Sinanation

Name: Begüm Salihoğlu

Nickname: Bego

Notable Apperance: Wild, long red hair and warm reddish freckled cheeks

Can’t do without: Sienna Miller headbands, long dresses, large designer bags, pumps, exotic tea, Apple iMac, big earrings, white furniture, exotic fabrics, costume jewelry, high heel shoes, loose shirts, the color red, fashion magazines, tea, coffee, woven fabrics, cashmere throws, decorative pillows, white, Vogue Magazine, oversized sunglasses

Notable Hobbies: Shopping, traveling, her fashion brand BegumSalihoglu

Weakness: Mushroom, linguini with rabbit, cooked liver dish, the cold weather

Favorite Quote: Ponchiii!

Last Seen: www.begumsalihoglu.com, Istanbul, New York, Miami, Godiva Istanbul, Den Istanbul, Lucca Cafe & Bar Istanbul, Paris

Name: Nazlı Var

Nickname: DJ NV. Nazlı Yok? The most unique part about her name pops out when you are on a phone call with a Turkish friend and he/she asks you who you are with: You are about to be the victim a nasty word game.

The so-simple-to-answer question hits you like a truck: Kimler var? (Who are you with?) You desperately list the people around you including Nazlı. It is the follow-up question that frames the grand finale: Hangi Nazlı? (Which Nazlı?) Nazlı Var. Since the word “var” is the verb of existence in Turkish, the confusion prevails. “I know Nazlı is there! But which Nazlı?”

Damn it, I say Nazlı Var! Her name is Nazlı Var!

Notable Apperance: Fluffy long dark hair, perky lips

Can’t do without: Hip hop, Hollywood, goldies, black dresses, pearls, huge rings, funky headphones, her blackberry, sunglasses, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Brasserie Istanbul, bar-hopping, black ray-bans, the color red

Notable Hobbies: DJing, being an amazing Turkish host to foreign friends

Weakness: Never giving up on good faith, pop music (especially Virgin Radio hits), Black Eyed Peas – The Time (Dirty Bit)

Last Seen: Brasserie Cafe/Restaurant - Istanbul, Anjelique – Istanbul, The cafes/bars in Beyoğlu, Delicatessen – Istanbul, Montreal, Bodrum, New York, Los Angeles

Today is the day I celebrate Ayşe & Serkan

My dad has always been a man of traditions. Firm on his beliefs, a man of his word, always prepared for though debates, he has never ceased to be an artisan on his interests. Although he has habits that I believe need a bit of modernization, I am constantly bombarded by a few that deserve undisturbed appreciation.

To start with I can think of a few examples that always push the father and son into conflict. The way he insists on getting the minimum amount of technology in his new cars, believing that they will require less maintenance that way, is something we can never agree on. I remember us fighting over getting CD players and electronic driver seats. We have now moved onto getting the outlet for MP3 players as an additional accessory. A similar conflict is apparent in avoiding custom fit clothing and going for clothes that are a litter bigger in size, thus more comfortable, reliable and fattening-friendly.

Despite the few conflicts, there are also details that I once complained about and now can’t get enough of. I don’t know how long I have criticized the way my dad tests out a new pair of shoes at the store, walking around with them for at least 20 minutes, putting me and the salesperson into cardiac arrest. I am now a big supporter of this unusual habit helping me avoid shoes that stab the feet to death whenever one takes a long walk.

Dad’s barber shop has been the same since 1979. His shoe repair shop must have been around for more than a century. I used to think they were outdated, but now I confess that they are still incredible.

I must have gone to his hair salon until the age of 7 when I took a detour to try “cooler” places with funkier hair styles. I left only to come back. I want my hair to grow faster so I can get that I-am-so-relaxed-I-can’t-help-falling-asleep head massage as a complimentary service. Everything is so good at this salon that I can even endure the hairdresser’s “My dear Sinan I remember the days when you had such beautiful blond hair. Now you are brown and going bold” comments.

I keep noticing that I specifically wear leather shoes to the office to be able to take a break at the Pangaltı Lostra Salonu, take my place on the famous red leather chair and watch the professionals take my shoes to a luxurious spa. Pangaltı is a landmark and you are reminded of its legacy the moment you step inside: the smell of fresh paint, the colorful shoe-ties hanging from the ceiling, the blue work aprons on the employees and the legendary always-a-bit-somber owner Ibrahim Varlık looking over all at the end of the tiny shop.

Sinanation thanks Musa Yesil for his surprising idea to create a Wanted for Sinan. It also thanks Yasmin Salfati, Gorkem Guler, Selim Aykut, Burak Tutar, Aydin Aras, Luis Raul Cerna, Asli Baysan and Ekin Carmikli for their contribution on this post.

Name: Sinan Bastas

Nickname: Himbil, Sino, Tasbas, Lord, Pasa Cocugu, Sefa Pezevengi, Wannabe Artist, Gosterislerin Adami

Notable Appearance: Trimmed body hair with a light beard hiding a sarcastic smile…  Buffalo style thighs and legs creating his signature walk, best viewed from behind.

Can’t do without: Wine, Cheese, McChicken, Chipotle, Ipod, Flushable Wet Wipes, Drawing islands on gray tshirts, anti-perspirant deodorants, black & white t-shirts, McChicken, oven roasted turkey, steamed rice, parsley, Tomatoes, Honey, Kraft White American Cheese, Saying the Wrong Thing in the Wrong Places, Going thru people’s stuff, McChicken, hair gel, Pretending to be a DJ, Rose Wine, Preppy Clothing, green Ralph Lauren belt, colorful shirts and shorts, McChicken, Doorman size huge umbrellas, rulokat, Rebul Kolonya, Chino pants, Tod’s flats, Izzy Sparkling Clementine Juice, steak, mustard, McChicken & McChicken…

Notable Hobbies: Mixing Songs, Updating Itunes playlists, Cursing, Attending any event where he can show off his Tuxedos, Wakeboarding, Skiing, Posing for tabloids, Painting, Blogging & then commenting on his own blog from Musa’s computer, fantasizing about multi-million dollar cars, yachts and mansions, walking LONG distances, wining & dining, teasing Yasmin, Shopping for his Sister, happy hours,  Art (and seek?), Watching Old Victoria’s Secret Shows

Weakness: Sweating, Cilantro, sports games that involve teams, Foot Odor, Miranda Kerr, bees, Sake, diarrhea, Cleavage, blond girls with innocent looks, brunettes with voluptuous bodies, reds with beautiful voices – basically anything female that moves..

Favorite Quote: Igrenc bi adamsin abi, Inek!, Citira bak!, Simdi bildircin’i aliyosun…, Erzurum’un tamami bizim, Yunus Memesi Roll, Pat!, Zart, Zonk, Ben yasli sevmem bolesini gormedim!, “I am throwing the lyrics”

Last Seen: Istanbul, Alem Magazine, Manhattan & Mashattan Istanbul, Commerce NYC, Sushi Samba 7, Ciragan, Hillside Beach Club, Bodrum, Alem, Minetta Tavern (finally), Vermont, Long Island, Tomoe Sushi, NYC, Le Bilboquet, tasting truffle at Murrays’ Cheese, Alem, Kıyı Balikci, French Laundry Napa, Gary Danko San Francisco, Alem and at JKF Terminal 1 about to leave NYC (offering everything he has to be upgraded to business class)…

I remember the days when I would drive her crazy. Her hair cut short, her tiny sneakers on, her cheeks peach red she would run into the living room her eyes sparkling with the grandeur of the Christmas tree. “Sinan are you decorating the tree!” she would yell her voice trembling with her tiny heart pounding with excitement. She would come back her hands washed and stand next to my feet waiting for an order to hang an ornament on the pine tree. Annoyed by her tiny presence, careless of her excitement I would pick a tiny damaged red ball from a bunch of huge ones and ask her to put it in a place where no one can see. I was an immature brother too selfish to observe his sister’s incredible spirit and blossom.

Even though the age difference, I have always been addicted to her company. She was my cabin crew when I turned my bed into an airplane. She was my gatekeeper when I turned the living room sofa into a cave of wonders. She was my avid shopper when I turned my room into a shop of weird gadgets. She was my forced wingman when I watched horror movies. She was my financier when I ran out of my weekly allowance. She was always there for me (although sometimes unwillingly). She has changed a lot since then, but never ceased to stand beside me for the good and the bad.

It took me a while to catch up after I left for college. 8 years away from home overseas, I kept thinking it was only her voice that changed. First she was smart enough to decorate the tree before I made it home. Then came the high heels. I was shorter. Then the trips to the hairdressers. I was bolder. Then the switch to a healthy diet. I was chubbier. I no longer dived into her room without knocking. She was strong enough to watch the horror movies alone in a dark room (although she might end up sneaking to grandma’s after the movie). I would have never imagined her to grow up so fast. Never imagined to be the one taking advice. Never imagined to be the one so proud of her decisions and determination. I felt privileged to be the cavalier to my tall, sexy and confident sister. We had our ups and downs, but she has always been the princess of our home.

On my most recent trip back, she found his prince to become the queen of her own home. I am heavy with emotions, motivated with pride, happy with her happiness and somber with farewell. Her engagement was the first step. Her wedding will be the next to a new life she is set to build up with her husband. Her address might change, but she will always be a call away from me to bug her anytime, anywhere. This time I promise to be a little more mature and call during reasonable hours.

Congrats to my princess, Ayse and her prince I welcome as a brother, Serkan.

Name: Cemi Almazlinos

Nickname: Cemceminay, Cemile

Notable Appearance: Beardless face with a sloppy smile

Can’t do without:Pigging out, pranks, smiling, jeans, crew neck shirts, hoodies, Converse shoes, couscous with mushroom at House Café Istanbul, junk food, Fenerbahce, pickled food

Notable Hobbies:Eating, PlayStation, eating from someone else’s plate, skiing

Weakness: Big balloons, rice, hair loss

Last Seen:Level Istanbul, Lucca Bar Istanbul, House Café Ortakoy Istanbul, Washington D.C., Burdur, Antalya

Name: Leslie Abuaf

Nickname: Abu

Notable Appearance: Petite figure, huge smile.

Can’t do without: Blackberries, Zara, pickles, capers, champagne, aviator sunglasses, small purses, tank-tops, tight jeans, the NY Mag, Cesme, Turkey, Blackberry Curve, hair-grips, flats

Notable Hobbies: Dancing, cooking on Fridays, jumping around, water fights, skiing, having pasta to cure hangover, motivating people around her with a great attitude

Weakness: Allergic to blackberries, yet can’t stop eating them; dresses, trash bins, shrimps

Favorite Quote: “Ya bu sarki neeee? Degistirsene bunuuu…”

Last Seen: Cesme, Turkey, Southside NYC, Sushi Samba 7 NYC, Central Park, Poconos Ski Resort, www.sinanbastas.com, Geneva

Name: Cem Ciprut

Nickname: Cipo

Notable Appearance: Shaved beard, short hair, green eyes. Unique and very enthusiastic laughter.

Can’t do without: V-neck sweaters on top of dress shirts, jeans, bright black leather shoes, Panerai Watches, Osmancan Ongun, knee-length black coats, Saturday Brunch by Sinan

Notable Hobbies: Clubbing, traveling, solving mathematical equations

Weakness: Banana milkshake, alcohol shots

Last Seen: Eclipse Bar London, Bijoux London, Anjelique Istanbul, Le Cave St. Stropez, Pisarou Beach Mykonos, Turkbuku Bodrum, Eftelya Istanbul, Lucca Bar Istanbul

Frank Sinatra once said “I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps” and pointed towards New York. Since then New York’s lights have never faded. 24 hours a day and 7 days a week there was one city that had something to do, someone to be with and some place to have fun. Sinatra might have gone a little too far.

There have been days when I thought the whole city was asleep. I would be comfortably positioned behind the TV, desperate yet unsuccessful to find a “partner-in-crime” or an event to take on the city. This was especially the case on Monday nights. Known as the nightmare of the workers, the first work day after an extremely peaceful and lazy Sunday had to have some kind of a plan to look forward to. Sinatra definitely forgot to mention that even in “the city that never sleeps” such plans are very hard to find.

This is where my friends Daniel and Derek Koch come in.

These two unbelievably driven event managers/promoters have been on the backstage of some of the best events I have been to in this city. I met them as waiters and watched them grow into managers of their own entertainment company, Day & Night. From happy hours, dinners to benefits, they have been working hard to make sure Sinatra’s lyrics rely on hard evidence. They decorated the dreams of women who brunched at Le Bilboquet on Saturdays. They amazed the gourmets with a delicious menu at their Jour et Nuit restaurant. They made sunglasses a fashion at Merkato 55 & Bijoux to hide from the sparkles fired up on Rose and Champagne bottles.

I fell in love with their model bouncers. I climbed on tables to dance to their DJs. We celebrated birthdays and we cried to farewells at their events. I have been there because they have never ceased to value personal attention.

They are still on fire Saturdays with their brunch at Revel in meatpacking, but I have been bugging both for a while to put together an event that can ease the pain of Mondays. The happy news came unexpectedly. They prepare to take on La Zarza (166 First Ave. between 10th and 11th st.) with two DJs from Madrid, Spain and a crowd that is ready to let it loose.

Hope to see you there. Party starts March 1st.