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 ●

AD| One of the most joyful yet saddening experiences is watching others around you celebrate another year of life. While the celebration itself should be a happy occasion, it can also be a reminder that everyone is growing up and will one day have a life of their own. Despite the bittersweet nature that this can bring, we all want to make each birthday memorable and fun.

birthday party

Sometimes, schedule conflicts can prevent proper advance planning. In other cases, financial woes may make it difficult to put all of the pieces of the birthday puzzle together ahead of time. Whatever the reason or cause, even a last-minute birthday party – when planned appropriately – can be an exciting and fun-filled experience. If you're in need of last-minute ideas and plans for a great birthday party, then keep reading.

Secure Your Funds
Before you can begin preparing for any birthday party, you need to have an idea of the budget – and of course, you need to have the funds. In many cases, waiting until the last minute is due to a financial struggle. There are ways to get around this, however. Take the concept of payday loans for instance. The payday loans that are available from a place like Cash Lady can be secured in virtually no time at all, can be customised for the exact amount needed, and easily paid back in the short term without a massive interest rate. If possible, you can also consider borrowing the funds for a birthday party from a family member or close friend. What's important is that you only borrow what you need and that you ensure the funds are there in time for the big day.

Ditch the Complexity
Planning a great birthday party often creates mental imagery that is beautiful, complex and dazzling. Ultimately, most last-minute planned events don't work out when focused on micromanaging everything. Whether it's the cake, decorations, other menu items, party games or even the venue itself, simpler tends to be better here. Children – younger ones in particular – can be easy to please: rather than making things too complex, focus on a few key points and strive to make them as great as possible.

Ask for Help
Putting together a great birthday party isn't just about securing the money and drumming up a plan: it also takes real work to make it happen! Since time is your enemy, asking for volunteers among family members and friends is an absolute must for creating the best party possible.  Whether it's help from grandparents or even a hand from your other children, never be afraid to ask for help at the last minute. An extra volunteer or two can make a huge difference in the outcome of the party, what gets done and how memorable the event is for your child.

Focus on Food, Music and Games
If you can deliver great music, fun games and delicious food, then the party itself is almost guaranteed to be a success (the only other concern is getting invites out!). If you have spare time to focus on any aspect of a birthday party, then put that energy here. Everybody loves music, games will ensure all of the guests are entertained, and good food will ensure both parents and children alike are happy. These three elements combined help make or break the party atmosphere and entertainment value of any birthday gathering.

The thought of planning everything at the last minute can be stressful and worrisome. However, planning the perfect birthday party can be done in relatively no time at all. By simplifying the process, focusing on the key ingredients of a good party, securing your party budget and asking for help, you can bring everything together quickly and efficiently!

How do you plan for birthday parties?
10:00 No comments
AD - GIFTED | When it comes to makeup, I keep things very natural and simple. I'd much prefer the extra time in bed in the morning, so a quick and easy 20 minute makeup routine suits me just fine. Lavera have recently launched a new collection of exciting natural and organic colour cosmetic make up products and I was lucky enough to test a few of them out over the last couple of months. This allowed me to fully test each individual product and to test the longevity of each formula.

Lavera Makeup

Colour Cosmetics is a comprehensive range that has everything you need to fulfil your makeup bags: from complexion perfecting foundations with high performing innovative formulations to care for the skin, on-trend lip colours to must-have mascaras. What more could you ask for?

Lavera Cover and Care Stick in Ivory

 The first product I would use for an everyday makeup look is the Lavera Cover and Care Stick in Ivory*. I use the concealer mainly under my eyes to help brighten them and make my complexion look fresh and bright. The Cover and Care Stick has a creamy soft texture  that applies so easily along the skin, without any pulling or dragging. The concealer is formulated organic Witch Hazel which has great skincare benefits and helps to reduce and relieve any inflammation of the skin. I made sure to powder the concealer once applied to help avoid creasing later on in the day.

Lavera Organic Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde

Next up in my routine would be brows. I'm quite luck that my eyebrows are quite full but I do have some sparse areas that just need filled in. I opted for the Lavera Organic Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde*. The pencil is super pigmented, meaning you only need the softest touch when filling in your brows, otherwise they will end up looking too overdone and unnatural. The colour is slightly too warm toned for me which doesn't match my brow colour 100%, but if you use careful, fine strokes, the product works absolutely fine.


To add some glow onto my skin, I used the Lavera Organic Highlighter in Shining Pearl*, and applied this to my brow bone and cheek bones, for a pop of radiance. The organic highlighter has a soft, smooth, creamy texture thanks to organic Jojoba, Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter. The highlight has a very pale pink, perfect for all skin tones, helping to give a radiant sheen to both the eyes and cheeks, that really completes your makeup look. 

Lavera Powerful Lashes Mascara

A makeup look would never be complete without a good mascara, and the Lavera Powerful Lashes Mascara* is a great one to use for an everyday natural look. The innovative mascara brush perfectly coats the individual lashes as well as giving them a slight curl. This mascara is perfect for those wanting to achieve a natural look to the eye. It lengthens, adds volume and definition to the lashes, without any clumping or smudging. Powerful Lashes Mascara is enriched with organic Shea Butter to nourish your lashes and keep them in the best condition.

Lavera Mineral Compact Powder in Ivory

To set everything in place and keep away the shine, the Lavera Mineral Compact Powder in Ivory* was my go-to product. The compact powder gives sufficient coverage for a fresh, radiant finish and is the perfect size for taking on the go. The light reflecting minerals together with natural colours complements your complexion giving a radiant look whilst eliminating shine. The smooth matte finish is ideal for fixing your make-up and helping it last all day long.

Lavera Glossy Lips in Hazel Nude

To complete my everyday look, I finish off by using the Lavera Glossy Lips in Hazel Nude*. The ultimate "your lips but better" colour and a great everyday nude shade, with the perfect amounts of brown, nude and pink. The gloss itself applies smoothly and evenly, giving the lips a perfect coverage in just one swipe. No stickiness, no smudging and no fuss to apply. This gloss has become a staple for me and something I would definitely recommend for those more natural makeup days.

Overall, I was super happy with the products that I have been using from Lavera over the last couple of months. My favourites have definitely been the Compact Powder, Highlighter and the Lip Gloss. I also recently featured the Lavera Lash Care Serum on my blog, which is a must have for your makeup bag. It's a total game changer for your eyelashes.

You can find out more about Lavera Cosmetics here.

Have you tried Lavera Cosmetics before? What are your favourite products for an everyday natural makeup look?
12:00 No comments
AD - GIFTED | Winter really plays havoc with my skin, and I'm always on the lookout for the best skincare/bodycare products to use to beat my dry skin. I was kindly gifted a couple of natural skincare products by DERMALOCH; a company specialising in natural products for those prone to skin complaints, and I have been using them for just over a month. With over 50yrs of expertise, DERMALOCH have created two skincare products which are safe to use for those who may experience problems with psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.

DERMALOCH Natural Skincare

DERMALOCH Rejuvaderm Cream 100ml* 

"With an original formula based on 50 years of expertise in skincare combined with a true passion for natural ingredients, DERMALOCH Rejuvaderm has all the essentials needed from a daily moisturiser."

DERMALOCH Natural Skincare

The first product I was gifted was the Rejuvaderm Cream*, a standard cream formula moisturiser, that nourishes and hydrates wherever you require it on your body. Within seconds the product has absorbed into the skin, it simply glided over the skin and there is absolutely no greasiness left behind. I found this an incredibly excellent feature as I used this cream on my face, arms and legs after showering, which meant I didn't have to sit around all day waiting for the moisturiser to sink in and dry.

DERMALOCH Natural Skincare
DERMALOCH Intensive Spray 100ml* 

"DERMALOCH Intensive is a deep penetrating, fine liquid that sinks deep into the skin. Energising the skin and nourishing it with a host of proven ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil, Sandalwood and Eucalyptus Oil."

DERMALOCH Natural Skincare

The second product from Dermaloch was the Intensive spray*. A nutrient rich formulation with hassle free spray which made application super easy. I used this product on the drier areas of my body, including my elbow, knees and heels. As this moisturiser comes in a spray form, there is no need to rub the product into the skin. It worked incredibly well at keeping dry skin away, and keeping the healthy, happy skin in good condition. The scent of the product is very strong, aromas of fresh tea tree oil fill the room as soon as you spray it, so I avoided using this on my face, as I'm sure it would make my eyes water!


I've really enjoyed using the Dermaloch products over the last couple of months. Their natural skincare ingredients have really helped fix my dry, winter skin and I couldn't be happier. Both the two moisturisers work well together, or you can use them by themselves, depending on your skins needs.

Find out more about Dermaloch here.

Have you heard of Dermaloch before? What natural skincare products do you use?
09:00 No comments
AD - GIFTED | When it comes to jewellery, for me, less is more. I'm not really into huge chunky necklaces and chains. I would always opt for something small and dainty, as I feel they are more versatile and really help pull an outfit together. The team over at Statement Made Jewellery got in touch with me and wanted to send something over as a surprise, and to see what I thought of the gift I received.

Statement Made Jewellery

I was kindly gifted the simple, yet stunning Tree of Life Pendant* in silver. This gorgeous necklace was also personalised with my birthstone, ( I was born in April, so my stone is a Diamond) which is just such a great little touch. They also offer an initial pendant, altogether making a beautiful and custom personalised necklace for yourself or for a gift. The necklace was professionally presented in gorgeous logo printed pouch, along with a certificate of authenticity, which really makes it a luxurious and special surprise.

Statement Made Jewellery

In terms of styling, a simple necklace can really add that extra something to your outfit and add another focus point to your look. For me, this could be worn with either a smart or quite casual outfit. I'd pair this necklace with a high neck jumper, simple plain tee or a cami top.

MEASUREMENTS:  Chain: trace chain 18" 
Pendant: Height: 1.5cm Width: 1.5cm

RRP £19.95

Have you heard of Statement Made Jewellery before? How do you style your necklaces? What design from the website would you pick?
09:00 No comments
AD| It’s very easy to get stuck in a style rut. You love your favourite jeans, you adore that old t-shirt and blouse, and as for that eyeshadow palette? Well, you’ve been using it for years! Before you know it, you realise that your look hasn’t altered for a decade or so – which means it’s definitely time for a change. You don’t have to do a dramatic image overhaul. Sometimes, just incorporating a hint of the unexpected into your style can make a big difference. Here are some tips to help you. 

STYLING TIPS

Accessorise with a scarf
The humble scarf has the ability to transform an outfit. Tie it around your neck to make your favourite blouse look instantly retro-cool. Wrap it around your head as a great alternative to a hat. They’re even good for tying around your wrist as a fabric bracelet. Try layering two to create added interest.

Get your lash on
Not a fan of mascara? Try using some false eyelashes instead. For a sixties vibe, go for thick, black lashes; or if you’d prefer a more subtle look, choose dark brown, thinner lashes. A good pair of false eyelashes completely open up the eyes, creating much more drama and sex-appeal. 

Change your jewellery
Do you normally stick with delicate silver jewellery? If so, go for something bold and ethnic-inspired; such as a leather choker or fabric pendant. Alternatively, if you normally wear big statement pieces, try something petite and pretty for a change, or even some antique jewellery!

Get textural with your nails
Nail polish turns your hands into instant focal points. Rather than settling for just a pop of colour, choose some nail polish with texture, such as a glittery or crackle finish. If you’re feeling artistic, stick some cute nail stickers on too. 

Go for a different cut (of jeans)
 If you live in your skinny jeans, now might be the time to switch them up for something different. Try a slouchy boyfriend cut or a 70s flare. They’re ultra on-trend and breathe instant life into your wardrobe. You can also experiment with colour too – for example, if you usually stick to pale denim, go for navy blue or black. 

Change your fragrance
If you’ve been wearing the same scent for years, now is the time to try a new one. Choose something that’s totally different to your usual fragrance. If you normally go for a floral scent, try out something fruity or musky. Masculine fragrances are also ideal – not to mention distinctive. Sauvage perfume is a great example. 

Invest in new lip colour
Okay, so beige or nude lipstick feels nice and safe, and it’s suitable for work – hooray! But now might be the time to choose a few others shades too. A deep ruby red is perfect for going out in the evening, or if you want to get in a springtime mood, choose a burnt orange or pillar-box red. 

Get experimental! You can have a lot of fun playing around with your look – and often, you’ll find long-forgotten clothing or cosmetics in your wardrobe, just waiting to be rediscovered. Get experimental and enjoy.
09:00 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
  • Primark PS Love Rose Gold Women's Perfume Review
  • The Most Magical Family Disney Gifts for All Ages
  • 8 Simple Ways to Make Healthier Lifestyle Choices
  • 5 Reasons You Need Silk Pyjamas in Your Wardrobe

Designed By | Distributed By Laura Thornberry 2021