If you're going to a social event, it's okay to practice. Many people feel more relaxed if they give themselves time to prepare conversation starters ahead of time.  You can write down a list of potential conversation starters. You could, for example, talk about an assignment if you're making conversation in class. You could even practice in the mirror ahead of time. While it may sound a little silly, if you're often nervous about starting a conversation this can be helpful. When trying to begin small talk, scan the room. See if there's anyone not talking to someone. Try to make brief eye contact and offer a smile. You can then approach this person to begin a conversation. When you approach the person, try a simple greeting. You can say something like, "Hi" or "How are you?" It can be hard to strike up a conversation with a stranger. However, there are many ways to initially engage with someone. Use a quality conversation starter to get the ball rolling.  Conversation starters should be personal and reflect genuine interest. Instead of commenting on the weather, mention something the other party can relate to. You should also bring up something of genuine interest to you. It's hard to feign interest, and people want to converse with those who are generally invested in them. For example, you're at a party at a friend's place. You see a casual acquaintance there who you know just took the bar exam. You're interested in law, as your brother is an attorney. You can say something like, "Hey, how did the bar exam go?" This is a great way to begin a conversation. If you're very nervous, you can look for something nearby to discuss. While this is less personal, it can work in a bind. You can, for example, comment on a painting on the wall.

Summary: Practice ahead of time if you're prone to anxiety. Smile and make initial eye contact. Find a good conversation starter.


Sweet peas of all varieties thrive in sunny areas, making them a great choice for exposed sections of fence and walls. In the heat of summer, sweet peas will do fine in partial shade, but it's better to find someplace sunny to be on the safe side. Since sweet peas love to climb, find a spot where they can grow toward the sky. They produce small tendrils that will latch onto any type of pole you plant them near.  Sweet peas make an excellent natural decoration for fences. If you have a wooden or chain link fence you want to brighten up, plant sweet peas there. Sweet peas are often grown on trellises or archways. This is another lovely choice, and will lend your garden a country cottage feel. If you don't have a suitable place for sweet peas, erect a few bamboo posts in your garden and plant sweet peas there. It'll lend some height and interest to your garden. You could also create a tower of stakes in a pot or a small arbor. You can plant sweet peas among other plants, like shrubs or vegetables. Sweet peas grow best in rich soil that drains well. Prepare the soil for planting by tilling it to a depth of 6 inches (15.2 cm) and working in some compost or manure. This is especially important if your soil is clay heavy; you'll need to work in extra compost to make sure it drains well enough for sweet peas' roots.  To determine whether the soil drains well enough, observe it after a heavy rain. If water collects and puddles and takes time to drain, the soil there doesn't drain well. If the water soaks in right away, it should be fine for your seedlings. Using a raised bed is a good option if you feel your soil is too clay heavy to support seedlings. This will come in handy for other plants you want to grow as well. Whether you started your seeds inside and are planting seedlings, or you want to plant your seeds directly in your garden bed, early spring is the right time to do it. If you live in a warm area where the ground never freezes, you can plant in January or February. If you live in an area where the ground does freeze, wait until just after the first frost, in early to mid April. If you're transplanting seedlings, dig holes 5 inches (12.7 cm) apart and deep enough to set the seedlings root balls into the ground. Pat fresh soil lightly around the stems of the seedlings. For seeds you're planting directly in the ground, dig holes one inch deep and 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart. When they sprout, you'll need to thin them out to 5 inches (12.7 cm) apart, so each plant has plenty of room to grow. Finish by giving the plants a good dose of fresh water. The sweet peas will begin to spring up quickly once warmer weather sets in.

Summary: Choose a sunny spot in your yard or garden. Enrich the soil. Plant the sweet peas in early spring. Dig holes for the sweet peas. Water the sweet peas.


Belts may make a round tummy look even rounder and they may not even help to hold up your pants. Instead, try wearing suspenders with your pants or choose pants that have built-in suspenders. Overalls are also a good choice since they will have a similar effect. The front panel of overalls will also help to give you a slimmer look. Hats can help to make you seem taller, which may help to create a slimming effect. It is also a great way to dress up an outfit, even if you are going for a casual look.  Try a wide brimmed hat with a maxi sundress for an effortless summer look. Pair a baseball cap with a pair of jeans and t-shirt for a casual, easy weekend look. Put on a fedora with a suit for a fun, fancy look. You can use necklaces, watches, earrings, and bracelets to help minimize larger features. Wear a large accessory on the area that you want to minimize.  For example, if you want your neck to look smaller, wear a long, chunky statement necklace or a big bow-tie. For a smaller looking wrist, wear a large-faced watch or a chunky bracelet. A stack of bangles on each of your wrists will also have a slimming effect on your arms.  For slimmer looking fingers, put on a large statement ring.
Summary: Try suspenders if you carry most of your weight around your waist. Put on a hat if you are on the short side. Choose large accessories to balance out larger features.