{boozy bevvie} summer shandy

it's no secret amongst my friends that i am not a beer drinker. it all stems from this one time...nevermind. somethings should remain a mystery. ha.

in any event, usually i can find a beverage choice that involves liquor or my standby, hard cider. but as i started to frequent nats games, i began to realize that those alcoholic bevvies added up dollar wise to a range that was not dave ramsey approved. so last summer, thanks to my awesome friend sarah, i started a new beverage relationship: the poor person's summer shandy.

sarah and i boozing at the nats-rockies game. obviously.

yes, they serve the beer 'summer shandy' at nats stadium, but it's still not my cup of tea. so what did i do?! yes- i did the following: half lemonade + half beer. perfecto.

it wasn't until a recent pinterest find Brandy and Shan at prettyplainJanes, that i thought to make it at home. i have yet to have the occassion for it, but had to share their version because it sounds pretty delicious. so check out the amazeballs recipe here. thanks to prettyplainJanes for being an awesome blog and bringing my fave boys of summer drink to the homefront!

image courtesy of www.prettyplainjanes.com

xoxo lauren

{friday fun} summer lovin'...had me a blast.

it's the end of august. temps are getting cooler, days are getting shorter, and my desire for all things PUMPKIN is increasingly getting stronger. yes, fall is right around the corner and i'm looking forward to it. it's not that i don't like summer. i love a good beach vacation, a lazy day by the pool, bbqs, and outdoor concerts. but this summer was SO busy. hence why i haven't updated this blog since april. haha. whoopsies.

i'm on a boat. summer 2013.

between the real estate market going bonkers and stella & dot trunk shows coming out of the yin-yang, i barely had time to do much else. however- i did make one thing a priority. yes, friends, i online dated my summer away. i mean, what better time than when i am tan?! fact: everyone looks better tan.

now let me preface this post with providing you background on my romantical past. so i'm putting this out there- i've had 2 long-term boyfriends. one in high school and one in college. after college it's honestly been one hot mess after another. HA. if i've been out with any of you in the past 8 years and you're reading this, my bad. but obviously it didn't workout for whatever reason. as my brother said recently: 'there should be a reality show based on your dates.' and if i get ONE MORE message that just says, 'you so sexy,' i am going to scream. if you can't type a full sentence using proper english, do not contact me. lol. anyway, for your reading pleasure, here are 4 of the funniest/most absurd/craziest dates i've been on in the past 8 years:

date #1: we've all been to those restaurants where they cram people into every nook and cranny to maximize their space. how this isn't a fire hazard is beyond me. i mean, when you have to move the table next to you to get into your seat, we've got probs. i digress. anyway, when we leave we discuss our neighbors that we basically ate dinner with. ha. the couple to our right was fighting the entire time. the couple to the left was on their cells the entire time. as we're trying to decide which i worse, i say 'i never take my cell out when i'm on a date. it's just rude.' his response (spoiler- there's interesting language ahead): 'i always do. mainly because i'm afraid of the radiation on my penis, balls, dick area.' VERBATIM. i kid you not. i wish i could have seen the look on my face.

date #2: this one started off well. reservations at a good restaurant: check. well-dressed: check. looked like his picture: check. and then the conversation started. this guy was definitely looking for a wifey. i asked a very simple question: 'what are you doing this weekend?' his response: 'well i'm going to my niece's birthday party with my entire family. i'm the only single person. my sister and her husband will be there. my brother and his wife. my other brother and his wife. my parents. my cousin and her fiance. my dog and his partner. they call me uncle single.' now i may have added the dog part, but you get my drift. he was so focused on getting married that he was missing the whole point of dating- getting to know one another. his next stop: mail-order bride.

date #3: he fell asleep. on our date. at the bar. i have no other explanation. i asked if he was ok. i should have asked if he had narcolepsy. lol.

date #4: tall, tan, and australian. i thought i hit a home run with this one. turns out his visa is active for 2 years, but his work contract is up this november so he wasn't sure what was going to happen. awesome. pretty sure he was looking for a green-card wedding. it wasn't as awesome though as the movie. ha.

here's the deal though- i actually have grown to like going on dates. like A LOT. it's fun to meet someone new and also have awesome stories after the fact. most of my friends are attached so i am constantly told they are living vicariously through me. so glad i can go on horrendous dates to provide comic relief to everyone out there. lol. plus i feel like it's a numbers game- i am in sales after all. the more first dates i go on, the higher the chance that i'll meet someone i actually want to go on a second date with. and at the end of the day that's all i'm really looking for. someone who's company i actually enjoy having around and can have fun with.

as kip moore says: 'life's a long and winding ride. better have the right one by your side.'

xoxo lauren

{beauty} gimme that summer glow...now.

it's about this time of year that i realize how pale i am. seriously- it's scary. apparently the 50% greek in me hibernates all winter long, leaving only the german/scottish/irish/french portion in it's place. and holy heysus- it's bad. just like everyone else i start craving that vitamin d and the aftereffects. ya know, the glow you have after laying out all day long or working in the garden for a few hours. heck, you can even get it while skiing the slopes in the winter! haha.

while i love a day spent at the beach or the pool, it's not the healthiest way to get your tan on. there's a fine line between getting the essential nutrients your body needs from the sun and looking like a lobster. so to give into myself and get my pre-pool summer tan on, i look to those faux products.

now trust- i have done it all. the worst story i have is reminiscent of the friends episode where ross gets it done. you all know what i'm talking about. but instead of the nation laughing right along with me, i spent the first day of my california vaca holed up in our hotel room scrubbing the reminents of the fake tan off. i was not trying to look like an oompa loompa.

so here are a few options that i've had pretty good results from. keep in mind everyone's skin reacts differently to each product, so do a test first!!! there, i warned you. ;-)

versaspa
you've spent a ton of money on your upcoming vacation and you don't want to scare the locals away with your casper the ghost complexion. this is by far my FAVE for vacations and events. it's quick, not expensive,  looks natural (i swear), and lasts for days. you can find it at your local tanning salon, but make sure you ask for this one. the other 'ethereal' system (yes, i busted out the thesaurus for that one) is what oompa loompa-fied me. enough said. and while it may not be super de duper all natural, their website claims they do limit the amount of DHA in their mixture to prevent too much from being ingested. there you have it.
$25-35 per session, depending on location

josie maran self-tanner
any of my blog readers know my love for josie maran products. in fact, my entire beauty routine is now josie maran. so it's not a shocker that i'd give her sunless tanner a try. and it's amazeballs. yup- i just used that word. i have been using it every few days for about 2 weeks now and it's perfect. it doesn't smell, doesn't streak, and gives me just enough color that it doesn't look fake. looks like california-girl josie got something right again! it's great for when you just need a little sheen of color. and, p.s., it also hasn't rubbed off on my white 400-count. seriously the best.
$32, josiemarancosmetics.com

josie maran argan bronzing oil + josie maran brightening bronzer sun spot corrector
i like to limit the bronzing on my face to what i can easily adjust according to the rest of my makeup. so these two products are awesome to giving that sunkissed look to my cheeks, forehead, and nose. afterall, these are the spots that the sun hits first, so when applying, keep that in mind. it's called contouring people. get with the program. the bronzing oil is awesome for moisturizing and the sun spot corrector helps to even out those pesky freckles i tend to get after some actual sun. they're a match made in heaven. all-natural, organic, argan heaven. ha.
$52 + $32, josiemarancosmetics.com

get your sun on in a healthy way. you'll thank me in 30 years. ;-)

xoxo Lauren

{style} tote-ally in love.

it's no shocker that this week's post is all about Stella & Dot's new summer line! i'm mildly obsessed- or completely obsessed. either way, it's ah-may-zing and i'm so excited to share actually images from my order that just arrived yesterday!!! eeeeeekkkkk!!!! check out this video for the complete line. yay!

let's break it down piece by piece, starting with the smallest items. drumroll, please.

