Thursday night, the 7th floor of Macy’s on State Street was transformed into a high-fashion showcase for some of Chicago’s most talented fashion design students. The room was filled with people eager to get a sneak peak of what’s in store for the next generation of Chicago fashion, and PLRG is happy to say that this upcoming class did not disappoint.

The event was the 3rd Annual Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF) Scholarship Benefit, with a new theme this year - “Chicago’s Sister Cities“. Chicago’s 28 “sisters” span the globe, and according to Mayor Daley, the program will strengthen our city’s economic and cultural ties with each one. From a fashion point of view, the theme was perfect for Chicago design considering how Chicago is really a city of immigrants and has been influenced by cultures from around the world.

Each of the ten student finalists created ensembles based on one of the cities and were judged by a panel that included Stacey Jones, Fashion Director for Chicago Magazine; Steven Rosengard, Project Runway Designer & Assistant Curator at the Museum of Science & Industry; Tracey Tarantino, Producer/Director for ZZAZZ Enterprises, Inc.; Erikka Wang, co-owner of AKIRA; and Andrea Schwarts, Director of Media Relations for Macy’s North & Midwest. At stake this year were three scholarship prizes - $500 for 3rd place, $1,000 for 2nd place and $5,000 for the first-place winner.

PLRG got the chance to talk to three of the finalists and get the inside scoop on the designers’ inspirations.

Michael Schellenbach, Illinois Institute of Art
Sister City: Moscow, Russia
Third Place Winner

Michael Schellenbach was one of two male designers in the competition, but the only designer to create a men’s wear look. Besides the fact that Schellenbach’s model was easy on the eyes, this was one of our favorite looks in the competition. Schellenbach designed and created the shirt (Italian cotton), jumpsuit (bottom weight cotton/poly blend with faux fur cuffs and collar) and belt (metal auto-inspired buckle).

PLRG: Why did you choose Moscow to be your sister city?
MS: When looking through pictures of Moscow, the architecture really just spoke to me.

PLRG: Tell us about the outfit - who might wear this or something like this today?
MS: The look is a combination - a marriage if you will - of Moscow’s heroes. Imagine - Russian cosmonaut meets modern business man. The look is meant to be worn in the fall, and definitely is not something for the average male. I would say a fashion-forward man would be the most likely person to wear this look in today’s world.

PLRG: Well, your model sure does wear it well ☺. Now, we don’t have many male readers on PLRG, but we’d love to know what your number one tip is for men’s fashion on a budget?
MS: It’s all about fit for men. If it fits well, no matter if it’s from H&M or your mom’s attic, you can create a look that’s better than any ill-fitting high-priced item.

Eunyoung Joo, International Academy of Design & Technology
Sister City: Moscow, Russia
First Place Winner

Eunyoung Joo was the winner of the first place $5,000 scholarship and was overjoyed with her victory. Joo also was inspired by Moscow, and created a women’s winter look made of wool and faux fur that she says is a contemporary take on a very traditional Russian look.

PLRG: Congratulations! So, first things first…why did you choose Moscow?
EJ: I chose Moscow because the relationship between Moscow and Chicago has recently been growing and it’s very interesting to me. You see lots of non-stop flights now being advertised heavily by American Airlines, so I think people are intrigued by this city. Also, the weather is similar to ours here in Chicago.

PLRG: Oh yes! We’ve seen those billboards for sure. Who do you imagine would wear your look in today’s world?
EJ: Any woman from her mid-teens to 30s, in winter cities. She would wear this outside, as it is wool and very warm.

PLRG: Warm is good these days for sure. Last question before you go celebrate - any tips for our readers on how you save money on fashion without compromising your style?
EJ: I think that basic designs will always be in style. Also - alterations are a key. It costs less to alter your looks than to buy new pieces. I don’t throw anything away because I always find new ways to alter and wear items by mixing them with other things.

Caitlin Lindell, International Academy of Design & Technology
Sister City: Prague, Czech Republic
Finalist

Although she didn’t place in the competition, Caitlin Lindell was definitely a crowd favorite at the show. Her ensemble made an impact as her model unwrapped the ultra suede beige cape lined with a rust-orange rayon lining, to reveal a chic dress made of antique satin and cotton/poly blend lace that she hand-dyed a dark brown color. The look was ready-to-wear and was surely sophisticated beyond Lindell’s 20 years.

PLRG: Caitlin, amazing job! We really loved your look. Tell us - why did you choose Prague?
CL: I’ve never been to Prague myself, but I was very inspired by many things about this city. In Prague there are many silk scarf vendors that sell scarves in beautiful colors. The scarves inspired the rusty orange color that lined the cape. Also, it’s very foggy and wet in Prague so the cape is for protection and would keep you warm. The dress was inspired by the architecture of the city - the common white buildings with rusty tops, I feel the city has uniformed chaos, lots of asymmetry, and an antique/textural feel.

PLRG: That sounds beautiful just in your description. So who do you picture wearing your look, and to what type of event?
CL: The woman who would wear this look might be going to a fashion event or silent auction…somewhere where the crowd is dressing to impress. I like to mix high-fashion couture with ready-to-wear looks, which this is. This entire outfit would retail for probably between $300-$400.

PLRG: Not bad! As a young student new to Chicago (CL hails from Des Moines, IA), how do you keep up your own fashion while staying on a budget?
CL: Outlet shopping! IADT is across the street from Nordstrom Rack which is nice. Also, patience. I will wait to buy things I love until the end of a season when they are marked down. I am on a tight budget since I’m a student so I make sure to find the best quality garment on the sale racks or after the season, and usually it’s not that hard if you take the time to look and wait for it to be marked down.
If these students are any indication of the future of Chicago fashion, then we are for sure excited. Here’s a look at all of the finalists’ competition looks from the show.

Stay chic, Chicago.

(Noelle Provencial)

It’s been a week since Battle of the Boutiques, the hangover has finally worn off and we’ve finally caught up on our sleep. The event was a huge success and we have lots of people to thank and lots of things to catch you up on. If you missed the show, check out this video for a little recap….

First, a big thank you goes out to Showbiz Shelly from B96 and our judges Jessica Sedgwick, Fashion Columnist for The Chicago Sun-Times; Steven Rosengard, former Project Runway Contestant and especially Marcia Callaghan and Lauren Hurley from Gen Art Chicago!

We’d also like to thank our sponsors, Honda on Grand, Hub 51, Ulta, Ultimate Vodka, PAMA Liqueur, Studio-808, Brynn Capella Handbags, Vavoom Pinups, The Chicago Bulls, Moxie, Red Ivy, Korbel and Lumen for all of their help getting this event of the ground.

Last, but not least we’d like to thank all of the boutiques who came out to compete and showed us that the local boutique scene has plenty to offer a PoorLittleRichGirl! And, of course, a special congrats goes out to our winning boutique, which swept the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice categories, 2 Sisters Boutique (the real sisters behind the boutique are pictured above, collecting their prize). Check out our favorite look from 2 Sisters, along with our fave looks from the other boutiques, below:

WINNER!: 2 Sisters Boutique- Dress, Fumblin' Foe, $184

Hubba Hubba- Leggings, Sugarlips, $34.95; Top, Free People, $98.95

Re.Stock Shop- Dress, JLee Silver, $89; Vest, JLee Silver, $82

Le Dress- Dress, Frock by Tracy Reese, $175

Wolfbait & B-Girls- Hat, Squasht, $54; Tank, Bruiser, $56; Pants, Bruiser, $98

Dress Up Boutique- Dress, Lani, $49; Blazer, Lani, $79

Photos from the event are now posted in our Gallery, so check them for pics of you and all of your besties at the show or to see the all of the looks put out by each boutique.

And, for all of you savvy ladies who saved your programs, don’t forget about the special 20% discount off your purchase at select boutiques. Details are inside the program!

So he finally popped the question. “He” being your BF, your BFF’s BF, your brother, the list goes on and on. According to the National Center for Health Statistics there were 2,733 marriages in Illinois in January of this year alone. So, we’re willing to bet that you or someone you know is getting married in the near future.

And, you know what that means- time to get your ass in shape. Whether you’re marching down the aisle or just know you’ll run into your ex at your friend’s reception, you absolutely want to look like the best version of yourself when the big day arrives.* But, you haven’t stepped foot in a gym in ages and you don’t even know where to start. We’re with ya, sister! So, we headed over to Equinox to check out two new classes that promise to jump start any workout routine.

Oh, please tell me he's the class instructor!

First on our list was Whipped!, a low impact approach to cardio fitness, which elicits high anaerobic intensity in quick bursts (30 seconds of performance, followed by 30 second of recovery). What does that mean, in English, you ask? It’s a butt-kicking 45 minute workout that gives you a stamina boost, so you’ll actually be able to keep up and finish the class, reaping maximum benefits.

The class is broken up into five stations, each targeting a specific area of the body. The ropes station was by far the toughest and is how the class got it’s name. Giant, heavy ropes are attached to the wall, while you stand at the end of the ropes and “whip” the ropes into various shape and directions. This apparently works areas of the body that are otherwise not targeted in a normal workout regime, which PLRG can attest to, as the next day we were sore in places of our arms and back that we didn’t know could be sore. Other stations include power lunges and squats, push up and plank variations and energetic jumps.

Overall we were big fans of this class. It really got our hearts pumping, but we were still able to keep up and finish our reps. There is a fun, almost playground feel to the set up, which makes it feel less like “work.” And, if you’re a bit self conscious it’s a great alternative to the traditional classes where everyone is lined up and staring at you/themselves in the mirror. In this class, everyone is working on different stations and moving around with the intervals, so the fear of the person behind you staring at your butt is eliminated.

The group fitness room at the LP Equinox.

The next class we tried out, Tabata, is so new to Equinox, that they haven’t even officially begun classes in Chicago (not to worry, they’ll be starting up Spring 2010). This method of working out has amazing health and fitness benefits. It’s basically interval training of 20 seconds of intense exercise moves combined with 10 seconds of rest and recovery, repeated 8 times for a a total of 4 minutes.

The class uses techniques and equipment you may already be familiar with (kettlebells, steps, stability balls) and works all areas of the body. But, by doing them in the 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off intervals, Tabata is scientifically proven to increase athletic performance and Vo2Max (your body’s ability to consume oxygen) and shed fat- in just weeks.

Tabata is also interesting, because you can use the theory behind it for any of your workouts. So, PLRGs don’t have to spend a fortune to experience its benefits. For example, when you’re on the treadmill run as fast as you can, like you’re running for your life, for 20 seconds. Then, step off to the sides for 10 seconds, then back to running as hard as you can for 20 seconds. Do this eight times and you’ve seriously amped up your cardio routine.

These are just two of the group classes offered at Equinox, but there are plenty of others to suit anyone’s fitness tastes, which is really what matters when it comes to getting into shape. No matter what gym you belong to, or even if you don’t belong to one at all, finding an activity that gets you moving, but is also fun is vital to staying committed to your fitness goals.

Best of luck to all of you soon-to-be buffed brides and sexy singles out there in wedding land!

*PLRG does not endorse crash diets, unhealthy exercise/eating habits or losing drastic amounts of weight before your wedding. It’s not good for you, your dress will need to be dramatically altered and let’s face it- the second you’re on that honeymoon you’ll start eating again and you’ll gain it all back and then some just a few months into your marriage. Trust us, we’ve seen this happen to alot of normally level-headed women. Oh, and if you’re losing drastic amounts of weight for someone else’s wedding, cut it out. What, are you trying to show up the bride!? ; )

(Lacey Brenly)

For all you budget beauty buffs, this just in! A beautiful, sexy, fresh look walked the runway at this season’s William Rast fashion show in New York fashion week and PLRG was there to get the scoop from Charlotte Willer, key makeup artist for Maybelline backstage, herself! The look accompanied a collection of American biker meets rocker chic casual wear in leather, denim, cotton knits, furs and fringe. William Rast, as you may know, started as a denim line by co-creators Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala.

The makeup was very clean with flawless skin, a strong brow and bold lash topped off with the perfect nude pout. Willer and the team at WR created the look inspired by both Bridgette Bardot and an idea of riding the open road. Walking down the runway it was so simple but so beautiful at the same time, and most importantly it was a look we can all do at home on a tight budget! All products used were Maybelline (and this is the truth! I witnessed it backstage!).

What you need:

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation, $8.79, Drugstore.com

Colossal Volum Express Mascara in Glam Black, $5.99, Drugstore.com

Define-a-brow eyebrow pencil, $5.49, Drugstore.com in your shade or something slightly lighter than your eyebrow hairs

Color Sensational Lip Color in Nearly There*, $7.49, Drugstore.com

Mineral Power line of loose blush, $7.49, powder, $8.29 and illuminator, $10.99, Drugstore.com

How to get the look:

1) Apply the liquid foundation to clean skin using your hands to massage in the product as if it were a moisturizer, this, according to Willer, will give you the most flawless and seamless look.

2) Layer at least 5 or more layers of the mascara for a false, stuck-together lash look (think a new take on the 60’s lash minus the loads of eyeliner).

3) Fill brows using short strokes of the pencil and blend using an angled brush.

4) Use your finger to dab on the perfect nude lip defusing the edges creating a natural, not over-lipsticked look.

5) Finish using Maybelline’s Mineral Power loose powders of your choice, the illuminator makes a fabulous cheek highlight when added to the top of your cheekbones and the blush is wonderful for a light flushed and glowey look!

Take a look at the full collection and more photos of the William Rast Maybelline look at Style.com.

*This color was created by Willer for Maybelline especially for the show!  It is the perfect nude shade for those of you frustrated by the hunt for a perfect nude!

JP is a New York City freelance makeup artist working on everything from film and fashion to live performance. She moved out to NYC as a women’s footwear buyer and quickly realized her passion would always be in the art of makeup and transforming people. She left her desk job to pursue her dream and has never looked back! Even through the “tough times” following her passion makes everyday a pleasure. To contact her for work in anything beauty, character or hair… or for a guest blog, please email: jp.makeupdesign@gmail.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.

Sundance 2010

The Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the United States where filmmakers from around the world come to showcase some of the best talent in cinema. Every year, Hollywood takes over the little mountain town of Park City, UT with lights, cameras, and of course - fashion. Sundance style= casual red carpet + film geek chic + lots of warm layers!

We returned to the festival this past January to join the Gen Art production team on a sleepless adventure of producing seven events in three days. Since we knew the only time that we would have with the photographers would be spent reviewing the event shot lists, we thought that we would take you PoorLittleRichGirls along on our Sundance shopping trip that we scheduled a week before takeoff.

THE EVENTS:
Gen Art Daytime Lounge (3)
7 Fresh Faces in Film presented by 7 for all Mankind
Kenneth Cole Vintage Black Party
K-Swiss Ping Pong Tournament
Entertainment Weekly Discussion Panel

THE CFA MISSION:
Bring our Chicago style to Sundance by shopping locally at two of our favorite boutiques.

THE BOUTIQUES:

Bonnie and Clyde’s

This is hands-down the most bad-ass boutique in Chicago. Lines are blurred between menswear and womenswear at this seriously hip Bucktown shop that has a take no prisoners approach to fashion. The statement pieces lured us in and the sale prices (that allowed us to score some unconventional staples at very reasonable prices) didn’t hurt either.

Lauren’s favorite purchase: The Tool Belt by Ivan Grundahl. Marcia and I are always fantasizing about fierce event production gear, so this tool belt caught my attention right away. Fashionable AND functional…talk about a statement piece!

Marcia’s favorite purchase: The black woven jacket by Kaylee Tankus is my new favorite blazer. The construction is perfection, but the embroidered jewels and chains on the right pocket make it absolutely irresistible.

Koros

Located in the West Loop, Koros is well worth the trip out west since it will leave you feeling as though you’ve stepped right into NYC’s meatpacking district. One of the best parts of visiting Koros was bumping into Chicago designer Tom Bynum of Bynum & Bang, who has partnered with Koros to launch his first women’s collection - after designing menswear for the last eight years. Owner Kristen Skordilis spent some one-on-one time with us during our styling appointment to show us the inaugural designs. On our way out we charmed the shy and modest Bynum into taking a photo with us. Later Skordilis whispered, “Tom is a true artist whose designs have become coveted by my clientele and have garnered a loyal following of fashion darlings from across the globe. Chicago should be very proud of him.”

Lauren’s favorite purchase: I love blouses that open in back because they can be seductive and demure at the same time. The gathered neckline on Bynum & Bang’s silk brocade Kate Top is sweet and innocent in front, but the satin ties are head-turning from behind. I rocked my Bynum with tight black skinny jeans and knee-high boots in Park City, but the look is killer with super high heels.

Marcia’s favorite purchase: Bynum & Bang’s silk charmeuse Sienna Dress captivated my attention immediately. The collection’s signature ant print looked especially stunning on the mustard-gold hue of the strappy bubble dress. The combination of the meaningful ant graphic on the tailored bubble-shaped hem made this garment an extra special item in my Sundance luggage.

SPOTTED AT SUNDANCE:
In Park City, our production pace was as high-speed as expected, but thanks to lots of double-dirty chai lattes and sugar-free Red bulls, we were sharp enough to notice some recurring trends.

Lauren: The challenge at Sundance is to be super cute without looking like you tried too hard… and to avoid freezing. Think fashionable details and interesting pieces mixed with casual-cool basics like plaid and denim. Statement coats are always a great choice because it might be all people see you wearing! I’m a fan of the thermals under ripped jeans that Kevin Zegers was sporting at our 7 Fresh Faces in Film event. Hot.

