Sandra‘s Closet

A spectacular book published by Thames & Hudson to celebrate the exceptional CHANEL High Jewelry creations, from the launch of Gabrielle Chanel’s first collection in 1932 to the most contemporary pieces.

«I used my penchant for all that shines to try and reconcile elegance and fashion in a set of jewelry.»
Gabrielle Chanel

From Gabrielle Chanel «Bijoux de Diamants» collection to the newest interpretations of her signature signs and symbols by Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, CHANEL High Jewelry remains eternally modern and true to the spirit of her enterprise.
Breathtaking new photography and classic images from the CHANEL archives brings together revealing combinations in a stunning visual narrative, privileging aesthetic form over 4 chapters: the origins, the symbols, the spirit, and the allure. Gabrielle Chanel’s passion for fabulous and improbable marvels is celebrated here in a covetable book-object that pays tribute to the House’s unparalleled insistence on luxury and refinement, creativity, and beauty.

Based on extensive research and exploring Chanel’s inspirations and art through some of the most precious of all her creations and the eternally modern ideas they have inspired, the book features superb photographs by Karl Lagerfeld, Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, François Kollar, Roger Schall, George Hoyningen-Huene, Horst P. Horst, André Kertész, Sarah Moon, Koto Bolofo, Karim Sadli, Dominique Issermann, and many others. It is also illustrated with images from CHANEL’s archive and sketches that express the creativity and joie de vivre of the world’s finest High Jewelry collections.

Retail price: £150 / 150€ / $200
Publication dates: France / United Kingdom: December 2022
China / Japan / Korea: January 2023
United States: March 2023

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL #CHANELHighJewelry
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

The anticipation of an unopened box, the revelation in its unpacking, the joy of giving, the thrill of receiving: PRADA celebrates the traditions and memories inherent in the season. Connecting innately to that spirit, PRADA surprised me with a gift box in store. Revealing its tantalizing treasures layer by layer, I felt pure and innocent joy by this simple gesture of giving.

The beautiful Cleo crystal-embellished shoulder bag drawn from the Holiday collection, as well as the set-of geometric-pattern baubles both express the breadth of the Prada aesthetic universe, encompassing fashion and accessories alongside nods to homewares and games.

What I love about those glittery accessories and fabrics is that you can wear them all year long. They are definitely not limited to the Holiday season. Opening up Prada. Add some sparkle to your life. All year long… a holiday treat you will never regret.

TO SHOP PRADA ONLINE, CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Sephora is one of the best places to find amazing gifts to spoil all of your beauty-loving friends. When I went to the Sephora press day, I narrowed down the best skin-care, makeup, hair, and fragrance sets, so you can cross all of your beauty-obsessed friends and relatives off your list in the last minute.

In fact, there’s so much holiday goodness that it can be a little overwhelming to start from scratch. So I did the hard work for you and compiled the most affordable and breathtaking options.

Happy Holidays!

LoL, Sandra

Sephora Collection Palette Blockbuster – CHF 39.90
88 shades: 60 eyeshadows, 6 face powders (2 highlighters, 2 blushs and 2 bronzer), 16 lip glosses, 3 eyebrow powders and 3 cream eyeliners.

Nars Explicit Content Climax – Duo De Mascaras – CHF 45.90
A makeup set featuring two full-sized Climax Mascaras in attractive packaging.

Drunk Elephant Drunk Break Weekend Edition Holiday Kit – CHF 88.90
This is a complete facial routine featuring a pro-quality AHA/BHA mask.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set – CHF 50.90
Featuring the award-winning, cult favorite Brazilian Bum Bum Cream that is a must for all beauty lovers.

Fresh Cleanse & Moisturize Set – CHF 28.90
Your skin care prep essentials in one set.

Too Faced Better Than Sex – Ornament – CHF 19.90
Trim your tree with a limited-edition holiday ornament with a travel size version of the #1-selling prestige mascara in America! Makes the perfect gift!

Pumpkin Spice Second Slice Eye Palette – CHF 57.90
Capture all the sexy colors of fall with our phis palette, made of 18 fragrant, warm and spicy shades.

Kenzoki Youth Flow Set – CHF 49.90
The perfect mix of global anti-ageing action and feel-good formula.​

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Are you still looking for a great gift idea? I recently came across those limited edition pieces by DIPTYQUE that I absolutely adore. They are not only beautiful on display, but also help to spread the beautiful scent of the candle in your room. Rotating gently, the golden lantern, a refined accessory on top of a candle, or the carousel’s golden charms, both revolve around the flame, like a fairytale to enchant the winter.

Snow Candle 190g
In midnight blue, this limited-edition scented candle is adorned with white, gold and silver stars plucked out of Diptyque’s map of stars to enhance the intense color of the wax.

Perfumed Bird Brooch Eau Rose
Inspired by Renaissance perfume jewelery, a scented ceramic slips behind the brooch and diffuses the intensely floral notes and fruity accents of Eau Rose.

Carousel Set with Candle Berries 190gr
Like stars around the sun, the carousel’s golden charms enchant the emblematic Berries (Baies) candle.

Lantern for Candle
A myriad of ovals adorns the Diptyque lantern. Its delicate openwork, projects graphicand infinitely poetic reflections all around.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Diptyque and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Each year, I enjoy ACQUA DI PARMA’s Holiday collection to the fullest. It is a true festival of wonders, with so many gift options or delightful treats for the house.

This season, the Italian House has come up with something very delicious: the seasonal exclusive Panettone candle. It is a delightful treat for the sight, smell and taste evoking the most delicious memories of the holidays. Brining the iconic scent of yummy Panettone, the traditional Milanese festive dessert well-loved all over the world, its sparkling citrus meets in an irresistible blend with the gourmand notes of vanilla and candied fruits.

The limited-edition candle (CHF 107.00) features a weave of sunlit yellow elements on the glass jar and the outerbox, a one-of-a-kind print inspired by a Florentine artisanal technique by Italian craftsmen, especially for ACQUA DI PARMA’s Holiday Collection. Perfect as festive notes across your living spaces. It is also available as a diffuser (CHF 121.00).

The other seasonal exclusive scent is called Magia del Camino. The packaging is dressed in intense hues and magical tones to scent the home with the comforting warmth of gathering together around the fireplace. Available as candle and diffuser.

Rejoice in a snowy atmosphere where the crisp winter air of Bosco brings a sense of bliss.

Other beautiful gift sets and products dedicated to the festive season are:

The splendid welcome into the Italian festive wonderland with an Advent Calendar (CHF 595.00) full of surprises.

Convivial and vibrant with radiant Colonia Collection gifts sets (CHF 171.00) that gives light to a festive Holiday.

A window with a view that opens into a journey of discovery with Oud Favorites Set (CHF 317.00).

The Barbiere Daily Ritual Set (CHF 123.00) is the perfect gift for your loved one.

A treasure trove of Mediterranean gems in Blu Mediterraneo gift sets (CHF 113.00) to take you back to your favourite memories.

Every print in this beautiful Holiday Collection is a unique one-off combination produced by hand through the marbled technique. A wonderful detail that defines the Italian wonderland dressing those creations in colours bursting with festive joy.

In Switzerland the collection is available at Jelmoli and Globus.
TO SHOP THE ACQUA DI PARMA HOLIDAY 2022 COLLECTION ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © ACQUA DI PARMA
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

If you are not into real books and were not impressed by yesterday’s reading list, I have another book you might enjoy from my holidays, the Maldives embroidered appliquéd canvas clutch.

Handcrafted in an intricate process that can take up to 300 hours, Olympia Le-Tan‘s signature book-shaped clutches are a must-have among fashionistas. This one inspired by the Maldives is patterned with lush palm trees, turquoise waters and floating beach huts that dot the island coastline. It’s structured with a sturdy gold-tone frame and unlocks to reveal Liberty florals. Gift it to a loved one to commemorate a honeymoon or special birthday trip. It could also be the perfect packaging to surprise someone with a travel experience. Needless to say there are many destinations featured as a book clutch.

YOU CAN FIND A LARGE SELECTION OF TRAVEL BOOK CLUTCHES HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Olympia Le-Tan
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Anticipation is the greatest joy and what a better way to indulge in the holiday season than getting a luxurious advent calendar that will get you even more excited for Christmas.

As usual, click on the highlighted product description to be transferred to the shop directly.

Forte Beads 18-karat gold and multi-stone advent calendar by Carolina Bucci

This advent calendar is my winner this year. How cool is that? Thanks to Carolina Bucci’s advent calendar, you’ll have a completed bracelet by Christmas day – every drawer is nestled with two beads that you can arrange on the Lurex cord with 18-karat gold charms. Each one has been hand-carved from unique gemstones for a joyful play of colors.

25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar by NET-A-PORTER

The NET-A-PORTER Advent Calendar might be in your letter to Santa, but don’t leave it in your Wish List – the annual set sells out notoriously fast. Carefully edited by the beauty buying team, 2022’s round-up showcases the year’s heroes: a mix of team favorites and best-sellers to power through a season of parties and pamper nights. Expect plenty of industry stalwarts and new discoveries for 2023’s top shelf.

Advent Calendar 2022 by Dr. Barbara Sturm

Including an extensive array of full sizes and minis from her coveted range of skin and haircare, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s advent calendar ensures you step into 2023 at your most radiant. Regenerative Purslane – the aesthetic specialist’s hero active – features across many, and they’re house in an elegant box inspired by jewelry cases.

Holiday 2022 Advent Calendar by Acqua di Parma

Twenty-five gifts of colours and joy in an explosion of hues and radiance, only with Acqua di Parma’s Advent Calendar, the star of the Holiday Collection dressed in a visual symphony of the Maison’s golden shades of yellow with seasonal accents of red and green. The one-of-a-kind print is inspired by a Florentine artisanal technique by Italian craftsmen. The countdown to the Holidays begins as every window unveils a daily surprise to immerse in the complete Acqua di Parma universe, from Colonia and Blu Mediterraneo to Signatures of the Sun and the Home Collection. The hatbox is inspired by a luminous Italian home and makes for a stunning addition to your space.

Women 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar and
Men 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, both by Clarins

This is a must for all love birds. There’s no better way to countdown to the festive season than with two advent calendars, one for her and one for him. Each has 12 drawers filled with an array of the brand’s must-have products. For her, it reveals make-up, skincare and body surprises to pamper and indulge in ahead of the big day, with favourites such as the brand’s bestselling Double Serum – a guaranteed favourite for healthy skin. More treats come in the form of the SOS Pure Mask, the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector and the Cleansing Micellar Water. For him, he will find everything for an ultra-refreshing skincare routine, including the ClarinsMen Energising Eye Gel, Active Face Wash, Super Moisture Lotion and Fresh Face Scrub. The small sized products are all so great for travelling!

Advent Calendar 2022 by Dior

Upgrade on the advent calendars of Christmases past for Dior’s spectacular iteration. Housed in a smart navy box, it’ll open to reveal 24 windows just waiting to be opened, overlaid with a delicate illustration of the brand’s Parisian Maison surrounded by celestial figures and constellations – the perfect depiction of this magical time of year. As the days roll by, you’ll discover a number of Dior delights, from perfume and lipstick to luxurious skincare and even mini candles.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Le Byblos St. Tropez is so much more than a hotel, it is a whole way of life. It is one of my favorite spots in the world and I always feel home away from home. What is the Gstaad Palace in winter for me, is the Byblos Saint Tropez in summer.

Finally, I can take some holiday feeling back home with the beautiful Byblos scented candle that is created in collaboration with the oldest candlemaker in the world – the House of Trudon.

The candle is made in a colour exclusive to Byblos and is limited to only 55 numbered pieces, an homage to the 55th anniversary of the Byblos. Each candle is a reflection of extraordinary know-how and is recognisable by the emblems of both houses as well as its highly unusual orange glass. The Cyrnos fragrance, with its lemon, lavender and pine notes, resonates with the joie de vivre that permeates life on the French Riviera. Available as 270g for CHF €130.

To shop the candle, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Byblos St. Tropez / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Are you looking to lighten up the mood at your office or home? Then look no further than to this playful doorstop from Loewe which is designed to look like a cactus, complete with colorful handcrafted textured flowers. Weighted with a stone at the center, it’s wrapped in woven leather and has a braided handle at the top so you can move it around easily. It makes a fun housewarming gift and is definitely a conversation starter.

To shop the cactus woven leather doorstop by Loewe, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Loewe
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

THE MAGIC OF A MEDITERRANEAN AWAKENING
The Italian fashion brand forte_forte celebrates Mirto di Panarea
forte_forte and Acqua di Parma are teaming up for the first time in an all- Italian love story. The «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» moniker is the result of the collaboration between a fashion house with a dreamy allure, focused on creating timeless designs filled with emotions, and a Maison symbolic of the most refined Italian style. The two houses share a passion for craftsmanship and for Made in Italy culture, for the atmospheres of Italian landscapes and for a pure and spontaneous beauty inspiring a revitalising rebirth. They come together to celebrate Mirto di Panarea, one of Acqua di Parma’s most loved fragrances.
More than just another capsule collection, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» evokes the magic of Spring and its rebirth, inspired by the aromas and colours of the fascinating Aeolian island. This kaleidoscope of emotions radiates a new freedom, fluttering on the wings of a butterfly and a dragonfly. An iridescent atmosphere, vibrating with light and energy.

forte_forte aims to eliminate the distance between clothes and the wearer, by placing the focus on feelings and emotions. This joint project between the brother and sister team of Giada and Paolo Forte began in 2002 with a limited collection of hand-finished tee shirts. The fashion house creates special designs in which the Made in Italy is represented by the quality of the garments and a constant research driven by the desire to create pieces that are in complete symbiosis with the wearer’s body. This concept perfectly matches with Acqua di Parma’s core values.

What does a fashion design share with a fragrance?
«In this exciting story, the alliance between a fashion design and a fragrance generates a dynamic choreography that transports us into a dreamlike world, filling our senses with emotions and magic. Together, they create an intimate and special bond with our soul and body, enveloping it in a wonderful embrace.» – Giada Forte

A mythical landscape that lives in the delicate and dreamy design created by forte_forte for the Maison. Butterflies and dragonflies spread their coloured wings, in a fluttering flight that celebrates freedom and rebirth and that is reflected in a kaleidoscope of flowers abloom. The radiant yellow Parma tones alternate with the violet of myrtle berries, the symbol of an island suspended in time, on an aquamarine background with pearlescent reflections. Everything vibrates with life, whilst in the air you can breathe the scents of aromatic herbs that grow spontaneously and free-flowing in the Mediterranean scrub ecosystem.

The heart of the collection is the Mirto di Panarea fragrance in the novel 100ml format. The luxurious aesthetics of forte_forte dialogues with the regenerating notes of the fragrance. The aromatic warmth of myrtle is combined with basil, sparkling citrus accents of lemon and bergamotto di Calabria. In the heart of the fragrance accents of sea breeze meet jasmine and rose. The base notes intensely shine with mastic and juniper combined with cedar and amber.

Joyful and modern, the motif wraps around the cylinder box and the green coloured glass bottle that calls to mind the fragile beauty of ceramics. Made with a bright and special iridescent paper, the packaging, like a forte_forte dress, surprises and makes you dream, creating an intimate and exciting bond with those who opt for this fragrance. The outer cylinder is embellished with a small crochet decoration, its shape recalls a warm and bright sun. The charm scoubidou around the bottle cap in cobalt blue and fluorescent yellow tones and with a precious gold medallion, can be transformed into a bracelet or an anklet, a hair clip or a colourful and joyful keychain.

Apart from the fragrance, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» includes the Discovery Set with the three fragrances Mirto di Panarea, Arancia di Capri and Fico di Amalfi in 12ml vials. The box, entirely covered with forte_forte designs, invites you to discover the authentic essences of the Italian Mediterranean. The Mirto di Panarea scented candle, a unique interior design element, with the glass decorated with the kaleidoscopic motif of flowers and butterflies embossed also on the packaging, will fill the house with the sparkling awakening notes of the Mediterranean nature.

«forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» also embraces sustainability in line with the programme of the Maison «Acqua di Parma Futura». The outer packaging is made of fine paper approved by FSC, an international certificate for responsible forest management throughout the world.
The fragrance bottle, with a recycled plastic cap, features a separable dispenser to make recycling easier. «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» is a fragrant dream that unites two Italian stories in a tale of emotions.

Mirto di Panarea Eau de Toilette 100ml: CHF 153
Candle 200gr: CHF 87
Discovery Set: CHF 75

I am off to Italy today with Brunello Cucinelli… so excited for another love story!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.