Workaday Superstar

WORKADAY TIP #147: Rinse Hair With Cold Water

I have seen great benefits from this tip.  When you are finishing your shower, turn the facet to cold for just a minute and rinse your hair.  Rinsing with cold water gives you shiny hair.  Here is why:

Thirty seconds under cold running water will help seal the cuticles on the hair shaft, trapping moisture in the hair and creating that beautiful hair commercial shine. Your hair will instantly feel softer and silkier.  See complete article here.

Also, the cold air button on your dryer has a similiar benefit.  I always finish drying my hair with cold air.  It seems to do the trick!

WORKADAY TIP #146: Airplane Wi-Fi

I may have had the most productive 4 hours on a plane in my life yesterday.  As I mentioned in my last blog post , I flew from Chicago back to San Francisco yesterday.  I had taken a few days off to visit friends and had a ton of email and other work to catch up on before I got into the office. 

So I got on the plane and much to my surprise, the flight had Wi-Fi.  I paid $12.95 and I was able to work online for the entire flight!  I got through my email, answered some questions via IM and even had a little time left over to check Facebook and a few blogs.  It was fabulous.  $12.95 well spent!

I was flying American Airlines which doesn't have Wi-Fi on all flights but they do on some.  Additionally, Virgin America has it as well.  This is a huge time saver and a good supplemental money maker for airlines.  This is the one thing I am happy to pay extra for on a plane. 

Yeah American Airlines! I was disappointed that I had to pay $15 for my bag but you made up for it by offering me a service that made my flying experience far better and saved me a ton of time.

WORKADAY TIP #145: Electronic Boarding Passes

Just hopped on a flight home from Chicago this morning and was reminded how slick it is to have an electronic boarding passes for my flight. 

A couple of benefits to note:

1. Save Environment:  you save paper
2. Save Money:  you save cash on ink cartridges
3. Save Time:  you don't have to hook up to a printer or find one if you aren't home

Plus, you don't have to worry about trying to find it in that black hole you call a purse!  American Airlines and Northwest/Delta both have electronic boarding passes, I am sure others do as well.  If they have the option, you'll be able to request that you get your boarding pass via your mobile device when you are checking in online.  It will appear on your smartphone and then you just scan your phone at the "check-in" points when you go through security and then again when you are at your gate. 

After that - you are on your way to your next big adventure!

WORKADAY TIP #144: Heal Bruises

I just got back from a fun-filled weekend in Colorado.  A combination of white water rafting, tequila shots and a russian massage left me with some pretty bad bruises.  I bruise easily however I have a few that are worse than usual.

I read online that rubbing them will actually move the blood around and make the bruises go away faster but I actually think it's made them worse. 

So I asked my friend Daisy and sure enough she had a solution!  She recommended that I take Arnica.  There is a oral and gel version of it that is supposed to reduce the pain, swelling and discoloration from bruises.  I am taking both.  I am going to be in a swimsuit on a boat on Lake Michigan in Chicago on Saturday and am crossing my fingers that they'll be gone by then. 

I'll report back and let you know if Arnica did the trick!

WORKADAY TIP #143: Dry Shampoo Recipe

I read about a dry shampoo home recipe in my In Style beauty issue.  If you haven't used dry shampoo before, it's a great alternative when you are in a rush in the morning and don't have time for a shower or when you don't have access to one.  Dry shampoo always comes in handy for me when I am camping.

The recipe is simple.  All you have to do is mix equal parts baby power with equal parts baking soda.    Dry shampoo can save you time and this homemade recipe will save you money.  Plus, it's a great beauty tip!