Every few months I have been getting a makeover and taking a day to shop and do things. I had one last week and it had its ups and downs. In no particular order, I was told that the wig I brought with me to wear was shot beyond reasonable repair. I was not planning on it but I did get a nice new wig. I also lost an earring (one of my favorites) and broke a necklace. Things happen.
I had some interactions with men -- something I am not entirely used to while dressed. I had my nails done at a salon by a male tech. He was completely professional and treated me like one of the girls by trying to sell me a more expensive package which he did with all his women customers ( some of whom were amenable). I knew the polish I was getting would be gone the next day, but the work on the nails themselves would last and be better than what I could do. The massage that went with the service was a lot stronger than the tweaks I have received from women techs. I wonder.
There is no half hour longer than that spent under the nail dryer, perhaps more so when you are next to and opposite teenage girls. Happy to have blended in a very crowded salon.
While I was looking at jewelry in a department store in a mall, a man came up to me and told me that I looked very nice. I thanked him and continued looking at the jewelry. When I left the store he followed me out. I jumped into the next store which happened to be a Payless. He was there a minute later. Coincidence? Maybe, but I did not want to have an encounter that might end up on the local news or worse. I left Payless and went to a store where no man, except a CD/TG would likely go into alone -- Lane Bryant. He was waiting outside.
I decided it'd be a good idea to leave the mall. I was parked near the entrance. One of the perks of shopping on a weekday. No further incidents. I like to think I kept my head about this. I also like to think I now know how the other half lives but I know I don't.
Aside from jewelry and a pair of shoes, I had not yet seen any clothing worth trying on. A day out dressed to shop without a visit to the fitting room is incomplete. I eventually had some luck with that at a Kohl's.
For what it's worth, the two Payless stores I visited that day both had inventory in 11 to 13 wide similar to when it was not going out of business.
A day dressed and about with ups and downs. Can't really complain.