How to be Smarter: To combat writer’s block, work on always having a notebook and a pen nearby: in your lab on the subway, next to your bed while reading, on the coffee table while you watch television. Just like having a glass of water nearby inspires more hydration, having an open notebook and a pen nearby inspires more ideas.
How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code SPAWKWARD, you can get 25% off site-wide at S.W. Basics of Brooklyn, an all-natural skincare line that believes “simplicity is the essence of awesome,” valid until 3/15. [I absolutely love their lip balm: I've been using it for months and over time my devotion to it only grows].
How to be (less) Awkward: A nice reminder that while putting yourself out there can sometimes feel uncomfortable and awkward, the more times you attempt something, the more likely you are to get what you want: Life Is A Numbers Game. [I love this piece, and think it is spot-on].
How to be Smarter: Book Recommendation: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. An amazing read about the importance of being and feeling vulnerable to live a more fulfilling, genuine life.
How to be Prettier: “Tailor your clothes, even if they weren’t expensive, and even if the tailor is just the guy at the dry cleaner.” [Source, with other great beauty/fashion tips].
How to be (less) Awkward: “Remember, life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up really late. But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess. And most of the time, they aren’t even the ones who made the mess. These people are your real friends in life.” — Great quote from this article on 15 Things Real Friends Do Differently.
I was thrilled to be interviewed by The College Novelista! You can read the interview here.
How to be Smarter: When times are tough, it is important and necessary to get help from others. But do not allow a rescue of your life to turn into a hijacking of your life. Someone can be a support system and still encourage you to follow your own dreams and goals; there is no need to fold into someone else’s life plan just because you need a little more support following your own.
How to be Prettier: A skirt spring trend this year is the envelope hemline: seen here, here and here.
How to be (less) Awkward: How to walk on ice.
How to be Smarter: One of my favorite definitions of a life on your own terms.
How to be Prettier: To control impulse shopping, make a list before getting to the store, with the intention of only buying what is on the list. But if at the store you see something that you suddenly remember you need or want, tell yourself to finish gathering everything else first. By the time you have finished the list, you have usually forgotten whatever the impulse item was. [And if you have not forgotten, you can consider more strongly buying something off-the-list].
How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just fun: Endless “Would Your Rathers?”.
Reminders:
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xo, Molly
How to be Smarter: This Newsweek article was published in 1995, and reading it is a nice reminder of how much we just do not know about how many interesting things wait for us in the future.
How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code smartrobe, you can get 20% off your entire order (with free shipping!) at A.Moet, a luxury women’s robes site, valid until 2/16. [This is my favorite - such a beautiful color!].
How to be (less) Awkward: You are not alone: opinions about the hardest parts about dating. [The latest post as part of my Flash Friday collaboration with 40:20 Vision].
How to be Smarter: One of my favorite pieces about reading and love.
How to be Prettier: A spring trend this year is the grid print: seen here, here and here.
How to be (less) Awkward: If you are nervous about an event or party, show up a little early. It is always less intimidating to have the room fill up around you than to walk into a full room.
How to be Smarter: How to Have a Year That Matters. [My favorite section is "What breaks your heart?"].
How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Offer: Free Signature Pens, valued at $12, with a $10 minimum purchase from the adorable office supply store Poppin! [Valid until 2/8].
How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just really fun: A 23-Year Game of Tag.
How to be Smarter: Great cure for writer’s block, especially if you are a fiction writer: The Story Starter.
How to be Prettier: Before putting on tall boots, tuck your pants into your (preferably knee-high) socks to create a flat line from pants to boots.
How to be (less) Awkward: Fun solution to people checking their phones during meals with friends. [Light profanity].
How to be Smarter: New favorite site: Tickets for Charity. A sports and music online ticket agent for popular acts that is partnered with a ton of charities, so a percentage of your purchase price goes to doing good. Great model — enjoy entertainment and help impact positive change.
How to be Prettier: If you are stuck in a beauty rut, ask a make-up savvy friend to spend some time with you in a beauty store or the beauty aisle of your local drugstore, and help you pick out some new products, tools or colors to use. Sometimes just having another set of eyes, especially a friend who knows your current beauty routine and your daily habits, can help add some easy new make-up looks to your routine.
How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just adorable: If You Give A Little Love. [Great message].
How to Smarter: Book Recommendation: On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Personal Finance. This comprehensive overview of all things personal finance is written in a relatable style, and is probably the most accessible version of a personal finance book I’ve read in a long time. I highly recommend, especially if one of your goals for 2013 is to become better informed about your own financial choices and decisions.
How to be Prettier: Shaving your legs near the end of the shower gives the hot water time to soften the skin for a smoother shave.
How to be (less) Awkward: Helpful, unusual body language tips for the workplace.
How to be Smarter: Usually dropping a bad habit creates a time gap in your schedule where the bad habit once took place. Now that there is a little extra space in your day, it is the perfect time to focus on filling that slot with a positive habit.
How to be Prettier: Very helpful: four ways to fold bedsheets.
How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just adorable: Don’t Stop, Don’t Give Up.
How to be Smarter: When calling close friends or family, every once in a while instead of just hitting the contact name, practice manually dialing the digits in case you are ever without your phone and need to have important numbers memorized.
How to be Prettier: An SP&A Exclusive Discount Code: With the promo code SALE10, you can get 10% off your order at Nest Pretty Things, valid until 1/10. [I bought these Crystal Dangle Earrings from here recently, and I also have my eye on these Vintage Black Rose Cameo Posts, as well as these Chandelier Earrings, which I'd probably wear to every girls' brunch until the end of time].
How to be (less) Awkward: Not awkward, just awesome: template of a fun New Year’s Resolution letter to yourself.
How to be Smarter: Believe that others have high expectations for how you will act around them. Because if you anticipate that others are looking at you to be a role model, you will start modeling that behavior and actually become one.
How to be Prettier: In the winter, tights are a huge part of my wardrobe. These are my current favorites: I own several pairs of them in black.
How to be (less) Awkward: When you feel stressed or nervous, looking up at the sky or the ceiling for a few seconds helps to refocus your thoughts on the bigger picture, both literally and metaphorically, than looking down or at the ground. [I also often look up when I am stuck on a sentence or a thought when writing; it seems to help more than just staring at the blinking curser or a blank notebook page].
