WANT A PIECE OF MOROCCAN GLAM? *GIVEAWAY*

It's about that time again for a fun GIVEAWAY over here at EAT.PRAY.MOVE! This month we'll be giving away two of these handmade, one-of-a-kind clutches that were made from genuine vintage Moroccan wedding blankets!

What is a Moroccan wedding blanket you ask? Well, you can get a good idea

HERE

and even shop for some full size ones

HERE

 from Maryam, our host in Marrakesh at Peacock Pavilions!

...wedding blankets are woven in anticipation of, you guessed it, a wedding, by the bride's female relatives. It can take many hours — even weeks — of work to attach those hundreds of mirrored sequins once the weaving is complete; it is thought that during this collaborative task, the bride's relatives teach her all about the birds and the bees, among other marital duties and expectations. After the wedding ceremony, the bride wears the blanket tied around her neck as a kind of cape...When complete, the wedding blanket serves not only as warmth and decoration for the bride, but also to ward off evil and to bestow fertility and good luck upon the newlyweds. — ApartmentTherapy

HOW TO GET ONE!

There are only two, and two ways to make one yours:

1.

The next guest to sign up

for

LUXURY MARRAKESH

Mar 8-14, 2015 will receive one.

2.

There will be a random drawing

from comments on this post! RULES: Leave your NAME & EMAIL in the comment. Only 1 comment per person. Extra chance given for a Fackbook, Twitter, or Instagram share of the link to the retreat page on our site

HERE

. Be sure to tag us on either @eatpraymoveyoga! Then let us know in the comments what you did and we'll add your extra chances.

GOOD LUCK & We hope to see you in MARRAKESH!

Unfortunately, due to custom regulations, we can only ship to address in the US or Canada...or we can bring it to you on the next retreat! Drawing will end Dec 26!

2014 : WHAT A YEAR / PART 1

I know we're not quite all the way through this year, and as we're still looking forward to the holiday season and to our final retreat of 2014 to ring in the New Year in Iceland under the Northern Lights I thought it's a good time to stop and reflect on the amazing year it's been thus far.

This year we began the season in Marrakesh, Morocco at our amazing location of Peacock Pavilions - a "do good boutique hotel" in an olive grove outside the city. There were two amazing weeks there, one classic itinerary and one luxury retreat, filled with great guests as always. We also had two more weeks in Marrakesh this past September and began the "

Give Back

" retreat initiative, where we were able to donate over $800 to the

Project Soar

 non-profit group that we've been working with at Peacock Pavilions. It was wonderful to be able to see the group of girls from the village again, and in September we also got to work with their mothers as well and see the difference that this project is making in their lives.

There are 3 Marrakesh retreats in 2015. Join us for a magical week and also to know you're giving back to an worth while cause! 

(click on the links for details)

Mar 8-14

:: Luxury Retreat

Mar 15-21

:: FORM+FOCUS Yoga/Art Retreat (only a few spots left!)

Sept 13-19

:: Classic Retreat

In May we headed to Provence, France for our second visit to the beautiful Cote d'Azur and enjoyed yoga, a visit to the islands of the southern French coast, wine-tastings, and

joie de vivre

! The very next week was spent with our premier week in Dubrovnik, Croatia and it was a week that exceeded everyone's expectations...bike rides through the wine country, secluded beaches with crystal clear water, yoga in the lush gardens, and the warm hospitality of the Croatian people.

We are returning to France and Croatia early summer 2015 and would love to have you join us!

(click on the links for details)

May 31 - Jun 6

:: Dubrovnik, Croatia (only 1 room left!) 

Jun 7 -13

:: Provence, France (SOLD OUT)

These retreats were a great kick-off to the summer and fall that lay ahead...Stay tuned for part 2 where we'll update on how the summer and fall in Italy, Iceland, and Morocco went! 

TRAVELER TESTIMONY / ARTFUL ADVENTURER / MARJA - NYC

Marja has made a full circle of friendship with EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats. As a long time friend of Sarah, she got to see from the outside what the excitement of an EPM yoga retreat was all about. After hearing about Sarah's experience in Italy, she signed up for a retreat of her own, a beautiful trip to Tuscany. As a stage actress, she has a lot of experience with travel and the arts, so we were excited to hear her thoughts on the retreat. Marja is a lovely woman, bringing grace, style and an infectious smile wherever she goes. We were so excited she got to experience the beauty of Italy.

Marja exploring village life in Tuscany

What drew you EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats? 

I consider myself an artist, a student of life, and a lover of exploration, travel, and simple pleasures. What drew me to Erin's retreat was the offer of a balanced, curated experience, one that incorporated relaxation, wellness, culture, and a touch of indulgence.

How did your trip compare to your expectations?

It’s important for me to have the local experience when I travel. I avoid falling into the typical tourist itinerary of “See this! See that!" while missing the experience. Erin’s retreat nailed this balance.

YOGA amongst the artistry of Florence

What was it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?

Erin is well traveled. She has not only acquired an understanding of many languages, but also relationships that let her provide her guests with access to artisanal crafts, food, and an insider's knowledge of the area.

What was the best part of your trip?

Staying in the Tuscan villa was relaxing and grounding, and a great sanctuary to come home to after a day of sightseeing or touring nearby Cortona or Siena.

What lasting impressions did you have? What stayed with you once you traveled home?

The best thing for me with Erin's retreat was the idea of balance. There is a lovely mix of enjoying oneself and having indulgence in doses while also being good to the body/mind.

Under the Tuscan sun, amongst the sunflowers

Thanks, Marja, for sharing your memories and your friendship. We can't wait to see you on your next retreat!