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.

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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

Running the Coast: 15 Miles of New Hampshire Coastline

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Sarah S.

Coast Run miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

Over the holidays, I dragged two of my sisters out for a 15 mile run up the New Hampshire coastline. Arguably, the coast is either 13 or 18 miles depending on if one considers the coast of New Castle as part of the whole coast or not. In our case, we chose a compromise milage of 15 (three miles more than I’ve ever run and five more than my sisters had gone). A bit ambitious to be sure, but how often do you get the opportunity to brag that you ran a state’s whole coast line? Below are some pics we shot while on the run.

NH Coastline Run miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

Homemade Granola Bar Recipe

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Sarah S.

I can’t totally take credit for this recipe; I got it from a coworker after trying a batch of his. I did modify the recipe to fit my own tastes (substituting flax seeds for chia seeds and adding a bit more peanut butter and less honey). A great thing about this recipe is that there really is no limit to its variations. I decided to make my own granola bars instead of buying them because I not only wanted to save a bit of money, I also wanted to control exactly what I was eating in this snack. I always had trouble identifying store-bought granola bars that were truly healthy (“Is this more like a candy bar than a granola bar? What does whole wheat really mean in this bar?”). With my own homemade granola bars, I know exactly what I’m getting!

Granola Bars

2 Cups Quick Oats

1 Cup Protein Powder

1 Cup Chia or Flax Seed

1 Cup Dried Cranberries

1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

Mix the above ingredients in a bowl, then add:

1 1/2 Cup Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Honey

Press the mixture into a 9X13.

Depending on how crazy I get with the chocolate chips or cranberries, I’ll add in extra peanut butter or honey to firm up the mixture.

Store in the fridge to help keep from crumbling.

Hope you enjoy as much as I do!

Ciao!

Sarah

Lined Zip Clutch Tutorial

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Sarah S.

I found the pattern and tutorial for this charming little clutch at Charm Stitch. I modified the original pattern by increasing the pattern size by two inches and choosing not to decorate my bag with drawings (I let the corduroy and contrasting vintage floral lining do all the talking).

I don’t recommend this project for beginners who have not worked with zippers yet, but if you feel up to the challenge, I suggest trying a sample bag first before working on your final piece.

My biggest piece of advice is to be patient, use a zipper foot, and backstitch wherever it makes sense for security (I’d like think this bag will get thrown around and used quite a bit!).

Have you tried the tutorial out yourself? Pass along your thoughts or suggestions below!

Ciao,

Sarah

Related Posts

Lined Sequin Clutch with Zipper: a tutorial at Sweet-Verbena.blogspot.com

Fold-Over Clutch Tutorial at Fabandmade.blogspot.com

DIY: Leather Fold Over Clutch at SayYestoHoboken.com

Great Finds: Vintage Singer circa 1800s

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Sarah S.

My parents found this vintage Singer at a garage sale in New Hampshire. What a gorgeous find! Unfortunately, it’s not in sewing shape.

Kitchen Redo: Pops of Red, a Bold Rug, and a Sleek Table

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Sarah S.

Here’s a sneak peak of my newly redecorated kitchen (homemade Italian dinner and all! Get the recipe for the parmesan chicken here.). I was a bit skeptical when my sister suggested this rug, but I think it corners off the seating area nicely and has made our meals more comfortable and enjoyable. The chairs are not the right ones yet, but our new red chairs should be coming in soon (will update with pictures when complete!).

Ciao,

Sarah

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

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!