Two miles later

Hi,

This week I had what I would describe as a gift from my dear wife, the Ever Lovely Mrs J. Regular readers – or those handy with the search widget 😉 – may remember I said I had some leave to use up, before the ‘holiday year’ finishes at work. While we were making dinner, I said I really fancied a day out as Lynn, and long story short – unusually for my blogging 😉 – plans were made, hugs exchanged, and dinner was enjoyed.

Prep work / navel gazing bloggy bit

As with any time out, I kinda like to have in my mind what I’m going to wear. For any nay-sayers who are thinking I float around in a Pink Fog bubble dreaming of outfits – it’s not that. It is… more a mix of wanting to make the best of the time by not ‘panic dressing’ – where you throw stuff on and still aren’t happy with it. Cue feelings of regret that you don’t look right, discomfort, and in comes the negative self talk. Yeah, not ideal, so I try to avoid that. See also losing time because you can’t decide on what works.

The case for the defence presents this to the court 😉

When a woman says, ‘I have nothing to wear!’, what she really means is, ‘There’s nothing here for who I’m supposed to be today.’

Caitlin Moran

So, what was I aiming for that day? I didn’t want to do jeans & cute top because I feel I’d done that recently. Well, I say recently – I think it was over a year or ago. Yeah, that long huh? Yes, I’m aware that I should be counting my blessings as not everyone gets the luxury of nights out to a social group, or the support of a fantastic wifey 💑

I am aware that dresses are the easy option. One must only pick one’s dress, select the appropriate legwear and footwear, and off you pop.

But separates and funky coloured tights because you want to Not Do Black Again? One does not simply etc.

I had hoped to somehow juggle the colours of pumpkin coloured tights – or at least, ‘warm ginger’* – with what I had in, and pair them with a dark top and the cute ankle boots I have. However, while there were shades of brown within said opaques, they was something not quite right…. Maybe burgundy would work…? Try on. No. So I did black opaques… again LOL. Okay, semi opaque, but maybe there’s a reason they go with most things! 🫠

[ * Funnily enough, that’s a look and a description of my premature if I wear too many layers 😉 ]

Getting ready

By a strange turn of Fate, the Ever Lovely Mrs J decided to work from home that day, so I had the doggos with me, as I warmed up the cement mixer, and she popped out to get some lunch for later. Oh, and a coffee, because work reports, amirite? 🫠 Now I treated myself to a LED mirror and that made applying the slap easier. To start with there’s better light and the height means I’m not balancing an old shaving mirror on two boxes. Yeah, health & safety gone mad! 😉

I was just about ready as Mrs J called me to say that a police car had parked across our driveway, and blocked her from getting home. We think it was a house call for the elderly lady who lives up the hill. Luckily, we’re on good terms with the folk next-door, so she could pull up on their drive for a time. I had hoped said bobby might pop off before I was done. But, sadly not.

I had somewhat worrying thoughts of me nipping out as Lynn and asking them to move. Thankfully they were spared such a sight, as Mrs J kindly nipped out again, and saved me from having to ask. Bless her!

I took a quick selfie before heading out and headed out to Leicester, after wishing Mrs J good luck with the writing.

Yes, I have switched back to an old wig. I fancied a darker colour, so I thought it was time for Old Faithful to glide again.

A wander

Careful how you type that last word, Lynn! 😁

I will be honest and say my nerves about going out had settled. Instead, I found myself thinking how lucky I was, with Mrs J’s kindness and love. Indeed, and if you’ll forgive the hyperbole, our relationship and Mrs J’s acceptance is beyond what I had dreamed of, as a young and struggling teen. I think those thoughts settled me, and as I stepped out of the electro-dad-mobile in the Highcross car park, I felt, well… normal. Not nervous or worried, nor elated. Grateful, yes; but I guess, I just was… if that makes sense.

In terms of goals for the day, well morning, I wanted to get some new blusher and to see if any of the charity shops might have any new coats in. Now, I love the green coat I have…. and middle aged spread is meaning I need to keep the layers down under it. I guess it’s more an Autumn/Spring number, but it was a really lucky find.

After crossing the big glass footbridge – hmm, makes it sound like Bifrost 🤔 – I rounded the corner towards John Lewis. There’s a long run of floor to ceiling windows, excellent light, and – by all that’s fabulous! – a fine set of mirrors to brighten the place nicely.

Of course, it’s also just the spot to take a selfie before the wind ruffles your hair, and your coffee dissolved your lippy 😉

Yes, my skirt has ridden up a little. I think my hip pads meant the waistband was working it’s way upwards, so the skirt is a little higher than it should be. Oh, the humanity! I did check no-one was about and did my best to lower it back to it’s proper point on the knee.

Talking of hip pads, I’ve found that a pair of Snag’s Chub Rub shorts help keep them in place, and the ‘cooling’ edition has an -ahem- modest gap, so [posh voice] one can attend to the call of Nature. One set of (magical) Big Girl Pants on top, and we’re good to go.

Cosmetics

I made my way into the department store and took the escalator down to the make-up area. I had a quick look for Mrs J, as I knew she likes a fancy moisturiser. Nothing was really speaking to me, so I had a look for some new blusher.

A few of the MUAs – as Andie calls them – where checking stock and chatting with each other as they kept an eye for customers. As I perused the Clinique range, a specialist asked if I needed any help, and I soon found myself sat on a chair, in the bright lights of the make-up department. We had a chat about my needs – new blush – and also a chat about application.

The blush I have now is a little too far towards the invisible. It’s not like I wanted the 80s colour pop, nor did I want it visible. But, I did want just enough to make a difference. I guess that’s the thing with make-up. I want to look better, rather that look like I’m made up, if that makes sense.

Anyway, we tried a different application technique – more of a kidney shaped sweep from temple down to just under my cheek. Different to the old school suck-your-cheeks-in-and-sweep-through-the-hollow that I’m used to.

As with most thing slap related, there’s how things look in store – or in home lighting – and there’s how things look in daylight. I felt happy with the result, so that’s one item ticked off the list. Yay!

Coats

I had a quick look in the Outlet area of the store, but it was all summer things, and I’m doing okay in that regard. One might say a little too well, as I think I’m due a ‘check & chuck’ – or more accurately, review & recycle. There’s certainly a pair of summer heels that I find too high. A slight Vinted related mistake, but so it goes.

Talking of shoes, I wondered if New Look might have something for the Xmas party. I mean shoes…. can a lady ever have enough? Sit your klepto keister down, Imelda Marcos 😁

I did spot some closed toe ‘barely there’ heeled sandals, but they are pretty close to a pair I already have. So that was a no. The store was very quiet, so I risk a cheeky selfie in case the smartphone one from earlier didn’t quite work out.

It seems the decades old digital camera still takes a better snap than my modern smartphone. I guess it’s down to the lens, but I’m not a photographer – yes, I know it shows! 😉 – so I’m still learning after all these years. Many, many years of taking snaps, but maybe I’ll get the hang of it one day.

A tour of the town

As well as a coat, I wondered if the wee gothic clothing shop might have something vampy – more Morticia Addams than va-va-voom vampy… although Ms Huston was stunning in her turn as said character, IMO. I think it was down to the sass. Drag goals perhaps, but not for today.

Now, I had decided not to go with the wee brown ankle boots and with black semi-opaques, my usual go to of the blue heels had been put to one side. Ah, perhaps my trusty Ruby Shoos would work? Not too glam, not to plain, and they’ve got padding inside. They’d be good, right?

Well, yes, they would…. if I wasn’t so out of practice. Small steps, Lynn, and take your time!

No luck at the gothic clothing store. I was welcomed in by the owner, a sweet little old lady who was chatting with her friend. With Leicester being so multicultural, I enjoyed the break of the stereotypical music as the local radio was playing bhangra as I worked my way through the rails.

Despite the kind welcome, there was nothing in my size. Shame, as there were two beautifully quirky dresses on the dummies outside in the arcade. Just nothing for this dummy! 😁

I headed off to see if I’d have any better luck with a coat. British Heart Foundation had a few in, but they were very much winter levels. Quite possibly a Canadian winter, judging by the padding and length! 😉 The Sue Ryder shop up in The Lanes had more and indeed a very cute red number. However, I felt that was a bit bright for me, so I passed it by.

The sales assistant complimented me on my handbag. She said it was ‘very 90s’ which – so Mrs J informs me – is having ‘a moment’ as retro fashion does. For Mrs J and I in the 80s, that would’ve been the 50s I guess. I have seen a few 90s style things on Vinted which takes me back.

Return

With the time passing by and my calves now starting to make themselves known, I thought best to head back home. I had had a good time out. Everyone was kind and accepting. Indeed a mid 50s trans-something-or-other person was just background, really. That is exactly as I’d like it. Quiet acceptance, I’ll take that.

I did spot this café as I was walking around. I didn’t pop in because I didn’t want to be too late back for Mrs J.

The walk up the slope in Highcross made me think that next time, my kneeboots – not these heels. That or I need more practice to get my legs used to the walking. I did pop into Clarks in case they had any flats in the sale, I liked. I had some wonderful help and funny conversation with one of the sales team. Yes, I did take their name, and yes, I did send in some good feedback to their HQ. I hope their line manager passes on my words, as we had a bit of a natter about things. Nothing trans* related; I was just another customer. Well, very neurodiverse customer – which I found out we had in common – but it was all good.

I had thought about dropping in to Boots down in Thurmaston, but as I did, I remembered that I was half way up the A46 and the turning was about four miles back. Ah, the Lynn no-sense-of-direction-wanderometer had struck again! 😁

As I pulled in, I opened the front door carefully, just in case Mrs J was passing through the hall into the kitchen. She was curled up with the hounds, reading. Well, she was reading. I’m not sure the doggos care for books. I think they’re more into podcasts. Da dum tish😉

Mrs J asked if I’d had a nice time, and was a little surprised I was back so soon. I said that I’d had an amazing day and she was absolutely part of it. I went and got changed, glad I could take off my heels and rest my legs.

I remembered that I’d not taken a snap of my nails, so here’s one for the memory bank. I think this is the second time this month I’ve done glue on ones. The Halloween ‘Do was the exception, and as much as I like the look, I think I will be going to nail varnish. It easier to do things. I don’t know how some of my colleagues manage. Perhaps it’s a practice thing.

I checked my phone: two and a bit miles…. in heels. That would explain things…. Oh, and I had the dogs to walk again in the afternoon 😁

A happy day 🙏

L x