Autoblog de From Me To You

The phrase “shop till you drop” was never more well said than after a day in Marrakech’s Le Souk. If I wasn’t such a woman distracted by shopping in every other stall I came across, I could have wondered the narrow corridors all day in amazement of the wares, colors, food, local culture and vast size… but alas, these are the few snapshots of this ultimate shopping excursion Kelly & I embarked on in day three of Marrakech~ 

Below: WATCH OUT FOR THE MOTORBIKES! We became very trained to step to the side when you hear the sound of a motorbike coming because OH! They will not stop!

Below: You can’t go to Morocco and not go rug shopping! I bought floor rugs, pouf rugs, rug shoes, a rug backpack, rug tote… hence the trip hash tag #putarugonit because then, obviously, I will buy it. 

Below: Best olives I have ever eaten. 

Below: After a long day of shopping we reviewed the damage, freshened up and then went for a lovely dinner at Le Morocian. Kelly sprayed orange blossom on her Naeem Khan shawl as she disappeared behind the garden walls. 

Below: With new souk purchased earrings, I slipped into a classic caped Halston Heritage gown, another genius piece from RTR. 

Royal Palaces & pink dresses, falling in love with Marrakech…

From the new city to the old we danced through ancient courtyards, rubbed rose oil on our skin in the heat of the day and became inspired in the very gardens Yves Saint Laurent lived. As the hours ticked away, this city of now and then became even more intoxicating… and so we begin day two in Marrakech~

Above: Rebecca reads in the morning light at the Four Seasons 

Below: Behind the walls of the old fortified city we ventured into the heart of the Médina where we visited the Saadian Tombs where the past Kings lay to rest. 

“The Saadian Tombs lay hidden and mostly forgotten until 1917, when they were discovered during a French aerial survey and a passageway was built from the side of the Kasbah Mosque. The tombs’ long neglect has ensured their preservation and they have since been fully restored to their original glory.”

Below: Leaving the tombs we ventured through more of the Médina finding snapshots of daily life before stumbling into a local pharmacy with a herbal remedy for anything that ails you. 

I bought rose oil for under the eyes and as a scent on my wrist and bitter orange for on the temples at night.

Below: We walked the halls and riads of the Bahia Palace which stands for brilliance and fit for a King.  

Kelly & I borrowed matching caftanettes from Rent the Runway and found ourselves right at home among the “wives” (as in plural) riad. 

Below: One of the highlights of visiting Marrakech was seeing the Majorelle Gardens. Having first been introduced to this peaceful place in this film, I found myself enchanted not only with its history of being built by French artist Jacques Majorelle but seeing in person it’s hold over designer Yves Saint-Laurent.

Below: Dropping our hemlines but still maintaing our coordinating theme, Kelly & I slipped into long Rae Francis dresses and glided our way to Morocco’s Caftan Fashion Show for an evening of designers, glittering Caftans and a true celebration of culture.

See how it all began on day one here! 

Made for siestas in Morocco…

Patio nook at the Four Seasons in Marrakech 

Of course when I was packing my bags for Morocco I couldn’t help but see smoky old jazz bars and men in white dress coats while Sam plays As Time Goes By dancing in my mind’s eye… and I was not disappointed. The light of Morocco was as structural as a black and white film, cafes held old secrets and the long hot hours of the afternoon were cooled away with sweet mint tea and soft shaded nooks…. This starts the journey I was so thrilled to make with an amazing group of women and my dear friend Kelly Framel.

Welcome to day one in Marrakech~

After the journey from Casablanca to Marrakech we were welcomed at the Four Seasons Hotel with traditional mint & sugar tea and local pastries 

Below: The floating rose bowls were one of my favorite hotel touches. 

Above: Kelly hangs out on her private balcony nook… LOOK at those rug pillows. Heart palpations. 

Lunch at Grand Café de la Poste was like out of a scene my imagination would have built in a Hemingway novel. 

A visit to the most luxurious La Mamounia Hotel in the heart of Marrakech’s 12th century city ramparts surrounded by 17 acres of garden oasis filled with hundred year old olive tress and endless bouquets of blossoming flowers. La Mamounia is one of the most romantic places I have ever seen with exquisite restaurants, stunning spas, and classic bars.

Above: Kelly cools off in the wrap around tiles of La Mamounia. For info on her clothes see her credits here.  

Above: Moroccan nights with belly dancers and traditional tagine at Azar.

Below: Ending at Bleu d’Orange sipping champagne overlooking a glittery and golden day. 

Spring is here! Time to dance to the music… have a carefree weekend!

Above dresses from Banana Republic’s SS2012 Presentation 

At a presentation on Manhattan’s West Side, Banana Republic showcased their range of looks for spring and summer. From dapper suits and sweet summer dresses to safari looking day wear, they have us covered from date night to globe trotting… 

Shop now on BananaRepublic.com

Talking about #cinemagraphs with @kevinburg & @laureni at Apple, thanks @clairemazur for this photo! (Taken with instagram)

I never let being a photographer stop me from wearing gowns, pulling on trains and being the one in a sea of all black wearing pink… 

Walking on the red carpet in Katie Ermilio. 

Oh what a night… Leighton Meester in Marchesa arriving at the Met Gala