Anywhere: and a tale of friendships and vampires

It’s been a tricky few years for friendships.  I recently made a new and very special friend.  She looked at me, a weary look in her eyes, and said, “Be wary of the vampires.  You know, the ones who drink your blood and leave you with nothing.”  

Oh yes, I know.  I know about those. 

Over the last several years, I’ve made the hard decision to cut out a vampire or two {or three} from my life.  It didn’t involve pointed wooden stakes but it was painful.  I liked and in one case loved blood sucking creatures.  But I had to love myself more.  

Friendship is a tricky thing.  But basic rules apply.  Lying, sneaking around, breaking promises, backstabbing – they are not on the list.   

Oh why am I telling you this?  You already know.  Right?  

I want new friends.  But I’m watchful of that telltale white luster just beyond the skin’s surface.  The kind that’s not so beautiful when you get up close....  

PS Would love your thoughts or advice on this subject, if you have a moment.

Peacock Pavilions in Marrakesh: and a tale of inspirations

Feeling inspired by many things at Peacock Pavilions these days.  Here's a few:

Talismanic hands of Fatima from a favorite jeweler. 

Some new bones and Simon Winchester's book on skulls (interesting, perhaps, for only the most ardent skull enthusiasts).

A collection of antique embroidered Moroccan bags from Khalid Art Gallery.

A new chair covered by a Moroccan wedding blanket.

One of the most beautiful design books that I own, The Divine Home by Peter Vitale.

A new but old Moroccan carpet from Red Thread Souk for my dining room.  Can you see that I have also upholstered my chairs in Moroccan rugs, too?

Collections of odds & ends everywhere.  Here some entomology pins from Merchant & Mills, a packet of gold sequins from Figue, a notebook from my friends at Imperial Black, and photography by Alexis de Vilar. I bought the wood arrow in South Africa.

My family peacock, Maurice, at Peacock Pavilions. I'm still in awe of his splendour.  Really.

What's inspiring you these days?  I want to know.

Peacock Pavilions in Marrakesh: a tale of what you need and what you want

Sometimes you put off the things that you might need…the new car, the juicer, the life insurance, the pair of sneakers.

Yes, you postpone the useful things…the microwave oven, the briefcase, the additional hangers, the waterproof boots.

You lay those aside:  the things you might need, the useful things….

And instead you get the thing that you want….

Just for the peace, just for the beauty. 

Just for the few minutes when you forget all that is expected of you and all you must do. 

The outdoor pond at Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech.  Serving no practical purpose….no practical purpose at all……

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PS New stock of the very prettiest Moroccan wedding blankets in Red Thread Souk.  Treat yourself to something you'll enjoy every single day.  (The cushions are so nice, too.)

Project Soar: and a tale of the Montague shirt by Imperial Black

I stumbled onto Imperial Black many months ago. I remember thinking that I liked the brand's cool.  It had a certain mystique.  Imperial Black sells men's shirtsmade in Italy and of the buy-less-but-better genre. The company's owners seemed to fly planes, drive fast cars, and travel to farflung destinations.  They were all too handsome for their own good. You know the type--beautiful manners and a little dangerous.  It was all very enticing.  

The problem was that I couldn't figure out how to buy my husband an Imperial Black shirt.  It seemed, I had to have "a passport" to Imperial Black or be "Blacklisted".  The shirts come out in small batches and then they are gone. I wrote Imperial Black and told them I wanted to crack their secret code because I needed a shirt for my guy.  

That was how it started -- the friendship.

In the months since, I learned that all the things that I thought about Imperial Black were actually true. The shirts were perfectly tailored, right down to the saffron colored stitching and the notched cuffs.  The packaging was an experience unto itself - so gorgeous.  

So I was incredibly flattered when Imperial Black told me that they wanted to name a shirt after me:  the Montague.  I was on a conference call with colleagues in Cairo when the email came in and had to muffle my shriek.  I was sent fabric swatches to pick from and chose a stylish small houndstooth.  

 The blue matches my fella's eyes

But beyond the Imperial Black shirts (and the travel luggage, striped socks, horn toothbrushes and Italian shaving cream) there is something much more.  It's a sort of old school integrity in a modern package. Because in addition to the masculine chic appeal of their goods, this is a company with a big heart.   

Ten percent of proceeds of the Montague shirt go to that charity I love so much - Project Soar. Also benefitting Project Soar is the Peacock Pavilions pocket square, reminiscent of the immense North African night sky above Peacock Pavilions.  That's not just cool, it's stellar.

Husband Chris at Peacock Pavilions in his Montague shirt....

 Pick up your own Montague shirt and Peacock Pavilions pocket square.  Beauty, utility, andgoodness.  It's the right combination, yes?