twitter instagram linkedin
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Topics
    • Beauty
    • Food + Drink
    • Lifestyle
    • Home + Interiors
    • Fashion
    • Health + Fitness
    • Travel
    • Relationships + Dating
    • Business, Education + Finance
    • Blogging Tips
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Features

● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

After receiving one of the huge Christmas gift sets way back in 2014, 2015 was the year that I really discovered Soap and Glory as a brand and started to try and test out the beauty products they had to offer, and if I'm honest, and ever since I have fallen in love with the brand 100%!

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

"Soap & Glory’s cult-classic Sugar Crush Body fuses freshly-squeezed sweet lime, sparkling lemons, sweet vanilla musk and almond oil, with sea salt, smashed brown sugar, glycerin and macadamia oils to leave your skin feeling smooth, supple, and sexy. Miraculous on dry legs, elbows (really – all over), it’s energising, exhilarating, amazing!"


The Sugar Crush range that Soap and Glory has to offer is potentially my favourite scent. With the rich, fresh and zingy citrus fragrance, topped off with a hint of sweet sugary goodness, what's not to love? The Sugar Crush Body Scrub being my all time favourite body product, the perfect pamper bath time essential and my go-to exfoliating scrub for when I have dry patches, especially on my arms or legs. 

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

The scrub feels very nourishing and luxurious once applied to wet skin, enriched with Macadamia and Almond Oil, this helps to leave your skin feeling refreshed and moisturised. I tend use body scrubs all year round but especially over the winter months when my skin is super dry from the cold, harsh weather. I find the scrub gentle enough to be used all over the body, especially on any dry skin patches, around 2 or 3 times a week and if teamed up with the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream, the delicious fruity fresh scent will linger on your skin for days! 

Have you tried any of the Sugar Crush products?  What's your favourite product from Soap & Glory?
17:00 No comments
AD| With Springtime ahead, I'm dreaming already of my next Summer Holiday. An ideal chance at a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, and swapping it for some sun, sea and sand. If you're looking for a great place to book your next vacation, Holiday Gems* might be the one for you. A great website that has everything you need to book your next holiday destination, with your flights, hotels and transfers included, Holiday Gems offers an independent and impartial travel service tailored to your individual needs.

Let's rewind to May 2017. I visited the beautiful, picturesque Greek island of Zakynthos, however you may know it as Zante, for a relaxing few days. Located in the Ionian Sea, Zakynthos offers plenty of activities for all ages, relaxing by the beach, boat tours or even a trip to Laganas for your next night out, a perfect destination for your next holiday, with bright blue seas and perfectly soft sand, Zakynthos is Instagram heaven. 

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Zakynthos
 
On my visit, I stayed in the beautiful beach town of Kalamaki, situated on the islands south coast. An ideal destination for those wanting a relaxed and peaceful getaway, but also giving you the chance to visit places including Zakynthos Town and Laganas, only a short taxi ride away. I stayed at the Kalamaki Beach Hotel, an amazing, small hotel located within 2.5 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with magnificent views over the lonian sea, and only a few footsteps away from the gorgeous sandy beaches. Kalamaki Beach Hotel boasts a great poolside snack bar, an on-site taverna and cocktail bar, swimming pool and sun loungers too.

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Zakynthos

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Pool Zakynthos

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Breakfast Zakynthos

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Pool Zakynthos

One excursion that we stumbled upon was horse riding with Nanas Horses; A small family run business catering for both beginners and expert horse riders, allowing you to enjoy some outdoor activity, whilst taking in the stunning scenery around Kalamaki. We booked to go to Nana's Horse riding through the hotel we stayed at, and were kindly picked up and dropped off back, even though it was only a short car ride away. We opted for a 1.5 hour long trip, which saw us ride through fields, alongside the road and ending upon the beach at sunset, which was an absolutely amazing experience which beautiful views. So if you have an afternoon spare, I would highly recommend a short horse riding trip, a great holiday experience and a great way to take in the picturesque views of Kalamaki.

Nana's Horses Riding Excursion Kalamaki

Kalamaki Beach Zakynthos

 One of our days consisted of a tour of the beautiful island, allowing us to view some of the amazing sights of Zakynthos and learn all about history and culture of the island. One stop along the island saw us having breath-taking, panoramic views over Zakynthos Town. Further along the tour, we stopped off at Strani Hill, overlooking the plains of the island, walking though the olive trees, and arriving at the statue of Dionysius Solomos, a Greek poet from Zakynthos.

A View of Zakynthos Town

Dionysios Solomos Statue Zakynthos

I also visited the world famous Navagio Shipwreck Beach, a tucked away little cove in the north of the island, with a beautiful pristine beach and crystal clear waters probably one of the most famous beach in Greece and can only be accessed by boat. The iconic image of an abandoned, rusty shipwreck washed upon the pure white sands is something not to be missed when visiting Zakynthos. On the boat ride back to the port, we spent some time the Keri Caves, a group of sea caves and rock arches on the coast of Zakynthos, a place with some of the deepest blue coloured water I have ever seen. 

Navagio Shipwreck Beach Zakynthos

Navagio Shipwreck Beach Zakynthos

Navagio Shipwreck Beach Zakynthos

Navagio Shipwreck Beach Zakynthos

Zakynthos Blue Caves

Lastly, is to mention the absolutely amazing Greek food that I had tasted during my stay. Kalamaki hosts some amazing restaurants and places to get some delicious Greek cuisine. We dined at the Kalamaki Beach Hotel on-site Greek Taverna, tucking in to some tasty Greek Gyros, Greek Meatballs, Spinach and Feta Parcels and Homemade Red Pepper Hummus, washed down with a fruity Strawberry Mojito!

I also dined at the Paolo Restaurant in Kalamaki, an amazing, warm welcomed place to eat, with affordable prices and super friendly staff. I opted for the traditional dish of Souvlaki; a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer. Another restaurant I dined in on my trip was The Family Restaurant, with a fabulous meal and great hospitality, it's one not to miss out on.

One night we headed into Laganas, another beach resort on the island famous for its nightlife; a definite place for the youngsters with various lively bars and tavernas, it's a must visit. A quick food stop in Peri Heaven, Zante's equivalent of Nando's. Amazing food, great portions and really affordable. Afterwards, we headed to the lovely Angels Bar for some quick cocktails, a great place to start your night out if you will be heading to the Laganas strip.

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Taverna Zakynthos

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Taverna Zakynthos

Kalamaki Beach Hotel Taverna Mojito Zakynthos

Paolo Restaurant Kalamaki Zakynthos

Peri Heaven Laganas Zakynthos

So whether you're looking on planning your summer holiday, or would just like a short weekend break, Holiday Gems has a wide range of low cost holidays to choose from, with an amazing selection of destinations available to suit all tastes and budgets, you can book your next break to suit all your preferences, without breaking the bank!
11:00 No comments
With Pancake Day on the way,  I thought today's blog post would be a great way of sharing a little cheeky pancake recipe that combines some great flavours, that would be perfect for creating on Pancake Day as well as those cheat weekend breakfasts! Pancakes can sometimes be seen as quite an unhealthy food, but throw on top some fruit and yoghurt, and it's a win win situation..... right?!?! 

From sweet to savoury fillings, a pancake is such a versatile snack that can really have literally any toppings and still be delicious!

Dark Chocolate, Blueberry & Coconut Pancake Day Recipe

I also wrote a blog post about my very own Tropical Banana Pancakes, which may be for you if you're wanting to be that extra bit healthy! Carry on reading to find out what ingredients you will need and how I made these delicious pancakes! 

Dark Chocolate, Blueberry & Coconut Pancake Day Recipe

For the pancake mixture;
110g  plain flour
pinch of salt
2 eggs
200ml milk
50g butter

To serve;
handful of blueberries
melted dark chocolate
sprinkle of desiccated coconut
2 spoonful's of plain yoghurt
drizzle of honey/syrup

Dark Chocolate, Blueberry & Coconut Pancake Day Recipe

Method;

1. Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.

2. Make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it, and begin to whisk.

3. Next gradually add small quantities of the milk and continue to whisk, until all the flour is incorporated.

4. Now melt the butter in a pan and spoon 2 tbsp of it into the batter and whisk it in, and place the remaining melted butter in a small bowl.

5. Now place the frying pan on a medium heat and add enough batter to evenly cover the base of the pan. (around 2tbsp)

6. Let the pancake cook, and once you are able to move the pancake in the pan, its ready to be flipped! (the most fun part)

7. Then once flipped, and the other side is fully cooked, then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate, and add on all your delicious toppings. I opted for blueberries, yoghurt, honey, coconut and melted chocolate. YUM!

What are you favourite pancake toppings? Has this post given you the urge to cook up some delicious pancakes?
13:00 No comments
beauty and lifestyle favourites

With 2018 being the year that I finally start taking skincare seriously, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ is a product that I decided to get my hands on. My skin can be pretty temperamental, some days its good, some days it bad, but that's life I guess. I would say my skin is fairly normal, with the odd dry and oily patches, nothing too drastic, but a harsh winter has made it enough for me to notice in day to day life. The Effaclar Duo+, "a dual action gel moisturiser for every day that minimises the appearance of spots and blackheads, controls shine and helps protect the skin" and claims to be "A blemish treatment that corrects and hydrates skin for clearer skin in 4 weeks". I've been using the Effaclar Duo+ for around 1 month, I purchased just after Christmas, and have slowly been introducing it into my skincare routine. As a first impressions, my skin definitely has been more matte and less shiny, which is the biggest improvement I have noticed since using this gem from La Roche-Posay.

Hugo Boss The Scent for Her - a new fragrance to add to my never ending perfume collection! I received this perfume for Christmas, I had never tried any fragrances from Hugo Boss previously, since having this one, I have fallen in love with it. It's a very fresh and fruity, bursting with a peachy aroma but with a slightly floral scent that would be a perfect Spring or Summer fragrance.

Whilst learning to drive with Wimbledon Driving School, I downloaded the DVSA Theory Test App to help me with revising for my Theory Test, as well as allowing me to take mock tests and practice the Hazard Perception side to the Theory Test. The app itself is very easy to use, you have a choice of launching the Theory or Hazard Perception programme within the app, with the Theory side allowing you to study and practice each topic, as well as taking mock tests with the 50 questions to answer. I have been finding it very useful in helping me to revise and practice for my upcoming test, and would definitely recommend the app to anyone revising for a Theory Test or even someone who is wanting to learn to drive, this app would be something to look out for!

Marsh and Mallow bars are something new that I have recently discovered when visiting my local Starbucks. I saw these sat in front of the tills and decided to grab a couple in Raspberry and Vanilla flavours, and was very pleasantly surprised with these, they are super tasty and a great snack for on the go! I would recommend you stock up on these on your next trip to Starbucks and keep one in your handbag when you're feeling a little hungry.

A favourite, holy grail make up product of mine has been the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara. I've repurchased this over and over again as this has become a mascara that I know will work for my lashes. This mascara has a plastic brush with thin, small bristles that reach, grab and separate every lash, creating dramatic length without being clumpy, as well as being very black in colour. The mascara is also very buildable, applying one or more coats depending if you want more of a natural or dramatic look to the lashes. I also use this mascara on my bottom lashes, to create length to the lashes and definition to my eyes. Usually priced at £7.99, very affordable and very easy to get hold of in Superdrug or Boots, if you haven't tried this mascara from Rimmel, I would definitely advise you to give it a go.

Lastly for my January favourites, a high-end fragrance of mine that I have loved ever since I ordered my first bottle; YSL Black Opium. I think it's the perfect perfume for special occasions and nights out as it holds such a deep, musky, sexy scent that I really love at this time of year. I've found that this perfume is long-wearing and lingers on the skin all day, which is brilliant as I hate having to carry the perfume around with me for top ups. Every single time I wear it, I get numerous compliments, people asking what I'm wearing or just generally saying I smell nice. If you're after a new perfume or just want to treat yourself to something extra special, Black Opium is the one for you. 

What have been your favourite things recently?
17:26 No comments
 In all honestly, I am the biggest perfume lover ever! I just can't get enough! I adore all kinds of scents, I like quite sweet, musky and deep fragrances and find it really hard to choose new ones, which is a pain when I have so many on my current wishlist! But one fragrance that I have been lusting over for a number of months is the YSL Black Opium. Previously, I had never smelt Black Opium, but with so much praise and hype from bloggers and after reading great reviews, it was something that I had been wanting to try for a while. I mean, the scent combinations just sound perfect for my fragrance tastes.


YSL Black Opium Perfume

"Discover Black Opium, the feminine fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent – new glam rock fragrance full of mystery and energy. An addictive gourmand floral with notes of: Black Coffee – for a shot of adrenaline; White Florals – to instantly seduce; and Vanilla – for sweetness and sensuality. WHAT’S STOPPING YOU?"

Top notes: Pink pepper, Orange blossom

Heart notes: Jasmine, Coffee 

Base notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood

Since ordering this perfume, I have just fallen in love with it every single time I wear it. It's become my go-to fragrance in day to day life. The bottle alone is just gorgeous.  Black and sparkly, what more could you want? The scent is gorgeous. I mean what's not to love? I think it's the perfect perfume for special occasions and nights out as it holds such a deep, musky, sexy scent that I really love at this time of year. I've found that this perfume is long-wearing and lingers on the skin all day, which is brilliant as I hate having to carry the perfume around with me for top ups. 

Every single time I've worn it, I received handfuls of compliments and people asking what I have on. It may be a more expensive perfume than I am used to getting but to me it is well worth every penny and most definitely a luxury treat, something I know I would definitely repurchase! I'm just upset I only purchased a 30ml bottle because it's something I could wear everyday, but it would be a great travel size perfume!

Have you tried Black Opium before? What are your winter fragrance favourites?

Leave me your recommendations!
22:00 No comments
Newer Posts Older Posts Home

About me


Hello!
Welcome to lthornberry.co.uk, my personal corner on the internet where I write about all things lifestyle.

Please visit my contact page for sponsorships, collaborations and general enquiries.

Follow Me

Kudd.ly

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

POPULAR POSTS

  • Primark PS Love Noir Perfume Review
  • The Most Magical Family Disney Gifts for All Ages
  • Primark PS Love Rose Gold Women's Perfume Review
  • 5 Things To Consider Before Getting Back Into Dating After a Long Break
  • Esqido Unforgettable False Eyelashes

Designed By | Distributed By Laura Thornberry 2021