when in Turkey...

Sie and I leave for our trip to Turkey in t-minus 10 days. :)

We are flying into London, then onto Istanbul the following morning and spending a full day there. Then we fly south, where we have rented a car and will drive along the Mediterranean coast :) after 5 days along the coast- we fly back to Istanbul and have 2 more full days to really explore the city (I've heard Istanbul can be a trip in itself).

I am so excited- but in a different way than I normally am for our usual caribbean getaway. I don't know how to explain, but I guess it's so far from anywhere I've ever been, I don't know how to mentally prepare! I know I will be blown away by the culture, history, landscape, and people. I have never been to that part of the world (that far east) and I can't wait to experience it all first hand.

that said... now to the really important questions- WHAT DO I WEAR in TURKEY. (ok, ok - so I know its low on the priority list in reality!) But let's just say Sex and the City II did nothing but fuel the fire behind my dreamy visions of flowy dresses in a majestic middle eastern scenery! then reality hits when I shop and discover I look terrible (and ridiculous) in the trendy long flowy dresses that are so popular right now! they have a way of dwarfing me, but I do wish I could pull them off.

this blog is purely for vanity's sake- so bear with me (ha!); I really need some help from the fashionable women in my life!

so the vibe I'm going for is casual but chic.. also feminine (reading this to myself, I'm thinking Sie might do some eye rolling if he ever reads this blog post!) I know it will be hot and we'll be walking around a TON so clothing needs to be practical- but I'd like to look back at pictures and at least feel like I look alright against our beautiful surroundings! I look back at our honeymoon pics and I lived in shorts (plaid ones!) and tank tops the ENTIRE time - cute at the time, but I'm not so sure I can pull off that look anymore. does that come with age - SCARY?

so I've gotten a few cotton halter dresses so far. I think they will be comfortable & cool during the day and can transition to night if needed. I gravitate toward halter anything because they require no bra (TMI?) and they're flattering on my body type (see: short waisted & busty!)

I got this halter dress with beaded ties from Victoria's Secret in black. I am my mother's child - about 75% of my clothes are black. the other 25%, largely coral & turquoise :)

I'd highly recommend this one for cut & fit. I actually ordered 3 halter dresses from VS, and the two didn't quite work but it was so easy to return and the prices were great.

The 2 that didnt work were the Rope Halter which was cute but didn't have a defined waist, so just didnt flatter as well, and the V-neck halter with knots which was entirely too low cut and had pockets that didnt do much in the way of flattery either (might have been cute on other people, but on me it was INappropriate!)

Now that I know which style works, I might snag a few more if i do it quickly - the price is certainly right!! (on clearance for 19.99!)

also my mom got me this cute new dress from Nordstrom (yes its from the Juniors department! haha but since I am short waisted- it actually fit really well!)

on a side note- is that one of the young Kardashians? Amanda pointed it out and I think she's spot on!

I also bought a couple of cute halter tops from Anthropologie one from this season, one from last....what I'm really struggling to find are flattering SHORTS! If anyone has any recommendations for flattering shorts - please let me know. my black ones are borderline grey now I've worn them so much. and the cute white ones I bought last season - are too big for me now (yay!) but now I need to search for another option!

I'm thinking some of these longer skinny capris could be cute & versatile.

Even basic tees seem to be difficult to find - they are all very long right now - I want a go to solid fitted tee!

I'm also looking for an inexpensive but functional tan bag to carry around. I tend to have LOUD purses- i'm looking for something a little less conspicuous!

we're making a last trip to target for all those last minute items (snacks/electrical converter/sunscreen/etc!) and I'm going to see if either of these are cute:

bueno washed hobo or this merona tote

don't get me wrong i'd LOVE to get this beautiful anthropologie carry all but it's not practical since I know we'll be at the beach and traveling around & it will probably get dirty!

to be continued....