Faded Spring

    How A Staycation Boosted My Productivity

    Staycation's Can Boost Productivity I Promise! Something had to give, I needed a break and I needed it fast. After working my ass off without much financial gain and churning out endless posts, I needed to re-evaluate my priorities and some time away would do me the world of good. The only issue was how I would fund this 'quick vacation' when I barely had a penny to my name. I quickly looked at holidays abroad and shuddered at the prices; even with the little money I had, I could not afford to vacation outside the UK. I was at my tethers end; feeling sluggish, de-motivated and fatigued could I find the pep in my step? The answer was so simple, what about the 'staycation' I had heard so ... read more

    How River Island Helped Me Embrace Small Boobs

    I have never been what you might call 'busty' and am in fact the opposite. From a young age I have had small breasts and it always bothered me. I remember a Year Six PE class, where I was being teased for hiding my breasts. My own friends would laugh and tell me that I didn't need to hide my chest 'because I was as flat as an ironing board'. It used to bother me immensely and when I saw my friends with larger breasts and curvier bodies I would get upset. I grew up in an era where being 'slim' and not 'curvy' would typecast me as a 'boy' instead of a 'woman' or girl. It really (excuse the pun) got on my tits when I was told that I was not 'womanly' enough to be considered as 'feminine'. I ... read more

    2016 Is Over Lets Say Hello To 2017

    In the chaos that was 2016, there was a glimmer of hope like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Through despair I found solace in blogging; writing became my refuge and escape from real life. I am sure I am not alone in stating that writing kept me sane during the political aftermath of Brexit and made me stronger in the wake of 2016's deaths. We lost many greats this year, Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Prince and I lost loved ones too. As the frost begins to settle and the leaves turn to a crisp, loved ones lay in eternal slumber. Gone but never forgotten. While there were many negative events in 2016, 2017 promises to be a better year.  2017 signals a new beginning, a time to turn over a ... read more

    How To Wear Metallics During The Day

    Metallics have often been 'typecast' as a 'wardrobe staple' during the Christmas season, yet their wear-ability can translate into 'non-formal' wear too. The key to wearing metallics during the day is to incorporate shiny fabrics but still keep your look 'simple'. In other words your metallic look needs to have a slightly undressed undertone, making it more wearable during the day. Have a bronze high shine dress that you would love to wear during the day but have no idea how to? The key to nailing a high shine look is to look a little messy but still retain a little glamour and street smart elegance. For example a pleated midi skirt might traditionally be seen as a night-time staple. Instead ... read more

    Why New Year’s Resolutions Are Overated

    Year after year we make resolutions we can't keep ; we frantically try our best during the first few days of January and then poof, Motivation is gone. I say this with conviction because I am one of these 'do gooders'. I write a list and make sure to check it twice but alas there goes my new years resolution...again. Be more organized, make more time for friends and family, conquer the world. We all have a resolution that we hope to fulfill during the chosen year but is there really any point? If we make our year about 'resolutions' that we failed to commit to previous years ago then surely  that defeats the objective of a 'new year'? After all going into a new year is about gaining ... read more

    Smooth You Facial With Book Your Lifestyle

    As much as I love London, living in the big city wreaks havoc with my skin. The high levels of pollution and hectic lifestyle means that I often look haggard. I often have 3-5 hours of sleep each night and the result is puffy eyes, fine lines and temperamental skin. All I wanted was a soothing facial and Book Your Lifestyle had just the treatment I needed. Le Grand Classique Deep Pore Cleansing Facial promised to cleanse and invigorate my skin through five stages of progressive cleaning and considering my last facial was in September I was well overdue. Because I have to wear make up most days and commute to work on tubes and trains, my skin needed serious attention, thus the 'deep pore ... read more

    Faded Spring’s Festive Lookbook 2017

    It's the most festive time of the year, where birds are chirping and the frost settles. The skies cloud over and the weather is decidedly chilly. Nothing can deter the swarms of festive goers from embracing the festive season; warmed by vats of mulled wine they revel in the deliciousness of Christmas. Gingerbread men and hot chocolates dance hand in hand, the festive goers close their eyes in ecstasy. But lo and behold the seasons of 'fashion past', where woolen tartan skirts and mittens are top of the list. Layering is inevitable, looking like rugby players we laugh. For it may be cold outside but we are all as snug as a bug in a rug. That might be but wait... hark hear the angels sing. A ... read more

    Tripping In Space With Blue Vanilla

    Blue Vanilla & 60's Space Age Couture  The sixties was a decade that pioneered a shift towards 'space age couture', replacing feminine styles seen in the fifties. Previous decades past had seen an emphasis on women's feminine aesthetic; the sixties, however, favored 'shifts' , new textures and a-line skirts. Moreover the sixties replaced 'normative' materials like 'brocade', instead preferring plastic or tech-like fabrics. Largely the inclusion of 'plastic' and high shine materials were due to an influx of new 'fabrics' that were related to the sixties political landscape. During the sixties the Kennedy Space Centre became the launch capital of the world while the Apollo Program ... read more

    The 70’s Jumpsuit : StyleWe

    Red is the powerhouse of all colours and combined with the 70's classic 'jumpsuit' is a winning look that can take you from drab to fab in seconds. Jumpsuits came into vogue during 'Mod' season in the 60's but it was the free-spirited nature of the 70's which revolutionized the way we wear jumpsuits today. Jumpsuits became slouchy, un-tailored and often showcased a wide flare leg. Flares were best paired with boots and the 70's had an abundance of options often decked in suede, leather or in a patent finish. Jumpsuits paired with a floppy hat and shaggy faux fur coat became an iconic 70's combination and influenced many modern fashion icons including Taylor Swift. Yet many jumpsuits despite ... read more

    The Quest For The Perfect Statement Necklace

    Twas the night before Christmas and the world was silent, not even the scurrying mouse could interrupt. Wrapped under the Christmas tree were presents galore, full of splendor and joy. As I ripped the parcel open out fell a thing of beauty, a statement necklace dripping in jewels. The jewels caught the light in a dazzling riot of colour, greens, purples and grays too. For it was the night before Christmas and mama was a'cooking, the kettle was a'boiling and the presents were unwrapping. No present too big or small, it was just right mama bear would say. But it was the statement necklace that caught my eye, a present fit for the Queens on their golden thrones. I remember the queens of my ... read more