Sandra‘s Closet

If you are living in Zurich, you will love a stroll through Belvoirpark with its wisteria-covered lanes and beautiful garden arrangements. Here you see me enjoying the lovely flowers that matched my outfit on a sunny afternoon this week. Isn’t it wonderful that we also have a Wisteria Lane like in Desperate Housewives?

My look: Sabina ruffled crinkled silk-georgette maxi dress by Ulla Johnson, Eacharpe shell, feather and silver-tone necklace by Isabel Marant, croc-effect leather slingback pumps by Fendi, The Pouch chain-embellished gathered leather clutch by Bottega Veneta, and plissé sunglasses by Dolce Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

From chess and backgammon travel cases, to poker and croquet trunks, the House’s made-to-order games collection has expanded and evolved over the years, continuing in Louis Vuitton’s grandson, Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s, love of sports and games. Now, Louis Vuitton presents new additions to the gaming collection with its pocket Billiards table and Babyfoot (French for table football) as the ideal gift for the cue-sports lovers among us.

Louis Vuitton Pocket Billiard in Monogram

Available in the iconic Monogram motif, designed in 1896 by Louis Vuitton’s son Georges Vuitton as a tribute to his father, the table also comes in the darker Monogram Eclipse or Damier Graphite, bringing a patterned touch to any interior. Versions in Epi leather with its undulated texture, present a splash of colour in cyan and fuchsia, with the added option of a bi-coloured navy and pistachio variation or caramel and white in smooth leather.

Louis Vuitton Pocket Billiards
1. Damier Graphite – 2. Cyan Epi leather – 3. Fuchsia Epi leather – 4. Bi-coloured Navy and Pistachio Epi leather – 5. Monogram Eclipse – 6. Caramel and White leather

Babyfoot by Louis Vuitton in Monogram

Created with identical craftsmanship to that of a Louis Vuitton trunk, House canvases or leathers sheath the Billiards table’s and Babyfoot’s wooden body. Emblematic Louis Vuitton savoir-faire perfects the table’s design with delicate leather corners in the brand’s naturally tanned cowhide leather – each edge meticulously dyed with numerous layers of hand-applied paint.
Hand-pressed metallic hardware finishes the tables, each stud engraved with the House’s signature.

Babyfoot by Louis Vuitton
1. Damier Graphite – 2. Caramel and White leather – 3. Monogram Eclipse – 4. Cyan – 5. Fuchsia – 6. Pistachio

The tables are completed by carefully packed, essential accessories including billiard balls painted with flowers from the Monogram pattern encircling the numbers. Two pairs of leather and Monogram two-piece cues slot snuggly into place while a hot-stamped leather triangle completes the kit.

The players of the Babyfoot, inspired by Louis Vuitton’s «Groom», the famed character from the House’s 1921 advertising images, are each hand-cast in aluminium and, as a true testament of Louis Vuitton’s savoir-faire and history of personalisation, each player is meticulously handpainted by expert artisans in team colours to compliment the custom canvas or leather table. Artisanal, jewel-like counting coins boast a striking hand-painted Monogram flower, making tallying record wins even more satisfying.

Love it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Summer is coming up, I hope you’re prepared, especially after quarantine. If you are not, I have something for you from the House of Dior: the DIORAURA collection which is part of the Dioriviera capsule. Inspired by the creative community, Monte Verità, located close to Ascona, Switzerland, the beautiful pieces all feature multicolor Tie & Dior stripes reminiscent of the sunset, reflecting the themes of aura and energy. I have fallen in love immediately and went for the beautiful Dioraura long dress in silk with an open back. Light as air, it can be enhanced by a raffia waistband, as in the fashion show.

The Dioraura Dior Book Tote complements this stunning piece perfectly. Take a closer look at the design, the colors resembles pure happiness, like a rainbow of shades that transit from red, yellow to bright blue and green.

In stores now – hurry up, those pieces are selling out fast.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

Today marks a premiere. I uploaded my first make-up tutorial on IGTV. As I didn’t want to bore you with a lengthy video, I put it on fast mode and wrote down all the details, for those who are interested, here in this post.

Great news is that you can buy all those products with a 30% discount using the code SANDRA30 at www.bobbibrown.ch. More info at the end of this blog post. I hope that you will like. Please let me know if I should do more of those tutorials.

FACE
Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm in Bare Glow
Intense Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40 in Beige
Instant Full Cover Concealer in Beige

My personal take on foundation:
Hydrate your skin very well before applying your foundation. In general, I do my skincare regime at least 20-30 minutes before starting my make-up to let the products sink in well. The Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm gives it this little extra kick of moisture right before the start and keeps you glowing the whole day long (you’ll thank me forever for this product, promised). The Intense Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40 is extremely luxurious, lightweight and easy to be applied. Personally speaking, I love to use my fingers as I find it much easier to blend the product in with the warmth of my touch. Just add a little concealer under the eyes or wherever you personally need it.

