Thursday, August 21, 2014

Magical Maxi Dress: Summer Travel & Maternity Style {Istanbul}


travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul 2

travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul 3

I almost forgot about these beautiful photos that J took when we visited Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. As you can see, he was really getting into it and I was not going to stop the magic! Psst- there are bump photos if you keep scrolling.

One of my go-to summer dresses (and maternity dresses!) is, of course, the maxi dress, but this one is particularly awesome because it is breezy, comfortable, and so, so simple. If I were more patient and let my mother teach me to sew, I guarantee I could whip this number up in less than an hour. When you hold it up, it's in the shape of two square scarves put together, with a few seams here and there.

As is the case with half of my wardrobe, I purchased this particular dress secondhand from Secondi, but FEAR NOT, internet friends! I put together a collection of handmade and used maxi dresses just like this one on both Etsy and Ebay for your ethical shopping pleasure. They start at $20 and most are under $50. I got you, girls. I got you.


travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul 4

travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul

travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul 6

travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul 7

travel style maxi dress topkapi palace istanbul 8

Ahem...If you're not into buying used (which I hope you will be soon, because it's super awesome and sustainable!) or not accustomed to all this Etsy and Ebay stuff, I've got you covered with a few pricier yet brand new and made in the USA options from Nordstrom and Zappos. As you know, that means means free shipping both ways so you can shop risk free:







Lastly, if you'd like to see dozens more ethical items inspired by my recent trip to Istanbul that you may or may not need to own immediately, check out my Istanbul-inspired Pinterest board for more Turkish delights, or my Eco-friendly Surf and Sun board for 100+ ethical summer picks.



Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Evil Eyes and Turkish Delights





SUN DRESS is made with fair labor practices by LemLem; Handmade brass and enamel CUFF and EARRINGS by Dream Collective for Of a Kind. STUFFED ELEPHANT is fair trade by Indego Africa. Proud Mary raffia D'Orsay SHOES for Of a Kind are handmade by fair trade artisans in Morocco.

Founded around 660 BC as Byzantium, the city now known as Istanbul developed to become one of the most significant cities in history, serving for nearly sixteen centuries as the capital of four empires: the Roman Empire (330–395), the Byzantine Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922).  Its location along the Silk Road only added to the rich tapestry of cultures that converged to form what is today Europe's largest urban population (14.1 million) and the fifth largest city in the world. 

In today's post, I invite you to join me on a visual (and shop-able!) journey through this frenetic and beautiful city, from its cool blue tiles to its saffron spices. I've gathered dozens of eco-friendly and ethical pieces from across the interwebs that remind me of the sights and sounds of Istanbul, and I think you'll find more than a few treasures you'll have to take home.


tile1

tile2


http://rstyle.me/n/m9vcapuae

Hand-painted silk t-shirt (deeply discounted) and tile-print t-shirt, both by ethical designer MAIYET

bosphorous asian side



Hand-painted SHIRT and DRESS by Rachel Rose for Of a Kind, made in NYC. Jewelry is fair trade (and clickable) by Made: NECKLACE / EARRINGS / RING.


dried candies and fruits



Fair trade YOGA MAT by Indego Africa; Evil Eye BRACELET handmade in NYC; Apple TRINKET BOX, made in the USA. CRYSTAL BOWL made in Turkey. HUARACHE SHOES are fair trade.

turkish carpet

istanbul turkish carpet

vintage turkish carpet
Vintage Turkish CARPETS and KILIMS, all available from Urban Outfitters

turkish handmade shoes

From the endless candied fruits and Turkish delights, to the colorful carpets, to the blue of the Bosphorous Sea, there is no shortage of beauty to behold in Istanbul, and this post can only contain a fraction of what I saw.

To see more Turkish delights, follow my Istanbul Inspired board on Pinterest, or shop the post below:










Wondering where all of the Turkish action is coming from? Catch up on my past adventures in Istanbul (and Ephesus!) over the last month HERE, HERE, and HERE.





Sunday, August 3, 2014

Drifting Under Candy-Colored Skies {Istanbul Travel Diary}


candy-colored trend summer style ethical fashion

WEARING: Paige white denim jeans, made in the USA; Alternative Apparel tank (SIMILAR); Serengeti Sunglasses; secondhand bag from Secondi.

bubbles in istanbul

blue mosque istanbul
The Hagia Sofia

2 candy-colored trend summer style ethical fashion


When traveling-- and especially when traveling pregnant--comfort is key. With my increasing focus on finding ways to make gym clothes look intentional and stylish, I've found that color can also be key.

By packing a LOT of white, I could switch up any outfit with little pops of citrus or blue here and there, as I did on this day, when we visited the cool caverns of the Basilica Cistern and the sunny public square between the Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque.

I'm wearing my favorite American-made Paige denim jeans, a super soft tank from ethical brand Alternative Apparel, and a conventional sports bra in hot pink.  The credit for this color combo, though, goes not to the sights and sounds of Istanbul but to the citrus-y, psychedelic hues of my friend Aaryn West's designs. She has a rockin' Society6 store and recently added duvets to the items you can acquire in her trippy prints, which I have been ogling since their release-- I strongly recommend checking 'em out! 

Shop the look (fairly):















Friday, August 1, 2014

Summer Travel Style {All White Everything in Ephesus}


2 summer style inspiration all white ephesus travel style

ephesus turkey

4 summer style inspiration all white ephesus travel style

3 summer style inspiration all white ephesus travel style

5 summer style inspiration all white ephesus travel style

2 ephesus turkey

summer style inspiration all white ephesus travel style

WEARING: white cotton tunic and bucket bag secondhand from Secondi; hand-me-down linen shorts, handmade necklace by Pearl. Love. Jewelry; sunglasses by Serengeti; conventional sandals, similar ethically-made pair HERE and HERE.

Shop the look (ethically):














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