So you got engaged, saved the date and scheduled your dream location. Now it’s time for the fun part…registering!!!

You are filled with a sense of power…a price gun in your hand and an entire store at your feet. You are free to roam, point and click, and voila! Your registry is 100 pages long and filled with numerous utensils, gadgets and gizmos you will never use and clutter your kitchen and home.

Before you knock over the Crate and Barrel sales person in your registry frenzy, here are a few tips to create a successful list and stock up on items you and your hubby-to-be will really use:

1. Come up with a game plan before you race around the store like a marathon runner. The average Target is 174,000 SF and Crate and Barrel can reach 35,000 SF, which equals rows and rows of strategically placed items just to distract you! Talk to your fiancé about what you have individually so you do not end up with 3 garlic crushers. Discuss how you entertain, live in your space and what you enjoy cooking so you can create a realistic and useful list.

2. Consider creating at least two registries; one with more expensive items and the second with more economical gift choices. You want your guests to feel happy to share in your joy, not financially stretched.

3. If you have invited out of town guests make sure to register at one chain, or at least a shop with an easy online purchase option, so that they can shop from the registry.

4.It’s a tradition to register for formal china, and thankfully using it no longer means an entire night of hand washing the dishes after a dinner party. Make sure to inquire if the china you register for is dishwasher safe!

Katie Rogulski is our go-to gal for all things design, from choosing a paint color to installing a light fixture. Send her all of your design questions and comments and she’ll will do her best to help you design a fabulous pad without breaking the bank!Katie@PoorLittleRichGirls.com

Valentine’s day is just around the corner and while most people either love it or hate it we at PLRG think you should celebrate everyone you love in your life! Whether you have a honey or not you can still buy your best girls a little pick me up, send you parents some cupcakes, or even buy your pup a sassy new collar. So check out our gift guide below and get some ideas on what to buy your loved ones, or just treat yourself because you deserve it!

These LOVE earrings are adorable, modern, with just a hint of Valentine’s day. While they are almost identical to a  pair that is selling for $132, these are only $3.80! For that price you could pick up a pair for everyone at the office and still have money to spare.

This is for the lady in your life who has yet to meet her prince charming. This tongue in cheek gift will definitely bring a smile to any skeptic in your life. Just add water and watch as the frog magically turns into a prince. And, if you add more water the prince triples in size! ($8)

So remember when you were little and use to make checks for hugs out of construction paper? Well this is sorta like that but way more professional and a little more sexy. This check book comes complete with 30 IOUs and 30 UOMES which is bound to heat up your bedroom. What guy wouldn’t love getting these? ($9.95)

No Valentine’s day celebration is complete without something sweet and Molly’s Cupcakes is the perfect place to indulge your sweet tooth. Molly’s is said to have the best Red Velvet Cupcakes in all of Chicago according to Chicago Magazine. Not to mention they have center-filled cupcakes as well filled with ooy gooey goodness, drooling yet? ($12 for a dozen mini cupcakes)

Tights are hot right now with tons of patterns, textures, and colors to choose from. These sweet, sheer heart tights are adorable and are the perfect understated V-day look. You could pair with leather boots for an office ensemble and then throw on some sexy heels when you meet up with your Valentine for dinner. ($14)

Here is another sweet idea, perfect for couples. While not settle in for a cozy evening at home and indulge in some edible chocolate body icing? It’s a sweet treat you can both enjoy! ($15)

This is a great gift for anyone, because doesn’t everyone want kissable fresh breath? The Kiss-o-Meter is a compact bad breath detector that indicates if your breath is good enough for a smooch! It has five levels of kissing, ranging from kiss me to never. This way you’ll always be ready for a kiss. ($24)

Give Me Some Lip Valentine’s Day gift set will surely keep your lips looking pucker perfect for the holiday and beyond. The gift set includes 7 of Sephora’s most sought after shades in gorgeous hues of pink and red. Also the whole set is only $25 that values at $65, what a steal!

Layered, leather jewelery is another huge trend this season and with Spring just around the corner why not punch up your wardrobe with some color? The Cara Couture leather wrap bracelet comes in a variety of colors and is so versatile you could wear it as a bracelet, necklace, or even a headband. ($28)

This is Chicago, so the list would not be complete if the famed Lou Malnati’s heart shape pizza was not included. What says I love you more than a hot cheesy pizza in form of a heart?? Guys will surely scarf this down in a second, but don’t be fooled because any girl, if given a chance, will do the same! ($39.95)

Hint- My Pie serves one up too for cheap. Check it out here.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

(Marin Heller)

Every PoorLittleRichGirl wants a kick-ass pad, but who really wants to pay for it? Especially if you are renting, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend tons of money updating a space that you will eventually leave. But do not fret! All it takes is a bit of creativity and some tricks of the trade to take your space from average to a true reflection of yourself.

My client, Patrice, is the epitome of a PoorLittleRichGirl: successful, independent and financially responsible. She had just moved into a great soft-loft in Pilsen and wanted to decorate the space without spending a fortune so I took this project on as a personal challenge: make her home a place that would make any PLRG proud! With a budget of $1000 for accessories and paint we turned her living room/dining room into a warm, inviting space perfect for this hardworking girl.

Below is a picture journey of Patrice’s pad, from drab to fab, including prices and locations of everything purchased. Use it as inspiration, or contact me if you need the extra help!

Patrice’s place was dark and felt cramped. She was a tad bit (or really) too reliant on the color brown.

In order to make her place feel larger with two distinct areas we placed her couch on an angle. I also helped Patrice experiment with color. At first she was worried about the bright red TV stand (which retails at Ikea for $99) but when we came across it at a sidewalk sale for $23 (we got it for $20!) she knew she couldn’t fight me!

The dining area was really dark and rather blah.

In order to add light and texture we added a wicker light fixture.  Textile wrapped frames in bright, fun prints brought visual excitement to the mix!  To see how to make these unique wall pieces check out my previous article using decorative paper.

This area really needs some visual excitement.

Talk about color!  I just happened to have some extra fabric and Patrice’s mother knows how to sew so we created custom curtains.  The area rug was actually an animal print throw blanket.  It’s okay to be creative!!  Recognize the fabric on the lamp shade?  Yep, we used it in the dining room area as well to pull the two areas together.

A mirror can often visually enlarge a space.

Shopping List:

Patrice ended up painting not just this room, but also her hallway.  Labor and material for that cost $500*, which brings us to approximately $1200 but, since the hallway was added in, our living/dining room stayed within our $1000 budget!

*If you happen to have some extra time on your hands, you could attempt to paint the rooms yourself to save, oh, around, $300 or so, as the price for labor was around $400 (still a great deal and worth every penny for Patrice and other busy PLRGs). You would still end up sending around $200 for paint, painting supplies like a tarp, rollers, etc., but that brings your grand makeover total somewhere closer to $800! What a steal for so much style!

Katie Rogulski is our go-to gal for all things design, from choosing a paint color to installing a light fixture. Send her all of your design questions and comments and she’ll will do her best to help you design a fabulous pad without breaking the bank! Katie@PoorLittleRichGirls.com

Gray and yellow is such a modern, yet soft, color pairing. So hot right now.

The home-front (aka the area around Halsted and North in Lincoln Park*) just became a little more PLRG friendly with the opening of the city’s first West Elm store! Before now you had to hike up to the suburbs, or take your chances on an online purchase, but not anymore. This stylish, eco-conscious and wallet friendly retail furniture store should be a do-not-miss for all of you who love to decorate. Yesterday morning, we got a sneak peak tour of the new store and a chance to talk with West Elm execs.

Pinkish-purple and gray with black accents, mixed with fluffy pillows and mirrored pieces...our fave combo!

The color of the season that the design team at West Elm hope you embrace is yellow, and you will see it everywhere, from side tables, throw pillows and dinner wear. With all the grey (and white) weather we have been suffering through, not to mention the economy, it’s a nice change to embrace something so bright and energizing.

