Tag Archives: miaprimacasa

a new look for mia prima casa

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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.

Gibbson Girl: Vintage, travel, and style for the adventurous woman.

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).

The Gibbson Girl in ActionAntwerp, Belgium Bike Sign #100DaysofMiaPrimaGibbson Girl Vintage Clothing & Accessories

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 EtsyTour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 1European 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

these streets

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For a long time, I could never justify purchasing a beautiful new digital SLR camera. After all, I wasn’t a photographer. Sure, I have a degree in art and I create a blog that relies so much on imagery. But still, I was no Sartorialist, and I never could be. It was almost if I had convinced myself that there were so many people- bloggers, artists, whoever- being such amazing photographers that there was not room left for an ammeter to try her hand. And that who would bother looking at my work, as rudimentary as it would be, when they could look at a professional’s!?

But the truth it, no professional is having the same experiences that I’m having now: traveling, exploring my new city, finding my personal style, working in fashion, becoming a vegan athlete. And that is reason enough for me to grab a camera and shoot away. So join me on the next step with Mia Prima Casa, as I experiment and dive even deeper into what it means to be who I am, digital SLR and all.

Cheers!

p.s. Explore the streets I’ve been walking and running and  driving and riding on for a year now. Pittsburgh is a city of grit and charm, so take a moment to catch a glimpse:

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Peanut Butter Banana Pancake Recipe

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Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes on miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

What’s better than peanut butter and bananas? How about peanut butter and bananas in pancakes! This is a super easy recipe (originally found here). My next try with this recipe will be replacing half the peanut butter with Nutella. Now that would be a perfect pancake.

Ingredients:      

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 small banana, peeled and chopped

Directions:

Mix flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl. Mix in the peanut  butter, then add the milk and vanilla. Blend well. Stir in banana pieces.

Coat skillet with cooking spray. Cook pancakes over medium heat on skillet.

Enjoy!

Sarah

p.s. Freeze extra pancakes for later!

Running the Coast: 15 Miles of New Hampshire Coastline

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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.comNH Coastline Run miaprimacasa.wordpress.comNH Coastline Run miaprimacasa.wordpress.comNH Coastline Run miaprimacasa.wordpress.comNH Coastline Run miaprimacasa.wordpress.comNH Coastline Run on miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

Homemade Granola Bar Recipe

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Homemade Granola Bar Recipe on miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

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

What’s Inspiring Me Right Now…

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Canvas Land' End Goat Art

This amazing goat created by my talented friend, Diana. Originally posted on the Canvas Lands’ End blog.

Cozy Artist's Space

Some cozy artist’s space inspiration from 79 Ideas.

Florence, Italy -miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

Memories of Florence.

Ferragamo Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo’s Men’s Fashion Show AW 2013 2014. Watch it here.

Everything about the second season of Girls and the music from it.

And finally, some guiding words of inspiration from the great Paulo Coelho:

“The energy of hatred will get you nowhere; but the energy of forgiveness, which reveals itself through love, will transform your life in a positive way.”

What’s inspiring you today?

Sarah

Lined Zip Clutch Tutorial

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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.

Zip Clutch Tutorial- miaprimacasa.wordpress.com Zip Clutch Tutorial- miaprimacasa.wordpress.com Zip Clutch Tutorial- miaprimacasa.wordpress.com

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

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My parents found this vintage Singer at a garage sale in New Hampshire. What a gorgeous find! Unfortunately, it’s not in sewing shape. IMG_3617 IMG_3633IMG_3615IMG_3634 IMG_3636

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

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Kitchen Redo-Blue & RedKitchen Redo- Blue & RedHere’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