Sandra‘s Closet

For my Swiss and German based readers: My new column in the SI Style magazine is available now. This time, I am telling you more about La Nuit Monégasque and the Versace for H&M launch party in NYC.

Moreover, the Swiss Peach Paper is featuring two pages of my must-haves in their recent edition.

I was really excited that Elle Bélgique featured me and my post about the amazing decor for Chanel’s Paris-Bombay show.

Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Spotted on many celebrities, the Balenciaga.Leather biker jacket can be named a true classic. Each season, the French fashion house is launching it in new tempting colours.  The jacket has long sleeves, zip up detail and is made of 100% lamb skin.

While the classic black version never goes out of style, your daydream calls probably for a slightly more whimsical iteration of the biker look.

I am having it in a bright orange and I am loving it! Below I am wearing it with leather pants by Balenciaga, a top by Miu Miu, shoes by YSL and a daisy necklace by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A formal statement has been released by net-à-porter.com: Karl Lagerfeld’s exclusive new collection will be revealed on January 25, 2011. To sign up for Karl’s Kult, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

This revolutionary magnetic nail lacquer by nails inc. London used to create stunning 3D nail art designs in chic metallic shades is a lovely gift for a nail polish devotee or for yourself to wow during X-mas time.

Choose from three magnetic polishes named after iconic London attractions: Trafalgar Square (chrome), Houses of Parliament (purple), and Whitehall Teal (teal). I am using Houses of Parliament in the pictures.

This unique formula has been specially developed with metallic particles to create a pattern on the nail using magnetic forces. As the magnet is held over the nail, the iron powder in the formulation gravitates toward the magnet forming the pattern secretly hidden in the magnet for an astonishing finish. The magnet is included in the cap of the nail polish.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Those nail polishes are available at  Sephora. For a tutorial, I recommend this video:

Now it is time to marvel about the amazing nail designs that you have created!

LoL, Sandra

Here is your sneak preview of the Versace for H&M resort line that will only be available online starting January 19th already. The fanfare that surrounded the launch of the first Versace for H&M line will surely continue.

Expect lots of phone calls from friends that are living for example in Switzerland or the United States where H&M’s online shopping has not been launched yet!

More exciting news at the end of this post…

And of course, some must-haves for the men won’t be missing either:

News are out this morning that Sofia Coppola, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner, will direct the campaign film to support the launch of Marni at H&M on March 8, 2012!
Love her!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

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

Here is another great contest with Lyst and Neiman Marcus!

Every day from now until December 24th, Neiman Marcus will post a featured product as a collection on the NM Lyst page. Participants are asked to create a collection on their own Lyst user accounts that includes the featured product. From these collections, Neiman Marcus will select one collection that exhibits the most original and on-trend use of the featured product, and the winner will be awarded a $250 Neiman Marcus gift card via email. (The prize will be sent to the email address attached to the user’s Lyst account.) The winners will be announced the following day. There is no limit to the number of collections a user creates, and each user may enter all daily contests. No purchase required.

Please click here to participate!

If you are interested in my entry for today, just click here.

LoL, Sandra

A*MEN

Sautéed John Dory filets, 
celeriac puree/cinnamon/nutmeg, cranberries, oil infused with Tahitian vanilla
Strong coffee sauce

Piquillo and Espelette pepper condiment

Serves 4

Preparation time: 40min.

Cooking time: 25 min.

Celeriac puree

• 1 head of celeriac of about 1.3-1.6lbs (600-700gr)
• 75ml (1/3 cup) of sour cream
• 20g (1/10 cup) of butter
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Peel the celeriac and cut it into large pieces.

Boil the celeriac in 3 quarts of water for 15 to 20 minutes until soft.

Strain and pour it into a food processor with the sour cream and butter.

Blend until the puree is thick and creamy.

Season with nutmeg and cinnamon according to taste, then season with salt.

Cranberries

• 50g (1/2 cup) of cranberries
• 50g (1/5 cup) of sugar
• 50ml (1/5 cup) of water

Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a small pot.

Let the cranberries gently candy in the syrup for about 15 minutes.

Vanilla oil

• 50ml (1/5 cup) of grape seed oil
• 50ml (1/5 cup) of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 vanilla bean

Combine the oils.

Halve the vanilla bean lengthwise, remove the seeds with a knife and add (beans and seeds) to the oil.

Let infuse for a few days to allow the vanilla to release its fragrance.

John Dory

• 4 John Dory filets (120g – without skin)
• 20g (1/10 cup) of coffee beans
• 50g (1/5 cup) of duck fat
• 50g (1/5 cup) of butter
• Salt

Season the John Dory filets with salt.

Sauté them in a pan, in the duck fat and coffee beans, for 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove from heat, add butter and cook until it melts. Pour generously over the fish filets.

The little extra: Piquillo and Espelette pepper condiment

• 4 Piquillo peppers
• 15ml (1 tbsp) of olive oil
• Espelette pepper
• Salt

Mix the Piquillo peppers with the olive oil in a food processor. Do not overblend.

Season with salt and Espelette pepper according to taste.

Presentation

Place a large spoonful of celeriac puree on to each plate.

Add the John Dory filet.

Garnish with a few cranberries, then pour a thin line of the cooking butter and a thin line of the vanilla oil over them.

Taste as is at first, then add the Piquillo pepper condiment.
Bon appétit!

LoL, Sandra

This is an contest for all Polyvore lovers among you or those who would like to try it!
The Art of Gifting with Swatch brings a flash of opulence and classic Swatch elegance to the season for you and a friend. Create a stylish set inspired by our stunning Golden Rebel and Shimmer Ray timepieces, and you could win one each just in time for Christmas. Simply design your set as a gift for a friend, tag them using their Polyvore username, then share your inspiration with the world. If you create the winning set, you and your friend will receive the ultimate Christmas gift – a watch each from the Swatch Season’s Special Collection. Please use one tag only per set.

The contest runs from today until December 17, 2011. You can enter it below!
Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Parisian Shourouk Rhaiem’s fashion motto is “luxury and decadence”, and her self-titled jewelry label stands by it. Having cut her teeth as a designer at Chloé and Cavalli, Rhaiem’s talents shone when she was commissioned by Jean Paul Gaultier to create the jewels for his F/W 2009 couture show. Bring the wow factor to your accessories collection with her Swarovski-crystal clusters on neon-cord bracelets and dazzling drop earrings.
The perfect gift for every fashionista! To shop, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

PS, on my wish list are those E. Vegas crystal and sequin earrings

and this amazing feather crystal and bead bib necklace.