Keep your eyes peeled for a departure from their usual store layout/décor. There is definite attempt to mix materials and textures in their vignettes, as well as more installation art (think Anthropology). Currently, art from students at the Art Institute of Chicago hang throughout the store, which is a really great local addition.

So, the next time you are in desperate need for something new to spruce up your abode, or are just in the area, be sure to check out this new addition to Chicago’s design community!

West Elm Chicago
1000 West North Avenue (at Sheffield)
Chicago, IL 60622

(Katie Rogulski)

*PLRG Fun Fact- the new West Elm is located in the old Whole Foods space, which is conveniently located very near the new Whole Foods space (dubbed “the clubhouse” by team PLRG for their readily available free parking & internet, made-to-order burritos and alcohol). Um, when the weather warms up, we might just start camping out at this intersection.

Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart….well, it’s that time of year again ladies- Valentine’s Day! We’re either in a state of nauseating bliss or in full-on man hating mode. But, we’ve learned by now that you don’t need a significant other to feel loved. It’s the perfect time to gather up your gal pals, get glammed up and toast to great friendships on this holiday of looooooove!

Enjoy these cleverly branded cocktails from Three Olives made just for “All the Single Ladies“!

Valentine’s Day on the Rocks
1 ½ oz. Three-O Cherry Vodka
4 oz. ginger ale
Splash of grenadine
Mix in a glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry.

Cupid’s Broken Arrow
3 oz. Three-O Mango Vodka
½ oz. Triple Sec
1 oz. cranberry juice
Splash fresh lime juice
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a cherry.

Shot of Love Stinks
1 oz. Three-O Grape Vodka
½ oz. black raspberry liqueur
½ oz. cranberry juice
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled shot glass.

(Kristen Hamzik)

Coming from a team of girls who don’t leave home without their laptops and/or Blackberries, it might sound odd that we really do appreciate a hand-written note. There’s something special (and obviously more personal) about getting a card in the mail, addressed to you and not your email address. There’s something even more special about getting something in the mail that is not a bill. At the same time, we understand more than most the beauty of e-mail and the related avoidance of the card aisle at CVS, line at the post office and time it takes for snail mail to arrive. That’s why we have a new-found love for online greeting card store and organizer, JackCards.com.

The site allows you to create a profile where you can load important events (birthdays, anniversaries, general holidays) plus your family and friends’ mailing addresses, then schedule delivery dates for the cards you choose! The cards will come to you, stamped and addressed, 2 weeks prior to a given event - giving you time to write your own personal message and send on its way. The card selection is great as well - from sassy Valentine’s Day cards “I want to have text with you” to break-up cards “Break-ups are like a bikini wax…excruciating but so worth it” to some of the most beautiful vintage-inspired cards we’ve seen.

Prices range similarly to the options you’d find in a drug store, and shipping is not bad especially if you order more than just 1 card.

Keeping in mind the time you’ll save by not having to go to the store and/or post office, we think it’s a bargain.

Now go ahead, get personal.

(Noelle Provencial)

Originally published- January 7, 2010

Hey PLRG Readers! We’d like to formally introduct you to Katie, one of our favorite Yelp! reviewers, and hopefully will soon be one of yours as well! Keep an eye out for her future reviews of getting wined and dined by Chicago’s finest (and not-so-fine) establishments.

nom nom nom nom nom nom nom

Review of Green Grocer, 1402 W. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Grocery shopping in the big city is often as much fun as a long day at the DMV or say… accidentally setting your pubes on fire. I don’t know how the latter would ever “accidentally” happen but if it could you know it would suck.

Making fun of grocery stores is about as easy as saying Courtney Love is a terrible mother. It’s not really necessary, but I find it entertaining and I like to do so.

Sub Par Grocery Stores

1. Aldo: Try coming here and not feeling like you’re slumming it. If you don’t feel like that, well… god I dunno… socioeconomics can uh…be a bitch…? Sorry about your crushing poverty? Please take comfort in knowing I have my own special corner reserved in Hell for writing this and God will probably smile on you in the long run.
2. Strack and Van Til: I consider this a store for people who like to shop at Kohl’s, get their hair cut at BoRics and use the term “good deal” way too much. There’s a large positive correlation of these people who bitch about the city being very expensive and yet drive large vehicles.
3. Jewel: The Queen Mother of all suckitude. I can’t even begin. The set up of this store is the most anti feng shui you’ve ever seen. Every person who works in this store hates you and your ass face.

