Sandra‘s Closet

Embrace the warm season with Jo Malone‘ s gorgeous new limited edition fragrance:
Plum Blossom.

Bursting with optimism, the Plum Blossom scent is an uplifting addition to the Jo Malone collection, perfect both on its own or layered preferably with Nectarine Blossom & Honey.

Opening with the fruitful freshness of yellow plum, its floral heart blooms on a background of creamy sandalwood and white musk.

Available online and in boutiques from May 2012.
Plum Blossom Cologne, CHF 130 (100ml) and CHF 68 (30ml).
In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

This scent will surely lift your mood whatever the weather.
And as it is limited, you better buy ahead!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Yesterday’s post about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee inspired me to take out my “Union Jack” bags. The use of the Union Jack in fashion is obviously nothing new and I have always been a huge fan of the British flag. As for me, it has already become a fashion classic.

My Union Jack classics from left to right: Bag by Chanel and clutch by Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen is probably one of the main perpetrators of this trend. The brand’s veritable explosion of Union Jack patterns on clothes and accessories make fashionistas drool with desire. Seriously, it’s like the flag just takes every outfit to a complete new level of style.

To shop those fashion classics, click on the highlighted text.

LoL, Sandra

Red, blue and white crystal box clutch “Union Jack” by Alexander McQueen

Beige crystal box clutch “Union Jack” by Alexander McQueen

God Save McQueen printed modal-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen

Distressed Union Jack wool and silk-blend scarf by Vivienne Westwood

Vintage Union Jack-print Wellington boots by Hunter

Photos: Vogue Italia and © Sandra Bauknecht

2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. The celebration of her Diamond Jubilee will be going on throughout the year.
Interesting to know is that Queen Victoria in 1897 was the only other monarch in the histories of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and a few other Commonealth realms to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.

Explore some of the cool limited editions to be launched for that special occassion:

In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Harrods has created together with the famous perfume house Bond N°9 a limited edition fragrance, called Harrods Jubilee . The scent consists of amber, musk and sandalwood along with Lantana leave, dry leave and mace. It is available now from the store’s Perfumery Hall and retails at £290 for a 100ml bottle.

In April 1926, Floris had released a pretty floral scent called Royal Arms to celebrate the birth of Princess Elizabeth earlier that month. It had notes of rose, violet and ylang ylang.

To commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Floris, the only perfumer to hold a Royal Warrant from the Queen, slightly changed the original recipe but keeping the original floral character formed by essence of rose, the queen of flowers.

Royal Arms Diamond Edition EdP is on sale at John Lewis at £99 for a 100ml bottle (and at florislondon.com). There is also a limited amount of Royal Arms Diamond Edition in perfume strength which will be decanted into only six antique crystal dressing-table bottles of which one will surely be given to Her Majesty.

The most eccentric British fashion designers of all, Vivienne Westwood, pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee with an honorary collection featuring ready-to-wear and fashion jewelry that will be available in May in all Vivienne Westwood stores.

The Red Carpet Capsule Collection stays true to the opulent Westwood archive and was inspired by outfits that the Queen has actually worn. The patriotic designer’s logo is a royal ORB with a cross on top, bejewelled and impressive as befits the Queen of British fashion. Westwood became Dame Commander of the British Empire in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List “for services to fashion”.

For this royal occasion, the “Kaiser” Karl Lagerfeld, himself will be offering live commentary of the official event on French television channel France 2 on June 3. He will surely enjoy his latest assignment as fashion commentator as he already did last year, when the Chanel helmet participated in a French live broadcast about the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, attracting five million viewers.

And there’s no doubt the Queenie is one seriously stylish muse. After 60 years on the throne the queen’s outfits on her thousands of visits and tours have proved she is a bastion of good taste and style. She loves tone on tone looks with blue being her favourite colour choice. I mean there has to be a reason that blue is called royal. I know this fact thanks to a recent report featured in Vogue magazine for which editors have studied every outfit Her Majesty has worn in the last 12 months.

A year ago, all eyes were on the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Congrats to the couple on their first wedding anniversary today!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vivienne Westwood, Harrods, Floris, Getty Images and Vogue

Louis Vuitton is revealing a new interpretation of its famous Monogram flowers. Each motif has its own corresponding colour of gold —rose, yellow or white, brought to life with the sparkle of a diamond. A precious matrix and a fundamental equation at the heart of a jewel, to be worn in infinite ways.

Monogram Idylle offers an invitation to play with bracelets and necklaces to be linked together, stacked up, mixed up or changed around. Individual earrings for a deliberately mismatched look and a triple ring for a collection of contrasts, the lightweight design and purity of the gold combine to give a fun, ultra-feminine collection of talisman jewellery.

I absolutely adore the idea of mixing and matching those beautiful jewelry pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Let me introduce you to BoBo House, a brand new fashion label launched in early 2012.

Founder and designer, Eloise Lapidus brings her experience, fresh style, and Parisian charm to her line of apparel. As daughter of world-renowned French designer, Ted Lapidus, Eloise’s keen fashion sense has been instilled in her ever since childhood.

Introduced by her father’s designs, worn and coveted by icons such as Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Francoise Hardy and John Lennon to name a few, Eloise is greatly inspired by ’60s and ’70s bourgoise bohemians, or “Bobos” of Paris and St. Tropez. Thus, her collections are comprised of classic pieces that are romantic while discreet and effortlessly sexy offering ultra‐soft tees, luxurious leggings and a bit of Parisian je‐ne‐sais‐quois like floral chiffon pareos and leathers vests. Pricepoints run from $85 – $499.

Very romantic rocker – I like!

BoBoHouse is now available at Los Angeles-it-girl-staple boutique SATINE. Jeannie Lee, Satine shop owner, describes Bobo House as “Whimsical, spontaneous and fresh.”
For other stockists, please click here.

If you are interested in a shopping guide for Los Angeles, click here for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Satine Boutique and BoBo House

“Juste un clou”, bracelet, yellow gold, large size

Turn a nail into jewelry, see beauty in its barest, clearest state and reveal the object just as it is. From the toolbox to your jewel box, Cartier‘s new collection “Juste un clou” offers just a nail yet a precious item of jewellery.

The first nail bracelet was originally conceived by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier New York in the ’70s. Echoing the festive wildness at heart that sprung up around the iconic Studio 54, this classic piece was ahead of its time, displaying a modernity that remains up to date: the bracelet is back, redesigned to nail contemporary style.

Bracelets and rings in yellow, white or pink gold, natural or paved with diamonds, in large and small sizes. The proverbial nail on the head. So ’70s and so chic!
In Cartier boutiques now.

LoL, Sandra

“Juste un clou” ring, pink gold, diamonds

“Juste un clou” bracelet, pink gold, small size, “Juste un clou” bracelet, white gold, small size, “Juste un clou” bracelet, pink gold, diamonds, small size, “Juste un clou” bracelet, yellow gold, small size

Photos: © Cartier 2012

Turn back the clock overnight.
La Prairie‘s scientists have combined the breakthrough brilliance of Cellular Power Infusion with time-released Retinol – the most effective de-aging ingredient – and a revitalizing boost of Oxygen to balance and resurface your skin each night.

Why night?
Cellular Power Charge Night takes advantage of your skins natural resting state to perform necessary recovery functions. Wrinkles are repaired, signs of aging are erased, cell turnover is accelerated and oxygen is boosted – all which means you will wake up to younger looking skin.

I have tried this product for three months now and I find it absolutely fantastic. 
Use it every night, after cleansing, on clean skin, with no other product between the skin and the formula. Depress the top of the pump once or twice to dispense both cream and gel, in equal amounts, to the back of the hand.  Mix together with fingertips and apply to face and neck. Smooth any remaining residue over back of hands. Use one or two pumps. Moisturizer may be applied over it, if desired. Available for CHF 544.00 (40ml/ 1.35 FL OZ.)

Thanks to La Prairie Cellular Power Charge Night, you’ll never have to look your age again!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie

Men, don’t be afraid of hair loss anymore. Kérastase has heard your cries for help against premature balding. Their solution? The Kérastase Homme Capital Force — the first hair care range for men designed to protect against hair loss and thinning areas.

Kérastase’s 1st double-action roller ROLL-ON ANTI-CHUTE with Système Taurine and a massaging ball helps maintain the density of thinning hair. Apply the product every day for one minute on the receding hair lines and enjoy the cooling effect of this easy-to-use roll-on.

Available at select Kérastase salons for CHF 41.- along with the complete product range, including the new Kérastase Homme Capital Force Bain Vita-Energetique, a shampoo for daily use formulated specifically for normal hair types. Its superior three-tiered nourishing, stimulating and cooling action helps to achieve a healthy scalp and to strengthen the hair fibre, CHF 26.-.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase

This was my look for a very fun party last Saturday. Sorry for the quality of the photos. We took them when we came home which was probably not the best idea.

Flared barnacle-intarsia dress by Alexander McQueen, cashmere-blend cropped jacket by Stella McCartney, Obsession pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, grey suede clutch by Prada, pony skin cuff by Céline, cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli and earrings by Christian Dior.

I am completely in love with my new McQueen dress. The cut is amazing and it is so comfy – great for dancing. This is fabulous fashion!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Land Rover unveiled a Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham in Beijing, China this week. The exclusively designed four-seat coupe Special Edition is the result of a collaboration with Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern, and Victoria Beckham.

This special edition comes with the hand-finished matte gray paint, unique 20″ gloss black forged alloy wheels and rose-gold details. Inside, there are dark mohair carpets combined with tan leather, bold baseball-style stitching chosen by Beckham and matching luggage. It is powered by a 2-liter turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham will begin deliveries in October.

Victoria Beckham has been surprising us with new jobs continuously, international pop star, award-winning fashion designer, style icon, supermom, and luckiest wife in the world. She can now add automobile designer to her list.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Land Rover