Sandra‘s Closet

One key F/W 2016 trend: all sorts of artfully bow embellished sweaters, upping the cool factor in the autumnal standard. Get inspired with the most trending ones, preferably in black and white, all handpicked by me only for you!

Virgin wool-blend sweater with lace ruffles by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Virgin wool sweater by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Sequin bow-embellished knitted sweater by Saint Laurent

Bow-embellished wool and cotton-blend cardigan by Boutique Moschino

Gayle grosgrain-trimmed knitted sweater by J.Crew

Virgin wool-blend sweater with lace ruffles by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Here’s a happy little post to round out your Wednesday: NET-A-PORTER, purveyor of some of the most impressive big-ticket designer offers during sale some must-haves that won’t empty your wallet. I perused the best pieces and found ten under €150 that I am absolutely sure you will love for many seasons to come!

Ruffle-trimmed embellished cotton-jersey top by Markus Lupfer (50% off)
A great tank top with a ruffle-trimmed  embellishment in the back.

Sequined leather point-toe flats by J.Crew (40% off)
A playful spin to your everyday summer looks.

Arianna patent-leather point-toe flats by MICHAEL Michael Kors (50% off)
Black ballerinas are a must for every closet.

Margot embellished cotton-canvas clutch by Antik Batik (50% off)
The perfect arm candy to elevate every look to a whole new level of style.

Shearling keychain by Sophie Hulme (30% off)
A great way to make your favorite bag look completely new.

Parcel cotton-blend gabardine trench coat by Madewell (40% off)
The perfect piece for layering in between seasons.

Etrusca gold-tone quartz earrings by Rosantica (50% off)
The rose quartz is faceted to catch the light beautifully to give your face a lovely glow.

Carretto printed silk-twill scarf by Dolce & Gabbana (40% off)
A true classic that makes a great gift for a loved one.

Camp denim shirt by MICHAEL Michael Kors (40% off)
The all time favorite, the denim shirt, has a trend revival.

Leather-trimmed wool-felt fedora by Rag & Bone (30% off)
Now autumn can come…

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Here is your guide to master the huge sweatshirt trend for F/W 2013 with no sweat. The style set can’t get enough of this season’s cool comfy tops. Tap fashion’s slogan sweatshirt craze or go for a floral or embellished version. Highlight a print by wearing skinny pants and sneakers. The great thing about those novelty sweatshirts is that you can also upgrade them with a sexy skirt and a pair of heels. And don’t forget, grey is the colour to think about first!

Personally speaking, I am crazy for this amazing cloud-print cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Kenzo and the black cotton sweatshirt with colourful ‘brain’ print by Christopher Kane.

FLORAL
1 Beta oversized cotton-blend fleece sweatshirt by ACNE
2 Silk sateen-paneled jersey sweatshirt by Markus Lupfer
3 Embroidered cotton sweatshirt by Matthew Williamson

ANIMAL PRINTS
4 Bird-flocked cotton sweatshirt by McQ Alexander McQueen
5 Quilted jersey sweatshirt with eagle motif by Stella McCartney
6 Horsing Around cotton sweatshirt by J.Crew

SLOGAN
7 Riot cotton-blend terry sweatshirt by Zoe Karssen
8 Jonker cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Karl Lagerfeld
9 Féline cotton-blend jersey sweatshirt by Brian Lichtenberg

EMBELLISHMENTS
10 Embellished cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Markus Lupfer
11 Embellished olive green cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Lanvin
12 Sopo crystal-embellished cotton-jersey sweatshirt by TNTees

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, Style, © Splash, © Sandra Bauknecht

Jo Malone, the famous fragrance designer and founder of JO LOVES, is based in London. Being inspired by her hopes and creative thoughts, the ingredients in life that she loves, it is pretty much obvious that her favorite place is the Big Apple.

Your favourite city?
Without a doubt my favourite city is NEW YORK CITY. I lived there for a year and it still feels like my second home. Whenever I’m there I feel totally relaxed and so inspired. I love every second of being in such a fun city.

Your favourite hotel?
I always stay in the same room at THE FOUR SEASONS. The service is outstanding and the staff are simply incredible. I also adore the white décor in the rooms because it reminds me of my home in London. I’ve got many happy memories attached to the hotel.
The Four Seasons, 99 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022. +1 212-754-9494

Your favourite restaurant?
Whenever I arrive, I head straight to SERAFINA on Madison Avenue. It serves the best pizza made in huge wood fired ovens. Their SEARED SALMON OVER LENTILS is absolutely delicious and just thinking about it makes my toes curl!
Serafina, 1022 Madison Ave, Manhattan, +1 212-734-2676

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
I have two favourite bars. One is the BEMELMANS BAR AT THE CARLYLE which feels like a part of history gone by. It’s so glamorous and reminds me of that Gatsby Art Deco era. I love to come here with my husband, order a glass of chilled white wine, and listen to the jazz pianist.
The Carlyle, 35 East 76th St, New York, New York 10021 +1 212.744.1600

My other favourite spot is the COCKTAIL BAR within THE FOUR SEASONS. It’s such a great place to meet friends or sit alone and people watch. It was the inspiration for my Mango fragrance collection.
The Four Seasons, 99 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022. +1 212-754-9494

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
Even though I’ve been there countless times, ELLIS ISLAND is still such a special place for me. I love the stories of the immigrants who came over in their millions and the strong sense of beginning and hope in the air. It was the start of so many peoples freedom and really represents the American dream.

Your favourite park?
I love the boating lake within CENTRAL PARK; simply beautiful. It’s such a great space that embraces you during every season and at each part of the day. In the summer I love to go for brunch at the LOEB BOATHOUSE and in the winter we’ve spent the day as a family sledging and drinking hot chocolates.
The Loeb Boathouse, E 72nd New York, NY 10028. +1 212-517-2233

Your favourite shop?
I’m a huge fan of J.CREW and never leave empty handed. I’m love the boutique store down on Madison and buy almost anything that sparkles!
J.Crew Collection, 769 Madison Ave New York NY 10065. +1 212 824 2500

I can’t ever leave the city without a visit to CRATE & BARREL which has every single kitchen gadget you could dream of from cherry pipers and sweet corn strippers to maples syrup pourers. You name it they have it. I always spend hours in this store and have bought countless storm lanterns which are all over my house.
Crate & Barrel, 650 Madison Avenue, New York +1 212 308 001 1650

Your must-have accessory?
I don’t go anywhere without fragrance and spritz my JO LOVES Pomelo at least three or four times throughout the day. I also love my SMYTHSON notepad and MUJI pen for jotting down my thought and inspirations as I wander around the city.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
ELTON JOHN “I’m Still Standing”. I cried so many tears in this city whilst fighting breast cancer but have had many more times of fun and laughter here. This song completely describes how I feel about this great place.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
This has to be ‘The Hundred Foot Journey” by RICHARD C. MORAIS. It’s the story of a man who needs to return to his to his roots to find true fulfilment in his talent of cooking. It’s where I am in life and in business right now, returning back to my roots and rediscovering my passion for fragrance again.

Thank you, Jo, for sharing your insider scoop on New York City with us!

LoL, Sandra

Designed in New York. Made in Italy. Worn with affection.

Shoes transport you: From the cobblestoned streets of SoHo to the cafes and canals of Venice, comfortable, chic, shoes allow us to explore fashion and culture. With this in mind, J.Crew’s new Italian shoe collection has the style of New York and the craftsmanship of Italy. To check out which ones are your favorites, click here please.

Personally speaking, I love the Janey patent flats in lime green and the Etta pink leopard sequins pumps (see above).

Great news for you, my dear readers! Here is your chance to receive a trip for two to NYC, a tour of the Vogue offices, a $1,000 J.Crew shopping spree with a Very Personal Stylist, and dinner for two at a NYC Italian hot spot. All you have to do is to share your interpretation of how your world reflects the mix-and-match fashions of NYC and the cultural community of Italy.

HOW TO ENTER

– Subscribe/log-in to Pinterest and follow J.Crew on Pinterest.
– Create a board entitled “My Shoe Story”.
– Pin 5 shoe or product images from jcrew.com or J.Crew Pinterest together with images of the places that inspire you.
– Use the hashtags #jcrew and #myshoestory in the pin descriptions.
– Click here to enter.
– The contest ends on April 29, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of J.Crew

Today, I have spent a great day in Vienna. Shopping, sightseeing and a surprise, the only thing missing was the sun.

First, I went to Liska, a fabulous high fashion store, located in the heart of the Austrian city. Established in 2002, the shop carries brands such as Saint Laurent, Dior, Fendi and Valentino, as well as their own label, Liska by Thomas Kirchgrabner, the boutique’s USP is its range of furs. Your premier destination if you are on the hunt for that perfect mink coat or sable stole.
TO SHOP LISKA ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Then, I did some sightseeing and visited the famous Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule)…

… and Vienna’s landmark, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom).

The best moment of today was when I saw Dave Gahan again. I have always been a huge fan of Depeche Mode and had met him in Frankfurt a few years ago. If you are interested in seeing the previous post, please click here.

My look: Coat with fur details by Blumarine, cashmere sweater by J.Crew, scarf and stretch-leather skinny pants, both by Gucci, ankle boots by Prada and leather tote by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Dear German readers, have a look at the newest edition of GLAMOUR magazine. I am so proud to have five pages in the new trend part concerning my favourite online shops.

For all who cannot get their hands on the German GLAMOUR, here is a brief summary.

FASHION and more…
ASOS: Great shop to find trendy pieces for less money
CLOSED: The best pants in the world
COJE: A must for all who love romantic looks
FARFETCH: Shopping around the globe
LOUNGE LOVER: My choice for yoga and comfy clothes
LUISA VIA ROMA: The place to explore upcoming and established designers
MYTHERESA: Great selection of many designers, among them Givenchy and Balenciaga
NET-A-PORTER: My all-time favorite! Best online shopping on earth!
PULLANDBEAR: Statement fashion from Spain for the small budget

ACCESSORIES and more…
AVENUE 32: New star in shopping heaven
BOTICCA: Extraordinary jewelry and accessories by upcoming young designers around the globe
GIFTLAB: Great source for gifts and more
MONNIER FRERES: Pretty addictive website for all sorts of accessories

FAMILY & Co…
AMERICAN GIRL: A dream for little girls and their mommies
LOVELYSTUFF: The perfect shop to plan your baby shower or best friend’s wedding
NAMEITLABELS: Be creative and design your own labels
POTTERY BARN: Affordable furniture, home accessories and frames
TINY PRINTS: Greeting cards, perfect for the next holiday season

AMERICAN DREAMS
BERGDORF GOODMAN: My favourite US-shopping destination
J.CREW: Preppy chic par excellence
SSENSE: Many It-labels for both, men and women
INTERMIXONLINE: Paradise for all A-listers and trendsetters
MYUS: Your virtual US-address for all those stores that don’t ship to Europe or Asia

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

During the recent fashion weeks, you couldn’t help but notice the common thread literally popping up for F/W 2012: Chunky knit sweaters paired with gorgeous statement necklaces. This combination has the right twist to jazz up the cozy winter staple. Click here to see me wearing it.
Enjoy shopping some of my favourite looks:

1 Chunky-knit wool-blend turtleneck sweater by Chloé and crystal ribbon necklace by Lanvin
2 Blue bobble knit sweater by Carven and crystal and bead necklace by J.Crew
3 Knitted wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Nina Ricci and chain and bead necklace by Assad Mounser
4 Zesty lime cable-knit wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Joseph and Riri painted Swarovski crystal necklace by Tom Binns
5 Multicoloured sweater by Closed and embellished bib necklace by Lanvin
6 Striped chunky-knit sweater by Missoni and chain and bead necklace by Assad Mounser

LoL, Sandra

Looking outside, it is truly sweater weather! And this season, it is official, the cheesy holiday jumper got a style upgrade. Suddenly, all that we want are reindeers, snowflakes and jacquards. My favourite are Moschino’s penguins.

1 Penguin intarsia wool sweater by Moschino
2 Cropped wool-blend jacquard sweater by Alexander Wang
3 Fair Isle neon wool-blend sweater by Juicy Couture
4 Fair Isle knitted cotton sweater by Jonathan Saunders
5 Snowman intarsia wool sweater by Moschino
6 Snowflake sequined merino wool sweater by Markus Lupfer
7 Firgrove intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater by Aubin & Wills
8 Chunky-knit Fair Isle sweater by J.Crew
9 Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater by Stella McCartney

Stylist Carolin Sieber rocks this trend by combining her Topshop sweater with a leather mini and Chanel booties. Get cozy for Christmas!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Mr Newton for Harper’s Bazaar

Can you guess where we are in time-travelling after my lastet posts about lace and rocking hot black leather? Yes, we have arrived in the `80s. For some people, the golden decade was the worst one fashionwise but since a few seasons designers have relied on some of the worth recycling styles. The leggings  and skinny jeans came back around 4 years ago and who would have ever imagined their ongoing success?! They have definitely conquered my closet and I never want them to vanish again as the modernized versions are stylish and comfy in one.

Designers have returned 20 years this F/W 2010 to find the `80s ma-ma-material beauty and so can you. Let`s begin!

You might feel like a virgin in a sharp leather pencil skirt, sequined blazer and fishnet stockings. Add lots of accessories like the iconic safety pins, stacked bracelets and big cross pendants for the ultimate killer look!

Balmain launched a real boom with the return of the shoulder pads. The last seasons, fashionistas have crazed all over the world for the must-have blazers and jackets. The hype is definitely not over yet! Party like it`s 1982 in those brocade and patchwork nightclub nostalgia pieces from the F/W 2010 runways. Absolutely screaming hot are red leather leggings, another must for this winter!


The `80s encouraged self-expression with eyecatching neon colours and rainbow dyes. I would not do the complete look but you can easily embed one sparkling bright piece into your daily wear. One thing I am not so sure is about the über-teased hair…. probably a little too much retro-style. But nevertheless the point of fashion is that girls just wanna have fun! So let`s start experimenting….

In case that you are looking for your personal Jesus, try black leather and fringes. So hot! Sequined leggings combined with a denim jacket would turn you also very fast back to the `80s without looking disguised.

If you want to find the fashion cure for this winter`s style heritage, you could opt for a goth look with an asymmetrical cropped sweater or some cut out off-shoulder-tops. And I am sure that this Friday, you will be in love.

My personal `80s-inspired object of desire is this gorgeous suede buckled V-neck dress by Balmain. Available from today at net-à-porter. This is rock glam chic at its best! Hard to beat it.

LoL, Sandra