pouf

~we all need to be more organized. so throw in your makeup, your tech accessories, your kids toys- whatever it is you're carting around in that purse of yours. loooove mine in the elephant print.~

bring it jewelry roll

~i used to travel frequently for work. and how did i pack my jewelry? in a plastic baggie. ha. you've invested in your bling- why not treat it right?! and do it in style, with red ikat.~

hang on travel case

~my dad always had his dopp kit. my mom had- again a plastic baggie. must be a riner thing. so prevent your unmentionables from getting doused in perfume and toothpaste by packing it all away nicely.~

how does she do it tote

~i'll tell you how- by looking adorable. ever had a crappy day that can be turned around by someone just complementing your outfit and how you look? i forsee this happening- with my new navy ikat tote.~

the switch handbag

~i've always been a proponent for making wise fashion investments that aren't going to go out of style, but also ones that you can wear year-round. i present the switch. end of story.~

the getaway tote

~i used to travel in sweats. hello, it was comfy. now i may still wear my flip-flops or uggs, but i prefer to be a bit more put together than look like a homeless person while traveling. my getaway in multistripe will do it.~

the best part about this whole collection is the amount of time, detail, and thought that have been put into each piece. our design team has been working hard both out in san fran and in nyc for the past 2 years perfecting each item and, as a kate spade devotee, they've done a hell of a job. think marc jacobs quality at vera bradley prices- but WAY cuter.

visit my site for the whole line and shop away!!!

xoxo Lauren

{yummy} smoothie-ville

as of april 1, i've committed myself to walking the walk and talking the talk. if i'm going to say that i'm being healthy, i need to actually DO IT. so i've been ramping up my running and renovating my eating habits. it's hard to admit, but ever since i made my career change my veggie and fruit intake has severely declined. i mean, when you work from home, you have your entire kitchen to choose from. salad or pasta?! ummmm- pasta. hahaha.

at my last trader joe's run, i focused on quick and easy meal replacement ideas. hello, smoothies! these are easy for me to put together, pour in a to-go cup, and head to a trunk show or home showing. while i'm new to this whole smoothie thing, i have found at least 3 recipes that i LOVED and 1 that did the trick- but was hard to swallow. hahaha. so here's my first dive into smoothe-ville.

lauren conrad's oatmeal breakfast smoothie

*this one i have started to make almost every morning. it's easy to drink with my coffee and tastes delish. best of all- it keeps me full until lunch time. put the ingredients in the blender in the order i have them listed.*

1 c. non-fat yogurt (i use 0% fage greek yogurt)
1 tsp. ground flax seeds and chia seeds (i use a mortar/pestle)
1 tbs. honey
1/2 c. raw oats
1 banana
1/2 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. non-fat milk (horizon is the best)
1/2 c. water

blend it up and enjoy!

green monster smoothie #1

*i am numbering this #1 since there are soooo many variations out there. i did read that to help with digestion, try chewing parts of the smoothie while drinking it.*

1 c. non-fat yogurt
2 handfuls baby spinach
1 apple
1 banana
5 frozen strawberries
1/2 orange

blend and enjoy!

faux chocolate milkshake

*i was craving ice cream so instead of heading up to my local sweetfrog, i made this. once you get the hang of smoothie making, you'll do the same- make up recipes on the fly. this hit the spot and was delish!*

1 c. non-fat milk
1 handful of frozen strawberries
1 banana
3 packets sugar substitute (i still use splenda- i know, i know. ugh. ha)
1 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
organic fat-free whipped topping to taste

yum. that's all.

tummy soother

*it was easter weekend. i ate something bad and got tummy troubles. this def helped, but LORD was it hard to swallow. drink knowing that. hahaha.*

1/2 c. non-fat yogurt
6 ice cubes
1 tbs. ground flax seed
1 tsp. sliced ginger
1 c. frozen peaches (i substituted apples)
1 c. papaya
1 pear

gulp. but my tummy was better after. haha. i guess that counts as success, right?

xoxo Lauren

{yummy} apple-worthy fruit dip

dips are always easy. they're easy to make. easy to eat. easy to serve. they're just my fave. period.

this past december i highlighted my gluten-free breakfast casserole from my baubles and brunch party, but one of the other dishes stood out to everyone at the party. it was the fruit dip. made simply out of ingredients most people have in their kitchens right now, it's a sure to please dish. most find themselves hovering around it scooping up heaps of it with apple slices. i found myself doing it and i usually don't like apples...unless they're in pie form. i love pie. anywayyyyy, it got me thinking- there has to be a healthier version of said dip.

after more interweb and pinterest searching, i found the solution: greek yogurt and chia seeds. i can now consume this dip every morning and not feel like i ate a block of cream cheese. so i give you both: the splurge and the save dip.

the original fruit dip

1 block of cream cheese
cinnamon
brown sugar
vanilla extract

mix and serve. delish.

the waist-friendly fruit dip

1 16 oz. carton of fat free greek yogurt (use Fage- it's the real deal)
2 tbs. of chia seeds
cinnamon
brown sugar
vanilla extract

mix and let sit over night. then dip away.

they taste exactly the same, with the same consistency. it's truly shocking. major kudos to the 2 blogs i found said recipes on, chocolate, chocolate, and more and the yummy life. ya'll rock.

xoxo Lauren

{diy} chair facelift

first of all, let me apologize. i've been MIA and i'm sorry. it's not you, it's me. life and jobs get in the way, forcing certain things to be put on the back burner. but while i've been rockin' the real estate world and styling everyone in northern virginia, my readers have suffered. my bad. i would like to say it won't happen again, but you never know. all i can say is that i will make it worth your while in the coming weeks. pinky swear. scouts honor. and all those other phrases.

so now that i've gotten that out of the way- let's diy some stuff! YAY! this is my happy place. i love to give things a makeover or a facelift if you will. i mean, we all saw my kitchen, my bathroom, and my adorbs twin stools. swoon. but this weekend i turned my attention to my office chair. and, boy, did it need it!

yet again, this was one of my grandma's chairs. she was a fashion designer and from nyc, so i am assuming that back in the 70s, this color and print combo was uber chic. fast-forward to 2013 and not so much. here's a lovely before pic.

months ago (maybe even almost close to a year ago) i spotted this fabric i wanted at my joann's superstore in leesburg. it's seriously one of the best in the area. it's almost like a homegoods/joann's hybrid and i heart it. i've gotten some great things there for super cheap. i bought 4 yards of the fabric just in case we had any issues- pretty sure it cost me like $10 total. score. thank you, rando joann's coupons online.

and then the fabric sat in my condo. collecting dust until this past friday where i legit had a convo with myself. 'lauren, what are you waiting for? can't tell if you'd like that color spray paint from home depot? hello- paint over it again if you don't. just get it done.' so i convinced myself to get on it and rustoleum's leafy green spray paint was my final choice.

i'm going to admit- i didn't sand or strip the pretty muted pumpkin/salmon color. i spray painted rustoleum's primer, let it sit for a few hours, and then spray painted the leafy green. it was seriously that easy. here's a nice before after color wise.

saturday: i decided to late-night tackle the cushion. i carefully ripped all the seams and used each portion of fabric as my template for cutting out the new fabric. and then i drank wine. so game over, saturday night.

sunday: i was like 'girl, get this done!' so i did. out came the sewing machine and- stupidity. seriously. i was so frustrated i vented to the facebook world.

after a few cups of coffee and scouring the interwebs, i finally found the users manual online. i was shocked. this sewing machine was a hand me down from my great-aunt and is from the 1970s. i thank the person that scanned the users manual- it was my savior. i provide pictorial proof of my 'vintage' sewing machine.

let me preface this and say i have never used a sewing machine IN MY LIFE. i took a home economics course in like 6th grade and vaguely remember learning to sew. but it was overseas and i think we sewed ethnic garb. i don't believe upholstery was not on the syllabus. so i was starting from scratch. and it was hard. but- I DID IT. here's the finished product.

now i do have some tips for this type of project, mainly around the upholstery portion. if you need tips on spray paint, then maybe this level of project isn't for you yet. ha.

TIP 1: when choosing a fabric, do one that is either a solid or a busy print where you won't notice mistakes. my cushion is FAR from perfectly put together, but you can't tell.

TIP 2: get some no-sew fabric glue. this was helpful especially when dealing with the cording.

TIP 3: save whatever you can. i didn't replace the filling or the cording. this i am sure saved me some moolah.

TIP 4: look beyond the icky and see the potential. this chair had been sitting in my parents house for years, with no purpose. until i came along. now it's a happy addition to my office.

xoxo Lauren

{realtor riner} new homes 101

new home communities are sprouting up everywhere it seems like. wherever there is land available in northern virginia, there is a developer building on it or about to start the process. so what do you do when you find your home search leads you to look at new home communities?! welp- follow these tips, of course.

new home communities have all the shine and glimmer that buyers are looking for. after all, they are new. but it's still a home purchase and there are still steps that you need to ensure you adhere to in order to not only protect your interests but your investment as well.

