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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

December Favourites

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. Primark's 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 Wishlist's, 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 Wishlist's to create the perfect Secret Santa gifts for them. 

What have been your favourite things for December? Did you all have a great Christmas and New Year?
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With my previous blog post being my Stocking Fillers Gift Guide for Men, I thought today I would do something similar, but share my own Christmas Wishlist. This is the first Christmas Wishlist that I have put on my blog and this year I actually have some kind of idea of gifts that I would definitely love to find wrapped up on Christmas morning. My wishlist features such a variety of gifts from beauty to homeware and fashion, so if you're still on the lookout for gifts to add to your Christmas list, grab yourself a coffee and have a look at what is on my wishlist for 2018!

Christmas wishlist

Way back in January, I shared with you one of my current favourite perfumes; YSL Black Opium, and I'm still loving it now! It's been my go-to perfume for the year and lately I've been using it sparingly as it's nearly empty and I don't want it to run out. Every single time I've worn it, I received handfuls of compliments and people asking what fragrance I'm wearing. It's such a gorgeous and luxurious scent, so deep, musky and sexy. Definitely one of the best perfumes I've ever tried!

If there is one thing that I love about Christmas, it's the strong smell of Christmas trees. I'm lucky in that every year we go and get a real Christmas tree from a local garden centre to put up in our living room. The fresh, pine scent fills the whole house and makes everything feel so much more festive! Whilst browsing The Body Shops website, I noticed they have a special Enchanted Forest Reed Diffuser and it just sounds incredible. It’s the perfect fresh, frosty pine scent to set the mood for the Christmas holiday season, and keep you in the Christmas spirit all year round.

Since I began blogging, Soap & Glory have become one of my favourite beauty brands. They offer such a variety of products from makeup to skincare to bath and body care. There's always so much to choose from. Included in their beauty gift set selection this year is the The Mask Force Five Gift Set. From brightening masks to under eyes to pore refining to purifying and plumping, there's definitely something for everyone and every skin concern. It's every skincare lovers dream gift and a pamper night must have!

When it comes to footwear, I'm 100% a trainers girl. They are just so comfortable and practical for day to day wear. Nike have always been my choice of brand when it comes to picking new trainers. I find their shoes to be long lasting, well fitting and super comfortable. Recently, I've been eyeing up the Nike M2K Tekno Trainers, especially in the Rose and White colourways. I'm usually always wearing black so I want to inject some colour into my outfits, and new footwear is a great way to accessorise and style your outfit up.

In my Autumn beauty wishlist, I featured the new NARS Climax Mascara. It's been something I've wanted to try since I've seen so many great reviews. I've not really tried any high-end, more luxurious makeup brands before, as I'm always shopping in the drugstore. Retailing at £21, it's definitely has a much higher price point than my trusty Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara, which is a lot more affordable at just £7.99.

Would any Christmas wishlist be finished without some sort of bath and body set?! One of my favourites this year is definitely the Baylis & Harding Rose Prosecco Fizz Gift Set. I've used products from this collection before, and the scent is incredible! The fun and festive Christmas tree design set contains 100ml Bauble Shower Crème, 100ml Bauble Bath Crème, 100ml Bauble Bath Milk and 2 x gold foil wrapped Bath Fizzers. The gift set is fragranced with such a lovely sweet scent of Rose Prosecco Fizz, it's perfect for your next pamper night!

I've wanted a Faux Fur Throw Blanket for so long now, but I just can't seem to find one that I love. All I know it that I either want a nice dark brown or grey coloured throw, that will definitely make my room feel super warm and cosy.

Does it make me sound old if I've got an electric toothbrush on my Christmas wishlist? I'm getting really bored of using an old-fashioned manual toothbrush, and would love to ditch them for an electric version. I'm completely fascinated by the new Oral B Genius 9000 Rose Gold Electric Toothbrush. Featuring 6 built-in modes: Pro Clean, Daily Clean, Sensitive, Tongue Cleaning, Whitening, and Gum Care. This is just completely mind-blowing and amazing technology.

 I've seen a lot of these Super Cosy Fleece Bedding Sets recently, and it's made me super jealous that I don't currently own one. I know that if I did have one, it would be so hard for me to get out of bed every morning. Super-soft and ultra-cosy, the fleece bedding set is perfect for the cold winter!

I absolutely love receiving new perfumes and fragrances as gifts. There are so many amazing scents out there, that there will always be something new to try. In terms of celebrity fragrances, I've previously tried out scents from both Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, and I've had my eyes set on something by Ariana Grande. A cracking gift for Christmas is the Ariana Grande Mini EDP Gift Trio. A collection of Ariana’s signature mini fragrances is the perfect gift as it would let you try out a few of the scents in mini, travel sized form, before buying a larger size perfume. Featuring 7.5ml bottles of her ARI, Moonlight and Sweet Like Candy scents, in a cute and playful cracker package. It's the perfect gift this Christmas.

What is on your Christmas Wishlist this year?
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AD - GIFTED | When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for male relatives and friends, it's a right struggle. I've got 3 brothers, so trying to find fun and cool presents year after year is something that I've tried to be good at. But this blog post is here to help you out with my ultimate stocking fillers gift guide. I've compiled together a few ideas that I think would be a great addition to any man's stocking, or just as a general gift to put under the tree this Christmas. Whether he's into sweet treats, drinking, clothing or quizzing, I've found some great gifts that I can't wait to share with you!

Chilled Out Sloth Mug Find Me A Gift

Perfect for the laziest boys in your life, the super cool 
Chilled Out Sloth Mug* will make their morning coffee or tea that little bit more fun! Featuring a cute little sleepy sloth and the "Eat, Sleep & Sloth" text, it's a cute little stocking filler that will be loved by all.

Lynx Duo Set

An oldie, but a goodie. Give the classic gift of a Lynx Duo Set. The perfect gift for any man in your life and is an ideal stocking filler. Containing a full size Body Spray 150ml & Body wash 250ml, it's a gift that will definitely come in handy, definitely get used and keep them smelling clean and fresh!

Retro Pocket Games with LCD Screen

This is perfect for the man who loves all kinds of gadgets and gizmo's. The Retro Pocket Games with LCD Screen* comes with over 100 games to enjoy all day long. Conveniently pocket-sized and super addictive, you can play this whilst you're on-the-go and you'll never be bored again.

H&M Basic Relaxed Fit Sweatshirts

Most guys are quite fussy when it comes to clothing, but these H&M Basic Relaxed Fit Sweatshirts are a perfect addition to the wardrobe. Coming in a variety of colours from black to khaki to grey and much more, they are perfect for everyday wear and super comfortable as they feature a soft brushed inside. Priced at £8.99, they are a super affordable gift and will keep the men in your life super warm, all winter long!

Jack Daniels Drinks

For any guy that likes a drink now and again, small alcohol gifts make a great stocking filler and a nice little surprise for Christmas day. I've picked up some Jack Daniels flavoured drinks, as I know these are my younger brothers favourites, but most alcohol brands offer gift sets at this time of year, from beer and cider gifts, to liqueurs and spirits, as well as cocktails. There will be something for everyones personal tastes!

Cadburys Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar

It wouldn't be Christmas without receiving some chocolate, and this whopping 850g Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar is definitely something to talk about. Whether it's just for one person, or a gift to share, it'll be sure to keep them occupied for a while. Perfect for those with a super sweet tooth!

Joe & Sephs Sweet and Spicy Popcorn

If you're looking for something cool and quirky for a foodie lover, Joe & Sephs Sweet and Spicy Popcorn* is a great stocking filler treat. With a smooth toffee, caramel flavour, followed by a hint warming hot pepper, before finishing with a spicy chilli kick, it's bound to get their taste buds tingling.

Big Fat Pub Quiz Game

I'm sure there is one male friend or relative in your life that thinks he knows absolutely everything. So why not challenge them to this tricky and trivial Big Fat Pub Quiz Game. This pub quiz style game has 6 themed rounds including General Knowledge, Science & Nature, Music, Sport, Geography & History, Film & TV! With over 360 different questions, it's the perfect way to test their knowledge and see how smart they really are!

What gifts will you be getting for the men in your life this Christmas?
10:00 No comments
Here's a quick look at my monthly favourites!

October favourites

 A new addition to my perfume collection over the last couple of months has been the Thierry Mugler Alien. It's been the only perfume I have been wearing. It has such a fresh, and deep scent, it's quite mysterious as I can't fully pinpoint what combination of smells it has combined within the fragrance. To me, it has bursting floral and woody aromas, that really work together to make a great feminine fragrance.

Carmex Lip Balm has been my lifesaver over the last month. Now that we are heading into the colder months of the year, this product is something I can't be without! I have 2 or 3 in my bag at all times. It's been one of the only lip balm products to fully moisturise and relieves my lips from the cold weather.

The Lee Stafford Nourishing Argan Oil Hair Dryer has been a recent purchase of mine, and I can't believe I didn't buy it sooner. My hair has definitely had a huge appearance and texture boost since using this and I know it will be perfect to keep my hair in good condition for the colder months ahead. Infused with Moroccan Argan oil helps to add a radiant shine, improved condition and protects against the use of heat. The hair dryer also comes with 2 speed and 3 temperature settings. I've also noticed that it takes very little time nowadays to dry my hair, which is great as I don't know anyone who actually likes do dry their hair! A definite must have!

Something new that I've tried this month has been the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Heat Protection Spray. As a huge haircare lover, I never usually use the same heat protection spray as I like to try out as many as I can, but this one from Lee Stafford has been amazing to use. Enriched with Coconut Oil, one of the best natural ingredients to help nourish and condition the hair, this lightweight spray has made detangling my hair the easiest thing in the world. With towel-dried hair, I like to spritz this spray all over my hair and gently brush through. This leaves my hair looking shiny and feeling super soft, as well as leaving a hint of coconut scent!

I recently post about my Netflix recommendations, and I featured the series Making A Murderer. Since this post went live, Making A Murdered has now launched part 2 of the documentary and I'm obsessed. This series is very gripping and I've been non-stop watching. It's definitely something you need to watch if you haven't already!

Lately, I've been obsessed with buying Primark Pyjamas, especially the £10 Disney sets. I've picked up a couple of Lilo & Stitch pyjamas, but my favourites have definitely been The Lion King. The pyjamas are so soft and super comfortable, you forget you even have anything on! I also love the fact the pyjama bottoms are usually cuffed, as these are my preferred style of trouser. Very affordable and very cute!

What are you favourites this month?
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AD|When it comes to watching television, Netflix has always been my go-to place. A brilliant way of finding new programmes and series to watch, as well as finding films to watch, wherever you are in the world. Imagine sitting down, watching your favourite Netflix series on a huge 4K LED TV, Panasonic have some great ones. Isn't that the dream?! Perfect for having that big screen cinema in the comfort of your home, without having someone behind you munching their popcorn too loudly! 

I'm always being recommended things to watch by my friends, and it's great that many TV Series have all the episodes uploaded, so you don't have to wait a dreaded long week for the newest episode to come out! I wanted to share some of my favourite Netflix series that I've already watched, currently watching and would like to watch.

Netflix Series

Previously, I've already watched a number of Netflix Series, that I would highly recommend. Firstly Suits; an American legal drama series set at a fictional law firm in New York City. The series follows college dropout Mike Ross, who works as a law associate for Harvey Spector, despite never going to law school.

Prison Break, one of the best things I have ever watched in my life. An American serial drama revolves around two brothers, Michael and Lincoln. One has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other who creates elaborate plan to help his brother escape prison. This series is simply mind-blowing, it has you hooked from the very first episode and one of my favourite televisions shows that I could re-watch over and over again.

A series that I have just completed is Power. An American crime drama set in New York, following the story of James St. Patrick aka Ghost. A man balancing his two lives of living as a successful nightclub owner and a ruthless drug-dealer. The show presents a glamorised view of a successful drug dealer as well as featuring themes of sex, violence, crimes, money, drugs and loyalty. 

Netflix Series

Currently I'm watching Making A Murderer. This series is very gripping and I've been non-stop watching. I'm fully obsessed. Making a Murderer is an American documentary television series, exploring the story of a man named Steven Avery. The series shares Stevens story after he served 18 years in prison for the wrongful conviction of sexual assault and attempted murder. 

Secondly NARCOS; an American crime drama series depicting the rise of the drugs trade in Colombia in the 1980s, based on the story of Pablo Escobar, who became a billionaire through the production and distribution of cocaine. It shares his story of an established black marketeer in Medellín, who found riches through moving trucks worth of illegal goods into Colombia during a time when this was strictly forbidden.

Netflix Series

Once I've finished my current series on Netflix, I want to begin watching the ever so hyped up 13 Reasons Why and Stranger Things. There has been a lot of talk about these two Netflix series and I can't wait to get started on them. All I've heard is good things! 

13 Reasons Why; an American teen drama The series revolving around Clay Jensen, and his deceased friend Hannah Baker, who has committed suicide after failing to cope with the culture, gossip, and lack of support from her friends and her school. A box of tapes recorded by Hannah before her death detail thirteen reasons why she ended her life. Stranger Things; an American science fiction-horror series focuses on the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy amid supernatural events occurring around the fictional town of Hawkins in Indiana.

What have you been watching on Netflix recently? What series would you recommend?
10:00 No comments
Favourite Products

Recently I've been loving to use Sheet Masks. The harsh, cold air has left my skin feeling quite dry, lacking moisture and pretty dull looking. I've reached out for the Tony Moly Pomegranate Sheet Mask, as well as the Garnier Moisture Bomb Green Tea Tissue Mask to help keep my skin refreshed and hydrated, as well as looking quite plumped and soft.

If you've got long hair, you'll know the struggle for keeping your hair looking soft and silky. As an avid haircare lover, I've tried my fair share of hair oils, and my favourites so far have been the Superdrug Hair Therapy Oils with Argan and Macadamia. These hair oils are super nourishing, absorbing quickly into the hair without leaving a sticky texture or greasy look to your locks.

One of my most repurchased homeware item ever; the Primark Sea Salt and Lavender Room Diffuser. For only £3, this is an absolute steal, keeping any room smelling fresh all day long! If you've not tried any room diffusers, I'd head yourself down to Primark asap!

A holy grail favourite of mine is the Soap and Glory 2 in 1 Brow Archery. I pick up the shade "Love is Blonde" and find this a perfect match for my hair colour, a lovely cool toned dark blonde colour. One end of the brow pencil has a small brush; great for brushing through the brows and distributing the product for a natural brow finish, the other end having a small, retractable brow pencil; giving you a precise and defined brow, whilst still looking natural. If you're after a good, affordable brow pencil, you should check out Soap and Glory.

As a mascara lover, I definitely had to get my hands on the most hyped mascara of 2018. You guessed it - Benefit BAD Gal Bang Mascara. For mascara, I usually stick to my trusty Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless mascara, but with lots of rave reviews and amazing photograph results, it was definitely something I wanted to get my hands on! I found this mascara to give lots and lots of length, perfect for those who love a full and fluttery look to the lashes. The plastic bristle brush is great for lash separation and reaching all the lashes, to get a thick, jet black coat.

A skincare favourite of mine has been the L'Oréal Paris Smooth Sugars Kiwi Clear Scrub. The scent of this scrub is to die for! So fresh and fruity, it's a great addition to my skincare routine. From the first few uses, I saw instant results, immediately my skin appeared to look softer, clearer and more radiant. The kiwi seeds are very gentle on the skin, so perfect even for those with very sensitive skin, and a perfect consistency to help to clear and eliminate blackheads. There are two other formulas in the range, the Cocoa Nourish and the Glow Grape seed scrubs, something I definitely want to try asap!

