Hiya, I haven't posted for some time, but it is Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK and I decided earlier in the week that I would go out dressed today.
So I thought I would drop you a line to let you know how it went.
Deciding to go out is very easy to do, its the stepping out that is very hard.
I really like this outfit, and I wanted to see if I could pass in this one, so this morning I got up early, 5am, and I was ready to go out by 7.30am.
It does take me an age to get fully ready.
There was a problem being ready by 7.30, the store I planned to go to did not open until 10am.
I used the time to practice, although I never stop doing that when I am dressed, had breakfast and a cup of coffee also, the minutes ticked by, and eventually 10 o`clock was looming!
I have 6 full length mirrors and I use them to view all the angles, and at 9.55 decided to have one more look.
Now its 10am, my stomach is now turning upside down, do I really need to go out in public to see if I can pass?
Those who know me from earlier posts know that the answer is yes.
The questions and excuses not to go are at their peak now, it would be so very easy to just not go. Where is the courage needed to go out in public dressed? As a Christian, prayer is something I can do, and so following a little prayer I stepped out of my front door, locked it behind me and got into my car, being in the car is not a lot different to being in the house, quite secure.
I had decided that I would visit another MFI furniture store (last time out was an MFI store), why a furniture store? Mirrors, they do have a lot of them, great for me.
I arrived at the store, there was only one car on the car park, I was now thinking, oh dear, 20 staff and me, I had visions of them wanting to help me!
Anyway, I decided to go in, I didn't see a soul at first, so I wandered off to the bedroom section, and spent some time wandering in and out of the displays, other customers were starting to arrive, I was able to walk past staff, and customers with out any reactions at all, great!
I was able to make full use of all the mirrors in the store, I could probably tell you where they all are, some were in great positions where you could see yourself walking along an isle, some you just come across and saw yourself unexpectedly, that was pleasant.
I was keeping my eyes open, I did not want to see a little staff "get together" if they had spotted a man dressed as a woman in their store, that is what I would have expected.
Well nothing happened at all, fantastic! While I was looking at a wardrobe, a member of staff did ask me if I wanted some help, I was able to make some sort of noise and wave her away, and nothing came of that either.
In all I spent about half an hour in the store, feeling quite confident, but unless I do this on a regular basis, I will never feel 100% confident, I really need to do it more often, but I am very much a part time CD.
I have included these pics of my outfit, and as always welcome comments both good and bad (you can always PM me negative comments if you prefer), I have taken all past comments into consideration, and hopefully have been able to apply them in this recent public excursion.
3 areas that I have been working on, shorter steps, eye makeup and a smile, the last one very difficult to do when you are very self conscious of what you are trying to do, but I think I have managed a balance between Mona Lisa and a Cheshire Cat
I also used a spray on foundation, Era, I have to admit, I like it.
Sophie.