It’s early March and although this winter hasn’t been completely unbearable, it’s still 30 degrees outside and the non-option of “Spring Break” in your life has led you to actually contemplate whether or not your office copy machine could double as a tanning bed if you photocopy your face enough times.

You need a fix. Fast. Where do you turn? Caffeine? Chocolate? Wine? Perhaps. Shopping? Definitely. Easy access is yours with PLRG fave and Battle of the Boutiques 2010 competitor, Dress Up Boutique.

We love knowing that there are always new, cute and affordable pieces, and if you spend $100 or more, shipping is free. Here are a few of our current faves…

(Shown at Battle of the Boutiques) BB Dakota Lola Dress in Black, $78; BB Dakota Shearer Coat in Manila Yellow, $92

Fada Elastic Flower Belt, $24

17" Gold Zipper Leggings in Black, $76 From Lindsay Lohan's new leggings line inspired by and named after Marilyn Monroe.

Dress Up was this year’s only online boutique in the show, and they proved to be fierce competition. The site was launched in 2008 by two sisters with an ambition to create a place where women could find trendy, unique and high quality clothing and accessories without the designer price tag. In addition to the usual online shopping experience, Dress Up offers exclusive shopping services including shopping parties, personal shopping and house calls.

This month’s spotlight falls on an exclusive offer that was included in the programs at Battle of the Boutiques, and now is available to all PLRG readers:

Enter BOTB2010 on Dressup-boutique.com and get 20% off your entire purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offers/promotions, expires June 1, 2010

Now, slowly walk away from the copy machine and nobody will get hurt.


(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!

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!

Back by popular demand, PoorLittleRichGirls.com will be hosting its 2010 Battle of the Boutiques this winter to show Chicago fashionistas that they can still shop boutiques without breaking the bank.

On Friday, February 26th, PLRG is teaming up with Lumen to hold the second annual battle- where five local boutiques, and defending champion LeDress, will each stomp their stilettos in an effort to be voted the most stylish.

Each store will display five looks each, including items of clothing for $100 or less (dresses and outerwear count as 2 items). B-96’s Showbiz Shelly will MC and the audience, along with our panel of celebrity judges will be casting their votes- and enjoying complimentary cocktails and appetizers provided by Ultimat Vodka and Hub51.

We are now taking applications from boutiques interested in participating! Act quickly if you are interested, as the deadline is December 18th. This ultimate gala for local fashion, food and cocktails will provide you with a great platform to expose your business to nearly 300 of Chicago’s fashionistas, in addition to the expected press in Chicago’s top media publications. Entry will include models, event production and a full PR & promotional campaign to include your boutique’s logo and business information. The 2009 BOTB sold out within 1 week and resulted in press in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Metromix, Time-Out Chicago and The Red Eye. Media clips from last year can be found here.

To apply or receive more information about participation or general BOTB sponsorship opportunities, email Noelle at Noelle@poorlittlerichgirls.com.

They came. They saw. They posed.

In a stunning victory le Dress swept the first annual “Battle of the Boutiques”, taking home both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards. This means they’ll be back next year to defend their title as Chicago’s “most stylish yet affordable” boutique. Congratualtions to le Dress!

In case you missed us for the show and dinner last Thursday at Chaise Lounge, we’ll fill you in.  Le Dress is a haute new dress-only boutique located on Division in Wicker Park created by two sisters-in-law Eva and Robyn Anderson. Their mutual love for fashion inspired them to open a boutique… but definitely not your store next door. Le Dress is a place where the perfect dress and everything that goes with it can be found. Whether it’s for the party on Friday night, the shower at the botanical garden or the wedding at the Drake, Eva & Robyn believe that dress shopping should be exciting no matter what the occasion.

Their winning fashions are shown below, but if you’re looking for more photos of the event check out the Gallery. There, you’ll find photos of all the boutiques’ looks, our guest judges, Showbiz Shelly, the PLRG team and maybe even you!

Finally, PLRG would like to thank everyone who helped to make this event a success! Thanks goes to the boutiques, Eliana Lily, vFish, Frankie’s on the Park, le Dress and Beta Boutique for putting on such a great show, Chaise Lounge for hosting, Chic Gems and Clutch for their beautiful accessories, Yelp for the goodie bags, Salon Blo for providing hair and make up and Sheffield Marketing for their continued support.

We’d also like to thank Showbiz Shelly for being such a fabulous emcee and Jes, from Rock of Love, Ben Mollin from Shear Genius and Jessica Sedgwick, from The Sun Times for judging the battle.

Last, but certainly not least, we must thank Liz Fowler of Eventology for being such a pleasure to work with and for pulling it all together!

(Lacey Brenly)