Welcome to the Snow Globe: 115 Tubas & One Beautiful View

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Sarah S.

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“Welcome to the snow globe,” our waitress said as she seated us at possibly Madison’s greatest brunch place, Graze.
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Located right on the capitol square, the restaurant boasts a gorgeous view of the city’s capitol building (the largest dome in North America, if I’m remembering correctly) as well as a delicious menu featuring produce and meat from local Wisconsin farms. A bit pricey (yep, I dropped $20 for an omelet and a coffee) but worth it to enjoy the first snow of December.

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My friends and I stumbled upon a band of 115 tubas and baritones in the capitol building on Saturday afternoon. We came to visit the huge Christmas tree, which with it’s multitude of ornaments almost puts the Chicago’s Daley Plaza tree to shame. The music began as a low rumble for at least a good thirty seconds before the Christmas tune was audible. What a lucky chance encounter!

Photo and video courtesy of cnvsblg.tumblr.com

The weekend before, we started our Saturday night at Madison’s Old Sugar Distillery (check out Canvas Lands’ End great interview with the owner) located on Main St. Highly recommend the Old Fashioned with brandy.

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Ran across these contraptions down the street from the distillery, which though it is located in a very quite industrial area, does boast excellent free street parking.

Ciao!

Sarah

Unique Holiday Gifts You Can Feel Good About Buying!

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Sarah S.

Still looking for a holiday gift? Want something unique, beautiful, and handmade? My non-profit, The Uncovered Artistry Project and Boutique, has a new goal to reach $1000 in sales this holiday season. We sell all sorts of handmade products including candles, jewelry, ornaments, and home goods, which are all made by domestic and sexual abuse survivors or generously donated by artists. And we just added a slew of new items! Help us reach our goal and find a unique gift that you can feel good about buying.

Happy Holidays!

Sarah

Thanksgiving in Chicago: Christkindlmarket & Zoo Lights

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Sarah S.

Last weekend, I made my annual visit to Chicago’s Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. The event features traditional Bavarian food (like brat wurst, potato pancakes, mulled wine…and beer of course) as well as German holiday gifts, many of which are handmade. I followed the German Christmas market with a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights, which are, in fact, just as good as I remember them being when I was six. I even had time to stop by Swirlz Cupcakes for one of the best cupcakes in the city.

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Happy Holidays!

Sarah

Falling in Love with My Closet: 1970s Floral Print Dress

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Sarah S.

I’m a bit obsessed with 1970s and 60s fashion, so coming across this (hand sewn) 1970s dress (you guessed it, in polyester!) at my local thrift store was thrilling. Besides the fact that it only cost $7, it also fits me perfectly. I’ve still yet to find an occasion to wear the dress, but I’d probably style it with tights and heels to keep it relevant and not too vintage-y. The print and colors do remind me a bit of Thanksgiving. Maybe I’ll try to work it into this weekend’s wardrobe!

Want to see more great vintage finds from my closet? Check out my Ferragamo Shoe Collection, 1990s Oversized Wool Coat, and 1980s Lace Party Dress.

Vintage Mirror Re-Imagined

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Sarah S.

Recently, my sister turned a clunky old-fashioned mirror into a beautiful tiffany blue mirror that brings a much needed pop of color to her bedroom. I love how the details of ornate furniture are showcased by a simple coat of paint.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of the mirror completely before the painting began, but I think you can get the idea!

My suggestion is that she now considers finding a new dresser…one that might actually compliment her beautiful mirror. Maybe a simple white dresser like the one below.

Falling in Love with My Closet: 1980s Lace Party Dress

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Sarah S.

This dress is probably one of my most expensive vintage purchases at $75. I discovered it at a Chicago vintage fair and fell in love with the lace detail and the classic silhouette (and I can’t complain that lace dresses have been spotted just about everywhere this fall!). I had to get the dress professionally tailored but still consider that investment worth it. The dress was perfect for all the formal sorority and graduation events last year, and I am eager to find an occasion post-graduation to wear it again.

To see more of my favorite closet finds, check out my Ferragamo collection and my new (vintage) oversized wool coat.

Ciao!

Sarah

Images and Musings from Siena, Italy

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Sarah S.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my adventures in Italy. I think it’s probably because I sort of feel like I’m on a new adventure now (though Wisconsin isn’t quite as romantic). For about ten minutes prior to this post being written, I was frantically searching for my first journal from my time in Italy, whichI was sure had gotten lost in my move a couple months ago. Thankfully, the journal was safe, and I can share with you a bit about the first town in Italy I lived, Siena.

This morning, the valley below the hotel was foggy. The view was unbelievable.

Today I realized that so many buildings are adorned with Madonna paintings or sculptures. I tried photographing as many as I saw, but the pictures doesn’t do them justice. (This picture is actually from the neighboring town of Arezzo. Shh!)

Siena reached it prosperity peak right before the Black Plague epidemic in the 1300s (some parts of the connecting building are unfinished, and pillars without walls are testament to the tragedy of the plague).

There used to be 72 towers when the city was a medieval fortress town.

Siena, like Rome, adopted the Romulus and Remus image (to represent Siena’s power as a “second Rome”).

The city is divided into 17 districts, or contradas.

Ciao per adesso!

Sarah

Falling in Love with My Closet: Vintage Oversized Coat

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Sarah S.

Last week, I started blogging about some of my favorite pieces from my closet (check out my Ferragamo shoe collection here). It’s an attempt at reminding myself of all the amazing clothing, shoes, and jewelry that I’ve accumulated over the years– and more specifically over the last few months after graduation. Most of these pieces are vintage or antique, which I think makes them particularly unique and interesting. This is one of my newest finds; it’s a vintage (circa late 1980s or 1990s, I believe) oversized coat in a gorgeous cobalt blue. I’ve sen some oversized coats out there (Once Upon a Time fans will recall Mary Margaret’s cocoon coat from season one), including at Topshop and J.Crew, so I was thrilled to find this vintage piece for $20 at my local Good Will. The coat is 100% wool and is in great condition. Hate to say it, but I’m looking forward to the colder temps to try out this coat!

It’s Here! My 1960s Singer

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Sarah S.

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

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Sarah S.

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?