this is probably a stupid question but how does everyone make their cakes look so smooth? After i put my fondant on it looks all lumpy. I doesn't look flat and crisp like all the pics i see

Make sure that your crumb coat is nice and smooth before you add your fondant.

Lots of factors.. make sure you spritz your cake before you put your fondant on to further prevent air bubbles, make sure you seal your dam line with buttercream, you might want to thicken your buttercream a little as well. Make sure you're using a straight cake and not trying to straighten it with your buttercream, because the weight of the fondant will fall to the form of the cake. Also, make sure you're "fluffing the skirt" as you work, and not trying to press it down or force it to smooth. You probably know all this already, but it doesn't hurt to check. My two cents!

Wow thank you all so much. I will try all of these and let you know how it goes. It will be wonderful to get back to doing cake. Since Irene we were without power, water, and had over 4ft of water in the basement. We now have everything back on and the water is out but so, so, so much clean up. Thanks again!