Chicago Hangs Lately

 Iced Pour Overs from Gaslight Coffee Roasters in Logan Square c/o Popular Pays, too! So yum!

 Peyton with her blueberry pie to go ♥.

Coffee & a waffle from The Winchester also c/o Popular Pays. I LOVED this place! I'm traveling home on the train tomorrow back to Taylorville to see my cousins. I haven't seen them all together in 5 years so expect a huge cousins photo shoot!

love, polly 

My Sister Zahra Visits Chicago & Chicago Lately

Zahra came to visit Chicago yesterday and we had the best time watching the performance of the show I assisted costumes on called Brigadoon at the Goodman Theatre in downtown Chicago. We attended the fancy inclusive company party afterwards where we had tons of free wine and food. We explored Bucktown by Wicker Park this morning and had these fabulous pancakes and fruit pictured below. It's been a year or so since I've seen her, and I really missed her so much!

These polariods were taken by my friend Kim just before July 4th. We had the best night dancing in Boystown and drinking half price martinis. Summer is so good right now! I've really been living in the moment and exploring the city as much as I can. Now that I've completed my internship with the Goodman Theatre, I'm looking into other theatres in Chicago and looking for a waitressing job. How is your summer so far?

love, polly

Pineapple Ginger Coconut Pops

 It's probably not a secret that I love banana and shredded coconut and ginger in everything.... so let's just mix those with pineapple for the perfect naturally sweet pops! ♥.

Pineapple Ginger Coconut Pop Recipe:

1 Banana

Juice from 1 can of sliced pineapples 

5 pineapple slices

handful of shredded coconut

a pinch of diced fresh ginger

blend together in a blender and pour in your mold! Enjoy!

love, polly

Coconut Yogurt Ginger Almond Milk Pops

These pops are especially refreshing for someone who's looking for a cold milky summer popsicle, and it's nice because the fresh diced ginger chunks in these make them savory and a bit spicy. I really enjoyed them. I sprinkled a bit of powdered ginger on top.

Recipe: a handful of fresh chopped ginger bits

1/2 cup almond milk

1 cup of vegan coconut strawberry yogurt (as in a cup of yogurt you buy at the store)

1 banana

Place in the blender and blend! Pour into your popsicle molds and freeze for a few hours. XO

love, polly

Banana Date Cinnamon Ginger Pops

I'm so excited to share my first popsicle of the season with you! It's so refreshing and easy to make. I blended these ingredients together in the blender:

3 pitted chopped dates

1 ripened banana

1/2 cup apple juice (you can also use almond milk or rice milk, soy milk... etc.)

a few dashes of cinnamon

1 coin of diced fresh ginger

Pour into your molds and let freeze for about 3 hours. Enjoy!
I got my popsicle molds from JoAnn, but here's a similar one online!

love, polly

Forgotten Breakfast

About a year ago, my friend and I shared this breakfast together and I never posted the photos. I can't believe they got lost in my archives until now! I prepared this for us in my studio last year and it was so delicious.

love, polly

Avocado and Cranberry Goat Cheese on Dry Toast

Good morning to you! How was your Thanksgiving? (if you celebrated one). Mine was celebrated in St. Louis this year with my Mom's Sister's family. On the way back from STL we stopped by Trader Joe's and picked up some cranberry goat cheese. I am definitely a sucker for fancy cheese. OMG. It's what I missed most while eating vegan!

There really isn't a lot to do when making this recipe. You just need to gather your favorite spices, an avocado, toast some bread and cut up some cheese.. which can be any kind you like!

I used cumin, cilantro, cinnamon, and powdered ginger on top of my avocado and cheese and it was delicious. Have a wonderful day! XO

love, polly

Visting Ladurée Macaroon Shoppe in NYC

 Today I interviewed & accepted an internship with legendary fashion stylist Lori Goldstein. It was a thrilling thing to accept the position! I will be working at Lori's studio part time and I am also interviewing for a woman who makes hats in NYC on Monday! I will probably also have a waitressing job on the weekends. I met my friend Christine on Madison avenue after my interview for Ladurée macaroons and a fashion exhibit at the MET. It was a great afternoon and I had wonderful company. Thank you, Christine! It was so nice to see you!

 Check out Christine's blog, too! Christine works in fashion, too, and I am so blessed to know her!

 At the MET punk exhibit!

love, polly

Adventures in New York City

I arrived in New York City today at noon and my friend Francine picked me up. She took these photos of me while flower browsing and also helped me throughout the city and to my hotel. Thank you, Francine! You are truly a ruby among rocks. Thank you for everything today. After taking a much needed shower and nap in my Chelsea hotel, I decided to walk down 7th Avenue- The Fashion District. I explored by myself and I really enjoyed the walk to Times Square. Everyone was out and all of the lights were flashing, people were eating and getting lured into shows by salesman... so much life in this city. I feel it all around me.

love, polly

Dark Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Banana Almond Milk Pops

These are definitely one of the less dangerous popsicles I have concocted. They're all health! Of course there is chocolate.... but let's look past that one little fact because I used dark chocolate chips! I love putting slices of banana and sprinkling cinnamon on top! It could honestly just be served with these toppings at a restaurant *cough*. Justified? Maybe? 

Dark Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Banana Almondmilk Pops:

(Blend together in blender)

1 handful of dark chocolate chips

1 fresh ripe banana

1/2 cup of almond milk

a few dashes of cinnamon until your heart's desire

Pour into your popsicle molds and freeze them for about 3-4 hours!

love, polly