Category Archives: Style

It’s Here! My 1960s Singer

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My parents found this beautiful 1960s Singer sewing machine at a garage sale for (wait for it)…$40. Yep. And it’s never been used, so it runs beautifully.

I’d been searching for a sewing machine for a couple months (this is my “Congrats, on your job!” gift to myself), and this machine tops anything new I was thinking of buying. My first project is going to be chambray skirt made from last semester’s left over fabric and some much needed throw pillows. Keep your eyes open for some sewing tutorials in the future!

The message the original owner left on the case:

“Hardly ever used. (Didn’t like to sew!).”

Falling in Love with My Closet: Ferragamo Shoe Collection

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Lately, I’ve been experiencing closet remorse. For most of my life, I spent relatively little on clothing and accessories, but as soon as I entered the work force, began earning an income, and started working in the apparel industry, I’ve since built a nearly completely new closet. As a result, I’ve felt a bit guilty about my wardrobe collection. To be fair, I shop primarily resale, and I’ll be honest, clothes shopping is now a (serious) hobby of mine. In an effort to remind myself that I’ve built my closet into a solid (but not frivolous) collection of quality items, I’m going to feature some of my favorite pieces on Mia Prima Casa. I’m excited to showcase these unique pieces (most of which are vintage or antique) and I hope they inspire you a bit too!

My first feature is probably my favorite: my Salvatore Ferragamo shoe collection. Most of these heels are vintage circa 80s and 90s, but the burgundy pair on the end was a deal from the Florence Ferragamo outlet. I could go on about the quality and comfort of Ferragamo heels and the amazing history of the man (like my own great grandparents, he grew up poor in Southern Italy), but I’ll leave you all with one of his many sage pieces of advice:

Better to wear a shoe that’s too big than one that’s too small.

That could be akin to “make no small plans,” don’t you think?

Mineral Point Art Tour, Flea Markets, & Crocheted Scarves

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Last weekend a couple friends and I took a trip to the Mineral Point Art Tour. On our way into Mineral Point we found a huge flea market, which of course, none of us could resist. As usual, I found a piece of vintage jewelry that I fell in love with. It looks like a 60s costume jewelry necklace, but I can’t be so sure! The necklace reminded me of some of j.crew’s new jeweled statement jewelry pieces and is perfectly in line with this fall’s blingy vintage-inspired style.

I’ve been falling more and more in love with menswear this season (it’s not long before I try pulling off a skinny tie!), so I was delighted to come across a vintage men’s jewelry box. The tie bar holder is even labeled. It will make a unique addition to my vanity.

My friend Jaqui who joined me on the trip actually finished crocheting a beautiful cowl scarf on the car ride there and wore it through the flea market and the art tour.

I had never been on a art tour quite like this. I knew that artists opening up their homes and studios was the norm, but I was stunned by some of the amazing studio spaces and architecture that I saw. My favorite was a sculpture garden at Peter Flanary and Sandra Peterson’s gorgeous rural home. We also enjoyed the small town’s speciality, ceramics, at a downtown gallery after lunch at the local deli. All of this makes me think I ought to set up a studio in my basement and get back into creating!

The Uncovered Artistry Project

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Two and a half years ago my sister and I founded The Uncovered Artistry Project, a non-profit that sells the art of domestic and sexual abuse survivors. The idea is simple. Art + Entrepreneurship = Empowerment. I’m proud to say (and proud to promote!) our new website (www.UncoveredArtistry.com). Even better for everyone else is that all our products, jewelry, candles, you name it, are 20% off and free shipping this month. Plus it’s for a pretty darn good cause.

Sarah

My Autumn Work Wardrobe

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My Work Wardrobe- Autumn
Only a few months ago, I created a vision for my work wardrobe that included great essentials like well-fitting tees, chinos, and quality sandals. As the weather starts to cool down, I’ve obviously had to re-think my basic work wardrobe. This season, I’ve focused on adding interest to basics with beautiful, dramatic accessories like silk scarves, cuffs, and cameo jewelry. Some basics for fall (and pieces that are well worth the initial investment!) are leather boots, jeans, and a blazer. When it comes to the accessories, I usually shop vintage and thrift to find unique pieces that have better quality than trendy accessories I could find at H&M or Zara.
What is your work wardrobe vision this fall?
Ciao!
Sarah

A Week of Inspired Outfits: Friday

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Well I did it! I eliminated five decisions each workday by creating five unique looks on Sunday. These outfits were inspired by some of my favorite brands, including Free People, Lands’ End Canvas, and j.crew. Below is Friday’s look. Like Wednesday, the Free People outfit served as more of an inspiration than a hard and fast guide, and I tried instead to capture the feel of the look.

Check out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for more inspired outfits.

Free People

Jean Jacket, H&M

Top, Target

Jeans, American Eagle

Wedges, Lands’ End Canvas

For full disclosure and all of that good stuff, I currently work at Lands’ End (so it should be no surprise that I often end up wearing their merchandise!).

A Week of Inspired Outfits: Thursday

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This week, I put together five unique outfits inspired by looks from some of my favorite brands. Here is Thursday! Be sure to check out Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I wore this outfit with a pair of black tights to combat this chilly fall weather.

Free PeopleDress, Vera Wang

Shoes, thrift store find

Scarf, Florentine market

A Week of Inspired Outfits: Wednesday

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This week, I put together five workday outfits based on professionally styled outfits from some of my favorite brands. Monday, I was inspired by Lands’ End Canvas, and Tuesday, I was inspired by j.crew. Today, I take inspiration from Free People. Wednesday’s outfit is less like the inspiration image, but I think I was able to capture the essence of the look.

Free PeopleSweater, Good Will

Jeans, Delia’s

Necklace, H&M

Pumps, Salvatore Ferragamo

A Week of Inspired Outfits: Tuesday

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This week, in order to cut out one decision from a day filled with many, I created an outfit for each day of the work week inspired by professionally styled outfits from some of my favorite brands. Below is Tuesday’s inspiration and my take on the outfit. See Monday’s outfit here.

J.Crew

Cords, Lands’ End Canvas

Sweater, Lands’ End Cavnas

Button Down, GAP

Heels, Salvatore Ferragamo

For full disclosure and all of that good stuff, I currently work at Lands’ End (so it should be no surprise that I often end up wearing their merchandise!).

A Week of Inspired Outfits: Monday

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A friend and coworker recently told me that humans are only able to make a limited number of good decisions. After a certain point, our decisions become worse and worse. And when you consider all the little decisions one makes in a day, “What should I wear?” seems like a wasted decision that could be spent, say, deciding what your monthly wardrobe splurge should be. That said, I decided to make this week’s outfit decisions all at once. I first chose five outfits from some of my favorite catalogs (J.Crew, Free People, Lands’ End Canvas, and Anthropologie) to base my own outfits on. Each day’s outfit is inspired the professionally styled look…and is one less decision I will have to make that day.

Monday’s Inspiration:

Lands’ End Canvas

J.Crew

J.Crew

…And Monday’s Outfit! Cardigan, Lands’ End Canvas

Skirt, Lands’ End Canvas

Shoes, Lands’ End Canvas

Belt, Forever 21

For full disclosure and all of that good stuff, I currently work at Lands’ End (so it should be no surprise that I often end up wearing their merchandise!).