Sandra‘s Closet

This morning, I woke up to the cutest message on Instagram. My beloved Mary Katrantzou had dedicated a post to me and named me among her #MaryMareMuses.

Her new capsule collection is capturing the same high-octane colors and whimsical spirit as her main line, Mary Mare is her playful take on vacation dressing, from swimsuits and accessories, to amazing cover-ups and dresses all are inspired by different sun-soaked destinations like the French Riviera, Portofino and the islands of Greece.

Wearing Mary Mare: World Oceans Day – Mary Mare.

I feel so honored to be named among her #MaryMareMuses. It was love at first sight when I spotted a dress from Mary’s first collection. Since then I have been collecting her amazing and dreamlike creations. We met the first time in Switzerland ten years ago when she won the Swiss Textiles Award and since then we have been friends. Our birthdays are just two days apart and we are both aquarius women. We had so many beautiful und fun moments together. I will never forget the chills I had during the S/S 2020 show at the Temple of Poseidon in Greece last year. Below you can enjoy a trip down memory lane, of 10 years of great friendship!

November 2010: The day we first met. Mary had won the Swiss Textiles Award and I was already a big fan of her work. My blog was just one year old.

November 2011: We had lunch in London and one week later Mary won the Emerging Talent Award (ready-to-wear) at the British Fashion Awards.

January 2012: Me wearing the famous Jewel Tree dress for the launch event for the «Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp» collection at Colette in Paris.

March 2012: Mary and I played dress up in Paris that day and I literally tried every single piece from the fabulous F/W 2012 collection. Those pieces are still among my all-time favorites in my closet.

March 2012: Mary and I at lunch in Paris where she answered the first travel insider I have ever had on my blog.

September 2012: Mary and I at Anna dello Russo’s Paradise Ball in Paris.

January 2013: In the Paris showroom to have a closer look at Mary’s S/S 2013 collection.

March 2013: Exploring Mary ‘s F/W 2013 collection in her Paris showroom.

July 2014: Dinner with Net-à-Porter in London

February 2017: UBS Unique event in London

February 2017: A closer look right after the show at Mary’s F/W 2017 that took place at Tate Modern.

June 2017: At Waddesdon Manor for the launch of Creatures and Creations.

February 2018: Backstage at her F/W 2017 runway show in London.

October 2018: With Mary and Eugenie Niarchos at Matchesfashion in London for Mary’s 10 Year Anniversary Party.

October 2019: The evening before Mary’s most beautiful S/S 2020 show in Greece.

October 2019: In front of the Temple of Poseidon with Erica Pelosini right after the show celebrating our dear Mary.

Thank you, Mary, for 10 years of great friendship! Thank you or always inspiring me and for making Sandra‘s Closet so much more colorful! To many more years to come…

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Mary Katrantzou and Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

In 2016, CHANEL presented the MONSIEUR watch designed especially for men. With instant jumping hour and minute retrograde, the Caliber 1, the Maison’s first in-house Manufacture movement is entirely created, developed, assembled and tested by the master watchmakers of CHANEL.

In 2020, the MONSIEUR watch features a white gold case with dial and strap in matte blue; presented as an exclusive limited edition of 55 pieces.

Power reserve: 72 hours. Water-resistance: 30 meters. Functions: hours, minutes, seconds. Diameter: 40 mm. Available from beginning of September 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
#MonsieurdeCHANEL #CHANELHauteHorlogerie

Bored during quarantine? Worry not as the LV playing cards with matching LV pouch Arsene, or the new Vivienne playing card set will keep you entertained. If cards are not your style, how about a backgammon set as perfect companions.

Playing games is an extraordinary method to bond with loved ones. In my family, it is a tradition that we play during the holidays for example. Personally speaking, I am not only enjoying the socializing aspect of this form of entertainment. Many games involve the memorizing aspect, and this can be helpful to keep your mind focused and also help in improving your concentration level. Furthermore, I can be very competitive, especially when it comes to Scrabble…

I hope you will enjoy today’s selection of luxurious editions of the most popular games:

Crocodile-effect leather backgammon set by Aerin
CHF 3540

Walnut and stainless steel domino set by Brunello Cucinelli
CHF 1110

Brass and stone Tic-Tac-Toe set by Blue Carreon

CHF 1160

Domino box by Louis Vuitton
€ 2160

Playing Cards and Pouch Arsène by Louis Vuitton
€360

Playing Cards and Pouch Vivienne by Louis Vuitton
$ 720

Enzo crocodile-embossed leather playing cards set by Aerin
CHF 365

Solitaire game by Louis Vuitton
€ 1310

Backgammon set by Brunello Cuccinelli
CHF 6045

Shagreen and beech wood Jenga set by Aerin
CHF 1235

Walnut tic-tac-toe set by Brunello Cucinelli
CHF 480

Gifting such as game is always a great idea as those sets look also great as decoration.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

I love elephants and will never forget my first encounter with these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. A memory I’ll treasure forever. To ensure that they remain in existence for many centuries to come, I joined the Matriarch Club, a group of 100 high profile women, in London last year, and will be leading the CoExistence charge as one of their Matriarchs. Due to the current pandemic, everything needed to be postponed but I hope that our USA adventure can take place in 2021. This powerful movement aims to build a $10m fund for human-wildlife-coexistence projects across Asia. Stay tuned, I will tell more about this great initiative soon.

I love this BURBERRY + Space for Giants suede-trimmed nylon jacket.

Much to my delight, I discovered that Net-à-Porter has teamed-up with Space For Giants and developed an exquisite capsule collection with several designers to support their amazing conversation work. As you will see, the collection is inspired by safari influences and you’ll find lots of linens and neutral tones and an overall utilitarian aesthetic. Ole Lynggaard has also designed 5 incredibly special Elephant charm pendants in 18 karat yellow gold with emeralds and diamonds.  All profits from this collection will benefit Space for Giants.

OLE LYNGGAARD COPENHAGEN x Space for Giants

By purchasing an item, you are answering the call of the wild and in this way you are making a supersonic effort that Africa’s ecosystems and the mega-fauna they contain are conserved. That means ending the poaching of elephants, because elephants are a keystone species and if they are thriving, their precious habitats are, too. And it means finding new ways to fund forever the protection of these landscapes so they can continue to bring their benefits for generations to come.

And if you are still not convinced, here are 10 reasons why to love elephants:

Elephants love deeply and are passionate about life.
Elephants are feminists! Elephant herds are matriarchal.
Elephants make great friends with strong social bonds.
Elephants are resourceful and can adapt to any situation easily.
Elephants are all about teamwork.
Elephants are fast learners and have one of the largest and most complex brains in the living world.
Elephants make great parents and are very protective and nurturing of their young.
Elephants are excellent communicators.
Elephants are environmentalists.
Elephants don’t forget, but they do forgive.

TO SHOP THE SPACE OF GIANTS CAPSULE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
The perfect pieces for your next safari…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Net-à-Porter and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

This was my outfit that I wore to my gourmet dinner at Anne-Sophie Pic in Valence. Comfy yet stylish, not too tight to be able to fully indulge in the 10-course three Michelin stars culinary experience. I am repeating myself, it is another Zimmermann dress but I love their luxe bohemian creations so much – the perfect wardrobe for sun-soaked destinations.

My look: Zinnia belted tiered metallic polka-dot linen midi dress by Zimmermann, Annabelle Swiss-dot tulle-trimmed straw hat by Eugenia Kim, Rendez Vous 105 metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura, The Pouch chain-embellished gathered leather clutch by Bottega Veneta, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

During summer we love to go on a gourmet tour through France and Italy, which means we stop every second day at a two or three Michelin stars restaurant. It has become a tradition and it is great to be back in our favorite locations. This time, we took another route and visited for the first time Anne-Sophie Pic in Valence. This has been the best culinary experience we have had so far.

Personally speaking, you can feel that a woman is behind the creations. The dishes are light and fresh. Even after the 10-course «voyage» I didn’t feel stuffed as I usually do. You can taste that Anne-Sophie Pic takes a lot of devotion to find the best fresh ingredients. Her menu changes accordingly to the market. In fact, Anne-Sophie Pic is always moving. She is perpetually seeking new, complex flavour associations.

By finding non-consensual flavours such as the bitter, the acidic, the salty, the roasted, and the smoked and by taming them, she incorporates often overlooked produce such as beetroot, turnip or cabbage. In order to explore all of their possible uses in the kitchen, she approaches the ingredients in their totality, rather than cinnamon sticks, she prefers the cinnamon leaf.

The amazing anti-alcoholic accompaniment – the most extraordinary experience: pine needle tea (photo middle below).

The best? Forget the traditional wine pairing. At Anne-Sophie Pic you can order an anti-alcoholic accompaniment, which consists of different cocktails that are prepared at the table (the show is already worth it) and sophisticated teas.

The 51-year old French chef inherited her talent from her family. 3 generations, 3 stars, her father Jacques gained the restaurant «Maison Pic» three Michelin stars in 1973 and her grandfather André in 1934. Even that she spent a lot of time in the kitchen watching her father preparing his creations, she initially decided not to follow in their footsteps, and instead travelled overseas to train in management. In 1992, at the age of 23, she realised her place was by her father’s side so she could learn how to cook and develop the brand that was also her surname.

Unfortunately, her father died only three months later, and she moved to working the front of the house. In 1995, the restaurant lost its third Michelin star, for which she felt she had lost «her father’s star», and spurred her to return to the kitchen. In 1997, Pic took control of the restaurant. Even that she had no formal training in cooking – this is what I call real talent – she regained Maison Pic’s three Michelin stars in 2007.

An explosion of taste and color: amuse-bouche by Anne-Sophie Pic.

She is the fourth female chef to win three Michelin stars, and was awarded the Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011. In the same year, she was named a Chevalier (Knight) of the French Legion of Honour. Isn’t it bizarre that women are supposed to be in the kitchen but the best chefs are all men?! I think, gentlemen, you should reconsider your dedications at home!

The divine white millefeuille served with milk foam is Anne-Sophie’s signature dessert dish. Click here for the recipe.

Great news is that we have also an Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant in Switzerland, located in Lausanne at the Beau-Rivage Palace. It was awarded two Michelin stars in 2009. There is more, the dedicated brunette has built a complete gourmand empire. Along with her husband David Sinapian, she establishes the PIC Group along with her SCOOK culinary school in Valence (2008), the ÉPICerie Fine in Valence (2010), la Dame de Pic in Paris (1 star), the Daily Pic (the gourmet verrines of Anne-Sophie Pic – 2014 and 2018), the restaurant André (2016) and la Dame de Pic London (1 star – 2017).

Visiting the kitchen after our excellent dinner experience.

Nevertheless, to really get her essence, you should visit her in her home in Valence. During the dinner, she will pass by to greet you and in the end I was even able to visit the impressive kitchen.

We stayed at her 5-star hotel Maison Pic in Valence. The restaurant is located within the property. The rooms are beautiful, you have an outdoor pool and the breakfast the next day is to die for. I have never in my life had such an amazing chocolate croissant.
One thing is for sure, we will be back soon!

LoL, Sandra

Breakfast at Anne-Sophie Pic

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored. 

From Louis Vuitton to Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello and Versace, here are some to die for sports accessories with a couture twist. They make the perfect gift for those fit-friends who are only obsessed with the best. The luxurious boxing gloves for example will turn your home into a workout studio that even the pros will be astonished by and with those marble dumbbells there are no more excuses not hitting the gym. And if you are still not convinced, imagine how your living room would become so instagrammable decorated with the CHANEL wakesurf board…

LoL, Sandra

Monogram dumbbells by Louis Vuitton
€ 1950

Marble dumbbells by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
€ 1295

Boxing gloves by Versace
€ 2445

Jump rope «Christopher» by Louis Vuitton
€ 480

Vintage skateboard by Hermès
CHF 6844

Tennis racket cover in Monogram canvas by Louis Vuitton
€ 1370

Beach rackets by Hermès
€ 640

Beach rackets by Louis Vuitton
€ 2390

Ping-pong set «James» by Louis Vuitton
€ 1630

Golf kit «Andrew» by Louis Vuitton
€ 625

Volleyball by Louis Vuitton
€ 1950

American football by Berluti
€ 1500

Skimboard by Louis Vuitton
€ 1410

Black wakesurf board by CHANEL
CHF 7500

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Neiman Marcus
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Thanks to Dioriviera capsule collection, I am reminded of one of my favorite islands, Capri. The perfect souvenir to think of the great time I had at the Italian Riviera this summer. Off I go into the weekend… stay tuned for all the great memories coming up soon!

My look: Cropped tie-dyed denim jacket, and embellished distressed denim shorts, both by Balmain, striped bodysuit «J’Adior Capri» and medium Bobby bag in latte, both by Dior, Farrah leather platform sandals by Saint Laurent, vintage CC pendant anklet by CHANEL, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Celine, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

My avid readers know how much I love fashion and that I keep all my things as everything has its time to be worn again. I truly take good care of every single piece, for example I am stuffing my bags and shoes at night, and I decide what to wear depending on the weather. Prolonging the life of your belongings is also key to reducing waste and our impact on the planet, but what do you do when your favourite shoes or investment handbag are past their best? Here is the solution. Founded by Vanessa Jacobs in 2015, the Restory’s London Atelier has become a leading innovator in luxury repairs and aftercare, giving your beloved items a new lease of life.

Starting with shoes, bags and leather goods, the team is dedicated to bringing the art of the craft and the convenience of technology right to your doorstep. By investing in the next generation of artisans who proactively seek out ways to find new techniques and solutions for those seemingly impossible problems, there is hope for almost every problem.

How does it work? Choose your preferred collection date and time through the online booking system, which is available for most of London and overnight anywhere else in the world. Whether sending your items in for cleaning, conditioning or re-heeling, they are carefully assessed first and an online quote is provided, with clients given the opportunity to then accept, query or decline the offer. Upon completion of the restoration, the items are returned beautifully packaged at a time and place convenient for you.

The Restory’s mission is to have you fall in love with your favourite pieces all over again while honoring our environment. Click here to see some amazing case studies. A circular fashion industry is one in which waste and pollution are designed out, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible. This is what I truly call sustainable. Bravo!

And personally speaking, it gives me peace to know that there is a place that can repair pieces that don’t look good anymore so that one day I can open my museum with everything collected over the past decades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Restory

Greetings from the beautiful Villa d’Este. This was a difficult post to shoot as I faced three obstacles, first the photos were taken right before dinner with not the best light, secondly it was raining and last but not least my dear boyfriend was not in the mood to take some pictures as usual. However, I tried to get the best out of it, so that you can see one of my favorite summer outfits. I am such a big fan of jumpsuits and this one is light and unexpected as it looks like a dress.

Are you looking for the perfect party sandal? This pair features darling strawberry details, slim straps that wrap securely around the ankle, and a pin-thin heel.

My look: Bellitude cutout ruffled floral-print silk-crepon jumpsuit by Zimmermann, Jodie mini knotted leather tote by Bottega Veneta, Fragolina sandals by Aquazzura, metal glass pearls leather earrings by CHANEL (Cruise 2020), Coco Crush color in beige gold with diamonds by CHANEL Fine Jewelry, Rose Céleste necklace in 18k yellow and white gold, diamond, onyx and mother-of-pearl by Dior Fine Jewelry, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.