tinytea giveaway!

You've seen it all over my Instagram and Twitter. You've heard all the fitness and health gurus rave about it. And now, it's time for you to try it!

YourTea, has, quite simply, been one of the biggest blessings of 2013 for me. I had no idea that the simple idea of drinking three cups of natural, organic and yummy­tasting tea for a couple of weeks would have such a great effect on my lifestyle. YourTea believes in the power of natural ingredients in their unique tea blends, that serve to enhance your lifestyle and physique. Derived from traditional Chinese medicine principles, YourTea boasts a wide range of tea blends to cater for everyone. Here are some short descriptions of the following teas they offer: (skip straight to the TinyTea summary if you're pressed for time!)

ManTea: For all the guys reading this: the ManTea teatox is designed to enhance muscle growth and promote a lean frame. This tea blend is free from sugar, chemicals and preservatives, and you may continue to consume supplements and exercise as you would normally, as the natural tea blend won't interfere with any of that. ManTea contains Green tea (to burn fat, increase metabolism and maintain muscle mass), antioxidants (to curb inflammation and allow for greater muscle growth), Camellia Senensis (helps muscle tone and increases energy levels) and Licorice Root (for harmonizing all herbs).

HerTea: For regular, everyday use ­ girls: if you're retaining a lot of fluid, feeling sluggish and energy deprived and looking to get rid of some excess fat, her tea will reduce fluid retention, heighten your mood, improve your skin, manage bloating issues and aid digestion. Contains Oolong tea, ginger, chrysanthemum, lyciumchinese (goji berries), and additional Chinese Medicine Herbal ingredients. 

Anti­C Tea: For anyone who feels that cellulite and toxins have set up camp on your booty and thighs, never fear… Anti­C tea is here! It contains Fu Ling, Camellia Sinensis, Dandelion root and additional Chinese Medicine Herbal ingredients to help you combat excess fats on your body for a leaner, meaner figure. 

Fertility Tea: For anyone planning to conceive, Fertility tea will become your new best friend. It optimizes your ability to become pregnant by nourishing your reproductive, digestive and emotional health. The Fertility Tea blend has been hand selected with precision by natural fertility specialist Natalie Kringoudis. It's safe and perfectly balanced to naturally support hormones and regulate your menstrual cycle to maximize fertility potential. It contains goji berries, peppermint tea, dandelion root, camellia sinesis, which each target a different body part to ensure the maintenance of a healthy reproductive system.

TinyTea: The most well­known of all YourTea's products, the famous TinyTeatox (14 and 28 day teatoxes available) is the one I've been drinking for the past month. It's for everyone who feels bloated, lethargic, and for those who want to make aesthetic changes to their body. It performs an intensive cleanse and nourishes your digestive system to assist with weight lost, fluid retention and toxin removal. Unlike other detoxes that contain laxative ingredients to momentarily flush out toxins, the herbal ingredients found in TinyTea gently and thoroughly cleanse your system. Your digestive system is the most important part of maintaining a healthy weight, and this tea supports that system for optimum aesthetic results. This tea dries phlegm, reduces waste and assists digestion. Drink TinyTea three times a day, half an hour before mealtimes for optimum results. Do note that upon initial consumption, TinyTea can cause slight stomach upsets, minor skin breakouts and cramps as it gets to work. However, these symptoms do disappear very shortly, and after a few days you should already be feeling the benefits of it! According to YourTea, you should see a reduction in body fat, fluid retention and cellulite, as well as clear skin and more natural energy. TinyTea contains Camellia Sinensis, Catsia, Lotus Leaf, Crataegus Pinnatifida and additional Chinese Medicine Herbal ingredients.

Check out these Instagram pictures from fellow TinyTea enthusiasts!

