Sandra‘s Closet

My avid readers know that I am totally addicted to yoga and ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Advanced Night Repair (please don’t laugh about the combination, it is actually a match made in heaven). For me, there is not one beauty regime happening without a drop of this beauty elixir before. I use it day and night, but the latter is the most important, this is when my night time ritual starts – along with the Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix for the delicate eye area that repairs, fortifies and hydrates. After I applied the products, I start my bedtime yoga session. This calms me down, helps me to digest the impressions of the day and relaxes me after a busy day.

Carolina Fischer-Waibel with me at her ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon.

To give you an impression we took some photos at the beautiful ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon (there is also one in Zurich city) while training with Carolina Fischer-Waibel who owns the studio along with her husband Roland Fischer (he photographed me – thank you!).

Strong pose – the Dancer’s pose

Some of the poses are pretty strong, so you have to be careful when doing them before bedtime as they might give you energy on the spot. Just do this routine one or two hours before laying down. Other exercises are more gentle and a great remedy to anyone feeling stress, anxiety or tension in the mind or body. It will help you to decompress and prepare for a good nights rest.

Yoga before bedtime can calm down your mind which helps you to sleep better.

Did you know that yoga before bed can be some of your best defense against insomnia? By calming down your body and your mind, you’re putting yourself in a better position for sweet and restful slumber. Stretching is so important for your body. A flexible body makes a flexible mind. If you add a little beauty secret, the effect is even better.

Never without my Advanced Night Repair!

Personally speaking I like to apply Advanced Night Repair before starting my 15 minute yoga bedtime routine, as I have the impression that my skin is perfectly prepared for extra pampering afterwards due to the activation of  the blood circulation through the yoga flow.

But why is this product so great? Here are some facts:

In 1982, Estée Lauder revolutionised the beauty world with Night Repair being one of the first beauty companies to make the link between DNA damage and skin ageing. Moreover, it was the first ever serum to launch, the first ever repair product and the first skincare product to use hyaluronic acid. The packaging of the little brown bottle was groundbreaking by being reminiscent of a pharmacy product. Over the last 30 years, many scientists have worked on Advanced Night Repair to constantly improve it.

In 2013, a new formula Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II was launched that has won 127 beauty awards worldwide (pretty impressive, isn’t it?!). The new pioneering product has patents valid until 2033. Every 8th minute, a ANR bottle is sold worldwide, which are around 4.5 million bottles a year.

I truly recommend trying ANR as you can easily apply it before the beauty products you like to use in general. I am sure you will see the difference after a few weeks and might be interested in other products of the Advanced Night Repair family such as the Advanced Night Repair Ampoules (I like to use them as a cure for two weeks four times a year) and the Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask, a weekly treatment ask that resets the look of your skin after the visible assaults of modern life. Your skin looks instantly fresher and renewed. For cleansing, I absolutely recommend the Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm, a lightweight balm that melts to a cleansing oil to remove makeup and impurities. You’ ll love it!

If you like my outfit, visit SPORTLES (Thank you Megan Herak!). I am wearing Drapey V back by Onzie, Shakedown bra by Vimmia, and Captain ankle tight leggings by Alala.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Roland Fischer for Estée Lauder Switzerland

I get often asked how I am staying fit. And the answer is I love doing sports. After years of ballet, I am more in the mind-body wellness and adore pilates and yoga. Both workouts lengthen and strengthen the body. They both focus on breath, alignment, balance, strength, flexibility and are done barefoot. Some moves and poses even overlap.

Strengthening your core in pilates class will give you better balance in yoga; increasing your flexibility in yoga class will enable you to move deeper in pilates. Both sports are highly effective as they use your whole body and different muscle groups.

Yoga Wheel Training with Karolina Schmid

In Zurich I train with Karolina Schmid who runs a studio for high end pilates and yoga personal training, with private lessons or trainings in small groups. Her team of 10 people consists of physical therapists, midwives and personal trainers all working with the PILATESwiss® method for viszeral core that Karolina has developed herself. The Canadian born also offers teacher training so that PILATESwiss® is now globally represented. For more information, please visit the website.

Pilates Karolina Schmid – Seefeldstrasse 225, 8008 Zurich / Switzerland – Phone: +41 78 891 03 17

In all of the photos we took at Karolina’s studio, I wear CASALL clothes, a brand I truly like for their quality and design. For more than 30 years, the Swedish label has created high end training wear and equipment using for example innovative and sustainable bio polyamide fabrics. To find out more, you can visit the website HERE.

Working out and fashion belong together, don’t you think?! I like to look and feel great during my whole training session because IT MATTERS!

So excuses don’t burn calories, put on the right workout gear and see what happens…
and by the way I am not getting paid for this post – I show it because I am loving it!

LoL, Sandra

YOGA WHEEL

REFORMER / CADILLAC

FLYING YOGA / PILATES

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A huge thank you to my daughter for taking them!

Eleven sneakers dedicated to eleven vibrant cities of the world – Emilio Pucci launches a new limited edition capsule collection that celebrates luxury sportswear inspired by the most renowned cities.

Through a journey across the world, each shoe is an exclusive combination of colors: dynamic for Milan, tropical for Miami, and radiant for Seoul. The collection includes styles dedicated to Florence, Rome, Paris, London, Dubai, Moscow, Hong Kong, and New York.

The name of the each city is embroidered on the back of the shoe; vivid colors, elastic bands and mini rouchesdetails create a unique and fashionable design.

Every model of Sneakers of the World will be available in the Emilio Pucci boutique of the related city from now while all models will be exclusively sold on the online flagship store.

What a pity that we don’t have a Pucci store in Zurich…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilio Pucci

Balmain is collaborating with the Paris Opera on «Renaissance», a new creation from choreographer and dancer Sébastien Bertaud, with Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier Rousteing designing all of the ballet’s costumes.

The partnership builds upon the singular talents and visions of two young French talents – both Rousteing and Bertaud are thirty years old and both are from Bordeaux – and their shared appreciation for the history and traditions behind both, Balmain and the Paris Opera.

«Renaissance» forms part of the Bertaud / Bouché / Paul / Valastro performance at the Opera Garnier, running from June 13th through June 19th. The Paris Opera, which will soon celebrate its 350th anniversary, has placed the spotlight squarely on Bertaud and three other emerging creators from the Opera National de Paris, giving each carte blanche for their creation.

Bertaud’s ballet pays tribute to the refinement of the Ecole de Danse Française—from the Versailles of Louis XIV to the Opéra Garnier of today and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Since his creation celebrates the elegance, sophistication and opulence of the legendary French dance academy, Bertaud believed that a collaboration with Balmain was a natural fit.

“Of course, it is an amazing honor to work with the Paris Opera,” notes Rousteing. “There are few institutions that embody so well the essence of French culture and creativity. Obviously, designing for the rigors and techniques of classical dance was a new challenge for me and my team – but it one that we very much enjoyed facing. As someone who has always been fascinated by the beauty and power of dance, this project was a joy to work on, giving me the unique opportunity to learn from and share ideas with a group of incredibly talented artists and craftsmen for whom nothing seems to be impossible.”

Rousteing’s designs highlight both the acclaimed savoir-faire of the Balmain’s atelier and the recognizable modern style of the designer. Impressive golden and silver embellishments cover flesh-colored performance pieces, with rhinestones and pearls embroidered directly onto bodysuits, tights and draped tees. A similar treatment has been given to the dancers’ spencer coats, cardigans and fringe skirts.

As a ballet addict, I am so much looking forward to seeing the final result of this beautiful collaboration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balmain

For her S/S 2017 Fenty x Puma collection, Rihanna imagined what Marie Antoinette would wear to the gym. I mean it is bad news for the late queen that it took 223 years until someone finally made her a collection of sport clothes. Good news is that the collection is so stunning that it was definitely worth the wait and that we are happy to enjoy it now!

Last fall, Bad Gal Riri made her Paris Fashion Week debut with satin corsets, lace fans, sweatshirts and pearls, lace do-rags and just about everything else you could imagine the infamous Marie Antoinette wearing while working out. Royal athleisure it was!

Olive-hued, satin-bow slides

Her absolute know-how can be seen in the footwear that still manages to sell out at every drop as those olive-hued, satin-bow slides that debuted earlier this month.

Satin sneaker

Now, more Marie Antoinette-inspired Fenty x Puma will be coming soon afterwards, with more arrivals expected to drop on a monthly basis until June, starting on April 15, 2017.

TO SHOP FENTY X PUMA BY RIHANNA ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Get ’em while they’re hot (and in stock)!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Fenty x Puma by Rihanna

Now available! The beautiful exclusive Missoni x Mytheresa capsule collection. Angela Missoni‘s classic signatures are freshened up just a touch, resulting in six styles, including tops, trousers and an amazing overall, that will give you an immediate confidence boost whether you’re out in the city or heading to the gym.

I am completely in love with those performance-boosting pieces! Working out in style has never been easier! Definitely something that keeps me motivated…

As part of the exclusive Missoni x Mytheresa activewear capsule collection, Jennifer Missoni offers us a complete yoga tutorial wearing the active-chic look. Namaste.

TO SHOP THE EXCLUSIVE CAPSULE COLLECTION MISSONI X MYTHERESA, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mytheresa

I still prefer roller skates best and always will. Therefore I am so in love with the ones Saint Laurent has launched this season. Constructed from a classic high-top sneaker set upon ‘Krypto Impulse‘ wheels and so reminiscent of the ’80s- they are perfect for street skating and roller discos. Wear yours while running errands in the city and you will be the talk of the town.

LoL, Sandra

Appliquéd metallic textured-leather roller skates

Sea Sex Sun embellished leather roller skates

Photos: Courtesy of Saint Laurent and via Flashback

My olympic experience with Omega has been just amazing – a one in a lifetime experience. The brand’s hashtag for the event «RecordingDreams» can be taken literally. From the moment I put my feet on Brazilian ground, I have been constantly exposed to magic moments. I landed on Tuesday morning around 6am, went to the hotel to drop off my luggage and then we started at the Rio Olympic Arena to watch my favorites, the Artistic Gymnastics finals, followed by the fast-paced action of Track Cycling in the Velodrome. The day ended with a special dinner in the hospitality lounge of the arena, followed by drinks at the House of Switzerland.

Decorated with iconic things from our Alpine country, this popular Baixo Suiça meeting place is in a prominent location on the edge of the Lagoa, a popular lagoon in the centre of Rio close to the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. And who would have thought that I end up on a sleigh n Brazil?!

Have fun to see some of my favorite moments of my first day!

Congrats to Simone Biles who finished the Rio Olympic gymnastics competition with a breathtaking floor routine that earned her a fifth Olympic medal. Now, she truly deserves to be called the best female gymnast that ever lived. the silver medal went to team-mate Aly Raisman and bronze to Amy Tinkler of Great Britain.

What a magic moment watching Fabian Hambüchen from my home country Germany winning the gold medal at the horizontal bar finals. The perfect way to end his amazing career!

Yannick Jenni, Omega Brand Manager Swiss Market, with me in the arena.

Fast-paced action inside the Velodrome.

The Rio Olympic Arena during the day…

… and at night.

Late night drinks at the House of Switzerland.

What a wonderful day surrounded by lovely people! Only a few hours of sleep as the alarm clock was set for 6 am in the morning. Ready for the next adventures! Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Omega

I started dancing ballet at the age of 4 and it has become one of the biggest passions in my life besides fashion. Being a huge fan of Mary Helen Bowers since quite some time, I was so excited to visit her studio in NYC and take a class (Thank you, Piaget, for this amazing invitation!).

She has trained many celebrities, among them Natalie Portman for her Academy Award-winning role in Black Swan. The former ballerina with the New York City ballet and founder of the Ballet Beautiful® fitness method has created a new way of working out that even allows women that have never danced in their lives to sculpt long and lean muscles like ballerinas have. It is such a great workout that you can do in a hotel room while traveling, at home or wherever you feel you need a little training. Moreover, it is great to get back in shape after a pregnancy.

If you are looking for ballet clothes, Mary Helen Bowers has designed a collection of dance-inspired activewear. Lightweight, flexible and flattering, don’t miss those wrap sweaters, classic leotards and handcrafted Italian-made slippers.

 TO SHOP THE BALLET BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE!

The Ballet Beautiful studio is located in Soho.
98 Greene St, New York, NY 10012

The unexciting door bell that leads you…

… up the stairs to the fifth floor.

Bravo! You finished your warm-up.

Welcome to Ballet Beautiful!

Exhausted and happy after the class… I loved it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ballet Beautiful and © Sandra Bauknecht

To celebrate the Rugby World Cup, CHANEL has designed four leather rugby balls featuring the iconic quilting of the House. Gabrielle Chanel, a keen sportswoman herself often referred to menswear in her designs. Today Karl Lagerfeld throws her the ball by creating a sporting accessory that is both collector and perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist.

Exceptional quality, attention paid to every detail and artisanal savoir-faire, the CHANEL rugby ball comes in four colourways: white, burgundy, navy blue and black.
The CHANEL rugby ball is available on special order.

A good reason to start to play rugby…

LoL, Sandra

Still: Courtesy of Chanel