waffles, beer, + chocolate: antwerp, belgium

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sarah S.

Yesterday I wrote about my favorite Dutch foods (stroopwafels and cookie butter included). So today, here’s a look at some of the delicacies I enjoyed on a recent trip to Antwerp, Belgium. The day trip into Belgium was one of the last trips I took in Europe this summer, so I knew from the start I wanted to savor it. Thankfully, Belgian chocolate, beer, and waffles made the savoring very easy.

Belgian Waffles.

View of the Mas Museum.

Frites with mayo, curry sauce, and onions.

The beautiful Belgian city of Antwerp.

Coffee in the city.

The Belgian server: “It’s filled with alcohol. Is that okay”

Me: “Um, yes, totally.”

Server: “Because most people do not expect a hedgehog to be filled with alcohol.”

True enough.

Belgian beer, of course.

Panoramic views from the Mas Museum.

Belgian cuberdon. Sweet cones filled with gushy deliciousness.

Maybe cycling is just a way to burn off all the Belgian calorie goodness…

One day, I’ll be back in Belgium to enjoy theses delicious treats again. Until then, I’ll have to make due savoring the stroopwafels I brought back with me from Holland.

au revoir!

Sarah

This post is #87 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

Eat Like the Dutch

Hallo, Belgium!

Cookie Butter (Need I Say More?)

eat like the dutch

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Sarah S.

When you think of the Dutch, what type of food comes to mind? Gouda probably. And maybe herring.

I’m admit it, The Netherlands isn’t my number one choice for cuisine, but the Dutch do have some really tasty dishes. Here are my favorites:

Cheese sandwiches. But not just cheese sandwiches. Super delicious varieties with mayo, mustard, avocado, and more.

Dutch coffee. Neither an espresso nor an Americano, Dutch coffee is somewhere perfectly in between. And it always comes with a cookies, so there’s that too.

Kibbeling. Cheap and delicious.

Dutch Cookie Butter #100DaysofMiaPrima

Cookie butter. Obviously this is one of the best things to ever come out of the Netherlands. Add some hagelslag on top and your mind will be blown.

Dutch Puffed Pancakes #100DaysofMiaPrima

Poffertjes Tiny puffed pancakes. So yeah, they’re awesome.

Dutch Apple Pie #100DaysofMiaPrima

Apple pie tart. Why is this so much better than any apple pie I’ve eaten in America?!

Dutch Stroopwafel Cookies #100DaysofMiaPrima

No words can describe the majesty of the stroopwafel. (By the way, it’s not a real waffle…it’s 1000x better than that)

Yummy Dutch Gummies #100DaysofMiaprima

Gummies. So. Many. Gummies.

Dutch White Asparagus #100DaysofMiaprima

White asparagus. Okay, yes, it looks…weird. But trust me– it’s delicious!

Belgian Beer #100daysofmiaprima

Belgian beer. Okay, not it’s Dutch per se…but Belgium is so close that their beer in incredibly easy to come by in the Netherlands.

Frites with Curry Sauce in Antwerp, Belgium #100DaysofMiaPrima

Frites. Technically also Belgian. But these deliciously cheap fries (complete with Dutch mayo) are everywhere.

Do you have a Dutch favorite that I missed?

tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #86 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

So Sweet

Nutella, Coffee, Gouda, + Bellini: The Best of European Brunch

The Freshest Restaurant in Amserdam

Cookie Butter (Need I Say More?)

a new look for mia prima casa

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Sarah S.

I founded the Mia Prima Casa (which means “my new house” in Italian) blog three years ago as a way to keep family and friends updated on everything I was up to post-college. This usually meant updates on how I was decorating my new (first!) apartment, what I was I was eating (usually plants), and what I was wearing.

Today, Mia Prima Casa has a whole new look. I like to think the blog now more closely represents the woman I am today: well traveled, well dressed (or at least trying to be!), and beginning a whole new chapter (business school).

Mia Prima Casa is far from gone, but she goes by a new name now. The Gibbson Girl, which is based off the 1910s fashion icon, evokes a sense of adventure, travel, and boldness. She has a vintage flare. Wears a crazy hat with confidence. Runs marathons. Travels to London. And most of all loves a night in with her cat, watching Downton Abbey and sneaking looks at her old travel diary pages.

Gibbson Girl Vintage Style on Etsy Tour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 1 European Style Brunch Breakfast Tea #100DaysofMiaPrima

I am so ready for this new chapter. And I hope you all are ready to meet the Gibbson Girl.

Cheers!

Sarah

p.s. The Gibbson Girl has a vintage shop, too!

This post is #85 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

Summer Styles at the Gibbson Girl

The Gibbson Girl European Photoshoot

Vintage (Scottish) Bangles and Beads

Hidden (Vintage) Treasures in Europe

Vintage Accessories at the Gibbson Girl

hey, rochester!

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Sarah S.

Technically I’ve been on Rochester, NY for just over a week now. But only recently have I felt truly moved in (here’s why). It’s a bit overdue, but here is my hello post to Rochester!

Looking forward to getting to know you, Rochester.

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #84 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

Hallo, Belgium!

Hello, London + Oxford!

Hallo, Deutschland!

Hi There, Scotland!

a resolution reached with @uhaul :)

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Sarah S.

A few days ago, I went on an angry rant about my experience with U-Haul’s portable box U-Box program. Just a quick recap before I get into the good news: When I called in to schedule the drop off of my boxes, a customer service representative accidentally cancelled the shipment of a my boxes. As a result, when I arrived in New York, my boxes were still in Pittsburgh. The worst part? Twelve (12!) different people at U-Haul could only give me one answer: it would take ten days to ship boxes to me. Yikes! That was not going to do…

A friend passed along the phone number of the U-Haul CEO, Joe Shoen. Apparently, the CEO had given out his number during an interview, inviting customers to call with issues. So I called….and he picked up! I told him my problem then sent him a follow up email with more information (I found what I hoped to be his email address online). Over twenty-four hours passed before I received a return email. His son, Sam, emailed me back, apologizing for the issues, offering me a sizable gift certificate and discount on the services, and best of all, he said the boxes would be in Rochester the next day.

And guess what!? They were!

It was a rough road, but the outcome was good. Now if only U-Haul can empower their associates (below the CEO position) to solve customers issues properly…after all, calling the CEO isn’t the most practical of solutions.

For the record, here’s Joe’s info if you are having a serious U-Haul issue…

Phone number: 602-390-6525

Email address: joe@uhaul.com

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #83 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

coastal views from berwick upon tweed

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Sarah S.

As part of our UK road trip, my sister and I chose a small coastal town to spend the night. We were hoping for great seaside views, quality fish and chips, and maybe a glimpse of a wild sea lion. We were not disappointed. Well, not 100%; we didn’t see any sea lions but the sea views made up for that!

Here are some of my favorite photographs from the beaches of Berwick Upon Tweed.

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #83 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

New Hampshire Seaside Views

Genova, Italia

Harbourside Coffee in Newburyport

Swimming (Practice) in Croatia

camden passage, london

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Sarah S.

I’m always on the look out for great vintage finds for my vintage clothing and accessories shop, The Gibbson Girl, so “flea market” is usually one of the first things I Google when I’m planning a trip to a new city. In London, I discovered small but charming Camden Passage.

Despite a slow start to the day (most shops and stalls weren’t open until 11am and noon), my sister and I were able to discover some one-of-a-kind vintage finds, including a tiny Morris Mini Minor charm that I’m crazy about it! We also stopped in for some Kombucha tea at Appesat, and enjoyed the artistic and chic atmosphere. A few block aways, we found Fara Charity shop and Saint Espresso where a cup of filtered coffee provided a back drop for photographs of some of my day’s finds.

