Sandra‘s Closet

Ladies, let’s be honest! When it comes to skincare, to maintain or achieve youthful, radiant skin, the struggle is real. Therefore I would like to introduce you to the newest wonder potion on the planet: La Prairie’s White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion. I had the honor to try it for one month before the official launch and love its power. This outstanding pearl elixir transforms your skin in just four weeks. For real!

Think of this new skin miracle as liquid light in a bottle. I am talking about protection against environmental factors and skin stressors, plus dark spot correction. And whilst admittedly, it’s not cheap, it will do wonders for your skin. Brighten, lift, recapture the luminosity of younger-looking, healthier skin with White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion.

How does it work?
The scientists at La Prairie have developed a new proprietary breakthrough in the complex science of brightening skin as they discovered that skin’s uneven tone and loss of luminosity are due not only to melanin-induced spots but also to redness and dullness. Therefore they developed a formula – the first of its kind – that works to fight not one but all three types of skin chromatic disorders revealing luminous, healthy skin.

Everyday stress can lead to permanently irritated skin expressing signs of inflammation and redness. Stress factors include: lifestyle-induced cortisol, UV light, pollutants and chemicals that damage the skin’s natural protective barrier. Atmospheric and domestic pollution that assaults the skin, particularly in urban areas, contributes to a grey, dull complexion. Mature, dry or sensitive skin types are especially vulnerable to pollutants. The shell of the caviar pearls in White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion shields the skin from these harmful particles, forming a protective “second skin”. Its unique structure allows active ingredients to penetrate the skin while shielding it from particles and heavy metals that can damage cells and contribute to a dull appearance.

In stores now for CHF 558.00 (30ml). And trust me, you’ll love the results!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie Switzerland

Greenery is the Pantone Color of the Year 2017, a fresh and vibrant yellow-green shade that is considered as nature’s neutral evoking the first days of spring. For me, it is  full of hope and energy and I like it the playful Gucci way.

My look: Ruffle trimmed single breasted wool coat, crêpe-jersey and georgette dress, embroidered leather knee boots and Dionysus embroidered leather hobo bag, all by Gucci. Ring «Diorette» and matching earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

JUDE BENHALIM is a young, Cairo-based jewelry designer who founded her namesake brand when she was just 17 years old. All it took was one creative design project in high school and Jude jumped into the design world head first with her mother and partner, Rana Al Azm.

«My strategy to set my brand apart from others was to introduce something new to traditional Egyptian jewelry; mixing it with modern art and avant-garde techniques. I maintain the essence of oriental jewelry (by using Arabic calligraphy), combining it with a modern approach (by using abstract geometric shapes and colorful Resin stones). That is what allowed people to appreciate my work; it is a revolutionary take on traditional jewelry making.» – Jude Benhalim

Jude is constantly on the lookout for new ideas to bring to her designs, and is inspired by the women who wear her cutting-edge designs as much as the women who fill her life. Today, she shares with us her travel tips for her home country, EGYPT.

Your favourite city?
ALEXANDRIA. When the city life becomes too busy and stressful, I can escape from the craziness and read a book by the beautiful sea. The beach has always a peaceful atmosphere.

Your favourite hotel?
FOUR SEASONS RESORT SHARM EL SHEIKH. It hast the most beautiful scenery, overlooking the sea. It is definitely underrated.
1 Four Seasons Boulevard, El-Salam, Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate
Phone: +20 69 3603555

Your favourite restaurant?
KAZUKO in CAIRO. It has the best Japanese food in town and I love the vibe of the place.
Swan Lake Compound, 1st Settlement, New Cairo, Phone: +20 12 7000 4877

Your favourite Egyptian food?
I like MOLOKHIYA with spicy chicken –  the national dish of Egypt – because its a complete meal with vegetables, carbs and proteins and keeps you energized the whole long day.

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
There are great bars and nightclubs in the NORTH COAST, by the beach. I think my favorite place there is ANDIAMO, a beach bar. Its beautifully designed and is right on the beach.
Hacienda, KM 140, Phone: +20 1005509948

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The PYRAMIDS, or more importantly the DESERT. I am fascinated by the desert no matter how often I see it, I love to admire its patterned dunes and its smooth and sparkling sand.

Your favourite park?
AL-AZHAR PARK. It has one of the most beautiful views over Cairo.
Salah Salem St, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Phone: +20 2 25103868

Your favourite beach?
The NORTH COAST BEACHES. The world is known to have the best beaches in Asia and in the Bahamas, but these are not comparable to the beaches on the North Coast of Egypt, as well as the ones in Sinai. So beautiful!  I especifically love SIDI HENEISH, because its calm and not as commercial as the other beaches. It’s a beautiful bay.

Your favourite shop?
KHAN EL-KHALILI, a local market in CAIRO, is my favorite place to shop. It is actually where my silver workshop is located so I visit the souk very often. It is very rich in culture and has the most beautiful architecture that is going back to over hundreds of years. I love the authenticy and vibes of the Khan el-Khalili alleyways.
El-Gamaleya, Qism El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate

Your must-have accessory to take when you visit Egypt?
SUNGLASSES! It is sunny all year round in Egypt.

Your must-have souvenir to take home?
LITTLE PYRAMIDS of course. The pyramids are of the Seven Wonders of the World. I think as a tourist, the Pyramids are one of the most breathtaking sites.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
HELWA YA BALADY by DALIDA. It perfectly represents the beauty of the city.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
40 RULES OF LOVE by ELIF SHAFAK. Cairo is very high in spirituality, with beautiful mosques and churches. I think this book is a perfect fit and it is a personal favorite.

Thank you, Jude, for sharing your insider scoop on Egypt with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the different locations, © Jude Benhalim

DOLCE & GABBANA and SMEG join creative forces to create Sicily is my Love, a truly Made in Italy project where experts from the worlds of high fashion and design meet and merge to create unique domestic appliances that uncover an Italian story.

Last year’s limited edition hand painted refrigerators.

Following from last year’s success when SMEG and Dolce&Gabbana teamed up to realise 100 unique hand painted refrigerators, this year the collaboration focused on smaller products such as toasters, citrus juicers, coffee machines, kettles, blenders, stand mixers and slow juicers.

All these products are decorated with reflective interpretations of Sicilian folklore. Lemons, prickly pears, and bright red cherries are just a selection of Sicilian decorations that are framed in triangular motifs known as crocchi, that decorate these small appliances.

Together with crocchi, the appliances are covered in delicate floral motifs and images of the enthralling Mount Etna, surrounded by ornamental friezes, and decorative acanthus leaves. All these themes and decorative symbols are intrinsically tied to Sicily and the important aspects of the aesthetic of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Food, the typical products of Southern Italy and their recipes of traditional dishes are the pulling force to which heart and soul will always return. So ultimately… can you buy kitchen appliances instead of art? Absolutely, and so did everyone else at the #DGSicilyismyLove 2017 edition of the Salone del Mobile di Milano.

For the first time in my life, I have this urge to be in the kitchen using those beautifully decorated tools. Bravo!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana / Smeg

«Fashion stole my smile» is actually hard to believe when you think that Victoria Beckham received yesterday the Order of the British Empire ceremony as the designer’s and former pop star’s contributions to the national fashion industry were honored at Buckingham Palace. Wouldn’t we all be grinning if we received such a recognition from Prince William?! Dressed in one of her iconic ladylike knit dresses, she was accompanied to the palace by her parents and husband, David Beckham, who was granted the same title 13 years ago.

The dress was really beautiful and cozy. Its bouncing hem gave her a young school girl-like look that she paired with her signature sky-rocketing stilettos for a posh overall look.

Still the question, which she hates the most, is there: Why doesn’t she ever smile?

«I’m smiling on the inside—I feel I have a responsibility to the fashion community.» – Victoria Beckham

Recently she was spotted at LAX airport in a T-shirt from her Victoria, Victoria Beckham Pre-fall 2017 line, that has almost sold out in a second. It should put the issue to rest once and for all.

The slogan tee «Fashion Stole My Smile» is available now for £95.00 online in black and white and in her London store at 36 Dover Street.

YOU CAN SHOP A LARGE SELECTION OF VICTORIA BECKHAM ONLINE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Victoria Beckham, © Getty Images

Demna Gvasalia knows how to turn imitations in the opposite direction – think of his DHL T-Shirt for Vetements or the Bazar shopper for Balenciaga. His newest take on transforming a completely unsophisticated non-luxurious item into a must-have piece for fashion victims around the globe is his latest accessory for Balenciaga Men and targets originally the male customer. Playing with consumerism, he sent down the runway the so-called ‘Arena Extra-Large Shopper Tote Bag‘ which looks like a copy of the iconic IKEA‘s ‘Frakta Tote‘ in shape, size, and color.

To the left the Balenciaga for $2145.00, to the right IKEA for $0.99.

The only difference? The absence of the IKEA logo on the handles which makes sense, of course, the material (the IKEA version is made from 100% recyclable polypropylene whereas the Balenciaga tote is made of leather), and not surprisingly the price.

I would really like to get into Demna’s head, creative genius or making fun of the fashion world? I somehow tend to believe the latter. What do you think?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and IKEA

Snow in April in Switzerland, really? So back to sweater weather. I love playful animal prints and Stella McCartney‘s swan motif has been one of my favorites lately. In combination with a great pair of wide pants, it looks sophisticated and not too girly at all.

My look: Double breasted tweed coat by Saint Laurent, ruffle-trimmed intarsia wool sweater and matching Falabella swan embroidered faux leather bag, both by Stella McCartney, wide grey wool pants by Blumarine, Oxford-style ankle booties by Gucci, Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery, choker and matching earrings, both by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Kym Ellery‘s namesake Australian label is a favorite amongst the fashion crowd. So beloved are her iconic bell sleeves and flares that we all have to thank her for the trend that has become so recognizable and so widely copied that it continues to take off.

Hysteria cropped high-rise flared jeans

You should definitely not wait another day and get a pair of her signature mermaid pants. I am speaking of these to-die-for kick-flare trousers that billow out in a way that’s reminiscent of a mermaid tail.

Alejandro ruffled-panel cropped jeans

One thing is for sure, for cult Ellery followers or newbies to the brand, the denim ones will definitely remind you that jeans don’t need to be boring. The mixture of both the silhouette and the finishings are both equally unique.

Jacuzzi stretch wool-blend flared pants

Happy Shopping, mermaids!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ellery

The issue of aluminium chlorides in deodorants has been discussed among manufacturers, scientists and consumers for a couple of years, now. There are different points of view in the interpretation of scientific research, some of them see potential health hazards caused by the regular use of aluminium salts in deodorants, such as breast cancer.

In order to be on the safe side, I had been looking for the best natural deodorant for quite some time, one that actually works and will leave you stink-free the whole day.

The new WELEDA 24h Deo Roll-on is one that I can truly recommend. I love the sensual scent and long-lasting protection. All three versions use essential oils and ingredients to neutralize odor-causing bacteria without aluminium salts that close the pores and disrupt the body’s innate detoxification. Like this the regulating skin functions are retained.

Weleda Citrus 24h Deo Roll-on
Natural essential oils of lemon and litsea cubeba have a refreshing effect and provide for a pleasant smell.

Weleda Pomegranate 24h Deo Roll-on
The exotic combination of orange and davana creates a sensual fragrance experience with balsamic vanilla notes.

Weleda Men 24h Deo Roll-on
The tart scent of vetiver combined with essential oils of the Litsea cubeba invigorates and provides a pleasant feeling of freshness.

Available now for CHF 9.50 each (50ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

There is no better time to seize the moment and officially welcome the spring wardrobe than Easter Sunday. But with the promise of good food, plenty of time to relax, and a speedy egg hunt, you’ll want to be comfortable as much as you like to stay stylish. This year, I went for leggings, feathers and this beautiful waterlily ’70s style print. This is what I call impeccably dressed for spring under the magnolia tree!

My look: Feather-trimmed denim jacket by Burberry, Nenúfar print top, Nenúfar print pants and Knife floral-print jersey sock boots, all by Balenciaga, Sac de Jour in green by Saint Laurent, Possession 18-karat rose gold diamond ring and Possession 18-karat rose gold ring, both by Piaget, 18-karat white gold limited edition «Or Amour Et Trinity» band ring and yellow gold diamond ring, both by Cartier.

Happy Easter!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht