And how I’ve been doing it …

A Change of Pace!
I’ve recently retired from a lifelong career in Education and now look to pursuing my interest in fashion and styling.
As a woman working in a senior executive position, my style embraced a corporate look with an edge and a touch of retro, and although I’ve all but abandoned the corporate side of things, I’ve retained a love of the rest.
I can’t wait to share my thoughts, ideas and advice on so many aspects of being relevant and visible at a time of confusing social media inputs.
I’m not going to lie, it’s been tricky to move away from a fitted and tailored aesthetic and towards a more casual, comfortable and “risky” style. I would love to share some of the things that work for me and help boost my confidence, and I will be doing that in both my little business, and on here as well.
So let’s get on with it!
Talking Texture: The Beauty of P/Leather and Tulle!
Want to elevate your style? Add some texture to your outfit!
We are currently spoiled for choice with the beautiful fabrics available to us: leathers and pleathers, tulle, linens, silk, velvets and sheers. In this post today I’m going to focus on pleather and tulle.



Juxtaposition for the Win!
Try putting strong, structured fabrics with sheer and sheer with shiny and shiny with light and airy.
With both of the outfits shown I’m wearing the super valued “third item” of clothing – a cropped jacket which works, along with the lower cut shoe booties, to ensure an elegant and “pulled together” finish to the ensemble.
I prefer to wear booties a lot of the time because I love an edgy look – although there are times where a conservative look is more suitable – it really just depends … and the other thing I love is a belt to give dimension and shape to my figure.

Life Goes On!
On the 10th October last year we lost one of our precious white foreign shorthairs (white Siamese), Odin to heart failure. It was devastating for us and for his twin brother, Loki. We have adopted a new furbaby, a chocolate point Siamese kitten we’ve named Thor and he’s just an absolute delight! He has fit in so well with us! Unfortunately, little Loki has also developed heart failure and we work hard daily to keep him happy and well – it’s no fun giving a reluctant cat medications, I can tell you!!





Thank you all for reading this far – and as I forge a new path I thank you for joining me in my little corner of the web!
Sue
May 6, 2021 at 5:49 amMy favourite is the fringed skirt outfit. I LOVE that blouse. … Good to see you back! 😀
donnadoesdresses
May 6, 2021 at 5:54 amOh thank you so much – we’ve had a fair bit of wet weather here on the southeast coast of Australia so I couldn’t get out in the garden to get decent pics of that fringed skirt outfit .. and it’s great to be back, it’s been a year of moving through treacle it seems! Really appreciate your kind comment!! 🧚♀️❤️🐝
Tamara Yancosky
May 6, 2021 at 9:37 pmLove the ruffled skirt!
donnadoesdresses
May 6, 2021 at 9:50 pmYes – it’s quite a bit different from lots of other tulle skirts out there, Tamara! Hope you’re doing well and thank you for your kind support, as always! 🧚🏻♀️❤️🐝
indianeskitchen
May 7, 2021 at 3:50 amMy favorite is the animal print top with the black skirt! I absolutely love that hat you are wearing too. I wish hats were popular where I live they are so classy. Congratulations on your new little Thor, what a cutie!
donnadoesdresses
May 12, 2021 at 7:59 amOh thank you, Diane – yes I realised in so many of the pics I was wearing different animal prints, so it’s clearly a print I love! People do wear hats here because of the sun but with the hats I wear I’m considered a bit “out there” not that anyone here really cares, I just get a grin here and there and the occasional positive comment but Wollongong (about an hours drive south of Sydney) is pretty laid back, thank goodness, as is Eden, which is another six hours drive south down the east coast..
Thor has been a truly welcome addition and is the dearest, sweetest little soul – just full of love and affection, we feel truly blessed and grateful!
It’s great to hear from you, Diane and I hope to be on here more regularly again,
Donna 🧚🏻♀️❤️🐝
Vanity And Me Style
May 12, 2021 at 7:28 amI just love that tiered skirt Donna! And the cats look settled xx
donnadoesdresses
May 12, 2021 at 7:34 amOh, thank you so much, Laurie, I like that this skirt doesn’t have too much volume – although I do like volume too! The boys are getting along so well together, and all we can do is keep medicating Loki and hope that his heart failure slows down. Thank you for stopping by!
🧚🏻♀️❤️🐝
Autumn Zenith
May 14, 2021 at 9:30 amHow exciting! You are a fashionista bar none, dear Donna, with such an inspired, awesome eye for all things sartorial.
The inherent fluidity of style is one of its most endearing and wonderful qualities. I adore the evolution my style has taken over the years and look forward to seeing where it will lead to in the months and years ahead. Just as I eagerly look forward to continuing to be dazzled by your own gorgeous looks!
Huge hugs & joyful mid-May wishes – plus oodles of cuddles for your precious kitties!
Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life
donnadoesdresses
May 14, 2021 at 9:42 amOh thank you, beautiful Autumn, we are well in the depths of your favourite season and I so appreciate your kind comments about style and our joy in it!
We are so lucky to have our new Kitty and it is our actual belief that he is the spirit of our dear Odin who died in October .. he’s so much like him!!
Sending love and positive vibes to you and Tony in beautiful British Columbia!
🧚♀️❤️🐝
Jidapapoo
May 17, 2021 at 12:39 pmBeautiful
donnadoesdresses
May 18, 2021 at 1:56 amThank you so much for your kind comment! Enjoy your week!
Donna 🧚♀️❤️🐝