Sandra‘s Closet

Anticipation is the greatest joy and what a better way to indulge in the holiday season than getting a luxurious advent calendar that will get you even more excited for Christmas.

As usual, click on the highlighted product description to be transferred to the shop directly.

Forte Beads 18-karat gold and multi-stone advent calendar by Carolina Bucci

This advent calendar is my winner this year. How cool is that? Thanks to Carolina Bucci’s advent calendar, you’ll have a completed bracelet by Christmas day – every drawer is nestled with two beads that you can arrange on the Lurex cord with 18-karat gold charms. Each one has been hand-carved from unique gemstones for a joyful play of colors.

25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar by NET-A-PORTER

The NET-A-PORTER Advent Calendar might be in your letter to Santa, but don’t leave it in your Wish List – the annual set sells out notoriously fast. Carefully edited by the beauty buying team, 2022’s round-up showcases the year’s heroes: a mix of team favorites and best-sellers to power through a season of parties and pamper nights. Expect plenty of industry stalwarts and new discoveries for 2023’s top shelf.

Advent Calendar 2022 by Dr. Barbara Sturm

Including an extensive array of full sizes and minis from her coveted range of skin and haircare, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s advent calendar ensures you step into 2023 at your most radiant. Regenerative Purslane – the aesthetic specialist’s hero active – features across many, and they’re house in an elegant box inspired by jewelry cases.

Holiday 2022 Advent Calendar by Acqua di Parma

Twenty-five gifts of colours and joy in an explosion of hues and radiance, only with Acqua di Parma’s Advent Calendar, the star of the Holiday Collection dressed in a visual symphony of the Maison’s golden shades of yellow with seasonal accents of red and green. The one-of-a-kind print is inspired by a Florentine artisanal technique by Italian craftsmen. The countdown to the Holidays begins as every window unveils a daily surprise to immerse in the complete Acqua di Parma universe, from Colonia and Blu Mediterraneo to Signatures of the Sun and the Home Collection. The hatbox is inspired by a luminous Italian home and makes for a stunning addition to your space.

Women 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar and
Men 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, both by Clarins

This is a must for all love birds. There’s no better way to countdown to the festive season than with two advent calendars, one for her and one for him. Each has 12 drawers filled with an array of the brand’s must-have products. For her, it reveals make-up, skincare and body surprises to pamper and indulge in ahead of the big day, with favourites such as the brand’s bestselling Double Serum – a guaranteed favourite for healthy skin. More treats come in the form of the SOS Pure Mask, the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector and the Cleansing Micellar Water. For him, he will find everything for an ultra-refreshing skincare routine, including the ClarinsMen Energising Eye Gel, Active Face Wash, Super Moisture Lotion and Fresh Face Scrub. The small sized products are all so great for travelling!

Advent Calendar 2022 by Dior

Upgrade on the advent calendars of Christmases past for Dior’s spectacular iteration. Housed in a smart navy box, it’ll open to reveal 24 windows just waiting to be opened, overlaid with a delicate illustration of the brand’s Parisian Maison surrounded by celestial figures and constellations – the perfect depiction of this magical time of year. As the days roll by, you’ll discover a number of Dior delights, from perfume and lipstick to luxurious skincare and even mini candles.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Le Byblos St. Tropez is so much more than a hotel, it is a whole way of life. It is one of my favorite spots in the world and I always feel home away from home. What is the Gstaad Palace in winter for me, is the Byblos Saint Tropez in summer.

Finally, I can take some holiday feeling back home with the beautiful Byblos scented candle that is created in collaboration with the oldest candlemaker in the world – the House of Trudon.

The candle is made in a colour exclusive to Byblos and is limited to only 55 numbered pieces, an homage to the 55th anniversary of the Byblos. Each candle is a reflection of extraordinary know-how and is recognisable by the emblems of both houses as well as its highly unusual orange glass. The Cyrnos fragrance, with its lemon, lavender and pine notes, resonates with the joie de vivre that permeates life on the French Riviera. Available as 270g for CHF €130.

To shop the candle, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Byblos St. Tropez / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Are you looking to lighten up the mood at your office or home? Then look no further than to this playful doorstop from Loewe which is designed to look like a cactus, complete with colorful handcrafted textured flowers. Weighted with a stone at the center, it’s wrapped in woven leather and has a braided handle at the top so you can move it around easily. It makes a fun housewarming gift and is definitely a conversation starter.

To shop the cactus woven leather doorstop by Loewe, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Loewe
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

THE MAGIC OF A MEDITERRANEAN AWAKENING
The Italian fashion brand forte_forte celebrates Mirto di Panarea
forte_forte and Acqua di Parma are teaming up for the first time in an all- Italian love story. The «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» moniker is the result of the collaboration between a fashion house with a dreamy allure, focused on creating timeless designs filled with emotions, and a Maison symbolic of the most refined Italian style. The two houses share a passion for craftsmanship and for Made in Italy culture, for the atmospheres of Italian landscapes and for a pure and spontaneous beauty inspiring a revitalising rebirth. They come together to celebrate Mirto di Panarea, one of Acqua di Parma’s most loved fragrances.
More than just another capsule collection, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» evokes the magic of Spring and its rebirth, inspired by the aromas and colours of the fascinating Aeolian island. This kaleidoscope of emotions radiates a new freedom, fluttering on the wings of a butterfly and a dragonfly. An iridescent atmosphere, vibrating with light and energy.

forte_forte aims to eliminate the distance between clothes and the wearer, by placing the focus on feelings and emotions. This joint project between the brother and sister team of Giada and Paolo Forte began in 2002 with a limited collection of hand-finished tee shirts. The fashion house creates special designs in which the Made in Italy is represented by the quality of the garments and a constant research driven by the desire to create pieces that are in complete symbiosis with the wearer’s body. This concept perfectly matches with Acqua di Parma’s core values.

What does a fashion design share with a fragrance?
«In this exciting story, the alliance between a fashion design and a fragrance generates a dynamic choreography that transports us into a dreamlike world, filling our senses with emotions and magic. Together, they create an intimate and special bond with our soul and body, enveloping it in a wonderful embrace.» – Giada Forte

A mythical landscape that lives in the delicate and dreamy design created by forte_forte for the Maison. Butterflies and dragonflies spread their coloured wings, in a fluttering flight that celebrates freedom and rebirth and that is reflected in a kaleidoscope of flowers abloom. The radiant yellow Parma tones alternate with the violet of myrtle berries, the symbol of an island suspended in time, on an aquamarine background with pearlescent reflections. Everything vibrates with life, whilst in the air you can breathe the scents of aromatic herbs that grow spontaneously and free-flowing in the Mediterranean scrub ecosystem.

The heart of the collection is the Mirto di Panarea fragrance in the novel 100ml format. The luxurious aesthetics of forte_forte dialogues with the regenerating notes of the fragrance. The aromatic warmth of myrtle is combined with basil, sparkling citrus accents of lemon and bergamotto di Calabria. In the heart of the fragrance accents of sea breeze meet jasmine and rose. The base notes intensely shine with mastic and juniper combined with cedar and amber.

Joyful and modern, the motif wraps around the cylinder box and the green coloured glass bottle that calls to mind the fragile beauty of ceramics. Made with a bright and special iridescent paper, the packaging, like a forte_forte dress, surprises and makes you dream, creating an intimate and exciting bond with those who opt for this fragrance. The outer cylinder is embellished with a small crochet decoration, its shape recalls a warm and bright sun. The charm scoubidou around the bottle cap in cobalt blue and fluorescent yellow tones and with a precious gold medallion, can be transformed into a bracelet or an anklet, a hair clip or a colourful and joyful keychain.

Apart from the fragrance, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» includes the Discovery Set with the three fragrances Mirto di Panarea, Arancia di Capri and Fico di Amalfi in 12ml vials. The box, entirely covered with forte_forte designs, invites you to discover the authentic essences of the Italian Mediterranean. The Mirto di Panarea scented candle, a unique interior design element, with the glass decorated with the kaleidoscopic motif of flowers and butterflies embossed also on the packaging, will fill the house with the sparkling awakening notes of the Mediterranean nature.

«forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» also embraces sustainability in line with the programme of the Maison «Acqua di Parma Futura». The outer packaging is made of fine paper approved by FSC, an international certificate for responsible forest management throughout the world.
The fragrance bottle, with a recycled plastic cap, features a separable dispenser to make recycling easier. «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» is a fragrant dream that unites two Italian stories in a tale of emotions.

Mirto di Panarea Eau de Toilette 100ml: CHF 153
Candle 200gr: CHF 87
Discovery Set: CHF 75

I am off to Italy today with Brunello Cucinelli… so excited for another love story!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, we honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Looking at the news right now, I wish we could unite women to have more female presidents leading countries worldwide. I am truly convinced we would have a better world. To all those strong and amazing women out there, this day belongs to you!

LoL, Sandra

Printed organic cotton-jersey T-shirt by Jennifer Fischer

Better Days Plate by Yinka Ilori

Set of three enamel and gold-tone bracelets by Roxanne Assoulin

Love GG-Supreme canvas bag by Gucci

Titty Committee set of two mini earthenware jugs by Anissa Kermiche

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Jo Malone London celebrates the rose by introducing a collection of scents, from light and fresh to deep and voluptuous, honouring this iconic fragrance note.
Four distinctive scents offer a different interpretation of the queen of the flower beds, decorated in special-edition glass designs with tonal details. The collection includes colognes and home scents, allowing customers to enjoy the scent of freshly cut flowers as part of their everyday or in their home.

Each one makes a thoughtful gift for fans of floral fragrances, with no need for a vase and water.
«Over the years, we’ve created many different rose fragrances for many different collections. Almost unconsciously, we keep coming back to the rose, so it just felt natural that we should celebrate this timeless flower with a collection of its own.» – Global Head of Fragrance, Céline Roux

THE SCENTS:

RED ROSES
A romantic rose scent. Inspired by a blend of seven of the world’s most exquisite roses. With crushed violet leaves and a hint of lemon, it unfolds like a bouquet
of freshly cut flowers.
Top: Lemon
Heart: Red Roses Accord
Base: Honeycomb
Available in a decorated 30ml and 100ml Cologne, Home Candle and Diffuser.

VELVET ROSE & OUD
A decadent rose scent. Darkest Damask rose. Rich and textural, wrapped with smoky oud wood. Spiked with clove, decadent with praline.
Top: Clove
Heart: Damask Rose
Base: Oud
Available in a decorated 50ml Cologne Intense and Home Candle.

ROSE & MAGNOLIA
An enchanting rose scent. A sensual floral with a mysterious character.
Luminous magnolia and a duet of roses. A decadent heart of sweet and petaly
Rose de Mai, warmed by the spicy opulence of Rose Damascena, draped in sensuous patchouli and warm amber.
Top: Magnolia
Heart: Rose
Base: Patchouli
Available in a decorated 50ml Cologne.

ROSE BLUSH
A petal-fresh rose scent. The charm of blushing pink rose petals. Vibrant basil
and a juicy note of lychee add a modern twist to this pretty floral scent,
cocooned in the comforting embrace of white musk.
Top: Basil Grand Vert
Heart: Rose
Base: White Musk
Available in a decorated 50ml Cologne.

THE FULL LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTION
Red Roses Cologne 30ml RRP £55 / €61 / CHF 76
Red Roses Cologne 100ml RRP £107 / €124 / CHF 142
Red Roses Home Candle RRP £52 / €59 / CHF 86
Red Roses Diffuser RRP £68 / €82 / CHF 96
Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense 50ml RRP £90 / €103 / CHF 120
Velvet Rose & Oud Home Candle RRP £52 / €59 / CHF 104
Rose & Magnolia Cologne 50ml RRP £76 / €88 / CHF 94
Rose Blush Cologne 50ml RRP £76 / €88 / CHF 94
Available online and Jo Malone stores and counters from now.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? I am with Velvet Rose & Oud! It is such a warm, seductive and captivating scent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jo Malone and © Sandra Bauknecht
@JoMaloneLondon #JoMaloneLondonRoses
DISCLOSURE: I received some of the products to test them.

Today has been my Balmain day. The beautiful pieces of the new Barbie® x Balmain capsule collection have finally arrived in Gstaad as well as this beautiful candle from the newest collaboration of the French Maison with Trudon.

Building upon that long-standing relationship, Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, who is a long-time fan of famous candle maker, has created together with Emilie Bouge, Perfumer at Robertet Paris, the new Balmain x Trudon candle. This beautiful result of a unique partnership between the two Parisian houses, reflects the distinctive savoir-faire and style of both Balmain and Trudon.

The scent is absolutely addictive!

Bouge concocted an expert floral and feminine flourish for Ernesto’s masculine Atlas cedarwood, gunpower and cigar notes, relying on the mysterious and distinct touch of a black rose, in order to create the ideal olfactory reflection of Rousteing’s twenty-first century Balmain.

Head Notes
Bergamot, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Rhum
Heart Notes
Leather, Spices, Moss, Rose, Tobacco
Base Notes
Cistus, Musk, Patchouli

270g Candle: € 120 –  2,8kg Candle: € 600

This very limited candle is available at SPITZENHAUS ZURICH.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Trudon and © Sandra Bauknecht 

All good things come wrapped in bows, and Roger Vivier‘s «Jewel Box» is a real treat to open. The red grosgrain ribbons unravel to reveal a thoughtfully curated selection of accessories, including a pair of gold-tone crystal earrings, a velvet headband topped with bejeweled buckle and a sparkly acrylic hair clip detailed with the brand’s logo. The lucky recipient can admire themselves and their new gifts using the mirror inside. I am in love. Valentine’s Day is coming up and this would be the perfect surprise.

TO SHOP THE JEWEL BOX GIFT SET, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Roger Vivier
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Gift sets are a great way to treat a fellow beauty lover or yourself. Whether your complexion needs lifting, smoothing, brightening or plumping, it will always benefit from a targeted regimen. Enjoy these three curated sets of skincare saviors.

Best for smoothing lines and wrinkles: DR. BARBARA STURM – The Super Set

Any good anti-aging approach takes hands into consideration – they’re exposed to the wind, UV rays and pollutants as much as our face, and are even more prone to dehydration and premature aging with today’s stringent handwashing demands. That’s why this super trio from Dr. Barbara Sturm pairs the brand’s Anti-Aging Hand Cream – packed with mega-hydrators aloe vera, prickly pear and hyaluronic acid – with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient-rich Serum and Face Cream from the same range. All three come housed in a reusable, grey velvet pouch that’s as coveted as the firmer, smoother, plumped-up skincare results delivered over time.

Best for head-to-toe hydration: AUGUSTINUS BADER – The Icons with the Cream

The skin on your body deserves as much attention as the skin on your face, and this double act from Augustinus Bader will help you elevate these two self-care rituals. Both The Rich Cream – a more indulgent, extra-hydrating version of the original cult moisturizer – and The Body Cream are infused with the brand’s Trigger Factor Complex, a bespoke blend that activates the body’s own stem cells so you get major anti-aging benefits (think fewer lines, less redness and pigmentation). Really knead the body cream into particularly dry areas, including knees, elbows and over hips and thighs to address cellulite, too.

Best for clearing congested skin: EVE LOM – Rescue Ritual Gift Set

Pore size and texture make a big difference to the look of your complexion, and these two full-sized iconic products work in tandem to purify and clear skin that’s prone to blemishes and visible pores or in need of a deep cleanse. On top of effortlessly removing waterproof makeup, Eve Lom’s signature cleanser blends four aromatic plant oils to open pores, tone skin and boost circulation without overtaxing the skin. Apply the kaolin clay-packed Rescue Mask to really draw out impurities and grime from pores, while buffing away dead skin cells with the set’s muslin cloth.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © NET-A-PORTER
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

In times of quarantine and lockdowns, during holiday season or just for fun, board games  are always a welcome distraction of the day. If you have a fellow fashionista friend, this could be a great gift idea. Board games have been rendered in a variety of shapes and materials by several fashion houses, from luxe crystal-embellishments to sturdy wood. I have gathered some of the most beautifully designed chess sets and game boards that are sure to delight everyone from game novices to Kasparov-level players.

LoL, Sandra

Lambskin, resin and silver metal, black and ecru checkers set by CHANEL (Métiers d’Art 2021 Le Château des Dames) (FYI, the Zurich store has one set left)

Chess set by Prada

Acrylic chess set by Jonathan Adler

Horsecut chest game by Hermès

Crystal-embellished Dominoes game by Rosantica

K/Ikonik monogram card game by Karl Lagerfeld

Barocco Medusa puzzle game by Versace

Decorative backgammon set by L’Objet

Nudes tournament size backgammon set by Alexandra Llewellyn

Helios mahjong set by Hermès

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.