Tag Archives: miaprimacasa

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!).”

Weird Book Sale Finds

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What I like about small town book sales (or rummage sales, for that matter) is that you really never know what you will come across…or what might actually strike you as something you would buy. For $3, I picked up a B52s cassette tape (actually useful since my car’s CD player is broken), a 1970s vintage car directory, a coffee table book on Titian, and a Mister Rogers album. I think I spent a good five minutes holding these items and thinking hard about if I should bother spending good money on something so random, but even if I have to sacrifice a morning latte, the purchase was worth it.


Ciao!

Sarah

Halloween Decorating for Under $10

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Now that I actually have a place that feels more like home than a one-bedroom dorm room, I thought I’d make an effort to decorate, even a little bit, for the holidays. I picked up this vase, a spider candle holder, and these festive placemats at the local Good Will for under $10. The beautiful dried corn was a gift from my friend who bought it at the Madison farmer’s market.

How have you been decorating for the season?

Sarah

Fall Mix Tape

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I think I started creating fall mix tapes in high school, right after I read Perks of Being a Wallflower, and fell in love with the simple concept that music can -and usually does- define certain periods in your life. Well, I’m not starting school this fall, but I definitely have freshmen moments here in the real world. To bring back the nostalgia even more (and in a more positive way), I decided to create a Fall 2012 mix tape. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by a pretty substantial and awesome friend group, so it was easy to get them involved in the process. I had nine of my friends submit songs that reminded them of fall. However many they wanted and anything they wanted. I agreed in exchange to create cover art, curate the songs, and give everyone a free copy. The result was a 62 song collection, which I compiled into three albums: Coming Down, Going Up, and Arriving, because “The truth is of course that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.”

Here’s to arriving!

Sarah

My Autumn Work Wardrobe

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My Work Wardrobe- Autumn
Only a few months ago, I created a vision for my work wardrobe that included great essentials like well-fitting tees, chinos, and quality sandals. As the weather starts to cool down, I’ve obviously had to re-think my basic work wardrobe. This season, I’ve focused on adding interest to basics with beautiful, dramatic accessories like silk scarves, cuffs, and cameo jewelry. Some basics for fall (and pieces that are well worth the initial investment!) are leather boots, jeans, and a blazer. When it comes to the accessories, I usually shop vintage and thrift to find unique pieces that have better quality than trendy accessories I could find at H&M or Zara.
What is your work wardrobe vision this fall?
Ciao!
Sarah