the littlest polly

My Great Grandma Lucille and Great Grandpa James' wedding in 1930

2012-02-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

I just stumbled upon this wedding video of my Great Grandparents online and thought it was so beautiful. They have both passed away now... I'll never forget them as long as I live. I am such a fortunate woman to have all these photos, stories, mementos, and memories of them...

In case you were wondering, "Zeigler" was my Great Grandmother's maiden name... it's German. Also, "Frisina" is Italian and is my Great Grandfather James' last name & my Mother's maiden name (it used to be my last name, also!) If you'd like to see more old photos of my Great Grandmother Lucille Zeigler Frisina and me wearing some of her beautiful vintage clothing, see this post and this one!
Happy Valentines day! Anything special planned?

love, polly♥

A peek at my new room/ the sweetest package!

2012-02-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

So, this Sunday I organized my room a little and especially my vanity. EEK! I will have to unfortunately admit that I'm not perfect (haha) and I get really busy and make quite a mess of my room! I love organizing it, though! Having a clean room makes you feel so good, no?

AND......... I got the best package EVER today from my best friend, Emily. She found these amazing 1940s vintage books in a dumpster in Chicago! They are all so perfect! Thank you, Emily! I love you to bits and can't wait for your visit this weekend!

I also recieved this very sweet card from my parents for Valentine's Day. It made me smile so much :) Do you have Valentine's Day plans?

Happy Monday!

love, polly :)

Suitcase Sunday!

2012-02-12T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hi, there! Today has been a GREAT Sunday so far! I am getting so much done. Here is a cute little GIF I made for you for this week's Suitcase Sunday :) You might remember these little birdie salt and pepper shakers from another GIF I made last year... I just think they're so cute. I found them thrifting in Springfield, IL. XOXO

Happy Sunday!

love, polly

Alexis turns 22!

2012-02-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

Last night my amazing friend Alexis turned 22. I've been wanting to test out my camera in a low light setting for a while now... and this gave me the opportunity. I don't frequent parties too often.. but when I do... I love to take photos of my friends. I feel like the most interesting and entertaining photos always result. These and other photos seem to have captured my night pretty well. Oh, to be in college. Happy Birthday, Alexis!

love, polly

set free!

2012-02-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

I took these photos last week when playing around with my balloon from this shoot. I love balloons... they instantly make any photo twice as amazing. I also love my ritual of buying bubble tea and then walking to the campus florist on Green Street and buying a helium balloon for $1.50. I LOVE the way it smells in flower shops... the smell is such a happy place for me.. What smells do you love?

love, polly

Outfit: A False Spring..

2012-02-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

All of the flowers are blooming today as if Spring is arriving and the bitter cold frost is beyond us. Little do they know.. we are getting a snow tonight. I can feel Springtime in my veins, almost... gasping for air. I am also gasping for what spring brings to my life.... love, sunshine, and a new found sense of creativity. Please, Spring..... do hurry.

Thank you so much to Karin of Wunderlust for this beautiful pink and green floral crown. Getting it in the mail really made my entire day so much brighter♥.

outfit details: vintage green coat- Salvation Army

vintage 1970's blouse- Salvation Army

Flower crown- c/o Rogue Pony

dusty pink pleated vintage skirt- Goodwill

red granny boots- Grandma Kutch's closet.

love you.

Polly

Polly Picks!

2012-02-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

1. OBSESSED with these made to order peach bridal satin pillows!

2. I'm pretty in love with this amazing fox at dawn print!

3. Let's be honest... I need this.

4. IN LOVE... I need to make one of these myself :)

5. Died and gone to coat heaven!

6. this vintage wood necklace wants me as it's owner...

7. If my life was a little more fantastical than it already is... I'd wear this every day!

8. THE cutest way to use felt..... ever.

9. I can has?

10. This necklace makes me so happy.

have a lovely day!

love, polly

Behind the Scenes: Dried Nature Photo Shoot!

2012-02-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hi, friends! You might remember the photo shoot I styled a couple weeks ago called Dried Nature. Since I love to show behind the scenes peeks so much, here are some shots that I rather like even though they didn't make the final cut. Enjoy!♥.

Thanks for taking a peak! We had so much fun on this shoot!

love, polly

unexpected kitty...!

2012-01-31T15:19:00.000-08:00

This beautiful little cutie came out of his hiding place on a fire escape I was photographing yesterday. I wanted to take him home! Unfortunately, he wouldn't let me get TOO close to him. Isn't he beautiful? I love surprise kitties! Hope your Tuesday has gone swimmingly!♥. P.S. If you're still interested in sponsoring for February, please fill out this form! I'd be glad to have you! My current statistics are listed here.

love, polly

To express oneself completely..

2012-01-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about ways to express myself completely through one medium. I express myself through so many mediums though, that this one task seems difficult. I think taking photos and making up outfits every day is among one of the most important ways I can and will ever express myself. Two people in the costume shop told me today that I basically never wear the same outfit and it really has been dawning on me that it's close to true. But where's the fun in wearing the same outfit even twice unless if it makes you feel like a million bucks? This I ask you.

I found this vintage 1950's dress at a yard sale marked down because it has some pink stains. I am going to try to get them out with Palmolive. My friend who owns Figmint Vintage says she soaks her clothing in a bathtub with Palmolive and it works wonders! I'll let you know how it goes! :D

outfit details: blue wedges- Jeffrey Campbell

suitcase- Salvation Army

vintage 1950's dress- Urbana yard sale

vintage cream blazer- Great Grandma Polly Whitmer

love, polly

rain drops on dried hydrangeas

2012-01-29T10:15:00.000-08:00

Hi, loves! I hope your weekend has been well. Today is the second day for my crew and I shooting Academic Integrity. It's fun and exhausting at the same time... but we are getting great shots. It's all worth it. Here are a few photos I made into a GIF from yesterday when some snow was melting off a roof of a beautiful garage and onto a hydrangea. I am a little obsessed with hydrangeas. Can you tell?

love, polly

100,000 thoughts.

2012-01-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

My crew and I are shooting a short film today and it's absolutely freezing. We shot a scene outside and these earmuffs kept me unbelievably warm. I just got them from ebay and what a smart choice I made ordering them! I am completely and totally in love. The name of the new film is Academic Integrity. We are having fun shooting it so far and I am always loving the job of costume designer although things are incredibly hectic and rushed.

My mother gave me this pin and it makes me laugh so hard. It's very old and I treasure it. Also, she received this vintage Gucci scarf when she lived in Hollywood, CA in the 1980s. She was kind enough to let me borrow it..........

Hopefully I will be back when I'm not so busy. I start assisting an opera this coming week called Barber of Seville. It's an exciting whirlwind! It's good to be back. I hope your weekend is as creatively fulfilling as mine!

love, polly

SHOP UPDATE.

2012-01-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

1. vintage 1950's gold flower brooch

2. 2. vintage flower brooch and earrings

3. vintage coral celluloid floral clip on earrings

4. vintage teal and silver 1950's floral earrings

To view more of the shop update, visit the Paulie Antiques blog or the shop!

love, polly

the lost photos...

2012-01-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

Nathan and I went to the Sculpture Park today to play around with my new camera and it was so much fun. We got back to my house and I started trying to transfer my photos on to my computer and all of the sudden they were lost. I started getting frantic because I knew they were so great. I tried uploading them to a photo recovery software and was able to see small previews of the photos but I couldn't download the actual photo. I took screen shots of each one and collaged them here because they are so small. The program says I need to pay $40 to see the photos in their entirety. This made me sad because I can't afford that. Is anyone out there aware of a photo recovery software completely free of charge? If you are, send me the link.. I'd appreciate it. Although I kind of like the fact that these are the "lost photos" because there is a sense of mystery to them... I'll never know exactly what they look like close up :) These are the exciting things in life, I suppose :)

love, polly

Meet Courtney..

2012-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Hi, there! I want you to meet someone new... someone very special. Her name is Courtney and she has a blog called A Bevy Of. I saw she commented on one of my lookbook photos so I visited her, too, and turns out she is totally and absolutely stunning and inspiring. She deserves her own post on my blog. I asked her a few questions to get to know her a little better.... Enjoy! ♥.

P: Courtney, where do you live? C: I live in Los Angeles, CA, but I'm from Michigan. This might surprise some people but I really don't like it out here and actually plan on moving back to Michigan in the Spring. My boyfriend and I really miss trees, open spaces, nice people, and oddly enough, freezing cold winters. Plus, Detroit is going through this beautiful artistic renaissance right now and my boyfriend and I want to be a part of it.

P: What are your hobbies? C: I love spool knitting and crocheting as well as thrifting/vintage hunting. I have an etsy shop for both of those hobbies! I have been ice skating since I was 3 and did that pretty much non-stop until I graduated from high school. I'm also a Graphic Designer and my friend who started the organization Detroit Lives will ask me once in a while to design a poster or two for him. Designing posters is probably my favorite Graphic Design pastime.

Some other non-fashion things about me: I worked for the co-owner of The Drybar, he was the one who designed everything for them. Under his direction, I designed everything for the makeup and beauty lounge, Blushington. Right now, I am designing similar things for various beauty lounges. I love it!

P: Do you own any pets? C: Prior to transferring to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, I actually went to Michigan State for two years with the intention of becoming a Veterinarian. I have two cats with me here in CA: Ponytail & Mustache. Ponytail is a rescue and Mustache is a beautiful yet goofy Ragdoll. As I'm typing this, Mustache is attempting to knock over my coffee mug. I keep telling him no, but that doesn't mean anything to him.... When we move back to Michigan, my boyfriend and I plan on adopting a Boxer and a Golden Retriever. My parents have two White Golden Retriever puppies named Sadie and Oakley, a Ragdoll named Elvis, and a chubby little tabby named Madison, I consdier all of them my pets.

P: How would you describe your personal style? C: Very eclectic but consistent. I love vintage clothing as well as thrifted clothing, and I think it's obvious from looking at my outfits that I love patterns and prints, and I've been really getting into textures, too, like velvet, suede, and knit. I love creating beautiful and interesting color pallettes of certain hues and tints. I try to mix prints based on the colors within the print. I'm really excited to see how my wardrobe will evolve over the following seasons, and to see how I'm going to deal with less layers when I get back to the humid summers in Michigan.

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with us, Courtney.

love, polly

Fashion your frames DIY

2012-01-22T20:54:00.000-08:00

Hi, loves! I bought these frames at a thrift store in Springfield, MO when Nathan and I went to visit Red Velvet this past summer and I still hadn't done anything with them... so I started getting antsy. Last night I was cooped up in my room so I decided to re- do the frames and feature two of my favorite Marc Jacobs design ads. He is such an inspiring designer and these are so close to my style!

1. Take your frame and take the glass and backing out of it so you can paint it.

2. Gather your paintbrush and your favorite hue of acrylic paint (this will probably take two-three coats) and paint away!

3. Gather your pieces of art and place them on your mat-board or thick paper of your choice. Make sure the material you chose will act as a sufficient mat-board and is large enough to frame the whole photo.

4. Put your photos on the back and in the center of the mat-board/paper and trace around the edges. Depending on how thick you'd like your matted frame, allow 2-4 inches smaller than the actual size of the photo. This will cut off some of your original photo, but it's necessary to frame the photo.

5. Tape your artwork to the cardboard frame provided with the picture frame.

6. Cut on the inside line that you drew for the mat-board with an exact-o knife and a cutting mat. You should be cutting out a box shape in the middle of your paper.. and the frame you end up with should be smaller than the artwork you're framing!

7. Now that you have the middle of your mat-board paper cut out with your exact-o knife, tape your mat-board on your photo and turn it upside down so you can see the excess paper.

8. Cut the excess paper with scissors or an exact-o.

Last but not least.. place your matted photos in your beautiful new frames...

And you're finished and ready to hang your beautiful creation!

love, polly

a winter's day..

2012-01-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

Hello, there! When Caitlin Michelle e-mailed me asking to do a product review for a lovely set of her hand knitted gloves, hat, and cowl I was SO happy because I've never owned a cowl before. I literally wear it day and night and it keeps my neck so warm. I've even warn it to bed a few times! (Nathan made fun of me, of course). The gloves are fingerless and they're great when I am on the go and need to text while walking or when I need to dig change out of my coin purse. I love how warm the hat is and the color is perfect. I love green..

I also love the feeling of the yarn she used. It's very soft and never itchy. I really appreciated that!

outfit details: knitted cowl, fingerless gloves, and hat c/o Caitlin Michelle

vintage dress- Salvation Army

Coat- tag-less vintage, Estate Sale

bow heels- Enzo

lace tights- vintage, my mother's in the 1980s

purse- vintage, Goodwill

pastel teal belt- Salvation Army

love, polly

Raspberry & blackberry fruit smoothie pancakes.

2012-01-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Vegan Recipe: 1/2 cup natural organic applesauce

2 cups of Bisquick pancake mix

1/2 cup organic raspberries

1/2 cup organic blackberries

1/2 cup of organic soy or rice milk

I am really loving this recipe for pancakes. If you add a lot of blackberries to your pancake mix, it will end up turning purple! It's so much fun. Have fun creating your own smoothie pancakes!

P.S. I've been getting a lot of questions about my new camera. It is the Panasonic Lumix GF3 with a 20mm pancake lens. It's amazing and I highly recommend it!

love, polly

NEW CAMERA.

2012-01-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

WOAH. I am over the moon excited about my new camera. Here are some shots I just captured with it about ten minutes ago. It also shoots HD video.... expect some videos from me very soon. I wish I could explain more... but I've got to go stitch in the costume shop for a few hours before I can! I love you all.

love, polly

February Sponsor Call

2012-01-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for advertising options in the month of February? I'd love to have you as a sponsor to promote your creative blog and/or business! My current statistics and press links are located here. A large featured sponsor is available (one per month ONLY) as well as four medium sponsor spots. If you're interested in reserving a spot for February, please fill out my advertisement form. If you're interested in getting your name out there and just want to host a giveaway, fill out my giveaway form. Send an e-mail with any additional questions to: polly AT paulieantiques DOT com ♥. Hope to hear from you!

outfit: life is a cabaret!

2012-01-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

So, I've finally been able to get outside because the snow (it snowed for the past THREE DAYS in central Illinois) is melting! This is great news for me because I hate snow a lot. Haha! What can you expect from someone born in California?

So, last semester the University of Illinois put on their own rendition of Cabaret and it became my favorite play of all time (thus far, of course) and I bought the vinyl soundtrack! It's been picking me up when it's gloomy outside. Hope you like it! Have you seen this play? I highly recommend it! ♥.

I reconstructed this blouse by giving it a Bertha Collar. I cut the yellow flowers off of a table cloth and attached them to the lace collar I pleated with my sewing machine. This was a project last semester in my fabrication class. My goal was to make this 1980's blouse into a 1920's sears catalog blouse I loved! Here is the before photo...

OH, and I forgot... I have to tell you that I bought a blueberry pancakes candle yesterday and it's made my whole room smell like my favorite meal... pancakes! What a pick me up! I really can't stress how much difference a delicious smelling candle makes in your room. You're instantly productive! I am almost completely done decorating my room (sorry for the delay... I have A LOT of decorations! I will share them in a couple days.... promise!)

outfit details: tights- UO

boots- vegan, brand: Soho

coat- vintage, tagless, Salvation Army

blouse- vintage 1980's (I altered it!)

skirt- vintage, goodwill

hat- vintage, no tag, my mother's

gloves & purse- my Great Grandmother Frisina's

love, polly

15 admirable goals for 2012

2012-01-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

1. Treat yourself: Have you accomplished a big goal or had an unusually hard day at work? Feeling kind of down? Buy something that is guaranteed to make you happy. Rewards make all the difference! I am in no way saying this should become a regular habit for no apparent reason. The trick is: it has to be inexpensive. These little rewards are SO helpful and I don't know about you, but I LOVE getting mail/ knowing I have something on the way! Try to keep it under $5. What will relax you that is under $5, you ask? Well, current obsessions of mine are: colorful over the knee socks on ebay and these amazing organic vegan soaps- to name a couple.

2. Start a collection. As you might well know, I am the queen of collections. If you have room or plan on collecting something small (and affordable!) then starting a collection could add a lot of happiness and interest to your life! Keep it to a minimum and choose an item that really interests you. If you love vintage, do some research and visit some local antique malls to choose the perfect quirky collection items for you. (P.S. collections take time.... it isn't fun to buy a whole collection in one day! Don't settle!)

3. Purchase a new fluffy beautiful BIG towel. WOW. I did this about a month ago and I can't be happier about the decision (especially since I am in college). How many times has your current towel pooped out on you because your hair was too wet? I love lounging around in my new fluffy (pastel pink!) towel. Make sure you choose the right color for yourself- it needs to make YOU happy! This probably won't be hard considering the fact that Bed, Bath, and Beyond has a HUGE wall full of beautiful towels in a wide range of colors (that's where I bought mine). The brand I chose is Royal Velvet... you won't be disappointed!♥.

4. Give small gifts for no reason. This is something I don't do a lot. I am really trying to change that! They don't have to cost a lot... they just have to tell the person who you're giving it to that you've been paying attention to their interests. Have they been eyeing that organic mango juice every time you go to the store with them? SECRETLY BUY IT and wrap it in a bow for them. They won't be suspecting a thing and it will make their day ten times brighter... I promise! Everyone loves gifts/surprises!

5. Send your mom and dad a letter/postcard. This isn't something I'm very good at, either, but it's going to change. I am going to make sure they know I appreciate them. It is sure to make them smile and feel like they did something right in raising you!

6. Go organic. Okay.. many people don't like the word 'organic,' but I do. Don't down it 'til you try it, folks! Eating organic provides huge heath benefits (organic foods are 30% (and higher) more nutritious for you). I also love to buy organic soaps, shampoos & cotton t-shirts. Pesticides are nasty and damage the earth and everyone's health. Try buying ONE THING that is organic each week and see how it makes you feel. Every time I use my organic hair conditioner it makes me feel so great that Im supporting the right people while being nice to my body! Pesticides cause cancer!

7. Find that discount record store. When I first inherited my record player, I had no records. I instantly had an addiction that could have turned very expensive.. I wanted so many records! Ebay or Amazon is a great place to find the perfect cheap record you desire. If you like thumbing through countless records to find a gem like I do, then make sure you scout out your local vintage book stores because many of them also have great, cheap records! (you have to like some oldies, though).

8. Buy a water bottle. I finally gave into buying my very own beautiful water bottle this year. It's BPA free and it's also insulated so I can put hot tea in it! It's really a dream and I believe it was under $10 at Wal-mart. It helps me to stay hydrated at all times and it makes my day a little better!

9. Find a vitamin you love taking. This wasn't easy for me... I used to take 10 different vitamins (ridiculous) a few years ago but quickly tired of the tedious task. I found a vegan vitamin that was perfect for me via Vitacost.

10. Get a big beautiful mirror in your room. Again- keep it affordable! I found a great vintage circular BIG mirror at a local thrift store for only $2 and I couldn't be happier. If you don't like having mirrors around... consider this fact and what it means. Do you hate looking at yourself? Why? Start loving yourself.... force yourself to! Buy a big mirror! Decorate it, too! (My mother loves to decorate mirrors with pretty buttons and seashells).

11. Only pick the very most special things at the thrift store. Woah. Okay. I am so guilty of going to the thrift store and buying things that really aren't so great. I get home and take a look at them after a couple of weeks and think....... "WHY?" I wasted money and time. Only pick the most special of special items at the thrift store that will really add to the ascetic value of your house. Recently I've been walking out completely empty-handed after thrifting and it feels so good! Don't settle just because you wanted to walk away with SOMETHING! You don't need it!

12. Stop one nervous habit. Okay, let's be honest... this goal should have (at least for a while) behind it. ONE of my very nervous habits is biting my nails AND cuticles. What is wrong with me!? Anyway... Stop that one nervous ugly habit of yours for a month. See how you feel!!

13. Notice something you've never noticed before. For the longest time, I didn't have much of a personality. I was boring. I didn't have collections or care about being vegan or going organic. I didn't collect dried flowers, I didn't like going to antique stores. This is a long story but the moral of it IS that you need to know yourself. Spend time alone and start journaling about what you see. Do you love a specific flower? Can you dry it? Do you like pastels? Go to Lowe's and collect some pastel paint chips and make something with it. Notice beautiful things in your life and take advantage of their presence!

14. Watch more films. I'll be the first one to admit that I am a nerd for great films. I LOVE going to our local art theatre and seeing a beautiful film. I love buying films and renting them at 'That's Rentertainment.' I love snuggling with my boyfriend and watching them while he always falls asleep on my shoulder (it never fails!). One big goal of mine is to start watching one vintage movie every week. It enhances your life, your vocabulary (often times), and your personal style! How inspirational!

15. Childhood photos. It's time to steal some childhood photos back from your parents. I do this all of the time. I am very nostalgic towards my childhood because of various reasons. Choose a few really happy childhood family photos and make copies of them. Hang the photos around your room/ home. I always enjoy seeing childhood photos of my mother, father and I. It's my happy place. It might end up being yours, too!

love, polly

I got a new Polaroid + Wunderlust!

2012-01-14T10:55:00.000-08:00

I finally tried out my new Polaroid instant camera today! I am in lust with it. Here are some shots I snapped with it today. I am so happy my mom and dad bought this for me for x-mas... how did they know exactly what I wanted? They are so thoughtful. Thank you, mom and dad!♥.

Also, how cute is Karin from Wunderlust's dog Lilly wearing a bow tie from my store, Paulie Antiques? I love it! Thanks for the photo, Karin!

Happy Weekend!

love, polly :)

Vintage DIY: decorate your speakers

2012-01-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

When I inherited this vintage 1970's Juliet record player + speaker system from my father, I was absolutely antsy to buy a TON of records. I was so happy to have something vintage that used to belong to my father because most of the neat vintage I had was from my mother. However, the wood used when making the speakers was very sticky and hard to pick up for that reason. It was unappealing altogether. The color of the wood also left something to be desired, so I decided to give them a little make-over.

Supplies Needed: your speakers, paint of your choice to coat the speakers with, paint for your details on the speakers, a large paint or foam brush, smaller brushes, a cup of water, a paint palette, and newspaper to avoid making a mess.

1. Place your speakers under the newspaper and coat them with your base layer of paint (you may also need a second coat!)

2. Draw on your designs lightly with a pencil

3. paint your designs on your speakers and let it dry!

I hope you enjoyed this DIY and please send any photos of your decorated speakers to me via polly AT paulieantiques DOT com♥. I'd love to feature them!

love, polly

Movie of the week: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2012-01-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

So, one of my big goals for the new year is to start watching more movies. Another is to bring back Movie of the Week on my blog. In doing this, I realized that I had never posted ESOTSM as the Movie of the Week because it was always kind of... "implied" that it is always the movie of the week. Let me explain myself...................

Over the years, this film has inspired me in ways I never knew possible. People told me that I looked like Clementine, that I acted like her, that I was sparatic like her, the whole bit. I loved her character desperately and still think she is the most beautiful character ever portrayed. I became her in a sense. I dyed my hair like her, I learned how to play all the theme songs on piano, I dyed a sweatshirt orange, got a tattoo for the film, and here comes the best part: I found a boy like Joel. It was all seeming to fall into place. I would watch Eternal Sunshine almost every day for a month. Then every week at least. I got to know each and every little detail about the film, and I lived inside their world.

This wasn't a real world, though. It was a lingering response to something unreal; something that never could have been... something I wanted desperately. I found myself relating back to my childhood and remembering how simple it was. I wanted it back and I felt betrayed by my adult life at the time. I also wanted to erase other painful relationships of the past much like this film. I thought- how happy would I be without the blemishes of the past? To have a spotless mind is eternal sunshine.... truly.

Do I want to run away from reality? Sure, I do. It seems as if I always have. This is another huge reason why blogging is so appealing to me: it's like creating your own world. Living inside of a dream that was Eternal Sunshine is what I became known for... I became Clementine for a short while.

I must confess to you that I got my Eternal Sunshine tattoo before I met my ex-boyfriend. I was single when I got it and I wouldn't have it any other way. The poem is written by Alexander Pope in 1717 and it's titled, "Eloisa to Abelard." It inspired the film and is recited during the Elephant Parade Scene.

I hope I've finally explained my obsession with this film in it's entirety and no questions remain... but if you are still wondering something, please leave a comment and I will answer it.

love, polly

Winter Playlist

2012-01-11T18:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a winter playlist of a few of my favorite songs. Let me know what you think! Enjoy♥. Thank you all so much for the encouraging comments on the photo-shoot I styled... it means so much!
love, polly

Dried Nature.

2012-01-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

When I invited these two sisters over to my house to dress & style them, I knew exactly where I was heading... but their faces changed my view many times; I needed something drastically different than I'd ever done before. Here are some photos we shot in the bittersweet cold last Sunday evening. We laughed and drank champagne before the shoot as I picked out the girls' outfits before we got to location. I had it all planned out for Allegra and then I took a look at this black dress hanging lonely in my closet and changed her look completely last minute. We really had the best time. Here is the result of our labors.

Concept and Styling by me

Photography by Nathan Adhikari (facebook page)

Models are Allegra && Elena Wentworth.

(behind the scenes photos in the next upcoming post)

also... thank you so much to Maria Elyse for mentioning this photo-shoot on her Three Things Monday post!

love, polly

An interview with Lou of Foxy Whiskers

2012-01-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Hi, there! It's time for my featured sponsor interview for January. This lovely lady named Lou is also in theatre and she is an adorable crafy Australian artist. Enjoy the interview♥.

Hi There! My name is Lou and I run a little blog called Foxy Whiskers. I blog about daily life and the little things that bring me joy. I love Polly's sense of individual style and love of vintage goods, a passion that I also share.

Q&&A:

Polly: You love vintage... what has been your favorite vintage find recently? Lou: I recently thrifted this gorgeous mother of pearl ring in Paris, and lace handkerchief in Belgium.

Polly: What are your other hobbies besides theatre?: Lou: I also enjoy traveling and seeing the world. I have travelled to the US, Canada and Europe. My favourite thing to do on my adventures is to walk the streets and really feel the city beneath my toes.

Polly: What is your craft? How do you make your living?: Lou: Like Polly, I also work in the Arts. I am a freelance Stage Manager and I love the diversity of my profession. I am very fortunate to work alongside young creatives within the Industry, which is so inspiring.

Polly: Where are you from and what is your favorite part about your hometown?: Lou: I live in Perth, Western Australia. Perth may be the most isolated city in the world, but it has the best beaches, amazing summers and bustling Arts scene. I wouldn't change it for anything!

Amongst other things, I love baking Lemon Meringue cupcakes and crafting in my spare time. I blog to meet wonderful new people, so step on over to Foxy Whiskers and introduce yourself! I would love to get to know you!
blog/twitter/bloglovin/pinterest

Lou x

outfit: used to believe in a lot more.

2012-01-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

Classic Rilo Kiley.......... I love her music. Jenny Lewis isn't bad, either ;D

So the other night I saw My Week with Marilyn and now I am obsessed with beauty marks :) To make a beauty mark: Pick any place to accentuate (usually by your lips) and take liquid eyeliner to make a dot big enough where it looks intentional. If you don't like your first try, then remove it with make-up remover and try again! :D I think it just adds a little something special.

I styled a photo-shoot yesterday with two beautiful sisters who have the most amazing eyes. I really branched out and did something different with this shoot... and I am so happy about it. I can't wait to share the photos with you. P.S. I am all moved into my new place and I'll be sharing photos of my room within the week!

love, polly

outfit: hydrangeas & pink

2012-01-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

LISTEN WHILE YOU LOOK!

A note on this shirt: I made it and I don't think I ever officially took photos in it. Shame on me! If you'd like to see more of what I went through making this shirt, this post and this one helps take you through the process.♥.

The beautiful purse is a gift courtesy of Cloth Magpie. This is the second outfit I've paired with it. I love vegan purses..

It's particularly mild weather outside and I was so enthralled to be prancing around outside with out gloves. I am loving this winter so far. I am a California girl at heart.. I hate snow most of the time :)

love, polly

Skyping with Maria Elyse..

2012-01-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Last night I skyped with Maria Elyse from First Impressions for the first time. We had such a good time and it was so nice to hear a voice behind the comments! She is such a sweetheart and we've sent each other cards and gifts through the mail without ever having a face to face conversation. We giggled so much and eventually we noticed that we had been talking for over an hour and a half! I am so glad I found this beautiful friend though blogging. It's nice to know that a 22 year old and a 15 year old can be such good friends. So much excitement in the new year. Have you skyped or met up with a blogger you met completely through blogging? Tell me your story... I'd love to know.

love, polly :)

Hand made sleeping masks....

2012-01-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hi, loves! I finished making this eye mask from scratch this morning and it's now for sale at my store, Paulie Antiques. I plan on making more if they do well. I really enjoy making them.. What do you think? P.S.... I am now in a winter wonderland! We just received SO much snow!

love, polly

We Live Young.

2012-01-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

It's snowing and absolutely beautiful outside. For the first time this winter the flakes are starting to accumulate... and I'm strangely okay with that..

I have very quickly fallen in love the a blog named We Live Young that is inspiring beyond all others in such a mysteriously beautiful way I can't describe. The story of Nirrimi and M's unborn child is truly touching and their photographs are magnificent. Her view of teen pregnancy is so inspiring. When I first started reading her blog I thought she looked awfully young... then I saw that she turned 19 in the middle of her first pregnancy. After, I found her post on why she wants to have children young. So entrancing. I fully agree with her. What a talented, young soul..

Enjoy her beautiful poetry...

love, polly :)

outfit favorites 2011: year in review

2012-01-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

The inevitable year-in-review post only happens once a year.. So, of course, I shall take this opportunity to take advantage of this fact and highlight one favorite outfit each month in 2011. Happy 2012! ♥.

January

February

March

April (best of April)

May (best of May)

June

July (best of July)

August (best of August)

September (best of September)

October (best of October)

November

December

Here is my year in review post for 2010, if you fancy!

love, polly

Happy New Year from Nathan and Polly!

2011-12-31T16:27:00.000-08:00

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..

2011-12-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

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...

My boyfriend, 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..

2011-12-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

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 Bland's...

2011-12-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

Our centerpiece is... SPOOK!

This is the front of our house. My parents 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

2011-12-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T13:31:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

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..

2011-12-22T10:33:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-19T10:51:00.000-08:00

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....

2011-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

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 :)

Miranda July on how to be productive...

2011-12-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

Hehe... I am pretty much obsessed with Miranda July. She is so intriguing! Did you see her new movie, "The Future"? I went to the art theatre in town to see it a month or so ago with a group of friends. It was very good! Hope your Wednesday is full of hot tea and love♥. Finals have just about killed me but I am over the hump now! Maybe this trick will work for me....?

love, polly :)

One day I know...

2011-12-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

We once were strangers on the phone.We knew it was going to happen. She moved a vintage piano into our new house and we had a moody cat. We occupied the same space despite not knowing each other well or really at all. We shared our fears, our hopes, our dreams; and most of all... we laughed. We inspired each other to work harder, to push farther than ever before. I can't say that we ever knew where our lives were going or what we were doing... but something about being around each other seemed to be enough. We started to pick up on each other's little habits and I don't recall one bicker. This woman became my best friend. She is one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. Such a creative soul should not go unnoticed. She is a beautiful and talented artist whom I admire and look up to. She is amazing and I know one day we will be together again. We were separated when we went our ways to different cities. She moved to Chicago and I moved to Urbana. Our eyes met each other's as we looked around our bare house. It was over. Our time together had expired.. after all we had been through. We only lived together for one semester. I hope to one day live with her again. I want our house back. I miss our piano lessons and hearing her sing at night while I drew. I miss the breeze coming into our house and hula hooping together in our front yard. I miss our pale blue wooden porch with the paint chipping and you cooking eggs. I miss our themed parties. I miss our deep conversations. I miss it all. I love you, Emily. See you soon...

love, polly

my re-creation of a 1920's cloche hat..

2011-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hi, There! I finished my cloche hat for my final last night and presented it to my class today. I am creating a DIY to share with you soon! Stay tuned :)

love, polly

look what came in the mail!

2011-12-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

YAY! My Eternal Sunshine print came! Nan Lawson is an amazing artist and I also WANT her Harold and Maude print. SO BAD.

Sigh. Good thing Christmas is soon! I already want too many things this year! Usually I don't have ANYTHING in mind! Weird, eh?

love, polly :)

the battle of angels

2011-12-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

This semester I assisted a costume designer named Julie McGill on a play by Tennessee Williams called Battle of Angels. It was the best play I've ever been involved with and I am truly proud to say that I was at every fitting and pulled almost every single piece of clothing and accessory for the show. My favorite part was finding the gloves, hats, and jewelry. That was a blast. The little details are what I live for. Here are some photos of the production, although they don't show every costume.

We had this blue green dress, the "ecstasy dress," made especially for our leading lady. She twirled and flounced around in it perfectly.. we were silently tearing up in the audience. (At least I was..) It's a wonderful experience to see a dress made from scratch!

Battle of Angels is based in the 1930's. The set is a mercantile store that sells shoes. Have you read the play? Tennessee Williams is one of my absolute favorite playwrights! I've actually designed a scene from The Glass Menagerie in the past, too! Hope you are enjoying your weekend...

Oh! And.... I'm moving again!

love, polly

clock purse remix

2011-12-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

Over time, I've come to really love and appreciate my vintage 1950's working clock purse more than any other purse in my collection HANDS DOWN. It always gets a remark from everyone it seems. No one has seen anything quite like it! My Grandmother Kutch (the one who used to own an antique store called, 'Plain Jane's Antiques' in Taylorville, IL) is the one who bought it for me for my 20th birthday. I didn't really know what to think or how to act the first time I saw it's majesty. I stared at it for a long time trying to figure out if I liked it and still wasn't sure. I started to wear it around and started getting a mass of comments and compliments on it. Most people just say, "WOAH! It's a CLOCK! NEAT!" And they're on their way. Others just freak out about it. It's very entertaining. I want someone else to also experience the magic of this purse! It's such a statement. Anyway, having used it for a while, I started to understand what I could and couldn't wear with it and what looked the best. Here are my outfits with the purse.......... which is your favorite?♥.

1. this outfit proved to be one of my favorites over the summer.. and adding the purse just topped it off perfectly! I love the long handle to swing it around and drape it over the shoulder.

2. Adding it to this outfit was an unexpected touch because it doesn't match anything I have on (besides the white face on the clock and the white of my shoes). It still managed to work...........

3. The purse looked so good next to the dried hydrangeas in this photo that I almost considered it as part of the landscape rather than part of my outfit..... I snapped some of my favorite photos ever with these beautiful flowers and this purse that day. Have a quick look!

4. This photo is only the second time I ever photographed myself with this purse, so I was still getting used to it. It seems to be the outfit most closely matched to the purse. The shiny t-straps with the purse and the coal-hue feathers really made me start understanding how to pair the purse with an outfit.

5. And, bada boom bada bing- the first outfit I ever worse the purse with! I love these photos because this is only the 3rd time I ever used a tripod and I don't get to shoot locations like this often. I love fashion wilderness adventures...! Don't you?

love, polly

collecting the past: a video interview with me about my collections....

2011-12-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

Collecting the Past from Alexis Kikoen on Vimeo.

You might have known that I have collections. I have a lot, actually. Way more than this video would care to look at. Is it a problem? Watch and answer this for yourself. My amazing friend, Alexis, was kind enough to be interested in me for her subject. Haha, there's definitely an approachable humor to this video that I love. Enjoy!

love, polly

top hat before and after photos!

2011-12-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I finally finished making my mini top hat which is about half as large as a normal top hat. It was definitely a challenge to finish and pay attention to minute detail. I really wanted quality and quantity in this hat...... and I feel very proud! On another note, I made my first oil painting in a very long time tonight. I am so excited about this idea that I am starting a new series based on it. I can't wait to show you in the future...

love, polly

I.LOVE. Amy.Sedaris.

2011-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

When I saw this portrait of Amy Sedaris over at 365 Lucky Days blog... I squealed a little. I absolutely love Amy Sedaris and think she is HILARIOUS. Ever seen Romance and Cigarettes or Wondershowzen? She has some of the funniest parts! She also came out with a book called, "Crafts for Poor People," which cracked me up when she made a snake out of an old sock and dryer lint. Anyway, this blog is amazing and I am really glad I stumbled upon it today via my friend, Elsie's blog. It made my day a little brighter!

loves! polly

my mini top hat is finally done!

2011-11-30T10:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a little sneak peek at a mini top hat I finished this morning! There are actually quite a few more details that I'll have to photograph and show you tomorrow! I love the result, though. Just my style. Don't you love it when you're completely happy with a piece of art? It doesn't happen often for me.

love, polly :)

obsessed with: Pschh, I Can Make That!

2011-11-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

WOW. Lately, I've been watching all of Abby Elania's videos from her blog, "Pschh, I Can Make That" where she takes designer items that are quite expensive and makes them herself! I love all of these tutorials, but here is my favorite of all! So inspiring.. Enjoy!

love, polly

Tomatoes watercolor print now for sale!

2011-11-29T08:50:00.000-08:00

ZOMG. SO. I've had some requests for a print of my new-ish watercolor tomato painting. It's now available in my shop in a 10x15 print! If you'd like a different size.. feel free to contact me about it and we will work it out (smaller sizes are ok, too!) And, of course, the watermark WILL be removed and it will be signed personally by me♥.

p.s. I know the first photo is silly. But I love it. I'm pretty silly sometimes.

love, polly

Guess what I just bought..

2011-11-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

Hi! I am so very happy that I just checked one of my daily reads, The Clothes Horse, because she posted an etsy print for sale here that I just had to scoop up! If you don't know already: I have quite a large tattoo on my left arm from the Elephant Parade scene quote by Alexander Pope featured in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It's my only tattoo and it has quite a significant meaning in my life. I was actually Clementine for Halloween a couple of years ago, too!♥.

love, polly

vintage find: strawberry tin trays!

2011-11-27T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hi, there. I've been zonked out of my mind writing a theatre paper on the ancient Greek masks of comedy. BUT I wanted to show you a very special (and cheap!) vintage find I bought at an estate sale last week. Aren't they cute? I just had to have them upon laying my eyes on their beautiful bodies... haha! I have very special plans for them already, actually. What would you use them for?

love, polly :)

nothing says, "Happy Thanksgiving!" like a Tofurky..

2011-11-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

So, this was my first year ever eating a Tofurky. It went quite well and despite the fact that I've had food poisoning for going on four days now, I was able to eat half a slice before getting sick! I only ate about half a plate of food on Thanksgiving. I'm still not feeling too amazing, either. I DO have a suspect in mind, however... and I believe it to be a Roma tomato. It's quite a long story. ANYWAY...

Here Nathan is preparing the little Tofurky... cute..

Before and after cooking..

We caught my mom's cat, Sweet Pea, in the act of eating a green onion. She looks terrified. She is usually that terrified in general so we weren't worried.

Here's my mom's other cat, Spook.

And, of course, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a straight-from-the-can cranberry sauce filled with high fructose corn syrup. I even made a fresh cranberry sauce but no one ate it except for Nathan and I. I don't get it... I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

And I got to see my best friends :)

love, polly

instagram photos!

2011-11-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

Hi, lovelies! Yes.... I got the app, "instagram." I must say that I love it. If you have instagram, too, follow me and I'll be happy to follow you back! Let's play! Also, here is my twitter address if you'd like to follow along on there, too♥. See you soon!

love, polly

Seeing Double.

2011-11-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple years I've come to take some photographs I am really proud of. They're not just some photos to document an outfit or an accessary.. they are a piece of my artwork that I'll have for the rest of my life. It will be something my children and grand children and hopefully great great grandchildren look at. Thinking of them keeps me strong. With that being said, here are some photos "double exposed" together. Enjoy.. and Happy Friday!

love, polly

Janice Jakielski//inspiration

2011-11-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have to admit.. I love what I've seen of Janice Jackielski's art work so far. The complex details alongside the pastel color blocking is so totally my style! It's so interesting and beautiful to me. If you'd like to see more, you can visit her website. What do you think? I want your opinion! :)

love, polly

breaking it up

2011-11-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, hi! It's been a while. I've been running around like mad trying to get each and every single assignment done for weeks and weeks. I am ready to relax (although I love being busy). But being creative on my own time is something I desperately miss! Do you like the nautical sweater? I'm thinking of selling it ;D

love, polly

beading project + my room

2011-11-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello! This is my beading project as of right now. I am making a bracelet for one of my classes. It's taking FOREVER. Once you get into it... it's not so bad :) Do you like to do any beading? I'd really like to try some beaded wire flowers after this. This is the Peyote stitch, by the way.

OH.. and here is my messy room! I probably won't have time to clean it this weekend, either! I am so messy when I create... it always happens that way! I'll be back soon to show you more progress on the bracelet!

love, polly :)

half man half woman makeup design by me :)

2011-11-11T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hello :) Boy oh boy.. this week has been busy! I am exhausted and counting down the days until Thanksgiving Break. Here is a makeup design inspired by half of a man and half of a woman that I did last weekend on my room mate, Sarah. In a nutshell: my concept was to create a man and a woman COUPLE who were going out on a date for the night. I wanted to show their similarities to each other by using similar hues of orange and yellow. However, men and women are quite different, so I thought the stark dark green plaid blazer helped make that separation apparent!

Hope you like it:) Be back tonight with a surprise for you.. I've missed you!

p.s. Congrats to my boyfriend, Nathan, for making a Wordpress for his record label, Error Records! You can view his new blog here.

love, polly

Today... I met a pig named Gus!

2011-11-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

Hi! Today is a rainy and dreary day in northern Illinois. After my theatre history class, my friend Tricia informed me that she now has a pig named Gus as a pet and of course I came over to meet him! He was so sweet and LOVED RAISINS and wagged his tail the whole time. So cute. :)

love, polly

Suitcase Sunday!

2011-11-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

For this Sunday, I thought I'd be fun to show you some DIY projects I've stumbled upon where people are making use out of suitcases and not just using them for travel anymore! I love these ideas so much! Enjoy....♥.

1. Armoire made of suitcases!

2. DIY Mod Podge Suitcase Project TUTORIAL

3. Portable kitty and puppy food bowls!

4. Crafting kit! (I really need to do this)

5. A traveling doll house! (HOW CUTE!)

6. Turn your suitcase into a picnic basket!

7. This photo is so chic, no? :)

Have a lovely Sunday, all!

love, polly

Polly's Wardrobe Archive

2011-11-05T00:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Wardrobe Archive! Simply click on the photo to see the post it comes from along with other photos of the outfit!

love, polly

never before seen out-takes: round two!

2011-11-04T22:09:00.000-07:00

Hello! Some of these shots are edited, and others are not. This is the beauty of out takes, no? I thought I'd share another round of outfit photos that weren't quite good enough before to make it onto my blog. Imperfection is the beauty of life, though.. so I've collected a handful for you to see that no one takes perfect photos 100% of the time. Enjoy!

have a loverly Friday!

love, polly

best of the littlest polly: October 2011

2011-11-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

1. The start of a new collection..

2. To a very classy lady.

3. Every planet we reach is dead.

4. Going vegan!

5. My magical creature costume designs

6. A peek at my new room!

7. The difference between vintage, retro, and antique.

8. A real human being.

Here are a handful of my favorite posts from October! Hope you enjoyed it. It only comes once a year :)

love, polly :)

my magical creature costume designs

2011-10-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hi! I finished these costume design drawings last night at about 1 AM. I love them so much and my critique went very well today! They are birds who evolved from the water three thousand years ago- just to give a short synopsis. Tonight I am working on turning a blouse from the late 1980's into the 1920's. Should be fun.. but a lot of work. Update you soon! :)

love, polly

a celebration: 3 weeks vegan

2011-10-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hi! Happy Halloween Weekend, darlings! I celebrated 3 weeks vegan this Saturday and I've never felt so proud and so healthy! Nathan and I have been making tofu scramble even when I was just vegetarian but we made it this morning and it was particularly good with vegan sun dried tomato sausage, red peppers, portobello mushrooms and avocados to top it off! It was yummy as always!

I am currently drawing two magical creatures as a design for my costume design II class today. I am picking out fabric now and painting the colors on the costumes! I'll show you the result tomorrow!

love, polly :)

the end of an era!

2011-10-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of my Great Grandmother Frisina. She passed away this past week. Here are some photos I took on the day of her funeral.

I wore a dress that used to belong to her. I wish I had a photo of her in this dress, but I sadly do not!

The necklace is my mother's.. she let me borrow it :) It belonged to my Great Great Grandmother Marie Frisina. I love it very much.

Here are some family photos of my cousins and my mother and our dog, Bridgitte.

It was a sad weekend but that seemed to be masked with my cousin Catherine and Luke's birthdays. I was so happy to be a part of their birthday celebrations. It was even more proof to me that life can and must go on. I hope you're having a lovely week.

love, polly

every planet we reach is dead.

2011-10-24T23:40:00.000-07:00

I've been obsessed with the Demon Days album by the Gorillaz for the past few weeks. I listen to it in the costume shop every time I get the chance. How did I not listen to this album in its entirety before now? Baffling.

Today was my Great Grandmother Lucille Frisina's funeral service. It went well and it was so nice to see my family again. It was a much needed break. I also managed to acquire quite a bit of vintage beauties which I'll have to fully elaborate on in my next post :)

i love you!

polly

the start of a new collection..

2011-10-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi, there! I've mentioned a few times that I have started to collect vintage compacts, but it's a very small collection which I hope to expand upon throughout my lifetime. I thought I'd show you a peek at my new collection and tell a story of each one. I believe that a collection starts with three items.. but in this case, I know I'll collect more so it's the beginning of my collection...

The big silver one belonged to my mother (I need to ask her where she got it!) and I found the black and gold mesh one while antiquing for my 21st birthday last year at Lisa's Antique Mall in Illinois. It has a mesh bag that holds the powder. It was only about 5-10 dollars if I remember right. A very swell deal!

UPDATE: Also, I wanted to update you on how my diet has been! I've been vegan for two weeks yesterday! Every Saturday I celebrate another week and treat myself to vegan ice cream or vegan cupcakes. It's a great reward system which works wonders for me!

In other news, I am off to Taylorville, IL (my home town) today to attend my Great Grandmother Frisina's funeral and see my family which has driven in from St. Louis, Maryland, Mississippi, and many other states to share memories of her life. Hopefully I can get around to posting some outfits in beautiful places (because in Taylorville... there are so many beautiful locations!!). I am wearing a black dress that used to belong to my Great Grandmother to her funeral. I thought it was a perfect way to honor her memory living on through her grandchildren :)

I'm off to pack! Which color of suitcase shall I use?

love, polly

giveaway aftermath: Maria Elyse and My Best Friend Jules!

2011-10-18T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hi, there! I am so happy to be posting yet another giveaway aftermath post thanks to Mervi from My Best Friend Jules. She designed a blog make over for Maria Elyse from First Impressions and it couldn't look better! I am so happy that Maria is happy with the result. Thank you so much to My Best Friend Jules for being kind enough to host this giveaway through my little blog :)

Did you win a giveaway of mine, too? Be sure to send me photos at mylittlepollay AT aim DOT com and I'll feature them and tell your story, too!

love, polly

battle of angels craft work + pumpkin spice cupcakes!

2011-10-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, there! Here is a hat that I just so happened to snap a before and after photo of the other day. I added feathers and trim to this hat for the show I am assistant costume designer for called, "Battle of Angels." Have you read it?

I've been doing better since the death of my Great Grandma, but her funeral is one week from today and I know it will start getting bad for my family and I as the time comes near. I look forward to seeing my family again soon and hopefully it's pleasant. After class today, Nathan and I went to Strawberry Fields to get vegan cupcakes that were so yummy. Mine was pumpkin spice and his was peanut butter :)

Happy Monday, lovelies!!

love, polly

to a very classy lady..

2011-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at 2:30 PM, my Great Grandmother Lucille Frisina passed away at 99 years young. I've shared numerous stories about her and how her spirit has lived on though passing her clothing throughout my family. I am fortunate enough to now own three nightgowns, two amazing lace slips, and two elegant black dresses from her. She was one of the most generous people I've ever known with such a strong spirit. I'll never forget her laugh. The last time I saw her was this past summer. I wore one of her black dresses which my Aunt Kate gifted to me after she had owned it for a number of years. I feel so fortunate to have had someone so classy and generous in my family... I will always remember you, Grandma Nini.

If you'd like to see the dresses she passed on to my mother and my Aunt Kate and then to me, here's the first post, and the second.

Here I am wearing my Great Grandmother Frisina's black velvet dress from the 1930's/1940's..

And here is a photo taken by Nathan Adhikari of me in my Great Grandmother's dress from the 1950's.

Here's a photo where we look especially alike :)

love, polly

inspiration//Kelsey Genna

2011-10-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hi, there! I've recently (within the past few weeks) become absolutely OBSESSED with the work of Kelsey Genna. I can't get enough and I want to make garments like hers in a way. They are so soft and light and exactly hit the nail on the head of my style.

hope your Friday is lovely! I'll be back tonight with a special treat for you!

love, polly :)

video of the week!

2011-10-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

This is a ridiculous video my room mate, Emily and I recorded when we lived together two years ago in Edwardsville. I miss her so much. Oh, and this is my cat, Joao!:) Enjoy your week! It's almost over. I've been incredibly BUSY. Can't wait to show you my progress, though!

love, polly :)

new in my shop!

2011-10-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

here are some new items in my shop as of late!

1. vintage pleated red diamond print skirt (sold)

2. vintage navy and polka dot button up bow blouse

3. Vintage small/medium coral long sleeve scalloped blouse

Also, just a reminder that my bow ties are only $20 right now as a seasonal fall sale only :) If you'd like to see them, visit my shop!

love, polly

going vegan!

2011-10-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Having read multiple books and seen many documentaries on the consumption of animal products.. I have decided to change my life for the better. This is a choice that someone has to make totally on their own and it can be detrimental if one doesn't know the proper ways to eat healthy (just because you're vegan doesn't mean you can sit around and eat Oreos all day!!). Last night, Nathan and I saw the film, "Forks over Knives" and it proved to be one of the most influential diet documentaries I've ever viewed. It shows the amazing correlation between animal products and disease. In this light, I've decided to change my life drastically for the better. This is a form of protest against disease, factory farms, huge fast food businesses that trick you into buying their products, people who eat whatever they're told without looking at the labels, the fact that cow's milk doesn't make any sense when people drink it, and most of all...... cruelty to animals who are used for meat, milk, and leather/fur and other products.

If you have any questions for me, I'd be more than glad to answer them! Just comment below, and I'll feature your question in another post!

love, polly :)