Outfit for 10/28/13 & A Little Outreach

Sweater - Ann Taylor

Tank - Mossimo

Skirt - Guess

Shoes - Nickles

Originally when I had picked out this outfit I did not choose this skirt.  I chose the skirt pictured below:

Skirt - The Limited

But when I tried on the black skirt, I was so not pleased with the look.  I think that with the black skirt and the black tank it provided too much of a large block of color that just did not look right.  I kind of think that it makes me look overweight actually; which I certainly am not.  Plus the addition of the belt is supposed to help define one's waist and help to make one look skinnier, but that is so not what happened with the black skirt.

Obviously I decided against wearing it and I went with my old standby; the Guess skirt.  I really like that jean skirt; I mean I do wear it all of the time!  But I think the jean skirt helps to make the outfit look sooooo much better.  I think the belt also does it job of helping to define my waist with the jean skirt.  Hmm...

Earrings - Random store on Pier 39 - San Francisco

What a horrible picture.  That sure did not work very well.  I thought about not posting it, but those earrings are too cute!  They are the other pair of earrings I bought so many months ago while on a trip to SF.  I showed you the other pair long ago and said I would show the other pair later, well here they are finally.  But gee that picture sure is bad!

A funny thing happened while out and about in the above outfit.  I stopped in at a Rite Aide to pick up some specialty batteries.  I got the batteries and took them to the counter and paid with my credit card, which obviously has my male name on it.  Generally I run my card and hold my ID and CC for the cashier to view, if they would like, which at Target they never seem to look.  But this cashier, looked at my card, and then at me, and then at my card, and I knew what she was doing.

Before she had a chance to speak, I said to her "Yes, that is actually me."  She said "No, come on."  I said "Yup, it is me."  She examined it for awhile longer and then asked "Well how far along are you in your transition?"

This made me stop for a second before responding.  I said "Well, I am not actually transitioning.  Some people are interested in being one or the other, but I am sort of in the middle."  This intrigued her and she asked what I was talking about.  I said "Well sometimes I like presenting as a girl and other times I like presenting as a boy.  I am not really interested in being wholly one or the other."  She said "Well you do it well, have you had many problems with using your ID?"  I told her "Not really.  Occasionally I get some questions, like you did.  But then I take the time to explain myself and people have always understood."

She thanked me and I thanked her and I took my purchases and left.  I was feeling quite pleased with myself as I left the store.  There is always a moment or two for community outreach when others are willing to ask questions and we are willing to be honest with who we are.

Speak up for yourself and be proud of who you are!

Love You!

My Birthday Party Dress

Dress - Calvin Klein

Sweater - 89th & Madison

Shoes - Nine West

While shopping at a Dress Barn I picked this dress off of the clearance rack.  I searched and searched for other possible sizes, but this was the only one.  I was either going to fit this one, or I would never own this dress.  Jules and I visited the dressing room together and began trying on dresses.  It took me several tries to actually get this dress on correctly, and imagine my surprise when Jules was actually able to zip up the back.  It fit very well actually.

I really like the dress for a variety of reasons.  One is the color.  I really like the colors of it.  I am very partial to black and white, if you haven't noticed.  But it also has that wonderful pop of blue, right in the middle.  For svelte girls like myself, it is in the perfect place to help accentuate my hips, which is fabulous!  A second thing I really like about it is the fit.  It is tight, but not too tight, right above the blue color and right below my bust, which is where it should be tight, right at the smallest part of my torso.  The third thing that is great is that it fits my bust wonderfully.  I actually have really great decolletage in it.  The fourth thing I love about it, is that the bottom portion flares out right where my hips are, which also helps to increase the appearance of my hips.  Just fabu!

But there are two things I don't like about it.  One is that it has no arms.  Here I am without the sweater:

The no arms issue is easily solved with the addition of the sweater.  But it had to be the right sweater.  If it was too long, it would make the slimming effect and the hippy effect disappear.  Luckily I had purchased the short sweater some time back and was waiting to pair it with the perfect outfit.  Like this one!  The only other thing I don't like about the dress is that it requires the right occasion to wear an outfit like this.  It just is not appropriate for say shopping at Costco.  But that was solved when my birthday came and an occasion to wear it presented itself.

Edward and Vivian came over for a little dinner and cake with Jules and I.  Jules is still obviously recovering but she felt well enough to have some friends over.  Our two fabulous friends picked up pizza, to my order specifications, as well as a carrot cake, made especially for me.  It was wonderful having them over and I was super thrilled to have an occasion to wear this awesome dress!  I was only a little self conscious that my bra kept peeking out the top of the dress; oh well, life can't be perfect huh?

How about you all - Will you wear fancy dresses for any occasion?  Or does it need to be a special time?  How about your arms?  Are you self conscious about them?  Are you willing to go without something covering them?  What do you think about mine?  Should I get over my worry about them looking too masculine?

Oh, btw, I turned 42 the other day and two days later it was Jules and mine 17th anniversary of being married, though we have actually been together for 27!

Love ya!