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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

    AD - GIFTED | During the warmer months of the year, my skincare routine changes ever so slightly, incorporating more lightweight and hydrating products, to help keep my skin moisturised, radiant and glowy. However, I always use hydrating products to keep my skin healthy and happy. Hydrating products are all about increasing the water content in your skin cells themselves. I tend to use hydrating creams, serums and masks to help boost my skins appearance. Hydrated skin is smooth, radiant and has an even tone. To achieve this, you need to quench your skin’s thirst from time to time.

As well as using hydrating products, there are a number of tips you can start adding into your daily routine to help with hydration, that require minimum effort and you can begin using straight away.

- Drink An Adequate Amount Of Water
- Avoid Very Hot And Long Showers
- Pamper Yourself With Face Masks/Sheets
-Eat Foods Rich In Water

The Ordinary Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid


One skincare product that I've really been enjoying using is the The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. I generally use this at night time as a more hydration serum, and it sinks into my skin almost immediately after application. I don't find it too sticky at all and my skin feels very soft and plump afterwards. When I wake up in the morning, my skin looking brighter, more radiant and fresh.

Lavera Hydrating Gel Cream

A new addition to my current skincare routine has been the Lavera Hydro Sensation Gel Cream*. This hydrating gel moisturiser has been the perfect product to use in the morning during the warmer months as it's super lightweight, quickly absorbs into the skin and leaves your skin looking radiant and glowy. This moisturiser features natural, organic ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and Algae to help give a light, fresh and hydrating feel to your skin, whilst retaining all the moisture that is needed when your skin is feeling slightly dry.

Lavera Skincare Hydrating Serum

Alongside the Lavera Gel Cream, I've also been adding the Lavera Hydro Sensation Serum* to my morning skincare routine after washing/cleansing my skin. The lightweight serum uses hydrating ingredients of Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Algae which go deeper into the skin to give long lasting moisture to smooth wrinkles and plump the skin. Perfect to use under moisturisers for that extra added hydration when your skin really needs it.

Simple Skincare Hydrating Booster

A product I've mentioned previously is the Simple Hydration Booster. It's been a favourite of mine for a while and is my go-to product when areas of my skin are feeling drier than usual. I mentioned this product back in my Winter Skin Favourites and have been using it ever since. This has been such a great product to use before my moisturiser, as I am able to target the drier areas of my skin, helping me get that skin glow and leaving it looking and feeling healthy. 

The Simple Hydrating Booster facial moisturiser has been designed to reverse 5 signs of dehydration: dryness, roughness, feelings of tightness, dullness and dehydration lines.

Revolution Skincare Hydrating Cream

Lastly, one of my absolute favourites has been the Revolution Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask. I've only recently started to use Revolution skincare and so far I've been super impressed! The perfect addition to your routine to hydrate your skin overnight with this Hyaluronic Acid infused treatment. Formulated with Sweet Almond Oil to encourage smooth and soft skin and Vitamin E to moisturise. I generally use this mask 1-2 times per week, and apply a thin layer to freshly cleansed skin before I go to sleep.

What are your current skincare favourites?

22:59 No comments

                      AD| Artificial intelligence is making its way into nearly every industry, and social media is no exception. In 2020, Social media is continuing to take over our lives, with many of us glued to our laptop and phone screens. With consumers of social media constantly interacting and engaging online, whether that be on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other website. AI is basically a form of computer science that create machines to automate certain tasks and make them more efficient and productive in modern life. AI-powered social media can help companies to measure and improve their brand, detect consumer preferences/trends, and understand target audiences.

social media

Artificial Intelligence enables those working in social media marketing to relate closely to their target audience, understand their preferences and helps them to connect to potential customers. This allows them target their adverts as well as create content that is more suited to their audience and more relatable to what they are searching/looking at. You may notice this when one day you are searching for a specific product/brand one day, and a few days later, you will be seeing adverts for them on your different social media platforms. Other ways you may find this use of AI include video recommendations on YouTube to product recommendations on websites and even songs on Spotify. All these use AI to collect data and target your preferences based on what you're searching.

social media

Social media platforms like Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook, all use artificial intelligence in some format which allows users to do certain things without any hassle. For example, Snapchat uses computer vision to allow users to be able to select multiple filters that can move with your face in real-time, to help create the perfect selfie or photograph. Twitter uses artificial intelligence to help with trending topics and hashtags, helping to keep tweets in order of relevance rather than ranking them in chronological order, making the site easier to follow and navigate. Finally Facebook, one of the biggest social media platforms uses machine vision systems and artificial intelligence to do absolutely everything. It can help to recognize your face in photos as well as suggest certain adverts to its users based on searches, to even suggesting people you may know based on your friends lists.

Another way artificial intelligence is used online is through the use of chatbots and live chat features on websites. Through this use of AI, users are able to simulate a conversation online, without the need to make a call to the company/brand, making it more convenient to ask questions or have any queries solved. Because who really wants to spend all day waiting for your call to be answered or being left on hold with some annoying music for hours. Chatbots use an AI-powered Natural Language Processing, enabling them chatbots to identify what is being said via text in the chat section, then deliver a response that matches. These chatbots are programmed to respond immediately, saving time and improving overall customer satisfaction.

Artificial Intelligence is a key component of social media and modern life. It's something that is constantly expanding, improving and evolving every single day, so who knows what will be created next?

14:57 No comments

AD - GIFTED | With the COVID-19 outbreak still ongoing, a lot of people had to make a complete shift from the corporate office settings to working from their own homes. For some people, this could be less than ideal as they do not have the correct locations to work from home and avoiding any injuries whilst working away from the office, and those slouched over laptops for an extended period of time could be the ones getting aches and pains. The problem is when you sit slouched over your laptop on your bed or desk, you don’t maintain a correct posture, and end up rounding your shoulders. As a result of this, too much strain on put on the tissues of your body which may result in chronic pain in your neck and back. So how can we rectify this?

back ache and pain

Obviously the most necessary thing to do would be to take regular breaks away from your laptop, to ensure you don't stay slumped in the same position for hours and hours. Whether you use this break to go to the toilet, make some food, or just have some fresh air, it's very important to take regular breaks when working from home. Not only will this help you prevent aches and pains, it will also help you to remain focused and alert.

biofreeze

Another way to beat the aches and pains is resorting to some form of pain relief, whether it be pain killers, gels or sprays. Although it may be a temporary solution, you can definitely feel it working within minutes, so it may be a quick fix in your time of need. I've been using both the Biofreeze Pain Relief Gel* and Biofreeze Pain Relief Roll-On* to help beat my sore neck and back pains. Resulting in long lasting, cold therapy pain relief for sore muscles, backaches, sore joints and arthritis, it's been a life saver! From the first application, it brings targeted and effective pain relief, and I could feel the cooling sensation spreading right across my back and the pain reducing within minutes. The cold relief reduces blood flow to the affected area to ease swelling and minimize damage to soft tissues. Applying Biofreeze when needed has really helped me remain focused on my work and has allowed me to forget any pain that I was suffering with.

Finally, something that can really help you through the aches and pains are simple back/ shoulder exercises and stretches to help improve mobility and posture. I like to make sure I do as much stretching as possible, and if necessary, I have been using my foam roller to target any specific areas of pain. Just by getting up and about every hour or so will help beat those aches and pains, and help to keep your muscles functioning correctly and prevent soreness. There are so many videos online and tutorials to follow to make sure you are correctly stretching your muscles out - something very important to focus on as you don't want to risk further injury.

Have you been suffering with any WFH aches and pains? What ways have you been trying to reduce these?

16:25 No comments
AD| Creating a gallery wall is a creative way to display your favourite family photos and relive these memories every single day. These are simple, yet effective ways to add a personal touch to your home and to show off photos of your favourite people and your pets, for all your visitors to see and to talk about. Gallery walls are so versatile, so stylish, can help add a modern touch to your house and make it feel more like a home. You can create a beautiful display of your favourite photographs and favourite memories, and these can be easily styled and adapted to suit any décor, depending on the colour scheme, layout, themes and sizes you choose to use in your family gallery wall.

 If you think you want to build a gallery wall or are in the planning stages of putting together a display of family photos for your home and need some starting points to think about and help plan this, here are some of my top tips to help get you started.

gallery wall

For me, the most important stage of creating a gallery wall is designing the perfect layout for your photographs. Planning this ahead will save you a lot of time and effort in the future, and will also allow you to work out what shapes and sizes you will need to fill the space you have saved to keep your memories hung up on the wall. Deciding on the number of photos you wish to include in your gallery wall is also an important factor, and will be necessary to think about depending on the size of the space you are using. You will also be able to mix and match sizes of photographs and frames to help build your perfect gallery wall. Once you’ve planned your layout and have decided on the family photos you want to include in your gallery wall, you may wish to do a trial run to make sure you’re happy with the sizing and layout before you commit to finalising the project.

Another key feature to think about is the colour scheme. Black and White? Colour? A mixture of the two? Depending on your style, all three of these options are really great, but it will depend on the vibe of the room and the artwork you will be showcasing. Black and white images can be more striking and evoke emotion, whilst colour images can be more decorative and eye-catching, but both styles work well for a gallery wall, it just depends on your personal preferences and what works well for the space.

gallery wall

Having a specific theme for your gallery wall will help pull it all together, keep all the images connected and make it look like one large piece of artwork. You may include photos from the same events, or family portraits, or some special memories that you wish to put on show. You could even include a special Animal Portrait, as our pets are family too! Keeping the gallery wall to a specific theme will allow all the images to go together perfectly and keep your gallery wall looking cohesive and stylish!  If you're looking to get some pet portraits made, vectorpets is a great place to have a look! It's super simple to use, just upload the photograph of your pet, select whether you want a realistic or illustrated image, and choose how detailed you want your pet portrait to be. Vector pets put together the nicest handmade custom illustrations from your photos and digitize your pet to keep them in your memories.

vector pets

To work out what sizes of images you want, and the size of the frames you will use, will depend a lot on the space that you’re hanging your family gallery gallery wall in. You could keep your gallery wall very clean looking by making all the photos/frames the same size throughout for a more uniform and cohesive look. Alternatively, you can mix and match the sizes for a more contemporary and modern feel, which will really bring some personality to any space in the home. Also you may wish to consider whether you want to display your images in traditional photo frames or even get them developed onto canvases. There are so many questions to answer and  decisions to make when creating a gallery wall, that the possibilities are endless!

Have you created a family gallery wall in your home? Have you visited Vector Pets before? 
21:47 No comments
AD| When it comes to designing your blog's layout, whether it be headers, banners or logos, being able to decide what features you want to use and adding your own creative aspects to these are what makes your blog stand out. The header of your blog is the first thing your readers will notice. This will set the tone and mood for your content and gives them a good idea for who you are as a blogger and what your site/content is all about. When it comes to designing and creating your blog header, there are many factors to take into consideration before coming up with your final design. Whether you decide to design your own blog header yourself, or opt for the help of a Web Design Agency, here are a few design top tips to consider.

creative design ideas

When designing a creative blog header, the use of colour, text and background images are some important features that you need to consider to really make something that is designed well and eye-catching. As well as this, the way you choose your layout and design is crucial in making a great blog header. For me, I like to create a variety of templates before I pick my final header design. This allows you to easily change parts of your header, and get it, so you're completely happy with it, before publishing it online.

Design Top Tips
1. Use the header when the background on your site is white. This makes it more clear, appealing and engaging with the reader.

2. Make sure to play around with correct sizing of your header and not have your header take up the entire space of your site. You don't want the whole first part of your site to just be a header, you would want to showcase some of your blog's content, so the reader can see what your site is all about.

3. Use colour carefully and avoid colour clashing. Colour is a great way to draw the eye in and express your personality and the entire vibe of your blog. Make sure to stick to a solid colour theme throughout your website to keep it clean and professional.

4. Keep it simple! Simple doesn't mean boring, it means purposeful, direct and clear. Remember, less is more. You ideally want a clean layout to your website, so avoid too much going on.

5. Take your time whilst in the design stage, as it can take time. Start with something that you feel works well for your blog. Maybe you have a favourite colour combination or font style. Try these out on multiple templates. Don't be afraid to change it little by little, until you are happy with the final outcome.

6. If you're unsure about the design you have created, then ask others around you for some advice and constructive criticism. Sometimes it's a good idea to take a step back and let others have a look at what you have created, as essentially they are all visitors to your site.
lthornberry blog

Pictured is my current blog header. Before I managed to come to this design, I had a number of other designs that featured different fonts, different colours and a bunch of different layouts, but in the end I went for this creative and bold design. If I were to change the design, I would definitely head over to Design Bundles and see what creative ideas the site would inspire me with, from the use of SVGs, fonts, and backgrounds. SVGs are scalable vector graphic format and is used to display a variety of graphics online. They are simple plain text files, and these SVGs are used to describe lines, curves, shapes, colours, and text. You can scale vector images to any size that you need without losing the quality of the image. Vector images are best used for typography, logos, icons, or illustrations, which is perfect when you are designing creative layouts for your blog's website.

Below are some SVGs I would use in the future to help me produce new, bold designs for my blog header. There is such a range of designs and colours, that there would be something for everyone. I've found some really simple designs that I feel would be perfect to use when creating a blog header, making sure to keep it simple yet effective, in order to make the website appealing to visitors.

design bundles svgs

The resources Design Bundles have to offer are great when you require some help to create these headers, logos, and banners for your website. Some of the benefits they have to offer include a large selection of exclusive deals on high quality premium design resources including logos, graphics, fonts, templates and much, much more. As well as these, Design Bundles also have a free design section to their website, which could be great if you are a new blogger looking to create some of your first designs and these resources include free SVGs, illustrations, backgrounds and much more. There's over 150,000 products to choose from, so why not have a look today!

How do you create your blog headers? Have you visited Design Bundles before?
15:14 No comments
AD| Worldwide lockdown situations have seen countries around the world implementing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and to help kickstart some form of normality back into everyday life. Quarantine has us staying at home and watching the world go by, but that doesn't mean your love life has to come to a stop whilst the whole world has.

coronavirus lockdown

For couples lockdowned together, it can be quite hard to carry on living as normal when you're with your partner constantly, or if you're relationship is long distance, this can also prove problematic and hard to cope with. The key to this being communication. It's one of the most important parts for a good relationship, and it's needed more than ever during these uncertain times.

Something that can really help living together during this time is both quality time together and apart. Everyone needs their own space from time to time, and living together during a lockdown can be very hard and sometimes you just need to take yourself away from the situation and have some down time, even if it's just for an hour or two! Similarly, quality time together is also needed so you can catch up and feel connected with your partner. Maybe plan an at home dinner date, have a movie night, or even a pamper session together.

coronavirus couple

For singles in lockdown, trying to keep your love life on track can prove quite tough living life by yourself and feeling quite lonely. Dating sites likes Tinder, Bumble and matchmehappy.co.uk, to name a few, have been extremely popular during the COVID-19 lockdown. The free dating sites uk have been very helpful for singles to venture out and meet new people from the comfort of their own homes, so they don't feel like they are missing out on anything. Many dating apps have been installing video calling services so you can feel close to who you're talking to, but from the comfort of your own home. Think of it as dating in real life, without the awkward first date and less pressure, as you can feel relaxed and comfortable from your own surroundings.

However, during this global pandemic, singles and couples may be struggling with isolated life, so there are many ways to help battle this during lockdown. Communication with family and friends can really lift your spirits, and can allow you to stay connected with your loved ones, so it feels like you aren't missing out on anything at all, whilst staying lockdowned at home.

If you feel like you need a break from everything and need to relax, disconnecting from social media for a day or two can be really good for your health. You have the chance to forget about everything that is currently happening and spend more time focusing on you. Practicing self care is really important. Whether you take up an existing hobby, learn something new, or just pamper yourself, these can really help you feel normal in a not so normal world currently.

How has dating and your love life hanged during the coronavirus lockdown?
15:17 No comments
AD| Take a trip to Spain without leaving your kitchen! Spanish food is one of my favourite cuisines to recreate at home because of the amazing flavours and vibrant colours found in every single recipe, you'll be spoilt for choice!

Perello Gordal Pitted Olives

For a few little pre-dinner snacks, these Perello Gordal Pitted Olives* are perfect. Gordal olives are one of the finest Spanish olives – bright green, plump and crisp. These Gordal olives are canned in brine with Guindilla chilli – giving the olives a little kick. 

Torres Black Truffle crisps

Torres Black Truffle crisps* are also a great alternative when looking for some snack ideas. These luxury crisps pack an intense black truffle punch and will leave your guests wanting more and more. Either eat the crisps by themselves, with dips or as part of a meat/cheese platter.

pan con tomate

Pan con Tomate is a small starter type dish and for something with so few ingredients – just toasted bread slices, tomatoes, garlic, salt and loads of olive oil – it’s absolutely delicious and so easy to make at home.

Gambas al Ajillo

Gambas al Ajillo - Another quick and easy dish that you can have made in minutes and will be a great success with your guests. The key ingredients here are prawns, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and chilli flakes. The combination of all these flavours are to die for! I would simply serve them alone with some fresh crusty bread.

seafood paella

Last but not least, the real star of the show, we have Paella, which is perhaps one of the most famous Spanish foods in the world. It's definitely one of the first that would come to mind when thinking about Spanish cuisine. I opted to make a Seafood version with prawns, squid and mussels, but you could probably use any meat, fish or vegetables that you prefer. I also added chorizo, garlic, onions, peppers, peas, sweetcorn and green beans to make this dish super colourful. This type of dish is perfect for a dinner party as it's great to make in bulk and can allow all your guests to dig in to one big pan of food!

la chinata smoked paprika

This distinctive sweet Smoked Paprika* was the perfect addition whilst making my delicious Seafood Paella. Introducing rich colour and flavour to the paella, as well as adding a warm smoky heat which really complemented the chorizo in the dish.

What are your favourite Spanish recipes? Have you heard about Sous Chef before?

ad* | items marked with a * have been gifted by Sous Chef for review purposes
14:22 1 comments
AD| The COVID-19 outbreak has completely changed and dramatically complicated the dating game for the foreseeable future. If you’re single and dating, you’re no doubt facing special challenges during the current crisis when it comes to starting new relationships. Dating during these times has gone online and dating apps or websites have made it easier than ever for singles to get 'out' there and meet new people. Social distancing doesn’t have to mean disconnecting. Video chats are in. Small talk is out.

social distancing

As we see the UK and other countries easing out of lockdown, and slowly bringing about changes to the current social distancing measure put in place by the government. These measures allow you to meet others new people out in public whilst adhering to the rules. As there currently isn't any go ahead for going into other peoples homes and being more intimate with partners or new lovers, casual outdoor dates maybe the best option during the current coronavirus pandemic. From picnics in the local park, bike rides in the countryside and sunset beach walks to name a few, there is a never ending list of spontaneous yet romantic ideas for a socially distant outdoors date.

With social media growing faster than ever, single people are turning to dating apps for social connection and to find ways to continue to date during the current global crisis. Dating apps and free dating sites have been seeing staggering amounts of users registering more than ever during the lockdown phases. From Tinder, to Bumble, we love dates, and Hinge, to name a few, becoming more popular, these platforms have given people the chance to connect with people from all around the world, as well as their local area. 

online dating coronavirus

Dating sites and apps are increasingly helping long distance couples to 'meet' safely via video calling or voice calling, helping you to grow closer and connect more with your partner. Couples are now more likely to form a relationship through online, where they can talk and virtually 'hang out' at any time and any place. With the coronavirus lockdowns, many single people now have more time to spend really getting to know someone on a more deeper level, rather than just focusing on what they look like in real life. 

The idea of virtual dates can really help bring new couples closer together and help form a more emotional bond, instead of a physical one. Whether you order the same takeaway or cook the same new recipe from the comfort of your own homes. Netflix and Chill? Why not! You can video call each other, watch the same Netflix show from your own homes and have a relaxing, comfortable night in knowing that you're both doing the same thing. If that's not really your vibe, there are plenty of other virtual date ideas to choose from and you can get as creative as you like. There's definitely less pressure when using dating sites, especially for those who get nervous easily or feel self conscious, as these methods of dating allow you to feel relaxed in your own home and allow you to be yourself, whilst talking to potential love interests.

How has dating during coronavirus changed for you? What other changes can we see?
19:46 No comments
AD| Looking for a place to start designing your perfect invite for your upcoming party? You obviously want your party invitations to stand out and feature unique designs that command attention, encourage RSVPs, and ultimately get guests to attend your party. The invitation style should reflect the occasion, and take into account the age and backgrounds of the guests. The internet has a huge selection of images and fonts to use to help you design the best party invites for whatever special occasion you have coming up. 

Whether it's a birthday party, end of summer party or just a special occasion, there's simply no need to hire in the professionals or graphic designers. DIY invitations are more affordable, personable and allows you to be creative. You can tailor your party invites to suit the occasion and your own personal tastes, and they can be ready in no time at all with a little help from a few tips I have. 

party invitation

First of all, the design and layout of your party invitation is probably one of the hardest things to get right. You want to make the invitation bold, colourful and eye-catching, whilst keeping to the theme of the party. Using the right amount of images to text can really help you in creating the perfect invitation- too much text can make it boring, too many images can overcrowd the invite and not let you have pace for all the necessary information for your party. By making DIY party invitations, they’ll see that you took the time to make an invitation only for them. That will really help them to get excited about the upcoming event and show the effort you made to create the invite. Below I have created some simple template headers for party invites using some simple images and fonts, which give such perfect visual layout to the invite design.

Party InvitesParty Invites

A font can make or break an invitation design. When I'm browsing for free fonts, I like to use the Font Bundles website as they have so many styles and designs to choose from. I generally prefer to use handwritten, calligraphy style script fonts. I find that they help to create a bold, eye catching design, that would be perfect for your party invites. I really like the brush stroke or handwritten style of joined up lettering, as I feel it gives off a very simple, yet classic and sophisticated style to any text. 

Party InvitesParty Invites

Colour plays a major role when creating your party invites. The colours you choose for both the images and text, can help set the mood, theme and visual look of your invitation, as well as reflecting the type of celebration you are planning for. Bright, bold and vibrant colours could be used for a younger audience, and more muted, subtle colours could be used for a more formal party. There's no rules to follow when making your own party invitations, use the pictures and font styles you love, and get creative!

What are your tips for creating the best images and text for party invites? Have you used Font Bundles?
21:20 No comments
AD| In the current times of uncertainty during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the UK still facing some lockdown rules and restrictions, many single people are increasingly feeling lonely. From missing out on social interaction and finding it hard to talk to new people, but dating during these times and whilst observing social distancing shouldn't be too hard and there are plenty of ways to get your love life back on track with a few simple ideas.

social media dating

Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities, and a great invention to use if you're stuck at home during the lockdown period. You can do so many things at just a few clicks of the mouse, it's a perfect way to date when observing social distancing.

Something that is a perfect way to interact with your dates, or new-found relationships is through Facetime and video calls. These features are allowing users to interact without ever having to meet, and such calls can be made from any place at any time, making them increasingly convenient during the current circumstances. A video call before meeting in real life could be very helpful for many, especially for those lacking in confidence or those wanting to make sure they have picked the right person.

 Another creative idea on dating during times of social distancing includes virtual dates. Whether you watch the same Netflix show together at the same time, cook the same meal over video, or even order each other your favourite takeaway and send it to the other one house. There are so many ways social media can help keep the spark alive during lockdown, what other ways can you think of?

Dating apps and websites have also been a helpful tool for those who find it hard and lack confidence with meeting people. Places like Tinder, Bumble, Aberdeen dating site, and Hinge, to name a few, have really helped single people to make new friends during this lockdown period. These dating apps and websites are usually free and very quick to set up, places like www.dateaberdeensingles.co.uk can be set up in minutes, making it even quicker to meet your match!

Following a recent speech from PM Boris Johnson, lockdown measures are slowly being loosened to the point where individuals are now allowed to meet up with one person outside of their household. This could be a great opportunity for single people to go on a social distancing date, respecting the 2-metre rule of distancing in public places set out by the government. 

Social Distance Dating

A few good suggestions would be scenic park walks and indulgent picnics. This could be a very good first date opportunity as being outside can be very relaxing and calming for some, as well as dining on some really nice picnic snacks, what could possibly go wrong? Or for the more sporty of the singletons, a nice bike ride in the countryside could also be a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, as well as getting in some exercise and bonding time with your date.

What other creative ways have you tried or know about with dating whilst observing social distancing rules?
16:21 No comments
When it comes to skincare, I like to keep my routines as basic as possible to make sure I don't overload my skin and apply too many products. I recently shared my winter skincare favourites, which included some amazing and affordable products that have helped keep my skin healthy and happy. 

If you have seen this post, then you would have noted that I spoke about the Simple x Little Mix Hydrating Booster - a super lightweight formula facial moisturiser designed to reverse 5 signs of dehydration: dryness, roughness, feelings of tightness, dullness and dehydration lines. As I really enjoyed using this product from the Simple x Little Mix collection, I wanted to branch out and test out a few more items, (I picked up 4 items in total) see how they compared and see if they improved my skin.

Simple x Little Mix Face Wash

The first product I decided I wanted to test is the Moisturising Facial Wash. Formulated for a gentle cleanse - it helps remove dirt, oil and makeup that can clog pores, without leaving skin feeling dry or tight. Enriched with vitamin B5, known to actively restore, soften, and smooth skin, this cleansing wash is especially good for dry or sensitive skin. I've been using this simply with some warm water and a face cloth for a gentle cleanse on an everyday basis, or with my facial cleansing brush for a more deep cleanse - once or twice a week when necessary.

Simple x Little Mix Rich Moisture Sheet Mask

If you're looking for something that really gives your skin that boost of hydration, the Rich Moisture Sheet Mask is what you need to try. Packed with rose extract, agave extract and natural fibres, this sheet mask is formulated to give your skin "16 days worth of moisturiser in just one application" - just what you need when the cold winter air has really dried out your skin! I tend to reach for sheet masks a couple of times a month, when needed, or when my normal skincare routine just isn't enough and I need extra moisture and nourishment.

Simple x Little Mix Hydrating Booster

I've previously mentioned the Hydrating Booster on my blog in another post, so I won't talk about it for too long. This has been such a great product to use before my moisturiser, as I am able to target the drier areas of my skin. It absorbs into the skin really quickly, and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy or tacky. This is a product I generally use when I think my skin needs some extra hydration - mainly around my cheeks and nose.

Simple x Little Mix Under-Eye Hydrogel Mask

The Under-Eye Hydrogel Mask is perfect for those who suffer with puffy eyes and dark circles. If you're struggling with getting enough sleep, these are definitely the magic product to use to mask any eye problems and give an illusion of a brighter, smoother and more radiant under eye. Made with natural fruit enzymes, including lemon extract and pomegranate extract, as well as vitamin b3, these help to brighten the skin and radiate that healthy glow, for a more awake and refreshed complexion. I like to use these as a skin treat once a week to help keep my under eyes hydrated and bright. Simple peel the masks off and apply to the under eye area and leave for 5 minutes. How easy could it be? 

The range features the following 6 products; 
Simple x Little Mix Moisturising Facial Wash 150ml 
Simple x Little Mix Rich Moisture Sheet Mask 
Simple x Little Mix Hydrating Booster 25ml 
Simple x Little Mix Under-Eye Mask 
Simple x Little Mix Biodegradable Face Wipes 20 PC 
Simple x Little Mix Micellar Water 400ml 

"At Simple we believe in being kind to skin, the planet and people, and that’s why we have created this Limited Edition range of Simple packs in partnership with Little Mix. In the UK, nearly 1 in 3 teens have experienced bullying online so together with Little Mix and our charity partner Ditch the Label, we are making a stand. Covered with kind words, this pack celebrates and inspires others to wipe away unkind words and instead #ChooseKindness. "

Have you tested out the Simple x Little Mix skincare collaboration? What is your favourite product?
10:00 No comments
With the cold winter nights settling in, there's nothing better than getting into some cosy pyjamas and cooking something quick for dinner. For me, Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, easy to make, and you can mix it with absolutely anything and be onto a winner of a dish. I've decided to put together a delicious recipe combining chicken, green pesto, broccoli and pasta, for the ultimate dish!

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients; (serves 2)

1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 Chicken Breasts, chopped
Parmesan Cheese
3 tbsp Green Pesto
Salt and Pepper
150g Fusilli Pasta
Frozen Broccoli Florets

Chicken and Broccoli Pesto Pasta

1. Start by adding boiling water, Fusilli pasta and salt to a large pot, and cook according to package directions. I used quick cook pasta, so this took just 5 minutes.

2. Add the broccoli to the pot once the pasta is nearly finished cooking, to simply warm through the broccoli. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

3. Pour 1 tbsp oil into a large pan. Add the garlic, salt and pepper, and cook for just a few seconds then add the sliced chicken. 

4. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minute or until browned.

5. Next add the Parmesan, pesto, and a splash of water to help create a thick sauce. 

6. Simmer mixture for 2-3 minutes. 

7. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli. Stir until fully combined. 

8. Remove from heat, serve up and garnish with more Parmesan if desired..

Chicken and Broccoli Pesto Pasta

This easy dish comes together in under 30 minutes and makes a great weeknight dinner! 

What are your favourite pasta recipes?
10:00 No comments
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