Sandra‘s Closet

It is Christmas time and the best gift of all comes from the heart. Therefore I would like to introduce you the Little Dreams Foundation that was created in February 2000 by jewelry designer Orianne and her husband at that time, famous singer Phil Collins. Although that the couple is not together anymore, they share their passion for this wonderful project.

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet them in Zurich and talk a little about the idea behind the Little Dreams Foundation.

Phil Collins framed by Orianne Collins to the right and me to the left

The project’s mission is to fulfil the dreams of young talents, with and without disabilities, in sport and the arts. The Foundation is structured around 13 Worlds of Dreams (The world of music, the world of dance and figure skating, the world of entertainment, the world of circus, the world of ball sports, the world of wheel, the world of mountains, the world of exploring, the world of athletics, the world of martial arts, the world of horse rididng, the world of water sports and the world of art and literature).

In each of these worlds, Little Dreams strives to provide young hopefuls training and a personalised program. This is in order to give them the means to realise their dreams and maybe even enable them to make a career out of their passions. Think about all those children who grow up in not so privileged circumstances, having an amazing talent that lies waste because the family has no money to nurture it. This is when the Little Dreams Foundation steps in. Another section is a program called NO DIFFERENCE that aims to support talented young people with physical or mental disabilities.

For more information, I would like to invite you to visit the homepage by clicking here.

SUPPORTING THE LITTLE DREAMS FOUNDATION
If you liked to offer your support, the Little Dreams Foundation would be happy to accept a donation. A big thank you in advance for your generosity!

UBS SA Genève
Place de Cornavin 12
1201 Genève
Fondation Little Dreams
Compte N° 240-115651.04M
IBAN: CH78 0024 0240 1156 5104 M

With this in mind, I would like to quote one of Phil Collins’s famous lyrics:
„Oh, think twice, `cause it’s just another day for you and me in paradise…“.

Giving feels great and never forget, what goes around, comes around!
Merry Christmas!

LoL, Sandra

Today, I would like to show you my “Christmas Uggs” by Ugg® Australia. Wouldn’t they be something for you, too?! Available with either gold, silver, purple, black or red sequins, they are absolute eyecatchers. Click here to be transferred directly.

Looking at my feet, my comfy Uggs make me totally happy. But with those shoes, there are only two ways possible, either you love them or you hate them…

My daughter got this super cute pair with double ribbon bows at back! Available in pink or black.
Click here for more information on the Bailey Bow for Kids.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

May your world be filled with warmth and good cheer this Holy season, and throughout the
 year. Hopefully Santa will be
 extra good to you! Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate that holiday!

In case that you are in the mood for a treat for yourself, have a look at this stunning look, perfect for the festive season:

Nico cocktail dress by Rachel Zoe (€255) – a great price for an amazing dress

Tribtoo cap toe pumps by Yves Saint Laurent (€505) – just one word: divine

Valorie glitter-finish leather clutch by Anya Hindmarch (€410) – adds glamour to every outfit

LoL, Sandra

Gentlemen, stores are still open today. This is your last chance to get a wonderful surprise for your beloved one. You cannot go wrong with a wonderful piece of jewelry.

For the generous budget, Bucherer has created the Haute Joaillerie collection which consists of four amazing one-of-a-kind necklaces. At least, it is a feast for the eyes! One can always dream…

Pendant with necklace in 18k white gold with 6 fantasy-cut tanzanites (total 129.91 ct) and 179 brilliants (total 4.52 ct),
CHF 148.000.- / € 135.000.-

Pendant with necklace in 18k white gold with 8 fantasy-cut Paraiba- tourmalines (total 127.11 ct), 234 brilliants (total 2.15 ct) and 35 rose-cut diamonds (total 4.17 ct)
CHF 218.000.- / € 195.000.-

Pendant with necklace in 18k white gold with 6 fantasy-cut tsavoliths (total 1o9.76 ct) and 174 brilliants (total 4.39 ct),
CHF 144.000.- / € 110.000.-

Pendant with necklace in 18k rose gold with 10 fantasy-cut rubellites (total 135.34 ct) and 241 brilliants (total 7.11 ct),
CHF 68.000.- / € 62.000.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bucherer

Are you looking for a last minute gift? Have a look at Louis Vuitton‘s Christmas 2011 collection. You will find plenty of possibilities in different price ranges, from traditional leather goods to high end jewelry pieces.

Welcome to the Louis Vuitton Circus!

My personal favourite is Louis Vuitton’s new release of small leather goods decorated with authentic vintage advertising illustrations from Louis Vuitton’s archives, so-called “Les Illustrés” collection.

The new limited edition collection is available on Monogram, Damier, Damier Graphite and Damier Azur canvas. The lining comes in beautiful sorbet colours, such as lilac, rose and mint green.

Mini Pochette Les Illustrés
£190 / € 210

Les Illustrés Key Holders
£140 / €155

Les Illustrés Key Holders
£140 / €155

Small Ring Agenda Cover Les Illustrés
£ 225 / €245

Small Ring Agenda Cover Les Illustrés
£ 225 / €245

Zippy Wallet Les Illustrés
£460 / €500

Zippy Wallet Les Illustrés
£460 / €500

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Are you a dog lover? What is your favourite breed?
Are you more a Balenciaga German Sheperd or a Givenchy Rottweiler?
Let the dog fight begin!

Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, chose prints of rabid-looking Rottweilers for his F/W 2011 Givenchy men’s collection that has also attracted many women, among them famous Liv Tyler who showed up in the same sweater as Kanye West during Paris Fashion Week.

I love both, but I am completely thrilled for the Rottweiler. I like the 90’s gangster-style, hip hop attitude that comes with it. But probably it is because I grew up with those dogs even that I have to admit I am not their biggest fan. As for me, there are much more beautiful dogs in this world. But a Golden Retriever would never look as cool and stylish as a Rottweiler!

Riccardo Tisci got photographed by Steven Klein for Interview magazine dripping with blood in a kind of macabre setting.

If you are interested, here is your last chance to get a Rottweiler T-shirt by Givenchy that is even on sale. Just click on the highlighted text!

And if you have a real dog, check out this product:

Aesop Animal

A mild body and fur wash containing botanical extracts to cleanse even the most delicate animal skins and furs. Animal is formulated with the same research, development and care that we apply to our human product range. Enriched with Lemon Rind, Tea Tree and Spearmint Leaf extracts.

500ml, CHF 46 / £23

LoL, Sandra

Here is your sneak preview of the Louis Vuitton advertising campaign for S/S 2012 that captures the essence of this amazing collection perfectly and that is definitely among my favourites. It was shot by Steven Meisel who did also the Prada S/S 2012 campaign.

“The spirit of our S/S 2012 collection is reflected beautifully in this new ad campaign,” says Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Marc Jacobs. “All the tone and texture of the collection – the lightness, the prettiness, the broderie anglaise, the millefeuille layers of organza – are recreated in these wonderful images by Steven Meisel. It is all very soft and very sweet, yet at the same time very bold and very graphic.”

In an intriguing echo of the previous season, the Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 advertising campaign once again takes up the narrative of the fashion show, continuing it from the point where the woman steps daintily off the pure white fairground carrousel and into the pastel pink paradise of a nearby ice cream parlor.

Up-and-coming models Daria Strokous and Kati Nescher are the lucky pair chosen to sample the parlor’s assorted delights while wearing some of the season’s standout looks, including romantic broderie anglaise dresses, ladylike shifts embellished with strass, studs and 3D flowers, and sorbetcoloured suits with white lace collars. Accessories, too, feature prominently in the nine visuals, foremost among them the Lockit bag in sheer nylon voile that opened the runway show, the Speedy in powdered, whitewashed crocodile, and the pointed-toe mules in pastel shades with metal toe caps, dainty laces or rows of tiny buttons.

“The whole ambiance is very pretty, very special and very magical,” says Marc Jacobs, “and I’m sure it will look just delicious and fresh come the spring.”

The Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 advertising campaign will break in the February 2012 issues of magazines worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

I love the Prada S/S 2012 collection and the amazing accessories so much.
The new ad campaign is just the perfect addition!

Bathed in sunlight. Fuelled by optimism. Girls and cars stop and stare at the future in this Technicolor mise-en-scéne of desire. 1950s hot rods and muscle cars with spiky rear fins and bodies emblazoned with flames reflect the design motifs in the collection.
The iconographic language of Americana is re-drawn through more than half a century of pop and style culture. The gas station is cast as a central symbol in this post-modern crossroads of new horizons and economic fulfilment, a stage set where fashion, fantasy and the promise of new discoveries collide.

Through the lens of Steven Meisel, the consistently groundbreaking photographer of Prada’s campaigns, we see the models tower above us, the cars and modernist architecture set against an expanse of azure sky. His low angle and rich colouration emphasise the power and positivism in the campaign and collection message.

The diverse casting of models with distinct characters such as the blonde bombshell or the noir heroine creates a utopian celluloid narrative. A virtual collage of feminine film iconography unfolds in this hyper-real gas station fantasy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Say happy holidays your way with a gift of personalized M&M’s.

Available at My M&M’S®, this service gives you the opportunity to create your customized M&M’S by choosing your initials and by adding your own personalized message on the candies. The newest  feature allows you to even print logos or faces from a digital photo. What a perfect personalized favor idea!

You can choose from many different colors of M&M’S to match your party theme. Add in faces of your beloved ones along with your own messages and you have a treat your guests will love. Plus, it creates a great conversation piece at the guest table.

Needless to say, those M&M’s are wonderful all year long, the perfect little goodies for a wedding, a baby shower or your birthday party.

Almost to cute to eat them…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via My M&M’S® and Designerscouch.org

Here is your sneak preview of the Dolce & Gabbana Men S/S 2012 ad campaign.

Imagine life in a Southern Italian village, imagine scenes of an Italian-style comedy.
And now, imagine a campaign as a film interpreted by real actors such as Francesco Scianna, Filippo Nigro, Giuseppe Fiorello, Chiara Francini (just to name a few).

The main theme of this campaign is actually the Italian cinema, a continuous source of inspiration for the famous Italian designer duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana throughout their career.

The photos shot by Mariano Vivanco highlight the values of Dolce & Gabbana: the Italian spirit, tradition, family, love but also the ability to render the past contemporary, to capure its modernity.

I like and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana