Sandra‘s Closet

Starting from today, I would like to make the run up to Christmas even more exciting with my fashion advent calendar. Each day, I will show you something special that might be a great gift for you or your beloved ones. For all fashionistas that found opening their chocolate-filled advent calendar this morning a little disappointing. Let’s make the festive season even more sparkling…Yes, December 1st has arrived!

Have a look at this cute Miniature Barbie Shoes Set by Christian Louboutin. In 2009/2010, the three limited edition dolls were introduced (just click on the photos below for the previous posts), this December you can add some accessories! Available among other stores at Selfridges (please click on the tiny pic above to be transfered directly).

LoL, Sandra

For all mums and kids around Zurich, good news:
There are two new shops in town waiting for you to be explored.

In Zurich-Seefeld, Gaby Knobel, owner of the well-known children’s shoe shop Lolipop, has expanded her range with a new shop just across the street. Now, in addition to the large shoe selection, she also offers beautiful clothes from Lilly Gaufrette, Diesel and Hackett among others for boys and girls aged 0-12 years old.

Lolipop Kids Fashion, Seefeldstr. 55, CH – 8008 Zurich, +41 43 211 95 85

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Karin Grossenbacher knows her business well. After her huge success with Kids Design Lakeside in Thalwil, it was perfectly natural to open a store on the other side of the lake.
Now, she sells furniture and fashion (a large selection of D&G, Miss Grant and Moncler among others) also in Erlenbach. Don’t miss the generous basement to explore the latest trends for your child’s room while your little one enjoys sliding down the stairs. Karin and her team are waiting for you.

Lakeside Erlenbach, Seestr. 71, 8703 CH – Erlenbach, +41 44 722 1810.

A lot of tips and recommendations for families with kids offers the new Swiss online family magazine Familianistas. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Probably you were like me and loved playing dress-up with your dolls when you were little. In case that you haven’t outgrown that phase or you are a mom already, I truly recommend a visit to American Girl Place.

American Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories based on ten-year-old girl characters that originally focused  on various periods of American history from the viewpoint of girls. Today, the brand, that was founded in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland and is currently owned by Mattel, includes dolls and stories about contemporary girls with one special edition each year, the so-called “Girl of the Year”.

It is truly an amazing experience to enter an American Girl Place store. Girls can choose their doll according to their own look and get the matching outfits for both. The dolls can go to the hairdresser, get their ears pierced and enjoy many more activities.

Girls can visit different camps with their doll, from a cooking class to a night at the museum.

Girls can also buy a pet for their doll with all sorts of accessories.

The historical characters tell the story of their time and kids can learn a lot about American history.

The “Girl of the Year 2011” is Kanani and she comes from Hawaii.

The “Bitty Babies” are for the smaller children. Girls can even choose a twin couple.

The café is loved by kids and the parents, a very unique experience. The dolls get their own chair and little china. Kids who don’t bring their own doll, can borrow one.

The flagship and first store debuted in Chicago followed by shops in New York and Los Angeles among other US cities. I truly hope that they will expand to Europe one day. In the meantime, have a look at their website by clicking here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos taken in the American Girl Place stores in New York and Los Angeles by Sandra Bauknecht
© Sandra Bauknecht

Me with my bloggerdoll. La Bloggerdoll is designed and handmade from Paola Ferrai.

Meet the Bloggerdolls. Designer Paola Ferrai came up with the idea to create handmade dolls inspired by different bloggers.

The details are very cute. I am personally in love with those little fur boots. LuisaViaRoma is going to sell those cuties soon online and in their shop in Florence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A sketch by Jeanne Lanvin from 1929.

Great news for this November, Lanvin will be launching a children’s line for the Summer 2012 season. In the past year, both Gucci and Stella McCartney have joined the likes of Fendi,Dior, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Prada, and more by introducing childrenswear. Now Lanvin is getting in on the action and will channel „super-luxurious“ styles for ultra-luxe little girls, aged 4-10. So please do only expect the designs to be scaled down and don’t expect the pricetags to follow.

“It’s a way to translate the universe of Lanvin ready-to-wear to the world of kids,” Alber Elbaz said in an interview, noting the collection would include dresses, tops, coats, sweaters and accessories, all in the finest materials.
The announcement couldn’t be more fitting as Jeanne Lanvin, who founded Lanvin in 1909, gained her reputation by designing clothes for mothers and daughters early in her career. She sketched designs for tots until the mid-1930s!

The collection will officially be unveiled in New York, mid-June, selling later in Milan and Paris showrooms. Deliveries are to start in late November for the spring 2012 season.

To the little Miss Lanvin! Like mother, like daughter…

LoL, Sandra

Every little girl like shoes and loves to walk around in mummy’s heels.

Therefore I have fallen in love with these little kids sandals by Lelli Kelly. The tiny heel is so cute. The straps are interchangeable and come with bows, flowers and logo.

Today is my little girl’s birthday and I am sure that she will be over the moon with her new shoes. Available in Zurich at Lolipop, for all other countries, please visit the brand’s homepage.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Now that the royal wedding is right in front of us, the princess trend is very big. In London, the epicentre of royality and the perfect fairytale setting to study the art of being a princess, this dream can come true for 7 days when signing up for the Princess Prep camp, an elite programme for girls age 8-11.

Eight little ladies are accomodated in a luxury flat in the heart of Kensington & Chelsea. All meals are served by a butler. Each day a real life princess (historical or living) is discussed and the girls have lessons in traditional etiquette. They visit the theatre and do volunteer work with a Royal Charity.

Professional US/UK staff, including trained night-nannies (not unlike Mary Poppins), meet the girls at the airport and supervise them 24 hours a day.
Session tuition is $3995 per princess (excl.flights).

If you like to enroll your daughter, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Gucci’s recent kids collection has got a very cute addition: Sunglasses for children. Designed by Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini, those shades are the perfect accessories for the mini trendsetters. For boys and girls, from 7 years on (150 CHF each).
I am sure that the kids will love the little teddybear logo that is located inside of the frame.

LoL, Sandra

GG 5001s Girls

GG 5000s Boys

While browsing the internet looking for some personalized lunchboxes and more, I came across Alphabet Goods. Laura, graphic designer, artist and mom-of-three, founded the site out of the same need.
The cute designs offer many possibilties, featuring the child’s name, initials, characterizations, hobbies and favourite foods – all served up with bold colors and tasty graphics. The products are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and break-resistant. I fell in love immediately. The newest product to be launched soon is the Face It waterbottles that you can see above.
Alphabet Goods offer worldwide shipping!

By the way, a portion of the sales is donated to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.
Thumbs up for the fashionable idea!

LoL, Sandra

Now the boys can relax and play a nice round of foosball, while the fairer sex is sure to be all over the game, too. The ultra-pink Barbie Foosball table definitely bridges the gap of gender quality.

From the imagination of young French designer Chloé Ruchon, a student at Decorative Arts School in Strausburg, comes this crazy creation. It was produced in partnership with Mattel and the Bonzini group, the worldwide leader of foosball tables.

In place of the standard aluminium figurines of soccer (or “football” in Europe) players are leggy-line-ups of Barbie dools, ready for action. Guys, don’t you dream of getting in the game with a bunch of girls in hot pants?

This super-glam spin on the game-room classic is limited to only 8 numered pieces. Bearing an asking price of $24.999.-, it is available for special order by contacting the FAO Schwarz NYC Flagship Store at + 1 (212) 644-9400 or by clicking here.

The Barbie Foosball Table belongs to Mattel’s limited “The Plastic Collection” of carefully curated Barbie items from around the world.
Enjoy some of the other stunning pieces (photos above):

1 Barbie’s Pop Art (first in series), $750.- 
2 Jonathan Adler 1959 Barbie mirror, $8800.-
3 Kitschy-cute rings made out of dolls’ shoes by jewelry designer Margaux Lange, $235.-
4 Barbie chair that references Starck’s Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck and Kartell, $650.-
5 Only 180 Commes des Garçons Barbies will be produced, each $350.-
6 Trenchcoat by Martin Grant, covered with little dolls kisses, $600.-
7 Barbie neon sign is built to order, $2500.-

Many designers have dressed the famous doll already. A real treat for the Barbie lovers and fashionistas! I am still not over my Barbie phase and would love to collect them all!

Therefore, I am dying to pay a visit to the first Barbie flagship store that has opened its doors this year in Shanghai. One thing is for sure, it captures the imagination not just of young girls, but of women of all ages.

Children can enjoy a walk on the runway in Barbie-esque clothes and learn how to sing and dance to the Barbie song. For adults there is a clothing line from Patricia Fields, the stylist behind Sex and the City, a café where you can enjoy Barbie-tinis and a day spa.

For all Barbie lovers, a little idea for a great girly birthday cake. Just put a naked Barbie in the middle and make the frosting look like her dress. Easy with an amazing effect! Your daughter is going to love you for it…

Life in plastic seems fantastic!

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday I was supposed to be in London for the launch of Stella McCartney Kids collection and to preview the two new lines High Jewellery sets by Boucheron and Private Wardrobe by Stella McCartney which is a new service for VIP- customers to receive private appointments, personal styling, exclusive events, bespoke tailoring, previews and more.
I am so happy for my card, it is like the centurion for fashionistas.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel last minute as a very excited interview came up in Zurich. You will soon know to whom I was able to talk to.

Nevertheless, I still have all the photos for you. Stella’s kids collection includes basic comfortable pieces as well as shrunken versions of the mainline.

Her fun, modern fashion for boys and girls, aged newborn to 12 years, is now available in stores and online at StellaMcCartneyKids.com with shipping in over 200 countries. It is truly worth having a look at the website. There will interactive functions for both parents and kids, such as the “playground“.

To coincidence the launch, an iPhone app can be downloaded at iTunes with special features like a mechanical drawing game and the ability to shop.

The London store has also built a very special interactive corner for kids of all ages making shopping a real fun adventure.

Her new fine jewellery line is inspired by „romance, intimacy and secrets“.
The capsule collection includes five dainty pieces in timeless yellow gold (see photos below) that compliment every outfit perfectly. Prices range from £645.-.

I love the kissing pendant… Santa, do you hear me?

LoL, Sandra