Seeing Carla's

Day one Thursday February 5

Carla's is a crossdresser's salon, boutique and club in nearby San Jose. My chat room pen pal, Karen Andrews, has mentioned it to me, I check the web page and decide to go first hand to see the place. I dressed "en'Femme" all women's clothes, but still looking very male. The outfit in the picture to the left, but without the breasts, hips, makeup, or wig. Headed over to Carla's, leaving plenty early to allow time to find the place. She includes instructions and a map on her home page, but no GPS coordinates; so I knew I'd get lost. Yes, wrong way onto the freeway and then nearly every wrong road near the place, until I finally spotted the parking lot from an adjacent back alley. I recognized it from the photo of her RV on the web. Turns out, Carla's is only 5-6 miles from my old home. One hundred thirty from my new home.

Well KT and I arrive an hour early for our appointments. I was to get my hair evened up. I've been letting it grow out for the last year and needed some work to freshen the ends. I still want it longer, so she didn't take off much. KT had acrylic nails applied. Her nails have always looked terrible and she has been jealous of my long nails, before I snapped them off mixing concrete. Now my nails look horrible. Anyway, there was a group of about seven meeting with a reporter from a local small newspaper in Santa Cruz, doing a story on crossdressers. This was a surprise; Carla asked me if I wanted to join in. Of course I did! Two in the group were en'Femme, Joanie and Danielle, the webmistress for Carla. Questions and answers, thoughts on dressing. The reporter, Kelly a GG, wanted to get some pictures en'Femme and said that a photographer would be back next Thursday for for pics. Well darn, I was going to be back in the bay area next week for a garage sale anyway, excellent excuse to dress and drive across town in daylight.

By this time, Carla had finished KT's fingernails. Beautiful red with gold specks. Well if I'm going to be at Carla's next week, might as well kill two birds. So I make an appointment to get my nails done then. Spent some time browsing through the boutique and found a great skirt, white alligator skin leather substitute (naughyde) and it's short and in my size. But maybe another day for the skirt. I'll have to find some go-go boots to wear with it first. After getting my hair trimmed, sat around and chatted with the girls. Turns out, Joanie is a pilot also. Birds of a feather, right! Danielle wants to get some CD couples together. Sounds like a new adventure coming up. Also discover they are going to have a Valentine's dance this Friday night. Wow, this does sound fun. How come I find out about this place, after moving to another town? I know I'm going to be making trips back to the bay area to visit here.

Barbie's First Dinner Out En'Femme

Well the plan for this weekend is to meet Karen Andrews and her SO, Janie. We have written each other and have planned to go to dinner and drinks Friday and brunch Saturday en'Femme. So I stop by several places that might be good to dress up and dine out. Brunch at the 94th Aero Squadron overlooking the San Jose Airport. Good spot during daylight hours to watch planes. Arthur's, an upscale restaurant that looks dressy and where a velvet dress would fit in. The prices are higher than what I like, but the first time dressed out for dinner should be special. Another possible spot, Peppermill, a step down from Arthur's, but still very nice atmosphere with a fireside lounge. The gas fireplace is in the middle of a pool of water with the flames just coming up from the water's surface. It has sunken seating surrounding it. Either place looks good, and I decide Karen's choice would be mine.

I stop by the market on the way home to pick up some cheese, snack crackers, strawberries and champagne for Friday evening as the two couples meet for the first time and chat together before dressing and departing for dinner. A few minutes after getting home, the phone is ringing. I had heard on the car radio that highway 101 was going to be closed at high tide in Marin county due to the heavy rains and flooding. Karen would likely be coming that way, and I just knew it was her and that the weather was going to prevent our outing. Well yes and no. It was Karen, but no problem. Turns out they had bought champagne also. Good sign, we think alike. We chat for 10-15 minutes on the phone. I tell Karen about the possibilities and ask when they have to leave Saturday. The 94th doesn't open until 11AM and I'm concerned they may have to leave before then. Turns out they can be here until 6PM Saturday and pop a surprise on me. Maybe a movie matinee Saturday afternoon, as well. WOW again, this is going to be a wild weekend. Plus she wants to bring extra dresses and take photos and do a fashion show. Naturally this sounds just wonderful. I had brought my little 35mm and more than enough clothes also. We'll both do fashions and photos. I mention to bring swim suits and we can hit the hot tub in the rain and drink champagne.

Only question at the moment is squeezing it all in. I want to do it all. Champagne & Strawberries, Fashion Show & Pictures, Dinner & Dance, Brunch & Matinee, Hot Tub & Shopping. Oh yes, there was talk of shopping at the thrift store En'Femme as well. Does it get any better?

Day two Friday February 6

Well a slow day of waiting, but Karen & Janie finally arrive. Both girls are anxious to change and start the weekend. Crackers, cheese, veggies & dip, strawberries & champagne are set up and ready to munch on, as we get acquainted. By 9:30 we decide if the dance at Carla's is to be included; we better move out. El Nino has been working hard to dampen the weekend, but our spirits are high as we head over to Carla's. Unfortunately we discover a SNAFU and that Friday dance was really happening Saturday. But Carla's is open and Arlene, the keyboard musician, gives us the cook's tour of Carla's. We chat for a while and decide to head to Peppermill for dinner.

Second oops. Even though it has been pouring down rain; the parking lot is jam packed. We discuss it and decide venturing into a crowded lounge and having to stand in line and wait en'Femme was more than we wanted to attempt. I had a second reason to confess: my 5" heels were killing me. It is clearly obvious that walking over rough, wet parking lots in the rain is best not attempted in 5" heels. Maybe, just maybe, there is a reason to own shorter heels. Perhaps, even with broader heels than my stiletto points.

So we drive back home, finish off another bottle of champagne and the rest of the snacks. Start having a fashion show and taking pictures of the outfits. Part of the show was to decide what to wear the next day for brunch and the matinee. The fashion show ended with bathing suits. By this time, it is just after midnight, and all suited up; we get in the hot tub. Soak in the hot water and chat and finish off another bottle of wine. While we hot tubbed, the rain had ceased; but started again two hours later. Strange, how rain puts a damper even on aquatic activities. Sitting in the tub of hot water is fun, but cold rain drops on a girl's forehead seems like Chinese water torture. We are finally beginning to run down; but still having a blast talking about dressing. Nearly 2:30, I finally slip into a nightgown and get some sleep.

Barbie's First Shopping En'Femme

Day three Saturday February 7

Sleep in, get up and pick out the clothes for brunch and movie. The 94th opens at 11 and we arrive 20 minutes later. The storm is blowing straight down the runway and the rain drops are nearly at a 45 degree angle. The runway in use is one two and the planes are taking off to the south. Typically the runway would be three zero, allowing a better view, since the planes taxi right pass the restaurant to take off. Headsets tuned to the ground control frequency are provided; allowing listening to the radio chatter between the tower and air crews.

El Nino has caused some new experiences for me. First is that as Barbienot, I always drive and thus get into cars on the left front side. As Barbie, I'm I'm seated in the back right side. No major difference, except the car is next to the curb with no space between the car and curb. High heels and a medium length skirt would be interesting enough, but I also have that new umbrella to contend with. Folding it up, stooping down, turning, sliding in and folding high heeled legs up and into the back seat. This is all new and very unladylike for me. Getting out, likewise is a new experience and pouring rain and winds wanting to turn the umbrella inside out are not making it any easier, either. Girls walk around rain puddles and it becomes apparent why. High heels don't keep water out with the thin soles and short freeboard.

Driving over, we discuss the previous night and our reluctance to go into Peppermill. We decide part of it was the snacks and nibblies we ate before. Our appetites were ruined. This is not a problem Saturday morning, however. The girls are starved. Nothing is going to stop us from eating. Dresses or not; we ARE going to eat out.

The 94th is set up to look like a WW1 British airfield with old vintage trucks and biplanes scattered about. You cross an uneven concrete cobble stone terrace, through double doors in what could be an old French farmhouse and barn. Inside, a circular wooden staircase spirals upward to the left to enter the restaurant. We are the first customers and the place isn't quite in gear, yet. But standing in front of the large fireplace did help dry the rain from where it found our clothes, even with the umbrellas. I now notice how useless umbrellas are. The wig has kept my head dry, the jacket kept my sweater dry, my skirt isn't too wet; but my legs are shivering in wet nylons, from exposing so much leg in exiting the backseat. I decide that returning to the car I'd not worry about the umbrella and try to keep my legs drier. We are asked if we have reservations, the place is empty; and we get seated at a choice table next to the windows overlooking the runways.

I was wearing a black skirt and jacket, pink sweater, with black 2" heels, black purse and my blonde wantabe wig. Very conservative, almost a suit like appearance. KT had been wearing a pretty knit pink skirt the night before; and I just had to try it on. I mean, I even have pink heels, and the idea of pretty in pink sounded like my style. Short tight pink skirt, bulky pink sweater, sweet little pink shoes. But to draw less attention I opted for the suit look. KT wore the short pink skirt and I knew with her legs, she'd draw the eyes of observers away from me.

Brunch was a complete success, but I made certain not to drink much fluid, having only half a glass of ice water. I'm still not ready to make a his / hers bathroom choice. Not so for KT, who ordered coffee and had refill after refill; not counting the coffee pot she drained at home. The waitress and hostess treated us just like a group of four ladies, nothing was said, no smirks, no snickers, though I'm positive they knew two of the ladies were a bit strange looking with large hands.

