Heidi Montag "Needed a Break" From Hollywood

Heidi Montag is back!

In a Monday appearance on Lopez Tonight, the 24-year-old reality star opened up about why she took six months out of the spotlight.

"I needed a break after such a crazy six years of my life," she said. "And [from] being in L.A. and Hollywood… I've been with my puppies and my husband. It's low-key."

The ex-Hills star said even though much of her relationship hubby Spencer Pratt, 27, has played out on reality TV, she wouldn't recommend other young people to follow in her footsteps without reservations. "It's hard," she said. "[But] it's fun. I would never discourage any one from following their dreams and their passion, and obtaining any kind of success is great."

So what's bringing Montag back into the public eye after this half-year hiatus? She's one of seven celebrities starring in VH1's new reality show Famous Food. She explained: "We started a restaurant from scratch. There's seven celebrities...We have to find wallpaper and decorate it, and [find] a menu -- and I found the chef!"

Other Famous Food contestants include Real Housewives of New Jersey's Danielle Staub and The Bachelor's Jake Pavelka.

"We are all potential owners or whatever," she said. "And at the end, maybe one person might get chosen to be a partner in the restaurant, and then maybe no one will get chosen."

Credit: Us Magazine

Inside Kristin Cavallari's Wedding Plans

Don't expect a Hills wedding for Kristin Cavallari and her NFL quarterback fiancé Jay Cutler. The reality starlet will most likely say "I do" in the Windy City.

"It seems like it's going to be in Chicago, because that seems to make the most sense since both of our families are there," Cavallari, 24, tells PEOPLE. "My mom is there and his family is in Indiana."

As for timing, “We’re planning to get married next spring," she says while also admitting that the guest list is still up in the air.

"I'm trying to decide between a really small, intimate wedding or a huge, blowout party-type wedding," Cavallari says, addressing whether or not any of her former Hills or Laguna Beach castmates might be included on the big day.

"If I have a big wedding, then yes, some will be invited," she says. "If I have a small, intimate wedding, it will probably just be family and really close friends."

Meanwhile, Cavallari has been busy coming up with ideas for her big day.

"I've been ripping out a lot of papers from Bride magazine," she says. "I'm going to start meeting with wedding planners in the next couple of weeks."

Cavallari, who wants to walk down the aisle in a Monique Lhuillier gown, hasn't selected her fancy footwear yet, but she doesn't rule out the possibility of designing the shoes herself.

With her own ShoeDazzle line (a large portion of whose proceeds go to her charity, One Kid One World), Cavallari is often asked if she'll craft the footwear for her big day. "It's actually a good idea," she says, adding that the style she just designed makes for "the perfect summer shoe."

"I wanted to make a fun statement, so I picked this really pretty fuchsia color," she says of the $40 wears. "It's really girlie and cute."

Credit: PEOPLE (Dhavi Shira)

Kourtney Gains 10 Lbs Post-Breastfeeding

Kourtney Kardashian has a new fitness battle on her hands. The reality star has packed on the pounds since she stopped breastfeeding son Mason, 16 months.

"Wow. I have gained almost 10 pounds since I stopped breastfeeding," Kardashian, 32, wrote Monday. "Time to step up my workout game & get over to Rite Aid for some Quicktrim!"

Even though the 32-year-old mom credits her son's breastfeeding for helping her lose her baby weight, sister Kim hasn't always been a fan of the practice.

Last June, Kim, 30, came under fire for writing on her Twitter page: "EWW I'm at lunch, the woman at the table next 2 me is breastfeeding her baby with no cover-up!"

She later defended her tweets: "My sister breastfeeds! It's a natural, beautiful thing. But she covers herself [and doesn't do it] with her boobs exposed."

Credit: Us Magazine

Rachel Bilson: Chanel Collection Croisiere Show

Rachel Bilson attended the Chanel Collection Croisiere Show 2011-12 at the Hotel du Cap on May 9, 2011 in Cap d'Antibes, France.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Dominique Charriau/Getty Images Europe

Holly Madison Gets Sloths From Wayne Newton

Wayne Newton gifts Holly Madison with a pair of sloths at Shenandoah on May 9, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Credit: Wire Image

Sophia Bush Leaving Cecconi's After Lunch

Sophia Bush seen leaving a luncheon at Cecconi's in West Hollywood, CA. Sophia was carrying a gift bag from Ippolita.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by FlynetPictures.com

Blake Lively: Chanel Collection Croisiere Show

Blake Lively takes a photograph as the sun goes down during the Chanel Collection Croisiere Show 2011-12 at the Hotel du Cap on May 9, 2011 in Cap d'Antibes, France.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Dominique Charriau/Getty Images Europe

Ashley Olsen's Wet-Haired Week Kickoff in NYC

Getting a jump start on her week, Ashley Olsen was spotted leaving her New York City apartment on Monday (May 9).

With her hair still wet from the shower, the former “Full House” gal carried a stack of books and paper as she headed out to tend to her day’s duties.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Heidi Montag's "Lopez Tonight" Appearance

Former Hills star Heidi Montag made an appearance on Lopez Tonight last night. She talked about Spencer, gives tips for avoiding the paparazzi, and reveals what she's been doing the last few months. Plus, George asks Heidi what she would've done differently.

Heidi also talked about her reality TV obsession and her secret weapon on her new VH1 show Famous Foods.

Credit: Lopez Tonight

Christina Aguilera & Matt Rutler's NY Date Night

Still situated on the east coast, Christina Aguilera and boyfriend Matthew Rutler were spotted stepping out in Midtown Manhattan on Monday night (May 9).

The cute couple lovingly held hands as they exited their posh hotel while heading out to grab a bite to eat and take in the Big Apple nightlife.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Taylor Momsen, Jessica Szohr Leave Gossip Girl

Attention, Upper East Siders: Gossip Girl has two less ladies in its midst.

Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr have left the CW hit's cast, and will not be returning for the fifth season. After TVLine broke the story, a show insider confirms the news to Us Weekly.

Both Momsen (as little sister Jenny Humphrey), 17, and Szohr (as Brooklynite Vanessa Abrams), 26, had been with the show since its fall 2007 debut; TVLine reports that they have been invited to make future guest-star appearances.

The remaining Gossip Girl gang, however, is intact, with Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford all confirmed to return; actress Kaylee DeFer is also joining the permanent cast as Charlie Rhodes, cousin to Serena van der Woodsen (Lively).

Last November, Momsen -- who has kept busy with her band Pretty Reckless -- began an "indefinite hiatus" from the show amid numerous headlines about her shocking wardrobe and foul-mouthed interviews.

Credit: Us Magazine