Being polite is not always justified by good intentions. If you mean well, be mindful of not only what you say and how you say it but, more importantly, how it is received. This does not mean you should only say something if you have something nice to say – being phony is no excuse for being polite. But, know your own imperfections before pointing out the flaws in others and keep in mind that honesty is only the best policy if it is done with tact and thoughtfulness.

Unfortunately, here is where our powerful intuitive supersenses are weakened. Shopping is like cryptonite. We might have been able to say “No” to dessert but when it comes to a sales pitch, some of them can be really convincing. And what happens? Buyers remorse. It is cruel…but it can be prevented.

Peepette no. 13: Just say “no, thank you.”

Always remember, “You can’t believe everything you hear.” And that goes for (most) things, (some) people and (a lot of) places. So, if something about the sale seems fishy or something just doesn’t feel right about it, simply say, “No, thank you” and sleep on it. It is much more enjoyable to buy something you like than return something you hate.

Speaking of returning, make sure you know what you are getting into – ask about the return policy. I say, “All sales final” is a major turn off.

For instance, I recently got a facial and the aesthetician went on and on about how great these skincare products were and when I checked out, there they were sitting at the counter waiting for me. So, against my better judgment, I took all of them. And then, I broke out horribly. I called the spa to return them (they robbed me of over a hundred dollars of birthday money!) and they said it was against their policy (so is it against their spa policy to make you look good?). Fortunately, prior to phoning, I had told myself that anything less than a full refund (and apology for my undue stress after a relaxing spa treat) would be unacceptable – and I got my money back. However, this could have been a very tragic case of buyers remorse. Be weary ladies.

Share your return policy expertise with us! Let us know where we can shop freely and where to shop with caution…

i.e., Sephora and Ulta – with receipt, exchange for item(s) of equal or greater value, no merchandise credit (kinda a bummer but not totally s.o.l.).

It’s just common courtesy. I can excuse the occasional, absent-minded, quickly corrected elbow-on-the-table and I can even forgive the not holding of the door if there is a good possibility that the door could end up holding you (i.e., revolving doors, elevator doors, subway doors…). But it drives me berserk when I am walking behind someone and they slow down while the approach the door, turn their head around just so their eyes peek over their shoulder, look at you and proceed to enter not only without holding the door, but by opening the door only a few inches so that they can barely squeeze through sideways. At this point, you have caught up with the person watching them suck in and shuffle through and think, “Is this a private party at the post office?” It makes no sense.

On a similar note, what is proper etiquette for saying “Thank you” when someone holds multiple doors for you? I think one is sufficient followed by a series of smiles to acknowledge and encourage them to keep it up.

Upon walking in to the store for the first time, I could already feel my new living space transform. Greeted by a display of clear plastic storage boxes – I grabbed a few of every size and eventually came back for more. But more than boxes, there is quite possibly a solution for everything! And on the Container Store website, there are more tips that go beyond organization (i.e., how to gift well).

Nestlette No-No

Peepette no. 20: A Nestlette does not like clutter

(not in the brain, not in the house).

A Nestlette does not sweep things under the rug or shove things in the closet. She faces the clutter and handles it appropriately (i.e., creating a donation pile and heading over to Goodwill). She does not contribute to clutter and knows when to let things go.

Every Nestlettes' dream.

Things that do not need to be kept: Anything you took because it was free, anything you bought because it was “a steal of a deal” or anything you accepted merely out of guilt because no one else wanted it and it met something to someone else.

That being said, a Nestlette also knows when to keep things too (shoes).

pix c/o: shanelyang.com, gettyimages.com

Peepette no. 17: Be a conscientious iBerry user.

Know when to put your device away (and not just when a big screen of floating popcorn is asking you kindly to do so or when your conversation is interrupted by obnoxious sirens tailing your car). Appropriate times to leave your iBerry behind:

When you are on the toilet – don’t be a potty mouth. Set aside time during the day to do your business. Know when you are expecting something but when you are not, then don’t obsess with waiting to find something that’s not there? Do you wait by your mailbox for the postal carrier too?

Also, avoid chatting while someone you don’t know is helping you – or else don’t be crass when you don’t get what you asked for (or pointed to). And don’t be texting when you are sitting across from someone you do know – real time Tweets don’t trump conversation.

Lastly, the Bluetooth. A safe solution for hands-free driving? Yes, a wise choice. Make you look like a top secret double agent? Maybe, but probably not. A fashionable accessory? No. Bedazzle them all you want with sparkly crystals and stick them in your ear – they will never be as stunning as diamond studs.

Pix c/o: chinadaily.com.cn, corbisimages.com, gawker.com, gettyimages.com, superstock.com

- Holden, Catcher in the Rye

Maybe this guy...

Sorry Salinger, a lot of people care. No one finds late fashionable. Everyone finds it quite annoying and rude. The inevitable, occasional “totally unexpected/forgotten thing came up” excuse is acceptable. But when people start to anticipate your tardiness and show up 15 minutes late yet still manage to arrive 20 minutes earlier than you, then it is unacceptable (even with the obligatory text, email or tweet that you are “on your way”).

Just before the cake hits the pavement

Remember that episode of Sex and the City – Carrie’s 35th birthday party? All her friends are late. She is left waiting, wondering and sitting alone at an empty table for ten. And to add the icing, she had to pay for the cake herself. Don’t Cantinori your friends, especially on their birthday.

Peepette no. 7: A Nestlette is always punctual.

You are only as busy as you make yourself. Ask anyone and everyone is busy (what that means is an entirely different story). Value your time and the time spent with others. If you really want to make a fashion statement out of your (punctual) arrival, take a lesson from Nixon or Swatch.

Pix c/o: images.com & thecupcakediary.blogspot.com

Peepette no. 8: The Nestlette does not wear sweatpants outside of the house.