va.voom.

This year at our Battle of the Boutiques a few of our lucky readers won a $1,000 package to get their photos done at Vavoom Pinups, Chicago’s very own premier pinup and boudoir photography studio.

This past Saturday, our four beautiful “kittens” as Vavoom Pinups owner and photographer Heather Stumpf describes them, went to redeem their prize and from the looks of it they had the time of their life.

I caught up with Sarah Ansari, who attended the shoot who told me that the best part of the day was that they felt totally comfortable throughout the entire experience. It probably helps that the Vavoom pinups staff are an ALL female ensemble of hairstylists, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists and photographers. Hair by: Sara Jean Stevens; Makeup by: Jen Brown

“Heather is really cool and made us not feel at all awkward. Going into it I thought this whole experience would make me feel shy and embarrassed, but it definitely didn’t.”

Vavoom Pinups allows you to express yourself in a cheeky, vintage look and offers a variety of options for shoots. We think it would be perfect if you’re looking for something fun to do with your girlfriends for a birthday or bachelorette party, (or just to surprise your boyfriend!)

Still nervous? Vavoom lets you see your photos right away to make sure you are 100% excited about the way your shoot turned out. “I also really loved being photoshopped,” Ansari adds.

Visit www.vavoompinups.com or give Heather a call at 773-726-1109 if you wanna learn more about “embracing your Vavoom!”

Vavoom Pinups is located at 2239 N. Kimball, Rear Building, Chicago.

Pont Neuf Dress, $78

My lack of athleticism and interest in physical activity has become a running joke in my family. Their favorite line: “I’m in shape. The shape I’ve chosen is a pear.” But according to Shabby Apple’s Fit to Flatter body type identifier, I’m actually an apple. The Utah-based company specializes in dresses for women, with an emphasis on modesty, which are sold exclusively through the store’s website.

Shabby Apple’s owners Athelia CK Woolley and Emily Bell McCormick subscribe to a “more is more” philosophy when it comes to dressing. More fabric, that is. The pair searched high and low for dresses that didn’t require a camisole or cardigan to make the wearer feel covered, but came up empty handed. It seemed that the days where a single piece of clothing, a dress, functioning as an entire outfit were long gone.

As young Mormon women, this discovery was problematic. The faith requires women to wear clothing with sleeves, conservative necklines, and knee-length hems. Although not all Mormons choose to do so, followers must also wear special underwear, known as “garments.” Finding trendy pieces that comfortably accommodate these panties is a pain.

La Tour Eiffel Dress, $96

Woolley and McCormick took matters into their own hands, designing a line of dresses they couldn’t find anywhere else. The styles transcend religion and Shabby Apple gained recognition across the country. Ladies who never felt comfortable in low cut mini-dresses finally have an alternative to layering. With prices hovering around $100 dollars, investing in a Shabby Apple dress won’t break the bank. Plus, signing up for the online mailing list will earn you a 10 percent discount.

That the dresses are designed for the modest woman is more or less imperceptible. The website features eight different women’s lines, a line for preteens, baby, expecting mothers, and plus size women. The pair also designed a line of tankinis and one-pieces perfect for the summer.

Of course, Shabby Apple features an incredible selection of jewelry, handbags, shoes, and accessories. At the company’s core is the idea that the dress is timeless, classic, and if designed properly, needs only some well-chosen accessories to complete the look.

CEO Dress, $96

There is not a closet in the contiguous United States that would not benefit from a Shabby Apple dress. Perfect for work or play, the dresses are very Mad Men. Since having a backside and breasts was all the rage in the 60s, the clothing accommodated these ample assets. Ask any big chested woman these days and she’ll tell you that most lines are built for B-cups and designers assume women want to show a little cleave. The women of Shabby Apple don’t have the misconception that all women want their boobs and butts on display. Woolley and McCormick merge flattering fits and functional designs to create dresses that speak to an era when clothing respected, enhanced, and celebrated the female figure. PoorLittleRichGirls think this idea is not too shabby.

(Lauren Bonenberger)

We love it when Yelp pools their resources to score major deals for their users. June 21-27, Yelp Eats! is back with $25 three-course menus at some of Chicago’s hottest restaurants. Now, we all know PLRGs love a good meal (note to Yelp- a Gym Week is much needed as a follow up to Eats Week), so we put our heads together and created our ultimate Yelp Eats! calendar. We’ve taken all the guesswork out of where to go which night, so all you have to do is make the reservation!

MONDAY, JUNE 21
Green Zebra
After a weekend of hard partying, you may need to detox a bit come Monday. At Green Zebra, you can forego the typical greasy hangover food for something lighter like chilled pea soup with preserved lemon to start and an asparagus tart with caramelized shallots for an entree. For dessert? We’d go with the strawberry shortcake with Greek yogurt.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22
May Street Market
In our opinion, May Street Market by far has the most daring and diverse menu in the Yelp Eats! line-up. This is a great night to dine out with someone you want to impress with your culinary and budgetary prowess (hint- Tuesday is also BYOB night, so double save!) You’ll start things off with odd, but tasty combos of pork belly caramel corn or blue corn calamari. For dinner, grilled tilapia with artichoke puree and olive spread is the quintessential summer dish. And, while we’d like to venture into new territory, the cupcake flight is a must for dessert!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
1492 Tapas
How about something with a little spice to get you through the rest of the week? 1492 Tapas, nominated by Metromix as one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago (nudge and a wink to all the BFs out there), delivers traditional Spanish fare including every PLRGs favorite- tapas! Your appetizer choices include lobster stuffed mussels, goat cheese croquettes and the 1492 House Platter. The paella is not be missed as the main course, but allow a little extra time for this special dish.

THURSDAY, JUNE 24
La Madia
Grab your girlfriends, then grab a slice at La Madia. With this menu, you’ll get your choice of app- asparagus and ricotta bruschetta or prosciutto with mozzarella and teardrop tomatoes- plus one of two truffle laced pizzas or a frisee salad. We recommend saving room for dessert (leftover pizza will be great for lunch on Friday) where you can indulge in their homemade gelato “of the moment” or blood orange ice with Prosecco.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25
Bin 36
A Friday night out with work pals is a great way to end the week, especially when there is wine involved. At Bin 36 there’s something for every taste, light or decadent, so all your coworkers will leave satisfied. To start, you can be good and get the Bin 36 Market Salad or cheat on your diet and go with the rich and creamy mac & cheese. For the entree we’re salivating over the brown sugar cured, slow roasted pork loin chop and house-made ricotta gnocchi.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26
State & Lake
It’s Saturday night and you want to eat somewhere you can see and be seen. Your BF wants to go somewhere that’s not to “frou frou” with real manly food. Well, State and Lake, located on the ground floor of The Wit hotel, fits the bill for both of you. Your three courses begin with a choice of Valencia salad or Pub Soup. For dinner, he can order the slow roasted pork with tomato jam and polenta (pork always makes guys feel macho) and you can savor the roasted salmon with escarole. Being that the restaurant is in the heart of downtown, once dinner’s over you’ll be ready to party.

SUNDAY, JUNE 27
Spring
By Sunday you may want to unwind and dine someplace with a more tranquil atmosphere and Spring in Bucktown is just what you’ll need. They offer up a menu of New American cuisine with Asian Influences in a wonderfully spa-like setting. As a first course, they’re serving Yellowfin Tuna tartare or a farm egg ravioli, but our fave is the coconut lemongrass soup (it’s heavenly). Choice of entrees include Rosa Bianca eggplant masala with coriander yogurt emulsion, Australian Barramundi with cilantro pesto or Maine diver sea scallops with roasted mushrooms and sweet soy. The portions are usually reasonable here, which is great because you’ll still have room for dessert- a Valrhona white chocolate dome with wild strawberries and rhubarb or the lemongrass and kaffir lime panna cotta with brioche donuts.

For a full listing of details and participating restaurants, both in the city and in the suburbs, click on the image below. Happy dining!

(Lacey Brenly)

We get so many emails and phone calls each day with information on new products, boutique sales, restaurant openings and everything in between, that we thought it would be a good idea to let you in on what the PLRG team is into lately. The Radar is your at-a-glance guide to what is oh-so-hot and so-right-now in the world of a PoorLittleRichGirl:

The lovely ladies of Borrow a Dress Couture are gearing up for their First Annual Fashion Statement Soiree. Friday, May 28, they’ll thank you and all of their customers for their support by hosting a cocktail reception and fashion show at Bon V, complete with goodie bags and a chance to win a month’s worth of dress rentals!

We love getting gift cards and love all the discounts our various reward cards afford us, but our wallets and our sanity are suffering (we have ruined many a high priced wallet by overstuffing it with god knows what). So, we had one of those “why didn’t we think of that” moments we we came across the Card Cache. Just punch holes in all your gift or reward cards, not on the magnetic part, and string them through the slim wire ring. You’ll love all the new real estate in your wallet.

After 17 years serving up French fare in Chicago’s West Loop, Marche will be closing its doors on June 13. Owner Howard Davis and Jerry Kleiner (under their KDK partnership they also own Red Light, Giocco and Opera) cite the end of their lease as one of the many factors that led to the closing.

We’re totally digging Kate Miller Heidke right now. The former opera singer’s sound is reminiscent of all the other female artists you love so much (Lily Allen, Regina Specter, even Cindy Lauper), but still is too unique to pin down. We especially love “Can’t Shake It”, “Caught in the Crowd” and the instant classic “Are You F*cking Kidding Me” - we don’t want to spoil it for you, so just go listen to it now.

Speaking of music, a new website, SongVote.com, launched earlier this month. The site functions as an open election to help you find the perfect music for your upcoming cocktail party, wedding or any event that might call for some crowd-sourced music. We’ve even created a playlist of our own! Use VIP Code: PLRG Summer Playlist and Pin: 374 to add music to our playlist and vote for your favorite songs.

You should be the happiest, best "version" of yourself on your wedding day.

Spring time is officially in full swing, so with that comes the influx of ladies rushing to the altar.

While you are probably counting down the minutes, the days until you say your “I do’s,” there are a couple of “I don’t’s” you must also say on the day of your wedding to look your best. So you might as well make the vow now:

Do not apply make-up with dirty brushes. For the most precise look, your brushes need to be squeaky clean for that flawless photo-ready finish. Dirty brushes wreck havoc on your skin, and honestly it’s just plain gross.
Don’t over apply foundation to cover your bad complexion; it only makes it worse. I recommend paying a visit to a dermatologist months prior to get feedback on the best skin care regimen for your skin type.

Don’t forget your skin changes color as the weather gets warmer-especially if you tan-so please adjust your makeup accordingly. Nothing is worse than having your face be a different color than the rest of your body. As a rule of thumb, always carry your foundation color past your face into your neck and chest.

Don’t use foundation with SPF in the formula. In photos, you will look ashen. For sun protection, apply a SPF moisturizer before your makeup. If your skin is oily, apply an oil-free foundation primer on top of the SPF to matte the skin before your foundation.

Don’t forget to use lip liner the same shade as your lipstick of choice. With all of the smooching you will be doing, you want to make sure your lipstick lasts all day. Both Rimmel London and Wet ‘n’ Wild have an extensive color selection that is easy on the wallet and can be found at your local drugstore.

Please don’t draw on your eyebrows with a dark pencil. Try brow gels and tints for a more natural look that will stay in place all day.

Don’t use back eyeliner unless you have very dark hair, and even then use wisely. Dark liner is harsh and can make your eyes look smaller. You want to look beautiful and bright-eyed, so go for a brownish pencil that is still dark but more natural.

Don’t overload on the shimmer and highlight. Go for a look that is timeless-not trendy. You want to look like yourself with your best features slightly enhances, so matte colors are the best way to go. And just so we are clear, glittery makeup is a definite DON’T on any day, your wedding day in particular.

And of course don’t, don’t don’t forget your water-proof mascara just in case you end up crying like a baby. Being the bride with the raccoon eyes is a horrible way to be remembered on your special day.

Congratulations and good luck! Here’s to you looking your best on your wedding day!

Celebrity make-up looks to inspire you (L-R): Autumn Kelly, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Heidi Montag

Lenora E. Houseworth is a Chicago-area writer/editor, freelance makeup artist and self-professed beauty addict. ”I join PLRG as your all around beauty guide, here to solve any of your cosmetic needs. Look at me as your beauty genie: Whatever you want to know about makeup and beauty, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to find out for you. My obsession with all things makeup related goes back as far as I can remember and I believe anyone can and deserves to look beautiful on a budget. I can be found on Twitter @sisterbaby, www.sugarrimmedsweet.blogspot.com and by email at l_houseworth@yahoo.com.

Meet Lauren Hurley & Marcia Callaghan. Together they are the powerhouses behind the fabulous events that make Gen Art Chicago, and now the authority when it comes to fashion at PLRG. From curating to directing, this dynamic duo sleuths for creative talent and inspiration in the city of neighborhoods. At the beginning of each month Lauren & Marcia will take us on a ride as they look back on the (always) eventful month they just had and narrate the highlights - where they went, what they wore and who they met…all with their personal commentary. We suggest you buckle up.

C/FAN

Ever since meeting Christina Fan, we’ve known the woman’s got “it” - that indescribable factor that makes someone stand out from the rest. After graduating from Northwestern and ditching her aspirations for law school to pursue her love for fashion, she launched C/FAN. The spring 2009 collection opened the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion show last October. From the garments to the daring cone hairstyles (that she worked with our stylists to create), Fan’s visionary personality shone. We’ve been “FANs” ever since.

We were super excited to team up with Fan again in February for a Gen Art Preview of her autumn/winter 2010/2011 collection that combines ethereal silks, crisp wools, unique furs and rich velvets. At the event, the live model installations remixed with a runway presentation practically blew the roof off of the West Loop’s Dubhe Carreno Gallery.

The Event: February 11 - C/FAN Fall Fashion Preview.

The Wardrobe:

Marcia's Look: The Pierce Dress

Lauren's Look: The Aoyama Dress

The Interpretations:

Marcia: Lauren and I showed up in our load-in clothes and nothing to wear for the event. Yes - that’s right - nothing (except a pair of heels). We knew that we would love anything that Christina had for us backstage. Once we were set up and close to doors [opening], she pulled out a few options for us. I practically dove for The Pierce dress, a short sleeved dolman dress that functions as either a tunic or dress. Being notorious for short hemlines, I obviously wore it as a mini-dress. The classic C/FAN silhouette (fabricated in an olive sueded silk for the season) made me feel instantly sexy when I slipped it on right before guests arrived.

Lauren: I wanted to go for something a little more delicate and feminine, so I chose the Aoyama dress instead of a tunic. Since Marcia was going for the moss green color, I decided to accent the dress with a rich wine-colored sash. I secured the sash so that side panels of the dress were separated just enough to expose part of my black lace bra underneath, creating a sexy but demure look. A pair of black heels and leggings and voila! Simply chic. But my favorite part of the evening was supporting Christina in her design on her big night!

TRACEY MAYER

When we stumbled across Tracey Mayer 950 silver jewelry, it stopped us dead in our tracks. The designer (who has been making women’s jewelry for ten years - and still does) shifted her focus to men’s collections just four years ago. Mayer’s latest venture, “Have Links, Will Travel”, is a gift program where the beautiful blonde herself visits recipients in their own offices with a variety of her cufflink designs for a consultation and selection of their own gift set. Since we both love daring androgyny, when we spoke with Mayer, we didn’t hesitate to inquire about both men’s and women’s pieces.

Tracey Mayer is truly an artisan jeweler; much thought and handcrafted work goes into each piece. Asian influence inspires much of Mayer’s creative process. She uses 950 silver (which is slightly more pure than sterling) from South Asia and then transports materials to Indonesia for stone-cutting, carving and metalwork by some of the best gemologists in the world. As her website a states, her line is created by artisans using “cutting-edge techniques hand in hand with the noblest traditions.” Mayer doesn’t stop there; she packages each piece with the story of its creation. When our order arrived, it felt like a silver Christmas!

The Event: February 25 - Advanced Screening of The Good Guy.

The Wardrobe:

Marcia’s Look: Breeze bracelet, Soar necklace and Diva ring

Lauren’s Look: Flex necklace and Ruby Rock ring

The Interpretations:

Marcia: It was such a pleasure shopping with Tracey Mayer! She walked me through every step as I chose the perfect designs for Lauren and me. I initially contacted Tracey after seeing her Breeze bracelet. The dramatic 4″ hand-woven cuff with faceted aquamarine is a real show stopper. It drew several “Wonderwoman” comments from the crowd and was perfectly complimented by the men’s Soar necklace: a dimensional eagle head with black sapphire eyes. (I was especially drawn to this piece because Lauren and I regularly use the term “eagle eye” during events.) But wait - there’s more! Tracey recommended I try the Diva ring. Sold! This beauty is encrusted with white topaz and topped off with pink tourmaline. I loved it so much that I wore it the next day to a photo shoot with Paradis. I have worn it many times since, and Lauren has even borrowed it too. It’s perfect.

Lauren: Who doesn’t love a bold piece of jewelry? Especially badass cocktail rings! Whether masculine or feminine, Tracey Mayer’s designs are always powerful. My Starburst ring is definitely an attention-getter and always wins rave reviews from friends and passersby. Being such an animated and enthusiastic talker though, I have to be a little careful when my hand starts flying. I almost knocked someone out in Miami with this sucker! But all the drama this ring creates is well worth a little danger. Pairing the Starburst ring with Mayer’s men’s Flex dog tag necklace was a great choice. I was attracted to the necklace’s texture which is dramatically fused with black spinel. I thought the Flex contrasted nicely against the Starburst ring in shape, but were tied together by their little gems and sparkly brilliance.