Unlocking the World of Self-Serve Wine Dispensers: A Modern Indulgence

There’s something inherently luxurious about sipping on a glass of fine wine. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day at work or celebrating a special occasion, wine has a way of elevating the moment. But what if I told you there’s a new trend in town that’s revolutionizing the way we experience wine? Enter the world of the self serve wine dispenser. What Exactly Are Self-Serve Wine Dispensers? Imagine walking into a sleek, modern wine bar where rows of gleaming wine dispensers line the walls. These innovative machines allow you to sample and pour your own wine with just the touch of a button. Gone are the days of waiting for a bartender to pour your next glass or feeling pressured to commit to a full bottle. With self-serve wine dispensers, you’re in control of your tasting experience. How Do They Work? Self-serve wine dispensers operate on a simple yet sophisticated system. Each machine is equipped with multiple wine bottles, typically preserved with inert gases to maintain freshness. Customers are provided with a prepaid card or wristband loaded with credits, which they can use to access the dispenser. Once you’ve loaded your card, you can select your desired wine, choose your pour size, and watch as the machine fills your glass with precision. The Benefits of Self-Serve Wine Dispensers Variety: One of the greatest perks of self-serve wine dispensers is the ability to sample a wide range of wines without committing to a full bottle. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious novice, you can explore different varietals, regions, and vintages at your own pace. Flexibility: Say goodbye to rigid pour sizes and predetermined tasting flights. With self-serve wine dispensers, you have the flexibility to pour as much or as little as you like. Want just a taste?…

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The art of wintering

The dog and I have been wintering. I read somewhere that in the winter we need an average of two hours more sleep a night and I immediately switched off my alarm. I love being in bed – who doesn’t? – and I didn’t need much convincing. It’s been a huge change from the summer, when Mako was waking up at approximately 5.47am every day. As much as I felt smug about walking the dog at dawn, and found it useful to have the working day start before most people were awake, it was TIRING. Fortunately I happened about a solution accidentally. One day I woke to the noise of Mako crying and instead of getting up, I snuck her into my bedroom past the cats on the landing. She came in and promptly went back to sleep. Over the course of the next week I kept letting her in, until I gave in and bought her a dog bed for my room, and we’ve not looked back. It turns out she didn’t want to be getting up at 5.47am either, she just missed me. It’s been a game changer. We now have lovely lie-ins, I’m cosy in bed, she’s sprawled out either on the floor or on top of the duvet, taking up all of the space. My new duvet has helped a lot with the wintering vibe. I’ve switched to a hybrid duvet from Simba and I am loving it. Yep, Simba don’t just do mattresses, they do duvets, bedding and pillows too. The hybrid duvet is perfect for people like me, who are freezing when they get into bed but then sweating by midnight and throwing off the covers like it’s the middle of July. (I blame hormones.) My duvet has the Simba Renew Bio™ fill, which makes it…

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A Whirlwind Tour of Manchester – Top Sights to See

“I said maybe, your gonna be the one that saves me, and after all, you’re my Wonderwall”, and if you know that banger, there’s no doubt you’ll be familiar with Manchester City. However, it isn’t just the home of Oasis. Located in northwest England, UK, it’s a dynamic and diverse city known for its creativity and business prowess, boasting a captivating history and a friendly ambience. Whether your passions lie in history or contemporary culture, Manchester offers many attractions and activities to cater to all interests. With countless opportunities to explore and uncover the essence of this vibrant and forward-thinking city, Manchester is sure to leave a lasting impression. In today’s article, we’ve highlighted some of the must-see locations and sights to see in Manchester, thus creating the perfect resource to utilise before making your itinerary for “Queen City”. The Liquorists Location: Liverpool Rd, Bowl M3 4JR Good for: Relaxation & cocktails Name a better way to start your Manchester exploration than by having a few riverside drinks. I’ll wait… The Liquorists who are experts in cocktails, have ingeniously merged their passion for mixology with the scenic waterways of Manchester. This unique concept of boozy cruises has been pleasing partygoers for almost a decade as they sail along the River Irwell, exploring MediaCityUK and Castlefield. Exciting upcoming events on their roster include a delightful cheese and wine cruise, the thrilling “rum runners’ revenge,” and the immensely popular and quickly sold-out “Gincident” gin cruise. Oxford Road Location: Oxford Rd, M14 Good for: Bar hopping More drinks, you say? Why not? Brimming with prestigious educational institutions, Oxford Road presents an ideal destination for affordable, student and senior-friendly, enjoyable nights of bar-hopping. This lively thoroughfare is renowned for its pub crawls, although it must be acknowledged that they can become a bit disorderly;…

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Rejigging your Home for a Growing Family

As your family grows, it’s important that your home does too. But what are the best ways of rejigging a home to adapt for a growing family? In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best approaches to enhancing your home in 2023. Let’s dive in! Replace Furniture Firstly, you may want to replace or change existing furniture to open up space on your home. We’ll primarily focus on opening up space but if you’d rather create new spaces, skip to ‘stud wall installation’ and then check out ‘what else should I consider?’. The latter of these two explores a range of options. Naturally, wardrobes and cupboards can take up plenty of space. Replacing them with built-in wardrobes and cupboards can make a big difference as far as freeing up space goes. A growing family can also benefit from having a bunk bed installed. So, by having your kids use a bunk bed rather than two single beds, it can free up space in their bedroom. Converting and Extending Rooms To open up your home or/and to improve the functionality of its space, you may want to consider converting or extending rooms. Here are some options worth looking into: Kitchen Conversion – Knocking down a wall between a back room and your kitchen is a great way of making it into a larger, unified space. This can prove very logical for growing families. It goes without saying that a wall can only be knocked down if it’s deemed safe. This, the planning and construction work must be dealt with by a professional. Loft Conversion – If you’re looking for another bedroom space or/and living space for your growing family, consider having your attic converted. House Extension – There are several types of house extensions including side return, wrap-around and rear…

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Win £150 to spend on toys

Next week is my birthday. Hoorah! I’m going to be 45 years old. Can you believe that? FORTY FIVE. I was 31 when I started writing this blog, just a baby. It feels like so much time has passed, and yet barely any at all, which is scary, but I try not to think about it too much. I’m now half way to 50. Gawd. I really need to get on with my 50 things before 50 list. The thrill of birthdays has worn off for me after 45 years to be honest. It’s definitely not like being eight years old and spending weeks in advance pouring expectantly over the Argos catalogue. I remember that excitement though and so to celebrate my birthday I’m giving someone else the chance to feel it by giving away £150 to spend on toys and games at Wowow Toys. (Thanks guys at Wowow Toys for getting on board with the idea.) Wowow Toys sells a huge range of indoor and outdoor toys, from electric scooters and cars to arts and crafts – they really have something for everyone. They’ve got loads of big name toy brands too, including Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee, Paw Patrol and Hot Shots. Just imagine what you could buy with £150! Four year old me would definitely be choosing the ride on electric unicorn carriage, but even that is under £100, so you’re really going to be able to fill your basket with £150 to spend.

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Comedy Continues to Be a Winner in New MrQ Ad

