Day 17: I'm proud of...

This is a very wordy post, but I hope you all enjoy reading a little about how I got to where I am now..

I'm proud of many things in my life! My amazing family, brilliant friends, I'd  be here for ever telling you everything. But my biggest accomplishment in my eyes is following my dream. 

I don't have many memories from primary school, but one year, we gave an assembly to our parents. We all dressed up as what we wanted to be when we grew up. There were the expected doctor, fireman and of course, a train driver.

 But then there was me, I've never done things by halves and there I was dressed all in green carrying a stuffed monkey. I stood up there and said "When I grow up I want to be a zoologist". 

As I got older and learnt more, I went through phases of wanting to do other things but it always came back to working with animals and zoology. 

I'm a firm believer that if you want something enough, no one should be able to discourage you. And trust me people have tried! Everytime I think  back to my meeting with the guidance counsellor at the end of high school, I can't help but laugh. When he asked me what I wanted to do, I simply told him I wanted to read zoology at university and work in conservation. The reply I got? "Everyone wants to be the next David Attenborough. They can't be".

 The look he got from my parents and I definitely made him backtrack a little!

 I never aimed to be the next Attenborough, I have my own dreams and thing I want to experience. But that moment when he said I couldn't do something, well it was like a catalyst for me.

 I wanted to work harder. I wanted to prove him wrong.

After 3 years of horrid A Levels that I thought I would never escape, my dream had honestly never seemed further away. When the day rolled around for UCAS results, I couldn't sleep for nerves. The moment I read that I had a place at my first choice university to study the course I had worked for, I cried so hard my parents couldn't tell if they were happy tears or sad! 

 As I write this, I'm preparing to finish my second year of studying zoology.

So all in all, my dream came true. I'm doing something I love which has sparked many new dreams for me!

And I can now say, I am proud of myself for never giving up on my dream till I made it come true. 

Day 9: How important is education?

Hello Lovelies!

Day 9 and the topic of education. I think it's particularly difficult to give a general view on this topic as it really is so different for each individual. 

I believe doing well lower in the system such as high school and college, is beyond important as GCSEs and A Levels really set the ground work for what a person is interested in and the beginning of working toward something you actually want to gain a knowledge of. 

When it comes to moving on and studying at university, it is not a decision that can be made on a whim. I am currently in my second year of studying for a degree in Zoology. I can honestly say 100% that it was the right decision for me. Not only in the academic sense as generally, becoming a zoologist would require a zoology degree but also from a personal sense. 

I have grown into a better, more mature person more than I ever imagined.

 I have pushed myself so far out of my comfort zone, and really taken the steps towards being completely independent.

I could never put a value onto the experience gained and the friends I've made!

But I know that moving away from home and continuing in education is really not for everyone, some people are just ready to head into full time work, which is great if it's possible to get into your desired field. 

I'd love to hear a few opinions on university vs. work, everyone feels so differently.

Comment or feel free to tweet me at @cityprettyblog

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