How to be Smarter: Just because you can’t have your dream job right now doesn’t mean you have to take a dead-end job while you wait. It’s always better to be climbing the ranks somewhere, even if it is not your ideal industry, than to spend time at a job with no future while you wait for a better fit.

How to be Prettier: I own these headphones in white, and I love them, but I was pretty jealous when I saw them in my favorite mint color.

How to be (less) Awkward: To me, one of the only things worse than sitting on a delayed bus, plane, or train is being hungry on a delayed bus, train or plane. I never travel without an extra bottle of water and something to snack on (plus, even if the transportation system isn’t delayed, I always end up enjoying having something to nibble on).

How to be Smarter: Some people go faster as the finish line gets closer; some people crawl on their hands and knees once the end comes into sight. Some people skip across the line joyfully; some people cry when they finally finish. But even if you spent the whole race walking and not running, even if you felt like everyone else was going faster, even if the race was harder on you than someone else, you still crossed the finish line. Sometimes accomplishments are less about how fast you can achieve them, and more about not giving up during the race.

How to be Prettier: When shopping online at stores where you are not 100 percent sure of your size, look for details like adjustable straps on tops, dresses with tie-backs, and pants that can be cuffed or belted so there are ways to slightly alter the fit of the item without needing to return it.

How to be (less) Awkward: A really cool site that is both nostalgic and sweet.

How to be Smarter: If you really love your major, you will stay up until 2am perfecting your essay. If you really love your work, you will be awake at 2am thinking of new ideas to bring to your boss. If you’re deciding to accept a new project, ask yourself: would I want to work on this at 2am? If the answer is yes, take it on.

How to be Prettier: For almost all body types, the most flattering maxi dress style is a defined waist, with a detail that plays up the dress’ length. (This is a good example of a belted waist with a vertical pattern).

How to be (less) Awkward: Even if you are shy, you can and should still say something if you are hurt or offended. Standing up for yourself and your values can be just one line, spoken sweetly and authoritatively. Your statement doesn’t need to be a threat and it doesn’t need to be mean-spirited for your point to come across. Some examples: “Please do not talk that way to me,” “I’d appreciate if you kept that remark to yourself,” or “That joke is insensitive and I do not want to hear it again.”

P.S.  I was thrilled to write a piece for my sorority’s national blog about the positive effect sisterhood had on the development of Smart Pretty and Awkward. You can read it here.

How to be Smarter: 5 Time Management Tips. [A 40:20 Vision guest post I wrote].

How to be Prettier: My hunt for the perfect pair of wedges has led me to this pair; which I have worn near-constantly for the last three weeks. I highly recommend; they are the most comfortable heels I have owned in the past five years. (They are shown in olive, but the pair I have are nude-cream).

How to be (less) Awkward: When others say you are unique, what they are generally referring to is that you make unique decisions–you chose to do things other don’t. I think being called unique, or quirky, or different, is one of the best compliments you can be given–it means you have the bravery to pursue avenues others are scared to, and the courage to live a life that makes you happy.

How to be Smarter: When studying for a test, laminate a list of terms or equations you should know, and put them in the shower for you to stare at while you let the conditioner soak in.

How to be Prettier: If you are considering joining a sorority this fall, follow the dress code given to you during rush. However, do chose one piece–whether it’s a necklace, shoes, or a hairpiece–that is interesting and different, providing a way for the girls who meet you to easily identify you later. “Did you meet Molly? She had on that pair of turquoise pumps!” This is also a technique to use when going through a day of interviews, when you know the employer will be meeting other candidates that day.

How to be (less) Awkward: I think a sweet way to stay in touch with someone in another time zone, or who gets up much eariler than you for work,  is to set your alarm for the time you know they will be getting up, wake up in the middle of the night, and send them a quick ‘good morning’ text. You can go back to sleep right after, and a friendly text at an early hour will surprise and delight. (Whenever I do this, I actually write the text before I go to bed, so then when my alarm goes off I literally hit ‘send’ and go immediately back to sleep).

P.S. Check out this cute interview with my friend Poppy over at Loeffler Randall’s blog.

How to be Smarter: When starting a new job or during the first day of classes, usually your mom or your friends will want to know how the day is going as it is happening, but you don’t always have time for a mid-day phone call or to write a lengthy text message update. Instead, when you have a second, just text them a number on the 1 to 10 scale. You can update the number as the day goes on; maybe the first hour of your new job is a 6 and then it climbs to an 8 post-lunch. A quick text of a number takes no time; you just have to explain the system to your mom/boyfriend/best friend so they don’t think your number-texts all day long are just pocket dials

How to be Prettier: Francesca’s Collections is offering Smart Pretty and Awkward readers 30% off a single regular priced item online until 6/30/11 when you enter in the code “MOLLY”. Some of my favorites are: this Carnival Skirt, Flower Shadows Dress, and Painted Colors Skirt Dress. Enjoy!

How to be (less) Awkward: I am always subtly impressed when someone sticks out their hand first to shake hello. Being the first one to stick out your hand for a handshake conveys polite, friendly power and a respectful, positive first impression.

How to be Smarter: Comfort zones only get smaller as time goes on. If you are not actively working at expanding the range of activities you are comfortable trying or experiencing, the list of things you can do with ease only shrinks.

How to be Prettier: Another nice, affordable online site is Messes of Dresses. (The name reminds me of my own closet). Some favorites: Snow White Dress, Giraffidae Crop Top, and Cream Anchor Shorts.

How to be (less) Awkward: You always ask before touching a dog that is not yours. A simple, “May I pet him?” while making eye contact with the owner is all it takes. This is both a safety question and a polite one.

How to be Smarter: Having a bookshelf is my number one recommendation for decorating a space. I strongly believe in the value and the power of surrounding yourself with literature that inspires you. Whether memoirs, social media how-to’s or just books with pretty covers are your fancy, a stocked bookshelf is a necessity whether you live in a dorm room or a mansion. (As a note, all of the books I just linked to are currently sitting on my bookshelf).

How to be Prettier: When one nail chips, but you can’t find the color to rematch it to your other nails, remove the nail polish on the same finger of the other hand and paint both nails a new different color. With both fingers matching, a different color choice will look intentional and not sloppy.

How to be (less) Awkward: Good-looking people in old photographs. (For reference, the word ‘Daguerreo’ in the title refers to the pre-20th century photography process).

How to be Smarter: If you are feeling cold in a body of water (i.e. pool, bath or shower), the quickest way to get warmer is to dunk your head under.

How to be Prettier: Lately I’ve started photographing my outfits twice daily with my iPhone, once in the morning and once at night. It’s pretty enjoyable when waiting in line at the drugstore to pass the time by scrolling through the past few weeks of outfit choices–to be reminded what works and what doesn’t, what was comfortable all day and what was not, what wrinkled by day’s end and what did not. This photographing outfits idea is one of several helpful, offbeat ideas I’ve gotten from this Mini-Makeover Guide, which is one of the most reasonably-priced fashion makeover processes I’ve tried (and no one loves a good style reinvention guide more than me).

How to be (less) Awkward: The second you realize you were wrong or accidently hurtful, you apologize. Nothing good has ever come from sitting on an ‘I’m sorry.’

How to be Smarter: For magazines that focus on deeper topics than celebrity gossip and fashion trends, the articles will still be relevant a few months after they were released. If you find it expensive to keep buying new magazines each month, after you read an issue just hide it away and when you pull it back out in six months or so it will seem new.

How to be Prettier: As an occasional glasses-wearer, I don’t consider my glasses an accessory in the typical sense. But I do try to limit how many other pieces of accessories I have around my face when I wear them (i.e. headbands and big earrings).

How to be (less) Awkward: Really fun, informative article on going to the gym.

One of my most-loved blogs to follow is Thx Thx Thx; Leah’s daily thank you notes on topics big and small are sweet, thoughtful and inspiring. I am absolutely thrilled to share with you that the lovely Leah has turned her beautiful blog into a beautiful book!

Today, Leah has chosen some thank you notes to share with Smart Pretty and Awkward readers. Congrats, Leah! We are so proud of you.

How to be Smarter:

How to be Prettier:

How to be (less) Awkward:

I encourage you to check out Leah’s book–I put my copy on the coffee table as a daily reminder to be appreciative.

copyright Andrews McMeel 2011

How to be Smarter: You would never accept a job and then assume you didn’t need to show up for work everyday; that would be unfair to your boss. Don’t enter into a committed relationship without expecting to put in effort everyday; that is unfair to your partner.

How to be Prettier: A few girls have asked me recently what dress I’m wearing in my header picture; it is this ModCloth one with a J.Crew tee shirt (that I’m having trouble finding on the J.Crew site right now).

How to be (less) Awkward: The Importance of Unusual Compliments. (Piece I did for Fueled by Diet Coke that I’m particularly proud of).

How to be Smarter: I always wonder what happens when family videos get a lot of hits on YouTube; first watch this cute video and then read the family’s reaction to the attention it was getting.

How to be Prettier: I try not to go clothes shopping right after I have gotten my hair done; for some reason my hair looking great tricks me into thinking everything I try on looks great.

How to be (less) Awkward: Coolest thing I’ve found on the Internet this week: chocolate menus. (The second image has a picture of a sample menu).

P.S. For incoming college freshmen, Valerie from So It Must Be True… complied a list of freshmen year advice from bloggers around the web –check it out here.