Faded Spring

    Unique Christmas Gift Ideas For Holiday Cheer

    In another lifetime she had been brought up with holiday cheer. Bubbles of mirth escaping her lips, rosy cheeked like a cherub. Her hair unfurling like rose petals, cascading down her back. She was the 'belle of the ball', the Princess of Christmas. Resplendent in a red velvet dress, a tiara wedged in thick wavy curls. Earrings twirling from earlobes, shimmers of gold trailing past her shoulders. She would sit at the table, a tablecloth adorned with reindeers that smiled. Holding hands with loved ones, let the Christmas feast commence. Engorged bellies pooched from eating. The memory of the crispiest of roast potatoes still haunting her mind. Bubble and squeak and all things nice. Carrots, ... read more

    Indulgent Christmas Gift Ideas That Are Feel Good

    She heard Christmas before she saw it. Cascading white veils, the ethereal chorus of nature's whispered hymn. Laughter dancing through the frost-kissed air, imprints of innocence. Each snowflake a fleeting moment of grace and solace. Falling gently, finding their own story. For Christmas was a season of joy, where the world was bathed in a warm and festive light. Though there were Christmases that she wished would be erased from her memory, there were others that made her glow. Christmases where the air was perfumed with sugared cookies. A dusting of icing sugar on the kitchen counter. Indulgence taking hold, with delicacies that made her mouth water. Hot chocolates steeped in marshmallows, ... read more

    The Holistic Benefits Of Hiking In Winter

    She felt the tears trickle down her face, dribbling into her mouth. Her eyes puffy, dark circles like charcoal circles underneath. Her hair limp, and unloved, tucked away in a felt cobalt blue beanie, tendrils escaping. Her body, mind and soul were exhausted, beneath a tumotous sky adorned with silver thread. And yet, despite her appearence, and mood, she was healing. On a mountain dressed in monochrome. Feeling the icy claws of winter scratch at her reddened cheeks. Hands stiffening, shoved into voluminous ski jacket pockets. She was hurting, but the walk was cathartic. Where she let out tears into the abyss of winter. Feeling the calm wash over her, the snowflakes slipping into her ... read more

    Luxury Winter Coach Holidays Around The World

    She watched the snowflakes twirling, suspended in time. Their icy whispers clawing at the coach window. Passengers lost in thought, headphones on. Some sleeping, swathed in blankets like burittos. Others gossiping, animated grins licking their faces. The sound of throaty laughter drifting to where she was sitting, her own face hiding a smile. Bleary-eyed and almost out of it, the dark shadows under her eyes grew deeper. But despite the exhaustion that sank into her bones, there was joy. Winding valleys serenading her senses, tinged with white. Forests bathed in the first morning light,  the sun breaking like an egg yolk. For she was on her solo travels, discovering the UK, and all its beauty ... read more

    Budget Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas Under £30

    She heard the distant rumble of the snow pummelling the ground. Wisps of white blanketed in hail, delicate snowflakes too. Like angelic dancers cascading in mirthful laughter. Despite the chill in the air, the rosy cheeked human's eyes sparkled with warmth. Even with the cost of living crisis, they made do with what they had. No matter what life threw at them, their optimism was infectious. For Christmas was a form of holistic self-care, where families gathered, stories shared. Gifts wrapped in love, roast dinner on the table. For most of her life she grew up on a budget. Working hard to afford her own things even from a young age. Her own laptop, her own camera. Books for research, clothes ... read more

    How To Make Your Colourful Clothes Last Longer

    She opened the mirrored wardrobe door and stepped into a new world. Where a tapestry of colourful clothes swung delicately from wooden hangers. Floor-length ballgowns emblazoned with large flowers. Monochromatic coords in oranges, blues, and greens. Wardrobes designed by colour, where rainbows lived and thrived. Two of the cats racing each other around the room, as the autumn sun peeked in. Floods of light illuminating green and hazel eyes, scampering into the folds of her ethical wardrobe. She could hardly blame them. An Alice in Wonderland set-up. Where prom dresses were swathed with delicately embroidered jackets. Carefully tailored suits shining in primary brights. And who could ... read more

    How Solo Travel Can Boost Your Mental Health

    Ever since she could remember, the demons followed her, wherever she want. Cloying panic attacks that engulfed her hungrily, that left her breathless. Depressive episodes that robbed her of all energy. PTSD that embalmed her in fear. There was something else too, undiagnosed. The key to her mental health and trauma, that was stopping her from healing. But she was a warrior. Who fought to get out of bed in the morning. Even when she wanted to block the world out, she put one foot in front of the other. Despite the over-crowded thoughts battled in her mind, she remained strong. The overthinking and the overwhelm, the panicked thoughts, and paralyzing horror. She never let it win. Because if ... read more

    Unique Autumn Staycation Ideas In The UK

    The golden hues of summer were fading into autumn. Days growing shorter, the clocks turning back. The verdant lush greens now rich earth tones. A ballet dance of burnt orange leaves. A sip of pumpkin spice latte, frothed milk. Hair trailing down your back, whipped by frantic wind. The air cooler, less kind. Enveloped in a tulmotous storm. Sticky-sweet hazy summer days gone,  a rain cloud in its place. An umbrella splattered with rain-drops, in the hush of morning. Abandoning the world's relentless chase, she'd embark on a short autumn break. Ambrosia for the soul, engulfed in tides of tranquility. But where would she go? She would embrace the beauty of the UK. Discovering unique autumn ... read more

    Caring For The Elderly: How To Make A Difference

    A was once a carer for the elderly. During her third year of university, she took on work as part-time carer, and found it incredibly rewarding. So many incredible people who had stories that spanned lifetimes. C, who despite having a stroke remained as kind, and as funny as ever. D with Alzheimers, who still had a passion for cooking. But there was one who stood out above the rest. Not someone she cared for. In fact her Aunty, the person she considered her Mum, Dad, and Aunty all rolled into one, cared for her. M, who lived until she was 104 died last year. Yet, what an astounding human she was. Living in her own home independently until she was 101. Living in two world wars. Above all, a ... read more

    Free Online Money Games For Adults

    She swam through the portal of pixelated dreams. Where mere mortals became heroes and villians, immersed in the magic of gaming. Traversing surreal landscapes, half-way between reality and fantasy. Escapism from the real world, from enchanted castles to cosmic flights. Through joysticks and keyboards, dancing through quests in forgotton realms. A flickering screen, a refuge from reality's incessant chase. By day, a fractured soul, tormented by anxieties that kept her in a chokehold. But at night, silence would descend and the games would begin. From free online money games to retro video games, she held onto fairytales. Holding hands with her gamer boyfriend, as they battled against each ... read more