The Marvelous Weekend, Part 3 Finale

Driving back to the hotel from Udvar-Hazy seemed a lot shorter than the other direction.  But then, that's normal!  Or maybe I was just anxious to move into the highlight of my visit - a makeover with Beth at Makeovers With Elizabeth Taylor: http://makeoverswithelizabethtaylor.com.

The first (approximately) two thirds of my makeover was spent with wig and clothing selection, and makeup.  The balance was the actual photography.  Beth has a nice selection of clothes - (even some for us more substantial gals!)  But you certainly can use your own if you wish!

In my case, I used one of her wigs (she put my natural hair in a french braid underneath, to keep it out of the way), and the sleeveless outfits shown are from her wardrobe.  But as an experiment, at the end she un-braided my natural hair, added some products, and took a few pictures of me in one of my own outfits, as well.

 This long skirt is quite comfortable, and it helps one feel rather elegant...

I was very comfortable in the elegant long black skirt (above) with my Mary Janes, probably because I'm used to wearing my own long tan skirt.  However, Beth wanted to put me in something a bit more daring, so she handed me a shorter skirt...(below)  Once on, I realized how much "on display" it put me!  

 But the shorter skirt works well with the top I was wearing...

While I was still contemplating that "almost naked feeling" - very visible pantyhosed legs, and bare arms, (ultimately deciding that I liked it - a lot), she put out some pumps for me...with quite a bit higher heels than my own.  I picked the cute pair of peep-toes and put them on (above).  They looked fabulous, but I seriously wobbled if I tried to move.  Maybe it was the fit, or just lack of practice in skyscraper heels themselves.  If someone made me wear these heels every day, I'd most likely fall over! (At least till I got used to them...)

Then came the realization that: I wasn't going anywhere, and they were very sexy-looking.   So they absolutely had to be my shoes of choice for that part of the photo shoot.   I didn't move around much...didn't fall over, and loved the way the skirt and heels made me look!

 It's amazing how much this shorter wig actually changes my appearance!

Others have told me that a short wig would separate my androgynous appearance from my feminine side , and I can see from these pictures that it's true.  It really does give the "two of us" distinctly different "looks."  That would be a big plus.  However...

Given my own circumstances, a wig would be a lot of trouble to store, and from what Marian has said, they're very hot to wear outside in the summertime.  That's a big downside, since most of my activities en femme are in the warmer months. Even if I could overcome the storage issue, I can't picture myself wearing a wig to a car show in 90-plus degree weather....the perspiration dripping down my face would ruin my makeup.  And I wouldn't want to smell that wig the next day!  I'd have to get my stylist to wash it after every use.  There's already more than enough expense keeping the gray hidden in my own natural hair, something I can't give up - I'm just not prepared to add 5 years - or more -  to my apparent age by going gray.

Just before I published this, I visited the wig shop my stylist had suggested.  It was not a successful visit - see my "Quickie - the wig shop" post, dated the 16th.  Absent an unexpected miracle, that visit pretty much ended consideration of a short wig that could be styled in a more-or-less male style.  Whether it's age-appropriate or not,  I like my feminine long hair too much!

Back to my own outfit, and my own hair -  I still truly enjoy having long hair!

Beth is a wonderful hostess, and she helped me realize the potential to look my best.  I'd recommend her makeovers to anyone, trans or otherwise.  And for those who might want to come in from afar, a  hotel is very convenient to her location.   You can't go wrong!

After finishing up at Beth's it was late, and I'm not a night owl.   So, I went back to the hotel to remove makeup, shower and hit the sack. Sometimes I wish I were a night owl...hitting the clubs sounds like fun.  But I'd probably be asleep at the table, not enjoying the sights!  C'est la vie! (Did I spell that right?)

Sunday morning, sadness crossed my mind, that this marvelous weekend was rapidly drawing to a close.  But wait, there was still one more meet-up to accomplish.  Meg had given me the address of a local diner with good food, so that she and Charity could meet me for breakfast.  They had someplace to be a bit later in the morning, but we wanted to meet one more time.

So, Mandy got dressed again,  checked out of the hotel (neither my nails nor my attire caused any problem with the desk personnel) and headed for the diner.  At that early hour, traffic was nil (apparently most folks in the area aren't early risers), and the GPS got me there a couple of minutes before Meg and Charity arrived.  I was a bit tardy in getting out of the car - I waited to make sure I had the right couple...though I recognized Charity from a picture in Meg's blog.  They went right in and got a table, as I got out of the car and followed them in.

It was wonderful to see Meg again - in her male persona this time - and to finally get to meet Charity. She is a delight to be around, and I'm sure glad we made the effort to do the second meet-up!  Meg  knows how to choose restaurants....again, service was good, and the breakfast portions were as huge as the sandwiches Meg and I enjoyed at our Friday evening meal.   Trying this too often could cause a major weight gain for just about anyone...

All too soon, it was time to go.  We had our own schedules to keep.  So, after our farewells, we set off on our own.  In my case, that was home.  I'd checked out of the hotel in a skirt and blouse, mainly because I had NOT brought any clean androgynous outfits, leaving more room for girly things in my suitcase.  There was no choice in the matter - I was going home in a skirt and blouse.  But it wasn't a problem - nobody was there.

On Friday, my GPS had routed me via I-395, which probably accounted for all the heavy traffic.  Sunday, I could have gone south, and hit the beltway to get me around the city proper.  But since all I did on Friday was concentrate on the roads and traffic, I figured I should see what sights I missed because I couldn't glance up from my driving duties...

Thus I retraced my steps on I-395.  And, with no traffic...wow...I realized how much I had missed.  There they were - all the storied sights of DC, surrounding me, almost close enough to touch!  The airport, the Potomac, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument - the list goes on and on,   This would be a fabulous tourist route on a beautiful morning, when there is no traffic, like at 9:00 Sunday morning!  Just don't try it on a weekday - or any, for that matter - afternoon!

There was no traffic issue at "The Bridge," so it was a quick and safe trip home...thus bringing the curtain down on The Marvelous Weekend!  Thanks for staying with me, and reading about it!

Cheers,

Mandy