Bonnie Rose, Candice DeVille and Ms. Chrissy at Viva Las Vegas 2012

Vegas! I have such a soft spot for this city having been married here to Mr SKM. The weather is gorgeous, the sky is blue and the low humidity means great hair! Having the chance to come back for an event like Viva Las Vegas was too good to pass up, so my besties and I packed out bags for a long weekend of fun, frivolity and fabulous music.

This year the event was held at The Orleans casino that is about 2kms off the main strip, so you are really insulated from the usual strip activities for a few days.  From what I’m told, the nature of the event has changed a lot over the years, starting out as a more vintage event and has now morphed into a more Kustom Kulture Rockabilly vibe. That said, there were some outstanding efforts on the vintage dressing front, and not only from the girls. I’m going to have to work on my charm to take photos of the boys next time, as the ladies were happy to feature but most of them weren’t too keen on me chatting to their lads..

I know you’ve already seen a few of these snaps, but most asked to see them bigger, so in this bumper Viva Las Vegas photo post, I thought I’d include some more. The VLV Pool Party is one of the not to be missed events of the weekend. People pull out all the stops for the most gorgeous pool side attire and kick back with margaritas and live music.

My dress is a 1960′s Aloha vintage number worn with matching blue and green jewellery and that cool sequinned hat find.

Of all the poolside efforts, this fabulous red head caught my attention most of all. It turns out I’ve been buying from her Etsy store, Butchwax Vintage, a number of times and this seahorse ensemble is an example of the great pieces she has.

I was thrilled to meet these other two delightful red heads who stopped me while shopping in the market place. The lady on the far right is Lisa Freemont Street, who’s blog you’re likely familiar with too (go and visit for loads more great VLV pics) and her friend Lulu in the fab Mexican circle skirt.

Bonnie Rose was up to her usual tricks winning friends and influencing people..

The evenings were a veritable parade of gorgeous ladies and gents, all in their best threads and out for a good time.  The line up had so many great artists it is hard to choose a favourite, but even before I got off the plane my heart belonged to JD McPherson.

Vegas, you’re the greatest; let’s not be strangers now y’hear?

Occasionally, only once in a while, an album comes along that is everything you dreamed of and more.  An album that gives you the familiar rush of a teenage fan who plays each track over and over, never tiring of the sound.  That album for me is the latest offering from Nico Duportal and his Rhthym Dudes – “Going Back to Ya”.

A good friend of mine introduced me to Nico’s sound via a phone conversation, where his enthusiasm was so strong that he sat and attempted to play me several tracks over the phone. Now while the sound quality was lacking with this method, it did nothing to dull the passion in his voice. As he said to me, “You know when music just makes your heart sing?”  and I sure did.

Since getting my hands on a copy of this album two months ago, it it a rare day that I have not listened to it or at least one track. I can honestly say that it is simply impossible for me to pick a favourite tune. Every time I think I’ve landed on one, the next one comes around and I’m torn.  Nico’s sound (in very technical music terms), is to die for!  His voice is rich, lush, gritty and has a hefty does of ‘come hither’ mixed in. A sound known to my friends and I as “swoon worthy”. Officially you’d have to categorise the sound as Jump Blues or more commonly, Blues (but I like mine better).

The recording quality of the album is spot on for the feel of both the era and the mood. That wonderful, less than perfect sound you’ll remember from 1950′s produced vinyl albums. It’s funny because when I hear this album on my all too modern iPod, all I can see in my head is a great black and white, lo-fi clip of girls screaming for their idol. It’s that kind of good.

Here is who should buy this album- Guys who want to get a girl into their arms for a dance then a drink afterwards, Girls who like to sing in their cars, Babyboomers who want to remember their heyday, Aspiring blues singers who want to hear from a modern artist just how its done, Women who want the perfect soundtrack to their 50′s fantasies, Musicians for the appreciation and anyone who thinks that music these days has gone to the dogs.

Thursdays are so often a bit ho hum, as was today. I was wandering around the streets of Melbourne city tackling some late errands and getting nowhere, when out of the blue a sound hit me… and a great big grin lit up my face.  As I made a bee line for the source of the sound, dodging trams and craning my neck to see through the throngs of shoppers, I was astounded to see a solitary man. Cowboy hat perched atop his bowed head, harmonica to his lips and a base line that made me want to jump out of my skin, I quickly pulled my phone from my pocket in an attempt to capture what I saw.

I’m told that George is well known for his thumping blues on the streets of Melbourne and I’d love to see what this guy could do on stage. In 2004 he won the Australian Country Music Busking Championship at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, so clearly his reputation proceeds him.

As I stood there mentally counting the cash in my purse, I was torn between not wanting the song to end and dying to get my hands on his latest CD. But I did wait, and I did pick up George’s new album entitled “Sliding Days”.  And in a rather contradictory fashion, I then rushed right through the mall not even hesitating at the sale racks, just so I could get back to the car and immerse myself in what he had to offer.
To listen to more of his tracks check out the George Kamikawa MySpace page

Well now, June certainly got away from me this time! Unlike so many other industries, Winter seems to be my busiest time of the year, running pillar to post trying to fit everything into fifteen plus hour days, seven days a week. So as penance for my appalling absence this month, I’ve set aside the most of July to catch up on all the things I’ve yet to show you, all the articles half written, and all the video tutorials that are awaiting the editing room.

