Nothing But the Useful & Beautiful

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Sarah S.

Home Sweet Home miaprimacasa.com

As of this week, I’ve been in Pittsburgh six months. I’ve fallen in love with the bridges, the coffee shops, and the parks. I even own a Steelers hat. But most of all, I’m crazy about my apartment. At first, I thought I wanted a space that felt mature, like a real house, and not a collection of furniture that relatives gave me. But then I realized two things, 1) I don’t want to spend money on new furniture and

2) a youthful, eclectic look really suits me better anyway. What my apartment turned into was a cozy hodgepodge of my favorite furniture and art (I try to stick to the mantra, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”), which I think so beautifully compliments the cathedral ceiling, wrought iron details, and even the mint-colored 60s tile in the bathroom.

My favorite elements are: my bike (the most expensive piece of wall art I own), the ugliest orange chair you’ve ever seen, my record player complete with my dad’s record collection (Ella Fitzgerald is currently serenading me as I write this), my 1960s Singer sewing machine, a vintage lamp, a Native American blanket, my aunt’s 70s shag rug (thanks, Aunt Jeanine!), and my coffee nook.

What are the favorite elements of your home?

Apartment Inspiration on miaprimacasa.com

Cut-Up Couture: 2 T-shirts = 1 Dress

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Sarah S.

I recently set up my sewing space in my large, open living room, facing a big window and easily within earshot of my record player. But the thought of starting to sew a garment from scratch was a bit intimidating (I’ve spent the last year moving to two new states, so sewing took the back burner for a while!). So, instead, I bought a book on up-cycling menswear into beautiful womenswear garments: Cut-up Couture by Koko Yamase. Of course, I picked the most difficult pattern in the book to start! But I’m making great progress- just working on adjusting the sleeves to more of my personal taste. Here’s a sneak peak of the dress I’m sewing from two used t-shirts. Not bad for $4, huh? Stay tuned for the final project (and maybe even a tutorial!).

Cut up Couture miaprimacasa.com

Cheers!

Sarah

My Sewing Space, Reimagined

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Sarah S.

With my coffee bar nearly complete, I’ve moved on to decorating my sewing space. I moved it out of my second bedroom and into my living room; I was feeling cramped and isolated sewing in that small room! Now, my sewing table takes space near a wide window at the entrance of my apartment. For some (much needed) inspiration, I’ve put up a bulletin board and hung up my Venetian masks and some of my favorite hats nearby. My apartment is starting to look a lot like I first imagined it would: colorful, eclectic, and a bit like a hodge-podge of all the things I consider practical and beautiful.

Eclectic Sewing Space on miaprimacasa.com

By the way, Pinterest photos print out surprisingly well. I printed my most inspirational fashion/running/cycling images to create an inspiring collage for my sewing space. Beautiful imagery for less than $5? Yes, please!

Take My Hand and Run Fashion Inspiration miaprimcasa.com

Cheers!

Sarah

Coffee, Anyone?

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Sarah S.

In September, I drew up these plans to turn an empty nook in my dining room into an coffee bar (naturally). I was looking for cute hooks, shelving, a “coffee” sign, and a set of matching mugs. What I ended up creating was a chalkboard from an old picture (tutorial to follow soon!) that I will soon paint with an adorable coffee saying of my choosing. I added some red hooks and monogram mugs from Antrhopologie to bring the look together- not to mention Ball jars to hold my coffee grounds and sugar, a vintage-inspired cow cream holder, and a floral serving tray. Can’t wait for the coffee bar to come together completely! Next project…the bar cart. Now that’s going to be fun.

Coffee Bar Plans

Cheers!

Sarah

The Easiest (and Cheapest!) Way to Organize a Scarf Collection

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Sarah S.

I was getting pretty tired of digging through the pile of scarves I kept hidden under my bed whenever I wanted to add one to my outfit. At my last apartment, I kept my scarves on display by hanging them over the railing of the balcony of my lofted bedroom. I loved being able to keep all of my scarves visible but organized at the same time. Since a pile under my bed was nether visible or organized, I took a hanger and a half dozen shower curtain hooks…and voilà! the easiest and cheapest scarf organizer ever. I hang them over my door, so they stay out of the way but are on display at the same time. Cheers!

