coastal views from berwick upon tweed

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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

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new arrivals at uncovered artistry nonprofit boutique

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I’ve got some excellent news! Uncovered Artistry— the nonprofit I founded with my sister five years ago that sells the work of domestic abuse survivors– has NEW ARRIVALS! They’re a while in the making, but I am so proud of the new styles we have up. Our products– all handmade items– are made by domestic abuse survivors… with the exception of these newest additions.

The new arrivals were actually made by volunteers at various events the Uncovered Artistry Project has hosted throughout the years. Participants made the designs using new and recycled jewelry pieces and graciously donated them to the online boutique. And now, I am very happy to say that many of them are up for sale online.

And keep your eye out…there’s more on the way, too!

UA New Arrivals Spring 2015 (3)Uncovered Artistry: Jewelry Handmade by Domestic Abuse Survivors #100DaysofMiaPrima Uncovered Artistry: Jewelry Handmade by Domestic Abuse Survivors #100DaysofMiaPrima Uncovered Artistry: Jewelry Handmade by Domestic Abuse Survivors #100DaysofMiaPrimaUA New Arrivals Spring 2015

So what is the Uncovered Artistry Project and boutique?

It started with a simple equation. 

Art + Entrepreneurship = Empowerment. Add a couple business-savvy ladies and a serendipitous grant from Projects for Peace, and you’ve got yourself Uncovered Artistry Boutique. We’re a little shop built on the belief that business fosters empowerment in all its flavors (financial, personal, emotional, et al.). Our little piece of this cyber world sells the creative work of domestic and sexual abuse survivors, individuals who, more than most, benefit from the uplifting effects of art and business. Our roots are planted deep in Midwest soil, yet our reach extends to all those with an Internet connection and a penchant for joyful shopping. Shop the boutique today.

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #82 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

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camden passage, london

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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.

 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

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

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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

Day 100 on #The100DayProject

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100 Day Project Successphoto credit // elleluna

It’s been 100 days since I pledged to write one blog post every day. I’m a bit behind (21 posts to be exact), but I still wanted to take a moment to celebrate. Don’t stop checking back here on Mia Prima Casa, though! I’ll be finishing up the last 21 posts over the next couple of weeks. By then, I will just be starting business school, so you can expect lots of (new) posts to follow, too!

Cheers!

Sarah

p.s. Congrats to my friend, Diana, for completing her amazing #100DaysofCreeps. Well done, Cat! And to Jaqui for all those delicious pics. Can’t wait for Measured Making, lady! And obviously to my twin Angie. Hurry up and finish your book already.

This post is #79 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

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#ootd in berlin, germany

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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.

#OOTD Berlin #100DaysofMIaprimaShorts: 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

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

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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 #100DaysofMiaPrimaEggs Benedict Brunch Breakfast #100DaysofMiaPrima European Style Brunch Breakfast #100DaysofMiaPrima 1European 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

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#ootd in london

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It’s difficult for me to pinpoint Londoners’ style in one photograph. While I was visiting, I saw a huge variety of chic outfits (no surprise). But they did have some common threads: pretty darn stylish…and lots of crop tops.

So, in the photograph below, I have distilled what I’ve seen of London street fashion into a single outfit. What do you think? Does it capture the essence of the city’s style?

#OOTD London #100DaysofMiaPrimaPants: America Today; Crop Top: H&M; Sandals: Zara; Umbrella: Totes; Magazine: Vogue London

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #76 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

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inspector morse and mr.selfridge

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I’m a big fan of Inspector Morse (and Endeavour and Lewis…), so I might have had a minor freakout when I discovered an Inspector Morse tour in Oxford, England. Our guide, a retired Oxford University professor, was not only unbelievably knowledgable about the TV series and books, but she also happened to be Colin Dexter’s neighbor….and hilarious (in a nutty British professor kind of way that you’d expect from a woman giving a tour on an eccentric Oxford detective).
Inspector Morse Tour Oxford #100DaysofMiaPrima Inspector Morse Tour Oxford #100DaysofMiaPrima 3 Inspector Morse Tour Oxford #100DaysofMiaPrima 2 Oxford England #100DaysofMiaPrima
The next day, I had a chance to geek out further over British TV with a trip to Selfridge’s. As a fan of the show, Mr Selfridge, the one hundred-year-old department store didn’t let me down! The place was a commercial playland full of candy rooms, cocktail bars, sundae stands, booming electronics, and a delightfully colorful cunchony of department store staples like perfume and cosmetics. Overall, it was just what I expected a 21st century Selfridge’s to look like, and while I didn’t quite have the funds to support a large purchase, a bag of bulk artisanal candy gave me the perfect little taste of the Selfridge’s experience. Just as Harry would have wanted– with just a pound or two you can leave the store absolutely delighted.
Selfridge's London #100DaysofMiaPrimaSelfridge's London #100DaysofMiaPrima 1 Selfridge's London #100DaysofMiaPrima 2
Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #75 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

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summer styles at the gibbson girl

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Summer is officially here! I just left Amsterdam (where the temp just dropped to sixty degrees and the sun was reluctant to shine), so I needed a reminder of sunny days and warm breezes. Here are some of my vintage Etsy shop The Gibbson Girl’s best summer styles.
Vintage Floral Dress The Gibbson Girl

Personally, I’m particularly fond of the sheer blouse. What is your favorite summer style from the shop?

tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #74 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

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