Marcia: Sundance is all about winter accessories. Whether it was hats, scarves or gloves, we saw knits everywhere. We spotted a lot of fingerless gloves along with statement scarves (that were also worn indoors). Interesting headwear was expectedly abundant on Main Street, but my favorite look was at our K-Swiss Ping Pong Tournament where our referee (and Gen Art family member), Matt Wise, sported a black fedora with his black and white striped jersey uniform.

OUR SUNDANCE STYLE:

Lauren: I like to travel with one color family, black or brown, to cut down on the number of matching pieces I have to bring. So a lot of my Sundance wardrobe revolved around black. I picked dark pieces with really interesting details - they aren’t loud and attention-seeking, but they show a TON of beautiful detail up close. I mixed dresses with layers of fishnets and tights, and finished all the looks with different styles of boots. And of course, I always top-off my serious production look with a walkie and blackberry holster.

Marcia: When I was inside the venue, I paired blazers with dresses for polished looks that were easily thrown together. I spent a lot of time outside of the venue at Check-In, so I also styled my dresses with layers upon layers of long sleeves, leggings, necklaces, sweaters and socks. My black Hunter Women’s “Lady N” boots were easily matched with everything (rule: there are no heels at Sundance.) I kept extra clothes in the production office so I could easily shift from indoors to outdoors at a moments notice. As long as I had my walkie, I was in business!

DISCOUNTS/DEALS: Follow us on Twitter! @Chicago_Fashion

SPECIAL THANKS: M.W. Krueger, Kristen Skordilis, Tom Bynum, Stephen Naparstek, Corey McCue, Alex Razzano, and Rebecca Gonzales.

Bon Voyage,

-Lauren & Marcia

Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried star as John Tyree and Savannah Curtis in the new film Dear John out in theaters Feb. 5. It tells the story of a solider who falls in love with a college student while he’s at home on leave. I have met Channing before and knew he was a very down to earth guy, but wasn’t sure what to expect from Amanda when I walked into my interview with them at a Chicago hotel.

When introduced to her, she was knitting. Imagine, a 23-year-old woman knitting during a press interview. When I asked her what it was, she told me it was a hat but, it wasn’t anywhere near finished. She seemed a bit shy at first but got more comfortable as she started to explain how easy knitting is and her plans to finish the hat for herself. When Channing entered the room, Amanda tried to convince him that he, too, should take up knitting saying, “When you connect to your inner feminine side, that’s the sexiest thing.” To which Channing replied with a laugh, “Always teaching John, that’s how it is.”

In real life, Amanda is dating her former co-star Dominic Cooper from the film Mamma Mia! Channing is also dating a former co-star from Step Up, Jenna Dewan. Here’s what the twosome had to say about their chemistry in Dear John and what their plans are for Valentine’s Day.

Is this a good date movie?

Channing: “I don’t think me and my boys are all going to see it together; it’s not one of those types of films, but I do think guys who are going to go see it will appreciate it maybe a little more than a normal chick flick because there’s a beautiful father-son story and a love story told through the perspective of that.”

Was this character weird for you to play since it was such a lovey-dovey film?

Channing: “I’ve been in love. I am in love so you get to explore our relationship in a very safe way. It’s a character study in a way and you just go off on this journey with these two people and you can totally pull from things in your life and things you’re going to go through and that you haven’t been through.”

Amanda: “Especially for us, we can connect so well to how our characters are feeling. Also we’re playing versions of ourselves so it wasn’t as scary especially when we knew we were going to be working together. After I signed on it was pretty easy especially because of our rapport.”

Where did the amazing chemistry you have in the film come from?

Amanda: “Mutual respect I think. He’s a good guy. He’s really successful and yet he’s so grounded to the most important things in life and that’s what you look for in a co-star, friend, director, anything. You just want someone to have that connection to the ground.”

Channing: “Yea. When you go through one of these journeys together you want to have somebody that’s a buddy, that’s a friend.

Amanda: “That trusts you.”

Channing: “You can explore these characters in a very safe way in a safety net of that we’re really good friends. We know that no lines are going to be crossed and that we’re there for each other, to help each other.”

Did your significant others come onto set and watch you guys?

Both: “Yea.”

Was it weird?

Channing: “It was probably more weird for them than it would be for us because we’re just happy they’re there and experiencing it with us. But they definitely weren’t there for the sex scene.”

Amanda: “No. I know none of us would want to be there for the other’s love scenes. It gets so twisted and unnatural but then again they both understood because they do it themselves. We’re all actors, all four of us.”

Channing: “I think I was just more intimidated about her boyfriend being around because he’s a really good actor. And I was thinking, ‘I hope he doesn’t think I’m a clown.’”

Amanda: “I think that’s so funny you thought that.”