And my final favourite for March has been the Nescafe Café Menu Toffee Nut Latte Sachets. I love coffee and these are a great, super speedy and delicious product, perfect for when I need my coffee in the morning. I've tried lots of the other flavours from the Café Menu range, a few of my past favourites have been the Caramel Latte and the Double Choc Mocha, but whilst browsing my local supermarket, I saw the Toffee Nut Latte as a new addition, so I definitely wanted to give it a try, and it is definitely delicious!

Have you tried any of the products featured in my monthly favourites? What have you been loving this month?
15:30 No comments
beauty and lifestyle favourites

With 2018 being the year that I finally start taking skincare seriously, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ is a product that I decided to get my hands on. My skin can be pretty temperamental, some days its good, some days it bad, but that's life I guess. I would say my skin is fairly normal, with the odd dry and oily patches, nothing too drastic, but a harsh winter has made it enough for me to notice in day to day life. The Effaclar Duo+, "a dual action gel moisturiser for every day that minimises the appearance of spots and blackheads, controls shine and helps protect the skin" and claims to be "A blemish treatment that corrects and hydrates skin for clearer skin in 4 weeks". I've been using the Effaclar Duo+ for around 1 month, I purchased just after Christmas, and have slowly been introducing it into my skincare routine. As a first impressions, my skin definitely has been more matte and less shiny, which is the biggest improvement I have noticed since using this gem from La Roche-Posay.

Hugo Boss The Scent for Her - a new fragrance to add to my never ending perfume collection! I received this perfume for Christmas, I had never tried any fragrances from Hugo Boss previously, since having this one, I have fallen in love with it. It's a very fresh and fruity, bursting with a peachy aroma but with a slightly floral scent that would be a perfect Spring or Summer fragrance.

Whilst learning to drive with Wimbledon Driving School, I downloaded the DVSA Theory Test App to help me with revising for my Theory Test, as well as allowing me to take mock tests and practice the Hazard Perception side to the Theory Test. The app itself is very easy to use, you have a choice of launching the Theory or Hazard Perception programme within the app, with the Theory side allowing you to study and practice each topic, as well as taking mock tests with the 50 questions to answer. I have been finding it very useful in helping me to revise and practice for my upcoming test, and would definitely recommend the app to anyone revising for a Theory Test or even someone who is wanting to learn to drive, this app would be something to look out for!

Marsh and Mallow bars are something new that I have recently discovered when visiting my local Starbucks. I saw these sat in front of the tills and decided to grab a couple in Raspberry and Vanilla flavours, and was very pleasantly surprised with these, they are super tasty and a great snack for on the go! I would recommend you stock up on these on your next trip to Starbucks and keep one in your handbag when you're feeling a little hungry.

A favourite, holy grail make up product of mine has been the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara. I've repurchased this over and over again as this has become a mascara that I know will work for my lashes. This mascara has a plastic brush with thin, small bristles that reach, grab and separate every lash, creating dramatic length without being clumpy, as well as being very black in colour. The mascara is also very buildable, applying one or more coats depending if you want more of a natural or dramatic look to the lashes. I also use this mascara on my bottom lashes, to create length to the lashes and definition to my eyes. Usually priced at £7.99, very affordable and very easy to get hold of in Superdrug or Boots, if you haven't tried this mascara from Rimmel, I would definitely advise you to give it a go.

Lastly for my January favourites, a high-end fragrance of mine that I have loved ever since I ordered my first bottle; YSL Black Opium. I think it's the perfect perfume for special occasions and nights out as it holds such a deep, musky, sexy scent that I really love at this time of year. I've found that this perfume is long-wearing and lingers on the skin all day, which is brilliant as I hate having to carry the perfume around with me for top ups. Every single time I wear it, I get numerous compliments, people asking what I'm wearing or just generally saying I smell nice. If you're after a new perfume or just want to treat yourself to something extra special, Black Opium is the one for you. 

What have been your favourite things recently?
17:26 No comments
Beauty and Lifestyle February Favourites

Rogue by Rihanna has quickly become one of my go-to perfumes. 
"Capturing the mischievous nature that lies within every modern woman, ROGUE by Rihanna has a bold yet flirty composition. Top notes of flirty Lemon Blossom and Cyclamen are mixed with Bergamot and spiced with Pink Peppercorn. The aroma evolves with Jasmine, Rose and Muguet fused together with Juicy Plum and seductive Suede. Warm notes of Sandalwood, Patchouli and Golden Amber accompanied by decadent Vanilla and sensual Musk create a bold ending."  Whenever I wear it, I always get compliments and people asking me what scent I am wearing. 9 times out of 10 they cant believe it when I say its by Rihanna. I would definitely recommend you giving this one a sniff, its so fresh and dark, somewhat sexy. A must have day to night fragrance!

This month I've been addicted to Prison Break, an American serial drama television series. "The series revolves around two brothers. One brother has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an elaborate plan to help his brother escape prison and clear his name." I remember a long time ago watching the first season and not continuing! So February saw me basically binge watching this show. Episode after episode, I just cant keep away! If its nothing something you've seen, I'd definitely recommend. It's so captivating, interesting and easy to watch, you'll definitely be hooked on this show!

In terms of make up, there have been a couple of products that I have been reaching for more often this month and have been really enjoying using. First up is Maybelline's Brow Satin in Dark Blonde. A duo brow product featuring a waxy pencil and a powdered sponge, application is super easy and I feel that the colour is a really good match to my natural brow colour. It adds a good amount of colour, nothing too OTT, giving a very subtle, natural brow which I think is perfect for everyday. Secondly, I've been loving using the Maxfactor 2000 Calorie Mascara, especially as a bottom lash mascara. It adds length, volume and definition to the lashes, making them look very sleek and defined without the clumps, which is something I look for in a mascara. I HATE CLUMPS!

A haircare favourite this month has been the Aussie Winter Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner. As a huge Aussie lover, when I saw this range in Superdrug, I knew I had to snap it up and give it a go. The harsh cold weather we have been having hasn't done my hair the best of favours, but this  haircare duo has helped banish dry ends and frizz, helping me to achieve healthier, nourished looking hair. If you're looking for some new haircare, I would suggest Aussie 100%. They have a range for all hair types, are super affordable and smell absolutely gorgeous!

After receiving my February Degustabox this month, I received a bottle of the VITHIT Apple and Elderflower Drink, and it was absolutely delicious! "Vit Hit - The Juice based soft drink with 100% Recommended Daily Allowance of 8 different vitamins, no added sugar and with fewer than 35 calories per bottle. With health giving teas and minerals for overall well being Vit Hit contains real juice and no preservatives, artificial colourings or flavourings." It was so refreshing and was something I would never usually pick up in a supermarket, so I was pleasantly surprised!

Lastly, a lip care product. I seem to always lose my lip balms and when I really need them, they just disappear and I cannot find them anywhere. Anyone else find this happens to them? Saying that, the cold weather has been really drying out my lips so I needed something to moisturise them ASAP, which is where I popped into Superdrug and picked up the Cocoa Butter Vaseline. It was super cheap and I know it will do the job, unless I lose it again!

What have been your favourites?
17:00 No comments

Kicking things off this month in the beauty front, a haircare favourite of mine has been the OGX Kukui Oil Shampoo/Conditioner. This haircare duo is formulated to help hydrate and defrizz your hair, something I definitely need after my locks have taken a battering from this harsh, winter weather. I've noticed when I use this shampoo and conditioner, my hair definitely feels smoother and silkier, and just looks a lot shinier and healthy looking. Also I adore the scent of these, its what I'd think a tropical island would smell like, so sweet and fresh! I would highly recommend the Kukui range, as well as the other varieties OGX has to offer, as they work wonders for my hair and are super affordable!

Another beauty favourite this month has been The Body Shop Smoky Poppy Shower Gel, a product I have used in pretty much every bath/shower this month, and I'm so upset that is has finally run out. The scent of this is to die for, to me it's very manly, like an aftershave sort of smell, that I actually find really deep and sexy. The shower gel lathers up really well and leaves a slight scent on your skin once your out the shower, nothing to overpowering, just a slight linger. I really like The Body Shop shower gels as a whole, as I find the scents to be really lovely and fresh, affordable and they leave my skin feeling nourished and hydrated, without being too drying.

I love face masks. They are my favourite part of my skincare routine and I love trying and testing new ones, to see which ones work best for my skin type. Recently I had the opportunity to try out the AA Skincare Frankincense and Rose Deep Cleansing Face Mask. This specific mask features essential oils, these help to really nourish the skin and leave it feeling moisturised, leaving my skin feeling plump and bright, something it definitely needs with this cold weather, I want to look glowing and hydrated.

A new addition to my monthly favourites, but my favourite blogger of the month has definitely got to be Em from EmTalks. She is just all kinds of goals! I've really been enjoying reading her fitness and health posts, as these have really helped to motivate me and help me with my fitness routine and starting to adapt my lifestyle to lead a more fit and healthy life. As well as that, I love reading her blog on a daily basis as there is always something on there to read and catch up with, from food posts, beauty posts, travel and fashion, Em definitely has a blog that you should be following!

As a goal of mine in regards to my health and fitness, I've ditched the fizzy drinks and have been upping my water intake, as I felt I really lacked in this and it was definitely something I wanted to improve this year. As well as just drinking water, green tea is something that I've really been enjoying and the Twinings Pineapple and Grapefruit Green Tea is just perfect! I love that the flavour isn't so overpowering and you get the right amount of juicy pineapple and sharp grapefruit, that combine to make a really lovely tea, I am quite obsessed really and already have finished one box in the space of a week. 

Something more fashion related here, I've been loving H&M Lace Bras. Lingerie is something that I write about much, as it is seen as quite a taboo subject, but we all wear it so why not share the love about lingerie you have been loving. The two bras that I featured in the image above are the two that I have purchased recently and I just love them. H&M bras are just so affordable and I find them to fit really well and flatter my body shape, plus they are super pretty and super comfortable!

Last but no means least, I have recently dug out a couple of lip products from my stash, and I have fallen back in love 100%. Enter the ELF Matte Lip Colours in Tea Rose and Praline. I've been loving nude lip shades this month, and these have been my go-to lips colours, Tea Rose is more of a pink toned nude, and Praline is more of a brown tone, both shades that I find really wearable and suited to my skin tone.

What have been your favourites this month?
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For me, 2015 has been a good year. I feel like I have overcome and accomplished lots of things that I had previously wanted to do, and I wish to carry them forward in the year ahead. I've began learning Spanish, I've travelled, I've lost some weight, I've began to exercise and eat healthier, I've felt better about myself and I've learnt a lot. I've had lots of good memories and that's something I want to carry on with into 2016. 

As the New Year is here, I've wanted to devise 16 things that I want to achieve over the year, whether its blog or life related, and to share these with you as we enter 2016. There's the whole "New Year, New Me" saying, that honestly I think is stupid. New Year goals and resolutions shouldn't be just wiping your slate clean and trying again from the beginning, you should want to carry on and improve the person you are and the goals that you want to achieve in order to be the best you can be.

1- Learn to Drive
2- Save Money
3- Post Monthly Favourites 
4- Publish at least 10 Blog Posts Each Month
5- Continue to Learn Spanish
6- Spend Less Money
7- Improve Blog Photography
8- Lose Weight
9- Read More Books
10- Create a Workout Plan
11- Learn New Recipes
12- Explore London More
13- Be More Organised
14- Drink More Water
15- Create New and Exciting Blog Content
16- Be Happy

What are your goals for 2016?
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December has been a busy month for me, but I have definitely had products that I have really loved using or products that I would recommend as I've used them for most days this month. I have a whole selection of products from beauty to footwear to TV shows and more, so let's get started!

One Tree Hill
I love a good teen drama, and something that I have been watching religiously this month is One Tree Hill. I remember only watching Season One a long time ago, remembering my love for Lucas Scott and realised I had never carried on watching. Fast forward five seasons and I am hooked that bad that I can watch a good three or four episodes at a time. It's such an easy watch series that even if you aren't a fan of basketball, you will really enjoy watching it.

YSL Black Opium
As a perfume lover, I had been hearing such a hype about this fragrance from a number of beauty lovers, that I needed to get my hands on this and see what all the fuss was about. Since receiving this perfume, I have worn it nearly everyday, I absolutely love it! It's such a deep, sexy, musky scent, I think it really is something any female would love and if you haven't smelt/tried this, I would definitely recommend it! If you want to find out more about what I think about this, you can read my review here.

Nike Roshe Runs
When it comes to shoes, I'm 100% a trainer girl. Don't get me wrong, I love wearing heels and boots for a more smart occasion but I love being comfortable and knowing that I can wear a pair of shoes all day and not have painful feet come evening time. I picked up my Roshe's via ASOS and have been wearing them non stop for the last few months, that I just had to include them in my first monthly favourites, as they are just that amazing, I want them in every colour! Next on my purchase list will be the all black version, navy and burgundy!

ELF 3-in-1 Mascara
As it goes for mascara, I thought my favourite for this month would be the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara as this has been a staple in my make up routine for a while. In the hope of finding some more mascaras that I loved just as much, I recently placed an ELF order, and purchased the 3-in-1 Mascara (Lengthen, Define and Volumize) in hope it would be just as good, and I was actually happy with the results after the first application, that it has become a staple for me over the last few weeks. The brush is a little strange and oddly shaped, but that seems to work for me as my lashes look longer, thicker and defined, something I always want in a mascara!

Starbucks Gingerbread Lattes
I love coffee. It's the perfect pick me up for tired mornings and it's just something I couldn't live without. But every year when Starbucks bring out the festive drinks menu, my love for coffee gets even stronger. Usually I'm a Caramel Macchiato/White Chocolate Mocha lover, but when it's Christmas time, I'm all over those Gingerbread Lattes! Just the thought of a sweet and delicately spicy gingerbread latte gets me in the festive mood and makes you feel all warm inside. I will definitely be sad when they're no longer available!

Aussie 3 Miracle Oil
A new addition to my haircare routine is the Aussie 3 Miracle Oil. As a huge fan of Aussie haircare, I was desperate to try the new hair oil they released earlier this year, and so far it blows all my other ones out of the water! With a blend of 3 oils Macademia, Safflower Seed and Coconut, you just know its going to do good things to your locks. First of all, the scent is just incredible. Just like the whole Aussie range, it just smells so sweet and fruity, it's so lovely. And of course the oil itself performs really well, I apply it to the lengths and ends of my hair after washing, and I'm left with shiny, silky, nourished healthy hair! If you haven't tried this yet, and you're a fan of haircare, I would 100% recommend this!

What have been your favourites this month?
12:00 No comments
AD - GIFTED | Recently, I was kindly given the opportunity to design and review my own phone case from the lovely people over at Mr Nutcase, where I opted for the Ultra Lightweight Slimline case* for my iPhone 5.

"Mr Nutcase has been established for many years as a supplier of personalised mobile phone and tablet cases placing quality over quantity, whilst offering our customers a large range of manufacturers and models. This is what makes us 'the experts in personalised mobile phone and tablet cases'. We can print any image or design of your choice to fit your iPhone, Blackberry, Samsung, HTC, iPad/Mini, Kindle and many many more."

The design I went for was something I had designed myself, something very colourful and bold, perfect for the Summer months, cause you know, the phone needs to look good as well! I wanted something quite geometric and I think the pattern captured exactly what I wanted, and the way it was printed was absolutely outstanding! Since my phone case arrived, it has been glued to my iPhone, so hats off to you Mr Nutcase!

If you haven't heard of Mr Nutcase before, or you are looking for somewhere that you can get a super phone case, I would definitely recommend Mr Nutcase. The printing of the images is amazing and super high quality, they offer such a range of cases to suit your mobile, great customer service and super speedy delivery! What more could you want?!

Have you heard of/used Mr Nutcase before? Are you looking to get a new phone case?
13:00 No comments
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