How to be Smarter: The same rule to getting a tattoo applies to sending a harshly-worded text message: stop, take a moment to think about it, and decide if it’s really the impression you want someone to have of you forever.

How to be Prettier: When walking to greet someone, after they come into view, be looking at them and smiling the whole walk towards them. The benefit is two-fold: smiling puts you in a good mood, and for the other person, it’s exciting to have someone walking towards them looking especially happy to see them.

How to be (less) Awkward: Even boring things become more fun when you brand them–any opportunity you have to label an event or chore should be taken. Some examples: Fun Food Fridays each week with your coworkers during Friday lunch, The Interview Suit Shopping Expedition of 2011 (abbreviated as ISSE’11 in every text message with your mom coordinating shopping times, and Blue Mondays where everyone in your apartment must wear blue, and whoever comes out of their room dressed to go missing a blue item has to buy everyone coffee on the way to class/work.

How to be Smarter: Always believe that you can change. When you stop believing you can change, you settle for the person you are today, instead of striving to be an even better person tomorrow.

How to be Prettier: My last post talked about the importance of decorating any place you spend a lot of time; it’s hard for me to think of something cuter than this mini mint type-writer that can hold a small picture or a business card. I just placed an order for one to decorate my desk area, and I think I’m going to put a notecard with one of my favorite quotes about writing in it.

How to be (less) Awkward: The subject of movies always seems to come up on first dates; pre-date, scan the movie listings to see if any good movies are out currently you could express an interest in (and maybe that could be your second date).

How to be Smarter: Helpful productivity tip (and the entire site is great to explore, as well).

How to be Prettier: Even if a space isn’t your favorite place to be (your office cubicle, your tiny dorm bedroom, your cramped apartment kitchen), any place you spend a lot of time deserves to be decorated in a way that makes you smile.

How to be (less) Awkward: A great gift idea for a friend that has just started a new job is a subscription to her industry’s trade magazine, or a small collection of popular books written about her field.

How to be Smarter: When buying a food item to enjoy immediately, make sure to double-check with the cashier that utensils (forks, spoons, knives) are included in the bag. Nothing is more frustrating than going through a drive-thru, getting so excited to eat your meal, and after sitting down at your picnic spot realizing there is no silverware in the bag.

How to be Prettier: The benefit of borrowing a dress from a roommate or friend is that you don’t have to pay for the item; however, when borrowing, factor in the cost of dry cleaning. A borrowed dress should never be returned in any condition other than dry-cleaned and ready for the owner to wear again. [Note: be sure to verbally confirm with the owner than the piece can be dry-cleaned; if the fabric is extra-sensitive the owner might actually prefer you do not get it dry-cleaned].

How to be (less) Awkward: The value of not freaking out over little things, like someone cutting you in line, can be seen in this cute story.

How to be Smarter: I just finished The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, and found myself writing down quotes from it on almost every page: it’s a book that does a great job of marrying the concept of being imaginative with the concept of structured productivity.

How to be Prettier: The size of your bag is simple math: the bag you bring out at night should be smaller than the bag you carry around during the day.

How to be (less) Awkward: The fastest way to feel better is to look into someone else’s eyes, and just say how you are feeling (“I’m so sad about the break-up,” “I feel nervous I let you down,” “I think I’m in the wrong major/career.”)  The instant the words come out, you will feel 1000% better.

P.S. This week I’m thrilled to have chosen a few of my favorite pieces for LovingEco’s Tastemaker Picks. 3% of this week’s net proceeds will support Stand Up 2 Cancer, and LovingEco is also offering a discount to Smart Pretty and Awkward readers: use the discount code SMART10 for 10% off the site, valid until midnight PST on Wednesday, August 31st.

How to be Smarter: Sometimes people act mad or mean when they are really just sad: sad because they realize the relationship is slipping out of their hands; sad because they depended on a dream and it fell short; sad because something they expected didn’t happen the way they wanted. Rude behavior is always inexcusable, but sometimes it helps to keep in mind that behind upset yelling or harsh words is really just sadness.

How to be Prettier: A cute site concept: put in your city and state in the upper-right hand corner, and the site generates outfit suggestions for your area based on the weather.

How to be (less) Awkward: The Ultimate Guide to Starbucks’ Secret Menu.

How to be Smarter: When I first start packing my suitcase for a trip, I put a large balled-up sweatshirt that I don’t plan on bringing in the bottom of my bag. Once I am done packing, I take the sweatshirt out and my bag is lighter because even though I have (probably) continually stuffed clothes in until they cannot fit anymore, removing the sweatshirt creates extra space and makes the bag that much easier to carry (plus I have room for gifts or souvenirs I want to bring back).

How to be Prettier: I received this day planner from a good friend for my birthday last week, and I cannot wait until September so I can officially start using it (the planner runs from September 2011-December 2012). (Bonus points: she put it in this adorable matching gift bag).

How to be (less) Awkward: When you get to a house party, your first job is to find the host, introduce yourself if you are attending as a friend of a friend, and thank them for hosting. This is true whether you are attending a laid-back college party or an upscale cocktail party.

I turn 25 today, and I thought I’d share my birthday joy with Smart Pretty and Awkward readers by doing a giveaway of two tickets to the 20 Something-Bloggers Summit. The conference is in Chicago next weekend (August 19-21), and I’m speaking on the panel entitled “Laying the Foundation/Creating a Community Around Your Blog,” about growing a dedicated blog readership.

I would be delighted to see some of your smiling faces at the conference!

To enter for the free tickets (you and a guest), please leave a comment on this post by 8/12/11 11:59pm EST. I will pick a winner using random.org on Saturday, August 13, and email that person then.

Disclosure: The tickets are provided by A Squared Group. The winner must provide confirmed flight confirmation if applicable. Winner selected at random. 

Thank you all for being a part of my blogging life for another year! I appreciate your support more than I can say.

xoxo

Molly

How to be Smarter: People are always worrying about taking on too much at once. But I’d also be worried about taking on too little at once. There should be a constant cycle in your life of new ideas and new projects; the best way to move forward is to keep pushing yourself to engage the world a little more each day.

How to be Prettier: In the summer, the classic little black dress can become a classic little white dress. I’m loving the drop-waist and adjustable straps on this ivory dress–I wore it today in the air conditioning with a lightweight collarless jean jacket, but it can easily transform into a dinner date dress with wedges and gold statement earrings.

How to be (less) Awkward: Theme parties are always more fun when you get ready with friends. If you find yourself embarrassed or skittish to dress up in costume, organize your night so that you start off getting ready with friends–trading clothes, taking silly pictures, and blasting appropriately-themed music. This will jump-start your night so that you feel more confident about going out in something different than what you’d normally wear.

How to be Smarter: Life is like a scavenger hunt, except you are the one that gets to put together the list of things to collect. Think of what would be on your list: A picture of you at the top of the highest peak in North America? A feather from a free-range chicken you are raising on your own farm? A silk dress from a capsule line you designed yourself? Make your list of what treasures you want to be able to have gathered in five or ten years, and then set about going to find them.

How to be Prettier: If you want to wear something more often, put it in the front of your closet so it is more visible when outfit-planning.

How to be (less) Awkward: A slow, sad, sweet song that puts a positive spin on a hard break-up.

It’s Flash Friday again today over at 40:20 Vision, and today’s question is: ‘How much short-term and long-term planning do successful women really do?’!

How to be Smarter: If you keep turning your alarm off in your sleep, put it across the room so you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off.

How to be Prettier: A designer item that you bought for the label only is a poor purchase. If you’re going to buy a designer piece, ask yourself if the item is something you’d also buy if it was from a discount store. Otherwise you are less likely to wear or use it, regardless of how much you spent on it.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you miss shopping with a friend who lives in a different place, chose a day and a time to go shopping ‘together.’ Choose the same or a similar store and by talking on the phone, describing pieces, and picture messaging photos of outfit options, you can still go shopping ‘together.’ Afterwards, both go get a smoothie and just chat on the phone while you catch up!

How to be Smarter:  When times are tough and you feel scared or alone, shut your eyes and imagine it’s your birthday. Imagine everyone you love and who believes in you (including parents, best friends, favorite professors–everyone) is in the same room, and they are all singing to you over a plate of cake. Just imaging everyone that supports you together in one room is an instant mood booster.

How to be Prettier: When packing toiletries (shampoo, make-up, deodorant) for a trip, pack your bag of bathroom items the night before. In the morning, get ready by only using the items you have already packed; it will become clear to you quickly if you forgot something small but important, like floss.

How to be (less) Awkward: A sweet wedding engagement.