Louis Vuitton – The Art of Gifting

Now, more than ever, gifting is considered an art. To celebrate the holiday season, the Art of Gifting collection that debuted in early 2017 has expanded with new offerings. Sharing emotions, that is something that is deeply rooted in the Maison Louis Vuitton’s attention to excellence.

Louis Vuitton’s first store in 1854.

In 1854, Louis Vuitton founded his namesake House as an emballeur, or trunk packer. The most elegant ladies of the day flocked to his store right by the legendary Place Vendôme to entrust him with their jewels, hats and sumptuous dresses.

A remake of the original Louis Vuitton Pateki brainteaser

Renowned for its innovative trunks, the Art of Packing specialist soon began creating delightful talismans, such as the Pateki brainteaser invented by Gaston Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the House’s founder.

Starting in the 1920s, the pleasure of offering gifts became an art de vivre in its own right, and was illustrated in works such as «Gift-giving, the proper guide to choosing and offering a present for New Year’s, the holidays, birthdays and all circumstances in which one wishes to be kind to those one loves

In 2017, the Gifting collection presents a trio of themes that extends the art of generosity with gift ideas for intimate and grand occasions alike. Ideal for year-end festivities, these presents enhance the joys of the season and highlight the unique excellence of Louis Vuitton’s workshops.

Plexiglass box «Scott»

Decorative objects distill the iconic codes of Louis Vuitton to all areas of the home. Like a smaller-scale, nested iteration of Louis Vuitton’s trunks, the «Scott» keepsake box lives up to its heritage and spiritedly blends the modernity of Plexiglas with the sensuality of natural cowhide leather.

Valet trays «Georges»

In the living room, assorted photo frames naturally find a place next to «Georges», a valet tray named after the creator of the Monogram canvas. To combine chic and practicality, three formats come in either Epi leather or natural cowhide leather.

Christmas tree baubles

There are even Christmas ornaments for decorating the tree with Monogram flowers in leather, where canvas and silk embellish the traditional fir with a luxurious iconic touch.

Notebooks

Celebrated by Louis Vuitton, writing, an essential part of the Art of Travel, fires the imagination more than ever. Personnal notebooks, the stalwart companions of traveling writers and the repository for ideas big and small, take on the sheen of precious metals, in gold or silver. Two diary formats in Epi leather join a lineup of colourful or printed notebooks, pencil cases, bookmarks, desk blotters and pencil holders in Monogram Canvas and House leathers.

Teddy bear «Louis» and truck «Tiki»

Gaston Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the House’s founder, was renowned for creating his own parlour games and for his collection of beautiful wooden toys. To this day, a playful spirit influences House creations, such as the «Louis», a patchwork teddy bear, or the build-it-yourself «Titi» truck in Monogram canvas and leather. Travel-friendly objects bring an air of playfulness wherever they alight, from playing cards and signed sets of dice to glasses cases in Monogram canvas and cowhide leather brightened with a touch of bright red or navy blue.

Jumping ropes and ping-pong set

Sports accessories likewise get into the spirit of the season: with a skipping rope in Monogram Eclipse canvas and a matching ping-pong set, the art of movement takes a cue from the Art of Travel.

Objects from the «Gifting» collection will be available starting in November 2017 in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Day 24: Oh, Christmas Tree(s)…

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Finally, Christmas Eve is here and the tree has been revealed. Each season, I love to surprise my family with another colour scheme. This year, I went for white, black, silver and gold with a hint of glittering brown.

I had the idea of a “Christmas tree forest” and pulled up two, one for my daughter with lots of teddybears in gold and silver and a matching taller one for the adults, which obviously is a very girly one, with shoes and bags. (I couldn’t resist the French Christmas at Globus.)
Christmas ornaments are such a sweet surprise for a beloved friend, a lovely gift to be remembered once a year.

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As you see, the trees are fake but with the white snow, I think they look pretty. Somehow, I have always felt sad for all those trees being cut down for just a few days… and such a fake one is actually pretty practical as no fir needles are coming down and it looks the same from beginning to end.

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A personal tip to take your fake tree to the next level: Spritz it with Jo Malone‘s Pine & Eucalyptus Scent Surround™ Room Spray that instantly fills your home with a breath of fresh air from the woods and feel the tree come alive.

I am wishing you all a Merry X-Mas with lots of laughter, love and of course awesome presents!

LoL, Sandra

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Christmas_Tree_2012-1Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Day 6: The Best Gift Comes from the Heart

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“The best gift of all comes from the heart. It’s a song that you share or a smile that you start, it’s the love that you give… .” This is my daughter’s favourite Christmas song and I love the message. When it comes from the heart, every action becomes more beautiful.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money, it is more the time you invest to make somebody else happy. My friend Tine recently surprised me with this handmade cookie jar filled with glittering biscuits. Isn’t it the perfect gift for someone you love? All you need is some hot glue, cute ribbons, one or two flat Christmas ornaments and of course a canning jar. The decoration only depends on your individual tastes, have fun!

Speaking of love, today is my Dad’s 70th birthday! Happy Happy Birthday to the best father I could have wished for. I am blessed to you have you in my life.

LoL, Sandra

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Cookies_topPhotos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Imperial Christmas & Alpine Chic at Globus

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For my Swiss based readers, some good news: There has never been a better time to shop Christmas treats than now at Globus. There’s only nine weeks to go until the most wonderful time of the year and the Swiss department store  is tempting us with sweet treats and magical decorations. Knitted Christmas ornaments and beautiful vintage details are bringing alpine charm to your living room. Vienna with its famous icons Mozart and Princess Sissi has served as a huge inspiration. Enjoy the photos that I took during the press preview in the showroom.

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Shop the finest fare from the famous Globus Food Halls with yummy delicacies from Austria and other countries.

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I love the Austrian chocolatier Bachhalm. They make the most amazing creations with dark chocolat. My favourite one is with rose petals.

Winter Wonderland

With the festive season just around the corner, I am already in the mood for decorating. And with a Pucci oufit from the F/W 2011 collection, you will perfectly match your Christmas decoration.

See you at Globus!

LoL, Sandra