How to be Smarter: In most cases, avoid wearing mint green with stark red, as the combination looks too Christmas-like.

How to be Prettier: I was obsessed with Essie’s new Mint Candy Apple shade from the minute I saw it on a co-worker’s nails, and got the color painted on mine immediately. Here are some other things in the same lovely color: a prom dress, a bathing suit, and sunglasses with a sunglass case.

How to be (less) Awkward: “If someone offers you a breath mint, accept it” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

How to be Smarter: Women are impacted by other women, even the ones we don’t know well. There are a lot of girls I really admire and try to emulate, even if I only really hear about them through other people or Facebook status updates. Carry yourself with care, many more than you realize are watching.

How to be Prettier: Some of the most fun home furnishings I’ve seen in a while–especially the button bench, featuring my favorite childhood candy.

How to be (less) Awkward: A cute site of memorable TV wedding vows–the serious and the silly. My favorite are Derek and Meredith from Grey’s.

How to be Smarter: 11 Points about…well, everything.

How to be Prettier: At buffets, fill half your plate with salad first before doing anything else, so you are not tempted to fill it with less healthy options.

How to be (less) Awkward: When starting a blog, focus less on traffic then content. If the content is good, the traffic will follow. Not right away–give it 6 months or so–but traffic will come.

How to be Smarter: Maybe, if you keep looking back, you haven’t found the right thing to move forward with yet.

How to be Prettier: I love the look on a Friday night of a short bandage skirt with a silk tank in a fun color tucked into it, with awesome heels.

How to be (less) Awkward: When you are getting a manicure, it is hard to turn the pages on the magazine in your lap once she starts putting the color on. So right before she starts, turn to a page that is a lot of pictures or a lot of words that will keep you occupied for a while.

 How to be Smarter: Opting for the cold-water wash cycle will save you about $60 a year, and is more environmentally friendly (Source).

How to be Prettier: Rolling up the sleeves on your cardigan gives both the outfit and your body shape more definition.

How to be (less) Awkward: This list of “101 Ways to Say I Love You” are all completely awkward. I do not recommend about 95% of them and my favorite hilarious one is: “You cast a spell on me that can’t be broken.”

 How to be Smarter: The greater variety of colors of vegetables and fruits you fill your plate with, the more nutrients you are getting. (Source with More Tips).

How to be Prettier: Two great brands, LeSportsac and Lilly Pulitzer, have created a line together. And this weekend bag, in the Cupcakes pattern, is another favorite. 

How to be (less) Awkward: Keep professional voicemails short. The more rambling the voicemail, the more unprofessional and the less likely the receiver is to listen to the whole thing. Just leave your name, how you know the person, what you are calling about, and a number to reach you. “Hi, this is Molly Ford. I am a tenant in Apartment 22, and we are having a problem with our water temperature. Please give me a call back at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Thanks!”

How to be Smarter: Getting mad isn’t a bad thing–it shows you what you care about. Get upset when your firm loses a client? Good, you care about your company. Angry when you get a C? Good, you care about your schoolwork. Furious when someone speaks badly about the different but sweet girl in class? You have a good heart.

How to be Prettier: A good alternative to Forever 21–still relatively inexpensive (especially their sale selection), but trendy. And I particularly like their top selections.

How to be (less) Awkward: For all you Baby Sitters’ Club fans out there, a great blog that discusses what Claudia wore in the series, and other things. This is one of my favorite posts, but the whole blog is great.

How to be Smarter: Sleeping on your back is said to reduce dark circles under your eyes. (Source).

How to be Prettier: A fun blog that shows you what the celebrities are wearing, and how you can copy the look for less.

How to be (less) Awkward: Awww, adorable baby panda live webcam from the San Diego zoo.

How to be Smarter: Wednesday fun fact: 90% of Americans live within 15 miles of  a Wal-mart store. (Source).

How to be Prettier: Shake up your style: follow the most stylish girl around the store or flea market and see what she picks up.

How to be (less) Awkward: If there was a yellow dress you liked online but it was labeled “Out of Stock,” you would say, “aw, too bad,” and move on. You would not check the dress daily hoping they would magically make more–you would search online to find another similar yellow dress that was in-stock somewhere else–maybe for a lower price or a pattern you liked more. If there is a boy you like but he has a girlfriend, consider him labeled “Out of Stock.” Do not check his facebook daily hoping his relationship status changes, or plot ways to make him break up with his current girl. Think about what you like about him–his sense of humor, his kindness–and go find it in someone else.

How to be Smarter:  When dating someone new, try not to be a constant walking advertisement selling yourself. Yes, you want him to know how great you are, but there is something to be said for letting him learn about you on his own–you should not feel like you need to campaign for him to realize how smart, nice, or athletic you are.

How to be Prettier: Cheer on your favorite baseball team in style–Victoria’s Secret now has great team-themed options (scroll down to find your team).

How to be (less) Awkward:  The goal of inviting guests over is to make them feel comfortable and welcome. When inviting people over for a meal or to a party be mindful of their dietary restrictions, i.e. if they are vegetarians, have meat-free food they can eat and enjoy, and/or if they are lactose intolerant do not have an ice cream cake.

How to be Smarter: Blotting your pizza with a napkin can soak up around 30 calories and about three grams of fat. (Source).

How to be Prettier: A few weeks back, I blogged about how much I liked Lodis’ wallets and clutches. The company has generously offered a discount for SP&A readers, giving us 20% off purchases on lodis.com through 4/30/10. The code to use is: LODISSMART. Enjoy!

How to be (less) Awkward: Your mom likes hearing about how the line at the drugstore was extra-long today. Your best friend enjoys discussing what you ate for lunch. Boys like big picture, or else they tune out. Leave a little mystery in your day when talking to boys.

How to be Smarter: The point of listing your interests at the bottom of your resume is to give the interviewer some easy topics you  two can talk about as ice breakers during the interview, and also to make your resume seem more “human” during the screening process. Instead of listing the usual very general interests everyone has, make them more specific. “Traveling, Reading, and Sports” becomes “African Travel, Reading Non-fiction, and Playing on an Intramural Kickball Team.”

How to Prettier: If a tee shirt can be both intellectual and romantic, this is it.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you don’t know the answer to question at work, instead of just answering “I don’t know,” be sure to offer up the name of a person that does, or have a time frame for when you can find out the answer. “I don’t know the name of the report,” turns into “I don’t know the name of the report, but I’m sure Melanie in Marketing does. I’ll ask her now,” or “I don’t know the name of the report, but let me go through the files and I’ll have an answer after lunch.”

How to be Smarter: Be curious and interested in other people, without being nosy about their lives. If they want to tell you, they will. And if they don’t want to tell you, they won’t, regardless of how much prodding you do.

How to be Prettier: Love this dress–on sale!– with this belt and these wedges.

How to be (less) Awkward: No matter how pretty the outfit is, if your undergarments are inappropriate or ill-fitting, the outfit is wrong. And no matter how pretty you are on the outside, if your insides don’t match, you’re doing something wrong.

How to be Smarter: An easy way to check to see if your favorite website is down, or “Is it Just Me?”

How to be Prettier: I am recently obsessed with the combination of pale pink and grey. Grey dress with pink heels? Yes. Pink tank top with grey cardigan? Yes. Grey skinny jeans with pink leather jacket? Don’t mind if I do.

How to be (less) Awkward: Is Gossip Girl New Tonight? Never wonder again. Xoxo, Molly.

How to be Smarter: You are always in a position to negotiate. Never believe that what someone else says absolutely goes–there is always a middle to be met at, and concessions to be made on both sides. If you think there is no room to negotiate, the other side has already won.

How to be Prettier: Bandolino is one of my favorite brands of shoes–they fit really well, and they are very comfortable. These are my new favorites, in the very spring-like color of blush pink.

How to be (less) Awkward: You can ask things of other people (“would you please be more understanding?”) but you must demand things of yourself (“I will be more patient with my brother today.)”

How to be Smarter: A food blog that focuses on eating healthy, with the  prettiest pictures.

How to be Prettier: Just one extra top coat on your nails make them last 2-3 days longer.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you are dating someone long enough, they will eventually start to ask about your ex’s. Only volunteer information if you are asked for it, stick to the facts, and stick to the truth. “His name was Brian, he lived in Boston and worked in finance.” If asked for more details, do not do comparisons, even if they make your current guy look better–comparing them makes it seem like a competition, which it is not. You already have a sweet new guy to love–the old guy is history. If asked why you broke up, keep it truthful but vague “It wasn’t good timing for both of us” or “We worked better as friends.”  No mention of who broke up with who unless asked. And finally, I always include something that makes you seem mature “I wish him the best, I hope he finds the right girl.” Or “We call each other on our birthdays to catch up.” Something that makes it seem like you are not a monster girl to break up with, that you can still be friendly with your ex’s.