I can't wait!

[Amy Fakley]

OMG, y'all! OMG OMG!!!!

Next week I'm going to get 4 days and 3 nights of uninterrupted all-out Amy time!! W00t!
This is the first time in over a year, that I'll have had anything more than an hour here and there while everyone's out of the house.

My wonderful wife, Anna, has given me a birthday present in taking our kids to visit her family on their fall break. She is a wonderful woman!

So! This time, I'm taking a big step. I'm going out! Out out! I'll be in Nashville for the T-vals support group meeting next Sat! If I can muster the nerve, I might even head out early and hit the mall first! Heck, I've got a lot of time to play with ... might find some other stuff to do out of the house (while I'm in the next town over).

Anyone have any suggestions for low-risk type venues for a first time steppin' out?

I was thinking ... maybe going to the movies (it's a dark room and nobody's paying attention to anything but the screen, seems low pressure). I'm inexperienced when it comes to being out in the real world, I'm sure I'll have nerves galore. Trying think of easy places to blend in and not attract unwanted attention (while still being my fabulous self out in the real world).

Oh! and I ordered new hair that should be here tomorrow!!
I'm ridiculously giddy.

Dang. I feel like a big 'ol girly roscoe p coltrane. "G-g-g-g-g I love it, I love it!!" :-)

[CarlaWestin]

I'm feelin' ya', Amy! I'm getting 10 full days to myself at the end of November. Wife is flying back east and I'm taking vacation time.
I'll probably take in a movie and dinner at a local casino but, one thing I know for sure:

I'll be Carla full time, the whole time.

And, I ordered new hair to!

Have fun, Hon!

[Krisi]

My suggestion is to avoid the temptation to overdo the makeup, outfit and shoes. Dress like a genetic woman would dress for the time and place. In some parts of the country, even a skirt is overdressing. As for the movies, that seems a bit boring to me. What's the point of getting all dressed up to sit in a dark room? Hit the mall, the tourist attractions, the parks (in the daytime and properly dressed). Walk downtown in the business district (you can dress a little better for this).

[Katey888]

Amy, Amy, Amy...

You'll have a great time - you look so natural, you can go anywhere without a care...

I'd do coffee, lunch, bar, movie is good... coffee and muffin, bar... DANCING!!!

Have a wild time girl - just leave Roscoe at home...

Katey x

[PaulaQ]

Wear fun clothes and makeup. You can try to match what cis women do, to blend in, but frankly, lots of cis women really do not dress very well. Have fun, you deserve it. Wear stuff that feels comfortable to you.

Go to restaurants with friends. Go to a TG friendly bar - drag shows are great fun! Go dancing. Definitely go shopping. Get a makeover and get a manicure!

Have fun, hon!

[Sarasometimes]

As you may know I love my salon time. You can go to several different ones, a manicure at one, a pedi at another and maybe a makeup lesson some where else. i have found most salons to be super friendly and a great feminine safe environment. You can search the web for ones in that area. Do have a plan for nature calls since this is your first time out I suggest Starbucks (almost all have single seaters (you may need to buy something). Salons are also a good place to use the restroom (I just ask about some of their services and then ask to use the restroom.
Ulta and Sephora stores give free touch up type services and some Sephora's have Sunday morning free classes. Shopping is a great activity and if the mall is too busy try a strip mall or Outlet center with Dress Barn, NY & Co. WHBM. Outlet centers tend to have less teen girls who can spot us and be rude at times.
The web should give you all you need to plan your days. If you want more ideas PM me.

[michelleddg]

Oooooh, Amy, so excited for you! You need to celebrate your big big coming out with a spa day. First up - facial. Boys get facials all the time, no biggie. Then, nails! Make an appointment ahead of time for a mani/pedi. They've seen it all, again no biggie. Then, makeover! I'm a MAC bigot. If doing the mall counter thing is too scary then go to yelp.com and search on makeup artists. Some will have small studios, some will come to your house. If you do the mall counter thing you will celebrate your new found freedom with a victory lap around the mall. Don't forget to take a selfie with your makeup artiste!

Now that you're dolled up and gorgeous, a bit of upscale dining is in order. Upscale because you can glam up a bit, lighting is darker and, well, you deserve it, girl!

Enjoy enjoy enjoy and remember, no photos = it didn't happen. Hugs, Michelle

[Amy Fakley]

Enjoy enjoy enjoy and remember, no photos = it didn't happen. Hugs, Michelle

There is literally no chance that anything less than 300 pictures will be taken :-)

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd love to get a makeover, I'm honestly just afraid I'll have such awful nerves that I won't be able to handle it. On the other hand, it's been a really long time, and it'll probably be a really long time again. So I might as well live it up! :-)

[Julie Denier]

Yay! You lucky girl! Have a blast - can't wait to read all the details and see the pictures

[Alice_2014_B]

CONGRATULATIONS!
And Happy Birthday!

[Rachael Leigh]

Amy that sounds so great, I would not consider myself experience being out but do go out in my area mostly to the mall and Walmart. So you can most likely do that and just be yourself and dress to blend and you will be great

[Sarasometimes]

You may even want to have your makeup done each day so you feel and look most passable. Maybe even have it done a makeup counter the last day and sit in the Big Girl Chair! Many salons will do this in a waxing or facial room if you are shy.

[Scarlett Viktoria]

You go girl! Enjoy the heck out of that time!

[Kandi Robbins]

Go somewhere that is far enough away from home (so you can relax more) and somewhere that you are familiar with (so you are not worried about navigating your way around). For example, I frequent a mall about 30 miles from my house so I'm not worrying about being seen by some one that might know me and I know the place like the back of my hand, so I can enjoy the click of my heels on the tile as I look around. For your first time out, walk through women's clothing stores, you won't worry so much about having some guys eyeing you. Keep the first time out simple and you can then better enjoy the experience. After you've done it a few times, then expand your adventures as your comfort level will grow and grow. Whatever you do, have fun because you will always remember it.

[Jamie Christopher]

Amy you'll do just great with your looks; it is intoxicating! You'll want to do it again & again!

Jamie

[GretchenJ]

Hey Amy,

Congrats on your mini vacation!

yes, do a movie - maximize your time, do the 10pm movie after everything has closed for the evening.
yes, do a makeover - they are experts and you will feel great afterwards
go out to dinner, enjoy a meal as Amy
shopping

Have fun

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Amy, Pace yourself so you don't get burnt out by day two.

[Victoria Demeanor]

Oh Amy you lucky, lucky girl. I am so jealous and I know after the initial gitters you will have SOooooooo much fun. You be sure to give Anna I huge hug not just from you, but from all of us for being so wonderful and excepting.
I wait in great anticipation to hear your stories and see pictures of your adventures.
I hope you have the time of your life girl......

[Ally 2112]

Totaly enjoy yourself and have fun !

[Jenniferathome]

Amy, go ANYWHERE mainstream. If you can go to the place as a dude and feel comfortable, you can do it as Amy. You've read it a million times here: own it.

[AngieStone]

Oh Amy I am so happy for you. I hope you have a wonderful time, and just be yourself and everything will be ok. Hope we get to see a picture of your new hair girl. If it was me I would be ridiculously giddy as well!

[Claire Cook]

Oh Amy you're going to have lots of fun. I think you'll find that while the nerves may always be there, they become less so the more you do it. As to a makeover, just let the girls take over and pamper you. And do tell us how it goes!

[Amy Fakley]

...Hope we get to see a picture of your new hair girl.

OMG! I totally love my new hair!

This is the one I ordered:

http://www.wigs.com/haute-by-jon-renau.html

UGH! It's killing me yall! I had to to go into the office for a meeting yesterday, literally 5 minutes after the ups guy dropped it off. Had to shave yesterday (can't look like a shaggy hippie at the meeting). Now my stubble's all grown out, and I'll have to wait at least until tomorrow to shave again (my skin is sensitive like that).

Grrr ... I wanna play with my new hair! It's heat resistant, I can curl it or flat iron it now!! I have new options!! But I'm at the office today, goofing off on cd.com, wishing I didn't have to work, lol :-)

Will post a pic as soon as I get a chance ... at least by then I ought to be able to get a smooth shave though. Probably for the best.

[flatlander_48]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd love to get a makeover, I'm honestly just afraid I'll have such awful nerves that I won't be able to handle it.

No, just lay that killer smile on them and they'll be putty in your hands!!

DeeAnn

[Julie Denier]

Love your new do! Can't wait to see you in it ... I'm looking into getting a new wig myself ... You are going to have an awesome time, I know it!