If you work here, we've got you covered.

You don’t know how many times we’ve snuck out of work for just a little longer at lunch to score a mani-pedi and grab something to eat back at our desk. I was feeling particularly guilty about this at the nail salon one afternoon, until my boss ended up in the chair next to me. She just smiled and acted totally normal, signaling to me that this was actually a very common practice among us corporate girls. I guess our ability to multitask both in and out of the office is one of the main reasons we are so adept at navigating the working world.

Anyhoo, I was thinking about all of you ladies working in the 600 West Chicago Avenue Building and the areas surrounding it today when I spotted a sweet lunch special right next door to a major manicure/pedicure deal…

Monday through Wednesday at H2O Nail & Spa you can indulge in a full manicure and pedicure for just $35! It’s only been there for a few years, but the place still looks brand new and shiny inside and the staff is always friendly. Plus, they offer a rewards card so you can earn your way to a free manicure or pedicure with each sneaky trip.

The @spot cafe's tempting dessert case.

Once you’ve had your nails did, pop in next door to the @spot cafe to pick up some grub. Each day of the summer they offer a different $5 lunch special. Savvy PLRGs will make their appointments for Mondays when the special is Grilled Cheese & Tomato Bisque- it is sooo yummy.

Oh, and one last tip- though the menu at @spot is delicious, this isn’t some fast food joint, so if you think you’re going to be strapped for time just call in your order ahead of time from the pedicure chair.

(Lacey Brenly)

With a little imagination, a PLRG can re-use anything!

We have so many tips for using items for a different purpose than they were intended (double duty usage is a great way to save money) that we wanted to start sharing them with you.

This week, we pulled together some of our fave tips involving your shoes and socks. Try out some of these tips and let us know how they work for you.

• If the bottoms of your Uggs are trashed from last winter, or if you know you’ll be over them come next cold weather season, then cut off the bottom “shoe” part and use the leftover strip as a pot holder or trivet.
• Speaking of fall and winter styles, how do you store your boots without them flopping over and losing their shape? Well, you know all that wine you’ve been drinking? Grab two empty, clean bottles and and shove them in your boots. It’ll keep them at attention until you’re ready to wear them this fall.
• If you’re taking any vacays this summer, then you’ll love this tip. Instead of buying fancy shoe bags to protect your shoes while you travel, grab a few pairs of old gym socks and slip your shoes into them. It will prevent scuffs and stains from mysterious items in your suitcase.
• Socks are always good to have on hand when you’re traveling. Another great way to use them is as a straightening or curling iron holder/protector (the bigger and fuzzier the sock the better). No need to worry about letting your curling iron cool down completely before you leave- if the iron’s still a little warm, the sock will prevent it from burning or scorching it’s cord and other items in your bag.
• If your shoes need polishing at work today, go grab yourself a double duty snack. A banana peel with the strings removed can be used to polish your shoes- afterwards buff with a paper towel or soft cloth.
• This one one is by far the most creative double duty item we’ve come across. If you have an old pair of Crocs, or if you were gifted them and they aren’t your style, then use them as planters this summer! It’s basically the same concept as the Topsy Turvey Tomato Planter. The shoes should be hung up by the heels and the holes in the shoes acts as drainage. Just  make sure to add some moss or something to the toes to avoid dirt spilling out the very bottom.

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)

Say "I do"..."drink champagne!"

It seems that many if not most weddings are funded by the couples themselves these days. With most people getting married at a later age, the tradition of the bride’s parents footing the bill is probably the
exception to the rule. Since most brides and grooms to be already have plenty of debt in their lives, they’re looking to save a penny or two anywhere they can. Here are some tips on buying terrific tasting wines for
the big day without spending big bucks!

Tip #1- Don’t buy too much wine! I’ve been helping people buy wine for events for about 20 years now. The vast majority of customers buy way too
much wine because they’re worried about running out. That’s fine if it’s wine that you would normally drink at home and you don’t mind having extra. If you’re really on a budget though, follow this formula- one glass per wine drinker per hour. You’ll get 60 healthy pours from a case. Remember, if you’re offering beer and cocktails as well, probably only a third of the guests will drink wine throughout the event. Almost all the drinkers will have wine with a dinner, however.

Tip #2- Try to work with a venue that allows you to bring in your own wine. Most halls and caterers charge crazy prices for mediocre wines. This is a profit goldmine for them. They are less interested in offering
quality wines than they are in finding wines with a huge margin. Most have no training or knowledge to select good wine even if they wanted to.

Tip #3- Don’t offer too many selections. Most guests will be happy with one or two choices in red, one or two in white and one sparkler. Offering more than that means you either have to buy large quantities of each (meaning lots of leftovers) or risk running out of whatever is the most popular.

Tip #4- Be open to serving wines from lesser known regions and grapes- If your budget is $10 per bottle and you want to stick to California Cabernet Sauvignon, you’re going to be serving dull, mass-produced wine. However, there are some truly delicious, interesting wines from out of the way corners of Spain, Italy and France for the same price. Matching the nationality of the cuisine can be a good way to work with these wines.

Tip #5- Ask the servers to open bottles as they need, rather than opening every bottle in advance. If there are going to be extras, they should be going home with you, not the servers!

Tip #6- Ask the servers to pour only half servings of sparkling wine for the toast. Many people simply do not care for sparkling wine and will raise their glass, take one sip and forget the rest. It’s better to have
more bubbles left for the guests who love them.

Some great sources of value:

Sparkling wines- Cava is about the best value around. If you have the budget, steer clear of the super cheap versions from huge producers (Freixenet, Codorniu, Cristalino, etc.). Many boutique Spanish importer have much better Cava for just a little more dough. I carry really tasty Brut and Brut Rose Cavas from Gran Sarao that are only $10 per bottle.

Red Wines- If you’re on a budget, stay away from American wines and stay away from Pinot Noir. There are simply no $10 wines in these categories that I’d serve my guests. Turning again to Spain, I sell a juicy, rich,spicy Spanish red made from old vine Garnacha called Tres Ojos for only $10. In a more classic, earthy old world style, I sell a French red from Bergerac, a satellite region of Bordeaux, for $10. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

White Wines- If your guests are mostly urban dwellers, you should know that most white drinkers have moved away from Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc is a good bet from both a popularity and value standpoint. Rayun, a Chilean producer, is a favorite at the $10 price point.

Here’s to a great wedding day and some truly tasty, affordable wines to celebrate the moment!

Cheers!

Dean AKA-The Cellar Rat

Meinklang Gruner Veltliner ($12.99)

We like to think these grapes were harvested by the Von Trapp children.

Never tried Austrian wine? Well, you’re missing out on one of the world’s most overlooked, great wine producing countries. Don’t confuse Austrian wine with German wine. Although Austria creates some of the world’s most renowned desert wines, the vast majority of the white wines are dry.

Gruner Veltliner is their signature grape. Aside from a few oddball plantings around the world, it pretty much only comes from Austria. Gruner Veltliner has flavors that appeal to fans of Sauvignon Blanc. The wines share some of the clean, citrus notes of Sauvignon. Add to that some tropical notes of papaya, a hint of white pepper, some stoniness from the soil and you’ve got the classic profile of these refreshing, dry whites.

Meinklang is a small, family owned producer using the hyper-natural agriculture technique known as Biodynamics. Way beyond organic, this method treats the estate as a whole and follows ancient traditions involving the cycles of the earth and sun. Whether you go in for the “earth mama” stuff or not, the results are in the bottle- delicious, distinctive, complex wines. It’s rare that a wine produced using such labor intensive techniques would be this affordable. Take advantage before the winery figures out how much more they could charge!

This wine is pretty versatile with food, working well with everything from salads, seafood with Mediterranean preparations to simple poultry dishes.

Cheers!

Dean a.k.a “The Cellar Rat”

Now that I just turned 30, I wonder, am I allowed to wear Madden Girl, the “juniors” line of shoes by Steve Madden? Please say yes because I found the cutest shoe booties at, of all places, DSW!

Check out the Madden Girl Raleigh Ruffled Platform Bootie. It retails for $89.95 on stevemadden.com but is at DSW for $49.95. It comes in both taupe (pictured) and black.

Now is the time to cash in those DSW rewards certificates that are stuffed in a drawer somewhere!

DSW
3131 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657
773-975-7182
Sun 10am-7pm, Mon-Sa t 10am-9pm

(Pam Sherman, is the founder of Chicago Anytime Assistants, a flexible ‘anytime-you-need-it’ personal assistant service for the busy Chicagoan. She is constantly hunting down deals and sales for her clients and is now sharing them with PoorLittleRichGirls as a contributor.)

In the world of dating, two timing is usually viewed as completely and utterly unacceptable. Lucky for us girls, however, the opposite is true in the world of beauty and cosmetics.  Nothing beats the sheer delight of discovering that your favorite beauty product possesses other secret powers that you can call upon in a pinch. And let’s face it, in these economic times, we all have to put in a little extra over time and our beauty products should not be exempt. Here is a list of inexpensive beauty products that can serve more than one purpose, saving you time and much-needed money.

Covergirl Wetslicks Amazemint Lipgloss ($6.50, Walgreens)
Not sure what took so long, but the marriage between a breath freshener and lip gloss is a natural fit that equals perfection-not to mention convenience. The latest evolution in lip products, Covergirl Wetslicks Amazemint, infuses peppermint oil into your favorite lip color leaving your pout alluring and your breath minty fresh. The 2-in-1 product comes in 13 shades and is a definite date night must that should carried with you at all times.

The Original Moroccan Oil ($40, www.moroccanoil.com)
Everyone is raving about the benefits of Moroccan oil and it is completely understandable. The contents in this little bottle do it all: hair restorator, frizz and flyaway tamer, skin moisture, and cuticle softener. A little goes a long way with the lightweight oil, which can also be used pre-color treatment for a more intense color pay off.  It is made from the kernels of argan tree fruit, which is almost exclusively in Morocco, hence the name.

Oral B Vitality Precision Clean Electric Toothbrush ($22.99, CVS/Pharmacy)
Alright, maybe not the most exciting or most obvious pick at first glance (though some would argue fresh breath and clean teeth are the ultimate beauty accessory), but this tool in oral health also doubles as a spa treatment for your face.  When used with your favorite exfoliating cleanser, the soft-bristled toothbrush gently buffs out your skin and encourages skin cell turnover, which in turn reveals bright, beautiful skin. You can also use this with a hydrating lip balm to exfoliate your lips before your favorite lipstick for a smooth application.  Quick caveat: Purchase two separate toothbrush heads, one for your face and one your teeth.

Pur Mineral’s 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup ($24.50, www.purminerals.com)
Dubbed the “The One Minute Mineral Makeup Miracle,” the title alone sells it.  Few ladies would argue with a product that is an all natural mineral foundation, concealer, powder and SPF 15 protection all in one that leaves your complexion flawless. Available in 10 varied shades and rated by dermatologists as the number one mineral makeup formula, this delivers on everything it promises. Think of all the time and space you will save having this in your arsenal.

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara ($4.99, Target)
A kin to the beloved industry favorite Maybelline Great Lash in black, this clear version can be used as a conditioning mascara and an excellent eyebrow shaper.  What is great about this product is you won’t have to worry about the messy smudging, clumping and smearing that can be quite annoying with traditional mascara. Bonus tip: Spray an old wand with hairspray and use on your eyebrows for an added hold that lasts all day or on your hair to tame flyaways.

(Written by Lenora E. Houseworth, a Chicago-area writer and editor and a self-professed beauty addict.)

Being a poor little rich girl sometimes means taking on a challenge in order to save some dough.

For example, when my friend and client, Steph, told me she wanted an upholstered headboard, but was on a tight budget, I decided that we could make one. I’m not particularly handy, but designers do it all the time on those design-on-a-dime TV shows and all the websites we checked advertised “chic and easy” instructions. So why couldn’t we build one?

If you have read my column before you know that I tell it to you straight. Was it fulfilling to see the end result of our labor? Hell yes. Would I do it again? Definitely. Was it a walk in the park? Nope.

As a designer, I do have an ace or two up my sleeve that really helped us complete this project. I have a good relationship with a great carpenter, Chris Favia, who took his Sunday to help us put together the wood framework for the headboard. I do not recommend attempting this project without someone who has access to and is comfortable with saws, drills, etc. I also have a friend who is going to school for fashion and owns an industrial sewing machine. Special thanks to Teddy Schellenbach for helping us sew together our fabric. Matching the pattern would have taken me HOURS.

Even with all this help, Steph and I unintentionally (although it should have been pretty obvious) made things a bit harder for ourselves by choosing a curved design, which required more material and carpentry. To simplify this process, choose a rectangular design. Secondly, due to her 12′ high ceiling in the bedroom we chose to build a 6′ tall headboard, which looks AMAZING, but ended up proving difficult to haul around, even in an SUV. Unless you have unusually tall ceilings, like Steph, I recommend you make a shorter headboard. I make these mistakes so that you don’t have to!

Upholstered headboards are really en vogue and are an amazing way to glamorize your bedroom. Below are the directions we followed and the pictures we took so that you too can build one (without sugar coating the gritty details).

Materials:
two 1/2″ sheet of medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
batting, fabric and decorative trim
tempered hardboard (bendable board)
2×4s
staple gun (we got away with just using nails)
drill and wood screws
table saw or circular saw
measuring tape
miter saw
jig saw

1. Tip #1: You need to bring an SUV or truck to the hardware store. Tip #2: Have the hardware store cut the 2×4s into:
For the top of the frame:
two at 13-1/2” long
two at 10” long
two at 5” long
one at 30” long
one a 60” long
For the bottom of the frame:
Six at 60” long

2. Build the top of the frame as follows:

3. Build the bottom frame as follows:

4. Attach the bottom and the top frame together

5. Lay the MDF on the top of the framework and with a pencil outline the curves on the top of the headboard. Then with a saw cut along those lines so that the MDF matches (fits the exact size of) the headboard. When completed, attach the MDF to the framework.

HINT: This is where we got into a problem. Even though we had an SUV, this thing was so freakishly large that we had to chop the headboard into two pieces, in a jig-saw like way, and then reattach them on-site. Unless this MAJOR extra step sounds like fun to you, build a smaller headboard.

6. Attach the batting to the entire MDF covered side of the headboard, and the sides and top of the framework. I recommend using something rather thick, at least 1.5 inches, because that is what your head will be hitting when you are in bed. A staple gun will work, but we used nails.

7. If you want to add depth to your headboard, like we did, we added extra batting along the edges. We used slightly less thick batting for this part because it is easier to handle.

8. Steph and I also made our lives harder by choosing a fabric with a pattern. Sewing the fabric together so that we did not break the pattern was VERY TEDIOUS! (Thankfully, we pawned this part off to an expert). Cover the batting in fabric and attach it with either the staple gun or nails. Hide your nails/staples in the framework on the back and at the edges where you placed the extra batting.

9. To hide where you placed the staples or nails use a fabric glue to attach a decorative trim.

10. Attach the headboard to your bed and admire your 2 full days of work (not kidding)!

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

One of the best movie scenes of all time comes from the classic epic Legally Blonde. As Elle Woods lays in bed, depressed and dejected since her boyfirend broke up with her, her friends come to her rescue saying “What always makes us feel better, no matter what?” The camera flashes to the front of a nail salon, where the girls are getting mani-pedis. It seems silly, but a simple thing like groomed nails can sometimes give you the confidence boost you need.

The PLRG team has two all time favorite spots to go for the hallowed mani-pedi. We’ll start with H2O Nail & Spa (865 Larrabee St.). This nail salon is fairly new, which you will notice right away. The space is clean, bright and welcoming. The price for a mani-pedi combo is $40, and you can sign up for their loyalty program which gets you a free manicure after purchasing seven (or a free pedicure after purchasing seven). After your service, the staff walks you to the dryer and give you a 3 minute shoulder massage- the icing on the cake. Really, a great bang for your buck, plus the equipment they use is made of antimicrobial material, meaning all you’ll leave with is a great set of nails, and no other fungus or crittters!

Our PR Siren, Sally, has another great nail spot she swears by. Her favorite nail tech, Vina, at Fancy Nails (22 E. Elm) gives a $32 mani-pedi to die for. Sally warns that there is some tough love involved, but the results are truly magnificent, especially for the price. Walk ins are welcome, but if you want Vina, we reccomend making an appointment in advance (you aren’t the only girls Sally has shared this secret with you know).

With school back in session and long days at work, make the time this week to pamper yourself. Sometimes something as simple as manicured nails can make it seem that all is right with the world. Even if it is only for an hour.

I admit, for the past few years I have been the cobbler whose children have no shoes. While focusing on making other peoples’ homes beautiful I have greatly neglected my own. So, in order to rectify this disconnect, I have declared the summer of 2009 the year I make my home a true reflection of myself.

The wall over my bed has been empty since I moved into my place three and a half years ago. I guess I have an issue with commitment. 

However, I knew I could create a unique solution to this problem without breaking the bank.

Colorful paper is a great and inexpensive way to spice up a wall. I went to Paper Source, but you can go to any specialty paper store, and bought three different pieces of paper. To keep the look cohesive I picked paper with a similar color-scheme. I also kept them unified by choosing all floral prints.

Just like choosing textiles, if you select two papers with similar colors and prints, opt for one large print and one small. If you have trouble mixing and matching…it took me about a half hour because their selection was so amazing…ask a sales associate. He or she is usually more than happy to help.

I spent a total of $15 at Paper Source.

I then went to Michael’s and picked up six 9×12 inch canvases for $6 apiece. I would suggest bringing your paper with you to double check they will fit the canvases you choose.

Attaching the paper was easy:

1. I cut each paper in half so I had 6 pieces total, one for each canvas.
2. I wrapped each canvas with the paper like it was a present. Work on a flat surface to ensure you tightly wrap each canvas and the paper does not wrinkle.
3. I used both glue and tape on the back of the canvas to affix the paper. 

Note: I made an effort to make each canvas unique by arranging the same prints differently. For example, I placed one large decal in the center of one canvas but did not center the decal on the second canvas. 

You can get even more creative when hanging your new wall art. While you can hang them in straight rows I decided to offset mine. 

It would also look great if you choose different shaped canvases and assembled them on your wall in a geometric pattern.

In the end I created a distinct look in my bedroom for $55 and a few hours of work!

One room down…

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