Sandra‘s Closet

Supermodel and beauty entrepreneur MIRANDA KERR shared her travel tips for Australia with us. The country where she was born and raised. Surrounded by farmland and wilderness in the small town of Gunnedah, NSW, her love for nature and organic living became an intrinsic part of her life from a very young age.

Your favourite city?
I love SYDNEY. It has everything, beach, harbor and the convenience of a city. It only takes a 20 minutes drive to get to the beach from the city centre.

Your favourite hotel?
The QUALIA RESORT up north. A remote, private and beautiful place to stay on a private island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Whitsunday Blvd, Hamilton Island QLD 4803, Australia +61 7 4948 9222

Your favourite restaurant?
The BOATHOUSE ON BLACKWATTLE BAY in Sydney, yummy food in good atmosphere.
123 Ferry Rd Glebe NSW, Australia +61 2 9518 9011

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The BONDI TO BRONTE BEACH WALK – it is a wonderful way to see a litte bit of the coast line and experiencing great energy.

Your favourite park?
WOLSELEY PARK IN GUNNEDAH. The park I used to play in as a kid. It brings back a lot of childhood memories. Gunnedah NSW 2380, Australia

Your favourite beach?
SHELLY BEACH AT MANLY – A lovely sheltered cove and one of Sydney’s best aquatic reserves. It is so beautiful there. You can see the harbour from the beach.
Shelly Beach Drive, Manly, NSW, Australia 2095

Your favourite shop?
NATURAL PROGRESSION – A cute natural health and beauty shop located on Bondi Beach.
81 Gould Street, Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026, Australia +61 2 9130 2080

Your must-have accessory?
A SUN HAT to protect the skin, a must when visiting Australia.

Your favourite song?
“LAND DOWN UNDER” by Australian new wave rock group Men at Work. The lyrics are about an Australian traveller circling the globe, proud of his nationality.

Your favorite holiday book?
My favourite book is “SHANTARAM” by Gregory David Roberts, such a captivating story.

Your favourite scent?
JOYFUL BY ESCADA. It encourages positivity and confidence to see the bright part of life and I am happy to be its face.

The smell of Australia?
I think of the SMELL OF FRESH RAIN, the SMELL OF CHRISTMAS, because we have those Christmas beetles that are really strong in the countryside where I grew up.

Thank you, Miranda, for sharing your insider scoop on Australia with us.

LoL, Sandra

Supermodel and face of Guerlain NATALIA VODIANOVA shared her travel tips for Paris with us. The city where she is living with her three kids from a previous marriage and her partner Antoine Arnault with whom she is expecting her fourth child. The tall blonde was born 1982 in Gorky, Soviet Union (now Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) and moved to France 15 years ago when she signed with Viva Models to start her modeling career.

Your favourite city?
I love PARIS. It was the first city I moved to when I was 17. I feel more at home here than in any other city.

Your favourite hotel?
The BRISTOL is one of my favorite hotels in Paris. It was my second home before I moved to live in Paris.
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, +33 1 53 43 43 00

Your favourite restaurant?
L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON, absolutely delicious, the perfect place for two.
133, Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris, +33 1 47 23 75 75

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
I love the CAVIAR KASPIA.
17, Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, +33 1 42 65 33 32

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
I like to go to the PALAIS DE LA DECOUVERTE with my children, the science museum located in the Grand Palais.
Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris, +33 1 56 43 20 20

Your favourite park?
We love the playground at the JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG.
6e Arrondissement, 75006 Paris, +33 1 42 34 23 62

Your favourite shop?
The GUERLAIN BOUTIQUE on Champs-Elysées. The atmosphere is unique, it is absolutely magic and with an incredible attention to details. I feel like home.
68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, +33 1 45 62 52 57

Your must-have accessory?
A BAG.

Your favorite song?
I would say maybe “WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY” by Yusuf Islam, I really like this song.

Your favorite holiday book?
My favourite book is Mikhail Bulgakov “THE MASTER AND MARGARITA”.

Thank you, Natalia, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us.

LoL, Sandra

Fashion designer SOPHIE MECHALY, founder of the Paul & Joe (named after her two sons) and Paul & Joe Sister clothing lines, shared her travel tips for Paris with us. The city where she was raised, lives, works and enjoys every moment of her busy life.

What is your favourite city?
PARIS of course! That’s where I was born, where I’ve always lived, where I work, all my friends and family are there too. Paris is the most beautiful city. I love its neighborhoods, they are all so different; its wonderful monuments; its architecture; its cultural richness…

What is your favourite hotel?
I love go to the BRISTOL to have a drink or do my business meeting. I love the atmosphere very classy and cosy. It’s a great mixture of tradition and modernity.
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, +33 1 53 43 43 00

What is your favourite restaurant?
I like to go to MADAME SHAWN for lunch, it’s close to the office. It’s a Thai restaurant where the food is really great.
18 Rue Caffarelli, 75003 Paris, +33 1 42 72 36 6

What is your favourite dish there?
I love their FISH COOKED IN A BANANA LEAF and their TAPIOCA WITH COCONUT MILK for dessert.

What is your favourite bar/nightclub?
I really like the SILENCIO in Paris. It’s a club opened by David Lynch few years ago. The musical selection is always very specialized, projections are organized and I love the cozy and intimate atmosphere.
142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris, +33 1 53 65 65 58

What is your favorite sightseeing spot?
The BRIDGE ALEXANDRE III, where you can see all Paris. On the one hand the Invalides, on the other hand the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower… Paris makes complete sense at this place, it’s magic and exhilarating.

What is your favourite parc?
The LUXEMBOURG GARDEN (Jardin du Luxembourg) in the heart of St. Germain des Prés. It is a magic place, full of history, calm, romantic. I love strolling in the alleys. And sometimes I go there to jog.
6e Arrondissement, 75006 Paris, +33 1 42 34 23 62

Your favourite shop?
LE BON MARCHÉ, it’s an important store in Paris, Rive Gauche, near where I live. You can shop everything: fashion, food, books, beauty…. The fashion department is really great: the selection is refined and interesting aswell as the books or design section. The food department is amazing: you can find products that you couldn’t find anywhere else in Paris. It’s a real luxe…
24, rue de Sèvres  75007 Paris, +33 1 44 39 80 00

Your favourite accessory?
The MINI TOM in the collection! Since I’ve created it, I cannot separate myself from it. It is perfect: convenient, light and feminine. This is my new classic.

What is your favourite playlist?
PSYCHEMAGIK DIABOLICAL SYNTHETIC FANTASIA
Chic – I want your love (Todd terje édit)
Midnight magic – Beam me up
Bennis Cletin – Jungle magic
Part Magic – Sonando de ti

What is your favourite holiday book ?
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A WOMAN by STEFAN ZWEIG – a real intense and strong story and he is one of my favourite writers.

Thank you, Sophie, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra

ARIZONA MUSE is not only a famous model, the face of Estée Lauder‘s new scent Modern Muse, but also a mother and extremely sweet and charming young woman. During New York Fashion Week she shared her travel tips for Great Britain’s capital with me.

Your favourite city?
LONDON – I love this city, I live there, I am half English and very patriotic.

Your favourite hotel?
FIRMDALE HOTELS – The interior is so cute, every room is different and the food is amazing.
For example the HAYMARKET HOTEL, 1 Suffolk Place, London SW1Y 4HX, +44 20 7470 4000

Your favourite restaurant?
GRANGER & CO – They have very healthy and delicious food. They are on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, an exciting pretty street, very close to where I leave.
175 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SB, +44 20 7229 8944

Your favourite dish there?
My favourite dish is their MISO PORRIDGE for breakfast.

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
THE BOX – The best place for a crazy night out.
11-12 Walker’s Ct, London W1F 0SD, +44 20 7434 4374

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The TATE MODERN – A really interesting building and there are a lot of great things to do near there, too.
Bankside, London SE1 9TG, +44 20 7887 8888

Your favourite park?
RICHMOND PARK – It is so wild, so large, you can just roam around there the whole day, spotting deers. It is absolutely beautiful.
Richmond, Greater London TW10 5HS, +44 20 8948 3209

Your favourite shop?
JOSEPH – They have the most amazing choice and the shops are so lovely to walk into.
299 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH UK,  +44 20 7352 6776

Your must-have accessory?
An UMBRELLA – A must for London.

Your favorite playlist for vacation?
THE XX – I absolutely love their music. It is an English indie pop band, formed in Wandsworth, London in 2005.

Your favorite scent to wear in London?
Obviously it is MODERN MUSE around the world.

Thank you, Arizona, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

LoL, Sandra

AMY SMILOVIC is the mastermind behind the must-have fashion label Tibi. The charming designer shared during New York Fashion Week her travel tips for STOCKHOLM with me. After a recent trip to Sweden, she has become a huge fan of the Scandinavian city.

Your favourite city?
I visited STOCKHOLM this Spring and fell in love. My grandfather’s family came over from Sweden in the early 1900s so it was interesting to discover my roots.

Your favourite hotel?
GRAND HOTEL for stunning views of the harbor and Gamla Stan “the old town”.
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8 – 103 27 Stockholm, +46 8 679 35 00

Your favourite restaurant?
TEATERGRILLEN for the crayfish—it reminds me of the south where I grew up.
Nybrogatan 3 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 65

I also love ÖSTERMALMS SALUHALL, a sensational food hall full of fine foods, different stalls of fresh seafood, cheeses, meat and fruit stands, bakeries, wine bars and intimate restaurants. Delicacies served to you on the spot, I always come home with some great local products.
Östermalmstorg – 114 39 Stockholm

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
RICHE (order some late night meatballs) and RESTAURANG 1900, modeled after a 1920s-era speakeasy; I love the old school cocktails crafted by the master mixologists.
Riche: Birger Jarlsgatan 4 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 60
Restaurang 1900: Regeringsgatan 66 – 111 39 Stockholm, +46 8 20 60 10

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The MODERNA MUSEET, they have great exhibitions of international artists. Walking through Gamla Stam is like going back in time with it’s medieval buildings. And FOTOGRAFISKA, one of the largest photographic galleries in the world.
Moderna Museet: Exercisplan 4 – 111 49 Stockholm, +46 8 519 552 00
Fotografiska: Stadsgården 22 116 45 Stockholm, +46 8 509 005 00

Your favourite park?
The BERGIANSKA TRÄDGARDEN, a beautiful botanical garden and park on the waterfront. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon exploring exotic plants and ornate greenhouses.
Gustafsborgsvägen 4 – 114 18 Stockholm, +46 8 545 917 00

Your favourite tour?
It’s great to get out by boat (weather permitting) and tour some of the ARCHIPELAGO ISLANDS.

Your favourite shop?
The Bibliotekstan area for stores like NATHALIE SCHUTERMAN, FILIPPA K and ACNE.

Your must-have accessory?
My iPad, iPod, and iPhone!

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Django Django soundtrack.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
PARIS by Edward Rutherfurd

Thank you, Amy, for sharing your insider scoop on Stockholm with us!

LoL, Sandra

Jo Malone, the famous fragrance designer and founder of JO LOVES, is based in London. Being inspired by her hopes and creative thoughts, the ingredients in life that she loves, it is pretty much obvious that her favorite place is the Big Apple.

Your favourite city?
Without a doubt my favourite city is NEW YORK CITY. I lived there for a year and it still feels like my second home. Whenever I’m there I feel totally relaxed and so inspired. I love every second of being in such a fun city.

Your favourite hotel?
I always stay in the same room at THE FOUR SEASONS. The service is outstanding and the staff are simply incredible. I also adore the white décor in the rooms because it reminds me of my home in London. I’ve got many happy memories attached to the hotel.
The Four Seasons, 99 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022. +1 212-754-9494

Your favourite restaurant?
Whenever I arrive, I head straight to SERAFINA on Madison Avenue. It serves the best pizza made in huge wood fired ovens. Their SEARED SALMON OVER LENTILS is absolutely delicious and just thinking about it makes my toes curl!
Serafina, 1022 Madison Ave, Manhattan, +1 212-734-2676

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
I have two favourite bars. One is the BEMELMANS BAR AT THE CARLYLE which feels like a part of history gone by. It’s so glamorous and reminds me of that Gatsby Art Deco era. I love to come here with my husband, order a glass of chilled white wine, and listen to the jazz pianist.
The Carlyle, 35 East 76th St, New York, New York 10021 +1 212.744.1600

My other favourite spot is the COCKTAIL BAR within THE FOUR SEASONS. It’s such a great place to meet friends or sit alone and people watch. It was the inspiration for my Mango fragrance collection.
The Four Seasons, 99 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022. +1 212-754-9494

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
Even though I’ve been there countless times, ELLIS ISLAND is still such a special place for me. I love the stories of the immigrants who came over in their millions and the strong sense of beginning and hope in the air. It was the start of so many peoples freedom and really represents the American dream.

Your favourite park?
I love the boating lake within CENTRAL PARK; simply beautiful. It’s such a great space that embraces you during every season and at each part of the day. In the summer I love to go for brunch at the LOEB BOATHOUSE and in the winter we’ve spent the day as a family sledging and drinking hot chocolates.
The Loeb Boathouse, E 72nd New York, NY 10028. +1 212-517-2233

Your favourite shop?
I’m a huge fan of J.CREW and never leave empty handed. I’m love the boutique store down on Madison and buy almost anything that sparkles!
J.Crew Collection, 769 Madison Ave New York NY 10065. +1 212 824 2500

I can’t ever leave the city without a visit to CRATE & BARREL which has every single kitchen gadget you could dream of from cherry pipers and sweet corn strippers to maples syrup pourers. You name it they have it. I always spend hours in this store and have bought countless storm lanterns which are all over my house.
Crate & Barrel, 650 Madison Avenue, New York +1 212 308 001 1650

Your must-have accessory?
I don’t go anywhere without fragrance and spritz my JO LOVES Pomelo at least three or four times throughout the day. I also love my SMYTHSON notepad and MUJI pen for jotting down my thought and inspirations as I wander around the city.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
ELTON JOHN “I’m Still Standing”. I cried so many tears in this city whilst fighting breast cancer but have had many more times of fun and laughter here. This song completely describes how I feel about this great place.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
This has to be ‘The Hundred Foot Journey” by RICHARD C. MORAIS. It’s the story of a man who needs to return to his to his roots to find true fulfilment in his talent of cooking. It’s where I am in life and in business right now, returning back to my roots and rediscovering my passion for fragrance again.

Thank you, Jo, for sharing your insider scoop on New York City with us!

LoL, Sandra

RENE ZIBOLD

The PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland has great style and many loyal followers on instagram (@monsieurené) who enjoy his daily fashion updates. Being fluent in four languages, he loves to travel. Other places inspire him, with the City of Light leading the way.

Your favourite city? La merveilleuse ville lumière: PARIS!
It’s the most beautiful city in the world, where I can find everything I really love!

Your favourite hotel? HOTEL ATHÉNÉE, a small, romantic and very elegant boutique hotel in the center of Paris. If you love Jacques Garcia’s interiors, you’ll adore it!

Your favourite restaurant? The CAFÉ RUC, in the beautiful neighborhood of Saint Honoré. The interior is also made by Jacques Garcia. The Suprême de volaille “minute” with “purée maison” is a must have! Dessert? Of course the Gâteau au chocolat!

Your favourite bar or nightclub? The GEORGES at the Centre Pompidou, also excellent for dinner. The view over Paris by night is breathtaking!

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The LOUVRE. I can spend hours in front of each masterpiece of Eugène Delacroix!

Your favourite park? The JARDIN DES TUILERIES next to the Louvre and after a walk I always enjoy a coffee and the delicious “tarte fine aux pommes“ at CAFE MARLY.

Your favourite shop? The DRIES VAN NOTEN men’s store at the Quai Malaquais. I just love the interior of the store and of course Van Noten’s beautiful men’s collections. Can’t wait to buy there the Fall 2013 collection!!!

Your must-have accessory? No matter if it’s summer or winter and where I am… I usually wear ETRO SCARVES. They really are my must-have accessory!

The best soundtrack for this destination? Jean-Claude Pascal: PARIS AU MOIS DE SEPTEMBRE. I’m in love with this song!

The best book to read while being on vacation there? I always buy ART or FASHION BOOKS in Paris. The BOOKSHOP at the PALAIS DE TOKYO has a fantastic selection.

Thank you, René, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra

GABRIELE FRANTZEN

The charming German fashion jeweler shares her time between Munich and New York City, a place that inspires her a lot for amazing creations that were seen at this year’s Oscars. Below you will find her tips for the Big Apple’s best places to visit.

Your favourite city? NEW YORK CITY

Your favourite restaurant? LA ESQUINA, 114 Kenmare Street New York, NY 10012, USA, +1 (646) 613-7100
Market fresh authentic Mexican food in 3 distinct spaces at one location.

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, 350 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10118, USA, +1 (212) 736-3100
At 8am when the city wakes up.

Your favourite district? ELIZABETH STREET / NoLIta
New York City’s North of Little Italy, or NoLIta, is a must visit. Elizabeth Street is packed with upscale & trendy shops.

Your favourite place for breakfast? CAFÉ GITANES, 242 Mott Street, New York, NY, USA, +1 (212) 334-9552

Your favourite walk? Starting in SOHO at WEST BROADWAY over to BLEECKER STREET to PASTIS in the MEATPACKING DISTRICT.
Pastis, 9 Ninth Avenue,  New York, NY 10014, USA, +1 (212) 929-4844
I love the street musicians, the small cafés and all the extraordinary fashion stores.

Your favourite hotel? MERCER KITCHEN, 99 Prince Street,  New York, NY 10012, USA, +1 (212) 966-5454

Your favourite beach? SHELTER ISLAND

Your favourite season in NYC? WINTER
I love the blizzards, when the snow is blowing through the urban canyons. I love to walk through Central Park when all flags are hanging crosswise. The lights are phenomenal then and the windows have beautiful ice crystals.

Your favourite cultural spot? FIT MUSEUM, Seventh Avenue at 27 Street,  New York City, +1 (212) 217-4558
I love fashion and photography exhibitions.

Your favourite store? SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

They sell a large selection of my jewelry pieces.

Your favourite beauty spa? The SPA AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, 80 Columbus Circle New York, NY 10023, USA, +1 (212) 805-8880
Book an apointment with the „beauty fairy“ Fini. She is amazing.

Your favourite treatment? 80 minutes MANDARIN ORIENTAL SPECIAL FACIAL TREATMENT
They use the Somme Insitute products which I adore . The American NYC-based label is dedicated to the science of skin perfection and uses Molecular Dispersion Technology which is the most significant advancement in skin care, a non-prescription synthesis of five highly-engineered vitamin compounds, designed to treat specific areas within the skin.

Your travel in style tip? I love to wear STRETCH JEANS by Closed, ANKLE BOOTS that are easy to take off or New Balance shoes (Store: 150 5th Avenue New York, NY 10010, USA +1 (212) 727-2520), such as my custom-made sneakers that say I LOVE NY.
I never fly without a CASHMERE SCARF to keep me warm, LA MER EYE CONCENTRATE, an eye cover and ear plugs. Moreover, I always pack two of my NECKLACES to change my look.

Your favourite book to read on a flight? ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoi

Thank you, Gabriele, for sharing your insider scoop on New York City with us!

LoL, Sandra

GABRIELLA SCARPA

The CEO and President of Acqua di Parma, Country General Manager for LVMH Italy Perfumes and Cosmetics and Dior Couture lives in Milan and travels a lot. Her favourite destination, of course, her home country: Bella Italia
“Wherever you are, the lifestyle is there.”

Your favourite region: TUSCANY
It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There you have everything you want: The wonderful panorama with stunning hills, flowers and colours. You breathe good air and have fantastic restaurants, trattorias and nice people.

Your favourite restaurant: DA CAINO, Via della Chiesa, 4, Montemerano, 58050 Manciano (GR), + 39 3273594882
I love to go to Da Caino in South Tuscany, which is close to the Hotel Terme di Saturnia. It is rated two Michelin stars and very famous. It is in Montemerano, a pictoresque old little town where you can also find fantastic family-managed trattorias.

Your favourite place to stay in Italy: RELAIS TENUTA PALAZZACCIO, Asciano, +39 0577 718600
It is an old, recently restored tower of the fifteenth century, managed by a family with only few rooms that offer all the modern comforts without missing the charm and magic of its secular history. The panorama is to die for with the unique contour of the Crete Senesi embracing you. The best is to go there with friends and to take all the place. Moreover you have fantastic places to eat being in the midst of the Chianti and Montalcino area, the home the best red vines.

Your favourite souvenir: LOCAL PRODUCTS like red vine, prosciutto and olive oil

Your must-see in Italy: CAPRI
It is very fascinating.When you visit this small, beautiful island, you are going to live an experience. It’s different from other places, there is no mass tourism.

Your favourite hotel in Capri: HOTEL QUISISANA CAPRI SPA RESORT, Via Camerelle, 2, Capri, +39 081 837 0788

Your favourite city in Italy: ROME
It has so much culture and an inspiring atmosphere.

Your favourite travel accessory: An ACQUA DI PARMA BAG, of course!
Those luggages are so easy to use, very practical, of great quality while being very elegant.

Thank you, Gabriella, for sharing your insider scoop on Italy with us!

LoL, Sandra

STEPHEN WEBSTER

The famous jeweler lived in many different countries, among them Canada and the United States. Till this day, he enjoys travelling very much, but always comes back happily to his hometown: London. Below you will find his tips for the best places to visit in Great Britain’s capital.

Your favourite city in the world: 
LONDON

Your favourite restaurants: I am actually in this business as well and own three restaurants. 

HIX, 66-70 Brewer Street  City of Westminster, W1F 9UP,
+44 20 7292 3518
(Favourite dish: Webster’s fish fingers, fish & chips)
HIX BELGRAVIA, Pont Street, London SW1X 9EJ, +44 20 3189 4850
TRAMSHED, 32 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3LX, +44 20 7749 0478
It’s just opened in Shoreditch, which is the real trendy place for London. The menu primarily focuses on steak and chicken items. Greeting guests and reminding them of this fact is the spectacularly placed Cock and Bull piece from Damian Hirst created specifically for us.

Your favourite hotel: 
CLARIDGE’S, 49 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, +44 20 7629 8860.

Your favourite shop: SELFRIDGES
I especially love the food department.

Your favourite nightclub: 
THE WELLINGTON, 116A Knightsbridge  London SW1X 7PL, 
+ 44 20 7823 8211
I don’t hardly ever go to nightclubs anymore. If I do go to a nightclub, I go to the Wellington, which it’s the place where I know everybody, I know the DJ, and that’s probably what I’m looking for right now.

Your favourite art gallery: TATE MODERN, Bankside London SE1 9TG, +44 20 78878752

Your favourite park: HYDE PARK
I live right next to it and walk across it nearly every morning.

Your favourite transportation in London: THE TUBE
I use the tube, because if you don’t you’re going to get very frustrated. My motorbike, I keep at the country.

Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

LoL, Sandra