How to be Smarter: Several studies over the last few years show that chewing gum increases concentration and alertness. So don’t feel bad about chewing a piece while studying for a test or working on a hard assignment for work! How to be Prettier: To create a flat line down your jeans when wearing tall [...]

How to be Smarter: Be quietly selfish when working on your own dreams. It is okay to help others work on their dreams, either by encouragement or by volunteering your time, but do not lose sight of the most important dream of all: your own. Your own dream is more important than your boss’, your [...]

How to be Smarter: Progress is progress, no matter how slow. Some days you will slide backwards, but if you start at Point A, and inch towards Point B, and skittle towards Point C, and take a half step back to Point B, and continue on skipping….someday, you will get Point Z. How to be [...]

How to be Smarter: Beware the difference between comfortable and complacent in a relationship. Comfortable means you can freak out about something small and not worry he will dump you; complacent means that you don’t even bother dressing up for dates anymore. The trick is to be comfortable without being complacent. How to be Prettier: [...]

How to be Smarter: Sometimes, it is when you feel the most scared that you’re being the most brave. How to be Prettier: It is okay to have extra buttered popcorn every now and again–but instead of just standing there watching it cook in the microwave, do jumping jacks while you wait. Same rule applies [...]

How to be Smarter: Date boys that have lots of nice friends. It shows they have good taste in people, and it makes parties a lot more fun. How to be Prettier: I’m going to spend my winter wrapped in this delicious coat. And no one will know I spent only 35 dollars on it. [...]

How to be Smarter: There are two times a boy can bring you flowers: for no reason at all, and to say he is sorry. But if he brings flowers for no reason at all, he will rarely have to say he is sorry. There are two times you can be a great student: all [...]

How to be Smarter: Don’t confuse authentic food with trendy food. If the place is actually serving authenic food, the prices will not be that expensive. If the place is serving atmosphere and coolness factor, it will most likely be more expensive. How to be Prettier: No mixing more than one animal print at a [...]

How to be Smarter: Never use the whole packet of Ramon seasoning. You can just as much flavor, and much less of the salt, from half a packet. How to be Prettier: One of my most favorite snuggly winter purchases. How to be (less) Awkward: When walking in a crowded bar, never hold a beer [...]

How to be Smarter: Always carry a notepad and a pen in your purse. You never know when you will have that important business phone call, or get the next great idea for a dress in your head and need to sketch it that instant. How to be Prettier: Don’t spend too much time in [...]

How to be Smarter: If it doesn’t serve a purpose and/or you don’t like it, get it out of your room. Or your life. How to be Prettier: Your hair pulled to the side with one bobby pin can be made so much better by putting two bobby pins, vertically, next to each other on [...]

How to be Smarter: I really recommend the book I just finished, called Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy. It’s written for parents, about how to raise kids without fear, but the commentary on society and the media’s influence on fear is wonderful. Great read. How to be Prettier: I recently wrote about mint green [...]