Martell VSOP The ultimate start-up space 2011 is onto their 2nd phase today, with 10 final business ideas being shortlisted. As part of their challenge, they all need your support by pledging to help fund their business should they win.

These 10 teams now receive mentorship from renowned local entrepreneurs Mr. Jimmy Fong and Mr. Low Cheong Kee, as well as undergo a one-week intensive business training course provided by INSEAD. The ultimate winner of this year’s competition will walk away with a 1,400 square foot storefront at Boon Tat Street, an area rich with heritage, rent-free for a period of one year, and a start-up cash prize of S$20,000, fully sponsored by Martell V.S.O.P. How cool is that? I’d wanted to submit my business idea too but alas my own start-up and the happenings in life just didn’t give me the time to get down to submitting my idea!

Two years of silence, half a year of hard work and many more years ahead; that’s the life of RediscoverSG. A site like this cannot be done overnight. The crew behind works very hard to put together the content in a way that engages you as much as they can.

Pictures speak a thousand words, and I believe videos speak much more than that. Publishing a site with eye catching photos and short bites of the topic in video isn’t child play. I’m very proud of what the crew have done and achieved. And now, shortlisted as one of the Top 10 finalists in OMY Singapore Blog Awards 2011, it shows that their hard work is being recognized. Winning it is going to be a bonus for the crew.

Please do go take a look at RediscoverSG and see why this group of young Singaporeans deserve our support and votes. If you love it as much as we do, hope you can spare a few seconds everyday from now till 3 July, to vote for RediscoverSG for Best Photography Blog in OMY Singapore Blog Awards 2011.

I’ll be voting everyday. Hope you will too. :)

If you haven’t met the crew behind RediscoverSG, here they are… Song, Jeremy, Derek and Lizzy.

Travel plans for June and December had to be put on hold and that means its a no-holiday-for-Claudia-in-2011! Almost every year for the past 7 years, we will at least go somewhere together. We need our time to get out to relax and recharge.

The last island escapade for us was at Batam, which is an island but not quite an island escapade since we didn’t get to go to the beach. Our past two getaway at a beach was at Bintan. First was in 2005 and the other in 2008 so by right we should have one to Bintan in 2011 right? If only we can go to Nikoi Island! The one we read about in 2008 but couldn’t go due to budget. And now, Tiger Beer is giving away a private island escapade to Nikoi Island!

Back to my dream island escapade…

That’s what I told myself three years back when I decided to stop thinking about being my own boss and just get it going! There never was a dull moment during this journey and I cannot see myself working for others in the near future. Its like eating your favorite chips, once you start munching, you just don’t want to stop.

I’m sure, everyone at some point in life will have thought of starting on its own before. Ideas are limitless and if only resources are so too. When one starts to ponder further into the business idea, the risk, the amount of time needed, the rental, the seed money to get it going and all other elements fill your mind, and one ends up continue living life as it is. Business idea left on the shelf and never touched.

If you are like that, here’s your chance to find that idea book, blow away the dust and get working on it! Your chance is here to win the Ultimate Start-Up Space located along Boon Tat Street, a nice place to get your business started. Best part? It’s free for a year plus you’ll receive funding support and training by experts to guide you through the journey. $20,000 isn’t going to be enough for a business to get going? Well, get all your friends, families, supporters to help! Martell will have the platform for the finalists to crowdsource for more funds to kick start the business. You’ll never know how much the ultimate seed fund is going to be!

As I’m typing this, my mind’s filled with so many possibilities already! I’m going to try my luck in this for sure! Join me and the many more dreamers in this journey to win our chance to own and kick off our business idea at The Ultimate Start-Up Space!

More details can be found on their website.

Its time for Giveaway at Claudia.sg!

This time, I’m giving away one brand new unopened (means unassembled) Gakkenflex Camera to one lucky winner! I had my hands to assemble one some time back and the first and only roll till date turned out rather disappointing. But still its a very cool camera to assemble and shoot with!

To make this more fun, I’m adding a little tasks this time round to the giveaway. Instead of submitting your details to me and me picking a winner, you’ll have to show my readers and me a creative shot taken by you. It can be on instagram, flickr, twitter, facebook or any photo sharing sites.

Got the drill?

Not let’s see some pretty pictures!

On Monday, 3.14, I attended my first “public appearance” for 2011 at TANGS Orchard. The memories from Blogathon flashed back when I stepped onto stage. Almost felt there’s something about me and TANGS that got me back again. Perhaps its a sign? Hmm…

This time, I was invited by Shiseido to share about my whitening journey with White Lucent with guests at White Day 3.14.

From now till 20 March (Sun) at TANGS Orchard
Receive a Business Class Set with every $160 nett spent. Two sets for you to pick, the White Lucent Set or the Revital White Set.

PLUS! You’ll receive an exclusive White Day Limited Edition Chocolavion treat from Shiseido Parlour in Japan when you top-up your spending to $180 nett. This is available in limited quantities!

I know I’ve tweeted a plenty about this but I cannot help but post about it too! This video deserves to be shared!

The crew behind Rediscover Singapore spent time brainstorming and conceptualising this video. And with their tight schedule, still able to produce one that touches hearts of Singaporean. Its not about winning the highest votes (a little hard since those who submitted earlier gets more time to rally for daily votes) nor winning the most creative video award.

Its really about sharing the things and reasons why we call this Home.

If you like this video, please help vote for it on thisishome.sg. You can vote everyday! 20 days to go before the contest closes. So go watch and vote if you can relate to it.