Sandra‘s Closet

Today, I went last minute Christmas shopping. For the first time in my life, I haven’t been prepared for the festive season at all. I haven’t even written one single Holiday card. (Apologies here to all who have been expecting one). The last weeks had just been so filled with projects that everything else got delayed.

Nevertheless, Sunday shopping before Christmas Eve is pure torture, especially the food department was all about panic buying. Flat shoes and comfy clothes were essential.

My look: Coat and grey washed leather Soft Stirrup, both by Gucci, loose-fit cotton-jersey top by James Perse, Renard woven-striped leather skirt by Rag & Bone, sequined Monogram wool scarf and hat, both by Louis Vuitton (a gift from my recent trip to Gstaad with Louis Vuitton, more to be posted soon) and ruffled leather ankle boots by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I absolutely love scented candles and their calming effect. By creating a cozy atmosphere, just its glow can be comforting.
But mind, they are many differences in terms of quality and it is advisable to buy one made of good ingredients as some candles might produce smoke laced with toxins.

I recently came across CALMING PARK scented candles that are produced in Grasse, France, the world capital of perfume. They are made of organic palm wax and paraffin with a 12% perfume concentration. Their scents are absolutely gorgeous!

The classic range is available in 5 different fragrances:

CACTUS
The calming note of cactus, the pure transparece of water flowers and aloe vera on a background of precious woods.
CASHMERE
The exotic soothing trip to India, the woody notes of patchouli and cedar mingle with precious incense and myrrh balms.
FIG-BAMBOO
The cut grass, the leaves of the green fig tree and the gourmand wood notes accompanying the pure and calming bamboo.
SEQUOIA
The relaxing sandalwood note, , fresh pink berries associated with zesty notes of lime and tangerine spiced with cinnamon bark and clary sage.
SPA DE PROVENCE
The calming scents of the dew from a provencal garden, clarity leaves of green tea and fig, powdery notes of mimosa and heady jasmine on a wooden background of olive and orange leaves.

Today, you have the chance to win the very special candle L’ABSENCE that jazz sensation Melody Gardot has created in collaboration with CALMING PARK.

L’ABSENCE
The relaxing scent of lavander, the sensual notes of the ocean meet the woody notes of cedarwood, cashmere and iris, spiced up by patchouli and white musc.

To win, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Calming Park” to and like Sandra’s Closet on Facebook.

All entries must be received until January 4, 2013. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules.

For those who don’t want to rely on their chance to win, L’ABSENCE is available as limited edition at selected CALMING PARK’s stockists:

– LIMITED STOCK, ZURICH
– HAUTE PARFUMERIE THEODORA, GENEVA
– LISA FEILER, BERN
– EXCELSIOR, MILAN
– FIERTE, SEOUL

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Melody Gardot, © Agi Simoes and © Sandra Bauknecht

Perfume gift sets are always a nice way of surprising your beloved one. Look for her or his favourite scent to enjoy the complimentary items in the box that mostly are packed in little sizes, which is perfect for travelling. Marionnaud offers 20% on those boxes at the moment and check out Harrods by clicking HERE for up to 60% off during the ongoing beauty sale.

Here are some of my favorites:

Already a classic:
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette 50ml & Purse Spray 10ml
– CHF 108.- 

Love the orange blossom in this very feminine fragrance:
Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Toilette 50ml, Scented Body Lotion 75ml & Shower Gel 30ml
– CHF 106.-

A new scent inspired by the magic of the Provençal woods, a flower boquet of roses, peonies and the sparkeling seduction of red berries:
L’ Occitane Fleur Merveilleuses (Limited Edition) Eau de Toilette 75ml, Shower Gel 75 ml & 250ml, Soap 50g & Hand Cream 30ml
– CHF 109.-

Surprise your newly wed or madly-in-love friends with a fragrance duo that will look beautiful on display in their bathroom:
Bogner Heritage Edition for Woman Eau de Toilette 50ml & for Man Eau de Toilette 50ml
– CHF 59.- each

Last but not least, an exclusive limited edition of her favourite scent will make a wonderful present this Christmas. Sisley has been launching since 2002 each year a new version for the festive season of the house’s iconic Eau du Soir.
Sisley Eau du Soir Limited Edition 2012 (Limited to 8000) Eau de Parfum 100ml
– CHF 265.-

Another French house that is known for their beautifully crafted limited edition bottles is Lalique, a brand that has the art of crystal making in their DNA. For this year’s edition, it showcases an extraordinary dragonfly, the label’s lucky charm, cloaked in black.
Inside a great timeless classic, a majestic pure floral:
Lalique de Lalique Libellule Limited Edition 2013 Parfum 100ml
– CHF 1500.-

Thierry Mugler’s new limited edition collection for winter Les Parfums de Cuir (“The Fragrances of Leather”) is celebrating the twentieth birthday of the house’s perfumes. For the occasion, four new interpretations of the famous fragrances enriched with natural extracts of leather have been created, presented in a beautiful leather pouch.
Thierry Mugler Les Parfums de Cuir Angel Eau de Parfum 30ml, Alien Eau de Parfum 30ml, Womanity Eau de Parfum 30ml and A * Men Eau de Toilette 100ml
– CHF 84.- each (non-refillable)

Looking for an even more exquisite collectable? Guerlain might fulfill this wish. Celebrating the 100th birthday of the house’s legendary scent L’Heure Bleue, famous artists and celebrated houses alike have come together to create something truly special.
Guerlain L’Heure Bleue 1912-2012 Limited Edition, 4 Bottles 30ml (The original extract case and three new interpretations, embroidered by Lesage)
– CHF  4000.-
Guerlain L’Heure Bleue 100th Birthday Edition by Baccarat and Gripoix, Extrait 490ml
– Price on request

Those very limited editions are only available in selected stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bogner, Elie Saab, Guerlain, Lalique, L’ Occitane, Narciso Rodriguez, Sisley, Thierry Mugler Perfumes

Today it marks the 21st of December, 2012 – apparently judgment day, the date Mayans predicted to be the end of the world. An eternal scare story that leaves only one thing for certain, it won’t be the last apocalyptic prophecy.

Personally speaking, the 21st of December has always been my lucky day, it was my beloved grandmother’s birthday, it is the day my husband and I came together (which might have been already his personal Armageddon, haha).

Nevertheless, if the world goes down today, I will definitely go shopping before and get this outfit: Madame cotton-blend terry sweatshirt by Zoe Karssen, Natalie embroidered twill and satin mini skirt by Peter Pilotto, Bekket leather and suede sneakers by Isabel Marant and Pashli shark-embossed leather trapeze tote by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

LoL, Sandra

When money’s no object and your other half has everything he can wish for, finding a perfect Christmas present might be quite challenging. Only the most unique or outrageous for your loved one will obviously do, so here’s my pick of the ridiculously extravagant and special, part fantasy and all fun, from a ten thousand dollar backgammon set to a bag filled with garden tools.

Technology and men, you cannot go wrong with that! This limited edition cell phone was designed by Lapo Elkann, heir to Italy’s Fiat Automotive empire, and the creator of one of the most modern labels today, Italia Independent, in collaboration with Vertu. 
The phone boasts with the vibrant blue motif of Italia Independent and offers all the luxury concierge services Vertu is known for.
Constellation Blue by Vertu – CHF 9.700

For the nature lover:
Bag filled with garden tools by Prada, CHF 1990.-

This might be the perfect addition for your gardener to enjoy a snack outside:
3-piece picnic cutlery set by Hermès – CHF 1400.-

Luxury gaming is the perfect gift for the holiday season.
Chess set boxed in the house’s iconic Saffiano leather by Prada – CHF 3240.-

Hermès is also in the game and proposes, of course, something truly luxurious:
Backgammon set by Hermès – CHF 11050.-
The very exclusive piece is competing with …

… Prada’s playful approach at a more accessible price.
Backgammon set and Nine Men’s Morris, both by Prada, each CHF 2490.-

Miuccia’s “It-bag” for all lovers of this sport:
Golf bag – CHF 1240.- and tees – CHF 200.-, both by Prada

A very exclusive scent might always be a good choice. Let me introduce you to the new Essenze by Ermenegildo Zegna collection, comprising of five signature fragrances, each dedicated to one raw material, Italian Bergamot, Sicilian Mandarin, Javanese Patchouli, Indonesian Oud and Florentine Iris.

Available exclusively in Ermenegildo Zegna Boutiques (Switzerland, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Italy, UK, France, Germany, Austria, North America and Mexico).
In Zurich also sold at Jelmoli. Each scent (125ml) – CHF 260.-

For the true connoisseur: Your beloved one will love you for this leather travel case and spray, that will surely become his portable business trip companion. Not only is it the perfect size to slide into his briefcase, but, at 30ml, it’s way beneath the 100ml liquid limit on flights.
Acqua di Parma Essenza Leather Travel Spray – CHF 120.- (30ml)

Or how about this collector’s item designed by Silvia Fendi: A quintessentially case in black crocodile embossed leather for the Italian house’s signature scent, a limited edition object of luxury and desire bearing the emblematic Fendi codes. 
In Switzerland only available at the Fendi Boutique in Geneva.
Fan di FENDI Pour Homme Eau de Toilette, Limited Edition 2012 – CHF 337.-

Your world-travelling husband and boyfriend will thank you forever! Sleepless nights and drowsy mornings have become a common experience in today’s life. This bracelet with it’s Natural Frequency Technology helps wearers with a good and restful sleep and you might want to steal it off his wrist …
Sleep Bracelet with Natural Frequency Technology by Philip Stein, CHF 360.-
Available at Swiss Shop Duty Free, in Zurich at Max Affolter Uhren & Bijouterie, Limmatquai.

Who says I don’t cater to all tastes, here is an offbeat way to spice up your beloved man’s pen collection. You just have to choose if he is more the gun or sword type…
Pens, each CHF 330.- and document cases, each CHF 490.-, both by Prada

I hope that you have found some inspirations!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès, Prada, Vertu, Philip Stein, Ermenegildo Zegna, Acqua di Parma

The November 2012 issue of German Myself Magazine featured one page of my personal online shopping must-haves and gave me the possibility to be in charge of the layout.

Above you can see what I came up with. It is such an amazing feeling to spot it printed in the magazine on one whole page!

As an avid reader of Sandra’s Closet, you might recognize some of the pieces. Below, you can click on the tiny photos to be transferred directly to the outfit posts in which I am wearing them. There you can also find all information where to buy them.

Have a lovely day!

LoL, Sandra

Behind the 20th door of my advent calendar, I have a second chance for you to win the limited edition blogger T-shirt in collaboration with Closed. The first tee that you could win on Sandra’s Closet (click here for the previous post in which you can also see how I am wearing it) went to B. Young in the US. Congrats! Now, you have a second chance, Swiss Bolero magazine is raffling one off as well and it is the last day to enter HERE.

For all of you, who don’t want to rely on the contest, there are a few tees left in sizes M and XL, TO SHOP PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Thanks a lot to WadMag, Bolero, SI Style magazine and the Stil Magazine of NZZ am Sonntag for featuring my T-shirt!

LoL, Sandra

SI Style

NZZ am Sonntag – Stil Magazine – Nov 4, 2012

Following in his famous parents’ fashionable footsteps, Romeo Beckham is the leading star of Burberry’s S/S 2013 ad campaign, shot by a friend of the family, Mario Testino. According to the MailOnline, the 10-year-old was on the campaign set without mum Victoria or dad David, and was accompanied by his nanny and security guards.

Burberry’s S/S 2013 collection is a bright and playful collection and along Romeo, there are some more beautiful faces starring in the new campaign: Cara Delevingne, Max Rendell, Charlotte Wiggins, Alex Dunstan, plus Charlie France and  Edie Campbell, who appear in the first campaign image, alongside the celebrity offspring, with all three of them wearing the British House’s iconic beige trench coats with check print lining.

“This season’s campaign lights up with the infectious energy of an amazing young cast of old and new Burberry family. Cara, Edie, Charlie and Alex are joined by Max and Romeo, who was a joy to work with and really stole the show. We had such fun shooting the campaign and I think that comes through in the images which really reflect the upbeat spirit of the collection.”
Burberry Chief Creative Officer, Christopher Bailey

I like his cute happy grin!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry

Have you been looking for the perfect gift for a beloved one?
What about something stylish and special for the home? Below, you will find some oh-so luxe ideas that are tailored for the haute couture inspired taste. If you are interested, just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly to the shop!

LoL, Sandra

Giles illustration Leah plate by Giles

Nador velvet down and feather-filled cushion by Missoni

Nerja floral-print modal and cashmere-blend throw by Missoni

Miss Lanvin 34 porcelain figurine by Lanvin

Set of six Russian dolls by Lanvin

Mirrored stainless steel champagne bucket by Maison Martin Margiela by L’ATELIER d’Exercises

Monogrammed wool-blend blanket by Gucci

Dear Santa, I have been a very good girl, so please bring me the BERLINE MINI BAG by Hermès, it is totally my object of desire! And probably yours now, too!

BERLINE BAG by Hermès

Introduced for F/W 2012, the original Berline Bag is available in the size 28 (28x21x9 cm). While it takes on a new colour for S/S 2013, vermillon red, its features, inspired from the Kelly bag and the automobile universe, pay tribute to the house’s unique saddler-stuffer know-how.

Berline Bag Veau Swift – CHF 6600.-

BERLINE MINI BAG by Hermès

For the S/S 2013 season, it will be available for the first time as a miniature version in the size 21 (21x17x6 cm). This little sister of the Berline bag showcases Hermès’ saddler-padding know-how with its cushioned leather sections. Although its strap is thinner and longer for relaxed crossbody wear, its clasp and snap hooks take a strong stand in retaining their original size. Available in six colours, with matching strap.

Berline Mini Bags in Swift Calfskin – CHF 5650.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès