IM BACK

Wow. Last post? 22nd February. WHATTTT?!

I don't think I've actually ever gone this long without posting on my blog, and for those of you who read my blog regularly, I apologise! I have totally neglected my blog, but don't worry, i'm back!

There have been many reasons as to why I haven't been posting. However, the key reason is as many of you know I am in my final year of university, and for any of you who have gone through university and come out the other side, you will know just how hard final year really is. Therefore, I just haven't had the time to put content together! I'm all done and dusted now, so I pinky promise to get back into blogging!

When I actually came to writing my comeback post, it made me realise how long I've actually been away, I didn't know where on earth to start, so much has happened! So I thought, we may as well have a catch up...

1. I FINISHED FINAL YEAR... I may not have graduated yet but final hand-ins and exams are done.and.dusted. I am 100% free and it feels so good.

2. I did an intensive short course in fashion marketing at London College of Fashion. I can't even describe how amazing this opportunity was and how glad I am for attending. Their tutors and resources are unbeatable, and the experience was simply brilliant.
3. I got my heart broken, twice. Yep, stay away from fuckboys ladies. 4. I focussed my efforts on becoming an 'insta-blogger'- see, I didn't completely leave the blogging world! Please follow @eleanordanksx
5. I started applying for 'real' jobs. Any graduates out there, I am currently terrified. I finished university and now I'm thinking "what's next?", there are just so many opportunities, travelling? Jobs? Interning? what to dooooo. I have always wanted to break into fashion marketing, so wish me luck on the job hunt...
6. I started driving lessons. Put it this way, I started lessons at 17, I've had 50 hours of lessons, including 4 instructors, 6 cars, 1 failed test and a theory test expiration looming. This calls for "pass n go" ASAP
7. I started wearing trainers. For those of you who read my blog often, you will know a few months ago I didn't even own a pair of trainers, let alone wearing Gazelles on a daily basis and getting in on the Yeezy raffle hype.
8. I realised I needed to focus my efforts back on blogging as soon as university was over. No joke, I have lost ONE THOUSAND TWITTER FOLLOWERS due to my inactivity... actual tears are falling.
9. I realised the importance of blogging not just for my career, and friendships in the blogging community, but also for myself, as an outlet to share my passions and let my creative side thrive.
.... so, once again, my apologies for being a slacker on the blogging front! I hope you will continue to enjoy my posts, and I would love to know what's been going on with you guys while I've been away, I hope to see you all in the comments, ciao for now!

BILLS

SEASONAL ALLOTMENT SALAD, £9.95, BILLS So last Friday I had a lovely visit from one of my best friends, who came to Leeds for the day for one of our "mate dates". We hadn't seen each other for 2 months which was just crazy, so you can imagine how much catching up we had to do. We went shopping, although we didn't actually buy anything as we were too busy talking, and also have zero pennies since going back to university. We finished the day by going for a late lunch at Bill's, which is one of my all time favourite restaurants. They specialise in contemporary European food, and have separate breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus. As my friend is dairy intollerant it is also so handy as a lot of the food is gluten and dairy free, or vegetarian. We opted for the allotment salad and their delicious pink lemonade which made a perfect light late lunch. I also ate at Bill's with my boyfriend at the weekend- I had the "Bill's classic fish finger sandwich"- £9.50, I promise this is not your average fish finger sandwich... made with proper pieces of battered fish, tartare sauce, rocket salad and toasted farmhouse bread with skin on fries. Delicious.

NFL

The perks of a boyfriend who works at EA? Being able to watch NFL games! I have never ever even been to a football match before, never mind an American game.

I'm actually going to New York with him in November and one of the one things we wanted to do when we visit is to watch an NFL or Basketball game, so just in case we aren't lucky enough to get tickets to a game, I took the opportunity to watch the NFL game at Wembley with Kyle on Sunday. I literally had the best time. We saw the Jacksonville Jaguars Vs the Indianapolis Colts and it really did have the best atmosphere, a combination of flag flying, cheerleaders, mascots, and fan cam made the game so fun. I would 100% go again, and would totally recommend you go too if you have the opportunity!

I also was treated to spend the night in the amazing five star Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, which was simply beautiful. Our room was huge, the service was fab, there were palm trees in the lobby and it was generally a perfect location for hopping on the tube into London. The only shock came when we got our drinks bill...

NEW HAIR DAY

I'll be honest, there isn't really much point to this post apart from me wanting to show off my new do- not attention seeking at all. But big thanks to Hair Haus in Bishop Auckland!
I am so bad when it comes to getting my hair cut, I literally went 3 years before getting it cut last year, and then until today its been almost a year. Surely I could be prosecuted for such behaviour. I promise I will start going more often! Although when it comes to my fringe i'm in the salon at least every 6 weeks- why are they just so hard to maintain?! 
My next step is definitely going to be an ombre, but I have no idea when I will actually get round to it! Any other hair suggestions? Should I take the step?
Also on a random note- I am currently planning my trip to NYC in November. I would love to know if you guys have any restaurant/ bar recommendations, or know any really cool places to visit. Let me know in the comments!

MY 21ST BIRTHDAY- PART FOUR

The final part to my birthday was celebrated with my dad, we had a lovely day out to Harrogate, followed by a barbecue, cannot go wrong!! 

I was treated to lunch at The Bluebell just outside of Harrogate, where I had the most amazing fish & chips. Followed by treats at Betty's Tea Room, including pink lemonade and macaroons. I had never been to Harrogate, but the weather was so lovely and I did a good bit of shopping too.

Once I got home I was treated to my birthday presents including the matching pandora ring to my bangle, and a pearl Tiffany bracelet. My aunt and uncle also gave me a Marc De Champagne truffle and champagne set... beware they are beyond addictive. My dad's girlfriend also treated me to a wonderful homemade birthday cake, yummmmm. 

Have you had a birthday recently? What are you planning? Leave me a comment below! :)

MY 21ST BIRTHDAY- PART THREE

Soooo part three, (told you I celebrated my birthday in quite a few ways!). Friday 15th July was my actual birthday, unfortunately for me it was a Friday and everyone was working! However I did get to go to York for the day, lucky me! 

As well as a bit of retail therapy, where I didn't actually manage to find anything I wanted, and when I did find something it wasn't in my size... I also had the most lovely lunch. We went to Bills, I had one of their "superfood salads"- check me out being all healthy on my bday! Combined with their delicious pink lemonade- try it, and for desert, their amazing chocolate brownie!

After that the weather faired up a little, so we took a walk through the park and had ice cream before getting the train home. My mum had put together a little birthday tea, with an improvised cake from my birthday party! I am so thankful for all of my presents, including a Kate Spade hand bag, Pandora bangle, Spa break courtesy of my best friend, and lots of Topshop vouchers. I was spoilt rotten!

See a few piccy's below! :)

MY 21ST BIRTHDAY- PART ONE

 Yup, apparantly my birthday comes in parts now. Well it is my 21st so plenty of excuse to celebrate as much as I like! I had 3 weeks of celebrating, the first part I took a trip to London Zoo with Kyle, (he's living in Surrey now so exploring in London is super easy). I don't know if you have heard of the Sunset Safari at London Zoo, but it ran for quite a few weeks during June and July this year. Basically you visit the zoo between 6 and 10pm for just half the price of a usual ticket, to see the animals at night.

With animal themed acrobats, great food, and plenty of animal talks, the evening is the perfect time to visit the zoo as the sun goes down. The animals definitely behave differently at night, and although this is interesting, we didn't get to see the Gorilla's as it was there bed time, and some of the animals also weren't out and about at this time. Although I did get to see lions at their new enclosure! The whole evening was just lovely and I would totally recommend visiting next year!

On Saturday, we visited Portsmouth. We did in fact visit Portsmouth for my last birthday but the weather was literally awful. Thankfully this time it was absolutely wonderful sunshine! We didn't actually go to Portsmouth town, we went to the Harbour instead. Here, they have a brilliant designer outlet called Gunwharf Keys, accompanied by an array of food outlets and cinema complex (of course we went to see The Secret Life of Pets). A Saturday afternoon well spent.

TENERIFE 2016

This post is literally embarassingly late considering I actually went on holiday 2 months ago today! For once I actually decided to book last minute which was kinda stressful considering how unorganised I am, and that I had no money for new clothes and only 3 weeks until I flew! 

Last year we visited Lanzarote, so this year I thought, why not? Lets try one of the other Canary Islands. Thankfully we visited during a really amazing week of weather, and I don't know if you have ever visited... but Tenerife is a lot less windy than Lanzarote which was lovely, although at times it was a bit too hot to do anything! 

We stayed at the Riu Arecas hotel in Costa Adeje... although many people I know have visited the party resort of Playa Las Americas, we chose an over 18's hotel in one of the quieter resorts. Yup, i'm a total bore, and in hindsight perhaps a hotel full of the elderly wasn't the best when you're wanting to act like a child in the pool (lots of glares). However, the hotel was totally amazing and I would definitely recommend it to anyone! 

I found that on this holiday most of our time was spent chilling around the pool, playing crazy golf, and walking along the beach. We also decided to visit a zoo- Loro Parque which had some absolutely wonderful animals, including whales and dolphins which was 100% the highlight of my holiday. We also visited Siam Park which was literally one of the best days ever, it is known as one of the best water parks in the world, and it certainly didn't dissapoint. Although we were ridiculously sunburt after a full day there, there was such a huge variety of rides which were amazing, but nope I did not ride the kamikaze. 

As this is a fashion blog, i've included some photos below so not only can you have a nosey, but you can also see some of the outfits I wore on holiday. Most of my clothes were actually from last year, and I took so much stuff I found myself having 3 outfit changes a day! Bring on New York in November....