Sandra‘s Closet

In general on the last day of the year, I get very emotional and melancholic. I like to recall the past 12 months and remember the best moments. 2013 has been an exciting but also a very challenging year for me. A year that has taught me a lot and brought me many magic adventures that I shared with you.

For this year’s last post, I chose my favorite outfits of 2013 and hope that you will enjoy this little retrospective as much as I did putting it together. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world.

To a fabulous 2014, wishing you all a fantastic New Year’s Eve and only the best!
Thanks for following with all my heart!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2013: Persian Dinner at Parisa in DOHA

New Year’s Eve in DOHA – Sunday Night in MILAN – Annabelle Prix de Beauté 2013 in ZURICH

FEBRUARY 2013: At the Montblanc Charity Brunch in LOS ANGELES

Greetings from KITZBUEHEL in AUSTRIA – With Dior at Pin-up Studios in PARIS – First Night with Montblanc in LOS ANGELES

MARCH 2013: At Omega’s La Nuit Enchantée in VIENNA

Stripes and Florals in LOS ANGELES – At the Valentino F/W 2013 Show in PARIS – Fashion’s Night Out in ZURICH

APRIL 2013: Tribute to Photography Night in ST. MORITZ

At the Rodial Beautiful Awards in LONDON – One Sunny Day in STOCKHOLM – Crazy for Braids and Biker Jackets

MAY 2013: Radiant Day in ZURICH

Trending in My Town – MCM Store Opening in ZURICH – MCM Shoot Part 1

JUNE 2013: At the Gucci Museo in FLORENCE

Boat Party in CANNES – Off to FLORENCE – Firenze4Ever Summer Festival

JULY 2013: The Shorts Story HONG KONG

Vermillion in SANYA – Pagoda Style in LIJIANG – SHANGHAI Bund

AUGUST 2013: Rive Gauche Summer Party in ZURICH

Hiking in ICELAND – City Girl – A Lovely Wedding

SEPTEMBER 2013: NYFW

Bamboo Obsession – NEW YORK Fashion Week – Feather Girl

OCTOBER 2013: PARIS

Infinity Jewelry – I Love LONDON – Love Pink

NOVEMBER 2013: La Vie en Rose

Driven by Something – Vermeer Meets Valentino in PARIS – Plaid Factor

DECEMBER 2013: It’s a Plaid, Plaid World

A Byzantine Moment – Amazing Grace – A Sunny Day in GSTAAD

Collages and photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The title might sound a little pathetic looking at all the fur clothes that Miuccia Prada presented for her S/S 2014 collection. But even if you don’t like fur, you will have to admit that those designs are pieces of art. Colourful and vibrant, the craftsmanship that is needed to create those intarsia details is outstanding. Miuccia Prada uses the fur like a canvas and as most clothes cost as much as a masterpiece, why not combine the two? “Art” has been a major inspiration for many designers for the S/S 2014 season.

Personally speaking, I love the facial prints seen on the handbags the most. Cannot wait to get my hands on those…

Somebody else who couldn’t wait for those pieces to hit the shelves was no other than Marc Jacobs. He walked his dog on Christmas Day in Saint Barts wearing already one of the Prada S/S 2014 fur coats. He is a great admirer and friend of Miuccia Prada and I spotted him frequently at her Miu Miu shows in the afternoon after he had shown Louis Vuitton in the morning. 
Let’s see which one of the must-have pieces Anna Wintour and Anna Dello Russo will pick. Nevertheless, Marc was first!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: PacificCoastNews, Courtesy of Prada

This was the outfit I wore to the ASMALLWORLD gala dinner in Gstaad Mid December. I still owe you all the photos from this weekend. Please bare with me, they will be coming up shortly.
While being in Bangkok, I am a little too busy exploring the city and finding the best spots to tell you all about.

My look (also perfect for New Year’s Eve…): Lace gown by Alessandra Rich (50% off now), bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, satin clutch by Prada, earrings by Miu Miu and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

What happens at night stays there. MAC captures the moment when flashing lights illuminate a flair for finery and limitless luxury that can only be described as divine. Gorgeous colours in rich finishes inspire an evening on the scene and to be seen. Enjoy yourself – past midnight, the darkness keeps the secrets.

One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster… I cannot wait to wear those shades for New Year’s Eve in the Thai capital.

Here are the products I got for myself (starting clockwise from top left):

MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW in Captivating and Tonight’s Temptation – CHF 34.00
MINERALIZE BLUSH in Lavish Living – CHF 36.00
FROST LIPSTICK in You’ve Got It – CHF 31.00
FLUIDLINE EYE-LINER GEL in Deliciously Rich – CHF 27.00
CREMESHEEN GLASS in You’ve Got It – CHF 32.00
KOHL POWER EYE PENCIL in Raven – CHF 25.00
The DIVINE NIGHT collection is in stores worldwide now. Great news is that MAC has recently launched an online shop for Germany and Switzerland. To visit the site, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here you see me in London on my way to the NET-A-PORTER headquarters where I met with the Olsen Twins who presented their THE ROW S/S 2014 collection. Of course, all the photos will be coming up shortly. I actually surprised my daughter who is a huge fan of the famous twins. You should have seen her face when they entered the room… priceless.

My look: Leather dress, star-intarsia cardigan (also available as sweater) and Janis pumps, all by Saint Laurent, scarf by Gucci, Kelly So Black and Hapi leather bracelet, both by Hermès, punk-style bracelet by Miu Miu and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

MYTHERESA has started the winter sale and I browsed through the selection to put together a list of items you cannot go wrong with. Have fun shopping!

1 Rockstud Noir haircalf kitten heels by Valentino
Every season re-interpreted – an awesome pair to get on sale.

2 Susanna studded ankle boots by Chloé
Already a classic.

3 Leather ankle boots by Saint Laurent
Something that belongs into every woman’s closet.

4 Falabella striped clutch by Stella McCartney
Such a beautiful piece to be kept forever.

5 Obsedia leather and calf hair shoulder bag by Givenchy
Show your stylistic command with this object of desire.

6 Leather shorts by Isabel Marant Etoile
A great investment for the next season.

7 Leather and woll-blend biker jacket with fur collar by Victoria Beckham
You need a biker jacket and this one is perfect. No discussion!

8 Leather accented pencil skirt by Burberry London
Sexy and sharp. All said.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Mytheresa

I love this time of the year when the new makeup collections will soon hit the shelves. The main beauty trend for Spring 2014 is cute and sweet, soft pastel shades mixed up with some vibrant hues. All very feminine and romantic. Here is your sneak preview of CHANEL‘s Notes De Printemps, one of the most beautiful ones for the new season.

NAILS
Chanel Le Vernis (CHF 35.00 each)
• Charivari – a deep aubergine
• Tapage – a vibrant coral red

LE TEINT
Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte (CHF 62.00)
• Préface – translucent light peach

Le Blush Crème de Chanel (CHF 54.00 each)
• Intonation – intense coral pink
• Chamade – tangy rosy red

LE REGARD – EYES
Chanel Illusion d’Ombré (CHF 47.00 each)
• Impulsion – silver-shimmer pastel pink
• Diapason – violet-plum brown

Chanel Lumière Facettes Eyeshadow Quad (CHF 77.00) Création Exclusive (Edition Ephémère)
• Quadrille – Grey lavender, Shimmery gold-ivory, Satin apricot pink, Matte deep brown

LIPS
Chanel Rouge Allure (CHF 48.00 each)
• Mélodieuse – candy orange-red
• Fougueuse – fuchsia

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet (CHF 48.00 each)
• L’Adorée – matte plum
• La Diva – matte electric pink

Chanel Le Crayon Lèveres Lip Liner (CHF 34.00)
• Sonic Pink – soft pink

Chanel Glossimer – Lèvres Scintillantes (CHF 41.00 each)
• Murmure – coral
• Plaisir – sheer soft pink
• Sonate – red

Chanel Rouge Coco (CHF 46.00 each)
• Dédicace – sweet blue-based pink
• Triomphe – sweet peach pink

The collection will be available in Switzerland in the end of January 2014. In some other countries, like the United States, already around the 10th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel 2013

Recently, I was invited to La Réserve in Geneva, one of my favorite hotels in this area, to be pampered in their spa with the amazing products of Nescens. During my stay, I also had the honor to meet Professor Jacques Proust, a pioneer in the biology of aging and anti-aging medicine, who created fifteen years ago a center that is unique in Europe: “Centre de Prévention du Vieillissement” (Nescens Center for Preventive Medicine at the Clinique de Genolier).

Professor Proust’s passionate vision is pretty simple and easy to understand as every human being deeply aspires to enjoying the best of life for as long as possible and needless to say this is accomplished through the preservation of his or her appearance, physical fitness and health. He created Nescens to help every individual attain this legitimate desire.

Building on his years of fundamental research in the field of senescence, Professor Jacques Proust developed a deep interest in the therapeutic strategies susceptible of slowing down the effects of aging on the human body. As the largest and most exposed organ of the body, the skin naturally attracted his scientific interest. Based on his knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying the aging process, Professor Jacques Proust devised the Nescens cosmeceutical range and its product formulas which are all scientifically validated.

I can absolutely recommend a visit to the Nescens Medical Spa that is located inside the 5-star hotel La Réserve Genève. Being one of the best ones I have seen so far, it boasts 2,000 sq.m dedicated to well-being and the management of your health capital, under the supervision of a team of physicians, nutritionists and osteopaths.

I was absolutely impressed by this high performance anti-aging treatment program that combines technical prowess and ultimate comfort for long-lasting effectiveness and tailor-made support. The first diagnostic step, based on an in-depth analysis with the help of  dedicated machine, shows you the different aspects to be considered concerning skin aging, from dark spots to wrinkles, from its moisture level to its firmness. You see the now status and how it would develop if you didn’t consider working on its appearance. This enables your therapist to create a customized preventive and corrective treatment.

The big difference to other treatments is that Nescens delivers cellular regeneration, step by step, from the stratum corneum to the deep structure of the cells. An improvement is visible in just 10 sessions: the skin looks revitalized and rejuvenated; wrinkles appear visibly smoothed and diminished; the complexion is resolutely evened out and clarified. It was very impressive to see what is already possible in one hour, not to be speak of the long-term if you continue working with their products.

The Nescens range offers a resolutely innovative anti-aging approach based on the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance and repair of skin structures. If you are interested, check out their product range by clicking here.

I am absolutely convinced and can highly recommend the Swiss brand.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Product shot: © Nescens

Many great pieces have found their way into my closet this Christmas! Dear Santa, a huge thank you! Here is a sneak preview of what I will be wearing soon. Some of my gorgeous new clothes might be a little to wintery for my next destination. While you are reading this, I am on my way to Bangkok. Stay tuned for my new adventure and in the meantime enjoy some shopping!

1 Studded leather shift dress by Saint Laurent
2 Ruffled-collar top by Alexander McQueen
3 Gloria resin, Swarovski Pearl and crystal necklace by Lanvin
4 Wild Flower gunmetal-tone Swarovski crystal ear cuffs by Roberto Cavalli
5 Miranda wool and lace dress by Stella McCartney
6 Cool gold-tone ring by Lanvin
7 Ruffled leopard-print silk-chiffon blouse by Saint Laurent
8 Classic Plonge leather shorts by Saint Laurent
9 Black chiffon skirt by Saint Laurent
10 Patch-appliquéd skinny jeans by 3.1 Phillip Lim
11 Leather bra top by Saint Laurent
12 Zebra print top by Saint Laurent

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Merry X-mas to all of you. Christmas Eve was absolutely fantastic being surrounded by my loved ones in the comfort of my own home. In the morning after my last minute shopping tour, my daughter and I decorated our Christmas tree that turned out to be very girly in pink, white and silver with a touch of black. A few years ago, I decided to get an artificial tree. I always felt bad to cut one for only those few days and hated the cleaning up after the season was over. With the fake snow, I really love its look and to achieve this iconic pine smell, I use a little trick (Please click here for last year’s post). Each season, I also opt for another color scheme.

In the evening, we ate great food and dressed up just enough to feel special, but still be comfy. We always end up playing fun games and talk until late. After dinner, we exchanged gifts – the little extra magic and sparkle of a Christmas Eve. Being a mum, I felt like Sandra Claus seeing my daughter’s eyes filled with joy and happiness. It is one of those magical moments you treasure forever. My hubby really surprised me in a fun way. He had “bribed” my personal shopper at net-à-porter and got me some of my favorite items from my wish list. My personal shopper told me she had to take them out of my basket as they were defect and I had been so disappointed… great idea, I have to say! I cannot wait to show you my new pieces.

My look for Christmas Eve matching my tree: Pink cowl-back silk-sateen dress (from the new Resort 2014 collection, also available in black) and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent, art deco earrings by Prada, cuff by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, Twenties stay-up by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht