Eurotrip :: Rome . Part III: Pantheon & the Spanish Steps

We were just starting to get a taste of Rome and already, we're counting down the days till we have to leave.  So instead of taking a 1-day trip to Florence, we decided it was best to spend our third day to soaking up this fine city and seeing more of Rome.  Having my journal with me was key.  I took a moment, before I went to sleep, to record everything that I had seen, places I went and people I saw.  So quickly we forget little details that happen on a trip and I wanted to make sure not to do that.

Everywhere we went was picturesque Rome so my camera, which I've owned for no more than 2 weeks, was working overtime.  Between trying to figure out a new platform (Nikon vs Canon), how to toggle between the different settings to trying to capture moments right on the spot, I had already taken over 1,000 photos.  A handful of keepers, a number of over and underexposed photos and still a few more to go through and possibly edit.  I took an interest on taking pictures of random alleys and buildings as well as doors, windows and people.  So much so that I will have to create a separate post with nothing but that.


But for now, I share photos of the Pantheon, which is another building that amazed me.  It's a huge circular building with massive granite columns and the opening (or oculus) at the top of the dome which is the only source of interior lighting.  This huge dome is truly such an unusual design and structure, built entirely without steel reinforcing rods and by human hands.

 

 The rest of the pictures on this post and in the album linked below were taken along Piazza della Minerva, Via del Corso and Via dei Condotti, where I used a chunk of my euros on some much desired shopping.  Via dei Condotti took us to the Piazza di Spagna, better known as the Spanish Steps.

 : wine heaven :

:

 : these caged beauties are begging to be set free :

  

 : Spanish Steps :

And of course, we made sure to stop at Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) and threw a coin over our shoulder.  Rome, I will be back...

And for more, follow the link...

Eurotrip :: Rome . Part II: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum

Our excursion began at one of Rome's most popular tourist attraction - the Colosseum.  I could not believe that I was standing right in front of one of the greatest works in Roman architecture and engineering... this massive structure that once was used for gladiatorial games, animal hunts and executions.  The extent of my education on the Colosseum came from distant memories of history books and most recently, watching Russell Crowe's astounding movie performance in HD.  Only this was the real thing... and it was amazing.  I will  probably say that many times throughout the rest of my posts.

Our tour guide gave us a somewhat entertaining history crash course to shed some light on what actually happened inside these walls - a bloodbath. Thinking about that while we walked through the arena sent chills up my spine. Again, I kept picturing Russell Crowe's armor-clad body slaying animals in the center of this theater but what actually happened back in those days were probably much more gruesome.

The rest of our tour continued on to see the Palatine Hills, which legend claims, is the very place where "Rome" got its name.  This is also exactly the place where I inadvertently pulled a thigh muscle on the same leg I injured my ankle.  My pimp walk was in full effect at the end of the day and for the next couple of days, which by Italian standards, is totally not fashionable. But I digress... If you don't know the history and Roman mythology behind the Palatine Hills, wikipedia it.

After walking up many flights of steps through Palatine Hills, we ended up at the Roman Forums where we got a chance to walk around and through it.  I tried to keep track of each temple, arch and historical landmark but this place was so vast and there were so many that I'm sure there were some that I missed.

Below are some of my favorite images while the rest can be found here.  I will probably update this post as well as the album as I continue to go through all my photos.  So check back as I may add some more.

 : Arch of Constantine :

: Temple of Romulus :

  

: Temple of Julius Caesar :

Eurotrip :: Rome . Part I

So begins my first installment of my Eurotrip recap.

I finally had some time to go through the first 100 photos out of the 3,500+ photos I took (which I originally thought was only about 1,500).  The best way I thought to share them all is to post my faves and edited images on here and post the rest on my flickr album.

.........

After a total of about 11 hours of travel time, Dena and I finally arrived in Rome on a sunny Sunday morning.  A part of it was still so surreal as I kept telling Dena, "We're in Italy!"  As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I took in a big breath of the fresh European air and savored that moment of realization... I'm in Italy.

We stayed at a quaint bed & breakfast just walking distance from Piazza Barberini and, to find out towards the end of our Rome tour, the Spanish Steps.  The best part about staying at this B&B was the fact that they brought us breakfast every morning at 9 a.m.  A selection of croissants, spreads (fruit jams and nutella) and our choice of cappuccino and caffe de cacao.  If I could wake up to this every morning back in Denver, I would be a happy camper.

We thought it best to keep our first day relaxed since the next few days were booked for all the sightseeing we had in store.  We took a bus tour of the city to help get our bearings of where all the sights were.  First impression: I was simply amazed at the city's Roman architecture - Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Medieval.  Every building and every cobblestone road felt rich with history.  And the people, true to form, were dressed as if they had just walked out of a fashion show.  And impressively, the men looked so effortlessly put together even with just a simple sports coat, slim jeans, v-neck tee and a scarf.  I had taken so many photos of random passerby's that I felt like a paparazzo.

  

Our first dinner was spent at a restaurant in the Piazza Navona area which was, as expected, delicious.  My sweet tooth later led us to a pastry shop; one of the many we came across and stopped at during our stay in Rome.

Buen Proveco!

More of Rome: Part I can be found on my flickr album.  But for now, some images from the first day.  The day I fell in love... with Rome.

: Fontana del Tritone :

: an original Mini Me :

My next post will be of our tour of this historical area. Till then...

i heart : target

I have never met anyone who didn't like Target 

I don't know what it is about that store but every single time I walk out of their doors, I end up with ten times more stuff than I had initially planned on buying.  I find myself in aisles I have no reason to be in nor should I be in and random products that I'm sure I already have somewhere at home.  Cute notebook? Sure, I'll add that to the 15 I already have sitting on my desk.  New lotion?  Yes, because it's the newest scent.  Random $1 bin trinkets?  They're a dollar... absolutely!

Well on March 7, there's another reason to shop at Target.  They just launched their new Jean Paul Gaultier collection whith a mix of hip urban, rockstar and glam.  And luckily enough, it's available in a location very close to me.  Must check it out!  I swear, Target must have crack circulating through their air system much like how Starbucks sprinkle them on their frapuccinos.

See looks below via The Society's post. 

 

 

back to life . back to reality

Wow.

That pretty much sums up my 2-week adventure all over Europe.  15 days and 4 countries; not enough time.  The croissants, gelatos, nutella, mediterranean feasts and the sights, the history, the people... I am missing all of it.  It hasn't even been 48 hours since my return and I am already going through withdrawals.

Today was definitely a struggle back at work as I was still unable to function on all cylinders and barely able to form coherent sentences.  And as much as I'd love to sort through over a thousand photos to share with you all, I have much needed sleep to catch up on.  But this one, this one makes me smile... so I just had to post it.

I'll be back to share more...

 

:: at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece ::

busy is as busy does

So I have a really good excuse why I have not posted in a while...

The year is off to a busy start and I don't mind it one bit.  It's the good kind of busy that keeps you movin', keeps you motivated, keeps you yearning for more... Creating this blog was one way for me to get myself back in that mode.  And it worked. 

Though it may be a little rusty, I got some wheels turning.  Just like riding a bike, you hop right back on it and pick up where you left off.  Although I realize that some may take a few tries... like painting.  I paid a visit to a good friend, Jay Paul, who creates amazing artwork and whose work I have always admired.  He kindly let me use his brushes, paints and workspace and I expected magic to happen instantly.  But half an hour into it, I started to lose my patience and actually got a little frustrated that I wasn't able to paint the picture I had in my head.   I haven't held a paintbrush over a canvas in about 10 years... I obviously was expecting too much.  He told me over and over again, "You have to have patience."  Thanks, Jay.  I will come back and finish that painting!

I've also picked up another project that I'm actually very excited to see to fruition.  I won't get to the details now but I will follow up with photos when I finally get to see the fruits of my labor.  I hope it turns out the way I had pictured and planned... or at least very, very close to it.  Thanks, C, for the opportunity (and your patience). For now, a few teasers of some of the things involved in this project.  My living room is littered with red, pink and white...

Aside from this, I've also been planning a 2-week vacation to Europe - Rome, Greece, Germany and hopefully make it to Paris even for just a couple of days!  Planning this trip has consumed me as much as what I plan on packing in my luggage, if not more.  I'm not a very light packer but this, I definitely have to learn how to.

And on top of that, I've also been busy researching and reviewing my next purchase - a new DSLR to replace my Nikon.  I was going back and forth between staying with Nikon or giving Canon a try.  I finally bought one today and I chose to test the Canon XSi to see how I like it.  These are only the first 10 shots I've taken but I'll have to make a decision soon if I like it enough to keep it or switch back to Nikon.  I can not go to Europe without a good camera.


And still, that's not all... but this is all the time I have for now.  I'll be back soon, I promise.

 

  

  

great food, great cause :: parallel17

In light of the recent catastrophic and devastating earthquake in Haiti, people all over are scrambling to help in any way shape or form.  The casualties and destruction caused by this earthquake is unfathomable and heart-shattering.

There are many ways to get involved - donate, raise funds, volunteer, support local businesses who are raising funds for this cause.

Parallel 17, a Vietnamese Bistro with a modern twist, is among one of Denver restaurants that are getting involved and aiding this effort.  It's an excellent restaurant to begin with (...and don't get me started on their Pommes Frites - Yukon + Sweet Potato Fries). But today and tomorrow, they will be donating 25% of all proceeds to a hospital in Haiti, which is one of the few that is still standing and treating the wounded victims.  I plan on having dinner there tomorrow with some friends so if anyone else wants to dine out for a good cause,
stop by the restaurant at some point during the day/night.

:: via likeme.net ::

Westword also has a list of restaurants and fundraising events to choose from.... so get involved and give what you can because every dollar helps.

Also, stay tuned for another event that I'll be posting within the next couple of weeks to also aid the same cause.

booka shade movement

I became a fan of Booka Shade when I first saw them play a live set @ the old Shelter back in '07.  Their funky, disco, electro-house style can guarantee a packed dance floor with body groovin', booty bumpin', music lovin' people.

One of my all time faves is Body Language.  Love, love, love.  Video embedded below for your viewing/listening pleasure.

I also found this  video via Hort during a live show they played in England in '09 called the Glade Festival. 

These are just the perfect tunes to get lost in while trying to get through a hump day.  And on that note, have a Happy Hump Day!

je veux le snood

Last week's freezing temperatures made me want to buy something warm and cozy that I can wrap around my neck.  And the scarf-addict that I am, I found this royal blue snood from Golden Hook which I fell completely in love with the color.  I want one exactly like this... or maybe I could learn how to knit so I can knit myself a variety of snoods in countless colors.

:: via Golden Hook's blog ::

The short-haired brunette in Golden Hook Lookbook 2010's is absolutely gorgeous.  A few of her close-up shots are amazing.  She makes me want to cut my hair short and learn how to speak French.  If only I had her facial bone structure... and lived in Paris.

So not only do I want this blue snood, but watching their Lookbook 2010 video makes me want to be in Paris.  Now.  Oh Paris, I can't wait to see you....

via hypebeast

Fashion Denver :: Holiday Fashion Market

So finally, a chance to sit down and spend some quality time for a much needed update.


In December, I was given the opportunity to be involved with Fashion Denver's Holiday Fashion Market.  Thanks to Brandi, aka Dreamer/Doer/Rockstar, she designated me as the Fashion Coordinator for the fashion show piece of the event.  She gave me a few racks full of beautiful creations by local designers and basically said, have at it!  And so I did...

It was a very much welcomed opportunity and undoubtedly, a pleasure to have been a part of.  Now on to some photos from the event...

 :: KimonoDragons by the talented Francis D Roces ::

 :: beautiful ::