I would fail in my duty not to mention the chairs at the 94th are terrible, however. Must have been designed by Frank Llyod Wright. Perfectly square, upright and force a girl into good posture. No slouching here, please. Maybe a tight boned corset would help the comfort level; for any girls out there deciding to visit the 94th.

Brunch went so well, and Karen & I are feeling so good about it; that we decide a movie in Saratoga is really a great idea, to top the day. Karen has gone out to movies twice en'Femme with Janie. But the movie we picked won't start until 2:20 and its just after 1:00. Time to kill; and Karen needs a scarf, so we decide to hit the mall.

Amazing weather, pouring rain, flooded gutters, streams flowing down the streets, and traffic everywhere. The mall parking lot is jammed. What is this? After Christmas sales were a month ago. But we find a parking spot around the back side of the mall and walk in. The entrance has ceramic tiles with the yellow cones scattered around warning that the surface is wet and slippery. Glad I'm wearing the shorter heels, I watch my step and cross to the doors with no problem. Pull open the glass doors and step inside. Get a few looks, but no hassle. Walk down the hall to the main concourse. Men, women, boys, girls coming and going. Some look, but say nothing. This is actually going far better than I expected.

After strolling about half way up one side of the mall; troubles arise. An innocent looking sign proclaims that restrooms are to the left. The GG's in the foursome decide its time to go. I look down the corridor to the restrooms. Its long, wide, and empty. No problem, besides gets me out of the main flow of traffic. So the four of us walk down the corridor to the restrooms. I don't have to do anything and neither does Karen, but KT & Janie vanish into the ladies' room. Oh joy, standing outside the women's room trying to look invisible. Now a few people wander down also. A few teenage girls go by and giggle and walk in. A couple families take their kids in. Finally Janie comes out, but no KT. I ask Janie about KT and I'm told she'll be right out. So Karen and Janie walk back up the corridor and stand in the main traffic flow, waiting. I still remain outside waiting for KT. When Janie came out she related how the teenage girls were giggling and talking about the "Fred" outside who doesn't know whether to use the men's or women's restroom.

My confidence level is beginning to erode. I look down the hallway to Karen and Janie; just standing there, as shoppers walk by, looking them over. At least, when we were moving, we had something to keep our minds occupied. But just standing there, trying to look invisible, isn't working. Reader's familiar with Wagner's Ring Cycle; know about the Tarnhelm, a magic gadget that makes the wearer invisible. Even a rusty Tarnhelm would have been welcome. Tick,.. tick,..tick. Will this never end? What the heck is KT doing in there anyway? Reading a Frederick's catalog? Tock,.. tock,.. tock. The wait continues. Must have been 10 minutes, finally she emerges with a smile on her face. What gall! We walk back to Karen and Janie and are quickly informed that Karen has had enough erosion also. Lesson learned: Don't let the SO drink every drop in the coffee pot either.

We head back to the car, a bit shaken; but still having a good time. However, we did have enough public exposure for one day and decide the movie will be saved for another adventure out. Besides, if you do everything there is, there's no future adventures to look forward to. I'm already feeling comfortable riding in the backseat in traffic in daylight. Getting in and out is becoming less and less questionable. Although, I'm glad adjacent cars in the parking lot; did block the view up my skirt as I entered and exited the backseat.

So we drive back to my place and continue the fashion and photo session. KT discovers some dresses we were going to sell in the garage sale that were too small for me. Most are Karen's size, however; and we shoot a couple rolls of film of her posing in different outfits and give them to her. Karen is a very conservative dresser, no short, loud skirts for her; thank you. And with the business like lady's glasses she wears; projects an image of Dustin Hoffman and merits the nickname of Tootsie. One of Karen's outfits was a white silky pant suit that looks like it belongs to a genie. It has large baggy legs and loose top, but gathered with a tie and a fringe made of beads. Wow, what an outfit, it comes with long legged panties that are silky soft reaching down to nearly the ankles with lace around the cuffs. The suit doesn't fit her, but is glamorous, and fits me as it turns out. Karen presents it to me and loans the jewelry that goes with it to wear at the Valentine's party at Carla's later that night.

I try it on. Oh my, this is what crossdressing is all about. The feel of the silky long panties, covered by the white silky fabric of the pant suit over pantyhose just pegs the sensuous meter. Sorry Gwen, but blue jeans just don't even light up the sensuous meter in comparison. A pair of my old white 2" pumps finishes the look. And the color of my red nails just dazzles against the white fabric. Perfect outfit for the Valentine's party. Unfortunately Karen and Janie have other commitments and will not be able to attend. I can tell Karen much rather stay dressed and do Carla's; but she has to scrub off the makeup, pack up the clothes, and turn into KarenNot.

