{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