OK, I’ll be honest, I don’t have a lot of money to burn myself but I’ve gotten to the point where I’m willing to spend a little more on groceries in order to have a wonderful shopping experience and really good quality stuff.

Yes. I did just say “wonderful shopping experience.” I actually look forward to coming to Green Grocer. Everyone who I’ve met that works here (Cassie & Kim) has taken the time to not only say hello but ask me my name and make awesome suggestions about cool products I should try. They’ve even given me coupons for half off bottles of wine! And this ain’t no Franzia either! (Sorry, Franzia enthusiasts.)

Have you ever had garlic beet dip before? I assure you, it’s phenomenal. I’m not even a beet fan and Kim had me try a little bit and it was freakin’ great. They’ve always got multiple free samples out. Even better, every Tuesday night they have “Tasting Tuesday” from 5-7pm.

I simply cannot hype this place enough. I’ve loved everything I’ve ever eaten from here. So many of their products are local too. It’s fun to find out about all the good folks who are cranking out tasty, honest food right in our city.

If you crave the robotic anonymity of those self-checkout machines that get confounded if you try to scan more than one item in 30 seconds - then yeah, stick to Jewel. Enjoy whiling away a solid 5 minutes until some loafy employee finally saunters over with the “liquor key” and stares blankly at your ID.

I’ll stick to Green Grocer.

"Sure you can stay here! I mean you're already here...with your bag packed, so...sure..."

Hey Sal,

Around the holidays I have a lot of friends that come back “home” to the burbs, but end up spending much of their time going out in the city, bar hopping, seeing old friends/etc. The problem is, they use my place to crash. Leaving a mess in their wake, they eat what little food I have, and all around put a cramp in my style since I end up feeling as if I have to entertain them. What can I do to remedy this?
- Lauren, Gold Coast

Lauren,

‘I have a second bedroom because I love to have overnights guests.’ If you ever said that, chances are you’ve long since stopped. The trail of late-night Cheeto crumbs, mascara stains on your hand towels, and new ‘plus one’ status are enough to make you want to push your holiday guests into Michigan Avenue traffic. Since when did your home become ground zero for your old friends’ holiday party circuit?

When they got to your place it looked like this.

Let’s stop and think about what is really irritating you. The first thing is that these guests are uninvited and unexpected. So, invite them and expect them. Try planning a ‘night in the city’ and get yourself - and your apartment - ready to entertain. Invite your friends down for dinner and bar hopping, have provisions out for them (towels, food, bedding, etc.) and have a plan for the next day. Make it something you want to do so you don’t feel so out of control. And then, send them on their way. Not only have you done your due diligence as a hostess, but you were ready for it and removed stress from the situation.

Next thing - split the work load. If you have your friends over and take them out during the day, ensure that you pass them off to another friend for the evening. There is no reason you should be the lone holiday work horse in the not-so-OK Corall. Good lines to make this happen are, “I already have plans that night but would love to meet you for brunch the next day,” or “If you’re up for an early night we could grab dinner and then you’re welcome to stay the night.” Take just a piece of their time downtown.

When they left it looked like this.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to flat out say no. If someone wants to crash last minute - unless it’s an emergency (i.e. I came down to stay with a friend and we got in a huge fight and now I’ve missed the last train back to the burbs and am stranded [sob, sob, sob]) - say no. You’ve got a lot going on and you wish you could, but you’re ‘having your boyfriend over for a speeeeecial evening.’ Not comfortable saying something that might stretch the truth - then lay out the options. Yes they’re welcome to stay, but you’re going to bed early and have plans all the next day. The majority of people will pick up on you’re GO SOMEWHERE ELSE vibe.

Happy Holiday Hosting!

(This advice column is brought to you by the ever graceful, polished and in-the-know, Sally Jackson. Sally is happy to offer her tips and guidance on everything from relationships to fashion to saving money. If you have a question for Sally, go ahead and send your question to Info@PoorLittleRichGirls.com with subject “Hey Sal”)

While many home purchases can be rather pricey…think couches, tables, beds…there are plenty of great budget-friendly home gift options for that Nate-Berkus want-to-be in your life! I visited two local home décor shops, Zella Brown in Bucktown/Wicker Park and Home Accents in Andersonville, and the best thing is both shops are currently having sales!!

Zella Brown
1444 North Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60622
(773)276-1746

This hip home boutique will sadly be closing at the end of December, but that means that everything in the store (excluding art) is currently 50% off!!!

For the friend whose a little bit rocker and idols Kara Mann (and my personal favorite, hint, hint to those who love me). Put several of these edgy pistol vases on your dining room table and get the holiday conversation started! ($34.50). They also have a single pistol wall hanging version for $19.50.

Got a boyfriend or brother who appreciates a great gag-gift? This old-school receiver plugs into your cell phone and is perfect for the joker in your life. Imagine glancing at someone in their car while they’re chatting away on their screaming yellow handset…priceless! But it will only cost you $22.25.

Do you have a friend who can never make up their mind about what pictures or art to hang? Or maybe a mom of a young child, whose stick people drawings must be hung up for the world to admire? These reusable wall frames are just the thing. Several different shapes and sizes in a single package. ($15)

Home Accents
5653 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60660
(773)989-6883
This store is a treasure trove for finishing decorative touches and is very affordable, made even more so because many items are currently 20% off!!

If you think the gun vase would be a bit too much for the slightly more traditional girlie-girl in your life, these gorgeous metallic, floral candle holders are perfect. At $9 they are priced just right so you have no excuse not to create a bouquet!

Going to dinner at the boyfriend’s parents for the holidays? Instead of the usual wine or wreath, why not consider these unusual lattice work vases? Create a perfect centerpiece-ready look, by buying inexpensive ornaments (red and green for Christmas and blue for Hanukah) and filling them up, as shown. You will be sure to get brownie points for creativity! ($27 and $21)

If you can’t actually be there to snuggle up with your loved ones this holiday season, gift them one (or many) of these cuddly, and chic, throw pillows to cheer them up. They carry an array of colors to suite anyone’s style and are just $32 a pop!

(Katie Rogulski)

Who has time to figure out healthy, budget friendly, delicious meals to cook every night of the week? After you work a full day, grab a cocktail with the girls, and hit the gym the last thing you want to do is take an hour to cook a meal. But lucky for us, Dawn Hall, author of the book “Busy People’s fast & frugal cookbook” is here to help and you can win a copy for free!

What is so refreshing is Dawn is just like us, she has been watching her weight and counting her pennies the majority of her life and in her cookbook she takes her many years of experience and translates it into an easy to use guidebook. Each recipe has the supplies suggested for the dish, a grocery list broken down by category, and even breaks down the serving size and calorie count. What could be easier, just throw it in your purse and when you’re at the grocery store pick up ingredients for the week.

While there is a salad section in the book, they are anything but typical offering selections such as cherry, bacon, & rye tossed salad, Southwestern Sweet Slaw, Chopped Italian & rye salad, and many more. But, the book encompasses way more than salads, there are also breakfast dishes, appetizers, soups, chowders, main dishes, breads, and even desserts! Yes ladies, low calorie delectable desserts, like chocolate cinnamon pecan-covered marshmallows, red raspberry chocolate cake, and pineapple cherry delight just to name a few. If you aren’t salivating yet, there are also some great drink recipes, and while they don’t call for alcohol, I’m sure we could tack on a few more calories and give it a spike.

Get cooking now, sign up to win! Email giveaway@poorlitterichgirls.com with the subject “cookbook” and be sure to include your mailing address for shipping purposes.

Also be sure to check more of Dawn’s books- she has a slew of them that geared toward the busy PLRG lifestyle. Happy cooking!

(Marin Heller)

Originally published on November 23, 2009