Sandra‘s Closet

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

Have you been looking for the perfect bag to carry to work that fits all your personal belongings, keeps your laptop safe, looks stylish and is made out of great leather for an amazing price? Sounds be too good to be true? Actually not, you might have just found it…

Let me introduce to the new addition to my closet: The Loretta Bag by Rodtnes, made of soft, thick calfskin leather of the highest quality that will only become more beautiful with time. The leather is very similar to the Togo leather from Hermès.

The bag has the perfect size that fits everything you need for work.
Let me show you what is in my bag:

Monogrammed patent-leather iPad sleeve by Gucci holding my iPad, pink textured-leather notebook by Smythson, Culte sunglasses by Miu Miu, smartphone holder by Montblanc, my MacBook that is stored perfectly in a special compartment of the Loretta bag, Monogram card holder and wallet, both by Louis Vuitton, a magazine and a statement necklace by Gabriele Frantzen (that can transform your business look in one step to a glamorous outfit for night, always be prepared…).

Below you can find the photos and more facts on the fabulous Loretta bag.

About Rodtnes

In early 2011 Mette Rodtnes, a designing architect, was looking for a beautiful and functional workbag. When she realized that what she was looking for did not exist, she started to to develop the Loretta – the very first Rodtnes bag.

External features:

- Adjustable handles
– Security straps (the handles are kept safely in place by two straps on each attachment location)

-  Long detachable shoulder strap

- Two side pockets with magnetic closing (one side pocket holds a compartment for a mobile phone)

Internal features:

- Compartment to fit a 13 or 15-inch laptop computer. 
(15 inch = appr. 36 – 38 cm on the longest side)
– Compartment to fit A4 documents, iPad etc.
– Smaller zipped compartment.
– Large compartment

Loretta Bag by Rodtnes
Height: 31 cm. Length: 39 cm. Width at botton: 16 cm
Available in black, caramel and grey.

€ 374.- (Readers of Sandra’s Closet will get a special 20% discount by using the promotion code sandrascloset at checkout until the end of August 2012).

Prices for Swiss orders include VAT.
Prices for EU and international orders exclude VAT.

To shop, please click here. Rodtnes is only available online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I would like to show some nice jetset-ready gift ideas for you or your world-travelling friend. Those super cute luggage tags for example are the perfect way to ensure your bags stand out from the crowd.

Here is your shopping list:

1 Neon pink python luggage tag and bright blue python passport cover,
both by Emilio Pucci
2 World travel adapter and printed PVC case by Diane von Furstenberg
3 Rainbow glitter-finished, glitter-splashed champagne pebbled-leather and animal-print calf hair luggage tag, all by Jimmy Choo
4 Metallic leather luggage tag by Reed Krakoff
5 Set of two rubber luggage tags by Lanvin
6 Textured-leather camera case by Smythson

LoL, Sandra

Father’s Day is coming up. Make Dad smile with those fab ideas. Tiffany & Co.knows the importance of giving a great 
gift and it is time to spoil Dad with something he wouldn’t buy for himself. So why not treat him with some silver sparkle?

Make him the coolest guy on the block this year with a great pair of cuff links or give him a compass for your hiking weekend together.

And if you are looking for an incredibly easy, priceless and quick gift, pamper your Dad and write up a  little book full of coupons that could include things like „A Day of Golf“, „Breakfast in Bed“ or a „Car Wash“.

Stamped with a playful ‘Daddy Cool’ motif, Symthson’s black leather-bound notebook would be a lovely choice.

With 
so many ideas in one place, finding the perfect 
present has never been easier.

LoL, Sandra