Category Archives: Style

Cut-Up Couture: 2 T-shirts = 1 Dress

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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.comDeconstructed T-Shirts miaprimacasa.com

Cheers!

Sarah

Quantum Theory

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Three years ago, I bought a secondhand Theory blazer at a thrift store (Shhh! It only cost me $3, but served me well through  many an interview). Due to it’s practical silhouette, quality material, and beautiful coloring- the light gray makes it possible to dress this blazer up or down-, the blazer is still serving me well today. So when I found out that Theory was having a winter warehouse sale and everything was up to 80% off, I spent a good chunk of my evening browsing the beautiful collection. Thanks in part to the cash I just dropped on a new screenprinting class I’m taking (!!!), my self control held out, and I haven’t (yet) made a purchase. But that doesn’t mean I can’t share my favorite finds with you. Browse away, and resist- if you can!
Ballet Flat Theory miaprimacasa.comEnid Abru Flat, $99

C108010R_P5N_0

Miry Lofty Mitten, $39

Theory Creeper Shoe miaprimacasa.com

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

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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.Scarf Organization miaprimacasa.com Scarf Organization miaprimacasa.comCheers!

Sarah

Put Some Prep in Your Step

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Because preppy will always look good.

Here are the looks that are inspiring me right now:Preppy Fashion miaprimacasa.com Preppy Fashion miaprimacasa.com Preppy Fashion miaprimacasa.com Preppy Fashion miaprimacasa.com Preppy Fashion miaprimacasa.com Preppy Fashion miaprimacasa.comFollow me on Pinterest for more Preppy, Tom Boy, Classic fashion.

My closet can’t get enough:

Rugby Shirts

Graphic Tees

Pom Pom Hats

Over-sized Knits

Plaid Scarves

Tailored Blazers

Puffer Jackets (and Vests)

Jen ne sai quoi

What are your favorite preppy styles?

Cheers!

Sarah

Long Hair Don’t Care

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Four years ago, when I was living and studying in Florence, Italy, I chopped off my long locks for a chic Italian pixie. The whole affair was very Audrey Hepurn in Roman Holiday. The Italian woman giving me the cut didn’t speak a word of English. The only things she said to me were “corto” (short) and “bel viso.” If a gorgeous Italian hairdresser tells you have a have beautiful face that you need show off with a pixie cut, you believe her. And go for it.

And for the next four years, I declared that I’d never go back to long hair again. With my short hair, my curls are bouncier and take almost no maintenance. I don’t have to worry about knots at the base of my neck from winter scarves or trying (and failing) to experiment with new up-dos.

Curly Short Hair Style miaprimcasa.com

But I’ve been doing a lot of winter training (see: Pittsburgh Marathon, Here I Come!), and I’m getting really, really sick of spending ten minutes trying to get my hair into the tiniest ponytail you’ve ever seen.

And it is winter after all. People grow out there hair in the winter, right? The whole point of No Shave November really comes down to warmth, doesn’t it?

So I’m growing out my hair. And I can’t wait to get those curls into a ponytail again.

Cheers!

Sarah

p.s. In other news, my twin moved to the Netherlands (no, not Norway), I’m strongly considering getting a Labradoodle, I hurt my leg (which is one reason why I chose triathlon. I’ll be swimming and cycling for next few weeks!), and I’ve been listening to a load of my Dad’s old records. Stevie Ray Vaughan being my current spin.

Stevie Ray Vaughan miaprimacasa.com

Sweaters That Start Conversations

One of my top trends this fall is definitely graphics. Graphic tees, graphic sweatshirts, and, my personal fave, graphic sweaters. I love them even more when they have puns or cheeky sayings on them. Because what’s more “conversational” than your sweater making a pun?

Graphic Sweaters

SMTWTFS Sweater by American Eagle Outfitters, French Hen Sweater by J.Crew, Walk the Moon concert sweatshirt

More conversational sweaters I love:

J.Crew jeweled llama sweater

Madewell bien fait sweater

Gilly Hicks “sweat shirt” graphic sweatshirt

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

It Doesn’t Get Better Than Tom Boy, Ambiguous Neutrals, & Moto! (i.e. My Fave Autumn Trends)

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Autumn 2013 Trends

Every fall it’s impossible not to find a handful of beautiful, inspiration trends, and this year is no different. Here are my top faves…and who is doing them best!

Free People Neutrals

1. Ambiguous Neutrals

I love this trend for cosmetics in particular (I’m addicted to a pale, barely-there nail color), but it translates effortlessly to apparel too…and even better in lingerie and intimates. Free People wins my vote for offering a gorgeous selection of nude intimates. Browse their ethereal “Sheer Shop” and just try not to buy something…

Madewell Tom Boy Style

2. Borrowed from the Boys

Madewell is my top retailer for tom boy styles. But instead of being in-your-face boyish, Madewell strikes a perfect balance between sexy and casual cool. Let’s be honest, pulling off a tom boy look is 80% attitude. My personal style is certainly more feminine (and definitely not cool enough), but adding a touch of tom boy helps keep things in check. Like those weeks when I know I’m wearing too many dresses with cardigans, my Madewell slouchy rugby stripe sweater is there to save the day.

 

GAP moto

3. Moto

Good ol’ GAP has one of the best selections of moto-inspired apparel this season. An extra plus? At the GAP, you won’t break the bank on a hot trend (I got this jacket for 30% off). If I weren’t buying clothes for three months (my newest challenge now that the triathlon is over), I’d be all over their moto pants. And coated jeans. And moto puffer jacket. And biker jeggings….

Bien Fait Sweater Madewellj.crew horse sweater

4. The Conversation Sweater

j.crew and Madewell get the tie for this one. Mostly because I really, really want the Bien Fait sweater. Get it? If not, désolé, je ne suis pas désolé. 😉

Forever 21 Varsity Letter Jacket

5. Sporty

…but definitely not a yoga-pant, sweatshirt look. Instead varsity letter jackets, rugby stripes, and boxy cuts make this trend. Forever 21 gets the job done at their usual how-the-heck-do-they-do-it?! low prices. For me this trends might mean sneaking my ever-growing workout wardrobe into my daily wear. Think: Nike Luxe Track Pants.

What’s your favorite autumn trend? Do you think my list is missing anything?

3.1 Phillip Lim at Target is (Finally) Here!

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3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

Staying true to my challenge of no clothes shopping for three months, I did not (with much self-control) shop the 3.1 Phillip Lim collaboration at Target. My sister did, however, and she was gracious enough to take pictures of her finds for me. I’ve heard one of them might be a Christmas gift 😉

Phillip Lim for TargetPhillip Lim for TargetPhillip Lim for Target Phillip Lim for Target

Ciao,

Sarah

p.s. Have you heard?! Peter Pilotto is next Target collab!

Great Finds: Handmade Silver “Amare” Bracelet

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As much of a hassle unpacking is, sometimes it does give one the opportunity to rediscover long forgotten treasures. A couple days ago I ran across this simple silver bracelet I made in high school (my public high school had a very robust arts program!). It wasn’t until I was wearing it for sometime that I noticed the stamped word, “amare” on the inside of the piece. “Amare” is Latin (and also Italian) for “to love” or, as I suspect I might have first intended it to read, the imperative command, “love.”

Amare Silver Bracelet

Great Finds: Hologram Necklace

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Among silver tea sets, vintage typewriters, and fur coats, I found this hologram necklace once belonging to my late nanna. My dad, now retired, was an engineer who worked on holograms, so I’m sure he gave her this beautiful rose necklace. In the right light, the image truly looks 3D. Given all the hologram-inspired fashion I’ve seen the past couple of years, my nanna was clearly ahead of her time!

Hologram Fashion

Hologram Necklace

Hologram NecklaceVintage hologram necklace; Gap moto denim jacket; j.crew popover, Gap leather ballet flats