Sandra‘s Closet

Rodial founder, Maria Hatzistefanis, is a full-on business woman. In 1999, the former editor, who grew up in Greece, saw the need in the market for a serious skincare range. Now, almost 16 years later, the company has grown into a worldwide beauty brand that has recently launched its first makeup line (in Switzerland exclusively available at Marionnaud from April). The charming brunette likes to recharge her batteries over the weekend in the English countryside.

Your favorite place to be?
We have a place at the COTSWOLDS, UK, an area of hills open countryside and historic villages north of Bath and west of Oxford, where we go at the weekend. It is my sanctuary where I can chill, do a lot of yoga and be close to nature.

Your favourite hotel?
THE FIVE ALLS. It looks like somebody’s house, very homely.
Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3JQ, +44 1367 860875

Your favourite restaurant?
The DAYLESFORD ORGANIC FARM. They serve all organic food. I love their superfood salad with bee pollen.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG, +44 1608 731 700

Your favorite tea place?
PATISSERIE VALERIE– the best place for the most delicious scones.
4 Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2DH, +44 1452 301584
208 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucs, GL50 3FA, +44 1242 513465

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK – my kids just love it. They even have lions there.

Your favourite activity?
WALKING the dog and the kids. It is our time when we can be together without any distraction, when they tell me all about their week.

Your favourite shop?
BAMFORD BARN for luxurious cashmere blankets, it’s all about at-home luxury.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire,  GL56 OYG, +44 1608 731713

Your must-have accessory?
HUNTER BOOTS, they look stylish and are a necessity for long walks.

Your beauty musts for the weekend?
The RODIAL GLAM BALM MULTI that I use as a nourishing mask, it’s the ultimate multi purpose product, GLAM BALM LIP and STEMCELL SUPER-FOOD HAND CREAM.

The favourite music while you are there?
Anything by DAVID GUETTA, very uplifting and cool sounds.

Your favorite book to read over the weekend?
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn, it lets your mind travel away.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insider scoop on Cotswolds with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Maria Hatzistefanis, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Jeremie Romain, via Eatlittlebird.com

My dearest readers, here is a kind reminder for you that time is flying and you only have one week left to enter the amazing contest with Etihad and L’Officiel Switzerland: win the ultimate shopping experience in Abu Dhabi with me. You will get amazing gift vouchers for the most luxurious shops. Just tell us what your #EtihadEssential travel item is? Mine would definitely be my Victorinox trolley that I love to take on all my travels.

For all information how to enter, please click HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Etihad

Two weeks ago, the lovely Net-à-porter team contacted me and asked if I would like to join their #EmpoweredBy campaign that they are running this month. As you know, Net-à-porter is my favorite online shopping destination and of course I felt very honored to be part of it. It is all about celebrating women all around the world who empower us!

Great news is that you can join the #EmpoweredBy campaign that I shot in Klosters last week as well. Here are the instructions:

1. W for Women
Raise your arms above your head to create a natural W shape with your body. Just like I did.
2. Tell the world
Post your W on Instagram and say who you are #empoweredby.
3. Pass it on
Add friends to your post, asking them to do their own W and share who they are #empoweredby.

My look: Biker layered coat by Givenchy, studded cross sweatshirt and wide-brim studded rabbit-felt hat, both by Saint Laurent, stretch-leather skinny pants by Gucci, fur boots by Prada Sport and Kelly So Black bag by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Somewhere over the rainbow, there is my Valentine and it’s a Valentino! Just when I thought the Rockstud collection couldn’t get any more fabulous, I spotted those rainbow stripes that are absolutely divine. It’s amazing how even after several years, the Valentino Rockstud is still going strong and gets better and better each season. Here is my wish list on Valentine’s Day (in case anybody wants to gift me, I love number 6)!

1 The Rockstud printed leather clutch
2 The Rockstud printed leather shoulder bag
3 Printed leather and Plexiglas® sandals
4 1973 Rockstud printed leather point-toe flats
5 Nubuck, straw and canvas wedge sandals
6 Va Va Voom printed leather shoulder bag

7 Plexiglas® cuff

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Valentino

Yesterday evening, a really fun event for the readers of L’OFFICIEL Switzerland magazine in collaboration with DIOR took place at Jelmoli in Zurich. The exclusive invitation could be found in our recent February issue and was dedicated to the launch of the brand’s new DIORSKIN NUDE AIR collection.

In my position as editor in chief of L’Officiel Switzerland. I welcomed the guests together with Michelle Fisher, Dior’s make-up expert, who shared some amazing tips with us.

One of the biggest trends in fashion and beauty is the no makeup look which means you wear makeup without looking like you do. Dior is a true pioneer in achieving this natural look with the new DIORSKIN NUDE AIR line: weightless velvety freshness, a foundation that breathes, a range for flawless skin with a incredibly fine, exceptional texture, as light and beneficial as a breath of fresh air, for an enhanced complexion with sheer correction. Like after a day in the great outdoors,you achieve the fresh, radiant beauty of a natural healthy glow.

The DIORSKIN NUDE AIR range includes:

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR SERUM FOUNDATION
A few drops of this ultra-fluid are enough to create perfect nude makeup with a velvety finish and a no-makeup feel that is both ultra-natural and luminous. Made with oils that evaporate instantly, the talc-free Diorskin Nude Air formula deposits an undetectable film of makeup on the skin. Dior introduces Oxygen Activ™ technology, an innovative combination of a hyper-oxygenated oil, Cranberry oil, vitamins and minerals. Revitalised, the skin breathes and becomes more beautiful each day.

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR LOOSE POWDER
Impressively light, this loose powder sets and protects makeup while protecting skin from urban assaults.

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR POWDER COMPACT
The powder compact transparently unifies and mattifies the complexion to create the illusion of a fresh and radiant glow.

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR TAN BRONZING POWDER
Available in a range of naturally blended shades, the bronzing powder warms the skin tone giving a sunny complexion that radiates vitality.

Guests were able to experience this new light makeup along with the complete range of DIOR products during the night and were able to get a complete makeover.

The DIOR team: Michelle Fisher, Giuseppe Oltolini and Manuela Pastore with me.

Sophie Handke and Nina Aryapour with me

Personally speaking, it was so lovely to meet my readers last night. Some had even come from Basel, Zug and other Swiss cities. This morning, the first photos of yesterday’s event popped up on my Facebook wall and I am happy to share them with you. Thank you, ladies, for coming, for posting, for commenting and for being loyal readers of L’Officiel Switzerland and Sandra’s Closet. You are the reason I am doing this job with all my heart!

LoL, Sandra

Young Park with me

Jackie and Paula Iller with me

Jo Dema and Bojana Veljkovic with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht (A huge thank you to my daughter for taking them!)
Thank you to Sophie Handke, Nina Aryapour, Jo Dema, Bojana Veljkovic and Young Park for the lovely pictures!

While being in Los Angeles last week with Smashbox, I visited the Max Factor Hollywood museum, a real treasure box for all makeup and movie addicts. I will soon tell you more about it. Later, Davis Factor invited me to his amazing mansion for lunch. It was truly the perfect day not only because of the sunshine…

My look: Chain trim dress, logo bucket shoulder bag and pearl necklace with bow, all by Moschino, sunglasses by Miu Miu and shoes by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For all fragrance addicts, this is great news: AJ ARABIA is a new perfumery house founded by Ali Aljaberi in Abu Dhabi. Original fragrances that combine the best of French perfumery with the treasures of the Arabian Desert, in a breathtaking packaging inspired by the beautiful Arabian architecture.

The fragrances will be numbered rather than named, and are designed to be worn by both men and women.

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION I
«Arabian hospitality in a bottle»

Top Notes: Cinnamon, Cardamom
Heart Notes: Incense, Cypress
Base Notes: Sandal Wood, Musk, Cedar Wood

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION II
«Sweet Arabian seduction»

Top Notes: Plum, Mandarin
Heart Notes: Rose, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Moss

I personally love the second oriental fragrance, Black Collection II, that features fruity top notes, a woody-floral heart and a classic dry-down. This delicate and fragrant perfume with its enticing aromas takes you on a journey to the marvelous heritage of the Middle East.

Both fragrances (50ml) are available exclusively in Zurich at Perfumery Osswald for CHF 396.- each.

Speaking of Abu Dhabi, don’t forget to enter the amazing contest with Etihad HERE. For more information about the ultimate shopping experience that you can win with me in Abu Dhabi, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of AJ ARABIA

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Rapper LL Cool J hosted the show for the fourth consecutive time. In all, 83 Grammy Awards were presented, one more than in 2014.

Sam Smith accepts the Best New Artist award from singer Taylor Swift onstage

Sam Smith was the big winner at the 2015 Grammys, taking home four awards for best new artist, best pop vocal album, record of the year and song of the year. In an upset, Beck took home album of the year for Morning Phase, beating out Beyonce’s Beyonce.

But what interests us most are the best dressed winners and of course the worst as well. Enjoy, from a dreamy Giambattista Valli frock on Rihanna to Taylor Swift’s sexy Elie Saab gown, most of the celebs hit all the right notes on the music industry’s biggest night.

Rihanna in Giambattista Valli Couture

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab

Beyoncé in Proenza Schouler

Nicki Menaj in Tom Ford

Rita Ora in Prada

Ariana Grande in Atelier Versace (one of my favorite looks)

Awkward moment: Miley Cyrus in Alexandre Vauthier grabs Katy Perry’s boob who wore Zuhair Murad

Weird boob situation: Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell

Kiss of the night: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

Also in love: Nicole Kidman in Thierry Mugler Pre-fall 2015 with her husband Keith Urban

Ageless beauty: Jane Fonda in Balmain Pre-fall 2015

Looking cute: Charli XCX in Moschino…

… but how cute is her doggy?!

And last but not least: Queen M Madonna in Givenchy Couture…

… who still knows the best how to seek attention in the right moment.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Valerie Macon/Getty Images, Reuters, Wireimages

Ups, I did it again… I just cannot resist Chanel accessories and the ones from the Dubai Cruise 2015 collection are to die for. You will never regret to invest in a piece of Chanel fashion jewelry as those objects of desire never go out of style, they are seasonless.

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”  ― Coco Chanel

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The last days here in Los Angeles have been magic like always. There is something about this city that makes me feel like I have arrived, that makes me want to embrace the world. I am leaving today but will be back in 10 days… here you see me outside of the Smashbox Studios in Culver City where Davis Factor himself photographed me yesterday. A truly divine experience that I will share with you soon. In the meantime enjoy the details of my outfit.

My look: Daga sequined bandage dress by Hervé Léger, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps by Saint Laurent, shearling bag and earrings by Chanel, sunglasses by Michael Kors, diamond ring and bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht