Faded Spring

    Why Personalized Gifts From Mr Nutcase Are The Best

    I remember receiving my first personalized gift aged 7, a beautiful pink pillow with my first name 'Ana Luisa' that I still cuddle to this day. To me it was the one reminder and memory that I had that connected to my dad and after being taken into care at the age of 10, I promised to always keep it, even if it was just for its sentimental value. Because in that one pillow were good and bad memories alike and in spite of the hardships I faced as a young child, it always kept me going through my hardest moments. Despite having not seen my dad for many years, I still sleep with the same pillow because I feel closer to him and it just goes to show how powerful a personalized gift can be. To ... read more

    How Blogging Changed My Life

    Its July 20th 2015 and as I collect my degree I look at the hordes of people waiting in the wings, clapping and cheering. But I don't feel elated, I feel broken inside and the cheers ring false in my ears. I am congratulated and given well wishes by people I know I will never see again but in that moment we feel connected, we feel alive. Except the reality soon hit and that broken feeling that I had felt was only a pre-cursor of what was to come. I was burnt out, tired and sick and as I chronicled in 'living with an invisible illness', I was fighting a battle that seemed dangerously close to the edge. The doctors didn't know what was wrong and told me I was fine, despite me being in constant ... read more

    Should Faded Spring Try Out Roller Derby?

    Let me put this out there, when I was in Primary school I loved nothing better than a good ol' PE sesh, despite my inability to catch, throw or well anything. If running like a really fast penguin counts, then I guess I could be champion of that? But then something changed when I got to secondary school, I grew self-conscious and being 'bad at sport' was something that was pointed out to me on a regular occasion. Sure I could run quite fast, I was pretty flexible and could dance but none of those skills really mattered when you were up against elite champions who could whip your ass into shape. Plus I was constantly bullied throughout my secondary education and would cut classes, especially ... read more

    Dear Aunty: A Letter To My Valentine

    Dear Aunty, I remember when you held me as a child, I could feel the maternal warmth radiating from me as you cradled me like your own. You used to tell me that I was one of the two people you loved most in the world-the other being my cousin- and how you made me feel wanted and loved. I grew up in a carwreck of a childhood, abandoned by my mother and abused by my fathers wife, the stepmum. You tried to help me escape but then my dad turned against you and his family, because that woman poisoned him against the people that mattered the most. You never gave up on me though, no matter what they said or did you would be the first person to look out for me and love me like your own daughter. ... read more

    Get Valentines Day Ready With Treatwell

    It has been a hard week for me and without going into too much detail, I needed some time away from everything to clear my head and organize my thoughts. Normally the thought of being single on Valentines Day used to fill me with dread and the notion of having to be sappy and lovey dovey is not something I am entirely comfortable with. That being said I had made it my mission this year to see Valentines Day as an opportunity to treat myself and give me the break that I so very needed. I was suffering from serious burn out and with all the personal issues that have been building up over time, I needed an experience that would get me back into that positive mindset. So when Treatwell offered ... read more

    Faded Spring Tries Degusta Box: The January Edition

    If there is one thing you should know about Faded Spring is that I am a sucker for food. Hell last night I was even dreaming about a creamy tiramisu, that is how food obsessed I am. I dream of a world run-not by money- but donuts, soft circles of delicious goodness that dance alongside cheesecake and chickpea curries. To be fair all I think about is food, how hungry I am, when is lunch, what will I eat on the weekend and although I love buying clothes, eating out at restaurants and trying new foods would come a close second. I often surprise spectators that pass by who see me tucking into huge portions of food, wondering how on earth I can eat it all. Let me tell you this, they don't call me ... read more

    Faded Spring Time Travels Into The 1970’s

    Its 1971, the year that catapulted us into the 'decade of decadence' , an era characterized by excess and androgyny.  For there is a mainstream movement that echoes 'masculine fashion', where shapeless silhouettes merge seamlessly with tailored shirts. At times, looks are bottom heavy, loose flares vs tailored shirts, at others looks are more streamlined, sharp and precise. Hems become longer and the micro mini's of the 60's are replaced with longer midi's and even loose maxi skirts, worn with bell tops and peasant blouses. There is almost a bohemian vibe and a sentimentality for looser fabrics, see men and women unified in a love for 'genderless clothing'. But for others they are still ... read more

    Summer Party Venue Ideas

    Welcome to Faded Spring's Summer Party Venue Ideas Guide, your one stop shop for all things summer. There is nothing I love better than to feel the sea breeze on my skin and feel the gentle waves lapping at my toes. But for some, going to the beach is inconvenient and at times a 'hyped-up reality', after all does anyone really love the feel of squelchy sand? Okay well maybe I do but I digress, you might love going to the beach but last time I attempted throwing a beach party, I got told off and noone likes a frowny authority officer yelling in their face. Plus not to mention feeling sticky and frying in the heat is not my idea of fun and I would much rather go swimming but for some that just ... read more

    Faded Spring Goes Speed Dating

    Who would have thought it, me the jaded cynic agreeing to something like the concept of speed dating? Then again people change and I was growing tired of the same ol' stale conversations online and craved a new beginning. After all A. I had never tried speed dating and B. life is too short to not try new things so why the hell not?! The big day was approaching and I felt slightly nervous, how would I come across, would I appear as awkward as I felt? But I needn't have worried, with my best friend Anna Maria (On The Edge Blog)  in Tow, I knew that we could have a giggle after if everything fell apart. Originally meant to take place at Mahiki in Green Park, the venue changed last minute to ... read more

    Dreaming Of A Yoga Holiday …

    Picture the scene. Its a cold blustery morning, the skies are grey and your feeling blue. The rain pitter patters against the windows and the distant rumble of thunder makes you sigh with unease. You think to yourself, how did I ever get to this point, bored to death and stuck inside. Your mental state of mind is under stress and you are suffering under the duress of winters cruel temperament. The weather matches how you feel and noone dares to talk to you when you are in a mood. You seek solace from winters dreary weather by gazing at endless photos of white sand beaches, glistening with secret treasures- its wanderlust. Ever since you were a little girl you dreamed of spontaneous travel, ... read more