How to be Smarter: I read Marry Him by Lori Gottlieb when it came out in hardcover last year (it is now available in paperback); my girlfriends and I passed it around and it sparked some interesting conversations about marriage and long-term relationships in general.

How to be Prettier: I have a friend who paints her nails on her left hand a different color than the nails on her right. She usually chooses polishes that are hues of the same color, like this with this. It looks really cool, and if both colors are soft enough with only a subtle difference, it is work-appropriate in most offices.

How to be (less) Awkward: On your first day of a new job or summer internship, bring both a lunch from home (something that doesn’t need to be refrigerated in case they don’t have an office kitchen) and money to go out to lunch (in case your new co-workers want you to join them on their daily deli run). After the first day, you should have some idea what other people do for lunch and be able to figure out bringing lunch/buying lunch decisions from there.

Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to all that have and are serving, and their loved ones.

How to be Smarter: Because at the end of the day, no matter how long the day was or what happened, everyone loves someone else and wants to take care of them. (Two videos: the first made me grateful and the second made me smile).

How to be Prettier: Small prints, where the graphic is subtle but still fun, are perfect for running weekend errands.

How to be (less) Awkward: Cats in Art (click on an image to see the whole scene).

How to be Smarter: It looks nice if bookends match each other, but they don’t have to match to do their job of holding up books. It’s the same on a team: it can be nice if you and your teammates have things in common, but you don’t need to be perfect personality matches to do your assigned task well.

How to be Prettier: In general, cardigans or blazers that hit you at the widest part of your middle (either your hips or your waist, depending on your body type) make your torso appear wider.

How to be (less) Awkward: When you email someone asking for advice and they take the time to respond, you need to take the time to write back and say ‘thank you’ (whether it’s someone as close to you as your mom, or someone you’ve never met who you are networking with).

How to be Smarter: Over the weekend, I devoured my two latest reading books: Bossypants by Tina Fey and A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel. I recommend both as funny, inspiring reads by a strong female author.

How to be Prettier: Disclosure: I own a lot of rompers. However, I like this high-necked romper (in leopard) because it provides more coverage on top than most other styles, but because of the slightly lower-cut sides, I usually pair it with a black bandeau top that looks intentional if it peeks out.

How to be (less) Awkward: An “I miss you” text out-of-the-blue showing up on your phone’s screen always feels more spontaneous and heartfelt than an “I miss you” that comes at the end of a texting conversation (whether the “I miss you” is coming from a sweetie, a friend, or a sibling).

How to be Smarter: One of my favorite ways to stay in touch with out-of-state friends is choosing the same book to read, and then having an informal little weekly email chat about the latest chapter (interspersed with updates about our lives).

How to be Prettier: I’ve seen two different girls (in two different states) wearing this dress over the past week, and I was eyeing it each time. I finally came across it by chance in an Urban store this past weekend, and knew it was meant to be (for me, in red).

How to be (less) Awkward: My friends and I had a long email chain discussing this article; for the record, I’m a Molly (both by name and doll choice).

How to be Smarter: Significant others can be wonderful shoulders to lean on when times are bad, even when the ‘bad times’ are just the daily minor annoyances. But they should also be your biggest champions when times are good, even when the ‘good times’ are just the daily small wins. If you only text your sweetie when the dog gets into the garbage, but not when your class advisor sneaks you into an advanced class because she knows you can handle it, something is off. Small daily annoyances are fine to vent about, but a partner should also be excited and happy to celebrate the daily small victories as well.

How to be Prettier:  ”Going to the gym? Make the most of your scraped-back bun by applying conditioner to your ends. Conditioning plus cardio equals top-to-toe gorgeousness!” — This tip and more from InstyleUK’s Best Beauty Advice, where experts and readers submit beauty tips. Although I’ve seen the Facebook page before, and even submitted some tips to it, I just lost a half hour right now scrolling down and seeing what little tidbits other girls have contributed since I last looked at it.

How to be (less) Awkward:  Watching this makes me really happy–I love how the little guy is cautious at first, and then runs off in glee. Happy Friday

How to be Smarter: I don’t find it particularly interesting when people who are fearless go on to do great things; if you are truly fearless, any advice you could give would have no relevance in my life. People that have worries, and find ways to cope or work around them, are always the most inspiring. It is when you have jitters to overcome, and yet you still get up each and every day, trying to make your own and others’ lives better, that you become a role model.

How to be Prettier: Today I’m pleased to announce that GS Lillian (sold in Piperlime and Anthropologie) is giving Smart Pretty and Awkward readers 30% off and free shipping on a selection of spring jewelry (curated by me!). I’m especially loving the Kate Earrings, whose bright coral color add personality to even the most conservative office outfit.

How to be (less) Awkward: I’ve never heard someone say “It was so awkward, she said hi to me,” but I’ve certainly heard people say “It was so awkward, she didn’t say hi to me.” When in doubt, say hi.

How to be Smarter: You always have a choice when deciding what to do with your life. Even when people tell you you have no choice, that your path is pre-set,  or to follow what others before you have done, you have a choice not to listen. You always have a choice.

How to be Prettier: When I spill loose powder on my clothes when doing make-up, the best way I have found to get it off is to quickly rub it off with a dry towel. (If you have another better way, please leave it in the comments!).

How to be (less) Awkward: Don’t use more than two different emoticons in one text message (note: multiple images of the same emoticon only counts as one, such as <3<3<3).

How to be Smarter: Real achievers believe others can achieve as well; real failures believe others will fail as well. Stick to confiding your hopes to the achievers; they are the ones that will lend support to your goals.

How to be Prettier: The quintessential spring skirt, complete with bows and bluebird-inspired polka-dots (the entire affordable site is worth taking a look around).

How to be (less) Awkward: This compilation of romantic excerpts from children’s stories are compiled for wedding readings, but I love the idea of taking your favorite and including it in your next card to your sweetie.

How to be Smarter: It’s really comforting to know that whatever you do, millions of girls before you have done it and millions of girls after you will do it, whether the ‘it’ is a final exam, a job interview, or a break-up. Other girls might have been scared, or tense, or nervous, just like you, but they got through the tough spots and so will you.

How to be Prettier: How to Shop at Discount Stores Without Looking Cheap (great read, but does contain light profanity).

How to be (less) Awkward: If you’re a Jerry Seinfeld fan, this site will delight. Three videos from his stand-up archives are posted each day and stay up for 24 hours, and then are replaced the next day with three more clips. (This is a great site to share with others that are Seinfeld fans, i.e. a boy you have a crush on).

How to be Smarter: The quickest way to discover new music: switch iPods with someone else for a week. If you don’t want to switch for that long, just ask if you can borrow their iPod for a run.

How to be Prettier: Make it an automatic habit when you’re hand-washing to smile into the mirror to make sure nothing is stuck in your teeth.

How to be (less) Awkward: The same way you can talk yourself into feeling pressured and uncomfortable  ['if this conversation-starter fails I will have ruined this potential relationship'], you can also talk yourself into being outgoing and fearless ['I can contribute interesting things to a conversation and I am not afraid to speak with someone new'].

Today Smart Pretty and Awkward turns 28 months old!

I love, love, love writing this blog. A lot. I decided a long time ago, when the blog started to get bigger, that I would continue writing it as if only my sorority was reading it (because they were the only ones that read it for a long while when the blog first got started). So each post that I write, I’m envisioning writing to different girls I know in real life; I hope this keeps the blog feeling laid-back, relaxed, and real–just some helpful tips, observations, and fun links from a friend.

Having said that, it can be limiting to write in the rigid 3-tips-a-post formula. So today, I’d like to introduce a new feature for this blog: a SP&A email-only newsletter, a supplement full of extras for the blog’s dedicated readers.

I know many SP&A readers really like the routine format of the blog, but I also get many emails from SP&A superfans who want more content outside of the three tips. I hope this SP&A supplement keeps both the blog in its pure state of 3 tips a day, and gives readers who want more content something extra and special, delivered straight to their inbox.

Coffee with Molly will come out about 5-6 times per month.  Some of  the content I have lined up for May includes outfit posts, links to my blogroll, responses to reader-relationship questions, a guest post by one of my favorite people (my sister!), discounts to online boutiques, and a top ten list of my all-time favorite tips. (And if you hit reply on any Coffee with Molly email, the response comes straight back to me–I’m looking forward to being able to exchange emails with reader-friends each issue).

The supplement will cost $2.23 a month, which is paid through your Amazon account. The price is $2.23 a month because that is the price of a cup of coffee at the place I get my coffee each morning; I want the newsletter to feel like a cup of coffee with a friend.

If you read this blog, if a post has encouraged you to think differently, if you have found out about new sites you love via this blog, or if you find yourself quoting a post in everyday life, I really hope you will try Coffee with Molly. I want SP&A to remain a huge part of my life, and hopefully a small part of yours, and this newsletter will help support that goal. The first Coffee with Molly comes out on Tuesday of this week, and I look forward to your feedback.

You can subscribe here. Thank you!

xoxo
Molly

P.S. And, in case you like data, here about some Smart Pretty and Awkward analytics as we enter our 28th month together:

Number of RSS Subscribers: 2100+
Number of Twitter followers: 1500+
Number of Facebook fans: 8900+
Number of Bloglovin’ Followers: 300+
Number of Reader Emails I Get Per Week: 50ish
(You can always shoot me an email at molly@smartprettyandawkward.com)

*And a special thank you to my Twitter followers, who were so great this past week in helping me refine the Coffee with Molly idea.