Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Lillian's By Design

In downtown Alton, IL a certain quaint, historic brick building faces the mighty Mississippi River.  Nestled inside is a warm and inviting shop filled with unique artwork: paintings, fashion accessories and wonderful handmade custom clothing: Lillian's By Design. 

The proprietor, and seamstress is Lillian Bates -and although I've only met Lillian once, her warmth, enthusiasm and bubbly personality made me feel as though I had known her for years.   This is a rare precious quality -especially for a shop owner, and I can honestly say that when visiting Alton you really should make a point to stop in to meet Lillian and browse her shop!

Lillian, who has been sewing since the age of 13 is clearly a master of thetextile arts.  Her pieces are one-of-a-kind, and range from unique jackets (that would look fabulous worn with jeans) to stunning formal dresses.  She can even take old "favorites" from our closets ( that ~ahem~ may have fit us better say, 20 years ago) and "recycle" them into new favorites that we can use and enjoy again! -Love that! Well, I've said all of this and almost forgotten the part that is most exciting to me personally: (You've probably already guessed it) Lillian's By Design is now offering all natural handmade soap by Heirloom Soapworks!  Yay!   I am tickled pink and honored to have my natural soaps in a boutique such as Lillian's.  -I love everything about her shop, it's location, the fabulous antique brick walls, the warm and inviting atmosphere, not to mention the fabulous one-of-a-kind finds.

I hope that you'll stop by Lillian's By Design the next time you're in Alton, IL -you're in for a unique treat.  Oh, and please say "Hi" to Lillian for me!  :)  

[caption id="attachment_1537" align="aligncenter" width="479" caption="Lillian at Lillian's By Design, Alton, IL"][/caption]

4 comments:

Michele said...

Looks like the perfect place for your wonderful product! Good for you!

Ambra said...

Wonderful shop and shopowner :)

About the vanilla. It's from a British company: http://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/
This is the description: Vanilla Oil (extract 50% in glycerol) Ref: vanopmg
Extract of Vanilla Pods. This is a 1:1 extract, so 50% vanilla extract in 50% glycerol
Vanilla is warming and welcoming. It is said to ease stress, anger, and frustration, giving a feeling of comfort. Physically, it is said to induce menstruation. It's sweet aroma softens any blend. Wonderful with citrus oils, softens the coniferous oils. Undiluted Vanilla oil is thick and most likely would not come out of a dropper bottle, so our vanilla oil is dilute in glycerol to aid mobility.

business daily said...

Any man who tried to talk to.her would later describe the encounter as an act of torture..Lillian and Daisy.were sisters from New York. Lillian was a fiercely loving friend but also strong-willed and.bossy.

Bridesmaids Stream Free said...

great blog If you are the type to update your blog regulary, then you have gained one daily reader in me today. keep up the super work.
the hangover part 2 online free