(Vintage camo jacket and blouse, Seven for all Mankind jeans, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” BENNI boots in black, The 2 Bandits cuffs)

Good mornin Morocco! I just woke up, and I’m here in Oualidia, a small quiet beach town just a few hours outside Casablanca. I found myself passed out in the backseat on the bumpy ride here, before waking up to the ocean and snapping pictures out my window. I’ve been sleeping like a baby, it’s so calm out here! Back in Casablanca, things are a bit more crazy and so this is a nice little escape. I’ve been seeking inspiration left and right here and one place I found the most beautiful? This mosque overlooking the water in the heart of Casablanca. Inside, the walls are intricately carved. The ceilings printed and shining. Everything glows off the chandeliers. Walking through it barefoot was the most calming part of our trip. And I don’t know why I think this, but the sun seems so big in Morocco and closer than ever. Luckily we’ve been having some beautiful cool weather that I got to whip out a deep red pair of pants and of course, my staple, a camo jacket that I brought back from London. I travel with simplicity, though today I think I may go a bit more wild out at the beach. Looks like I’ll be starting the day off at the pool, before heading out into the lagoon…and on a boat! I’m ready to live the beach bum life, even if it is just for one more day.

(Muubaa quilted leather biker jacket, We are Handsome dress, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” Cheetah BENNI boots, Marie Turnor bag)

Day 1 in Morocco? DOWN. What started off as a morning haggling at the rug shop, turned out to be an amazing day full of traditional Moroccan sweet tea and some adorable purchases. The girls and I made sure to get up just a few hours after we’ve landed for a bright and early start. We have the most adorable driver, so going around the city in the insane traffic is still so much fun! Plus, our van is pretty rad. Once we finally made our way to the markets, I found just what I was looking for: the bold Moroccan colors, prints, and patterns. At the rug shop, about 50 rugs were laid out for us, and if we didn’t like them we all said “nooo” in Berber… but I said “yes” to one that I really liked..and almost walked home with a rug, until I had to finally tell the guy I simply haven’t exchanged money yet! But I wish I did, the handcrafted pieces are so beautiful. I see myself draping the colorful rugs and blankets on my apartment walls back home. Of course, we eventually made it to the outdoor markets. I couldn’t stop taking photos of the arches, the people, and of course, our random encounters with cats. I did walk away with a few tassels to bring back home, along with yet another embroidered leather handbag. Sometimes I get sucked in when there’s a good bargain. Today, we’re having a slow morning, recovering from our night of cous cous and wine, before another wild day out in Casablanca. We never quite know what to expect anymore, but that’s the beauty of traveling in a foreign place isn’t it?

Follow all of my adventures on Instagram (natalieoffduty)!