Bal Harbour

notations a known fact that when we eat, we are happy. It's hard to maintain a façade and not be your true self when eating a French fry, or in the case of this issue's "Table for Two," a piece of sushi. For the debut of this new column featuring dynamic people eating at one of Bal Harbour Shops' popular dining venues while we listen in on their conversation, I asked the ever-effervescent Colin Cowie to invite a friend and let me silently sit to the side and take notes. The celebrated event designer and producer gladly obliged, and asked supermodel/actress/philanthropist Karolina Kurkova to join him at Makoto. "I had so much fun lunching with Karolina, I lost track of time!" says Cowie, as he ran late to his next appointment. "I discovered the secrets to her success, being the hands-on wife, mom, model, and businesswoman she is." Kurkova, in turn, got Cowie to reveal his trusted tips for entertaining, hosting, and living well. It's an interesting read in "The Courtyard Chronicles," where you will also find Bal Harbour Shops' first-ever Advent Calendar, an impressive effort by our marketing team, led by the tireless Gotmar Giron. In it you'll find an abundance of treats from the Bal Harbour Shops family of brands. We hope you will visit and enjoy each one throughout the month of December. And as the holiday season is upon us, it's time for sexy resort wear, winter ski trips, and gifts to give and get. Our fashion portfolio offers a dreamy escape, visiting exotic ports of call with Explora Journeys. For a more active adventure, we tapped private travel expert Cari Gray to create a killer powder-chasing itinerary for all skill levels (après ski tips included). And to help alleviate any gift-giving angst, "Wrap it Up!" is our guide to the top jewelry, watches, and accessories for all the characters in your life. One last note to recognize an important person who contributed so much to the success of Bal Harbour for the last 14 years as its pre-press and print production advisor, Peter Jacaty. His commitment to the team and his pursuit of excellence knew no bounds; his energy was indefatigable. We dedicate this issue to Pete; may his memory be a blessing. DEBORAH FRANK Editor-in-Chief Photographer Alex John Beck shot model Mariina Keskitalo (here, wearing a Fendi dress and Morgenthal Frederics sunglasses) all around Dubrovnik, Corfu, and Ancona, Italy, as they sailed with Explora Journeys to less-traveled ports. Karolina Kurkova and Colin Cowie lunching at Makoto. It's P H OTO BY S A M A N T H A C O H E N BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M

• Cover