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!

We all love Beta Boutique’s famous “Stacked Rack” sale and all of their other fabulous, traveling sample sales. Well, it’s not just us, but all of Chicago, that goes gaga for these sales, and so with that, beta has decided to close the doors to their permanent location to focus on bringing you even bigger, better and more fashionable events!

But, as sad as we are to see them leave their Bucktown outpost, we are always happy to shop a “closeout” sale. Now, through Sunday, March 14 you can score discounts from 40-90% off their selection of designer duds. 90% off? Talk about a dramatic discount, er, I mean exit!

Beta Boutique
2016 W. Concord Place in Bucktown
Thur & Fri: 11am - 5:30pm
Sat: 11am - 5pm
Sun: 12pm - 5pm

(Lacey Brenly)

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!

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

Best Friends for your “Girls”

We've all been there- Some of the world's most beautiful, put-together women have had their BGW moment/s.

They’re called hooters, fun bags, ta-tas and cans, among other things. But to the woman that’s wearing them, breasts are part of who she is and what she can wear. It’s not uncommon that women who are “blessed” in the boob department wish they had less and those less endowed would do anything for more.

Either way- every woman wants the chest she has to look great no matter what she wears, even if it’s something backless, strapless, low-cut or sheer. Easier said than done, right? You could easily spend hundreds of dollars at big-name lingerie stores buying specialty bras that work for just one type of top. Don’t get us wrong - we are FIRM believers that spending money on quality bras is a must. Having your boobs in the right place with the right support can make you look thinner and will always make your clothes fit better. That being said, the array of specialty bras made just for halter tops, tube tops, t-shirts, etc. or just for one type of support (push-up, padded, etc.), each priced between $40-$58, can get overly pricy very quickly.

Other options? You could skip the sexy backless top you’ve been dying to wear, but that’s no fun. You could try and jerry-rig the bras (or boobs) you have to make an outfit work - i.e., tucking the straps in or use masking tape to secure the girls. Come on, we’ve all done it at least once before. Anything to avoid the nightmare-come-true scenario that every woman fears - Boobs Gone Wild, or BGW for short. Big or small, if your “girls” are out of control, people will notice. People will notice and tell other people. We are all about being noticed, but not for this reason.

Ok let’s get to it - this month PLRG was introduced to a line called PURE STYLE Girlfriends - an over-the-counter, inexpensive, hypo-allergenic and easy to use breast “accessory” line that we are now obsessed with.

We tested the following 4 products:

-Stay Put: Double-sided Fashion Tape (36 strips of clear disposable tape, $12)
Chances are, you’ve used some sort of double-sided tape before. This is pretty standard stuff, the “Mr. Fix-It” of the line that can be used for a number of things - here are just a few: stop bra straps from falling, close that “between-the-buttons” gap on your botton-down shirts, “hem” your jeans when you’re wearing flats instead of heels or keep revealing necklines in place.

-Pick-Me-Up: Breast Lift-Up Tape (Set of 3 disposable pairs, $17)
Basically, this tape is an instant boob job minus the price and the pain. The adhesive strips are waterproof (read: “sweat proof” for you dancing queens) so they actually stay in place all night. Better yet, the center part that actually covers your nipple doesn’t have any adhesive on it, so you don’t have to worry about a painful situation when taking them off.

-Smooth’em: Reusable Nipple Concealers (1 pair re-usable 20 times, $17)
Especially during winter in Chicago, it’s nice to know your “high beams” aren’t on just b/c of the chilly temps. These mini silicone discs are much easier to use than we expected, and they really do create a completely seamless silhouette. You can wash them with soap & water, which seemed to work just fine. Note: Unless you are working with a smaller cup size, wearing these concealers does NOT give you a free pass to go bra-less. Your nipples might be smoothed, but there is still potential for a case of BGW here.

-Gather The Girls: Adhesive Strapless Shaping Bra (1 re-usable pair; available in cup sizes A-D, $42)
If we had to skip any of the products this would probably be it. Not because it didn’t work well, but because you only can use it up to 10 times. But we’re not complaining - this “bra”, without any straps at all (clear adhesive wings stick to your skin beneath your armpits), really does wonders for cleavage. You even have a bit of control over just how much cleavage you want, since you put on each silicone cup separately, and then clasp the center hook together. The more work that clasp is doing, the more boobalicious you will be. Oh - we took the advice on the packaging and used a little bit of the fashion tape (see above) for extra security on the side flaps…and recommend you do the same.

All in all, we were fully impressed and think that every woman should have these accessories on hand…if not for herself, then for the “girls” in her life.

**You can find the line in stores around the city, including Akira, The Dressing Room, Handle With Care, Pump and Scoop**

(Noelle Provencial)

Do the words “Kate Spade” and “half price” never quite seem to go hand-in-hand? I’m with ya, fella PLRG’s! I love Kate Spade but gosh darn it, I can’t seem to ever find her fabulous items on sale.

But, it looks like our luck has changed. Check out the Kate Spade sample sale happening online NOW through February 26th! It features Handbags from $40, jewelry from $30 and other great finds.

Might I suggest the Jane Street Neda wallet (pictured left). It simply is the most functional and stylish wallet I have ever owned. You will not regret it. It retails for $195 and is on sale for a whopping $99. Log onto this site as fast your fingers can type! Happy shopping!

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.

Originally published February 23, 2010.

Please welcome Vince Hickey, aka “Cousin Vinnie”, from Chicago.com. You may recognize him from their neighborhood tour videos (we featured their Rush & Division tour on PLRG). You may also recall that we are producing a video together, highlighting local businesses in Bucktown. Well, Vinnie wanted to bring you the scoop on a boutique we filmed at which, may or may not be familiar to the ladies but, he thinks every guys should know about.

If you happen to have caught a case of some Chicago Fashion Illness, like mixing denims and wearing white after Labor Day, head straight over to Personal Privilege and get a dose of stylish threads. Owner Tracy Lemke is no stranger to the fashion scene. This celebrity stylist has dressed dozens of huge names like White Sox player Octavio Dotel, Lakers player Shannon Brown, Golden State Warriors Corey Maggatte and many, many more. Tracy stocks her shelves with everything from Diesel, Affliction, Steve Madden, and tons more designers that satisfy even my picky Chicago fashion needs. These trendy threads won’t keep you tied to the catwalk or strutting the sidewalks of the Gold Coast. Their styles are sensible, affordable and fashion-forward. When I hear the term “boutique”, I immediately think it will be too expensive and strictly for the ladies. However, free fashion consultations with Tracy and staff included in the purchase and free alterations for any purchases over $60 make this joint a hit.

You and your man can shop together at Personal Privilege.

My trip to Personal Privilege surprised me. They had a wide range of prices and a good selection for both men and women. This place is definitely for men who are looking for something different (or a little less standard) from what’s hanging on the racks at Express or H&M. If cool clothing, honest fashion advice, and grade A customer service are important to you, then you won’t be disappointed at Personal Privilege. Customers receive complimentary drinks on weekends while you get your shopping done. So girls if you want to pick up a killer pair of jeans and don’t want to torture your boyfriend, let him grab a drink, watch some music videos and shop your hearts out.

Sincerely,
Cousin Vinnie

Have a question you want to ask Cousin Vinnie? Need a handsome guys point of view? Send him an email to Vinnie@Chicago.com. When Vinnie is not scoping the streets for new threads and great deals, He is a business developer for Chicago.com. Also to read more from Vinnie check him out at www.chicago.com/blog.

We like to think of co-owners Jenny & Shirley as the Ethan Hunts of local fashion. As if someone from a highly secretive branch of the CIA contacted them in 2006 and in a deep voice told them, “This is your mission if you choose to accept it: bring local Chicago designers to the masses”. As if they took their mission seriously and in response, opened Wolfbait & B-girls in Logan Square in April of that year. Well regardless if our love for secret agents or Tom Cruise (pre-Suri, obvi) have anything to do with this dream, the ladies behind Wolfbait can surely say “Mission Accomplished”.

Located at the roundabout at the intersection of Logan Boulevard, Milwaukee Avenue and Kedzie Boulevard, Wolfbait & B-girls feels like a home away from home, filled with unique designs from more than 50 local designers. They have everything from clothing to jewelry to handbags to greeting cards. After confirming Wolfbait as a participant in our upcoming fashion show, Battle of the Boutiques, we stopped by the boutique to check it out for ourselves. Inside we were greeted by Jenny, who was sitting at her sewing machine, working on a garment that will soon be for sale on the racks. Cool to say the least. Both owners have their own clothing lines (Bruiser & Brazen Judy) that they sell in the store. The merchandise is constantly changing, as most pieces are one-of-a-kind. The prices are right up our alley as well- ranging from $30-$250, with most under $100.

This week’s spotlight falls on Wolfbait, and their new D&D just for PoorLittleRichGirls.  Make it your mission and support Chicago’s amazing local designers.  (And come watch Wolfbait compete in Battle of the Boutiques on February 26th at Lumen!)

Check it:

Mention PLRG at checkout to receive 20% off any full price item, excluding fine art.

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.

CFA Entry #1: “THE PENCIL LADY”

To kick off the first column of the Chicago Fashion Authority - and our first event of 2010 - we wanted to feature something totally unexpected.  The fresh and irreverent jewelry designs of Sue Lowenberg were the inspiration behind the looks that we created for Gen Art’s advanced screening of the film Youth in Revolt.  Lowenberg’s new jewelry line is the latest addition to her expansive collection of pencil artwork and functional furniture, including a line of recycled console tables adorned with rows of pencil segments graphically laid out to resemble quilt patterns.  After being manipulated by tools ranging from sharpeners to hand-saws, old pencils take on a new life as Lowenberg adds small charms, jewels and a bright aesthetic: earning her the name “The Pencil Lady.“ Folk-meets-pop-meets-found art with the pencils’ sharp lines, bold colors, and dazzling details.
The Event:

January 6, 2010 - Gen Art Advanced Screening of Youth in Revolt starring Michael Cera (who attended Gen Art’s L.A. screening that same night).  The after-party was held at Angels and Kings.

The Wardrobe:

Lauren’s look: Blue Eraser Necklace with matching earrings, plus a yellow bracelet.

Marcia’s look: Pink Slot Machine necklace, pink bracelet and mismatched earrings.

The Interpretations:

Lauren: I don’t like to take myself too seriously, so I think it’s really important to experiment with fashion and step outside of my comfort zone once in a while.  I love taking on the challenge of styling unusual pieces for myself, finding the answer to the question, “how would I wear this piece?”  In this case, “how would I wear the pencils?!”  I love the look of my necklace because it’s fun and playful, but with a very simple, classic shape.

Marcia: Yep, this one was my pick.  I’ve always been drawn to artisan jewelers, but the way that Sue transforms the familiar pencil is exceptionally innovative.  Repurposed art is also of great interest to me, so when I discovered Sue, I felt like a kid in a candy shop…or school yard.  The “youthful” tie-in with the film made this the perfect occasion to integrate Sue’s designs into our looks. I chose the elaborate “Pink Slot Machine” necklace that was dripping in cheerful charms along with a pink bracelet to match.  To pack an extra unconventional punch, I wore one black pencil earring and one pink eraser earring.  Symmetry is overrated.

CFA Entry #2: “R E D D O L L”

As we sorted through designer applications for Gen Art Chicago’s 2009 Fresh Faces in Fashion show in July, r e d d o l l’s designs literally had us jumping up and down and squealing with delight like little girls.  It was love at first sight.  From the planning process to the moment of the grand finale of Chicago Fashion Focus Week (where her finale gowns drew audible gasps from the 1,000 guests at Millenium Park), Tatyana Merenyuk, the “red doll” behind this label, kept us wanting more, more…more.  Her ruffles, pleats and textured fabric combinations will leave any PoorLittleRichGirl feeling like she tip-toed right off of the pages of a fairytale.

Merenyuk graced Chicago with her whimsical yet powerful designs when she emigrated to the U.S. from Kiev, Ukraine in the early 90’s.  When we caught up with Merenyuk over a styling session for Gen Art’s recent gallery event, we were yet again overwhelmed with her stunning new designs and always charming personality.  How she strikes a balance between such crisp structure and delicate femininity still has us in awe.

The Event:

January 13, 2010 - Gen Art Collector’s Circle @ Packer Schopf Gallery featuring artists Jason Lahr and Tim Vermeulen.

The Wardrobe:

Lauren’s look: The black French Maiden Dress.

Marcia’s look: The white (and previously untitled) Marcia Dress.

The Interpretations:

Lauren: I am completely obsessed with every r e d d o l l creation, so choosing one for this event was quite difficult. In the end, I fell in love with the French Maiden for its strong Elizabethan collar juxtaposed against its graceful ballerina silhouette. I felt like a dark little doll swimming in regal pleats and poufs. At the gallery, I tossed on a studded black elastic headband that I had in my bag to punctuate the tutu-like structure of the tulle petticoat.

Marcia: Naturally, I locked eyes with the most luscious confection in sight. I tamed the abounding white folds with a black patent leather belt — buckled in back to define my shape. Then, I roughed-up the ruffles with dramatic black eye makeup (painted on at my lash lines and eyelid creases) to add a linear contrast. My adaptation felt fantastically personalized, but it was Tatyana’s sweet design that was the frosting on my cake.

Bon Voyage,

-Lauren & Marcia

Originally published, January 28, 2010.