The Long-Awaited GORGEOUS Dress!

I promised to take a few photos in the dress my friend Gail gave me. I only liked one of the photos I took, and I didn't really like that one by much, but here it is:

The photo doesn't really convey how beautiful this dress is. I'm sorry about that! To make up for it, here are some leg pics...

For the first pic, I had layered a pair of black glossy pantyhose over a pair of even glossier nude pantyhose. The result, while slippery as can be (the black ones kept sliding down!) was underwhelming...

So I took off the black sliders and just took a photo with the SUPER glossy Super Lucido 10's (I reviewed them in a recent post). Bada bing...

So there you have it! The GORGEOUS and my obsession with photographing my legs (and pedicure) in glossy hosiery. I'm going to run off and be silly elsewhere now.

Wait! Where did November Go?

Sorry I've been so scarce!

I realize the readership of this blog is very low. Like single digits low. I blog here more for the catharsis it provides - getting things off my chest and out in the open. However, for those precious few of you who actually read this blog, I sincerely apologize for not posting for the past few weeks.

The high from venturing out with my mom and aunt has faded, and I'm looking for more. I'd really like to get out to the local gay-friendly club this Saturday to see my favorite drag performer strut her stuff. Of course, I'd love to strut mine as well! Money may be tight, though, so it may not really be possible.

In either event, I'd really like to get Marika out of the house and into the big world for at least a night.

Honestly, I've been looking for an excuse to wear the gorgeous dress my friend (I call her Gale here, not her real name) gave me back in September. I'll have to take a few photos of the dress (preferably with me in it) to give you an idea of why I gush over it so.

Of course, I'm still working on my makeup skills, with mixed results. I fiddled with my cheap-ass eye shadow last week and rather liked the results, but had to quickly wipe it all off because my beloved Larissa (also not her real name) was due home any moment, so I didn't take any photos. I've been trolling Facebook Marketplace for decent eye shadow palettes, with some success. There is a lady selling 5 palettes for less than $20 total (and a couple of them are pretty high-end), which I tried to buy last week, but the lady was out of town. If she still has them when I'm off work on Thursday, I'm going to buy them and probably use them up practicing. What's money for if you don't enjoy what you spend it on?

News, everybody!

My hat's off to you if you got the Futurama reference. If you didn't, don't sweat it. Anyway, I have an appointment with a new doctor on Thursday (29 November), and I've decided that I'm going to wear whatever the hell I like to the appointment. What's more, we have carpet cleaners coming over later the same day, and I'm not going to change just for the carpet guy. If he doesn't like what I'm wearing, he can just stick to cleaning the carpet. If he does like what I'm wearing, well, he can just stick to cleaning the carpet. I'm not paying him to ogle me and shower me with compliments. I am, however, highly susceptible to flattery, and such compliments might just result in a generous gratuity...

Back to the doctor thing! I've read many accounts of my crossdressing sisters going to see their physicians with polish on their toes or wearing pretty panties, often surprised that the medical professionals are unfazed by such things. I don't recall reading any accounts of similar meetings while wearing overtly feminine clothes. My intention, on Thursday, is to wear a dress or skirt and glossy pantyhose (of course with cute girly panties), along with obviously feminine footwear and jewelry. I'll also include some lip gloss, maybe some blush and eyeliner / shadow if I'm feeling really provocative. This is basically the mode in which I'm comfortable presenting myself to the world at large. I've ventured out into "public" many times dressed this way. I've drawn a few looks and a giggle or two, but it's comfortable for me, so the opinions of others slide off my back like water off a duck.

Why would the staff at the clinic even care? I'm not there for a makeover and they're not there to critique my outfit (God the stuff I wear in "male" mode would probably draw stronger critique), so all's good, right?

I'll try to remember to post an update after the doctor visit and after the carpet cleaner leaves. I may even ask the doctor or nurse to snap a few shots of me in my femme finery, just for you, my dear readers.

