Sandra‘s Closet

«Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.»
– H. Jackson Brown Jr.

On February 14, we celebrate the life of Saint Valentine of Rome, who was actually incredibly unlucky and ended up being beheaded. Today it is a celebration of all things romantic, mostly for lovers. But why not thank a dear friend for their friendship or their trust in you. Actions speak louder than words. Personally speaking, I love the written word and the act of taking a beautiful pen to actually write a heartfelt message, is a meaningful sign, something that stays. If you add a spritz of fragrance, it will evoke all senses.

This amazing fragrance by SHALINI «Amorem Rose» is guaranteed to add a serious dose of sex appeal to your Valentine’s Day. Inspired by love, it is the most opulent rose perfume, although different by adding an element of smoke. Besides, it centers around Bulgarian Damask rose, Saffron flowers, Baltic amber and Mahogany wood.

Created by Maurice Roucel, who designed one of my favorite scents Musk Ravageur, SHALINI says in her own words, «it’s a perfumed poem dedicated to the greatest love stories. The Rose has the highest love energy of all the flowers, often referred to as the Queen of Flowers, the symbol of the divine feminine love. The smoke brings a sense of mystery and intrigue reminiscent of a great love… the love that touches your soul deeply and alters your very being.»

Amorem Rose by SHALINI is available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich.

My personal note to SHALINI KUMAR, a former Indian actress, was written with CARAN D’ACHE‘s Ecridor Doré Rose ballpoint pen that is adorned with a new brilliant rose-gilded finish.

Happy Galentine’s Day – to all my girlfriends around the world!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Louis Vuitton extends its New Wave collection in February. Whether tender, passionate or more classic, three shades champion the colours of love. Perfect gifts for Valentine’s Day!

The Heart bag embraces the universal heart shape as a versatile symbol to make your own. A removable shoulder strap, leather handle and a loop on the back allow it to be carried in three different ways: over the shoulder, clutch-style in the hand, or on a belt.

The LV Love locks accent the quilted leather of the Louis Vuitton New Wave line. A host of fun symbols – metallic padlocks, keys and locks – punctuate the small and large – Chain bag, the Heart bag and even the wallets.

The Heart bag comes in blush pink and scarlet with the LV Love locks, while its black version simply sports the LV signature. The blush pink Heart bag with the LV signature is exclusively available online.

Enlivened with LV Love locks, the small Chain bag in scarlet and the large Chain bags in blush pink and black bring their colourful energy to this festival of love.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

I love Valentine’s Day and always enjoy prepping the ultimate outfit. While classic reds and pinks are a quintessential choice, I’m loving the subtle hearts and little pops of color. The unexpected message on the Dolce box bag will definitely steal your heart!

My look: Perfecto leather biker jacket and Janis leather platform pumps with chains, both by Saint Laurent, vintage heart print chiffon dress by Moschino Cheap & Chic, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, heart shaped earrings by Chanel and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

Don’t forget to enter the Valentine’s Day contest with Dyson!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Dress up for date night, unwrap luxury or gift someone gorgeous this Valentine’s Day with this beautiful selection of gifts and outfit inspirations. I have even thrown in an idea «for him»…
The heart wants what the heart wants…

LoL, Sandra

1 Confetti Heart knitted sweater by Chinti and Parker
2 Heart cut-out babydoll dress by Chloé (60% off)
3 Embellished merino wool sweater by Oscar de la Renta
4 Sequined silk bustier top by Oscar de la Renta
5 Carry Secrets heart clutch by Valentino
6 Sicily leather shoulder bag by Dolce & Gabbana

1 Gabby lace-trimmed embroidered tulle underwired bra and matching thong, both by Agent Provocateur
2 Heart-print button-down dress by Alexander McQueen
3 Love letter print T-shirt by Gucci (FOR HIM)
4 New Wave 196 Loulou heart-shaped silver-tone sunglasses by Saint Laurent
5 Pierced-heart straw hat by Gucci
6 Crystal-embellished clutch by Gucci

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Harper’s Bazaar, © Sandra Bauknecht

Attention lovers! Also in 2017, MIU MIU introduces a capsule collection especially for Valentine’s Day. Pink and red, sparkling details, the offering draws on the playful juxtaposition of different elements. This quintessentially feminine collection will make the perfect gift!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Looking for new and creative ways to show your loved one how much you care? You don’t have to save romance just for February 14, why not make every day Valentine’s Day! Saying «I love you» has never been easier, especially for those finding it hard to express their feelings directly. Gentlemen, here we go, I have the perfect gift.

Dolce & Gabbana‘s printed metallic leather box clutch is crafted from laser-cut metallic leather and printed with a playful message designed to look like lipstick. This Italian-made accessory has a handy internal mirror and the label’s signature flower-embellished padlock. Attach the strap to carry it over your shoulder.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Love is in the air at Hermès as one of the French House’s most iconic scarf prints «Brides de Gala» has just received a little «affaire de coeur». Designed by the brand’s famous artist Hugo Grygkar, this limited edition is printed with the signature equestrian motif combined with blue and orange hearts. The best is yet to come as the special packaging for Valentine’s Day is an exclusive heart-shaped orange box.

I am truly in love with this…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès

Attention lovers! MIU MIU introduces a capsule collection especially for Valentine’s Day. The offering draws on the playful juxtaposition of different worlds.

Cherries are the recurrent sweetly romantic motif of this quintessentially feminine collection, always coming, like lovers, in sparkling pairs and nestling on vivid green crystal leaves.

Jewelled hearts also make an appearance and an exclusive logo – MIU MIU Loves – is applied to the madras leather styles.

Purses suspended from palladium hardware, wallets, card holders, key chains and bag trinkets all feature in the colors of passion – black, ruby red and sugar pink – often with contrasting linings. Materials include madras and nappa leather with signature “cloqué” workmanship. Characteristically irreverent details finish each piece, among them more cherries, hearts and lettering in polished silver or brightest red enamel.

Anybody looking for a Valentine’s Day surprise? This collection is so beautiful!
If you need more shopping ideas, click HERE for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

This February 14th, surprise your better half with one of these creative Valentine’s Day gift ideas.
Rosebud set of 12 stretch-lace thongs by Hanky Panky
MY FAVORITE!!! How cool is this? Presented in a long white box with a red bow, twelve of the brand’s signature claret thongs are wrapped onto stems to resemble a bouquet of a dozen red roses.

Rosaviola scented oval, 35g by Diptyque + Olympia Le-Tan
Diptyque and French fashion designer Olympia Le-Tan team up to create the playful ‘Rosaviola‘ collection. With its soft notes of rose, traces of lipstick and rich leather, this unique fragrance captures the allure of the inside of a woman’s purse. It’s encased in a small oval with a printed hanging cord, letting you fill small spaces or even your closet with the warm, powdery scent.

Love gold-tone Swarovski crystal necklace by Lanvin
There is nothing more powerful than love and it is nice to carry the statement around your neck. Lanvin’s necklace is cast from gold-tone brass and is embellished with a sizable Swarovski crystal that’s faceted to catch the light.

Maharani stretch tulle-trimmed embroidered Leavers lace chemise by La Perla
La Perla’s describes the Leavers lace from its ‘Maharani‘ collection as, “an enchanted garden of thread where large flowers blossom across the body.” Trimmed with stretch-tulle, this embroidered claret chemise is characterized by its glamorous V-back and scalloped neckline.
Doracora 100 neon-trimmed patent-leather pumps by Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin says these eye-catching ‘Doracora’ pumps “steal glances wherever you wear them.” They’re crafted from super glossy blush patent-leather decorated with a cute neon-pink heart at the toe.

Liz Taylor embellished guipure lace-trimmed stretch-crepe dress by Christopher Kane
I LOVE!!! This off-the-shoulder dress is inspired by an amazing love story and named after Hollywood screen siren Elizabeth Taylor – the decorative crystal embellishments are inspired by the Taj Mahal diamond gifted to her by Richard Burton. This elegant piece is cut from stretch-crepe and trimmed with pretty guipure lace, playfully patterned with love hearts.

Heart Falabella embellished cross-body bag by Stella McCartney
An array of sparkling white crystals brings glamour to Stella McCartney’s black heart-shaped Falabella bag. It’s crafted from glossy faux-suede in Italy and features a recycled bottle-lined interior and a cross-body ruthenium-chain strap.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Somewhere over the rainbow, there is my Valentine and it’s a Valentino! Just when I thought the Rockstud collection couldn’t get any more fabulous, I spotted those rainbow stripes that are absolutely divine. It’s amazing how even after several years, the Valentino Rockstud is still going strong and gets better and better each season. Here is my wish list on Valentine’s Day (in case anybody wants to gift me, I love number 6)!

1 The Rockstud printed leather clutch
2 The Rockstud printed leather shoulder bag
3 Printed leather and Plexiglas® sandals
4 1973 Rockstud printed leather point-toe flats
5 Nubuck, straw and canvas wedge sandals
6 Va Va Voom printed leather shoulder bag

7 Plexiglas® cuff

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Valentino