Back to Blogging after a Great Trip

Back to Blogging

First of all, I would love to thank everyone who sent me a message wondering why I have been absent from blogging. The reason was I truly needed some digital detox.

Sandra Bauknecht

Those who are following me on Instagram might have seen that I had been traveling extensively over the last two and a half weeks. I flew directly from the shopping spree in Abu Dhabi to New York City, stayed there one night and left via St. Marteen to St. Barths for the Bucket Regatta. After that I went to St. Kitts to explore the newly opened Kittitian Hill resort that focuses immensely on sustainable vacations, followed by a stopover in Miami and a few days in Bermuda.

Now I am back filled with great memories and adventures that I am happy to share with you over the next weeks! Below are some little previews…

St Marteen 2

It takes only 15 minutes to fly from St. Marteen to…

St Barths

St. Barths. The landing is definitely spectacular due to the view and its famous short runway.

St Barths Bucket 2015

Enjoying the Bucket Regatta and the ASW boat party at the same time…

Sandra Bauknecht-St Barths

…with the world’s best mojitos by…

Mojitowoman -Sandra Bauknecht - Mojitoman

…by Mojitoman Ibiza and Mojitowoman. They will be in Ibiza this summer, don’t miss them!

Kittitian Hill2

Next stop: St. Kitts

Farm to Table - Kittitian Hill

Belle Mont Farm is Kittitian Hill’s first luxury five star hotel. Situated in 400 acres of tropical farmland, you enjoy spectular views, great service and the most amazing food which is prepared only with locally foraged ingredients. Did you know that as a ASW members, you are granted a complimentary 7-night stay in one of the charming guest cottages?!

Salt Plage St Kitts

If you are in St. Kitts, don’t miss one of the island’s hot spots: Salt Plage. The perfect place for a sundowner.

Miami

A stopover for a night in Miami.

Villa Bagatelle-Miami

I stayed at the newly opened Villa Bagatelle, which is the first hotel in the wildly successful family of Bagatelle bistros. A great place to party in the heart of South Beach.

Bermuda-Sandra Bauknecht

My last destination of my trip was Bermuda which unfortunately was slightly chilly. The water is insane due to an incredible clarity and color.

Now, you might understand why I had been offline. Sometimes, you have to sit back, relax and just enjoy with your eyes…

LoL, Sandra

Bermuda 2

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My Look: Abu Dhabi

Sandra Bauknecht-get the look-Abu Dhabi

Here are the details of the outfit that I wore for the amazing shopping spree in Abu Dhabi.
I added some elements from the Middle East such as harem pants and the Chanel necklace from the Dubai collection.

My look: Black cardigan by Miu Miu, iconwhite T-shirt iconby R13harem pants by BalmainAlice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent, Falabella faux brushed-leather shoulder bagicon by Stella McCartneylong metal necklace embellished with crescent moons and glass pearls and sunglasses by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Sandra Bauknecht in abu Dhabi Shopping 2 Kopie

Chanel necklace moon pearls

Saint Laurent Sandals with pearls

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A Shopping Spree in Abu Dhabi

A Shopping Spree in Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways

Last week, I flew to Abu Dhabi to greet the winner of the amazing contest with Etihad Airways, L’Officiel Switzerland and Sandra’s Closet. Nadya Toncheva from Hamburg won a shopping spree at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island and we truly had a great time.

Abu Dhabi’s premier lifestyle destination offers a world-class shopping experience while absorbing panoramic views of the city’s skyline. Enjoy some impressions of our shopping spree in the Middle East below.

Abu Dhabi Skyline

ABu Dhabi Shopping Galleria

Shopping Abu Dhabi 2

Having fun at Dior

Galleria Abu Dhabi

Shopping a

Sandra Bauknecht-Nadya Toncheva

Nadya looking all fabulous in this Ralph Lauren iconlook.

Prada-Sandra Bauknecht-Nadya Toncheva

Happy Sandra at Shopping

A happy Sandra in shopping heaven who just adores her job!

Burberry

A must-have for a well equipped closet: a cotton-gabardine trench coat iconby Burberry London. Nadya fell immediately in love with it!

Nadya and Sandra Bauknecht at Burberry

Nadya with Burberry London Trench

Burberry Store

While shopping at Burberry, I spotted myself on the big screen front row at the S/S 2015 runway show in London.

List

We browsed almost every store in The Galleria and put many things aside. Then we had a drink and decided which pieces would be the best. Needless to say we had to get the fabulous cotton-gabardine trench coat iconby Burberry London first.

Nadya Burberry

Nadya in Tory Burch Shirt

Nadya was looking for great pieces she could wear during the day for work that would translate easily into evening wear. This tunic blouse iconby Tory Burch offered both in perfection.

Sandra Bauknecht and Nadya Toncheva Mission accomplished

Mission accomplished!

Video Sandra Bauknecht

Filming a little behind the scenes video for The Galleria with lovely Maria Bosenko.

Girls at Galleria

Thank you Journey Feng and Maria Bosenko of the hospitality team at The Galleria for accompanying us and taking all the pictures. We had a lot of fun with you, guys!

Dinner at Cipriani

Our lovely day ended with a yummy dinner at Cipriani and another round of drinks at Iris. Nadya, it was lovely meeting you!

LoL, Sandra

Iris

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht – thank you Maria Bosenko for taking them!

Welcome to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways

Winner of Etihad Airways Competition with L'Officiel Switzerland and Sandra's Closet

On Monday morning, I boarded Etihad Airways flight EY47 to Abu Dhabi. When I left, I enjoyed a spectacular view over Zurich. The time flew, due to strong winds, we arrived one hour ahead of time. The service on board was great and I can absolutely recommend this luxurious airline.

Zurich from above

As my avid readers know, the reason why I am here is the amazing contest that all of you were able to enter in the beginning of February (for the previous post click here please).

I would like to thank everyone who participated. It was really tough for the Etihad team to choose the winner.

Winner Etihad Essential

Here she is, congrats to Nadya Toncheva from Hamburg, who posted this beautiful entry. I am looking forward to meeting you today and to taking you for a serious shopping spree!

Yas Viceroy 2

We are staying at the Yas Viceroy hotel that I can absolutely recommend. The rooms are big, the interior of the hotel is stylish and its seven restaurants offer everything a gourmet’s heart would ask for.

Yas Viceroy

Sandra Bauknecht and Catherine Sarr

Yesterday, I met my friend Catherine Sarr who lives between London and Abu Dhabi. She has just launched her jewelry collection Almasika Fine Jewellery (the golden bangles at my wrist) that can be found already at Colette and soon in Zurich at Meister.

Catherine took me to the Saddiyat Beach Club, a great place to chill when you are in the area.

Beach Club Saddiyat

I am wishing you a lovely day! I am off shopping at the Galleria at Mariyah Island in Abu Dhabi… Nadya, get ready to get a new closet with Sandra’s Closet! It will also be featured in L’Officiel Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Etihad Airways, Nadya Toncheva

A New Perfume House from Abu Dhabi

Osswald_AJ ARABIA_Moodo.24182

For all fragrance addicts, this is great news: AJ ARABIA is a new perfumery house founded by Ali Aljaberi in Abu Dhabi. Original fragrances that combine the best of French perfumery with the treasures of the Arabian Desert, in a breathtaking packaging inspired by the beautiful Arabian architecture.

The fragrances will be numbered rather than named, and are designed to be worn by both men and women.

Osswald_AJ ARABIA_Outer Pack

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION I
«Arabian hospitality in a bottle»

Top Notes: Cinnamon, Cardamom
Heart Notes: Incense, Cypress
Base Notes: Sandal Wood, Musk, Cedar Wood

Osswald_AJ ARABIA_mit Verpackung black

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION II
«Sweet Arabian seduction»

Top Notes: Plum, Mandarin
Heart Notes: Rose, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Moss

Arabia II

 

I personally love the second oriental fragrance, Black Collection II, that features fruity top notes, a woody-floral heart and a classic dry-down. This delicate and fragrant perfume with its enticing aromas takes you on a journey to the marvelous heritage of the Middle East.

Both fragrances (50ml) are available exclusively in Zurich at Perfumery Osswald for CHF 396.- each.

Speaking of Abu Dhabi, don’t forget to enter the amazing contest with Etihad HERE. For more information about the ultimate shopping experience that you can win with me in Abu Dhabi, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of AJ ARABIA

Win a Trip to Abu Dhabi with Etihad and Me

Etihad Contest

My dear readers, this is by far the coolest contest I have published so far! You can win an amazing trip to Abu Dhabi with Etihad, the ultimate shopping experience with me: “Get a new closet with Sandra’s Closet“! And moreover you will be featured in L’OFFICIEL Switzerland

What is your #EtihadEssential travel item?

Being also the editor-in-chief of L’OFFICIEL Switzerland, I promise you that you’ll be treated to a luxurious experience including:

• A Business Class return ticket from Switzerland to Abu Dhabi* and limousine transfers
• Two nights at Yas Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi
• Shopping vouchers to create your new wardrobe
• Exclusive tips and style advice from Sandra Bauknecht
• Dinner at Cipriani
• 1-year subscription to L’OFFICIEL magazine

All you have to do is share a photo of you and your most indispensable travel item – so get creative!

640x224_FashionEssantial

How To Enter

1. Take a picture of you with your favorite travel item
2. Upload it to Instagram or Twitter with #EtihadEssential and…
3. Submit your photo HERE, along with a short caption explaining your choice
4. The best picture wins the shopping trip of a lifetime to Abu Dhabi. Simple!

*The winner will be required to travel between 15 March 2015 and 20 March 2015, traveling together with Sandra Bauknecht.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra