An Outfit That Shows Off My Butt!

Top - Wrapper - Similar

Jeans - Seven For All Mankind: Slim Cigarette

Shoes -  Naturalizer: Believe

Belt - Mossimo - Similar

First off, I hope you all had a wondrous Thanksgiving, if you actually celebrate that day!  Jules and I had a good day.  We stayed home and cooked all day long!  It is kind of crazy because we rarely have anyone over, but we always cook the entire meal just for the two of us.  So generally we cook all day, then stuff ourselves silly.  Isn't that what Thanksgiving is about?  Stuffing yourselves silly?

Anywho.... The day after Thanksgiving we had our good friends Vivian and Edward come over for dinner, game laying, and generally hanging out.  Since they were the ones who suggested that I buy Seven For All Mankind jeans, I thought I would show off my awesome skinny jeans for the two of them.  It is rare that I wear jeans with a top that actually shows off my bum enough, but on this occasion I did.  And if I say so myself, it looked cute!

This outfit really does show off how skinny I actually am.  With the skinny jeans and the tight fitting top that lands right at the top of the jeans, it really lets you clearly see my body.  I don't have the shapeliness that I would really prefer out of my body, but I do have a cute butt and it was clearly visible!  Are you getting the impression that folks could actually see my butt, and that I LIKED that?  Well good, because it is so!  I mean otherwise why wear such tight fitting jeans?  Isn't that the main purpose of jeans like that?  I think so!

For those who say I don't show my
eyes off enough!

I also like this top.  It is a favorite that I picked up and a 2nd hand store.  I really like it because it is quite different in it's asymetrical cut.  It is also black with white polka dots, which you know I love!  The other thing is that it has a nice V neckline that shows off my cleavage.

Hmm.... can you tell that I like to flirt a bit with my friends?  Well I do!  It is all in good fun and Jules totally approves.  Which is nice huh?  Yeah the four of us are quite comfortable with each other.  Which is super nice!

Okay.  Gotta run.

Love you!

Flirt more (with spousal approval!)

A Summer Outfit

Sweater - 69th & Madison - Similar

Top - Guess - Similar

Skirt - H & M - Similar

Belt - WHBM - Similar

Shoes - ???? - Similar

This is an outfit that I wore some time back when it was actually hot out, but being as I never posted it up and I like it, I thought that I'd revisit it.

One of the things that I really like about this outfit is that it is one that I put together out of items that I have owned for awhile.  This may not sound like all that big of a deal for many, but for me it kind of is.  My wardrobe is finally at a point where to create new outfits I can pick and choose from a variety of items that I currently own and I actually like!

For a little bit now I have been wondering if one of the things that I enjoy about cross dressing is purchasing new things.  There is such a thrill in buying new items and trying them on that I was a little worried for a bit if I am just sort of addicted to shopping.  Many times I have bought something, worn it once, never revisited it again, and then gone out and bought new things.  That is not a very good pattern if one is wanting to not spend oodles of cash!

But.... as of the past year or so I have noticed that my desire to purchase new things has faded a bit and I am actually interested in wearing the clothes that I currently own! Wow, revelatory huh? Maybe not so much, but still kind of exciting to me.

Why you ask?  Well I think it is because I have finally gotten to a point that I actually own a wardrobe that I finally reflects a bit of my actual style.  Meaning, instead of just owning a bunch of items that I purchased in the female section of the store, I think my clothing currently actually reflects me, who I am, and my own personal sense of style!

So.... that's cool for me!

Love you!

Love your clothes.

Develop your own style!

I Finally Figured it Out!

While driving up to Northern California to retrieve my puppy from hunt school it finally occurred to me why I am a cross dresser - the show Bosom Buddies conditioned me into believing that cross dressing was not only acceptable, it was actually fun!

Uhh..... yeah.... totally kidding folks!  But I did like that show.  I remember watching it and thinking it was funny, but never thinking, hmm..... I should try dressing up as a woman!  Nope, not once.

This thought over the past day or so has made me reflect again though on all of the various theories that people come up with to explain why a male born child would have female tendencies, likes, dislikes, etc.  (Or however you want to describe it!)

There were SO many things while growing up that one could point to and say, see, see, this is why you do it!  If you did not have this influence in your life then you would have grown up and become a "normal" man who enjoys "normal" male things.

If you:
- had a dad who cared more about you than he did his job
- didn't have to shave your legs for swim team
- didn't have an older sister who liked to play fun games with you
- didn't have a mother who was kind and caring and kept you safe
- weren't molested as a child
- did not have access to Barbies to play with as a child
- had better "boy" friends in your neighborhood
- did not have a girlfriend paint your fingernails when you were twelve
- ??????????????

If only I did not or did have ________ then, THEN I would have grown up to be normal!  So.... to all of you parents out there, protect your children.  Make sure that you only allow them access to the safe and recommended and appropriately gendered items for your son or daughter.  Otherwise then they may not grow up to be "normal."

But I doubt it.

I highly doubt that we have that much influence over our own internal biologic natures.

Besides, who wants to be "normal?"

Have you seen what "normal" looks like nowadays?

Ha-ha.

Love you!

Be abnormal!



photo credit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/14/tom-hanks-blooper_n_3755267.html

Like a Machine

Many years ago I was debating if I should buy an X-box.  Jules kind of insisted that I go for it.  When I questioned her as to why she told me that she rarely sees me sit down and just relax and do nothing and so that maybe by having an X-box I would actually sit down occasionally!  Funny.  I did buy the X-box, but I could not tell you the last time I actually played on the darn thing!

Funny.  Ha. Ha. Ha.

Anywho..... I have been running around like a crazed person again as of late.  My project list gets one thing crossed off and about five more things added onto it!  Ugh!

There are a few things I wanted to toss out into the cyber-sphere for you all.

1 - Last week I developed a wicked sinus infection.  The entire left side of my face was inflamed, but mostly in was my law jaw and my teeth that hurt so bad I had visions of ripping it off of my face.  Wow, now that is a crazy visual!  I began by treating it at home with the various OTC meds I have to keep my chronic sinus infections in check.  By Friday, I knew it was not working.  I had to go see a doctor.  Unfortunately where I live it is not that easy to find an urgent care facility.  I did a Google search and I came back with an innovative option, Plush Care.  They are an online medical facility.  I had never tried something like this before.  I threw caution to the wind an got an appointment with a doctor for a few hours later.  We were going to try a video chat, which didn't work, but then the doctor called me on my phone.  Within a few minutes she had diagnosed me and sent me down to my local pharmacy where I received some super antibiotics and I was on my way.  It was SUPER convenient!  I highly recommend this service.  Check it out for sure!

2 - I had a post go up on one of my favorite blogs, Already Pretty.  It came out over a week ago, but I really like it and I think you should go check it out.

3 - I also had a recent post go up on, Sister House.  I like the pictures that I used on that article.  I think it shows a really neat progression of my style.

Okay that is it.

Maybe one of these days I will figure out how to turn my internal machine down to a lower level and maybe get a bit of peace and tranquility.  Hmmm..... maybe not!

Love you!







Photos:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PSM_V39_D312_A_gilling_machine.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Auger_driver_agricultural_machine.JPG
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Art_of_Bookbinding_p039_Martini%27s_Folding_Machine.png

Tend Skin vs. PFB Vanish

  vs. 

I have been shaving my body off and on pretty much since I started to develop body hair.  From about age eight to sixteen I was a year round competitive swimmer.  When you begin to get into the really competitive swim meets you are instructed by your coaches to shave your body.  It has been shown to reduce your time by maybe a few parts of a second.  Which in swimming can mean the world!

Anywho.... ever since I started shaving, I have been experiencing various shaving maladies.  From red little shaving bumps to full on nasty looking giant volcano sized in-grown hairs.  It has always been especially bad in three different areas.  1 - my inner thighs (possibly the worst area,) 2 - the back of my thighs, and 3 - from my pubic hair to my belly button.

Certain things will help, like shaving with the grain, only shaving like every three or so days, sloughing with a scrub while in the shower, but none of those things ever completely eliminated the problems I have been having.  And this covers about thirty years.

So... for the last six months or so, I have been trying a proactive approach.  It used to be that I would only deal with the red bumps or the in-growns once they arrived.  Now I am trying chemical warfare against them, prior to ever even getting them.

The two products I have tried are PFB-Vanish and Tend Skin.

I started with PFB-Vanish and found it to work wonderfully.  I apply it once a day to the three most affected areas on my body.  After a few weeks, the bumps and in-growns receded and never really redeveloped.  I also noticed that my skin was less prone to razor burn as well, I have begun to shave against the grain with very nice results.  I still do not shave every day, maybe at most a couple of times per week.  But if I ever do get any sign of in-growns, they are generally gone within a day or two and never develop into the volcanoes that I used to get.

PFB-Vanish can come in two sizes.  One of them is smaller and has a roller ball bottle from which you apply the solution.  The last time I ordered it I got the larger bottle that does not have the roller ball and I just pour a bit into my hands and rub it onto my legs and belly.

Several of my readers suggested that I try Tend Skin as it is generally more economical and a bit easier to apply as it is a thinner consistency than PFB-Vanish.  You apply Tend Skin to a cotton ball and then apply it to your body.  I only lasted about two weeks while testing it before I chose to switch back to PFB-Vannish.  I developed in-growns again and I was again developing issues with razor burn.  My wife however likes Tend Skin better than PFB-Vanish.  She tends to develop small bumps on her butt and Tend Skin applied nightly has totally removed them for her.

Both PFB-Vanish and Tend Skin have a very strong odor of rubbing alcohol.  While it is a bit strong, I do not mind the smell and it tends to disappear rather quickly.  Though I did once try the PFB-Vanish with Chromabrite and I hated the smell!  They must have included some sort of perfume in the formula and I did not like the smell at all.  It does not dissipate and it left me smelling as though I had applied perfume.

So..... in the end.... I will stick with PFB-Vanish and my wife will stick with Tend Skin.  What I see is that PFB-Vanish is a stronger formula, which is good for my thicker skin and Tend Skin is a weaker mix which is better for my wife's more delicate skin.

What about you?  Do you have other products you user to help relieve the irritation from shaving?  Please share, as I would love to give it a whirl and try it out!

Thanks!

Love you!

Love your skin!

What I Wore Yesterday

Sweater - 69th & Madison - Similar

Tunic - WHBM - Similar

Jeans - Levi

Shoes - Kelly & Katie - Similar

Belt - ???? - Similar

Things are finally getting a bit chilly around here!  Yay!  I am SO tired of the super heat.  Oh and as well, they are predicting a super El Nino event here in California.  Which, if you don't know, means we may finally get a bit of rain.  Unfortunately is does not necessarily indicate a change for our drought conditions.  Most of California's water supply comes in the form of melting snow and while we are predicted to get more rain, it also predicts warmer storms and thus not as much snow.

Wow, how totally riveting!  A fashion blog discussing hydrology in California!

Anywho..... Jules and I went to go get our nails done today.

I had seen a cool design on Pinterest that was similar to this one, but I totally forgot to pin it and I couldn't find it again.  Oh well.  Thus I came up with this design all on my own.  Pretty fun huh?  It is interesting how flashy just simple black and white can be.

I enjoy wearing these jeans while I get my nails done as they are super stretchy and I can roll them up while getting a pedicure.  Plus with the cooler weather, they are quite a bit warmer than wearing a skirt.

Did you notice the cool new belt I am wearing?  Jules found it for me the last time we visited a DSW.  She found it in the discount area and I totally love it.  It is reversible.  How convenient.  One side is this goldish silvery color and the other side is black.  I totally love it!

Okay.  Gotta run!

Love you!

Love yourself!

I'm trying!

I Thought You Were A Dandy Fellow

Unfortunately due to the unpopularity and controversy surrounding my gender variances I do not feel comfortable revealing what I am actually employed in doing, which sucks when you think about it!  Anywho.... I work with a large and varied clientele and there are also many different levels of workers at my job.  I am somewhat higher up in the ranks due primarily to my education level and the amount of experience I have in my field.

I also am a bit different than the other workers.  Obviously!  I mean if you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I present in a very gender non-conforming manner.  Some may say that it is an androgynous presentation, but I take that to mean that people are confused as to my gender.  Nope, they are not.  Everyone takes me to be a male, but a male that clearly does things that other males do not do.  Thus, I prefer the phrase gender non-conforming, as opposed to androgynous.
Okay... maybe a bit long of an intro, but I wanted to try and intro the scene first.

I walked out of my office one day and an older gentleman who I have worked around for several years approached me.  I live in a very rural community surrounded mostly by farmers and ranchers.  While this gentleman works at my job site and is many years older than me, he is far lower down the ladder.  I think he used to be a farmer; which would make sense as part of his duties is to upkeep the onsite garden that we have here.

So.... he walks up to me and says "You know when I first met you I thought that you were a dandy kind of fellow, if you know what I mean by that."  Which I did not!  I figured that maybe he was insinuating that he thought that I was gay.  Which I don't care if people think or not, that is their choice.  He continued "Well I figured that with all of your fanciness, you were a real dandy, but I want you to know that I read you wrong, and I think that you are a hard worker, and that you are alright."

I laughed, thanked him, and the two of us walked our separate ways.  While I was a bit unsure of what exactly he meant by thinking that I was a dandy, I knew that he was offering me a sincere complement.  I was not raised on a ranch or a farm, but what I do know about ranchers and farmers is that they respect one thing, hard workers.  So while this older gentleman may have at first been kind of taken aback by many of my gender non-conforming behaviors, through being able to observe the work that I do, I was able to change his opinion of me.  Thus I was able to prove that I deserve his respect, which is HUGE!

And I was proud of myself for being willing to be me and show the world who I am.  And I was proud of him for being willing to observe, reflect, change his opinion, and be open and honest with me about where he was and how he changed his thoughts.

What a refreshing world we live in!

Love you!

Love yourself!

Love others for they are human as well!


Photo:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dandys_1830.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honor%C3%A9_Daumier_-_Dandy.jpeg

A Couple of Dresses I Want

Isabelle Lace Sleeve Sheath Dress in Black - $36.00

I really want to try out this dress but can't decide if I am going to commit and order it or not.  I am such a try-it-on person that I am often somewhat nervous about testing out internet purchases.  I know many TG folks that the only way they do any shopping is through online sources.  I suppose that personally I am a bit intimidated by online shopping as I don't like having to visit the UPS store for my returns.  I guess I am just lazy!

But seriously, the price of this dress is just begging me to go for it!  I also really like the low cut V in the front.  It looks seriously good for using my cleavage creation techniques with.  The other thing I really like about this dress are the lace arms.  Yay - something that covers my arms, but still gives me a bit of cooling; considering that they are lace.  Hmm.... Interesting.

Doily Routine Lace Dress in Black - on sale!  - $23.95

I also really like this dress.  I am routinely drawn to lace doilies!  So often I pick up items in the store that have lace this way and Jules is always telling me that she does not like to look of grandma's doily.  Well, how about this one honey, it is all doilies!  To the point that it is even in the name of the dress.

Well regardless of Jules' opinion of the doily details, I still really like them.  I wonder if that is a MtF TG person's opinion of lace.  It is SO NOT male, it is almost the epitome of femaleness, at least for me, I wonder if that is what the large draw is.  Hmmm....

Anywho.... obviously I really like the lace throughout the dress, but I also really like the sleeve length.  And come on, that sale price of $23.95.  Hmm... I think I am going to need to whip out that credit card and get me some dresses today!

Okay lovelies, love you!

Love yourself!

Buy things on sale!

Be risky, buy things online!

Crazy talk!