A heart to heart...

Hello dolls!

Well it's been quite some time eh? Well that's what this post is all about, where I've been and when I'm coming back to the land of bloggers!

Firstly, thank you to all the lovelies who noticed I wasn't posting and checked up on me through twitter!

 It has been a hard few months and writing had to take a back seat. The root of this comes down to a topic that is very current in blogging and online lives... Anxiety. Yep, nothing new. 

Well it kind of is for me. I'll try to explain as best as I can, but it may get a little chattery so bear with me ok? 

Just over two months ago I was officially diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder and I am undergoing treatment in the form of medication and CBT.

 I have always been something of an internal worrier. Very much not giving a crap on the outside but inside, I found it difficult to forget about things. And my anxiety times this by 100.

 So if I say anything awkward, I regret it and play it back for hours. If something major is coming up like a deadline, I'll stress and stress until my brain can't handle it anymore and will shut down. They are just some of my bigger triggers.. I also have a problem with answering my phone, overcompensating just in case I've messed up, sleep problems... The list could go on. 

It's possible I've suffered with this for over a year without realising!

A small amount of worry and stress is normal in life, but mine had taken over. 

Asking for help was the hardest part, I had no idea anything was wrong with me. My brain just thought I wasn't good enough and I was failing. 

That was never true. My amazing Dr explained it as my anxiety being like a car alarm. The alarm should only go off when there is a break in. But when it is broken it keeps on going off until the battery dies. So my alarm/anxiety kept going off for no reason until it couldn't anymore and stopped working altogether, meaning I just couldn't deal with any stressful situation. 

Like I mentioned, I am in treatment for this and it really is working. I can handle my work again, I'm more social. But it really is a long road. Slowly, I have to retrain my brain to handle all of the factors in my life. 

Anyway this isn't a 'boohoo woe is me' post! Its a positive post for me because I finally feel able to share it with you all and I'm so pleased that my inspiration is slowly coming back and I feel like writing again! 

Thank you all for reading and being so patient! 

Much love,

Gabriella

x

Day 12: 5 weird things I like!

Hello Lovelies! 

Just a quick post today, I'm deep in revision this week!

So here are 5 weird things I like (some according to my housemates...)

 - having my hair played with

- creepy crawlies (except worms - eugh!)

- making lists 

- changing ends of my bed in the night

- eating frozen peas (still frozen)

I don't think they're that weird, especially making lists.. 

Of course revision is the last thing I want to be doing right now, so help me out with a little procrastination and tell me one weird thing about you! 

Good luck to everyone with deadlines, finishing dissertations and getting ready for exams! 

kisses
gabs.x

twitter: @cityprettyblog

facebook: Gabriella Price

instagram: @gabbyrose18

Day 11: The last film I saw!

Hello Lovelies!

Day 11 bring us to the last film I saw... 

The Great Gatsby.

This film really does have to be one of the most visually beautiful I've ever seen! The 2013 film is based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, telling the story of Nick Carraway and his encounter with the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio!!!).

I don't want to give away any of the plot for anyone who hasn't seen it, but I have to say I found it completely impossible not to fall in love with poor Gatsby, as he tells the tale of meeting Daisy! 

Other than the ever handsome Leo, the costuming for this film was stunning. The 1920's style is definitely a personal favourite anyway, but it was taken that little bit further in the film.
 Vintage MuiMui and Prada pieces gave an instant glamour whilst Tiffany's & Co archived jewels provided the sparkle.

Everyone should definitely give the sound track a listen too, featuring Jay Z and Lana Del Ray, there is something for most tastes!

Have you seen this film, what did you enjoy about it?

kisses
gabs.x

Day 10: Whats on my music player?

Hello Lovelies!

So, after a crazy few weeks I'm finally getting back into the swing of things and it's back to the 30 day blogger challenge!

I really enjoyed answering these questions every day, and hearing some of your opinions! 

So day 10 is the first ten songs on shuffle...

Cinderella - Diana Vickers

Wreaking Ball - Miley Cyrus

Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood

Needle - Born Ruffians

Woohoo - Christina Aguilera

Delusions - Jack Ross

Million Voices - Otto Knows

Girls/Girls/Boys - Panic! at the disco

Battles - Hudson Taylor

Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Ray

-

So as you can tell, my music taste is a bit here, there and everywhere! I love having a song for every mood!

What's your top song right now?

kisses

gabs.x

I'm still here!

Hello lovelies!

Lets be honest, a huge apology is in order. I have been absent for far too long. I know the typical excuse of 'life's been crazy' just won't cut it right now. Life has gotten way past crazy and here's why... 

Devon - An amazing week in beautiful scenery. Getting to spend everyday doing what I love with the best course mates going! It's impossible to be bored around these guys and they really did make the experience 100 times more brilliant. 

Netherlands - Anyone who knows me well, can back me up on the fact that working in a zoo one day is such a dream. So a trip to Holland, with 4 zoos in 3 days couldn't have been more perfect for me!

Then it was back home for a week with my lovely family and catching up with the best friend! Spending time with Soph always fetches me back to my senses, she gets me more than anyone! 

And finally we come full circle, back to uni! Coming back really got me down, knowing I was back for 2 weeks of assignments and exams. Which explains why I'm so absent at the moment. I'm now in the middle of my final assignments and too much revision ... 

So, I promise I will be back posting full time as soon as possible! Two weeks and I'll be free of this year! Time to power through! 

kisses

gabs.x

Day 8: Hopes for the future!

Hello Lovelies!

My future, well I have no idea! Past the next few year it all gets a little blurry, I have too many plans coming up to think past my 20's! So I'll stick with what my hopes are for after university! 

I'm currently in my 2nd year of reading zoology at ARU, next year I hope to produce a dissertation that is good enough for publication as a scientific paper.

After that, I would hope to graduate with a high 2:1 or above. Once I've graduated, I don't plan on moving back home. After 3 years of living in a city, I fear moving back to sleepy Cheshire would be more than horrid. So instead I'm going to find a job and work like a crazy person until I have enough money for a big plane ticket. 

Then as soon as I can, it's back to my favourite place in the world, New Zealand.

My hope is to head out there on a working visa, find a basic job and travel around when I can afford. It's still such a basic dream but I have to start somewhere! Eventually once I've figured being a grown -up, I hope to work on breeding programmes and with Primates in particular. 

My hopes for the future definitely seem so vague right now, but at least I know where I want to end up! 

This is such a talky kind of post so I'm going to leave it there, and maybe head back to doing some essay writing (got to get those 2:1s!).

Got any tips for entering the real world again after graduation?

Tweet me at @cityprettyblog

kisses

Gabs.x

Day 6: My Favourite Season!

Hello Lovelies!

So I've got a seriously busy few days coming up as I leave for two weeks of field work next week, right in the mix of deadlines and what not! But I'm determined to keep the daily posts coming, I'm loving posting every day! So fingers crossed for good wifi in Devon and the Neatherlands!

Anyhow on with todays post, my favourite season! I'll keep it brief but I'd love to hear what you love about the different seasons, so make my day and leave a comment!

Reasons I love Autumn:

-Its my birthday season (22 this year eek)

-It's sunny till late

-Being able to sit by the river in Cambridge, usually with some Long Island Ice-Tea 

-Afternoon walks around the commons

-Pretty summer dresses with a cozy cardigan

-Seeing all the leaves change colour, its a beautiful season to photograph

-Rich plummy lipsticks come back into my makeup bag

kisses

Gabs.x

Day 5: A book I love!

Hello Lovelies!

So it's day five and time to talk about a book I love. 

This book is one of my favourite reads of all time! It's heartbreaking yet once I reached the end it really influenced me to sit and think about how I was making the most of every day and the chances I am given.

The book is Before I Die by Jenny Downham.

Before I Die, tells the story of 16 year old Tessa, who has spent the last four years of her life battling leukemia. We are introduced to Tessa, as the decision is made to end the aggressive treatment that as been keeping her alive but not curing her. With the help of her best friend Zoey, Tessa compiles a bucket list. The story continues with Tessa trying to complete the list, whilst trying to find away to say goodbye to the world she loves and hasn't spent enough time in.

There are several moments in the book that really struck a cord with me. The relationship between Tessa and her father is so beautiful. On the surface they bicker and clash, but underneath is a man who cannot bear to let his only daughter go.

The items on Tessa's bucket list really did make me think, they are all simple things that we all get to look forward to; finding love, seeing spring, excitement. Tessa's story made me really appreciate the chances I will have and how I need to truly make the most of ever opportunity that comes my way.

This is definitely a book to be read with a box of tissues and a bar of chocolate, but its worth the sad moments to see the simple things everyone takes for granted in a new light! 

The book has also been made into a film called Now is Good starring Dakota Fanning. 

“It was strange how words meant something when they came out of your mouth. Inside your head they were safe and silent, but once they were outside, people grabbed hold of them.”

Kisses
Gabs.x

Day 4: My closest friends!

Hello Lovelies! 

Welcome to day four of the bloggers challenge. I've been really looking forward to writing this post as I am blessed with some amazing friends! 

Back home in Cheshire, I'm lucky to have a really close group of best friends! 

Rach, I met when I got a part-time job in the local supermarket and she was given the pleasure of training me! I say pleasure in the loosest term possible as I was useless and didn't know a bagel from a bread roll to begin with! 

Zoe, I met when we took the same science GCSEs! Powering through physics lessons together was always such a giggle!

Becky, I've known since high school and is officially a pro at understanding me when no-one else gets my nonsense! 
But the whole group came together in college and it has been that way ever since.

 Taking crazy trips to Blackpool, Becky's car door opening half way round a round-a-bout (don't ask!), more pub quizzes than I can remember and every hilarious moment in-between.
One of my favourite memories has to be the girls trekking 3 hours down the motorway to visit me in Cambridge! Spending the weekend with my girls in the sun couldn't be more perfect! 

 These girls have been the most amazing friends I could ask for, no matter how far apart we are (Zoe i'm looking at you here!) nothing changes. 

Tell me some memories with your best friends!

Tweet me at @gabbyrose18

kisses

gabs.x

Day 3: My favourite TV show!

Hello Lovelies!

So it's day three of the challenge and the topic for today is my favourite TV show! 

I don't even have to think about an answer for this one, it's all about...

Grey's Anatomy! 

'Meet Meredith Grey. Daughter of famous surgeon Ellis Grey and currently a first year intern at Seattle Grace Hospital. On her first day, she meets her fellow interns: Cristina Yang, a highly competitive Stanford graduate. George O'Malley, a quirky yet warm hearted guy. Izzie Stevens, a former model who's always optimistic. Overseeing them is Miranda Bailey, dubbed by her coworkers "The Nazi". Meredith also gets a surprise when she realizes that her one night stand from the night before is her new boss.'

The show is now into its 10th season (it's that good!!), and yes I have seen every single episode more than once! Whilst all the medical drama is very intense and they see many weird cases, for me it's all about the friendships. 

Within the characters of the show, there is a friendship to match every relationship or situation. This makes the show completely relatable no matter how crazy the story line!

The best friendship in the show in my opinion is between Alex Karev and Meredith. They hate each other! He's the cocky, bad boy of the group that's just too big for his boots! But Meredith sees something else in him, and always encourages him no matter how annoying he tries to be! 

What do you all think of Grey's? And whats your favourite show?

Let me know on twitter at @gabbyrose18

kisses

gabs.x

Day 2: Something I feel strongly about!

Hello lovelies! 

So it's day two and time to talk about something I feel strongly about!

For me this is the subject of gay marriage. I know and love many people who have been affected by this topic. 

Now, my blog is a happy place so I don't want to get bogged down into all the politics of it, but rather give my stance on the topic. I know the approach to gay marriage is different in many countries, and every person has their own view so I am not here to devalue any personal choices or opinions. 

I don't know if it is the way my family is, or the people I have grown up around, but I have no opinion on the term 'gay' marriage. To me, marriage is marriage and is between two people who love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. It does not matter to me if this is two men, an man and a women or two women. If the two people respect each other, support each others goals and are happy why do we have a problem? 

Seeing two men walking hand in had down the street does not hurt anyone; really in a world of one night stands and casual 'relationships', love is something to be appreciated by everyone. 

So I personally see no need for the term 'gay marriage'.

If two people love each other then they have the same right to marriage no matter what combination of male and female they are. 

That's just how I see it.

This really isn't the easiest subject to write about and this is the first time I have had to give my opinion on such a delicate topic via a blog post, but I just wanted to let you all know something i feel very strongly about.

If any of you feel like chatting more about this or letting me know how you feel,

tweet me at @gabbyrose18

kisses

gabs.x

Day 1: Five ways to win my heart!

Hello lovelies,

So today is the first day of the blogger challenge and I'm really excited to let you all get to know me a little better and hopefully read some of your answers! 

So question one is..

Five ways to win my heart! 

1. Get along with my family: I come from a very close family! We're all a little crazy, there's always some kind of drama but we love each other. My family will always have a chunk of my heart, get along with them and laugh with us all and someone could definitely share my heart with them!

2. Love animals: As a zoology student, animals are an obsession!Join in with endless documentaries, searching for fluffy instagram pictures or ranting about people wearing fur coats (sorry not my thing!). 

3. Want to see the world: I love travelling and someone that could tell me exciting tales about the great things they'd seen on trips or could plan incredible adventures with me would win my heart instantly!

4. Have your own dreams: I have so many things I want to achieve, and I'd love to be able to support someone achieve amazing things themselves! Plus annoyingly, I'm definitely a person who can't have someone around 24/7, it's great meeting up and having loads to catch up on! 

5. Make me laugh: Its the classic, don't take life to seriously and have fun! Make me laugh and laugh along with me!

Hope you enjoyed the first post, what are your top five? 

kisses

gabs.x

What's On Repeat.

Hello lovelies,

Well it has definitely been a crazy week in Cambridge, I've been dragged kicking and screaming through more deadlines than my brain could handle. 

Thank goodness for Spotify is all I can say, I can't concentrate without music! 

Generally to block out all the annoying people who insist on having a gathering in the library!

So here are some great tracks I've had on repeat this past week... 

1. Tich - Dumb

2. Lilygreen & Maguire - Come on Get higher

3. Adam Barnes - She will stay beneath the moon 

4. Hudson Taylor - Battles

5. Jose Vanders - These times

6. Nina Nesbitt - Stay out

7. The 1975 - Chocolate 

8. The 1975 - Sex

(Okay, the whole 1975 album really!) 

What songs are you all loving at the moment? 

kisses

gabs.x


twitter    @gabbyrose18
facebook   Gabriella Price
instagram    @gabriellap21

A few little loves...

hello sweets,

well it was back to the grind of university this month. and honestly, it has been mad from the word go! 

on the plus side, it is the month of love and whether you spent v'day with 

the one who give you butterflies 

or 

drowning in food with your fellow cynics

 {FAC i'm looking at you guys}

i hope you had a day full of laughs and loves! 

here are my top loves for the beginning of semester...

APP:

 iStudiez Pro 

£1.99

this app is great for helping organise new modules. you can use it to keep track of all assignments, which lecturer the work is for and your timetable. for a to-do list junkie like myself, its great being able to see exactly what order my work is due and being able to plan ahead. 

  

SONG:

arctic monkeys

'why'd you only call me when you're high?'

awesome lyrics and i'm totally addicted.

BEAUTY:

rimmel london professional finish in 

500 peppermint 

and 

avon colour trend in

iced champink 

this  miserable weather isn't doing anyone any favours so in a bid to stay cheery i'm channeling a little spring. these pastel colors are sweet as can be and leave nails glossy whilst staying chip-free for up to a week {a miracle for me!}. 

DRINK: 

twinings lemon green tea

i cannot stop drinking this stuff. a much tastier take on the regular stuff! as i'm on a starbucks ban this month, this caffeine free tea is a great substitute... well as a great as anything not from starbucks can be. 

well that's just a few little favorites of mine. 

apologies for the lack of posts but you know how life gets, there's plenty of exciting posts coming in the next few weeks so keep coming back!

what are your feb favorites? 

kisses

gabs.x

Blogger guilt..

hello strangers..

well my blog is definitely been feeling unloved in the new year and i have a serious case of blogger guilt.

 i have many excuses for not writing and posting. but excuses will not get any new posts up so instead i'll fill you in on a few things from the end of 2013 and whats been keeping me busy... 

1. university. so mid december i finished the first half of my second year at aru. it was a fun semester with new friends, too much jager and way too many assignments (in my opinion anyway). this break means i am now half way through my time as an undergraduate which is a little scary but i am excited to dive into the beginnings of my dissertation!

its amazing the people you meet in cambs

my gorgeous housemates! 

