Keep it Fresh. Keep it EZ.

Tropical vegetation shading us can also inspire a pretty sick print! Lol #travel (Taken with instagram)

FINALLY back home in New York,

but I still don’t feel like I settled back down from all the traveling. Oh well, let’s toast in L.E.S. tonight!

Photo taken: Lower East Side, NYC. Ludlow St. 

Outside of Hagia Sophia

During the time of Constantine, the building was a Cathedral and then a Basilica. Outside of the building nowadays, you see the bits of ruins around it. These are closeups of the old, ruined walls and pillars. Beautiful, detailed carvings that must’ve taken forever. Sad how many people over look these things. 

Inside the Hagia Sophia

One of the coolest buildings I went to in Istanbul.

It was once an Orthodox Cathedral, Basilica, and a Mosque. Walking around, you can really see each transformation the building had gone through. From fresh Muslim script hanging off balconies to Christian mosaics of icons peeling off walls, it was unbelievable seeing it all under one beautiful roof.  It was a different world, like  2 of the most popular religions and cultures living harmoniously together, rather than clashing against each other.

I wish I could post up all of the photos of the artwork on here, maybe I’ll do another post with more pictures. 

Istanbul’s Social Scene

They always say, the best way to get to know a place’s culture is to dine and drink with the locals. Right after having a Turkish meal and watching professional belly dancers entertain us, my boyfriend and I went around Istanbul with our very good friend, Ezgi. Her and her friend, Aydin, took us out to Taksim Square, the spot with a poppin night scene. 

We started the night drinking Turkish Tea and having great conversation, a social thing to do I guess =P, and smoking Melon Hookah! There’s nothing like Hookah-ing in this exotic land. 

Then we walked through lively alley-ways leading to a million other alley-ways filled with bars, restaurants, and markets. I was seriously lost. Or maybe I was just distracted by markets of fresh fruit and fish and the live Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music at every corner. Why were they open so late anyways? 

We ended the night drinking their local drink, Raki (pronounced Ra-kuh). Raki is a.k.a. ‘Lions Milk’. It is an Apertif that tastes like licorice and actually reminds me of Absinthe. With Raki, the locals would sip slowly while eating cheese and other snacks. A very social drink for not getting WASTED fyi. (ahem: binge-drinking americans haha) They pour Raki in the glasses and add water, which turns the alcohol white. 

More Jeopardy? yah?

Istanbul is originally Constantinople (during the Ottoman Empire)

The Black Sea separates the city into 2, making a part of Istanbul part of Asia and the other side part of Europe. 

Turkish Bag

I ended up using the bag throughout the trip. It’s that kind of bag and accessory that you can just throw on whenever and pair with anything, well in my opinion. The length was long enough to swing around without hitting anyone and the size is big enough to put all your important traveling necessities. Knowing me, I’d end up cramming my whole life in my bag (Can’t help it, I was an art student for 5 years).  Plus, it’s just a fun accessory. 

Check out the bags I got from Turkey. The first one I’ve actually had for over a year now from when my mom went last. But since I got the chance to go myself, I had to get another. It’s just a great accessory that flaunts itself.  I just love the shape of the bag, the Medusa eye tassles dangling off the front , and the strap that zips into 2 straps for you can wear as a back pack.

Honestly, I hardly cared about the functionality or if it’s trendy, it was more of about loving that fact that it’s so unique and that it was bought off the streets of Cannakale in Turkey<——that just sounds cooler. =)

More Jeopardy for ya:

Medusa eye represents Good Luck, so the more you have, the better. If you’re shopping around Greece and Turkey and end up buying a few things, don’t be surprised if the shop owners give a bunch of loose Medusa Eyes as a little travel gift. 

Hello friends and new followers, 

Thanks for being patient. I’m back from the Ancient Land (Turkey and Greece) with some great fashion finds, well kind of, like this Sultan Turban I brought home. No really, I had to have it. =P 

Photo: At the Akropolis in Turkey

-Little ‘Jeopardy’ info - 

Akropolis: Akro or ‘Akron’ in Greek means ‘High’ and Polis means ‘City’

So Akropolis means ‘High City’. There are many Akropoleis scattered throughout Turkey and Greece. The main Akropolis that comes to our mind is in Athens, Greece. 

I AM SOOOO IN LOVE WITH ISTANBUL…

I need to come back. the end. 

…will be temporarily away for 2 weeks…I’m on  vacation =)

If internet, or time, allows, I’ll post up some images throughout the places I’ll be exploring.

…little scene of Istanbul’s street art

SF PIC OF THE DAY

‘Just For You”, one of my favorite Brunch spots in the Dogpatch, S.F.

Another Space Gallery visit.

We went to a Terrarium workshop. It was pretty fun. They had a great tutorial on how to successfully create your own Terrarium AND supplied all of the ingredients. Yes! Soil, plants, jars…etc. It was really fun and relaxing, Nessa and I took home 3! hehehe There were also amazing art pieces us as usual. Sf has really unique artists, I can’t get enough of it. Hope you enjoy the few snippets I have of them.

The workshop was hosted by a group of SF Local Crafters, BlackMountain Craft Collective. Follow them on Facebook and if you have a quick moment one evening, I’d suggest attending their next workshop. Maybe I’ll see you there.

SF Wandering: Joe’s Cable Car

This little famous burger joint is a spot you CANNOT miss. Smack in the midst of Excelsior district, this neon lit cable car spot will certainly grab your attention. Not to mention, offers you some good ol’ BEEF!!! (by the OUNCE that is) Joe’s Cable Car has also been seen on the Food Network, haven’t seen it but I’m sure it was good. ;)

TRY IT AND ENJOY!