Because there are just so many great events on the horizon you won’t want to miss a minute!

This April the fabulous Love Vintage Show is on again in Sydney 16th – 18th April.  This twice yearly event is one that you really can’t afford to miss, whether you adore your vintage or are simply a curious cat. There are stall holders from all across Australia showcasing their vintage wares, from fashion to accessories, textiles to tomes.   I always try and bring a near empty suitcase for this weekend as I know that all self discipline goes out the window!

There are lectures to attend, vintage fashion parades, Charm School workshops and even Best Dressed competitions.  If you live in Sydney you have no excuse for missing this, but even if you are across the other side of the country, this is one weekend you really must plan to make a part of your yearly vintage calendar.

London Burlesque Week is on April 20-25th and if you haven’t heard about this one.. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN! I’m particularly proud to say that Australia is being represented by some of our most lovely local girls Rosy Rabbit, Trixie Tassels, Sapphire Demure, The Sugar Blue Burlesque beauties and A’dora Derierre.

If only I had the time and cash to spare, I’d be hot footing it over to make sure I saw every minute of this one. (Mental note – save for next year!) London, I am mighty jealous of you right now!

The Ballarat Heritage Weekend is on over the Mother’s Day weekend, May 8th & 9th, showcasing Ballarat’s beautiful heritage buildings, gardens,collections and history.  There are over 100 events planned for the weekend including carriage rides, tennis and croquet!

Wintersun is happening again in Coolangatta June 4th-14th and if you can imagine a week of pure retro heaven, this is it!  Classic cars, Rock & Roll, Cake Bake off’s, Fashion parades, Vintage Swim Suits Shows (yes I’ll be there!) and Dancing till Dawn!

The Australian Burlesque Festival is nearly here too for it’s very 1st Annual year!  Held in Sydney this June, if you love your old school glamour, spangles and sparkles; make sure to head over and check out our Melbourne Minx’s and Sydney Sweethearts, along with international guests.  So I may yet get to our very own burlesque knees up!

The lovely Lindy Charm School Mistresses are back to take on Melbourne and Ballarat on July 10th, showing you what a Victory Roll actually is and how to do them, when red lipstick is appropriate (always!) and just how to wear your stockings correctly.  All the details for their upcoming workshops are available on their website, so do check it out and make some time to get fancy.

Right, well I’m off to try and sort out my own diary for the next few months! So much to do and see… and shop!

It is not often I wish I was somewhere other than Melbourne, but the incredible Sugar Blue Burlesque troop have made me entirely jealous of the people of Perth.  Based over on the west coast of Australia (yes a very long way from here), Sugar Blue are Perth’s own burlesque beauties and what a talent!  Thankfully for me, they made a cameo appearance here at The Order of Melbourne last Saturday night, and it was a truly world class evening. In fact, I am so disappointed that I cannot give you dates for a big Australian tour, because they certainly should do a country wide extravaganza.  I’m thinking of organising a petition to talk them into it.

And here is why.  I don’t want to give you any spoilers of their delicious acts, so I’ve chosen some pics that should give you a taste of their talent without giving too much away.  The costumes were particularly superior and the narratives both surprising and delightful. There was not a moments pause as thesladies took the evening up a notch with each performance. You know that feeling when you are watching something and think to yourself, “It can’t get any better than this.” and then it does?!  Yep, that is the feeling I had as I stood stage side, snapping away in the hope of capturing the thrill that is Sugar Blue Burlesque.

I love my job!

Forgive me for the excessive outfit posts in the last week and a bit, I’m currently snowed under with so much work that I haven’t been able to finish some of the things I wanted to bring you. I’m making up for it today with a huge recap on the weekend as well as all the outfit fun, so hold on for a huge selection of photos!

Anyway, my world is a whirlwind at present.  A mess of designing, writing, sewing, events and attempting to keep body and soul together for everyone in the household. It has meant a few 2am bedtimes, but I just can’t seem to ever tame my over achieving nature.  There was a small welcome break in one of these roles over the weekend however, as Mr. SKM took the girls on a trip to the country whilst I stayed in town for Fashion week events, parties and watching some very talented girls get their kit off!  Intriguing?

Saturday began with a quick trip in to to Circa Vintage Clothing, seeking out patterns for inspiration for my Friends of Couture collection as well as my own personal stash. Nicole at Circa has more patterns than you could possibly imagine and it is like a little piece of nirvana to sit there and search through for heartbreakingly beautiful gems. Yes, I found something amazing, but that will have to wait for another day when I can show you the finished product.

Then it was onto Worn Wild Alternative Designers Market as part of the LMFF calendar.  A great opportunity to check out lots of hand made and custom pieces as well as to meet and talk to the designers. So after a day of shopping and waltzing about looking at pretty things, it was off to see the amazing Sugar Blue Burlesque troop, over from Perth for one night only.  Oh, if only there were more shows! Sugar Blue were out of this world amazing!  The costumes, coreography, innovation and the downright cheekiness of it all. They really deserve their own post of highlights, so stay tuned.

So after all that shopping, socialising and sexy spangles, I finished off the night watching two beautiful friends perform at The Burlesque Bar here in Melbourne. The delightful Foxtrot India and the dark and devilishly good Miss Nic. What. A.Day!

And just what sort of outfit is going to tackle that kind of a schedule from 10am till 3am on a 30 degree day?  That would be this one!

Outfit Details

Leopard print shirt – Zara

Gothic lolita bustle skirt – Fanplus Friend from One Day in Paradise here in Melbourne

Shoes – “Japan” from Wittner

Over the knee stockings – I wish I could remember!!

Little Birdy – Harem on Brunswick street

All that and it was only Saturday!

Still to come.. A Vintage Afternoon Tea, all the fun of Sugar Blue Burlesque and hitting Loreal Melbourne Fashion Week.

So many good things all in one month!  Some of you will just have to live vicariously through the blog for these events, but for those of you in Melbourne there are some treats in store!

The darling Rosy Rabbit is heading to London to shake a tail feather for Burlesque week and in order to get there she is throwing an evening of daring delights.  I will not be missing this one as not only will Rosy demonstrating her legendary techniques, but will be featuring the talents of my most favorite local performers too!

Music dancing and even door prizes will make this an evening to remember,  so if you are in Melbourne the make sure to pre purchase your tickets now as you won’t want to miss it!

Now… What will I wear this time?!

What a cracker of a weekend! There were a few things in the plan that didn’t quite make it,but those that did were fantastic.  I don’t usually give you a post mortum of my weekend, but just for something different, I thought I’d give you a peak into life as I know it.

Sake with my Bro.

My brother and his girlfriend are about to head of for the big overseas odyssey, so getting in as many drinks and Japanese food is high on the agenda.

Men's Pocky. If I have boobs can I still eat this?

Kids parties - Not what they used to be!

Miss Four went to a party.  We planned on cake and fairy bread, we got snakes! Seriously awesome, that’s kid’s parties in Australia for you.

Spangles and Shadows

Caught the fabulous Highball Burlesque for a saucy way to end the weekend.

Hanging out with the delicious Dolores Daiquiri of Highball Burlesque.

Never a dull moment, I may not have baked or accessorised the couch with a seasonal throw, but a surprise package like this is not to be missed for muffins!

Stay tuned this week for Tutorials, Outfit Posts, Luxe & Less and More!