Celeb & Press update!

Hello all!

First of all, the 12th Annual “Day of Indulgence” event at producer Jennifer Klein’s home in LA last month was fabulous! Intimate, relaxed and chic, it was girly networking at its best. We brought along our GRACE and ERINN clutches and the reaction to the fabrics and our design-your-own concept was overwhelming. Jennifer Garner, Debra Messing, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jennifer Morrison, Connie Britton, Marley Shelton and more had so much fun designing LILL Bags of their own. They were all so sweet and down to earth!

Check out some of the black & white ERINN combos Jen G, Debra and Michelle created. InStyle Magazine covered the event – and you can JUST see Jen and I in the background of this pic they posted online. Does this count as “half” our 15 minutes of fame?

Speaking of InStyle Magazine – we were thrilled to learn that we’ll be featured in the upcoming November issue. Look for 1154 LILL in the “Web Guide” section.

In addition, an InStyle writer named Jenni has a blog called “I Spy DIY”. She fell in love with LILL and will be posting about us soon! Check out her blog in the meantime, it’s inspiring and so creative!

Other bloggers are loving LILL as well! Several “mommy blogs” have reviewed our SUSAN diaper bag, giving it high marks for not only creativity but also functionality and style. Several of these bloggers are also doing giveaways so check them out!

-Look What Mom Found
-My Sentiment ExactLee
-Katie Talks About
-Guessing All The Way

And finally – it’s always fun to see LILL bags on the arms of actresses and reality stars. Check out some pics of LILL bags “on the scene”. Tenley Molzahn of "The Bachelor" and "Bachelor Pad" carries her GRACE to an ET Emmy's party. Aynsley Bubbico and Amber Stevens of the ABC Family show "GREEK" picked up our new ELLIE totes during an event hosted by Maria Menounos for Yoplait Greek Yogurt in LA.

We hope to have more fun news to share soon! Take care!

-Robin

Meet Brianna!

We are excited to introduce the latest edition to our line, BRIANNA! A darling, over-sized slouchy hand-held with a sneaky hidden side zipper pocket and black wooden handles. BRIANNA is great for toting all your essentials and is reversible for two looks in one. Carry her to your next lunch date with your girlfriends or around town, BRIANNA is sure to add that right touch of class to any outfit.

Now let's get to know the name behind the bag!

Meet the real Brianna, granddaughter to Donna LILL's Parts and Pieces Manager.

Brianna is sweet and sassy, just like her grandma and the bag named after her.

Let's get to know Brianna by learning of some of her favorite things:

Favorite style: DONNA, because it’s named after my Grandma!
One unique or funny thing you carry in your bag: Barbie
Favorite Movie: Alvin and the Chipmunks
Favorite Colors: Yellow and Pink
Favorite Celebrity: Carlos Zambrano – Go Cubs!
Last great book you read: Queen of the Class by Mary Engelbreit
Hero or Mentor: My Grandma
Favorite Food: Pizza
Hobbies or Activities important to you: Reading

Thanks, Brianna! It was fun getting to know you and your favorite things.

-Lilly S.

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

Meet LILL! See why we love it.

For this upcoming holiday season, we know how important it is to find the perfect gift. That mixed with the economy and the state it's in, we know how important to spend wisely and put your earnings towards something you believe in. As you know, you can design the perfect handbag, accessory or pillow with LILL, however there is something more that you are giving when you are giving the gift of LILL. All LILL products are created right here in Chicago. When you buy LILL, you support a local, woman-owned business, employed by team members who also stand behind the LILL product and philosophy.

Your LILL Bag, accessory or pillow is hand-cut, hand-sewn and shipped to you by a special individual. We’d like to introduce you to these dynamic team members that make the LILL product, and company, personal and unique.



Meet Kari, Mandy and Alexandra. (Featured in picture, from left to right) You may recognize these girls as our models from our current home page on our website. Each girl is as sweet and unique as a LILL Bag. Get to know the girls that work to make your LILL experience and product so special.

Meet Kari O, Cutting Team Member
Favorite Style: ANDI
"I love being a part of the LILL team because I love getting to look at pretty fabric all day."

Meet Mandy L., Design Department Director
Favorite Style: ERINN
"I love being a part of the LILL team because I get to work in a collaborative environment with the greatest people."



Meet Alexandra A., Cutting Team Member, Junior Fabric Associate
Favorite Style: HADLEY
"I Love being a part of the LILL team because I am surrounded by creative problem solvers, and I learn something new about my job everyday at work and look forward to expanding my skills of this profession."

Check back often as we will be featuring the lovely people that make LILL the wonderful place it is. Feel good about the gifts you give.

-Lilly S.

Emily's Pick of the Week

Hello LILL Fans! I hope everyone is very excited for the weekend! This week I’d like to spotlight a bag designed by LILL girl Carrie L. from Ohio.


Carrie designed a custom CORA. CORA is a fun bag with a metal chain that you can either wear over your shoulder or lengthen the chain to wear the bag across your body. CORA is a great bag for going out on the town.

Carrie L. chose the mod fabric Right Round, Right Round (like a record baby….) for the exterior and the chocolate brown Cigar Twill for the exterior base and back of her CORA. Inside, Carrie chose the light green

Pear Faux Suede. We have some darling ready made CORA’s on our website. Also, you can design your own unique CORA



Thanks so much LILL fans!
Enjoy your weekend.
Emily R.

Emily's Pick of the Week - Bridal Inspiration!

Hey LILL Fans!
This week, I thought I’d spotlight a LILL bride. Many ladies choose to design a special LILL item for each of their bridal attendants. You can make an appointment with one of our bridal consultants to discuss your style and fabric choices. Also, you can enjoy a 10% bridal discount if you order 5 or more of the same or similar style bags. It’s a super creative and unique gift. You can choose different fabrics to suit each girls’ personality. Whenever your girls use their LILL bag, they will think of you and your wedding!

Spotlight on Jeana M. from PA. Jeana designed 5 GRACE’s for her each of her bridesmaids and a DREA for her maid of honor. For GRACE, you get to choose the exterior, ruffle, interior and interior pocket.

Take a look at the darling combinations that Jeana came up with.

For the first GRACE, Jeana chose the versatile Malabar Paisley fabric with a dainty chocolate brown and tan design atop a cream background. The external ruffle contains the shiny Dark Roast Sateen. The interior boasts the enchanting Mystic Mahogany and the secret pocket has the Dark Roast Sateen again.

The next GRACE has some great pops of color! The exterior has the bright and sunny Yellow Stone fabric (one of my personal favorites!). The ruffle is a cool contrast in the fuchsia Rosita fabric. The interior is truly eye catching with the psychedelic Day Tripper. The interior pocket has a bright burst of Rosita.

The next GRACE is perfect for the “pink lady” in your circle of friends. The exterior is covered with the tweedy Strawberries ‘n Cream fabric. The ruffle stands out in the pink Rhubarb Weave. The interior is adorable with the pink, yellow, green and cream paisley Kashmir fabric. The secret pocket is the pink Rhubarb Weave.

The fourth GRACE has the mod blue Aqua Beads on the exterior. A Red Basketweave ruffle delivers an interesting contrast with the Aqua Beads exterior. The interior is covered with the dainty cherry blossoms of Hanky Panky. The secret pocket has a pop of Red Basketweave.

The last GRACE boasts the very popular black and cream Flocked Floral. This fabric has velvety black flowers on a cream backdrop. The ruffle matches in Black Shantung. The interior flows with the red and cream flowers of Turning Tulips. The interior pocket shines in Ebony Sateen.

The DREA bag that Jeana designed for her maid of honor is a reversible bag! The exterior is covered in a classy black, white and pink design of the Vanity Fair fabric. The external stripe is in the bright pink of Bubble Gum Linen. The interior is in the whimsical black and white Ink Swirls (another one of my favorites!). The secret pocket and the strap have the pink Bubble Gum Linen.

I would like to thank Jeana M. for choosing to make LILL a part of her special day.

Remember, LILL Bags are also great to carry if you are attending a wedding. Finally, something to spice up that little black dress.

For all you brides out there, be sure to enter our Bridal Contest!

-Emily