Sandra‘s Closet

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

“And then I want everything to be included, such as brooms, dust brushes and suchlike, because one day, when everything is being done by electricity, these will be the most remarkable thing of all.” –  From Wilhelmina von Hallwyl‘s annual notes, 1844-1930

Entering the Hallwyl Palace in Stockholm is like stepping a hundred years back in time. Everyday household objects, as well as collections of art, jewelry and fashion, have been left untouched so as to bear witness to a past age. I had the honour to get a private tour of this Swedish national museum which is in a historical building just around the corner of the Nobis hotel. The Hallwyl collection encompasses some 50,000 objects and I absolutely loved the extraordinary jewelry pieces as well as the beautiful presentation of the clothing of that time, such as an embroidered dress by Paul Poiret.

As I have been dreaming of opening a fashion museum one day myself, I was impressed to hear that Wilhelmina von Hallwyl had started to catalogue everything in the palace during her lifetime with the purpose of creating something of enduring historical interest.

A must-see when you are in Stockholm!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Saturday, I spent a beautiful day in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The sun was shining and I enjoyed exploring the city very much. Below you can enjoy some of my impressions.

My look: Bouclé tweed jacket and matching Lily bouclé tweed shoulder bag, both by Mulberry, stretch-leather skinny pants by Gucci, suede boots by Balmain, Sandra two-tone stretch-cady top and printed scarf, both by Stella McCartney and Portrait sunglasses by Prada.

I stayed at the NOBIS HOTEL, a luxury design hotel, located in two historic late 19th-century buildings on Norrmalmstorg square in the city centre of Stockholm. I have liked its contemporary design very much. Here you see me sitting in the so-called lounge, a quite spectacular room with a ceiling height of 28 meters.

When staying at Nobis Hotel, you have to try their house cocktail, so delicious.

In the bathroom of my hotel room, I was overly happy to find the complete body range of one of my favourite scents: BLANCHE by Byredo.

As I was at the very center of what’s going on in Stockholm in every sense, I had everything I wanted to explore within walking distance. Above you see the Royal Opera House.

Lunch at T-Bar that belongs to the Diplomat Hotel, an iconic Art Nouveau palace by the shore of Strandvägen, another great place to stay at.

My favourite Swedish dish: Löjrom (Bleak Roe or Kalix Caviar), such a delicacy.

A little shopping tour around the famous department store NK.

I had such a wonderful time in Stockholm and will surely be back. Stay tuned for one more sightseeing post coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht