Faded Spring

    Learning To Express Gratitude

    Learning to express gratitude when you are surrounded by your own s**t is easier said than done and sometimes I want to pull the covers over my head and pretend that the world doesn't exist. The voices in my head spread poisonous thoughts into my subconscious and convince me that my misfortune is all my fault. Sometimes I believe them, convinced that I am a failure and that everything I try to do right always goes tits up. It’s hard to break out of the negative thought cycle and most days I am wading through a pile of my own issues, struggling to come up for air. But then I think to myself, no matter how bad things are (which believe me it is at an all-time low) remember to always express ... read more

    Apricot S/S 16 Lookbook

    Established in 2007, Apricot was created with familial ties in mind; curating a collection that appealed to both a teenage and adult/mother market was no easy feat but allowed Apricot to step outside rival discount retailer Primark's shadow. Featuring staple fabrics with this seasons stand out print 'paisley' in neutral tones for the busy mother and fresh, innovative florals in classic silhouettes for the teen with a dream, Apricot's family friendly initiative has attracted female consumers in their droves. With a large emphasis on the 18-24 and 35+ dual markets, although Apricot has not managed to break into the Top 10 UK Retailers List ( Officiated by Real Business Net), the gradual ... read more

    Toxic Waste

    As people close one door I burst into tears, convulsions running through my chest as I weep out my agony. They seem indifferent to my pain, preferring to ignore my red rimmed eyes and my swollen cheeks. Every breath feels like a knife to my lungs and I am gasping for air. I am caught in a dense tide, a chain shackled to my ankles, slowly drowning in a well of my own despair. Everytime I think that I am happy, a new wave forms forcing melancholic thoughts into my overcrowded head. I don't know which way to turn when the vipers are following my other move and I know god damn well that they don't offer consolidation. I am going through a big change at the moment and at every turn things seem to ... read more

    You Are What You Wear

    ' The troops assemble, line by line, crossing the fold into anonymity,Dressed in drab colours they remain nameless, a number destined to be forgotten,Emotionless they raise the flags in patriotic regard, chained to a cause they do not support, Like puppets every move is controlled, mannequins of an Totalitarian regime, The capitalists march forward banning all colour, raising their grimy finger towards the offender,Swathed in orange, purple and green the human is awash with forbidden colours,The troops charge forward guns a'blazing to erase one mans bravery,Resolve weakens and the troops tremble, the offenders aura begins to intoxicate,Suddenly they are men with names again, no longer a ... read more

    Boohoo Suede Campaign Part 2

    Suede, the material of the gods has blessed us with trend after trend, spanning from the dawn of time. The caveman used suede to protect them from the bitter winds that winter brought in and the French elite wore it as a mark of power, but it wasn't until the 1950's that suede was popularized for the masses. Suddenly suede jackets marched into the 70's adorned with tassels and fringing that marked the 'free-spirited' boho aesthetic that was so popular among 'hippies' while the 60's suede pinafores revolutionized the way we saw suede. But one trend took the world by storm and that was Mary Quant's mini-skirt, which liberated women from patriarchal control and gave them freedom within artistic ... read more

    Stay Unique With Dirty Velvet

    'Lolling heads in unison, driven insane by the stench of homogeneity, Everyone was dressed the same, aesthetic zombies lured into the trap of set guidelines,They told us what to wear and they took away our identities, we were walking puppets for democratic relief, I was a woman trapped in a mans body, they told me to wear skirts and dresses because trousers were for boys, At home us rebels would go rogue by night, the velveteers they called us with our gender bending ways, we were free to roam the streets at night and no one was the wiser, like chameleons we would escape the limitations of our gender and rolled into the 50's without a care for gender boundaries, Audrey [Hepburn] taught us to ... read more

    Acai Berry Focus Supplements

    Having lost nearly two stone during my illness last year I was keen to build up my muscle mass and begin rebuilding the strength I had lost when I was sick. Living With An Invisible Illness is difficult because although I appeared 'frail' and 'gaunt' many people assumed that I was anorexic or not 'ill' at all and I sunk into an inevitable hole of depression, disgusted at the fact that I could count my ribs which visibly poked through my clothing. Although I was naturally petite before my illness, I became unable to keep food down because of my stomach and digestive tract issues and was left taking a series of medications that doctors claimed would help me get better. Of course it didn't and ... read more

    I’m A Graze 50 Member!

    You are now looking at the newest member of the Graze 50 club,  who quite literally survived on Graze boxes to get me through agonizing early morning university lectures. From Moroccan Harissa Pitted Olives to fruity mango chutney, the explosion of multiple cultures left my tastebuds tingling, while my student loan quite happily paid out for the most exceptional snacks mankind has tasted. After eight years in the running Graze remains as popular as ever and is now being stocked in selected retailers including Tescos, Wh Smith and other leading retailer chains. Having created over 100 different flavours, adventurous taste 'explorer' Eleanor always looks to source the freshest, most exciting ... read more

    Prezzy Box Luxury Bath Melts Collection

    'Whistling winter winds causing havoc in its wake, windswept strangers brought into unity in their heartache, seeking warmth there appears to be no solace in the storms wake, craving a warm bath they travel far and wide, across thick snow plains, winters first snowflake on their lips,Lips a'parted their limbs are numb, weary with cold they sink into dark nothingness, Morning has fallen they awake to find a rescue team with cups of malt barley, rich dreamy scents of warmth, But still it's not enough, reptilian to the touch a bath must be found, until one woman steps forward plaits a'dangling, there is hope mirrored in her deep blue eyes, carrying the pair one by one morning turns into dusk ... read more

    Living In Luxury With Wool Overs

    'Wrap me in your cashmere fantasy, soft billowing dreams, Protect me from the demons that lie in wait, shroud me in your bubble of joy, I once lived in a ghostown, now that ghost is in a cashmere castle, I am sugar and spice and all things nice,I wrap myself around the shoulders of the rich,I am white and pink and purple too, I am anything you want me to be,Hold me tight against the winds of change, those fancy clothes begging to take my place, I won't let them destroy my memory, centuries old I deserve a shot at the top again, I have no pre-conceptions and I have no rules I am who you say I am and I am me.' When it comes to luxury there are three fabrics that spring to mind; silk, wool ... read more