Sandra‘s Closet

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
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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.

What better moment than the summer holidays to embark on a journey of meeting clients and building a relationship? At Cartier, it’s a tradition that began towards the end of the 19th century. At the time, the jeweller would set up shop on the Riviera, between Cannes and Monaco, from June to September. This summer, Cartier will arrive in Nammos Village, Mykonos.

More than simple pop-ups, these seasonal boutiques are meeting places full of life, with a product range focused on the season’s desire for travel and colour – summer jewellery or watches that can be personalised on the spot. Their collections build a connection to their sun-filled destinations: the new photovoltaic Tank watches and their deep blue bracelets, the brightly coloured stones of the Berlingots de Cartier jewellery, and the Double C de Cartier bags with their pastel enamelled initials.

From shining and engraving to cord changes for the Trinity bracelet, the summer services are joyful experiences from start to finish: the hand delivery by a Cartier groom. These unmissable experiences are brought to life by works from the artist Konstantin Kakanias, known for the refined fantasy and sophistication of his installations.

«I imagined fun summer days and nights, with a totally free spirit where we indulge in nature, light, water, love, and beautiful things. Collaborating with Cartier was a real privilege, the Maison has such a rich vocabulary and history, which I loved to work with.» Konstantin Kakanias, Illustrator

The sun-drenched encounters continue beyond the walls of the boutiques with a program of events to encapsulate the feeling of a summer holiday, moving to the beat of a seaside escape.

I will be in Mykonos in August and cannot wait to explore this fun new place.

LoL, Sandra

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

Do you remember when fashion lovers around the globe were craving for the limited edition pieces, such as the Book Tote, that were only available in DIOR‘s Mykonos pop-up store (for the previous post, click here).

This season, DIOR presents DIORIVIERA, a new capsule collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, that celebrates the beauty, leisure and art of farniente. A bright and sunny wardrobe, like an invitation to travel, dedicated to the most delightful Mediterranean getaways, the promise of an eternal summer, from Forte dei Marmi, Capri to Mykonos, from Marbella, Saint-Tropez to Ibiza. Great news is that the beautiful items are this season all available online and of course in the respective local holiday boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
#Dior #DiorRiviera #DiorCruise #MariaGraziaChiuri #PamelaHanson

I am in love, yes IN LOVE! This is definitely the  chicest bag you could add to your summer wardrobe, DIOR‘s embroidered Book Tote! A veritable invitation to travel by the House’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, an evocation of sunshine, inspired by Mexican crafts, it is the perfect luxury staple piece to rock throughout the season. First seen at the DIOR S/S 2018 runway show, it sports geometrical motifs and requires more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches to create an interplay of arrestingly lovely patterns in mesmerizing shades of green, orange, red, fuchsia, violet and blue. It’s crafted in the fashion house’s studio in Paris.

Rihanna sporting her personalized DIOR book tote

Although the tote has just been released this season, celebrities all over are sporting the brand in a range of colors and customized names.

Check out the photos below to see how the elegant piece is made:

If you are dreaming of a limited edition piece, I recommend visiting DIOR’s pop-up store on the Greek island of Mykonos this summer at the upscale Nammos shopping village until Oct. 15, 2018.

There you can find exclusive pieces, including DIOR Book Tote bags featuring the name of the island woven into the canvas as well as striped bodysuits and sweaters, silk cravats and cotton pareos bearing the slogan «J’adior Mykonos.»

Great news is that the DIOR book tote is here to stay and has been designed in many different versions for F/W 2018 as well as for Cruise 2019.

DIOR Book Totes for F/W 2018

DIOR Book Tote for Cruise 2019

Such a great bag – my favorite is still the S/S 2018 in vibrant shades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

To celebrate the return of summer, Louis Vuitton has opened its first pop-up store exclusively dedicated to its “summer resort” product range in Mykonos, Greece. I was invited to experience this very special new shop but couldn’t make it due to my trip to the US. It is so beautiful that I have to share it with you.
In a sleek and bright setting, a selection of leather goods, women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, and accessories are brought together in a range that has been especially designed to reflect the area’s warm and gentle weather and the flavour of summer holidays. It will be available to visitors until October 2012.

The store is part of a new sales experience and a new interpretation of sophistication. Louis Vuitton presents collections that have been specially designed to reflect and enrich the “Summer Resort” spirit, synonymous with relaxation and well-being.

Protection from the dazzling brightness of the Greek sun is available in the form of beautifully crafted sunglasses, which enhance the wearer’s features with shaded timeless elegance. Just looking at those photos makes you want to go to Mykonos, isn’t it?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton