Happy New Year from Nathan and Polly!

Hello, there :) Nathan and I decided to snap these photos this morning beside the beautiful Art Theater in Champaign. We love coming to see movies here and love the fact that we got to see Drive (again!) last night here for only $3! The artwork on the side of the theater is phenomenal and I knew it would make the perfect background :) We're making it a new year's resolution (kind of) to come here as often as we can... What are your new years resolutions? (I have many more.. this is just one!)

So, here comes 2012! Happy New Year from us to you! :D

love, polly

Life Lately..

I had a meeting with my film director today... we talked about a new short coming up and photo shoots. This next year is looking bright for us :) Very excited...

Nathan got me Nan Lawson's Harold and Maude print for Christmas! He knew exactly what to get me.... how cute is he? It's a perfect compliment to my other favorite film... Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind! My two top favorite films. Perfect!

This is the new bow tie I am working on as of late. It's for Karin of Wunderlust. Like the design? Email me and I can make one for you, too!

love, polly :)

make your own holiday Plantain treats..

Hi, there! Yesterday I made these fried Plantains with powdered sugar for my family. I thought I'd share my easy no-fuss recipe. I also featured a Plantain recipe last summer when I made vegan strawberry and plantain pancakes... so this is a simpler recipe which is very fast and also exotic (Cuban). Enjoy.....♥.

1. Buy a Plantain from your local grocery store.. it should be getting quite black. That is when they are ripe!

2. Cut off the head of your Plantain and then slice your knife down the side. This will make it much easier for you to peel it off. You don't want to try to peel it like a regular banana because they will just squish and you will have a hard time cutting them into pretty slices!

 3. Use any high grade of oil and coat your skillet with it. I prefer Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Trader Joe's. Don't get the pan too hot- medium low is your best bet if you'd like to toast the Plantains lightly without burning them!

 4. Cut your Plantains the thickness you'd like and gently place them in their bath of hot oil. Wait for them to brown slightly and use a spatula to turn them over.

5. This is about what they should look like when you're done. You don't want them to be too mushy, so make sure you feel them to check if they're what you desire texture-wise..

6. Use Confectioners Powdered Sugar to lightly dust them on top. 7. Serve warm with a fork! I usually just eat them with my fingers because it's fun and I feel more exotic... but you can obviously make that decision on a case by case basis! I also love to eat them with ice cream and you can also get creative and add some cinnamon or your favorite spice!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

love, polly

Merry Christmas Eve from the Blands...

Our centerpiece is... SPOOK!

 This is the front of our house. My parent's pride and joy is their vintage santa on a latter. In fact, he made the front page of our newspaper last year and also made the newspaper this year! Hahahaha!

We are currently enjoying some Cake White Russians :)

To Make: 1 shot of Cake Vodka

1 shot of Baileys Irish Cream

3/4 cup of soy milk

Have a happy Christmas Eve! XOXOXO

love, polly

a new shoe design

Hi, there! Happy Christmas Eve to you! I was up late last night drawing this and testing out my brand new camera. I might be in love. I can't wait to show you more of what it can do!

love, polly :)

1970's vintage flowers

outfit details:

leather oxfords: Goodwill

grey knee high socks: c/o Abby Taylor :)

burnt orange turtle neck: Goodwill in Edwardsville, IL

vintage houndstooth skirt: Goodwill

vintage 1950's LFZ purse: my Great Grandmother Frisina's

red belt- my mother's

red felt hat- Goodwill, Champaign, IL

orange blazer- Value Thrift, Springfield, IL

This purse was my Great Grandmother Frisina's. Her name was Lucille Frisina Zeigler (LFZ). I love monogramed purses.. especially when you actually know what the initials represent!

This is me after I stepped in dog poop. My shoes are still drying off as I am typing this post. Oh, well...

These bright orange flowers are a recent thrift find from Springfield, IL this past week. My Grandmother Kutch and I went to about three different thrift stores and were mainly disappointed. I did manage to snag these bright tulips that remind me of the 1960's/70's. I am trying to figure out if they are vintage or not... it's really hard to tell! What do you think? I got quite a lot of them! I think I know JUST what I am going to use them for! Are you preparing for the holidays tonight? We are. XOXO

love, polly

Maria Elyse wearing Paulie Antiques

I sent out a bow tie to the lovely Maria Elyse from First Impressions a few days ago and now she is wearing it like a little doll. Isn't she precious! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what she pairs with it in the future, too!♥.

Thanks, Maria! To see more photos, visit the *new* Paulie Antiques blog! XOXO

In love with Ulyana Sergeenko..

Hello, there! I am currently swooning over the billowy designs of Ulyana Sergeenko in almost every way. I appreciate her other designs very much. They are very much my style. You can read her fashion blog here! What do you like about her designs? Many of them speak to me in a rather Victorian Era sense while others are whimsically 1950's... I just love the style of her FW 11/12 collection so much...

love, polly 

Paulie Antiques now has instagram!

You might know that I run an online shop called Paulie Antiques where I sell my original artwork, hand made bow ties, and anything vintage and antique. I wanted to announce that the twitter account also now has instagram (yay!).

 Also, I am doing a trunk show in April for College Fashion Week which I've never been more excited about. An April fashion show is also in the works for me.. and I'm beginning to make clothing over the break. I'm in such a very exciting time to build my label. Thank you for your support. Paulie Antiques also has a facebook page, as well, if you'd like to visit us and leave a sweet little message. I'd love that..... 

love, polly :)

I'm baaaack....

LISTEN WHILE YOU LOOK! 

I LOVE JUPITER. You like? I want to go to one of their concerts so badly....

Today was a bit too cold to take my jacket off... but I did it for a little while regardless! Haha. Finals are OVER and I am back to the regular blogging style FINALLY! I can't tell you how many ideas I have stored up in my little journal for this blog. I have huge plans... let me tell you. 

My wonderful wonderful wonderful friend, Maria Elyse, sent me this amazing 1920's style vintage dress and I absolutely LOVE it! It's my favorite color and everything! Make sure you go to Maria's blog and tell her how amazing she is :) I actually just sent off a bow to her sweet self today in the mail! I can't WAIT to see her in it! I know she will be adorable!♥ Thanks so much for the package, Maria! I can't wait to wear the blouse, too! And I loved the vintage theatre magazine. Wow.. I feel so loved.

outfit details: 

vintage 1920's style dess- c/o Maria Elyse

faux leather booties-Goodwill

bracelet- I beaded it!

polaroid camera- gift from my Grandmother Kutch

vintage 1950's hat- Carries Antiques in Champaign, IL

vintage orange tights- my mother's in the 1980's

vintage plaid jacket- Salvation Army in Springfield, IL

red belt- Goodwill in Springfield, IL

love, polly :)