I Am Officially a Cat Person

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Siberian Cat

This is a shameless cat post (sorry I’m not sorry). I’m pretty allergic to cats (and dogs), so getting a cat never felt like an option. I considered a dog (Labradoodle? Cockapoo? Cheagle?), but I’d feel horrible leaving the poor guy at home all day while I went to work. A cat seemed perfect.

Except I wanted a hypoallergenic cat who liked people and loved to cuddle.

And that’s when I discovered Siberian cats. They are not completely 100% non-allergenic (no cat is), but they are much more hypoallergenic than your average cat. They are also big, fluffy, and love people.

Right now my new fluffy Siberian is hiding under the couch. But she’s been busy exploring and playing, so I’ll let her be.

Cheers!

Sarah

Sweatshirt Weather

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The polar vortex might be over, but it’s 20 degrees and snowy here in Pittsburgh, so I think it still qualifies as sweatshirt weather. Did I mention that this is the best trend, ever?…Second only, maybe, to luxe sweatpants….

MSGM Sweatshirt miaprimacasa.com

MSGM and Toilet Paper Horse Sweatshirt, $255

Everlane Sweatshirt miaprimacasa.com

The Raglan Boat Neck from Everlane, $35

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

My Sewing Space, Reimagined

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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 miaprimacasa.com

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?

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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 PlansCoffee Bar on miaprimcasa.com

Cheers!

Sarah

“And another reason that I’m happy to live in this period is that we have been forced to a point where we are going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demands didn’t force them to do it. Survival demands that we grapple with them. Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it’s nonviolence or nonexistence. That is where we are today.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

How to Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew

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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.

How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew miaprimcasa.com

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

Sarah