Topkapi Love

full of pattern and whimsy. My collection of ethnic textiles books  and costumes continues to influence my fashion focus and painting. I particularly love this velvet coat with large frogs and a spectacular “Mandarin Gold” silk lining to wear this Fall at a Paris gallery, a Palm Beach cocktail party, or New York concert.

I have used many of  the design elements of Topkapi Palace  in my paintings.I love the pomegranite ,sign of fertility and the stylized palaces trees and gardens.

The voluminous robes of the sultans and embroidered themes have inspired many paintings.

These shocking pink and lipstick red jackets with  shatoosh embroidery are among the classic pieces in my collection, inspired by court costume.

dining on the porch, at the pool or in my studio. We visited Longhouse Reserve and enjoyed the beach.

Algeria beat the US, in the World Cup match while we dined at  the Moevenpick rooftop restaurant.I have already replicated the menu at home: mezze of eggplant caviar, tzatziki, hummus, and chopped tomato cucumber mint and  green pepper salad accompanied cumin flavored grilled lamb chops and rice with mincemeat.The dessert following this wonderful tradtional menu was, of all things:the ubiquitous tiramisu!!

Our Turkish Air flight arrived from London and we exited the airport into the exotic atmosphere that characterizes Istanbul. We arrived at the Raddison Blu hotel near the Ciragan Palace Kempinski where multiple festivities were planned. My husband saw the beautiful Freya Restaurant outside our window and rounded up 8 of our friends to enjoy the freshest of fish under a river side canopy, while gazing at Asia.

Radisson Blu Hotel

Our spectacular hosts had thought of everything and more to make our weekend the most memorable wedding EVER. Their warmth, kindest and incredible joie de vivre was felt by all 450 guests. We were treated to special tours of Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque the underground Basilica Cistern and the fantastic bazaar. Libations and delicious doner kebab, carved from a huge vertical skewer, awaited us poolside and the entire party jumped into the water clothed.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel

Ulus 29

Both the rehearsal dinner and wedding including Cirque de Soleil- like entertainment: violinists, acrobats, belly dancers and ballerinas suspended from helium balloons, floating over the river. Traditional Indian dress was suggested for the wedding:I hand painted my own version.

Handpainted Dress

Kirstin, and cousins Jarvis Slade and Sir Benjamin Slade

Jarvis and I had been in touch with Ben since reading this New York Times article. Although we are not interested in inheriting, we were delighted to find new relatives: Ben, dressed in a vintage Saville Row double breasted linen suit in pale blue to match his eyes, introduced us to a slew of Slades in his marvelous, welcoming and generous style. Maunsel House is a gem and Ben and Kirstin host about 40 weddings a year.

We skeedaddled back to London on the train just in time for the National Theatre production of “The White Guard.”  At intermission, we sat on a topiary chair with our friends.

Theatre seating

London is full of delightful entertainment.  Please take a look at my Flickr page for more photos.

London

After arriving at our first destination, we napped, walked through the Queens Rose garden in Hyde park, had pre-dinner cocktails at at our host’s followed by a fabulous dinner at Scott ‘s restaurant, in Mayfair. I had a succulent octopus carpaccio and hated sharing the ultra dark chocolate tart, thin crusted and rich.

On Monday, we visited the National Portrait Gallery and viewed an exhibit of Indian portraits.  I soon lost my husband, but knew where to find him: enjoying the panoramic view ,at the Museums’s rooftop restaurant overlooking Westminster. After lunch, I walked to Cork St.to see the marvelous Matisse show, at the Helly Namand Gallery and on my way to check out Sotheby’s latest auction, in New Bond St, I saw one of my favorite actors, Bill Nighy, in a cafe.

HELLY NAMAND GALLERY

I popped into Selfridges book department to buy my 2 year old granddaughter some special books, in Italian, Fior di Guggiola and Una Casettta Troppo Stretta which I will carry with me from London to Istanbul on to Jordan then Athens and give them to her when she visits us in New York. I know, ridiculous, but she lives in Sydney, and these books are difficult to find.

I pressed on to Harrod’s. I really wanted to see my young Italian friend, Carolina Bucci’s jewelry line and the gorgeous food halls.

Carolina Bucci

HARROD'S FOOD HALLS

I got home just in time to dress for our dinner at Boodles Club.  Sir Benjamin Slade, a 14th cousin of my husband’s.

Email me if you would like to visit in person…