Sandra‘s Closet

The Duchess of Cambridge has made an appearance to support her country at the 2012 Olympics all royally blue. Cheering on Great Britain’s Andy Murray, Middleton was spotted radiant and happy. It was the same stunning electric blue shift dress in which she helped to open a National Portrait Gallery exhibit in London earlier.

Here are all the details to shop the look: Royal blue shift dress by Stella McCartney, Abel pointed patent-leather pumps by Jimmy Choo and Trinity necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

I still owe you my photos from Texas, which was the last stop of my road trip through the US. The first day in Dallas, I went shopping at the Highland Park Village, which is an upscale shopping mall and the home of brands like Chanel, Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin among others. It was the first self-contained shopping center in America and therefore declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

My look: Two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress and cuff by Stella McCartney, bowtie pasta and cameo clip earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, coral shape heels by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and Pandora bag by Givenchy.
On my nails: “Today Was A Fairytale” with Virgin Diamond Powder by Deborah Lippmann.

It was very funny to see my new two-tone dress in Stella McCartney‘s window and later inside.

Stay tuned for more photos of this outfit as I went after my shopping spree to the famous Southfork Ranch.

By the way, if you like Mexican food, you have to eat at Mi Cocina, located in the Highland Park Village. So yummy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Another amazing ad campaign shot by photographer duo Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott:
STELLA MCCARTNEY F/W 2012 starring Natalia Vodianova.

To shop Stella’s new season must-haves, please click here.
As usual, one of my favourite collections!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney

Believe it or not: The good old argyle sweater, loved by golf-playing grandfathers around the globe, has been revisited this fall by many designers. The iconic diamond-pattern has been given a bold update for the new season with side splits as seen at Stella McCartney or by layering this statement style over knee-length shorts and sheath boots for a sleek, contemporary look, as spotted at Givenchy. Whatever your style, this fashion classic is a perfect addition to your closet. Your stylish hole in one!

Shop some of the best ones available here:

1 Argyle-intarsia wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Stella McCartney
2 Diamond-intarsia wool turtleneck sweater by Stella McCartney
3 Blue wool blended V-neck sweater with argyle front by Dsquared2
4 Plum python and suede trim sweater by Salvatore Ferragamo
5 Classic argyle-intarsia wool sweater by United Colors of Benetton
6 Modern argyle knit cashmere-silk cardigan by Pringle of Scotland

LoL, Sandra

Today is the start of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad. So time to show your Olympic spirit.

Bally’s men’s West H. sneaker collection makes it easy to show your national pride. Fly the flag for your own nation.

Twelve casual leather sneakers pay homage to twelve different countries. Each West H. sneaker features a national flag screen printed with a cool vintage effect that includes Great Britain, Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and more.

And Bally’s charming Bally-rina is back, this time to captivate us with her sporty London 2012 Olympic spirit in a specially designed women’s sneaker and tote.

The red stitched Athena high-top sneaker features a back zip which cutely reveals the very sweet Bally-rina whimsically waving a gymnastics ribbon in blue, red, green and yellow colours. The same motif can be found on the Hanoe fabric tote.

Both, Bally’s West H. sneaker collection and the Bally-rina collection are available in store and online. Bally offers free shipping at the moment for the sportive collection. Just enter promo code SPORTBALLY at checkout.

For collectors and most loyal fans of the Olympic Games, the Coca-Cola collector’s box Special Olympics five glasses grouping is available exclusively at Colette now. The 5 glasses come with a collector bottle and a tote bag.

Celebrate the 2012 London Olympics with the commemorative Butter London‘s Olympic Heavy Medal Collection. The set includes three beautiful, metallic nail lacquers worthy of standing upon the winners’ podium, all limited editions. 
Colours: The Full Monty, Diamond Geezer and The Old Bill.

Solange Azagury-Partridge has designed the Britannia Hotlips ring to celebrate the games. The renowned iconic Hotlips design featuring the British flag is a fun and original lucky charm- one last good luck kiss for the athletes!

For all winners among you, take sartorial gold in Markus Lupfer‘s playful sequin medal-embellished merino wool sweater. Decorated with signature charm and wit, this piece is sure to turn heads.

Take a playful approach to the sporting season with these ‘2012 Olympics’-inspired briefs by Team Great Britain’s Creative Director Stella McCartney. Cut from a blend of white cotton and silk, this colorfully embroidered pair will make a whimsical addition to your lingerie drawer.

Just click on the highlighted text to shop those must-have pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bally, Colette, Net-à-porter, Solange Azagury-Partridge and via Telegraph

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

Vertu, the market leader in luxury mobile phones, has added an elegant and feminine feel to its latest smartphone, Constellation which has resulted in the birth of Constellation Candy. Constellation Candy is on offer in a collection of bold summer shades, created to seamlessly complement and enhance the discerning lifestyle of the fashion forward female. The Constellation Candy touchscreen model offers an unrivalled range of category leading exclusive services.

Constellation Candy Tangerine- 7,400 euro, 6,500 pounds

Inspired by the turn of the season and the bright hues of summer, Constellation Candy is available in mint green, raspberry and tangerine, with 0.34 carats of natural gem stones, all delicately handset in a reduced setting around the pillow on the front of the phone: Rubies for the Raspberry Candy; Tsavorites for the Mint Green Candy and Orange Sapphires for the Tangerine Candy. Each Constellation Candy uses only the highest quality exotic alligator skin on the back plate and for the complementary handset slip case.

Constellation Candy Mint Green- 7,400 euro, 6,500 pounds

Each Constellation Candy is hand made by a single craftsman using only high performance materials, such as a single piece of flawless 3.5” HD multi-touch sapphire crystal for the screen, an 8 megapixel camera with an intricate ruby surround on the shutter key, polished ceramic pillow, surgical grade stainless steel with satin and polished finish, highest quality leather on the back plate of the phone as well as Vertu’s unique high fidelity sound system.

Constellation Candy Rasberry- 7,400 euro, 6,500 pounds

Vertu prides itself on being a pioneer of delivering relevant, tailored luxury information and services direct to a mobile handset through Vertu Concierge and continues to expand this proposition to deliver an unparalleled customer service.

Registering a Vertu Constellation Candy handset provides access to an array of exclusive services designed to ensure that a Vertu owner’s life is beautifully arranged. At the heart of these exclusive services is the independent concierge service, designed to meet the needs of Vertu’s discerning customers. Vertu owners will receive expert assistance, recommendations and priority bookings around the clock. Vertu Concierge can arrange anything from bespoke gifts to money-can’t-buy events and experiences and are 100% committed to fulfilling a Vertu owner’s every request.

Examples of Vertu’s exclusive opportunities available from Vertu Concierge (subject to availability):

VIP personalized styling at Stella McCartney (see my card above)

As London’s leading female fashion designer, Stella McCartney needs little introduction. Her stunning designs make waves on red carpets and fashion pages across the world.

Vertu owners’ can enjoy a similarly A-list experience at her flagship London store with an amazing opportunity available only through Vertu. Vertu owners’ only need to call concierge to receive a Private Wardrobing Card giving access to a wealth of VIP treatment at no cost.

The card includes the contact details of a wardrobe consultant to help choose the most show-stopping pieces from Stella’s range of luxury ready-to-wear clothing, accessories and perfume. Vertu owners can book a private store appointment – or request one at home, workplace or hotel – and receive personalised styling and a limited-edition gift.

The card also entitles a Vertu owner to a car service from a central London location to the store and back; gift service; shipping to home address on request; and same-day delivery in central London.

Global Fashion Weeks VIP Access

New York, London, Milan and Paris are the most prolific and world renowned fashion hubs, where couture is central to local culture. During Fashion Week, models, celebrities, socialites and members of the press gather to scoop the inside track on new designs and styles for the upcoming season, while a host of catwalk shows and glamorous parties add to the event’s firm hold on the social calendar.

Attendees catch a glimpse of this year’s haute couture before anyone else, amid the ultimate in style and sophistication. A Vertu handset owner can enjoy a highly bespoke fashion week experience with invitations to all the most influential shows.

With Vertu’s Constellation Candy, a door is opened to a world of exclusive privilege to discover a life beautifully arranged.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vertu and © Sandra Bauknecht

Before leaving to Maui, I had a quick stopover for one night in San Francisco and saw my friend Eugenia for dinner.

My look: Liberty printed silk shirt by Coje (Soon after opening on Regent Street London in 1875 Arthur Liberty printed the first Liberty Fabrics. By the 1890’s Liberty Art Fabrics were a byword for the best of “avant garde” textile design. With new & classic designs added each season, the rich heritage of liberty print continues.), skinny leg jeans by J Brand, Falabella bag by Stella McCartney, sandals with coral shape heel by Chanel and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

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