Camden Passage, London Vintage Shopping #100DaysofMiaPrima

Vintage Jewelry + Accessories from Around the World at The Gibbson Girl Etsy #100DaysofMiaPrima

Camden Passage, London Vintage Shopping Coffee #100DaysofMiaPrima

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #81 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

Hello, Northern England!

#OOTD in London

Hello, London + Oxford!

u-haul forgot to ship my u-boxes + other moving disasters @uhaul

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Sarah S.

I’ve never done a rant post before. Usually, I relegate my posts to travel updates or vintage finds.

But I’m just too darn frustrated to write about anything else today.

So here’s a fun little story about my experience with U-Haul U-Box. I’ll let you come to your own conclusions about whether you should consider the company for your next move or not. 🙂

Dear U-Haul,

My U-Haul boxes were scheduled to arrive at my new house on Friday July 17th at 2pm. At 3:30pm, I called and was informed that my boxes hadn’t even been shipped. I then was redirected to over six different people. Each one told me the same thing: The mistake was U-Haul’s (a representative cancelled my shipment accidentally), but my boxes would not arrive until Monday July 27th. That is ten days after they were scheduled to arrive. That is ten days I don’t have to unpack. That’s ten days without a bed, a wardrobe, kitchen supplies, anything.

I’m asking that U-Haul get my boxes to me by Friday July 24th, so that I do not lose yet another weekend I could spend unpacking. And to waive the drop off fee. I paid a good amount of money to have these boxes stored and delivered, I’ve spoken with over six different people in the company, and my issues has still not been resolved. This is absolutely unacceptable and extremely frustrating. U-Haul, can you tell me: What are you going to do to make this right?

Cheers!

Sarah

#ootd in berlin, germany

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sarah S.

Parisians are effortlessly stylish. Londoners are on top of the trends. And Italians always have the chicest leather jackets. But Berliners have a style that is, in my opinion, truly the most unique. I loved how so much of the street fashion I saw was vintage or retro inspired. And a fashion “uniform” of any kinda (think, for example: skinny jeans, white tee, leather jacket) seems nonexistent.

Below, I’ve tried my best to distill the street fashion of Berlin into one photograph. But what you should really take away from it is not the exact outfit but the spirit of the German city’s style: individual, colorful, and retro. And most importantly, really freaking cool.

Shorts: Vintage, Shoes: Saucony, Crop Top: H&M, Scrunchie: Vintage, Magazine: Vogue Germany

Bis später!

Sarah

This post is #78 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

#OOTD in London

#OOTD in Dubrovnik, Croatia

#OOTD in Paris

#OOTD in Italy

nutella, coffee, gouda, + bellini: the best of european brunch

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sarah S.

I have come to conclude that nobody loves brunch like the Americans. It’s hard to explain to some non-Americans that brunch is not just a breakfast with booze involved. But some places in Europe are doing brunch right. I had one of the best brunch experienced in Paris: pastries, Nutella, honey, jam, bottomless coffee, greens, and of course lots of bread and cheese. Yum! It’s my ideal European-style brunch!

Pastry Brunch in Paris #100DaysofMiaPrima

Eggs Benedict Brunch Breakfast #100DaysofMiaPrima

European Style Brunch Breakfast #100DaysofMiaPrima 1

European Style Brunch Breakfast Tea #100DaysofMiaPrima

European Style Brunch Breakfast #100DaysofMiaPrima

European Style Brunch Breakfast Eggs Benedict #100DaysofMiaPrima

Combine Parisian brunch with British eggs on toast (or our modified, homemade eggs Benedict), Italian Bellini, and Dutch Gouda, and you have one perfect morning/afternoon.

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #77 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Related Posts

European Brunch: Vegan Style!

Euro Brunch, Vegetarian Style

So Sweet

The Freshest Restaurant in Amserdam