Les Orientales in Tangier, Morocco

Back in Tangier on the blog today,

with a tantalising view of this beautiful home in the medina that is available via La Conciergerie Moderne.
There are so many different options and sites to choose from when looking for accomodation when you are planning a trip - and where you stay can make or break a holiday. La Conciergerie Moderne is a small Tangier based company that I have used and happily recommend - plus they have some beautiful properties on their list!
A place like this could indeed make my holiday - what do you think?

Les Orientales has been named after the collection of poems by Victor Hugo of the same name, and is full of attention to detail and designer vignettes.

 

It is interesting - having just come back from Marrakech - how the different environments impact on the design and architecture of the homes and riads.

 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms - room for everyone!

The perfect place to spend a leisurely evening or two -  sitting on this terrace watching the sun sink over the mediterranean  . . .

So if you fancy sipping a little tea in tangier this summer click across and
find more information HERE

x

ALL IMAGES VIA laconciergerie.com

Ewwel {to dream} Ceramics - Made in Morocco

The ceramic designs of Tangier based designer Sarah were - if truth be told - one of the motivating inspirations of me starting my online shop Shouf!. Spending time in Morocco brought me into contact with a lot of designers doing new and interesting work, as well as the more traditional and vintage designs and crafts that are normally associated with the country. Part of my vision was to showcase these contemporary designs - movement and life over the past year or so has made this a bit more difficult than I anticipated but I am still inspired by the innovation and design coming out of Morocco - many, like Ewwel, drawing on the rich tradition of craft and symbolism in the country and then giving it a more contemporary interpretation and design element.

The new collection from Ewwel is called NAHT - meaning engraved.

Sarahs images are as inspiring as her ceramics  - I LOVE the simplicity of the jugs and hope to have them on the shelf at Shouf! as soon as possible!

In her words: " With this new collection, I wanted to create multi-purpose containers easy to use in everyday life. Thus the bowls are also pots, empty vessels or objects of decoration. The Carafes are both vases and utensil holders.

A refined line, subtle motifs engraved in the clay, a symbol of my attatchment to the country"

Avec cette nouvelle collection, j'ai voulu créer des contenants multi-usages, faciles à utiliser dans la vie de tous les jours. Ainsi les bols sont aussi des pots, des vides poches ou des objets de décoration. Les carafes sont aussi bien des vases que des portes-ustensiles. 

Une ligne épurée, des motifs subtils gravés dans la terre, symbole de mon attachement au pays.

new year - new stock

Is it too soon after Christmas to be talking about shopping?

I know I have been feeling a bit shopped out

but it does feel like the right time  - full of resolution for 2017 - to sweep out the cobwebs and choose a few additions to ring in the changes of a new year . . .

I have some website and blog related resolutions that might take a bit if time . . . 

but hey, I've got ALL year!!!

To start the year off I spent the morning playing with instagram 

and loading some new items onto my shop. 

 I thought I would share them here making it easier for you to have a "shouf"{look}

SHOP HERE

SHOP HERE

There is a lot of autumnal brown going on here so I thought we might need to throw in a bit of colour

in the shape of this wonderful bold and bright tassled vintage cushion.

Who can resist a generous tassle??

 

SHOP HERE

And finally, to thank you for taking the time to follow my blog and actually read the posts

I have a small thank you gift! 

Any orders via this post will automatically get a complimentary jar of our fabulous Harissa Paste!

SHOP HERE

Simply leave a comment after this post letting me know about your order and I will make sure its all packaged up together.

And finally,

 a little peace & protection for 2017

image via

{I suspect we might all need it!} 

x

Pauline

A little love on my christmas list

Maybe its my age 

(quite possible - I am teetering on the edge of grumpy old lady-dom!)

or maybe it is rather the spirit of the age,

as we all realise how close we are to increasing uncertainty and change,

and that in this strange and convoluted planet of ours we are amongst the lucky ones who really, honestly,

don't need much more in our lives!

So what to put under that tree or in that stocking? 

I quite like the idea of focussing on experiences rather than "stuff", and taking my dog for a walk in the lanes recently, I discovered a small notice on a stone wall advertising bread making classes - amazing that right here in the middle of Wales I can learn how to make Breads of the Middle East . . .

Homemade pitta coming up !

My husband will be opening an envelope from under the tree (hopefully he is not reading this!) informing him I have booked his first skype Darija (moroccan arabic) lesson . . .

I have been getting inspiration from sites like Help Refugees for some stocking fillers!

And have been hinting broadly for THIS BOOK to be under the tree with my name on it

I also think it is great to support small businesses and peoples online creativity, and have earmarked these bags from Moroccan MustHaves

This Bristish Brand - Wawwa - are donating a hat for a hat
and the beanies look pretty cool too

Trust me - there will be plenty of Prosecco, silly hats and slightly more frivolous gifts being exchanged on the day, but I am planning to have one or two of these items in the stockings in a small attempt to spread the joy a little this holiday season.

Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings

X
Pauline

cheers!

It's that time of the year when I start feeling all creative about cocktails.

Its a christmas thing . . .

It is also the time of the year that you can find fresh pomegranates in the markets of Morocco

so when I saw this little recipe on The Bojon Gourmet, I had to share it in the spirit of the season!

I thought the idea of grilling the lemon is interesting . . . ?

Just follow THIS LINK to the Alannas blog for the full recipe and instructions
Happy Holidays
x

Dar Ka - a riad in Assilah

We have just come back from a quick visit to Morocco and were lucky enough to be able to stay in Dar Ka in the seaside medina of Assilah.

And believe me there is nothing finer than coming home to such a beautiful space after a busy day in the markets and souks.
The word "oasis" is thrown around a lot when describing places in Morocco
but there is a reason for that,
and Dar Ka certainly is a calm, contemporary oasis full of traditional details that place it clearly in context.

So, before the grey skies and dripping rain envelop me completely

I thought I would share some of the little details from my Instagram page that I think make Dar Ka so special . . .

For the bigger picture read THIS post

And for more information about rental availability pop across to THIS PAGE

x

shouf!

There is a chill in the air as autumn settles in here, which has prompted me to try and cosy up the shop

ochre mountain boujid rug

some new, things some old favourites . . . still very much a work-in-progress!

ewwel sugar bowls

Please follow the link and have a look -would love to know what you think!

www.shouf.co,uk

vintage cushion

xPauline

5 things about Tangiers

Anette knows Tangiers like the back of her hand, so I knew I could depend on her to show us a few places in Tangiers that are a little off the beaten track. 

Her time spent sourcing textiles and getting homeware made up for her company Just Morocco, has taken her deep into the medina as well as out into the alleys and corner shops - I would love to spend some time with her in Tangiers as my personal guide!

In the meantime  . . . 

this list will have to do.

#1 Msallah market:

 I love strolling down Msallah market in the evening with its abundance of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, cakes, clothes – all in a totally chaotic mix. I was there yesterday buying veggies and came home with way too much so I later have to give most of it away to my neighbor when I leave. I just can't resist it!

#2 Place Seqaya

Such a lively small square in the middle of the medina with a great Thursday market. I especially like the small no-name café run by the most generous and warmhearted family. It is a perfect place to meet odd and interesting characters and ideal for people-watching.

#3:Lively food street

I do not really know the name of this street, but it is my favourite lunch street. There is a small hole-in-the-wall place that serves the best bessara tagine in Tangier and another one has really delicious kebabs with fresh salad. I could go on forever....

#4:Patisserie

In my opinion the best patisserie is at the lower entrance to the medina. It is always crowded and they are constantly carrying in new calory-filled cakes. They also have the best, (and I am not the only one who thinks so), lemon cake this side of the Mediterranean.

#5:Terrace cafe Souk Barra

With a big piece of lemon cake, my feet take me automatically to the terrace cafe at Souk Barra. Best place for a lazy afternoon, good tea and strong coffee.

 And when she's not in Tangiers you can find Anette HERE exploring the markets and souks in the south. 

5 things about Tangiers

and little bit more…

I asked Sarah Charpentier Riani - the creative force behind Ewwel designs - to list her Five Favourite Things in Tangiers.

 Il y a tellement de choses que j’aime à Tanger… ce fut donc difficile de n’en choisir que 5 ! Je vis dans cette ville depuis maintenant un peu plus de 3 ans, et chaque jour je découvre de nouvelles choses, de nouveaux endroits…Une atmosphère particulière qui ne laisse personne indifférent. Voici donc ma petite liste, sans ordre de préférence, des 5 choses que j’aime à Tanger :

There are so many things that I like about Tangier . . . it was hard to choose only 5! I have been living in this city for just over 3 years now, and every day I discover new things, new places -  it has an atmosphere that leaves no one indifferent. So - here is my list, without order of preference, of  5 things I like about Tangier:

1) UNE BISSARA! Une plat tellement simple mais tellement bon…Une sorte de purée de pois cassés ou de fèves, agrémentée d’un filet d’huile d’olive du pays, du cumin et du paprika. Et c’est encore meilleur avec quelques petits morceaux d’oignons crus…Et qui dit Bissara, dit forêt de Perdicaris, un des meilleurs endroits pour en déguster une!

1) A BISSARA! A dish so simple but so good . . . it is a sort of pureed pea or bean soup, embellished with a dash of olive oil, cumin and paprika. And it's even better with a few small pieces of raw onions! And whoever says Bissara, also says Perdicaris Forest, one of the best places to enjoy it!

2) LA FORET DE PERDICARIS Sur les hauteurs de Tanger, c’est une forêt communale en plein milieu urbain. J’aime m’y promener en famille et admirer la richesse de sa biodiversité. On peut également y voir une mystérieuse villa aux airs de manoir (laissée très longtemps à l’abandon mais actuellement en pleine rénovation) dont le propriétaire était Ion Perdicaris, riche américain.

2 ) THE FOREST PERDICARIS On the heights of Tangier, it is a communal forest in an urban setting . I love to walk there with my family and admire its rich biodiversity. One can also see a mysterious manor house (very long left abandoned but currently being renovated) whose original owner was Ion Perdicaris, a wealthy American.

Et rien n’est plus agréable que de se balader sur la chaussée romaine et profiter d’une splendide vue sur la mer. 

And nothing is more pleasant than to walk on the old Roman road and enjoy the splendid sea view.

3) LA KASBAH C’est un de mes quartiers préférés à Tanger. Situé sur les hauteurs de la vieille médina, c’est un lieu chargé d’histoire. J’aime siroter un thé à la Menthe place du Tabor à l’ombre d’un ficus centenaire et profiter de l’ambiance apaisante…

3) THE KASBAH This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Tangier. Located on the heights of the old medina, this is a place full of history. I like to sip a mint tea at the place of Tabor in the shade of a century-old ficus and enjoy the soothing ambience ...

4) LAS CHICAS

La boutique LAS CHICAS est l’endroit incontournable du shopping à Tanger. Installée dans une ancienne maison rénovée avec goût, j’aime y découvrir les dernières nouveautés des designers locaux, papoter avec les charmantes propriétaires Ayda et Yasmine et faire une petite pause déjeuner sur la terrasse entre copines.

dans une ancienne maison rénovée avec goût, j’aime y découvrir les dernières nouveautés des

designers locaux, papoter avec les charmantes propriétaires Ayda et Yasmine et faire une

petite pause déjeuner sur la terrasse entre copines.

4) LAS CHICAS The shop Las Chicas is the place to shop in Tangier. Housed in an old house renovated with taste, I like to discover the latest local designers there, chatting with the charming owners Ayda and Yasmine while taking a lunchbreak on the terrace among friends.

5) LA CINEMATHEQUE

Pour le moment, c’est l’unique cinéma à Tanger. Conservé dans son jus, j’aime

l’ambiance complètement vintage de ce lieu qui propose une belle programmation pour les

enfants, des nouveautés et des films d’auteur. Ici pas de pop corn, c’est plutôt ambiance thé à

la menthe et patisseries faites maison.

Entrée 20 Dirhams, imbattable !

5) THE CINEMATHEQUE For now,it is the only cinema in Tangier. Kept in its own original aesthetic, I love the completely vintage atmosphere of this place, which also offers a great programme for children, novelties and art films . Here there is no popcorn, but plenty of atmosphere, mint tea and homemade pastries. Entry 20 Dirhams, unbeatable!

Parce-que faire une liste de mes 5 choses préférées à Tanger est vraiment trop difficile, et parce-que ce n’est plus vraiment Tanger, je me permets d’ajouter un sixième lieu ! 6) PLAGE HERMES Après Assilah, sur la route de Larache, se trouve la plage de Sidi Mghait. Appelée aussi Plage Hermès (dû à la présence de la maison du célèbre créateur français), cette plage est assez difficile d’accès. Bien qu’aménagée de transats et de petits Chiringuitos , cette plage reste sauvage et tranquille. J’aime y un faire un bain d’argile et déguster un bon tajine de poisson face à la mer. Du pur bonheur.

Because making a list of my five favorite things to Tangier is really too difficult, and because - it's not really Tanger , I might add a sixth place! 6)PLAGE HERMES - Just after Assilah, on the road to Larache, is the beach of Sidi Mghait.This beach is also called Hermes(due to the presence of the house of the famous French designer, this beach is difficult to access. Although there are some deckchairs and small Chiringuitos in the summer, this beach remains wild and tranquil. I like to make a clay bath and enjoy a good fish tagine facing the sea . Pure happiness.

So . . . a few ideas for next time you find yourself in Tangiers?

x

Places to stay in Tangiers

Over the past 18 months of blogging I have mentioned a few places in Tangiers that I have stayed at and would happily and wholeheartedly recommend.

I though it might be useful to put them all on one page for easy reference on one page for easy reference -  so here goes, in no particular order and with links to the original post for more information. . . 

LA TANGERINA

DAR JAND

DAR 23

and most recently

LA MAISON DE TANGER

Can't wait to add to this list !
Any recommendations?
 Please feel free to contact me with any questions about these or other places to stay in Tangiers.