Hanging out after Battle of the Boutiques

As PoorLittleRichGirls.com approaches it’s first anniversary I can’t seem to get that Tony Toni Tone song out of my head (ha!). I’m not sure why because, unlike the song, much of the last year for the PLRG team has been anything but smooth and romantic.

Though we launched the site on September 10, 2008, that date was six months in the making. The hard work we put in then was nothing compared to the 12 months that followed. For our team, late-night meetings and endless brainstorming sessions took the place of bar hopping and Sunday brunch more often than not. But, I know I speak for the entire team when I say, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This website is our baby. Our fun, sexy, hot-pink baby that we can’t get enough of. We hope you feel the same way about PLRG and we thank you all for continuing to support us.

Posing with Sister at the Nuns 4 Fun show

And, as much fun as we’ve had the past year here at PoorLittleRichGirls, the next year promises to be even better! We’ll be running exclusive giveaways each month, hosting even more events and adding new columns and contributors.

To kick things off, we’re featuring the best of the best in Chicago for our Anniversary Issue. Remember that voting is still going on in some categories, so be sure to vote for your favorite before it’s too late.

Happy anniversary everyone!

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

Can you believe how time flies? As of September 2009, PoorLittleRichGirls will celebrate it’s first birthday! It has been an absolutely fabulous year of style and savings and we want to celebrate the occasion with something special. So, for our first Anniversary Issue, we’ll be bringing you the best of the best (and affordable) the city has to offer.

Well, technically you’ll be bringing it. We want all you PoorLittleRichGirls out there to tell us your fave places to score a deal on everything from purses to pizza. Over the next few weeks we’ll be asking you to vote for your picks in various categories, but first we want to add your nominees to our list!

Below is a listing of all the categories up for voting in our inaugural Anniversary Issue. We are looking for places where the average PLRG can get a real bang for her buck. So, even though that boutique carries the hottest new clothes…if a cotton tank top costs $88, we’d rather leave it of this list if you catch our drift.

To nominate a restaurant/salon/boutique/etc. please send an email to info@poorlittlerichgirls.com with the subject line “Anniversary Issue.” You can nominate in as many or as few of the categories as you like, we just want to get your input!

Fashion- Voting has already begun for this category. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

• Best boutique overall
• Best place to shop for vintage digs
• Best place to sell and buy clothes (consignment shops)
• Best Chain or Big Box store
• Best place to buy jeans
• Best place for shoes
• Best place to shop for accessories

Nightlife

Restaurants- Voting is now closed

• Best place for a dinner with the girls
• Best place when he/your parents/your friend who just got a promotion is buying
• Best place for chips and margaritas
• Best place to eat when you’re on a diet
• Best place for meat lovers
• Best late night eats
• Best food before noon

Bars & Drinks- Voting is now closed

• Best place for $1 beers
• Best excuse to get dressed up and drink “grown up” cocktails
• Best place to drink and dance
• Best bar where “everyone know your name” (best neighborhood bar)

Beauty & Fitness

• Best place to get a Mani/Pedi
• Best place to get your hair did
• Best place to get a rub down (massage that is)
• Best place to get your unwanted hair ripped out or lasered off
• Best place to get a fake tan
• Best place to work on your downward dog (yoga)
• Best place to workout indoors

Home & Entertaining

• Best place to shop for “gently used” home furnishings and accessories
• Best place to shop for new home furnishings and accessories
• Best place to grocery shop
• Best place to buy flowers
• Best farmer’s market

With Mother Nature dishing out more rain than sunshine lately, it’s easy to catch a case of the “blahs.” But, rain or shine, rich or poor, at PLRG we like to look on the bright side. If you’re reading this, it means you have access to the internet, which means you probably have a roof over your head and enough disposable income that you can afford to spend three minutes of your life listening to me go on and on. That alone makes you, and the team at PLRG, more fortunate than many living in this city of ours (Fortunate for the roof, not for listening to me. Although you should feel pretty good about that too.).

With the promise of summer fun ahead of us, we feel more blessed and more motivated than ever to do our part to give back to those who need support. And, with all the creative and generous people doing charitable work in Chicago, it’s never been easier to find a cause you can get behind and have fun contributing to! Folks like Michael Farrah, founder of ActofGood.org and Lindsay Avner, founder of Bright Pink are changing the way we think about charity and philanthropy and making it more accessible and approachable for young people.

Their work has inspired us to dedicate an entire issue to helping PLRG’s find ways to give back that work for them. Do you have a tough time fitting volunteer work into your busy social schedule? We’ve got the scoop on the fundraising social scene, so you can get your party on for a good cause. Maybe you’re feeling like just one person can’t make that much of a difference. Well, this month you’ll hear about women all over the city, from all different backgrounds who are making a big impact on their communities.

So, keep it locked on PLRG to get your charitable booty in gear. In addition to our features, we’ll be posting our fave picks for charity/fundraising events on the calendar and keeping you updated on what events we’re hitting up and what organizations we’re getting involved in.

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

There are few things that get a PLRG’s heart racing quite like a delicious prix fixe menu at an outrageously low price. So, when we heard about the Yelp Eats Restaurant week, happening from June 1-7, we almost had a coronary. For one week only, 25 of Chicago’s hottest restaurants will be offering 3-4 course menus for just $25!

We can’t wait for the Pan Seared Scallops at Blue 13 and the Filet Medallions at Kinzie Chop House. Plus, many of the featured eateries have already opened their patios, so you can dine for cheap al fresco!

Check out the entire list below and see menus at  Yelp.com. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and mention the Yelp Eats promotion over the phone. 

(Lacey Brenly)

I’m writing this letter from my patio, where the sun is shining and air is warm. Any time now one of those 80 degree days will come out of nowhere and it will officially be summer in Chicago (because I truly believe that there is no such thing as spring in Chicago- two weeks of 60 degree temps does not count as a season)!

Not to sound overly dramatic, but Summertime in Chicago is a magical thing. During the first flush of summer there is a certain energy that comes from an entire city that’s finally enjoying the outdoors after a long, cold winter. And, as much as I despise the cold, I think it’s all the freezing rain and snow that gives Chicagoans such a deep appreciation for the sunny, summer weather.

With that in mind, we knew you’d be itching to find out what’s going on in the “Great Outdoors.” No, we’re not talking about camping or hiking (in these heels?)! This month we’ll be hooking you up with Chicago’s hottest beer gardens, roof top bars and outdoor events. Sally Jackson’s sharing her skills on how to throw your own al fresco soiree in her “Hey Sal” column and I’ll be checking in with Player’s Sports Group to see what they’ve got planned for the summer (beach volleyball anyone?). We also have a new addition to the team, Katie Rogulski, who will be spicing up the Get Cozy section. Keep an eye out for her first feature, where she’ll be dishing out design advice to a PLRG who’d prefer not to be so “exposed” to the great outdoors.

Well, now that I’m out in the fresh air and I can hear the fans at Wrigley cheering in the distance, I’m feeling pretty realxed and one with the outdoors. It has inspired me to write this little haiku, which I’ll share with you, in closing:

Sun shining on me

My lounge chair is super comfy

Someone bring me a drink

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

If you think it’s tough out there in the job market, you should try starting a business amidst this economic sh*t storm! Money is tight right now and jobs are becoming rarer and rarer. With all this happening, the team at PLRG has been getting pretty creative in finding ways to not just survive these times, but actually flourish.

I have recently become our only “full timer” on the website and have been mostly living off the money I get from selling my possessions (and maybe mooching off my BF a bit, sorry honey!). On the opposite end, Eryn is working full time at her “real job”, but is still scraping by. She devotes her nights or her “second shifts” to PLRG, like a super-hero with a double life.

Then there are some of us who, due to this recession, have become “Jill’s” of all trades. Noelle left her full time gig for a part time one so she could devote more time to the site. She makes extra cash by picking up shifts at a local boutique and also throwing jewelry parties (not to mention that she is able to stay super up to date on fashion trends). Lindsey is a part time Marketing Associate, our Director of Communications, a soon to be documentary film maker…oh, and she is also a world class sailor. Then there’s Jaqueline. Since she was laid off from her full time job, she has fallen back on dancing to pay the bills. No, not that kind of dancing! She teaches hip hop, cardio dance, etc. at various places around the city. 

My point is when life gives you lemons, you’ve got to try to make lemonade. Whether you’re desperately hanging on to your job or you’ve already lost it, creativity and resourcefulness are what you’re going to need to survive in this job market. This month, we’ll be doing what we can to help you succeed in your job and also help you find a new one if your on the prowl. We’ve got interviews with local female entrepreneurs, job experts and maybe even some advice on the so called “power suit.”

So stay tuned to PLRG for some great career advice and don’t forget to check our new blog. There you can read more about our everyday struggle to live large and save money.

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

Spring is coming, girls. We promise. We’re in the final stretch of winter and we can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Soon, we”ll be partying on rooftops and relaxing on North Avenue beach and all of the snow and freezing winds will be nothing more than a distant memory. In fact, at PLRG we’re already making plans to welcome Spring back to Chicago (stay tuned for our pub crawl in May).

In anticipation of Spring and all the promise it brings, all through March we’ll be bringing you the best of what’s new in the city. From new bars to new shops, Chicago is constantly reinventing itself and we’re here to help you keep up with it.

We’ll also be sharing what’s new here at PLRG. We’ll be spotlighting some of our new favorite products and places (like our new fave, spa quality soap for just $3.50) and bringing in a few new additions to the team. Kevin Kelly, one of our newest contributors, will be serving up to-the-point financial advice in his monthly column (check out Whole Latte Money). Moira Lawler, our other newest contributor, also joins the team this month with her piece on the upcoming “Obamathon” documentary.

March is also bringing new partnerships to the site, so be on the lookout for PLRG cameos on some of your other favorite Chicago URL’s. We may even pop up at a few events around town too. So, don’t be shy. Come on over, say hello and tell us what’s new!

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

It may be freezing outside, but for PoorLittleRichGirls living in Chicago, this might be the hottest month of the year! We know it feels like three degrees outside, but with Valentine’s Day, Restaurant Week, Battle of the Boutiques and tons of other deals and events all on the horizon you’ll be dating, dining and dressing in smokin’ hot style.

Let’s start with dating. Everyone knows that no matter how hot you look, it takes a girl with confidence to land the man of her dreams. Check out some Bikram Yoga to get your mind and body ready for the prowl or tone up your confidence (and your ass) with some hot and sexy classes at Flirty  Girl Fitness (small guilt trip-I did swing myself around a stripper pole to bring you this story, so if you do not read it all of my bumping and grinding will have been in vain.) 

Once you’re prepped for your date with Mr. Destiny, you’ll probably need some token, a gift say, to help express your feelings. Check out our Valentine’s Gift Guide for ideas on what to get your honey for V-Day, straight from the horse’s mouth (in this case the horse is more like a local “dude”). 

For all the ladies who are sans-mate this Valentine’s Day, check out the site daily for affordable eats (we mentioned Restaurant week, right?), drinks (new Deals & Discounts), fashion (Battle of the Boutiques and sales galore), culture (Art Institute is free the entire month of February) and all the other fancy stuff you and your gal pals just can’t get enough of. 

So, leave the scarves and mittens at home ladies cuz it’s gonna be a hot one!

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

Look, we know it’s cold outside. It’s February in Chicago, what did you expect? Oh, you’re also upset because you don’t know what shoes to wear that look cute and also protect your feet from two feet of snow? We feel your pain. But, we are sick of excuses for not getting out of the house. It’s time to rejoin society, girls, and end your hibernation. We’ve only got a few more weeks left of winter, so it would be best if you started getting back into the swing of things now.

How about some awesomely exclusive specials to help get you motivated? We’ve teamed up with four of your favorite bars/restaurants to bring you the best excuses we could to get our butts back out on the town. (Remember to go to our Deals & Discounts section for printable coupons)

$5 martinis Sunday-Thursday (with coupon, one coupon per customer)

Half off all appetizers, Sunday-Thursday (with coupon)

Half off all appetizers, Sunday-Thursday (with coupon)

Half off all appetizers, Sunday-Thursday (with coupon)

Eat and drink up ladies, because these specials only last through the end of February!

It has been quite a year for us here at PoorLittleRichGirls.com. We’ve met some wonderful people and had some unforgettable experiences. The best part of our work with the site has been how it has brought us closer, in a way, to the city of Chicago. It can be easy to fall into the routine of eating at the same restaurants, shopping at the same stores and hanging out at the same bars. We didn’t do that this year though. This year, we scoured the city and tried a little bit of everything (barley grass juice, anyone?) to bring you the best of Chicago for less. It was truly a pleasure for us and we thank all of our readers for a great 2008. 

Speaking of the New Year, have you made any plans yet? If not, this week we’ve got some great ideas for a big night out, a quiet night in and everything in between. If you’ve already got your P.O.A. in order, good for you! You can move along and read up on hot party looks or cheap and yummy hangover treats. No matter what the party dilemma, we’ve got you covered. (Your ex showed up to the party? We’ve got that too.)

I heard somewhere that how you spend New Year’s Eve is how you’ll spend the rest of that year. Not literally, but more of a foreshadowing of what the next year has in store for you. So, I say, party your PoorLittleButts off and ring in the new year in affordable style!

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief