Faded Spring

    5 Empowering Reasons To Love Your Lingerie

    When it comes to celebrating our bodies, there is nothing more empowering than slipping into lacy lingerie and realizing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. You see despite my lack of confidence in my own 'naked body', when it comes to a good 'underwear set' I feel like a million dollars, forgetting for a moment about the issues I have around my body and the obstacles I have overcome to get to this journey of 'semi-self love'. I have always been 'flat chested' and when I was younger craved 'bigger breasts' so that I could fit in with the people around me and now, I am far more accepting of my smaller frame, even if I still wish that I was curvier than the slim build I have now. And I ... read more

    Experience A Taste Of Mexico At Mestizo Marketplace

    In the heart of Warren Street lies a colourful new marketplace in town, that implores you to come in and delve into its magical oasis of colour and texture. From paying homage to the stylish art icon Frida Kahlo the 'unapologetic symbol' of Mexican culture, to bottled cactuses and re fried pinto beans with chipotle, this city haunt cunningly merges the gap between Mexican culture, fashion, food and drink. Located next door to the infamous and undeniably popular Mestizo restaurant, the smell of enchiladas and tacos waft delightfully under the nose, as you dance around the retro Mexican sweets in juxtaposition to the pastel blue and pink pineapples, caressing Frida's forehead. Toy animals are ... read more

    Why We Should De-Stigmatize Male Erectile Dysfunction

    In a society orientated around sex- hell even the media force feeds a sexualized view of our society down our throats- it can be all too easy to think that by 'not having sex' or having issues in the 'bedroom department' means there is automatically something wrong with you. We laugh at other people's 'low sex drives', we spread rumors about our classmates being spotted in sexual health clinics by jumping to the wrong conclusion, but most of all our prejudices and outdated views on men who 'use Viagra' are 'impotent' or have Erectile Dysfunction means we see them as being 'bad in bed' -far from it- 'old' or 'unable to give pleasure' creates an unnecessary stigma around male sexual health ... read more

    3 Key Athleisure Trends That You Can Wear Everyday

    Now more so than ever, the athleisure trend has exploded into popularity, with everything from the 'motocross phenomenon' inspired by the 'racing track', to sports visors and jagged super retro tinted sunglasses inspired by the protective glasses worn during sports, being worn on a daily basis. Gone are the dreary gym shorts and inspiring basic tees and in its place is 'workout gear' or sports 'inspired' fashion that you can wear both to the gym but also to the shops, to hang out with friends, or even on a date depending on your style. While athleisure is no recent phenomenon, it is clear to say that even I have been hooked on the inclusion of 'fashion meets sport' trends, especially in the ... read more

    What My Dream Kitchen Would Look Like

    Ever since I began renting aged 17, I have dreamed of having my own house, with a large double bedroom, copious wardrobes and a dream kitchen that looked straight out of a glossy lifestyle magazine. Or there were other times when I imagined a house that only a part time mermaid and a unicorn at weekends could conjure, splashes of pink mixed with baby blue, it would be a dream come true. There would be a garden with a treehouse sprouting overhead the grass and my future cats and dogs roaming the house as they protected me from the big bad baddies that were outside of my cozy bubble. I would talk and eat in the kitchen, leaning on sleek black onyx marble worktops, the smell of comforting curry ... read more

    How To Host The Perfect Summer Garden Party

    Summer has got us firmly in its clutches, bestowing its gift of golden light and opportunity on us, as we settle in for the hottest summer on record. The children are outside playing, buckets and spades, as the ice cream van chugs along the rickety roads, it feels like magic. And the adults are just as caught up in the headiness of the moment, mojitos on the rocks, wine glasses a'swilling, laughter carrying on until the throes of the night, a Midsummer Nights Dream. The mood is right and the playlist is set as you navigate your way through navigating the perfect summer garden party. You know it will be one to remember; fairy lights twinkling in moonlight gardens, smartphones held high to ... read more

    6 Ways To Beat The Summer Heat In Style

    British weather is temperamental at the best of times, fluctuating between rainy days and sweltering dessert summers, without a thought to what would become of our 'poor wardrobes'. Is it any wonder therefore that we are uncertainly dressed half of the time, not sure whether to come fully decked out in as many jumpers as possible in the middle of summer or to go out looking like you are off to the beach in December, because the weather can't quite make up its mind just yet. But I'm certainly not complaining about how glorious the weather has been recently with the summer heat plunging me headfirst into its rose tinted world, where the reality of everyday life and all its banal ... read more

    Afternoon Tea At The Dandelyan With Red Letter Days

    The skies clouded over and the heavens opened, while the rain gushed upon the population of London without a second thought. But despite the weathers best intentions, two young friend's spirits could not be dampened, chronicling their way through the big city until they reached their destination at Afternoon Tea Central: The Dandelyan. Floral blooms cascading in voluminous maxi skirts juxtaposed with 50's pin up polka dots, red and white, green, red and white, two dresses entering The Dandelyan one heel clonk at a time. Suitcases whisked away and jackets taken, we peered in awe at the whimsical 'submarine toilets' that reminded us of being at sea. Oh' how canny! But it was the green and pink ... read more

    How To Holiday In Dubai Even When You Are On A Budget

    Known as the 'Billionaire's Playground', Dubai might be  known for being the land where the 'rich and famous' frolic in champagne baths, but did you know that Dubai is also home to free and low cost attractions that won't bankrupt your wallet? Don't believe me? From 'The Dubai Museum' whose ancient archaeological finds date back to 1,000 BC and costs only 50 P, to a romantic cruise down Dhow for only AED 1 (0.20), there is more to Dubai than just champagne showers. In fact beyond the grazing skyscrapers and built up city lies a world beyond the glass wall, where the old and new Dubai collide in one delicious subversive experience. For those who have 'cash to splash' a holiday might involve a ... read more

    My Dream Shopping Basket Inspired By SunLife

    It seems like only yesterday that I moved to London, triggering what would be a lifelong obsession with the big city, reveling in the street entertainers who would breakdance outside tube stations, while children munched on refreshing ice lollies. At night the office drones would no longer be chained to their desks; instead they came outside and joined in the fun that was happening outside, the sound of gurgling laughter making passers-by smile, turning their frown upside down. There would be food shows and hotel stays, restaurants, bars and cafes too, a city that would allow me to indulge in gluttonous greed and thirst. That was almost two years ago that I packed my bags and moved to the ... read more