Russian Mountain

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Riotous colors. Mad geometric patterns. You can skip the annoyance of reading a book, and knit a pair of Colored Happy Feet for yourself! Happy face is the mirror of happy feet, don't you think so:)



Sock knitting in Turkish way is very pretty and fun to what I know from knitters. And, it could be something new if you like sock knitting. Knitting from cuff down in Americas and also western Europe countries, however in Turkey mostly sock starting is at the toe, increasing until the foot width is well fitting, and going on up from there.



Here are five traditional patterns to knit; all wonderful, all great Turkish designs:











Those above the most unusual and vintage Anatolian socks are coming from my Antiques Collection. "Too beautiful to be true"! I always adore our folkloric wovens, but knitting is something like a Russian mountain for me, in particular above richness in no way I could make, nowhere else you could see.

A Star In His Eyes

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(i wrote a haiku for it)
Every single leaf,
in the hopes for fresh,
A brilliant star.

} i like spraying silver powder {

It is more than a holiday icon for me! My most favorite. Because nothing dresses up my home like its vibrant bi-colors... çok çekici ve bambaşka güzelsin sen ya!

Our Father figure, founder of modern Turkish Republic, Atatürk loved so much this flores de noche buena, and pioneered for the plantation and recognition of this fantastic poinsettia all over the country. Since then, we call it with his name as Atatürk Çiçeği in turkish, meaning the Flower of Atatürk. Rarely we may also call it Noel Yıldızı, meaning Christmas Star.

Is there any plant in the world that is being called with a statesman name? I did not hear, except ours!

We're in HolidayTube

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People raring to go.

Changing locations one to another.

{outside clear from inside my clean home}

Crowded everywhere; roads to airports and bus terminals. Hearts impatiently waiting to meet their families. The longest religious holiday in Turkey began. The four-day long Feast will start from tomorrow afternoon, but our cabinet extended the holidays from 13th to next monday on 22nd, oh nine-days. Easy to pronounce, 9..



Morning is spent with weekly shopping: veggies, drinks, tropical fruits like pineapple and avocado, candies, again veggies..



In my absence, pretty men of my home worked hard! mr Bosch's did washing plates and all dry cleaning, then mr Siemens the laundry. After dinner, mr Tefal will help me for ironing. All of boring home-work will be completed before I sleep:)





Toooo long time until next monday. I am planning no-plans, and see where that leads me:

• listen the voice of silent Istanbul,
  
• go to nearby Park to view the color gradation and birds,
  
• IKEA visit to see new products,
  
• continue to my fantastic book, Ye (:Eat) Dua Et (:Pray) Sev (:Love)

{me and my book. fixed. on the carpet}

The country is moving.

My Favorite Mix

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A beautiful day of places, cultures and people.


Turkey moved in California! Orange County Great Park, Irvine, in the south of Los Angeles. The biggest festival abroad on Discovering Turkey, since 2009.

Read more about Anatolian Cultures & Food Festival

Our EU membership goal and commemorative festivities in Ankara on the celebration of peace and unity of EU day!

Read more about Europe Day

Oh, world-wide about moms...!

Quite a day, choice is yours;)

One Thousand In 29

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I am just in the middle of saying something, a kind of "I can't believe it!" and "I've really accomplished!"...
















Friday to Friday, from Apr 9th to May 7th (today), only 29 days.

It took less than one month for 2 days. Completed successfully my Senbazuru project, folding cranes for cranes. Traditionally it tells you to make origami cranes in one year. I'm naturally quick-moving, impatient and going fast one, so it happened in a short time than expected. In other words, deadlines never work for me:)

Wishing many more things. It is not a peaceful world! It is not a world as I want it to be. And, wishes for my life of course...

Now I am really impatient to see the results:)

Kiss and Give

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A bunch of flowers, dinner at a French restaurant, a dress from Burberry, Yves Saint Lauren perfume, silk scarf,... Give up these classical ways to make Her happy! They are very old fashioned methods, and do not enough to make Her feel Special. A thing that lasts forever and gets value by the time would be great.

Here are a few items to make Her the happiest one on Her Day, 'of Mothers'. You can also think it for your grandma, auntie, special one. Completely made in the hands of talented Turkish artists with love and patience. Put their hearts firstly before starting. Long hours past upon each one. Used silver. Designed unique. And, not to be found in anywhere else! Stitched, stitched, stitched to create the best pieces traditionally from unique Turkish art ( telkari :: filigree )

#1) unit price: $70

#2) unit price: $45

#3) unit price: $50

#4) unit price: $55

~Remember~
If a jewelry is not the mirror of the culture, how to tell it is an antique? Sure, it can not be told, however we know it only wears out. Be the owner of those lovely pieces 'antique' called, or gift to your most loved one on Her Special Day! I know you will.. she will.. everyone love to die:)

Folding Cranes For Cranes

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Cranes.. these incredible birds are beautiful in real!


Even their origami models are also very beautiful, and fun to fold! I love the tradition about it that keeps a belief like this: you can send it to spread your wish for joy and peace in the world and for your loved ones.


I started folding Senbazuru; this japanese word means one thousand origami paper cranes. Ancient japanese legend promises that anyone who can fold a 1,000 origami cranes (with no matter the size and color) in a year that makes a person's wish come true in addition to becoming a popular symbol of peace and health internationally.


You see my photos, I have 364 days remaining, and 989 cranes to be finished. In the meantime, I am open to send off my origami crane to anyone who wants to exchange, always welcome:)

Watch this video on how to make bird base and then this video how to make an origami crane if you do not know. Let me say, it is very very easy, and less than five minutes you are required, that is all.

Come tomorrow to see Cranes Fluttering For Peace.
You'll be amazed by no wonder!

Dear Candle

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In the bounty of the Creator;

eating kandil simidi,

¨¨which is a specially baked (and also sold at pastry shops) small crispy mini bread ring with or without sesames

praying for forgiveness,

¨¨the mosque of Tütüncü Mehmet Efendi in my district, Göztepe

seeing the right way of things,

¨¨inside of the mosque

celebrating Kandil Night.

Time now to rejoice the mercy of the Creator, and express love and happiness for his coming, the birth of Prophet Mohammad. And, all the mosques are illuminated. For that, it is called as Kandil in turkish, means candle.

¨¨¨By starting with the first of five holy evenings in a year, Happy Kandil wishes for a rich year of love, wisdom and light.

Dollar As Global, Not Love

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What to do this weekend of VVe? I know this is a quite common problem.


One of the most romantic cities of the world, Istanbul is letting romance take over. Here's what I grab among lots of rosy options outdoors and my day concept for Valentiners:



no.01. time dedication to beauty talk.
what's your answer for "How much of a man is in a woman?" either you tend to think "how much of a woman is in a man?" this interesting debate inspired the artist Canan Şenol who creates a link between the past and today. visit artxIst for her bio-political conceptional works.



no.02. love celebration eating mediterranean cuisine.
NuTeras at the heart of Pera would be so fantastic among carved architectural ornaments of historical buildings in Beyoğlu district.

"In Istanbul, rooftop reverie is a must. For amazing view and fancy drinks, go to Beyoğlu area, and try the open air lounge (NuTeras) at NuPera in Tepebaşı." commented The Wall Street Journal. visit NuTeras



no.03. listen latin with passion.
some salsa music and dancing with Ayhan Sicimoğlu & Latin All Stars 'San Valentin'. am a big fan of him, a latin hero in this country. visit Ghetto



no.04. see sweet treat in love.
funny delights and frustrations of romance inspired by real life in a comedy movie, a charming turkish production. visit Romantik Komedi


no.05. whisper carefully.
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul." from judy garland, american actress and singer (1922-1969)


no.06. fondly remember saved faith.
to fill each day with l.o.v.e and swim in it. yes, lifelong.

Best Wishes

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We may have never met but may lovely times and unforgettable memories decorate your Holiday Season.

Mood-lifting Sunday

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Today I was strolling down the Bagdat Avenue (Turkish: Bagdat Caddesi). A couple of miles long. One of the nice places to watch modern part of the City. On the Asian side. Where is I live:)

Every year around this time this lively area becomes like a very chic party girl! Decorated so beautifully, young millions of city folk walk up or down from one to another fashion stores, enjoying their time.

This is her other face that is still to be seen, I think. Most of us consider Old Istanbul, historical Istanbul but Istanbul is such a special place that there is no one fact! As said before, how many times you have been here that's no matter, there is always more to discover here:)


















Oh yes agree, awesome!

I [love] this rosy beautiful part of the town, but I endure it with patience. One who loves roses should endure the thorns that said, everytime almost every hour there is a frustrating traffic jam on the Avenue. Always being a problem aside, it was 17 celcius degrees today!!! In the mid of december! You know it means perfect weather, not-so-wintery weather. Rarely sunny, mostly cloudy, but enough warm out.


I think there's a blank page that needs to be filled by the sister part. Wondering what sort of preparations made beyond the Bosphorus Bridge. See you soon in Europe:)