Here at Bless Up HQ, we love seeing a gal with some serious style, then all of a sudden, we discovered Fashion Blogger, Polly – the creator of the vintage, antique, original artwork, and handmade boutique Paulie Antiques. We wanted to get to know Polly a little bit better, carry on reading as we recently had the opportunity to interview her!
For those that don’t know Polly, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you grew up?
I grew up in central Illinois with cornfields and a lot of open space. It’s a small town of 11,000. Moving to New York City after living there most of my life was quite a shock, as you might imagine!
Where do you spend most of your time now?
I live in Chicago now, working as a florist and wardrobe consultant. I also do fashion styling and blogging for fun.
When did you start blogging?
I started blogging in 2008 after seeing a friend’s blog. At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share my blog with anyone else. I started documenting my personal style through photographs in 2010 and I’m happy to say it really has changed my life in interesting and positive ways.
What does a day in the life of yourself look like?
Normally I wake up and make a smoothie (something like banana, spinach, mango, goji berry powder, acai powder, dates), get dressed and dash out to whatever floral design job I booked that day for about 5-8 hours. After designing, I love to go to Zen Yoga Garage. I’m also taking Improv Comedy classes at Second City at night.
We love your style! Who or what inspires your amazing outfit choices?
Thank you very much, I appreciate that! My Grandma Polly really inspires me as well as looking back at my family’s old photographs from the 40’s-80’s. I’m big into Sweet Lolita style and the Victorian Era. My degree is in costume design & technology so I took a year of fashion history and it changed my style for the better. Sometimes I’ll just pick clothes up off my floor and literally throw together an outfit. My best outfits are the craziest ones that I never planned or laid out. They just kind of accidentally come together through experimentation and closet colour coordination!
Any advice for other up and coming fashion bloggers out there?
Sure! Do it because you’re having fun and you want to share your life. Don’t expect to be paid or make a lot of money. It’s better to go into it without expectations. Make friends with bloggers! Comment on other people’s blogs… to have followers you must be a follower!
What are three things you can’t live without?
My Ninja blender, watermelon juice and bananas.
In 5 years, where do you see yourself?
In 5 years I will hopefully be traveling the world working with flowers or videography. Or I’ll probably open up a shop when I get older. I definitely want to make Paulie Antiques a real brick and mortar store where people can come to buy vintage, flowers, original art, performances, etc.
What does being ’stylish’ mean to you?
Stylish (to me) means that person has found their own voice through unique experiences and relays it through clothing and accessories. This can relate to fashion or not- but I think when each piece has an interesting story along with it… that’s pretty rad. When people compliment me on my top and it’s my mother’s from the 80’s… I usually tell them. I like sharing my family’s style with everyone else and putting my own unique twist on it!
