Marrakesh: a mother's tale of Stephanie

It all started out with the missing. The missing of a mother of one girl in particular, named Stephanie.  

All the mother's three children were grown now, you see.  They had gone away to college -- some starting, some finishing, some finished. And even though the mother sent care packages, and made phone calls, and went for visits, the house was no longer the same.  The times when her family was all together seemed fewer and fewer now.

Stephanie was the oldest of the mother's three children and she had gone away the farthest.  She had left for Africa, for Morocco, for Peacock Pavilions.   

The mother got to thinking, got to talking, got to planning with her good natured golf-playing husband.  Suddenly,  tickets were purchased, cars were rented, and reservations were made.

Suddenly, they were coming -- all of them -- to Peacock Pavilions.  

It was a sunny day in Marrakesh when they arrived.

We made Peacock Petals cocktails.

and Moroccan briouwates.

We sat on the terrace and sipped and toasted.  And then it was time to go to the Peacock Pavilions dining tent for dinner.  So down the path we went.

(One couldn't help but notice that even though they had been married for years, the mother and father still walked hand in hand and were always kind to each other.)  

In the tent, there was candle light and bottles of wine.

and there was more food, of course.  

There was eggplant zeluk bruschetta.

There was couscous with lamb.

There was chocolate fondant with spiced strawberry butter.

and there was tea.

But really, none of that was very important.  What was important were the funny stories.

And the laughter.

And the pleasure

of the family, of all the children, together again.

I love a happy ending.

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PS If you like this blog, pls consider liking it on Facebook.  I have a brand new page for My Marrakesh. That would be so nice!: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Marrakesh/387670284601812 

Oualidia Morocco: and a tale of 50 and 50 more

It all started in a garden that had never seen a landscaper but had the wild and uncalculated beauty of a person who simply loved flowers.

Friends from Marrakesh and Rabat had gathered among the blooms for the occasion with their dogs.

Some used for purposes of transportation.

But the best news of all was that this garden was by the sea.

Smaller members of the group grabbed surf boards and were gone.

Oh!

Later, we feasted on the water's gifts.

But it was the evening that counted the most.

There were hugs.

And many bottles of champagne.

Then it was time.  

With friends, I watched him...

as he blew out the candles.

There should have been 50 flickering lights

            but there were only 5.

I thought about the 50 years that had passed -- many of them with me.  And I wondered if they had been happy, happy enough.  I hoped the next 50 years would be yet happier.  But it wouldn't happen all by itself.  

There are many flowers for picking

                                                in gardens by the sea and everywhere.

Happy Birthday, big fella. 

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.  

Marrakesh: and a tale of Lonny and more

I feel so lucky.  Yes, so lucky to be in this month's Lonny Magazine.  Editor in Chief Michelle Adams was so much fun to work with (We would be doing a lot of hanging out if she were living in Marrakesh!).  Photographer Patrick Cline shot only in film and was such a pro.  Writer Robert Leleux is the loveliest person ever (and has this book out and this one, too).  

Read the whole issue right here.

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My book, Marrakesh by Design is in the Spring issue of Luxe Magazine!

I'm providing some fun tips in the June Family Circle, if you want to check it out!

I did a round up of some of my favorite Moroccan picks on Refinery29. Take a peek here.

Houzz  shared some fun elements of Marrakesh by Design right here.

*I have a book signing and talk today in LA at Downtown at 719 N. La Cienaga Blvd from 3-5. Pls come!

*I am headed for San Diego where I will be doing 2 events tomorrow at Royal Design Studio.  

**I'll be in New York next week for a book party & signing on Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 p.m. at NEST INSPIRED HOME, 20 Purchase Street in Rye, NY.  

***On Wednesday, May 16, 4:00 p.m., I'll be in NY doing a book talk & signing, as part of the Decoration and Design Building (DDB) Spring Market at 979 Third Avenue.

Hope to see you!;-)

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