It’s become clear that my usual planning skills, although pretty darn good, just haven’t been up to the task of the last month; so I’ve decided to bring in the big guns and get myself a copy of the new book by fellow blogger Nicole Avery, “Planning with Kids” from the blog – Planning with Kids of course!  I’ve spent so many hours in airport lounges of late, that reading and browsing bookshops has been like a spotters sport. It’s always smile worthy to see a friends name on the shelves.

I love the addition of the little plastic T-Rex on the cover – that’s often how it feels when you have two (or more) small people after your attention all the time.

In order to make sense of the whirlwind of a month I’ve had, I thought I’d do a little mini photo diary for you over the next few days. Partly to remind you what I look like, I’ve been so absent this month; also in part because it all gets so mad at times that I forget what I’ve done from day to day and it’s nice to look back and take a moment for it all the sink in.

So back at the end of May, I headed up to Queensland for the Garterbelts & Gasoline festival. You’ll remember we had a bit of a vintage shopping tour and all kinds of tiara’d shenanigans. That’s where the next six weeks of craziness began…

Because we like to travel in the style we’re accustomed too (nothing to do with how much luggage we have..) we arrived in the stretch limo, champagne in hand. Yes, I know; it already looks like trouble!

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Oh so demure at breakfast as we fortify ourselves for the day ahead… but you wouldn’t believe what some of these ladies could put away!

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This really had to be seen to be believed, but on Miss Nada’s plate is the biggest single scone known to mankind -and she actually did it!

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Miss Nada, Me, Miss Chrissy and Bonnie Rose – hanging out and shopping up a storm in Mt Tambourine.

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Do we have fun? Ummmm… well I can tell you that onlookers certainly do when we hit the streets!

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The festival had a fantastic little art show, the only disappointment for me is that all the pieces I loved weren’t for sale!

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But of course it wouldn’t be a nostalgia event without the Show n Shine part of the weekend. We ladies are all partial to a bit of vintage transport, and spending the afternoon wandering around through all this shiny, shiny eye candy is sometimes more than you can bare. So of course we make sure to take a few snaps of our favourite to add to the wallet as a reminder of why we need to keep on saving out pennies for a few of these beauties of our own!

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Bonnie Rose shows her wild side.

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Harry Deluxe, the indomitable Rockabilly chanteuse, goes with something red hot to match her red hot voice.

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and me, well I was rather partial to this sleek and dangerous number.

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But what about when the lights go down? Silly question – we have a good old knees up!

Candice DeVille, Bonnie Rose & Helen McLean.

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Yes, indeed I do dance; in fact dancing and shopping are currently vying for first place in my list of thing I love to do.

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Bonnie Rose and I propping each other up after a very long weekend.

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And that’s only one weekend in May! As I said, I’ve lots of catching up to do as I get a chance to go through all my images from the last month, so if there’s something you’d particularly like to see, let me know and I’ll see if I can dig something up for you. And thanks for sticking around while I disappeared!

Xxxx!

Winter in Australia can be really miserable what with the rain, sleet and all round bad weather; especially in Melbourne. But in June, there is one absolute lifesaver of an event that will fix every kind of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Wintersun!!  This fabulous nostalgia festival has been running for the last 24 years and is going from strength to strength.  This year for the first time, it is being held in sunny coastal town of Port Macquarie, where all of my favourite vintage festivities will come together.

Originally begun as a bit of a Show n Shine type of event, Wintersun has grown and morhphed into the biggest and most lauded nostalgia festival in the country.  Running over ten days (yes that’s 10 big ones), there is everything from cars to pin up girls, markets, vintage fashion fairs, vintage parades, the best swing and rockabilly bands from around the country, dance work shops, fashion and style workshops (that’s me amongst others), and more retro contests and activities than you can handle!

I’m telling you about this now so you can start planning your winter get away and shining your dancing shoes. In fact, let me give you an idea of a common day at Wintersun for me…

9am – breakfast on the balcony, swathed in silk and watching the shiny, souped up classic cars drive by.

10.30am – a bit of a promenade down the street with my vintageous lasses, arm in arm as we head down to the market.

10.45am – pose for photos with cars enroute and eye off the talent.

11.00am – find beautiful vintage frocks at market; squeal with excitement and make deals as to who gets what without loosing an eye.

12.30pm – lunch on the terrace at main street, checking out dapper chaps from behind our sunnies and making plans for the evening.

2pm – Vintage fashion parade – strut some stuff.

4pm – Hanging out en’masse in our apartment, doing each others hair and talking beauty tips (yep, super girly)

5pm – Cocktails and comparison of purchases. More excitement, donning of sequins and a little dancing around the living room.

7pm – Dinner with as many suitably attired people as you can muster, all descending upon a local establishment where Mojitos are on the menu.

8.30pm – Arriving at the first band venue

Until at least midnight – (or 3am for some of us)- Continue to dance until you can’t stand up, laugh, joke, chat and give those vintage frocks the time of their lives.

….. then do it all agin the next day!

So just what is in store this year? Well read on and click through to Wintersun’s VINTAGE ALLEY for information and ticket details for each event.  Be there or be Square!

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Tickets for all Wintersun events can be found here!

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And you know what… you can even apply to be the next Face of Wintersun!

So book your tickets, pack your suitcase and come hang out with me vintage style!