How to be Smarter: As a music-lover I’m always happy to pay for the privilege to listen to an artist’s work. But before I buy a song on iTunes, I always give it one or two (free) listens on YouTube first to make sure I enjoy it enough to own it before spending the money to download it.

How to be Prettier: My advice for women just beginning to enjoy fashion: ‘wear what you like and what is within your budget– don’t go into debt getting designer labels.’ (Quote from my interview with Lulu’s which you can read here).

How to be (less) Awkward:  Be an enthusiastic audience member: always clap at concerts or performances, even if you have to put your drink or program down to do so.

How to be Smarter: A nice rule about what makes sense for the size of the day’s To-Do List.

How to be Prettier: In Texas last week, I found a roadside stand in Smart Pretty and Awkward’s colors, and if you look closely, you can see that even the pink curtain has little polka dots on it just like the line under Smart Pretty and Awkward’s header! (I am wearnig this romper and these are similar sunglasses).

How to be (less) Awkward: Statistically, the happiest person in America.

How to be Smarter: A placeholder job, school, or relationship can usually become an ideal job, school, or relationship with just a little extra effort and a little extra courage.

How to be Prettier: I bought this long jumper about a month ago when I was in a big cobalt blue phase. I was planning on waiting to wear it when the weather was warm, although lately I’ve been breaking it out early and wearing it with a cropped blue jacket and wedge heels. If you’re not feeling blue, it also comes in a more muted black and white palette.

How to be (less) Awkward: Envisioning the future is almost never like we imagine it.

How to be Smarter: A read to make you think–the most common end-of-life regrets. [Best quote: "health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it"].

How to be Prettier: The next big hair thing will be feather hair extensions, which is exactly what it sounds like: getting feathers put into your hair like extensions. You don’t have to try this trend yourself, but it’s good to know what’s happening out there.

How to be (less) Awkward: In the heat of a fight, if you remind yourself that people usually only act mad because they are sad or scared, it makes it easier to understand what a friend, parent, or partner’s anger means.

How to be Smarter: You will never regret getting one more magazine before the flight.

How to be Prettier: For the past few days, I’ve been enjoying Austin, Texas with great friends and great music. My daily staples were this nail color (my favorite!) and these studded boots, with a rotating cast of lightweight rompers and shift dresses.

How to be (less) Awkward: To prevent others from feeling uncomfortable, when sharing something on your phone’s screen (like a funny text or picture message), show everyone you are standing with. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing with the whole group, wait until later to share.

How to be Smarter: When letting someone choose what gift you will get them, ask them to give you a few different options. That way, the present is something they like but also somewhat of a surprise since they won’t know the exact item you chose from their list until they open it.

How to be Prettier: If you took a little break from moisturizing your legs over the winter because they were hidden under layers all day, this week is the time to get back in the swing of taking good care of your legs and feet so they are ready for their unveiling as the weather warms up.

How to be (less) Awkward: The moment when you take the drink off the Starbucks counter and, after taking a sip, realize it isn’t yours, happens to everyone at some point in their coffeehouse career. Being friendly and upfront, turn to both the barista and fellow customer and say: ‘I’m so sorry; I took this drink thinking it was mine, and after I sipped it I realized it wasn’t. May I buy you a new one?’

How to be Smarter: The quickest way to feel trapped is to become dependent on someone else for something you know you can do yourself; the quickest way to feel free is trusting in your ability to learn new tasks (whether the new tasks are as simple as managing the monthly household cable bill or as complicated as raising your self-esteem).

How to be Prettier: I am seeing a lot of feathers and feather prints this spring: in one-shouldered tops; in turquoise earrings; and in cobalt-blue tops.

How to be (less) Awkward: If a group picture is posted on Facebook, commenting on the attractiveness of just one person in the picture can make the others feel left out. Either compliment the entire group (“what a gorgeous group of ladies!”), or write on the Facebook wall individually of the person you would like to compliment.

How to be Smarter: Sometimes it can feel like you are walking deeper and deeper into hard times. But along the way, at some point, you cross the halfway mark and are actually walking out of the hard times and into a brighter future. The halfway mark might have already come and gone, and a better tomorrow could be closer than you think.

How to be Prettier: Change Your Style, Change Your Life. [Great read].

How to be (less) Awkward: Many girls worry about being seen as too clingy with a love interest. A good rule to follow is over the course of a week, the ratio of communication should even out to about 1:1; as many times as you contact your crush, your crush should contact you.

How to be Smarter: In business, the concept of ‘trapped value’ refers to areas in the firm that have value but are not being properly utilized. I challenge you to think about the areas of trapped value in your personality, abilities, and interests that could be tapped into and unleashed today.

How to be Prettier: The shorter the dress is, the more casual it appears; the longer the dress is, the more formal it appears.

How to be (less) Awkward: A fun new way to eat a cupcake (warning: a friend of mine who swears by this method warns that trying this process with a filling-filled cupcake results in disaster).

How to be Smarter: Instead of focusing on whether you are first-string or second-string, remember that sometimes its just an honor to be on the team.

How to be Prettier: No one has ever leaned across a dinner table and asked me what I’m wearing retails for; they have just leaned across and told me I looked pretty. You look beautiful because you feel beautiful–you don’t become beautiful when what you are wearing crosses a certain price point.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you have to go the bathroom….

How to be Smarter: If you are upfront about what you want in the beginning, the middle and ending are usually a lot more pleasant.

How to be Prettier: If you are tempted to eat too much of a friend’s dessert, instead of asking for a bite right when she gets her food, ask to have a nibble when she is almost done. Even if you are tempted to eat more, there will be none left for you to mindlessly snack on.

How to be (less) Awkward:  If you find yourself being very ticklish during a pedicure, repeat to yourself, “she will touch my feet, she will touch my feet, she will touch my feet.” This takes the element of surprise out of the nail technician’s massage and will make you squirm less in your seat.