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 Sophie!

We are excited to introduce the long-awaited mid-sized messenger, SOPHIE. The convertible strap can be shortened to a shoulder bag while the interior is equipped with several organizational features to store your cell phone, PDA, MP3 Player and more. The center zipper divider pouch also provides added security and organization.

Now meet the special lady who the bag was named after, Sophie K.!

A woman who is as sassy, fun and organized as the SOPHIE Bag itself. Grand-Mom-In-Law to our Web Store Manager, Amy F.

Sophie (on left) photographed with Amy (on right) while at the Chicago store on Mother's Day to create their very own SOPHIE Bags!




Get to know the real Sophie by learning of her favorite things:

Favorite LILL style – KIMBERLY
A funny or unique thing you carry in your bag – “God knows! Paint brushes for my pottery.”
Children – 4
Pets – 3 cats, 1 dog.
Ever met anyone famous? “Charlton Heston when I worked for American Airlines”
Last great book you read – The Red River
Favorite Restaurant – Olive Garden
Hobbies and activities important to you – “Ceramics, currently working on a gnome for my garden. Also love spending time with my grand-kids and great-grandkids!”

It was great getting to know you, Sophie.
We hope you all enjoy the SOPHIE bag as much as we here at LILL already do!

-Lilly S.

Featured 'LILL Girl' - Meet Summer!

This month's featured LILL Girl is someone who is a frequent LILL on Location Party attendee and describes herself as "LILL obsessed!". She has a great talent for mixing and matching LILL fabrics and creating darling custom LILL Bags. Her knowledge and enthusiasm of 1154 LILL is what makes her a true LILL Loyalist!

Meet Summer K. from Dayton, Ohio
LILL Girl since 2007

Let's get to know Summer!

Special hobbies or activities you enjoy doing?
"Planning healthy meals with my husband, running, knitting, and designing LILL bags online."

Fun fact!
"I sang with a college group on the Welsh equivalent of the Tonight Show. We also got to sing in a Scottish cathedral during the trip! But the best part was the Welsh elementary students who thought we were famous Americans. When we posed for a picture with them they serenaded us with Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time"."

What began your love for LILL?
"My sister Kate gave me an Amy and a $25 LILL gift card for my 30th birthday last July! It hasn't even been a full year and I'm hooked!"

How many LILL Bags do you own?
"Five…and dreaming."

What's your favorite LILL handbag style?
"It's really a toss up between HADLEY and DREA. I can't pick just one!"

Top 3 fabric picks:
Jacobean Floral, Hula Girl, Posie Patch

If you were queen of LILL for a day, what would you do?
"I would spend a day in one of the stores and help shoppers design fabulous creations! I love spreading the word about how fabulous the whole concept is and what fun it is to design your own handbags. What better place to do it than in the store where they can see the fabrics and some of the finished products!"

It was great getting to know you, Summer! We enjoyed your post and look forward to creating with you again real soon.

Hey Ladies!
If you'd like to be the next featured LILL Girl, email me - lilly@1154lill.com and share your love for LILL!

Lilly S.

Featured 'LILL Girl' - Meet Amy!

There are so many LILL fans out there that love LILL's product and enjoy spreading the word about their experience. Their enthusiasm and dedication is what makes LILL the dynamic company it is today.

Each month I will be featuring a LILL Girl.

Meet Amy K. from Woodridge, IL. LILL Girl since 2005.

Do you have any special hobbies? "I make Swarovski jewelry and show an antique car in the summer."

Any fun facts you’d like to share? "I play the French Horn and I have over 150 handbags."

What began your love for LILL ? "My sister-in-law introduced me to LILL."

How many LILL Bags do you own? 8

What’s your favorite LILL handbag style? "ALLY and ANDI"

Top 3 fabric picks: Emerald City, Pearly Gates and Houndstooth Deville.

What would you do if you were LILL Queen for a day? "I would branch out and by using the existing handbag styles select a local artist to design a limited edition handbag of the artist's choice. Each bag would be numbered and maybe have a slightly modified LILL tag. It would widen the spectrum of LILL's clientele. The local artist could be a musician as well."

Amy recently designed an ANDI Bag online to add to her collection. She chose Pearly Gates for the exterior and Midnight for the interior and strap. Here is a sneak preview of her creation.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and ideas Amy!

-Lilly S.

Hey girls!

Would you like to be a featured LILL Girl of the month? Email me a photo and short story for a chance to be featured on LILL's blog: lilly@1154lill.com

Meet Hadley!

We are happy to introduce the newest member of the LILL family, HADLEY!


HADLEY is our chic slouchy bag with sleek hardware and strap embellishment. Perfect for running errands and will hold more than your every-day essentials. The roomy interior can hold your favorite book, bottled water and umbrella while the interior lining has 3 slip pockets to perfectly hold your MP3 player, PDA and cell phone with a long zipper pocket for added security.






Now meet the girl behind the bag, Hadley!

She is the daughter of Jennifer Velarde (owner and founder of 1154 LILL Studio)
Let’s get to know little Hadley. I’ve asked her Mom to help her answer a few questions:
Besides your namesake – Favorite LILL style: Donna – my mommy carries all my supplies in this bag!
One unique or funny thing you carry in your bag: Silly hats – I love hats, so there are usually a couple in my bag.
Children: I’m still a babe myself, so no kids. I have one brother – Joey, age 3 1/2
Pets: A cat named Snowball
Ever met anyone famous? Still waiting for that first celebrity encounter!
Last great book you read: Fancy Nancy
Hero or Mentor: My brother Joey
Favorite Food or Recipe: I’m looking forward to trying something besides milk!
Hobbies or Activities important to you: I love watching my brother run around and coo’ing at my parents.

Thanks so much Hadley (and mom)!
I am looking forward to my first HADLEY design!

Lilly S.