Sandra‘s Closet

For all fragrance addicts, this is great news: AJ ARABIA is a new perfumery house founded by Ali Aljaberi in Abu Dhabi. Original fragrances that combine the best of French perfumery with the treasures of the Arabian Desert, in a breathtaking packaging inspired by the beautiful Arabian architecture.

The fragrances will be numbered rather than named, and are designed to be worn by both men and women.

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION I
«Arabian hospitality in a bottle»

Top Notes: Cinnamon, Cardamom
Heart Notes: Incense, Cypress
Base Notes: Sandal Wood, Musk, Cedar Wood

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION II
«Sweet Arabian seduction»

Top Notes: Plum, Mandarin
Heart Notes: Rose, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Moss

I personally love the second oriental fragrance, Black Collection II, that features fruity top notes, a woody-floral heart and a classic dry-down. This delicate and fragrant perfume with its enticing aromas takes you on a journey to the marvelous heritage of the Middle East.

Both fragrances (50ml) are available exclusively in Zurich at Perfumery Osswald for CHF 396.- each.

Speaking of Abu Dhabi, don’t forget to enter the amazing contest with Etihad HERE. For more information about the ultimate shopping experience that you can win with me in Abu Dhabi, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of AJ ARABIA

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Rapper LL Cool J hosted the show for the fourth consecutive time. In all, 83 Grammy Awards were presented, one more than in 2014.

Sam Smith accepts the Best New Artist award from singer Taylor Swift onstage

Sam Smith was the big winner at the 2015 Grammys, taking home four awards for best new artist, best pop vocal album, record of the year and song of the year. In an upset, Beck took home album of the year for Morning Phase, beating out Beyonce’s Beyonce.

But what interests us most are the best dressed winners and of course the worst as well. Enjoy, from a dreamy Giambattista Valli frock on Rihanna to Taylor Swift’s sexy Elie Saab gown, most of the celebs hit all the right notes on the music industry’s biggest night.

Rihanna in Giambattista Valli Couture

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab

Beyoncé in Proenza Schouler

Nicki Menaj in Tom Ford

Rita Ora in Prada

Ariana Grande in Atelier Versace (one of my favorite looks)

Awkward moment: Miley Cyrus in Alexandre Vauthier grabs Katy Perry’s boob who wore Zuhair Murad

Weird boob situation: Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell

Kiss of the night: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

Also in love: Nicole Kidman in Thierry Mugler Pre-fall 2015 with her husband Keith Urban

Ageless beauty: Jane Fonda in Balmain Pre-fall 2015

Looking cute: Charli XCX in Moschino…

… but how cute is her doggy?!

And last but not least: Queen M Madonna in Givenchy Couture…

… who still knows the best how to seek attention in the right moment.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Valerie Macon/Getty Images, Reuters, Wireimages

Ups, I did it again… I just cannot resist Chanel accessories and the ones from the Dubai Cruise 2015 collection are to die for. You will never regret to invest in a piece of Chanel fashion jewelry as those objects of desire never go out of style, they are seasonless.

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”  ― Coco Chanel

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The last days here in Los Angeles have been magic like always. There is something about this city that makes me feel like I have arrived, that makes me want to embrace the world. I am leaving today but will be back in 10 days… here you see me outside of the Smashbox Studios in Culver City where Davis Factor himself photographed me yesterday. A truly divine experience that I will share with you soon. In the meantime enjoy the details of my outfit.

My look: Daga sequined bandage dress by Hervé Léger, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps by Saint Laurent, shearling bag and earrings by Chanel, sunglasses by Michael Kors, diamond ring and bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Being in my favorite city, Los Angeles, always makes me happy. Therefore I was over the moon when Smashbox (in Switzerland available at Marionnaud) invited me to come here for a truly amazing experience that I will tell you all about.

The first night I had dinner at Chateau Marmont. Here you see me leaving my hotel, Sunset Tower, which is right around the corner.

My look: Lampion dress, leather waist belt, platform shoes and stingray clutch, all by Azzedine Alaïa, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, diamond ring and bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

TO SHOP A GREAT SELECTION OF ALAÏA ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My dear readers, this is by far the coolest contest I have published so far! You can win an amazing trip to Abu Dhabi with Etihad, the ultimate shopping experience with me: “Get a new closet with Sandra’s Closet“! And moreover you will be featured in L’OFFICIEL Switzerland…

What is your #EtihadEssential travel item?

Being also the editor-in-chief of L’OFFICIEL Switzerland, I promise you that you’ll be treated to a luxurious experience including:

• A Business Class return ticket from Switzerland to Abu Dhabi* and limousine transfers
• Two nights at Yas Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi
• Shopping vouchers to create your new wardrobe
• Exclusive tips and style advice from Sandra Bauknecht
• Dinner at Cipriani
• 1-year subscription to L’OFFICIEL magazine

All you have to do is share a photo of you and your most indispensable travel item – so get creative!

How To Enter

1. Take a picture of you with your favorite travel item
2. Upload it to Instagram or Twitter with #EtihadEssential and…
3. Submit your photo HERE, along with a short caption explaining your choice
4. The best picture wins the shopping trip of a lifetime to Abu Dhabi. Simple!

*The winner will be required to travel between 15 March 2015 and 20 March 2015, traveling together with Sandra Bauknecht.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars…” – what a great motto! The quote and my outfit, both totally suited my birthday mood. Be ready to show your gun license!

My look: Gun Pop jacquard dress and shearling bag, both by Saint Laurent, fake fur coat by Miu Miu, leather boots by Prada, bra by Victoria’s Secret and Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My avid readers might have wondered about my lack of posting. Usually, I blog on a daily base but I have been offline for five days. The reason was my birthday, I turned 40 last week. Friends have asked me why I share this number and my answer is that there is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. I have been on this planet for over 40 years. I am happier than ever and achieved all the milestones in my life that I had set for myself. I have travelled the world and enjoyed life most of the time to the fullest. Now I am ready for the real fun…

40 has a lot of beauty and I will explain you why. In comparison to a younger age, I  am no longer taking decisions based on what I am supposed to do. I am making them based on what is right for me which is so liberating. I know that all social media channels don’t show the real world. If you still think that people are all so confident living their perfect lives, you might be mistaken. Most of them are just as screwed up as everyone else.

My longtime friends who visited me from all over told me this weekend that they admire my consistency through all these years they have known me. True, I have never lost the my zest for life, I always stayed true to myself. In my high school book, I found a quote of mine: “Be yourself, no matter what they say.” This has been a common thread. If it made me happy, I would never cared about other people’s opinion, which goes most importantly for my way of dressing.

I still like getting silly and I have always loved dancing like no one is watching or like everyone is watching. I like the attention. One thing that has definitely changed is that I never feel guilty again, more like a teenager, but less loud. You I know that there is always a plan B and that is is indispensable to get rid of the toxic people in your life.

I am thankful for the amazing people that surround me and I never forget to tell them how much I love them. I had an unforgettable birthday and I would like to thank everyone who made it so special.

Below you will find my different stages in life. Why? Because they are fun to look at!

1981: Being in first grade… a happy 6 year old Sandra.

1994: Having my own band and being on tour with the Backstreet Boys. I was 19 and had just finished school.

1997: My first trip to Hong Kong. Blond and ready to see life at the age of 22.

2004: Before my 30th birthday and before moving from Chicago to Zurich I did this cover shoot.

2013: Finally back to my natural hair color that you appreciate at the age of 38.

2015: And that is me one week ago, a selfie in bed. 40 and I personally think that I look better than I did at 20.

To life and its beauty!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Christian Dietrich (2013)
And a huge thank you to the Park Hyatt Zurich team for the amazing picture to my birthday! I love u guys!

Jo Malone will launch Incense & Cedrat in February. The new fragrance was inspired by Omani incense and joins the Cologne Intense Collection. Celine Roux, Fragrance Director, says: “It’s the most historic and precious incense in the world. We loved the way it’s so intrinsic to Omani culture, often layered with other scents. This made complete sense to us as the philosophy of Fragrance Combining™ is an intrinsic part of our DNA.“

Omani incense has never before been captured in perfumery before. Marie Salamagne, Master Perfumer, explains the technique behind: “The really special thing about this project is that we used NaturePrint™. We spent months scouring Oman for the finest incense before bringing it back to the laboratory. When I smelt the NaturePrint™ note it was instantly inspiring. It was so close to nature. The traditional smokiness was there but there was also a freshness, something illuminating.“

The Omani incense, which is harvested from the Bowsellia sacra tree, is found in Dhofar, Oman. Incense is extracted by incising the bark. At certain times of year the trees are cut with special knives releasing tears of fresh resin which are left to dry in the sun. At the beginning of April, as soon as the temperatures start to rise, the incense gatherers cut the frankincense trees in many places. The first ‘cut’ consists of paring off the outer bark of the branches and trunk. Then three more follow. The process requires great skill and the same families work on the harvest for centuries.

Incense & Cedrat features a headspace note from the Boswellia sacra (frankincense) tree. Additional notes include lemon, pepper, elemi, labdanum and benzoin. Jo Malone Incense & Cedrat will be available as 100 ml Cologne Intense for CHF 165.00 from February 2, 2015 in Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

A great tip regarding Fragrance Combining™ comes from Marie Salamagne: “In combination with another Cologne Intense, Oud & Bergamot, it develops a sophisticated woody note that’s hypnotic and masculine. And for a completely different mood, try layering Incense & Cedrat with Red Roses. It creates a multi-faceted rose fragrance, spicy and sensual with incense.”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

When it comes to lingerie, I absolutely adore La Perla. Therefore I couldn’t have been more excited when I received the invitation to join the Italian lingerie brand’s first haute couture runway show for the S/S 2015 season, presented in the intimate salon setting of Paris’s Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild.

Bridging the gap between haute lingerie and ready-to-wear, Creative Director Emiliano Rinaldi created a collection that couldn’t have been more beautiful. Highlights were the precious allure of an “impossible lace”, exclusively revived from a pattern of the early 1900s by a master lacemaker from Calais or the evolution of iconic La Perla designs, incorporating feathers, crystals, metallic elements and pure gold thread that offer a fresh expression of its fundamental characteristics: silk and floral motifs embroidered using the “frastaglio” technique.

Famous models such as Izabel Goulart, Natasha Poly, Lindsey Wixson looked gorgeous on the runway but the model who closed the La Perla’s debut couture show was definitely the sexiest. At the age of 44, Naomi Campbell proved that she is even more seductive than her  fellow model colleagues that are half her age.

TO SHOP LA PERLA, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Perla