morocco – IAMSHEGLOBAL

Summer of Wanderlust – Morocco Inspired Look Book

Posted on August 21, 2016 by IAMSHEGLOBAL

Only two weeks left in our Summer of Wanderlust and I’ve left some of my favorite countries for last.

This week’s look book is inspired by Morocco. My husband and I took a private tour by car through the vast landscapes of Morocco in 2006 from the forest through olive groves to a night spent in a Bedoin camp, watching the sunrise in the Sahara Desert.

Buying rugs in the desert, drinking mint tea, getting lost among mounds of spices in the markets of Marrakech, eating our share of tajine, covering my hands in henna, discovering beautiful details around every corner, meeting amazing artisans, uncovering hidden courtyards. It was a magical journey and I can’t wait to return. Until then, I leave with a little Moroccan inspiration.

{Kaftan/Ross, Sandals/Target, Bangles/From India, Earrings/Macy’s, Necklace worn as a headpiece/Santee Alley}

{Pants/Love Culture, Kaftan/Thrifted, Sandals/Marshall’s, Necklace/Macy’s}

{Dress/Depop, Scarf/Worn as a belt/Target, Red Belt/Made in Morocco (Thrifted), Necklace/Bought in India, Shoes/Forever 21}

{Kaftan/Querist Vintage on Depop, Heels/Michael Kors, Bracelet/Necklace worn as a headpiece/From India, Earrings/Santee Alley}

Join the Journey with IAMSHEGLOBAL

Posted on April 2, 2015September 2, 2016 by IAMSHEGLOBAL

If you know a bit about me, you’ll know that after finishing interior design school and working various jobs, I found myself working for a tour operator, designing safaris to Africa. I was able to travel abroad quite a bit for the 5 years I worked there but I had this itch, a feeling I couldn’t shake, a knowing, that I was meant to be my own boss and pave my own road. After much contemplation, almost to the point of being paralyzing, I quit my regular paycheck, my regular schedule and my regular cubicle for a life all my design.

That was seven years ago, this month to be exact, that I made the choice to follow my dreams. No road map in hand, no instructions to follow, just my drive, my vision, a very supportive husband, trial and errors, lots of workshops, reading, learning, traveling, dreaming big, bumps along the way and a burning desire that kept me motivated all this time. All of it has brought me to this moment where I combine my 15 years of personal and professional travel experience with my attention to detail, sense of wonder, love of the unique and desire to share the beauty and magic of this amazing world with you.

Today, I am launching my inaugural global, arts and culture based shopping journeys to Thailand, South Africa, Morocco and India. I have spent months designing every detail of the itineraries and I will personal guide the trips to ensure you create the most amazing memories. I have chosen to keep these groups small, no more than 12 passengers and each journey will focus on the arts and culture of the country we are visiting with direct experiences with local artists, musicians, chefs, craftsmen, wine makers, painters. I believe the art and culture is the soul of a country and I have created these journeys so that we can travel and connect on a more personal level with that soul.

This is the blossoming of my dream and whether you take flight with me to far off lands, gain insight from my blog posts or get inspired by my social media, my only hope is that you “Join the Journey”. ~ Sheena

Photo credit: April Bellotti Photography

Let Your Hands Be The Canvas

Posted on March 21, 2013July 25, 2014 by IAMSHEGLOBAL

FL020033 — Koutoubia Mosque overlooking Marrakech

I had always dreamed to traveling to Morocco and was thrilled when we got the chance. Our last few days were spent in Marrakech and I couldn’t wait to stroll the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square. This expansive square is bustling with cafes, fresh orange juice vendors, snake charmers and spice merchants, just to name a few.

FL020030 — Jemaa el-Fna Square
Marrakech, Morocco

I figured this would be the place to knock off one of the items on my must-do list in Morocco, which was to get henna artwork on my hands. I found this lovely young lady who was a henna artist, complete with her booklet of designs to choose from and small stool for me to sit on. In the middle of this amazing square, in about five minutes flat, she created ornate, ethnic, floral designs on both my hands. Amazing skill in such a quick amount of time and with such a unique medium. It was wonderful to have this local artist’s work on my hands to take home with me, as a reminder of her creativity and my journey through Morocco.

Art and creativity come in a multitude of forms throughout the world. When traveling, I try to support local artists, whether they be musicians, painters, weavers or henna artists and I encourage you to do the same.

Beautiful henna artworkMarrakech, Morocco — Beautiful henna artwork
Marrakech, Morocco

Friday Fly Away – Kasbah Tamadot

Posted on March 15, 2013July 1, 2013 by IAMSHEGLOBAL

It’s Friday and we are off to another enchanted destination. We’ve landed in the rolling Atlas Mountains of Morocco and in the distance lies our home for the weekend.

Fresh mountain air fills our lungs as the fragrant blooms and whispering trees invite us to discover this beautiful sanctuary.

Rich russets, warm, golden hues, luxurious fabrics, ornate details and stunning vistas envelope you in your choice of rooms.

We’ll sip delicious Moroccan mint tea as the sun sets over the majestic landscape. Aromatic tagine and local olives await us for dinner on the open terrace. There is not a spot that doesn’t offer up nature’s beauty.

We’ll soak up the glorious scenery and be embraced by the beauty of Morocco. Hold the sight of these vistas in your mind as you have a beautiful, relaxed weekend. ‘Till we fly away together next Friday….

kasbah-bedrooms-berber_tents_view-large[1] — All photos in this post are courtesy of http://www.kasbahtamadot.virgin.com

A Tale Of Two Camels

Posted on March 11, 2013July 25, 2014 by IAMSHEGLOBAL

As part of our trip to Morocco we spent one night at a Bedouin tented camp in the Sahara Desert. We arrived in the afternoon and after settling in we decided to take a camel ride at sunset.

This was our first time on camels and we didn’t quite know what to expect. You hear stories of spitting, angry camels so we mounted them with some trepidation.

Though I am sure these Bedouin men had never seen the Dog Whisperer, they were unknowingly employing his techniques with their camels. The calm energy and relaxed vibe of the men leading, was transferred to the camels following behind. We set off into the Sahara on the most peaceful journey.

FL050008 — Doesn’t he just look content?

Soft, earthen red sand under hoof made the ride smooth. Our camels were docile and we traveled at a pace that allowed us to soak up the setting sun’s show.

I had the feeling that these men and their camels were enjoying the utter silence of the windswept dunes just as we were and that they would have been on the same stroll that evening, whether we had showed up or not.

A few years later on a trip to Egypt, we were in Aswan where they offered camel rides. We had enjoyed it so much in Morocco that we were excited to experience it again.

While the camels in Morocco were on their evening stroll in their quiet backyard, the camels in Egypt were like factory workers putting in hours of labor, knowing their job was to get you from A to Z as fast as possible. They had their bosses shouting at them and you could see the agitation on their faces as they hoped for their “15 minute” break.

I got on my camel and held on for dear life, white knuckled the entire ride. Being on an animal with “Skinny Bone Jones” legs and an axe to grind is scary enough, but we had the added pleasure of traveling on a hard path with a steep drop off. My life flashing before my eyes wasn’t exactly the scenery I had in mind.

We arrived swiftly at our drop off point and getting off the camel as it dipped forward was just as terrifying, if not more, than the ride. I don’t have memory of this experience being so traumatic in Morocco. Maybe it had something to do with there being only rock hard ground to break my fall if I slipped in any way.

I don’t blame the camels. I thank them both for the rides, each memorable in their own way. My tale of two camels leads me to the conclusion that as with many things in life, the positive energy and intention one puts into something, greatly affects the outcome.