How to be Smarter: Put open containers on the shelves in the fridge, instead of on the door; this lessens the chance of spilling if the door is opened quickly).

How to be Prettier: When looking for a specific clothing item or accessory, start at the stores or brands near the lower end of your price range and then work up if you cannot find what you are looking for, instead of starting at the top of your price range and paying extra money for something that could have been found for less.

How to be (less) Awkward: Kind, caring people do not laugh at other people’s fears (no matter how small) or other people’s dreams (no matter how big).

How to be Smarter: How the $0 Day Can Help You Reach Financial Goals.

How to be Prettier: Inside your big work bag, toss a small cross-body or daytime clutch to use for when you want to run out mid-day to grab lunch or complete an errand without lugging such a big bag.

How to be (less) Awkward: Quirky, cute concept: if you are a writer, you can try out potential character names by using them as your “coffee name” at Starbucks.

How to be Smarter: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code SMARTSCOOTERS, you can get 25% off any adult scooters at Kickboard USA, valid until 12/31.

How to be Prettier: Mini-bobby pins are easier to hide in your hair than regular-sized bobby pins, and in my experience, tend to hold roughly the same amount of hair. (They are usually right next to the regular bobby pins in the drugstore).

How to be (less) Awkward: I really love this short essay about being alone and finding love. [The quote today is taken from this piece].

How to be Smarter: I always think it is better to go through life dancing around, and then maybe feeling one second of embarrassment if the neighbors come over and tell you to keep it down, then to tiptoe through life, only to find out that the neighbors had been on vacation that week anyways. Embarrassment is always fleeting, regret lasts forever.

How to be Prettier: Love these easy, creative wall-decorating ideas.

How to be (less) Awkward: Just telling someone you feel a little self-conscious/shy/anxious makes you feel better because you have shared how you feel, and usually telling someone you are in need of a little more support gives you an ally. (For example, if you whisper to your classmate before you make a presentation that you are super nervous, they will probably both agree with you that they hate public speaking too, and also give you a reassuring smile from their seat as you start talking).

How to be Smarter: Just a really incredible book about how to approach both writing and life. A new favorite of mine. (I especially loved the school lunches chapter).

How to be Prettier: Regardless of trends, a fall nail polish color that is always classic is a true red (like Essie’s Who’s She Red, which is on my fingers currently).

How to be (less) Awkward: When someone waves or smiles at you, wave or smile back.

How to be Smarter: Cool way to store snacks.

How to be Prettier: Keeping your deodorant, body wash, body lotion, and/or perfume in the same scent family maximizes the scent.

How to be (less) Awkward: On a first date, seeing the movie before dinner provides ready-made conversation during the meal. (Source).

How to be Smarter: I am not sure of the original source of this tip, but I use it myself quite often: “When faced with two choices, toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you, but because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you are hoping for.” Doing a coin toss is an easy way to figure out what is in your gut, quickly.

How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code SMART, you can get 15% off the fabulous jewelry shop By Jeannie, valid until 10/31. [I love the Charlotte Necklace and the Satya Earrings].

How to be (less) Awkward: Fun silly site: Let me Google that for you.

How to be Smarter: Turn a bad habit into a fun treat. (For example, spending too much time reading celebrity magazines? Instead of beating yourself up over wasting time, allow yourself to read them only while waiting in doctor’s offices or on your commute).

How to be Prettier: “Twist, don’t pump, your mascara wand in the bottle—it lessens the amount of trapped air, which can create bacteria.” (Source).

How to be (less) Awkward: Make everyone in your life feel like they receive special treatment from you. Because if you treat everyone like they are your favorite, you will become their favorite.

How to be Smarter: Deciding not to think strategically about long-term goals is still making a decision about an approach to long-term goals.

How to be Prettier: I own these heels in several different variations; I love them in natural and black suede. They give enough height for a date, but the shape is conservative enough for the office.

How to be (less) Awkward: One of the best questions to ask someone is “what can I do?” This question works in both professional and personal settings, and even if the answer comes back nothing, just asking the question shows people you want to be involved and helpful to them during busy, stressful or sad times.

How to be Smarter: If you are applying for a job in a city you do not live in yet, taking your current address off your resume can prevent the potential employer from being confused about which specific job location you are interested in.

How to be Prettier: Having towels that match (whether in the same color or pattern family) is an easy way to help a bathroom look more pulled-together.

How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just awesome: by googling “bacon number + celebrity name”, you can see how many degrees from Kevin Bacon any star is.

How to be Smarter: At industry networking events, look up the ladder a few rungs to see who has an interesting job you’d like to have in a few years. That is who you want to sit next to and talk to.

How to be Prettier: Two great nail polish colors for fall: steel grey and warm burgundy (I also mentioned the burgundy trend in yesterday’s post).

How to be (less) Awkward: An easy, conversation-starting question to ask on a date is “what were you like in high school?” (It’s a fun question to hear the answer to, as well).

How to be Smarter: I absolutely loved The Happiness Project (which I mentioned here), and I read its newly-released sequel, Happier at Home, this past weekend. Both books are filled with tips and research to make life more enjoyable, written in a memior-ish style. If you enjoy this blog, I recommend these books.

How to be Prettier: Burgundy is going to be one of the most popular colors for clothes and accessories this fall. The great thing about this deep red hue is that while it is trendy now, the color also has longer term value in your closet: the shade is festive enough to wear to a holiday party and red-enough to wear on a Valentines’ date.

How to be (less) Awkward: Using someone’s name when you greet them personalizes the greeting in a memorable way that makes the other person feel special. (And it’s easy to do: instead of “Good morning!”, try “Good morning, Katie!”)

How to be Smarter: From the outside, you can usually tell if a building is a hotel if all the curtains in the windows are the same on every floor.

How to be Prettier: Wearing a ring on your index finger draws attention to it.

How to be (less) Awkward: At parties or conferences, carry your drink or your purse in your left hand so you can shake hands when meeting new people with your right.

How to be Smarter: How to Use Google More Effectively. [Giant chart, with some bonus keyboard shortcuts at the end].

How to be Prettier: An amazing song about beauty. [Great lyrics].

How to be (less) Awkward: If you get nervous about having to talk to new people, be the one that starts the conversation. After introducing yourself, ask the other person a question. You look confident because you said hello first, but you are taking the pressure off yourself by letting the other person do most of the talking at the beginning of the conversation while they answer your question.

How to be Smarter: There are two things every story has: a first sentence and a last sentence. There might be one paragraph, one page, or 80 chapters in-between the first and last sentence, but you will always get to the last sentence if you just keep reading. A problem is like the first sentence of a book, and the solution is like the last sentence. And you will always get to the solution if you just keep going.

How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code MOLLY20, you can get 20% off a single, regular priced item at Francesca’s Collections, valid until 9/30. [I love the Beautiful Laced Skirt and the Forty Thieves Dress].

How to be (less) Awkward: When a friend mentions an upcoming event in their life, make a quick note of it in your planner. Not just the big things, like birthdays or graduation, but the little short-term things, like a first date or tickets to a play. On the day of the event, a quick unexpected text or email, “I’m sure you look great! Have fun tonight!” or “Hope the show is awesome and you have great seats : )” makes them smile, and getting into the habit of being observant of others’ daily lives helps you to become a better friend.

How to be Smarter: When taking prerequisite courses, keep your notes and any study materials after the class is over to use as a reference for when for you take the next level up in the series. (Especially helpful if there is a summer break in-between the courses and you need a little refresher before the first day).

How to be Prettier: If you tilt your head slightly downward while looking in the mirror, the shadows will make dark circles under your eyes become more visible, making them easier to cover with under-eye concealer.

How to be (less) Awkward: Do a quick glance behind you when entering or exiting a building to make sure there is no one coming after you to hold the door open for.

How to be Smarter: If you want to remember something about a contact in your phone, put a key word in the contact name in your address book. For example, if there is nurse or a hair stylist you would like to request next time you make an appointment, save their name after the business’ name, i.e “Dr. Gold – Katie” or “Hair Salon – George.” (I also do this for my favorite takeout place, which I always forget to order extra guacamole from, by saving them in my phone as “Diner – Guac”).

How to be Prettier: Organizing items (clothes, shoes, stationary, pens) by color is one of the easiest ways to both catalogue items and be able to find them later.

How to be (less) Awkward: 27 Ways to be a Better Person. [Really great post, my favorites are #1, 5 and 27].

How to be Smarter: You can be tired because you have done so much or because you have done so little. You want to be in the first category.

How to be Prettier: I love my Archie Grand notebook. The size is large enough to take notes in, but small enough to fit in a purse. And the plain cover is minimal, but the slogans across it are always a little quirky. (My current one is a deep purple and says “Blogs I Follow and Like” on it).

How to be (less) Awkward: Being friendly in the first place minimizes moments of regret when you walk past someone and think “why didn’t I just say hi?”