MY PARISIAN LIFE

Paris vs Seattle

2012-01-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Bread buying in Paris:

Bread buying in Seattle:

Happy mom to a new born

2012-01-22T10:48:00.001-08:00

Did you ever feel like accepting to be bigger than usual, less fashionable, like, mom style and being totally OK with that?

Until the birth of my second, last September, I was a very beauty focused women, with a taste for high heels, even with a baby (when my girl was one), make up and all things stylish.

I remember starting to exercise when my baby was 1 month old. I started to go out with girlfriends very soon. I was doing everything I used to do before baby in a few weeks time.

With my second kid it's totally different. First of all, I happily accepted the idea of staying at home for one year. In France, we heve the possibility to keep our job, if we choose to raise our kids until the age of three. Three would be too much but I chose to be with him until his first birthday. It's not that I didn't stay at home for my first, but it was not a choosen situation. I was thinking at that time that, I would never find a job in France (I will tell you the stoRy next time).

I am grateful that those times are gone. I have a nice job and the possibility to keep it.

I also know that, these first months of a little human being's life goes so fast. the nursing difficulties, the sleepless nights (dark circles and fade face), the baby cries are all ending soon. he will never be so tiny again. So I am trying to nag less and enjoy more about everything baby related. I give him the maternel milk, when he wants, and nothing else. I wouldn't make it a big deal if I couldn't neither. I know that I have like 8 extra kilos remaining on my hips and tummy but who cares. I eat when I am hungry, I pay attention to what I eat and drink, not only for him, but for me too. I exercise when I can, as I can.

We are abroad and shopping temptations are everywhere. instead of buying things that wont flatter my body in a few months, I keep on putting on a few types of clothes that works with me and my life. Instead, I concentrate on cultivating the harmony at home with the 6 year old "big sister" and the daddy. I don't feel like a big lazy when I don't do everything to do in Seattle. I prefer surprises of everyday life, taking a walk, reading, napping, watching trees.

I tell all that stuff because it's new to me. I have the feeling to love everything of life, bad or good, hard or easy, lovely or ugly. I hope this can inspire someone over there, who tries to get rid of those kilos by any means, using silly diets. I hope someone told me to take time and be cool 6 years ago but, this is something I learned by myself.

Just be cool. Take the life as it comes. And don't panic if you don't look like Victoria Beckham after her 4th birth.

My Seattelite life, making bread at home

2012-01-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

Yes I live in Seattle now for three months. It's a lovely city especially because of it's lovely people. Are you guys all great or just the ones I met.

So we are living all four of us (yes four with the new arrival to the family, my 4 month old baby boy)in an appartment in downtown Seattle. Look what I saw before the snow storm on the street here:

Well so life in united states is soooo different. Especially when it comes to eating. I will talk about it more later but since two weeks, I fand it so difficult to continue to find non processed food here. Of course there is "whole foods" store which is not bad at all but even the bread is too complicated. I was becoming obsessed about ingredients of everything bought at the supermarket then I started to cook and bake more then ever.

Today, I decided to buy less bread and I made these:

I used 3 cups of Whole Foods' unbleached whole weath flour, 1,5 tbs of yeast, 1/4 cups of vegetable oil, 2 table spoons of youghrt, some salt and sugar. I mixed well, and let the dough become higher in a warm environnement. Et, voila. It's really delicious.

la rentrée, tarte au chocolat- banane

2011-08-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi there (if there's still someone patient reading this blog :)

A whole nice summer has passed since my last post.
What's new?
- I had the greatest long summer vacations in Turkey and in Morocco,
- I am 8 months pregnant, waiting for my baby boyto come live with us,
- I enjoy everyday in my new apartment

On the other side, what's not new at all?
- I didn't start writing my dissertation,
- I became an exepert on "non procrastination" but couldn't apply those tips and tricks in my academic life,I even bought à kitchen timer in Ankara and you know what? My 5 year old daughter just broke it down (I dont know how, it must be a malediction)
- I prefer cooking or organizing to simply writing on my dissert topic.

So here is what I did instead of writing today

It's really simple:
- Crush whatever biscuits (150 grams, Galettes bretons, petits beurres, or wheat cookies) with a food processor
- Mix it with 50 grams of butter and cover the bottom of a 20 cm pie pan with it,
- On the other hand mix two eggs with 100 grams of sugar,
- Add 150 grams of cream, 2 table spoons full of starch (Maizena in france), and one tablespoon of cocoa powder,
- Mix everything well and pour it on the base of the pie,
- cut a banana in slices all over the pie
- add some cruched almonds if you want
- Cook 15 minutes in 200 °C
- Eat it :)

Fête des mères

2011-05-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

I live in a dream world. Every year I celebrate the mther's day twice. Here in Canada the first weekend of May, and in France, the forth. It's really cute when my little girl is so excited to make me little art works and telling her father to buy me some presents twice in a month. This year it's much morhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifspecial because I am waiting a baby. I am more mother than usual :). I have my mother's day gift in my belly, and the other one everyday next to me.

But if I had to accept other gifts, the ideal ones would be:

This louis vuitton bracelet

this Oscar de la Renta dress

and these zanotti babies:

Hidir- Ellez

2011-05-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

Just stopped to tell you about a Turkish tradition: Hider Ellez

Every year on the 6th of May, Turkish people, especially women and kids (like always for everything fun)get out at night and make a wish in the moonlight. They beleive that, two angels "Hidir" and "Ellez" or Elias, will come to earth and make the wishes come true. It's a very old tradition even before Islam but, Turkish people celebrate that as a part of their religious beleifs.

Every region in Turkey has a different way of doing things but the most common one is to make a sketch of things you want, or write them down, take the paper, put it under a rose tree and wait until it comes true. Believe it or not, it worked, several times for me. I think it makes sense in a personal growth point of view because, it's alawys better to write down your objectives, to visualise them and believe in them really.

So this year I was far from my sweet country, but we did it here in Montreal with my lovely girl.

She wished to have a fairy of her own and me, giving birth to my baby boy healthfully and to have one whole year of cheer. And I draw myself with a Phd hat :)

Montreal

2011-05-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hi from Montreal,
It's my 5th time here and I love it as always. Too much great food, great shops, great people, and nine days of no hurry. I am really happy.

Tomorrow is our last day here and before I go here are some of my Montreal favorites:

Reuben's:

Best burgers, sandwiches, pickels, and the highest cheesecake. Love them, and their american size dishes.

Sushis:Everything japanese food here is much better than in Paris. More creative and less pretentious. Looove hand rolls, tempuras ans vegan makis.

Aldo stores: Always something comfortable and chique even when pregnant. This year I loooved these, but could only buy more comfy sandals (yess, waiting a baby :)

and of course the people, I mean they really smile, and not only the waitress. After paris, it's great.

I wisited the botanic gardens, but it was a deception. It was a rainy day so alla we had was a few seras with some orchids and cactus.

But love Montreal whatever...

My sweet girl is 5

2011-02-25T08:32:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was her 5th birthday. It was a weekday so she will have her party on sunday, but yesterday we three went out to eat at Mc Donalds :) and buy her présents and cake with DORA icing.
She was so excited that at 11 Pm she was still awake trying to drink fake champagne (Champommy)
My little butterfly is 5, on sunday she will have lots of friends and a fairy to entertain them.
I am impatient

New home

2011-02-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

A lot of new things going on here. A new apartment in close Parisian suburbia, a new client in my consulting job and more.
Everything was so fast and I am still too busy with all things new. I can't wait having more time and décorating my new place but this new job takes all my time and energy.
I am posting here some pics of my new kitchen

Breakfast with Miles

KUMPIR

2010-05-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

I just prepared my lunch not so appropriate with my diet but who cares.
This is something soooo tasty and served nowhere in Paris. Call for investers, open a Kumpir shop and get rich!!!
Anyway, Kumpir is the Turkish style Baked Potatoes. Ortakôy district in Istanbul is famous for its Kumpir shops but personally I prefer the Ankara Style minimalist Kumpir.

Here is how I did:
Ingredients:
1 big or two middle size potatoes
some butter, some Kasar cheese (or anything like mozarella or swiss cheese)
green olives
corn
ketchup and mayonaise

put the potatoes (washed) in the four (very high temp)
wait until they get smooth inside
open them inside a plate
mix the inside with butter and cheese
put what you want (I prefer without meat, just some corn, pickels or olives but you can put saussages etc)
serve with ketchup and mayonaise

really yummy

2010-05-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

since my last post, i have lived the worst experience in my life. I lost my baby after 6 months of fear, confusion, tears and pain. He had a terrible heart deasease and we had to say him goodbye just to avoid him a lot of pain and suffering. It has been two months and my heart is still aching when I think of him.

in France we have the possibility to detect prenatal disorders and I've been followed by a great team of specialistes in Necker Hospital. Everyone was great, them, friends and family. So we are trying slowly to recover, we cherish our son for what he gave us with his very short life and we are a more loving family than ever.
Even he was not born yet, we know him and we will miss him.

Since then, I travel a lot. I went to morocco first, and then to Montreal. Both were great. and I restarted to work on my thesis. I have still concentration probllems but I feel that I have to do it for myself.

I need support and encouragements more than ever and this work gives me the energy for everything again.

I will post more regularly.

TROP TRISTE

2010-02-18T05:27:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone

I don't write anything fun anymore on this blog I know but my heart is aching
My baby seems to be really sick on the ecographies
He has a big heart illness and the docs say that he can't survive this even if he comes to world
I don't know what to do
I have to choose for him and for us on that diagnosis but it's really really hard

My new maternity pants

2010-01-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

I finally found the pair of jeans I needed.

Not too big, not too slouchy, can go to work or go out on weekend

Black, straight "natalys" jeans with a comfortable waistband

I am pregnant

2010-01-26T02:48:00.000-08:00

Yepp,

I've been away for a longtime but I had good reasons.

I will have a baby in july and everything I was planning for this year (and even for several years) is changed. I am so excited to have a little one again. At the same time there are a lot to think about.

We had a hard time in the beginning of my pregnancy because of some médical suspicions. I thought that I would loose my baby. But now everything is ok and I am soooo glad of waiting a baby.

My parisian life is gonna be very baby- working mom oriented from now on and I will tell you more about how is having a baby in Paris.

New years cards

2009-11-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

Here what we did with my little bgf yesterday

I am at home this week and she has no school because of a famous virus so we try to have fun at home

Here are our créations; all handmade with some old magazines, some glue and some tape

Enjoy

J'adore (Bayildim)

2009-11-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

I am out of words in front of this beautiful lady

I have to go and find a coat like that to pair with my little dresses and sunglasses

Thank you Sartorialist for never ending inspiration

Nice and busy work week

2009-10-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been far from you this week. God, that was a reaaly busy one.

At home, we were just two girls that means much more to do for me. At work, everybody were like waiting for this week to send me all kind of problem files. I gave a lot of training (it's not a part of my actual activity) and I ve been managing lots of tensions.

Fortunately I feel really good thanks to my exercise routine and I have my little things to keep motivated in these times.

As soon as I feel tired or unmotivated about my actual job, I start thinking about my "no-job stay at home doctoral student momma" period. I was like doing nothing but complaining and wishing for a cool job. So it really helps to think about that.

Another motivating is for me to have contacts for other potential work opportunies. I simply love it, and these days, I have them. I don't know what happens but when I was really dissappointed by my work, people started to call me. And it never stops. None of these people actually proposed me a 100 K E pay check job yet but it keeps me really motivated. This week I talked to someone from Ankara, with whom I had several meetings when I was looking for a Turkish-French relations job. He was in Paris and it was great to talk to him. I think I will be giving you some other news about this later.

So nope, I didn't write anything about my thesis this week but it was absolutely a nice busy week.

Like French people love saying "Vivement le weekend"

This weekend

2009-10-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

I had a long week (don't know why, must be my meeting with my Thesis director) so this weekend the only thing I want to do was "cocooner" in french or may be nesting in English.Me and my daugter are alone at home this week so we have been doing lots of girlish things since yesterday.

I finally succeeded to make work my sewing machine. I was thinking that it was broken but I saw on their website that I just didn't know how to fix the bottom tread. I am sooo happy. Here is a little view of our girls weekend.

Then I shortened a too long to be A line skirt

then I shortened my new pair of yoga pants. I had two pieces of elastic bands so I made headbands for me and for my little baby. I put silk ruffles on her's

I had a piece of felted sweater, the arms to be precise, look what I made with it:

Little princess loves it

Here is another pouch for my ribbons made out of a leather jackets' arm.

I know that it looks bizzare here but I am really happy with re-using odds and ends.

Finally I made fabric flowers for J-crewing any t shit or any cardigan out there

Sunday was cooler outside but I couldn't miss the big garage sale. I was a little dissapointed but I found a few nice staff. I bougt a mini canon (I don't know the English word for it) and I made a neckleace with an old chain

And two nice Limoges china plates

I have to go and work on some serious staff now

I am wearing

2009-10-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday by ozdensarikaya featuring Emporio Armani bags

I look like this today
It's funny to polyvore actually I love it
My boots are embelished or carved Salvatoré Ferragamos, and My V neck is from American Vintage
I am still working on my thesis and I am quite proud of me

my monday workwear

2009-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

monday work wear by ozdensarikaya featuring Luella

Yess!!

2009-09-29T02:36:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say a little "coucou" and telle that I actually worked on my thesis yesterday.Not one full page but not bad at all.

I think a good time management policy will take me to the final jury day with a well writen thesis.

I need more motivation and less surfing :p

Phd, To do or not to do?

2009-09-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

as I told you before, I am a Phd Student. Everything sounds ok untill here. But the thing is, I am not working on this project event half time.
I have a daytime job not so related to my Phd Project.
I love (for the first time in my life) my thesis subject.
Eventough I am a full time consultant and more than fulltime wife and mother, I have some kind of progress in my thesis.
But this progress is not enough to be able to finish it in one year(which would be a great thing.
I have tought several times to giving up, just saying that it's too hard to be realised but I could never take this decision. I am neighter extra motivated nor ready to give up.
A real dilemma.
So if I start to write too much about this project, don't take it wrong. This is simply what happens in my life actually.
I just hope finding people with same issues and trying to help (and find motivation)
Today is a new day and I know I can.
Today's goal: writing down what I found (one page at least) before sleeping
In addition to cook and eat dinner (pot au feu+ salad)
Prepare tomorrow's outfits for me and for my little girl
exercise 30 min

I know, I want too much from myself but this is my everyday life

A NEW START

2009-09-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

I've been away for a long time again. I was really busy with my work and family life but maybe the most important reason was that I was having some serious reflexions on my blogging futur.

I am already a writer in two more Turkish websites (I don't know if they are still publishing me after such a long silence). I love writing first of all because I need to put my thoughts somewhere. But I have a full time non- writing related job, a Phd thesis going really slowly and which means a lot to me and a lovely family.

So when I was away from blogging I've been thinking of my priorities in life and in blogging.

Fashion is only one part of my life even if I can call it my passion. Everything beautiful pulls me inside and sometimes it's too much.

So I decided that, this blog could be used as a tool for optimizing my days, self motivation and achieving my goals.

So everything I love, career, self-improvement, organizing, fashion, frugality, cooking, love life, motherhood, paris, Istanbul and other parts of the world will be in this blog.

From now on, this will be a dairy for keeping things going and getting things done.

So this is my life, enjoy!!!

Getting frugal

2009-04-22T00:41:00.000-07:00

No, I didn't buy the MaxMARA Trench coat.

Instead I bought lots of nice pieces.

three dresses, one black coat, two pair of shoes, bow-tie shirt. all that for less then 80 Euros.

I am really getting a frugal kind of shopping addict.

I love selling things on e-bay. It makes more space for my finds and I am happier buying new things instead. Try it, it's amazing.

2009-03-27T09:22:00.001-07:00

I saw this trench today, and I tried on.

It looks gorgeous on me.

I've been searching for the perfect trench since 4 years (and bougt like 5 trenchlike stuff that I don't like)

I am not willing to buy anything these days, I am really trying to focus on "wise consumption" thing

But I am dying for this babe (300 Euros).

What do I do?

Lazy blogger

2009-02-19T07:57:00.000-08:00

Yeah that's me. It's been a really long time. Things are going really well for me and I have always really exciting finds (which is too bad for my economies) but I am quite happy with my buys.

This season I didn't buy that has been Dress just because it was on sale. I really found great deals on my favorite brands. And I even started sewing and re-looking my actual clothes.

So your serial personnel shopper is becoming a conscient consumer.

Today, I visited a multi-brand clearence in Paris. And I got a cream colored jacquard-wool coat and again cream colored Marc Jacobs peep-toes. Both are lovely. And I payed 120 Euros for two. I am really happy. I will put some photos soon.

Here is some goodness from Paris:

Chandelier

tea shop in Paris

Carlos Miele Shop

Sales 2009

2009-01-16T06:50:00.001-08:00

Hi,

I am going on!!! yes, the sales season is really really exciting this year.

In addition to all I've bought from Max Mara last week (I will make a post for that),

I bought really nice things this afternoon.

Of course in one of my favorite adresses and of course for great prices.

First of all shoes.

My first pair of Pradas

And a great pair of Stuart Weitzmans

they are really beautiful in person.

Plus I bought a pair of red stackings from La perla. Actually they were childs' socks for 16 years old girls but they fix me and they were for 1 Euros so I got them.

And the last but not the least purchase:

This lovely necklace, entirely handmade by a designer (fani vogiatzi) for 1 Euros.

yeah, I am a happy Women.

Calendrier des prochaines ventes

2009-01-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

Calendrier des prochaines ventes

Voila! this is the link for the calender

Sales Season in Paris

2009-01-06T05:21:00.000-08:00

Bonjour,

It has been a really long time since my last post. I have been abroad and I am back with lots of good things and holiday memories.

I am also ready to go through all my best shopping adresses in Paris. Because semestrial sales season for one month is starting tomorrow.

Which is great about the sales season in France is that you can find whatever you've dreamed for at least 30% cheapre, even jewellery, homeware and accessories. It's also amazing to see the private sales, sample sales and other discount shops during the sales season. The prices already reduced in these shops become really exciting during this month.

They've already started online but I always prefer going there as a member and trying every single piece without waiting.

Tomorrow I will be visiting a shop called Adèle Sand near Bastille. They are starting the sale season with a multi brand sale including azzaro, versace,Cavalli and Dolce Gabanna.

Here is the invitation but you need a memebreship to go in.

I will tell you about that.

My new Baccarat earrings

2008-10-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

My last purchase est this pair of earrings from Baccarat Crystals. Baccarat is a very old and famous French Crystal producer. They made chandeliers of wolds most beautiful palaces, and they have a great tableware collection.

Maybe it's too early for me to bring all those gorgeous crystal glasses at home but fortunately they have also a jewelery collection for stylish young (or less young) women.

I bought these earring in one of my favorite private sales for 80% less then original price. (I think the real price is 490 Euros)

aren't they just beautiful?

John Galliano Special Sale, Paris

2008-10-23T05:58:00.001-07:00

Today I went to a private sale of John Galliano. I think it was the 2008 Spring summer end 2008 Fall collections. I wanted to tke photos for you but the security people did not look so friendly.

Do I have to say that it was absolutely beautiful?

The prices were really affordable. I mean, sometimes I pay more than that in ZARA.

The shoes (old défilé shoes, size 41) and the bags were dissapointing.

But I loved the raincoats, wool jackets, coctail dresses and long gowns.

Here are some price exemples:

This top for 70 Euros

This gorgeous raincoat with a lot of handwork on it was for 500 Euros

Woolen skirt for 70 Euros
And these coctail dresses for 220 Euros

So, If you are planning to travel to Paris, you love designer clothes, antiques, shoes and bags, and you don't want to be broken after your shopping tour in the city, just let me know. I will contact you my services and prices.

I will be glad to take you to my secret adresses and share this shopping experience with you.

shopping in paris

2008-10-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder if you could get designer shoes and bags and nice clothing for better prices in Paris?

Me, I did... Especially when I first came to Paris, seeing every single women with a great bag even when they were buying bread and walking with their dogs, made me think that there had to be some kind of Paris secrets thing about shopping.

After 5 years of highly intensive fashion focused Parisian life, I know that I was not wrong:

I know a lot of great adresses for luxury shopping for incredibily low prices.

Little shopping streets and designer boutiques are not a secret for me anymore.

I am frequently asked about "where I bought my shoes"(yepp)

Thrift markets are real sources of inspiration for me

So I decided to create this blog, to share my shopping experiences with you, and why not, start up a fun business and to become "yourserialpersonnelshopper" in Paris.