Marrakesh: and a tale of an exciting update at Peacock Pavilions.

Dear Friends,

It’s been a busy time at Peacock Pavilions, in terms of work and play.  I thought I’d share with you a few fun things that have been happening!

• A while back you might have remembered that I wrote about our involvement in an Irish reality TV show, called WWOOFÁIL, about volunteers who WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).  Peacock Pavilions was chosen as one of six sites for the show because we’ve had WWOOFers since we opened.  The show began airing on the Irish station TG4 on March 21 at 10 p.m., and you can watch it on TG4’s player- www.tg4.tv.  The episode at Peacock Pavilions is the last in the series and will broadcast on April 25.  Tune in if you can (I haven’t seen it myself and so will be watching, too!). The two stars of the show -- Mairéad Ní Chuaig and Conall Ó Máirtín -- are adorable!  

•  We feel so fortunate to have recently had Peacock Pavilions shot by talented Danish stylist Lykke Foged and amazing Danish photographer Morten Holtum. These two take a very pure and personal approach to their work and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  Looking forward to publication sometime soon:-) 

• I am very excited to be a small part of a new avant-garde business magazine (print and online) called, Cake and Whiskey, geared towards businesswomen.  In the next year, the magazine is teaming up with amazing companies like Cartier and Citi, and women’s organizations such as Women Impacting Public Policy and 85 Broads to reach women globally.  If you are a businesswoman or would like to be, I urge you to consider subscribing to Cake and Whiskey.  You can get 25% off your subscription with the code MM25.  {You’ll see my face and some business-oriented tips from me in the Summer issue.}

• I mentioned to you that we were thrilled to have Peacock Pavilions featured in the German Magazine, Flair - Fashion & Home.  What we didn't know is that our house made the cover (cartwheels!). 

Hope Spring has sprung wherever you are:-) 

                as ever, in a Marrakesh olive grove,

                                            Maryam

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

Marrakesh: a tale of Hassan Hajjaj and Riad Yima

I love stories  of redemption, of meteoric rises.  

Hassan Hajjaj told me that growing up his parents were so poor that they couldn't afford to buy him a single toy.  He used to comb the Moroccan beach near his home to see what the sea washed up.  He made his own toys, with the sea's discards.  

As a teenager, a low paid job for Hassan's father brought the whole family to London. They lived nine in a single room without a bathroom. 

But Hassan saw in the world something different.  He broke free and made his own way, becoming a club manager, a shop owner, a fashion designer, a lauded photographer. 

And then Hassan went back to Morocco and bought Riad Yima, his Marrakech courtyard house.

And had everything he never grew up with.

Riad Yima is also a shop, featuring Hassan's own pop modern designs.

 poufs...
Upcycled lanterns and furniture...

And, of course, Hassan's iconic photography.

If you're in Marrakech....make sure to drop by for a glass of mint tea...

 Riad Yima
52 derb Aarjane Rahba lakdima Medina
Marrakech Morocco
Tél: +212 (0) 524-391-987
E-mail: riadyima@yahoo.co.uk

Marrakech: and a tale of a cocktail party

It had all the elements, you see.  

It was a cocktail party at the Marrakech home of an antiquities dealer...

and his wife, a very favorite jeweler of mine...

As you would expect, there were strange and special things, scattered here and there.

The guest list for this party was small but impressive.  There were Moroccan art dealers and retired financiers.  

There were also beautiful girls...

There was even nudity! (A little scandal always improves a party, don't you think?)

Thankfully the King of Morocco turned a blind eye.

The youngest guest was my own Skylar (wearing a combination of leopard, stripes and ikat).  And the newest guest was Michelle -- a brand new intern at Peacock Pavilions.

There were delicious things to drink and eat.

And the cake was heavenly....

So much so, that I could have sworn I was touched by an angel.....

PS How was your weekend? I want to hear.

PPS If you feel like it, subscribe to this little blog or like it on Facebook.

Where to dine in Marrakech: and a tale of How Jack is Back

In case you were wondering where the hipsters dined in Marrakech....

Well, it's here...

Where the pizza is gourmet (and so is the artichoke carpaccio).  And the wine never stops flowing....

Then of course, there's dessert....

After dinner drinks? They've got you covered at the bar....

It seems the writing's on the wall (and even the ceiling)...

Yes, 

Jack is Back
10 rue Oued el Makhazine
At the outer edges of Hivernage and Guéliz
Marrakech
+212 5 24 43 38 90

PS Would you consider voting for my photo, entitled The A+ Girls (showing young Moroccan girls holding wooden school boards).  It's a finalist in a photo competition. Voting ends on April 5 and I'm in second place! Could you? Would you? Might you? That would be so nice if you did.  You can vote daily right here. Thank you!