My Musings [and Muses]

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Marrakech: and a tale of an Indian pop up dinner at the Four Seasons

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It was an Indian pop up dinner at the Four Seasons in Marrakech....
Drama?  Yes.....

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We walked under those majestic palms to arrive at windows all aglow.  
A personal gin & tonic bar awaited us.  Oh!

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My drink was, well, perfect.

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In the room next door was a scene that looked like a fantastical Bollywood film (with a Moroccan touch)....

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Past the dancing girls we went, and we were seated.  For dinner.....

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We ate and ate and ate....

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......the shrimp, the curries, the biriyani, the nan, the chutneys..... It was all so very delicious.

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Later, much later, the girls were still dancing when we left....

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Perhaps that explained the smiling faces....

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Not to be missed:  the pop up dinners at the Four Seasons Marrakech  Check availability because now you see them...

                        now you don't.....

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Marrakech: and a tale of Raven & Lily -- gifts with heart

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I looked in my closet for something to wear.  Something beautiful, something made by hand, something timeless. I chose a dress, almost a hundred years old, a symbol of care, of agelessness,  of attention to detail.  But more than that, a dress with a story.

I chose this dress to wear with my Raven & Lily jewelry because every Raven & Lily necklace or bracelet has a story, too.  A compelling story, a worthwhile story, a story of sadness and of hope.  

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In September, Raven & Lily shot their Spring catalogue at my place in Marrakech, Peacock Pavilions.  Last month, they asked me to join a group of fantastic women in styling my favorite pieces of Raven & Lily jewelry.  And since I've been teaching my 13 year old son, Tristan, how to take pictures, I hired him (for a song!) for the shoot.  



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The Eden bracelet and Amleset necklace are handmade from melted bullet casings by HIV-positive women in Ethiopia.

Because beauty, oh, beauty is lovely...
but goodness, yes, Goodness, is even better.  

Every Raven & Lily purchase you make gives directly back to these women.  See my favorite pieces RIGHT HERE. And for the next 2 weeks you can save 25% on all your purchases with the code RALMARYAM.  Just in the nick of time for Christmas!

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Note: Subscribe to My Marrakesh here. Follow My Marrakesh on Twitter here. 

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Cairo: and a metaphorical tale of a multi-layered cake

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Dateline Egypt:  In a dark time, in a complicated time, let us learn a lesson from cake.

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Let us appreciate the cake's many layers and complex flavors.  

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And  not make hasty cuts that destroy the cake's integrity.

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Let ue serve each piece with caution, lest it all come toppling down and {Oh} be ruined.

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And most of all, let us make sure that the cake is shared, not gobbled greedily by just one person.  

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Recipe for vinatarte.

Learn more about what is happening in Egypt here.

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Marrakech: and a little news round up at Peacock Pavilions

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Dear Friends,

It's been a little quiet here on the My Marrakesh blog with life, work, and travel getting in the way of blogging.  But there are some fun things happening.  Here's some news:

* The editors at Amazon named my book, Marrakesh by Design, a Best Book of 2012 and a top ten book of 2012 in the House and Garden category (I just managed to squeak onto that list!).  Perhaps my book would make a good gift for design and decorating enthusiasts, new home owners, or the culture and travel lovers in your life?:-)

* I did some Christmas shopping Moroccan-style for this amazing pop star.  So fun!  {Coincidentally, Marrakesh was just named the 9th best city in the world for Christmas shopping.  Read more here.}

* Annie Waterman of the fantastic HandEye Magazine interviewed me on Moroccan craft.  Take a peek HERE {& check out my photos}.

* Saw an advance copy of the Raven and Lily Spring catalogue that was shot at Peacock Pavilions.  I shrieked out loud!  

* An Irish TV crew has been at Peacock Pavilions for several days shooting a reality TV show episode.  The show follows the story of two (adorable) people, Maggie and Colin, making their way around the world WWOOFING (WWOOF=World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).  Peacock Pavilions is a working olive farm and one of the show's six episodes takes place here!  The show airs in February 2013.  Stay tuned!

    Here I am with some of the sweet camera and sound crew (I am wearing my favorite Tory Burch tunic!).

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* I was a source for this hot off the presses article on Marrakech in New York Magazine written by Julie Earle Levine.  Julie was kind enough to include this little blog in the story here. 

* Was in great company when asked by Cisthene to pick out the pieces that I would most like to find under my Christmas tree HERE.  Hint: jewels.

* I just sold a gorgeous Moroccan Beni Ouarain carpet from my Red Thread Souk to this amazing artist.  I am in love with her new album, The Haunted Man.

* So excited to see my livingroom at Peacock Pavilions on the cover of a design magazine (in Russian no less!).

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Leaving for Cairo for work tomorrow. Oui, tomorrow.  Yikes, better pack.  

    Love from Marrakesh,

    Maryam

PS Would love to hear your news, too,  Pls share! xo

PPS Crazy about Pinterest these days.  Check out my boards right here.  Also let's chat on Twitter here if you are so inclined.  

Related articles
Marrakech: and a tale of a J Crew shoot for Madewell at Peacock Pavilions
Marrakech: and a tale of my house in Living Etc. Magazine
Marrakech: and a tale of being featured on Tory Burch's blog
Marrakech: and a tale of a girl with violet eyes