With gloom, wind and snow being a constant right now you need some serious motivation to get you off the couch and out of the house. Luckily Moxie has the perfect reason to get you dressed up and out the door, as they are offering 2 lucky PLRGs the chance to win a party for you and 4 of your friends!

Moxie will treat you and your friends to unlimited drinks for 2 whole hours. Drinks will include: unlimited call drinks, domestic beers and $5 martinis (shots and energy drinks excluded). You have the luxury of picking any day or time you like as long as you use the offer within 90 days of winning and call 1 week in advance to make a reservation. So make a Saturday night of it and enjoy a delicious meal along with your free drinks or play hookie from work and celebrate!

Moxie’s goal was to create a comfortable place where you can wear that little black dress, get a great martini and some quality food. Their menu boasts some of the finest cuisine in the neighborhood made from top quality ingredients. Here, there are no shortcuts. Moxie believes that food should be enjoyed with quality people, and that is what you will find dining there. Moxie is located at 3517 N. Clark Street and opens on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 6pm and Friday & Saturday they open at 5pm.

This is a no-brainer so sign up to win now! Email giveaway@poorlittlerichgirls.com with the subject “Moxie” to enter now! The toughest decision you will have to make is which drink to have first.

Originally published, February 21, 2010.

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.

Some of us look forward to Valentine’s Day more than others, but at PLRG we are all psyched for the highly-anticipated, star-laden, soon to be our favorite movie ever, “Valentine’s Day.” But, we are even more psyched to be giving away passes (for you and a friend) to the advanced screening of the film, Monday, February 8!

Since all this talk of “Valentine’s Day” has us feeling a little sentimental, we want you to send us the story of your best/favorite/most romantic valentine’s surprise. The tickets are limited, so only those with the most heart warming stories will make it into this exclusive screening.

Here’s a preview to get you motivated:

Advanced Screening of “Valentine’s Day”
AMC River North
Monday, February 8 @ 7pm

Originally published on February 2, 2010

With the snow practically begging you stay in all night, you really need some great motivation to go out and get your drink on. Well luckily, Moxie has the perfect motivation to get you dressed up and out the door, as they are offering 2 lucky PRLGs the chance to win a party for you and 4 of your friends!

Moxie will treat you and your friends to unlimited drinks for 2 whole hours! Drinks will include: unlimited call drinks, domestic beers, $5 martinis (shots and energy drinks excluded). You have the luxury of picking any day or time you like as long as you use the offer within 90 days of winning and call 1 week in advance to make a reservation. So make a Saturday night of it and enjoy a delicious meal along with your free drinks or play hookie from work and celebrate!

Moxie’s goal was to create a comfortable place where you can wear that little black dress, get a great martini and some quality food . Their menu boasts some of the finest cuisine in the neighborhood made from top quality ingredients. Here, there are no shortcuts. Moxie believes that food should be enjoyed with quality people, and that is what you will find dining with them. Moxie is located at 3517 N. Clark Street and opens on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 6pm and Friday & Saturday they open at 5pm.

This is a no-brainer sign up to win now! Email giveaway@poorlittlerichgirls.com with the subject “Moxie”to enter now! The toughest decision you will have to make is which lucky ladies you want to bring with you.

Originally published- January 11, 2010. This giveaway has ended.

With the weather getting colder every minute, make your bedroom hot and pamper yourself or your partner with a LoveKit, exclusively from Booty Parlor! PLRG is giving away one LoveKit filled to the brim with items that will make you feel sexy, flirty and hot! It’s also a great gift idea, but we guarantee once you get the LoveKit home you’ll have a hard time parting with it.

The LoveKit will include:
~Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer - A gorgeous fine shimmer that looks like crushed diamonds that will make you look, smell and taste delicious!
~Kissaholic Kissing Kit in Shiver - An aphrodisiac plumping lip gloss with a high-shine that isn’t tacky and softens the lips and also breath mist that delivers a rush of fresh cinnamon and spearmint flavor.
~Flirty Little Secret Luminizing Body Butter with Pheromones - You can turn up the heat in and out of the bedroom with Booty Parlor’s pheromone-infused formula that’s designed to ignite the wearer’s inner-temptress! With an emollient rich formula, Flirty Little Secret Body Butter is luxuriously creamy to the touch and features age-defying antioxidants.
~Good Girl Bad Girl Blindfold - An elegant and luxurious silk blindfold that when used, can heighten the senses of touch, taste and scent. With Good Girl embroidered on the pink side and Bad Girl embroidered on the black side, you can celebrate either of your moods.
~Melt Chocolate Body Fondue - A delicious chocolate fondue made especially for the body, which can be used at room temperature or heated for a sensational warmed up experience. It comes with a sexy little paintbrush, which can be used to create edible art!
~Turn Me On Vibrating Panties - One of Booty Parlor’s most popular products, vibrating panties are a frisky piece of lingerie to play with featuring a 10-function bullet discreetly tucked away inside a luxurious and sexy black lace panty with pink satin ribbon ties. Your playmate can hold the wireless remote, (which works up to 15 feet away), while you get to lose control!
~Liptrick - The most discreet designer toy available, Booty Parlor’s Liptrick features a soft silicone tip with a surprisingly fierce buzz and two settings: Off and Oh my gosh!
~Feather Boa - A flirtatious and fun feather accessory in pink will make any girl’s day!

If your interest is piqued learn more about Booty Parlor and their fabulous parties featuring Mojo Makeovers conducted by Booty Parlor’s Sexy Lifestyle Advisors, (the ultimate Girls’ Night In) and business opportunities. Don’t wait join the Sexy Revolution today!

Booty Parlor is the Sexy Lifestyle Authority - the ultimate destination for seductive beauty products, romantic treats, lingerie, bedroom accessories and luxury toys. Booty Parlor’s products are designed to boost a woman’s sexy self-confidence and inspire her to create sexier experiences in the bedroom and beyond. Every woman deserves to feel sexy, desirable and satisfied.

Don’t miss this opportunity to turn up the heat in your love life, sign up to win now! Email giveaway@poorlitterichgirls.com with the subject “LoveKit” and be sure to include your mailing address for shipping purposes.

Who has time to figure out healthy, budget friendly, delicious meals to cook every night of the week? After you work a full day, grab a cocktail with the girls, and hit the gym the last thing you want to do is take an hour to cook a meal. But lucky for us, Dawn Hall, author of the book “Busy People’s fast & frugal cookbook” is here to help and you can win a copy for free!

What is so refreshing is Dawn is just like us, she has been watching her weight and counting her pennies the majority of her life and in her cookbook she takes her many years of experience and translates it into an easy to use guidebook. Each recipe has the supplies suggested for the dish, a grocery list broken down by category, and even breaks down the serving size and calorie count. What could be easier, just throw it in your purse and when you’re at the grocery store pick up ingredients for the week.

While there is a salad section in the book, they are anything but typical offering selections such as cherry, bacon, & rye tossed salad, Southwestern Sweet Slaw, Chopped Italian & rye salad, and many more. But, the book encompasses way more than salads, there are also breakfast dishes, appetizers, soups, chowders, main dishes, breads, and even desserts! Yes ladies, low calorie delectable desserts, like chocolate cinnamon pecan-covered marshmallows, red raspberry chocolate cake, and pineapple cherry delight just to name a few. If you aren’t salivating yet, there are also some great drink recipes, and while they don’t call for alcohol, I’m sure we could tack on a few more calories and give it a spike.

Get cooking now, sign up to win! Email giveaway@poorlitterichgirls.com with the subject “cookbook” and be sure to include your mailing address for shipping purposes.

Also be sure to check more of Dawn’s books- she has a slew of them that geared toward the busy PLRG lifestyle. Happy cooking!

(Marin Heller)

Originally published on November 23, 2009

Wondering where to shop for the perfect gifts for loved ones this holiday season?

The Evanston Art Center is proud to present their annual Winter Arts and Crafts Expo. The Expo features unique pieces of work by over 100 selected artisans. Arts and crafts offered include original, handmade works of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed-media, etc. All proceeds will benefit the ongoing exhibition, education, and outreach programs at the EAC. This month long shopping extravaganza starts on November 21st!

PLRG readers have the unique opportunity to win two tickets for the EAC Winter Expo  and Preview Party being held on November 20th. In addition to the preview, a silent auction featuring art works donated by participating Expo artists will also be held that night. Sign up today for your chance to attend the preview party at The Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston IL 60201. Winners will be sent a confirmation email from the Evanston Art Center.

So ladies…..here’s your chance to get a head start with your holiday shopping. Join us for an evening filled with art, culture and some great gifts that your family and friends will treasure for a long time!! Sign up now! Email giveaway@poorlittlerichgirls.com with the subject-line ‘EAC Winter Expo’ for your chance to win.

PLRG isn’t the only one celebrating an anniversary. One of our all time fave mags, InStyle, is turning 15 this month! Not only do they have a mammoth issue on newstands now, but they’re also offering up a special promotion to all of their readers.

InStyle is inviting all of the PoorLittleRichGirls out there to check out 15 for Fall where you’ll find exclusive deals and special offers from from a host of hot fall collections (27 to be exact). A complimentary facial and make-up application from Shiseido, $15 off a purchase at Express and free shipping from Zappos are just a few of the perks you can score.

But, InStyle knows some of you are feeling the economic pinch these days (what PLRG isn’t?) so they’re also inviting readers to enter daily to win one of four “15 for Fall” $1,000 shopping sprees!

If you win the shopping spree, or just feel like treating yourself, we recommend checking out the Editor’s Picks for tips on what you’ll need to update you wardrobe this fall and how to wear it. Be sure to download the iPhone app too, so you can access all the “15 for Fall” info wherever you go.

(Lacey Brenly)

You’ve seen their shoes and dresses splashed all over the pages of your favorite mags like People and Lucky. You’ve even caught your always-in-style- cubicle mate shopping for camis and accessories on their website. Now, you can finally learn what all the fuss is about this weekend, as A’GACI opens two brand new Chicago area locations.

A’GACI caters to the “fearless fashionista who wants to find quality and trendy pieces, without the hefty price tag.” Sounds right up a PoorlIttleRichGirl’s alley, right?  Both Chicago-land locations will carry an array of girls’ and women’s clothing, as well as shoes, intimates, and accessories. Prices range from $3.00 - $15.00 for accessories, $7.50 - $22.00 for tops, $9.50 - $29.50 for bottoms, $19.50 - $36.50 for dresses, and $10.50-$32.50 for shoes. From feather headbands to round-toe boots, A’GACI covers ladies from head to toe.

Below, we’ve pulled together some A’GACI pieces we have our eyes on to help us make the summer to fall wardrobe transition. Slouchy boots, an over the top gold chain paired with a sweater or blazer can turn your summer sun-dress into the perfect fall look.

The Grand Opening of A’GACI downtown (17 E. Monroe) is this Saturday, August 29 and the A’GACI in the Woodfield Mall will open Saturday, September 5. Be one of the the first 50 people who come to the store (with a print out of this page) and receive a gift card for shopping at the store!

(Lacey Brenly)

If you haven’t heard of TheBeautyGirl.com yet, you need to get your butt over to the site. A beauty blog, written by Nicole Pearl, former staff editor and freelancer for publications like InStyle and Cosmopolitan, Nicole has the inside scoop on what’s hot (and not) in the world of beauty. Below she shares tips for a whiter smile and is even GIVING AWAY a Clinique Lipstick…

The Recessionista’s Guide to Whiter Teeth + Score Free Lipstick

When someone says to me, “You look sad,” I’d like to respond with, “Go suck an egg!” But, I restrain my id with all my might and appease the peanut gallery with a smile. It’s not that I’m not happy; I’m just not that girl who walks around with an ear-to-ear grin painted on her face 24/7. That’s not a bad thing—did you know that over time excessive facial expressions can make lines (like the parentheses that form around your mouth) more pronounced?

That said, there are plenty of things that make me smile (my friend’s new baby, my upcoming wedding, So You Think You Can Dance finale, to name a few), and the best accessory to welcome these occasions are pearly whites. I enlisted NYC cosmetic dentist Dr. Debra Glassman, whose celeb clients include Jessica Simpson, Halle Berry and Jennifer Hudson, to share tricks on how to get brighter teeth for less.

Chew On It Do like American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson and chewtwo pieces of her favorite Orbit White Bubblemint after meals, wine or soda. “The sugar-free gum’s texture helps to remove buildup on your teeth,” says Dr. Glassman.

Pick Paste Use a whitening toothpaste such as Starbrite, a formula Dr. Glassman created that contains calcium peroxide to whiten teeth and xylitol, proven to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Fake It and Win It Blue-based lipstick shades, which typically fall in the pink and red families, create the illusion of whiter teeth. Two that fit the bill: Enbrightenment BriteSmile® Whitener & Tarte Lipgloss and Clinique Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glace.

*THE BG IS GIVING AWAY 10 CLINIQUE LIPSTICKS IN RASPBERRY GLACE, A BEAUTIFUL BERRY TONE THAT FEELS LIKE SILK ON LIPS. To score this freebie, email me at info@thebeautygirl.com by August 21st and include your name, email and mailing address.

Imbibe Wisely Cutting out coffee and red wine will certainly help, but the BG would never ask you to do something she’d never do herself. Rather, trydrinking coffee with a straw, opt for white wine when possible or swish water around your mouth after drinking.

An Apple A Day… Dark beverages aren’t the only bad influences. Dark fruits (like blueberries) and liquids used to flavor foods, such as soy sauce or pasta sauce, are culprits. Dr. Glassman’s rule to follow: “If a food can stain your carpet or T-shirt, it can stain your teeth too.” She says to use sauces sparingly, go lighter in general and bite into an apple instead. “Its crisp texture and light color act like a detergent on teeth, wiping away stains.”

Want faster results? Try at-home whitening options like Crest Whitestrips, which take 14 days. Dr. Glassman says to make sure the strips fully cover your teeth and fit properly otherwise you could end up with horizontal stripes. Go Smile’s 7-day whitening kit is really convenient, especially if you’re always go, go, go, because you essentially color on the formula. Finally, there’s the Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System, which is the at-home version of the pro treatment. It’s pretty expensive at about $350, is only available at the dentist’s office and will make your teeth six shades brighter in 3 nights. For this process, the dentist makes trays that fit your mouth, and then you fill them with a gel and wear the trays for about 6 hours a day.

If you want dramatic results without the responsibility of doing it yourself, then theprofessional Zoom! whitening treatment is worth the splurge at $500. The system gets your teeth an average of 8 shades whiter and you can break it up into 3 15-minute sessions or one 45-minute visit. A new set of pearly whites may take the place of those Jimmy Choos you were eying, but at least your new white teeth will never go out of style.

Stop by TheBeautyGirl.com for more tips and tricks for looking hot this summer.