Dear friends,

It's been busy here at Peacock Pavilions, and there's so much I've wanted to share.  A few tidbits:

• I'm thrilled that My Marrakesh won Best Writing on a Design Blog in the 2013 Design Bloggers Conference Hall of Fame Awards.  The winners were determined through a combination of ratings by a panel of judges and the public vote.  Many, many thanks to those of you who took the time to vote for this blog. And my sincerest congratulations to the other three blogs that won in their respective categories! 

• I feel so lucky to have just had talented writer Dominic Bradbury and *amazing* photographer Richard Powers (the duo behind The Iconic Interior and The Iconic House) come to Marrakech on behalf of House & Garden magazine to do a feature on architect husband Chris and me, as well as Peacock Pavilions .  The story involved entertaining, a little road trip and a wander through the Marrakech souks!  The issue should be out this Summer. 

• In a moment of madness, I tried out for a (tiny) role as an American journalist in an award winning French sitcom called, Kaboul Kitchen.  It seems (can it be?!) that I got the part.  Apparently, they were impressed that I had actually been to Kabul (& just recently!).  View snippets of last season here:-)

• Very excited that Anthropologie has bought my book, Marrakesh by Design, for its US stores.  You might head over {if there's one nearby} to flip through the pages and pick up a copy, if you like what you see!

• So flattered that My Marrakesh is a finalist in the category Best African Weblog in the 13th Annual Weblog Awards, also known as the Bloggies.  Please take a peek and vote for your favorites! 

• You'll find me on AlHurra TV's Eye on Democracy show on March 8th, International Women's Day.  I'll be speaking about women and education as a source of empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa. Such an important topic.  (This is related to my day job -- which I don't much discuss here on this blog but am passionate about!)  Please tune in if you can at 2:10 pm GMT!

        Your faraway friend in an olive grove in Marrakech,

        Maryam

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