Travel + shopping = Travelshopa

Questions for Travelshopa:

For those who haven’t come across Travelshopa yet… please give a little summery of what you’re all about and what gave you the inspiration to set it up.

Travelshopa started out as a blog in November 2012, and in July 2013 we will be revealing the first online community of more than 150 exclusive local shops, local brands in Singapore. 

Travelshopa was born out of frustration. I could not seem to easily find quality information about local designers and retailers when I travelled. There are lots of city guides, accommodation and restaurant recommendation sites, but nothing on shopping, and certainly nothing focused purely on local shopping. So I created a blog that helps shoppers to discover great local shops, local brands.

What makes a positive constructive day in the life of Travelshopa?

Discovering a great local shop or brand in Singapore and beyond, or finding out about newsworthy collections/stock/events for local shops and brands. If it’s local shopping related we want to know about it.

 

Best ever fashion purchase and why?

It’s hard to choose the best fashion purchase. There have been quite a few in my time! I do recall the first time I came to Singapore and purchased 14 pairs of shoes, and I recently came back from the US with 10, so I must have a thing for serial shoes shopping adventures.

 

Tell us your best beauty secret.

It’s called living the dream… Meditate, drink water, eat raw food, sleep 8 hours a night and repeat. Something I struggle to achieve on a regular basis.

 

Clothing wise, what could you not live without?

As a mum stylish shorts and comfortable flats. For work, statement trousers.

How do you reward yourself at the end of a busy day?

Yoga or new age books. I have just started reading The Magic.

What is your Favourite (fashion) Online Shop?

Oh that’s not fair... I can no longer have “favourites” or “bests”... To be honest I am not much of an online shopper for fashion. Books are a different story.

What’s your Guilty pleasure?

Um… shopping on the job!

Shoes or Bags?

Is that a trick question? I am a one-bag-woman and a shoe lover.

 

How would you characterise your own fashion style? 

Classic, with some edge. I play it fairly safely most of the time.

Do you shop on the high street, if so where? 

Ahhh! Is that another trick question? No, not anymore... I am enjoying replacing my much-loved designer handbags, shoes and sunglasses with local designer pieces as they provide me with individuality.

 

Tell us your top boutique/shop (fashion) secret you have discovered here in Singapore and why you love it. 

There are too many to list. However, there is a shop in Mandarin Gallery called ‘Nancy’. I think most people would walk straight past it. I bought a military inspired cheongsum shirt from there and I think it gets more compliments than most things I own. All my other favourites are listed on Travelshopa ;)

Who do you think dresses well in the public eye?

I am into following bloggers as I think their wardrobes are more accessible and realistic. I think Wendy Nguyen oozes style and sophistication. As for celebrities, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston and Kourtney Kardashian get it right most of the time, and I find they aren’t head-to-toe in designer labels all the time.

What would your ideal Saturday consist of? 

Sleep in, family brunch, afternoon nap and swim with my daughter, then friends over for a dinner party.

What exciting updates and news does the Travelshopa team have in store this year?

I first came up with the concept of a local shopping “guide” over 2 years ago so it’s very exciting to see that Travelshopa will start to take its true form this July. A lot comes with moving from a blog to an online community, and also expanding into new destinations, so you will have to follow us closely to see what we have in store for all the shopping enthusiasts out there.

 

And finally what's the best bit of advice you’ve been given? 

It was not direct advice but I think Christopher Robin was on the money… You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

 

 

Lots of Love

Renée, Travelshopa xx

 Renée’s top things:

Toes between the sand, a smile and memories