Sandra‘s Closet

When food meets fashion! Belonging to different luxury fields, Mary Katrantzou and Galateo & Friends have joined forces and created a limited-edition luxury gift box, containing a selection of excellent quality olive oils and vinegars to brighten up any table setting.

This four-piece gift set contains:
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil «Cultivar Taggiasca»
– Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
– «Flamingo» Rosé Wine Vinegar
– A gourmet condiment based on Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fresh LemonMary Katrantzou «dressed» each bottle and the sustainable and elegant gift box with colourful stamp prints, inspired by her signature postage stamp print. The perfect addition to the home of any food and fashion lover, specifically designed to please you both visually and gustatorily.

TO SHOP THE GIFT SET, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. I am just loving it!

If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift idea, I have one and it is getting even better… I am giving one lucky prize draw winner the chance to win this amazing CLIQUOT TAPES COLLECTOR BOX that is filled with six VEUVE CLIQUOT Brut Yellow Label 75cl bottles, worth almost CHF 1000.

The famous French champagne brand, which is part of the LVMH Group since 1986, is going Retro, Chic! and celebrates its love for retro aesthetics and beautiful objects, with the new CLIQUOT TAPE limited edition. As a true symbol of retro style dating back from the 1960s, VEUVE CLIQUOT revisits the audio cassette with a collection of 6 distinct designs. From disco to zebra patterns each CLIQUOT TAPE has its own look and feel, and you don’t need pick your favorite one as the collector box includes them all!

Once you enjoyed your bottles of VEUVE CLIQUOT Brut Yellow Label, you can display the beautiful tapes. Whether you want to store your own audio cassettes or any other things, this giftbox has been conceived to be kept for life. In case you don’t want to keep them, no hard feelings throwing them away. The packaging is 100 percent recyclable.

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header «RETRO, CHIC!» to . All entries must be received until December 24, 2020. 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.

Good luck and cheers!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Veuve Cliquot, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht

During the festive season, the Maison Cartier unveils an innovative pop-up store in Zurich: The «Cartier Winter House». Located on Rennweg 22, a few steps from their boutique, Cartier Winter House is a 150 m2 space spread over three floors, much like a «Chocolaterie». A warm and welcoming venue set to open its doors today this year. From Tuesday to Saturday up to 24th December, visitors will be able to discover chocolate creations with unique flavours.

On the ground floor: Workshops and tastings, a hot chocolate bar and customisable chocolate bars, to enjoy in the boutique or to take away!

Then venture upstairs to the first floor of this pop-up boutique to discover the brand’s iconic creations or the exclusive services on offer. Bespoke engraving, touch and try and a cord bar. A perfect opportunity for visitors to find the ideal presents for their loved ones or to just enjoy themselves, whilst sipping on a hot chocolate in a special gourmet tea room.

Finally, the third floor of this venue will be dedicated to more private events, such as digital conversations with friends of the Maison, digital presentations on the Haute Joaillerie collection, and also chocolate-themed dinners skilfully orchestrated by a reknown Swiss chef.

Cartier has held the city of Zurich close to its heart since the opening of its first boutique in 1978, as Laurence Bourgeois, Managing Director of Cartier Switzerland attests, «Zurich is an avant-garde city in terms of architecture, art and design. Cartier naturally found its place there.» The Maison also opened its new boutique at Bahnhofstrasse in 2018.

Practical information:
From 5th to 24th December (open on Sunday 6th and Sunday 20th December)
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm – Tuesday to Friday
Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Thursday Dec 24th from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: Cartier Winter House, Rennweg 22, 8001 Zurich

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Drawings: © Cartier

Last year, I truly enjoyed the KRUG Chalet at The Dolder Grand and went there many times to indulge in the best fondue ever. It’s back this year slightly smaller due to the pandemic situation but not less yummy. Inside the so-called KRUG Carnotzet Pop-up coziness meets exclusivity. Carnotzet is a French-Swiss word meaning a small room beside the wine cellar where one samples wines.

There you can enjoy «DAS Fondue», the most extraordinary fondue creation by star chef Heiko Nieder, Chef Fine Dining at the Dolder Grand, and the well-known Swiss Maître Fromager Rolf Beeler, with a noble champagne accompaniment from Maison KRUG. As a perfect complement, five carefully selected exclusivities from the KRUG «Single Ingredient Program» create a surprising, challenging and contrasting gourmand experience.

Every year,  Maison KRUG challenges its ambassadors, top chefs from all over the world, to create dishes from just one ingredient. The most popular ingredients from different years and various occasions were integrated into this year’s menu under the motto «World of Craft Style».

To finish off the experience, guests are served a selection of three meat specialties: Morcon de Chorizo, Pata Negra and salami with truffle. In addition to common bread and potatoes, green olives, anchovies and quail eggs pickled in peperoncini macinati will be served. Each guest also enjoys half a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée as well as mineral water and coffee or tea. The breathtaking view of Zurich and the Alps is free.

The KRUG Carnotzet Pop-up will be open until the end of February 2021 (with the option of an extension). This year, it is kept particularly intimate, as the Carnotzet can only accommodate up to four people.

Price for two people: CHF 450.-. To book, click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Dolder Grand
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored, I just love it!

On Monday evening, I was invited to a unique sensory experience by two famous Maisons, Christian Dior and Moët & Chandon. Both have united to create a new temporary concept, dedicated to the perfect olfactory pleasure at the ONYX Bar of Senses at Park Hyatt Zurich. Imagine, perfume that you can drink. Combining the savoir-faire of the perfumers and the cellar masters, cocktail lovers can enjoy an exclusive and individually prepared selection created by Hercules Tsibis, Bar Manager and Master Mixologist at the ONYX Bar.

Practicing social distancing: Hercules Tsibis with me

He developed six signature cocktails inspired by six exclusive fragrances of Maison Christian Dior, that harmonize perfectly with the aromas of the Moët & Chandon champagne Impérial Brut and Rosé. With the creative freedom of both houses, Hercules and his team created also six «essences», which enable a more intense version of the cocktails based on the principle of culinary reduction. Mixed with Moët & Chandon champagne, these «essences» offer a journey of taste.

Named after six beautiful scents by Maison Christian Dior that were chosen for their olfactory diversity, you can enjoy «La Colle Noire», «Rouge Trafalgar», «Bois d’Argent», «Gris Dior», «Spice Blend» and «Rose Kabuki». The menu offers two separate variations for each signature cocktail: a cocktail and an «essence».

«Essences» with miniature fragrances

Cocktail, accompanied by amuse-bouche and miniature of the fragrance CHF 28.50
«Essence», accompanied by an amuse bouche and miniature of the fragrance CHF 19.50

With beautiful Christa Rigozzi at the event last Monday.

Let yourself be enchanted by this experience, which consists of the play of colors, a bouquet of aromas and the extraordinary variety of perfumes. For this sensual sensory journey, head chef Tarik Lange created an amuse bouche that perfectly complements and completes your selection.

Filming the live talk between…

… Kiki Mäder, Tarik Lange and Stephen Ansell, GM Park Hyatt Hotel Zurich (from left to right).

You can enjoy it only for a limited amount of time, starting today until November 28, 2020 at the ONYX Bar of Senses at Park Hyatt Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

My favorite cocktail: Rose Kabuki

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

«Impeccably imperfect» – that is the new catchy slogan that the new Baur’s plays with. Imagined by Andrea Kracht and created by trendsetting interior designer Martin Brudnizki, who designed the elite nightclub «Annabel’s» in London as well as the «Beekman Hotel» in New York City and «Fortum & Mason» in Hong Kong, this hot spot in Zurich will finally reopen its doors in September this year.

I had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful interior during a guided art tour as guest of Gigi Kracht followed by a beautiful intimate ladies lunch on the terrace of the Baur au Lac.

Gigi Kracht (center with green jacket) surrounded by her girlfriends.

«Take a set, grab a treat» – the classic brasserie concept is elevated to a whole new level, blending contemporary chic with international grace in an artful, inviting ambience. The colors blend in perfectly, the retro vibe delivers a certain twist. I adore the interior design of the Baur’s. It gives me this international flair that we are sometimes missing in Zurich.

As I am at the moment designing my new home, color is also a must for me along with stunning wallpapers to create the perfect ambiance. The Baur’s has it all. I am not a minimalist and white rooms don’t make me feel at home. I couldn’t agree more with Brudnizki who says: «When I enter a white space, I feel like I’m being deprived of something. Color infuses my life.»

The best is yet to come. The green color combined with the coral red of the armchairs serves as the perfect backdrop for the highlight of the restaurant: the private art collection. Drawing on the expertise of Gigi Kracht, Andrea Kracht’s wife, that my avid readers know well from her Art in the Park events, the room is filled with selected works from the world’s most popular painters: thirty-three originals by artists such as Rashid Johnson, Rita Ackermann, and Martin Creed to photographs by the iconic Annie Leibovitz, to intimate art work by Louise Bourgeois who shares a raw look at female pain.

Painting by Louise Bourgeois

Even that these simple yet cruel images contain a sensual sense of loss and the often unspoken sorrow of miscarriage, they seem to belong there, to this place of happiness and relaxation among dear friends or business partners, providing the bar area with a certain coziness.

Photographs by Annie Leibovitz

Cigar aficionados will enjoy the cigar lounge that is decked out from top to toe in Baur’s green and decorated with artwork by Swiss artist Dieter Roth, who took tablecloths, or even the floor as his canvas to scribble on.

Painting by Dieter Roth 

Playing all together, the new Baur’s is a feast for all senses. Vive la Brasserie! Vive le Baur’s!

LoL, Sandra

Artwork by Martin Creed

Painting by Rita Ackermann

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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. 

A match made in heaven. My beloved illustrated character by artist and my dear friend Jasmin Khezri (rumors are that Irma seeked some inspiration from my humble self as she loves shopping as much as I do), and my favorite champagne have collaborated this picnic season and created a special box Irma x Ruinart for you to get at Feinkost Marks in Munich (you can also order them online).

Whether you prefer a salty snack or something sweet matching the Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Rosé, you can select among several boxes catering to your respective taste. Here are some great tips:

Go by bike to Feinkost Marks and drive along the Isar to find an idyllic place to sip your chilled champagne. Irma suggests a fresh selection of cheeses to a Blanc de Blancs and some Muscat grapes.

You might be looking for a unique present for the garden party at your friend’s house. Choose the sweet desert variation box that matches lovely with the champagne and makes a great gift. On the go grab a delicious ice cream which combines heavenly with a dash of champagne.

If you travel further to the countryside, make a selection that keeps fresh and delicious. We chose fine crackers to accompany Marks homemade delicatessen.

Treat yourself and a friend with a glass of champagne to slowly start getting social again. A bench in the park is the ideal place to talk or daydream. A personalized picnic box makes such a great gift, don’t you think?

Each limited edition picnic box comes with a hand painted IRMA illustration, two bottles of medium size champagne Rosé and Blanc de Blancs, as well as two RUINART champagne glasses.

For some inspiration what to do in Munich, I would kindly invite you to check Jasmin’s insider tips for the Bavarian metropole here. I am loving it very much, makes me miss my old hometown so much…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Irma/Ruinart

The pleasure of the family that meets at the dining table and the conviviality that survives even in the delicate moment: Dolce & Gabbana and Donnafugata renew their collaboration by giving life to Rosa, a new rosé wine with a fruity and floral personality.

The perfect ambassador of two Made in Italy excellences, united by their unconditional love for Sicily, passion for work and attention to detail.

Born from a vintage of 2019, Rosa is characterized by an original blend of two of the most important autochthonous vines of the island’s tradition: Nerello Mascalese and Nocera.

With a refined pink tinge, this wine is defined by an elegant bouquet of jasmine, enriched with delicate hints of wild strawberry, peach and bergamot. It has a very pleasant fragrance, minerality and persistence.

Perfect for aperitifs, raw fish, vegetarian dishes and delicate meats. It is excellent to be served at 10-12° C. Rosé is always a great idea in summer, and indulging in a Dolce & Gabbana moment is even better… for more information, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana and Donnafugata

Today, I would like to introduce you to my dear friend Erica Pelosini Leeman. If you don’t know who this bundle of energy is, then you’ve been sleeping under a rock. Being an extroverted Italian stylist, editor and creative director who’s contributing regularly to Vogue and other high-end fashion titles, she has been traveling constantly around the globe for fashion shoots and all sorts of glamorous events. As her hectic life has come to a halt this year due to the corona crisis, she took this unique opportunity to reflect and channel all her amazing energy towards creating something that can make staying at home a bit more pleasant: THE SURVIVAL BOX.

Erica Pelosini Leeman

SLEEP, EAT, RESET, HEAL and REPEAT – that is the motto. Survival Box’s goal is for everyone to be strong and survive this unique and challenging time and also to help families and children in need along the way! By buying a box not only are you gifting yourself some amazing goodies but you are also helping to further Erica’s mission of providing essential items and basic food to children and families in need deeply impacted by Covid-19.

Our lifestyle before the corona virus: Erica and I together on a yacht for the fragrance launch of Tom Ford Lavender Extrême in Gordes, at the De Grisogono Gala during Cannes Film Festival or celebrating Mary Katrantzou and her fantastic S/S 2020 show in Athens.

Erica, do you miss all your travels at the moment?
I would never have thought I would say this, but actually NO! However, I am of course missing my family in Florence but I am very happy that they are all safe in quarantine in our country side house with our  horses and dogs!
Just before everything started I was traveling nonstop, in one month I had been to Aspen 5 times, Milano, Florence, Germany, Paris, LA, NY, St Barth’s. First I thought, I hap planned to stay in the Caribbean but I got scared I couldn’t go back to California where I’m now super happy to be! For once home with my husband and my dog!

You HAVE so much energy. How does your day look like during quarantine?
You know me well! After spending some time organizing my closet, bags, shoes by colour (something I NEVER thought I would have time to do in my life), learning how cook something more elaborate than my green juice in the morning, almost getting a sun burn at my pool, I took some time off to think, about my friends and everything that is going on in the world at the moment. This was the point, when I decided to invest all my energy towards something good, to keep my friends healthy and strong but at the same time to help others that really need our support! There are so many innocent families affected by the corona crisis due to school closures, financial problems or domestic violence.

This was exactly when the idea of «the survival box» came to my mind, to pamper while staying at home, a box filled with many goodies that support everyone’s well-being and health.  We already got requests from hospitals to have the boxes delivered as a treat for their doctors and nurses. This made me so happy, to know that «the survival box» can also be a treat for those angels that are working on the frontline daily for all us.

How did you choose the products for the survival box? Did you know most of them before or did you go on a virtual «treasure hunt»?
I’m a total freak when it comes to health and well being. In my free time, I have always loved researching the best vitamins, workouts, super food, hair and beauty products. I literally put all this knowledge in my project so that everyone can boost their immune system while being at home and make quarantine a little bit more enjoyable so that we will all glow once this crisis is over. Everything to stay healthy, strong, hydrated, informed, styled, fit, and energized, you can find in the box !

From eating clean with Gr8nola’s charcoal gluten free granola, to chilling and getting some good sleep with Ouai Miracle Chill Bath Pills and glowing skin with Shea Marie’s new skincare line «The Feelist», to my favorite detox Sorate green tea, one of the best sources of antioxidants; then you can train with celebrity-obsession Body By Simone workouts, and get advice on how to age gracefully with Naturium Retinol cream and go-to kick Vitamin C from Vital Proteins. You will also get the ultimate clear skin routine from Zitstika, the perfect way to style your hair while at home with Mermade hair and advice from the experts in health, wellness, fitness, food, and beauty at C Magazine.

What is the first thing you will do once this quarantine time is over?
I have many amazing projects on hold that I hopefully can reveal then. But so far, I truly wish that I will be able to spend the summer with my family as this has always been our tradition.

SLEEP, EAT, RESET, HEAL and REPEAT – that is the motto. Survival Box’s goal is for everyone to be strong and survive this unique and challenging time and also to help families and children in need along the way! By buying a box not only are you gifting yourself some amazing goodies but you are also helping to further Erica’s mission of providing essential items and basic food to children and families in need deeply impacted by Covid-19.

30% of all the proceeds will be donated to charity. Furthermore, a 10% discount will be applied if you would like to gift a box to the amazing doctors, nurses and health care workers at the hospitals. A much well deserved treat after a long shift at the frontlines. And great news is – THE SURVIVAL BOX ships internationally.

As Erica says: «We are all in this together. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay home.
BEING KIND IS COOL!»
Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © THE SURVIVAL BOX – Instagram:@survivalbox.co and @ericapelosini