Faded Spring

    Holistic Self-Care Christmas Gift Ideas For Joy

    Overwhelm and burn out was the recipe of the day. A was tired, drowning under a sea of responsibilities, deadlines and chores. The darkness tried to engulf her hungrily, in a macrabre blanket of desperation, and longing. But noone saw that did they? The mountain of insecurities, and tears that made threats daily. The sheer panic that filled her body, as yet another anxiety attack racked her body. The countless sleepless nights, waiting for sleep to come, and it never did. Recently, she had a new mental health diagnosis, and medication, which she prayed would give her the tranquil solace that she so craved. Even writing this was hard. The shallow breaths that overcompensated for her anxiety. ... read more

    Eco Friendly Gift Ideas For A Sustainable Christmas

    The planet smiled upon her day. The day that everything changed and a lightbulb went off in her head. A sustainable Christmas gifting season, where the environment, animals, and humans harmonized in perfect symphony. It came to her, as she walked in nature, hand in hand with a blissful October sun. Bathing her in light, she had an ephinany, the river banks caressed by mottled green grass. Though the leaves were falling, and the trees were bare, there was beauty in minimalism. Spindling twigs strewn across muddy paths. The extroverted cheer of rosy cheeked cherubs in festive onesies. The scent of pine, and kindling, crackling in the distance, a serene moment. In this moment of stillness, she ... read more

    Manthan Mayfair: A Magical Indian Brunch

    T'was the season of Halloween, where ghouls lurked conspiratorily in the shadows of night, and children screeched gleefully. The crunch of orange leaves underfoot, as you walked past the carved pumpkins with a sneering smile. Despite being autumn, the air was suprisingly temperate and balmy, a slight breeze. It almost seemed like winter wasn't coming this year. And so the couple in their late twenties ventured into the middling autumn calmy. A blue faux fur shaggy jacket perched nochantly on an intricate pale blue lacy maxi dress. Paired with a blue and purple flower crown, and cross-over heels, the lady was never one to fade into the background. Her partner, in a semi-formal tapered blue ... read more

    How To Choose An Advent Calendar For Christmas

    It was the most magical time of year, tinged frost on tinted windows. A burrowing chill that made you reach for the nearest blanket, becoming at one with your bed. TV shows flickering on and off, a soothing cup of hot chocolate, that warmed your fingers. The snowflakes would twirl like they were auditioning for a part in The Greatest Dancer. Maybe they had been chatting to the ice skaters that moved with fluidity and grace. Axel jumps, on solid ice, how A longed to be one of them. Yet, the last time she had been ice skating was when she was 8, and look what happened there. Still, she wouldn't ruin the gloriousness of Christmas cheer, conjuring up her countdown to do list, with glee. A vegan ... read more

    Dreamy Bedroom Trends for Cozy Winter Nights

    Despite the rain that tip-taps on my window sill, there is joy in winter. The coziness of a dreamy bedroom, where fluffy throws envelop frozen feet. The crackle of a fireplace, stacked high with wood, blackening gently in the fuzzy heat. Happiness at home, as you transform yourself into a voluminous blanket, three cats dozing peacefully in a cat tree. The scene is set, winter nights where the bedroom is your favourite place to be. Hours spent snuggling in a friendly bed, curled up watching TV. All your favourites; Ru Paul's Drag Race, Big Mouth, Rick and Morty, and Bojack too, a kid at heart. But your interiors are uninspiring. Sure, they were magical once upon a time, when summer ruled the ... read more

    Festival Fashion Style With Rebellious Fashion

    A was a summer girl at heart, roses interwined in curly hair, that was frazzled in the heat. Colourful rainbow colour coords, and contrasting bags, a patent 90's jelly mule that sparkled in the sun. The mixing of era's, 50's elegance, meet's 90's playfulness, with a splash of 70s and 60's. A pastiche of colour, texture, and patterns that were a maximalist's dream. When it came to fashion, A most definitely stood out from the crowd. Festivals were no exception, a sea of colour, where music and frivolity came to play. Wireless, All Points East, Elrow, and Reading. Countless summer music festivals, where her festival fashion style tips could come true. In the past, she counted Wireless ... read more

    Love Your Selfie Pop Up Event At Atria Watford

    The C Word. It filled A's heart with dread, a reminder of people she had lost, who had suffered, writhing in pain. People liked to 'romanticize' things that felt ' dark and desperate', but the truth was that cancer unequivocally sucked. The haunting uncertainty of life waved before your eyes, a pendulum of death's shadow lurking. A reminder of our own mortality, our bodies crumbling before our own eyes. Yes, that would be the outsider looking ins perspective. But the truth was cancer patients were warriors, who fought with every inch of their breath to overcome the disease. It's why Atria Watford had created the 'Love Your Selfie' pop up, to commemorate all the beautiful angels in heaven, ... read more

    Why Newlife Stores Is Reshaping Thrifted Fashion

    Discovering thrifting, was like finding love at first sight. Rails of shirts, dresses, and skirts gleamed enticingly under the glare of the shop lights, imploring me to come closer. Despite the musty smell that emanated, I fell hard. A young teen on a budget, who had just started her first job, taught to be precacious with money. It was like Christmas had come early, aisles full of treasure that sparkled oh so gloriously. 7o's flouncy maxi skirts, and 60's mini's, 50's petticoats, and 90's chokers, a crash course into fashion history. There were vintage fashion accessories too; faux pearl layered necklaces, and chunky belts. Those [at the time] trendy UGG boots, that you waved around like it ... read more

    Free Online Card Games To Play This Summer

    I can't remember a time where games weren't part of my life. It was the glue that kept me going during childhood; I would grapple with my Tamagotchi, and play Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64, whittling away the hours. Later came the Game Boy, first ever Playstation, and an obsession with 'retro games' like The Sims, Spyro, and Mario Kart. It wasn't just video games or digital toys either. There were card and board games that stole my heart. Monopoly, Twister, Go Fish, and Snap. Later the card and board games would be more obscure.  There would be free online card games, and physical card game decks for adults. Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity were just some of the 'adult games' ... read more

    Carat London: The Rise Of Sustainable Jewellery

    It's 2022, and the rise of sustainable jewellery is on the tip of everyone's tongue. With the jewellery industry projected to reach $480 billion by 2025, the ethical jewellery market has space to break ground. But why should you choose ethical jewellery like Carat London? Well, it addresses a range of human, and labour right issues, environmental impacts, and supply chain transparency, especially in the fine jewellery market. True, the practice of creating sustainable jewellery is challenging, but our world matters. To create an ethical wardrobe, you need to think about what you are buying, and who it affects. Making ethically sound choices is easier said than done however. Many ... read more