Phew! So now that you've read about all the amazing benefits you're SUPPOSED to receive from consuming YourTea ­ TinyTea in particular, I'll now tell you a bit about my own experience with the teatox. I've received a countless number of questions about this and I'm sorry for not answering a lot of them; I only ignored them because I knew I'd be publishing a much more comprehensive review of my experience here for you all to read! Anyway, it's always nice to hear about someone's personal experience (and as a disclaimer, YourTea has not asked me to write anything in particular about their product, so this is all from the heart!), so here goes! After drinking TinyTea for 28 days (and I have to admit I wasn't strict enough with myself on the timings of my consumption; I ended up drinking 4 cups some days and 1 cup on other days!), I felt a lot better in many ways. I hadn't really changed my diet and exercise patterns from what they were like before, so the tea definitely had a slight slimming effect ­ nothing exceptionally noticeable, but my stomach did feel a little tighter as a result of less bloating. The tea did an excellent job of cutting out my bloating entirely, which both looked and felt great. One of my favorite benefits of the tea was the fact that it also gave me tons of energy. I'm someone who needs a LOT of sleep, and even when I get loads of sleep I'm still very drowsy and yawny in the late afternoon; my tiredness hits me like a train at around 3pm and I find it hard to stay focused towards the end of the school day. Tinytea provided me with plenty of amazing natural energy, and it's not even caffeinated! I felt so much more productive and awake and was better able to make the most of my day. Furthermore, it helped with my metabolism and food cravings a lot. I still wanted my chocolate, I'm not gonna lie, but it served as a moderate appetite suppressant and over time I began to feel less hungry. Because the teatox forced me to consume three to four additional cups of tea each day, I felt a lot more hydrated because of all the water I was drinking. By the end of the 28 days, the pattern of eating less and "expelling" more waste fell into place, and that slight imbalance of losing more than gaining (aka a slight net loss of food in the cycle of food consumption and waste production) was what made me feel so thoroughly cleansed out. Slight improvements in my skin were noticed too!

All in all, I didn't lose weight and my appearance didn't change that much, but I'm okay with that. I felt so much better on the inside, so much so that it began showing on the outside a little! This is not something you should consider if you're aiming for a dramatic difference in body shape and looking for something that will shed off your excess fat. Through making me less bloated, clearing my skin, cleansing my digestive system, suppressing my hunger/cravings and forcing me to consume more liquids and stay hydrated, I came out of the 28 day teatox feeling better than ever ­ and the fact that it showed on the outside a little was just a bonus! Please remember that this tea doesn't contain laxatives and is very gentle, so it won't violently drain the fat/weight out of you. It's nourishing, organic and a healthy addition to your existing lifestyle!

Check out the following snaps from @TinyTeaTox's Instagram!

What I want to also mention is that for the first week and a bit of drinking the tea, I made an extra effort to work out loads and eat healthy, and for the short time that I did, I saw some great results appear on my body. However, I am still human (and a human undertaking the IB, mind you), so unfortunately I had some slip­ups here and there and fell slightly out of this healthy lifestyle rhythm, but I'm okay with that! I'm no fitness junkie and health guru, and I'm still learning :) Therefore, the benefits I described above will probably apply more to those who maintain the same lifestyle while drinking the tea, but as I discovered in just a week of drinking tea and exercising, Tinytea is even more effective and excellent when paired with exercise and a healthy diet. The one complaint I have about the tea is the fact that it caused me some tummy pain and cramps on the first two days, but they disappeared quickly and were very minimal while they lasted.

Now, enough with the rambling. This Christmas, YourTea and I have paired up to bring this transformational Tinytea experience to YOU! I'm giving away TWO 14­day Tinyteatoxes for you to try, each worth USD$35! To enter the giveaway is super easy; each step is worth one entry, so the more steps you complete, the better chance you have of winning the tea!

­ STEP 1: Like "Seven Inch Stilettos" on Facebook

­ STEP 2: Comment on this picture the reason why you'd like to win a 14 ­day Tinyteatox.

­ STEP 3: Repost this picture on Instagram, tagging @yourtea,
@veenamccoole and #SISxTinyTea (worth 5 entries!)

­ STEP 4: Tweet the following (I can only see your tweets if your account is public!): "I've just entered the 1st #seveninchstilettos #xmas giveaway to win a #tinyteatox from @veenamccoole! Check it out: bit.ly/INm5gj

And there you go; four simple steps that'll score you up to 8 separate entries for the giveaway! Contest is open internationally and winners will be selected randomly. I will announce the winner via any of the social media platforms they have entered on (e.g. if you tweeted and instagrammed, I'll mention you on both platforms). Winners have 24 hours to respond/confirm before I randomly select other winners to take their place, so stay tuned to your Twitter/Facebook/Instagram on the 21st of December when I announce the two lucky winners!

Giveaway closes on Midnight (Singapore Time) of the 21st of December, so get entering ASAP!

watercolor textures.

 booties - zara

pants - h&m

clutch - c/o katja tamara

top - tout a coup c/o i.t.

watch - c/o juicy couture

I'll be back in Singapore next weekend and I couldn't be more excited to be greeted at the airport with a gust of humid, gloriously hot air, the smiling faces of my parents and the Christmas spirit in the air. I've never spent Christmas away from Asia, so I oddly associate Christmas a lot more with the heat than with the cold in which I now spend most of the year in! I picked up these watercolor-streaked pants for £5 (yes that is five pounds everyone) at H&M; they're probably the best bargain I've ever gotten at a high street store and I love them to death for their thigh-slimming properties and exciting colors. I paired them with a super soft knit top with gorgeous sheer detailing from Tout A Coup (available at i.t. concept store in Wisma Atria), which I raved about in this blogpost after attending the opening of i.t. and being gifted a generous $100 to spend in-store on the night of the event. My stunning Zara booties have finally gotten the chance to be featured on my blog; I love them so so so much even though they cause me a lot of pain. The sleek black heel, the silver zip, the nude suede and the magenta platform - what's not to love? Yet another texture is introduced into the picture in the form of a stunning python clutch, handmade in Bali, courtesy of Katja Tamara. It's luxurious and raw to the touch with a soft, flexible shape, a discreet magnetic closure and a size that is just perfect. Last but probably most important of all is my new favorite piece of wrist-candy: the Juicy Couture watch I won in the lucky draw at their opening event at MBS! I've never won a lucky draw (or anything of the sort) so I was particularly chuffed to walk away with the Swarovski-encrusted gold beauty on my wrist! 

So there you have it: gold stainless steel, python skin, suede, knit and denim. Textural mash-ups have never been so fun!

10qq with love bonito | JF x LB.

I didn't think I'd ever live to see the day when an international Haute Couture designer collaborated with an immensely successful online retailer, but it happened this Fashion Season and I'm sure as hell happy it did. Love, Bonito is the mother of all fashion e-retailers in Singapore and in Asia; the site which dresses thousands of women and has inspired hundreds to begin their own online fashion retail ventures. Easily Singapore's most established "blogshop," (I don't even think the term "blogshop" fits it anymore) Love, Bonito has an impressive reputation of happy customers, helpful customer service, quality apparels and more. Julien Fournie, on the other hand, worked in several of fashion's greatest design houses (Celine, Givenchy and Dior, anyone?) before opening his eponymous Haute Couture label in the summer of 2009. A FIDé favorite, Fournie has sent a total of three collections down Singapore runways, including his latest collaborative venture with Love, Bonito. So, what happens when young, fast-fashion savvy business trio Viola, Rachel and Velda join forces with a French Haute Couture designer? Nothing less than a match made in heaven. We chat with Viola and Rachel about music, previous career dreams and Love, Bonito's smashing latest collaboration.

1. Where is the first place you look for design inspiration?

Viola: My source of inspiration comes from my travels.

Rachel: I gain inspiration from fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle UK.

2. What motivates you to continue maintaining Love, Bonito as one of the country's most successful online stores? 

It is definitely the affirmation from our customers and seeing them wear our pieces on the streets. That is our constant motivation to work hard to deliver exceptional apparels and excellent customer service.

 

3. What are your favorite trends as of late?

Viola: I am a big fan of Mary Katrantzou’s prints. I also think red lips is timeless and classic, it instantly brightens the face and can make any woman feel more confident.

Rachel: Cropped tops, landscape prints and skirts with slits.

4. What were your career aspirations when you were a teenager?

Viola: I have always wanted to be a lawyer or a novel writer.

Rachel: A teacher or a tour guide because I love interacting with people!

5. If you had to wear one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Viola: Without a doubt, confidence. 

Rachel: A printed mini skirt. It is so versatile, you can glam it up with high heels for a girls’ night out or pair it with sneakers for a casual look.  

6. Tell us a little more about your collaboration with Julien Fournie.

We attended Julien’s show last year at FIDe Fashion Weeks and we were intrigued and astonished by his work and style. We casually spoke to Dr Frank Cintamani, Chairman of FIDe Fashion Weeks, about the idea of Love, Bonito collaborating with a haute couturier, specifically Julien Fournié. He believed in our brand, heard our wishes and linked us up with Julien. The magic of haute couture meets fast fashion happened. We owe it to Dr Frank for making this beautiful partnership happen. 

7. What's the best thing about your job? 

Viola: Affirmation from our customers and meeting like-minded people who believe in us and are supportive of what we do, they give us the strength to do even better.

Rachel: I get to decide the designs Love, Bonito will launch; down to the colours, fabrics, textures and embellishments!

8. What three foods can't you stand? 

Viola: Parsley, garlic and onions

Rachel: Kimchi, clams and ginger

 

9. Current favorite singer/music artist:

Viola: Coldplay

Rachel: Coldplay and Justin Timberlake

10. Plans for the future of Love, Bonito:

We are very honoured to be the first online retailer in Asia to showcase a marriage of haute couture and fast fashion. Our doors are now open for future collaborations like this to come. With this partnership, Love, Bonito will work towards penetrating into the international fashion market online.

Check out this awesome video for a further peek into the foundations of this collaboration!

What do you think of the Julien Fournie for Love, Bonito collaboration?

xmas wishlist.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is putting together a list of delectables I've acquired an affection for over the year and sending it off to Santa with crossed fingers and high hopes. This year my wish list is as varied (and as long!) as usual, spanning from tech gadgets to sunnies and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed putting together this collage on Polyvore, and if you have either a spare moment or an excess of creative juice, I recommend checking out Polyvore.com and having a go at creating your own set of items. It's surprisingly fun and addictive, and it doesn't feel like a mindless waste of time because it's creative! Read on to find out what I'm lusting after this festive season.

1. iPhone-related stuff.

I love my iPhone, and while I might want an iPhone 5S, I know the lifespan of my current iPhone 5S will last me long enough till at least next Christmas (that's if I don't drop it enough times by then...). I've been dying for a Mophie battery power pack, a sleek iPhone case with a built in charger for up to 100% extra battery juice for long days out and about and away from power sockets. Readily available battery life is essential for a blogger who's always on Instagram and social media patrol! I'm also in love with iPhone cases - they are such a fun way to accessorize without much fuss! To me, a vivid phone case and a statement manicure speaks successful street style like nothing else. My favorites are Tory Burch's cute and colorful designs. Living in a boarding house means music on the iPhone's built in speaker is never loud enough, so wireless portable speakers for mid-week dance parties and impromptu raves would be an absolute dream!

2. Clothes, shoes, and accessories!

(Contrary to popular belief, gift vouchers work just as well). My UK wardrobe, tailored to the chilly weather, would certainly welcome chunky-knit slim-fit Abercrombie V necks for winter layering. This simple, structured coat by Alexander Wang is the perfect understatement and is exactly the type of look I want to be rocking until it's warm enough to stop rocking a coat altogether. Simple black ankle boots with a low heel are all over the London streets, and for good reason: they go with pretty much anything and have enough chic-factor to spice up a simple coat and jeans ensemble. A cute beanie with a statement slogan reminiscent of Cara Delevigne's off-duty style is a daring accessory I'd love to try, combined with a simple gold chain necklace. Zoe of Fashiononymous has inspired me to widen my range of accessory cravings to include a functional, boyish Casio, and in the shoe department, I'd love a pair of nude Tory Burch flats, chocolate brown Ugg boots for the cold and a pair of minimalist white chucks.

3. Beauty products.

I finally live in a place where hand cream is an essential as opposed to a luxury, and what better hand cream is there than L'Occitane? Staying fresh throughout the day requires frequent doses of light body splash scents as opposed to heavy perfumes, and any luscious scent by Victoria's Secret fits the bill. Lastly, I've finally jumped on the bandwagon of mascara addicts (I never used to wear mascara but now it's an essential!) and am keen to try Benefit's popular "Bad Gal Lash" mascara to see if what the critics say really is true!

What are you eyeing this Christmas season? Let me know in the comments below!