Sandra‘s Closet

Rodial founder, Maria Hatzistefanis, is a full-on business woman. In 1999, the former editor, who grew up in Greece, saw the need in the market for a serious skincare range. Now, almost 16 years later, the company has grown into a worldwide beauty brand that has recently launched its first makeup line (in Switzerland exclusively available at Marionnaud from April). The charming brunette likes to recharge her batteries over the weekend in the English countryside.

Your favorite place to be?
We have a place at the COTSWOLDS, UK, an area of hills open countryside and historic villages north of Bath and west of Oxford, where we go at the weekend. It is my sanctuary where I can chill, do a lot of yoga and be close to nature.

Your favourite hotel?
THE FIVE ALLS. It looks like somebody’s house, very homely.
Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3JQ, +44 1367 860875

Your favourite restaurant?
The DAYLESFORD ORGANIC FARM. They serve all organic food. I love their superfood salad with bee pollen.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG, +44 1608 731 700

Your favorite tea place?
PATISSERIE VALERIE– the best place for the most delicious scones.
4 Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2DH, +44 1452 301584
208 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucs, GL50 3FA, +44 1242 513465

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK – my kids just love it. They even have lions there.

Your favourite activity?
WALKING the dog and the kids. It is our time when we can be together without any distraction, when they tell me all about their week.

Your favourite shop?
BAMFORD BARN for luxurious cashmere blankets, it’s all about at-home luxury.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire,  GL56 OYG, +44 1608 731713

Your must-have accessory?
HUNTER BOOTS, they look stylish and are a necessity for long walks.

Your beauty musts for the weekend?
The RODIAL GLAM BALM MULTI that I use as a nourishing mask, it’s the ultimate multi purpose product, GLAM BALM LIP and STEMCELL SUPER-FOOD HAND CREAM.

The favourite music while you are there?
Anything by DAVID GUETTA, very uplifting and cool sounds.

Your favorite book to read over the weekend?
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn, it lets your mind travel away.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insider scoop on Cotswolds with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Maria Hatzistefanis, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Jeremie Romain, via Eatlittlebird.com

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I have specially selected some of my favorite goodies to treat a loved one or maybe yourself. Enjoy those thoughtful Valentine’s Day keepsakes such as this cute mini leather shoulder bag by Christian Louboutin. To shop just click on the highlighted text.

Cora Heart 100 patent leather pumps by Christian Louboutin

Love U 14-karat gold, diamond and enamel earrings by Alison Lou

The Valentine’s Box

Charlotte Tilbury ‘s rich Mini Magic Cream (15ml/ 0.5fl.oz.)
Bamford‘s Geranium Hand & Body Wash (50ml/ 1.7fl.oz.)
LAFCO‘s Chamomile Lavender Soap (130ml/ 4.5oz.)
Radical Skincare Revitalizing Mask (30ml/ 1.0fl.oz.)
Jurlique‘s Nutri-Define Retexturizing Serum (15ml/ 0.5fl.oz.)
Hourglass‘ silky, pore-minimizing Veil Mineral Primer (5ml/ 0.16fl.oz.)
Eyeko‘s Mini Black Magic Mascara (4ml/ 0.13fl.oz.)
Anastasia‘s Mini Clear Brow Gel (2.5ml/ 0.08fl.oz.)
Serge Normant‘s Meta Sheer Dry Finish Oil (50ml/ 1.7fl.oz.)

The Love Box

Bamford‘s geranium pebble soap (250g/ 8.8oz)
Susanne Kaufmann‘s rose oil (100ml/ 3.4fl.oz.)
LAFCO House & Home‘s Champagne scented candle
Stella McCartney‘s ‘Lips‘ iPhone 5 case
Assouline‘s The Big Book of Chic by Miles Redd hardcover book
Smythson‘s ‘Inspiration and Ideas‘ textured-leather notebook
Lipstick Queen‘s ‘Velvet Rope‘ lipstick in ‘Brat Pack’
Anya Hindmarch‘s Phwoar!!! textured-leather adhesive sticker

The Pamper Box

Bamford‘s rose, geranium and jasmine pebble soap set (three x 75g/ 2.6oz.)
Monica Vinader‘s rose gold-plated ‘Fiji‘ bracelet
Stella McCartney‘s ‘Clara Whispering‘ lace-trimmed silk robe
Neom Organics + Jenny Packham ‘Happiness‘ white neroli, mimosa and lemon scented candle
Aromatherapy Associates‘ ‘Ultimate Bath Jewels‘ set (10 x 7.5ml/ 0.2fl.oz.)

The Box of Jewels

Anita Ko’s ‘Wave’ 18-karat rose gold diamond necklace
Anita Ko’s ‘Thorn’ 14-karat rose gold earrings
Anita Ko’s ‘Spike‘ 14-karat rose gold diamond bracelet
Smythson’s ‘Panama’ mini textured-leather jewelry box

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Luxury lost its luster for George Bamford when he spotted six people wearing his Rolex Daytona at a dinner party. To recreate exclusivity, watch-purveyor was born, offering iconic watches in unique color combinations, custom treatments, and now only for two weeks, the pioneering scratch-resistant Super-Matte technology premieres here first. Pre-order yours now!

My favorite is this BAMFORD Black Submariner With Neon Pink Dial.
Below are many other options to choose from:

Which one would you pick? To the Rolex no one else has…
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOURS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 AT 10 AM EDT.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bamford

Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small,
a mother’s love and tenderness is the greatest of them all.

Happy Mother’s Day 2014 to all the caring and courageous mums out there! While appreciation for any parent should be every day of the year, I still love to extra appreciate my mom on this special occasion. Dear Mama, I feel blessed to have you in my life, a true inspiration, my best friend, you’re my mother, I would have no other! I love you!

Touch your mum’s heart with a sentimental poem or gift her with a little surprise (If you have forgotten about Mother’s Day, get her a little gift online and hand her a voucher). Your mother will surely appreciate the heartfelt emotions and treasure them forever.

From left to right:
Heart-intarsia cashmere sweater by Chinti and Parker
Heart-print cotton-voile shirt by Chinti and Parker
Heart-print cutout-back bandeau swimsuit by Stella McCartney
Rose, geranium and jasmine pebble soap set by Bamford

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: net-à-porter