Sandra‘s Closet

Something for my Swiss based readers today, especially for those who are looking for some cute Christmas gifts that you cannot find anywhere else. Let me introduce you to one of my dear friends Nina who started her business «Nina and the City» formerly known as «Kids and the City» 10 years ago as she was giving birth to her second child and the series «Sex and the City» was at its peak popularity. At the time, the focus was on personalized accessories for urban babies as the original name of the company indicated. My avid readers might still remember, for all others have a look at previous posts from 2010 and 2013.

Nina is a great business woman combining motherhood and her pop-up store in an amazing way. Her concept grew quickly and over the years the scope of the business broadened by including accessories for urban mothers being it textile or jewelry.

Today, «Nina and the City» distributes over 80 brands from all over the world. The differentiation lies in the uniqueness and the smaller scale productions of the products that range from fully affordable to more exclusive. The secret is in the discovery of unknown brands around the world in which Nina – the «truffle dog» as her friends call her – excels.

As every year, Nina and the City will soon open its doors again for a traditional
Private Christmas Sale.

Dates
Oct 31 – Nov 3 : 9 am – 7 pm
Nov 4: 9 am – 2 pm
Nov 6-7 : 9 am – 7 pm

Address
Binderstrasse 61, 8702 Zollikon, Switzerland

For us, she gave us a sneak preview about what to expect and told us about her favorites that will be available for sale next week:

These rings look so adorable stacked! Wear the initials of your family…

Rings – diamond rings with initials that are made out of 18 kt solid yellow, white or rose gold. The diameter of the circle is 8mm and the initial is surrounded by 0,17-0,21 kt (depends on which initial) white (F-VS), brown or black diamonds. This gives an amazing sparkle. To top it off a black rhodium can be added. The rings are stackable for those who have more loved ones to honour with initials. The rings are fully tailored for a very affordable price.

A beautiful look from Manidou

Fashion – cashmere from la Capra, women fashion from Ann&Line, scarves from Manidou (all Swiss brands!) and capes from the Capemädchen.

A personalized bangle

Personalized jewelry – broad variety of personalized jewelry from bangles to bracelets or necklaces in different gold tones, plated or solid, with diamonds or without and for every budget.

With plenty of unique gift ideas and Christmas around the corner, it’s definitely an event not to be missed! See you there!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands via Nina and the City

Brett Heyman’s line of clutches and bags EDIE PARKER is inspired by the mid-century styles favored by showgirls and socialites of the ’50s and ’60s. The brand’s glitter-finish and acrylic designs are all-American – each one sketched in New York and handmade by skilled craftsmen in Chicago using New Jersey-sourced materials.

A piece from the F/W 2017 collection: Macy Kiss marbled acrylic box clutch

Such a sweet way to propose: Jean embossed acrylic box clutch

Bespoke Flavia Clutch

But what I absolutely adore is that EDIE PARKER offers you a bespoke service. You can choose the colors, the text, the shadow, the hardware and the font. This is such a beautiful gift idea that I had to share with you! For more information, click here please. It is so much fun to play around with this tool… you will see!

LoL, Sandra

Double-sided bespoke Flavia CutchPhotos: Courtesy of Edie Parker

Washing has never been more stylish! Finally after touring around the globe, the HERMÈS Laundromat pop-up store is coming to Jelmoli Zurich from October 25 till November 4, 2017.

What is the Hermèsmatic exactly? In celebration of the French brand’s silk squares 80th anniversary, it will offer complimentary dip-dye services on the famous scarves. Giving an artistic upgrade to the traditional laundromat with orange laundry baskets and Hermès logos plastered all over the walls, the shop also features washing machines in the House’s signature shade that perform the transformation.

Shoppers can bring their own Hermès scarves for a fresh dip-dye makeover. There are three different color options, fuchsia, emerald green, or denim blue, available. After the washing machine, it will be put in a dryer and will come out super soft again. Ironing and folding will complete your transformation. After 48 hours your foulard is ready for collection. All for free!

What a great way to have a new scarf…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès – © Alain Benoît and © Martial Schmeltz

Cabinet of Wonders
The Gaston-Louis Vuitton Collection

Edited by Patrick Mauriès With texts by John Banville, Stephen Bayley, Alberto Manguel, Delphine Saurat, Pierre Senges

Such a wonderful coffee table book – a perfect gift for somebody who likes traveling and vintage collector’s items. Over his lifetime, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, grandson of the founder of the House, collected trunks and every kind of article related to travel, invention, craftsmanship and bibliophilia. With more than one thousand objects and documents, this volume pays homage to an ‘unrepentant collector’, his wide interests and voracious curiosity.

In Louis Vuitton stores worldwide July 2017
In bookstores September 2017

Below you can enjoy some of the different sections of the new tome to get an idea of what the book is about. Enjoy and happy weekend! I am off to London…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

It is Sunday, time to play with your loved ones. Personally speaking, I love card and board games and this is one of my favorite things to do with my family on a lazy weekend. A feast for the eyes are the backgammon boards and custom-made games tables designed by Alexandra Llewellyn which I found over the EDEN BEING website.

The London based British designer stocks a collection of in-house designs, all made in the UK, that can be available immediately or personalised with engraved or painted messages, initials, and dates. They can also be commissioned with exquisite semi-precious stone and brass playing pieces.

Alexandra also takes one-off commissions for games tables and games boards, creating a truly original way to commemorate memories and life achievements. Every detail is created in close conversation with the client. What a lovely gift for a loved one!

Alexandra Llewellyn

Since her childhood, which she spent in Cairo, Alexandra has played backgammon. The rattle of dice on large wooden crate-boards signaled the game in play, as she strolled through the streets with her Egyptian step-grandfather. As she travelled more her interest in backgammon evolved, over countless games. She became enthralled by the idea that board games operate as an independent vocabulary requiring neither common language nor culture, and the idea that games bring people together.

Alexandra collaborated with legendary photographer Terry O’Neill, whose images defined the Swinging Sixties and the Seventies.

Launched in December 2010, Alexandra Llewellyn Designs embody an exquisitely unique vision of the oldest recorded board game in the world. Alexandra’s designs are owned by client’s such as Sir Richard Branson, Elle Macpherson, Jacquetta Wheeler, Sony Music, Eden Rock, Mark Ronson and Paloma Faith. I love!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Alexandra Llewellyn Design Ltd. 2016, some taken at Chilham Castle, Kent

This spring, Aerin Lauder takes her favorite three fragrances to new heights with the launch of the AERIN d’Or collection. All three existing scents are newly interpreted with the addition of very luxurious ingredients such as fine woods, like oud and patchouli, along with musk and amber.

The golden packaging is beautiful and will look gorgeous on your bathroom shelf. What a great gift for Mother’s Day!

TANGIER VANILLE D’OR
Oriental

Tangier Vanille turns to gold, taking you more deeply into the mystery and splendor of Morocco, leaving a trail of scent that is shimmering like gold in the air.

Top notes: Bergamot, plum and Bulgarian rose
Middle notes: Madagascar vanilla, saffron and myrhh
Base notes: Cashmere wood, crystallized amber, tonka bean and sandalwood

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

EVENING ROSE D’OR
Oriental Floral

The allure of night in the city that is what Evening Rose is about when it turns to gold.

Top notes: Blackberry, litchi and pink pepper
Middle notes: May rose, Bulgarian rose and honey
Base notes: Incense, patchouli, amber and leather

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

AMBER MUSK D’OR
Oriental Floral

Amber Musk turns to gold, enveloping your senses in its soft, inviting world.

Top notes: Magnolia and coconut water
Middle notes: Lily-of-the-valley and May rose
Base notes: Oud accord, ambroxan, amber, praline, musk, benzoin and incense.

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

In Switzerland available from Mid March 2017 exclusively at Globus or in the Swiss webshop.
TO SHOP AERIN BEAUTY ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Estée Lauder
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Attention lovers! Also in 2017, MIU MIU introduces a capsule collection especially for Valentine’s Day. Pink and red, sparkling details, the offering draws on the playful juxtaposition of different elements. This quintessentially feminine collection will make the perfect gift!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Today is my birthday and it is a fact, I love birthdays and I adore being an aquarius. Speaking of which, I would like to introduce you to the zodiac medallions by Venyx. Those in search of a modern talisman need look no further than the necklaces found within Eugenie Niarchos‘ new zodiac collection. Each gold coin pendant features one of the twelve zodiac constellations inlaid with diamonds and birthstones signature to the corresponding calendar month.

Make yours even more personal by engraving anything from your name to your favorite saying.Bespoke Aquarius Coin Pendant And Chain

TO SHOP AND PERSONALIZE THE VENYX ZODIAC MEDALLIONS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Venyx

Looking for new and creative ways to show your loved one how much you care? You don’t have to save romance just for February 14, why not make every day Valentine’s Day! Saying «I love you» has never been easier, especially for those finding it hard to express their feelings directly. Gentlemen, here we go, I have the perfect gift.

Dolce & Gabbana‘s printed metallic leather box clutch is crafted from laser-cut metallic leather and printed with a playful message designed to look like lipstick. This Italian-made accessory has a handy internal mirror and the label’s signature flower-embellished padlock. Attach the strap to carry it over your shoulder.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Love is in the air at Hermès as one of the French House’s most iconic scarf prints «Brides de Gala» has just received a little «affaire de coeur». Designed by the brand’s famous artist Hugo Grygkar, this limited edition is printed with the signature equestrian motif combined with blue and orange hearts. The best is yet to come as the special packaging for Valentine’s Day is an exclusive heart-shaped orange box.

I am truly in love with this…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès