I am not a fan of those typical costumes for Halloween, poorly produced, made out of horrible materials, they create waste and are bad for the environment. Luckily, many Halloween costumes can be easily created just from the clothes in your closet and common household items.
Think of one of your favorite iconic movie characters and dress like them. If you have a lot of pink in your closet, then you can probably pull off an Elle Woods or become a Barbie girl (think of the latest Valentino Pink PP collection). Or be a «Queen of Hearts». Put on a long preferably red dress and find your household deck of cards for this easy DIY costume. Just attach some cards with safety pins and off you go. The easiest way is to play with make-up and accessories such as a pair of funky boots and stockings, top it off with a little flour in your hair to make it wiry and wild, and carry around your kitchen broom or your Dyson.
Personally speaking, I always put together costumes with pieces from my own closet. However, I know that my wardrobe is huge and I have many items that scream «dress up» already. Here some of my designer outfits that would be perfect for Halloween! Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana along with Prada are the brands that offer the easiest take on fashion with humor. For all details of the looks, click on the highlighted texts.
LoL, Sandra
Frankenstein’s Wife
Trick or Chic
Queen of Hearts
Old Hollywood Glamour
Pulp Fiction
Marie Antoinette
Great Gatsby
Racer Girl
Desperate Housewife
Barbie Girl
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography / Andrea Monica Hug
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.
Are you looking for a great gift idea or a self-treat? Here is an idea. Why not decorate a beautiful scented candle with a personalized calligraphy. This Saturday, May 29, there will be a calligraphy activity at the Acqua di Parma Jelmoli stand, where you can make your product truly unique.
Surprise someone with a flower bouquet (I can recommend Tom Flowers for delivery in Switzerland) and a personalized Blu Mediterraneo scented candle. Entice your senses and immerse in golden moments under the sun with the unmistakable spirit of Blu Mediterraneo.
If you cannot make it on Saturday, get yourself a waterproof pen and start decorating it yourself. I am sure that you will make someone very happy!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
#aquadiparma #tomflowers #vibrantlyalive #blumediterraneo #jelmoli
Fashionable face masks are in my opinion a very good thing. We need to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and not everyone owns the materials (or has the seamstress skills) to make their own. We should all be focused on keeping ourselves and our communities safe; and the less time we spend in judgment of the way others achieve that, probably, the better.
Instead of investing in the newest lipstick (unfortunately nobody is going to see this for a while), you might consider getting a face mask with cool patterns or create one yourself as I did. I used those CHANEL camelia stickers and the ribbon you get when you buy something at CHANEL. I have always kept them and now they serve a wonderful purpose. Scroll down to see me wearing it.
I want to underline that those masks presented in this post aren’t medical grade, so they can’t be used by healthcare professionals, but they will make us feel more beautiful and will make grocery shopping more fun while protecting yourself and helping others.
My dear friend and fashion designer Natasha Zinko came up with another great idea and is now retailing those upcycled reusable face masks from fabric leftovers from previous collections. 50% of each sale will be donated to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The hospitals covered are Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea, St Mary’s and the Western Eye.
TO SHOP THE FACE MASKS IN DIFFERENT COLOR AND FABRIC COMBINATIONS BY NATASHA ZINKO, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
Please don’t want to bash those who enjoy looking cute while self-quarantining and social distancing. People are different and if it benefits their mental health, let them be. I am finding joy and some normalcy in those little things, dressing up makes me happy. Therefore I am continuing to inspire you on a daily basis. Thank you for your support!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Natasha Zinko and via Vogue
Disclaimer: Masks to be worn as a fashion accessory, no medical use has yet been proven.
When I spotted René’s jacket that he wore for the launch event of Kenzo x H&M in NYC, I was immediately drawn to it. The collar was divine and it drove me nuts that I didn’t get which designer it was. It looked a little Gucci… when I asked, he revealed the secret: those embellishments were earrings by H&M that he had just sewn on to it. What a great idea! The same goes for his ribbon tie. It is a silk band with one sparkling H&M earring attached to it.
This is what I call creativity! Bravo, René! Follow him on instagram @monsieurené or @rené_zibold.
TO SHOP THE LATEST H&M EARRINGS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
LoL, Sandra
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht
“We feel it’s inevitable and crucial to create contemporary clothing.” – Demna Gvasalia.
The Creative Director of Paris design collective Vetements and Maison Margiela alumni elevates deceptively simple pieces with meticulous construction, considered fabrics and playful proportions. Leading the fashion tribe, he set a new tone for denim with its no-hem-hemline: think cut-off, let-down, frayed and raw. With its coolness, it’s completely street style approved and worth the investment.
Reworked high-rise slim-leg jeans by Vetements
And now, aside from Vetements, it’s gone mass: J Brand, Mother, Frame and many others (see below), are going for the uneven, distressed hem.
If you don’t feel like maxing out your budget on a pair of denim jeans, I suggest taking your scissors to create your own frayed style. For all others have fun shopping!
LoL, Sandra
Distressed mid-rise straight-leg jeans
by Steve J & Yoni P
Insider cropped high-rise slim-leg jeans by Mother
Distressed mid-rise slim-leg jeans by Facetasm
Carolina high-rise skinny jeans by J Brand
Le Crop Mini frayed mid-rise bootcut jeans by Frame
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Tommy Ton
It is one of those days when you are working like crazy and the door bell rings. Yes, mail can be a welcome distraction. Especially when it comes from the House of Guerlain, sending their newest scent, which (big surprise) you can name yourself.
Guerlain Mon Exclusif, as it is called in the absence of a real name, leaves room for the creativity of its lovers. You are invited to apply metallic lettering on the bottle or have it engraved directly with a unique name.
Created by Thierry Wasser, this oriental scent comes with fougère accords of fresh fern, lavender, soft sandalwood, caramel, salted butter, toffee, mandarine, iris and vanilla. It is absolutely delicious.
It is available at a price of CHF 170.00 (Eau de Parfum concentration) from September 1, 2015. In Switzerland at Bon Genie Geneva, Manor Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via Guerlain
Whether you’re heading to the beach in Saint Tropez, to a boardroom meeting or simply snuggling up with a good book on a Sunday: a braid is your perfect style partner and I have the ultimate braid guide for you today.
Combining fashion illustrations and easy-to-do tutorials, Kérastase‘s ‘The Couture Book of Braids’ features 30 different styles, from plaited ponytails to headband styles, beautiful summery fishtails, and even those extremely sophisticated alpine-style crown braids. Great news is that this e-book is free for download here.
Absolutely helpful is that Kérastase also shares their expertise on the best products to use, including their new Matérialiste all-over thickening spray gel (available now for CHF 34.00 / 190ml) that adds body and texture so that braiding becomes a breeze for those with fine hair, hair lacking density or even those that just want the perfect natural air-dry with a bit of “oomph”.
Use Matérialiste to create ‘The hat option waterfall braid’ found on page 92 in ‘The Couture Book Of Braids’.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase and © Sandra Bauknecht
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
Don’t we all would love to see the world through rose-coloured glasses, so here is an idea, what about rose-trimmed sunglasses? I had been drooling over those stunning Dolce & Gabbana floral shades for a while and couldn’t wait to get my hands on them.
If you don’t want to spend that much money on a pair of eye-catchers, why not DIYing them yourself? All you will need is a pair of sunglasses, a variety of ceramic roses and flowers (available at art supply stores), some popsicle sticks and toothpicks, plus hot glue.
Just be careful to use a small amount of hot glue when applying the flowers and to let it dry thoroughly. I like to press the embellishments with the help of a popsicle stick firmly on the shades. Enjoy this fun DIY project and of course your new sunglasses. You won’t go unnoticed this summer!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Ad Photo: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana
Today’s post is dedicated to my very own little family. Thank you so much for the lovely Mother’s Day I had! You truly have spoilt me. First of all, I woke up with my daughter’s arms around my neck to a bouquet of my favourite flowers, peonies, as you can see in my collage above. I am so proud of her as she came up with the most creative idea ever. She gave me a wall clock that she had embellished with photos of us. How cool is that?!
Then, she had convinced her Daddy to get me this gorgeous ‘Diorette Marguerite‘ ring, the miniature version of my beloved ‘Diorette‘ ring. She handed it to me while telling me how much she loves me. Being a mum is the best job ever, since the payment is pure love…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
