Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday, it was raining cats and dogs here in Istanbul. Unbelievable, where can I go for just one week of sunshine?!
To enlighten my weather depression, I went to Istinye Park, one of the most impressive shopping malls I have seen.

It felt a little like „Scotty had beamed me up to the USA…“ The mall showcases international brands like Zara, Gap, Massimo Dutti and many more. In addition to these stores, the shopping centre has fabulous restaurants and cafés such as Borsa restaurant and La Durée.
The outdoor section with a green central park truly resembles a Mini Rodeo Drive. It features high-end lines like for example Miu Miu, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and the local trendy department store Beymen.
With almost 300 shops in total, I was bound to find something…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During the last days, I did a lot of sightseeing in this phenomenal city. Today was my favourite: Istanbul’s most famous monument, the former cathedral and later mosque of Haghia Sophia (meaning „Divine Wisdom“) that was originally built in 537 A.D., in the rule of Emperor Justinian, and later converted to a mosque after the conquest of the city by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II in 1453.

View of the Haghia Sophia from the beautiful Four Seasons at Istanbul Sultanahmet terrasse.

The interior is truly awe-inspiring, particularly the main chamber, roofed by its fabulous dome, 30m (98ft) in diameter, just breathtaking.

While sightseeing, I like to be comfortable but don’t want to look too sloppy. Today I went for my T-shirt dress with colourful applications and ballet flats by Lanvin and had an extra pair of  leggings plus my ikat print scarf by Louis Vuitton with me to respect the local dress codes if necessary. Backpack (very practical) by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I visited the Grand Bazaar (in Turkish, Kapali Carsi, meaning „Covered Market“) which is truly a whole new world. Made up of a maze of interconnecting vaulted passages, the Bazaar has its own banks, baths, mosques, cafés and restaurants, not to mention the thousands of shops, all glittery and fairy-lit in the absence of natural light. Since the rise of the mall, it is no longer the biggest shopping centre in the world, but it is definitely one of the oldest. You can browse through a sea of trinkets, jewelry, clothes, oriental decorations, fabrics, carpets and much more. I tried to capture some of my favourite impressions for you and hope that you will like them.

At the end of this post, you will see what I got to take a piece of Istanbul home with me. I am invited soon to a „1001 Nights“ themed party and this will be my costume…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, I witnessed an amazing Kazakhstani wedding at my hotel Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul that is located directly on the European shores of the Bosphorus. Once the residence of the last Ottomane Sultans, the architectural grandeur and stunning view, both serve as an amazing ambiance for such a celebration. Turkey is known for its great tradition of hospitality and I couldn’t agree more. The service and friendliness here are outstanding.

I have loved the wedding decoration with oriental touches and the colour combination of lilac and green. But the most beautiful detail were the dangling wedding dresses overlooking the Bosphorus. Wow!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Welcome to Ulus 29! The trendy restaurant with its bar and nightclub is an Istanbul classic. Located between the first and second Bosphorus bridges, overlooking the Anatolian side with one of the most beautiful Istanbul Strait views, it combines contemporary and traditional interiors.  The menu is a mix of both as well, from a wide sashimi selection to mini pita, Turkish pizza and yoghurt kebab.

My makeup: Eyeshadow Palette in Baby Nu and Mascara Hypnôse Doll Eyes by Lancôme, New Lip Gloss in Buff by Bobbi Brown and Wanted Blush in 01 Glowing Peach by Helena Rubinstein.
On my finger nails: Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Berry Hot, on my toes: Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Purple Passion, both by Estée Lauder.

My outfit: Strapless Dress (with cut-outs at the back) and Sandals by Gucci (Resort 2011), Foldover Falabella Bag by Stella McCartney and Daisy Necklace by Christian Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Merhaba! Yesterday, I flew to Istanbul, Turkey. A place I had been wanting to go for a very long time. After having arrived in my hotel in the late afternoon, I didn’t even change and went straight to the nearby harbourside  district of Ortaköy, a fascinating place full of restaurants, nightclubs, specialty antique, jewelry and ceramic shops.

On the weekends, there is a colourful street market with Turkish handcrafts and local food street vendors in an oriental setting beside the famous Ortaköy Mosque.
Enjoy my first impressions of last night. I am loving it here!

LoL, Sandra

Me at the Bosphorus

Zebra-print Top by Stella McCartney, Leggings by Blumarine, Long Cardigan by Gucci, Stingray Sunglasses by Louis Vuitton and Daisy Necklace by Christian Dior

A fun dinner outside at the House Café Ortaköy.

Ortaköy Mosque and the Bosphorus Brigde that is connecting Europe and Asia.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

With this summery outfit I am wishing you all a lovely weekend that you hopefully can spend enjoying the sea, air and sun!

If you go on vacation, I always recommend to pack many different sunglasses. You will make a big entrance at the pool when changing almost each day your eyewear. Another tip is to mix your bikini bottoms and tops among each other. Like this, you will look every day completely different.

I am off to the South!

LoL, Sandra

The outlook for men’s F/W 11 fashion season has some similarities to the women’s trends, for example, it encompasses the World War eras by combining references of the 1920s with the 1940s. Military inspired pieces, feodora hats, spy-like looks that evoke the style of a gentleman from a previous decade. Just get inspired and make it your own, you don’t want to look like going to a costume ball.

A great way to wear the retro vibe would be the new Monterubello Zegna watch. The Zegna coat of arms was in fact officially created in 1939 when the founder Ermenegildo Zegna was made Conte di Monterubello.

The new classic timepiece encapsulates the history of the Zegna family’s region with the eponymous mountain and expresses the passion of the Italian brand for its history and ancestors. The Monterubello Collection is manufactured by Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux.

Monterubello Solo Tempo – Rose Gold with Alligator Strap
CHF 12.500, Ref. 38525-52-121-BK60

(also available in White Gold with Alligator Strap, CHF 13.800, Ref. 38525-53-122-BK60)

CASE
Material: rose gold, Diameter: 38.00 mm, Height: 8,52 mm, Crystal: sapphire antireflective, Case-back: sapphire crystal, Water resistance: 3 ATM

MOVEMENT
Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0030, mechanical with automatic winding, Calibre: 11 ½’’’, Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz), Power reserve: min. 46 hours, Jewels: 27, Functions: hour, minute date, seconds

Monterubello Chronograph with Alligator Strap
CHF 23.000, Ref. 38527-52-121-BBBA

CASE
Material: rose gold, Diameter: 40.00 mm, Height: 12,63 mm, Crystal: sapphire antireflective, Case-back: sapphire crystal, Water resistance: 3 ATM

MOVEMENT
Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0032, mechanical with automatic winding, Calibre: 13’’’, Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz), Power reserve: min. 46 hours, Jewels: 63, Functions: hour, minute date, seconds, chronograph

Photos: Courtesy of Ermenegildo Zegna

LoL, Sandra

Today’s look has a little surprise. Let’s see if you spot it.

Printed T-Shirt by Irmasworld – Jeans by Fè-Sonho Segredo Bahia– Python Palais Pumps by Yves Saint Laurent – Baroque Sunglasses and Striped Sombrero by Prada – Neon Clutch by Christopher Kane – Bangles (Souvenir from Dubai).

Let me tell you more about the Art Print Irma Tee: Irma is an internationally known fashion illustration that has fans around the world. In Japan, she graces many covers and her success is unbelievable. There is a real Irma hype. So it is no wonder that ten percent of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross to benefit Japanese relief projects. Sometimes I see myself in the lovely figurine that is drawn by a friend of mine.

© irmasworld.com

The jeans by the new brand Fè-Sonho Segredo Bahia were a gift of LuisaVia Roma (Thank you!) and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first tried them on. Here is the surprise: They have butt padding. First I couldn’t think of someone who would like to have a bigger bottom, but the position of the „outer implants“ is above so that it creates a nice apple shape. I mean those jeans come from Brazil  and this is the home of the perfect silhouette!

What do you think?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Miu Miu launches its new Sneakers, a brand new addition to the Miu Miu F/W 2011 collection. Made of iconic materials such as patent leather, arabesque lamé and velvet, the Miu Miu Sneakers are decorated with glitter, metal tips, or appliquéd crystals. As there were lots of sparkling materials on the F/W 2011 runways, those shoes are a must for all fashionistas. Coming in various colours including blush, silver, gold and black, the new Sneakers will be available in all the brand’s boutiques and online on miumiu.com starting from August, €295.

LoL, Sandra