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!!

 

Snippets of the City

I LOVE Melbourne. The CBD is alive with culture, fashion, food and fun. But I remember a time when that wasn't really the case. Being the age I am (no need to guess at that folks) I remember when the CBD was pretty dead. Full of business people during the day, dingy empty allies, shoppers in the Bourke Street Mall only and NOTHING at night - save the Metro Nightclub and a few pockets of restaurants. Bravo to all those involved with transforming Melbourne's CBD into one of the hippest, fun-loving, creative and delightful city centres on the globe today. Here are some of my own personal favourite places to hang out when I'm downtown - all with a tinge of something vintagey about them.....

 

Cookie

 

A fantastic restaurant on Swanston Street, buzzing with fun art, great music and of course, yummy food. I particularly love the Little Golden Books on display and the wall of lipstick kisses.

Captains of Industry

Gentlemans outfitter and café. Once again, this place has a wonderful vibe - great music, great food, great atmosphere. AND you can watch a vintage style barber, shoemaker and taylor at work while you sip your late. Fun.

 

 

Clementines

 

This place is Divine with a capital D. Every city should have a store like this. Every regional town should have a store like this. In their own words "We love to bring you produce and products made and crafted in Victoria, Australia. We're very proud of our artisan makers and growers." Totally brilliant. Need I say more?

 

 

 

La Belle Miette

 

Oo la la ! My daughter (Rainbow Girl) and her Fancy Nancy books would swoon at this shop. Macaroons in every colour of the rainbow - the perfect fuel for a superhero princess. (Can I let you in on a little secret though? Super Mummy also thinks this shop is a dream, and simply breathing in the beauty of this boutique patisserie is enough to empower you for a day's shopping.)

 

 

 

 

Circa Vintage

 

Who doesn't love glamorous vintage frocks these days??? Read any novel worth its salt, watch any timeless movie, pick up any history of fashion coffee table book and vintage dressing or classic clothing features in inspiring forms. The same is easily said of Circa Vintage. Although a little, shall we say, intriguing to find, this beautiful vintage clothing shop, perched on the second floor of one of Elizabeth Street's darling art deco buildings, is well worth hunting for - the victory of discovering such a treasure only adds to the memorable experience!

 

 

 

So there you go. My five favourite destinations in Melbourne CBD. For that something different, wonderful, creative and quirkey, this beautiful city wins every time. Hoping to bring you more great destinations as I venture into inner city suburbs in months to come.



Vintage Living Fashion - Swimwear Sirens!

Alice Jean's is all about living with a vintage aesthetic in a modern world. It's about leaving behind the need to want and have the latest and greatest in exchange for classic, timeless, holistic living. No where is this more visually evident than in the clothes I wear - home made from classic patterns, bequeathed to me or purchased from thrifting shops, my increasingly bulging wardrobe is full of outfits and a certain style that I hope will endure through the changing tides of the fashion ocean.

 

I wanted to share my belief that a vintage look can work timelessly today in our modern world, and so I have embarked upon a series of fashion shoots using my beautiful friends, my beautiful clothes and my beautiful home country. I do hope you enjoy these fashion posts as much as I have enjoyed bringing them to you - infact I have found it quite addictive, I think there will be many more to come!

 

 

Swimwear Sirens

 

Photographer: Brooke Orchard Photography

Stylist: Alice Jean's - Vintage Living in a Modern World

 

Bathers from: Bettie Sue Boutique, Sugar Doll and Vintage Jantzen

 

Location: 1.Koondrook Goods Shed with milkshakes from
Long Paddock Food Store.
2.Cohuna Island Road.
3.Koondrook River Front with lookout tower from
Sambrooks Building.
 

 

Models: Bree Laughlin

Sonia Wright

Somayeh Katebiyan

Danielle Marko-Parsons

 

Special thanks: I cherished hopes that my friend, up and coming male model Rees Grima, may have been available to 'lifeguard' for this shoot, but as he was not free, I wish to thank Claude for stepping in to brilliantly fill the void at VERY last minute notice.
 

 

 

 

 (The image below has been edited by Alice Jean's - not Brooke Orchard Photography)

 

 

 

 

 

Use of these images will require approval from Brooke Orchard Photography or Alice Jean's. Please contact us if you wish to re-use these images anywhere else in cyber space or otherwise.



Top Five Vintage blogs

Trawling the net for tid bits about your favourite category of interest? Hopefully Alice Jean's can make your search time more profitable - provided you are into mid century culture of course !! Here are my five all time favourite blogs on a mid century theme.....enjoy! (Click on each banner to be taken to the blog page....)

 

Number Five - The Beauty Blog
 

Lindy Charm School for Girls is run by my wonderful friend Miss Chrissy, and if its hair and makeup info you are after, then you wont go wrong here. Miss Chrissy is all about sharing the vintage love and creating a connected vintage community Australia wide - so get on it beauty lovers.....release that inner glamour puss !!!

 

 

Number Four - The Décor Blog

I wasn't really sure if I could include this site as a blog - its just so much more than that! However, I couldn't leave it out....if you are after décor or retro renovation information, there is no better site to turn to. You will be inspired by the authentic houses, and the renovation work of others where keeping a historic aesthetic is paramount. And if you love pastel bathrooms (as I do) this is the site for you!!!

Number Three - The Fashion History Blog

 

If there was an award for the most inspiring clothing blog, this would win hands down. Wearing History is the work of an amazingly dedicated (and downright lovely) woman - her authenticly historic creations will leave you gobsmacked......from Victorian Scarlett O'Hara dresses to 1940's wartime outfits, Wearing History is a stunning example of what human beings achieve when they follow their heart and their passions. Thankyou for sharing your incredible ability with the world !

Number Two - The Stylist Blog

 

If its fashion you love, there is simply no better personification of classic beauty and style in a modern woman than Esme and the Laneway. This treasure of a blog is full of inspirational images - such an artistic stylist and photographer is 'Esme'...... There are also fashion and hair tutorials, and the written word is compelling. The other reason I adore this blog is that it is as far from jumping on the bandwagon vintage trending as you can get. It is authentic and beautiful, and obviously a passion and love of the author - not just the 'vintage washing', make it hip blog of the moment. Such a breath of fresh air in that way. Thankyou for your contribution to a beautiful world my friend ! OXOX

 

 

 

 

Number One - The Music Blog

If I am feeling blue, all I have to do is ....... tune into this digital radio station and I suddenly find myself compelled to dance around the house - no matter if I'm cooking porridge in the mornings or mopping the floors or tapping away at the keyboard, WFMU puts a song in my heart and a spring in my step. They also have the most fantastic blog, full of the quirky, the eccentric, the wild and crazy, and - like every good blog should - the informative. There is no better mid century pop culture blog - or digital music station for that matter ! Love you WFMU!!!

 

 

Get ready for Glamour

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!"

Chasing a Vintage Photo Shoot Guys and Gals?

Chasing a vintage photo shoot guys and gals? Look no further !

 

 

Click on the photograph and check out this wonderful promotional clip by

Brooke Orchard Photography.

 

Have a glorious weekend !

 

XOXO

 

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

Catch a Thief Glasses........

 

 

Whats not to love about vintage sunnies - especially cats eyes, studded with dimontees in all sorts of colours? And mens wayfareres or clubmasters are the ultimate in old school cool, dont you agree? (You have probably read before how a pair of classic mens wayfarer style reading glasses makes me go weak at the knees !!) But if you are like me, once you have paid a premium for a great vintage pair on ebay, the last thing you want to do is leave them sitting in your car on a 45 degree northern Victorian summers day, or shove them in your handbag amongst all the other gear in there to get scratched and damaged. And if you are lucky enough to have have a retro sunglasses case for your vintage frames, very ofton I find the case just doesn't fit in my dainty and oh so cute vintage hand bag. Well, to me the obvious solution is to purchase a replica pair of vintage frames for every day use, and save the real deal for special occasion dressing. So with that in mind, take a peek at these lovely numbers, available from Catch A Thief Sunglasses (and photography by the beautiful Brooke at Brooke Orchard Photography) Simply classic style !

