Last weekend saw me kicking up my heels again in Brisbane for Greazefest 2010. A Kustom Kulture festival full of cars, music and really really hot women. What’s not to love!

I was up there both to have a bit of time off and catch up with friends, as well as shoot for a few designers and compare the fashion parade.

Take a look see…

Greazefest plays host to a big Family Day that sees everyone come out in their finest threads for a bit of shopping, dancing and drooling over gorgeous cars.  Boutique alternative labels come from all over the country to showcase their wares, from fashion to homewear, to music and even custom made headstone pillows!

I spent a bit of time shooting the Kitty Von Purr dress (cancer fundraiser) for Bernie Dexter too. Can’t wait to show you the fun photos from that day!

I don’t know if these friends would like me to reveal who’s butts these are, but

The afternoon saw me comparing the fashion parade for all the vendors at the market place. A bit of vintage, a lot of Rockabilly, Psychobilly and some amazing vintage cowgirl wear! In fact there was one vendor who had a complete original 1940’s cowgirls ensemble like I’ve never seen!

Such a well dressed and well accessorised crowd!

Of course there was a lot of random gratuitous posing over the days there, and my favourite thing.. getting to meet so many readers! I love meeting you guys, it always makes my day!

Greazefest taught me one thing though. It may be a freezing 3 degrees when you leave Melbourne, but NEVER forget to pack the sunscreen when going to Brisbane – even in winter!!

If you’re wondering about the outfit details in these shots, the blue and white dress was a film costume from The Natalie Wood Story, found at Circa Vintage. The gingham ruffle shirt is from Route 66 and the awesome pants are my own design and make. The sunglasses are another vintage / retro find and appear to be 1980’s do 1940’s to me. Simple, chic and a nice change from my usual cats eyes.

So after all that, can you see why I’ve declared August Relaxation Month?! Make sure you check out yesterday’s post and leave me a comment as well as register to win your own super relaxing experience!

Next up… The Secrets to Glamour When You’re Sick!

Finally, I’ve finished creating the highlight reel of the big Wintersun 2010 Vintage Swimwear Parade!  This fantastic show, produced by Nicole Jenkins of Circa Vintage Clothing,was one of the biggest highlights of the Wintersun week.  Showcasing suits from the 1930s to the 1970s, this show was about more than scantily clad girls, but also about just how wonderful the designs of the past are. How flattering, how fun and how relevant they remain today.

I’ve condensed the whole show into ten minutes (not an easy job) and managed to highlight each and every swimsuit on display.  The models came from all over and did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the eras.

P.S I really wanted to keep my leopard print cossi!

Enjoy!!

Parade Produced by Circa Vintage Clothing

Camera Work by Tim Hamilton

Still Photos by Andre Turner

Video Production by Candice Deville

This year’s Wintersun held the first inaugural 1950’s Cake Bake Contest, and what a hit!  All the Ladies, and Gents, were invited to enter a cake of their own creation to be judged on looks, taste, presentation, as well as their own personal presentation. We had no idea what sort of reception such an event would receive, but it was such a hit it has already been made a part of next year’s calendar.

I was honored to be asked to judge this year’s heat and made sure I brought my best CWA judging criteria to the table.  Each cake was cut and prodded, tasted and tested, contestants grilled about secret recipes and outfits appraised with a critical eye.  But what a difficult job!  These contestants brought their ‘A’ game, and without a complicated points system I never would have been able to determine the winners.

It was a very windy day down by the seaside, so precautions had to be taken to ensure we arrived looking our best. Mistress Chrissy was there to whip the contestants into line and keep proceedings moving along.

All the contestants arrived to set up their creations and present them to an eagerly awaiting crowd.

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All the best dressed at the festival turned up to either participate or simply to watch and hope for a taste.

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This lovely lady had on the most gorgeous Eiffel Tower print vintage frock!

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We began with a little coffee to set the mood.

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But the competition was fierce! Play nice girls.

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The entries were all unbelievably good, with this stunning entrant even matching her cake’s colour to it’s flavour, to her outfit, to her car!!

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And so the judging began. Knowing I had to slip into a swimsuit in the next hour I kept my taste tests small, but what a job!

So, who won this test of sugar, eggs and will?

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3rd Place went to the delightful Mz Vicki and her rather ugly
(by her own admission), but unbelievably good Marshmallow Cake. Made to an original 1950’s ladies magazine recipe, this was one tasty delight!

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2nd Place went to Amanda and her “Flamin 57 Chev” which was a work of art inside and out. Layer upon layer of vanilla and red velvet on the inside, with each flame and a total car created entirely by her, by hand!

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But the 1st Place Winner?.

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Mimsy of Mimsy’s Trailer Trash Tattoos, created a replica of her trailer right down to the Flamingo’s on the lawn and the picket fence!

It looked amazing and tasted out of this world!

So Ms. Mimsy took home the winner’s silver cake server and added another title to her string of talents.

