Stuff I Do/Use
Here I'm going to post information about different products I love and have found SO helpful and useful. I've also got a little regimine for a facial that I love, so I've posted that here.
Favorite Products/Services
First I'll make my list. Then I'll go back and find links for all of them!
Netflix - I LOVE Netflix! If you are unfamiliar, this is an online dvd rental service. You pay a set fee (the most common is $17.99) a month and you can have out 3 (with the $17.99 fee...more if you pay more) DVDs at a time. They mail them directly to your house. Whenever you watch it, you put it back in the prepaid envelope that they sent you and drop it in the mail. When they get it, they'll sent out the next one on your list. You can keep the DVD for 5 minutes or 5 months. The fee is still only going to be $17.99 a month. And since this company has a distribution place in the Atlanta area, the turn around is VERY fast.
Tivo - What did I ever do before Tivo. This is the best thing we've ever gotten. I can't speak on the other brands, as Tivo's what we've got, but I hear they're all pretty much the same. Tivo is basically a digital VCR. It's got super user-friends search capabilities. You can search for a show you want to record and you can record it once, or get a Season Pass and record it every time it comes on. You can make Wish Lists for things too. Say you love Jimmy Stewart. You can set up a Wish List for him and you'll record everything with Jimmy Stewart in it. It's EXCELLENT.
Scrubbing Bubble Fresh Brush Toilet Cleaning System - This is the one with the disposable head on it. The head insert has cleaner in it that's activated when it touches water. You clean the toilet, pop off the disposable head, and flush it. You don't have to touch it and it works so well!
Clean Seat - I found these through another mom on a message board. They're shopping cart covers. They fit over all size shopping carts as well as restaurant high chairs. This way you child doesn't have their hands on the grimy, dirty shopping carts or high chairs. You know, the high chairs that are NEVER cleaned. Yuck. Anyway, these are the best covers I've found. The fabrics are very cute and colorful and they have a lot of padding. Mine came with a little pillow too! The cover has holes for the legs, a strap to attach a toy to (so if it falls it doesn't hit the ground), and a pocket for a baby bottle, coke bottle, cell phone, whatever.
Walk Away the Pounds - This is a series of exercise videos by Leslie Sansone. They're all SUPER easy to follow. After trying all the hard-to-follow exercise videos out there like The Firm, I found these and was pleasantly suprised. The moves are all easy to do while still providing an excellent workout. There are several different types of videos of varying length. I love all the ones I've tried.
Glamour’s Do-It-Yourself Facial
Glamour’s Do-It-Yourself Facial
Everything you need to turn your kitchen or bathroom into an at-home spa
Glamour asked Susan Ciminelli, the New York City-based spa owner who works the complexions of beauties like Naomi Campbell and Karen Mulder, to spill her skin-care secrets. Here, her famous facial in eight easy steps.
- Boil a sprig of rosemary in a large pot of water, remove from heat and let it steep, covered, for 10 minutes. “Rosemary is a natural antiseptic that kills acne-causing bacteria on the surface of your skin,” assert Ciminelli.
- While you’re waiting, rid your skin of surface dirt and oil with a gentle cleanser. Try Anew Perfect Cleanser, $11, www.avon.com, or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $3.40 for 4 ounces, at drugstores. Rinse skin with warm water.
- Exfoliate skin by using a scrub or an at-home peel. Follow the directions on the product. Try Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, $27.50, 800-831-5150, or Dr. Dennis Gross’ MD Skin Care Alpha-Beta Peel Home Facial System, $60 for a 30-day supply, 888-830-7546. Tip: Be careful to avoid the sensitive lip and eye areas.
- Remove the lid of the pot and wait a few seconds. Then, with a towel covering your head, make a “tent” over the pot and hold your face over it for about five minutes. “The steam loosens the oil and dirt that are blocking your pores,” explains Ciminelli.
- “You should probably skip the extraction portion of a facial at home or you’ll risk bruising your skin,’ says Ciminelli. If you really can’t resist; wrap the pads of your index fingers with nonperfumed tissue. Use them to gently push on either side of visible blackheads. Be sure you’re using only the pads of your fingers and not your nails, which can cause scarring. “And don’t try to force it---the blackhead should come out easily,” she insists.
- Dip a clean washcloth in the rosemary water and use it to gently wipe your face.
- Apply a clay mask to draw more dirt and oil out of the skin. “Look for one that doesn’t contain paraffin or mineral oil, which can clog pores,” suggests Ciminelli. Try Susan Ciminelli Sea Clay Mask, $45 for two ounces, 877-732-9772, or if your skin is oily, Neutrogena Acne Mask, $5.99, at drugstores. After 10 minutes, remove mask with a second clean washcloth dipped in the rosemary water.
- After exfoliation, your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun, so apply a moisturizer with SPF 15 to hydrate and protect. Try Olay Complete UV Protective Moisturizer, $7.39 for 4 ounces, at drugstores. Tip: Apply moisturizer while skin is still wet. “This helps trap in the moisture, “says Ciminelli.
From Glamour, June 2000
Spa Treats - From April 05 Self Magazine
Relax The Spa Way
Do morning stretches after you shower. Warm muscles are suppler, so you’ll get the most from the stretch.
Run hot water over three small and two large stones until lukewarm (30-45 seconds). Lie down; place a small stone between your eyebrows (an acupressure spot that aids relaxation) and below each eye. Hold a large one in each upturned palm, another relaxation-associated area. Breathe deeply.
Sleep aid: In bed, tense each muscle separately, from calves up to shoulders. Accentuating the tautness of your muscles helps you to luxuriate in their relaxation.
Get Spa-Gorgeous
Skin wake-up: Mix 1 tsp unbrewed coffee, 1 tsp olive oil, and 8 tsp course sea salt. Rub on rough spots (such as heels, knees, and elbows), then rinse.
For a gentle face exfoliator, dip a cotton ball in the juice from a can of pineapple (it’s packed with alpha hydroxyl acid). Swipe, rinse, glow!
Breakfast time beauty tip: Tighten under eye bags by wiping your finger along the inside of a broken eggshell. Smooth the film under your eyes. Let dry.
Spa-Inspired Pampering Tips
Make a spa-inspired pick-me-up. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on wet washcloths, wring out and freeze in plastic bags. For a break, remove a cloth and microwave on lower power until warm and drape over eyes (test on inner arm first to make sure it’s not too hot). Warmth soothes; the aroma energizes.
Polish your skin with a messy (but worth it) body mask. Mash one ripe avocado. Apply liberally, let absorb for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water. Avocado is a natural moisturizer.
Wake up tired eyes in 15 seconds. Put a dot of eye gel or cream on each ring finger and apply gentle pressure for three seconds to each of these spots: the ends and the center of each eyebrow and at temples.
Indulge in a tropical treat in your own tub. Mix ¼ cup shredded coconut and a dab of coconut oil in your hand. Apply in a circular motion to your body. The natural oils soften skin, and you’ll smell island-delicious for hours.
Spas’ High-Energy Secrets
A fruit smoothie is a tasty snack, but to turn it into a go-all-afternoon energy drink, don’t forget the protein. The treat Lilly fell in love with: Blend half a banana, half a mango, ½ cup orange or apple juice, a handful of ice, and ½ cup plain yogurt. Slurp!
Try this yoga breathing technique to relieve stress. Inhale deeply through your nose, and then exhale short, forceful breaths, also through your nose. Repeat for one minute.
Music powers a workout, but constantly changing tempos can ruin your rhythm. The fix: Program your iPod with playlists for different activities: a set of fast songs with lots of bass for treadmill runs; 10 minutes of slow songs for stretching. You’re the deejay.
Super Secret Ninja Numbers
Here are the secret numbers and tips to bypass IVRs to get to a human. Do you know a new cheat? Tell me.
|
finance |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
American Express |
800-528-4800 |
0 |
|
ATT Universal |
800-950-5114 |
### |
|
Bank of America |
800-900-9000 |
1 loan; 2 account; 3 investing; 4 info; or 00 to human |
|
Bank One |
877-226-5663 |
0,0 |
|
Capital One Visa |
800-867-0904 |
ignore prompts and invalid entry warnings; press #0 four times |
|
Charles Schwab |
800-435-9050 |
3 then 0 |
|
Chase |
800-CHASE24 |
5 pause 1 4 |
|
CitiBank |
800-374-9700 |
1 online support; 2 billpay; 3 non-online; 4 credit card; or 0 to human |
|
Discover |
800-347-2683 |
**** |
|
E-Trade |
800-387-2331 |
#### |
|
Fidelity |
800-544-6666 |
ignore prompt for social security number, just enter ### |
|
MasterCard |
800-MC-ASSIST |
000 on each menu |
|
MBNA |
800-421-2110 |
00# when menu starts |
|
Paypal |
650 864-8000 |
cf http://paypalsucks.com/PayPalPhoneNumbers.shtml |
|
Sovereign Bank |
800-SOV-BANK |
1 english; 1 personal; 3 then social#; passcode, #; then 0 (1-3x) |
|
Sun Trust Banks |
404-588-7815 |
Yes |
|
US Bank |
800-US BANKS |
0000 |
|
Visa |
800-847-2911 |
000 (ignore prompts saying that it's an invalid entry) |
|
Wachovia |
800-922-4684 |
accounts personal banking |
|
Washington Mutual |
800-756-8000 |
At any time after the announcement(s) press 0,0. |
|
Wells Fargo |
800-869-3557 |
0,0,0 |
|
Western Union |
800-325-6000 |
* then ## |
|
government |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
INS |
800-375-5283 |
After selecting English, (with a 2 second delay between) 2 6 2 4 |
|
Social Security |
800-772-1213 |
00 will confuse computer and send you to an agent |
|
Veterans Affairs |
800-827-1000 |
1,0 |
|
insurance |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
Aetna |
800-537-9384 |
"2, then say ""operator"" (check this)" |
|
Aetna |
800-680-3566 |
* then 0 anytime |
|
AFLAC |
800-99-AFLAC |
*** |
|
Ameritas |
800-745-1112 |
0,0,0 |
|
CIGNA |
800-516-2898 |
REGARDING A BILL |
|
Cigna |
800-849-9000 |
## |
|
GEICO |
800-841-3000 |
Wait for prompt then 6, 1, 5 |
|
Humana |
800-4-HUMANA |
After entering insurance number and details, 0. |
|
Medicare |
800-633-4227 |
"After the opening prompt say ""agent""." |
|
Principal Life |
800-247-4695 |
1 for english, 2, then 0 several times until it redirects you to an operator. |
|
pharmacy |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
CVS |
local listing |
dial local store, after promt. press 6 will connect to store manager |
|
Eckerd |
800-eckerds |
0 for pharmacy, 8* for manager |
|
Rite Aid |
Local Store |
Press 3 to speak to the pharmacy |
|
Walgreens |
local store |
0 for a pharmacy employee |
|
products |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
Bose |
800-444-2673 |
Direct to human! |
|
Sonos |
800-680-2345 |
1 sales; 2 support |
|
Sony |
800-222-7669 |
"When prompted by the automated voice system to answer ANY questions, just say ""Agent""" |
|
retail |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
Advance Auto |
800-314-4243 |
0 when the automated message begins |
|
Amazon.com |
800-201-7575 |
see http://clicheideas.com/amazon.htm |
|
Best Buy |
800-365-0292 |
00* |
|
Best Buy |
local store |
wait for extension prompt (sometimes must 4), then ext. 2021 |
|
Circuit City |
local store |
0 for customer service or 218 for store manager |
|
eBay |
800-322-9266 |
0,0 |
|
Home Depot |
800 677-0232 |
"When asked for account number, keep hitting ""#"". After 5 or 6 times, a human appears!" |
|
Home Shopping Net |
800-284-3100 |
0 |
|
Ikea |
800 434-IKEA |
"0000000 (hit ""0"" many times fast, if you do it once, or too slow, it will merely repeat the menu)" |
|
K-Mart |
local store |
0 |
|
Kohl's |
800 5645740 |
After providing account info, press 0 three times |
|
Lowes |
local store |
0 for customer service or #450 for commercial sales |
|
Old Navy |
800-OLD-NAVY |
0 |
|
Overstock.com |
800-843-2446 |
At the main menu, 0 three to four times to bypass the menu |
|
QVC |
800-367-9444 |
0 |
|
Safeway |
local store |
As soon as voice prompt starts type 1200 to get human |
|
Sears |
800-4-MY-HOME |
Silence don't push numbers just sit there and you will be placed at front of queue. |
|
Target |
local store |
0 during greeting. |
|
"Toys ""R"" Us" |
local store |
0 |
|
Wal-Mart |
800-925-6278 |
1 for directory |
|
shipping |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
DHL |
800-225-5345 |
press 1, press 5, press 0, enter your phone number. |
|
FedEx |
888-GO-FEDEX |
"At message say ""Representative""" |
|
UPS |
800-pick-ups |
0,0 |
|
USPS |
800-275-8777 |
7-3-2-0-0 or send them some junk mail |
|
technology |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
AOL |
800-827-6364 |
0 |
|
Apple |
800-275-2273 |
"000; if virtual rep answers, say ""operator""" |
|
Compaq |
800-652-6672 |
No easy escape |
|
Dell |
888-560-8324 |
2 order; 3 support; 4 purchase help; or 00 to human |
|
Dell Service |
800-624-9897 |
option 1, xt 7266966, option 1, option 4, option 4 |
|
Earthlink |
888-earthlink |
1 find a dialin number; 2 billing; 3 sales; 4 support |
|
Epson |
800-922-8911 |
yes |
|
Gateway |
800-846-2301 |
00# |
|
HP |
800-474-6836 |
"Say ""agent""." |
|
HP |
888-560-8324 |
00 |
|
IBM |
800-IBM-4YOU |
You go into a hold queue immediately |
|
Microsoft |
800-936-5700 |
Always 0. This is true for just about any MS number. |
|
QuickBooks |
888-729-1996 |
1 purchase; 2 billing; 3 registration; 4 tech support or 0 to human |
|
Symantec |
800-441-7234 |
00 |
|
telco |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
AT&T |
800-222-0300 |
#### then 1 if for current phone, else 2 to enter other, else 3 |
|
AT&T Wireless |
800-888-7600 |
No easy escape |
|
BellSouth |
877-678-2355 |
*0 |
|
Cellular One |
888-910-9191 |
"4, say ""agent"", then #" |
|
Cingular |
800-331-0500 |
For faster service, the option that you are looking to close your account, You get the same ppl but an immediate answer |
|
Nextel |
800-639-6111 |
0 five times |
|
SBC |
800-585-7928 |
Again, an (intelligent, this time) IVR wants YOUR phone number first. |
|
Sprint PCS |
888-788-5001 |
"If live person does not answer, 00, then say ""agent""" |
|
T-Mobile |
800-TMOBILE |
"Say ""representative"" at any time." |
|
Verizon DSL |
800 567 6789 |
"Say ""I don't know it"" then ""technician""" |
|
Verizon Wireless |
800-922-0204 |
#00 or enter phone # then 0 then 4 |
|
travel |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
American Airlines |
800-433-7300 |
"00, then say ""agent""" |
|
Amtrak |
800-872-7245 |
"0 or say ""agent""" |
|
Delta |
800-221-1212 |
"say ""agent"" four times - every time it asks for a response from you" |
|
jetBlue |
800 JET-BLUE |
1 flight status; 2 reservations; 3 vacation packages |
|
Kayak.com |
203 899-3120 |
0 |
|
Northwest |
800-225-2525 |
Star, 0,0 after initial greeting |
|
Southwest |
800-435-9792 |
Calls answered by operator; during busy times you might have to hold |
|
United |
800-864-8331 |
Do nothing, wait for human. |
|
US Airways |
800-428-4322 |
4, wait, 1 |
|
Walt Disney World |
407-824-4521 |
Direct line to Magic Kingdom Guest Relations |
|
tv/satellite |
phone |
steps to find a human |
|
Comcast |
800-266-2278 |
Customer service, but an IVR wants your number first. |
|
Direct TV |
800-347-3288 |
0 repeatedly |
|
Dish Network |
800-333-3474 |
0 during menu |
|
Sirius |
888 539-7474 |
0 |
|
TiVo |
877-367-8486 |
"Say ""Live Agent""" |
|
Xm Radio |
800-998-7900 |
Direct to human! |
108 companies as of Sat 26-Nov-2005 11:58 AM. Copyright 2005 by Paul English of Kayak.com.
See more information. Know a new cheat? Tell me.
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