Sandra‘s Closet

There is a new hot spot in the Mediterranean Sea with the opening of the Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge. Situated in the most exclusive area of the island, the new Cavalli experience presents his entertainment & nightlife concept in the heart of the promenade that welcomes yachts into the harbour of Ibiza Marina.

Recreating an astounding tropical garden of 2.000 square metres with a beautiful view, the property symbolises the three main worldwide renowned beacons of ‘made in Italy’ excellence: Fashion, Food, Design.

It features an open-air restaurant where luxury and innovation are merged in the décor and in the details to create a unique ambience, allowing the clients to live a ‘total experience’ in pure Cavalli style. The menu offers an incredible selection of traditional Italian recipes infused with Tuscan influences, as well as innovative new style dishes. It will also be possible to taste and appreciate, among others, the Tenuta Degli Dei red wine produced in the Tuscan winery owned by the Cavalli family.

The club & lounge embody the glamorous soul of the designer, hosting exclusive and fashionable parties and events where guests can sip on Roberto Cavalli Vodka-based cocktails. The music and lighting culminate in an experience that begins in the magnificent garden with 500 plants perfuming the Ibiza night: think jasmine, honeysuckle and magnolia…

«The pleasure of listening to enjoyable music, accompanied by great food and good company in an elegant and sophisticated setting … This is the philosophy of the Cavalli Restaurant & Lounge. I wanted to communicate all my passion for beauty and sensuality combining them in a hospitality project in Ibiza» says Roberto Cavalli.

Roberto Cavalli already owns Cavalli Caffè in Florence and Saint Tropez, while the others managed through licences are located in Kuwait City, Beirut, Dubai and New Delhi.

The next openings will be Riyadh, Bahrain and Doha. Furthermore, the Roberto Cavalli Group has also opened with licences, the Cavalli Club in Milan, Dubai and the Cavalli Miami Restaurant & Lounge.

Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge
Paseo Marítimo Juan Carlos I 07800 Ibiza (Spain)

For reservation +34 971 192 197
www.cavallibiza.com

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

Last weekend, I was invited to a very special birthday celebration, a trip and memories that I will treasure forever. My readers who have followed me since the beginning, might remember the amazing 40 hours in Venice for my friend Dan’s 40th birthday in 2011. Now it was time to get together for his wife Mel’s big day.

When I arrived at the airport, none of the guests had any idea where we would fly to. The boarding pass said to Dummy City and when we entered the amazing private jet, everyone was speculating where it would take us. After a fun 3.5 hours flight, we landed in a fairy tale of one and one thousands nights in Marrakesh. The magic red city, where the legends of the Orient still feel alive. And my outfit couldn’t have been a better match…

My look: Dotted silk cardigan and matching top, both by Dolce & Gabbana, transparent black plissée harem pants by Gucci, Boy bag with chains and metallic patent phone holder, both by Chanel, Alice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès.

Stay tuned for more from this weekend coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I had a crazy afternoon, driving back from Como to Zurich where I had literally fifteen minutes to get changed. Then I jumped in the next limousine to go to Basel to attend an exclusive gastronomic experience hosted by Audemars Piguet during Art Basel.

The famous watch manufacturer had invited the Roca Brothers, Joan (head chef), Josep (sommelier) and Jordi (in charge of the desserts), from Spain to prepare a very special dinner.

Their famous restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia, Spain which opened in 1986 was first located next to their parent’s restaurant Can Roca, but moved to its current purpose built building in 2007. It holds three Michelin stars and has been named the best restaurant in the world by the magazine Restaurant in 2013, after having been ranked second in 2011 and 2012.

The cuisine served by the restaurant is traditional Catalan, but with an interesting twist. Personally speaking, I find their dishes based on perfumes, and with unusual presentations, the most captivating.

They have created menus based on fragrances such as Calvin Klein’s Eternity or Carolina Herrera. This has resulted in a perfume being released by the restaurant itself, called Nuvol de Ilimona, which we were able to smell last night during the first dessert served, a lemon distillation. Smelling and tasting the food at the same time is an orgastic explosion.

CEO Audemars Piguet François-Henry Bennahmias with me last night

Audemars Piguet spoilt us last night with this feast for the senses! Thanks a lot for this amazing invitation! Below you can see the yummy menu…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photo Roca Brothers: Nacho Alegre for WSJ. Magazine

While you are reading this post, I am back in the Middle East. This time, I followed Chanel‘s invitation to Dubai. Here, the French house’s Cruise 2015 show will take place tomorrow evening.

The last time I flew with Emirates in their new amazing A380 was in January with Thierry Mugler for the launch of their newest fragrance Alien Eau Extraordinaire. In this post, I will tell you all about this fantastic trip to Oman.

The A380 is an experience in itself. The world’s largest passenger jet has a twin-deck, which means business and first class are on the top floor. Every business class seat has a built-in mini-bar, a personal storage area and a privacy divider. And here comes the best, there is even a real bar on this floor where passengers can mingle and enjoy a drink.

I spent one night in Dubai before leaving on a fun road trip to the Six Senses Zighy Bay resort which is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman.

When you arrive on top of the mountain, you will surely be taken by the breathtaking scenery of this hidden gem. The resort is as spectacular as its setting, with the natural beauty of Oman’s rugged mountain landscape on one side and a sandy beach on the other.

I have to say, I was amazed how fast you find total inner peace here through the power of nature. The resort is built on sand and you throw away your shoes in a second. Feeling the sand beneath your toes, you tantalize your senses, you enjoy an exciting remoteness and a barefoot luxury beyond imagination.

The team of Thierry Mugler invited us to “lâcher price” which means to let go and the Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the perfect surrounding. Being committed to environmental responsibility, the resort offers fresh, organic food prepared with ingredients that are cultivated in the region.

I stayed at a private villa with my own pool, 24-hour butler service and my own bike to drive around the resort. The rural charm of the rooms is amazing and I loved taking an outdoor shower in the morning.

One day, we went on a cruise. We had no cell phone coverage to really let go. It was such a beautiful afternoon that I absolutely enjoyed.

Let’s have a closer look at Alien Eau Extraordinaire, the new addition to Thierry Mugler‘s Alien family, created by Dominique Ropion and Veronique Nyberg.

Pierre Aulas, artistic director at Parfums Mugler, explained me more about this beautiful floral fragrance launch. He is very charming and a genius when it comes to both, marketing and fragrance creating.

ALIEN EAU EXTRAORDINAIRE

Delicate floral notes transport a unique freshness and femininity. Exuding pure optimism, this scent is perfect for summer.

Top notes: Tunisian Neroli, Tea and Bergamot
Middle notes: Tiare Flower and Heliotrope
Base notes: Cashmeran and White Amber

It was such an amazing trip… Stay tuned for my upcoming post from Dubai, this time with Chanel!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Hudson Yards is Bond N°9‘s newest fragrance launch, dedicated to spring in New York City like a bouquet of beautiful flowers poured into a decorated green bottle. It celebrates a new beginning and in its perfume collection it maps a new emerging location in the city, the largest private real estate development in the history of the US and the largest development in New York City since Rockefeller Center: Hudson Yards, planned to be finished in 2017.

It is anticipated that more than 24 million people will visit the district every year. The site will ultimately include more than 17 million square feet of commercial and residential space, 5 state-of-the-art office towers, more than 100 shops, 20 restaurants, approximately 5,000 residences, a unique cultural space, 14 acres of public open space, a 750-seat public school and a 150-room luxury hotel—all offering unparalleled amenities and easy access to transportation for residents, employees and guests.

FLORAL
Top notes: Lily-of-the-Valley, Freesia and Pink Pepper
Middle notes: Peony, Bulgarian Rose and Litchi
Base notes: White Musk, Iris and Orange Blossom

In Switzerland available Mid May 2014 for CHF 375.00 (100ml) and CHF 239.00 (50ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bond N°9 and Hudson Yards

Here is another outfit post from my recent trip to the US, taken on Abbot Kinnley Boulevard in Venice Beach. The weather was very weird and I didn’t see much of the Californian sun during my stay. A great place for lunch is Gjelina, a place worth its hype. Even that I am not a vegetarian, I do love my veggies and their kale salad is to die for.

My look: Wool-blend jacquard coat (fabric inspired by children’s wallpaper) by Miu Miu, two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress by Stella McCartney, Bamboo leather tote by Gucci, suede booties by Saint Laurent, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Chicago is, hands down, the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, outside of Ireland. As most of you know, I had lived in the Windy City for two years before I moved to Zurich and always loved seeing the Chicago River dyed in a brilliant shade of green (a tradition that dates back to 1962). A great inspiration for today’s post.

Are you in the mood to leave all others green with envy? Here you go, indulge in this great outfit in the must-have hues for St. Paddy’s Day.

Get the look: Emerald green one-shoulder ruffled crepe gown by Lanvin, Amazon cutout suede sandals by Aquazzura, crystal-embellished satin shoulder bag by Burberry and gold-plated, crystal and resin clip earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane.

Looking at the photos below from yesterday’s dyeing festivities makes me really miss Chicago and my friends there…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Chandler West/For Sun-Times Media

As you know, I am travelling like crazy and funnily enough the more I do, the more I like to take only hand luggage. Unfortunately, the amount of liquids to take is strictly limited on flights. Therefore I was very happy when I discovered this amazing travel set by EVE LOM. The brand’s core philosophy is all about a perfectly cleansed, exfoliated skin as the key to a glowing complexion. Their multi-award-winning cult products have become beauty insiders’ secret weapon – and are still unrivalled in a highly competitive market.

EVE LOM‘s Travel Essentials set ensures your skin looks radiant no matter your itinerary. Filled with flight-compliant sizes of the label’s most coveted products – including the cult-status Cleanser and Muslin Cloth, Morning Time Cleanser, Rescue Mask and TLC Radiance Cream – this compilation is a must-have for long or short trips.

TO SHOP THE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SET, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, Gucci presented their studs collection (post coming up soon) at their Las Vegas store, which is located at The Crystals at CityCenter. The newest shopping heaven in town features the most luxurious designers on over 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m2) of stylish retail space.

My look: Leopard print jacket, belted jersey dress, python sandals and Bamboo leather tote, all by Gucci, Limelight Gala watch, rose diamond necklace and ring, all by Piaget.

This is how I Vegas… indulging in the most outstanding shopping experience.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I left for an amazing press trip I had been really looking forward to since weeks. Being invited by Gucci for the launch of their limited edition fragrance GUCCI GUILTY STUD to Nevada is pretty cool, isn’t it?

The trip was long, I flew from Zurich via San Francisco to Las Vegas. During the flight, I watched (couldn’t have been a better attunement…) Last Vegas, a comedy about a wild bachelor party thrown by group of old friends (Michael Douglas, Kevin Kline, Morgan Freeman and Robert de Niro). It is such a funny movie, imagine The Hangover as a geriatric edition.

Avid readers of my blog might recognize part of my look. It is one of my favorite outfits to wear on long-distance flights as I really like to be comfy.

My look: Spencer leather lapel jacket by Saint Laurent, leopard print jacket and matching track pants, both by Dolce & Gabbana, fine-knit cashmere top by Joseph, silk stole and textured-leather Bamboo tote, both by Gucci, suede boots by Balmain, rose diamond ring by Piaget and Spectra trolley by Victorinox.

Stay tuned for more coming up from Sin City. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… this does not apply to Sandra’s Closet! Promised, you will know everything. As a little teaser, I will enjoy a private concert by Bruno Mars tonight. Excited!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht