Lauren Conrad looked gorgeous showing off a few sassy Summer outfits for a photoshoot with LA Direct Magazine [1]. The California girl is just as sunny in her interview as she is in the photos, talking about her great year and how far she's come since her days on Laguna Beach [2]. Here are highlights [3]:

[3]

• “I always say this isn’t what I signed up for. I thought I signed up for a one-episode documentary."
• “I feel like [the show] makes me look like I sit around all day and feel sorry for myself, but I’m actually a very happy person. Sometimes I want to reach into the TV and smack myself, and say ‘get over it.’”
• “It’s been a crazy four years, but they’ve been amazing. I got to travel all around the world. I’ve met so many cool people. I’ve had all these opportunities. I’m really lucky. You got to take the good with the bad.”

Lauren has come a long way since those Laguna Beach days, but it's refreshing to hear her sound so grounded and humble. Plus, we love to hear that she's more upbeat than it sometimes seems on her show.