Sandra‘s Closet

Bucket bags are perfect for vacation but can still be used back in the city, too. The perfect pieces to take a little summer feeling to fall. With each model, you can pull the drawstring top tight to keep your cell phone and sunglasses secure.

1 Cleo woven leather bucket bag by Loeffler Randall
2 Lunchpail leather-trimmed woven sisal bucket bag by Cesta Collective
3 Linea Cestino leather-trimmed wicker bucket bag by Gucci (my favorite)
4 Seau straw and striped cotton-canvas bucket bag by Muuñ
5 Colada leather-trimmed wicker tote by Kayu

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Collage: © Sandra Bauknecht

On Saturday, the Street Parade took place in Zurich. The sun was shining and I enjoyed a great afternoon at the Baur au Lac hotel. The Boom-Boom au Lac party is the best way to have a front row seat at the iconic music parade while enjoying the serenity and space of the hotel’s beautiful park. Dancing with my little sister and my friends to the techno beats in a fun outfit was just amazing!

My look: Plunging neck metallic bodysuit and Candy embellished suede and leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, lace flared pants by Givenchy, GG Marmont leather belt bag by Gucci, feather, crystal and bead earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Linda sunglasses by Tom Ford, Diorette daisy necklace and Rose des Vents bracelets in turquoise, pink, green and orange, all by Dior Joaillerie, and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Those shoes are dope. Finally I feel like hiking gets more fun with GUCCI‘s new FLASHTREK SNEAKER.

Sparkling crystals are embroidered onto a removable elastic strap, wrapping around the sneakers and resulting in an amazing effect. Inspired by the hiking world, this shoe line combines an oversize design with dream-like details.

Featuring a vibrant mix of leathers in different colors, the accessory is defined by the Gucci patch with the graphic font of SEGA – a fixture in the colorful arcades and coin-op game rooms of the ’80s.

TO SHOP THE NEW GUCCI FLASHTREK SNEAKERS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Keep your eyes open, those shoes will be all around town…
Also available for men HERE (with less sparkle see photo below).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

SUSANNE KAUFMANN comes from Austria‘s beautiful Alpine valley, the Bregenz Forest, where knowledge of the healing powers of nature is passed down from generation to generation. From an early age, she was fascinated by the idea of creating a holistic skincare range inspired by the intensive and effective properties of the Alpine plant world. She began fulfilling her dream at a very special place: the Susanne Kaufmann Spa at the Hotel Post Bezau. Together with a team of pharmacists and dermatologists she developed result-driven products for spa treatments followed by the launch of SUSANNE KAUFMANN ORGANIC TREATS which now encompasses more than 60 functional products, in Switzerland available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich. Today, she gives us some amazing travel tips for her home country AUSTRIA.

Your favourite city / region?
The BREGENZERWALD (Bregenz Forest)- it is very traditionel but the local people are very open-minded. Besides that the air smells like perfume.

Your favourite hotel?
In Austria I really like the RITZ-CARLTON in Vienna. Within the four 19th-century palaces the hotel now calls home, you get a very authentic feel of the city known for its beauty and culture.
Schubertring 5-7, 1010 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 31188

Your favourite spa?
Definitely our SUSANNE KAUFMANN SPA in Bezau. It stands for everything I love, a place of beauty, relaxation, and holistic well-being.
Brugg 35, 6870 Bezau, Phone: +43 5514 22070

Your favourite restaurant?
STEIERECK in Vienna – they have an exquisite cuisine and a concept that reflects my belief in high quality ingredientes and local products.
Am Heumarkt 2A, 1030 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 7133168

Your favorite local dish?
WIENER SCHNITZEL with POTATO SALAD.

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
It‘s definitely the WERKHAUSRAUM in Andelsbuch, designed by architect Peter Zumthor, is a distinctive mark in the Bregenzerwald and highlights the culture of craftsmanship and artisanal work.

Your favourite park?
The whole BREGENZERWALD (Bregenz Forest) is like a huge park with wild animals and a beautiful fauna and flora.

Your favourite shop?
ROOM SERVICE CONCEPT STORE and SAGMEISTER.
I really like these two shops for their exclusive selection and personal touch.

Your must-have accessory?
Besides a good skin condition, my SMYTHSON CALENDAR.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
I’ve been passionate about music since childhood. Luckily my husband, Alfred Vogel, is Jazz musician and brings year by year wonderful artists to BEZAU BEATS in Austria.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
OSKAR LEO KAUFMANN: 69 PROJEKTE 2012–1996 – my brother recently gave me his book. You can see how the architecture in the Bregenzerwald has shaped the landscape.

TO SHOP SUSANNE KAUFMANN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Thank you, Susanne, for sharing your insider scoop on Austria with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Susanne Kaufmann, the different locations and Voralberg Tourismus

Are you ready for this? Let’s get the week started with a naughty vibe and have a look at ASHISH‘s hilarious hint at thoughtless consumerism as well as cheap high street fashions that appeared on the designer’s F/W 2018 show: American Excess, Masturbate, and Viva(L’Amore) were all in sequin logo hacks of famous credit card brands.

Playing with consumerism: ASHISH‘s sequined shopping bags.

