Outfit: Dream State

My schedule has been so strange since begging working at Pump Room... I work mostly weekends and sometimes I am expected to start shifts at 6 AM which requires me to wake up at 4 AM. It feels like a dream almost- I have very weird sleeping hours now. I am so happy to have a steady job, though- I need something to rely on if I am going to stay in Chicago. I made this flower crown last month while visiting my home in Taylorville. It's definitely for sale in the Paulie Antiques shop. I also love this pleated mint skirt c/o Chicwish.. It has a matching fabric belt which I love! 

I found this vintage purse while at Goodwill in St. Louis a few years ago and it's been one of my favorite purses ever since... I get so many compliments about it! 

I hope you're having a happy week! Stay inspired and work hard!

Outfit Details: Hydrangea Crown: Made by me, Paulie Antiques

purse & blouse: vintage, Goodwill

Skirt: c/o Chicwish

Shoes: Vintage

Knee Socks: UO

love, polly

Best Friends Photo Shoot

It's crazy to think that Lauren and I have been friends for 20 years now! We met in Little Miss Christian County 1995 (a beauty pageant) when I was 5 and she was 4. Her face might seem familiar to you because we filmed The Best Friend Tag on my Youtube channel. If you haven't seen it, check it out! Thank you to Nathan Adhikari and Sarah Kim for making these photos possible. I love you two! I can't wait to be a bridesmaid in your wedding.

love, polly

Visiting Woolly Mammoth in Andersonville, Chicago

 My friend Elliott and I visited Andersonville a month ago (or so) and I had been hearing about this antique shop called Woolly Mammoth. It's not very big, but it's definitely worth a visit! It cracked me up that they had plastic baby arms in the mouths of taxidermied fish. They really do have some very interesting things. I was particularly interested in this huge book of records from the Milwaukee Hospital for the Insane and the huge giraffe! 

Definitely go check out the Woolly Mammoth in Chicago's Andersonville if you get a chance. There's also an adorable ice cream shop around the corner called George's Ice Cream which I loved!

love, polly

My 25th Birthday in Chicago

 Last year I spent my birthday searching for an apartment in NYC- crying, sweating, swearing & stressed. This year I am still searching for an apartment but I'm in Chicago. Another year, another number. What is age anyway? Are we a product of our our age or our experiences? Today is very low key for me- I'm spending it at one of my favorite coffee shops in the morning and then working at Pump Room tonight. I'm happy, though... I've learned not to expect anything on my birthday and letting go of those expectations has really set me free. Every day I'm growing, learning, exploring and working harder and smarter than I ever have to make my dreams come true. Thank you for being here. I love you guys.

Here's to 25. XO

love, polly

Outfit: BABEWATCH

Yesterday was a really beautiful day in Chicago. I came home to Lakeview after spending a week at my friend Abby's apartment in Humbolt Park where I was watching her cat, Norman. I checked the mail and this fabulous top came from my amazing friend Miss Grace Eddy. She recently created Babewatch Clothing and already has her designs for sale in the Nylon Magazine Shop! Thank you for the top, Grace... I love it and I love you so much. Meeting Grace in NYC made my life so much happier. Check out my photos of Miss Grace Eddy's Studio tour in Brooklyn!

I spent the day exploring the city by myself with a Thai Iced Coffee c/o Heritage Bicycles & Coffee & Popular Pays and then met up with my friend Camille for a get together in Pilsen. I haven't been to Pilsen for a few years and I'm excited to start getting to know that area of Chicago even better. There is so much to explore in Chicago. I'm only just getting started! ♥.

Congratulations, Grace! Hard work pays off- I miss working with you at the iLuminate Costume Shop every day! Babewatch has a few more pieces in the Nylon Magazine Shop including the Yin Yang Tiny Tank, DUH Mesh Top (green), DUH Mesh top (pink), Faux Fur Tank Top, Black Alien Mesh Tee & Green Alien Mesh Tee.

Outfit Details: Daisy Tiny Tank: c/o BABEWATCH CLOTHING
Earrings: c/o You Were Swell aka the fabulous Sophie McMahan
Sunglasses: c/o GlassesUSA
Skirt: Vintage (it even has the union label in it!)
Boots: Vintage 1980's, from Adrienne Weber (for sale- size 8.5)
Green Velvet Fascinator: Antique Mall in Illinois
Tights: UO
Bagpack: Nevermind
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love, polly

Outfit: You Can't Stop the Beat

At the risk of sounding cliché, if there's one thing I've learned this past year since graduating from University it's that: life goes on. No matter how you feel today, tomorrow or two weeks from now: life will continue to go on and the world will continue spinning in cycles of night and day.. Autumn and Spring. This may sound like a funny thing to be realizing now, but I've always lived in the "lap of luxury" until graduating from university and being on my own. I've really been faced with a lot since moving to New York City and then Chicago by myself. I've slept on floors, couches, alongside other people in their beds and even outside. I've washed my socks, underwear and clothing in the shower because I was too poor to do laundry. I've been dealing with weight insecurities and acne issues, too. I have been living a freelance life and this is just the beginning... and I'm still pretty scared about my future. I am certainly a real person with real problems but after facing these minor insecurities, I've really realized how small my problems are and how lucky and happy I am that my problems are manageable. I can only hope that more fortunate people share their joy and happiness with less fortunate and the less fortunate will have their luck increase. In the blogging world it is sometimes forgotten that fashion bloggers are real people with issues of their own and problems. I don't really mention my problems on my blog because that's not the atmosphere I wish to create... but despite these ramblings of mine, I want you to know that whoever you are, wherever you come from: I appreciate you being here, I appreciate your struggle in life, you're not alone. You are beautiful.

Outfit Details: Wedges: Steve Madden

Dress: American Apparel

Socks: UO

Hair Fascinator: Vintage

Bagpack:Nevermind: Local shop in Southport, Chicago

love, polly