Sandra‘s Closet

This week, I drove up to Haleakalā National Park which is surrounding and including the crater. This massive vulcano forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maui and its activity is in a non-eruptive phase. The temperature near the summit tends to vary and on my way up, I went through the clouds. On top of the vulcano, it was drizzling from time to time and quite cool but the nature is breathtaking.

As you see, I followed my own fashion advice and went for some Hawaiian prints. For the previous post on this trend, please click here.

My look on top of the vulcano: Hawaiian-print silk tunic dress (on sale) and Hawaiian-print silk tapered pants (on sale), both by Stella McCartney, cat eye glitter acetate and metal sunglasses and suede sandals, both by Miu Miu and small Marcie hobo bag in Skylight Blue by Chloé.

It looks like I landed on the moon, doesn’t it?! And what do you think of my natural curls?

LoL, Sandra

This rare species of Silversword is fragile and lives only upon the slopes of Haleakalā.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Next stop on my road trip: Yosemite National Park.

I drove all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah through the state of Nevada to California to visit the Yosemite National Park which is absolutely breathtaking. The abundance of wildlife and scenic views made my stay unforgettable.
A delightful and special spot of land that I would like to share with you:

I started my tour at Glacier Point where I had to catch my breath at one of the most exhilarating overlooks that I have seen in my life. The big granite monument in the photo is Half Dome, one of Yosemite’s most famous features.

My outdoorsy look: Pink jacket and floral print blouse, both by Coje (a brand that I absolutely adore, check out their cute website by clicking here), drawstring twill pants by Paul & Joe, Tokyo glitter and metallic sneakers by Jimmy Choo, pink scarf by Splendid, nylon backpack by Prada and sunglasses by Marc Jacobs.

This massive, granite monument is El Capitan. Climbers from all over the globe come to scale it.

Tunnel View: Just outside of Yosemite Valley, you can enjoy this spectacular view.

Another natural spectacle is the Bridalveil Fall. The Ahwahneechee called this place Pohono, “Spirit of the Puffing Wind.” The wind swirls about the cliff, often lifting the falling water and blowing it from side-to-side in a delicate free-fall. Even though, it looks small, it actually has the height of a 62-story building.

I hiked a very fun trail all the way up to the Vernal Falls.

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is a must-see. You can marvel at one of the world’s largest trees, the Grizzly Giant and enjoy the beauty of those creatures of which some date back well over 1500 years.

The cones of the giant sequoias are extremely small and are the landmark for park rangers all over the world.

Wild iris

Coming to the park, I was pretty worried to encounter an American black bear because about 300 to 500 of them live in the park. I learnt that you stay safe if you remove food from your car and always keep it within arms reach as they might be more frightened of you than you are of them. I know that this is hard to believe…

I didn’t see a black bear but lots of very cute squirrels.

The Steller’s jay bird has a bright-blue colour.

During my visit at the Yosemite National Park, I stayed at the Tenaya Lodge that I can only recommend. Great food and beautiful new rooms (mine was a spa suite with a whirlpool tub in the bathroom, awesome!).

Stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This week, I drove all the way (approximately 1000km) from Salt Lake City to Yosemite all through the state of Nevada. Before leaving Utah, just before the city of Wendover, I passed the Bonneville Salt Flats, one of the most unique natural features in the world. The area is a densely-packed salt pan, the largest of many salt flats located west of the Great Salt Lake. Some of you might know it because of the land speed records at the “Bonneville Speedway”.

It looks like a frozen lake bed covered with snow. No vegetation grows in that area. The Salt Flats were formed when ancient lake Lake Bonneville dried up. The lake was huge, filling much of the Great Basin. It eventually shrank below its outlet and so its water became salty. As water continued to evaporate, salt deposits were left in many areas. The Great Salt Lake is a remnant of Lake Bonneville. The scenery is truly impressive.

My look: Long royal blue dress by Forever21 ($9.95 on sale), flats by Zara, daisy necklace by Dior Haute Joaillerie and my souvenir cowboy hat from Wyoming.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Next stop: Salt Lake City, Utah.
The state’s capital is first and foremost known as home of the Mormon’s headquarter. The influence of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) can be felt everywhere. The city was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and his Mormon followers, who extensively irrigated and cultivated the arid valley. It is such a clean and neat place that has a lot of beautiful old buildings. I was there Sunday and it was all closed due to the religious tradition.

Mormons self-identify as Christian, though some of their beliefs differ from mainstream Christianity. Between 1852 and 1890 many Mormons openly practiced plural marriage, a form of religious polygamy, which is not allowed anymore. Today, it is practiced only by fundamentalist groups that have broken with the LDS Church.

My look to explore the city: Lace top and denim skirt by Stella McCartney, small Marcie hobo bag in Skylight blue by Chloé, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and embellished thong sandals by Prada.
On my nails: Fly (turquoise) with one layer of Save me (hologram silver glitter), both from the Nicki Menaj by OPI collection.

Let me take you on a tour through the city and enjoy some photos of my outfit.

LoL, Sandra

View from the top: The skyline of Salt Lake City in front of the mountains.

Salt Lake City is very close to the Great Salt Lake which you can see in the back.

Utah State Capitol

In the back: Temple Square in Downtown Salt Lake City.

The Salt Lake Temple is one of the most iconic images of the LDS Church.

Assembly Hall

Mormon Tabernacle, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, that is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir.

Shopping Mall: City Creek Center

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As promised earlier, here is a detailed post about my look that I wore at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Cut out panel dress (on sale) and openwork parka, both from Givenchy’s Resort 2012 collection, lime green leather pumps by Prada, brown Pandora bag by Givenchy, brass eagle and cross earrings (on sale) by Emilio Pucci, wide cuff by Stella McCartney and cat eye glitter acetate and metal sunglasses by Miu Miu.
The cowboy hat is a souvenir from Wyoming.

Hope that you like it! Off to new adventures…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the moment, I am doing a crazy road trip through the US. I have so much to show you but for lack of time and internet connection, I am far behind posting. Today was an amazing day that ended pretty badly and I am thankful that I am still in one piece. But see for yourself…

I left this morning the city of Lusk, Wyoming driving all the way up to South Dakota. Those two states have got a real cowboy feel to them. I love this old school western charm and of course, I had to buy me a cowboy hat on the way.

I drove around 130 miles through the middle of nowhere, vast land areas without any population, totally flat. The whole ride, I thought that this could be a region where tornados could take place.

My first stop was Mount Rushmore National Memorial that I had been wanting to see for a long time. The colossal portraits of four famous presidents of the United States: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt in the Black Hills of South Dakota are pretty impressive.

Please stay tuned for a post about my look that I shot at this outstanding location.

My second stop was the Custer State Park where the Needles Highway and other roads offer idyllic scenic drives. It encompasses an abundance of wildlife.

So when I thought that it couldn’t get more thrilling than having a real bear in front of my car, I was completely mistaken.

On my way back to Wyoming, the sky started to darken and I could see lightnings. Then, it all happened very fast. The wind got stronger and the rain heavier. All of a sudden, the radio announcer issued a warning that a severe thunderstorm was approaching and that people should look for shelter. For me it was too late. I was surrounded by miles and miles of flat land. All of a sudden, the sky dumped golf-ball-sized hail with 70mph winds. I stopped the car and threw myself on the floor. It was so scary. The hail made a horrible noise and broke the windows of the car. The glass went all over me. I was so scared that this would become a twister but fortunately, it didn’t go that far. Nevertheless, the car is completely destroyed and looks from the outside as if I had been in a fight with Terminator.

Right after the storm had passed, I saw a rainbow through my destroyed rear window.

No more windows left…

… and glass all over.

Do you see the damage of the roof? Can you imagine the size of the hail that leaves such marks?! It is impressive how strong the forces of nature truly are and that there is a point where you are at their mercy. Thank God that all went well!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Bulgari Hotel and Residences, London officially opened its doors last week. The luxury hotel located in Knightsbridge is the third hotel project of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, following the opening of the Bulgari Hotel in Milan in 2004 and of the Bulgari Resort in Bali in 2006.

The Bulgari Hotel in London was designed for Bulgari by the renowned architectural firm Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners, with Squire and Partners as the local architect for the project.

With the contemporary style, the hotel features sleek lines and refined colour combinations created using a variety of marbles, fine woods, and unique details. The hotel has 85 rooms and suites, including seven extraordinary Bulgari suites, each more than 200 square meters that offer a unique combination of refined amenities and exclusive services. Its restaurant and bar have been designed to become the destination of choice in Knightsbridge. The hotel also features a large ballroom, a private cinema and a 2,000 square meter Spa and fitness centre with a 25 meter indoor pool.

LoL, Sandra

The restaurant

The bedroom

The spa

Photos: Courtesy of Bulgari, © Massimo Listri and © Leo Torri

“The last bastion of hospitality left in the world” – Roja Dove
This is what the famous perfumer said about the beautiful Lausanne Palace & Spa hotel and I could do nothing else but agree with him.

Located in the heart of the Olympic capital, with a magnificent view over the Lake Geneva and the Alps, this charming five-star luxury hotel is only a throw stone from the most elegant shopping streets and the picturesque old city. The entire property has been renovated over the past years, thus creating a unique environment, combining luxury and refinement, well-being and savoir-vivre. Its blend of the traditional with modernity is lending the hotel its unique character. The Lausanne Palace & Spa, an unforgettable experience.

Me in front of the Lausanne Palace & Spa, wearing a flared barnacle-intarsia dress by Alexander McQueen, a light blue leather jacket by Gucci and a black bag with golden zippers by Tom Ford and studded leather ankle boots by Valentino.

View from…

…my beautiful renovated room.

My favourite flowers, peonies, were waiting for me.

The Lausanne Palace Signature Scent
“The scent is soft and elegant recreating the impression the hotel itslef conveys. As you enter you are greeted at once by a marriage of elegant understatement, tradition, and refinement.
To recreate the atmosphere I have created a bespoke scent which blends soft balsamic, amber-like elements with a very precious and rare rose, rose de Mai, which pays homage to the hotel’s famous guests and my origin” – Roja Dove

Top notes: Bergamot
Middle notes: Rose
Base notes: Cedar, patchouli and leather

Some parts of the hotel are still reminiscent of its Belle Epoque soul.

Coco Chanel Suite – A fashionista’s dream
A privileged client of the Lausanne Palace & Spa for many years herself, the famous fashion designer Coco Chanel greatly inspired this suite in blue sky and cream tones. Located on the 5th floor of the Palace, the 170m² of space includes everything you can dream of.
The best feature: A vast dressing room of 24m² embellished with an English shower judiciously completes this apartment. Princess Grace of Monaco, wrapped in her mink stole, and Prince Albert visited as well.

Dining at Lausanne Palace & Spa is a true experience, thanks to four restaurants and a variety of culinary options. Le Côté Jardin offers healthy, creative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The Michelin-starred and the newly appointed 17/20 points Gaultmillau, La Table d’Edgard serves French-inspired gastronomic cuisine. Italian restaurant La Grappa is just a few minutes by feet away from the hotel.

In the center of the lobby, the new 1915 Bar (the year of the hotel’s inauguration) welcomes the guests throughout the day.

The LP’s Bar (above) and the Habana Bar (below) serve refreshing cocktails and cigars.

At the Parisian-style la Brasserie du Grand-Chêne, guests like the Rolling Stones, enjoy typical brasserie dishes, such as entrecôte with French fries. Opened from 6:30 am to 1:00 am, hot dishes served until midnight.

The Palace Sushi Zen, where 3 specialists from the Land of the Rising Sun will prepare dishes in front of guests.

The Cellier invites you to taste carefully selected wines in an unforgettable setting.

The 2100 square metres CBE Concept Spa of the Lausanne Palace offers a wide range of treatments, therapies and contemporary or traditional rituals: sports rooms, indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, solarium and relaxation rooms.
I had an Ayurvedic massage which was absolutely wonderful.

The Yogi Booster, a relaxing bar and lounge, to enjoy healthy drinks and treats in the spa.

My stay at the Lausanne Palace & Spa was truly unforgettable and I can absolutely recommend this hotel and its boutique to you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lausanne Palace & Spa and © Sandra Bauknecht

For the second year running CHANEL has taken up residence at La Mistralée Hotel, a two minute walk from the Place des Lices and the Old Port. From April through to October the sumptuous interior of this 19th century manor house has been transformed to create a contemporary décor. The Paris-Bombay and the S/S 2012 collection are displayed throughout the house, in the magnificent private gardens and by the swimming pool, juxtaposing the opulence of the house with modernity and boldness.

The spacious “white cube” (contemporary art gallery) drawing room – white walls and chevron parquet – is illuminated by the colours of the Paris-Bombay collection: tyrien rose, gold, and a host of rich and nuanced shimmering metallics. Sculptural monoliths surround the Ready-to-Wear collection and accessories. These minimalist volumes set off the dynamic contrasts: bronze, brass, white mirror and gold on the outside, set against candy pink, burgundy, petrol blue and parma grey inside.

Antique doors open for the walk to the fitting rooms, where each booth is swathed in sensual coppery quilting.

Beneath the glass roof of the conservatory bathed in light, the surroundings become even more summery, providing the perfect vibe for a Saint-Tropez lifestyle. There we discover a six meter-long bar in a metallic shade of champagne for a festoon of hues. We can enjoy perching upon an elegant stool, beneath a glistening beige arch, and try on the costume jewelry and accessories from the collection. A mirrored kiosk has been constructed in the garden as an inviting area in which to relax and to languish in the multi-coloured striped armchair.

Gaze towards the pool house covered with intense block colours, from chocolate, burgundy and taupe grey to Indian pink and mustard yellow. Transparent busts are suspended from the ceiling and appear to float. On display, here are the J12 watches set with diamonds or sapphires as well as the multi-coloured stones, pearls and diamonds from the fine jewelry collection.

An exclusive, limited edition beach bag has been created by CHANEL especially for its ephemeral boutique in Saint-Tropez. The bag comes complete with a reversible mat, woven straw on one side and towelling on the other and will be available end of June 2012. Stay tuned for a photo of the bag coming up soon on Sandra’s Closet.

CHANEL EPHEMERAL BOUTIQUE

From April 28th to October 7th 2012
10.00AM-1.30PM / 3.30PM-8.00PM (4.30PM-9.00PM in July and August)
1, avenue du Général Leclerc
83990 Saint-Tropez
France

What a beautiful store filled with precious must-haves! Happy holiday shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

“Island of the Gods and Demons”, “land of 10,000 temples” – these are just two of the many names for Bali, the Indonesian island located in the Indian Ocean between Java and Lombok. I love the friendliness of the Balinese people and the beauty of the island and not only because I spent my honeymoon at the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan. The same resort and villa that Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber celebrated their honeymoon. The island has an aura that is quite overwhelming.

Bali Balance is a label launched in 2011 with offices in Indonesia and Switzerland that brings the magic of this wonderful island to your home.
High quality hair and body spa products made with organic essential oils that are produced biologically in Bali and that have an intense revitalizing effect. 
Indulge yourself and wake up your senses with magical scents that will accompany you throughout the day.

The product range includes shampoos (CHF26.-/250ml), conditioners (CHF29.-/250ml), body wash (CHF24.-/250ml) and body lotion (CHF 29.-/250ml), oils (CHF32.-/250ml) and candles which are all available in two scents: Morning Mantra (lemongrass, clove, lavender, peppermint, cajeput, ginger) and Bali Passion (vanilla, ylang ylang, ginger and sandelwood).
For further enquiries, please contact: .
In Switzerland, Bali Balance products are exclusively available at Cachet.

Famous places such as the The Istana are using the Bali Balance products.
A feast for the senses!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bali Balance