Sandra‘s Closet

From now until to February 28, 2014, the Mandarin Oriental Munich invites guests to indulge in little fashion fantasy of their own with the Mandarin Bar’s Jimmy Choo Fashion Afternoon Tea.

One of my favorite heels by Jimmy Choo for the new season is the neon elaphe pump.

The tea set takes inspiration from Jimmy Choo’s Cruise 2014 collection and highlights the popular clutch Charlize and the stiletto Sunday. The iconic hotel’s pastry chefs have specially created a range of dainty culinary treats, such aschocolate raspberry macaroons, Jimmy Choo handbags filled with chocolate, cucumber and cream cheese and grapefruit lemon and caviar shooters which are sure to win the hearts of every fashionista.

Whether as a gift for a best friend or as a treat after a shopping tour, this special Afternoon Tea at the Mandarin Bar is a must for those with a passion for fashion who want to enjoy the sweet temptations of life.

How gorgeous is Jimmy Choo’s Cruise 2014 Candy glitter-finished acrylic clutch?!

It is priced at €39.00 per person and €55.00 per person with a glass of champagne. All guests who book the tea will a special complimentary gift set: Jimmy Choo FLASH fragrant surprise. Available from Mondays to Fridays from 3.00pm to 6.00pm. Reservations can be made through: +49 (0)89 290 98 1929.

See you there! In case that you won’t make it to Munich, check out the Prêt-à-PorTea at the Berkeley Hotel in London.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Munich and Jimmy Choo

While I am preparing all my upcoming Christmas posts, I have received today the first press mailing regarding Valentine’s Day. How crazy is this? This hard case CANDY clutch with a bold, sexy print on a glossy mirrored surface by JIMMY CHOO is so gorgeous, I had to show it to you immediately. It is part of a collection for which red is translated in a spectrum of rich deep ruby, attention grabbing neon flame to dusty rose pink hues.

Get yourselves on the wait list now, ladies!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Yesterday, Saturday, 12 o’clock in the “Schottenhamel” beer tent: By tapping the first barrel of beer and saying into the microphone “O’zapft is!” (which means: “It is tapped!”), Munich’s mayor, Christian Ude started the 180th Oktoberfest. My avid readers know, I love the Bavarian city and its “Wiesn” – this is how the locals are calling their annual party, after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds (Theresienwiese) themselves.

The fashionable crowd started a little earlier in the morning and followed the invitation of Gitta Gräfin Lambsdorff and Alexandra Freifrau von Wangenheim to the famous legendary Breakfast at Tiffany’s, from which guests were transported around 11.30am to the Oktoberfest directly. This is the place to be!

And here is your stylish WIESN GUIDE – enjoy!

Ziegfeld collection daisy charm in sterling silver with white silk ribbon by Tiffany & Co.,
€ 770.00 Euro – CHF 870.00

An exceptional investment for your Wiesn outfit infiltrated with legendary charm, Lanz contrasts rich tradition with cosmopolitan elegance. Every woman looks good in a dirndl!
Dirndl by Lanz, exclusively available at mytheresa.com

As it can get a little chilly at night, it might be a good idea to bring a fancy cardigan with you.
Oktoberfest jacket ‘Odelia’ by Iris von Arnim, exclusively available online and in the German flagship stores in Munich and Sylt.
€ 1095.00

Adored by the fashion elite, French designer Olympia Le-Tan‘s artisanal collection showcases beautiful hand embroidery and eye-catching designs.
Shop the clutch bags by Olympia Le-Tan here.

To celebrate the 180th Oktoberfest, Jimmy Choo has launched a limited edition collection that is exclusively available in the German flagship stores in Munich and Frankfurt.
Pumps ‘Bavaria’ by Jimmy Choo
€ 695.00

1 Traditional hat with feathers by Lola Paltinger‘s Milka-Collection (see below), € 59.00
2 Knee socks ‘Wiesn’ by Falke, € 19.00
3 Charm ‘Brezel-Pretzel’ by Thomas Sabo, € 59.00
4 Bracelet ‘Get Lucky’ by Dodo, Price on request

In collaboration Milka, designer Lola Paltinger (for a previous post about her, please click here), has created some amazing outfits for the Oktoberfest season all in the famous chocolate brand’s iconic purple colour. You can shop the looks exclusively at the Milka Welt at Schrannenhalle in Munich and online at Lodenfrey. My absolute favourites this season!

And last but not least, even that you are not allowed to smoke in the beer tents, I am sure that you would like to light a fire in style! The small size (55 x 31 x 12 mm) lets it easily fit in your pockets or clutch.
S.T.Dupont MiniJet Dallmayr No. 1 Oktoberfest-Edition
€ 109.00

Don’t forget to have some traditional Bavarian delicacies such as Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread), Weisswurst (a white sausage) and Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is Nicole Kidman‘s stunning new ad campaign for Jimmy Choo.

The sexy pictures were shot by Mikael Jansson. The famous actress, wearing a short red wig, stars as a sultry, mysterious femme fatale modeling some drool-worthy shoes from classic pumps to lattice booties and a pair of over-the-knee must-haves combined with handbags and accessories from the brand’s new F/W 2013 line. I love it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Hey lovely ladies! Just a quick note to let you know that NET-A-PORTER‘s semi-annual US sale has gone live! Save up to 50% on designers like Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Carven, Chloé, Lanvin and many more! Great news is that the US site also ships to Europe and Asia, just change your country preference to United States.

Check out a few of my favorite sale picks in the list below:

1 Falabella convertible faux brushed-leather shoulder bag by Stella McCartney (40% off)
2 Jovanna faded stretch-denim biker jacket by Karl Lagerfeld (50% off)
3 Studded leather and elaphe flats by Valentino (30 % off)
4 Rose gold-plated tiered clip earrings by Oscar de la Renta (50% off)
5 Tasseled leather belt by Saint Laurent (30% off)
6 Cosmic leather pumps by Jimmy Choo (30% off)
7 Two-tone silk collar by Carven (50% off)
8 Polka-dot tulle and woven silk top by Valentino (30% off) 
9 The Happy grosgrain shoulder bag by Lanvin (40% off)

I always recommend looking for basic pieces on sale. Have fun shopping!

LoL, Sandra

This spring, you could enjoy a special Jimmy Choo themed afternoon tea at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. This fashion afternoon tea featured tempting items such as edible miniature high heels and sandwiches made to resemble the design of the CAYLA clutch.

Cayla studded snake clutch by Jimmy Choo

Who could resist those mouth-watering savoury bites such as Foie Gras High Heels on Crispy Brioche Bread or sweet temptations like Milk Chocolate High Heels filled with Lemon and Chocolate Biscuits. For more information, please call MO Bar at +852 2132 0077.

In case that you won’t make it to Hong Kong, check out the Prêt-à-PorTea at the Berkeley Hotel in London.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong and Jimmy Choo

Sorry for bringing you bad news twice today, first we have heard that Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau’s passed away at 81 yesterday and it has been announced that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died this morning peacefully following a stroke. She was 87 years old.

The Iron Lady was not only an outstanding politician, but also a fashion icon. On both sides of the Atlantic, Maggie Thatcher is being considered as the originator of the power look for women. She opted for tailored skirt suits and pussycat bows. One of her clever tricks to show power was funnily enough that she never wore pants. Her signature pearls, shoulder pads (to stand literally “shoulder to shoulder” with men), handbags, and royal blue hues were a sign of control. Throughout her career, she turned her looks into POWER DRESSING!

Let’s honour her with this look inspired by her: Iris wool-twill blazer and matching Alyssa pencil skirt, both by Stella McCartney, polka-dot silk-twill pussy-bow blouse by Saint Laurent, Amelia patent-leather pumps by Jimmy Choo, croc-effect and textured-leather bag by Lanvin and multi-strand pearl necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane.

R.I.P. Maggie Thatcher!

LoL, Sandra

Gladiator boots are celebrating a huge comeback for S/S 2013. Seen at Alexander Wang, Altuzarra and Proenza Schouler among many others, it’s clear, they’re back. Of course, it can be a tricky trend, but who can resist those eyecatching shoes?

Below is the list of the best ones to shop at the moment:

1 Aline leather sandals by Alexander Wang
2 Embellished leather cage sandals by Altuzarra
3 Leather gladiator wedge boots by Giuseppe Zanotti
4 Leather gladiator knee sandals by Gianvito Rossi
5 Stamped leather gladiator lace-up boots by Proenza Schouler
6 Mogul studded suede cage sandals by Jimmy Choo
7 Marta calfskin elastic high boots by Alexander Wang
8 Leather gladiator sandal boots by Versace

LoL, Sandra

Black pumps will always be a classic, but this summer, it is all about white pumps. Incorporate this shoe trend into your own style by combining it with your favourite new season looks. Better be fast to snag a pair, they sell out fast!

Here are four of the bestsellers:
1 Abel leather pumps by Jimmy Choo
2 Patent leather pumps by Balmain
3 Paris leather pumps by Saint Laurent
4 Janis leather pumps by Saint Laurent

LoL, Sandra

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon and you might be looking for the perfect outfit to wear on a romantic date. Amanda Seyfried looked pretty amazing at the 16th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala in Los Angeles sporting a scarlet red bodice dress from Prabal Gurung’s Resort 2013 collection combined with trendy metallic accessories. A look that would prove your style prowess and that is in stores now.

Mesh-trimmed silk and cotton-blend satin dress by Prabal Gurung, Pearce metal and Perspex octagonal clutch by Kotur and Biel leather wedge pumps by Jimmy Choo.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra