The newest additions to my beloved book collection...

After reading so many wonderful posts about the beautiful and mysterious city of Marrakesh, including one of my favourite blogs, My Marrakesh, I've developed an insatiable hunger for reading as much information about this eastern oasis and viewing an endless array of awe inspiring interiors as I can.

To my absolute delight and not so much surprise, after several hints lol, I received this too die for book from under the Christmas tree. Marrakech, living on the edge of the desert is a stunning compilation of interiors and gardens set in and around the red city.

It is 239 pages of complete viewing pleasure and although I am only a quarter of the way through reading the stories that accompany the reigons I have now really stepped out of my "French box" and I'm determined to visit this colourful and earthy paradise sometime soon!

My 60yr old aunty visited there a few months ago and had a blast. This eden caters for Everyone!

If by some small chance you haven't discovered it yet, check out the fabulous daily diary of building Maryam's Peacock Pavillion on her wonderful blog "My Marrakesh"

http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/

Also incase you missed it, check out Felicity from All Things Bright And Beautiful's enchanting post about her trip to Marrakesh as well as some STUNNING pics from a boutique style hotel designed by Thomas Hays.

http://creativeflairchic.blogspot.com/

http://www.thomashaysinteriors.com/photography.html

Buy Marrakech, living on the edge of the desert at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Marrakech-Living-Desert-Daniel-Rey/dp/1864701528/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198970718&sr=1-3

Ok now it's time to step back into my little "French box" and quickly mention one of my favourite books in the whole wiiide weerld!

I originally bought Vicki Archer's My French Life a year ago and gave it to my mum for Christmas. I had since borrowed and read it several times. Although my mum only lives down the road from me and have unlimited access to her vast library, while I was shopping the other day I saw this book again and decided I HAD to have a copy of my own :)

I'm sure most of you by now have read Anna's raving reviews of this book, from her Absolutely Beautiful Things blog, but just incase you haven't this book is a MUST HAVE for all self confessed francophile's like myself. It not only follows her 3 year journey of restoring her families dream home - Mas de Berard - in the picturesque village of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, surrounded by lavender beds, limestone water features, plantations of apples, pears and olive trees and Les Alpilles (little Alps) in the distance. This book also describes her wonderful life living in this heavenly part of the world including weekend trips to Paris and the coastal city of Marseilles.

I cannot get enough of this dreamy book and am currently reading it for the third time. The photographs of the farmhouse, region, people and food by Carla Coulson will have you sighing out loud and gasping for breath.

Christmas is over and it's time to spoil yourself and this book is a pure indulgence :)

Buy it at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/My-French-Life-Vicki-Archer/dp/0670018775

http://www.vickiarcher.com/

http://www.carlacoulson.com/

http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-french-life-update.html