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.

This Week's Employees

Last week you met our 3 “models” from our website’s home page. Now meet some more behind the scenes folks that work hard everyday to ensure you truly love your LILL Bag.

Meet Adrienne S., Senior Fabric Associate Design Dept.
Favorite Style: ANDI and PAULA
"I love all the creative minds and seeing how a bag comes together. I also like that it is a mostly women run company. It is very inspiring. It is a great work environment and I never dread going to work."

Fun Fact: The ADRIENNE bag is named after this very Adrienne!

Meet Donna C.,
Parts & Pieces Associate
Favorite Style: MOLLY & DONNA of course.
"I work with an awesome team. I love how I have learned so many areas of the company.
Our potlucks are the best ever."
Fun Fact: The DONNA bag is named after this very Donna!

Meet Brayan N., Shipping Associate
Favorite Style: "If I were to be a girl, I would say the AUDREY JANE would be my favorite. It would have a Lux Tux exterior and fairy dust for the JANE."
"What I love about working at LILL is that it’s very motivating. I have learned so much and I enjoy working with my co-workers."

It was great getting to know this week's highlighted LILL team members. Check back soon for more fun posts from LILL's owner and see what Emily's pick of the week will be this week. Your LILL Bag could be famous!

-Lilly S.

The Things You Are Given

This week was a memorable one for me. I am pregnant with my 3rd child, and had my 20 week visit to the doctor on Monday. For those who have been through a pregnancy before, the 20 week visit is a "big" one - you get an amazing view of your child during a lengthy ultrasound and it is the one where you can find out if the baby is a boy or a girl. For our first 2 children, we opted to be traditional and wait till the end. The announcement of "it's a boy," for our first, and "it's a girl" for our second was nothing short of thrilling. I had hoped to go the same route this time and wait till the end, but over the last few weeks I simply got anxious. Maybe, it was that the timing of the appointment was so close to the Presidential election - where nothing was certain until yesterday, or that lately the news is filled with so many unknowns. Something was pushing me to find out so I would know for sure. Fortunately, baby number 3 obliged and quickly offered the doctor a view that confirmed, without a doubt, that we are having a boy. Joey, our 4 year old, was thrilled. After all, he had been praying "to make the new baby a boy" almost every night in his prayers. The revelation to him that his prayers had come true is something I'll cherish.

Number 3 completes our family. Knowing the make up of my family - boy, girl, boy - gives me a peace I can't quite explain. Some things you can't plan or choose, you are just given. And somehow, the things you are given have a way of being just right.

Jen Velarde
Founder - 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

Happy Halloween LILL Fans! This week I thought I'd feature some of the new fabrics that we have available online for custom orders or for fabric sales. I love fabric! I love to check out all of the cool colors and textures. Normally I am a big fan of spring/summer fabrics. However, I am really inspired by the new fall/winter fabrics that were recently added to LILL's website. It's so much fun to think about making a new fall bag or designing a new pillow or two with these great new fabrics! I'd like to spotlight some of my personal favorites.


Bangladesh Paisley and Coming Up Daisies are great for a neutral bag with a pop of color! Also both of these fabrics would look great on a custom JASMINE pillow.




Flocked Sesame and Malabar Paisley have beautiful brown and black designs. These fabrics will coordinate with almost any outfit.






Salmon Floral is a bright shiny fabric. This fabric makes me smile.




Central Park Tweed has a green, tan and navy woven together for a hearty fall look.




If you love purple, you will love Sintra Gardens. Sintra Gardens has dark purple, light purple, tan and cream behind black velvet flowers.


If you are looking for inspiration, take a look at our fabric palette. I'm sure you will find something that makes you feel good!
Have a great weekend! Emily