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.

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

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.

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.

Vintage Turkish CARPETS and KILIMS, all available from Urban Outfitters

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.