Some of the Beautiful Numbers I Kept

Tri Colour Chiffon Tunic

Baby’s Breath Dress

Nautical Buttons Blouse in Red/White Stripes

Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse in Mustard

I am always very proud of the beautiful pieces that I scout for my webstore and I can never resist picking a few for my personal wardrobe. Yes, a few out of the many. Most of the designs are available in very limited quantities and therefore I have to give my customers priority to own them.

I personally favour tunics very much. I like the relaxed fit design. I have almost all the tunics that I have brought back for my webstore. With no exceptions, I have also picked two tunics in the latest selection for my personal wardrobe.

Tri Colour Chiffon Tunic

This has become my first chiffon tunic. I like the soft, light-weight material and the luscious look when I match it with a pair of tights. This is so comfortable when I need to run errands and it is very suitable for weekend activities. Be it on a shopping trip, a chill-out at a cafe or a stroll in the park.

Baby’s Breath Dress

This number is also a first for me. My first terry knit tunic. I am so pleased with the overall design using a combination of cotton and terry knit, the zip at the left shoulder front to add a detail and the use of terry knit on the sleeve holes. I will match it with a pair of light-colour leggings and a pair of flats.

Nautical Buttons Blouse in Red/White Stripes

Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse in Mustard

I have very few sleeveless blouses. Some arm holes in sleeveless blouses are too wide for my arms. A well-constructed sleeveless blouse has proportionate arm hole length in line with the size of the blouse, not too small, not too wide. I am very careful with apparels in stripes print. We all know how vertical lines create a slim look and how horizontal lines widens our body visually. The Nautical Buttons Blouse in Red/White Stripes comes in vertical stripes print, designed with draped sides and a smart standing pointed collar. Neat sewing is a big pull factor that draws me to like it.

I grew to like pleats when I started to wear apparels in pleats earlier this year. I have Gianna Pleated Dress and Scarlett Pleated Maxi Skirt. Mustard is a colour I did not have and I personally think it is a gorgeous summer colour. So now Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse in Mustard is a proud addition to my personal wardrobe.

All beautiful pieces above are now available, right here at
www.queenbels.com.sg 

To Mom, With Love Part 2

To Mom, With Love Part 2.

Enter code MUMSDAY to redeem SGD10/- voucher when you shop at Queenbels. From 7 May 2012 to 9 May 2012. Begin your shopping for Mother’s Day gifts right here at Queenbels.

Happy Mother’s Day in advance to all the dearest mummies.

Begin shopping for Mother’s Day gift right here at
www.queenbels.com.sg 

To Mom, With Love

Mother’s Day Special – Free Worldwide Shipping till 6 May 2012

Mother’s Day falls on second Sunday of May every year in Singapore. This year it falls on 13 May 2012.

Every year on this special day, we express our love and honour for our mummy dearest with special gifts and or a dine-out at a nice restaurant. It’s like a day off for our mummy dearest from doing all the cooking and gets pampered. A spa package will be nice too.

In celebration of this special day, I am doing free worldwide shipping till 6 May 2012. Begin your shopping for Mother’s Day gifts right here at Queenbels. I have great gifts ideas just for you.

Dots n Floral Wrap in Vintage Orange	Dots n Floral Wrap in Vintage Orange
Love Me Everyday Shrug	Love Me Everyday Shrug

Are you bringing your mummy dearest for some shopping? Air-conditions in shopping malls may get real chilling sometimes. A shawl or wrap in your bag will come handy at this time to protect your mummy dearest from some cold air. If your mummy prefer something thicker and made of knit, I recommend the Love Me Everyday Shrug.

Rosie Rose Necklace in Golden

Nana Peterpan Necklace

Rosie Rose Necklace in Dark Silver

Very recently I have brought in three exquisitely made peranakan inspired necklaces. Rosie Rose Necklace in Golden was all sold out on the first day of display on rack. Glam up your mummy dearest with these gorgeous necklaces and I am sure she will receive sweet compliments.

Don’t miss the Free Worldwide Shipping. Ends this Sunday, 6 May 2012.

Happy Mother’s Day in advance to all the dearest mummies.

More gift ideas right here at
www.queenbels.com.sg 

What and Why on PlusThatQ Selection

PlusThatQ Selection

The brand new selection, PlusThatQ has hit the racks last Friday.

Sneak peeks in snapshots were made available via instagram @queenbels, Facebook page and Twitter before the shop catalog was updated officially.

The emphasis is still very much on quality; use of good quality fabric, excellent sewing workmanship and the cutting. Wearable classics is a trait of Queenbels. I believe in putting money on versatile classic pieces with clever integration of current trend but not on one-season trend. Regular shoppers at Queenbels identify and appreciate this mission statement.

My Dainty Lady Peterpan Collar Flare Blouse in Pink/White

My Dainty Lady Peterpan Collar Flare Blouse in Blue/White

Apparels with the peterpan collar make a comeback this year. In fact it made its presence late last year with the invention of fake collars and revolved into collar necklaces. My Dainty Lady Peterpan Collar Flare Blouse is one beautiful piece designed with fitted bodice and a flare at the waist. I recommend matching this blouse with your pencil skirt if you want to add one more pretty outfit to your office wear. If you are looking at wearing this blouse for the weekends, I suggest matching it with a pair of slim demin jeans, a demin skirt or a pair of casual white pants, complete with flats or loafers.

Relaxed Two-Colour 3/4 Sleeves Tunic

Baby's Breath Dress

I introduce tunics in almost every selection. A well made tunic is versatile to wear on its own or with a belt. I like the roomy feel the relaxed fit creates. It is a plus point if there are functional pockets for me to keep the small stuffs while I am on the go. You will love the Relaxed Two-Colour 3/4 Sleeves Tunic and the Baby’s Breath Tunic.

Nautical Buttons Blouse in Red/White Stripes

Nautical Buttons Blouse in Red/White Stripes

I have also brought in the Nautical Buttons Blouse in stripes; red/white stripes and blue/white stripes. I appreciate how the stripes meet very closely at the connecting seams and from the collar to the blouse, which gives a very neat look. To achieve this, the garment makers and sewers have to pay extra effort and attention on cutting the fabric and to sew very meticulously.

Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse in Cadet Blue

Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse in Mustard

Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse in Nude

Chiffon blouses are one of our current best sellers. The Mini Pleats Front Collar Blouse comes in three enchanting colours with full inner lining. I love the attention paid to details like the curled hem. And you can’t miss The Passion Chiffon Pleats Blouse.

PlusThatQ Selection is now available at
www.queenbels.com.sg 

Meet Andrea, Our New Face Model

Meet Andrea, our new face model, looking all stylish in our Dots n Floral Wrap in Vintage Orange. A very pleasant and nice model to work with. My appreciation to her for bearing with the not so comfortable weather on the photoshoot day.

I am naming the brand new selection, PlusThatQ.

Customers and fans of my webstore who have been following since the beginning, know that I had ever attempted to showcase my own designs. I even had labels done. I am no designer, but I desire to have a label I call my own.

Things did not turn out the way I wanted. Samples did not pass my requirements. Nothing turn out right. I am still working towards this project and I believe I will realise it one day. I will name my label PlusThatQ. Guess the meaning behind it?

Dots n Floral Wraps are now available at
www.queenbels.com.sg 

Dots n Floral

Dots n Floral Wrap in Pink n Grey

Dots n Floral Wrap in Coral n Green

I like polka dots very much. The wallpaper on my webstore and the hair scrunchies I sewn are in polka dots prints. There is this charm about putting dots of different colours together. You will be amazed and enchanted at the combination you can get.

I myself have a couple of wraps, which is more commonly known as shawls. In the early days it was seen mostly on the outfits of the tai-tais and the more elderly ladies. Now you see office ladies alternating wraps with cardigans in the office to combat the harsh low air-con temperature.

The pieces I have are (surprisingly) not in polka dots prints. They are in check prints, a print I love very much too. It took me quite awhile to put my money on the first piece because I didn’t find it suitable for my age and outfit back then. I was afraid it would make me look old and it was really not very commonly used. But I like the elegance when one is wearing a wrap. The light material that sways at the slightest breeze makes a lady so feminine. Some come with trimmed edges which add a touch of countryside. I bring a piece of these wraps with me whenever I am travelling overseas by plane. The temperature can get really cold when you are thousands of miles above sea level.

One of the well-known casual attire label has special edition collaborations recently and they have a wrap in polka dots print in a very cool colour that caught my attention. That gave me the idea to stock some wraps on my webstore, at the same time to increase variety in the accessories section too. I was very very glad when I saw the above awesome pieces at one of my supplier’s place. The colour combinations and material are exactly what I have in mind.

These Dots n Floral Wraps will be available very soon at
www.queenbels.com.sg

Don’t Miss It.

Love Me Fluffy Pouch

Love Me Fluffy Pouch

Did I tell you we have a Love Me Fluffy Pouch too?

Perfect for keeping the Love Me Wooden Pens, isn’t it? I think it is a good choice to stash the makeup brushes and cosmetics.

Love Me Fluffy Pouch is now available at
www.queenbels.com.sg 

Love Me Wooden Pens

I always try to put aside some personal time on my sourcing trips, just to catch a breather after all the running around and also to eat my favourite food. Sourcing trips are pretty stressful and time-compelling because I have to complete every single thing on my to-do list. On the previous trip, I managed to go wondering around some shopping areas that I have not been before. Seriously I try not to do any shopping because I had done a great deal of “shopping” at my garment makers work space.

Love Me Wooden Pens

Love Me Wooden Pens in Pouch

Right at a turning corner, there is this shop selling stationeries. Not just stationeries, but CUTE stationeries. I was so attracted by all the cute stationeries in the window display. There were so many things; pens, notepads, sticky notes, stickers, highlighters, rulers, pencil cases, pouches, erasers etc etc. For awhile I felt I was like in a stationery wonderland. There was a little door in the shop leading to an attic and I wondered if there were fairies and elves up there making these cute stationeries.

I put almost EVERYTHING into the shopping basket. Everything is C-U-T-E. I knew I just wanted to buy and put them on my work desk to admire. Yes to admire because I won’t bear to use them at all. Then I thought it will be nice if I can introduce something different as a special selection for my webstore.

These pens each reminds me of something. The little red bag reminds me of a red baggage that I carry with me when I fly. Listening to radio is something I do everyday. I used to travel by buses to school because train stations were not that accessible in those days. And that post house, a place I have to visit so often to mail packages to the customers. Oh did I tell you I like one particular post office a lot? Guess?

I name them Love Me Wooden Pens because I wish anyone who has them will love them and use them to pen lovely fond memories. Don’t you think these pens make wonderful presents?

These Love Me Wooden Pens will be available very soon at

www.queenbels.com.sg 

That Visit to the Peranakan Museum

I had visited the Peranakan Museum a couple of times. I like the rich cultural heritage especially the traditional costumes with very delicate embroidery and the jewellery which is made with extremely exquisite workmanship in unique designs. I believe many of you, like me, grew up eating yummy tasty nyonya kuehs.

On the way to Peranakan Museum	At the Peranakan Museum main entrance
Guided Tour in the Peranakan Museum	Embossed Peranakan Motifs

The museum holds special events and featured exhibitions periodically. On one of my visits about two years ago, there was a ‘Baba Bling, The Peranakans & Their Jewellery’ exhibition. There were generous displays of treasured rare pieces from private collectors and pieces that were not exhibited before. I was deeply captivated by the unique designs and the very very fine workmanship. I was told that it is very difficult to find a craftsman in these days who knows how to make these pieces. It is almost like a lost skill. To coincide with this featured exhibition, the museum specially printed the embossing sheets in golden print. I went around the museum collecting every single motifs. Each motif has its own meaning and use. I am still keeping these motifs emboss print sheets like a prized possession.

On my sourcing trip last week, I chanced upon two very lovely necklaces. These necklaces extrude a very Peranakan feel and remind me so much of the beautiful pieces I saw at the museum. I have not bring in accessories for awhile because I did not see pieces that are unique, beautiful and made of good material. I am kinda of picky when it comes to selecting items for my webstore but I knew I just have to bring these two necklaces back.

Nana Peterpan Necklace was the first piece I set my eyes on. It is a very well made piece with excellent crafting work. I see it being worn best with our Suzann Side Gathers Dress or your little black dress.

Nana Peterpan Necklace

Rosie Rose Necklace was the next piece that caught my eyes. Rose pendent pair with mesh necklace. Stunning and elegant. The workmanship is so lavish with neatly embedded faux diamond studs in the pendent and the mesh necklace. It will instantly glam up any of your outfit. Maybe with a simple blouse, blazer and skirt/pants?

Rosie Rose Necklace in Golden

Rosie Rose Necklace in Dark Silver

These gorgeous necklaces are coming your way this Wednesday, 28 March 2012, at

www.queenbels.com.sg 

That 2nd Mini Bazaar

Mini Bazaar at Orchard Central

Finally I can sit down and write about our 2nd mini bazaar which was held a week long. The crazy me hopped on the plane the very next day after the mini bazaar ended for a brand new sourcing trip. More on that later. 

I didn’t expect the second mini bazaar to happen in less than a month after the first one ended. The timing was right ie venue, resources and manpower all fell in place. This pre-bazaar preparations were even crazier than the 1st. The hangers were replenished three times. Yes three times. The number of racks were increased twice. I even spent time steaming some apparels because I cannot stand the crease lines that came from the folding of the garments (all brand new garments came folded, sealed and packed).

When the first day ended, my legs were aching mad. I stood most of the time throughout the bazaar, attending to customers’ queries, helping them with measurements, explaining how to purchase online, introducing myself and my webstore etc. Regulars who came to support and shop touched me very much. They could have shopped online and enjoyed the same discounts but they chose to come and support. A HUGE THANK YOU ladies!

The most common comment I received was: “Your apparels are gorgeous, good workmanship but I cannot fit.” That left me feeling both happy and sad. I am happy because there are people who are able to identify and appreciate the fine workmanship in these apparels that I personally source and import. I am sad at the same time because I fail to recognise the fashion needs of some slight plus-sized ladies. These customers walked away with the look of wanting the item very much but meaningless to buy clothes they cannot fit. I took serious note of it and remind myself that I must feedback the same to the garment makers on my next sourcing trip.

Generally the customers who shopped at my mini bazaar were very pleasant people. Some tried very hard to bargain to the best dollar and some asked if I am making money at all when they saw the very reasonable price vs the excellent workmanship. Some simply popped their heads in and said “You have nice stuffs there.” You have no idea how happy I was and I am still feeling happy now while typing this. Some encouraged me to hold more mini bazaars at different locations because they feel I have very awesome and unique apparel designs to introduce to more people.

I got to know some business owners who were very friendly and nice. Some of them even bought items from me and shared with me a few important pointers to take note of to hold a successful mini bazaar.

Thank you once again to all who came to shop at my mini bazaar and friends who popped by to lend morale support. Special Thank You to my little sister who came to help out at my mini bazaar for the whole week. It was a very tiring and rewarding experience. Not rewarding in monetary terms because I had to cover substantial part of the rental out of my own pocket. It was the experience, the various comments I received that will help me manage my webstore better. That famous quote: Priceless.

I will talk about my sourcing trip in my next post.