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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

I'm sure we are all aware at how hard it really is to save money. As one of my New Years resolutions, I want to keep up with my money saving and try to curb my spending by only purchasing things that I really need and not want. Any by no means this will be easy, its all about taking things into moderation and having the willpower to say no when wanting to spend. I have come up with a simple list of ways that I intend to help me save money and wanted to share these with you, if you're looking for some new ways and inspiration to save as well.
1. Save any loose change in a jar/piggy bank
This might sound like such a small thing to do in order to save money, but in honesty, who likes carrying around all that small change in their purses. Saving all the small change will gradually begin to build up over time, whether it amounts to £5 or £50 over the year, it is at least something you have managed to save.

2. Sell unwanted items
With apps like Ebay and Depop making it easier for people to sell there unwanted products, this is a great way to de-clutter as well as save money. I personally use Ebay and find it really simple to sell items that I no longer use or want, with the hope of getting some money back to save.

3. Create a savings account
I created a savings account last year and it is something that I feel I will really benefit from in the future. Every payday I put aside a small amount of my wages to help build up my savings, and if I have any money left over at the end of the month, I would generally add this to my savings too.

4. Use loyalty cards/ vouchers/ discount codes
Having loyalty cards is a great way to reward yourself when spending on products you may need. You'll be able to spend your money but also save up points from your purchases, that will end up in getting money off or special discounts in the future. Even when shopping online, its always great to search for discounts and voucher codes for the specific shop, even if you save just the delivery costs, that's still a couple pounds in your pocket, and if you're a big online shopper like myself, this will soon add up over your numerous orders.

5. Write your shopping lists
Whether its on paper or saved as a note on your phone, making strict shopping lists will make it easier for you to remember the products that you genuinely need and will be an attempt to stop you going overboard and purchasing things that you really don't need. Whether its for a trip to the supermarket, Boots, Superdrug, or any other store, make sure you carry a shopping list to make sure you only pick up the relevant items.

6. Use cash to pay
This is definitely something I need to start doing more. I'm always using my card to pay for products I buy as it is just a more convenient way to live. But it is also very dangerous for my bank balance. Paying with cash will allow you to feel more restricted and allow you to budget your money more carefully, so you don't overspend.

7. Try lower priced brands
For many of us, we all have our favourite brands. Whether its for food items, beauty products or clothing for example. We always stick to the things we know and love, without trying products that do the same job/look the same, but have a lower price tag. It's always good to experiment and see what it out there to purchase, so trying lower cost products instead of repurchasing your favourite more expensive, higher end products is worth a try.

8. Meal planning
Meal planning is just such a simple idea to help you save money. If you plan out what you'll eat and what ingredients you'll need from day to day, you'll be less likely to buy products you wont eat and less likely to snack on food in between meals.

9. Use up products before repurchase
As a blogger who continually writes about beauty products, I am guilty for this. I always want to try new products or purchase items from other bloggers recommendations. I have a beauty stash that could be used for my entire family for a good few months, so in 2016, I'm hoping to work my way through it all before purchasing any more unnecessary products.

10. Have more nights in
We all know that going out, whether its to restaurants, bars or clubs can be pretty hard on the old bank accounts, so why not have more relaxing nights in. Cook yourself a nice meal, watch a few films and cosy up on the sofa and chill. Or even have all your friends over for a cosy night in and just enjoy spending some quality time together.

How will you attempt to save money this year? What other simple tips could you recommend?

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As a beauty lover, one aspect of this is perfumes and fragrances, in which I am a HUGE fan. I love trying and testing out new scents and I believe you can never have too many! Recently I posted my Fragrance Wishlist, that shared some of the new fragrances that I am dying to get my hands on. But I was lucky enough to either snap these up for Christmas or purchased them myself in the Boxing Day sales, and even one for my Secret Santa gift!


Burberry Touch for Women
"A fruity, vibrant fragrance of California orange, blackcurrant, dewberry and subtle rose oil. Fresh top notes of seductive jasmine, Madonna lily and tuberose with a delicate hint of peach and raspberry. Cedar wood, oak moss and vanilla complement the fruity notes, adding a soothing warmth"

Paco Rabanne Olympea
"Her magnetic eyes and her fragrance take us into the wake of her seduction. Her fragrance is a unique olfactory adventure, at the crossroads between the sensuality of salty vanilla accord and the freshness of floral notes. A fresh oriental fragrance whose balance of the accords forms a genuine Paco Rabanne signature."

Rogue Love Rihanna
"ROGUE LOVE by Rihanna captures that moment when love first hits you with a wild rush that goes through your whole body. Delicious fruits tempt your senses with notes of fresh citrus and succulent peach mingling with the temptation of juicy berries. Just as the facets of love take multiple twists and turns, the core of ROGUE LOVE by Rihanna is built with layers upon layers of lush, rich florals. A bit uncontrollable like the fluttering of the love-struck heartbeat, the petals are a radiant texture with vibrant colours of honeysuckle, jasmine and orchid splashed with the simply irresistible seduction of coconut."

Pink Print Nicki Minaj
"The Pinkprint opens with a fresh mixture that includes bergamot, pink grapefruit and passion fruit. The heart is composed of nectarine, frangipani, orange blossom, heliotrope and roses. Coconut, driftwood accord, sandalwood, patchouli and skin musk end the composition."

Reb'l Fleur Rihanna
"Plump, delicious fruits, red berries, purple plums and juicy, ripe peaches, make a delicious first impression. Then the heart opens into a lush hybrid hinting at Island life, subtle yet intoxicating, blossoming with sumptuous florals, a passionate melody of Hawaiian Hibiscus flower, violet, tuberose and coconut water. Defiantly sexy, the base notes linger, a beguiling, sensual mélange. Vanilla, patchouli, amber and musk become a sultry chorus striking an unforgettable, emotional chord."

I'm looking forward to wearing all these new scents over the next few weeks, and will eventually be posting a week long series entitled "Fragrance Week", where I will share my thoughts and feeling about some of these scents, and some others that I picked up in Christmas gift sets.

What are your current go-to fragrances? Have you tried any featured in this haul? What perfumes are on your wishlist?
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As we have now entered the New Year, I have wanted to include a new monthly series to the blog, where I pair together an outfit that I would be perfect for a date night. Whether its a trip to a restaurant, the cinema, pub or club, or even a fancy cocktail bar, I have wanted to share with you some of my favourite pieces currently on the high street and how I would style them for the perfect outfit of the night.

For this particular outfit, I've wanted to keep the colour scheme quite minimal, as this absolute gorgeous top from Zara, the eye catching lace details and the gorgeous shade of burgundy will be the pop of colour that I think is perfect for January, as we are still in the winter months and this colour is still on trend and gorgeous for the time of year. Simply pairing with some high waisted jeans, my current favourites are from Primark, to make your legs look longer and thinner, a simple pair of chunky yet sophisticated boots from New Look, for that added height and what I think just makes the outfit more appropriate for an evening date. Finishing this outfit with just a simple leather jacket for a more casual vibe to this super classic and formal outfit.

Miss Selfridge Petite Ruby Faux Leather Jacket 
ZARA Guipure Lace Blouse 
Primark Black Super High Waist Skinny Jeans 
New Look Black Buckle Strap Ankle Boots 

What is your favourite piece from this outfit?
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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?
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When it comes to fragrances, I like a lot of different scents. For me personally, celebrity fragrances can be quite hit and miss, I've tried a few before and been quite disappointed but this time Nicki Minaj got it oh so right! 

"Through a sultry and glamorous statement that raises the bar, Nicki redefines reality with a wink of playfulness. With a nod to her vibrant and animated personality. The striking bottle makes a glamorous statement, enticing fans to collect the next, must-have "doll" in the Nicki Minaj collection of fragrances. Minajesty sultry,floral gourmand scent reigns with luscious fruits and luxurious fresh florals, draped in creamy vanilla and pure musk."
Nicki Minaj 'Minajesty' Perfume

Minajesty is a very sweet and fruity but subtly floral, which combines to make a really lovely, light, fresh perfume. With notes of lemon and berries, mixed with vanilla and musk, and a light floral scent, this perfume is a winner for me. At first, the scent is a little strong, lots of fruity, sweet notes,  but once settled, it dies down to a lovely scent that can be used for daytime or evening wear. I find that the perfume is very long-wearing and lingers on the skin all day long, which is great as you wont need to top up.  It's a really great scent for the spring/summer time as it has such a light and fresh scent to it. The bottle is absolutely stunning. Its very bold, quirky and interesting to look at, I wouldn't imagine anything less from Nicki, making a great statement bottle to have in your collection.

Have you tried Minajesty before? Have you tried any Nicki Minaj perfumes before?
What are your favourite celebrity fragrances?
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When it comes to bath and body products, I'm a huge fan of what The Body Shop has to offer, and especially a lover of the seasonal goodies they bring out each year. With 2015 being no exception. The Body Shop have 3 ranges this year to choose from and they all sound equally as delicious!
Body Shop Shower Gels
 Frosted Cranberry - from the forests of  North America
"This traditional seasonal fragrance is a fruity boost for your skin with notes of fresh cranberry and pomegranate."
Glazed Apple - from the Italian Alps
"A sweet treat for your skin with the fragrance of green apple sweetened by candy-like notes and vanilla"
Frosted Plum - from the orchards of Turkey
"This special edition fruity range is a sophisticated, irresistible skin indulgence, with an elegant blend of magnolia, peony and ripe plum notes."

I knew I wanted to try some of the festive ranges they have in-store and online, but with a beauty stash overflowing, I wanted to pick out some bits that I knew I would definitely use up, which is why I picked up the festive shower gels. I have used shower gels from The Body Shop previously, my favourite being the Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel. I find that the shower gels lather really well, they smell lovely and leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated. From smelling the ones I picked up in a recent order, I can't wait to use them!

Have you tried any products from the Christmas range at The Body Shop? Which are your favourite products?
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Lace Up Ankle Boots
When it comes to footwear, I'm 100% a trainers girl. I like to feel comfortable and secure in shoes, knowing that I have to wear them all day, I want something that's not going to cause me any pain or problems. However, as its getting towards party season and I felt like I needed to add a new pair of shoes into my collection that are more of a smart/casual option. I had been browsing online for a number of weeks looking for the perfect pair of boots. Enter my new Faux Suede Black Lace Up Ankle Boots! I knew these would be versatile with different outfit options, affordable and comfortable. I love that these boots have a chunky block heel, which means they would be practical for daytime and evening wear, as they are super comfortable. They also feature a slight pointed toe, lace up cut out detail and a zip fastening, making them super flattering and chic. These ankle boots would look great with jeans, skirts, shorts and dresses, and I think they are a great piece to make an outfit look more smart and sophisticated. 

I purchased these from EBAY for £19.99 + £3.99 p&p, which I thought was a bargain, as they look so much more expensive and definitely something you would never have guessed I ordered from Ebay! These boots are available in black, khaki and tan.

Are you loving lace up shoes? What shoes are on your wishlists? Have you bought shoes from Ebay before?
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When it comes to cooking, sometimes I want something that's quick to prepare, easy to make and tasty, and I think a simple salad is the way forward. There are so many combinations and ingredients you can use to make a lovely lunchtime salad, the possibilities are simply endless. I wanted to create something that was a light snack but also very filling, which is why I chose to use Halloumi cheese, as its very tasty and a great source of protein.
halloumi salad
halloumi salad
You will need:
3 Thick Slices of Halloumi Cheese
A Handful of Mixed Salad Leaves
Pitted Green Olives (Mine are Basil and Garlic ones from my Graze Box)
5 Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
Cucumber Slices
Feta Cheese

Method:
Prepare your salad base. For this I used a bag of mixed salad leaves.
Slice your cherry tomatoes in half.
Slice your cucumber.
Add your olives
Crumble over some feta cheese.
Heat your frying pan on a medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.
Slice Halloumi into large (1cm) slices and season with salt and pepper.
Fry for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown.
Place on top of your salad, drizzle over some olive oil or dressing, and enjoy!

What are your favourite salad ingredients?

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If a product includes scents of fresh mint and zesty lime, it's a winner to me and The Body Shops Virgin Mojito range is just beautiful. It's a range I had been wanting to get my hands on for a while, my beauty stash is nearly overflowing with the amounts of body butters and creams and shower gels I currently own, but I'm so happy to have snapped up a few products, as well as a 30% discount, I'd advise you to get your hands on these products before they goes, as its limited edition. *sad face*
First up is the Virgin Mojito Body Sorbet. The perfect wake up product to use in the shower. As said before, the scent is so fresh and crisp, I absolutely adore it. The body sorbet feels so silky and smooth on the skin, absorbs quickly and it leaves you feeling lightly moisturised and refreshed. A perfect pick me up for those early mornings, and leaves you smelling like an exotic island.

The Virgin Mojito Body Scrub is another lovely shower/bath product that I have really enjoyed using. From the first use, I was hooked on this stuff. The scrub exfoliates the skin gently, lifts away dead skin cells and leaves your skin silky smooth. This is such a refreshing scrub with a great scent that lingers on the skin and leaves it refreshed and healthy looking.

Lastly, Virgin Mojito Body Butter, possibly my favourite product out of the three. The body butter is so smooth and silky with a lightweight texture, and upon application it sinks into the skin so quickly. It's perfect for those times you need some added hydration and moisture, especially in the cold winter months. The scent is so fresh and strong, it is what I would describe like summer in a pot. If I advised you to pick up one thing from the range, the body butter would be the one!

Have you tried any products from the Virgin Mojito range at The Body Shop? What is your favourite range or products?
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AD - GIFTED | In collaboration with Snapfish, I have chosen to create my very own poster personalised photo calendar*, where I wanted to share with you some of my favourite London tourist attractions and places I recommend you to visit if you get the opportunity. With the likes of The London Eye, The Shard, The Tower of London, to name a few.
"It's official: London is the most popular destination for tourists in the world"

London. A capital city. A destination surrounded by a multicultural environment. The heart of some of England's top tourist attractions and venues. The place I have called home for the last 22 years. As a city that could possibly have anything/anywhere you would like to do/go, such as free attractions to visit, cheap restaurants to eat at, vast amounts of parks and discounted tickets for lots of top attractions, it's a great destination to spend your time in! I previously wrote a blog post titled "Budget Days Out in London" where you will find a whole list of places that I would recommend you visit and some of my favourite attractions whilst in London.

Snapfish poster calendars retail between £4.99 and £24.99 depending on which size you choose, and you can add and customise up to 30 photographs, 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 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 poster calendar is not for you, Snapfish also offer a wall, desk and kitchen calendar!

Have you used Snapfish before? What are your thoughts on the calendar I have created?

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When it comes to beauty, where some people may collect lipsticks or nail polishes, my weakness is definitely perfumes and fragrances. I love trying new scents and seeing how certain smells combine together to make perfumes. My taste in perfumes can differ quite a lot, sometimes due to the time of the year, the weather, if its for a special occasion or even just how I feel on that particular day. My current favourites are Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna, YSL Black Opium and Nicki Minaj MINAJESTY. All of which are completely different scents, but all which I really love, and will continue to repurchase in the future for my perfume stash. To add to this stash, I have quite the list of perfumes that are on my to-try list, but after thinking over them all for a while, I thought that would be way too many! So in the end, I opted for my top 8, that I wish to purchase over the next few months.

Perfume Wishlist
ARI by Ariana Grande
"ARI by Ariana Grande is a genuine and intimate statement by Grande through scent, embodying her unique character and style. Hints of unexpected playfulness appear throughout the fragrance story, reminding fans to embrace their flaws and celebrate their differences Playful, timeless and confident, the luscious new fragrance – a Floral Fruity Gourmand - opens with sparkling fruits and an ultra-feminine floralcy, passionately spun with musks, woods, and an addictive hint of marshmallow."

GOLD MAGIC by Little Mix
"Confident, enchanting, energetic and united, words that are inherently linked to the inspirational girl band Little Mix and their intriguing new debut fragrance GOLD MAGIC.  The fragrance itself delivers against the bands strong desire to create a scent that never stops surprising the senses.  Opening with a burst of playful hints of fruit, the captivating powdery velvet heart, pretty violet tones and more aqueous watermelon are both refreshing and sophisticated. The base is musky and warm but also sweet and hypnotic."

Paco Rabanne Olympēa
"Her fragrance is a unique olfactory adventure, at the crossroads between the sensuality of salty vanilla accord and the freshness of floral notes. A fresh oriental fragrance whose balance of the accords forms a genuine Paco Rabanne signature. The green mandarin, boosted by the floral and aquatic essences of ginger lily and hydroponic jasmine, awakens the senses. The sensual and luminous salty vanilla accord brings carnal and addictive magnetism. The cashmere wood and Ambergris accord magnify the fragrance and form a divine and powerful trail."

Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj
"Bold. Brilliant. PINK A stunning new fragrance statement that reflects Nicki's bold personality and celebrates her brilliance and evolution as an artist. With top notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Pink Passionfruit"

Stormflower Noir by Cheryl
"StormFlower Noir EDP introduces a glamorous and charming addition to Cheryl’s collection. It captures the imagination with a tang of rhubarb, lively Mandarin and pear. The floral heart is rich and heady with voluptuous tuberose, orange blossom and a sprinkle of rose petals. The fragrance concludes with irresistible brown sugar, addictive musk and creamy sandalwood. The result is opulent beauty but with the understated simplicity of Cheryl’s approach to fragrance: classic, evocative and elemental."

Diesel Loverdose
"An addictive Floral and Oriental fragrance, with notes of Mandarin, Liquorice, Jasmine and Vanilla with a Gourmand base. Loverdose is the sexy & addictive fragrance from Diesel. It represents a woman who is sexy, playful and irresistible. She receives an overdose of love from those around her, but she wants more. She desires pleasure, adrenaline & passion."

ROGUE by Rihanna
"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"

Armani Diamonds Violet
"Diamonds Violet, a Fruity Floral Gourmand is a sweet and addictive eau de parfum. The delicious  base notes of Praline, a smooth, tasty chocolate filling with hazelnut and almond tones define the base of this Gourmand fragrance. Diamonds Violet is presented in a striking, vibrant Violet bottle, which beautifully complements the Diamonds for women fragrance collection."

What are your favourite perfumes or fragrances? Which are on your current wishlist? 
Have you tried any of the perfumes featured in today's post?
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