Being a big fan of how Ashish Gupta used his runway presentation to comment on consumer culture, drawing inspiration from his roots making patterns in a clothing factory in Delhi at 16, I definitely want to get my hands on one of those tongue-in-cheek phrasing like the ‘American Excess’ lettering on these tops below.

What a bummer – I have just got the news that the Masturbate sweater didn’t go into production due to copyright issues with Mastercard. So excess it is – but I have to hurry, they are selling out fast. In Switzerland the tops will also be available at Trois Pommes.

LoL, Sandra

Sequined cotton-jersey top

American Excess sequin embellished cotton hoodie

Photos: Courtesy of ASHISH

Unfortunately, society deems it unacceptable to roam the streets naked. Even that it looked different at this weekend’s Street Parade in Zurich. However, Alexia Hentsch has come up with the perfect solution, which effectively gives you the thrill of being naked with a sprinkle of modesty in the form of cleverly-placed appliques and embellishment. Repeat after me: bodysuits are best.

TO SHOP ALEXIA HENTSCH ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Browns and Alexia Hentsch

This summer, gingham has re-emerged and is having a big moment. It’s appearing everywhere ― on runways, red carpets and Instagram. Jonathan Anderson played with the idea of sculptural shapes for Loewe’s S/S 2018 runway and  this midi dress, which is one of my summer favorites, has a cutout waist and feminine gingham poplin panels that really stand out against the contrasting twill. By the way, you can also unbutton the dramatic ruffled shoulders for a simpler look which I haven’t done so far as I like the drama…

My look: Convertible cutout twill and gingham poplin dress, and Barcelona gingham mini bag, both by Loewe, Agon embellished platform pumps by Gucci and Eiffel tower pearl earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have always been a big fan of M∙A∙C’s beauty kits as they offer a great choice of colors or brushes and make the perfect gift. Here are new launches that hit the shelves this week:

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Brush Kit
Basic – 89.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Brush Kit
Eye – 79.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Mini Lipstick Kit
M∙A∙C Idols – 63.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Lip Trio
Red – Nude – Pink – 63.00 CHF each

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Little MAC
Pink – Nude – 22.00 CHF each

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Total Babe – matte
79.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Metalista – metallic
79.00 CHF

Limited editions, available now, exclusively at M∙A∙C STORE ZURICH (BELLEVUE), M∙A∙C STORE LUCERNE (TRAIN STATION), M∙A∙C JELMOLI ZURICH and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

Introducing NARCISO Eau de Parfum Rouge – the epitome of femininity, sublimely seductive. A new fragrance explores the fine art of passion further.

An exciting new chapter of the NARCISO fragrance line narrative continues to embrace
the infinite powers of femininity. I am not a big fan of the other ones but I have fallen in love with NARCISO Eau de Parfum Rouge immediately.

The NARCISO fragrance line has always embraced color as a key element. The colors chosen for each scent are carefully considered; they radiate from within. The vivid red of Eau de Parfum Rouge captures the fierce powers of attraction while the blush color of Eau de Parfum Poudrée signifies extreme seduction. The original fragrance, NARCISO Eau de Parfum, is a warm stone-white that alludes to the mythical story of the fragrance and black, the color of NARCISO Eau de Toilette, implies mystery.

Top Notes: Bulgarian rose, Iris
Middle Notes: Musk
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Amber, Vetiver, White Cedarwood, Black Cedarwood

The subtle blend of romanticism of floral poetry and the deeper, darker sensuality of NARCISO rouge leaves a devastating trail that bewitches and stirs the senses.

Eau de Parfum 30ml – CHF 81.00
Eau de Parfum 50ml – CHF 120.60
Eau de Parfum 90ml – CHF 149.40

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Narciso Rodriguez

For his F/W 2018 show, Tom Ford definitely thought outside of the box, or let’s say at least the «fashion box». Confident in the extreme, the designer send something truly amazing pieces down the runway and I am not talking about the technicolor cheetah printed coats and leggings, or snakeskin suit and a silver lamé blazer, I am talking about the «Natalia» bag emblazoned with a simple expression: «PUSSY POWER» and the matching kitten heels embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Echoing Ford is comedian and political commentator, Trevor Noah who dedicated an entire segment of his Netflix one hour standup special «Afraid of the Dark», to the power of the pussy. I love this part:

«Have you ever come across a pussy? You realize vaginas can start revolutions and end wars. You realize, even on a physical level, the vagina is one of the strongest things that have ever existed. Virtually indestructible…The vagina is frighteningly powerful. You realize that human beings come out of a vagina.

Human beings come out and still it continues to work as intended. Do you understand how impressive that is? A human being comes out of the vagina. And still, it continues to operate, it continues to work, after a human has just come out. You’re saying it’s weak? You just sit on a penis wrong and it breaks. “Don’t be a penis,” that should be the phrase. I wish I was a pussy.»

Pussy Power Natalia bag crafted of glitter plexi, crystals and plexiglass by Tom Ford

Pussy Power slingback by Tom Ford

Ladies, time to show our power! It all starts with a shoe, a bag, and your attitude!
Pussy on… I need these shoes!

LoL, Sandra

Lip Color Satin Matte in Pussy Power by Tom Ford

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford