Faded Spring

    Hotel Chocolat’s Christmas Gifts For Her

    If there is one thing that I love about the Christmas season it is the joy of pigging out on chocolate and having an excuse to cram in as many calories as humanely possible. From being brought the classic 'Celebration' and 'Quality Street' Christmas tins and eating them all in one sitting, to stealing the candy from the kid's and pretending that 'Santa was punishing them for being greedy', when it comes to eating chocolate, I believe that I am a pro. So naturally when my favourite luxury chocolate supplier of 'happy dreams' AKA Hotel Chocolat told me that 'Christmas was coming early this year', I was more than placated with their promise of free 'glorious chocolate'. What could my surprise ... read more

    5 Incredible Weekend Getaways In Europe 2018

    When it comes to incredible weekend getaways in Europe, Faded Spring has scoured the Mediterranean seas and climbed the highest mountains, to find you a slice of European magic that you will never forget. From being bathed in the Northern Lights, marveling at the spectacular light show that cascades and dances before your very own eyes to searching for the notorious Loch Ness Monster in Loch Lomond, who says that 'staying in Europe' has to be boring? Whether you are a couple in search of a romantic adventure, a thrifty spender with their eye on the budget or a solo pioneer of travel, who dreams of exploring worlds outside of their imaginations, here are 5 incredible weekend getaways in ... read more

    Introducing The Nutmeg Christmas Collection 2017

    When it comes to 'Nutmeg' the word alone conjures delicious images of Christmas Cake, doused in a generous dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon. But what if I were to tell you that 'Nutmeg' was not just synonymous with festive food, but the name of a new 'clothing brand' produced by none other than 'Morrison's', Britain's friendliest supermarket? While you might be more familiar with Morrison's as being your local one stop shop for toiletries, food and cards for loved ones, in February Nutmeg's first 'women's collection' was launched, with its autumn/winter range being showcased from October onwards. Ranging from size 8-22 Nutmeg is body positive and is hoping to release more sizes to suit a ... read more

    Faded Spring’s Financial Targets For 2018 With Squirrel

    From a young age my relationship with money has been 'complicated'; from being in my overdraft 95% of the time to having been on the verge of homeliness, me and 'finances' haven't always got along. I grew up having to work for my money and not much has changed over the years. While I had disposable income as a teen and even at university at times, graduating from university and moving to London, truly opened my eyes to what it really meant to be 'poor'. I lived in squalid accommodation that was infested with bed bugs and mice, until I had clocked enough hours in a job that had made me unhappy to be able to afford to move to a nicer home and when I eventually found it, and quit my full time ... read more

    Stand Up For Animals With International Animal Rights Day

    International Animal Rights Day 2017: 10th December Picture the scene. Babies taken from their mothers and slaughtered, covered in blood, another victim of human tyranny. Wailing animals crying out in pain, animals abused and silenced, animals taken for granted and their free will taken away. You hear their cries but your tears mingle with the crowd, already you are turning away, running  from what you don't understand. You have pets at home, a dog and cat that you love and cherish,that you shower with love. If anything happened to your babies you would feel broken, a former shell of yourself, they are your children. But then something does happen, a burglar breaks into your home and ... read more

    Faded Spring’s Christmas Gift Guide For Him

    Whether you are happily married or have found a random stranger in the bush, finding that man in your life a special gift is near impossible. Brothers turn up their nose at the video games you have given them, sons cry when you dare to give them something other than £100 million pounds and husbands/partners/lovers are the trickiest male bunch of all.  Not to mention the struggles of buying a new partner a gift, especially when you barely know what his middle name is, let alone what he would like for Christmas. Well fear not, I aka the ultimate source of all things man- translation, I know f**k all- am here to give you the helping hand that you desperately crave. Whether that be gifting beer ... read more

    Warming Up My Winter Adventures With Summit To Eat

    I used to dream of adventuring around the world, dipping into unknown terrains and exploring the environment around me with the eyes of newborn child. There would be hikes round hilly mountains, shrouded in vibrant green moss, there would be dives in clear blue crystal waters and there would be slip and slides among the worlds most beautiful glaciers, slowly dissipating into water. But then those travel dreams got locked away in a small wooden box and pushed to the back of my mind, while life came and took a big dump on all hopes and dreams. But who says all adventures have to be 'abroad anyway'? After all you can have plenty of adventures during winter at home too! I remember when I was ... read more

    The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide For Mermaid Lovers

    When I was younger, I envisioned myself to be at one with the sea, swimming in and out of the waves, like a mermaid. On land I was just as an ordinary girl, fading into the monotonous background of office drones, desensitized to themselves and the people around them but in the water I would come alive. The sea would form foamy waves around me and I would wriggle around the sea shore, plunging into the icy depths of the unknown, to explore a world best kept underground. Would I find the Lost City of Atlantis, or would I find the ultimate Christmas Gift Guide For Mermaid Lovers that would help transform me into the magical mermaid that I had always dreamed of becoming? I would channel my inner ... read more

    A Taste Of South East Asia At Nusa Kitchen

    Nusa Kitchen is a rare breed of culinary delight; founded by a mother and son partnership (Patou and Mark) in 2004, Patou and Mark sought to bring a taste of South East Asia to ravenous 'city workers in London'. What started as a 'mere soup kitchen', inspired by Patou's  lunch time school treats at the tuck shop, transformed into a popular chain franchise, which includes treats like laska's, coconut rice and noodle broths, all made fresh on a daily basis. While there is a variety of meat options available at Nusa Kitchen like Thai Style Crushed Chilli Chicken, unsurprisingly Nusa Kitchen is also popular with vegans and vegetarians who are able to try Singaporean/Malaysian  vegetarian options ... read more

    Would Faded Spring Ever Move Abroad?

    As the rain drizzles down my window pane I sigh and moan, yet another dreary day, permeated by dusty grey clouds, with no sunshine to be found. The leaves begin to fade away and the damp of winter threatens ever closer, as the trees are stripped bare from all decoration. The wind is laced with ice and biting cold, nibbling at me with vindictive vengeance, reminding me that summer is nothing but a distant memory. I pack away the floral swimsuits and the inflatable swans and drag out the sturdy wellington boots and the thick faux fur coats, summer is well and truly over. 2017 was meant to be my year of travel, but that dream dissipated into murky mush, within mere weeks. As I flick through ... read more