morocco

YumSugar editor Katie Sweeney recently hosted a Moroccan-theme dinner party and shared a photo of her decor with the Lovely Little Vignettes group. She writes, "Here is the tablescape from my half birthday dinner party last night. I did a Moroccan menu and had everyone sit on the floor around my coffee table." The table setting looks fabulous, doesn't it!? Not only do I love this exotic style, but it caters to those of us (like yours truly) who don't have a dedicated dining room. I have a small bistro table that seats a few guests, but my large coffee table would much more easily seat a party of eight for a cozy bash like this one.

Now I'm feeling inspired to whip up some couscous and a lamb dish for friends in my own home. So I've done some shopping and rounded up some Moroccan tabletop decor for the fete. Check it out below!

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Wscoggins from the Su Casa group:

My daughter's room is inspired by Eastern (Moroccan/Indian) themes. I recently repainted and papered her desk to match her bed, and this is the result. There's still more I'd like to do to her room, but this is where we're at so far.

Not only are the new pink accents utterly charming, but the shape of the desk itself is gorgeous! Check out Wscoggins's post to get a glimpse of her daughter's Eastern-style bed. And be sure to share photos of your own home decorating in the Su Casa group!

Argan oil is one of the more buzzed-about ingredients in beauty, thanks to its benefits for hair and skin (and a slew of cult-fave products that include the stuff). The oil comes from the nuts of argan trees, and humans aren't the only ones interested in getting a piece of the action. My friends Todd and Lisa ran across these hungry tree-climbing goats while honeymooning in Morocco.

Oddly enough, the animals are actually an important part of the oil-making process. The nuts are incredibly difficult to crack open, so enterprising people poked through goat poop to pick out the valuable argan nuts. Through the magic of goat digestion, the shells of the nuts became easier to open, and processing went from there. These days, most of the argan oil used in cosmetics is harvested without the help of goats, but in some places, the traditional goat-poo process is still in place. Now you know.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Whiteman

Here's a post from OnSugar blog Think Magazine:

Do you remember when SATC2 arrived in Abu Dhabi? All I kept thinking was I really want to spend a few months in that exact resort, in that exact suite or something very similar. Little did we all know it was actually filmed in Morocco (I knew that market looked familiar), a world class playground since Frank Sinatra sang "I did it my way."

And now, it looks like I can have it my way courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Tamuda Bay resort on the Mediterranean Ocean. This work in progress resort will include 80 marina apartments, a golf course, a beach club, and of course, a world class spa to pamper, relax, and soothe away any stress you might have brought with you. The architectural firm WATG known for their contemporary style won the bid to build the exterior as well as furnish the interior.

The project also includes preserving a wetland for migratory birds and an eco park to invite and preserve wildlife where guests can get closer to nature. Tangiers will be a 45 minute ride away courtesy of a new highway, for shopping, and more shopping, and of course exploring. This could be a relaxing destination coupled with incredible shopping for fashion and home decor. I can hear the decadence calling.

Want to read more? Start following Think Magazine or start your own OnSugar blog!

The weather has been so nice lately; I feel bad letting it slip away. So I'm heading to my friend's rooftop to have a Morocco-style night. Wine, Mediterranean appetizers, and star-gazing are on the horizon. Can you help me put together an outfit that's exotic, colorful, and easy to move in? You know, in case we break into some belly-dancing.

I'll start you off with these 5-Piece Pink Coral Rings from Target ($20) to get you inspired.

Let's go Fab Finding. Be sure to come back and tell me your Fab Finds are up, or just tag your Fab Finds with Rooftop Night. Now, you can build outfits by creating your very own widget of clothing items. We have everything you need to build outfits, and you can use your Fab Find bookmarks, too. This is an even better way to put together an entire outfit when completing your Fab Finding missions. Learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one. And here's a detailed explanation of bookmarks from GeekSugar.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Two hours from Marrakech in a town called Essaouira, where Orson Welles based his Othello and Jimi Hendrix found inspiration for "Castles in the Sand," English couple Emma Wilson and Graham Carter bought a pair of magical 200-year-old Moroccan houses and named them Castles in the Sand. The pair transformed "Dar Beida" and "Dar Emma" into exquisitely designed, playful, boutique guest houses full of flea market finds, Moroccan artifacts, antiques, and, most of all, charm. The houses, called riads, are available to rent throughout the year and make for a fantastic getaway, just a few minutes from the beach.

Dar Beida (the white house), shown here, is a four-bedroom villa and can be rented for about $488 per person for week, which includes lots of complimentary goodies like Moroccan slippers, use of beach towels, wireless Internet, etc. With white walls and floors throughout, ancient sandstone columns, and wood ceilings, it has gorgeous organic modern bones that create a calm base for the house's mix of eclectic lighting, art, and furnishings. It's built around a central courtyard (with a fountain!) with four stories, including a library, a lounge with a fireplace, an open plan fully-equipped kitchen, a large terrace, sun beds, and a hammock. All in all it looks, and sounds, like a dream. See more photos when you read more

While you were spending Thanksgiving with family and friends, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and other celebrities were in Morocco, celebrating the reopening of the Hotel La Mamounia in Marrakech.

What's so fabulous about this hotel that Hollywood's A-listers decided to drop everything and drop in? Pretty much everything. Originally opened in 1923, the hotel hosted famous names throughout history, including Franklin Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin, and it recently underwent a $176 million makeover. The 136 rooms, 71 suites, and three private riads got an updated Art-Deco-meets-Moroccan look designed by an expert team led by Jacques Garcia. Feast on the fabulous eye candy when you read more