UPSCALE ELEGANCE

In the past couple of months I've received a few catalogs from J.Crew. I have loved their current collection so much that I simply can't throw the magazines away. It is even more ridiculous in that I as I peruse the catalogs, I am 5 1/2 months pregnant and have no chance of being able to wear much of what they feature this season. Nonetheless, I still covet the clothes.

What I have been struck by is the upscale elegance they have seamlessly intertwined into their line along side their traditional casual weekend wear. The result is a look I love - beautiful tailored jackets layered over tops and jewelry that are both playful and sophisticated. The color palette they have chosen for their line this season is right up my alley as well - optimistic, tonal, and complimentary in nature.

An 1154 LILL bag is the perfect companion to top off this stylish look that has inspired my picks for this month. If I could only wear one of the blazers…..I would definitely wear it with LILL's ERINN clutch for evening in "Coming up Daisies" or LILL's DREA reversible everyday bag in "Lipstick Jungle" and "Cosmo Tweed," as these bags combine some of my favorite fabrics and looks for fall. This season, why not dress up that traditional casual with a little upscale elegance? 1154 LILL Studio can help you design the perfect accent to your new look.

This picture shows some products from J.Crew along side our ERINN in Coming UP Daisies and was created using a really cool site called Polyvore. The site lets you take products from various vendors and put together looks / outfits. What a great way for you to tell your significant other EXACTLY what you want for the holidays. Check it out yourself at http://www.polyvore.com/

Happy designing!

Jen Velarde
Founder / President - 1154 LILL STUDIO

This Week's Team Members

Only one week away until Turkey Day is finally here! It's also a time to reflect on what we're thankful for; family, friendships, and lower gas prices? At LILL we are most thankful for the people we work with everyday. It seems whenever I ask the question "why do you love about working for LILL?", there is a common answer "the people I work with...". There is a reason for that common answer, all LILL employees seem to have the same kind, dedicated and hard working nature that truly creates a great recipe for a solid team.


Now meet some more, wonderful, fun, give you a tooth-ache they're so sweet, LILL Team Members:


Meet Monica W., LILL's Office Manager




Favorite Style: SOPHIE
What do you love about working for LILL?
"That everyone has some kind of creative energy. And that most everything is a democracy, we vote or have discussions on everything! :~)"







Meet April D., LILL's Design Associate


Favorite Style: "CORA & SOPHIE, but the backpack we are currently working on might top the cake!"
What do you love about working for LILL?
"The open community of ideas. We are able to express our creativity and bounce ideas off of each other openly. LILL loves creativity!"

Meet Danielle B., AKA “Dani”, LILL's Junior Software Developer
Favorite Style: DONNA
What do you love about working for LILL?
"I’ve only been here a short time, but I love the work I’m dong – and the people! Everyone is so nice and a lot of fun! Also, the environment in general – it’s laid back, not corporate and annoying. I love it!"


I hope you enjoyed getting to know LILL's team this week. Check back next week for more featured LILL people and more!

-Lilly S.

Meet LILL's "Models"!

LILL's current home page features 3 lovely ladies from LILL's HQ and one special little lady, Jen's daughter - Hadley! There is a sweet story behind this "feel good, warm and fuzzy" home page.

The shoot took place in Jen's home. During the photo taking Hadley awoke from her nap, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. So sweet, how could we not want to take some fun practice shots with her in it? Turns out, Hadley is a natural - mom must take lots of pictures of her! Hadley really helped to bring the feel good feeling we were looking for to life. She's just like her mommy, so into fabrics and colors. There's no doubt she will be a mini version of Jen someday.

Although the shoot was not tremendously long, it was hard for our models to smile for such long periods of time. In order to loosen up those smile muscles they could be found doing the "Super Model" look or as we like to refer to is as "The Zoolander Look". It helped to have a bit of silly time between shots.

Now get to know our models:

Meet Robin N., LILL's Vice President

Favorite Style: "I am loving the HADLEY right now – it’s big enough to throw stuff for my kids into it, including an extra diaper and sippy cup, but it’s still definitely a “purse” vs. a diaper bag. Plus it has these great pockets for my blackberry, digital camera and CONNOR with my business cards."

What do you love about working at LILL? "Having been involved with Jen’s dream for what would become 1154 LILL from the very early stages, I don’t feel that this is a job, but instead, simply a part of my life. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I feel so lucky to be involved with something that is so important to me. It’s thrilling to help someone design a bag that is perfectly her or hear a customer talk with excitement about the bag she designed herself. It’s rewarding to collaborate with so many talented people here at headquarters to shape and direct what LILL is now and what the company, the brand, the product and the experience will become in the future. And finally, I am inspired and proud of my friend for building all of this. She is so strong and brave and always sees the best – both in possibilities and in people."

Meet Laurie C., LILL's Creative Services Associate
Favorite Style: "SUSAN! Over the weekend I stuffed my laptop, an extra pair of shoes, my makeup, clothes for 2 days, a book, and a freezer bag full of cookies in my SUSAN."
What do you love about working at LILL? "I love my coworkers and the sense of community that exists at LILL. Oh, and there is always candy somewhere. I like that, too."

Meet Amy F., LILL's Web Store Manager

Favorite LILL Bag Style: "JACK and SOPHIE, I love the convenience of both and especially because they are both named after 2 of my favorite people! Although I have had my eye on SUSAN for quite some time now."

What do you love about working at LILL? "I've been with LILL for almost 6 years now. Before that, during college I interned at Jen's small studio apartment where it all started - 1154 LILL St. in Chicago. It's been so amazing to see how much we've grown over the years and I'm so happy and proud to be a part of the growth. And of course, the people that work here are the greatest. They are truly like my family. I've seen so many girls go through weddings and babies. It's nice to "grow up" with a wonderful bunch of people."

We hope you enjoyed the outtakes of the shoot and getting to know our models/team members a bit more!

-Lilly S.

Team Member of the Month!

November’s Team Member of the Month is….Alex A.!
Yes, LILL does have some male employees!

Alex has been a tremendous help in so many projects and in every department of LILL HQ and beyond. He is known for being innovative in his thinking of project solutions especially to make them time efficient. Alex has always been distinguished by his great work ethic and willingness to help even when extremely busy. Kind, knowledgeable, even tempered, patient (especially for working in an environment of mostly women), consistent and positive are some of the things that were used to describe Alex in the votes submitted. He has done an outstanding job!

Alex is originally from Fresno, CA and has been with our Tech Team for the past 1 and ½ years.
Let's get to know Alex, you can see why we here at LILL enjoy working with him.

Favorite style: HADLEY

Top 3 fabric picks:

Hitchcock Roses, Bubble Gum Linen, Manatee Faux Suede

What do you love most about working for LILL?

The people I work with, a fun bunch of funny bunnies

Nickname? Al (short for Alex)

Favorite type of music: Every type of music, viva eclectica!

Where did you last go on vacation? Berlin, Germany.

Have a fun story you'd like to share?

My name in Latin means leader of man, which can't be true because I get lost all the time. Once while camping I went wandering and couldn't find my way back, so was forced to sleep outside the whole night, like a failure. I woke up in the morning about 6 feet away from my tent.

Thanks, Alex! You are truly a joy to work with.

-Lilly S.