1. bring a realtor. i know, this may sound like i'm tooting my own horn (so to speak) but think of it this way: if you were in arbitration, would you feel comfortable having one lawyer representing both sides? chances are the answer is no. so why would you walk into a new home purchase without someone looking out for your specific interests? the new home salesperson is there representing the BUILDER, not you. this is where a realtor comes in handy. we have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that you aren't walking into something you'll regret down the road. the last thing a realtor wants is someone who is unhappy with their home purchase. a happy buyer is referrals down the road. end of story. so having someone on your side is in your best interest.

2. make it known you have a realtor. the minute you walk into a model home, have your realtor's card handy and register them as your point on contact. otherwise, whether you have an agreement or not with the realtor, you may not be able to use them in that exact transaction. it's honestly better for you to always attend models with your realtor- some builders won't even let you use one if they aren't physically present at your first walk-through.

3. don't be wowed by the model. i get it- i love walking into models too. the decor is unbelievable. however, these homes have been upgraded out the ying-yang. seriously, if there's an upgrade available, it's probably in the model. so when you're walking through and thinking, 'i would love to live here...' chances are you can...at a price. so understanding what is standard and what is upgraded is key to setting your expectations.

4. upgrade cautiously. whenever working with new home buyers i typically have the following sole piece of advice when it comes to upgrades: do what you can't do after the home purchase. items that fall under this criteria: architectural upgrades (bonus rooms, bump-outs, etc), higher ceilings, electrical outlets, better lot locations, etc. you get my point- whatever you don't think you can change after you move in, do it before. one item that i do recommend before that is somewhat cosmetic is cabinetry. this is mainly because upgraded cabinetry is cheaper via the builder than a custom job. countertops, flooring, light fixtures- these can all be done cheaper after you purchase the home.

5. ensure you understand your model and how it will sit on your lot. recently i was looking at a model home with a client. he said 'wow, look at all these windows. i'd love to look out on this landscape and have my cup of coffee.' however, once i pointed out all the other lots in the community and how the wall of windows would sit, it was clear: there would be no serene landscape view. you'd be looking into another neighbor's exact same windows probably drinking your morning coffee together. ha. know what you're getting into and envision all scenarios!

6. negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. depending on the community and the appeal, everything is still negotiable. upgrades, seller subsidy, lots, etc. again- this is where the knowledge of your realtor comes into play. relying on someone who has had training in real estate negotiations (or who has relationships with the builders) is beneficial to you- in all aspects.

7. get a home inspection. this may come as a surprise, but sometimes even builders make a mistake. i know- shocking! so you want to get a pre-drywall and post-drywall inspection to make sure everything is up to code and being built properly. horror story: i know of one community (not naming names) that had such an issue with 3rd floor bathtubs falling through to the 2nd and 1st floors, that all of the townhomes had to be re-structured to accommodate the fixture properly. had one person done a home inspection, this might have been prevented.

you can get a great home, in a great community, at a great price- as long as you have your wits about you and employ the right people to be on your side. this way you end up in a model situation of how a new home purchase can be successful.

xoxo Lauren

{boozy bevvies} drinking on a diet

by the looks of things at my gym, it seems like everyone and their mother has decided to loose weight as part of their new years' resolutions. not knocking it whatsoever- in fact, i think it's great. people getting healthier and feeling better. yay for you!

however, no one wants to disturb their lifestyle and social events- least of all me. i have never been a heavy drinker, but thanks to recent events i have cut back even more. i swear, i'm still fun. ha. so what are you supposed to do when faced with a night out and everyone is throwing back drinks like lindsay lohan? stick with the following rules and criteria- you'll be able to have a fun night out and stay true to your goals.

lauren's drinking on a diet 101

1. stick with clear liquor. don't get me wrong...i love me some bourbon and tequila. but word on the street is that clear liquors have less sugar therefore less calories. who knew.

