Alice Jean's morning tea....

I recently had the very great honour of being asked to host a morning tea for the opening of Cohuna's refurbished kitchen and supper rooms. You can imagine how thrilled I was to be approached to do this - the brief was to have a 50's style morning tea and small frock exhibition with me 'dressed 50's' (aka normal) and I was only too delighted to fill those requirements. Gal pal Brooke was on hand to help me hostess and manage (and lend a beautiful air to the proceedings), my amazing mum helped me bake up a storm, and I also received wonderful assistance from the local ladies of the progress association who totally dressed for the occasion (I have been dreaming of gingham aprons with crosstitching ever since !!) Thank you Ros, Dianne, Denise and Wendy!



The hall and kitchen themselves have come up a treat and are a real credit to the vision of the group of ladies who designed the refurbished kitchen, and then guys who made the vision a reality. The Mayor was on hand give everyone a bit of historical background to the hall complex (more on that from me at a later time - Cohuna has the most outstanding mid century musical history you could possibly imagine) and any number of local and state MP's and government officials also got to sample an Alice Jean's sponge! Oh, and see the new hall upgrade too of course (smile).

All in all it was a delightful day that went off without a hitch - filled with country flowers (thanks again Anne Thompson and Mum), pretty frocks and cream cakes to beat the band ! Here are some snaps....

Shame about the chairs behind the frocks, but we had no option there...

Grace Kelly Exhibition...a happy and sad tale.....

How very beautiful was the Grace Kelly exhibition at Bendigo's wonderful Art Gallery. If you have not been yet, or have not yet planned to attend, I highly recommend that you do so ASAP before it is all sold out.....it is proving to be one of the most popular exhibitions Bendigo has ever had. This is no mean feat considering they have staged two previous sensational exhibitions from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London prior to this momentous event - 200 Years of Wedding Fashion last year, and The Golden Age of Couture the year before.

Personally, I couldn't help squeaking with delight as soon as I walked in the exhibition door and saw not one, or two, but three costumes from the adored "High Society".....I kept quoting lines under my breath hoping that no one nearby would think I was insane....but it simply couldn't be helped! Not when you are face to face with the dress that embellished the lines "...and Jack the Ripper - where did he teach? Your father I mean...." or the swimming gown that lends Grecian elegance to the statement 'but I dont want to be worshiped, I want to be loved", and the perfectly equisit pre wedding ballgown that ends up 'in the swimming pool' when Tracey Lord declares "I dont know about you, but I'm going to go in the water". Yes, it is one of my favourite movies......

But so is Rear Window, and there are costumes from that as well. There is Grace's Oscar accepting dress and Oscar on display. There are outfits from her pre wedding trousseau. A replica of her wedding dress I found more captivatingly beautiful that the footage of the wedding had allowed. And there was oodles of footage of Grace at growing up, in the early years of her career, and particularly at home with her family in Monaco. For me, the visit with my best friend Brooke and one very well behaved son was delightful in every way.........

However, there was an underlying element of sadness to the whole exhibition too - particularly once one moved on from the film screening into the Monaco era. The footage made it all too real that Grace was not a happy princess. That she was resigned, sad, and somewhat lost. I was aware before seeing the exhibition that Grace had felt trapped in the years following her marriage - unable to act any longer, a celebrity Princess locked away in her pink palace, devoting herself to her children while craving greater meaning for her life. However, the exhibition and interview footage with Grace gave pronouncement to that sad reality. A woman devoted to her husband and children, but completely at the loss of herself, her freedom, her independence. How are any of us to know in our early 20's what the consequences of seemingly noble, worthwhile and fairytale like choices may mean for the rest of our lives? I walked away in awe of Grace's elegance and beauty, but saddened by the pain her life choice brought her. I am sure there are many women - not just princesses - throughout history who have, can or do identify with Grace's elemental story.......

But, not to leave this review on a sad note, do go and see this wonderful, informative and beautiful exhibition....you will most certainly not be sorry you did!

Local magazine......

A recent article about yours truly in the wonderful 'Local Mag'....so flattered by it I thought I would share !! Do check out the fabulous website and order yourself a copy to access terrific handmade local products, see local models parading local fashions, read some great articles about real people, real lives and real success stories. Above all, support relocalisation in your area - it harks back to the days when we sourced all that we needed locally, and our communities, families, health and lives reaped the benefits !!!!

Candice De Ville Glamour and Style Sessions

For all Australian based would be vintage diva's, here is the perfect opportunity to develop the glamorous goddess within........ delve into you inner style mistress here..........

A 50's Wedding

"All you need is love, love,

Love is all you need"

Just in time for Valentines Day, I have a darling wedding to share with you! Recently my 51 Pontiac (who I am inclined to think I should call 'Ruby Baby') had the most prestigious honour of being wedding car for the ever lovely Lauren at her Echuca rockabilly styled wedding.

Not only did the Bride and Groom look smashing, but the entire guest list seemed to know the couple intimately and honoured them by dressing accordingly in 50's, rockabilly, or tiki styled outfits.

The wedding party looked decidedly Rockabilly in their spotted dresses and red shoes, and the ceremony featured songs by no less than Kitty Daisy and Lewis.

Lauren, as a reader of my blog, thankyou for allowing me the honour of being a part of your day of days....a long happy fulfilling life together to you both !

Do enjoy browsing the lovely photographs (by Tamara Cadd Photography) and may your upcoming Valentines day be filled with love and romance this year !

Great radio shows !!!

We all love music - I mean, you would need to have spent your life in a cave in Antarctica to have no appreciation for music ! Personally, I am a big fan of all sorts of music - classical, gypsy, folk, blues, traditional R & B, dixieland, barbershop, rock n roll, lounge, country, contemporary, surf, swing, jazz, and even some top 40 !!! Pretty much anything depending on the mood in which I find myself really !! But here at Alice Jean's, we focus on mid 20th century though, so with that in mind I thought I would share a couple of the best Aussie radio shows (available online too for anyone overseas) that specialise in mid century grooves !!

For lounge music fresh from Sydney......

Cocktail Nation

My very favourite mid century radio show of them all, in my almost very favourite genre too - Doo Wop !!!

Malt Shop Hop

Local and overseas 'new' rockabilly sounds......

Its a Gas

Authentic blues, soul, jazz & ska

Blue Juice

If you know of others in other rural or urban areas that have an online presence, please let me know - let's fill our days with some jiving sound waves !

Another great gig not to be missed - and at the Lowow too !!!

Great Venues - The Luwow

 Wow, oh wow, oh wow.......I have just been to The Luwow bar in Johnson Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne and it was wonderful !! I had the great privilege of being able to attend a sensational 40th birthday bash for Jamie of Press-tone records last night at this happening place - and was thoroughly honoured to be able to be there - but I just wanted to encourage anyone who is visiting or living in Melbs to check out this south pacific paradise style tiki bar....the cocktails are to die for, the decor is eccentrically tiki (which equals totally awesome in my books), and the music is killer. After all, when one walks in the door and 'Stranded in the Jungle" by the Cadets is playing, lets face it, your not going to walk out in a hurry !!!! So here are a couple of picks of my best friend Brooke, darling pal Carola and I enjoying cocktails, atmosphere, and inspirational company at the Luwow Bar..... oh, and keep your ear to the ground, I understand that Thursday nights at the Luwow next year are not to be missed (but more on that later perhaps !!!)

Happy Birthday Jamie pictured here with his amazing cake!

Thanks to Brooke Orchard and Chrissie MacGill for the photos above.

Fashion event.....

Just an event for Melbournian readers to mark in their diaries - another great vintage social event not to be missed...dont forget to frock up :o)

Marc and Sue's wedding

The above images are articles from a couple of publications showing some very wonderful friends of mine, Marc and Sue, and revelling in their mid century inspired lifestyle - from their glorious wedding to their involvement with the Rose Seidler House 50's Fair in Sydney. Even though these articles are a couple of months old now, I thought I would post them for others to enjoy and be inspired by...after all, in my world it is the 'everyday people' doing amazing things that is where the creativity, richness,  beauty and 'goodness' of the world is - not in celebrity, or money, or worthy-less fame. To me Marc and Sue embody life lived in fullness and beauty....and gosh, they are just damn nice people to boot !! What a blessing to have such friends - be inspired people !

Open Garden Season - Yay !!!!!

Picture me swirling around in a cascade of ornimental pear blossom, dressed in a pretty 50's floral dress with arms outstretched to the romantic avenue and face uplifted to the sky, and you will catch a portion of my joy at the arrival of open garden season in Australia !!! For me it is a time of inspiration and beauty as I take in the glorious creations of my gardening peers. Here are a couple of upcoming attractions I wont be missing ...........

Stonefields Open Garden and Musk farm open garden19-20 November 2011

Sat. 19 Nov, 2011 at 10:00am-5pm & Sun. 20 Nov, 2011 10:00am-5pmTickets: $20 (children 12 and under free) Enjoy a day in the garden and explore Paul Bangay's 'Stonefields', one of Australia's most beautiful country gardens. Over two days Paul will open his garden to the public to raise money for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. Visitors will be able to spend the day exploring Paul’s seven acres of garden, boasting terraced parterres, white garden, blue perennial entrance borders, apple walk, circular woodland garden, walled rose garden, rear terrace with sweeping country views, twin pool lawns and perennial borders, plus vegetable garden. Paul Bangay and Stephanie Alexander, both celebrated authors of books on gardening and cooking, will be available throughout the weekend for book sales and book signings. Children 12 and under free. Stuart Rattle's 'Musk Farm Garden' is also open on the same weekend, just 10 minutes drive from Stonefields. This will be a rare opportunity to view two of Australia's most remarkable gardens on the same weekend. See below

Saturday November 19, 2011 & Sunday November 20, 2011 OPEN: 10am - 4pm each day TICKETS: $20 (Children 12 & under FREE) 11 School Road, Musk Look for the sign between Bullarto and Daylesford. (Melway Ref 609:D10 or Vic Roads Ref 59:E8) The garden is inspired by the English Arts and Crafts movement and the romantic tradition in architecture and garden design of Lutyens and Jekyll. A love of individual plants has been indulged whilst retaining strong design elements in 14 defined garden rooms that are integrated by interconnecting walkways, architecture, and extensive use of hedging and garden ornamentation.