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 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

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

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

new love: topshop make-up ..

happy wednesday beauties..

i did it. i caved. 

after months of lusting after swatches and watching every review out there, i finally gave in and bought some 

topshop make-up.

topshop glow in polish

£9.00

topshop glow

recently i've become a massive fan of contouring, but have struggled to find a highligher i love. however this creamy highlighter is beautiful. it blends evenly leaving a faint golden pink glow that catches the light perfectly. slightly different to normal but i like to apply it after my primer {MAC prep + prime skin}.

 i find it blends best on freshly primed skin rather than over my foundation {MAC studio fix fluid in NW15}. glow, leaves my skin with a beautiful dewy finish without producing shine.

 my only wish... the pot should be bigger! 

4/5

topshop lip liner in deception

£5.00

topshop lipliner

i'd never been one to bother lining my lips but i thought i'd give this one ago.

this creamy, dark red liner is easy to apply and blends brilliantly with most reds.

i use it with MAC viva glam and MAC ruby woo, works perfectly with both! 

creamy and easy to use, well worth a buy!

5/5

i have well and truely fallen in love with these products and will certainly be buying more!

i adore the white and grey packaging with the glass pots. 

next products i want to try:

topshop nails in blue jeans

and 

topshop eye gleam in noir

any other products i should try next?

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

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.