It is that time of year again. The weather is still miserable, the wind still bites, but I’ll be darned if I’ll give in to it. I’m already yearning for the sun on my (sunscreen protected) skin and a scotch in hand, while the days get longer and the parties start to arrive. This is the same time of year I get restless with my wardrobe and start to listen to that little internal voice of inspiration that tells me what I want to be wearing in the coming months.  This time I’ve come over far more casual than I usually do and that can only be a good thing as I need a little more ‘relax’ in my current wardrobe.

Of course, because I always seem to be so far ahead of the curve, it isn’t likely you’ll see looks like this in store for a while yet, but when you do, you’ll know where it came from!

This time, for something different, I’m giving you more of a window to my world and adding the music I’m listening to as well! Just click to listen, and as usual, just click each image to see the details of the what and where’s of each outfit.

These Boots Were Made For Dancing

This isn’t your usual nightclub attire, but then it isn’t for your usual nightclub girl. It is for springtime evenings, house parties, kicking up your heels with friends, closing your eyes and jamming in your mind.

I’m currently dancing to Ezra Lee - Mean What I Say – Ezra Lee From his album “Can’t Stop a Freight Train” available on Prestone Records. I highly recommend you check out Ezra’s Myspace and get yourself a copy of this album!!

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Cocktails at the Saloon Bar

Tell me any eligible eye candy could miss you in this number! Loads of swank, licks of sexy and lots of lucky! Stretch those pins and start smouldering.

Propping up the bar in style to Reconsider Baby – Lowell Fulson.

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Fancy a Drink Cowboy?

I never thought a cowboy hat and I would ever see eye to eye, but after my photo shoot with Helen McLean I may just be having a little secret love affair. This is how you do Country style with an eye for City Chic. There’s nothing dusty about this!

Tipping my hat to That’s Alright Mama

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Country Princess

The perfect Day to Night party transition outfit. Just change up the top, swap your flower for a bejewelled bow, crimson lips and you’re good to go. You’ll already know that denim is huge for this season, and while double denim remains on the no go list for me, this is about the only way I’ll work anything close to it into my look. With a beautiful satin and denim bra top with vintage style.  Yes, it could be a little racy, but paired with a sequined cardigan its all lady out the outside but the business underneath!

Kicking back to Jackson – by Johnny Cash & June Carter a personal favourite!

You just never know where you’ll find fashion inspiration that captures you’re mood of the moment, but one thing is for sure; whatever you wear make sure it captures YOUR mood, not just the prevailing trends.  This is where you’ll find the best answers to your wardrobe dilemmas!

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!

There are some moments in history that you really wish you were there for. And there is a particular day back in 1956, in a small room with a few men that is one of those days for me. It was a day when the music gods smiled and placed four legends in the same room, at the same time, where they did what musicians do and had some fun playing together.

Sam Phillip’s legendary Sun Studio played host to this moment, on a day when Carl Perkins was in recording an album (that was to include ‘Blue Suede Shoes’), when Elvis Presley dropped by. Jerry Lee Lewis was also there as a session musician waiting for a chance to show off his killer piano boogie styling; the moment was completed by the entrance of none other than Johnny Cash.

In a moment of serendipity and foresight, someone thought to switch on the recording equipment as these legends jammed together, giving us a chance to hear the one and only time these four men ever played together. And it was magical.

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The Ultimate Jam Session, produced by Bold Jack Productions, is your chance to relive this historic moment in all its goosebump inducing, heart stopping glory. Fronted by James Blundell, Dave Larkin, Nick Barker and Ezra Lee, backed up and held together by the versatile Sun Studio Trio – Dave Folley, Steve Hadley and Shannon Bourne. These lads put together are pure joy. Last Friday night I had to opportunity to sit front and centre as the boys kicked off their show with a bang.  Now this isn’t your ‘tribute’ style of show replete with stereo typical costumes and bad wigs, but just unadulterated, first class Rock n Roll. They keep it simple, tight and let the music speak for itself.  They shake you to your core with riffs that move your body,  vocals that make women swoon and men holler.

As I sat there watching tendrils of smoke curl in the spotlight and listening to my passion come to life, my heart was in my mouth.  Like that rush of adrenaline and endorphins that hit you on the first date with a big crush. And it didn’t subside, not for one second.

But it is more than just great music, it is a journey to a musician’s heart. Behind the big names, behind the hype, behind the screaming fans; just four brilliant men playing up and playing around, letting themselves enjoy the music for the music’s sake.

It was The Day the Music Lived.

Come backstage and meet the men behind the show.

What a night!

Posing around with Ezra Lee and hearing all about his upcoming trip to Vegas to play with Jerry Lee Lewis. Go Ezra!

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Nick Barker approves of the Kitty Von Purr dress.

The show will be playing all over Melbourne and Australia regionally, before getting set for an even bigger season. You can find out when and where the next show is playing on The Ultimate Rock n Roll Jam Session Facebook page.

*Yes, I recorded this in six inch heels, with my little hand held camera in the near dark of stage side, trying not to get too distracted by lilting voices and sultry eye.. so bare with me – it’s just like being there!*

With all this delightful immersion in my favorite music of late, I’ve let my mind wander to a very fun place. A place where I get to spend the evening hanging with some of my favorite musicians, shooting the breeze over a drink or two.  Like any occasion this begs the question of what I would wear on such an imaginary date, and yes I would wear all this in real life too as you well know.

So I sat down with good ol’ Polyvore on the laptop and the tunes cranked up loud to put these few together for you.  As always, if you click on the image it will take you through to Polyvore where you’ll find the complete product list for everything used in the sets. But rather than being about the specific garments or brands, it is about the whole look, the feeling, the ambiance of the occasion.

Join me on some fantasy dates…

Jerry Lee Lewis Loves Me

A warm Saturday afternoon music hall review, sitting just off stage where the not- so- subtle amber hue of my heels catches a sliver of light from the rear window. Jerry Lee is rocking the ivories, working the crowd into a lather, flashing a winning grin ever so slightly skewed to stage left, that says,” How ’bout that drink?”

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Johnny Cash Baby

The phone rings it’s tin can bell sound. The man on the other end inhales slowly, drawing me in with a long breath. The crackle of the long distance connection keeps us from conversation but the message is clear; pack your bags baby, Johnny’s coming to town.

Swinging with Ella

Sometimes it takes a woman to know what you really need. Voice like a velvet gloved hand that runs slowly between your shoulder  blades, your skin warms and your lips curl into a cozy smile. Strangers sit, eyes closed as waves of smokey tenderness rock their heads and their hearts in unison. A flicker of fire light and I exhale past bitten berry lips, settling in for an evening romance with a golden silhouette.

Who would be your imaginary music date of the past?

This last week my life changed forever.

I believe that all the best stories have a sound track and without music, life is only a life half lived.  Yet, until now I’ve had to contend with playing my sound track in my head at most times as I moved from place to place, inside outside, in the car etc..  Then someone came home with a Sonos. I hadn’t even heard of these brand new fangled inventions, but I knew someone would get their act together and figure it out one of these days.  So what is it?  Without being a big promo for Sonos, (as I really don’t know or understand all the tech details) it is basically a wireless speaker system that I can move to any room in my house, my garden my porch.. etc.. and keep on adding speakers without having to wire anything in!

So now when I choose a soundtrack for my day it follows me everywhere! The whole thing is driven by my central music catalogue kept on my iPhone, so even if I leave the house and drive away I can still keep on listening and keep the same groove. Anyway, this means I am falling in love all over again with my favorite artists and getting goosebumps over new ones.

So what am I listening to this week?  Quite a lot of the amazing Johny Cash and his back catalogue.  His website actually has a radio station that is all Johnny all the time (which I’m listening to as I type this).  I’m also listening to the soundtrack to Walk The Line, which has become a staple for my drive time I just can’t get enough of that one.

I’m also getting goosebumps over the music (and moves) of Nick Willett who I was privileged to see perform live at Wintersun. I cannot tell you what an experience that was. Nick is one man that could have stepped directly out of your favorite 50’s rock ‘n roll movie – A voice that rolls over you in waves, moves that should be illegal and a first class gentleman.

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Ms Carly and I snapped having a word with Mr. Nick Willett

I’m also very eagerly awaiting the first full album release of our very own (that is Victorian) Scotty Baker, as his fantastic music and highly amusing lyrics have been stuck in my head for the last two weeks.  But until then I have to content myself with his singles..  Go here and listen to Scotty Baker - he’s full of awesome! (And he’s also seriously stylish!)

The Re Chords are also particularly fantastic and are Melbourne based too!

Check them out here.

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Anyway, what has become abundantly clear is that I need to update my music catalogue with a whole lot of new stuff , (particularly each and every band I saw perform at Wintersun and will link you to as soon as I can) so even though I’m no music reviewer I’ll be telling you about which sound track is playing in my life at any one time. A word of warning though, it may be classic Rock n Roll, it may be new local Rockabilly or just as likely, a little bit of mad J-Pop! Just like my wardrobe, my music is all about what moves me that day – so let’s see if we can give your day a new soundtrack too.