Roma (Part 1)

Here are a couple of outfits I wore while I was rome-ing (geddit? GEDDIT? haha) around in Rome. I think most days I was a walking advert for H&M and the other days, Primark.

1) Vittorio Emanuele II Monument

Heart-shaped sunglasses: H&M
Cardigan with elbow patches: H&M

Scallop-edge vest: Wholesale Dress

Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop

Vintage cameo brooch: Vintage fair

Paperbag skirt with heart prints: H&M

Lace up floral brogues: New Look

2) Sitting on the Spanish Steps

Cardigan with elbow patches: H&M
Beatles t-shirt: H&M

Paperbag trousers: H&M

Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop
Lace up floral brogues: New Look

3) Ancient ruins in the Roman Forum

Cardigan: Primark

White blouse with ruffles: Primark

Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop

Floral shorts: ASOS.com

Shoes: Primark

4) Light a candle

It is undeniable that Italy has the most beautiful cathedrals. A lot of them are huge, with extraordinarily high ceilings and beautiful carvings. Paintings on the wall date back to hundreds and hundreds of years. Sometimes, if we were really lucky, a choir group would be singing and to be sitting in a 16th, 17th or 18th century cathedral, listening to such angelic voices truly is a great experience.

5)Altar

Although I'm not a religious person, I appreciate the beauty of these places of worship. The artists and architects commissioned to build these places really have put in a lot of love and effort, and it shows.

6) Humongous organ

7) Theatre of Marcellus

8) Ruins

While we were rome-ing around, we came across plenty of excavations still going on. Rome is full of such ruins. Tiny pieces of history. Evidences of Roman kings and their empires. It will only be interesting if you know your history and if you've read up before you came.

9) The Pantheon

Perhaps the most well-preserved building in Rome. Look at it! Practically the whole thing is intact!

10) The dome

The only source of light for The Pantheon. According to our guidebook, when it rains or snows, the sight of water/snow falling through the hole to the floor of The Pantheon is absolutely beautiful. Too bad we weren't able to witness that.

11) Fountain of Trevi

Fans of the popular TVB drama Triumph in the Skies (Chung Seong Wan Siu) would recognize this place. It's really quite pretty, but always crowded. We managed to squeeze in and threw some coins into the fountain. Legend has it that if you threw a coin into the fountain, you'll return to Rome. Well, I threw a coin into the fountain 4 years ago and I did return, so I guess it's true!

12) Risotto 1

13) Risotto 2

14) Night view

15) The Colosseum at night

The Vintage Fair

1. The Vintage Fair

2. Handmade necklaces

3. Granny jewellery

4. To satisfy those with a penchant for handbags

5. The lady at this stall makes these lovely vintage-looking book bags from unwanted old books and fabric. I bought 2 from her last year and got many curious questions and compliments from friends. I also bought 2 reworked dresses from her which she made using old shirts. What a good way to add a new item to your vintage wardrobe and help the environment at the same time.

6. Leather shorts and vests.

7. Lovely detailing on the collar

8. Tons of men's shirts

Despite the snow (yes, we had a bit of random February snow), there was a very good turn out at the fair. In true British style, there was a tea party going on in full swing in one corner. People were nibbling on cupcakes and sipping tea out of china teacups; the proper way.

The only thing I purchased from the fair was this beautiful Halina Paulette Electric camera. I saw it sitting there amongst some accessories and felt as if I had to buy it immediately despite not knowing how the thing works. It wasn't expensive for a vintage (Google tells me this is from the 60s! Awesome!) camera, but I was rather skint after a bout of online shopping in January *shifty eyes*.

I was debating on whether to buy it or not simply because the seller wasn't a camera enthuasist and didn't seem to know much about it either (or whether it was even functioning properly!). I didn't want to pay for a broken thing. The rational side of me told me to put it down, but my hands just wouldn't let go. In the end, my boyfriend paid for it as an early birthday present. Yay!

I can now add this to my very small (but growing) collection of cameras. I downloaded the manual as soon as I got home and now I can't wait to get some 35mm film and start shooting. Hope it works *fingers crossed*

Pistachio-coloured vintage style dress: Blogshop

Alexa-inspired satchel: Blogshop

Wedge brogues: Schuh

Vintage cameo brooch: Vintage Fair