Sandra‘s Closet

A wonderful walk along the beach, from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, is something you have to do once in your life. Embark on a stroll in the California sunshine as you explore those iconic seaside communities filled with tarot card readers, sand sculptors and collage artists, performance artists, street hustlers, and bodybuilders. It’s definitely one of the best places in Los Angeles for people watching. I started from my favorite hotel «Shutters on the Beach» and went all the way to Muscle Beach.

My look: Appliquéd wool-blend and ribbed crochet-knit coat by Mira Mikati, appliquéd distressed printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, Ace embroidered low-top sneakers, and Linea G 2 leather-trimmed canvas shoulder bag, all by Gucci, printed low-rise skinny jeans by Givenchy, and Vogue Tribute sunglasses by Versace.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Jamie Sherrill has been perfecting the complexions of LA’s A-list for over 20 years. A qualified nurse and founder of the renowned Beauty Park Medical Spa, she is an expert in restoring skin to its natural radiance.

Besides her spa treatment, she offers all sort of beauty tools under the label NURSE JAMIE. One product has specially caught my eye.: the Beauty Bear™ Age Delay Pillow – Leopard which is designed to support the face and neck, helping to improve sleep quality and achieve more youthful looking skin overnight. Its unique satin cover is better than traditional cotton pillowcases – it minimizes the appearance of fine lines by helping your skin retain its natural oils and helps to prevent creases and wrinkles caused by sleep.

To shop the Beauty Bear™ Age Delay Pillow – Leopard by Nurse Jamie, click here please. Also available in black.

If you are in California, visit the NURSE JAMIE BEAUTY PARK MEDICAL SPA
1511 Montana Ave.,  Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: +1 310-587-3502, E-mail:

Happy Sunday, get lots of rest!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nurse Jamie

As promised, here is the detailed post regarding my outfit that I wore to the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

My look: Patchwork lace peplum gown by Alessandra Rich, Janis leather pumps by Saint Laurent, dual beaded leather clutch by Valentino,crystal embellished butterfly earrings by Miu Miu and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As you know, I was recently in Los Angeles with Piaget. It has been one of the best trips ever to my favorite city in the world. I have so many amazing impressions to show you. At the moment, I am working my way through the millions of photos. Here is a teaser post of the outfit I wore to the cocktail party Piaget hosted at the Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica.

My look: Blue bandage gown by Hervé Leger, Tribute sandals by Saint Laurent, embellished clutch with peacock feathers by Matthew Williamson, statement necklace by Lanvin, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

At the Piaget cocktail reception with Mousse Jacquier and Miss Switzerland 2005 Lauriane Gilliéron whom you might recognize from the recent Nespresso commercial with George Clooney and Matt Damon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My love for Los Angeles started a long time ago when I went to a summer college there. The sunshine, the easy lifestyle, the friendly people, have fascinated me from the early start. The prejudices concerning the Californian city are multifarious, of course you have many people working in “the industry” and the plastic surgeries are higher per capita there than anywhere else. Yes, and the traffic is horrendous and I am scared of earthquakes.

However, there’s so much more to this metropolis that people don’t understand unless they immerse themselves in it. In summer 2010, I rented a house in Beverly Hills and spent two months there, long-time readers of Sandras’ Closet might remember. When the day came to fly back to Europe, I didn’t want to leave. Los Angeles has a mix of people, trends, fashion, nationalities, and industries that you can’t find anywhere else.

Therefore I was so happy when Montblanc invited me to come to Los Angeles to live the Oscar experience and to attend their “Signature for Good” 2013 charity brunch. When I landed at LAX, my heart started already jumping for joy. But enough of my love letter. So, what follows is my list of a few of my favorite things to do and see in Los Angeles.

Me in front of the Montblanc boutique on the famous Rodeo Drive.

At Opening Ceremony, one of my favourite shops.

Fred Segal‘s perfume store is gigantic.

Shopping like the locals on Robertson Boulevard. (For a detailed Los Angeles shopping guide, please click here).

Also home to my favourite restaurant for lunch: The well-known Ivy, a hot spot to see many celebrities.

Have an Ivy Sunday, so yummy!

Great for dinner: Cecconi’s

Girls just wanna have fun: Tea time at American Girl Place.

A must-see: Disneyland

The famous star handprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre have to be on your sightseeing list…

… along with Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame.

At Venice Beach, you can enjoy the lively boardwalk with a crazy and colorful crowd. From rollerscaters, artists, palm readers and street dancers, to performers and vendors of any sort. It is also home to the iconic “Muscle Club” – an outdoor gym where bodybuilders shape their bodies under the sun. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to go there.

My list could go on and on… my favourite hotel is by the way the Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.

If I had a wish granted from the fairy…? I would love to live in such a fabulous Beverly Hills mansion. It doesn’t hurt to dream.

Thank you, Montblanc, for having me brought back to this fab city!
Bye-bye L.A., I will surely be back soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht