Sandra‘s Closet

In June 2014, Cash & Rocket will return for its third consecutive year, and this time the amazing Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli want to make this journey even bigger and better and are once again participating in the charity event, which will take place from June 5th to 8th, 2014.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli with me

Seventy women from the worlds of fashion, music, cinema and business will begin the car tour from the striking Piazza San Marco of Venice which ends in London, with stops along the way in Geneva and Paris. The donations collected will help support three important humanitarian organizations – Shine On Sierra Leone, OrphanAid Africa and Sumbandila – to support African children and their families with health assistance and educational programs in Sierra Leone, Ghana and South Africa.

For the occasion and to further support the project, Maison Valentino will donate 20% of proceeds from the sale of several products from the Rouge Absolute Signature capsule collection and six other special products especially created by Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

These special items will be available at www.valentino.com and www.net-à-porter.com and in Valentino boutiques in Paris and London.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Co-Creative Director, came in first last year raising the most amount of money and she is determined to beat her own personal record. She will be personally involved in fundraising monies and will drive one of the thirty-five red sports cars that will travel 1600km, from Venice to London.

“As a woman and mother, I am very happy to be able to help other women and children. I am profoundly convinced that it is essential to give them an opportunity for development and education, which gives me a chance to give back what I have received” – Maria Grazia Chiuri.

The Valentino team can be followed along the different stages of the race through the dedicated donation website Just Giving. Let’s help Maria Grazia to win once again first place and to collect the most donations!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino and Cash & Rocket

Are you invited this weekend and still looking for the perfect outfit? Yellow is a feminine and eye-catching way to work this season’s pastel palette. Add some provocative accessories and off you go to steal everyone the show… enjoy!

Get the look: Flo stretch-crepe dress by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, handcuff perspex clutch by Charlotte Olympia, Beautyk 100 cutout metallic patent-leather sandals by Christian Louboutin and gold-plated multi-stone necklace by Bijoux Heart.

LoL, Sandra

Here is the third look from my photo shoot in Los Angeles with PIAGET. I had so much fun dancing on Mulholland Drive. As most of you know, ballet has been one of my biggest passions my whole life and those photos have become my favorites in a long time. I felt so free and happy moving around in this Givenchy outfit while angry drivers were honking at me. You might recognize my look by the way from my recent Dubai post.

My look: Confetti print blouse and matching high waisted wide leg chiffon pants, both by Givenchy, Boy bag with chains by Chanel, Spencer leather lapel jacket andAlice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent. Jewelry by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: David Shama

Thierry Mugler presents a new limited edition version of its most popular women’s fragrance Angel from 1992 for the summer season. Angel Eau Sucrée is a mischievous and delicious new interpretation, an invitation to indulge in pure gourmand pleasure.

Angel Eau Sucrée, developed by Dorothee Piot, retains some of its original notes as well as combining three new additions. Its pearly star-shaped bottle is sprinkled with glitter reminiscent of sugar. The packaging is inspired by vintage confectionery and it evokes memories of sweet little childhood treats.

ORIENTAL VANILLA

Top notes: Red Berries
Middle note: Meringue
Base notes: Patchouli and Vanilla

Available as 50 ml Eau de Toilette (non- refillable) starting end of May 2014.

The French delicacies house Fauchon has been fully inspired by Mugler’s newest fragrance launch and has created the “Angel Eclair“, for which the composition of the Angel Eau Sucrée has been translated into this gourmet treat that features almond praline, caramel and vanilla notes. This limited edition will be on sale at Fauchon’s Place de la Madeleine store in Paris until June 7, 2014.

The perfect union between two senses: smell and taste!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Thierry Mugler and Fauchon

The fast fashion trend has arrived on our nails. OPI partners with The Coca-Cola Company to release nine new limited edition nail lacquers inspired by some of the most recognized drinks. Coca-Cola by OPI offers a range of colors and hues representing everything from classic red for Coca-Cola to metallic silver for Coke Light, dark red and black for Coke Zero, black cherry for Cherry Coke, cream and warm pink for Vanilla Coke, shimmering citrus green for Sprite and bright orange and deep purple for Fanta Orange and Fanta Grape.

Coca-Cola by OPI will be available in both nail lacquer and GelColor formulas mid June 2014. Nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

While being in Cannes for the 67th Film Festival, I visited Chopard‘s rooftop terrace at the Hotel Martinez to explore the stunning Haute Joaillerie Red Carpet Collection 2014. The glamourous stars of the Cinecittà studios in Rome inspired the breathtaking jewelry pieces Caroline Scheufele designed this year. 67 unique creations bring back the voluptuous beauty of the actresses who lit up the heyday Italian cinema of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Funnily enough, my outfit matched the decor and the amazing sapphires and diamonds perfectly. Isn’t that a sign?!

My look: Ruffle-trimmed striped ribbed-knit sweater and ruffle-trimmed polka-dot stretch-twill skinny pants, both by Emanuel Ungaro, blue suede fringe shoulder bag by Gucci and chunky turquoise suede sandals by Prada.

Here you see the highlight of the Red Carpet Collection 2014: the “Riviera” Necklace in 18ct white gold fully set with diamonds. This masterpiece required over 1000 hours of craftsmanship and totals over 100 carats of brilliant cut, marquise cut and rose cut pear shaped diamonds.

This amazing sapphire and diamond necklace doesn’t have a name yet. The lucky owner will get to baptize it. More from Cannes to be posted soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Gabrielle Chanel considered lace to be “one of the prettiest imitations ever made of nature’s fantasies”(In L’illustration, 29 April 1939), because they reminded her of the incomparable designs embroidered across the sky by the leaves and branches of trees.
Inspired by this light and gracious adornment, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio has designed DENTELLE PRÉCIEUSE, an illuminating compact powder revealing two contrasting shades of beige, pink and bronze, to sculpt the face with a translucent finish full of light.

This limited edition beauty must is in Switzerland exclusively available at Jelmoli now.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Chanel

Fashion should be fun and Jeremy Scott‘s humorous take for his first Moschino collection is proof for it. Fresh off the F/W 2014 runway, the designer is playing with McDonald’s color palette and spices it up with the iconic Chanel quilting seam. His post-modern pop fashion statement brings the Italian brand back to the fashion crowd’s wish list.

My look: Intarsia wool and cashmere-blend sweater, French Fries iPhone 5 cover and quilted shoulder bag, all by Moschino, cut-out ankle boots by Balenciaga, black skater skirt by Saint Laurent, earrings by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Brazil and its famous drink, the Caipirinha, has inspired Thierry Wasser to create Guerlain‘s newest Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde that includes the refreshing notes lime alongside sugar cane liquor. This citrus aromatic fragrance can be worn by women and men.

Top note: Lime
Middle notes: Green Notes, Tropical Fruit, Fig and Sugar Cane
Base note: Tonka Bean

Since 1999, there is one new Aqua Allegoria launched each spring. 31 have been created so far of which four have remained classics and are available all year around: Pampelune, Herb Fresca, Mandarine Basilic and Nérolia Bianco.

Available for CHF 109.00 (125ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

Would you like to have a beautiful, but easy pair of DIY earrings? Or a fun necklace handmade? I have got a fantastic idea for you, enjoy this little tutorial that will be the perfect afternoon entertainment for you and your children. And no jewelry skills are needed to make these beauties.

All you need are some fun pearls, beads, hangers that come with a hole. A great arts and craft set is Pretty Girl by Faber-Castel. Then, look for some hoop earrings (can be found best at H&M) preferably not too thick to be able to string your decorations easily. For the necklace, I recommend an invisible thread.

Customize your fashion jewelry with your favorite colors. Show off how stunning your self-made earrings are with your hair pulled up in a bun or pony tail. My daughter loved this fun project!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht