Friday Out

Friday, I had lunch with Diana at the Corner Pug Restaurant in West Hartford (yes, it's "pug" not "pub"). Maryann was a no-show.

I wore a Calvin Klein white sweater dress, Payless nude high heels, B. Makowsky black bag, assorted unmentionables and jewelry.

It felt good to get dressed up to go out among the civilians. There was not much civilian interaction at the restaurant except for our 40-something waitress who stared at me intensely each time she came to our table. Don't know if she was checking out my beautiful makeup application or if she was trying to figure out who was under all that makeup. I was not imagining this – there was definitely something going on. It did not make me uncomfortable – I was just curious as to why she was doing it.

A few patrons in the restaurant checked me out when I walked to the ladies' room and to the exit, but I'm used to that. When you are a 6 foot 2 inch tall woman, it occurs often.

After lunch and pleasant conversation, Diana kindly offered to take my photo for the blog (see the photo above).

After more than an hour, we assumed Maryann was a no-show, so we parted ways.

Wearing Alexis (Source: Intermix)

Jonathan Prince, Michael Zorek and Matthew Modine femulating in the 1983 film Private School.

Fridays are from Venus

Cabin Fever No More Dept.

After months of winter weather and weeks of the flu, I have a bad case of cabin fever. Just in the nick of time, Diana of Diana's Little Corner in the Nutmeg State fame asked me to join her and another friend, Maryann, for lunch today.

It was touch and go when 15 inches of snow fell here Wednesday night, but the snow melted quickly and the roads are clear and ready to transport me on a day out en femme.  

Very Good News Dept.

Religion does not justify firing a transgender employee, appeals court rules. Click here to read all about it.

Same Day Dept.

Coincidentally, yesterday was International Women's Day and my birthday.

Wearing Ramy Brook (Source: Ramy Brook)

I may be in error, but I believe that all the showgirls in this photo are femulators except for the girl sitting on the knee of the boy presenting as a boy (from the Australian television film Carlotta).

Getting Fit at Vicky's

Stephanie wrote, "Being a larger woman I have problems purchasing the right size bra. The bras max out at 38 for the Victoria's Secrets Bombshell styles. Has that been a problem for most gals or do they deal with a tight fit? I just wanted to know if you have heard from any other women out there? Being shy and trying to get the right size would involve a fitting."

I replied, "A bra fitting would be the best way to find the right size. My niece worked at Victoria's Secret for awhile and the saleswomen were used to fitting both men and women, so don't be shy – go for it, girl!"

Stephanie wrote back a few days later.

I did take your advice and went to Vicky's for a bra fitting. I got the courage up and to this day, I don't know where I got the courage to go in, but I was fed up with ordering bras online only having to return them because the were uncomfortable or I just didn't like the way they looked.

I needed something that made my girls stand out when wearing any of my low-cut dresses and tops and would last all day or through the night if I need them to. I hate tape method and the stick-on strapless would not hold up the whole day and I just don't want to have to deal with having to go through all the trouble. 

I like that you have so much experience and great advice, so I took your advice and went into a Victoria's Secret to have a salesperson size a Bombshell pushup bra and get something that fits me. I picked a Monday morning to visit the mall figuring that I would get in and out before the mall traffic picked up and I could work one-on-one with one of the sales ladies. I'm not passable and I didn't want the added anxiety of trying to femulate and pass along with the bra fitting, so I went in boy mode. 

The mall was empty and when I got Vicky's, there was nobody inside. I walked up to an older sales lady. When I mean "older," she was well into her 30's maybe early 40's. She seemed friendly enough and experienced.

I asked if I can get fitted for a bra. She said of course and had me follow her to the back of the store where there is a sectioned off area just for this purpose. 

Funny how matter of fact she was – like this happens all the time. Turns out that it does as I found out later. 

I thought that once I got past the initial asking part, the rest would be easier and it was! She was extremely helpful and found the right bra. 

During the fitting, we talked about other men coming in and she said that she waits on at least one or two men a week, understands it completely and was willing to help me anytime. She also said that I could call the store and ask for her and she would be more than happy to pull merchandise for me to pick up discretely when I can. 

I purchased several pairs of panties and two great fitting bras that work as well as you have described – one more step towards feeling and looking like the woman I am. 

It is so wonderful having someone with experience sharing advice for us who struggle at times. Although It was a nervous experience at first, I am relieved. 

Now on to the makeup counter!

Source: Bluefly

Womanless beauty pageant contestant

Faves

Here are a few of my favorite things.

I love carrying a handbag.

Don't know if I have Gynecomastia or not, but I do know that I have breasts that are large enough to fill a size 40B bra without inserts, pads or any other assistance. And when I slip on my bra, I love finding those two perky mounds on my chest (it never gets old).

Mom loved high heels, always wore them when she went out and she owned a closet full. Like mother, like daughter, I love high heels, always wear them when I go out and I own a closet full (over 100 pairs).

Mom had shapely legs. When she worked in an office before she married, her nickname was "Legs." Again like mother, like daughter, I inherited my mother legs and a transman once dubbed me "Leggy." I love being my mother's daughter.

I love being a feminine man. When I am en homme, it can be a hindrance, but it works so well for me when I am en femme that I would not have it any other way.

Making up my face is something I always look forward to. I love the process, the tricks, the shortcuts and especially the results. After I do my makeup, slip on my wig and look in the mirror, it is always an aha moment! (Yes, I really am a woman.)

Wearing Moda Operandi (Source: Moda Operandi)

Joey Debroy

Ladies at Lunch

By Michelle

In my previous articles I think I have mentioned the idea of a bucket list I have for my trans life. On that bucket list would be to go out with a group of cis females and be accepted as one of them. I had ideas of perhaps going on a hen night, which would be great thing to do, but I was offered an alternative, which I think is even better. My friend Irene turned 60 last month and she invited me to her lunch party at an Italian restaurant. That was an invitation I couldn’t refuse.

The plans developed and although some men had been invited, the date clashed with a football match and they decided to show their allegiance to their club and sent their apologies. So it was to be a women-only event and I was going.

What to wear of course was an issue – is it ever not? In the end, I decided to wear a cap-sleeved blouse and a calf-length grey skirt with my old favourite black high heel court shoes. Although I have some photos of me and the rest of the group, I don’t want to publish these without their permission and pixelating faces always looks a bit sinister to me, so I’m afraid I will have to paint a picture with words.

Irene asked if I could come already dressed and take her and another friend to the restaurant in my car. This would be relatively easy as my son was away that night so I could underdress and finish off in the car on the way. And this was my plan until the evening before the lunch when my son’s girlfriend phoned and asked if she could sleep at our home so that she didn’t’ have to drive home after going out for drinks with some friends. We had made this offer and we weren’t going to withdraw it, so this is exactly what she did. This complicated things a little as it meant that I could not apply makeup at home the following morning before I left. A minor irritant, but it just meant I had to do more on my “maintenance stop” on the way to Irene’s.

As it happened I left “underdressed” and was able to apply makeup and other finishing touches in a rest area en route. I arrived at Irene’s a few minutes late (fashionably late I like to think) and was introduced to Irene’s friend. We spent a while talking about various things which was very pleasant and settled down any nervousness I had. Then we left for our lunch appointment in the pouring rain.

After a 30-minute journey, we arrived at the restaurant and Irene went in to meet and greet her guests whilst I parked up and joined her a minute or so later. As I walked in, I was met by the group who were to be at the lunch and was introduced to everyone. This was it! I was now accepted as my female self and I felt I was “in for the journey.” We sang “Happy Birthday” to Irene and were led to our table.

Apart from Irene, there was one other trans person there who I know quite well, but I was determined to not sit near her so that we didn’t drift into trans conversations. I managed to do this sitting between two of Irene’s cis female friends. That was good manoeuvring by myself!

The lady between Irene and myself didn’t know anyone there (apart from the birthday girl) and we soon struck up a conversation finding we had common interests; cycling, cakes, choosing the right hair colour and an inability to fully understand mobile phones.

The meal was really nice and I was accepted as female by everyone. Trans issues never came up at all in any of the conversations I had. It was also nice being within a group collectively addressed as “ladies” and one of the women, when I said I wasn’t on Facebook, said “good girl.”

If I can make a little aside here, I think we are all looking for something a little different in each other when we dress, but for most of us, I think we want to be seen as just another woman and any evidence that we are is such a nice feeling. So when this lady said those two words, seemingly very naturally, my heart gave a little jump for joy. I have written before on the joy of being addressed as “Madame” in public and this was similar.

We were at the restaurant for three hours and the time just flew by. As a group of 13 women, occasionally being quite loud, we were of some interest to other diners in the restaurant, but nothing out of the ordinary and when we left, many of them smiled nicely and said goodbye to us. I was even invited to join a walking group and a monthly brunch group by other women in the party, which again indicates I had been completely accepted as a woman.

We said our goodbyes and I took Irene and her friend home. She was overwhelmed at how nice people had been at her birthday party and was close to tears with emotion, which was nice to see because she is such a lovely person. It was then time for me to make my way home and Irene asked if I wanted to change before I left, but I refused saying I wanted to complete the whole experience as a female. I gave her a hug and I made my way home, finding a deserted car park to change in as the light faded in the sky.

Everything about the day (except the awful weather) had been marvellous; the company, the meal, the restaurant, being asked to come and then being totally accepted as female.

Richard O'Brien

Men in Uniform

True to the Army is a 1942 American musical-comedy intended to build morale and entertain during the dark days of World War II. It stars Judy Canova, Allan Jones, Ann Miller, Jerry Colonna and William Demerest.

I never saw the film, but there are clips of the film on YouTube and having seen the clips, I'd like to see the entire film someday. Not because the film is of Oscar quality, but rather because the clips show men in the uniform of the opposite gender!

May I direct you to two clips from the film.

"Wacky for Khaki" is the name of the song sung by Judy Canova in this clip. The theme of the song is her love of military uniforms. The guys show up in military garb in short order, but the song opens with a group of soldiers femulating in the high fashion of the day.

More femulating troops appear in the background of another clip from the film, Judy Canova singing "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."

The quality of these clips is not too good, but you get the picture.

Anyway, I'd love to see these clips in the context of the entire film.

Wearing Bebe (Source: Bebe)

Allied prisoners of war femulating in a German prison camp during World War II.

Someday Funnies

Source: The New Yorker, February 20, 2004

Wearing Dress Barn (Source: Dress Barn)

You're never too young or too old to femulate.

Fridays Are for Femulating

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired Dept.

Lately, my posts here have been irregular because the flu has made me feel irregular. I am into week three of this thing and I am very frustrated. I have things to do, but whenever I start anything, I run out of gas quickly and crash.

The only good things about the flu are that I am getting a lot of sleep and my lack of appetite has knocked a few pounds off my daily visit to the bathroom scale!

Behind the Scenes Dept.

I watched a cute film on Netflix that is worth a look.

Called Cherry Pop, IMDB describes it thusly, "...a crazy night in the life of a small local bar's drag show. It's about a newcomer struggling with being the outcast on his first night. And a legend coming to terms with life after her last night in drag. And it's about a bunch of other back-stabbing queens with their own problems who just plain can't stand each other. Even the stories of some of the patrons play a part in the chaos. Cherry Pop is a real-time roller coaster ride where you better be strapped up, tucked in, and ready to go!"

Wearing Madeleine (Source: Madeleine)

Miguel Sagaz, Mayhem Miller, Matthew Sanderson and Allusia Alusia femulating in the 2017 film Cherry Pop.

Trans Mascots

From The Cut Monday came this, "As women across America deal with a wage gap, a lack of paid maternity leave, the threat of decreased reproductive rights, and rampant sexual misconduct, brands have responded by bravely … making female versions of their mascots?"

The article pointed out that Brawny paper towels rolled out a flannel shirt–clad Brawny Woman, Reba McEntire became the first woman to play KFC’s Colonel Sanders and Johnnie Walker just introduced a “Jane Walker” logo toto “draw more women to the world’s best-selling scotch and acknowledge a broader push toward gender equality.”

The piece concluded with a list of 15 other male mascots who could be feminized, like The Jolly Green Giantess, Ms. Peanut, The Pillsbury Doughgirl, etc.

Which begs the question, what's good for the goose is good for the gander?

Mr. Betty Crocker

So how about...

👠 Coppertone Boy

👠 Land O Lakes Indian Male Maid

👠 Mr. Butterworth

👠 Sun-Maid Boy

👠 Uncle Jemima

👠 Utz Boy

👠 Little Mr. Sunbeam

👠 Morton Salt Boy

👠 St. Pauli Boy

👠 Wendell's Hamburger Boy

And so it goes!

Wearing Intermix (Source: Intermix)

Andrew Lees (left) and Eamon Farren (center) femulating in the 2014 Australian TV movie Carlotta.

Bear With Me

Jellystone Park Dept.

Front page of the local newspaper had an article today about coyotes attacking pets in my neck of the woods. I live in the less populated, more rural end of town and all the attacks have occurred within a one-mile radius of where I live.

No surprise since I have seen and heard my share of coyotes around these parts since moving into the woods about 25 year ago. What was surprising to me is that the bears have awakened from their long winter's nap.

Saturday night, I took a leashed Rover out for last call and I was surprised to find that the garbage can trolley was moved about 12 feet down the driveway and the cans were tipped over, but their lids were still stuck on tight. My guess is that a bear was looking for a meal and was startled before he or she could get to the goodies. I assure you that they have had no trouble popping the lid off the garbage cans in the past, so something must have scared it away (maybe me when I opened the garage door).

I brought the contents of that take the dog out.)e cans inside the garage to avoid having to clean up the mess the bears leave after dinner, which is the last thing I needed to do as I still suffer from the the effects of the flu.

Vertigo Dept.

Starla e-mailed me, "They're baaa-aack! The gurls of Florida's Ernest Ward Middle School, that is! After an apparent hiatus (or at the least a lack of Internet coverage) of several years, the always excellent womanless beauty pageant at EWMS was held Friday night."

Here are three links to images from the event posted on the Internet: 1, 2 and 3.

By the way, the contestant in the accompanying photo reminds me of Kim Novak in the Hitchcock film Vertigo in the second half of the film when Novak plays Judy, not Madeleine.

Wearing White House Black Market (Source: White House Black Market)

Womanless beauty pageant, circa 1967

Under the Weather

Under the Influence Dept.

As I wrote here one week ago, I have the flu and "I don't feel much like doing anything including blogging, so this blog will be absent for a few days until this blows over."

I've got to admit it's getting better, a little better all the time, but I am still suffering from the symptoms of the flu.

I sleep a lot and I mean A LOT! Yet, I still feel tired all my waking hours. So this is going to take longer than I expected to get over.

Anyway, thank you for all your comments and e-mails expressing your concerns about my health.

Under Cover Dept.

"Sébastien Lifshitz has spent years trawling through flea markets, eBay and junk shops in an effort to trace the history of Europe’s cross-dressing culture. Now, his incredible collection is going on display at London’s Photographers Gallery."

Read and see about it here.

Wearing Bebe (Source: Bebe)

English POWs in German camp (Source: Sebastian Lifshitz)