Sandra‘s Closet

With the fall season right around the corner, it is the perfect time of the year for entertaining. I love throwing a theme soiree in an intimate gathering. I am not the most dedicated chef, but I absolutely adore table settings and decorations. For this photo shoot (for SI Style Magazine), I went for an Asian inspired theme (most pieces available at Jelmoli).

How to get started? First, of course, with your invites. Having an accurate guest count is essential for a dinner party, especially if you are planning on having some special surprises like personalized napkins for your friends to take home (available for order at Kids and the City). I like to tie ribbons around them to match the color theme of the night.

Personally speaking, a beautiful table setting is like the canvas for a perfect meal. On the morning before the event, I love going to the flower market and getting fresh blooms. I usually place them in the center as well as in small pots and vases everywhere in the room. My rule is to keep all flowers and candle low enough that guests can have great conversations over them. Very important is that you stay with non-scented candles since you don’t want to interfere with the tastes and smells of your food.

Once your guests have arrived, relax and enjoy the good company, delightful ambiance, and delicious food you put so much work into. It’s time for the hostess to enjoy, too!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Agi Simoes for SI Style Magazine

Healthy snacking is an opportunity to fuel your body between meals. For many women, dieting equals food restriction and snacks get usually eliminated in the name of saving calories. But snacking can be a good idea if you go for these good-for-you treats. If you stay satisfied, you won’t be craving for the bad things.

Kale Chips Indian Curry – CHF 9.00 (75g)
Wirsing Chips Sour Cream & Onion – CHF 9.00 (75g)
Spicy Cracker – CHF 9.00 (70g)
Crunchy Granola – CHF 12.00 (150g)

With the bikini season just around the corner, it’s time to get your vegan snack attack on! Available Mid May 2015 online at www.detox-delight.ch or by phone +41 43 3001382. All snacks are sugar free and contain no preservatives.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Detox Delight

Capitalising on its position in London’s most fashionable district, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London announces an exclusive partnership with French high end luxury Maison Chloé, as the S/S 2015 collections arrive in stores, commencing Thursday 12th February 2015.

In celebration of London Fashion Week, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is offering guests a special package in luxurious accommodation, with the opportunity to own the Drew ahead of London Fashion Week and experience a limited edition Chloé afternoon tea at The Rosebery with Chloé Fizz champagne cocktails.

Drew medium textured-leather shoulder bag

The Chloé Debuts package starts at GBP 1,722 and includes:
• One night’s accommodation for two in a Knightsbridge Turret Suite with sweeping views of the UK’s fashion capital
• À la carte breakfast for two people over looking Hyde Park
• Personalised service at Chloé on Sloane Street to receive Chloé’s ‘Drew’ bag
• Chloé Love Story perfume
• Chloé-inspired afternoon tea for two people in the enchanting tea room, The Rosebery

The Rosebery

For an aficionado experience in February 2015, guests visiting The Rosebery for a limited edition Chloé-inspired afternoon tea and a Chloé Fizz cocktail will be able to view a mannequin showcasing the fashion collection in the lobby of the hotel and two vetrines displaying the Drew bag in a variety of different colours and patterns.

Drew small python shoulder bag

The Drew bag is a delicate, modern saddlebag with round, sculpted lines, it features an elegant turn lock system, in perfect harmony with its knotted fob chain and horseshoe pivots. Available in three sizes, this cross–body style offers an effortless transition from daytime to evening, with crisp raw edging on sumptuous materials.

Terms and conditions
The package is valid from Thursday 12th February 2015 to Monday 9th March 2015. Reservations are subject to availability, inclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3773, or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Manadrin Oriental and Chloé

A Happy 2015 to everyone! I hope that you started the New Year as wonderful as I did. The last day of the year was just perfect. The sky was crisp blue, the sun was shining and I had a lovely fondue lunch at Wassergrat on top of the mountain where I enjoyed the most stunning views over the Alps. If you are there, you have to try their meringue dessert. It is to die for.

New Year’s Eve itself, I spent at the Gstaad Palace Hotel, a night among friends that was truly perfect. To a prosperous 2015 that hopefully will be as fantastic as it started.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Each year EVIAN releases a new collectible water bottle in time for the holiday season and this time the famous brand has teamed up with no other than the house of KENZO to create a one-of-a kind design.

Previous collaborations (from right to left): Christian Lacroix (2008), Jean Paul Gaultier (2009), Paul Smith (2010), Issey Miyake (2011), Courrèges (2012), Diane von Furstenberg (2013), Elie Saab (2014) and now Kenzo (2015).

Kenzo F/W 2014 ad campaign

KENZO’s Creative Directors, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, were influenced for their F/W 2014 collection for both men and women by the work of artist and director David Lynch and it is in this vein that the bottle’s motif features a broken floor pattern, toying with the idea of shifting the elements. Offering a magnifying glass effect when full, the bottle’s purple fragmented pattern is penetrated by a sole lime zig-zag, giving the holder a distorted and skewed view of its ultra-pure contents.

The Evian + Kenzo Limited Edition Collector’s Bottle is available for CHF 3.50 at Globus and Manor in Switzerland while supplies last. Great news is that five of my Swiss readers can win such a collector’s bottle.

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Evian + Kenzo” to . All entries must be received until December 5, 2014. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

Stay tuned for many more raffles to follow during the next 24 days until X-mas.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Evian and Kenzo

This week I flew to Bangkok to attend the launch celebration of the fifth Cabinet of Curiosities, the acclaimed yearly pop-up exhibition, that is presented this time by Siwilai, the renowned multi-brand concept store. More will be coming up soon about this event.

Wednesday evening, the exclusive pre-opening dinner took place at Bo.lan, one of the world’s best Thai restaurants, located in Sukhumvit. We enjoyed fine dining at its best, a very spicy Thai cuisine created from age old recipes. After we had finished, the most fun part of the night took place. We were all driven to the after party at Sugar Ray You’ve Just Been Poisoned (to be taken literally) in tuk-tuks. What a fun and very fast ride through the city of Bangkok.

Before I left to the event, those pictures of my outfit were taken on the terrace of my hotel, the Okura Prestige, a luxurious and contemporary five-star hotel.

My look for the night: Nude dress with pleated skirt, cutout suede sandals and scalloped laser-cut leather waist belt, all by Azzedine Alaïa, cloquet nappa leather bag Swarovski crystals and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings, both by Miu Miu, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, diamond bracelet and ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

The two protagonists: Barom Bhicharnchitr (Managing Director of Central Embassy and Siwilai) and Thomas Erber (Founder of Le Cabinet de Curiosités).

Lovely international company at the dinner table at Bo.lan.

A fun tuk-tuk ride with Swiss-Thai designer Laend Phuengkit, who also designed some limited edition pieces for the exhibition.

A truly fun night – stay tuned for more coming up from Bangkok soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Somebody has answered my prayers: meet Paul & Lulu, an online shopping destination that delivers amazing dishes directly to your table and the only thing you will need to do is to add some finishing touches. But I am not talking about fast food! Embracing the next generation of modern gastronomy, Franzoli’s Catering have brought their mission to a new level  by producing honest, high-quality convenience food, delivered quickly and easily from their kitchen to yours. Based on their passion for perfection, the dishes are handmade with market-fresh ingredients, carefully selected from their tried-and-trusted suppliers, then arranged and prepared in a way that gives you more time to enjoy your meal.

The minute I looked at the website, I was sold. The pictures are beautiful, showing all the ingredients. Especially if you are following a certain diet, you will appreciate the vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, nut-free, lactose-free, halal descriptions.

Paul & Lulu will deliver the best that their pots, pans and experience have to offer straight to your kitchen – quickly and at short notice.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Paul & Lulu

We have a new hot spot in Zurich: the 80-seat restaurant LOUIS’ located on the lakeside in Wollishofen. The new place to eat  offers a unique view of the Zurich’s skyline along with a gastronomic experience at the highest level by chef Christoph Eisner and his team. Lars Krauss (pictured with me above at the opening last Thursday) has fulfilled his dream of owning a restaurant together with his business partner Verena Thalmann. Their passion for the project can be seen in every single detail.

The interior design is beautiful with white as the main color and four pastel shades that can be found in various furniture elements. The eye-catching chandeliers were specially made for the restaurant. A small but fine champagne bar and lounge area on the gallery invites guests to linger. In the summer months the urban feeling is complemented by a tastefully furnished terrace with 80 seats.

The seasonally changing menu offers special lunch dishes in the price range of CHF 25.00 to 30.00. Highlights are for example lukewarm beetroots with a mousse of smoked trout (CHF 17.00), fried duck liver with apple compote (CHF 21.00), roasted corn-fed chicken stuffed with lemon, ricotta and dried tomatoes, accompanied by vegetable couscous (CHF 39.00), sautéed fillet of sea bass with ratatouille (CHF 48.00) and chocolate mousse with milk rice (CHF 14.00).

Restaurant Louis’, Seestr. 457, 8038 Zurich-Wollishofen, Switzerland
Phone: + 41-44 221 15 15
Monday – Friday 10am – 12am
Saturday 6pm – 12am
Sunday closed

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Restaurant

There is a new hot spot in the Mediterranean Sea with the opening of the Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge. Situated in the most exclusive area of the island, the new Cavalli experience presents his entertainment & nightlife concept in the heart of the promenade that welcomes yachts into the harbour of Ibiza Marina.

Recreating an astounding tropical garden of 2.000 square metres with a beautiful view, the property symbolises the three main worldwide renowned beacons of ‘made in Italy’ excellence: Fashion, Food, Design.

It features an open-air restaurant where luxury and innovation are merged in the décor and in the details to create a unique ambience, allowing the clients to live a ‘total experience’ in pure Cavalli style. The menu offers an incredible selection of traditional Italian recipes infused with Tuscan influences, as well as innovative new style dishes. It will also be possible to taste and appreciate, among others, the Tenuta Degli Dei red wine produced in the Tuscan winery owned by the Cavalli family.

The club & lounge embody the glamorous soul of the designer, hosting exclusive and fashionable parties and events where guests can sip on Roberto Cavalli Vodka-based cocktails. The music and lighting culminate in an experience that begins in the magnificent garden with 500 plants perfuming the Ibiza night: think jasmine, honeysuckle and magnolia…

«The pleasure of listening to enjoyable music, accompanied by great food and good company in an elegant and sophisticated setting … This is the philosophy of the Cavalli Restaurant & Lounge. I wanted to communicate all my passion for beauty and sensuality combining them in a hospitality project in Ibiza» says Roberto Cavalli.

Roberto Cavalli already owns Cavalli Caffè in Florence and Saint Tropez, while the others managed through licences are located in Kuwait City, Beirut, Dubai and New Delhi.

The next openings will be Riyadh, Bahrain and Doha. Furthermore, the Roberto Cavalli Group has also opened with licences, the Cavalli Club in Milan, Dubai and the Cavalli Miami Restaurant & Lounge.

Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge
Paseo Marítimo Juan Carlos I 07800 Ibiza (Spain)

For reservation +34 971 192 197
www.cavallibiza.com

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

Today, Zurich’s famous food festival starts again: the 3rd edition of IL TAVOLO kicks off with the opening night at Gate Gourmet, the leading independent provider of airline catering. I feel very honored to be in the second consecutive year the ambassador of the PARK HYATT ZURICH, which is one of the host hotels besides BAUR AU LAC, EDEN AU LAC, STORCHEN, THE DOLDER GRAND and WIDDER HOTEL.

At the photo shoot for the campaign this spring

The kitchen battle is on: At the recent Il Tavolo kick-off event at Blaue Ente with Andermatt-Investor Samih Sawiris this spring.

Here you see me at last year’s opening party at Bärengasse cooking alongside Park Hyatt’s famous chef Frank Widmer, author of the cook book “The Cook and the Cowboy“. I cannot wait for our revival tonight…

Il Tavolo is taking place from 25 to 30 June 2014. Tickets are available at Jelmoli + 41 44 220 46 00 or under www.ticketino.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Il Tavolo, © Ilja Tschanen for Blick and © Sandra Bauknecht