Time to say goodbye forever?

I remember when Ebay used to be that friendly neighbor down the block with the huge yard that would let you rent some space for more exposure during his weekly sale. Compared to your little teeny yard, Ebay's yard gave you the opportunity to create a large, loyal customer base, all at a nice, inexpensive price. Sure, you'd give him a few bucks for the favor afterward, but since it wasn't much and you appreciated it, you didn't mind. That was the Ebay so many of us USED to love. To me as a seller AND a buyer, Ebay has become, dare I say it, not only overwhelming, but quite annoying as well. This once friendly, community-centered neighbor has turned into a big, stingy, profit-hungry, constantly-changing bully down the block.

The site is not at all what it used to be, and it's so sad. Thousands of past loyal ebay sellers are devastated by the changes that have occurred with their once favorite place to sell online. I am one of these sellers. The changes can be directly linked, apparently, to the new CEO of Ebay, John Donahoe, and as far as I can see from research, not many people are very happy with his decisions regarding the company. Just take a look at this online petition.


I occasionally still sell on Ebay but not at all very often and no longer in auction format. Because eBay is changing so much, auction format is slowly losing it's popularity, and initially that was the reason why Ebay was so fun in the first place. Remember those days? Due to the suffocating amount of new information and changes to nearly every aspect of the site, literally happening EVERY SINGLE WEEK it seems, I started thinking, "there has got to be some other venue out there that is going to keep it simple and not take so much of what I make." Within a few weeks, and I'll repeat this as how I tweeted it to a friend, I started cheating on my boyfriend EBAY and found myself falling in love with that sweet, simple fellow down the block called, ETSY. :) My friend had tweeted back regarding Ebay, "LOL Run away he is an abuser, takes ur money w/o a thank you, cuddles w/ the Big Box shops....Etsy will treat you right! ;D" I couldn't have said it better, and I certainly got a chuckle out of this one!

I feel myself slowly wanting to ween myself completely off of Ebay, but it is hard after having a 6 year relationship... However, I'm getting more and more comfortable with my new online shop and I think eventually I will completely part ways with Ebay. I would love to hear stories of others who have been in this same boat, so please feel free to comment on this post or email me. I would love to hear how it has gone with you!

Additionally, here are some sites I found that gave some helpful information about the current state of Ebay, and support on how to deal.

Power sellers unite!

Finding Ebay Alternatives


Articles regarding the Quarterly Sales Drop Beginning in 2009:
Article 1
Article 2

We small operation sellers who started long ago will never forget the days when we could leave honest feedback to buyers, those days without BEST MATCH, and DSRs. The days when it was nice to make a decent living doing what you loved without paying half of it back in fees. . . I'm not so sure we'll ever see those days again with Ebay, but I hope we find a better alternative so we can continue doing what we are passionate about. Best of luck to all my fellow vintage sellers, old Ebay friends, and otherwise!

"Blue...oh so lonesome for you!"

I've just realized today that the color blue is kinda popular in the shop right now. I wondered if subconsciously I had done this on purpose. My first and only true love once told me it was his favorite color on me. ♥♥ Now how can one forget something like that? :)

“Oh! Darkly, deeply, beautifully blue / As someone somewhere sings about the sky.”
~ Lord Byron






Oh, the blog title is from one of my favorite songs ever by Leanne Rimes, love it, and it's the only song my dad and I ever slow danced to, so that's a pretty special detail . . . :)

Wednesday Wishlist - Tangerine Dreams!

I've been admiring this color so much recently. It's so vibrant, lively, and cheerful. Definitely makes the perfect subject for my Wednesday Wishlist because I don't think I own anything at all in this lovely color. But I plan on it very, very soon. . . :)

{Click on any of the pics to see these bright beauties from my fellow Etsy vintage sellers}


GraceVintage


UndergroundSocialite


CloudnineVintage


UrbanlotusBoutique

Hmm, I think I'll call it "Optimistic Orange".


♥♥

Show and Tell Finds

You never know what you're going to find while Sale-ing. That's certainly the fun of it. This memorial weekend I found this at a yardsale. It immediately made me crack up laughing. I thought, "hey, I could send that to my ex-boyfriend!" haha. Not really of course, but I thought it would be fun to share. The man having the sale ended up giving it to me for free, but then I broke it on accident. Thought I would take a pic before I throw it away.

Stevie of the 70's

I've always preferred the eras of the 60's and the 80's for their fashion, always favorited them over any other time periods in history for styles that I like. There's one reason why the 70's have always stood out, however. That reason is Stevie Nicks. My brother introduced me to her music when I was in high school. I loved it, and have ever since. No voice compares to THAT voice. When I got a little older I realized that I also loved her style, that it was just as captivating as her lyrics always were. . .

♫And did you say she was pretty?♫
-Silver Springs-


♫She is dancing away from you now, she was just a wish. . . she was just a wish. . .♫
-Gypsy-


♫But, the feeling remains, even after the glitter fades...♫
-After the Glitter Fades-


♫Rock on, ancient queen, Follow those who pale in your shadow♫
-Gold Dust Woman


♫All your life you've never seen a woman taken by the wind, would you stay if she promised you heaven, will you ever win, will you ever win?♫
-Rhiannon-



Stevie will always be the woman in the long, billowy, angel-sleeved sheer dresses, the ones that created all the movement in that tiny frame with the amazing voice on stage. She's also famous for her fringed shawls, black top hat, and platform suede boots.

"Personally, I think that sexy is keeping yourself mysterious. I'm really an old-fashioned girl, and I think I'm totally sexy."
Stevie Nicks

If you haven't been exposed to her music, or know little about it, listen to and watch this or this, and I hope you become as inspired by this bohemian beauty as I have. The 70's and early 80's songs especially are so symbolic and beautifully written. Enjoy!
xo

Spring, how I love you . . .

Thought this picturesque table set up was worthy of posting. Dinner at a friends the other day with melon and fresh squeezed juice before grilled kebabs. Aren't those art deco glasses cute too?



Oh, and these were pics taken LAST spring in my old yard. How absolutely adorable is this little baby raccoon we found in the driveway? He kept on hiding (as in the second picture) and we initially thought he was hurt. No, he had only lost (or sadly been abandoned by) his mama. He was rescued by a local pet rescue service though.





Not so friendly!! Found this snapping turtle in the driveway last spring too. I was terrified, but it ended up crossing the road and leaving us alone. Just stay away from one of these if you ever happen to come across them!!



Happy Spring to all! This is the best time to pack up some yummy energy snacks and water and go on a hiking adventure. I'm blessed that where I live is chock full of trails literally EVERYWHERE.
Hopefully I'll find the time for this today! {fingers crossed} :D

♫ It's the time of the season. . . ♫

. . . for pretty spring and summer clothes.
Pics below are either of items already in the store or coming very very soon, so stay tuned.

That swimsuit is deadstock, and so darn adorable I'm not sure I can give it up...
xo