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DECEMBER 2022 | AVENTURAMAGAZINE.COM FOR THE LATEST IN ALL THINGS LUXURY
From maximalism to chic simplicity, three local creatives share their Magic City–centric holiday decor ideas and tips
By Kristen Desmond LeFevre66
The perfect primer for making the gifting grade for every personality on your shopping list
By Liza Grant SmithThanks to a new Brightline station, Boca Raton is ripe for exploration
By Skye ShermanLasso up some style straight from the runways
Photography by Olivia GrahamMax Mara top, skirt; Fraulein Boot Company boots; House of Clyde hat. For buying information, turn to page 103.
22 FROM THE EDITOR AVENTURIST 25 THE MIX
Visit Hawkins, Indiana, at the Aventura Mall with a trip to Stranger Things: The Store 26 SELF CARE
Miami Beach Bum offers a line of clean and eco-conscious beauty products, and Melanated Beauty Spa tailors skin care services to women of color 28 CULTURE Q&A with local multimedia artist Troy Simmons 30 FEELING FESTIVE Celebrate the season with these Miami-Dade holiday must-dos 32 MIAMI ART WEEK Our can’t-miss guide to the top fairs and exhibits in town this month 34 ARTSY ACCOMMODATIONS Put these art-centric hotels on your staycation bucket list STYLE 39 THE LOOK Collectible accessories, plus tropicalinspired resort wear 42 THE EDIT The oh-so-sweet gift of chocolate 44 JEWELRY BOX Jewelry with stripes, chevron, dots, and more 46 BEAUTY BEAT Get holiday party ready with pink products 48 REAL TALK
American sportswear designer Tory Burch dishes on her inspo and favorites from her newest collections
JOURNEYS 51 WANDERLUST Discovering the dreamscapes of Oman 56 HIGH ROAD Stretch out in Bentley’s Bentayga EWB 58 HIGH SEAS Going Dutch with the new VanDutch 32 SIP & SAVOR 89 DOWNTOWN DISRUPTER
Highlighting the arrival of Brickell’s Dirty French as a standout for appetites and ambience
LOCAL BITES Toscana Divino celebrates 10 years of Tuscan tradition, Aegean-inspired food and wine pairing picks at Meraki Greek Bistro, sip on an unique seasonal eggnog with a recipe from Coral Gables’ the Lion and the Rambler, plus holiday donuts make a one-week-only appearance at The Salty
mother-daughter design duo creates museum-worthy interiors to house an expertly curated art collection in Surfside
Publisher Terry Duffy
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HAUTE HOLIDAY
‘Tis the season to deck your halls with fantastic decor. Not sure where to start? Take a peek behind the scenes of our photo shoots with three of my favorite Miami creatives (including Timur Tugberk, pictured here), who tackled the task of putting together their own festive looks with an eye toward Miamicentric styles. Turn to page 60 for their delightful designs in my feature, “Very Merry Miami.”
With the winter holidays and Miami Art Week upon us this month in the Magic City, there’s never been a merrier reason to celebrate—and we’ve got you covered in this fi nal issue of 2022.
Now that Miami Art Week is back in true style post-pandemic, don’t miss our picks for the best of the fests and the most elite exhibits in Mary Murray’s “Get Art Smart,” starting on page 32. If you’re looking for an art-centric hotel to inspire your creative dreams after a long day of perusing the seemingly endless shows and installations, turn to page 34 for “Rooms with a View,” offering Melissa Puppo’s fi ve favorite artsy accommodations in town. And don’t miss Christiana Lilly’s Q&A with multimedia artist Troy Simmons (page 28) for insight into his process and inspo for his new Janus Portal installation at MiamiOpa Locka Executive Airport.
As we showcase all things holiday, we’re channeling tons of local vibes. Fortunately in Miami-Dade, there’s no shortage of chic and cheerful ways to celebrate. When you’re ready to gather your crew to get out and peep the magic of decorative lights or ooh and aah over seasonal styles, turn to “Holiday Happenings” on page 30 for details on fi ve of Miami’s best-loved holiday hot spots. And at a time when everyone is rushing to check items off their gift lists, Liza Grant Smith’s feature, “The Gifted Program,” offers a wealth of perfect presents that will send you straight to the head of the gift-giving class. From little ones to fashionistas to foodies (and beyond), fi nd inspo for every personality type (including maybe even yourself), starting on page 66.
With the addition of Brightline’s new station in Boca Raton, take a day to ride the rails north for some adventure within reach. Skye Sherman’s “Book it to Boca” feature, beginning on page 74, has all the information you’ll need for a trip worth taking—from cultural experiences to coffee breaks, and even a holiday-themed Polar Express excursion sure to please the whole family.
No matter how you choose to celebrate the year-ending holidays that this month brings, I wish you moments of true cheer as you cherish your traditions—whatever they may be.
Kristen Desmond LeFevre klefevre@aventuramagazine.com
Treat yourself and a special someone to the perks of a PREMIUM fare. Start the night off right. Toast to your adventures ahead with cocktails on board and in-station with premium lounge access. Book in advance and let one of our Brightline Teslas sweep you off your feet and bring you to and from the station, with pick up and drop off available within 5 miles. See where Brightline can take you. Scan the QR code to book your next ride.
The portal to the Upside Down is now open—inside Aventura Mall. You heard that right, nerds! Fans of the global Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things will have the chance to explore Hawkins and beyond with Stranger Things: The Store, open now through the end of the month. The groundbreaking retail experience will take visitors inside some of the show’s most memorable settings and allow them to find unique
pieces such as ’80s replica Stranger Things–themed General Mills cereal packages, take photos inside Joyce’s house, shop at Starcourt Mall, get up close to a Demogorgon, and more. Guests can also shop exclusive festive merchandise and enjoy customizable apparel stations. Tickets are free, but reservations are encouraged to score guaranteed entry inside this can’t-miss pop-up. (strangerthings-store.com) —Melissa Puppo
While it’s great to be outdoors, the sun and salt water can do a number on hair and skin. That’s why Ayssa Di Pietro founded Miami Beach Bum, a collection of eco-conscious and clean beauty products.
The product that started it all. The cream is a mixture of aloe, oregano, and jojoba and comes in three scents: lemongrass, mint, and orange.
This leave-in conditioner is a godsend for those who spend their days in the pool or ocean, as it protects your hair and scalp from damage.
A mineral sunscreen, this product is great for your skin and our ocean’s reefs, which can be damaged from SPF products. Plus, it’s deliciously scented with coconut and orange notes.
Maghan Morin believes in beauty accessibility; that’s why she’s made it her mission to develop a first-of-its-kind spa for women of color in Hallandale Beach. Launched in 2021, Melanated Beauty Spa caters to the different types of skin on the Fitzpatrick scale (which measures the amount of melanin in the skin, ranging from Type I to Type VII).
Morin has dealt with her own difficult skin journey. Dermatologist visit after dermatologist visit provided no relief for her severe acne, until she found a solution. “My parents spent so much money trying to figure it out,” she recalls, “but I found an aesthetician who really helped me understand how to take care of my skin.”
Morin now caters to her clients with an expansive menu of treatments, from facials and massages to body contouring, brows, and more, all with a focus on specially formulated products. “The Melanated brand is about inclusivity and people of color being seen as taking care of themselves,” she says, noting that her business also provides a professional space for aestheticians of color.
“There are a lot of mainstream products that have ingredients that aren’t the best for coral reefs, seagrass, or fish,” she says. “It was huge for us and our value system to have everything be as clean as possible.”
With a background in marine science, Di Pietro spent a lot of time in wet suits and swimsuits and noticed she was developing rashes on her bum. When none of the normal remedies worked, she turned to her garden and created an effective concoction with oregano and aloe. Soon she was making batches for friends. She launched Miami Beach Bum in the summer of 2019 and now runs a a boutique in Sunset Harbour. Here, check out some of Di Pietro’s best sellers. (miamibeachbum. com) —Christiana Lilly
“I’ve been very intentional about making sure that people feel seen when they come here.”
Clients can become a member of the “Self-Care Club” and receive two benefits per month; they can also book out the spa for events like bridal showers and birthdays. With the success of her South Florida locale, Morin plans to open a second spa in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023. (melanatedbeautyspa.com) —M.P.
BY CHRISTIANA LILLY
Ever wonder who’s behind the mosaic of colored glass embedded in the columns of the Wynwood 2300 Building? It’s Miami-based sculptor and multimedia artist Troy Simmons His pieces have appeared at Volta New York, Volta Basel, Miami Art Week, Art Paris, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, and the Cornell Art Museum, to name a few, and he’s also the recipient of an Oolite Ellies Creator Award. Simmons’ newest public art endeavor is a large, cantilevered sculpture for Canadian business jet manufacturer Bombardier at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. Aventura sat down with the artist to talk about his style, influences, and inspi ration. (troysimmonsstudio.com)
AVM: What was your early exposure to art? Simmons: Watching my grandfather on the farm. He built his own house. It had a dirt floor. He would make furniture by taking deerskin and stretching it and basically creating chairs. ... He would just make stuff from what he found on the land or from what he ate. That was my first introduction [to] this craft of working with your hands and him building his home.
A lot of your work is very architectural. Is that a major inspiration for you?
I got a degree from Oklahoma State University as an architectural technician. I worked with a firm, and it allowed me to have my hands in pretty much everything. I was able to take all of these building blocks that I had learned from my grandfather and environmental science [from my time as a lab technician] into the architectural world and mesh that all together to what my art would become. My art is a combination of all those experiments and all those things I did in life building up to where I am today.
Where do you draw your inspiration?
Maybe I’m going through something in life, and I’m feeling a wave of depression. I look at things in the environmental world—a plant that’s growing doesn’t have any limitations. If you put foundation on a plant, eventually it will take back over. I have a series called Durthdrutch, a German term for “breakthrough.”
Tell us about your collaboration with Bombardier.
Travel is one of the biggest teachers. You learn cultures, you learn a lot of things by traveling. When this Bombardier opportunity came up, I said, ‘Okay, here is this airplane manufacturer who sells planes for people to travel around the world, but it is another transportation: It takes you to other cultures, takes you to places.’ This sculpture that I created after I looked at the architecture of the building, I felt would be a great integration of their building. It has the same angles, the same flow. It’s called Janus Portal; Janus is the Greek god of travel.
BY KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE
Urbanspace’s famed holiday market has set up shop on South Beach’s Lincoln Road District for the first-ever national expansion of New York City’s beloved holiday pop-up. The market offers a shopper’s delight with more than 100 vendors selling everything from children’s toys and apparel to artisan food products—plus tasty treats to eat and drink along the way. (urbanspacemia.com)
Don your holiday finery and visit the storied Deering Estate for its Mistletoe and Martinis event December 9, celebrating the house’s 100th anniversary with a roaring 1920s-themed soiree. Or stroll the grounds December 2 or 14 to take in Historic Holiday Decor: A Jazzy Holiday, when some of South Florida’s top interior designers will deck the house’s halls. On December 17, Santa Claus comes to the Deering Estate. Enjoy story time with his elves, or let the kids get creative with holiday arts and crafts. (deeringestate.org)
Thursdays through Sundays, head out to peep holiday lights like no other at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s immersive NightGarden. The installation returns for a fourth year, promising even more showstopping scenery, cutting-edge technology, and multisensory activations made up of larger-than-life light shows, motion-sensing displays, state-of-the-art holograms, shadow sculptures, and more—all spanning 83 acres of enchanting garden trails. (thenightgarden.com/miami)
Now in its thirty-ninth year, Santa’s Enchanted Forest returns in a new location in the Doral/Medley area. With more than 40 acres of light displays, photo ops, a 90-foot musical Christmas tree, carnival rides, live entertainment, and visits with Santa himself, there’s something to put a little merry in anyone’s Christmas. (santasenchantedforest.com)
Miami City Ballet’s Nutcracker Magic Children’s Soirée returns to delight holiday audiences with a performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker December 18 at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Brunch, dancing, backstage tours, and more offer a happy holiday experience for revelers of all ages. Proceeds from the event support Miami City Ballet’s community engagement programs benefiting youth, seniors, and underserved populations. (miamicityballet.org/support/2022-nutcracker-magic)
BY MARY MURRAY
When: November 30 to December 4 (previews Nov. 29)
Where: Ocean Drive at Eighth Street
What: Committed to providing a platform for experiential innovation and discovery, Scope showcases international emerging artists. Its exhibitors will feature “The New Contemporary,” which Scope describes as “a genre that stands as a critical contribution to both global politics and local community engagement.” (scope-art.com)
When: November 30 to December 4 (previews Nov. 29)
Where: 1 Herald Plaza at N.E. 14th Street and Biscayne Bay
What: For six days, Art Miami will showcase works from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, culled from more than 155 galleries. To discover emerging, mid-career, and cutting-edge artists, mosey over to the event’s sister fair, Context Art Miami. (artmiami.com, contextartmiami.com)
PINTA MIAMI
When: December 1-4 (previews Nov. 29-30)
When: November 30 to December 4 (previews Nov. 29-30)
Where: Pride Park What: Decor and design lovers flock to this fair for its curated global collection of twentieth- and twenty-first-century furniture,
lighting, and objets d’art. Themed around “The Golden Age: Looking to the Future,” Design Miami/ 2022 will welcome 50 galleries and exhibitors in its main booths and Curio program. (shop.designmiami.com)
When: December 1-4 (preview Nov. 30)
Where: Mana Wynwood What: Offering “two fairs under one roof,” Spectrum and Red Dot cover more than 150,000 square feet of exhibition space, spotlighting artists and galleries from across the country and around the world. Within Spectrum, head to the [Solo] sector to find your new favorite artist. (redwoodartgroup.com)
When: December 1-3 (previews Nov. 29-30) Where: Miami Beach Convention Center What: Celebrating its twentieth year, Art Basel Miami Beach 2022 will include 283 of the world’s leading galleries, making it the largest ABMB to date. Highlights include the Positions sector, which will boast 19 solo presentations from the likes of Tonia Nneji, Leslie Martinez, and Ishi Glinsky. (artbasel.com/miami-beach)
Where: The Hangar in Coconut Grove What: Now in its sixteenth year and debuting in a fresh location,
Pinta will bring new energy to its mission to share Ibero American modern and contemporary art. Its in-person fair will be enhanced by Media Point, a digital section with live expert talks, insight into the works on display, and virtual tours. (miami.pinta.art)
There’s always something new to see at The Bass. In addition to “Phraseology,” a show that explores the use of language in modern and contemporary art, The Bass recently opened two solo exhibitions: “Jamilah Sabur: The Harvesters” and “Adrian Villar Rojas: The End of Imagination.” (thebass.org)
Alternative art space Locust Projects opens three new shows for Miami Art Week, including “T. Eliott Mansa: Room for the Living/Room for the Dead” and the video exhibition “Portals of Introspection.”
“Ronny Quevedo: Ule Ole Allez” celebrates Futsal-playing communities, with the artist inviting teams to play on a site covered by canvas and paper, marking their movements to create a collaborative work of art. (locustprojects.org)
On November 28, ICA Miami unveiled “Hervé Télémaque: 1959-1964,” “Michel Majerus: Progressive Aesthetics,” and “Nina Chanel Abney: Big Butch Energy,” which includes an installation by a millennial creative who has taken the contemporary art world by storm. (icamiami.org)
NORTH MIAMI
Now through April 29, the Margulies Collection is hosting “The Italians,” “The Bitter Years Photography Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans,” “New European and American Painters and Sculptors,” and “New Media.” (margulies warehouse.com)
Stop by MOCA for “Leah Gordon: Kanaval,” featuring black-and-white photographs and a feature-length documentary on Haitian carnival. Also check out an installation by VantaBlack in the MOCA Plaza and “Didier William: Nou Kite Tout Sa Dèyè,” the largest retrospective to date of the Haitian-born, Miami-raised artist’s work. (mocanomi.org)
The Rubell Museum Miami is currently hosting four artist presentations, including works by artist-inresidence Alexandre Diop, commissioned pieces by Doran Langberg, and paintings by Jo Messer and Tesfaye Urgessa. (rubellmuseum. org)
New activations dot the Miami Design District, such as “Boil Toil + Trouble,” an exhibition of works inspired by water, on view at 50 N.E. 40th Street from November 29 to December 14. Other highlights include “100 Years,” a group exhibition by Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch at the Buick Building, and the Prizm 2022 Contemporary African Art Fair at 4220 N. Miami Avenue. (miamidesigndistrict.net)
BY MELISSA PUPPO
Nestled among Miami’s most cultured, design-forward districts is Arlo Wynwood, which recently made its debut as the first hotel in the neighborhood. It will make a splash during Art Week when it welcomes fine artist Brooke Einbender (aka Mindbender Art), who’s known for being a pioneer in the exploration of “phygital” (physical and digital) art. She works in a variety of mediums including painting, virtual reality, projection mapping, and installation. Guests of Arlo Wynwood and locals can check out her exhibition, “The Unknown Zone,” a “phygital” public art installation and NFT project with social impact, featuring reclaimed doors repurposed into fine art inside the hotel, which draws on Wynwood’s artistic nature “while embracing an eclectic industrial aesthetic.” (arlohotels.com/wynwood)
You can’t talk about art-focused hotels without a nod to The Betsy, known to many as Miami’s artistic oasis tucked away on Ocean Drive in the historic Art Deco District. The hotel has hosted more than 1,000 creatives inside its Writers’ Room, a working studio space designed for visiting writers and artists to develop their craft and share their work through community programs. Writers use a desk donated by the Hyam Plutzik Centennial Committee to honor the three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, who is the father of the hotel’s owner, Jonathan Plutzik. The Betsy also showcases exquisite exhibitions and art programs to boot. This year, the hotel will feature seven new exhibits for Miami Art Week, curated by Betsy co-owner Lesley Goldwasser. Works include photography by Tamary Kudita, Nadia Huggins, Alessandro Sarno, Eric Knoll, and Carlos Andres Cruz, as well as a new mixedmedia collection by emerging artist Ray Tenorio. The Betsy will also display work by award-winning conceptual mixed-media artist Sri Prabha, exhibited and commissioned in partnership with the City of Miami Beach. (thebetsyhotel.com)
Known for its year-round art programming and exhibitions, the legendary Sagamore South Beach, will again herald Miami Art Week with a series of interactive events and activations all under this year’s theme of “Into the Wild (Future).”
Jonathan Cowan Productions and Electric Ibiza (the same partners behind Miami Music Week) will return to the Sagamore for a five-day Art Week takeover, featuring hotel-wide
One of Mid-Beach’s most famous hotels, The Confidante Miami Beach will play host to numerous happenings dur ing Miami Art Week, including an artist showcase featur ing Miami-based muralists Rigo Leon and MutaVision and Japanese muralist Funqest. On November 29, guests are invited to the hotel’s backyard to watch the trio as they make art inside 6-foot-by-6-foot plexiglass boxes suspend ed above the pool. Funqest’s solo exhibition will also be on display inside the hotel’s lobby and Artist Boutique Shop. (hyatt.com)
Clockwise from top left: Rigo Leon and MutaVision; The Confidante; work by Funqest.
gallery displays, immersive audiovisual experiences, an exhibition from a famous high-end gallery, and works by mural artists like Sebastien “Mr. D 1987” Boileau, plus outdoor pool and dance parties with world-class DJs daily. The hotel’s two-story bungalows will be turned into mini galleries where visiting artists sleep upstairs and display their work downstairs. One thing not to miss? The famous Sagamore Brunch (December 3), now in its twenty-first year. This exclusive event will feature art activations, fashion shows, NFT displays, musical performances, gourmet catering, mixology stations, and more. (sagamoresouthbeach.com)
Situated along the Miami River is Kimpton Epic Downtown, a recently renovated crown jewel in Brickell. While it elicits oohs and aahs for its aesthetics, there’s even more to love about its cultural contributions. Last year the hotel launched Epic Arts, an artist-in-residency program created to deepen the hotel’s relationship with the local arts com munity, provide a platform for artists to exhibit and sell their work, and offer guests an inside look into Miami’s vibrant and diverse art scene. Participating artists display their work in exhibitions held in the hotel’s sixteenth-floor gallery space. Closing out the “Class of 2022” will be Chilean-born entrepreneur, artist, and photographer Cris Molina, whose “Hyper Black & White” will debut during Miami Art Week, high lighting his take on the sensuality of the human body. (epichotel.com)
Clockwise from far left: The pool at Kimpton Epic Downtown; Cris Molina; San Juan, Cris Molina.
BY KATHERINE LANDE
reminiscent
fany lock bangle in gold and white gold with pavé
1. Re-edition Baguette handbag with crystals, pearls, beads, and paillettes ($4,600), color-block re-edition Baguette handbag with paillettes ($4,900), Fendi, fendi.com, these twenty-fifth anniversary Baguettes pay homage to the bag itself and its hometown of New York City. | 2. Artycapucines bag MM by Amélie Bertrand in embossed and sprayed gradient calfskin leather (price upon request), Louis Vuitton, us.louisvuitton.com, six contemporary artists reimagined the Capucines bag, and each will only be released in a limited edition of 200. | 3. A Century of Style clock clutch ($4,995), Judith Leiber, judithleiber.com, created in celebration of Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday, the bag was inspired by a vintage clock inside the fashion star’s home. | 4. Première Édition Originale watch with a leather strap, lacquered dial, and steel case coated with 18-karat gold ($5,500), Chanel, chanel.com, introduced in 1987, the Première watch features an octagonal shape reminiscent of the Chanel No. 5 perfume bottle and a leather strap that recalls Chanel’s beloved quilted bag. | 5.Tiffany lock bangle in gold and white gold with pavé diamonds ($13,000), Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com, featuring a padlock motif—an important image from the Tiffany archives that symbolizes togetherness and inclusivity—these bangles are designed to be collected and stacked.
| 6. Dior Lady Art limited edition in collaboration with Brian Calvin (price upon request), Dior Lady Art limited edition in collaboration with Ghada Amer (price upon request), Dior, dior.com, for the seventh edition of the Dior Lady Art project, artists from around the globe answered the call to transform this iconic bag.
THE LOOK
DON YOUR RESORT BEST WHILE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS UNDER THE PALMS
BY KATHERINE LANDEPICK A PETAL Huahine Orchid earrings ($375), We Dream in Colour, wedreamincolour.com
WHITE OUT Kuni leather ankle-wrap sandals ($558), Cult Gaia, saksfifthavenue.com
OSCAR DE LA RENTA RESORT 2023 Evening goes organic with prints inspired by botanist Charles de l’Écluse. IN THE JUNGLE Mini Tro bag with mixed botanical print ($2,490), Oscar de la Renta, oscardelarenta.com
ZEST FOR LIFE Slinky patent leather sandals in lime green ($895), Paul Andrew, modaoperandi.com
FLOWER POWER
Luzia Royal Cluster rivière ($15,000), Larkspur & Hawk, larkspurandhawk.com
FEELING KNOTTY
tie
Silk tie dangle earrings ($825), Versace, Bal Harbour, Miami, versace.com
GREEN WITH ENVY: Accent your ensembles with this statement-making hue.
GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL: Floral prints and appliqués are popping up everywhere.
BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET: Opt for jewels with tropical flower and leaf motifs.
LEAF IT TO ME
Gancini multicolor minibag ($1,250), Salvatore Ferragamo, Aventura, ferragamo.com
Bon Bon acid yellow satin bag with crystal mesh and crystal handle ($4,695), Jimmy Choo, Aventura, jimmychoo.com
Hot cocoa bombs ($16 for three), Hoffman’s Chocolates, hoffmans.com Hoffman’s has been a South Florida institution for the better part of 50 years, and while hot cocoa has long been a staple of the season, these bombs add some excitement to the experience. Drop one into your warmed milk of choice to savor an explosion of chocolatey goodness.
—Mary Murray, executive editor
Six-Pack of Spreads collection ($79.50), Fine & Raw, fineandraw.com
I discovered Brooklyn-based Fine & Raw by chance and have been obsessed since. Their chocolate hazelnut butter spreads—like next-level Nutella—are particularly giftable, because who doesn’t love a spoonful of choco late on, well, everything? If you can’t decide which of the vegan, organic, gluten- and dairyfree varieties to gift, choose this collection of all six. —Daphne Nikolopoulos, editorial director
GIFTING TREE
Orchard chocolate set ($56), Flamingo Estate, flamingoestate.com
Holiday gift box ($58 for 25 pieces), Norman Love Confections, norman loveconfections.com There’s much to love about Norman Love’s artisan chocolates; the simple sight is enough to make the mouth water. This season, the Fort Myers–based chocolat ier is rolling out 10 new holiday flavors including Cup of Cheer (Kahlúa, Baileys Irish Cream, and rich coffee ganache) and Spiced Cranberry Or ange (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cranberry spiked with orange liqueur). I’ll be sure to gift these delights—and keep a box for myself! —Melissa Puppo, managing editor
Chef
these impossibly beautiful sweet treats, whose iridescent dark chocolate shells hide a core of white chocolate turmeric ganache enveloped by bursts of flavors inspired by cancer-fighting foods—including cappuccino, salted walnut, ginger, saffron, cinnamon, raspberry-strawberry, pomegranate, tangerine, and watermelon. The actual health benefits of Robin’s Eggs may be symbolic, but Peterson donates 10 percent of sales to the American Institute of Cancer Research. —Kristen Desmond LeFevre, editor in chief
Champagne Truffle Box ($186 for 48 pieces), Teuscher, beverlyhillsteuscher.com This season, I’ll be gifting the chocolates I’d most like to re ceive: Teuscher’s dark and milk chocolate Champagne truffles made exclusively with Dom Pérignon. The timeless yet modern pairing wows during the holidays—and any other time! —Allison Wolfe Reckson, contributing editor
Dark chocolate meets garden-fresh ingredients. These artisanal delights fea ture culinary couture ingredients like juniper berries, Alderwoodsmoked sea salt, Ecuadorian coffee beans, ginger root, and black mission figs. As an added gift, one tree is planted for every product sold. —Katherine Lande, fashion editor
Holiday Chocolate Truffle Creation Kits ($50-$65), TinyB Chocolate, tinybchocolate.com
Making holiday treats with loved ones makes the season even sweeter. San Francisco–based Brazilian chocolatier TinyB Chocolate has something special up its sleeve—or stocking—this month: holiday chocolate truffle kits. The kits feature everything you need to roll and decorate the chocolatier’s iconic Brazil ian brigadeiros (a creamy relative of the chocolate truffle), including three sumptuous cream centers, a jar of brigadeiro spread, and green, red, white, and brown sprinkles. —Abigail Duffy, web editor
Shawn is a 4th generation art dealer that brings decades of experience to our Worth Avenue gallery. He takes pride in helping clients whether they are building their collection or divesting of pieces they no longer desire.
The gallery always has exquisite works for those with diverse and discerning tastes. Pieces include 19th & 20th century French and American Impressionism, Post Impressionism, Modernism and Contemporary works, always vetted for quality and condition.
Shawn embodies Provident Fine Arts’ passion for exemplary customer service and placing beautiful art into our customers lives. Call or visit the gallery and allow Shawn to help you with all your fine art needs.
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JEWELRY BOX
CHANNEL MODERN VIBES WITH PATTERNED JEWELRY IN CLASSIC MATERIALS
BY MARY MURRAY
1. FOLLOW THE LEADER Provident Jewelry necklace with diamonds set in gold, price upon request. (providentjewelry.com)
2. X MARKS THE SPOT Nouvel Heritage medallion with black and white diamonds and black lacquer set in 18-karat gold, $4,900. (nouvelheritage.com)
3. LINES CROSSED Picchiotti earrings with diamonds, black ceramic, and 18-karat gold, $141,000. Carrazza Jewelers, Fort Lauderdale (carrazzajewelers.com)
4. ROAD TO DAMASCUS Chris Ploof Damascus stainless-steel cuff with diamonds set in 18-karat gold, $3,500. (chrisploof.com)
5. FAN THE FLAMES Hamilton Jewelers heritage fan earrings with diamonds set in 18-karat gold, $10,500. Hamilton Jewelers, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens (hamiltonjewelers.com)
6. CONNECT THE DOTS Elizabeth Gage ring with a fire opal and black enamel set in 18-karat gold, $10,062. (elizabeth-gage.com)
7. ARCH OVER Davidor L’Arc de Davidor ring with Palais diamonds and black lacquered ceramic set in 18-karat rose gold, $11,400. Davidor, Bal Harbour Shops (davidor.com)
8. NOUVEAU CHEVRON Louis Vuitton Spirit High Jewelry Fantasy bracelet with diamonds set in 18-karat white gold and gold, price upon request. Louis Vuitton locations(us.louisvuitton.com)
Take “all aglow” to the next level with delightful pops of pink. Bring a flushed freshness to any look or go bold with these picks for eyes, lips, complexion, and beyond: Chanel Éclat Lunaire Oversize Illuminating Face Powder in Or Rose ($88, Chanel counters); Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum ($102 for 1.7 fl. oz., Ulta Beauty locations); Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Égérie ($39, Chanel counters); Róen Beauty Mood 4Ever Eye Shadow Palette ($49, bluemercury.com); Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge in Blush Classique ($32, Sephora locations); Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Pencil ($29, Sephora locations); Deborah Koepper Plumping Gloss in Pixie ($35, deborah koepper.com); Essie Expressie Quick Dry Nail Color in Trick Clique ($10, Ulta Beauty locations); and Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star Colour Blitz Mascara in Pink Mystique ($32, patmcgrath.com). —Abigail Duffy
You’re redefining American sportswear by deconstructing and reimagining fashion classics. What’s your process when designing a collection?
My design philosophy is simple: Clothing should be beautiful and effortless. Each season, I challenge myself to look at my signatures with a fresh perspective to reflect what feels modern now. My process is personal and intuitive, and Resort 2023 was inspired by the way I see women dressing today: mixing past and present, high and low, couture and sport. I designed the pieces as “building blocks” of personal style—an invitation for creativity and self-expression. American sportswear is the through line in every collection: simple, elegant clothing designed for the way we live.
What three pieces from the Resort 2023 collection will you be wearing on repeat?
Our trompe l’oeil color-block sweater is chic with a hint of sport, mimicking the look of three pieces layered in one. My new everyday bag is our Marshmallow satchel, named for its ultra-soft leather and weightless construction. And I love the bold, architectural shape of our T Block Heel mules.
The new Love Letters pendant collection has a personal story. What inspired the designs?
I have always been fascinated by good luck charms. My father was superstitious, too; he carried gold lucky dice in his pocket, which inspired our Love Letters necklace. It has six interchangeable dice with gold letters and symbols, so you can create your own monogram.
The iconic fashion designer is reimagining modern sportswear one collection at a time
BY KATHERINE LANDE
Tell us about your fascination with interior designer Madeleine Castaing, and how she influenced a capsule collection?
Madeleine Castaing has been an inspiration for as long as I can remember. She ushered in a new era of interior design in the 1940s with her vivid juxtapositions of color and print, and she was a fiercely independent entrepreneur. I have decorated my home and stores with Castaing’s wallpaper, textiles, and rugs, so I was thrilled to partner with her estate on a capsule collection. Our flocked velvet Eleanor bag in her signature Rayure Fleurie motif is truly special.
ner with her estate on a capsule Fleurie motif is truly special.
The Tory Burch Foundation Seed Box is perfect for the holiday season. What’s the mission behind it?
The Tory Burch Foundation mission behind it?
Every year, we curate a Tory Burch Foundation Seed Box with beautiful products from women entrepreneurs. This year’s has everything from coffee beans to a beautiful puzzle and an all-natural manicure kit. They’re unique gifts that support small women-owned businesses, and 100 percent of net proceeds are reinvested in empowering women through our foundation.
entrepreneurs. This year’s has everything from coffee beans
Think of the Middle East and towering sand dunes and sweltering heat likely come to mind. While these stereotypes certainly apply to Oman, they form but one backdrop in a lesser-known country that surprises and delights with eclectic natural beauty. Case in point: Al Jabal Al Akhdar or “the Green Mountain,” a highlight of the Al Hajar Mountains range and a nexus of Oman’s dramatic canyons, shrub-speckled plateaus, and emerald wadis (ravines), located two hours southwest of the coastal capital city of Muscat.
At the core of this splendor rises Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, a property that takes full advantage of an unparalleled location—and a cool climate—to deliver once-in-a-lifetime experienc es. As the highest luxury resort in the Middle East (with an elevation of roughly 6,500 feet) and built along the edge of a massive precipice, the property
IMMERSE IN VIRGIN MOUNTAIN AND BEACH DREAMSCAPES AT ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR RESORT AND AL BALEED RESORT SALALAH BY ANANTARA, TWO EXPERIENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE FAR REACHES OF THE ARABIAN PENINSULA BY PAUL RUBIO From above: The lobby structure at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort; the Wadi Al Masdara Hike.claims endless vistas of sculpted rocky terrain recalling Arizona’s finest, augmented by rose and pomegranate orchards, mosques, and abandoned villages. All 82 guest rooms and most of the resort’s 33 private pool villas offer variations of this scene from a balcony or ter race, but it’s the thoughtful portfolio of ameni ties and activities that brands Anantara Al Jabal
To start, the gravity-defying infinity pool ranks among the world’s best, with sweep ing views of the rust-hued cliffs and impec cable poolside service to ensure your glass is never empty. With proper gear and under the tutelage of a skilled guide, traverse the rug ged landscapes along the Jabal Activity Wall, a
three-phase, multi-hour, white-knuckled ob stacle run of via ferrata courses and zip lines hewn into the cliffs. On firmer ground, embark on the intrepid Wadi Al Masdara Hike along side a mountain guru, scaling mammoth boul ders and imposing terrain by hand, stumbling across wild donkeys, and discovering spectac ular natural pools created by the surrounding ravines. For something less intimidating, book a wine-paired Dining by Design multicourse meal at the Royal Edge, a cantilevered platform opposite Diana’s Point, the famed cliffside spot where Princess Diana enjoyed a languid after noon reading while visiting Oman in 1986.
Beyond capitalizing on its geography, An antara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort promises rich cultural and locavore components. For ex ample, from late March to early May, guests can witness the harvesting of Damask roses and production of small-batch rose water. At the spa, treatments are rooted in this timehonored tradition and others. Try the seasonal Rose Rescue Ritual, consisting of a rose and milk cleansing foot ritual, a hydration facial us ing rose-scented products, and a stress mas sage with perfumed rose oil. Alternatively, go for the Revitalizing Pomegranate Journey, in
Al Akhdar Resort a bucket-list destination.
Scenes from Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, clockwise from left: Typical villa with a view; Diana’s Point; scaling the Jabal Activity Wall; the resort’s infinity pool; the exclusive-use cantilevered dining platform.
clusive of a fresh pomegranate and salt body scrub and choice of massage. At the resort’s four dining outlets, look forward to familiar international cuisine done right, but also take the time to fall in love with Omani gastron omy, savoring the likes of lightly seasoned grilled lobster and jumbo prawns at dinner and sweet vermicelli with raisins at breakfast.
(anantara.com/jabal-akhdar)
Skirting the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea, Oman’s coastline cov ers a whopping 1,917 miles (compare that to Florida’s 1,350). Thanks to a small national population of around 5 million, much of this vast waterfront—and its surrounding land— remains untouched and unknown. However, there’s one Omani coastal city that manages to make waves across the entirety of the Middle East. Say hello to Salalah, a subtropical desti nation in the country’s southernmost reaches, where impossibly wide white-sand beaches
segue to high-rising mountains that change colors with the season—and camels roam freely just about everywhere in between.
Here, beachfront Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara reigns as the top luxury property, promising next-level fun-in-the-sun spiked with exhilarating cultural endeavors. Front ing both a private beach and a freshwater la goon, the resort’s architecture mimics Oman’s
coastal fortresses of yore, enhanced with pool villas and personality-driven amenities, all connected by verdant, palm-laced walk ways. The inventory spans 136 rooms, villas, and pool villas, the crown jewel of which is the three-bedroom Royal Beach Pool Villa, an estate-style accommodation marked by pro lific outdoor space, direct beach access, and a personal villa host catering to your every need.
Salalah’s popularity across the Middle East is due in part to its dual identity. Foremost, the beaches are exactly what subtropical dreams are made of. But a traditional city calls just be yond, along with lakes teeming with birds, des ert mountains that erupt with green from June
to September, archaeological ruins that speak to a remarkable history, and an underwater world of Technicolor tropical marine life. Depending on your preferences, days can be completely action-packed or delightfully slow. Thankfully, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by
Anantara facilitates both, the former through guided tours like the Beauty of Salalah, which focuses on natural sites, and the more interactive Discover Heritage and Traditions, plus the predictable beach resort excess of motorized watersports and dive activities. The resort fosters the latter with amenities such as a world-class spa, an infinity pool, multiple restaurants reflecting influences from across Asia and the Persian Gulf, and more.
The resort truly succeeds in crafting extraordinary experiences that speak to this dreamy location. It’s possible to start the day by consummating the fantasy of a floating, Champagne-spiked breakfast in your villa pool. Next up is an Anantara Signature Massage with Frankincense Fusion, using frankincense products made in Salalah (aka the perfume capital of Arabia). Later, sit down to a candlelit dinner on the beach under a canopy of billowing white curtains without another human around—Salalah’s desolate beaches allow for such intimate time with the Arabian Sea. Overall, the sheer beauty of the destination and the exalted hospitality of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara unite for an epic vacation worth traveling halfway around the world for. (anantara. com/al-baleed-salalah) «
Encourage wellness and optimize your vitality at Body of Harmony by combining any of our Functional Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulation, Clinical Homeopathy, and Cellular Reprogramming therapeutics. It takes more than Hormone Balancing and IV-nutrition protocols to feel healthy, energized, motivated, focused, strong and connected. Our expertise is to Harmonize your Physique, Physiology, and Psyche.
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Seven inches. Doesn’t sound like much, right? It’s around the length of a standard pen cil. Or two credit cards placed end to end. Or four golf balls laid side by side.
But when you add 7 inches between the axles of Bentley’s Bentayga SUV, the result is quite remarkable. It takes the tall-riding fourdoor from luxury sport-ute to an astonishingly spacious-in-the-back, super-luxe flagship.
This is the new Bentayga EWB, short for ex tended wheelbase. It’s stretched by precisely 7.1 inches to take the wheelbase to an elongated 125 inches and overall length to a nontrivial 208.9 inches. And all 7-and-a-bit inches go into creating more space in the back seat and rear doors that could have come off a barn. It means more room to stretch out, kick off your shoes, and cross your legs—not to mention more ease of climbing in and out.
In keeping with all this extra rear-seat volume, Bentley design ers have enhanced the luxury feel even further with the option of an
insanely adjustable “Airline Seat” for the back. And think Gulfstream G500 seats rather than back-by-the-lavatory Southwest seating.
This automotive BarcaLounger can recline up to 40 degrees and will automatically move the front passenger seat as far forward and as upright as it’ll go. It will also deploy a motor ized, heated footrest. Goodnight, we’ll wake you up when we get there.
If that isn’t cosseting enough, both rear seats have an additional party trick. As well as heat ing, cooling, and massaging, they can monitor the temperature and humidity of your body using 177 individual sensors. These then stim ulate muscles and help banish numbness. You might never have to visit a chiropractor again.
In my hour or so in the EWB’s reclined back seat, I can’t say I actually felt the effect of all that pinpoint massaging. But the number of oohs and aahs that came out of my mouth was a testament to their effectiveness.
Bentley will charge an extra $11,195 for the Airline Seat option. But when the cost of a Bentayga EWB kicks off at around $226,900— $30,900 more than the regular Bentayga V8— it’s a small price to pay for such hedonistic
comfort. If individual Airline Seats don’t meet your familial needs, Bentley will equip your EWB with a three-across bench, or even a two-seat bench where the huge center arm rest converts into a console with lots of useful storage cubbies.
Before you even climb aboard this new stretchy Bentayga, hopefully you will have cast your eyes over its new lengthier body work. From the outside, the EWB looks more like a regular Bentayga than some prom-night Lincoln Town Car stretch limo. Adding tower ing 22-inch rims helps with the proportions, as does some clever remodeling of those bulges over the rear fenders.
Powering this new XXL Bentayga is Bent ley’s proven 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which packs a meaty 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Pedal to the metal, it’ll whoosh the EWB to 60 mph in just 4.5 sec onds. With Bentley’s big 12-cylinder W12 en gine about to be pensioned off, don’t expect it
to be offered in the EWB, though a plug-in hy brid could potentially be available next year.
To give the big Bentayga some extra agil ity, Bentley has equipped the EWB with rearwheel steering, which can pivot the back wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts to tighten the turning radius. Now it spins in just 38.7 feet—2 feet less than a regular Ben tayga—making parking a breeze. Add to this
PRICE: $226,900 ENGINE: 4.0-LITER TWIN-TURBO V8
POWER: 542 HP TORQUE: 568
LB-FT TRANSMISSION: 8-SPEED
AUTOMATIC 0-60: 4.5 SECONDS
TOP SPEED: 180 MPH LENGTH/ WIDTH: 209/87 INCHES WEIGHT: 5,500 POUNDS (EST.) WHY WE
LOVE IT: BECAUSE THIS EXTRALONG BENTAYGA ALLOWS YOU TO RECLINE IN STYLE.
adaptive damping, air springing, and a 48-volt active anti-roll system, and the EWB shrinks in size when it comes to carving curves, while still delivering a ride as smooth as a magic carpet.
With all this luxury and stretch-out comfort, it’s no wonder Bentley is predicting that this new EWB will become the best-selling Ben tayga, despite its lofty price tag. Another case of seven being a very lucky number. «
Can a boat be a rock star? It can if it’s a Van Dutch. Celebs such as Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham, and most of the Kardashian clan have, at one time or another, been spotted lounging on one of the boat’s cushy sun pads.
And like a good rock star, it hangs out in all the cool places. Head to Monaco, Palma, or Saint-Tropez, and seemingly every few min utes a racy-looking VanDutch 40 or 48 will burble serenely into the harbor to offload or pick up some tragically hip party crowd.
The newest epicenter of VanDutch coolness is Miami, where the boatbuilder has just set up its latest VanDutch Center in the River District. As you’d expect, there’s a fancy sales office and a lineup of demo boats. But you’ll also find a
private owners’ lounge serv ing up cocktails, plus an event space for a waterfront soiree with private, compli mentary mooring. Brett Da vid, who owns supercar mega-dealership Pres tige Imports on North Miami Beach, is heading up the center—a move that only ups its rock star status since any local celebrity or proathlete in need of a new Lamborghini, Pagani, or pre-owned Ferrari is guaranteed to have Da vid on speed dial.
As the name suggests, VanDutch was founded in Holland back in 2008. It launched its first model (the successful VD40 designed by famed Dutch naval architect Frank Mul
der) the following year. In 2020, the Italian marine powerhouse Cantiere del Pardo ac quired the brand and moved production to the yard’s sprawling facility in Forli. The VanDutch lineup now spans five Russian doll look-alike models, from the entry VD32, to the 40, 48, 56, and flagship 75. Each comes with that stunning, minimalist, almost spartan Mulder design featuring a near-vertical bow, huge wraparound windshield, flat and open foredeck, and oversize swim platform.
The showstopper of the range is also the smallest: the new VanDutch 32. Introduced last year, it was the first to benefit from Cantiere del Pardo’s design and boatbuilding expertise. Replacing the original VD30, it features a modified hull that’s longer, wider, lighter, and even more sea-friendly.
Sporty day or weekend boats don’t come more versatile than this. There’s room aboard for up to eight in a party-ready cockpit with L-shaped seating for six and spots for the captain and first mate at the helm. A huge pad at the stern can accommodate a trio of sun worshippers.
The cockpit also comes with a compact galley with a sink and a fridge, plus access to a small, unimaginatively designed cabin below decks. It offers a forward head with a wet shower and twin sofas-cum-single berths. However, at 6 feet, 6 inches, the headroom is impressive.
Everything is all about wipe-down, hoseout simplicity, with the decks, cockpit, and
PRICE: UPON REQUEST LENGTH: 32
FEET BEAM: 9 FEET, 6 INCHES ENGINES: VOLVO V6 280 POWER: 2 X 280 HP
TOP SPEED: 45 KNOTS WHY WE LOVE IT: BECAUSE IT’S JUST ABOUT THE COOLEST DAY BOAT YOU CAN BUY.
cabin floors finished in easyto-maintain synthetic teak. Same goes for the durable Silvertex upholstery and quickdry foam cushions.
As for power, VanDutch gives buyers plenty of choices, though all from the Volvo-Penta catalog. The base engine package is a single 430-hp Volvo V8 gas motor with stern drive, with an upgrade to a pair of 280-hp Volvo V6s. For more economical diesel power, you can get a single 380-hp Volvo D6 six-cylinder, or twin, compact, 300-hp D4 four-cylinders. You’ll need the twin gas motors to punch the VD32 to its top speed of around 45 knots.
Joystick steering is standard on the twinengine 32s. While this simplifies docking, the crew will still need to take plenty of care shuffling up to the foredeck, where form over function does away with any handrails that might compromise the cruiser’s sleek lines.
With the opening of VanDutch’s Miami Center, expect to see plenty of these headturning runabouts on Florida’s waterways. They certainly bring a new meaning to the term “Going Dutch.” «
ASKED THREE TALENTED MAGIC CITY CREATIVES TO DELIGHT MERRYMAKERS OF ALL STRIPES WITH THEIR MIAMIINSPIRED DECOR. CHECK OUT THEIR HOLIDAY HANDIWORK.
Who better to take on holiday maxi malism than someone whose first name rhymes with “more”? Timur Tugberk is a licensed interior designer, but his work goes beyond physical spaces. “I take a design philosophy to creative problemsolving,” he explains.
Tugberk’s father is an architect, and design permeated his childhood—so much that he swore he would never go into professional design work. But he “fell passionately in love with interior design” in college. During the 2008 recession, he pivoted his business to include designing bespoke events, brands, campaigns, and more for firms of all kinds.
When it came to designing a maximalist Christmas vignette, there was no question where he would start. “I had always dreamt of having a white Christmas tree with pink lights on it since I was a child,” says Tug
BY KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY RABINOWITZ
berk, who was raised Jewish but says he’s now “a little bit of everything religion-wise.” He admits this is a departure from his pre vious holiday look of “cozy Christmas with the typical green, gold, and red.”
Traditional coziness, be gone. Tugberk used ornaments hand-painted by artist Meg Biram, plus mirrored disco balls, fun flamingos, and handblown glass pieces that showcase his LGBTQ+ pride.
What does maximalism mean to Tugberk? “I don’t want to call it elegant hoarding,” he says, “but life curation through acquisition of whimsy.” It’s a way of life that he believes suits Miami, where he has lived since 2018. “It’s a city where everything goes. You do you, and I do me, and we all get along. Here I never feel restricted by regional trends or expecta tions—at the holidays or at any time of the year.” (designingthedistrict.com)
When Miami native Adriana Infante moved into her first home in 2018, people had strong opinions. After she posted some inspirational design pictures to her social media account, people started offering her unsolicited advice, like: “Don’t buy anything pink or too girly.” “Invest in pieces that you’ll have forever.” “If a guy moves in with you, you’ll have to redo everything.” And, “If you have kids, you’ll need to get rid of anything white.”
Instead of heeding their advice, Infante leaned into it and launched White This Way, an interior styling company that aims to help clients design spaces that truly reflect their personal styles, desires, and needs. “We really see your home as a white canvas,” she says. “You can do whatever you want— dress it up, dress it down, change it as often as you like. It should be the place where you’re happy to come home to, a place you are happy to show off.”
Infante’s design inspo? “Simplicity and tidiness,” she says.
“Every home can be stylish yet functional.”
The business has been so successful that her sister, Roxana, has since joined the team. Infante says the pair started out using a bohemian vibe as their go-to look. But that early theming has matured into a design aesthetic that’s clean, uncluttered, and peaceful.
For the holidays, the sisters returned to their boho roots, keeping this chic and comfortable holiday table vignette neutral and serene. “We didn’t use the traditional reds and greens that you might normally use for Christmas, or the blues you’d use for Hanukkah,” Infante says. “We worked to create a pleasing neutral palette that still says festive holiday.”
Inspired by their home base of Miami, the sisters dreamt up an elegant alfresco tablescape to reflect a casual Christmas Day brunch by the pool. To give the table scale, Infante says they worked with differing heights and textures. “Elevation is key,” she explains. “We have a few shorter Christmas trees, and then we have taller ones. And then we have stems in vases that go even higher than the trees. Lower down we have branches and leaves.”
The woven placemats offer texture, while the ornaments on the napkins give a bit of sparkle that every table needs—especially during the holiday season. “It’s our way of adding some shine and a personal touch,” Infante says. (whitethisway.com)
WE DIDN’T USE THE TRADITIONAL REDS AND GREENS THAT YOU MIGHT NORMALLY USE FOR CHRISTMAS, OR THE BLUES YOU’D USE FOR HANUKKAH. WE WORKED TO CREATE A PLEASING NEUTRAL PALETTE.”
“Mercury glass ornaments bring shine to this alfresco tablescape with a chic boho woodland vibe—perfect for a festive holiday brunch in Miami.
When he was a little boy, interior designer Mikel Welch spent his days constructing sofas and dining tables out of Legos for imaginary houses. Today, Welch runs Mikel Welch Designs out of Miami and New York City. But you can also spot him on television; he’ s a member of “Drew’s Crew” on The Drew Barrymore Show, where he gives viewers tips and tricks for renovating homes, designing interiors, and creating luxe looks at affordable prices.
After putting down roots in Miami over a year ago, Welch says he’s adapting to the city’s unique design aesthetics—and is loving every minute of it. “I’ve had to rethink my design process as a whole,” he admits. “It’s been fun. It has made me step outside of my box.”
For his holiday table, Welch decided to go minimalist with touches of rustic elegance. “I wanted to draw my inspiration [from] the more natural, organic look that
I often think isn’t told—or is maybe overlooked—in the Miami design story,” he explains. “I wanted this casual luxury that feels comfortable and approachable.”
Decidedly unfussy, it’s the kind of table where guests can show up unannounced, grab a chair, and feel at home. “It takes the pressure off of everybody, but at the same time it’s welcoming,” he says.
Keeping the palette neutral was Welch’s way of putting his personal stamp on a holiday gathering. “I get it: My mother has nothing but red and green,” he says with a laugh. “But I don’t think holidays have to be shiny ornaments or traditional colors. Try a different approach to Christmas if you want to.” Plus, he adds, “with this approach, you can whip a holiday up and not have to worry about tearing it all down and storing it all away afterward.”
(mikelwelch.com) «
The perfect size to fit your going out essentials, Cult Gaia’s bead-framed Eos clutch ($328) is crafted from marbleized acrylic. Cult Gaia, Miami (cultgaia.com)
Jewelry designer Coomi traveled the world to gain design inspiration for her unique pieces like this stunning pair of sterling silver opera disk earrings ($660). Coomi, Fort Lauderdale (coomi.com)
BY LIZA GRANT SMITH
Give them the gift of snazzy sunnies with Tom Ford’s geometric Fonda sunglasses ($520). Tom Ford, Miami (tomford.
com)
The Fragrance Wardrobe for Her ($275) by Maison Francis Kurkdjian includes fragrances for day, night, and every mood in between. Bloomingdale’s, Aventura (bloomingdales.com)
Capturing the elegant essence of summer, Jimmy Choo’s glamorous Diosa sandals ($695) offer a 5-inch cork wedge heel with twisted gold straps. Jimmy Choo, Aventura, Coral Gables (jimmychoo.com)
This India print silk scarf ($525) is a revised ’90s pattern from the Ferragamo archives, with an elephant (a traditional symbol of divinity and royalty) serving as the foulard’s central element. Ferragamo, multiple locations (ferragamo.com)
Made in Italy, this cotton and silk dress ($1,120) from Etro stuns with a mandarin collar and posh paisley and floral pattern against a pink background. Etro, Bal Harbour (etro.com)
Davines hair masks ($11 each) are formulated for every hair type and every occasion—from instant shine to deep nourishment and repair. Mix several varieties to gift them some serious love for their locks. Salon Nirvana 954, Fort Lauderdale (salonnirvana954.com)
The weight of Bearaby cotton Napper weighted blanket ($259 for the 20-pound version) helps stimulate the production of serotonin (the happy hormone), reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), and increase melatonin to encourage better sleep. West Elm, Hallandale, Miami (westelm.com)
Gently applying steady pressure to Pinch Me’s therapy dough ($15 each) draws thoughts away from stress and encourages focus on relaxation with the added calming component of spa-quality oils. J Paper, Bay Harbor Island (jpaperinc.com)
gemstone roller in green jade ($75) is believed to boost confidence, increase spirituality, enhance intuition, and balance third eye chakra. Neiman Marcus, Coral Gables, Bal Harbour (neimanmarcus. com)
The Serum Set ($28) from Bliss contains four spa-powered serums that target specific concerns and deliver concentrated ingredients for dramatic results and smooth, radiant skin. Ulta Beauty, multiple locations (ulta.com)
The Restore by Hatch ($130) combines a smart light, sound machine, sunrise alarm, meditations, and alarm clock into an all-in-one bedside device. Best Buy, multiple locations (bestbuy.com)
Lululemon’s yoga mat ($114) has a grippy top layer that absorbs moisture and a natural rubber base that provides cushioning and textured grip. Lululemon, multiple locations (lululemon.com)
Adorable and snuggle-ready, Cuddle and Kind’s Noah dog ($82 for large, $62 for small) is hand-knit, hand-loomed, and embroidered and crocheted by talented artisans. Baby Cottons, Aventura, Coral Gables (babycottons.com)
Gootoosh’s tooth fairy pillow ($25) includes a small pocket for a lost tooth, a note, and the tooth fairy’s gift.
Luna Baby, Miami (lunababystore.com)
of bergamot, freesia, orange blossoms, ’ Grey Baby
scented water ($69). Vila Kids, Aventura (vila-kids.com)
Sleek design meets practicality in Avanchy’s bamboo suction plate and spoon set ($26). Nini & Loli, Aventura, Miami (niniandloli.com)
Start healthy eating habits early with Béaba’s baby food cooker and blender ($155) that prepares fruits, veggies, and meat from raw to baby or toddler food in 15 minutes. Macy’s, multiple locations (macys.com)
Emerson and Friends’ onesies ($26 each) feature in-house designed stylish prints with a vintage and bohemian spirit on 100-percent luxury cotton. The Wander Shop, Oakland Park (thewandershop.com)
These jotter pens ($15) from Talking Out of Turn have plenty of color (the ink matches the exterior) and attitude (with fun sayings on each). Colorful Cute, Miami (colorfulcute.com)
Let them discover the joy of old-school correspondence with the Papel & Co. engraved brass wax seal stamper ($55). Papel & Co., Hallandale Beach (papelnco.com)
Mighty Bright’s book light ($33) is rechargeable via a USB cable, meaning there will be no battery disruptions during nighttime reading sessions. Barnes & Noble, multiple locations (barnesandnoble.com)
This cotton canvas tote ($22) from Out of Print was inspired by the classic yellow library card. The Paper Store of Sunrise (thepaper store.com)
Let their creativity flow onto the 176 pages of this Playful Thoughts notebook ($28) from Nuuna Glottman Shop, Miami (glottman. com)
Tim Federle’s Tequila Mockingbird ($15), published by Running Press Adult, is happy hour for the literary obsessed, with cocktail recipes for novel title–inspired drinks like Love in the Time of Kahlua and Romeo and Julep. Books & Books, multiple locations (booksandbooks.com)
Local artist LeeAnn Brissett creates colorful handmade cards ($18 for set of 10) for her Add Pink and Stir line that are designed to brighten spirits and inspire positive thought and action. Add Pink and Stir, Fort Lauderdale (addpinkandstir.com)
Celebrate the links with J.McLaughlin
Ashton belt ($88) embroidered with golf carts and clubfilled golf bags.
J.McLaughlin, Fort Lauderdale (jmclaughlin. com)
Perfect for fun-loving ocean addicts, the Floats lightweight, polarized sunglasses ($55) float when dropped in the water. Floats Eyewear, Miami (floatseyewear. com)
swim trunks ($290) feature dynamic patterns with a tropical vibe. Vilebrequin, multiple locations (vilebrequin.com)
Nixon’s Ultratide watch ($300) uses Bluetooth technology and a partnership with Surfline to provide real-time surf conditions like tide, wave height, swell direction, and water temperature. Surf World, Fort Lauderdale (surfworld.us)
Made in Spain, these logo espadrilles ($495) from Saint Laurent feature a camouflage cotton upper with a classic braided midsole. Saks Fifth Avenue, multiple locations (saksfifthavenue.com)
Deemed “the Official Vodka of Paradise,” West Palm Beach–based Monkey in Paradise ($20 for 750 ml) starts with demineralized water and is seven times distilled and seven times carbon-filtered to produce an ultra-pure and smooth vodka. Total Wine, multiple locations (totalwine.com)
Yeti’s ergonomic Hopper backpack cooler ($325) uses ultrastrong magnets to create a leak-resistant shield that keeps ice (and your beverages) cold for one to three days. Yeti, Fort Lauderdale (yeti.com)
Thanks to copper-coated, double-wall construction, the swanky Swig tumbler ($44 for 22-ounce size) keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours.
Amy’s Hallmark Shop, Pembroke Pines (hallmark.com)
($130) from
The Instax Wide 300 camera Fujifilm provides instant satisfaction in the form of large-format film that develops as soon as the photo op is captured. Urban Outfitters, multiple locations (urban outfitters.com)
Slip’s pure silk sleep mask ($50) and sleep mist with calming chamomile and lavender ($32) help ensure a peaceful slumber. Nordstrom, Aventura, Miami (nordstrom.com)
Nimble’s TSA-approved Champ compact portable charger ($50) is housed in 72.5 percent post-consumer plastic and offers up to three days of power for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices—even charging two at once.
Target, multiple locations (target.com)
The ideal shoe for sojourns, Tory Burch’s Minnie travel ballet flats ($248) feature a flexible, cushioned insole and can be easily folded and tucked into a carry-on.
Tory Burch, Aventura (toryburch.com)
Not-Another-Bill’s portable canvas and resin backgammon roll ($65) ensures they’ve got game wherever they go. Solid and Striped, Miami (solidandstripes.com)
The stylish Morgan Sahara neoprene weekender bag ($155) from Haute Shore has an interior pouch and pockets to stow travel accoutrements. Body and Soul Boutique, Lighthouse Point (shopbody.com)
Dinner for deux is made easy with Phillips Compact Pasta Maker for Two ($180. The gadget can mix, knead and extrude one pound of fresh pasta in 18 minutes. Williams-Sonoma, Hallandale Beach and Miami (williams-sonoma.com)
The Spice Lab’s Gourmet Salt Sampler ($60 ) comes with 11 innovative varieties, like Ghost Pepper and Cyprus Lemon, displayed in corked test tube containers. The Spice Lab, Fort Lauderdale (spices.com)
Reduce the distance from farm to table with a Garden Maker kit for homegrown vegetables or herbs ($29) from Potting Shed Creations Urben Gifts & Gadgets, South Miami (shopurben.com)
A gorgeous vessel for cheese or charcuterie spreads, these trays by local artisan Alejandra Lorenzo ($65 each) have ocean-evocative resin accents.
ALF Crafts, Miami
Let them exercise their grill-master chops with Mud Pie’s Sauce Ceramic Pitcher and Sauce-some brush partnered with a Grill It Apron and spatula ($43 for pitcher; $25 for The-Sea (digsngifts.com)
Digs N Gifts, Lauderdale-By- apron).
s set of 4 Mini Cocottes ($144) are go-anywhere (freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe) prep and serve wares with definite culinary swagger. Kitchen Universe, Miami (kitchen-universe.com)
The climbing Tuscan rosemary–scented Flamingo Estate candle ($45) harnesses the herb’s perceived prowess at enhancing memory, intelligence, and creative dreaming. Montce, Fort Lauderdale and Miami (montce.com)
St. Barths Freedom, published by Assouline, explores the island’s captivating blend of luxury and simplicity in gorgeous photography and insightful quotes, $95, Assouline at The Bal Harbour Shops, Bal Harbour (assouline.com)
This party-perfect Mud Pie Sangria Set ($54) includes a glass pitcher with sangria recipe exterior and a stirring spoon that reads "Sangria is calling and I must go." Pizazz, Coral Springs (pizazzflorida.com)
Seven different types of rattan and wooden beads are polished, painted, or handwoven to create the bead-like baubles on Kim ’s festive Java Napkin Ring ($112 for set of four).
Vegan-friendly, decadent handcrafted soaps by Finchberry ($10) are a delight to the senses with visual, aromatic and hydrating appeal. Beyond the Soaps, Fort Lauderdale (beyondthesoaps.com)
Loom (loomlux.com)
Luxury Linens, Fort Lauderdale
Two’s Company serves up this set of two sustainablyharvested mango wood Countryside Trays ($265) with a batik greenery printed enamel surface. The Island Shop, Key Biscayne (theislandshop.com)
Brightline’s Boca Raton station officially opens this month. With it, South Florida’s high-speed rail service has added this ritzy, culturally refined city to the mix, expanding our backyard to include its many attractions.
There are numerous hot spots, museums, restaurants, and more within a rideshare radius of the station—and quite a few within walking distance. Here, find all you need to know, see, eat, and do for the ideal day in Boca, no car required.
BY SKYE SHERMAN
JEREMIES
Attend a concert by The Symphonia, whose current season is themed around the Earth’s elements; catch Boca Raton’s worldclass chamber orchestra in action December 4 (with clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, pictured left) at Roberts Theater at Saint Andrew’s School, with spring concerts slated for March 26 and April 30. Bring the next gen to Meet the Orches tra, a program for children held during dress rehearsals prior to each concert on Saturdays. It’s an opportunity to hear a live orchestra play, learn about the instruments, interact directly with the conductor (thesymphonia.org)
The recent reopening of Boca favorite (and Subculture Group darling) Kapow Noodle Bar across the street from its original location in Mizner Park is exciting not just be cause of the expanded 5,175-square-foot space—it’s the three private, fully automated karaoke rooms that have locals abuzz. With wireless mics, LED TVs, full control over the song selection, and a food and beverage menu that you can order from via an iPad, the rooms are “fun night out” defined. (kapownoodlebar.com)
At the recommendation of trusted caffeine-connoisseur friends, this writer has personally driven 45 minutes for
LIUDMILAa memorable cuppa at Mane Coffee—and now you don’t have to. While the artisanal brews, made from beans sourced from all over the world, are enough on their own, the sweet-and-savory, thick-slice toast options are the millennial-inspired pairing you never knew you needed. And for true coffee snobs, there’s a menu dedicated entirely to pour-overs. (mane.coffee)
The Boca Museum has been a community staple for more than 70 years. The “Reginald Cunningham: Black Pearls” exhibit, on view through January 22, tells the history of nearby Pearl City and its generations of residents, while “Art of the Hollywood Backdrop,” also on view through January, is an ode to the art of scenic backdrops made between 1938 and 1968. (bocamuseum.org)
Above, from left: Mizner Park; Mane Coffee. Left: Ms. Gladys Bettis, Reginald Cunningham, part of “Reginald Cunningham: Black Pearls” at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
REGINALD CUNNINGHAM
Staycation options don’t get better than The Boca Raton, where you’ll see first hand just what $200 million in renova tions can get you. A “new golden era” has arrived at this storied resort, which first opened in 1926 as a 100-room inn. A luxurious creation of architect Addison Mizner, with his touches still evident in every nook and cranny, The Boca Raton is now a 200-acre, five-hotel property with 14 restaurants and bars, a racquet club, a 34-slip marina, and more. It’s a slice of para dise so impressive, you’ll have to see it to believe it.
(thebocaraton.com)
Many would be surprised to learn that the personal computer, the “secret weapon that won World War II,” and other innovations have their roots in Boca Raton. That’s the kind of information you’ll glean at the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum by the Boca Raton Historical Society, located in Boca’s Historic Town Hall. In addition to permanent “History Alive!” exhibits that tell the story of Boca Raton—from the Pioneer Era to the contributions of Addison Mizner to present day—there are temporary displays, such as the current one dedicated to the city’s first re sponders through the ages. (bocahistory.org)
Hit the Beach in Boca Boca Raton’s 2-mile stretch of lifeguard-pro tected beaches is less than 2 miles east of the station, so if your beach days need a change of scenery, head here. Boca’s sandy shores are pristine, with sand dunes, sea oats, and sea grapes adding to the coastal ambience and the Lake Boca Raton waterway abutting the beaches from the west. In various parks along the shoreline, picnicking facilities are available (we recommend picking up a bite, like the cold sesame noodles from Mr. Goode’s Chinese Takeout), and there’s even a recreational snorkel trail at Red Reef Park if you want to sink beneath the surface of Boca’s glittering seas.
THE BRIGHTLINE EMBRACES THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH THE RETURN OF THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE. FROM DECEMBER 3-29, FAMILIES WILL EXPERIENCE THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC COME TO LIFE, COMPLETE WITH GOLDEN TICKETS, HOT CHOCOLATE, MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK, AND A VISIT WITH SANTA. THE HOUR-LONG, ROUND-TRIP TRAIN RIDE DEPARTS AND RETURNS THROUGH BRIGHTLINE’S MIAMI CENTRAL STATION. (MIAMITHEPOLAR EXPRESSRIDE.COM)
ANDREA VIRGIN is the president and chairman of the board for downtown Boca’s planned performing arts center, The Center for Arts & Innovation, which is slated to break ground in 2025. (bocaratonartscenter.org)
• Hidden gem: “Cosa Duci Italian Bakery, run by the most amazing Italian family, is a must. The next best thing is a meal physically in Italy.” (cosaduci.com)
• Date night: “I love the romantic and elegant yet intimate feeling I get while eating at Il Mulino New York. What started as a pop-up of the popular NY restaurant ended up being in such demand that it became a permanent feature in our downtown.” (ilmulino.com)
• Expect the unexpected: “Redcon1, the world’s largest dietary supplement company, has its headquarters here and [operates] one of the coolest gyms ever. People from all over the world travel to Boca to work out there. If you’re into fitness, it’s a must-see.” (redcon1gym.com)
• Get active: “Take a stab at learning salsa, the hustle, or tango at Fred Astaire Boca Raton. It’s located right next to the station, so you can hop off, work up an appetite, then head to dinner.” (fredastaire.com/boca-raton)
• Favorite way to spend a Saturday: “Our family enjoys spending our Saturdays at the new Harborside Pool at The Boca Raton.” (thebocaraton.com)
• Best brunch in town: “Saquella Café in Royal Palm Place has an incredible brunch. The croissants are a must.” (saquellacafe.com)
• Don’t leave Boca without: “Grabbing a deli cious cup of coffee and pastry at The Seed.” (theseedboca.com)
ERIC BAKER is the chef and restaura teur behind Boca favorites Rebel House, Uncle Pinkie’s Deli, AlleyCat, and Mr. Goode’s Chinese Takeout. (instagram. com/chefericbaker)
• Hidden gem: “At Sunset Sushi, an omakase restaurant in a nondescript strip mall on Federal Highway, you will [have] a worldclass sushi experience.” (sunsetsushi.com)
• Touristy but worth it: “Mizner Park may be touristy, but it’s that way for a reason; it has everything from great restaurants to shops, an outdoor amphitheater, and an art museum. You can’t miss it.” (miznerpark.com)
• Grab and go: “For amazing pizza, I go to How Ya Dough’n, a small family-owned pizzeria that really raised the bar in the Boca pizza scene.” (howyadoughn.com)
• Rainy day go-to: “See a movie at the iPic in Mizner Park.” (ipic.com)
• Outdoor oasis: “A must-visit in Boca is Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, [where you can] get out and enjoy the natural surroundings while helping protect our region’s sea turtles.” (gumbolimbo.org)
• Best brunch in town: “Rebel House, with its unique spin on classic brunch dishes, craft cocktails, and selection of deli fare from the adjoining deli, Uncle Pinkie’s—all served up while listening to the resident weekly brunch DJ on Sundays.” (rebel houseboca.com)
• Shopping spree: “Alene Too in Royal Place. Lizzie, the owner, is amazing. She’s always keeping Boca dressed to the nines.” (alenetoo.com)
• Get active: “The Boca Raton Tennis Center is a great way to get active. The courts and facilities are very well maintained.” (myboca.us)
• Don’t leave Boca without: “Sampling a fantastic beer from Prosperity Brewers.” (prosperitybrewers.com)
Valentino shirt, maxi skirt
Opposite page: Dior dress, cuffs; House of Clyde hat. For buying information, turn to page 103.
Alexander
Opposite page: Gucci jacket, midi skirt, boots, gloves; House of Clyde hat. For buying information, turn to page 103.
McQueen dress, harness; Miron Crosby boots.
Louis Vuitton dress, shirt, boots; House of Clyde hat. Opposite page: Zimmermann shirt, maxi skirt, belt bag; House of Clyde hat. For buying information, turn to page 103.
Hair
Digital
Photography
Cowgirl:
Aventura would like to extend a special thanks to the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo for their generous hospitality. (westgateresorts.com)
Model: Catharina Zeitner, One Management
and makeup: Kateri Giehl, Intellectual Property
tech: Dayvid LeMmon
assistant: Juan Hernandez
Meredith Dutchess
Michael Kors gown Opposite page: Johanna Ortiz dress; Miron Crosby boots; House of Clyde hat. For buying information, turn to page 103.
Miami propelled to gastronomic superstardom in 2022 with the city’s first Michelin Guide, international accolades aplenty, and a surfeit of big deal restaurant openings. Our highlight of the year: the arrival and exceptionalism of Dirty French, a New York City transplant reimagined for the Magic City in the best way possible.
The downtown delight, positioned in the heart of Brickell, channels a modern take on Miami Vice–era excess, emboldened by a jungle-themed aesthetic and fortified by a contemporary menu that speaks to the decadence of yore (hello: tableside the ater). True, the Ken Fulk–designed spot attracts a crowd solely for its personality-driven nooks, but Dirty French is so much more than hanging in an Instagram-perfect universe.
The food balances classic American steak house with sophis ticated French gastronomy, resulting in memorable evenings of towering raw bars, 30-day dry-aged duck a l’orange, melt-inyour-mouth spit-roasted prime rib, and buttery Dover sole meunière, presented and filleted in a traveling cart. A wine list
comprising more than 700 bottles and a mixology-forward cocktail menu amplifies the hedonistic affair.
In total, Dirty French skews more experience than restaurant, a place to satisfy all modern cravings of bragworthy food, drink, flash, fun, and more. (dirtyfrench.com) –Paul Rubio
Places come and go in trendsetting Miami, but on the heels of turning 10 years old, award-winning Italian fine dining eatery Toscana Divino proves a delicate ly balanced recipe of authenticity, style, sustainability, and programming perseveres, even in the ficklest of neighborhoods. Here are five reasons we can’t get enough of the Tuscan mainstay, helmed by executive chef Andrea Marchesin. (toscanadivino.com)
BY PAUL RUBIO
Toscana Divino’s ethos—and ingredients—are rooted in sustainability. The restaurant’s vineripe tomatoes, for example, are grown and handpicked in South Florida’s Redlands, while chickens are sourced from two animal welfare–oriented local farms, Green Circle Chicken and Local Miami Nourished Pastures. Such quality and freshness are evident in the simple yet robust flavors of Marchesin’s cuisine.
Beginning in January and extending every other month throughout the year, chef Marchesin will lead a Ciccia and Vino Master Class, revealing the secrets and techniques in cutting, dry-aging, and prepar ing the restaurant’s most iconic dish, La Fiorentina. The intimate evening will play out as an interactive, four-course dinner experi ence, with plenty of fine wine to go around.
Once a month, Marchesin takes a lucky few on a culinary journey through an exquisite multicourse, wine-paired meal. Previous themes have included “Aging in Style,” homing in on expertly aged ingredients, and “Fermento,” highlighting fermented products. For December’s series during Art Basel, Marchesin will reveal a seven-course menu, where each dish replicates a famous work of art. The dinners are limited to 16 people and must be pre-booked (preferably far in advance).
When co-owners Tommaso Morelato and Andrea Marchesin opened Toscana Divino in 2012, they sought to import a taste of Tuscany to Miami with a creative spin. Today, the ingredients-driven menu, rife with succulent antipasti, scratch-made pastas, and protein-rich mains, combines Italian influences and local products.
Highlights include tuna prosciutto and burrata, tortelli buffalo ricotta and spinach, swordfish poached in EVOO and topped with roe beurre blanc, and La Fiorentina (a panseared, four-week-aged, domestic prime cut of short loin).
We love to spend big at Toscana Divino, but who says no to a fabulous, threecourse Sunday jazz brunch alfresco, starting at $55 per person, inclusive of bottomless mimosas? The first course arrives as a tower of seasonal fruits and fresh breads with house-crafted jams, followed by a personal selection from nine hot mains (we recommend the truffle carbonara with fresh maccheroni pasta and homemade pancetta) and finished with a choice of desserts (go for the ricotta cheesecake with warm salted caramel).
With locations in downtown and Coconut Grove, Meraki Greek Bistro offers an immersive Greek Isles experience through cuisine, wine, and Aegeaninspired design. To help navigate a menu that teems with authenticity and delectability, managing partner Alex Karavias and executive chef Giannis Kotsos share three of their favorite dishes and the best Greek wines to go with each. (merakibistro.com) –P.R.
Karavias: “Our Saganaki cheese is made with Kefalotyri made from sheep’s milk, fried in light olive oil, and flambéed tableside. I pair it with Santorini Assyrtiko by Santo Wineries. Its defining notes are dry, citrusy, floral aromas, [and] crispy acidity with a salty sea breeze kick.”
JUMBO PRAWN PASTA
Chef Kostos: “Elevating the flavors of the jumbo prawns with our traditional spices and herbs, then wrapping them into my favorite traditional pasta and tomato sauce, is a piece of myself on the plate.”
Karavias: “Terra Ambera by Garalis has a unique place in our Greek wine list, as an organic orange wine. It opens the palate with refreshing, citrus, mineral flavors.”
Karavias: “Chef’s method of slow cooking and marinating with his mix of Greek spices and herbs brings the flavor to the forefront. I like to pair this item with Sun Malagouzia by Kontozisis. Its floral and citrus flavors bring out the freshness of the octopus and accentuate the chef’s herbs marinade.”
Coral Gables newcomer Lion and the Rambler is all about pushing the envelope on its ever-changing menus, keeping seasonality and extraordinary flavors in mind. This December, look forward to the venue’s eclectic spin on eggnog, Lion’s Elixir, the recipe for which chef Michael Bolen shares below. (lionandtherambler.com) –P.R.
Equipment
Blender
6 coupe glasses
6 large eggs 1 cup superfine sugar 8 oz. Koshu Sake
8 oz. Amontillado Sherry 12 oz. amazake 12 oz. heavy cream Fresh nutmeg for garnish
Crack all six eggs and place them into the blender. Beat on low speed until smooth. Add in sugar gradually, and keep blending on low until fully incorporated. Next, pour in the sake, sherry, amazake, and heavy cream, blending on medium until fully mixed. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Serve in coupe glasses and shave nutmeg on top.
Mark your calendars: For six days only (December 19-24) small-batch, artisan donut shop The Salty will be offering a trio of holiday creations that taste every bit as good as they look. Consider mixing and matching the seasonal superstars with other drool-worthy favorites like Guava and Cheese, White Chocolate Tres Leches, and Brown Butter and Salt. Remember, calories don’t count in December. (saltydonut.com) –P.R.
Ho ho ho meets mmm-mmm-good with this sweet Christmas indulgence, the base of which is a doughy, fluffy brioche ring, filled with vanilla glaze and sugar cookie batter, and topped with sugar cookie chunks and vanilla crumble.
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with
Salty’s traditional take on this popular Hanukkah treat: a mini strawberry jam-filled donut tossed in powdered sugar.
3.
Holiday flavors collide over this nutmeg-spiced cinnamon roll, stuffed with eggnog custard and topped with cream cheese glaze.
BY JULES ARON
Is there anything more welcoming than the fragrant aromas of the holidays? While the classic Italian Negroni is wonderful on its own, this low-proof riff on a white Negroni boasts spruce-infused Lillet Blanc, making it a natural choice for yuletide celebrations. Maintaining the balance with flowery Lillet and bitter Suze but replacing the high-proof gin with a decidedly lower-ABV Shochu, this version also gets a frosty winter makeover with a touch of blue spirulina.
First Frost Ingredients
1 1/2 oz. Shochu
1 oz. spruce-infused Lillet Blanc
3/4 oz. Suze
1/2 tsp. blue spirulina
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into your desired vessel. This recipe makes 1 serving, but you can easily multiply it to batch the drink. Without sweeteners and citrus components, it will last through the holidays.
1 750-ml bottle of Lillet Blanc
1 cup spruce or Douglas fir needles
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar and let sit in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours, or longer depending on your taste. Shake periodically to distribute flavors. Strain the mixture into a clear glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
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1850 NE 146th Street in North Miami - 305-705-6870
3000 SW 28th Lane in Coconut Grove - 305-676-8161 Farreys.com
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Serving South Florida since 1924
The mother-daughter team of Carola Hino josa and Sabrina Maclean of Hinojosa Design Studio were the perfect pair to tackle combining two adjoining apartments in an exclusive Surf side tower into a 6,310-square-foot stunner.
“The client wanted something sleek, elegant, and timeless,” says Maclean. “One of the most important tasks was to create cohesiveness be tween apartments in order to create a contempo rary, chic, and luxurious look.”
Hinojosa is on the board of the Guggenheim Museum and regularly sources art for her projects. Working closely with the client, she selected 13 pieces (paintings, photographs, and sculptures).
To give the art a museum-worthy backdrop, the designers chose textured furnishings in earth
tones. To add a creative vibe, they incorporated whimsical elements like a plush Karl Lagerfeld chair in sheepskin, placed in the same room where the homeowner’s favorite artwork, David Salle’s Long Ago and Far Away, hangs.
A wall near the kitchen reveals Doug Aitken’s Hollywood Industrial Complex, a backlit spheri cal piece theatrically mounted on blackened steel panels above a white floating shelf facing the kitchen bar. Just beyond hangs Point, an ab stract work by Bronx-based artist Terry Winters.
The point is made clear: This is the home of a serious collector. “The art played a pivotal role in all our design decisions,” says Hinojosa. “It steered us in the right direction every step of the way.” (hinojosadesign.com) —Michelle Payer
BY LIZA GRANT SMITH
This Tube Top lamp ($195) from Pablo Designs comes in a range of brightly hued bases that add a dynamic boost to an already illuminating piece. Scan Design, North Miami Beach (scandesign.com)
Just like colorful jewelry on a fashionable outfit, Alexandra Von Furstenberg’s Bolt dining rings in multi-neon ($425 for set of six) are the perfect finishing touch for your styled table. Casa Gifts, Miami (casa18gifts.com)
Designer Joe Fava of Fava Design Group created a dynamic, modern space so this vacation residence could serve as a warm winter respite for the Baltimore homeowners. “They requested a contemporary design, emulating some of the boutique hotels they had frequented in Miami,” Fava says. “Choosing a bright color palette of greens, yellows, and white, the bold decor proved to be spot-on. The breakfast room, with its geometric wallpaper, provided the perfect backdrop for the modern, green acrylic chairs. Surrounding a classic marble-topped table, the blown-glass accessories in green and yellow complete the look.” Miami (favadesigngroup.com)
acht
Mario Luca Giusti has built a reputation for marrying colorful elegance and durable design with offerings such as the Dolce Vita acrylic water goblet ($33). Y Next, Fort Lauderdale (yachtnext.com)
Pigeon and Poodle’s hurricane with chartreuse acrylic base ($588 for large; $468 for small) gives a South Beach vibe to a space that deserves a little Art Deco accent. Loom Luxury Linens, Dania Beach (loomlux.com)
is at home at a
Fort Lauderdale
This chic seat (price upon request) from Worlds Away dining table, in a living room, or even as a luxurious vanity chair in a primary bathroom. Alicia Weaver Design, (aliciaweaver design.com)
A modern interpretation of rustic slab furniture, Villa & House’s Cristal coffee table ($1,687) features an organically shaped, clear acrylic top with sleek and structured legs in a gold-leaf finish. Retro Interiors, Wilton Manors (retrointeriors.net)
Everything old is new (and cool) again with Jonathan Adler’s tictac-toe set ($250) in purple and turquoise orbs. Jonathan Adler, Miami (jonathanadler.com)
BY LIZA GRANT SMITH
Infuse cocktails and bar bites like cheese, nuts, and dips with Crafthouse by Fortessa’s cocktail smoking cloche ($250). Simply connect the handheld smoker filled with wood chips to the cloche’s sustainably sourced walnut base, and the smoke remains contained under the glass dome. Williams Sonoma locations (williams-sonoma.com)
Rabbit offers a cool option for the South Florida heat with its freezable cocktail maker ($40). Fill the silicone carafe with cocktail ingredients—anything from a margarita to a piña colada, Moscow mule, or frosé—cover with the lid, and place in the freezer overnight. When you’re ready to drink, wrap the carafe with the neoprene sleeve and squeeze the sides with your hands until the desired consistency is reached. Sur La Table locations (surlatable.com)
Give fruits and herbs a second life with Salut’s botanical drink infusions ($32). Each bottle contains a curated combination of 100-percent natural functional dried fruits, flowers, and herbs known to have health benefits—without any added sugar. Add liquor, wine, or water to the container and infuse for one to five days in the refrigerator. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh before serving and add mixers to create a clean cocktail. (lovesalut.co)
The Barsys coaster ($95) takes the guesswork out of cocktail creation. Place your glass on the coaster surface, select your preferred drink on the app, and follow the instructions. The coaster will change colors to indicate when to start and stop pouring each ingredient. When the drink is complete, remove the glass from the coaster and start sipping.
(thebarsys.com)
Don’t let melting ice dilute your spirits. Anna New York’s handcrafted Vida gemstone whiskey cubes ($145 for set of six) can be placed in the freezer for four hours in the included pouch before adding them to your drink of choice. As an extra benefit, amethyst is said to provide strength. Saks Fifth Avenue locations (saksfifthavenue.com)
While a celery stick may be the most traditional garnish for a Bloody Mary, many bars are going in innovative new directions with everything from pickled vegetables to antipasto ingredients and even bite-size sliders or grilled cheese sandwiches. If you want to get creative with this cocktail’s co-stars, plant a stainless-steel Raw Rutes’ Tree Brunch gourmet cocktail pick ($18 for two) in your glass and load its branches. (rawrutes.com)
Are you in need of a legitimate beauty rest? Look no further than Aventura Mattress, a one-stop-shop for all your sleeping needs, from custom options that are created just for you to a vast selection of products that were hand-picked by its founder, sleep expert extraordinaire Tania Yumbla.
When you have a health issue, you go to a doctor. So, when you need a great night’s sleep, you must go to an expert who has twenty years under her belt.
Working with interior designers, health providers, chiropractors, etc. Tania explained the benefits and the importance of a good night sleep to prevent any health issues. Many people care only about exercising and diet, without knowing that to achieve a healthy lifestyle, you must have the 3 pillars “sleep, diet and exercise.”
Resort top (price upon request), skirt (price upon request), Max Mara, maxmara.com; Roadrunner boots ($840), Fraulein Boot Company, frauleinboots.com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com
PAGES 78-79
Resort dress ($2,290), belt ($335), Max Mara, maxmara.com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com
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Button-down shirt ($1,800), gold maxi skirt ($21,000), Valentino, Aventura Mall, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, valentino.com
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Dress (price upon request), D-Renaissance cuffs (price upon request), Dior, Miami Design District, dior.com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com
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Dress ($3,990), harness ($990), Alexander McQueen, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, alexandermcqueen.com; Dana turquoise boots ($2,395), Miron Crosby, mironcrosby.com
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Long-sleeve wool crepe sable jacket with detachable shearling collar ($8,500), high-waisted heavy-wool crepe sable midi skirt ($3,900), mid-heel boots in leather with stirrup detail ($1,690), driver gloves in napa leather ($650), Gucci, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, gucci.com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com
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Embroidered dress (price upon request), shirt (price upon request), Donna high boots ($2,490), Louis Vuitton, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, us.louisvuitton.com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com
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Hide Tide eyelet cropped shirt ($895), Hide Tide eyelet maxi skirt ($1,850), wicker mini belt bag ($475), Zimmermann, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, zimmermann.com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com
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Cutout midi dress with fringe hem ($1,750), Johanna Ortiz, johanna ortiz.com; Meredith coral boots ($895), Miron Crosby, mironcrosby. com; felt hat ($1,275), House of Clyde, houseofclydehats.com.
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Hand-embroidered sequin stretch-jersey cutout gown ($8,990), Michael Kors Collection, michaelkors.com
ESTABLISHED 1987 Unique home accessories, gifts, fabulous clothing, handbags and jewelry.
2118 N.E. 123rd St., North Miami, Florida 33181 (across the bridge from Bal Harbour Shops) Tel: 305.893.7559
In Memory Of My Beautiful Mother Susan.
WHO: Pura Vida WHAT: Grand Opening
WHERE: Sunset Harbour HIGHLIGHTS: Pura Vida celebrated its eleventh store opening at its Sunset Harbour location, offering the brand’s favorite foods, smoothies, pastries, and more.
Leonard Pianko M.D FACC
Graduate of Mount Sinai Medical School.
Voted “Best Doctor” by Castle Connolly.
Board Certified in Internal Medicine & Cardiovascular disease.
Best of VIP care.
House calls, nursing home & assisted living visits. Accredited Nuclear Stress, Ultrasound & Echo Labs.
WHO: Slate Hallandale Beach WHAT: Grand Opening WHERE: Hallandale Beach HIGHLIGHTS: South Florida’s top-producing luxury real estate agents came out to experi ence the brand new Slate Hallandale Beach, a 26-story luxury rental community with 250 modern residences and high-end amenities.
With pastel drums and chimes hanging from palm trees, fuzzy creatures that double as seating capsules, and a kaleidoscopic disco ball beckoning visitors to Jade Alley, the Miami Design District just got a little more playful. It’s all a part of the district’s annual neighborhood commission. This year, Miami-based artist Germane Barnes was selected for his Rock | Roll installation, which was erected throughout the Miami Design District in No vember. With Carnival music seeping from speakers, the immersive experience conveys the artist’s appreciation for BIPOC communi ties and their contributions to Miami. “Rock | Roll is an ode to the joyful spirit that persists in Miami’s Black communities—a spirit of self-care that is so perfectly embodied in Miami Carnival culture,” says Barnes. “The moral to the story is that there is space for everyone here.” (miamidesigndistrict.net) —Christiana Lilly
Ideally situated along 435 linear feet of pristine beach and immersed in unforgettable ocean views, The St. Regis Residences, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami, represent the height of exquisite living. Where skyline-defining architecture, visionary style, flawless craftsmanship, and signature St. Regis service and rituals create a singular experience of effortless luxury in a glamorous setting.
