This is where I am this week. Feeling the breeze, listening to birds, tasting some warmth, working on my mojo and getting some sleep.

And now the moment I promised you….

Candice DeVille for Kiss Me Deadly – elegant lingerie for the Femme Fatale. Now available online!

The DeVille bra and brief, Vargas Longline Girdle, and Cervin stockings

The DeVille bra and brief, Peach alouette Cincher, and Cervin stockings.

The DeVille bra, Jezebel longline knickers, Ruby Van Doren Suspender belt, and Cervin stockings.

The Peach Vargas dress, Jolie briefs and Cervin stockings.

All these great images were shot here in Melbourne by Miss Kitty Photography with her excellent eye for vintage glamour.

Here’s the little clip we put together.. music courtesy of Ezra Lee “The Devil is a Dame” on Preston Records.

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This post is sponsored by Nuffnang

Summer in Melbourne can be punishing. I don’t really even want to think about it yet, but to survive those 40 degree + days takes some advanced planning.

The heat we have here is that kind of dry, fry you to a crisp type of heat that makes the soles of your shoes melt into puddles while you’re still standing in the shade. Staying cool and glamorous is no easy task, but that isn’t to say that it can’t be done.

I have a bit of an arsenal I use to keep the worst of the heat at bay. After all, I can’t be going all Victorian and fainting all over the place each day. I may be a vintage girl but that would simply be antique of me!

The sun safe options are my very first go-to’s for cutting out those rays and keeping my porcelain white skin just the way I like it.  So first things first, a hat, an entirely fabulous hat, must be the very first thing you add to your summer survival kit.  There is no point in doing hats by halves though so look to the First Ladies of drama and channel a little Joan Crawford in a huge 1940’s picture hat. Wide brims that frame the face (hence the term ‘picture’) and allow you to survey the world from behind dark glasses casting your air of mystery throughout the room.

Parasols are already your best friend and I know that most of you have versions you carry around for outings.  Yes, there are loads of fancy ones out there, but I find that having something small and collapsible that I can fit into my handbag, means that I am never ever caught out.  If you can’t find something appropriate, choose a small fold up umbrella in a light summery colour and add a bit of lace trim to the edges. Et’ viola!

Fan’s are something that are seldom thought about (but becoming more popular), and should definitely make it onto your summer survival list.  They are small, compact and come in every colour of the rainbow; so they give us yet another great excuse to accessorise the outfit.

Feeling like you live in an Island Paradise as opposed to a fume filled, melting city, is another way to trick yourself into feeling cooler this summer. I know plenty of people that keep beach scenes as their screen savers, but why not go a little further? Keep a couple of small potted palms by your desk, wear a hibiscus in your hair, use coconut scented lotion in the mornings and fix yourself a drink with an umbrella in it each afternoon. Consider it ‘window dressing your day’ if you will, but these small gestures go a long way to brightening your mood and cooling you down.

There is one other thing I really wish I could do each summer to cool me down, but I know it isn’t going to happen in a hurry… If I could just find a couple of buff boys with palm fronds to follow me around and fan me throughout the day, I’m sure I would feel infinitely better!

Yes, these may all be great ideas to help keep you cool in summer but just why would Panasonic want you to hear all about my Island Fantasy’s? Because they have a great option to cut to the chase and keep cool all summer long with their new range of air conditioning options.

This year they introduced a new Eco Patrol Sensor in their air conditioners – a human sensing technology which detects people in the room by monitoring temperature and movement. It adjusts the power to match the activity in the room, reducing power consumption and improving comfort. This means you don’t have to bother having to turn off the unit when you leave a room. This new smart technology cuts energy by up to 10 per cent by not running the air-conditioning at full power while the room is empty. So its better for the environment and better for your hip pocket, leaving you more money to spend on Long Island Iced Teas!

I know that is a bit of a tease, but stick with me.. what is all this in aid of? Well Nuffnang and Panasonic have a chance for YOU to WIN a fully installed Panasonic Air Conditioner all for yourself!!  All you have to do is leave me a comment to tell me “What is the most bizarre thing you have done to keep cool?” and you could be spending the summer in air conditioned luxury.  Sorry, no pool boys included.

Pictures.. and lots of them!

Hello all! Well it has been a crazy few days so far in Sydney with the Love Vintage Fair kicking off on Friday night.  I had a couple of hours to myself to waned around being tempted by an overload of vintage goodies. Of course, I came with a list and found myself leaving with two entirley different purchases.. but that is half the fun!

Saturday was a HUGE day, so much so I haven’t had a chance to even lift up the camera once! I’ve been talking vintage so much in the last 48 hours that I have now lost my voice. Fortunately it held out enough that me lecture yesterday sounded like it was being given by Marlene Dietrich, but now there is not even that left.  A big thank you to everyone who came out to hear me speak, and to all those of you I’ve met in the last few days at the fair and on the dance floor.

Today, there are two great events being held with Love Vintage onto its last day (so don’t miss your shopping opportunity), and this afternoon the Rock n Roll markets are on again at Tempe. So you can go and buy something fancy at the fair, then head on out for a bit of a knees up in it later on!

I’ll have to go and press someone into service today to try and help me take some pictures for you because there is just so much to see!

Xx Wish you were here!