Marrakech: and a tale of Summer (& Moroccan carpets)

Embracing Summer with all its jumbled candy colors.
Reminding us that it mustn’t be business as usual.
But clear sunny days where gleaming pools beckon.
And making of cookies with freshly picked lavender.
And  impromptu lunches with friends in bright printed dresses.
Or mid-week cocktails made with rose petal syrups.

The days stretch forever with twice the possibilities.
But soon enough soon enough those lovelies are gone. 
So no idle wasting before glowing indoor screens.
And no taking for granted gifts from the garden.
And no turning down get togethers on terraces
                                                                    no matter where they may be.

But mostly remembering that Summer's a thing of the heart.
Saying No to petty arguments and spiteful last words.
And No to bickering and ever so curt emails.
And never forgetting to say I love yous and thank yous.
But rather embodying the spirit of our favourite season
...........of generosity, of abundance, of gratitude.

Happy Summer, today and every day.

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Throwing off the pale and elegant ivories and embracing color in Red Thread Souk with a set of fabulously hued Summer colored carpets.

 

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Carpet 459

Vintage Moroccan Zaiane Carpet 461

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Carpet 458

Vintage Moroccan Rehamna Carpet/runner 460 (sold)

Vintage Moroccan Mrirt carpet 453

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Carpet 457

Pls contact me at moroccanmaryam(at)yahoo(dot)com for pricing.

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PS So incredibly thrilled that House Beautiful named Marrakesh by Design one of the "7 top design books for  2012 that they can't put down"!  (and calls My Marrakesh one of their "favorite blogs":-))

PPS Very excited that Heart Home Magazine has a review of Marrakesh by Design and an interview with me in their Summer issue! Subscribe (it's free!) and check it out now.  (Many, many thanks to the adorable Heart Home Mag team!)

Marrakesh: and a tale of me and Tory Burch

She's unflappable.  She's calm, cool, and collected.  She's gracious.   

She's Tory Burch.

Her clothes are lovely, and so is she.  And she's the perfect model for them -- so tiny, so delicate, so fine featured.  

She's also a most generous friend.  In fact, she invited several of her closest companions to accompany her recently to Marrakesh.  And that's where I came in.  Lucky me -- I got to shop, dine, and hang out with Tory and her posse of lovelies for two days straight.  We even had afternoon canapes and did a wee photo shoot at Peacock Pavilions!

And Tory's buying my book, Marrakesh by Design, as a gift for all her friends who came to Marrakesh with her :-)

I'm wearing Tory's beautiful Robin tunic,  and she is wearing her darling Daniela dress.

PS Tory bought so many gorgeous things in Marrakesh: lots of vintage Berber baskets, stunning Tuareg reed & leather carpets, sublime hand embroidered clothing, turn of the century Moroccan pottery, antique inlaid furniture, amazing bone tables, huge light fixtures, and so much more!  And (fingers crossed) I'm going to be working with her on a special project.  Stay tuned!

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Marrakesh: and a tale of me and Martha Stewart

I'll tell you my "Good thing".  It's that I got to spend the day lunching and shopping with Martha Stewart (and Kevin Sharkey - adorable!) in Marrakesh.

Martha told me about the 700 stores she's opening in the US (holy moly!).  And her commitment to providing people with really good quality at an affordable price.  And we chatted about gardens, about food, about her granddaughter -- ie all the loves of her life. 

Martha Stewart is a woman with a full -- very full -- life.  Isn't that what we all want?  No matter how we define it?

And did I mention that Martha really likes my book, Marrakesh by Design?  (Yippee!)

Lucky me!  Thank you universe:-)

The US: and a tale of my book tour for Marrakesh by Design

Dear friends,

I am back from my little US book tour for Marrakesh by Design.   I am feeling so humbled by the kindness, generosity, and plain old goodness that I encountered every step of the way.  So grateful for all the canapes that were prepared and cocktails that were mixed.  So thankful for the hands that I shook and hugs that I got (I savored every one).  And so amazed by the stacks of books that I signed (I was so nervous that no one would want them.) . 

Thank you, merci and shoukran to all the incredible hosts (who truly made everything so very special for me) and each and every person who made time to come by, say hello and buy Marrakesh by Design.  It was a singular and astonishing experience and I will never forget it!

Many many thanks to George & Ewen, Mandana & Doug, Denise & Steve, Jennifer, Ashlee, Melanie & Todd, Aly, Bets, Wendy & Tara, Steve & David,Tino, Hallie & Didier, Colleen, Nest Inspired Home,  the DC Design Center and NY Design and Decoration Building, Haven Interiors in Washington DC, Books and Books in Coral Gables, the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Artistic Frame in Manhattan, Soho House in West Hollywood, Downtown and Waterworks in LA, Nomadic Distribution, and Royal Design Studio in San Diego.

And the biggest hug possible to Molly Erman at Artisan Books who is the the most adorable & creative  publicist a girl in a Marrakesh olive grove could ever ask for!

PS Did I mention that I got laringitis, got lost on a military base, got the same cabbie in Manhattan three times, almost went to Connecticut accidentally, and called the hotel concierge The Pathway to Happiness?  (I think he thought I was a nutjob.)  Umm...yes.