Sandra‘s Closet

Born and raised on Spain’s Balearic Islands, BEX MANNERS started her fashion career as a stylist’s assistant in New York. During that time, she taught herself to make jewelry because she couldn’t find certain pieces in the market. After her move back to London, she started her line BEX ROX in 2009. Located in the heart of Notting Hill, she is renowned for her luxurious custom jewelry and her  innovative designs. Bex draws inspiration from across the globe, and epitomises the essence of cultures, travel and nature. As a world traveller, she gave us her tips for one of the most fascinating cities on earth.

Your favourite city?
ISTANBUL – it touches on every sense.

Your favourite hotel?
GEORGES HOTEL GALATA – A boutique hotel in Galata, chic and cosy with a perfect rooftop for a sunset aperitif.
Müeyyedzade Mh., Serdar-ı Ekrem Cd. No:24
Phone: +90 212 244 2423

Your favourite restaurant?
DUBLE MEZE restaurant on the top of the Pera hotel, vibrant, mouthwatering food and the best views in the city.
Asmalı Mescit Mah. Meşrutiyet Cad. Palazzo Donizetti Hotel Üstü Kat:7 No:85, 34420 İstanbul Phone: +90 212 244 0188

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
MINI BAR 17, a tiny little bar with great DJ’s when you feel like a little dance.
Nişantaşı › Harbiye Mahallesi, Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, No 17, Şişli, İstanbul

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
You can’t leave istanbul without going to see the HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM, it used to be a church then later a mosque, stunning and soulful.
Sultanahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı, İstanbul
Phone: +90 212 522 1750

Your favourite park?
The TOPKAPI PALACE GARDENS are breathtaking, full of every kind of flower you can possibly image, if only it was my back garden!
Sultanahmet, Fatih, İstanbul
Phone: +90 212 512 04 80

Your favourite shop?
For a real local flavour the BAZAAR is a must but go with lots of energy and patience, there are some hidden gems to buy some stunning old jewellery and fabrics.
Beyazit, İstanbul
Phone: +90 212 519 1248

Your must-have accessory?
A touch of the turkish with my HORN LARGE FRINGE CUFFS, perfect for a little turkish dancing with the flick of your wrists and super chic.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
A remix by ACID PAULI – Jamie Wards “Almost there” and Selda mixing a little bit of the Ottoman to get you going.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
THE BASTARD OF ISTANBUL by Elif Shafak. She is one of Turkeys most popular writers, this book is magical, informative and heart-breaking as it brings together the turbulent past and the complex present!

Thank you, Bex, for sharing your insider scoop on Istanbul with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bex Rox and the different locations

Just recently I visited one of my favorite lunch spots on earth, the famous Château de la Chèvre D’Or. It is located at the heart of Eze, a picturesque little village between Nice and Monaco, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The delightful setting and the amazing gardens surrounding the 5-star hotel are already worth the drive. If you haven’t been there, it is really one of those places you must see in your life.

My look: Golden leather jacket with the slogan «Votez Coco», fringed macrame bag, earrings and necklace from the Dubai collection, all by Chanel, backless denim wide-leg overalls by Sonia Rykiel, woven straw visor by Stella McCartney, printed leather, raffia and canvas wedge sandals by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A huge thank you to my friend Nadine Arton of GlamOnYou for taking them!

Great news, it is this time of the year: NET-A-PORTER.COM start their big sale today. Now, you have the chance to get the most amazing pieces marked down up to 50%.

Especially for you, I put together this outfit that would be perfect for a night out. To shop, just click on the highlighted text.

Get the look: Godet Dance embellished stretch-tulle mini dress by Topshop Unique (50% off), Lelie snake-effect leather sandals by Isabel Marant (40% off), Valorie glitter-finished canvas clutch by Anya Hindmarch (50% off) and Soho gold-plated snake earrings by Aurélie Bidermann (30% off).

TO ENJOY THE FULL SALE SELECTION CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Recently on my way to St. Tropez, I spent one night at the beautiful Hotel Giardino in Ascona. The sun was shining and I truly enjoyed this short stay while sporting my new Chanel Girl bag for the first time.

My look: Smocked cotton-poplin dress by Givenchy, printed leather, raffia and canvas wedge sandals by Valentino, Girl bag in multicolored tweed and necklace «Blow in case of fashion emergency», both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you to the first capsule collection from Totême, the brand that was established in 2014 by Swedish couple Elin Kling and Karl Lindman.

The style queen presents American sportswear mixed with an effortless European sensibility. The collection of 14 perfect staple pieces, inspired by her every day New York wardrobe, will see you from city life to your next resort getaway.

My favorite: Havana stretch-crepe dress by Totême

Stay cool and look chic in silky separates, easy-breezy tailoring and luxe lightweight knits.
SHOP THE WHOLE CAPSULE COLLECTION EXCLUSIVELY HERE AT NET-A-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Totême and Net-à-porter

Prada’s Double Bag, a practical and surprisingly lightweight tote, that features an internal divider with a flap pocket to hold valuables, complemented with buttons on each side and a metal name plaque, is a timeless purchase that you will keep for many seasons to come.

This season it presents itself in a new array of spring colors which will hit the stores in August in Central Europe. I adore those vibrant hues and wouldn’t resist the raspberry one.

YOU CAN SHOP A GREAT SELECTION OF PRADA BAGS ONLINE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada

The new Louis Vuitton sunglasses for S/S 2015 are true must-haves, versatile and modern with interesting details. No other than Juergen Teller was recruited to shoot the selection that you can enjoy below. Which one is your favorite? I know, it is hard to decide…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Juergen Teller for Louis Vuitton

I spent last weekend in beautiful Saint Tropez. Here you see me in one of my favorite outfits for summer at the pool of the Sezz hotel before leaving for dinner. I just adore everything bohemian this season.

My look: Guipure lace and linen-blend mini dress by Chloé, Aphrodite leather sandals by Valentino, fringed macrame bag, earrings and necklace, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

How smart is this overnight treatment?! Combining skin beautifying ingredients with a touch of self-tan for a subtle golden glow by morning. You literally tan during the night while your skin is moisturized and plumped. Such a great product that I can only recommend!

TO SHOP the Sleep Mask Tan Face by James Read CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of James Read

For the fourth consecutive yearn CHANEL takes part in the “Only Watch” charity auction in favor of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On November 7th, 2015 in Geneva, this unique piece will be up for auction. Before that, it will travel around the world, debuting during the Monaco Yacht Show, from September 23 – 26, 2015, followed by stops in Hong Kong (2-5/10), Beijing (9-12/10), New York (17-20/10) and London (24-27/10).

Why is this watch unique?

Since the birth of the House, exceptional savoir-faire has always been at the heart of CHANEL creations. MADEMOISELLE PRIVE collection pays tribute to watchmaking arts and skills such as enamelling, engraving, setting and marquetry, but also to the artistic crafts of couture.

To enhance these exceptional timepieces, CHANEL has called on the services of Maison Lesage, the guardians of a rare and precious expertise of embroideries. Mademoiselle Chanel loved the delicate elegance and subtle milky colour of the camellia, making it her favourite flower. This symbolic flower is gracefully reinterpreted in this unique model.

Fruit of an exquisite collaboration with Maison Lesage, the camellias are embroidered here with silk and metallic threads and natural pearls. This exceptional piece is hand-stitched in a highly delicate display of precision and refinement.

Technical description

CHANEL, Mademoiselle Privé for Only Watch
Unique piece manufactured in Switzerland.
« Mademoiselle Privé » watch in 18-carat white gold set with 140 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 1.49 carat).

18-carat white gold case (37.5 mm) set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 1 carat). Beige silk dial hand-embroidered with camellias made with 3 natural pearls, silk and metallic threads. 18-carat white gold hands. 18-carat white gold case-back. White satin strap. 18-carat white gold ardillon buckle set with 80 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 0.49 carat). High precision quartz movement off centered at 5 o’clock. Water resistance: 30 meters. Wished Price: 40 000€

A true object of desire!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel