The Sex Kitten Stroll

A couple of months ago I took my children along to the local rock n roll dance lessons (I thought it would be a good 'family' thing to do together.) Well, the kids enjoyed it, but an hour was about as much as they could concentrate on and I ended up coming home a bit more frazzled than energised.

 

So, I think I will leave it for a little while longer - just till they get a wee bit older.

 

So, while I await that time, its great to know I can still strut my stuff - keeping myself fit and my skills honed (!) - in my kitchen each night doing the Sex Kitten Stroll.

 

I'm not exactly sure where this dance evolved from (if anyone knows, please post in a comment below), but it is certainly big at all the massive Rockabilly festivals here in Australia, and also in the US and Europe. A bit of an eye candy fest for the guys who get to watch all the hot chickie babes shaking their booty together, line dance fashion but with a hell of a lot more wiggle !

 

So, just to make sure I don't forget any of the moves, I have put together a little youtube snippet on how to execute The Sex Kitten Stroll..... if the scene is new to you, this might prove handy to begin with.

 

Best of luck my friends, and I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor in the not too distant future !

 

 

 

PS This was filmed on my HTC phone - hence the dodgy quality, and the fact that my jumper is aqua in the picture, and emerald green like my shoes in real life!!! Humph!!

 

Its party Season...

So get your groove on and get on down.....



A one-time-only night of steamy dance rhythms and tropical intrigue...
CUMBIA, MAMBO, R&B-EXOTICA, SKA, CALYPSO, SAMBA, SURF and more.

DJs EMMA PEEL and MOHAIR SLIM spinning 45RPM equatorial excellence.

PLUS
Alex Burns' 5-piece lap steel exotica outfit, "CLUB TROPICANA".

AND
Belly Dance beauty "ANDREANA".

Just $10 at the door.

9PM to 2AM

@ 86 Cocktail and Cabaret Bar (www.the86.com.au)
86 Smith Street, Fitzroy.

Its been quite a while since I have been able to get down to the big smoke and enjoy a great night of music, dress and dance......so I think its about time, especially if they have numbers like this to move too......

Danny Cobb - My Isabella

The Rumblers - Boss

Lord Bryner - Congo War

Cyril X. Diaz & His Orchestra - Tabu

Combo los Galleros - Tabaco Mascao

If my luck holds, I look forward to seeing you all there (if you live in Melbourne or surrounds!) Happy party season friends !


 

Thanksgiving

Isnt she adorable? You gotta love a beautiful Barbie - especially one carrying a turkey ! She's the Holiday Hostess Barbie #4 and for a Barbie collector like me, she's one to put on the "indulgence" list.

 

 

But thanksgiving itself....you know, we don't actually have the celebration here in Australia, however I would love it if we did. Taking a moment to be grateful for all that we have can only bring a country, a community, a family, an individual joy in the long run.....

 

I have had a trying year (who hasn't!) with surgery, relationship dramas, children's physical and emotional bumps and bruises, but in August I empowered myself by choosing to find something to celebrate in each day. I began by taking a photograph of the something and posted it on facebook every day for about a month....this in turn moved into more private realms as I noted the little things that bought me joy. May I just say, it altered my brain patterns for the better, and as the conclusion of 2013 draws near I can honestly say I am thinking more lovingly, more freely and more joyfully than back when I started the gratitude journey. I am no longer as weighted down with concerns about what people think of me (ego), as I choose to celebrate the 'me' alive in each moment. Have been reading a lot of Erkhardt Tole, Deepak Chopra and Louise Hay which has also contributed to my new 'present in the moment' living - I highly recommend their works.

 

So, as I sit and ponder what I am grateful for this thanksgiving 2014, I really think my truth is that I am grateful for the spiritual journey of gratitude itself .... it is helping me overcome episodes of 'lowness', making me care for myself better (self compassion is a wonderful thing!) and helping me leave behind the curse of 'wanting' that coloured my life in the past. I have discovered there is so much wonder in this moment, I squander it by chasing more, more, more all the time.

 

My wish for each of you this thanksgiving is that you will discover the magic in the moment you are in - the people in your lives, the food on your table, the creative endeavours you are undertaking, the snuggly-ness of winter or the sunshine of summer wherever you are in the world.....enjoy the moment!

Cultivating Modernism - an exhibition

 

Looking for something interesting, cultural and historical to do over the summer? What about this fantastic (and FREE!) exhibition looking at the rise of modernism in our approach to gardening? There really is a lot more to our gardening heritage than pink flamingos, tyre swan plant holders and hills hoists......get along to this exhibition to broaden your mind and your understanding of mid century culture in our fascinating country!

 

 

I may have missed the 50's Fair - But I still have Sterling Hair - AND one mega exciting scoop!

Well, lovely readers, I most tragically missed this years Sydney 50's Fair and must, alas, wait a whole 12 more months to be able to again have the chance to don my 50's finest and hang with other like minded lovers of mid century.

 

 

Fortunately for me, however, I stumbled upon this terrific little youtube tribute to

a) the Sydney 50's Fair and

b) the wonderment that is Sterling Hairdressing......

I am just itching to share it with you! View this great footage and you will catch a very strong glimpse of that which is rockabilly inspired or, as I prefer it called, mid century or vintage culture. It is quite different from rock n roll culture (oftentimes a weekend pastime), this mid century addiction is lived rather than dabbled in as a retrospective hobby culture. I hope I am making sense!

What I love most about the 50's Fair is that it is not a hot rod show - it is a celebration of 50's design, culture, fashion and style. In my opinion it is like no other nostalgia event in Australia - without doubt it is the most authentic. This wonderful clip has Tony, from Sterling Hair in Sydney, talking about his experience of The Fair and everything wonderful about the love of 50's culture.

 

 

As for Sterling, ladies and gents, I only WISH they were closer than the 8 hour drive away for me - I would become a regular customer simply to soak up the ambiance! If, however, you find yourself in the lovely harbourside town, do head on down to Surrey Hills for a sparkling Sterling trim or style....I am betting you wont regret doing so, and might even wager you will back again for more !

As I penned (or realistically, typed) the words above two days ago, little did I realise that I was to be entrusted with one of the most exciting scoops to hit 'the scene' in an age. People, Sterling Hair IS going to be closer than an 8 hour drive for me !! Indeed, they are going to be close enough for me (and a vast majority of those in 'the scene' - although I hate using that term!) to frolic to on a very regular occasion. Dear friends -

 

STERLING HAIR IS COMING TO MELBOURNE !!!

 

Tony and Lou are in the process of hunting out the perfect bayside city venue for Sterling - as well as putting together their own product line due to be released early next year !!! Yeow !!!! Clapping hands with excitement !!!

 

 

OK. Breath. Breath. Focus.

 

Until such time, those of us south of the border will have to content ourselves with anticipation, and the viewing of the following two Youtube clips to tide us over.

 

The wonderful world of Sterling (Bespoke Press)

 

 

Sterling Hairdressing Parlour & Barbers Shop talks 50's Fair

 

 

So - I may have missed the 50's Fair this year - but in knowing that more of the mid century culture is coming my way on a regular basis, I can live with it.

 

 

Hope you enjoy the footage, and once again, being inspired by the stylin' class of those wonderful individuals who demonstrate 50's love on a daily basis ! Thankyou Tony and Lou for creating such a classic, experience based service!

 

 

Till next years Fair, and the advent of Melbourne Sterling - Mwah!
 

 

 

Thankyou to Pablo Martin for these great photographs taken at a recent trade fare

The Switched on Shindig !

 

I haven't been out on the town for far far far too long, so when the ever lovely Anna Go Go invited me to this event, I promptly hit the yes button on the facebook screen ! Not only will there be great music and the chance to doll up all 60's (new era of choice for me), but Anna will also be showcasing some fabulous 60's dances - Get your groove on people !!!

 

"Still looking for the Land of 1000 Dances? You know – that magical place where you can put your hands on your hips and let your backbone slip? A place where the scene is so outta sight you can do the Watusi, the Pony, the Mashed Potato and the Alligator all night? Well, we’re here to tell you that your search is over, baby, because PBS is presenting a party to end all parties, ‘The Switched On Shindig’, where the dances are gonna flow until you say noooooooo more!

For one night only Melbourne’s finest fema...

le foxes will join forces to celebrate the golden era of 1960s nightclub culture.

