Let me give you some advice from someone who learned the hard way. About five years ago I needed to get a new washer and dryer. I wanted one of those fancy front loaders that all the cool kids were getting. They were everywhere so everyone must love them, right?

So I purchased my new front loader and proceeded to learn to deal with laundry taking over an hour to do a load, and the smell of rotten eggs from the mold that grows in the rubber around the door. It was fine, after all this was energy efficient and my clothes were never cleaner. Then a few months ago the washer started making a really, REALLY loud noise. So I called for service. And the service adviser informed me that the bearings were worn out on the washer and it would cost over $900 to repair! Wait, what? After all, I had only had this machine five years and I was used to getting at least ten out of all of my appliances. He was then nice enough to explain to me something you won’t hear from your salesperson. Or frankly even reading about reviews of front load washers, because after talking to him, I researched online and couldn’t find anything, so I decided to share his wisdom with you.

Front loaders are designed to wash large loads of clothes. When the washer is spinning, the load that is on top needs to be the same weight as the load on the bottom. Well, I live in a house of two people. So really the only load that is ever big is towels or sheets. And, because my boss told me once that his wife’s grandmother who worked at Walmart saw a man blow his nose into a shirt hanging on the rack, the minute I buy any new clothes they go into the washer separate all by themselves.

Who knew I was causing damage to the washer by doing this? The service advisor said that also the loads needed to be all like clothes, i.e. jeans in one load, cotton shirts in one load, etc. Well, that is never going to happen. I do darks, whites, delicates, towels and sheets. Period.

The repairman was nice enough to tell me to get a top loader, and to make sure it had an agitator because that is what evens out the loads. Now I have a perfectly fine top loader again, and I love the loads finishing before I can turn around. I do miss the front loader feature of the delay start. I could put a load in the washer, and set it to start in six hours, and by the time I got home the load was finished and ready to go into the dryer. But that is the only thing I miss.

So I hope this helps someone who is thinking of purchasing a front loader. If you are single, or a small family, I would JUST SAY NO.

Mosaic by Mixbook is a great app for putting a digital photobook together from your iPhone. For $20, you choose 20 pictures from your iPhone and create your digital photobook and it will arrive four days later! Imagine going to a birthday party and giving your birthday boy or girl a digital scrapbook as a keepsake?

Or, like my wanderlust friend, who I admit would have to spend a little time to narrow down her favorite twenty photos from a trip, and put together a memory book of the trip.

The possibilities are endless. And I love the fact that you can create the book from your iPhone. No excuses for no time to do such a thing because you could be waiting for a doctor appointment, on your lunch hour, having a coffee, and still you have all the tools you need right in front of you to make a photobook!

From the developer:

Create a stunning photobook in a snap from your iPhone with Mosaic.

20 photos, $20, arrives in just 4 days.

Mosaic is something entirely new. It’s the photos you just took. It’s an app that’s fast and seamless. It’s a first of its kind book delivered to your door. It’s something you’ll love.

• Create with a tap – Creating a Mosaic is fast and easy — just tap. Quickly pick those great birthday or BBQ photos, flip through the stunning book preview, and order.

• Choose 20 photos – Your twenty photos make each Mosaic unique.

• Realistic preview – Preview your Mosaic with a swipe through the beautiful book interface.

• 7″ square – Mosaic is just the right size at 7-inches square for anyone in the family to enjoy.

• Quality you feel – It all starts with 13 precisely machined windows to showcase your photos. It continues with a durable linen cover that feels great. Your photos are printed razor sharp on silky smooth paper engineered specifically for our presses to ensure colors are vivid and blacks are inky.

• Just $20 – Mosaics are a flat price of $20 + tax & shipping. No surprises, just a fair and honest price.

• Arrives in 4 days – Mosaics are printed within 48 hours and shipped UPS Second Day Air.

If you have tried this app or any similar, please let me know in the comment section.

Yum, yum, I love a good thick chowder. Can you say “chowder” with a Boston accent?

Corn and Cheese Chowder (recipe from thepioneerwoman.com)

• 4 Tablespoons 1/2 Stick Butter
• 1 whole Onion, Chopped
• 3 slices Bacon, Cut Into Pieces
• 3 whole Bell Peppers, Finely Diced (red, Yellow, Orange)
• 5 ears Corn, Kernels Sliced Off
• 1/4 cup All-purpose Flour
• 3 cups Chicken Stock Or Broth
• 2 cups Half-and-half
• 1 cup (heaping) Grated Monterey Jack
• 1 cup (heaping) Pepper Jack
• 1/3 cup Sliced Green Onions
• Bread Bowls

My hairdresser gave me a gift set of the Farouk Royal Treatment by CHI products and I must admit, it’s yet another hair product that I give a two thumbs up review. Except the hairspray, I’m not going to go into the hairspray because it was just average.

However, there were two stand-outs that I will definitely repurchase. First up is the Pearl Complex leave-in treatment. It’s oil based, and the 2 ounce bottle is priced at $3.85.  Much like the Suave Keratin Leave-in Conditioner, a little dab’l do you, so even though two ounces doesn’t sound like much, when you use just a drop, it will last. Trust me. I’ve picked up a few pointers in my life. It will smooth out all the frizzes and leave your hair smooth and soft.

The Pearl Complex is a superior lightweight leave-in treatment with white truffle and pearl developed for all hair and skin types. It will replenish, reconstruct, and nourish, while helping in repairing split ends without buildup or added weight. My hairdresser told me that her rep said he loved it so much he also uses it on his skin.

I am sure you are familiar with the CHI products. The CHI Straight Iron is almost a staple these days with everyone but me. I tried a straight iron once and almost ended up with some serious burns. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks sometimes.

Next up is Rapid Shine. Oh my goodness do I love this stuff! A quick spray and my hair is so shiny I look like a teenager who swims every day! It can leave your hair oily if you overuse, but i promise just a quick spritz and you are golden. Well, golden if you are a blonde. Whatever shiny color you brunettes are redheads what to achieve you will be with this. I think. I am blonde. Not having a blonde moment, just can only speak for the blondes.

According to CHI, Rapid Shine weightless spray with white truffle and pearl provides instant brilliant shine to all your hairstyles. This exclusive formula will help repair split ends and eliminate frizz, while providing the utmost protection.

The only criticism I have for these products is the crown lid. Not so much for the Pearl Complex serum, but I like to store all my aerosol cans upside down and I can’t with the crown lid.

Farouk Royal Treatment by CHI also has shampoo, conditioner, and styling gels which I must try, as soon as space opens up in my boudoir and I will of course review for you then.