Test your reaction times with 'Driven to Distraction' at Kwik Fit

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Test your reaction times with 'Driven to Distraction' at Kwik Fit

As someone who does two different school runs every morning and afternoon I’m spending a lot of time in my car! Combined with running my own business it’s often tempting to try and multitask and answer queries or emails whilst on the go.

You would think as we all know it’s illegal to use your phone while driving that this wouldn’t be an issue today. However, the number of road accidents in which mobiles are a factor has increased by 24% in five years!

So how much should we be checking our screens and just how much difference does it make to your reaction times?

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[CLOSED} Fabulous Christmas Giveaway with Silversmiths Hersey & Son

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[CLOSED} Fabulous Christmas Giveaway with Silversmiths Hersey & Son

If you’re worrying about what to buy family and friends this Christmas it’s time to find something special at one of our favourite London Silversmiths Hersey & Son.

I last wrote about this family firm for Father’s Day as they always have wonderful gifts for men, however this time I have a great Giveaway for you as well to help with that Christmas shopping!

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How to cook Peaches and Amaretti; Italian classes with Cooking in Florence!

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How to cook Peaches and Amaretti; Italian classes with Cooking in Florence!

In September I was lucky enough to make a trip to Tuscany. The weather was still beautiful and I enjoyed several activities in this stunning region, some of which you may have wondered about trying yourself.

I’ve always wanted to do an Italian cookery class. I’m married to an Italian and have had lots of lessons from Nonna and Zia (Grandmother’s and Aunts) however there is always another dish to learn in Italy as food is so regional.

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How much Screen Time is too much?

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How much Screen Time is too much?

This is one of those uncomfortable moments when you have to write about something you know you need to improve!

I was asked by Vizualize to reflect on how much time I spend at a screen and talk about my findings!

If you’re someone who works at a computer or even on your phone you will know the hours spent looking at a screen are unlikely to be good for you.

My iPhone actually tells me each week how my screen time activity is going, if it’s more or less than the previous week and whether I was productive or just scrolling Facebook!

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How To Protect Your Personal Information Online

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How To Protect Your Personal Information Online

Your personal information should stay just that way - personal. So when it comes to the online world, there’s a whole host of individuals who are merely waiting for you to be vulnerable in order to steal your information for blackmail or to commit other fraudulent activities. Here are some tips to help protect yourself and your personal information online.

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5 Last Minute Halloween Ideas

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5 Last Minute Halloween Ideas

If like me Halloween has crept up on you. (did you see what I did there!) .

For us it seems to be a combination of a late half term, Guy Fawkes night being around the corner. My two children have also been ill for what seems like the whole of September. All this has knocked me off my normally organised schedule and here we are, Halloween is tomorrow!

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10 Best Things to Do in Tuscany in Autumn or Fall

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10 Best Things to Do in Tuscany in Autumn or Fall

Although we all love a Summer break, Autumn is one of my favourite times to travel to Italy. There are fewer crowds, the heat is not so overpowering, but often there’s a warm sun. Local festivals which suit the seasons are in abundance and most importantly the food in Italy is so comforting!

Last month I ventured back to beautiful Tuscany and as usual, the break was wonderful but too short! There is so much to do in this region and it’s easy to miss out or just visit the obvious hot spots.

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4 Ways To Increase Traffic To Your Blog

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4 Ways To Increase Traffic To Your Blog

If you’re looking to make money out of your blog then an important metric for potential sponsors and collaborators is your blog traffic, which is essentially how many people visit your site and read your content. The more people your content reaches the more valuable your blog will become, so if you’re trying to boost your traffic, here are five things to consider. 

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Our last #DolceVitaBloggers Linkup!

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Our last #DolceVitaBloggers Linkup!

Welcome to our last #Dolcevitabloggers linkup! We’ve been hosting our dear linky for over 2 years now however it is now time to draw it to a close.

We’ve loved reading all of your posts and will still use the #dolcevitabloggers hashtag for any social media posts. However, we won’t be offering a way to link up blogs and vlogs anymore.

We hope you’ve enjoyed sharing your work over the last two years, we’ve learnt so much from you all in this time and built a lovely community of friends which was more than we could ever have wished for.

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Why a Tuscan Villa Holiday is the Perfect Family break

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Why a Tuscan Villa Holiday is the Perfect Family break

Having just returned from a wonderful Tuscan Press Trip with a group of female writers you may think I would be booking my next grownup getaway!

We were lucky enough to be guests of luxury villa company Bookings For You in the small village of Monte San Savino. We stayed at their property Villa La Tornaie and were hosted by the welcoming Mansalto Vineyard group.

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5 Reasons To Hire Help When It Comes To Moving House

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5 Reasons To Hire Help When It Comes To Moving House

Moving house can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful, especially if you try to do it alone. Although it can be expensive to hire help and assistance, sometimes it’s the best route to take. Whether you’re struggling when it comes to time or you don’t think you’ll be able to lift the heavy items, you may be surprised how much difference they can make.

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Beds For Kids: Best Boy And Girl Choices

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Beds For Kids: Best Boy And Girl Choices

Once your child moves into their own room, one of the big decisions is choosing a bed! After all, you need to make sure the bed you choose is exciting and appeals to them, otherwise, you will have a child in your bed every evening!

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Staying In Touch With Overseas Friends and Family

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Staying In Touch With Overseas Friends and Family

It’s a big old world, sure, but it’s also getting smaller with each passing year. Indeed, more young people than ever before are living in countries other than the one where they grew up. While this is a good thing, and exciting for the people who get to experience a different culture, it’s not all positive. There are downsides. For example, it puts a big gap between loved ones. Whereas people used to live close to their family for their entire lives (usually in the same house), now they’re in different countries!

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The Big Events That'll Make Memories On Holiday

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The Big Events That'll Make Memories On Holiday

A family friendly holiday can be hard to come up with, especially if your kids are quite young and have a lot of needs to deal with. However, it’s a lot easier than it’s made out to be, and we’re going to prove that to you right now! After all, you should plan to make memories, and as kids, the memories we make help to form the adults we become, so here are some healthy and happy activities that’ll leave a big impact.

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WIN! A Fantastic Selection of Delicious Pasta for Autumn!

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WIN! A Fantastic Selection of Delicious Pasta for Autumn!

WIN my Favourite Pasta varieties this September!

As a half a Italian family and huge lovers of Pasta. This Autumn I thought I would gift my wonderful readers a selection of some of my favourite Pasta shapes!

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Homeownership: When Hiring a Contractor Is Necessary

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Homeownership: When Hiring a Contractor Is Necessary

Homeownership: When Hiring a Contractor Is Necessary

There are many odd jobs around the home that the average homeowner can do on their own. However, when a repair or addition requires a skill achieved through experience, it's best to hire a contractor or licensed professional. 

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