As you already know, I am a huge fan of Matthew Williamson. So of course, I paid a visit to his NYC store in the Meatpacking District on 14th street during my last visit.
The shop’s bridal section is just so wonderful. If I weren’t married already, it would be my absolute dream to wed in one of those gowns. If you are based in Europe, I recommend a visit to the London store.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Just around the corner of the Dream Downtown hotel in the trendy Meatpacking District is the beautiful Bond N. 9 store on Washington Street. In case that you are not familiar with the brand, Bond N. 9 is a major, full-blown fragrance collection that was launched as an homage to New York City. The name is also the address of its headquarters boutique at 9 Bond Street in NoHo.
The Bond No. 9 collection of women’s, men’s, and unisex eaux de parfum has a dual mission: To restore artistry to perfumery, and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own. Each fragrance represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility. With new introductions in the coming seasons, Bond N. 9 infuses the island of Manhattan with scents.
Also available are scented body creams and candles.
One of my favourite Bond N.9 fragrances is Chinatown with notes of peach blossoms, gardenia, tuberose, patchouli, and cardamom.
A new addition to the Bond N°9 New York Midtown family is New York Amber with notes of bergamot, saffron, nutmeg, white peppercorn, magestic rose, jasmine, osmanthus, oud, amber, sandalwood, musk, myrrh and benzoin tears.
This eau de parfum has a different, interesting twist to the classic note of amber. I absolutely love it. To be launched in Switzerland this December.
Another new eau de parfum is I LOVE NEW YORK which exists for her, for him and in an unisex version. I LOVE NEW YORK for Her is an easy-to-wear; easy to love pastry gourmand fragrance with notes of mandarin zest, spicy nutmeg, blueberry accord, roses, pink peonies, patchouli, musk, vanilla, sandalwood and leather accord. So yummy!
Outside of the store, you can see the I LOVE NEW YORK car! Pretty cool, isn’t it?
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
My look for the SBNB dinner last Thursday: Ruffled dress with zipper by Givenchy and stretch-jersey thigh boots with hoop detail by Givenchy, watch by Roger Dubuis and gold cuff by Stella McCartney.
If you like it, you can start shopping by clicking on the highlighted designer name.
Have a lovely week!
LoL, Sandra
Luisa Via Roma is running an exciting competition: This is your chance to WIN A 30K SHOPPING SPREE! To take part in this contest, simply click on the highlighted text or the ad below and create a total look using items from the website.
Publish your creation with a short description to explain the idea behind the look. The author of the look that receives the most votes from the public and the jury, will win a 30,000 Euro shopping spree with the exclusive opportunity to come to the latest edition of FIRENZE4EVER in January. This is a unique experience where the winner will take part in a “shop till you drop” session in Luisa Via Roma’s flagship store in the heart of Florence with one of the top fashion bloggers who will act as a personal shopper.
All entries must be received by the 7th of December (for further contest rules, please visit the Luisa Via Roma website). The winner will be announced in December. Firenze4Ever is to take place between the 5th and 8th January 2012. I will be there and would love to meet one of my readers! Good luck!
LoL, Sandra
Today, net-à-porter has released a gown almost identical to Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress that she wore to her sister Kate’s royal wedding to Prince William on April 29 this year.
The cowl-neck dream designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is not exactly the same and comes with minor differences to the original gown. It has for example a covered zip at the back instead of fabric buttons and the sleeves and neck seams have been alternated. Pippa’s version was made of heavy ivory silk and a customized order.
In the mood for pulling a Pippa? I just couldn’t resist…
LoL, Sandra
Tata, we have a lucky winner for the amazing one-of-a-kind purple dress by Versace for H&M. As I told you there are only two in the world.
I wore mine to the Versace for H&M pre-sale last Wednesday with a black blazer by Stella McCartney, “Opaque” tights by Fogal, suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, “Nightingale” bag with panther print by Givenchy and my beloved “Diorette” ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.
And the winner is… Courtney from Ancaster, Canada who will rock that dress with golden high heels and accessories to a holiday cocktail party. She will hopefully send me some pics along to feature her look here.
Thank you to my dear subscribers from everywhere in the world for participating! The winner of this prize draw was chosen at random. Stay tuned as there will be another exciting competition coming soon on Sandra’s Closet.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Streetstrut
For all beauty junkies among you, check out the fabulous Christmas sets by Origins. Those kits packed with their bestselling products mean huge savings while being the perfect gifts for your loved ones or of course for yourself!
Don’t waste your time with gift wrap this season. Instead opt for one of these ready-made luxury box sets. Here are some of my favourites:
GO GINGER
I am especially in love with the idea of gingering myself this winter! The GO GINGER gift box comes beautifully packaged, with a travel-size Ginger Souffle™ whipped body cream, an Incredible Spreadable™ ginger body scrub that I am addicted to, and a Ginger Bust™ savory body wash. CHF 32.00
FAMOUS FAVOURITES
Give it all with this tremendous collection of Origins favourites! This set includes: Plantscription™ anti-aging serum, Starting Over™ age-erasing moisturizer with mimosa, Starting Over™ age-erasing eye cream with mimosa, Modern Friction™ nature’s gentle dermabrasion, Ginger Souffle™ Whipped body cream and Incredible Spreadable™ ginger body scrub, CHF 129.00.
PERFECTLY PROTECTED
Sneak nature’s age-fighters under their tree. This value set includes: full-size A Perfect World™ white tea skin guardian, A Perfect World™ SPF 25 age-defense moisturizer with white tea, A Perfect World™ antioxidant cleanser with white tea. CHF 84.00
MASK DUO
Purifies and hydrates – oh, what fun! The Origins Mask Duo set includes Clear Improvement® active charcoal mask to clear pores and Drink Up™ intensive overnight mask to quench skin’s thirst. CHF 46.00
As you know, I am a huge fan of Origins products and not only because of the amazing quality but due to its packaging. If you travel a lot like I do, you will appreciate less packaging. Many high-end creams come in gigantic pots to appear even more luxurious and of course bigger. Origins can do without that! Thumbs up for this ecofriendliness!
If you are at the Origins counter, have a look at another new product, so-called Super Spot Remover™ blemish treatment gel that has advanced blemish-fighting super powers. (It is true! I am completely sold on this product.)
Designed to treat and manage breakouts, it is formulated with powerful naturally-derived ingredients that penetrate pores to eliminate stubborn, embarrassing blemishes. Skin is allowed to heal while existing scarring is visibly reduced and the development of new blemishes is prevented. Skin emerges spotless. 10ml – CHF 24.00
No more pimples, praise the Lord!
LoL, Sandra
39-year-old Latin singer Ricky Martin and 28-year-old rapper Nicki Minaj took over as faces from Lady Gaga for MAC’s new 2012 Viva Glam campaign. Shot by famous photgrapher David LaChapelle, the two stars pose next to a giant lipstick.
The collection is for a good cause. Every cent of the selling price of MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipgloss is donated to the MAC AIDS fund.
LoL, Sandra
Don’t hold back with colour and spice up your F/W 2011 season. Infuse the hues of autumn leaves straight into your wardrobe. Blast away your winter blues with spice colours such as mustard, curry, russet, pumpkin orange and gingerbread brown, sure to keep your spirits up in the bitter cold.
I put together some of my favourite pieces for you and included some photos that I took at the spice market in Istanbul. If you like something, just click on the highlighted designer name for an immediate shopping experience!
Have fun!
LoL, Sandra
This mink shoulder wool tweed trench coat by Burberry Prorsum makes an amazing fashion statement during the cold season.
This felted wool coat by Space has a great price and is a classic piece that you will keep for many more seasons to come.
What a stunner! Make a stunning entrance in this floor-sweeping gown by Roksanda Ilincic .
Fendi has launched many It-bags during the last years, from the iconic “Spy bag” to the “Baguette clutch”. This fall, fashionistas crave for the Chamelon colour-block tote that will stay a must for next summer.
Pair this standalone piece by Fendi with a simple black dress for high impact, low effort style.
Channeling fall’s penchant for all things texture, this shaggy statement coverup by Maurizio Pecoraro will lend every wardrobe a hit of directional cool straight from the runway.
Keep warm in style with Paul Smith‘s striped wool knitted hat.
Take a playful approach to this season’s ’60s-inspired style in Gianluca Capannolo‘s bright wool coat.
Make a head-turning statement at cocktails in Carven‘s merlot wool-blend dress.
Christopher Bailey breaks from tradition with a trendy spin on the Burberry Prorsum Meniconic trench coat.
Yves Saint Laurent‘s “Muse Two” is a modern classic and a wonderful addition to every closet.
Simple design can make the boldest statement and Nicholas King‘s jewelry pieces are an effortlessly directional adornment.
Etro‘s metallic silk-blend lurex dress is the perfect piece for the imminent party season.
Proenza Schouler‘s iconic PS1 Keep All gets an on-trend makeover for fall in Navajo-inspired jacquard. My absolute must!
Detailed with a signature horsebit and buckle strap, Ralph Lauren Collection‘s sleek boots will make a polished addition to your footwear collection.
Giuseppe Zanotti‘s killer heels spice up every outfit!
Tap into a ladylike retro mood with this fur stole by Diverso Italiano that is your fast-track to statement vintage appeal.
Photos (spice market Istanbul): © Sandra Bauknecht
This was my look for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Show last Friday in Zurich: Velvet blazer, stretch-velvet skinny pants, fur stole, ruffled silk-jacquard pussybow blouse and python platform pumps, all by Gucci, vintage quilted leather bag with python trimming by Marc Jacobs and earrings by Louis Vuitton.
Hope that you will like this tone-on-tone 70’s-inspired outfit!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
