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!

After this weekend, the Battle of the Boutiques will have come and gone and what will a PoorLittleRichGirl do then to get her fashion fix? How about scope out some of Chicago’s best up and coming designers at The Chicago Fashion Foundation 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit!

Three lucky (and talented) designers will win scholarships, but they’re not the only lucky ones. Even though you’re not a CFF member, PLRG has hooked you up with the member price for tickets. That’s just $30 when you purchase ahead of time online (non-member tix cost $40+). All you have to do is enter “PLRG” in the Comments section when purchasing your tickets and they’ll take care of the rest!

Ladies, we suggest you act quickly on this one. On Friday, December 11th, our friends at Le Dress are closing up shop to the public and opening their doors for just 20 PLRG readers for the best “Girls Night Out” event we’ve heard of in a while. Maybe ever.

Here’s the schedule: Arrive at Le Dress (we suggest taking a cab or CTA) at 8pm and start the night off with some complimentary cocktails and appetizers while browsing the amazing dresses around the store. Have a blast trying on dresses, listening to music, getting styling advice from the oh-so-fashionable Eva & Robyn (the beauties behind Le Dress) and scoring 20% off any purchase. Leave the clothes you came in at the store if you want, and get ready for a night on the town in your new duds. When you’re ready, walk outside and be greeted by your own private LIMO, waiting for you and your girls with a complimentary bottle of champagne inside. Ride in style like the divas you are to NV Penthouse Lounge, where the fun doesn’t stop. You will be escorted to your table where ANOTHER complimentary bottle of champagne will be yours to enjoy (and don’t worry, you aren’t sharing 1 bottle between 20 girls - you’ll get 1 bottle for every 5 girls that attend). Now dance the night away in your new dress and enjoy feeling like a rock star.

Best part? Tickets are just $25. We’re not kidding. Best holiday party ever. Next step? Call to RSVP before December 7th.

Wanna scope out some of what Le Dress has in store for you? Here are a few of our personal faves:

Fashion Focus Chicago is just around the corner, October 22-25, but are you up to date on your local fashion scene? No need to stress. We’ve already done your homework for you by choosing three of our favorite designers to watch showing at Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion event, October 24:

Comfy and Cute Day or Night: Imaginary People
Here are two girls who get how most of us live. We work hard, but play hard too and need clothing that feels great on and looks good too. Telo Dunne and Olivia Shanks, admitted party girls, create flowy jersey dresses, vests, and tops that are modern, yet timeless and totally wearable.

Feminine Classics with a Hint of Edge: JLee Silver
We’re so glad Melanie Manego and Jenna Lee Fowler, founders of Fashion Heist, a clothing distribution company, decided to found their own label, JLee Silver. Their pieces are affordable, but that doesn’t mean they spare any detail. You’ll see clothing that is both functional and feminine, a perfect mix for a big meeting or drinks after work!

The Perfect Party Dress: Red Doll by Tatyana Merenyuk
Playful, pretty and party-ready is what comes to mind when we think of Red Doll by Tatyana Mernyuk. Her dresses, skirts and capes are the stuff little girls dreams are made of. Short hemlines and plunging v-necks lend some grown-up sexiness to all the ruffles and bows, making it the ultimate in party attire.

There will be five womenswear and menswear designers and three accessories designers in all at the Fresh Faces event. Get your ticket today and use code PLRG25 to get a 25% discount off the ticket price!

(Lacey Brenly)

You remember Red Ivy, don’t you? The bar/restaurant where we held our kick-ass “Party Hard, Speak Easy” party last year? If you do, it should be no surprise to you that, once again, they’re pulling out all the stops for their 4th Annual “Week of Red Ivy.” October 25-31, each day they’ll be offering super cheap drinks specials and hosting unique events (like turtle races, musical performances and even a “Suite Trip” to see the Blackhawks play. Click here for the full schedule.

Here at PLRG we’re especially excited about the FRESHMIX event on October 28th, which will determine Red Ivy’s “top tender”. Sponsored by Skyy Vodka, the event will feature three bartenders “competing” against each other for the best mixed cocktail with Skyy flavored vodkas and fresh fruit. Attendees will sip on FREE samples of “competition drinks” (we’re talking full-sized samples here). If they like them, you can order your favorite for just $3 each the rest of the night. The winning drink (voted on by you, the attendee) will become a featured “PoorLittleRichGirls” drink on their new menu!

Whole Foods South Loop, 1101 S. Canal

We have been super impressed with Whole Foods lately. We always thought we were too poor to shop there, but then we found out about this class they were teaching on how to save money on your groceries. Now, we find out they are hosting Sunday brunch for just $5 a plate and only $10 if you add a mimosa!

The brunch, held every Sunday in September at 12pm, is prepared by Chef Stacey in the Lifestyle Center at the Whole Foods in the South Loop. You can even sneak in some shopping (post-mimosa is more fun), but we recommend checking out this week’s deals first to get the most for your money.

(Lacey Brenly)

TheChiGuide.com is Chicago’s newest and most complete online event guide and newsletter. They’ve got the scoop on all the local events that are worth your while, ranging from food and wine tastings to shopping nights to burlesque shows. Plus, with reviews coming from contributors of all different backgrounds (who make personal recommendations) it’s easy to find events that are of interest to you! Check out our favorite pick from TheChiGuide this week:

The Mad Hatter Tea Party @ The Drake Hotel

Be Alice in Wonderland for a Day

Recommended by Lara Takenaga

If you ever read Alice in Wonderland and wished you could be at the Mad Hatter’s tea party (like me), here’s a chance to make your childhood fantasy come true. The Palm Court at the Drake Hotel will host its first-ever Mad Hatter Tea Party this Friday, complete with the Red and White Queens, the Cheshire Cat, and, of course, the Mad Hatter. Ladies, be sure to come dressed in your finest Sunday bonnet, as prizes will be given out for the most creative hats.

Insider Info: To reserve your spot for this imaginative event, you must RSVP to Shaun Rajah at 312-932-4619 or shaun.rajah@hilton.com. Tickets are $29 each and include afternoon tea service, as well as two showcases featuring fashions from British hat designer Joy Scott Milliner. To up the elegance even more, there will be live harp performances throughout the afternoon.

Details

When
Friday, Jul 31st, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where
The Drake Hotel
140 E. Walton Place, Gold Coast
Tel: 312-787-2200

Price
$29 RVSP

Check out TheChiGuide.com for more hot events and happenings in Chicago!

If you haven’t been to a Spandexxx party yet, next Friday, July 31 you absolutely have to get your butt over to Sonotheque! This time around, admission is FREE all night long with RSVP, and of course FREE Tito’s Vodka from 9-10pm.

Even better, for those of you who haven’t or couldn’t score a ticket to Lolla, they’ll be giving away a bunch of three day passes! If you already have your tix, but just can’t get enough of your fave Lolla artists, check out the line up for this edition of Spandexxx, the “official pre-party” for Lollapalooza:

Last, but certainly not least, we’ll be celebrating some very special birthdays at Spandexx .007. Our friends Matt DuFour, Publisher and Music Editor, and Chess Hubbard, Publisher and Creative Director, from UR Chicago will be partying hard and celebrating their special day En Prise style.

Oh, and feel free to splurge on birthday gifts for Matt and Chess with the money you save from free admission and drinks! HeHe ; )

(Lacey Brenly)