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A guest post from the birthday girl

Today’s my sister’s birthday and I’m in Istanbul while she’s at home celebrating in Vancouver. She’s been to 29 countries (if you include Vatican City) and she was kind enough to write this guest post about one of her favourite places.

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A UNESCO World Heritage Site covering over 400 square kilmetres, Angkor Wat lies 5.5 km North of the Cambodian city Siem Reap. Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.

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History aside, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my travels.
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Our first, and unfortunately only, day at the temples started with a 4:45 am wake up call allowing us enough time to bike there for sunrise. Well worth it.
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After being heckled by coffee and breakfast hawkers, part and parcel with the adventure, we wandered the temples and were in complete awe.
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The intricate artwork covered every inch of the temples, I was most amazed at the amount of time it must have taken to cover every inch of these temples.
I suppose the absence of internet and tv frees up some time for beautiful art.
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Take a look at some other posts about Rissa’s travels (and the goodies she returned with) here and here and here. Want to write a guest post? (Oh good!) Send me a note at theanthology@live.com.
Thanks Rissa! Happy birthday!
June 20, 2009 by

Come into my (Haute) World

Haute Shopper, who writes the must-read blog Haute World, is from Paris (France!) where she sometimes window shops and sometimes shop shops. She was kind enough to contribute this guest post about a Canadian in Paris (oh how I wish that were me.)

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Even before I moved to Paris, previous travels to this fine city revealed one thing: the Champs-Elysées, as famous and grand as it may be, is a huge tourist trap and not really the best place for shopping – unless you’re a Louis Vuitton fan or feel like visiting yet another GAP store.
There is one big exception though: France’s favorite Canadian designer Tara Jarmon has a two-storey flagship here. It’s not flashy from the outside, but once inside, you’re greeted by a clean decor which shows off her wonderful range of colorful clothes and accessories.
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Even though Tara Jarmon is very much a Parisian label, I thought this would be the perfect store to profile for Kelsey’s blog, considering the designer is a Vancouver native who still has fond memories of the cherry blossoms on Marine Drive.
Her clothes are classic, chic, colorful and sexy, but according to Tara herself, never provocative, allowing every piece to become a timeless item in your wardrobe.
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You might have a hard time finding a local Parisian on Champs-Elysées, but once inside the store I quickly realized that almost all shoppers were local… always a good sign.
The ground floor is full of cute summery dresses, breezy casual tops and tailored classics such as blazers and trench coats. There was also a nice range of bright flowery totes, as well as sandals and scarves.
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The lower level had more such items but also an entire corner dedicated to more formal and glamorous evening gowns and dresses. Whether you’re looking for something in strong jewel tones (my personal favorite), soft pastels or muted neutrals, you’re sure to find something to suit any taste.
The items are never boring… most pieces are embroidered, beaded or feature wonderful details in tailoring or draping.
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If you’re not going to Paris anytime soon, Tara’s clothes are also available via edressme.com. But if you’re ever in town, I’d recommend paying a visit to 73 Avenue des Champs-Elysées or any of the other Tara Jarmon flagships. You might just end up with the perfect Paris souvenir.

Want to write a guest post? (Yes! I’ve been waiting for you to say that!) Send me a note at theanthology@live.com. Thanks again Haute Shopper! 
June 18, 2009 by

Later, skaters

I’m off to Turkey for the next few weeks. But don’t worry, I would never abandon the Anthology.

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Instead, I thought I’d get some input from my favourite bloggers, best friends and family members (you guys are the best). While I’m gone, the Anthology will feature tons of guest posts. Tomorrow: the very first one. 

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Want to write one? Send me a note at theanthology@live.com.

These insanely gorgeous photos are by Robokow.

June 17, 2009 by

In one short week

I will be in the middle of a 21-hour journey to Istanbul. But I firmly believe the pain of a five-hour flight followed by a five-hour layover followed by an 11-hour flight will fade as soon as we arrive.

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I love Turkey already.

Had we not already booked a hotel in Istanbul, we may very well have rented an apartment, which is such a great way to see a city because you have a living room and a kitchen and you can fool yourself into thinking you’re local-like. (Thanks Mike for sending me the link.)

The first photo is by Fatih Guner. The photo of the mosaic museum in Istanbul is by shioshvili. The third photo from this site. I hope the photos I take are half as gorgeous as they are.

June 10, 2009 by

Two weeks

Until a little of this:

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And a whole lot of this:

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I could not be more excited for Turkey — all the beautiful mosques, mosaics and magnificent hotels (that are way out of my price range). Have you been?

The second photo is from this site. I’m unsure of the source of the first one.

June 2, 2009 by

I waited four months

For my baby sister Larissa to come back from her travels in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Silk dress custom Vietnam

And what did she come back with? A suitcase full of vintage clothes (more on that later), custom clothes and magnets (love souvenirs).

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She had this dress custom made in Hoi An, Vietnam. The bottom part is made of Vietnamese silk in a colour I once heard described as Indian teal.

custom boots Vietnam

She also had her boots custom made in the same city. Leather and lovely.

Kiev bangles

Her red bangle is from an entirely different part of the world. She got it in Kyiv, Ukraine (this gal has been to 28 countries — 29 if you count Vatican City).

A custom-made silk dress and piles of bangles are beautiful. But when they remind you of your adventures? Doesn’t get any better than that.

Wouldn’t you agree?

May 4, 2009 by

What’s even better than a guest post?

A guest post about a city I’m desperate to visit. Before her jet lag had even worn off, Liv from It’s a Beautiful Life contributed this post about Hong Kong (with a bit of Shanghai to make me extra envious).

I was much honored to be asked by The Anthology to write a guest post; it’s been so much fun watching this blog grow and I look forward to the updates in my RSS reader every day. I recently went on a whirlwind of a trip to Asia to two very happening cities: Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Liv HK

I was born in Hong Kong so going back is like slipping on a pair of well-worn jeans — the comfort of familiarity sinks in as I drive past the dazzling city lights and formidable skyscrapers.

As for Shanghai, well I was a Shanghai virgin.  It is fascinating city which not only shows the best of East meets West but is also a great example of China’s economic progress.  Construction is everywhere, and the well-heeled Shanghainese strut their stuff on the great catwalks of Shanghai.

I’ve put together my hot list for Hong Kong – a composite of places and things I love. I hope you get to visit them soon.
Continue Reading

April 20, 2009 by

Two tickets to Turkey please

I’m going in June and the wait is killing me (patience isn’t one of my virtues).

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My friend Mike sent me a note about wittistanbul (thanks Mike), which, as Apartment Therapy points out, is done up in loads of patterns but few colours.

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With a rather stunning mix of modern and midcentury modern inspiration.

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Have you been to Turkey? Where should I go? What should I do?

April 1, 2009 by