We may now have pop-up ads, and on-site advert panels, and there’s even been a push to put adverts in triple-A video games, but one of the most effective forms of advertising to create brand awareness is the humble TV ad. However, with the rise of streaming platforms and the fast-forward button on remotes, traditional TV channels have seen the state of play change drastically, meaning that ads need to adapt. To try to compete with viral videos and even become one, ads are getting shorter and punchier, as relayed by the Investopedia TV report. Easily the clearest way to quickly cut through to audiences on TV and make for a shareable, memorable online ad is with comedy at the core of the short video. This is the approach taken by online gambling platform MrQ, who’ve recruited the services of a proven advert-enhancing comedian. MrQ’s new television ad leans into the fun of winning or losing Opening with a distinctly British, moustached chap spinning around in his chair like so many typically English movie villains of the past, you get informed that in life, “you win some, and you lose some.” From there, the MrQ TV Ad takes you on a whirlwind tour of the chap winning and losing, and then sometimes winning in the face of a loss. He wins a quiz show, fails at pottery, loses at chess, produces the “13 of Diamonds” card to get a win, has some loo roll escape in him in the stalls, and later wins at chess by smashing away the opposing king. All of these quick-cut comedy skits are to tee the audience up into the mood for having fun. Equally, each roughly two-second clip of a win or a loss could very easily be taken from the video and converted…

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Growing your money long-term: 3 (and a bit) great methods

Worrying about your credit score and every penny is exhausting. When we are figuring out ways to grow our finances, we should not just look at the immediate concerns, but cast our eyes into the future. This is why long-term investments and methods of saving are invaluable. Let’s show you some of the long-term methods to help you grow money and how you can do it. Investing and Trading While these are two separate entities, we are specifically talking about stocks and shares. It can seem like a very foreign entity but whether it is CFD trading or different types of shares like redeemable shares, the reality of the situation is that when you are looking for a long-term investment, this is by far one of the best ways to grow your money.  Of course, it’s important to note that with any type of investment, you may not get back what you put in, but there are many people who have been able to grow their money simply by putting it away and leaving it to compound over the years. When it comes to investing, the most important rule is to invest money you won’t miss. This is why, if you are looking for a long-term investment, you need to start now by putting a very small amount away every week or month, whichever is feasible, and then you have a decent amount to invest.  If you can put away £20 per week starting this week, this time next year, you will have £1,040, which is a decent amount to get started. You could put it into a stocks and shares ISA or you can use one of the many trading platforms. Trading platforms provide more opportunities than ever to buy and sell shares. When it comes to investing you…

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Tips To Turn Your Home Into A Cosy, Comfy Haven This Winter

Winter is in full swing, and many of us are trying to keep warm and cosy without spending a fortune on gas and electricity. It’s no secret that costs are rising, and many people are feeling the squeeze. Our homes should be places where we feel comfortable, safe and relaxed. If you’re looking for ways to save money and ensure that your home is a cosy haven this winter, this guide is packed with tips and tricks.  Insulation The first place to start when embarking upon a mission to stay warm at home in winter is to boost heat retention. If you have an old house, or you have single glazing, you may find that your home loses heat very quickly, making it difficult to keep living spaces at a comfortable temperature. Improving insulation is an effective way to reduce heat loss and lower energy consumption. There are various avenues you can pursue if you’re keen to enhance insulation. Depending on your budget, you can opt for inexpensive DIY solutions or invest money in more robust, long-term options that will save you money in the long run and add value to your home. For budget-friendly solutions, look for guides and tutorials online and visit hardware stores to pick up products such as DIY glazing sheets and sealant you can use to plug holes in walls and fill gaps in door and window frames. It’s also an excellent idea to prevent heat loss by placing draught excluders by your doors. If you’re looking for long-term options, research cavity wall and loft insulation and see if you are eligible for grants or financial assistance. If your windows and doors are single-glazed, it’s worth getting some quotes for double glazing. Double glazing boosts heat retention and it also reduces external noise and enhances…

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Winter gardening with a dog

Sponsored post It’s got to just about that time of the year where I start to look sadly out of my living room window and into my garden, with the air of someone looking at the shell of a burnt out house. In the summer, I can just about get away with my garden because it looks FULL at least, and I can pretend I have let things become unruly on purpose, in a bid to create a magical, overgrown fairy garden. In the winter, this does not work. In the winter you can see the unpruned shape of things. You get a good view of the dead leaves accumulated throughout the autumn under the once full flowerbeds, and you see THE HOLES. Oh the holes! I should tell you that my garden has not always had this post-war trench vibe. A couple of years ago I took pride in my lawn, spent time tending to shrubs, and even spent actual money on a landscaper. You can see the transformation here from prison backyard to tropical paradise. And then I got a dog. Hello Mako.

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Win a £100 M&S voucher for Christmas

Happy nearly Christmas! How many mince pies have you eaten so far? I stopped counting after my second box of M&S frangipane topped mince pies, and that was in November, so probably best we don’t talk about it. Instead, I thought I would spread a little selfless Christmas cheer by hosting a bit of a festive giveaway. This isn’t in anyway endorsed by Marks and Spencer, even though I’ve blathered on about them a lot already, it’s just me buying a voucher, but when I tried to think about a prize that would be both useful but also distinctly treat-like, M&S sprang to mind. I’m going to run the competition until December 18th, then I will pick a winner straight away, so you’ll then have a whole week to spend it on Christmas dinner, or gifts, or just a trolley full of frangipane mince pies if you like. We won’t know, so we can’t judge. Not that I would judge you for that anyway, as they are really very good mince pies. I did go on the M&S website in fact, to find a picture of them for you, but when I searched ‘frangipane mince pies’ I got pictures of men in loungewear? Not sure what happened there. Where was I? Oh yes.

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Win a First News subscription – the honest newspaper for kids

Advertisement feature in association with First News When my sister Annabel and I were little we had our own newspaper called The Banjo Times. It was excellent – a sort of magazine style journal packed full of useful news and views, horoscopes and fashions that Annabel had ‘rubbed’ on her fashion stylist set. (If you know you know.) Sometimes our one-day-to-be-step-sister Rebecca would contribute illustrations, and now she’s a well known children’s book author and illustrator, so there you go. Would she be where she is now without that first break on The Banjo Times? We will never know. As I’ve got older I’ve gradually isolated myself from pretty much any kind of news because I find the tone generally so downbeat and depressing – it feels like it’s only ever the bad news that makes the headlines. I definitely feel like I miss out, but it seems impossible as an adult to properly filter the media you consume. Not so for kids thanks to First News, the UK’s bestselling newspaper for kids. First News is an honest but upbeat newspaper for kids aged 7-14, full of news stories, accessible articles on world events, interviews, photos, games and more. It’s a weekly newspaper, delivered either as a paper copy through your letterbox or digitally via the Frist News app. Although it’s a newspaper for children, and does give children a platform to share their stories too, it’s written by professional, award-winning journalists, so you know your kids are getting a high standard of reporting. It’s not that First News wants to avoid talking about difficult subjects either, it’s just that they want to make sure that the news kids are consuming is age appropriate and impartial. We can’t stop kids overhearing the news on the radio or TV, but catching snippets…

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Best ways to invest after winning the lottery

Imagine a situation where you bought a lottery coupon, thinking nothing of it – you didn’t think that you would win; you just bought it for fun. However, once the awaited results arrive, it turns out that you have won a significant sum of money. You weren’t expecting this, so you didn’t really think about what you will do with the money. In the end, you decide to invest it. However, this raises another question – what is the best way to invest the money? Well, that’s what we will be discussing in the article below, so stay with us in order to find out. High-yield Saving Account The first way in which you can invest your money is by keeping it in a high-yield saving account. This is a great option if you, for example, have children who wish to go to college in the future, as university fees can be expensive. You can open this account either in an online bank or at a brick-and-mortar one. However, online banks usually have fewer overhead costs. What’s more, access to money is a lot easier, as you can just transfer it to your primary bank account when needed. There is no need to worry about losing your deposit, as banks offering this type of account are FDIC-insured. However, you have to keep in mind that inflation might cause you to earn less than expected. Rental Housing If your lottery results were impressive enough to give you a small fortune, you should really consider buying a property and renting it to people willing to pay for it. This way, not only will you have a property that you can later pass on to, for example, your children, but you will also receive a monthly income, aside from your job salary. Keep…

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