Out With Mom

My mom offered to take Marika to lunch last week, and even offered to help with my makeup if I wanted. It's tough to pass up an offer like that!

So I got all dolled up (well as dolled up as I know how to get) and off I went to mom's house. My aunt joined us and we headed to the local Latin / Asian fusion restaurant.

The restaurant was very nice, but pretty empty. Our server, Jeeta, went out of her way to call us all "ladies" several times, which was a bit strange for me, but really sweet (her tip reflected my appreciation). The food was good, the company was excellent and we all finished up and left without incident.

After dropping my mom off, I decided to join my aunt for a few errands around town. We drove to a few home improvement stores, enjoying the stares and confused looks we got from the other customers. Even though I got a few odd looks, there were no problems and everything went quite well.

Okay, enough of the blah blah blah...you want to see photos? Right on...

I even changed outfits just to see how my makeup job would look with it...

Hosiery Review - Cecilia de Rafael Eterno Super Lucido 10

I haven't done a hosiery review in a long time, and for that I apologize. I've tried a few new brands and styles of tights / pantyhose since the last review, including Gipsy Metallic tights from the UK. I promise I'll give them a review later on, but for now...

Cecilia de Rafael Eterno Super Lucido 10

Cecilia de Rafael, based in Spain, has had a huge role in defining European luxury hosiery in recent years. Their Eterno line rivals the grand dame of the glossy tights world, Platino Cleancut 15. In fact, it's been my experience that certain shades of Eterno tights out-gloss certain shades of Cleancuts, but I digress. Cecilia de Rafael has become a major contender in the glossy pantyhose marketplace.

Earlier this year, CdR released a thinner version of their Eterno Super Lucido line, this time in 10 denier rather than the previously available 20 denier. The company claimed that the 10 denier version is equal in gloss and slipperiness to their Super Lucido 20's.

I purchased a pair in the shade "Dore" from Simply Classic Hosiery (use code "SHINY" for 25% off!)

Here's my review...

The Basics

Cecilia de Rafael Eterno Super Lucido 10's are a 10-denier, glossy sheer-to-waist pantyhose. They have no gusset, no waistband and sheer toes. They are offered in 6 sizes and 5 different shades. They are manufactured in Spain and sold worldwide.

Fit

My previous experience with Cecilia de Rafael hosiery was that it fit somewhat loosely. I'm 5'8" tall and weigh just under 200 lbs, so I always opt for the largest size available. With the Eterno 15's and the Super Lucido 20's, I had no problem getting into the tights, but had to adjust (read: "pull up") them rather often, which is no fun. With these Super Lucido 10's, it was more of a challenge to get my feet and legs into them (the panty fit without a problem), but once they were situated, they stayed up quite well. The toe seams were unforgiving -- Once my foot was in the tights, no amount of tugging or gentle persuasion would get those darn toe seams to stay where they belonged. While this is a minor gripe, it can become quite uncomfortable after wearing them for a few hours with a pair of heels.

Finish

The reason people buy this sort of pantyhose (at least my main reason) is the gloss / shine of them. Glossy legs draw attention and look sexy, and this pair of tights is an excellent example of that. My Super Lucido 20's didn't seem to have this much shine to them when I first tried them. These babies look like glass on my legs! Check it out:

Observations

Though the Super Lucido 10's are only half as thick as their 20-denier contemporaries, I didn't really notice it. They didn't feel ultra sheer to me. That's not a problem, but I thought they'd feel thinner or lighter in some way.

Conclusion

These tights are EXCELLENT. Seriously! If you like shiny pantyhose, these are a MUST HAVE! I haven't owned them long enough to know if they're as resilient as the Eterno 15's or the Super Lucido 20's, but I have a feeling they are. To give you an idea, I bought my first pair of Eterno 15's about 2 years ago, and they still look brand new, even though I've worn them several times and have a history of being a bit rough on my hosiery. The price I paid for my Eterno's (about $15 US per pair) is well worth the many wearings I've enjoyed from them.