Basic Tips for Your Next Trip to Turkey

Recently, I met with a friend who was traveling to Turkey for the first time. Since I had just come back from my trip, she asked for some simple tips before she packed her bags. Some of the questions she asked will seem rudimentary to more well-seasoned travelers. But for those who are just getting the wanderlust bug, it's good basic knowledge to have, whether you're traveling to Turkey or to other corners of the world.

1. What kind of shoes do you recommend?

I wear my trusty camper boots and Puma boots. I love the way they hug the cobblestones. 

2. Is it cold at this time of year? Coat or jacket?

Who knows with global warming? It was temperate when I was there, but layering is always the key. Bring a waterproof jacket, gloves, and of course a fabulous scarf.

3. What are the best places to shop? As a first-time visitor?

I love the Arasta bazaar. It has a bazaar feel with less pressure maybe. The Arasta, and shops nearby, have some hip designers. Look up where weekly fleas markets are.

4. Do I need to know the language?

I know very little Turkish. I just have some of the bargaining mannerisms down and certain looks.

5. Should I haggle? Does it work?

No question, you should haggle. If a store has fixed prices, expect to pay that unless you are buying wholesale. That means more then one!

6. I'm looking for a rug. What should I look for in terms of quality?

Too broad a question. RESEARCH. Ask questions before you go. There are so many blogs, books, resources you can find. Allow yourself to be seduced by the stories. LOOK and DO NOT buy the first day, no matter what. But if you try to bargain and a price is met, be prepared to buy.

These are two books I recommend: Rugs and Carpets of the World by Ian Bennett (great images of what looms are used and what weaving looks like) and Kilim, the Complete Guide by Alastair Hull and Jose Luczyc-Wyhowska. Fantastic images and great insight of all the tribes and explanations of what the pieces are and why things are done a certain way.

7. Do I need to wear a head scarf?

Your trusty pashmina works. Mostly you will need to cover your head when you go to a religious place.

8. Do I need cash or can I use my credit card?

Cash always is best for the vendor and often for you. More bargaining power, less fees for all!

9. What kind of bag should I carry? For shopping...

I use my ancient Tumi bag that is a cross bag with hidden pockets, it's light weight and black. I am not a back pack lover.

10. Can I buy most toiletries and things over there?

Yes, you can buy all of that over there. Istanbul is very cosmopolitan. You may not find brands you are familiar with but take a chance and go local! 

If you have additional questions about Turkey that you'd like to ask me, leave a comment or message me on Facebook. I'm happy to share my love of this beautiful country. For now, enjoy some night scenes and street shots I captured from my last visit.

New Arrivals - Rugs!

Fuat and his brother...the suppliers from Van

Rug dealers are a special breed. However, so are those of us buying them!  With each trip to Turkey I repeat ...I will not buy rugs, I will not buy rugs, I will not buy rugs. I am in control! Luckily for you, this trip was a perfect example of my lack of control for these beautiful creatures. I am a sucker for the crafts I fear will disappear as time goes by – the camel bag, the baby cradle cover, etc. 

Check out the newest rugs in the collection below. It's just a small sampling of what I brought back so you'll have to check the shop to see them all. I fell in love with the new colors, the mix of techniques, and the asymmetry of the designs. Such great workmanship!

A Taste of….Pul Biber

During my trip to Turkey in February, I tried quite a bit of pul biber, a smoky, crushed red pepper similar to red pepper flakes you find here in the states but it's slightly damp with a subtle fruit flavor. Pul biber is made from the aleppo pepper and is regularly seen on tables at Turkish restaurants, either in a shaker or a small tin bowl. As with most things, you'll have to taste the various kinds to see which one you like best. In the U.S., pul biber can be found at your local Mediterranean market. I brought some home and have been adding it to just about everything. The flavors instantly transport me to Turkey.

I also brought back these wonderful tinned copper condiment dishes. They are perfect for holding spices, dips or sauces. The crescent moon on the lid is functional, but I think it adds another element of beauty to the design. You can find them here. 

Amp Up a Neutral Home with Boho Style

 

Sometimes adding color and patterns to a neutral home can be intimidating. What if bright colors clash with your existing interiors or the mishmash of patterns don't work together? The best way to learn is through experimentation. Try different things and if you love it, then it works. Simple as that! But if you need a little bit more guidance for adding a touch of boho to your otherwise neutral home, here are some tips that might be helpful.

Layer vibrant colors with a more neutral color, but play around with patterns. In the image above, we've completely changed the look of this couch by covering it with a hot pink Moroccan pom pom blanket. Then we softened and cozied up the space with a bunch of pillows in varying shades of blue. The patterns are all different, but the blue holds it all together.

 

Colorful throws make a sitting area seem more inviting while adding life to your space. We took one of our zinc baskets and flipped it upside down for a makeshift table to hold the Yoruba Ceremonial Crown. Mixing finishes and adding detailed, tactile pieces like the beaded crown adds subtle interest while the blue indigo throw draws your eye in and adds a nice pop of color to an otherwise neutral space.

Start small and work in objects that are neutral but interesting. This architectural stone from India is a perfect accent for a stack of books. Against a soft gray wall, the altar adds warmth and dimension to a flat space.

Don't be afraid of mixing finishes and different textures. These traditional off-white arm chairs make a perfect backdrop for any pillow. To stay with a more traditional look, we chose a pair of our velvety ikat pillows from Uzbekistan. A sheepskin rug will keep your toes warm and we echoed the brown from the rug with a similar-colored throw.

Be adventurous in your decorating and keep trying new things. Share your style with us on Facebook or leave a comment and link to your blog to show us what you've done!

P.S. We added a hidden link to all of the products featured just for our blog readers. You can see it here.

Empowering Women Through Business

Celebrating gender equality and women's empowerment on International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s but it wasn't designated as an international holiday by the United Nations until 1975. Today, thousands of IWD events are held all over the world every year on March 8. As International Women's Day approaches, I've been reflecting on how the women I've met during my travels have impacted my life and my business. Without their strength, ingenuity and creativity, I wouldn't be able to live my dream. 

I have my parents to thank for my view point on life. Growing up internationally and having lived in a family that embraces the culture, arts and crafts from each country we lived influences much of what I do. My entire life I was surrounded by eclectic, global people, food and objects. That was a gift and it gave me an innate head start. I have been introduced to the nuances of collecting and buying for my business by so many people that to give one name of who has influenced me most would be impossible.

Over the years, however, I've partnered with a wonderfully diverse group of women throughout my travels. But in many countries, it is a matter of culture that women do not work out front. Make no mistake, they are present and integral to the art, craftsmanship and detail work that you see represented by what I've brought back, but they are often in the background.

6 Favorite Eats (and Drinks) In Istanbul

I'm on a plane to Turkey today! The little red star in the picture above is where you'll find me.

As I'm getting ready for another buying trip in Istanbul, I'm reminded of all the things to love about this country, old friends to visit and shopping of course. However, sustenance is usually first on my mind and it starts as soon as I get on the plane. I love flying with Turkish Airlines. Lots of the men are over-cologned. The airline staff take their jobs seriously, like to look good and are usually friendly and efficient. But it's the sour cherry juice, the raki and the ayran that get me going. It is a part of getting into character! 

Mmmmm….sipping on raki in Nevizade Soka, Instanbul.
This is a scene you will often see me repeating on visits to Turkey.

Raki, the non-sweet, anise-flavored national drink of Turkey, is typically enjoyed with meze, seafood, fruit and cheese. It's a clear alcoholic beverage that turns milky white when mixed with water and is also known as lion's milk. Time Magazine named raki one of the "top 10 ridiculously strong drinks" in 2010. There's a debate going on about changing the national drink in Turkey to ayran…okay, okay you non-drinkers can have balic without raki.

This lovely guy at this particular kebab joint in the Grand Bazaar is always front and center, ever present with his smile. There are so many great places like this one, but when traveling in far-away lands, familiarity and routine make me feel a little bit more like a local. It's usually my first stop before hitting the Grand Bazaar to see what's new and trending in the marketplace.

Ayran is a yogurt-based drink that is served cold and mixed with salt. It's non-alcoholic, a bit similar to Indian lassi and is especially wonderful during hot summer months.

Stuffed grape leaves are pretty familiar in the States these day, especially those who frequent Mediterranean restaurants. They even come prepackaged in various sizes, from snack tins to giant buffet-size tins. In Turkey, everyone does them a little bit differently. I love them rolled up tight and thin.

My picture doesn't do this cheese amazing pastry any justice, but künefe is my all-time favorite Turkish dessert. Made with fresh kadayif (similar to phyllo) and fresh cheese (as in made that day), künefe is best when served piping hot. 

Pide, a flatbread similar to pita or pizza, is so delicious and it's a treat watching it be prepared. Toppings vary just like they do on western-style pizzas. And just like pizzas, they're best when prepared in a brick or stone oven. A Turkish fast food, pide is cheap and can be found sold in street carts.  

I'll be traveling for the rest of the month. Keep up with me on Instagram (@theloadedtrunk) to see more yummy food shots and sneak peeks of what I'm seeing at market.

And if you're hungry for more travel stories, check out some of my older posts….

• Morocco-Fes
• Marrakech
• Thailand
• Vietnam

A Collection of Altars

This year's Lunar New Year celebrations and articles reminded me of the of altars and offering bowls I have in the shop. A relatively small collection, these finely-crafted altars have wonderfully detailed carvings and gorgeous patinas and textures. It gives us a glimpse to where these treasured objects have traveled. Each one worn away differently by age and time, they are now all truly one-of-a-kind.

The rarest altar and one of my absolute favorites is the Buddhist Shrine shown above. Almost all Buddhist homes in Burma contain a hpaya-zin, a small shrine placed on the eastern wall of the house. These shrines house an image of the Buddha where members of the household perform their daily devotions. Made of thickly lacquered and gilded wood, this shrine contains a tooled reflective tin interior with “jewels” which are pieces of cut glass. I have two shrines, one which went directly into my personal collection. The other shrine will be available through The Loaded Trunk soon (if you sign up for our email list, I'll let you know when that happens!).

The form of these brass Burmese Ceremonial Bowls follows that of monks' alms begging bowls. The interiors have beautiful patinas that have developed over the last 75 to 150 years. Relief work is hand chased and detailed with scenes from Burmese folklore. It seems likely that these bowls were made to be used on an altar before an image of Buddha. They were meant to hold water and thus flowers and would have stood to either side of the image.

This Buddhist Spirit House is another work of art that that is a unique "only one." A representation of a home or temple, spirit houses are typically found in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma. They are placed in auspicious places in the home and provide shelter to spirits who need to appeased with offerings. I love the symmetry and detailed carvings, a statement piece with so much architectural interest. This currently isn't available in the shop, but please email me if you're interested in more details and pricing.

Sorry, this piece has been sold. No longer available.

Finally, these stone architectural artifacts, recycled from old buildings, were salvaged from the ruins of old houses in India. No two are alike. They are weighty, rustic and fantastic. Lean them in a favorite corner of a book shelf or place one in your garden. Quite large, they're sculptural and unique; their inset nooks make an ideal spot to create an devotional altar of your own. The piece shown above with the blues, greens, and stone and rust tones is no longer available. See the other three right here.