I remember being a little kid (try 11th grade), lying on bed doing a poster for English watching The Hills.  Girls, don't deny it--we all watched The Hills when we were juniors and seniors!!  I immediately knew why I was watching this show--the main character was so relatable.  And, unlike some of the other characters, this girl had a brain.  The Hills was a show that was created to follow Lauren Conrad's journey in college, as she started to begin her career.  Sadly, she is no longer on the show and that is why I do not watch it.  Lauren, as I said before, had a good head on her shoulders.  Some other characters, however, did not--and that is why the show receives mainly negative reviews now.  Lauren ended her last season on The Hills in May of 2009, after she decided that it was time to move on (cameras have followed her from age 17 to age 23, she just turned 24).  She has stated in countless interviews that the whole reason she agreed to do the TV gig was because she viewed it as a business opportunity--if she built a fan base, it would help her launch her career in the long run.  She is NOT an actress and has never viewed herself that way.  Even though hard times were evident--very evident--during her television days, her business plan worked.  Since leaving The Hills, Lauren has launched a line in collaboration with Kohl's, as well as sign a book deal with Harper-Collins!  Lauren's second novel, Sweet Little Lies, is a part of the L.A. Candy book series and released last Tuesday, February 2nd.  Last night, Lauren was in Winter Park, Florida and I had the privilege of meeting her...twice!

I had gone to the bookstore the day before to get my wristband (which I am still proudly sporting, by the way) so I would secure my spot in line.  I got to the store after my lab at about 5:30.  I hear the first thing you need to do at a meet-and-greet even is to make friends with the people next to you in line.  The people in front of me were slightly rude, it was two girls and a really stuck up guy.  Behind me were two almost-friendly girls in their 20's.  One of them, I found out, works at my University...which is weird.  But anyways, it was kind of a dud because everyone else in the lines seemed really nice.  I basically stood there texting, and since the bookstore had free Wi-Fi access I was on Facebook updating.  As the time got closer I was anxiously checking Twitter to see if Lauren would tweet on the way.  At one point, she tweeted saying she was “On the way to Borders in Winter Park! ”

The signing wasn't scheduled to start until 7, so it was a nice hour and half of standing in once place.  I couldn't sit because a) I was in a dress b) other people were taking up the rest of the floor, but I didn't mind.  Finally, at 6:55, the intercom comes on.

"Attention Lauren Conrad fans!"

The whole place goes silent.

"Lauren is running late.  Please remember no pictures at the table and she will not be personalizing any items..."

So we, or the people around me, rather, kept conversing at this point.  It turned to be 7:00.  And then 7:05.  And 7:10.  And 7:15.  Then finally, at about 7:20 the back door swings open and cameras go up in the air as a tiny and sun tanned Lauren Conrad walks through the door with her head down, entourage all around her.  She quickly sat down and began to sign autographs.  Once the line started to move, it only took me about 20 minutes to get to the front.  I was super nervous at first, but once I got to the table, I was surprisingly calm.  I was walking to the table, when Lauren and I made eye contact.

"Hi Lauren, you're beautiful."

That was what came out of my mouth.  Lauren stopped signing the books and looked up at me silently, wide-eyed.

"Thank you!"

She said very humbly and sweet.  I thanked her and walked away with the books...but I decided I wasn't done just yet.  So what did I do then?  ...I bought another copy of the book and stood in line again!

This time only took another 20 minutes, and the girls in front of me in line were really fun.  I was hoping the security man wouldn't notice me standing in line again.  He didn't.  But someone else did.  Lauren!  I got back to the table and she looked up at me and laughed and said, "Hi again!"  I laughed and shook her hand.  Yeah, I shook Lauren Conrad's hand, and you're jealous.

There weren't that many people in line after that, so I just decided to stay until she left.  There were about 8 of us there, slightly hoping she might stay back for a few pictures or autographs.  I highly doubted this but I still wanted to see her off.  After she signed the last book, she looked around and started to gather her stuff, asking her entourage if they were done.  It was only 8:30, but she promptly grabbed the cards and flowers that fans had brought her and they ushered her through the back door again.  She was very, very sweet as everyone told her by, but she could not have moved any faster getting out of there.  Overall, it was a great night.  I was glowing after a left.  I now have three signed Lauren Conrad novels, and I could not be more excited!