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 13: Travel dreams!

Hello lovelies!

Apparently quarter to 1 in the morning is when I feel inspired to write a post, strange but I guess I'll roll with it! 

Well we've made it to day 13, almost half way and today's topic is a great one for me! Travelling has always been something I love, since I took my first solo trip to New Zealand. I definitely get bored staying in one place for too long! I've lived in Cambridge for two years now, and already I'm itching to try somewhere new! 

For me the travel excitement begins from the first look mention of a trip. Booking flights, finding somewhere to stay, reading a guidebook... I love every part of it, even packing! 

Am I the only one who absolutely adores flying. I've been told it's a little weird, but knowing you'll be stepping into completely different place at the end is the best feeling! 

Knowing I'll be in Cambs for another year, whilst reading about all the amazing places I can get work experience or even an actually job in, definitely inspires plenty of plans! 

There are so many countries I'm dreaming of at the moment so I'll stick with one for now..

Australia!

Everyone dreams of visiting Aus at some point, and who could blame them? To see every amazing thing over there, you would need years!

For me, the dream to head over there is much more than just sight-seeing. I have family there that I miss so much, including my beautiful siblings. 

To head over there and be shown around by family, I couldn't think of much better! 

Of course being a student means saving for this is taking longer than I hoped. But one day I'll be stepping off that plane in WA!

If you could have a free plane ticket to one place in the world, where would you pick? 

kisses

gabs.x

Check out City Pretty's new facebook page here!

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

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award!

After two weeks away, I'm finally back on the blog and I can't wait to get back into the 30 day challenge! But first, I've been nominated for a Liebster Award!

Firstly I'd love to thank the brilliant Rhiannon Cooke from Life By Moonlight for nominating me in her post! Go and check out her blog! 

After reading Rhiannon's post and a few others, the rules are:

1. Firstly thank the person that voted for you and kindly leave a link to their site. 

2. Write out '11 facts about yourself'.

3. Answer the 11 questions that have been given to you by the person that nominates you.

4. Nominate 11 up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. (I went through bloglovin' and nominated my favourite 11!)

5. Get creative and come up with your own set of 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

6. Leave a comment on their blog with a link to your post, letting them know you've nominated them for the award and it isnt a spam. 

So here are my 11 facts...

1. No one ever believes I'm 21! 

2. My worst fear is the zombie apocalypse

3. You will never catch me wearing matching socks

4. I have 3 cat; Suki, George and Arthur 

5. I find it really hard to say goodbye to worn out shoes

6. I have an addiction to candles

7. I have quite a long name - Gabriella Rose Louisa Price 

8. The best place in the world is Auckland, New Zealnd - too beautiful! 

9. I want to be a zoologist

10. I once had green hair

11. I have the maddest housemates! 

And here are my answers to Rhiannon's questions...

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Definitly the blogger community! I've met so many amazing people and learnt a lot from them!

What inspired you to create a blog?

I had already been posting review videos on YouTube but felt there wasn't as much contact between other users compared to blogging so it was time for a change of scenery! 

Do you plan on blogging in the future or is it more of a 'temporary' thing for you?

I really hope my blog will be here years in the future, I want it to be something that will grow with me as life fetches new adventures. 

What is your 'Holy Grail' beauty item?

They're real mascara by Benefit 

Who is your favourite blogger?

Ooh this is tough! It really changes every day! Today is probably Anna Saccone :)

What is your favourite season?

Autumn as it's my birthday season!

Are you a tea or coffee person?

Coffee. Without a doubt. It's an addiction.

What inspired you to start blogging?

Erm, I'd have to say starting reading posts regularly on bloglovin'. I really found some inspiration from blogs on there. 

What is your favourite book and why?

At the moment it is probably Divergent by Veronica Roth. I decided to read this as I like the look of the film preview and I often enjoy books more! I really enjoyed this and the way it looks at how people are segregated by what they value! 

Do you have any hidden talents?

Well its not particually interesting but I read stupidly fast, I don't read across the page like normal haha!

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

Definitely Auckland, New Zealand. After spending time there, I love the pace of life and it really is a beautiful place! 

Here are my nominations for the Liebster Award:

girlcopyright
Princess Of Pretty
Finding My Everyday Happy
Fresh and Fearless
The life & times of Belle
PoppyLily
Tabitha West
The Confessions of the Professional Drama Queen
Polka Dots and Cups of Tea
The Novel Coffee
Genevieve's Life Blog

And for my nominees, here are your questions:

1.Dream holiday?
2.The blog post you are most proud of?
3.The biggest thing you've learnt since starting blogging?
4. 4 hopes for the future
5. What inspires you?
6. Your go to outfit?
7. Favourite book or film?
8. If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?
9. Your favourite blogger?
10. Your average day?
11. Tea or coffee?

Thank you again to Rhiannon for my nomination, and I hope my nominees enjoy writing their own posts! 

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

30 day blogger challenge!

Hello lovelies!

Well its been a very exciting week at City Pretty! My blogger confidence and ideas are coming on great! 

I definitely have to owe a chunk of that to the amazing people I've met in the blogger community! Whether its getting to grips with layout and designs (Belle, you are a star!), Sunday night lblogger chats on twitter or being inspired by brilliant writing! 

So I'm following the style of Aftab over @ Fresh and Fearless (definite blogspiration) and embarking on the 30-day blog challenge! 

Over the next 30 days I'll be posting a short piece every evening, answering a different question about myself! Expect lots of photos and throwbacks! 

The questions I'll be answering are listed below if you fancy giving it a go, or let me know what your answers would be! 

kisses

gabs.x

twitter   @gabbyrose18 

facebook    Gabriella Price

instagram @gabbyrose18

The questions: 

1. Five ways to win my heart 2. Something I feel strongly about 3. My favourite television programme  4. Closest friends 5. A book I love 6. My favourite season 7. My favourite childhood toys 8. What I hope my future will be like 9. How important I think education is 10. Put your music player on shuffle and pick the first ten songs 11. Write about the last movie I saw in theatres 12. Five weird things I like 13. Somewhere I would like to move to/visit 14. Have siblings? Talk about them 15. Fifteen interesting facts about myself 16. My favourite Disney movie princess and why? 17. Something I am proud of 18. Top five dream jobs 19. Five items that I love 20. Something I will always think 'What if?' about 21. My favourite subject to study and why? 22. How have I changed in the last two years and why? 23. Something you miss 24. Five words/phrases that make me laugh 25. Somebody that fascinates me and why? 26. Name one place I would live to visit one day 27. A quote I try to live by 28. Ten people, dead or alive that would I invite to dinner 29. One thing I am excited for 30. My goals for the next thirty days

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

Top to Toe #1

Skin:

L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 

This is a new collection from L'Oréal, made up of simple products that do exactly what they say. I've been using 4 products from the range and have fallen in love with every single one. 

The Cleansing & Perfecting Milk removes all makeup easily, even mascara and is alcohol free, leaving skin soft.

Also the Purifying Gel Wash is soap free, and great for oily/combination skin as it isn't drying.

The Radiance Revealing Gentle Exfoliator contains micro-beads which smooth skin without irritating or causing redness. It has a fresh peach scent, and is gentle enough for me to use every night.

Most recently I started using the Velvety-Soft Toner. This toner contains no parabens, and unlike other toners, it does not leave you with that horrid dry, tight feeling. After using this twice a day, my skin feels soft smooth. 

Nails:

With the weather slowly starting to pick up here in the city, I've been sticking with an old favourite by Rimmel! 

500 Peppermint is a fresh mint green, it applies easily with the wide professional finish brush and only needs two coats for a solid, opaque colour. 

Hair: 

This One: Get Locks Glam Again Replenishing Treatment.

After experimenting with bright tips to my hair, the constant bleaching and dying left my hair extremely damaged and straw like. I wanted to try a mask that I could also use in small amounts as a conditioner and this treatment has definely ticked all boxes! 
Containing Cocoa and Shea butters, it is a rich creme but did not leave my hair greasy or flat. My hair needs styling everyday due to its frizzy nature but since using this product i've barely used heat on my hair at all. This product will certainly be repurchased! 

Let me know what spring products you're all raving about!

kisses

gabs.x

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

a little hello...

finally a new little home for my blog. as a vlogger for the last year bellarose1809 has had a little revamp to City Pretty. 

as a self confessed city-lover and beauty addict i thought it might be time to have a little spot to share my loves with you all.

all about the sparkles and shambles of city life in Cambridge,

 the fashion that catches my eye and the newest products i just can't keep my hands off hehe. 

shan't ramble all about myself but all you need to know is i'm a lipstickoholic and a little ditsy.

kisses 

Gabs.