Uncluttering 💔

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Uncluttering 💔

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Uncluttering 💔

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Uncluttering 💔

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Confucius

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Unclutter my life

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Monochrome Series 13

Max On Deo 7 Cream

Good brand of deodorant. Used to be available in Aster Pharmacy.

Monochrome Series 12

Monochrome Series 11

Monochrome Series 10

Monochrome Series 9

Monochrome Series 8

Monochrome Series 7

Monochrome Series 6

Monochrome Series 5

Monochrome Series 4

My Turkey Diaries: Byphasse

A few times now that I walked in Kadikoy area from the opposite of dock for ferries. During those walks I found Cosmo Home. It's a shop for beauty products. They were on sale and so I had to look around because I'm curious. But I did not purchase anything as I don't find them affordable in spite of being on sale. And the brands are nothing extraordinary at least for me. But then out of it all Byphasse is the product that caught my attention. I didn't expect it to be this expensive on this side of the planet. Remember Turkey is part Asian and part Europe. It is very near to Europe. So finding a European brand in a price so steep is shocking for me. Especially for a brand I know quite well. If this particular product is available in UAE market it will cost only around 12AED and that's around 10TL only. But look at Byphasse's price over here. Almost 40TL on regular price. The sale price is still very high. 

My Turkey Diaries: Comparing to UAE

I will leave Turkey on 1st of September but I feel like I have been here for such a long time and with that being said I will still be probably sharing about my experiences in Turkey for months to come as they are far too many to be written in one go. 

I had been in UAE for a decade now and admittedly most of the time all I do is rant especially about the cost of living. But because of my vacation in Turkey I am seeing UAE in a different light now. Truly there is no such thing in the world as a perfect person or perfect place. These imperfections is what making humans an interesting species on earth.

Every not so good thing I have to say about UAE there will be also good things and hence it is the same with my experiences in Turkey even in such a short period of time. In Istanbul the fares are affordable starting from 1.50TL up to 2TL and of course it favors me and to the rest of us so for me that is a good thing. But then when you have to go to provinces or other cities that fares are 70TL and above. Hmmm. As far as I known oil prices are dropping right? It's the exact opposite in UAE as over there the starting fare price is 10AED (I am in Ajman so we don't have Metro or Buses) so for me that amount is expensive. But then going to far away emirate like Abu Dhabi fare the last time I asked was only 25AED. I hope I am making sense and I am not confusing you. I am not saying one country is superior to one another. Just stating my facts from my own experiences. 

A kilo of beef would cost 40TL and above of course it is surprising for me. Turkey is a very big country so I was expecting that their poultry (Is that the correct term) is flourishing. In the provinces I have seen so many huge spaces where they would you know a place to breed them. Because beef is not exactly cheap in the UAE but at least a little affordable. And those beefs are not only coming from Pakistan but also from other countries from the other side of the continent. And those places are nearer to Turkey than UAE. But beef shanks or bulalo is relatively affordable here. 

What's up with the chicken? Do they have different breeds that I find myself seeing price differences? One day I got a whole chicken for 14TL and the next day I got a chicken from another shop while chicken of course for only 8TL. But then chicken is the most affordable meat so I can see myself eating tons of chicken until my last day here.

When I was in UAE I love to complain how the prices of pork are so expensive. And why it is not a walking distance from me. Forgetting to appreciate that at least pork is allowed. At least they have pork as consideration for us, pork eaters. Now in Turkey it surprises me that there is pork but very limited and once again much more expensive than the prices in the UAE. UAE's population I mean the locals are all Muslim but they allowed pork for non Muslims. While Turkey I know a little percentage of them are Catholic or Orthodox. So imagine why I am surprised about the pork in this place. This place is really making me curious every time. 

But then the vegetables and fruits are really, really affordable. You can get a kilo for only 1TL but the thing is I am out of the house all the time as I am a tourist here doing sight seeing so I can't bring around with me all those vegetables and fruits can I? 😬. In the end I realized that I'm used to variety of food. They may not always be healthy but then that's the way it is. And that would be all for today. Goodnight from Istanbul.

Monochrome Series 3

My Turkey Diaries: Fish Price

There are days that I was not sight seeing but it does not mean that I'm just at home and lying around. I was sort of doing what the locals are doing. But I will discuss that some other time as for today I'm too sleepy. So as I've said I am staying at the Asian side of Istanbul and it will take me one hour to two to reach Kadikoy. Everybody knows where Kadikoy is and you can ask anyone which bus number or Metro you will take. As Kadikoy seems to be the last stop for almost all the public transportation. 

So I went to Kadikoy to shop some more at Mango and try to look around for fresh fish and what I experienced baffles me. First of all fish is not widely available in the Hakmar or grocery store. Okay. Fine. That's the way it is so people just have to live with that. There is an area in Kadikoy that sells fresh fish. You just have to walk a little further from Migros. If you are on that area you'll need to walk a lot to explore and see for yourself the shops available. But anyway back to the fish and other seafood they are extremely expensive. So expensive that I didn't buy anything. 

Istanbul is a big city. Turkey is a big country. And they are surrounded by water. The water is clean as I can see. So where are the fishes? I don't know the name of the fishes that I have seen but a 25TL for a kilo? That's 32AED and it's no longer a food for the masses. It was painful to see prawns they are calling jumbo but the size is very comparable to my fingers and I have small fingers. And it would cost 50TL per kilo and that's 64AED in short seafood in UAE is much cheaper in Istanbul. As end result while I'm here I will stay away from the seafood. And maybe my weight will drop down as I'm finding myself getting bored with the food I am consuming. That's all for today. Goodnight from Istanbul.

My Turkey Diaries: Flormar Shop

On the same day that I went to Mango I also visited the shop called Flormar. Well it has been said that this was an Italian make up then they moved to Turkey years ago. So now it's a Turkish make up brand. I was able to visit it as while here in Turkey and in Istanbul to be exact I walk a lot. And through this walking that I see a lot of shops and many establishments. Though I don't remember them all but only those that caught my interest. Now as of the make up I have given it up a long time but I still have to buy whenever there is a sale to send them to my younger sister, cousin and auntie. Oh my I think they are lucky that I think about them and even include them in shopping most of the time. But then before leaving UAE I told myself why not give make up a try again as long as it won't break my bank account.

On that visit to Flormar I got myself their most affordable nail polish. Has it been 4 or 5 years since the last time I used nail polish? Well I will be doing that again but this time around after using one nail polish I will put them in a box then send them back home at least in our home there are so many women who can share nail polishes as if they will stay with me it will take me a decade to finish and it will just go to waste. And wasting any product is bad right? 

Flormar was on sale when I visited but I don't know until when the sale or Indirim will be? As of the nail polishes I got each costs me only 1.95TL and that's around 2.50AED and believe me I have never a nail polish in UAE in that amount so affordable that I purchase 5 colors all at once and planning to come back again to get more colors from the collection. I did not take a look at the prices of other make up but if I were to compare it to UAE prices and I'm sorry that I can't help it you will understand if you are in my shoes; Flormar even without sale is still affordable. I am into lip products that I take a look about its price. Around 20TL and only 9.90TL when on sale making it around 12AED. When I go back I will check the prices of other product so I can share time here with you.

There are many branches of Flormar in Istanbul but this one I am talking about is located in Kadikoy. The whole Istanbul knows about Kadikoy. Metro goes to Kadikoy. Even bus goes to Kadikoy too. You will know you are already in Kadikoy when you see the dock for ferries. And standing from that side you will see Burger King across the street. It is near to that and you can ask anyone and even if they don't speak English just rely on their hand gestures. And of course a woman is the best person to ask for it since its makeup. If I will see another branch again I would immediately share it over here. Now let me share then nail polishes I purchased.

Monochrome Series 2

My Turkey Diaries: Mango Shop

As I have said as soon as I can I will share some information no matter how small they are. So here it goes. I'm working in UAE and one of the ways for me to stretch my budget is buy whatever I need or want only when they are on sale. Every now and then I buy clothes. For the office trousers only. As our bottom uniform is always a disaster. In UAE I don't buy from Tiangge and not because I am a brand conscious but because in Tiangge prices are fixed the whole year. Unlike in malls especially outlet mall they are having end of season sale where all the prices will really drop down as their goal is to make sure everything will be out of the store. I don't buy clothes just for me. I buy clothes too to send to my family as you know clothes are expensive in the Philippines compared to UAE (well only if the clothes in UAE are on sale). 

So after one week here in Istanbul I was able to visit Mango Shop in Kadikoy. In UAE Mango was on sale last June to July but I was not able to purchase anything as the sale price was still too expensive for me. Imagine my surprise upon seeing the sale price of Mango clothes in Istanbul. I got myself one trousers which I will use at work. For how much? For only 20TL and that's 25AED. And for months I had been searching at malls in Dubai hoping to find a trousers (we call it slacks in the Philippines) that would cost me less than 50AED. But no such luck. And may I remind you that I also visited Mango in Dubai Outlet Mall a few times but still tough luck in finding really a good deal. Price as this low. But for the record Mango is not my favorite brand and I don't have a favorite brand. If Tiangge can offer me a 10AED clothing then I will not tire myself looking around in every malls that I can. 

Since it is my birth month I have taken advantage of the sale. Got myself some pants for only 15TL and that's 20AED. And for the longest time I had been wanting to buy some dresses but it never materialize because I'm so cheapskate that I can't bring myself to spend a 100AED or even 50AED for a dress. But I don't mind spending that much amount of I will give it as a gift for my loved ones. I guess it is very common for us OFW's to prioritize our family first before ourselves. But anyway back to the dresses. For the first time in my life I bought 4 dresses it would have been 5 if only the last one fit for me so well. The most expensive dress I purchased was only 25TL and that's 32AED and to be perfectly honest I haven't seen a dress in UAE in any brand that would cost only 50AED. In fact in the recent months I noticed that clothing even on sale has become expensive. With that visit of mine to Mango it costed me only 166AED and if I'm not running out of Turkish Lira I would have bought something for my whole family. Some tops are even available for only 9TL but I did not available as I don't need tops. Besides I'm not planning on gaining weight again. Duh. Gaining weight is so expensive. In so many ways. And that's all for now. Hopefully I will be able to visit Zara this week. And I'm also hoping to get another pair of slacks and a good jacket it available on a very good price. Good night from Istanbul.

P.S. I'm sorry if I can't help regarding the location as I am here it also frustrates me that I'm asking Google a lot of questions about addresses and location. Or how to go to one place with a little luck. I even resolved into asking around via Social Media like Twitter. There is a Google Map but then I'm bad at reading maps.  But wherever you are in Istanbul everybody knows where is Kadikoy. And in Kadikoy if you are standing where the dock for ferries are you will see a Burger King across the street and you can just go there and ask around where is Mango. I don't speak Turkish and not all of them can speak English but you can rely on their gestures if you will go straight, left or right. Better bring a pen and paper so they can sketch it for you. Of course there are other Mango shops in Istanbul but this is the only one I know of. Maybe tomorrow I will see another shop again and I will share it over here.

Husband VS. Wife

WORDS
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day. 30,000 to a man's 15,000.

The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...

The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"



CREATION

A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time."

The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!"

Husband VS. Wife

WHO DOES WHAT

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.

The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first,

and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."

The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."

Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."

Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament

and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says ..........." HEBREWS"



God may have created man before woman,

but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.

Husband VS. Wife

WOMEN'S REVENGE

"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.

As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.

"So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked.

"No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me,and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally." 

Husband VS. Wife

WIFE VS. HUSBAND

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.

As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"

"Yep," the wife replied, " in-laws"

My Turkey Diaries

This is not a travel blog. Just an online diary actually. Of tidbits of my life. But I am in Turkey right now for my vacation. And I like it here in spite of a few glitches here and there. Well what I'm trying to say is as soon as I have time and opportunity I will share whatever I can regarding what I know and experiences here in Turkey. Those information may be very little but no matter how little it may be could help someone else out there. That's all for now. Goodnight world from Istanbul :)

Husband VS. Wife

The Silent Treatment

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.

Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM " He left it where he knew she would find it.

The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM . Wake up."

Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

Wish List 💕

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Wish List 💕

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Wish List ♥

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Wish List ♥

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Life's Lesson ♥

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Life's Lesson ♥

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Life's Lesson ♥

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Life's Lesson ♥

PHOTO Credits to the owner