 

 

Beautiful Readers, I occasionally get asked to host guest posts, or link to other blogs etc for promotional purposes, and I dont always buy into this because a) very often there is no incentive for me to do so, b) the product endorsements have little or no association with the historic theme of my blog or c) I want to steer away from insulting the intellegence of my readership by promoting gimiky crap. If you do see me promoting a service or product on here, you can be sure that I believe in the product, it fits the theme of my blog and I am most likely not receiving any cut from doing so.

Fabulous Vintage Hairstyles

 

Today I am off to the Kerang Boxing Day races with my lovely friend Mardi (photos to come later) and although I adore hats and have a lovely little collection of them, somehow I just never feel they do me any favours. So, the decision has been made, I am going with my usual flowers in hair instead (and summer brolly to save my skin!) That being the case, I need a wonderful vintage hairstyle to sport my flowers, and where better to look than my WONDERFUL Vintage Hairstyle Book.....

I picked up this treasure in preparation for the fashion parade I hosted last November.....there I was, walking innocently down the main street of Camperdown, at the Camperdown Rockabilly Festival in October, when this book literally accosted me on the street. I picked it up and simply could not leave it there - not when it was jam packed with wonderful advice, hairstyles galore, instructions and inspiration. It was perfect fodder for encouraging my fashion parade models !

 

 

 

I have been wanting to promote this book on my blog ever since, but to my great dismay, I have lost the business card of the wonderful woman who sold it to me! Honey, please forgive me ! I know you are a reader of my blog, however, so please please please contact me and I will rectify this unfortunate situation immediately - I want to give you the recognition you so deserve, and promote your great products !

 

 

My fabulous fashion parade models getting ready with their vintage hairstyles !

 

In the meantime, let me share some of my favourite styles from this book, hoping that you find the inspiration my fashion parade models and I did. As for my race day hairstyle, hmmmm, well, in an attempt to invoke the whole 60's thing (I have just finished watching Mad Men Season 5) I am going to attempt a Sophia Loren look below I think, with flowers of course !! Stay tuned to see if I actually pulled it off !! Happy Boxing Day people......

 

 

 

From Wikipedia:

 

In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This custom is linked to an older English tradition: Since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

A charming cup of tea....

 

As a lover of good coffee shops, I must say I was utterly thrilled to discover The Cup and Saucer Cafe in the darling little township of Boort.

 

Run by Jodie Curtis (who I remember being a few years ahead of me at highschool), this treasure of a spot is decked out like my own vintage loving home - full of metal edged kitchen tables, comfy couches, gingham table clothes, mid century china and of course scrumptious goodies and earl grey tea !!!

 

It really is a divine destination for a day trip if you reside in Northern Victoria or are simply passing through the area....make a point of stopping in and sampling the delicious fare. If your lucky you might even strike Jodie dressed to the nines in vintage clothes.......and do tell her Alice Jean sent you !

 

 

 

 

A painting for Paul and Gill...

 

I was so surprised a couple of months back to receive an email from my friend Paul asking if I would paint a portrait of he and his wife Gill for their upcoming 10th wedding anniversary. I was quite flabbergasted actually, as, although I did art in year 12, it has been a long time since then, and I had only gotten back 'into it' with 2 artworks in recent times...... nothing daunted and highly flattered, I said yes and began to brainstorm layout ideas.....

 

 (pre the inclusion of sideburns on Paul !)

 

Skip ahead two months and here is the final result - a 60's cartoonish style portrait in greens and oranges that was presented to Gill as a surprise at the recent Sydney 50's Fair. From this very humble artist, I just want to thank Paul for this opportunity, and to say happy anniversary from Alice Jean's....doing this portrait was a delight and an honour, may you know many many more years of 'wedded bliss' !