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So, I have described some of my adventures in the world of girls.  I would love to get some feedback from my audience.  Thanks in advance!  Diane.

Jewelry

So, I have started to think about accessorizing.  #1-a pearl necklace.  With that in mind, I went to Zales at the mall today.  I walked in, there was a couple and two sales clerks.  One of the clerks welcomed me and I quickly found the pearl counter.  I looked over the necklaces and she wandered over to inquire whether she could assist me.  I replied that I was looking for a pearl necklace.  She then asked about who it was for.  Moment of truth!  I looked at her and confessed that it was for me.  Wow.  Big hurdle.  She then asked what I was wearing it with.  Wow.  I replied a white dress.  This blatant admission is becoming frequent lately.  She asked what the dress style was.  I replied strapless.  Totally in the open...no hesitation.  She took it from there.  She showed me a 16" necklace that she felt was a choker.  I guess it would choke my 15 1/2" neck!  She then suggested the 18".  She asked whether I would try it on or whether she should do it for me.  Well, I knew that my neck was much bigger than hers but she had not come to that realization yet.  I said that I'd try it on.  The mirror was right next to where the couple was shopping.  She appeared to be sensitive to this issue, offering to move the mirror.  I said that it was fine where it was.  She then asked whether I knew how the clasp worked. I said yes, but that she should probably do it.  So, She came around the counter and put it on me.  I do not know if the couple was paying attention or not.  It probably fit similar to how the 16" would fit on her.  So, she understood the issue, at least.  She had a very nice 22" that she then tried on me.  I think it was just a bit too long, hanging down too far.  And she had no 20" necklaces.  Damn.  But, I learned a bit and she offered to bring in any necklace that I found on the Zales website.  So, I have located a couple of fresh water cultured pearl necklaces at 20".  I think I'll stop by with the information for her tomorrow as her card did not have an e-mail address.  We chatted about pearl earrings for a bit too.  She asked if I ever considered having them pierced, and whether I had anything else pierced.  She is pretty comfortable with me, I'd guess.  I replied that I'd love to have my ears pierced but that it was a huge commitment to coming out of the closet. 

So, now I have made contact with 1) a makeup sales lady, 2) a Macy's personal shopper, 3) Jennifer, the makeup tutor, 4) the two nice ladies at David's and 5) the Zales lady.  Amazing that none of them appear to be anything but supportive of a guy buying girl stuff for himself.  I am choosing to believe that they are in fact OK with this and not just trying to get a sale.  Candace, on the other hand, has done my nails 5-6 times and my eyebrows once. I have not told her, though telling her "give them a little shape, but not too fem" might have revealed the truth.  She has not indicated that she knows.  I am not sure how I want to play that.  I could come out blatantly or slowly....I am thinking maybe perfume at the next manicure.  We'll see. 

After I left Zales, I stopped by the Bon Ton Estee Lauder counter to see if the "gift bags" were in.  I spotted Marcy at the Clinique counter and walked right up to get her attention.  She asked how she could help me and I reminded her of the gift bag.  So, I got the new eyeshadow pallet along with a new lipstick, a small eyeshadow sampler, more night serum, daywear moisturizer and a makeup bag.  I soooo needed the makeup bag.  And a perfume!  "pleasures" by Estee Lauder.  Another first.  I tried it on in the car.  I love it.  Not as much as Chanel 5 but enough to make it my signature fragrance, for now at least. 

Back to the accessorizing, I am not sure what else I'll need.  Maybe a bracelet.  Probably a blusher.  I am having so much fun!

Wedding Dresses

I went to the appointment at David's Bridal today.  Wow.  I was all screwed up with respect to where to get dressed.  So, I did it at the parking lot of a nature preserve.  No one around, as far as I know.  So, I had my pantyhose on already and jumped out of the car and opened the trunk, where the clothes were.  Now, what to wear? I finally decided on the gray pants and white t shirt.  With the white lacy camisole under.  I am not sure if you could see it or not but I felt very girly, at least.  I chose the black flats too. Then, I tried makeup.  I say tried because my hand was shaking so badly and I was running out of time that I gave up.  Cleaned it off and put on a little mascara.  Obvious, but not over the top.  Then, to the appointment.  I picked Tuesday morning figuring that no one would be there.  Wrong.  I arrived as a lady and her boyfriend went in.  Damn.  So much for just me and the ladies.  I held my breath and went in, hoping that the store was big enough that everyone would be spread out.  Wrong again.  There was a reception desk, with a line.  I stood there very nervous as others were helped, not catching any of their glances.  I know there were some WTF looks.  Oh well.  I survived and was asked to sit down to do the normal bride paperwork.  How may bridesmaids, etc.  Oh well, I have none.  Wouldn't that be fun though...4-5 sweet little maids.  Not to be, I think.

So, I am given a tour of the shop and we start picking out dresses.  They have downloaded my wish list so they have an idea of what I am looking for.  Now it is going smoothly.  Then, to the changing area.  Damn...the dressing rooms are tiny and have no mirrors....the only mirrors are in a common area.  And there are brides and friends there.  So, I try on the first dress...the cute tea length gown by Oleg Casinni that I love so much.  And...a knock on the door...I have to come out to look at it!  With 8-10 ladies watching.  OMG.  Can you say "red"?  But, they were very nice and complimented me and that is how it went.  My basic concept was to keep it simple.  No train.  No ballgowns.  But the nice lady working with me threw in a couple with trains.  Sweet.  I really like one of them.  Totally girly, but not easy to deal with, as I am still pondering the idea of losing my virginity in a wedding dress.  But standing at the mirror in this long gown I really felt nice.  I had to pick up the front edge of the gown to walk.  It was a good thing that I watched  video on walking in a wedding gown!  So, I come out of the booth,  gown slightly raised, walking fine on the 2" heels.  None of the women said anything but I hope that they noticed how well I carried myself.  Then, standing at the mirror, my assistant fluffs my train for me!  Sweet!  So totally like  bridesmaid.  So, after sorting through around ten dresses, the Casini keeps coming to the top of the list.  It is so cute.  Everyone agrees that this is the one.  Then, they come over with the blusher.  I had originally planned to wear a wig but after Sunday's difficult time with it, I decided against it, figuring on getting a new one that works better and can be styled with an up-do.  But they insisted that I try on the blusher... with no hair.  It obviously looked silly but I went along with it.  Then, I got dressed and checked out, setting up an appointment in July to try on the actual gown, which will be a size larger, and get it fitted.  I cannot wait!  I did not buy the shoes but I am now regretting that decision.  The gown is an ivory and I do not have a sample of the material to work with.  It may be easier to have them dye those shoes as they know the color.  The shoes were fine, from my perspective...though not buying them implied that I would have to go shopping for them...another girly activity.  But still,  with a lack of real shoe stores here I think it may be very difficult.  In any case, I left the store, dressed fem with my purse over my shoulder.  So fem!  I could get used to this. 

So, I called Davids.  The lady was not warm and fuzzy but they do expect me tomorrow.  I am thinking of wearing the gray pants with the new charmeuse top from Talbots.  It fit nicely and feels wonderful.  This blouse is one of the great things about being girly.  Either way, I am anxious about tomorrow but I suppose that if it is not working I can just leave.  I hope that they assign me to someone that can have fun with it and make me comfortable.  I'd really like to try the various dresses that I have saved to my "favorites".  My favorite is:

 

 

I hope I can try it on tomorrow! 

 

 

On another front, I found a nice lady that will give me makeup lessons.  The downside is that she can't start for two weeks.  But, it is a good start.  I can't wait to get some feedback on how I have been doing.  Then what?  I am not sure.  The outing yesterday showed me a couple of things.  First, I am not ready to deal with guys seeing me dressed up.  Second, I really need to dress for the occasion.  Wearing the black skirt and 3" heels is not what women do on a Sunday afternoon shopping trip with the family.  Oh well, live and learn.  I know I was not passing but the feel of wearing a skirt in public, the swish of the lining against my stockings, was too wonderful to be ruined by a few guys giving me funny looks.  I did get some smiles from women.  God I love women.  

I didn't make it to Macy's yesterday.  I went today but Carolina was not there.  I asked a clerk about getting the suit but it didn't work.  But, I wore my gray pants with the new white t and a cranberry cardigan.  I wore my low heeled pumps and the wig.  And makeup.  This is the first time anyone has seen me fully fem.  I was so nervous waiting for the clerk to get back.  I pretended to look at the clothes but I was too nervous to really shop.  So, she came back and gave me the bad news.  I'll have to run down again someday.  I am not sure when I can do it though.  I left and went to my car;  I wasn't ready to end my day though. I did a quick change in the car, putting on the skirt and the black 3" pumps.  I got out of the car, adjusted my skirt, and startd for the mall!  I walked around the mall for a bit but I was really to nervous to do anything.  I looked for a chair at Barnes and Noble but they were all taken.  I left by way of the Macy's cosmetics counter, smiling at the nice ladies as I left.  I know there were some "wtf" looks from some guys.  The few women whose eyes I caught smiled nicely.  Most people did not notice or did not care.  I think I canget used to this enough to actually shop.  We'll see. 

First, my suit is in.  I am running down to the store on Saturday to pick it up.  I'd love to wear the skirt, blouse and heels but I am sure that I am not ready for that.  I plan to put it on and go shopping though.  I asked Carolina if she was available to help me buy a dress but I have not heard back.  I would so love to spend some time trying on and modeling dresses!  

Second, my appointment to try on wedding dresses is just a week away.  I am getting really, really nervous about it.  I am hoping that they call to remind me and tell me what to wear.  I vacillate between going totally fem and wearing the suit but no wig.  I just do not know.