Thursday, December 31, 2020

Happy New Year!

Our best friends know us as well as we know ourselves. They support us emotionally and give us sage advice when we desperately need it.

Suzanne, a friend I met through blogging, is one such person. Suzanne invited me to visit her in Toronto several times and I've gone there to mutual delight. She always gives me valuable feedback and she inspires me to pursue dreams I've long held but felt blocked to follow. Suzanne is, in short, a perfect friend. 

(That's her above, sitting on my motorcycle, during a 2017 visit.)

Last year Suzanne encouraged me to do something I'd always wanted to do: appear in public as a woman. She booked a mani-pedi for us, arranged a professional makeup session, conducted a photo-shoot in a park, and topped the day with dinner at a nice restaurant. The experience (recorded here) is one of my most cherished memories.

Pandemic restrictions have been preventing us from engaging in favorite activities. For me, they've been an impediment to expressing my femininity in fashion posts. Before March I created outfit-posts every week or two but since then I've been unable to do more than a small few. I bemoaned this fact to Suzanne in a recent video-conversation. She listened and quietly made plans to help me get back on track.

Suzanne has my physical measurements and knows exactly what styles and colors I like. She knows what looks good on me and what doesn't. She's followed my fashion experiments for years, applauding successes and nursing me after failures.

Suzanne did exactly what I needed -- she selected a pretty dress for me and sent it as a surprise Christmas gift. Naturally she picked the right style and colors. She knew -- SHE KNEW -- that I'd be unable to leave the dress on a hangar in the closet. She knew I'd move Heaven and Earth to do an outfit-post. And she was right.

So here, for New Year's, I present to you my first foray into femininity in a long time. Sorely needed, sweetly appreciated. And all the credit goes to Suzanne.

Lastly, I want to thank YOU for being my friend. I value friendship above all things in life and wish you a Happy New Year.











42 comments:

  1. Beautiful my friend. Happy New Year and cheers to a brighter year ahead. xo

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  2. You are glowing in this. I'm delighted it works so well.

    We have shared so many wonderful times together. It is heartwarming you cherish these memories as much as I do.

    Friends lift each other up, in spirit and in life and you my friend have certainly done that for me.

    Big hugs and a Happy New Year! Here's for making what you thought was impossible possible.

    Suzanne

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    1. You're the magician who made it possible! I echo your sentiments about friendship. Happy New Year!

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  3. You look absolutely stunning, Ally! That is one amazing dress, and it does fit you perfectly - those little black panels make your waist look tiny! Way to go, Suzanne! Thank you for taking care of our girl.

    I hope you will come out and visit me again, Ally! It would be awesome! and if you're going to dress as you (i.e. a woman) and be in public, Victoria is probably the safest, chillest place on the planet to do that. No matter what, you're always welcome here. Big hugs to you for the New Year, my dear friend.

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    1. Thanks, Sheila. The dress has magical special effects that transform my cylinder into a hour-glass. :)

      I'm definitely returning to Victoria. You're the prime attraction but the city is exceptionally nice, too. With courage, I'd enjoy presenting as female there. Happy New Year!

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  4. Oh, that is the sweetest story! The dress is perfect on you and I adore the pearls and shoes with it. Happy New Year and here's hoping for a better 2021!

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  5. Suzanne did an absolutely brilliant job sending you that amazing dress. You look gorgeous and are simply glowing! The smile on your face says it all! xxx

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  6. Happy New Year! So glad to see you all dressed up and smiling. That is a fantastic dress on you. Your friends give great gifts!

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    1. All friends give us gifts. That's why friendship matters.

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  7. Yay happy 2021! Suzanne did an absolutely amazing job, you look beautiful my friend!

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  8. I MISSED THIS!!!!!!!!!!! So lovely to see you as YOU! Well done to Suzanne- what a kind and intuitive friend she is. You look beautiful- what a glorious look!x

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  9. Happy New Year!

    Love your outfit, it looks amazing.

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  10. You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress. I love the whole look, the dress, the make up and the hair. Most importantly, you look very confident and happy wearing it. Suzanne really selected a wonderful dress for you. Such friends are truly priceless, those that support us and are truly there for us. I very much enjoyed these photos. What a winning smile you have! The last photo is my favourite. It is so very feminine.

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  11. It's so great to find someone like that! The dress is absolutely beautiful, such a stunning look <3

    Happy new year, hopefully it will be an amazing one and we'll have chance to see more of our friends again :)

    LackaDaisy

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  12. You look oh so lovely! Happy New Year!

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  13. Suzanne is an angel! I am so glad you have her!! Also, look at that dress and your smile! I love it all!

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  14. You look gorgeous! You are lucky to have Suzanne! Let’s hope 2021 is better!

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  15. First of all - I love that dress! And you look great in it.

    This has been such a difficult year and I'm so grateful for friends that found ways to reach out. After I lost my dog and had to go into lockdown - - one friend sent me a card with little jokes or quotes weekly for 4 months.

    I also had a weekly virtual texting movie date with a friend.

    It was something small but it made all the difference.

    Happy new year!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. In a tough year, good friends have kept us afloat. Happy New Year.

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  16. It's not everyday we're fortunate to encounter someone who truly gets and sees, accepts and supports us exactly as we are. What a profound blessing to have that in Suzanne. My heart sings with joy for the wonderful friendship that you two share.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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  17. I was happy to see the beautiful friendship that has been made with Suzanne.
    May your friendship last.

    Happy New Year 2021, hope things will get better.
    Greetings from Indonesia.

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  18. Suzanne has superb taste, that dress is amazing on you! I remember the post when you both got mani and pedis and you went out in public and were happy! I can't wait to see more of your adventures this year, hopefully they can happen <3

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    1. Thanks! Let's hope we can all frolic later this year.

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  19. Gostei bastante do artigo, muito bom mesmo! Estou amando ler seus artigos e compartilhar com os amigos!


    Meu Blog: Como realizar uma aposta no Gbet Sports?

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  20. I Love this Dress and you're Modeling it beautifully, just now catching up on Blog reading.

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