How to be Smarter: Backing up every opinion statement with at least one fact and one example can help you both get A’s in school papers and make a stronger case in a disagreement with a significant other.

How to be Prettier: If you walk into the bathroom, glance in the mirror and see flat hair, before you duck into the stall throw your hair in a bun on the way tip-top of your head and wrap the elastic tight. Then, after your hands are washed and you are just about to leave, take the elastic out. Your hair being held at the tip-top of your head–even if just for a minute or two–can give it a boost of volume when product is short.

How to be (less) Awkward: Adorable chipmunk in slow motion (there is no sound to the video so you can watch it at work).

How to be Smarter: If you knew someone you loved would be outside in the cold for a very long time and would not be allowed to wear mittens, you would give them the warmest jacket you could find. Because when someone you love is going through a tough time out of your control, what they need from you is a warm, caring, sweet attitude, not a constant reminder of how cold their fingers must be.

How to be Prettier: In general, shampoo is for the scalp and conditioner is for the ends.

How to be (less) Awkward: When new parents tell you their new baby’s name, the only appropriate response is positive. If you don’t love the name and saying “I love that name!” feels too forced, other things to say that are positive include “I knew the nicest girl/boy in elementary school named that,” “What a great meaning,” or “I can’t wait to buy a bib/diaper bag/dress with the little one’s name on it!”

How to be Smarter: I think you are in the right career when you are more excited for the panels at a work-related conference than the cocktail hour.

How to be Prettier: I really love items with scalloped edges; it might be because I go through life with a near-constant craving for scallops wrapped in bacon. In the mean time, scalloped edges can be seen here on: initial pendants, mint crop tops, and candy-colored dresses.

How to be (less) Awkward: For guests, it can feel forward to offer suggestions when a host asks what you would like for a meal at their house. But if a host is asking you, it means they haven’t planned the menu yet and are genuinely looking for your input, so please don’t feel shy about speaking up and offering thoughtful feedback on culinary options.

Happy Presidents’ Day!

How to be Smarter: If an opportunity is presented to you that you don’t want, be nice. The world spins funny and something you hate right now could be something you desperately want in a few months or years. Smart people don’t slam doors; they gently shut them with a gracious smile.

How to be Prettier: This blazer is one of my favorites–I’ve worn it for several days in a row, unbuttoned, with the sleeves rolled up (and it’s currently on sale).

How to be (less) Awkward: When you get out of a bus, train, plane, or taxi, it’s nice to thank the driver, conductor, or pilot for the ride, and tell them to travel safely. They work hard to get their passengers to their destination safely all day long, and they probably don’t get told ‘thank you’ enough.

P.S. I was thrilled to be on St. Louis’ KMOV-Channel 4 Morning Program, Great Day St. Louis, on Friday. If you are interested, the clip is here.

How to be Smarter: If you dye your hair occasionally, the change will be welcomed and a little refresh on the color will look nice. But if you are always changing hues, the constant upheaval will tire your hair out. Just like change in your life, change in your hair color can be fun, but it needs to be metered so it’s not too many new things at once. Everyone needs change–but they also need stabilizing forces.

How to be Prettier: A friend directed me to this site, which has reasonably priced, beautiful finds. Some favorites: hair-dryer necklace; spring-time night-time dress; and knee-length lace skirt.

How to be (less) Awkward: Some people are bad at remembering names, even if they remember faces. Make their life easier by volunteering your name the second time you meet, i.e. “Hi, I’m Molly, we met at Jeff’s party last week. Nice to see you again!”

How to be Smarter: A blog post that made me think: The Biggest Triumph Is Getting Out of Bed.

How to be Prettier: Ensure a good fit when trying on special occasion outfits by wearing or bringing the undergarments and shoes you will have on the event day into the dressing room with you.

How to be (less) Awkward: Whatcha looking at? (Source with more).

How to be Smarter: A really fun site to read sitting next to someone, calling out random facts to each other.

How to be Prettier: When walking into a really big discount store, I like to focus on making  a small capsule wardrobe, which is essentially a fancy phase that means pieces that all go together and are similar colors. Having a planned color scheme allows you to walk out with a mini-wardrobe that works, and more than just cute tops that can only be worn with jeans. As I write this, sitting on the end of my bed is the mini-capsule wardrobe I got at the Forever 21 in Times Square today, consisting of silk and jersey pieces in black, navy, and cobalt blue.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you enjoy wildlife, Tom Hanks, or some combination of the two…

How to be Smarter: The best laundry time-saving tip I’ve discovered is to buy all your socks the same color and brand; they can all just get thrown in a drawer together, and any two you grab will automatically match.

How to be Prettier: Instead of making a point to drink X number of glasses of water a day, just work at always having a glass of water within arm’s reach. If the water is there, you will drink it without needing to put too much thought into it.

How to be (less) Awkward: Cute Kate Spade Valentine’s cards to send to your girlfriends today, and an offbeat last-minute Valentine’s gift for a insect-loving sweetie.

How to be Smarter: Every single second you spend thinking about how a boy could make your life better, is a second not spent by you making your life better.

How to be Prettier: These are speeding through the mail to me as we speak; I hope they will be perfect with thick ribbed tights for these winter months.

How to be (less) Awkward: People need hugs, especially people that aren’t hugged enough. And sometimes the people that aren’t hugged enough are people in your life everyday.

How to be Smarter: Even though every goal requires sacrifices, they don’t need to feel like sacrifices to the goal-maker. The term ‘sacrifice’ implies giving up something you enjoy, but a sign of the right goal for right person is that each step along the journey feels worthwhile and interesting, not like you are missing out on something better.

How to be Prettier: Guest Post on Spa Services.

How to be (less) Awkward: If someone has a significant other and they want to tell you, they will, without waiting for you to ask. There is no reason to pry.

How to be Smarter:You really do get alerted to more sales and better deals when you are opt-ed into a company’s email list; however, it is a pain to always be getting emails if you are not in a buying mood (and sometimes seeing an email about a big sale from your favorite store can tempt you into buying something you don’t need). Create a new email address, and join the email lists of all the stores you usually frequent. When you are interested in buying something online, log-in to the dummy email account, see the most recent deals your favorite companies sent you, and purchase from the best one.

How to be Prettier: I like only wearing one shoe clip on an otherwise plan pair of flats for extra offbeat sparkle.

How to be (less) Awkward: Film-Only Occurrences.

How to be Smarter:  You are selling Valentines Day short if you focus on making it only about having one special person. The holiday is also about showing your love to lots of special people in your life (or at least that’s how I celebrate it). Why don’t you send flowers to your  mom? Or leave adorable little Valentines on your roommates’ beds? Or give chocolates to your department at work? Valentines Day gives you a great excuse (like you need one…) to be a sweetheart to others in the middle of a long winter.

How to be Prettier: Valentines Day gifts to send via care package to a far-away friend or sister: gloves, belt, sunglasses, snuggle sweater, and tights (which are so subtle, they might be work appropriate in some offices).

How to be (less) Awkward: On Valentines Day, sign all your cards to family and friends “Your Admirer”…because it’s no secret you admire each of them. For bonus points, list some of the things you admire about them.