Old Movies and Me …
I grew up with a father who had a great love of film.
This is at a time when there was only black and white television and no such thing as social media.
Dad and I would often stay up late on a Friday night and watch the ‘Creature Feature’ and then on Saturday nights we would tune in to ‘The Golden Years of Hollywood’ .
These were fun times for me because my father was a difficult man and it was good to be spending time with him when he was relaxed and happy. He would often make us yummy ‘midnight snacks’ and so it was that we bonded over these old films that showed beautiful, feminine women in amazing outfits … and there were men too, but that’s another story!
Thank you, Dad, for those special times together! I miss them very much!
I was inspired and have worn lipstick just about every day of my adult life – even a few short hours after having my babies, I smacked on some lipstick to be presentable and feel in control. You see, that was the thing, I always thought that being in control and being immaculately groomed went together … well, this didn’t actually follow but, hey I’ve enjoyed the journey just the same!!
These dresses are a recent purchase and are made from a nice heavy cotton sateen.
The bird pattern is gorgeous on the white background.
For this photo I have worn a teal cardigan and teal/black low-heeled shoes.
I could also pair this with a mustard cardigan and shoes.
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Girly in Pink:
Pink is always a favourite and always looks and feels pretty and feminine.
I don’t tend to wear a lot of pink but I’m pretty keen on this magenta:
This is a modern take on the traditional floral 1950s dress.
I’ve shown this dress with and without the petticoat and it looks great either way – without the petticoat gives a more contemporary silhouette, which makes the dress less costumey, although I have no problem wearing it either way.
Once again I have teamed it with cardigan and kitten heel sling-back shoes, but lie or white could also be an appropriate choice.
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In the Red:
Of course, little can beat the novelty print, including the striking and classic combination of black and red:
Okay, so you could arguably wear green or black with this little number … but oh, why would you when the drama is only increased with the red shrug and shoes??
And this strawberry print is just too much fun when it’s all said and done!!
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Fifties Fear!!
It’s out there, and it’s real! (The Blob)
Some of us are afraid of the attention we may receive because of the beautiful dress/outfit that we are wearing that’s outside the realm of the mainstream/everyday.
This is perfectly normal.
The real answer is not thinking about what other people may or may not be thinking about you.
My mother used to say, “What other people think of you is none of your business!”
I’ve had people stare at me, usually in a nice, positive way. They’ve even asked to take a photo of me, and I know some people get upset by this, but it doesn’t worry me.
There have been times where they’ve been a bit more mean-spirited.
I take this in my stride, mainly because of my mother’s strong role modelling of not worrying about what other people think. She used to say “they’re not paying my bills, and getting up in the middle of the night to my sick child, cleaning my house or cooking my meals! So who cares what they think?”
Thank you, Mum! I miss your simple words of wisdom every day of my life!
I have raised my daughter in the same way and she has commented to me of how glad she is to not be like so many of her contemporaries who worry more about what others are thinking than about getting on with their own lives.
Life is far too short to spend it upset about what’s going on inside other people’s insecure and nasty minds.
So, buy and wear those dresses I will!! And I do!!
Confidence and Living Our Best Lives!!
Have confidence, take a deep breath, pull your shoulders back, put your chin up and live your best life and wear those beautiful clothes if you want!!
Thank you for joining me in my little corner of the web and I’d love you to leave a like comment or follow,
Donna π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ¦π
tinakmeyer
September 23, 2018 at 8:11 amOh man. I love this post. I love all of those dresses – they are all stunning. You look amazing and very happy in each of those. I love too, that your mum and dad are very much present here. I have had tears well up. You have inserted them so meaningfully here and it really highlights how significant the impact of our parents is on us. Also, that we choose to focus on the negative because there is always positive too. We just choose not to see it as often. By we, I donβt mean us lol.
donnadoesdresses
September 23, 2018 at 8:23 amThank you, my friend, heβs this is how I feel too because once theyβre gone, theyβre gone – and truly Iβd give anything to have 5 minutes with them both! And now Iβm in tears!β€οΈπ§π»ββοΈπ
tinakmeyer
September 23, 2018 at 8:25 amThey are always with you – one day you will be reunited in βfleshβ
donnadoesdresses
September 23, 2018 at 8:26 amI believe this too, as you know! But not yet! Not yet! π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ
tinakmeyer
September 23, 2018 at 8:27 amDefinitely not yet lol
donnadoesdresses
September 23, 2018 at 9:42 amβ€οΈπ
styleofbonnie
September 23, 2018 at 4:30 pmThese dresses with matching cardigans are so gorgeous. Actually I have tons of similar styles like these. I wear them at office. Sometimes when it gets warm, I can remove the cardigan or vise versa.
What you have said is so true …. I am the kind of person who does not care much how people think about me. I am just me and be myself, why bother. Life is short. I only have time for important things in my life. Well said.
donnadoesdresses
September 23, 2018 at 8:54 pmThank you for your comment, Bonnie, unfortunately there are many people who are very concerned with what others think of them and it interferes with their quality of life, their personal happiness, their choices in life and even how they treat others. Itβs important to have strong role models and to be a strong role model! Have a great week!π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ
Nika - Survival π
September 25, 2018 at 4:02 pmBeautiful dresses!
donnadoesdresses
September 25, 2018 at 9:10 pmThank you for your sweet comment! Enjoy your week! π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ
chattykerry
October 1, 2018 at 5:40 pmThey are all beautiful dresses but I just LOVE the red one – suits you really well.
donnadoesdresses
October 5, 2018 at 9:51 pmThank you – red is my favourite colour and the strawberry pattern is very hard to beat!! β₯οΈπΊππΌβ€οΈ
Jonathan Caswell
October 6, 2018 at 10:01 pmI like vintage and you ha ve very entertaining posts! May I reblog them—starting with this one—onto mt blog? I can give frecerences! π
donnadoesdresses
October 6, 2018 at 10:03 pmWhat do you mean repost – Iβve not heard of this!
Jonathan Caswell
October 6, 2018 at 10:19 pmOn your blog page—-that blog post—there is a “reblog” oprion nrct to the “LOKE” option. Whomever reblogs will have your post reposted on their (my) blog. with an automatic direct link back to your original post. Come visit my blog to see examples of this.
donnadoesdresses
October 6, 2018 at 10:25 pmOkay – that sounds like a way of getting my blog seen, which would be great! Thank you!π
Jonathan Caswell
October 6, 2018 at 10:27 pmWorks for me. I also use it as an incentive for more readers to visit my site…like you? π
donnadoesdresses
October 6, 2018 at 10:28 pmOf course!! I donβt have many followers though, I must say!! But yes, I have looked at your blog and read/liked quite a few posts…
Jonathan Caswell
October 6, 2018 at 10:31 pmThen it’s time to get on board—! You may not want to reblog posts out of your focus….but I can and do—-but I have many interests….including vintage fashion!
donnadoesdresses
October 6, 2018 at 10:32 pmGood advice!π
Jonathan Caswell
October 6, 2018 at 10:28 pmReblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HER WAY IS A-OKAY! lD
donnadoesdresses
October 6, 2018 at 10:29 pmThank you – and I appreciate your support…π
Jonathan Caswell
October 6, 2018 at 10:32 pmI’ll be looking…!
Nicole MΓΆlders
October 20, 2018 at 6:04 pmLovely great dresses. You really rock that style.
donnadoesdresses
October 20, 2018 at 9:02 pmThank you, Nicole – it is a bit of fun!! π§π»ββοΈπ¦β€οΈπ
Jennie
October 22, 2018 at 7:45 pmLooking so beautiful in these colorful dresses, Donna! I love the cardigans with them.
donnadoesdresses
October 22, 2018 at 7:53 pmThank you, Jennie – Iβm always conscious of my arms so the cardigans are a must have!! π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ
passion fruit, paws and peonies
November 22, 2018 at 11:11 amWhat a lovely heart felt post. Your parents sound amazing. Love your style and I love your mums advice. I’ll pass that one on xx Maria
donnadoesdresses
November 22, 2018 at 11:20 amThank you for your lovely comment! My parents were just hard working people who were down to earth and had lived tough lives and brought us up to be the same and Iβm grateful for that – life was simpler then! I do miss them both though … I wish you all the best for your Thanksgiving – we donβt have it in Australia and once again thank you for your lovely comment! π§π»ββοΈπ¦β€οΈ
donnadoesdresses
November 22, 2018 at 11:24 amSorry! Youβre English so enjoy the rest of your week! π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ
This Main Line Life
November 22, 2018 at 1:49 pmOOOh, I love the pink one. That style dress is always really flattering, I think. Looks great on you. It’s so nice that you have those great memories with your dad. Watching movies together is something my husband and daughter do a lot too and it’ll be a great memory for her too when she grows up.
x, Julie | http://www.thismainlinelife.com
donnadoesdresses
November 22, 2018 at 8:20 pmThank you so much for your lovely comment!! The pink one is gorgeous, thatβs for sure!! Yes, they were good times and Iβm glad that your daughter has that time with her dad, because such times are fleeting! Enjoy the rest of your week!! π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