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Showing posts from April, 2008

Little Beni Ouarain Rugs

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These two little gems, the first is newer and in better condition that the second. The second has two small repairs, but they are very well done. The first is 1.4 x 2.4m. This is a real sweat little rug, it is only 1 x 2m and about 30 years old. The brown in fainter. Again you can view them at The Zamzam Boutique .

Large Moroccan Beni Ouarain Rugs

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These are the gorgeous two new large Beni Rugs I want to share with you. I really like the way this first one is finished at the end with a small weave. It is in very good condition and has these little v's at one end. This rug is 4m x 2m. It is a real stunner. This is the back of the second one. It is really pretty, I love to turn them over in the summer and see this pretty pattern, that's why I carefully look at both sides when buying. This is the front of the same rug. You have two types of Beni Ouarain , the striking ones and the subtle ones. I love the striking ones and my husband adores the subtle ones. You can see the subtle dark brown zig zags in this one. This rug is also 4m x 2m with no repairs or marks. Both are in excellent condition. They can also be seen online at The Zamzam Boutique.

Miscarriage and Women's Health

I have been thinking of writing a post on some issues close to my heart for a while. Difficult on a blog because although this post will have an enormously positive side, alot of these issues for many women are hard to confront let alone discuss. You see I am going to London on Friday for the second visit to my consultant Professor Leslie Regan , she is one of the leading miscarriage experts in the world. Leslie Regan will only see women at her clinic who have had 3 or more miscarriages and who are not pregnant. This whole subject for anyone who has had to deal with it is an incredibly lonely and emotional journey. Leslie Regan has helped an enormous amount of women with unexplained miscarriage she has an 80% success rate, which explains why her waiting list is so long! Having read her book and many others on the subject I now realise what an enormous lack of clear information is about for women dealing with this. There are loads of websites on the subject that tell you absolutely

Moroccan Tadelakt Cats

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When i went to the riad today, these boys were already in there. When we first bought the riad there were loads of cats in it, they used to pop out of the pipes and scare the life out of me! Now two of them are back. They want to sit in the fresh tadelakt that has been made up by the builders. Do you think it's cool in there? Any how welcome back boys! after this photo they started fighting viciously and everyone had to jump out of the way. I wonder what suddenly bothered them they look so relaxed in this shot. Those Medina cats are always a bit cranky.

Vintage Moroccan Wedding Blankets/Handira

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I have recently found these superb, Moroccan Wedding Blankets and thought i would post them up for you. The two featured here are really unusual and pretty. Blankets are not really top of my mind right now as the temperature for the last 3 days has been about 38 degrees, quite unusual for this time of year, hot hot hot! I spent a long time sweating in the greenhouses at the nursery today looking for some small palms for the Zamzam roof terrace. I ended up buying a load of bougainvilea in pretty pink and white for the garden.

Moroccan Alley Cats

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Yesterday morning I was marching through the souk, very early in the morning, when things haven't yet got going. I love the Medina at that time, you get to see real life scenarios. Breakfast is a very important ritualistic time for Moroccans. As I came scooting round the corner, there was a marvelous scene of Medina cats waiting patiently for the butcher to open. All sitting like statues looking up at the shutter, by the time I got my camera out of my bag, the shutter was up and bits of meat where being thrown to each one. Breakfast at last!! what great rhythms the Medina has depending on the time of day.

Zamzam progress

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Well yes we are progressing. Marcus is now constantly walking around and discussing finishes, pushing the builders to get things straight. I have been told that wonky riads means they are full of character. Well Zamzam has got more character than you can shake a stick at. I love the shape of this tadelakt door way into the Harem Suite. The Harem Suite and bathroom are all tadelakt and i just love to stand in that continuous shape, it's very organic and earthy. I dream (literally) of living in a mud house with sand floors and by that i mean like a beach. I always have, i wonder what that is about. I adore the mud villages we ride through, i love the earthy energy of it. Imagine living in a house made only of mud! Moving on - there is alot of Bejmat in the riad . Hand made clay tiles that are then fired, you get a gorgeous mixture of shades and they feel lovely to walk on in bare feet. Warm in the winter and cool in the summer. These are the pretty hand made taps in the mas

Moroccan Zemmour Kilims

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Hi today i thought i would share these Kilims from Morocco with you. A lady emailed me last week and asked if i could find her some nice Kilims . These intricate rugs are made in the North of Morocco. Some are more intricate than others, but the patterns and work on them are stunning. The first one is actually silver and red. I think this is my favourite, i love the pattern of it and the zig zag edging. Some of them strangely remind me of Ghanaian fabrics, the patterns are very similar, especially in the last example. If you would love one of these stunning rugs please go to the Zamzam Boutique for sizes or contact me for prices and shipping.

Yoga Marrakech

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Aisha's Ashtanga yoga classes in Marrakech. Twice a week, about to become three times a week, we make our way to Aisha's yoga class. She pushes, empowers, coaches and mentors a class of different abilities. It is a fab class, i like it hot in the summer when you can really stretch under the heat, but actually at the moment it's a lovely climate for yoga. Above you can see the youngest member of the class, who last week chatted and urged us all on. Photos of the class in action, this last photo of course being Aisha. When she's not pushing us to our limits, she has classes and courses at Kasbah Tamadot , Richard Branson's Retreat. At the moment Aisha and i are discussing a programme for the Zamzam Spa, more news later..........................

Moroccan Joiners

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Marcus, Ahmed and the wood workers. after a heavy morning of negotiating. Tea anyone! These Moroccan craftsmen are so much more than carpenters. Their delicate sculpting of the wood is truly magnificent. The great thing about property investment in Morocco is that you can choose all these wonderful finishes yourself with the developer. You can have great things from Africa. Morocco is a mix of Arabic style combined with many influences from other African countries ie Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, and particularly Sahara from the Tuareg's . All these wonderful craftsmen and products can be found in the Medina. Only 3.5hours travel from the UK and you are in a totally different world having a totally different kind of holiday. Look at our beautiful shutters being made for our luxury Riad . All made and carved by hand! Mustapher has a large workshop full of patterns for the different sculpting. We have chosen this one for the bedrooms doors and cupboards. The Moroccan decor is really

The Engineer - Zamzam Riad, Marrakech

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The wonderful engineer, Marcus my husband, building Zamzam Riad . It's a difficult task, but i definitely chose the right man for the job. For the past year it has taken Marcus to another world 24/7. At the moment he eats, sleeps, dreams the work on this riad . We are now starting to get close to the finale, but for someone so involved in the renovation and the detail sometimes it is hard for him to visualise it all coming together. I think I'm going to re-name him 'Marcus Braveheart '. Even with 13 years construction engineering experience of big hotels and hospitals, this project has really tried and tested him. It is not for the faint hearted he has completed a major degree from the University of Life - I award him an honors!!

Zamzam Branding - FutureBrand London

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On my very hectic visit to London, one of my most important visits was to FutureBrand London to finalise the Zamzam Brand. We have been working on it for a few months now and i'm pleased to say after a productive meeting in the Fox Hole we bagged it! It was strange being back in London and certainly going to FutureBrand as you see i used to work in this environment, day in day out. Coming from Marrakech, I felt a bit 'Beldi' as they say here, meaning wild. It's strange hopping from one world to the next on a 3hour flight. Medina to FutureBrand very sureal. Many serious meetings and crucial brand descisions are made here!

The Marrakech Wedding Reception - Medina

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The lovely John Arthur, cutting his traditional wedding cake! The stunning couple with the hansom Marcus, for once having an afternoon off from Zamzam Riad . Stunning mirror work in the bathroom. The pool shimmering in the magical candle light.