Shopping: Bal Harbour, Miami

There is a place where the stores are exclusive, the people watching is world class and the inspiration is abundant... It's one of my favorite spots to spend an afternoon!

You can shop till your hearts content, but what I love the most is the atmosphere!! Nestled on the ground level, are Koi ponds with turtles sunning themselves and kids of all ages are mesmerized by the tranquility and sound of the fountains, keeping the place cool. As this is an outdoor shopping area in South Florida, shade and cooling water are essential! Flowering Orchid plants soak up the moisture and display their beautiful flowers, palms sway in the breeze....

You really can't beat the Hermes windows, always classy and colorful.  The staff is always nice, considering it must be obvious, that I'm meerly looking :)  Love brwozing in there...

Trina Turks store is such an explosion of color, so much fun!!!

100 % Capri... I can tell you this much; I have NEVER seen such PERFECTLY pressed linen before!!!!   E.V.E.R.!    I secretly wonder how they dress the mannequins without a single wrinkle.... ????

Snap shot of the tropical foliage from the second level, just to give you an idea of the space.
There are cafes and restaurants, with people watching that is not to be believed! Jet setters from all over the world come here. Many stylish South Americans shop here and it is always fun to watch what they are wearing!!! Black, White, Asian and Slavic people shop here, many different languages are spoken, which I find so refreshing...

Shutters protect the higher levels from the sun, fans keeping it cool...

For the design savy shopper blogger, one store is more interesting than the next. As for my favorite... While I like the clean and crisp (in every sense of the word) 100% Capri store, I always make sure to visit the Oscar de la Renta store. It's cool, tropical, classy, coral-y, beautiful collections... and no, I didn't get a picture (sorry).... :)

Feel like a virtual tour? Click here.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend planned, feel free to share!
Happy weekend!

Natasha

All images NHH for Northern Light Blog