weekend with some great photos of my finished projects to share with you all!

Here’s the plan (more or less):

Pillow Covers

Painted Glass Jars/Wine Bottles

Repurpose Old Candle Jars

Hairpin Leg Coffee Table

^Now that’s quite an ambitious weekend!

Wish me luck!

Cheers,

Sarah

Defining a Style Uniform: Thursday

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Sarah S.

Oh, Thursday! Probably the best day of the week. Most of the work week is behind you but the hours don’t drag like Friday. And for some reason, it’s the day I like to dress up a little bit more than others. So of course today’s style uniform outfit obviously had to include a skirt. And leather.

Ann Taylor Loft Embellished Sweater, Anne Klein Watch, JCP Faux Leather Skirt, Sweater Tights, Handmade Silver Ring, American Eagle Outfitters Booties

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I am Anti-Pants

*For full disclosure and all of that good stuff, I currently work at American Eagle Outfitters.*

Defining a Style Uniform: Wednesday

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Sarah S.

Wednesday’s style uniform inspiration is definitely my favorite: cool, simple, and most importantly, comfy. The outfit I came up with using my own wardrobe is probably the comfiest thing I can safely wear to work.

Aerie Silky Pants, Lands’ End Striped Henley Tee, J.Crew Print Mixing Scarf, Anne Klein watch, Pickwick and Weller Ribbed Tank, GAP Ballet Flats

Any opportunities to expand my wardrobe with this uniform outfit? My selection of soft pants is getting a bit out of control, so I have no wardrobe issues there! I am thinking of investing in some quality tees from Everlane or Pickwick and Weller to compliment my patterned soft pants and to make my style uniform the best combination: simple, quality, and comfort.

Not bad for hump day, right?

Cheers!

Sarah

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Defining a Style Uniform: Monday

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*For full disclosure and all of that good stuff, I currently work at American Eagle Outfitters.*

Defining a Style Uniform: Tuesday

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Sarah S.

I own countless cardigans. I read Unabashedly Prep regliously. I’m ever on a search for the perfect vintage Ralph Lauren navy blazer. There is no doubt that I identify with a preppy style, but what I noticed while putting together my five style uniform outfits, was that I also gravitated toward graphics, drapey bottoms, black leather, and cheeky graphics.

Tuesday’s outfit shows more of my traditional preppy taste, complete with the classic chambray shirt, cowboy-inspired leather boots (the kind that get better with age), and a great fitting pair of Levi’s. It’s simplicity at its best.

Donna Karan Leather Boots, Liz Clairborne Chambray Shirt, Levi’s Skinny Jeans, Angela Caputi Bracelet, Fossil Watch, J.crew Leopard Print Belt, Wool Scarf from a second hand store in New Hampshire

Any opportunities to expand my wardrobe with this uniform outfit? One chambray shirt seems like enough for my wardrobe and those leather boots are so versatile, buying another pair would feel extravagant. I did struggle to come up with some fun stackable bracelets. I love the ones that Bauble Bar offers. They have so many, they’d suit every mood!

Cheers!

Sarah

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Defining a Style Uniform: Monday

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Sarah S.

I love the idea of a style uniform. I don’t mean an actual uniform, but more of an outfit guideline that makes putting together work outfits a breeze.

I’m one of those neurotic people who picks out all her outfits for the week on Sunday night (yes, shoes and accessories included….), so a uniform really appeals to me. It would make dressing easy and be the perfect, no-brainer way to show my style. And in the process of putting together a uniform, I’d have to work on defining what exactly my style is.

So, after thinking about the types of outfits that make me feel really, really confident, I put together five uniform looks, one for each day of the work week, that will hopefully serve as guidelines for my outfits going forward.

Monday

But now I’m faced with the hardest challenge: actually putting together real outfits from my real wardrobe. I think I’m going to discover some holes, and that’s great! I’m all about simplifying my wardrobe with the best key items I had find.

Below is what I came up with for day one, using only pieces from my wardrobe.

United Colors of Benetton Wool Sweater, American Eagle Outfitters Dark Wash Skinny Jeans, American Eagle Outfitters Booties, Vintage Perfume Necklace

The holes? Today was pretty easy! I own plenty of sweaters and perfect, comfy skinny jeans. But, I might want to consider some gold jewelry. Here’s what I’m thinking: