Sandra‘s Closet

This week, I was invited by Dior to Paris for an exclusive evening with Charlize Theron to celebrate the new communication of J’Adore, the house’s bestselling fragrance since 1999. The bouquet of flowers is already an icon and we all remember the amazing campaign in which the blonde actress mingled with Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich around 10 years ago. Now, in 2014, the story is picked up where it last left off, in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles with a breathtaking Charlize Theron who celebrates the future. And the future is gold… a new inspiration, an open mind. Everything is hopeful and possible.

I saw the commercial this week in a private screening. It is still highly confidential and I will be happy to reveal it to you in September. In the meantime, enjoy the photos of the wonderful night in Paris at Monsieur Bleu restaurant.

LoL, Sandra

With Raf Simons, Creative Director of Dior, one of my favorite designers.

Claude Martinez, CEO Dior Parfumes, Charlize Theron, Raf Simons, Katia and Sydney Toledano, CEO Dior

With lovely Sonya Burch-Baumann

Monsieur Bleu restaurant

My highlight of the night: Meeting Sean Penn

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Personally speaking, I am crazy for Hedi Slimane‘s designs for Saint Laurent. His cult rock-chic aesthetic creates strong silhouettes that are sexy and cool in one, perfect for a night out in Marrakesh. During my recent 40hours in the Moroccan city, I partied at Palais Jad Mahal, a place I can highly recommend. This colorful location combines a restaurant, a bar and a night club with great live music.

My look: Asymmetric sequined crepe mini dress, Janis leather platform pumps with chains and Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, all by Saint Laurent, earrings by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently, Jo Malone invited me to discover the house’s newest fragrance Wood Sage & Sea Salt, which is inspired by the English coast during a lunch at the Zurich lake.

“For me this fragrance is different. The sea air mixes with salty spray and the mineral texture of sand and rock. Like the scent of driftwood, it has a natural and fresh sophistication. A complex combination of wood and the sea is at its core. The feeling is of free-spirited liberty and joy.” says master perfumer Christine Nagel, the nose behind this new beautiful scent.

Unlike other beach scents that smell of coconut and suncream oil, Wood Sage & Sea Salt truly surprises you. It is reminiscent of English beaches and the harsh surroundings, such as wind, rain, sand in your mouth and salt in your hair, but still without loosing its sensuality and lightness.

AROMATIC
Top note: Ambrette seeds
Middle note: Sea salt
Base note: Sage

Fragrance Combining: Lime Basil & Mandarin for a fresh, woody scent.
Nectarine Blossom & Honey for a fruity, rich scent.

Wood Sage & Sea Salt is available from September 1, 2014 as 30ml (CHF 68.00) and 100ml (CHF 130.00) Cologne, Body Cream 175ml (CHF 99.00), Body & Hand Wash 250ml (CHF 64.00) and Home Candle 200gr (CHF 82.00).In Switzerland at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Recently, I was invited to Paris with Dior to discover their newest innovation: Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara. It was an amazing event as I was not only able to explore the new products, but also to experience the effect myself. Moreover, Dior did a professional photo shoot with me in their Boutique Ephémère Beauté Dior at 368 rue Saint Honoré in Paris.

The new mascara is truly special because it transforms your eyes with a single sweep, as if by magic. It pumps up extreme volume with the help of a thick brush, made from soft and supple elastomer, and gives your lashes a gleaming coat of deep black, or vibrant color due to its combination of waxes and a transparent gel base. For complete simplicity of use, you can rinse it off with just water or of course make-up remover. To put if briefly, it is the ideal mascara for those who want it all, right now.

Great news is that the new mascara comes in four different It-shades.
It-Purple – a dazzling, deep purple for a sophisticated allure. 
It-Blue – a saturated blue for electric eyes.
It-Pink – a pop pink for come-hither eyes.
It-Black – a breathtakingly deep black.

And here comes the most fun part of the new launch. The new mascaras are accompanied by four eyeliners Dior Addict It-Line Easy Liner in the same colors to mix and match. If you have ever felt insecure applying an eyeliner, this will be your chance to change this attitude. Applied in the blink of an eye thanks to its precision tip, its smooth fluid texture dries instantly. During the shoot in Paris, I got a great tip from the make-up artist: Make a dot where you want to end your line. You will see how easy drawing the line becomes because of  this little preparation.

For my photo shoot, we chose the Dior Addict It-Line Easy Liner in It-Blue and combined it with the Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara in It-Black. You can even layer the eyeliners… it is really fun playing around with the colors. Stay tuned as I will show you some fun combinations during the next weeks.

The new products are in stores now. Once you check them out, don’t forget to look also for the new Diorshow Mono Pop Eye Shadows that come in four shades. Adjust the intensity of your made-to-measure look and enjoy endless creativity!

We created a pretty big buzz when we started to shoot outside of the store…

If you like my look, please click here for more information.

Dior made this cartoon of me. I have to admit it is fun but I am not so sure if I really like it:-) …!
While you are reading this, I am on my way to Paris again with Dior for a very exclusive event. Stay tuned for more… I can only say J’ADORE DIOR!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

One week ago in Marrakesh, my friend Mel’s big birthday celebration took place on Saturday evening accompanied by the renewal of her wedding vows with her husband Dan. It was a very romantic evening and she look stunning in her Zuhair Murad dress. It truly felt like One Thousand and One Nights and I am so grateful for all these different highlights that we experienced, among them a live performance by Paul Potts, the British tenor, who had won the first series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. With all my heart, thank you, Mel and Dan, for your friendship and this magical trip!

My look: Leather-trimmed jersey gown with cutouts by Givenchy, set of 5 gold-tone cuffs by Alexander McQueen, earrings by Chanel, ring by Etro, animal print clutch, tribal sandals and necklace, both by Louis Vuitton, small Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Paul Potts with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last weekend, I was invited to a very special birthday celebration, a trip and memories that I will treasure forever. My readers who have followed me since the beginning, might remember the amazing 40 hours in Venice for my friend Dan’s 40th birthday in 2011. Now it was time to get together for his wife Mel’s big day.

When I arrived at the airport, none of the guests had any idea where we would fly to. The boarding pass said to Dummy City and when we entered the amazing private jet, everyone was speculating where it would take us. After a fun 3.5 hours flight, we landed in a fairy tale of one and one thousands nights in Marrakesh. The magic red city, where the legends of the Orient still feel alive. And my outfit couldn’t have been a better match…

My look: Dotted silk cardigan and matching top, both by Dolce & Gabbana, transparent black plissée harem pants by Gucci, Boy bag with chains and metallic patent phone holder, both by Chanel, Alice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès.

Stay tuned for more from this weekend coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, summer has arrived in Switzerland and I couldn’t be any happier about it. I spent the last sunny days like probably most of you outside and really got impatient to get a nice tan. Here is a post dedicated to my favorite beauty musts for the sun. Whether you want to look slightly sun-kissed or savagely tanned, these bronzers and spray tanning products will deliver.

Especially on your first day at the beach (like me above in Maui – Happy 4th of July to my American readers by the way!!!), you don’t want to look too pale, so you better start getting organized now…

ALL YEAR AROUND
LANCÔME Flash Bronzer Self-Tanner Gel gives you the perfect glow in a record application.
CHF 45.00 (50ml)
GUERLAIN Terracotta Sunless Tinted Self-Tanning Gel smells well and gives you a golden skin tone in a second.
CHF 72.00 (150ml)
GUERLAIN Terracotta Sun Celebration La Lacque Couleur in 602 Tonka Impériale. This limited edition nail polish has the perfect shade to match your summer tan.
CHF 37.00

BEFORE TANNING – SUN PROTECTION
BIOTHERM Brume Solair Dry Touch SPF 30. I love this ultra-sheer, oil-free and waterproof sun protection spray for the body that leaves a dry and matte touch.
CHF 39.00 (200ml)
SISLEY SUNLEŸA G.E. Age Minimizing Sun Care SPF 30 is the “Rolls-Royce” among the sun protection products and I love using it specially for my face. It is waterproof, protects and also minimizes the signs of aging.
CHF 245.00 (50ml)

AFTER SUN CARE
GUERAIN Terracotta After Sun Cream prolongs your tan and restores comfort to the skin after a day in the sun.
CHF 72.00
SISLEY SUNLEŸA Age Minimizing After-Sun Care is the best product to minimize aging due to sun exposure. It hydrates and cools your face. I like to use it as a mask.
CHF 207.00 (50ml)

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have to admit that this is not a very modest post. Seeing this huge article in last week’s Gala magazine made me just very happy and I wanted to share my happiness with you. A few weeks ago they had already named me among the most important bloggers and a style icon… for those who haven’t seen it, here you go:

GALA N°26/2014

GALA N°22/2014

A huge thank you to the whole Gala team for those amazing features!

LoL, Sandra

“Beautiful yet functional” is how internationally acclaimed wine critic James Suckling describes his new 100 POINTS glass and stemware collection, which is a joint creation with France’s most esteemed crystal maker, LALIQUE.

The American has tasted more than 150,000 different wines over his 30 years as a wine taster. He dreamt for decades about creating his own collection of wine glasses. With the help of Lalique, his dream came true. The two designed the 100 POINTS universal wine glass, which was launched in September 2012 and that is wonderful to drink any type of wine – white or red, young or old, first growth or “petit château”. Being heavier than most other wine glasses on the market, it is a substantial piece of stemware in anybody’s hand.

With a name referring to the wine scoring system, 100 POINTS is a hand-made collection that embraces a modern design: crystal fashioned by the best glass-masters, “U” shaped bowl and distinctive frosted rib stem to obtain the characteristic contrast of clear and satin-finish.

LALIQUE, which was established by René Lalique over 100 years ago, has a long tradition for making wine glasses beginning with ranges such as BARSAC and BEAUNE, which were both popular in the 1930s and 1940s.

Really gorgeous is the new comprehensive 100 POINTS collection with eight pieces complementary to the universal wine glass: Bordeaux glass, Burgundy glass, Champagne glass and water glass, two tumblers of different sizes, wine decanter and water decanter.

Drinking wine in a 100 POINTS glass is a sensual and delightful experience. It’s an everyday luxury for any wine lover.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lalique and © Alessandro Moggi

Nothing creates more impact than flowers as they are timelessly filled with the spirit of spring and romance. I love wearing floral prints because they make me feel ultra feminine. Here you see me wearing such an outfit. It was the perfect choice to attend the Art in the Park event in Zurich’s Baur au Lac gardens two weeks ago.

My look: Floral jacket with embellished buttons,floral print dress, earrings and cuff, all by Dolce & Gabbana, ring by Etro, wedges by Valentino and oversized clutch by Miu Miu. Tank Américaine watch in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht