I know that this kind of thread pops up quite a bit, but I've read through all of the relatively recent ones and am still thirsty for more info. I hope you'll bear with me (and that you'll respond if you can!)
I'm hoping to spend a few weekdays/nights in Southern California some time in October, and am looking for recommendations on good shopping, makeovers, and activities that would appeal to a small town gal like myself.
Now, I know that most of you SoCal girls are thinking, heck, just go to any MAC store, and to the consignment shops, and to any department store, and live it up! I may wind up doing one or more of those things, but I'm not nearly as refined and comfortable as most of you are, and I'd really like as T-friendly an experience as possible. In past visits, I've stopped by Countessa's store, but it looks like all of the Studio City/Burbank shops/services catering to CDs have now closed down. Have any similar shops opened up? (As some of you have noted in other threads, there's not a huge market for these stores because it's so easy to shop for clothing in mainstream stores -- but specialty stores still have a certain appeal and convenience, I think).
And as great as the MAC store experience is, I'd really like to find a salon that specializes in transformations -- both from a comfort/convenience standpoint, and because there is a greater chance that the MUA would have expertise in dealing with my many, many challenges (I know that many MAC artists have lots of experience with TGs, but that's not always the case).
As for other activities, I know that Hamburger Mary's has T-Girl Tuesdays, but are there any similar (or less loud ) events on non-weekend nights?
Thanks in advance for any input you care to share!