Deliver Your BI

-
Should you STOP blogging?


Here's how you start/finish and comment:

• To comment on the photos like "Amazing.. Awesome.. Terrific.. Beautiful.."

• What are you grateful for today?

• Hi! Did you miss me? I missed you all, but vacations are good.

• Do you love your white dishes?

• Autumn is great time to fall in love.

• May God bless your day.

• Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

• A huge welcome to the season of warm drinks, soup recipes, burning fall candles and harvesting.

• Thanks for stopping by my blog.

• I wonder about that really, how this blog has changed so many things for me. Made so many things for better.

• Beautiful combination of autumn colors, that is almost unbelievable.

• I am a girl connected to the whole world by a blog.

• My weekend bits/outtakes here.

• It was delicious soup, hmm yummy.

• I want to thank you all for visiting my blog, for your kind comments, and for inspiring me to keep going.

• Wonderful photos, wonderful colors. Autumn is the best time to see Paris.

• Believe it or not, it is time to start to think about holiday gifts.
• ...
  
• ....
• ......
  

The point is sometimes change is needed! In wearing style, in words, in your home, in publishing, in ideas. Gradual change is needed to fly out higher. Those sentences come from a few dairies that I read time to time. Frustrating classic and cliché stuff I dislike to read. Of course I do not want you to stop writing to follow my approach but you can try to be smart and different. Go walk away from traditional writing even if you do not have the ability to do. Go to provide value, teach 'new' - leave 'already known', grab my attention, if you are in this game.

So -let's bring productivity. And, it is important, really important is stop saying what you are doing on a regular basis.

Make your best for Blog Intelligence (BI).

Packing Your Wish

-

"Non chiedetevi cosa può fare il vostro paese per voi, chiedetevi che cosa potete fare voi per il vostro paese."
/J.F.Kennedy (1917 - 1963), 35th President of the States

Today I am happy to announce two winners of the 3rd giveaway at CrossRoads:

One of them is a very faithful reader and also commenter of my corner since the day I started writing in this community.
Other is quite new.

First one has never been to Istanbul before.
Other has been for two times.

First one is from west side, California.
Other is from east side, New York -ohh my endless love, big Apple!

What the common point between them is their interest in this land. Their Istanbul love made them to be lucky winners, Congratulations to YOU!

They simply did let me know what could make them happier, so their wishes will be nicely packed after pouring my love inside, and posted very soon to the States [A Istanbul canvas bag for Darla in CA and a turkish music CD for Graciel in NY]

You are requested to return me back with your delivery addresses please, at welcometocrossroads {at} gmail {dot} com

My question to Graciel, could you let me know which singer or what type of turkish music you like to most? Or shall I pick my fave for you?

In the meantime, highly recommended to learn more about my sweet readers thru their pages:

Bay side to Mountain side by Darla

Evenstar Art by Graciel

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
/J.F.Kennedy (1917 - 1963), 35th President of the States

Istanbul Loves You

-

As you know, Istanbul, the very symbol of country, is enjoying her title, being selected as the European Capital of Culture this year. However, Istanbul has been acting with European culture for hundreds of years!


Many people coming from different countries all over the world to Istanbul is giving a boost to our city's economic relations as well as contributing/visiting to the cultural relations. Of course, this makes a very positive contribution to the promotion and branding of beautiful Istanbul:)

The CrossRoads blog turns 3 years old! I would like to express my huge thanks to everyone from Kenya to Japan, Ireland to Portsmouth in the US, Ankara to Australia, India to Dubai.... who spent some time at my sweet little corner:)

I think we are just at the beginning, and our fun journey will be long one:)

And, time of traditional giving away at CR arrived.

Instead of giving anything to you that I liked and did in the past years, this year I want you to direct me! Yes, you can:) Your wish will be my wish. Simply, say me what would make you happy to have from Istanbul? Along with the simple reason in a few words telling your why is all I need from you.

To give away as a gift representing or relate to Istanbul, I am sure, will bring a wide smiley to your face and your home, too. Now think and dream about the happiest item for your use and just leave your comment below. Rest is my homework that I'll try my best to send off the gift you selected on your way as soon as possible.

Even though I'm pretty ready to hear yours, here's a few possible "concept" items produced specially about Istanbul for example:


Haghia Sophia Seraphim Angel t-shirt, istanbul coaster, Sultan's soap set, istanbul pencilcase, music CD in turkish language, istanbul canvas bag, istanbul magnet, a fortuneteller turkish coffee cup, istanbul stencil set, evil eye bead, istanbul bookmark, quality made-in-turkey knitting wool (for talented ladies/gentlemen or knit-lovers), a tiny box of our famous turkish delight (lokum as we call), maybe istanbul postcard hand-written and stamped by an Istanbulian (me)...


Well, options are so many than you can think. Open for everyone! No matter if you have been to Istanbul (or Turkey) or not. I don't mind it, what I ask is could you please be sure the piece of Istanbul (culture) you want should be (easily) reachable, carriable (via air mail postage). Legally and logically, of course:)

Feel free yourself to share this giveaway with your friends mentioning in your blog post/ facebook/ twitter. Or, do not tell everyone not to risk your chance, up to you:)

You may enter this giveaway up until October 22, 2010 Friday.
Two winners will be selected.

Celebrating and raising my glass for the Queen Istanbul of hearts.

Tulip & Hannibal

-

the Emirgan Park, tuliplandia in Istanbul

Ilhami Uyar, commenter #5: you're lucky, the winner of my giveaway to celebrate the Tulip Month! You've been e-mailed, please reply back with your delivery information.

Tulip will be traveling to Gebze, industrial city in Kocaeli province that is 30 miles east of Istanbul. Gebze is also home to Hannibal's tomb. Hannibal was a military commander from Carthage (today's Tunisia) in the 3rd century B.C. Winner's blog is very informative and such gateway to bees and their mysterious world, visit him to learn more.

Thank you Teşekkürler Merci for entering!

Day 1: Istanbul Tulip Goes To

-

where?

Please comment to enter to win.
Bloggers, non-bloggers, anonymous..
Open for EVERYONE.

Ends, Sunday, April 25th 2010,
with the winner randomly chosen and
announced
on Monday, April 26th!

Here's what you will be gifted?

Best Luck!!!

Come Again

-

W i s h e s...

E v e r l a s t i n g n w i s h e s...

# Resulted #

Shall we talk a little bit about our wishes this morning?

Our life is cradled by our wishes. Wishes make us move forward, help us to be in harmony and in balance with the positive forces of love, make us take more risks, and most importantly make us believe that things can always be possible if only we continue to wish on them. Just because we can make decisions based solely on our wishes.

When in dark moments of our life, we always wish something would happen to embark us on a new travel, maybe a new way of life different, decorating a part of our living room, on a new phase.

Aren't wishes so important.

At this moment I wish I could have an antiques store where I could sell gorgeous Iznik style handcrafted plate of Ottoman art, vintage clothes, russian paintings, sculptures, and traditional turkish hammam set.

It is so good to wish, isn't it.

And, it was so kind of you all to express your sincere wishes on my birthday:) Delighted very much to hear about them! You wished in the best way, and in return I wanted to give my wishes with these gifts to two lucky person:

Beverly of How Sweet The Sound~ the sweetest heart in N. Carolina, USA



Mélanie of Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosités~ a parade of lofty pieces from Provence, FRANCE



Oh, here's I am still wishing from you both to let me know your delivery addresses; so I can mail them soon. Thank you for participating!

Catch 12

-

Today I want to stand out and be the center of attention!

Because it is time to appreciate again who I am as a unique individual. Because it is the beginning of a new year for me, and I feel charged myself with new energy, vitality and sense of purpose.

While I expect and accept changes that come my way, my life seems to be on a roller coaster this particular day:)

Thanks God, my lovely friends started to keep on my toes with messages, phone calls and surprise sweet gifts from last week! In short it's the kind of day I ADORE.

One thing matters to me the most is as you know, love, warmth and friendship. Besides being my Birthday, August is also the month it marks the 2nd birthday of CrossRoads. Feel free of yourself to leave your patisserie cream delicious notes/messages/thoughts/wishes whatever you like under today's article -if 2 of you want to be selected as lucky readers to win my Surprise giveawayS.

Announcement will be done in September.

Travel With Winners

-

Finally, time to announce the winners of the CrossRoads Giveaway!


I'd like to congratulate the following winners for submitting charming entries. Here is a round up of the comments they left, and see why elaborately chosen:

Dick:
I N-Joy your blog. My thought is to give it to my wife and N-Joy again.

Could you tell me if there is any good reason to gift something for the Special one in your life? So I LOVE this comment.


Sandra:
Ah, I would love to have the ''N-Rich'' gift as I have very fond of memories of a trip to Turkey in Nov of 1998. My husband had a business trip and it was also the time of our 30th anniversary so we combined the business trip with a little pleasure. We will soon celebrate our 40th anniversary and I would love to return again but perhaps winning the book would be almost as good.

Isn't it love is a promise... Love is a souvenir. Soon to celebrate together a 40-years! Wishing this Special couple more of everything, and may this one be among their happiest. So I LOVE this comment.

CONGRATULATIONS
to the lucky winners,
Dick in the Netherlands and Sandra in the U.S.

[ I've contacted both of you via comment or e-mail. ]

I am always trying to think of new and interesting things to share with you all as much as my time allows me. Did you know that? Actually I spend a huge amount of my daily existence thinking about you and musing upon how lucky I am to have each one of you as readers. The support and inspiration you give me every day truly touches my heart... because your love saves my day. It really does!

In this sense, for this first giveaway, LOVE won because my desire was to search this keyword in your nice comments, and the best reason related to it.

Although I am a believer that Love is a everytime winner, next time different reason will win, I promise:)

Thank you everyone again who took the time to stop by and left a note to enter. Please consider subscribing to my feed so you don't miss out any future I-Give-Aways!

Last Call

-

Just a quick reminder that I-Give-Away ends in only three days, so if you haven't entered yet then you better hop to it.

As short and easy as possible -it takes around 2 minutes to leave a comment. When you are ready, click here ...

A Thrilling Cocktail

-

I have been journalling since August 2007. It makes me one-year experienced in this journey by the month of August 2008, so I wanted to make something significant.


During one year long, I have had the chance to connect with lots of smart people from around the world, share ideas and learn from readers of this blog through their comments.

It's been a complete joy and richness to have met you!

Aside from the personal benefits I have gotten from my blog, the longer lasting benefit has been and will continue to be a strong network of friends. After all, you don't get to 1-year-old without learning how to create a bit of traffic through link love...

TODAY I am offering my thanks to all of you in the best way. And, I am very excited about my Cocktail for the 1st year celebration at CrossRoads:) I-give-away N-Joy and N-Rich for two lucky readers. For You:

N-Joy: This jewellery design by me is impeccable in quality and taste!


Lightweight is perfect for any time and occasion. Whether it be a for daily or weddings. Accented by Czech crystals, semi-precious gemstone chips. Wave-like quality black beads gives a graceful touch. Created in a derogative way. Length: 24 ins or 61cm. As you see, it's me and it's my style, reflecting my unique personality. The fine piece you will fall in love with now, and treasure forever:)


N-Rich: This book 8 1/2'' X 9 1/2'' and 120 pages is a cultural influence spanning five hundred years -from the fall of Constantinople through to the twentieth century- that unites a visual feast of Turkish Delights.


The delightfully informative text explains how Turkey, the gateway to the East, became a fountain of inspiration for so many artistic and cultural fields in the West. The many fruits of this cultural meeting enticingly display in this book.

What I love about this book is how well it is explained. There is plenty inside that you will be new to you. It is seductively illustrated and gripping, 150 color photographs! I feel that you're curious? I turn one page from the book for your review, here it is:


One more page turning from the book does not spoil the surprise:) Here another page for your review:


To top it all off, it will come with a bookmark as seen in the photo above. A bookmark made by me is a result of my l'arte Ebru works. (English: Marbling Art) Not only is this book delicious, but hand-made bookmark also remind me of happy reading moments:)

How to delivery?

Such is my commitment to quality that both of them will arrive couched in the softest pouch, protected inside and well-wrapped with the finest paper for the winners.

Now is your chance to win!

Here are the rules:

* To enter, leave a comment below, and make your decision using the keywords N-Joy or N-Rich.
* The comment must be left before 6pm EST on Friday, October 3rd.
* You may enter only once.
* Two winners will be selected. No random drawing. I will decide only by myself.
* One of you will be qualified to win N-Joy and another to N-Rich.
* Open to everyone who are 18 and older.
* Even if you are a non-blogger or a silent reader of my blog, do not hesitate to join and get a chance leaving a comment together with your valid e-mail.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Countdown started TODAY

.Good Luck.