Sarah

How to Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Sarah S.

Video courtesy of Mirabeau Wine

I think this guy opened his bottle faster with his shoe than I did with a real corkscrew…

And also, please admire this gorgeous wine stopper my friend’s father made. That’s right…made, created, handcrafted. It’s almost as impressive as that time my dad offered to make me a pulley system to lower my bicycle from my second story balcony to the sidewalk.

Cheers (to talented dads and easy-to-open wine)!

Sarah

Fall Mix Tape 2013

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Sarah S.

Fall Mix Tape Art #miaprimacasa
Every season, I ask my friends to think about the sights, sounds, and feelings that remind them of the season. For me at autumn, I think of sweaters, hot chocolate, football games, and burning leaves. Then, I ask them to send me any songs that conjure up that imagery. When everyone has submitted, I compile the music together into three curated albums and create cover art. In 2013, we are celebrating the anniversary of the mix tape! (And also celebrating the season and the joy that comes along with sharing music you love and getting to know your friends a bit better on a new level). So I thought I’d share the first album with you all today. The first album, titled “State”, might be my favorite and probably sums up the feeling of the complete mix tape best. Enjoy and happy fall!

Fall Mix Tape Art #miaprimacasa

State of Independence, 2013, mixed media: packing tape, recycled bubble mailers, pen and ink

Decorating My New Pittsburgh Home

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Sarah S.

When you move in to a new space, especially one so drastically different from your old, it’s pretty overwhelming to begin the decorating process. To start decorating my new 70-year-old Tudor-style duplex in Pittsburgh (I moved from a clean-cut suburban apartment in Madison, WI), I began with images. Pinterest, of course, is probably the best place to collect visual inspiration. After spending some time browsing, I decided to narrow down my decorating plans into 4 sections:

1. My bedroom, bathroom, and closets- with a focus on organization

2. My living room- with a focus on comfort, displaying eclectic pieces of art and memorabilia, and entertainment (a bar cart included in my plans!)

3. My dinning room and kitchen- with a focus on my favorite moments, brunch and coffee, by creating a coffee bar and a bright and open eating area

4. My sewing room- with, well, a focus on sewing!

Not a bad start for a pretty overwhelming ordeal! My goal this week is to get up most of my wall art and begin to rearrange. Stay tuned as I start to put together my two favorite ideas, the bar cart and the coffee bar!

Ciao!

Sarah

The Living Room

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Sarah S.

…or the beginning of it, anyway!

Worth noting: vintage Mexican blanket, my handmade sorority T-shirt blanket, authentic 70s shag sheepskin rug, antique lamp made fresh with a new shade.

Dinner for Many (or L’etoile Can Suck It)

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Sarah S.

letoilecansuckit

Sunday night I had the honor of attending an amazing dinner, complete with fresh, local ingredients, lots (at least a dozen!) of interesting, inspiring people, and Wisconsin beer (a given) all in a marvelously eclectic atmosphere (think: thrifted wine glasses, Ball jars, benches, a turn table…).

A few friends put together the event, with one hosting at her apartment, and two others creating the delicious six courses:

Creamed & Chilled Asparagus & Cashew Soup

Grilled Romaine with Sourdough Croutons, Fermented Ramp Agili, and Sweet and Sour Sardines

Indian Rice Yogurt Apple Salad

Grilled Asparagus with Sourdough Pancakes and Blood Orage Sauce

Smoked Duck Sliders with Cherry Gastrique and Arugula on a Challah Bun

Paletas (Mexican guacamole and lime popsicles)

Strawberry Panna Cotta

And as palate cleansers: Dry cucumber and blood orange soda, honey wine, and oolong tea

I wanted to share the dinner on Mia Prima Casa, because, first, I think it’s simply a great idea to spend time enjoying truly good food, meeting strangers, and learning so much (like why cemeteries are the way they are and who Joy Division is…), all while spending very little.

And secondly, because I love how my friend decorated for the dinner! My favorite touch are the Ball Mason jars for water glasses.

How are you enjoying the summer?

Sarah