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

#CookForSyria

I dont know about you, but the events of the past year, months, few days,
 have left me feeling a little overwhelmed. 

Suddenly things feel strangely out of kilter.

There is a lot of anger and destruction around us - and this coming from a person who grew up in Apartheid South Africa and spent the greater part of my my 20's fighting for change.

But right now I am indeed feeling overwhelmed . . .

But the #cookforsyria project has rekindled some positivity!

#CookForSYRIA

Reading about #CookforSyria felt like a rainbow emerging out of the morass of media spin and information that surrounds us. Instead of focussing on the destruction and depressing daily reality of many in the world today - it is a celebration!

A celebration of a rich culture that will not be bombed out of existance!

image via

I wish I was closer to London so I could support some of the initatives that are part of this project - if you are, have a LOOK HERE and see if there is anyone or anyplace that you could support. There is a list of participating restaurants where £2 for certain items on the menu will be donated to the charity.

With the thought in mind that "every little bit helps"

I have decided to donate £2 of every jar of our Shouf! harissa sold this month to the fund - so you can enjoy the heat of our harissa knowing that the money spent is going to keep someone else warm this winter!

shouf!{look!} harissa

SHOP

You can also pre-order the cook book #CookForSyria - a result of time and talent in collaboration, with all profits again going to the fund.

And dare I mention the "c" word?

Christmas people  . . . 

and  I know a few people who would love to find this book in their stocking!

It seems to me quite simply to embody all that this festive season of ours should stand for.

x

chocolate {brown} and pistachio {green}

My eldest daughter and myself are partial to a pistachio or two . . .

We do try and make a regular stop at the Nut Mans table at the Medina gate in Assilah to get a paper cone full when he comes out to ply his trade in the evenings.

But this morning, in more of an autumnal mood here in the uk,
 I decided to channel the domestic goddess in me!
Something I haven't done for a while -
and actually bake something off my Pinterest boards!
All my favourite flavours . . .
pistachio, cardamom, chocolate!

And that swiftly led me onto a decorating tangent
I've always loved the green tiles and design of Le Jardin in Marrakech,
 and I think the green works perfectly with the basket tones and browns.

textiles via

A perfect auntumn palette - and not bad with my morning coffee either

recipe via

x

Pauline

hard at work . . .

Admittedly its been a little quiet on my blog of late,

but just to let you know that I am working hard behind the scenes 

to make sure everything is working just how I want it to!

in the meantime
don't forget you can find me attempting to be arty
on
 INSTAGRAM

philosophising
on
PINTEREST

and just generally sharing the stuff of life
on
FACEBOOK

please keep in touch & I will be back to the blog soon!
x

majorelle blues

I have had a busy month on the home front with moving house taking up a lot of my time and energy

so not a lot of time for blogging . . .

But slowly the practicalities are getting done and moving aside for the pretty stuff,

and even more exciting - I have a small office/workspace.

So I thought I would share some of the images I have earmarked for inspiration in this "room of my own"

The starting point - and hence the title of this post - is the quintessential blue of Jardin Majorelle.

It's the combination of that intense blue, with that wonderful accent of sunshine yellow

{and lord knows we need all the sunshine we can get here in the uk
even if i have to paint it in myself!}
Here are some more images for my Majorelle Blue Moodboard
all images and credits can be found HERE
 

So I am off to buy some paint!
x

if you have a spare moment or two

click across to my shop

shouf!{look!} 

for some more inspiration

zwin cotton throw 

5 things about Tangiers: with Rima Farah

By artist Rima Farah

{Tangiers,Morocco}

I first met Rima when I moved to Assilah and she fast became both a reference point for where to find ANYTHING in Tangiers as well as a friend who provided an often much needed voice of calm in the madness that can be Tangiers.

Her art, like her is one of quiet patience as she interprets the lyrical shapes and forms of arabic calligraphy onto canvases and ceramics.

When I asked her to list me her "5 things about Tangiers " her reply was less about specific people and places, and more about the essence of the city:

#1: The sea - surrounded by both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, I feel at the edge of the world.

#2:The topography - I love the hills and the open green spaces, the plants, the flowers. The space keeps me fit!

#3: The birds - the migrations twice a year with the storks everywhere, and birdsong. 

Lots of open  and magical skies and that special light for painters.

 #4 The food - lots of fresh fish, markets full of local seasonal produce and a huge variety - totally spoilt!

#5 The people - both the Moroccan and non-moroccan, Tangiers is like an airport, people coming in and out and lots of languages, stories, interests and characters - Never a dull moment!

More recently Rima has embarked on a project of getting little pieces of "baraka" woven onto cushions  But more about that later . . . !

For more about Rima and her art:

http://www.rimafarah.com/

shouf giveaway #2

as promised . . . 

for the month of march

week #2

giveaway #2

you may have hummed along to the song Tea for Two?

well this weeks giveaway is all about 

Coffee for Two!

A set of 2 Espresso cups by Ewwel
designed and made in Morocco

a perfect fit for your coffee of choice!

what do you need to do to win?
not a lot really!

just SHARE this post to facebook, twitter, pinterest  

wherever takes your fancy 

have a look at these and other Ewwel designs 

here on SHOUF!

Glamping in Morocco

Glamping {Glamourous Camping} is a bit of a buzzword at the moment

and lets face it, Morocco is made for Glamping!

The rich history of the desert  is one of tents and bedouins, carpets and camels.

The ability to transform a corner of the desert into a home with architectural tents and beautiful textiles is not a new concept here,

so lets take a trip . . .

 enjoy the silence of the sahara in comfort

  wall to wall beni ourain carpets,

I would be happy to have a bedroom like this, let alone a tent!

breakfast en plein air - love these embroidered grass mats, so keep an eye out on shouf!
as I might include some after my next trip!

and the soft glow of lamplight at the end of the day,

all images via Mon Maroc Guidea website morocco full of glamourous glamping options that have been personally curated by  Maria
Camps featured here: El Khiam Ahlam, La Pause, and Scarabeo Camp

x

5 things about Tangiers: Atelier des Italiens

By Laura and Dario of Atelier des Italiens:

I have in the past shared some of the wonderfully creative images from Atelier des Italiens, and in fact some of their work is hanging on my wall, so it made sense to ask them where they like to spend spare time in their home town Tangiers.

PETIT SOCCO

As many expats we are fascinated by the artistic and literature heritage of Tangier : in the past, Petit Socco was the most notorious crossroads of Tangier and favourite places of writers, artists and adventurers. Although today Petit Socco is lost most of it old appeal, but this beautiful square remains always a nice spot for enjoy the local colour and have a mint tea at Cafe Tingis. We love start from here to venture in old Medina alleys and its wonders.

ST ANDREW GARDEN

Near the Berber Marker and right at the base of Hotel de France, going through a little gate can be accessed in a magic place. Here is located an English Church surrounded by a graveyard- well groomed garden oasis. We love sit here under a shady tree and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the place. 

MINT TEA AT CAFE HAFA

A mint tea at historical Café Hafa is a pleasant habit for us. Here does the best mint tea of the city, we love sit here tasting the tea and admiring the landscape on the strait. A good place for people-watching, meeting and meditation.

DARNA RESTAURANT

 Darna’s friday couscous is an institution for Tangier’s expat community. We love the sunny courtyard of the restaurant and its old-style atmosphere. Darna is a woman no-profit community and  also offer nice local handicraft and clothings.

ACHAKAR BEACH

Not so far from the city, below Cap Spartel. the Achakar beach on Atlantic Ocean is our favourite spot in summertime. The beach is clean and set in beautiful nature.  In a mild winter like this, the beach is a great place for a refreshing walk.

click on the links below to see more of their creations and online shop

Atelier des Italiens

E-Shop

Design inspiration

OK so this house is not in Tangiers,

in fact its not even in Morocco, 

but it could be . . .

When I saw it on Pinterest I was immediately drawn to it and started the process of pinterest sleuth- work (as one does) to discover its whereabouts.

Its in Mexico!
And, even better, if you have mexican holiday aspirations, it can also be found on Airbnb.

I think it is the overwhelming simplicity of design that draws me to this house,
and the way it sits so comfortably in its environment.

And yes
I know,

it would only be a matter of hours, if not minutes,
before I started slinging some carpets onto that concrete floor,
or adding some brash cushions into the mix,

but it has nevertheless been placed firmly into my file for inspirational elements and ideas.

What do you think Casa Tiny?

(and yes, that really is its name!) 

images via airbnb, miluccia and pinterest