Featuring two live sets from Talei Wolfgramm and her smokin' hot rhythm & blues band, The Aviators, tunes from vinyl vixens DJ Emma Peel and Ms Butt, plus dance classes from Melbourne’s Queen of Frug, Miss Anna Go Go, The Switched On Shindig will be shaking all over.

But wait - there’s more!

There will be go-go girls twisting the night away on stage, film projections, psychedelic lights and drinks specials. If that’s not enough to make you want to wig out, you’re out of your bird!

So turn off that transistor, Mister and head to Bella Union on Saturday 29 June.

PBS presents The Switched On Shindig.
Saturday 29th June at The Bella Union
w/ Talei Wolfgramm & the Aviators, DJ Emma Peel, Ms Butt and Miss Anna Go Go
Doors from 9pm. $10 for members, $15 for future members!"

A rather tidy little competition - take note car lovers !

I have a 1951 Pontiac, and being the classic that it is, I have insured "Ruby Baby" (as my children call her) with Australia's premier 'old car' insurance group, Shannons. I thought I would share the latest Shannons brochure that arrived in Fridays mail - advertising their West Coast and Pebble Beach Tour D'Elegance. If you have ever dreamed of a happy car sojourn in America, you had better head on over to the Shannons website and read up to enter. Happy motoring !

Something to look forward too.......

Doesn't this look like fun! All central Victorian 1940's lovers take note........

 

 

Click on the photograph to be taken to show information page.

 

 

And oh my goodness! I forgot to mention here on my blog the winner of last Sundays Sunglasses competition is Rebecca Sherlock. Well done Miss Rebecca ! The winner was announced last Sunday on the Alice Jeans Facebook page - do join if you haven't already!

 

Dont miss the Two Shots single launch !!!!

 

People - you know I am passionate about the music of my friends. My beautiful, creative and talented friends......so if you like edgy hillbilly style, there is no place for you to be other than with me on the 11th of May at Open Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote.

 

The Two Shots will be releasing their latest vinyl 45 single "Last Fast Blast" and you are going to want to be there and pick yourself up a copy !! Here are some fast facts about the Two Shots

 

When Carola and Hank met in ‘Bar Open’ in December 2007 in Melbourne Australia, little did they know that they would become - The Two Shots. They started writing their own songs pretty much straight away, inspired by their own personal and shared experiences. Carola has been Berlin based and played electric bass in the girl band Joymentals, and was double bass player and vocalist in Hot Eskimos. Hank’s played in rockabilly and western swing bands, such as the Rockin’ Bandits and the Starliners and Hank's Jalopy Demons, in Melbourne. After rockin' Berlin for a year, you can now expect to see the Two Shots playing up a storm in Melbourne in the near future.

 

Come along and check them out guys - you wont be sorry! And you'll experience all that is wonderful about the creative, unique music culture in the hip northern suburbs of the most happening city on the planet !

A Date for the Diary........

Great Heritage Houses for Sale

 

 

With the Barham-Koondrook Producers Picnic coming up next weekend, it is also a terrific chance for potential treechangers to check out our vibrant, creative, diverse and progressively minded district. When I look at the obstructive price of real estate in major cities, it is encouraging to know that you can still get beautiful heritage homes for sometimes well under $350,000 - and in prime picturesque river side locations too !  If you have ever thought of tree-changing, you would get plenty of bang for your buck at beautiful Barham-Koondrook. Or as a bargain holiday house, you could enjoy the lakes (and watersports), rivers, forests, cafes and local delights of Golden Rivers Country a simple 3.5 hour jaunt from Melbourne any time of year. What's not to love? Check these beauties out..... (Click on the photograph for a link to the sale sight....)

 

There are also loads of stunning contemporary houses for sale too - but as my blog is devoted to heritage, we are sticking to pre 1960's classics here......

 

As for the community, there is a big need for professionals - doctors, lawyers, dentists, teachers, accountants, nurses etc within the region as a whole. The community is very welcoming and supportive of new entrepreneurs, and the capacity for web based businesses and remote design consultants is brilliant. Creative and imaginative minds are celebrated here, and there is a strong tradition of welcoming other cultures and backgrounds within this twin river-township......

 

If you think this sounds like you, then jump in your groovy old jalopy, grab a picnic basket and head to the Producers Picnic next Saturday to experience and find out more about this wonderful community - and your potential place in it !!!

Producers Picnic

Next weekend, if you are scratching for a GREAT event to attend, you would do well to sojourn to the Murray River townships of Koondrook Barham for their inaugural Producers Picnic (Part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival). Not only a divinely beautiful destination, but a community bursting with great produce, live music, children's activities and of course, delectable food and wine. Check out the details at the website here.......

 

 

And be sure and tell Mardie that I insisted you taste her scrumptious lemon tarts !

 

The Garden at Overnewton

 

Last weekend I had the great pleasure to attend Becky's baby shower high tea at Overnewton Castle, and was once again mesmerised by the beauty of the buildings, trees, and grounds. So much so that I had to share some snaps here with you and remind you once again what a stunning place it is for any event - love love love !

 

Valentines Day Giveaway

In the spirit of glamour, joy and fun, and not because I am a believer in gimmicky celebration days, I am running a competition for Valentines Day 2013.

 

With songs such as "Moon River" and "True Love" I felt that The Puppini Sisters album 'Hollywood' would make the perfect valentines giveaway here at Alice Jean's. And all you have to do to enter is like Alice Jean's on facebook, then share the link to this competition on your own Facebook page. The competition will be drawn from those who have done so on Valentines Day, and the winner will be contacted via facebook pm-ing for postal details.  Easy.

 

As for Valentines Day, well, I feel love should be celebrated at every opportunity, not just one one day of the year. I have said it before and I will say it again though, some people need that kick up the proverbial to show care and affection for their partners on even just this one day. To me that is not on.

 

 

Life is short. It is precious. People are valuable. And it is not hard to show care. Words cost nothing and mean more that anything. Gifts can be as simple as a bunch of wildflowers. Moments can be as ordinary as fish and chips by the river. But simplicity is beautiful when it is from the heart, springing from a place of love for another.

 

As one who is questioning the entire existence of love in the universe right now, please lavish care and affection on your partner, children, extended family and friends where ever possible.....not just this one day of the year. This emotion called love is the one reason any of us have for living. If we are single it is the hope that it may one day happen for us. If we are partnered, it should be in the joy of building and growing that love. After all, with thanks to the marvelous Sir Paul, it is "all you need".

Ballarat Beat

I have never been to this shindig, but I do know that Men into Space are the most awesome, quirky, creative mid century style band you will ever see......do get along if you are free and in the area !!

 

And further to the Men Into Space love.....another Feburaru gig if you live Brissy way....

 

Country Races - a great destination for vintage and contemporary fashion....

 

Last Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity of being a Fashions on the field judge at the Moulemein Country Races.....and despite the heat it really was such fun. Emily Wood from Local Mag and I sojourned together the hour or so up country from home to partake in the happy, relaxed and downright delightful carnival atmosphere. To my joy, there was a wonderful mix of innovative and stunning fashions, country characters, excellent music and deliciously gourmet fare...... I wanted to linger on enjoying the day for as long as I could.

 

As so many of my lovely readers are fashion lovers, I have included photographs of the winners of fashions on the field - at extreme top, lady of the day in her deliciously vintage-tinged outfit of beige and maroon - elegance personified. I should add at this juncture that the decision was not mine alone so there really was no favouritism for anyone in vintage adornment ! The vibrant lady in pink above was runner up for lady of the day - I adored the contrast of purple hydrangeas in her hat with the hot pink of her dress.

Runner up and winner of best hat shown above - lots of colour blocking to be seen at this years races and it was all good !

 



 

Emily and I braving the heat for some race day fun !

 

My outfit was a darling vintage hat purchased for $30 on ebay with a chiffon dress I made inspired by Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cat on a hot tin roof' and, of course, that famous dress of Marilyns ! (The majority of my concept did actually come from Elizabeth though!!!) You cant see in any of the photographs, but my shoes were grey snake skin pumps, purchased for $20 off Emily at a market 3 weeks earlier !!!

 

Just some happy snaps of the race meet.......

 

Coming up soon in this season for country racing, is the Boxing Day Kerang meet....something I would encourage everyone who can to get along to....... on offer, simply for attending, is a trip to Europe - who wouldnt want to be in on that? Besides, it is the perfect opportunity for we gals to frock up and enjoy being glamorous yet again......and gentlemen, every glamorous lady enjoys a handsome man to bring her a glass or two of champagne !!! Looking forward to seeing you all there !