Sandra‘s Closet

Vacation plans may be on pause, but sunshine is not. Make the most of the warmer weather closer to home with the most beautiful beach towels that will make you feel like being in a 5-star hotel in your own garden or during sundowners on the balcony.

LoL, Sandra

From left to right:
Floral-print cotton-terry beach towel by Dolce & Gabbana
Majolica-print beach towel by Dolce & Gabbana
Zebra and plant-print beach towel by Dolce & Gabbana
Rose print beach towel by Dolce & Gabbana

Crete de Fleur beach towel by Versace

Vivara-print cotton-terry beach towel by Emilio Pucci (available in 4 colours)

Monogram Print Cotton Towel by Burberry

Babar print beach towel by Lanvin

Top left and right, below:
Beach towels by Hermès 

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

If I say to you, just keep swimming, I am quoting a fish – a really famous fish and that is Dory from the movie Finding Nemo. If you keep swimming, you will not drown and might reach your next goal. Take action to survive, even if that is all you can do. And needless to say, do it with style!

My look: Floral-printed bikini and matching hibiscus-printed cotton hat, both by Etro, fringed plaid basketweave canvas maxi skirt by Proenza Schouler, heart-shaped turquoise bag by Balenciaga, leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, Impatiens clip-on earrings by Oscar de la Renta and sunglasses «Reflected» by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

When the heat wave hit Zurich, I took these photos in my garden of my new beach look that has become one of my favorites this summer. I definitely felt like ice in the sunshine and wished sometimes the CHANEL clutch was made of real ice cubes.

My look: Crystal-embellished lace maxi dress and knotted halterneck bikini, both by Alessandra Rich, set of two silver-tone calf hair brooches and leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, ice cube clutch bag, straw hat, logo belt and logo earrings, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

There is a heat wave over Europe and this week has been tropical so far. Needless to say, I am loving it. Spending time at the pool in my garden, working yet chilling, feels like paradise for me.

My look: Printed eyelet lace dress, and matching printed triangle bikini, both by Emilio Pucci, Impatiens clip-on earrings by Oscar de la Renta, shell, faux pearl and crystal necklace by Etro, silver-tone beaded choker, gold-tone necklace with shell charms, gold-tone and shell choker, and gold-tone anklet, all by Isabel Marant, Rose des Vents bracelets in turquoise, orange, green and pink by Dior Joaillerie, embellished lace-up suede pumps by Dolce & Gabbana, vintage pink leather clutch with studs by Louis Vuitton, and embellished aviator sunglasses by Alexander McQueen.

Beat the heat in style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The retro one-piece swimsuit feels so right again. Better than ever, those new offerings are really fun, and could double as bodysuits. You can style them with pants or tailored jackets to the office or with hot pants to the next festival.

In the end, they will accompany us through the summer, reminding us of beaches we’ve lain on, and boats we’ve jumped off. Enjoy and channel your own Baywatch moment.

LoL, Sandra

One-shoulder ruffled printed swimsuit by Johanna Ortiz

Wrap-effect button-embellished printed swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Gucci

Lacy swimsuit by Cynthia Rowley

Amari Swiss-dot tulle-paneled ruffled swimsuit by Zimmermann

Old Smoky Moonshine embellished cutout swimsuit by Johanna Ortiz

Scared Heart print swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Printed swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Fendi

Leopard-print swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Sparkling swimsuit with zebra print by Gucci

Mare striped sequined swimsuit by Missoni

Dakotta slashed swimsuit by Agent Provocateur

One-shoulder button-embellished cutout swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Versace

Ruffled swimsuit by Emilio Pucci

Allia floral print swimsuit by Zimmermann

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

The coolest accessory for this summer? This time, I’m not talking about my Côte d’Azur inspired bag and shoes… I’m talking about my new pool floats! It’s been a few years now that these funny inflatables became the hypest pieces to show on Instagram. Pink flamingos have long ruled the scene, but now it is time for some angel wings action!

My look: Off-the-shoulder cotton-poplin top by Stella McCartney, lace-trimmed striped seersucker maxi skirt by Jonathan Simkhai, printed halterneck bikini by Dolce & Gabbana, woven basket bag «Cannes» edition, frayed «St. Tropez» embroidered straw sunhat, and suede platform sandals, all by Miu Miu, T Wire Narrow 18-karat rose gold cuff and T Smile 18-karat rose gold diamond bracelet, both by Tiffany & Co., and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A big thank you to my very talented daughter!!!

Still looking for some glamorous daytime beachwear? Emilio Pucci’s instantly recognisable kaleidoscopic designs have always been favoured by those in the know, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, making any Pucci printed piece an intelligent buy – whether it’s one of the brand’s iconic bikinis or a chic cover-up. For me, it truly is the ultimate luxe swimwear brand.

My look: Fiore Maya asymmetric printed silk-chiffon dress, Fiore Maya printed triangle bikini and Fiore Maya printed cotton-gauze pareo, all by Emilio Pucci, Candy metallic elaphe platform sandals by Saint Laurent, embroidered brocade drawstring backpack by Gucci, woven straw visor by Stella McCartney, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and pearl necklace by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A huge thank you to my daughter for taking the pictures!

I love summer, I love sunshine – it always makes me happy. Here you see me on my favorite island, St. Barths. When you get a chance to go there, stay at the beautiful Eden Roc St. Barths, such a magic place, or rent a villa overlooking the beaches.

My look: Buttoned knit top by Blumarine, crochet-knit triangle bikini and wrap-effect crochet-knit maxi skirt, both by Missoni, studded laser-cut suede sandals by Alaïa, Carlina round-frame gold-plated sunglasses by Chloé, printed beach bag by Lanvin (S/S 2009), colorful silk necklace by Etro, Rose des vents bracelet and Diorette daisy necklace, both by Dior Joaillerie, T Wire Narrow 18-karat rose gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co, Amulette necklace by Cartier and Lady Excalibur rose gold watch with diamonds by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Each year, I receive many products to test for the summer. After testing them all, I always like to show you a summary of my favorites. Those ones you see here have fully convinced me and I can only recommend them. If you are wondering why there are no facial products included, bare with me, they will be coming up shortly in a different post.

But first of all, it all starts with the right beach tote, doesn’t it?!

BEACH TOTE

«Making Memories» beach tote by Sensi Studio for Eden Being
Holidays are all about making memories. Therefore I have fallen in love with this exclusive beach tote the minute I spotted it at the Eden Being Pop-up Boutique at Le Bristol in Paris. It hits it on the head with its woven maxim. The perfect companion for the beach, the bag will carry everything you need, even a laptop fits in perfectly. Handmade in Ecuador to designs from the Milan based creative studio, it is crafted from toquilla straw with woven lettering – a unique and absolutely stylish piece.

IN THE SUN

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Body Milk SPF50+ 250ml for CHF 27.00
This very high sun protection can be applied on damp or on dry skins. Its wet skin technology forms a gel that repels water on the skin and maintains its protection. It doesn’t leave any oily or sticky finish on the skin, not even white marks which is very unusual for a sun protection that high.

Biotherm Waterlover Sun Milk SPF30 200 ml for CHF 47.00
This is Biotherm’s first eco-designed sun care with no compromise on sensoriality, with eco-tested SPF filters and a 95% biodegradable base formula for a lower impact on the water environment. Now you can better protect what you love: your skin, your family and the ocean.

AFTER THE SUN

Clarins After Sun Moisturizer Ultra-Hydrating 200ml for CHF 41.50
This moisture-rich cream with soothing extracts of watermelon, sunflower and mimosa promotes a radiant, even, long-lasting tan. It helps reduce peeling and flaking, while taking the sting out of hot, sun-baked skin.

SUN GOODIES

La Mer The Glowing Body Oil 95ml for CHF 120.00
My favorite! With its rich blend of vitamin E and nourishing oils, this luxurious body oil softens and conditions skin to create a natural, sun-kissed glow. It gives your skin a touch of shimmer and youthful luminosity.

Bio-Beauté by Nuxe Cologne Fraîche Méditerranéenne Cédrat & Néroli 100ml for CHF 35.00
This floral and fruity cologne takes you to the heart of the Mediterranean and can be worn in the sun. Its olfactory combination of Cedrat and Neroli subtly perfumes the skin and envelops it with a breath of freshness.

SWIMWEAR

Bikini by Wikini
Let me introduce you to Wikini, an Italian swimwear brand, that creates beautiful bikinis at affordable prices. And they even do modest Brazilian-style buttoms which can be rarely found. The models are packed in a jar topped with the fabric of your chosen bikini. So cute!
In Zurich available from July 20-22, 2017 at a pop-up shop at Residence K.

And now happy sunbathing…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A whole summer trip, which begins at the Cannes Film Festival and moves among the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. It’s a new itinerant shop concept designed by Emilio Pucci completely dedicated to summer. It’s the Bikini Bar.

Bikini «Libellula»

In select boutiques, a specially designed colorful cabin will contain limited edition triangular Emilio Pucci bikini sets in 9 iconic prints, including: «Ranunculi», «Lance» and «Labirinto», archival prints; «Gazelle», «Parasol» and «Libellula».

The silhouette of a mermaid, the mythical figure loved by Marchese Emilio Pucci, characterizes the concept of the Bikini Bar.

The special collection of bikinis will be available for a limited time at the Emilio Pucci boutiques listed below, and also at the brand’s online flagship www.emiliopucci.com.

Cannes: May 16th – 28th
Beirut: from June 13th
Capri: July 1st – 15th
Mykonos: July 3rd – 20th
Taormina: July 6th – 20th
Saint Tropez: July 25th – August 4th
Porto Cervo: July 29th – August 13th

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilio Pucci
©Daniele Venturelli