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Ha-choo! This brings a whole new meaning to Moroccan-inspired design....
Limited edition Moroccan cardboard tissue boxes. Sniffly style-addicts swear they're even better than chicken soup...
P.S. What beautifully designed every-day item do you own that is less than $5?
Every year they celebrated his birthday and Halloween on the same day. This year, 25 little goblins and witches showed up. And so did their parents.
His sister was a fairy. Of course.
His mother was a cat. Of course.
Even late in October it was sunny. It was warm. It was Marrakech.
The tables were dressed with Egyptian fabrics. The napkins were placed in baskets made of recycled Tanzanian beer caps.
They sat outside. The Berber tent provided shade.
There were games to play. They kicked off their shoes before jumping on the trampoline.
They ran a relay race, with rules made by people who lived in a Moroccan olive grove.
They bobbed for apples. And then they ate them.
After the fake shaving game, after the pinata, after the wrap the mummy game, it was time for the cake. The now-eight-year-old boy -- in his costume with its hand-stitched dragon -- blew out all the candles on the first try. Of course.
Then with pockets filled with candy, and with balloons fluttering in tow, the little witches and goblins and their parents hopped on their brooms, and said goodbye. The boy continued to wave until he could no longer see them behind the clouds.
Happy birthday darling Tristan. We love you more than you could ever know.
oh I literally almost fell off my chair when I saw this. Look at what my Norwegian friend Katarina has made (with her own two bare hands.......!). Why it's my muse. How very perfect. And perfectly matched with the black ticking fabric.
And she has also made this bag with yet another Lehnert print.....
Why, oh why, don't I know how to make anything beautiful and useful? I don't cook well. I don't sew....at all, I don't knit....at all. Hopeless.......
I just spent the weekend with my parents before heading back to Morocco. Sigh, it's hard having them so far away. I do love being in their home, filled to the brim with unusual things. I think I have inherited the Curious and Eclectic Gene from the two of them. Their home is a crazy mix of Arab, Asian, and European antiques. Mine is more Arab, African, and Asian, with a dose of American modernism. But both of our homes are about liberally mixing pieces from different parts of the world in a completely non-matchy way.
When I was growing up, my parents were always scouting for special items on trips to Africa, the Middle East, and France. lugging back furniture, light fixtures, and Persian carpets. These days they tend to shop more at auction, and I have learned a lot watching them bid. (Once my Mom bought a set of dishes at a Skinner auction for $3,000 and while wrapping them up had an offer of $20,000 for them. Sold! She's got a great eye. ) My parents tend to like things that are more baroque and decorated than I do. My own taste is what I would describe as ethnic modern. But my parents' design influence on me has been huge. On my travels, I, too, am constantly on the hunt for unusual items to make my home one-of-a-kind.
They have far to much stuff, to show in one post, but let me share some things in my parents' home right now. More next week.
Above, a guest bedroom with antique French Empire beds and much ormolu. (I await the Peak of Chic explanations of ormolu....)
I love this image below. The Bible by the sterling bird with the Islamic calligraphy. (I wish everyone could just get along, she says naively........)
Funny bust in front of an old Buddha hand. This is my Dad's cool, kitschy taste.
Arab sculpture. This is in a room that my parents had made with mashroobiya - these old carved panels that filter in light. Casts such lovely shadows on the walls.
Antique, life-sized Buddha bought in Thailand. Standing in the position called, Holding back the waters. Subtle and unshiny in person, with intricately painted robes.
Wistful bronze that was my grandmother's. Sitting on the banister. This always makes me think of her. 
French antique clock. My parents have been buying Empire and Neoclassical pieces for years. (I am sure that Style Court would know all about these two periods.)
Antique Islamic glass. Galle I believe. I am crazy for Arabic script.
Old Cambodian threaders hanging on the kitchen cabinet doors. I asked my Dad to bring some of these back with him to have in my Peacock Pavilions Shop
Antique Syrian inlaid table. I do so love this little man praying.
So is your home like the one you grew up in?
I am feeling blue.
I am going grey.
Candles crowded on the cake today.
A dark and slithering snake makes way.
Growing dim, my own bright lights?
I vow to wear striped tights....
For a meal fit for a birthday or any day, take a peek at the Perfect Pantry blog for a recipe for Moroccan lemon chicken with olives. Yum.
Morocco is unquestionably a photographer’s paradise. The colors, the light, the patterns, the architecture – a picture seems around every corner. Like so many before her, Rachel Silveston, an American photographer, fell under Morocco’s charms.
After studying photography at Massachusetts College of Art, Rachel Silveston moved to Switzerland where she has lived for 25 years. Over the years Silveston has freelanced as a commercial photographer, focusing principally on portraits and sports photography, as well as other subjects. In June 2007, Silveston’s show, Encounters, portraits from Morocco, opened. The show featured black and white images taken during Silveston’s two trips to Morocco in the fall of 2006 and the spring of 2007. Recently I caught up with Silveston for an interview.
Who, what, where and when?
There are so many things to photograph in Morocco. However, when I examined my potential subject matter, I found I was drawn to everyday scenes of Moroccans living in the countryside. Accordingly, my portraits are of ordinary Moroccans that I met in the villages surrounding Essaouira, Taroudant, Ouarzazate, and Marrakech. During my two trips to Morocco, each day I would set off on foot, accompanied by a local guide who served as my translator. I liked the slow rhythm of life in the villages, and I was lucky enough to find Moroccan villagers who were willing to stop their work, talk with me, and let me photograph them.
What were you trying to capture through your photographs?
With Muslims and the Arab world frequently in the news, through my portraits I wanted to express the underlying humanity and beauty that we all share regardless of religion or politics. While I concentrated on Moroccan faces, I was also drawn to women’s hands, particularly as I noticed how much manual work they accomplish in the rural areas. While in my career, I have generally preferred studio situations where I have a great deal of control, the Moroccan series was the exact opposite -- allowing me to push my own limits as a photographer.
How willing were Moroccans to be photographed?
This was the most difficult aspect of my work. Through my guide, I would ask people to let me 
photograph them. More often than not, they were uncomfortable with the idea but then, by surprise, someone would say yes. As a photographer, it was very important for me to establish a relationship with my subjects -- I think you can see that they are observing me just as much as I am observing them. Apart from sight, feeling is my other most important sense, and a kind of friendly intimacy sometimes emerged. Often our photographic sessions would end up back at their homes, where we would share a cup of mint tea together.
In terms of Morocco, what does the future hold for you ?
The positive feedback I have received so far has given me the confidence to continue with this project. I would like to return to Morocco and spend more time taking photographs. I would also like to exhibit my work in Morocco and perhaps, begin working on a book.
For more information on Rachel's work or to buy one of her beautiful photographs, please contact her here.
Many thanks to the Bloggy Award for awarding me a Bloggy and their generous review of My Marrakesh.
One of the reasons that I want to open Peacock Pavilions Shop is because I love……well, shopping – not only for myself but for others. There is something about finding a lovely gift – especially when it’s well priced – that is such a thrill. Selfishly, I almost always give gifts that I would like to receive myself; it makes the pleasure of gift giving so much greater somehow. I love the unique, the exotic, the pretty.
As some of you know, I am currently in the US on a business trip. When in Washington DC, I always stay with my darling friend George. George not only has an impeccable sense of style, but he is also one of the most amazing chefs that I know. Which means that right now I am sitting plump and happy and surrounded by love. What could be better?
Over the years, I have gifted George with odds and ends in an effort (to begin) to thank him for taking the riff-raff of the street – i.e. to thank him for taking me in. I thought I might share with you some of these items (each selected by me with much affection). They are very much a reflection of what I like and in the spirit of what I hope to offer at Peacock Pavilions Shop (in addition to some of my own very modest designs).
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A book of African photography and a Moroccan bowl with Arabic script. I love these bowls, especially, with the chocolate colored code-like writing, and would like to stock some in my shop.
A bronze hand of Buddha from my travels to Thailand next to an antique photographic print block.
An unusual photograph of an Ethiopian priest and a signed architectural lithograph from Morocco.
An antique Moroccan incense burner and waxed luminous alabaster bowls from Egypt. I was thinking both of these for the shop.......
Zebra skin pillows from when I lived in Namibia. Not for everyone I realize, but I have always liked zebra, finding it graphic and modern.
A print of an antique Egyptian photograph. So mysterious and intriguing.
Porcelain white votive cups from Morocco. Fresh and delicate. And look what beautiful reflections they cast in the glass.
A large (8 inch) authentic ammonite from Morocco (Williams Sonoma offers reproductions of these.). I thought I would offer beautiful ammonites in my shop. They are thousands of years old. (Perhaps professionally mounted?). One has to be careful because there are quite a few fakes out there. But I have been schooled by professional fossil collectors and know what to look for.
A book of black and white photography from when I lived in Nepal, as well two robin's egg blue little bowls from Morocco.
Anyway, I would love to hear what you think....And needless to say, you can expect to find this kind of modern ethnic decor in our own guesthouse, Peacock Pavilions.:-)
Dear friends,
I need help. I need a website programmer (anywhere in the world) -- someone who can help me with the Peacock Pavilions website. It’s going to be a super fun little website (I am so excited about the design, you can’t even imagine). But on the IT stuff……..I am so, so very out of my depths. Can you help? Or do you know someone who can?
We’re broke (I just borrowed money from my best friend to make the prototypes for my Peacock Pavilions Shop). So I need someone who is super affordable, or better yet, someone who might be interested in some kind of creative swapping arrangement.
Your ideas would be very appreciated. I am feeling a little bit all alone on this one……
Love,
Desperate in Marrakech
P.S. Please email me at: maryam at mtds.com if you have any suggestions. Thank you or shoukran.:-)
Oh Rabat. My first Moroccan home, my first Moroccan love. That leafy coastal city that is Morocco's capital. What memories I have of my time in Rabat.
Now I travel to Rabat for work and stay in a hotel. How very odd. But a little less odd because I have found a delightful little place to stay. In a home. I mean in a hotel. I mean in both. Because I have found Riad Oudaya.
Tucked in the heart of Rabat's medina, down a little alleyway. So very discreet. So very charming. Just 2 suites and just 2 rooms. Isn't that darling?
Why as soon as I walked through the front door, I knew that this place was like no other. Because, you see, the entry is bubble gum pink and sunny yellow. I could only surmise that this was due to a psychotic break or a really good sense of humor.
I was greeted by a vision in violet. How very kind and lovely she was. 
Oh pinch me - is it true? I have been upgraded to a suite! I have two rooms and my very own hallway in between. Oh lucky, lucky me! 
And my very own Alison in Wonderland fireplace! (pssst, 4 of the 5 rooms at Peacock Pavilions have their own fireplace. Just in case you were wondering....) 
Courtyard breakfasts on handpainted Moroccan dishes. 
And what sweet little treasures here and there. Perhaps I should sell these antique incense holders in my little shop.....?
And the rooftop terrace with its fresh white walls! 
What a lovely little respite it all was.
Just one last click of the camera.........
Riad Oudaya: 46 rue Sidi Fateh Rabat Maroc Fax : + 33 (0) 546 413 217 Phone : + 212 37 70 23 92 Email : reservations@riadrabat.com
Rooms starting at $120
It was a little birthday party, for a little girl of four.
More than a little special, we walked through the garden door.
Boys and girls of all sizes had come to celebrate.
Oh, delicious things to eat!
Oh, drinks in colored goblets!
Candy colored carpets on the grass.
Paths down which to wander.
And goldfish more than gold.
Oh happy feet! Oh happy day!
Happy birth-day, dear Yasmine.
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