Sandra‘s Closet

Hawaii Collection by OPI brings the fresh, bright colors of its namesake islands to nails and toes this summer. This new collection features a palette ranging from muted tones of mint, peach, pink and nude to bolder hues of coral, green, purple and gold to deep tones of mauve, violet, brick red and shimmery blue.

When I spotted the press release, I reminded myself that I still had this draft about a tour around Maui from 2012 that I haven’t published yet. Who has ever been there knows about its magic. The beautiful beaches, surfing, the weather, the islands’ lush greenery, colorful flowers, and yummy fish, the landscape that ranges from Scottish Highlands to a tropical rainforest, all together inspired those 12 fresh new nail shades.

“Printed, flowing fabrics dominated spring runways, with patterns and graphics in both bold and muted hues. Warm, ethereal neutrals in shades of rose, peach and mint added a soft, feminine note,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. “That’s Hula-rious!, a pastel mint green from the Hawaii Collection, was seen at Charlotte Ronson’s S/S 2015 NYFW show; this shade was used to create a cutout half moon manicure that complemented the designer’s youthful presentation.”

Hawaii Collection by OPI includes the following shades in both nail lacquer and GelColor formulas:

That’s Hula-rious!
This pastel mint green makes me dance with joy!

My Gecko Does Tricks
Being bright and pearly green is just one of its talents.

Do You Take Lei Away?
On second thought, I can’t wait – I need this creamy nude now!

Is Mai Tai Crooked?
Get it straight – this fruity orange crème is fabulous!

Go with the Lava
Flow You can feel the heat shimmering off this golden red.

Aloha from OPI
Let’s give a warm island hello to this bright creamy coral!

Suzi Shops & Island Hops
A light and happy pink that’s the perfect traveling companion.

Just Lanai-ing
Around This dark, creamy mauve says “hang loose!” in style.

Hello Hawaii Ya?
In this gorgeous, dusky purple, I’m doing just fine.

This Color’s Making Waves
This shimmery, lagoon blue has got heads turning.

Lost My Bikini In Molokini
With this reef-inspired purple, what’s one bikini more or less?

Pineapples Have Peelings Too!
The heart of the matter lies in this gold shimmer with colorful sparkle.

Hawaii nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. The new shades will be available in both nail lacquer and GelColor formulas from 15th February, 2015.

If you are interested in some previous posts from Maui, click on the highlighted links below:

Aloha from Maui

On Top of the Volcano – Maui Sunset Dinner

Last Night in Maui – Four Seasons Maui at Wailea

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of OPI, Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Capitalising on its position in London’s most fashionable district, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London announces an exclusive partnership with French high end luxury Maison Chloé, as the S/S 2015 collections arrive in stores, commencing Thursday 12th February 2015.

In celebration of London Fashion Week, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is offering guests a special package in luxurious accommodation, with the opportunity to own the Drew ahead of London Fashion Week and experience a limited edition Chloé afternoon tea at The Rosebery with Chloé Fizz champagne cocktails.

Drew medium textured-leather shoulder bag

The Chloé Debuts package starts at GBP 1,722 and includes:
• One night’s accommodation for two in a Knightsbridge Turret Suite with sweeping views of the UK’s fashion capital
• À la carte breakfast for two people over looking Hyde Park
• Personalised service at Chloé on Sloane Street to receive Chloé’s ‘Drew’ bag
• Chloé Love Story perfume
• Chloé-inspired afternoon tea for two people in the enchanting tea room, The Rosebery

The Rosebery

For an aficionado experience in February 2015, guests visiting The Rosebery for a limited edition Chloé-inspired afternoon tea and a Chloé Fizz cocktail will be able to view a mannequin showcasing the fashion collection in the lobby of the hotel and two vetrines displaying the Drew bag in a variety of different colours and patterns.

Drew small python shoulder bag

The Drew bag is a delicate, modern saddlebag with round, sculpted lines, it features an elegant turn lock system, in perfect harmony with its knotted fob chain and horseshoe pivots. Available in three sizes, this cross–body style offers an effortless transition from daytime to evening, with crisp raw edging on sumptuous materials.

Terms and conditions
The package is valid from Thursday 12th February 2015 to Monday 9th March 2015. Reservations are subject to availability, inclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3773, or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Manadrin Oriental and Chloé

A Happy 2015 to everyone! I hope that you started the New Year as wonderful as I did. The last day of the year was just perfect. The sky was crisp blue, the sun was shining and I had a lovely fondue lunch at Wassergrat on top of the mountain where I enjoyed the most stunning views over the Alps. If you are there, you have to try their meringue dessert. It is to die for.

New Year’s Eve itself, I spent at the Gstaad Palace Hotel, a night among friends that was truly perfect. To a prosperous 2015 that hopefully will be as fantastic as it started.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Dear readers, I am wishing you a Happy New Year from Gstaad! Again, we are gifted with 365 days to play with, to fill them up with whatever our hearts desire. A new year is the best time to make fresh new beginnings. May the year 2015 be like a blank book that is waiting for our imagination to fill up its 365 pages with love, emotions, unexpected incidents, adventures and magic moments so that we will have no regrets at the end of the annual cycle.

The beauty of life is that it is full of surprises. Who would have thought that I could ride a camel in Gstaad?! When you get a chance, visit Leonard at the Bellevue Gstaad, he is an institution.

To an amazing New Year’s Eve!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

This week I flew to Bangkok to attend the launch celebration of the fifth Cabinet of Curiosities, the acclaimed yearly pop-up exhibition, that is presented this time by Siwilai, the renowned multi-brand concept store. More will be coming up soon about this event.

Wednesday evening, the exclusive pre-opening dinner took place at Bo.lan, one of the world’s best Thai restaurants, located in Sukhumvit. We enjoyed fine dining at its best, a very spicy Thai cuisine created from age old recipes. After we had finished, the most fun part of the night took place. We were all driven to the after party at Sugar Ray You’ve Just Been Poisoned (to be taken literally) in tuk-tuks. What a fun and very fast ride through the city of Bangkok.

Before I left to the event, those pictures of my outfit were taken on the terrace of my hotel, the Okura Prestige, a luxurious and contemporary five-star hotel.

My look for the night: Nude dress with pleated skirt, cutout suede sandals and scalloped laser-cut leather waist belt, all by Azzedine Alaïa, cloquet nappa leather bag Swarovski crystals and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings, both by Miu Miu, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, diamond bracelet and ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

The two protagonists: Barom Bhicharnchitr (Managing Director of Central Embassy and Siwilai) and Thomas Erber (Founder of Le Cabinet de Curiosités).

Lovely international company at the dinner table at Bo.lan.

A fun tuk-tuk ride with Swiss-Thai designer Laend Phuengkit, who also designed some limited edition pieces for the exhibition.

A truly fun night – stay tuned for more coming up from Bangkok soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I flew to Paris to attend the rest of fashion week. At Zurich airport, I got myself this perfect expert nail makeup set MANUCURE COUTURE COLLECTION by Dior for around CHF 86.00. It includes everything you need for a perfect manicure in mini sizes, from nail polish remover to the house’s iconic base and top coat as well as some classic shades. Love it, it is so perfect for traveling! Available around the globe at Duty Free shops.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s photos were taken at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany. The probably largest and longest-lasting open air gallery in the world is actually an international memorial for freedom. With 1.3 km, it is the longest remaining part of the Berlin Wall, located near the city centre on Muehlenstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, next to the river Spree.

The East Side Gallery consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, painted in 1990 on the east side of the Berlin Wall.

Inspired by yesterday’s post about Rihanna who’s sporting the military trend for our September 2014 cover of L’OFFICIEL Schweiz/Suisse, here is a gun salute to the revival of military chic fashion this fall. Therefore I went through my closet to look for my S/S 2010 Balmain pieces – the season when it had been up-to-date the last time.

My look: Military shirt and khaki tank top, both by Balmain (from the S/S 2010 collection, for the new F/W 2014 pieces, please click HERE), pants by Alexander McQueen (similar ones HERE), sneakers by Prada Sport, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, sunglasses by Valentino and Boy Bag with chains by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Hitchhiking with Chanel

One of the most impressive paintings at the East Side Gallery: Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing by Dmitri Vrubel.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I love flying light with only hand luggage but it is always a nightmare in terms of finding small travel sizes of fluid beauty products. Here are some for the hair that I explored this summer, all come in TSA approved carry on travel size. It is also a great way to try new beauty essentials.

Sebastian Re-Shaper, 50ml, CHF 8.00
Sebastian Drynamic, 75ml, CHF 16.00
Sebastian Whipped Creme, 27ml, CHF 10.00
Sebastian Mousse Forte, 50ml, CHF10.00
Sebastian Trilliance Shampoo, 50ml, CHF 7.00
Sebastian Trilliance Conditioner, 50ml, CHF 7.00
SP Color Save Shampoo, 30ml, CHF 4.00
SP Color Save Mask, 30ml, CHF 4.50
SP Repair Shampoo, 30ml, CHF 4.00
SP Repair Mask, 30ml, CHF 4.50

Available at your nearest Wella Hair Salon, click here to find the closest one to you. I also recommend to check out Travel Size Hair Products, a website dedicated to hair products in small sizes. I love their slogan: “Take good hair days with you!“

The beautifully printed silk scarf “Tiger Life” is by Mourjjan, a Swiss fashion brand which is based in Klosters. They have the most amazing designs.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

This summer was very special for me. I tried different things outside of my comfort zone. With my new job as editor-in-chief of L’Officiel Switzerland, I am challenged every day and I am loving it. To be able to always come up with new ideas for the magazine and my blog, it is indispensable for me to to feed myself regularly with new experiences!

Here you see me in the Italian Alps at Courmayeur hiking and conquering the Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest and most challenging mountain. It was a wonderful trip that I will treasure forever.

Sometimes, it is good to go out of your comfort zone to let the magic happen in your life. Eat food for example you have never tried before, shop a piece of clothes that looks exotic in your closet, go on holidays alone (just got back from 10 magical days by myself in Ibiza), meet new people, watch a show or read a book you would never want to watch or read normally. It will enrich your life and enlighten you. If you don’t seek new challenges, how will you ever know what you are truly capable of?

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake or to get hurt. It will happen but no true story develops from reading and re-reading the same chapter over and over again. Sometimes not being in control is the most beautiful thing in the world. Afterwards you might be able to see things clearly again…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I flew to London for a very special and intimate dinner hosted by Net-à-Porter to celebrate one of my favorite designers Mary Katrantzou at the Blakes hotel. It is always a pleasure as Alison Loehnis, President of Net-à-Porter, brings together the most amazing women from all over the world.

Here you see me with my friend Anouschka whom I also had met at a previous event of Net-à-Porter. Some of you might recognize her from this post a few years ago when we went to an evening at the V&A museum with legendary French shoe designer Christian Louboutin. Funnily enough, we realized that we both went to the same school in Germany… what a small world. We stayed in touch and it is always great fun seeing each other.

Trio infernale reunited: Lupe and Anouschka with me.

My beloved Mary Katrantzou with me.

Meeting new friends last night: Olivia Buckingham from Hong Kong…

… and my stylish soul sister Sarah Somberg from San Francisco.

What a great gift: A one-of-a-kind art work by Mary Katrantzou.

It was an amazing night and I fell asleep like a little baby in my beautiful suite at the Blakes. A place I can totally recommend if you are looking for a small luxury boutique hotel. Stay tuned for the details of my outfit coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht