Evli, Mutlu, Çocuklu

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Obviously I am thinking different from what Demet says...

Marriage with kids, or not. Being single or getting married. Resolution came to me during listening the song: Accept what you can not change, make the best of it, and keep on track towards your destiny.





One of the rising pop stars of Turkish music industry, Demet sings in a beautiful song called as "My dream life in three words: Married, Happy, with Children (Turkish: Evli, Mutlu, Çocuklu)".

Demet came to a country-wide success with catchiest songs. This is newly released one of the summer season, and I really love her song! It is incredibly rainy the Istanbul, oh again, but nice just at home, my candles giving a dim light and shutters put up to keep clean my all windows, and.. thinking what summer should be;)

In the last seconds of the video, her handsome husband Önder is also taking part. The newly wed yet have no kids. Meet the pretty couple and enjoy the sun streaming fantastic video. I thought you might like it.

If you were, how would you sum up your life in three words?

posted for Sunday Songs

Join the ♪♫♬ fun each Sunday

at Natasha's 5 Minutes Just For Me:)

Wind May Occasionally Impel You

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.. to glance up at the sky, where minarets and domes float. That is the typical silhouette of my city!

When looking at the Istanbul skies, I see the real magnificence itself, saying like the time before me, the time after me, and the time that belongs to my being. These circles in the air not a space of time flowing from the past to future but of a time being scattered directly to all time directions in a continuous flux.

Followed by the construction of the corollaries of the great domed mosques in City Bursa, Istanbul becomes a 'city of domes' and,





a 'city of minarets'




Some of the mosques are ordinary... some are nondescript structures..


But the church of Hagia Sophia (below) served as model for many of the Ottoman mosques! All of the breathtaking mosques are constructed after the conquest in 1453. And, Byzantium's monumental architectural structure the Hagia Sophia is converted into a mosque as well (below).



Truly monumental in their nature, most of the mosques have been built during time of Sinan, 16th century architect and engineer. One of his pupils designed the early 17th century Blue Mosque Sultanahmet. Because of the famous blue Iznik tiles covered inside (see below), it is called with this name. It's considered the last great building of classical Ottoman architecture!


Masterbuilder great architect Sinan went beyond the ordinary in his designs and structural solutions. He produced thought-provoking structures which evoke admiration even today! Achieved a perfect synthesis of function and aesthetic in all buildings he designed, and must be regarded not as an architect but as an artist as well.

I know, every architect wants to present a piece of magnificent work of art. Architect Sinan signed Istanbul with so many gorgeous works beyond my words, my articles.

Multi-faced Istanbul still has to offer in the architectural meaning such as Bosphorus side mansions (dates back to 15th century), rising modern and boxy apartments, art nouveau buildings,...







Overall, Istanbul as described the crossroads of two continents, is a big metropolis with an imperial history, natural itself, architectural magnificence.

"Show me the typical architecture from your town series" is the theme of this week's corner view. Find, learn, get influenced more right here




[click on my photos for larger screen shots]

Under The Umbrella There's

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1.express 2.evoke 3.energize 4.ignite 5.rise 6.channel 7.harmonya 8.connecta 9.excitementa anda 10.hinge

With those of you who knows, or does not know; who is new or already informed, Istanbul shelters countless opposites old and new, east and west, modern and traditional, past and future in harmony. Not only these differences protect their purity, but they can be transformed to each other and enrich themselves. This is Istanbul, that is what makes this City so unique.


While each of the above functions sound sort of new Istanbul'ish they all suggest more consideration about the "hinge city", Istanbul. My favorite definition was about the hinge!

During the Urban Age Conference held here this past November, Richard Sennett likened Istanbul to other significant "hinge cities", the cities that serve as connectors, holding together the places they bridge. He calls the hinge city "a place of location rather than a destination, a city of mobilities." Read full post Discovering Istanbul, the 'hinge city' by Jennifer Eaton Gökmen

At its heart, a themed, periodic collection of weblinks to other blog posts must be one of this community's finest innovations: interesting subculture of the web as a Carnival of Ideas! A year-long feature looking at the global niche aims to bring the hinge city Istanbul in different themes starting with +connections in first two months, then +scapes for this month for the Istanbul 2010 Blog Carnival.


Here's a small taste from the most recent post about this carnival that is what Daily Hurriyet News has to say about:

"The Istanbul 2010 Blog Carnival explores how, as a hinge location for past 4,000 years, the City encompasses and reflects elements of the places and people it connects. Providing an eclectic prospective that goes beyond what the typical tourist sees, the Istanbul 2010 Blog Carnival curates a series of web links to what it deems the 'best views of this unparalleled Turkish City from the around web and around the world'.

Anastasia, an American expat based in Istanbul, created this particular blog carnival invites you ALL to join the celebrations at this event --a traveling ideas of festival that moves from house to house, from denizens to admirers to lead the way through the "crossroads and dichotomies of the hybrid metropolis".


And and... I am so pleased to let you know that my post of Revitalized Akaretler Row Houses of Maçka featured in the current month issue of the Carnival! It's a great way for a community of bloggers to work together and unite in a form of multi-cell life which might be carnival in my opinion, rather than being a single-cell organism which is like a blogger alone in the cyberspace.


In this sense, I now encourage you to visit:

issue #1+2 (jan and feb) for past posts

issue #3 for march

My sincere thanks to darling Anastasia for her efforts and dedication such an important project in the way to celebrate its title being the Istanbul European Capital of Culture 2010. Her blog of Furthering the Worldwide Cultural Conversation is really worth to read, best is to bookmark it! I'm grateful to take this opportunity and state that how intimate communications make deep and meaningful exchanges today:)

clicking on above mask will
make your shortest way to the WebCarnival~

On Purpose Again: SimART

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If you ask me what is the buzzword in this day and age, I would say you Smart card without thinking.


Widely used smart cards (Turkish: Akıllı kart) are the key player performing the host of many electronic commercial transactions, and do a lot more using them as a credit card or a debit card. Let's think for a moment; we can not move out, shop, fly, even dining without having a smart card, no? So- smart card is an integral part of our lives in present times making our life much easier than it used to be before. Therefore two main topics, e-business and m-business (mobile) are often encountered in the media because smart cards has gained momentum (+popularity) with the use of internet and e-commerce, and become an extensively growing industry with their wide applicability that I'm fascinated very much -and I'd like to be employed in this sector.

Feeling their presence in almost every domain of my life, my eyes landed on a simcard around the house that I am no longer going to use for my cellular phone.


Pretty nice inspired by this sempatik kart:) Its smartness bonus! I was thinking the best time was now, and I wanted to create a fun fashion product that would be 99% re-purposed and allow me to show off that inspiration I had inside. My creativity added over it, with some minor alterations in a likable way, I gave my smart card a new look. Used a piece of black velvet rope and (not darkens) good quality gold colored pieces. In return it made a feel of having a new piece. A fair deal;)


Let you know the identification card of my new simARTcard bangle:

• Short run production (only 15 min)
• Easy to carry along
• Light
• Practical use
• Eco-friendly
• New
• Romantic feel (bits of red)
• And, timely done for fast approaching Walentimes:)

I'm pleased with the result making one-of-a-kind creation that I believe I can enjoy for a long time. Most importantly, I'm proud adding a new buzzword of my own within the sustainability movement that is re-purposed smartcard.


But all it means is with a little bit of creativity we can become intentional about repurposing as it's one the best ways to up-cycle and re-newed objects that inspire a greener world.

In our throwaway world I know there is an abundance of materials and countless way to reducing waste -if we want, if we lead. Let your trash become your art, or even someone's art. By reusing your possessions and putting your imagination power forward, you can do your part to salvage our environment.

Also worth noting

/\ Just an idea. Maybe also a good start thinking about digital repurposing,
/\ Good products are not killers; they are important resources,
/\ Technology powered marketing will stop solo-dimensional approach,
/\ Focus is on e-related purpose; interested eyes are about social web, network, connections,
/\ Our way of style is winning freedom, no more objects saved fashion but it's indeed empowered by technology.


Published for today's Corner View ''Repurposed''

PopUp Maçka I Row Houses

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The Istanbul sky was fighting for sun yesterday. Opened my eyes for a white gray this new morning, and it feels so substantially London but breathing as if I were in Paris!

Today I am grateful for: silence, ultra hip, cappucchino washed buildings, new destination, a walk thru time, Akaretler, Akaretler, Akaretler, and when Sunday is a Sunday:)

While walking with me, pls move your mouse on my photos, as they are easily clickable in larger size.

Fancy boutiques, chic international shops, luxury residences, upscale apartments, art galleries, museums, elegant cafés, designer stores, and the luxury hotel W Istanbul over looking to the Bosphorus.

Very nicely restored and restaurated with style and charm, looks like a Parisian, the historic Akaretler Row Houses in Maçka on the European side is now of the most stylish and trendiest areas in the city.



Akaretler Row Houses include a row of up class boutiques like Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Bottega Veneta, Jimmy Choo, Alberta Ferretti, Storks, Marni, 1930 Antika, Sergio Rossi, many more. That most of them occupy the ground floors of the row houses as do several cafés.



No more influence of earlier Baroque and Rococo styles seen here, but with their neoclassical front design, one of the best examples of the civil architecture built in the second half of 19th century. I love sophisticated development on the cobbled quiet streets! Located in the center of the business and the hotel district of the city, a few kilometers distant to major places such as Çırağan Kempinski, Dolmabahçe Palace, Swissotel, Conrad Hilton in Beşiktaş.

This corner is the address for the 134-room W Istanbul. Housed inside a stunning set of row houses which was built by the Ottoman-Armenian architect Sarkis Balyan by the order of Sultan Abdulaziz in the 1870's. Not just offers the latest modern design and gourmet cuisine but also a superb example of urban renewal.

This set of residences are mostly three floors high, and stepped parallel to the slope of the terrain. Once here within a few seconds' walk uphill (above), I arrive to the University I graduated from. Since my university years, this area holds a special place in my memories. Another reason why I love here:) Did not count how many times I have walked up-and-down this houses lined street. Following up there, another ~10 min' walk brings me to other popular venue for upscale fashionable district that I adore, in case you haven't read Nişantaşı: A Niche in Istanbul. What's especially cool is that I feel myself 'Lost' when I am in this triangle: Akaretler-university-Nişantaşı, oh my!

Walking from the Akaretler Row Houses, I still enjoy my stroll after having a meal at W Kitchen (above right). The Der Die Das, Pastarito, Kalamata, Vogue, Al Jamal are a few totally stylish dining out options in this re-vamped area to match. I think I can't forget 1897Konyali, serving artfully presentation of classic Turkish dishes. Here's an advice, try the quail salad with raspberry sauce and lamb simmered with dried and fresh fruits, deli delicious something:)

For future Istanbul visitors, for turkish cuisine lovers, the address is:

~1897 Konyali Restaurant

Süleyman Seba Cad. No: 4
Akaretler, Istanbul

For a detailed information about Akaretler, from W Istanbul, Residences and offices to the Shops and Restaurants list, all you have to do is click on the night view of Akaretler in the following:

( I )

Did you know, with an investment of 70 million$ for 70 historical houses, this new district Akaretler Row Houses in the heart of Istanbul was selected as one of the five winning developments in the Urban Land Institute (ULI) 2009 Awards for Excellence: Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) competition.

( II )

And in a historical footnote, one of these houses was home to the mother of our Father figure, the founder of Modern Turquie and the first President, Atatürk: at five past nine, read if you haven't.

Let's travel the world together
with one easytouch over here:

... but let's

www.istanbul2010.org

Style Wednesday

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good taste

good emotions

good art

good quality

good looking

good shopping


... that's how I describe my style if it comes down to words and things I wear above, at least from my perspective:)

You will find a collection of personal styles over at today's Corner View




''Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.''

Coco Chanel (1883-1971)
french fashion designer


Definitely! Pretty agree with Coco.

Little Vital Details

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You too
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~relax
~feel secure
~communicating
~providing privacy
~productivity
~enjoying life


The home we create inside and outside our walls is definitely a reflection of us. It is what comforts us. It is our own space. Of course, family times are truly what make a house a home.

But for me, I would want to see the cheerful colors, interesting designs, paintings, lovely curves, crafts...










Actually details are a great therapy for my soul when I enter in. In them, I find myself. Attention to the excellence. I find memories of warmth and love and care that surround me. I know continuous love that is always there. Oh yes, the joy of crafting! It is also alive and well, in my heart and in my home. That's true, I love details and they make not my home but the main code of my personality as well:)

I believe that behind closed doors it is a different story! Visit Jane's and observe secretly the homes of people;)