Saturday Susan time at Starbucks and getting ready for Diva Las Vegas

It is Saturday October 14^th and I am one week away from Leaving for Diva Las Vegas, Next Saturday I will get my nails done and then Saturday evening leave for the 16-hour drive to Las Vegas. Now I have some things to get done around the house and yes some shopping as I am getting low on one of my foundations and I also need snacks for the 16-hour drive. I am still deciding if I will make the drive as Susan of my male self. I have always done the trips as Susan but usually I am traveling with someone so being Susan is important plus it is fun to do the whole trip completely as my female self. the downside is other than when I stop for gas r breaks I am just in my car and when I get to Las Vegas I will have to completely redo my makeup before going out Sunday night and checking into the hotel with makeup I have had on for more than 16hours would look bad unless I stopped someplace and was able to redo or at least touch up so really leaning towards traveling as my male self. Now I will have long red nails and I will have some mascara on and I am thinking about some light eye makeup and a neutral lipstick.

I started getting ready a little after noon and took my time as getting ready and doing my makeup is a lot of fun. I took about an hour getting ready and today I did a purple eye shadow, with a pinkish red lipstick and a winged eye liner which actually turned out pretty well. I also wore my purple sweater top and black skirt with black footless tights, it was a cute look. I got a few pictures and then I was off with my first stop being ULTA at Cascade station. I actually use several different foundations depending on the look I want and how long I will be wearing it. Yes for all day I really like the MAC Studio fix as it last and looks the best over time and if I drive as Susan this is the one I will wear but it also cost 3 times as much so for shorter outings I have found a few drug store brand that work great for 4 to 8 hours. The first is Revlon color stay full coverage foundation which covers well and doesn’t look heavy but I find after about 4 hours my face gets dry looking. The second one I like is the Maybeline Superstay foundation, this is a really good long wearing foundation, 8 hours maybe longer and is almost as good as the MAC, but this one you have to be careful as it is easy to get too much on and then it looks heavy on your face but it lasts. The one I need today is the cover Girl outlast full coverage which is the one I use the most. This is a good 6-to-8-hour makeup and I actually use two different shades. First I use 855 soft honey on the middle of my face, around eyes, nose cheeks and around lips. and then on my jaw and neck and sides of my face and below my cheek bone I use 857 golden tan. Blended together it helps contour my face some. Wow got a little sidetracked there.

I got to ULTA and went in and it turns out they don’t have the Cover Girl outlast foundation I looked around and did pick up a couple cosmetic sponges as mine are getting worn. Now being so close to COSTCO that was my next stop as I need gas and it is $3.99 a gallon here compared to $4.96 at the Fred Meyers by my house, plus I also wanted to go inside and pick up some snacks for my trip, Almond, beef jerky and Chips plus it is fun shopping as Susan. COSCTCO was busy as always but only took me about ½ hour and then I was on my way. I did need to stop at Starbucks and write my blog and catch up on things and I decided to go to the one by my house even though there are two right here.

I got to Starbucks by my house about 3 and went in and they were really busy today. 4 people in line to order and probably 6 waiting for there drinks and all the tables were taken although there were a couple open seats at the big 8-person table so I put my computer on the corner and went and got in line to order. This Starbucks does not have a drive through so it is great for people watching as everyone hast to come inside and it is good to see it busy as I wonder if this one might be closed. Before COVID it was open till 8:30pm and now it closes at 5:30 and a year or so ago they opened a Dutch Bros drive through at the edge or the parking lot a couple hundred yards away. I ordered my drink and then waited for it in hopes one of the tables along the window would open so I could plug my computer in. Breanne made my drink today and we talked a little, actually she told me she loved my top and it looked good on me, this is one of my favorite tops and I have had it a long time. I also mentioned I was going to Las Vegas in a week.

Well I got my drink and sat down at the big table with a few other people and started working on my blog from Wednesday nights dinner and of course people watching. This is actually a fun and relaxing way to spend a couple hours and way better then sitting at home on my computer. Now it stayed busy but a little after 4 the table right behind me by the window opened up so I moved over there so I could plug my computer in. I finished my blog and posted it and did a few other things and by 5pm it finally started clearing out. It was about 5:15 when I packed up to leave, as I was leaving I told Breanne and the other lady here to have a good night and Breanne told me that they were going to start staying open till 6:30pm in a couple weeks so it sound like business is doing well here and maybe I don’t have to worry about them closing this one.

I decided to stop by Pada Express and get dinner and the lady who always remembers me was working, her name is Christina and I hadn’t seen her for a couple months. Well we talked briefly while she got my food and it turns out she has been moving around including 6 weeks in Bend Oregon and it sounds like she might become a manager in Bend. It will be sad to see her go just because she is really good and has made that personal connection and by that I mean she remembers me and what I order. Now the other people who work here are great but there is something special about being remembered. I got my food and went home for the night as I have some laundry to do as I am washing all the clothes I want to take to Diva Las Vegas. The rest of the evening was spent watching TV and yes this is the one way I do like spending time at home as Susan, if I have been out and then come home I do stay Susan, it is just transforming into Susan to just sit at home is the one I have a hard time with now.

Oh and on a side note I did go to the gym this morning and I found out something about the elliptical machine. It turned off after 65 minutes, today I decided to just do cardio so I just kept going. 20 minutes at level 8, 10 minutes at level 6, 10 minutes at level 4 and then the rest was at level 1 and I did 4.15 miles in the time I was there. I wanted a good workout as I will miss out for a week while I am in Las Vegas.

Now I am looking forward to a little more Susan time on Sunday and of curse the week ahead. Thanks for reading my bog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Awesome Saturday getting a facial and makeover at Nordstrom’s Washington Square

Today was an awesome day and yes I started off going to the gym and taking care of things but was thinking the whole time about the day ahead. Jennifer had got to know a couple of the girls who work at Nordstrom’s in Washington Square, their names are Tiger who works the Gucci cosmetic counter and Harmonie who works the Clinique cosmetic counter. Well she told them about our group and they offered to do a mini facial and makeover for our members and today was the day. I had scheduled my appointment for 4pm and I think we had 8 to 10 of our group going. I started getting ready a little after 12 and took my time as I really wanted my makeup to look good. I was all ready by 1:30pm and on my way, yes I would be early and walk around the mall till my appointment. I did call Cassandra on my way and we ended up talking for almost an hour. She has also signed up for Diva Las Vegas and we talked about the events we would sign up for. It was great to talk with her and I am looking forward to seeing her in 3 weeks.

I got to Washington Square just before 3 so I had about an hour till my appointment. Now the mall was really busy and one thing I did notice was there were way more security officers here then last time I was here which was nice but also really sad that we as a country have come to this point. I did check out several of the stores but which is always fun but I was really looking forward to 4pm, so much so that I finally walked down to Nordstroms and sat at a table out front about 3:45 to wait. It was just before 4 when I went into the cosmetic section and talked with one of the ladies and she said it would be just a few minutes. Now this was a new experience for me and I wasn’t sure what to expect, I knew it was a mini facial and makeover and yes there was no cost but I was sure they expected me to buy some stuff which was okay as there were some things I needed. The lady took me back to a side room and introduced me to Tiger and Harmonie and they were so wonderful and truly made me feel at ease and so welcome. I can see why Jennifer talks so highly of them. Now Tiger and Harmonie names were easy to remember as Jennifer had texted us all about them. There were 2 other ladies here that actually work for the cosmetic company and not Nordstrom’s and I think their names are Tiffany & Crystal and they were every bit as nice and also made me feel very welcome. They also went all out as they had a table with fresh fruit, wraps and yes cookies and donut holes. They were just finishing up with Alice and Cindi and were talking to us all like we were friends, not customers, which really made it special.

Tiffany was the one who did my facial and she walked me over to another room for that. She was so friendly and talked o me the whole time, she told me about herself and I told her a lot abut me also, it was amazing how comfortable I felt talking with her. of course I was also enjoying the facial. She started with removing my makeup and doing a cleansing using what she called a Clinique 7-day scrub cream which was awesome and probably something I will buy as it worked really well, Tiffany said I should use it every 7 days but I can use it more often as it is gentle enough to use every day. She also massaged in a hydrating lotion which felt really good and yes, reminded me a lot like my pedicures. It really was relaxing; she even massaged the lotion on my fore arms and hands. I will probably do the facial again. Now to tell you the truth I have no idea how long it lasted as fun things always seem to go by so fast but I am guessing 20 to 30 minutes and by the end I felt like I had made a friend. Now it was time to walk back to the other room for my makeover.

I got back to the other room and Tiger and harmony was finishing up doing Cindi and Alice’s makeovers and were explaining what they were doing and how to apply the makeup they were using and they both looked awesome. While I waited for them to finish I did have a couple more cookies. Now it was time for me and I sat down in the chair and Crystal was the one doing my makeup and she was also awesome. She started off with a primer and then tested several foundations to find just the right shade. Now just like tiffany while she was explaining what she was doing she was also telling me about herself and I found myself telling her things about me. I think that is what made this so special and by talking about themselves and getting me to talk they made it more personal. It really was like getting together with friends for the afternoon and doing makeup. It didn’t seem like they were here because it was their job. Now she finished it off with a bronzer from Gucci which rally gave a warm look to the outer part of my face. After Crystal was done she asked if I had any questions or if I was interested in any of the items and I was. I have been looking for a good bronzer so I did tell her I wanted the bronzer from Gucci she used as it looked good on me and I also told her I wanted the Clinique 7-day scrub cream. They finished it up by taking pictures of us and I had a couple taken with my phone also. It seemed like such a fast tine but it was 5:45 now, I have been here for almost 2 hours, it went by so fast. Kris was just coming in for her appointment and it was good to see her. This was an incredible experience and all of them were awesome. Crystal and Tiffany are only here for events But Tiger and Harmonie are here all the time so if you are in Nordstrom’s at Washington Square stop by the Gucci cosmetic counter and meet Tiger Clinique cosmetic counter meet Harmonie and tell them Susan says hi. I thanked them all and the only bad thing about the day was on me, I should have gotten a picture with the 4 of them to post on my blog.

Now Cindi and Alice wanted to go to dinner and invited me, Jan and Lynn so we were all going to meet at Oswego grill for dinner. We got there and got a table in the bar for dinner. I probably should have gone home as I have to be up at 3:4am tomorrow for work but I felt and looked so good I didn’t want the night to end. We ordered dinner and sat and talked and yes it was all about today. All of us had such a wonderful experience and thought the ladies at Nordstrom’s went way above and beyond and we will all be going back to see them. We all looked so beautiful. We had a wonderful dinner and Kris was able to join us after her appointment, we were just finishing but our dinner. I Stayed a while but soon it was almost 9pm and I had a ½ drive home so I got my bill and paid it and called it a night. What a wonderful day and I want to thank Jenifer for setting today up, Nordstrom’s for hosting it and a big thanks to Tiger, Harmonie, Crystal and Tiffany for going above and beyond and making it such a special day.

It was after 10pm by the time I got home and got ready for bed so it will be a short night but so worth it.

Thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life.

New Year’s Day and a blog about how I transform into Susan and Starbucks time

Happy New Year’s everyone, today is New Year’s Day and I decided I would do a blog I have wanted to do for a while and never got around to it or really just didn’t think I should as I will be posting pictures without makeup or hair. It will be longer than normal blog actually my longest blog so I hope you read the whole thing. If you read my blog you know I love makeup and nails and I have had neutral acrylic nails for over a year now even in my male side but yesterday I had snowflakes put on them. For me this journey started with my love of makeup so I thought I would go through my whole process of doing my makeup when I have the time to do everything which is about a 2-hour process. So lets start as if I was getting out of bed in the morning and I had all the time I needed to get ready. Here is a picture of everything I will use today.

I start with brushing my teeth and then at the end I actually brush my lips to exfoliate them. the second step is to run my electric razor quickly over my face more to trim then clean shave. Next I use hot soapy water to wash where I just ran my razer, this is more to get the facial hair wet and by trimming the ends off it penetrates the hair better. When I wash the soap off with warm water I actually get my whole face wet and then just tap dry with a towel to remove excess water. Now with my face still damp I take Baby oil in my hand and rub on my face starting on the lower part where I will shave and eventually my whole face. The last pre shower step is to take a really soft bristle toothbrush with more baby oil and I once again spend a couple minutes brushing my lips to soften them. now it is time for my shower, I wash my hair and body but for my face I just let the water run on it to mix with the baby oil. Just before I get out of the shower I rub a little hair conditioner on my face where I will shave. I towel off after my shower leaving my face and neck damp. Now it is time to shave and while I was in the shower my can with my shave gel was in a cup of hot water to warm it up. I actually shave twice once with downward strokes with the hair grain and then more shave cream and this time I go up and side to side. I can get a really smooth shave this way with very little irritation to my face even if I shave several days in a row. The last step is to wash my face with dove bar soap and cold water to remove any left-over baby oil on the skin. I also use an astringent to deep clean and tighten my pores. I wait a few minutes and then I use my moisturizer all over my face and wait several more minutes and the last step is a face primer. Which I also let set a few minutes and now my face is ready to start. Above picture is no makeup at all.

My first step is foundation and today I will use 2 shades plus a concealer, these pictures are with just foundation and concealer. One foundation is lighter than the other and I use that on the middle of my face, forehead, nose, below eyes and around the outer part of my eyes and around my lips with a cosmetic blender. The darker foundation I use along my jaw line and down my neck and around my hair line down past my ears to my jaw encircling my face. The last part of this step is the concealer which is way lighter and I use for my eye lids as a primer and below my eyes and blend down and out just to brighten the under-eye area. These pictures are just with foundation and ready for the next step.

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The next step is the shaping and contouring of my face. For this I use a foundation stick in the shade cocoa which really is dark as you can see in the picture. I start up at my temple and draw a line in kind of a C shape down past my ears to the corner of my jaw and then part way down my jaw line. I also draw I slight arched line from up by the top of my ear down below my cheek bone and slightly up so, I also draw a line on either side of my nose and yes it looks a little funny at this point. I then use my finger to blend the line on either side of my nose tarting in the corner of my eye down along the nose towards the check. I then use my finger starting at the temple and blend downward in small circular motions, down along my face past my ears and down my jaw line always pulling it lower. The last is the line from my ear towards my nose, it still looks a little harsh but the last step is to use my blender sponge which still has a little foundation on it to soften it out with a final blending.

With the contouring of my face blended in the next step is blush, highlighter and face powder. The blush is first and I put it on the apple of my cheeks just above where I contoured and pull it down to blend it into the top part of the contour. Next is the highlighter and the one I have is a MAC one with 3 shades. I use the middle shade on the very top of the apple of my cheek and yes slightly on the blush and down the bridge of my nose. The darker highlighter I use at the outer corner of my eyes and a little on my middle forehead just above my eye. The lightest shade of the highlighter I use just a little on the tip of my nose to give it a slight upward turning look and a little right on the cupid’s bow of my lips. I finish it off with some face powder which I pad on lightly except for under my eyes where I use more powder as this will catch any fallout from my eye shadow.

Now it is time to start on my eyes and I always start with my brows. I use Maybelline Brow Tattoo as it stays on really well but I don’t use the sponge tip applicator but instead a small brush which is beside it in the picture above. Now I have very sparse brows and the one above my right eye is a little higher then my left eye. I start on my right brow on the inner corner and draw a line up to the highest point on my brow above the outer corner but just slightly under my natural line. I then bend that line down to get the arched shape and then fill in going lower but keeping it even thickness. On my left eye I do the same but as this is a little lower on this one I go just a little higher than the natural line. They are still a little off but not bad. The look is pretty dramatic from my normal brows.

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Now it is time for the eye shadow, I start with the darkest color I am going to use and go slightly under my eye to about the midpoint as this will make my eye look wider apart. From the outer corner I go up at the same angle coming off my lower eye lid towards the outer edge of my brow and about halfway up. It kind of looks like a winged eye liner at this point. I then put more on the upper lid bringing it to the midpoint of my eye trying to match the same spot as below my lid. I then blend the winged portion in on my eye lid filling it in more as you can see in the picture and softening the look.

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Now it is time to fill in the rest of my eye shadow. The I use the shade I want on my lid from the corner of my eye to the dark which today is a coppery gold shade which I follow my eye lid out to the dark color. Now I use the second darkest color and bring it over towards the midpoint of my eye in the crease. I use a slightly less dark shade right above this and finish it with the lightest shade right below my brow. Now I do a little more blending of all the colors to soften it a little. with my eyes all done I now brush off all the face powder. We are getting really close now just one final step

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The last step is eye liner, mascara and lipstick, this is where the look all comes together. I start with my eye liner stick and do the total bottom water line from the inner corner to the outer corner and do the same on the top lid just below the lashes. I then use my liquid eye liner and go just above the lash line from the inner corner to the outer corner with the thinnest part on the inner part of my eye and slightly thicker on the outer corner. While that dries I turn my attention to my lips. I really like the Maybelline matte lip ink which stays on incredibly well and today I am using the color Artist which is a pinky red. I do my bottom lip first and I try to follow my natural lip line from the corner to the bottom and then I slightly over draw between the corner and bottom to give my lips a more round shape. I then do the same thing on the top lip, as I think this gives me a nice shape and slightly pouty look but you have to be careful as you can over do it and make your lips look to full. Now I finish it off with Mascara and I am done unless I am doing false eye lashes which I only do for special occasions.

This is the final look and I was happy with it. Now it is time to get dressed, jewelry, hair and finally perfume. Just about a 2-hour experience. Hope you liked the pictures.

Now I am ready for my day and I started with the wedding dress I got from Nicole. It is off the shoulder and the lower part zips up the back but the upper part is laced up in back. Now it is just a little too small as I can’t get the zipper up all the way I come up about 2 inches short but the top works because of the lasing so yes I am going to keep it even though I really will never wear it other than for pictures today and I figured today was perfect as I did the full makeup routine like any woman would do on their wedding day. And yes there are a couple pictures below of me in the dress.

Now it was time to get dressed to go to Starbucks and my normal Sunday Starbucks is only open till 6pm tonight and it was already 2:30 as with stopping to take pictures at each step it took me 2 ½ hours today to get read. I got my computer and off I went. I got to Starbucks a little before 3pm and went in and yes there were people here but a couple tables along the window were open. I ordered my hot chocolate and then sat down and started on todays blog as it will be a long one. I had been here about 30 minutes when the man I always see came in and he sat at a table along the window leaving one table between us. Shortly after the lady I see here most Sundays also came in and there was 1 table between me and the man on my right and 2 tables between me and the man on my left and she chose the table to my left but the one right next to me instead of next to the other man. I wrote most of this blog and then just relaxed on my computer till about 5:30 before going home for dinner. It was a great day and the start to a New Year.

Thanks for reading my long blog and sharing this part of my life with me

 

Monday night zoom meeting with friends

It is another Monday and that means time with my friends in our zoom meeting tonight. Now I have been thinking about how I want to do my makeup tonight. Now I always wear Maybelline superstay long wear lip stick as it stays on all day even through eating but tonight, I wanted to try a new one. Last Monday when I was out shopping I got a new MAC Russian Red lip stick and it really is a beautiful red and as I won’t be eating tonight as Susan, I figured it was the perfect chance to wear it. Now to also make the color pop I went with a lighter shade of foundation as I think it looks better with a more pale skin tone, and of course my long blonde wig. It is a little harder look to do but if it turns out it really is a pretty look. I started getting ready a little after 5 and took my time and yes, I spent almost 2 hours getting ready tonight including a few different outfits, I settled on a dark blue dress. I have a few dresses that I bought that actually fit me but are too short when I sit so, I don’t wear them out but I figured at home sitting on the couch on video it would be fine. I was all ready by 6:55 and got a few pictures before starting the meeting right at 7. Let me know what you think of my look tonight.

Now there were already girls waiting and tonight we would have 12 of us, Melissa, Sherri, Jeanie, Danielle, Danika, Emily, Lynn, Tori, Nicole, Trish, Jennifer and me. It was great to see them and just talk and catch up. It really is about just being social and interacting with each other even if only on a video chat. We talked till a little after 8 before it was time for Jennifer’s question of the week and it was what would be your ideal shopping trip. Now the one thing we pretty much all agreed on its going with someone else and it was 1 or 2 others with us as we felt that was the right amount and yes maybe have lunch during the trip which is really how I like to do it. some felt having a Cis woman with you would be best and yes, I have gone shopping with Peggy and it is a lot of fun but for me it s just sharing it with someone else as you end up talking a lot, maybe more then shopping. Now one of the girls talked about having a personal shopper and yes that would be awesome. I remember years ago when I was first going out shopping, I drove up towards Seattle to a mall up there and went to the Nordstrom’s and a really nice sales lady helped find a skirt and showed me to the dressing room so I could try it on. Now the funny part is as I was trying it on, she was bringing me more items, tops to go with the skirt and a few more skirts. I was probably in the dressing room for 30 minutes trying on different looks and yes, I would come out and ask her opinion and she was pretty honest as she said some of them didn’t work for me. It was a wonderful experience and I think I did buy one of the skirts and tops.

Now for me I have thought about this and for me the one thing I have always wanted to do would be to go to a bridal store and try on wedding dresses and maybe maid of honor dresses, you know fancy type dresses. Now I have no place to wear such a dress but it would be so much fun and to get some pictures. Now if you read my blog, you know I like watching Hallmark movies and they are all the same mostly romance and a lot of time you see the bride to be going to try on wedding dresses with her mom and maid of honor and it really does look like so much fun. I guess it would have been the same at a young age going to try on prom dresses. These are some of the wonderful things young girls and ladies get to enjoy in their life that young boys and men never get to experience. Now I realize I will probably never get to do this but it is wonderful to think about. Now thinking about shopping with someone else the other thing is women will help each other, find things for them to try on and give them an honest opinion on outfits. Have you ever seen a man getting clothes for his friend in a dressing room to try on or telling him how good he looks in an outfit? As I have said it is wonderful to be female even if only part time to get to share this wonderful part of life. It was a wonderful discussion thanks for such a wonderful question, Jennifer.

Now we talked more and it was almost 9 before girls started to sign off and yes once you lose the first one you seem to lose others and by about 9:15 it was down to just Sherri and me so we got to talk for a while just the 2 of us which is nice as you really get to know the other person better. We talked for maybe 15 minutes and it was nice, Sherri is a lucky woman as she has a supportive wife and a great friend to help her, yes if you must have a helpful friend to help you having an aesthetician (beauty expert for MAC) is hitting the lottery. It was really nice and Sherri hopes to be able to come to Portland more often over the winter. She wasn’t sure she could make it on a Wednesday night but that is okay as I told her I would be willing to do other nights as I am always happy for another night as Susan especially if I can get together with someone. I also told her I could probably get a few others to go out if I had a little bit advance notice.

Well it was about 9:30 when I closed down the meeting for the night, it is always sad to see the evening and yes, this week will be little Susan time as we don’t have a dinner this week as most of the girls are out of town and it looks like I will have family in town next weekend so it may be next Monday before I get some Susan time again.

Now a funny thing, as I was getting up, I wanted to check my lipstick and see how it still looked and I was using my camera and I accidently took a candid picture of myself. Now I was leaning over and my hair was falling forward and it kind of gave me the big hair look from the 80’s. I went back and forth and somehow, I kind of like the look, will be interesting to hear other thoughts.

Be safe and be happy and thanks for reading my blog and be sure and read my most recent blog to see what is new in my life.

Friday and a full day of Susan

Ok I have all day Friday free so it will be a Susan day although I will get a late start. Last month on my vacation when I went shopping with Peggy for the day we had stopped at Nordstrom’s
MAC counter and found out they were doing a beauty event this week. Well any way yesterday I called and set up an appointment to get my makeup done, they are kind of mini makeovers about 30 minutes and as I waited so long the only time I could get was noon. So that would be my first stop as they just wanted me to do my foundation and nothing else so I was not about to go out looking like that.

I got ready and I did my eyebrows also so by 11 I was already, trust me looking in the mirror and just having foundation on and nothing else was not that flattering. It may work for woman but not for me. I got to Nordstrom’s at Clackamas at about 11:45 and walked in very conscious of how I looked. I went straight to the MAC counter and checked in and they were ready for me. Now they had chairs set up and I got to sit right in front of the counter almost in the door way coming in from the mall facing the mall, about as center stage as you can get. The young lady who helped me was named Moani and was very nice. She asked me what I wanted and I really had no idea so I just told her a nice look for going out tonight and she took it from there. Now it is an interesting experience as I had another woman sitting to my right and a young girl to my left, she was 11 and her mom brought her in for the makeover. Moani started on my eyes and did a really nice job kind of a subtle Smokey eye look that really could be for day or evening. She then did some contouring on my face and some highlighter and then my lips. Moani was very pleasant and talked to me the whole time. It really was fun. She finished about 12:30 so a little over the 30 but it was great. I did buy the highlighter set. As I liked the way it looked on me and I felt I should buy something for the experience. Moani was awesome as were all the girls working here, I would highly recommend them if you need some MAC cosmetics or just some help or advice.

Moani told me to come back any time and also asked for my phone number and said she would put me in her contacts and let me know when they do these events again. I looked really good and I thanked her. Now as I was at the mall I walked out into the mall and looked around for a while. I went into several stores including Victoria’s Secret but didn’t buy anything. It really was just window shopping today as the reason I went here was to get the makeover. I left the mall a little after 2 and wanted to get closer to home and beet the traffic. On the way back, I did stop and get my car washed as it really needed it and also went and got lunch at the Wendy’s I have been going to and yes once again it was all females working today.

After that I went to the Starbuck’s by my house, I got there a little after 3 and they were busy. The only open table was in the corner by the door with the high seats which I don’t like as I like to be able to put my feet on the ground. Being the only table, I took it and figured I would move once one of the other tables open up which it did about 15 minutes later so I picked up my stuff and moved.

Now on a side note as you all know one of my neighbors found out about Susan several years ago in October of 2012, wow doesn’t seem like 5 ½ years ago, and she has been fine with it and has never brought it up and all the times I have left or come back home she has seen me many times in my car but she has never brought it up and always treated me the same but I have sometimes wished she would bring it up and ask me any questions she has. Or maybe we would get home one time at the same time and she would see me in person other than just in the car or that brief few seconds I was on TV but that is all it has been. At least till know.

As I was moving my stuff to the other table there she was, she was in Starbucks getting a drink. I heard her say high Neighbor so we talked for a few minutes as she waited for her drinks. This is the first time she has seen me this close in person. Turns out she had just got her nails done at the salon next door to Starbuck’s, I use the one across the street. Any way we talked a little while longer before she headed home. As she was leaving she told me I looked really good which made me feel good. You know the funny thing is it felt perfectly normal to be talking to her and I really wasn’t even thinking about how I was dressed. We were just two neighbors talking. After she left I wondered if I should have told her not to tell anyone about this side of me as she does know my parents who as far as I know do not know about this side of me but she has known my parents for several years now and I am guessing if she was going to tell them she would have by now.

Now I was back to my normal time at Starbuck’s and I got out my computer and caught up on some e-mails. I worked on my blog for a while also. I really do like writing my blog as Susan while I am out. I will probably spend a few hours here at Starbuck’s and then will figure out what I will do for the rest of the evening. If I do something more today I will add to my blog for tomorrow as I plan on going out Saturday night also.

Thanks for reading and be sure and keep up with what is new in Susan’s life on my most recent blog.

A fun Saturday for Susan

Well today Susan was going to have an awesome day. Cassie one of the girls from our group has in the past set up makeup classes at Nordstrom’s through the MAC counter, turns out she does a lot of shopping here and knows most of the employees personally. Now I have never been able to make it to any of the other classes but today I was able to make it and I have been looking forward to it all week. The class was on eye brows and what could be more fun than learning makeup tip, I know going to Nordstrom’s to the MAC counter as Susan.

The class was at 4 pm which would mean leaving my house by 3:15 as it was at the Washington Square Nordstrom’s so I would be out during the day on a Saturday at a busy mall. Now normally I would wear Capri’s, or slacks with a nice top but being Saturday and the fact our group was going to Harvey’s tonight and I would not have time to go home and change I did wear a dress to go shopping. It was a nice black dress and medium heels. I was ready and out the door right on schedule and on my way. I got to Washington Square about 3:50 and being Saturday it was busy so I went and parked in the parking garage and walked into Nordstrom’s and headed to the cosmetic section. Now walking into a crowded store like Nordstrom’s on a Saturday after non is something I would have never done just a couple years ago but today I really didn’t give it a second thought, just parked and walked in.

I got to the MAC counter right at 4 thinking I would be late and it turns out I was the first there. I wasn’t even sure how many were coming. Thai Carr the MAC makeup artist came over and introduced herself to me and told me Cassie had called and was caught in traffic, she was so nice actually all the ladies working there were awesome and all said hi to me, Nordstrom’s really does have awesome customer service, they also all commented on how nice my wrap looked and it really does. Now the cosmetic section was packed and the MAC counter was the busiest so there were all kinds of people there and I just browsed with the rest of them. I talked with several of the girls at the MAC counter while waiting and I guess it was about 4:15 When Laura showed up so I wasn’t there by myself. Maybe 5 minutes later Cassie showed up and it was time to start. Now in the past they held these classes in one of their rooms but as there were so few of us and they had the room Thai had set up some chairs right in the cosmetic section by the MAC counter so we would be out with all the other customers.

The class was great and Thai did an awesome job, she explained how to do the eye brow, where it starts, ends and where the high point should be. She showed several different products brow pencil, gel, powder and how to use them by themselves or combined with each other and the looks were very different. I actually learned a lot plus it was fun to watch her do different eyebrows on the model. What cool jobs, being able to do makeup on people all day or even being the model and having them do your makeup over and over. She spent about an hour teaching us and then after asked if we had any questions about anything else so I took the opportunity to ask some questions I have had including how to do the winged or cat eye eyeliner which Thai was only too happy to show us. It was really an awesome after noon and I did get a couple pictures but being blonde forgot to ask Cassie and Laura if they minded me posting them in my blog so I cropped this one just so I would have a picture, after all one must have a picture of such a fun day. This is Thai and me after the class and yes I did spend some money, bought the eye brow pencil and the shadow duo as I am almost out of the one I have been using and also needed some more of the Studio Fix makeup as I love the coverage I get from this so I am willing to pay more after all Susan is worth it. If you are in the Portland area and want some help and a fun experience I would highly recommend Thai Carr at the MAC counter at Nordstrom’s at Washington Square.

After the class Cassie and I went upstairs and looked at some dresses and of course Cassie talked to everyone, seems she knows almost everyone in the store. It was fun to walk around the store and shop, it is funny as we walked around the store the busiest section was the cosmetic section. I would say half the people shopping there were in the cosmetic section.

Well it was time to go and I was off on my own walking out to my car and again felt totally at ease. It was about 5:45 now so I headed to Fox and Hound as I was meeting my friends there around 7 as we always meat here when we go to Harvey’s as parking is so much better here and it is only a 7 block walk to Harvey’s. I got there about 6:15 and Jan was already there so I joined her. It wasn’t long before others started to show up. We had a fun time talking as we didn’t need to leave for Harvey’s till 8:30. Now we had a big group tonight going to Harvey’s I think 23 so it was going to be a fun night. Loraine even was able to go and she brought a couple of her friends with her. I think by the time we left for Harvey’s we had 15 of us there so off we went 15 of us walking down the streets of Portland and yes it was cold out, right about freezing and the only thing that got cold were my toes as I wore open toed heels.

We got to Harvey’s and the rest of our group was already there waiting in the lounge. There was one other big group of 24 there also, turns out it was one of their birthdays, I think his name was Dan. Any way he and a couple of his group started talking to Jan and I about Harvey’s and the shows as we told them we came here all the time. Any way Jan and I put are arms around him so one of his friends could get a picture and before we knew it I think everyone in his group had their cameras out and were taking pictures. Well of course they also had some questions about us and our group of which Jan and I were only too happy to answer. We ended up talking to them for about 30 minutes while we waited to go in to the showroom.

Well we finally got inside and Kim who is an awesome person and always our waitress was there and she already had our tables reserved for us. She really does take good care of us and always looks forward to the nights we come; she even greets us all by name. If you are ever in Portland and want a fun night out Harvey’s is an awesome choice for a fun night out. The show was great as always but I think I liked the featured comedian better than the headliner. This is always such a fun night out, Loraine and her friends sat with me. We actually had 6 tables so this was our biggest group I think we have had at Harvey’s. After the show Kim gave us all a hug and said she would see us next month.

Well it was almost midnight and we walked back to Fox & Hound, a few of us went inside to get warm as my toes were again frozen. Lorain’s two friends had left as they were going to another club so I told Lorain I would give her a ride home as they had all came down on the bus and I didn’t want her to have to take a bus home at this time of night plus it was nice to have someone ride with me even if only part of the way. It really was a fun day all the way around.

Thanks for reading.

Super Bowl Sunday party

Well this was a busy weekend for Susan. After going out Friday night I set my sights on Sunday and Super Bowl. Peggy and Cassandra were throwing a party, they are so great as they have held several parties now at their house and they always have lots of food. Thanks for all you two do for our group. Well anyway as they no longer sell the makeup I have used (max Factor pan stick) for several years I needed to find a new makeup that would give me the coverage I need to cover my beard shadow. Now I have heard from lots of woman (both TG and GG) that Mac is the best so I decided that was what I wanted to try. I also knew this was a lot more money than the drug store brand I have been using so I wanted to get the right color the first time so you all know what that means. I would have to go in without makeup on which for me was boy mode.

So Saturday night I went to Nordstrom’s at Lloyd Center. Now I love going to the makeup counter but it is a little more intimidating in boy mode. Luckily it was late in the evening and they were not really busy. there was a young man and woman working there and I really hoped the young lady would get done with her customer first as I thought it would be easier but as luck would have it she took longer so the young man came over and asked if he could help me. I told him what I needed (coverage) and he started to explain about the different make up types. Then he said it would help him if he knew what I was using it for so I went ahead and told him I liked to dress up every once in a while. This seemed perfectly normal to him and he told me what I needed was Studio Fix fluid spf15. He then tested some different shades on my jaw till we found the right shade and he even showed me how to layer it till I got the coverage I needed. He was very helpful and very nice and even gave me his card and told me if I needed anything else or wanted more help on how to apply the different makeup to give him a call. In all it went very well so I will give him a plug his name is Christian Gatlin Mac counter at Nordstrom’s Lloyd Center.

Sunday I was so looking forward to the party and of course trying my new foundation. I figured it was a good time as if it didn’t look right I would be at a party at a house instead of out in public. As I got ready I found the foundation very easy to work with and it did a really good job. The coverage was as good if not better than the one I was using and it looked a lot more natural. The only down side was cost. $26 compared to the $9 for the Max Factor. I will jump ahead as I am talking about the foundation, when I got home some 10 hours later I still had great coverage and the makeup still looked fresh and clean where as the Max Factor usually looked a little old after I would get home from being out. So for that reason I have found a new foundation as it looks better longer.

Anyway I left for the party and as I was driving there I realized I forgot the stuff I bought to bring so I stopped at Albertsons (I love to shop as Susan) and went in to pick up some stuff. I only spent about 15 minutes inside and didn’t have any problems. I got to the party and there were already quite a few t-girls there. Cass made her tostacos which she has been bragging about for weeks and she has every right to brag, they were awesome. I lost track of how many people were there but I would guess 30 or more.

We had such a great time, we played Yahtzee, watched the game, took lots of pictures and Maya even tried on a few of Cassandra’s wigs. We took so many pictures and Maya looked awesome in the blonde wig. I posted one of the pictures of her and I on my flickr page as she looked so cute as a blonde. The party was so fun and everyone had a great time. A big thanks to Peggy and Cassandra for hosting it, you two are awesome.

It was a long day and as I said above when I got home I still looked good. The Studio Fix Foundation looked great about all that would have been needed was a little powder (shiny nose). I am sure all you ladies out there know this feeling but I am really happy with it and will buy it again.