Thanksgiving. This time of year traditionally we gather around the table with family and friends. Laughter and joy are prominent expressions in showing our gratefulness in giving back to what the universe and life has provided for us during the year.  The feast is served in a variety of styles and dishes- depending on your tradition. For me, it was stuffed artichokes and occasionally turkey.

ATUMNAL TONES 

It’s the perfect time to slow down. Stop, in some cases and reflect. I’ve made a conscious choice this year. I am planning to spend the day alone.  My family knows I love them. This day will be for me. Enriching, indulging and blissing out solo. I am very excited about this. My soul could use the rejuvenation. This past year has been a whirlwind, and I’m happy to be back home after the exciting yet challenging project in New York City. New York is exciting, stimulating and depleting all at once. I am still healing from the experience, physically and emotionally. I’m sure Thanksgiving will be a form of medicine for me. I will not be eating turkey, but am sure that I can conjure up something very rewarding and nourishing. After all, cooking is my next favorite thing to styling, designing and traveling!

My family and I have been planning trips for a couple years now, outside of it being business driven. This comfortable habit always made our journeys exciting, with a dual purpose behind it.  This time around, however, our trip was for a single goal, simply adventure. We coordinated our schedules – a challenge –  then it all came together.

Lisbon and Morocco.  Portugal has been a buzz for a while and  Morocco has been a bucket list option, so we combined the two. Let’s see how this pans out! We flew into Portugal first, then on to Morocco.  Portugal was beautiful. Unfortunately, we experienced a tremendous amount of rain there, and trying to walk on their slick porcelain squares was indeed challenging. The entire city sidewalks are built with the porcelain tiles as you see below.

SIDEWALKS OF LISBON

Castle of Sao Jorge Lisboa at the top of this castle comes an amazing view. The cloud formations were dancing and we were all filled with joy.  The photo below this wonderful scape are the resident peacocks of the castle who thrive there.  Many were in the trees and this beauty was captured by my camera as still as possible for the species. We saw over 35 at once. What a thrill!

FAMILY PORTRAIT

PEACOCK PRIDE

Our excitement was barely contained as we departed this ancient city and ventured off, in what might have been the shortest plane ride ever, to Marrakech. Culture shock – climate wise as well as culturally speaking.

As we disembark, our driver awaits. Onward to the next adventure which turned out to be one of the highlights of our journey.  We spent Halloween in dusty luxury.  The scene below was taken while on the camel ride. The experience here on these desert grounds was one not to miss. We have no idea how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of the world until you sit still in such vastness and beauty- in this case, the middle of the desert.  Those are the Atlas Mountains in the background.

DUSTY LUXURY

CAMEL RIDE

50 Minutes of heaven lead by these majestic animals. One with nature. Nothing more.

As the sun sets, and dusk creeps up, the light in the night sky deepens. The stars brighten and you then realize how small we really are. The sense of peace that prevailed there was so calming, soothing and grounding. This is often taken for granted. We felt so blessed to experience our selves as a small spectacle in this amazing  universe that night. As the sun sets, and dusk creeps in the light in the night sky deepens. The stars brighten and you then realize how small we really are. The sense of peace that prevailed there was so calming, soothing and grounding. This is often taken for granted. We felt so blessed to experience our selves as small spectacles in this amazing scene on Halloween night.

The inky blue sky below over the candle lit tents welcome a dazzling evening. Dinner is served. Wonderful Moroccan dishes, tajine with live Moroccan music and all.

DINNER SCENE

Our departure the morning following was filled with excitement for our next adventure-  into the heart of Marrakech. Weaving through the crowded poverty stricken streets which seemed more like walking in a labyrinth. Staying close together- we managed to find our riad. The remainder of our trip was filled with new sights, education and experiences thanks to our lovely host. My favorite part of the city portion of this trip was seeing all of the heaps and piles of spices and natural pigments!

NATURE’S PIGMENTS

At the onset of this trip, we had no idea what to expect, and the unknown gave us such a thrill. The vivid colors of Marrakech were stimulating and inspiring. Jewel tones, patterns and the mixtures of it all. As you can see in the three photos below, the colors and textures are not to be forgotten, in this magnificent city we’ve learned about inside the walls of the Medina.

MOROCCAN ARCHITECTURE

The earthy walls and the city scapes inspired me to hold another event in my Atelier.  I am pleased to announce that on December 8th, I’ll be holding a small soiree at my home in Weston. Please make note, and if you’d like to attend simply email me. See the invite below.   The rich hues of citrines, tourmalines and rubies will be among many other new and older works. If you can’t wait I invite you to visit my treasure chest, Nymph Jewels.

Diane Fraser will also be on hand for Tarot Readings. I hope you can come. Would love to see you and for you also to see my new work. Note that the tones in the stones below are similar to the autumnal photo in the first frame above. Nature always inspires.

OPEN HOUSE EVENT

Enjoy your holiday with family, friends or self.

Cherish the time spent and know you are blessed.

Yours in joy & spirit,

Dava