{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

{friday fun} girls get bored of jewelry?! NO!

this was actually a question that my brother recently asked me. see- his girlfriend is a HUGE fan of Stella & Dot and over the past few months they've celebrated numerous occasions that called for gifts. their anniversary. her birthday. christmas. and each time, my baby bro turned to me and asked: 'what's on her wishlist? i need to get it for her.' but as the bling piled up, he legitamitely asked me: 'don't girls get bored of jewelry?!' i promptly replied with the following: 'um, no! if that was the case, cartier and tiffany's would have been out of business decades ago.'

see, we loooove accessories. and jewelry is the creme de la creme of this category. point me in the direction of a girl who doesn't like something shiny and sparkly. you'll be hard pressed to find one.



so when i got word of the new Stella & Dot line, i was uber excited. literally could not contain my excitement. and when it was time to purchase my new samples for trunk shows, i legit spent hours contemplating my order. so without further ado, i give you a sampling of the Stella & Dot 2013 Spring/Summer Line. yay for bling! :)

necklaces

calypso, $89

jolie, $79

aileen, $59

piper, $29

maya, $39

earrings

lilly, $39

soiree, $24

raina, $39

seychelles, $44

bracelets

christina, $49

zinnia, $49

rings

mary-margaret, $39

moraley stackable bands, $39

the new line is available TODAY, so stop wasting time and get shopping! you know you deserve it. ;-)

xoxo Lauren

{style} wonderous c.wonder

i am a prep at heart. i love all things monogrammed. bright colors are vital. button down shirts and cardigans dominate my closet as much as puffer vests and blazers. i own not only the orginial 'preppy handbook' (thanks, Dad), but also the follow-up 'true prep'- which was signed to me by the author when i met her at hampden-sydney a few years back. i grew up wearing ralph lauren and talbots kids and am now obsessed with j.crew and vineyard vines. i love my ribbon watch. it's in my blood and it's fine by me.

my newest addition to said obsessions is c.wonder. at the helm is tory burch's ex-husband and he doesn't disappoint. walking into the store you are welcomed by bright colors and tailored items. it's a prep's dream come true.

if i could live in this store, i would. in fact, much of my christmas wish list was dominated with links to the stores website and items i coveted. everything from jackets to sweaters to jeans to home goods- i will take it all. so here i am giving you a breakdown of my current favorite items from the brand- and to get you as equally obsessed as i am.

the ultimate blue blazer

skinny jeans in every color under the rainbow

girly grown-up sweater

driving mocs to get you going

dinnerware to host your next soiree

my new fave piece of non-stella jewelry (the last time you'll see me admit to this- ha)

for all of you northern virginian preps, the closest location is at tysons corner mall near macy's. run, don't walk. you won't be disappointed.

xoxo Lauren

{style} it *is* easy being green

sound the trumpets! alert the masses! get out your credit cards! pantone has announced the color of the year and i'm here to give you my FAVE suggestions on incorporating it into your wardrobe. i give you the 2013 color of the year:

here at happy home, we love love love anything green. pretty sure most of my recent purchases have incorporated this color in multiple ways. so let's break it down by women's wear, women's accessories, menswear, and then kids. we might go wild and even through in some pup options as well. cray cray!!!

women's wear

{from left to right}

first row: c.wonder wool elbow patch blazer, $198; c.wonder sequined tank top, $98; c.wonder quilted barn jacket, $128

second row: c.wonder engineered striped henley, $58; j.crew factory straight and narrow jean, reg. $89.50- sale $39.50; gap striped cowlneck waffle tee, $29.95

women's accessories

{from left to right}

first row: stella & dot liz drop earrings, $59; stella & dot la folie necklace, $49; stella & dot camila ring, $49

second row: stella & dot pippa necklace, $69; stella & dot garden party chandelier earrings, $54; stella & dot serenity stone pendant, $79

third row: stella & dot suzanne cocktail ring, $39; stella & dot copa necklace, reg. $128- sale $64; stella & dot serenity stone drop earrings, $49

menswear

{from left to right}

first row: vineyard vines cashmere cable 1/4-knit sweater, $295; polo ralph lauren narrow silk tartan tie, $125; vineyard vines palm beach gingham whale shirt, $98.50

second row: polo ralph lauren classic-fit mesh polo, $85; vineyard vines club pants, $79.50; gap marled half-zip sweater, $49.95

kid's

{from left to right}

first row: ralph lauren tartan bibbed shirtdress, reg. $55 - sale $44.99; ralph lauren mesh polo shirt, $35-39.50;  ralph lauren tartan kilt, reg. $115-125 - sale $89.99-99.99

second row: ralph lauren mockneck stripe sweater, $75-79.50; ralph lauren short-sleeved mesh polo, $35-39.50; ralph lauren cotton jersey striped tee, $25-27.50

pup's

dog collar- preppy stripes navy & green, $29

plenty of options to dress yourself and the ones you love in style, per pantone and me. :)

xoxo Lauren

{style} transitional done right

the outlets. they can be a hit or miss. crazy packed or completely empty. expensive or cheap. you never know what you're going to get. but they do make for fun shopping trips!

the other day mama riner and i decided to get a headstart on our christmas shopping. i know, i know- this was a big headstart. but we happened to hit the jackpot a a bunch of our favorite stores - j.crew and gap to be specific.

one item that wasn't a christmas gift but by far my favorite purchase was a navy and green striped three-quarter sleeve shift dress. so comfy, so stylish, and so preppy. my kind of outfit. here it is before we break it down.

the key to any outfit, no matter the style, is to accessorize appropriately. so to my walk-in i went! the weather here in northern virginia tends to change frequently, so my first addition was my go-to j.crew navy blazer. since i was going to be running errands that day, i opted for my nine west riding boots and some knee-high socks.

and of course- the outfit would not be complete without some jewelry from stella & dot! i wore my favorite green serenity stone drop earrings, the signature clover necklace, and the chimera bangle with my ribbon watch. love love love.

the great thing about the outfit is i was able to wear it to my friend stacey's birthday party a few days earlier at a local vineyard, quattro goomba's. since it wasn't quite as chilly, i opted against the blazer and instead wore navy tights with my high heel brown nine west boots. and i know i can wear it this spring with some ballet flats. completely transitional.

see, here's the thing. whenever i purchase something i think about how often i will end up wearing it and if it can be worn multiple ways. i also take into consideration if it's more of a classic piece or somewhat fashion-forward. all of these questions help me to determine whether or not the piece is worth the financial investment.

the best thing about this dress- it was $25. gotta love the outlets.

xoxo Lauren

{style} vote- stella & dot for all!

voting day! for americans today, it's our chance to exercise the right that so many have fought for and continue to fight for. it may be freezing outside, but while you're waiting in line, it doesn't hurt to look good at the same time- and maybe show off your party as well. ;-)

i recently blogged about the most awesome time i had partying it up with my friend and fellow blogger, madeline, at her stella & dot party. seriously- it was awesome. although my bank account may not think so.

the beauty of stella & dot is that anyone with any style can find something they love. whether you're classic or fashion forward, they have tons of options for everyone. i held my first (of what i assume to be many) stella & dot party last summer and had an absolute blast. it doesn't hurt that the stylist is a longtime friend of mine that knows how to help everyone have a great time. christine, you rock the stella & dot casbah!

christine, her hubby matt, and their puppy harley
at their recent wedding.

like i said, i pretty much wear a piece every day. so i thought i'd share some of my favorites today. as they said on 'how to loose a guy in 10 days,' think of jewelry as frosting for your outfit.

{ 1 } capri chandelier earrings $49 

{ 2 } signature clover necklace $69

{ 3 } luxor link bracelet $89

{ 4 } chimera bangle $59

{ 5 } snake orb pendant necklace $79

{ 6 } serenity stone drops $49

the nice thing about stella & dot parties is that there is no presentation, no awkward show & tell, and no pressure. it's just your friends drinking, eating, chatting, and trying on jewelry. and you can earn free jewelry!!! so contact your local stella & dot rep to schedule a party! i'm sure everyone can find a holiday gift for yourself or someone in your life.

in all seriousness though, please go vote. no matter which candidate or stance you choose, feel grateful that you can vote.

xoxo Lauren