Sandra‘s Closet

Stay slim at Christmas: here is an idea to stop you turning into a pudding this festive season.
X-mas may traditionally be seen as a time for overindulgence but my simple advice can help you prevent gaining pounds. Exercise is the single best way to keep your weight stable over this tempting period and here is what I like to suggest. Get a great new look for training, one that makes you feel good and that you like to look at in the mirror. Further down you can find two options that I got from CASALL. You will see that it can motivate you a lot and this easy little trick might help you to start the New Year in great shape without missing out on the cookie treats.

With Karolina Schmid in her studio where we shot these photos.

I love to do yoga and pilates. After years of ballet, I love these workouts to lengthen and strengthen the body. If you are living in the Zurich area, I recommend KAROLINA SCHMID‘s studio that offers high end pilates and yoga classes in private lessons or trainings in small groups.
Pilates Karolina Schmid – Seefeldstrasse 225, 8008 Zurich / Switzerland – Phone: +41 78 891 03 17

Get the look of training session 1: Mint green sports bra, side slit pants, and berry glam strap tank, all by CASALL.

Get the look of training session 2: Black spiral long sleeve top and matching tights, both by CASALL.

Working out and fashion belong together, don’t you think?! So no excuses, put on the right workout gear, feel great and enjoy this beautiful Christmas season!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Animal prints were trending on the F/W 2018 catwalks and so it is time to take a walk on the wild side. But this season, it means vibrant colours, preferably red, and definitely not for the shy… as the bold prints are worn head to toe as seen at Tom Ford. I wore this outfit last week for a X-mas cocktail among dear friends and got lots of compliments for it.

My look: Tiered leopard-print silk-crepon mini dress, red leopard print tights, leopard print pumps, and Natalia mini leopard-print velvet shoulder bag, all by Tom Ford, earrings by Prada and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

For the winter season, Tom Ford Beauty introduces Tom Ford Boys & Girls, a decadent collection of 15 clutch-sized mini lipsticks, named after the friends, intimates and collaborators Mr. Ford admires. My favorite shade: Hudson, a perfect rosy beige.

Scent: Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum is a new scent, that is part of Tom Ford’s Private Blend collection. It includes the following notes: black cherry accord, bitter almond, griotte sirup Scenttek™, rose absolute Orpur®, Peru balsam, and roasted tonka Orpur.
I feel in love with it from my first spritz and not only because of the name. If you like gourmand fragrances like me, you will adore this blended mix of warmth and sweetness of cherries and vanilla with a hint of rose coming through combined with almond.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is my outfit that I wore to the event that I hosted with Prada past Tuesday at their Zurich shop. All pieces are from the Resort 2019 collection and in stores now.

My look: Roll-neck floral-print mini dress, chunky plex chain necklace, plex earrings, silk headband, Sibylle bag in blue and black, and sling back chunky heel pump, all by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

A wonderful walk along the beach, from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, is something you have to do once in your life. Embark on a stroll in the California sunshine as you explore those iconic seaside communities filled with tarot card readers, sand sculptors and collage artists, performance artists, street hustlers, and bodybuilders. It’s definitely one of the best places in Los Angeles for people watching. I started from my favorite hotel «Shutters on the Beach» and went all the way to Muscle Beach.

My look: Appliquéd wool-blend and ribbed crochet-knit coat by Mira Mikati, appliquéd distressed printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, Ace embroidered low-top sneakers, and Linea G 2 leather-trimmed canvas shoulder bag, all by Gucci, printed low-rise skinny jeans by Givenchy, and Vogue Tribute sunglasses by Versace.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Logos and fake fur – two trends that are ruling this F/W 2018 season. Here you see me sporting them both before I left to my favorite place in the world: Los Angeles. More coming up soon…

My look: Faux fur coat by Givenchy, embroidered stretch-cotton jersey T-shirt, logo-embossed leather knee boots, frayed printed modal and silk-blend scarf, Mania Mon Tresor mini leather bucket bag, and appliquéd leather bag charm and shell backpack, all by Fendi, Maude mid-rise skinny jeans by J Brand and Eva aviator-style rose gold-tone sunglasses by Tom Ford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from Madrid where I spent the most amazing weekend one week ago! On Saturday the sun was shining and we went on an interesting sightseeing tour through the city visiting the Royal Palace, the Museo del Prado and all the must-see places of the Spanish capital.

My look: Shearling and leather coat by Balmain, kickback trousers by Alexander McQueen, cream white wool sweater by Givenchy, Susanna leather ankle boots by Chloé, fringed checked cashmere scarf by Burberry Prorsum, Linda sunglasses by Tom Ford, necklaces and quilted lambskin mini 2.55 vintage classic flap bag, both by Chanel.

You have heard it a gazillion times from me, but I would like to emphasize it again. If you have enough space to store your pieces, keep them, there will always be a time again. Speaking about my mini 2.55 vintage flap bag by Chanel for example, this size was discontinued. I got mine from my parents when I turned 18 (Thank you for always spoiling me!). The bag is still sold on the internet in pre-owned conditions and in very high demand. Some consignment stores will even put you on a long waiting list.

The name of the 2.55 classic flap bag refers to February 1955; the month and year in which the style was introduced. This mini one is made from lambskin and has a single flap with a double C turnstile lock. A single chain strap can be worn either on your shoulder or in cross body. Talking about vintage… it looks like it just has hit the shelves.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is my mandatory outfit post from the LA MER event at Jelmoli last week. I went through my closet to find something that would perfectly match the occasion and I am convinced there couldn’t have been a better choice than my Fishtank Dress from Mary Katrantzou’s S/S 2012 season. Funnily enough, some thought this is the new LA MER uniform. Would be pretty cool, don’t you think?

My look: Fishtank silk-blend jacquard mini dress by Mary Katrantzou, ribbed wool turtleneck sweater by T by Alexander Wang, GG Marmont leather belt bag and Angel platform boots in turquoise, both by Gucci, and Impatiens clip-on earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

Celebrating my 9th blog anniversary with LA MER at Jelmoli in Zurich last week was absolutely amazing and I truly would like to thank everyone who came and made it so special, also for the many amazing gifts I got. A big and heartfelt «thank you» goes also to the very professional LA MER team, that is so much fun to work with and to PERRIER-JOUËT for the lovely champagne.

I have been blogging for a long time now, and that evening made me acknowledge just how much happened all these years, and the fact that it all happened because I created a space online to share my love for fashion and beauty, my ideas, inspiration and advice with others. I always believed in being authentic and that staying true to myself would gain success in the long run.

Some of you have been reading Sandra’s Closet since I pressed publish on my very first blog post. I hate the word following. Why? If you see my readers you know they are not followers, they are leading ladies! This was such a rewarding feeling. Seeing all these beautiful, smart women who came from all over Switzerland, from Geneva, Chur, or Basel to Zurich to join me on this occasion. Together we indulged into the luxury world of LA MER and each guest could take home her personally engraved lip gloss.

There were friends who became blog readers and blog readers that became friends. Everyone had a big smile on their face and I was the happiest girl that night! Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

9 years –  as crazy as it sounds but I have been blogging now for 108 months, which is around 3285 days, and this is my 3829th post which means I wrote more than one per day. I am thankful, Sandra’s Closet has taken me on the craziest, busiest but most amazing ride in my life.

Yesterday at the LA MER counter event at Jelmoli, I was so proud to welcome some of my Swiss readers, confident, beautiful and smart women, who came from all over the country. I cannot wait to show you the photos. A huge thank you to everyone for coming and the little surprises, I truly felt loved.

Sharing an insider tip: best place in Zurich for beauty treatments and massages:
Beauty Care Zurich.

Today, I am celebrating my blog anniversary by treating myself to an Ayurvedic massage by Ramji Lal at Beauty Care Zurich (Strehlgasse 29, 8000 Zürich, Phone: +41 44 212 12 77).

Just as a machine needs to be oiled, the body loves to have its largest organ, the skin, soothed. Anyone who has ever experienced an Ayurvedic treatment, knows its rejuvenating effect. It treats not only the body, but also the nervous system, bringing deep nourishment to all the cells and tissues as well as the mind. As I am pretty exhausted at the moment due to all my travels and projects, it helps me to recharge  my energy levels.

Starting the massage with a foot bath…

Ramji Lal has magic hands and he learnt the 5000-year-old techniques from his mother when he was a little boy. His family produces Ayurvedic oils from home-grown herbs and plants in India’s holy city. Later, he trained at the prestigious Dr. med. Franklin’s Panchakarma Institute in Kerala.

Feels like heaven: an Ayurvedic massage by Ramji Lal.

An Ayurvedic massage is MOST beneficial when combined with an Ayurvedic lifestyle, which means making conscious choices about your nutrition, sleep and more. Ramji for example suggested that I drink a glass of warm water in the morning with one teaspoon of turmeric and one of cumin which has a detoxifying, energy-boosting and fat burning effect.

Have a lovely weekend! And stay tuned… today I am treating myself, during the coming days you will be treated to celebrate the 9 years of Sandra’s Closet!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Hybrid fashion has been trending for some time now and it is a must when you are looking for refreshing staples. Here you see me wearing a deconstructed sweater that instantly catches your eye. Spliced with a lace-trimmed cream satin camisole through the middle, it slouches off the shoulder and has an adjustable spaghetti strap. The gray wool-blend is knitted with touches of cashmere so it feels soft and cozy. Perfect for a stroll through the city.

My look: Cashmere coat in pink by Prada, paneled wool-blend, lace and satin sweater by Alexander Wang, drawstring shorts by Givenchy, suede overknee boots by Dior, Kelly «So Black» by Hermès, GG jacquard pattern knitted scarf, and rabbit-felt fedora, both by Gucci.

The key to fight the autumn blues is to wear some vibrant colors and to have a glowing complexion. One product I can highly recommend is LA MER‘s new The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF 20. This all-in-one compact is also a hybrid product, a mixture between powder and foundation, especially great for touch-ups on the go. With healing hydration from Miracle Broth™ and color capsule technology, it gives skin a lift of luminosity—for a fresh, flawless look and a plumper, firmer feel, like cashmere for your skin. Available now for CHF 115.00 including a refill and additional sponge applicator.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht