Sandra‘s Closet

A little Christmas greeting from Paris, where I am at the moment, that hopefully will fill you up with holiday cheer! The gigantic tree at Galeries Lafayette is pretty impressive and puts you immediately in the mood for shopping. Paris during the festive season is absolutely the best.

Next to the Galeries Lafayette, the famous department store Printemps attracts the customer with a Chanel – installation of miniature Karl Lagerfeld puppets doing all sorts of things.

There is only one thing to say: “J’adore Paris!”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Those mini micro bags are cuteness on a whole new level and a perfect way for every girl to own a Miu Miu. It’s easily attachable to your regular sized handbag. Enjoy the attention!

Available in Miu Miu stores now or online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

As promised, here are the photos that I took during the Chanel Paris – Bombay Pre-fall 2012 Métiers d’Art show in Paris last week. My eyes could not get enough of this opulent perfection, I truly loved the show and had to capture every single moment which meant over 200 photos.

Every year since 2002, Chanel has taken the Métiers d’Art show as an opportunity to showcase master craftsmanship. The artisanal crafts of embroidery, leather work, featherwork, boot‐making, millinery, and gold and silversmithery are represented by Lesage, Montex, Desrues, Lemarié, Massaro, Michel and Goossens, each striving to honour its unique heritage. Karl Lagerfeld spotlighted their skill last week at the Grand Palais in Paris, whose Galerie Courbe had been transformed for the day into a luxurious Maharaja’s palace. We were seated at an almost surreal banquet, transported by gentle jasmine aromas as they feasted their eyes on the Paris‐Bombay collection. For more photos of the decor, please have a look at the previous post by clicking here.

The show whisked me away to a Bombay dripping with opulence. “It’s a concept of India. More Chanel than India. The Parisian version of an India that doesn’t exist,” elaborated Karl Lagerfeld. He could not have described it better. It was a very modern extraordinary take on the India without being a masquerade. The designer played with the details and made me crave for every single look. But see for yourself:

Under the glow of chandeliers and ceiling lights, the Paris ‐ Bombay collection evoked a new femininity. The charm of India, the pomp and splendour of fabrics and the magic of gemstones intermingled with the Chanel aesthetic of cascading pearls, contrasting black and white, and braided tweed jackets.

One of my favourite looks was this hot pink dream!

The probably most Indian-inspired looks presented a new stunning silhouette of the sari in a modern masculine‐feminine concept, inspired by Maharajah style, glorified in splendid draped fabric, and ultra‐feminine in a dainty jacket with diamante epaulettes. Inspired by the achkan, the brocade jacket with Nehru collar was manifested here in a series of alter‐egos: a gold‐embroidered darted jacket with pearl braiding, a white plastron jacket with mirror‐embroidered pockets, a darted half‐belt jacket with baroque‐pearl‐studded collar, a riding jacket and crested blazers with tailored shoulders.

Needless to say, the jewelry was divine. You would like to own every single piece!

The “bride” appeared on the runway in an embroidered ivory silk crepe dress draped over the body and head. Cue the sensuous rustle of saris exiting the Maharajah’s palace to decorate cities everywhere.

THE ACCESSORIES:

Karl Lagerfeld reinterpreted the already iconic Chanel Boy Bag in many different versions. The bi-coloured one below with the embellished strap can be only described as absolutely divine!

All shoes were flat with thigh‐boot flats stamped with arabesque motifs that marvellously set off the most luxuriant materials. Get yourselves on the wait lists now!

HAIR & MAKE UP:

Jewel‐buttons, jewelled bindis were adorning the forehead. The hair was done in a Rasta style. The focus of the make up was laying on the eyes with a heavy kohl embellishing the smokey eyes. Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Make up, came up with a graphic, mysterious interpretation of an iconic Indian beauty.

On the nails: The new Le Vernis Diwali that Peter Philips had specially created for the Chanel Paris-Bombay Métiers d’Art show! This new light golden shade which will hit the shelves around June 2012 will be a must next summer.

THE MUSE:

No Chanel show without Karl Lagerfeld’s muse: Baptiste Giabiconi.

And last but not least some hard facts about the stunning Paris-Bombay decor:

– 50 meter long buffet table
– Flowers: roses; jasmin or lotus flowers
– Small train which distributes beverages (100 meter rail) around the buffet
– Bell jars, danishes, fruits baskets, glass ornement chandeliers….
– Floor: sequined sand, roses petals

I am definitely not exaggerating by saying that this was the most amazing show I have ever been to! Thank you, Karl!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The perfect gift for yon-the-go city girls:
The fashionable coffee cup sleeve by Jimmy Choo.

Coffee-drinking fashionistas will love Jimmy Choo‘s sleek Rika leather coffee cup holder that comes in either python print or black croc-effect.
To order, please just click on the highlighted text.

This lavish accessory is your ticket to chic on the coffee run and will make mornings a touch more stylish. It comes in a nice little box.

LoL, Sandra

Lindsay Lohan‘s highly classified Playboy photo shoot leaked to the internet, one week before the issue was set to hit newsstands. The famous magazine is said to have paid $1 million for this Marilyn Monroe-inspired spread.

Her feet instantly caught my eye because I spotted a fabulous pair of tan Tribtoo suede leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

A great investment and a wonderful gift for yourself. And if you put them on and nothing else, you might have found the perfect X-mas surprise for your partner as well.
To the art of seduction! It is never too late to be nice, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

Seeking inspiration this Christmas? Looking for something truly special that your beloved one will always remember? A special piece of jewelry or those one-of-a-kind Altiplano watches by Piaget are a gift that everyone’s guaranteed to love. One detail that makes them so special is the enamel orchid motif on the dial.

The craftsmanship of enamelling is difficult to master, and the artisans possessing such skills are an increasingly rare breed. With precision and technique, successive layers of crushed raw enamel are applied and baked, increasing both the intensity and the purity of the colours. Although a highly risky process, after over 20 separate firings in an oven, the enamel image is set forever, and its colours retain their radiance down through the ages.

See for yourself the one-of-a-kind works of art of the enamel specialist combined with those of the Piaget watchmakers:

Piaget Altiplano watch, 38 mm. Case in 18K white gold set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.7 ct.). Dial in enamel orchid motif. Manufacture Piaget 430P ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical movement. Unique piece.

Boutique exclusivity

As those beauties are unique pieces and boutique exclusives, you will have to visit the Piaget store nearest to you to explore them. For a store locator, please click here.

For my Zurich based readers, I recommend a visit to the new store on Bahnhofstr. 38. that opened its doors last Thursday. Please see photos below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Piaget

It is this exciting time of the year when the new pieces for Resort 2012 are hitting the shelves. Indulge yourself with spring coolness and enjoy the vibrant colours. Probably you are one of the lucky ones leaving for an exotic hot spot. But even if you are going to the mountains, you could work this metallic leather mini skirt by Gucci with boots, tights and a great sweater perfectly. To shop the pieces, please just click on the highlighted text below:

Shopping Wish List

Intrecciato oxidized-silver bracelet by Bottega Veneta

Metallic leather mini skirt by Gucci

Croc-embossed leather mini skirt by Kelly Bergin

Printed silk blouse by Peter Pilotto

Tribtoo suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent

Marlene feather and suede sandals by Jimmy Choo

Single quilted leather shoulder bag by Marc Jacobs

LoL, Sandra

No more tickets for parking violations with this gorgeous park disc! A cute gift for all shopaholics!

Available for CHF 25 at www.kidsandthecity.ch (contact Mrs Nina Arnold-Shah for further enquiries at +41 79 7683723). For other designs, please see below.

LoL, Sandra

WOMANITY
Sea bream tartare, hazelnuts and grapefruit zest,
cocoa bean mousseline, caviar de France

Fig chutney juice

Makes 4 hors d’oeuvre

Preparation time: 20 min.

Cooking time: 20 to 25 min. (not including the preparation of the mousseline and chutney to be done the day before)

Cocoa bean mousseline

• 200g (1 cup) of fresh beans (or 150g (3/4 cup) of dried beans)
• 80g (1/5 lb) of French country ham
• 1 carrot
• 1 onion
• 1 small branch of celery
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 bouquet garni
• 1 quart of poultry bouillon (otherwise, water)
• 20g (1/10 cup) of duck fat
• 20ml (1.1/3 tbsp) of liquid cream
• 2ml (1/2 tsp) of olive oil
• Salt
• Espelette pepper

If the beans are dried, soak them in a large bowl, covering well with water and let sit overnight in the refrigerator.

Dice the ham and chop the carrot, onion, garlic clove and celery into large pieces. In a cast iron crockpot, fry these ingredients in the duck fat.

When the mixture is slightly browned, add the beans, bouquet garni and pour in the poultry bouillon (Do not add salt or pepper as this toughens the skin of the bean).

Let cook: 20 minutes for fresh beans, 40 minutes for dried beans.

Once the beans are cooked, season with salt and Espelette pepper and let cool.

Separate the beans from the rest of the garnish and blend them in a mixer with two tablespoons of natural stock.

Sift the mixture into a fine puree.

Add the cream and olive oil, season with salt and Espelette pepper.

Sea bream tartare

• 200g (7oz) of sea bream
• Grapefruit zest
• Juice from 1/4 of a grapefruit
• 20g (1/10 cup) of hazelnuts
• 5ml (1tsp) of olive oil
• Salt
• Espelette pepper

Coarsely chop the flesh of the sea bream with a knife, then season with salt and Espelette pepper in a small bowl.

Add the olive oil, crushed hazelnuts, zest and grapefruit juice according to taste and mix gently.

The little extra: fig chutney

• 350g (2.1/4 cups) of fresh black figs
• 175g (1 cup) of dried figs
• 100g (1/2 cup) of white wine vinegar
• 150g (2/3 cup) of Montbazillac wine
• 100g (1/2 cup)  of granulated sugar
• 100g  (1/3 cup)  of mountain honey
• 1g (1/2 tsp) of crushed bell pepper
• 2g (4/5 tsp) of ground cinnamon
• Juice from 1/2 a lemon
• Orange zest

Cut the fresh figs into 8 sections and cut dried figs into large pieces.

Mix the fresh figs, sugar and lemon juice, then let macerate one hour.

In a separate bowl, combine the dried figs and wine.

Bring the vinegar and honey to a simmer in a pan and reduce by half.

Add in the spices, wine, zest, dried figs and macerated fresh figs.

Bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes and let cool.

Tip from the Chef: It is always better to prepare a chutney about two weeks before serving to allow the spices and fragrances to develop.

Presentation

• 12g (3 tsp) of French caviar
• Borage leaves (optional)

Cut out four quenelles of sea bream tartare with a pastry cutter and display them on four small plates.

Place 3g (4/5 tsp) of caviar on each quenelle and add a piece of silver leaf and a few borage leaves as decoration.

Add a wisp of green bean mousseline.

Taste as is at first, then top with a thin line of fig chutney jus.
Bon appétit!

LoL, Sandra

“Swept over cheeks or dabbed on lips, nothing lights up your face like shimmer.”
– Bobbi Brown

Add a little sparkle and outshine the Christmas tree! For the holiday season, Bobbi adds the limited edition Party Shimmer Brick to her iconic collection. This high luster combo of silver and gold will brighten your face for a glowing effect or will work perfectly as a highlighter for the eyes. It makes a great gift for a lovely girlfriend.

Using the two shades separately or together provides more options than you might expect.
I even use it over my body lotion. My must-have for New Year’s Eve!

Available now for CHF 69.

LoL, Sandra