Missoni x Converse Chuck Taylor Fall/Winter 2011

This is too melodramatic.  My fave Italian brand Missoni got together once again with my number 1 sneaker brand, Converse for this stimulating design coming out on October 2011.  The Italian fashion house carefully combined black and grey colors with the signature Missoni weave pattern.  It is accented with the royal blue leather tongue and Converse logo. This tone scheme is to reconcile with the rest of the clothes and accessories included in the Fall/Winter line for this year.  

Who could forget these kicks that was launched last March for the Missoni x Converse Chuck Taylor Spring 2011 collection? Unlike the Fall collection, the two styles were defined by multi colored horizontal stripe patterns. The women's version was in aqua green purple and black while the unisex style was tailored in varying shades of red, yellow, green and blue. Each one was also highlighted with the leather converse logo. I should get my hands on these lovelies. 

You may view the rest of the Missoni Fall/Winter 2011 collection here.

Photos courtesy of Converse and Missoni websites.

Salamat. Thank You. Shukran. Grazie.

The last day in Italy was kind of bittersweet, it's pleasure blended with pain.  Tine and I would still love to stay longer but surely all good things come to an end.  We've finished packing in the evening so that morning we would be in no hurry to accomplish the things we need to do.  We were literally dragging our asses to the bathroom.  It wasn't so exciting waking up knowing that our vacation is over. 

The past 3 days have been incredible.  We've managed to explore 3 cities - Ahh, MILAN!, When in Rome, and I left my heart in Venice.  It has been a lot to do and see in a rather short period of time, but the adventure was extraordinary.  It was amazing to be surrounded by people with diverse culture, background and lifestyle.  We stepped outside our comfort zone and that made us learn so much about ourselves.  It was more like diving to unfamiliar waters, not knowing if it's shallow or deep.  It's always safe to swim in controlled areas but sometimes jumping into the unknown leads the path to self discovery.  We became versed in trusting ourselves with directions and even with the language barrier we've been able to make it through.   

After getting dressed, we went down to the basement for breakfast.  

Wifi Wifi =D

Trying to hide the sadness

Hotel lobby

As usual, Kuya Nick was there to ask us what we'd like to drink, and we requested for our best-loved cappuccino.  He asked us about our Venice trip and we told him about our little adventure.  He knew we were checking out that day and he was thoughtful enough to offer us "baon" on our trip back home.  Kuya Nick is such a doll and our stay in Hotel Pierre Milano couldn't have gone any better without him. 

Kuya Nick the best!

We heart Kuya Nick!

The scheduled pick up time was 9:30 am. An old lady whom we called "Lola Mary" and a driver fetched us from the hotel and drove us to the airport.  Lola Mary was so sweet, she was chatting with us all the time, asking us about our trip and the places we visited.  She recommended other "must see" destinations in Italy and ordered us to come back.  She also told us about her vacation in Dubai about a few years back in which she described "a lovely, lovely place".  Sadly, we weren't able to take a photo of her. 

Inside our service

A lot of small cars in Italy

Saldi = Sale (Sale galore)

Carrefour =D

Can I stay here?

:p

Sad si Madam =(

On our way to the departure gate

Customs - getting tax refund for the stuff we bought in Italy

Haunting us at the airport

This too!

Loads of happy memories

Insane

Bwahahahaahhaha!

Eccentric

Lunatics

Anyare Madam?

We have a lot of people to thank for supporting us and making this trip possible.  This page wouldn't be enough to mention everyone since that's about 2,000++ kindhearted souls who took time to vote for us to win this thing.  Here's what happened 5 months ago - Thank YOU! That explains how we ended up on that Italy bound plane.  Thank you Motorola Middle East - MME official PRIZE handover for this chance.  Thank you Mr. Tarik Marsokah for patiently attending to our needs most especially our last minute requests.  I know we gave you a hard time there but still you were accommodating enough to make sure everything about this trip is well polished.  

I will definitely come back to talk about our exploit over one lazy afternoon of cappuccino.  

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” - Mark Twain

All photos were taken by me and Tine de Leon 

I left my heart in Venice.

In Italy, it's always something about a scene in a romantic film.  Venice stole most of those scenes.  For years I have carried a secret love affair and now I think it's best to come clean.  I'M IN LOVE WITH VENICE!  I flirted with thoughts of riding the gondola - disappearing to the narrow streets, listening to the gondolier humming to an unfamiliar hymn, staring at imperial structures and holding someone's hand.  When Tine and I got there, what I witnessed surpassed what I envisioned.  It was everything I ever imagined and more - but that's minus the holding someone's hand part of course (ahahaha, and it's awful tse!).  

Before I get carried away by nostalgia, let me share with you what happened in that trip.  Similar to what happened in Rome - When in Rome..., we took a train from the Centrale station in Milan.  To our dismay, we didn't get to ride a high velocity train so obviously the poor engine unhurriedly advanced, stopping to what seemed to be a multitude of stations.  The trip took us 3 hours. You may notice some photos of us holding pictures.  Since this place is special to us both, we decided to tag some friends and family along.   

With Kaan - the sign is so for you Biglietti! LOL! Milan Centrale station

Tine boredly chewing on sour candies

With JM and Kaya, wish you were here :(

Tine with JM and Kaya =D

A neighborhood in some city

We were unprepared for what welcomed us in Venice.  For two days we have mastered the art of figuring out maps for metro stations.  To move around in this city you can only use your legs, Vaporetto (water bus) or water taxis.  Aside from our legs, we chose the Vaporetto to take us around Venice because it's cheaper as compared to water taxis.


We arrived at the Santa Lucia station and immediately searched for the Vaporetto map. The plan was to go to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) and explore the nearby places by foot from there.  According to the map, we have to get to the San Marco station, so we got ourselves tickets and we waited for the next Vaporetti to stop over.  It's not a lengthy wait though because every 10 minutes a water bus comes along.

Ferrovia Station

We have to wait here

 

=D

An old building 

 

Tine patiently waiting

=D

Riding a Vaporetti

=D

This is for my friend Eric - definitely your foundation CHAROT!

 Rialto Bridge

Hotel Rialto

The super hot water bus conductress - She is very FOXY.

Such an inviting view

San Marco station - we got off on this station

The narrow streets of Venice
On the way to St. Mark's plaza, we honestly got lost.  It's a positive thing since it paved the way for less tiring shop hopping. I find shopping here more favorable as compared to Milan because you don't have to endure long walks to explore all boutiques you wanted to look up. The narrow streets appeal to me most for it doesn't intimidate me.  It made me feel a bit relaxed.

Toy! Toy!

My pattern choice, this Italian fashion house is definitely more than knitwear.  

Jinkee P. was here. CHOS.

This is for my Chanel junkie friend, Rach! =D

The bag is for our friend Bal, someone who finds her very special bought this for her..awww!

 

LV

  

 The famous Venetian Masks

On cloud 9!

Masks, anyone?

Tickled

With a person behind me

Without a person behind me - parang spot the difference lang! LOL!

Hard Rock Cafe - shirts are a must buy here

I just love these lovely objects

Tine and the gondolas - sounds like a movie title

Piazza San Marco

The Basilica of St. Mark ascends in this plaza.  The structure is defined with distinguished arches, carvings and marble decorations.  Standing freely in the front of the church is the Campanile.  Next to the campanile is an elegant building called Logetta.

The plaza is a rendezvous for tourists, photographers and sightseers.  The crowd enjoyed hanging out with doves and I think me and Tine were the only people trying to avoid the birds, hahahaha.  We ate lunch at a cafe by the plaza - food is superb, coffee is exquisite and the waiters are very welcoming.  

  

 Campanile of St. Mark's Church

=)

Basilica of St. Mark

Tourists all over

Enjoying the coffee

The kind waiter took a photo of us, SPOT Chuck Bass LOL!

 Spotted! Ahahahaha!

Ronalyn parading around S. Marco Piazza

Patricia Kaye trying to get hook up with birds, hahahaha!

Doves galore

Fatima and Jose shopping for souvenirs

I miss you! I wish you were here.

 Basilica of St. Mark

=)

Sight seeing

After touring the P. San Marco, we honestly didn't know where to go next.  We thought of letting our feet take us wherever this time.  It actually worked, we've seen the best spots and romantic sites.  If I could just stop time, I would not let that day end.

I really enjoyed the view from that spot

 

Snow White wants to ride the gondola!  

  Chatterly and the canals =)

 I'm in love! =)

Tine must be waiting for someone

Super like!

Pwimpwess Rachell Ann lounging in Venice

Hay, yun lang ang masasabe ko

Would someone ride this thing with me? =)

Exploring

=)

I love the "old" ambiance of this place

=)

This can only happen in Venice! ahahaha!

Shenenen!

Breathtaking

Weeeh!!!

Venice looks good with you Madam!

Pap! Pap! Love it!

Overjoyed

Looking good

It's a dream come true =)

 

Perpetual bliss

It's that pivotal moment, LOL

Gondoliers wear striped tops and black pants

=)

=)

Attempting to like these birds

She's faking it, I swear.

My best picture so far, hahaha. I heart Venezia

Perfect forced smile =)

=)

=)

=)

Palakpak lang katapat nitong mga to!

I'm totally in love with this store

Narrow street =)

 =)

Water bus station - going back to Ferrovia

=)

Look at those happy faces. We hate having to leave this place.

It was so sad to leave all these behind.  But hey, we can always come back.  

Grazie Venezia!

Tired and happy feet

Runaway train never going back

=)

Beautiful pa rin kahit tired! Soshal!

Late dinner in Milan

It's always Coca-Cola! =)

=)

 Who's tired?! =D

I left my heart in Venice but I'm coming back to get it hopefully with that someone who'll hold my hand the entire trip (Anong saveeeeeeeehh ko?? ahahahaha!).  With now I'm happy with the amazing memories and when I get back I will explore even more of this stunning city.  


Here's a short clip of our Venice tour:

"Venice is like doing acid. If you can't take it with you after you either come down or move away, you were never really there in the first place."
                                                                                             - Anne Alexander