*This post is sponsored by Nuffnang and Panasonic*

Sometimes my life is a little crazy; well actually it is a little crazy all the time! But the other week I was given a great opportunity to capture it all for you.

Thanks to Nuffnang and Panasonic, I was sent the brand spanking new Panasonic Lumix G2 12.1 mega pixel camera.  It is half way between a point and shoot and a DSLR.  I’ve had the old point and shoot camera here for quite some time and never find I can get the result I wanted, so I switched to a big DSLR. I haven’t had any spare time to really learn how to use this yet, and find I always have to mess around quite a bit. And while those shots are lovely, carrying around a whole camera bag full of equipment does rather cramp my style.  The sorts of events I get around to aren’t really the type of things where I want to be schelping around extra bags.  So I’ve been trying to figure out the perfect solution for something that would fit into my handbag, but still do a cracking job at capturing my moments no matter what the conditions.

When it comes to taking photos I may have an eye for composition, but I certainly don’t have any technical knowledge. In fact when someone asked me the other day what aperture speed I’d used to capture an image (after seeing it on the LCD camera screen), I blushed and said, “A good one?”. Yep, no technical knowledge whatsoever. I went home and told Mr.SKM this while he had a very good giggle at my expense.

Funnily enough, while we were watching TV the other night, a commercial came on with a guy showing an exhibition of his photography, being asked similar questions and giving similar answers to mine.  Mr.SKM and I were both laughing going, “hey that’s you!” The extra funny bit was when at the end of the commercial, we saw it was for the Panasonic Lumix G2 – the exact camera they had just sent me to assist my novice ways! This is the ad here.

Okay, so this new camera arrives looking like a baby SLR, all black, fancy and miniaturised. Of course the first thing I did was to experiment with which handbag was the best fit for it before even taking a shot.  But I’m not going to bore you with technical details I don’t understand, instead I’m going to take you with me on my weekend and show you how the Panasonic Lumix G2 captured it along the way.

*(None of these photos have been altered in any way – they are RAW, straight from the camera)*

On Thursday I had a bunch of errands to run including a little ‘research’ at Chapel Street Bazzar.  The chaps there were kind enough to let me photograph some of my favourite things as I went along. I hadn’t had the time to experiment much with the camera, so this was a great opportunity to check out how it would handle close ups, things behind glass and to mess around with all the auto artistic photo settings.

Then it was on to a quick cup of tea with Violet Le Beaux before dress fittings for Friday night’s big event.

Come Friday it was time to hit the town for Miss Burlesque Australia. I was privileged to be a part of the judging panel for the Victorian heat, watching the girls get their spangles on.. and off… for the title. Given that it was held in a nightclub it was quite dark, so it was time to see if the Panasonic Lumix G2 could capture the ambience without any flash or me having to worry about ISO stuff. I just set it on auto and shot. Did I mention the camera has an articulated LCD touch screen? This fantastic feature meant I could angle the screen to make sure I could get my friends and myself into those arm length shots! I can just touch the screen to move the focus area and make sure it is all working, even while still in front of the lens.

Saturday morning I was up early for another big day, heading out for a radio interview first up. I had about two seconds to get an outfit shot before heading out the door, so I handed the camera to Mr SKM to snap my favourite new vintage dress.

Of course, I couldn’t photograph myself while I was on air, so again I passed the camera across to the studio assistant and asked her just to press the GO button. Easy peasy!

I raced off from the interview to the shops where I had to pick up food and a very special cake as Saturday was also Miss Three’s big birthday!  Time to capture some colour, action and festivities. Because the Panasonic Lumix G2 has Intelligent Auto Mode, which means automatic light, shutter speed, focus blah blah blah.. I only needed to worry about playing with Miss Three and not spending all the time playing with the camera settings. Oh and because it also captures HD movies I didn’t need to go and find my video camera as well. It was all there, at my fingertips, ready for those classic birthday moments.

After all that there was still Sunday to go. I’d been asked to come and perform in a friends Tableau Vivant gallery evening – A Doll House. Time to break out the super huge hair, massive lashes and work it as Dolly Varden! Again, I had little time to take photos and so the twisty LCD touch screen came in handy to snap away and get some shots of the wild hair and makeup creation.  I often find that taking photos indoor of an evening can create really harsh shadows and be difficult to light. So I wanted to see how the Panasonic Lumix G2 would handle these conditions under pressure. Once again, I set it to Intelligent Auto Mode and tis is what happened. Not bad hey?

The best thing about all this playing around is that I managed to get all these great pictures while on the run, without extra bags, without lots of messing around and with very little knowledge. (I have to admit I didn’t read the whole manual) So what this means is that I know I can get fantastic results with little effort, but that because the Panasonic Lumix G2 has so much of the functionality of a DSLR too, I can spend the time to play around and learn at my leisure.

So, how would you like one of these all for yourself? You would? Well, thanks to Nuffnang and Panasonic you have the chance to WIN one for yourself!

All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me how the Panasonic Lumix G2 would make you a better photographer! Make sure that your comment is linked to your blog, twitter, email or some other contact method.

Worth $1200.00 RRP this is one Fantastic prize!!

The Panasonic G2 retails for $1299 with a 14-42mm  (which is what I was using) or the Twin Lens Kit $1599 with both a 14-42mm & 45-200mm Zoom Lens.

The competition is open to Australian residents only, (sorry guys, I have something else great coming up for my international readers before the end of the month) and there is one camera to give away between the nine blogs hosting the contest.

All the T’s & C’s can be found here.

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!*

You may have seen my little post the other week about the Kitty Von Purr dress, or you may have noticed the lovely picture of Bernie Dexter at the top of this site, and you may also be asking yourself,  “How does one fight cancer with style?” Either way, there is a story here to tell you.

To start at the begining I have to tell you how much I love the internet, (as if you didn’t know). The way it can bring like-minded people together who, for all sorts of reasons, not least the geographic, may have never otherwise met. It can also make those ’six degrees’ so much smaller.  And this is how I met Kitty Von Purr.

Originally from Brisbane, Australia; Kitty now lives in Nashville Tennesee. Being a fellow Australian it turns out that we have many mutal friends, and so our connection was born. Through our keyboards we’ve be chatting about our love of vintage, music and wonderful people… as well as Kitty’s current battle with breast cancer.  So many of my Australian and other international readers (including myself) have little understanding of the US Health System (such as it is) which plays a big part in Kitty’s life and opportunities for treatment at the moment.

One of the things I treasure about this community of wonderful people both online and in life, is that it keeps us connected and offers support, no matter how far apart we may all be. So I asked her to share a bit of her story with you.

“I am an Aussie gal living in Nashville Tennessee, my husband is from here. I do not have health insurance like so many Americans…

The early years !
The first vintage piece I bought was in my first year of high school, it was a cotton blouse with cigarette packets/brands all over it, and I still have it ! I bought because I thought it was funny & cute. Then I opened my first vintage store in the early 80’s while still in my teens, then a second not much longer after that.  After that, I went to live in London for 2 years where I met cool rockabilly girls ( Vivien of Holloway ).

On returning to Australia I had a vintage furniture store in Darlinghurst called Okie Dokie with a friend Jane Fisher ~ she died from breast cancer..

I then started a vintage cosmetic company called Bella Cosmetics. I think I  was too soon with this idea;  if I had it today in the world of the internet I would make a fortune…….
So….back to now. In December I flew home to Australia as my step dad died; and while I was there I had my mammogram. I have one every 2 years, but I had had one 12 months prior as I was told I had a cyst under my arm and they wanted to double make sure. So when I had my mammogram the technician asked of I had noticed any changes. I told her the left nipple was only ever so slightly drawn in but it was probably because I had recently lost weight.

The scan was clear,  ( 20 % of breast cancers ARE NOT seen in a mammogram ) mine was only detected under ultrasound. I also did not have a lump, mine is flat and by the time I could “feel” it it was already stage 3 .
I was asked to come back the following day to see a doctor, so off I went the next day, not worried or concerned; the idea of breast cancer had not even entered my head.

Next day I went to the Breast Clinic  they did an ultrasound and I could tell that something was wrong ! The Doctor then told me it was a large aggressive breast cancer, in the 60 minutes he spoke with me I only heard the words Cancer, Chemotherapy, Mastectomy and survival rate, the rest of what he said was like an episode of Snoopy, where the teacher is talking and Charlie Brown just hears wah wah wah wah…..

I have stage 3A breast cancer and I am learning to live with it, what has amazed me is the amazing support and generosity of other women. My beautiful Bernie Dexter went full steam ahead with trying to raise money as I wanted to stay in the USA for treatment. It is a year out of my life and wanted to be with my husband, in my bed, with my friends etc. Then my lovely friends Bernie Dexter, Christine Linarden & Christina Robles put together the money to finance the Kitty Von Purr cancer fund dress. At the same time my husband Blair Glover and his friends ( Miss Lolly and Dave Willie) put together a benefit show called Chemo Confidential with bands, a magician, hula hoopers, a fire eater & go go girls & loads of fun prizes !!! My friend Stacey Dixon, another pinup model, ran a raffle at her and her husband’s Nashville Tattoo Convention.  Then Olivia donated an art work for Bernie to sell.

All these amazing women stepping forward to help, it just humbles me so much to see how much women do care about each other !!! I have one girl Cassy Mummart Lawson, who’s Mum had breast cancer and every three weeks before chemo a card that she has handmade arrives. I have never met her but such a kind gesture lifts my spirits. My friend Christina (Dottie Devine) sends me boxes of organic fruit and gift cards for me to pamper myself. Bernie is just always there for me and has done soooooo much; she listens to me, the good and the bad, she has never wavered in her support even though she is so busy working and traveling for work, she is there for me 100 %.

Christine ( Pussy Le Claw) had been a sounding board and someone to have long phone conversations with and laugh and cry with. She never fails to make me laugh and talks to me about everyday life, cancer talk gets old really fast.
My friend Miss Inky emails me everyday and we chat about hairdos, hair don’ts and vintage clothing,shoes . All these women have no idea what a huge help the have been….”

And this is one of the reasons that I’m helping Kitty tell her story here. As a timely reminder to look after your breasts and always pay attention to changes no matter how small.  And also to show you the fantastic Kitty Von Purr dress, specially made by Bernie Dexter to raise some of the much needed funds to support Kitty during this time. 100% of the profits from this dress go directly to the Kitty Von Purr Cancer Fund, so it is perfect for helping you look good and feel great!

The dress itself is made of a heavy weight, cotton jersey; so it is super stretchy and super comfortable! It can be dressed up and taken out on the town, or even perfect for lazing around in a pair of fluffy boudoir heels with a glass of wine and a good man. Machine washable, no ironing, rolls up to nothing; you could even pop this one in your handbag for after work cocktails!

So if your thinking about a new dress, make it a Kitty Von Purr and fight cancer in style!

A whole six plus minutes of just talking about stuff. Didn’t really think this through, but thought it would make a change from just writing up random stuff I’ve been doing. And for those of you who have been asking what I sound like, now you know!
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This is a Melbourne centric post so for those of you in the rest of the country and the rest of the world… look away now to avoid disappointment!

Image via Christian Monotone

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Set your alarms ladies ’cause the team at Episode just emailed me all the details of their big moving sale to share all the goodies with you!  There are loads of great brands that you’ll already know like Friends of Couture, Elly M and Minty meets Munt; but I know that what will really tickle your fancy is the HUGE collection of vintage they are selling off!  Ten years worth of collecting is hitting the shelves and all has to be moved! I’ll admit it, I’ve already had a bit of a poke around and brought home some fabulous vintage pieces that will be making gradual blog appearances.  There is loads of 60’s and 70’s as well as some really wonderful 1950’s gems!

• Buy any two pieces of women’s new clothing  and receive 50% off the second item. This includes sale stock and already reduced styles.

• Buy any two pieces of men’s new and receive 50% off the second item includes sale stock

• Buy any two pieces of men’s vintage and receive 50% off the second item

• Buy any two pieces of women’s vintage and receive 50% off the second item

• All sunglasses are $10

• All kids wear is 50% off

• Most jewellery $5

• All ladies hand bags 50% off

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On Monday 31st May they will have 50% off EVERYTHING for one day only!

Woo hoo!