Behind the Mashrabeya

How many visitors on average does your blog get per day (not page views)?

Just wondering because I looked at mine and had to do a double-take!!!

Will stop being nosey now!

So...I've been extremely busy these past few days photographing all my gorgeous garments. I've also had the joy of working with models who are visions of perfection with their 22" waists and 30" hips. Not for these women a bad hair day - nope, everyday their hair looked as though they'd just come out of Nicky Clarke's salon. And all of them seemed to tower a good head and shoulders above me!

However, they were distinctly lacking in the conversation department. A cheery 'good morning' would be met with a blank expression. I told some of my favourite jokes to break the ice, but was met with the same sea of blank faces. I went out to buy some cakes to go with the coffee - and had to eat them all myself. It seems models don't eat - ever!

Hmmm...wonder if there's any difference between the store mannequins I was working with and their human equivalent

Still in trying out my new camera mode!! Above are front and back shots of the 50 piastre Egyptian note. This is the equivalent of 5p!!
50 piastres will buy you 10 loaves of flatbread; 2 local bus journeys; 2 chocolate bars; a 2 min mobile phone call; a bag of crisps or a ready made felafel sandwich!!

Hmmm...above is a dress I love. It's handmade with gold sequin detail. The fabric is a light crepe material and it's so comfortable and easy to wear. But I'm undecided how much to retail it for...so suggestions please! Is 19.99 reasonable, or does 14.99 make it an unmissable bargain??!!!

I got my brand spanking new camera the other day and it's wonderful (oh the joy of opening the box and all the bits working as they should!!).

Am still getting to grips with all its features but thought I'd share a photo with you of my street - taken just a few seconds ago

View from my balcony - the Nile's *that* way!!

I'm going to be spending the next few days photographing items to display for sale on my site.

Below is a photo of the hip scarf I mentioned in my last post:

Colours available:
Black with gold coins
Black with silver coins
Lime green with gold coins
Navy with silver coins
Red with gold coins
Turquoise with gold coins
Blue with gold coins
Mauve with gold coins
Light orange with gold coins

I'm off now!

I've been busy the past few weeks visiting belly dance costume designers, material merchants and several women who dedicate hours of their time to sewing each of these beautiful items.

I've now built up quite a collection of items to sell - although it'll be hard because I've fallen in love with so many of them!

As an opening promotion I'm going to offer crepe chiffon triangular hip scarves (140x60cm) with lots of jingly coins for £5.99 each, and I'll throw in free P&P to get things started. These scarves are ideal for any dancer, and the noise and movement from the coins is amazing! They also look great when worn with jeans or trousers

I've also sourced more unusual scarves and dancing dresses which I shall photograph and upload as they're rather difficult to explain.

Anyway, that was my bare-faced, unashamed plug for my project and I thank you for listening!!!

Shamelessly copied from Prydwen's blog cause I think it's fun!!

5 things in my fridge:
5 bottles of Baraka mineral water
feta cheese
watermelon
moussaka
fish fillets

5 things in my wardrobe
Designer suit I've never worn (burgundy with bits of straw)
Jewellery
Bellydancing costumes
Pair of $250 dollar killer heels
Too many books to count!

5 things in my handbag
ipod
mobile phone
passport
address book
perfume (Angel by Thierry Mugler)

A few days ago I received my International Driving Permit and since then have been having the time of my life getting to grips with driving in Egypt.

To give you an idea of what it's like - think of fairground dodgems but with the added excitement of donkey carts and horse carriages and pedestrians with a death wish thrown in for good measure!!

There is no highway code, no courtesy to other drivers and the horn is compulsory. In fact, if you ever visit Egypt, one of the first things you'll notice is the incessant sound of car horns!

I almost came a cropper on a roundabout. Thinking I had right of way I was all set to do a left turn when a car came speeding towards me from the other side. Horns galore until my passenger informed me that whoever is on the 'straight road' has the right of way

But perhaps the most amazing thing that's happened in my few days of driving was last night. Himself (who doesn't yet have a licence) suggested we take a drive out to a restaurant beside the Nile for dinner. We arrived and were shown to a space by the parking attendant. I pulled in and was waiting for a departing car to leave so I could straighten up. Cue the parking attendant (male of course) knocking on the passenger window and asking Himself to take my seat and park the car properly. I was livid