How to be Smarter: A Pictorial Guide to Avoiding Camera Loss.

How to be Prettier: It’s hard to find a sequined dress that looks both classy and fun, so I start shopping for New Year’s Eve dresses early (I think it’s important to ring in the New Year in sequins). This is the dress I have my eye on now as a front-runner for that day.

How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just awesome: really cool video of the World’s Steepest Roller Coaster.

How to be Smarter: I get a lot of questions about blogging and how to increase blog readership, and I read a lot of books on the topic myself. This e-book is one of the most inexpensive, helpful guides I’ve read for new bloggers.

How to be Prettier: A trend I am seeing everywhere this fall is lace; a nice dress or top with lace detailing is both subtly trendy and will still look classically elegant once the seasonal trend passes.

How to be (less) Awkward: Some people eat more, some people eat less. But no person wants how much or how little they are eating to be the subject of dinner conversation. (And, if you are genuinely worried someone has a problem, embarrassing them in public by calling attention to their food habits isn’t the route to express your concern).

How to be Smarter: Even before you start thinking about leaving your job, start looking at job postings for other jobs a level above yours. What skills do these positions require? Now is the time to expand your skill set so when you do update your resume and go on interviews for your next position, you are qualified and prepared to advance your career.

How to be Prettier: When I was applying to colleges, as a reward for getting into schools, I allowed myself to buy one piece of clothing from each school I got into. Even now, seven years later, I still smile when I pull on socks or a sweatshirt from a school I worked hard to get into, but didn’t necessarily attend.

How to be (less) Awkward:  If he doesn’t look at you with that sparkle in his eye from the first time you meet, he may simply never look at you like that. That’s okay! There are so, so many others that will.

How to be Smarter: Few things ruin a relationship faster than unwarranted, nervous jealousy.

How to be Prettier: In college, make sure to invest in a bedspread you enjoy looking at, because in a small, crowded dorm room, your bed will become a dining room table, a desk, and a place to sleep.

How to be (less) Awkward: A fast way to bond with roommates is to always make sure you get ready together. Even if you aren’t going to the same place, make an effort to get ready on Friday nights at the same time as them. Blast the music, ask their opinion on which shoes to wear, compliment their outfit choice, and ask if there are any cute boys they are hoping to see that night. It’s an easy, no pressure way to become better friends.

P.S. I’m speaking at the virtual Indie Biz Chicks Conference, held September 27 and 28. I’m excited for my portion, on Blogging Basics, but there are a ton of really helpful talks that I’m looking forward to learning from. Would love for you to join as well!

How to be Smarter: The best book, the very best book, I have read this year is Think by Lisa Bloom. I cannot recommend it more. Please read it, e-mail me, tell me what you think. It’s the perfect discussion book.

How to be Prettier: Francesca’s Collections is offering SP&A readers 30% off a single regular priced item online until 9/30/11 with the code SMARTPRETTY. (I’ll be pairing the Chromatic Blouse with the Sweet Spot Skirt).

How to be (less) Awkward: Such a cute little Etsy shop for animal-lovers.

How to be Smarter: When throwing items into your beach bag, scrunch up your beach towel inside your sunhat to prevent it from losing its shape in transit.

How to be Prettier: I still see the feather hair extension trend in many girls’ hair (including my own), but if you aren’t ready to make the commitment or you work in an office where they are not allowed, investing in some long feather earrings to wear on the weekend works, too.

How to be (less) Awkward: Party tips for party guests and party hosts.

How to be Smarter: A really fun word games site.

How to be Prettier:  I love this dress: the pattern says hippie chic, but the shape still says girlie dress. I’ve already worn it twice this week (and I only got it in the mail last week!).

How to be (less) Awkward: I think at the heart of friendship, people are looking for friends that care for them and have their back. Other things are important, like similar sense of humor and shared interests, but one of the best ways to be someone’s friend is to simply speak well of them–in front of their face and when they are not around to hear.

How to be Smarter: If you are making the choice whether or not to study abroad, go. Never again in your life will you have all that time off from school/work to go, the ability to have travel “count” towards something (your degree),  a basically entirely scheduled trip at your disposal, and new friends/travel buddies (the other students) to go with.

How to be Prettier: If you are sitting across from someone and they have something in their teeth but you don’t know how to tell them, quietly ask them at the end of the meal if you have something in your teeth. Most likely, they will respond, “no, do I?” and then you have an opening to discreetly tell them.

How to be (less) Awkward: It’s so sweet when you text your friends exactly at midnight on their birthdays, but for extra credit also text them at midnight at the end of their birthday, telling them you hope they had a great day and how excited you are for their new year, which starts now.

P.S. I was thrilled to do a Q&A with Andi from Polish My Crown, a great inspirational site that you will enjoy if you like SP&A.

How to be Smarter: A few weeks ago, I posted about how much conversation the book Marry Him by Lori Gottlieb sparked among my friends and I. Christina from 40:20 Vision and I further explored the conversation, from a 20-something and a 40-something perspective. I’d love to hear your thoughts, as well!

How to be Prettier: Keeping your hair up in a ponytail during the day and then letting it down when you leave work can help you look night-appropriate in a pinch if you do not have the ability to store different shoes and a smaller bag at your desk.

How to be (less) Awkward: Words That Don’t Exist in the English Language.

How to be Smarter: A sweet video about how much a good love can change your life. (The video will probably make you cry).

How to be Prettier: If you are wearing a print, you can go easy on accessories as the print provides the majority of the outfit’s visual interest. But if you are wearing a simple outfit of solid colors, accessories like statement necklaces or long earrings can make the look more interesting.

How to be (less) Awkward: There is not a person on this planet that hasn’t stood around awkwardly at a party. If you ever feel alone standing around at a gathering, just remind yourself that at that exact moment, around the world, thousands of other people are also standing around hoping someone will start talking to them. And someone always does.

How to be Smarter: Every few months, find a way to update your resume even if you are not planning on changing jobs: ask to take on a work project that expands your skill set, start taking classes to get a certification in your field, or look into a new offbeat hobby you can list on your resume under “Interests.”

How to be Prettier: A trend this fall is mixed materials: individual pieces that incorporate more than one type of fabric, like a cotton jacket with leather sleeves.

How to be (less) Awkward: When a salesperson asks if you need help, she is trying to make your life easier. “No thanks, I’m just browsing for now” said with a smile is all you need to say if you are not interested in her help. If she persists, saying in a friendly voice “thanks, I’ll let you know if I need anything” will give her the hint that you’d like to shop privately.

How to be Smarter: Whether you want to change careers within your current industry, break into a new industry, or just feel excited about your present job, I can’t recommend the benefit of going to an industry conference more. Spending a day hearing from speakers, mingling with other inspiring people within the industry, and just breaking out of your day-to-day job routine to remind yourself of how many options there are within your career field is immensely helpful. 

How to be Prettier: Even if your date is being planned by the other person and is a surprise for you, it’s okay to ask them what you should wear (jeans? a dress? something fancy?). In hot weather, also bring a light cardigan to account for indoor air-conditioning, and a pair of glasses if you need them for movie-watching, just in case.

How to be (less) Awkward: People that are appreciative are often the best-liked in their peer group. The quickest way to make someone feel appreciated is to simply say “thank you.” In a note, in an email, outloud in the hall at school or work. I’ve heard people complain about not being appreciated, but I’ve never known anyone who complained about getting a genuine thank you from someone else. 

Coffee with Molly, which is Smart Pretty and Awkward‘s subscription newsletter, turns four months old today. Over the past four months about 25 newsletters have gone out, covering topics including First Date Tips, Love vs. Career, a Fashion Journalist’s guest post, Q&A with emails I’ve received, and updates on more personal things including outfit posts and recent (positive!) life changes.

If you would like to subscribe, the link is here. 

xo, Molly