Girlfriends and great ideas......

I have some truely outstanding girlfriends with bucketloads of creativity and imagination....let me share a little of the dynamic things my gal pals have been organising, creating, and doing.....do take a peek, you might find something wonderful to purchase, something fun to do, or something exciting to get on board with - and you will most deffinatly be inspired!

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 !

Renovate your wardrobe, your house, your self this summer !

Just in time for Christmas - and summer fun if you live in Australia - here are some wonderful websites for some truly great vintage stuff that I just had to share. If you are looking to renovate your wardrobe, your inner self, your house or your vintage pattern collection this summer break, then these site are a must see !!! Click on the images to be taken to these terrific sites !!

For some seriously smooth vintage styled bathers, check out these...I am am a sucker for gingham checks, Hawaiian and nautical things !!! But there are many more fabo styles as well........

If you are thinking of getting stuck into your reno's this summer holidays, then you must check out this WONDERFUL retro reno site. Choc full of inspiration, information and retrovation, you are just gonna LOVE this site..........








I just adore this wonderful site - all about 'getting naked'. About baring your soul, searching your heart, discovering self, revamping the inner you and nourishing the things that are most important in life - relationships. With self, with partners, with others. This is a gem of a site, and very worth checking out......


If you have dreamed of having boxes and boxes brimming with fashion inspiration in the form of sewing patterns, but cant seem to source them any longer (mid century patterns are getting rarer and more expensive), then never fear Vintage Pattern Wiki is here. All you will need is an abundance of time to while away the hours scrolling through this incredible online collection of practically every pattern produced.... looking forward to seeing all the wonderful fashion creations that emerge because of this amazing site.





And dont forget to check out the 'amusing pattern illustration' section for a bit of a laugh too !!!!



Happy summer fun everyone !!!

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.

For those who dont sew.......a discount on vintage style dressing.....

I LOVE to sew.....can i repeat that once again? - I LOVE to sew!! For me it is soooo very satisfying to bring together something beautiful out of a sheet of fabric. The creativity of wandering into a fabric store or stumbling across a darling length of pretty pattern in an op shop, and instantly seeing what it could become in my head. The leisurely joy of taking a quiet Saturday afternoon, putting on some music, pouring a cup of earl grey (or two or three!!) and setting about to transform the ordinary into the beautiful. Like I said before, ahhh, satisfying ! At least for the creative person that is me.....

I frequently come across people who lament that they cannot sew, who wish they could acquire a distinctive wardrobe with a vintage touch, but they have never had the opportunity to learn, and now find that they dont have the time. I totally get that too....... some are academics, some are sporty types and some are creatives etc.....not everyone is able to find joy in creating. For my friends who are fulfilling their particular role in the world that does not lean towards sewing your own , let me tell you about one particular dress company that does a mighty fine job of providing beautiful vintage-esque garments.

Below are some of my favourite images from the Shabby Apple website...and arnt they lovely and inspiring?

 I am also a big fan of the fact that Shabby Apple functions with this attitude of service....

"Because serving women and families is a core value at Shabby Apple, we devote a certain percentage of our net proceeds to charitable causes serving women and children."

The needs of women and children around the world are a big motivation in my own life - so I totally identify with that !! And, oh my goodness, check out their wonderful 'Emerging Designers Program' !! Awesome !!!

Now, usually I am a BIG promoter of buying local products by local artists and designers, but I am also dedicated to uplifting the beautiful things in life that make this world a more glorious, pure, delightful and joyous place to be....and Shabby Apple garments fit that bill !! So, for those of you who dont sew your own, Shabby Apple and Alice Jean's can offer you a 10% discount on your Shabby Apple purchases. Simply use this coupon code when you order alicejeans10off  and just be aware that this wonderful offer expires on December 8th 2011 - so get your Christmas shopping done early !!

How totally delightful - and I tingle at the thought that I am partnering with a company that encourages and provides opportunities for the creative people in our world !!! You go guys !!!

Ok, so now we can all look like Audrey, Grace, Katherine or Jackie....... oh clap hands !!

Beauty is so joyous !!!!