Sandra‘s Closet

“But I just don’t want to know, ‘Cos for twenty-four years, I’ve been living next door to Alice. Alice, who the f… is Alice.”

Thinking of Alice, you might start to hum the famous song. But as a true fashionista, you have to know, who Alice is.
It is the new bag of the season, a must-have accessory from the Chloé fashion house created for the F/W 2012 collection, that has placed its bets on modern, urban elegance.

Be the first to carry this fabulous piece and pre-order it at SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM (Good news for my British and Candian readers: Free shipping from August 5-20, 2012. Simply enter promo code AFFSHIP at checkout.) and LUISAVIAROMA.COM.

LoL, Sandra

Alice large handbag in blushed pink python and vegetal calfskin
3S0160 705 41Z

Alice large handbag in husky white shiny leather and vegetal calfskin
3S0160 703 00X

Photos: Courtesy of Chloé

One year after the arrival of Prada Candy Eau de Parfum a highly exclusive Deluxe Edition is unveiled along with a Collector Edition.

Impossible to ignore, Prada Candy’s visual world is bold, unconventional and fresh, yet quality materials make it sophisticated and timeless.
Prada Candy’s novel olfactory balance combines exceptionally high-quality ingredients in excessive proportions: magnified by white musks, noble benzoin joins with a modern caramel accord to give the fragrance a truly unique signature.

Prada Candy Deluxe Edition transposes these codes on a scale that is truly opulent. The exaggerated proportions of the flacon are both extreme and elegant, a statement of luxury and lavish indulgence rarely seen in modern perfumery. Inside the statement is carried through in the parfum itself. The parfum, the fullest expression of the perfumer’s art: the ingredients are magnified to their maximum concentration bringing an intense new richness and warmth.

Prada Candy Deluxe Edition Parfum will be distributed  at highly select points of sale, for a limited time only. Available in 900ml for CHF 3000.-.

The Prada Candy Collector Edition comes with a very special treat: A genuine signature saffiano leather bracelet in hot pink hugs the top of the bottle. Embossed in golden letters “Give Me Candy”, it will be a stylish addition to your wardrobe.

Prada Candy Collector Edition Eau de Parfum is available in 80ml for CHF 141.-.
Available in September 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada Fragrances

While being in Texas, I had to see the famous Southfork Ranch, renowned as the filming location for the “Dallas” television series and went directly after my shopping spree at the Highland Park Village (click here to see also the details of my look).
My most embarrassing moment: Thanks to my coral shape heels, I fell down the grand staircase in the entry hall of the Ewing Mansion and of course, being in the United States, there was a lot of excitement and I had to fill out the “Southfork Ranch Injury Damage Report”.
My answer: “Relax and blame it on Chanel!”

Exciting news for all fans: Dallas has returned to television after two decades away.

In this Dallas, J.R.(Larry Hagman) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) continue on in Southfork, but now the focus has shifted to their sons, John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe). Of course, the boys stake out their claim on the Ewing name – albeit in disparate ways. John Ross, being the son of the more ruthless J.R., is interested solely in continuing to drill for oil, while Christopher, whose father is the kindhearted Bobby, sees his focus shifting toward alternative fuel sources and green energy.

I have started to watch it and truly enjoy seeing all the well-known faces together with the new young actors.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of TNT

The Duchess of Cambridge has made an appearance to support her country at the 2012 Olympics all royally blue. Cheering on Great Britain’s Andy Murray, Middleton was spotted radiant and happy. It was the same stunning electric blue shift dress in which she helped to open a National Portrait Gallery exhibit in London earlier.

Here are all the details to shop the look: Royal blue shift dress by Stella McCartney, Abel pointed patent-leather pumps by Jimmy Choo and Trinity necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Fan di Fendi pour Homme is the first ever Fendi men’s fragrance. And great news is that the famous English DJ, musician and music producer Mark Ronson is the face of the ad campaign.

This masculine scent aims at mysterious, sophisticated and urban men who radiate charisma and modern elegance. Therefore, the composition tends to be both fresh and modern, as well as classic and refined. Created by perfumers François Demachy, in collaboration with Delphine Lebeau and Benoist Lapouza, its character is fresh woody-aromatic.

Top notes: Sicilian mandarin, bergamot and basil
Middle notes: Pink pepper, cardomom, gardenia and Texan cedarwood
Base notes: Leather accord, tonca bean and patchouli

In the ad campaign, Anja Rubik and Mark Ronson are actually snuggling up in the back of a car. Probably you should be asking yourself if buying this scent for your better half might be dangerous because an array of women will be all over him…

CHF 83.70 (50ml) and CHF 116.10 (100ml)
Available in Switzerland from September 14, 2012 exclusively at Marionnaud.

LoL, Sandra

Mark Ronson with me at the Versace for H&M launch party in NYC
Photos: Courtesy of Fendi and © Sandra Bauknecht

For all my German and Swiss based readers, the big annabelle trend issue will be out tomorrow featuring my blogger diary from NYC Fashion Week. Most of you followed me during that exciting week. So many crazy things happened: I modeled at the Polyvore Live Fashion Show presented by Covergirl, met celebrities such as Bradley Cooper or Nicky Hilton and attended the Bloglovin’ Awards among many other events.

Below are some amazing backstage shots of the Polyvore Live fashion show. Have a look and find some inspirations for your next beauty look.

The makeup was created by celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson (follow him on Twitter @Beau_Nelson) with products by Covergirl. For me, a very different look from what I am used to wear. Light eye make-up with just a little mascara combined with bright red lips.

Hair was done by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa (follow her on Twitter @sarahpotempa) who also invented the amazing Beachwaver, an innovative curling iron that rotates in both directions to give you glamorous red carpet waves with the touch of a button. I truly hope that this product will be sold in Europe soon. For my US-readers, click here to shop.

A huge thank you to the lovely Polyvore team for letting me be part of this amazing experience. By the way, don’t you think that Polyvore‘s co-founder Pasha Sadri looks like Marc Jacobs?!

Don’t forget to enter the More Than a Feeling with Swarovski contest on Polyvore!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore and © Sandra Bauknecht

Unfortunately, I have another sad news for you: The fabulous fashion writer and style icon Anna Piaggi passed away this morning at the age of 81. The gorgeous lady was famous for her double-page spreads in Vogue Italia as well as her vibrant wardrobe.

Her fans range from Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to her pal Manolo Blahnik, who called her ‘modern beyond belief.’

Young Anna with Karl Lagerfeld

Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani tweeted:  “23 years of working together, thousands of D.P. carried out together. I will always remember you, Anna.”

I took this photo of Anna at the Louis Vuitton S/S 2011 show in Paris.

Anna, you will be missed! Thank you for making our world so much more colourful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue Italia, Style and © Sandra Bauknecht

Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus. – Oprah Winfrey

This look is inspired by the More Than a Feeling with Swarovski contest, an outfit that bursts with floral energy finished off with Prada’s super-hot summer accessories.

Floral-print devoré stretch-jersey top and matching ruched silk skirt, both by Nina Ricci, cadillac clutch, sandals with flame detail and jewel detail, earrings, bracelet, hair pin and statement necklace, all by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Meet my new friend Little Energy, one of the newest residents of LovLots City by Swarovski. The quirky and unique Emotis spread vibrant feelings through the air. This is your chance to win your own figurine. I am very proud to be the hostess for the More Than a Feeling contest in collaboration with Polyvore and Swarovski. Good luck to win the sweetest little man in the world. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred to the competition. I’ll be looking through all of the entries and judging the winner, so I can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

To inspire you a little, I will show you some of my recent adventures with Little Energy. Last month, when I went on my crazy road trip through the US, I got this cute companion in San Francisco. With his little cloud and lightning on his head, he was the perfect little mojo to take care of me. Seems to be necessary after I had hit that horrible hail storm during my trip. As you see, Energy and I had a lot of fun together. Hopefully, you will meet him soon…

So I took him to Hawaii and up to the top of the volcano Haleakalā. Little Energy was deeply impressed by the silversword plants that only grow there.

Of course, he wanted to go swimming and relaxed at the pool or in the Missoni cabanas of the Four Seasons Hotel Maui at Wailea.

When we arrived in Dallas, Texas, he wanted to have tea time at American Girl Place, get a manicure, brush his teeth and sleep a little. Energy has so much energy that he barely rest. It is hard to keep up with him.

Then I challenged him and took him on a  shopping spree at the Highland Park Village, the premier shopping destination of Dallas. Our favourite, of course Stella McCartney.

Being in Texas, we had to see a rodeo, cowboys and Fort Worth, the city that truly captures the Western spirit well.

And of course, Southfork Ranch, the famous filming location for the „Dallas“ television series that was popular in the `80s and has been continued this year.

Back in Switzerland, he found his space on my desk. Little Energy likes to watch me at work and tries to inspire me, as for example for one of my recent outfits. He finds the Prada flame heels so energizing. Don’t forget to join the competition that will end on August 9, 2012 at 11.59pm EST. 
Click here to enter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My German speaking readers will know what I am talking about. Silvia Seidel was an icon. In 1986, she played the role of Anna in the eponymous television series, followed by a motion picture in 1987, a young ballerina who finds herself paralyzed after a car accident, and afterwards learns how to walk and dance again. Because of her, ballet schools in Germany were flooded with little ballerinas. Personally speaking, she had absolutely inspired me to follow my love for dancing to that day. The dress codes were all pink, ballet slippers and tutus.

Tonight, I heard that she killed herself last week at the age of 42. I am shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of such an inspirational, extraordinary talent that unfortunately had the peak of her career at a too young age.

Rest in Peace, Silvia and thank you for the inspiration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © dapd und © Sandra Bauknecht