I must be one of the last few bloggers to update about Singapore Blog Awards 2013, but I guess it’s better late than never! 

I was very blessed to have been selected as a finalist for a main category (Best Fashion Blog) and a special category (Qoo10 Best Online Shopping Blog) this year. While June and July were busy work months for me, I tried my best to deliver what was required of the competition and was very grateful that I could take some time off to attend the awards. 

I had a quick lunch with Karen prior to the event at Liang Court and everyone stared at us like we were aliens from outer space. We felt so out of place till we arrived at Shanghai Dolly, where familiar faces in 60s garb greeted us. It has been a while since I last attended any blogging events, no thanks to my work schedule, so it was great to be able to catch up with everyone!

I didn’t expect to win anything this year as the competition for both categories was very strong, so I was truly surprised when the host announced that I won 3rd place for Qoo10 Best Online Shopping Blog! Thank you everyone for your support!

 Karen was a double winner at the SBA this year. She won both the Best Beauty Blog and Best Modelling Blog categories. I am so proud of her because she totally deserved the double win! You can tell how much passion, commitment and hard work she puts into her blog. No matter how busy she is, she always takes time to post interesting updates regularly.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my lovely sponsors for SBA 2013. My knitted dress, earrings and bag were kindly sponsored by Dustbunny Vintage. Karen’s dress too, was sponsored by them. In fact, both dresses are from Pia’s (the owner) personal collection and my dress actually belonged to her mum! What is even more amazing is that Pia’s mum made the dress! It is hard to believe that it came from the 1960s because the workmanship is so fantastic, it looks as good as new.

Karen and I love vintage apparel and our shared passion brought us closer to Pia, the owner of Dustbunny Vintage. Pia has been a friend of ours for ages now and we are always blown away by the delectable collection of vintage apparel that she brings in week after week. 

Pia updates her facebook page regularly with the latest apparel/bags/accessories in store, so do like Dustbunny Vintage’s facebook page for more gorgeous vintage buys!

I love the sexy cut-out dress that Karen wore, which went very well with her Maison Martin Margiela shoes and her cute straw hat sponsored by Eskpade. Karen’s eye-catching outfit also won her a spot in the Top 10 Best Dressed for SBA2013! She got into the final 4 Best Dressed too, but the award eventually went to Mr Mata, a lady dressed as a 1960s cop, complete with a cute moustache plastered over her mouth to protect her identity. To this day, we have no idea who she is!

Now, let me introduce you to my hair and make-up sponsor for the event, Fion, who freelances at 99percent hair studio at Haji Lane.She did a good job of enhancing my features with the 60s makeup theme in mind.

Eskpade sponsored my beautiful Valentino-inspired hat, as mentioned in my previous post. Isn’t it beautiful? The 3D lace bow makes my heart flutter.

After some discussion with Fion, we decided that it would be better for me to wear the hat behind instead to complement my 1960s beehive. This versatile hat can be worn in front as well and looks best when worn with an updo.

I love the final look that Fion created, with the cascading curls framing my gorgeous hat.

After the event ended, Karen, Malcolm, JW and I went for tea followed by a photoshoot along Clarke Quay and the Singapore River. Many thanks to Malcolm and my trusty photographer (who dislikes photography) JW for the photos!

Once again, thank you OMY.sg, Qoo10 and everyone else involved for organizing SBA 2013!

I have a soft spot for tea sets and that explains why I have a few English Bone China tea sets at home. However, what is missing in my humble collection is a full glass tea set. 

I first laid my eyes on glass tea sets in restaurants and found them to be very practical as you can keep an eye on the tea while the tealeaves/teabags are seeping. Unlike some other materials, glass does not impart any flavour to the tea, which guarantees that you would have great-tasting tea every time.  Moreover, its transparent appearance also means that it can  easily match the decor of your home.  

I have been on the lookout for one in the longest time, and I was beyond ecstatic when I chanced upon a reasonably priced glass tea set on Qoo10 from iLoveSales.SG!  

 If you follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg), you may already have seen my glass tea set ahead of this post. I received many queries on the tea set immediately after I posted this picture on instagram and it’s not hard to understand why because it is such a good bargain!

 What about shipping costs? Complimentary courier service is included in the price and I was very impressed with the speedy delivery. My tea set arrived the very next day after my purchase!

Now, let’s take a look at the contents of each tea set, shall we?

Each standard set comes with:

1 X 600ml Glass Teapot

1 x Glass Infuser

1 x Glass Warmer

6 X 50ml Double Layer Teacups

If you opt for self-collection, you will receive additional freebies too!

Although I didn’t opt for self-collection, iLoveSales.SG still threw in 6 trinity cups for free! 

Now, that’s what I call customer service. Not only are they extremely efficient, they are also willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.

I couldn’t wait to try out my glass tea set, so I brewed a pot of Rooibos tea when my mum came over for a tête-à-tête one weekend. Both of us really like the Bodum style double layer teacups as they are able to keep the tea warm while their exterior remains cool to the touch. 

As glass is a poor conductor of heat, the warmer helps to keep the teapot warm for hours at a stretch, so you can still enjoy the aroma and taste of hot tea while you chat the afternoon away with your guests.

 

  

Instead of pairing tea with the usual suspects like cookies and cakes, I like my tea with Chia seeds, which is a healthier alternative. Chia seeds are a rich source of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, which help to prevent aging, cancer and also improve cognitive performance. Unlike many proponents of Chia seeds, who typically soak them in water overnight, I prefer to sprinkle a dash of dry Chia seeds fresh from the bottle as the added crunch lends an interesting flavour to the tea.

I had a wonderful afternoon catching up with my mum that day (she’s not in the pictures as she’s camera shy) and she too was full of praises for this affordable yet presentable tea set that’s perfect for entertaining guests.

If you’re interested in this teapot set, you’re in luck because the price has been reduced further and you can now get it at S$22.50 without any discount coupons! Click HERE to find out more!

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Did you know that you can get free Qoo10 discount coupons whenever you write a premium review?

 The wonderful thing about Qoo10 is that it sends email reminders to remind you to confirm delivery and write a review so you don’t miss out on Qpoint and Qstamp.  

To write a premium Review, you would first have to confirm delivery for the item that you purchased. You will receive Qpoints after confirming delivery, and these points can be used to offset against your purchases in future.

Then, click on “Write a Review” and you will be able to choose between a normal review or a premium review.

What’s the difference between a normal review and a premium one? 

A normal review entitles you to Qstamp, which you can use to redeem for discount coupons. 

A premium review does that too, and more! On top of Qstamp, you’ll receive a $0.50 discount coupon instantly too.

The additional effort required is pretty minimal too as all you have to do is upload a picture of your purchase. Easy peasy! 

Now, you can immediately use the discount coupon to offset against your next purchase! 

For more great shopping bargains, head on down to Qoo10!

To find out more about the latest deals are, do like the Qoo10 Facebook Page too!

Last but not least, please continue to vote for me at the Singapore Blog Awards. Voting ends on 23rd June and I would be very grateful if you could vote for me everyday under the following categories: 

 

Thank you!

Yoghurt is a top health food that tastes good, aids digestion and is great for colon and intestinal health. A rich source of calcium, yoghurt is also the perfect alternative to milk. In fact, it is easier to digest than milk, and is suitable for those of us who are lactose intolerant as well.

  

The popularity of yoghurt these days has soared tremendously thanks to the introduction of frozen yoghurt. JW and I have been huge fans of frozen yoghurt for a while now because unlike traditional yoghurt, it has a light, refreshing texture and tastes somewhat like sorbet. 

Well, that also explains why I was so excited
when I came across a fabulous deal for Red Mango yoghurt while browsing
through Qoo10’s bestsellers under Deal & Entertainment using the Qoo10 App on my iPhone!

 

The usual price of Red Mango yoghurt is about $4. More often than not, there is also a Time Sale discount on Qoo10, which brings the price down to $2.80. This time however, there was a further markdown on top of the time sale discount, hence a cup of yoghurt with 1 topping only cost $1.99!

Needless to say, I was sold and quickly proceeded to purchase the e-Ticket Voucher. 

All you have to do is present the e-Ticket voucher on your phone to the cashier at Red Mango and get him/her to click on it to redeem it. 

It’s amazing how convenient Qoo10’s phone app is. You can use the voucher immediately upon purchase and the transaction is entirely paperless too. Totally eco-friendly!

Did you know that Red Mango originated in South Korea and uses 100% all natural, nonfat and lowfat, kosher and gluten free yoghurt enhanced with probiotics? It is difficult to find healthy food that tastes great, and this culminated in its success in the United States, with more than 190 outlets across more than 25 states. There are currently 3 outlets in Singapore and the Qoo10 e-Ticket voucher can be redeemed from 2 of its branches at Marina Bay Link Mall and Wilkie Edge. 

I visited the Red Mango outlet at Wilkie Edge recently and redeemed a cup of delicious frozen yoghurt with strawberry toppings with my e-Ticket voucher. There are a few flavours of yoghurt available, but I always go with original as I have a preference for its slightly sour taste. This ice-cold treat is especially refreshing on a hot and humid day!

Doesn’t it look enticing? You can expect generous servings despite the discount. There is also a wide selection of toppings for you to choose from. 

There was a party in my mouth as
every spoonful of refreshingly cold yoghurt was accompanied by sweet and juicy strawberry slices. 

Given that Red Mango yoghurt is all natural and low in fat content, it is the perfect guilt-free indulgence for everyone!

Check out more deals on Qoo10’s Facebook Page !

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Thank you everyone for voting for me at the Singapore Blog Awards 2013! 

Voting ends on 23rd June and I would be very grateful if you could continue to vote for me everyday under the following categories: 

Levi’s Best Fashion Blog

Qoo10 Best Online Shopping Blog

 

Thank you!

I love fashion, and you would probably know that by now if you visit this humble space of mine regularly. That explains why my first transaction on Qoo10 had to be fashion apparel from G Lovely Shop.

As shared in my previous post on Qoo10 Online Shopping & My Fashion Buys, I had a wonderful shopping experience with G Lovely Shop. The products are reasonably priced and they reached my doorstep 3-4 days after payment was made.

1) Two Piece Chiffon Dress

The 2 piece chiffon dress came with a lace outer top and a sheer tulle camisole slip. It turned out as pictured and the material is pretty decent to boot. However, do note that you would have to wear a skirt/pair of shorts underneath the tulle camisole slip as it is too sheer to be worn alone.  

What I also like about this set is that the top and camisole slip can be worn separately. You can easily pair the top with shorts or use it as a beach cover-up. The slip, on the other hand, can be layered with another top or worn underneath a dress.

Hat from Forever New

Shoes from Dip Drops

Bag from MyJotterBook

My Rating: 4/5

2) Black Blouse

I love the design of this top, especially the sleeves, but I would prefer the material used to be slightly thicker. Other than that, I think it is classy and suitable for both work and after work functions.

My Rating: 3/5

3) Lace Top

This top is one of my favourite purchases from this haul. It looks exactly the same as pictured and I love the quality! It is definitely value-for-money as I’ve seen this on blog shops selling for at least double the price listed on Qoo10.

Jeans from Mango

Shoes from Vincci

Bag from MyJotterBook

My Rating: 5/5

4) Pink Lace Blouse

I was attracted to this blouse because of the lovely lace sleeves and the sweet shade of peach pink that it came in. Plus, this is a blouse that I can wear to work as well as on weekends. Imagine my joy when it arrived in the mail, as pictured!

Skirt and shoes from Dip Drops

Cat Clutch from MyJotterBook

My only grouse is that it is slightly loose for me, but the problem is easily resolved by tucking the blouse into my skirt. 😉

 My Rating: 4.5/5

5) Black Maxi

Last but not least, here’s my last purchase, which is also my favourite out of the lot. The material is wonderful, and the design is so versatile, it can be dressed up or down with a change of accessories and footwear.

I wanted it to be a casual summer maxi dress, hence I paired the dress with my comfy red Chanel flats to add a pop of colour to the all black palette.

Again, this is a steal as I have seen the same design retailing elsewhere at 3-4 times the listed price on Qoo10! Many of my friends who met me that day thought I was going to attend a formal dinner function, which further attests to the quality and workmanship of this alluring piece. 

