Sandra‘s Closet

11 years – as crazy as it sounds but I have been blogging now for 132 months, which is around 4015 days, and this is my 4559th post which means I wrote at least one per day. I am thankful, Sandra’s Closet has taken me on the craziest, busiest but most amazing ride in my life.

To honor the occasion, I thought I would share 10 fashionable fun facts about me that you might not know yet.

1. I went to a Catholic girl’s school and took my teachers shopping on class trips. In Rome for example, they bought the Moschino logo belt that has gone into style a few years ago again. Speaking of great investments.

2. Before my fashion design studies at ESMOD, I studied law. During an internship at court, I worked with the customs agents at Frankfurt airport and was really good in spotting counterfeits.

3. My first foray into working in fashion was an internship at Sonia Rykiel in Paris where I worked alongside the late designer. A very challenging yet unforgettable experience. I designed bags and T-shirts that were actually produced and have a proud spot in my closet.

4. Preferring to write about and style fashion, I started as a booking assistant at German Marie Claire magazine after my studies, and worked myself up pretty fast to fashion editor.

5. Before mytheresa.com was an online shopping platform, I created catalogs for them, the concept, layout and text.

6. Speaking of which, my favorite thing about blogging is the graphic design part, as you can see in my collages. My techniques are primarily self-taught which makes me proud. I also love drawing.

7. I was named among the most influential German fashion people in the coffee table book «Fashion Germany» along Claudia Schiffer, Peter Lindbergh, Jil Sander and many more…

8. I have started my fashion collection at the age of 16 and have kept everything. Every piece has its story and I always remember where I got or wore it.

9. I haven’t been without nail polish, both on my fingers or toes, since I am a teenager. Not one single day!

10. I have lived in Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chicago before Zurich and my biggest dream is to open a fashion museum with my collection.

I hope you have enjoyed this little insight about my life before starting the blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

It is not only the last day of the year, but also the last day of the decade and I would like to share with you my favourite outfits of 2019. A little retrospective recalling my most fashionable moments. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world.

To a fabulous 2020, to a fabulous new decade, wishing you only the best and I hope that you will keep following Sandra’s Closet for the next years to come!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2019: To a Sparkling 2019

French Cancan – Crucial – Wasserngrat Lunch

Winter Wonderland – Gstaad, Come Up and Slow Down – Women in Power

Happy Birthday – 100 Years of Bauhaus

FEBRUARY 2019: London Fashion Week Look

Times Square – La Pausa – New York City

She’s in Fashion – Hello Sunshine

MARCH 2019: Vienna Opera Ball

International Women’s Day – Never Rest – Find Me in Milan

Spring – The New Story – It’s All in the Attitude

APRIL 2019: Swiss Girl

Travelling to São Paulo – Brazil – Belgrave Square

Tina – Formula V

Paris Fashion Week – Cherry Blossom

 MAY 2019: Cyprus Nights

Summer Kick-Off – Girl Power – Best Never Rest

Where the Wild Things Are – Awesome Sequins

JUNE 2019: Red & Turquoise for Spring 

Save the Ocean – An Evening with Ballet – Jewels

Art Basel – Beat the Heat

 JULY 2019: Like Ice in the Sunshine

Dream On – Vacation – Let’s Play Ballet

Rose Garden – French Riviera – Just Keep Swimming

AUGUST 2019: Viva la Svizzera

Greetings from Verona – Kiss a Frog – Street Parade 2019

The Weekend Read – Comfy Chic

Orchid Print – Lavender Extrême

SEPTEMBER 2019: Pulp Fiction

Atelier Swarovski – Arriving in Munich – Boss Outletcity Metzingen

Life is Better with a Dog – Modern Princess

Sleeping Beauty – Bohemian

OCTOBER 2019: Borgo Santo Pietro

Chill & Relax – Golden Fall – Vivamayr

La Vie Bohème – Camouflage

NOVEMBER 2019: Halloween

Greece – CHANEL – La Mer

Home – Magic Weekend – Femme on Trend

DECEMBER 2019: Merry Dolce Christmas

You Can Do It – Celebrate – This is My Love

 Unchained – #IMACHRISTMASTREE

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Thursday one week ago, I had the privilege to be celebrating my 10th blog anniversary with LA MER at Jelmoli in Zurich among dear friends and most amazing Sandra’s Closet readers. With all my heart, I would like to thank everyone who came and made this evening so special, also for the many beautiful and thoughtful gifts I got. A big and heartfelt «thank you» goes also to the very professional LA MER team, that surprised me with the best cake ever and to PERRIER-JOUËT for the lovely champagne.

The evening was dedicated to the most luxurious products by LA MER, the Genaissance de La Mer collection. The brand’s best anti-aging skincare products offer accelerated renewal and visibly erase signs of time with the help of potent crystals. Inspired by the latter, guests were invited to enjoy a personalized crystal reading by Alexandra Kruse.

I have been blogging for one decade now and so much happened over these past 10 years. I have always believed in being authentic and that staying true to myself would gain success in the long run. Nobody knows what the future holds. So let’s enjoy life to the fullest, be kind and inspire each other every day. Thank you to everyone for the journey.

Happy 1st Advent!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Sanjeev Velmurugan – © Sandra Bauknecht and via my lovely guests

10 years – as crazy as it sounds but I have been blogging now for 120 months, which is around 3650 days, and this is my 4193rd 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.

On Thursday, I pre-celebrated my blog anniversary with LA MER 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 all the surprises, I truly felt loved.

Me in the senior yearbook in 1994.

After a crazy week, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London, I am at the airport again, ready to leave for Frankfurt in Germany as I have my 25-year class reunion today. I am so happy to be reunited with all my girls.

Thank you all for the journey! More to come…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am thinking of all of you on my birthday today and I am hoping that all the happiness you have given to me during all these years of writing my blog will return to you. Wishing you a happy day!

May today be filled with friendship, laughter, and lots of amazing surprises.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

It is the last day of the year and I would like to share with you my favourite outfits of 2018. A little retrospective recalling my most fashionable moments. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world. I am proud of myself as I wrote each day of 2018 at least one post.

To a fabulous 2019, wishing you only the best and I hope that you will keep following Sandra’s Closet for the next years to come!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2018: Ready, Set, Snow!

Life in Black & White – Tulum – Mira Mikati

Rooftop Bar – Beach Culture

Antwerp – I Love Denim

FEBRUARY 2018: Birthday Fun

Greetings from Vienna – Obsessed with Style – Dogs & Watches

Heathrow – Happy Valentine’s Day – Love Always London

MARCH 2018: Bohemian Dream

Upgrade Your Chic – Going Public – Glow Up

Sheats-Goldstein House Los Angeles – Burgundy & Blue

APRIL 2018: Happy Prada Easter

Paris Culture – Seasonless is the New Timeless – Mini Dress

Greetings from the Champagne – Dollars

MAY 2018: Chloé Nomade

Back to the ’80s – Green Jumpsuit – Prada Comic

The High and Low – Cropped Top & High-Waist Jeans

St. Tropez – Vintage Viktor & Rolf

JUNE 2018: Bagatelle Beach

Dîner en Blanc in Paris – Art in the Park XVI – My Prada Summer Inspiration

Cannes Film Festival 2018 – Hello Summer

La Bomba – Never Look Back, Baby!

JULY 2018: Desperate Housewife

Happy Fourth of July – Racer Girl – Into the Blue

Summer – Pool Float

AUGUST 2018: Zoofäscht 2018

Lunch in Ramatuelle – Gingham – Zurich Street Parade

Let’s Play in Paris – The Great Gatsby Party

Floral – It’s Getting Hot in Here

SEPTEMBER 2018: Pineapple

My Summer of Love – Fashion at Globus in Zurich – Contemporary Fashion

Do What You Love and Do It Often – I Love the Stripe Hype – Say It With Flowers

Arachnophobia – Triple S

OCTOBER 2018: The Lace Jumpsuit

ZFF 2018 – Women of Impact

Falling For You – Hello from Seoul

NOVEMBER 2018: Kispi 2018

Hybrid Fashion – Let’s Cook Up Something Great

Fishtank Dress – Hola Madrid!

DECEMBER 2018: Do You Speak Prada?

Santa Monica – Red Leopard – Fendimania

Christmas Tuesday – Balmain 44 François Premier

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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

It is the last day of the year and I would like to share with you my favourite outfits of 2017. A little retrospective recalling my most fashionable moments. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world. I am proud of myself as I wrote each day of 2017 a post.

To a fabulous 2018, wishing you only the best and I hope that you will keep following Sandra’s Closet for the next years to come!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2017: Gstaading

St. Barts –  Formal Jumpsuit

FEBRUARY 2017: Let’s Go Bananas!

Boom – Smile – I Feel It All

Le Toiny – Spring Faves

MARCH 2017: Rock It!

Lace, Bows and Pearls – One-Shoulder Dress – Theatre

Seeing Things Clearly – Hello from Lugano

APRIL 2017: Easter Sunday

Wonder Woman Meets Superwoman – Greenery – Tennis for a Good Cause

Swan Lady – Blind for Love

Business Meeting – Chanel Airlines

MAY 2017: Power Pairings

Chanel Coco Cuba – On the Way to St. Tropez – Open

Running in Heels – Ruffles

High Strung – Spring Into Summer

JUNE 2017: Art in the Park

Block Heels – Hello New York – Strolling Through Venice

Masquerade Ball in Venice –  Stars, Stripes and Polka Dots Now

Florence – Paris I Love You

JULY 2017: Sun Memories

Ibiza – Boho Garden

Rainbow Stripes – Grecian Goddess in Provence

AUGUST 2017: Show Some Shoulder

We Should All Be Feminists –  Always a Bridesmaid – See U Later

Flashback Street Parade – Take a Hike – Casual Friday

Pucci at the Pool – Hydrangea – Cherish

SEPTEMBER 2017: Cruise

Not-So-Basic-Black – Sneakers & Dresses

OCTOBER 2017: Rock the Rainbow

Movie Night – Hublot Wiesn – Premiere

Must-Haves – Ballet

Fall Beauty – An Ice Bear in Milan

NOVEMBER 2017: Vintage Florals

Teatro alla Scala – Milan Style

Girl on Fire in Erdem x H&M – My Happy Place

DECEMBER 2017: Prada Cloudbust

Fondue Time – The Sequined Jumpsuit – Merry Christmas 2017

Marrakesh – Let’s Get That Party Gstaaded – Live for the Moments

Be Bold – Union Jack Style

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

8 years –  as crazy as it sounds but I have been blogging now for 96 months, which is around 2920 days, and this is my 3464th 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.

I was one of the first ones when I started in 2009 with this post about the Birking bag by Hermès. Many friends were laughing at me and I had to convince so many press offices about what I was doing. In the end I was right.

Today, bloggers and so-called influencers have taken over the media world and many of those brands that were completely against it are trying to get on the train they have been missing before. Print is struggling and media budgets focus on digital. What I am missing sometimes is the reason why blogging originally started, it was about passion, being able to write about young designers or products that didn’t have a big advertising budget yet and to show what you truly love. Of course, you have to earn money but the fine line between monetization and truly felt passion seems to often fade away. Today, I feel it is more about getting free products and becoming famous on Instagram.

«LET ME INSPIRE YOU»

Personally speaking, I don’t want to say I am a blogger or influencer anymore, those titles come with a negative connotation and honestly I don’t want to influence other people, I would like to inspire them and hope that you still feel my passion in every day ‘s post.

To the next 8 years of blogging, or let me say inspiring you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via SI Style, Getty, Hermès, © Sandra Bauknecht