Mali: and a tale that answers the question, What is it that you do exactly, Maryam?

This is Assetu.  She's my client.  Or sort of, anyway.

This is Assetu's son, Amadou.

Amadou's a curious boy

He's just learning how to walk...

but already Assetu has big hopes and dreams for him.

The project I work on in Mali is trying to help women like Assetu (and children like Amadou).

Assetu is getting training to build her confidence.  That way she can become a better advocate for issues that are important in her village in Mali.

Amadou is welcome at the training.  He's a good listener most of the time.

He's a good napper, too.

Assetu says that the training helps her feel more confident about speaking in front of a group.  Which is good thing because she has important ideas to share.

I think Amadou's secretly pleased about the training, too.

So now you know what I do.  Or sort of, anyway.

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PS I'm in Mali. Follow my wanderings on Twitter right here.

Villa Mandarine: or a tale of Moroccan interior decorating

So lovely and with the very prettiest gardens..........Where am I talking about?  Well, the Villa Mandarine in Rabat Morocco, of course.

Checking in is a blue and orange affair.

Go up a Moroccan tiled staircase and you'll find more treasures......

like vintage Moroccan carpets and a painted Berber wedding chest.

  The decor, with its masks, has an African appeal......

There's even a carved African door mounted on the wall (and did you notice the fantastic floor....?)

Maybe a drink at the bar..........

with its adorable lights

or a nightcap under a zebra skin?

 
You can even shoot a game of pool in a Moroccan tiled pool hall.......

If I go missing for a few days, you might find me here, sipping mint tea and flipping through a magazine ...

Find out more about the Villa Mandarine right here.

Marrakech: and a tale of Geraldine's chic Moroccan picnic

Oh they were French.  But of course.  And so the invitation for a Moroccan pique-nique chic made perfect sense.  (The French do that sort of thing -- an ordinary old picnic simply won't do.) 

And so it was that we packed ourselves into the car and up up we went to the lake outside of Marrakech.  It was hot, oh very hot, but a cool breeze made it's way through the trees.  

And when we arrived....... a sea of Moroccan carpets greeted us, along with a vintage trunk filled to the brim with straw hats.   A hat for each  -- so thoughtful.

We set our baskets down and aimed to stay for a good long while. 

Drinks were served from a bar covered with Moroccan tumblers.  Pretty, so pretty.

Soon there were platters of freshly prepared Moroccan good-ness.  We took our earthenware plates.....

and it was heaping after heaping.

As for the Moroccan picnic ambiance.........?  Ooh-la-la, Geraldine outdid herself.......!

Did I mention dessert?   Fruit slices and macarons, bien sur. 

Followed by lounging

and the climbing of branches.....

One last macaron..........

And all then all the hats went back into the trunk........

On the drive back home we secretly wondered when we might next receive an invitation for a Moroccan pique-nique chic.......Perhaps you'd like to have one?  Please let it be soon..........

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PS I've left for Mali on assignment.  See you there:-)

Marrakech & Peacock Pavilions: a tale of retreats & life expansion

When architect husband Chris and I set out to build Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech, we knew that we wanted it to be a special place.  Yes, we wanted it to be a stylish guesthouse where people could rest and recharge their batteries while nestled into a quiet olive grove.  And, yes, we wanted it to be the perfect springboard for jaunts to the souks and visits to the historic sights of Marrakech.

But we wanted more than that.  We  wanted Peacock Pavilions to be a place where individuals could tap into their own creativity and learn new skills -- a spot where people could actually expand their lives by not only seeing beauty on the outside but by creating beauty on the inside.

And so it was that we hoped that Peacock Pavilions might attract people with talent  -- like artists, photographers, poets, writers, potters, filmmakers, jewelers, and other creative spirits -- who would share their artistic vision and expertise with others.  And in this way, Peacock Pavilions would become a place of learning , forever embedded in the memory and history of real people.  People like you and me.  

We have been lucky enough to have had 3 different sets of peacock painters at Peacock Pavilions who came for retreats organized by the uber-talented Melanie of Royal Design Studio.  (These were such special experiences for me that I get downright teary thinking about them.)

And I am ever so excited to share that lovely Holly Becker from Decor8 fame is hosting a decorating/blogging retreat at Peacock Pavilions from October 16 to 23.  You can read all about it right here at Angela Ritchie's Ace Camps site.  I had so much fun making suggestions for special things to do  in Marrakech, in addition to all the amazing-ness that Holly will offer. (Holly's was the first blog I ever read and so it's all very meaningful to me.)

The Decor8 retreat is sure to be an *incredible* time.  If you would like to be a part of it.........HURRY.  There are only 3 slots left!  I would be so happy to see you here:-)

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PS Perhaps you (yes YOU or perhaps someone you know) might like to host a retreat in Marrakech at Peacock Pavilions?  Are you an artist/photographer/writer/designer?  Do you love to travel?  Would you like to share your talent?  Might exotic Morocco be on your list?  Hosting a retreat would pay for your trip and more!  I would love to work with you!  Drop me a line moroccanmaryam{at}yahoo {dot} com.  Don't just think about it -- make it happen:-)