Write your CSS rules with shorthand properties. It keeps things simple and clean.
.example {
/* long */
padding-top:1px;
padding-right:2px;
padding-bottom:3px;
padding-left:4px;
/* short */
padding:1px 2px 3px 4px;
}
To help you with the shorthand, Dustin Diaz took the time to put together a CSS shorthand guide. Way to go Dustin! Check the guide for in-depth descriptions, examples, and Dustins \”quirky facts\” (such as shorthand defaults).
SitePoint CSS Reference is another source for shorthand properties, or any property in general, you should/could/would use.