In fact, all of them were shocked to learn that this dress cost only about S$12 and everyone exclaimed that it is such a fantastic bargain! 😉

Bag and shoes from Chanel

Accessories from Hermes

While I usually turn to designer labels for bags and shoes as they have proven to be more durable and lasting, I tend to favour clothes with pocket-friendly price tags as I have come to realize that with good workmanship, they can look just as good as their designer label counterparts. I enjoy mixing and matching designer and non-designer labels in my outfits to  lend an element of surprise and diversity.

My rating: 5/5

Hope you enjoyed this fashion haul review! Before you embark on your next shopping spree, remember to check out Qoo10!

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RouletteQ on Qoo10

Now, I’m going to share a fun way to receive free discount coupons, Qstamps and Callpoints by playing RouletteQ on Qoo10!

First, scroll down the Qoo10 homepage until you see “Lucky Lounge” at the right hand corner.

Click the red button on the attendance card to play. Now, you can start spinning the wheel!

These are some of the items that I’ve won! You stand to win discount coupons that can be used to offset against your purchases too.

Qticket allows you to participate in events on Qoo10. For more information on Qticket, click here.

What are Callpoints for? Callpoints can be used for high quality international phonecalls on Qtalk, a mobile communication app that can be used on Android phones and iPhones.

Here are the features of Qtalk:

1. Qtalk(FREE) – HD voice quality call service working with wifi, 3G and 4G 

2. Qphone – best price high quality global phone service, much better than Skype, must to install for international travelers

3. GroupTalk (FREE) – the most advanced mobile conference and group
call solution, enables calls between Qtalk and PHONE users, cool features
such as Invite and messaging during mobile conference

4. Qmessage(FREE) – simple and easy messaging and group chat solution, supports message while talking

The best part is, you can play RouletteQ everyday to increase your chances of winning a prize! 

Good Luck! 😉

You may also wish to check out more deals on Qoo10’s Facebook Page !

Shopping these days has never been easier. All you need to do is log on to the internet and the world of online shopping is unveiled before your eyes. I cannot begin to express how much I enjoy shopping and retail therapy, to the extent that window shopping alone gives me such immense joy. As with most ladies out there, shopping is one of my favourite pastimes, hence it comes as no surprise that I browse online shops and shopping platforms everyday just to keep abreast of the latest trends and bargains. 

One of my favourite online shopping platforms is Qoo10. Previously known as Gmarket, Qoo10 offers a wide assortment of products ranging from fashion apparel, beauty products as well as digital and household items. 

At first glance, the vast amount of information on the Qoo10 website may come across as overwhelming, but trust me, the site is actually not all that difficult to navigate and you can easily find the items that you want.

Today, I’m going to share with you how you can easily browse Qoo10’s website and hunt down the best shopping deals regardless of what type of shopper you are!

Have you ever thought about what type of shopper you are? Are you the type who knows exactly what you want and just wants to quickly get the job done? 

If that rings a bell, then you’re the Grab & Go Shopper!

For Grab & Go Shoppers, here are two time-efficient and effective ways for you to go about shopping on Qoo10:

1. Browse by Category

All you have to do is to ascertain the category that the product you are looking for falls under, and click on that in the header.

Browsing by category allows you to see the Bestsellers for that particular category at a glance, which makes it easier for you to make your shopping decisions.

2. Use the Search Function

If you love to shop when items are on sale, then you are the Bargain Hunter! 

If you just enjoy window-shopping and browsing shopping sites to find out the latest deals and sales promotions, here’s how you can do it on Qoo10 too. 

1. Today’s Sale

Under Today’s Sale, you will find two types of sales promotions for the day:

1) Time Sale

Time Sale items change every 6 hourly, and many of the items are heavily marked down, with discounts ranging from 50-90%! 

If you are interested in a Time Sale promo, do remember to take note of the time.

2) Daily Deal

Besides Time Sale, Qoo10 also offers Daily Deal, where you can take advantage of discounts throughout the entire day without any time restrictions.

2. Group Buy

Did you know that Qoo10 offers Group Buy too? 

To locate the Group Buy icon, just scroll down to the middle of the Qoo10 homepage.

  I am sure all Singaporeans are familiar with Group Buy, which is essentially collective buying  and a minimum number of buyers is required for the deal to be in effect.  

When the “Deal is On”, you can say hello to massive discounts!

I hope you have a better idea of how to navigate the Qoo10 website after reading this guide. I will be sharing more on how you can get the best deals and savings in my subsequent posts, so please stay tuned!

Now, it’s time to go shopping!!

As a finalist for Qoo10 Best Online Shopping Blog at the Singapore Blog Awards, I was given S$100 credits to go shopping on Qoo10. Thank you Qoo10!

After receiving the credits, I immediately went online to check out the Daily Deals. 

The first shop that caught my eye was G Lovely Shop.

G Lovely Shop is also a Bestseller in the Fashion category.

If you’re wondering why the interface looks somewhat different, that’s because I was using the Qoo10 Mobile App on my iPhone5, which I will share more about in my next few posts. 😉

Now, back to my purchases. Here’s what I bought from G Lovely Shop:

Meanwhile, you may also wish to check out more deals on Qoo10’s Facebook Page !

If you like what you see on my blog, I would be very grateful if you could

1) Please register at:
http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2013/register/

&

2) Vote for me under the Qoo10 Best Online Shopping Blog Category here:

http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2013/category/?cat=shopping

You can vote for me once everyday.  

Thank you for your support!

Femininity, grace and decorum. These three words pretty much sum up what the Mad Men style, or 60s style, is all about. Characterized by a ladylike aesthetic and restraint, the razor sharp tailoring and polished silhouettes are unrivaled in this day and age, which is why designs conceived during the 60s often remain timeless classics that never go out of style.

A distinctive feature of the dresses that belong to that era is the A-line skirt with a fitted waist. I love it because it flatters most body types, given its unique ability to accentuate your curves while camouflaging unsightly bulges. No wonder everyone is so smitten with the dresses on Mad Men.

If you love vintage dresses as much as I do, you have to visit Dustbunny Vintage. Of late, I also spotted a couple of vintage-inspired dresses at high street fashion brand, Miss Selfridge and to say that I have been obsessed with its collection of sweet, girly apparel is probably a huge understatement.

One of the sweetest vintage inspired dresses that I bagged from Miss Selfridge recently is this gorgeous mint number sprinkled with pink flowers. Unlike its vintage counterparts which usually extend beyond knee length, this pretty little dress is shorter and thus more current.

Dress from Miss Selfridge

Carla Pumps from Salvatore Ferragamo

I especially adore the smaller cutting that Miss Selfridge offers, which caters to petite girls. I can find clothes in UK Size 4 over here and they fit me perfectly without any alteration.

Do you remember my earlier post on my Alice in Wonderland book clutch by MyJotterBook? Well, here’s another book clutch that I got from them. This, in my opinion, is my best buy as its aged appearance gives it character and enhances its versatility. Wardrobe decisions are a breeze as it goes with practically everything.

Lolita Book Clutch from MyJotterBook

Vintage inspired ring from Diva

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OMY Singapore Blog Awards 2013

I’ve always been a fan of 60s fashion, and coincidentally, the 60s is also the theme for OMY’s Singapore Blog Awards 2013. 🙂

I registered my blog for 4 categories this year, and was pleasantly surprised to be nominated as a finalist for 2 categories!

1) Levi’s Best Fashion Blog (Main Category)

2) Qoo10 Best Online Shopping Blog

I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading my humble blog throughout the years. I feel really honoured that my efforts and contributions in this little space of mine has been recognized, but more importantly, I’m extremely appreciative of readers like you who have been showing your support through encouraging emails and facebook messages. Without you, I wouldn’t have had the tenacity and resilience to keep this blog going for such a long time. 🙂

I hope that you will continue to support Shopping Queen’s Haven (Regina Chow) by voting for me at the Singapore Blog Awards. Voting contributes to 30% of my total score, while the remaining 70% will depend on how impressed the judges are with my blog.

In line with the 60s theme and the 2 categories that I’ve been nominated for, you will be seeing more shopping and fashion posts in the coming weeks as well!

To vote, just register at http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2013/register/

 You can vote for me once everyday under both categories! 

Thank you once again for your support!