May's Team Member of the Month!

And the award goes to....Candice G.! Our LILL on Location Assistant Manager. Outgoing, fun, friendly and hard-working are a few words to describe Candice. She's always willing to help out wherever needed and has a funny story to brighten your day. Her bold, bright hair matches her bold, bright personality. Some of you out in the Yelping World may already be familiar with her.

Candice, you're always giving 110% and your peers appreciate the additional work you’ve taken on, especially recently. Candice was noted for having amazing potluck organization and planning skills as head of the social committee, as well as being creative, personable and willing to take charge and take on additional tasks. She's always looking for ways to lower costs and has creative ideas to improve sales and LILL overall. Candice was also voted the person you'd most want to be your sibling, Best Dressed, and Funniest at Lill's annual award ceremony. All this and she's just fun to be around!

Here's a little more about Candice...

How long have you been at LILL: Coming up on 4 years this July

Fave Fabrics:
G is for Giraffe, Lemon Zebra, Snow Leopard… I am “Where the Wild Things Are”

Favorite Styles: JANE with a DENISE attached. Currently snow leopard JANE with Red Rocks DENISE… though I wish the DENISE came with a lock where my credit card lives that made me answer the question “Do you really need this, Candice?” through voice activation before I bought anything.

Last Vacation: How about future trips? I'm going to Croatia for 2 weeks in July and August this Summer with LILL cutting associate, Katie L. and her sister, LILL Design Director, Mandy L. We'll be living the high life on a "yacht" (house boat) on the Adriatic!

Hobbies: I have a personal Time Lapse Photography study… that’s fancy talk for me taking a photo of myself everyday, in pretty much the same spot in my room, since January 1st, 2008. I post all my pics online and when I’m bored I like to revisit my past year and a half… it’s amazing the things you remember from just seeing what you wore each day.

Interests: Cryptozoology and serial killers. I am sooo fascinated with animals… especially ones that aren’t recognized by conventional science, are thought to be extinct, or are found waaayyy outside of their normal geographic range. Seriously awesome stuff… Wikipedia “Bloop”, it’ll blow your mind. And the serial killer thing has always been an interest of mine. At the very least, it helps to know what’s out there lurking… I don't worry though, I won 3rd place for Tang Su Do and Hapkido in the Midwestern karate regionals in 1997 sooo attackers beware. Ps- I was totally cheated out of second place.

Friends & Fam: My sons (cats)! My main babe is Homer X-Ray Cat Spiderman Gatlin-Kelly and my other two loves are Razz Berry Gatlin & Leon Spinx Gatlin. I also love my Dad… he’s pretty rockin’. I want to go on the Amazing Race with him, BIG TIME! Between my day-glo orange hair and his knack for planning and travel, we’d be a shoe in for winners. For a little romance I have my BF of 5 years, Smelly… long story but it’s been his name for well over a decade, I’ve never called him anything but, and it’s not gonna change anytime soon. And I just want to drop a quick shout out to some LILL gals... see photo on right of Jess A., Kristina L., and myself at a colorful Yelp.com Elite event sporting our Audey custom dresses made by Jess A. (Jess has on a dress in LILL fabric Toucan Leaves and mine has bats on it!).

Fave Celebs: My celebrity loves are still Bill Murray and David Letterman… call me! And my personal idols are Dolly Parton and Harvey Milk because Dolly is a stone cold fox and hides a whole lotta brains behind a whole lotta, well, you know. And Harvey because he’s a rock star and advocate for the people. I like to think that we’re alike because we both love getting up on our soapbox and no one can get a coup together like me and Milk.

When I’m not at LILL I’m: Yelping! Anyone at LILL can tell you that I just LOVE putting my 2 cents in. I love giving my opinions on everything and anything and especially love writing reviews. Yelp.com allows me to write reviews for restaurants, stores, gas stations, doctors, etc and post my detailed reviews to their online website. I’m considered an “Elite” member of the yelp family with over 200 (and counting) reviews to my name. For accurate opinions visit here: candiceadeline.yelp.com

Interesting Fact: Okay, maybe this is more a declaration but I can’t afford to have a living will drawn up at this point… I love, LOVE, L.O.V.E. animals and after seeing that Disney movie ‘Earth,’ I decided that when I die I want my body to be fed to starving polar bears in Antarctica. Save the animals.

Candice with her animal friends: (tigers left to right) Leon Spinx Gatlin, Homer X-Ray Cat Spiderman Gatlin-Kelly, and Razz Berry Gatlin.

January's LILL Team Member of the Month!

The award goes to....Lilli S.! No, not me - but that would be great! There is another Lilli S. in the office. She has been working with LILL since April of 2008 in the LILL on Location Department as well as dabbling in our super-great Facebook page!

The best way to describe Lilli and her work here at LILL is ready, willing and able! Lilli works primarily in the LILL on Location department. She has recently extended herself to assist Store Operations and Marketing. Along with assisting in the Production departments of Cutting, Quality Assurance and Shipping during the holiday season and Web store when needed.

With all of her flexibility and diversity of job tasks, Lilli never fails to shine through with her warm energy and smiling face. She is known for being kind, very creative, a sharp thinker, outgoing and always has a lot of great ideas of ways to improve her work and the work of others around her.

Now, let's get to know Lilli:

Where are you originally from? "I was born in Peoria, IL, but my family shortly moved to Decatur, Alabama. We lived there for 10 years, moved to Columbia, SC for 3, and Evansville, IN for 4. I went to Earlham College in Richmond, IN. After graduating, I lived in Winter Haven, FL for over a year, and then moved to Chicago in February of 2008."

Favorite LILL style? "I just ordered an AUDREY in Chocolatier, which I’m pretty excited about."

Top 3 fabric picks:

"Chocolatier-Love it. Can’t get enough of it."

"Lilac Plaid-I, very much, enjoy purple."

"Fall in Love"

What do you love most about working for LILL? "Everyone is extremely nice and friendly. In many ways, it is more like hanging out with friends than work. Plus, watching As the World Turns during lunch is awesome!"

Nickname? "Not really, although, sometimes Lilli Pad, which I do not encourage."

Favorite music genre: "I have to admit that I’ve been listening to a lot of Top 40 music recently, particularly Womanizer. But, I also am into Rilo Kiley, Ryan Adams, and Spoon. I also really like Elliot Smith, but I have to be in the right mood."

Where did you last go on vacation? "I went to Alabama to visit my parents and sister for the holidays. Although, I did end up sleeping in the Detroit airport from missing my connecting flight due to bad weather. It was totally worth it to be with my family for a while and to be warm. I got to wear shorts…outside…in December."

Fun Extras: "I love playing cards and board games, especially Euchre and Scrabble. Love the smell of vanilla. If I could have one superior talent, it would be to always be funny. I hate unloading the dishwasher, putting clothes away and cleaning the bathroom. And, I have a secret desire to be seen through the Chicago Reader’s, I Saw You posts."

Thanks so much, Lilli! You are truly a joy to work with and we thank you for all your hard work, dedication, flexibility and especially, your shining smile!

- Lilly S.

LILL's "Team Member of the Month"

October's Team Member of the Month award goes to....Candice G.! Assistant Manager for the LILL on Location department.

Candice is known for being one of HQ’s brightest stars. She is quick witted, creative and always a team player. Whether it's answering emails at 1:00 am, adding fun games or themes to the monthly potluck she is constantly going the extra mile and delivers great results. Her humor and positive energy effortlessly infect all who work with her to push a little further. Some recent accomplishments that were noted to award this honor to Candice were, her help with the sample bags for the Sample Sale held at LILL's HQ, always being available to LILL reps and her notable lead in the social committee over the last few months. She is very organized, dedicated and always willing to help out to get things done.

Bravo Candice- job well done!

Candice has been with LILL for 3 years, let's get to know her by learning of her favorite things and more! As she is outgoing and willing to share fun tid-bits about herself, I think everyone will enjoy learning more about her.

Where are you originally from? I was born at Good Samaritan hospital in Downers Grove, Il – I’ll give them a plug because they have cable with on demand movies and really good quesadillas w/ GUACAMOLE! I now live in Naperville; it is glorious. We just got a Loehmann’s and Nordstrom Rack right next to each other.

Favorite LILL style? I love JANE! She’s little but does sooo much… like an Olsen twin. I love to attach JANE to my AUDREY because she she’s perfect to use at the casino. Audrey fits all of my players club cards from the casino, my id, and my winnings in her and I can hook my Audrey Jane to my pants loop when I go to the buffet.

Top 3 fabric picks: Tiger Lily, Snow Leopard & Viva Las Vegas














What do you love most about working for LILL?
Being employee of the month… and the people! It’s a super cool company and I love my job but the people are definitely what make working for LILL so amazing. It’s hard to even use the word co-worker because I consider the majority of people here my most bestest friends. Oh, and did I mention I love my boss, Kate? Love you, Kate (the Great). It never hurts to give your boss a plug.

Nickname: Actually, instead of a nickname I’d like to lengthen my name so people have to use the full thing every time. Candice Adeline Gatlin. It sound much more regal and if movie stars can do it, I should certainly be allowed. And No, I have no nickname but for the 9 months prior to my birth my parents told everyone I would be named Danielle. But, while my mom was in labor (and probably after they received gifts with the name Danielle embroidered on them) my parents decided they were sick of the name Danielle. Subsequently, while my Mom was trying to birth me my Daddio was watching David Letterman (my fave!) and Candice Bergen was on… they went with that. I’m guessing I probably came pretty close to being Murphy Brown too.

Favorite musician and band: I love, love, love Kings of Leon, Louis XIV, Damien Rice, and M.I.A. but my all time faves are Dolly Parton, Cher, and Michael Jackson. Ooh! And I love Madonna because she does what she wants and doesn’t take guff from anyone- the way I live my life.

Where did you last go on vacation? VEGAS BABY!!! Well, I also drive to my Michigan casino every other weekend to gamble but that’s more of a compulsion than a vacation. Buffets or bust!

Anything else fun you’d like to share? Hmmm…I’m stuck somewhere between “where do I start” and “I could go on forever”.

More fun facts about Candice!
-My celebrity crushes are Bill Murray and David Letterman. Nothing gets me more than a really old guy with 45 years worth of jokes under his belt.
-I have a son; he is a cat. His name is Homer Spider-man X-rat Cat Gatlin-Kelly. Though he answers to many other names, among his favorites are Baby Pepper Steak and Peabo Bryson (or Peabs for short). Homer had an unfortunate syndrome last year and had to undergo a very stressful (and expensive) surgery that many would consider a sex change. Don’t worry, he’s still my little handsome man.
-I’ve never lost an argument and I’ve never been wrong.
-I drive a hybrid car and am a member of the Go Green Committee at Lill HQ. Go Green; Go Prius!
-If I weren’t at Lill I would love to be a medical examiner, crypto zoologist, or a critic- I have lot’s of opinions and they’re all valid and correct.
-If I were a Muppet I would be a mix between Miss Piggy and Animal because I’m super into myself (seriously, I would marry myself) and because I look (and may just be) crazy like Animal- same hair do and everything.
-I have a TLP project, it stands for time lapse photography and it consists of me standing in pretty much the same spot everyday and taking a picture of myself while I document the number day. I started it on January 1st of this year and plan on continuing forever… or until I forget to take a picture. I think I’m going to make a calendar at the end of the year with my photo from that day on the previous year on every day and then give them out as gifts to family, friends, and strangers.
-I love reality tv. I want my own tv show; it would be awesome and would defo top the Hills.
-I am a vegetarian… but I love meat. I mean I LOVE it. I became a vegetarian a few months ago after talking with one of our LA LILL on Location reps, Jenny W., about all things green and eco friendly and realizing the effect that farming too many cows has on the environment. I miss meat so much though. When packages arrive at HQ from Texas they always smell like tender, succulent, delicious meat and I like to curb my cravings by sniffing the boxes.
-Though I am not a fan of children, I have a deep love for the show Jon & Kate plus 8. Beyond them making me infinitely happy, my favorite thing about the show is that no matter how many children they have, they treat each of them equally.
-I have a grainy YouTube video from a night at the roller derby when I won a riotous game of extreme musical chairs. That’s me at the end being swept off my feet with a chair and tackled by roller derby gal Megan Formor.
-I love Thai food. I got the logo for my favorite Thai food restaurant tattooed on me…3 times. It’s really good.
-My favorite video games are Dance Dance Revolution and Centipede; I am amazing at both.
-I am a Brookfield Zoo member and I love learning about animals. If I were an animal, I would most likely be a Utahraptor or a Megaladon shark because I’m wicked cool, crafty, and cunning.
-I am uber interested in serial killers. Ed Gein is my fave though his status as a “serial” killer is debatable.
-Though I love my look, if I had to choose a celebrity to look like I would be stuck in tie between Nicole Richie, Megan Fox, Monica Bellucci, and Victoria Beckham.


I hope you all had fun in the joy of getting to know Candice. Now you all can see what a pleasure it is to work with such a fun and unique individual as we her at LILL get to experience each day.


-Lilly S.

LILL's "Team Member of the Month"

September's Team Member of the Month is...
Emily R.! LILL's Web Store Associate.



Emily, is a pleasure to work with. She is friendly, enthusiastic and maintains a positive outlook. She believes in the vision and mission of LILL and it shines through so clearly in the customer service she provides to customers and coworkers alike. In addition to her daily duties, she recently starting writing a weekly post on our blog "Emily's Pick of the Week”.



Now let's get to know Emily by learning of her favorite things. She is a sweet and cheery person, just like her fabric picks!

Emily is from Homewood, IL and has been with the LILL HQ Team for 6 months now, but has worked with us as a LILL on Location Representative for over one year.


Favorite LILL style? MOLLY

Top 3 fabric picks:
Yellow Stone, Fruit Cocktail, Day Tripper:








What do you love most about working for LILL?
What don’t I love about it? Everyone is friendly and creative. It’s a very welcoming environment. I love that Jen started this company on her own and it has grown into such an amazing company. It’s very inspiring!

Nickname?
Em, Emma and my Dad calls me Bubb

Favorite music:
Counting Crows, Dar Williams

Last vacation you took?
I took a cruise to the Western Caribbean with my entire family.

Fun Facts!
I have two cats named Laverne and Tippy and a dog named Gandalf. Also, I got married in Maui. It was the best day of my life so far.

Thanks for helping to make LILL the pleasant, dynamic company it is today. As always, it's lovely to work with you everyday.

-Lilly S.