The 'I couldn't go to Spain, but my parents could' Haul

Spanish clothing brands are my absolute favourite; ever since I walked into Pull and Bear in the Centro Comercial of a small Spanish town about six years ago, I've been obsessed with them. Luckily, the likes of Mango, Zara, Pull and Bear and Bershka can be purchased here in the UK, but with exchange rates being as they are, it's way better to stroll into a physical store in España and pick out the pieces there and then, paying in Euros.

So, unsurprisingly, when I learnt I wasn't going to be jetting across The Channel any time soon, I hopped online and created a teeny wishlist so that my ever-doting parents could pick up a couple of things on my behalf. They were super grateful that I took the time to do it. I could really feel their excitement seeping through my phone... Either way, they did good:

1. This pair of effortlessly cute blue denim shorts with lace fringing from Springfield

2. This super-soft sleeveless cotton shirt with an embroidered bottom from Cortefiel is going to be perfect for warm summer work days

3. I love the little feathers appliquéd onto this pair of sandals from Oysho

4. After searching for a top of this style for a lifetime, this light denim blouse with embroidered flounces from Springfield is too perfect

5. I'm a huge fan of the Organic Cotton range from Zara so it only made sense to pick this tank up in two colours

6. A floral pyjama set from Oysho featuring this wild flower top and these floral bouquet shorts are perfect for summer nights

7. And thanks to Gatwick Duty Free, a whole new bottle of one of my favourite fragrances, Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet

And what trip to mainland Europe would be complete without ten tonnes of Milka chocolate? (spoiler alert: Milka is my favourite chocolate in the world).

~ Eleanor xo

A 21st birthday gift guide: Under £20

1. Petite Coffee Shop Coffee and Cake Gift Box - Crumb. - £19.50

2. kate spade new york 'Written In The Stars' Mini Notebook - John Lewis - £12

3. 'Style Remains' brass sign - Room 356 - £7.95

4. Alphabet Scented Candle - The Country Candle Company - £5.99

5. Giraffe Trinket Dish - Anthropologie - £16.00

6. Q&A A Day - Amazon - £10.49

7. Twister Picnic Blanket - ASOS - £17.99

8. Monogrammed Notepad - Anthropologie - £8.00

9. Personalised Pink And Gold Gift Boxed Pencils - The Letteroom - £7.95

10. Chocolate Make up Set - Chocolate on Chocolate - £5.99

11. Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book (Paperback) - Waterstones - £7.99 12. 'Letters to My Future Self' book - Amazon - £10.99

13. Enamel Initial Charm Necklace - J&S Jewellery - £16

14. Spotty China Letter Mug - The Letteroom - £13.95

15. Delightful Summer Collection - L'Occitane - £16.00

There's something super exciting about turning twenty-one, it's widely seen as a 'milestone' year (and is, coincidentally, the age my sister has turned for the last four years). It could be down to the subconscious knowledge that you can now rent a car in Europe and legally drink alcohol in America, but who can be sure. It's an exciting time for everyone. So long as you don't dwell on the fact that there's absolutely no going back and a crippling mortgage and unachievable student loan repayments are right on the horizon!

When it comes to your friends, you want to give them something fun, memorable and that totally sums up your friendship. And that doesn't break the bank. Your beloved new twenty-one year old deserves the world and more, and obviously, a great night out and lots of unattractive selfies surfacing on Facebook the morning after. But to get the party started, why not try some of these fancy finds, all for under £20 - and not a gift card in sight!

Happy twenty-one-ing!

~ Eleanor xo

The Ban.do 2016 Agenda

Ban.Do 17 Month Classic Agenda - Ringleader, £13

Lists, organisation, planning, ordering and colourful pens make me one very happy camper. Embarrassingly so. I dare any of you to find anything more satisfying than crossing something off your to-do list. *wallows in the warm feeling of completing a to-do list*. So naturally, I'm a lover of diaries. Or as our American cousins call them, 'agendas'.

Not only do I love planning my life down to a tee (Yes, I have every kind of personal finance and budgeting app on my phone), I'm also a sucker for stationery. How do I know this? Because a few weeks ago I spent £21 getting this beauty shipped all the way from the U S of A.

I'll be honest, I've wanted a ban.do agenda ever since I first saw them on LaurenConrad.com (Lauren Conrad being my eternal idol, ever since her days on The Hills. Wow I miss that show). So when I saw their 2015/2016 agendas had just been released (and realised that it coincided with the start of my new executive job) it seemed like a sign sent from above. It would've absolutely been morally wrong not to buy one...

The immense excitement I felt when I arrived home to find this waiting for me was borderline silly; but it's so much more than a diary. The designs, layout, colouring, illustrations and everything in between have had so much thought and attention put into them that it is absolutely the most perfect receptical (love that word) of all my sporadic handwritten plans, notes and 'to do's'. I just love this thing, I'll never forget anything important ever again. Well, that is, unless I spend so long staring at the designs in awe...

~ Eleanor xo

Recent Purchases: Workwear

1. Calbourne Cord Trousers, Jack Wills - £49.50 £8.50
2. Oversized Shirt, Zara - £25.99

3. Stripe Dobby Skirt, Gap - Sold Out
4. Windowpane Boyfriend Shirt, Gap - £34.95

5. Slim-Fit Cotton Trousers (Navy), Mango - £19.99 £12.99
6. Miss Fancy Pants, Essie - £7.99

7.  Slim-Fit Cotton Trousers (Light Beige), Mango - £19.99 £12.99
8. Fitted Boyfriend Oxford Shirt, Gap - £34.95.

9. Calvert Slipper Shoe, Jack Wills - £49.50 £24

There are two very exciting things about getting a new job:
1) New clothes!
2) Having a salary that means you can afford said new clothes!

Being a jeans and tee devotee (how musical), I have a very, perhaps even borderline unhealthy, casual wardrobe. I like to throw things on that are comfortable, clean and usually dark coloured. Easy peezy. However, that kind of laziness, ehem, 'style', doesn't really fly in an office environment, so I knew I had to do something about it and hopped online to my favourite stores to kit myself out with responsible adult level office attire.

Luckily for me, I'm not heading into a suited and booted emporium, but I do need to make an effort - especially when meeting with clients (no matter how much I love my ripped jeans, even I know they aren't boardroom appropriate). I love some of the things I've found, and what can I say, I'm a sucker for a good bargain. And apparently, shirts with stripes...

~ Eleanor xo

A sisterly shopping day at Gunwharf Quays

Hands up all the party people out there who love a fabulous bargain and also a super fun day out! *frantically waves all hands in the air*. I'm not sure why that says 'all hands' when it should definitely say 'both hands'. I only have two hands, just to clear that up...

Outlet centres, I believe, are gifts sent from the Gods above. Zeus, the bearded babe that he is, gathered all his wildly powerful gal pals together and decided it was time to treat the humans below to unbelievable discounts and too-good-to-believe prices. And so, the outlet centre was born. My nearest outlet centre is 'Gunwharf Quays' in Portsmouth - an outdoor retail metropolis right on the harbour, offering marked down items from loads of high street and high-end stores. So when my sister asked me if I wanted to come along on her 'holiday shopping' trip, how could I resist?

We got some insanely good deals from All Saints, Fossil, Superdry, Jack Wills and Gap, with most stores offering an extra 30% off the already marked down ticket price. Rejoice! Oh the damage I could've done in Gap - give me all the ripped-up boyfriend jeans, am I right? 

Once our arms began hurting from carrying all the shopping, and our jaws became permanently locked in a shocked expression over just how much we managed to save during what we presumed to be a very pricey expedition (All Saints, I'm looking at you), we decided to take a lunch break at Zizzi's, one of the many restaurants located right on the waterfront. Sure, it was rather 'breezy', shall we say, but the sun was shining and I enjoyed a warm bowl of tomatoey pasta with a chunk of mozzarella cheese. Mmmm, cheese. (Most of the eateries here are the regular chain restaurants which mean they suit all appetites - my favourites places to visit are: Loch Fyne, La Tasca, Slug & Lettuce and Zizzi's).

After lunch we finished our circuit of the outlet and paid one final stop into, of course, the Cadbury store, where we had to pick up a pack of Crunchies for our dad and watched as the array of tourists picked up bars of Dairy Milk and held them as though they were prized treasure. I think we were both grateful when we had a short escalator ride down to the underground parking as our legs couldn't possibly walk any further.

We had a relaxing day meandering through the shopping streets, soaking in the various cultures, as well as the vitamin D from above us (and feeling hugely jealous of the university graduates strolling around in their robes as I still have over three months until my own ceremony. Boo!)

~ Eleanor xo