How to be Smarter: Book Recommendation: Blog Inc. Great for bloggers of any stage, from just starting out to well-established; I got a lot out of the book myself. Besides being written by the talented Oh Joy!, it also includes interviews with some other favorite bloggers, including Emily Schuman and Naomi Davis.

How to be Prettier: Clever organization suggestions for your home.

How to be (less) Awkward: Acknowledging before an inherently nerve-wracking event, like dating or public speaking, that you will probably feel uncomfortable for a moment, is a step towards lessening that nervous feeling when the event actually happens. [I.e. saying to yourself "When I walk into the restaurant, I will probably feel awkward for a second, but that is okay" or "Right before it is my turn to talk in the group presentation, I will probably feel really tense, but that is alright"].

How to be Smarter: Before you go into a meeting, quickly re-read the last email that was sent on the topic that is being discussed. Often meetings start out with “did you see that last email?” and having just read it will have both the topic and any points you want to make fresh in your mind.

How to be Prettier: A really cool men-focused wedding style resource: Well-Groomed.

How to be (less) Awkward: When someone hands you their phone to look at a picture, only look at that picture unless they explicitly tell you it is okay to scroll through the rest of the images.

How to be Smarter: The same way you should always have a friend proofread your paper before turning it in, have someone else double-check your lottery tickets before throwing them out. Sometimes your own eyes can stare at something so long you miss something obvious.

How to be Prettier: The other day I was on an escalator behind a girl wearing flat black boots with a gold-accented heel. They looked awesome: the black made them practical for everyday but the gold kept them dressy. Using those shoes as inspiration, these are the ones I just purchased and love.

How to be (less) Awkward: Book Recommendation: The Gaggle by Jessica Massa. One of the most insightful dating books I’ve read; if you look at my text messages for the last few days, I have basically been encouraging every girl I know to read it.

How to be Smarter: When you chose convenience over hard work, the opportunity cost is personal growth. And personal growth is the only way to become your best self.

How to be Prettier: When trying on a winter coat you are considering buying, put your hands in the pockets to make sure they are at a good height on the coat’s design so in cold weather the pockets are useable for keeping your hands warm (not just decorative).

How to be (less) Awkward: Before you ask someone a question, either online or in real life, do a quick Google search. Save asking for someone’s help for questions that are either hard to find on the Internet or have less than straightforward answers.

How to be Smarter: Effective (and Non-Creepy) Ways to Network on LinkedIn. [LinkedIn has been exceedingly helpful in my career; I recommend joining it to almost everyone that asks for career networking advice].

How to be Prettier: Pantone named Emerald the 2013 color of the year, so expect to see a lot more of this color in the coming months in retail stores. My current favorite emerald nail polish is Essie’s Going Incognito [seen on my nails here].

How to be (less) Awkward: When you are happy someone reached out to you, tell them. “I was so happy when I saw your name on caller ID,” “Can’t believe how thrilled I was to get a friend request from you!,” “Seeing your name in my inbox made my Monday.” Being joyful about connecting is one of the best ways to guarantee more connections.

Hello!

Here is the latest Why Don’t You Ask Molly Ford? column, with advice on how to leave a job gracefully.

xo, Molly

[Past columns here].

How to be Smarter: Your relationship status is a piece in the pie of your life, but it is not the whole plate. The answer to the question “who are you dating?” should not have the same answer as the question”who are you?”.

How to be Prettier: The Ada Wrap Belt is probably one of the best purchases I have made this year; I bought it after another girl in a boutique’s fitting room suggested I try it on with a dress I was considering buying. I ended up buying the belt in burgundy, and I’ve used it often to belt everything from minidresses to long cardigans.

How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just adorable: Photo Series Explains How to Make a Baby.

How to be Smarter: People that tell you something is impossible are describing their own limitations, not yours.

How to be Prettier: Easy laundry tip: “Zip clothes before washing them, so the zipper is less likely to tear other clothes.” (Source).

How to be (less) Awkward: In public places, keep your music low enough that you can still hear other people’s voices: this is both a sign of respect and for safety reasons.

How to be Smarter: The moments that feel the most lonely are sometimes the best reminders you are connected to everyone else. Because everybody on this planet has experienced sadness, felt heartbreak, had big and small disappointments, been sensitive to rejection, laid in bed worried. The moments that feel the most isolating are some of the best reminders that you are part of a larger community.

How to be Prettier: Fun read: What 13 People Wore to Interview with Anna Wintour.

How to be (less) Awkward: Add the recipient’s name to the “TO:” line as the last thing you do when writing an email, not the first. This helps prevent accidentally sending the email before you finish typing or spell-checking it.

How to be Smarter: Book Recommendation: Dare, Dream, Do. An enjoyable read about the importance of identifying goals and going after them, with lots of real-world stories by female dreamers and do-ers mixed into a hopeful message about what someone can accomplish. [And tons of quotes, which I loved].

How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code PRETTY15, you can get 15% off your order at handmade jewelry store Linkel Designs, valid until 12/23.  [I really love this shop: I bought a Cameo Statement Ring about a year ago from them, and it is one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry. I also have my eye on this Lucite Flower Ring, and many items from their 5 and 10 Sale].

How to be (less) Awkward: When on foot and waiting to cross the street, make sure to keep the sidewalk mini-ramp clear so that people riding/pushing/pulling items with wheels can use the ramp without obstruction.

How to be Smarter: Save all your old notebooks, your old diaries, your old doodles, your old drafts. [I even save a lot of old to-do lists]. Paging through them is one of the best, and most fun, ways to revisit old ideas, get over writer’s block, and/or remember goal milestones.

How to be Prettier: In a pinch, if you notice lint or hair on your outfit, the sticky side of scotch tape can be used like a mini-lint brush. [This works especially well if you are at your desk at work when you notice it].

How to be (less) Awkward: Two favorite sites for a quick pick-me-up: Daily Odd Compliment and Emergency Compliment. 

How to be Smarter: 10 Signs You Deserve to Succeed. [This article is geared towards entrepreneurs pitching business ideas, but the principles apply to anyone trying to live an interesting, productive, motivated life].

How to be Prettier: To get a subtle new look for the day, switch the location of the part in your hair from where you normally wear it, i.e. changing it from the left side to the right, moving it to a middle part, etc.

How to be (less) Awkward: The same way you practice answering potential interview questions before an interview, it can calm nerves to practice answers to common small talk questions before a big party or networking event. Popular questions asked at these events include “What do you do?,” “What industry are you in?,” How long have you lived here?,” and “How did you get involved in this cause/organization/meet the host?.”

How to be Smarter: If your work ethic has no limit, neither do your dreams.

How to be Prettier: A winter trend this year is blazers and jackets whose sleeves are a different color and/or material from the jacket’s body.[Examples here, here, and here].

How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just adorable: A Middle School Love Letter Displayed at Their Wedding.

Today is the fourth anniversary of Smart Pretty and Awkward!

I am extremely grateful to each one of you that reads SP&A, shares posts you like with your friends, follows SP&A on social media, or emails me with thoughts or questions. Starting this blog has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me, right up there with my most-defining life events. Thank you for your readership and support.

Here are some especially fun things that have happened in this past year:

-Interviewed by Lady Lux, 9 Lives for Women, and The Peer Pressure Project

-Guest posted on The Future Buzz and The College Crush

-Debut of biweekly advice column for The Daily Muse, Why Don’t You Ask Molly Ford?

-Moderated a panel during Texas Style Council

-Celebrated Coffee with Molly’s 1 Year Anniversary

-Named one of Forever Twenty-Something’s “15 Twitter Accounts to Follow”

-Contributor to Defining Success on Polish My Crown

-Continuing writing the Flash Friday series with Christina of 40:20 Vision [This was one of my favorite posts this year]

-Gave SP&A readers exclusive discount codes to Astrid & Miyu, August Wrinkle, Chromatic Gallerie, By Jeannie, Francesca’s Collections, Freshline, Kickboard USA, Messes of Dresses, Misikko, Shabby Apple, and United by Blue.

-Mentioned in 20-Something Ramblings, A Broke Bride, Actually Allie, Cupcakes and Mace, Discoveries in a Letterbox, Joie de Vivre, Kate Oh Katie, NZ Muse, Simple Productivity,  Sparkle, Glitter & Shine, The Broke and The Bookish, and The College Novelista.

Here’s to another wonderful year together!

Love, Molly

–

P.S. For data people, here are some current SP&A analytics:

550+ Tumblr followers

830+ Pinterest followers

900+ Bloglovin’ followers

3400+ Twitter followers

3500+ RSS Subscribers

10380+ Facebook fans

P.P.S. And here are Year One, Year Two, and Year Three anniversary posts, and here is the last time I shared analytics during the debut of Coffee with Molly. And as always, I’m at molly@smartprettyandawkward.com – never hesitate to reach out. xoxo.