My Marrakesh

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.

 

Morocco: and all that glitters

If I were a bird, I would be a crow.  That's how much I like sparkly and shiny.  Now don't get alarmed, I don't mean all over.  But in measured doses, something a little shimmery has the potential to make me feel so special.  I especially love a little bauble to wear on evening outings with friends or simply to wear on any day of the week (because we all deserve a little daily special-ness, too). 

Now you might not think that Oprah and I have a lot in common.  After all, she's rich and I'm house poor.  She's famous and and I'm Maryam Who?  But we both happen to be fond of baubles, particularly those by Vicente Agor. 

Vicente is a San Francisco designer who creates fine jewelry in 18kt gold with precious and semi-precious stones.  Some of his work is just stunning.  His bolder pieces speak to "Life is too short to be mousy" sensibilities.  (With such phraseology, how could one not love this man?)

Now I admit that I am particularly fond of his work because he has a collection called Moroccan Garden, featuring feminine, stylized cut-outs.  Aren't they lovely? 

So now I only need two things:  1) to win the lottery, so I can buy one of every little thing Vicente Agor designs; and 2) to magically look like this model some how.  Hmmm...I think that the second might be a little trickier..... 

You can see more of Vicente Agor's work on his website and a list of stores that carry his beautiful pieces throughout the US.

P.S.  The Vicente Agor representative, Cerise, whom I contacted for more information was also very nice.  And we all know that niceness counts in this world where sometimes one has the impression that incivility rules.  Good hiring job, Vicente; speaks yards about you when your people are kind and helpful even with Maryam Who?

P.P.S. Update:  Look at the little message I had in my inbox this morning from Vicente himself.  Not only artistic genius but humble and good manners, too.  Oh my, his mother must be so proud.

Maryam,

Thank you for your wonderful blog, and for your glowing commentary on our jewelry.  Your words are as bright as gold!  And to your friends and readers,  thank you for the incredibly nice comments regarding our designs. If ever I am feeling bad or second guessing myself, I will come back to the comment page and use it as a positive affirmation of my work.  You have all given me a great gift for the holidays.

Some additional background for your readers.  Made in the US, all of our pieces are 18kt gold, and each piece of the Moroccan Garden collection is individually cut out by hand with a saw. Our splendid model is a mother of a two year old.  Fabulously nice, she just dropped by the studio with some homemade chocolate chip cookies to wish us happy holidays.  I know...beautiful inside and out – I can barely stand it myself!) =)

Warmest regards,

Vicente

Wishing you were elsewhere?

Look what I found online.  Hmmm...a stocking stuffer or two for someone you are fond of?

If for some reason you would like to own this T-shirt (like strangely, you just want to make me really happy), you can purchase it for $19.99 right here at Cafe Press  (or the bumper sticker with the same sentiment for just $4.99 right here).  Or how about this little journal in celebration of Morocco's beautiful tile work, zellij.  Yes you said?  $10.99 right here.  Or maybe this Moroccan door mouse pad? Just $12.99 right here. 

If only clicking on the mouse pad could transport you to Morocco so we could have a glass of mint tea together.  ~Sigh~ Do you think that will work a hundred years from now?

P.S. Update:  Well, now that I have begun to talk about the possibility of *magical* transportation that might take you all the way to Morocco, what do you know, I have been tagged by my very favorite witch, Lexa.  Thank you, Lexa for thinking of  me.

The meme is as follows: 

1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence.
3. Post the text of next 3 sentences on your blog.
4. Name of the book and the author.
5. Tag three people.

The closest book to me was First Things First by Steven Covey.  This is what I found on page 123:  A woman who chooses to have children and be with them can transcend the painful chronos mentality dichotomy of children or career.  She becomes energized by the vision of her mothering role as a significant contribution to society.  She develops character and competence that empower her to fulfill other roles as well.      

Now dear readers, lest you think that I am not a good mother, I want you to know that I worked with Tristan on his spelling for over an hour yesterday, helped Skylar with her ABCs, read them two stories, and sang them two songs. (So glad you were not there for the latter, which included the debut of a made up song called Oh Mr. Chocolate.)  But okay, universe, I hear your message and will try to do better. 

I would like to tag the following:  Nunu's Mum, Brittney and Claire.  However, I would really love it if others would do this very fun meme, too.  Those without blogs could leave a comment here (and do tell us if your findings are meaningful) and those with blogs, let us know so we can see what your magical message might be....