Sandra‘s Closet

Don’t we all would love to see the world through rose-coloured glasses, so here is an idea, what about rose-trimmed sunglasses? I had been drooling over those stunning Dolce & Gabbana floral shades for a while and couldn’t wait to get my hands on them.

If you don’t want to spend that much money on a pair of eye-catchers, why not DIYing them yourself? All you will need is a pair of sunglasses, a variety of ceramic roses and flowers (available at art supply stores), some popsicle sticks and toothpicks, plus hot glue.

Just be careful to use a small amount of hot glue when applying the flowers and to let it dry thoroughly. I like to press the embellishments with the help of a popsicle stick firmly on the shades. Enjoy this fun DIY project and of course your new sunglasses. You won’t go unnoticed this summer!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Ad Photo: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Les Plus Dorés is the small New York-based label making a big impact. Its football jersey-inspired T-shirts sporting the names of the industry’s best and brightest designers are a sell-out sensation. Philo, Wang, Tisci – which team will you choose?

I have pledged my allegiance to team Jacobs. All tees are stamped with each designer’s year of birth, the most stylish way to work the sports luxe trend.

TO SHOP LPD, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of LPD, © Sebastian Kim

During this year’s Art Basel, Annette Weber (Instyle), Sue Giers (Closed) & Jenny Falckenberg (Unique Art Concepts) invited me for a very special dining experience to Pret A Diner, a pop-up restaurant at the Elizabethan Church in Basel. Located in the heart of the Swiss city, this neo-Gothic church was transformed into a space of sensory excellence and we enjoyed the creations of Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue. The location reminded me a lot of the amazing dinner I had with Luisaviaroma at a church in Florence a year ago.

German magazine Bunte wrote about the evening and called me a style icon, thanks for that! If you like my look, please click here for the previous post with all the details.

Lovely Sue Giers (Closed) with me

The amazing location at the Elizabethan church

Old buddies: Sanjiv Singh (Lacoste), Fabien Mollet-Viéville (MelonDistrict) and my humble self.

A warm hug from Jenny Falckenberg

My German peers: Thorleif Griess-Nega (Instyle Men) and Inka Marnette (Instyle, Bunte)

Me with EVA & ADELE who claim to be a living artwork.

Speaking of which, I would like to show my two favourite masterpieces spotted at this year’s Art Basel: Sylvie Fleurie‘s “Kelly Bag” and Jani Leinonen‘s amazing art work which has been fascinating me since many years.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, Clarisonic – the US beauty obession – has hit the Swiss market. Whenever I was in the States, I had been arguing with myself if I should get this hyped skin cleansing tool or not. I never did, a huge mistake!

In April, I attended the press conference held at the HautZentrum Zürich and was truly impressed by this new technology. Coming from the creators of the Sonicare® toothbrush, Clarisonic has changed the way I cleanse my skin.

Taking off my make-up all of a sudden has become a lot of fun, like a 60 seconds daily spa treatment. The sonic frequency moves this easy-to-use device‘s soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing my pores and skin surface.

Here are some of the benefits this revolutionary skincare tool delivers:
– Removes makeup six times better than traditional methods in just 60 seconds.
– Clears pores and reduces the appearance of pore size.
– Cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better.
– Creates noticeably healthier-looking skin.

One feature I adore is the Clarisonic Body Brush Head which takes sonic cleansing beyond the face to gently cleanse and exfoliate, smooth rough, dry patches, ideal for use on the décolleté, hands, arms, elbows, and feet. It firms, and smoothes the skin, delivering radiant, silky-soft results.

In Switzerland, Clarisonic is available exclusively at Marionnaud.

FACE: Clarisonic MIA 2™ Skin Cleansing System for CHF 189.00
A travel-friendly, professional-quality skincare brush with two speeds.

FACE & BODY: Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Skin Cleansing System for CHF 289.00
An enhanced Clarisonic® Plus system with a third speed along with a Body Brush Head.

Replacement Brush Head for CHF 29.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clarisonic

Cycling amongst the countless lotus fields and green peaks of Guangxi province in Southern China, I experienced a beauty so unique it has inspired painters and poets for centuries. Passing the minority villages, I got up close and personal with people in their everyday lives. I even went with my bike on a river raft. This cycle adventure is rural China at its absolute best!

My look: Printed tee by Happiness is a 10$ Tee, sunglasses by Katie Grand ♥ HOGAN and pants by Casall.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is the second look from my Firenze4Ever style lab with Luisaviaroma, shot at the Helvetia Bristol hotel in Florence. This one is actually my favourite outfit. I adore this amazing custom-made gown by Fausto Puglisi. The thigh-high slit is so sexy, revealing a lot of leg and combined with the headpiece, that you have to carry gracefully, it is all about drama.

To order just click on the highlighted text below:

My look: Embroidered tartan and wool crepe gown by Fausto Puglisi, ultra high suede platform pumps and red jeweled nappa leather clutch, both by Giuseppe Zanotti, mask with feathers by Idriss Guelai Atelier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tommaso Fontanella

The sweatshirt hype has already started a few season ago, think about Kenzo’s tiger among others, but for F/W 2013 it will reach its peak. Don’t complain that I haven’t told you. Here it is in written, you have to own a statement sweater!

The object of desire for all fashionistas is Givenchy’s F/W 2013 runway Bambi version. As it will be flying off the shelves in October, I have some good news.

PRE-ORDER THE BAMBI SWEATER BY GIVENCHY HERE.
The print is also available as T-shirt and tank top.

Cannot wait for mine to arrive…

LoL, Sandra

In Givenchy’s F/W 2013 ad campaign, Amanda Seyfried wears the new season’s must-have. 
Photos: Courtesy of Givenchy, © Disney, © Rex Features

It is time for some glamour again. One week before leaving for China, the Art Basel took place and I was invited for a special dinner at a church. All photos of the evening will be coming up shortly. In the meantime, enjoy my outfit post.

My look: Flame-effect lace dress (40% off) by Alessandra Rich, white ‘Duffle 6’ bag and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent and snake ring by Roberto Cavalli.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Introducing TOM FORD’s latest fragrance innovation, the PRIVATE BLEND ATELIER D’ORIENT fragrance collection. Inspired by the sublime beauty, enigmatic sensuality and exquisite luxury of Asia, I would like to invite you to discover those four new must-haves for all fragrance junkies among you:

SHANGHAI LILY – Opulent. Tantalizing. Elegant.
Shanghai Lily is an exotic floral scent that transports the senses into a world of rare and opulent ingredients from the historic silk road. Warm spices, elegant florals, and addictive notes of vanilla and frankincense create hazy reverie of glamour and temptation.

RIVE D’AMBRE – Ornate. Compelling. Warm.
Tom Ford’s newest take on the classic eau de cologne, Rive d’Ambre seduces with precious citrus fruits, that are regarded as a talisman of good fortune in Asia, illuminated by a warm and seductive, amber background.

FLEUR DE CHINE – Dramatic. Smoldering. Seductive.
Fleur de Chine is an unequivocally romantic and haunting floral fragrance touched with a reverence for the great scents of the past. Precious Asian flowers, including Hualan flower and star magnolia, are arranged in a bouquet of rare beauty.

PLUM JAPONAIS – Delectable. Luscious. Sensual.
Plum Japonais reveals the extraordinary beauty of the Ume plum by juxtaposing it with a lush and unconventional mélange of exotic Asian ingredients. Rich and luxurious, it is a fragrance with irresistible complexity.

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE ONLINE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

On Wednesday, I flew over Kunming with Lucky Air to Guilin. From there, I took yesterday morning a boat on the beautiful Lijiang River to Yangshou. The cruise was amazing with a very interesting lunch. Have you ever tried snake wine?

The river reminded me of a jade ribbon winding among thousands of grotesque peaks. The reflections of the hills in the clear and greenish water were like bright and beautiful pictures. And I couldn’t stop taking them. Here are my favourites, enjoy!

My Féline Meow T-shirt by Brian Lichtenberg is available here. The sunglasses are by Katie Grand ♥ HOGAN.

Aboard the ship!

When the Lijiang river takes a big turn at Xingping, the beautiful scenery on the 20 Yuan note shows up.

In the boat’s fancy outdoor kitchen, the lunch was prepared.

The snake wine is produced by infusing whole snakes, perferably venemous ones, in rice wine or grain alcohol. The drink is considered an important curative and believed to reinvigorate a person according to traditional Chinese medicine.

Later, I had dinner while enjoying the beautiful sunset along the river. Another day filled with amazing impressions…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht