Thursday 28 February 2013

"We're running away from the boys in the blue"

Blouse: Zara
Cardigan: New Look
Jeans: Gilly Hicks
Necklace: Urban Outfitters

It's been a crazy month for me what with my trip to Rome at the beginning of the month and then loads of uni work needing to be done so blogging time has had to take a bit of a back seat. It's so crazy to think that this is my last term and all I'll have to come back to next term is one exam. It does mean there is a lot riding on this term though. My dissertation is taking up a lot of my time so next month will be quiet on the blogging front too I'm afraid. I'll still be on twitter and instagram (@racheleprior on both of them if you fancy following me!) though.

I caved in and bought this blouse from Zara, I really like the mini elephants, giraffes and tigers on it. Expect to see it a lot more when the weather starts getting warmer! This afternoon my friend Kirsty came over for a cuppa (she even brought me a cupcake) and was my photographer! 

A better close-up of my make-up today:


I can't get enough of this song at the moment! The 1975- 'Chocolate'


Friday 15 February 2013

ROMA! Part 2

I can't believe that this time last week I was enjoying my second day in Rome exploring the Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain- and now I'm back to writing my dissertation and worrying about the laundry...I already want to go back! You can see the first part of my trip there by clicking here if you would like to see what we got up to on our first day there.

What I wore:
Jacket: Barbour
Jumper: H+M
Jeans: ASOS
Bag: Urban Outfitters

The weather was certainly a lot better on this day than it had been the previous day which was why we left the more outdoorsy sights to the second day. This was taken by Trevi Fountain and was actually where we ended the day of sightseeing. Do we look exhausted? We were feeling the strain by this point of 2 full days of walking everywhere on cobbles and in desperate need of Gelato...

I couldn't believe how small the Piazza is that the Trevi Fountain is in- really tucked away. It was buzzing with tourists all patiently waiting to throw their penny over their shoulder into the fountain with the hope that it will bring them back to Rome.

 (little fact for you- the money that is thrown into the Trevi Fountain every day is around 3,000 euros and at the end of every day it is collected from the bottom of the fountain and given to local charities.)

Victor Emmanuel Monument in the background (aka 'The Wedding Cake') amazing blue sky too!

The girls and me with the Arch of Constantine behind us...the cheeky bugger stole parts off other peoples arches to make his own !!! 

 Gorgeous view from the Palatine Hill of the Colosseum and mountains in the distance

 Truly respecting the age of the Forum by standing on some bits of old stone!!
 Walking up the Palatine Hill

 Obligatory Colosseum picture

 Inside the Colosseum- its even bigger than you think it is going to be, words can't describe it!

 Our well deserved cheeky lunch that day aka CARBOCIDE... bruschetta, chips and the most amazing spaghetti carbonara ever, I've never tasted anything so good
The girls and I at dinner that evening in our favourite Pizzeria which was just around the corner from our hotel, you could tell it was a bit of a hidden gem as the prices were really reasonable AND locals were eating in there.

So there you have it! My little adventure to Rome summarised in 2 posts- I hope you've enjoyed them. We had such a laugh exploring the Eternal City...we must have looked like serious nerds getting so excited by the ruins but we didn't care. Plus getting into the Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum for free were definite bonuses- perks of the degree.

 I love seeing people's travel posts of where they have been and if you are thinking about going to Rome- DO IT! I can't believe I got to almost 21 without even going...I'll definitely be returning

Sunday 10 February 2013

ROMA! Part 1

After almost three years of studying and seeing the archaeological remains of Rome for my degree in books yet never actually seeing them for myself I decided it was time I finally went and visited the city that my subject focuses on so much. So three of my friends off my course and I ventured off to Rome on Wendesday for three nights. 

We had an absolutely incredible time- I've never been so excited to walk around a city not knowing which sight will be around the corner. Day 1 was spent exploring the Vatican City- wandering around the Vatican museum, going inside St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel and seeing the Ara Pacis.

Victoria, Georgia and I by the Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) this was created in 13 BC for the Emperor Augustus as a monument to perform sacrifices in.
Outfit:
Shirt: H+M
Skirt: Pull and Bear

St. Peter's Square and Basilica- so impressive and even bigger than I had imagined!

Incredible sculptures in the Vatican Museum

The overwhelmingly beautifully painted walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo- the wall shows the Last Judgement (it took 4 years to paint!!) whilst the ceiling shows 9 stories from the Book of Genesis. It is lit very dimly to preserve the paint and no flash on cameras is allowed hence the poor quality of the picture!

The girls and I with St. Peter's Square in the background- the odd choices of our bottom halves is due to having to cover our knees as a sign of respect in the Vatican- so we had to do a bit of improvising with scarves!!!

Inside St. Peter's Basilica- very difficult to get a picture that does the beauty of it justice. It is vast inside!!!

The infamous Roman gelato!

It is such an incredible place and despite the pervy-ness of the Italian men being annoying it didn't detract from the beauty of the city!

Have you been to Rome before?

xxx