Join Us in Celebrating our Twelfth Anniversary!

We are so excited to be celebrating our twelfth year as the "Original Custom Handbag Company", and we have you to thank! Thanks for being such a big part of our success and for creating so many memories (and handbags!) with us. We can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend in our stores, on-line and at our LILL on Location parties. There are too many memories to share, but here's a glance at what makes working at LILL so special...

Our 7 year Anniversary Party



Celebrating our move into our new production space



Babies and Brides, oh my!



Enjoying potluck with some BINGO and "Bad Sweater Day" action

Take a stroll down LILL's memory lane by viewing our company's timeline.

Meet Jules!

Summer is officially in full swing, and we have the perfect bag for all your warm weather activities! Jules is our newest style and this mini messenger bag will be your favorite in no time. Its smaller size and adjustable strap make it the quintessential bag to accompany you to all those summer concerts, block parties and festivals. A hands free strap allows you to travel with ease, and an interior zipper pocket helps keep you organized.

The real Jules is much like our new style- adorably cute, and quite charming! Please meet the name behind the bag...

LILL: Besides your namesake, what’s your favorite LILL style?

JULES: My favorite LILL style is the PAULA! It’s my favorite bag for carrying all of my dance and poms clothes!

LILL: What’s one unique or funny thing you always carry in your bag?

JULES: I always have kleenex and bags of food!

LILL: Why are you most excited to have a LILL bag named after you?

JULES: I've never had anything named after me before!

LILL: Any kids and/or pets?

JULES: A dog named Sawyer

LILL: If you could visit one place in the world, where would you go?

JULES: Greece

LILL: If you could have dinner with five people, living or deceased, who would they be?

JULES: Beyonce, Michael Jackson, James Franco, Gandhi, and David Beckham

LILL: What’s your favorite movie or TV show?

JULES: Harry Potter

LILL: Who’s your favorite celebrity? Ever meet anyone famous?

JULES: Beyonce is my favorite celebrity! No, unfortunately I have not ever met anyone famous.

LILL: Which superpower so you wish you had?

JULES: I wish I could remember everything I read or saw so that I could be uber smart.

LILL: Who’s your hero/mentor?

JULES: My Mom

LILL: What’s your favorite food?

JULES: I will eat anything!

LILL: What hobbies or activities are important to you?

JULES: Dancing and helping those in need

LILL: Anything you would like to say about Laurie, the person who named the bag after you? JULES: Laurie is my sister, I look up to her and love her very much!

Hello Summer!

Summer is officially here! And to celebrate, we are offering our Facebook friends an exclusive deal! Spend $75 or more shopping at 1154LILL.com today and get $25 off your purchase of any custom or ready-made LILL handbag or accessory. Enter promo code SUMMER11 at checkout. Just think of this as our First Day of Summer Special!

Lill On Sale items, gift certificates, Design A Bag kits and previous purchases are excluded. Discount does not apply to tax or shipping. May not be combined with any other offer, Shop-A-Ganza!, Groupon, promotion or discount.

Now is the perfect time to get that summer bag you've been eyeing! Can't make a decision? Here are a few suggestions that are sure to compliment your summer wardrobe...

A reversible Brianna in Flourish and Red Basketweave

An Ellie tote in Pink Trellis

A reversible Wendy in Olivia and Raspberry Fizz

Meet Emily!

Our newest style, Emily, is very sweet, and so is the lovely gal it was named after. Meet Emily, the sister of our Chicago store manager, Rachel.

LILL: Besides your namesake, what’s your favorite LILL style?

Emily: The Erinn

LILL: What’s one unique or funny thing you always carry in your bag?

Emily: Cuticle clippers – I never leave home without them.

LILL: Why are you most excited to have a LILL bag named after you?

Emily: When my parents named me Emily, they chose the name because they thought it was uncommon. 28 years later it’s one of the most popular names in the US. This bag is a testament to all the great women with whom I share this now-popular name.

LILL: Any kids and/or pets?

Emily: Not yet – some day!

LILL: If you could visit one place in the world, where would you go?

Emily: I have always wanted to go to Ireland to see where my family is from. I would also love to backpack through Alaska and British Columbia.

LILL: If you could have dinner with five people, living or deceased, who would they be?

Emily: This is the hardest question EVER but I would have to say Bo Schembechler, Kristen Wiig, Anthony Bourdain, Bono and Harold Flynn (my grandfather who died before I was born). Jon Krakauer and Hilary Clinton tie for sixth. Oh, and my sister of course! After all, she did name this bag after me.

LILL: What’s your favorite movie or TV show?

Emily: Movie is a total toss-up but for TV, my favorite is The Wire – hands down!

LILL: Who’s your favorite celebrity? Ever meet anyone famous?

Emily: I’m not a huge celebrity person but my favorite actor is Robert De Niro. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him but I have been fortunate to meet some other great celebrities as well as some very famous politicians while living in DC.

LILL: Which superpower do you wish you had?

Emily: The power to heal

LILL: What’s the last great book you read?

Emily: Killing Yourself to Live

LILL: Who’s your hero/mentor?

Emily: Children – not only are they our future but they inspire me to work harder so that I can give back.

LILL: What are your favorite foods?

Emily: Cereal and lamb rogan josh – an awkward combination

LILL: What hobbies or activities are important to you?

Emily: Travel, exercise, cooking, good wine, reading, hiking and sharing everyday moments with those I love.

LILL: Anything you would like to say about Rachel, the person who named the bag after you?

Emily: Rachel is not only my sister but she is my best friend. She truly embodies kindness and love and approaches everyone and everything she does with an open heart. She has an amazing ability to find beauty wherever she goes and incorporate that beauty into her everyday life. This is reflected in her work at Lill where Rachel can combine her appreciation for beautiful things with her creative and artistic flare. I am flattered she nominated my name and I am excited to have her help me design my first Emily bag. Love you Rach!

Tote...ally!

While the warm temps may not be a permanent fixture just yet, those balmy summer days aren't too far away. Be prepared with one of our essential tote bags!

Want something classic and practical? Ellie's your bag.

Looking for a way to stay organized? Then Lilli's for you.

Want more bag for your buck? Choose our reversible Wendy tote.

With so many bright, fun, and unique fabrics to pick from it may be hard to decide, so here are a few suggestions...

Pink Trellis, Citrine Scroll, Mint Julep, Olivia, Thatcher Island, & Fly Away

Design yours today!

Let's Hear it for the Boys!

Most of you may not think of your special guy while shopping at LILL, but on May 16th that's all going to change. We've been toying with the idea of introducing some men's products for some time now, and we're excited to give you a peek at what we've been working on. Here's a look at Alex and Taylor, our toiletry kit and i-pad case.

Even though both items truly are unisex, we'd like to encourage the ladies to awaken their men's creative side. Whether it be your dad, brother or hubby, everyone has a favorite color, and how enjoyable would it be to watch them pick out fabrics that express themselves? If you think they'd have a hard time choosing, we know you'll have no problem picking out something they'll love. While you're at it, pick out a little something for yourself. An Emily, perhaps? It's our newest style that's strictly for the ladies.

Emily will also be released on May 16th and will be offered with or without a chain strap. Both options give you the opportunity to dress it up, or dress it down, but either way you'll look super cute with your new Emily.

Mark your calendars for May 16th!

Spring Has Sprung...

...well, at least at LILL it has. While the weather here in Chicago still leaves us wishing for warmer temps, we thankfully have some gorgeous new spring fabrics to cheer us up. With our recently released fabrics (and more to come) we are really loving all the new combinations we're coming up with. To cure your mid day blah's we highly suggest giving some of your own combinations a try. You can even show off your newly designed bag by e-mailing a photo of it to a friend, or maybe you'll even send it to an unsuspecting gift giver (a little hint never hurts). Here a a few of our newest fabrics gracing some perfect spring time styles...

Wendy with one of our newest picks, Pink Trellis, accented with Grass Green

Ellie, looking adorable in our Thactcher Island fabric

Our reversible Brianna with Citrine Scroll and Honey Dijon Basketweave

Still need a little more cheer? Design your perfect spring bag now!

Clutches for a Cause

We all love the opportunity to give a little something back when we can, so we've decided to team up with actress, and Dancing with the Stars alum, Stacy Keibler (and a number of other giving celebrities) to design "Clutches for a Cause". Sales of these clutches will benefit the After-School All-Stars, a national non-profit that provides free programs to help children do better in school and give them the chance to reach their full potential. Through March 31st, LILL will donate $10 to the After-School All-Stars for each limited edition "Clutch for a Cause" purchased. Purchasing one of these clutches is the perfect way to support a good cause, and satisfy your LILL habit!

Make Them Green With Envy!

For 43 years the Chicago river has been dyed a bright shade a green, and its become one of our most prized St. Patrick's Day traditions. For a city that loves to celebrate, it's an exciting week. The Guinness is flowing, the parades are marching, and we're all hoping a little luck comes our way. If you need a little help, stop in one of our store locations (or host a LILL on Location party soon!) between March 17th and March 20th for your guaranteed opportunity to receive a discount on your very own LILL bag, or a free accessory with the purchase of a bag.

In the spirit of the season, here a few suggestions that are perfect for the warming temps and are sure to make your friends green with envy-

Design a Paula, perfect for those weekend get-aways...or Spring Break!

Or an Isabel, which is great for Chicago's summer concerts and street fairs.





Or our classic tote, Ellie, a summer essential for a day at the beach or shopping with the girls.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Bridal Sweet Week

LILL is currently celebrating Bridal Sweet Week, a week long event offering brides a great discount on bags for their bridal party...and of course, a little something for themselves. We kicked off the week with events in our stores, and are excited to continue to offer our brides their perfect, one of a kind bag!

One of the bridal trends we're particularly excited about this season is the use of color, instead of wearing head-to-toe white. LILL gives you the opportunity to further express your personal style, and when is a better time to do that than on your big day?

If you're currently searching for "the dress" and don't know where to start, here are a ideas we hope will inspire you...

Bohemian and subtly adorned, with an Audrey Jane in your "something blue"



Chic and sweet, with an Erinn in a classic black and white floral



Pretty and romantic, with a ruffled Grace in blushing pink

Your one of a kind wedding deserves the perfect one of a kind bag.

Enjoy your special day ladies!

Meet Our Newest Fan!

While responding to some customers on our Facebook page we noticed one customer in particular who was super excited about her recent LILL experience. We love getting to know our customers, and we just had to get to know Sidney. We had a little Q & A with Sidney and would like to share it with you...

How were you introduced to 1154 LILL Studio?
My husband knows how much of a purse-aholic I am and saw your site listed in one of his RSS feeds. He sent it to me and said, lovingly, "don't OD". I was on the site building a purse everyday for at least two weeks.

What was it about LILL that got you excited to design your own bag?

Being able to make a bag, with patterns and colors and textures that were all me, was the most exciting part of this process. I like bags with character, hardware and pockets, and while Lill doesn't have many bags with elaborate hardware, the character is one of a kind.

How many LILL bags do you own? Any favorite styles? What makes them your favorite?
I "adopted" two bags- Maya and Sandra. Maya was "conceived" on October 22nd and she came home just before Thanksgiving last year. Sandra was "conceived" during Snowmaggedon 2011 and will arrive by the end of February. These bags are my current favorites due to their many pockets and size. Maya is great when I am on business because I can fit my netbook and accessories inside without the need for another bag; Sandra will be more of an everyday bag.

Have you told any of your friends about LILL?
I have told every purse loving woman I know about 1154 Lill. When the 50% for one day was offered, I made it my Facebook status AND tweeted about it. Some of my friends are thinking of having a party too, but probably in the spring, when all the snow is gone in Chicago.

Are there any other styles on your wish list?

Wendy and Sophie are on my current wish list. I love the Wendy because it's reversible and it's a great summer bag. I have 5 year old twins, so this would be a great bag for them and their things when we're out and about in the city. I am also a student and a small business owner, so the Sophie can be great when Maya is too much. Sophie can double as a purse when I'm off to a meeting, or hanging at the library or Starbucks. On those days, less is more, and Sophie is definitely more!

Anything else you’d like to mention?
I think the main thing I would like people to know about 1154 Lill is the customer service. The website is super easy to use and if you are in the Chicago area, the Lincoln Park location has a great staff. When I went in for the first time they immediately made me feel welcome and were as giddy as I was about building me a new "baby". My husband and twins were with me and they even made the experience fun for them! A true purse lover can also appreciate the workmanship of the bags. I didn't overly mind the three week wait because I knew it would be quality work. I am hoping that one day we will be able to combine some styles for even more customizability, but until then, Maya and Sandra will await the day when Wendy and Sophie come home with us!

Thanks Sidney!

Animal Instincts

While we always do our best to offer a little something for everyone, we must admit that for a while animal prints just really weren't our thing. We searched high and low for tastefully cute patterns that were more Gwen Stefani and less Peggy Bundy, and finally, we've found some that are just right for LILL. Check them out on a few styles...and don't bother trying to tame your urge to get one!

New Beginnings at Lill Studio!

Greetings everyone! My name is Tiffany and I am Lill Studio's new Marketing intern! The past three weeks have been nothing short of a truly amazing experience that included moving to the Windy City, meeting new people, going on all sorts of interviews, and eventually settling into my awesome position here at Lill! Here is a little background information on me and how exactly I landed this great opportunity:

• I am a junior at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I'm currently working toward my major in Business Administration and Marketing.
• Fashion, marketing, and advertising are three of my main career passions.
• I was given the opportunity to intern at Lill Studio through a program called Chicago Semester, where college juniors and seniors are given help finding internships in the big city.
• Although I had three different interviews, I decided on Lill because I greatly admire the story of how Jen started the company, how Lill has evolved so much from its beginning, the amazing sense of community everyone shares, and, let's be real, who wouldn't love working around some the of cutest handbags ever made?!

My first two weeks at Lill have been nothing short of incredible! The first visit here for my interview was quite the adventure (including getting lost for about twenty minutes because I was still new to the whole idea of public transportation). Luckily, I made it to the studio on time and instantly fell in love with the feel of the company. The brightly colored walls and beautiful fabric swatches instantly lifted my mood that was previously dampened by the gray snowstorm outside. After my interview, I instantly knew that this was the place I wanted to intern. And thankfully, I am now doing just that! I've helped out with a lot of different projects in many different areas of the company, and I've loved learning what each person and department does. Seeing how it all comes together to form this amazing company was a truly great way to start off the job! I'll be here for the next three months and look forward to seeing how the company evolves and the new projects with which I will be involved. And, of course, I look forward to designing my own versions of the many Lill bags with which I've already fallen in love! Until the next post, stay warm and stay chic, Lill lovers!

Some Things Never Change...

With "Snowmageddon" behind Chicagoland, we're back in action here at LILL. A power outage shut headquarters down for a couple of days, but everyone's trying to get back to normal as the city cleans up the biggest mess of snow most of us here have seen in our lifetimes. This blizzard was reported as the 3rd largest in Chicago's history, shedding down some 20+ inches of snow! With the sun now shining it's nice to see people out and about, and hopefully the melting will begin. If you weren't lucky enough to see it all go down yourself, here's an image from the havoc it caused on Lake Shore Drive, causing drivers to finally just leave their cars behind. The second image is from the blizzard of 1967...not much has changed. Lets hope it's at least another 40+ years before we have to shovel this much ever again!

Stay warm...and Cute!

With the worst of winter gearing up to hit the Midwest today, we're all preparing in various ways- we got our day started a little earlier so that we can leave work early (snow traffic is the worst), a lot of us stocked up on our groceries for the week and some of us busted out our warmest and most sensible winter accessories. Notice I said "warmest" and "most sensible", and not "chicest" or " most desirable". We're all a little guilty of piling it all on without being too conscious about whether or not it really compliments our outfit. While it may take a little more effort, you can still look totally cute without sacrificing your warmth. Try on some of these accessories from Anthropologie, and of course, pair it with an extra roomy LILL bag. You'll need that extra space to stash all your winter gear.

Add a Donna, Lilli, or Roxy to complete your look!

If we happen to get those 20" of snow they're calling for stay home, grab a mug of hot cocoa, a good book and enjoy some "me" time....and maybe do a little on-line shopping.