By far the question I get asked the most is, “Are you still friends with Lauren?” For the longest time I would answer, “We are still friends, but we don’t really keep in touch.” That was the truth, but I also wondered if there was an issue between us that was unresolved. In part one of my two part talk with Lauren, I finally get to the bottom of it, plus so much more. Lauren and I went through something completely life-changing together, and when it was over we went our separate ways. Business, family, fame, life, everything that has happened since the show ended, and we’ve never talked about it.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a more important catch up session. Lauren is a television personality, New York Times bestselling author, fashion designer and philanthropist. In 2009, she launched LC Lauren Conrad exclusively at Kohl’s. In 2013, she co founded The Little Market whose mission is to build sustainable partnerships with artisans around the world by connecting them with customers through an online marketplace and to empower women artisans to rise above poverty and support their families. AND, in August 2020, Lauren launched her beauty brand, Lauren Conrad Beauty. It is an eco-conscious brand that meets the desires of cosmetics consumers at a price point that everyone can enjoy without sacrificing quality. I attempted to up my eyeliner game with help from the eyeliner expert herself. We are getting into EVERYTHING. Hope you love!

When it comes to social distancing at home with her husband William Tell and their two sons Charlie Wolf, 7 months, and Liam James, 2½, Lauren Conrad admits, “We’re in survival mode.”

Continues the lifestyle maven in an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, “Our kids need a lot of attention. We’re living in a world of LEGOs and train sets! It’s been a real balancing act.”

And the 34-year-old designer certainly has her plate full, with the launch of her new kids’ clothing line Little Co. by Lauren Conrad, available in sizes newborn through 5T exclusively at Kohl’s beginning Thursday.

“I look at kids’ clothes a lot differently now that I’ve shopped for them,” says Conrad, who also shot a video for the brand with some little fans, pre-COVID-19.

“I wanted [the line] to be really easy — mix-and-match pieces and complementary colors. And I’m a big fan of gender neutral colors,” she says, adding, “Kids grow out of their clothes so quickly!”

As far as personal time during the lockdown, Conrad says it’s been a bit elusive. “Any time throughout the day that I would have taken for myself has been replaced with cooking and cleaning,” says The Little Market co-founder.

“The only time I have to myself is when the kids go down to sleep,” she tells PEOPLE. “Every night, I’ve been taking a bath with Little Market bath salts and having a glass of wine. It’s my favorite thing! When you have young children, you don’t get a lot of alone time.”

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I know life’s more uncertain and chaotic these days than we’ve ever experienced. And during it all, our kids continue growing and changing as fast as the world around us. I’ve been working on something very close to my heart for a couple years, and while it feels odd announcing or celebrating anything right now, I’m really proud of what we’ve created. I’m happy to share @lcLittleCo with you, my new clothing line for the kids growing and changing in your house (it’ll be available online at @Kohls starting May 21st). Wishing you all health, safety and sanity x

A post shared by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on May 18, 2020 at 8:01am PDT