Wednesday 25 November 2015

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. 







Wednesday 18 November 2015

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

Wednesday 4 November 2015

5 things about Tangiers

By Laurence of  L'Atelier de Laurence Tanger


Tucked away on a quiet street just above the medina of Tangiers is the concept store of Laurence Guitard-Bezos . . . L'atelier de Laurence. It sits alongside the La Maison de Tanger just in case you also happen to need a place to stay while perusing the streets and souks of Tangiers!



Laurence has created a colourful and eclectic collection of homeware,clothes and accesories from morocco as well as other corners of the world that have attracted her attention. She has shared with us a few of the things she loves about Tangiers.



"Ce que j aime beaucoup à Tanger c est de prendre un café sur la terrasse du cinéma Rif et d regarder les gens passés un joyeux mélange de population"
What I really like in Tangier is to take a coffee on the terrace of the Rif cinema and watch the people passing by, a wonderful melting pot and mix.




 "Ensuite un de mes endroits préférés reste le café Hafa avec la vue prenante et envoûtante sur le détroit."
 And then one of my favourite places remains the Hafa café with its mesmerising view over the strait.



"J'aime aller me,promener dans la garrigue de Mediouna à travers les petits sentiers ou l on rencontre quelques fois les familles de sangliers sauvage et enfin et surtout la plage autour du mirage ou là nous pouvons marcher avec les chiens durant des kilomètres et des kilomètres et même prendre un petit café dans un café de plage qui fait de très bonnes sardines grillées (après aeroport)."

I like to go walking in the scrubland of the mediouna, throught the small trails where sometimes you can even encounter a wild boar family - and last but not least, the beach around the Mirage  where we can walk with the dogs for miles and miles as even have a quick coffee in a beach café, that also does very good grilled sardines!(just ater the airport).



So a few ideas to get you out and about if you are in Tangiers . . .
and don't forget to pop in and see Laurence in her Atelier
at 9 rue Al Mabarra, Tanger.
x
 


images and credits via