Time Flies

[Helen_Highwater]

It only seems a blink of an eye ago when I posted about it being 5 weeks to my week's holiday and now it's looming large as it's this Saturday I head off to be enfemme 24/7. I think I've got most things planned, just a matter of rounding up all the ancillary items I'll need to take, make-up, cleansers, hose, jewellery, you know just what it takes to paint that picture.

Saturday is going to be me going from zero to full on as on the evening I'll be going to the theatre to see the Rocky Horror show. It'll be a bit of a culture shock as it'll be the first public dressing in 15 months, I usually start with a quiet bit of supermarket food shopping to calm the nerves but this time it's in at the deep end. I hope my makeup skills, for what they're worth, haven't deserted me.

It's also a week today until Debs and I meet up in Manchester. I can't say that I'm not a bit disappointed that we've not had any takers on our offer to join us but hey it's not too late if someone fancies having a guiding hand on their first adventure in public or for an experienced outandabouter who simply wants to meet up with others from the forum. PM one of us and we'll sort out the details. Please don't leave it till the last minute. A few years ago someone PM'd me on the day and it was only by sheer luck I picked it up so I would hate to leave someone hanging after they'd made such an important decision.

I've got something planned for most days so I suspect that come the end of the week I'll need a rest. packing things in and adding all that's involved in transforming every day, sometimes twice if a change of outfit is needed can take it's toll, but worth every moment.

Wish me luck.

[Traci H]

Helen, I wish you the best of luck in this adventure. Fifteen months is a while, hopefully your makeup skills will snap right back.

I would love to join in such an adventure, but time, wife, and geography will not allow. Have fun!!

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Helen :hugs:, Sounds like you have all the Bases Covered, Enjoy yourself, >Orchid**O:daydreaming:O**

[Helen_Highwater]

Thanks for the good wishes.

I've planned ahead so as to minimise errors and limit wasted time but in doing my prep I started digging through my hidden stash looking for a few items that I usually take that I don't need in daily home life. I take towels so I don't spoil the accommodation owners nice white fluffy ones with makeup, a long line cardigan that doubles as dressing gown and a couple of warm dresses in case I want to go for a walk on a chilly evening. Sorting through I came across a red and black fully lined crossover dress. Always liked this dress as it has weight to it and hangs really well. Only worn it out once, to a support group meeting sometime before 2020 and back them I carried a bit of a beer belly so the dress didn't really hang and look as good as it should.

Well now post pandemic and a many fewer trips to the pub than before I'm a good few pounds lighter and flatter stomached. This dress wasn't on my include list but now it certainly is. Tried it on and now it hangs as it should so my immediate thoughts were, it's on the to take list.

And this is where planning a week like mine can get tricky. You can have too many clothes for the time available. It does become a battle as to which you must take, should take, could take and if taken which day would you be likely to wear it? And what with? Having something doesn't work in isolation. Shoes for a start. Having footwear that goes with the dress/skirt/blouse makes the whole thing work. So you think I could wear it to..... but then that means what I'd planned to wear because I like it so much might not get an outing. Who else understands why women can take so long just deciding what to wear from a wardrobe full of clothes?

If I could wave a magic wand and give everyone from the community the opportunity to spend a week enfemme then I'm sure all would have such a better understanding and sense of empathy for the life of women. And it's not all about dressing in the best finery. I'm a dress to blend gurl so going food shopping will be a plain pull on knee length skirt, flat boots, tee style top, nothing flash, but even so I have a drawer full of tops I can chose from.

I am trying to keep the amount of things I take down on previous years but as ever there will be items that just end up along for the ride. Perhaps I need to have 3 changes of outfit a day.

[Marketa]

I wish you all the luck there is, Helen and enjoy the week to the fullest :)

And the theatre. Attending theatre (opera to be precise) en femme was undoubtedly the biggest highlight of my CD yet. And I'm fully onboard with you about dressing to blend.

[Natalie5004]

Good for you. I hope it all works out.

[bridget thronton]

Have a great trip

[Debs]

Helen, I might blend in during the day for us to go shopping, and I, sure blending in at night when we go pubs/clubs on Canal street in my mini skirt and boots, dont worry Helen if you forget your your mini skirt, Im sure I'll have one you can borrow, lol.

[alwayshave]

Helen, I am glad time flew. Have a great trip.

[Maria 60]

Have fun and safe travels

[chrisfp99]

Gosh, how exciting Helen. I wish you good luck. I am nowhere near going out in public so I'm a bit jealous 😂.