Marrakech shopping iNsPiRaTioN

As is to be expected, I greatly enjoyed the souks in Marrakech. They had amazing leather, spices, and hand detailed metals. I didn't take pictures of everything I bought but I did get some amazing things including:

A beautiful dark brown (almost black) leather backpack with a beautiful print inside
A handmade ceramic bowl in yellow with a red, blue, and brown design on it.
Some great silver bangles.
Silver earrings (you can see pictures of these on facebook!)
Spices!!
Rose Clay powder to use as a face mask with rose water - so soft!

Morocco

This is Nick and I looking at the great metal pieces.

I think this skirt was the best choice of my trip. I wore the 'skirt' with a black tank top and JCrew tunic in the day and then at night I wore the 'skirt' as a strapless dress with a open jacket over it. Perfectly versatile!

How much fun we had having tea with Radwaun. I think we were here for hours... I bought my fair share of spices! I am ready to get cooking!

So many cute kittens in Marrakech!

The second floor of our riad (meaning guesthouse). Each riad has an open square in the center. The picture below is the main floor of that open air space and also where we ate breakfast each morning.

 Tying my hair up in a scarf was perfect for the day we walked through the villages within the Atlas mountains. It was windy, but I didn't have hair blowing in my face!

Hassan was explaining the different farms across the valley.

 This is in the house of a Berber family that made us lunch. It was an amazing and filling meal! This room is reserved for when guest visit, they don't use it otherwise. Talk about saving something for good!

Not quiet summer?

I haven't really gotten used to London weather yet. I love heat; hot summers are ideal. Obviously that isn't what I get in London though... none the less, learning to dress for such weather has been a fun challenge! Well, fun when I figure out something that works, not fun when I start the day hot and end cold...

The quality of these photos isn't ideal, I didn't have time to photoshop them and I think I accidently deleted some of the good ones while I was trying to clear memory space for my Morocco photos, you get the idea though right? :)

Centre for Sustainable Fashion blog

Since I was on holiday I didn't have time to post this sooner, but I wrote a piece for the blog of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion on May 25th. If you read this blog often you already know most of it, but still, feel free to check it out!

http://www.sustainable-fashion.com/the-bulletin/

color oh color

You ever have those days when you just really feel like wearing a lot of color or prints or just anything interesting? Today is one of them for me. I am in the mood for zig zags and mixed colors... what do you think?

Military Remake

I have an army green military jacket I bought last year on sale that I wore many times last summer, but the sleeves are too short so I only wear them rolled up. I just decided I think I am going to cut off the sleeves and make it into a vest.
Thoughts?

Inspiration for Morocco

I am still constantly thinking about what to pack for Morocco... I have recently learned we are doing an excursion into the Mountains too. Does that change what I should wear? Here are some of the outfits I am taking as inspiration for packing.

xo

And here are some outfits I tried on last night. Still have to get them just right... but its a start!

Community Repair Exhibit

My last weeks have been filled with planning an exhibit for a project called 'Community Repair' that I had worked on with my class, MA Fashion and the Environment, and Otto Von Busch. It turned out great!

What to pack??

I am going to Morocco in less than a week!!! Soooo pumped. I wanted to buy a new long skirt and cardigan in honor of the occasion (and dress code) but decided instead to save the money for buying textiles in Marakkesh (they are supposed to be AMAZING).  Of course, that means figuring out what to pack and wear! I have a couple long dresses ready and am thinking about a jumpsuit or two. Of course, I also want hats/scarfs for my head and easy wraps to cover my shoulders... a lot of work left but I am starting the process!

Thoughts on the scarf covered ponytail?

Culottes and t-shirts

I bought these shorts a while back when I was looking for culottes thinking they would be the perfect fashionable cycling attire. Unfortunately I have been having problems putting together outfits with them that I don't feel make me look 15... (I don't know how that is possible at 6'2) but I decided to try it out with my Katharine Hamnett tee. Of course I tried this out on the day I also tried out new recipes in the kitchen... I have been eating so aweful lately I decided to try my hand at cajun chicken wraps using fresh British romain lettuce. Well, the wraps tasted good but were too runny and splattered on my white t-shirt. Of course I then thought to put on my apron... a little late though...

Long dress + bike + rain

Yesterday I was working from home part of the day but needed to go to LCF in the afternoon for a PhD speech then over to the Strand and up to London Business School. I thought, 'no big deal' because I have my cycling clothes so I will just switch back into my dress when I get to school and figure it out from there. Well, the first part of the trip was fine, and on my way from Strand to London Business School I slipped on my shorts under my dress so I could hike it up under my jacket for easy cycling. Brilliant idea I thought, until I got stuck in a down pour. Nothing can save you from a London down pour. Luckily, I had my neon semi-water proof cycling jacket with me and was able to keep my clothes pretty dry, but not only was I 20 minutes late to the lecture I also forgot my iPod in the outside pocket of the jacket. Luckily the iPod still works, but the screen is very ruined... count my blessings I suppose. Before all this I had my hair down and curled, of course the rain ruined that. Hey, I still saved 6 quid throughout the day on public transport!

May fashion

Between launching a new sustainable fashion research venture and planning the Community Repair Exhibition I haven't had a ton of time for fashion pictures. Now my mind is focused on what to pack for Marakkesh in just over a week!!

Aztec Print Poncho

Last fall I found my self reeaally wanting this old aztec print blazer of my moms. She hadn't worn it in forever but it had been in her closet as long as I could remember.  It wasn't something I would wear in Minnesota, it didn't fit the style there, but it was perfect for London.  Of course, when I finally remembered to ask her about it it was no longer in the closet. Who knows if it was in the hustle of this round of moving or had been donated a while back, but either way I wouldn't be getting it. Saddening, but I had enough other stuff to pack in my bags when I went home over Christmas so I let it go.  Sure they have them in stores, but they are either out of my price range, don't fit, or not 'special' enough.  Last weekend I found a poncho on Asos though that reminded me of the blazer without being the same. Perfect! I think I may add some seams at the arm openings to make it more of a cardigan than poncho, but either way I love it!