Hi there and welcome, especially if you’re new around here!
This post is a little different from my usual recipe content. Every now and then, I like to share a peek behind the scenes; what’s been going on in life, business, and everything in between.
It’s part reflection, part catch-up, and part just me being real with you.
If you’re curious about what’s been happening lately and want a break from the kitchen, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
We Moved! 🧿
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen bits and pieces of our recent move.
For a long time, I thought our last house was going to be our forever home. But when Dwight got a new job in the city, we had to take a hard look at his commute. Spending over an hour each way in Atlanta traffic, especially with his long workdays, just wasn’t sustainable.
At first, we tried to make it work. But eventually, we realized something had to give. We started looking for a new place closer to the city, but nothing seemed to fit our budget or the neighborhoods we loved.
So, we came up with a temporary solution. We rented a one-bedroom apartment for Dwight near his work. It solved the commute problem, but it also meant we were living apart most of the week. Since I work from home and use the house as my studio, we only saw each other on weekends.
That setup came with its own set of challenges. Two homes meant double everything, i.e., two sets of bills, two internet accounts, and a lot of driving back and forth.
After a year of juggling all of that, we knew we had to make a real change. We started searching again and, this time, we got lucky. We found a home right in the area we’d been hoping for.
If you know Atlanta, you know it’s all about the neighborhoods. And for us, Decatur was always the dream. Finding a place there felt like everything just clicked into place.
We moved in mid-April, and we’re finally back under one roof. The best part? Our old house is already under contract.
The new house is brand new, and I fell in love with it the moment I saw the kitchen. It has a huge island that you’ve probably noticed in my recent YouTube videos, and a beautiful deck that feels like a little escape.
I’m so grateful for how everything worked out. It feels good to be settled and starting this next chapter together.
An Impromptu Visit to Turkiye
If you’re in your late 40s like I am, and lucky enough to still have your parents, you might also be navigating the reality of them aging.
Longtime readers might remember that my dad lived with us here in the U.S. during Covid. But the language barrier made daily life tough for him, and eventually, he decided to return home to Turkiye.
Physically, he’s still doing well. But over the last six months, a doctor’s visit revealed that he’s started showing early signs of dementia.
As soon as I heard that, I booked a ticket. I needed to see him in person, to get a better sense of what was going on and what needed to be done.
We’re lucky that he has a support system there, but as an only child, I want to stay as close and involved as I can.
So this trip turned into a bit of a father-daughter getaway. We went to Marmaris, a small town on the Mediterranean coast, to visit my cousin and her family. It ended up being the most peaceful and much-needed four days: swimming in the sea, sharing meals, and soaking up that comforting presence of family.
I found myself wanting to stop time. Watching my dad and my aging aunts and uncles, I felt the weight and beauty of it all. Many of them are now facing health challenges, but I also saw their strength and wisdom with fresh eyes. I think I’m at a point in life where I’m finally able to truly appreciate it.
I did my best to be present and soak up every conversation and quiet moment. It’s hard to describe, but the emotions were mixed. There was some sadness, some clarity, and a deeper understanding of where we all are in life.
The rest of my time there was focused on making sure my dad is set up with the right support, has what he needs, and is surrounded by people who care about him.
Before heading back, I spent one last evening in Istanbul catching up with two of my childhood best friends. We laughed, we reminisced, and shared a beautiful seafood dinner by the Bosphorus.
The view, the conversation, and the food all came together in a way that made the night feel extra special. It was the perfect way to wrap up an emotional and unforgettable trip.
In The Now
Since it’s been a while, I’m switching things up a bit with these life updates. Instead of listing what’s working and what’s not, I thought I’d simply share a few things that are current in my world right now.
No particular order. Just real life, as it is.
Some of these are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase by clicking on a link, I may receive a commission at no cost to you.
Currently Reading: Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia:
Spending time with my dad made a few things click for me. I want to age well and be more intentional about my health. This book has been eye-opening. It talks about how many of the diseases we see later in life actually begin much earlier, and how there are things we can do now to slow them down—or even prevent them altogether. It’s written in a way that’s easy to follow, and even though I’m only halfway through its 400+ pages, I’ve already learned so much.
Learning from: Sarah Snow
I’ve been following Sarah on Instagram for a while and have always loved her calm storytelling and beautiful filmmaking.
So when she announced her new program, Viral You, I signed up right away. I’ve been going through the lessons and doing the homework whenever I have time outside of work, and let me just say—there’s been a lot of soul searching.
I feel a strong pull to tell my story through food, but if I’m being honest, I don’t fully know how to do that yet. This course has been incredibly helpful. It’s pushing me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I haven’t shared anything publicly yet, and I don’t feel quite ready for that switch, but I’m working on it.
Shopping (more intentionally)
One of the biggest lessons from our recent move is how much stuff we’ve collected over the years. So much of it we didn’t really need. Moving reminded me that I want to be more thoughtful with what I bring into our home moving forward.
Here are a few things I’ve bought recently that have either made my life better or taught me a lesson or two. Some I absolutely love and would recommend without hesitation, and others didn’t quite work out the way I’d hoped. Thought I’d share both.
The Black Dress from Madewell
I’ve always loved a good black dress, and this one has become a favorite of mine. It’s flattering, comfortable, and has enough weight that it isn’t see-through like so many linen dresses are these days. I wore it on repeat while I was in Turkiye. It’s great for travel and works for so many occasions.
As the daughter of a dentist, I’ve always taken dental care seriously. I got the Suri toothbrush during last year’s Black Friday sales and have been so happy with it. It’s lightweight, has a long battery life, and comes with a case that also disinfects the brush. It’s especially great for travel, and it leaves my teeth feeling so clean.
If you’re interested, the brand has given me a code to enter at checkout for 10% off. The code is AYSEGUL.
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
I’ve been using this instead of conditioner and love how my hair feels. I only wash my hair once or twice a week, and after a few uses, I noticed it felt fuller, softer, and shinier.
Like many of us, I spend most of my day on the computer and sitting for hours at a time. You know what they say, sitting is the new smoking. After my best friend recommended a walking pad treadmill, I finally gave in and bought one. Honestly, it might be my favorite purchase of the year. It slides right under your desk and lets you walk while you work. I use it during Zoom calls or while taking online classes. It took a little getting used to, but now I walk over two hours a day while working and feel so much better because of it.
Dwight and I love sparkling water. For years, we’ve been buying cases of San Pellegrino from Costco. So when I heard about making our own carbonated water at home, I thought it would be a smart investment.
Unfortunately, I can’t say I’m in love with it. The first machine didn’t even work out of the box. They sent a replacement, which was better, but still didn’t give us the same taste we’re used to with Pellegrino. We’re using it now, mostly because we have it, but it’s not something I’d recommend.
I Leave You With This
Between going back home and learning from Sarah, I’ve found myself doing a lot of soul searching. What you see on this website and social media is just one part of me. It’s the part that’s my job.
Looking back, now twelve years into writing this blog, I can see that there’s been a fair bit of pretending along the way.
Not because I wanted to be someone else, but because I grew up with a very traditional, conservative mom who taught me to be a lady. Speak only when it truly matters. Don’t share too much. Don’t show all your cards.
There’s a quote Sarah shared in her class that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about:
The discomfort of being honest is so much easier than the exhaustion of pretending.
At this point in my life, I’m searching for ways to be more honest and more vulnerable. To show up fully as myself, even if it feels uncomfortable at times. Because after all these years of putting myself out there, I’ve realized it takes more energy to hold parts of myself back than to just be real with you.
I know this won’t happen overnight, but I’m going to try.
And if you’re still here, still reading, then you’ve got a front-row seat as I figure it out.
Until next month,
