With those freezing temperatures outside, I love to dream of warm weather, the sun, the sea and my new bikini outfit!

Metallic triangle bikini by Gucci, crystal-embellished leather sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti, canvas bag with Hawaiian print by Stella McCartney, round-frame acetate sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, gold-plated plexiglass cuff and multi-stone brass ring, both by Emilio Pucci.

It is the time of the year when it is best to get organized for your next trip to a tropical destination. As the lights of fitting rooms are in general not so pleasant for pale skin, I prefer ordering swimwear online.

For the perfect sunkissed make-up look, I recommend those products below:

For radiant skin:
1 - PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURIZER SPF30/PA+++ by Nars
Infused with naturally derived ingredients from French Polynesia where François Nars loves to spend a lot of time, this new tinted moisturizer instantly hydrates and evens out the skin tone. It has also been shown that it can reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots with regular use. The luxurious, oil-free formula obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections while providing a translucent veil of broadspectrum sun protection.
Available in 9 shades with beautiful names: 1 Finland, 2 Alaska, 3 St. Moritz, 4 Annapurna, 5 Cuba, 6 Malaga, 7 Seychelles, 8 Martinique and 9 Polynesia.
In Switzerland in stores Mid March, CHF 72.-.

For sun-kissed cheeks and a glowing face:
2 – PURE COLOR ILLUMINATING POWDER GELEE TOPAZ CHAMELEON by Estée Lauder
High polish for your skin: 

This innovative tri-blend liquid, powder, gel formula goes beyond face powder to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow. 

It comes with a perfect mix of pigment and pearls for a multi-reflective finish. 

Smooth it on as an all-over soft sheen or sweep it on the cheeks for a luminous pearl highlighting effect. The perfect companion for the beach.
Available now for CHF 58.-.

For beautiful eyes in the shades of the ocean:
3 – OMBRE MINERALE 4 COLEURS in 08 Blue Sky by Clarins
This eye quartet palette has four long-lasting shades in the hues of the ocean. They can be applied dry or damp for a natural or sophisticated look. 
Available now for CHF 62.-.

4 – PURE COLOR INTENSE KAJAL EYE CRAYON in Dramatic Black by Estée Lauder
Reminiscent of Indian kajal eye crayons, those must-have pencils provide you with intense, smouldering colour in one single stroke. 

It glides on velvety smooth and blends easily.

 Use as a liner along lashline and softly smudge over lids to intensify the smoky look.
Available now for CHF 30.-.

5 – DIORSHOW NEW LOOK in Noir New Look by Christian Dior
A new amazing mascara that delivers infinite volume and an unparalleled lash-multiplying effect. 

Diorshow New Look features an exclusive breakthrough nana-brush to catch and coat every last lash with the precision of a couturier’s hand. The extraordinary formula with a Lash Amplifier™ ingredient provides an instant lash-multiplying action.
Available in Switzerland starting February 8, 2012 for CHF 48.-.

On the lips:
6 – LARGER THAN LIFE® LIP GLOSS in Gold Digger by Nars
The new Larger Than Life® Lip Gloss provides lustrous shine that stays in place for hours, while lips feel protected and moisturized. Natural lip enhancers provide volume while a new, shorter bristle brush delivers a precise application to define and shape lips. 
Available for CHF 35.-.

For eyecatching nails:
7 – PURE COLOR NAIL LACQUER in Topaz Teal by Estée Lauder
Colourful nails are a must and this turquoise shade is the perfect hue for the beach.
Available now for CHF 34.-.

To make sure that your body looks great in the sun, have a look at those upcoming new products that I can highly recommend:

For a healthy-looking tanned body:
DIOR BRONZE AUTO-BRONZANT Self Tanning Oil Natural Glow by Christian Dior

AMAZING MOOD-LIFTING PRODUCT!

Dior Bronze is the perfect replica of all pleasures of the sun to enhance the skin and lift the mood! On the application, the skin is satiny, luminious, perfectly moisturized and progressively recreates a radiant tan.
On the mood, you will feel the perceived pleasure of a unique uplifting action. A plant-based active ingredient helps stimulate the natural production of ß-endorphins, the so-called “pleasure molecules”, for an immediate mood-lifting sensation, as if you just spent time sunbathing!
Available in Switzerland beginning of March for CHF 58.- (100ml).

For a well-toned body:
DIOR SVELTE  BODY DESIRE Integral Perfection Care by Christian Dior

Anybody among you who is not wishing for the perfect well-toned body?! Here is a product that will help you to achieve it in one single step (But you still need to work on your daily sports routine and calories intake, sorry!).

This body care product acts on all of the key characteristics of a desirable body: slimming, firming, moisturrizing, toning and smoothing. How is that possible?
At the “heart” of the skin, adiponectin – a protein with a sensational spectrum of action discovered by Dior science – affects all those features. Stress and the excesses of modern life tend to inhibit the influence of this unique protein. Dior Svelte reactivates the natural synthesis of adiponectin for a visibly enhanced body in 4 weeks.
Available in Switzerland beginning of March for CHF 96.- (200ml).

You have still lots of time left to get in shape for summer! But better get started early…  this is all you need!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally I can reveal the exciting news: I am flying to New York tomorrow morning to walk the runway myself during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Polyvore and Covergirl have teamed up for an amazing fashion show to present the collections of four up and coming FIT graduates. “Prominent fashion bloggers” will walk the catwalk and I am so excited to be among them. The Polyvore Live runway show also will stream live on Polyvore.com, offering virtual access to more than 13 million people across the globe.

Here are the four FIT alumni designers that were selected by Polyvore and FIT’s Alumni Affairs:

1 – Lauren Bagliore received a BS in Fashion Merchandising Management in 2005, after which she worked at Vivienne Westwood, Zac Posen, Libertine, Tod’s, and Paul Hardy. Bagliore recently established her own clothing line, Lauren Bagliore Design House. Her designs are noted for their draping and unique combination of edgy yet wearable sensibilities.

2 - Vengsarkar Budhu received a BFA in Fashion Design in 2006. Specializing in eveningwear, he was selected by Reem Acra as the critic award winner for special occasion wear in FIT’s annual BFA Fashion Show. Budhu has started his own eveningwear label, GAVASKAR.

3 – Sergio Guadarrama received a BFA in Fashion Design in 2008. While still a student, he launched his label, Celestino. In 2008, he won “The Best in Class – Execution” in the FIT Supima Design Competition. In 2010, he served as a critic for the annual FIT BFA Fashion Show, along with a group of designers that included Calvin Klein and Carolina Herrera.
Sergio is known for his uncanny ability to create season-less eveningwear and has crafted gowns for the Metropolitan Opera.

4 -Dana-Maxx Pomerantz received a BFA in Fashion Design in 2005. After working for Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs, she established her eponymous clothing line, Dana-Maxx. She was selected as one of Women’s Wear Daily’s “Hot New Designers” and was featured on ELLE Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee’s hit television show, All on the Line.

Stay tuned for many exciting posts from New York Fashion Week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore

Yesterday, a box from net-à-porter arrived, filled with some amazing goodies. Those pieces were sold out in one day! Can you imagine how happy I am that they have arrived at my doorstep?! Please stay tuned as more stock will be arriving soon.

In the meantime let’s have a closer look:

Layered tulle midi skirt by D&G Dolce & Gabbana.
Pastel colours are such a huge trend for S/S 2012. I love the feminine tulle layers. The skirt reminds me of the ballet tutus I had when I was a child. The mint hue is so pretty.

Studded leather ankle boots by Chloé.
Those shoes just took my breath away, they were definitely worth investing. One thing is for sure, they will adorn many front row feet. Zara carries a similiar version at the moment, check it out by clicking here.

Resin bead necklace by Marni
So versatile, this necklace is a great way to work the neon trend. One piece like this can take your look from simple to standout.

An outfit post will follow soon! I am packing for New York Fashion Week today as I will be leaving tomorrow. I am having some very exciting news, so please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I have put together a Valentine’s gift guide for you with small tokens, grand gestures and everything in-between. Gentlemen, have a closer look and delight your loved one! Wrap up something special and wow your Valentine.

And Ladies, I recommend sending a not-so-subtle hint! In case you are single, why not treating yourself to a fabulous gift?!

Swatch’s numbered limited edition Valentine’s Day collection:
CATCH MY HEART GZ264S and LOVELY MINE GZ265S, each CHF 60.- (in Swatch stores only)

You can’t go wrong with Ladurée’s special edition macarons for Valentine’s Day. Starting February 10th, you’ll be able to buy the grapefruit-flavored treats in a special pink-and-blue box.

What about this cute little bag by s.Oliver? €15.95

Sigg’s famous drinking bottles come in a Valentine’s Limited Edition. A great surprise for your little girl.
Valentines Special / Art. Nr. 8341.70 / 1.0 L / CHF 27.-
Dear Deer / Art. 8322.40 / 0.6 L / CHF 25.-

Alternatively you can surprise your boyfriend in a cool shirt by New Yorker, CHF 16.95.

What about a little game on Valentine’s Day? Agent Provocateur’s Charades is just perfect for the occasion, CHF 60.-.

Write a love letter with Montblanc’s Bohème white gold fountain pen with a red heart-shaped ruby (CHF 23.100.-)…

…preferably with Montblanc’s Love Ink in red (CHF 13.40).

Needless to say, famous fashion houses have jumped on the Valentine’s trend and have come up with many gift ideas, such as Gucci that offers a whole collection of little goodies.

I love this Miu Miu handbag (CHF 990.-) and the matching bracelets (CHF 290.- each).

How cute is this pocket mirror by Louis Vuitton?
Available now for €240.-.

Prada’s adorable key chain with the little Kara bear trick will surely break some hearts (CHF 190.-).

Give a little love… your iPad will thank you for such a sweet cover (CHF 290.- each)! And spending money might be even more fun with Prada’s heart-print wallet (CHF 450.-).

Chanel offers a more subtle colour palette for their Valentine’s collection.
I am so in love with this cuff, please be mine!

LoL, Sandra

Destination: Summer. Blazing sun, cloudless skies, infinite possibilities. A dip in the sea? A pause by the pool? A spot of shopping or sightseeing? Take a sunbath. Pull up a deckchair. Roll out a beach towel. Take your place in the sun with Louis Vuitton’s new summer 2012 collection.
London’s It-girl Poppy Develingne is heating up the cold temperatures outside in these sunny photos shot by David Roemer in Playa Del Carmen.

Poppy is a regular fixture on the fashion circuit. No wonder, with her mother Pandora being the head of personal shopping at Selfridges, Poppy’s keen fashion sense has always been pumping through her veins.

Capturing the relaxed spirit of summer to perfection, the season’s must-have cotton canvas totes come in chic neutral shades of beige and indigo or else in fruittee red or yellow stripes, always printed with a bold vintage-style label vaunting Louis Vuitton’s articles de voyage.

Coordinating with the travel-print totes, chunky wedges in navy, beige or red suede calf leather with natural leather trim exude relaxed sophistication, while flat sandals lend themselves to sightseeing.

Alternatively, stylish cork wedges or laid-back thongs in new summer shades of Monogram Vernis dazzle in combination with matching cross-body bags or the diminutive Alma BB.

Launch date in Louis Vuitton stores on April, 15th 2012.

I am so much looking forward to those glorious golden days in the company of the summer collection by Louis Vuitton and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring 2012 make-up collection, created by Lloyd Simmonds, is called “Candy Face”. Those shades are so fresh and beautiful with melting textures and transparent effects that they seem sweet enough to eat! I am talking about sparkling sugar eyes, delicious cheeks and a gleaming smile.

I took a photo of my favourites:

VOILE DE BLUSH – Feathery light blush  in 04 Mauve Veil (to the right)

The gel texture is in osmosis with the skin. Impalpable, it forms a satiny veil, soft to the touch. Ultra melting, it “plumps” the cheekbones with a sublime effect, CHF 43.-.

MANUCURE COUTURE – Edition N°8 Nail Colour (to the left)

A nail polish duo that can be worn alone or together as a colourful French manicure. The small bottles are great to travel with, CHF 49.-.

Here is another new highlight from Yves Saint Laurent:

ROUGE PUR COUTURE – Vernis à Lèvres in 15 Rose Vinyl and 17 Encre Rose

A new revolutionary lip make-up. It is not really a lipstick, not really a lipgloss – and much more than a lip stain. Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres is a glossy stain. It comes with an applicator that is different than others providing you with a modern technology to keep your lips soft, coloured and sheer. The texture is new and not as you would expect it. Very light, not sticky, it just tints your lips with a coloured veil.
Available starting this month in 19 shades, CHF 48.- each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Yves Saint Laurent and © Sandra Bauknecht

Eres will dip into the nail polish market for the first time this March. The trendy lingerie and swimwear brand will launch worldwide in its own stores and franchises a limited-edition line of three nail varnishes — in colours that are inspired by its S/S 2012 swimwear collection, yellow, pink and brown. Each polish will be around € 16.

Matching your outfit to your nail polish or vice versa is quite the thing at the moment  and honestly it is a clever strategy of Eres. I like it!

LoL, Sandra

The pink of “Bengale” is as deep as a Byzantine gladiolus.

The brown of “Damas” is gloriously reminiscent of melted chocolate.

You can almost taste cardamom in the yellow of “Soufi”.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Eres

With this cold weather outside, I just can’t get enough of spring’s vibrant bold colours. I am absolutely crazy for this neon lace-sleeve wool-blend crepe dress by Christopher Kane. It is such a great investment piece that you could wear for many different occasions.

Work the neon trend by adding the studded neon pink leather pumps by McQ Alexander McQueen and the contrast leather-trimmed neoprene clutch by Pierre Hardy. This is colour blocking par excellence.

You can achieve a completely new look just by changing the accessories. Here are some ideas how to combine the gorgeous dress:

1 CONCERT IN THE PARK
Frayed tweed shoulder bag by Miu Miu and leather and crochet-knit platform sandals by Missoni.

2 SUMMER NIGHT 
Leather and woven straw charm bag by Lanvin and python pumps by Alexandre Birman.

3 FIRST DATE
Happicolo leather shoulder bag by Lanvin and colour-block patent-leather sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.

4 COCKTAIL PARTY
Sweet Charity python and leather shoulder bag by Christian Louboutin and Claudia embroidered suede pumps by Brian Atwood.

5 LADIES LUNCH
Madeleine patent-leather duffle bag by Chloé and Yolanda 100 patent-leather pumps by Christian Louboutin.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

From mid-December 2011 to mid-January 2012, Switzerland’s famous hair stylist (of course mine as well) Charles Aellen Company had opened a pop-up hair salon in St. Moritz. He transformed the so-called Château Papillon des Arts, an old joinery behind the Kulm hotel, into a stylish and ueber-cool hair temple.

Even that it is closed now, I would like to share the stunning photos with you. Please keep in mind, this was only there for 4 weeks! For all interior aficionados, a feast for the eyes and Charles did it all by himself! For those of you who missed it, it will be open during the next Christmas season again.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Charles Aellen Company

Keep it simple and chic with a black and white two-tone dress or a sophisticated overall. Master the ladylike mood of the moment with clean-cut silhouettes and invest in one of those statement pieces that you will enjoy for many seasons.

1 Color-block stretch-jersey shift dress by Gucci
2 Two-tone crepe dress by Stella McCartney
3 Two-tone cashmere dress by Gucci
4 Ester crepe jumpsuit by IRO
5 Two-tone crepe dress with bow details by Valentino
6 Two-tone jersey and silk dress by Jay Ahr
7 Two-tone silk and metallic leather dress by Gucci
8 Walky two-tone textured-leather tote by Yves Saint Laurent

Metallic leather or golden accessories will complement your look perfectly.

LoL, Sandra