My Marrakesh

Morocco: May 2007 be the *best* year yet....

A joy-filled New Year, everyone!  Here's to wishing you a 2007 packed with adventures. 

As for me, I will be working on trying to live my life more *mindfully* and purposefully in 2007. Our time on this planet is so very short.  Before I know it, I will be sitting on my terrace, old and grey.  And so I am hoping to not let the days of 2007 just pass me by, but to grab each one and make it as productive and filled with learning and laughter as possible. 

And I am hoping the very same for each of you.

Thank you for continuing to visit My Marrakesh.  You make my each and every day happier. Just to think, at the beginning of 2006, I didn't even know what a blog was...!  Now,  I wonder what 2007 has in store for me....?  And what it has in store for You?!

Morocco: and a most peculiar request from this little Marrakesh olive grove...

Why of course I am here to wish you all the most wonderful things for 2007.  And to urge you to choose your New Year's resolution with courage and then stick to it (I am looking for a New Year's resolution buddy for anyone who is interested...). 

But also, I was hoping to ask for your advice.  I will be going to Washington DC at the end of next week for a business trip.  And while I can find most things I want or need here in Morocco, I must confess that the US is a shopper's paradise.  After all, in what other country is everything constantly on sale?

With that in mind, I was wondering if you could share with me your thoughts on one or both of the following:

1) Your recommendations for best dinner party "lounge" music.  Without lyrics is fine (subdued lyrics are great, too).  What do you have for me?  (I want to load up.  Yay!)

2) (Ahem, for women readers) Your recommendations for clothing that makes you look fantastic.  Specific items/brand names would be most appreciated.  I am looking for great dinner party wear or what you might go out on a date with your husband/boyfriend.  If there are other items that don't fit into the afore-mentioned categories but have been life changing (wink, wink), bring 'em on...

Thank you so much for indulging me.  I promise I will be back to regular programming soon... 

Morocco: Happy, Happy Holidays

Here's to wishing you truly joyful and really FUN holidays.  Remember, Merry, Merry means just that... 

Love,

Maryam in Marrakesh

Morocco: sampling and more sampling

Oh what fun!  This past weekend, I spent an afternoon sampling at the Zid Zid Kids private sample sale.  And what delicious goodies to sample!  I left with an empty wallet and with some unbelievable loot.  I paid for quality and it was well worth the price. 

It was dear blogger friend Holly of Decor8 who first encouraged me to contact the Marrakesh-based designer couple Julie Klear and Moulay Essakalli behind Zid Zid Kids. And I am so glad I did. Not only are they the most lovely and sparkly people, their designs are nothing short of *magical.*  In the Golden Globes of the children's design world, Zid Zid Kids would be the most promising contender.  Every seam perfect, every stitch hand crafted, every color more beautiful than the last. 

When Skylar and Tristan entered the sample sale (the studio transformed into a children's fantasy land just for the occasion), they literally shrieked with delight.  I, too, stood transfixed before rushing to admire the bounty: the embroidered small bags with antique-looking coins dangling from the corners (I bought three), the adorable two sided peek-a-boo dolls with geese on one side and the sweetest hidden foxes on the other (I bought two), the fantastical animal masks (Skylar and Tristan picked one each), the exquisite wall panels (Could I special order?  Why yes...), the hand made sequined ballet slippers that make small girls princesses (three pairs became ours) and so on.  But my very favorite purchase were the Zid Zid mini-poufs (whimsical perfection), each hand embroidered with a designs more edible than the last.  I scooped up six -- four for Skylar and Tristan, and two for French designer friends expecting twin girls. 

We must have spent three hours there, fondling and stroking every little item from the Zid Zid collections, while sipping spiced tea and munching on sugared popcorn.  And after all that excitement, if I had been allowed, I would have curled up in the corner on a pile of sorbet colored, embroidered Zid Zid cushions and fallen into a deep and contented sleep.

Zid Zid kids can be yours by visiting the following places online.

Design Public

Moderntots

forest & zoe

modernmini

P.S.  Look at this! 

Morocco and blog therapy

Dearest blog friends,

Thank you so much for your comments, emails, ecards, and secret surprises on your blogs.  I was so touched by your concern.  Really.  You can't know how much it meant to me.  In fact, it was blog therapy just when I needed it.  So I wallowed in your support all day long.  And then I went and picked some oranges and tangerines from our garden.  And then I watched five-year old Skylar's ballet recital (tiny girls in tutus -- a most potent form of medicine, prescribed in only the most dire of cases.)  And then ...I felt better. 

Now perhaps you are wondering, why was it, exactly, that I was feeling anxious?  Let me explain. The night before last, Chris and I were invited to a dinner party of some darling Swedish/French friends of ours who run a small and very lovely guest house.  While they have been encouraging of our project and love Chris's designs, this was the night that they chose to tell us *the way it is* in the guest house business.  This is what they told us:

* We needed to be prepared to operate at a significant loss for a significant period of time.  Did we have adequate reserves for at least the first two-three years?  **We needed to set aside at least $25,000 Euros ($30,000) for linens. ***We needed more gardeners. (They have 4 full-time gardeners and their land is a third in size of ours).  ****We needed a major marketing strategy. We needed to start now. *****Many other panic-inducing facts which required multiple refillings of my hot mulled wine. (The Swedish recipe for this includes vodka.  I thank the Swedes for their forethought.)

As I listened, I felt a sensation that seemed remarkably similar to fear.  I felt a moment - many moments - of doubt.  I realized that at times, I was actually holding my breath.  I felt ill.

And so ever since that night, I can't help wondering, you see, about one thing.  I can't stop asking myself one question.  What if we build it, and nobody comes?    

Moroccan Prozac?

Oh dear.  I think I need a boost of mental wellness today.  Do you have any you might be able to spare?  Let me explain my state of mind:  tense, nervous, worried, sad, and teary.  Yes, it's true.  And it's only 10:30 am.  This is not a good sign, not a good sign at all.

With that in mind, I thought I might share with you a picture of this Large Moroccan Chandelier. It can be purchased right here for $175.  One might say many things about it, but it is most assuredly happy, cheerful, and upbeat.

Hmmm...I wonder if any of that might be contagious? 

   

Turkish Delight

Look at these lovelies.  They are Turkish and from The Covered Market.  One would be perfect to add a little exotic flair to your home.  In my dream life, I would create a white room with white walls, white reclining chairs and a riot of these on the ceiling.   And there I would go to loll and look up....

PS Many thanks to Allison at Takoma Bark for the tip.

Morocco: lantern light in the darkness?

Have you ever noticed how just one great item can make a whole room special?  Tell a story, set a tone, evoke a mood?  I feel that way about Moroccan lanterns.  They are so special.  And even after several years of living in Morocco, I still love these lanterns, covet them, and dream of them strategically placed in our house and guest houses, not to mention dotting our garden.

Of all the lanterns available online, I think that those by Tazi Designs are the best.  These are very substantial lanterns, and you may be able to satisfy yourself with just one (unless you feel like a Moroccan lantern glutton, of course).

Clockwise from the top left.  Set of three Koutoubia style lanterns, tallest 32 inches high. $175 for the set here at Tazi Designs. Tangier Garden, 27 inches high. $75 here.    Riad lantern, 31.5 inches high. $220 here at Tazi Designs. Bahya Garden lantern, 25 inches high. $160 right here at Tazi Designs.

Which one is your favorite?

 

Morocco: and delicious products

I want to let you in on a secret:  I am fully moisturized.  Now that might sound a little strange, but I love creams and hand lotions.  Did I mention shower gels?  Yes, those, too.  I know that these things are indulgences to some.  But I so appreciate feeling pampered on a daily basis. 

What I would really love to see in my Christmas stocking this year are these Morocco-inspired Molton Brown Warmth products, which includes hand wash (300 ml), hand lotion (300 ml) and air spray (100 ml).

The product description encourages you to: 

Immerse yourself in the mood of Marrakech with this trio for the home and hands. Warmly spiced Moroccan rosé granati pomegranate is blended with essential oils of ginger, black pepper and cardamom. 

Mmmm sounds delicious.  I think I might just eat it for desert.

For purchase here in the US ($25/product) or here in the UK (45 pounds/product trio).

What are your little daily indulgences?

Morocco: and its beautiful rooms

Would you please just look at these pictures?  They make me dream about Morocco and I am already here!  They are from a book that the very lovely My Marrakesh reader *Intisar* has brought to my attention:  Moroccan Interiors , by Lisa Lovatt-Smith. 

The editorial description of the book says:  This book explores contemporary interiors in the sun-soaked land that stretches from the Sahara to the Mediterranean: Morocco. The diversity is breathtaking: the rural pisé architecture of the south is a far cry from the Hispano-Mooresque ornamental beauty of the imperial cities. Moroccan interiors are as endlessly varied as the country itself, from the restored palaces in the medina of Marrakesh (where aesthetes of the international set now live) to humble troglodyte fishermen's homes at Sidi Moussa d'Aglou. The colorful palette of this country and the light there itself suffuse these very different homes with a vitality that is as distinctive to modern Morocco as it is a reflection of contemporary trends in décor worldwide.

Intisar adds:  Moroccan Interiors not only gives a wonderful background to the structure and architecture of Morocco, but also intertwines the reader in the ways of Moroccan culture and hospitality. It then proceeds to whisk you away on a private tour of eight cities through out the country( paying particular attention to Marrakech). Showing off over 40 different homes, most of which are foreign interpretations of Moroccan style. 319 pages of Moroccan beauty.

Moroccan Interiors can be purchased at Amazon right here for $19.99.  Thanks for the tip and review, Intisar!  And for the great photos!  You're a (Moroccan) peach.