What are your Valentine’s Day plans in real life?

Amanda: “I’m going to Malta.”

Channing: “I wish I was going to Malta. I don’t even know what it is. I’ve never heard of it.”

Amanda: “I feel it’s my duty as a girlfriend to go. What are you going to be doing (looking at Channing).

Channing: “I don’t know what I’m going to be doing. Not quite sure yet.”

Amanda: “You should go to Hawaii because that’s where you guys go all the time. Isn’t it?”

Channing: “Yea. Hawaii’s always good. There’s never really a season where it’s bad.”

Why should people go see this movie?

Amanda: “Dear Chicago, you should see this movie because it’s as real as it can possibly be. Everybody — no matter who you are, where you’re from, how old you are — can relate to something real in this movie. I think it’s going to leave you feeling inspired, at least in regards to love.”

Channing: “[Chicago] is a beautiful city. I love Chi-town. I have a lot of friends that are from here. It’s a great mix of people in general. There’s all different types of love here and great art and everything, so I just hope people enjoy it.”

Afterwards, the two were nice enough to offer me a slice of their Gino’s East Pizza they had bought to hold them over for their long press day.

Celebrity Watching Schedule

* Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with Mariah Carey who is scheduled to be at the Chicago Theatre (175 N. State St.) Feb. 13-14. The Black Eyed Peas come to the United Center March 13 and Jay-Z will be there March 18. And hope all you teeny boppers got your Justin Bieber tickets. He’ll be performing at the Rosemont Theatre March 24 and 25, but tickets already are sold out. For more ticket information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

* Mariah Carey’s hubby, Nick Cannon will be doing a live DJ set at The Underground (56 W. Illinois) February 13th. Brody Jenner will be in town Valentine’s Day weekend as well. “The Hills” star will be hosting a party at Enclave (220 W. Chicago Ave.).

* Cast members from MTV’s hit TV show Jersey Shore are scheduled to be in town over the next few weeks. Be on the lookout for JWOWW at Joe’s Bar on Feb. 19 and Mike “The Situation” and Pauly D. at Joe’s Bar on March 6.

For more exclusive interviews, pictures and video click on www.B96.com or www.ShowbizShelly.com. Showbiz Shelly can be heard 5:30-10am on the J. and Julian Morning Show on B96, 96.3 FM. Try beating her at pop culture trivia 7:15am every morning with the Showbiz Shelly Smackdown You can also catch her on You and Me This Morning on WCIU-TV.

Rah-Rah-Ah-Ah-Aha…Roma, Roma-ma…GaGa, ooh-la-la!  Just like GaGa, we wanted your bad romance and you gave it to us. We always knew dating can be scary - but your stories make that claim reach a whole other level. Thank you to everyone who sent in their stories we wish we could give everyone a prize to help heal your dating wounds, but there could only be 1 winner. “Advice From a Jerrk” columnist Jerrod chose his favorite bad romance story (Congratulations to Cara!), and the PLRG team chose some other quality stories to share with you. May they make your Valentine’s Day week seem a little bit brighter…

Winning Entry - “Mr. Most Wanted”

Last year on my birthday, my insane friends treated me to a night on the town. I couldn’t tell you where we went, all I know is that we ended the night at Barleycorn in Wrigley. I ended up meeting some guy and apparently gave him my number. I woke up the next morning on my couch in my dress from the night before with a million texts from this guy (should of been the first red flag). I couldn’t remember his name or what he looked like (the girls told me from what they remembered, he was a good looking guy). I agreed to go out with Mr. Barleycorn and gave him the head’s up that I was a strict vegetarian. A week later I met up with him for our date. He takes me to Shaw’s Crabhouse- where I think the only thing on the menu without meat is a side salad, orders a bottle of wine and begins to tell me about himself….here’s what I learned or what I remembered the most- he was 10 years older than me (really not that big of a deal) and still lived with mom and dad. Dinner continues and so does his drinking. I had a glass of wine and switched to water. He finished the wine and switched to dirty martinis (5 martinis). After dinner he asked if I wanted to head to a bar for another drink- at this point I should of said no, but I didn’t. We go to Harry Caray’s and I continue to drink water. He had 5 more mixed drinks. He started getting all touchy feely with me and when I asked him to stop he wouldn’t. I politely asked him to respect the fact that I said to stop and his reply was “You don’t think I respect women? The last time I had sex was 3 years ago.” At this point it was time to go home. We hop in a cab and he asked the driver to take him to his car so he could drive me home. I told him he would not be driving me anywhere (the cabbie also yelled at him for even thinking to drive at his level of intoxication). I had the cab driver drop me off at the corner, thanked him and started to get out. He then asks if he gets to come with me. I politely say no and he that really pissed hm off. At this point I just say sorry and leave. For the next hour I got texts from him that said things like “well I guess I will just sleep in my car,” “Thanks for nothing bitch,” etc. I ignore the texts and go to bed. Fast forward to Monday, just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, while bored at work I google search Mr. Barleycorn. His name pops up under “Indiana’s Most Wanted.” Intrigued, I click on the site. Up pops his mug shot. Luckily, he was only (I say this lightly) wanted for a re-arrest to failure to appear in court for too many DUI charges….imagine that. So that’s my horrible date. Great story to tell the grandkids.

-Cara

And the runner-ups…

So here I am excited to jump back into the world of dating after my relationship of six years falls apart, and I agree to be set up through a mutual friend to catch a movie with this guy. I’m dressed and ready to go when I get a text message from my date saying he’s running a few minutes late, but when I call him back to clarify how late he informs me that he hasn’t yet left his house (he lives almost an hour away). He suggests that I drive and meet him at the theatre, so I finish getting my things together when I get another text- this time, saying he’s pressed for cash and asking if I would cover him for the movie tonight. Let me be clear, I have no problem paying for a date, but he could not have made a worse first impression! Tardiness, frugality, and the general lack of courtesy to actually call with his little updates were too much for me to handle. This time it was my turn to text back and say something had come up. What a prince charming.

-Anna

My worst was many years back, like 20 year ago, I was 17 and working at the Walgreens on Lawrence and Pulaski in the city. It snowed really bad that day, I mean really bad. I was determined to see my boyfriend and bring him his card that I bought him. So I trudged, yes trudged through snow that was higher than my ankles from Lawrence and Pulaski to Montrose and Kimball. I walked all that way and when I got to his house I found him in nothing but biking shorts and wiping sweat of of his chest and the blonde friend from across the street. He told him they had just been working out. Yeah I bet!

-Candice

My dating disaster starts off as anything but. I met a nice looking gentleman the previous weekend at our local watering hotel. Handsome good looks? Check. Ability to carry on a conversation without putting me to sleep? Check. Left finger sans ring? Check. Lack of obnoxious, rude, drunk friends gallivanting around him? Check and ah how rare! All systems were a go and when he suggested we go to a music/food festival the following weekend I couldn’t help but be excited. The date started off pretty well but I couldn’t help thinking the guy was a bit of a bore. (Was I that hammered when I met him that he seemed funny; and was he that boring sober that he needed to drink in order to have a personality?) When we got to the wine tasting booth he seemed to come out of his shell and really hit it off with the woman pouring the drinks. As we walked back to our high top table nearby he told me that he “sorta used to date” her. Feeling a bit off guard I excused myself to the restroom to redo my pout. When I returned I found the wine girl, my date and lots of laughter at our small high top table. I put on the biggest smile I could muster and said “Hi, I’m Molly,” and extended my hand. She said, “Hi I am Katy, Jason’s girlfriend.” I looked at Jason in utter disbelief and confusion, to which he replied: “Um, we decided to give things another go while you were in the bathroom.” With that, I gracefully walked back to the wine bar and downed a flight of reds

-Molly

If you have relationship or guy-related questions for Jerrod, just send an email to AskJerrod@PoorlittleRichGirls.com. When he’s not working on his advice column, Jerrod is a managing partner of Hub 51, River North’s hottest dining, nightlife and social establishment created by him and his brother, R.J.

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

You got motivated. You got a trainer/ a gym membership/ a Yoga mat/ or package for insert trendy fitness class here.

Note to self- buy latex gloves and a surgical mask for next El commute.

And then you fell on the ice. Or worse, you injured yourself in the very class that you were trying to be so dedicated to. Or maybe you just sat next to the WRONG person on the El and got the worst cold you’ve ever had. Just like that, you’re back to being a benchwarmer and your couch and hot chocolate begin to chip away at any fitness gains you made with that New Years’ resolution you so diligently stuck to for all of January.

What does a PLRG do in this era of exorbitant healthcare costs, insurance that seems to cover NOTHING, and doctors that want to help but, only can after three appointments, pre-certifications, and weeks of wasting time waiting on insurance companies?

With that said, I’m here to dish the solutions to get you on the mend in no time at all… and perhaps, even for FREE!

If you slipped on the ice, tripped wearing those bad-for-your-feet-but-oh-so-cute fluffy boots, or just took a misstep in your Zumba class, the budget-friendly diva will head to her local physical therapy clinic. A little known gem is what’s called an “Injury Screen”. Call your local clinic, ask for an injury screen, and POOF… you get a 30 minute slot FOR FREE and whether or not you have insurance has no bearing on this appointment. Better yet, you can have a trained physical therapist look at your injury, assess you, and let you know whether or not you need to see your doctor or whether you just need the skilled therapy a physical therapist can provide. Sometimes, your physical therapist might have such a good relationship with your GP (aka your normal doctor) already, that a simple fax can even get you a prescription for therapy (if needed). And just like that, you’ve solved your injury, bypassed a few co-pays and hours in waiting rooms, and are on your way to being back in action.

Try the new, female-owned and operated Sports & Ortho Physical Therapy Clinic at 405 N. Wabash, 2nd floor, phone: 312-464-0700. A classier version of most clinics, you won’t find drab medical-looking fixtures here. Instead you find hardwood floors, leather chairs for waiting, private rooms, and state of the art equipment including Wii Fit, ellipticals, treadmills, bikes, and even a ladder machine. With an in-clinic Yoga studio and a massage therapist on site, this could become your go-to feel good place.

If you're busy (or too broke) to be sick, just visit your local drugstore!

Now, if what’s got you down is more illness than injury, and loads of Echinecea and sleep are doing nothing for you, what to do for that? Simple. Get yourself to your local Take Care by Walgreens or CVS Minute Clinic (locations are easiest searched on each company’s website). You can see a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant (both whom are practically as well trained as doctors, not kidding!) for simple ailments such as urinary tract infections, sinus infections, flu-like symptoms, the common cold, and more. Better yet, this PLRG herself knows that it’s amazing to be able to walk into a place on your own schedule, wait 30 minutes or less (usually), most insurances are accepted, and get treated with the same prescription a GP would give (and usually with better attention).

Bonus: CVS’s Minute Clinic makes copies of your medical records for you to keep as well as for you to get electronically! That way, you can always be in the loop with your treatment and keep your GP up to date.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there, feel better, and get back into the game! After all, spring fashions & bikini season aren’t that far away…

Yours in Fitness,

Christy

www.christylyonsyoga.com
christylyonsyoga@gmail.com

As a PLRG “Get Hot” columnist, let me tell you that I firsthand understand how expensive keeping fit, kicking butt, and getting zen with Yoga or Pilates can be. I’ve been teaching Yoga for over 2 years now at big-name gyms, corporate private classes, and at Yoga studios…and you’re right, it’s expensive (and no, teachers don’t see that cash)! My love affair with fitness combined with my lifestyle as a PoorLittleRichGirl have led me here and I hope that my column can help you have the best of both worlds.

Back by popular demand, PLRG will be hosting the 2nd Annual Battle of the Boutiques next month to show Chicago fashionistas that they can still shop boutique without breaking the bank!

On Friday, February 26th, we are teaming up with Lumen to hold our second annual Battle - where six local boutiques; Wolfbait & B-Girls, 2Sisters, Hubba Hubba, Dress Up Boutique, Re.Stock Shop, and defending champion Le Dress, will each stomp their stilettos in an effort to be voted the most stylish.

B-96’s Showbiz Shelly will be on-hand as our ringleader while the boutiques contend, featuring five economical looks apiece. A panel of guest celebrity judges, including former Project Runway contestant Steven Rosengard, Jessica Sedgwick, Fashion Editor for the Chicago Sun-Times, and ABC 7 News Anchor, Karen Jordan will vote (along with the audience) to determine the winner(s).

Space is limited and the event is expected to sell out, so ladies buy your tickets now and make plans for a fabulous night out. General admission tickets are $25 and will include 2 hours of complimentary cocktails courtesy of Ultimat Vodka & PAMA Liqueur, passed appetizers provided by Hub51, swag bags, big-ticket giveaways and the fashion show. VIP tickets are $35 and add access to the VIP lounges (a guaranteed seat for the show), deluxe swag bags and champagne. Attendees will also have an exclusive shopping opp with Studio-808, featuring accessories made by local designers. Doors open at 7:30pm, and the event is expected to end at 10:30pm, although the party will for sure continue. Lumen is even offering table reservations (for 10:30pm or later) w/ bottle service of Ultimat Vodka for $200 if you book in advance and let them know you will be attending Battle of the Boutiques.

Special thanks go out to our other sponsors Honda on Grand in Elmhurst, The Salon at Ulta, Moxie and Red Ivy.

Tickets are being sold exclusively through the PLRG website - click here to reserve your spot now!