● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

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AD - GIFTED | Whether you a fan of Cappuccinos, Lattes, or Mochas, there's just something so energizing and refreshing about having a cup of coffee in the morning, especially if you haven't had the best night's sleep. Instead of having your daily fix from Starbucks, Costa or any other coffee shop, wouldn't it be nice to have luxurious and gourmet coffee delivered to your door? Well with Blue Box Coffee, you can do just that! Blue Coffee Box was born in 2017 as a speciality subscription for devoted coffee lovers.

"Handpicked speciality arabica gourmet coffee from 22 countries, selected for your taste preference, freshly hand-roasted in the UK, and delivered in a sleek, letterbox friendly box with origin and tasting notes."

I was kindly gifted one of the luxury coffee subscription boxes* from Blue Coffee Box which features two full-size bags of coffee* in a signature presentation box, and leaflets about what coffee I had received with details of the source of the product. An interesting and thoughtful touch so you can read about the origins of the products in your box! From the moment I received my box in the post, the aroma of fresh coffee hit me straight away, and I hadn't even opened my parcel yet. If you have any coffee lover friends or family members, this would make a great gift! You can receive the coffee with whole beans, or have it prepared for a cafetiere, dripper, aero press or espresso - whichever works for you!

"Once your taste buds have experienced gourmet coffee, they won't want anything else."

I received coffees from Brazil and Ethiopia which definitely makes a change from your standard shop bought instant coffee. The Brazilian coffee is produced by the Posses community in the Minas Gerais region. Featuring sweet nutty flavour and chocolatey notes, this coffee is simply delicious! The perfect choice if you prefer a more simple coffee flavour but with a delicious aroma.

The Ethiopian coffee is produced on a private farm in the Yirgacheffe region by Israel Degfa. The coffee features unique flavours of Blueberry and Palma Violets, making it very unusual but very aromatic and flavoursome - if you want to try something new and interesting, this coffee is a must have!

What are your favourite coffee flavours?

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AD| Exploring America has been on my bucket list for the longest time, and there a number of US states that I'd love to visit. But obviously due to the current global pandemic, international travel is the last of my current plans for the foreseeable future. However, that doesn't stop me from dreaming about my future travel goals and researching into places I'd love to visit one day!

Home to so many iconic and beautiful locations, dating in Los Angeles can be super fun and enjoyable, so if you're in the area, looking over at Los Angeles Personals might be something to consider. Whether it’s Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica or Malibu, Los Angeles is packed with things to see and do, you'll be dreaming about it in no time at all! With so many places to choose from, being outside in nature is a great place to be on a date, and I've compiled a few of my favourite destinations to share with you!

If you enjoy being outdoors, keeping fit and getting some fresh air, a hike to the Hollywood Sign could be a great first date idea, especially if you've got a sunny afternoon free. The Hollywood Sign has become a world-famous cultural icon and a perfect places to visit to see some unbelievable views.

The Griffith Observatory offers some of the best views of Los Angeles, and is one of southern California's most popular attractions. Offering spectacular views from the Pacific Ocean to Downtown L.A, it's definitely on not to miss out on!

Venice Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles, and a great place to enjoy great views, soak up the sun and maybe a cute little picnic along the seafront, and stay into the evening to watch a memorable sunset. How romantic?! A vibrant hub of street performers & shops, local activities including basketball and skating, there's plenty to see and do here!

If you're into film and TV, a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio for a spectacular tour could be a perfect place for an afternoon date. Enjoy taking a peek behind the scenes of some of your fave movies and TV shows. Think Friends, Big Bang Theory, Harry Potter and the DC Universe, there's something for everyone!

As good a place as any to begin an adventure in Downtown Los Angeles is Grand Central Market, probably the largest and oldest public market in the city, brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA. A perfect location for the foodies as there is so much to choose from. Offering a variety of cuisines and dishes, think Italian, German, Japanese and much much more, this food hall is a great location for a casual, yet exciting atmosphere for a food date, where you'll be wanting to indulge in absolutely everything.

As well as all the places I've mentioned in this blog post, Los Angeles has such an extensive list of really fun and unique date locations, you'll be spoilt for choice and wanting to go on date night, every night!

Have you been to LA? What destinations are on your bucket list?

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AD| When it comes to gemstones, aquamarines are the undisputed champions of that pale blue hue that we know and love. Aquamarine engagement rings bring something a little different to the table compared to the usual diamond ring. Their colour is subtle enough that it’s still obvious from a distance that you’re engaged, and not wearing any old ring, but it’s also bold enough that people can’t help but be amazed by its beauty – rightly so! But which are the top aquamarine engagement ring styles? Let’s find out!

Classic - Of course, you can’t talk about engagement ring styles without discussing the all-time classic: the solitaire. A single stone can represent so much when it becomes your engagement ring – and it doesn’t have to be a diamond to do the trick! Aquamarine solitaires are a real thing of beauty. Not only are they a colour so pure and classic, but they also have a clearness to them that makes them suit everything.

For the type of frequent wearing an engagement ring expects, aquamarines are up to the task of matching every piece in your wardrobe! They’re also very versatile in other areas; whether you’re warm-toned or cool-toned, aquamarines will match you well. Their unique shade means they look good with white gold or yellow gold, so there’s definitely a solitaire out there for you!

Art Deco Dream - Art Deco is a style that never seems to fade away, perpetually coming back to be the star of the show in the best way. Think geometric shapes, bold structure, very architectural. If this matches your kind of style, then an Art Deco aquamarine engagement ring is the ring for you. Cuts like emerald cut, princess cut, cushion cut, and the stunning marquise cut are commonplace in Art Deco jewellery.

Aquamarines fit the Art Deco style like they were made for it. Their cool colouring and crystal-clear internal structures play with light refraction in a way that suits the hard edges and almost tough style of this kind of jewellery. Engagement rings in this style are best suited to those who are looking to make a powerful statement with their jewellery!

Contemporary Cool - One of the most popular engagement ring styles of the moment is the halo ring. One central stone, with a gorgeous band, or ‘halo’, of smaller gemstones encircling it – truly stunning stuff! Diamond halo rings are a sparkling mass that’s a sight for sore eyes, it’s true, but a corker central aquamarine makes a world of difference to the overall appearance of the ring.

Getting engaged is a worthy enough time to get something special, and the aquamarine halo rings on the market are blinding! There’s also the option to get the inverted version: a central diamond surrounded by a halo of aquamarines. This allows the diamond the reign supreme if you’re into that, and still gets a pop of colour that’s to die for, as well as actually accentuating the central diamond.

Trios and Twists - A trilogy ring, for anyone not in the know, is a ring with three stones on it – surprise surprise. Trilogy rings have risen in popularity as an engagement ring choice in recent years, embodying both a timeless and fashion-forward aesthetic. Typically, they are of course three diamonds all in a row, sometimes with the central stone being larger than the stones at either side.

It doesn’t have to be this way, however, as coloured gemstones are taking centre-stage more and more. Aquamarines are particularly suited to this style because of their stunning clarity. An aquamarine with accenting diamonds glitters unlike anything else! They’re also a popular choice for this style because of the cost-effectiveness of the gemstone. A trilogy ring starring an aquamarine will cost a pretty penny but it’s nothing compared to an all-diamond affair!

Getting engaged is a special thing, and it deserves a special ring. That rhyme was nice, but aquamarine engagement rings are nicer by far. If you’re thinking about getting engaged, consider something a little different from the usual and experiment with aquamarines. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but aquamarines are coming for the crown!

What is your favourite engagement ring style?

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