My Ebay Addiction: the hypothetical money problem.

First it was the app Vinted which I ended up using to sell or replace at least 80% of my wardrobe. Which while it sounds exciting at first can become a real problem if you are constantly jumping to check your phone or practically assaulting the postman when your parcel arrives. But it honestly feels like Christmas when you suddenly have four or more package to open all wrapped up with new things inside and it holds a similar buzz. Unfortunately there is something much worse than Vinted... Ebay.

When I decided I wanted to venture into the realms of the Ebay auctions it became alarmingly clear that there wouldn't be any turning back. I uploaded a few items, and started searching for bargains and that were the problem began. Now luckily my habit isn't quite as money draining as Vinted (thought I feel it possibly could get that way). Mostly I find myself constantly searching out things I love and then just watching them and constantly checking and panicking as the timer goes down and the price goes up. Sometimes I decide to bid and then at the last minute with my finger hovered over the button I chicken out and then its gone. More often than not I will just sit and watch the timer count down without even the intention to buy the item in the first place! I'm starting to fear that eventually I will stop chickening out at the last minute and eventually my bank account will run dry. 

The thing is I am actually usually quite good with money.. when it's in my hands. That's where the idea of this 'hypothetical money' comes in. I am terrified of putting money into my debit account or paypal account. It seems as soon as it touches those open and easy to use accounts that the money no longer exists in my head. Or at least it's a bit of a free for all. On the internet, and Ebay my money seems to be just this number on a screen rather than a physical thing that I can hand over. It's the same with swaps of Vinted, it seems great that you are getting to get rid of things you don't wear for new items and that makes it easy to forget you actually have to pay to post the items in the first place. That doesn't seem that bad right? I mean its only just over £3 for an item or a few items even but postage adds up. Last week I ended up spending £60 in total. Granted some of that I got back on sales but most of it was for items and sometimes they aren't even things I really like and often I end up re-listing!

I think I might end up having to delete the Ebay app, but I may end up with withdrawal symptoms!

My Ebay: summer.coleman123
My Vinted: summer-xo

Does anyone else have a similar problem? Feel free to comment with your ebay shops and vinted accounts! I'd love to see what everyone's selling! 

Rome: The City Built for Giants.

I was lucky enough recently to take a trip to Rome in Italy, I haven't been abroad very much but travelling is definitely something I am interested in doing more of. At 19 this was actually one of my first holiday's taken without the aid of family. My boyfriend and I arranged the whole thing from start to finish with a degree of organization that might have warranted a medal! We left for Heathrow at 4am exhausted and still dreaming. Luckily my mothers boyfriends job (that was a mouthful) means that he gets air miles and so our flights were half price!

Anyway, we had a wonderful flight. I myself am not scared of heights but I am somewhat of a nervous flyer but after the loveliest air hostess brought me a cup of tea and sat and chatted with me I felt more relaxed. We flew with British Airways there and back and I had the best experience, all the Air Hostess were lovely and the woman at the BA desk was wonderful, I would recommend them in a heartbeat! 

During the journey we flew over the Alps and were able to see the beautiful snow capped mountains from our window. The pictures above of are what we saw and were just too breath taking to even begin to describe! It was an experience in its self and so I can't imagine what the view from atop one of them must have been. 

We arrived in Italy 12pm local time, so still had the rest of the day to potter around doing what ever we pleased. The taxi driver picked us up and took us straight to the B&B where we were staying, we ended up staying in a little place just round the corner from the Colosseum. We were welcomed by Lorenzo the owner who drew out a map to show us all the places to visit and where to eat!  He then showed us to our room and promptly brought us a large bottle of ice cold water, which if you'd ever been to Italy seemed like the best thing in the world given how hot it was! The place was called Downtown Accommodation  and if you are ever planning a weekend trip to Italy I would suggest it as the perfect base for a trip based on exploring the city's best attractions! It meant we were able to go out after dinner, when the sun was just setting and eat ice cream right by the Colosseum without having to go on a lengthy walk! So definitely 9/10 there! 

The next day we headed off to the Colosseum once again and got inside with fast passes (honestly the queues are so long its worth the extra £40 or so that it cost for us both! it was worth going inside with a guide as well as we learnt all sort of interesting facts.

Did you know? The Colosseum was never actually known as the 'Colosseum' by those who build and used it? It was actually named The Flavian Amphitheater, and was built around what used to be Emperor Nero's lake before it was drained and reshaped to form the oval shape of the Colosseum. It was named this in the medieval era after the huge statue that was erected there which they had named the Colossus. 

Did you know? The word fornication owes its origins to the Colosseum. After the fall of the Roman empire such places went into disuse as they were considered to be on the outskirts of the city. The Colosseum became a breeding ground for all sort of criminal activity - including prostitution. It's huge arches made for the perfect hiding place for such activities. Fornix is Latin for Arch and so 'Fornication' was born. 

Next our tour took us to the Roman Forums, by this point my feet were killing me and the sun was beating down hard. I'd say DON'T WEAR FLIPFLOPS. Honestly don't know what I was thinking by the end of the holiday and by the end of that day even my feet were so painful I could barely walk! Luckily we had lots of water as there are nearly 2,000 clean water fountains all over Rome. Overall I'd have to say loved the Roman Forums best out of all of the places we visited. It was beautiful and wonderful. Our tour guide informed us that not long ago people used to use the site as a place for their sheep to graze. They would have little fluffy cloud goats grazing among huge protruding columns which I found quite entertaining. We weren't allowed to go into the building in the top right picture but apparently it was a church at one point, and when we later visited the Pantheon which is the worlds oldest church we were told that the best preserved buildings were all churches originally or had been converted into churches. 

My boyfriend, Dan, was particularity in love with the Pantheon. I couldn't blame him, it's huge towering dome (apparently the biggest of its kind) and huge entrance was unreal. Though like with a lot of things I had the pleasure of seeing in Rome I kind of felt as thought I was in a hall built for giants! 

Earlier that day we headed to one of the many Plazas in Rome, but the one we went to was called Piazza Navona. It was announced to us by the tour guide as one of Romes most beautiful Plazas - though we didn't eat there as the prices were insane! Our tour guide told us a story about the fountain in the center which he called 'the Four Rivers Fountain' Apparently the statue you see around the other side of the fountain is supposed to represent Europe. 

When the Fountain and the building you can see with the dome the other side where built, they were commissioned by two architects who hated each other. So one architect built his fountain with the statue opposite the building raising his arm and turning his head away from the other architects building as if in disgusted. Upon seeing this the buildings architect erected a statue on top of his building of a woman who's body faces the fountain but who's face is turned away in a similar fashion. 

Later that day we met Elnora.

The next day we visited Vatican City, which was beautiful. It took us a while to find the tour we were supposed to be on, and we had to get on the 64 bus to get there. Which was an awful experience, we got on and there was no air conditioning working at the time, we were cramped into a really tight space surrounded by lots of people who spoke Italian and no English. Not to mention I had to cling to my bag for fear of pickpockets! When ever anyone got off you had to cling to your position else you might get pushed off or over!  

Other than that the experience was a pleasant one! I had to wear a jumpsuit we were visiting the Sistine Chapel which you aren't allowed in unless you have your knees and shoulders covered! It was wonderful, though I came mostly for Michelangelo's Last Judgment. Which was utterly breathtaking even in the cramped space! I would have provided a picture, but you were also not allowed to taking photographs. 

 Next we went into the Vatican Museums, where we got to see the beautiful mosaic floors and beautiful Roman sculptures. The image on the left in a reconstructed original Roman mosaic floor that was found in another location taken apart and shipped to the Vatican! The second image to the right is of St Peter's Basilica, which was built around his tomb, this is marked by a huge metal sculpture of twisting columns that was about the size of a ten story building.

On our very last day in Rome we visited the Vittoriano which for the most part was free to get into - if you can stomach striding past the mean looking Italian guards at the gate to the steps. We wondered in and out of two different museums before we found this treasure! We even had lunch on the balcony at a little cafe, although the winds send the sun umbrellas crashing down nearly on top of us! I had a lovely mozzarella and tomato panini and a much needed cold glass of coke!

After we finished eating we rounded the corner to find a ticket booth for an elevator. We paid 7 euros to go up to the very top of the second tallest building in Rome and look out over 360 degree views of the city. It was well worth the money! The views were breath taking, it is impossible to comprehend in photographs. 

Unfortunately we were delayed on the way home by French Air Traffic Control. Although looking on the bright side we got in the news, BBC reported that "British passengers" were being disrupted and not the various other nationalities waiting to board the plane! Eventually we headed home, on a new route avoiding France all together. Landing at 12am to an empty airport and a pair of welcoming arms ready to drive us home (thank god because I had only had two cups of tea that day god forbid I should get behind the wheel of a car). 

Over all we  had a wonderful time in Rome and I would definitely say it's one off the bucket list. Thank you to my wonderful boyfriend for taking me with him and his lovely parents for taking us home! 

Recommendations! 

Apps/guides: 

Ulmon Rome Travel Guide

Trip Adviser City Guide 

Flights: 

British Airways

Tours: 

EnjoyRome

I'd really like to hear about all your holidays and adventures! Have you got any stories or places you'd like to recommend? 

My Bedroom

I thought I'd start off my first proper post (that is if you don't count that trip hazard introduction I gave you) with a little tour around my bedroom. I believe a persons bedroom can tell you a lot about their style, what they value and about them as people so hopefully this will give you some insight into me as a person, and perhaps some ideas about how you might want to use those lovely vintage finds. 

The photograph above is of my bed side, the bookcase was something my dad gave me, I always meant to paint it white but never got round to it. If you can see it's host to a tiny black fabric dog who is named Ralph sat atop one of my many little boxes (this is one of which I locked and then someone threw away the key!) The bed is also quite old, I believe its of french origin and somehow made its way to me after a series of events and so it has flaked cream paint showing through a sort of bronze coloring. The bedding I'm currently using is blue and white pin striped, lord alive if I remembered where I brought it I'd tell you but I'm currently in the process of acquiring a stag print set which may add a little more interest. The poster above is a map of the UK and Ireland which is such a beautiful color I just couldn't bare to part with it!

This is my bedside table, it's not the traditional little stand with a lamp placed on it. I actually fell in love with these suitcases at a vintage market and had to take them home with me. I had them stacked on my wardrobe for a little while before eventually deciding they made the perfect bedside table and are great as extra storage! I placed a tray that I acquired from a very un-inspired trip to IKEA and the Angle-pose lamp I was given by my mother which is temperamental but I love it anyway. The toy featured in this picture (yes there are many more) belonged to my dad and it was handed down to me after he passed away. 

This is by FAR my favorite piece of furniture, it was brought at an auction in my local town and despite it's large (and extremely heavy) size I have never been able to bare parting with it. It's full to the brim with clothes and I often have to move a lot over to my wardrobe to keep the drawers from bowing under the pressure!! (tell me someone else has this problem?!) My wallpaper was Laura Ashley but brought a long time ago and I will hate to see it go when I move in a few weeks! 

On this side you can see two pictures, both are personal and lovely, my mother hates putting family photos up in the house, but I like having a few important ones in my bedroom just to surround me with the people I love. I also have my elephant who currently doesn't have a name (any naming suggestions for this little velvet elephant?) and my panda who's called Paul. Beneath my drawers I have three old wooden palettes that I use to store my jewelry and make-up! I brought these at a vintage fair a few years back and they only cost me £1 for all three!

This is my lovely fireplace (unfortunately blocked in as its unused now!). On it I have Leopold the Leopard and Alistair the Lion who where my first ever vintage creatures. In the middle I have an original painting by an unknown artist of two pink bowed kittens it was brought for me by my parents as an 18th birthday present! In the middle I have to Victorian esk dog figures and a lovely vanilla infuser. Either side are just a two of my many electric (yes electric) vanilla scented candles which were possibly the best thing I ever acquired. 

Here is my lovely wardrobe where I house all my most favorite things (shoes, clothes, bags, etc..). Unfortunately it is far to big to come with me when I move and has already been claimed by the people buying my house! (who wouldn't its so beautiful!). It has a key to lock and use as a handle and a mirrored front which is perfect for me! It also is supposed to have a detailing on the top but it had to be removed as it just wouldn't fit otherwise! 

Here is just one of the two beautiful sash windows in my room! All original wood from when the house was built two hundred years ago its sill is now host to my lovely money tree and roses and my old books including a copy of alice in wonderland! 

I'm pretty sure that concludes my room tour (though really it doesn't cover half of the things I have in there!) Unfortunately I'll be moving in a matter of weeks to a much small room but that does mean I get the fun of redecorating! I'm currently on the look out for a stag skull complete with antlers and a few old foxed mirrors (why do people feel that such mirrors are 'dirty' BLASPHEMY). 

If you have any ideas/questions or comments let me know! 

Introduction to me!

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thought I'd start with a bit about me, but then I also thought I'd be able to include a more detailed description in a separate page. My name is Summer (like the season) and I'm nineteen living in the south-west of England which is full of beautiful countryside and lovely little villages. I will share with you my adventures and visits to vintage fairs and car boots as well as share with you the designing of my bedroom and home. 

I've started this blog with the intention of sharing all the beautiful vintage and modern styled vintage things and places I visit and photograph and sharing them with all of you lovely people but I'd love to here of your adventures and suggestions. Please feel free at any point to contact me and get in touch! I love hearing from people who share my interests and passions! You can contact me using the ask function on here, or if you have some long drawn out question/comment I would be happy to receive an email to summer.coleman@hotmail.co.uk

I thought for my first ever post on here I would share with you a photograph taken of myself and my boyfriend taken when we recently visited The Vatican in Rome, Italy. You can definitely expect more pictures from this beautiful place in the near future!

I am also selling some vintage and other clothes pieces on an app called vinted - here  But bare in mind not all these pieces are vintage. Here is my instagram which is mostly just random photographs I take through-out my days. 

~ vintageek