BROWS
Brow Kit in Dark
Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil in Rich Brown
Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch Up in Brunette

My personal take on brows:
When I am doing a natural make-up, I prefer filling in the brows lightly with a pencil and just add some depth with the brow powder. Use the brow gel to fix them all day long. This magical product also works to cover grey hair.

EYES
Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet
Essential Multicolor Eye Shadow Palette in Burnished Bronze
Smokey Eye Mascara in Black
Angle Eyeshadow Brush and Eyeshadow Brush

My personal take on eyes:
For a light eye make-up, I love to contour my eyes with an eye pencil that I blend afterwards very well with some neutral eyeshadows that I apply over it. This defines the shape of the eyes without being too bold. Blending is the key to success when it comes to eye makeup. Use the darker shade in the outer corner of the eye and the eyelid crease. Work yourself up with the lighter shades. I love to put a light shade in the inner corner of the eye for a highlighting effect.

CHEEKS
Bronzing Powder in Natural
Bronzing Powder Duo Summer Glow Collection in Golden Light / Antigua
Highlighting Powder Summer Glow Collection in Warm Glow
Bronzer Brush and Precise Blending Brush

My personal take on cheeks:
For a fast make-up, I love contouring with bronzers which is very easy and the best way to achieve this summer glow. To make your cheekbones really pop, swipe a line of Bronzing Powder from your ear to the apple of your cheek using the Bronzer Brush. Don’t forget to always tap off the excess before applying the product. I personally add it also to the edges of my forehead, close to my hairline and my nose tip. This depends on your own facial structure. You might for example also swirl in concentric circles from the base of your jaw all the way to your chin. Then add a blush, I used Antigua from the Bronzing Powder Duo. A rosy cheek makes the whole look seem natural and soft. So with the Precise Blending Brush swirl it over the apples of your cheeks, blending in small circles up to your temples. Then add some Highlighting Powder under the  outer edge of your eye. This helps banish dark circles, since it diffuses any darkness underneath your eyes and creates a soft-focus effect. A natural-looking contour requires hardcore blending. Therefore I blend everything again in the end.

LIPS
Lip Pencil in Pale Pink
Luxe Lip Color in Bare Pink
Crushed Oil Infused Gloss in Love Letter

My personal take on lips:
I always love to contour my lip completely with a light pink Lip Pencil to give it a nice shade. Then I apply Luxe Lip Color to make it last. The new Crushed Oil Infused Glosses are truly amazing, so comfortable providing your lips with hydration and shine. Perfect for those summer looks.

IF YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER BETWEEN MAY 18 – 25, 2020 WITH THE CODE SANDRA30, YOU WILL RECEIVE A 30% DISCOUNT ON EVERYTHING.

Then, grab your phone, take a selfie, and brag about your newfound bone structure and make-up skills to anyone who will listen.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Bobbi Brown.
#BBGirlCrush #BobbiBrownCH #BobbiBrown #BBSummerGlow

For its second artistic collaboration with the master of Storytelling Art, Hublot invites «Lipstick», Marc Ferrero’s most emblematic work, back onto the dial of its Big Bang One Click 39mm. In white or black, symbolising inseparable complementarity, it illustrates the universal duality of day and night. An essential white that is subtle and minimalist, seductive without being a seducer. A deep black that is audacious and magnetic. Two watches to remind us that the day without the night is not a day, and that the night without the day is not a night.

«I love the power of black and white. Shade and light. Yin and Yang. One is profound, unclassifiable, eternal. The other is subtle, ethereal, timeless. They symbolise antitheses and complementarity. Choosing black and white means getting straight to the point without an excess of tonalities. The black and white make ‘Lipstick’ even more graphic and its red lipstick more magnetic.» – Marc Ferrero

This time, the artist known for his typically colourful palette tells a story in black and white, in the form of two limited-edition numbered models in a run of 100 pieces. One, in satin-finish polished steel and resin, with a lacquered dial and calf and rubber strap, all in white. The other, in black ceramic with a lacquered dial and calf and rubber strap, in a pairing of black and white. Two opposites that attract and complement each other. Marc Ferrero conveys the message of a free woman in this iconic duo of watches, by affixing his work from the dial and extending to the strap.

Playing with contrasts, only the lipstick asserts itself in colour, in a flashy red, a reminder that, underneath the large black glasses, «Lipstick» is paying tribute to the woman of the 21st century. A heroine of modern times, multifaceted, assured and enigmatic. A woman who dares to do anything, directly, and without subterfuge.

If you are interested in the first collaboration from last year, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot

The official start of summer is coming soon, so it’s time to pack away our boots and trade them in for airier shoes, like the ever-popular espadrilles, the absolute summer shoe.

This season, they take tying to a whole new level being trimmed with crisscrossing laces all over the shoe, eye-catching details made for not only tropical vacationing but also a stroll through the city. If you live in a city like Zurich, you’ll appreciate the cobblestone-friendly footwear so much.

LoL, Sandra

Suede espadrilles by Off-White

Gaia canvas platform espadrilles by Stella McCartney

Logo-print tie suede & jute espadrilles by Loewe Paula’s Ibiza

Gina canvas & jute espadrilles by Castañer

125 laser-cut leather-trimmed canvas wedge espadrilles by Alaïa

Crystal-embellished canvas & jute espadrilles by Loewe Paula’s Ibiza

Cucu 80 canvas & jute espadrille wedges by Castañer

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

To accompany the second drop of their collaboration with avant-garde designer duo Viktor&Rolf this month, Swiss premium underwear label CALIDA takes its social responsibilities seriously and is now putting its passion, expertise, capacities and resources to work to produce reusable face masks.Made from organic cotton, those 100% compostable face masks embrace a unique Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM approach to design, which follows nature’s model of circulating resources in a healthy, efficient way. No additional materials are required and precious resources are protected, thus ensuring a sustainable approach. The masks have been designed and manufactured to ensure the best possible fit, are reusable and can be washed at up to 70°C.

For maximum protection, it is recommended ironing the masks or placing them in the oven for around 30 minutes at 80°C after washing. The heat disinfects the material even more thoroughly and kills off any remaining traces of the virus once and for all.

An there is more to the project. In order to give back to nature, a tree will be planted for every sold mask in cooperation with the organization Trees of Life.

The collection is available from today on the Calida homepage.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Calida

I love peonies, they are my favorite flowers. It is such a pity that their season is very limited, usually May to June. I love their frilly ruffles of petals and it always amazes me how such a beautiful flower can bloom from such a small tight hard bud. To me, they are the most beautiful right before they die. My daughter said something very sweet to me recently: «Mum, if you were a flower, you would definitely be a peony as you get more beautiful with age.»

Today’s look is inspired by this gem of nature. Burgundy and pink worn together is a colour combination that I personally absolutely adore. When the two hues meet, it’s pure magic.

My look: Katerina merino wool sweater and Wade high-rise flared jeans, both by Ulla Johnson, platform patent-leather loafers by Givenchy, Aby Lock small printed leather shoulder bag by Chloé, stingray sunglasses by Louis Vuitton, Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet, JUSTE UN CLOU bracelet in rose gold with diamonds, LOVE bracelet SM in white gold, LOVE bracelet in rose gold with 4 diamonds, and CLASH DE CARTIER bracelet SM in rose gold, all by Cartier, Coco Crush bracelet in yellow gold by CHANEL, gold chunky necklace by Dior, Rose Céleste necklace in 18k yellow and white gold, diamond, onyx and mother-of-pearl, and Astro Dior aquarius necklace, both by Dior Fine Jewellery.

By the way, in floriography, the language of flowers, peonies represent all the good stuff: good fortune, happy marriage, riches, honour, and compassion and surprisingly, bashfulness. Cheers to that! May we all have a little peony-wisdom in our lives this spring.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

In a private appointment at CARTIER this week, I had the opportunity to finally discover the new addition to the Clash de Cartier collection, that debuts a white gold series and some limited edition amazonite novelties.

Those beautiful studded and spiky fine jewellery pieces are available now in four designs:
1 Clash de Cartier ring, small model in a rhodium-finish 18K white gold, CHF 2150
2 Clash de Cartier ring, medium model in a rhodium-finish 18K white gold, CHF 3100
3 Clash de Cartier ring, medium model in a non-rhodium finish 18K white gold, CHF 3100
(the non-rhodium finish looks darker and more matte, something that might appeal especially to men and those who like their jewellery to look more fashion-forward)
4 Clash de Cartier bracelet, medium model in a rhodium-finish 18K white gold, CHF 8850

Looking at my arm, I am seriously into stacking goals. Needless to say, I have immediately fallen in love with the new Clash de Cartier white gold bracelet which I think would finish off my collection perfectly. It also looks great in combination with my small Clash de Cartier rose gold bracelet.

Do you like stacking your arm as much as I do?

And their is more. Following the debut release of 18k white gold versions, the brand has also added a line of limited edition amazonite novelties. Take a look at these new beauties. I am madly in love, especially with the ring.

1 Clash de Cartier earring, large model, 18K rose gold, amazonite, CHF 13000
2 Clash de Cartier bracelet, large model, 18K rose gold, amazonite, CHF 53500
3 Clash de Cartier ring, large model, 18K rose gold, amazonite, CHF 11900

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier and © Sandra Bauknecht

Since yesterday, the restaurants and shops are open again in Switzerland – however, under certain restrictions, as the next stage of the country’s gradual reopening of society. I took the opportunity to dress up and see my girlfriends for lunch which was lovely. Nevertheless, being in the city doesn’t feel the same yet and shopping is more of a frustrating nightmare as you are not really allowed to touch or try anything. I will stay with online shopping for a while, that’s for sure!

My look: Satin-lapel single-breasted wool-blend coat and daisy fur and crystal-embellished necklace, both by Dolce & Gabbana, printed satin shirt by Versace, FF-jacquard pleated cotton-blend jersey midi skirt, FF logo wool-blend headband, and logo-print mesh and rubber sock knee boots, all by Fendi, dark blue 2.55 bag in velvet by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Park Hyatt Zurich
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.