2. christmas. i spent the holidays with my family and we kept it relatively low key this year, hanging out at home with a full fridge.

 it was amazing to catch up and spend some quality time with my parents and best friends, with me being away for such a long chunk of the year. 

toodlepip 2013...

catching up and being silly with the girls on christmas eve x

3. so with the new year, came the thing i had been dreading most... exams. these were my first set of university exams and i do worry that i was under prepared and my nerves got the better of me. but what will be, will be. or so i keep telling myself. 

well doesn't really seem like i've been up to a great deal, but the photos tell another story. 

right now i'm back at home having a lazy week before semester two starts and life gets all serious again. it is an extended visit after my dad & i got into a little mishap on the motorway trying to get back to cambs on satuday, but we're all dandy now. shame the same cannot be said for the car :( 

so its back to university on monday and time to start figuring what i want the next year and half of my education to be about... exciting times! 

any tips for dissertation planning and organisation would be amazing...!

from today, my blogging schedule will be new posts every monday, wednesday and sunday! 

hope you're all making the most of the new year with some exciting plans!

kisses,

gabs.

Getting chilly in here...

good morning my little elves!

well i've woken up feeling particularly bah-humbug this morning, with the citypretty household in the grips of a cold and my beautiful Cambridge looking, well, grey at the moment.

its not a good recipe for christmas cheer. add to that, two weeks of deadlines and working like crazy and all i want to do is hole up and hibernate! 

so i thought i'd share a few loves of mine for snuggling up and fetching your own sparkle to the city,

enjoy darlings...

*all product links can be found at the end*

1. an awesome hat!

don't do it! don't bring out the good old 'but i don't suit hats'. everyone suits hats! have you tried every type? for this kind of weather i'd be going for a good old beanie! beanies have been making waves this fall. its all about the embellishment and i've found a couple of cuties...

this little gem is from

 blingstar jewellery Liverpool.

this was the first embellished hat i bought back in the fall. and i'm completely in love with it. the caramel color means it goes with so much and the studs add a tough edge. i must have worn this hat more times than i can count and not a single stud has budged.  

i love pairing this with a simple scarf and a leather jacket. 

for the more girly of us, i found this beanie in primark, Cambridge.

I love how the large pale pink, blue and silver gems stand out against the white.

perfect for any snowflake wannabe. 

add a little glitter to a tartan dress + a peter pan collar. 

2. hand warmers!

everyone knows what a hand warmer is but check out these super cute ones

 (perfect little stocking fillers - hint hint familia) 

these beautiful hearts are covered in super soft cashmere and thanks to their  reusable filling, they don't break the bank. these are from etsy, an amazing site for cute presents. 

or if you're seeking a more country manor feel check out these

Harris Tweed hand warmers

from notonthehighstreet. 

whilst a little more costly, they are reusable and would make a beautiful gift. 

3. slipper boots!

banish those cold little piggys with some super snuggly slippers, perfect for that hot cocoa in front of the fire!

now i'm more than just a little fussy about my slippers. 

they have to involve pink.

 they have to be furry (inside or out)

and they have to be from accessorize.

so here are my two faves from their current line...

the bright heart fairisle boots (left) are the ones that i have myself and they are so so soft. filled with soft fur all down to the toes, and a lovely aztec style pattern, they are a definite fave.

 and for the animal lover, the purrfect fairisle boots (right) are awesome. with a black and white cat pattern and fur inside and out, they only thing that could make the boots any cuter would be pompoms. oh wait. 

so now your all cosy from head to toe; make a brew, stick a film on (christmas themed of course) and get your snuggle on.

kisses

Gabs. 

Links: 

Blingstar jewellery: http://www.blingstarjewellery.com/

Primark: Hat in store only.

Cashmere hand warmers: http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/168281658/pocket-hand-warmers-cashmere-blue-hearts?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=cashmere+hand+warmers&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=cashmere+hand+warmers

Harris Tweed hand warmers: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/mannandmoon/product/harris-tweed-hand-warmers

Bright heart fairisle slippers: http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_3,acc_3.7/4954309950

Purrfect fairisle slippers: http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_13,acc_13.5/4954609951