I was never a Laguna Beach fan EVER but somehow when Lauren moved on to The Hills, I took the ride with her! We can all talk about the scripting but it's a fun show that definitely resonates with a lot of us when it comes to our friends, frenemies and whatever else travels within our circles. Season after season I enjoyed seeing her style and how it evolved. When she launched her first line, I was skeptical - at this point who hasn't tried bringing out a line? But when I covered Fashion Week in Sept 2008, I wore her line exclusively on and off camera! Her line had a great sense of style and fun! There are dresses that I still pack with me when I head to South Beach, Las Vegas, etc. Although I was sad to see her end the line, I knew that she would reintroduce her fashionable sensibilities whether it was a future collaboration or a new direction of the line.

As I read LA Candy this summer on a plane heading to Chicago (yes, I read the entire book on one flight simply because we spent three hours on the ground at JFK), I learned from a friend that she would have an affordable line, LC Lauren Conrad (once again this is yet another direction that many people are turning too) and if the above is any indication, this is yet another great line that has her written all over it. I love great basics that can travel with you and yet you can mix it in with various styles and price points. If you love layering and bringing a sense of California style to wherever you're heading, this line is for you. She definitely gets it and understand how people want to look and this way of dressing is conducive to various body types, heights etc. I am a full believer in a style that comes off as effortless and yet, you look you have had a stylist assist you in striking the right balance. I know this is something that I teach my clients and love seeing it represented here. Available at Kohl's and their .com, you'll have no problem finding items that will find themselves in your shopping bag or cart!

I never know where my emails will take me. A few weeks ago, BMI (much like ASCAP it's an organization for recording artists rights) sent out an email about April Smith who would be apart of their "BMI Pick of the Month Sessions". This is a great way for artists to continue to perform in front of various groups while also getting the support from this group!

As I entered the Mercury Lounge (217 E Houston), it reminded me of my days of doing PR for my digital artists. I loved seeing the band warm up, those who came to support and those that have a love for live music who decide to come in. I had never heard of April Smith; however, based on the press release that her music has been included in The Hills, Newport Beach and more. As I watched the Great Picture Show get on stage (they are the band behind her playing on keyboard, guitar, drums and bass), I almost missed this 5'2" girl being lead to the stage. April Smith is the tiniest person that I have seen but the range of her voice is amazing!

April Smith is not the typical artist that is easy to classify. She is pop, country, jazzesque, broadway and so much more. I loved every song; however, the first song that you hear on this video is "Battle of Eliyahu" which is a great song to lead off with and yet in the midst of her fun, jokes and theatrics - she can have a song that almost brings you to tears - "Beloved" was amazing. I loved the lyrics which were so haunting and yet we have all been there whether we were thinking of someone who we broke up with or someone who is no longer with us.

I suggest that you visit her site to hear her music and to also read her lyrics. For those of you out west, you should definitely see where she's playing next. I'm looking forward to future sessions (previous participants were Macy Gray and Lady Gaga)!

UPDATE 03.01: I love my readers and a very savvy one said that the first song you're hearing in the video is actually "Summer Spell". I also love that she was at the event as well! To also answer her question, this was the only footage I took as I didn't have enough space on my Flip; however, my next coverage of any show will be a lot more video!