miss b loves .......Istanbul markets and some interesting finds!

During our latest trip to Istanbul, at the end of May, we visited a local pazar (market) and I mentioned here that it deserved its own post......so here it is! 

Good markets fascinate me as they really reflect local life and culture. This was very much a neighbourhood market outside the city centre and we seemed to be the only tourists! We were amazed by the quantity and quality of the fresh produce .........

We've not seen garlic as fresh as this in the UK .... 

....and we just had to buy some to take home....

Stallholders offered us samples to try (which doesn't usually happen in our markets!) If only watermelon back home tasted as good as this one .....

....and this cheese actually reminded me of our own local crumbly Lancashire cheese both in appearance and taste!

There was so much choice ......the freshest herbs ......

miss b loves .......shoe quotes and more shoes!

During our trip to Dubai last month I decided to return to Level Shoe District, the world's biggest shoe store. (You can read about my first visit here.) This time there were shoe quotes everywhere and I couldn't resist taking photos of a few favourites .......

I definitely agree with this one too ....

.....some good advice.......

miss b loves.........shopping in pyjamas.....sometimes!

love to shop bag via NOT ON THE HIGH STREET

Even a shopoholic like me can find shopping at this time of year a chore.....the crowds, queues, cold and rain just take away most of the pleasure .....You can't beat shopping in comfort, even in pyjamas, scented candles lit, glass of wine......browsing the internet... finding unusual gifts....

...and here are a few great ideas I found this weekend.....a tea towel perfect for a blogger friend who is never without a camera.....

via la cerise sur le gâteau

miss b loves....the biggest shoe store in the world (Dubai, of course!)

You may remember from my shoes post here that I'm a shoe addict so.... when I found out during my trip to Dubai a couple of weeks ago that the biggest shoe store in the world had literally just opened, I knew that I had to go .......
Called Level Shoe District, it's situated in Dubai Mall (yes, it's the world's biggest mall!) 

96,000 square feet, 15,000 different styles, 250 brands......It's a shop-in-shop layout with separate spaces for different brands .....and they are all there.......

miss b loves........ Taksim, Beyoğlu Istanbul

 

A trip to Istanbul would not be complete without a day in Taksim, Beyoğlu the heart of Istanbul starting with a stroll around the Gelata district. There are beautiful old houses and buildings, cafés, quirky shops selling handicrafts including colourful pottery and stylish boutiques. Galata Tower is the most impressive monument of the district with its 360 degree view of the city from the top.

One of the gorgeous boutiques
 with an eclectic mix
 of inexpensive jewellery and discounted
designer clothes. 

Galata Tower

Amazing 360 views from the top of Galata Tower

                              
From Galata we made our way to Tünel Square and then continued along the İstiklâl Caddesi (Independence Avenue) which is pedestrianised (apart from the trams!)and has 2.5 kilometres of shops, cafés, pâtisseries, restaurants, bars and clubs, as well as bookshops, theatres, cinemas and art galleries.