It’s been a little while since I posted anything because I have been having too good a time traveling and dressing. Sometimes both at the same time which is always fun and sometimes exciting like my last CHIC dinner in Long Beach. I got ready early because I wanted to take some pictures before going out which deviated from my normal routine. So after getting absorbed with photo fun I realized I had to get going or I would be late for dinner which I was in charge of coordinating. I shut everything down and after summoning UBER I walked out of my room. As my door closed behind me I instantly knew the room key was on the night stand, not in my purse. It’s been years since I have had this happen which I attribute to my routine but I deviated. I opted to continue on to the dinner and deal with the key issue later when there would not be so many people around the Marriott front lobby desk.
The dinner was fun and we stayed a little longer than usual with some of us going to the bar for more drinks. I bid my friends farewell not long after because I had a golf game the next day and needed to be sharp. UBER showed up on time so I was off to me (mam/sir) moment with the night manager. When I walked up to the desk a young fellow greeted me with a hello mam can I help you. I replied in Dukes voice that I left my key in the room and needed another to which he replied with a request for my name and ID. After providing both he looked at my ID handed me a duplicate key and said “good evening sir” I knew it was coming and replied thanks you too.
WEBSITE UPDATES
After having some conversations with the new President of CHIC it was decided that their site needed some updating. I agreed to do it and ended up changing the whole direction of the site with a new format without the blog. I think it is better now with a cleaner look and the addition of the club logo along with the member testimonials. You can check it out at the CHIC website . I had so much fun that I did my website as you can see with a different look and for the first time an official logo.
Crossdressing in D.C. was not on my radar until earlier this year when the Vanity Club planned an event there last month. I am not sure what the head count ended up but I heard somewhere north of 80 people. I was a little intimidated about crossdressing in D.C. having never been there before so not knowing what to expect. One of the local V.C. sisters assured me that D.C. would not be a problem.
CROSSDRESSING IN D.C. DINNING
Thursday night we were on our own for dinner and after reaching out to me local sisters Bobby Vans Steakhouse was recommended so I made reservations. My crossdressing in D.C. apprehension ended as soon as I walked in the door when the maitre d smiled and asked if he could help. I told him the reservation was under Micki Finn party of four. He replied wonderful and took us to our table. My wife joined Ashley & Erica I for a fabulous steak dinner there. It might just have been the best Fillet Mignon steak I have ever eaten.
BOBBY VANS
Bobby Vans was a good recommendation and it was confirmed when Erica noticed Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business News seated two tables away. She did not look up when I passed her but Erica reportedly got a smile from her. Bobby Vans is just two blocks from the White House so no worries about crossdressing in D.C.
In D.C. with the V.C.
Friday night dinner was with 60 Vanity Club sisters at Federico’s Ristorante Italiano in nearby Arlington Virginia.
The night ended with kareoke singing and partying just up the street at Freddies Beach Bar.
Crossdressing in D.C.
Saturday night was the final night of the weekend where I would be pinning my sister Erica. As a new member of the Vanity Club whom I sponsored she received her vanity Club pin.
We had an amazing time during our visit to our nations capital.
Crossdresser wife support for your dressing is truly a gift. My wife has always been a great help with my crossdressing even though she chose not to actively participate in the beginning. Wigs, makeup, shoes, outfits and accessories are areas she has helped me with. Most things I willingly accepted but the short wig took decades for me to buy into.
Crossdressing Wig
My wig style was pretty much shoulder length through most of my dressing career. Like a caring crossdresser wife support she was constantly suggesting the shorter ones but I never liked how they looked on me. That changed a couple of years ago when we returned to our hotel from the CHIC Christmas Party. She took off the short wig that she was wearing and asked me to put it on. She wanted to see how it looked on me as it was a complimentary color. I knew what she was up to but put it on anyway. She teased it up a little higher than she wore it and the look on my face said it all. I loved the way it looked but, the wig cap was too small for me. The two wins for her was I now was ready to explore the Micki in short hair concept along with she one the argument.
Godiva’s Wigs
I was fortunate to discover Godiva’s Secret Wigs online because they are great quality and come in large cap sizes. I have purchased several large cap wigs from them but what I call a short wig they refer to as medium which, refers to the length. The two wigs below come in large cap size but are medium length.
Freedom in Nutmeg F colorTrixie in Creamy Toffee color with roots
For a Traveling T Girl like myself there is a wonderful advantage to these wigs. I pack them in a large zip lock freezer bag with the wig turned inside out. When I arrive at the hotel I open them up, hold them upside down by the tag and shake hard 3 times. I style them later when I go out with my long fingernails. It only takes a couple of minutes and has cut down my time getting ready.
Trixie wig Creamy Toast R (with roots)
On trips where my wife accompanies me she takes over on the styling which always looks better than mine but, she has been at it longer.
She has also bought me numerous Betty Boop figures over the years because she knows Betty was my first love as a child.
Maybe Betty was the influence that made me dress in the 1st place.
Crossdressing in Las Vegas has not been one of my favorite experiences as a rule. Its starting to grow on me though as I am experimenting with different hotels hoping to find a better match.
I don’t gamble more than $100.00 per trip on video porker machines so much of what goes on there does not interest me.
DIVA LAS VEGAS 2019
I attended this year again and stayed at the Flamingo which I did not care for at all. Too many people and my room was the absolute farthest from the lobby way too far in 4 inch high heels. Thank God I stuffed my foldable ballet slippers in my purse, they saved my tootsies.
THE CROMWELL HOTEL
Three weeks after DIVA I found myself back in Las Vegas again for a crossdressing in Las Vegas / golfing / shopping adventure. This time we stayed at the Cromwell Hotel. Its right next to the Flamingo and liked it much better. It is a much smaller property with only 188 well appointed rooms. The staff was great and the elevator was only 50 feet from my room. Once down on the casino floor it was a short walk to either the strip or valet parking in the back. Right next to the valet is the UBER & LIFT pick up point.
GIADA’S
The only disappointment on the trip was the first night we had a dinner reservation at Giada De Laurentiis restaurant. Two years ago we had dinner there and it was over the top. We a window table overlooking the strip and a great server.
CROSSDRESED FOR DINNER
We were crossdressed both times but this night they seemed intent on giving us an undesirable table. I don’t know if it was how we were dressed or if the hostess was a moron or both. The first table had me sitting next to a wall looking at another wall. Like when I stood in the corner at school. I rejected it asking for the empty window table a few feet away. She said she had to check and see and took us back to the bar while she checked.
We arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes ahead of our reservation but sat at the bar for another 15. We sat while she filled all of the available window tables. Fifteen minutes after our reservation time she came back and took us to a table almost as bad as the one I rejected. She said the table I requested was in an area that the server was not taking anymore customers. The second table was not the window I requested and I only had to look at one wall.
Because it was almost 8:30 PM by this time we accepted the table and had dinner. Our servers were great and took very good care of us but I was so annoyed by the table incident I don’t even remember what I ate.
I can’t say for sure if the hostess was screwing with us because we were dressed or not but there are too many great restaurants in Las Vegas to give her another chance.
I like them but have some issues mainly about the weight which is 1.68 lbs each. I need two so I am looking at over 3 lbs added to my 50 lb luggage limit. Because of the weight I did not take them to DIVA Las Vegas 2019 this year as planned.
Normally I ship my luggage ahead of time and weight is not as big an issue. I think I will appreciate them in the long run. They were attractive because I assumed the wigs would stay put on the stand without slipping like my other portable stands.
$40.00 is too high given the fact that they are just cut from sheet plastic. In addition I had to widen one of the slots so the pieces would fit together without rocking.
WIG BANDS
I also found a new wig band that I liked because it has a flesh tone closer matching my skin. I followed the directions placing the label on the right side, it stayed in place all day and night. My wig fit over it and was secure in place.
I did wear the wig band everyday at DIVA this year and it was great. The only thing I would change is to order the 23″ size to give me some extra room.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
I am currently planning my next adventure which will most likely be San Francisco, Portland, Seattle or back to Las Vegas. The later will be a weekday event most likely and the others a weekend adventure. Hotels in Las Vegas are a bargain during the week while the others are more expensive. I will definitely be shipping my luggage this time.
Diva Las Vegas is just around the corner and many ladies of Trans community from all over the country are packing their bags right now. For those on the fence registration is still open and the activity sign ups also. I am not sure if the Diva Las Vegas reserved block of rooms is still available However, rooms there and surrounding hotels are very cheap if it is.
DLVG Dates
Diva Las Vegas 2019 starts March 31st and runs until Friday April 5th with events through Friday night. They bill the event as a vacation not a convention like many of us went to in the past. There is no cost to attend other than your personal expenses room, meals, etc. The staff is all volunteer and do a great job guiding 1st timers as well as seasoned veteran attendees.
They stress the fact that it is a vacation because you are on your own and can attend as many events as you wish. They ask that you sign up for events so they can get a head count. Some events require a mandatory sign up and if you have to cancel show the courtesy of notifying activity coordinator. You can book an appointment with the makeup resources they suggest or book one on your own. The MAC artists at the Fashion Show Mall on the Strip just a mile north of the Flamingo Hotel.
Diva LV Planning
Diva Las Vegas 2019 like any other event requires some planning up front on what to wear. The Diva Las Vegas 2019website has a whole section on wardrobe selections what to wear and when. If you are thinking of attending DIVA I strongly advise you to go to their page and explore it. Especially if you are a 1st timer. Speaking of first timers DIVA has a big sister program available for newcomers.
I do all of my dressing on the road and have it down pretty well although in full disclosure my wife organized me. You can see more on my travels on my T Girl Travels page.
Crossdresser wives sometimes accompany their husbands out in public in fact some are quite comfortable doing it. Last weekend a group of CHIC members all rendezvoused in San Francisco for weekend of fun crossdressing. There were 5 crossdressers and 3 wives joining their crossdressed husbands.
The Redwood Room
Tonya (seated) and I are posing with the big chair in the Redwood Room near Union Square. Both our wives were with us but were camera shy but not us. We had just come out of the Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel after enjoying a nightcap. It was our first night in town and we enjoyed a leisurely dinner at Jardinière with other crossdressers wives and their husbands.
Dining Out
We were there a total of 3 days and dined at The Big 4 on Friday night and Farallon on Saturday night. All of us Crossdressers and crossdresser wives went to see Beach Blanket Babylon after dinner.
Shopping
The days were spent shopping for most of the ladies at Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora and other lady destinations. All of the stores are Trans friendly and go out of their way to give you the help you need. This is especially true trying on clothes in the changing rooms where sales clerks will find an empty room for you. They will also check on you to see if you need a different size so you don’t have to keep getting dressed in between trying clothes.
Compromises
I do not dress during the days when my crossdresser wife joins me for outings. It is part of the compromise we worked out decades ago because she is more comfortable under cover of night. However I do shop dressed during the day on outings that my crossdresser wife does not attend which, is the majority of the time.
Traveling T Gurl
I go to San Francisco several times each year in addition to Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland and other cities without her so I get plenty of shopping in throughout the year.
Passable vs. Acceptable is the question that prompted me to update my CROSSDRESSER PASSING IN PUBLIC page. Summer is almost behind us and my thoughts have drifted toward getting dressed again after a summer of doing guy stuff.
Micki is planning a new road trip and in that process security is always an important factor. Because passing is something I am not able to do. I don’t attempt to pass as a woman when I am dressed en fem. Micki made a decision many years ago that it is not practical for me to pull it off.
PASSABLE VS. ACCEPTABLE
That is not to say that I don’t put a maximum effort to look as glamorous and feminine as I can. I just chose not to attempt to deceive people into thinking I was a real woman.
Ladies Room Break
The real me is far more interesting and fun than the hybrid I would be creating. Given the choice of being passable vs. acceptable as a crossdresser I choose acceptable crossdresser.
Most importantly there is no guarantee that I will be accepted when out and about which is why I take precautions to minimize my risk of danger.
Day 2 of my crossdressing San Francisco trip started slow because I had some work to do so I worked in my room until noon then, got some lunch down the street. We only planned on shopping in Union Square area so we could do that in one day Saturday. Ashley was getting in around 2 then would be getting ready until around six.
We met in the European Bar downstairs for cocktails (Read Cosmo) at 6:00PM. Tonight we were having dinner at Boulevard restaurant in east San Francisco at 7:30PM so we had plenty of time to relax before calling UBER.
Boulevard
Boulevard has become a favorite for both Ashley and myself along with everyone we have taken there. The hostess greeted us warmly and took us to our table in a great location.
Dinner
Ashley ordered the Angus Filet Wood Oven Roasted Uptown Succotash with Fava & Romano Beans Vidalia Onion & Truffle Vinaigrette White Sweet Corn & Summer Truffle Hushpuppy Roasted Beef Jus with Summer Savory
I chose theBerkshire Pork Prime Rib Chop Wood Oven Roasted Caraway Spaetzle, Sauerkraut, Bacon & Gruyere Blueberry Apple Butter with Smoked Cinnamon Tokyo Turnip & Wood Oven Spring Onion Roasted Pork Jus with Apple Balsamic
Both entre’s were outstanding which is part of why we love the place. The other is the decor of the more than a century old building.
I would be remiss if I failed to note that the service at Boulevard is excellent and we are always treated as elegant ladies with never a missed pronoun. We have several staff that we make a point to speak with regardless of who is serving us that night.
OVERDRESSED AS ALWAYS
Needless to say we look forward to our next evening at Boulevard which is already in the planning stages for San Francisco this fall.
Ashley ordered the Angus Filet
I chose the Berkshire Pork Prime Rib Chop
