● Laura Thornberry ●: January 2019

When it comes to skincare, face masks are one of my favourite products that I love to chop and change based on my skins needs. Whether your skin is dry and needs hydration, your skin is dull and needs brightening or your skin is oily and needs detoxing, there is always a face mask for every occasion. I was recently introduced to PROCOAL London; a company focused on producing high-quality beauty products using traceable and ethically sourced ingredients at revolutionary prices and use business to inspire and foster positive social change.

I was kindly gifted their Marine Moisture Masks* to try and test out for myself, and help combat my winter skin. The box contained 4 x Sheet Masks - each sheet mask contains roughly 25 ml of extract rich serum. These definitely reminded me of the Garnier Moisture Bomb masks.

These masks are packed full of natural, skin loving ingredients and are enriched with:
Nutrient-rich Marine Ferments: Marine ferments deliver powerful antioxidants and help the skin to retain moisture.

Botanical Extracts: Potent blend of botanical extracts help nourish and hydrate the skin.

Pro-Vitamin B5: Helps to keep skin soft, smooth, and healthy. Deeply hydrating, it helps to keep skin quenched by absorbing moisture from the air.

These cutting-edge, easily absorbed moisturising facial sheet masks are suitable for all skin types, especially those who have dry or dehydrated skin and are in need of a serious moisture boost. Upon application these masks feels super cooling and fresh against the skin. You can feel the instant hydration. The mask itself has a very wet texture, due to the large quantity of serum included, that smoothes easily over the skin and moulds to the face very easily.

Once the face mask has worked its magic for around 20 minutes, I was extremely happy with the instant results from the first use of the PROCOAL London Marine Moisture Mask. My skin was left so plump and hydrated. It was the perfect product to use of my dry winter skin and will definitely become an essential in my skincare routine whilst we still have this cold weather. I was left glowing, my complexion was so much more radiant and bright. It was definitely the skincare pick-me-up I needed!

Have you heard of PROCOAL London before? What are your favourite sheet masks?

ad* | This post is in collaboration with PROCOAL who have kindly gifted me samples for a product review.

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"From a Gourmet Chicken takeaway restaurant in 1994 to the Gourmet Express charcoal grill in 2000. Husband and wife team Ali and Amira invite you to their latest food adventure in South Wimbledon."

Last week, I dined out at the extraordinary AYA Lebanese restaurant in South Wimbledon. I had been to this restaurant before once, but this time I wanted to share my experience, my thoughts and photos. I am yet to do restaurant reviews, but they are definitely something that I would love to start doing more as I am always reading reviews to find places to go and new cuisines to try. For me, Lebanese food is one of the freshest, most flavoursome and most delicious cuisines on the planet and AYA definitely ticks all of those. The restaurant have a BYOB system in place that allows you to bring your own alcohol into the restaurant, so you can bring your favourite drinks that will complement your meal. Otherwise they have a selection of soft drinks and fruit juices available if you prefer.

My recent trip to AYA was on a Friday night with my Dad and 2 of my brothers. From the minute you walked into the restaurant, you are greeted by such warm and welcoming staff. Small things like this make a restaurant experience 10 times better and really gets the evening off to a good start.

Within a couple of minutes of being shown to your table and seated, one of the lovely waiters brings over some delicious and fresh warm Lebanese bread, alongside a duo of delicious dips. The dips consist of a delicious garlic sauce and a spicy tomato based sauce. Both of which are so delicious and addictive. We managed to munch our way through numerous servings of these, as the staff regularly top these up for you when they see them empty. Isn't this great?!!

After we had some time to look through the extensive menu, we all decided on a few starter dishes to begin the meal. AYA has a good range of starter dishes ranging from cold starters or warm starters which gives you the chance to sample many difference dishes and flavours. Between us, we opted to choose four starters to get our taste buds tingling.

Starter number one was the Soujouk. This is a warm dish of spicy pan fried sausages stuffed with lamb, garlic and chilli, served with some tomatoes and a wedge of fresh lemon. The sausages have such a spicy, warming taste, you can really taste the fresh garlic coming through.

Starter number two was the Calamari. Pan fried squid with garlic, chilli, peppers, coriander and lemon. The Calamari is hands down one of my favourite starters I've tried from AYA. The squid is cooked to perfection. No rubbery, chewy texture. It simply melts in the mouth. The accompanying flavours really enhance this dish and bring it to life.

Something new to try on this visit to AYA was the Lamb Sambousek. These are deep fried pastries filled with minced lamb, spices and onion. These were incredible, especially dipped into that delicious garlic sauce! The pastry was so crispy and golden, and the filling was so juicy and soft. It was a match made in heaven. I would definitely have these again!

Finally we opted for the Kraidis. Another of my favourites from AYA. These are pan fried prawns with garlic, chilli, pepper, coriander and lemon - the perfect flavour combination. The prawns were so fresh and meaty and juicy. I could eat a whole plate of these pretty easily!

After the starters had been devoured, we were given some more bread and dips to nibble on whilst we waited for the main courses to be brought out. Three of us opted for the AYA Mix Grill and my brother picked out the Kharouf Mehsheh.

The Kharouf Mehsheh is one of AYA's speciality dishes. You receive a deliciously juicy and soft lamb shank served with carrots and minced lamb rice. The lamb shank is to die for. So tender and juicy, it literally falls off the bone. On a bed of fragrant spiced rice, the flavours just merge effortless together to give you a real taste of Lebanon.

The AYA Mix Grill is not for the faint hearted. You are served up skewers of lamb and chicken shish, minced lamb kebab and slices of lamb and chicken shawarma. It's every meat lovers dream. Cooked to perfection, the meats are so juicy and tender, they just melt in the mouth.

We then chose to order some traditional Baklava. A sweet dessert pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and honey. These were absolutely beautiful. So light yet sweet and crunchy. The perfect way to end out meal!

If you're looking for a new Lebanese restaurant to try in London, you need to visit AYA. AYA offers sophisticated dining with a trendy atmosphere, warming hospitality and a delicious, creative menu. There is a great choice of fantastic dishes, each one fresh and tasty. The hardest part will be going through the amazing menu and deciding what to order next!

Have you tried Lebanese cuisine before? What are your favourite Lebanese restaurants?

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One of my goals I've set myself for 2019 is to become more of a money saver. I want to try and hold back on my spending and see in what ways I am able to save more money each month. Previously, I have just set aside a certain amount of money each month that goes straight into my savings account and watched that account grow and grow. But recently I've thought to myself that I can attempt to save even more and I've thought of a few ways to do this that will help increase my money saving this year.

So here are a few of the money saving hacks I'm following for 2019!

1. 52-Week Money Challenge

As well as saving regular amounts of money each month from my paycheck, something new I've found this year has been the 52 week money challenge. By far one of the simplest savings technique that I have looked into. You simply follow the plan each week, watch your savings grow and before you know it, you'll have a good amount of money stored away. The challenge is pretty straight forward. The first week you add £1 into your savings, the next week £2, the week after that £3 and so on…. By the 52nd week you will have put away a whopping £1,378. I know it doesn't seem like much but you're few pounds every week really do add up.

2. Withdrawing Money

With the invention of contactless payments through your bank card or mobile phone, it's become so much easier to spend money without even thinking about it. When you're using this payment method numerous times a day, £10 here, £5 there, it can really add up and make a huge dent in your funds without you even realising. Something that can help you stop the splurging is to withdraw a certain amount of money, whether that be daily or weekly limit. This way you know exactly how much money you have and how much you have left to spend. I'm using this method to help me budget better, make better choices and to value the amount of money I have so much more.

3. Cheaper Alternatives

This way of money saving can be used for a variety of things. There are always cheaper alternatives available if you look for them. I'll be using this saving hack in terms of groceries and cosmetics. The idea of buying supermarket/drugstore own branded products can produce significant savings, and 9 times out of 10, the product is pretty similar to the more expensive, well known brands. So if you can knock a few pence off your shopping bill each week/month, it will all add up.

4. Make Coffee At Home

I'm sure we've all been there. Woke up late, got ready in a hurry and rushed out to your local coffee shop before work to get your caffeine fix. I know I'm guilty of this. My local Starbucks is right by the bus stop I use to get to work, and the smell of coffee in the morning is sometimes far too tempting when you're still half asleep. But £3-£4 for just a coffee seems a little steep, especially when you can buy a large jar of coffee for the same price.

5. Save Loose Change
This is a money saving hack that I have recently been doing and it's definitely a way to save a small amount of money. I've rummaged around my old handbags/purses and to my joy I've found myself quite a handful of coins that I now keep in my current backpack. Whenever I'm out and about, having this loose change is great as if you end up going shopping, you can do part payments where you use cash and card. Therefore even if you can take off a few pence or pounds from the balance of your shopping, you still will save yourself some money in the long run.

6. Write a list before you go shopping – and stick to it.
One of the easiest ways to save money is to only shop when you have a list. You will typically end up making impulse buys and unplanned purchases if you don't have a strict list to shop for. Impulse purchases are all things that cost money, so using a list will also help you avoid buying food you might waste and end up throwing away.

How are you saving money this year?

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When it comes to travel, I've never really travelled long-haul, 4-5 hour flights is the longest I've ever been on and I've always stuck close-ish to home. It's always been something on my 'bucket list' to visit every single country in Europe. Europe is home to a huge 50 countries; a few of those whose territory is considered to be in both Europe and Asia. Each country offers something new as there's such a variety of culture, traditions, cuisines and history, which is what makes Europe such an exciting and interesting place to explore. I've got some pretty exciting and beautiful cities on my bucket list and I'm hoping that 2019 ticks off a few of those for me.

Istanbul, Turkey

A city full of culture where East meets West, Istanbul connects Asia with Europe. Istanbul is the most developed and largest city of Turkey that offers such stunning scenery and rich historic legacy, it would be such a fantastic city to explore. I'd also love to visit the Spice Bazaar as this is where you’ll find everything imaginable, and me being a foodie, this would be an absolute dream. And of course a trip to Istanbul wouldn't be complete without a Bosphorus cruise to take in the amazing views of the city.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a modern city full of culture and history. Packed with a long history and a very trendy contemporary art scene, there are countless things to do in Berlin. There's a diverse mix of sights, with the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Zoo, the Holocaust Memorial, the Reichstag, the Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie to name just a few. It's definitely a city not to be missed off your list.

Budapest, Hungary

With a rich history, stunning skyline and exciting nightlife, Budapest is a great destination to suit all travel tastes. The city is full of architecture, famous for its Art Nouveau, as well as plenty of Gothic, Renaissance, Classicist and Baroque structures across the city. If you need somewhere to relax, Budapest is filled with beautiful thermal baths, all with healing properties and stunning architecture that cannot be missed. From St Stephen’s Basilica, to the Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament Building, these are some of the sights that I definitely want to see. To me, Budapest is one Instagrammable city that I cannot wait to see for myself.

Edinburgh, Scotland

I'm sure this one is a bit of a shock as it wouldn't be something for everyone, but Edinburgh is a beautiful city with a fusion of architecture, shopping and dining. The iconic and main attraction of Edinburgh Castle has to be the highlight of the city for me. It's architecture and history is so captivating and exciting, I would definitely need to visit. Climbing up the Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat would also be on my to-do list to take in the amazing view over Edinburgh and its surroundings areas. A trip to Edinburgh would also need you to walk The Royal Mile, one of the most touristy places of the city, located in the old town.

Barcelona, Spain

I've previously visited Calella, but for me, Barcelona has everything you need for the perfect city break. Full of culture, leisure, sport, shopping and nightlife, there's definitely something for everyone here and every type of holiday you would like. It also boasts a mild climate all year round making it the perfect place to visit whenever you're free. Located on the coast, there are miles of beaches which makes Barcelona perfect for a sun, sea and sand getaway! Spanish cuisine is to die for and I love the famous dishes of tapas, where you can pick and choose small dishes, allowing you to taste absolutely everything, which you should not miss! Places of interest for me are the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and FC Barcelonas Camp Nou.

Athens, Greece

Athens is an ancient city full of history and wonder, and the birthplace of philosophy and democracy, and is one of the oldest cities on earth. Attractions wise, The Acropolis is an ancient site in the Western world definitely worth a visit, along with the Parthenon, it stands over Athens giving you breath-taking 360 degree views of the city. If you read my Zakynthos post, you'll know that I absolutely love Greek food and that alone is reason enough to plan a city break to Athens. The list of mouth-watering Greek dishes is endless, from Souvlakis to Moussakas, and Tszaziki and fresh Greek Salads, you'll be spoilt for choice. AS well as super trendy rooftop bars and a huge coffee culture, Athens is a thriving city that is perfect for a city break.

Prague, Czech Republic

Located in the heart of Europe, Prague is another city full of history and culture. Nicknamed City of a Hundred Spires, Prague’s skyline is pretty epic, filled with picturesque views, it would be any Instagrammers photo heaven. I'm eager to snap away! Walking tours seem quite popular and I think it's definitely a smart way to guide yourself around a new city, learn some history, and come across some of the main attractions. With Prague Castle and Charles Bridge being some top tourist attractions I'd like to explore to appreciate the diversity of the city’s architecture.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Referred to as 'the pearl of the Adriatic', and located in the middle of the Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik has been somewhere I have wanted to go for years. It's a place full of history and beauty. Walking around the old town would be like stepping straight back into the past, with stunning architecture and learning all the history from the medieval era. Croatian cuisine features grilled or barbecued fish and seafood, which I absolutely love and could eat everyday. Along with the picturesque views and beautiful weather, Dubrovnik is a truly amazing travel destination that I can't wait to explore.

Where would your perfect European city break destination be? Have you visited any of the cities I have included in my round-up?

* All photography is from Google Images

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Monthly favourites time has come around very quickly again, and I've made a huge list of things that I've loved throughout December. If I included everything on my list this time, we would be here all day reading about the products and items on my favourites list. Obviously Christmas was an overall favourite of mine, I love giving presents and celebrating with all my friends and family. As well as my nieces 1st birthday on Christmas Eve, which was really special. But I also had a list of mainly beauty favourites for the month, so let's see what I've been loving through December!

I mentioned both The Body Shops Berry Bon Bon Shower Gel and The Body Shop Berry Bon Bon Body Lotion in a recent post of mine - 2018 Festive Favourites from The Body Shop. It was definitely my favourite scent from the Christmas range that they released for 2018. Enriched with cranberry seed oil from the floodplains of North America, this juicy and fruity seasonal scent that is packed full of delicious winter berries. I've stocked up on both products as I really don't want them to run out any time soon! The scent is just so fresh and fruity, it lingers on the skin for hours. These shower gels lather up so well, you only need the smallest amount ever. The body lotion has such a rich, creamy formula, it feels so nourishing and moisturising on the skin

Another favourite of mine has been the Aussie Mega Shampoo. I mentioned this product previously in my Aussie Haircare Gems blog post and it's become a staple haircare product in my routine. Aussie is a brand that I repeatedly go back to as I know that their haircare works for my hair type and I really love the scent of all their products. The Aussie Mega Shampoo is the perfect product to use for hair that wants to be clean every day. This daily shampoo packed with Kangaroo Paw Flower extract, helps to cleanse the hair and scalp, and leaves you with beautiful, healthy shiny locks. The shampoo lathers up really well, so you can work it into the hair and scalp for a good, deep clean and get rid of any product build up.

Usually for work, I pick up the ALDI All Butter Croissants, as these are a perfect breakfast or snack for on the go. You can get them in a pack of 8 for just £1.09 which I think is super affordable and a great price to pay for a breakfast snack. Although very different from the traditional French croissant, these ALDI ones are very soft, rich and buttery. Super tasty and a great way to start the day, alongside your morning coffee.

For Christmas, I received a box of the Lindt Lindor Assorted Chocolates and I've already finished the entire box. Lindt is definitely one of my favourite chocolate brands. The truffles are incredibly smooth and delicious, you can't just stop at one. The assortment contains milk, extra dark, milk with hazelnut pieces and white chocolate truffles, all of these are to die for but my favourites are definitely the original milk truffle and the white chocolate.

Throughout December, my go-to fragrance has been the Ghost Eclipse Perfume. I've been wearing it pretty much everyday. The bottle itself is absolutely stunning. A rich orange coloured glass bottle in the shape of a crescent moon, with a rich gold cap. It's beautiful to look at, as well as the smell. A very playful and addictive scent, bursting with very fresh, fruity and floral aromas. With hints of fresh lemon, mandarin, apple and peach, it's a perfect fragrance for summertime, but I like it all year round!

It wouldn't be a December favourites post if I didn't include the Primark Cosy Socks. These are a staple of mine all year round, but I love to get new ones around Christmas time. Primarks Cosy Socks are one of the most comfortable, warm and cosy socks I have ever worn. I've got countless pairs of these in my sock drawer and they are something I repurchase time and time again as I cannot fault them whatsoever. At a bargain price of £1.80 for two pairs, it's extremely hard not to stock up on all the new colours and designs they have.

Another beauty favourite of mine has been the Dove Nourishing Care Shower Oil. This has been my shower staple, as well as The Body Shop Berry Bon Bon Shower Gel throughout December. The Dove Shower Oil has been the perfect product to keep my body hydrated and moisturised during the colder winter months. Infused with non-greasy Moroccan Argan oil, it cleanses, moisturises and protects from dryness to leave the skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch. It's a really lightweight oil, that lathers really well in the shower, followed by a gorgeous deep and rich argan oil scent. Priced around the £5, it is definitely something I would recommend you to try if you suffer from dry skin during the winter.

Finally, how could I not include the 2018 Bloggers Secret Santa. This year, I opted to take part in a Secret Santa over on Twitter. I was kindly invited by Casey to join in with a 2018 Bloggers Secret Santa. I think they are a fantastic way of networking and meeting new people. It also gave me the opportunity to share my blog and chat with fellow bloggers who I would have never of known about. The Secret Santa was super easy to get involved in. There was an Elfster group set up, where everyone was matched to another individual taking part. You had the opportunity to make your own wishlists, so the person who was buying for you had a little idea of the things you would like and your interests.

As soon as I opened my gift box up, this was all I could smell. The first wrapped up gift was a Cupcake Bath Bomb with Red Berries. This filled my whole box with such a beautiful fresh and spa like scent. Secondly, I received The Body Shop Wild Argan Hand Cream. A Primark Home Sloth "Hang in There" Mug. Finally, I received both The Body Shop Green Tea Bath Bomb and Coconut Bubble Bar. I've wanted to try these for the longest time, yet I have never actually purchased them myself.

I had the pleasure of buying two Secret Santa gifts this year. Due to a few people dropping out from the gift exchange, I decided I would purchase for someone who didn't have a partner and I bought gifts for both Casey and Alicia. I had to do quite a lot of stalking on both the girls to find out what they liked, as well as using their Elfster wishlists to create the perfect Secret Santa gifts for them. You can view their posts are the following links, Caseys post / Alicia's post.

What have been your favourite things for December? Did you all have a great Christmas and New Year?

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