chicstash.

 models at the chic stash launch event dressed in chic stash items

Keen on wearing the big names but only paying for small price tags? Think secondhand designer style is the ultimate eco-chic statement? Have a soft spot for giving back to your favorite international charities while looking fabulous? ChicStash is your ultimate e-commerce destination for uniquely personalized, high end delights to spruce up your wardrobe without breaking the bank (tons of items are massively discounted!), and trust me when I say that this site is definitely worth a visit for everything fashion-forward and wallet-friendly. Everything that is sold goes through rigorous quality checks by the dedicated (and super lovely!) ChicStash team who do a great job making sure you only receive items of the highest quality. This website is literally my newest addiction and I'm so happy to say that I was interviewed and featured in their latest newsletter, which you can sign up for when you create your ChicStash account. It's super easy to make a ChicStash account to start selling your pre-loved "stash," and you can either earn money for yourself from your sales or donate them to a charity of your choice. Looking good and doing good at the same time has never been easier!

ChicStash is fundamentally inspired by the quirky unexpectedness that is found in resale/vintage stores around the world, though mostly prevalent in Europe and the US. With the whole world migrating online to one extent or another, ChicStash decided to embrace that shift and bring high-end resale to Asia through an accessible and fun online portal. Inspired by women who are fashionably responsible and give back to the community while looking good, ChicStash aims to introduce that great habit to all its online users. In an attempt to create a friendly, fun marketplace of buyers and sellers who know each other and are therefore comfortable with buying from each other, being a part of the ChicStash community opens you up to new friends, new fashion and lots of fun (did I mention making those additional bucks yet?).

Furthermore, ChicStash offers a great service called Concierge Closet, which is for the busy fashionista who might not have time to manage their ChicStash account on their own. Leave it to the NYC-trained stylists behind ChicStash to run your account for you and help you snap up some extra cash - according to CEO Denise Palladino, "we know you're not wearing 80% of what's in your closet, so why not make some extra money?"

singapore blogger rana from bonjour singapore checking out the latest steals on sale at the event!

On top of that, raiding the closets of the most fashionable people in Singapore, Asia and beyond has never been easier. Check out the VIP section for an all-access pass to the most coveted wardrobes in the world - without a restraining order! My favorite VIP closets have got to be Julia Blank's and Claudia Krogmeier's. From models and DJs to stylists and businesswomen, shopping VIP  If you think you've got what it takes to be a VIP on ChicStash, apply here. Spaces are limited!

 So there you have it. For those of you who haven't explored Singapore's most up-and-coming secondhand online portal yet - please take five minutes (which will most likely become fifteen minutes, then an hour, then more...) to check it out here and be sure to follow ChicStash on their social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Weibo!

chicstash.com 

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threepurs.

 Once upon a time, there were three lovely sisters, each with a unique yet equally vibrant enthusiasm for getting dressed up. To cut the long (and wonderful!) story short, "Threepurs" (pronounced "triples") is Singapore's newest online store run by these three ladies who I absolutely adored working with during the shooting of their debut campaign. Scroll down for some of the Images shot and edited by my darling Amanda (visit her blog here!).

 Threepurs conscientiously caters for fashion lovers through a holistic online buying experience, and offering unparalleled service and excellent quality apparels are at the top of their list of priorities. Threepurs strives to be a hallmark of fashion, creating and providing a wide selection of fashionable and trendsetting apparels as well as accessories for everyday wear. From fashion news, hot styles to the sisters' own editorial picks, Threepurs hopes that every shopper will be able to realize their own individual style through their online store.

 As I mentioned earlier, I had a total blast shooting this campaign. With a great makeup artist, my favorite photographer and the prettiest shoes and clothes I've been lucky enough to wear in a long time, it was a sweltering hot afternoon of lots of giggles and fun in the sun. The two looks you've seen in the pictures above are both uniquely glamorous in their own way. The ruched floral dress is perfect with beachy sandals for a sunny vacation, or paired with a cropped blazer and heels for a sparkling night out. As for the slinky black top and fitted white skirt, Sherlyn couldn't have chosen a better footwear option to match this ensemble than good ol' Jeffrey Campbells! Who says you need a crazy color palette to nail a killer outfit? (P.S. Never try walking on an uneven rock surface in heels, it's not nearly as glam as these pictures suggest. It took us more than a few goes to nail these snaps without me toppling over!)

 After an exhausting but exciting day shooting at various locations dotted around East Coast Park (see the goofy behind-the-scenes pictures above!), I went straight to shoot a video with Zack (bottom left image) and was so chuffed to be able to take home this gorgeous black off-shoulder blouse and wear it to my video shoot. It's such a comfortable, versatile piece that shows just the right amount of skin - instantly a staple in my wardrobe!

ALSO, be sure to follow the three simple steps above to stand a chance to win an iPad Mini in celebration of the launch of Threepurs! Make sure you encourage all your friends to take part too, as the contest is only running if they hit 3,333 likes before September 30th. Stay tuned to all the exciting Threepurs action by following their social media platforms here; you'll have a bigger chance of winning the iPad Mini if you follow them on Twitter and Instagram too!

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

threepurs.com

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sogurt café + sogurtbash!

 A couple weeks ago I had the honor of hosting Sogurt's 3rd Anniversary Party at Zouk Singapore: #SOGURTBASH! I had a lot of fun with my co-host Luke Lee (yes - the one from ABTM!), blogger Georgina Poh and everyone else who came along to join in the fun. Thanks for coming you guys - you made the evening absolutely brilliant and I'm sure you had as great a time as I did! My hair was sponsored by Liese, makeup sponsored by Maybelline, stunning floral crown sponsored by Plume Insignia (an Etsy store started by two of my good friends!), and pretty ice-cream heels sponsored by Melissa (many thanks to Chrissa for helping to coordinate the shoe sponsorship!). My skirt is from webstore Lace and Ebony, my dress (worn as a top) is from Zara and my accessories are from Lovisa! The theme of the event was "Garden of Eden," so I decided to stick to the theme by wearing a floral top and crown. However, I also wanted to mix those florals with something edgier, and this electric blue skirt with peplum laser-cut details was begging to make its debut, so I opted for the skirt and a pair of delicious, sparkly ice-cream heels. The jelly heels were super easy to walk in and very comfortable/light, and while the ice-cream design didn't exactly comply to the dresscode, I thought it added a colorful, fun accent.

 Last but not least, I have Auum to thank for sponsoring my beautiful bio-sculpture nail extensions and manicure for the night. I love the electric-blue glittery tips they pampered me with! This great new "honest nail spa" at PasarBella @ the Grandstand specializes in happy, healthy nail treatments using products that are 3-free and 5-free; that is, without nasty additives and chemicals. As well as using products of the safest calibre, Auum maintains the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene as well: they sanitize their tools using UV light and use disposable tools where possible. I highly recommend their friendly and healthy services!

 Okay, now onto the main part of the blogpost: the newly opened Sogurt Café at Bukit Timah! You've probably driven past it loads of times on Bukit Timah thanks to its convenient location, but I'm telling you: You need to go inside and try their food! While Sogurt has many branches dotted across the island, this is the first Sogurt Café, and I certainly hope it isn't the last. With light sweet treats and savory, healthy lunches, this delightful extension of our favorite froyo destination is equally delicious! The boyfriend and I were treated to a three course meal at the café, and our overall experience received nothing less than a massive two thumbs up.

 First Course: Turkey Ham, Brie Cheese and Cranberry Panini (served with a side of potato chips and salad) - SGD$10.50

We loved this! The toasted sandwich bread was deliciously healthy and the cranberry + cheese combination was an unlikely success. The portion of salad was served with a yummy light dressing and the potato chips were a fantastic way to top off this varied, healthy dish.

 Second Course: Waffles with Froyo and a Strawberry - SGD$6.50

If there's one thing that beats froyo by itself, it's definitely froyo served with a sweet, fluffy waffle drenched in chocolate sauce! I've always loved waffles and ice-cream, but honestly speaking, waffles with froyo was ten times better. It's a small portion that's big enough to satisfy a sugary craving or a light snack, but small enough to leave a little room in your tummy and prevent a food coma/food baby.

 Third Course: Toasties with Strawberries and Chocolate Sauce (served with fresh fruit) - SGD$7.50

Sliced strawberries and chocolate sauce sandwiched between warm toast and covered in even more chocolate sauce; yes please! This is the ultimate sugar fix for those of you guilty of possessing a sweet tooth (me included!) and is a great way to finish up a meal. The only thing that could make this delicious dish better? If it was served with froyo! Oh well, it's not that hard to grab a cup and swirl your own froyo to have alongside your chocolatey toasties (my mouth is seriously watering right now). Toasties are also available with nutella and bananas instead!

 Before we knew it, all our food was gone!

We had a wonderful experience taste-testing the new surprises at Sogurt Café Bukit Timah, and it definitely deserves all the rave reviews it gets. Make sure you head on down to Sogurt Café for a healthy quick fix of either sweet or savory (or both!) and let me know what you think!

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melrose medley.

There are now so many blogshops out in Singapore's blogshop scene, from independent livejournal sites to stand-alone mass retailers. Melrose Medley falls between those two extremes in a sort of happy medium - big enough to make a statement, but small enough to stay unique. I'm so excited to be featuring them on Seven Inch Stilettos - they house the greatest selection of exclusively handpicked apparels from all over Asia, featuring designs that are modern, stylish and effortless ("reflecting the personality of our shoppers!" owner Cynthia says). Melrose Medley's product line includes dresses, various tops and bottoms, and also accessories such as statement necklaces and earrings to complete your look. Suitable for work and play, these quality pieces boast a universal appeal with their vibrant prints and versatile designs. New items are launched bi-weekly on their site, www.melrosemedley.com, and the team are currently working on their own manufactured label featuring one-of-a-kind designs, so look out for that coming soon! Melrose Medley ships worldwide and offers free local non-registered mailing all year round - as if you needed another good reason to shop there!

dress: c/o melrose medley

heels: mango

blazer (on arm): mae pang

crossbody bag: c/o kristine's collection

earrings + bracelet: lovisa

Here are a couple snaps of me wearing Melrose Medley's First Crush Chiffon Dress (which is unfortunately sold out!) at work the other day. It's comfortable, light and flattering on most body types, and I love details on the back of the dress as well! It's one of those key pieces that every girl needs to have in her wardrobe; its conservative neckline and length makes it as suitable for family gatherings as it is for a weekend brunch with the girls, and of course, as its name suggests: a day out with the first crush! I paired it with heels for both elevated height and sophistication, but this dress can be easily worn with flats and combined with a flowy printed kaftan for a more beachy, resort feel and a pop of color. It also has a versatile Grecian-goddess appeal thanks to the creamy color and the style of the neckline - what's not to love? And these were hardly "posed" phone shots; I was actually sending an email. Photos by John the streetpeeker!

And before I forget, for those of you who prefer to shop in brick-and-mortar stores to get a physical feel of what you're buying, Melrose Medley has just opened a rack space at Creme De La Creme, located at Changi City Point (#01-49). This rack will feature an amazing selection of unreleased items, so be sure to check it out!



What do you think of Melrose Medley? Visit their website, Facebook and Instagram for more updates and sneak peeks!

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fabfad.

 Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting Fabfad's latest self-manufactured product: the "Wrap it Sassy" top, available in four gorgeous colors; off-white, plum, black and jade. This supersoft, flattering top boasts a 3/4 sleeve and a sexy, low-cut back which promises to amp up any outfit. I particularly loved styling the jade top with a white skirt for a squeaky-clean, Sunday brunch look. We shot at two of Singapore's most picturesque locations to showcase the versatility of the wrap top - Somerset Skate park and all of its graffitied glory, as well as the blue tones lacing the CBD skyline as viewed from Marina Bay Sands. Make sure you check out the "Wrap it Sassy" top when it launches tonight on Fabfad; it's a comfortable, wearable piece in four awesome colors! I had so much fun at the shoot with store owner Rebecca, fellow model Si Hui and photographer Fiona (and the two cute little skaterboys who joined in the shoot for a while!). All photography credits are due to Fiona of Smitten Pixels!

 The tongue-twister brand name was derived from the combination of two words, "Fabulous" and "Fashion." The webstore is lovingly brought to you by Rebecca & S, and aims to bring in high quality, comfortable and cheery clothes for ladies aged 16 to 30 at the most affordable price points. On top of the clothes they bring in from external manufacturers, Fabfad has their own manufactured items under the label "Regalia." 

One more thing - make sure you join in with Fabfad's Facebook Promotion if you'd like to win a $12 e-Voucher for Fabfad! They're generously giving these vouchers away to 5 lucky people, so follow the three simple steps below to try your luck!

1) LIKE "Fabfad" on Facebook here.

2) LIKE and SHARE the Fabfad album "Collection ‪#‎Eighty‬ - Six | Sassy Summer"

3) COMMENT on the album with "I want the $12 eVoucher!" 

The contest ends on the 12th of July (that's tomorrow!) at 12 noon. Winners will be randomly picked (by a program) and will be announced on Facebook on the 12th, before midnight. 

 Check out Fabfad's website, Facebook page, and Twitter!

And stay tuned for their launch tonight at 8pm!
 

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style.in.kind.

Boasting a kick-ass range of contemporary, youthful pieces for every occasion possible, style.in.kind is the newest exciting online fashion destination for must-have pieces that won't break the bank. From blouses to statement necklaces, style.in.kind's drool-worthy collection of unique pieces are peppered in plenty of color, and of course, the timeless promise of eternal style. Not only do they have their own collection of wonderful apparels, style.in.kind also proudly carries curated items from emerging independent Malaysian designers and labels such as Mno.logie, Midnight in E Garden by Ade G (which lucky Singaporean residents can find in Far East Plaza!), Fortune by Kim Dulaney and many more to come.

As their colorful landing page suggests, style.in.kind is filled to the brim with chic separates that can be easily combined to create a medley of different ensembles to fit your every mood and occasion. The brand were kind enough to sponsor me a few pieces which I am SO excited about - you can check out the clutch and shirt they sponsored me in this blogpost! The perspex clutch has such great studded detail and has found a permanent place on my shelf amongst my fashion magazines and books; talk about interior design potential as well as sartorial functionality! The refreshing, orange chevron-print blouse is lightweight and relaxed - I've already worn it so many times as it seems to fit every occasion perfectly; from date nights to fashion events.

 These are a couple of pictures off my Instagram (@veenamccoole - thank you for 1.5K by the way!) of style.in.kind's pieces - as you can see in the centre picture it's become a part of my room now! I'm in love with the super pretty blue and orange bracelets they sent me too (I'm so terribly obsessed with that color combination as of late - cue a "blue and orange" outfit post, perhaps!).

 Follow style.in.kind on Facebook and Instagram - and check out their website here!

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shopbop's new designers!

The rapid rise of the digital age in the context of fashion doesn't stop at simply promoting accessibility, breaking down barriers of exclusivity and giving online influencers a place among the stars in the front-row of fashion; one of the most striking facets of our technology-powered industry is the fact that one no longer needs to doll-up and head into town in order to snap up some sale pieces from their favorite designer. For someone who likes doing absolutely nothing at home, the idea of shopping from the comfort of my bed is EXTREMELY appealing - and what better place to shop online than Shopbop?

The cream of the crop in the world of e-retail, Shopbop was launched in 2000 and has since been successfully in sustaining their vision of catering to the "chic, modern woman" of today. Shopbop provides a personalized shopping experience to its customers and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as having "the best customer service." A champion of emerging design talent (they feature limited edition pieces from top designers exclusively available on their site) and the first "magazine-meets-boutique" approach to e-commerce, Shopbop is arguably the best store of its kind - it's certainly made its way to my list of "Top Hits" lately! For a self-confessed newbie to the world of online shopping, Shopbop is definitely my top destination for future "e-splurges" on pieces from my favorite designers!

Here are my 5 picks from some of Shopbop's newest designers - let me know what you think of them!

1. One Teaspoon: Pretty Daggers Top
This homegrown Sydney label specializes in edgy yet wearable designs that bridge the gap between sexy rock-n-roll and laid-back surf culture, and is a great place to snap up deconstructed/reinvented wardrobe essentials in bold colors that transcend fast-fashion trends. I especially love this gorgeous caged top, it's basically the definition of Aussie Tumblr-style and can be worn in so many daring ways.

2. Vera Wang: Sleeveless Corseted Dress
Designed by the ever-reigning queen of the most important dress you'll ever wear (your wedding dress!), Vera Wang's aesthetic of elegance at every age is translated perfectly into this flattering white number. It's sophisticated but not dull and conservative but not granny-esque; while other designers struggle to walk the fine line between appropriateness and boredom, Vera Wang seems to skip along it and breeze right by. With simple pleating and an origami feel to the nipped in waist and medium-bodied skirt, this dress flatters the female form from every angle and promises to exude understated glamour.

3. Monika Chiang: Domina Chain Cuff Sandal
I've recently fallen very much in love with ankle-strap shoes; even though they provide the illusion of shorter, stumpier legs, I just love that they're a nice change from the generic pump-design of most heels. This head-turning design by Monika Chiang is a boundary-pushing, inspired take on classic athletic silhouettes - what I love is the range of textures, materials and color combined tastefully into one shoe that makes it the perfect focal point of a basic outfit. Monika Chiang's other designs feature the likes of mesh platforms and spiked wedge sneakers, making her name synonymous with all things sexy, grungy and athletic.

4. Liebeskind: Lioba Stainy Studs Bag
If there's one color that everyone needs to own more of, it's stone grey. Or rather, every single shade/tone (I forget which is the accurate artistic term!) between the extremes of black and white. Grey is such a beautifully understated addition to any outfit, it has a unique, offbeat appeal and is versatile beyond belief. This studded grey bag from Berlin-based brand Liebeskind (translation: "love child") is so wonderfully carefree, with a distinct charm that reflects the urban vibe of Berlin. Be it leather shorts, skinny jeans, a maxi dress or denim cutoffs, this bag might just be able to accompany every single outfit of yours out the door and onto the street.

5. ace&jig: Rolled Tee Blouse
If there's something I literally cannot ever have enough of, it's slouchy tees. This particular one comes with a great history as well as interesting details - the yarn-dyed striped fabric is made in collaboration with specialists in India on ancient hand looms. It adds the perfect touch of color, texture and a wonderful snippet of historical context to anything from a ripped pair of boyfriend jeans to a flowy maxi skirt.

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