Buying + Loving

Cairo: and a tale of jewelry

I was already late for my plane to Cairo, when she turned her head from the monitor and said, We'll need to look in your bag.

 I was impatient as I opened it but she ignored my scowling.  She lifted the large zippered mesh pouch  out of my bag.  Jewelry?  she asked.  Yes, I replied.  She smiled at me then and said, You're all set.

And I sort of was. 

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 Rings from Bouvier.

IMG_4172Bronze fish ring bought in Cairo.

IMG_4159Earring from Bouvier.

IMG_4136Earrings from Azza Fahmy.

IMG_4134Ring from Azza Fahmy.

IMG_4154Bracelets from Bouvier.

IMG_4168Woven silver bracelet from Orijyn

 

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Necklace from Mallory May (I covet the gold version, too.)

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Vintage Moroccan earrings bought in the souks.

PS Which one is your favorite?

PPS It's gotten so confusing in the blog world hasn't it? But if you're wondering, no, I don't make a penny if you click on these links. These are all pieces that I genuinely love and wear.  

Marrakech: and a tale of Moroccan kilim cushions & poufs

I remember when I went to the Mousem of Tan Tan -- the largest annual gathering of  bedouins and nomads. I remember their beautiful peaked tribal tents.  Within the tents, the furniture was kept deliberately minimal.   Instead, they were furnished with Moroccan tribal carpets and Moroccan striped blankets.  Of course, there was the ubiquitous smattering of Moroccan kilim carpet cushions and colorful Moroccan carpet poufs.  

It was a setting meant for lounging in the original sense of the word:  ie half sitting, half reclining, a glass of Moroccan mint tea in hand, casually chatting and laughing, a game or two played.  It all seemed so relaxed.  

I remember thinking to myself, these could be my people.  Or perhaps, these are the people I wish I could be.

Now I'm thinking that these could be your people, too.  Or at least their stylish  tribal design sense.

Now for sale in Red Thread Souk......piles of one-of-a-kind Moroccan carpet cushions.  Such ethnic chic.  Many of the backs are entirely different than the front, getting you two great built in options.

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Oh, and see my gorgeous black sequinned wedding blanket cushions - just the right modern day Moroccan touch -- on their own or as a counterfoil to the Moroccan kilim cushions.

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And of course the Moroccan carpet poufs....such a graphic statement in pairs........

 

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More, please, more.....

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PS Now if only I had a beautiful Moroccan tribal tent that I could also pack up and strap to my camel...... Now come to think of it, if I only had a camel........ 

Cairo: and a tale of lives in the Khan el Khalili

Maryam Montague Cairo 1
It's always the same. I'm in the Khan el Khalili in Cairo.  I pass the jewelry stores with their strands of shiny new gold. 

Maryam Montague Cairo 2

 I then walk by the vendors of belly dancer costumes. 

Maryam Montague Cairo 4

 And say no thank you to the men selling the copper pots.

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 And smile at the vendors of spices and dried hibiscus flowers and tell them I'll be back another day.

Maryam Montague Cairo 8Because the only stores I go into are those filled with old junk.

Maryam Montague Cairo 9Or perhaps it's treasure.  Yes, treasure.

Maryam Montague CairoI'm looking for the images of those who lived long before.  Some known. Others nameless.  

Maryam Montague Cairo 3I'll buy that one, I say.  And that one and that one.   I'll buy their memories in the Khan el Khalili.

Never forgotten.  No, no, never forgotten.