Sandra‘s Closet

Bridgerton Meets The Lanesborough
Tea, gossip and a touch of gin intrigue

Society is already abuzz with the latest must-attend occasion. According to the ever-reliable Lady Whistledown, The Lanesborough, one of London’s most prestigious addresses, has partnered with Netflix and Shondaland to present a limited-edition Afternoon Tea inspired by Season 4 of Bridgerton. Adding to the excitement, guests will be among the first to taste the new Hendrick’s gin, «Another Hendrick’s,» served exclusively as part of the experience.

Created to coincide with the season premiere on January 29, 2026 (with Part Two arriving February 26), the tea celebrates the elegance of the Regency era, grand balls, lavish dinners, and glittering soirées, reimagined with a modern twist. It is served in the hotel’s opulent dining room, where a glass-domed ceiling fills the space with daylight and chandeliers cast a romantic glow after dark.

The Menu

Designed by Head Pastry Chef Jolan Thiry, the menu pays tribute to key characters and moments from the new season.

Savory Selection
Expect refined finger sandwiches and tartlets filled with Westcombe Cheddar and spring onion aioli, Scottish smoked salmon with citrus crème fraîche, harissa-spiced chicken with basil, and cucumber, avocado, and mint on a truffle potato roll. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are also available.

Sweet Highlights
Standouts include The Lady in Silver, a lemon sponge with vanilla cream and yuzu gel adorned with edible silver, and Benedict’s Masquerade, a chocolate and tonka mousse with hazelnut praline. Let Love Take Flight pairs blackberry mousse with sesame sponge, while Cottage Bloom features ginger and green apple with delicate floral notes — each creation inspired by romance, mystery, and the show’s signature drama.

Cocktails & Mocktails
The Forbidden Love cocktail blends «Another Hendrick’s» gin with vanilla, lemon, and peach & jasmine soda, finished with rose water for a seductive flourish. Prefer alcohol-free? Beneath the Mask combines passion fruit and lychee with soft vanilla and citrus for an equally elegant alternative.

A refined affair where Regency charm meets contemporary luxury and a perfect excuse to indulge in a little gossip over tea. To book, click here.

The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 20 7259 5599

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Lanesborough
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It’s Sunday, it’s grey outside and you might consider an afternoon with Netflix … and I don’t mean chill but literally watch. I have just finished NOBODY WANTS THIS starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, that I can absolutely recommend.

With Kristen Bell at Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles.

An agnostic sex podcaster (Joanne played by Kristen Bell) and a newly single rabbi (Noah played by Adam Brody) fall in love. It is a romantic comedy series by Erin Foster, who loosely based the plot on her own marriage. The main question of the show is if their relationship can survive their wildly different lives and meddling families. It is a rom-com without a magical meet cute. It’s about what happens when two grown-ups meet and are challenged and attracted by each other and try to work out all the obstacles.

And while everyone has fallen in love with Joanne and Noah’s love story, many have also become slightly obsessed with Joanne’s style, too. It is not an Emily In Paris style – it is actually the opposite, it is an incredibly relatable wardrobe that has gone down a storm. Styled by costume designer Negar Ali Kline, Joanne nails the high-low mix of affordable brands and designer pieces. Over the course of the season, you can see her in knitted Polo Ralph Lauren, and dressed up in Alex Perry, trending in Christopher Esber, and accessorizing in Khaite, but you can also see pieces of Abercrombie & Fitch, Reformation, By Far and Maje crop up again and again.

At one point in Nobody Wants This, Joanne describes a shared steamy moment as «the single greatest kiss of my entire existence.» I know this feeling and I miss it!

Great news is that Erin Foster’s romantic comedy series starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell will be coming back for Season 2. I cannot wait … Happy Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

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

Every fall, the Zurich Film Festival takes place and provides a platform for the most promising filmmakers from around the globe. It aims to promote exchange between emerging directors, successful film workers, the film industry and the general public by showing the year’s greatest discoveries and most anticipated films.

Wearing a black Monique Lhuillier gown and Christian Louboutin shoes and bag.

I attended the opening night of the 18th Zurich Film Festival that kicked off at Zurich Convention Center with the European premiere of the inspirational Netflix production THE SWIMMERS. The film was presented personally by director Sally El Hosaini and actor Matthias Schweighöfer. The President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, who had just returned from NYC, emphasized the unifying effect of cinema on people and set the mood for the 11 festival days with his speech.

The cast of THE SWIMMERS as well as the real Yusra Martini on stage at the opening night.

I can absolutely recommend watching this amazing movie that tells the true story of sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini, both talented swimmers, who were forced to flee the civil war sweeping their native Syria in 2015. They make the dangerous crossing to Europe in a refugee boat. When the engine fails on the open sea, they use ropes to pull the boat behind them for hours, saving numerous lives. Once in Germany, they met a swimming teacher (played by Matthias Schweighöfer) who trained them for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

«It is not just an inspirational film that reinforces our belief in the good of people,» explained Artistic Director Christian Jungen in his speech, «With war once again raging in Europe, it is also an extremely important film of our time, because it throws a spotlight on the plight of refugees. Cinema is the medium of empathy that allows us to view the world through the eyes of others.»

The Zurich Film Festival runs until October 2, showing 146 films, including a record 38 world and European premieres with star guests like Eddie Redmayne, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sir Ben Kingsley, Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Til Schweiger, Daniel Brühl and Iris Berben in attendance.

Christian Jungen, Elke Mayer, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ignazio Cassis, Yusra Mardini, Sally El Hosaini, Nathalie Issa, Corine Mauch, Sven Spannekrebs at the Opening Night.

If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, THE SWIMMERS will be available on Netflix from November 23, 2022. Please watch the movie, it will change the way you look at the refugee situation tremendously.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of ZFF, © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

In January, I wrote about the huge impact the Netflix series Bridgerton has on fashion (for the previous outfit post, click here). All of a sudden, corsets, rushed floral dresses, empire lines are all back in the game. The series’ costume with all of their fanciful and over-the-top looks have given us a sweet and much-needed outfit inspiration.

Here is the new H&M collaboration that celebrates those kind of looks. In a whimsical collection made from more sustainable materials, LA-based Brock Collection brings their signature laid-back charm to thoughtfully crafted romantic silhouettes.

Think country florals, corset tops and dreamy ruffles, effortlessly paired with classic denim for a modern touch. All made from more sustainable materials like organic linen, organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel™ Lyocell.

«Brock Collection has always been about connecting the threads between uptown polish paired with a down-to-earth ease, which we are so happy to bring to a new audience. Each piece in the collection is special and carries a certain romantic charm, but is totally effortless,» says Laura Vassar and Kristopher Brock, Designers and Co-Founders of Brock Collection. The pair met in New York City while attending Parsons School of Design and after founding the brand in 2014, relocated to Los Angeles. Since then their emphasis on craft and cut and love of vintage references has gained a cult following.

«We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Brock Collection, who are well-known for their luxe craftsmanship, impeccable fits and structures, and have quite the celebrity following. But there’s also beauty in the fact that their designs always feel down-to-earth, thoughtful and easy to wear — I believe that’s the key to their success. We want to celebrate romance and make it accessible to the many. By adding more sustainable materials, it creates for a collaboration I hope our customers around the world will fall in love with,» says Maria Östblom, Head of Design at H&M.

Brock Collection x H&M is available now in Europe in selected stores and online. It will launch in the US and Canada on June 24, 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Brock Collection / H&M, Netflix
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored.

Not sure what to do over the weekend. Here is an idea. Start watching the new Netflix series «EMILY IN PARIS» that launched last Friday. I swear, you will be daydreaming about living in France, eating chocolate croissants, and falling in love. I have become immediately addicted. Thank God, my fiancé is half Parisian, haha. I know the reviews are not the best, ranking from «too cliche» to «embarrassing series, completely wrong image of Paris», but honestly I am absolutely loving it!

Left: Lily Collins Emily in Paris – Right: Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City

No other than Darren Star, who was also in charge of our favorites such as «Beverly Hills, 90210» (1990–2000), «Melrose Place» (1992–1999), and «Sex and the City» (1998–2004) created this American comedy-drama web television series. It stars Lily Collins as the titular character, Emily, an American woman moving to Paris for a job opportunity and better life. There she struggles to succeed in the workplace while searching for love and experiencing culture clash wth her «boring» Midwestern upbringing.

«You look American. Are you from Indiana?» asks Mindy (Ashley Park, right), when she first meets Emily, who has lunch alone in the park, wearing a fabulous Ganni silk top and dress, a Rag & Bone belt , combined with a Patricia Field Canary Bag.

Personally speaking, I have so many reminiscences with Emily. I used lived in Chicago, where she is from, and my first job experience was also in Paris. I worked at Sonia Rykiel at their ready-to-wear design department where I also experienced some funny moments and cultural clashes.

On her first day at the office in Paris, Emily wears an Alice + Olivia Eiffel Tower shirt, a Re/Done crop top,  snakeskin-print Ronny Kobo miniskirt, an Aldo bag and Christian Louboutin Gorgona booties, emblazoned with «Paris» and airmail stickers.

Emily in a green CHANEL (her favorite French brand) jacket from the Cruise 2020 collection combined with a checked Kangol hat.

The best about «EMILY IN PARIS» are the costumes. Behind them is my favorite stylist, Patricia Field, who became famous for her work at the set of «Sex and the City». We owe all those iconic Carrie Bradshaw fashion moments to her. Emily is like the Carrie Bradshaw for the next generation, with a wardrobe you wish you had yourself, and a growing Insta account you’d love to emulate.

An homage to Audrey Hepburn: Emily in a Christian Siriano dress, vintage fur and purse, La Compagnie du Costume jewellery and Cosmoparis shoes.

Don’t blame me, if you won’t leave your apartment this weekend and will be binge-watching all 10 episodes. And here are some Instagram accounts, you might one to follow after to get the details of the looks: @emilyinparis, and @emilyinparisfashion.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Netflix