Sandra‘s Closet

Here is an eye candy for all fans of Hello Kitty and Swarovski crystals among you:
First introduced in 1974, Hello Kitty has been winning over the hearts of the young – and young at heart – ever since. Being an icon of the pop culture, the oh-so-adorable little cat upgrades its look in a sparkling collaboration between the Japanese company Sanrio and Swarovski through jewelry pieces, charms, accessories and figurines. You might have to be a truly dedicated fan to be willing to spend such amounts of money on those playful sparkling pieces. But if you are, I am convinced that you will love those girly treasures.

Clutch, CHF 820

Ring Set, CHF 130

Charm Sitting, CHF 95

Necklace, CHF 330

Earrings, CHF 120

Helly Kitty fans might ask themselves: “What’s better than a Hello Kitty doll?”
Here is the answer: “A Hello Kitty doll covered in Swarovski crystals of course!”

Limited Edition 2011, CHF 10.000

With almost 20.000 crystals embedded into its surface by hand, this iteration of the the world’s cutest kitty is pretty glittery. And also rare – only 88 of them will be made.

The collection will be available starting in August in the 1900 Swarovski stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Swarovski 2011

Matthew Williamson has announced his collaboration with Ladurée Paris on a limited edition macarons box. The British designer has transformed the traditional Ladurée box using an iconic Matthew Williamson butterfly wing print repeated in kaleidoscopic layers. These ornate boxes of macarons will be exclusively available at London Ladurée retailers first from the start of London Fashion Week: 16th September and then available worldwide from the start of Paris Fashion Week: 26th September for a limited period only.

I love both Matthew Williamson and Ladurée, this is one of those rare fashion-meets-food moments. I might just have to go one size up after all those yummy macarons…

LoL, Sandra

Me with my bloggerdoll. La Bloggerdoll is designed and handmade from Paola Ferrai.

Meet the Bloggerdolls. Designer Paola Ferrai came up with the idea to create handmade dolls inspired by different bloggers.

The details are very cute. I am personally in love with those little fur boots. LuisaViaRoma is going to sell those cuties soon online and in their shop in Florence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Father’s Day is coming up. Make Dad smile with those fab ideas. Tiffany & Co.knows the importance of giving a great 
gift and it is time to spoil Dad with something he wouldn’t buy for himself. So why not treat him with some silver sparkle?

Make him the coolest guy on the block this year with a great pair of cuff links or give him a compass for your hiking weekend together.

And if you are looking for an incredibly easy, priceless and quick gift, pamper your Dad and write up a  little book full of coupons that could include things like „A Day of Golf“, „Breakfast in Bed“ or a „Car Wash“.

Stamped with a playful ‘Daddy Cool’ motif, Symthson’s black leather-bound notebook would be a lovely choice.

With 
so many ideas in one place, finding the perfect 
present has never been easier.

LoL, Sandra

Still looking for a little Easter surprise. Here are some suggestions that are perfect for those who want to declare their love within a budget or feel good when helping others.

Dodo belongs to famous Italian jewelry brand Pomellato and is definitely their sweetest collection. The dodo pendants are a happy company of animals who speak the language of feelings and emotions. Each dodo reveals a little bit of who we are and what we want to say, sending a wonderful personal message to our loved ones.

Those who look like innocent little lambs and those who pass for big bad wolves often make a perfect couple. Why not giving such a sweet little Easter lamb instead of eating it?!

Charms lamb and wolf  starting at € 115 each, earrings starting at € 364 each pair.

Gucci introduces a limited edition charity bracelet to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan.  All proceeds from sales of the bracelet will benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society to support victims of the devastating Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March.

Featuring a white-red-white web that recalls the colors of the Japanese flag, the bracelet carries a medal with a message that reads, “Gucci loves you.” The limited edition bracelet will be available from April 23, for CHF 120. Who doesn’t want to be loved by Gucci?

Vanessa Tugendhaft has also created two bracelets to salute and support the stricken nation: Bracelet Nobless – a diamond for Japan, something to remember.

The Nobless bracelet is available in two forms at affordable prices for larger mobilisation.
– a white unbreakable thread with a central motif without diamond in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 69
(CHF 13 will be donated to the Red Cross)
– a white unbreakable thread with a diamond trimmed central motif in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 129
(CHF 26 will be donated to the Red Cross).

Available through Kids and the City, phone +41 79 768 37 23.

Enjoy your Easter weekend and Happy Spring to everyone, it is really here!

LoL, Sandra

Nars Tainted Love, Make-up set, £44

With Valentine’s Day just a week away, it’s time to drop a probably not-so-subtle hint to your loved ones that all you want is…

Those fabulous Valentine’s Day gifts scream: „Be mine!“  – It is love at first sight.

LoL, Sandra

Wolford Valentine's Set: Bra CHF 165, String CHF 79, Garter Belt CHF 135

Dodo Ring € 295 (also available in red)

Dodo Earrings, € 295 (also available in white)

Tiffany & Co. Locks Heart Pendant, CHF 6800

Tiffany & Co. Tourmaline and Diamond Ring, € 16600

Louis Vuitton Mini Purse, CHF 490

Louis Vuitton Key Ring, CHF 300

Miu Miu Bag, CHF 1200

Miu Miu Wallet red, CHF 470

Miu Miu Wallet pink, CHF 470

Lancel Premier Flirt "Anguille" Bag (Eel skin), € 990

Your chance to win Lancel's "Anguille" Bag

Vogue Love Sunglasses, starting at CHF 182

Just three days left… Have you got all your gifts rounded up yet? Well, what are you waiting for? If you are looking for the perfect last minute present, I recommend a virtual visit to stylebop.com.

I put a pre-selection of fashionable treats for you together that will arrive beautifully wrapped directly to your doorstep. Or think about a gift card that you can give 5 minutes after having ordered it per credit card (awesome for those who have forgotten someone…).

Good news for my German based readers, Stylebop offers express delivery for Christmas Eve when ordered until 12pm on December, 23rd.

Stress-free shopping, I am loving it!

LoL, Sandra

“Should we get you a diamond?” Mr. Big asks. “No. Just get me a really big closet,” Carrie answers. This scene from the first Sex and the City: The Movie is one every shopaholic gets (and has probably watched more than once). Like Carrie’s closet, the Shopaholics Daily Calendar 2011 and the Fashion – 365 Days of Obsession Calendar 2011 are crammed with stuff fashionistas love: advice from celebrity stylists, quotes and tips from designers and ways to be a smarter shopper – all for a lot less than a trip to the mall and no closet space required.

For the insatiable shoe or handbag lovers, I recommend to indulge your obsession with a full-colour year of purses, clutches, totes or pumps and sandals. The Shoes as well as the Handbags Calendars come as a gallery for the desk so that you can enjoy day after day a new fashionable piece.

I got them for my girlfriends, the perfect gift for a fellow fashionista!

LoL, Sandra

No wonder there is traditionally a queue around the block from her shops at Christmas. The name Jo Malone sends most women into a reverie of pristine cream boxes with black edging and grosgrain ribbons filled with original fresh scents.

The products are wonderful gifts. Even the tissue paper is misted with fragrance so that the Jo Malone experience starts already when lifting the lit.

As a child, Jo Malone would make her own perfumes with flowers from the garden and grated Camay soap. Her mother was a beautician and her father an artist.
She worked as a florist and gave facials in her kitchen at night. Soon she became one of London’s most sought-after skin care therapist. It was when she met her husband Gary at the age of 19, that their business, featuring handmade scents and products, took off. She gave her Nutmeg and Ginger Bath Oil as a thank you to her clients and the orders began to flood in.

Jo Malone opened her first store at 154 Walton Street in London in 1994. By 1999, she launched her flagship store in London’s Sloane Street. That same year her company was purchased by Estée Lauder with Jo Malone still at its UK helm as chairwoman and creative director. Then in 2006, she sold it to them in its entirety.

For deeper, richer dimension to your home, it’s decorating with scent that makes the difference. Shouldn’t the fragrance ambience of your home be as inviting as the fragrance on your skin?

For her, perfume and stories go hand in hand, each cologne has been inspired by a real moment. Think of fragrances as your little black dress. You can create your bespoke scent by mixing, matching and layering with other Jo Malone colognes for endless effects. Accessorize it extravagantly or pair it down, just follow your mood and make each day another statement.
This is the philosophy behind Jo Malone’s Fragrance Combining. In case you are worried that a cologne doesn’t last enough, you will be astonished how long the fragrances stay on. Especially in combination with the Jo Malone body products.

You can choose from all sorts of fragrance families such as floral, spicy or woody. For more details, please enjoy the collages below:

As I am a big fan of oriental, opulent fragrances, I am truly happy about Jo Malone’s new addition: The 4 new Colognes Intenses. Ingredients like rose water, amber, patchouli, vanilla, musk and oud give in combination a wonderful deepness to your bespoke scent. They were supposed to be limited but seem to stay in the collection due to their high demand.

To the left, you can see a photo of my very own bathroom and its little Jo Malone display.
For a store locator, please click here. For my Zurich based readers, I have good news. There is a Jo Malone corner now at Jelmoli.

LoL, Sandra

Those beautiful gift ideas by Lanvin will make every fashionista’s face glow with pleasure. Whether writing about flower arrangements or bridesmaid’s dresses in your new must-have bridal notebook, or getting organized for your next shopping tour with Alber’s sketch pencils, all those chic nick-nacks are little treasures.
Keep them for yourself or give it as a fabulous surprise for a stylish fellow girlfriend. You can find my favourites below, available at Lanvin or net-à-porter.

LoL, Sandra

Alber sketch pencils, $30

Lanvin "Faces" playing cards, $85

Bridal notebook, $35

Set of six bridal greeting cards, $55

Notebook "Dresses", $35

Alber sketch umbrella, $140

Miss Lanvin doll 2011, $555

Miss Lanvin doll 2011, $555

Miss Lanvin key chain, $185

Mother and daughter snowglobe, $225