Green Ruffles

Another outfit combo with an item from Mom's closet: the green ruffle front top. It was longer in lenght than I remembered so that was good. I think Mom wears this with a waist belt but I wore the belt at my hips to give the ruffles plenty of room. Although it looks dressy it was comfy and the no sleeves was perfect for the super hot weather that has started today. Jeans were too hot but oh well. Again would have loved to have worn some chunky bootie heels with these but sandals would have to do with so much walking and running after kids activities. Again noting the wallet/purse is a necessity and not part of my look. I did remember to remove it but it wasn't safe to put it somewhere for the photos so still had to hold it. The shots were taken at the street festival we went to in our neighborhood. The paintings were so pretty so made the perfect background.

Green Ruffle front top - Arden B (Mom's)

Chain belt - WCkaki

Dark Grey skinny jeans - CLOSET

Black Sandals - Boutique 9

Double stone ring - gift from mom from Turkey

Studded headband - Channel look alike from Turkey (gift from Mom)

Today's Activities: Attempted to walk with the kids in the AM only to realize heat has started and it makes you sick to your stomach to be outside so went back to the heavily air conditioned home. Ate ordered lunch and napped while the kids napped. Woke up and took them to the street festival in our neighborhood. We missed the kids stuff which had started at noon but was able to catch the exhibits and start of one concert. Saw couple vendors that were selling beautiful hand made necklaces from fabric and crochet. See photos below. Bought a super pretty one that reminds me of the Turkish Flag (same colors of red and white).  Afterwards we went to the water front (across the street) and had dinner at a cafe there. Saw the parade while having dinner as well. Kids had gotten gross at the playground so came home for a much needed bath and bed time. Hopefully no one will wake up tonight.

Here is the lady that makes and sells these hand made crochey/ribbon and natural stone necklaces:

Here is a closer shot of her table:

I could have chosen 5-6 but since I had a limit went with this red and white one below:

Oxford Cool

Got this idea from a store poster. The model had worn white jeans with black converses. I didn't bring my white jeans but my white capris served the same purpose. I do like the pinstriped oxford shirt over the white pants. To go with the pastel white/blue look added a white scarf as well. Could have gone red scarf but wanted to keep the color scheme neutral except for the black converses. Last two days I keep forgetting to take off my wallet/purse so it is in the photos even though it is not part of my look. When I am with kids I use that purse/wallet no matter what I am wearing. Accessories are all silver. Took the tripod with me and took these myself. Had to be quick though as people kept crossing the sidewalk and giving me puzzled looks. And the kids constantly saying they wanted to go did not help either.

Pinstriped Oxford Shirt - WeiJei store in Turkey

What Capri's - D&G thrifted from sister

White Scarf - from a street vendor in Turkey

Converses - converse.com

Today's Activities: Took the kids for a morning walk around the neighborhood. On our walk we had free syrupy dessert called 'lokma'. This is cooked on the street and distributed to public for free in return for prayer to a person that has passed away. The family pays for this on the 50th anniversary of their loved one's death. We'll be doing the same for my grandpa mid summer. My son was very interested of course in this activity and the sweet food. See photos below. Afterwards we went to a bakery to buy wheat bread and this giant bread had come out of the oven. It as giant. I had to take a photo.  

Came home for lunch and naps. Amazingly they slept pretty good today. After naps, had quick snacks and took a cab to the indoor play area we hosted my son's b-day party. It was perfect. 2.5 hours of high activity playtime in a nicely Air Conditioned place. I did have to run after my daughter most of the time but I did get a few minutes here and there to sip a couple cups of tea at least. Afterwards walked to a home store (just like Home Depot in the States) bought some darkenning shades for the summer house than walked to the playground right next door as we waited for my cousin to pick us up and take us home. Had dinner and put the kids down for bed time. We have a new nanny that started late so we immediately took advantage and left her home with the sleeping kids and went to see the new 'Sex and the City' movie with my cousin and his girlfriend. Loved it. It made me homesick for the states. I realize now I consider both countries my home. I miss Turkey when I am there and I do miss the States when I am here. Unfortunately the kids decided to wake up 2-3 times each after we went to bed at 2:30 AM. It was a long tiring night, but a fun day.

Here is my Son with his 'Lokma' dessert in front the cook who is shaping them by hand and throwing them in the boiling oil to fry. Another guy takes them out and pours syrup and distributes...

Here is the dessert close up:

Here is a photo of the giant wheat bread. Apparently it is called 'whale bread'. They cut as much as you want and even slice it and sell it by weight...

Ferry Boat Style

Great photo shoot today since I was out and about with  my mom.  Bought this orange tank top from my aunt's local bazaar for 3.5TL (approx $2). Love its quality and the tunic length. Thought it looks great with cargo's to dress them up a bit. The denim vest adds interest I felt. Although I didn't keep it on most of the day as it was too hot. Bought the perfect necklace at the end of the day from a street vendor that will go absolutely perfect with this top. Next time...

Shots below are taken on the ferry boat...Notice how the stairs match my top! 

 The cover photo on top is at the pier.  My mom was able to catch the ferry passing by on the background...

Orange tank top with gold sequins - Bazaar in Turkey

Cargo Pants - Gap

Denim Vest - Forever 21

Ankle cuff suede sandals - Victoria's Secret

Today's Activities: Left the house at 9 AM. Walked 20 minutes to the closest pier but we were half hour early for the boat so had a quick breakfast at a cafe facing the pier. Took the boat to one stop (photo aboove right) switched to another ferry and went to the neighborhood (Bostanli) we wanted to get to. Then we had to take the bus to the shopping center (Ege Se) that was our target. Took us 2.5 hours or so to get there. Had lunch and let the kids in the indoor play area. They loved it. Visited a toy store and bought a new shrek book on the latest movie. My son must have had us read it 5 times on the way back. Had to walk for 20 minutes in the heat to get the kids to nap in the stroller. Once they fell a sleep I could go back in the mall. We had about 30 minutes or so after that then they woke up. We took the bus back to the pier and took the two ferry boats back. My daughter decided she wanted to roll around on the boat floor. She had so much fun and since we were heading home we let her. When we reached our local pier I found the perfect hand made necklace below. The chain is leather and the stones are real. It was so pretty. We walked back 20 minutes then dipped the kids in baths for an hour. Washed every piece of clothing they had on, including their shoes. Had dinner at home and they both went to bed a little early.