Sandra‘s Closet

I am a total yogini. I just love every bit of yoga. And while practising, I still like to look and feel good. Nike and Juicy Couture offer a great selection of yoga clothing along with some gorgeous accessories. Juicy Couture has some fun slogan tops that I truly adore and that work all day long.

In case you have not tried yoga yet, be brave and give it a chance. But be careful, it will depend very much on the teacher if you like it or not. So give several studios a chance. Believe me, it is worth it. Yoga can be a great workout and for all sportmaniacs, you can sweat a lot, too.
It will make your muscles nice, tight and long and will give your body a lot of flexibility while integrating the mind and your emotions.

In Los Angeles, I was very lucky to train with Steve Ross, the so-called Yogi to the Stars by Instyle, with his own show “Inhale” on the Oxygen network and retreat leader at Maha Yoga.

Steve with me after a training with no make-up and due to all the sweating with curly hair.

Conveying his message perfectly, he gave me a signed copy of his fabulous book “Happy Yoga”.

„Here’s the yogi truth: There’s nothing to worry about. You are whole, complete, perfect, beautiful, loving, and blissful, and you know everything there is to know.“ – Steve Ross

With this in mind, you will look fabulous each day!

In Zurich, I am also very happy to practice yoga on a regular basis with Vasili Vlachos, an amazing teacher of Greek origin that has received his essence of yoga while living and studying several years at the famous Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, the home to the living legend Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar (Guruji) himself.
Iyengar yoga uses props, such as wooden gadgets, belts, ropes, to achieve perfection in your asanas more easily. It has become my favourite way to practise.
If you are living in Zurich and are interested, please feel free to contact the Iyengar Yoga Center of  Maya & Vasili Vlachos.

Namaste!

LoL, Sandra

Some of the most important Prada icons become “mini” accessories: the shopping bag in nappa gauffrè, the backpack in nylon and the saffiano boxy shaped bag have been reinterpreted in a new 15 cm size.

Even F/W 2010’s “Yo-Yo bag” goes  “mini” and becomes  part of  Prada’s heritage. The “Mini-Bags” turn into keyrings as well, which are made with the same fabrics used to make the bags.

Prada will also launch the “Pin Up Tricks” and the “Graffiti Tricks” collections that will include some fun earrings inspired by the work of street artists.The mini gift ideas by Prada will be available from November 2010 in the Prada Stores.

Prada Lisbon

It is always worth paying a visit to a Prada store, especially when it is a brand new one because it is sure to be filled with the best pieces of the season. Last weekend, I went to Lisbon where the legendary Italian label just has opened its doors on Avenida da Liberdade.

After conquering the market in over 70 countries, Prada has finally arrived in Portugal. Designed by the architect Roberto Baciocchi, the shop has some beautiful museum-like displays, resulting in a sumptuous “boudoir” ambience where each collection has separate compartments and is organised in different environments.

And for those travelling to Lisbon, I highly recommend a visit to the new Mude –Design & Fashion Museum. Take your time as you can spend hours in there.

LoL, Sandra

Today, I will be heading back to Zurich after two amazing months in Los Angeles. For the flight, I spoiled myself with this super-luxe travel kit from Lanvin comprising of silk-satin slippers and an eyemask in a cute little pouch. I chose the leopard-print version but it also comes in nude and black.
A perfect vacation essential and a great gift for a fellow fashionista who loves to travel in style.

LoL, Sandra

Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU

Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.

When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.

Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.

It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.

Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.

Spare for a little hug?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the moment, I am in paradise, at a very quiet and calm place:
The Liwa Desert in the Empty Quarter, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world, 150 km away from Abu Dhabi. When I drove to the new Quasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, I was wondering the whole time if I probably took the wrong direction. There were no houses, people or plants. The only thing to see was sand – almost having a hypnotising effect on me. But the moment I arrived at the hotel, I couldn`t believe my eyes. In front of me lay a temple blending indigneous traditions with outstanding luxury. The tranquility of the desert had embraced me.

The photos show the views from my villa.

Last weekend I went to London and had a fab time. I stayed at the Claridge`s in Mayfair which turned out to be a fantastic choice.

After having entered the lobby, I was completely in love with their Christmas tree installation by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The innovative design gives the impression of being frozen and is a twist on tradition due to its tropical elements like dragon flies, parrots and leopards. Well done, John!

LoL, Sandra