Girl Crush - Masumi Max

I'm a lover of contrast. I like my colours bright, my whites white and my blacks so velvety they melt. And so it is with my girlfriends. It isn't all Rita Hayworth and Doris Day over here, in fact Doris has nipped out to straighten the bathroom while Rita makes the Margaritas as they wait for my next guest to arrive.

Meet Masumi Max - pin up, fetish model, contortionist and fire performer extraordinaire.

Image by Amaleaphoto.com

Wearing the Black Salsa dress from Pinup Girl Clothing

She has a killer style, dangerous curves and takes a mean portrait.

You won't see her sitting in the front rows at fashion week, nor will you see her splashed across the tabloids Starbucks in hand. More likely than not, you won't see very much of her unless you're into hot rod shows and mens mags. Nevertheless, there is something about her I find captivating and worthy of a good dose of Jean Paul Gaultier. Perhaps the designers showing at this years fashion week should have given Max a call and avoided the runway carnage aka the Stitt Storm. Either way, I predict you'll be seeing a lot more of Miss Max's style in the shops this season.

But if the latex and the heels are all a bit much for you there is one leaf you can take out of her book. Next time someone whips out the camera, look straight down the lense and give them a that Masumi Max stare. Killer.

300 Posts and it only gets Hotter!

Outfit details: Dress - Georgio Fiorlini (recycle boutique find), Shoes - Rohde, Hair flower - Wicked Sista.
Makeup: Base - Laura Mercier mineral veil in Rose Tendre, Eyes - Laura Mercier Vanilla Nuts, Eyeliner - Shiseido liquid liner in black, Mascara - Loreal Telescopic in Carbon Black, Blush - Mac, Lipstick - Avon colour wear in Plush.

Where oh where have I been these last few days? Melting, somewhat like that scene in the Wizard of Oz. The weather here has been the hottest I have ever known in this country, as testified by the thermometer on my back verandah. While the rest of the city has been suffering power outages for days on end in this heat, I've been fortunate to still have cooling, which meant that my plans for an afternoon tea with friends this weekend was still able to happen.

With all this super hot weather I've had a chance to break out some of the fab summer dresses I brought back from the USA. This one is by Giorgio Fiorlini and I love the bright green tropical print against the hot pink piping. It makes me think I should be kicking back somewhere nursing a Long Island Iced tea. Now there's a thought...

Today I'm trying to relax a little on our first cooler day in a long time, as Miss Four starts school tomorrow! So with another super hot week predicted and the challenges of the first week of school, this is bound to be one for the record books.

Yes, this is actually the thermometer on my back verandah, can you make out what is says?

Happy Buck's Night Mr. Bachelor

Outfit details: Top and skirt - by Adeline Street from Faster Pussycat, Jacket - Free Fusion, Shoes - Urban Originals.
Lipstick - Russian Red by MAC

Here it is, the Bachelor Party outfit. For those of you that tuned in the other day, you'll know that my opportunities to get this outfit together were limited. Actually I had 45 minutes, with baby in tow, to shop for last night. So to get a really clear idea of the look I wanted to achieve, I put together three ideal looks. Perhaps if I'd gotten my act together weeks ago, I could have replicated one of these beauties. As it is, I used these sets as inspiration and worked elements from each to create this look. Can you see them?

I chose a pencil skirt with great lace up rear detailing( seen below), matching corset style top, patent platform stilettos to echo the colours in the skirt and top. I was fortunate to already have in my wardrobe this cropped blue jacket that tied the shoes into the whole thing, rather than leaving them sitting out there on their own. I skipped the stockings all together, as their was no room for any extra frippery under this skin tight skirt, and I wanted to keep a smooth line. I kept the hair much simpler, knowing that with such a structured outfit, I needed to soften the hair. So I put the whole lot in hot rollers for ten minutes and this was the result.

I cut back on the accessories, as with such a tight print ( and VERY tight fit), I didn't want to overload on extraneous detail and confuse the issue. So other than the crystal crown brooch on the jacket, all I carried was this black box style, faux crocodile handbag. A girl needs supplies for such a big evening and a bag such as this holds all my secrets along with being large enough (but not sloppy) to carry the jacket.

Rear detail of skirt.

Faux Crocodile handbag.

Congratulations Mr Bachelor!

Deco Desires

Please excuse the gratuitous portraits, but I was just so thrilled with this wonderful outfit. You can read more about it in the previous post, A Vintage Dream.

The occasion was the opening of the National Gallery of Victoria's Art Deco 1910 -1939. exhibition. And what a spectacular evening it was. From the illuminated and mirrored pillars at the entrance, to the jazzy band and vivacious crowd. I must admit, I would loved to have seen more people dressed for the occasion, it is rare to get a chance to break out this much glamor day to day, so when the invitation comes - to arms people!

The exhibition itself was just like living in a dream. Each piece resonated with history, but in a way that was not musty or patinaed with age, but bright and sparkling, like the young things whose lives they would have no doubt graced. Having seen the era reproduced on the silver screen is a wonderful romantic experience, but standing bathed in the glow of the lights of the old Strand Palace foyer, simply transforms you. Each minute scratch making the sense of history palpable, and as you catch your reflection in the multitude of mirrored surfaces, you feel yourself dissolving into a film strip of the past.

The exhibition is on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and we have never before seen anything like it on our shores. So do not miss it people! I'll be making sure that I take both my girls to see this as soon as possible. They may be only 4 and 11 months, but you are never to young to surround yourself by beauty and art.

You can find more images of the evening at The Vine . Or for more detailed information and a not to be missed peak at the exhibition, check out The Age online.

Image courtesy of The Vine

Swanky Panky

Yes, I am a bit late this week. Blame Earth Hour coming back to bite me, as our power was out for some days after a big storm here in Melbourne. But better late than never, and this week I have two lovely little items of glee for your delight.

Whilst I realise there is some controversy surrounding China and its human rights record at present, it has done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for Chinese imagery. The more vintage the better. I just adore the old cigarette posters and the glamorous Old Shanghai feeling they evoke. So imagine my delight to discover these darling vintage style kits from Dumpling Dynasty. Fiona Hewitt's Wu & Wu company have produced these kits, and feature sewing kits, shoe shine kits, first aid kits and even pigtail kits! They have the cutest tin packaging, too beautiful to hide away in the cupboard. A good thing when you are looking for your first aid kit in a hurry. You can buy these online over at Strawberry Fool.


If you are looking for a bit of Pin Up pretty, these pins from Zombie Girl Hair Accessories will give you an edge. Part Beetle Juice, part playground chic , these are just the ticket for fancying up your do. If you don't have time to mess around with high maintenance hair, just pop it all up in a high pony and slip into one of these babies. I can't wait to get mine. Photos will be forthcoming.
The gorgeous model you see wearing the Flower Pin is the divine Bernie Dexter, who you may recognise from my previous post.

That's your lot for today. I am currently working on some larger feature posts for you all, so stay tuned for some of my secret How To's.