Sandra‘s Closet

Day 10 of our Advent calendar is dedicated to some fabulous chocolate treats for the whole family. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly to the shop.

Charbonnel et Walker Handbag & Heels – Chocolate Shoes

A fun chocolate treat for a shoe-a-holic, this gift set from Charbonnel et Walker, one of Britain’s earliest chocolatiers, features a pair of high heels made from mouth-watering solid milk or dark chocolate. Presented in a special Charbonnel et Walker handbag-shaped gift box.

Choconchoc – Make A Chocolate House Kit

Would your Hansel and Gretel like to make their own fairytale house? Well this time it will be made of chocolate. Choconchoc’s Make A Chocolate House Kit contains everything your little ones will need for cement-mixing, brick-making, plan-drawing and building. But how long will the house stay standing?

Games For Motion – Scrabble With Chocolate Pieces

Made from the finest Belgian chocolate this fun collection of chocolates will make you see a game of Scrabble in a new light.

Maison Cailler – Edition Limitée ChocOrigine Grand Cru 2012

For the festive period, Maison Cailler has brought together two exclusive creations to make one perfect gift, a limited edition chocolate to crown the house’s long and successful collaboration with the Ecuadorian cocoa farmers. The “Edition Limitée” ChocOrigine Grand Cru 2012 for year end celebrations combines one coffret of “croquants” and one gourmet coffret of “ganaches”.
A very special treat for the chocolate connoisseur.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Maison Cailler, Harrods and © Sandra Bauknecht

I am completely in love with my new Chloé sweater that is the perfect cozy piece to wear at the weekend with its flocked finish and chic pastel-orange hue. Recently, I went through my closet and spotted some fabulous items from previous seasons that feel again like brand new wearing them, in keeping with my motto not to throw out anything. Each piece in your wardrobe will have its time again and combined with new season pieces even help you to add that certain twist.

My look: Flocked wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Chloé, apricot-coloured jersey dress by Miu Miu, Monogram Denim Sunrise bag with Foxy fur tail and tassel charm by Louis Vuitton from the S/S 2010 collection, boots by Dolce & Gabbana from the F/W 2006 collection. Earrings by Dolce & Gabbana and snake ring by Roberto Cavalli.

On my nails: Sequined manicure by Ciaté.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Crystals, the new sparkling bangles collection by Sal y Limon, is just perfect for Christmas. Those handmade fun jewelry pieces will make you shine like a star or be the perfect surprise for a beloved friend. Available in many colours for CHF 54.- each, in Switzerland at Globus, Companys, Feldpausch, Schild and Loeb.

One lucky reader has the chance to win a set of three bangles (orange, pink, fuchsia). Send me an e-mail with your address and the header “Christmas Bangles” to .

All entries must be received until December 16st, 2012. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Sal y Limon and © Sandra Bauknecht

After the Louis Vuitton S/S 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week, I spotted Natasha Zinko, a London-based designer of Russian origin that graduated with a BA Honours recognition for Jewelry Design at Central St Martins. She opened her first store this year in the heart of London’s Mayfair district at 46 Maddox Street.

Her jewelry creations, like these skeleton earrings, are bold and very fashion forward. She also designs a ready-to-wear line called Abrakadabra. Of course, she caught my eye immediately because of her stunning Mary Katrantzou dress. Her friend wore head-to-toe Prada from the F/W 2012 collection. If you are interested in my look, click here for the previous post.

Natasha’s look: Typewriter dress by Mary Katrantzou (F/W 2012), embroidered book clutch by Olympia Le-Tan, shoes and skeleton earrings by Natasha Zinko.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ciaté offers amazing three-dimensional DIY manicures and the newest hit is the British brand’s Sequined Manicure. Just in time for the party season, when sequins are always appropriate if not essential, this nail trend seems just right.

Well… are you ready to try it out for yourself now?

I tried this fabulous mani set that features all the products you need to give your nails a glam-over. As you can see, it works very easily.

The only negative side effect is that the nails are very rough afterwards so that you have to be really careful when putting on your tights or going through your hair. To take it off, you will need a nail polish remover with acetone and plan some time.

Ciaté Sequined Manicure Kits are available in 3 colour blends and retail for £15 each, available for example at Selfridges in the UK or Sephora in the US.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Behind the eight door of our Advent calendar, I have some pieces that would all work as the perfect conversation starter at a festive drinks party or dinner. Charlotte Olympia‘s playful aesthetic has won the hearts of the style set, and her fabulous ‘Holiday’ collection is no exception. Whimsically finished with red resin holly berries and green leaves or a stylish snowman, it’s a fabulous choice if you like to take the season literally fashionable.

1 Christmas Pudding suede and patent-leather clutch
2 Surprise Pandora Perspex clutch
3 Holly suede and patent-leather flats

4 Frostie embroidered leather clutch

My favourites: Charlotte Olympia’s signature ‘Dolly’ pumps get a fabulously festive makeover in plush red velvet – Jingle Bell Dolly platform pumps.

LoL, Sandra

During Art Basel and Design Miami 2012, MARNI presented, for the first time in the US, the exhibition “L’Arte del Ritratto” in collaboration with the photographer and filmmaker Francesco Jodice. The new edition of 125 chairs from the Marni Charity Project are sold now exclusively at the Marni Miami Store, where last night personalities from the art, design and fashion industries gathered together for a private cocktail hosted by Consuelo Castiglioni, Marni Creative Director. The project reaffirms Marni’s involvement with charitable initiatives.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Marni

Last Tuesday, Karl Lagerfeld presented his latest Metiers d’Art collection for CHANEL, Paris-Edimbourg, at Linlithgow Palace – the ancient family seat of the Stuart family, where Mary Queen of Scots, was born.

An incredible presentation of know-how and craftsmanship, this collection honours and showcases the exceptional talent of the jeweler Desrues, the feather maker Lemarie, the milliner Maison Michel, the boot maker Massaro, the lace embroiderer Maison Lesage, the embroiderer Montex, the glove maker Causse and the Scottish cashmere company Barrie knitwear – a recent acquisition of the House of CHANEL.

Scotland, a country that Gabrielle Chanel discovered with the Duke of Westminster, became the source of her inspiration for tweed creations and knitted cardigans. In choosing Scotland as the scene of this Metiers d’Art collection, Karl Lagerfeld once again reinvented the history and codes of the House with renewed creativity.

The collection included many classic Scottish design elements, such as tartan, tweed, fur and layers of wool. Fashion’s greatest storyteller Karl Lagerfeld modernized the idea and came up with some very cool oversized and boyish highland looks, which were juxtaposed by very feminine details, like bows and embroideries adding a very Shakespearean appeal.

After the show, guests walked through the torch-lit grounds of the Palace, to the dramatic sound of Scottish bagpipes, arriving at a dinner and party held in Karl Lagerfeld’s honour which was followed by a performance by the British singer and songwriter Jake Bugg.

Just beautiful…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Thanks to my friend Catherine who surprised me with those to-die-for sugar shapes, I have discovered Belle de Sucre, a brand that is almost too good to eat. Every little piece is handmade in the headquarter in Cornou, just South of Paris. Claire Vincent, the founder, came up with the idea to use different colours, shapes and flavours, all made from organic ingredients including fruit pulp and cocoa beans, making them a guilt-free pleasure as well as a work of art.

Adorably packaged and poetically designed, the collection, including must-haves like little handbags, flowers, hearts and lips, is already flying off the shelves! The perfect little surprise for a beloved friend or to decorate your Christmas table.

In Switzerland, Belle de Sucre products are exclusively available at Globus.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Belle de Sucre and © Sandra Bauknecht

“The best gift of all comes from the heart. It’s a song that you share or a smile that you start, it’s the love that you give… .” This is my daughter’s favourite Christmas song and I love the message. When it comes from the heart, every action becomes more beautiful.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money, it is more the time you invest to make somebody else happy. My friend Tine recently surprised me with this handmade cookie jar filled with glittering biscuits. Isn’t it the perfect gift for someone you love? All you need is some hot glue, cute ribbons, one or two flat Christmas ornaments and of course a canning jar. The decoration only depends on your individual tastes, have fun!

Speaking of love, today is my Dad’s 70th birthday! Happy Happy Birthday to the best father I could have wished for. I am blessed to you have you in my life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht