● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

With the current colder wintery weather, finding the right haircare routine has never been more important. If 2021 is the year you're looking to upgrade your haircare regime, look no further. This year, I'm all over trying to improve my haircare game. I'm making sure to get my hair in the best condition, keep it nourished, and ultimately, grow it longer.

I've been following a number of different haircare tips, incorporating these into my daily routine, to help with my haircare journey this year. Alongside these haircare tips, I've been expanding the haircare products I've been using, experimenting with different brands and treatments, in order to find those suitable for my hair type and needs.

"A luxuriously rich serum that revives and repairs damaged hair while you sleep."

Developed by hair expert Lisa Shepherd, The Hair Boss is a current favourite go-to brand of mine to help tackle my hair problems. Recently, I've been trying out The Overnight Repair Serum to help restore my drier mid-lengths and ends, and regain some much needed moisture. With a lightweight formula, you only need a couple drops everyday to get the best results. A little bit definitely goes a long way, and this 30ml bottle is bound to last you a long time.

Formulated with a blend of luxurious hair oils, this overnight serum has seriously been helping to hydrate and replenish my dry ends. It’s an indulgent, and easy way to improve hair health with only a few seconds work, adding that much needed moisture it's desperately needing.

· Chia Seed Oil - rich in various fatty acids that can penetrate the hair shaft to seal in moisture and prevents hair breakage.

· Macadamia Nut Oil - great for calming frizz, tangles, and dullness.

· Argan Oil - can moisturize your hair and scalp and protect your hair from everyday damage.

· Sunflower Seed Oil - deeply nourishing and soothing to dry hair and scalps. It locks in moisture and helps keeps hair healthy and strong.

· Soy Bean Oil - contains many essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

· Coconut Oil - adds lustre, shine and softness to the hair, as well as promoting hair growth.

"Turn back time with our luxuriously rich serum that works to reduce the signs of damage while you sleep. Rich in natural oils the serum provides the hair with vital nutrients and moisture needed for strong, healthy hair."

The Overnight Repair Serum has been a great addition into my haircare routine, so simple to use and requires minimum effort, it's a thumbs up from me! I like to keep this hair serum next to my bed, to ensure the application of the product is so easy and quick. Before I go to sleep, I like to warm 2-3 drops of the product into the palm of my hands, and gently massage into the mid-lengths and ends of my hair.

I follow this by simply brushing my hair, to make sure all the product has been evenly distributed through my hair, and leave it to work its magic overnight. With regular use of this product, I have definitely seen a change in the texture and appearance of my hair, especially at the ends. The Overnight Repair Serum has definitely helped add moisture and shine back into my hair, and provided that hydration it's really needed on my journey to healthy, strong hair.

Have you tried The Hair Boss Overnight Repair Serum? What products feature in your haircare routine?

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AD - GIFTED | When it comes to jewellery, I keep my collection pretty basic as it's not something I tend to wear on an everyday basis. When I do incorporate jewellery into an outfit, I tend to wear pretty small and definitely more subtle pieces, as I find these much more comfortable to wear. When it comes to wearing minimalist jewellery, you don't want to get too fussy.

Top tips when picking dainty jewellery pieces

- Pick simple, clean pieces. This allows you to make a statement with your jewellery choices whilst still being minimal. Think of it in terms of the saying "less is more".

- Go bold with geometric design pieces. If you want to add some interest to your jewellery collection, incorporating chains with pendants might be something to go for. They help being some elegance to your outfit, whilst being super simplistic and easy to wear.

- Stack your statement pieces. This styling technique can really take your basic outfit from 0 to 100 with minimal effort. Layering up 2 or 3 necklaces together is an easy way to make your jewellery stand out, whilst not being to loud and 'in your face'.

- Avoid mixing metals with necklaces. This is something I tend to stick to. When it comes to jewellery, I usually stick to gold as this is my preferred metal. I find by sticking to one metal for necklaces helps to pull the look together and makes it more sophisticated and classic.

A recent addition to my collection has been from Jewel Editions; an everyday jewellery company that combines quality materials, contemporary designs, and affordable prices. I decided to add the Gold Moon Necklace* into my collection as I thought it was the perfect addition to my minimal jewellery collection.

This delicate gold necklace is a subtle and classic piece that can help add that hint of sparkle to any outfit. I've been wearing the necklace alone for a more simple, dainty look, or sometimes teaming it up with something a little more chunky for a more layered look. I find that when I mix different necklaces, it helps to create more of a statement piece that can really bring a more casual outfit to life.

"Representing changing seasons, the ebb and flow of the tide and a symbol of life in many faiths."

Why necklaces are the perfect outfit accessory

- They add interest to your outfit. Incorporating necklaces into your daily outfits can help add interest and sometimes be a conversation starter. With the right size and style, they can intrigue others to ask questions.

- To dress up a more casual look. Adding statement pieces to casual outfits is the easiest way to take your look from day to night. A t-shirt and jeans might be a simple everyday outfit, but combine it with a statement necklace and some heels, and it's instantly more dressy.

- They draw eyes up to your face. Having a focal point near your face will draw attention to it, and make other parts of your body/outfit less noticeable.

What jewellery pieces do you have in your collections? What other style tips do you have?

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AD| Ready to buy a your first home? Buying a home is one of the most significant and important financial decisions you'll make in your lifetime, and you need to make sure that you know what's going on.

It's definitely an extremely exciting time during anyone's life but it can also be super stressful if you aren't well informed about the buying process. It's also a great goal to have set yourself, but there's definitely a lot of work involved in the house buying process to make it actually happen.

First things first, savings. It's important to have a substantial amount of money saved up to make sure you're financially stable and to help you secure your first home. Once enough money has been saved, it's then time to decide on the budget that you can realistically afford, and will be able to manage payments for. Take a look at your finances to see what you can save each month, and how long it’ll take you to get to your target. Saving up for that house deposit can be an extremely difficult challenge, but it's what is needed to make that dream home a reality.

Something else to consider is income protection. Income Protection is one of the most important insurances, as without a regular income you could be hard-pressed to pay the bills. It simply pays out a percentage of your salary if you’re signed off of work through illness or injury, so whether you’re self employed or work for someone else, have a family or live alone, this could be something to look into.

When deciding on the type of home you want to buy, it's really important to think about the long term future of where you want to live. There are many options to consider; are you buying for yourself? Will you be living with a partner? Do you see yourself having a family in the near future? Will you have pets? All these things will make you think of the amount of space you will require, and sometimes it's better to pick something that will reflect your future plans.

Another important factor to consider when buying your home, is choosing the perfect location for your needs. This could be depending on your job, your budget or your lifestyle. It might also be wise to look at a few different areas and see which you like the look of the most, and has the best environment for you. Similarly, once you begin the house search in the areas you've selected, it's important not to settle for just one house, you should ideally view multiple properties to get better judgement of what you can get for your money, and what type of property will work for you and your needs.

One of the main things throughout your first home buying journey, and one of the most important and necessary things to do is to simply ask questions. There may be a whole array of silly questions, important questions, or even things you just don't understand, but as a buyer, you should make sure that you're fully confident when starting your journey into purchasing your first home.

Have you purchased your first home?

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AD| Whether you’re just about to launch a start-up or your business is ten years old, you should always be thinking of innovative ways to attract new customers and retain existing ones. This essentially comes down to your marketing strategy and some trial-and-error processes to figure out what works for your company and what doesn’t. Read on for some helpful tips.

1) Audit Your Website

Nowadays, it’s absolutely crucial for all companies to have a fully functional website. Potential customers will use the website to gauge the value of the products or services, 24 hours a day. Assess your website or contact an SEO agency to carry out an audit on your behalf so that you can figure out some areas for improvement, and therefore attract more traffic to the site.

Consider the following when auditing your site:

· Does your website align with your brand values?

· Is your website responsive across all devices?

· Does your website load quickly?

· Does your website run on HTTPs?

· Does your website contain any broken links?

· Does your website contain enough relevant content and keywords?

2) Share on Social Media

The online world doesn’t just refer to your website. Social media is another great way to advertise your products or services to a wider audience. Employ a graphic designer or try your hand at creating your own on Canva or another design tool so that you can share stunning visuals on your social pages. Make use of appropriate hashtags and ensure your captions are captivating.

You should also consider the best time to post on social media, as this is crucial for boosting engagement. This will involve some experimentation, but you could also look at the Instagram Insights tool if you have a business account to get an idea of when your followers are usually active.

3) Launch Some Google Ads

Goole Ads allow you to get to the top of Google’s Search Engine Results Page so that you stand out amongst your competitors. Again, this is another way to get notices online, but you’ll need to do your research so that you are targeting appropriate keywords. You may require some additional support with this, but it will be worth it for the ROI.

4) Giveaway Merchandise

Promotional merchandise is a fantastic way to appeal to your target audience and make yourselves more memorable. Here are some examples of how you can use branded items to promote your business.

· Take branded stationery, such as pens and notepads, along to your pitch meetings

· If you’re an eCommerce company, add a small gift to customers’ online orders

· Launch a competition on social media, in which a selection of branded items form the prize

· If you own a store or restaurant, give away promotional merchandise with each purchase

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are plenty of other things you can do with promotional items. Just make sure the items you choose are illustrative of your brand. For instance, if you own a beauty salon, you could give away little lip glosses or nail polish. Don’t worry if your branded merchandise campaign doesn’t result in a large influx of sales; it’s more about building relationships.

5) Concentrate on Customer Retention

It’s usually a lot easier and more affordable to retain existing clients/customers than it is to attract new ones, and handy because they tend to spread the news about how great you are. Be sure to inform them of any changes to your business that might affect your relationships, engage with them through emails and social media and encourage them to leave you feedback on Trustpilot and other review sites.

The above suggestions merely scratch the surface when it comes to marketing, but should give you a few ideas to inspire you to take your marketing campaign to the next level.

Do you use any of these ways to market your business? What other tips do you have?

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AD| Is it just me, or do we seem to spend so much time during the winter dreaming of summer? Summer is 100% the perfect time of year to really relax and indulge in what you really love doing in the garden whether that be gardening, cooking, playing games, outdoor arts & crafts, or even sunbathing on those really warm summer days.

Especially as the garden really becomes an extension of our homes during the summer, and we spend many hours soaking up the sun outside. It's definitely important to make sure your garden looks well looked after, and the best part about it is that it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to have a successful transformation.

So ultimately, it’s really worth taking some time now to tidy up and prepare for the summer months and here's a few tips to get you started on how to get your garden summer ready!

First things first, get the lawn mower plugged in and get grass cutting, as this is the first essential job in transforming your garden, especially after a cold winter where it's been left untouched. Mowing is the key to a healthy, fresh lawn, and can help keep your garden looking neat and tidy, as well as keeping out any weeds. Plus, it just makes your garden feel more welcoming and attractive, that you'll be wanting admire it more and spend the summer months in it! An alternative to this is investing in ready to go turf. Turf products are designed to replicate the look and feel of natural grass, all while offering superior durability and minimal maintenance. If this is something you want to consider, why not take a look at Dallas Turf Company.

Now, is it really summer if you don't have the barbecue out at least once a week? Barbecues in the summer are just the ultimate chilled out, culinary experience, and a great way to enjoy great food, great company, as well as great weather. For me, barbecues are a great time to experiment with new ingredients, recipes and marinades. From grilled meats, vegetables and kebabs, to burgers and hot dogs, as well as side salads and pastas, there's so much choice with what to cook, you'll definitely be spoilt for choice!

During the summer months, we spend a lot of time outdoors, so it's definitely important to have some comfortable furniture at the ready, and easily accessible for when the weather starts to pick up and get warmer. Garden furniture can really help transform your garden, and can make you feel like you're living the dream in some idyllic beach resort, when in reality, it's just from the comfort of your back garden. With the addition of some luxury rattan furniture, you can bring that stunning vacation spot a little closer to home whilst relaxing in style.

Another quick way to transform your garden is including flowers to bring some vibrancy and colour to your outdoor area. As well as this, they help to make your garden space, however big or small, feel welcoming and they can also help you to feel calm and relaxed, plus they are extremely pretty to look at.

Finally, to give you that real vacation feel, inflatable swimming pools are just a must have! Inflatable pools are the best way to cool off in your garden and enjoy some much needed family fun during the summer. They give you that pool side/beach feeling from the comfort of your garden, without the travelling and the expensive holiday price tag.

What ways will you transform your garden for the upcoming summer months?

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AD| As a business owner, no matter how big or small, it is crucial to effectively manage your finances to ensure the business remains stable and successful. This requires an education; you will need accounting skills, like how to apply for a loan or how to draft a financial statement. Make sure you’re clued up on all of the finance related terminology, like VAT, PAYE, corporation tax, etc. Important financial decisions will need to be made even before you launch your business and extra resources might be necessary.

All limited companies are required by law to have a separate business account. Sole traders don’t have to, but it might save you some finance related headaches in the future to have a unique bank account specifically for your business. It’s probably worth investing in some sort of accounting software. Even if you’re running something completely unique, like a farm, there is farm accounting software that can help you keep things in order. Often, this type of software is used in conjunction with a professional accountant to keep on top of your financial obligations on an ongoing basis, like submitting tax returns.

Keep an eye on your cashflow at all times. You can do so by creating a cashflow statement and forecast. Your accounting software should contain functionality that allows you to download a cashflow report, but if not, they’re not too difficult to make yourself. These statements essentially show how much money is coming in and going out of your business over a particular period, allowing you to ensure there is enough cash to operate your business effectively. You may need to take out a loan at some point. This can be scary, but it will be worth it because it will allow you to buy the equipment you need and hire staff to help you get your business of the ground.

Don’t forget to pay yourself. It can be easy to get carried away and invest any extra capital back into the business to ensure it continually grows. Seeking out opportunities for growth is crucial and you should certainly keep some money aside for this, however, you play an important role in your company and should therefore be compensated accordingly.

As a business owner, one thing you should definitely start doing is planning ahead. There will always be random, unforeseen issues, so it’s crucial to keep your finances in order so that these issues can be dealt with, with limited repercussions. You could even create a “rainy day fund”, savings that mean you don’t have to rely on things like credit cards or overdrafts to cover unexpected fees.

Ultimately, managing your finances should not be an afterthought, especially if you want to survive long-term.

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AD| Staying connected with others is extremely important, especially during the current times of living during a global pandemic, not only for maintenance/growth of your relationships/friendships, but also for your mental health and wellbeing. Trying to stay in touch can be quite difficult during the current lockdown, but technology is saving us and we are able to get online and try to maintain a normal lifestyle.

Hosting a virtual date during lockdown is one way of staying connected with significant people in your life. It allows us to interact on a more personal level and is a way of having fun things to do together that can help you to keep your close relationships, without being together.

Long distance/being way from a partner, friends or new potential love interest can be a hard, but you can also make it an easier and more fun experience by coming up with cute and creative virtual date ideas. So whether you're dating in your local area, London dating, Hampshire dating, or anywhere else in the UK, or even if you just want to share these ideas with your close friends, these date ideas can help you stay connected and together during the current lockdown.

1. Movie Nights - The first virtual date idea is to watch the same film at the same time. This can feel like you're together but you're not. You can experience the same thoughts/feelings whilst watching, and you can even share the same snacks to make it feel more real. You could also make it really cosy in your homes, some fairy lights and chunky blankets would be perfect! This type of date can be done at anytime of the day, plus you can both choose your favourite genre of film, so it's a perfect online date to see you through lockdown.

2. At Home Date Nights - Another creative virtual date idea would be to have a dinner and drinks night from the comfort of your own homes. For this, you cook together, order the same takeaway or even order food for each other all via facetime/video calling. If this is something you do every so often, you could even get glammed up and make the date night super special and as normal as it can be whilst still in lockdown.

3. Take Up New Hobbies - From learning new skills to flexing your creative talents, using your time in lockdown to engage in your hobbies can be great for your mental health. Sharing hobbies like painting, drawing, and reading for example, can be extremely calming and relaxing during such uncertain times with lockdown. It's also a great way to explore and enjoy different activities that you may have not tried before or simply just didn't have no times for in your normal daily routine.

4. Play Games Online - To add some excitement into the long lockdown days, playing games online can be a really fun way of killing some time. Especially if you're really competitive, you could make this a regular thing in your weekly schedule and play for prizes or treats, just to keep things fun and uplifting during quite a tough time for everyone.

5. Netflix - Now, would it really be lockdown if you aren't binge watching some new shows or series? Why not share this viewing time with someone else, and watch the same shows together. This will also give you a chance to talk in depth about what you're watching and allow you to see what the other persons likes watching. You never know, you might find something you wouldn't usually choose to watch, and really enjoy it!

What ways have you been staying connected during lockdown?

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With my first recipe post of 2021, I wanted to start focusing on sharing some of my favourite, "healthier" recipes to help inspire those looking to try out new things. With the start of the new year, many of us are looking to change our lifestyle habits, change our diets and improve the way we eat. Rather than making drastic changes to our diets, smaller and more maintainable adjustments can be better overall, as we are more likely to stick to them and they are a more sustainable way of living. Something I'd like to focus more on in 2021 is creating new recipes and using new ingredients in order to branch out my culinary skills and to try new foods.

Luckily for me, I'm not very fussy when it comes to trying new things and there isn't many foods that I actually don't like, so it's extremely easy for me to find a new recipe and follow it. But for this post, I wanted to share a favourite of mine for when you're lacking inspiration and want to make something super quick, doesn't require many ingredients and is pretty tasty too!

For me, avocado toast is a great alternative snack for when you're in a hurry or struggling for new ideas come breakfast or lunch time. If you need your meal ready in under 10 minutes, this is your go-to recipe for sure! There's so many options for additional toppings, you'll be spoilt for choice. Sometimes I like to have it plain as shown in this recipe post, other times I can enjoy it with smoked salmon and boiled eggs, with chargrilled vegetables and balsamic glaze, but you can make it over and over again, and the recipe will never always have to be the same. If you're looking for a super quick and easy healthy snack option, look no further. Bursting with flavour, give this lightly spiced and super garlicky Avocado And Feta Toast a try and tell me what you think!

Prep time: 8 minutes Cooking time: 2 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes Serves: 1

Ingredients:

2 medium slices of bread

1 ripe avocado

dried chilli flakes

garlic granules

salt

black pepper

lemon juice

2 tbsp feta cheese

Olive Oil

Optional extras - smoked salmon, eggs, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, black olives or chargrilled peppers

Method:

1. Cut your avocado in half and add into a small bowl. With a fork, slowly start to break the avocado down.

2. Sprinkle over the garlic granules, chilli flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and mash until chunky.

You can also add a splash of oil olive too if you prefer it creamier.

3. Place your slices of bread in the toaster, cook until golden brown.

4. When toast is ready, spread avocado mixture over each slice. Add your optional extras here.

5. Top your toasts with crumbled feta cheese.

Add a drizzle of Olive Oil, and an extra sprinkling of chilli flakes for that extra kick!

Enjoy your Avocado And Feta Toast!

What are you current go-to breakfast and lunch recipes?

10:00 1 comments

Until 2020, many of us had not even have heard of the term 'furlough' before - but due to the coronavirus pandemic, many individuals have had to stop going to work and stay home for the foreseeable future. Being placed on furlough may come as quite a shock, a lifestyle change bringing with it many anxieties and uncertainties about your future, but you shouldn't let that worry you and try to make the most out of your time out of work.

Everyone will definitely use this time off for different reasons, some choose to better themselves and learn new skills, some may take up some new hobbies or even just a time to have a total reset and switch off from work life. Whatever you choose to do shouldn't be an issue, and you shouldn't feel like you need to do better in life, as living during the current pandemic is hard enough. But here is a small list of 7 things you can do to feel productive, less stressed and motivated during your furlough period.

1. Reach Out To Friends and Family

Speaking to others during this time is the best way to share your current feelings and thoughts, as the majority of the people around you are all in the same boat. Even if your friends/family aren't furloughed, we are all living under lockdown rules and regulations, so during these uncertain times talking with your loved ones may help calm your anxieties and help with any mental health issues you may currently be dealing. Texting, calling, facetimes or a 2020 favourite of a zoom call can help ease loneliness and isolation fears, ensuring you have some social contact, even if it is virtually online, will make you feel a lot better and will also kill some time during your time off. You never know, by reaching out to someone could be the highlight of their day and just what they needed to lift their spirits.

2. Pick Up/Start New Hobbies

Use your furlough time to fall back in love with a hobby of yours that you simply didn't have time for whilst working, or even start something new to fill the hours in your time off. This is the perfect opportunity to use your furlough period wisely and take some time out of your normal daily routine to enjoy something that you love or something you want to get into. Whether it's arts and crafts, sports, cooking or learning a new language, the opportunities are endless!

3. Declutter

We’re all stuck at home in lockdown, so now is the time to do that spring clean that you’ve been putting off for months and get rid of any clutter/rubbish that's currently in your home. The quote "tidy house, tidy mind" is very relevant here and a phrase we all know, but having a tidy living/working environment can really help channel some positivity into your daily life during these uncertain times.

4. Exercise

Exercise is super important for your overall wellbeing but also your mood and mental health. It can also help you to destress, feel less anxious, tone up and lose weight. There's so many different types of exercise you can do, and especially with the lockdown rules, going out for daily walks or working out from home has become extremely popular. Another thing you may consider looking into is browsing YouTube and finding a whole variety of workout videos and routines, suitable for all ages and abilities.

5. Learn To Cook/Bake New Things

Spending more time at home means you have additional time for things like cooking and baking. I know during my time off, I've loved experimenting with different ingredients and recipes, to help expand my culinary skills. Even if you're not so great in the kitchen, being on furlough will allow you to spend time on learning to cook, trying new foods and recipes, and just giving you that time to boost your cooking skills. Cooking something can give you something to look forward to, and gives you that sense of achievement when it turns out great. The internet is full of delicious recipes, I tend to browse the BBC Good Food sight when in need of inspiration, so if there's a particular dish or cuisine that you would like to make for yourself, the time is now!

6. Make Time For Self Care

Many of us were already feeling isolated and struggling with the lockdown, but being furloughed might have taken it to another level and cause many worries for lots of people. But it's definitely important that this doesn't affect your health and mind too much. Practising self care is definitely an essential at the moment, and even the little things can help to improve, refresh and re-focus your body/mind. I recently wrote a post about lockdown beauty hacks that may be worth a read if you're looking for something new to try during the current lockdown. Similar to this, I've also written a lot of content about pamper nights and products I would recommend when you're in the need for some relaxation.

7. Online Courses

Have you ever wanted to learn something new or improve your life/career prospects? Taking up an online course is a great way to use your furlough time productively, it allows you to study from home, helps you learn something new, and can be a beneficial addition to your CV. There are so many courses out there that I'm sure there will be one suitable for everyone. Many website also offer incredible discounts at the moment, or even some free qualifications which is perfect for those on a reduced furlough wage.

What things have you been getting up to on furlough?

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AD| Have you ever thought and dreamt about how your dream home would look? I know I certainly have. I've always been one to browse online homeware stores or look at Pinterest boards, and fall in love with so many things that I would love in my dream home. And I've thought to myself that the first step in making your dream home a reality is making a plan and figuring out exactly what it is that you want.

One feature of my dream home would definitely be a large kitchen and dining space. I enjoy cooking and having friends/family around, so having a spacious kitchen is something I would have to have. My dream kitchen would have a very modern and minimalist feel, whilst have plenty of storage space and a large kitchen island. The kitchen/dining area would be a large focal point of the house, and would be one of the areas that would be used for cooking, eating and entertaining guests. In terms of flooring options, I would consider using a real wood floor that will enhance the feel and value of an open-plan area of my home. Engineered Wood Flooring is a most popular wood flooring options due to its long-lasting nature, moisture resistant, and its quality finish.

Another feature I intend of having in my dream home would be a cosy conservatory. Building a conservatory is a great way to add extra space, as well as extra value to your home. This space in the house would provide some much-needed piece and quiet, as well as a place within your home where you can completely relax. As conservatories are primarily made of glass, they are a great for producing natural lighting and a way of enjoying a bright room from all angles. They can also be made super welcoming and cosy during the darker nights, adding some fairy lights, warm blankets and comfortable sofas. When designing and planning your conservatory layout, it's important to work out what materials you'll need. Heat soaked glass can be used for a number of applications, and could be perfect to use in conservatories where you'll need additional strength glass to help combat extreme weather conditions, as well as potential break-ins.

One selling point of any home would be a spacious garden. Large gardens, especially during the warmer summer months of the year, are just absolute goals. Some features that would be involved in my garden makeover plans would include a patio area with seating that's perfect for barbecues, a well-kept grass area with plenty of flowers, maybe even a hot tub too! I would really love it to be super simple and maintainable, yet still colourful and vibrant all year round.

Finally, a cinema room in the house would just be the ultimate dream. This space in the house would just be the perfect chill-out zone from when you want to relax and unwind. I'd definitely keep this room quite simple, but I would definitely love a darker coloured room, preferably navy, and some gorgeous panelled walls. I think this could be super stylish yet minimal. Not forgetting to make sure to have a super comfortable sofa, some ambient lighting and not forgetting a drinks/snack bar for when you get hungry mid-film!

What features would you plan for your dream home?

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Stuck at home? Me too! We're back in lockdown again, but that shouldn't stop you from taking time out of your day and do some things to help pamper and look after yourself. Self care is a must have and extremely valuable in this current climate of a global pandemic, and is definitely something to incorporate into your daily routine. Feeling isolated can really get you feeling low, unmotivated and start making you feel a little unhappy, but doing something to make you feel better, no matter how big or small, can really boost your mood and cheer you up during these uncertain times.

Here are 5 lockdown beauty hacks that I've been adding into my day to day life and are 5 things I recommend you do to!

Since we're all staying at home, one thing that is super important is letting your skin breathe. None of us are really wearing any/much make up and this gives us the opportunity to focus on our skincare goals and make some sort of routine. For me, I've made sure to really try and stick to a skincare routine, cleansing properly, exfoliating my skin and weekly face masks to keep my skin glowing throughout the colder months.

A goal of mine in 2021 is to take much better care of my hair, keep it in healthy condition, and ultimately attempt to grow it longer. Throughout the previous lockdowns, weekly hair masks have been a thing, and will continue making an appearance into my haircare routine, in a bid to keep my hair healthy, soft and shiny, even during this extreme cold weather. During the winter months, coconut oil has become my best friend. I like to use this as an overnight treatment, massaging the oil from root to tip, in order to deeply condition and nourish my hair, and simply rinse out in the morning.

Coronavirus and lockdown has us washing our hands countless times a day followed up by hand sanitiser gel, walking outdoors to get our daily exercise, but all this will definitely take a toll on your hands and fee. It's super important to take care of them also! Moisturising hand creams and cuticle oils are the perfect combination to keep your hands looking and feeling nourished. And for the feet, I've been opting for moisturising foot masks and luxurious lotions to keep my feet soft and smooth.

Another lockdown beauty hack I've been using is skin dermaplaning. This is something that I've been doing every 3-4 weeks to improve the appearance and texture of my skin. Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment that removes peach fuzz and dead skin with the tiny scrape of a scalpel. I like to make sure my skin is well moisturised before treatment to help the blade glide over my face, without causing any injury. For this, I simply use a hydrating facial oil to keep my skin lubricated throughout. I picked up my dermaplaning tools from Amazon, and have noticed a big change in health of my skin. From the very first use, my skin was definitely softer and smoother, more radiant and glowy.

Finally, body care. Body exfoliation and moisturising can be quite the chore, but with a lot more time on our hands during lockdown, it's definitely something we should consider to help lift our spirits during these times. A simple beauty hack of regular exfoliation increases the skin's radiance, clarity, and youthfulness, and that's just the start. There are so many benefits from a couple minutes scrubbing in the shower, and of course you'll be left with the silkiest, softest skin possible! Followed up by your favourite body moisturiser or lotion, and you're good to go!

What lockdown beauty hacks are you using? Will you be adding any of the beauty hacks mentioned above into your daily routine?

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If you've not heard of Estrid then I don't know where you've been hiding. It's the sustainable razor subscription service that EVERYONE'S been talking about, and I just had to give it a try. After reading a whole load of amazing reviews, I decided I needed to see that all the fuss was about. I wanted to see why Estrid was so popular and why everyone was raving about the subscription service.

No fuss! No cuts! No more bad shave days? You got it!

"Hair removal should be optional. Great hair removal shouldn’t. That’s why we’ve created Estrid."

First of all, the Estrid razor is pretty sharp. Featuring 5 blades for a closer, smoother finish. From the very first use, I was super impressed and my legs had never felt softer. The blade itself features a completely vegan moisturising panel, encased in Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera & Shea Butter, helping to avoid any shaving rashes or bumps too. I found that the cartridge was super easy to clean, and any hair that was removed didn't get stuck within the blades like it can with some disposable razors. The steel handle is made to such a high quality without the expensive price tag. It feels heavy in your hand, and makes me feel as though I have greater control over my shaving and the direction of movement from the razor. No cuts, no scratches and definitely no razor burns.

In terms of cost, the pricing for the first subscription is super affordable. The £7.95 starter kit includes; 1 steel handle, 1 wall holder and 2 razor head cartridges. Then by continuing with the subscription, you'll get sent four replacement cartridges for £9.95 in the post as often as you want. No strings attached - cancel anytime! This is the perfect razor service as I'm so forgetful, and never seem to purchase new razors when I need to, so the fact they come direct to my door is game-changing!

"Every purchase makes a difference. Estrid feels different and makes a difference, too. For every purchase you make, we donate a portion to Kvinna till Kvinna, Medica Mondiale, or the Fawcett Society, all of which work to support women and gender equality around the world."

Have you tried Estrid yet?

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