Point to mention: Karen must remove her nail polish and has a jar of Salley Hansan Instant Remover. She says it was on sale at Walgreen's recently for 99 cents. KT has pointed the stuff out to me, but I was dubious and turned it down. I asked Karen to demo how well it worked. She opened the jar, removed the seal and stuck a finger tip into the center of the sponge inside the jar. A twist to the left and a jump to the right (or was it the other way around in Rocky Horror?) She has her finger in it for 2-3 seconds and pulls it out. No polish, even around the edges and cuticles, completely clean. Repeat the process for the other nine nails and in less the half a minute - done. No muss, no fuss, and no polish remains. She points out there's two versions; one non acetone for doing acrylic nails, and since I plan to get acrylic nails applied this Thursday at Carla's; I know what I have to look for.

Sadly, Karen and Janie must leave. What a weekend it has been; and its only Saturday evening. We still have the party at Carla's to attend. Wash off the day's makeup, shave and reapply evening makeup, don the white silky pant suit. What's this? KT is wearing my wig. Well then, I'll just wear hers. Take some pics before leaving; in and out of our gold rain coats. A short 5-6 mile drive over to Carla's, park and walk in. And to think just a couples weeks ago I went for my very first en'Femme drive, now it seems like old hat. I'm greeted by Carla, who promptly ushers me back to the salon where she had to brush and comb out my wig to her satisfaction. Her talent shows; a few quick jabs, tugs, flips, brushes, and a gentle misting of spray and the wig does look right on my head. My old shake it out and wear it, definitely needs improving. About 15 girls are there, we get introduced, but there are are more names than I can remember. Carla, Jackie, Joanie, Jill, Arlene, Melanie, Ashley, Pamela, Janie ( different one). I must work on my people skills. Never had to remember names in engineering. One of the girls has some really fantastic earrings, bracelet and anklet. I ask where she got them and she says from the net at rons rhinestones.

The party was supposed to end a 11, but was going strong until 1:45. I didn't even know how late it was, until I got home and saw the clock radio. After 2AM. Looks like I'm burning the candle from both ends, nice bright flame.

Day four Sunday February 8

Sunday seems like such a let down from the previous couple days. I want to keep it continuing and decide maybe the movie idea might fly. Decide to watch "Titanic"; several girls have said it really is a movie to be watched on the giant screen in a theater. Besides, dressed en'Femme, I'm not going down with the ship. Karen had already seen it, or we would have tried it the day before. Checking the newspaper and a phone call later; KT & I decide to take in the matinee at a nearby theater. This time, I pick out more "passable" clothes of blue jeans, blouse, with rain coat and walking shoes. Real women just don't seem to wear dresses very much any more, and any girl wearing a short dress and heels is bound to be looked over closely. With the El Nino storm still raging, I make myself believe the theater will be quiet, despite the previous day's experience at the mall. KT suggests we buy some of the instant off nail polish remover also.

So I drive en'Femme to the local Walgreen's, I'm not really planning to go inside; KT can get it. But KT "finds" the perfect parking space; while she dashes into the store. Smack dab in front of the doors to the store. People are forced to see me sitting there as they come out the front door. I sit there and notice that most people don't even look at me, most are too busy doing their business to pay much attention to me. Great, I'm invisible; this is getting easier. As it turns out, the cash registers were on the blink; and the line was a long one and I sat there probably 5-10 minutes, waiting. But nothing like the event near the restroom the day before.

Driving the car in daylight is no problem either, you are invisible inside a car. We drive on over to the theater, and the parking lot is jammed. Rain doesn't seem to be a problem to anyone, but me. But I'm not that anxious to wait in a line and walk across miles of parking lot in the rain. Even in guy mode, I'd skip the thrill. So we both decide that Monday would be easier, with most folks and kids either at work or school and not in the movies. So we drive on back home. Sitting, watching the weather on the news; reveals the storm is going to have a short break by Monday morn. Unfortunately for me, that means loading up the pickup and finish moving my junk to my new home.

So here it is Monday and I'm sitting en'Femme at my computer and typing this recount of the weekend's adventures. I did manage to drive up the Sierras and unload the pickup. Followed by a short shopping spree at the local WalMart for some more Jordache women's jeans, white, red, & black; more women's tops, more lower heeled shoes and another pair of women's white walking shoes. Even bought some dainty white women's socks and now I've even see the logic for some knee hi's. I have now stolen a pair from my wife. Is this what it turns into? Needing Knee Hi's.

Oh Karen & Gwen, what have you done to me?

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