Hi,
This week I was out with work colleagues and one of them, a gent, commented on the effort and money his partner spent on getting ready. He absolutely wasn’t grumbling nor being sexist. Instead, drawing on the cost difference between a haircut for him and that bloke outfits were fairly basic and easy. It was one of those conversations where you get to hear (and learn) from nodding occasionally and actively listening. Learning in terms of what regular blokes – if there’s such a thing – think and how that might be different for each of them in their relationships.
Part of me felt that for some of us genderfluid types, we’re quite aware of the processes, prices, and purchases that go on when you’ve got a fancier wardrobe. But, I guess I don’t want to be That Guy who’s surprise announcement makes the office do about them. So, I listened and conversation moved on.
Party prep werk
I found myself reflecting on this as I had one foot balanced on the side of the bath, changing my toenail polish and then giving my pins a gentle swish with the razor. A swish is a bit like a buzz, only less noisy and more carefree and careful 😉 Given the temperature drop of late and is not having the water heater on (hence the preference for showers), it was a case of swapping layers as required. Luckily my warm top didn’t absorb the fake tan that I’d put on my arms and chest. I recommend keeping your feet warm with a hot water bottle while waiting for the varnish to dry 🙂
I would’ve preferred going for a wax, but there wasn’t enough gap between then and now, and, there’s been a lot on this week. Car repairs (nothing serious, just warranty/maintenance stuff on Mrs J’s vehicle), ordering/getting Xmas stuff, two nights out (work then Chams), and Child 2.0’s after school stuff. Again, not grumbling about this, just listing it out 🙂 The only grumble I have is my under eye shadows have darkened to Uncle Fester levels and I’ve not even been on the sauce. I’m going to need a lie in this weekend 😁
Chams Christmas Do
The Chams Xmas Do was grand. Everyone had chipped in by bringing an item to share for the fuddle, bless them. Folk were looking fine and festive, plus we had visits from new and old members alike (hello Tracey and get well soon, Sandi 💜).
No music or disco this year as folk didn’t mention it and it was one less thing to have to sort out. I think my feet were certainly feeling the -ahem- sensation of new shoes, so perhaps not dancing the night away helped as well 🙂
It was great to see folk mingling and conversation flowed. I had a good chat with Steph about the history of Chams and I think if we can get some of that written up, it may be of interest as time marches on.
Outfit wise, I was very pleased with my party dress that I picked up in the sales. Yes, I had planned to hire a dress (mainly for environment and experience – what is it with the alliterations at the mo? 🤔), but bad planning on my part of that out of the window. Plus, and as I said last week, I think the thigh split might have revealed my pads, which is very far from ideal.
So it was a case of dialling up the glam with a fancy new liquid lippy (Nyx) in a deep plum colour and chancing my luck with false eyelashes. They may be a faff, but practice makes perfect, and they’re such a boon if you’ve got hooded eyes. There’s only so much face taping can do for an older lass 😉
Once all was done, I took a moment to just enjoy the situation. Or, maybe more accurately, feel comfortable in my own skin. My body felt like my own and I was content. There’s a lot to be said about contentment, IMO 🌟
Talking of hip pads, as the new ones add a bit more curve, there’s less need to draw in my waist with a corset. Yes, shapewear is still used – I’m not going to lie about that – but having more flexibility is very welcome. Particularly when fiddling with strappy heels! 😁
The barely there style seems to be a thing at the mo, and they make me think of the early 80s. Funny how things come around. That and I thought I’d be lucky to snag some nude heels a few years back in a New Look sale. These are from ASOS and thank you Andie for the tip off.
Winding down
As the evening drew to a close, we had a group photo. That won’t be shared on here as not everyone in that is out (not that I am really) and I kinda like to respect folks’ privacy.
As per, we had a few items unopened and unused, so after folk took back their containers and a handful of items, the rest was gifted to the Community Centre’s food bank. As someone said last night, there’s some people very much in need at the mo, so it felt the right thing to do. Oh, I’d left a Christmas card / thank you letter to our main contact at the Centre. Seemed only fair given their support and help throughout the year. In their thank you email, that mentioned the goodies would be shared out at the local Warm Bank (have a word with yourself UK gov! 🙄), so hopefully that’ll bring some Christmas cheer.
What a fab way to close the year for the group. A lot of happy memories and some photos to help jog recollection too.
Stay fab,
L x
Pleased to hear -and see- that you had a good time. The outfit looks great on you. Did the lashes survive the night OK?
Of course at Xmas dos it’s traditional for girls to kick off their heels (a bit more fiddly to do with strappy sandals) and dance round their handbags.
Thanks Susie. It was a fab night and yes, my lashes stayed on. My shoes came off just after the photos. Sadly, no boogieing around handbags, tho 😁
It was a lovely evening do, that Xmas party! I was so pleased I got to attend and see people – I may have been a tad too bubbly and incoherent as a result – for which I apologise! But yay for being there!
Glad it worked for you too.
I have also noted the return of the strappy-nothing shoe/heels in fashion and remember them from my youth. Didn’t peg it to the 80s, mind, but my memories are generally amorphous and vague. I am so glad that your recent week has been so mild, though. I hope for all the best for you and yours in the run up to Christmas!
It was all rather good wasn’t it? 💜 I thought you were cheerful, but not incoherently so. Besides, it helps cover my occasionally loud laughter or when Val goosed me on the ribs 😁
Wishing you a fab Xmas as well. Oh, and congrats on the new gig. May it go well and with more suitably Thursday shaped gaps 👍
What a lovely heartwarming post. I’m so glad you had a good Christmas party 🙂
“My body felt like my own and I was content. ” Result! A TGirl can’t ask for more: this is trans nirvana (Tranirvana?)
As for your outfit, well, wow! you look like a million dollars (which these days probably just about buys a can of petrol, but you know what I mean). Fantastic dress and fab shoes and those legs are certainly going to attract attention. Your new leg care regime is doing the job.
Hope you have a good run-up to Xmas
Sue x
It was an excellent night, Sue. Great company, good food, and a hefty sprinkle of self acceptance: what more could you have hoped for? TBH – or NGL as my son would say 😉 – I think not worrying about how things might go and just enjoying each part, that helped as well.
“…just about buys a can of petrol…”
Where we’re going, we don’t need petrol 😁
The dress was a lucky find. The style of well fitted but not too bodycon, not too much on show (not too much arm, leg, or ‘people on the balcony’ 😉). I felt very blessed to… have my body feel as it should. Yes, I know it’s smoke & mirrors – or more accurately cosmetics, padding, shapewear, and Gypsy tights, but I think some time in which you feel at ease with yourself, what’s not to like.
Good luck on the run up to Christmas as well
It was a lovely night, nice so many could make it. Very glad we didn’t have xmas music, i’ve managed to avoid it mostly so far.
I had some leftover stollen for breakfast this morning 🙂 – i may be doing this for a week…
Ooo, cake for breakfast. Welcome to the festive season! 😁 Thanks for coming and I thought your dress & boots combo where very fancy (loved the tights too).
Just the right amount of people to make it special, I thought. If there had been any music, it would’ve been in the other room and for dancing to. However, no one suggested an interest on that, so that’s over less thing to worry about. At least for were safe from whamageddon 😉
Yes. I was a little wistful at my work’s Christmas do too. Looking at all the sparkly dresses, and remembering the black sequinned number in the wardrobe that’s only been worn once. Oh well.
It can sneak up on you like that, Pandora. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to wear it again. Maybe somewhere cool with friends. 💜
Oh I know that feeling all to well. And as of this weekend, my sister now knows why I always looked a bit uncomfortable and of place at Xmas and birthday parties.
xxx
I hope the coming out went well, Susie 🏳️🌈💜
Great to read that the Chams Xmas Party went good, sounds like a good time was had by all. Lovely photo too, great outfit Lynn, your dress is gorgeous.
Barely there heels, what’s not to love about them! I was after a pair myself from New Look but sadly they didn’t have any left in my size so I ended up getting some elsewhere.
It was indeed a fab do, Lotte. Thank you for the kind words about the outfit. I felt very pretty in it.
These particular heels are from Asos. They were a find in terms of a bargain, but they’re not as comfy as the nude ones I got from New Look. But no pain, no gain 😁