Istanbul Trip!

The trip with my class was an intense 3 full days of seeing and doing everything I possibly could. The city is full of inspiring and beautiful things. From this trip I will derive an inspiration and concept for my design this semester. I am still brewing up my final inspiration.  Hope you enjoy the photo's, let me know what inspires you the most!  :)

Meet my travel buddies! Amanda, Judith, and Amy! :)

After arriving late we went out in search for food. Baklava and pistachio everywhere!

...and fresh turkish delight! yumm

Turkish tea. Extremely strong black tea with loads of sugar. (This stuff gets you going in the morning!)

Really awesome old vintage store.

The city is a bit rough around the edges....

I wish my house could have all these lanterns hanging in the window!

2nd day! Entering the Grand Bazaar...

Outside the Grand Bazzar.... still soo much stuff!

Which one has the Ginnie??

After an overload of seeing everything and anything in the Grand Bazaar we reloaded with some Turkish tea :)

The Spice Bazaar! (smelled so good)

All the spices, teas, and goodies you could ever imagine.

I kept thinking of my BFF/Roomie Sarah, the tea's looked so beautiful and delicious! ;)

After a really long day we went out to dinner for some Turkish food and wine. They had live music and great decor!

On our third and final day we visited the Blue Mosk.

Eye of Sophia.

Hehe. Salton on a cell phone :)

The Topkapi Palace (1465-1856). This is Istanbul's most major tourist attraction as it is containing the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the Prophet Muhammad's cloak and sword. oo la la.

It was forbidden to take photos inside, of artifacts and such. So i only have a few. This was an outside court...

The tile work was very beautiful, i love the mix of prints and colours. (inspiration for my design is beginning to form...)

Water stations were scattered all around the grounds.

The view from the palace...(while drinking tea of course.)

The last night we went out and looked in some great antique/ vintage stores. Then went out for a bite to eat and a glass of wine at this super cute resurant! so cheap too! :)    (Thanks to Judith for finding it.)

Desperate House Wine :)

Istanbul, February 2011 :)

My first week in Amsterdam

This is for all my friends and family that I can't share this amazing adventure with.

 My first week in Amsterdam has been an unforgettable experience. Completely inspiring! The atmosphere and energy in the city is something you could never experience anywhere else. Just wanted to share some photos to display the beginning of my adventure.  The picture above was my first night in Amsterdam.  At this point it felt like I was in a dream.

The canal tour was a great way to look at Amsterdam from another perspective. The weather was sunny that day as well, something rare here.

The buildings are breath taking. i still don't really understand how the build them so close together.

The house i want to live in! ha!

Having a bike in Amsterdam is a must! Since the city is so small and flat it's the most efficient way of getting around town. i just got my bike yesterday! :)

Later in the week we visited Anne Franks House. It was a very moving exhibit, something i would recommend to anyone visiting Amsterdam. Above is a stealthy shot i got of her first diary.

This is Anne Franks original wall paper with her decorations all over. Seeing this and being in her room solidified the history  and authenticity of it all.

Starirwells are extremly steep everywhere ( and a little dangerous when its late at night!) because the buildings so narrow and small.

First day of school at AMFI! Thanks Mom for all your help and supprot! Xox