14 Must-Read Books Coming Out in March

Lauren's "It" Girl Factor Stood Out On "Laguna Beach"

From the moment Lauren began narrating Laguna Beach, I was drawn to her. At the time, it seemed like she had the sort of confidence that most popular girls were be born with. I was barely a pre-teen when Season 1 premiered, so my perception of confidence was skewed back then. Still, I admired the way she seemed to speak with authority without being blatantly aggressive.

Today, I can of course pinpoint moments where she was actually being passive-aggressive and my opinions are a little different. But, I would never badmouth her for not being this perfect teenager who had cameras in her face. She stood up for herself — something many young woman (myself included) could stand to learn.

Her Internship At "Teen Vogue" Was Inspirational

I didn't know a fashion career was even remotely attainable until Lauren Conrad landed her internship at Teen Vogue. She's literally the reason I begged my mom to buy The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insiders Guide to Careers in Fashion. It didn't matter that she wasn't writing groundbreaking articles throughout the internship — merely seeing her show up to do the tasks required of her made me want to do whatever it took to land my own internship at Teen Vogue.

While that didn't happen either, I can say I was fortunate to attend Teen Vogue's Fashion U in 2015. It was my first time in NY, and I felt that much closer to my very own fashion journalism career. Silly as it may sound to some, but Lauren's internship paved the way for the younger, much more impressionable version of myself. I guess you can say that crazy amount of hope I had is paying off — I'm writing this article, aren't I? 😉

She Became A Multi-Faceted Bestselling Author

After The Hills, Lauren Conrad set her sights on becoming a published author. She could've easily chosen to step away from the spotlight, but she decided to take her career into her own hands. She wrote both fiction and lifestyle books that not only solidified her pen game, but solidified the beginning of her empire. I vividly remember borrowing my best friend's copies of L.A. Candy and Sweet Little Lies. Aside from them, Lauren went on to write the following:

Fiction

• Sugar and Spice
• The Fame Game
• Starstruck
• Infamous

• Celebrate
• Beauty
• Style

Lauren Conrad Partnered With Kohl's To Create Her Own Affordable Label

When Lauren Conrad announced she was partnering with Kohl's to create her own label, there was no doubt in my mind that this "It" Girl was a force to be reckoned with. Not only are her clothes affordable, but the pieces can easily be incorporated in your existing wardrobe. Public figures announce a clothing lines left and right, but it's another feat for them to create something that's actually relatable and affordable.

Whenever I visit Kohl's, I always make a beeline to her collection to see what I can find. It's to the point where my mom doesn't bat an eye if she's with me because she just knows how I feel about Lauren Conrad.

She cCreated The Little Market With Her BFF Hannah Skvarla

The Little Market proves that Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla are BFF goals. They joined forces to create a successful wholesale business that's been thriving since 2013. That's 10 years of working side-by-side to highlight handcrafted items from home decor to accessories. The best part of it all? The Little Market focuses on ethical pieces and supporting thoughtful causes and intiatives.

She's Embracing Her Marriage To William Tell

While I'm sure her marriage isn't perfect, I still admire the way Lauren Conrad has embraced it in the public eye. After meeting William Tell in 2012 on a blind date, she married him two years later — potential proof that love at first sight does exist. The two seem to support each other, providing a strong structure for their little family.

Honestly, it doesn't matter who I used to root for her to be with during Laguna Beach and The Hills. I'm happy she's with the person she truly wants to be with. And yes, I have filed Lauren and William's love story to the top of my Roman Empire list.

Brisket Recipe Ingredients:

Prep time: 20 mins
Oven time: 7-8 hours. Low and slow!

• 1 Dutch Oven — Le Crueset preferred, but not required 😉
• 4-5 lbs of flat cut brisket (brisket reduces as it cooks, so this accounts for 1/2 lbs per person and a 20-30% reduction)
• 1 small can of tomato paste
• 1 large can of chopped tomatoes
• 1 1/4 cup of a full bodied red wine (Matthew recommends something Italian)*
• 1 32 oz beef broth, or enough to cover your vegetables
• 4 whole, peeled cloves of garlic
• 2 Vidalia onions, cut into large pieces
• 3 shallots, diced
• 8+ peeled carrots — the more the merrier, but 2 per person for sure
• Fresh chopped thyme
• Fresh chopped oregano

Brisket Recipe Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
2. Heavily salt, pepper, and thyme your brisket. (Both sides)
3. Set your stove to high heat, sear your brisket for 5 minutes on each side in the dutch oven. Remove from the dutch oven when done.
4. Lower the heat on your stovetop and add little beef broth to deglaze your dutch oven.
5. Keep the heat low and add your shallots and garlic. Sweat those for 1-2 minutes.
6. As the shallots and onions sweat, separately add tomato paste and smooth all over the brisket with the fat side down, keeping the paste is on top of the meat. Add some thyme to that once done.
7. Add carrots and herbs to the shallots and garlic. Sweat the veggies for 4 more minutes.
8. Add onions to veggies, and prepare the base for the meat to rest on top.
9. Pour in 1 cup of wine and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
10. Add in enough beef broth so it covers most of the veggies.
11. Add the brisket (with tomato paste facing up) back to the dutch oven on top of the veggies.
12. Add the diced tomatoes.
13. Bring to boil and cover. After that, you can put it in the oven.
14. Check meat in 3 hours — be sure it doesn't need more liquid, and add in more if it does.
15. Check meat again in 2 hours — this is now the fifth consecutive hour in the oven.
16. Increase the oven temperature to 300 degrees for the last 2 hours, and add some beef broth (or wine if needed).
17. Take the meat out and slice against grain — it's likely going to fall apart.
18. Put your brisket back in the oven for last 30 mins to an hour.
19. Voila! It's ready to serve.