Those tender moments in summer, when everything is in full bloom, so fragile and beautiful in one…  looking at those pictures that I hadn’t posted yet made me miss those warm temperatures already. But this floral dress will also look good with tights and a chunky cardigan on top. Let’s embrace the cold season that offers those tender moments as well.

My look: Printed floral silk dress and studded leather belt, both by Saint Laurent, Rockstud embellished leather sandals by Valentino, Dionysus medium embellished coated canvas shoulder bag by Gucci, cuff and earrings, both by Chanel, Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery, Tonda 1950 Set Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and floral sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally – here is the bouquet you really wanted from your boyfriend. Dear gentlemen, who hopefully are reading this post, surprise your loved one with one of those floral must-haves and you will make her heart leap with joy. Shop the brand new Karlie embroidered suede pumps by Aquazzura or the stunning floral embellished appliquéd canvas and satin clutch by Alexander McQueen now!

Below you can find some more pieces to choose from – to a blossoming love!

LoL, Sandra

Sicily medium floral-print textured-leather tote by Dolce & Gabbana

Petra floral-print leather pumps by Tabitha Simmons

Leather-trimmed painted wood clutch by Dolce & Gabbana

Embellished printed leather Mary Jane pumps by Dolce & Gabbana

New Ace floral-print canvas sneakers by Gucci

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Every year, Jo Malone launches a limited edition blossom based fragrance for the summer months. So let me introduce you to the new Nashi Blossom Cologne. First of all, before virtually smelling it, how fun is the polka-dot adorned glass bottle and the flash of green bottle cap.

What is nashi blossom?
It is the fruit of a pear tree. Traditionally in East Asia the tree’s flowers are a popular symbol of early spring, and it is a common sight in gardens and the countryside. It is also called «Chinese pear».

How does the new fragrance smell?
The fragrance created by Fabrice Pellegrin is extremely yummy with a fresh citrusy opening, followed by a trail of pear, apple, nashi blossom and rose, all intermingled with a creamy musk base.

NASHI BLOSSOM
Citrusy Floral

Top Notes: Lemon
Middle Notes: Nashi Blossom
Base Notes: White Musk

Fragrance Combining™
Nashi Blossom works best in combination with Nectarine Blossom & Honey for a fruity-floral mixture and with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily for a more sensual but light creation.

This limited edition will be available in Switzerland from May 2, 2016 as Cologne 30ml (CHF 72.00) and 100ml (CHF 136.00) at Globus Geneva, Globus Lucerne and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Hudson Yards is Bond N°9‘s newest fragrance launch, dedicated to spring in New York City like a bouquet of beautiful flowers poured into a decorated green bottle. It celebrates a new beginning and in its perfume collection it maps a new emerging location in the city, the largest private real estate development in the history of the US and the largest development in New York City since Rockefeller Center: Hudson Yards, planned to be finished in 2017.

It is anticipated that more than 24 million people will visit the district every year. The site will ultimately include more than 17 million square feet of commercial and residential space, 5 state-of-the-art office towers, more than 100 shops, 20 restaurants, approximately 5,000 residences, a unique cultural space, 14 acres of public open space, a 750-seat public school and a 150-room luxury hotel—all offering unparalleled amenities and easy access to transportation for residents, employees and guests.

FLORAL
Top notes: Lily-of-the-Valley, Freesia and Pink Pepper
Middle notes: Peony, Bulgarian Rose and Litchi
Base notes: White Musk, Iris and Orange Blossom

In Switzerland available Mid May 2014 for CHF 375.00 (100ml) and CHF 239.00 (50ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bond N°9 and Hudson Yards

Here is your ultimate S/S 2014 runway trend guide. This season, there is fashion for every personality. It’s about tribal details, the power of pleats and the beauty of flowers, whether they’re luxurious embroideries or bold statement prints. Take cues from your favorite gallery and wear something artful. Don’t forget to add something shiny and to work on your waistline to sport the new must-have cropped tops. Sportswear has made its way into our daily wardrobe and bermudas should be worn layered with a skirt or dress.

I hope that this little summary will inspire you to look for the right new season pieces that will instantly update a look. Enjoy your new task!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2014 TREND 1: TRIBAL
Akris –  Givenchy – Donna Karan

S/S 2014 TREND 2: WEARABLE ART
Prada –  Chanel – Céline

S/S 2014 TREND 3: BERMUDAS
Chloé –  Alexander McQueen – DKNY

S/S 2014 TREND 4: CROPPED TOPS
Balenciaga –  Louis Vuitton – Salvatore Ferragamo

S/S 2014 TREND 5: SPORTSWEAR
DKNY –  Gucci – Marc by Marc Jacobs

S/S 2014 TREND 6: LACE
Valentino –  Stella McCartney – Nina Ricci

S/S 2014 TREND 7: SHIMMER & SHINE
Lanvin –  Versace – Etro

S/S 2014 TREND 8: PLEATS PLEASE
Dries Van Noten –  Proenza Schouler – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2014 TREND 9: PASTEL
Miu Miu –  Burberry Prorsum – Christian Dior

S/S 2014 TREND 10: SUMMER BLACK
Bottega Veneta –  Saint Laurent – Dolce & Gabbana

S/S 2014 TREND 11: FLOWER POWER
Giambattista Valli –  Mary Katrantzou – Christopher Kane

S/S 2014 TREND 12: BOLD NIGHT
Emilio Pucci –  Alberta Ferretti – Ralph Lauren Collection

Photos: Via style.com

L`Eau Couture is the olfactory continuation of the designer’s Prêt-â-Porter S/S 2014 collection, in which ethereal fabrics as light as petals chisel a magical fusion between woman and nature. It captures the ecstasy of nature blossoming in an urban springtime setting.

For L`Eau Couture, Francis Kurkdjian dreamed up a brand new tribute to freshness, which he leads into sensuality characterised by absolute sophistication. L`Eau Couture reinterprets accords in a way never seen before. “The idea to create a Couture Eau is quite uncommon in this register. It s a sophisticated, sensual freshness, far removed from the conventions found in fragrances usually created in this repertoire” – Francis Kurkdjian.

FLORAL

Top notes: Bergamot, magnolia and citrusy notes
Middle notes: Orange blossom
Base notes: Vanilla and green almond

Dressed in an elegant water-green box, the delicately facetted bottle reveals a crystalline green juice. L’Eau Couture lets us discover freshness like a promise of new emotions. It invites us to dive into unknown sensations born of the lightness associated with the newness of spring.

L’Eau Couture is the perfect addition to the Elie Saab fragrance family and will be available from February 1, 2014 (Swiss launch date) as EdT Vaporisateur 30ml (CHF 63.00), 50ml (CHF 94.00) and 90ml (CHF 132.00). I am already a huge fan!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Elie Saab

Elie Saab called his S/S 2014 collection “A LACE GARDEN” and sent the extremely feminine material in all shades over the runway. The Libanese designer is a red carpet favourite and of course he offered a lot of choices for the big moment. His strongest designs are the long gowns, this season definitely a lacy affair to remember… My favorite is a black see-through dress with layers of lace in between as photographed below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Elie Saab

Mercedes-Benz is not only about high end cars, the German brand has become a fixed entity in the fashion world as a sponsor and partner of the world’s most major fashion events, such as the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week or the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich which will be taking place again from November 13-16, 2013. The key visual has been created in collaboration with fashion icon Carine Roitfeld.

This season, the luxury car brand has added a women’s fragrance to their lifestyle portfolio, created by Michel Almairac, who was named Perfumer of the Year 2012.

Mercedes-Benz Perfume is a fresh, floral and powdery scent showcasing the unusual accord of mimosa and violet.

MERCEDES-BENZ PERFUME

Top notes: Bergamot and peach
Middle notes: Mimosa-violet, rose and lily-of-the-valley
Base notes: Patchouli, vanilla and white musk

Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 65.00), 60ml (CHF 85.00) and 90ml (CHF 115.00). Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 35.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 39.00) and Deo Spray 100ml (CHF 31.00).

YOU CAN SHOP THE NEW FRAGRANCE BY CLICKING HERE.

Great news for my Swiss readers: 5 of you have the chance to WIN A BOTTLE (60ml) of this fantastic new scent. To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Mercedes-Benz Perfume” to . All entries must be received until October 20, 2013. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Mid May I told you about the amazing launch event of Jo Malone‘s newest fragrance PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE in London. Now, the house’s recent floral addition has finally hit the shelves.

Master perfumer Christine Nagel describes her inspiration like this: “For me this fragrance captures the connection between the craft of fragrance and couture fashion. I wanted to capture the charm of the English ballroom in the mid-20th century. The heady glamour of the Cecil Beaton era. Women elegant in couture, with peonies brought in from the great country estates, the gossip and moodiness as the night unfolds.” Below you can see some exclusive behind the scenes shots of the advertising campaign which I find extremely beautiful.

PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE COLLECTION

Top note: Red apple
Middle note: Peony
Base note: Suede

Cologne 30ml (CHF 68.00), 100ml (CHF 130.00)
Body & Hand Wash 250ml (CHF 64.00)
Body Crème 175ml (CHF 99.00)
Home Candle 200g (CHF 82.00)

Combine it with Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia to create an exquisitely juicy floral with a sensuous mellow touch, or with Saffron from the Cologne Intense Collection for an opulent mix.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is your guide to master the huge sweatshirt trend for F/W 2013 with no sweat. The style set can’t get enough of this season’s cool comfy tops. Tap fashion’s slogan sweatshirt craze or go for a floral or embellished version. Highlight a print by wearing skinny pants and sneakers. The great thing about those novelty sweatshirts is that you can also upgrade them with a sexy skirt and a pair of heels. And don’t forget, grey is the colour to think about first!

Personally speaking, I am crazy for this amazing cloud-print cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Kenzo and the black cotton sweatshirt with colourful ‘brain’ print by Christopher Kane.

FLORAL
1 Beta oversized cotton-blend fleece sweatshirt by ACNE
2 Silk sateen-paneled jersey sweatshirt by Markus Lupfer
3 Embroidered cotton sweatshirt by Matthew Williamson

ANIMAL PRINTS
4 Bird-flocked cotton sweatshirt by McQ Alexander McQueen
5 Quilted jersey sweatshirt with eagle motif by Stella McCartney
6 Horsing Around cotton sweatshirt by J.Crew

SLOGAN
7 Riot cotton-blend terry sweatshirt by Zoe Karssen
8 Jonker cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Karl Lagerfeld
9 Féline cotton-blend jersey sweatshirt by Brian Lichtenberg

EMBELLISHMENTS
10 Embellished cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Markus Lupfer
11 Embellished olive green cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Lanvin
12 Sopo crystal-embellished cotton-jersey sweatshirt by TNTees

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, Style, © Splash, © Sandra Bauknecht