Isil's Profile

I got these cafe lights last year from pottery barn and they are fantastic: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/cafe-string-lights/?pkey=clighting-lanterns-outdoor

The Grand Bazaar, even for a Turk who loves haggling, is a bit overwhelming, and I think it's very difficult to know anything about the quality of anything you buy there. However, even for smaller places outside the Bazaar, I disagree that the tourist mark up is merely 20 percent when you walk in. If there are tags on the merchandise, obviously there is no haggling-- local or not. But if there are no tags, I would expect a more significant markup for tourists. I don't really have any experience with rugs as I have only gone through vendors I personally know. As for other items -- jewelry, scarves, souvenirs, etc -- I have only seen a 20 percent markup for foreigners, where I have brought in a friend to a store I frequent and do business with, and then they are open with me that they are charging 20 percent more for my friend which they consider to be the most stellar deal a foreigner can expect.

A brief anecdote: I was in a store near Ephesus where I overheard the seller pricing a scarf around $125-$150. When we asked in Turkish if the vendor was crazy, he said, for us (meaning Turks), it would be $40, and from there we got it down to $25 or so. With a higher priced item, the markup would probably be less severe percentage-wise. That said, you are probably still paying less than you would in the US for a comparable item. Markups on rugs in the US is so severe that even if you are paying close to double, it's probably still a steal as long as you know you are getting what you think you are getting.

Best bet would be to try to get a recommendation from someone from the country and have them contact the vendor directly on your behalf prior to your arrival. They are not going to want to screw you knowing their source of business may cease to be so.

I'd like to make these for a baby shower I am hosting which will start at 1 pm. Can I make them the night before or will they get gross?

Anyone know who made the floating shelves in pic 7? I love them!

I also love the kitchen cupboard and have been looking for something like that! Where is it from?