Cairo: and a tale of skimming the surface

Do you ever wonder about the people you never really meet?
Just a nod in the elevator
a smile in the street
a thank you on the phone.

Just a chance hi and goodbye.
And that's all, really.  Yes, that's all, forever.

All the mised encounters
All the missed connections.
All the missed somethings with meaning.

The memories you never had and the jokes you never shared, because you never had a chance to, well, begin.

And it's sad, really.  It's sad to think
that we might always be strangers, as if that was, as if that could ever be...... enough.

Images taken in Cairo.

Cairo: and a tale of gold colored glasses

I’m trying not to dwell on

       the unnecessary hurts.

       the unexplained delays

       the unreasonable demands

No, instead, I’m choosing to believe that

all that glitters is, well, gold.

Because then maybe it really will be.

Thinking positive thoughts in Cairo and hoping it will all work out.  

Images I took on Al Moaz Street.

Cairo: and a tale {or a lesson} of blown glass

We're here for such a short period of time.  

Best to shine 

best to gleam

best to sparkle. 

Best to live life in full color.  

 Let's do that, you and me, today.

Glasses in the Khan el Khalili in Cairo.  The turquoise ones are coming home with me to Peacock Pavilions.

Marrakesh: a tale of bits of news

Dear friends,

It's been such a busy week.  I'm coming up for air.  Here's some news

* I have gotten the full proof of my Moroccan interior design book from my New York-based publisher, Artisan Books.  I am now providing design commentary and working on captions. Oh my!

*Peacock Pavilions is in a brand new publication Heart Home Magazine!  Take a peek at pages 142-147.  Many many thanks to the 2 darling editors in chief who were at the Moroccan design & shopping retreat at Peacock Pavilions last Spring.  (And congrats on this oh-so-pretty publication!) 

* Eat Pray Move has been having a fab yoga retreat at Peacock Pavilions this week.  They are all adorable!  For you yoga fans, Erin's hosting another retreat at Peacock Pavilions in March!  Check it out here.

* A new flock of Peacock Painters is heading back to Peacock Pavilions on October 1.  Throw caution to the wind and come!  There are still a couple of slots left! Find out more info here.

* Foodies of the healthy variety might want to consider Chef Jennifer Robertson's Raw Glamour retreat at Peacock Pavilions in January.  Lots of hands on cooking and other fun stuff!

*I've been asked to speak about Moroccan design at the Design Leadership Summit next Spring.  So excited!

* I have new and incredible stock of vintage Moroccan Beni Ouarain Berber carpets at my shop, Red Thread Souk.  They're gorgeous!  See them here.

* I leave for Egypt on assignment this Sunday.  So next time you hear from me...........that's where I'll be:-)

        With love from Marrakesh,

        Maryam