2. those margs, daqs, and coladas are no bueno. fact of the matter is that any filler in any drink or food isn't gonna be the best bet. try a skinny marg on for size- fresh lime juice, clear tequila, and a splash of citrus liquor. much better...and stronger. ha.

3. no binge drinking. i remember my first year of college they explained that binge drinking was 4 or more drinks in a 2 hour timeframe. i thought they were insane...i was also 17. flash forward to 29 year old me- i'm lucky if i can handle 4 drinks in an evening out. so make sure to keep an eye on how much you are actually consuming, not just for your waist but so you don't get wasted. no one likes a sloppy drunk.

4. keep hydrated. water will always be your friend. fact. there's no harm in taking a breather while out and sipping on some h2o. or, better yet, throw in a gatorade or similar drink. electrolytes are your friend.

5. EAT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! trust- i have made this mistake plenty of times. i think, omg, why would i want to waste calories on food when i can drink them. this is a HUGE mistake. you don't have to eat nachos or a loaf of bread, but eat something. preferably a good mixture of veggies and protein. your stomach will thank you.

6. last but not least- you CAN have fun if you don't drink. i know this is a concept lost on many, however i have been out, ordered water in a mixed drink glass, with water, and a lime. looks like a vodka soda. and no one knows the difference.

now, for those nights when i do need a bevvie in hand, i typically go for a rum and diet soda or a mojito. shockingly, both are low in calories and get the job done. wine is also your friend but keep in mind that at typical serving size for caloric purposes is 4 ounces- and most restaurants serve about 8 ounces at a time. damn restaurants making you gain weight! lol.

if you're desperately trying to watch your intake and make headway on the scale, follow these tips and you'll be good to go. if not, drink a fishbowl margarita for me. and send me a picture. kthanksbye.

xoxo Lauren

{realtor riner} spring has sprung. no joke.

spring equals warmer weather, flowers blooming, birds chirping, and the sense of anew. but in real estate, spring means january/february. i'm not kidding. spring has sprung people and it's time to act.

most people tell me they want to start looking for a home to buy or consider putting their homes up for sale in the spring. but the problem with waiting until march and april is that so is everyone else. you aren't the only one that will be out there looking or listing your home. so, like any other area of life, be proactive and think ahead. it's kinda like the above picture. would you rather have your home for sale when inventory is low and it stands out or when everyone is putting their home on the market and it's just a number? would you rather be looking for a place to buy when you're one of the few looking or do you want to deal with multiple offers and escalation clauses among a sea of offers?! it's kinda a no-brainer.

so while this blog post might be short and sweet, it's all about making you aware as the public. most of the reports on the housing market are at the very least 3-6 months behind what we are seeing on the frontlines. see reach out to your local real estate expert (ahem, LAUREN RINER, ahem) and start the process. i can promise that you'll thank me later.

xoxo Lauren

{boozy bevvies} official drink of kenny

first let me state fact. when i, or anyone for that matter, refer to kenny, i am not referring to the following: kenny loggins, kenny rogers, kenny from south park, or kenny g. there is only one kenny in my book.

mr. kenny chesney. every year, my best friend and i look forward to girls' weekend where we can 'sit in the sand with a drink in our hands' and enjoy the BEST CONCERT of the year. we seriously make a long weekend out of this concert. since i live in northern virginia and she in charlottesville, we both make our way to virginia beach and relax beachfront. seriously- if you've never taken a trip with your best friend where it's just the two of you, i highly recommend it. it's so rejuvenating and relaxing and SO MUCH FUN.

kenny trip circa 2011

we just found out this week that he's coming back to virginia beach after taking a year off from the venue. why? i do not know. BUT WE ARE SOOO STINKIN' EXCITED!!!

kenny trip circa 2012 - show in dc. found some strangers. ;-)

now back in the day, when we first started attending said concerts, we were young and wild. not saying that we're not wild when we get together now- it's just a little less. ha. here's us one year at buffet.

buffet trip circa 2006

so young, wild, and poor. what do you drink and tailgate with on said concert going excursions?! what my dear friend meghan likes to call, jolly ranchers. yum. yum. yum. can't wait.

jolly rancher

margarita mix

mango rum

mix to your hearts content and enjoy. just don't drink too many or you'll end up like this:

wild lauren circa 2006.

xoxo Lauren