I am not very adventurous with my style. I like cardigans, I like scarves, I like them together...that's about it. That doesn't mean I don't love looking at what other people are wearing or how beautiful I *could* be dressing if I spent a little more time thinking about it. Here are my favorite blogs to peruse:

5. The Sartorialist - You all read this, right? Every day? He posts the most beautiful (and inspiring!) photos every day. I think he is a great example of how media is changing. I never buy fashion magazines (I do still buy The Atlantic, Mental Floss and Wired though), but I visit this site religiously. Knowing that, I think there's such a huge opportunity for unique advertising on this site. I normally only see American Apparel ads on it...

4. Garance Dore - The girlfriend of The Sartorialist. Her blog has more writing along with photos. Dore write her blog as if she is writing letters to her very best girlfriends (and that you are one of them). I believe she has someone translate each post into English, as she is very French! I'm a little sad to share this blog, as it feels like one of those things that should be kept a special secret. It's too good for you to miss out on it though!

3. Sea of Shoes - I don't visit this one all the time, but I'm so curious about it. I don't understand. Why does this young girl have so many shoes? What does she do with them all? How does she afford them? If she lives in small-town Texas, where does she get all of her inspiration from? So many questions about Jane Aldridge, including a motherly-type lecture about how she should go to college. Lovely blog though. 

2. Polyvore - A crowdsourced fashion community. Have questions about what to wear? They can help. Have a trend you'd like to copy? They can help. Have a skirt you can't figure out what to wear with it? They can help. It's like an army of stylists right at your fingertips. Only they are all probably 12 and living in Eastern Europe. Whatever, it works. 

1. Go Fug Yourself - Painfully funny. 

Leveling up isn’t just for the ladies. Dudes can man up, too! Here are my Top 5 suggestions on how boys can man up:

5. Aim for quality, not quantity. Figuring out what you like in a woman by ‘dating’ (ahem) every girl you can is fine when you’re younger, but when you want to be a man, aim high. I’m not suggesting every girl you date needs to be someone you’ll take home to your mother, but if you *wouldn’t* take her home to your mother, is she really worth the challenge?

4. Figure out how to tie a tie, why there are different types of collars, basic rules around brown shoes and own a suit. Don’t use “cannot afford” or “not comfortable” as an excuse. Find a local menswear store that you’ll go back to over the course of your life. They’ll help you figure out your style without you ever having to step foot in a mall :)

3. Read Emily Post front-to-back-to-front. Manners aren’t just for impressing moms, they’re real social lubricant (booze is fake social lubricant). Knowing how to act in a variety of situations is empowering. Guys that are well-mannered with ease exude a confidence that appeals to both women and men.

2. Have a go-to drink. No, the world isn’t about drinking, but sometimes events are. Sure, you can always order a beer, but knowing your scotch, mixing a great martini and not panicking when faced with a wine list are skills that others appreciate.

1. Take care of the people around you. Use your strength, knowledge and skills to improve the lives of others – your family, your friends, a stranger. That self-absorbed thing is what boys are made of.

I"m sure people have written far better "How to be a man" lists than this. I suppose you should know your power tools, be fiercely loyal and believe with all your heart you have what it takes to be an international spy/assassin if your country needed you. However, these were just the first fives things that came to me. It would be great if some guys made their own and posted a link in the comment below.

Sooner or later, we all kind of want to be women instead of girls, just ask Britney Spears. Along my lo-oo-ong journey into adulthood, people have given me some pretty solid advice about this. I’ve listened to some. I’ve learned some stuff the hard way. Here are some of my superficial favorites, without getting into too much personal growth. Take ‘em or leave ‘em – it’s just a top 5 list:

5. Ditch the cosmopolitans and anything involving Sour Puss. Both are acceptable for girls in college looking to get drunk, not for adults. Find something that you enjoy drinking that doesn’t involve mix. If you honestly can’t, I suggest not drinking. Why would you consume something you don't like the taste of?

4. Carrying an overpriced handbag covered in logos usually means you haven't figured out your own style. Stop coveting items like this. There is nothing wrong with an expensive purse/shoe habit, but if you have the spare cash kicking around to indulge it, go for unique, quality items that build your personal brand, instead of hiding behind a label.

3. Be kind, not nice. There’s a difference. Nice girls keep the peace, play the part and want to please everyone. Kind women are compassionate, empathetic and helpful. Being nice is easy, but it just makes you a pushover. Being kind takes effort and you often get nothing in return, but trust me, it’ll take you everywhere.

2. Have a superhero set of skills in your back pocket. We’re not all good at everything, but we’re all good at something. Build up your repertoire as you figure out what you love to do. Whether it’s baking cookies, fixing cars, being a knitting queen or building empires, being excellent is hot.

1. Take care of yourself, in every way you can.

So I just like writing top 5 lists, but this is important if you’re looking to woman up: Define what being a woman means to you. It is easier to become a woman if you have a clear idea of what that means. Also, keep in mind that you should aim to progress towards this definition, not perfect it. Sooner or later, maybe I’ll get to the more important Top 5 ways to be a woman, serious edition. I think I’m still figuring that out though.