How to be Smarter: A significant other should want to be significant in your life. They should want to attend your work events, meet your friends, be there for you during hard times. If someone is balking at being there for significant moments or to meet significant people in your life, they might not be the right person for you.

How to be Prettier: Awesome site to create your own (free) word clouds, perfect for creating unique desk or office decorations.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you have forgotten someone’s first name, ask them for their last name. Usually out of habit people say both, even when just asked for their last name (“Ford, Molly Ford”).

How to be Smarter: Eleanor Roosevelt is a personal role model for me, which is why I picked up the book My Year with Eleanor; but by the end of the book, the author, Noelle Hancock, was another role model for me. Both Eleanor and Noelle’s fearlessness is inspiring, and I highly recommend the book.

How to be Prettier: A short dress that has a conservative neckline can be made appropriate for office or daytime wear by adding a skirt over the bottom half of it.

How to be (less) Awkward: “Why am I different from the others?” “Why do you need to be like the others?” [One of the best commercials I've ever seen].

How to be Smarter: A helpful list of words to reference when writing or revamping your resume.

How to be Prettier: To avoid a fake-looking smile in posed pictures, let the muscles around your eyes relax and crinkle slightly with your grin.

How to be (less) Awkward: How to hail a cab in NYC.

How to be Smarter: How to Make it Happen. [Awesome video].

How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code “prettier”, you can get $10 off any $100 order at hair and beauty store Misikko. [I've been a devoted Chi flat iron enthusiast for years].

How to be (less) Awkward: Sometimes when I feel nervous for something, I ask a friend to suggest a song to listen too. Not only do I usually find out about new music, but there is something really nice about someone choosing a song just for you to relax too.

P.S. I finally joined Pinterest! I started pinning some of my favorite SP&A quotes here.

How to be Smarter: How to make your mornings more productive.

How to be Prettier: If you are looking for more coverage when wearing a sheer maxi skirt, layer a solid-colored miniskirt underneath.

How to be (less) Awkward: Animals acting out awkward social situations (#12 is my favorite).

How to be Smarter: Doing something different than everyone else can be scary because there is no one to compare yourself to. That’s also the benefit.

How to be Prettier: How to Transform a Hoodie. [I wouldn't recommend the baby one, but the rest are pretty cool].

How to be (less) Awkward: Before you start a fight with a loved one, ask yourself “is this something I would bring up if I was dropping them off at the airport?” People don’t fight over small things on the way to the airport because they know their time together is very limited; if the item would be too trivial to mention on an airport drop-off run, it probably doesn’t make sense to pick a fight over it now.

How to be Smarter: Before giving someone a spare key, double-check that it is the right key for the right lock. One extra second to test that the key fits the lock can save a lot of headache later.

How to be Prettier: Collarless blazers have the same shape and structure of an office-professional suit jacket, but the lack of a collar keeps the look relaxed and draws eyes upwards to your face.

How to be (less) Awkward: It’s pretty rare that you say “hi” to someone and they don’t echo a greeting back. If you want someone to acknowledge you, just greet them first and then you’re (usually) guaranteed a hello right back.

Am I a Mess (or Not)?

[The latest post as part of my Flash Friday collaboration with 40:20 Vision].

How to be Smarter: I found these to be very helpful tips for placing an emergency phone call (regardless of whether you are a parent or not).

How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount code: With the promo code SPW2012, you can get 25% off your order at Astrid & Miyu. I own a few Astrid & Miyu pieces (I’m wearing their earrings in my Twitter profile picture) and am thrilled to share this discount with you today! (Coupon expires 6/30).

How to be (less) Awkward: If I’m reading horoscopes in a magazine, I always scan for my friends’ signs and if their horoscope is especially uplifting or cute, I snap a picture of the text on my phone and send it to them.