Faded Spring

    Two Ways To Style A Shirt Dress FT Boohoo

    Shirt dresses are often described as borrowing 'elements from the boys'; popped collars, a button front and cuffed sleeves are often retained in the construction of a 'shirt dress'. The androgynous fit of a shirt dress is deliciously unisex, with its un-waisted lack of definition, while looking preppy, formal and kind of 'sloppy' all in one look. Having become popular in the 1950's after Christian Dior's Post World War II 'crinoline shirt dresses' revolutionized women's wear, the abundance of shirt dresses and its prevalence in both women's and men's fashion has only served to become even more popular than ever. While shirt dresses began as a movement against utility, government approved ... read more

    London Chic Lookbook

    There is something so magical about the world about London Chic, a new brand waiting tantalizingly in the wings, begging for its chance in the spotlight. To the naked eye, it might seem like any 'other boutique brand', hungry for its chance to be noticed, prowling around the web snatching customers at whim. But that is where you are wrong, yes there is hunger but the hunger is more passionate than rooted in desperation and each item is lovingly curated in an imprint of what 'customers really want'. New styles are added each week but unlike many major retailers who 'up their prices' with each new 'collection drop', no item in London Chic's collection goes over £40. As someone who is ... read more

    5 Sunday Movie Picks

    In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we have forgotten how to live life in the moment. Whatever happened to vegging out on a Sunday, with a slice of pizza in one hand and a TV remote in another, absentmindedly flicking through TV shows to pass time?I can't remember the last time I actually sat down on a Sunday and watched a movie; instead my Sundays are just as intense as any weekday! But why should it be, surely Sunday should be the one day that you can 'take off' and do whatever you feel like doing, without thinking of the consequences? Sundays, the so 'called proclaimed day of rest' used to be me and my housemates 'movie night', where after commiserating over deadlines and lack of ... read more

    Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa: Dining Out

    After the madness of London Fashion Week, the promise of a delicious meal was the antidote that I needed to get through the day. I was stressed out-as usual- and flapping around like a mad hen because things were not going to plan. In short it was a typical Saturday and organization was not my strong suit. Still, armed with my power squad of girls- Cherrie, Lucy (Lucy Ellen) , Christine (Xtine Loves) and Anna ( On The Edge Blog) , I knew that Saturday night was about to get 'lit'. I just had to de-stress first and after a delay with events, I was late for my scheduled meal at 4 PM and felt anxious about it. I am a pretty punctual kinda gal and being late is not something I tend to be ... read more

    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