Sandra‘s Closet

On the second day of the three-day extravaganza with KILIAN PARIS to celebrate the Maison’s 15th anniversary, founder Kilian Hennessy invited to an intimate lunch at «La Suite Girafe».

Located on the 9th floor of the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, «La Suite Girafe» or LSG to its friends, was the former flat of the curator who had a private terrace with a panoramic view of the whole of Paris in the 1930s. Today it seats 100 people and is open for lunch and dinner. Famous Parisian interior designer Joseph Dirand created a beautiful space with stunning views over the Eiffel Tower.

In terms of cuisine, the emphasis is on the praise of iodine, with ever more refined dishes that give pride of place to the products. Like a Parisian seahouse, LSG offers a contemporary marine cuisine where seafood, raw and cooked fish in all their forms are combined. Don’t miss the famous pavlova for dessert, it is divine.

«La Suite Girafe» is open to the public (strictly by reservation only) and to members of PH1 (a private members club by Paris Society). It has been one of my favorite restaurants in Paris since its opening in 2021 and I can absolutely recommend it.

La Suite Girafe
1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre
75016 Paris
Phone: +33 01 42 25 25 59

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Arriving perfectly dressed for the new season, the S/S 2022 Prêt-à-Portea collection at The Berkeley London showcases couture cakes inspired by designers from Lanvin to Gucci. A contemporary twist on afternoon tea, this playful and stylish edit is set to become another favourite for sweet-toothed fashionistas.

This season’s collection opens with Oscar de la Renta – a striking orange gown crafted with apricot bavarois, salted Manuka honey and apricot ganache, topped with a meringue frill. A hero handbag from Michael Kors – whose bags were seen filled with flowers on the catwalk – has been created as a Victoria sponge with fresh strawberry jam, wrapped in an Opalys chocolate cylinder with flowers intricately piped with lime butter cream.

Gucci’s pink silk tuxedo has been reimagined in bourbon vanilla mousse and Emmanuel sponge, layered with peach compote and glazed with shimmering pink icing. This is finished with a thin chocolate jacket and bow tie. Meanwhile, Lanvin’s towering floral platform heels will stomp down the cakewalk made from chocolate biscuit, painstakingly piped with royal icing.

Schiaparelli’s couture golden mini dress combines caramel sponge, dark Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut praline, all topped with a shimmering, chocolate oversized collar. Richard Quinn’s buttercup yellow gown is immortalised in ice cream – chocolate wafer cones are filled with fresh fruit compote and pineapple and star anise sorbet, topped with bright yellow chocolate waves.

Finally, the Prêt-à-Portea pastry team have created a showstopper of a cake – designed to share – paying homage to Saint Laurent’s floral jumpsuit. An oversized red rose made of lychee mousse with fresh raspberry is set on a glossy white coconut cake, and finished with a green chocolate leaf.

As always, the tea also includes elegant canapés and sandwiches, with a selection of loose-leaf teas from the extensive collection.
Afternoon Tea is served Monday – Sunday: 1pm – 5.30pm.

Cannot wait to be back in London!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Berkeley and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

If you are looking for a more quiet dinner place with great food and a beautiful ambiance in Mykonos (there will still be music, but not as loud as at other places), I recommend BEEFBAR MYKONOS. Located in the Bill & Coo Coast Hotel on Agios Ioannis beach, you can find a wide selections of the finest quality meat cuts and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. The menu offers also grilled fresh fish caught by local fisherman, ceviche, tataki and Kobe beef gyros. Don’t miss the amazing display of fresh vegetables inside the restaurant, it is a real foodie’s paradise.

The interior is beautiful and I enjoyed watching the enchanting view under the shade of the mulberry trees as the sun sank into the Aegean sea.

It is an all-day seaside restaurant that also has the Bill & Coo Beach Club next to it. I have not been during the day but got a lot of positive feedback from friends who went.

The plates are so cute. Designed in collaboration with French porcelain manufacturer Bernardaud, there is a broad selection of different starter plates that you can also order online here for your home.

Beefbar Mykonos is open for lunch between 1PM – 6PM, for dinner 7PM – midnight.
Bill & Coo Beach Club is open between 11AM – 8PM

ADDRESS Beefbar Mykonos – Bill & Coo Coast Hotel – Agios Ioannis – Mykonos 84600
PHONE +30 6956600169
EMAIL 

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
@BillAndCooWayOfLife #BillAndCooWayOfLife #MykonosLessOrdinary

In the beautiful cave of Agia Anna, next to Kalafatis beach, you’ll find a restaurant-bar like no other. Peacefully nestled on a natural platform on the rocks, hanging over the sea, Spilia (which means cave in Greek) Seaside restaurant is one of the most iconic Mykonos hotspots.

With a 30-year history and a recent makeover, this stunning all-day venue features dishes that offer up an authentic Mediterranean-Mykonian culinary experience. Seafood and fresh fish are served straight from the Aegean – oysters, mussels, urchins, crayfish and lobsters await your order in a small natural sea pool, to be prepared before your eyes. The signature dish of the restaurant is the amazing crab pasta, that I highly recommend.

The best way to get to Spilia is by boat. Just hold on to everything, winds are strong and boats are very fast. If you book the second seating for lunch, you will enjoy also the sounds of a DJ and you can dance the calories off immediately at the table.

Enjoying spectacular views of the endless blue waters of the Aegean sea, Spilia has also a 5-star beach club, Agia Anna, next to it. You can get there easily over the rocks. It is a fun little walk with lots of photo options.

Spilia Sea Side Restaurant
Agia Anna Beach, Kalafatis
Ano Mera, 84600 Mykonos Island
spilia.
Phone: +302289071205, +306949449729

The sea urchins are taken fresh from the natural pool inside the restaurant.

Spilia is a unique place, one of my favorites in Mykonos so far. A well hidden gem for the real connoisseurs of fresh fish, fine dining and divine atmosphere. At night, the scenery is so romantic, ideal for couples.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Greetings from Mykonos where I am at the moment. The last time, I visited the Greek Island, was over 20 years ago. So I was very curious how it has changed and if it is worth the recent hype.

Before my trip, I spoke to many people who had been coming the past years to find out what I should definitely do and see. Scorpios Mykonos was definitely on the list and after last night’s experience, be sure to work it into your itinerary! Built around a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Greek agora, Scorpios is a gathering place meant to galvanize the artistic, spiritual, and social life of its community. It is often associated with the best parties, not only in Greece but the whole world.

The sunset ritual is an experience not be missed. The Sunset Beach offers uninterrupted views of the sea and is the perfect spot from which to watch the sun disappear over the Aegean. We came by boat from our hotel, the Santa Marina, around 8pm (I think next time I would come a little earlier) and already enjoyed the breathtaking view of the location. Its bohemian design overlooking the turquoise waters transports you to another world, especially when bathed into the last sunrays.

Scorpios Mykonos is a day and night club, so you have the option to stay all day or just come for the evening. We had made a dinner reservation and had the best table at the corner in front, overlooking the terrace as well as the dancing area. While enjoying the  amazing Greek food, we also danced in between at our table. The live bands and DJs are thoughtfully chosen. However, I recommend checking the schedule. All nights are great, but Sundays and Thursdays are among the best ones. Saturday are supposedly also very good. Valeron is playing then, the top DJ and artist in Mykonos. The club is open until 2am.

For the dress code, I would best describe it as «bohemian with a touch of sexy». Black is definitely a good color to wear. I highly recommend flat shoes or wedges as you will have your feet in the sand. Check out their clothing store Scorpios Bazaar that carries a collection of artisanal brands that preserve handiwork traditions while drawing influence from the raw Mediterranean landscape. This will give you the best idea of what to wear.

Details of my outfit, can be found here.

Be sure to make a reservation beforehand. The Island of the Winds is without a doubt famous for its sunsets, but there is nothing quite like it when it comes to having a great party at Scorpios Mykonos. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

June 9th marks the official opening date for Zurich’s new pop-up restaurant «WOODLAND». Only open until June 25th, guests can enjoy some real culinary treasures. Located in Zurich West, the gastro entrepreneur Nenad Mlinarevic and the watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen are creating a place for unique enjoyment where guests can embark on a very special journey. At the beginning of the project is the new IWC TOP GUN pilot’s watch collection with its striking three colors. These can be experienced comprehensively on Zurich’s Löwenbräu site – from the interior to the cuisine to the sound: a unique experience appealing to all senses awaits you in the temporary restaurant.

Science and emotion come together with IWC’s new TOP GUN collection in partnership with Pantone Color Institute.

Our evening started at 6m with a cocktail reception at the Woodland Bar.

At 7pm we enjoyed the seated diner at the Ceratanium Dinner Space.

From 8.15pm we changed location and had dessert, drinks and listened to the sounds of the DJ in the Mojave Desert Lounge.

LÖWENBRÄU AREA
Limmatstrasse 254, 8005 Zurich
dining@woodland-zuerich.ch

4-course menu including aperitif CHF 120.-
A vegetarian option is available. Two seatings. 6pm and 8pm.

For reservations, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

With Nenad Mlinarevic

Always having the best time with Jacqueline Krause-Blouin

Tanja Bulatovic with Nenad

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography /IWC, Rian Davidson 
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.
@iwcwatches_ch @nenadmlinarevic #IWCWoodland #IWCPopUpDining #IWCxNenad

Welcome to EL&N – London’s most Instagrammable hot spot. Everything here is irresistibly chic, pink perfection with flower walls, pink interiors and alternative lattes taking social media by storm.

EL&N stands for Eat, Live and Nourish. I came across this place by coincidence when I was looking for a location to shoot. I couldn’t have worn a better outfit fitting the interior, don’t you think?
I went for a Turkish Delight Hot Chocolate, a rose flavored white hot chocolate covered with whipped cream, served with two Turkish delights, that was very yummy.

My look: Concert checked recycled woven blazer, matching Concert cropped checked recycled woven flared pants, Concert jacquard-knit merino wool, cotton and cashmere-blend tank, Concert striped silk-twill shirt, all by Zimmermann, Hippipump crystal appliqué suede ballet flats by Christian Louboutin, My LV chain pilot sunglasses by Louis Vuitton, and flap bag with top handle in iridescent grained calfskin and gradient lacquered metal, all by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Arriving perfectly dressed for the new season, the F/W 2021 Prêt-à-Portea collection at The Berkeley Hotel in London showcases couture cakes inspired by designers from Ganni to Gucci. A contemporary twist on afternoon tea, this playful and stylish edit is set to become another favourite for sweet-toothed fashionistas.

This season’s collection opens with a striking ensemble from Balenciaga Couture – reimagined as a velvety mandarin cheesecake, topped with an oversized chocolate hat. While a delicately spiced and intricately iced biscuit – complete with red lipstick and oversized glasses – is our pastry team’s fitting tribute to fashion icon Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday.

Seasonal flavours are firmly on the menu, with the cassis mousse with blackcurrant jelly, depicting Stella McCartney’s psychedelic jumpsuit. A Pink Lady apple pavlova is a refreshing nod to Giambattista Valli’s avant-garde look, and a hazelnut dacquoise with salted caramel sees cult Danish brand Ganni make its Prêt-à-Portea debut.

The season’s centrepiece is a made-to-share red velvet mascarpone mousse, finished with a chocolate truffle riding hat – straight from Gucci’s 100th anniversary collection.

As always, your tea also includes elegant canapés and sandwiches, with a selection of loose-leaf teas from our extensive collection.

Until 2 January 2022, festive Prêt-à-Portea will be served only, from £79 per person. This will include our fashion-inspired delicacies, as well as festive treats and your choice of a mocktail, a glass of champagne or a glass of mulled wine.

