Do you really want to log in to some anonymous email account or social network site and contact your friends that way? Or would you prefer to send a real, physical postcard with Golden girls dvd a photo that really means something to you on it, with words that come directly from your heart? Just because we live in a fast and technology-advanced world doesn't mean we need to neglect the good old postcard! So here's 10 good reasons to send one today:

1. Sending a postcard is much more powerful than sending an email. Not only does it 'say a lot more' but it's more personal too. You know someone has actually taken the time to select a card and write their thoughts down on it.

2. When you receive a postcard you generally know where it came from. A story is described and revealed through the words and pictures on the card.

3. People love to receive a postcard. Not only can it make someones day, but it can emotionally connect to people in a powerful manner.

4. Sending a postcard gives the sender an opportunity to actually show someone where they are (or where they've been) in the world or on their adventures or vacations.

5. It can be (often) a beautiful gesture of friendship or love no matter who or where it comes from.

6. By sending a postcard you can share feelings and thoughts that might otherwise be difficult to express face to face.

7. The photo you choose to send to someone can really tell a story too - sometimes even more than words can.

8. It's generally much more inexpensive to send a postcard to your friends or family than a normal letter (in an envelope) might cost.

9. You can send a postcard on the spur of a moment - especially because it's so easy to do. Just purchase a postcard, add stamp, write and post!

10. We all love to receive a postcard in the mail. It's a great surprise and often will be kept in a prominent place (like on the fridge or notice board) for a long period of time.

Now can you see how sending a postcard is completely different to emailing or chatting on social media sites? It's a much richer experience! And people really appreciate getting a postcard too because they know YOU made an effort to send it!

For those serious about cooking, walking into a cooking store is like a kid walking into a candy store - you want everything. Unless you have a huge budget as well as ample storage, it's impractical to buy everything you think you need, because the truth is, most of the things you'll buy will end up shoved in a cabinet or drawer never to see the light of day.

So what should you buy? Well each chef is different, but these items are things I think are invaluable in the kitchen to cut prep time, produce better results or just make your life easier.

Slow cooker

A slow cooker is a must have appliance for the busy cook. Simply put your ingredients in, set it and forget it. A few hours later, you'll have a fabulous meal with no major mess to clean up.

Bench scraper

A bench scraper is a rectangular piece of metal that usually has a plastic handle attached. Used a lot in bakeries to cut dough, it can be a great tool for a home kitchen. Use it to scoop chopped veggies off a cutting board into a pan, or even to scrape flour or other loose foodstuff off your counter.

Microplane

This is one of my favorite tools to grate citrus zest, chocolate, hard cheese, even garlic. I probably use it every day for something; I have two, one for sweet, one for savory.

Plastic squeeze bottles

You know the kind that you see on tables with ketchup and mustard? You can buy clear ones and put things like oil, vinegar, chocolate sauce, caramel, basically anything you want to drizzle instead of pour. Buy several because once you start using them, you'll find something you wish you had an extra one for.

Stand Mixer

This is an invaluable appliance, especially if you do a lot of baking. Use it to mix cake batter, cookie dough golden girls episodes and whip cream in no time. But where it really shines is bread making. You can also buy attachments that will allow you to grind meat, make pasta or churn ice cream. It's definitely a worthwhile investment if you are serious about cooking.

Mandolin

This is a tool that slices vegetables quickly and uniformly. I have two; one that has a stand that sits on the counter and a smaller handheld one. I use both regularly.

Coffee grinder

Even if you don't use it for coffee beans, it's great for grinding whole spices, turning granulated sugar into powdered or even grinding small amounts of grains into flour.

Oven thermometer

Unless your oven is brand spankin' new, the temperature is probably off. Don't fret, that's just the way things are. Different spots can be different temperatures so be sure to move it around. Knowing your oven will give you much better results when baking or roasting.

Mortar and Pestle

Great for grinding spices, or crushing herbs or garlic, a mortar and pestle is an inexpensive investment that's easy to clean, easy to store and because it's used by hand, good for the environment.

Food Processor

If you want to cut down on the time it takes to chop, grate, or grind, a food processor will make your life much easier. It does more than just chop though; you can puree sauces, make pie dough, or slice vegetables in seconds. Perfect for those that want to avoid these mundane tasks and get straight to cooking.

These are all basic instruments of cooking that, for the most part, won't break the bank, but will make any dedicated cooks life easier in the kitchen.