2024 Wrapped - Part Two

Last year I meant to post more on the blog but ended up doing about one per month which was at least something. I discovered that maxi skirts can look quite good on me, especially pleated ones, and were quite nice to wear in the summer when I was a little self conscious about my legs. I got some new cosplay, some of which didn't fit and others which I still need to complete. I did go to some conventions but it just felt easier to go in more casual clothes. For the coming year I would like to try and complete some of those cosplays and also learn a bit about make-up. 

Recently I've bought a new top and some new skirts, a nice red maxi one and a black one. This past weekend I bought some jewellery too. Buying new clothes still gives me a confidence boost too. There was a lovely blue and gold skirt I saw a few weeks ago which was too big for me (usually the other way around though). It's getting so I'm falling for retail tricks now. A shop I went in had some lovely cream jumpers paired with some black plaid skirts which looked like such a cute outfit. Didn't get them though but you never know, I might go back...

Recently I also rewatched Legally Blonde and while it is still a fun warm hug of a movie it now has added nostalgia vibes. Everything seemed so colourful back then. I sometimes wonder if it was genuinely a better time 20 - 30 years ago or if I was just younger and had more of my life before me. There was one line that puzzled me though. When Elle is about to jack law school in she swears off wearing suits and pantyhose. Suits I understand but are pantyhose mainly worn by professional women in America or maybe is it just warmer over there so bare legs is more of an option whereas over here tights are worn both professionally and more casually?

I also went to see Wicked before New Year. A friend of mine really wanted to see it and although it wasn't on my list I really enjoyed it. It has high school mean girls vibes and some of the songs are more subversive than I expected. What is This Feeling? for example has the structure of a love song but it's really about two people hating each other. Then there's also the song that's been living rent free in my head which is Popular. I love it the more I listen to it. Glinda is a wonderful character. I have considered cosplaying her so who knows. Most of the men I know seem to have been dragged to this by their partners but it's probably on brand that I really enjoyed it. So anyway, I've leave you with Popular. I know, that's what makes me so nice!

2024 Wrapped - Part One

Over on Twitter they've now introduced a 'wrapped' feature so I was interested to see which were my most popular tweets/captions of the year. The results may surprise you. They did me. My three most popular caps came from later in the year and I don't know if they are the ones I would have chosen but it's interesting to see. 

So here's the countdown...in third place we have: 

The Applicant (2024)

In second place...

Skinny Dipping (2024)

And finally the winner is...

Trapped! (2024)

Of the three I think I prefer the first one and I'm quite surprised at what came top as it was quite a quick one. In fact whereas I work more on long form captions the Twitter ones are just a case of finding a picture and thinking something up and only occasionally do I plan things out. 

Although I know it's an AI and I should take everything with a pinch of salt but I think that there is some truth there. For example, apparently I seem to do bimbo captions the most of all which is surprising because I've been doing some more sissy stuff this year. It does mention a love for the Barbie movie though which I don't think is correct although I did use it for some caps in the early part of the year. Apparently my top words of the year were: Bimbo, Transformation, Sissy, Pink and Elixir. It's also nice to hear some words of praise as to my caps using a blend of humour and TF fantasy and some witty dialogue. Yes of course it's all AI BS but it's nice to think about. 

So what of my captions for Rachel's Haven? Well I haven't done that many this year but I think my favourite would be the below one for Dementia. 

Hostile Takeover (2024)

Christmas Captions #1

 Every year I have been running an advent caption calendar on Rachel's Haven which many people have contributed to over the years so I thought I would throw this year's captions in here and one from last year I liked. 

Girl on a Pearl (2023)

This one is from last year and is based on the whole 'Elf on a Shelf' thing. Not something I'm overly familiar with as it wasn't around while I was growing up. A simple idea given an Ember twist. I usually bring her back at least once a year at Christmas as she's so much fun to write for. Re-reading this I think it's the dialogue that tickled me the most. It does feel a but cringy sometimes to laugh at my own jokes but then if I don't, no-one else will. I'm especially proud of the petulant final line. The lament of many a TG caption protagonist. 

A Christmas Like Hers (2024)

This one is another Ember one and it went through a number of changes. In other versions it was more of a twinning one and they were still together but it ended up more as a jealous ex one. The 'Winter Wonderland' line was one I took from another idea with another picture I never used in the end and I'm quite pleased with the 'baby kick' line as well. People getting understandably angry with Ember is always fun. 

Stand-In Stacy (2024)

Ok here's the last one and I'm stupidly pleased with it. When I saw the photo it immediately said 'vlogger'. Here is someone giving an instructional video. The little antlers as well were an easy item you could attach to a willing victim. It's almost like a Twilight Zone twist in the tale at the end. Cute outfit too.

Pink Library #13: Twin Bullies

 As we are getting closer to Christmas, here's a very festive story about a boy who will stop at nothing to give a friend the best damn Christmas he ever had. Nothing wrong with that of course but when I say friend I mean the nerdy boy he bullies and that perfect Christmas present being turning himself into his own twin sister so that he can offer a very happy ending...I mean Christmas. 

Twin Bullies by Fibaro

This is a lovely little Christmas tale of a bully compelled to feminise himself in order to give his victim a good Christmas no matter what the expense and what's more he knows exactly what to do, what he wants and is willing to spend all his money making it true. The feminisation scenes and descriptions of his new outfits are very well done too. 

Check-Up #33

 Yes it's the end of the month so it must be me posting again trying to keep this blog somewhat productive. As ever there's a lot of things I mean to do and write about but time and energy seem to pass me by. It doesn't help that work is even worse than ever now. 

As ever I've been out dressed a few times as I've been going to some events recently. I even get the odd compliment which is always nice although sometimes the brain does tend to overthink things and I wonder if people are just being kind but then they don't have to say anything at all and at least it's better than the alternative which is all too common these days. I went to a party a few months ago and afterwards in a pub, while standing at the bar in a glittery jumper, trainers and blue maxi-skirt I was asked if I had been to see Taylor Swift. I'm not sure why, maybe it's all the glitter. Recently I went to another party in a pub (purple dress, purple tights and black cardi. The host really likes purple and it was her birthday) and while standing outside chatting to friends I had a lady come up to me to say I looked great. Also I finally plucked up the courage to wear my pink fluffy jacket which is lovely and warm. 

I'm a little more careful about buying new clothes these days but I think it's a natural progression as when you first start crossdressing there is a tendency to want all the things but that's tempered over time. I still feel a little happier when I buy new clothes though and look forward to the opportunities I have to wear them (even in this weather). Today I bought a nice dark red skirt (just below the knee) and some blue trousers. Yes, trousers. However these are the same colour as the 13th Doctor's trousers (petrol blue, in case you were wondering) so I am thinking of wearing them with my cosplay. I have got a skirt to go with that cosplay but there is a perfectionist in me who wants to get it as close to screen accurate as I could get. Might need new braces though but we'll see. Can't hurt to have a variation. 

There are lots of stories that I would love to recommend over the various sites I read and I do mean to do more blogs about them to share some of this great work. This month there is a wonderful story I have been reading this month over at The Changing Mirror and that is Blonde Ambition by tithug. This a F2F, hypnosis based slow bimbofication tale of a smart student turning into an airhead so if you like your bimbo tales then this is one I would certainly recommend. 

Finally, I've just started watching a new sitcom Smoggie Queens which is set around a LGBTQ+ friend group in Middlesborough. I'm tempted to write a bit about it now but may do later after I've seen the lot. I enjoyed the first episode and while the main character Dickie is a typical sitcom monster (especially to poor newbie Stewart) he is so himself that I have to admire him; tottering around in high heels and skimpy outfits while sporting a fine moustache. Hopefully the rest of the series won't disappoint. If you're in the UK and this very brief review has interested you, the whole series of 6 episodes is on the BBC iplayer. 

Publicity still from Smoggie Queens (BBC)

The Gender Mash

 As it's that time of year I thought I would put up something seasonal. It's been an ok month, I've had some time off and bought some new things. Also had a stressful office move today. 

Anyway, I was looking back at some of my older stuff, 10 years ago, and here is a take on one of the songs of the season - The Monster Mash. Original lyrics by Bobby Pickett with a TG twist by me. 

This was originally created for the Haven caption contest in September 2014 which had the theme 'Accident in the Lab'. 

The Gender Mash (2014)

The Maxi Skirt: A Love Story

 Well it looks like summer is over more or less and it's not normally a month I'm fond of because of body issues. It's nice to have bare legs but then there's always a worry about now matter how much you shave them, there's always going to be hair on your legs. It's taken me a while to embrace certain aspects of feminine clothing. When you're starting out it's like trying to find your own style all over again and a lot of trial and error is involved. I always liked wearing short skirts and tights but it took me a while to start wearing dresses and now I have way too many. I mean, I just bought another yesterday which is purple with some flowers on it. It fits lovely but is a little shorter than I would have liked. 

So anyway, this is the year I finally embraced the maxi skirt. I've worn them before and in particular I've always loved pleated maxi skirts but I've amassed quite a few now and this year during the heat I enjoyed wearing them and in particular a light purple one that has become a go-to item for me when I come home from work. At least it means I can still have bare legs and not worry about the odd hair that may crop up although it doesn't stop me shaving them when I go out. I've also worn a thin pink jacket on occasion when going out and it's really made me feel that my outfit is a more complete than it has been before, if that makes sense. 

This summer does seem to have been a time for maxi skirts as I've spotted quite a few out on the streets mainly a smooth, silky look in a metallic colour. Bows in the hair also seem to be more of a thing and it's something I wish I could try but I think my time for having long hair is probably passing unless I wanted to start wearing a wig. It looks so pretty though.