From 11 – 14 Feburary, 26 & 27 March and 15 – 18 April 2022, the seasonal Prêt-à-Portea will be served only, from £79 per person. This will include our fashion-inspired delicacies, as well as seasonal treats and your choice of a glass of champage or a mocktail.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Berkeley and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored.

Hublot welcomes one of the best chefs in the world, Eneko Atxa, who holds five Michelin stars with his various restaurants, to its «family». Born in Amorebieta (Vizcaya, Basque Country, Spain), he became one of the youngest chefs to be awarded three Michelin stars at his restaurant Azurmendi. His cuisine continues to grow and evolve, giving way to new proposals such as international projects ENEKO and BASQUE or the Eneko Shop, a delivery service through which the chef has adapted to the new ways of living and working in times of pandemic. With Eneko Atxa, who perfectly embodies the values Hublot holds most dear, namely passion, excellence and creativity, the brand further strengthens its ties with the leading visionaries of the world of gastronomy.

Conquering the world, with restaurants in Larrabetzu (Bilbao), Tokyo, Karuizawa, London, Lisbon, Seville and Brussels, his creative cuisine, inspired by his surroundings, always weaves in an unwavering commitment to sustainability and the environment. In this context of social responsibility, the Basque chef has won the Repsol Guide Sustainable Sun award, which values harmonious coexistence with nature, using proximity resources, working together with local producers and strongly advocating sustainability as part of the business approach.

The chef and his flagship restaurant, Azurmendi, lead the way in these matters, having been awarded 3 Suns by the Repsol Guide and 1 Michelin Green Star for his commitment to sustainability, at his restaurant Eneko. True to its philosophy of «First, Unique and Different», Hublot has boldly explored ground-breaking expertise while preserving classic Swiss watchmaking traditions. The Maison is constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking and traditional concepts to create futuristic masterpieces with unique craftsmanship and cutting-edge design.

«I use gastronomy to achieve a more sustainable, healthier and fairer society, but also to spark emotions. In this sense, as a member of the great Hublot family, I feel fortunate to be able to merge my culinary art with this manufacture in which all the talents and skills work in unison to create unique timepieces that unleash strong emotions». Eneko Atxa

At 44, the chef has already built a long career. He trained at the Catering School in Lejona (Vizcaya, Basque Country, Spain). He later worked in various restaurants in the Basque Country, such as Baserri Maitea and Martín Berasategui‘s restaurant Andra Mari in Galdácano. He is the Spanish champion of signature cuisine for young chefs. His restaurant Azurmendi, which opened its doors in 2005, has twice been considered the most sustainable restaurant in the world and has 3 Michelin stars. It was also named the “Best Restaurant in Europe” by to OAD (Opinionated About Dining) and designated the “Best Restaurant in the World” by the luxury magazine Elite Traveler. He has received the Madrid Fusión Sustainability Award, the 2015 National Gastronomy Award, the 2018 National Healthy Gastronomy Award in the Outstanding Personality category, was named 2019 European Chef of the Year by Madrid Fusión, and has been a member of the European Young Leaders Programme. Hublot welcomes Eneko Atxa, who next year will return to Bilbao in style, to the Hublot family of great international chefs. The new restaurant will be a fusion of Basque and Japanese cuisine, whose name will use the phonemes that make up Eneko’s name, with an oriental ring to it. This same concept of a Basque-Japanese fusion restaurant will also move to Madrid next year under the umbrella of the Radisson Hotel Group chain.

I will definitely go there soon as I love gastronomic experiences and will surely keep you posted.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot

This holiday season, Nespresso is collaborating with Colombian fashion designer Johanna Ortiz, to enchant coffee lovers with the launch of its annual Festive collection, inspired this year by the forest.

Inspired by the beauty and depth of Nature’s forests, Nespresso’s ‘Gifts of the Forest’ collection encapsulates the brand’s devotion to the precious environment coffee is grown in. The collection features a range of limited-edition coffees for both the Original and Vertuo systems, along with festive infused accessories, making for delightful and inspiring gifts for family and friends. Coffee lovers can also gift this festive season knowing Nespresso is giving back to the forest, as the brand goes beyond its agroforestry commitments, by helping to protect 10 million trees in the Amazon.

To bring the design of their limited-edition collection to life, Nespresso has partnered with Colombian luxury fashion designer Johanna Ortiz, whose innovative designs and interplay between nature and sustainability truly transports coffee aficionados into Nespresso’s festive universe.

Johanna Ortiz says «For me, design and nature go hand in hand which is why this collaboration resonated personally. Colombian coffee also has a truly special place in my heart and as an active supporter in the fight against climate change, knowing that Nespresso is going beyond its agroforestry commitments by supporting the protection of 10 million trees in the Amazon, it was another huge reason why this collaboration made perfect sense. When designing the collection, I took the idea of capturing the beauty of the forest throughout every piece, by incorporating rich forest canopies and dark earthy tones within my designs. It’s been an amazing process and partnership which I have deeply enjoyed.»

Explore and wander through Nespresso’s Forest Variations coffees. From forest fruits to luscious canopies of trees, this year’s Festive coffee range includes two flavored coffees and one black coffee.

Uncover the hidden flavors of Forest Black
A canopy of trees shelters Forest Black’s coffees to protect the flavor hidden in each bean. Discover this blend of shade-grown coffees from Colombia and beyond. A spicy espresso, its exotic woody notes will transport tastebuds to the depths of the forest.

Taste the berries of the Forest with Forest Fruit Flavour
Like gems that light up the forest floor, forest fruits are the gifts trees give us. Juicy berry aromas run through this season’s flavoured espresso as the South American Arabicas’ lingering cereal character takes on a festive sweet pastry note.

Delight in the treasures of the trees with Forest Almond Flavour
Forest Almond Flavour is the forager’s delight of the season. With the sweet, nutty flavour tucked into this espresso’s South American Arabicas, get ready to uncover almond notes marked by vanilla and a light fruitiness in this coffees’ smooth cereal character.

Nespresso lovers can also surprise and delight guests with delicious Gifts of the Forest coffee cocktail recipes, specially crafted to enhance the sensory experience. Each coffee-infused recipe has been curated by Nespresso with the Gifts of the Forest collection in mind, bringing a taste of nature and sophistication to each glass.

Moreover, there is a beautiful range of limited-edition accessories and gifts this festive season to surprise loved ones. You can countdown in style with the Nespresso x Johanna Ortiz advent calendar. For this edition, its stunning packaging has been designed by Johanna Ortiz as part of her festive collaboration. Available for both Vertuo and Original coffee lovers, this year’s advent calendar will take Nespresso lovers through a different coffee each day from December 1 to 23, with a special gift on the 24.

You can also add a burst of color with the Nespresso x Johanna Ortiz NOMAD travel mug, which blends well into nature as it comes in a ‘Deep Cherry’ shade, emulating the rich ripe berries of the forest.

In addition to its coffee offer, there are two exclusively designed items for the festive season. Shoppers can get their hands on an alluring reversible organic-cotton tote bag as well as a useful notebook made from sustainable materials. Both are decorated with the signature Nespresso x Johanna Ortiz pattern showcasing sweeping forest canopies and capturing the true essence of the forest.

For coffee lovers who like a touch of sparkle on the go, Nespresso is also revamping its iconic Touch travel mug, that will be available in a golden colorful a limited time only.

Nespresso is also proud to be partnering with Conservation International to gift back to the forest this Festive season. For almost 20 years Nespresso has been focused on protecting nature through agroforestry projects to protect the ecosystems its coffee farms rely on. To take this further beyond coffee farming and support the local communities that call the forest home, Nespresso is also announcing its contribution to protecting 10 million trees in the Amazon Forest in La Pedrera, Colombia. The effort is in collaboration with Conservation International and La Pedrera’s Madroño community. Forest conservation plays a huge role in Nespresso’s sustainability vision, which is to create a cup of coffee that has a positive impact on the world – from the coffee cherry to the cup.

The limited edition Gifts of the Forest collection is now available on www.nespresso.com and in selected boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Nespresso