It was such a highlight of the weekend for me, as my childhood memories of the wonderful cake competitions that used to be seen at the Royal Melbourne Show, came flooding back.  The bar has been set so high by the contestants this year that I can hardly wait to see what next year has in store!

A big Thank You to Nicole Jenkins of Circa Vintage Clothing and Miss Kim of Vintage Charm by Kim, for providing these photos, as once again my hands were otherwise occupied.

Wintersun was nothing if not a fabulous time for photo opportunities, and it seems that I got around quite a bit!  Here’s a look at some of the cameos I made during the week.

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Promoting Wintersun and Charm School in the Tweed Daily

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Wintersun lead story for Gold Coast news.

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Promoting the Wintersun vintage swimsuit parade organised by Nicole Jenkins of Circa Vintage Clothing and The Lindy Charm School for Girls in the Gold Coast Bulletin.

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Possibly my favorite swimsuit of the parade – and another shot of it here.

One of my all time favorite moments of the week posing it up in the laundromat with my darling friend Kesenya.

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Trying  really had to Lindy Hop with my friend Miss Carly!

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Working it in a 1950’s black lace swimsuit.

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Finding a 1930’s vibe in a sweet blue suit.

I still have a pile of photos and fun to share with you, not least of which are highlights from the great 1950’s Cake Bake Contest, my pick of the best of the bands and the very, very odd local colour! (Hint – it has feathers!)

* Please note – all images are property of The Tweed Daily and The Gold Coast Bulletin where stated and remain their property.*

Hi all! Well after a huge HUGE week, I am finally back in Melbourne. I don’t think I have ever walked, talked and danced so much in my life – Wintersun has been such a huge success.  While it was a little tricky to get the blog posting happening, I hope you’ve been able to follow all the pics on Facebook and Twitter to keep you in the loop.

One of the things that made this week so memorable for me was spending a whole week living with some of my best friends and doing what we love best; frocking up in different outfits a couple of times each day!   You’d be surprised just how much I managed to fit in my case. I was very glad that my beautiful Sakura case is strong and lightweight because I couldn’t have afforded to waste any luggage weight on a heavy case. With a 20 kilo limit I was bang on target and still managed to pack 16 outfits, 6 pairs of shoes, a separate hat box and carry all my cameras, laptops and equipment.

Because I wasn’t able to give you any Daily Outfit shots other than on Twitter I’m going to give you a whole bunch today instead. I did have to take them all on the iPhone but they haven’t turned out too badly. Anyway, this is how I do it by the seaside.

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Day One dress 1950’s Ballerina Print.

1950’s original dress – From Clara Fox ( was a house coat but I altered it into a more fitted dress)

1950’s necklace -  Hobart op shop find

Sash – borrowed from my dressing gown because I forgot the matching one!

Earrings – red roses from Diva

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The nails were created for me on special request by the super talented Violet Le Beaux.  I wanted my usual vintage style with a Wintersun twist so we did a little pin striping experiment!  She can make you some too.

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Left – Miss Carly   .     Right – Me

Dress – 1950’s cotton day dress with cut out detail neckline and sequin trim. Gift.

Cardigan – Friends of Couture “Daughters of Pleasure” cardigan.

Red beaded sweater keeper – found at Love Vintage Sydney Show on original card!

Shoes – Rodhe

Stockings – What Katie Did

Sunglasses – Costume store

Earrings – 1950’s beaded vintage, op shop find.

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Casual day outfit getting ready for a Lindy Hop class.

Cardigan – Nana De La Reve

Sweater Keeper – 1950’s beaded original

Green striped shirt 1950’s original  – Clara Fox

Skirt – Hand painted 1950’s original dead stock (!) Episode sale find

Belt – borrowed from a friend

Fishnets – Dance store

Shoes – Rodhe

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This isn’t much of an outfit shot, but it does give you an idea of what I look like when I’m out dancing the night away! Yes, I’d just stepped off the floor when this one was snapped.

Dress – 1950’s original red cotton corduroy

Fan – 1950’s original found at Love Vintage Sydney Fair

Earrings – a brilliant op shop find, 1950’s diamante

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A very windy morning and I had a long walk to get into town for the big Cake Bake Off, so a little preparation was required to make sure I wasn’t completely disheveled on arrival!

Scarf – Silk vintage tourist scarf

Dress & Jacket – late 1950’s deadstock from “Spectator” label

Stockings – What Katie Did

Shoes – Black satin pumps

Gloves – Circa Vintage

Brooch – early 1960’s vintage

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Strolling at sunset in one of my all time favorite dress ensembles.

Dress – 1950’s reproduction film costume from Circa Vintage Clothing

Cardigan – Nana De La Reve

Stockings – Fishnets from dance store

Shoes – Rodhe

Handbag – (deserving of it’s own post as this is one of my Holy Grail finds) found at Wintersun Market Vintage stall ~ love!~

Glasses – vintage 1980’s does 1950’s

Sweater keeper – 1950’s faux pearl

Phew! Well that ought to hold you on the outfit front for a day or two.