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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD - GIFTED | I absolutely love cooking. I started learning from quite a young age, and love creating new dishes as well as perfecting a few favourites. My lasagne, chicken Thai curries and spaghetti bolognese are quite delicious, if I don't mind saying myself! But when it comes to cooking meals for dinner, sometimes I really struggle to come up with new ideas and always seem to have the same foods over and over again, which can get a little boring when you're a foodie like myself. I love experimenting and trying new cuisines. Sometimes I trail the Internet for new recipe ideas and new ingredients I can use to create new, tasty dishes. A good place to find new recipes is the BBC Food website!

Snapfish Photo Calendar
In collaboration with Snapfish, I have chosen to create my very own personalised photo calendar*, where I thought this would make a great addition to my kitchen, where I could actually begin to meal plan for each day, and come up with numerous recipes and dishes I could prepare to save me from cooking the same things over and over again.. For this particular piece, I opted for the Kitchen Calendar (5"x11.5"), which I could share some of my favourite foods and drinks, or just dishes I love to cook, for some culinary inspiration. They also look pretty damn tasty on the calendar!
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish kitchen calendars retail at £9.99, which I think is such great value, especially for the quality and wide selection of design options. I think these would make such great gifts, that you can keep at home or at the office, and personalise them to fit your certain tastes. Whether you want to use this type of calendar for meal planning like me or to include your latest holiday photos, your Instagram snaps or some more personal photos, ordering a personalised photo calendar is a great way to display and remember those memories. If a kitchen calendar is not for you, Snapfish also offer a wall, desk and poster calendar!

Have you used Snapfish before? What are your thoughts on the calendar I have created?
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AD - GIFTED | Everyone's beauty regime should include a face mask, at least once per week. And when it comes to skincare, I think this is my favourite part of my routine, as I love being able to have a nice relaxing evening and pamper myself. I love to try out all different types of face mask, with my favourites being clay masks and self heating masks. During the colder winter months, my skin can sometimes appear to look dull and lifeless, I wanted to attempt to put some radiance and glow back into my skin, which is where I was hoping the InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask* would come to my rescue! With the benefits of the product consisting of being a Skin Cleanser, Pore Reducer & Natural Moisturiser, I couldn't wait to use it!

                              
"100% Natural Remedy that Helps Dry & Oily Skin, Acne, Blemishes Overall Complexion - Also Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines & Wrinkles for Younger, Healthier Looking Skin"

 As to the appearance of this particular product, the mud mask is a dark charcoal grey colour, with a wet, thick gel like consistency, which I actually like. Plus it feels super cooling and non drying on the skin. As for scents, to me this product didn't really have a scent to it, it literally smelt like nothing. As for most face masks, application directions are super easy! To begin, I firstly popped my hair into a ponytail to make sure it was out of my face. After this I washed my face, dried it, and applied a thin layer of the mask while avoiding around the eyes. As the mask began to dry, I watched the change from a dark grey to light, with my skin feeling tighter and firmer as the drying process continued. Kept it on for 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. How easy is that! Unlike some mud masks, the InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask didn't feel too drying on my skin, and I could see a slight difference after the first use! My skin looked brighter, felt firmer and plumper, and just had an all round greater appearance.

- "Our Dead Sea Mud Mask is made from PURE Dead Sea mud to ensure the highest-quality product. Our mask also includes a nourishing blend of Organic Shea Butter, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Calendula Oil, and Hickory Bark Extract that provides unsurpassed moisture to soothe dry and irritated skin. This detoxifier and purifier comes from the renowned and sacred Dead Sea, which is known to contain many minerals beneficial to the skin, such as magnesium, sodium and bromine. These elements work to extract excess oil & dirt from the skin and purge blemishes.Using this facial mask once a week also helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Applying the mask will improve your skin so you can achieve a more even skin tone and smoother complexion."

Have you tried this Mud Mask before? What are you favourite face masks?
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AD - GIFTED | Travelling and Geography is something I've always enjoyed. Exploring new cities, learning about new cultures and tasting new cuisines. It's something I love doing, I've previously visited a number of countries, Ukraine, Italy, France and Spain, to name a few and I will continue to visit some more in the future. A huge wish of mine is to spend ample time in each capital city of Europe, there must be around 50 or so, as well as some other big cities in each destination, so whether its just a weekend break or a week holiday, I would love to explore and learn about each individual countries tradition and history.

Snapfish Photo Calendar
 In collaboration with Snapfish, I have chosen to create my very own personalised photo calendar*. For this particular piece, I opted for the Desk Calendar (10" x5") to share with you the next 12 cities on my list to visit and explore! These cities include Barcelona, Budapest, Dublin, Berlin, Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Rome, Reykjavik and Stockholm.

Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish Photo Calendar
Snapfish desk calendars retail at £10.99, which I think is such great value, especially for the quality and wide selection of design options. I think these would make such great gifts, that you can keep at home or at the office, and personalise them to fit your certain tastes. Whether you want to include your latest holiday photos, your Instagram snaps or some more personal photos, ordering a personalised photo calendar* is a great way to display and remember those memories. If a desk calendar is not for you, Snapfish also offer a wall, kitchen and poster calendar!

Have you used Snapfish before? What are your thoughts on the calendar I have created? What destinations are on your list to travel to and explore?
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When the Autumn/Winter season draws in, I always find myself placing a lovely little lush order, as there is something so cosy and satisfying about a nice, warm bath in the colder months. I've always been impressed with the products I've used before and there is just so many different things to try, from bath bombs and bubble bars to hair and skin care. This time, my order consisted of 8 new products that I hadn't tried before - some I picked myself and others being recommendations from Melody. So let's take a peak at what I purchased!

Stardust Bath Bomb £2.95
"Follow yonder star all the way to the bathroom; it will bear exotic gifts of Fair Trade Ugandan vanilla from the Mountains of the Moon and precious rosewood from the depths of the Peruvian rainforest. A twinkly dip in its starlit waters gives a bergamot-powered boost to the mind and body - ideal for a little post-party recovery. Note: wise men not included."

Damaged Hot Oil Hair Treatment £6.50
"If your hair feels like damaged goods, stir up your routine with this hot oil treatment on a stick. Packed full of extra virgin olive, shine-enhancing almond and avocado oils to replenish deeply and rehydrate thirsty locks."

Golden Wonder Bath Bomb £3.95
"Shake it! You'll hear hidden contents as this present-shaped fizzer reveals glittering golden lustre and a sparkling turquoise explosion. Zesty lime oil and tangy sweet orange start a party of mood-brightening scents. This is one treat you don't have to wait until Christmas morning to unwrap."

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar £3.65
(Limited Edition Seasonal Product)

Rose Jam Bubbleroon Bar £3.75
"Pep up your spirits in a bath filled with Rose Jam: lemon, rose and geranium oil will help perk you up, while Fair Trade cocoa and shea butter leave you feeling gorgeous. You’ll end up feeling as cheered as though you'd been been given a bunch of flowers. Rose oil and rose absolute give a double dose of rosiness, helping to clear the mind and boost your mood."

Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser £6.95
"This incredibly gentle cleanser is made from 100% natural ingredients. Inspired by a medieval recipe and topped off with lavender flowers, this contains kaolin to absorb grease and dirt, leaving skin clean and nourished. Lavender oil and rose absolute calm the skin. As you mix your solid cleanser with water to form a paste, the ground almonds create almond milk which helps to tone and brighten the skin. This can be used all over your body as well as your face."

Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar £5.95
"Deliciously toffee-scented, this syrupy sweet bar will make your hair turn heads (and noses). Honey is renowned for adding softness and shine to locks. To top it all off uplifting sweet wild orange and bergamot oils create an aroma that transports your troubles away."

Snow Melt Luxury Bath Melt £2
"Remember your first snow and the joy of catching flakes on gloves. Frosty, stimulating peppermint oil swirls with bright Sicilian lemon to recreate the crisp air. Fair Trade Organic cocoa and Organic illipe and shea butters soften skin and transform the water for creamy, snow white bliss."

What are you favourite LUSH products? What would you recommend?

You can view my previous LUSH haul here

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Early mornings are never my kinda thing. Multiple alarm snoozes later and I always find myself rushing around to get ready for the day, and always forgetting to have any kind of breakfast. Cereals and toast with butter/jam/peanut butter always get a little boring, so I wanted to find something that I could eat on the go and something that was still good for you. So on a recent food shop, I browsed the aisles looking for some inspiration among the cereal bars and snack sections, and came across something I liked the look of. Enter Belvita. 
Belvita appeared to have various varieties of there breakfast biscuits, so naturally as a chocolate lover, I was drawn to the Cocoa Choc Chip biscuits, and they have definitely not disappointed! Packed with 5 wholegrains and 4 hour slow release carbohydrates, these breakfast biscuits are great for those in a rush, but still want something quick, easy and nutritious whilst on the go. I would highly recommend these to anyone looking to try something new for breakfast or even as a mid morning snack, as these are absolutely delicious!
 However, if choc chip isn't your thing, these biscuits come in a number of different varieties, including crunchy oats, forest fruits, fruit & fibre, honey & nut and milk & cereal. So there is definitely a flavour out there for everyone! I know next time I'm at my local supermarket, I will 100% be picking up some more of these as they are the perfect snack to start the day with!

Have you tried these Belvita biscuits before? What are your go-to breakfast ideas for on the go?
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 There's no denying that I love to cook, and any kind of pasta dish is my favourite thing to eat. But sometimes making some fancy sauces or using loads of vegetables is time consuming and takes a lot of effort, especially if you struggle with your way round a kitchen. When it comes to cooking, sometimes it's all about simplicity, and my recipe today is all about that! A simple tomato sauce is the perfect accompaniment to any form of pasta. So carry on reading to find out how I make my own. Vegetarian Tagliatelle Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
500g fresh or dried Tagliatelle
1 x 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic
1 small bunch of basil
pinch of chilli flakes
sea salt
black pepper
Parmesan cheese 

Method
Heat a saucepan over a medium heat and add some olive oil. 
Add the chopped garlic and fry for a couple minutes. 
Add the tinned tomatoes.. 
Season with chilli flakes, black pepper and a tiny pinch of salt.
 Cook the tagliatelle according to the packet instructions, and drain once cooked.
Toss in the cooked pasta in your tasty tomato sauce and mix well.
Serve with Parmesan cheese, black pepper and a sprig of fresh basil.

The end result is super tasty and can be put together in a matter of minutes. A great, easy recipe to follow for when you need a fast lunch or dinner idea!

Let me know if you give this recipe a go, and I'd love to hear about your quick pasta sauce recipes!
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  After developing quite the obsession with a few LUSH products lately, there always seems to be a couple that I just have to keep on repurchasing and will continue to do in the future. Enter Creamy Candy Bubble Bar.
LUSH Creamy Candy Bubble Bar
Creamy Candy has got to be one of my top LUSH products and I just cant get enough of it. The scent of this bubble bar is just so dreamy and to die for. A blend of sweet and girly, yet so uplifting and fresh, this is bound to make a good, relaxing bath! With a blend of 14 ingredients, including Fair Trade Vanilla, Colombian Cocoa Butter and Almond Oil, this bubble bar is bursting with sweet and comforting scents, that have a nourishing, moisturising, hydrating and softening effect on the skin.

 Just simply crumble this bubble bar under a running tap and let the Creamy Candy magic happen! 

RRP - £3.95 per bar

Have you tried out LUSH's Creamy Candy Bubble Bar? What are you favourite LUSH products?
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So as you may have guessed from the title, I am currently obsessed with buying shorts. Hands down, I'm a shorts kinda girl. Shorts over skirts any day. I don't know what it is, but there's just so many pairs out there that I am dying to get my hands on. 

The two pairs of shorts featured in today's post are both recent purchases from Forever21 and I am definitely in love! Usually I'm not a printed bottom half lover, I usually go for something quite plain and boring, but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and go for something a little more colourful and vibrant, and just something to add a little special something to my outfits.

First up are the gorgeous Scarf Print Tap Shorts. Aren't these just stunning! I absolutely adore the colours and print of these! The material used is so soft and silky, they just feel amazing on and really flatter your body shape. The pocket detail on the shorts really give them a smart and sophisticated detail, but with that more casual, relaxed vibe that I base my style choice on. What I love about these shorts is that they are so versatile in how you can style them, both casually for daytime, or dress them up for an evening look, you can do both! At only £13.50, these were definitely a bargain purchase!

Secondly are these gorgeous Pleated Tribal Shorts. Unfortunately I am unable to find them online, but they may still be in stores. These have to be the most flattering and comfortable shorts I have ever purchased. The print and colours is definitely a little out there and bold, but paired with a simple colour, I think they look great! Below I have a couple of pictures, where I pieced them together with a simple black top and black heels for my friend's leaving party.


Are you shorts obsessed too? Where are your go-to stores to buy shorts? Have you bought any recently?

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When it comes to beauty products, I'm definitely more of a drugstore/high street kinda girl, but sometimes there are those slightly more pricier items that I would love to get my hands on! The items featured in today's wishlist are products that I have been lusting over for the past few weeks and definitely cant wait to pick some of them up!

Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint
Origins GinZing Eye Cream
Rimmel Brow This Way Gel
LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Face Cleanser
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Hyde Park
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Jardin de Plantes
Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in India Intrigue
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara

What products are you lusting over this September? Do you have any of the products I have featured on your current wishlist? Have you reviewed any of the products I have featured?
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When a lovely little email landed in my inbox from the lovely Jessica asking if I would like to take part in a blogger challenge teamed with BooHoo where I could share with you all my ideal festival, I knew this was definitely right up my street! Festivals are always so much fun and a great way to spend a dew days with some of your closest friends, so if I could create my ideal festival, it would go a little like this...
I would share a tent with...  obviously for my ideal festival, I would have a super huge tent to share with all my best friends! You will clearly want to have the best time possible and what better way to spend it with your nearest and dearest! Going to a festival should be all about having fun and making memories that will last a lifetime, so grab all your friends and have a blast!
My headliners would be…  I have such a varied music taste, that I would want so many amazing bands and artists performing at my ideal festival! But if I have to narrow it down to a few headliners, I'd definitely choose Bastille, Disclosure, Calvin Harris, Rudimental, Ellie Goulding and Justin Timberlake! These 5 headliners would be sure to create such an amazing festival and I think would just have such a great vibe to any summer festival!
Flavoured Slush Puppies, Photobooths, Popcorn and Neon Sunglasses ….. would be free for all attending. No summer festival would be great without some delicious Slush Puppies to cool off and rehydrate! Definitely some lovely cola, raspberry and lemon flavours! Delicious! A Photobooth is a big yes! You will obviously want to capture those great memories, so grab your friends and head to the photobooth, whether its just for a standard photo or something that little bit silly with a box full of props! Popcorn, we all need something to munch on, whether is sweet or salty, butter or toffee, there will be something for everyone! And finally sunglasses, but not just any plain ones, NEON ONES! What summer festival would be complete without some bold, bright sunglasses!
The item that I could not go without would be… some free WiFi! What madness and chaos this festival would be without it! How would you upload those cheeky Instagram snaps, or update your Facebook, Post a little Tweet or even update your blog! Free WiFi is a MUST!
Wellies or Wedges? Definitely wedges! A summer festival with great weather, you will need to look your best, so there is definitely no need for the wellies! But if its a beach festival, I would probably suggest some sandals or flats!
Beach or Field? Definitely the beach! No need to worry about any grass stains or wet patches of grass! The beach would be the ideal spot for a summer festival, and if the weather gets a little hot, you can always go for a little paddle in the sea to cool off!
The theme would be… Ibiza! Sometimes a holiday abroad can be a little too expensive, so I'm bringing the Ibiza Party to my festival! Lazer lights, bubble machines, foam/water canons, you name it, I've got it! And when the sun goes down, the glow sticks come out!
Celeb spot of the weekend would be…  Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne, these two would definitely be strutting there stuff around at my festival.
Alice Swing Vest // Carys Tropical Print Pom Pom Trim Kimono // Claire Super Short Acid Wash Denim Hotpants // Daisy Ankle High Cage Toe Post Gladiator // Khloe Leaf And Chain Headband
As you can see my festival OOTD would be quite casual and simple, but incorporating those Ibiza vibes to make this a stand out outfit! A simple cami and denim shorts is the perfect combo to soak up the sun and keep cool! But if you're feeling a little burnt or chilly, this gorgeous bright kimono is a perfect cover up! Completing the look with these gorgeous gladiator sandals and a leaf detailed headband for that added festival chic!

What would be your ideal festival? Who would be your headliners? What outfit would you wear? What do you think of the outfit I have created?
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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?
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Despite having quite the expensive reputation as a city, a day out in London doesn't have to cost a lot of money. There are a huge variety of free London attractions to visit, cheap restaurants to eat at, vast amounts of parks and discounted tickets for lots of top attractions! So whether you’re on a tight budget, or just want something to do for the afternoon, keep reading to find out some ideas for a cheap day out in London!
Make the most of London's open spaces and royal parks with a picnic! With spring on its way, the weather getting a little warmer and more suitable for outdoor activities, a picnic in the park is a great way to spend the afternoon and perfect occasion to spend some time with your loved ones, relax and have a good gossip with your girl friends.  

London features 8 royal parks; St James’ Park, Regents Park, Hyde Park, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park and Kensington Gardens, which are such beautiful, picturesque locations for a relaxing and refreshing picnic! A personal favourite would be Hyde Park, where you can enjoy your homemade lunch and go for a little stroll along The Serpentine!

Preparing some homemade snacks is a perfect way to keep this outing to a small budget and not spend a great amount of money on food and drinks. From homemade sandwiches and cute cupcakes to chocolate cookies and healthy salads, as well as sausage rolls, pasta dishes and a tasty fruit salad, the possibilities are endless! 
Some of London’s biggest attractions can come with quite the hefty price tag, but throughout the year, there are many chances to snap up a 2 for 1 ticket to save you some money! 2 for 1 tickets and offers allow you to have an enjoyable, fun day out, without it costing an arm and a leg, so you don’t need to worry about having an empty bank account! Whether Thorpe Park, London Zoo, Madame Tussuad's, London Eye or The Aquarium is your thing, you will be able to find plenty of these 2 for 1 offers in newspapers, your local supermarket or more easily on the Day’s Out Guide, with 150 locations and attractions; you shall be spoilt for choice!
A shopping spree in London doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you know the best places to go! London is a host to such a variety of interesting and beautiful markets, with Camden, Portobello Road and Spitalfields firm favourites, as well as Brick Lane and Borough Market, sticking to a budget can be easily achieved with some bargain shopping. Whether you’re looking for some adorable ornaments or stunning homemade jewellery or just for a casual browse, there is definitely a market perfect for your tastes!
Finally, if something more intellectual and inspiring is more your thing, London is home to over 300 museums and galleries, where most of these have free entry! With a massive variety, including The Victoria & Albert Museum, The Saatchi Gallery, The Science Museum, Imperial War Museum, and plenty of others to choose from, visiting museums and galleries is a great opportunity to gain some extra knowledge in a specific field, as well as having an exciting and fun packed afternoon, without spending a penny! (Except on specific exhibitions or a cheeky purchase in the gift shop) Whether history, science, culture, art or design is your thing, London delves into the history of everything from astronauts to Da Vinci to boats to war and lots more!

So whether you’re looking to save yourself some money on a day out in London, or just want some inspiration of places to visit, hopefully this little budget guide has inspired you to do something different on a spare afternoon, or to go somewhere that interests you or your hobbies.

Where are your favourite budget places to visit? Will you be visiting any of the places featured in today's post this summer?
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