One of the things we (Melinda and Sonia) love about Shop Me Chic is being able to share with you, our lovely readers, two different styles, points of view and favourite online shopping spots across the fashion, beauty and lifestyle categories.

In wanting to bring you more variety and more content, we have taken on two Shop Me Chic contributors – our Beauty Contributor, Avi and our Lifestyle Contributor, Melissa.

We think you will adore them as much as we do and they are guaranteed to bring a little sparkle to your Sundays starting in November.

Today we wanted to officially introduce you to our new contributors. Who are they? What makes them tick? What can you expect to see from them on Shop Me Chic? We had a little chat with both of them to find out…

Avi Vince believes you are all beautiful au naturale. However, she knows that you love dabbling in the makeup box, or getting those toes painted, or praying for the tan to be golden instead of orange. Her mum used to be a beauty therapist, so she learnt a few tricks at an early age. She has also had the misfortune of learning from her own bad beauty decisions in the past (or at least she thinks she learnt). To make sure you don’t make the same mistakes as her, she is here to help you out. Disclaimer: even as a dedicated fan you may still make one or two beauty mistakes. You can follow her on Twitter or check out her website.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Avi.

At the beginning of this year, I made a New Year’s resolution to stop wishing I could write to actually doing it (if you head to my website’s About page, you can read about the scary man who haunted me until I just started writing). Ten months on and here I am. The Beauty Contributor of Shop Me Chic. I love telling people’s stories, but I also love connecting with people like we have been best friends since we were five and could never figure out why boys didn’t think fairies were the coolest thing ever. So that is why I am so excited to be able to share all my beauty tips with you. There is really nothing like the feeling you have after a successful fake tan, or looking back at photos and thinking, “Man, my eye make up was awesome that day!”

When I am not writing, I am working in the community sector.  Hoping to make the world a little bit better for those who don’t get a great start in life.

What do you hope to bring Shop Me Chic?

You have to admit: Shop Me Chic is pretty awesome. So what would I bring? Well, let’s see. Beauty tips…that is pretty obvious. But I also bring real life stuff. Everything I will write about is something I have had to experience. Like the time I thought my hair was fabulous, only to get home and see that humidty had formed an afro on my head instead! While I might research a bit and ask some pros, it is all to make sure you don’t have to experience what I did. Unless you look good with a ‘fro.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

Don’t hate me. I heart reality TV. The worse the better. I am truly sad this is Jersey Shore’s last season – why did you have to get preggers Snooki?! And I am struggling with the fact that Real Housewives of the OC may not be returning. I just can’t love the others like I love the OC. And yes, I still mourn for the good old days of Lauren Conrad in The Hills.

When I am not madly keeping up with my recorded Foxtel shows, I am hitting the gym or walking my two little beagles.

What are your favourite online stores?

So I am still getting comfortable with online shopping. However, I may be forming a slight addiction to a few.

First off, StrawberryNet. If you don’t know this store, when you open it, you will hear the sounds of heaven. Nothing better than beauty products than DISCOUNTED beauty products!

Next one would be a recent discovery: The Iconic. Heart! They have some of my favourite brands, but I try not to look too often, otherwise there goes all my money.

And the final fave, which has been around for a while, is Victoria’s Secret. No, I don’t buy loads of naughty lingerie. Just a little. But I love Victoria’s Secret’s trackies and workout shirts, cute undies and sexy bikinis.  Okay, I have to stop, otherwise I will be heading to these sites.

What can our readers expect to see in your features in the coming months?

Well, summer is on its way. More so if you aren’t in Melbourne (where I am located). And that means body parts get exposed! PG ones. And also all those parties and hot summer nights out. So I will be here giving you some tips to keep those PG body parts (like toes) gorgeous and tricks on how to remain hot (not temprature hot) from beginning to end.

Melissa is a Finance Administrator and self confessed crazy cat lady from Sydney, New South Wales. You can find her in the kitchen baking cookies or curled up with a good book. She loves spending time with her friends & family, cross-stitch and drinking coffee. You can find Melissa on Twitter or over on her blog, House Of Powell.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Melissa.

​I’m 26, married to my wonderful husband and a step-mum to a beautiful 5 year old girl. I currently work full time while we try to start our family.

What do you hope to bring Shop Me Chic?​

I hope to bring a fresh approach to online shopping with my insights and commentary based on my own personal experiences.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

​When I’m not blogging, I’m relaxing with a coffee reading a good book, or doing cross-stitch. You can also find me playing with my step-daughter and tending to our veggie garden.

What are your favourite online stores?

​I am loving Wheel & Barrow at the moment, as well as Growing Gifts and Neat Geek.

What can our readers expect to see in your features in the coming months?

​They can expect to see funky gadgets, chic gift ideas and beautiful homewares. I am aiming to write about chic yet practical items in every price point.

Please give our two contributors a big, chic welcome!

Stay Chic,

Melinda & Sonia. xx