waffles, beer, + chocolate: antwerp, belgium

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sarah S.

Yesterday I wrote about my favorite Dutch foods (stroopwafels and cookie butter included). So today, here’s a look at some of the delicacies I enjoyed on a recent trip to Antwerp, Belgium. The day trip into Belgium was one of the last trips I took in Europe this summer, so I knew from the start I wanted to savor it. Thankfully, Belgian chocolate, beer, and waffles made the savoring very easy.

Belgian Waffles.

View of the Mas Museum.

Frites with mayo, curry sauce, and onions.

The beautiful Belgian city of Antwerp.

Coffee in the city.

The Belgian server: “It’s filled with alcohol. Is that okay”

Me: “Um, yes, totally.”

Server: “Because most people do not expect a hedgehog to be filled with alcohol.”

True enough.

Belgian beer, of course.

Panoramic views from the Mas Museum.

Belgian cuberdon. Sweet cones filled with gushy deliciousness.

Maybe cycling is just a way to burn off all the Belgian calorie goodness…

One day, I’ll be back in Belgium to enjoy theses delicious treats again. Until then, I’ll have to make due savoring the stroopwafels I brought back with me from Holland.

au revoir!

Sarah

This post is #87 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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Posted on July 28, 2015 by Sarah S.

When you think of the Dutch, what type of food comes to mind? Gouda probably. And maybe herring.

I’m admit it, The Netherlands isn’t my number one choice for cuisine, but the Dutch do have some really tasty dishes. Here are my favorites:

Cheese sandwiches. But not just cheese sandwiches. Super delicious varieties with mayo, mustard, avocado, and more.

Dutch coffee. Neither an espresso nor an Americano, Dutch coffee is somewhere perfectly in between. And it always comes with a cookies, so there’s that too.

Kibbeling. Cheap and delicious.

Dutch Cookie Butter #100DaysofMiaPrima

Cookie butter. Obviously this is one of the best things to ever come out of the Netherlands. Add some hagelslag on top and your mind will be blown.

Dutch Puffed Pancakes #100DaysofMiaPrima

Poffertjes Tiny puffed pancakes. So yeah, they’re awesome.

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Apple pie tart. Why is this so much better than any apple pie I’ve eaten in America?!

Dutch Stroopwafel Cookies #100DaysofMiaPrima

No words can describe the majesty of the stroopwafel. (By the way, it’s not a real waffle…it’s 1000x better than that)

Yummy Dutch Gummies #100DaysofMiaprima

Gummies. So. Many. Gummies.

Dutch White Asparagus #100DaysofMiaprima

White asparagus. Okay, yes, it looks…weird. But trust me– it’s delicious!

Belgian Beer #100daysofmiaprima

Belgian beer. Okay, not it’s Dutch per se…but Belgium is so close that their beer in incredibly easy to come by in the Netherlands.

Frites with Curry Sauce in Antwerp, Belgium #100DaysofMiaPrima

Frites. Technically also Belgian. But these deliciously cheap fries (complete with Dutch mayo) are everywhere.

Do you have a Dutch favorite that I missed?

tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #86 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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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.

Gibbson Girl Vintage Style on Etsy Tour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 1 European 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

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coastal views from berwick upon tweed

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Sarah S.

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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camden passage, london

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Sarah S.

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.

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Camden Passage, London Vintage Shopping #100DaysofMiaPrima

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

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sarah S.

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!

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European Style Brunch Breakfast Tea #100DaysofMiaPrima

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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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inspector morse and mr.selfridge

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Sarah S.

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).

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Inspector Morse Tour Oxford #100DaysofMiaPrima 3

Inspector Morse Tour Oxford #100DaysofMiaPrima 2

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.

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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tour de france 2015 in utrecht

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Sarah S.

I only have a few days left on my Europe trip (nooo!), so I was so happy to find out that’d I’d be leaving on a high note: specifically, the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in Utrecht. Honestly, I didn’t even know the Tour started in the Netherlands until a few weeks ago, and I was even more pleasantly surprised to learn that the race started in one of my favorite (and very close by) towns– Utrecht.

The best recipe for a Tour de France celebration? Combine a cool city…

Tour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 19

With lots of selfies…

Tour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 3

…And even more free stuff.

Tour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 5

Awesome spectators…

Tour de France Utrecht #100DaysofMiaPrima 13

..And inspirational cyclists.

Needless to say, the day was a blast, and I’m looking forward to following the race as the cyclists continue through the Netheralands and beyond.

Disclaimer: While I throughly enjoy watching and following the Tour de France (and admire the inspirational athletes who compete), I find it very disappointing that women are excluded from the event. Excluding women from high profile events like the Tour de France equals fewer racing opportunities for women, which in turn mean less publicity and support and lower female athlete salaries and prize money opportunities. It’s a big deal, and it’s something we should remember after we’ve enjoyed the excitement and the thrill of events like the Tour de France. (Thankfully, there has been some progress.)

A plus tard and tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #73 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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Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sarah S.

Sneak peek of what’s to come from a (really inspirational) Gibbon Girl photoshoot.

vintage bangle // scotland // the gibbson girl

tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #68 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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hello, london + oxford!

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Sarah S.

Back to the UK! After a two day “break” in the Netherlands, my sister and I headed back to the UK for a quick weekend trip to London and Oxford. We have both been to London before, so this weekend was filled with pleasantly tourist-y free events. Well, minus an Inspector Morse tour in Oxford that is! We explored Oxford’s classically British pubs, enjoyed (our now regular meal of) fish ’n chips, admired the University’s stunning architecture, and popped into charming bookstores. In London, we visited Camden Passage for great cafes, charity shops, and vintage finds. We stopped by Selfridge’s to experience the 100+ year old department store ourselves (and we’re not disappointed). And of course we took a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park for some people and pigeon watching (“Where are their nests? I mean, have you ever seen a baby pigeon?”).

Tea in Oxford England #100DaysofMiaPrima

I can only hope I’ll be back to the UK soon enough!

Cheers,

Sarah

This post is #65 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima.