Faded Spring

    Faded Spring’s Novelty Christmas Gift Guide

    When it comes to a hearty 'Novelty Christmas Gift Guide' , I struggled to find a post that was as 'weird and wonderful' as my own tastes required. I longed for unicorns and mermaids dancing in unison to the beat of the waves crashing upon a sandy shore and I craved a welcome escape from the 'yuppy sub-culture' of 'city life'. I wanted to slurp slush puppies in the heart of winter, where I would picture myself to be somewhere so far removed from urbanization. I imagined me snacking on cheese and gulping down champagne cocktails, while fluffy slippers danced by my bed clamoring to get my attention. But most of all I dreamed of a world where winter ceased to exist, where anything was possible ... read more

    The History Of Pop Art With Art Your Face

    Following the popularity of the  Post World War II American Painting movement known as Abstract Expressionism, the reintroduction of images or paintings that were inspired by mass media, popular culture and consumerism was enabled by the arrival of 'pop art'. Modernism was moving away from the magical realism or surrealism of the 1920's and the celebration of common household items like 'Campbell's Tomato Soup' and 50's cultural icons like Marilyn Monroe, helped elevate popular culture as an appropriate topic to discuss and narrate through visual colourful aesthetics as mediated through pop art.  Post War, art had always seen as the epitome of 'high culture' which meant that owning paintings ... read more

    Thank You For 10K Followers On Instagram

    I remember in my second year of university when my house mates 'J' and 'N' would beg me to 'get on Instagram', because and I quote 'I was forever taking pictures so why not document them'? They had a point but as a 'self-confessed perfectionist' I struggled with the idea of 'putting myself out there' and facing the condemnation and strong opinions of my peers. You see I was abused as a child by my stepmother and severely bullied throughout my teen years and early adult life, so I had serious issues with self-confidence and accepting who I was, when others clearly had such negative opinions about me. When others would take photos of me, it would fill me with anxiety because all I could see ... read more

    Does BRGR.CO Soho Have Enough Vegetarian Options?

    When it comes to a good ol' burger joint, even me as a vegetarian loves nothing more than a greasy burger and chips-vegetarian of course- after a drunken night out. But when it comes to vegetarian options, I end up having to scoff some cheesy chips and ignore the persistent growl of my stomach that is begging me to eat 'real food'. So naturally I never equated 'burgers' with 'restaurants' as there had always been this image of it being linked to fast food, especially as while many of my friends decided to get roaring drunk and end up in someone else's bathtub, I wanted nothing more than to get my chops around something greasy. And before you ask NO... get your mind out of the gutter. So ... read more

    Afternoon Tea At R Chocolate London

    The wind was biting cold and whipped through my hair, but despite the weathers best intentions, it couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was delirious with happiness; today would be the moment that I would try my 'first afternoon tea' and as a dessert lover I felt like a kid in a candy shop. You see when it comes to me, I'm a simple kind of gal; there are three things that really get me going and that is pugs, cats and food. So naturally when R Chocolate London asked if I would like to break 'My Afternoon Tea Cherry' (although they did not use those words LOL) I practically bounced off the walls with delight. And who better to have my first Afternoon Tea with than my partner in crime ... read more

    Breaking Taboos With Faded Spring:Why No Means No

    Why No Means No Picture the scene, it’s a cold summers night and you are walking down a dimly lit alley. Your heart starts racing, your mind goes into overdrive but still you keep walking, hopeful that your outfit wont attract comment for the second day in a row. The clock strikes midnight and you hurry through the alley, aware that at the end of the tunnel is light and hope. But you are ambushed, 5ft from your home there are a group of men laughing among themselves as they look you up and down with slavish desire. Aren’t you a pretty little thing they say. You say nothing, it’s a rhetorical question and you have nothing left to give. You are mute in terror, like a deer in headlights as ... read more

    Travelling Through Fashion History With Linzi Shoes

    When I was once asked to describe my personal style and the eras that influenced the construction of my 'signature aesthetic' I was stumped. After all, one day I could be channeling my inner 'Audrey Hepburn' midi dress circa 1955 (as photographed by Norman  Parkinson) and the next I would unleash my inner 60's mod, with a Mary Quant esque mini skirt or an a-line silhouette. From a young age I had always loved travelling through fashion history and while some photos relinquish a rather murky fashion past- why did I think that ra-ra skirts were acceptable with jeggings and ugg boots?!- it also showed me that the definition of my 'personal style' not only evolves over time but also pays ... read more

    Breaking Taboos With Faded Spring: IVF Egg Donation

    From breaking taboos surrounding period positivity to open explorations of abuse, sex and bullying, my own personal experiences have made me realize that we should be more open and honest about 'taboo topics' in order to help others speak out about their own experiences. Which is where 'Breaking Taboos' come in, a monthly series where I challenge 'perceptions' of topics like IVF egg donation, dating, sex and more, to demonstrate how raising awareness can show others that its ok to speak out and 'live their truth'. While I have been open about my own struggles, today I would like to share an anonymous readers struggle with infertility and how using IVF  helped her get pregnant and raise ... read more

    5 Reasons Why Being ‘Cruelty Free’ Rocks

    As many of you may know, I am a vegetarian and a passionate advocate for animals, after taking the leap to go 100 % 'cruelty free', by binning brands like Revlon and Rimmel that test on animals, as well as me no longer buying any leather or suede products too. Not only is my make-up , clothing and diet cruelty free, but I also use home products that do not test on animals either, as I believe it is important to support ethical 'cruelty free' products that aim to understand and implement animal rights. After all, animals do not have the power to protect themselves so in my eyes it is cruel for companies to use animals for fashion or skincare, for the sake of our own vanity. But there is more ... read more

    Why It Is Important To Reward Your Blog Readers

    Although I left my full time job (s) in July to pursue my dream of becoming a full time blogger, I was not always my 'own boss'. I worked in advertising and promotions, alongside writing for magazines, newspapers and online media outlets as a Freelance Journalist, but I always felt undervalued in my job and knew that I could amount to more. I felt degraded and not because of the nature of the job but because we were never rewarded for our 'hard work'. I was consistently called out on being a top performer and yet the top performers were never rewarded for their contributions to the 'companies growth'. When we had ideas on how we could improve our companies performance in the business sector, ... read more