Sandra‘s Closet

Right now I am enjoying my holidays in Saint Tropez to the fullest. After a very long night at Les Caves du Roy, and only 3 hours of sleep, I pulled myself together and joined my dear Barbara Sturm and Ayda Field Williams at Dr. Sturm’s new St. Tropez Spa, located at 6 Traverse de la Gendarmerie, for an anti-inflammatory morning with cold pressed juices and mini express facials.

Inside the new Dr. Barbara Sturm spa in St. Tropez

On display was also the absolutely amazing new luxury activewear line AYDA launched by Robbie Williams‘s wife Ayda, who is as sweet as she looks. Designed with the most buttery fabrics, high-performance details, and athlete-tested functionality, those pieces will help you reach peak joy. Her motto is «Fucking Fantastic», life is too short for camel toes and visible panty lines! For sweats that make you feel sloppy or sports bras that feel like jail. Say bye bye to muffin tops and hello to odor-eating, sweat-wicking, equal pay promoting, always-has-your-back performance gear that never lets you down… and always holds the girls up!

Ayda is luxury activewear dedicated to bringing JOY into the everyday motions of life.

The idea for AYDA has bounced around founder Ayda Field Williams’s brain for years. After being stuck at home and in athleisure 24/7 during quarantine made her realize that she could work with a team to improve on what was out there. The voice that said «Yes!! You can!!» finally grew louder than the voice that said «No, you can’t.»

Team Ayda set out to create clothes that could seriously perform but didn’t sacrifice on the playfulness. Bright, bold colors. Inventive details. Undeniable comfort. Clothes that brought joy. Clothes that make you wanna skip. Clothes that feel like rainbow sprinkles!!

Having fun with Ayda Field Williams and Barbara Sturm.

There’s so much to love about every piece in the collection. Everything from the power mesh panels that elevate while providing support and stretch, to the adjustable velcro straps that are both comfortable and forgiving for those days when you need a little more. Team Ayda scoured the universe for Goldilocks of fabrics: soft, sculpting, with great recovery to last and last. You will surely love the collection as much as I do!

It was a fucking fantastic morning with many amazing women… thank you, Barbara and Ayda for having me!

LoL, Sandra

With amazing Kinga Lampert, who is the co-Chair @bcrfcure the highest rated breast cancer organization in the US and largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide.

Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash also enjoyed the morning.

Presenter and model Sylvie Meis 

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © ShopAyda
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This weekend, the 31th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place which celebrates artist-driven filmmaking and recognizes the finest achievements of today’s independent filmmakers. I am once more guest of Piaget and couldn’t be anymore excited about it. If you have a look at this post about last year’s event, you will understand immediately what I am talking about.

One year ago, the sun and stars were out on a Saturday afternoon at the 30th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, co-hosted by Piaget for the eighth consecutive year and held on the beach in Santa Monica. The event paid tribute to some of this year’s most important films and also attracted the biggest names in Hollywood, including the Swiss brand’s international brand ambassador and Best Supporting Female nominee for «A Most Violent Year,» Jessica Chastain, along with Michael Keaton, Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, Matt Bomer, Emma Stone, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Oprah Winfrey, Olivia Munn, Miles Teller, Andy Samberg and Emmy Rossum.

I am sure that you are curious how such an award ceremony takes place. So let me walk you through the different steps.

Click here to get all details of me look.

First, it takes place during the day in Santa Monica. Many people are waiting outside of the fences at the beach to spot their favorite celebrities. You arrive and walk the red (in this case pink) carpet and feel like a star yourself…

Cate Blanchett in Schiaparelli Couture on the pink carpet

Julianne Moore dazzled in Dior Couture

Emma Stone donned a lace Monique Lhuillier dress.

With CEO of Piaget Philippe Leopold-Metzger

CEO of Piaget Philippe Leopold-Metzger framed by Swiss girls Lauriane Gillieron, Alizée Gaillard and myself.

Before the award ceremony itself takes place, you can enjoy the start of the event in Piaget’s VIP lounge. Featuring modern, luxurious details and a grand piano in the center, winners, nominees and friends of the House joined Piaget CEO Philippe Leopold-Metzger for a celebratory glass of champagne and a peak at the High Jewellery Mediterranean Garden collection.

Actor Eric Roberts at the piano inside the lounge.

Piaget was the jeweler and watchmaker of choice for many of the attending stars, including my humble self, who wore stunning earrings from Piaget’s Mediterranean Garden collection, along with my Limelight Gala watch and a rose diamond ring.

During the Independent Spirit Awards, you can get really close to the stars and have a chat with them.

Ethan Hawke

I did an interview with Jessica Chastain (if you are interested in reading it, click here please).

Kerry Washington, who plays the Olivia Pope in «Scandal»

«Magic Mike» star Matt Bomer

Long-time friend of the House Emmy Rossum

Anne Heche

Sylvie Meis

Marcia Cross wore a long Piaget Rose sautoir in rose gold.

Inside the award tent.

As the ceremony takes pretty long in general, you are very thankful for food and drinks.

Cate Blanchett won Best Female Lead in 2014 and is nominated again tomorrow for «Carol», in 2015 she was presenting Best Feature which was «Birdman».

In 2015, Best Female Lead was the title for Julianne Moore for her amazing performance in «Still Alice».

 Jessica Chastain and Andy Samberg presented the winner of Best Male Lead: Michael Keaton for «Birdman».Patricia Arquette won as Best Supporting Female in «Boyhood».

 Oprah Winfrey introducing the clip from «Selma».Scarlett Johansson was presenting Best Director. Richard Linklater won for «Boyhood.»

And yes, there is a prompter in the tent…

… which everyone including the hosts of the ceremony, Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen, were using.

Alizée Gaillard, Mousse Jacquier and Lauriane Gilliéron

But the best about this trip is always to treasure the fun moments with your girlfriends and of course with you, my dear readers. I am so excited being back in my favorite city in the world and for tomorrow’s event! Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Piaget