● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD - GIFTED | This year, I have wanted to improve my health and fitness, more drastically than last year, and I thought the first thing I really needed to change was my eating and drinking habits, not that I was doing either badly, I wanted to find healthier, more beneficial snacks that I could use as replacements for some snacks that weren't so good for me.

This year, I have wanted to improve my health and fitness, more drastically than last year, and I thought the first thing I really needed to change was my eating and drinking habits, not that I was doing either badly, I wanted to find healthier, more beneficial snacks that I could use as replacements for some snacks that weren't so good for me.

I was recently browsing in my local Sainsbury's after work one day, looking for some new, healthier snacks to try when I came across the Kallo Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes. I'd never tried rice cakes before, but I was really impressed with these. Such a tasty, high fibre snack, I would definitely recommend these to any chocolate lovers out there, still a great chocolate taste, with much more added health benefits, without the added calories.

Another snack that I picked up recently from Amazon were the Nakd Cashew Cookie Bars and the Nakd Ginger Bread Bars. I had tried the Cocoa Delight raw bars previously and enjoyed those, so I was hoping I'd be happy with some of the newer flavours, and I am in love, especially with the Ginger Bread Bar. It had such a sweet and spicy taste, just like Christmas! It just tastes so heavenly and I can't believe there is so little ingredients but such a great, authentic taste. These bars are a perfect on the go snack, whether you have them whilst travelling to work for breakfast, or as a simple in-between meal snack. They are super tasty and only made with very few ingredients, so there is nothing nasty or processed in these.

Since I bought my Breville Blend Active about a year ago, I've definitely upped my game when it comes to making smoothies, especially for breakfast if I'm in a rush. Smoothies are so quick and easy to make, it's a great alternative for a simple, nutritious breakfast. Recently I was kindly send a few health powders and tablets, that you can combine into your smoothies, that add great health benefits without spoiling the taste. I've been using a mixture of the Indigo Nutrition Organic Supergreens Powder* / Indigo Nutrition Organic Spirulina Tablets* / Indigo Nutrition Organic Wheatgrass Powder* and simply adding a small amount to my breakfast smoothies in the morning and I have really been liking using them. Even though you can't physically see any health benefits, you know that they are all packed with great nutrients and vitamins, it's something so easy you can incorporate into your lifestyle to lead a healthier day to day life.

Something new I'm trying this month are the Proper Pops Lime, Lemongrass and Garlic Chips*. "We pop our nutrient rich chips under pressure. They don't go near a fryer, so they're 100% FULL OF TASTE with almost 90% less fat than your average crisp." The pop chips are basically a healthy alternative to crisps, and these ones I received definitely packed a punch with the flavours used. With a slight Asian influence, the Lime, Lemongrass and Garlic flavours were something I really enjoyed and I would really like to try some other flavours from the range as these really impressed me.

Next up, water. As you may have seen in my 16 Things for 2016 post, I wanted to increase my water intake as I felt that I really wasn't drinking enough. Water is super important when leading a much healthier lifestyle, so I was super happy to receive a bottle of the Nuva Ginger and Lemon Spring Water*. I love flavoured waters, my favourite being the Volvic Lemon and Lime water. But when I tried this one from Nuva, I was really impressed. It was such a lovely, not too overpowering ginger and lemon flavour, that I drank this first thing in the morning before breakfast, just to make my body feel refreshed and get it started for the day.

Finally, another water related product here. I was kindly gifted a variety of Stur Water Enhancers* to try and test, and they have definitely helped me in my aim to drink more water and increase my daily intake. I was sent 2 Real Brewed Tea with Lemon, 1 Real Brewed tea with Peach and the Boldly Blackcurrant and Apple Flavour, all of which are super tasty, but my favourite has got to be the Real Brewed Tea with Lemon, it's such a refreshing drink for the early mornings and I've been having a pint of water each day before breakfast, with a little squeeze of it, just to add some flavour.

My first impressions of Stur, I would highly recommend them to anyone who finds plain water boring to drink, as these are a great little additive that can help add some fruit flavour and help you to increase your water intake. They also come in such handy travel sized containers that they are easy to take on the go an add to some water wherever you go!

What new foods and drinks have you been trying this month? Would you consider purchasing any that I have included in today's post?

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AD - GIFTED | For today's post, I've teamed up with Aqua Pura, who kindly sent me a whole load of natural mineral water* and some great tips to share with my readers, as well as what I have personally been doing to help me and you feel good and get that extra mood boost to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle. Aqua Pura has provided a list of the following top ten ways to feel your best, how many have you tried or think you could incorporate into your daily lifestyle?

1. Begin by finding a brave friend to start this next chapter with you - having some friendly support (and a bit of healthy competition) should help!

2. Water, water and more water - An amazing 70% of the body is made up of water, and you need to drink around 6-8 glasses to stay hydrated!

3. Move it, move it! - Take the stairs, walk to work or even go to a few classes at your local gym. Find new ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

4. Self motivate! - Don't go for a complete lifestyle overhaul on day one - set yourself achievable goals that you can aim for and conquer, changing your routine one step at a time.

5. Eat a good breakfast every day - Try to get up ten minutes earlier so you have time to enjoy a healthy breakfast before dashing out the door.

6. Snack wisely- If you're feeling a little peckish between mealtimes, grab some unsalted mixed nuts, chopped raw vegetables or dried fruit, and wash it all down with a glass of - you guessed it- water!

7. Enjoy your surrounding - Get to know your local area or reacquaint yourself with nature by going for regular walks.

8. Try something new - As well as cutting out some of your bad habits, introduce some new and exciting recipes and hobbies, and see what works best for you and your lifestyle.

9. Moderation is key - Don't be so strict on yourself that you ban everything you enjoy, but be sure to stay healthy as much as possible so that you deserve the occasional treat.

10. Tackle things heads on- Challenge the negatives in your life

With all these tips in mind. I wanted to share some of the ways I have chosen to feel good and improve my lifestyle. Firstly, I have been drinking a lot more water recently and find that this has given me so many health benefits, it's amazing. My skin looks clearer, more radiant and less dull, plus my hair feels and looks shinier and healthier, as well as having less split ends.

Also, I have been walking to the train station instead of taking the bus, this really allows you to get some fresh air and clear your mind, as is a great way to incorporate some exercise into your daily routine, without it being too tiring and vigorous. I've also been improving my diet and incorporating healthier alternatives, making exciting breakfasts daily, trying new foods and recipes and better snacks that are much better and nutritious for my body.

What tips and tricks do you swear by to help you feel good?

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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 this months wishlist edit, I will be focusing on fashion and style products that I have got my eyes on. When it comes to clothes shopping, I try and purchase staple pieces that I know are going to last and will see me through all seasons in some way or another. So lets take a look at January's picks.

As mentioned in my December Favourites, I absolutely adore my white and black Roshe Runs. They are my most worn and go-to choice of footwear on an everyday basis. Don't get me wrong I love wearing heels and boots for special occasions and times where I want to feel more dressy, but I love being comfortable and supported. I want to purchase a new pair of Nike Roshe Run Trainers, preferably the all black version as I see these being such a versatile piece of footwear and I know they will get as much use as my pair now.

When it comes to basics, I love shopping in New Look. I find that they have such a wide variety and have such affordable prices, there will always be something I like. Whilst browsing the website recently, I came across the Black Ribbed Stripe High Neck 3/4 Sleeve Top / Burgundy Ribbed Stripe High Neck 3/4 Sleeve Top which I thought would be a great basics for the winter to spring transition. I have been loving the high neck feature on tops and feel they just help to make an outfit look more put together, and I also and a fan of the ribbed detail and half sleeves, as I find these to be a very flattering fit.

As a huge underwear lover, it wouldn't be right not to include something that I have my eyes on. And for this I have seen a gorgeous set from H&M including Lace Balconette Bra / Mesh and Lace Hipster Briefs in a nude, beige sort of colour, something I am lacking in my underwear collection. But this set is just so pretty. I love the lace detail and I think it's such a classy and sophisticated underwear set.

Next up, Ankle Boots. I love to wear ankle boots on special occasions and for nights out, especially black boots as I feel they just make an outfit look more dressy and formal, when you want to dress more casually. I've spotted these gorgeous Jones Bootmaker Newby Heeled Ankle Boots that I feel would be a great addition to my shoe collection.

And finally, I have been on the lookout for a new watch for so long, I just can't seem to find the perfect one. At the moment, I'm wearing a pretty Rose Gold watch from River Island, which is looking a little worse for wear, however it has lasted me a good few years, so I'm not complaining. As I wear my watch everyday, I really want to treat myself as this is really the only piece of jewellery I wear on a daily basis. Saying that, I really have my eye on the Michael Kors MK5263 Ladies Blair Chronograph Watch. I love rose gold watches, as I feel they as just more feminine and sophisticated, and suit my skin tone more than gold/silver, so hopefully some time in the future I shall be purchasing myself a lovely new watch!

What products are on your current wishlist? Is there anything from my wishlist that you like the look of?

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