Sandra‘s Closet

This week, Aspen in Colorado, one of the world’s most famous mountain resorts, plays host to the first ever CHANEL pop-up store in the USA. The ephemeral boutique, which is located at the Casa Tua, the classic mountainside restaurant and private club, presents the Métiers d’Arts Paris-Dallas collection, which Karl Lagerfeld showed in Texas last December.

Celebrating the virtuosity of the House’s ateliers and their specialized know-how, the pop-up store showcases the Wild West-inspired collection in a modern yet rustic environment that is a nod to Aspen. On the terrace, guests can take in the stunning, panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and immerse oneself in the rugged luxury of the stunning surroundings.

The CHANEL at Casa Tua Ephemeral Boutique will be open until July 6, 2014.

CHANEL Casa Tua Ephemeral Boutique
403 South Galena Street – Aspen, Colorado / USA – +1 (970) 544-2077

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, © Getty

From Chicago I flew to Denver where I didn’t stay very long as I had to drive all the way up to Wyoming and South Dakota. Knowing that I would be sitting quite a while, I decided to be dressed as simple and casual as possible.

My look: Printed-back velour hooded top and matching track pants, both by Juicy Couture, original seamless tank top by Sugarlips, brown Pandora bag by Givenchy, Pegase 55 cabin case by Louis Vuitton, cat eye glitter acetate and metal sunglasses by Miu Miu and brushed leather trainers by Maison Martin Margiela.
On my nails: Beach Cruiser (neon pink) by Orly.

LoL, Sandra

At Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Those seamless Sugarlips tops are available in many different colours and so comfy to wear.

A photo from the air.

Safely arrived at Denver International Airport.

Denver skyline

Me in front of the Colorado State Capitol Building

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

At the moment, I am doing a crazy road trip through the US. I have so much to show you but for lack of time and internet connection, I am far behind posting. Today was an amazing day that ended pretty badly and I am thankful that I am still in one piece. But see for yourself…

I left this morning the city of Lusk, Wyoming driving all the way up to South Dakota. Those two states have got a real cowboy feel to them. I love this old school western charm and of course, I had to buy me a cowboy hat on the way.

I drove around 130 miles through the middle of nowhere, vast land areas without any population, totally flat. The whole ride, I thought that this could be a region where tornados could take place.

My first stop was Mount Rushmore National Memorial that I had been wanting to see for a long time. The colossal portraits of four famous presidents of the United States: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt in the Black Hills of South Dakota are pretty impressive.

Please stay tuned for a post about my look that I shot at this outstanding location.

My second stop was the Custer State Park where the Needles Highway and other roads offer idyllic scenic drives. It encompasses an abundance of wildlife.

So when I thought that it couldn’t get more thrilling than having a real bear in front of my car, I was completely mistaken.

On my way back to Wyoming, the sky started to darken and I could see lightnings. Then, it all happened very fast. The wind got stronger and the rain heavier. All of a sudden, the radio announcer issued a warning that a severe thunderstorm was approaching and that people should look for shelter. For me it was too late. I was surrounded by miles and miles of flat land. All of a sudden, the sky dumped golf-ball-sized hail with 70mph winds. I stopped the car and threw myself on the floor. It was so scary. The hail made a horrible noise and broke the windows of the car. The glass went all over me. I was so scared that this would become a twister but fortunately, it didn’t go that far. Nevertheless, the car is completely destroyed and looks from the outside as if I had been in a fight with Terminator.

Right after the storm had passed, I saw a rainbow through my destroyed rear window.

No more windows left…

… and glass all over.

Do you see the damage of the roof? Can you imagine the size of the hail that leaves such marks?! It is impressive how strong the forces of nature truly are and that there is a point where you are at their mercy. Thank God that all went well!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The new SI Style is available featuring my monthly fashion column. In this issue, I am telling you more about my time in the United States and give some travel tips for Chicago where I had lived for 2 years before my move to Zurich. Find out about Suburban dress codes (Have you ever heard of Lilly Pulitzer?) and the American way of living.

For more details on the outfit, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht