Lauren Conrad [1] stuns on the cover of Cosmopolitan's October issue [2], and in her interview with the magazine, she dishes on everything from reality TV to how she really feels about being called "basic." As to her stint on reality TV, Lauren said that with so much scandal always being around her, her life became "more big picture." She explained that she had to develop a thick skin, saying, "It toughened me up, which is good." Keep reading for more pictures and quotes from Lauren Conrad's must-read interview, then see what The Hills cast is up to now [3] and check out all the times she embodied your life goals [4].

• On whether she has any thoughts on Heidi Montag saying she forgave Lauren for "trying to ruin [her] life": "No . . . I'm not really involved in that anymore. I don't think it has anything to do with me. You just have to focus on the good people in your life. Focusing on what you lose is only going to make you sad."
• On Brody Jenner hosting a sex- and dating-advice show: "My husband told me [about it]. I didn't know! . . . He has a lot of experience . . . so sure, depending on what kind of advice you want."
• On being basic: "I probably am pretty basic. But I'm also a pretty happy person, so that's OK with me."
• On fashion being her passion: "Television was just sort of an accident . . . I never felt really strongly about it. But fashion is something I feel passionate about. If I hadn't done TV, I still would have ended up in the [fashion] industry, but I definitely wouldn't be in the position I am now."